Chapter 1 A LETTER FROM JULIAN
Chapter 1 A LETTER FROM JULIAN
　　'Anne!' shouted George, running after her cousin as she went along to her classroom. 'Anne! I've justbeen down to the letter board and there's a letter from your brother Julian, I've brought it for you.'
　　Anne stopped. 'Oh thanks,' she said. 'What can Julian want? He only wrote a few days ago - it's mostextraordinary for him to write again so soon. It must be something important.'
　　'Well, open it and see,' said George. 'Hurry up - I've got a maths class to go to.'
　　Anne ripped open the envelope. She pulled out a sheet of notepaper and read it quickly. She lookedup at George, her eyes shining.
　　'George! Julian and Dick have got a few days off at our half-term week-end! Somebody's won awonderful scholarship or something, and the boys have got two days tacked on to a week-end tocelebrate! They want us to join them in a hike, and all go off together.'
　　'What a glorious idea!' said George, 'Good old Julian. I bet he thought of that. Let's read the letter,Anne.'
　　But before she could read it a mistress came along. 'Georgina! You should be in class - and you too,Anne.'
　　George scowled. She hated to be called by her full name. She went off without a word. Anne tuckedthe letter into her pocket and rushed off joyfully. Half-term with her brothers, Julian and Dick - andwith George and Timmy the dog. Could anything be better?
　　She and George talked about it again after morning school. 'We get from Friday morning tillTuesday,' said George. 'The boys are getting the same. What luck! They don't usually have a half-term in the winter term.'
　　'They can't go home because the painters are in our house,' said Anne. 'That's why I was going homewith you, of course. But I'm sure your mother won't mind if we go off with the boys. Your fathernever likes us in the middle of the term.'
　　'No, he doesn't,' said George, 'He's always deep in the middle of some wonderful idea, and he hates tobe disturbed. It will suit everyone if we go off on a hike.'
　　'Julian says he will telephone to us tonight and arrange everything,' said Anne. 'I hope it will be a nicefine week-end. It will still be October, so there's a chance of a bit of warm sunshine.'
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　　'The woods will be beautiful,' said George. 'And won't Timmy enjoy himself, Let's go and tell himthe news.'
　　The boarding-school that the two girls were at was one that allowed the children to bring their ownpets to school. There were kennels down in the yard for various dogs, and Timmy lived there duringterm-time. The two girls went to get him.
　　He heard their footsteps at once and began to bark excitedly. He scraped at the gate of the kennelyard, wishing for the thousandth time that he could find out how to open it.
　　He flung himself on the two girls, licking and pawing and barking.
　　'Silly dog. Mad dog!' said George, and thumped his back affectionately. 'Listen, Tim - we're going offfor the week-end with Julian and Dick! What do you think of that? We're going on a hike, so you'lllove it. All through the woods and up the hills and goodness knows where!'
　　Timmy seemed to understand every word. He cocked up his ears, put his head on one side andlistened intently while George was speaking.
　　'Woof,' he said, at the end, as if he approved thoroughly. Then off he went with the girls for his walk,his plumy tail wagging happily. He didn't like term-time nearly as much as the holidays -but he was quite prepared to put up with kennel life so long as he could be near his beloved George.
　　Julian rang up that night as he had promised. He had got everything planned already. Anne listened,thrilled.
　　'It sounds super,' she said. 'Yes - we can meet where you say, and we'll be there as near as we can ontime. Anyway, we can wait about if you others aren't there. Yes - we'll bring the things you say. OhJulian, won't it be fun?'
　　'What's he say?' asked George impatiently when at last Anne put the receiver down. 'You might havelet me have a word with Julian. I wanted to tell him all about Timmy.'
　　'He doesn't want to waste an expensive telephone call listening to you raving about Timmy,' saidAnne. 'He asked how he was and I said ''fine'', and that's all he wanted to know about Tim. He's madeall the arrangements. I'll tell you what they are.'
　　The girls went off to a corner of their common-room and sat down. Timmy was there too. He wasallowed in at certain times, and so were three other dogs belonging to the girls. Each dog behavedwell - he knew that if he didn't he would be taken back to the kennels at once!
　　'Julian says that he and Dick can get off immediately after breakfast,' said Anne. 'So can we, so 3that's all right. He says we've got to take very little with us - just night-things, tooth-brush, hairbrushand flannel and a rolled-up mac. And any biscuits or chocolate we can buy. Have you any moneyleft?'
　　'A bit,' said George. 'Not much. Enough to buy a few bars of chocolate, I think. Anyway, you've gotall the biscuits your mother sent last week. We can take some of those.'
　　'Yes. And the barley sugar one of my aunts sent,' said Anne. 'But Julian says we're not to take muchbecause this is to be a proper hike, and we'll get tired if we have to carry a heavy load. Oh, he saidput in two pairs of extra socks.'
　　'Right,' said George, and she patted Timmy who was lying close beside her. 'There's going to be along walky-walk, Tim. Won't you love that!'
　　Timmy grunted comfortably. He wondered if there would be any rabbits on the walk. A walk wasn'treally exciting unless there were rabbits all over the place. Timmy thought it was a pity that rabbitswere allowed to live down holes. They always disappeared most unfairly just when he had nearlycaught one!
　　Anne and George went to see their house-mistress to tell her that they were not going to KirrinCottage after all, but were going walking.
　　'My brother says he has written to you,' said Anne. 'So you'll know all about it tomorrow, MissPeters. And George's mother will be writing too. We can go, can't we?'
　　'Oh, yes - it will be a lovely half-term for you!' said Miss Peters. 'Especially if this sunny weatherlasts. Where are you going?'
　　'Over the moors,' said Anne. 'In the very loneliest, most deserted parts that Julian can find! We mightsee deer and wild ponies and perhaps even a few badgers. We shall walk and walk.'
　　'But where will you sleep if the parts you are going to are so very lonely?' asked Miss Peters.
　　'Oh Julian is arranging all that,' said George. 'He's been looking up little inns and farm- houses on themap, and we shall make for those at night. It will be too cold to sleep out of doors.'
　　'It certainly will!' said Miss Peters. 'Well don't get into trouble, that's all I know what you five arewhen you get together. I imagine Timmy is going with you too?'
　　'Of course!' said George. 'I wouldn't go if he didn't go! I couldn't leave him here alone.'
　　The two girls got their things ready as Friday came near. The biscuits were taken out of the tin andput into paper bags. The barley sugar was put into a bag too, and the bars of chocolate.
　　Both girls had rucksacks with straps for their shoulders. They packed and repacked them several 4times. One by one more and more things were added. Anne felt she must take a book to read.
　　George said they must each take a torch with a new battery.
　　'And what about biscuits for Timmy?' she said. 'I simply must take something for him. He'd like abone too - a big one that he can chew and chew and that I can put back into the bag for another time.'
　　'Well, let me carry all the biscuits and chocolate then if you're going to put a smelly old bone intoyour bag,' said Anne. 'I don't see why you want to take anything for Timmy - he can always havesomething to eat when we do - wherever we have a meal.'
　　George decided not to take the bone. She had fetched one from his kennel, and it certainly was bigand heavy, and equally certainly it was smelly. She took it back to the kennel again, Timmyfollowing her rather puzzled. Why keep carrying his bone here and there? He didn't approve at all.
　　It seemed a long time till Friday, but at last it came. Both girls woke up very early indeed.
　　George was out in the kennels before breakfast, brushing and combing Timmy to make him lookspruce and tidy for Julian and Dick. He knew it was the day they were to set off and he was as excitedas the two girls.
　　'We'd better eat a good breakfast,' said Anne. 'We might have to wait some time before our next meal.
　　Let's slip off immediately after breakfast. It's lovely to feel free of school and bells and timetables -but I shan't feel really free till I'm outside the school grounds!'
　　They ate an enormous breakfast though really they were too excited to want much. Then they gottheir rucksacks, ready- packed the night before, said goodbye to Miss Peters, and went to fetchTimmy.
　　He was waiting impatiently for them, and barked madly when they came near. In a trice he was out ofhis kennel-yard and capering round them, almost tripping them up.
　　'Good-bye, Anne and George!' yelled one of their friends. 'Have a good time on your hike - and it'sno good coming back on Tuesday and telling us you've had one of your usual hair-raising adventures,because we just shan't believe it!'
　　'Woof,' said Timmy, 'Woof, woof!' Which meant that he was going to have adventures with hundredsof rabbits, anyway!
1.朱利安的来信
　　朱利安的来信
　　“安妮！”乔治追赶着走在前面的堂妹，边跑边喊，“下面的信箱里有一封朱利安的来信，我给你带来了。”
　　安妮正走在去教室的路上，听到乔治的喊声便停了下来。“谢谢你，乔治。”她接过信后有些疑惑地说，“朱利安这是怎么了？他几天前才写过一封信，这么快就又写了一封，这太反常了！他一定有重要的事要说。”
　　“快打开看一看。”乔治催促道，她也很好奇，“快一点，我马上要去上数学课了。”
　　安妮撕开信封，抽出信纸，用最快的速度读完。然后，她抬头看向乔治，眼睛闪闪发亮：“乔治！你知道吗？朱利安和迪克要放假了，时间刚好是我们期中假期的那几天！好像是因为他们学校有人获得了一笔奖学金，学校就奖励给他们两天假。更妙的是，这两天和周末连在一起，这样他们就有了一个四天的小长假！这不，朱利安计划着我们一起去郊游呢！”
　　“这主意太棒啦！”乔治说，“朱利安这个家伙，我猜他早就想去郊游了。快让我看看信，安妮。”
　　就在她看信的时候，一位老师走过来，严厉地说：“乔治娜，你现在应该在教室里。还有你，安妮。”
　　乔治生气地皱起眉头，一句话没说就走开了。她讨厌别人叫她的全名。安妮把信塞进口袋，欢快地跑开了。等到了期中假期，她就能跟自己的两个哥哥——朱利安和迪克，还有乔治和她的爱犬——蒂米在一起了。还有比这更美好的事情吗？！
　　上午放学后，她和乔治又谈起这件事。乔治说：“我们的假期是从星期五到下个星期二，男生们也一样。这次真是太幸运了！以往他们上半学期可是从不放期中假的。”
　　“我和哥哥们都回不了家，因为我们家的房子正刷新漆呢。”安妮说，“我本来打算跟你一起回家的。不过，我相信你妈妈更愿意让我们出去玩。况且你爸爸也不喜欢我们回家。”
　　“你说得没错。”乔治说，“我爸爸总有很多奇思妙想，常常想得出神，不喜欢有人打扰他。看来我们的郊游能让每个人都满意。”
　　“朱利安说他今晚会打电话过来，把计划全部告诉我们。”安妮满怀期待地说，“这将是一个美好的假期。到时候十月还没结束，我们还有机会享受温暖的阳光。”
　　“十月的树林一定很美！”乔治说。她很快又想起了蒂米，“对了，蒂米这会儿还独自待在狗舍，我们现在就去把这个好消息告诉它吧。”
　　这两个女孩所在的寄宿学校，允许孩子们把宠物带到学校来。
　　院子里有为不同品种的狗狗准备的狗舍，蒂米平时就住在这儿。
　　两个女孩向狗舍走去。蒂米一下就听出了她们的脚步声，兴奋地叫起来。它用爪子不停地挠着狗舍的门，不下一千次地希望自己能知道打开它的方法。
　　狗舍的门打开了，蒂米眨眼间就冲到两个女孩跟前，不停地舔着她们，又把爪子搭在她们身上，高兴地“汪汪”叫个不停。
　　“哦，蒂米，你可真像个小疯子！”乔治一边说，一边亲昵地拍着它的背，“听我说，蒂米，周末我们要离开这里，和朱利安还有迪克一起去郊游！你觉得怎么样？你一定也很喜欢郊游，对不对？我们会穿过树林，爬上山丘，到很远的地方去！”
　　蒂米竖起耳朵，歪着头，专心地听乔治说话，好像能听懂她说的每一个字。
　　乔治话音刚落，蒂米就发出“呜呜”的叫声，表示它完全赞同。
　　之后，它开心地摇着尾巴，跟着两个女孩去外面散步了。
　　蒂米喜欢假期，它一点也不想待在学校里。但是只要能够离它最亲爱的乔治近一些，它甘愿忍受狗舍的生活，毫无怨言。
　　朱利安按照约定在晚上打来了电话，他为这次郊游做了周密的计划。
　　安妮听得心潮澎湃。“听起来棒极了！”她激动地说，“好的，我们会去你说的地方碰面，会尽量按时到达的。如果你们去晚了，我们就在那里等你们。好，你说的那些东西我们会带上的。”最后，她满怀喜悦与憧憬地说：“啊，朱利安，我们的郊游一定会很有趣的！”
　　在安妮终于挂上电话之后，乔治迫不及待地问：“朱利安都说了什么？你应该让我和他说几句话的，我还准备跟他好好说说蒂米的事呢！”说到最后，她觉得有点遗憾。
　　“他肯定不愿意听你啰唆蒂米的事，那太浪费电话费了。”安妮说，“他问我蒂米好不好，我说‘它很好’，这样就行了。好了，现在我来给你讲讲他的详细安排吧。”
　　两个女孩在公共休息室的角落里坐下来。蒂米也在。它和其他三只狗狗可以在特定的时间进来这里。它们全都很听话，因为它们知道，如果表现得不好，就会被立刻送回狗舍！
　　“朱利安说他和迪克吃完早饭后，就立刻出发。”安妮说，“我们两个也一样。这样，出发的时间就确定了。我们要带的东西不多，就是一些洗漱用的东西，牙刷、梳子和毛巾，外加一件雨衣。饼干和巧克力可以在路上买。你还有钱吗？”
　　“有一点，不多。”乔治说，“但买几块巧克力应该足够了。上周你妈妈送来的饼干都放在你那里，可以带一些。”
　　“哦，对了，还有姑姑送我的麦芽糖。”安妮说，“但是朱利安说不能带太多东西，因为我们可能要走很远的路，背的东西重了会很累的。哦，他还说要多带两双袜子。”
　　“好的。”乔治说，她轻轻拍着紧挨着自己的蒂米，“那将是一段漫长的徒步旅行，蒂米，你一定会喜欢的！”
　　蒂米舒服地打了个呼噜。它在想路上能不能遇见几只兔子，要是见不到蹦蹦跳跳的兔子，那就太没意思了。兔子们都会钻地洞，总是在蒂米快要抓住它们的时候，就奇迹般地消失不见了。每每想起这些，蒂米都会觉得非常可惜！
　　接着，安妮和乔治把假期要去郊游的事，告诉了宿舍管理员。
　　“我哥哥已经给您写了信，”安妮说，“皮特小姐，等明天收到了信，您就会知道我们的行程安排。乔治的妈妈也会写信来。我们可以去郊游的，是不是？”
　　“是的，孩子们，你们将会度过一个愉快的期中假期！”皮特小姐说，“如果天气能一直这么晴朗，那就更好了！你们打算去哪儿？”
　　“我们要穿过荒野，一直往前走，走到最孤寂、最荒凉的地方！”安妮兴奋地说，“我们还会见到鹿、小马，还有獾。”
　　“可是如果去了那么荒凉的地方，你们晚上要睡在哪里呢？”皮特小姐有些担忧地问。
　　“不用担心，朱利安都计划好了。”乔治说，“他在地图上找到了小旅馆和农舍，我们会在屋子里过夜的，因为睡在外面太冷了。”
　　“肯定会很冷！”皮特小姐说，“我只知道你们这次郊游的出发时间，其他的一概不知。希望你们一切顺利。蒂米也会跟着去吧？”
　　“当然！”乔治说，“要是它不去，我也就不去了！我不能把它孤孤单单地留在这儿。”蒂米是她最心爱的狗狗，无论什么时候，她都不会把它丢下。
　　星期五越来越近，两个女孩早早地就把要带的东西准备好了。
　　她们从罐头盒里把饼干拿出来，放进一个纸包里，又把麦芽糖和几块巧克力放进另一个纸包里。
　　两个人都有双肩背包，可以把东西都放进去。她们把背包整理好了又打开，这样反复了好几次，每次都要再放一点东西进去。东西一件一件地越装越多。安妮觉得要带一本书，好在路上看；乔治说每个人都必须带一支装着新电池的手电筒。
　　“要不要给蒂米带些饼干呢？”乔治说，“我必须给它带点东西。
　　它喜欢骨头，要带一根大的，能让它一直啃。它啃完一次，我就把骨头放进包里，等下次需要的时候再拿出来。”
　　“天哪！如果你要带一根气味浓烈的大骨头，那就要把所有的饼干和巧克力都放进我的包里。”安妮不赞同地说，“我不明白你为什么非要给蒂米带东西。不管走到哪里，只要我们有吃的，就一定不会饿着它的。”
　　乔治最终还是决定不带骨头了。她把之前从狗舍拿的一根骨头又放了回去。那根骨头又大又沉，气味也很重。蒂米跟在她身后，感到十分困惑：为什么要把它的骨头拿来拿去？它一点儿也想不明白。
　　星期五终于到了。这一天，两个女孩一大早就醒了。乔治在早餐前去狗舍给蒂米梳理了毛发，好让它干净整洁地出现在朱利安和迪克面前。
　　“我们最好吃了早餐再走，因为要过很长时间才能吃到午饭。吃完我们立刻动身。”安妮说。她抑制不住心中的急切和喜悦，由衷地感叹道：“太好了，马上就要摆脱学校、铃声和课表了。等出了学校，我们就能感受到真正的自由了！”
　　两个女孩兴奋得胃口大开，吃了饱饱的一顿早餐。接着，她们背起前一天晚上就准备好的背包，跟皮特小姐道别后，便去狗舍接蒂米。
　　蒂米已经迫不及待了，一看见她们就疯叫起来。狗舍的门一打开，它就立刻冲出去，围着她们跳来跳去，差点儿把她们绊倒。
　　她们与朋友道别后就出发了。一个朋友在她们身后喊着：“安妮，乔治，再见！祝你们郊游愉快！等下星期二回来，记得给我们讲你们刺激的冒险故事呀！”
　　“汪，汪，汪！”蒂米激动地叫着。冒险就要开始啦，数不清的兔子正在等着它呢！
Chapter 2 SETTING OFF
Chapter 2 SETTING OFF
　　Julian and Dick were also on their way, very pleased to have such an unexpectedly long weekend.
　　'I never liked Willis or Johnson much,' said Dick, as they walked out of the school grounds.
　　'Awful swotters they were - never had any time for games or fun. But I take my hat off to them today!
　　Because of their swotting they've won medals and scholarships and goodness knows what- and we've got a week-end off in celebration! Good old Willis and Johnson!'
　　'Hear hear,' said Dick. 'But I bet they'll sit in a corner with their books all the week-end - they won'tknow if it's a brilliant day like this, or pouring with rain like yesterday! Poor mutts!'
　　'They'd hate to go off on a hike,' said Julian. 'It would be utter misery to them. Do you remember howawful Johnson was at rugger? He never knew which goal he was playing against - always ran thewrong way!'
　　'Yes. But he must have got terrific brains,' said Dick. 'Why are we talking about Willis and Johnson?
　　I can think of plenty of more interesting things. Anne and George, for instance - and old Tim. I hopethey'll manage to get off in time all right.'
　　Julian had carefully looked up a large-scale map of the moors that lay between the two schools thathe and the girls went to. They were vast stretches of lonely heathery land, dotted with farms here andthere, with a few small cottages, and some inns.
　　'We'll keep right off the main roads, and the second-and third-grades,' he said. 'We'll take the littlelanes and paths. I wonder what Timmy will say if we see deer. He'll wonder what in the world theyare!'
　　'He'll only be interested in rabbits,' said Dick. 'I hope he's not as fat as he was last hols. I think wemust have given him too many ice-creams and too much chocolate!'
　　'Well, he won't get that in term-time!' said Julian. 'The girls don't get as much pocket money as wedo. Buck up - there's the bus!'
　　They ran for the little country bus that rumbled along the country lanes, taking people to market, or tothe tiny villages that lay here and there tucked away in the moor. It stopped most obligingly for them,and they leapt in.
　　'Ha! Running away from school?' said the conductor. 'Have to report you, you know!'
　　6
　　'Very funny,' said Julian, bored at this joke, which the conductor produced regularly every time a boygot on board with a rucksack over his shoulders.
　　They had to get out at the next village and cut across country to get to another bus- route. Theymanaged to catch a bus there easily and settled down comfortably in their seats. It was half an hour'srun from there to where they had planned to meet the girls.
　　'Here you are, young sirs,' called the conductor, as the bus ran into a village. It had a wide green onwhich geese cackled, and a small pond for ducks. 'You wanted Pippin Village, didn't you? We don'tgo any farther - we just turn round and go back.'
　　'Thanks,' said the boys and got out. 'Now - are the girls here or not?' said Julian. 'They have to walkfrom a tiny railway station about two miles away.'
　　They were not there. Julian and Dick went to have a drink of orangeade at the village store. They hadhardly finished when they saw the two girls looking in at the door.
　　'Julian! Dick! We guessed you'd be eating or drinking!' said Anne, and she rushed at her brothers.
　　'We came as quickly as we could. The engine broke down - it was such a funny little train! All thepassengers got out and advised the engine-driver what to do!'
　　'Hallo!' said Julian, and gave Anne a hug. He was very fond of his young sister. 'Hallo, George!
　　My, you've grown fat, haven't you?'
　　'I have not,' said George, indignantly. 'And Timmy isn't fat either, so don't tell him he is.'
　　'Julian's pulling your leg as usual,' said Dick, giving George a friendly slap on the back. 'All the same,you've grown a bit - you'll soon be as tall as I am. Hallo, Timmy! Good dog, fine dog!
　　Tongue as wet as usual? Yes, it is! I never knew a dog with a wetter tongue than yours!'
　　Timmy went nearly mad with joy at being with all four of his friends. He leapt round them, barking,wagging his long tail and sending a pile of tins crashing to the floor in his delight.
　　'Now, now!' said the shop-woman, emerging from a dark little room at the back, 'Take that dog out.
　　He's gone mad!'
　　'Don't you girls want a drink of ginger-beer or something?' asked Julian, getting hold of Timmy'scollar. 'You'd better, because we don't want to have to carry heavy bottles of drinkables with us.'
　　'Where are we going to set off to?' asked George. 'Yes, I'd like ginger-beer please. Get down, Timmy.
　　Anyone would think you'd been away from Julian and Dick for at least ten years!'
　　'It probably does seem like ten years to him,' said Anne. 'I say - are those sandwiches?'
　　She pointed to a ledge at the back of the counter. There was a little pile of sandwiches there, 7looking most appetizing.
　　'Yes, they're sandwiches, Miss,' said the shop-woman, opening two bottles of ginger-beer. 'I've madethem for my son who works over at Blackbush Farm - he'll be in for them soon.'
　　'I suppose you couldn't make us some, could you?' asked Julian, 'We wouldn't need to bother abouttrying to get to some village at lunch time then. They look jolly good.'
　　'Yes. I can make you all you want,' said the shop-woman, putting two glasses down in front of thegirls, 'What do you want - cheese, egg, ham or pork?'
　　'Well - we'd like some of all of those,' said Julian, 'The bread looks so nice too.'
　　'I make it myself,' said the woman, pleased, 'All right - I'll go and make you some. You tell me ifanyone comes into the shop while I'm gone.'
　　She disappeared. 'That's good,' said Julian. 'If she makes plenty of those we can avoid villages all theday and have a really good day of exploration - treading where no foot has trod before and all that!'
　　'How many can you manage each?' asked the woman, suddenly reappearing. 'My son, he has six- that's twelve rounds of bread.'
　　'Well - could you manage eight sandwiches for each of us?' said Julian. The woman lookedastonished. 'It's to last us all day,' he explained, and she nodded and disappeared again.
　　'That's a nice little sum for her,' said Anne. 'Eight sandwiches each, making sixteen rounds of bread -for four people!'
　　'Well, let's hope she's got a bread-cutting machine!' said Dick. 'Or we'll be here for keeps! Hallo -who's this?'
　　A tall man appeared at the entrance of the shop, a bicycle in his hand. 'Ma!' he called.
　　The children guessed who he was at once - the son who worked over at Blackbush Farm. He hadcome for his sandwiches!
　　'Your mother is hard at work cutting sixty-four rounds of bread,' said Dick. 'Shall I get her for you?'
　　'No. I'm in a hurry,' said the man and he set his bicycle by the door, came in, reached over the counterfor his sandwiches and then went back to his bicycle.
　　'Tell my mother I've been in,' he said, 'And you might tell her I'll be late home today - got to takesome stuff to the prison.'
　　He was off at once, sailing away down the road on his bicycle. The old woman suddenly came 8in, a knife in one hand, a loaf in the other.
　　'Did I hear Jim?' she said. 'Oh yes - he's got his sandwiches. You should have told me he was in!'
　　'He said he was in a hurry,' explained Julian. 'And he said we were to tell you he'd be late todaybecause he had to take some stuff to the prison.'
　　'I've got another son there,' said the woman. The four looked at her. Did she mean he was a prisoner?
　　And what prison?
　　She guessed their thoughts and smiled. 'Oh, my Tom isn't a prisoner!' she said. 'He's a warder - a finefellow. Not a nice job there though - I'm always afraid of those men in prison - a fierce lot, a bad lot!'
　　'Yes - I've heard there is a big prison on this moor,' said Julian. 'It's marked on our map too.
　　We're not going near it, of course.'
　　'No. Don't you take the girls near there,' said the woman, disappearing again. 'If I don't get on withyour sandwiches you'll not have them before tomorrow morning.'
　　Only one customer came in while the children were waiting - a solemn old man smoking a clay pipe.
　　He looked round the shop, couldn't see the woman, took a packet of blancmange powder, which heslipped into his pocket, and put the money down on the counter.
　　'Tell 'er when 'er comes,' he mumbled with his pipe still in his mouth, and out he shuffled.
　　Timmy growled. The old man smelt very unwashed and Timmy didn't like him.
　　At last the sandwiches were finished and the old woman appeared again. She had packed them upneatly in four parcels of grease-proof paper, and had pencilled on each what they were, Julian readwhat she had written and winked at the others.
　　'My word - we're in for a grand time!' he said. 'Cheese, Pork, Ham and Egg - and what's this?'
　　'Oh, that's four slices of my home-made fruit cake,' said the old woman. 'I'm not charging you forthat, It's just so that you can taste it!'
　　'It looks like half the cake!' said Julian, touched, 'But we shall pay for it, with many thanks. Howmuch is all that?'
　　She told him. Julian put down the money and added some extra for the cake. 'There you are, andmany thanks,' he said. 'And that money there was left by an old fellow with a clay pipe who took apacket of blancmange powder.'
　　'That would be Old Man Gupps,' said the woman. 'Well, I hope you'll enjoy your tour. Come backhere if you want any more sandwiches cut! If you eat all those today you won't do badly!'
　　9
　　'Woof,' said Timmy, hoping that he too would share a few. The woman produced a bone for him, andhe took it up in his mouth.
　　'Thanks!' Julian said. 'Come on - now we'll really start!'
2.出发
　　出发
　　朱利安和迪克也已经出发了。这个出人意料的假期令他们非常开心。
　　在两个人走出校门的时候，迪克说：“威利斯和约翰逊这两个家伙除了学习，好像什么都不会干，真够无聊的。虽然之前不怎么喜欢他们，但今天我真得好好谢谢他们。要不是他们这么刻苦，得了奖学金，我们也就没有这次休假的机会了。不知道除了奖金，他们有没有得到其他奖励。”
　　迪克不用想也知道那两个书呆子的假期一准儿毫无乐趣，他笃定地说：“我猜，他们整个假期就只会坐在角落里看书，根本不会知道外面的天气是阳光明媚还是大雨倾盆！”
　　“他们不喜欢郊游。”朱利安说，“那对他们来说完全是个灾难。
　　你还记得约翰逊的橄榄球打得有多糟糕吗？他从来都弄不清楚对手是谁，总是跑错方向！”
　　“没错，不过他的头脑肯定很聪明。”说到这里，迪克忽然反应过来，“我们为什么要谈论威利斯和约翰逊呢？我能想到一大堆更有趣的事情，比如安妮和乔治，还有蒂米。哦，我希望她们能及时出发。”
　　他们要去的地方是两个学校之间的一片荒原。朱利安在一幅大地图上仔细地查看过。那个荒原十分宽广，野草丛生，人烟稀少，只有几个小村舍和一些小旅馆。
　　“我们不走大路，只走岔道和小路。”朱利安说着想起了蒂米，“真想知道蒂米见了鹿会有多激动，它一定好奇那些长角的动物是什么！”
　　“它只对兔子感兴趣。”迪克十分了解蒂米，“希望它不像上个假期见到时那么胖。那时我们给它吃了太多的冰激凌！”
　　“它在上学期间可吃不了那么多啦！”朱利安说，“女孩们的零花钱没有我们的多。嘿！快点，有巴士来了！”
　　他们跑向驶来的乡村小巴士。小巴士沿着乡村小路颠簸，把人们带去集市或是分布在这片旷野上的那些村庄。小巴士近乎殷勤地在两个男孩跟前停下，他们跳上车。
　　“哈！你们逃学了吧？”售票员说，“我一定会去学校告你们的状！”
　　“无聊。”朱利安小声嘟囔道。每当有男生背着书包上车的时候，售票员都要开这个玩笑。朱利安都听腻了。
　　两个人在接下来的一个村庄下了车，然后穿过村子，在另一条交通线上顺利地搭上了一辆巴士，舒服地在座位上坐下来。等下了车，他们还要再跑上半个小时，才能到达约定的地方。
　　当巴士驶入一个村庄的时候，售票员喊道：“到站了，年轻的先生们。”车前是一片宽阔的绿草地，草地上一群鹅“昂昂”地叫着，还有一个养鸭子的小池塘。“你们是去皮平村吗？这里是终点站，车要掉头往回开了，我只能将你们送到这里。”
　　“谢谢！”男孩们道谢之后下了车。
　　“不知道女孩们到了没有？”朱利安说，“她们要从两英里外的一个小火车站走过来。”对两个小女孩来说，这段路可不算短。
　　她们还没到。朱利安和迪克决定去村子里的小商店买橙汁喝。
　　他们刚喝完，就看见两个女孩站在门口往里张望。
　　“朱利安！迪克！我猜你们就在买东西。”安妮说着，快步走向他们，“我们已经尽可能地快了，但路上出了点意外。火车的引擎坏了，所有的乘客都下了车。大家七嘴八舌地给司机出主意，好像谁都比司机还了解火车，真是太逗了！”
　　“你们好啊！”朱利安拥抱安妮，他很喜欢自己的小妹妹。接着，他和乔治打招呼，“嘿，乔治！天哪，你是不是长胖了？”
　　“我没有。”乔治气恼地说，“蒂米也没有长胖，所以也别跟它说它胖了。”
　　“朱利安在和你开玩笑呢。”迪克说着，亲昵地拍了拍乔治的背，“你还跟以前一样，就是长高了一点，很快就能赶上我的个头了。嘿，蒂米！好狗狗，你的舌头还是那么湿吗？来，让我看看。
　　哦，是的！我从没见过哪只狗的舌头有你的这么湿！”
　　蒂米和四个朋友在一起都快乐疯啦，围着他们又跳又叫，不停地摇着长尾巴。它兴奋得厉害，一不小心就把一堆罐头盒撞翻在地，发出一阵哗啦啦的声响。
　　商店的女店主从后面的一个黑暗小屋里冲出来，大声叫道：“立刻把那条狗带出去。我看它是疯了！”
　　朱利安赶紧抓住蒂米的项圈，打过岔对安妮和乔治说：“你们要不要喝点姜汁汽水或者别的什么？你们最好现在就喝点东西，因为饮料太重了，路上带着不方便。”
　　“好，给我来一瓶姜汁汽水。”乔治说，“我们要去哪里？”
　　蒂米被朱利安拉着项圈也不消停，不停地动来动去。乔治见了，命令道：“蒂米，蹲下。别人看见你这个样子，还以为你有十年没见到朱利安和迪克了呢。”
　　“对它来说差不多就是十年。”安妮说。接着，她指着柜台后的架子，欣喜地问：“啊，那些是三明治吗？”它们看起来十分诱人。
　　“是的，那是三明治，可爱的小姐。”女店主打开两瓶姜汁汽水说，“那是我为儿子做的。他在布莱克布什农场工作，马上就要回来吃午饭了。”
　　“它们看起来十分美味。您能给我们也做一些吗？”朱利安礼貌地问，“这样我们就不用担心午餐之前赶不到下一个村庄了。”
　　“当然。你们想要的话我可以做。”女店主将两瓶饮料放在女孩们面前，“你们想要什么口味的三明治？奶酪，鸡蛋，火腿，还是肉？”
　　“我们每样都想要一些，”朱利安说，“那些面包看起来也很好吃。”
　　“那也是我自己做的。”女店主高兴地说，“我要给你们做三明治去了。我不在的时候，要是有人来了就喊我一声。”说完，她就走进那个黑暗的小屋不见了。
　　“太好了，”朱利安说，“如果三明治做得够多，我们一整天都不用进村，可以尽情地探索荒原啦。我们要走别人没有走过的路，经历别人没有经历过的探险！”
　　突然，女店主又出现了。她问：“你们每人能吃几个三明治？我儿子一顿能吃六个，需要十二片面包。”
　　“那您能给我们每人做八个三明治吗？”朱利安说。女店主惊讶地看着他。朱利安解释道：“我们这一整天全靠它们填饱肚子了。”女店主点了点头，又消失了。
　　“这对她来说是个不小的数目。”安妮说，“每个人八个三明治，就需要十六片面包，而她要做够四个人的！”
　　“但愿她有切面包机！”迪克说，“要不然我们就要在这里一直等下去。”这时，商店门口出现了一个高个子男人。迪克问，“您好，请问您是……”
　　男人一手扶着自行车，大声喊：“妈妈！”
　　孩子们立刻就猜到他是谁了，应该就是女店女主那个在布莱克布什农场工作的儿子。
　　“她正忙着切六十四片面包呢。”迪克说，“要我帮你叫她吗？”
　　“不用，我赶时间。”男人说。他把自行车靠在门边，走进来从架子上拿了三明治，然后回到自行车旁。
　　“告诉她我回来过了。”他说，“还有，跟她说我要去监狱送东西，今天会晚一些回家。”
　　说完，他立刻骑着自行车离开了。女店主急忙冲进来，一只手握着一把刀，另一只手拿着一块面包。
　　“是吉姆的声音吗？”她问道，接着说，“哦，是的，他带走了三明治。他回来过了，你们应该叫我的！”
　　“他说他赶时间，”朱利安解释道，“他让我们告诉您，他要去监狱送东西，今天会晚些回来。”
　　“哦，原来是这样啊。我的另一个儿子在那里。”女店主说。四个孩子满脸疑问地看着她，心想：“难道她的另一个儿子是犯人？那又是什么监狱呢？”
　　她看出了孩子们的想法，笑着说：“我儿子汤姆不是犯人！他是监狱的看守，是个好人。但那不是个好工作。我一直很怕监狱里的犯人们，他们太坏、太凶残了！”
　　“是的。我之前听人说过荒原上有一个大监狱。”朱利安说，“我在地图上把它标出来了。当然，我们绝对不会靠近它的。”
　　“对，千万不要带女孩们靠近那里。”女店主叮嘱说，“好了，我要是再不去做三明治，你们就要等到明天早上了。”说完，她就又去黑暗的小屋里忙了。
　　在孩子们等待期间，只有一位客人进来过。那是一个面容严肃，吸着陶管烟的老人。他走进商店后环视了一周，没有见到女店主，就自己拿了一包调味粉放进口袋，把钱放在柜台上。
　　“等她来了告诉她。”他嘴里仍然叼着烟管，含糊不清地说完就拖着步子出去了。蒂米吠了一声。那个老男人好像很久没洗过澡了，身上的气味很难闻。蒂米不喜欢他。
　　三明治终于做好了。女店主把它们整齐地装在四个防油纸做的包里，还用铅笔在每一个纸包上面写明了种类。
　　朱利安把每个纸包上的字都念了一遍，然后冲伙伴们眨了眨眼睛，感叹道：“天哪，我们等得太值了！奶酪、肉、火腿和鸡蛋，还有这是什么？”
　　“哦，那是我自制的四块水果蛋糕。”女店主说，“这些蛋糕是免费的，给你们尝尝味道！”
　　朱利安说：“看起来有普通蛋糕的一半那么大。太感谢了！无论如何，我们都不能白白地接受！这些一共是多少钱？”
　　女店主报了钱数。朱利安数好钱后，又添了一些，用来付蛋糕费。他把钱交给女店主，说：“给您钱。真的非常感谢！”接着，他又指着柜台上的钱说，“那些钱是一个抽陶管烟的老人留下的，他拿了一包调味粉。”
　　“那一定是老冈普斯。”女店主说，“要是你们今天能把这些都吃光，肯定一整天都很有精神！那么，祝你们旅途愉快！以后要是想吃三明治了，就到我这里来。”
　　“汪。”蒂米忍不住叫了一声，希望自己也能分享到一些美味。
　　女店主给了它一根骨头。蒂米一口就把骨头叼进嘴里。
　　“谢谢！”朱利安又道了一声谢后对伙伴们说，“走吧，让我们正式开启旅程吧！”
Chapter 3 ACROSS THE COUNTRYSIDE
Chapter 3 ACROSS THE COUNTRYSIDE
　　They set off at last, Timmy running in front. School already seemed far behind them. The Octobersun shone down warmly, and the trees in the village glowed yellow and red and golden, dressed intheir autumn colourings. A few leaves floated down in the breeze, but not until there was a real frostwould many come whirling down.
