Chapter One HOLIDAY TIME
　　Chapter One HOLIDAY TIME
　　'Two jolly fine tents, four groundsheets, four sleeping-bags - I say, what about Timmy? Isn't hegoing to have a sleeping-bag too?' said Dick, with a grin.
　　The other three children laughed, and Timmy, the dog, thumped his tail hard on the ground.
　　'Look at him,' said George. 'He's laughing, too! He's got his mouth stretched wide open.'
　　They all looked at Timmy. He really did look as if a wide grin stretched his hairy mouth fromside to side.
　　'He's a darling,' said Anne, hugging him. 'Best dog in the world, aren't you, Timmy?'
　　'Woof!' said Timmy, agreeing. He gave Anne a wet lick on her nose.
　　The four children, Julian, tall and strong for his age, Dick, George and Anne were busy planninga camping holiday. George was a girl, not a boy, but she would never answer to her realname, Georgina. With her freckled face and short, curly hair she really did look more like a boythan a girl.
　　'It's absolutely wizard, being allowed to go on a camping holiday all by ourselves,' said Dick. 'Inever thought our parents would allow it, after the terrific adventure we had last summer, whenwe went off in caravans.'
　　'Well - we shan't be quite all by ourselves,' said Anne. 'Don't forget we've got Mr. Luffy to keepan eye on us. He'll be camping quite near.'
　　'Pooh! Old Luffy!' said Dick, with a laugh. 'He won't know if we're there or not. So long as hecan study his precious moorland insects, he won't bother about us.'
　　'Well, if it hadn't been that he was going to camp, too, we wouldn't have been allowed to go,' saidAnne. 'I heard Daddy say so.'
　　Mr. Luffy was a master at the boys' school, an elderly, dreamy fellow with a passion for studyingall kinds of insect-life. Anne avoided him when he carried about boxes of insect specimens,because sometimes they escaped and came crawling out. The boys liked him and thought himfun, but the idea of Mr. Luffy keeping an eye on them struck them as very comical.
　　'It's more likely we'll have to keep an eye on him,' said Julian. 'He's the sort of chap whose tentwill always be falling down on top of him, or he'll run out of water, or sit down on his bag ofeggs. Old Luffy seems to live in the world of insects, not in our world!'
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　　'Well, he can go and live in the world of insects if he likes, so long as he doesn't interfere withus,' said George, who hated interfering people. 'This sounds as if it will be a super holiday -living in tents on the high moors, away from everybody, doing exactly what we like, when welike and how we like.'
　　'Woof!' said Timmy, thumping his tail again.
　　'That means he's going to do as he likes, too,' said Anne. 'You're going to chase hundreds ofrabbits, aren't you, Timmy, and bark madly at anyone who dares to come within two miles of us!'
　　'Now be quiet a minute, Anne!' said Dick, picking up his list again. 'We really must check downour list and find out if we've got every single thing we want. Where did I get to - oh, foursleeping-bags.'
　　'Yes, and you wanted to know if Timmy was to have one,' said Anne, with a giggle.
　　'Of course he won't,' said George. 'He'll sleep where he always does - won't you, Timmy? On myfeet.'
　　'Couldn't we get him just a small sleeping-bag?' asked Anne. 'He'd look sweet with his headpoking out of the top.'
　　'Timmy hates looking sweet,' said George. 'Go on, Dick. I'll tie my hanky round Anne's mouth ifshe interrupts again.'
　　Dick went on down his list. It was a very interesting one. Things like cooking-stoves, canvasbuckets, enamel plates and drinking-cups were on it and each item seemed to need a lot ofdiscussion. The four children enjoyed themselves very much.
　　'You know, it's almost as much fun planning a holiday like this as having it,' said Dick. 'Well - Ishouldn't think we've forgotten a thing, have we?'
　　'No. We've probably thought of too much!' said Julian. 'Well, old Luffy says he'll take all ourthings on the trailer behind his car, so we'll be all right. I shouldn't like to carry them ourselves!'
　　'Oh, I wish next week would come!' said Anne. 'Why is it that the time seems so long whenyou're waiting for something nice to happen, and so short when something nice is happening?"'Yes, it seems the wrong way round, doesn't it?' said Dick, with a grin. 'Anyone got the map? I'dlike to take another squint at the spot where we're going.'
　　Julian produced a map from his pocket. He opened it and the four children sprawled round it.
　　The map showed a vast and lonely stretch of moorland, with very few houses indeed.
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　　'Just a few small farms, that's all,' said Julian pointing to one or two. 'They can't get much of aliving out of such poor land, though. See, that's about the place where we're going - just there -and on the opposite slope is a small farm where we shall get milk, eggs and butter when we needthem. Luffy's been there before. He says it's a rather small farm, but jolly useful to campers.'
　　'These moors are awfully high, aren't they?' said George. 'I guess they'll be freezing cold in thewinter.'
　　'They are,' said Julian. 'And they may be jolly windy and cold in the summer, too, so Luffy sayswe'd better take sweaters and things. He says in the winter they are covered with snow formonths. The sheep have to be dug out when they get lost.'
　　Dick's finger followed a small winding road that made its way over the wild stretch of moorland.
　　'That's the road we go,' he said. 'And I suppose we strike off here, look, where a cart-track isshown. That would go to the farm. We shall have to carry our stuff from wherever Luffy parkshis car, and take it to our camping-place.'
　　'Not too near Luffy, I hope,' said George.
　　'Oh, no. He's agreed to keep an eye on us, but he'll forget all about us once he's settled down inhis own tent,' said Julian. 'He will, really. Two chaps I know once went out in his car with himfor a day's run, and he came back without them in the evening. He'd forgotten he had them withhim, and had left them wandering somewhere miles and miles away.'
　　'Good old Luffy,' said Dick. 'That's the sort of fellow we want! He won't come springing up toask if we've cleaned our teeth or if we've got our warm jerseys on!'
　　The others laughed, and Timmy stretched his doggy mouth into a grin again. His tongue hungout happily. It was good to have all four of his friends with him again, and to hear them planninga holiday. Timmy went to school with George and Anne in term time, and he missed the twoboys very much. But he belonged to George, and would not dream of leaving her. It was a goodthing that George's school allowed pets, or George would certainly not have gone!
　　Julian folded up the map again. 'I hope all the things we've ordered will come in good time," hesaid. 'We've got about six days to wait. I'd better keep on reminding Luffy that we're going withhim, or he's quite likely to start without us!'
　　It was difficult to have to wait so long now that everything was planned. Parcels came fromvarious stores and were eagerly opened. The sleeping-bags were fine.
　　'Super!' said Anne.
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　　'Smashing!' said George, crawling into hers. 'Look! I can lace it up at the neck - and it's got ahood thing to come right over my head. Golly, it's warm! I shan't mind the coldest night if I'msleeping in this. I vote we sleep in them tonight.'
　　'What? In our bedrooms?' said Anne.
　　'Yes. Why not? Just to get used to them,' said George, who felt that a sleeping-bag was a hundredtimes better than an ordinary bed.
　　So that night all four slept on the floor of their bedrooms in their sleeping-bags, and voted themvery comfortable and as warm as toast.
　　'The only thing is, Timmy kept wanting to come right inside mine,' said George, 'and honestlythere isn't enough room. Besides, he'd be cooked.'
　　'Well, he seemed to spend half the night on my tummy,' grumbled Julian. 'I shall jolly well keepthe bedroom door shut if Timmy's going to spend the night flopping on everyone's bag in turn.'
　　'I don't mind the flopping, so much as the frightful habit he's got of turning himself round andround and round before he flops down,' complained Dick. 'He did that on me last night. Sillyhabit of his.'
　　'He can't help it,' said George at once. 'It's a habit that wild dogs had centuries and centuries ago -they slept in reeds and rushes, and they got into the way of turning themselves round and roundin them, to trample them down and make themselves a good sleeping-place. And our dogs go onturning themselves round now, before they go to sleep, even though there aren't any rushes totrample down.'
　　'Well! I wish Timmy would forget his doggy ancestors were wild dogs with rushy beds, and justremember he's a nice tame dog with a basket of his own,' said Dick. 'You should see my tummytoday! It's all printed over with his foot-marks.'
　　'Fibber!' said Anne. 'You do exaggerate, Dick. Oh, I do wish Tuesday would come. I'm tired ofwaiting.' 'It'll come all right,' said Julian. And so, it did, of course. It dawned bright and sunny,with a sky that was a deep blue, flecked with tiny white clouds.
　　'Good-weather clouds,' said Julian, pleased. 'Now let's hope old Luffy has remembered it's todaywe're starting off. He's due here at ten o'clock. We're taking sandwiches for the whole party.
　　Mother thought we'd better, in case Luffy forgot his. If he's remembered them it won't matter,because we're sure to be able to eat them ourselves. And there's always Timmy to finish thingsup!'
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　　Timmy was as excited as the four children. He always knew when something nice was going tohappen. His tail was on the wag the whole time, his tongue hung out, and he panted as if he hadbeen running a race. He kept getting under everyone's feet, but nobody minded.
　　Mr. Luffy arrived half an hour late, just when everyone was beginning to feel he had forgotten tocome. He was at the wheel of his big old car, beaming. All the children knew him quite well,because he lived not far away and often came to play bridge with their father and mother.
　　'Hallo, hallo!' he cried. 'All ready, I see! Good for you! Pile the things on the trailer, will you?
　　Mine are there too but there's plenty of room. I've got sandwiches for everyone, by the way. Mywife said I'd better bring plenty.'
　　'We'll have a fine feast today then,' said Dick, helping Julian to carry out the folded-up tents andsleeping-bags, while the girls followed with the smaller things. Soon everything was on thetrailer and Julian made them safe with ropes.
　　They said good-bye to the watching grown-ups and climbed excitedly into the car. Mr. Luffystarted up his engine and put the lever into first gear with a frightful noise.
　　'Good-bye!' called all the grown-ups, and Julian's mother added a last word. 'DON'T get into anyawful adventure this time!'
　　'Of course they won't!' called back Mr. Luffy cheerfully. 'I'll see to that. There are no adventuresto be found on a wild and deserted moor. Good-bye!'
　　Off they went, waving madly, and shouting goodbye all the way down the road. 'Good-bye!
　　Good-byeeeeee! Hurrah, we're off at last!'
　　The car raced down the road, the trailer bumping madly after it. The holiday had begun!
1.假日的准备
　　假日的准备
　　“两顶超棒的帐篷，四块防潮布，四个睡袋——我说，蒂米呢？
　　它不需要睡袋吗？”迪克咧嘴而笑。
　　另外三个孩子大笑着望向蒂米，这大狗的尾巴正用力地拍了一下地面。
　　“看它，”乔治说，“它也在笑！它的嘴咧得多大。”
　　谁说不是呢？蒂米毛茸茸的嘴都快咧到耳根了。
　　“它真是个宝贝！”安妮拥抱着它，“你是世界上最好的狗狗，是不是，蒂米？”
　　“汪！”蒂米表示同意，顺便舔了舔安妮的鼻子。
　　这四个孩子，朱利安、迪克、乔治和安妮正在忙着计划一次露营假日。乔治是女孩，而不是男孩，但是如果别人叫她的真名——乔治娜，她是不会答应的。乔治满脸雀斑，有着又短又卷曲的头发，她看上去确实更像男孩。
　　“这真是太不可思议了，大人们竟允许我们独自出去露营。”迪克说，“我从未想过爸爸妈妈还会允许我们这么做，尤其是在去年夏天我们经历了那样刺激的探险后，那时候我们住进了旅行大篷车里。”
　　“呃——其实我们并不是独自前去，”安妮说，“别忘了还有鲁夫先生看管我们。他会在附近露营。”
　　“哦！鲁夫老师！”迪克哈哈大笑，“他根本不会注意到我们是否在那儿。只要他能研究珍贵的荒原上的昆虫，他就不会打扰我们。”
　　“嗯，如果不是他也去露营的话，爸爸妈妈一定不会允许我们去的，”安妮说，“我听爸爸是这么说的。”
　　鲁夫先生是一所男校的教师，是一位年长的、爱幻想的人，热爱研究各种昆虫。当他搬运装着昆虫标本的箱子时，安妮会远远地躲着他，因为有时候虫子会逃脱并爬出来。男孩们倒很喜欢他，觉得他很有趣，但是一想到由鲁夫先生看护他们露营，就觉得很搞笑。
　　“很有可能会变成：我们来看护他，”朱利安说，“他就是这种人：他的帐篷总是塌在他身上，他会把水用光，他还会一不小心坐碎一袋鸡蛋。鲁夫先生似乎是生活在昆虫的世界里，而不是我们的世界里！”
　　“好吧，他完全可以去生活在他的昆虫世界里，只要他不干涉我们就行。”乔治说，她讨厌多管闲事的人，“这听起来是一次超棒的假日——住在高高的原野上，睡在帐篷里，远离尘嚣，做我们爱做的事情，想什么时候做就什么时候做，想怎么做怎这么做。”
　　“汪！”蒂米听见主人的欢呼，开心地甩了甩尾巴。
　　“那就意味着它也可以做它想做的事情，”安妮说，“你会去追赶成百上千只兔子，是吗，蒂米？而且，如果有人胆敢进入我们周围两英里，你会冲他们狂吠！”
　　“冷静，冷静，安妮！”迪克再次拿起了他的清单，“我们得核查一下我们的清单，看看是不是东西都准备齐了。我刚才看到哪儿了——哦，四个睡袋。”
　　“是的，你想知道蒂米是否也需要一个。”安妮咯咯地笑了。
　　“它当然不需要了，”乔治说，“它睡在老地方就行了——对吧，蒂米？睡在我脚上。”
　　“我们可以给它准备一个小睡袋吗？”安妮问，“它把脑袋探出来，想想就觉得很可爱。”
　　“蒂米不是那种小可爱，”乔治说，“继续核对，迪克。如果安妮再插嘴，我就用手绢把她的嘴堵上。”
　　迪克继续核对清单。这是一件非常有趣的工作。清单上写着炉灶、帆布桶、搪瓷盘子、水杯等，似乎每件物品带还是不带都需要讨论很久，但这四个孩子却乐在其中。
　　“计划假日简直跟欢度假日一样有趣，”迪克说，“我觉得我们都带齐了，对吧？”
　　“是的。我们要带的倒是太多啦！”朱利安说，“不过，老鲁夫说，我们可以把行李都放在他的拖车上，所以没问题。我们不需要自己搬运！”
　　“真希望下周快点到来！”安妮说，“为什么等待好事发生的时候，时间那么漫长，而当它发生的时候，时间又如此短暂？”
　　“是的，这让人很不爽，不是吗？”迪克咧嘴而笑，“地图在谁那里？我想再看一眼我们要去的地方。”
　　朱利安从口袋里掏出地图打开，四个孩子趴在四周研究起来。
　　地图上展示了一片广阔而偏僻的荒原，只有很少的几户人家。
　　“荒原上只有几座小农场。”朱利安指着地图上的一两处，“不过这么贫瘠的土地上他们应该赚不到什么钱。看，那大概就是我们要去的地方，就在那儿——在对面的斜坡上有座小农场，我们可以从那里买牛奶、鸡蛋和黄油。鲁夫去过那儿。他说那是一座相当小的农场，但是对露营者来说非常有用。”
　　“这些荒原海拔很高，是吗？”乔治说，“我猜冬天的时候，那里应该特别冷。”
　　“是啊，”朱利安说，“夏天也冷，并且风很大，所以鲁夫说我们最好带上毛衣之类的衣物。在冬天，荒原上会被积雪覆盖好几个月。绵羊一旦迷路了，就会被冰雪掩埋。”
　　迪克的手指沿着地图上的一条蜿蜒小路游走，穿过了那片荒原，“这就是我们要走的路，”他说，“我猜我们从这里出发，这儿有条小路，通往农场。不管鲁夫在哪里停车，下车之后我们都要自己搬运行李，搬到我们的露营地。”
　　“希望不要住得离鲁夫先生太近。”乔治说。
　　“没关系的。尽管他同意了会照看我们，但他一旦住进自己的帐篷，就会把我们忘得一干二净啦，”朱利安说，“相信我，他会的。
　　我知道有两个小孩子曾经坐他的车出去兜风，晚上的时候，他却独自回来了。他忘了自己是跟他们一起去的，把他们丢在了千里之外。”
　　“这真是太好啦，”迪克说，“这就是我们想要的啊！他要是这个样子，就一定不会突然来问我们，‘有没有刷牙’‘有没有穿上暖和的针织衫’之类的！”
　　其他人都笑了，蒂米也咧开了嘴快乐地伸出了舌头，能再次跟它的四个朋友在一起实在是太好了，还可以听他们为假日做计划。
　　在上学期间，蒂米跟乔治和安妮一起上学，它非常想念另外两个男孩。但它是属于乔治的，并且永远也不想离开她。还好乔治的学校允许携带宠物，当然，如果不那样的话，乔治也一定不会上那所学校。
　　现在一切都计划好了，还要等那么久实在是种煎熬。还好这几天陆续有各个商店的包裹寄来，多少能聊以自慰。新睡袋质量很好。
　　“太好了！”安妮说。
　　“真不错！”乔治爬进了她的睡袋，“看啊！我可以在脖子这里系紧，而且头部还有一个兜帽。天哪，它太暖和啦！能睡在这里边，再冷的夜晚我也不怕啦。我提议我们今晚就睡在睡袋里吧。”
　　“什么？在卧室里？”安妮问道。
　　“是呀。多有意思，为了适应一下嘛。”乔治已经觉得睡袋比普通的床要好上一百倍了。
　　于是那天晚上，他们四个钻进睡袋睡在了卧室地板上，温暖又舒适。早上起来，孩子们觉得暖和得像刚出炉的面包。
　　“唯一的缺点就是，蒂米不停地想钻进我的睡袋，”乔治说，“但是空间也不够啊。另外，它要是进去，会热坏的。”
　　“好吧，它似乎有半夜的时间都趴在我肚子上，”朱利安抱怨道，“如果蒂米要轮流在每个人的睡袋上搞突然袭击，我非常愿意把它关在卧室外边。”
　　“我不介意它突然趴上来，我更怕的是它总是在趴下之前不停地踩来踩去。”迪克抱怨道，“它昨晚就在我身上踩了好几个印子。真是个蠢习惯。”
　　“它忍不住嘛，”乔治立刻解释，“这是它们的祖先在数千万年之前形成的习惯——那时候它们睡在芦苇和灌木丛里，习惯了不停地踩来踩去，把睡觉的地方踩平，给自己做个舒服的小床。所以蒂米现在依然会在睡觉前踩来踩去，尽管已经不需要踩平灌木丛了。”
　　“好吧！我希望蒂米能够忘记它的狗祖先是睡灌木草床的，只要记住它是一只已经驯化了的乖乖狗，有自己的小床。”迪克说，“你真应该看看我的肚子！上面都是它的脚印呢。”
　　“胡说！”安妮说，“哪有那么夸张。唉，我真希望星期二快点到来。我厌倦了等待。”“它总会来的。”朱利安说。
　　星期二终于到了。这天晴空万里，天空湛蓝，点缀着朵朵白云。
　　“这种云预示着好天气。”朱利安满意地说，“现在希望老鲁夫记得我们是今天出发，他十点应该会到这里。妈妈为所有人准备了三明治，以防鲁夫忘记带了。如果他带了也没关系，我们自己也能吃完。并且我们还有蒂米，可以把它们都解决掉！”
　　蒂米跟那四个孩子一样兴奋。每当有好事要发生，它总能感应到。它的尾巴一直在摇摆，舌头也伸了出来，就像刚才一直在赛跑似的。它不停地跑到每个人的脚下蹭来蹭去，但是没有人管它，大家都一心盼着鲁夫先生的到来。
　　鲁夫先生迟到了半个小时，就在所有人都觉得他忘记要来时，他到了，开着他的又大又旧的车来的，坐在车上冲孩子们笑。孩子们跟他很熟，因为他住得并不远，并且经常来跟他们的父母玩桥牌。
　　“你们好，你们好！”他大喊道，“我看大家都准备好了！真棒！
　　把行李装到拖车上，好吗？我的已经放上去了，还有很大空间。对了，我给每个人都带了三明治。我妻子让我多带点，于是做了一大堆。”
　　“那我们今天要有顿盛宴啦。”迪克说。他帮朱利安把折叠起来的帐篷和睡袋搬了上去，同时女孩们搬了些稍小一点的物件。很快，东西都搬到拖车上了，朱利安用绳子把它们绑好系牢。
　　他们向在一旁观看的大人们道别，然后兴奋地爬进汽车。鲁夫先生发动了引擎，把变速杆推到一挡上，汽车开始发出可怕的轰鸣。
　　“再见！”大人们喊道，朱利安的妈妈又补充了一句：“这次可别再卷入什么可怕的冒险了！”
　　“他们不会的！”鲁夫先生高兴地喊道，“我保证。在那片荒凉无人的高地上，不会发生什么冒险活动的。再见！”
　　汽车渐渐驶远，孩子们朝着大人们拼命地挥手道别：“再见！再见——！万岁！我们终于出发啦！”
　　向着目标，汽车飞速行驶，拖车在后面剧烈地颠簸着。假日就这样开始了！
Chapter 2 UP ON THE MOORS
　　Chapter 2 UP ON THE MOORS
　　Mr. Luffy was not a good driver. He went too fast, especially round the corners, and many timesJulian looked behind at the trailer in alarm, afraid that everything would suddenly leap off it atsome sharp bend.
　　He saw the bundle of sleeping-bags jump high into the air, but fortunately they remained on thetrailer. He touched Mr. Luffy on the shoulder.
　　7
　　'Sir! Could you go a bit slower, please! The trailer will be empty by the time we arrive, if theluggage leaps about on it much more.'
　　'My word! I forgot we had a trailer,' said Mr. Luffy, slowing down at once. 'Remind me if I goover thirty-five miles an hour, will you? Last time I took the trailer with me, I arrived with onlyhalf the goods on it. I don't want that to happen again.'
　　Julian certainly hoped it wouldn't. He kept a sharp eye on the speedometer, and when it veeredtowards forty he tapped Mr. Luffy on the arm.
　　Mr. Luffy looked supremely happy. He didn't like term time, but he loved holidays. Term timeinterfered with the study of his beloved insect-world. Now he was off with four nice children heliked, for a holiday on a moorland he knew was alive with bees, beetles, butterflies and everyother kind of insect he wanted. He looked forward to teaching the four children quite a lot. Theywould have been horrified if they guessed this, but they didn't.
　　He was an odd-looking fellow. He had very untidy, shaggy eyebrows over kind and gentle browneyes that always reminded Dick of a monkey's. He had a rather large nose, which looked fiercerthan it was because, unexpectedly, it had quite a forest of hairs growing out of the nostrils. Hehad an untidy moustache, and a round chin with a surprising dimple in the middle of it.
　　His ears always fascinated Anne. They were large and turned rather forward, and Mr. Luffycould waggle the right one if he wanted to. To his great sorrow he had never been able to wagglethe left one. His hair was thick and untidy, and his clothes always looked loose, comfortable andrather too big for him.
　　The children liked him. They couldn't help it. He was so odd and gentle and untidy and forgetful- and yet sometimes unexpectedly fierce. Julian had often told them the story of Tom Killin thebully.
　　Mr. Luffy had once found Tom bullying a small new boy in the cloakroom, dragging him roundand round it by his belt. With a roar like an angry bull Mr. Luffy had pounced on the big bully,got him by the belt, lifted him up and stuck him firmly on a peg in the cloakroom.
　　'There you stay till you get someone to lift you down!' Mr. Luffy had thundered. I can get hold ofa belt too, as you can see!'
　　And then he had stalked out of the cloakroom with the small, terrified boy beside him, leavingthe bully hung up high on the peg, quite unable to free himself. And there he had to stay, becausenot one of the boys who came pouring in from a game of football would lift him down.
　　8
　　'And, if the peg hadn't given way under his weight, he'd be stuck up there still,' Julian had saidwith a grin.
　　'Good old Luffy! You'd never think he could be fierce like that, would you?'
　　Anne loved that story. Mr. Luffy became quite a hero to her after that. She was pleased to sitnext to him in the car, and chatter about all kinds of things. The other three were squashed at theback with Timmy on their feet. George firmly prevented him from climbing up on her kneebecause it was so hot. So he contented himself with trying to stand up with his paws on thewindow-ledge and his nose over the side.
　　They stopped about half past twelve for lunch. Mr. Luffy had indeed provided sandwiches foreveryone. And remarkably fine ones they were too, made the evening before by Mrs. Luffy.
　　'Cucumber, - dipped in vinegar! Ham and lettuce! Egg! Sardine! Oooh, Mr. Luffy, yoursandwiches are much nicer than ours,' said Anne, beginning on two together, one cucumber andthe other ham and lettuce.
　　They were all very hungry. Timmy had a bit from everyone, usually the last bite, and watchedeach sandwich eagerly till his turn came. Mr. Luffy didn't seem to understand that Timmy had tohave the last bite of any sandwich, so Timmy simply took it out of his hand, much to his surprise.
　　'A clever dog,' he said, and patted him. 'Knows what he wants and takes it. Very clever.'
　　That pleased George, of course. She thought that Timmy was the cleverest dog in the world, andindeed it did seem like it at times. He understood every word she said to him, every pat, everystroke, every gesture. He would be much, much better at keeping an eye on the four children andguarding them than forgetful Mr. Luffy.
　　They drank ginger beer and then ate some ripe plums. Timmy wouldn't have any plums, but helicked up some spilt ginger beer. Then he snuffed up a few odd crumbs and went to drink at alittle stream nearby.
　　The party set off again in the car. Anne fell asleep. Dick gave an enormous yawn and fell asleeptoo. George wasn't sleepy, nor was Timmy, but Julian was. He didn't dare to take his eye off thespeedometer, though, because Mr. Luffy seemed to be very much inclined to speed along too fastagain, after his good lunch.
　　'We won't stop for tea till we get there,' said Mr. Luffy suddenly, and Dick woke up with a jumpat the sound of his booming voice. 'We should be there about half past five. Look, you can seethe moorland in the distance now - all ablaze with heather!'
　　9
　　Everybody looked ahead, except Anne, who was still fast asleep. Rising up to the left for milesupon miles was the heather-covered moorland, a lovely sight to see. It looked wild and lonelyand beautiful, blazing with heather, and shading off into a purple-blue in the distance.
　　'We take this road to the left, and then we're on the moors,' said Mr. Luffy, swinging violently tothe left, and making the luggage in the trailer jump high again. 'Here we go.'
　　The car climbed the high moorland road steadily. It passed one or two small houses, and in thedistance the children could see little farms in clearings. Sheep dotted the moorland, and some ofthem stood staring at the car as it drove by.
　　'We've got about twenty miles to go, I should think,' said Mr. Luffy, jamming on his brakessuddenly to avoid two large sheep in the middle of the road. 'I wish these creatures wouldn'tchoose the centre of the road to gossip in. Hi, get on there! Let me pass!'
　　Timmy yelped and tried to get out of the car. The sheep hurriedly decided to move, and the carwent on. Anne was thoroughly awake by now, having been almost jerked out of her seat by thesudden stop.
　　'What a shame to wake you!' said Mr. Luffy, gazing down at her kindly, and almost running intoa ditch by the side of the road. 'We're nearly there, Anne.'
　　They climbed steadily, and the wind grew a little cold. All around the children the moorsstretched for mile upon mile, never-ending. Little streams sometimes splashed right down to theroadway, and ran beside it.
　　'We can drink the water in these streams,' said Mr. Luffy. 'Crystal clear, and cold as ice! There'sone quite near where we're going to camp.'
　　That was good news. Julian thought of the big canvas buckets they had brought. He didn'tparticularly want to carry those for miles. If there was a stream near their camping place it wouldbe easy to get the buckets filled with washing-water.
　　The road forked into two. To the right was a good road, leading on and on. To the left it becamenot much more than a cart-track. 'That's the one we take,' said Mr. Luffy, and the car jerked andjolted over it. He was forced to go slowly, and the children had time to see every little thing theypassed.
　　'I shall leave the car here,' said Mr. Luffy, bringing it to a standstill beside a great rock that stoodup bare and grey out of the moor. 'It will be sheltered from the worst winds and rain. I thoughtwe'd camp over yonder.'
　　10
　　There was a little slope just there, backed by some enormous gorse bushes. Thick heather greweverywhere. Julian nodded. It was a good place for camping. Those thick gorse bushes wouldprovide fine shelter from the winds.
　　'Right, sir,' he said. 'Shall we have tea first, or unpack now?'
　　'Tea first,' said Mr. Luffy. 'I've brought a very good little stove for boiling and cooking things.
　　Better than a wood fire. That makes kettles and saucepans so black.'
　　'We've got a stove, too,' said Anne. She scrambled out of the car and looked all round. 'It's lovelyhere - all heather and wind and sun! Is that the farm over there - the one we shall go to for eggsand things?'
　　She pointed to a tiny farmhouse on the hill opposite. It stood in a small clearing. In a field behindit were three or four cows and a horse. A small orchard stood at the side, and a vegetable gardenlay in front. It seemed odd to see such a trim little place in the midst of the moorland.
　　'That's Olly's Farm,' said Mr. Luffy. 'It's changed hands, I believe, since I was here three yearsago. I hope the new people are nice. Now - did we leave something to eat for our tea?'
　　They had, because Anne had wisely put away a good many sandwiches and bits of cake for tea-time. They sat in the heather, with bees humming all round them, and munched solidly for fifteenminutes. Timmy waited patiently for his bits, watching the bees that hummed round him. Therewere thousands of them.
　　'And now I suppose we'd better put up our tents,' said Julian. 'Come on, Dick - let's unpack thetrailer. Mr. Luffy, we don't intend to camp on top of you, sir, because you won't want four noisychildren too near. Where would you like your tent put?' Mr. Luffy was about to say that hewould like to have the four children and Timmy quite close, when it suddenly occurred to himthat perhaps they might not want him too near. They might want to make a noise, or play sillygames, and if he were near it would stop them enjoying themselves in their own way.
　　So he made up his mind not to be too close. I'll pitch my tent down there, where that old gorsebush is,' he said. 'And if you'd like to put yours up here, where there's a half-circle of gorsebushes keeping off the wind, you'd be well sheltered. And we shan't interfere with one another atall.'
　　'Right, sir,' said Julian, and he and Dick began to tackle the tents. It was fun. Timmy got undereveryone's feet as usual, and ran off with an important rope, but nobody minded.
　　11
　　By the time that dusk came creeping up the heather-covered moorland, all three tents were up,the ground-sheets were put down, and the sleeping-bags unrolled on them, two in each of thechildren's tents, and one in Mr. Luffy's.
　　'I'm going to turn in,' said Mr. Luffy. 'My eyes are almost shut. Good night all of you. Sleepwell!'
　　He disappeared into the dusk. Anne yawned widely, and that set the others off too. 'Come on -let's turn in, too,' said Julian. 'We'll have a bar of chocolate each, and a few biscuits. We can eatthose in our sleeping-bags. Good night, girls. Won't it be grand to wake up tomorrow morning?'
　　He and Dick disappeared into their tent. The girls crawled into theirs with Timmy. Theyundressed, and got into their warm, soft sleeping-bags.
　　'This is super!' said George, pushing Timmy to one side. 'I never felt so cosy in my life. Don't dothat, Timmy. Don't you know the difference between my feet and my middle? That's better.'
　　'Good night,' said Anne, sleepily. 'Look, George, you can see the stars shining through theopening of the tent. Don't they look enormous?'
　　But George didn't care whether they were enormous or not. She was fast asleep, tired out withthe day's run. Timmy cocked one ear when he heard Anne's voice, and gave a little grunt. Thatwas his way of saying good night. Then he put his head down and slept.
　　'Our first night of camping,' thought Anne, happily. 'I shan't go to sleep. I shall lie awake andlook at the stars and smell that heathery smell.'
　　But she didn't. In half a second she was sound asleep, too!
2.搭建帐篷
　　搭建帐篷
　　鲁夫先生实在不是一个好司机。他开得太快了，甚至是在转弯的时候，朱利安总在提心吊胆地往后看，生怕一个急转弯，所有的东西全被甩飞。他眼睁睁看到那一捆睡袋被甩到了半空中，幸运的是它们又掉回到拖车上了。他拍了拍鲁夫先生的肩膀。
　　“先……先生！能请您开慢点吗？后面的行李再这样晃动，等我们到达目的地的时候，恐怕拖车上就什么也不剩了。”
　　“哎呀！我忘了后面还有拖车。”鲁夫先生连忙减速了，“如果车速超过了每小时35英里，你就提醒我，好吗？上次我开拖车，到达目的地的时候，东西只剩下一半了。我可不想让历史重演。”
　　朱利安当然也不想要那种结果。他紧紧盯着仪表盘，当车速指针接近40的时候，他就拍拍鲁夫先生的胳膊。
　　鲁夫先生看起来高兴极了。他不喜欢开学上课，他热爱假日。
　　在开学期间，他没什么时间研究他热爱的昆虫。现在他跟他喜欢的四个孩子一起去荒原度假，那里随处可见蜜蜂、甲壳虫、蝴蝶以及其他各种各样他喜欢的昆虫。他期待教会这四个孩子很多关于昆虫的知识。不过孩子们要是猜中了他的想法，大概会吓一跳吧。
　　鲁夫先生是个长相奇特的人。他的眉毛又粗又乱，一双棕色的眼睛倒是善良温和，不过总是让迪克想起猴子的眼睛。他的鼻子相当大，浓密的鼻毛长出了鼻孔，让他看起来比实际上要凶得多。他的胡须很凌乱，圆圆的下巴中间还有个酒窝。
　　他的耳朵让安妮很着迷，它们很大还有点朝前。如果鲁夫先生愿意，他可以摆动他的右耳。令他非常遗憾的是，他无法摆动他的左耳。他的头发浓密蓬乱，他的衣服永远是松松垮垮的，对他来说尺寸过大，不过他喜欢这种随性的风格。
　　孩子们情不自禁地喜欢他。他古怪却又温柔，邋遢并且健忘——然而有时候出人意料的勇猛。朱利安经常给别人讲述汤姆•基林的校园霸凌故事。
　　有一次，汤姆在衣帽间欺负一个新生，可恶的汤姆抓住男孩的腰带把他拽来拽去。鲁夫先生发现了大吼一声，像一头公牛一样，扑向汤姆，抓住了他的腰带，把他提了起来，牢牢地挂在了衣帽间的挂钩上。
　　“你在这儿好好待着吧，直到有人把你放下来为止！”鲁夫先生吼道，“我也能抓住腰带，就像你所做的那样！”
　　然后他昂首阔步地走出了衣帽间，跟那个小个子、吓坏了的小男孩一起离开了。那个小恶霸挂在高高的挂钩上，无法下地，没有人愿意放他下来。那群踢完足球一拥而入的男孩们，也没有一个人愿意把他放下来。
　　“如果不是最后那个挂钩承受不了他的重量了，他可能现在还挂在那儿呢。”朱利安笑着说，“鲁夫老师人真好！你们肯定想不到他会那样勇猛吧？”
　　安妮爱听那个故事。自从她听过之后，鲁夫先生就成了她的英雄。她如愿以偿地坐在副驾驶的位子上，不停地和鲁夫先生聊着天。其他三个孩子挤在后排，还有蒂米卧在他们脚上。乔治坚决不让它爬到她膝盖上，那样就太热了。蒂米努力站起来，把爪子搭在车窗上，鼻子伸到车窗外面，它对此感到十分满足。
　　他们大概在12点半的时候停车吃午饭。鲁夫先生确实为每个人准备了三明治。而且这些三明治非常美味，是昨天晚上鲁夫的妻子做的。
　　“酸黄瓜腌得真透！火腿和生菜！鸡蛋！沙丁鱼！哦——鲁夫先生，您带的三明治比我们的要好得多。”安妮说。她拿起了两个，左一口，右一口，一边是黄瓜的，一边是火腿生菜的。
　　他们都非常饿。蒂米从每个人那里吃到一口三明治，通常是最后一口。它满怀渴望地看着每个三明治，等着轮到它吃为止。鲁夫先生被搞懵了：为什么蒂米要吃每个三明治的最后一口？当蒂米从他手里抢走最后一口三明治时，他非常吃惊。
　　“真是只聪明的狗，”他说道，并拍了拍它，“知道它想要什么，并且弄到了手，非常聪明。”
　　他的话让乔治很开心。她认为蒂米是世界上最聪明的狗，有时候似乎确实如此。它理解她对它说的每一句话，她的每一次轻拍、每一次轻抚、每一个手势。在看护孩子方面，比起健忘的鲁夫先生，它可要擅长得多。
　　他们喝了姜汁汽水，然后吃了一些甜甜的李子。蒂米不吃李子，但它舔光了洒落在地上的一点姜汁汽水。它使劲寻觅着地上各种各样的食物碎屑，然后去附近的小溪喝水去了。
　　饱餐一顿之后，大家坐在车上再次出发了。安妮睡着了，迪克伸了个大大的懒腰，也睡着了。乔治不困，蒂米也不困，但是朱利安很困。可是他的眼睛不敢离开车速表，因为鲁夫先生吃饱之后，似乎经常有狠踩油门的倾向。
　　“看来我们在到达前不用再停下来喝茶啦，”鲁夫先生突然说道，迪克一听到他低沉洪亮的声音就惊醒了，一下子从座位上站了起来，“看啊，你们可以看到远方的荒原了——那里闪耀着石南花海的光辉！”
　　每个人都向前看去，除了熟睡的安妮。汽车上坡后左转，向远处荒芜偏僻又美丽的高地前进，那里的石南花色彩艳丽，和远方的天际融成一片蓝紫色。
　　“我们走这条路去左边，然后就到了。”鲁夫先生向左猛打方向盘，使得拖车上的行李再次飞得老高，“拥抱荒原吧！”
　　汽车再次稳速爬坡。他们经过一两处小房子，孩子们可以看到空地里的小农场。一头头绵羊点缀着荒原，当车路过的时候，一些羊还抬起头来盯着车看。
　　“我们大概还有20英里要走，我觉得。”鲁夫先生说道，他突然猛踩刹车，差点撞到路中间的两头大羊，“这些动物就不要在路中间待着了。嗨，挪挪身子！让我们过去！”
　　蒂米叫了一声，但没法下车。那些羊吃了一惊，连忙逃开了，汽车继续前行。安妮现在彻底醒了，因为刚才的突然刹车，差点把她甩出去。
　　“把你晃醒了，真抱歉啊！”鲁夫先生善良地低头看了她一眼，结果差点把车开进路边的沟里去，“我们快到啦，安妮。”
　　他们的车速开始变得很稳，上坡之后，风有点冷了。周围的荒原绵延不绝，小溪在路边流淌，有时水花还会溅落在车道上。
　　“我们可以喝这些小溪里的水。”鲁夫先生说道，“晶莹剔透，冷冽如冰！我们要露营的地方附近就有条小溪呢。”
　　这可真是个好消息。朱利安想起了他们买的帆布水桶。他并不是很想去数英里之外打水。如果他们的露营地附近就有条小溪，使用这些水桶取水就非常轻松了。
　　眼前的路分叉了。右边是条平整的公路，左边是条崎岖的小路，“我们要走的就是那条，”鲁夫先生说着，然后将车猛地开到了左边小路上，颠簸地前行着。因此他不得不开得很慢，孩子们这下便有时间慢慢欣赏沿途的风景了。
　　“我要把车停这儿。”鲁夫先生在一块大石头旁边停住了车，那块灰色的光秃秃的巨石屹立在荒原上，“它会为汽车遮挡最糟糕的风雨。我认为我们的营地应该搭在那里。”那边有个小坡，后面长着一些茂盛的荆豆丛，周围生长着大片的石南。
　　朱利安点了点头。那些浓密的荆豆丛具有很好的挡风效果。“好的，先生，”他说，“我们是先喝茶，还是先卸东西？”
　　“先喝茶吧，”鲁夫先生说，“我带了一个非常好用的小炉子，可以用来煮茶以及做饭。比用木柴烧火要好，木柴烧火会把水壶和炖锅都烤黑。”
　　“我们也带了个炉子呢。”安妮说。她爬出汽车，环顾了一下四周，“这里太美啦——到处都是石南，还有微风和阳光！那边是农场吗？可以买鸡蛋之类的东西吗？”
　　她指着对面山丘上的一座小农场，屹立在一处小空地上。农场后面的田野里有三四头奶牛和一匹马，旁边还有一个小果园，果园的前面有一个菜园。在荒原中间有个这样整洁美观的小地方，看上去很奇特。
　　“那是奥利农场，”鲁夫先生说，“它转过手，三年前我来过这儿，希望那里的新主人比较友善。现在我们还有茶点吗？”
　　当然是有的，午餐的时候，安妮明智地把很多三明治和小块蛋糕放在了一边，留作茶点。他们坐在石南丛中，蜜蜂在他们周围嗡嗡吟唱。大家足足享用了15分钟惬意的下午茶时光。蒂米一边耐心地等着它的那一份，一边欣赏着周围嗡嗡飞舞的蜜蜂。
　　“现在我们该搭建帐篷了，”朱利安说，“来吧，迪克，我们把东西从拖车上卸下来。鲁夫先生，我们就不和您挨着扎营了，我们想您应该不喜欢孩子们在您附近又吵又闹的。您想把帐篷搭在哪里呢？”鲁夫先生本来要说，他乐意跟这些孩子以及蒂米住得近一些，然而他突然想到，也许孩子们不想跟他住得过近。他们可能想要吵吵闹闹，或是玩些疯赶打闹的游戏，如果他住在旁边，他们玩起来就会放不开。
　　因此他下定决心，就不跟着凑热闹了，“我会把我的帐篷搭建在那儿，那个长着一大丛荆豆的地方。”他说，“如果你们愿意把你们的帐篷搭建在这儿，这里的荆豆丛呈半圆形，会挡住风，你们就不会受风雨侵袭了，并且我们也不会互相打扰。”
　　“好的，先生。”朱利安说，然后跟迪克一起搭起帐篷，这个活儿挺有趣的。蒂米像往常一样钻到每个人的脚下，咬住一根重要的绳子跑开了，但是没有人顾得上搭理它。
　　等到黄昏爬上石南覆盖的荒原，三顶帐篷都搭好了，防潮垫也铺好了，睡袋也铺开了，孩子们的帐篷里一边放两个，鲁夫先生那里放了一个。
　　“我要睡觉啦，”鲁夫先生说，“我的眼睛已经睁不开了。祝你们晚安。睡个好觉！”说完，他消失在黄昏里。
　　安妮打了个大大的哈欠，一时让其他人也觉得困意袭来，“来吧——我们也睡觉吧，”朱利安说，“我们每个人都拿一条巧克力和几块饼干，我们可以在自己的睡袋里吃。晚安，女孩们。明早醒来的感觉一定棒极了！”
　　他和迪克消失在帐篷里。女孩们和蒂米一起钻进了帐篷。她们脱掉外套，爬进了温暖舒适的睡袋。
　　“真舒服呀！”乔治把蒂米推到一边，“我从未感到如此舒服过。
　　别趴我腰上，蒂米。你不知道脚跟腰的区别吗？嗯嗯，现在好多啦。”
　　“晚安，”安妮昏昏欲睡地说，“看，乔治，你能从帐篷的缝隙里看到星星在眨眼。繁星点点真美啊！”
　　但乔治并不在乎繁星点点，她已经睡熟了，在一天的行程之后精疲力竭。蒂米竖起一只耳朵听安妮说话，然后轻轻地咕哝了一声，那是它说晚安的方式。很快，它也埋下脑袋睡着了。
　　“我们露营的第一夜，”安妮快乐地想着，“我不要睡觉。我要躺着看星星，闻石南的芳香。”
　　但是并没有。半秒钟之后，她也睡熟了！
Chapter 3 ANNE'S VOLCANO
　　Chapter 3 ANNE'S VOLCANO
　　Julian awoke first in the morning. He heard a strange and lonely sound floating overhead. 'Coor-lie! Coor-lie!'
　　He sat up and wondered where he was and who was calling. Of course! He was in his tent withDick - they were camping on the moors. And that wild cry overhead came from a curlew, thebird of the moorlands.
　　12
　　He yawned and lay down again. It was early in the morning. The sun put its warm fingers in athis tent opening, and he felt the warmth on his sleeping-bag. He felt lazy and snug and contented.
　　He also felt hungry, which was a nuisance. He glanced at his watch.
　　Half past six. He really was too warm and comfortable to get up yet. He put out his hand to see ifthere was any chocolate left from the night before, and found a little piece. He put it into hismouth and lay there contentedly, listening to more curlews, and watching the sun climb a littlehigher.
　　He fell asleep again, and was awakened by Timmy busily licking his face. He sat up with a start.
　　The girls were peering in at his tent, grinning. They were fully dressed already.
　　'Wake up, lazy!' said Anne. 'We sent Timmy in to get you up. It's half past seven. We've been upfor ages.'
　　'It's a simply heavenly morning,' said George.
　　'Going to be a frightfully hot day. Do get up. We're going to find the stream and wash in it. Itseems silly to lug heavy buckets of water to and fro for washing, if the stream's nearby.'
　　Dick awoke too. He and Julian decided to go and take a bathe in the stream. They wandered outinto the sunny morning, feeling very happy and very hungry. The girls were just coming backfrom the stream.
　　'It's over there,' said Anne, pointing. 'Timmy, go with them and show them. It's a lovely littlebrown stream, awfully cold, and it's got ferns along its banks. We've left the bucket there. Bringit back full, will you?'
　　'What do you want us to do that for, if you've already washed?' asked Dick.
　　'We want water for washing-up the dishes,' said Anne. 'I suddenly remembered we'd need waterfor that. I say, do you think we ought to wake up Mr. Luffy? There's no sign of him yet.'
　　'No, let him sleep,' said Julian. 'He's probably tired out with driving the car so slowly! We caneasily save him some breakfast. What are we going to have?'
　　'We've unpacked some bacon rashers and tomatoes, ' said Anne, who loved cooking. 'How doyou light the stove, Julian?'
　　'George knows,' said Julian. 'I say, did we pack a frying-pan?'
　　'Yes. I packed it myself,' said Anne. 'Do go and bathe if you're going to. Breakfast will be readybefore you are!'
　　13
　　Timmy gravely trotted off with the boys and showed them the stream. Julian and Dick at oncelay down in the clear brown bed, and kicked wildly. Timmy leapt in too, and there were yells andshrieks.
　　'Well - I should think we've woken up old Luffy now!' said Dick, rubbing himself down with arough towel. 'How lovely and cold that was. The trouble is it's made me feel twice as hungry!'
　　'Doesn't that frying bacon smell good?' said Julian, sniffing the air. They walked back to thegirls. There was still no sign of Mr. Luffy. He must indeed sleep very soundly!
　　They sat down in the heather and began their breakfast. Anne had fried big rounds of bread in thefat, and the boys told her she was the best cook in the world. She was very pleased.
　　'I shall look after the food side for you,' she said. 'But George must help with the preparing of themeals and washing-up. See, George?'
　　George didn't see. She hated doing all the things that Anne loved to do, such as making beds andwashing-up. She looked sulky.
　　'Look at old George! Why bother about the washing-up when there's Timmy only too pleased touse his tongue to wash every plate?' said Dick.
　　Everyone laughed, even George. 'All right,' she said, I'll help of course. Only let's use as fewplates as possible, then there won't be much washing-up. Is there any more fried bread, Anne?'
　　'No. But there are some biscuits in that tin,' said Anne. 'I say, boys, who's going to go to the farmeach day for milk and things? I expect they can let us have bread, too, and fruit.'
　　'Oh, one or other of us will go,' said Dick. 'Anne, hadn't you better fry something for old Luffynow? I'll go and wake him. Half the day will be gone if he doesn't get up now.'
　　'I'll go and make a noise like an earwig outside his tent,' said Julian, getting up. 'He might notwake with all our yells and shouts, but he'd certainly wake at the call of a friendly earwig!'
　　He went down to the tent. He cleared his throat and called politely: 'Are you awake yet, sir?'
　　There was no answer. Julian called again. Then, puzzled, he went to the tent opening. The flapwas closed. He pulled it aside and looked in.
　　The tent was empty! There was nobody there at all.
　　'What's up, Ju?' called Dick.
　　'He's not here,' said Julian. 'Where can he be?'
　　14
　　There was silence. For a panic-stricken moment Anne thought one of their strange adventureswas beginning. Then Dick called out again: 'Is his bug-tin gone? You know, the tin box withstraps that he takes with him when he goes insect-hunting? And what about his clothes?'
　　Julian inspected the inside of the tent again. 'Okay!' he called, much to everyone's relief. 'Hisclothes are gone, and so has his bug-tin. He must have slipped out early, before we were awake. Ibet he's forgotten all about us and breakfast and everything!'
　　'That would be just like him,' said Dick. 'Well, we're not his keepers. He can do as he likes! If hedoesn't want breakfast, he needn't have any. He'll come back when he's finished his hunting, Isuppose.'
　　'Anne! Can you get on with the doings if Dick and I go to the farmhouse and see what foodthey've got?' asked Julian. 'The time's getting on, and if we're going for a walk or anything today,we don't want to start too late.'
　　'Right,' said Anne. 'You go too, George. I can manage everything nicely, now that the boys havebrought me a bucketful of water. Take Timmy. He wants a walk.'
　　George was only too pleased to get out of the washing-up. She and the boys, with Timmytrotting in front, set off to the farmhouse. Anne got on with her jobs, humming softly to herself inthe sunshine. She soon finished them, and then looked to see if the others were coming back.
　　There was no sign of them, or of Mr. Luffy either.
　　'I'll go for a walk on my own,' thought Anne. I'll follow that little stream uphill and see where itbegins. That would be fun. I can't possibly lose my way if I keep by the water.'
　　She set off in the sunshine and came to the little brown stream that gurgled down the hill. Shescrambled through the heather beside it, following its course uphill. She liked all the little greenferns and the cushions of velvety moss that edged it. She tasted the water - it was cold and sweetand clean.
　　Feeling very happy all by herself, Anne walked on and on. She came at last to a big mound of ahill-top. The little stream began there, half-way up the mound. It came gurgling out of theheathery hillside, edged with moss, and made its chattering way far down the hill.
　　'So that's where you begin, is it?' said Anne. She flung herself down on the heather, hot with herclimb. It was nice there, with the sun on her face, and the sound of the trickling water nearby.
　　She lay listening to the humming bees and the water. And then she heard another sound. Shetook no notice of it at all at first.
　　15
　　Then she sat up, frightened. 'The noise is underground! Deep, deep underground! It rumbles androars. Oh, what is going to happen? Is there going to be an earthquake?'
　　The rumbling seemed to come nearer and nearer.
　　Anne didn't even dare to get up and run. She sat there and trembled.
　　Then there came an unearthly shriek, and not far off a most astonishing thing happened. A greatcloud of white smoke came right out of the ground and hung in the air before the wind blew itaway. Anne was simply horrified. It was so sudden, so very unexpected on this quiet hillside.
　　The rumbling noise went on for a while and then gradually faded away.
　　Anne leapt to her feet in a panic. She fled down the hill, screaming loudly: 'It's a volcano! Help!
　　Help! I've been sitting on a volcano. It's going to burst, it's sending out smoke. Help, help, it's aVOLCANO!'
　　She tore down the hillside, caught her foot on a tuft of heather and went rolling over and over,sobbing. She came to rest at last, and then heard an anxious voice calling:
　　'Who's that? What's the matter?'
　　It was Mr. Luffy's voice. Anne screamed to him in relief. 'Mr. Luffy! Come and save me! There'sa volcano here!'
　　There was such terror in her voice that Mr. Luffy came racing to her at once. He sat down besidethe trembling girl and put his arm round her. 'Whatever's the matter?' he said. 'What's frightenedyou?'
　　Anne told him again. 'Up there - do you see? That's a volcano, Mr. Luffy. It trembled andrumbled and then it shot up clouds of smoke. Oh quick, before it sends out red hot cinders!'
　　'Now, now!' said Mr. Luffy, and to Anne's surprise and relief he actually laughed. 'Do you meanto tell me you don't know what that was?'
　　'No, I don't,' said Anne.
　　'Well,' said Mr. Luffy, 'under this big moor run two or three long tunnels to take trains from onevalley to another. Didn't you know? They make the rumbling noise you heard, and the suddensmoke you saw was the smoke sent up by a train below. There are big vent-holes here and therein the moor for the smoke to escape from.'
　　'Oh, good gracious me!' said Anne, going rather red. 'I didn't even know there were trains underhere. What an extraordinary thing! I really did think I was sitting on a volcano, Mr. Luffy. Youwon't tell the others will you. They would laugh at me dreadfully.'
　　16
　　'I won't say a word,' said Mr. Luffy. 'And now I think we'll go back. Have you had breakfast? I'mterribly hungry. I went out early after a rather rare butterfly I saw flying by my tent.'
　　'We've had breakfast ages ago,' said Anne. 'But if you like to come back with me now I'll cookyou some bacon, Mr. Luffy. And some tomatoes and fried bread.'
　　'Aha! It sounds good,' said Mr. Luffy. 'Now - not a word about volcanoes. That's our secret.'
　　And off they went to the tents, where the others were wondering what in the world had becomeof Anne. Little did they know she had been 'sitting on a volcano'!