　　'It's a heavenly day,' said George. 'I wish I hadn't got my blazer on. I'm cooked already.'
　　'Well, take it off and carry it over your shoulder,' said Julian. 'I'm going to do the same. Our jerseysare quite warm enough today!'
　　They took off their thick blazers and carried them. Each of them had a rucksack, a mac rolled uptightly and tied to it, and now a blazer to carry. But none of them noticed the weight at the outset oftheir day.
　　'I'm glad you girls took my advice and wore your thickest shoes,' said Julian, looking with approval attheir brogues. 'Some of our walking may be wet. Have you got changes of socks?'
　　'Yes. We brought everything you told us to,' said Anne. 'Your rucksack looks a bit fuller than ours,Ju!'
　　'Well, I've got maps and things in it,' said Julian. 'It's a queer place, this moor - miles and miles andmiles of it! Queer names on it too - Blind Valley - Rabbit Hill - Lost Lake - Coney Copse!'
　　'Rabbit Hill! Timmy would love that,' said George, and Timmy pricked up his ears. Rabbits? Ah, thatwas the kind of place he liked!
　　'Well, actually we're going towards Rabbit Hill now,' said Julian, 'And after that there's Coney Copse,and as coney is a country word for rabbit, Timmy ought to enjoy himself!'
　　'Woof,' said Timmy joyfully and bounded ahead. He felt very happy. His four friends were with him,their rucksacks were full of delicious-smelling sandwiches, and a long, long walk lay ahead, teeming,he hoped with rabbits!
　　10
　　It was lovely walking along in the sun. They soon left the little village behind and took a windinglane. The hedges on either side became so high that the four couldn't see over the tops at all.
　　'What a sunken lane!' said Dick. 'I feel as if I'm walking in a tunnel! And how narrow! I wouldn't liketo drive a car along this lane. If I met another car I might have to back for miles!'
　　'We shan't meet anyone much,' said Julian, 'It's only in the summer that cars come along these lanes -people on holiday, touring round the countryside. Look - we take that path now - it leads to RabbitHill, according to the map!'
　　They climbed over a stile in the high hedge and walked over a field towards a curious little hill.
　　Timmy suddenly went mad with excitement. He could smell rabbits - and he could see them too!
　　'You don't often see so many rabbits out in the daytime,' said George, surprised. 'Big ones and littleones too - what a scampering.'
　　They came to the hill and sat down quietly to watch the rabbits. But it was quite impossible to makeTimmy do the same. The sight and smell of so many made him quite wild. He pulled away fromGeorge’s hand and went bounding madly up the hill, scattering rabbits by the dozen.
　　'Timmy!' yelled George, but for once Timmy paid no attention. He rushed here and rushed there,getting very angry as first one rabbit and then another neatly popped down a hole.
　　'It's no use calling him,' said Dick. 'He won't catch one, anyway - see how nippy they are, It's mybelief they're having a game with our Timmy!'
　　It did look rather like it. As soon as Timmy had chased two or three rabbits down one hole, a fewmore would pop up from another behind him. The children laughed. It was as good as a pantomime.
　　'Where do you mean to have lunch?' asked Anne, 'If we stay here much longer I shall really have tohave something to eat - and it's not nearly time yet. I wish I didn't always feel so hungry in the openair.'
　　'Well, come on then,' said Julian. 'We've got some way to go before we get to our lunch- place.
　　I've made a pretty good time-table of our tour - we're going to go all round the moors and finish at theplace we started at! I've really marked it all out pretty well.'
　　'Do we sleep at farm-houses or something at night?' asked George. 'I should like that. Will they mindhaving us, do you think? Or do we go to inns?'
　　'Farm-houses for two nights and inns for the other nights,' said Julian. 'I've marked them all.'
　　They went up Rabbit Hill and down the other side. There were just as many rabbits there. Timmy 11chased them till he panted like an engine going uphill! His tongue hung out, dripping wet.
　　'You've had enough, Tim,' said George. 'Be sensible now.'
　　But Timmy couldn't be sensible with so many rabbits about. So they left him to chase and dart andrace at top speed and went on down the hill. Timmy came rushing after them when they got to thebottom.
　　'Now perhaps you'll stop tearing about like a mad thing and walk with us,' scolded George. But shespoke too soon, for soon they were in a small wood which Julian informed them was Coney Copse.
　　'And as I told you, coney means rabbit, so you can't expect Timmy to stop being mad just yet,'
　　said Julian.
　　They very nearly lost Timmy in Coney Copse. A rabbit disappeared down a very big hole, andTimmy was actually able to get down a little way. Then he got stuck. He scrabbled violently with hisfeet but it was no good. He was well and truly stuck.
　　The others soon discovered he wasn't with them and went back, calling. Quite by chance they cameon the hole he was in and heard the sound of panting and scraping. A shower of sand flew out of thehole.
　　'There he is! The idiot, he's down a hole,' said George in alarm, 'Timmy! TIMMY! Come on out!'
　　There was nothing that Timmy would have liked better, but he couldn't come out, however much hetried. A root of a tree had got wedged into his back, and he couldn't seem to push himself out again,past the annoying root.
　　It took the four children twenty minutes to get Timmy out. Anne had to lie down and wriggle in alittle way to reach him. She was the only one small enough to get into the hole.
　　She caught hold of Timmy's back legs and pulled hard. Somehow the root slid off his back and hecame backwards. He whined loudly.
　　'Oh Anne, you're hurting him, you're hurting him!' shouted George. 'Let him go!'
　　'I can't!' yelled back Anne. 'He'll only go down deeper, if I leave go his legs. Can you pull me out? Ifso Timmy will come too - he'll have to because I've got his legs!'
　　Poor Anne was pulled out by her legs, and poor Timmy came too, pulled by his. He whined and wentto George.
　　'He's hurt himself somewhere,' said George anxiously. 'I know he has. He wouldn't whine like that ifhe wasn't hurt.'
　　12
　　She ran her fingers over him, pressing here and there. She examined each leg and each paw. Shelooked at his head. Still he whined. Where could he have hurt himself?
　　'Leave him,' said Julian, at last. 'I can't see that he's hurt anywhere - except in his feelings! Heprobably didn't like Anne hauling him out by his hind legs. Most undignified!'
　　George wasn't satisfied. Although she could find nothing wrong, she couldn't help being sure thatTimmy had hurt himself somewhere. Ought he to see a vet?
　　'Don't be silly, George,' said Julian. 'Vets don't grow on trees in a moorland country like this!
　　Let's go on walking, You'll see Timmy will follow quite all right, and soon forget to whine. I tell you,he's hurt his doggy feelings, that's all. His vanity is wounded!'
　　They left Coney Copse and went on, George rather silent. Timmy trotted beside her, also rather quiet.
　　Still, there really didn't seem anything the matter with him, except that he gave sudden little whinesnow and again.
　　'Now here's where I thought we might have our lunch,' said Julian, at last, 'Fallaway Hill! It's a goodname for it too - it falls away steeply, and we've got a marvellous view.'
　　So they had. They had come to the top of a steep hill, not guessing that it fell away on the other side.
　　They could sit on the tip and see the sun shining on miles and miles of lonely heather-grown moor.
　　They might see shy deer in the distance - or little wild ponies.
　　'This is heavenly,' said Anne, sitting down on a great tuft of heather. 'It's as warm as summer too!
　　I do hope it's like this all over the week-end. We shall all be burnt brown!'
　　'It will also be heavenly having some of those sandwiches,' said Dick, choosing a lump of heathertoo. 'What comfortable seats are provided for us! I've a good mind to take a tuft of this heather backto school with me to put on the very hard chair that goes with my desk!'
　　Julian put the four packets of sandwiches down in the heather. Anne undid them. They lookedwonderful!
　　'Super!' said Anne. 'What do you want first?'
　　'Well, speaking for myself I'm going to have one of each, put them all on top of one another, andhave a huge bite of cheese, ham, pork and egg at once,' said Dick. Anne laughed.
　　'Even your mouth isn't big enough for that,' she said. But somehow Dick managed, though it wasdifficult.
　　'Disgusting behaviour,' he said, when he had managed the first mouthful. 'I think on the whole thatone at a time is more economical. Hie, Timmy - have a bit?'
　　13
　　Timmy obliged. He was very quiet, and George was still anxious about him. Still, his appetite seemedremarkably good, so nobody but George wondered any more if he had hurt himself. He lay besideGeorge, occasionally putting a great paw on her knee if he wanted another bit of sandwich.
　　'Timmy does jolly well,' said Dick, with his mouth full. 'He gets bits from us all. I bet he eats morethan any of us. I say - did anyone ever taste such smashing sandwiches? Have you tried the pork? Itmust have come from a super pig!'
　　It was lovely sitting there in the sun, looking over miles of countryside, eating hungrily. They all feltvery happy. Except George. Was there anything wrong with Timmy? It would spoil the whole week-end if so!
3.蒂米受伤
　　蒂米受伤
　　他们终于出发了，蒂米跑在最前面。学校的一切已经被远远地甩在了身后。十月的太阳温暖地照着大地，乡间树林里黄色、红色还有金色的树叶在阳光下泛着光。虽然有几片树叶在微风中飘落，但大部分叶子要等到霜冻时才会落下来。
　　“今天天气真好。”乔治说，“要是没穿外套就好了，我已经快热熟了。”
　　“那就把它脱了，搭在肩上。”朱利安说，“我也要把外套脱了，我们穿着毛衣就已经够热了！”
　　他们都把厚厚的外套脱下来，搭在肩上。每个人都背着一个双肩包，背包外面还捆着一个卷得严严实实的雨衣，现在又多了一件衣服。但是在启程的第一天，谁也没有在意身上的负重。
　　朱利安对安妮和乔治说：“真高兴你们两个听了我的建议，穿上了厚实的鞋。”他用赞许的目光看着她们脚上的粗革皮鞋，“有些路可能会很泥泞，你们带换洗的袜子了吗？”
　　“带了。你说过的每一样东西，我们都带了。”安妮说。她看了一眼朱利安的背包，惊奇地说：“你的背包看起来竟然比我们的还要鼓，朱利安！”
　　“对，我还放了地图和一些别的东西进去。”朱利安说。接着，他介绍起他们脚下的这片地方，“这里是个不同寻常的地方。一片片荒原连在一起，看不到尽头！这里的地名也很奇特，像盲人谷、兔子山、迷失湖，还有科尼林！”
　　“兔子山！蒂米肯定喜欢那里！”乔治叫道。蒂米竖起了耳朵。
　　兔子山？哈，它当然喜欢！
　　“你说得对。实际上我们现在正往兔子山走。”朱利安说，“山后面就是科尼林。‘科尼’是村里人对兔子的叫法。在那里，蒂米也会玩得很开心！”
　　“汪！”蒂米欢快地叫了一声，蹦到几个人前面。现在，它感到非常幸福。四个朋友都在它身边，他们的背包里还装满了美味可口的三明治。要是在前面长长的旅途中到处都能见到兔子，那一切就太完美啦！
　　他们沐浴着阳光欢快地前行，很快就远离了村庄，走上了曲曲折折的小路。小路两边的树长得很高，孩子们根本看不见树顶！
　　“这条路像在下沉，”迪克说，“我感觉就像走在隧道里一样！这路还这么窄！我可不想在这种路上开车，要是迎面遇上了另一辆车，我恐怕得一直倒着开好几英里！”
　　“现在没那么容易遇到人。只有在夏天，这条路上才有车。那时候，人们会开车来乡下度假避暑。”朱利安说，伸手指着前方的路，“看，就是我们现在走的这条路，地图上说它通往兔子山！”
　　他们翻过路边的一个栅栏，穿过一片田野，向神秘的小山走去。走着走着，蒂米闻到了兔子的味道。没过多久，它就看到好多兔子！从这一刻起，蒂米就平静不下来了。
　　“白天竟然有这么多兔子出来，这可不常见！”乔治惊叹道，“这些兔子，不管是大的还是小的，都跑得好快！”
　　他们在山坡上坐下来，安安静静地看兔子。但蒂米是不可能老老实实坐着的，眼前有这么多兔子，鼻子里也都是兔子的味道，它简直要乐疯了！蒂米挣脱乔治的手撒腿跑开，带着一股疯劲儿冲上山坡，把兔子们吓得四散奔逃。
　　乔治冲它大喊：“蒂米！”但这一次，蒂米没有回应她。它追着兔子到处跑，但是一个也没抓着。眼看着兔子一个接一个地跳进了地洞，蒂米气恼极了。
　　“乔治，你这时候叫它没用。”迪克说，“它肯定一个兔子也抓不住。看看那些兔子，多么敏捷！我敢说它们是在逗我们的蒂米玩儿呢！”
　　情况看起来真像迪克说的那样。每当蒂米把两三只兔子追得钻进地洞时，就有更多的兔子从它身后的另一个地洞里冒出来。孩子们被逗得哈哈大笑，就好像在看一出滑稽的哑剧。
　　“我们要在哪里吃午餐？”安妮说，“如果大家要在这里多待一会儿，我必须先吃点东西。虽然现在还不到吃午餐的时候，但我总是一到外面就容易饿。我也不想这样。”她对自己的肚子感到很无奈。
　　“那我们现在就走吧。”朱利安说，“这里离吃午餐的地方还有一段路要走。我为这次郊游设计了一条完美的路线。沿着这条路，我们可以围着荒原走一整圈，在结束的时候回到起点！我已经把路线清楚完整地在地图上标出来了。”
　　“我们晚上要睡在农舍之类的地方吗？我喜欢睡在那种房子里。”乔治先是欣喜，之后又有些担忧，“但房子的主人会收留我们吗？还是说我们要住旅馆？”
　　“我们先在农舍睡两夜，剩下的时间睡旅馆。”朱利安说，“我把住的地方也标出来了。”
　　他们翻过兔子山的山顶，从山坡的另一侧下了山。蒂米一直在追着兔子到处跑，直到累得像爬不动山路的汽车引擎一样，一点力气没有了才停下来。它的舌头伸在外面，滴滴答答地流着水。
　　“蒂米，你够了。”乔治对蒂米喝道，“乖一点！”
　　但是周围有这么多兔子，蒂米根本不可能乖乖的。孩子们只能任由它追着兔子疯跑，他们继续下山。当他们走到山脚的时候，蒂米才从后面追了上来。
　　乔治训斥蒂米说：“现在你总可以停下来，和我们一起好好走路了吧！”她这话说早了，因为很快一行人就来到了朱利安之前说过的科尼林。
　　朱利安早有预料：“我之前就说过，‘科尼’的意思是兔子。来了这里，蒂米更不可能乖乖走路了。”
　　在科尼林里，蒂米追着兔子到处跑，差点儿把自己弄丢了。事情是这样的：一只兔子钻进地洞，没了踪影。那个地洞很大，蒂米也能钻进去。但它进去后只爬了一小截，就卡在洞里了。蒂米完全被困住，任它怎么使劲挣扎都没有用。
　　很快大家就发现蒂米不见了，于是返回来寻找。他们边走边喊它的名字，无意间走到了蒂米被困的洞口，听到了蒂米的喘气声和爪子刨地发出的声音，看见沙子不断地从一个洞口飞撒出来。
　　“它在那里！那个笨蛋，它卡在洞里了！”乔治又气又急，她惊慌地喊着，“蒂米！蒂米！出来！”
　　蒂米也很想出去，但它用尽了气力还是出不去。一段树根横在它背上，靠它自己的力量，它根本不能从这烦人的树根下面钻过去。
　　四个孩子花了20分钟的时间才把蒂米救了出来。安妮是几个人里唯一一个能钻进洞里的人。她艰难地扭动身体往前爬，终于够到了蒂米。
　　她抓住蒂米的后腿使劲往外拉。树根随着蒂米的移动，死死地蹭在它的背上。蒂米疼得大声哀号，又往洞里爬了爬。
　　“天啊，安妮，你弄疼它了，你弄疼它了！”乔治着急得大喊，“快松开它！”
　　“不能松！”安妮大声回答道，“如果我松开它的腿，它就会陷得更深。我拉住蒂米的腿，你们拉住我的腿。这样的话，你们把我拉出来，蒂米也就跟着出来了。”
　　可怜的安妮被人抓着腿给拉出洞来，可怜的蒂米也是一样。它哀叫着跑向乔治。
　　“它身上有伤。”乔治焦急地说，“它肯定受伤了，不然不会发出这样的叫声。”
　　乔治在蒂米身上仔细地摸了一遍，检查了它的每一条腿和每一只爪子，最后检查了它的头。蒂米仍然在哀叫。可它到底伤到哪儿了呢？
　　最后，朱利安说：“它身上没有受伤的痕迹，应该没事。也许是它的感情受到了伤害，被人拉着腿拖出来，这太有损自尊了！”
　　乔治还是不放心。尽管看不出来哪里不对，但她仍然觉得蒂米身上有伤。“我们要不要带它去看个兽医？”
　　“别傻了，乔治。这荒地里怎么会有兽医？”朱利安知道乔治心急，只能安慰乔治说，“蒂米会好起来的，过一会儿它就不叫了。它只是伤到了自尊心，除了这个，就没有别的伤了。”
　　离开科尼林后，大家继续往前走。乔治十分沉默，蒂米也安静地跟在她身边。要不是它时不时发出一两声哀叫，看起来真像什么事都没有。
　　不知走了多久，终于听到朱利安说：“伙伴们，到了。吃午餐的地方就是这里——落崖山！这座山高大险峻，和它的名字很相称！
　　我们站在高高的山顶一定能看到绝美的风景。”
　　山顶的景色确实壮观。他们来到山顶，发现山的另一面是陡峭的悬崖。他们席地而坐，阳光照耀下广阔无边的荒原尽收眼底，看见了远处的鹿群，还有小野马。
　　“这里真是好极了！”安妮坐在一大块草丛中说，“天气温暖得像夏天一样！希望整个假期的天气能一直这么晴朗，那样我们就能晒出健康的小麦色皮肤了！”
　　“这时候来点三明治会更好。”迪克说着也在草丛中坐下来，“坐在草地上太舒服了！啊，我想到一个好主意，我们可以带一大捆草回学校去，铺在硬邦邦的凳子上，这样坐着就不难受了。”
　　朱利安把四包三明治放在草地上，安妮将纸包打开。这些三明治看起来好吃极了！
　　“它们棒极了！你们想先吃哪一种？”安妮开心地叫道。
　　“我想每一种都吃一口。”迪克说，“我要把它们全部叠放在一起，一大口咬下去，把奶酪的、火腿的、肉的和鸡蛋的一下子都吃到嘴里。”
　　安妮听了大笑起来：“虽然你的嘴巴不小，但也没有那么大。”
　　尽管确实有难度，但迪克还是想方设法地做到了。他吃了满满一大口三明治之后说：“感觉不太好，吃一口就饱了。不过，这种吃法挺节约食物的。嘿，蒂米，要不要来一口呀？”
　　蒂米心里很感激，安静地吃起来。它胃口好，吃得香，看起来没有任何问题，大家都觉得它没有受伤，除了乔治。
　　蒂米趴在乔治旁边，想吃三明治的时候就用爪子拍一下她的膝盖。
　　迪克嚼着三明治说：“蒂米可真幸福啊！我们所有人都喂它吃东西。它吃得肯定比谁都多。”这些三明治太好吃了，迪克简直要把它们夸到天上去，“啊，其他人肯定都没有吃过这么美味的三明治！你们尝过肉馅的了吗？这么香嫩的肉，太棒了！”
　　孩子们坐在坡顶，一边吃得津津有味，一边晒着温暖的太阳，欣赏绵延数英里的乡间景色。他们全都感到很幸福——除了乔治。
　　乔治还在忧心蒂米的伤。再这样下去，她的整个假期都要泡汤了！
Chapter 4 GEORGE IS WORRIED
Chapter 4 GEORGE IS WORRIED
　　They lazed for some time in the sun after they had finished their meal. There were three sandwicheseach left, and half a piece each of the fruit cake. No one had been able to manage a whole piece,much as they would have liked to.
　　Timmy seemed to think he could finish all the cake that was left, but Julian said no. 'It's such agorgeous cake it would be really wasted on Timmy,' he said. 'You've had enough, Tim. Greedy dog!'
　　'Woof,' said Timmy, wagging his tail, and eyeing the cake watchfully. He sighed when he saw itbeing packed up. He had only had a bit of George's half-slice - what a cake!
　　'I'll pack three sandwiches and a half-slice of the cake into each of four bags,' said Julian,'Anyone can eat his or hers whenever they like. I expect we shall have a good meal at the farmhouseI've chosen for tonight, so you can eat when you like before then.'
　　'I don't feel as if I could eat anything till tomorrow morning,' said Anne, putting her bag of food intoher rucksack. 'But it's odd how hungry you keep on getting, even if you feel you can't possibly be forhours and hours.'
　　'Well, Timmy can wolf anything you don't want,' said Julian. 'Nothing wasted when Tim's about.
　　Now are we all ready? We're going through a little village soon, where we'll stop for a drink. I 14could do with a ginger-beer. And then on we go to our farm-house. We ought to try and arrive aboutfive, because it gets dark so soon.'
　　'What's the farm-house called?' asked Anne.
　　'Blue Pond Farm,' said Julian. 'Nice name, isn't it? I hope it's still got a blue pond.'
　　'Suppose they haven't room for us?' said Anne.
　　'Oh, they can always put a couple of girls somewhere,' said Julian. 'Dick and I can sleep in a barn ifnecessary. We're not particular!'
　　'I'd like to sleep in a barn too,' said Anne, 'I'd love to. Let's not ask for a bedroom, let's all sleep in abarn - on straw or hay or something.'
　　'No,' said Julian. 'You girls will have to be in the house. It gets cold at night, and we've brought norugs. We boys will be all right with our macs over us. I'm not letting you two girls do that.'
　　'It's stupid being a girl!' said George, for about the millionth time in her life. 'Always having to becareful when boys can do as they like! I'm going to sleep in a barn, anyway. I don't care what yousay, Ju!'
　　'Oh yes you do,' said Julian, 'You know quite well that if ever you go against the orders of the chief -that's me, my girl, in case you didn't know it - you won't come out with us again. You may look like aboy and behave like a boy, but you're a girl all the same. And like it or not, girls have got to be takencare of.'
　　'I should have thought that boys hated having to take care of girls,' said George, sulkily.
　　'Especially girls like me who don't like it.'
　　'Well, decent boys like looking after their girl cousins or their sisters,' said Julian, 'And oddly enoughdecent girls like it. But I won't count you as a girl, George, decent or otherwise. I'll merely count youas a boy who's got to have an eye on him - my eye, see? So take that look off your face, and don'tmake yourself any more difficult than you already are.'
　　George couldn't help laughing, and the sulky look went at once. She gave Julian a punch. 'All right.
　　You win. You're so jolly domineering these days I feel quite afraid of you!'
　　'You're not afraid of anyone,' said Dick. 'You're the bravest girl I ever knew! Aha! That's made oldGeorge blush like a girl! Let me warm my hands, George!'
　　And Dick held his hands up in front of George's scarlet face, pretending to warm them at her fieryblush. She didn't know whether to be pleased or angry. She pushed his hands away and got up,looking more like a boy than ever with her short tousled hair and her well-freckled face!
　　15
　　The others got up and stretched. Then they settled their rucksacks on their backs again, with theirmacs fastened to them, threw their blazers over their shoulders and set off down Fallaway Hill.
　　Timmy followed, but he didn't bound about as usual. He went slowly and carefully. George lookedround for him, and frowned.
　　'What is the matter with Timmy?' she said. 'Look at him! Not a jump or a scamper in him!'
　　They all stopped and watched him. He came towards them and they saw that he was limping slightlywith his left hind leg. George dropped down beside him and felt the leg carefully.
　　'I think he must have twisted it - sprained it or something, when he was down that rabbit- hole,'
　　she said. She patted him gently on the back and he winced.
　　'What's the matter, Tim?' said George, and she parted the hair on his back, examining the white skinunderneath to see why he had winced when she had patted him.
　　'He's got an awful bruise here,' she said at last, and the others bent to see. 'Something must have hurthis back down in that hole. And Anne must have hurt one of his legs when she held on to them anddragged him out. I told you not to hold on to his legs, Anne.'
　　'Well, how were we to get him out if I didn't?' demanded Anne, feeling cross but rather guilty.
　　'Did you want him to stick there for days and days?'
　　'I don't think there's much damage done,' said Julian, feeling the hind leg. 'I honestly think he's onlyjust twisted it a bit, George. He'll be all right after tonight, I'm sure.'
　　'But I must be certain,' said George. 'Did you say we come to a village soon, Ju?'
　　'Yes - Beacons Village,' said Julian, 'We can ask if there's a vet anywhere in the district if you like.
　　He'll look at Timmy's leg and tell you if there's anything much wrong. But I don't think there is.'
　　'We'll go on to the village then,' said George. 'Oh dear - the only time I ever wish Timmy was a littledog is when he's hurt - because he's so very very heavy to carry.'
　　'Well, don't think of carrying him yet,' said Dick. 'He can walk on three legs even if he can't on four!
　　He's not as bad as all that, are you, Timmy?'
　　'Woof,' said Timmy, mournfully. He was rather enjoying all the fuss. George patted his head.
　　'Come on,' she said, 'we'll soon get that leg put right. Come on, Tim.'
　　They all went on, looking round to see how Timmy was getting on. He followed slowly, and thenbegan to limp more badly. Finally he lifted his left hind leg up from the ground and ran on three legsonly.
　　16
　　'Poor boy,' said George. 'Poor Timmy! I do hope his leg will be all right tomorrow. I can't possibly goon with the hike if it isn't.'
　　It was rather a gloomy company that came to Beacons Village. Julian made his way to a little inn thatstood in the middle, called Three Shepherds.
　　A woman was shaking a duster out of a window. Julian called up to her.
　　'I say! Is there a vet anywhere in this district? I want someone to have a look at our dog's leg.'
　　'No. No vet here,' answered the woman. 'Not one nearer than Marlins over six miles away.'
　　George's heart sank. Timmy would never be able to walk six miles.
　　'Is there a bus?' she called.
　　'No. Not to Marlins,' said the woman. 'No bus goes there, missy. But if you want your dog's leg seento, you go up to Spiggy House, up along there. Mr. Gaston lives there with his horses, and he knowsabout dogs too. You take the dog there. He'll know what to do.'
　　'Oh thank you,' said George, gratefully. 'Is it very far?'
　　'About half a mile,' said the woman. 'See that hill? You go up there, take the turning to the right andyou'll see a big house. That's Spiggy House. You can't mistake it because of the stables built all roundit. Ask for Mr. Gaston. He's nice, he is. Maybe you'll have to wait a little if he's out with his horsesthough - he may not be in till it's almost dark.'
　　The four held a little council. 'We'd better go up to this Mr. Gaston's, I think,' said Julian. 'But I thinkyou and Anne, Dick, should go on to the farm-house I planned to stay in for the night, and makearrangements for us. We don't want to leave it till the last minute. I'll go with George and Timmy, ofcourse.'
　　'Right,' said Dick. 'I'll take Anne now. It will be dark pretty soon. Got your torch, Julian?'
　　'Yes,' said Julian. 'And I'm pretty good at finding my way, as you know. I shall come back to thisvillage after we've been to Mr. Gaston's, and then make straight for the farm-house. It's about a mileand a half away.'
　　'Thanks awfully for saying you'll come with me, Julian,' said George. 'Let's go now, shall we?
　　Well, Dick and Anne - see you later!'
　　Julian set off with George and Timmy up the hill to Spiggy House. Timmy went on three legs, andstill seemed very sorry for himself. Anne and Dick watched him, feeling sorry for him.
　　'I hope he's all right tomorrow,' said Dick. 'It will spoil our week-end if he's not, no doubt about that!'
　　17
　　They turned away and walked through the little village of Beacons. 'Now for Blue Pond Farmhouse,'
　　said Dick. 'Julian didn't give me very clear directions, I think I'll ask someone exactly where it is.'
　　But they met nobody except a man driving a little cart. Dick hailed him and he pulled up his horse.
　　'Are we on the right road for Blue Pond Farm-house?' shouted Dick. 'Ar,' answered the man, noddinghis head.
　　'Is it straight on - or do we take any paths or little lanes?' asked Dick, 'Ar,' said the man, noddingagain.
　　'What does he mean - ''ar''?' said Dick. He raised his voice again. 'Is it this way?' and he pointed.
　　'Ar,' said the man again. He raised his whip and pointed up the road where the two were going, andthen across to the west.
　　'Oh, I see - we turn to the right up there?' called Dick.
　　'Ar,' said the man, nodding, and drove on so suddenly that the horse almost stepped on Dick's foot.
　　'Well - if we find the farm-house after all those ''ars'' we'll be clever,' said Dick. 'Come on!'