3.安妮的探险
　　安妮的探险
　　朱利安是早上第一个醒来的。他听到一个奇怪又陌生的声音从头顶飘过，“咕咕！咕咕！”
　　他坐了起来，想知道是谁在喊叫。当然！他在帐篷里，跟迪克在一起——他们在荒原露营。那声头顶的叫喊是杓鹬发出的鸣叫，这种鸟在荒原上数量很多。
　　朱利安打了个哈欠，再次躺下了。现在正是清晨时分，太阳温暖的手指伸入了帐篷的窗口，他感受到了睡袋上的暖意。他感觉懒洋洋的，温暖、舒适又满足。但是肚子“咕咕”叫了一声，这很讨厌。
　　他看了一眼手表，六点半。这么温暖舒适，他真的不想这么早起床。他伸出手去，想找找有没有昨晚剩下的巧克力。摸了半天，终于找到一小块，把它塞进嘴里，心满意足地继续躺在那里，聆听更多的杓鹬唱歌，太阳也渐渐爬高了。
　　朱利安又睡着了，直到蒂米过来起劲地舔着他的脸，把他弄醒了。他一下子坐了起来。发现女孩们正朝他们的帐篷里偷看，咧着嘴笑。她们已经穿戴好了。
　　“起床，两只大懒虫！”安妮说道，“我们派蒂米进去叫你们起床，已经七点半了。我们早就起来了。”
　　“真是个美好的早晨啊，”乔治说道。“今天将会非常热，赶紧起床吧。我们要找到小溪，在里面洗漱。如果小溪离得很近，再去搬几桶水过来就显得太傻了。”
　　迪克也醒了。他和朱利安决定去小溪里洗漱。他们悠闲地走出了帐篷，沐浴在清晨的阳光里，感到非常饥饿但却有着满满的幸福。女孩们刚从小溪边回来。
　　“就在那边哦，”安妮用手指着说，“蒂米，你带他们去吧。那是条非常美的小溪，河床是棕色的。水特别冷，河岸上长满了蕨类植物。我们把水桶留在那里了。打一满桶水回来，好吗？”
　　“为什么还要打水啊，你们不是已经洗漱过了吗？”迪克问。
　　“我们需要用水洗涤餐盘啊，”安妮说，“我突然想起我们需要洗碗水。对了，我们该去叫醒鲁夫先生吗？还没看到他的踪迹。”
　　“不，让他睡吧，”朱利安说，“他开了一整天车，怕是累坏了！
　　给他留些早餐，我们早上吃什么？”
　　“我取出了一些培根肉片和西红柿，”爱做饭的安妮说，“这个炉子是怎么点火的啊，朱利安？”
　　“乔治知道，问她就行。”朱利安说道，“我们带平底锅了吗？”
　　“带了。我亲自打包的，”安妮说道，“如果打算洗澡的话，就赶快去吧。不然你们还没洗好，早餐就做好啦！”
　　蒂米一路小跑，认真地把男孩们带到了小溪边。朱利安和迪克一看见小溪，就扑在了清澈的棕色河床上，疯闹着打起了水仗，蒂米也跳了进去，欢笑着尖叫着。
　　“好吧——我觉得我们已经把鲁夫先生吵醒了！”迪克用一条粗糙的毛巾擦着身体，“太凉爽了，太舒服啦。不过现在更饿了！”
　　“煎培根好香啊。”朱利安闻着空中的味道。他们回到了营地，还是没有鲁夫先生的踪迹。他一定睡得很沉！
　　孩子们坐在石南丛中，开始享用早餐。安妮炸了圆面包切片，男孩们都夸她是世界上最好的厨师，她听了心里别提多美了。
　　“我会一直负责为大家做饭，”她说，“但乔治要帮忙打下手以及洗餐具，可以吗，乔治？”
　　乔治并不乐意。她讨厌做安妮喜欢做的一切，比如铺床和洗餐具。听完这个安排，她一副闷闷不乐的样子。
　　“快看乔治！别不高兴啦，你瞧蒂米非常愿意用舌头把盘子都舔干净，哪里还用洗餐具呢？”迪克说道。
　　每个人都哈哈大笑，连乔治也笑了，“好吧，”她说，“我当然会帮忙的。只是我们尽量少用几个盘子，那样的话，就不需要洗那么多了。还有炸面包片吗，安妮？”
　　“没有啦，但是那个罐子里有些饼干。”安妮说，“我说，男孩们，谁负责每天去农场买牛奶之类的东西？我觉得他们应该也卖面包和水果。”
　　“哦，我们两个中会有一个人去。”迪克说，“安妮，你现在最好给鲁夫老师炸点东西。我去叫醒他，现在还不起床，都要到中午了。”
　　“我去他帐篷门口模仿蟋蟀的叫声，”朱利安站了起来，“我们可能叫不醒他，但如果他听到了一只友好的蟋蟀的叫声后，一定会醒过来！”
　　朱利安去了鲁夫先生的帐篷，清了清嗓子，礼貌地喊道：“您醒了吗，先生？”
　　没有回应。朱利安又喊了一次，还是没有动静。他感到很困惑，便走到了帐篷门口，拉开了布帘朝里看。
　　帐篷是空的，里面竟然没人！
　　“怎么了，朱利安？”迪克喊道。
　　“鲁夫先生不在这儿，”朱利安说，“他能去哪儿呢？”
　　周围一下子静了下来。安妮恐慌了片刻，以为他们奇怪的冒险又开始了。迪克喊了一声：“他装虫子的罐子还在吗？你们见过的，他去找昆虫的时候随身携带的那个有带子的锡罐。他的外套还在吗？”
　　朱利安再次检查了帐篷内部，“没事了！”他喊了一声，让大家都松了一口气，“他的外套不在这儿，他的虫罐也不在。他一定是在我们醒来之前悄悄溜出去了。我敢说他忘记了我们，也忘记了早餐，忘记了一切！”
　　“听起来很像他的一贯作风。”迪克说，“好吧，我们不是他的监护人。他想干什么就干什么！如果他不想吃早餐，那就不吃好了。
　　我想他找完昆虫就会回来。”
　　“安妮，我和迪克一起去农场，看看他们都有什么食物，你一个人能行吗？”朱利安问，“时光飞逝，如果今天大家还想去散散步的话，我们就不能出发太晚了。”
　　“好的，”安妮说道，“你也去吧，乔治。既然男孩们已经给我搬来一桶水了，那我可以把一切都处理好，把蒂米也带上，它想散散步呢。”
　　乔治一想到不用洗餐具了，就感到无比欣喜，于是带着蒂米和男孩们一起去农场了。安妮继续洗着餐具，在阳光下独自轻声哼唱。她很快就做完了所有的活儿，抬眼向远方眺望看看其他人有没有回来，但并没有他们的踪迹，也不见鲁夫先生的踪影。
　　“我也要去散散步。”安妮想，“我要沿着那条小溪上坡，看看它的源头在哪里。那会很有意思。如果我沿水前行，就不可能迷路。”
　　她在晨光中出发，来到了那条棕色的小溪边，溪水汩汩而流，淌下山坡。她爬过溪边的石南，跟着水道上山坡。她喜欢那里所有的绿色蕨类植物，以及溪边天鹅绒般的苔藓镶边。她尝了尝溪水——冷冷的，甜甜的，很干净。
　　安妮独自待着，感到无比快乐，这里走走，那里瞧瞧，最终她来到了一个山丘顶部。小溪就是在这里发源的，它从半山腰中汩汩流出，流下山坡，水边长满了石南，石南丛的周围有着青青的苔藓镶边。
　　“这里就是你发源的地方，是吗？”安妮说。她坐在了石南丛中，因为爬坡上来实在很热。这个地方正是休息的好位置，阳光洒在她的脸上，旁边还有潺潺流水。
　　她躺下身来，聆听蜜蜂的嗡嗡吟唱，以及溪水的潺潺作响。突然她隐约听到了另外一个声音，起初她并没有注意到。
　　她猛地坐了起来，感到有些害怕，那噪音来自地下！很深很深的地下！它隆隆作响，震耳欲聋。地下发生了什么？要地震了吗？
　　那轰隆轰隆的声音似乎越来越近了。安妮吓得不敢起身逃跑，坐在那里浑身发抖。
　　紧接着，不远处传来令人毛骨悚然的尖厉声音，一大团烟雾从地下冒出来，卷到半空中，然后又被风吹散。安妮脑袋“嗡”的一下。在这个安静的山坡上突然发生这种状况，实在是太突然、太出人意料了。那隆隆作响的声音又持续了一会儿，然后逐渐消失了。
　　安妮跳了起来，飞也似的逃下山坡，大声尖叫：“这是座火山！
　　救命啊！救命啊！我一直坐在火山上！它要喷发了，它在冒烟。救命，救命啊，这是座火山！”
　　她冲下山坡，突然被一丛石南绊倒了，连叫带哭着滚了下去。
　　直到一个平缓处才终于停了下来，耳边传来一个担忧的声音在喊：“你是谁？怎么了？”
　　是鲁夫先生的声音！安妮如释重负地对他尖叫道：“鲁夫先生！
　　快来救救我！这里有座火山！”
　　她的声音充满了恐惧，鲁夫先生立刻冲到了她身边。他坐在这个浑身颤抖的女孩旁边，搂住她的肩膀，“怎么了？”他问道，“是什么把你吓成这样？”
　　“就在那儿——您看到了吗？那是座火山，鲁夫先生。它会轰隆作响，还冒出了一大团烟雾。咱们快走吧，马上它就要喷出滚烫的红色岩浆了！”安妮再次告诉他。
　　“哈哈，好了，好了！”鲁夫先生说，他的淡定倒让安妮感到有些吃惊和放心，他竟然面对火山哈哈大笑，“你是不是并不知道那是什么？”
　　“不是火山吗？我不知道啊。”安妮说。
　　“好吧，是这样。”鲁夫先生说，“在这片荒原下，有两三条隧道，是跑火车用的。你听到的轰鸣声，以及你看到的突然冒出来的烟雾，就是下面的火车发出的。这片荒原上到处都是大通风口，以便让烟雾冒出来。”
　　“哦，天哪！”安妮不由得小脸涨得通红，“我不知道这里还有火车隧道，真了不起！我真以为刚才一直坐在火山上呢。嘿嘿，鲁夫先生，您不会把这件事告诉其他人的，对吧？不然他们会笑话我的。”
　　“我一个字都不会说出去。”鲁夫先生说，“现在我觉得我们该回去了。你吃过早餐了吗？我饿极了。一大早我看到一只罕见的蝴蝶飞过我的帐篷，就追着它出来了。”
　　“我们早就吃过早餐了，”安妮说，“如果您愿意现在跟我一起回去，我会给您煎些培根，还有西红柿以及炸面包。”
　　“啊哈，听起来太棒了！”鲁夫先生说，“好了，关于火山的事，我一个字都不会说出去。那是我们的秘密。”
　　他们回到了帐篷，其他人在那里想着安妮到底去哪儿了。他们当然不知道她刚才可一直“坐在火山上”！
Chapter 4 SPOOK-TRAINS
　　Chapter 4 SPOOK-TRAINS
　　The boys and George were full of talk about the farm. 'It's a nice little place,' said Julian, sittingdown while Anne began to cook breakfast for Mr. Luffy. 'Pretty farmhouse, nice little dairy,well-kept sheds. And even a grand piano in the drawing-room.'
　　'Gracious! You wouldn't think they'd make enough money to buy a thing like that, would you?'
　　said Anne, turning over the bacon in the pan.
　　'The farmer's got a fine car,' went on Julian. 'Brand new. Must have cost him a pretty penny. Hisboy showed it to us. And he showed us some jolly good new farm machinery too.'
　　'Very interesting,' said Mr. Luffy. 'I wonder how they make their money, farming that bit ofland? The last people were hard-working folk, but they certainly couldn't have afforded a newcar or a grand piano.'
　　'And you should have seen the lorries they've got!' said Dick. 'Beauties! Old army ones, I shouldthink. The boy said his father's going to use them for carting things from the farm to the market.'
　　'What things?' said Mr. Luffy, looking across at the little farmhouse. 'I shouldn't have thoughtthey needed an army of lorries for that! An old farm wagon would carry all their produce.'
　　'Well, that's what he told us,' said Dick. 'Everything certainly looked very prosperous, I must say.
　　He must be a jolly good farmer.'
　　'We got eggs and butter and fruit, and even some bacon,' said George. 'The boy's mother didn'tseem worried about how much we had, and she hardly charged us anything. We didn't see thefarmer.'
　　17
　　Mr. Luffy was now eating his breakfast. He was certainly very hungry. He brushed away theflies that hung round his head, and when one settled on his right ear he waggled it violently. Thefly flew off in surprise.
　　'Oh, do that again!' begged Anne. 'How do you do it? Do you think if I practised hard for weeks Icould make my ear move?'
　　'No, I don't think so,' said Mr. Luffy, finishing his breakfast. 'Well, I've got some writing to donow. What are you going to do? Go for a walk?'
　　'We might as well take a picnic lunch and go off somewhere,' said Julian. 'How about it?'
　　'Yes,' said Dick. 'Can you pack us dinner and tea, Anne? We'll help. What about hard-boiledeggs?'
　　It wasn't long before they had a picnic meal packed in greaseproof paper.
　　'You won't get lost, will you?' said Mr. Luffy.
　　'Oh no, sir,' said Julian, with a laugh. 'I've got a compass, anyway, and a jolly good bump oflocality, too. I usually know the way to go. We'll see you this evening, when we get back.'
　　'You won't get lost, Mr. Luffy, will you?' asked Anne, looking worried.
　　'Don't be cheeky, Anne,' said Dick, rather horrified at Anne's question. But she really meant it.
　　Mr. Luffy was so absent-minded that she could quite well picture him wandering off and notbeing able to find his way back.
　　He smiled at her. 'No,' he said. 'I know my way about here all right - I know every stream andpath and er - volcano!'
　　Anne giggled. The others stared at Mr. Luffy, wondering what in the world he meant, but neitherhe nor Anne told them. They said good-bye and set off.
　　'It's heavenly walking today,' said Anne. 'Shall we follow a path if we find one or not?'
　　'Might as well,' said Julian. 'It'll be a bit tiring scrambling through heather all the day.'
　　So when they did unexpectedly come across a path they followed it. 'It's just a shepherd's path, Iexpect,' said Dick. 'I bet it's a lonely job, looking after sheep up on these desolate heathery hills.'
　　They went on for some way, enjoying the stretches of bright heather, the lizards that dartedquickly away from their feet and the hosts of butterflies of all kinds that hovered and fluttered.
　　Anne loved the little blue ones best and made up her mind to ask Mr. Luffy what all their nameswere.
　　18
　　They had their lunch on a hill-top overlooking a vast stretch of heather, with grey-white blobs init here and there - the sheep that wandered everywhere.
　　And, in the very middle of the meal, Anne heard the same rumbling she had heard before, andthen, not far off, out spouted some white smoke from the ground. George went quite pale.
　　Timmy leapt to his feet, growling and barking, his tail down. The boys roared with laughter.
　　'It's all right, Anne and George. It's only the trains underground here. We knew they ran underthe moors and we thought we'd see what you did when you first heard them rumbling, and sawthe smoke.'
　　'I'm not a bit frightened,' said Anne, and the boys looked at her, astonished. It was George whowas the scared one! Usually it was quite the other way round.
　　George got back her colour and laughed. She called Timmy. 'It's all right, Tim. Come here. Youknow what trains are, don't you?'
　　The children discussed the trains. It really did seem strange to think of trains in those hollowed-out tunnels down below the moors - the people in them, reading their newspapers and talking -down in tunnels where the sun never shone at all.
　　'Come on,' said Julian, at last. 'Let's go on. We'll walk to the top of the next slope, and then Ithink we ought to turn back.'
　　They found a little path that Julian said must be a rabbit-path, because it was so narrow, and setoff, chattering and laughing. They climbed through the heather to the top of the next slope. Andat the top they got quite a surprise.
　　Down in the valley below was a silent and deserted stretch of railway lines! They appeared outof the black hole of a tunnel-mouth, ran for about half a mile, and then ended in what seemed tobe a kind of railway yard.
　　'Look at that,' said Julian- 'Old derelict lines - not used any more, I should think. I suppose thattunnel's out of date, too.'
　　'Let's go down and have a squint,' said Dick. 'Come on! We've got plenty of time, and we caneasily go back a shorter way.'
　　They set off down the hill to the lines. They arrived some way from the tunnel-mouth, andfollowed the lines to the deserted railway yard. There seemed to be nobody about at all.
　　'Look,' said Dick, 'there are some old wagons on that set of lines over there. They look as if theyhaven't been used for a hundred years. Let's give them a shove and set them going!'
　　19
　　'Oh, no!' said Anne, afraid. But the two boys and George, who had always longed to play aboutwith real railway trucks, ran over to where three or four stood on the lines. Dick and Julianshoved hard at one. It moved. It ran a little way and crashed into the buffers of another. It made aterrific noise in the silent yard.
　　A door flew open in a tiny hut at the side of the yard, and a terrifying figure came out. It was aone-legged man, with a wooden peg for his other leg, two great arms that might quite wellbelong to a gorilla, and a face as red as a tomato, except where grey whiskers grew.
　　He opened his mouth and the children expected a loud and angry yell. Instead out came a husky,hoarse whisper:
　　'What you doing? Ain't it bad enough to hear spook-trains a - running at night, without hearingthem in the daytime, too?'
　　The four children stared at him. They thought he must be quite mad. He came nearer to them,and his wooden leg tip-tapped oddly. He swung his great arms loosely. He peered at the childrenas if he could hardly see them.
　　'I've broken me glasses,' he said, and to their astonishment and dismay two tears ran down hischeeks. 'Poor old Wooden-Leg Sam, he's broken his glasses. Nobody cares about Wooden-LegSam now, nobody at all.'
　　There didn't seem anything to say to all this. Anne felt sorry for the funny old man, but she keptwell behind Julian.
　　Sam peered at them again. 'Haven't you got tongues in your heads? Am I seeing things again, orare you there?'
　　'We're here and we're real,' said Julian. 'We happened to see this old railway yard and we camedown to have a look at it. Who are you?'
　　'I told you - I'm Wooden-Leg Sam,' said the old man impatiently. 'The watchman, see? Thoughwhat there is to watch here, beats me. Do they think I'm going to watch for these spook-trains?
　　Well, I'm not. Not me, Sam Wooden-Leg. I've seen many strange things in my life, yes, and beenscared by them too, and I'm not watching for any more spook-trains.'
　　The children listened curiously. 'What spook-trains?' asked Julian.
　　Wooden-Leg Sam came closer. He looked all round as if he thought there might be someonelistening, and then spoke in a hoarser whisper than usual.
　　20
　　'Spook-trains, I tell you. Trains that come out of that tunnel at night all by themselves, and goback all by themselves. Nobody in them. One night they'll come for old Sam Wooden-Leg - but,see, I'm smart, I am. I lock myself into my hut and get under the bed. And I blow my candle outso those spook-trains don't know I'm there.'
　　Anne shivered. She pulled at Julian's hand. 'Julian! Let's go. I don't like it. It sounds all peculiarand horrid. What does he mean?'
　　The old man seemed suddenly to change his mood. He picked up a large cinder and threw it atDick, hitting him on the head. 'You clear out! I'm watchman here. And what did they tell me?
　　They told me to chase away anyone that came. Clear out, I tell you!'
　　In terror Anne fled away. Timmy growled and would have leapt at the strange old watchman, butGeorge had her hand on his collar. Dick rubbed his head where the cinder had hit him.
　　'We're going,' he said, soothingly to Sam. It was plain that the old fellow was a bit funny in thehead. 'We didn't mean to trespass. You look after your spook-trains. We won't interfere withyou!'
　　The boys and George turned away, and caught up with Anne. 'What did he mean?' she asked,scared. 'What are spook-trains? Trains that aren't real? Does he really see them at night?'
　　'He just imagines them,' said Julian. 'I expect being there all alone in that deserted old railwayyard has made him think strange things. Don't worry, Anne. There are no such things as spook-trains.'
　　'But he spoke as if there were,' said Anne, 'he really did. I'd hate to see a spook-train. Wouldn'tyou Ju?'
　　'No. I'd love to see one," said Julian, and he turned to Dick. 'Wouldn't you, Dick? Shall we comeone night and watch? Just to see?'
4.幽灵火车
　　幽灵火车
　　男孩们和乔治一直在谈论农场，“真是个可爱的小地方，”朱利安坐了下来，安妮正在给鲁夫先生做早餐，“漂亮的住宅，可爱的小牛奶厂，整洁的棚屋。客厅里还有一架华丽的钢琴。”
　　“天哪！想不到他们挣的钱够买那样的奢侈品，对吧？”安妮边说边把平底锅里的培根翻了一下。
　　“那位农场主还有辆豪车，”朱利安继续说，“崭新的。一定花了他们一大笔钱。他儿子带我们看的，还给我们展示了一些非常先进的农场机械。”
　　“真有意思，”鲁夫先生说，“我想知道他们是怎么挣的钱，只有那么点地？上一拨农场主是非常勤奋的，但是他们一定买不起一辆豪车或是一架华丽的钢琴。”
　　“还有，你真应该看看他们的卡车！”迪克说，“真是好家伙！应该是老式的军用卡车。那个男孩说，他父亲会用它把货物运到市场上。”
　　“什么货物？”鲁夫先生说着，向远方眺望那个小农场，“我不觉得他们需要一辆军用卡车来送货！一辆普通货车就够运送他们的全部农产品了。”
　　“好吧，反正那个男孩是那么说的，”迪克说，“一切看起来都是那么豪气，不得不说，他一定是位非常优秀的农场主。”
　　“我们买了鸡蛋、黄油、水果，还有一些培根，”乔治说，“那个男孩的妈妈似乎并不担心我们拿了多少，而且她几乎没收我们钱。
　　不过我们没见到那位农场主。”
　　鲁夫先生埋头开始吃早餐了，他确实饿坏了。他用手赶走了停在他头顶的苍蝇，但有一只停到了他右耳上，他猛地动了动耳朵。
　　那只苍蝇被吓得飞走了。
　　“啊，再来一次！”安妮央求道，“您是怎么做到的啊？您说如果我努力练习几个星期的话，也能做到吗？”
　　“不，我可不这么认为。”鲁夫先生吃完了早餐，“嗯，我现在要写点东西。你们打算做什么？去散散步？”
　　“我们随便走走吧，中午在外面野餐，”朱利安说，“怎么样？”
　　“好。”迪克说，“你能给我们打包一些晚餐和茶吗，安妮？我们会帮忙的。带点水煮蛋怎么样？”
　　很快，他们野餐的食物就用防油纸包好了。
　　“你们不会迷路吧？”鲁夫先生问道。
　　“不会的，先生，”朱利安哈哈大笑，“我有指南针，这片地区高高隆起，无论如何也不会迷路的。我通常会记路的，知道该走哪条路。晚上回来见。”
　　“您不会迷路吧，鲁夫先生？”安妮一副担心的样子。
　　“别淘气，安妮，”迪克被安妮的问题吓了一跳。但她是认真的，鲁夫先生经常会心不在焉，以致她完全能想象出他走丢了，找不到回来的路的样子。
　　鲁夫先生对她微微一笑，“不会的，”他说，“我对这里的路非常熟悉，我知道每条小溪、每条小路，以及……每座火山！”
　　安妮“咯咯”地笑了起来。其他人盯着鲁夫先生看，想着他这话到底是什么意思，但是他和安妮才不会告诉他们。孩子们跟鲁夫先生告别后，就出发了。
　　“今天出来散步真是很不错，”安妮说，“如果我们找到一条小路，我们就沿着小路走吧。”
　　“好的，”朱利安说，“要是一整天都要爬过石南丛的话，就有点累人了。”
　　因此，当他们出乎意料地碰上一条小路的时候，就毫不犹豫地沿着小路往前走了，“我想这是一条牧羊人的路。”迪克说，“我敢说这是个孤独的工作，在这些荒凉的山坡上照顾绵羊。”
　　他们走了一段路，欣赏着绵延不绝的鲜艳的石南，小蜥蜴飞速地从他们脚边逃走，一大群各种各样的蝴蝶在半空中盘旋飞舞。安妮最爱那种蓝色的小蝴蝶，准备回去之后要问问鲁夫先生，它们的名字都叫什么。
　　他们在小山丘顶上吃了午餐，俯视着大片的石南，还有遍布各处的灰白色的点——那是四处漫步的绵羊。
　　当他们吃到一半的时候，安妮听到了之前她听到的轰隆响声，然后，不远处从地下喷出了白色的烟雾。乔治顿时脸色煞白。蒂米跳了起来，低吼吠叫着，也吓得尾巴低垂。男孩们放声大笑。
　　“没关系，安妮，乔治。那不过是地下在过火车。我们早就知道这片荒原下有火车，没告诉你们只是想知道，你们第一次听到轰鸣声，看到烟雾的时候，会是什么反应。”
　　“我可一点也不害怕哦！”安妮说，男孩们看着她，感到很惊讶。这次害怕的人竟然是乔治！与平时恰恰相反。
　　乔治的脸色恢复了正常，然后她也大笑起来。她叫了蒂米，“没关系，蒂米，过来。你知道火车是什么样的。”
　　孩子们开始讨论起了火车，各自想象着这些火车在荒原下挖空的隧道里行驶，人们坐在火车里读报纸、聊天，在太阳永远都照不到的地方，想到这些确实让人感到奇怪。“来吧，”朱利安最后说，“我们继续走吧。等走到下一个山丘的坡顶，我觉得我们就该回去了。”
　　他们发现了一条小路，朱利安说那一定是条兔子走的路，因为它太狭窄了。他们踏上新发现的小路，边走边谈笑风生，爬过一片石南丛，来到了下一个山坡的坡顶。在那里他们看到了令人吃惊的景象。
　　在山坡下的隧道洞口，安静地躺着一段废弃的铁轨！它从隧道洞口延伸出了半英里长，然后在一个看似是火车调车场的地方终止。
　　“看那个，”朱利安说，“老旧的废弃铁路线，我觉得那个隧道也废弃了。”
　　“我们下去看一眼吧，”迪克说，“来吧！我们有的是时间，而且我们还可以抄近路回去。”
　　他们走下了山丘，来到了离隧道洞口不远处，沿着铁路线一路走到一个废弃的调车场。那里似乎一个人也没有。
　　“看，”迪克说道，“那组轨道上有些老火车车厢。它们看上去似乎已经有100年没用过了。我们推它们一把，让它们动动吧！”
　　“不！”安妮害怕地说。但是那两个男孩和乔治一直都想玩真正的火车车厢，跑到有三四个车厢的铁轨上。迪克和朱利安使劲猛推。火车厢动了！它跑了一小段路，撞上了另外一节车厢的缓冲器，寂静的调车场发出了巨大的撞击声。
　　调车场边上的一个小屋突然打开了，一个身影一瘸一拐地走了出来。他的一条腿是一个木头做的假肢，他的两条胳膊强壮得像猩猩的臂膀，脸红得就像西红柿，还留着一脸络腮胡子。
　　他张开了嘴，孩子们原以为他会放声怒吼。然而事实相反，他们却听到了一声低沉沙哑的耳语。
　　“你们在干什么？在夜里听到幽灵火车轰隆隆的响声，还不够糟糕吗？白天也让人不得安宁吗？”
　　四个孩子盯着他看。他们认为他一定是疯了。他走得离他们更近了，他的假腿奇怪地敲打着地面，随意甩着胳膊。他盯着孩子们看，仿佛他怎么也看不清他们。
　　“我的眼镜碎了。”他说，两颗泪珠从他的脸上滚落下来，“可怜的老木腿山姆，他的眼镜摔碎了。现在没人在乎木腿山姆了，没人了！”
　　大家一时无言以对。安妮一直躲在朱利安身后，她为这个古怪的老人感到难过。
　　山姆凝视着他们，“你们没长舌头吗？是我又看到幻象了吗，还是你们是真实存在的？”
　　“我们在这儿，并且我们是真实存在的。”朱利安说，“我们碰巧看到了这个老调车场，就下来看看。您是谁？”
　　“我告诉你们了，我是木腿山姆。”那个老人不耐烦地说，“看守人，明白吗？尽管这里并没有需要看守的东西。他们认为我会看守那些幽灵火车吗？哼，我才不会。木腿山姆绝对不会。我一生中见过很多奇怪的事情。是的，也被它们吓到过，我不会再看守幽灵火车了。”
　　孩子们好奇地听着。“幽灵火车？”朱利安问道。
　　木腿山姆走得更近了。他四处张望似乎是怕有人偷听，然后声音更低沉沙哑地说道：“幽灵火车，我告诉你们。它们是深夜时分自己跑出来的火车，然后自己回去，里面没有人。它们想在夜里去找木腿山姆，看，我有多聪明，我确实很聪明。我把自己锁在小屋里，藏在床底下，并且吹灭蜡烛，因此那些幽灵火车不知道我在哪儿。”
　　安妮吓得发起抖来，她去拉朱利安的手：“朱利安！我们走吧。
　　我不喜欢这里，一切听起来都很古怪，很讨厌。他在说什么啊？”
　　那个老人突然神情骤变。他捡起一块煤渣，狠狠地砸向迪克，砸中了迪克的脑袋。“给我滚！我是这里的看守人。他们是怎么跟我说的！他们让我赶走来这儿的任何人。快滚，我警告你们！”木腿山姆怒吼道。
　　安妮害怕地跑开了。蒂米大叫了一声，本想扑倒那个奇怪的老看守，但乔治用手抓住了它的项圈。迪克揉了揉被煤渣砸中的地方。“我们要走了。”他宽慰山姆。很明显这个老家伙脑子有点奇怪，“我们不是要擅自闯入的。您好好照顾您的幽灵火车。我们不会再来打扰您了。”
　　男孩们和乔治离开了，赶上了安妮。“他说的是什么意思？”安妮害怕地问道，“幽灵火车是什么？并不存在的火车？他真的在夜里看见过它们吗？”
　　“那都是他想象出来的，”朱利安说，“我猜他是一个人在那个废弃的老调车场待久了，总会想一些奇怪的东西。别担心，安妮，没有幽灵火车这种东西。”
　　“但是他说得像真的似的，”安妮说，“我可不愿意看到幽灵火车啊。你也不愿意吧，朱利安？”
　　“不。如果真有，我倒是挺想看看。”朱利安说道。然后他转身看着迪克，“你不想看看吗，迪克？我们哪天晚上过来看看吧？只是看看而已。”
Chapter 5 BACK AT CAMP AGAIN
　　Chapter 5 BACK AT CAMP AGAIN
　　The children and Timmy left the deserted railway yard behind them and climbed up the heatheryslope to find their way back to their camping-place. The boys could not stop talking aboutWooden-Leg Sam and the strange things he said.
　　21
　　'It's a funny business altogether,' said Julian. 'I wonder why that yard isn't used any more - andwhere that tunnel leads to - and if trains ever do run there.'
　　'I expect there's quite an ordinary explanation,' said Dick. 'It's just that Wooden-Leg Sam made itall seem so weird. If there had been a proper watchman we shouldn't have thought there wasanything strange about it at all.'
　　'Perhaps the boy at the farm would know,' said Julian. 'We'll ask him tomorrow. I'm afraid therearen't any spook-trains really - but, gosh, I'd love to go and watch for one, if there were any.'
　　'I wish you wouldn't talk like that,' said Anne, unhappily. 'You know, it makes me feel as if youwant another adventure. And I don't.'
　　'Well, there won't be any adventure, so don't worry,' said Dick, comfortingly. 'And, anyway, ifthere was an adventure you could always go and hold old Luffy's hand. He wouldn't see anadventure if it was right under his nose. You'd be quite safe with him.'
　　'Look - who's that up there?' said George, seeingTimmy prick up his ears, and then hearing him give a little growl.
　　'Shepherd or something, I should think,' said Julian. He shouted out cheerfully. 'Good afternoon!
　　Nice day it's been!'
　　The old man on the path just above them nodded his head. He was either a shepherd or farmlabourer of some sort. He waited for them to come up.
　　'Have you seen any of my sheep down along there?' he asked them. 'They've got red crosses onthem.'
　　'No. There aren't any down there,' said Julian. 'But there are some further along the hill. We'vebeen down to the railway yard and we'd have seen any sheep on the slope below.'
　　'Don't you go down there,' said the old shepherd, his faded blue eyes looking into Julian's. 'That'sa bad place, that is.'
　　'Well, we've been hearing about spook-trains!' said Julian, with a laugh. 'Is that what you mean?'
　　'Ay. There're trains that nobody knows of running out of that tunnel,' said the shepherd. 'Many'sthe time I've heard them when I've been up here at night with my sheep. That tunnel hasn't beenused for thirty years - but the trains, they still come out of it, just as they used to.'
　　'How do you know? Have you seen them?' asked Julian, a cold shiver creeping down his spinequite suddenly.
　　22
　　'No. I've only heard them,' said the old man. 'Choo, choo, they go, and they jangle and clank. Butthey don't whistle any more. Old Wooden-Leg Sam reckons they're spook-trains, with nobody todrive them and nobody to tend them. Don't you go down to that place. It's bad and scary.'
　　Julian caught sight of Anne's scared face. He laughed loudly. 'What a tale! I don't believe inspook-trains - and neither do you, shepherd. Dick, have you got the tea in your bag? Let's find anice place and have some sandwiches and cake. Will you join us, shepherd?'
　　'No, thank you kindly,' said the old man, moving off. I'll be after my sheep. Always wanderingthey are, and they keep me wandering, too. Good day, sir, and don't go down to that bad place.'
　　Julian found a good spot out of sight of 'that bad place', and they all sat down. 'All a lot ofnonsense,' said Julian, who wanted Anne to feel happier again. 'We can easily ask the farmer'sboy about it tomorrow. I expect it's all a silly tale made up by that old one-legged fellow, andpassed on to the shepherd.'
　　'I expect so,' said Dick. 'You noticed that the shepherd had never actually seen the trains, Julian?
　　Only heard them. Well, sound travels far at night, and I expect what he heard was simply therumblings of the trains that go underground here. There's one going somewhere now! I can feelthe ground trembling!'
　　They all could. It was a peculiar feeling. The rumbling stopped at last and they sat and ate theirtea, watching Timmy scraping at a rabbit-hole and trying his hardest to get down it. He coveredthem with sandy soil as he burrowed, and nothing would stop him. He seemed to have gonecompletely deaf.
　　'Look here, if we don't get Timmy out of that hole now he'll be gone down so far that we'll haveto drag him out by his tail,' said Julian, getting up. 'Timmy! TIM-MY! The rabbit's miles away.
　　Come on out.'
　　It took both George and Julian to get him out. He was most indignant. He looked at them as if tosay: 'Well, what spoil-sports! Almost got him and you drag me out!'
　　He shook himself, and bits of grit and sand flew out of his hair. He took a step towards the holeagain, but George caught hold of his tail. 'No, Timmy. Home now!'
　　'He's looking for a spook-train,' said Dick, and that made everyone laugh, even Anne.
　　They set off back to the camping-place, pleasantly tired, with Timmy following rather sulkily attheir heels. When they at last got back they saw Mr. Luffy sitting waiting for them. The bluesmoke from his pipe curled up into the air.
　　23
　　'Hallo, hallo!' he said, and his brown eyes looked up at them from under his shaggy eyebrows. 'Iwas beginning to wonder if you'd got lost. Still, I suppose that dog of yours would always bringyou back.'
　　Timmy wagged his tail politely. 'Woof,' he agreed, and went to drink out of the bucket of water.
　　Anne stopped him just in time.
　　'No, Timmy! You're not to drink out of our washing-up water. There's yours, in the dish overthere.'
　　Timmy went to his dish and lapped. He thought Anne was very fussy. Anne asked Mr. Luffy ifhe would like any supper.
　　'We're not having a proper supper,' she said. 'We had tea so late. But I'll cook you something ifyou like, Mr. Luffy.'
　　'Very kind of you. But I've had an enormous tea,' said Mr. Luffy. 'I've brought up a fruit cake foryou, from my own larder. Shall we share it for supper? And I've got a bottle of lime juice, too,which will taste grand with some of the stream water.'
　　The boys went off to get some fresh stream water for drinking. Anne got out some plates and cutslices of the cake.
　　'Well,' said Mr. Luffy. 'Had a nice walk?'
　　'Yes.' said Anne, 'except that we met a strange one-legged man who told us he saw spook-trains.'
　　Mr. Luffy laughed. 'Well, well! He must be a cousin of a little girl I know who thought she wassitting on a volcano.'
　　Anne giggled. 'You're not to tease me. No, honestly, Mr. Luffy, this old man was a watchman ata sort of old railway yard - not used now - and he said when the spook-trains came, he blew outhis light and got under his bed so that they shouldn't get him.'
　　'Poor old fellow,' said Mr. Luffy. 'I hope he didn't frighten you.'
　　'He did a bit,' said Anne. 'And he threw a cinder at Dick and hit him on the head. Tomorrowwe're going to the farm to ask the boy there if he's heard of the spook-trains, too. We met an oldshepherd who said he'd heard them but not seen them.'
　　'Well, well - it all sounds most interesting,' said Mr. Luffy. 'But these exciting stories usuallyhave a very tame explanation, you know. Now would you like to see what I found today? A veryrare and interesting little beetle.'
　　24
　　He opened a small square tin and showed a shiny beetle to Anne. It had green feelers and a redfiery spot near its tail-end. It was a lovely little thing.
　　'Now that's much more exciting to me than half a dozen spook-trains,' he told Anne. 'Spook-trains won't keep me awake at night - but thinking of this little beetle-fellow here certainly will.'
　　'I don't very much like beetles,' said Anne. 'But this one certainly is pretty. Do you really likehunting about all day for insects, and watching them, Mr. Luffy?'
　　'Yes, very much,' said Mr. Luffy. 'Ah, here come the boys with the water. Now we'll hand thecake round, shall we? Where's George? Oh, there she is, changing her shoes.'
　　George had a blister, and she had been putting a strip of plaster on her heel. She came up whenthe boys arrived and the cake was handed round. They sat in a circle, munching, while the sungradually went down in a blaze of red.
　　'Nice day tomorrow again,' said Julian. 'What shall we do?'
　　'We'll have to go to the farm first,' said Dick. The farmer's wife said she'd let us have some morebread if we turned up in the morning. And we could do with more eggs if we can get them. Wetook eight hard-boiled ones with us today and we've only one or two left. And who's eaten all thetomatoes, I'd like to know?'
　　'All of you,' said Anne at once. 'You're perfect pigs over the tomatoes.'
　　'I'm afraid I'm one of the pigs,' apologised Mr. Luffy. 'I think you fried me six for my breakfast,Anne.'
　　'That's all right,' said Anne. 'You didn't have as many as the others, even so! We can easily getsome more.'
　　It was pleasant sitting there, eating and talking, and drinking lime juice and stream water. Theywere all tired, and it was nice to think of the cosy sleeping-bags. Timmy lifted his head and gavea vast yawn, showing an enormous amount of teeth.
　　'Timmy! I could see right down to your tail then!' said George. 'Do shut your mouth up. You'vemade us all yawn.'
　　So he had. Even Mr. Luffy was yawning. He got up. 'Well, I'm going to turn in,' he said. 'Goodnight. We'll make plans tomorrow morning. I'll bring up some breakfast for you, if you like. I'vegot some tins of sardines.'
　　'Oh, thanks,' said Anne. 'And there's some of this cake left. I hope you won't think that's toofunny a breakfast, Mr. Luffy - sardines and fruit cake?'
　　25
　　'Not a bit. It sounds a most sensible meal,' came Mr. Luffy's voice from down the hillside. 'Goodnight!'
　　The children sat there a few minutes longer. The sun went right out of sight. The wind grew alittle chilly. Timmy yawned enormously again.
　　'Come on,' said Julian. 'Time we turned in. Thank goodness Timmy didn't come into our tent andwalk all over me last night. Good night, girls. It's going to be a heavenly night - but as I shall beasleep in about two shakes of a duck's tail, I shan't see much of it!'
　　The girls went into their tent. They were soon in their sleeping-bags. Just before they went tosleep - Anne felt the slight shivering of the earth that meant a train was running undergroundsomewhere. She could hear no rumbling sound. She fell asleep thinking of it.
　　The boys were not asleep. They, too, had felt the trembling of the earth beneath them, and it hadreminded them of the old railway yard.
　　'Funny about those spook-trains, Dick,' said Julian, sleepily. 'Wonder if there is anything in it.'
　　'No. How could there be?' said Dick. 'All the same we'll go to the farm tomorrow and have a chatwith that boy. He lives on the moors and he ought to know the truth.'
　　'The real truth is that Wooden-Leg Sam is potty, and imagines all he says, and the old shepherdis ready to believe in anything strange,' said Julian.
　　'I expect you're right,' said Dick. 'Oh my goodness, what's that?'
　　A dark shape stood looking in at the tent-flap. It gave a little whine.
　　'Oh, it's you, Timmy. Would you mind not coming and pretending you're a spook-train orsomething?' said Dick. 'And if you dare to put so much as half a paw on my middle, I'll scare youdown the hill with a roar like a man-eating tiger. Go away.'
　　Timmy put a paw on Julian. Julian yelled out to George. 'George! Call this dog of yours, willyou? He's just about to turn himself round twenty times on my middle, and curl himself up forthe night.'
　　There was no answer from George. Timmy, feeling that he was not wanted, disappeared. Hewent back to George and curled himself up on her feet. He put his nose down on his paws andslept.
　　'Spooky Timmy,' murmured Julian, re-arranging himself. 'Timmy spooky - no, I mean - oh dear,what do I mean?'
　　26
　　'Shut up,' said Dick. 'What with you and Timmy messing about, I can't get - to - sleep!' But hecould and he did - almost before he had finished speaking. Silence fell on the little camp, andnobody noticed when the next train rumbled underground - not even Timmy!
5.讨论幽灵火车
　　讨论幽灵火车
　　孩子们和蒂米离开了废弃的调车场，爬上了长满石南的斜坡，踏上回露营地的路。男孩们不停地谈论着木腿山姆，以及他说过的一些奇怪的事情。
　　“一切都太古怪了，”朱利安说，“我想知道为什么那个调车场被废弃了，以及那个隧道通往何方，还有那里是否真的有火车路过。”
　　“我想其实有个相当平淡无奇但是十分合理的解释。”迪克说，“木腿山姆只是故意把一切都说得如此奇怪。如果换个正常的看守人，那里就没有什么诡异离奇的事情了。”
　　“也许那个农场的男孩知道呢。”朱利安说，“明天我们问问他。
　　我估计其实根本就没有什么幽灵火车。但是，天哪，如果真有的话，我很想去看看哦。”
　　“你不要那么说，”安妮不高兴地说，“朱利安，我觉得你想要再进行一次冒险。而我可不想啊。”
　　“好了，不会有任何冒险的，所以不要担心，”迪克安慰道，“并且，无论如何，如果真有冒险的话，你可以随时去拉住鲁夫老师的手。就算冒险发生在他鼻子底下，他也会视而不见的。跟他在一起，你会相当安全。”“瞧，那上面是谁？”乔治看向前面的山坡，说道。
　　蒂米竖起了耳朵，低吼了一声。
　　“我觉得好像是牧羊人吧。”朱利安说。他大声喊道：“下午好！
　　今天天气不错啊！”
　　前面山坡上的那个老人点了点头。他看上去既像牧羊人又像是农场的工人。他等着孩子们走上前来。
　　“你们在那儿见过我的绵羊吗？”老人问道，“它们身上有红色十字的标记。”
　　“不。没看见那儿有羊，”朱利安说，“但是这座山丘的更远处，在斜坡下面有一些。”
　　“那儿吗？以后可不要再去了。”那个老牧羊人说道，他黯淡的蓝眼睛盯着朱利安的眼睛，“那是个不好的地方，确实如此。”
　　“嗯，我们听说了幽灵火车！”朱利安哈哈大笑，“那就是您想说的吗？”
　　“是的。会有一些没人听说过的火车从那个隧道里跑出来，”那个牧羊人说道，“我夜里在这里牧羊的时候，听到过很多次。那个隧道已经三十多年没用过了，但是那些火车，还是会从里面出来，像以往一样。”
　　“您是怎么知道的？您见过它们吗？”朱利安问道，他突然感到后背一阵发凉。
　　“没有。我只是听过它们的声音。”那个老人说道，“它们行驶的时候发出轰隆轰隆的声音，不过它们没有鸣笛。木腿老山姆认为它们是幽灵火车，无人驾驶，无人照管。你们最好还是不要去那个地方。那是个诡异的地方，而且很恐怖。”
　　朱利安看到了安妮害怕的脸庞。他大笑起来，“好精彩的故事！
　　我可不相信有幽灵火车——您其实也不信。迪克，你包里有茶点吗？我们找个好地方吃点三明治和蛋糕。您愿意加入我们吗，老伯伯？”
　　“不了，太谢谢你了，”那个老人说着就离开了，“我要去追我的羊了。它们总是乱走乱逛，害得我也四处奔波。再见，孩子们，不要再去那个鬼地方了。”
　　朱利安找到了一个看不到那个“鬼地方”的好位置，然后大家都坐了下来。“都是胡说。”朱利安说，他想让安妮更开心点，“我们明天去问问那位农场主的儿子，又不麻烦。我想那是那个一条腿的老大爷编造的故事，然后传到了那个老牧羊人的耳朵里。”
　　“我想是这样的，”迪克说，“你注意到那个牧羊人说的了吗？他说他从未看见过那些火车，只是听到过它们的声音，对吧。但是，夜里声音传得很远，我想他听到的不过是火车穿过这里的地下发出的隆隆响声。现在就有一辆在行驶！我能感受到地面的颤抖！”
　　孩子们都能感受到，那是一种奇怪的感觉。那隆隆作响的震动最终停止了，他们继续坐下来喝茶，看蒂米刨着一个兔子洞，尽它最大的努力往下挖。它挖洞的时候，弄了他们一身土，可是谁也无法阻止它。它似乎彻底聋掉了。
　　“看这儿，如果我们现在不把蒂米拉出那个洞，一会儿它进去太深的话，我们只能抓住它的尾巴把它拉出来了。”朱利安说着站了起来，“蒂米！蒂——米！兔子已经跑到千里之外了，快出来！”
　　乔治和朱利安两个人一起才把它拉出来。它一副愤愤不平的样子，看着他们，似乎在说：“哼，真扫兴！我都快抓住兔子了，你们却把我拉了出来！”它抖了抖身子，又甩出星星点点的泥土和沙子。
　　蒂米又朝着兔子洞准备奔过去，乔治赶紧抓住了它的尾巴，“不许去，蒂米。现在回家！”“它是在找幽灵火车呢！”迪克说完，大家笑得乐不可支。
　　他们一路有说有笑地回到了露营地，感到稍微有点累，蒂米闷闷不乐地跟在他们身后。快到营地的时候，他们看到鲁夫先生坐在那里等他们，蓝色的烟圈从他的烟斗里袅袅上升。
　　“你们好！”在他长而蓬乱的眉毛下面，一双棕色的眼睛向上看着孩子们，“我都在想你们是不是迷路了。然而，我还是始终相信，你们的那只大狗总是能把你们带回来。”
　　蒂米礼貌地摇了摇尾巴，“汪！”了一声表示同意，然后跑去桶边准备喝水，安妮连忙制止了它。
　　“不可以，蒂米！你不能喝我们洗东西的水。那边的是你的，那边盘子里的。”
　　于是蒂米又走到它的盘子旁边舔着水，它觉得安妮很挑剔。安妮问鲁夫先生想不想吃晚餐。
　　“鲁夫先生，我们不吃晚餐了，”她说，“下午茶吃得太晚啦。如果您想吃晚餐的话，我会给您做的。”
　　“你真是太好了，但是我也吃了很多茶点呢。”鲁夫先生说，“我给你们带了一个水果蛋糕，我们晚餐就吃蛋糕吗？我还有一瓶浓缩橙汁，如果加点溪水的话，喝起来一定棒极了。”男孩们去打一些新鲜的溪水了。安妮拿出了一些盘子，把水果蛋糕切成几个小块。
　　“今天去散步愉快吗？”鲁夫先生问道。
　　“十分愉快，”安妮说，“不过我们碰到了一个奇怪的人，他只有一条腿，他告诉我们说他看到过幽灵火车。”
　　鲁夫先生大笑：“我知道了！他一定是我认识的一个小女孩的表亲，那个小女孩认为她坐在了火山上。”
　　安妮“咯咯”地笑了起来，“您不要取笑我。不，说真的，鲁夫先生，那个老人是某个废弃的旧调车场的看守人，他说他看到过幽灵火车经过。他吹熄了自己的蜡烛，躲到床底下，这样幽灵火车就抓不住他了。”
　　“可怜的老伙计，”鲁夫先生说，“我希望他没有吓到你。”
　　“确实有点吓人，”安妮说，“他还扔了一块煤渣砸中了迪克。明天我们要去农场问问农场里的那个男孩，他是否也听说过幽灵火车。我们还见到了一位老牧羊人，他说他听到过幽灵火车的声音，但是没有见过。”
　　“听起来实在是太有趣了。”鲁夫先生说，“但是至于那些令人兴奋的故事，其真相通常是枯燥无味的。现在你想看看我今天发现了什么吗？一只非常罕见、非常有趣的小甲壳虫。”
　　鲁夫先生打开了一个方形铁罐，给安妮看一只闪光的小甲虫。
　　它有着绿色的触角，尾部有火红色的点，真是个可爱的小东西。
　　“这比六辆幽灵火车还令我激动得多，”他告诉安妮，“幽灵火车不会让我夜里睡不着觉，但是，一想到这个小东西，我却会彻夜难眠。”
　　“我不是特别喜欢甲壳虫，”安妮说，“但是这只确实很漂亮。您真的宁愿一整天都抓虫子，观察它们吗？”
　　“是的，非常喜欢，”鲁夫先生说，“啊，男孩们把水打回来了。
　　现在我们把蛋糕分给大家吧。乔治在哪儿呢？哦，她在那儿换鞋呢。”
　　乔治的脚上磨出了水泡，她在脚后跟贴了一块创可贴。当男孩们回来后，大家开始分蛋糕，乔治也走了过来。他们坐成了一个圈，狼吞虎咽地大口吃着。太阳逐渐下山了，把西天染成一片耀眼的红色。
　　“明天又是个好天气，”朱利安说，“我们去干些什么呢？”
　　“我们先去农场。”迪克说，“那个农场主的妻子说，如果我们早晨去的话，她会多给我们一些面包，我们可以多买点鸡蛋。今天我们带了八个水煮蛋，最后只剩下一两个了。是谁把西红柿都吃完了，我想知道？”
　　“你们这些人，”安妮立刻说，“就是爱吃西红柿的小猪。”
　　“恐怕我也是其中一只，”鲁夫先生抱歉地说，“我记得你给我煎了六个西红柿当早餐，安妮。”
　　“没关系啦，”安妮说，“即使这样，您也没有其他人吃得多，我们可以很轻易地买到更多西红柿呢。”
　　大家坐在那里，边吃边聊，喝着掺了冰凉溪水的酸橙汁，感觉真是惬意。吃完了饭，孩子们都累了，开始想念各自舒服的睡袋了。蒂米抬起头，打了个大大的哈欠，几乎把所有牙齿都露了出来。
　　“蒂米！我都能看到你的嗓子眼儿了！”乔治说，“快把嘴闭上。
　　你惹得我们都想打哈欠了。”
　　确实如此，甚至连鲁夫先生都打起了哈欠。他站起身，“好的，我准备睡觉了，”他说，“晚安。我们明天再做计划。如果你们喜欢的话，我给你们带些早餐，我那儿还有很多沙丁鱼罐头。”
　　“哦，谢谢！”安妮说，“还剩一些蛋糕。我希望您不会认为早餐再搭配蛋糕太可笑了——沙丁鱼和水果蛋糕。”
　　“一点也不。听起来是特别棒的早餐。”鲁夫先生已经走到自己的帐篷，声音从山坡下传来，“晚安！我先睡了。”
　　孩子们又在那儿坐了几分钟。太阳完全下山了。风变得有点冷。蒂米再次打了个大大的哈欠。
　　“来吧，”朱利安说，“我们也该休息了。谢天谢地昨晚蒂米没进我们的帐篷里闹腾。晚安，女孩们。今天又是个美好的夜晚，但我一闭上眼就能睡着了，实在没精神欣赏太久夜色！”
　　女孩们进了她们的帐篷，很快就钻进了睡袋。就在她们睡着前，安妮感受到了地面的震颤，那意味着有辆火车在地下某处行驶，但是她没有听到隆隆声响。她思索着这件事不知不觉睡着了。
　　男孩们还没睡着。他们也感受到了地面的震颤，这让他们想起了那个老调车场。
　　“那些幽灵火车真是有意思，迪克，”朱利安昏昏欲睡地说，“真想知道里面都有什么。”
　　“怎么可能有东西呢？”迪克说，“无论如何，我们明天要去农场跟那个男孩聊聊天。他住在这片荒原上，应该知道真相。”
　　“真相就是木腿山姆是个疯子，他说的话都是疯话，然后那个老牧羊人相信任何奇闻异事。”朱利安说。
　　“希望你是对的，”迪克说，“天哪，那是什么？”帐篷门帘处出现了一个黑影，还发出“呜呜”的声音。
　　“嗨，是你啊，蒂米。你能不能别假装你是辆幽灵火车？”迪克说，“你要是敢把半只爪子放在我腰上，我就发出一声号叫，就像一只老虎那样，把你吓得逃下山坡。快走开！”
　　蒂米又把一只爪子搭在了朱利安身上。朱利安隔着帐篷对乔治吼叫道：“乔治！把你的狗叫走！它在我腰上转了二十多圈，现在要蜷在我身上睡觉了！”
　　乔治没有回答。蒂米感到自己不受欢迎，便沮丧地走开了。它回到乔治身边，蜷在了她脚边，把鼻子放在爪子上很快也睡着了。
　　“幽灵蒂米，”朱利安喃喃自语道，他重新整理了一下语序，“蒂米幽灵——我是说——天哪，我想说什么来着？”
　　“睡吧睡吧，”迪克喃喃地说，“不管你跟蒂米胡闹什么，我都要——睡觉——”话几乎还没说完他就睡着了。
　　寂静笼罩着这个小露营地，没有人注意到又一辆火车正穿过地下隆隆作响，连蒂米也没注意到。
Chapter 6 DAY AT THE FARM
　　Chapter 6 DAY AT THE FARM
　　The next day the children were up very early, as early as Mr. Luffy, and they all had breakfasttogether. Mr. Luffy had a map of the moorlands, and he studied it carefully after breakfast.
　　'I think I'll go off for the whole day,' he said to Julian, who was sitting beside him. 'See that littlevalley marked here - Crowleg Vale - well, I have heard that there are some of the rarest beetles inBritain to be found there. I think I'll take my gear and go along. What are you four going to do?'
　　'Five,' said George at once. 'You've forgotten Timmy.'
　　'So I have. I beg his pardon,' said Mr. Luffy, solemnly. 'Well - what are you going to do?'
　　'We'll go over to the farm and get more food,' said Julian. 'And ask that farm-boy if he's heard thetale of the spook-trains. And perhaps look round the farm and get to know the animals there. Ialways like a farm.'
　　'Right,' said Mr. Luffy, beginning to light his pipe. 'Don't worry about me if I'm not back tilldusk. When I'm bug-hunting I lose count of the time.'
　　'You're sure you won't get lost?' said Anne, anxiously. She didn't really feel that Mr. Luffy couldtake proper care of himself.
　　'Oh yes. My right ear always warns me if I'm losing my way,' said Mr. Luffy. 'It waggles hard.'