4.兵分两路
　　兵分两路
　　吃完午餐，他们懒洋洋地晒了一会儿太阳。每个人都剩下三个三明治和半块水果蛋糕。水果蛋糕不算小，他们谁也没法一次吃完。
　　蒂米跃跃欲试，想把剩下的蛋糕全部吃掉，但是朱利安不让它吃。“这么好的蛋糕要是让蒂米吃了，那就太可惜了。”他看着蒂米，“蒂米，你吃了那么多还不满足，真是只贪婪的狗！”
　　“汪！”蒂米摇着尾巴叫了一声，眼巴巴地盯着蛋糕，却只能眼看着蛋糕被收了起来。它只在乔治的半块蛋糕上尝了一小口，那味道简直好极了！可惜吃不到更多的了，蒂米遗憾地叹了一口气。
　　“一共有四个防油纸包，我在每个包里放了三个三明治和半块蛋糕。我们一人一包，饿了就吃自己的那一份。”朱利安说，“我已经选好了今晚要住的农舍，预计我们能在那里好好吃一顿。所以，大家不用担心晚餐的问题，包里的食物，想吃的时候就放心地吃吧！”
　　“我现在太饱了，今天再也吃不下一点儿东西了。”安妮把自己的食物放进背包说，“但即使是这样，肚子还是会慢慢变饿。这可真是奇怪！”
　　“没关系，蒂米可以把你不想吃的都吃掉。有蒂米在，不会浪费粮食的。”朱利安说，他看向伙伴们，“现在，大家都准备好出发了吗？前面有一个小村庄，我们要在那里喝点东西，然后继续往农舍走。尽量在下午五点前到达农舍，因为那时候天就快黑了。”
　　“那个农舍叫什么名字？”安妮问。
　　“蓝塘农舍。”朱利安说，“真是个好名字，希望那里真的有一个蓝色的池塘。”
　　“要是那里没有房间让我们住了呢？”安妮又问。
　　“放心吧，肯定能安排出房间给你们两个女孩住。我和迪克可以睡谷仓。我们不挑剔！”朱利安回答。
　　“啊，我也想睡在谷仓，”安妮说，“我喜欢在那里睡。我们不用要房间了，大家一起睡在一个谷仓里吧，躺在一堆麦秆或者干草上。”
　　“不行，”朱利安坚决不同意，“我是不会让你们两个女孩睡谷仓的。夜里很冷，而且我们都没带毯子。我们男生盖上雨衣就不会有什么问题，但你们女孩必须睡在房间里。”
　　“当女孩真没意思！”乔治第无数次发出这样的感慨，她不服气地说，“凭什么男孩想干什么都可以，女孩却做什么都要小心！朱利安，不管你怎么说，我都要睡在谷仓里！”
　　“没问题，你可以睡谷仓。”朱利安严厉地说，“但你要想清楚，我是队长，你要是违抗我的指令，下次就不带你一起出来玩了！也许你的外表和行为像个男孩，但你依旧是个女孩。是女孩就需要被人照顾。”
　　乔治不高兴地说：“我原本以为男孩都讨厌照顾女孩，况且我也不喜欢处处被人照顾。”
　　“有绅士风度的男生很乐意照顾女生。”朱利安说，“刚好，女孩一般也喜欢被人照顾。但是，我没有把你当成女孩，而是当成一个需要有人管着的男孩。现在，管着你的人是我，明白吗？所以，别不乐意了，乖乖听话吧，不要再自寻烦恼了。”
　　乔治听了忍不住笑出声来，心里的闷气一下子消散了。她开玩笑地给了朱利安一拳，说道：“好吧，你赢了。你这几天太强硬了，我真是怕了你！”
　　“你谁也不怕，你是我见过的最勇敢的女孩！”迪克看着乔治因为激动而发红的脸，嚷嚷着说，“啊哈，咱们的乔治竟然会像女孩一样脸红！来，让我暖暖手，乔治！”
　　他说着就把双手举到乔治面前，假装要捧着她绯红的脸暖手。
　　乔治都不知道是该高兴还是该生气了，她推开迪克的手站起来。此刻，她那稍显蓬乱的短发和脸上几颗可爱的小雀斑，让她看起来比之前任何时候更像一个男孩。
　　其他人也跟着站起来。大家伸伸懒腰后，再次背起背包，搭上外套，向山下走去。
　　蒂米跟在四个人身后。它每走一步都十分小心，不再像以前那样蹦蹦跳跳，四处乱跑了。乔治回过头，看见它这个样子，皱起了眉。
　　“蒂米怎么了？”她说，“你们看！它不跑也不跳了！”
　　孩子们全都停下来观察蒂米，发现它的左后腿有点儿跛。
　　乔治走到它身旁蹲下，仔细摸了摸那条腿，说道：“它肯定是在钻进兔子洞的时候伤到了这条腿，可能是扭伤了。”说完她轻轻地拍了一下它的背，蒂米往后躲了一下。
　　“怎么了，蒂米？”乔治拨开它背上的毛发，检查下面露出的白色皮肤，想弄明白它为什么害怕被拍到。
　　“这里有一块严重的擦伤，应该是在地洞里弄的。”乔治说，大家都聚拢过来仔细看蒂米背上的伤。乔治接着说：“还有，一定是安妮在把它往外拉的时候弄伤了这条腿。安妮，我告诉过你的，不要抓它的腿！”
　　“那我问你，如果不抓住它的腿，要怎么把它救出来？难道你想让它一直困在洞里吗？”安妮感到既生气又愧疚。
　　“我看它伤得不重。”朱利安摸着蒂米的腿说，“我觉得它只是轻轻扭了一下而已，乔治。它今天晚上就能完全恢复，我保证。”
　　“我必须确认一下。”乔治说，“朱利安，我们是不是快走到下一个村子了？”
　　“是的，前面就是烽火村。”朱利安说，“你要是想找兽医，我们可以去附近打听一下。兽医看过蒂米后，会告诉你它伤得重不重。
　　但是我不认为那里会有兽医。”
　　“那我们就继续往村子走。”乔治说：“啊，怎么办，蒂米太重了，我背不动它。真希望它还是只狗宝宝！”
　　“哦！”迪克说，“你不用背它。它就算只有三条腿也能走路！况且，它的伤也没有那么严重。是不是，蒂米？”
　　“呜！”蒂米凄惨地叫了一声，它就喜欢小题大做。乔治拍了拍它的头，说：“蒂米，打起精神来，我们很快就能治好你的腿了。
　　走！”
　　大家继续往前走，时不时回头看看蒂米。它跟在后面慢慢地走着，瘸得越来越厉害。最后它干脆抬起那条受伤的腿，不让它接触地面，只用三条腿走路。
　　“可怜的蒂米！”乔治为它感到难过，“希望它的腿明天就能完全恢复。如果它的腿好不了，我都没办法继续郊游了。”
　　一路上，大家都闷闷不乐。朱利安带着大家来到村子中央一个名叫“三个牧羊人”的小旅馆前。
　　一个女人正靠在窗口上用手甩着抹布。朱利安大声喊道：“请问这一带有没有兽医？我们想找一个兽医，给狗治腿伤。”
　　“这里没有兽医。”女人回答道，“离这里最近的兽医在六英里外的玛林兹。”
　　乔治的心一下子沉了下去。蒂米是不可能再走六英里路的。
　　“有去那里的巴士吗？”乔治问。
　　“没有去玛林兹的巴士，小姑娘。但是如果你想给狗治腿，可以去斯佩奇宅院。”女人伸手指向一个地方，“从那里上去，盖斯顿先生就住在那上面。他自己养马，也懂得怎么养狗，会给狗看病。你可以带着狗去找他，他知道怎么治。”
　　“好的，谢谢！”乔治感激地说，接着又问，“那里远吗？”
　　“大约要走半英里路。”女人说，“看见那座山了吗？你上了山，往右边看，就能看见一个大房子，那就是斯佩奇宅院。很容易找的，那房子周围全是养马场。去请盖斯顿先生帮忙吧，他是个好人。如果他骑马出去了，那你们可能就要等一会儿了，因为天黑前他也许回不来。”
　　四个孩子在一起商量了一会儿后，朱利安说：“我认为，我们最好去找那个盖斯顿先生，不能丢下蒂米不管。但是，迪克，你和安妮应该继续按原计划去蓝塘农舍，先到那里安排好房间，我和乔治一起带着蒂米去山上。”
　　“好的，”迪克说，“我们两个现在就出发。天马上就要黑了，朱利安，你带手电筒了吗？”
　　“带了。”朱利安说，“你知道我从不会迷路的，放心吧。我们从盖斯顿先生那儿回来就直接去蓝塘农舍。那里离这儿大概有一英里半。”
　　乔治感激地说：“朱利安，谢谢你能陪我一起去。真是太感谢你了！我们现在就走吧，好吗？”然后，她看向迪克和安妮，“迪克，还有安妮，晚点见！”
　　朱利安和乔治一起带着蒂米，向山上的斯佩奇宅院走去。蒂米只能用三条腿走路，它十分伤心。安妮和迪克看到它这个样子，也很难过。
　　“希望它明天就能彻底好起来。”迪克说，“如果它好不了，那我们的整个假期就要毁了，这是肯定的！”
　　迪克和安妮也转身出发了，他们要穿过烽火村。迪克说：“现在我们要去蓝塘农舍，但朱利安没有说过它的具体位置，我们得找个人问问。”
　　两个人在路上遇到了一个赶马车的男人。迪克伸手一拦，那个男人拉住马，停了下来。
　　“请问这是去蓝塘农舍的路吗？”迪克大声问道。
　　“啊。”男人点点头，回答道。
　　“是一直沿着这条路走，还是中途要拐到别的路上去？”迪克接着问。
　　“啊。”男人又点了点头。
　　“‘啊’是什么意思？”迪克嘟囔了一句，接着伸手指着前方的路，提高了音量，“是走这条路吗？”
　　“啊。”男人再次这样答道。然后，他举起马鞭，指着两个孩子脚下的路，又指了指西方。
　　“哦，我明白了。您是说，我们要在岔路口向右拐？”迪克问。
　　“啊。”男人应了一声后，突然驱动了马车，那马差点踩到迪克的脚。
　　迪克无奈地对安妮说：“好吧，要是我们只凭着这几个‘啊’就能找到蓝塘农舍，我们就真是聪明绝顶了。出发吧！”
Chapter 5 ANNE AND DICK
Chapter 5 ANNE AND DICK
　　It began to get dark very suddenly. The sun had gone, and a big black cloud slid smoothly over thesky. 'It's going to rain,' said Dick. 'Blow! I thought it was going to be a lovely evening.'
　　'We'd better hurry,' said Anne. 'I hate sheltering under a hedge in the pouring rain, with drips downmy neck, and puddles round my feet!'
　　They hurried. They went up the road that led out of the village and then came to a turning on theright. This must be the one the man had meant. They stopped and looked down it. It seemed to be likeone of the sunken lanes they had walked down in the morning, and it looked rather dark and tunnel-like now, in the twilight.
　　'I hope it's right,' said Dick. 'We'll ask the very first person we meet.'
　　'If we do meet anyone!' said Anne, feeling that they never would in this curious deep lane. They 18went up it. It wound round and about and then went downhill into a very muddy bit indeed. Annefound herself sloshing about in thick mud.
　　'A stream or something must run across the lane here,' she said. 'Ugh! The water's got into my shoes!
　　I'm sure we don't go this way, Dick. The water's quite deep farther on, I'm certain. I was up to myankles just now.'
　　Dick looked about in the deepening twilight. He made out something above him in the high hedgethat grew on the steep bank each side.
　　'Look - is that a stile?' he said, 'Where's my torch? At the bottom of my rucksack, of course! Can youget it out, Anne, to save me taking the thing off?'
　　Anne found the torch and gave it to Dick. He switched it on, and immediately the shadows roundthem grew blacker, and the lane seemed more tunnel-like than ever. Dick flashed the torch upwardsto what he had thought was a stile.
　　'Yes - it is a stile,' he said. 'I expect that leads up to the farm-house - a short cut, probably. I've nodoubt this lane is the one used by the farm-carts, and probably goes right round to the farm - but ifthis is a short cut we might as well take it. It must lead somewhere, anyway!'
　　They scrambled up the bank to the stile. Dick helped Anne over, and they found themselves in a widefield. In front of them was a narrow path, running between crops of some sort.
　　'Yes - this is obviously a short cut,' said Dick, pleased. 'I expect we'll see the lights of the farmhousein a minute.'
　　'Or fall into the blue pond first,' said Anne, rather dismally. It was just beginning to rain and she waswondering if it was worth while to untie her mac from her shoulder and put it on. Or was the farm-house really nearby? Julian had said it wasn't very far.
　　They walked across the field and came to another stile. The rain was coming down fast now.
　　Anne decided to put on her mac. She stood under a thick bush and Dick helped her on with it.
　　She had a small sou'wester in the pocket and put that on too. Dick put his on and they set off again.
　　The second stile led into another endless field, and the path then came at last to a big field-gate.
　　They climbed over it and found themselves on what looked like a heathery moor - wild anduncultivated land! No farm-house was to be seen - though, indeed they could not have seen anythingof one unless they had been very close to it, because the night was on them, dark and rainy.
　　19
　　'If only we could see some lights somewhere - shining out of a window,' said Dick. He shone historch on to the moor in front of them. 'I don't quite know what to do. There doesn't seem a path here -and I just hate the idea of going all the way back across those wet fields, and into that dark little lane.'
　　'Oh no - don't let's,' said Anne, with a shiver. 'I really didn't like that lane. There must be a pathsomewhere! It's silly for a gate to open on to moorland!'
　　And then, as they stood there, with the rain dripping on them and not much else to be heard, anothernoise came to their ears.
　　It was so unexpected and so very startling that both of them clutched the other in a start of alarm.
　　It was certainly a strange noise to hear in that deserted bit of country.
　　Bells! Wild, clanging bells sounding without a stop, jangling out over the dark countryside in pealafter peal. Anne held on tightly to Dick.
　　'What is it? Where are those bells? What are they ringing for?' whispered Anne.
　　Dick had no idea. He was as startled as Anne to hear this extraordinary noise. It sounded somedistance away, but every now and again the wind blew hard and then the noise of the jangling sweptround them, close to them it seemed.
　　'I wish they'd stop, Oh, I wish they'd stop!' said Anne, her heart beating fast. 'I don't like them.
　　They frighten me. They're not church bells.'
　　'No. They're certainly not church bells,' said Dick. 'They're a warning of some kind. I'm sure - butwhat for? Fire? We'd see fire if there was one anywhere near us. War? No - bells and beacons wereused to warn people of war long long ago, Not now.'
　　'That village was called Beacons,' said Anne, suddenly remembering. 'Do you suppose it has thatname because long ago there was a nearby hill where people lighted a beacon, to send a warning toother towns telling them that the enemy was coming? Did they ring bells too? Are we hearing long-ago bells, Dick? They don't sound like bells I've ever heard in my life before.'
　　'Good gracious! They're certainly not long-ago bells!' said Dick, speaking cheerfully, though he wasreally just as puzzled and alarmed as Anne. 'Those bells are being rung now, at this very minute!'
　　Quite suddenly the bells stopped and an enormous silence took the place of the wild ringing. The twochildren stood and listened for a minute or two and then heaved a sigh of relief.
　　'They've stopped at last,' said Anne, 'I hated them! Why did they ring out on this dark, dark 20night? Oh do let's find Blue Pond Farm-house as soon as ever we can, Dick. I don't like being lost inthe dark like this, with bells ringing madly for nothing at all!'
　　'Come on,' said Dick. 'Keep close to the hedge. As long as we follow that we must come tosomewhere. We won't wander out on to the moorland.'
　　He took Anne's arm and the two of them kept close to the hedge. They came to another path at lastand followed it. That led to a lane, but not a sunken one this time - and then, oh wonderful sight, - notfar off they saw a light shining!
　　'That must be Blue Pond Farm-house!' said Dick, thankfully. 'Come on, Anne - not much farthernow!'
　　They came to a low stone wall and followed it till they came to a broken-down gate. It opened with asqueak, and Anne stepped through - right into an enormous puddle!
　　'Blow!' she said. 'Now I'm wetter than ever! For a moment I thought I must have stepped into the bluepond!'
　　But it was only a puddle. They went round it and followed a muddy path to a little door set in a whitestone wall. Dick thought it must be the back door. Nearby was a window, and in it shone the lightthey had seen so thankfully.
　　An old woman sat near the light, her head bent over some sewing. The children could see her quiteclearly as they stood by the door.
　　Dick looked for a bell or knocker but there was none. He knocked with his bare knuckles.
　　Nobody answered. The door remained shut. They looked at the old woman by the lamp, and saw thatshe was still sewing.
　　'Perhaps she's deaf,' said Dick and he knocked again, much more loudly. Still the old woman sewedon placidly. She must indeed be deaf!
　　'We'll never get in at this rate!' said Dick, impatiently. He tried the handle of the door - it opened atonce!
　　'We'll just have to walk in and announce ourselves,' said Dick, and he stepped on to the worn matinside the door. He was in a narrow little passage that led to a stone stairway, steep and narrow at thefarther end.
　　On his right was a door, a little ajar. It opened into the room where the old woman was sitting.
　　The two children could see a streak of light coming through the crack.
　　Dick pushed the door open and walked boldly in, followed by Anne. Still the old woman didn't 21look up. She pushed her needle in and out of her sewing and seemed to hear and see nothing elsewhatsoever.
　　Dick had to walk right up to her before she knew he was in the room. Then she leapt up in such afright that her chair fell over with a bang.
　　'I'm sorry,' said Dick, upset at frightening the old lady. 'We knocked but you didn't hear!'
　　She stared at them, her hand over her heart. 'You give me such a fright,' she said. 'Where did youcome from, this dark night?'
　　Dick picked up her chair, and she sat down in it, panting a little.
　　'We've been looking for this place,' said Dick. 'Blue Pond Farm-house, isn't it? We wondered if wecould stay the night here - and two others of us as well.'
　　The old woman pointed to her ears and shook her head. 'Deaf as a post,' she said. 'No good talking tome, my dear. You've lost your way, I suppose?'
　　Dick nodded.
　　'Well, you can't stay here,' said the old woman. 'My son won't have no one here at all. You'd best begone before he comes. He have a nasty temper, he have.'
　　Dick shook his head. Then he pointed out to the dark rainy night, and then pointed to Anne's wetshoes and clothes. The old woman knew what he meant.
　　'You've lost your way, you're wet and tired, and you don't want me to turn you out,' she said. 'Butthere's my son, you see. He don't like strangers here.'
　　Dick pointed to Anne, and then to a sofa in a corner of the room. Then he pointed to himself, andthen outside. Again the old woman understood at once.
　　'You want me to give your sister shelter, but you'll go out into the night?' she said. Dick nodded.
　　He thought he could easily find some shed or barn for himself. But Anne really must be indoors.
　　'My son mustn't see either of you,' said the old woman, and she pulled Anne to what the girl thoughtwas a cupboard. But when the door opened, she saw a very small, steep wooden staircase leadingupwards into the roof.
　　'You go up there,' said the old woman to Anne. 'And don't you come down till I call you in themorning. I'll get into trouble if my son knows you're here.'
　　'Go up, Anne,' said Dick, rather troubled. 'I don't know what you'll find there. If it's too bad, comedown. See if there's a window or something you can call out from, and then I'll know if you're allright.'
　　22
　　'Yes,' said Anne, in rather a trembling voice and she went up the steep, dirty wooden stairs. They ledstraight into a little loft. There was a mattress there, fairly clean, and a chair. A rug was folded up onthe chair and a jug of water stood on a shelf. Otherwise the room was bare.
　　A tiny window opened out of one side. Anne went to it and called out. 'Dick! Are you there?
　　Dick!'
　　'Yes, I'm here,' said Dick. 'What's it like, Anne? Is it all right? Listen, I'll find somewhere nearby toshelter in - and you can always call me if you want me!'
5.迷路
　　迷路
　　太阳落山了，一大片乌云飘过来，遮住了天空，天一下子黑了。“要下雨了，”迪克叫道，“酷！今夜一定不会平静，妙极了！我喜欢！”
　　“我们最好快点走。”安妮说，“我讨厌在树下躲雨。雨滴会流进脖子里，脚下也全是水坑！”
　　他们加快脚步，走出了烽火村，来到一个向右的拐弯处。这里一定就是那个男人说的要往右拐的地方了。他们站在路口，看着这条即将要走的路。它看起来和早上走过的那条路一样昏暗幽深，在暮色中就像是一条隧道。
　　“希望走这条路是对的。”迪克说，“等一遇到人，我们就再问问路。”
　　“希望我们能遇到人！”安妮说。她觉得在这条黑暗深邃的小路上不会有人经过。两个人走上去，沿着弯弯曲曲的小路下了山，来到了一片十分泥泞的地方。安妮发现自己走在厚厚的泥浆里。
　　“一定有河水流过这个地方。”她叫起来，“啊！泥水灌进了我的鞋子！我们不能走这条路了，迪克。地上的泥水越来越深，刚才已经淹到我的脚踝了！”
　　迪克在越来越暗的暮色中四处看了看。路两边的陡坡上长着高高的树篱，他发现树篱之间有一样东西。
　　“看，那是栅栏吗？”他对安妮说，“我背包里有手电筒。安妮，你能帮我把它拿出来吗？省得我把背包拿下来。”
　　安妮找到手电筒，递给迪克。迪克打开手电筒，一瞬间，周围阴暗的树影显得更黑了，这条小路看起来比之前更像一条隧道。迪克将手电筒的光束照到他刚才认为有栅栏的地方。
　　“真的是栅栏。”他说，“翻过它应该就能走到蓝塘农舍，那也许是一条捷径。我们现在走的这条路大概是给人们赶牛车用的，而且很可能绕了一大圈，最后通到农场去。我们试试走栅栏后面的路吧，不管怎么样，最终肯定能走到某个地方。”
　　他们爬上栅栏前的土坡。迪克帮助安妮翻过栅栏。两个人翻过来后，发现自己站在一片宽阔的田野上，眼前是一条通向庄稼地深处的小路。
　　“没有错，这明显就是一条捷径。”迪克高兴地说，“估计我们一会儿就能看见农舍被灯光照亮的窗户。”
　　“说不定我们会先掉进蓝色的池塘里。”安妮十分沮丧地说。就在刚才，天开始下雨了。她心想：“到底要不要把雨衣从背包上解下来穿上呢？但可能不用这么麻烦，也许蓝塘农舍真的就在附近，朱利安说过它离得不远。”
　　他们穿过田野，走到另一处栅栏前。这时候，雨下大了，安妮决定穿上雨衣。他们来到一处茂密的灌木丛下。安妮在迪克的帮助下穿好雨衣，又把口袋里的防水帽取出来戴上。迪克也穿上自己的雨衣，两个人继续往前走。
　　第二处栅栏后面是一片无边无际的田野。他们沿着田野中的小路来到一扇大门前。大门后面是一片长满野草的荒地。这里未经开垦，一片荒芜，连个农舍的影子都没有。不过就算有，他们也看不见，因为天太黑了，还下着雨，除非他们离房子很近。
　　“希望我们能看到从窗户里照出来的灯光。”迪克边说边用手电筒照着面前的荒野，“我也不知道该怎么办了。前面好像已经没有路了，可是我不想原路返回。那样的话，我们还要再次穿过刚才走过的泥地。而且，我讨厌回到那条阴森森的小路上去。”
　　“我也不要往回走。”安妮听了迪克的话后打了个哆嗦，情绪激动地说，“我一点也不喜欢那条路。这里一定有别的路可以走，要不然怎么会有这扇对着荒野大开的门！”
　　雨滴无情地打在两个人的身上。这里除了雨声，再也听不到别的声音。就在这时，另一种声音传入了他们的耳朵。
　　这声音来得非常突兀，而且听起来十分可怕，两个孩子吓得立刻抱在一起。在荒郊野外听到这种声音实在太诡异了。“当啷啷啷！”清脆响亮的钟声绵绵不绝地在漆黑的荒野间鸣响。安妮害怕得紧紧抓着迪克。
　　“怎么回事？这钟声是从哪里传来的？为什么会突然响起来？”安妮小声问道。
　　迪克也不知道。听到这么不寻常的声音，他和安妮一样感到害怕。钟声听起来离他们有些远，但风刮得猛的时候，刺耳的声音就迎面扑来，好像钟声就在他们身边响起。
　　“我希望它们停下，赶紧停下吧！”安妮的小心脏因为害怕、紧张而剧烈跳动着，“我不喜欢这种声音，吓死我了。这肯定不是教堂的钟声。”
　　“没错，这确实不是教堂的钟声。”迪克说，“我能确定这是一种警钟。不过是警示什么呢？火灾？但如果这附近着了火，我们应该能看见呀。难道是战争？也不对。很久以前，人们用钟声和烽火来警示战争，可现在已经不用了。”
　　“朱利安说那个村庄就叫烽火村。”安妮突然记起来，说道，“是不是很久以前，为了警示住在这片原野上的人们有敌人来袭，有人在一座山上点燃了烽火，所以才叫它‘烽火村’的？难道还要鸣钟吗？
　　迪克，这声音和我听过的钟声都不一样，它会不会是很久以前的钟声？”
　　“不，当然不是！”迪克说，尽管和安妮一样困惑而惊慌，但他还有些兴奋，“这就是现在的钟声，肯定没错！”
　　突然，钟声停了。响亮刺耳的声音骤然消失，接着便是一场铺天盖地的沉寂。两个孩子站在原地又听了一两分钟，确定不再有钟声后，都松了一口气。
　　“钟声终于停了。”安妮吐出一口气，接着说道，“我讨厌它们！
　　它们为什么会在黑夜里响起来？迪克，我们要尽快找到蓝塘农舍。
　　我不喜欢在漆黑的夜里迷路，况且还有疯狂又古怪的钟声！”
　　“我们不会迷路的。”迪克说，“只要沿着树篱走，就一定能到达某个地方。我们走吧。”
　　他拉着安妮的胳膊，两个人靠着树篱往前走。他们走了一段路，拐过一个弯，又走了一会儿后，来到了一条小路上。这条小路没有那么阴森。没走一会儿，他们就看到了明亮的灯光，就在不远处！这对此刻的他们来说无疑是最美妙的景象！
　　“那里一定是蓝塘农舍！”迪克高兴地叫道，“加油，安妮，我们就要到了！”
　　他们来到一堵低矮的石墙下，顺着墙根走到一扇破旧的门前。
　　门打开的时候响起一阵尖锐的吱呀声。安妮抬脚走进去，正好踩进一个大水坑里！
　　“啊！”她叫道，“现在我的衣服彻底湿透了！刚才那一瞬间，我还以为自己掉进了蓝色的池塘里了呢！”
　　还好那只是个水坑。他们绕过水坑，走过一段泥泞的小路，来到一扇小门前。门两边是白色的石墙。迪克觉得这一定是农舍的后门。旁边有一扇窗户，他们十分欣喜地看见里面亮着一盏灯。
　　一个老妇人坐在灯旁，正低着头做针线活。两个人站在门边能把她的一举一动看得清清楚楚。
　　迪克想找门铃或者门环，但是门上什么都没有。他只能用手敲了敲门。等了一会儿，既没人答话，也没人来开门。他们看了一眼灯旁的老妇人，她仍然在做针线活。
　　“也许她的耳朵聋了。”迪克说完又更用力地敲了敲门。老妇人依旧平静地做着针线活。
　　迪克不耐烦地说：“这样下去我们永远也进不去！”他握住门把手试着推了一下，门开了！
　　“我们就这样走进去介绍自己吧。”迪克说完，抬脚进门，踩在门里破旧的垫子上。
　　此时，他站在一个狭窄的过道上。过道的另一端是又陡又窄的石阶。他的右边是一扇房门，门朝里半掩着，屋里的光线透过门缝照出来。老妇人就坐在门后的屋子里。
　　迪克推开门，大胆地走进去。安妮跟在他的身后。老妇人一直低着头，手里的针线不停地穿来穿去，好像除了手里的东西，她什么都看不见，也听不见。
　　迪克不得不径直走到她面前，好让她知道有人进来了。老妇人吓得“腾”地一下站起来，直接带翻了她的座椅，发出“砰”的一声响。
　　“对不起。”迪克说。他为自己吓到了老妇人而感到不安，“我们敲过门了，但是您没有听见！”
　　老妇人一只手捂着心口，瞪着他们说：“你们真是吓死我了！天这么晚了，你们是从哪儿来的？”
　　迪克扶起椅子。老妇人坐回去，微微喘着气。
　　“我们一直在找这个地方，这里是蓝塘农舍吗？”迪克说，“我们两个，还有另外两个同伴，能不能在这儿住一晚？”
　　老妇人指着自己的耳朵，摇摇头说：“我耳朵聋了，什么也听不见，你跟我说话没用。你们是不是迷路了？”
　　迪克点了点头。
　　“你们不能待在这儿。”老妇人说，“我儿子不允许任何人来这里。你们最好在他回来之前离开。他脾气很坏，非常坏。”
　　迪克摇摇头，然后指了指门外还下着雨的黑夜，又指了指安妮的湿鞋和湿衣服。老妇人明白了他的意思。
　　“你们迷路了，走得很累，又被雨淋湿了，想让我收留你们？”她说，“但是我说过了，我儿子不喜欢有陌生人在这儿。”
　　迪克指了一下安妮，又指了指墙角的沙发。然后他指了指自己，又指向外面。老妇人又一次明白了他的意思。
　　“你想让我收留你的妹妹，但你自己会出去，对不对？”她问。
　　迪克点点头。他觉得给自己找一个棚子或者谷仓应该不难，但是安妮必须睡在屋子里。
　　“绝对不能被我儿子看见你们中的任何一个。”老妇人说着，把安妮带到一个衣柜前——安妮以为那是个衣柜。柜门打开，安妮看到了一段又陡又窄，通向屋顶的楼梯。
　　老妇人对安妮说：“你从这里上去吧。明天早上，我不叫你，你不要下来。如果我儿子知道了你在这里，我就会有麻烦。”
　　“上去吧，安妮。”迪克担忧地说，“我不知道你上去会看到什么，如果上面很糟，你就下来。看看那里有没有窗户——可以让你从里面朝外喊话。这样，我就能知道你是不是一切都好。”
　　“好的。”安妮的声音有些发抖。她踩着落满灰尘的木梯，上到屋顶的小阁楼。屋里有一张床垫，十分干净；还有一把椅子，上面放着一块毯子；旁边的架子上放着一壶水。除此以外，这个房间里再没有别的东西了。
　　墙上有一扇开着的小窗，安妮走过去朝外面喊：“迪克！你在吗？迪克！”
　　“在呢，我在这里。”迪克回应道，“阁楼怎么样，安妮？房间还行吗？听着，我会在附近找个睡觉的地方，你需要我的时候就喊我！”
Chapter 6 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
Chapter 6 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
　　'It's not bad,' said Anne. 'There's a fairly clean mattress and a rug. I'll be all right. But what about ifthe others come, Dick? Will you look out for them? I almost think George will have to sleep in a barnwith you and Julian if she comes. That old woman won't let anyone else in, I'm sure!'
　　'I'll look out for them and arrange something,' said Dick. 'You eat the rest of your sandwiches andyour cake, and see if you can dry your wet feet and make yourself really comfortable.
　　There's a shed or something out here. I shall be quite all right. Yell for me if you want me.'
　　Anne went back into the room. She felt wet and tired, hungry and thirsty. She ate all her food, andhad a drink from the jug. Then she felt sleepy and lay down on the mattress, throwing the rug overher. She meant to listen for the others to come, but she was too tired. She fell fast asleep!
　　Dick was prowling about down below. He was careful because he didn't want to run into the oldwoman's son. He didn't like the sound of him somehow! He came to a small barn with piles of strawin one corner. He flashed his torch cautiously round.
　　'This will do for me,' he thought. 'I can be quite comfortable here in that straw. Poor Anne! I wish oldGeorge was with her. I'd better wait about and watch for the other two, or I'll fall asleep and missthem, once I bed down in that straw! It's only about six o'clock too - but we've had a long day. Iwonder how Timmy is. I wish he was here!'
　　Dick thought that probably George and Julian would come in through the same gate as he and Annehad used. He found a broken-down shed near the gate and sat down on a box there, waiting 23for them to come.
　　He ate his sandwiches while he waited. They were very comforting! He ate every one and then thecake. He yawned. He felt very sleepy indeed, and his feet were wet and tired.
　　No one arrived at all - not even the old woman's son. She could still be seen sewing under the lamp.
　　But after about two hours, when it was almost eight o'clock, and Dick was beginning to be veryworried about George and Julian, the old woman got up and put away her work-basket.
　　She disappeared out of Dick's sight, and didn't come back. But the light was still there, shining out ofthe window. Left for her son, probably, thought Dick.
　　He tiptoed to the window. The rain had stopped now and the night was much clearer. The stars wereout and a moon was coming up. Dick's spirits rose.
　　He peered in at the lighted room. Then he saw the old woman lying on a broken-down sofa in acorner. A blanket was pulled right up to her chin and she seemed to be asleep. Dick went back to hisshed, but now he felt there was no use in watching for George and Julian. They must have lost theirway completely! Or else Mr. Gaston, or whatever his name was, must have had to do something toTimmy's leg, and Julian had decided to stay at the inn in Beacons Village for the night.
　　He yawned again. 'I'm too sleepy to watch any more,' he decided. 'I shall fall off this box with sleep ifI don't go and lie down in that straw. Anyway I think I'd hear if the others came.'
　　Using his torch cautiously again, he made his way to the barn. He shut the door behind him andbolted it roughly from the inside by running a stick through two hasps. He didn't know why he didthat - perhaps because he was still thinking of the old woman's bad-tempered son!
　　He flung himself down on the straw, and immediately fell asleep. Outside the sky became clearer andclearer. The moon came up, not fully, but large enough to give some light. It shone down on thedesolate little stone house and ill-kept out buildings.
　　Dick slept soundly. He lay in the soft straw and dreamed of Timmy and George and Blue Ponds andbells. Especially bells.
　　He awoke suddenly, and lay for a moment wondering where he was. What was this prickly stuffround him? Then he remembered - of course, it was straw and he was in a barn! He was about tocuddle down again when he heard a noise.
　　It was only a small noise - a scratching on the wooden walls of the barn perhaps. Dick sat up.
　　Were there rats there? He hoped not!
　　24
　　He listened. The scratching seemed to come from outside the barn, not inside. Then it stopped.
　　After an interval it began again. Then there came a gentle tapping at the broken window just aboveDick's head.
　　He felt very startled. Rats scratched and scrabbled about - but they didn't tap on windows. Who wastapping so very very cautiously on the little window? He held his breath and listened, straining hisears.
　　And then he heard a voice - a hoarse whisper. 'Dick! Dick!'
　　Dick was amazed. Could it be Julian? If so, how in the world did he know that he, Dick, was in thebarn? He sat listening, stiff with surprise.
　　The tapping came again, and then the voice, a little louder. 'Dick! I know you're there. I saw you goin. Come here to the window - quiet, now!'
　　Dick didn't know the voice. It wasn't Julian's, and it certainly wasn't either George's or Anne's.
　　Then how did the owner know his name and that he was there? It was astounding. Dick didn't knowwhat to do!
　　'Buck up!' said the voice. 'I've got to go in half a tick. I've got that message for you.'
　　Dick decided to go nearer to the window. He was quite certain that he didn't want whoever it wasoutside to come into the barn. He cautiously knelt up in the straw and spoke just underneath thewindow.
　　'I'm here,' he said, trying to make his voice deep and grown-up.
　　'You've been long enough coming,' grumbled the one outside, and then Dick saw him through thewindow - just a face, dim and wild-eyed, with a round bullet-like head. He crouched back, thankfulthat the face couldn't see him in the darkness of the barn.
　　'Here's the message from Nailer,' said the voice. 'Two-Trees. Gloomy Water. Saucy Jane. And hesays Maggie knows. He sent you this. Maggie's got one too.'
　　A bit of paper fluttered in at the broken pane. Dick picked it up in a daze. What was all this? Was hedreaming?
　　The voice came again, insistent and urgent. 'You heard all that, Dick? Two-Trees. Gloomy Water.
　　Saucy Jane. And Maggie knows too. Now I'm going.'