　　He waggled it at Anne and she laughed. 'I wish you'd tell me how you do that,' she said. 'I'm sureyou know. You can't think how thrilled the girls at school would be if I learnt that trick. They'dthink it was super.'
　　Mr. Luffy grinned and got up. 'Well, so long,' he said. 'I'm off before Anne makes me give her alesson in ear-waggles.'
　　He went off down the slope to his own tent. George and Anne washed-up, while the boystightened some tent ropes that had come loose, and generally tidied up.
　　'I suppose it's quite all right leaving everything unguarded like this,' said Anne, anxiously.
　　27
　　'Well, we did yesterday,' said Dick. 'And who's likely to come and take anything up here in thiswild and lonely spot, I'd like to know? You don't imagine a spook-train will come along andbundle everything into its luggage-van, do you, Anne?'
　　Anne giggled. 'Don't be silly. I just wondered if we ought to leave Timmy on guard, that's all.'
　　'Leave Timmy!' said George, amazed. 'You don't really think I'd leave Timmy behind every timewe go off anywhere, Anne? Don't be an idiot.'
　　'No, I didn't really think you would,' said Anne. 'Well, I suppose nobody will come along here.
　　Throw over that tea-cloth, George, if you've finished with it.'
　　Soon the tea-cloths were hanging over the gorse bushes to dry in the sun. Everything was putaway neatly in the tents. Mr. Luffy had called a loud goodbye and gone. Now the five were readyto go off to the farm.
　　Anne took a basket, and gave one to Julian too. 'To bring back the food,' said she. 'Are you readyto go now?'
　　They set off over the heather, their knees brushing through the honeyed flowers, and sendingscores of busy bees into the air. It was a lovely day again, and the children felt free and happy.
　　They came to the trim little farm. Men were at work in the fields, but Julian did not think theywere very industrious. He looked about for the farm-boy.
　　The boy came out of a shed and whistled to them. 'Hallo! You come for some more eggs? I'vecollected quite a lot for you.'
　　He stared at Anne. 'You didn't come yesterday. What's your name?'
　　'Anne,' said Anne. 'What's yours?'
　　'Jock,' said the boy, with a grin. He was rather a nice boy, Anne thought, with straw-colouredhair, blue eyes, and rather a red face which looked very good-tempered.
　　'Where's your mother?' said Julian. 'Can we get some bread and other things from her today? Weate an awful lot of our food yesterday, and we want to stock up our larder again!'
　　'She's busy just now in the dairy,' said Jock. 'Are you in a hurry? Come and see my pups.'
　　They all walked off with him to a shed. In there, right at the end, was a big box lined with straw.
　　A collie dog lay there with five lovely little puppies. She growled at Timmy fiercely, and hebacked hurriedly out of the shed. He had met fierce mother-dogs before, and he didn't like them!
　　The four children exclaimed over the fat little puppies, and Anne took one out very gently. Itcuddled into her arms and made funny little whining noises.
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　　'I wish it was mine,' said Anne. 'I should call it Cuddle.'
　　'What a frightful name for a dog,' said George scornfully. 'Just the kind of silly name you wouldthink of, Anne. Let me hold it. Are they all yours, Jock?'
　　'Yes,' said Jock, proudly. 'The mother's mine, you see. Her name's Biddy.'
　　Biddy pricked up her ears at her name and looked up at Jock out of bright, alert eyes. He fondledher silky head.
　　'I've had her for four years,' he said. 'When we were at Owl Farm, old Farmer Burrows gave herto me when she was eight weeks old.'
　　'Oh - were you at another farm before this one, then?' asked Anne. 'Have you always lived on afarm? Aren't you lucky?'
　　'I've only lived on two,' said Jock. 'Owl Farm and this one. Mum and I had to leave Owl Farmwhen Dad died, and we went to live in a town for a year. I hated that. I was glad when we camehere.'
　　'But I thought your father was here!' said Dick, puzzled.
　　'That's my stepfather,' said Jock. 'He's no farmer, though!' He looked round and lowered hisvoice. 'He doesn't know much about farming. It's my mother that tells the men what to do. Still,he gives her plenty of money to do everything well, and we've got fine machinery and wagonsand things. Like to see the dairy? It's slap up-to-date and Mum loves working in it.'
　　Jock took the four children to the shining, spotless dairy. His mother was at work there with agirl. She nodded and smiled at the children. 'Good morning! Hungry again? I'll pack you upplenty of food when I've finished in the dairy. Would you like to stay and have dinner with myJock? He's lonely enough here in the holidays, with no other boy to keep him company.'
　　'Oh, yes - do let's!' cried Anne, in delight. I'd like that. Can we, Ju?'
　　'Yes. Thank you very much, Mrs. - er - Mrs. . . .' said Julian.
　　'I'm Mrs. Andrews,' said Jock's mother. 'But Jock is Jock Robins - he's the son of my firsthusband, a farmer. Well, stay to dinner all of you, and I'll see if I can give you a meal that willkeep you going for the rest of the day!'
　　This sounded good. The four children felt thrilled, and Timmy wagged his tail hard. He likedMrs. Andrews.
　　'Come on,' said Jock, joyfully. I'll take you all round the farm, into every corner. It's not very big,but we're going to make it the best little farm on the moorlands. My stepfather doesn't seem to29
　　take much interest in the work of the farm, but he's jolly generous when it comes to handing outmoney to Mum to buy everything she wants.'
　　It certainly seemed to the children that the machinery on the farm was absolutely up-to-date.
　　They examined the combine, they went into the little cowshed and admired the clean stone floorwith white brick walls, they climbed into the red-painted wagons, and they wished they could trythe two motor-tractors that stood side by side in a barn.
　　'You've got plenty of men here to work the farm,' said Julian. 'I shouldn't have thought there wasenough for so many to do on this small place.'
　　'They're not good workers,' said Jock, his face creasing into frowns. 'Mum's always getting wildwith them. They just don't know what to do. Dad gives her plenty of men to work the farm, buthe always chooses the wrong ones! They don't seem to like farm-work, and they're alwaysrunning off to the nearest town whenever they can. There's only one good fellow and he's old.
　　See him over there? His name's Will.'
　　The children looked at Will. He was working in the little vegetable garden, an old fellow with ashrivelled face, a tiny nose and a pair of very blue eyes. They liked the look of him.
　　'Yes. He looks like a farm-worker,' said Julian. 'The others don't.'
　　'He won't work with them,' said Jock. 'He just says rude things to them, and calls them ninniesand idjits.'
　　'What's an idjit?' asked Anne.
　　'An idiot, silly,' said Dick. He walked up to old Will. 'Good morning,' he said. 'You're very busy.
　　There's always a lot to do on a farm, isn't there?'
　　The old fellow looked at Dick out of his very blue eyes, and went on with his work. 'Plenty to doand plenty of folk to do it, and not much done,' he said, in a croaking kind of voice. 'Neverthought I'd be put to work with ninnies and idjits. Not ninnies and idjits!'
　　'There! What did I tell you?' said Jock, with a grin. 'He's always calling the other men that, so wejust have to let him work right away from them. Still, I must say he's about right - most of thefellows here don't know the first thing about work on a farm. I wish my stepfather would let ushave a few proper workers instead of these fellows.'
　　'Where's your stepfather?' said Julian, thinking he must be rather peculiar to pour money into alittle moorland farm like this, and yet choose the wrong kind of workers.
　　30
　　'He's away for the day,' said Jock. 'Thank goodness!' he added, with a sideways look at theothers.
　　'Why? Don't you like him?' asked Dick.
　　'He's all right,' said Jock. 'But he's not a farmer, though he makes out he's always wanted to be -and what's more he doesn't like me one bit. I try to like him for Mum's sake. But I'm always gladwhen he's out of the way.'
　　'Your mother's nice,' said George.
　　'Oh, yes - Mum's grand,' said Jock. 'You don't know what it means to her to have a little farm ofher; own again, and to be able to run it with the proper machinery and all.'
　　They came to a large barn. The door was locked. 'I told you what was in here before,' said Jock.
　　'Lorries! You can peek through that hole here at them. Don't know why my stepfather wanted tobuy up so many, but I suppose he got them cheap - he loves to get things cheap and sell themdear! He did say they'd be useful on the farm, to take goods to the market.'
　　'Yes - you told us that when we were here yesterday, ' said Dick. 'But you've got heaps ofwagons for that!'
　　'Yes. I reckon they weren't bought for the farm at all, but for holding here till prices went highand he could make a lot of money,' said Jock, lowering his voice. 'I don't tell Mum that. So longas she gets what she wants for the farm, I'm going to hold my tongue.'
　　The children were very interested in all this. They wished they could see Mr. Andrews. He mustbe a peculiar sort of fellow, they thought. Anne tried to imagine what he was like.
　　'Big and tall and dark and frowny,' she thought. 'Rather frightening and impatient, and hecertainly won't like children. People like that never do.'
　　They spent a very pleasant morning poking about the little farm. They went back to see Biddythe collie and her pups. Timmy stood patiently outside the shed, with his tail down. He didn't likeGeorge to take so much interest in other dogs.
　　A bell rang loudly. 'Good! Dinner!' said Jock. 'We'd better wash. We're all filthy. Hope you feelhungry, because I guess Mum's got a super dinner for us.'
　　'I feel terribly hungry,' said Anne. 'It seems ages since we had breakfast. I've almost forgotten it!'
　　They all felt the same. They went into the farmhouse and were surprised to find a very nice littlebathroom to wash in. Mrs. Andrews was there, putting out a clean roller towel.
　　31
　　'Fine little bathroom, isn't it?' she said. 'My husband had it put in for me. First proper bathroomI've ever had!'
　　A glorious smell rose up from the kitchen downstairs. 'Come on!' said Jock, seizing the soap.
　　'Let's hurry. We'll be down in a minute, Mum!'
　　And they were. Nobody was going to dawdle over washing when a grand meal lay waiting forthem downstairs!
6.参观农场
　　参观农场
　　第二天，孩子们起得跟鲁夫先生一样早，他们一起吃了早餐。
　　鲁夫先生有张荒原的地图，早餐后他在认真地研究着。
　　“我想今天一整天都在外面，”他对坐在身边的朱利安说，“看那个做了标记的地方——克罗雷山谷，我听说那里有一些英国最珍稀的甲壳虫。我想我会带上设备去好好找找。你们四个打算干什么？”
　　“五个，”乔治立刻说，“你忘了蒂米。”
　　“的确如此。请它原谅，”鲁夫先生严肃地接受了批评，“好了，那你们打算干什么？”
　　“我们会去农场买些食物，”朱利安说，“问问那个农场的男孩是否听说过幽灵火车的故事。我们还可以在农场上四处看看，认识一下那里的动物。我一直都很喜欢农场。”
　　“嗯，”鲁夫先生开始点他的烟斗，“如果我到傍晚还没回来，不用担心我。当我寻找虫子的时候，总是忘记时间。”
　　“您确定您不会迷路吗？”安妮不安地问。她并不觉得鲁夫先生能照顾好他自己。
　　“哦，不会的。如果我要迷路了，右耳总是警告我，”鲁夫先生说，“它会动得很厉害。”
　　他冲安妮动了一下耳朵，安妮大笑，“真希望您告诉我这是如何做到的，”她说，“我确定您知道。如果我能学会那个把戏，您不知道学校的女生会有多激动，她们会认为这样简直棒极啦！”
　　鲁夫先生咧嘴笑着站起身来。“好了，再见！”他说。“我要走了，不然安妮要让我教她动耳朵了。”
　　他下了山坡回到自己的帐篷。乔治和安妮洗涮的时候，男孩们系紧了一些变松的帐篷绳索，大体整理了一下东西。
　　“我想东西都放在这里，无人看守应该没问题吧。”安妮还是有些不安地说。
　　“嗯，我们昨天就是这样的，”迪克说，“谁会到这个荒芜偏僻的地方来偷东西呢？你不会想象一辆幽灵火车来到这里，把东西都捆到它的行李车厢吧，安妮？”
　　安妮扑哧一笑，“别傻啦。我只是在想，我们是否该把蒂米留下看守东西，这样会不会保险一点。”
　　“留下蒂米？”乔治惊讶地说，“你觉得我会每次出去的时候把蒂米留下？别傻了，安妮。”
　　“不，我知道你不会那么做，”安妮说，“好吧，我想没人会来这儿的。把那条茶巾给我吧，如果你已经用完了。”
　　茶巾挂在荆豆丛上晾晒，帐篷里的一切都摆放得井井有条。鲁夫先生大声地向他们道别后便离开了。现在孩子们准备好了去农场。
　　安妮提了一个篮子，也给了朱利安一个。“用篮子带食物回来，”她说，“准备出发咯！”
　　他们穿过石南丛，膝盖轻轻拂过甜美的花朵，惊起许多蜜蜂飞到了空中。今天又是美好的一天，孩子们感到自由快乐。
　　他们来到了那个整洁美观的小农场。一些人在地里干活，但朱利安觉得他们看上去没那么忙碌，他四处张望寻找那个农场的男孩。
　　那个男孩从一个棚屋里走了出来，对他们吹了声口哨，“你们好！你们是来买鸡蛋的吗？我给你们收了很多。”
　　他盯着安妮看：“你昨天没来吧。你叫什么名字？”
　　“安妮，”安妮说，“你呢？”
　　“乔克。”那个男孩咧嘴笑道。“他是个很友善的男孩。”安妮心想。麦秸色的头发，蓝色的眼睛，一张红彤彤的脸，乔克看起来的确脾气很好。
　　“你妈妈在哪儿呢？”朱利安说，“我们今天能从她那儿买到一些面包以及其他食物吗？我们昨天吃了很多东西，所以想再次囤积点食物！”
　　“她正在牛奶厂忙着呢，”乔克说，“你们着急吗？来看看我的小狗吧。”
　　他们跟乔克一起去了棚屋。在小屋的尽头，有一个下面垫了一层稻草的箱子，一只柯利牧羊犬跟五只可爱的小狗一起躺在里面。
　　牧羊犬冲蒂米凶猛地号叫着，蒂米立刻跑出了棚屋。蒂米见过凶猛的母狗，它们在护崽时是很可怕的。
　　这四个孩子见到可爱的小狗崽后，激动得欢呼了起来。安妮轻轻地抱起一只，让它依偎在她怀里，小狗发出了轻轻的“呜呜”声，可爱极了。
　　“真希望这是我的小狗狗，”安妮说，“我会叫它‘抱抱’。”
　　“这名字对狗来说多么可怕，”乔治不屑地说，“一听就是那种你能想出来的名字。安妮，让我‘抱抱’它。这些狗都是你的吗，乔克？”
　　“是的，”乔克骄傲地说，“狗妈妈是我的。它的名字是比迪。”
　　比迪听到主人在叫它的名字之后，立马竖起耳朵来，抬起头，一双明亮警惕的眼睛看着乔克。他摸了摸比迪光滑柔软的皮毛。
　　“我已经养了它四年了，”他说，“当我们还在猫头鹰农场的时候，老农场主伯罗斯把它送给了我，那时候它才八周大呢。”
　　“哦？那你之前是在另外一个农场吗？”安妮问，“你一直都是住在农场里吗？真幸运啊！”
　　“我住过两个农场，”乔克说，“猫头鹰农场，还有这一个。当爸爸去世的时候，妈妈和我离开了猫头鹰农场，我们去一个小镇生活了一年。我讨厌那种生活。现在来到这儿住，我很高兴。”
　　“我以为你爸爸在这儿呢！”迪克困惑地说。
　　“那是我的继父，”乔克说，“不过他不是农场主！”他四处张望，压低了声音，“他不太了解农务，都是我妈妈在告诉农夫们该干什么。不过，他给了我们很多钱，足够把一切置办好，所以我们买了很好的农用机、卡车之类的。想看看牛奶厂吗？那里是最现代化的，妈妈很爱在那里工作。”
　　乔克带着四个孩子去了那个明光烁亮、一尘不染的牛奶厂。他的母亲正在和一个姑娘一起工作，她冲孩子们点头微笑：“早上好！
　　又饿了吧？等我在牛奶厂忙完了，就给你们打包些吃的。你们愿意留下来跟我儿子乔克一起吃午餐吗？他在假期很孤独，没有其他同学跟他玩。”
　　“太好啦！我们留下吧！”安妮高兴地叫道，“我愿意，可以吗，朱利安？”
　　“可以。非常感谢您，女士——呃——乔克妈妈女士……”朱利安一时不知该如何称呼。
　　“就叫我安德鲁斯太太吧，”乔克的妈妈说，“但乔克叫乔克•罗宾斯，他是我和第一任丈夫的儿子，第一任丈夫是一个农场主。好吧，你们都留下来吃午饭吧，我给你们做一顿好吃的，让你们一整天都精力充沛！”
　　这听起来实在太棒了。四个孩子很激动，蒂米也起劲地摇着尾巴，它喜欢安德鲁斯太太。
　　“来吧，”乔克高兴地说，“我带你们在农场到处逛逛，看看每个角落。它不是很大，但是我们要把它变成这片荒原上最好的小农场。我的继父对农活不感兴趣，但是他给妈妈很多钱，让她买想要的一切，在这一点上他非常慷慨。”
　　对孩子们来说，这个农场上的机器无疑是完全现代化的。他们仔细观察了联合收割机，去欣赏了有着干净的石头地板、砌着白色砖墙的牛舍，他们爬进了朱漆大货车，又假装自己驾驶着谷仓里并排停放的牵引拖拉机。
　　“你们有很多农夫在农场上工作，”朱利安说，“这么小的农场应该不需要那么多人吧。”
　　“他们不是什么好农夫，”乔克皱着眉头说，“妈妈总是对他们发怒。他们不知道该干什么。爸爸给她挑来了足够多的人在农场上干活，但他总是选择些不合适的人！他们似乎不喜欢干农活，并且总是一有机会就溜到最近的小镇上。只有一个好农夫，但是他老了，就在那儿，你们看到了吗？他叫威尔。”
　　孩子们看着威尔。他正在一个小菜园里工作，是一位满脸皱纹的老人，有着一个小鼻子和一双湛蓝的眼睛。他们对这个老人家一见如故。
　　“是的。他看起来倒像个农场的农夫，”朱利安说，“其他人不像。”
　　“他不愿意跟他们一起工作，”乔克说，“他对他们说话可凶了，叫他们傻子和笨瓜。”
　　“笨瓜是什么呀？”安妮问。
　　“就是笨蛋、蠢人。”迪克说。他走向老威尔，“早上好！”他伸手打了打招呼，“您看上去很忙。农场有很多活要干吗？”
　　那个老人用他湛蓝的眼睛瞧了瞧迪克，低头继续工作。“有很多工作要做，也有很多农夫，却没多少人干活，”他用低沉沙哑的声音说，“我从未想过我竟要跟傻子和笨瓜一起工作。一群傻子和笨瓜！”
　　“你瞧！我怎么跟你说的？”乔克笑着说，“他一直这么叫其他人，所以我们不得不让他们分开工作。不过，说实话他说的也是对的，这里的大部分农夫都对农活一窍不通。我希望继父能让我们换些合适的，而不是那些家伙。”
　　“你的继父在哪里？”朱利安想着他一定是个非常古怪的人，把大量的钱投入到这样一个荒原上的小农场上，而且选来的都是些不合适的农夫。
　　“他今天出去啦，”乔克说道，然后瞥了一眼其他人，“谢天谢地！”他意味深长地补充道。
　　“为什么呢？你不喜欢他吗？”迪克问。
　　“还好，”乔克说，“但他不是农场主，尽管他声称他一直想成为农场主。他一点也不喜欢我，我为了妈妈，假装面子上过得去。当他不在旁边碍事的时候，我总是如释重负。”
　　“你妈妈人很好。”乔治说。
　　“是的——妈妈人非常好，”乔克说，“你们不知道能再次拥有一个自己的小农场对她来说意味着什么，并且能够用像样的机器来运营它。”
　　他们来到了一个大谷仓门前，门锁着。“我告诉过你们里面是什么。”乔克说道，“大卡车！你们可以透过那个小洞瞥一眼。不知道为什么继父要买那么多卡车，我想是因为价格低廉——他喜欢低价买进，高价卖出！他说过卡车在农场上很有用，把货物运到市场上去。”
　　“是的——我们昨天来这儿的时候，你告诉过我们，”迪克说，“但是你们这些卡车也太多了！”
　　“所以我认为这些卡车不是为了农活买的，而是为了囤积在这里，等到价格上涨后卖掉，他就可以赚上一大笔钱了。”乔克压低声音说，“这些我倒没跟妈妈说。只要她能得到她想要的农用机械，我就保持沉默。”
　　孩子们对这一切都非常感兴趣。他们希望可以见到安德鲁斯先生。他一定是个古怪的人，他们心里想。安妮已经开始想象他是个什么样的人：高大魁梧，皮肤黝黑，眉头紧锁，相当吓人，没什么耐心，并且一定不喜欢小孩子。那样的人几乎都不喜欢小孩子。
　　他们整个早晨都愉快地在这个小农场闲逛。快到吃午饭的时候，他们又回去看牧羊犬比迪和它的狗宝宝们。蒂米不耐烦地站在棚屋外面，尾巴低垂。它不喜欢乔治对别的狗那么感兴趣。
　　忽而传来一阵铃铛的声响，“太好了！午饭做好了！”乔克说，“我们最好去洗手。上午到处转悠，我们都弄脏了。希望大家都饿了，因为我猜妈妈给我们做了一顿丰盛的午饭。”
　　“我饿极了，”安妮说，“吃早餐似乎是很久以前的事了，我都忘了早上吃的什么了！”
　　他们的感受是一样的。他们回到农舍，很惊讶地发现有个精致的小浴室可以洗澡，安德鲁斯太太从浴室里拿出了干净的毛巾。
　　“真是个精致的小浴室！”她说，“这是我丈夫给我建的，是我第一个像样的浴室！”
　　楼下的厨房飘来了诱人的香味，“来吧！”乔克说着，一把抓起了肥皂，“我们快点，一分钟之后就下去，妈妈！”
　　他们迅速地洗完手，没人想在洗手上浪费时间，因为一顿丰盛的美味大餐正在楼下等着他们呢！
Chapter 7 Mr. ANDREWS COMES HOME
　　Chapter 7 Mr. ANDREWS COMES HOME
　　They all sat down to dinner. There was a big meat-pie, a cold ham, salad, potatoes in theirjackets, and homemade pickles. It really was difficult to know what to choose.
　　'Have some of both,' said Mrs. Andrews, cutting the meat-pie. 'Begin with the pie and go on withthe ham. That's the best of living on a farm, you know - you do get plenty to eat.'
　　After the first course there were plums and thick cream, or jam tarts and the same cream.
　　Everyone tucked in hungrily.
　　'I've never had such a lovely dinner in my life,' said Anne, at last. 'I wish I could eat some morebut I can't. It was super, Mrs. Andrews.'
　　'Smashing,' said Dick. That was his favourite word these holidays. 'Absolutely smashing.'
　　'Woof,' said Timmy, agreeing. He had had a fine plateful of meaty bones, biscuits and gravy, andhe had licked up every crumb and every drop. Now he felt he would like to have a snooze in thesun and not do a thing for the rest of the day.
　　The children felt rather like that, too. Mrs. Andrews handed them a chocolate each and sent themout of doors. 'You go and have a rest now,' she said. 'Talk to Jock. He doesn't get enoughcompany of his own age in the holidays. You can stay on to tea, if you like.'
　　'Oh, thanks,' said everyone, although they all felt that they wouldn't even be able to manage abiscuit. But it was so pleasant at the farm that they felt they would like to stay as long as theycould.
　　'May we borrow one of Biddy's puppies to have with us?' asked Anne.
　　32
　　'If Biddy doesn't mind,' said Mrs. Andrews, beginning to clear away. 'And if Timmy doesn't eat itup!'
　　'Timmy wouldn't dream of it!' said George at once. 'You go and get the puppy, Anne. We'll finda nice place in the sun.'
　　Anne went off to get the puppy. Biddy didn't seem to mind a bit. Anne cuddled the fat little thingagainst her, and went off to the others, feeling very happy. The boys had found a fine placeagainst a haystack, and sat leaning against it, the sun shining down warmly on them.
　　'Those men of yours seem to take a jolly good lunch-hour off,' said Julian, not seeing any ofthem about.
　　Jock gave a snort. 'They're bone lazy. I'd sack the lot if I were my stepfather. Mum's told himhow badly the men work, but he doesn't say a word to them. I've given up bothering. I don't paytheir wages - if I did, I'd sack the whole lot!'
　　'Let's ask Jock about the spook-trains,' said George, fondling Timmy's ears. 'It would be fun totalk about them.'
　　'Spook-trains? Whatever are they?' asked Jock, his eyes wide with surprise. 'Never heard ofthem!'
　　'Haven't you really?' asked Dick. 'Well, you don't live very far from them, Jock!'
　　'Tell me about them,' said Jock. 'Spook-trains - no, I've never heard of one of those.'
　　'Well, I'll tell you what we know,' said Julian. 'Actually we thought you'd be able to tell us muchmore about them than we know ourselves.'
　　He began to tell Jock about their visit to the deserted railway yard, and Wooden-Leg Sam, andhis peculiar behaviour. Jock listened, enthralled.
　　'Coo! I wish I'd been with you. Let's all go there together, shall we?' he said. 'This was quite anadventure you had, wasn't it? You know, I've never had a single adventure in all my life, noteven a little one. Have you?'
　　The four children looked at one another, and Timmy looked at George. Adventures! What didn'tthey know about them? They had had so many.
　　'Yes. We've had heaps of adventures - real ones - smashing ones,' said Dick. 'We've been downin dungeons, we've been lost in caves, we've found secret passages, we've looked for treasure -well, I can't tell you what we've done! It would take too long.'
　　33
　　'No, it wouldn't,' said Jock eagerly. 'You tell me. Go on. Did you all have the adventures? LittleAnne, here, too?'
　　'Yes, all of us,' said George. 'And Timmy as well. He rescued us heaps of times from danger.
　　Didn't you, Tim?
　　'Woof, woof,' said Timmy, and thumped his tail against the hay.
　　They began to tell Jock about their many adventures. He was a very, very good listener. His eyesalmost fell out of his head, and he went brick-red whenever they came to an exciting part.
　　'My word!' he said at last. 'I've never heard such things in my life before. Aren't you lucky? Youjust go about having adventures all the time, don't you? I say - do you think you'll have one here,these hols?'
　　Julian laughed. 'No. Whatever kind of adventure would there be on these lonely moorlands?
　　Why, you yourself have lived here for three years, and haven't even had a tiny adventure.'
　　Jock sighed. That's true. I haven't.' Then his eyes brightened again. 'But see here - what aboutthose spook-trains you've been asking me about? Perhaps you'll have an adventure with those?'
　　'Oh, no, I don't want to,' said Anne, in a horrified voice. 'An adventure with spook-trains wouldbe simply horrid.'
　　'I'd like to go down to that old railway yard with you and see Wooden-Leg Sam,' said Jocklongingly. 'Why, that would be a real adventure to me, you know - just talking to a funny oldman like that, and wondering if he was suddenly going to throw cinders at us. Take me with younext time you go.'
　　'Well - I don't know that we meant to go again,' said Julian. 'There's really nothing much in hisstory except imagination - the old watchman's gone peculiar in the head through being alonethere so much, guarding a yard where nothing and nobody ever comes. He's just rememberingthe trains that used to go in and out before the line was given up.'
　　'But the shepherd said the same as Sam,' said Jock. 'I say - what about going down there onenight and watching for a spook-train!'
　　'NO!' said Anne, in horror.
　　'You needn't come,' said Jock. 'Just us three boys.'
　　'And me,' said George at once. 'I'm as good as any boy, and I'm not going to be left out. Timmy'scoming, too.'
　　34
　　'Oh, please don't make these awful plans,' begged poor Anne. 'You'll make an adventure come, ifyou go on like this.'
　　Nobody took the least notice of her. Julian looked at Jock's excited face. 'Well,' he said, 'if we dogo there again, we'll tell you. And if we think we'll go watching for spook-trains, we'll take youwith us.'
　　Jock looked as if he could hug Julian. 'That would be terrific,' he said. 'Thanks a lot. Spook-trains! I say, just suppose we really did see one! Who'd be driving it? Where would it comefrom?'
　　'Out of the tunnel, Wooden-Leg Sam says,' said Dick. 'But I don't see how we'd spot it, except bythe noise it made, because apparently the spook-trains only arrive in the dark of the night. Neverin the daytime. We wouldn't see much, even if we were there.'
　　It was such an exciting subject to Jock that he persisted in talking about it all the afternoon. Annegot tired of listening, and went to sleep with Biddy's puppy in her arms. Timmy curled up byGeorge and went to sleep too. He wanted to go for a walk, but he could see that there was nohope with all this talking going on.
　　It was tea-time before any of them had expected it. The bell rang, and Jock looked mostsurprised.
　　'Tea! Would you believe it? Well, I have had an exciting afternoon talking about all this. Andlook here, if you don't make up your minds to go spook-train hunting I'll jolly well go off bymyself. If only I could have an adventure like the kind you've had, I'd be happy.'
　　They went in to tea, after waking Anne up with difficulty. She took the puppy back to Biddy,who received it gladly and licked it all over.
　　Julian was surprised to find that he was quite hungry again. 'Well,' he said, as he sat down at thetable, 'I didn't imagine I'd feel hungry again for a week - but I do. What a marvellous tea, Mrs.
　　Andrews. Isn't Jock lucky to have meals like this always!'
　　There were home-made scones with new honey. There were slices of bread thickly spread withbutter, and new-made cream cheese to go with it. There was sticky brown gingerbread, hot fromthe oven, and a big solid fruit cake that looked almost like a plum pudding when it was cut, itwas so black.
　　'Oh dear! I wish now I hadn't had so much dinner,' sighed Anne. 'I don't feel hungry enough toeat a bit of everything and I would so like to!'
　　35
　　Mrs. Andrews laughed. 'You eat what you can, and I'll give you some to take away, too,' shesaid. 'You can have some cream cheese, and the scones and honey - and some of the bread Imade this morning. And maybe you'd like a slab of the gingerbread. I made plenty.'
　　'Oh, thanks,' said Julian. 'We'll be all right tomorrow with all that. You're a marvellous cook,Mrs. Andrews. I wish I lived on your farm.'
　　There was the sound of a car coming slowly up the rough track to the farmhouse, and Mrs.
　　Andrews looked up. 'That's Mr. Andrews come back,' she said. 'My husband, you know, Jock'sstepfather.'
　　Julian thought she looked a little worried. Perhaps Mr. Andrews didn't like children and wouldn'tbe pleased to see them sitting round his table when he came home tired.
　　'Would you like us to go, Mrs. Andrews?' he asked politely. 'Perhaps Mr. Andrews would like abit of peace for his meal when he comes in - and we're rather a crowd, aren't we?'
　　Jock's mother shook her head. 'No, you can stay. I'll get him a meal in the other room if he'd likeit.'
　　Mr. Andrews came in. He wasn't in the least like Anne or the others had imagined him to be. Hewas a short, dark little man, with a weak face and a nose much too big for it. He looked harassedand bad-tempered, and stopped short when he saw the five children.
　　'Hallo, dear,' said Mrs. Andrews. 'Jock's got his friends here today. Would you like a bit of tea inyour room? I can easily put a tray there.'
　　'Well,' said Mr. Andrews, smiling a watery kind of smile, 'perhaps it would be best. I've had aworrying kind of day, and not much to eat.'
　　'I'll get you a tray of ham and pickles and bread,' said his wife. 'It won't take a minute. You goand wash.'
　　Mr. Andrews went out. Anne was surprised that he seemed so small and looked rather stupid.
　　She had imagined someone big and burly, strong and clever, who was always going about doinggrand deals and making a lot of money. Well, he must be cleverer than he looked, to makeenough money to give Mrs. Andrews all she needed for her farm.
　　Mrs. Andrews bustled about with this and that, laying a tray with a snow-white cloth, and platesof food. Mr. Andrews could be heard in the bathroom, splashing as he washed. Then he camedownstairs and put his head in at the door. 'My meal ready?' he asked. 'Well, Jock - had a goodday?'
　　36
　　'Yes, thanks,' said Jock, as his stepfather took the tray from his mother and turned to go. 'Wewent all round the farm this morning - and we talked and talked this afternoon. And oh, I say - doyou know anything about spook-trains, sir?'
　　Mr. Andrews was just going out of the door. He turned in surprise. 'Spook-trains? What are youtalking about?'
　　'Well, Julian says there's an old deserted railway yard a good way from here, and spook-trainsare supposed to come out of the tunnel there in the dark of night,' said Jock. 'Have you heard ofthem?'
　　Mr. Andrews stood stock still, his eyes on his stepson. He looked dismayed and shocked. Thenhe came back into the room and kicked the door shut behind him.
　　'I'll have my tea here after all,' he said. 'Well, to think you've heard of those spook-trains! I'vebeen careful not to mention them to your mother or to you, Jock, for fear of scaring you!'
　　'Gee!' said Dick. 'Are they really true then? They can't be.'
　　'You tell me all you know, and how you know about it,' said Mr. Andrews, sitting down at thetable with his tray. 'Go on. Don't miss out a thing. I want to hear everything.'
　　Julian hesitated. 'Oh - there's nothing really to tell, sir - just a lot of nonsense.'
　　'You tell it me!' almost shouted Mr. Andrews. 'Then I'll tell you a few things. And I tell you, youwon't go near that old railway yard again - no, that you won't!'
7.安德鲁斯先生
　　安德鲁斯先生
　　孩子们坐下来开始吃午饭。桌上有一个巨大的鲜肉派、一盘冷切火腿、一盒蔬菜沙拉、带皮烤土豆，以及家里做的腌菜。这么多好菜看得大家眼花缭乱，他们不知道该选什么了。
　　“都吃点吧，”安德鲁斯太太说着切开了鲜肉派，“先吃点派，搭着火腿片。这就是生活在农场最大的好处，有多到吃不完的美味佳肴。”
　　吃完第一轮正餐之后，还有李子蘸香浓奶油，和奶油果酱馅饼。每个人都在狼吞虎咽。
　　“我从未吃过这么美味的午餐，”最后，安妮赞叹道，“我希望能再多吃一点，但我实在是吃不下了。太好吃啦，安德鲁斯太太！”
　　“太给力了，”迪克说道。最近“给力”这个词成了他的最爱，“实在是太‘给力’了。”
　　“汪！”蒂米也表示同意。它吃了一盘子美味，有肉骨头、饼干和肉汁，它把盘子舔得干干净净。现在它只想在阳光下小睡一会儿，一整天什么也不干。
　　孩子们的感觉跟蒂米类似，都有点困了。安德鲁斯夫人给每个人发了一块巧克力，把他们送到门外。“你们可以出去走走，”她说，“跟乔克说说话。在假期里，没有太多同龄人和他玩。如果你们愿意的话，也可以留下来喝下午茶。”
　　“哦！谢谢了！”每个人不约而同地说，尽管他们都觉得已经连一块饼干都吃不下了。但是在农场里是如此舒适，他们十分愿意再多待一会儿。
　　“我们可以跟比迪的狗宝宝一起玩吗？”安妮问。
　　“当然，如果比迪不介意的话，”安德鲁斯太太也说着一边开始收拾餐桌，“并且蒂米不把它吃掉的话！”
　　“蒂米不会这样的！它都不可能这么想。”乔治立刻说，“安妮，你去抱来一只狗宝宝，我们找个舒服的地方晒太阳。”
　　安妮准备抱走小狗的时候，比迪似乎一点也不介意。安妮怀抱着只小胖狗，去找其他人，心里说不出的高兴。男孩们找到了一个紧挨着干草堆的地方，他们靠在上面，阳光照在干草堆和他们身上，暖烘烘的。
　　“你们的那些农夫似乎还在享受快乐的午餐时光，尽管已经这个点了。”朱利安说，他发现四周一个人都没有。
　　乔克哼了一声：“他们是群懒骨头。如果我是我继父的话，非把这群人都解雇了不可。妈妈告诉过他这些人干活有多差，但是他从未说过他们一句不是。我都懒得多管闲事了，又不是我给他们发工资。如果是我发工资，我会把这群人统统炒鱿鱼！”
　　“我们问问乔克幽灵火车的事吧，”乔治爱抚着蒂米的耳朵，“比谈论那些农夫有趣得多。”
　　“幽灵火车？那是什么？”乔克目瞪口呆，“我从未听说过它们。”
　　“真的从未听说过吗？”迪克惊讶地问，“离你家不远啊。”乔克一脸茫然地说：“快给我讲讲幽灵火车。”
　　于是，朱利安开始给乔克讲述他们去那个荒废的调车场的故事，还有木腿山姆，以及他的古怪行为。乔克听得如痴如醉。
　　“太酷了！我真希望当时跟你们一起去了。我们一起再去一次吧，好吗？”他激动地说，“那一定会是一次精彩的冒险，我一生中从未冒过险，哪怕是连一次小冒险也没有。你们呢？”
　　四个孩子彼此对视了一下，差点笑出了声，蒂米看着乔治，似乎也带着半分骄傲。冒险！还有谁比他们更了解冒险呢？他们可经历过那么多次了。
　　“我们倒是冒险过很多次，真正的冒险，超棒的经历。”迪克说，“我们进过地牢，在洞穴里迷失过，找到过秘密通道，寻觅过宝藏……数不胜数，我没法告诉你我们的全部冒险！讲完要花费太长时间。”
　　“不，不会的，”乔克热切地说，“快告诉我吧，继续说，你们冒险过那么多次吗？小安妮也是吗？”
　　“是的，我们所有人，”乔治说，“蒂米也是。它曾无数次把我们从危险之中解救出来。”
　　“汪，汪！”蒂米得意地甩着尾巴拍打着干草。
　　他们开始给乔克讲述他们的许多次冒险经历，乔克是个非常好的倾听者。经常听得他眼珠子都快瞪出来了，一讲到高潮部分，他就会激动得满脸通红。
　　“天哪！”乔克最后说，“我之前从未听说过这些事。你们真是太幸运了！一直都在到处冒险，不是吗？我说，你们觉得你们会在这里冒险吗？”
　　朱利安哈哈大笑：“不太会吧。在这种偏僻的荒原怎么会有冒险呢？你在这里住了三年了，不是连一次小冒险也没经历过嘛。”
　　乔克叹了口气，“没错。确实没有。”接着，他的眼睛又开始发亮了，“你们刚刚跟我说的幽灵火车怎么样？也许你们可以来一次幽灵火车冒险？”
　　“哦，不，我可不想。”安妮害怕地说，“幽灵火车冒险听起来实在是太可怕了。”
　　“我愿意跟你们一起去那个老调车场，去看看木腿山姆。”乔克渴望地说，“那对我来说，会是一次真正的冒险，哪怕只是跟一个怪老头说话，突然被我们扔煤渣。下次你们去的时候一定要带上我。”
　　“我不知道我们还会不会去那里，”朱利安说，“那个守夜人的故事里除了想象什么也没有。我觉得那个老看守人独自在那里太久了，看守着一个什么也没有的调车场，他的头脑有点不正常了。他的那些说辞，只是在回忆那条线路废弃之前来来往往的火车而已。”
　　“但那个牧羊人说的跟山姆一样，”乔克说，“我说，我们哪天夜里去那里等候幽灵火车怎么样？”
　　“不！”安妮惊恐地说。
　　“你可以不来嘛，”乔克说，“就我们三个男孩。”
　　“还有我，”乔治立刻补充说，“我的勇气不输于任何男孩，我不会被排除在外的。蒂米也要来。”
　　“请不要做这些可怕的计划，”可怜的安妮恳求道，“如果你们继续这样的话，会招来大祸的。”
　　似乎没有人听见她说的话。朱利安看着乔克激动的脸，“好的，”他说，“如果我们再去那儿，会告诉你的。如果要去等候幽灵火车，我们会带上你。”
　　乔克看起来似乎想要拥抱朱利安似的。“太棒了！”他说，“太感谢了。幽灵火车！我说，假设我们真的看见一列幽灵列车，那会是谁在驾驶它呢？它又来自哪里呢？”
　　“从隧道里出来的，木腿山姆说他见过，”迪克说，“但不知道我们该如何发现它，它只发出一些噪声，而且很明显幽灵火车只在黑夜里出现，从不在白天出现。即使我们在场，也看不见多少东西。”对乔克来说，这是非常让人兴奋的话题，他们整个下午都在讨论幽灵火车。安妮听腻了，怀抱着比迪的狗宝宝睡着了。蒂米蜷在乔治脚边，也睡着了。它想去散步，但是发现所有人都在谈话，看来是没有希望了。不知不觉到了下午茶时间，饭铃响了。
　　乔克看起来最吃惊：“吃下午茶咯！说真的，讨论这一切，让我度过了一个兴奋的下午。听我说，如果你们还没下定决心去寻找幽灵火车，我也一定会独自前往。如果我能够拥有一次你们有过的那种冒险，就满足了。”他们费劲地叫醒安妮之后，就去喝下午茶了，“嗯，”朱利安坐在桌边，“我以为我一个星期都不会饿了——但我确实饿了。下午茶太丰盛了，安德鲁斯太太。乔克总是能吃到这样的食物，真是太幸运了？”桌上摆着带有新鲜蜂蜜的司康饼；还有涂着厚厚黄油的面包片，搭配着刚做的奶油芝士；还有刚从烤箱里拿出来，黏黏的棕色的姜饼，还是热的；还有一个纯水果蛋糕，切开后看起来就像是个葡萄干布丁，浓黑透亮。
　　“天哪！这会儿真希望午饭我没有吃那么多，”安妮叹了口气说，“我还不饿啊，可我还想尝尝所有的食物呢！”
　　安德鲁斯太太呵呵直乐，“你能吃多少就吃多少吧，吃不完给你打包带点。”她说，“你可以吃点奶油芝士，还有司康饼和蜂蜜，还有我今天早晨做的面包。你们走的时候可以带一些姜饼。我做了很多。”
　　“谢谢！”朱利安说，“够我们明天早晨吃的了。您真是一位出色的厨师，安德鲁斯太太。我真希望能住在您的农场上。”正在聊着，忽然听到外面传来汽车慢慢开到农场砂砾小路上的声音，安德鲁斯太太抬起了头，“安德鲁斯先生回来了，”她说，“我丈夫，乔克的继父。”
　　朱利安觉得她看上去有点担心。也许安德鲁斯先生不喜欢孩子，当他疲惫不堪地回到家之后，看到屋里坐了一桌子孩子，会不高兴。
　　“我们需要离开吗，安德鲁斯太太？”他礼貌地问道，“也许安德鲁斯先生回来，想静静地吃饭，而不是一大群人。”
　　乔克的妈妈摇了摇头：“不，你们可以留下。不想在这儿吃的话，我会把饭送到另一个房间。”
　　安德鲁斯先生进来了。他一点也不像安妮或其他人想象的那样。他是位矮个子的男人，皮肤黝黑，一张淡漠的脸，还有一个过大的鼻子。他看起来疲惫焦虑，心情不太好，当看到五个孩子的时候，他突然停下了脚步。
　　“亲爱的，”安德鲁斯太太说，“乔克的朋友们来了。你想在你的房间里喝茶吗？我可以在那里放个托盘。”
　　“嗯，”他淡然一笑，“最好不过。我今天太过劳累了，但没有吃多少东西。”
　　“我给你盛点火腿、腌菜和面包，”安德鲁斯太太说道，“一分钟。你去洗手吧。”
　　安德鲁斯先生出去了。安妮感到很吃惊，她想象他是个高大魁梧、强壮聪明的男人，总是出去做着大买卖，赚着大钱。可现实跟她想象的完全不同。不过至少，他一定很聪明，因为他能赚那么多钱，给安德鲁斯太太买她所需要的一切农用机械。
　　安德鲁斯太太在忙东忙西，把一块雪白的布铺在托盘上，在上面摆放了很多盘食物。他们能听到安德鲁斯先生洗手的声音，水花四溅。然后他下了楼，把头伸进门口，“我的饭准备好了吗？”安德鲁斯先生问，“嗯，乔克，今天过得开心吗？”
　　“很开心，谢谢！”乔克回答道，这时他的继父从他妈妈手里接过托盘，转身要走，“我们今天早晨在农场四处转转，下午我们一直在聊天。哦，对了，您知道幽灵火车吗？”
　　安德鲁斯先生正要走出门去，听到这话，他惊讶地转过身来：“幽灵火车？你在说什么呢？”
　　“朱利安说离这儿不远，有个废弃的调车场，在黑夜里，幽灵火车会从隧道里出来。”乔克说，“您听说过它吗？”
　　安德鲁斯先生呆呆地站在那里，眼睛注视着他的继子。他看起来既惶恐又震惊，然后他走回房间，一脚关上身后的门。
　　“我还是在这儿吃下午茶吧，”他说，“好了，你听说的那些幽灵火车，我很小心，从不向你妈妈或你提起它们，乔克，就是怕吓到你们！”
　　“我的天哪！”迪克瞪大了双眼，“所以说它们是真的吗？不可能吧。”
　　“告诉我你知道的一切，以及你们是如何知道的。”安德鲁斯先生把托盘放在了桌子上，坐了下来，“说吧，什么细节都不要遗漏。
　　我想知道一切事情。”
　　朱利安犹豫了：“哦，其实没什么可说的，先生，都是一些胡言乱语。”
　　“快点告诉我！”安德鲁斯先生突然咆哮起来，“然后我会告诉你们我所知道的。而且听清楚了，你们不许再走近那个老调车场了，谁都不许去！”
Chapter 8 A LAZY EVENING
　　Chapter 8 A LAZY EVENING
　　The five children and Mrs. Andrews stared in surprise at Mr. Andrews, when he shouted at them.
　　He repeated some of his words again.
　　'Go on! You tell me all you know. And then I'll tell you!'
　　Julian decided to tell, very shortly, what had happened at the old railway yard, and whatWooden-Leg Sam had said. He made the tale sound rather bald and dull. Mr. Andrews listenedto it with the greatest interest, never once taking his eyes off Julian.
　　Then he sat back and drank a whole cup of strong tea in one gulp. The children waited for him tospeak, wondering what he had to say.
　　37
　　'Now,' he said, making his voice sound important and impressive, 'you listen to me. Don't any ofyou ever go down to that yard again. It's a bad place.'
　　'Why?' asked Julian. 'What do you mean - a bad place?'
　　'Things have happened there - years and years ago,' said Mr. Andrews. 'Bad things. Accidents. Itwas all shut up after that and the tunnel wasn't used any more. See? Nobody was allowed to gothere, and nobody did, because they were scared. They knew it was a bad place, where badthings happen.'
　　Anne felt frightened. 'But Mr. Andrews - you don't mean there really are spook-trains, do you?'
　　she asked, her face rather pale.
　　Mr. Andrews pursed up his lips and nodded very solemnly indeed. 'That's just what I do mean.
　　Spook-trains come and go. Nobody knows why. But it's bad luck to be there when they come.
　　They might take you away, see?'
　　Julian laughed. 'Oh - not as bad as that, sir, surely! Anyway, you're frightening Anne, so let'schange the subject. I don't believe in spook-trains.'
　　But Mr. Andrews didn't seem to want to stop talking about the trains. 'Wooden-Leg Sam wasright to hide himself when they come along,' he said. 'I don't know how he manages to stay on ina bad place like that. Never knowing when a train is going to come creeping out of that tunnel inthe darkness.'
　　Julian was not going to have Anne frightened any more. He got up from the table and turned toMrs. Andrews.
　　'Thank you very much for a lovely day and lovely food!' he said. 'We must go now. Come along,Anne.'
　　'Wait a minute,' said Mr. Andrews. 'I just want to warn you all very solemnly that you mustn't godown to that railway yard. You hear me, Jock? You might never come back. Old Wooden-LegSam's mad, and well he may be, with spook-trains coming along in the dead of night. It's a badand dangerous place. You're not to go near it!'
　　'Well - thank you for the warning, sir,' said Julian, politely, suddenly disliking the small manwith the big nose very much indeed. 'We'll be going. Goodbye, Mrs. Andrews. Good-bye, Jock.
　　Come along tomorrow and have a picnic with us, will you?'
　　'Oh, thanks! Yes, I will,' said Jock. 'But wait a minute - aren't you going to take any food withyou?'
　　38
　　'Yes, of course they are,' said Mrs. Andrews, getting up from her chair. She had been listening tothe conversation with a look of puzzled wonder on her face. She went out into the scullery,where there was a big, cold larder. Julian followed her. He carried the two baskets.
　　'I'll give you plenty,' said Mrs. Andrews, putting loaves, butter, and cream cheese into thebaskets. 'I know what appetites you youngsters get. Now don't you be too scared at what myhusband's just been saying - I saw that little Anne was frightened. I've never heard of the spook-trains, and I've been here for three years. I don't reckon there's much in the tale, you know, for allmy husband's so set on warning you not to go down to the yard.'
　　Julian said nothing. He thought that Mr. Andrews had behaved rather oddly about the wholestory. Was he one of the kind of people who believed in all sorts of silly things and got scaredhimself? He looked weak enough! Julian found himself wondering how a nice woman like Mrs.
　　Andrews could have married such a poor specimen of a man. Still, he was a generous fellow,judging by all Jock had said, and perhaps Jock's mother felt grateful to him for giving her thefarm and the money to run it with. That must be it.
　　Julian thanked Mrs. Andrews, and insisted on paying her, though she would have given him thefood for nothing. She came into the kitchen with him and he saw that the others had already goneoutside. Only Mr. Andrews was left, eating ham and pickles.
　　'Good-bye, sir,' said Julian politely.
　　'Good-bye. And you remember what I've told you, boy,' said Mr Andrews. 'Bad luck comes topeople who see the spook-trains - yes, terrible bad luck. You keep away from them.'
　　Julian gave a polite smile and went out. It was evening now and the sun was setting behind themoorland hills, though it still had a long way to go before it disappeared. He caught up with theothers. Jock was with them.
　　'I'm just coming half-way with you,' said Jock. 'I say! My stepfather was pretty scary about thosetrains, wasn't he?'
　　'I felt pretty scary too, when he was warning us about them,' said Anne. 'I shan't go down to thatyard again, ever. Will you, George?'
　　'If the boys did, I would,' said George, who didn't look very much as if she wanted to, all thesame.
　　'Are you going to the yard again?' asked Jock, eagerly. 'I'm not scared. Not a bit. It would be anadventure to go and watch for a spook-train.'
　　39
　　'We might go,' said Julian. 'We'll take you with us, if we do. But the girls aren't to come.'
　　'Well, I like that!' said George angrily. 'As if you could leave me behind! When have I beenscared of anything? I'm as brave as any of you.'
　　'Yes. I know. You can come as soon as we find out it's all a silly story,' said Julian.
　　'I shall come whenever you go,' flashed back George. 'Don't you dare to leave me out. I'll neverspeak to you again if you do.'
　　Jock looked most surprised at this sudden flare-up of temper from George. He didn't know howfierce she could be!
　　'I don't see why George shouldn't come,' he said. 'I bet she'd be every bit as good as a boy. Ithought she was one when I first saw her.'
　　George gave him one of her sweetest smiles. He couldn't have said anything she liked better! ButJulian would not change his mind.
　　'I mean what I say. The girls won't come if we do go, so that's that. For one thing, Anne certainlywouldn't want to come, and if George came without her she'd be left all alone up at the camp.
　　She wouldn't like that.'
　　'She could have Mr. Luffy's company,' said George, looking sulky again.
　　'Idiot! As if we'd want to tell Mr. Luffy we were going off exploring deserted railway yardswatched over by a mad, one-legged fellow who swears there are spook-trains!' said Julian. 'He'dstop us going. You know what grown-ups are like. Or he'd come with us, which would be worse.'
　　'Yes. He'd see moths all the time, not spook-trains,' said Dick, with a grin.
　　'I'd better go back now,' said Jock. 'It's been a grand day. I'll come up tomorrow and picnic withyou. Good-bye.'
　　They called good-bye to Jock, and went on their way to the camp. It was quite nice to see itagain, waiting for them, the two tents flapping a little in the breeze. Anne pushed her waythrough the tent-flap, anxious to see that everything was untouched.
　　Inside the tent it was very hot. Anne decided to put the food they had brought under the bottomof the big gorse bush. It would be cooler there. She was soon busy about her little jobs. The boyswent down to see if Mr. Luffy was back, but he wasn't.
　　'Anne! We're going to bathe in the stream!' they called. 'We feel hot and dirty. Are you coming?
　　George is coming too.'
　　'No, I won't come,' Anne called back. 'I've got lots of things to do.'
　　40
　　The boys grinned at one another. Anne did so enjoy 'playing house'. So they left her to it, andwent to the stream, from which yells and howls and shrieks soon came. The water was colderthan they expected, and nobody liked to lie down in it - but everyone was well and trulysplashed, and the icy-cold drops falling on their hot bodies made them squeal and yell. Timmydidn't in the least mind the iciness of the water. He rolled over and over in it, enjoying himself.
　　'Look at him, showing off!' said Dick. 'Aha, Timmy, if I could bathe in a fur coat like you, Iwouldn't mind the cold water either.'
　　'Woof,' said Timmy, and climbed up the shallow bank. He shook himself violently and thousandsof icy-cold silvery drops flew from him and landed on the three shivering children. They yelledand chased him away.
　　It was a pleasant, lazy evening. Mr. Luffy didn't appear at all. Anne got a light meal of bread andcream cheese and a piece of gingerbread. Nobody felt like facing another big meal that day. Theylay in the heather and talked comfortably.
　　'This is the kind of holiday I like,' said Dick.
　　'So do I,' said Anne. 'Except for the spook-trains. That's spoilt it a bit for me.'
　　'Don't be silly, Anne,' said George. 'If they are not real it's just a silly story, and if they are real,well, it might be an adventure.'
　　There was a little silence. 'Are we going down to the yard again?' asked Dick lazily.
　　'Yes, I think so,' said Julian. 'I'm not going to be scared off it by weird warnings from PaAndrews.'
　　'Then I vote we go one night and wait to see if a spook-train does come along,' said Dick.
　　'I shall come too,' said George.
　　'No, you won't,' said Julian. 'You'll stay with Anne.'
　　George said nothing, but everyone could feel mutiny in the air.
　　'Do we tell Mr. Luffy, or don't we?' said Dick.
　　'You know we've said we wouldn't,' said Julian. He yawned. 'I'm getting sleepy. And the sun hasgone, so it will soon be dark. I wonder where old Luffy is?'
　　'Do you think I'd better wait up and see if he wants something to eat?' said Anne, anxiously.
　　'No. Not unless you want to keep awake till midnight!' said Julian. 'He'll have got some fooddown in his tent. He'll be all right. I'm going to turn in. Coming, Dick?'
　　41
　　The boys were soon in their sleeping-bags. The girls lay in the heather for a little while longer,listening to the lonely-sounding cry of the curlews going home in the dusk. Then they, too, wentinto their own tent.
　　Once safely in their sleeping-bags, the two boys felt suddenly wide awake. They began to talk inlow voices.
　　'Shall we take Jock down to see the yard in the daytime? Or shall we go one night and watch forthe Train from Nowhere?' said Julian.
　　'I vote we go and watch at night,' said Dick. 'We'll never see a spook-train in the daytime.
　　Wooden-Leg Sam is an interesting old chap, especially when he chucks cinders about - but Idon't know that I like him enough to go and visit him again!'
　　'Well - if Jock badly wants to go and have a snoop round tomorrow morning when he comes,we'd better take him,' said Julian. 'We can always go one night, too, if we want to.'
　　'Right. We'll wait and see what Jock says,' said Dick. They talked a little longer and then feltsleepy. Dick was just dropping off when he heard something coming wriggling through theheather. A head was stuck through the opening of the tent.
　　'If you dare to come in, I'll smack your silly face,' said Dick, thinking it was Timmy. 'I knowwhat you want, you perfect pest - you want to flop down on my tummy. You just turn yourselfround and go away! Do you hear?'
　　The head in the opening moved a little but didn't go away. Dick raised himself up on one elbow.
　　'Put one paw inside my tent and you'll be sent rolling down the hill!' he said. 'I love you verymuch in the daytime, but I'm not fond of you at night - not when I'm in a sleeping-bag anyway.
　　Scoot!'
　　The head made a peculiar apologetic sound. Then it spoke. 'Er - you're awake, I see. Are all ofyou all right - the girls too? I'm only just back.'
　　'Gosh! It's Mr. Luffy,' said Dick, filled with horror. 'I say, sir - I'm most awfully sorry - I thoughtyou were Timmy, come to flop himself down on top of me, like he often does. So sorry, sir.'
　　'Don't mention it!' said the shadowy head with a chuckle. 'Glad you're all right. See youtomorrow!'
8.探寻幽灵火车
　　探寻幽灵火车
　　当安德鲁斯先生咆哮的时候，五个孩子和安德鲁斯夫人都吃惊地盯着他。他又重复了一遍自己的话：
　　“快说！把你知道的都告诉我。然后我会告诉你我知道的！”
　　朱利安决定非常简洁地告诉他在老调车场发生的事情，以及木腿山姆说过的话。他把故事讲得简单枯燥，安德鲁斯先生却听得津津有味，眼睛一刻也没离开过朱利安。
　　然后他坐了下来，把整杯浓茶一饮而尽。孩子们等他说话，想着他会说什么。
　　“现在，”他掷地有声地说，“你们听我说。任何人都不要再去那个调车场了，那是个危险的地方。”
　　“为什么？”朱利安问，“危险——什么意思？”
　　“那里发生过一些事情，在很多很多年以前，”安德鲁斯先生说，“一个事故。之后那里就被关闭了，那个隧道也不再使用了，明白了吗？那里是禁止入内的，也没人去过，因为人们害怕。他们知道那是个危险的地方，会发生坏事。”
　　安妮感到很害怕，“但是，安德鲁斯先生，您不会是在说真的有幽灵火车吧，是吗？”她吓得脸色发白。
　　安德鲁斯先生噘起了嘴，非常严肃地点了点头，“我就是那个意思。幽灵火车来来往往，没人明白为什么。但是一旦见到它们就太倒霉了，它们会把你带走，明白吗？”
　　朱利安哈哈大笑：“没有那么糟糕吧，先生！无论如何，你吓着安妮了，我们换个话题吧。我不相信有什么幽灵火车。”
　　但是安德鲁斯先生似乎不想停止讨论这些火车，“木腿山姆是对的，当幽灵火车来的时候，躲起来。”他说，“我不知道他是如何能待在那种地方。火车不知道何时会从黑暗的隧道里溜出来，那场景想想就害怕。”
　　朱利安不想让安妮再担惊受怕了。他站了起来，转过身礼貌地对安德鲁斯太太说：“非常感谢您，让我们度过了美好的一天，享用了美味的食物！我们现在要告辞了。走吧，安妮。”
　　“等一下，”安德鲁斯先生说，“我只是想非常严肃地警告你们，不要再去那个调车场，听到我说的话了吗？包括你，乔克，你去了可能再也回不来了。木腿老山姆是个疯子，但是也可以理解，谁让幽灵火车总是三更半夜出现呢。那是个危险的地方，你不能去那儿！”
　　“好的，谢谢您的提醒，先生，”朱利安礼貌地说。他突然不太喜欢这个大鼻子的小个子男人，“我们要走了。再见，安德鲁斯太太。再见，乔克。明天来跟我们一起野餐，好吗？”
　　“好的，我会去的，”乔克说，“等一等，你们带不带点吃的回去？”
　　“带，当然要带。”安德鲁斯太太说着站了起来。她一直一脸困惑地听着他们的谈话。她走出门去，进了洗涤室，那里有个大冷柜，朱利安提了两个大篮子跟着她。
　　“我会给你们带够吃的，”安德鲁斯太太说着，把面包、黄油和奶油芝士放进了篮子，“我知道你们小孩子的胃口。不要太担心我丈夫刚才说的话，我看到小安妮吓坏了。我从未听说过幽灵火车，并且我都在这儿生活三年了。我不认为这个故事中有多少是真的，我丈夫说这些，只是想警告你们不要去那个调车场罢了。”
　　朱利安什么也没说。他认为安德鲁斯先生在对这个故事的反应上，表现得相当奇怪。他是那种人吗，相信各种蠢事并把自己吓坏？他看上去够胆小的！朱利安想，乔克妈妈这么好的人怎么会嫁给这么差劲的男人。不过，他是个慷慨的家伙，根据乔克所说的话可以判断，也许乔克的妈妈是对他心怀感激，他给了她这个农场，投入那么多钱去经营它，一定是这个原因。
　　朱利安感谢了安德鲁斯太太，并坚持付她钱，尽管她本想把这些食物免费送给他们。两人一起回到厨房，看到其他孩子已经出去了。只有安德鲁斯先生还在那里，吃着火腿和腌菜。
　　“再见，先生。”朱利安礼貌地说。
　　“再见。你要记住我跟你说的话，孩子。”安德鲁斯先生说，“看见幽灵火车之后，坏运气就会找上你。是的，可怕的厄运。你们离它们远点。”
　　朱利安礼貌地笑了笑，然后出去了。现在是傍晚时分，太阳落到荒原山坡背后，尽管再过很长时间，它才会完全消失。朱利安追上了其他人，乔克也跟他们在一起。
　　“我送你们，”乔克说，“哎呀！我继父还真是害怕那些火车，不是吗？”
　　“当他在警告我们的时候，我也很害怕呢。”安妮说，“我再也不去那个老调车场了。你会去吗，乔治？”
　　“如果男孩们去，我也去。”乔治说，虽然看上去她也不太想去。
　　“你们还会去那个调车场吗？”乔克热切地问，“我不害怕，一点也不怕。去目击幽灵火车本身就是一场冒险。”
　　“我们可能会去。”朱利安说，“如果我们去的话，会把你带上的。但是女孩们不能去。”
　　“你们去，我就去！”乔治急切地说，“说的好像要把我丢在这里似的！我什么时候害怕过冒险？我跟你们一样勇敢。”
　　“是的，我知道。一旦我们发现那是个愚蠢的传说，你就可以来。”朱利安说。
　　“你们什么时候去，我就什么时候去，”乔治说，“你们竟敢把我留下！如果你们真这么做，我就再也不理你们了。”
　　乔治突然发火，让乔克感到非常吃惊，他不知道她会这么厉害！
　　“乔治为什么不能来？”他说，“我敢说她跟男孩一样勇敢。我刚见到她的时候，还以为她是个男孩呢。”
　　乔治给了他一个最甜美的微笑，他说了她最喜欢听的话！但朱利安不愿意改变想法。
　　“我说话算话。如果我们确定要去，女孩们真的不能去，就是这样。一方面，安妮不想来，如果乔治不在，她就会一个人留在露营地。她不喜欢那样。”朱利安坚定地说。
　　“她可以由鲁夫先生陪着。”乔治一脸闷闷不乐的样子。
　　“傻瓜！难不成要告诉鲁夫先生，我们要去一个废弃的调车场探险，那里有个瘸腿的神经病看守人，张嘴闭嘴都是幽灵火车！”朱利安说，“他不会让我们去的。你知道大人们是什么样。或者他会跟我们一起去，那样会更糟糕。”
　　“就是。他会从头到尾都看蛾子，而不是幽灵火车。”迪克咧嘴笑道。
　　“我先回去了，”乔克说，“今天很开心。明天我会来跟你们一起野餐。再见。”
　　他们跟乔克道别，然后回到了露营地。能看到那些帐篷在等着他们真是太好了，它们在微风中摆动，像家一样等候着他们。安妮掀开帐篷门帘，走了进去，急着想要看看里面的东西有没有被人碰过。
　　帐篷里面非常热。安妮决定把他们带回来的食物放在巨大的荆豆丛下面，那里会比较凉爽。她很快就开始忙东忙西。男孩们则下去看鲁夫先生是否回来了，但他还没回来。
　　“安妮！我们要去小溪里洗澡！”男孩们喊道，“我们感觉又热又脏。你来吗？乔治也和我们一起。”
　　“不，我不去啦，”安妮喊道，“我还有很多事情要做。”
　　男孩们相视而笑，安妮确实很喜欢她的“过家家”，所以他们让她留了下来。很快小溪那边就传来了喊叫声、玩闹声和尖叫声。那里的水比他们想象得要凉，没人会想泡进水里，但他们玩起了水，每个人都溅了一身，冰冷的水落在他们身上，激得他们不断尖叫。
　　蒂米一点也不在乎水的冰冷，它在里面滚来滚去，玩得很开心。
　　“看看它，多炫耀！”迪克说，“啊哈，蒂米，如果我也能像你一样穿着毛皮大衣洗澡的话，我也不介意这冷水了。”
　　“汪！”蒂米叫道。它爬上了河岸，猛烈地甩了甩身子，成千上万颗冰冷的水珠从它身上飞了出来，溅到了那三个瑟瑟发抖的孩子们身上。他们尖叫着把它赶走了。
　　那是一个舒适而慵懒的夜晚。鲁夫先生还没回来。安妮准备了些清淡的晚餐，面包、奶油芝士和一块姜饼。那天没人想要再吃一顿大餐。吃完饭，他们躺在石南丛里，舒服地聊着天。
　　“这就是我喜欢的假日。”迪克说。
　　“我也是。”安妮说，“除了幽灵火车。那个有点扫兴。”
　　“别傻了，安妮。”乔治说，“如果那不是真的，那么它就是个愚蠢的传说；如果那是真的，我们就能迎来一次冒险。”
　　片刻沉默之后，迪克懒洋洋地问道：“我们还要再去那个老调车场吗？”
　　“去，我是这么计划的。”朱利安说，“我不会被安德鲁斯先生的奇怪警告吓跑的。”
　　“那我建议我们哪天夜里去，看看幽灵火车是否真的会来。”迪克说。
　　“我也要去。”乔治说。
　　“不，你不能去，”朱利安说，“你要跟安妮在一起。”
　　乔治不说话了，每个人都能感受到紧张的氛围。
　　“我们是告诉鲁夫先生，还是不告诉他？”迪克问道。
　　“我们说好了不告诉他的。”朱利安说。他打了个哈欠，“我困了。太阳已经下山了，天很快就要黑了。我想知道鲁夫老师在哪儿？”
　　“我最好等他回来，看看他想吃点什么？”安妮焦虑地说道。
　　“别等了，除非你想要等到半夜！”朱利安说，“他的帐篷里会有食物的，没问题的。我要睡了，走吧，迪克。”
　　男孩们很快就进了睡袋。女孩们在石南丛里又躺了一会儿，听着在黄昏中归巢的杓鹬的叫声。然后，她们也进了自己的帐篷。
　　男孩们一躺进睡袋，反倒变得非常清醒了。他们开始小声交谈。
　　“我们要白天带乔克去看那个调车场吗？还是我们夜里去等候那辆火车到来？”朱利安说。
　　“我建议我们夜里去看，”迪克说，“我们白天是看不到幽灵火车的。白天只能看到木腿山姆那个有意思的老头子，尤其是当他乱扔煤渣的时候——我得有多喜欢他，才会想要再次拜访他！”
　　“好吧，如果明天乔克自己来了，非常想去看看，我们就带上他，”朱利安说，“我们也随时可以哪天晚上去，只要我们想去的话。”
　　“是的。我们等等看乔克会说什么。”迪克说。他们又聊了一会儿，感觉很困。当迪克快要睡着的时候，他听到有什么东西在石南丛里蠕动，一个脑袋伸进了帐篷。
　　“如果你敢进来，我就会拍你那个蠢脑袋。”迪克以为那是蒂米，“我知道你想要干什么，你个小坏蛋，你别想在我的肚子上踩来踩去。转身走开！听到了吗？”
　　帐篷口的脑袋动了一下，但是没有走开。迪克用一只胳膊撑起身子，接着叫道：“你敢把一只爪子伸入我的帐篷，我就一脚把你踢下山坡！我白天非常爱你，但在夜里并不喜欢你。不管怎样，我在睡袋里的时候，你得走开！”
　　那个脑袋发出了一声嘟囔，然后说话了：“呃——你还醒着，看起来，你们都很好。女孩们也好吗？我刚回来。”
　　“天哪！是鲁夫先生！”迪克震惊地说，“先生，实在是对不起，我以为您是蒂米，想来我身上乱踩。太对不起了，先生。”
　　“没关系！”那个昏暗中的脑袋轻声笑了，“很高兴你们都好。明天见！”
Chapter 9 NIGHT VISITOR
　　Chapter 9 NIGHT VISITOR
　　Mr. Luffy slept very late the next morning and nobody liked to disturb him. The girls yelled withlaughter when they heard how Dick had spoken to him the night before, thinking he was Timmythe dog.
　　'He was very decent about it,' said Dick. 'Seemed to think it was quite amusing. I hope he'll stillthink so this morning!'
　　They were all sitting eating their breakfast - ham, tomatoes, and the bread Mrs. Andrews hadgiven them the day before. Timmy collected the bits as usual, and wondered if George would lethim have a lick of the cream cheese she was now putting on her bread. Timmy loved cheese. Helooked at the lump in the dish and sighed all over George. He could easily eat that in onemouthful! How he wished he could.
　　'I wonder what time Jock will come up,' said George. 'If he came up pretty soon, we could go fora nice long walk over the moors, and picnic somewhere. Jock ought to know some fine walks.'
　　'Yes. We'll mess about till he comes, and then tell him he's to be our guide and take us to thenicest walk he knows,' said Anne. 'Oh Timmy, you beast - you've taken my nice lump of creamcheese right out of my fingers!'
　　'Well, you were waving it about under his nose, so what could you expect?' said George. 'Hethought you were giving it to him.'
　　'Well, he can't have any more. It's too precious,' said Anne. 'Oh, dear -1 wish we didn't eat somuch. We keep bringing in stacks of food, and it hardly lasts any time.'
　　'I bet Jock will bring some more,' said Dick. 'He's a sensible sort of fellow. Did you get a peepinto that enormous larder of his mother's? It's like a great cave, goes right back into the wall,with dozens of stone shelves - and all filled with food. No wonder Jock's tubby.'
　　'Is he? I never noticed,' said Anne. 'Is that him whistling?'
　　It wasn't. It was a curlew, very high up. 'Too early for him yet,' said Julian. 'Shall we help you toclear up, Anne?'
　　'No. That's my job and George's,' said Anne firmly. 'You go down and see if Mr. Luffy is awake.
　　He can have a bit of ham and a few tomatoes, if he likes.'
　　43
　　They went down to Mr. Luffy's tent. He was awake, sitting at the entrance, eating some kind ofbreakfast. He waved a sandwich at them.
　　'Hallo, there! I'm late this morning. I had a job getting back. I went much too far. Sorry I wokeyou up last night, Dick.'
　　'You didn't. I wasn't asleep,' said Dick, going rather red. 'Did you have a good day, Mr. Luffy?'
　　'Bit disappointing. Didn't find quite all the creatures I'd hoped,' said Mr. Luffy. 'What about you?
　　Did you have a good day?'
　　'Fine,' said Dick, and described it. Mr. Luffy seemed very interested in everything, even in Mr.
　　Andrews's rather frightening warning about the railway yard.
　　'Silly chap he sounds,' said Mr. Luffy, shaking the crumbs off his front. 'All the same - I shouldkeep away from the yard, if I were you. Stories don't get about for nothing, you know. No smokewithout fire!'
　　'Why, sir - surely you don't believe there's anything spooky about the trains there?' said Dick, insurprise.
　　'Oh, no - I doubt if there are any trains,' said Mr. Luffy. 'But when a place has got a bad name it'susually best to keep away from it.'
　　'I suppose so, sir,' said Dick and Julian together. Then they hastily changed the subject, afraidthat Mr. Luffy, like Mr. Andrews, might also be going to forbid them to visit the railway yard.
　　And the more they were warned about it and forbidden to go, the more they felt that they reallymust!
　　'Well, we must get back,' said Dick. 'We're expecting Jock - that's the boy at the farm - to comeup for the day, and we thought we'd go out walking and take our food with us. Are you goingout, too, sir?'
　　'Not today,' said Mr. Luffy. 'My legs are tired and stiff with so much scrambling about yesterday,and I want to mount some of the specimens I found. Also I'd like to meet your farm friend -what's his name - Jock?'
　　'Yes, sir,' said Julian. 'Right. We'll bring him along as soon as he comes, then off we'll go. You'llbe left in peace all day!'
　　But Jock didn't come. The children waited for him all the morning and he didn't turn up. Theyheld up their lunch until they were too hungry to wait any longer, and then they had it on theheather in front of their tents.
　　44
　　'Funny,' said Julian. 'He knows where the camp is, because we pointed it out to him when hecame half-way home with us yesterday. Perhaps he'll come this afternoon.'
　　But he didn't come in the afternoon either, nor did he come after tea. Julian debated whether ornot to go and see what was up, but decided against it. There must be some good reason why Jockhadn't come, and Mrs. Andrews wouldn't want them all visiting her two days running.
　　It was a disappointing day. They didn't like to leave the tents and go for even a short stroll incase Jock came. Mr. Luffy was busy all day long with his specimens. He was sorry Jock haddisappointed them. 'He'll come tomorrow,' he said. 'Have you got enough food? There's some inthat tin over there if you want it.'
　　'Oh, no, thank you, sir,' said Julian. 'We've plenty really. We're going to have a game of cards.
　　Like to join us?'
　　'Yes, I think I will,' said Mr. Luffy, getting up and stretching himself. 'Can you play rummy?'
　　They could - and they beat poor Mr. Luffy handsomely, because he couldn't play at all. Heblamed his luck on his bad cards, but he enjoyed the game immensely. He said the only thingthat really put him off was the way that Timmy stood behind him and breathed down his neck allthe time.
　　'I kept feeling certain that Timmy thought he knew how to play my cards better than I could,' hecomplained. 'And whenever I did something wrong, he breathed down my neck harder thanusual.'
　　Everyone laughed, and George privately thought that Timmy would probably play very muchbetter than Mr. Luffy if only he could hold the cards.
　　Jock didn't come at all. They put the cards away when they could no longer see them, and Mr.
　　Luffy announced that he was going to bed. 'It was very late when I got back last night,' he said. 'Ireally must have an early night.'
　　The others thought they would go to bed too. The thought of their cosy sleeping-bags was alwaysa nice one when darkness came on.
　　The girls crept into their bags and Timmy flopped down on George. The boys were in their bagsabout the same time and Dick gave a loud yawn.
　　'Good night, Ju,' he said, and fell fast asleep. Julian was soon asleep too. In fact, everyone wassound asleep when Timmy gave a little growl. It was such a small growl that neither of the girlsheard it, and certainly Dick and Julian didn't, away in their tent.
　　45
　　Timmy raised his head and listened intently. Then he gave another small growl. He listenedagain. Finally he got up, shook himself, still without waking George, and stalked out of the tent,his ears cocked and his tail up. He had heard somebody or something, and although he thought itwas all right, he was going to make sure.
　　Dick was sound asleep when he felt something brushing against the outside of his tent. He awokeat once and sat up. He looked at the tent opening. A shadow appeared there and looked in.
　　Was it Timmy? Was it Mr. Luffy? He mustn't make a mistake this time. He waited for theshadow to speak. But it didn't! It just stayed there as if it were listening for some movementinside the tent. Dick didn't like it.
　　'Timmy!' he said at last, in a low voice.
　　Then the shadow spoke: 'Dick? Or is it Julian? It's Jock here. I've got Timmy beside me. Can Icome in?'
　　'Jockl' said Dick, in surprise. 'Whatever have you come at this time of night for? And why didn'tyou come today? We waited ages for you.'
　　'Yes. I know I'm awfully sorry,' said Jock's voice, and the boy wriggled himself into the tent.
　　Dick poked Julian awake.
　　'Julian! Here's Jock - and Timmy. Get off me, Timmy. Here, Jock, see if you can squeeze insidemy sleeping-bag - there's room for us both, I think.'
　　'Oh, thanks,' said Jock, and squeezed inside with difficulty. 'How warm it is! I say, I'm terriblysorry I didn't come today - but my stepfather suddenly announced he wanted me to gosomewhere with him for the whole day. Can't think why. He doesn't bother about me as a rule.'
　　'That was mean of him, seeing that he knew you were to come on a picnic with us,' said Julian.
　　'Was it something important?'
　　'No. Not at all,' said Jock. 'He drove off to Endersfield - that's about forty miles away - parkedme in the public library there, saying he'd be back in a few minutes - and he didn't come back tillpast tea-time! I had some sandwiches with me, luckily. I felt pretty angry about it, I can tell you.'
　　'Never mind. Come tomorrow instead,' said Dick.
　　'I can't,' said Jock in despair. 'He's gone and arranged for me to meet the son of some friend ofhis - a boy called Cecil Dearlove - what a name! I'm to spend the day with this frightful boy. Theworst of it is Mum's quite pleased about it. She never thinks my stepfather takes enough notice ofme - good thing he doesn't, I think.'
　　46
　　'Oh blow - so you won't be able to come tomorrow either,' said Julian. 'Well - what about thenext day?'
　　'It should be all right,' said Jock. 'But I've feeling I'll have dear love of a Cecil plonked on me forthe day - to show him the cows and the puppies, dear pet! Ugh! When I could be with you fourand Timmy.'
　　'It's bad luck,' said Julian. 'It really is.'
　　'I thought I'd better come and tell you,' said Jock. 'It's the first chance I've had, creeping up heretonight.
　　I've brought some more food for you, by the way. I guessed you'd want some. I feel down in thedumps about that adventure - you know, going to see the railway yard. I was going to ask you totake me today.'
　　'Well - if you can't come tomorrow either - and perhaps not the next day - what about going onenight?' said Dick. 'Would you like to come up tomorrow night, about this time? We won't tell thegirls. We'll just go off by ourselves, we three boys - and watch!'
　　Jock was too thrilled to say a word. He let out a deep breath of joy. Dick laughed.
　　'Don't get too thrilled. We probably shan't see a thing. Bring a torch if you've got one. Come toour tent and jerk my toe. I'll probably be awake, but if I'm not, that'll wake me all right! Anddon't say a word to anyone of course.'
　　'Rather not, 'said Jock, overjoyed. 'Well -1 suppose I'd better be going. It was pretty weirdcoming over the moorland in the dark. There's no moon, and the stars don't give much light. I'veleft the food outside the tent. Better look out that Timmy doesn't get it.'
　　'Right. Thanks awfully,' said Julian. Jock got out of Dick's sleeping-bag and went backwards outof the tent, with Timmy obligingly licking his nose all the way. Jock then found the bag of foodand rolled it in to Julian, who put it safely under the groundsheet.
　　'Good night,' said Jock, in a low voice, and they heard him scrambling over the heather. Timmywent with him, pleased at this unexpected visitor, and the chance of a midnight walk. Jock wasglad to have the dog's company. Timmy went right to the farm with him and then bounded backover the moorland to the camping-place, longing to pounce on the rabbits he could smell hereand there, but wanting to get back to George.
　　47
　　In the morning Anne was amazed to find the food in her 'larder' under the gorse bush. Julian hadpopped it there to surprise her. 'Look at this!' she cried, in astonishment. 'Meat-pies - moretomatoes - eggs, wherever did they come from?'
　　'Spook-train brought them in the night,' said Dick, with a grin.
　　'Volcano shot them up into the air,' said Mr. Luffy, who was also there. Anne threw a tea-cloth athim.
　　'Tell me how it came here,' she demanded. 'I was worried about what to give you all for breakfast- and now there's more than we can possibly eat. Who put it there? George, do you know?'
　　But George didn't. She glanced at the smiling faces of the two boys. 'I bet Jock was here lastnight,' she said to them. 'Wasn't he?' And to herself she said: 'Yes - and somehow I think they'veplanned something together. You won't trick me, Dick and Julian. I'll be on the lookout fromnow on! Wherever you go, I go too!'
9.乔克的夜访
　　乔克的夜访
　　第二天鲁夫先生起得很晚，没有人去打扰他。迪克告诉女孩们，昨天晚上他以为鲁夫先生是蒂米，对他大呼小叫，女孩们听了都放声大笑。
　　“他并不生气，”迪克说，“似乎也认为这件事很可笑。我希望今天早上他还是这么认为的！”
　　孩子们都坐下来吃早餐——火腿、西红柿，还有昨天安德鲁斯太太给他们的面包。蒂米像往常一样，吃着大家的最后一口食物。
　　乔治在往面包上涂抹奶酪，蒂米想知道她是否愿意让它舔上一口。
　　蒂米爱吃奶酪。它看着盘中的奶酪块，在乔治周围叹气。它可以把那些奶酪一口舔干净，它多想这么做啊！
　　“我想知道乔克会什么时候过来，”乔治说，“如果他很快就来了，我们可以在荒原上好好散散步，然后找个地方野餐。乔克应该知道一些适合散步的好地方。”
　　“是的。在他来之前，我们就在附近玩一下，等他来了，我们就要他做我们的导游，让他带我们去他知道的最好的地方散步，”安妮说，“嘿，蒂米！你这个小坏蛋！你舔光了我手上的那块奶酪！”
　　“呃，你拿着奶酪在它鼻子底下晃来晃去，你还能期待什么呢？”乔治说，“它以为你在喂它吃呢。”
　　“好吧，它不能再吃了，这些奶酪太珍贵了，”安妮说，“天哪！
　　我希望我们没有吃太多。我们不停地带来成堆的食物，但很快就都吃完了。”
　　“我敢说乔克也会带来一些食物，”迪克说，“他是个很有心的伙计。你们有没有看一眼他母亲那个巨大的食品柜？那就像个巨大的洞穴，嵌在墙里，有几十个石头架子，都装满了食物。难怪乔克有点胖乎乎的。”
　　“他胖吗？我没注意到，”安妮说，“那是他在吹口哨吗？”
　　然而那只是只杓鹬在唱歌，飞得非常高，“这会儿对他来说还太早了，”朱利安说，“需要我们帮你收拾吗，安妮？”
　　“不用，那是我和乔治的工作。”安妮坚定地说，“你们下去看看，鲁夫先生醒了没。如果他喜欢的话，他可以吃点火腿和西红柿。”
　　男孩们去了鲁夫先生的帐篷。他已经起床了，坐在帐篷口，吃着早餐。他手里拿着个三明治，向他们挥了挥手。
　　“你们好！今天早上我起晚了，昨晚回来后又继续工作了。我实在太累了。对不起，昨晚我把你吵醒了，迪克。”
　　“没有没有，我那会儿还没睡着，”迪克的脸一阵发红，“您昨天过得怎么样，鲁夫先生？”
　　“有点失望。没找到我想找的昆虫，”鲁夫先生说，“你们过得怎么样？”
　　“挺好的。”迪克为他讲述了一遍昨天发生的事情。鲁夫先生似乎对每个细节都很感兴趣，甚至包括安德鲁斯先生关于调车场的可怕警告。
　　“他听起来像个傻瓜，”鲁夫先生把身上的面包屑晃掉，“不过，如果是我的话应该会远离那个调车场。传说不会无中生有，要知道，无火不生烟。”
　　“什么？先生，您应该不会相信那里有什么幽灵火车吧？”迪克吃惊地问道。
　　“哦，不，我怀疑那里压根儿就没有火车，”鲁夫先生说，“但是如果一个地方名声不好，最好还是离它远点。”
　　“我想是这样的，先生。”迪克和朱利安不约而同地说。然后孩子们匆忙地转变了话题，怕鲁夫先生也会像安德鲁斯先生一样，禁止他们去看那个调车场。而且越是有人警告孩子们禁止他们去，他们就越觉得一定要去！
　　“好了，我们要回去了，”迪克说，“我们在等乔克——那个农场的男孩，等他今天来，我们想带上食物出去散步。您今天要出去吗，先生？”
　　“今天不出去，”鲁夫先生说，“昨天走路太多，我的腿很累很僵硬，今天我想做标本。也想见见你们的农场朋友——他叫什么来着——乔克？”
　　“是的，先生。”朱利安说，“好，只要他来，我们就把他带过来，让您见见他，然后我们就出发。一整天都不会有人打扰您的。”
　　但是乔克始终没来。孩子们等了他一个早上，他也没有出现。
　　他们推延了午饭，直到他们太饿，实在等不下去了。他们坐在帐篷前面的石南丛中，吃完了午饭。
　　“真奇怪。”朱利安说，“他知道我们的露营地在哪儿，昨天他送我们回家，走到半路的时候，我们指给他看了。也许他下午会来。”
　　但是乔克下午也没来，下午茶过后也没来。朱利安考虑了一下是否应该去看看发生了什么事，但是又决定作罢。乔克没来，一定有什么充分的理由，而且安德鲁斯太太不会想让他们连续两天都去拜访她的。
　　真是令人失望的一天。他们不敢离开帐篷去漫步片刻，因为乔克可能随时会来。鲁夫先生一整天都在忙着做他的标本，他听说乔克没来也表示很遗憾，“他明天会来的，”他说，“你们的食物还充足吗？如果你们想要的话，那个铁罐子里面有一些，你们可以拿去吃。”
　　“不用了，谢谢您，先生。”朱利安说，“我们有足够的食物。我们准备玩纸牌，想加入我们吗？”
　　“好哇，我要玩，”鲁夫先生说着，站起身来伸了个懒腰，“你们会玩拉米牌吗？”
　　显然，孩子们不仅会玩，而且太会玩了——他们让可怜的鲁夫先生输了个底朝天，因为他根本不会玩。他把一败涂地归咎于他的牌不好，但是他乐在其中，非常喜欢玩这个游戏。他说唯一让他分心的是蒂米老是站在他身边，朝他脖子上喘气。
　　“我觉得蒂米认为它比我更会玩，”他抱怨道，“并且每当我出错牌的时候，它的喘息会变得更粗更急。”
　　每个人都哈哈大笑起来。乔治自认为如果蒂米能拿牌的话，它的确会比鲁夫先生玩得更好。
　　乔克一整天都没来。天黑之后，他们把牌收了起来，鲁夫先生说他要睡觉了，“昨天我回来得很晚，”他说，“今天得早点睡。”
　　其他人也觉得该睡觉了。当夜幕降临的时候，他们想到自己舒适的睡袋，就感到欣慰。
　　女孩们钻进了睡袋，蒂米重重地趴在乔治身上。男孩们也同时钻进了睡袋，迪克打了个悠长的哈欠。
　　“晚安，朱利安，”他说着，就睡熟了。朱利安也很快睡着了。
　　事实上，每个人都很快睡熟了。这时蒂米突然轻轻地呜呜了一声，声音非常轻以至两个女孩都没听见，迪克和朱利安在较远的帐篷里，当然也没听见。
　　蒂米抬起头，认真聆听着远处的动静。然后它又轻轻地呜呜了一声。它又听到了什么，猛地站了起来，抖了抖身子，没有叫醒乔治，自己竖起了耳朵，翘起了尾巴，悄悄地走出了帐篷。它听到了什么声音，尽管它认为这声音没什么危险，它还是要前去确认一下。
　　迪克的帐篷外侧有东西擦过，他正在熟睡，立刻醒了，一下子坐了起来。他看着帐篷的门口，一个黑影站在那里，朝里看着。
　　是蒂米吗？是鲁夫先生吗？这次他不能再犯错了。迪克等着那个影子先出声。但它没有，它在那里一动不动，似乎在等待帐篷里的动静。迪克不喜欢这样。“蒂米！”最后他低声叫了一声。
　　那个影子说话了：“迪克？还是朱利安？我是乔克。蒂米在我身边。我能进来吗？”
　　“乔克！”迪克吃惊地说，“你这么晚来干什么？今天你怎么没来？我们等了你好久。”
　　“是的。我知道，我非常抱歉。”乔克说道，然后他挤进了帐篷。
　　迪克把朱利安戳醒了：
　　“朱利安！乔克来了！蒂米，从我身上下去！喂，乔克，看看你能不能挤进我的睡袋，我觉得这够两个人睡的。”
　　“哦，谢谢！”乔克艰难地挤了进来，“真暖和！哎呀，今天我没来，真是太抱歉了。我的继父让我陪他去个地方一整天。想不出为什么，通常他都不管我。”
　　“太不厚道了，因为他知道你要来跟我们一起野餐，”朱利安说，“是重要的事情吗？”
　　“不，根本就不重要。”乔克说，“他开车去了恩德斯菲尔德，那里大概有40英里远，然后把我留在了那里的公共图书馆，说他几分钟就回来，结果下午茶之后才回来！幸亏我带了一些三明治。真是气死我了。”
　　“没关系。明天再来吧。”迪克说。
　　“不行，”乔克绝望地说，“他已经安排好了，让我招待他某个朋友的儿子，一个叫塞西尔•迪尔洛夫的男孩，什么鬼名字！我得跟那个男孩共度一整天。最糟糕的是妈妈对此相当满意，她认为我继父终于开始关心我了，我才不想得到他的关心呢。”
　　“天哪，所以你明天也来不了。”朱利安说，“那后天呢？”
　　“应该没问题，”乔克说，“但我觉得我一整天都要陪伴塞西尔，带他看牛和小狗，唉！我本想跟你们四个和蒂米一起玩的。”
　　“真是不幸运，”朱利安说，“真是的。”
　　“我觉得我应该过来告诉你们一声，”乔克说，“我一有机会就来了，第一次半夜偷偷溜出来。”
　　“对了，我给你们带了些食物，我猜你们需要一些。不知什么时候才能去冒险，去看看那个老调车场，去不了的话感到好失望啊。
　　我本想让你们今天带我去的。”
　　“你明天不能来，后天也来不了，那就约定哪天夜里去怎么样？”迪克说，“你愿意明天夜里来吗，大概现在这个时间？我们不告诉女孩们，就我们三个男孩去！”
　　乔克激动得一句话也说不出来，他高兴地深吸一口气。迪克笑了起来：“别太激动。我们很可能什么也看不到。如果你有手电筒的话，就带上一个，来我们的帐篷，拽一下我的脚指头。我很有可能是醒着的，但如果我睡着了，你拽一下就会把我弄醒！当然，别跟任何人说起我们的计划。”
　　“当然不会。”乔克喜出望外地说，“好了，我想我该走了。夜里来到这片荒原感觉挺奇怪的。今晚没有月亮，星星的光芒很微弱。
　　我把食物留在外面了，小心别让蒂米全吃了。”
　　“好的，太感谢了！”朱利安说。乔克钻出迪克的睡袋，向后倒退着爬出了帐篷，蒂米亲切地舔着他的鼻子。乔克找到了那袋食物，把它卷起来，给了朱利安，朱利安把它安全地放在了防潮垫下面。
　　“晚安。”乔克低声说道，然后他们听到他爬过石南丛的声音。
　　蒂米跟他一起去了，它对这位不期而至的访客很满意，还得到了一次夜游的机会。乔克也很高兴有蒂米的陪伴。蒂米一直把他送回农场，才蹦蹦跳跳地回到了露营地。一路上到处都能闻到兔子的气息，蒂米渴望去捉捉它们，但是也想快些回到乔治身边。
　　早晨的时候，安妮惊讶地发现，她在荆豆丛下的“食品柜”里多了好些吃的。那是朱利安把它们放在那里的，想要给她一个惊喜，“快看啊！”她吃惊地喊道，“鲜肉派、西红柿、鸡蛋，它们是哪儿来的？”
　　“是幽灵火车夜里把它们带来的。”迪克咧嘴而笑。
　　“是火山把它们喷到空中落下来的。”鲁夫先生说，他也在那里开着玩笑。安妮朝他扔了一块茶巾。
　　“告诉我它们是怎么来的吧，”她恳求道，“我还在担心早餐给你们做什么吃呢，现在我们一下子又有了根本吃不完的食物。是谁放在这里的呀？乔治，你知道吗？”
　　但是乔治并不知道，她瞥了一眼那两个男孩的笑脸，“我敢说昨天夜里乔克来这儿了，”她对男孩们说道，“是吗？”然后她托着下巴自言自语地说：“肯定是的，不知怎的，我觉得他们还一起计划了什么。你们骗不了我的，迪克还有朱利安。从现在开始，我会密切监视你们的一举一动！你们去哪儿，我就去哪儿！”
Chapter 10 HUNT FOR A SPOOK-TRAIN
　　Chapter 10 HUNT FOR A SPOOK-TRAIN
　　That day passed pleasantly enough. The children, Timmy, and Mr. Luffy all went off to a poolhigh up on the moorlands. It was called The Green Pool' because of its cucumber-green colour.
　　Mr. Luffy explained that some curious chemicals found there caused the water to look green.
　　'I hope we shan't come out looking green, too,' said Dick, getting into his bathing trunks. 'Areyou going to bathe, Mr. Luffy?'
　　Mr. Luffy was. The children expected him to be a very poor swimmer and to splash about at theedge and do very little - but to their surprise he was magnificent in the water, and could swimfaster even than Julian.
　　They had great fun, and when they were tired they came out to bask in the sun. The highroad ranalongside the green pool, and the children watched a herd of sheep being driven along, then a caror two came by, and finally a big army lorry. A boy sat beside the driver, and to the children'ssurprise he waved wildly at them.
　　'Who was that?' said Julian astonished. 'Surely he doesn't know us?'
　　48
　　George's sharp eye had seen who it was. 'It was Jock! Sitting beside the driver. And, look, herecomes his stepfather's fine new car. Jock's preferred to go with the lorry-driver instead of hisstepfather! I don't blame him, either!'
　　The bright new car came by, driven by Mr. Andrews. He didn't glance at the children by thewayside, but drove steadily on after the lorry.
　　'Going to market, I suppose,' said Dick, lying back again. 'Wonder what they're taking?'
　　'So do I,' said Mr. Luffy. 'He must sell his farm produce at very high prices to be able to buy thatfine car and all the machinery and gear you've told me about. Clever fellow, Mr. Andrews!'
　　'He doesn't look at all clever,' said Anne. 'He looks rather a weak, feeble sort of man, really, Mr.
　　Luffy. I can't even imagine him being clever enough to beat anyone down, or get the better ofthem.'
　　'Very interesting,' said Mr. Luffy. 'Well, what about another dip before we have our dinner?'
　　It was a very nice day, and Mr. Luffy was very good company. He could make fine jokes verysolemnly indeed, and only the fact that his ear waggled violently showed the others that he too,was enjoying the joke. His right ear seemed to love to join in the joke, even if Mr. Luffy's facewas as solemn as Timmy's.
　　They arrived home at the camp about tea-time and Anne got a fine tea ready. They took it downto eat in front of Mr. Luffy's tent. As the evening came on Julian and Dick felt excitement risingin them. In the daytime neither of them really believed a word about the 'spook-trains', but as thesun sank and long shadows crept down the hills they felt pleasantly thrilled. Would they reallysee anything exciting that night?
　　It was a very dark night at first, because clouds lay across the sky and hid even the stars. Theboys said good night to the girls and snuggled down into their sleeping-bags. They watched thesky through the tent opening.
　　Gradually the big clouds thinned out. A few stars appeared. The clouds thinned still more andfled away in rags. Soon the whole sky was bright with pin-points of light, and a hundredthousand stars looked down on the moorlands.
　　'We shall have a bit of starlight to see by,' whispered Julian. 'That's good. I don't want to stumbleabout over the heather and break my ankle in rabbit-holes in the pitch darkness. Nor do I want touse my torch on the way to the yard in case it's seen.'
　　49
　　'It's going to be fun!' Dick whispered back. 'I hope Jock comes. It will be maddening if hedoesn't.'
　　He did come. There was a scrambling over the heather and once again a shadow appeared at thetent opening.
　　'Julian! Dick! I've come. Are you ready?'
　　It was Jock's voice, of course. Dick's thumb pressed the switch of his torch and for a moment itslight fell on Jock's red, excited face, and then was switched off again.
　　'Hallo, Jock! So you were able to come,' said Dick. 'I say, was that you in the lorry this morning,going by the green pool?'
　　'Yes. Did you see me? I saw you and waved like mad,' said Jock. 'I wanted to stop the lorry andget down and speak to you, but the driver's an awful bad-tempered sort of fellow. He wouldn'thear of stopping. Said my stepfather would be wild with him if he did. Did you see him - mystepfather, I mean? He was in his car behind.'
　　'Were you off to market or something?' asked Julian.
　　'I expect that's where the lorry was going,' said Jock. 'It was empty, so I suppose my stepfatherwas going to pick up something there. I came back in the car. The lorry was supposed to comelater.'
　　'How did you like Cecil Dearlove?' asked Dick, grinning in the darkness.
　　'Awful! Worse than his name,' groaned Jock. 'Wanted me to play soldiers all the time! Thefrightful thing is I've got to have him at the farm for the day tomorrow. Another day wasted.
　　What shall I do with him?'
　　'Roll him in the pig-sty,' suggested Dick. 'Or put him with Biddy's puppies and let him sleepthere. Tell him to play soldiers with them.'
　　Jock chuckled. 'I wish I could. The worst of it is Mum is awfully pleased that my stepfather's gotthis Cecil boy for me to be friends with. Don't let's talk about it. Are you ready to start off?'
　　'Yes,' said Julian, and began to scramble quietly out of his bag. 'We didn't tell the girls. Annedoesn't want to come, and I don't want George to leave Anne by herself. Now, let's be very, veryquiet till we're out of hearing.'
　　Dick got out of his bag too. The boys had not undressed that night, except for their coats, so allthey had to do was to slip these on, and then crawl out of the tent.
　　50
　　'Which is the way - over there?' whispered Jock. Julian took his arm and guided him. He hopedhe wouldn't lose his way in the starlit darkness. The moorland look so different at night!
　　'If we make for that hill you can dimly see over there against the starlit sky, we should be goingin the right direction,' said Julian. So on they went, keeping towards the dark hill that rose up tothe west.
　　It seemed very much farther to the railway yard at night than in the daytime. The three boysstumbled along, sometimes almost falling as their feet caught in tufts of heather. They were gladwhen they found some sort of path they could keep on.
　　'This is about where we met the shepherd,' said Dick, in a low voice. He didn't know why hespoke so quietly. He just felt as if he must. 'I'm sure we can't be very far off now.'
　　They went on for some way, and then Julian pulled Dick by the arm. 'Look,' he said. 'Downthere, I believe that's the old yard. You can see the line gleaming faintly here and there.'
　　They stood on the heathery slope above the old yard, straining their eyes. Soon they could makeout dim shapes. Yes, it was the railway yard all right.
　　Jock clutched Julian's sleeve. 'Look - there's a light down there! Do you see it?'
　　The boys looked - and, sure enough, down in the yard towards the other side of it, was a smallyellow light. They stared at it.
　　'Oh - I think I know what it is,' said Dick, at last. 'It's the light in the watchman's little hut - oldWooden-Leg Sam's candle. Don't you think so, Ju?'
　　'Yes. You're right,' said Julian. 'I tell you what we'll do - we'll creep right down into the yard, andgo over to the hut. We'll peep inside and see if old Sam is there. Then we'll hide somewhereabout and wait for the spook-train to come!'
　　They crept down the slope. Their eyes had got used to the starlight by now, and they werebeginning to see fairly well. They got right down to the yard, where their feet made a noise onsome cinders there.
　　They stopped. 'Someone will hear us if we make a row like this,' whispered Julian.
　　'Who will?' whispered back Dick. 'There's no one here except old Sam in his hut!'
　　'How do you know there isn't?' said Julian. 'Good heavens, Jock, don't make such a row withyour feet!'
　　51
　　They stood there, debating what was the best thing to do. 'We'd better walk right round the edgeof the yard,' said Julian at last. 'As far as I remember, the grass has grown there. We'll walk onthat.'
　　So they made their way to the edge of the yard. Sure enough, there was grass there, and theywalked on it without a sound. They went slowly and softly to where the light shone dimly inSam's little hut.
　　The window was high and small. It was just about at the level of their heads, and the three boyscautiously eased themselves along to it and looked in.
　　Wooden-Leg Sam was there. He sat sprawled in a chair, smoking a pipe. He was reading anewspaper, squinting painfully as he did so. He obviously had not had his broken glassesmended yet. On a chair beside him was his wooden leg. He had unstrapped it, and there it lay.
　　'He's not expecting the spook-train tonight, or he wouldn't have taken off his wooden leg,'
　　whispered Dick.
　　The candlelight flickered and shadows jumped about the tiny hut. It was a poor, ill-furnishedlittle place, dirty and untidy. A cup without saucer or handle stood on the table, and a tin kettleboiled on a rusty stove.
　　Sam put down his paper and rubbed his eyes. He muttered something. The boys could not hear it,but they felt certain it was something about his broken glasses.
　　'Are there many lines in this yard?' whispered Jock, tired of looking in at old Sam. 'Where dothey go to?'
　　'About half a mile or so up there is a tunnel,' said Julian, pointing past Jock. 'The lines come fromthere and run here, where they break up in many pairs - for shunting and so on, in the old days, Isuppose, when this place was used.'
　　'Let's go up the lines to the tunnel,' said Jock. 'Come on. There's nothing to be seen here. Let'swalk up to the tunnel.'
　　'All right,' said Julian. 'We may as well. I don't expect we'll see much up there either! I thinkthese spook-trains are all a tall story of old Sam's!'
　　They left the little hut with its forlorn candlelight, and made their way round the yard again.
　　Then they followed the single-track line away from the yard and up towards the tunnel. It didn'tseem to matter walking on cinders now, and making a noise. They walked along, talking in lowvoices.
　　52
　　And then things began to happen! A far-off muffled noise came rumbling out of the tunnel,which was now so near that the boys could see its black mouth. Julian heard it first. He stood stilland clutched Dick.
　　'I say! Listen! Can you hear that?'
　　The others listened. 'Yes,' said Dick. 'But it's only a train going through one of the undergroundtunnels - the noise is echoing out through this one.'
　　'It isn't. That noise is made by a train coming through this tunnel'' said Julian. The noise grewlouder and louder. A clanking made itself heard too. The boys stepped off the lines and crouchedtogether by the side, waiting, hardly daring to breathe.
　　Could it be the spook-train? They watched for the light of an engine-lamp to appear like a fieryeye in the tunnel. But none came. It was darker than night in there! But the noise came nearerand nearer and nearer. Could there be the, noise of a train without a train? Julian's heart began tobeat twice as fast, and Dick and Jock found themselves clutching one another without knowingit.
　　The noise grew thunderous, and then out from the tunnel came something long and black, with adull glow in front that passed quickly and was gone. The noise deafened the boys, and then theclanking and rumbling grew less as the train, or whatever it was, passed by. The ground trembledand then was still.
　　'Well, there you are,' said Julian, in a rather trembly voice. 'The spook-train - without a light or asignal! Where's it gone? To the yard, do you think?'
　　'Shall we go and see?' asked Dick. 'I didn't see anyone in the cab, even in the glow of what musthave been the fire there - but there must be someone driving it! I say, what a weird thing, isn't it?
　　It sounded real enough, anyway.'
　　'We'll go to the yard,' said Jock, who, of the three, seemed the least affected. 'Come on.'
　　They made their way very slowly - and then Dick gave a sharp cry. 'Blow! I've twisted my ankle.
　　Half a minute!'
　　He sank down to the ground in great pain. It was only a sharp twist, not a sprain, but for a fewminutes Dick could, do nothing but groan. The others dared not leave him. Julian knelt by him,offering to rub the ankle, but Dick wouldn't let him touch it. Jock stood by anxiously.
　　53
　　It took about twenty minutes for Dick's ankle to be strong enough for him to stand on again.
　　With the help of the others he got to his feet and tested his ankle. 'It's all right, I think. I can walkon it - slowly. Now we'll go to the yard and see what's happening!'
　　But even as they started to walk slowly back, they heard a noise coming up the lines from thefar-away yard, 'Rumble, rumble, rumble, jangle, clank!'
　　'It's coming back again!' said Julian. 'Stand still. Watch! It'll be going back into the tunnel!'
　　They stood still and watched and listened. Again the noise came nearer and grew thunderous.
　　They saw the glow of what might be the fire in the cab, and then it passed. The train disappearedinto the blackness of the tunnel mouth and they heard the echo of its rumblings for some time.
　　'Well, there you are! There is a spook-train!' said Julian, trying to laugh, though he felt a gooddeal shaken. 'It came and it went - where from or where to, nobody knows! But we've heard itand seen it, in the darkness of the night. And jolly creepy it was, too!'