　　There came the sound of someone cautiously creeping round the barn - and then there was silence.
　　Dick sat amazed and bewildered. Who was this wild-eyed fellow, who called him by his name in themiddle of the night and gave him extraordinary messages that meant nothing at all to 25a sleepy boy? But Dick was wide awake now. He stood up and looked out of the window. There wasnothing and no one to be seen except the lonely house and the sky.
　　Dick sat down again and thought. He put his torch on cautiously and looked at the piece of paper hehad picked up. It was a dirty half sheet, with pencil marks on it that meant nothing to Dick at all.
　　Words were printed here and there, but they were all nonsense to him. He simply couldn't make heador tail of his visitor, his message or the bit of paper!
　　'I'm sure I must be dreaming,' thought Dick, and put the paper into his pocket. He lay back in hisstraw, cuddling in deep, because he had got cold by the window. He lay and thought for a while,puzzling over the curious happenings, and then he felt his eyes closing.
　　But before he was quite asleep, he heard cautious footsteps again! Was that fellow back once more?
　　This time someone tried the door - but the wooden stick was in the hasps. Whoever it was outsideshook the door and the stick fell out at once. The man shook the door again as if thinking it had stuck,and then opened it. He came inside and shut the door behind him.
　　Dick caught a quick glimpse of him. No - this wasn't the same man as before. This was a man with ahead of thick hair, Dick hoped and prayed that he wouldn't come over to the straw.
　　He didn't. He sat down on a sack and waited. He talked to himself after a while, but Dick could onlymake out a word or two.
　　'What's happened?' he heard. 'How much longer do I wait?' Then there was a mumble and Dick couldnot catch a word.
　　'Wait, wait - that's all I do,' muttered the man, and he stood up and stretched himself. Then he went tothe door and looked out. He came back and sat down on the sack again.
　　He sat still and quiet then, and Dick found his eyes closing once more. Was this part of a dream too?
　　He didn’t have time to think it out because he was suddenly in a real dream, walking along ringingbells and seeing trees in twos everywhere round him!
　　He slept heavily all night long. When morning came he awoke suddenly and sat up. He was alone inthe barn. Where had the second visitor gone? Or could it all have been a dream?
6.夜间怪闻
　　夜间怪闻
　　“这里还不错，”安妮说，“有一张非常干净的床垫和一条毯子。
　　我在这里一切都好。可是，迪克，要是他们两个来了怎么办呢？你要等他们吗？要是他们来了，乔治只能跟你和朱利安一起睡在谷仓。那个老妇人肯定不会再让任何人进来了！”
　　“你别担心，我会留意着他们，把一切都安排好的。”迪克说，“你记得把剩下的三明治和蛋糕吃了，再把脚擦干，这样会舒服一些。那边有一个谷仓，我睡那里就行。安妮，你需要我的时候就叫我。”
　　安妮走回屋里。她浑身湿透了，感觉又冷又累、又饿又渴。她把自己的食物全吃完了，又从水壶里倒了些水喝。接着她就困了，盖上毯子，躺在床垫上。她本来打算留意外面的动静，等等朱利安和乔治，但她太累了，不一会儿就睡着了！
　　迪克正在外面寻找睡觉的地方。他蹑手蹑脚地走着，十分谨慎，因为他不想遇到老妇人的儿子。虽然还没见过，但迪克觉得自己已经开始讨厌他了！迪克抱着一堆稻草来到一个小谷仓的角落里，打着手电筒小心地照了照四周。
　　“这对我来说就足够了，”他想，“在稻草上可以睡得很舒服。可怜的安妮，一个人孤零零的！多么希望乔治现在能陪着她呀。我最好还是等等他们两个，睡着了会错过的。好困啊，我肯定一躺下就能睡着！现在才六点，但是感觉却像很晚了一样。唉，不知道蒂米怎么样了，真希望它此刻也在这里！”
　　迪克想着，乔治和朱利安很可能也要从自己和安妮刚才走过的那道后门进来。靠近后门的地方有一个破旧的棚子，他就在那里的一个箱子上坐下来等他们。
　　等待期间，他一口气吃完了所有的三明治，又吃了蛋糕。美味的食物令他感到身心舒畅！吃完后，迪克打了个哈欠。他实在太困了，而且双脚还湿漉漉的。这时候将近八点了，老妇人还在灯下做针线活。迪克等了差不多两个小时，但一个人也没有等来，就连老妇人的儿子也没见到。就在迪克开始担心乔治和朱利安的时候，老妇人放下她的针线篮子，站了起来。
　　她走了，没有再回来。那盏灯依然亮着，灯光透过窗户照出来。迪克想，也许那是她为她儿子留的。
　　雨已经停了，夜色清朗了许多。星星出来了，月亮升了起来，迪克也来了精神。
　　他踮着脚走到窗户下，往亮着灯的屋里看了一眼。他看见老妇人躺在角落里一张破旧的沙发上，一条毯子盖到了她的下巴处，她看起来好像睡着了。迪克返回旧棚子，但是现在他觉得坐在这里等也没有用。朱利安和乔治一定迷路了！要不就是盖斯顿先生对蒂米的腿进行了治疗，于是朱利安决定在烽火村的小旅馆住一夜。
　　他又打了个哈欠，心里想着：“我太困了，不能继续守在这里了。如果我不去稻草堆上躺着，在这里睡着了就会从箱子上掉下去。反正要是有人来了，我会听到声音的。”
　　迪克再一次打开手电筒，悄悄地回到谷仓。他关上身后的门，把一条棍子插进两个扣环中，简单地给门上了锁。他也不知道为什么要这样做，也许是因为心里还想着老妇人那个脾气不好的儿子吧！
　　他一倒在稻草堆上就睡着了。外面的夜空变得越来越明朗。月亮高高挂着，虽然不是满月，但也足够明亮。月光铺洒下来，落在这座孤寂的石房子和一堆排列得杂乱无章的建筑上。
　　迪克躺在柔软舒适的稻草里，睡熟了。他梦见了蒂米、乔治、蓝塘农舍，还有那些钟声。梦里的钟声十分可怕！
　　他猛然间醒了过来，躺在那儿想了一会儿自己在哪儿，身边这些让人又刺又痒的东西是什么。哦，他想起来了，是稻草，他现在是在一个谷仓里！正当迪克准备蜷起来继续睡觉时，他听到了一个声音。
　　那是一种很轻的声音，可能是什么东西刮在谷仓木墙上发出的声音。迪克坐起来，心想：“难道谷仓里有老鼠？希望没有！”
　　迪克凝神细听。声音好像来自谷仓外面，不是里面。接着声音停下了，过了一小会儿又响起来。最后，迪克头顶正上方的破窗户外传来轻轻的拍打声。
　　他吓了一跳。老鼠会四处乱抓，但它们不会拍窗户。是谁在拍窗户？他屏住呼吸，认真听着，仔细分辨。
　　接着，他听到了一个人在说话，那声音低沉、粗哑。
　　“迪克！迪克！”
　　迪克大吃一惊，心想：“外面的人是朱利安吗？他怎么会知道我在谷仓呢？”他吓得浑身僵硬，一动不动地坐在那里听着。
　　拍打声再次传来，这次那个声音更大了：“迪克！我知道你在里面。我刚才看见你走进去了。到窗户这里来，动作轻一点，快来！”
　　迪克从没听过这个声音。这不是朱利安的声音，也绝对不是乔治或者安妮的。那么声音的主人是怎么知道他的名字和位置的呢？
　　太可怕了，迪克不知道该怎么办！
　　“快点！”那声音说，“我马上就要走了。我给你带来了口信！”
　　迪克决定靠近窗户一点。不管外面的人是谁，他都不想让他进来。迪克小心地跪在稻草上，躲在窗户下面。
　　“我来了。”迪克说。他尽量使自己的声音听起来深沉稳重，像大人的声音。
　　“动作太慢了。”那个人在外面抱怨道。迪克透过窗户只看见了一张凶恶的脸，一双瞪得大大的混浊的眼睛和一个圆圆的秃脑袋。
　　他看了一眼就缩回身体，蹲得更低了。真庆幸，谷仓里很黑，那个人看不见他。
　　“是尼勒尔给你的消息，”那个声音说，“‘两棵树、幽暗之水、漂亮的简。’他还说麦琪也知道，让我把这个给你，麦琪也收到一张。”
　　一张纸从窗户缝飘下来。迪克恍恍惚惚地捡起那张纸，心想：“这些都是什么？我是在做梦吗？”
　　声音再次传来，这次那人说得很快，语气非常急切：“你都听到了吗，迪克？‘两棵树、幽暗之水、漂亮的简’。还有麦琪也知道这些。现在我要走了。”
　　谷仓外面响起一阵轻轻的脚步声，之后就是一片寂静。迪克坐在那儿，感到惊奇又迷茫。那个凶恶的家伙是谁？谁会在半夜叫他的名字，还给他送这些奇怪的口信？这些口信对于他这个没睡醒的男孩来说，完全没有意义。但是现在，迪克完全清醒了。他站起来，朝窗户外面看去。外面除了孤零零的房子和寂静的夜空，一个人也没有。
　　迪克再一次坐下来。他想了想，小心地打开手电筒，仔细地看着刚才捡起的那张纸。准确来说，应该是半张纸，还有点脏，上面到处是铅笔的痕迹，但是迪克一个字都没看懂。对于那个来访者、他的口信和这半张纸，迪克理不出一点头绪来。
　　迪克想：“我一定是在做梦。”他把那半张纸放进口袋，躺回稻草堆中，紧紧抱住自己的身体——刚才在窗边的时候感觉有些冷。
　　他躺着想了一会儿，对刚才发生的事感到十分困惑。后来，他觉得眼皮越来越重，最后闭上了眼睛。
　　但就在睡得迷迷糊糊的时候，他又听到了轻轻的脚步声！难道是刚才那个家伙又回来了？这次有人在试着开门。门后面虽然插着木棍，但它很容易被撞得落下来。那人好像以为门卡住了，又撞了一次。门开了，他走进来，关上身后的门。
　　迪克飞快地瞥了他一眼。不是，这不是之前的那个人。这个男人有一头浓密的头发。迪克祈祷他千万不要到自己这边来。
　　男人没有过来。他在一个麻袋上坐了下来，好像是在等人。过了一会儿，他开始自言自语，迪克只能听清楚一两句。
　　这个男人说：“怎么回事？我到底还要等多久？”后面还咕哝了一句什么，迪克一个字也没听清。
　　“等吧，我也只能等了。”男人低声自语。过了一会儿，他站起来，伸了个懒腰，然后走到门口往外面看了看，又坐回麻袋上。
　　他安安静静、一动不动地坐着，迪克再一次闭上了眼睛。这也是梦吗？迪克没有时间想明白了，因为他突然走进了一个真正的梦境。他梦见自己循着钟声来到一个地方，这里到处都是树，把他围困在中间！
　　迪克沉沉地睡了一整夜。第二天早晨，他猛然间醒了，一下子坐起来，看了一眼谷仓，发现这里只有他一个人。他心想：“后来进来的那个人去哪儿了？还是说，这一切都只是梦？”
Chapter 7 IN THE MORNING
Chapter 7 IN THE MORNING
　　Dick stood up and stretched himself. He felt dirty and untidy. Also he was very hungry. He wonderedif the old woman would let him buy some bread and cheese and a glass of milk.
　　'Anne must be hungry too,' he thought. 'I wonder if she's all right.' He went cautiously outside andlooked up at the tiny window of the loft where Anne had spent the night. Her anxious face wasalready there, watching for Dick!
　　'Are you all right, Anne?' called Dick, in a low tone. She pushed open the tiny window and smiled athim.
　　'Yes. But I daren't go down because that son is downstairs. I can hear him shouting at the deaf oldwoman every now and again. He sounds very bad-tempered.'
　　'I'll wait for him to go out to his work then, before I go and see the old woman,' said Dick. 'I must payher something for letting you sleep up in that loft - and perhaps I can persuade her to let us havesomething to eat.'
　　'I wish you could,' said Anne. 'I've eaten all the chocolate I had in my bag. Shall I wait till I hear youcall me?'
　　Dick nodded and disappeared into the barn in a hurry. He had heard footsteps!
　　A man came into sight - a broad, short, hunched-up man, with a shock of untidy hair. He was the manthat Dick had seen in the barn the night before. He was muttering to himself and looked very bad-tempered indeed. Dick decided to keep out of his way. He crouched down in the barn.
　　But the man did not go in there. He walked past, still muttering. Dick listened for his footsteps to dieaway. He heard the opening of a gate somewhere, then it crashed behind the man.
　　'I'd better take my chance now,' thought Dick, and he went quickly out of the barn and up to the littlewhite house. It looked very tumble-down and neglected in the daylight, and had a most forlorn air.
　　Dick knew that it was no good knocking, because the old woman wouldn't hear him. So he walkedright into the house and found the woman washing up a few dishes in a cracked old sink.
　　She stared at him in dismay.
　　'I'd forgotten about you! And the girl too! Is she still up there? Get her down quickly before my soncomes back! And then go, both of you!'
　　27
　　'Can you sell us some bread and cheese?' shouted Dick. But the old woman really was stone deaf, andall she did was to push Dick away towards the door, jabbing at him with the wet cloth in her hand.
　　Dick slipped aside and pointed to some bread on a table.
　　'No, no - I tell you, you're to go,' said the old woman, obviously terrified in case her son should comeback. 'Get the girl, quickly!'
　　But before Dick could do anything, there were footsteps outside and in came the hunched-up fellowwith the shock of hair! He was back already, holding some eggs he had been to find.
　　He walked into the kitchen and stared at Dick. 'Clear out!' he said, angrily. 'What do you want here?'
　　Dick thought he had better not say he had slept the night in the barn. There were queer goings-onhere, and the man might be very savage if he knew Dick had slept the night nearby.
　　'I wanted to know if your mother could sell us some bread,' he said, and could have bitten his tongueout. He had said 'us'! Now the man would guess there was someone with him.
　　'Us? Who's ''us''?' said the man, looking round. 'You fetch him and I'll tell you both what I do to boyswho come stealing my eggs!'
　　'I'll go and fetch him,' said Dick, seizing the chance to get away. He ran to the door. The man made aclumsy dart at him and almost caught him. But Dick was out and away, running down the path. Hehid behind a shed, his heart thumping. He had to wait for Anne. Somehow he had to go back and gether.
　　The man stood at the door, shouting angrily after Dick. But he didn't chase him. He went back intothe house and after a while came out again with a pail of steaming food. Dick guessed he was goingto feed the chickens wherever they were.
　　He had to take this chance of fetching Anne. He waited till he heard the crash of the distant gateagain and then he rushed to the house. Anne's face was at the window, scared. She had heard all thatthe man had said to Dick, and then to his mother about allowing boys to come to the house.
　　'Anne! Come down at once. He's gone,' shouted Dick. 'Hurry!'
　　Anne's face disappeared from the window. She ran to the door, tumbled quickly down the stairs, andran through the kitchen. The old woman flapped a cloth at her, screaming at her.
　　Dick ran into the kitchen and put twenty pence on the table. Then he caught Anne's arm and bothchildren tore out of the house and down the path. They came to the hedge they had followed the nightbefore.
　　28
　　Anne was quite scared. 'That awful man!' she said. 'Oh Dick - what a horrible place. Honestly I thinkJulian must be mad to choose a place like that to sleep in for the night - horrible little house! And itdidn't look a bit like a farm. There were no cows or pigs that I could see and not even a farm-dog!'
　　'You know, Anne, I don't think it could possibly have been Blue Pond Farm-house,' said Dick, asthey walked beside the hedge, looking for the gate that they had come through the night before.
　　'We made a mistake. It was an ordinary cottage. If we hadn't lost our way we'd have come to theproper Blue Pond Farm-house I'm sure.'
　　'Whatever will George and Julian be thinking?' said Anne. 'They'll be dreadfully worried, won't they,wondering what has become of us. Do you suppose they're at the real Blue Pond Farmhouse?'
　　'We'll have to find out,' said Dick. 'Do I look very messy and untidy, Anne? I feel awful.'
　　'Yes. Haven't you a comb?' said Anne. 'Your hair's all up on end. And your face is very dirty.
　　Look, there's a little stream over there. Let's get our flannels out and wash our hands and faces withthem.'
　　They did a little washing in the cold water of the stream, and Dick combed back his hair.
　　'You look a lot better,' said Anne. 'Oh dear - I wish we could have some breakfast. I'm really starving!
　　I didn't sleep awfully well, did you, Dick? My mattress was so hard, and I was rather scared, up inthat funny little room all alone.'
　　Before Dick could answer, a boy came whistling through the gate. He looked astonished to see Dickand Anne.
　　'Hallo!' he said. 'You hiking?'
　　'Yes,' said Dick. 'Can you tell me if that place up there is Blue Pond Farm-house?'
　　He pointed back to the old woman's house. The boy laughed.
　　'That's no farm-house. That's Mrs. Taggart's place, and a dirty old place it is. Don't you go there, orher son will drive you off. Dirty Dick we call him - he's a terror! Blue Pond Farm-house is downalong there, see? Past the Three Shepherds Inn and away up to the left.'
　　'Thanks,' said Dick, feeling very angry indeed with the man who had said 'ar' and sent them all wrongthe day before. The boy waved, and set off across a moorland path.
　　'We certainly went the wrong way last night,' said Dick, as they walked over the fields they hadcrossed in the dark the night before. 'Poor Anne! Dragging you all that way in the dark and the 29rain to a horrible place that wasn't Blue Pond Farm-house after all. I can't think what Julian is goingto say to me.'
　　'Well, it was my fault too,' said Anne. 'Dick, let's go down to the Three Shepherds and telephone BluePond Farm-house from there, shall we? If it's on the phone, that is. I don't somehow feel as if I wantto walk for miles and perhaps not find Blue Pond Farm-house again.'
　　'Good idea,' said Dick. 'The Three Shepherds was where that woman was shaking a duster out of thewindow, wasn't it? She told Julian the way to Spiggy House. I wonder how old Timmy is. I hope he'sbetter. I say - this hike isn't as good as we hoped it would be, is it?'
　　'Well, there's still time for it to be all right!' said Anne, much more cheerfully than she felt. She sobadly wanted her breakfast that she felt quite bad-tempered!
　　'We'll telephone to Julian from the Three Shepherds to say what happened to us,' said Dick, as theycame to the lane where they had floundered in the mud the night before. He helped Anne over thestile and they jumped down to the narrow road. 'And what's more, we'll have breakfast at the ThreeShepherds - and I bet we eat more than ever the Three Shepherds did, whoever they were!'
　　Anne felt more cheerful at once. She had thought they would have to walk all the way to find BluePond Farm-house before they had breakfast!
　　'See - a stream does flow right across the road here,' she said. 'No wonder I got my feet wetyesterday! Come on - the thought of breakfast makes my legs want to run!'
　　They at last arrived in Beacons Village, and made their way to the inn. On the sign three shepherdswere painted, looking rather gloomy.
　　'They look like I feel,' said Anne, 'but I shall soon feel different. Oh Dick - think of porridge -and bacon and eggs - and toast and marmalade!'
　　'We must telephone first,' said Dick, firmly - and then he suddenly stopped, just as he was going intothe inn. Someone was calling him.
　　'DICK! DICK! ANNE! Look, there they are! Hey, Dick, DICK!'
　　It was Julian's voice! Dick swung round in delight. He saw Julian, George and Timmy racing alongthe village street, shouting and waving. Timmy was first to reach them of course - and there was nosign of limping either! He leapt on them, barking madly, and licked every bare part of them he couldreach.
　　'Oh, Ju! I'm so glad to see you!' said Anne, in rather a trembling voice. 'We lost our way last 30night. George, is Timmy all right?'
　　'Quite, Absolutely,' said George. 'You see...'
　　'Have you had breakfast?' interrupted Julian. 'We haven't. We were so worried about you we werejust going to see the police. But now we can all have breakfast together and tell our news!'
7.大家又团聚了
　　大家又团聚了
　　迪克站起来伸了个懒腰。在稻草堆里睡了一夜起来，他需要洗漱一下，再吃点东西，他的肚子已经饿了。不知道老妇人愿不愿意卖给他一些面包和奶酪，再加一杯牛奶。
　　“安妮一定也很饿。”他想，“不知道她是不是一切都好。”他放轻脚步走出谷仓，抬头看向阁楼上的窗户。安妮已经站在了窗边，正神色焦急地寻找着迪克！
　　迪克放低了声音喊道：“安妮，你还好吗？”
　　安妮推开一扇窗户，看着他微笑道：“我很好，但是我不敢下去，因为老妇人的儿子就在楼下。我能听见他对老妇人大吼大叫。
　　他的脾气真的很坏。”
　　“等他离开了我就去见老妇人。”迪克说，“她让你在阁楼睡了一晚，我应该付一些钱给她。另外，我想说服她卖给我们一些东西吃。”
　　“希望你能说服她。”安妮说，“我已经把包里的巧克力都吃光了。那我就在这里等着你叫我吗？”
　　迪克点点头，急忙跑进谷仓，因为他听到了脚步声！
　　一个男人走进了他的视线。这个男人又矮又胖，弯腰驼背，顶着一头乱糟糟的头发。他低声地自言自语着，看起来脾气很差。迪克觉得离他越远越好，于是先躲进了谷仓。
　　这个男人没有进谷仓，他嘴里咕哝着什么走远了。接着，迪克听到了门打开的声音，之后那门又被男人狠狠一摔，“啪”地一下关上了。
　　迪克想：“我要抓住这个机会。”他迅速出了谷仓，跑到小白房子前。破旧的房子在阳光下一点也不起眼，看起来孤零零的。
　　迪克知道敲门也没有用，因为老妇人听不见。他直接走进屋子，看见老妇人正在一个有裂缝的旧池子里洗一堆碟子。
　　老妇人看见了他，惊讶地说：“呀，我差点把你给忘了！还有那个女孩！她还在上面吗？快，在我儿子回来之前让她下来，然后离开，你们两个都离开！”
　　“您能卖给我们一些面包和奶酪吗？”迪克大声问。但是老妇人完全聋了，一点也听不见。她手里拿着湿抹布，就要把迪克往门口推。迪克躲向一旁，指了指桌子上的面包。
　　“不能，不能。我告诉你，你们现在就得离开。”很明显，她害怕她儿子回来看见迪克和安妮，不想让他们在这里多待一秒，“带上那个女孩，快走！”
　　但迪克还没来得及叫安妮下来，便听到了脚步声！那个弯腰驼背，头发脏乱的男人走了进来，手里拿着鸡蛋。
　　他走进厨房，盯着迪克，怒气冲冲地吼道：“滚出去！你是谁，在这里想干什么？”
　　迪克觉得最好不要说出自己昨晚睡在谷仓的事。这里面有些古怪，如果男人知道自己昨晚睡在谷仓，可能要大发雷霆。
　　“我想请你妈妈卖给我们一些面包。”迪克说完这句话后立刻就后悔了，直想咬掉自己的舌头。他竟然说了“我们”！现在，这男人肯定猜到了还有另一个人在这里。
　　“‘我们’？‘我们’是谁？”男人说着，四处看了看，“你把他带来，我要让你们知道偷我鸡蛋的下场！”
　　“我去把他带来。”迪克向门口跑去，想借机逃走。那人笨拙地朝他跑去，迪克差点被抓到，但他还是成功跑了出去。他跑上那条小路，藏在棚子后面，心脏“怦怦”直跳。他得等安妮。无论如何，他都要带走她。
　　男人站在门口朝迪克怒骂。骂完后，他进了屋子，没一会儿又走出来，手里拿着热气腾腾的食物。迪克猜他可能要去喂鸡。
　　他必须抓住这个机会带走安妮。他耐心地等着，直到远处的关门声再次传来，他才冲到房子跟前。安妮神色惶恐地站在窗口。男人对迪克说的话她全都听见了，还听见他呵斥老妇人，责怪她放人进来。
　　“安妮，下来吧，他走了。”迪克大声喊，“快点！”
　　安妮急忙跑向门口，迅速下了楼梯，穿过厨房。老妇人挥着手里的抹布，朝她大声尖叫。
　　迪克跑进厨房，在桌子上放了20便士，然后拉起安妮的胳膊，冲出房间，顺着小路跑下去。他们又来到了昨晚进来时沿着走的树篱前。
　　“多么可怕的男人啊！”安妮心有余悸地感叹道，“迪克，那地方真是太可怕了！说实在的，我觉得朱利安一定是疯了才选那个小房子过夜。那样的地方太可怕了！看起来一点也不像是个农场，没有牛，没有猪，甚至连一只狗都没有！”
　　“听我说安妮，那肯定不是蓝塘农舍。”迪克说。他们沿着树篱走，寻找昨晚穿过去的那扇门，“是我们弄错了，它只是个普通的村舍。唉，要不是迷了路，我们肯定能到达真正的蓝塘农舍。”
　　“不知道乔治和朱利安现在怎么样了。”安妮想到了另外两个人，说，“他们一定担心坏了！他们找不到我们，也不知道我们发生了什么事。你说，他们现在到蓝塘农舍了吗？”
　　“我们得去找他们。”迪克说，“安妮，我脸上是不是很脏，头发也很乱？我感觉糟透了！”
　　“的确是很糟。你有梳子吗？”安妮说，“你的头发全都翘起来了，脸也脏了。看，那里有一条小溪。我们拿出毛巾，去溪边把手和脸擦一擦吧。”
　　他们在小溪的凉水中洗了洗手和脸，迪克把自己的头发全都往后梳了梳。
　　“你看起来好多了。”安妮说，“哦，迪克，真希望我们现在就能吃上早餐，我太饿了！我昨晚一晚都没有睡好。那张床垫太硬了，而且一个人睡在那个陌生的小屋里，我感到很害怕。你呢，迪克，昨晚睡得怎么样？”
　　迪克还没来得及回答，就见一个男孩吹着口哨穿过那扇荒地里的门。那个男孩惊讶地看着迪克和安妮。
　　“你们好！”男孩问，“你们是在郊游吗？”
　　“是的，”迪克说，指着身后那个老妇人的房子，“请问上面那个地方是蓝塘农舍吗？”。
　　男孩笑了起来，说：“那里不是蓝塘农舍。那是塔格特盖尔夫人的房子，已经很破旧了。你们不要去那里，要不然她儿子会把你们赶出来的。我们都叫他‘臭迪克’，他很可恶！蓝塘农舍在下边，在那儿，看见了吗？走过三个牧羊人旅馆，往左边一路走上去。”
　　“谢谢。”迪克说。那个男孩挥挥手，继续往荒地里走。迪克非常生气，昨天那个男人太气人了，只会说“啊”，还给他们指了一条完全错误的路！
　　“我们昨天晚上确实走错路了。”再次穿过昨晚走过的那片田野时，迪克愧疚又苦恼地说，“可怜的安妮！对不起，让你在漆黑的雨夜走了那么长时间，结果不但没找到蓝塘农舍，还去了那么可怕的地方。我真不敢想象朱利安知道了会怎么教训我。”
　　“我也有错。”安妮说，“迪克，我们往下走，去三个牧羊人旅馆。我们可以在那里给蓝塘农舍打电话，如果电话接通了，说明它就是蓝塘农舍。我可不想再像昨晚一样，走了那么远的路，最后却连到达的地方是不是蓝塘农舍都不知道。”
　　“好主意！”迪克说，“我们昨天就是在三个牧羊人旅馆见到那个女人的，对吧？当时她站在窗边甩抹布，是她告诉朱利安去斯佩奇宅院的路。不知道蒂米怎么样了，希望它好点了。这场郊游并不像我们期盼的那样美好，是不是？”
　　“没关系，还没有结束，后面一切都会变好的！”安妮努力打起精神，尽量让语气听起来欢快些。强烈的饥饿感让她心情很糟，她急需吃点东西。
　　“我会在电话里告诉朱利安，我们这边发生的事。”迪克说。这时，他已经帮助安妮翻过了栅栏，两个人走在昨晚蹚过泥潭的那条小路上。“我们可以在三个牧羊人旅馆吃早餐。我敢打赌，我们两个肯定吃得比谁都多！”
　　安妮听到可以吃早餐，马上又振作了一些。她还以为要一直饿着，等到了蓝塘农舍才能吃到早饭呢。
　　“看，这儿有一条小河从路面上流过去，怪不得昨天我的鞋湿了！”安妮说，她一直想着吃早餐的事，“快走，一想到马上就能吃到早餐，我都想跑起来了！”
　　他们终于进了烽火村，来到旅馆前。店牌上的“三个牧羊人”几个字已经褪了色，变得老旧、暗淡。画着的三个牧羊人也显得表情沮丧。
　　“他们的表情和我一样。”安妮说，“不过我马上就会好转，迪克，想想粥、培根、鸡蛋，还有面包和果酱。”
　　“我们必须先打个电话！”迪克说，就在要走进旅馆的时候，他突然停了下来，因为他听见有人在喊自己的名字。
　　“迪克！迪克！安妮！看，他们在那儿！嘿，迪克，迪克！”
　　是朱利安的声音！迪克满心欢喜地转过身，看见朱利安、乔治还有蒂米在乡间的小路上朝他和安妮跑来，他们边跑边挥着手叫喊。蒂米跑得最快，第一个冲到他们跟前。它已经没有瘸腿的迹象了。蒂米扑到他们身上，不停地大声叫着，还把两人露在衣服外面的皮肤都舔了一遍。
　　“哦，朱利安！见到你真是太高兴了！”安妮激动得声音发颤，“我们昨天晚上迷路了。乔治，蒂米好了吗？”
　　“彻底好了。”乔治答道。
　　“你知道……”安妮还想说话，但被朱利安打断了。
　　“你们吃早餐了吗？”朱利安说，“我和乔治还没吃。我们找不到你们，担心极了，刚才还准备去找警察呢。现在好了，我们可以坐在一起，一边吃早餐，一边讲讲昨晚发生的事了！”
Chapter 8 ALL TOGETHER AGAIN
Chapter 8 ALL TOGETHER AGAIN
　　It was wonderful to be all together again. Julian took hold of Anne's arm and squeezed it. 'All right,Anne?' he said, rather worried at her pale face.
　　Anne nodded. She felt better at once, now she had Julian, George and Timmy, as well as Dick.
　　'I'm only just terribly hungry,' she said.
　　'I'll ask for breakfast straight away,' said Julian. 'All news later!'
　　The woman who had leaned out of the window shaking a duster the evening before, came up to them.
　　'I expect it's a bit late for you,' said Julian. 'But we haven't had any breakfast. What have you got?'
　　'Porridge and cream,' said the woman. 'And our own cured bacon and our own eggs. Our own honeyand the bread I bake myself. Will that do? And coffee with cream?'
　　'I could hug you,' said Julian, beaming at her. The others felt the same. They went into a small, cosydining-room and sat down to wait. Soon a smell of frying bacon and hot strong coffee would comeinto the room - what joy!
　　'Your news first,' said Dick, patting Timmy. 'Did you get to Spiggy House? Was Mr. Gaston there?'
　　'No, he wasn't,' said Julian. 'He was out somewhere. He had a very nice wife who made us wait forhim, and said he wouldn't mind in the least looking at Timmy when he came back. So we waited andwaited,'
　　'We waited till half past seven!' said George, 'and we felt rather awkward because we thought it mightbe getting near their meal-time. And then at last Mr. Gaston came.'
　　'He was awfully kind,' said Julian. 'He looked at Timmy's leg, and then he did something, I don'tknow what - put it back into place, I suppose - and Timmy gave a yell and George flung herself 31on him, and Mr. Gaston roared with laughter at George...'
　　'Well, he was very rough with Timmy's leg,' said George. 'But he knew what he was doing, of course,and now Timmy is perfectly all right, except for that bruise on his back, and even that is gettingbetter. He can run as well as ever.'
　　'I'm glad,' said Anne. 'I kept thinking of poor old Tim all last night.' She patted him, and he licked herlavishly and wetly.
　　'What did you do then?' asked Dick.
　　'Well, Mrs. Gaston insisted on us staying to supper,' said Julian. 'She simply wouldn't take no for ananswer, and I must say that by that time we were jolly hungry. So we stayed - and we had a jollygood meal too. So did Timmy! You should have seen his tummy afterwards - as round as a barrel.
　　Good thing it's gone down today or I was thinking of changing his name to Tummy.' They alllaughed, George especially.
　　'Idiot,' she said. 'Well, we didn't leave till about nine o'clock. We didn't worry about you because wefelt sure you would be safely at Blue Pond Farm-house and would guess we'd had to wait about withTimmy. And when we got there and found you hadn't arrived - well, we were in a state!'
　　'And then we thought you must have found somewhere else for the night,' said Julian, 'but we thoughtif we heard nothing we'd go down to the police first thing this morning and report yourdisappearance!'
　　'So down we came - without any breakfast either!' said George. 'That shows how worried we were!
　　Blue Pond Farm-house was nice. They gave us a bed each in two tiny little rooms, and Timmy sleptwith me, of course.'
　　A wonderful smell came creeping into the little dining-room, followed by the inn-woman carrying alarge tray. On it was a steaming tureen of porridge, a bowl of golden syrup, a jug of very thick cream,and a dish of bacon and eggs, all piled high on crisp brown toast. Little mushrooms were on the samedish.
　　'It's like magic!' said Anne, staring 'Just the very things I longed for!'
　　'Toast, marmalade and butter to come, and the coffee and hot milk,' said the woman, busily settingeverything out. 'And if you want any more bacon and eggs, just ring the bell.'
　　'Too good to be true!' said Dick, looking at the table. 'For goodness' sake, help yourselves quickly,girls, or I shall forget my manners and grab.'
　　32
　　It was a wonderful breakfast - extra wonderful because they were all so ravenously hungry.
　　There wasn't a word said as they spooned up their porridge and cream, sweetened with golden syrup.
　　Timmy had a dishful too - he loved porridge, though he didn't like the syrup - it made his whiskerssticky!
　　'I feel better,' said Anne, looking at the porridge dish. 'The thing is - shall I have some more porridgeand risk not enjoying my bacon and eggs so much - or shall I go straight on with bacon and eggs?'
　　'A difficult question,' said Dick. 'And one that I am faced with too. On the whole I think I'll go onwith bacon and eggs - we can always have more of those if we want to - and those little mushroomsreally do make my mouth water! Aren't we greedy? But how can anyone help that when they're sohungry?'