10.见到幽灵火车
　　见到幽灵火车
　　那天过得很愉快。孩子们、蒂米以及鲁夫先生一起去了这片荒原上的一方小湖，它被叫作“绿池”，因为它的水面是黄瓜一样碧绿的颜色。鲁夫先生解释说，因为那里有些奇怪的化学物质使它变成了绿色。
　　“希望我们出来的时候不会也变成了绿色，”迪克穿上了他的泳裤，“您也要游泳顺便洗个澡吗，鲁夫先生？”
　　鲁夫先生答应和他们一起游泳。孩子们以为他不太会游泳，只会在岸边拍打水。结果让他们吃惊的是，他简直是个卓越的游泳健将，比朱利安游得还快。
　　他们玩得很开心，当他们感到累了，就从水里出来，沐浴在阳光中。绿池旁边有条公路，孩子们看到一群羊被赶着走过去，然后一两辆车从旁边经过，最后来了一辆军用大卡车。一个男孩坐在司机旁边，让孩子们吃惊的是，他冲他们热情地挥着手。
　　“那是谁？”朱利安惊讶地说，“他为什么认识我们？”
　　乔治眼很尖，看出了是谁，“是乔克！坐在司机旁边。而且，看，他继父的豪华新车也过来了。乔克宁可跟卡车司机坐在一起，也不跟他的继父坐在一起！我很能理解他！”
　　那辆耀眼的新车是安德鲁斯先生开的。他对路旁的孩子们看也没看一眼，只是稳速开在那辆卡车后面。
　　“是去市场吧，我想，”迪克说，再次向后躺倒，“我想知道他们带了什么货物。”
　　“我也是，”鲁夫先生说，“他的农产品卖得一定非常贵，才能买得起那辆豪车，还有所有的机械设备。安德鲁斯先生是个聪明的家伙！”
　　“可他看起来一点也不聪明，”安妮说，“他看起来像个胆小的懦夫，真的，鲁夫先生。我无法想象他聪明到能够杀价或是占到便宜。”
　　“那就有意思了，”鲁夫先生说，“好吧，我们晚餐前再游一圈怎么样？”
　　美好的一天，因为鲁夫先生实在是个有趣的玩伴。他能非常严肃地开有趣的玩笑，当他的耳朵疯狂地动起来时，其他人才知道其实他也很喜欢这个笑话。鲁夫先生的右耳似乎很喜欢听那些笑话，即使他的脸就像蒂米一样严肃。
　　他们大概在下午茶时间回到了露营地，安妮已经准备好了美味的茶点。他们把食物端到了鲁夫先生的帐篷前吃。当夜幕降临时，朱利安和迪克开始感到内心的兴奋感在升腾。在白天，他们没人相信幽灵火车，但现在太阳下山了，山丘的影子渐渐拉长，他们感到既紧张又高兴。今天夜里，他们真的能看到什么令人兴奋的东西吗？
　　起初夜晚很黑暗，因为天空中的云把星星都遮住了。男孩们对女孩们说了晚安，然后就舒服地躺进了睡袋。他们通过帐篷出口看着外面的夜空。
　　渐渐地，大块的云朵变得稀薄，夜空中出现了几颗星星。云朵越来越淡，最后连丝丝缕缕的云也飞走了。很快，点点星光照亮了夜空，成千上万颗星星俯视着这片荒原。
　　“我们会有星光照亮前行的路，”朱利安低语道，“真好。我不想在漆黑的夜色中，在石南丛中踉跄前行，或者踩到兔子洞扭伤脚踝。在去老调车场的路上，我也不想用手电筒，以防被他人看到。”
　　“这会非常有趣的！”迪克也低语道，“我希望乔克会来。如果他不来，就太气人了。”
　　石南丛上传来踉跄的声音，一个黑影出现在了帐篷门口。乔克真的来了。
　　“朱利安！迪克！我来了。你们准备好了吗？”
　　是乔克的声音。迪克用大拇指按了一下手电筒的开关，有那么一会儿，灯光打在了乔克红彤彤、兴冲冲的脸上，他又马上关了手电筒。
　　“嘿，乔克！你真的来了。”迪克说，“对了，今天早晨，卡车里的人是你吗？经过绿池旁边的那辆？”
　　“是的。你们看到我了吗？我看到你们了，还使劲地挥手来着，”乔克说，“我想让卡车停下，好下来跟你们说话，但是那个司机是个坏脾气的家伙，他不愿意。他说如果他停车的话，我的继父会发火的。你看见他了吗，我的继父？他坐在后面那辆车里。”
　　“你们是去市场还是哪里？”朱利安问道。
　　“我猜卡车是去那儿的，”乔克说，“它是空的，所以我想我继父是要从那里运点东西回来。我是坐车回来的。卡车会晚点回来。”
　　“你觉得塞西尔•迪尔洛夫怎么样？”迪克在黑暗中笑得露出了牙齿。
　　“令人讨厌！比他的名字还要糟糕，”乔克抱怨道，“一直都想和我玩士兵游戏！可怕的是，明天他还要来农场玩一天。又要浪费一天了。我该拿他怎么办呢？”
　　“把他推进猪圈里，”迪克建议道，“或者把他跟比迪的小狗放在一起，让他睡在那儿，叫他跟它们玩士兵游戏。”
　　乔克轻声笑了，“我倒是希望可以。最糟糕的是，妈妈觉得，我继父找来这个叫塞西尔的男孩跟我做朋友，实在是不错。我们别谈这个了。你们准备好出发了吗？”
　　“是的，”朱利安开始安静地爬出他的睡袋，“我们没告诉女孩们。安妮不想来，我也不想让乔治把安妮一个人丢在这里。现在，我们要非常、非常安静，别让她们听到我们的声音。”
　　迪克也从他的睡袋里出来了。睡觉前，这些男孩们没有脱衣服，只是脱下了外套，所以他们只要穿上外套就好了，然后爬出了帐篷。
　　“该往哪儿走，那儿吗？”乔克低语道。朱利安拉住他的胳膊，给他带路。希望在这星光照耀的夜晚，他不会迷路，这片荒原在夜里看起来是如此不同！
　　“如果我们走向那个山坡，你能朦胧地看到那个山丘的影子，我们就没走错方向。”朱利安说。于是他们继续出发，向西边那座耸立的、昏暗的山丘走去。
　　在夜里，去调车场的路似乎要比白天远得多。这三个男孩踉踉跄跄地走着，有时候他们的脚绊在石南丛上，差点摔倒。不过，他们也很高兴，找到了一条小路可以走。
　　“我们差不多就是在这里遇到那个牧羊人的，”迪克低声说道。
　　他不知道为什么他的声音要这么轻，他只是觉得他必须这么做，“我确定我们现在快到了。”
　　他们又走了一段路，然后朱利安拉了拉迪克的胳膊，“看。”他说，“那下面，那就是那个老调车场。你能看到四处的铁轨反射着微弱的亮光。”
　　他们站在老调车场上方长满石南的山坡上，极目眺望，很快他们就能辨认出那些铁轨模糊的形状了。是的，确实是调车场没错。
　　乔克拉住朱利安的衣袖：“看，那里有光！你们看到了吗？”
　　男孩们看过去。果然，下面调车场的另一边，有微弱的黄色的光。他们盯着那光看。
　　“我想我知道那里是什么了，”迪克说，“那是那个看守人小屋发出的光，木腿山姆的蜡烛。你不觉得是这样吗，朱利安？”
　　“是的。你是对的，”朱利安说道，“我来说说待会儿我们该怎么做。我们悄悄溜进调车场，走向那个小屋。我们偷看一下，看看老山姆在不在那儿。然后我们躲在旁边，等候幽灵火车到来！”
　　孩子们悄悄爬下山坡。现在他们的眼睛已经适应了星光，可以看得相当清楚了。他们一直下到调车场，双脚踩到了那里的煤渣，发出了很大的声响。
　　男孩们停下了脚步，“如果我们这样吵闹，会有人听到我们的声音的。”朱利安低语道。
　　“谁会听到啊？”迪克低声说，“这儿又没人，除了小屋里的老山姆！”
　　“你怎么知道没人啊？”朱利安说，“天哪，乔克，你的脚不要踩出那样的响声了！”
　　他们站在那里，争辩着最好该怎么做。“我们最好绕着调车场边缘走，”朱利安最后总结道，“我记得那儿长着草，我们走在草上面。”
　　于是，他们走到了调车场的边缘。那里果真有草，他们走在上面，一点声音也没有。他们缓慢轻柔地走到了山姆的小屋前，那里的蜡烛闪着暗淡的光。
　　窗户又高又小，刚好孩子们的头能够到，三个男孩小心翼翼地朝里看去。
　　木腿山姆正四肢摊开坐在那里，抽着烟斗，使劲眯着眼睛读着报纸。很明显他还没修他的破眼镜。他旁边的椅子上放着他的木腿。他把它卸掉放在那里了。
　　“他应该觉得今晚幽灵火车不会来，否则他不会把木腿摘掉。”迪克低语道。
　　烛光摇曳，小屋里的影子四处闪动。那是个简陋，几乎没有什么家具的小地方，又脏又乱。桌子上放着一个没有杯托和把手的杯子，一个锡制水壶在锈迹斑斑的炉子上烧着水。
　　山姆放下报纸，揉了揉眼睛，他喃喃自语着什么。男孩们听不到他说了什么，但是他们觉得是关于他的破眼镜的。
　　“这个调车场的铁轨多吗？”乔克低语道，他已经厌倦了盯着山姆看，“它们通往哪里？”
　　“有个隧道离这里大约半英里远，”朱利安指着乔克身后说道，“这些铁轨的起点在这里，分成很多对铁轨，延伸到那里，这里就是调配火车变换轨道的地方，也就是调车场。”乔克说：“来吧。
　　这里没有什么可看的。我们去隧道那边吧。”
　　“好的。”朱利安说，“我们过去吧。我也并不指望能在这里看到什么！我认为这些幽灵火车都是老山姆讲述的奇闻异事！”
　　他们离开了那间小屋和它孤独的烛光，再次走到了调车场边缘，沿着那条单行的轨道离开调车场，向隧道走去。现在走在煤渣上似乎也不要紧了，发出响声也没关系。他们沿着路线走，低声说着话。
　　突然，诡异的事情发生了！从隧道里传出隆隆作响的沉闷噪音，现在那隧道是如此之近，以至于男孩们能看到它黑色的洞口。
　　朱利安先听到的。他站在那里，抓住了迪克的胳膊：“嘿！听！你们能听到吗？”
　　其他人开始侧耳聆听。“是的，”迪克说，“有一辆火车正穿过另一条隧道，传来了回声。”朱利安说：“不是的，这些声音就是发生在这条隧道里的。”那噪音越来越大，火车轮滑过铁轨的叮当声让所有人都听到了。男孩们迅速离开了铁轨，一起蹲在一旁，等待着，紧张得几乎不敢呼吸。
　　是幽灵火车吗？他们等候发动机灯的出现，想象着隧道里出现一只火红眼睛一样的灯。但是它并没有出现。那里比黑夜还要暗！
　　但是那噪音逐渐近了、近了、更近了。有可能是只有火车的噪音却没有火车吗？朱利安的心跳得有平时的两倍快，迪克和乔克发现他们不知不觉地已经抱紧了对方。
　　那噪音变得如雷贯耳，隧道里出来了又长又黑的大块头，最前面暗淡的光迅速地闪过去消失了。那噪音让这些男孩们的耳朵都快震聋了，然后当那辆火车，不管它是什么，路过之后，那叮当声和隆隆作响声渐渐变小了。地面在一阵颤抖过后，也静止了下来。
　　“就是这个了。”朱利安的声音颤抖得厉害，“是幽灵火车！没有灯光也没有信号灯！它去了哪儿呢？去调车场吗，你们怎么看呢？”
　　“要不我们去看看吧？”迪克问，“我没看见驾驶室里有人，那里有光，一定是火车内部的火光，但是一定有人在驾驶它！真是个奇怪的东西，所有这些听起来很真实，不管怎样。”
　　“我们去调车场，”乔克说，他似乎是这三个孩子中最淡定的一个，“走吧。”
　　他们慢慢地走着，突然迪克尖叫一声：“糟了！我扭到脚踝了，等一会儿！”
　　他在极大的痛苦中蹲了下来，不过并没有伤到关节，但有那么几分钟，迪克什么也做不了，只是忍痛呻吟。其他人没有离开他，朱利安跪在他身边，给他按摩脚踝，但是迪克疼得根本不让他碰。
　　乔克焦虑地站在一旁。
　　大概过了20分钟，迪克的脚踝才恢复得差不多了，可以站起来了。在另外两个男孩的帮助下，他站起身子，活动了一下脚踝：“没问题了，我觉得可以走路了，慢慢地走。现在我们去调车场，看看到底发生了什么吧！”
　　就在他们慢慢走回去的时候，他们听到了从遥远的调车场铁轨上传来的噪音：“隆隆，隆隆，叮当，当啷！”
　　“它又回来了！”朱利安说，“站着别动。看！它会回到隧道里。”
　　他们站在那里一动不动，看着听着。那噪音再次变得越来越近，响声震天。他们看到了驾驶室里的光，可能是锅炉房的火光，接着迅速驶过去了，消失在黑暗隧道洞口，有那么一会儿，他们能听到那隆隆作响的回声。
　　“好了，这下找到你了幽灵火车！”朱利安说。他努力想大笑，却又挥之不去方才受到的心灵冲击，“它来了又走了，它何去何从，没人知道！但是我们听到了它的声音，并且看到了它，在深沉的夜色里。这一切实在是非常诡异！”
Chapter 11 MOSTLY ABOUT JOCK
　　Chapter 11 MOSTLY ABOUT JOCK
　　The three boys stood rather close together, glad to feel each other in the darkness. They couldn'tbelieve that they had found what they had come looking for so doubtfully! What kind of a trainwas this that had come rumbling out of the tunnel so mysteriously, and then, after a pause at theyard, had gone just as mysteriously back again?
　　'If only I hadn't twisted my ankle, we could have followed the train down the lines to the yard,and have gone quite close to it there,' groaned Dick. 'What an ass I am, messing things up at themost exciting moment!'
　　'You couldn't help it,' said Jock. 'I say - We've seen the spook-train! I can hardly believe it. Doesit go all by itself, with nobody to drive it? Is it a real train?'
　　'Judging by the noise it made, it's real all right,' said Julian. 'And it shot out smoke, too. All thesame, it's jolly strange. I can't say I like it much.'
　　'Let's go and see what's happened to Wooden-Leg Sam,' said Dick. 'I bet he's under his bed!'
　　54
　　They made their way slowly back to the yard, Dick limping a little, though his ankle waspractically all right again. When they came to the yard they looked towards Sam's hut. The lightwas there no longer.
　　'He's blown it out and got under the bed!' said Dick. 'Poor Sam! It really must be terrifying forhim. Let's go and peep into his hut.'
　　They went over to it and tried to see in at the window. But there was nothing to be seen. The hutwas in complete darkness. Then suddenly a little flare flashed out somewhere near the floor.
　　'Look - there's Sam! He's lighting a match,' said Julian. 'See - he's peeping out from under thebed. He looks scared stiff. Let's tap on the window and ask him if he's all right.'
　　But that was quite the wrong thing to do! As soon as Julian tapped sharply on the window, Samgave an anguished yell and retired hurriedly under the bed again, his wavering match-light goingout.
　　'It's come for to take me!' they heard him wailing. 'It's come for to take me! And me with mywooden leg off too.'
　　'We're only frightening the poor old fellow,' said Dick. 'Come on. Let's leave him. He'll have a fitor something if we call out to him. He honestly thinks the spook-train's come to get him.'
　　They wandered round the dark yard for a few minutes, but there was nothing to find out in thedarkness. No more rumbling came to their ears. The spook-train was evidently not going to runagain that night.
　　'Let's go back,' said Julian. 'That really was exciting! Honestly, my hair stood on end when thattrain came puffing out of the tunnel. Where on earth did it come from? And what's the reason forit?'
　　They gave it up, and began to walk back to the camp. They scrambled through the heather, tiredbut excited. 'Shall we tell the girls we've seen the train?' said Dick.
　　'No,' said Julian. 'It would only scare Anne, and George would be furious if she knew we'd gonewithout her. We'll wait and see if we discover anything more before we say anything, either tothe girls or to old Luffy.'
　　'Right,' said Dick. 'You'll hold your tongue, too, won't you, Jock?'
　　'Course,' said Jock, scornfully. 'Who would I tell? My stepfather? Not likely! How furious he'dbe if he knew we'd all pooh-poohed his warnings and gone down to see the spook-train after all!'
　　55
　　He suddenly felt something warm against his legs, and gave a startled cry: 'What's this? Getaway!'
　　But the warm thing turned out to be Timmy, who had come to meet the three boys. He pressedagainst each of them in turn and whined a little.
　　'He says, "Why didn't you take me with you?"' said Dick. 'Sorry, old thing, but we couldn't.
　　George would never have spoken to us again if we'd taken you, and left her behind! How wouldyou have liked spook-trains, Timmy? Would you have run into a corner somewhere and hidden?'
　　'Woof,' said Timmy, scornfully. As if he would be afraid of anything!
　　They reached their camping-place and began to speak in whispers. 'Good-bye, Jock. Come uptomorrow if you can. Hope you don't have that Cecil boy to cope with!'
　　'Good-bye! See you soon,' whispered Jock, and disappeared into the darkness, with Timmy at hisheels. Another chance of a midnight walk? Good, thought Timmy, just what he'd like! It was hotin the tent, and a scamper in the cool night air would be fine.
　　Timmy growled softly when they came near to Olly's Farm, and stood still, the hackles on hisneck rising up a little. Jock put his hand on the dog's head and stopped.
　　'What's the matter, old boy? Burglars or something?'
　　He strained his eyes in the darkness. Big clouds now covered the stars and there was no light atall to see by. Jock made out a dim light in one of the barns. He crept over to it to see what it was.
　　It went out as he came near, and then he heard the sound of footsteps, the quiet closing of thebarn door, and the click of a padlock as it was locked.
　　Jock crept nearer - too near, for whoever it was must have heard him and swung round, lashingout with his arm. He caught Jock on the shoulder, and the boy overbalanced. He almost fell, andthe man who had struck him clutched hold of him. A flash-light was put on and he blinked in thesudden light.
　　'It's you, Jock!' said an astonished voice, rough and impatient. 'What are you doing out here atthis time of night?'
　　'Well, what are you doing?' demanded Jock, wriggling free. He switched on his own torch and letthe light fall on the man who had caught him. It was Peters, one of the farm men, the one inwhose lorry he had ridden that very day.
　　56
　　'What's it to do with you?' said Peters, angrily. 'I had a breakdown, and I've only just got back.
　　Look here - you're fully dressed! Where have you been at this time of night? Did you hear mecome in and get up to see what was happening?'
　　'You never know!' said Jock cheekily. He wasn't going to say anything that might make Peterssuspicious of him. 'You just never know!'
　　'Is that Biddy?' said Peters, seeing a dark shadow slinking away. 'Do you mean to say you'vebeen out with Biddy? What in the world have you been doing?'
　　Jock thanked his lucky stars that Peters hadn't spotted it was Timmy, not Biddy. He moved offwithout saying another word. Let Peters think what he liked! It was bad luck, though, that Petershad had a breakdown and come in late. If the man told his stepfather he'd seen Jock, fullydressed in the middle of the night, there'd be questions asked by both his mother and hisstepfather, and Jock, who was a truthful boy, would find things very difficult to explain.
　　He scuttled off to bed, climbing up the pear-tree outside his window, and dropping quietly intohis room. He opened his door softly to hear if anyone was awake in the house, but all was darkand silent.
　　'Blow Peters!' thought Jock. 'If he splits on me, I'm for it!'
　　He got into bed, pondered over the curious happenings of the night for a few minutes, and thenslid into an uneasy sleep, in which spook-trains, Peters, and Timmy kept doing most peculiarthings. He was glad to awake in the bright, sunny morning and find his mother shaking him.
　　'Get up, Jock! You're very late. Whatever's made you so sleepy? We're half-way throughbreakfast!'
　　Peters, apparently, didn't say anything to Jock's stepfather about seeing Jock in the night. Jockwas very thankful. He began to plan how to slip off to the others at the camp. He'd take themsome food! That would be a fine excuse.
　　'Mum, can I take a basket of stuff to the campers?' he said, after breakfast. They must be runningshort now.'
　　'Well, that boy is coming,' said his mother. 'What's his name - Cecil something? Your stepfathersays he's such a nice boy. You did enjoy your day with him yesterday, didn't you?'
　　Jock would have said quite a lot of uncomplimentary things about dear Cecil if his stepfather hadnot been there, sitting by the window reading the paper. As it was, he shrugged his shoulders andmade a face, hoping that his mother would understand his feelings. She did.
　　57
　　'What time is Cecil coming?' she said. 'Perhaps there's time for you to run to the camp with abasket.'
　　'I don't want him running off up there,' said Mr. Andrews, suddenly butting into the conversation,and putting down his newspaper. 'Cecil may be here at any minute - and I know what Jock is!
　　He'd start talking to those kids and forget all about coming back. Cecil's father is a great friend ofmine, and Jock's got to be polite to him, and be here to welcome him. There's to be no runningoff to that camp today.'
　　Jock looked sulky. Why must his stepfather suddenly interfere in his plans like this? Rushinghim off to the town, making him take Cecil for a friend! Just when some other children had comeinto his rather lonely life and livened it up, too! It was maddening.
　　'Perhaps I can go up to the camp myself with some food,' said his mother, comfortingly. 'Ormaybe the children will come down for some.'
　　Jock was still sulky. He stalked out into the yard and went to look for Biddy. She was with herpups who were now trying to crawl round the shed after her. Jock hoped the campers wouldcome to fetch food themselves that day. Then at least he would get a word with them.
　　Cecil arrived by car. He was about the same age as Jock, though he was small for twelve yearsold. He had curly hair which was too long, and his grey flannel suit was very, very clean andwell-pressed.
　　'Hallo!' he called to Jock. 'I've come. What shall we play at? Soldiers?'
　　'No. Red Indians,' said Jock, who had suddenly remembered his old Red Indian head-dress withmasses of feathers round it, and a trail of them falling down the back. He rushed indoors,grinning. He changed into the whole suit, and put on his head-dress. He took his paint-box andhurriedly painted a frightful pattern of red, blue and green on his face. He found his tomahawkand went downstairs. He would play at Red Indians, and scalp that annoying Pale-Face!
　　Cecil was wandering round by himself. To his enormous horror, as he turned a corner, a mostterrifying figure rose up from behind a wall, gave a horrible yell and pounced on him, wavingwhat looked like a dangerous chopper.
　　Cecil turned and fled, howling loudly, with Jock leaping madly after him, whooping for all hewas worth, and thoroughly enjoying himself. He had had to play at soldiers all the day beforewith dear Cecil. He didn't see why Cecil shouldn't play Red Indians all day with him today!
　　58
　　Just at that moment, the four campers arrived to fetch food, with Timmy running beside them.
　　They stopped in amazement at the sight of Cecil running like the wind, howling dismally, and afully-dressed and painted Red Indian leaping fiercely after him.
　　Jock saw them, did a comical war-dance all round them, much to Timmy's amazement, yelleddramatically, pretended to cut off Timmy's tail and then tore after the vanishing Cecil.
　　The children began to laugh helplessly. 'Oh dear!' said Anne, with tears of laughter in her eyes,'that must be Cecil he's after. I suppose this is Jock's revenge for having to play soldiers all daywith him yesterday.
　　Look, there they go round the pig-sty. Poor Cecil. He really thinks he's going to be scalped!'
　　Cecil disappeared into the farm kitchen, sobbing, and Mrs. Andrews ran to comfort him. Jockmade off back to the others, grinning all over his war-painted face.
　　'Hallo,' he said. 'I'm just having a nice quiet time with dear Cecil. I'm so glad to see you. I wantedto come over, but my stepfather said I wasn't to - I must play with Cecil. Isn't he frightful?'
　　'Awful,' everyone agreed.
　　'I say, will your mother be furious with you for frightening Cecil like that? Perhaps we'd betternot ask her for any food yet?' said Julian.
　　'Yes, you'd better wait a bit,' said Jock, leading them to the sunny side of the haystack they hadrested by before. 'Hallo, Timmy! Did you get back all right last night?'
　　Jock had completely forgotten that the girls didn't know of the happenings of the night before.
　　Both Anne and George at once pricked up their ears. Julian frowned at Jock, and Dick gave hima secret nudge.
　　'What's up?' said George, seeing all this by-play. 'What happened last night?'
　　'Oh, I just came up to have a little night-talk with the boys - and Timmy walked back with me,'
　　said Jock, airily. 'Hope you didn't mind him coming, George.'
　　George flushed an angry red. 'You're keeping something from me,' she said to the boys. 'Yes, youare. I know you are. I believe you went off to the railway yard last night! Did you?'
　　There was an awkward silence. Julian shot an annoyed look at poor Jock, who could have kickedhimself.
　　'Go on - tell me,' persisted George, an angry frown on her forehead. 'You beasts! You did go!
　　And you never woke me up to go with you! Oh, I do think you're mean!'
　　59
　　'Did you see anything?' said Anne, her eyes going from one boy to another. Each of the girlssensed that there had been some kind of adventure in the night.
　　'Well,' began Julian. And then there was an interruption. Cecil came round the haystack, his eyesred with crying. He glared at Jock.
　　'Your father wants you,' he said. 'You're to go at once. You're a beast, and I want to go home.
　　Can't you hear your father yelling for you? He's got a stick - but I'm not sorry for you! I hope hewhacks you hard!'
11.乔克的朋友
　　乔克的朋友
　　三个男孩站得很近，很高兴在这黑暗中还能有彼此做伴。他们无法相信他们已经见到了幽灵火车，那个曾经让他们怀疑的事物！
　　它是什么火车？它从隧道里出来，隆隆作响，如此神秘，在调车场停留片刻后，又神秘地回来了。
　　“要不是我扭到了脚踝，我们本可以跟踪那辆火车到调车场，在那里看个真切。”迪克抱怨道，“我真是个笨蛋，在最令人兴奋的时刻掉链子！”
　　“不是你的错，”乔克说，“话说我们真见到了幽灵火车！我几乎不敢相信。它是自己跑吗，还是无人驾驶？那是辆真的火车吗？”
　　“根据它发出的响声判断，它是真火车，”朱利安说，“并且冒出了烟。不过无论如何，它仍然很诡异，我不喜欢这种状况。”
　　“我们去看看木腿山姆怎么样了，”迪克说，“我敢说他躲在床底下了！”
　　他们慢慢地走回调车场的小屋前，迪克走路有点跛，尽管他的脚踝基本上没问题了。他们向屋里望去，蜡烛已经熄灭了。
　　“他吹灭了蜡烛，躲到了床底下！”迪克说，“可怜的山姆！这对他来说一定太可怕了。我们去瞧瞧屋里的情况吧。”
　　他们走到屋旁，努力透过窗子往里看。但是什么也看不见，小屋里一片漆黑。突然，接近地板的地方出现一道火光。
　　“看，山姆在那儿！他在点火柴。”朱利安说，“他正在床底下向外看，看起来像是被吓傻了。我们敲敲窗户，问问他是否安然无恙。”
　　但他们不该这么做！朱利安猛烈地敲着窗户，山姆一听便发出了一声极为痛苦的喊叫，再次迅速地回到了床底下，他手里摇曳不定的火柴也熄灭了。
　　“它来抓我了！”孩子们听到他在哀号，“它来抓我了！连我的木腿一起抓走。”
　　“我们吓到那个可怜的老头子了，”迪克说，“走吧。不要管他了。如果我们大声喊他，他会被吓疯的。他真的以为是幽灵火车来抓他了。”
　　他们在黑暗的调车场逛了几分钟，但是四处一片漆黑，什么也看不见。他们也没有再听到隆隆作响的声音，很明显幽灵火车那夜不会再跑了。
　　“我们回去吧，”朱利安说，“今晚真是太令人兴奋了！老实说，当那辆火车从隧道里呼啸而出的时候，我全身汗毛都竖起来了。它到底来自哪里啊？这一切又是怎么回事呢？”
　　他们实在想不出来，往露营地走去。他们踉踉跄跄地穿过石南丛，虽然感到很累但很得意，“我们要告诉女孩们我们看到了幽灵火车吗？”迪克说。
　　“不，”朱利安说，“那会吓到安妮的，而且如果乔治知道了我们没带她去，她会暴跳如雷的。我们再等等，看能不能发现更多东西，然后再告诉大家，现在先别告诉女孩们或者鲁夫先生。”
　　“好的，”迪克说，“你也不会说出来吧，乔克？”
　　“当然，”乔克说，“我能告诉谁呢？我继父？不可能！如果他知道了我们无视他的警告，去看幽灵火车，他会多么愤怒！”
　　乔克突然感到有什么暖暖的东西贴在他的腿上，一声惊叫：“什么呀？走开！”
　　原来是蒂米，它跑来迎接这三个男孩。它轮流紧贴着每个人绕了一圈，轻声呜呜地叫了起来。
　　“它在说，‘你们为什么不带上我？’”迪克说，“对不起，老伙计，我们不能那样做。如果我们带上了你，却不带乔治，她就再也不会理我们了！你会怎么看待幽灵火车呢，蒂米？你会害怕得跑到一个角落里躲起来吗？”
　　“汪！”蒂米轻蔑地叫了一声——说得好像它会害怕什么似的！
　　他们到了露营地，声音也压低了：“再见，乔克。如果可以的话，明天过来吧。希望那个叫塞西尔的男孩不会来烦你了！”
　　“再见，希望很快能见到你们。”乔克低语道，接着消失在了黑夜里，蒂米跟在他的脚边。又有一次午夜散步的机会，太好了，蒂米想。这正是它想要的！帐篷里很热，在凉爽的夜里蹦蹦跳跳真愉快。
　　当他们接近奥利农场的时候，蒂米轻轻地低吼了一声，站在那里不动了，后颈背的毛竖了起来。乔克把手放在蒂米的脑袋上，停下了脚步。
　　“怎么了，蒂米？有窃贼还是什么？”
　　乔克在黑暗中极目眺望。现在大团的云朵遮住了星星，没有任何光亮可以照亮前面的路。乔克辨认出了一个谷仓里有微弱的光。
　　他溜了过去，想去看看那是什么。当他走近的时候，光熄灭了，他听到了脚步声，谷仓轻轻地关上了门，紧接着传来挂锁被锁上的咔嗒声。
　　乔克悄悄地靠近。不管那是谁，那个人一定听到了乔克的脚步声，他突然转过身来，胳膊撞上了乔克的肩膀。乔克差点失去平衡摔倒了。那个撞到乔克的男人抓住了乔克，打开了手电筒。在突来的光的照耀下，乔克眨了眨眼睛，他的眼睛被晃得睁不开。
　　“乔克！”一个粗声粗气又不耐烦的声音震惊地说道，“这么晚了你在这儿干什么呢？”
　　“你在干什么呢？”乔克问道，挣脱了束缚。他打开了自己的手电筒，照着刚才抓住他的男人。他是彼得斯，一个农场工人，那天乔克乘坐的就是他驾驶的卡车。
　　“跟你有什么关系？”彼得斯生气地说，“我车坏了，刚回来。倒是你小子穿戴整齐！这么晚了，你去干什么了？你是听见我进来，起来看看发生了什么吗？”
　　“你永远都不会知道！”乔克顽皮地说，他不会说任何让彼得斯怀疑他的话。
　　“那是比迪吗？”彼得斯问，他看见一个黑影悄悄溜走了，“你要说你跟比迪出去了吗？这么晚了，你到底在干什么呢？”
　　乔克觉得自己非常幸运，彼得斯没看出来那是蒂米，不是比迪。他一句话没说，就走开了，让彼得斯爱怎么想就怎么想吧！不过他还是运气不好，彼得斯车坏了，所以回来晚了。如果彼得斯告诉乔克的继父，他看见乔克半夜里穿戴整齐，那乔克的妈妈和继父就会问乔克很多问题。乔克是个诚实的男孩，他会有很多事情难以解释明白。
　　他一路小跑，爬上了窗外的梨树，纵身一跃，轻轻地落到了他的房间里。他悄悄地打开门，听房子里有没有人醒着，还好，四周一片黑暗和寂静。
　　“讨厌的彼得斯！”乔克想着，“要是他出卖我，我就得受到惩罚了！”他上了床，考虑着这晚发生的诸多奇怪事件，几分钟后，他心神不安地睡着了。乔克梦见了幽灵火车、彼得斯，还有蒂米一直在做奇怪的事情。第二天，乔克被妈妈摇醒后，睁眼看到了阳光灿烂的窗外，感到心情舒畅了许多。
　　“起床，乔克！时间已经很晚了。今天你怎么这么困？我们早餐都吃了一半了！”
　　很明显，彼得斯没有告诉乔克的继父他在昨天夜里见到了乔克。乔克心中一阵感激，他开始计划如何溜到露营地去见其他人。
　　他能为他们带食物！那会是个好理由。
　　“妈妈，我可以给那些露营的小伙伴们带一篮子食物吗？”早餐后，他说，“他们现在一定缺食物了。”
　　“呃，那个男孩要来了，”他妈妈说，“他叫什么来着，塞西尔还是什么？你继父说他是个非常好的男孩。你昨天跟他玩得也很开心吧，不是吗？”
　　乔克的继父正坐在窗边读报纸，否则，乔克会说很多可爱的塞西尔的坏话。无奈，他耸了耸肩，做了个鬼脸，希望他妈妈会理解他的感受。
　　她确实懂了。“塞西尔什么时候来啊？”安德鲁斯太太说，“也许你有时间跑到露营地去送食物，然后再回来。”
　　“我不想让他跑到那儿去，”安德鲁斯先生突然放下报纸，插了进来说，“塞西尔随时都可能到这儿。我了解乔克！他会开始跟那些孩子聊天，忘记回来的事。塞西尔的父亲是我一个很好的朋友，乔克最好对他礼貌点，要在这儿欢迎他的到来。今天不能去露营地。”
　　乔克看起来闷闷不乐。为什么他的继父突然这样干涉他的计划？先是催促他去镇上，接着让他跟塞西尔交朋友！而且这时已经有别的孩子走进了他孤独的生活，给他带来了色彩！这做法真是气人。
　　“也许我可以自己去露营地给他们送点食物，”他妈妈安慰道，“或者那些孩子可以自己过来拿。”
　　乔克还是闷闷不乐。他溜到院子里去找比迪。它的小狗崽们在小屋里跟着它到处爬。乔克希望那些露营的小伙伴们能自己过来取食物。那样至少他可以跟他们说说话。
　　塞西尔坐车来了。他的年龄跟乔克差不多大，尽管对一个12岁的孩子来说，他个子太小了。他有一头长长的鬈发，身上的灰色法兰绒套装非常干净、熨烫平整。
　　“你好！”他向乔克喊道，“我来了。我们玩什么呢？士兵游戏？”
　　“不，我要扮演红色印第安人。”乔克说道。他突然想到了他红色的、旧旧的印第安人头饰，四周有大量的羽毛，后面还有一串羽毛垂落下来。他笑着冲进了屋内，换上了全套衣服，戴上头饰，还拿出颜料盒，匆忙在脸上涂抹了红色、蓝色和绿色的可怕图案。他拿起战斧，跑到楼下。他现在是一个勇猛的红色印第安人了，他要好好对付那个面色苍白的矮个子家伙！
　　塞西尔在独自晃悠着，突然，一个令他极为恐惧的人物从墙后面蹦了出来，发出了恐怖的喊叫，并向他扑了过去，还挥舞着危险的斧头。
　　塞西尔转身逃跑了，大声惨叫着，乔克在后面猛冲着追赶他，竭尽全力地欢呼着，疯闹得高兴极了。昨天一整天，他都不得不跟可爱的塞西尔扮演士兵。他不明白，为什么塞西尔不能一整天都跟他扮演印第安人？
　　就在这会儿，那四个孩子来取食物了，蒂米跑在他们身边。一看到眼前的景象，他们都目瞪口呆地停下了脚步。塞西尔跑得飞快，大声惨叫着，后面紧跟着一个全副武装、涂着颜料的红色印第安人。
　　乔克看到了他们，在他们身边跳了个滑稽的战舞。他阴阳怪气地大吼了一声，假装要砍断蒂米的尾巴，吓得蒂米冲他嗷嗷直叫，接着又扭头飞奔过去继续追赶逃跑的塞西尔。
　　孩子们忍不住大笑起来，“哈哈，天哪！”安妮笑出了眼泪，“他追赶的一定是塞西尔。我想乔克是在报复昨天不得不跟他玩一整天士兵游戏的事。看，他们在绕着猪圈跑。可怜的塞西尔，他不会真以为他要被印第安人抓走了吧！”
　　塞西尔躲在了农场的厨房里啜泣，向安德鲁斯太太告状，安德鲁斯太太赶忙安慰他。乔克跑到小伙伴们身边，画着战妆的脸咧嘴朝他们大笑。
　　“你好，”他说，“我只是在跟可爱的塞西尔共度祥和的美好时光。我很高兴能见到你们。本来早上想去拜访你们，但继父说我不能去，必须要跟塞西尔玩。简直太可怕了！”
　　“糟糕透了。”每个人都同意。
　　“不过，你那样吓唬塞西尔，你妈妈不会生你气吗？我们现在最好不要找你妈妈买食物了吧？”朱利安说。
　　“是的，你们最好稍等片刻吧。”乔克带他们去了干草堆的阳面，他们以前在那里休息过。“你好，蒂米！昨晚你回去还好吧？”
　　乔克完全忘了女孩们不知道昨天夜里发生了什么。安妮和乔治一听，猛地抬起了头。朱利安对乔克皱了皱眉头，迪克偷偷地用胳膊肘戳了他一下。
　　“怎么了？”乔治把这一切都看在眼里，“昨天夜里发生了什么？”
　　“哦，我只是来跟这些男孩们深夜交谈了一下，蒂米把我送回去了。”乔克轻松地说道，“希望你不介意它送我回来，乔治。”
　　乔治的脸气得满脸通红。“你们有事瞒着我！”她对男孩们吼道，“是的，就是如此。我知道你们做了什么，你们昨天夜里去了调车场！是吗？”
　　有那么一阵尴尬的寂静。朱利安愤愤地瞪了可怜的乔克一眼，乔克真想踹自己一脚。
　　“继续说啊，快告诉我！”乔治坚持道，气得眉头紧锁，“你们这群混蛋！你们肯定去了！而且你们根本没想把我叫醒，让我跟你们一起去！你们真是太卑鄙了！”
　　“你们看到了什么吗？”安妮说。她的眼睛挨个挨个地打量着男孩们。女孩们都觉得那天夜里发生了什么奇异的冒险事件。
　　“好了，是这样……”朱利安正要开始说，很快就被打断了。塞西尔绕过干草堆，眼睛都哭红了。他怒视着乔克。
　　“你爸爸叫你过去，”他说，“你要立刻过去。你是个大坏蛋，我要回家了。你听不见你爸爸在吼你吗？他手里拿着一根棍子，但我可不会怜惜你！我希望他狠狠地揍你一顿！”
Chapter 12 GEORGE LOSES HER TEMPER
　　Chapter 12 GEORGE LOSES HER TEMPER
　　Jock made a face at Cecil and got up. He went slowly off round the haystack, and the otherslistened in silence for whacks and yells. But none came.
　　'He frightened me,' said Cecil, sitting down by the others.
　　'Poor icle ting,' said Dick at once.
　　'Darling baby,' said George.
　　'Mother's pet,' said Julian. Cecil glared at them all. He got up again, very red.
　　'If I didn't know my manners, I'd smack your faces,' he said, and marched off hurriedly, beforehis own could be smacked.
　　The four sat in silence. They were sorry for Jock. George was angry and sulky because she knewthe others had gone off without her the night before. Anne was worried.
　　They all sat there for about ten minutes. Then round the haystack came Jock's mother, lookingdistressed. She carried a big basket of food.
　　The children all stood up politely. 'Good morning, Mrs. Andrews,' said Julian.
　　'I'm sorry I can't ask you to stop today,' said Mrs. Andrews. 'But Jock has really behaved veryfoolishly. I wouldn't let Mr. Andrews give him a hiding because it would only make Jock hatehis stepfather, and that would never do. So I've sent him up to bed for the day. You won't be ableto see him, I'm afraid. Here is some food for you to take. Oh, dear - I'm really very sorry aboutall this. I can't think what came over Jock to behave in such a way. It's not a bit like him.'
　　Cecil's face appeared round the haystack, looking rather smug. Julian grinned to himself.
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　　'Would you like us to take Cecil for a nice long walk over the moors?' he said. 'We can climbhills and jump over streams and scramble through the heather. It would make such a nice day forhim.'
　　Cecil's face immediately disappeared.
　　'Well,' said Mrs. Andrews, 'that really would be very kind of you. Now that Jock's been sentupstairs for the day there's no one for Cecil to play with. But I'm afraid he's a bit of a mother'sboy, you know. You'll have to go carefully with him. Cecil! Cecil! Where are you? Come andmake friends with these children.'
　　But Cecil had gone. There was no answer at all. He didn't want to make friends with 'thesechildren'. He knew better than that! Mrs. Andrews went in search of him, but he had completelydisappeared.
　　The four children were not at all surprised. Julian, Dick and Anne grinned at one another. Georgestood with her back to them, still sulky.
　　Mrs. Andrews came back again, out of breath. 'I can't find him,' she said. 'Never mind. I'll findsomething for him to do when he appears again.'
　　'Yes. Perhaps you've got some beads for him to thread? Or a nice easy jigsaw puzzle to do?' saidJulian, very politely. The others giggled. A smile appeared on Mrs. Andrews's face.
　　'Bad boy!' she said. 'Oh dear - poor Jock. Well it's his own fault. Now good-bye, I must get onwith my work.'
　　She ran off to the dairy. The children looked round the haystack. Mr. Andrews was getting intohis car. He would soon be gone. They waited a few minutes till they heard the car set off downthe rough cart-track.
　　That's Jock's bedroom - where the pear-tree is,' said Julian. 'Let's just have a word with himbefore we go. It's a shame.'
　　They went across the farmyard and stood under the pear-tree - all except George, who stayedbehind the haystack with the food, frowning. Julian called up to the window above: 'Jock!'
　　A head came out, the face still painted terrifyingly in streaks and circles. 'Hallo! He didn't whackme. Mum wouldn't let him. All the same, I'd rather he had - it's awful being stuck up here thissunny day. Where's dear Cecil?'
　　'I don't know. Probably in the darkest corner of one of the barns,' said Julian. 'Jock, if things aredifficult in the daytime, come up at night. We've got to see you somehow.'
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　　'Right,' said Jock. 'How do I look? Like a real Red Indian?'
　　'You look frightful,' grinned Julian. 'I wonder old Timmy knew you.'
　　'Where's George?' asked Jock.
　　'Sulking behind the haystack,' said Dick. 'We shall have an awful day with her now. You let thecat properly out of the bag, you idjit!'
　　'Yes. I'm a ninny and an idjit,' said Jock, and Anne giggled. 'Look - there's Cecil. You might tellhim to beware of the bull, will you?'
　　'Is there a bull?' said Anne, looking alarmed.
　　'No. But that's no reason why he shouldn't beware of one,' grinned Jock. 'So long! Have a niceday!'
　　The three left him, and strolled over to Cecil, who had just appeared out of a dark little shed. Hemade a face at them, and stood ready to run to the dairy where Mrs. Andrews was busy.
　　Julian suddenly clutched Dick and pointed behind Cecil. The bull! Beware of the bull!' he yelledsuddenly.
　　Dick entered into the joke. The bull's loose! Look out! Beware of the bull!' he shouted.
　　Anne gave a shriek. It all sounded so real that, although she knew it was a joke, she felt half-scared. The bull!' she cried.
　　Cecil turned green. His legs shook. 'W-w-w-where is it?' he stammered.
　　'Look out behind you!' yelled Julian, pointing. Poor Cecil, convinced that a large bull was aboutto pounce on him from behind, gave an anguished cry and tore on tottering legs to the dairy. Hethrew himself against Mrs. Andrews.
　　'Save me, save me! The bull's chasing me.'
　　'But there's no bull here,' said Mrs. Andrews, in surprise. 'Really, Cecil! Was it a pig after you, orsomething?'
　　Helpless with laughter, the three children made their way back to George. They tried to tell herabout the make-believe bull, but she turned away and wouldn't listen. Julian shrugged hisshoulders. Best to leave George to herself when she was in one of her rages! She didn't lose hertemper as often as she used to, but when she did she was very trying indeed.
　　They went back to the camp with the basket of food. Timmy followed soberly. He knewsomething was wrong with George and he was unhappy. His tail was down, and he lookedmiserable. George wouldn't even pat him.
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　　When they got back to the camp, George flared up.
　　'How dare you go off without me when I told you I meant to come? Fancy taking Jock and notletting me go! I think you're absolute beasts. I never really thought you'd do a thing like that, youand Dick.'
　　'Don't be silly, George,' said Julian. 'I told you we didn't mean to let you and Anne go. I'll tellyou all that happened - and it's pretty thrilling!'
　　'What? Tell me quickly!' begged Anne, but George obstinately turned away her head as if shewas not interested.
　　Julian began to relate all the curious happenings of the night. Anne listened breathlessly. Georgewas listening too, though she pretended not to. She was very angry and very hurt.
　　'Well, there you are,' said Julian, when he had finished. 'If that's what people mean by spook-trains, there was one puffing in and out of that tunnel all right! I felt pretty scared, I can tell you.
　　Sorry you weren't there too, George - but I didn't want to leave Anne alone.'
　　George was not accepting any apologies. She still looked furious.
　　'I suppose Timmy went with you,' she said. 'I think that was horrid of him - to go without wakingme, when he knew I'd like to be with you on the adventure.'
　　'Oh, don't be so silly,' said Dick, in disgust. 'Fancy being angry with old Tim, too! You're makinghim miserable. And anyway, he didn't come with us. He just came to meet us when we got back,and then went off to keep Jock company on his way back to the farm.'
　　'Oh,' said George, and she reached out her hand to pat Timmy, who was filled with delight. 'Atleast Timmy was loyal to me then. That's something.'
　　There was a silence. Nobody ever knew quite how to treat George when she was in one of hermoods. It was really best to leave her to herself, but they couldn't very well go off and leave thecamp just because George was there, cross and sulky.
　　Anne took hold of George's arm. She was miserable when George behaved like this. 'George,'
　　she began, 'there's no need to be cross with me, too. I haven't done anything!'
　　'If you weren't such a little coward, too afraid to go with us, I'd have been able to go too,' saidGeorge unkindly, dragging her arm away.
　　Julian was disgusted. He saw Anne's hurt face and was angry with George.
　　'Shut up, George,' he said. 'You're being horrid, saying catty things like that! I'm astonished atyou.'
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　　George was ashamed of herself, but she was too proud to say so. She glared at Julian.
　　'And I'm astonished at you,' she said. 'After all the adventures we've had together, you try to keepme out of this one. But you will let me come next time, won't you, Julian?'
　　'What! After your frightful behaviour today?' said Julian, who could be just as obstinate asGeorge when he wanted to. 'Certainly not. This is my adventure and Dick's - and perhaps Jock's.
　　Not yours or Anne's.'
　　He got up and stalked down the hill with Dick. George sat pulling bits of heather off the stems,looking mutinous and angry. Anne blinked back tears. She hated this sort of thing. She got up toget dinner ready. Perhaps after a good meal they would all feel better.
　　Mr. Luffy was sitting outside his tent, reading. He had already seen the children that morning. Helooked up, smiling.
　　'Hallo! Come to talk to me?'
　　'Yes,' said Julian, an idea uncurling itself in his mind. 'Could I have a look at that map of yours,Mr. Luffy? The big one you've got showing every mile of these moorlands?'
　　'Of course. It's in the tent somewhere,' said Mr. Luffy.
　　The boys found it and opened it. Dick at once guessed why Julian wanted it. Mr. Luffy went onreading.
　　'It shows the railways that run under the moorlands too, doesn't it?' said Julian. Mr. Luffynodded.
　　'Yes. There are quite a few lines. I suppose it was easier to tunnel under the moors from valley tovalley rather than make a permanent way over the top of them. In any case, a railway over themoors would probably be completely snowed up in the wintertime.'
　　The boys bent their heads over the big map; it showed the railways as dotted lines when theywent underground, but by long black lines when they appeared in the open air, in the variousvalleys.
　　They found exactly where they were. Then Julian's finger ran down the map a little and came towhere a small line showed itself at the end of a dotted line.
　　He looked at Dick, who nodded. Yes - that showed where the tunnel was, out of which the'spook-train' had come, and the lines to the deserted yard. Julian's finger went back from the yardto the tunnel, where the dotted lines began. His finger traced the dotted lines a little way till theybecame whole lines again. That was where the train came out into another valley!
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　　Then his finger showed where the tunnel that led from the yard appeared to join up with anotherone, that also ran for some distance before coming out into yet another valley. The boys lookedat one another in silence.
　　Mr. Luffy suddenly spotted a day-flying moth and got up to follow it. The boys took the chanceof talking to one another.
　　'The spook-train either runs through its own tunnel to the valley beyond - or it turns off into thisfork and runs along to the other valley,' said Julian, in a low voice. 'I tell you what we'll do, Dick.
　　We'll get Mr. Luffy to run us down to the nearest town to buy something - and we'll slip along tothe station there and see if we can't make a few inquiries about these two tunnels. We may findout something.'
　　'Good idea,' said Dick, as Mr. Luffy came back. 'I say, sir, are you very busy today? Could youpossibly run us down to the nearest town after dinner?'
　　'Certainly, certainly,' said Mr. Luffy, amiably. The boys looked at one another in delight. Nowthey might find out something! But they wouldn't take George with them. No - they wouldpunish her for her bad temper by leaving her behind!
12.乔治的坏脾气
　　乔治的坏脾气
　　乔克对塞西尔做了个鬼脸，站起身来，缓慢地绕过干草堆离开了。留下其他人静静地等着听挨打声和喊叫声，但是他们并没有听到。
　　“他吓到我了。”塞西尔坐到了其他人身旁。
　　“可怜的小公子。”迪克立刻张嘴说。
　　“娇气的小宝贝。”乔治说。
　　“妈妈的小心肝。”朱利安也跟着说。塞西尔怒视着他们所有人。他气得满脸通红，站了起来。
　　“如果我是个无礼的人，我会扇你们每个人的脸！”他说着匆忙离开了，不给其他人扇他耳光的机会。
　　这四个孩子静静地坐在那里。他们为乔克感到难过。乔治很生气，闷闷不乐，因为她知道其他人昨夜去探险却没带上她。安妮在一旁感到忧心忡忡。
　　他们在那儿坐了有十分钟。乔克的妈妈绕过干草堆过来了，她看起来心烦意乱，手里提了一大篮子食物。
　　孩子们礼貌地站了起来，“早上好，安德鲁斯太太。”朱利安说。
　　“我很抱歉今天我不能留你们吃饭了，”安德鲁斯太太说，“但乔克表现得很愚蠢。我没让安德鲁斯先生痛打他一顿，因为那只会让乔克恨他继父，而且于事无补。今天我让他待在屋里，恐怕你们见不到他了。这是送给你们的一些食物。唉，天哪，我对这一切感到非常抱歉。我不知道乔克是怎么了，竟这样做。这一点也不像他。”
　　塞西尔的脸出现在干草堆旁，看起来一副自鸣得意的样子。朱利安暗自咧嘴而笑。“您想让我们带塞西尔在荒原上散散步吗？”他说，“我们可以爬山，蹚过小溪，翻过石南丛。他会度过愉快的一天。”
　　塞西尔的脸“嗖”的一下消失了。
　　“好啊，”安德鲁斯太太说，“你们真是太好了。我还担心乔克被关在楼上，没人陪塞西尔玩。但我觉得他是个柔弱的孩子，你们要跟他小心相处。塞西尔！塞西尔！你在哪儿？来跟这些孩子交个朋友吧。”
　　但塞西尔不见了。没有回应安德鲁斯太太的召唤，他可不想跟这些孩子交朋友，他是个聪明人！安德鲁斯太太去找他了，但是他已经消失得无影无踪。
　　这四个孩子一点也不吃惊。朱利安、迪克和安妮彼此相视而笑。乔治背对着他们，还是闷闷不乐。
　　安德鲁斯太太又回来了，气喘吁吁的，“我找不到他，”她说，“没关系。当我找到他的时候，再给他找点事干。”
　　“是的。也许你可以给他一些珠子让他穿线？或者将简单的拼图游戏给他玩？”朱利安非常礼貌地说道。其他人咯咯直笑。安德鲁斯太太的脸上也扬起了微笑。
　　“你们真是淘气！”她说，“唉，亲爱的、可怜的乔克。不过，这是他自己的错。再见，孩子们，我必须继续工作了。”
　　她走向了奶牛厂。孩子们向周围看看，安德鲁斯先生正在上车，他很快就要出门了。他们等了几分钟，直到听见了汽车离开砂砾车道。
　　“那是乔克的卧室，就在那棵梨树那里。”朱利安说，“我们走之前跟他说说话吧。不能一起出去玩实在太遗憾了。”
　　他们穿过了农场庭院，站在梨树下边——所有人都去了，除了乔治，她留在了干草堆那里，皱着眉头，守着旁边的食物。朱利安对上面的窗户大喊：“乔克！”
　　一个脑袋伸了出来，脸上还画着可怕的条纹和圆圈：“你们好！
　　他没打我。妈妈不让他打我。不过我还是希望他打了我，总比在这么好的天气里被困在这里好。可爱的塞西尔在哪儿呢？”
　　“我不知道。可能是在某个谷仓最黑暗的角落里吧，”朱利安说，“乔克，如果白天出来很难，就夜里过来吧。不管怎样我们都必须要见到你。”
　　“好的，”乔克说，“我看起来怎么样？像个真正的红色印第安人吗？”
　　“你看起来很可怕，”朱利安咧嘴笑道，“我想知道蒂米是否还认识你。”
　　“乔治在哪儿呢？”乔克问。
　　“还在干草堆后面生闷气呢，”迪克说，“我们今天一定不好过。
　　你说漏嘴了，你这个呆瓜！”
　　“是的。我是个傻瓜、呆瓜。”乔克沮丧地说。安妮咯咯地笑了。乔克瞄见远处有个熟悉的身影，说：“看！塞西尔在那儿呢。你们可以帮我告诉他小心公牛，好吗？”
　　“有公牛吗？”安妮警惕地说道。
　　“没有。但是他没有理由不去当心公牛，”乔克笑着说，“再见！
　　祝你们度过愉快的一天！”
　　三个孩子离开了乔克，漫步走到塞西尔身边，他刚从黑暗的小屋里出来。他对他们做了个鬼脸，准备逃到奶牛厂里，安德鲁斯太太正在那里忙碌。
　　朱利安突然抓住了迪克的胳膊，指着塞西尔身后，突然大喊：“公牛！小心公牛！”
　　迪克也加入了玩笑中，“公牛跑出来了！当心！小心公牛！”他假装惊慌失措地喊道。
　　安妮尖叫起来，这一嗓子听起来倒是如此真实，尽管她知道两个哥哥是在开玩笑，但她还是被吓个半死，“公牛！”她尖叫起来。
　　塞西尔脸都吓绿了，双腿不住地颤抖。“公……公牛在哪……哪儿？”他结结巴巴地问不出完整的话来。
　　“小心身后！”朱利安指着他身后叫喊道。可怜的塞西尔确信有一只大公牛要从他身后顶翻他，发出了绝望的嘶喊，跌跌撞撞地跑回了奶牛厂，紧紧地抱住安德鲁斯太太：“救救我，救救我！公牛在追我。”
　　“但是这里没有公牛，”安德鲁斯太太惊讶地说，“真的，塞西尔！是一只猪在追你吗，还是别的什么？”
　　三个孩子情不自禁地大笑起来，跑回到乔治身边。他们想要告诉她那只不存在的公牛把塞西尔吓了个半死，但是她转过身去，一个字也不想听。朱利安耸了耸肩。当乔治生气的时候，最好不要理她。虽然她不像以前那样经常发脾气了，但是当她生气的时候，确实非常难对付。
　　他们带着那篮子食物回到了露营地。蒂米严肃地跟在后面。它知道乔治有点不对劲，所以它也不高兴。它的尾巴下垂着，看起来很痛苦，乔治都不愿意拍它的头。
　　当他们回到露营地之后，乔治突然发怒了。
　　“我告诉你们了，我也打算去，你们竟敢不带我去！宁愿带乔克去，却不让我去！我认为你们就是混蛋。我从未想过你和迪克会干这样的事！”
　　“别傻了，乔治，”朱利安说，“我告诉过你，我们不打算带你和安妮去。我们会告诉你发生了什么，太惊悚了！”
　　“什么？赶快告诉我！”安妮恳求道。但乔治固执地转过头去，似乎她不感兴趣似的。
　　朱利安开始讲述那夜各种奇怪的事件。安妮屏息凝神地倾听着。乔治也在听，尽管她假装不在意。她真的很生气，也很受伤。
　　“好了，就是这样，”朱利安说，“如果那就是人们口中的幽灵火车，那确实有一辆冒着蒸汽进出隧道的火车！不过说真的，我当时相当害怕。我很抱歉当时你不在场，乔治，但是我真的不能让安妮一个人待着。”
　　乔治并没有接受任何道歉，她看起来仍然很愤怒。
　　“我猜蒂米跟你们一起去了。”乔治说，“它这么做真是令我失望，去了还没叫醒我，它知道我想跟你们一起探险。”
　　“别傻了！”迪克不耐烦地说道，“竟然对蒂米生气！这会让它很痛苦的。无论如何，它没跟我们一起去。它只是在我们回来的时候，去接我们了，当乔克回农场的时候，又送了他一路。”
　　“哦。”乔治说着，然后伸出手轻拍了蒂米，它立刻高兴了起来，“只有蒂米对我是忠诚的，还真是让人欣慰啊。”
　　有那么一段时间，没人说话。当乔治心情不好的时候，没人知道该如何跟她打交道，最好还是不理她，但是当乔治在那里生闷气的时候，他们又没办法离开露营地。
　　安妮拉住了乔治的胳膊。当乔治这样的时候，她也很苦恼。“乔治，”她说，“别对我也生气啊。我什么也没做。”
　　“如果你不是这样一个胆小鬼，不敢跟我们一起，我们就都可以去了。”乔治不近人情地说道，把安妮的胳膊甩开了。
　　朱利安感到很不快，他看到了安妮伤心的表情，对乔治很生气。
　　“闭嘴，乔治。”他说，“你又开始胡搅蛮缠了，说那种尖酸刻薄的话！我对你感到失望透顶。”
　　乔治其实说完就有点后悔了，但是她太骄傲了，不愿意道歉示弱，她怒视着朱利安。
　　“我对你也感到失望透顶，”她说，“我们共同冒险过那么多次，你这次却不带我去。但是下次你要带我去，听到了吗，朱利安？”
　　“什么！在你今天这样的表现后？”朱利安脾气也上来了，跟乔治一样固执，“不能了。这是我和迪克的冒险，也许也是乔克的。但不是你和安妮的。”
　　他站起来跟迪克一起走下了山丘。乔治坐在那里，把石南从茎上一点点撕下来，看起来桀骜不驯、怒气冲冲。安妮强忍住泪水，她讨厌这种事情。她起来做晚餐，也许好好吃一顿后，这几个闹别扭的人会感觉好一点。
　　山坡下，鲁夫先生正坐在帐篷外面读书，他今天早晨见过这些孩子们了。他抬起头微笑道：“你们好！是来跟我聊天的吗？”
　　“是啊。”朱利安说。一个主意浮现在他的脑海里，“我能看看您那张地图吗，鲁夫先生？您那张大地图，展示了荒原所有细节的那张？”“好啊，在帐篷里。”鲁夫先生说，“你们去翻翻看吧。”
　　男孩们找到了地图，打开了它。迪克立刻猜到了为什么朱利安想要看地图。鲁夫先生继续坐在那儿读书。
　　“地图上展示了荒原下面的铁路，对吗？”朱利安说。鲁夫先生听见了，点了点头说：“是的，有很多条铁路。我想在荒原下面挖掘隧道，比在山丘上建造铁路线要容易。无论如何，如果把铁路建在荒原上面，在冬天它们很可能会被冰雪覆盖。”
　　男孩们低下头看着地图。地下铁路是用虚线画的，而地面上的铁路是用又长又黑的线画的。
　　他们发现了自己所在的具体位置。然后朱利安的手指往地图下面滑了一下，停了下来，指着一小段线，而那段隧道就在一段虚线尽头。
　　他看着迪克，迪克点了点头。是的，那就是隧道的所在地，“幽灵火车”就是从那里出来的，还有通往废弃调车场的线路。朱利安的手指从调车场滑到隧道，那是虚线开始的地方。他的手指沿着虚线游走，直到它们变成了实线。那辆火车就在那里去了另外一个山谷！
　　然后朱利安的手指滑向了那条隧道的路线，它从调车场开始，然后跟另外一条隧道连在一起，在一定距离后，又跟一座山谷连在一起。男孩们静静地看了看彼此。
　　鲁夫先生突然发现了一只白天活动的飞蛾，起身追它去了。男孩们抓住了机会，讨论了起来。
　　“幽灵火车要么穿过隧道去远方的山谷——要么在这条岔路转弯，跑向另外一个山谷。”朱利安低声说，“我来说说我们该怎么做，迪克。我们让鲁夫先生送我们到最近的城镇去买东西，然后我们溜到附近的火车站，看看能否问问那两条隧道的事。我们可能会发现些什么。”
　　“好主意，”迪克说，这时鲁夫先生回来了，“先生，您今天忙吗？晚饭后您能带我们去最近的小镇上买东西吗？”
　　“当然，没问题。”鲁夫先生和蔼可亲地说。男孩们高兴地彼此对视。他们可能会发现些什么！但是他们不愿意带乔治一起去。他们要把她留下，惩罚她的坏脾气！
Chapter 13 A THRILLING PLAN
　　Chapter 13 A THRILLING PLAN
　　Anne called them to dinner. 'Come along!' she cried. I've got it all ready. Tell Mr. Luffy there'splenty for him, too.'
　　Mr. Luffy came along willingly. He thought Anne was a marvellous camp-housekeeper. Helooked approvingly at the spread set out on a white cloth on the ground.
　　'Hm! Salad. Hard-boiled eggs. Slices of ham. And what's this - apple-pie! My goodness! Don'ttell me you cooked that here, Anne.'
　　Anne laughed. 'No. All this came from the farm, of course. Except the lime juice and water.'
　　George ate with the others, but said hardly a word. She was brooding over her wrongs, and Mr.
　　Luffy looked at her several times, puzzled.
　　'Are you quite well, George?' he said, suddenly. George went red.
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　　'Yes, thank you,' she said, and tried to be more herself, though she couldn't raise a smile at all.
　　Mr. Luffy watched her, and was relieved to see that she ate as much as the others. Probably hadsome sort of row, he guessed correctly. Well, it would blow over! He knew better than tointerfere.
　　They finished lunch and drank all the lime juice. It was a hot day and they were very thirstyindeed. Timmy emptied all his dish of water and went and gazed longingly into the canvasbucket of washing-water. But he was too well-behaved to drink it, now that he knew he mustn't.
　　Anne laughed, and poured some more water into his dish.
　　'Well,' said Mr. Luffy, beginning to fill his old brown pipe, 'if anyone wants to come into townwith me this afternoon, I'll be starting in fifteen minutes.'
　　'I'll come!' said Anne, at once. 'It won't take George and me long to wash-up these things. Willyou come too, George?'
　　'No,' said George, and the boys heaved a sigh of relief. They had guessed she wouldn't want tocome with them - but, if she'd know what they were going to try and find out, she would havecome all right!
　　'I'm going for a walk with Timmy,' said George, when all the washing-up had been done.
　　'All right,' said Anne, who secretly thought that George would be much better left on her own towork off her ill-feelings that afternoon. 'See you later.'
　　George and Timmy set off. The others went with Mr. Luffy to where his car was parked besidethe great rock. They got in.
　　'Hi! The trailer's fastened to it,' called Julian. 'Wait a bit. Let me get out and undo it. We don'twant to take an empty trailer bumping along behind us for miles.'
　　'Dear me. I always forget to undo the trailer,' said Mr. Luffy, vexed. 'The times I take it alongwithout meaning to!'
　　The children winked at one another. Dear old Luffy! He was always doing things like that. Nowonder his wife fussed round him like an old hen with one foolish chicken when he was athome.
　　They went off in the car, jolting over the rough road till they came to the smooth highway. Theystopped in the centre of the town. Mr. Luffy said he would meet them for tea at five o'clock atthe hotel opposite the parking-place.
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　　The three of them set off together, leaving Mr. Luffy to go to the library and browse there. Itseemed funny to be without George. Anne didn't much like it, and said so.
　　'Well, we don't like going off without George either,' said Julian. 'But honestly, she can't behavelike that and get away with it. I thought she'd grown out of that sort of thing.'
　　'Well, you know how she adores an adventure,' said Anne. 'Oh dear - if I hadn't felt so scaredyou'd have taken me along, and George would have gone too. It's quite true what she said aboutme being a coward.'
　　'You're not,' said Dick. 'You can't help being scared of things sometimes - after all, you're theyoungest of us - but being scared doesn't make you a coward. I've known you to be as brave asany of us when you've been scared stiff!'
　　'Where are we going?' asked Anne. The boys told her, and her eyes sparkled.
　　'Oh - are we going to find out where the spook-train comes from? It might come from one of twovalleys then, judging from the map.'
　　'Yes. The tunnels aren't really very long ones,' said Julian. 'Not more than a mile, I should think.
　　We thought we'd make some inquiries at the station and see if there's anyone who knowsanything about the old railway yard and the tunnel beyond. We shan't say a word about thespook-train of course.'
　　They walked into the station. They went up to a railway plan and studied it. It didn't tell themmuch. Julian turned to a young porter who was wheeling some luggage along.
　　'I say! Could you help us? We're camping up on the moorlands, and we're quite near a desertedrailway yard with lines that run into an old tunnel. Why isn't the yard used any more?'
　　'Don't know,' said the boy. 'You should ask old Tucky there - see him? He knows all the tunnelsunder the moors like the back of his hand. Worked in them all when he was a boy.'
　　'Thanks,' said Dick, pleased. They went over to where an old whiskered porter was sitting in thesun, enjoying a rest till the next train came in.
　　'Excuse me,' said Julian politely. 'I've been told that you know all about the moorland tunnels likethe back of your hand. They must be very, very interesting.'
　　'My father and my grandfather built those tunnels,' said the old porter, looking up at the childrenout of small faded eyes that watered in the strong sunlight. 'And I've been guard on all the trainsthat ran through them.'
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　　He mumbled a long string of names, going through all the list of tunnels in his mind. Thechildren waited patiently till he had finished.
　　There's a tunnel near where we're camping on the moorlands,' said Julian, getting a word in atlast. 'We're not far from Olly's Farm. We came across an old deserted railway yard, with linesthat led into a tunnel. Do you know it?'
　　'Oh yes, that's an old tunnel,' said Tucky, nodding his grey head, on which his porter's cap sat allcrooked. 'Hasn't been used for many a long year. Nor the yard either. Wasn't enough traffic there,far as I remember. They shut up the yard. Tunnel isn't used any more.'
　　The boys exchanged glances. So it wasn't used any more! Well, they knew better.
　　'The tunnel joins another, doesn't it?' said Julian.
　　The porter, pleased at their interest in the old tunnels he knew so well, got up and went into anoffice behind. He came out with a dirty, much-used map, which he spread out on his knee. Hisblack finger-nail pointed to a mark on the map.
　　That's the yard, see? It was called O'lly's Yard, after the farm. There're the lines to the tunnel.
　　Here's the tunnel. It runs right through to Kilty Vale - there it is. And here's where it used to jointhe tunnel to Roker's Vale. But that was bricked up years ago. Something happened there - theroof fell in, I think it was - and the company decided not to use the tunnel to Roker's Vale at all.'
　　The children listened with the utmost interest. Julian reasoned things out in his mind. If thatspook-train came from anywhere then it must come from Kilty Vale, because that was the onlyplace the lines went to now, since the way to Roker's Vale had been bricked up where the tunnelsjoined.
　　'I suppose no trains run through the tunnel from Kilty Vale to Olly's Yard now, then?' he said.
　　Tucky snorted. 'Didn't I tell you it hasn't been used for years? The yard at Kilty Vale's beenturned into something else, though the lines are still there. There's been no engine through thattunnel since I was a young man.'
　　This was all very, very interesting. Julian thanked old Tucky so profusely that he wanted to tellthe children everything all over again. He even gave them the old map.
　　'Oh, thanks,' said Julian, delighted to have it. He looked at the others. 'This'll be jolly useful!' hesaid, and they nodded.
　　They left the pleased old man and went out into the town. They found a little park and sat downon a seat.
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　　They were longing to discuss all that Tucky had told them.
　　'It's jolly strange,' said Dick. 'No trains run there now - the tunnel's not been used for ages - andOlly's Yard must have been derelict for years.'
　　'And yet, there appear to be trains that come and go!' said Julian.
　　'Then, they must be spook-trains,' said Anne, her eyes wide and puzzled. 'Julian, they must be,mustn't they?'
　　'Looks like it,' said Julian. 'It's most mysterious. I can't understand it.'
　　'Ju,' said Dick, suddenly. 'I know what we'll do! We'll wait one night again till we see the spook-train come out of the tunnel to the yard. Then one of us can sprint off to the other end of thetunnel - it's only about a mile long - and wait for it to come out the other side! Then we'll find outwhy a train still runs from Kilty Vale to Olly's Yard through that old tunnel.'
　　'Jolly good idea,' said Julian, thrilled. 'What about tonight? If Jock comes, he can go, too. If hedoesn't, just you and I will go. Not George.'
　　They all felt excited. Anne wondered if she would be brave enough to go too, but she knew thatwhen the night came she wouldn't feel half as brave as she did now! No, she wouldn't go. Therewas really no need for her to join in this adventure at present. It hadn't even turned out to be aproper one yet - it was only an unsolved mystery!
　　George hadn't come back from her walk when they reached the camp. They waited for her, andat last she appeared with Timmy, looking tired out.
　　'Sorry I was an ass this morning,' she said at once. 'I've walked my temper off! Don't know whatcame over me.'
　　'That's all right,' said Julian amiably. 'Forget it.'
　　They were all very glad that George had recovered her temper, for she was a very prickly personindeed when she was angry. She was rather subdued and said nothing at all about spook-trains ortunnels. So they said nothing either.
　　The night was fine and clear. Stars shone out brilliantly again in the sky. The children said goodnight to Mr. Luffy at ten o'clock and got into their sleeping-bags. Julian and Dick did not meanto go exploring till midnight, so they lay and talked quietly.
　　About eleven o'clock they heard somebody moving cautiously outside. They wondered if it wasJock, but he did not call out to them. Who could it be?
　　69
　　Then Julian saw a familiar head outlined against the starlit sky. It was George. But what in theworld was she doing? He couldn't make it out at all. Whatever it was, she wasn't making anynoise over it, and she obviously thought the boys were asleep. Julian gave a nice little snore ortwo just to let her go on thinking so.
　　At last she disappeared. Julian waited a few minutes and then put his head cautiously out of thetent opening. He felt about, and his fingers brushed against some string. He grinned to himselfand got back into the tent.
　　'I've found out what George was doing," he whispered. 'She's put string across the entrance ofour tent, and I bet it runs to her tent and she's tied it to her big toe or something, so that if we goout without her she'll feel the pull of the string when we go through it and wake up and followus!'
　　'Good old George,' chuckled Dick. 'Well, she'll be unlucky. We'll squeeze out under the sides ofthe tent!' Which was what they did do at about a minute past twelve! They didn't disturbGeorge's string at all.
　　They were out on the heather and away down the slope while George was sleeping soundly inher tent beside Anne, waiting for the pull on her toe which didn't come. Poor George!
　　The boys arrived at the deserted railway yard and looked to see if Wooden-Leg Sam's candle wasalight. It was. So the spook-train hadn't come along that night, yet.
　　They were just scrambling down to the yard when they heard the train coming. There was thesame rumbling noise as before, muffled by the tunnel - and then out of the tunnel, again with nolamps, came the spook-train, clanking on its way to the yard!
　　'Quick, Dick! You sprint off to the tunnel opening and watch for the train to go back in again.
　　And I'll find my way across the moor to the other end of the tunnel. There was a path marked onthat old map, and I'll follow that!' Julian's words tumbled over each other in his excitement. I'lljolly well watch for the spook-train to complete its journey, and see if it vanishes into thin air orwhat!'
　　And off he went to find the path that led over the moors to the other end of the tunnel. He meantto see what happened at the other end if he had to run all the way!
13.四处打探
　　四处打探
　　“过来吧！”安妮叫小伙伴吃饭，她喊道，“我做好饭啦。告诉鲁夫先生也有他的份儿。”
　　鲁夫先生欣然地过来了。他认为安妮是个一流的露营地管家。
　　他赞许地看着那些面包和果酱，摆放在白色野餐布上。
　　“嗯！沙拉、水煮蛋、火腿片。还有这个——苹果派！我的天哪！别告诉我这些都是你做的。”
　　安妮哈哈大笑：“不，这全部都是从农场拿过来的，当然。除了酸橙汁和溪水。”
　　乔治跟其他人一起过来吃饭，但一句话也没说。她还在郁闷地想着自己做错的事，鲁夫先生看了她几眼，感到很困惑。
　　“你还好吗，乔治？”他突然说道。乔治的脸一下子红了。
　　“还好，谢谢您。”她说。她努力表现得正常一点，但她根本笑不出来。鲁夫先生看她吃得跟其他人一样多，对此感到慰藉。很有可能是吵架了，他猜想，孩子们之间的小打小闹会平息的！他是个理智的长辈，不会去干涉他们。
　　大家吃完了晚饭，喝完了酸橙汁。这是个炎热的日子，他们都非常渴。蒂米喝完了它盘子里的水，渴望地盯着帆布桶里的洗碗水。但是它克制住了，知道自己不能去喝。安妮看见蒂米的窘态哈哈大笑，提来水桶慷慨地在它的盘子里倒了些水。
　　“好了，”鲁夫先生开始往他的棕色旧烟斗里装烟丝，“有人想下午跟我一起去镇上吗？我15分钟后出发。”
　　“我要去！”安妮立刻说道，“我和乔治洗刷餐具，不会花很长时间的。你想去吗，乔治？”
　　“不。”乔治的回答让男孩们如释重负。他们猜到她不会愿意跟他们一起去。但是，如果她知道了他们要去为冒险做准备，她还是会去的！
　　“我要跟蒂米去散步。”洗完碗碟之后，乔治说。
　　“好的。”安妮说。她心里想，下午还是让乔治独处一会儿，消化一下坏情绪比较好，“那晚上见！”
　　乔治和蒂米一起离开了。其他人跟鲁夫先生去了那块大石头旁边，那是他停车的地方。他们上了车。
　　“嘿！拖车还接在后面呢，”朱利安喊道，“等一会儿。我出去把它解开。我们不用拖着一辆空拖车跑几十英里。”
　　“噢，我总是忘记解掉拖车，”鲁夫先生苦恼地说，“好多次我无意中把它也带走了！”
　　孩子们彼此眨着眼。鲁夫老师总是做那样的事，难怪在家里，他妻子总是为他操心，就像老母鸡关心一只傻乎乎的小鸡一样。
　　他们坐车出发了，在崎岖不平的路面上颠簸，一直到平滑的高速公路上才好了些。他们把车停在了城镇中心。鲁夫先生说，五点钟的时候，他会在停车地点对面的宾馆跟他们喝茶。
　　三个孩子一起出发了，鲁夫先生留在图书馆看书。没有乔治的感觉很奇怪，安妮不太喜欢这样。
　　“嗯，我们也不喜欢没有乔治一起行动，”朱利安说，“但是老实说，她那样的坏毛病，不能不受惩罚。她也该长大了，不能再闹脾气了。”
　　“不过，你知道她有多爱探险吗？”安妮说，“唉——如果我不是那么害怕，你们就能带我去了，乔治也就可以去了。她说我是胆小鬼，这确实是真话。”
　　“你不是胆小鬼，”迪克说，“有时候人们总会情不自禁地害怕一些事物，你又是我们中最小的，但是害怕不代表你是胆小鬼。我知道你就算在吓呆的时候，也会像我们中任何一个一样勇敢！”
　　“好吧，那我们现在要去哪儿？”安妮问。男孩们把计划告诉了安妮，她听完眼睛一下子亮了。
　　“啊哈，我们要去探索幽灵火车来自哪里，对吗？根据地图可以判断，它可能来自那两个山谷中的一个。”
　　“是的。那些隧道并不长，”朱利安说，“我觉得不超过一英里。
　　我们得在火车站询问一下，看看有没有人知道那个老调车场，以及远方的那条隧道。当然，我们会对幽灵火车只字不提。”
　　孩子们走进了火车站。他们走到一张铁路规划图前研究了片刻，但是并没有得到太多有用的信息。朱利安转身看见一个年轻的搬运工，他正在用手推车推行李。
　　“您好！您能帮帮我们吗？我们在这片荒原上露营，离一个废弃的调车场相当近，那里有铁路延伸到一条老隧道里。您知道那个调车场为什么被废弃了吗？”
　　“不知道，”那个男孩说，“你应该问问那边那个老塔克，看见他了吗？他对那片荒原附近的所有隧道都了如指掌。他年轻的时候，在那里所有的隧道都工作过。”
　　“谢谢。”迪克欣喜地说。他们朝那位留着络腮胡子的搬运工那里走去，他正坐在那里晒太阳，在下一列火车到来之前，享受休息时光。
　　“打扰一下。”朱利安礼貌地说，“我得知您对这片荒原所有的隧道都了如指掌，那一定非常、非常有趣。”
　　“是的，我父亲以及祖父建立了那些隧道。”那位老搬运工塔克说。他暗淡的小眼睛在强烈的阳光下噙着泪水，“我一直在看守穿过隧道的火车。”
　　他咕哝了一长串所有隧道的名字，孩子们耐心地等他念完。
　　“我们在荒原上露营，那儿附近有条隧道，”朱利安终于插进去一句话，“那儿离奥利农场不远，有一座废弃的老调车场，有铁路通往一条隧道。您知道吗？”
　　“哦，是的，那是条老隧道。”塔克点了点头说道。他头发花白，头上的搬运工帽子都戴歪了，“已经有许多年没用过了。那个调车场也是。我记得那里客流量不够，他们关闭了那个调车场，隧道也废弃了。”
　　男孩们交换了一下眼神，果然已经弃用了！这些他们早就知道。
　　“这条隧道和另一条是连在一起的吗？”朱利安说。
　　老塔克对这些老隧道非常熟悉，他看到孩子们兴趣盎然的样子，自己也来了兴致。他起身进入后面的一间办公室，拿着一张又脏又旧的地图出来了，把它摊开在膝盖上。他黑色的指甲指着地图上的一个记号。
　　“那就是你们说的老调车场，看到了吗？它叫作奥利调车场，是以奥利农场的名字命名的。这些铁路是通往隧道的——这个就是隧道——它直接通往基蒂山谷——就在那里，这里是它曾经通往的隧道——罗克山谷。但是很多年前罗克山谷隧道就用砖墙封死了。因为那里发生过塌方事故，我觉得就因为这个，公司才决定弃用这条隧道。”
　　孩子们极感兴趣地聆听着。朱利安把事情想通了。如果幽灵火车来自一个地方，那一定是基蒂山谷，那是现在铁路唯一通车的地方，因为去往罗克山谷的路已经在隧道连接处被封死了。
　　“我想，现在已经没有火车从基蒂山谷去奥利调车场了，是吗？”朱利安问道。
　　塔克“哼”了一声：“我不是告诉你它很多年前就弃用了吗？基蒂调车场被改成了其他东西，尽管铁路线还在那儿。自从我年轻时起，就没有火车去那里了。”
　　这些信息都非常有趣，朱利安向塔克一再道谢。老塔克给孩子们讲了他知道的所有事情，甚至把那张旧地图也送给了他们。
　　“太谢谢了！”朱利安拿到地图，感到很开心。他看着其他人说，“这地图会非常有用的！”另外两个孩子激动地点了点头。
　　孩子们心满意足地离开了，回到了镇上。他们找到一个小公园，坐在了椅子上，准备讨论塔克所说的一切。
　　“太奇怪了。”迪克说，“现在火车不往那里去了，那条隧道也废弃很多年了，奥利调车场也废弃很多年了。”
　　“然而，那地方还是有火车来来往往！”朱利安说。
　　“那么，它们一定是幽灵火车？”安妮睁大了眼睛，一脸困惑，“朱利安，它们一定是，对吗？”
　　“看起来确实是的，”朱利安说，“这太离奇了，我反正无法理解。”
　　“朱利安，”迪克突然说，“我知道我们该做什么了！我们等到夜里再去一次，直到看见幽灵火车从隧道里出来，到调车场去。然后我们其中一个人可以冲到隧道的另一端——反正也就一英里长——等它从另一端出来！然后我们就会发现，为什么有火车还会从基蒂山谷出发，穿过那条老隧道去往奥利调车场。”
　　“非常好的主意，”朱利安激动地说，“今晚怎么样？如果乔克来的话，他也可以去。如果他不来，就我们两个去，没有乔治的事。”
　　他们都很激动。安妮想知道自己是否足够勇敢，也可以去，但是她知道当夜幕降临的时候，她的勇气不会有现在的一半！算了，她不想去了。现在她没有必要加入这次探险，而且目前还不算一次探险，只不过是个未解决的谜团！
　　当他们回来的时候，乔治散步还没回来。他们等了好久，终于，乔治和蒂米一起回来了，看起来精疲力竭的样子。
　　“对不起，今天早上我就是个混蛋，”她看见大家就立刻道歉，“我散了步就不生气了，我也不知道自己是怎么了。”
　　“没关系，”朱利安亲切地说，“忘了它吧。”
　　乔治不再生气了，他们都很高兴，因为她生气的时候极易动怒，实在是难看。她这会儿沉默寡言，对幽灵火车和隧道只字不提。所以他们也什么都没说。
　　夜空万里无云，群星璀璨。在十点的时候，孩子们对鲁夫先生说了晚安，钻进了睡袋。朱利安和迪克打算半夜再去探险，所以他们躺下小声说话。
　　大约在11点的时候，他们听到有人在外面小心翼翼地移动着。
　　是不是乔克？但是他没有来叫他们，会是谁呢？
　　然后，朱利安逆着星光看到了一个熟悉的脑袋，是乔治！但是她又在做什么呢？朱利安无法理解。不管她想做什么，她没有发出任何响动，很明显她以为男孩们都睡着了。朱利安发出了一两声逼真的鼾声，好让她继续那么认为。
　　最后，她不见了。朱利安等了几分钟，然后小心地把头伸出了帐篷外。他四处摸索，手指碰到了一条线，他暗自咧嘴而笑，回到了帐篷里。
　　“我知道乔治在干什么了，”他低声对迪克说，“她在我们帐篷门口横系了一根线，我敢说那根线一定延伸到她的帐篷里，她把它系到了自己的大脚趾上或者什么地方。如果我们不带她去，当我们出帐篷的时候，她能感受到线绳的拉力，然后马上醒来，去跟踪我们！”
　　“好个乔治，”迪克暗笑了一声，“不过运气不好，被我们发现了。我们会从线上跨出去！”
　　大概在12点的时候，他们确实是这么做的！朱安利和迪克一点也没碰到乔治的线绳。
　　他们走到了石南丛上，下了山坡。这时乔治正在帐篷里，在安妮身边熟睡，迟迟也没感觉到大脚趾上线绳的拉力，可怜的乔治，机关失败了！
　　男孩们来到了那个废弃的调车场，他们四处观察，看看木腿山姆的蜡烛是否亮着。蜡烛还亮着，所以幽灵火车还没来过。
　　当男孩们爬下山坡去调车场的时候，听到了火车驶来的声音。
　　这是跟以前一样的轰隆声，因为隧道的关系，声音模糊不清。然后幽灵火车再次从隧道里出来，没有灯，一路上叮叮当当地响着，开往调车场！
　　“快，迪克！你跑到隧道出口，等候火车再次回去。我穿过荒原，去隧道的另一端。那张老地图上标出了一条小路，我沿着它走！”朱利安激动得连说话也结巴了，“我会好好等幽灵火车完成它的旅程，看它是凭空消失还是怎样！”
　　说完，然后他就去找那条小路了，以便穿过荒原到隧道的另一端。他打算看看另一端会发生什么，于是一路狂奔过去！
Chapter 14 JOCK COMES TO CAMP
　　Chapter 14 JOCK COMES TO CAMP
　　Julian found the path quite by chance and went along it as fast as he could. He used his torch, forhe did not think he would meet anyone out on such a lonely way at that time of night. The pathwas very much overgrown, but he could follow it fairly easily, even running at times.
　　'If that spook-train stops about twenty minutes in the yard again, as it did before, it will give mejust about time to reach the other end of the tunnel,' panted Julian. I'll be at Kilty's Yard before itcomes.'
　　It seemed a very long way. But at last the path led downwards, and some way below him Juliancould see what might be a railway yard. Then he saw that big sheds were built there - or whatlooked like big sheds in the starlight.
　　He remembered what the old porter had said. Kilty's Yard was used for something else now -maybe the lines had been taken up. Maybe even the tunnel had been stopped up, too. He slippedquickly down the path and came into what had once been the old railway yard. Big buildingsloomed up on every side. Julian thought they must be workshops of some kind. He switched historch on and off very quickly, but the short flash had shown him what he was looking for - twopairs of railway lines. They were old and rusty, but he knew they must lead to the tunnel.
　　He followed them closely, right up to the black mouth of the dark tunnel. He couldn't see insideat all. He switched his torch on and off quickly. Yes - the lines led right inside the tunnel. Julianstopped and wondered what to do.
　　'I'll sneak into the tunnel a little way and see if it's bricked up anywhere,' he thought. So in hewent, walking between one pair of lines. He put on his torch, certain that no one would see itslight and challenge him to say what he was doing out so late at night.
　　The tunnel stretched before him, a great yawning hole, disappearing into deep blackness. It wascertainly not bricked up. Julian saw a little niche in the brickwork of the tunnel and decided tocrouch in it. It was one of the niches made for workmen to stand in when trains went by in theold days.
　　Julian crouched down in the dirty old niche and waited. He glanced at the luminous face of hiswatch. He had been twenty minutes getting here. Maybe the train would be along in a fewminutes. He would be very, very close to it! Julian couldn't help wishing that Dick was with him.
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　　It was so eerie waiting there in the dark for a mysterious train that apparently belonged to no oneand came and went from nowhere to nowhere!
　　He waited and he waited. Once he thought he heard a rumble far away down the tunnel, and heheld his breath, feeling certain that the train was coming. But it didn't come. Julian waited forhalf an hour and still the train had not appeared. What had happened to it?
　　'I'll wait another ten minutes and then I'm going,' Julian decided. I've had about enough of hidingin a dark, dirty tunnel waiting for a train that doesn't come! Maybe it has decided to stay in Olly'sYard for the night.'
　　After ten minutes he gave it up. He left the tunnel, went into Kilty's Yard and then up the path tothe moors. He hurried along it, eager to see if Dick was at the other end of the tunnel. Surely hewould wait there till Julian came back!
　　Dick was there, tired and impatient. When he saw a quick flash from Julian's torch he answeredit with his own. The two boys joined company thankfully.
　　'You have been ages!' said Dick, reproachfully. 'What happened? The spook-train went back intothe tunnel ages and ages ago. It only stayed about twenty minutes in the yard again.'
　　'Went back into the tunnel!' exclaimed Julian. 'Did it really? Well, it never came out the otherside! I waited for ages. I never even heard it - though I did hear a very faint rumble once, orthought I did.'
　　The boys fell silent, puzzled and mystified. What sort of a train was this that puffed out of atunnel at dead of night, and went back again, but didn't appear out of the other end?
　　'I suppose the entrance to that second tunnel the porter told us about is really bricked up?' saidJulian at last. 'If it wasn't, the train could go down there, of course.'
　　'Yes. That's the only solution, if the train's a real one and not a spook one,' agreed Dick. 'Well,we can't go exploring the tunnels now - let's wait and do it in the daytime. I've had enoughtonight!'
　　Julian had had enough too. In silence the two boys went back to camp. They quite forgot thestring in front of their tent, and scrambled right through it. They got into the sleeping-bagsthankfully.
　　The string, fastened to George's big toe through a hole she had cut in her sleeping-bag, pulledhard, and George woke up with a jump. Timmy was awake, having heard the boys come back.
　　He licked George when she sat up.
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　　George had not undressed properly. She slipped quickly out of her bag and crawled out of hertent. Now she would catch the two boys going off secretly and follow them!
　　But there was no sign or sound of them anywhere around. She crawled silently to their tent. Bothboys had fallen asleep immediately, tired out with their midnight trip. Julian snored a little, andDick breathed so deeply that George could quite well hear him as she crouched outside,listening. She was very puzzled. Someone had pulled at her toe - so somebody must havescrambled through that string. After listening for a few minutes, she gave it up and went back toher tent.
　　In the morning, George was furious! Julian and Dick related their night's adventure, and Georgecould hardly believe that once again they had gone without her - and that they had managed toget away without disturbing the string! Dick saw George's face and couldn't help laughing.
　　'Sorry, old thing. We discovered your little trick and avoided it when we set out - but typically,we forgot all about it coming back. We must have given your toe a frightful tug. Did we? Isuppose you did tie the other end of the string to your toe?'
　　George looked as if she could throw all the breakfast things at him. Fortunately for everyone,Jock arrived at that moment. He didn't wear his usual beaming smile but seemed rather subdued.
　　'Hallo, Jock!' said Julian. 'Just in time for a spot of breakfast. Sit down and join us.'
　　'I can't,' said Jock. 'I've only a few minutes. Listen. Isn't it rotten - I'm to go away and stay withmy stepfather's sister for two weeks! Two weeks! You'll be gone when I come back, won't you?'
　　'Yes. But, Jock, why have you got to go away?' said Dick, surprised. 'Has there been a row orsomething?'
　　'I don't know,' said Jock. 'Mum won't say, but she looks pretty miserable. My stepfather's in afrightful temper. It's my opinion they want me out of the way for some reason. I don't know thissister of my stepfather's very well - only met her once - but she's pretty awful.'
　　'Well, come over here and stay with us, if they want to get rid of you,' said Julian, sorry for Jock.
　　Jock's face brightened.
　　'I say, that's a fine idea!' he said.
　　'Smashing,' agreed Dick. 'Well, I don't see what's to stop you. If they want to get rid of you, itcan't matter where you go for a fortnight. We'd love to have you.'
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　　'Right. I'll come,' said Jock. 'I'll not say a word about it, though, to my stepfather. I'll let Muminto the secret. She was going to take me away today, but I'll just tell her I'm coming to youinstead. I don't think she'll split on me, and I hope she'll square things with my step-aunt.'
　　Jock's face beamed again now. The others beamed back, even George, and Timmy wagged histail. It would be nice to have Jock - and what a lot they had to tell him.
　　He went off to break the news to his mother, while the others washed up and cleared thingsaway. George became sulky again when Jock was gone. She simply could not or would notrealise that Julian meant what he said!
　　When they began to discuss everything that had happened the night before, George refused tolisten. 'I'm not going to bother about your stupid spook-trains any more,' she said. 'You wouldn'tlet me join you when I wanted to, and now I shan't take any interest in the matter.'
　　And she walked off with Timmy, not saying where she was going.
　　'Well, let her go,' said Julian, exasperated and cross. 'What does she expect me to do? Climbdown and say we'll let her come the next night we go?'
　　'We said we'd go in the daytime,' said Dick. 'She could come then, because if Anne doesn't wantto come it won't matter leaving her here alone in the daytime.'
　　'You're right,' said Julian. 'Let's call her back and tell her.' But by that time George was out ofhearing.
　　'She's taken sandwiches,' said Anne. 'She means to be gone all day. Isn't she an idiot?'
　　Jock came back after a time, with two rugs and an extra jersey and more food. 'I had hard workto persuade Mum,' he said. 'But she said yes at last. Though mind you, I'd have come anyhow!
　　I'm not going to be shoved about by my stepfather just out of spite. I say - isn't this great! I neverthought I'd be camping out with you. If there isn't room in your tent for me, Julian, I can sleepout on the heather.'
　　'There'll be room,' said Julian. 'Hallo, Mr. Luffy! You've been out early!'
　　Mr. Luffy came up and glanced at Jock. 'Ah, is this your friend from the farm? How do you do?
　　Come to spend a few days with us? I see you have an armful of rugs!'
　　'Yes. Jock's coming to camp a bit with us,' said Julian. 'Look at all the food he's brought. Enoughto stand a siege!'
　　'It is indeed,' said Mr. Luffy. 'Well, I'm going to go through some of my specimens this morning.
　　What are you going to do?'
　　74
　　'Oh, mess about till lunchtime,' said Julian. 'Then we might go for a walk.'
　　Mr. Luffy went back to his tent and they could hear him whistling softly as he set to work.
　　Suddenly Jock sat up straight and looked alarmed.
　　'What's the matter?' asked Dick. Then he heard what Jock had heard. A shrill whistle blownloudly by somebody some way off.
　　'That's my stepfather's whistle,' said Jock. 'He's whistling for me. Mum must have told him, orelse he's found out I've come over here.'
　　'Quick - let's scoot away and hide,' said Anne. 'If you're not here he can't take you back! Comeon! Maybe he'll get tired of looking for you, and go.'
　　Nobody could think of a better idea, and certainly nobody wanted to face a furious Mr. Andrews.
　　All four shot down the slope and made their way to where the heather was high and thick. Theyburrowed into it and lay still, hidden by some high bracken.
　　Mr. Andrews's voice could soon be heard, shouting for Jock, but no Jock appeared. Mr. Andrewscame out by Mr. Luffy's tent. Mr. Luffy, surprised at the shouting, put his head out of his tent tosee what it was all about. He didn't like the look of Mr. Andrews at all.
　　'Where's Jock?' Mr. Andrews demanded, scowling at him.
　　'I really do not know,' said Mr. Luffy.
　　'He's got to come back,' said Mr. Andrews, roughly. 'I won't have him hanging about here withthose kids.'
　　'What's wrong with them?' inquired Mr. Luffy. 'I must say I find them very well-behaved andpleasant-mannered.'
　　Mr. Andrews stared at Mr. Luffy, and put him down as a silly, harmless old fellow who wouldprobably help him to get Jock back if he went about it the right way.
　　'Now look here,' said Mr. Andrews. 'I don't know who you are, but you must be a friend of thechildren's. And if so, then I'd better warn you they're running into danger. See?'
　　'Really? In what way?' asked Mr. Luffy, mildly and disbelievingly.
　　'Well, there's bad and dangerous places about these moorlands,' said Mr. Andrews. 'Very bad. Iknow them. And those children have been messing about in them. See? And if Jock comes here,he'll start messing about too, and I don't want him to get into any danger. It would break hismother's heart.'
　　'Quite,' said Mr. Luffy.
　　75
　　'Well, will you talk to him and send him back?' said Mr. Andrews. 'That railway yard now - that'sa most dangerous place. And folks do say that there're spook-trains there. I wouldn't want Jock tobe mixed up in anything of that sort.'
　　'Quite,' said Mr. Luffy again, looking closely at Mr. Andrews. 'You seem very concerned aboutthis - er -railway yard.'
　　'Me? Oh, no,' said Mr. Andrews. 'Never been near the horrible place. I wouldn't want to seespook-trains - make me run a mile! It's just that I don't want Jock to get into danger. I'd be mostobliged if you'd talk to him and send him home, when they all come back from wherever theyare.'
　　'Quite,' said Mr. Luffy again, most irritatingly. Mr. Andrews gazed at Mr. Luffy's bland face andsuddenly wished he could smack it. 'Quite, quite, quite!' Gr-r-r-r-r-r-r!
　　He turned and went away. When he had gone for some time, and was a small speck in thedistance, Mr. Luffy called loudly.
　　'He's gone! Please send Jock here so that I can - er -address a few words to him.'
　　Four children appeared from their heathery hiding-place. Jock went over to Mr. Luffy, lookingmutinous.
　　'I just wanted to say,' said Mr. Luffy, 'that I quite understand why you want to be away from yourstepfather, and that I consider it's no business of mine where you go in order to get away fromhim!'
　　Jock grinned. 'Oh, thanks awfully,' he said. 'I thought you were going to send me back!' Herushed over to the others. 'It's all right,' he said. 'I'm going to stay, and, I say - what about goingand exploring down that tunnel after lunch? We might find that spook-train then!'
　　'Good idea!' said Julian. 'We will! Poor old George - she'll miss that little adventure too!'
14.乔克躲在露营地
　　乔克躲在露营地
　　朱利安相当偶然地找到了那条小路，飞快地沿着路跑过去了。
　　他打开了手电筒，在大半夜走在这条偏僻的小路上，他不用担心碰到任何人。那条小路蔓草丛生，但他仍能相当容易地沿着它走，有时甚至小跑两步。
　　“如果那辆幽灵火车像往常一样，在调车场停留20分钟，我就差不多有足够的时间，可以跑到隧道另一头，”朱利安气喘吁吁地边跑边想，“在它到达之前，我就能先到基蒂调车场。”
　　那似乎是很长的一条路。但是最终那条路向下延伸了，在下面一定距离之外，朱利安能看见像是调车场的地方。然后他看到了那里的大棚屋，或者是在星光下，看着像大棚屋的东西。
　　他想起了那位老搬运工说过的话。基蒂调车场已经被改成别的东西了，也许铁路线也被占用了，甚至连隧道也被堵上了。他快速溜到小路上，进入了曾经是调车场的地方。高大的建筑物在四周隐约可见，朱利安认为它们一定是某种工厂。他快速地打开、关闭自己的手电筒，在那短暂的片刻闪光间隙，他找到了想找的东西——两条铁轨。它们老旧又锈迹斑斑，但他确信它们一定是通往隧道的。
　　他紧贴着铁轨行走，一直走到黑暗的隧道洞口。他看不见里面的任何东西，于是再次快速地打开、关闭手电筒。是的——铁轨直通到隧道里面。朱利安停下了脚步，思考该做什么。
　　“我会溜进隧道，走一段路，看看它是否在哪里被封死了。”他想着走进了隧道，走在两条铁轨中间。他打开了手电筒，确信没人会看见这光。
　　隧道在他面前延伸，像一张打哈欠的大嘴，“嘴”里的一切消失在漆黑之中。毫无疑问，它没有被封死。朱利安看到隧道的砖墙上有个小壁龛，便决定蹲在里面。那壁龛是过去当火车经过的时候，给工人建立的站脚处。
　　朱利安蹲在又脏又旧的壁龛里等待着。他看了一眼手表的发光表盘，他来这儿已经花了20分钟。也许火车再过几分钟就来了。他会离它非常非常近！朱利安不禁希望迪克这会儿跟他在一起。在黑暗中等待这么一辆神秘的火车，这感觉真是很可怕，这列火车不属于任何人，谁也不知道它何去何从！
　　朱利安等啊等啊。有一次，他觉得他听到了远处隧道里的轰隆声响，他屏住了呼吸，以为那辆火车要来了，但是它并没有来。朱利安又等了半个小时，火车依然没有出现。到底发生了什么？
　　“我再等十分钟，再不来我就要走了。”朱利安暗自决定，“我受够了，在一个黑暗肮脏的隧道里，等待一辆不知道来不来的火车！
　　也许它决定留在奥利调车场过夜了。”
　　十分钟过了，朱利安放弃了，他离开了隧道，走进了基蒂调车场，然后沿着去荒原的路往上走。他匆忙赶路，急切地想看到隧道另一头的迪克。他肯定还在那里等朱利安回来！
　　迪克果然在那里，等得他又累又冷，都有点不耐烦了。当他看见朱利安手电筒的闪光时，他也用自己的手电筒回应了一下。两个男孩满怀感激地跑到一起。
　　“你怎么去了那么长时间！”迪克责备道，“发生了什么？幽灵火车很久很久之前就从隧道回去了，在调车场停留了大约20分钟。”
　　“从隧道回去了？！”朱利安惊呼道，“真的吗？可是，它根本没去另一头！我等了好久。我甚至没听见——尽管有一次我确实听到了模糊的轰隆响声，或者我以为自己听到了。”
　　男孩们沉默不语，感到困惑茫然。这到底是什么火车，在夜深人静时，它冒着蒸汽进入隧道，却没有从另一头出来？
　　“我在想，那位老搬运工告诉我们的第二条隧道，真的被砖墙封起来了吗？”朱利安说道，“如果没有，那辆火车可以去那儿。”
　　“是的。那是唯一可能的结果了，如果那辆火车是真的火车，而不是幽灵火车的话。”迪克同意朱利安的想法，“好了，我们现在没法探索这些隧道了，等到白天再来吧。我今晚已经受够了！”
　　朱利安也受够了。这两个男孩沉默地回到了露营地。他们完全忘记了自己帐篷前面的线绳，直接踉跄地绊了过去，满心欢喜地钻进了睡袋。
　　那条线绳，穿过乔治帐篷上割开的洞，系在她的大脚趾上，乔治吃痛，猛地一下子醒了。蒂米听到了男孩们回来的声音，也醒了，一看见乔治坐了起来，于是舔了舔她，以示安抚。
　　乔治睡前并没有怎么脱衣服。她快速地溜出睡袋，爬出了帐篷。她要把这两个偷偷离开的男孩逮个正着，然后跟踪他们！
　　但是周围到处都看不见他们，也听不见他们的声音。她静静地、缓慢地走到他们的帐篷外面。两个男孩睡得死死的，因为午夜旅行而精疲力竭。朱利安轻声地打着鼾，迪克的呼吸也是如此沉重，蹲在外面的乔治听得一清二楚。她感到非常困惑。有人拉了她的脚指头——所以一定有人绊到那条线绳。等了几分钟过后，她放弃了，不得不又回到了自己的帐篷里。
　　早上的时候，乔治又发火了！朱利安和迪克讲述了他们夜里的探险，乔治几乎无法相信他们居然又不带上她单独去探险了——并且他们没有碰到那根线就离开了！
　　迪克看到了乔治的脸，忍不住哈哈大笑：“抱歉，老伙计。我们发现了你的花招，所以出门的时候避开了它，但是我们回来的时候忘了这事。我们一定是狠狠地拽了一下你的脚指头，是吗？我想你今天晚上得把绳子系到另一只大脚指头上了。”
　　乔治看起来就像要把所有的早餐都砸到他身上似的。幸运的是，乔克刚好到了。他不像往常那样带着微笑，而是看起来很郁闷。
　　“你好，乔克！”朱利安说，“来得正好，可以一起吃早餐。坐下跟我们一起吃吧。”
　　“我不能了，”乔克说，“我只有几分钟的时间。听着，有件很糟糕的事情。我得离开这里，跟我继父的姐姐一起住上两个星期！两个星期！等我回来，你们已经走了吧？”
　　“是的。但是，乔克，你为什么要离开呢？”迪克惊讶地问道，“是和你继父吵架了吗？还是怎么了？”
　　“我不知道，”乔克说，“妈妈不愿意说，她看起来很痛苦，我继父现在脾气很暴躁。我认为，他们想让我离开是有原因的。我跟我继父的这个姐姐不熟，只见过她一次，而且她看起来很不友好。”
　　“好了，如果他们只是想让你离开的话，来这儿跟我们住吧。”朱利安为乔克感到难过。乔克听了面露喜色。
　　“嘿，真是个好主意！”他说。
　　“太好了！”迪克表示同意，“我觉得没有什么可以阻挡你。如果他们想摆脱你，你在哪儿住两个星期都没关系。我们喜欢跟你在一起。”
　　“好的，我会来的。”乔克说，“对我的继父，我会只字不提。我会把秘密告诉妈妈。今天她本来要带我走的，但是我要告诉她我会来你们这里，我相信她不会出卖我。希望她能征得我继父姐姐的同意。”
　　乔克现在又开心起来了。其他人也笑了，连乔治也笑了，蒂米也摇着尾巴。有乔克的陪伴很好，他们有多少冒险故事等着要告诉他呢。
　　乔克先离开了，去把消息告诉妈妈。其他人洗了餐具，收拾了东西。乔克走后，乔治又闷闷不乐起来。她就是无法理解，也意识不到朱利安言出必行！
　　他们开始讨论昨夜发生的事情，乔治拒绝参加，“我不再关心你们那愚蠢的幽灵火车了，”她说，“当我想要加入的时候，你们不带我去，现在我对这件事不感兴趣了。”
　　他们快讨论完的时候，发现乔治已经跟蒂米一起离开了，也没说她要去哪里。
　　“好了，让她走吧！”朱利安对乔治实在忍无可忍了，他生气地说，“她想让我怎样做？追上她告诉她下次我们会让她去？”
　　“我们说了会在白天去，”迪克说，“她也可以来啊，因为就算安妮不想来的话，白天把她一个人留在这里也没关系。”
　　“你说得对，”朱利安说，“我们把她喊回来，告诉她。”但是这个时候，乔治已经走远了。
　　“她带了三明治，”安妮说，“她打算一整天都不回来啊。她真是个小傻瓜。”
　　过了一会儿，乔克回来了，还带了两块小毛毯，一件针织套头衫，还有很多食物，“我费了很大工夫劝服妈妈，”他说，“最终她还是同意了让我过来！我可不打算被我继父支来支去，就是因为他生气。现在好了！我从未想过能跟你们一起露营。如果你的帐篷不够大，朱利安，我可以睡在石南丛里。”
　　“空间足够，”朱利安说，一眼看见鲁夫先生过来了，“您好，鲁夫先生！您出来得好早！”
　　鲁夫先生过来看了看乔克，“啊，这就是你们来自农场的朋友吧？你好，来跟我们住几天？我看到你带了很多毯子！”
　　“是的。乔克来跟我们一起露营几天。”朱利安说，“看看他带的食物，我们就算被断掉补给了也够吃的！”
　　“确实如此。”鲁夫先生说，“好了，今早我打算检查一下自己的标本。你们打算干什么？”
　　“哦，玩到午饭时间，”朱利安说道，“然后我们去散散步。”
　　鲁夫先生回到了自己的帐篷里，当他开始工作的时候，孩子们能听到他轻轻地吹口哨。突然乔克坐了起来，看起来很警惕。
　　“怎么了？”迪克问，然后他听到了乔克听到的声音。一段距离外，一个人吹着尖厉的口哨声一步步逼近。
　　“那是我继父的口哨，”乔克说道，“他在找我。妈妈一定是告诉他了，或者他发现我来了这儿。”
　　“快——快跑，藏起来，”安妮说，“如果他找不到你，就不能把你带走了！快点！也许他找你找烦了，自己就走了，快走。”
　　没人能想到更好的主意，也没人愿意面对愤怒的安德鲁斯先生。孩子们冲下山坡，跑到了石南又高又密的地方。他们钻了进去，趴了下来，用一些高高的欧洲蕨挡住自己。
　　很快他们就听到了安德鲁斯先生的声音，他在大声喊着乔克，但是乔克没有出现。安德鲁斯先生来到了鲁夫先生的帐篷门口。鲁夫先生听到喊叫，感到很惊讶，便把脑袋伸出了帐篷，看看发生了什么。他不喜欢安德鲁斯先生的表情。
　　“乔克在哪儿？”安德鲁斯先生气势汹汹地问道，满脸怒容地看着鲁夫先生。
　　“我不知道。”鲁夫先生说。
　　“他必须跟我回去！”安德鲁斯先生粗暴地说，“我不会让他跟那些孩子玩的。”
　　“那些孩子怎么了？”鲁夫先生询问道，“实话说，我认为他们行为端正、彬彬有礼。”
　　安德鲁斯先生盯着鲁夫先生看，认为他是个不会惹麻烦的傻老头，心里想，如果自己处理得当，这个傻老头可能会帮助自己把乔克找回来。
　　“听着，”安德鲁斯先生说，“我不知道你是谁，但你一定是这些孩子们的朋友。如果是这样，我好心警告你，他们要陷入危险了。
　　明白吗？”
　　“真的吗？什么危险？”鲁夫先生温和地问道，一脸疑惑的样子。
　　“在这片荒原附近，有个危险的地方，”安德鲁斯先生说，“我知道那里非常危险，那些孩子们却在那里胡闹。明白了吗？如果乔克来这儿，他也会跟他们一起胡闹的。我不想让他陷入危险中，这会伤透他妈妈的心的。”
　　“原来是这样。”鲁夫先生说。
　　“所以，你能跟他谈谈，把他送回来吗？”安德鲁斯先生说，“那边有个调车场，那儿是个危险的地方。人们说那里有幽灵火车。我不想让乔克卷进那种事情里去。”
　　“原来是这样啊。”鲁夫先生再次说道。他紧紧盯着安德鲁斯先生，“你似乎非常关心这个——呃——调车场。”
　　“我？不，不，不。”安德鲁斯先生说，“我从未接近过那个可怕的地方。我可不想看见幽灵火车，如果看见了，我能吓得跑到一英里之外！我只是不想让乔克陷入危险中，等他们无论从哪里回来的时候，请你跟他谈谈，并且送他回家，我将感激不尽。”
　　“原来是这样。”鲁夫先生又恼人地说了一句。安德鲁斯先生盯着鲁夫先生无动于衷的脸，突然想扇他耳光，“是是是，原来就是这样！”
　　安德鲁斯先生转身离去。等他走了一段时间，变成了远处的一个小黑点后。鲁夫先生大声喊道：“他走了！把乔克送过来吧，我跟他说几句话。”
　　四个孩子从石南丛中出来了。乔克走到了鲁夫先生身边，一副桀骜不驯的样子。
　　“我只想说，”鲁夫先生说，“我相当理解你为什么想远离你的继父。我认为，你为了远离他，去哪里都跟我无关！”
　　乔克听完咧嘴而笑，“哈哈，太感谢了！我以为您要把我送回去呢！”他冲到其他人身边，“这下没问题了，我要留下来了！并且，嘿，我们午饭后去探索那条隧道怎么样？说不定我们能找到那辆幽灵火车！”
　　“好主意！”朱利安说，“我们会的！可怜的乔治，她连这次小探险都要错过了！”
Chapter 15 GEORGE HAS AN ADVENTURE
　　Chapter 15 GEORGE HAS AN ADVENTURE
　　George had gone off with one fixed idea in her mind. She was going to find out something aboutthat mysterious tunnel! She thought she would walk over the moorlands to Kilty's Yard, and seewhat she could see there. Maybe she could walk right back through the tunnel itself!
　　76
　　She soon came to Olly's Yard. There it lay below her, with Wooden-Leg Sam pottering about.
　　She went down to speak to him. He didn't see or hear her coming and jumped violently when shecalled to him.
　　He swung round, squinting at her fiercely. 'You clear off!' he shouted. 'I've been told to keep youchildren out of here, see? Do you want me to lose my job?'
　　'Who told you to keep us out?' asked George, puzzled as to who could have known they had beenin the yard.
　　'He did, see?' said the old man. He rubbed his eyes, and then peered at George short-sightedlyagain. 'I've broken my glasses,' he said.
　　'Who's "he" - the person who told you to keep us out?' said George.
　　But the old watchman seemed to have one of his sudden strange changes of temper again. Hebent down and picked up a large cinder. He was about to fling it at George when Timmy gave aloud and menacing growl. Sam dropped his arm.
　　'You clear out,' he said. 'You don't want to get a poor old man like me into trouble, do you? Youlook a nice kind boy you do. You wouldn't get Wooden-Leg Sam into trouble, would you?'
　　George turned to go. She decided to take the path that led to the tunnel and peep inside. Butwhen she got there there was nothing to see. She didn't feel that she wanted to walk all aloneinside that dark mouth, so she took the path that Julian had taken the night before, over the top ofthe tunnel. But she left it half-way to look at a curious bump that jutted up from the heather justthere.
　　She scraped away at the heather and found something hard beneath. She pulled at it but it wouldnot give. Timmy, thinking she was obligingly digging for rabbits, came to help. He scrambledbelow the heather - and then he suddenly gave a bark of fright and disappeared!
　　George screamed: 'Timmy! What have you done? Where are you?'
　　To her enormous relief she heard Timmy's bark some way down. Where could he be? She calledagain, and once more Timmy barked.
　　George tugged at the tufts of heather, and then suddenly she saw what the curious mound was. Itwas a built-up vent-hole for the old tunnel - a place where the smoke came curling out in thedays when trains ran there often. It had been barred across with iron, but the bars had rusted andfallen in, and heather had grown thickly over them.
　　77
　　'Oh, Timmy, you must have fallen down the vent,' said George, anxiously. 'But not very fardown. Wait a bit and I'll see what I can do. If only the others were here to help!'
　　But they weren't, and George had to work all by herself to try and get down to the broken bars. Ittook her a very long time, but at last she had them exposed, and saw where Timmy had fallendown.
　　He kept giving short little barks, as if to say: 'It's all right. I can wait. I'm not hurt!'
　　George had to sit down and take a rest after her efforts. She was hungry, but she said to herselfthat she would not eat till she had somehow got down to Timmy, and found out where he was.
　　Soon she began her task again.
　　She climbed down through the fallen-in vent. It was very difficult, and she was terrified of therusty old iron bars breaking off under her weight. But they didn't.
　　Once down in the vent she discovered steps made of great iron nails projecting out. Some ofthem had thin rungs across. There had evidently once been a ladder up to the top of the vent.