　　'You haven't told us a single word of what happened to you last night,' said Julian, serving out thebacon and eggs with a generous hand. 'Now that you've got something inside you, perhaps you feelable to tell us exactly why you ignored my instructions and didn't arrive where you were supposed tolast night.'
　　'You sound like our headmaster at school!' said Dick. 'The plain fact is - we got lost! And when wedid finally arrive somewhere, we thought it was Blue Pond Farm-house, and we stayed the nightthere.'
　　'I see,' said Julian, 'But didn't the people there tell you it wasn't the right place? Just so that you couldhave let us know? You must have known that we would worry about you.'
　　'Well, the old woman there was stone- deaf,' explained Anne, attacking her bacon and eggsvigorously. 'She didn't understand a word we said, and as we thought it was Blue Pond Farmhouse,we stayed there - though it was a horrible place. And we were worried because you didn't arrive!'
　　'A chapter of accidents,' said Julian. 'All's well that ends well, however.'
　　'Don't sound so pompous!' said Dick. 'Actually we had a pretty poor time, Ju. Poor Anne had to sleepin a little loft, and I slept in straw in a barn - not that I minded that - but - well, peculiar thingshappened in the night. At least - I think they did. I'm not really sure it wasn't all a dream.'
　　'What peculiar things?' asked Julian at once.
　　'Well - I think perhaps I'll tell you when we're on our way again,' said Dick. 'Now I think about it infull daylight I feel that either it was all a silly dream - or - well, as I said - something very 33peculiar.'
　　'You never told me, Dick!' said Anne, in surprise.
　　'Well, to tell you the truth I forgot about it because other things happened,' said Dick. 'Having to getaway from that man, for instance - and wondering about Julian and George - and feeling so hungry.'
　　'You don't sound as if you had a good night at all,' said George. 'It must have been awful, too, tryingto find your way in the dark. It poured with rain, didn't it?'
　　'Yes,' said Anne, 'but oh - the thing that frightened me more than anything was the bells! Did youhear them Julian? They suddenly clanged out, and they made me terribly scared. I couldn't think whatthey were! Whatever were they ringing out for? They were so loud.'
　　'Didn't you know what they were ringing for?' said Julian. 'They were bells rung from the prison thatnice old woman told us about - they were rung to tell everyone on the countryside that a prisoner hadescaped! Lock your doors. Guard your folk.'
　　Anne stared at Julian in silence. So that was why the bells had made such a clamour and clangour.
　　She shivered.
　　'I'm glad I didn't know that,' she said. 'I would have slept in the straw with Dick if I'd known therewas an escaped prisoner. Have they caught him?'
　　'I don't know,' said Julian. 'We'll ask the inn-woman when she comes.'
　　They asked her, and she shook her head. 'No. He's not caught yet. But he will be. All the roads fromthe moor are guarded and everyone is on the watch. He was a robber who broke into houses andattacked anyone who tried to prevent him. A dangerous fellow.'
　　'Julian - is it all right to go hiking on the moors if there's an escaped prisoner about?' said Anne.
　　'I shan't feel very comfortable.'
　　'We've got Timmy,' said Julian. 'He would be strong enough to protect us from three prisoners ifnecessary! You needn't worry.'
　　'Woof,' agreed Timmy, at once, and thumped his tail on the floor.
　　At last everyone had finished breakfast. Even starving Anne couldn't manage the last bit of toast.
　　She sighed happily, 'I feel myself again,' she announced. 'I can't say I feel very much like walking -but I know it would be good for me after that enormous meal.'
　　'Good or not, we're going on our way,' said Julian, getting up. 'I'll buy some sandwiches first.'
　　The inn-woman was delighted with their hearty praises. She gave them some packets of 34sandwiches and waved good-bye. 'You come again whenever you can,' she said. 'I'll always havesomething nice for you.'
　　The four went down the street and took a lane at the bottom. It wound about for a short way and thencame into a valley. A stream ran down the middle of the valley. The children could hear it gurglingfrom where they stood.
　　'Lovely!' said Anne. 'Are we going along by the stream? I'd like to.'
　　Julian looked at his map. 'Yes - we could,' he said. 'I've marked the path to follow, and the streamjoins it some way on. So if you like we could go along by it, though it will be very rough walking.'
　　They made their way to the stream. 'Now Dick,' said Julian, when they had left the path. 'What abouttelling us all those peculiar things that happened in the night? There's nobody about to hear- not a soul in sight. Let's hear everything. We'll soon tell you whether it was a dream or not.'
　　'Right,' said Dick, 'Well, here's the tale. It does sound pretty queer. Listen...'
8.丰盛的早餐
　　丰盛的早餐
　　大家又聚在了一起，真是太好了！朱利安紧紧握着安妮的胳膊，看着她苍白的脸，十分担忧地问：“安妮，你还好吗？”
　　安妮点点头，说：“我没事，只是太饿了。”现在，朱利安、乔治和蒂米，还有迪克都在她身边，她一下子感觉好多了。
　　朱利安说：“我马上去安排早餐，一切等吃完饭再说！”
　　昨天那个靠在窗边甩抹布的旅馆女主人来到他们跟前。朱利安对她说：“我知道现在吃早饭可能有些晚了，但是我们几个早上一点东西都没有吃。您这里有什么吃的吗？”
　　“有麦片粥和牛奶，”女主人说，“还有自制的培根、自家鸡下的蛋，还有自制的蜂蜜、烤面包。这些可以吗？加奶油的咖啡要吗？”
　　“那真是太好了！”朱利安欣喜不已，其他人也都很开心。他们走进了温馨舒适的小餐厅，坐下来等着开饭。很快，煎培根和热咖啡的香味就飘了进来。马上就能吃到美味的早餐，太开心了！
　　“先来说说你的事吧。”迪克轻轻地拍着蒂米说，接着看向朱利安，“朱利安，你们找到斯佩奇宅院了吗？盖斯顿先生在那里吗？”
　　“我们去的时候他已经出去了。”朱利安说，“他的妻子很善良，留我们在那里等他，还说盖斯顿先生会给蒂米治好腿伤。所以我们就留在那里等。”
　　“我们一直等到七点半！”乔治接着他的话说，“后来我们觉得很为难，因为快到他们吃晚餐的时间了。最后，盖斯顿先生终于回来了。”
　　“盖斯顿先生是个非常好的人。”朱利安说，“他看了看蒂米的腿，然后不知道做了什么——我猜应该是把它的腿复了位，蒂米疼得大叫。乔治立刻扑到了蒂米身上，盖斯顿先生看到之后大笑起来。”
　　“他简单地给蒂米治了伤，没花多长时间。”乔治说，“但是他的治疗很管用。现在蒂米除了背上的擦伤，其他的伤已经全好了。那块擦伤也在愈合。它又可以跑得跟以前一样快啦！”
　　“我真为它感到高兴！”安妮说，“我昨晚一直惦记着可怜的蒂米。”她轻拍着蒂米，蒂米也热情地用湿舌头舔她。
　　“接下来呢？”迪克问。
　　“盖斯顿太太坚持留我们吃晚餐，”朱利安说，“她根本不给我们拒绝的机会。而且必须得承认，那个时候我们实在是很饿，所以就留了下来，吃了一顿十分丰盛的晚餐。蒂米也大吃了一顿！你真应该看看当时它的肚子，圆得像桶一样。幸好今天都消化了，不然我就要给它换个名字了，叫‘大肚佬’。”大家听完都大笑起来，乔治笑得最开心。
　　“哈哈，这名字真是傻透了，太逗了！”乔治笑完后说，“就这样，我们一直待到九点左右才离开。那时我们一点也不担心，因为相信你们会安全到达蓝塘农舍。你们也一定能猜到我们会等着和蒂米一起走，所以也不会担心。但是我们到了蓝塘农舍，却发现你们竟然不在那里，真是担心得要命。”
　　“我们想，你们一定是找到了别的地方过夜。”朱利安说，“但是如果今天早上还是没有你们的消息，我们就立刻去警察局报案，说你们走失了！”
　　“我们担心坏了，所以一大早就赶来这里，连早饭都没有吃！”乔治说，“蓝塘农舍住着很舒服，我和朱利安每人一间小屋，里面各有一张床。蒂米和我睡在一个屋里。”
　　她刚说完，就有一股十分诱人的香味飘进了小餐厅，接着旅馆的女主人端着一个大大的托盘走了进来。托盘上有一锅冒着热气的麦片粥、一碗金灿灿的蜂蜜、一罐浓浓的奶油，还有一盘培根炒鸡蛋。培根和鸡蛋高高地堆在新鲜松软的烤面包上，中间还夹有少量的蘑菇。
　　安妮盯着这些东西惊叹道：“哇，这简直就像变魔法一样！这些东西我全都喜欢！”
　　“烤面包、果酱和黄油一会儿就来，还有咖啡和热牛奶。”女主人一边忙着把食物一样一样地放在桌子上，一边说，“如果培根和鸡蛋吃完了还想要，就按那个铃。”
　　“天哪，太幸福了，简直不敢相信这是真的！”迪克看着眼前满满的一桌美食忍不住惊叹起来，接着他又打趣道，“哦，看在上帝的分儿上，女孩们，快点开吃吧！要不然我就顾不上什么绅士风度了。”
　　这本就是一顿十分丰盛的早餐，又因为他们早都饥肠辘辘，所以更显得异常丰盛！他们把麦片粥和奶油盛到碗里，再加一些金黄的蜂蜜。吃饭的时候，没有一个人说话。蒂米也得到了满满一盘子的早餐。它爱喝粥，但不喜欢蜂蜜，因为蜂蜜会把它的胡子黏在一起！
　　“我感觉好多了。”安妮看着自己碗里的粥，苦恼地说，“但现在有一个新问题：我是再喝点粥呢，还是继续吃培根炒鸡蛋呢？”
　　“这个问题确实令人困扰，”迪克说，“我也面临同样的选择。我想还是再吃点培根炒鸡蛋吧，吃完了还有，不用怕不够吃。而且这盘菜里的小蘑菇，好吃得让我口水流个不停！难道是我太贪吃了吗？但又有谁能在饿得厉害时，忍得住美食的诱惑？”
　　“你还没有讲昨天晚上你们发生了什么事呢。”朱利安说。他很大方地把培根炒鸡蛋分到迪克的盘子里，“好了，现在你已经得到了想要的东西，那么就跟我们讲讲吧，昨晚你为什么不听我的话，没有去你本该去的蓝塘农舍。”
　　“你这口气听起来真像我们校长！”迪克感慨道，接着又说，“因为我们迷路了，答案就是这么简单！当我们终于走到一个地方的时候，我们以为那里就是蓝塘农舍，所以晚上就睡在了那里。”
　　“我明白了。”朱利安又问，“但是那里的人就没有告诉你那不是蓝塘农舍吗？为什么不给我们传个消息？你明知道我们会担心。”
　　“我们问了一个老太太那里是不是蓝塘农舍，”安妮解释道，她拿餐叉用力地戳着碟子中的培根和鸡蛋，“可是她完全聋了，既听不见我们的问题，也没告诉我们她那里是什么地方，所以我们以为那里就是蓝塘农舍。尽管那个地方很可怕，但我们别无选择。而且我们也很担心你们，因为你们始终没有出现！”
　　“真是一段充满意外的经历，”朱利安说，“但好在你们都平安无事，那就没什么大不了的了。”
　　“朱利安，你不要说得这么轻松！”迪克说，“事实上，昨天晚上我们真的很惨！可怜的安妮只能睡在一个小阁楼上，我睡在谷仓的稻草堆里。我介意的并不是这个，而是昨晚还发生了一些很奇怪的事情。至少，我觉得它们真实地发生过。哎呀，我也不确定它们到底是不是真的。”
　　“什么奇怪的事？”朱利安立刻问道。
　　“啊，这件事等我们出发之后边走边说吧。”迪克说，“现在想想，我觉得它要么是个毫无意义的梦，要么就像我说的，是件很古怪的真事。”
　　“迪克，你之前完全没有跟我提起过！”安妮惊讶地说。
　　“好吧，说实话，那是因为后来我们既要赶快逃离那个男人，心里又惦记着朱利安和乔治，肚子还很饿，事情太多，我就忘了说这件事。”迪克解释道。
　　“看来你们昨晚过得一点也不好。”乔治说，“在黑夜里找路的感觉一定很糟糕吧，何况天还下着雨？”
　　“对啊。”安妮说，“但是，我觉得最可怕的还是那些钟声！朱利安，你们听到了吗？钟声突然就响了起来，声音还特别大，真的吓到我了。为什么会有钟声呢？”现在想想，她仍觉得很害怕。
　　“难道你们不知道钟声为什么响吗？”朱利安诧异地问，随后解释道，“那钟声是从监狱里传来的。那位给我们做三明治的女店主提起过那个监狱。敲响钟声是为了警示这片村子里的人：有一个犯人越狱了！提醒人们锁好门窗，注意安全。”
　　所以，那些钟声才会那样响亮刺耳。安妮沉默地看着朱利安，害怕得抖了抖身体。
　　“真庆幸当时我不知道。”安妮说，“要是我知道外面有一个越狱的犯人，一定会和迪克一起睡在稻草堆里的。那他现在被抓住了吗？”
　　“我也不知道。”朱利安说，“等旅馆女主人来了，我们问问她。”
　　他们问了女主人案件的最新情况，女主人摇摇头说：“还没有，但是他迟早会被抓住的。荒原上所有的路都有人把守，这里的每个人都在留心。那是个强盗，曾经闯进别人家里抢劫，谁阻拦他，他就攻击谁，是一个非常危险的家伙。”
　　“朱利安，有这么一个逃跑的犯人，我们在荒原上郊游还安全吗？”安妮忧虑地说，“我很担心。”
　　“不用担心，我们有蒂米呢。”朱利安安慰她说，“蒂米这么强壮，就算有三个罪犯，它也能保护我们！”
　　“汪！”蒂米立即赞同地叫了一声，使劲甩了甩尾巴。
　　大家终于都吃好了。即使是饿得最厉害的安妮也再吃不下一丁点烤面包了。她幸福地感叹道：“我终于又有精神了！虽然我并不那么喜欢走路，但是我知道吃饱后走一走对身体有益。”
　　“不管有没有益处，我们都要出发了。”朱利安站起身说，“首先，我们要买点三明治。”孩子们一听便兴奋起来，都对女主人的手艺赞不绝口。
　　旅馆女主人听到孩子们真诚的赞美十分高兴，多送了几包三明治给他们。跟他们挥手道别的时候，她说：“你们想来随时可以再来，我会给你们准备好吃的东西。”
　　四个人沿大路走下去，在坡底走上了一条小道。七拐八弯走了一段路后，他们来到了一个山谷。一条小河从山谷间流下来，孩子们听见了潺潺的流水声。
　　“太好了！”安妮开心地叫道，“我们是要沿着小河走吗？我喜欢沿着河边走。”
　　朱利安拿出地图，看过之后说：“我们要走的路有一段与这条河平齐。如果你们喜欢的话，我们可以沿着河走，尽管河边的路不太好走。”
　　他们向河边走去。在离开小路的时候，朱利安催道：“迪克，现在你可以讲讲昨晚发生的怪事了吧？这里除了我们，一个人影也没有，不用担心会被其他人听到。快给我们说说，我们听完后就会告诉你那到底是不是梦。”
　　“好，”迪克答道，“这件事真的很怪异。你们听我说……”
Chapter 9 DICK SURPRISES THE OTHERS
Chapter 9 DICK SURPRISES THE OTHERS
　　Dick began his tale - but it really was very difficult to hear it because they couldn't walk four abreast,as there was no path to follow.
　　In the end Julian stopped and pointed to a thick clump of heather. 'Let's go and sit there and hearDick's story properly. I keep missing bits. No one can hear us if we sit here.'
　　They sat down and Dick started again. He told about the old woman who was afraid her son would beangry if she let them stay the night. He told about his bed in the straw.
　　'And now here comes the bit I think must have been a dream,' he said. 'I woke up to hear a scratchingnoise on the wooden walls of the barn...'
　　'Rats or mice?' said George, and Timmy leapt up at once, of course. He was sure she had said thewords to him!
　　'I thought that too,' said Dick. 'But then I heard a gentle tap-tap-tapping on the window.'
　　'How horrid,' said Anne. 'I shouldn't have liked that at all.'
　　'Neither did I,' said Dick, 'But the next thing I heard was my name being called! ''Dick! Dick!''
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　　Just like that.'
　　'It must have been a dream then,' said Anne. 'There was no one there who knew your name.'
　　Dick went on. 'Well, then the voice said - ''Dick! I know you're there, I saw you go in!'' And it toldme to go to the window.'
　　'Go on,' said Julian. He was puzzled. No one in the world but Anne could have known that Dick wasin the barn - and it certainly wasn't Anne out there in the night!
　　'Well, I went to the window,' said Dick, 'and I saw, rather dimly, of course, a wild-eyed lookingfellow. He couldn't see me in the darkness of the barn. I just mumbled, ''I'm here,'' hoping he wouldthink I was whoever he wanted.'
　　'What did he say next?' asked George.
　　'He said something that sounded stuff and nonsense,' said Dick, 'He said it twice. It was ''Two-Trees.
　　Gloomy Water. Saucy Jane.'' And he said ''Maggie knows.'' Just like that!'
　　There was a silence. Then George laughed. 'Two-Trees! Gloomy Water! Saucy Jane - and Maggieknows about it! Well, it must have been a dream, Dick! You know it must. What do you think,Julian?'
　　'Well - it does sound a bit nonsensical to have someone come in the middle of the night and call Dickby name and give him a strange message that doesn't mean a thing to him!' said Julian. 'It soundsmore dream-like than real. I'd say it was a dream too.'
　　Dick began to think they were right - and then a sudden thought struck him. He sat up straight.
　　'Wait a bit!' he said. 'I've remembered something! The man slipped a bit of paper through the brokenpane of the window, and I picked it up!'
　　'Ah - that's different,' said Julian. 'Now - if you can't find that paper, it's all a dream and you dreamtthe paper too - but if you can find it, well the whole thing is true. Very peculiar indeed -but true.'
　　Dick searched quickly in his pockets. He felt paper in one of them, and drew it out. It was a dirty,crumpled piece, with a few words on it and a few lines. He held it out to the others in silence, hiseyes shining.
　　'Is this the paper?' asked Julian. 'My word - so you didn't dream it after all, then!'
　　He took the paper. Four heads bent over it to examine it. No, five - because Timmy wanted to seewhat they were all so interested in. He thrust his hairy head between Julian's and Dick's.
　　'I can't make any sense of this paper,' said Julian, 'It's a plan of some kind, I think - but what of, 36or where, it's impossible to know.'
　　'The fellow said that Maggie had one of these bits of paper too,' said Dick, remembering.
　　'Who in the wide world is Maggie?' said George, 'and why should Maggie know?'
　　'Any more to tell?' asked Julian, intensely interested now.
　　'Well - the son of the deaf old woman came into the barn later on,' said Dick. 'And he sat and waitedand waited, and muttered and muttered - and then when I woke up he wasn't there. So I thought Imust have dreamt him too. He didn't see me, of course.'
　　Julian pursed up his lips and frowned. Then Anne spoke excitedly.
　　'Dick! Ju! I think I know why the second man came into the barn. It was the second man that thewild-eyed man wanted to give the message to, and the bit of paper - not to Dick. He didn't want Dick.
　　But he had seen him creep into the barn, and I suppose he thought Dick was the man he really wantedand that he was in the barn waiting for him!'
　　'That's all very well - but how did he know my name?' asked Dick.
　　'He didn't know it! He didn't know it was you at all!' said Anne, excitedly. 'The other man's namemust have been Dick too! Don't you see? They must have planned to meet there, the wild-eyed manand the old woman's son - and the first man saw Dick go in, so he waited a bit and then went andtapped on the window! And when he called ''Dick! Dick!'' of course Dick thought it was he that hewanted, and he took the message and everything! And then the other man, the real Dick came along -and was too late to meet the first one. Our Dick had met him and got the message!'
　　Anne was quite breathless after this long speech. She sat and stared at the others eagerly. Didn't theythink she was right?
　　They did, of course. Julian clapped her on the back. 'Well worked out, Anne! Of course that's whathappened.'
　　Dick suddenly remembered the boy they had met on the way down from the old woman's cottage toBeacons Village - the whistling boy. What had he said about the old woman and her son?
　　'Anne - what did that whistling boy say? Wait a bit - he said that was Mrs. Taggart's place - and hesaid we'd better not go there or her son would drive us off. And he said - yes, I remember now- he said ''Dirty Dick we call him - he's a terror!'' Dirty Dick! His name must be Dick then! Whydidn't I think of it before?'
　　'That proves that Anne is right,' said Julian, pleased. Anne looked pleased too. It wasn't often that 37she thought of something clever before the others did!
　　They all sat thinking. 'Would this have anything to do with the escaped prisoner?' said George at last.
　　'It might,' said Julian. 'He might have been the prisoner himself, that fellow who came with themessage. Did he say who the message was from?'
　　'Yes,' said Dick, trying to remember. 'He said it was from Nailer. I think that was the name - but itwas all given in whispers, you know.'
　　'A message from Nailer,' said Julian. 'Well - perhaps Nailer is in prison - a friend of the man whoescaped. And maybe when he knew this fellow was going to make a dash for it, he gave him amessage for someone - the man at that old cottage, son of the old woman. They may have had aprearranged plan.'
　　'How do you mean?' asked Dick, looking puzzled.
　　'Well - the old woman's son, Dirty Dick, may have known that when the bells rang out, this fellowwas making a run for it - and would come to bring him a message. He was to wait in the barn at nightif the bells rang, just in case it was Nailer's friend who had escaped.'
　　'Yes, I see,' said Dick. 'I think you're right. Yes, I'm sure you are. My word, I'm glad I didn't knowthat fellow at the window was an escaped convict!'
　　'And you've got the message from Nailer!' said Anne. 'What a peculiar thing! Just because we lost ourway and went to the wrong place, you get a message from a prisoner given you by one who'sescaped! It's a pity we don't know what the message means - or the paper either.'
　　'Had we better tell the police?' said George. 'I mean - it may be important. It might help them to catchthat man.'
　　'Yes,' said Julian. 'I think we should tell the police. Let's have a look at our map. Where's the nextvillage?'
　　He looked at the map for a minute. 'I think really we might as well go on with what I had planned,' hesaid. 'I planned we should reach this village here - Reebles, look - in time for lunch, in case we hadn'tgot sandwiches. We'd have gone there for drinks anyway. So I vote we just carry on with our ramble,and call in at Reebles police station - if there is one - and tell them our bit of news.'
　　They all got up. Timmy was glad. He didn't approve of this long sit-down so soon after breakfast. Hebounded ahead in delight.
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　　'His leg's quite all right,' said Anne, pleased. 'Well I hope it teaches him not to go down rabbit holesagain!'
　　It didn't, of course. He had his head down half a dozen within the next half-hour, but fortunately hecould get no farther, and he was able to pull himself out quite easily.
　　The four saw little wild ponies that day. They came trotting over a hillock together, small and brown,with long manes and tails, looking very busy indeed. The children stopped in delight. The ponies sawthem, tossed their pretty heads, turned one way all together and galloped off like the wind.
　　Timmy wanted to go after them, but George held his collar tightly. No one must chase those dearlittle wild ponies!
　　'Lovely!' said Anne. 'Lovely to meet them as suddenly as that. I hope we meet some more.'
　　The morning was as warm and sunny as the day before. Once again the four of them had to take offtheir blazers, and Timmy's tongue hung out, wet and dripping. The heather and wiry grass was softunderfoot. They followed the stream closely, liking its brown colour and its soft gurgling voice.
　　They bathed their hot feet in it as they ate one of their sandwiches at half past eleven. 'This is bliss!'
　　said George, lying back on a tuft of heather with her feet lapped by the water. 'The stream is ticklingmy feet, and the sun is warming my face - lovely! Oh, get away, Timmy, you idiot!
　　Breathing down my neck like that, and making my face so wet!'
　　The stream at last joined the path that led to the village of Reebles. They walked along it, beginningto think of dinner. It would be fun to have it in a little inn or perhaps a farm- house, and keep theirsandwiches for tea-time.
　　'But first we must find the police-station,' said Julian. 'We'll get our tale told, and then we'll be readyfor our meal!'
9.安妮的猜想
　　安妮的猜想
　　迪克开始讲他的故事。但是路太窄，四个人不能并排走，所以讲起来很不方便。朱利安停下来，指着一块厚实的草地说：“我们过去坐那里吧，这样听故事可以舒服些。刚才迪克讲的话，我有好些都没听清。”
　　他们坐了下来，迪克重新开始讲。他讲了那个因收留他们而惹儿子生气的老妇人，讲他自己睡在谷仓的稻草堆上。
　　“现在，重点来了，这一段太不真实了。”迪克将那晚谷仓里的情况缓缓道来，“谷仓的木墙上发出一阵声响，把我吵醒了。那声音听起来像是什么东西在刮墙……”
　　“是大老鼠还是小老鼠？”乔治问。蒂米听到乔治的话一下子蹿起来。乔治以前肯定对它说过“老鼠”这两个字！
　　“我原本也以为是老鼠，”迪克说，“但是接下来我就听到窗户上发出轻轻的拍打声，‘啪啪啪’。”
　　“太吓人了！”安妮叫道，感觉汗毛直立，“我不喜欢这种场景！”
　　“我也不喜欢。”迪克接着往下讲，“紧接着我就听到有人叫我的名字！‘迪克！迪克！’就像这样。”迪克模仿着那个声音。
　　“这一定是个梦。”安妮肯定地说，“那里没有人知道你的名字。”
　　迪克继续讲道：“然后那个声音说‘迪克！我知道你在里面，我看见你走进去了！’之后，那声音就让我往窗边走。”
　　“继续说下去。”朱利安说。他很疑惑，那里除了安妮，应该没有其他人知道迪克在谷仓里。而安妮肯定不会半夜出现在那里！
　　“我本来就睡在窗下。于是就稍微直起身，透过窗户看见了那个人。”迪克说，“他的样子我看不太清，只知道那是一个长相凶恶的家伙。他看不见我，因为谷仓里很黑。我含糊地低声回应他说‘我来了’，希望能让他以为我就是他要找的人。”
　　“那他接下来说了什么？”乔治问。
　　“他说的话很不连贯，听起来莫名其妙。”迪克说，“他说了两遍，他说‘两棵树、幽暗之水、漂亮的简’。他还说‘麦琪也知道’，就像这样！”迪克学起那个人的声音，把那句话又重复了一遍。
　　大家听完都沉默了。乔治突然大笑起来，嚷嚷道：“两棵树！幽暗之水！漂亮的简！还有麦琪也知道！得了吧，迪克，那肯定是一个梦，太不真实啦。朱利安，你觉得呢？”
　　“听起来确实有些莫名其妙。怎么会有人大半夜叫迪克的名字，还给他留下这些奇怪的消息呢？而且这些消息对迪克来说完全没有意义！”于是，朱利安做出了判断，“我也觉得那是一个梦。”
　　迪克也觉得他们说得对。但是，他猛然间想起了什么，一下子坐直身子。“等一下！我想起来一个东西！那个男人从破窗户丢了一片纸进来，我把它捡起来了！”
　　“啊，那就不一样了。”朱利安迅速反应过来，说道，“现在，如果你没有那张纸，就说明那都是梦，那张纸也是你梦里的东西；但是如果真有，那就说明这一切都是真的，虽然离奇，但却是实实在在发生过的。”
　　迪克迅速在身上的口袋里搜索起来，最后，在一个口袋里找到了那片纸。那是一张脏兮兮、皱巴巴的纸，上面有一些字，还画了几道线。他一言不发地把它展示给其他人看，一双眼睛闪着亮光。
　　“就是这张纸吗？”朱利安接过纸，惊奇地叫道，“我的天，所以说那些事情竟然是真的！”
　　其他人也都很讶异，迅速围拢过来，四个脑袋凑在一块儿研究起那张纸来。不对，是五个。蒂米也想看看到底是什么东西把大家都吸引住了，它把头伸过去，挤在朱利安和迪克之间。
　　“我一点也看不懂这张纸上的内容。”朱利安不确定地说，“我想这大概是一张示意图吧，但它指的是什么东西，或者是什么地方，那就不知道了。”
　　“那家伙说麦琪也有一张这样的纸。”迪克回想着说。
　　“可麦琪是谁呢？”乔治说，“为什么她也知道？”
　　“后面还发生什么事了吗？”朱利安问。现在，他已经对这件事十分感兴趣了。
　　“后来，那个聋耳老妇人的儿子进了谷仓。”迪克说，“他坐在谷仓里等了很长时间，还一直在自言自语。但等我第二天醒来的时候他已经离开了。我还以为他是梦里的人呢。当然，他并没有看见我。”
　　朱利安抿起嘴唇，皱着眉头。
　　过了一会儿，安妮兴奋地叫起来：“迪克！朱利安！我知道第二个男人为什么要进谷仓了，因为他就是凶恶男人要找的人！”她说话时眼睛发亮，“那张纸条本来是要交给他的，而不是给迪克。那个凶恶男人要找的人并不是迪克，但是他看见迪克悄悄进了谷仓，就以为迪克是他要找的人，在谷仓等他！”
　　“这些都能说得通，但是他为什么知道我的名字呢？”迪克问。
　　安妮激动地回答：“他不知道你的名字！他根本就不知道那个人是你！另一个男人一定也叫迪克！”她急切地想让人明白自己的想法，“难道你还不明白吗？凶恶男人和老妇人的儿子，他们之前就约好了在那里见面，所以他才会出现在谷仓外面，又在看到你进去后就过去拍窗户！他喊：‘迪克！迪克！’你的回应让他以为你就是他要找的人，所以他才留下了口信和这张纸！然后另一个男人，也就是真正的迪克，也来了谷仓。但他来得太晚，和第一个人错过了。而我们的迪克却遇见了第一个人，就这样拿到了消息！”
　　安妮说了这么长一段话，有些上气不接下气。她坐下来，用热切期待的眼神看着伙伴们，心中忐忑，不知道他们是否认同自己的想法。
　　大家当然认同。朱利安拍了拍她的背，说：“推理得很棒，安妮！这么一解释，所有的事情都对上了。”
　　迪克突然想起来他们从老妇人的房子走下来时，在路上碰到的那个吹口哨的男孩。当时他管那个老妇人和她的儿子叫什么来着？
　　“安妮，那个吹口哨男孩当时说什么来着？等等，他说那是塔格特盖尔夫人的家，还叫我们最好不要去那里，否则会被她儿子赶出来。是的，我想起来了，他还说：‘我们叫他臭迪克，他很可恶！’臭迪克！那么他的名字一定是迪克！我之前怎么就没想到呢？！”
　　“这样就更证明安妮是对的。”朱利安高兴地说。安妮看起来也很开心。她今天特别聪明，能在其他人之前把事情想明白。
　　大家坐在那里各自整理思绪。乔治沉思了一会儿，问道：“你们觉得这件事会不会和越狱的犯人有关系呢？”
　　“可能有关系。”朱利安说，“那个送消息的人可能就是这次越狱的逃犯。迪克，他说了消息是从谁那儿得来的吗？”
　　“说了，”迪克努力回想着说，“他说消息来自‘尼勒尔’。我觉得这应该是个人名。但是，他说这些话的时候声音很小，就像耳语一样，所以我也不太确定。”
　　“来自尼勒尔的消息。”朱利安分析道，“也许尼勒尔现在在监狱里，是那个逃犯的朋友。而且，说不定早在他知道逃犯打算越狱的时候，就让他帮忙带消息，而收信人就是那个老妇人的儿子。他们可能之前就已经计划好了。”
　　“我不明白你的意思。”迪克疑惑地说。
　　朱利安又给他解释道：“那个老妇人的儿子，也就是臭迪克，可能在钟声响起的那一刻就知道有人越狱了，而且越狱的人会来找他。他在钟声响起的夜晚去谷仓，就是为了跟尼勒尔的朋友见面。”
　　“哦，我明白了。”迪克感叹道，“有道理，有道理，肯定就是你说的这样。我的天，真庆幸我蹲在窗下的时候，不知道那个人就是逃犯！”
　　“谁也想不到，最后竟让你收到了那些消息！”安妮感到十分不可思议，“太离奇了！就因为我们迷了路，走错了地方，你就从一个越狱犯的手里收到了来自另一个囚犯的消息！可惜我们不知道那些话是什么意思，也看不懂那张纸。”
　　“我们要报警吗？”乔治说，“我的意思是，这件事可能很重要，那张纸或许可以帮助警察抓到那个逃犯。”
　　“是的，”朱利安说，“我想我们应该报警。我们来查查地图，找出下一个村庄在哪儿。”
　　他看了一会儿地图，说：“我们还是继续按原定的路线走吧。我原先的计划是，要是我们身上没有了食物，就要在午餐之前到达瑞博斯村。看，就是这里。虽然我们现在有了三明治，但无论如何，我们都要去那里喝点东西。所以我们还是继续按计划走。如果瑞博斯村有警察局，那我们就给警察局打电话，把知道的都告诉他们。”
　　孩子们都站了起来。这下蒂米高兴了，因为它不想刚吃完饭就坐着不动。它一站起来就开心地蹦到了最前面。
　　“蒂米的腿真的完全好了。”安妮高兴地说，“希望这次的教训能让它不要再钻进兔子洞里去了！”
　　蒂米当然再也不会了。它为自己的冒失感到十分羞愧，在接下来的半小时里都垂头丧气的。但幸运的是，它没有那么多愁善感，很快就又活蹦乱跳了！
　　四个孩子在这一天遇到了几匹小野马。它们是棕色的，个头矮小，长着长长的鬃毛和尾巴，正成群结队，匆忙地奔跑着，想要翻越前面的小山丘。孩子们喜出望外，停下了脚步。马儿们看见了他们，优雅地甩了甩脑袋，然后朝着一个方向，风一样地疾驰而去了。
　　蒂米想去追它们，但是乔治牢牢地抓住了它的项圈。乔治心想：“谁也不准追赶那些可爱的小马！”
　　安妮愉快地大叫：“看见它们真是一个意外的惊喜，我好开心！
　　希望我们还能遇见更多的小马。”
　　今天上午和昨天一样晴朗温暖。四个孩子不得不再一次脱掉他们的外套，蒂米伸在外面的舌头上不停地滴着口水。他们走在河边，脚下的草细长柔软，河面上波光粼粼，水流声清脆悦耳。
　　11点半的时候，他们每人吃了一个三明治。大家一边吃，一边在清凉的河水里泡一泡走得发热的脚。乔治仰面躺在草地上，脚伸在河里，发出满足的感慨：“太幸福了！河水轻柔地流过双脚，阳光温柔地洒在脸上，真是舒服极了！哦，离我远点，蒂米。你这只小蠢狗，在我脖子旁呼吸，把我的脸都弄湿了！”
　　终于，他们沿着河流走到了两条路的交汇点，在那里走上了通往瑞博斯村的路。孩子们开始考虑午餐的着落。最好能在一家小旅馆或者是一户农舍里吃一顿饭，这样他们的三明治就可以当下午茶的点心了。
　　“我们要先找到警察局，”朱利安说，“把我们的奇遇告诉警察，然后再去找吃饭的地方。”
Chapter 10 AN ANGRY POLICEMAN AND A FINE LUNCH
Chapter 10 AN ANGRY POLICEMAN AND A FINE LUNCH
　　There was a police-station at Reebles, a small one with a house for the policeman attached. As theone policeman had four villages under his control he felt himself to be rather an important 39fellow.
　　He was in his house having his dinner when the children walked up to the police-station. They foundnobody there, and walked out again. The policeman had seen them from his window and he cameout, wiping his mouth. He wasn't very pleased at having to come out in the middle of a nice meal ofsausage and onions.
　　'What do you want?' he said, suspiciously. He didn't like children of any sort. Nasty little things, hethought them - always full of mischief and cheek. He didn't know which were worse, the small onesor the big ones!
　　Julian spoke to him politely. 'We've come to report something rather strange, which we thoughtperhaps the police ought to know. It might help them to catch the prisoner who escaped last night.'
　　'Ha!' said the policeman scornfully. 'You've seen him too, I suppose? You wouldn't believe howmany people have seen him. 'Cording to them he's been in every part of the moor at one and the sametime. Clever fellow he must be to split himself up like that.'
　　'Well, one of us saw him last night,' said Julian politely. 'At least, we think it must have been him. Hegave a message to my brother here.'
　　'Ho, he did, did he?' said the policeman, eyeing Dick in a most disbelieving manner. 'So he runs aboutgiving messages to school-boys, does he? And what message did he give you, may I ask?'
　　The message sounded extremely silly when Dick repeated it to the police. 'Two-Trees. GloomyWater. Saucy Jane. And Maggie knows.'
　　'Really?' said the policeman, in a sarcastic voice. 'Maggie knows as well, does she? Well, you tellMaggie to come along here and tell me too. I'd like to meet Maggie - specially if she's a friend ofyours.'
　　'She's not,' said Dick feeling annoyed. 'That was in the message. I don't know who Maggie is!
　　How should I? We thought perhaps the police could unravel the meaning. We couldn't. The fellowgave me this bit of paper too.'
　　He handed the piece of dirty paper to the policeman, who looked at it with a crooked smile. 'So hegave you this too, did he?' he said. 'Now wasn't that kind of him? And what do you suppose all this is,scribbled on the paper?'
　　'We don't know,' said Dick. 'But we thought our report might help the police to catch the prisoner,that's all.'
　　40
　　'The prisoner's caught,' said the policeman, with a smirk on his face. 'You know so much - but youdidn't know that! Yes, he's caught - four hours ago - and he's safe back in prison now. And let me tellyou youngsters this - I'm not taken in by any silly schoolboy spoofing, see?'
　　'It's not spoofing,' said Julian, in a very grown-up manner. 'You should learn to see the differencebetween the truth and a joke.'
　　That didn't please the policeman at all. He turned on Julian at once, his face reddening.
　　'Now you run away!' he said. 'I'm not having any cheek from you! Do you want me to take yournames and addresses and report you?'
　　'If you like,' said Julian, in disgust. 'Have you got a notebook there? I'll give you all our names, and Imyself will make a report to the police in our district when I get back.'
　　The policeman stared at him. He couldn't help being impressed by Julian's manner, and he calmeddown a little.
　　'You go away, all of you,' he said, his voice not nearly so fierce. 'I shan't report you this time. Butdon't you go spreading silly stories like that or you'll get into trouble. Serious trouble too.'
　　'I don't think so,' said Julian. 'Anyway, seeing that you are not going to do anything about our story,may we have back our bit of paper, please?'
　　The policeman frowned. He made as if he would tear the paper up, but Dick snatched at it. He wastoo late. The aggravating policeman had torn it into four pieces and thrown it into the road!
　　'Don't you have laws against scattering litter in your village?' asked Dick, severely, and carefullypicked up the four pieces of paper. The policeman glared at Dick as he put the bits into his pocket.
　　Then he made a peculiar snorting noise, turned on his heel and marched back to his sausages andonions.
　　'And I hope his dinner's gone cold!' said George. 'Horrid fellow! Why should he think we're telling alot of untruths?'
　　'It is rather a queer story of ours,' said Julian, 'After all - we found it a bit difficult to believe whenDick first told it. I don't blame the policeman for disbelieving it - I blame him for his manner. It's agood thing most of our police aren't the same. Nobody would ever report anything.'
　　'He told us one bit of good news, anyway,' said Anne. 'That escaped prisoner is back in prison again!
　　I'm so relieved to know that.'
　　'I am too,' said Dick. 'I didn't like the look of him at all. Well, Ju - what do we do now? Forget thewhole business? Do you think there's anything in that message to follow up? And if so - can 41we do anything?'
　　'I don't know,' said Julian. 'We must think a bit. Let's go and see if we can scrounge a meal in somefarm-house somewhere. There seem to be plenty around.'
　　They asked a little girl if there was a farm-house anywhere near that would give them dinner.
　　She nodded and pointed.
　　'See that farm-house up on the hill there? That's my Gran's place. She'll give you dinner, I expect.
　　She used to give dinner in the summer to trippers, and I expect she would give you some too, if youask her, though it's late in the season.'
　　'Thanks,' said Julian, and they all went up the lane that curved round the hill-side. Dogs barked loudlyas they came near and Timmy's hackles went up at once. He growled.
　　'Friends, Timmy, friends,' said George. 'Dinner here, Timmy. Dinner, perhaps a nice bone for you.
　　Bone!'
　　Timmy understood. The fur down his neck lay flat again and he stopped growling. He wagged his tailat the two dogs near the farm-gate who sniffed his doggy-smell suspiciously even when he was somedistance away.
　　A man hailed them. 'What do you kids want? Mind those dogs!'
　　'We wondered if we could get a meal here!' called back Julian. 'A little girl down in the village saidwe might.'
　　'I'll ask my mother,' said the man, and he yelled in an enormous voice to the farm-house nearby.
　　'Ma! Ma! Four kids out here want to know if you can give them a meal.'
　　A very fat old lady appeared, with twinkling eyes and red cheeks like an apple. She took one glanceat the four by the gate, and nodded her head. 'Yes. They look decent children. Tell them to comealong in. Better hold their dog's collar though.'
　　The four walked to the farm-house, George holding Timmy firmly. The other two dogs came up, butas Timmy was hoping for a bone, he was determined to be friendly, and not a single growl came fromhim, even when the two dogs growled suspiciously. He wagged his tail, and let his tongue hang out.
　　The other dogs soon wagged theirs, and then it was safe to let Timmy go. He bounded over to themand there was a mad game of 'chase-me-roll-me-over' as George called it.
　　'Come your ways in,' said the plump old lady. 'Now you'll have to take what we've got. I'm busytoday and haven't had time for cooking. You can have a bit of home-made meat-pie, or a slice or 42two of ham and tongue, or hard-boiled eggs and salad. Bless you, you look as pleased as Punch!
　　I'll put the lot on the table for you and you can help yourselves! Will that do? There's no vegetablesthough. You'll have to make do with pickled cabbage and my own pickled onions and beetroot invinegar.'
　　'It sounds too marvellous for words,' said Julian. 'We shan't want any sweet after that!'
　　'There's no pudding today,' said the old lady. 'But I'll open a bottle or two of our own raspberries andyou can have them with cream if you like. And there's the cream cheese I made yesterday too.'
　　'Don't tell us any more!' begged Dick. 'It makes me feel too hungry. Why is it that people on farmsalways have the most delicious food? I mean, surely people in towns can bottle raspberries and pickleonions and make cream cheese?'
　　'Well either they can't or they don't,' said George. 'My mother does all those things - and even whenshe lived in a town she did. Anyway, I'm going to when I'm grown-up. It must be so wonderful tooffer home-made things by the score when people come to a meal!'
　　It was extraordinary to think that any children could possibly eat the meal the four did, after havinghad such a huge breakfast. Timmy ate an enormous dinner too, and then lay down with a sigh. Howhe wished he could live at that farm-house! How lucky those other two dogs were!
　　A small girl came in shyly as they ate. 'I'm Meg,' she said. 'I live with my Gran. What are yournames?'
　　They told her. Then Julian had an idea. 'We're walking over your moor,' he said. 'We've been to lotsof nice places. But there's one we haven't been to yet. Do you know it? It's called Two-Trees.'
　　The little girl shook her head. 'Gran would know,' she said. 'Gran! Where's Two-Trees?'
　　The old lady looked in at the door. 'What's that? Two-Trees? Oh, that was a lovely place once, but it'sall in ruins now. It was built beside a queer dark lake, in the middle of the moors. Let's see now -what was it called?'
　　'Gloomy Water?' said Dick.
　　'Yes! That's right. Gloomy Water,' said the old lady. 'Are you thinking of going by there? You becareful then, there's marshland around there, just when you least expect it! Now - would you likeanything more?'
　　'No thank you,' said Julian, regretfully, and paid the very modest bill. 'It's the nicest lunch we've 43ever had. Now we must be off.'
　　'Off to Two-Trees and Gloomy Water, I hope!' George whispered to Dick. 'That would be reallyexciting.'
10.新的消息
　　新的消息
　　瑞博斯村有一个小警察局，里面只有一个警察。他要维护附近四个村庄的治安，因此他认为自己是一个非常重要的人物。
　　孩子们走进警察局，在里面没有找到人，又走了出来。那个警察正在自己的房间里吃饭，此时从窗户看见了他们，便擦着嘴往外走。在享用美味的香肠配洋葱时被人打断，他很不高兴。
　　“你们想干什么？”警察满腹狐疑地问。他一点也不喜欢孩子，认为他们是令人讨厌的小东西——总是放肆无礼，喜欢恶作剧。他在想着眼前这几个小东西，究竟哪个更讨厌一些。
　　朱利安礼貌地对他说：“我们来这里想报告一件很奇怪的事。我们觉得应该让警察知道，这件事说不定能帮忙抓住昨晚越狱的犯人。”
　　“哈！”那个警察轻蔑地说，“我猜，你们也看见他了？你们知道已经有多少人见过他了吗？恐怕说出来你们都不信。照那些人所说，越狱犯竟在同一时间出现在了不同的地方。嗯，看来那个狡猾的犯人竟然还会分身术呢。”
　　“是这样的，”朱利安依然礼貌地说，“我的一个同伴昨天晚上看见他了。至少，我们认为那个人就是逃犯。他还给我的兄弟送来一条消息。”朱利安指了指迪克。
　　“哟呵，是吗？”警察阴阳怪气地说，用极度不信任的目光审视着迪克，“所以他越狱是为了跑去给一个小学生送信吗？那我能问问他跟你说了什么吗？”
　　“‘两棵树、幽暗之水、漂亮的简’，还有‘麦琪也知道’。”迪克对警察重复这些消息的时候，自己都觉得像在说傻话！
　　“真的？”警察讥讽道，“麦琪也知道是吗？那好，如果麦琪是你们的朋友，你让她也来这里跟我说说吧。我很愿意见见她，非常期待。”
　　“她不是我们的朋友。”迪克有些恼火，“她只是出现在那段口信中。我不知道麦琪是谁！我怎么会知道？！我们自己弄不明白，想着也许警察可以破解这些谜团。那家伙还给了我一张纸。”
　　他把那张脏兮兮的纸递给警察。警察接过去看了一眼，脸上扯出一个扭曲的笑容：“所以他还给了你这张纸，是吗？他难道有这么体贴吗？那你认为这张纸上的字是什么意思呢？”
　　“我们不知道，”迪克回答说，“但是它也许可以帮助警察抓到那个犯人。这就是我们的想法。”
　　面前的警察摆出一副假笑，说：“哼，抓捕犯人，你们知道的可真不少。但是你们肯定不知道，逃犯已经被抓住了。是的，就在四个小时前被捕了。现在，逃犯已经被安全地送回了监狱。告诉你们，我可不会愚蠢到被一群小学生给骗了，明白了吗？”
　　“我们没有骗你。”朱利安从头到尾都像大人一样成熟稳重，他说，“你应该学会分辨什么是真话，什么是假话。”
　　这句话惹恼了警察。他立刻看向朱利安，满脸通红，气急败坏地说：“你们立刻离开！竟敢对我如此无礼！你想让我记下你们的名字和住址，然后去你们家那边举报你们吗？”
　　朱利安神情厌恶地说：“随你怎么做！这里有纸和笔吗？我会把我们所有人的名字都写下来给你。等回去的时候，我会到我们区里的警察局报告。”
　　警察瞪着他。朱利安的气度和举止在一群孩子中十分显眼，他也注意到了朱利安的与众不同，这使他稍微冷静了一些。
　　“你们走吧，全都离开这里。”他的声音里没了之前的狂怒，“这次我就先放过你们。但我警告你们，千万不要愚蠢地到处散播谣言，否则后果会很严重！”
　　“我不这么认为。”朱利安说，“既然你对我们的故事无动于衷，那能不能请你把那张纸还给我们？”
　　警察听了皱起眉头，抬手就要撕了那张纸。迪克扑上去想将它抢回来，但已经晚了。正在气头上的警察已经把它撕成了四张碎纸片，扔在地上！
　　“你们村里难道没有禁止随地乱扔纸屑的规定吗？”迪克厉声问道，他仔细捡起那四片纸，在警察的瞪视下把它们小心地放回口袋。警察从鼻子里发出一个古怪的声音，紧接着脚后跟一转，向自己的房间走去。他还要回去继续享用可口的香肠配洋葱呢。
　　“但愿他的饭已经冷透了！”乔治气愤地说，“讨厌的家伙！他凭什么认定我们是在说谎！”
　　“我们的故事确实令人难以置信。”朱利安说，“毕竟，迪克第一次说的时候，我们自己也很难相信。我不怪他不相信我们，但我不能容忍他对待我们的态度。还好大多数警察不像他这样，要不然以后就不会再有人向警察报告任何事情了。”
　　“不管怎样，我们知道了一个新的消息。”安妮说，“那个逃犯又被关进监狱了！这样我就安心啦。”
　　“我也是。”迪克说，“那个逃犯的样子很难看，我一点也不喜欢。那么，朱利安，我们现在要怎么做？是忘了昨晚的事，一切到此为止呢，还是你觉得这个消息值得我们进一步探究？要是这样的话，我们能做些什么？”
　　“我也不知道，这要仔细想想。”朱利安说，“我们先去找个农舍吃顿饭吧。这周围似乎有很多农舍。”
　　他们向路上的一个女孩询问，附近有没有一家能给他们提供午餐的农舍。女孩点点头，指着前方说：“看见坡上那个农舍了吗？那是我奶奶家，她常常在夏天给路过这儿的行人做饭。虽然现在夏天已经结束了，但是如果你们去了，她还是会给你们做的。”
　　“谢谢。”朱利安说。然后他们一起走上那条盘绕在山上的小路。就在他们走近农舍的时候，突然响起了凶猛的狗叫声。蒂米脖子上的毛竖了起来，也大声叫着。
　　“嘿，蒂米，哥们儿，”乔治叫住它，“这里有吃的，蒂米！也许你会得到一根美味的骨头。想想骨头！”
　　蒂米听明白了。它不再叫唤，脖子上的毛也平顺下来。它对农场大门口的两只狗摇了摇尾巴。那两只狗不等蒂米靠近，就开始警惕地辨认它身上的气味。
　　这时，一个男人走过来跟他们打招呼：“你们几个孩子有事吗？
　　要小心狗啊！”
　　“我们想知道能不能在这里吃一顿饭。”朱利安回答，“山下一个小女孩说可以来这里吃饭。”
　　“这要问一问我妈妈。”男人说完就朝不远处的农舍大喊，“妈妈！这里有四个孩子，想问您能不能给他们做一顿饭吃。”
　　一位胖胖的老妇人走出来。她双目炯炯有神，脸颊像苹果一样红润。她看了一眼门口的四个孩子，点点头，说：“当然可以。他们看着都是好孩子，让他们进来吧，告诉他们抓紧自己狗的项圈。”
　　四个人走向农舍，乔治紧紧地抓着蒂米的项圈。另外两只狗跟了上来。蒂米想吃骨头，所以它决定友好一些。即使那两只狗很不友善地朝他们叫，它也没有冲它们叫一声。蒂米的舌头一直耷拉在外面，尾巴不停地摇了一路。
　　很快，那两只狗也摇起了尾巴，这说明它们变得友好起来，那就可以放开蒂米了。乔治一放手，蒂米立刻冲到那两只狗跟前和它们你追我赶地疯玩起来。乔治给这个游戏起名叫“追上就扑倒”。
　　胖胖的老妇人说：“孩子们，进屋吧。我今天很忙，没来得及做饭，你们只能有什么吃什么了。你们可以吃一些我自制的肉饼，或者一两片火腿和牛舌，还有几个水煮蛋，再配一些沙拉。”
　　四个孩子听着，脸上露出欢喜的神色。老妇人见状说：“谢天谢地，看来你们觉得还行！我一会儿就把这些都端上来，你们随意吃！这些还够吗？遗憾的是没有蔬菜，你们只能将就着吃些我自制的腌卷心菜、腌洋葱和醋泡甜菜根。”
　　“听起来棒极了！”朱利安说，“吃完饭后，我们肯定会撑得连甜点都吃不下了！”
　　“今天没有布丁，”老妇人说，“但是我会开一两瓶自制的树莓罐头。如果你们喜欢，可以配着奶油一起吃。哦，我昨天做的奶油干酪还有一些。”
　　“您可别再说了！”迪克恳求道，“那样只会让我越听越饿。为什么住在农场上的人，都能做出这么多美味的食物？住在城里的人，会做树莓罐头、腌洋葱和奶油干酪吗？”
　　乔治说：“不知道别人会不会，反正这些东西我妈妈都会做。即使是住在城里，她也会做。我长大了也要学做这些。这样，家里来客人的时候，就可以请他们吃各种自制的美食了。这是一件多么令人开心的事啊！”
　　四个孩子吃了一顿饱饱的午餐。在早上吃了满满一大桌子早餐后，他们中午竟然还能吃这么多，太令人惊奇了！蒂米也吃了很多，吃完后就躺下来舒服地打了一个饱嗝。它多么希望能生活在这个农舍里啊！这里的两只狗可真幸运！
　　在他们吃饭的时候，一个小女孩羞怯地走进来。“我叫梅格，”她说，“我和奶奶住在一起。你们叫什么名字？”
　　孩子们都把自己的名字告诉了梅格。朱利安灵机一动，对梅格说：“我们要穿越这片荒原，已经去过了很多漂亮的地方，但是有一个地方还没有去过。它叫‘两棵树’，你知道这个地方吗？”小女孩儿摇摇头。“奶奶应该知道。”她问奶奶，“奶奶！两棵树在哪儿？”
　　老妇人从门口看进来。“什么？两棵树？哦，那曾经是个美丽的地方，但是现在只剩下一片废墟了。它在荒原正中间一个奇异、幽暗的湖旁边。让我想想，那个湖叫什么来着……”
　　“是叫幽暗之水吗？”迪克说。
　　“对！就是它，幽暗之水。”老妇人说，“你们要经过那里吗？那你们可要当心了，那周围有很多沼泽，一不小心就会掉进去！我说，你们还想再来点吃的吗？”
　　“不用了，谢谢！”朱利安说完付了钱。他感到十分歉疚，因为和这顿大餐相比，这点钱实在微不足道，“这是我们吃过的最棒的午餐。现在我们得出发了。”
　　“去两棵树和幽暗之水！”乔治小声对迪克说，“想想都觉得非常激动！”
Chapter 11 JULIAN'S IDEA
Chapter 11 JULIAN'S IDEA
　　Once outside the farm-house Julian looked round at the others. 'We'll find out how far Two-Trees isand see if we've got time to pay it a visit,' he said. 'If we have, we'll go along there and snoop round.
　　If we haven't we'll go tomorrow.'
　　'How can we find out how far it is?' said Dick eagerly. 'Will it be on your map?'
　　'It may be marked there if the lake is big enough,' said Julian. They walked down the hill, and took apath that led once more over the moors. As soon as they were out of sight and hearing of anyoneJulian stopped and took out his big map. He unfolded it and the four of them crouched over it as hespread it out on the heather.
　　'That nice old lady said it was in the middle of the moors,' said Julian. 'Also we know there's a lake orat any rate a big pool of some kind.'
　　His finger traced its way here and there on the map. Then George gave a cry and dabbed her fingerdown.
　　'There, look! It's not really in the middle. See - Gloomy Water! That must be it. Is Two- Treesmarked as well?'
　　'No,' said Julian. 'But perhaps it wouldn't be if it's in ruins. Ruins aren't marked on maps unless theyare important in some way. This can't be important. Well - that's certainly Gloomy Water markedthere. What do you say? Shall we have a shot at going there this afternoon? I wonder exactly how farit is.'
　　'We could ask at the post-office,' said George. 'Probably once upon a time the postman had to takeletters there. They might know. They could tell us the way to go.'
　　They went back to the village and found the post-office. It was part of the village store. The old manwho kept it looked over the top of his glasses at the children.
　　'Gloomy Water! Now what be you wanting that for? A real miserable place it is, for all it was so 44fine years ago.'
　　'What happened to it?' asked Dick.
　　'It was burnt,' said the old man. 'The owner was away, and only a couple of servants were there.
　　It flared up one night, no one knows how or why - and was burnt almost to a shell. Couldn't get a fire-engine out there, you see. There was only a cart-track to the place.'
　　'And wasn't it ever built up again?' asked Julian. The old man shook his head.
　　'No. It wasn't worth it. The owner just let it fall to rack and ruin. The jackdaws and the owls nestthere now, and the wild animals snuggle in the ruins. It's a queer place. I once went out to see it,hearing tales of lights being seen there. But there was nothing to see but the shell of the place, and thedark blue water. Ah, Gloomy Water's a good name for that lake!'
　　'Could you tell us the way? And how long would it take us to get there?' asked Julian.
　　'What for do you want to go and gaze at a poor old ruin?' said the old man. 'Or do you want to bathein the lake? Well, don't you do so - it's freezing cold!'
　　'We just thought we'd go and see Gloomy Water,' said Julian. 'Such a strange name. Which is theway, did you say?'
　　'I didn't say,' said the old fellow. 'But I will if so be you're set on it. Where's your map? Is that one inyour hand?'
　　Julian spread it out. The old fellow took a pen from his waistcoat pocket and began to trace a pathover the moor. He put crosses here and there.
　　'See them crosses? They mark marshland. Don't go treading there, or you'll be up to your knees inmuddy water! You follow these paths I've inked in for you and you'll be all right. Keep your eyesopen for deer - there's plenty about those parts, and pretty things they are too.'
　　'Thank you very much,' said Julian, folding up the map. 'How long would it take us to get there fromhere?'
　　'Matter of two hours or more,' said the old man. 'Don't you try to go this afternoon. You'll findyourselves in darkness coming back, and with them dangerous marshy bits you're in danger all thetime!'
　　'Right,' said Julian. 'Thanks very much. Er - we're thinking of doing a bit of camping, as the weatheris so beautiful. I suppose you couldn't hire us a groundsheet or two and a few rugs?'
　　The other three stared at him in astonishment. Camping out? Where? Why? What was Julian thinkingof all of a sudden?
　　45
　　Julian winked at them. The old man was ferreting about in a cupboard. He pulled out two largerubber ground-sheets and four old rugs. 'Thought I had them somewhere!' he said. 'Well, better youcamping out in October than me! Be careful you don't catch your deaths of cold!'
　　'Oh thanks - just what we want,' said Julian, pleased. 'Roll them up, you others. I'll settle up for them.'
　　Dick, Anne and George folded up the ground-sheets and the rugs in astonishment. Surely - surelyJulian wasn't thinking of camping out by Gloomy Water? He must think the message that Dick hadbeen given was very important!
　　'Julian!' said Dick, as soon as they got outside. 'What's up? What's all this for?'
　　Julian looked a little sheepish. 'Well - something suddenly came over me in the store,' he said. 'Isuddenly felt we ought to go to Gloomy Water and snoop round. I felt excited somehow. And aswe've got so little time this week-end I thought if we took things and camped out in the ruin we mightmake more of our few days.'
　　'What an idea!' said George. 'Not go on with our hiking, do you mean?'
　　'Well,' said Julian. 'If we find nothing, we can go on with our hike, of course. But if there's anythinginteresting, it's up to us to unearth it. I'm quite sure there's something up at Two-Trees.'
　　'We might meet Maggie there!' said Anne, with a giggle.
　　'We might!' said Julian. 'I feel quite free to go and investigate on our own seeing that we've made ourreport to the police, and it's been turned down with scorn. Somebody ought to follow up that message- besides Maggie!'
　　'Dear Maggie,' said Dick. 'I wonder who in the wide world she is!'
　　'Somebody worth watching if she's the friend of convicts,' said Julian, more soberly. 'Look, this iswhat I thought we'd do - buy some extra food, and go along to Gloomy Water this afternoon, arrivingthere before dark. We'll find a good place to shelter in - there must be some good spot in the old ruin -and get heather or bracken for beds. Then tomorrow we can be up bright and early to have a lookround.'
　　'It sounds smashing,' said Dick, pleased. 'Sort of thing we like. What do you say, Tim?' 'Woof,'
　　said Tim, solemnly, bumping his tail to and fro across Dick's legs.
　　'And if we find there's absolutely nothing of interest, well, we can come back here with the thingswe've borrowed, and go on with our hike,' said Julian. 'But we'll have to sleep the night there becauseit will be dark by the time we've had a look round.'
　　46
　　They bought some loaves of bread, some butter and potted meat, and a big fruit cake. Also somemore chocolate and some biscuits. Julian bought a bottle of orangeade as well.
　　'There's sure to be a well,' he said. 'Or a spring of some sort. We can dilute the orangeade and drink itwhen we're thirsty. Now I think we're ready. Come on!'
　　They couldn't go as fast as usual because they were carrying so many things. Timmy was the onlyone that ran as fast as ever - but then Timmy carried nothing but himself!
　　It was a really lovely walk over the moorlands. They climbed fairly high and had wonderful views allover the autumn country-side. They saw wild ponies again, in the distance this time, and a little herdof dappled deer, that sped away immediately.
　　Julian was very careful to take the right paths - the ones traced so carefully on the map by the oldman in the post-office. 'I expect he knew the way well because he was once a postman and had to takeletters to Two-Trees!' said Dick, bending over the map. 'We're getting on, Ju - halfway there!'
　　The sun began to sink low. The children hurried as much as they could because once the sun hadgone darkness would soon come. Fortunately the sky was very clear, so twilight would be later than ithad been the night before.
　　'It looks as if the moorland near here gives way soon to a little bit of wooded country, according tothe map,' said Julian. 'We'll look out for clumps of trees.'
　　After another little stretch of moorland Julian pointed to the right. 'Look!' he said. 'Trees! Quite a lot -a proper little wood.'
　　'And isn't that water over there?' said Anne. They stood still and gazed hard. Was it Gloomy Water?
　　It might be. It looked such a dark blue. They hurried on eagerly. It didn't look very far now. Timmyran ahead, his long tail waving in the air.
　　They went down a little winding path and joined a cart-track that was very much overgrown - soovergrown that it hardly looked like a track. 'This must lead to Two- Trees,' said Julian. 'I wish thesun wasn't going down so quickly. We'll hardly have any time to look round!'
　　They entered a wood. The track wound through it. The trees must have been cleared at some time tomake a road through the wood. And then, quite suddenly, they came on what had once been thelovely house of Two-Trees.
　　It was a desolate ruin, blackened and scorched with fire. The windows had no glass, the roof hadgone, except for a few rafters here and there. Two birds flew up with a loud cry as the children 47went near.
　　'Two Maggies!' said Anne, with a laugh. They were black and white magpies, their long tailsstretched out behind them. 'I wonder if they know the message too.'
　　The house stood on the edge of the lake. Gloomy Water was indeed a good name for it. It lay there,smooth and dark, a curious deep blue. No little waves lapped the edge. It was as still as if it werefrozen.
　　'I don't like it,' said Anne. 'I don't like this place at all! I wish we hadn't come!'
11.朱利安的主意
　　朱利安的主意
　　出了农舍，朱利安对伙伴们说：“我们要弄清楚两棵树离这儿有多远，看看今天还是否来得及去。如果时间充足，我们就去，到了那里还可以打探打探周围的环境。如果时间不够，我们就明天再去。”
　　“我们怎么才能知道它有多远？”迪克急切地问，他有些迫不及待了，“地图上有这个地方吗？”
　　朱利安说：“如果那个湖够大，就会被标在地图上。”他们走下山坡，再一次走向荒原。一走到没有人的地方，朱利安就停下来，拿出地图，铺在草地上。四个孩子围着地图蹲下仔细研究起来。
　　“那个善良的老妇人说，两棵树在荒原中央。”朱利安说，“我们还知道那里有一个湖，至少也是个大池塘。”
　　他的指尖描着地图上错综复杂的线。突然，乔治叫了一声，指尖轻点着地图上的一个地方。
　　“这里，看！幽暗之水！这里不在正中央，但一定就是它。地图上有两棵树吗？”
　　“没有。”朱利安说，“也许是因为那里现在已经成了一片废墟吧。废墟是不会被标在地图上的，除非它有什么重大的意义。我们要去的应该只是一个普通的废墟。好了，我们现在已经确定幽暗之水的位置了。你们怎么看？要不要今天下午就去那里？我们得知道准确的路线才行。”
　　“我们去邮局问问吧。”乔治提议道，“邮递员可能去那里送过信，知道那里有多远，还能告诉我们怎么走。”
　　他们返回瑞博斯村，找到了邮局。它就在村子里唯一的一家商店里。一个值班的老人越过架在鼻梁上的眼镜盯着他们。
　　“幽暗之水！你们去那里干什么？那实在是个不幸的地方，几年前还很漂亮呢！”
　　“那里发生了什么？”迪克好奇地问。
　　“那里被火烧了。”老人说，“那儿的主人离开后，只剩下几个仆人留在那里。一天夜里，房子着火了。没人知道火是怎么烧起来的。周围都是很窄的路，消防车根本靠近不了。大火就烧啊烧，把房子烧得只剩下一个空壳子。”
　　“难道没有人重新修过房子吗？”朱利安问。
　　老人摇摇头，说：“没有，不值得重修了。它的主人就任由它在那里破败下去。现在寒鸦和猫头鹰在那里搭窝，野兽在废墟里筑巢。那里已经不适合人去了。我曾听说有人在那里看见了灯光，就去看过一次。但除了一个空空的房架子和一湖深蓝色的水，我什么都没有看到。啊，幽暗之水，是个好名字，跟那个湖很配！”
　　“您能告诉我们去那里的路要怎么走吗？要花多长时间？”朱利安问。
　　“你们为什么想去那里？难道就为了看看那堆可怜的旧废墟？”老人说，“还是你们想去湖里游泳？哦，孩子们，千万不要这么做，湖里冰冷的水会把你们冻坏的！”
　　“我们只是想去看看幽暗之水，”朱利安说，“只听名字就觉得它很特别。您能说说应该走哪条路吗？”
　　“我不能告诉你们。”老人逗他们说，“但是，如果你们确实心意已决，非去不可，我还是可以告诉你们的。你们的地图呢？是你手里拿的那张吗？”
　　朱利安把地图展开。老人从西装背心的口袋里拿出一支笔，画了一条穿过荒原的线，还在一些地方打上了叉号。
　　“看见这些叉号了吗？它们代表沼泽。千万不要走到那里去，否则淤泥会淹没你们的膝盖！你们就跟着我画的路线走，保证很安全。那片地方有很多鹿。你们的眼睛可要睁得大大的，好好欣赏，它们很可爱的！”
　　“太感谢您了！”朱利安说着叠起地图，“我们多久能走到那里？”
　　“两个小时，或者更久一点。”老人说，“今天下午你们就不要去了，不然返程时天就黑了。一路上还有可怕的沼泽，你们随时都会有危险。”
　　“好。”朱利安说，“非常感谢您的提醒。还有，我们想露营，因为天气实在是太好了。您能不能租给我们一两张防潮布和几张毯子？”
　　其他三个伙伴都震惊地看向朱利安。露营？在哪里？朱利安想干什么？
　　朱利安朝他们眨眨眼睛，示意他们少安毋躁。老人正在一个橱柜里翻找东西。不一会儿，他拽出两张大大的用橡胶制成的防潮布和四张旧毯子。“果然还在！我就记得它们被我好好收起来了。”老人说，“现在是十月，这时候去露营可比我露营的时候好多了，只要小心一些，就不会被冻到！”
　　“谢谢，这些正是我们需要的。”朱利安高兴地说，转头看向伙伴们，“你们把这些收起来，我去结账。”
　　迪克、安妮和乔治把防潮布和毯子叠好。他们十分震惊。难道朱利安真的想在幽暗之水露营？那他一定认为迪克得到的消息非常重要！
　　一走到外面，迪克就叫住朱利安，急切地问：“朱利安，这是怎么回事？你为什么要这样做？”
　　朱利安看起来有些为难，解释道：“是这样的，在店里的时候，我猛然间想到了，我们应该去幽暗之水看看。不知怎么回事，我隐隐地感到激动和兴奋。我们这个假期太短了，如果去那里露营，可能会让假期过得更有意义。”
　　“什么！”乔治惊叫道，“你是说我们不再继续郊游了？”
　　“这样吧，”朱利安说，“如果我们在那里什么也没有发现，就继续去郊游。但是如果能发现有趣的东西，那我们就自己来寻找真相。我敢肯定在两棵树一定会有事情发生。”
　　“我们也许会在那里遇见麦琪！”安妮咯咯笑起来。
　　“说不准呢！”朱利安说，“我们把情况报告给警察，结果却受到了轻蔑的嘲笑。既然如此，那我们就自己去调查真相。这种感觉真痛快！那条口信应当被人重视，不能任由麦琪一个人想怎么做就怎么做！”
　　“亲爱的麦琪，”迪克说，“我真想知道她究竟是谁！”
　　“如果她是那些犯人的朋友，那就值得我们注意。”朱利安神情严肃地说，“听我说，我们要多买一些食物，今天下午就去幽暗之水，要在天黑前赶到。旧废墟里肯定有遮风挡雨的地方，我们在那里铺些石南和凤尾蕨当床。今天晚上我们好好睡一觉，明天神清气爽地早早起来，调查一下周围的环境。”
　　“酷！”迪克开心地叫道，“我们最喜欢干这种事啦！你说呢，蒂米？”
　　“汪！”蒂米认真地答了一声，毛茸茸的尾巴在迪克的腿上甩来甩去。
　　“如果一点有意思的东西都没有发现，那我们就带着借来的东西回到这里，然后继续郊游。”朱利安说，“今晚，我们只能睡在两棵树了。因为等我们到了那里，再查探四周，天肯定已经黑了。”
　　他们买了一些烤面包、黄油、肉罐头，还有一个很大的水果蛋糕，更多的是巧克力和饼干。朱利安还买了一瓶橙汁。
　　“路上肯定有水井或山泉。”他说，“口渴的时候，我们可以把水兑到饮料里喝。现在一切都准备好了，我们出发吧！”
　　他们带了这么多东西，没法走得跟以前一样快。只有蒂米依然跑得很快，因为它什么东西也不用带，只要带上它自己就行了！
　　这是一段十分愉悦的穿越荒原之旅。他们爬上了很高的地方，美丽的乡村秋景一览无余。他们又看见了野马，只是这一次离得远，还看到了一群身上带有斑纹的野鹿，它们跑得可真快！
　　朱利安谨慎地选着路线。邮局里的那个老人画得很仔细，地图上的线路很清晰。“他曾经是个邮递员，肯定去两棵树送过信，应该很熟悉这条路！”迪克仔细地看着地图说，“朱利安，我们已经走了一半路了，就快到了！”
　　太阳开始西沉。孩子们尽可能快地赶路，因为太阳落山后，天很快就会黑下来。幸运的是，今天十分晴朗，所以暮色会比昨天来得晚一点。
　　“从地图上看，这附近有一些树。”朱利安说，“接下来，我们要留心树林。”
　　又走了一小段路后，朱利安叫道：“看！树！好多树啊，完全就是一片小树林！”
　　“那是幽暗之水吗？”安妮问。
　　孩子们站在原地，睁大眼睛盯着不远处的水面。那就是幽暗之水吗？可能就是它。它看上去是一片深蓝色。孩子们急切地走近，蒂米高高地摇着尾巴，跑在最前面。
　　他们走过一段曲曲折折的下坡路，来到一条非常窄的小路上，路两边茂盛的野草几乎要把小路淹没。“这一定是通往两棵树的路。”朱利安说，“希望太阳不要这么快就落山，不然我们就没有时间去周围看看了！”
　　他们进了树林，脚下是蜿蜒的林中小路。之前一定有人砍了林中的树来开路。沿着小路穿过树林，他们就看到了位于两棵树中央的房子。
　　那房子也许曾经很气派。但是现在，它成了一片荒凉的、被大火烧焦的废墟。窗户上没有玻璃，房上没有屋顶，只有几根房椽零散地架在房顶上。孩子们走近的时候，两只鸟惊叫着，扑棱棱扇着翅膀飞走了。
　　那是两只黑白相间的喜鹊，身后拖着长长的尾羽。“两只麦琪！”安妮玩笑着说，“不知道它们是不是也知道那个消息。”
　　房子就建在湖边。幽暗之水名副其实。它安安静静地躺在那里，湖面光滑，深蓝色的湖水神秘深邃，湖边没有一丝水波，整个湖仿佛被冻住了一样静止不动。
　　“我感觉这里不是个好地方。”安妮后悔了，“我一点也不喜欢这个地方！早知道就不来这里了！”
Chapter 12 A HIDING PLACE AT TWO-TREES
Chapter 12 A HIDING PLACE AT TWO-TREES
　　Nobody particularly liked the place. They all stared round and Julian pointed silently to something.