　　Most of the rungs had gone, but the iron nails that supported them still stood in the brick walls ofthe old round vent. She heard Timmy give a little bark. He was quite near her now.
　　Cautiously she went down the great hole. Her foot touched Timmy. He had fallen on a collectionof broken iron bars, which, caught in part of the old iron ladder, stuck out from it, and made arough landing-place for the dog to fall on.
　　'Oh, Timmy,' said George, horrified. 'However am I going to get you out of here? This hole goesright down into the tunnel.'
　　She couldn't possibly pull Timmy up the hole. It was equally impossible to get him down. Hecould never climb down the iron ladder, especially as it had so many rungs missing.
　　George was in despair. 'Oh, Timmy! Why did I lose my temper and walk out on the others to dosome exploring all by myself? Don't fall, Timmy. You'll break your legs if you do.'
　　Timmy had no intention of falling. He was frightened, but so far his curious landing-place feltfirm. He kept quite still.
　　'Listen, Tim,' said George, at last. 'The only thing I can think of is to climb down round itsomehow and see how far it is to the tunnel itself. There might even be someone there to help!
　　No, that's silly. There can't be. But I might find an old rope - anything - that I could use to helpyou down with. Oh, dear, what a horrible nightmare!'
　　78
　　George gave Timmy a reassuring pat, and then began to feel about for the iron rungs with herfeet. Further down they were all there, and it was easy to climb lower and lower. She was soondown in the tunnel itself. She had her torch with her and switched it on. Then she nearly gave ascream of horror.
　　Just near to her was a silent train! She could almost touch the engine. Was it - could it be - thespook-train itself? George stared at it, breathing fast.
　　It looked very, very old and out-of-date. It was smaller than the trains she was used to - theengine was smaller and so were the trucks. The funnel was longer and the wheels were differentfrom those of ordinary trains. George stared at the silent train by the light of her torch, her mindin a muddle. She really didn't know what to think!
　　It must be the spook-train! It had come from this tunnel the night before, and had gone backagain - and it hadn't run all the way through to Kilty's Yard, because Julian had watched for it,and it hadn't come out there. No - it had run here, to the middle of the dark tunnel, and there itstood, waiting for night so that it might run again.
　　George shivered. The train belonged to years and years ago! Who drove it at night? Didanybody? Or did it run along without a driver, remembering its old days and old ways? No, thatwas silly. Trains didn't think or remember. George shook herself and remembered Timmy.
　　And just at that very moment, poor Timmy lost his foot-hold on the iron bars, and fell! He hadstretched out to listen for George, his foot had slipped - and now he was hurtling down the vent!
　　He gave a mournful howl.
　　He struck against part of the ladder and that stopped his headlong fall for a moment. But downhe went again, scrabbling as he fell, trying to get hold of something to save himself.
　　George heard him howl and knew he was falling. She was so horror-stricken that she simplycouldn't move. She stood there at the bottom of the vent like a statue, not even breathing.
　　Timmy fell with a thump beside her, and a groan was jerked out of him. In a trice George wasdown by him on her knees. 'Timmy! Are you hurt? Are you alive? Oh, Timmy, say something!'
　　'Woof,' said Timmy, and got up rather unsteadily on his four legs. He had fallen on a pile of thesoftest soot! The smoke of many, many years had sooted the walls of the vent, and the weatherhad sent it down to the bottom, until quite a pile had collected at one side. Timmy had fallenplump in the middle of it, and almost buried himself. He shook himself violently, and soot flewout all over George.
　　79
　　She didn't know or care. She hugged him, and her face and clothes grew as black as soot! Shefelt about and found the soft pile that had saved Timmy from being hurt.
　　'It's soot! I came down the other side of the vent, so I didn't know the soot was there. Oh, Timmy,what a bit of luck for you! I thought you'd be killed - or at least badly hurt,' said George.
　　He licked her sooty nose and didn't like the taste of it.
　　George stood up. She didn't like the idea of climbing up that horrid vent again - and, anyway,Timmy couldn't. The only thing to do was to walk out of the tunnel. She wouldn't have fanciedwalking through the tunnel before, in case she met the spook-train - but here it was, close besideher, and she had been so concerned about Timmy that she had quite forgotten it.
　　Timmy went over to the engine and smelt the wheels. Then he jumped up into the cab. Somehowthe sight of Timmy doing that took away all George's fear. If Timmy could jump up into thespook-train, there couldn't be much for her to be afraid of!
　　She decided to examine the trucks. There were four of them, all covered trucks. Shining hertorch, she climbed up into one of them, pulling Timmy up behind her. She expected to find itquite empty, unloaded many, many years ago by long-forgotten railway men.
　　But it was loaded with boxes! George was surprised. Why did a spook-train run about with boxesin it? She shone her torch on to one - and then quickly switched it out!
　　She had heard a noise in the tunnel. She crouched down in the truck, put her hand on Timmy'scollar, and listened. Timmy listened, too, the hackles rising on his neck.
　　It was a clanging noise. Then there came a bang.
　　Then a light shone out, and the tunnel was suddenly as bright as day!
　　The light came from a great lamp in the side of the tunnel. George peeped cautiously out througha crack in the truck. She saw that this place must be where the tunnel forked. One fork went on toKilty's Yard - but surely the other fork was supposed to be bricked up? George followed the lineswith her eyes. One set went on down the tunnel to Kilty's Yard, the other set ran straight into agreat wall, which was built across the second tunnel, that once led to Roker's Yard.
　　'Yes - it is bricked up, just as the old porter told Julian,' said George to herself. And then shestared in the greatest amazement, clutching the side of the truck, hardly believing her eyes.
　　Part of the wall was opening before her! Before her very eyes, a great mass of it slid back in thecentre of the wall - back and back - until a strange-shaped opening, about the size of the trainitself, showed in the thick wall. George gasped. Whatever could be happening?
　　80
　　A man came through the opening. George felt sure she had seen him before somewhere. Hecame up to the engine of the train and swung himself into the cab.
　　There were all sorts of sounds then from the cab. What was the man doing? Starting the fire torun the train? George did not dare to try and see. She was trembling now, and Timmy pressedhimself against her to comfort her.
　　Then came another set of noises - steam noises. The man must be going to start the enginemoving. Smoke came from the funnel. More noises, and some clanks and clangs.
　　It suddenly occurred to George that the man might be going to take the train through that littleopening in the bricked-up wall. Then-supposing he shut the wall up again - George would be aprisoner! She would be in the truck, hidden behind that wall, and the wall would be closed sothat she couldn't escape.
　　'I must get out before it's too late,' thought George, in a panic. 'I only hope the man doesn't seeme!'
　　But just as she was about to try and get out, the engine gave a loud 'choo-choo', and began tomove backwards! It ran down the lines a little way, then forward again, and this time its wheelswere on the set of lines that led to the second tunnel, where the small opening now showed soclearly in the wall.
　　George didn't dare to get out of the moving train. So there she crouched as the engine steamedquickly to the hole in the wall that stretched right across the other tunnel. That hole just fitted it!
　　It must have been made for it, thought George, as the train moved through it.
　　The train went right through and came out in another tunnel. Here there was a bright light, too.
　　George peered out through the crack. There was more than a tunnel here! What looked like vastcaves stretched away on each side of the tunnel, and men lounged about in them. Who on earthwere they, and what were they doing with that old train?
　　There was a curious noise at the back of the train. The hole in the stout brick wall closed up oncemore! Now there was no way in or out. 'It's like the Open-Sesame trick in Ali Baba and the FortyThieves,' thought George. 'And, like Ali Baba, I'm in the cave - and don't know the way to getmyself out! Thank goodness Timmy is with me!'
　　The train was now at a standstill. Behind it was the thick wall - and then George saw that in frontof it was a thick wall, too! This tunnel must be bricked up in two places - and in between was81
　　this extraordinary cavern, or whatever it was. George puzzled her head over the strange place,but couldn't make head or tail of it.
　　'Well! Whatever would the others say if they knew you and I were actually in the spook-trainitself, tucked away in its hiding-place where nobody in the world can find it?' whispered Georgeto Timmy. 'What are we to do, Timmy?'
　　Timmy wagged his tail cautiously. He didn't understand all this. He wanted to lie low for a bitand see how things turned out.
　　'We'll wait till the men have gone away, Timmy,' whispered George. 'That is, if they ever do!
　　Then we'll get out and see if we can manage that Open-Sesame entrance and get away. We'dbetter tell Mr. Luffy about all this. There's something very strange and very mysterious here -and we've fallen headlong into it!'
15.废弃隧道的机关
　　废弃隧道的机关
　　乔治离开的时候已经铁了心。她要去探寻那条神秘隧道的秘密！她要穿过荒原走到基蒂调车场，看看能在那里发现什么。也许她能穿过隧道直接走回来！
　　她很快就来到了奥利调车场。山坡下，木腿山姆在那里闲逛。
　　乔治打算下去跟他说话。他没看见她来，也没听见她的声音，所以当她喊他的时候，把他吓了一大跳。
　　他猛地转过身，警惕地眯着眼睛看她，“你走开！”他喊道，“我不是让你们这些孩子远离这里吗？你想让我被炒鱿鱼吗？”
　　“那是谁让你阻止我们过来的？”乔治问道。她感到困惑，不明白谁可能知道他们来过这儿。
　　“是他。”老人说道。他揉了揉眼睛，用他的近视眼凝视着乔治，“我的眼镜摔破了。”他说。
　　“‘他’是谁，那个对你说不让我们来的人？”乔治追问道。
　　但这个老看守人又突然发脾气了。他弯下腰捡起一大块煤渣，正要狠狠地砸向乔治。这时，蒂米大声号叫了一声，山姆吓得放下了胳膊。
　　“快走！”他喊道，“你不会想让我这样可怜的老人惹上麻烦的，对吧？你看起来像个小伙子，真的。你不想让木腿山姆惹上麻烦，对吧？”
　　乔治转身离开。她决定走那条去隧道的小路，偷看一眼隧道内部。但是当她走到那里的时候，她什么也看不见。她不想独自走进那个漆黑的洞口，所以她选择了朱利安昨夜走的小路，在隧道上方。
　　走着走着，她半路离开了，发现路边那里的石南丛从地面上隆起了一部分。
　　她拨开了石南，发现下面有一块硬硬的东西。她用力拉了一下，但是那个东西一动不动。蒂米以为她在帮它抓兔子，就过来帮忙。它在石南丛下面跑来跑去，突然它惊吓地叫了一声，就消失了！
　　乔治尖叫道：“蒂米！你去哪里了？你在哪儿？”
　　她听到蒂米在下面一定距离的地方叫了一声，顿时安下心来。
　　它在哪儿呢？她又喊了一声，蒂米再次回应了一声。
　　乔治拽着那几簇石南，突然发现了那个奇怪的土堆是什么。那是为这条老隧道安装的通风口，过去火车在那儿经过的时候，用来排烟的地方。它用铁条封住了，但是铁条生锈、坍塌了，上面长满了浓密的石南。
　　“哦，蒂米，你一定是从通风口掉下去了，”乔治焦急地说道，“还好不是太深。等一下，我看看我能做些什么。要是其他人在这儿帮忙就好了！”
　　但是他们不在这儿。乔治不得不独自努力去拆掉那些坏掉的铁条。这花费了她很长时间，但是最终她把它们拆掉了，她看到了蒂米掉落的位置。它叫了几声，似乎在说：“没关系，我等你。我没有受伤！”
　　挖了很久之后，乔治不得不坐下来休息。她饿了，但是她自言自语着：“在见到蒂米前，决不吃饭。”很快，她又开始挖了。
　　她从那坍塌的通风口爬了下去。这非常艰难，她怕在她的体重下，那些锈迹斑斑的铁条会断掉。还好它们承受住了。
　　她一下通风口就发现，那里有突出的铁钉做成的台阶，有些铁钉上面还留有细细的横档。很明显那里曾经有个梯子，直达通风口顶部。大部分横档已经不在了，但是在圆形的老通风口的砖墙上，支撑过它们的铁钉还在。她听见蒂米小声叫了一声。它现在离她很近了。
　　乔治小心翼翼地爬了下去，她的脚碰到了蒂米。它掉在了一排破旧的铁条上，它们悬挂在了老铁梯子上，伸得长长的，给我们的大狗做了一个简易粗糙的着陆点。
　　“哦，蒂米！”乔治害怕地说，“我该如何把你从那儿救出来呢？
　　这个洞再往下掉就直通隧道了。”
　　她不可能把蒂米往上拉到洞口去，也无法让它自己爬下梯子，尤其是在有很多横档掉了的情况下。
　　乔治感到绝望，“哦，蒂米！我为什么会发脾气，丢下其他人，独自来探险呢？不要掉下去，蒂米。如果你掉下去，会摔断腿的。”
　　蒂米不想掉下去。它很害怕，但是目前它奇怪的着陆点暂时很结实，纹丝不动。
　　“听着，蒂米，”乔治最后下定决心，“我能想到的唯一解决方法就是顺着横档爬下去，看看它离隧道有多高。下面可能会有人来帮忙！不，那太傻了，基本不可能。但是我可能会找到一条旧绳子，或者其他任何东西，无论怎样都要救你。哦，天哪，真是一场可怕的噩梦！”
　　乔治安慰地拍了蒂米一下，然后她开始用脚摸索着找横档。还好下面的横档都在，往下爬很容易。
　　乔治很快就下到隧道里了，她把手里的手电筒打开，惊恐万分地尖叫了一声。在她旁边静静地躺着一辆火车！她差点就碰到火车头了。它是……那辆幽灵火车吗？乔治盯着它看，急促地呼吸着。
　　这辆火车看起来非常旧，很过时。它比她过去经常见到的火车要小——火车头小、车厢也小，烟囱更长，车轮跟一般火车也不同。借着手电筒的光，乔治盯着那辆寂静的火车，她的脑子一片混乱，不知道该如何思考了！
　　这一定是那辆幽灵火车！按照朱利安他们的说法，昨夜它是从这条隧道出去的，然后又回来了。它没有一路跑到基蒂调车场，因为朱利安在那里等它。结果它跑到这里了，跑到了这条黑暗隧道的中间，停在这里，等待夜晚的到来，它就可以再次跑了。
　　乔治激动地颤抖了起来。那辆火车是很多年前的了！是谁在夜里驾驶它？有人驾驶吗？或者它无人驾驶，记得自己过去的路线？
　　不，那太傻了。火车不会思考或记忆。乔治摇了摇头，忽然想起了蒂米。
　　就在这时，可怜的蒂米脚下一滑掉下去了！它为了去听乔治的声音，没站稳，现在正快速地从通风口坠落下去！乔治只听见一声哀号。
　　蒂米撞上了梯子的一部分，暂时停止了坠落，卡在了那里。但是很快它又掉去了，四脚乱蹬着，想要抓住什么来自救。
　　乔治听到它的号叫，知道它在往下掉。她是如此害怕，以致她吓得站在那里一动不动。她在通风口的底部，像一尊雕塑，忘记了呼吸。
　　蒂米重重地摔在她身边，呻吟了一声，接着断断续续地呜咽起来。乔治连忙跪在了它身边，抱起蒂米的脑袋：“蒂米！你受伤了吗？哦，蒂米！说话啊！”
　　“汪！”蒂米摇摇晃晃地站了起来。不幸中的万幸，它摔在了最柔软的煤灰上！很多很多年来，煤烟熏黑了通风口，风雨又把它们冲到了洞底，下面已经累积了相当大一堆。蒂米重重地摔在了煤灰中间，几乎要把自己埋起来。它剧烈地摇晃着身子，飞起的煤灰落得乔治身上到处都是。
　　乔治不知道、也不在乎这些。她紧紧拥抱了它，她的脸和衣服变得跟煤灰一样黑！她四处摸索，发现了蒂米是落在柔软的煤灰堆上，这才使它免于受伤。
　　“是煤灰！我是从通风口的另一端下来的，所以不知道那里有煤灰。哦，蒂米，你太幸运了！我以为你会摔死，或者至少摔成重伤。”乔治说。
　　蒂米舔了舔她沾满煤灰的鼻子，它并不喜欢这种味道。
　　乔治站了起来。她不想再爬上那个可怕的通风口，而且，不管怎样，蒂米也不会爬。唯一能做的事就是从这条隧道走出去。她以前不喜欢走这条隧道，以防碰上幽灵火车。但是现在火车就在这里，在她身边，而且她是如此关心蒂米，以至于她把这事忘得一干二净。
　　蒂米走到火车头旁边，闻了闻车轮，然后跳上了驾驶室。不知怎的，看到蒂米跳上火车，乔治也不怕了。如果蒂米能跳上幽灵火车，她也没什么好怕的！
　　她决定检查一下车厢。这辆火车一共有四节车厢，都用防水布盖住了。她打开手电筒，爬进一个车厢，把蒂米也拉了上来。她以为里面是空的，毕竟早就被铁路工人遗忘，很多年前就卸干净了。
　　但是上面竟然装满了箱子！乔治大吃一惊。一辆幽灵火车为什么会装满了箱子四处跑呢？她打开手电筒照亮了一个，然后迅速关掉！
　　她突然听到了隧道里的一声响动。她蹲在车厢里，把手放在蒂米的项圈上，仔细倾听着。蒂米也在听着，颈部的毛都竖了起来。
　　是“叮当”声，然后传来了一声巨响。一盏大灯亮了，整条隧道刹那间亮得像白天一样！
　　那灯光来自隧道边上的一盏灯。乔治通过一条缝隙谨慎地往外看。她发现这个地方是隧道分叉的地方，一条岔道通往基蒂调车场，但是另一条岔道不是应该被砖墙封死了吗？乔治顺着铁轨向前看。一组铁路线通往基蒂调车场，另一组笔直地伸进了一道墙，那道墙挡住了第二条隧道，那是通往罗克调车场的隧道。
　　“是的，它被封死了，就像那位老搬运工对朱利安说的那样。”乔治自言自语道。然后让她极为震惊的一幕发生了，她牢牢抓住车厢边缘，简直不敢相信自己的眼睛。
　　那面砖墙在她面前缓缓打开了！这一切就发生在她眼前，墙中间分出一大块砖墙滑向了后面，不断向后、向后，原来的整面砖墙上出现了一个形状奇怪的开口，大小还好能经过一辆火车，乔治倒吸了一口冷气，到底在发生什么？
　　一个男人从那个缺口进来了，乔治确定她以前在哪里见过他。
　　他走近火车头，跳上了驾驶室。
　　驾驶室里传来了各种声音。那个男人在做什么？点火发动车？
　　乔治不敢伸头看。她现在紧张得发抖，蒂米紧紧地贴着她，像是在安慰她。
　　然后传来了另外一种噪音——蒸汽的声音。那个男人一定是要发动引擎了。烟囱里冒出来滚滚白烟。传来了更多的噪音，还有“叮当”声以及“当啷”声。
　　乔治突然想到，那个男人可能要把火车从砖墙上的缺口开进去。假设他再关上那堵墙，乔治就成了他们的囚徒！她会待在车厢里，被藏在砖墙后面，墙会被关上，然后她就逃不出去了。
　　“我得跳下去，否则就太晚了。”乔治害怕地想，“希望那个男人不要看见我！”
　　但是就在她试图跳下去的时候，火车头发出了吵闹的声音，并且开始向后移动！它向后跑了一小段路，然后又开始向前行驶，这样前一下、后一下，它的车轮都对接在了那对铁轨上，那对铁轨通往第二条隧道，那墙上的小缺口显得非常清楚。
　　乔治不敢跳下这辆移动的火车，于是她蹲了下来。火车头冒着烟飞快地冲进墙上的缺口里。那缺口连通着另一条隧道，大小刚好够火车驶进。乔治想，这缺口一定是为了行驶火车而设的。
　　火车后面发出奇怪的噪音。那堵墙上的缺口，或者说是洞再次合拢了！现在出入无门了，“就像是《阿里巴巴与四十大盗》里面的芝麻开门，”乔治想，“并且，就像阿里巴巴一样，我在洞里，但是不知道该如何出去！还好，蒂米跟我在一起！”
　　火车现在停了下来。它后面是堵厚墙，这条隧道一定是在两处被砖墙封死了，而两道砖墙中间有这么一个非凡的洞穴，或者不管它是什么。乔治对这个奇怪的地方苦思冥想，就是想不通。
　　“好了！如果其他人知道，你和我曾经待在幽灵火车里面，被关在它的秘密车库，一个世界上没有人能找到的地方，他们会怎么想呢？”乔治对蒂米低语道，“但是现在我们该怎么办呢，蒂米？”
　　蒂米小心地摇了摇尾巴，它也无法理解这一切。它想趴会儿，看看事情怎么样发展。
　　“我们要等到那些人离开，蒂米。”乔治低声说，“如果他们会离开的话，然后，我们再出去，看看是否能弄到开门的咒语，然后离开。我们最好把这一切告诉鲁夫先生，这里的事情非常奇怪；非常神秘，而且咱俩就这么一头掉了进来！”
Chapter 16 IN THE TUNNEL AGAIN
　　Chapter 16 IN THE TUNNEL AGAIN
　　Jock was really enjoying himself at the camp. He had a picnic lunch with the others, and ate asmuch as they did, looking very happy. Mr. Luffy joined them, and Jock beamed at him, feelingthat he was a real friend.
　　'Where's George?' asked Mr. Luffy.
　　'Gone off by herself,' said Julian.
　　'Have you quarrelled, by any chance?' said Mr. Luffy.
　　'A bit,' said Julian. 'We have to let George get over it by herself, Mr. Luffy. She's like that.'
　　'Where's she gone?' said Mr. Luffy, helping himself to a tomato. 'Why isn't she back to dinner?'
　　'She's taken hers with her,' said Anne. 'I feel a bit worried about her, somehow. I hope she's allright.'
　　Mr. Luffy looked alarmed. 'I feel a bit worried myself,' he said. 'Still, she's got Timmy with her.'
　　'We're going off on a bit of exploring,' said Julian, when they had all finished eating. 'What areyou going to do, Mr. Luffy?'
　　'I think I'll come with you,' said Mr. Luffy, unexpectedly. The children's hearts sank. Theycouldn't possibly go exploring for spook-trains in the tunnel if Mr. Luffy was with them.
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　　'Well - I don't think it will be very interesting for you, sir,' said Julian, rather feebly. However,Mr. Luffy took the hint and realised he wasn't wanted that afternoon.
　　'Right,' he said. 'In that case I'll stay here and mess about.'
　　The children sighed with relief. Anne cleared up, with Jock helping her, and then they calledgood-bye to Mr. Luffy and set off, taking their tea with them.
　　Jock was full of excitement. He was so pleased to be with the others, and he kept thinking ofsleeping in the camp that night - what fun it would be! Good old Mr. Luffy, taking his side likethat. He bounded after the others joyfully as they went off to the old railway yard.
　　Wooden-Leg Sam was pottering about there as usual. They waved to him, but he didn't waveback. Instead he shook his fist at them and tried to bawl in his husky voice: 'You clear out!
　　Trespassing, that's what you are. Don't you come down here or I'll chase you!'
　　'Well, we won't go down then,' said Dick, with a grin. 'Poor old man - thinking of chasing uswith that wooden leg of his. We won't give him the chance. We'll just walk along here, climbdown the lines and walk up them to the tunnel.'
　　Which is what they did, much to the rage of poor Sam. He yelled till his voice gave out, but theytook no notice, and walked quickly up the lines. The mouth of the tunnel looked very round andblack as they came near.
　　'Now we'll jolly well walk right through this tunnel and see where that spook-train is that cameout of it the other night,' said Julian. 'It didn't come out the other end, so it must be somewhere inthe middle of the tunnel.'
　　'If it's a real spook-train, it might completely disappear,' said Anne, not liking the look of thedark tunnel at all. The others laughed.
　　'It won't have disappeared,' said Dick. 'We shall come across it somewhere, and we'll examine itthoroughly and try and find out exactly what it is, and why it comes and goes in such amysterious manner.'
　　They walked into the black tunnel, and switched on their torches, which made little gleamingpaths in front of them. They walked up the middle of one pair of lines, Julian in front keeping asharp look-out for anything in the shape of a train!
　　The lines ran on and on. The children's voices sounded weird and echoing in the long tunnel.
　　Anne kept close to Dick, and half wished she hadn't come. Then she remembered that Georgehad called her a coward, and she put up her head, determined not to show that she was scared.
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　　Jock talked almost without stopping. I've never done anything like this in my life. I call this aproper adventure, hunting for spook-trains in a dark tunnel. It makes me feel nice and shivery allover. I do hope we find the train. It simply must be here somewhere!'
　　They walked on and on and on. But there was no sign of any train. They came to where thetunnel forked into the second one, that used to run to Roker's Vale. Julian flashed his torch on theenormous brick wall that stretched across the second tunnel.
　　'Yes, it's well and truly bricked up,' he said. 'So that only leaves this tunnel to explore. Come on.'
　　They went on again, little knowing that George and Timmy were behind that brick wall, hiddenin a truck of the spook-train itself! They walked on and on down the lines, and found nothinginteresting at all.
　　They saw a little round circle of bright light some way in front of them. 'See that?' said Julian.
　　'That must be the end of this tunnel - the opening that goes into Kilty's Yard. Well, if the trainisn't between here and Kilty's Yard, it's gone!'
　　In silence they walked down the rest of the tunnel, and came out into the open air. Workshopswere built all over Kilty's Yard. The entrance to the tunnel was weed-grown and neglected.
　　Weeds grew even across the lines there.
　　'Well, no train has been out of this tunnel here for years,' said Julian, looking at the thick weeds.
　　'The wheels would have chopped the weeds to bits.'
　　'It's extraordinary,' said Dick, puzzled. 'We've been right through the tunnel and there's no trainthere at all, yet we know it goes in and out of it. What's happened to it?'
　　'It is a spook-train,' said Jock, his face red with excitement. 'Must be. It only exists at night, andthen comes out on its lines, like it used to do years ago.'
　　'I don't like thinking that,' said Anne, troubled. 'It's a horrid thought.'
　　'What are we going to do now?' Julian asked. 'We seem to have come to a blank. No train,nothing to see, empty tunnel. What a dull end to an adventure.'
　　'Let's walk back all the way again,' said Jock - he wanted to squeeze as much out of thisadventure as he could. 'I know we shan't see the train this time any more than we did the lasttime, but you never know!'
　　'I'm not coming through that tunnel again,' said Anne. 'I want to be out in the sun. I'll walk overthe top of the tunnel, along the path there that Julian took the other night and you three can walkback, and meet me at the other end.'
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　　'Right,' said Julian and the three boys disappeared into the dark tunnel. Anne ran up the path thatled alongside the top of it. How good it was to be in the open air again! That horrid tunnel! Sheran along cheerfully, glad to be out in the sun.
　　She got to the other end of the tunnel quite quickly, and sat down on the path above the yard towait for the others. She looked for Wooden-Leg Sam. He was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps hewas in his little hut.
　　She hadn't been there for more than two minutes when something surprising happened. A carcame bumping slowly down the rough track to the yard! Anne sat up and watched. A man gotout - and Anne's eyes almost fell out of her head. Why, it was - surely it was Mr. Andrews,Jock's stepfather!
　　He went over to Sam's hut and threw open the door. Anne could hear the sound of voices. Thenshe heard another noise - the sound of a heavy lorry coming. She saw it come cautiously downthe steep, rough track. It ran into an old tumbledown shed and stayed there. Then three men cameout and Anne stared at them. Where had she seen them before?
　　'Of course! They're the farm labourers at Jock's farm!' she thought. 'But what are they doinghere? How very strange!'
　　Mr. Andrews joined the men and, to Anne's dismay, they began to walk up the lines to thetunnel! Her heart almost stopped. Goodness, Julian, Dick and Jock were still in that tunnel,walking through it. They would bump right into Mr. Andrews and his men - and then whatwould happen? Mr. Andrews had warned them against going there, and had ordered Jock not togo.
　　Anne stared at the four men walking into the far-off mouth of the tunnel. What could she do?
　　How could she warn the boys? She couldn't! She would just have to stay there and wait for themto come out - probably chased by a furious Mr. Andrews and the other men. Oh dear, dear - ifthey were caught they would probably all get an awful telling off! What could she do?
　　'I can only wait,' thought poor Anne. 'There's nothing else to do. Oh, do come, Julian, Dick andJock. I daren't do anything but wait for you.'
　　She waited and waited. It was now long past tea-time. Julian had the tea, so there was nothing forAnne to eat. Nobody came out of the tunnel. Not a sound was heard. Anne at last decided to godown and ask Wooden-Leg Sam a few questions. So, rather afraid, the girl set off down to theyard.
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　　Sam was in his hut, drinking cocoa, and looking very sour. Something had evidently gonewrong. When he saw Anne's shadow across the doorway he got up at once, shaking his fist.
　　'What, you children again! You went into that tunnel this afternoon, and so I went up andtelephoned Mr. Andrews to come and catch you all, poking your noses in all the time? How didyou get out of that tunnel? Are the others with you? Didn't Mr. Andrews catch you, eh?'
　　Anne listened to all this in horror. So old Sam had actually managed to telephone Mr. Andrews,and tell tales on them - so that Jock's stepfather and his men had come to catch them. This wasworse than ever.
　　'You come in here,' said Sam suddenly, and he darted his big arm at her. 'Come on. I don't knowwhere the others are, but I'll get one of you!'
　　Anne gave a scream and ran away at top speed. Wooden-Leg Sam went after her for a few yardsand then gave it up. He bent down and picked up a handful of cinders. A shower of them fell allround Anne, and made her run faster than ever.
　　She tore up the path to the heather, and was soon on the moors again, panting and sobbing. 'Oh,Julian! Oh, Dick! What's happened to you? Oh, where's George? If only she would come home,she'd be brave enough to look for them, but I'm not. I must tell Mr. Luffy. He'll know what todo!' She ran on and on, her feet catching continually in the tufts of thick heather. She kept fallingover and scrambling up again. She now had only one idea in her mind - to find Mr. Luffy and tellhim every single thing! Yes, she would tell him about the spook-trains and all. There wassomething strange and important about the whole thing now, and she wanted a grown-up's help.
　　She staggered on and on. 'Mr. Luffy! Oh, Mr. Luffy, where are you? MR. LUFFY!'
　　But no Mr. Luffy answered her. She came round the gorse bushes she thought were the onessheltering the camp - but, alas, the camp was not there. Anne had lost her way!
　　'I'm lost,' said Anne, the tears running down her cheeks. 'But I mustn't get scared. I must try tofind the right path now. Oh, dear, I'm quite lost! Mr. LUFFY!'
　　Poor Anne. She stumbled on blindly, hoping to come to the camp, calling every now and again.
　　'Mr. Luffy. Can you hear me? MR. LUFFFFFFFY!'
16.隧道里的探险
　　隧道里的探险
　　乔克在露营地玩得很开心。他跟其他人一起吃了午饭，能吃多少就吃多少，感到非常快乐。鲁夫先生也加入了他们，乔克冲他微笑，感到他是个真正的朋友。
　　“乔治在哪儿呢？”鲁夫先生问。
　　“她自己出去了。”朱利安说。
　　“你们吵架了吗？”鲁夫先生问。
　　“有点，”朱利安说，“我们不得不让乔治自己消气，鲁夫先生。
　　她就是那样的。”
　　“她去哪儿了？”鲁夫先生说着，自己拿起了一个西红柿，“她为什么不回来吃午饭？”
　　“她带了食物去的，”安妮说，“我有点担心她，不知怎的。我希望她还好。”
　　鲁夫先生看起来很紧张，“我也感到担心，”他说，“不过，蒂米跟她在一起。”
　　“我们一会儿要出去探索一下，”等他们都吃完后，朱利安说，“您打算干什么，鲁夫先生？”
　　“我想我会跟你们一起去，”鲁夫先生出乎意料地说。孩子们的心一沉。如果鲁夫先生跟他们一起去，他们就不可能去探寻隧道里的幽灵火车了。
　　“呃——我们的活动对您来说不会非常有趣的，先生。”朱利安相当无力地说道。然而，鲁夫先生理解了这暗示，意识到下午他们不想让他跟着一起出去。
　　“好的，”他说，“那样的话，我就待在这儿做自己的事。”
　　孩子们如释重负地叹了口气。在乔克的帮助下，安妮收拾好了东西。然后他们带上了茶点，向鲁夫先生告别，就离开了。
　　乔克激动极了，跟其他人在一起，他是如此快乐。他不停地想着晚上可以睡在帐篷里——那会多么美好啊！鲁夫先生真好，那样帮助他。当他们去老调车场的时候，他蹦蹦跳跳地跟在其他人后面。
　　木腿山姆像往常一样在四处闲逛。他们冲他招手，但是他没有挥手。相反，他冲他们挥了挥拳头，努力用他沙哑的嗓音大喊大叫：“你们走开！你们是在擅自闯入私人领地。你们不要下山来，否则我会赶走你们！”
　　“好了，那我们不下去了，”迪克咧嘴而笑，“可怜的老家伙，想用那条木腿追赶我们。我们不会给他这个机会的。我们直接走过去，爬下轨线，走到隧道去。”
　　他们就是那样做的，把老山姆气疯了。他喊到声嘶力竭，但是他们并没有理他。他们迅速地沿着铁轨走。当他们走近的时候，隧道洞口看起来又圆又黑。
　　“现在我们可以直接穿过这条隧道，看前几天夜里的那辆幽灵火车是从哪里出来的，”朱利安说，“它没从另一端出来，所以它一定在这条隧道中间。”
　　“如果它真是幽灵火车，它可能会完全消失。”安妮说。她不喜欢这条黑暗的隧道。其他人听了哈哈大笑。
　　“它是不可能消失的，”迪克说，“我们会在某处碰到它，我们会彻查它，努力去发现它到底是什么，以及它为何如此神秘地来去。”
　　他们走进了那条黑暗的隧道，打开了他们的手电筒，照亮了前面的小路。他们走在一对铁轨中间。朱利安走在前面，密切注视着形似火车的任何东西！
　　铁轨继续延伸着。孩子们的声音在长长的隧道里回响，听起来很奇怪。安妮走得离迪克很近，有些希望自己没有跟来。然后她想起了乔治曾说她是胆小鬼，于是她昂起了头，决心不让别人看出来她害怕了。
　　乔克几乎在不停地说话：“我一生中从未做过这样的事情。我认为这才是一次像样的冒险，在黑暗的隧道里寻找幽灵火车。这让我感到既兴奋，又浑身战栗。我真希望我们能找到火车，它就在这里的某个地方！”
　　他们继续走啊走啊走啊，但是始终没有发现火车的影子。他们来到了隧道分叉的地方，一条岔道通往罗克山谷。朱利安打开了他的手电筒，照亮了那堵巨大的砖墙，它横亘在第二条隧道前。
　　“是的，它确实完全被砖墙封死了，”他说，“所以我们只有另外这条隧道可以探索了。走吧。”
　　他们朝另外那条隧道继续前进，不知道乔治和蒂米就在那堵砖墙后面，藏在幽灵火车上！他们沿着铁轨走啊走，一路上也没发现什么有趣的事情。
　　他们看到在前面一段距离外，有个圆形的光点，“看到那个了吗？”朱利安说道，“那一定是这条隧道的终点，通往基蒂调车场的出口。好了，如果那辆火车不在这里和基蒂调车场之间，它就是消失了！”
　　大家静静地沿着隧道走，来到了外面。基蒂调车场到处都是车间。去这条隧道的出口荒草蔓生，疏于管理，野草甚至漫过了铁轨。
　　“好了，这条隧道多年都没跑过火车了，”朱利安看着这浓密的野草说道，“车轮会把野草轧碎的。”
　　“这太棒了，”迪克困惑地说道，“我们穿过了这条隧道，却没见到火车，然而我们知道它出入其中。它发生了什么？”
　　“它是辆幽灵火车，”乔克的脸激动得通红，“一定是。它只在夜里出现，然后沿着它的铁轨出来，像多年前那样。”
　　“我不愿意那么想，”安妮很苦恼，“那是个可怕的想法。”
　　“我们现在该做什么呢？”朱利安问道，“我们似乎来到了死胡同。没有火车，什么也看不见，空空的隧道，多么无聊的冒险。”
　　“我们再走回去看吧，”乔克说道，他倒是想尽情享受这次探险，“我知道，我们这次像上次一样，看不到那辆火车，但是什么都有可能发生！”
　　“我不会再穿过那个隧道了，”安妮说，“我想走在阳光下。我从隧道上面走，沿着朱利安那天夜里的小路走。你们三个从隧道走回去，在另一头跟我碰面。”
　　“好的。”朱利安说。他跟另外两个男孩消失在黑暗的隧道里。
　　安妮跑到通往上面的小路上。在户外感觉好多啦！那个可怕的隧道！她快乐地奔跑着，在阳光下感到无比高兴。
　　她很快就到了隧道另一端，坐在调车场的小路上等待其他人。
　　她寻找着木腿山姆，到处都没有他的影子，也许他在自己的小屋里。
　　她在那儿还没有两分钟，就发生了一件奇怪的事情。一辆车在那条崎岖不平的小路上行驶，然后去了调车场！安妮坐直了观察。
　　一个男人出来了，安妮的眼睛瞪得都快掉了出来。哎呀，是安德鲁斯先生，乔克的继父！
　　他去了老山姆的小屋，小屋的门打开了。安妮能听到他们说话的声音，接着另一种声音吸引了安妮的注意，一辆重型军用卡车开了过来。她看见卡车谨慎地开下那条陡峭崎岖的小路，开进了一个摇摇欲坠的棚屋里，之后停了下来。然后三个大汉出来了，安妮盯着他们，总觉得在哪里见过。
　　“对了！他们是乔克家农场上的工人！”她想起来了，“但是他们到这儿来干什么呢？多奇怪啊！”
　　让安妮忧虑的是，安德鲁斯先生跟这些人一起。沿着铁轨走向了隧道！她的心脏几乎停止了跳动。天哪，朱利安、迪克和乔克还在那条隧道里，正朝外面走来。他们会和安德鲁斯先生和他的人撞个正着！然后会发生什么呢？安德鲁斯先生警告过他们不要去那儿，还命令乔克也不要去。
　　安妮盯着那四个人，他们走进隧道的洞口。她能做什么呢？她能怎样警告男孩们呢？她实在没有什么办法，只好在那儿等他们出来——很可能会被恼火的安德鲁斯先生和他的人赶出来。天哪，天哪！如果他们被逮个正着，他们可能会被狠狠地训斥一顿！她能做什么呢？
　　“我只能等了，”可怜的安妮想，“我无能为力。唉，快出来吧，朱利安、迪克，还有乔克。我什么也不敢做，只能等你们回来。”
　　她等啊等啊。下午茶时间早就过去了。茶点都在朱利安那里，安妮没有东西可以吃，她也吃不下。没人从隧道里出来，也没有任何声音。安妮决定下去问问木腿山姆。尽管十分害怕那个疯老头，但这个女孩还是勇敢地下到了调车场里。
　　山姆在他的小屋里喝热可可，脸色阴沉，很明显出了什么事。
　　当他看到门口安妮的身影时，他立刻站了起来，晃了晃拳头。
　　“什么，又是你们这群孩子！你们今天下午去了隧道，所以我去给安德鲁斯先生打了个电话，让他来把你们统统抓住。不要多管闲事。你们是怎么从那条隧道里出来的？其他人跟你在一起吗？安德鲁斯先生没抓住你们吗，嗯？”
　　安妮听完这一切害怕极了。原来是山姆给安德鲁斯先生打了电话，出卖了他们。所以乔克的继父和他的人才过来抓他们了。这实在是太糟糕了。
　　“你过来，”山姆突然说。他猛地伸出双臂去抓她，“来吧。我不知道其他人在哪儿，但是我要把你抓住！”
　　安妮尖叫了一声，以最快的速度逃了出去。木腿山姆追了她几码远，然后放弃了。他弯下腰，捡起了一把煤渣。一阵煤渣掉落在安妮身后，吓得她跑得更快了。
　　她飞似的跑上了石南旁的小路，很快就回到了荒原上，气喘吁吁，啜泣不止：“哦，朱利安！哦，迪克！你们一定不要出事！哦，乔治，你在哪儿呢？如果你能回来就好了。你很勇敢，能回去找他们，可我不行。我还是去告诉鲁夫先生吧，他会知道该怎么做的！”她继续跑啊跑啊，她的脚总是绊到浓密的石南丛。她摔倒了无数次，每次都挣扎着迅速爬起。她现在只有一个想法——找到鲁夫先生，告诉他这一切！是的，她要告诉他那辆幽灵火车还有其他的一切。现在这整件事越来越奇怪又匪夷所思，她需要得到一个大人的帮助。
　　她摇摇晃晃地越走越没力气了，“鲁夫先生！哦，鲁夫先生，您在哪里？鲁夫先生！”
　　没有人回答。她来到了一片荆豆丛前，以为那是遮蔽他们露营地的荆豆丛——但是，哎呀，露营地不在那儿。安妮迷路了！
　　“我迷路了！”两行眼泪从安妮的脸上倾泻而下，“但我一定不能害怕。我一定要努力找到正确的路。哦，天哪，我完全迷路了！鲁夫先生！”
　　可怜的安妮。她踉踉跄跄地盲目走着，希望能找到露营地，还时不时地呼喊着：“鲁夫先生，能听到我说话吗？鲁夫——先生！”
Chapter 17 AN AMAZING FIND
　　Chapter 17 AN AMAZING FIND
　　In the meantime, what had happened to the three boys walking back through the tunnel? Theyhad gone slowly along examining the lines to see if a train could have possibly run along themrecently. Few weeds grew in the dark airless tunnel, so they could not tell by those.
　　But, when they came about half-way, Julian noticed an interesting thing. 'Look,' he said, flashinghis torch on to the lines before and behind them. 'See that? The lines are black and rusty behindus now, but here this pair of lines is quite bright - as if they had been used a lot.'
　　He was right. Behind them stretched black and rusty lines, sometimes buckled in places - but infront of them, stretching to the mouth of the tunnel leading to Olly's Yard, the lines were bright,as if train-wheels had run along them.
　　'That's funny,' said Dick. 'Looks as if the spook-train ran only from here to Olly's Yard and back.
　　But why? And where in the world is it now? It's vanished into thin air!'
　　Julian was as puzzled as Dick. Where could a train be if it was not in the tunnel? It had obviouslyrun to the middle of the tunnel, and then stopped - but where had it gone now?
　　'Let's go to the mouth of the tunnel and see if the lines are bright all the way,' said Julian at last.
　　'We can't discover much here - unless the train suddenly materialises in front of us!'
　　They went on down the tunnel, their torches flashing on the lines in front of them. They talkedearnestly as they went. They didn't see four men waiting for them, four men who crouched in alittle niche at the side of the tunnel, waiting there in the dark.
　　'Well,' said Julian, 'I think -' and then he stopped, because four dark figures suddenly pounced onthe three boys and held them fast. Julian gave a shout and struggled, but the man who had holdof him was far too strong to escape from. Their torches were flung to the ground. Julian's broke,and the other two torches lay there, their beams shining on the feet of the struggling company.
　　It didn't take more than twenty seconds to make each boy a captive, his arms behind his back.
　　Julian tried to kick, but his captor twisted his arm so fiercely that he groaned in pain and stoppedhis kicking.
　　'Look here! What's all this about?' demanded Dick. 'Who are you, and what do you think you'redoing? We're only three boys exploring an old tunnel. What's the harm in that?'
　　'Take them all away,' said a voice that everyone recognised at once.
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　　'Mr. Andrews! Is it you?' cried Julian. 'Set us free. You know us - the boys at the camp. AndJock's here too. What do you think you're doing?'
　　Mr. Andrews didn't answer, but he gave poor Jock a box on the right ear that almost sent him tothe ground.
　　Their captors turned them about, and led them roughly up the tunnel, towards the middle.
　　Nobody had a torch so it was all done in the darkness and the three boys stumbled badly, thoughthe men seemed sure-footed enough.
　　They came to a halt after a time. Mr. Andrews left them and Julian heard him go off somewhereto the left. Then there came a curious noise - a bang, a clank, and then a sliding, grating sound.
　　What could be happening? Julian strained his eyes in the darkness, but he could see nothing atall.
　　He didn't know that Mr. Andrews was opening the bricked-up wall through which the train hadgone. He didn't know that he and the others were being pushed out of the first tunnel into theother one, through the curious hole in the wall. The three boys were shoved along in thedarkness, not daring to protest.
　　Now they were in the curious place between the two walls which were built right across theplace where the second tunnel forked from the first one. The place where the spook-train stood insilence - the place where George was, still hidden in one of the trucks with Timmy! But nobodyknew that, of course; not even Mr. Andrews guessed that a girl and a dog were listening in atruck nearby!
　　He put on a torch and flashed it in the faces of the three boys, who, although they were notshowing any fear, felt rather scared all the same. This was so weird and unexpected, and they hadno idea where they were at all.
　　'You were warned not to go down to that yard,' said the voice of one of the men. 'You were toldit was a bad and dangerous place. So it is. And you've got to suffer for not taking heed of thewarning! You'll be tied up and left here till we've finished our business. Maybe that'll be threedays, maybe it'll be three weeks!'
　　'Look here, you can't keep us prisoner for all that time!' said Julian, alarmed. 'Why, there will besearch parties out for us all over the place! They will be sure to find us.'
　　'Oh, no they won't,' said the voice. 'Nobody will find you here. Now, Peters - tie 'em up!'
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　　Peters tied the three boys up. They had their legs tied, and their arms too, and were set downroughly against a wall. Julian protested again.
　　'What are you doing this for? We're quite harmless. We don't know a thing about your business,whatever it is.'
　　'We're not taking any chances,' said the voice. It was not Mr. Andrews's voice, but a firm, strongone, full of determination and a large amount of annoyance.
　　'What about Mum?' said Jock suddenly, to his stepfather. 'She'll be worried.'
　　'Well, let her be worried,' said the voice again, answering before Mr. Andrews could say a word.
　　'It's your own fault. You were warned.'
　　The feet of the four men moved away. Then there came the same noises again as the boys hadheard before. They were made by the hole in the wall closing up, but the boys didn't know that.
　　They couldn't imagine what they were. The noises stopped and there was dead silence. Therewas also pitch darkness. The three boys strained their ears, and felt sure that the men had gone.
　　'Well! The brutes! Whatever are they up to?' said Julian in a low voice, trying to loosen the ropesround his hands.
　　'They've got some secret to hide,' said Dick. 'Gosh, they've tied my feet so tightly that the rope iscutting into my flesh.'
　　'What's going to happen?' came Jock's scared voice. This adventure didn't seem quite so grand tohim now.
　　'Sh!' said Julian suddenly. 'I can hear something!'
　　They all lay and listened. What was it they could hear?
　　'It's - it's a dog whining,' said Dick, suddenly.
　　It was. It was Timmy in the truck with George. He had heard the voices of the boys he knew, andhe wanted to get to them. But George, not sure yet that the men had gone, still had her hand onhis collar. Her heart beat for joy to think she was alone no longer. The three boys - and Anne,too, perhaps - were there, in the same strange place as she and Timmy were.
　　The boys listened hard. The whining came again. Then, George let go her hold of Timmy'scollar, and he leapt headlong out of the truck. His feet pattered eagerly over the ground. He wentstraight to the boys in the darkness, and Julian felt a wet tongue licking his face. A warm bodypressed against him, and a little bark told him who it was.
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　　'Timmy! I say, Dick - it's Timmy!' cried Julian, in joy. 'Where did he come from? Timmy, is itreally you?'
　　'Woof,' said Timmy, and licked Dick next and then Jock.
　　'Where's George then?' wondered Dick.
　　'Here," said a voice, and out of the truck scrambled George, switching on her torch as she did so.
　　She went over to the boys. 'Whatever's happened? How did you come here? Were you capturedor something?'
　　'Yes,' said Julian. 'But, George - where are we? And what are you doing here too? It's like apeculiar dream!'
　　'I'll cut your ropes first, before I stop to explain anything,' said George, and she took out hersharp knife. In a few moments she had cut the boys' bonds, and they all sat up, rubbing their soreankles and wrists, groaning.
　　'Thanks, George! Now I feel fine,' said Julian, getting up. 'Where are we? Gracious, is that anengine there? What's it doing here?'
　　'That, Julian, is the spook-train!' said George, with a laugh. 'Yes, it is, really.'
　　'But we walked all the way down the tunnel and out of the other end, without finding it,' saidJulian puzzled. 'It's most mysterious.'
　　'Listen, Ju,' said George. 'You know where that second tunnel is bricked up, don't you? Well,there's a way in through the wall - a whole bit of it moves back in a sort of Open-Sesamemanner! The spook-train can run in through the hole, on the rails. Once it's beyond the wall itstops, and the hole is closed up again.'
　　George switched her torch round to show the astonished boys the wall through which they hadcome. Then she swung her torch to the big wall opposite. 'See that?' she said. 'There are twowalls across this second tunnel, with a big space in between - where the spook-train hides!
　　Clever, isn't it?'
　　'It would be, if I could see any sense in it,' said Julian. 'But I can't. Why should anyone messabout with a silly spook-train at night?'
　　'That's what we've got to find out,' said George. 'And now's our chance. Look, Julian - look at allthe caves stretching out on either side of the tunnel here. They would make wonderful hiding-places!'
　　'What for?' said Dick. 'I can't make head or tail of this!'
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　　George swung her torch on the three boys and then asked a sudden question: 'I say - where'sAnne?'
　　'Anne! She didn't want to come back with us through the tunnel, so she ran over the moorlands tomeet us at the other end, by Olly's Yard,' said Julian. 'She'll be worried stiff, won't she, when wedon't turn up? I only hope she doesn't come wandering up the tunnel to meet us - she'll run intothose men if she does.'
　　Everyone felt worried. Anne hated the tunnel and she would be very frightened if peoplepounced on her in the darkness. Julian turned to George.
　　'Swing your torch round and let's see these caves. There doesn't seem to be anyone here now. Wecould have a snoop round.'
　　George swung her torch round, and Julian saw vast and apparently fathomless caves stretchingout on either side, cut out of the sides of the tunnel. Jock saw something else. By the light of thetorch he caught sight of a switch on the wall. Perhaps it opened the hole in the wall.
　　He crossed to it and pulled it down. Immediately the place was flooded with a bright light. It wasa light-switch he had found. They all blinked in the sudden glare.
　　'That's better,' said Julian, pleased. 'Good for you, Jock! Now we can see what we're doing.'
　　He looked at the spook-train standing silently near them on its rails. It certainly looked very oldand forgotten - as if it belonged to the last century, not to this.
　　'It's quite a museum piece,' said Julian, with interest. 'So that's what we heard puffing in and outof the tunnel at night - old Spooky!'
　　'I hid in that truck there,' said George, pointing, and she told them her own adventure. The boyscould hardly believe she had actually puffed into this secret place, hidden on the spook-trainitself!
　　'Come on - now let's look at these caves,' said Dick. They went over to the nearest one. It waspacked with crates and boxes of all kinds. Julian pulled one open and whistled.
　　'All black market stuff, I imagine. Look here - crates of tea, crates of whisky and brandy, boxesand boxes of stuff - goodness knows what! This is a real black market hiding-place!'
　　The boys explored a little further. The caves were piled high with valuable stuff, worththousands of pounds.
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　　'All stolen, I suppose,' said Dick. 'But what do they do with it? I mean - how do they dispose ofit? They bring it here in the train, of course, and hide it - but they must have some way of gettingrid of it.'
　　'Would they repack it on the train and run it back to the yard when they had enough lorries totake it away?' said Julian.
　　'No!' said Dick. 'Of course not. Let me see - they steal it, pile it on to lorries at night, take itsomewhere temporarily . . .'
　　'Yes - to my mother's farm!' said Jock, in a scared voice. 'All those lorries there in the barn -that's what they're used for! And they come down to Olly's Yard at night and the stuff is loadedin secret on the old train that comes puffing out to meet them - and then it's taken back here andhidden!'
　　'Wheeeee-ew!' Julian whistled. 'You're right, Jock! That's just what happens. What a cunningplot - to use a perfectly honest little farm as a hiding-place, to stock the farm with black-marketmen for labourers - no wonder they are such bad workers - and to wait for dark nights to run thestuff down to the yard and load it on the train!'
　　'Your stepfather must make a lot of money at this game,' said Dick to Jock.
　　'Yes. That's why he can afford to pour money into the farm,' said Jock, miserably. 'Poor Mum.
　　This will break her heart. All the same, I don't think my stepfather's the chief one in this. There'ssomebody behind him.'
　　'Yes,' said Julian, thinking of the mean little Mr. Andrews, with his big nose and weak chin.
　　'There probably is. Now - I've thought of something else. If this stuff is got rid of in any otherway except down the tunnel it came up, there must somewhere be a way out of these caves!'
　　'I believe you're right,' said George. 'And if there is - we'll find it! And what's more, we'll escapethat way!'
　　'Come on!' said Julian, and he switched off the glaring light. 'Your torch will give enough lightnow. We'll try this cave first. Keep your eyes open, all of you!'