　　At each end of the house was the great burnt trunk of a big tree.
　　'Those must be the two trees that gave the place its name,' said Julian. 'How horrid they look now, sostiff and black. Two-Trees and Gloomy Water - all so lonely and desolate now.'
　　The sun disappeared and a little chill came on the air. Julian suddenly became very busy. 'Come on -we must see if there's anywhere to shelter at all in this old ruin!'
　　They went to the silent house. The upper floors were all burnt out. The ground floor was pretty badtoo, but Julian thought it might be possible to find a sheltered corner.
　　'This might do,' he said, coming out of a blackened room and beckoning the others to him. 'There iseven a mouldy carpet still on the floor! And there's a big table. We could sleep under it if it rained -which I don't think it will do!'
　　'What a horrid room!' said Anne, looking round. 'I don't like its smell, either. I don't want to sleephere.'
　　'Well, find somewhere else then, but be quick about it,' said Julian. 'It will soon be dark. I'm going tocollect heather and bracken straight away, before it's too dark. Coming, Dick and George?'
　　The three of them went off and came back with vast armfuls of heather and brown bracken. Anne metthem, looking excited.
　　'I've found somewhere. Somewhere much better than this horrid room. Come and look.'
　　48
　　She took them to what once had been the kitchen. A door lay flat on the floor at the end of the room,and a stone stairway led downwards.
　　'That leads down to the cellars,' said Anne. 'I came in here and saw that door. It was locked and Icouldn't open it. Well, I tugged and tugged and the whole door came off its rusty old hinges andtumbled down almost on top of me! And I saw there were cellars down there!'
　　She stared at Julian beseechingly. 'They'll be dry. They won't be burnt and black like everywhereelse. We'll be well-sheltered. Can't we sleep down there? I don't like the feel of these horrid burntrooms.'
　　'It's an idea,' said Julian. He switched on his torch and let the beam light up the cellar below. Itseemed spacious and smelt all right.
　　He went down the steps, Timmy just in front. He called up in surprise.
　　'There's a proper room down here, as well as cellars all round. Maybe it was a kind of sitting-roomfor the staff. It's wired for electricity too - they must have had their own electricity generator. Yes -we'll certainly come down here.'
　　It was a queer little room. Moth-eaten carpets were on the floor, and the furnishings were moth-eatentoo and covered with dust. Spiders had been at work and George slashed fiercely at the long cobwebsthat hung down and startled her by touching her face.
　　'There are still candles in the candle-sticks on this shelf!' said Dick, surprised. 'We can light them andhave a bit of brightness when it's dark. This isn't bad at all. I must say I agree with Anne.
　　There's something hateful about those burnt-out rooms.'
　　They piled heather and bracken into the cellar room on the floor. The furniture was so old and moth-eaten that it gave beneath their weight, and was useless for sitting on. The table was all right though.
　　They soon set out their food on it after George had wiped it free of dust. She caused them all to havefits of choking because she was so vigorous in her dusting! They were driven up into the kitchen tillthe dust had settled.
　　It was dark outside now. The moon was not yet up. The wind rustled the dry leaves left on the treesaround, but there was no lap-lap of water. The lake was as still as glass.
　　There was a cupboard in the cellar room. Julian opened it to see what was there. 'More candles -good!' he said, bringing out a bundle. 'And plates and cups. Did anyone see a well outside? If so wecould dilute some orangeade and have a drink with our supper.'
　　No one had noticed a well - but Anne suddenly remembered something queer she had seen in a 49corner of the kitchen, near the sink.
　　'I believe I saw a pump up there!' she said. 'Go and see, Ju. If so, it might still work.'
　　He went up the cellar-steps with a candle. Yes - Anne was right. That was an old pump over there inthe corner. It probably pumped water into a tank and came out of the kitchen taps.
　　He turned on a big tap which was over the large sink. Then he took the handle of the pump andworked it vigorously up and down. Splash! Splash! Water came flooding through the big tap andsplashed into the sink! That was good.
　　Julian pumped and pumped, feeling that he had better get rid of any water running into the tank forthe first time for years. The tank might be dirty or rusty - he must wash it round with a good deal ofpumped water first.
　　The water seemed to be clean and clear, and was certainly as cold as ice! Julian held a cup from thecellar cupboard under the tap, and then tasted the water. It was delicious.
　　'Good for you, Anne!' he called, going down the cellar-steps with a cupful of water. 'Dick, you findsome more cups - or a jug or something in that cupboard, and we'll wash them out and fill them withwater for our orangeade.'
　　The cellar room looked very cheerful as Julian came down the steps. George and Anne had lightedsix more candles, and stuck them about here and there. The light they gave was very pleasant, andthey also warmed the room a little.
　　'Well, I suppose as usual, everyone wants a meal?' said Julian. 'Good thing we bought that bread andpotted meat and stuff. I can't say I'm as hungry as I was at breakfast, but I'm getting that way.'
　　The four squatted round on their beds of heather and bracken. They had put down their groundsheetsfirst in case the floor was damp, though it didn't seem to be. Over bread and butter and potted meatthey discussed their plans. They would sleep there for the night and then have all the next day toexamine Two-Trees and the lake.
　　'What exactly are we looking for?' asked Anne. 'Do you suppose there's some secret here, Julian?'
　　'Yes,' said Julian. 'And I think I know what it is!'
　　'What?' asked George and Anne, surprised. Dick thought he knew. Julian explained.
　　'Well, we know that a prisoner called Nailer sent an important message by his escaped friend to twopeople - one he wanted to send to Dirty Dick - but he didn't get it - and the other to Maggie, 50whoever she is. Now what secret does he want to tell them?'
　　'I think I can guess,' said Dick. 'But go on.'
　　'Now suppose that Nailer has done some big robberies,' said Julian. 'I don't know what. Jewelleryrobberies probably, because they are the commonest with big criminals. All right - he does a bigrobbery - he hides the stuff till he hopes the hue and cry will be over - but he's caught and put intoprison for a number of years. But he doesn't tell where the stuff is hidden! He daren't even write aletter to tell his friends outside the prison where it is. All his letters are read before they leave theprison. So what is he to do?'
　　'Wait till someone escapes and then give him a message,' said Dick. 'And that's just what happened,isn't it, Julian? That round-headed man I saw was the escaped prisoner, and he was sent to tell DirtyDick and Maggie where the stolen goods were hidden - so that they could get them before anyoneelse did!'
　　'Yes. I'm sure that's it,' said Julian. 'His friend, the escaped prisoner, probably wouldn't understand themessage at all - but Dirty Dick and Maggie would, because they knew all about the robbery. Andnow Maggie will certainly try to find out where the stuff is.'
　　'Well, we must find it first!' said George, her eyes gleaming with excitement. 'We're here first,anyway. And tomorrow, as early as possible we'll begin to snoop round. What was the next clue inthe message, Dick? After Two-Trees and Gloomy Water.'
　　'Saucy Jane,' said Dick.
　　'Sounds a silly sort of clue,' said Anne. 'Do you suppose Maggie and Jane are both in the secret?'
　　'Saucy Jane sounds more like a boat to me,' said Dick.
　　'Of course!' said George. 'A boat! Why not? There's a lake here, and I imagine that people don't builda house beside a lake unless they want to go boating and bathing and fishing. I bet we shall find aboat called Saucy Jane tomorrow - and the stolen goods will be inside it.'
　　'Too easy!' said Dick. 'And not a very clever place either. Anyone could come across goods hidden ina boat. No - Saucy Jane is a clue, but we shan't find the stolen goods in her. And remember, there'sthat bit of paper as well It must have something to do with the hiding-place too, I should think.'
　　'Where is it?' asked Julian. 'That wretched policeman! He tore it up. Have you still got the pieces,Dick?'
　　'Of course,' said Dick. He fished in his pocket and brought them out. 'Four little pieces! Anyone 51got some gummed paper?'
　　Nobody had - but George produced a small roll of Elastoplast. Strips were cut and stuck behind thefour portions of paper. Now it was whole again. They all examined it carefully.
　　'Look - four lines drawn, meeting in the centre,' said Julian. 'At the outer end of each line there's aword, so faintly written I can hardly read one of them. What's this one? ''Tock Hill.'' And this nextone is ''Steeple''. Whatever are the others?'
　　They made them out at last. ' ''Chimney'',' said Anne. 'That's the third.'
　　'And ''Tall Stone'' is the fourth,' said George. 'Whatever do they all mean? We shall never, never findout!'
　　'We'll sleep on it,' said Julian, cheerfully. 'It's wonderful what good ideas come in the night. It will bea very interesting little problem to solve tomorrow!'
12.安营扎寨
　　安营扎寨
　　这个地方确实不招人喜欢。他们打量着四周，朱利安沉默地指向一个地方。大家看过去，只见房子左右两侧各有一个巨大的、被烧焦的树干。
　　朱利安说：“一定是因为它们，这地方才被叫作‘两棵树’的。它们太惨了，黑糊糊的，没有一点生机。不仅是它们，这里的一切都死气沉沉的。”
　　太阳完全落下去了，空气里笼罩着一些寒意。朱利安突然叫道：“我们必须快点在这座房子里找到合适的地方过夜！”
　　他们走进死寂的房子。房子的二楼都被烧光了，一楼也损毁得很严重，但是朱利安相信这里总有能够庇护他们的角落。
　　“我们也许可以在这个房间睡一晚。”他从一个被熏黑的房间走出来，挥手把大家都叫过去，“房间地板上还有一张破旧的地毯和一张大桌子。虽然我觉得不会下雨，但万一下了，我们可以睡在桌子下面！”
　　“这个房间看着太吓人了！”安妮看了看，说，“这里的气味也很难闻。我不想睡在这儿。”
　　“那好吧，我们去找别的地方，但是要快些。”朱利安说，“天很快就要黑了。我马上去收集一些石南和凤尾蕨，天黑前赶回来。迪克、乔治，你们也一起来吧。”
　　三个人出了房子，回来的时候每个人都抱着一大堆石南和凤尾蕨。安妮见他们回来，喜笑颜开地说：“我找到了一个地方，比刚才那个可怕的房间好多啦！你们快来看看。”
　　她把大家带到了房子里的厨房。房间的另一端，一扇门板平放在地上。门板后是一段通向地下的楼梯。
　　“楼梯下面是地下室。”安妮说，“我一进来就看见了那扇门。它原本是锁着的，我打不开。后来，我一直使劲拉，整扇门就从腐烂的门框里掉了下来，还差点砸到我！然后我就发现这下面还有地下室！”
　　她看着朱利安恳切地说：“地下室一点也不潮，也没有被烧黑，是一个睡觉的好地方。我们今晚就睡在这下面，好不好？我不喜欢那些被烧焦的房间。”
　　朱利安说：“听起来确实不错。”他打开手电筒，将光束打进地下室，里面看起来挺宽敞的，闻起来也没有什么味道。
　　蒂米先跑下去，朱利安紧跟着走下楼梯，然后惊讶地朝上面喊道：“这下面有一个不错的房间，周围全是地窖。可能所有的仆人都住在这里，这个房间是他们的客厅。竟然还能通电！他们一定有自己的发电机。好极了，我们今晚就睡在这里。”
　　这个房间看起来有些怪异。地上的几块地毯被老鼠咬破了，家具也被啃了，上面落满了灰尘，屋顶结了蜘蛛网。长长的蜘蛛网从上面吊下来，碰到了乔治的脸，把她吓了一跳，乔治狠狠地一把将它扯下来。
　　“啊，架子上还有烛台！”迪克惊喜地叫道，“天黑的时候，我们可以点燃蜡烛，这样就有光亮了。这可真不错，安妮的主意太好了！那些被烧毁的房间确实让人不舒服。”
　　孩子们把草铺在地下室的地板上。家具太旧了，而且还被老鼠咬得损坏严重，连它们本身的重量都快撑不起来了，根本没法坐。
　　只有桌子还算完好。乔治扫掉桌子上面的灰尘，她扫得太猛，一时间尘土飞扬，大家都被呛得咳嗽起来。他们不得不先躲进上面的厨房，直到灰尘落定才又走下来，然后把食物取出来放在桌子上。
　　这时，天已经黑了，月亮还没有出来。夜风吹过，周围树林里的叶子被风吹得沙沙作响，湖面却没有什么声音，仍然像镜子一样平静。
　　这间地下室里有一个橱柜。朱利安打开它，看见了里面的东西。“这里还有好多蜡烛，太好了！”他赞叹着拿出一捆蜡烛，“还有一些碟子和杯子。你们在外面看到水井了吗？如果有井，我们可以把水兑到橙汁饮料里，吃晚餐的时候喝。”
　　没有人留意过有没有水井。安妮突然想起来，她在厨房的一个角落里看见了一个奇形怪状的东西，就在水池旁边。
　　“我想我在上面看到的是一台抽水机！”她说，“朱利安，你上去看看。如果是的话，说不定还能用它抽水呢！”
　　朱利安拿根蜡烛走上去。是的，安妮说得没错，角落里的东西确实是一台老式抽水机，应该是先用它把水抽到水箱里，然后水就能从厨房的水龙头里流出来了。
　　他把水池上面的一个大水龙头拧开，然后抓住抽水机的把手，猛烈地上下摇动。“哗！哗！”水从水龙头里涌出来，落进水池里！
　　这真是太好了！
　　朱利安不停地摇动把手，直到最先进入水池里的陈水都流了出去，新的水又注入进来。这个水池被弃置了好些年，里面有些脏，还生了锈。这是这么久以来第一次使用，他必须先用大量的水把它整个儿都洗一遍。
　　重新放的一大池水干净、清澈。水很凉，冷得像冰一样！朱利安从地下室的橱柜里取出一个杯子，放在水龙头下接上水，尝了一口。真是甘甜可口啊！
　　“你太棒了，安妮！”他一边喊，一边端着满满一杯水走进地下室，“迪克，你再去找些杯子或者水壶之类的东西，就在那个橱柜里。我们把它们洗干净，就可以用来盛水和橙汁了。”
　　朱利安走下楼梯，发现地下室明亮了许多。乔治和安妮点了至少六根蜡烛，把它们插立在房间各处。这些光亮使人愉悦，也让这个小房间温馨起来。
　　“现在，这里的一切都布置好了。时间不早了，大家一定都饿了吧？”朱利安说，“我们有面包、肉罐头，还有些别的食物，都是大家爱吃的。虽然我不像早上那样饿得眼冒金星，但也差不多了。”
　　四个孩子就在他们铺的草席上坐下来，围成一个圈。他们铺草席之前先铺了防潮布，以防地面潮湿。尽管地面看起来并不潮，但做到万无一失总没有错。他们一边吃着面包配黄油和肉罐头，一边讨论着接下来的计划，最后决定今晚睡一觉，明天一早就开始探察两棵树和幽暗之水。
　　“我们到底在寻找什么呢？”安妮问，“朱利安，你觉得这里有秘密吗？”
　　“是的。”朱利安肯定地回答，“而且，我大概猜得到是什么秘密！”
　　“是什么？”乔治和安妮惊奇地问。迪克觉得自己也想到了。
　　朱利安解释道：“监狱里的尼勒尔通过越狱的犯人给两个人送信——一个是臭迪克，但是他没有收到；另一个是麦琪，我们还不知道她是谁。那么，他想告诉他们什么呢？”
　　“我可能猜到了，”迪克说，“但还是你来说吧。”
　　朱利安接着说：“江洋大盗们最常干的事就是抢劫珠宝。假设尼勒尔以前做了一件大案，抢了很多珠宝。他把珠宝都藏了起来，准备等一切都风平浪静后再取出来。但是，没等他去取珠宝，就被抓进了监狱。他一直没有把藏珠宝的地方说出来，也不敢写信告诉外面的朋友，因为犯人出狱之前所有的往来信件都会受到检查。那么，他要怎么办呢？”
　　“等有人逃出监狱的时候，让他帮忙送信。”迪克说，“这种事已经发生了，不是吗，朱利安？我见到的光头男人就是那个逃犯。他带给臭迪克和麦琪的消息就是藏珠宝的地点，好让他们能在其他人之前拿到珠宝！”
　　“一定是这样的。”朱利安说，“尼勒尔的朋友，就是那个越狱犯，很可能一点也不明白他带的是什么消息。但是，臭迪克和麦琪明白，因为他们两个知道那次抢劫。这样的话，麦琪肯定会全力寻找珠宝。”
　　“那么，我们就先找到那些珠宝！”乔治说着，眼睛里闪烁着兴奋的光芒，“我们比她先到这里。明天我们就去四周察看，越早越好。迪克，下一个提示是什么？‘两棵树’和‘幽暗之水’后面的那个。”
　　“漂亮的简。”迪克说。
　　“听起来没头没脑的。”安妮说，“难道麦琪和简都知道这个秘密吗？”
　　“我觉得‘漂亮的简’听起来像是一艘船的名字。”迪克说。
　　“对了！”乔治恍然大悟，“船！为什么不能是船？这里有湖，人们在房子旁边造湖，就是为了划船，游泳和钓鱼啊。我敢打赌，明天我们一定能找到那艘名叫‘漂亮的简’的船，还有藏在船里的宝藏。”
　　“这也太容易了！”迪克不赞同地说，“船里不是个藏珠宝的好地方，谁都有可能碰巧发现一艘船里的宝藏。所以‘漂亮的简’只是一个线索，里面不会有被盗的珠宝。别忘了还有一张纸，我觉得这张纸肯定也和藏宝地点有关。”
　　“那张纸呢？”朱利安说，他十分气愤，“那个可恶的警察，竟然把它撕了！迪克，你把那些碎片都捡起来了吗？”
　　“当然。”迪克说着，把手伸进口袋拿出所有的纸片，“它被撕成了四份！有人带胶纸了吗？”
　　没有人带胶纸，但是乔治拿出了一小包创可贴。他们把几条创可贴剪断，贴在四张纸片的背后，将它们粘在一起。现在这张纸再一次变得完整了。大家一起认真研究起来。
　　“看，上面画了四条线，它们在中间交汇了。”朱利安说，“每条线外面的一端各有一个词。写得很模糊，几乎都看不清楚。这个是什么？‘托科山’，接下来是‘尖塔’，其他的是什么？”
　　最终，他们还是把那些字都认出来了。
　　“第三个词是‘烟囱’。”安妮说。
　　“第四个词是‘高石’。”乔治说。她有些沮丧，“可这些都是什么意思呢？我们根本就不知道！”
　　朱利安并不沮丧，说：“我们心里想着这个问题入睡，也许能在梦里想出好主意。那可就妙极了！等明天一觉醒来，就能轻松解决这个问题了。”
Chapter 13 A NIGHT IN THE CELLAR
Chapter 13 A NIGHT IN THE CELLAR
　　The piece of paper was carefully folded and this time Julian took it for safe keeping. 'I can't imaginewhat it means, but it's clearly important,' he said. 'We may quite suddenly come on something - orthink of something - that will give us a clue to what the words and the lines mean on the paper.'
　　'We mustn't forget that dear Maggie has a copy of the paper too,' said Dick. 'She probably knowsbetter than we do what it all means!'
　　'If she does, she will pay a visit to Two-Trees too,' said Anne. 'We ought to keep a look-out for her.
　　Should we have to hide if we saw her?'
　　Julian considered this. 'No,' he said, 'I certainly don't think we should hide. Maggie can't possiblyguess that we have had the message from Nailer, and the paper too. We had better just say we are ona hike and found this place and thought we would shelter here. All perfectly true.'
　　'And we can keep an eye on her, and see what she does if she comes!' said Dick, with a grin.
　　'Won't she be annoyed!'
　　'She wouldn't come alone,' said Julian, thoughtfully.
　　'I should think it quite likely that she would come with Dirty Dick! He didn't get the message, but 52she did - and probably part of her message was the statement that Dirty Dick would know everythingtoo. So she would get in touch with him.'
　　'Yes - and be surprised that he hadn't got the message or the paper,' said George. 'Still, they'd thinkthat the escaped fellow hadn't been able to get to Dirty Dick.'
　　'All very complicated,' said Anne, yawning. 'I can't follow any more arguments and explanations- I'm half asleep. How long are you going to be before you settle down?'
　　Dick yawned too. 'I'm coming now,' he said. 'My bed of bracken and heather looks inviting. It's not atall cold in here, is it?'
　　'The only thing I don't like is the thought of those cellars beyond this little underground room,'
　　said Anne. 'I keep thinking that Maggie and her friends might be there, waiting to pounce on us whenwe are asleep.'
　　'You're silly,' said George, scornfully. 'Really silly! Do you honestly suppose that Timmy would liehere quietly if there was anyone in those cellars? You know jolly well he would be barking his headoff!'
　　'Yes. I know all that,' said Anne, snuggling down in her heathery bed. 'It's just my imagination.
　　You haven't got any, George, so you don't bother about imaginary fears. I'm not really scared whileTimmy is here. But I do think it's funny the way we always plunge into something peculiar whenwe're together.'
　　'Adventures always do come to some people,' said Dick. 'You've only got to read the lives ofexplorers and see how they simply walk into adventures all the time.'
　　'Yes, but I'm not an explorer,' said Anne. 'I'm an ordinary person, and I'd be just as pleased if thingsdidn't keep happening to me.'
　　The others laughed. 'I don't expect anything much will happen this time,' said Julian, comfortingly.
　　'We go back to school on Tuesday and that's not far off. Not much time for anything to happen!'
　　He was wrong of course. Things can happen one after the other in a few minutes! Still, Anne cuddleddown feeling happier. This was better than last night when she was all alone in that horrid little loft.
　　Now she had all the others with her, Timmy too.
　　Anne and George had one big bed between them. They drew their two rugs over themselves, and puttheir blazers on top too. Nobody had undressed because Julian had said that they might be too cold injust their night things.
　　53
　　Timmy as usual put himself on George's feet. She moved them because he was heavy. He wormedhis way up the bed and found a very comfortable place between the knees of the two girls. He gave aheavy sigh.
　　'That means he's planning to go to sleep!' said George. 'Are you quite comfortable, Anne?'
　　'Yes,' said Anne, sleepily. 'I like Timmy there. I feel safe!'
　　Julian was blowing out the candles. He left just one burning. Then he got into his bed of bracken andheather beside Dick. He felt tired too.
　　The four slept like logs. Nobody moved except Timmy, who got up once or twice in the night andsniffed round inquiringly. He had heard a noise in the cellars. He stood at the closed door that led tothe cellars and listened, his head on one side.
　　He sniffed at the crack. Then he went back to bed, satisfied. It was only a toad! Timmy knew thesmell of toads. If toads liked to crawl about in the night, they were welcome to!
　　The second time he awoke he thought he heard something up in the kitchen above. He padded up thesteps, his paws making a click-click-click as he went. He stood in the kitchen silently, his eyesgleaming like green lamps, as the moon shone on him.
　　An animal with a long bushy tail began to slink away outside the house. It was a fine fox. It had smeltunusual smells near the old ruin - the scent of people and of a dog, and it had come to find out whatwas happening.
　　It had slunk into the kitchen and then smelt the strong scent of Timmy in the room below. As quietlyas a cat it had slunk out again - but Timmy had awakened!
　　Now the dog stood watching and waiting - but the fox had gone! Timmy sniffed its scent and paddedto the door. He debated whether to bark and go after the fox.
　　The scent grew very faint, and Timmy decided not to make a fuss. He padded back to the steps thatled down to the cellar room, and curled up on George's feet again. He was very heavy, but Georgewas too tired to wake up and push him off. Timmy lay with one ear cocked for a while, and then wentto sleep again, with his ear still cocked. He was a good sentinel!
　　It was dark in the cellar when the one candle went out. There was no daylight or sunshine to wake thechildren down in that dim little room, and they slept late.
　　Julian woke up first. He found his bed suddenly very hard, and he turned over to find a comfortableplace. The heather and bracken had been flattened with his weight, and the floor below was very hardindeed! The movement woke him up, and he lay blinking in the darkness.
　　54
　　Where was he?
　　He remembered at once and sat up. Dick woke too and yawned. 'Dick! It's half-past eight!' saidJulian, looking at the luminous hands of his wrist-watch. 'We've slept for hours and hours!'
　　They rolled out of their heathery bed. Timmy leapt off George's feet and came over to them, his tailwagging gladly. He had been half-awake for a long time and was very glad to see Julian and Dickawake too, because he was thirsty.
　　The girls awoke - and soon there was a great deal of noise and activity going on. Anne and Georgewashed at the big stone sink, the cold water making them squeal. Timmy lapped up a big bowlful ofwater gladly. The boys debated whether or not to have a splash in the lake. They felt very dirty.
　　Dick shivered at the thought. 'Still, I think we ought to,' he said. 'Come on, Ju!'
　　The two boys went down to the lake-side and leapt in. It was icy-cold! They struck out strongly andcame back glowing and shouting.
　　By the time they were back the girls had got breakfast in the cellar room. It was darker than thekitchen, but all of them disliked the look of the burnt, scorched rooms above. The bread and butter,potted meat, cake and chocolate went down well.
　　In the middle of the meal a sound came echoing into the old house - bells! Anne stopped eating, andher heart beat fast.
　　But they were not the clanging warning bells she had heard before!
　　'Church bells,' said Julian at once, seeing Anne's sudden look of fright. 'Lovely sound I always think!'
　　'Oh yes,' said Anne, thankfully. 'So it is. It's Sunday and people are going to church. I'd like to go too,on this lovely sunny October day.'
　　'We might walk across the moor to the nearest village if you like,' said Dick, looking at his watch.
　　'But we should be very late.'
　　It was decided that it was much too late. They pushed their plates aside and planned what to do thatday.
　　'The first thing, of course, is to see if there's a boathouse and find out if there's a boat called SaucyJane,' said Julian. 'Then we'd better try and puzzle out what that plan means. We could wander hereand there and see if we can find Tall Stone - and I'll look at the map to see if Tock Hill is marked.
　　That was on the plan too, wasn't it?'
　　55
　　'You boys go and get some more heather and bracken while we clear away and wash up,' said Anne.
　　'That is if you mean us to camp here another night.'
　　'Yes. I think we will,' said Julian. 'I think we may find things rather interesting here this weekend!'
　　Julian went out with Dick and they brought in a great deal more bedding. Everyone had complainedthat the hard floor came through the amount of heather and bracken they had used the night before,and poor George was quite stiff.
　　The girls took the dirty things up to the big sink to wash them. There was nothing to dry them withbut that didn't matter. They laid them on the old worn draining board to dry.
　　They wiped their hands on their hankies and then felt ready for exploring round outside. The boyswere ready too.
　　With Timmy bounding here and there they went down to the lake. A path had once led down to it,with a low wall on each side. But now the wall was broken, moss had crept everywhere, and the pathwas choked with tufts of heather and even with small bushes of gorse.
　　The lake was as still and dark as ever. Some moor-hens chugged across it quickly, disappearing underthe water when they saw the children.
　　'Now, what about that boat-house?' said Dick at last. 'Is there one - or not?'