17.隧道里的秘密
　　隧道里的秘密
　　就在安妮迷路的同时，那三个穿过隧道的男孩们遭遇了什么事情呢？
　　他们慢慢地沿着铁轨走着，检查最近是否有火车在上面跑过。
　　但是在这黑暗、不通风的隧道里，野草长得很少，所以他们无法通过这一点判断出什么。
　　不过，当他们走到半路的时候，朱利安注意到了一件有趣的事，“快看！”他把手电筒照在他们身前和身后的铁路线上，“看到了吗？现在我们身后的铁轨很黑，而且锈迹斑斑的，但是我们身前的这对铁路线很亮，似乎经常使用。”
　　朱利安的分析是对的。他们身后的铁轨又黑又锈，但是他们身前的铁轨，延伸到奥利调车场，很新、很亮，似乎有火车经常在上面运行。
　　“真有趣，”迪克说，“看起来似乎幽灵火车只从这里跟奥利调车场之间运行。但是为什么呢？它现在到底在哪儿？难道凭空消失了！”
　　朱利安跟迪克一样困惑。如果那辆火车不在隧道里，那它在哪儿呢？很明显它跑到了这条隧道中间，然后停了下来，但是它现在去哪儿了呢？
　　“我们去隧道洞口看看，看看铁轨是不是一路上都这么亮，”朱利安最后说道，“我们在这儿没法发现太多线索，除非火车在我们面前突然出现！”
　　男孩们继续往隧道出口走去，手电筒照亮了面前的铁路线。他们边走边投入地交谈着，完全没看见前面有四个大汉正等着他们。
　　那四个人躲在隧道的一个壁龛里，在黑暗中等着他们。
　　“嗯，”朱利安说，“我认为……”猛地一下，他愣住了。四个黑影突然扑倒了他们三个，把他们紧紧抓住。朱利安喊了一声，不住地挣扎，但是抓住他的大汉太强壮了，他逃脱不掉。孩子们的手电筒被扔到了地上，朱利安的那个摔坏了，其他人的两个掉在了地上，照着孩子们挣扎着的脚。
　　还不到20秒钟，男孩们就被俘虏了，胳膊被扭在背后。朱利安努力去踢，但是劫持者又更加猛烈地扭住他的胳膊，以致他疼得发出了呻吟，放弃了挣扎。
　　“听着！这到底是怎么回事？”迪克质问道，“你们是谁，你们以为自己在干什么？我们只是三个小男孩，在探索一条旧隧道。有什么问题吗？”
　　“把他们都带走。”一个黑影走了出来，男孩们都听出了这个声音。
　　“安德鲁斯先生！是你吗？”朱利安喊道，“快放我们走。你认识我们，我们是露营地的男孩们，乔克也在这儿。你在干什么呢？”
　　安德鲁斯先生没有回答，而是冲可怜的乔克狠狠地打了一拳，几乎把他打翻在地。
　　劫持者把孩子们扭转身，粗暴地带他们往隧道中间走去。没人拿着手电筒，一切都是在黑暗中进行的。三个男孩踉跄得厉害，而大人们似乎熟门熟路。
　　一段时间后，他们停下了脚步。安德鲁斯先生离开了他们，朱利安听到他去了左边的某处。突然，传来一声巨响，“当啷”一声，然后是什么东西在滑行发出的刺耳声音。正在发生什么？朱利安在黑暗中瞪大了眼睛望过去，却什么也看不见。
　　他不知道安德鲁斯先生正在打开那堵封死的墙，火车就在里面。他也不知道，在这条隧道分叉的地方，他和其他人正被推到另一条隧道里。在封闭的砖墙之间幽灵火车就秘密地藏在这里——乔治也待在这里，跟蒂米一起藏在火车的一节车厢上！但是他们一无所知。甚至连安德鲁斯先生都想不到，一个女孩和一条狗正在附近的一节车厢里偷听！
　　安德鲁斯先生打开了手电筒，照着三个男孩们的脸。尽管他们没有表现出恐惧，但他们内心还是感到害怕。这一切太诡异，太出乎意料了，他们甚至都不知身在何处。
　　“你们被警告过，不要去那个调车场。”一个男人说，“你们被告知过，这是个危险的地方。你们还真是不见棺材不落泪，不把警告放心上，就得受点教训！你们会被绑起来，留在这里，直到我们办完事。也许会是三天，也许会是三周！”
　　“听着，你们不能把我们囚禁在这里那么久！”朱利安警惕地说道，“会有搜查队到荒原来找我们的！他们一定会找到我们的。”
　　“不，他们找不到，”那个声音说道，“没人能在这儿找到你们。
　　现在，彼得斯，把他们绑起来！”
　　彼得斯把三个男孩绑了起来，粗暴地放在了墙边。
　　朱利安再次抗议：“你们这是干什么？我们不会惹麻烦的。我们对你们的事一无所知，不管它是什么交易。”
　　“我们不能承担任何风险。”那个声音说道。那不是安德鲁斯先生的声音，那个声音坚定无比，充满了厌烦。
　　“妈妈呢？”乔克突然对他的继父说，“她会担心的。”
　　“让她担心去吧，”那个声音抢在安德鲁斯先生之前说道，“这是你自己的错。你知道这些警告。”
　　那四个男人的脚步声远了。然后再次传来了男孩们以前听到过的一连串噪音。那是墙上的洞关闭的声音，但是男孩们什么也不知道，他们无法想象那是什么声音。噪音停止了，接下来是死一般的沉寂。四周一片漆黑。三个男孩努力去听，确定那些人已经走了。
　　“好了！那些野蛮人！他们到底想干什么？”朱利安低声咒骂着。他努力去弄松捆住手的绳子。
　　“他们有秘密要隐瞒，”迪克说，“天哪，他们把我的脚系得太紧了，绳子都勒进肉里去了。”
　　“会发生什么呢？”乔克害怕地说道。这次冒险现在对他来说，似乎没有那么棒了。
　　“嘘！”朱利安突然说道，“我能听到些什么！”
　　他们静下来侧耳倾听……他们能听到什么呢？
　　“是……一条狗哀号的声音！”迪克突然说道。
　　确实如此。是蒂米！它在货车里跟乔治一起。它听到了它熟悉的男孩们的声音，想去他们身边。但是乔治不确定那些人是否已经走远，所以她的手依然抓着蒂米的项圈。想到她不再是一个人在这个鬼地方，乔治的心快乐地跳着。三个男孩，也许，还有安妮，跟她和蒂米一样，共同关在了这个奇怪的地方。
　　男孩们努力地倾听着，哀号声又传来了。乔治放开了蒂米的项圈，它猛地从车厢里跳了出来。四只脚急切地在地上快速拍打着。
　　它在黑暗中如离弦之箭跑向男孩们。朱利安忽然感觉到一条湿漉漉的舌头在舔他的脸，一个温暖的身躯不停地蹭着他，最后一声轻轻的叫唤告诉了他它是谁。
　　“蒂米！嘿，迪克，这是蒂米！”朱利安高兴地喊叫道，“你从哪儿来的？蒂米，真的是你吗？”
　　“汪！”蒂米回答道，然后又跑去舔了舔迪克，又舔了舔乔克。
　　“那乔治在哪儿呢？”迪克想知道。
　　“这儿。”一个声音说道。乔治从车厢里爬了出来，同时打开了手电筒。她走到了男孩们身边，“发生了什么事？你们是怎么来到这儿的？你们被他们抓了还是怎么了？”
　　“是的，”朱利安说，“但是，乔治，我们这是在哪儿？你在这儿干什么？这就像个离奇的梦境！”
　　“我先把你们的绳子割断，再给你们解释，”乔治说着，拿出了一把尖锐的小刀。不一会儿，她就割开了绳索。男孩们都坐了起来，揉着他们酸痛的脚踝和手腕，像吃了辣椒一样唏嘘着。
　　“谢谢你，乔治！现在感觉好多了。”朱利安说。他站起身来，“我们在哪儿？天哪，那是火车头吗？它在这儿干什么？”
　　“朱利安，那个就是幽灵火车！”乔治哈哈大笑，“是的，确实如此。”
　　“但是我们穿过了整条隧道，都没有发现它，”朱利安困惑地说，“这太神秘了。”
　　“听着，朱利安，”乔治说，“你记得第二条隧道那个被封死的地方，对吧？其实，有个方法可以穿过那道墙，那就是它有一扇砖门会向后移动，像芝麻开门一样！那辆幽灵火车可以穿过那个洞进出。一旦它跑过那道墙，那个洞门就又关闭了。”
　　乔治打开了手电筒，照亮四周，给那些惊得合不拢嘴的男孩们看他们是从哪道墙进来的。然后她突然用手电筒晃了晃对面的那道墙，“看到那个了吗？”她说，“有两道墙封住了这第二条隧道，它们中间有个很大的空间，也就是幽灵火车的藏身之地！很聪明，是吧？”
　　“是的，如果我能想到这么做有什么意义的话，”朱利安说道，“但是我实在想不出。为什么会有人在夜里用一辆愚蠢的幽灵火车胡闹呢？”
　　“那就是我们要发现的东西了。”乔治说，“现在就是我们的机会。听着，朱利安，看这些洞穴，在这条隧道的两侧有很多。它们就是完美的藏身地！”
　　“怎么说？”迪克问道，“我没理解。”
　　乔治猛地用她的手电筒照着这三个男孩，问了一个很突然的问题：“嘿！安妮在哪儿呢？”
　　“安妮，她不想跟我们一起穿过隧道回去，所以从荒原上面走了，准备在另一头迎接我们，在奥利调车场那里。”朱利安说，“我们现在还没出来，她要担心死了，我只希望她没有回到隧道来找我们。如果她这样做的话，会碰上那些男人的。”
　　每个人都感到很担心。安妮讨厌这条隧道，如果在黑暗中，再有人扑到她身上，她会被吓坏的。朱利安转身看着乔治。
　　“用你的手电筒照照四周，让我们看看这些洞穴。现在似乎没有人，我们可以巡视一下。”
　　乔治挥动着她的手电筒。朱利安看到隧道两侧有很多深不可测的洞穴在每一头延伸。乔克看到了别的东西，借着手电筒的光，他看到墙上有个电闸，也许它能打开砖墙上的开口。
　　他走到电闸旁边，把它拉了下来。整个空间立刻充满了亮光。
　　原来他找到的是电灯的开关，亮得他们眼睛都睁不开了，过了好一会儿才适应。
　　“这样好多了，”朱利安满意地说，“好样的，乔克！现在我们可以看个清楚了。”
　　他看了看轨道上静静的幽灵火车。它看起来很古老，似乎属于上个世纪，而不是现在。
　　“它可以放进博物馆了，”朱利安兴致勃勃地说，“所以那就是我们夜里听到出入隧道的火车，真是令人毛骨悚然的幽灵！”
　　“我刚刚藏在那节车厢里。”她用手指着，然后讲述了自己的冒险经历。男孩们不敢相信她经历了如此奇特的凶险来到了这个秘密的地方，居然躲在幽灵火车里！
　　“来吧，现在我们来看看这些洞穴。”迪克说。他们走进了最近的一个洞穴，里面充满了各种各样的板条箱和其他箱子。朱利安拉开了其中一个，吹了声口哨。
　　“天哪，都是黑市上的东西，看这儿，成箱的茶叶，成箱的威士忌，成箱的白兰地，很多很多箱好东西，谁知道那些其他箱子是什么！这真是个黑市窝点！”
　　男孩们又四处探索了一下，这些洞穴里装满了珍贵的货物，价值数百万英镑。
　　“我猜都是偷来的。”迪克说，“但是他们怎么处理这些走私货呢？我是说，他们怎么卖掉它们呢？他们把货运来，送到火车上，然后把它们藏起来，但是他们一定得有办法把这些货解决掉。”
　　“他们是在火车上重新装箱，然后等他们有足够卡车的时候，再把货拉到调车场？”
　　“不！”迪克说，“当然不是。我看他们把货偷来，在夜里装到卡车上，把它们暂时存放在某地……”
　　“是的，放在我妈妈的农场上！”乔克害怕地说，“谷仓里的所有卡车就是用来干这个的！然后他们夜里去奥利调车场，那辆旧火车冒着烟来迎接他们，然后货物被秘密地装上火车，接着被带到这里藏起来！”
　　“说得对！”朱利安吹起了口哨，“就是这样，乔克！多狡猾的阴谋，用一个完全合法的小农场做掩护，让黑市的人遍布整个农场，难怪他们干起农活来如此糟糕。然后他们等到夜里，把东西送到调车场，再装上火车！”
　　“你继父一定从这个黑市中赚了一大笔钱。”迪克对乔克说。
　　“是的。那就是为什么他能把大量的钱砸到农场上。”乔克痛苦地说道，“可怜的妈妈，这会伤透她的心的。不过，我不认为我继父是这件事的罪魁祸首。他背后肯定还有人。”
　　“是的，”朱利安说道。他想起了刻薄的小个子安德鲁斯先生，还有他的大鼻子和短下巴，“很有可能是这样。现在——我想起了别的事情。如果这些货物是通过其他途径处理的，而不是在隧道里用火车，那某个洞穴一定有路可以走出隧道！”
　　“我相信你是对的，”乔治说，“如果有的话——我们会发现它的！而且，我们可以从那里逃走！”
　　“加油！”朱利安说。他关上了那刺眼的灯光，“你的手电筒现在足够亮。我们先试试这个洞穴，所有人都把眼睛睁大了！”
Chapter 18 A WAY OF ESCAPE
　　Chapter 18 A WAY OF ESCAPE
　　The four children and Timmy went into the big cave. They made their way round piles of boxes,chests and crates, marvelling at the amount the men must have stolen from time to time.
　　'These aren't man-made caves,' said Julian. 'They're natural. I expect the roof did perhaps fall inwhere the two tunnels met, and the entrance between them was actually blocked up.'
　　'But were two walls built then?' said Dick.
　　'Oh, no. We can't guess how it was that this black market hiding-place came into existence,' saidJulian, 'but it might perhaps have been known there were caves here - and when someone cameprospecting along the tunnel one day, maybe they even found an old train buried under a roof-fall or something like that.'
　　'And resurrected it, and built another wall secretly for a hiding-place - and used the train for theirown purposes!' said Dick. 'Made that secret entrance, too. How ingenious!'
　　'Or it's possible the place was built during the last war,' said Julian. 'Maybe secret experimentswere carried on here - and given up afterwards. The place might have been discovered by theblack marketeers then, and used in this clever way. We can't tell!'
　　They had wandered for a good way in the cave by now, without finding anything of interestbeyond the boxes and chests of all kinds of goods. Then they came to where a pile was veryneatly arranged, with numbers chalked on boxes that were built up one on top of another. Julianhalted.
　　'Now this looks as if these boxes were about to be shifted off somewhere,' he said. 'All put inorder and numbered. Surely the exit must be somewhere here?'
　　He took George's torch from her and flashed it all round. Then he found what he wanted. Thebeam of light shone steadily on a strong roughly-made wooden door, set in the wall of the cave.
　　They went over to it in excitement.
　　'This is what we want!' said Julian. 'I bet this is the exit to some very lonely part of the moors,not far from a road that lorries can come along to collect any goods carried out of here! There aresome very deserted roads over these moors, running in the middle of miles of lonely moorland.'
　　'It's a clever organisation,' said Dick. 'Lorries stored at an innocent farm, full of goods for hidingin the tunnel-caves at a convenient time. The train comes out in the dark to collect the goods, and93
　　takes them back here, till the hue and cry after the goods has died down. Then out they gothrough this door to the moorlands, down to the lorries which come to collect them and whiskthem away to the black market!'
　　'I told you how I saw Peters late one night, locking up the barn, didn't I?' said Jock, excitedly.
　　'Well, he must have got the lorry full of stolen goods then - and the next night he loaded them onto the spook-train!'
　　'That's about it,' said Julian, who had been trying the door to see if he could open it. 'I say, thisdoor's maddening. I can't make it budge an inch. There's no lock that I can see.'
　　They all shoved hard, but the door would not give at all. It was very stout and strong, thoughrough and unfinished. Panting and hot, the four of them at last gave it up.
　　'Do you know what I think?' said Dick. 'I think the beastly thing has got something jammed hardagainst it on the outside.'
　　'Sure to have, when you come to think of it,' said Julian. 'It will be well hidden too - heather andbracken and stuff all over it. Nobody would ever find it. I suppose the lorry-drivers come acrossfrom the road to open the door when they want to collect the goods. And shut it and jam it afterthem.'
　　'No way of escape there, then,' said George in disappointment.
　　'Fraid not,' said Julian. George gave a sigh.
　　'Tired, old thing?' Julian asked kindly. 'Or hungry?'
　　'Both, 'said George.
　　'Well, we've got some food somewhere, haven't we?' said Julian. 'I remember one of the menslinging my bag in after me. We've not had what we brought for tea yet. What about having ameal now? We can't seem to escape at the moment.'
　　'Let's have it here,' said George. 'I simply can't go a step further!'
　　They sat down against a big crate. Dick undid his kit-bag. There were sandwiches, cake andchocolate. The four of them ate thankfully, and wished they had something to wash down thefood with. Julian kept wondering about Anne.
　　'I wonder what she did,' he said. 'She'd wait and wait, I suppose. Then she might go back to thecamp. But she doesn't know the way very well, and she might get lost. Oh dear -1 don't knowwhich would be worse for Anne, being lost on the moor or a prisoner down here with us!'
　　94
　　'Perhaps she's neither,' said Jock, giving Timmy his last bit of sandwich. 'I must say I'm jollyglad to have Timmy. Honest, George, I couldn't believe it when I heard Tim whine, and thenheard your voice, too. I thought I must be dreaming.'
　　They sat where they were for a little longer and then decided to go back to the tunnel where thetrain was. 'It's just possible we might find the switch that works the Open-Sesame bit,' saidJulian. 'We ought to have looked before, really, but I didn't think of it.'
　　They went back to where the train stood silently on its pair of lines. It seemed such an ordinaryold train now that the children couldn't imagine why they had ever thought it was strange andspooky.
　　They switched on the light again, then they looked about for any lever or handle that mightperhaps open the hole in the wall. There didn't seem to be anything at all. They tried a fewswitches, but nothing happened.
　　Then George suddenly came across a big lever low down in the brick wall itself. She tried tomove it and couldn't. She called Julian.
　　'Ju! Come here. I wonder if this has got anything to do with opening that hole.'
　　The three boys came over to George. Julian tried to swing the lever down. Nothing happened. Hepulled it but it wouldn't move. Then he and Dick pushed it upwards with all their strength.
　　And hey presto, there came a bang from somewhere, as something heavy shifted, and then aclanking as if machinery was at work. Then came the sliding, grating noise and a great piece ofthe brick wall moved slowly back, and then swung round sideways and stopped. The way ofescape was open!
　　'Open Sesame!' said Dick, grandly, as the hole appeared.
　　'Better switch off the light here,' said Julian. 'If there's anyone still in the tunnel they might seethe reflection of it on the tunnel-wall beyond, and wonder what it was.'
　　He stepped back and switched it off, and the place was in darkness again. George put on hertorch, and its feeble beam lighted up the way of escape.
　　'Come on,' said Dick, impatiently, and they all crowded out of the hole. 'We'll make for Olly'sYard.' They began to make their way down the dark tunnel.
　　'Listen,' said Julian, in a low voice. 'We'd better not talk at all, and we'd better go as quietly as wecan. We don't know who may be in or out of this tunnel this evening. We don't want to walkbang into somebody.'
　　95
　　So they said nothing at all, but kept close to one another in single file, walking at the side of thetrack.
　　They had not gone more than a quarter of a mile before Julian stopped suddenly. The othersbumped into one another, and Timmy gave a little whine as somebody trod on his paw. George'shand went down to his collar at once.
　　The four of them and Timmy listened, hardly daring to breathe. Somebody was coming up thetunnel towards them! They could see the pin-point of a torch, and hear the distant crunch offootsteps.
　　'Other way, quick!' whispered Julian, and they all turned. With Jock leading them now, theymade their way as quickly and quietly as they could back to the place where the two tunnels met.
　　They passed it and went on towards Kilty's Yard, hoping to get out that way.
　　But alas for their hopes, a lantern stood some way down the tunnel there, and they did not dare togo on.
　　There might be nobody with the lantern-on the other hand there might. What were they to do?
　　'They'll see that hole in the wall is open!' suddenly said Dick. 'We left it open. They'll knowwe've escaped then. We're caught again! They'll come down to find us, and here we'll be!'
　　They stood still, pressed close together, Timmy growling a little in his throat. Then Georgeremembered something!
　　'Julian! Dick! We could climb up that vent that I came down,' she whispered. 'The one poor oldTimmy fell down. Have we time?'
　　'Where is the vent?' said Julian, urgently. 'Quick find it.'
　　George tried to remember. Yes, it was on the other side of the tunnel - near the place where thetwo tunnels met. She must look for the pile of soot. How she hoped the little light from her torchwould not be seen. Whoever was coming up from Olly's Yard must be almost there by now!
　　She found the pile of soot that Timmy had fallen into. 'Here it is,' she whispered. 'But, oh Julian!
　　How can we take Timmy?'
　　'We can't,' said Julian, 'We must hope he'll manage to hide and then slink out of the tunnel byhimself. He's quite clever enough.'
　　He pushed George up the vent first and her feet found the first rungs. Then Jock went up, hisnose almost on George's heels. Then Dick - and last of all, Julian. But before he managed toclimb the first steps, something happened.
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　　A bright glare filled the tunnel, as someone switched on the light that hung there. Timmy slunkinto the shadows and growled in his throat. Then there came a shout.
　　'Who's opened the hole in the wall? It's open! Who's there?'
　　It was Mr. Andrews's voice. Then came another voice, angry and loud: 'Who's here? Who'sopened this place?'
　　'Those kids can't have moved the lever,' said Mr. Andrews. 'We bound them up tightly.'
　　The men, three of them, went quickly through the hole in the wall. Julian climbed up the firstfew rungs thankfully. Poor Timmy was left in the shadows at the bottom.
　　Out came the men at a run. 'They've gone! Their ropes are cut! How could they have escaped?
　　We put Kit down one end of the tunnel and we've been walking up this end. Those kids must beabout here somewhere.'
　　'Or hiding in the caves,' said another voice. 'Peters, go and look, while we hunt here.'
　　The men hunted everywhere. They had no idea that the vent was nearby in the wall. They did notsee the dog that slunk by them like a shadow, keeping out of their way, and lying downwhenever the light from a torch came near him.
　　George climbed steadily, feeling with her feet for the iron nails whenever she came to brokenrungs. Then she came to a stop. Something was pressing on her head. What was it? She put upher hand to feel. It was the collection of broken iron bars that Timmy had fallen on that morning.
　　He had dislodged some of them, and they had then fallen in such a way that they had lodgedacross the vent, all twined into each other. George could climb no higher. She tried to move thebars, but they were heavy and strong - besides, she was afraid she might bring the whole lot ontop of her and the others. They might be badly injured then.
　　'What's up, George? Why don't you go on?' asked Jock, who was next.
　　'There's some iron bars across the vent - ones that must have fallen when Timmy fell,' saidGeorge. 'I can't go any higher! I daren't pull too hard at the bars.'
　　Jock passed the message to Dick, and he passed it down to Julian. The four of them came to afull-stop!
　　'Blow!' said Julian. 'I wish I'd gone up first. What are we to do now?'
　　What indeed? The four of them hung there in the darkness, hating the smell of the sooty old vent,miserably uncomfortable on the broken rungs and nails.
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　　'How do you like adventures now, Jock?' asked Dick. 'I bet you wish you were in your own bedat home!'
　　'I don't!' said Jock. 'I wouldn't miss this for worlds! I always wanted an adventure - and I'm notgrumbling at this one!'
18.逃跑
　　逃跑
　　四个孩子和蒂米一起进了一个大洞穴。他们绕过成堆的盒子、大箱子和板条箱，深感惊讶，那些人一定是惯犯。
　　“这些不是人造洞穴，”朱利安说，“它们是天然形成的。我想穴顶也许确实在两条隧道交汇处塌陷过，那条隧道的出入口被封死了。”“两堵砖墙也是那时候建的？”迪克问道。
　　“那就不得而知了。我们猜不出这个黑市窝点是怎样形成的。”朱利安说，“但是可能人们知道这里有洞穴。当有人某天沿着这条隧道勘探的时候，也许他们甚至发现了塌顶下面埋着的旧火车。”
　　“然后把它挖出来修好了，又建了两堵墙，做成了一个藏身地，火车也拿来自己用！”迪克说，“还建造了那个砖墙出入口。太有创意了！”
　　“或者也许这个地方是战争期间建造的，”朱利安说，“也许这里是做秘密实验的地方，后来放弃了。这个地方也许那时被黑市商人发现了，他们聪明地利用了它。这些我们都无法判断！”
　　他们现在已经在洞穴里漫步很远了，除了各种各样的盒子和箱子外，没有发现任何有趣的东西。他们看到一大堆摆放整齐的货物，摞在一起的每个箱子上都用粉笔写着数字。
　　朱利安停下了脚步。“现在这看起来似乎是这些箱子要被运往某地似的，”他说道，“这些箱子都整理好了，还标上了数字。难道出口就在这附近？”
　　他拿过乔治的手电筒，向周围照着。然后他发现了自己在找的东西。光束稳稳地照在了洞穴墙上一个粗制滥造的木门上面，他们激动地走了过去。
　　“这就对了！”朱利安说，“我敢说这扇门通往荒原里某个非常偏僻的地方，离公路不远，卡车可以过来运送从这里搬出去的货物！
　　荒原上有些废弃的路，在偏僻的荒原中间绵延不绝。”
　　“这是个非常聪明的组织。”迪克说，“卡车放在无辜的农场上，装满了货物，在方便的时候藏在隧道的洞穴里。火车在夜里出来，装上货物，然后把它们带回这里，直到火车把货物送走。接着从这道门去到荒原，去卡车那里把它们送走，运到黑市上贩卖！”
　　“我告诉过你们，我某天深夜看到过彼得斯，他还在锁上谷仓的门。”乔克激动地说，“现在明白了，他那时一定把卡车装满了偷来的货物，第二天夜里他再把它们装上幽灵火车！”
　　“差不多就是这样，”朱利安说。他一直在尝试开那道门，“这道门真是令人恼火。我怎么也打不开。我没发现锁。”
　　他们用力推着，但是这扇门一动不动。它很结实、坚固，虽然很粗糙而且看上去没有完工。他们四个都气喘吁吁、大汗淋漓，最后不得不放弃了。
　　“你们知道我是怎么想的吗？”迪克说，“我认为那些坏人用什么东西从外面把门堵严了。”
　　“一定是的，”朱利安说，“这个出口也一定藏得很好，周围长满石南和欧洲蕨之类的植物，没人会发现的。我想卡车司机想带走货物的时候，会从路上过来打开门，最后走的时候关上并堵上它。”
　　“那就无路可逃了。”乔治失望地说。
　　“恐怕是的。”朱利安说。乔治叹了口气。
　　“累了吗，老伙计？”朱利安体贴地问道，“还是饿了？”
　　“两者都有。”乔治说。
　　“对了，我们那里有吃的。”朱利安说，“我记得那个大汉把我推进来后，把我的包扔进来了。我们还没吃带来的茶点。现在吃点怎么样？我们短时间内也没法跑出去。”
　　“我们就在这儿吃吧，”乔治说，“我已经走不动了！”
　　他们靠着一个大板条箱坐下了。迪克打开了他的包，里面有三明治，蛋糕和巧克力。他们四个五味杂陈地吃着，希望能有饮料可以喝。朱利安一直在想着安妮。
　　“我想知道她怎么样了，”他说，“她一定是等啊等啊，然后可能会回到露营地。但是她对路不太熟悉，所以可能会迷了路。哦，天哪！我都不知道哪种情况对安妮来说更糟糕，在荒原上迷路，还是跟我们一样被囚禁在这里！”
　　“也许两种情况都不会发生，”乔克说道。他把自己最后一小块三明治给了蒂米，“话说，我很高兴蒂米在这里。乔治，当我听到蒂米哀号的时候，我都无法相信自己的耳朵。然后我还听到了你的声音，我以为我一定是在做梦。”
　　他们在原地又坐了一会儿，然后决定回到那条隧道里去找火车，“有可能我们会找到一个开关，来一个‘芝麻开门’，”朱利安说，“我们刚才就应该找找的，真是的，一下子没想起来。”
　　孩子们走了回去，那辆火车依旧静静地停在那对铁轨上。它现在看起来是辆如此普通的旧火车，孩子们无法想象他们之前为什么会觉得它如此奇怪诡异。
　　他们再次打开了灯，开始寻找一个控制杆或是把手，也许能打开墙上的洞，但他们找了半天一无所获。他们尝试了几个按钮，但是什么也没发生。
　　突然，乔治发现在砖墙下面有个大控制杆。她努力想要去拉动它，但是力气不够。她喊来了男孩子们。
　　“朱利安！你们快过来。我想知道这个是否可以打开那个洞。”
　　三个男孩来到了乔治身边。朱利安使劲拉了下控制杆，但它纹丝不动。然后他叫上迪克用尽他们全身的力气拉动控制杆。
　　突然从某处传来了一声巨响，同时有什么沉重的东西移动了，响起一连串当啷声，似乎是机械链条在运转。然后传来了刺耳的滑动声，一大块砖墙在慢慢地向他们移动，接着又向旁边挪动开来，最后停住不动。逃生路被打开了！
　　“芝麻开门！”当洞门打开的时候，迪克大声喊了一声。
　　“最好把这里的灯关掉，”朱利安说，“如果还有人在隧道里，他们会看到，光反射到远处隧道的墙上，引起怀疑就不妙了。”
　　他跑到后面关掉了灯，这个地方再次陷入了黑暗。乔治打开了手电筒，微弱的光足以照亮逃生的路。
　　“来吧，”迪克心急地说，“我们去奥利调车场。”他们跑出了那个洞口，开始在黑暗的隧道里前进。
　　“听着，”朱利安低声说，“现在开始，我们最好别说话，尽可能安静地走。我们不知道今天晚上还会有谁进出这条隧道。我可不想再撞上谁了。”
　　他们安静下来，什么也没说，挨得很近，排成一列纵队，走在铁轨边上。
　　他们还没走四分之一英里，朱利安突然停下了脚步，其他人来不及站稳撞上了彼此。有人踩到了蒂米的爪子，它低号了一声。乔治的手立刻沉下去抓住了它的项圈。
　　他们四个和蒂米倾听着，大气都不敢喘。有人在沿着隧道走向他们！他们能看到手电筒的光点，听到远处嘎吱嘎吱的脚步声。
　　“去另一条路，快！”朱利安低语道。然后他们一齐转身，现在是乔克带路了，他们尽可能又快又静地走回到两条隧道的交叉地。
　　他们走过去，继续往前走向基蒂调车场，希望能从那里出来。
　　但是不幸的是，在那条隧道远处，也亮着一盏灯。他们不敢继续走了。也许那里没有人，只有一盏灯，但是换句话说，也可能有人。他们要怎么办呢？
　　“他们会看到墙上的洞开了！”迪克突然说，“我们没关上它。他们会知道我们逃跑了。我们会再次被抓住的！他们会来找我们的，而我们就在这儿一点办法也没有！”
　　他们站着不动，紧紧地贴在一起。蒂米的喉咙里发出了一声低吼，突然，乔治想起了什么！
　　“朱利安！迪克！我们可以爬上那个通风口，我就是从那里爬下来的，”她低声说道，“蒂米就是从那里掉下来的。我们还有时间吗？”
　　“通风口在哪儿？”朱利安急忙说，“快找到它。”
　　乔治努力回忆。是的，它就在隧道的另一头，接近那两条隧道交汇的地方，她要先找到那堆煤灰。她祈祷手电筒的那点微光不会被看到。不管是谁从奥利调车场过来，到现在一定快到那儿了！
　　乔治找到了那堆煤灰，蒂米掉进去过。“在这儿！”她说，“但是，朱利安！我们怎么把蒂米带走呢？”
　　“我们带不走它。”朱利安说，“我们只能希望它能设法藏起来，然后它自己悄悄溜走。蒂米相当聪明。”
　　朱利安先把乔治第一个推上了通风口，乔治的脚摸索到了阶梯。然后乔克上去了，他的鼻子几乎要碰到乔治的鞋跟了。然后是迪克，最后是朱利安。就在朱利安设法爬上第一个台阶前，情况发生了。
　　有人打开了挂在那里的灯，一道强光溢满了这条隧道。蒂米躲进了阴影里，喉咙里发出了一声低吼。
　　一声喊叫传来：“是谁打开了墙上的洞？它开了！谁在那儿？”是安德鲁斯先生的声音。接着又传来了另一声怒吼：“谁在这儿？谁打开了这个地方？”
　　“那些孩子是不可能扳动这个控制杆的，”安德鲁斯先生说，“而且我们把他们绑得很紧。”
　　这三个男人快速地穿过了那个洞，走进了墙内。朱利安心中暗喜，赶紧往上爬了几个阶梯。可怜的蒂米被留在了底下的阴影里。
　　没多久，这几个人跑了出来：“他们跑了！绳子被割断了！他们是怎么逃跑的？我们把基特留在了隧道一头，而我们往这头在走。
　　那些孩子不可能跑远，一定在这里的某个地方。”
　　“或者藏在这些洞穴里了，”另外一个声音说，“彼得斯，去看看，我们在这儿搜。”
　　那些人开始到处搜人。他们不知道，头顶上还有个通风口。他们也没看见这只机智的狗，在附近悄悄移动，像影子一样。蒂米躲着他们，每当手电筒的光接近它的时候，它就低下身子。
　　乔治稳速往上爬。每当她碰上坏掉的阶梯时，就用脚去找留在墙上的铁钉。然后她停了下来，有什么东西压着她的头。是什么东西？她用手去摸了摸。那天早上随蒂米掉下来的那堆破铁条。她移开了一些铁条，它们卡在了通风口，纠缠在一起。乔治无法再往上爬了。她努力去移动这些铁条，但是它们很重很牢固。而且，她怕自己把这一大堆铁条一下子拉下来，会砸到她和其他人，那样他们可能会受重伤。
　　“怎么了，乔治？为什么不继续爬了？”排第二个的乔克问道。
　　“有些铁条卡在了通风口，一定是蒂米摔下来的时候掉下来的。”乔治说，“我没法再往上爬了！我不敢太用力去拉这些铁条。”
　　乔克把这信息转告给了迪克，然后他把话传给了朱利安。他们四个都停了下来！
　　“糟了！”朱利安说，“真希望是我在最上面。现在该怎么办？”
　　现在该怎么办呢？他们四个在黑暗中悬挂在那里，闻着老通风口讨厌的煤灰味，姿势非常别扭地踩在破旧的铁钉上。
　　“你现在觉得我们的冒险怎么样，乔克？”迪克问，“我敢说你希望你现在正躺在家里的床上！”
　　“不！”乔克说，“无论如何我也不会想要错过这次冒险！这是我梦寐以求的一次冒险，而且我可没有对这次冒险有什么不满！”
Chapter 19 WHAT AN ADVENTURE!
　　Chapter 19 WHAT AN ADVENTURE!
　　And now, what had happened to Anne? She had stumbled on and on for a long time, shouting toMr. Luffy. And outside his tent Mr. Luffy sat, reading peacefully. But, as the evening came, andthen darkness, he became very worried indeed about the five children.
　　He wondered what to do. It was hopeless for one man to search the moors. Half a dozen or morewere needed for that! He decided to get his car and go over to Olly's Farm to get the men fromthere. So off he went.
　　But when he got there he found no one at home except Mrs. Andrews and the little maid. Mrs.
　　Andrews looked bewildered and worried.
　　'What is the matter?' said Mr. Luffy gently, as she came running out to the car, looking troubled.
　　'Oh, it's you, Mr. Luffy,' she said, when he told her who he was. 'I didn't know who you were.
　　Mr. Luffy, something strange is happening. All the men have gone - and all the lorries, too. Myhusband has taken the car and nobody will tell me anything. I'm so worried.'
　　Mr. Luffy decided not to add to her worries by telling her the children were missing. He justpretended he had come to collect some milk. 'Don't worry,' he said comfortingly to Mrs.
　　Andrews. 'You'll find things are all right in the morning, I expect. I'll come and see you then.
　　Now I must be off on an urgent matter.'
　　He went bumping along the road in his car, puzzled. He had known there was something funnyabout Olly's Farm, and he had puzzled his brains a good deal over Olly's Yard and the spook-trains. He hoped the children hadn't got mixed up in anything dangerous.
　　'I'd better go down and report to the police that they're missing,' he thought. 'After all, I'm moreor less responsible for them. It's very worrying indeed.'
　　He told what he knew at the police station, and the sergeant, an intelligent man, at once musteredsix men and a police car.
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　　'Have to find those kids,' he said. 'And we'll have to look into this Olly's Farm business, sir, andthese here spook-trains, whatever they may be. We've known there was something funny goingon, but we couldn't put our finger on it. But we'll find the children first.'
　　They went quickly up to the moors and the six men began to fan out to search, with Mr. Luffy atthe head. And the first thing they found was Anne!
　　She was still stumbling along, crying for Mr. Luffy, but in a very small, weak voice now. Whenshe heard his voice calling her in the darkness she wept for joy.
　　'Oh, Mr Luffy! You must save the boys,' she begged him. 'They're in that tunnel - and they'vebeen caught by Mr Andrews and his men, I'm sure. They didn't come out and I waited andwaited! Do come!'
　　'I've got some friends here who will certainly come and help,' said Mr. Luffy gently. He calledthe men, and in a few words told them what Anne had said.
　　'In the tunnel?' said one of them. 'Where the spook-trains run? Well, come on, men, we'll godown there.'
　　'You stay behind, Anne,' said Mr. Luffy. But she wouldn't. So he carried her as he followed themen who were making their way through the heather, down to Olly's Yard. They did not botherwith Wooden-Leg Sam. They went straight to the tunnel and walked up it quietly. Mr. Luffy wasa good way behind with Anne. She refused to stay with him in the yard.
　　'No,' she said, 'I'm not a coward. Really I'm not. I want to help to rescue the boys. I wish Georgewas here. Where's George?'
　　Mr. Luffy had no idea. Anne clung to his hand, scared but eager to prove that she was not acoward. Mr. Luffy thought she was grand!
　　Meanwhile, Julian and the others had been in the vent for a good while, tired and uncomfortable.
　　The men had searched in vain for them and were now looking closely into every niche at thesides of the tunnel.
　　And, of course, they found the vent! One of the men shone his light up it. It shone on to poorJulian's feet! The man gave a loud shout that almost made Julian fall off the rung he wasstanding on.
　　'Here they are! Up this vent. Who'd have thought it? Come on down or it'll be the worse for you!'
　　Julian didn't move. George pushed desperately at the iron bars above her head, but she could notmove them. One of the men climbed up the vent and caught hold of Julian's foot.
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　　He dragged so hard at it that the boy's foot was forced off the rung. Then the man dragged off theother foot, and Julian found himself hanging by his arms with the man tugging hard at his feet.
　　He could hang on no longer. His tired arms gave way and he fell heavily down, landing half onthe man and half on the pile of soot. Another man pounced on Julian at once, while the firstclimbed up the vent to find the next boy.
　　Soon Dick felt his feet being tugged at, too.
　　'All right, all right. I'll come down!' he yelled, and climbed down. Then Jock climbed down, too.
　　The men looked at them angrily.
　　'Giving us a chase like this! Who undid your ropes?' said Mr Andrews, roughly. One of the menput a hand on his arm and nodded up towards the vent. 'Someone else is coming down,' he said.
　　'We only tied up three boys, didn't we? Who's this, then?'
　　It was George, of course. She wasn't going to desert the three boys. Down she came, as black asnight with soot.
　　'Another boy!' said the men. 'Where did he come from?'
　　'Any more up there?' asked Mr Andrews.
　　'Look and see,' said Julian, and got a box on the ears for his answer.
　　'Treat them rough now,' ordered Peters. 'Teach them a lesson, the little pests. Take them away.'
　　The children's hearts sank. The men caught hold of them roughly. Blow! Now they would bemade prisoners again.
　　Suddenly a cry came from down the tunnel: 'Police! Run for it!'
　　The men dropped the children's arms at once and stood undecided. A man came tearing up thetunnel. 'I tell you the police are coming!' he gasped. 'Are you stone deaf? There's a whole crowdof them. Run for it! Somebody's split on us.'
　　'Get along to Kilty's Yard!' shouted Peters. 'We can get cars there. Run for it!'
　　To the children's dismay, the men tore down the tunnel to Kilty's Yard. They would escape!
　　They heard the sound of the men's feet as they ran along the line.
　　George found her voice. 'Timmy! Where are you? After them, Timmy! Stop them!'
　　A black shadow came streaking by out of the hole in the wall, where Timmy had been hiding andwatching for a chance to come to George. He had heard her voice and obeyed. He raced after themen like a greyhound, his tongue hanging out, panting as he went.
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　　These were the men who had ill-treated George and the others, were they? Aha, Timmy knewhow to deal with people like that!
　　The policemen came running up, and Mr. Luffy and Anne came up behind them.
　　'They've gone down there, with Timmy after them,' shouted George. The men looked at her andgasped. She was black all over. The others were filthy dirty too, with sooty-black faces in thelight of the lamp that still shone down from the wall of the tunnel.
　　'George!' shrieked Anne in delight. 'Julian! Oh, are you all safe? I went back to tell Mr. Luffyabout you and I got lost. I'm so ashamed!'
　　'You've nothing to be ashamed of, Anne,' said Mr. Luffy. 'You're a grand girl! Brave as a lion!'
　　From down the tunnel came shouts and yells and loud barks. Timmy was at work! He had caughtup with the men and launched himself on them one after another, bringing each one heavily tothe ground. They were terrified to find a big animal growling and snapping all around them.
　　Timmy held them at bay in the tunnel, not allowing them to go one step further, snapping at anyman who dared to go near.
　　The police ran up. Timmy growled extra fiercely just to let the men know that it was quiteimpossible to get by him. In a trice each of the men was imprisoned by a pair of strong arms andthey were being told to come quietly.
　　They didn't go quietly. For one thing Mr. Andrews lost his nerve and howled dismally. Jock feltvery ashamed of him.
　　'Shut up,' said a burly policeman. 'We know you're only the miserable little cat's-paw - takingmoney from the big men to hold your tongue and obey orders.'
　　Timmy barked as if to say, 'Yes, don't you dare call him a dog's paw! That would be too good aname for him!'
　　'Well, I don't think I ever in my life saw dirtier children,' said Mr. Luffy. 'I vote we all go back tomy car and I drive the lot of you over to Olly's Farm for a meal and a bath!'
　　So back they all went, tired, dirty, and also feeling very thrilled.
　　What a night! They told Anne all that had happened, and she told them her story, too. She almostfell asleep in the car as she talked, she was so tired.
　　Mrs. Andrews was sensible and kind, though upset to hear that her husband had been taken offby the police. She got hot water for baths, and laid a meal for the hungry children.
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　　'I wouldn't worry over much, Mrs. Andrews,' said kindly Mr. Luffy. 'That husband of yoursneeds a lesson, you know. This will probably keep him going straight in future. The farm isyours, and you can now hire proper farm-workers who will do what you want them to do. And Ithink Jock will be happier without a stepfather for the present.'
　　'You're right, Mr. Luffy,' said Mrs. Andrews, wiping her eyes quickly. 'Quite right. I'll let Jockhelp me with the farm, and get it going beautifully. To think that Mr. Andrews was in with allthose black marketeers! It's that friend of his, you know, who makes him do all this. He's soweak. He knew Jock was snooping about in that tunnel, and that's why he wanted him to goaway - and kept making him have a boy here or go out with him. I knew there was somethingfunny going on.'
　　'No wonder he was worried when Jock took it into his head to go and camp with our little lot,'
　　said Mr. Luffy.
　　'To think of that old yard and tunnel being used again!' said Mrs. Andrews. 'And all those talesabout spook-trains - and the way they hid that train, and hid all the stuff, too. Why, it's like afairy tale isn't it!'
　　She ran to see if the water was hot for the baths. It was, and she went to call the children, whowere in the big bedroom next door. She opened it and looked in. Then she called Mr. Luffyupstairs.
　　He looked in at the door, too. The five, and Timmy, were lying on the floor in a heap, waiting forthe bathwater. They hadn't liked to sit on chairs or beds, they were so dirty. And they had fallenasleep where they sat, their faces as black as a sweep's.
　　'Talk about black marketeers!' whispered Mrs. Andrews. 'Anyone would think we'd got thewhole lot of them here in the bedroom!'
　　They all woke up and went to have a bath one by one, and a good meal after that. Then back tocamp with Mr. Luffy, Jock with them, too.
　　It was glorious to snuggle down into the sleeping-bags. George called out to the three boys.
　　'Now don't you dare to go off without me tonight, see?'
　　'The adventure is over,' called back Dick. 'How did you like it, Jock?'
　　'Like it?' said Jock, with a happy sigh. 'It was simply - smashing!'
　　THE END
19.坏人落网
　　坏人落网
　　现在，迷路的安妮到底怎么样了呢？她跌跌撞撞地走了很长时间，不停地喊着鲁夫先生的名字。鲁夫先生坐在他的帐篷外面，正安静地阅读着。但是，天色渐晚，夜幕快要降临，他开始有点担心这五个孩子了。
　　他想知道该做点什么。一个人去搜索这片荒原宛如大海捞针，那起码需要六七个人！他决定开车去奥利农场，找那里的人帮忙。
　　于是他出发了。
　　但是当他到那儿的时候，发现只有安德鲁斯太太和小女仆在家。安德鲁斯太太看上去一脸不解，又显得忧心忡忡。
　　这时她朝鲁夫先生的车跑去，一副惴惴不安的样子。“怎么了？”鲁夫先生温和地问道。
　　“哦，是您啊，鲁夫先生，”在鲁夫先生告诉她自己是谁后，她说，“我没见过您，鲁夫先生。发生了一些怪事。所有人都不见了，所有的卡车也都不见了。我丈夫把车开走了，没有人告诉我发生了什么。我好担心啊。”
　　鲁夫先生决定不告诉她孩子们失踪了，那会让她徒增烦恼。他就假装自己是来拿点牛奶的。“别担心，”他安慰安德鲁斯太太说，“明天早上，您就会发现一切都正常了。到时候我再来看您。现在我有急事，必须要走了。”
　　他一路颠簸地开车走了，感到有些困惑。他知道奥利农场有点奇怪，绞尽脑汁地想着奥利农场和幽灵火车的事，他希望孩子们没有卷进任何危险中去。
　　“我最好去报警，孩子们失踪了。”他心里想，“毕竟，我对他们有监护的责任。现在这情况确实非常令人担心。”
　　到了警察局，他把自己知道的一切都说了出来。那位警官机敏果决，他立刻召集了六个警员和一辆警车。
　　“必须要找到那些孩子们，”他说道，“然后我们必须要调查奥利农场的生意，还有那些幽灵火车，不管它们是什么。我们现在知道了有些怪事，又说不出原因，但是我们会先找到孩子们。”
　　他们迅速奔赴荒原，散开去搜查，鲁夫先生在前面带路。而他们最先发现的人是安妮！
　　她还在踉踉跄跄地走着，呼喊着鲁夫先生，但是声音已经很小很弱了。在黑夜里，当她听到鲁夫先生在喊她的名字时，她喜极而泣。
　　“哦，鲁夫先生！您一定要去救那些男孩们！”她恳求道，“他们在那条隧道里，而且他们被安德鲁斯先生和他的手下抓住了，我确定。他们一直没出来，我等啊等啊！快点去吧！”
　　“我带了些朋友，他们一定会帮忙的。”鲁夫先生温和地说。他简明扼要地告诉了警察们安妮所说的话。
　　“在这条隧道里？”他们中的一人说道，“幽灵火车跑的地方？好了，走吧，我们要下到那里看看。”
　　“你留在这儿别动，安妮。”鲁夫先生说。但是她不愿意。当那些人穿过石南丛去奥利调车场的时候，他把她带过去了。他们没有理会木腿山姆，直接进了隧道，静悄悄地潜入了过去。鲁夫先生在安妮身后，想和安妮一起留在调车场，但安妮拒绝跟他待在这儿。
　　“不，”她说，“我不是胆小鬼。真的，我不是。我想要帮忙救那些男孩们。我希望乔治也在这儿。乔治在哪儿呢？”
　　鲁夫先生不知道。安妮紧紧地拉着他的手，很害怕但是渴望证明自己不是胆小鬼。鲁夫先生认为她很了不起！
　　与此同时，朱利安和其他人在通风口有一阵子了，又累又不舒服。那些男人在徒劳地搜寻着他们，然后仔细地观察着隧道边上每一个壁龛。
　　一个不经意地抬头，他们找到了通风口！其中一个男人用手电筒照向了它。照到了朱利安的鞋子！那个男人大喝一声，几乎把朱利安吓得从铁钉上掉了下来。
　　“他们在这儿！在通风口上。你们可真会躲啊！下来，不然你们就惨了！”
　　朱利安没动。乔治绝望地推着她头上的铁条，但是她推不动。
　　一个大汉爬上了通风口，抓住了朱利安的脚。
　　大汉如此用力地拽着这个男孩的脚，朱利安的一只脚被拽了下来。然后大汉又去拽另一只脚，朱利安发现自己只能用双臂悬在半空中，那个男人用力拉他的脚。他实在坚持不住了，双臂一下子松开，沉重地掉了下来，一半身子压在那个大汉身上，一半身子摔到了煤灰堆上。另一个大汉立刻扑到了朱利安身上，同时第一个男人爬了上去准备如法炮制。很快迪克也感到有人在拽他的脚。
　　“好吧，好吧。我下来！”他喊道。迪克爬下来了，接着乔克也爬了下来。那些男人生气地看着他们。
　　“让我们一通好找啊！是谁解开了你们的绳子？”安德鲁斯先生粗暴地说道。一个男人拍了拍他，向通风口的方向努了努嘴，“还有人没下来，”他说，“我们只绑了三个男孩，不是吗？那么，这是谁？”
　　是乔治。她是不会丢下三个男孩的。她下来了，身上沾满了煤灰，像黑夜一样黑。
　　“又一个男孩！”那些男人说，“他是从哪儿来的？”
　　“上面还有吗？”安德鲁斯先生说。
　　“自己去看啊。”朱利安讥讽道。听了他的插话，一个大汉一拳打到他脸上。
　　“现在得对他们粗暴点，”彼得斯命令道，“教训他们一下，这些小害虫，把他们带走。”
　　孩子们的心一沉，那些男人粗暴地抓着他们，现在他们又要变成囚徒了。
　　突然沿着隧道传来了一声呼喊：“警察来啦！快跑！”
　　这些男人立刻松开了孩子们的胳膊，愣在那里犹豫不决。一个男人沿着隧道冲了过来，“都说了，警察来了！”他气喘吁吁地说，“你们是聋了吗？来了很多人。快跑！有人告发了我们。”
　　“跑到基蒂调车场！”彼得斯喊道，“我们可以在那里上车。快跑！”
　　孩子们心急如焚，这些男人沿着隧道飞奔，跑向基蒂调车场。
　　他们会跑掉的！
　　乔治喊了起来：“蒂米！你在哪儿？快追上他们，蒂米！拦住他们！”
　　一道黑影从一个洞穴飞奔出来。蒂米一直藏在那里，等待机会跑到乔治身边。它听到了主人的呼喊，听懂了命令。它像格雷伊猎犬一样，追赶着那些人。它伸着舌头，边跑边喘气。
　　这些人就是欺侮乔治和其他小伙伴的人，啊哈，蒂米知道怎样对付那样的人！
　　警察跑来了，鲁夫先生和安妮在他们后面。
　　“他们去那边了，蒂米在追他们！”乔治喊道。那些人看到她，倒吸了一口冷气。她全身黑透了，其他人也脏兮兮的。在隧道墙上的灯的照耀下，他们都是一张张沾满了黑煤灰的脸。
　　“乔治！”安妮高兴地尖叫道，“朱利安！哦，你们都还好吗？我准备回去告诉鲁夫先生你们的事，然后迷路了。我感到非常惭愧！”
　　“你没有什么可惭愧的，安妮，”鲁夫先生说，“你是个了不起的女孩！像狮子一样勇敢！”
　　隧道深处传来了一阵阵呼叫声、喊骂声和蒂米的咆哮声。蒂米在工作呢！它追上了那些人，把他们一个个扑倒在地。这些男人看到一只大狗号叫着，在他们周围作势猛咬，魂儿都吓没了。蒂米在隧道里拦住了他们，狂叫着让他们一步也不敢动。它唬住了任何敢接近的人。
　　警察跑了过来。蒂米更加凶猛地吼叫着，就是让那些人知道他们过不了它这一关。顷刻间，警察用强壮的手臂把他们制伏了，并让他们安静下来。
　　可他们没有安静下来，安德鲁斯先生惊慌失措，害怕地哭叫着。乔克为他感到羞耻。
　　“闭嘴，”一个魁梧的警察说道，“我们知道你只是一个‘猫’腿子，从头目那里拿钱。闭嘴，服从命令。”
　　蒂米叫了一声，似乎是在说：“没错，他们可配不上‘狗’腿子！‘猫’腿子对他来说挺恰当！”
　　“好了，我一生中从未见过这么脏的孩子。”鲁夫先生说，“我提议我们都回到车上，我送你们去奥利农场，吃顿饭，洗个澡！”
　　孩子们又脏又累，同时也感到异常兴奋。
　　多精彩的夜晚！他们告诉了安妮发生的一切，她也告诉了他们她的故事。她在车里说话的时候几乎快睡着了，她太累了。
　　安德鲁斯太太很理智，也很善解人意，尽管听说丈夫被警察带走了，感到心烦意乱，但她还是准备了洗澡用的热水，还给饥饿的孩子们做了一顿饭。
　　“我不会过度担心的，安德鲁斯太太，”鲁夫先生温和地说，“你的那个丈夫需要个教训，这很有可能会让他将来变成一个正直的人。这个农场是你的，现在你可以雇佣像样的农夫了，他们会做你想让他们做的事。我认为现阶段，乔克没有继父会更快乐。”
　　“你是对的，鲁夫先生。”安德鲁斯太太说道。她迅速地擦了擦眼泪，“确实如此。我会让乔克在农场上帮忙，把一切都安顿好。想起安德鲁斯先生曾跟那些黑市商人混在一起！就是他的那些朋友，是他们让他这么做的，他是那么软弱。他知道乔克曾在那条隧道里四处打探，那就是他想让那孩子离开的原因，他不停地想让他离开，还找个男孩过来，或是约他一起出去。”
　　“难怪当乔克心血来潮，要跟我们一起露营的时候，他那么担心啊！”鲁夫先生说。
　　“想起那个老调车场和隧道再次被使用！”安德鲁斯太太说，“所有那些关于幽灵火车的故事，以及他们藏起那辆火车的方式，还有所有的走私货物。唉，这就像个童话故事，不是吗！”
　　安德鲁斯太太跑过去看看水是否够热，水烧好了，可以洗澡了。她去叫孩子们，他们在隔壁的大卧室里。她打开门，朝里看。
　　然后把楼上的鲁夫先生也叫过来看。
　　他朝门里一看。这五个孩子，还有蒂米，正横七竖八地躺在地上，等着洗澡水。他们没有坐在椅子上或床上，他们知道身上太脏了。几个人通通坐在地上睡着了，他们的脸就像煤炭工人一样黑。
　　“说到‘黑’市商人！”安德鲁斯太太轻声说道，“我们这里有一整屋呢！”
　　孩子们小睡了会儿都醒过来了，挨个去洗了澡，然后享用了一顿大餐。吃完了饭，他们跟鲁夫先生一起回到了露营地，乔克也去了。
　　舒服地躺在睡袋里实在是太惬意了。乔治向三个男孩们呼喊：“今晚看你们还敢不敢不带我去探险！”
　　“探险结束了啊！”迪克喊道，“你觉得怎么样呢，乔克？”
　　“怎么样？”乔克快乐地感慨道，“简直太棒啦！”