13.露营第一夜
　　露营第一夜
　　朱利安把那张纸仔细地叠起来收好。“我现在想不出这张纸究竟藏着什么秘密。”他说，“但是说不定我们突然就有了灵感，或者想到些什么，就破解了这些字的意思。”
　　“不要忘了，麦琪也有一张一模一样的纸，而且她很可能比我们知道更多的秘密。”迪克说。
　　“如果真是这样，她一定也会来两棵树这里，那我们可要留心她了。”安妮说，“如果见了她，我们要藏起来吗？”
　　朱利安想了想，答道：“不，我们没必要躲藏。麦琪根本不知道我们收到了尼勒尔给的口信和那张纸。等见了她，我们就说是来郊游的，临时住在这里。这些完全是事实。”
　　迪克咧嘴笑着说：“我们可以偷偷跟着她，看她要干些什么！我们小心一些，不会被她察觉的！”
　　朱利安考虑得更周全，“她不会独自前来，很可能会和臭迪克一起来！臭迪克没有收到消息，但她收到了。送信的人肯定也会告诉她臭迪克也知道这一切。所以，她一定会联系臭迪克。”
　　“对，她会奇怪为什么臭迪克没有收到口信和那张纸。”乔治说，“不过，他们只会认为是越狱犯没有去见臭迪克。”
　　“太复杂了，”安妮打了个哈欠，说道，“我已经跟不上你们的思路了，我都快睡着了。你们打算什么时候睡觉？”
　　迪克也打了一个哈欠，说：“我现在就去睡。我那柔软的草铺正在召唤我呢，睡在上面应该不会冷吧？”
　　安妮说：“我一想到上面那些被烧焦的房间就不舒服，总是忍不住想麦琪和她的朋友也许就在那里。等我们一入睡，他们就会朝我们扑过来。”
　　“别犯傻了，安妮！”乔治笑着逗她说，“要是这里有外人，蒂米怎么会安安静静地趴在这儿呢？你知道，它一准儿会冲过去咬断他们的脖子！”
　　“你说的我都知道，”安妮蜷缩在她的草铺上说，“那只是我的想象。乔治，你从不胡思乱想，所以你没有烦恼。有蒂米在这里，我并不觉得害怕。但我们一路上总是遇到稀奇古怪的事情，这让我有些不安。”
　　“谁都会有冒险的时候，”迪克宽慰安妮说，“你看故事书里，探险家们总是在不断地冒险。”
　　“的确是这样，”安妮说，“但我不是探险家，我只是个普通人。
　　如果这些事情不是接连不断地发生在我身上，那我会乐意接受的。”
　　大家笑起来。朱利安安慰她说：“这次不会发生那么多事了。我们星期二就要回到学校了，剩下的时间不多，就算想发生点什么，也没有时间了。”
　　但是他错了。事情可以在短时间内接二连三地发生！不过眼下，安妮听了他的话，感觉好多了，然后蜷成一团睡下了。今晚伙伴们全都在她身边，蒂米也在，这比她昨晚一个人睡在可怕的小阁楼里好多了。
　　安妮和乔治睡在一张大草铺上，各自盖了一张毯子，并把外套搭在毯子上面。大家都穿着衣服睡觉，因为朱利安说他们铺盖的东西太少，睡到夜里会很冷。
　　蒂米像往常一样趴在乔治的脚上，乔治被压得很不舒服，于是挪开了脚。蒂米又慢吞吞地站起来，走到草铺上，在两个女孩的膝盖中间找了一个舒服的位置。接着，它重重地舒了一口气。
　　“这说明它要睡了！”乔治说，又关切地问安妮，“你还好吗，安妮？”
　　“我很好。”安妮困倦地说，“我喜欢蒂米在这里，这样感觉很安全！”
　　朱利安也觉得累了，他只留下一根还燃着的蜡烛，吹灭了其余几根，然后走向自己的草铺——就在迪克的旁边。
　　四个孩子睡得跟木头人一样，一动不动。蒂米睡得没那么沉，它夜里起来了一两次，好奇地四处嗅了嗅。它听到旁边的地窖里有声音，就走到紧闭的地窖门口侧耳细听。
　　蒂米在门缝处闻了闻，然后放心地走回了草铺。原来那不过是只癞蛤蟆！蒂米知道癞蛤蟆的气味。如果癞蛤蟆喜欢在夜里爬来爬去，那就随它去吧！
　　蒂米第二次醒来，是因为听见上面的厨房里有声响。它爬上楼梯，爪子落地时发出“嗒嗒”的声音，然后一动不动地站在厨房里。
　　月光照在蒂米身上，它的一双眼睛在月光下发着绿光。
　　一只动物拖着长长的毛尾巴溜出房子不见了。那是一只矫健的狐狸。它在废墟附近闻到了不同寻常的气味——是人和狗的气味，所以进来一探究竟。
　　那只狐狸溜进厨房，闻到了蒂米的气味——浓浓的气味从厨房下面散发出来。它又迅速地溜出去，像猫一样悄无声息，但还是被蒂米察觉到了！
　　蒂米在那儿站了一会儿，狐狸已经不见了。蒂米闻着气味儿来到房子门口，犹豫着要不要追出去。
　　狐狸的气味已经很微弱了，蒂米最后决定还是不要大惊小怪了。它轻轻地走回地下室，蜷起身体卧在乔治的脚上。虽然它很重，但是乔治太累了，根本没有醒来。蒂米竖起一只耳朵又听了一会儿才睡过去。即便睡着了，它也一直竖着那只耳朵。蒂米真是一个优秀的哨兵！
　　蜡烛燃尽了，房间里陷入一片黑暗。第二天天亮的时候，阳光照不进地下室，自然无法叫醒孩子们，再加上他们昨天睡得太晚，所以醒来时已经不早了。
　　朱利安第一个醒来，他身下的草都已经被压平了，下面的地板实在太硬，他想换个舒服的地方，结果一翻身就醒了。他在黑暗里茫然地眨眨眼睛，心里回想着自己身在何处。
　　他一下子就想起来了，立刻坐起身。迪克也醒了，打着哈欠。
　　朱利安看着手表上发光的指针说：“迪克！已经八点半了，我们竟然睡了这么长时间！”
　　他们把草铺卷起来。蒂米已经醒来很久了，这时见朱利安和迪克醒了，便从乔治的脚边站起来，跳到他们跟前，高兴地摇着尾巴。而且它早就渴了，现在终于有人给它打水喝了。
　　两个女孩也醒了。很快，大家开始活动起来，房子里响起一阵忙碌的声音。安妮和乔治在石头砌成的大水池边洗漱。凉水冰得她们发出一连串尖叫。蒂米畅快地喝了满满一大碗水。男孩们觉得身上太脏了，商量着要不要去湖里洗个澡。
　　迪克想到可以游泳，便兴奋地说：“当然，我们确实该洗澡了。
　　走吧，朱利安！”
　　两个男孩来到湖边，跳进水中。湖水像冰一样冷！他们冻得赶紧游回岸边，又大喊大叫着冲进湖里。
　　他们回来的时候，女孩们正在地下室吃早餐。地下室虽然没有厨房那么明亮，但是他们都不喜欢地上被火烧焦的样子。
　　今天的早餐有面包、黄油、肉罐头、蛋糕和巧克力，他们吃得津津有味。吃到一半的时候，老房子里突然响起了钟声，吓得安妮吃饭的动作瞬间顿住了。
　　不过，这不是她之前听到的那种十分响亮而有穿透力的示警钟声。
　　朱利安看到安妮受惊的神色，立刻安慰她说：“这是教堂的钟声。我一直觉得这是一种让人喜爱的声音。”
　　“确实是这样。”安妮松了一口气说，“今天是星期天，人们都要去教堂。天气这么好，我也想去。”
　　“如果你想去的话，我们可以去最近的村子里。”迪克看了看手表，“但是我们到那里会很晚。”
　　毫无疑问，肯定太迟了。他们把盘子放在一边，开始讨论今天的计划。
　　“第一件事，就是去找船库和一艘叫‘漂亮的简’的船。”朱利安说，“然后，我们来试着破解一下纸片上的秘密。我们去到处走走，看能不能找到‘高石’。我来查地图，看地图上有没有‘托科山’，它也是图上给的提示。”
　　安妮说：“也就是说我们还要在这里住一晚喽？那我和乔治收拾餐具，你们两个男生再去弄些铺床的草吧。”
　　“不错，今晚我们还要睡在这里。”朱利安说，“我有预感，我们将会有重大的发现。”
　　朱利安和迪克一起出去了，回来的时候抱着许多石南和凤尾蕨。大家都抱怨地板太硬了，昨晚铺的草太少，根本没有什么作用。可怜的乔治睡得浑身都僵硬了。
　　女孩们把餐具带到大水池里清洗。洗完后没有东西拭干餐具上面的水，她们就把餐具放在滴水板上晾干。
　　一切都收拾好了，她们用手帕把手擦干。男孩子们也准备就绪。是时候去外面逛逛了。
　　一行人向湖边走去。蒂米一路上都在跑来跑去。有一条通往湖边的路，两边是低矮的围墙。但是现在围墙已经塌了，上面到处是苔藓。路上长满了野草，其间点缀着一小簇一小簇娇艳的金雀花。
　　深蓝色的湖水平静无波。湖面上，几只水鸟正在欢快地划水，一看见孩子们，就立刻躲进水里，消失不见了。
　　“船库在哪里呢？”迪克忍不住开口道，“这里到底有没有船库啊？”
Chapter 14 WHERE IS THE 'SAUCY JANE'?
Chapter 14 WHERE IS THE 'SAUCY JANE'?
　　They walked beside the lake-side as best they could. It was difficult because bushes and trees grewright down to the edge. It seemed as if there was no boat-house at all.
　　And then George came to a little backwater, leading off the lake. 'Look!' she called. 'Here's a sort ofriver running from the lake.'
　　'It's not a river. It's only a little backwater,' said Dick. 'Now we may find a boat-house somewherehere.'
　　They followed the backwater a little way, and then Julian gave an exclamation. 'There it is! But it's socovered up with ivy and brambles that you can hardly see it!'
　　They all looked where he pointed. They saw a long low building built right across the backwater, 56where it narrowed and came to an end. It was almost impossible to tell that it was a building, it wasso overgrown.
　　'That's it!' said Dick, pleased. 'Now for the Saucy Jane!'
　　They scrambled through bushes and brambles to get to the entrance of the building. It had to beentered by the front, which was over the water and completely open. A broad ledge ran right roundthe boat-house inside, and the steps that went up to it from the bank outside were all broken away,completely rotted.
　　'Have to tread warily here,' said Julian. 'Let me go first.'
　　He tried the old wooden steps, but they gave way beneath him at once. 'Hopeless!' he said. 'Let's seeif there's any other way into the boat-house.'
　　There wasn't - but at one side some of the wooden boards that made the wall of the boat-house wereso rotten that they could be pulled away to make an opening. The boys pulled them down and thenJulian squeezed through the opening into the dark, musty boat-house.
　　He found himself on the broad ledge that went round the great shed. Below him was the dark, quietwater with not even a ripple on it. He called to the others.
　　'Come along in! There's a wooden ledge to stand on here, and it's hardly rotted at all. It must be madeof better wood.'
　　They all went through the opening and stood on the ledge, peering down. Their eyes had to get usedto the darkness at first, because the only light came through the big entrance at the farther end - andthat was obscured by big trails of ivy and other creepers hanging down from roof to water.
　　'There are boats here!' said Dick, excited. 'Tied up to posts. Look - there's one just below us.
　　Let's hope one of them is the Saucy Jane!'
　　There were three boats. Two of them were half full of water, and their bows were sunk right down.
　　'Must have got holes in them,' said Julian, peering about. He had got out his torch and was shining itall round the old boat-house.
　　Oars were strung along the walls. Dirty, pulpy masses of something lay on the shelves too -rotted cushions probably. A boat-hook stood in one corner. Ropes were in coils on a shelf. It was adreary desolate sight, and Anne didn't like the queer echoes of their voices in the damp-smelling,lonely boat-house.
　　'Let's see if any of the boats are called Saucy Jane,' said Dick. He flashed his torch on to the 57nearest one. The name was almost gone.
　　'What is it?' said Dick, trying to decipher the faded letters. 'Merry something.'
　　'Meg!' said Anne. 'Merry Meg. Well, she may be a sister of Saucy Jane. What's the next boat's name?'
　　The torch shone steadily on to it. The name there was easier to read. They all read it at once.
　　'Cheeky Charlie!'
　　'Brother to Merry Meg!' said Dick. 'Well, all I can say is that these poor old boats look anything butmerry or cheeky.'
　　'I'm sure the last one must be Saucy Jane!' said Anne, excited. 'I do hope it is!'
　　They went along the broad ledge and tried to read the name on the half-sunk boat there. 'It beginswith C,' said George, disappointed. 'I'm sure it's C.'
　　Julian took out his handkerchief and dipped it in the water. He rubbed at the name to try and clean itand make it clearer.
　　It could be read then - but it wasn't Saucy Jane! 'Careful Carrie!' read the four, mournfully.
　　'Blow!'
　　'Merry Meg, Cheerful Charlie, Careful Carrie,' said Julian. 'Well, it's quite obvious that Saucy Janebelongs to the family of boats here - but where oh where is she?'
　　'Sunk out of sight?' suggested Dick.
　　'Don't think so,' said Julian. 'The water is pretty shallow in this boat-house - it's right at the very endof the little backwater, you see. I think we should be able to spot a boat sunk to the bottom.
　　We can see the sandy bottom of the backwater quite clearly by the light of our torches.'
　　Just to make quite sure they walked carefully all round the broad wooden ledge and flashed theirtorches on the water that filled the boat-house. There was no completely sunken boat there at all.
　　'Well, that's that,' said Dick. 'The Saucy Jane is gone. Where? Why? And when?'
　　They flashed their torches round the walls of the boat-house once more. George's eye was caught by alarge flat wooden thing standing upright on the ledge at one side of the house.
　　'What's that?' she said. 'Oh - a raft, isn't it? That's what those paddles are for, then, that I saw on theshelf above.'
　　They went and examined the raft. 'Yes - and in quite good condition too,' said Julian. 'It would berather fun to see if it would carry us on the water.'
　　'Ooooh yes!' said Anne, thrilled. 'That would be super. I always like rafts. I'd rather try that raft 58than any of those boats.'
　　'Well, there's only one boat that is possible to use,' said Julian. 'The others are obviously no good- they must have big holes in to sink down like that.'
　　'Hadn't we better look into them carefully just to make sure there's no loot hidden there?' said Dick.
　　'If you like,' said Julian. 'But I think it's Saucy Jane that's got the loot - otherwise why mention it byname in that message?'
　　Dick felt that Julian was right. All the same he went to examine the three boats most methodically.
　　But except for rotted and burst cushions and coils of rope there was nothing to be seen in the boats atall.
　　'Well - where's the Saucy Jane?' said Dick, puzzled. 'All the family are here but her. Can she behidden anywhere on the banks of the lake?'
　　'That's an idea!' said Julian, who was trying to shift the big raft. 'That's a really good idea! I think weought to explore all round the lake and see if we can find the Saucy Jane hidden anywhere.'
　　'Let's leave the raft for a bit then,' said George, feeling thrilled at the thought of possibly finding theSaucy Jane tucked away somewhere, all the loot hidden in her. 'Let's go now!'
　　They made their way round the wooden ledge to the opening they had made in the side of theboathouse, and jumped down. Timmy leapt down gladly. He hadn't liked the dark boat-house at all.
　　He ran into the warm sunshine, wagging his tail.
　　'Now which side of the lake shall we go first?' said Anne. 'The left or the right?'
　　They went down to the edge of the silent water and looked to left and right. They both seemed to beequally thick with bushes!
　　'It's going to be difficult to keep close to the edge of the water,' said Julian. 'Anyway, we'll try.
　　The left side looks a bit easier. Come on!'
　　It was fairly easy at first to keep close to the water, and examine any tiny creek or look under over-hanging bushes. But after about a quarter of a mile the undergrowth became so very thick and grewso close to the water's edge that it was quite impossible to force their way through it withoutcompletely ruining their clothes.
　　'I give up!' said Julian at last. 'I shall have no jersey left in a minute! These spiteful brambles! Myhands are ripped to bits.'
　　'Yes - they are spiteful!' said Anne. 'I felt that too!'
　　59
　　Timmy was the only one really enjoying himself. He couldn't imagine why the four were scramblingthrough such thick undergrowth, but as it was just what he liked he was very pleased.
　　He was disappointed when they decided to give up and go back.
　　'Shall we try the right hand side of the lake, do you think?' said Julian, as they went back, ratherdisheartened.
　　'No. Don't let's,' said Anne. 'It looks even worse than this side. It's only waste of time. I'd rather goout on the raft!'
　　'Well - that would surely be a better way of exploring the banks of the lake than scrambling throughprickly bushes, wouldn't it?' said George. 'We'd only need to paddle along slowly and squint into allthe little creeks and under over-hanging trees - it would be easy!'
　　'Of course,' said Dick. 'We were silly not to think of it before. It would be a lovely way of spendingthe afternoon, anyway.'
　　They came through the trees and saw the ruined house in the distance. Timmy suddenly stopped.
　　He gave a low growl, and all the others stopped too.
　　'What's up, Timmy?' said George in a low voice. 'What is it?'
　　Timmy growled again. The others cautiously retreated behind bushes and looked intently towards thehouse. They could see nothing out of the way. Nobody seemed to be about. Then what was Timmygrowling at?
　　And then a woman came in sight, and with her was a man. They were talking earnestly together.
　　'Maggie! I bet it's Maggie!' said Julian.
　　'And the other is Dirty Dick,' said Dick. 'I recognize him - yes - it's Dirty Dick.'
14.寻找“漂亮的简”
　　寻找“漂亮的简”
　　湖边的路很难走，他们走得小心翼翼。这里长满了灌木丛和树木，根本没有船库的影子。
　　乔治来到一段与湖水相通的水流旁，叫道：“看！这里有一条从湖里流出的小河。”
　　“那不是河，这是湖水因为受到阻碍而形成的一段回水。”迪克说道，难掩欣喜之情，“船库也许就在这儿附近。”
　　他们沿着回水走了一段路后，朱利安指着前方叫道：“船库在那儿！它被藤条和荆棘遮住了，几乎看不见！”
　　大家全都看过去，只见越往前，水面越窄，水流的尽头处有一座长长的、低矮的房屋横跨在水面上。那房子被草木藤蔓裹得严严实实的，不仔细看根本认不出那是一栋建筑。
　　“就是它！”迪克高兴地叫道，“现在我们就进去找‘漂亮的简’！”
　　他们穿过灌木丛和荆棘，来到了船库门口。门比水面高，是完全打开的。这里是唯一的入口，大家只能从这里进去。船库里面的墙壁上架了一圈宽木板，木板通过一段木梯，和外面的水岸连接在一起。但木梯已经完全被腐蚀了。
　　“大家要当心，”朱利安说，“让我先来试试。”
　　他试着踩上木梯，木梯一下子就塌了。“这里根本无法通过啊！”他说，“我们再去找别的路进去吧。”
　　这里没有别的路可走。不过，船库的木墙上有些地方腐烂得很严重，他们可以在墙上弄出一个开口来。最后，男孩们在墙上撞开了一个洞，朱利安从开口处钻进了黑暗、发霉的船库。
　　船库里的空间很大，他进来后发现自己站在绕了墙壁一圈的宽木板上。木板下面是颜色深暗的水，平静的水面没有一丝波澜。他对外面的三个人喊道：“你们进来吧！这里的木板很结实，可以站在上面。它一定是用很好的木材做的。”
　　大家都进来了，站在木板上往下面看。这里的光线很暗，起初他们的眼睛要先适应一会儿。船库里唯一的一处光亮是从另一头的入口处透进来的，但那个入口被从房顶直垂到水面的藤蔓遮住了。
　　“这里真的有船！”迪克兴奋地说，“它们都被拴在柱子上。看，我们正下方就有一艘，希望‘漂亮的简’就在它们中间！”
　　这里一共有三艘船。其中两艘船的船头沉在水里，半个船身都灌满了水。朱利安说：“这两艘船的船身上面肯定有洞。”他拿出手电筒，在这个旧船库里照了一圈。
　　船库的墙上挂着船桨，旁边的架子上有一堆脏兮兮、软糊糊的东西——可能是腐烂的垫子，墙角靠着一个船钩，架子上盘着一圈绳子。这个船库阴沉潮湿，荒废已久，到处都是破败残旧的景象。
　　在这里说话会有回声，安妮一点也不喜欢这古怪的声音。
　　“我们快来找‘漂亮的简’吧。”迪克说。他将手电筒的光打在最近的一艘船上。船身上的名字已经模糊得几乎分辨不出来了。
　　“这上面是什么字？”迪克问，他努力辨认模糊的字迹，“快乐的什么？”
　　“梅格！”安妮说，“是‘快乐的梅格’。它也许是‘漂亮的简’的姐妹。下一艘船的名字是什么？”
　　手电筒的光稳稳地照在另一艘船上。这艘船的名字还很清晰，他们一下子就认出来了。
　　“淘气的查利！”
　　“简的兄弟！”迪克说，“这些可怜的船看起来跟快乐和淘气完全不沾边。”
　　“最后一个肯定是‘漂亮的简’！”安妮满怀期待地说，“希望就是它！”
　　他们沿着宽阔的木板走近那艘沉船跟前。“它的名字是以‘细’字开头的，”乔治失望地说，“我确定是‘细’。”
　　朱利安掏出手帕，把它放进水里浸湿，然后用手帕使劲擦着船身上的字，字迹变得清晰起来。
　　现在大家能认出来了，但那不是“漂亮的简”！
　　“是‘细心的凯瑞’啊！唉！”四个孩子十分沮丧地叹了口气。
　　“‘快乐的梅格’‘淘气的查利’‘细心的凯瑞’，”朱利安说，“很明显，‘漂亮的简’是这个船队家族的一员，但是它到底在哪儿呢？”
　　“难道它沉到了水底，我们看不见？”迪克提出自己的想法。
　　“不可能，”朱利安说，“船库里的水很浅。你们都看见了，这里是回水的尽头，水不深。用手电筒一照，水底的沙子都能看得清清楚楚。若是水底有沉船，我们肯定能看见。”
　　他们沿着木板缓慢地走了一圈，手电筒的光照遍了船库里的水，却连沉船的影子也没看到。
　　“都找遍了，就是没有。”迪克感到十分疑惑，“‘漂亮的简’为什么不见了？什么时候不见的？它去了哪儿呢？”
　　他们又用手电筒在船库的墙上扫了一遍。乔治看见木板上有一个扁平的木制品，竖直地靠在一侧的墙上。
　　“那是什么？”她说，“那不是木筏吗？那么，之前看到的船桨，应该也有用来划木筏的。”
　　他们走过去，把木筏上上下下打量了一遍。朱利安说：“的确是个木筏，而且完好无损。不知道这木筏能不能载得动我们，来试试吧，一定很有趣！”
　　“好呀，好呀！”安妮听了欢呼雀跃起来，“肯定特别好玩！我最喜欢坐木筏啦，一直都很喜欢！”
　　“现在看来，只有一艘船也许还能用，”朱利安说，“其余的明显已经坏了。船淹得这么厉害，上面的洞肯定不小。”
　　“难道我们不用仔细检查船舱，看里面有没有珠宝吗？”迪克问。
　　“你想看就去看看吧，”朱利安说，“我还是觉得珠宝应该是在‘漂亮的简’里，要不然消息里为什么要提到它呢？”
　　迪克也觉得朱利安说得对。尽管如此，他还是挨个儿把三艘船都检查了一遍。但是除了破烂的垫子和几卷绳子，他什么也没有找到。
　　“‘漂亮的简’在哪里呢？”迪克疑惑地说，“除了它，所有的船都在这儿了。它会不会被人藏在了湖岸边的某个地方？”
　　“嘿，这个想法好！”朱利安正在试着挪动木筏，马上赞同这个想法，他说，“我觉得我们应该把湖岸边彻底地搜查一遍，看能不能找到‘漂亮的简’。”
　　一想到可能就要找到被藏起来的“漂亮的简”和船里的宝藏，乔治就振奋起来：“那我们先暂时把木筏放在一边，立刻就去湖边找吧！”
　　他们沿着木板来到之前在墙上撞出的开口处，从那里走出来。
　　蒂米一点也不喜欢黑漆漆的船库，现在终于不用待在那里了，它高兴地一跃而出，欢快地摇着尾巴跑到阳光下。
　　“我们先去湖岸的哪一边，”安妮问，“左边还是右边？”
　　他们走到沉寂的湖边，左右看了看。两边的灌木丛看起来一样茂密！
　　“湖边的路很难走，”朱利安说，“但不管怎样，我们都要试一试。左边看起来容易走一些，就先往左边走吧！”
　　刚开始的时候还好，小水湾和被灌木丛遮盖的地方都能被孩子们发现。但是，走了四分之一英里后，灌木丛越来越茂密，而且越长越靠近水边，岸边已经快没路了。孩子们若是再往前走，免不了会弄坏衣服。
　　“没法再走了！”朱利安终于开口说道，“我的外套马上就要被毁得不能穿了，手也被划出了好多伤口！这些讨厌的荆棘！”
　　安妮说：“对，我也觉得这些灌木和荆棘十分讨厌！”
　　唯一玩得开心的就是蒂米了。虽然它不明白四个伙伴为什么要在茂密的灌木丛里行走，但这不妨碍它喜欢这个活动。它在灌木丛里蹿来蹿去，乐此不疲。所以当孩子们决定放弃前进，要往回走的时候，蒂米还有些失落。
　　在返回的路上，朱利安垂头丧气地问：“我们还要去湖的右岸看看吗？”
　　“别去了吧，”安妮说，“那边看起来更难走，去了也只是浪费时间，还不如坐木筏去！”
　　“啊，这是个察看湖岸的好办法呀，比穿过灌木丛要好多了，不是吗？”乔治表示赞同。
　　“我们可以沿着湖边慢慢划，遇到水湾和树丛茂密的地方只需要看一眼就行了，那样找起船来一定会很轻松！”
　　“那是当然，”迪克说，“我们之前怎么就没想到呢，真是太笨了。不管怎么说，划木筏至少能让我们度过一个愉快的下午。”
　　吃午餐的时间到了。他们穿过树林，远远地就看见了那座被烧毁的房子。走在最前面的蒂米突然停了下来，发出一声低吼，大家也都跟着停了下来。
　　“怎么了，蒂米？”乔治低声问，“发生什么事了？”
　　蒂米又低吼了一声。他们小心翼翼地退到树丛后面，凝神看向前方。看起来没什么异常，周围一个人也没有。可蒂米到底为什么发出那样的声音呢？
　　不一会儿，一个女人出现了，她身边还跟着一个男人。他们正在专心地交谈。
　　“麦琪！那个女人一定是麦琪！”朱利安说。
　　“另一个人是臭迪克，”迪克说，“我认得他。肯定错不了，他就是臭迪克。”
Chapter 15 MAGGIE - AND DIRTY DICK
Chapter 15 MAGGIE - AND DIRTY DICK
　　They watched the couple in the distance, and thought quickly. Julian had been expecting them, so hewas not surprised. Dick was looking at Dirty Dick, recognizing the broad, short man, with hishunched-up shoulders and shock of hair. He didn't like the look of him any more than when he hadseen him up at the old cottage!
　　Anne and George didn't like the look of the woman either! She was wearing trousers and had a 60jacket draped round her shoulders. She was also wearing sunglasses, and smoking a cigarette.
　　She walked quickly and they could hear her voice. It was sharp and determined.
　　'So that's Maggie,' thought Julian. 'Well, I don't like her. She looks as hard as nails - a goodcompanion for Nailer!'
　　He moved cautiously towards the other three. George had her hand on Timmy's collar, afraid that hemight show himself.
　　'Listen,' said Julian. 'You're none of you to turn a hair! We'll just walk out into the open, talkingcheerfully together and let them see us. If they ask us what we're doing, you all know what to say.
　　Chatter nonsense as much as you like - put them off and make them think we're a bunch of harmlesskids. If there are any leading questions asked us - leave me to answer them. Ready?'
　　They nodded. Then Julian swung out from the bushes and walked into the open, calling to Dick.
　　'Here we are again - there's the old house! My word, it looks worse than ever this morning!'
　　George and Timmy came bounding out together, and Anne followed, her heart beating fast. Shewasn't as good as the others at this sort of thing!
　　The man and the woman stopped abruptly when they saw the children. They said a few words to oneanother very rapidly. The man scowled.
　　The children went towards them, chattering all the time as Julian had ordered. The woman calledsharply to them.
　　'Who are you? What are you doing here?'
　　'Just hiking,' said Julian, stopping. 'It's our half-term.'
　　'What do you want to come here for then?' asked the woman. 'This is private property.'
　　'Oh no,' said Julian. 'It's only a burnout ruin. Anyone can come. We want to explore this queer lake -it looks exciting.'
　　The man and the woman looked at one another. It was clear that the idea of the children exploring thelake was surprising and annoying to them. The woman spoke again.
　　'You can't explore this lake. It's dangerous. People are forbidden to bathe in it or use a boat.'
　　'We weren't told that,' said Julian, looking astonished. 'We were told how to get here, and no one saidthe lake was forbidden. You've been told wrongly.'
　　'We want to watch the moor-hens, you see,' put in Anne, suddenly seeing a moor-hen on the water.
　　'We're fond of nature.'
　　'And we've been told there are deer near here,' said George.
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　　'And wild ponies,' said Dick. 'We saw some yesterday. They were really lovely. Have you seen any?'
　　This sudden burst of chatter seemed to annoy the man and the woman more than Julian's answers.
　　The man spoke roughly.
　　'Stop this nonsense. People aren't allowed here. Clear out before we make you!'
　　'Why are you here, then, if people aren't allowed?' asked Julian, and a hard tone came into his voice.
　　'Don't talk to us like that.'
　　'You clear off, I say!' cried the man, suddenly shouting loudly as he lost his temper. He took two orthree steps towards them, looking very threatening indeed. George loosed her hold on Timmy'scollar.
　　Timmy also took two or three steps forward. His hackles went up and he emitted a most fearsomegrowl. The man stopped suddenly, and then retreated.
　　'Take hold of that dog's collar,' he ordered. 'He looks savage.'
　　'Then he looks what he is,' said George. 'I'm not taking hold of his collar while you're about.
　　Don't think it!'
　　Timmy took two or three more steps forward, growling loudly, walking stiffly and menacingly.
　　The woman called out at once.
　　'It's all right, children. My friend here just lost his temper for a moment. Call your dog back.'
　　'Not while you are about,' said George. 'How long are you staying?'
　　'What's that to do with you?' growled the man, but he didn't say any more because Timmy at oncegrowled back.
　　'Let's come and have something to eat,' said Julian, loudly, to the others. 'After all, we have as muchright to be here as these people have. We don't need to take any notice of them - and we shan't be intheir way!'
　　The four children marched forward. Timmy was still loose. He barked savagely once or twice as hecame close to the unpleasant couple, and they shrank back at once. Timmy was such a big dog and helooked so very powerful! They eyed the children angrily as they went by, and watched them go intothe ruined house.
　　'On guard, Timmy,' said George, as soon as they were in, pointing to the ruined doorway. Timmyunderstood at once, and stood in the doorway, a menacing figure with hackles up and snarling mouth.
　　The children went down to the cellar room. They looked round to see if anyone had been 62there while they were away, but nothing seemed to have been moved.
　　'They probably haven't even noticed the cellars,' said Julian. 'I hope there's plenty of bread left.
　　I'm hungry. I wish to goodness we were going to have a dinner like the one we had yesterday! I say -what an unpleasant pair Maggie and Dick are!'
　　'Yes. Very,' said Dick. 'I can't bear Maggie. Horrid common voice and hard face. Ugh!'
　　'I think Dirty Dick is worse,' said Anne. 'He looks like a gorilla or something with his broad hunched-up body. And WHY doesn't he cut his hair?'
　　'Fancies himself like that, I expect,' said George, cutting a loaf of bread. 'His surname ought to beGolliwog. Or Tarzan. I'm jolly glad we've got Timmy.'
　　'So am I,' said Anne. 'Good old Timmy. He hated them, didn't he? I bet they won't come near thedoorway with Timmy there!'
　　'I wonder where they are,' said Dick picking up a great hunk of bread and butter and potted meat.
　　'I'm going to look.'
　　He came back in half a minute. 'They've gone to the boat-house, I think,' he said. 'I just caught a sightof one of them moving in that direction. Looking for Saucy Jane, I expect.'
　　'Let's sit down and eat and talk over what we'll do next,' said Julian. 'And what we think they will donext! That's quite important. They may be able to read the clues on that paper better than we can Ifwe watch what they do it may give us a guide as to what we must do.'
　　'That's true,' said Dick. 'I imagine that the plan Nailer sent must mean something to Dirty Dick andMaggie, just as the message did.' He chewed at his bread, thinking hard, trying once more to fathomthe meaning of that mysterious piece of paper.
　　'I think on the whole we will follow out our original plan for this afternoon,' said Julian, after a littlesilence. 'We'll get out that raft and go on the lake with it. It's a harmless looking thing to do.
　　We can examine the banks as we go - and if Maggie and Dick are out in a boat too, we can keep aneye on them as well.'
　　'Yes. Good idea,' said George. 'It's a heavenly afternoon anyway. I'd love to paddle about on the lakewith that raft. I hope it's good and sound.'
　　'Sure to be,' said Dick. 'The wood it's made of is meant to last. Pass the cake, George - and don't saveTimmy any. It's wasted on him.'
　　'It isn't!' said George. 'You know he loves it.'
　　'Yes. But I still say it's wasted on him,' said Dick. 'Good thing we got such an enormous cake!
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　　Are there any biscuits left?'
　　'Plenty,' said Anne. 'And chocolate too!'
　　'Good,' said Dick. 'I only hope our food will last us out. It won't if George has her usual colossalappetite.'
　　'What about yours?' said George, indignantly, rising every time to Dick's lazy teasing.
　　'Shut up, you two,' said Julian. 'I'm going to fill the water jug and have some orangeade. Give mesomething to take to old Tim.'
　　They spent about half an hour over their lunch. Then they decided to go and tackle the raft in theboathouse, and see if they could possibly launch it on the lake. It would be heavy, they knew.
　　They left the old house and went off to the boathouse. Julian suddenly caught sight of something outon the lake.
　　'Look!' he said, 'they've got one of the boats out of the boat-house - the one that wasn't half-sunk, Isuppose! Dirty Dick is rowing hard. I BET they're looking for the Saucy Jane!'
　　They all stood still and watched. Dick's heart sank. Would Maggie and Dirty Dick get there first, andfind what he and the other three were looking for? Did they know where the Saucy Jane was?
　　'Come on,' said Julian. 'We'd better get going if we want to keep an eye on them. They may berowing to where the Saucy Jane is hidden!'
　　They climbed in through the wooden side of the boat-house and went to the raft. Julian saw at oncethat one of the boats had gone - Merry Meg. It was the only boat that was fit to take.
　　The four began to man-handle the big raft. They took it to the edge of the ledge. It had rope-handleson each side which the children held on to.
　　'Now - ease her gently,' said Julian. 'Gently does it. Down she goes!'
　　And down she went, landing with a big splash in the water. She bobbed there gently, a strong soundraft, eager to go out on the lake!
　　'Get the paddles,' said Julian. 'Then we'll be off.'
15.不速之客
　　不速之客
　　小伙伴们看着远处的两个人，脑子里飞快地想着对策。朱利安早就知道他们会来，所以并不惊讶。那个男人又矮又胖，拱着肩，顶着一头又脏又乱的头发——迪克一看就认出来了他是臭迪克。迪克讨厌那个臭迪克的样子，在旧村舍第一次看见他时就不喜欢，现在同样不喜欢！
　　安妮和乔治也不喜欢那个女人的模样！她穿着长裤，肩上披着夹克衫，戴着一副太阳镜，嘴里还叼着一支烟。她走得很快，孩子们不久便听到了她说话的声音。她的嗓音尖细，声音听起来冷冰冰的，没有一点感情。
　　朱利安心想：“原来她就是麦琪，让人一点都喜欢不起来。她看着就冰冷无情，活像一颗尖锐吓人的钉子，怪不得和尼勒尔成了同伙 ！”朱利安小心翼翼地向三个伙伴靠近。乔治的手紧紧地抓着蒂米的项圈，生怕它一不小心暴露了。
　　“听着，”朱利安说，“大家都不要慌！待会儿，我们就大大方方地说着话往外走，让他们看见我们。如果他们问我们在干什么，你们都知道怎么回答吧。尽量多说些无关紧要的话敷衍过去，让他们以为我们只是一群天真的孩子。如果他们故意问一些试探性的话，就留给我来回答，明白了吗？”
　　伙伴们点点头。朱利安转身跳出树丛，走到开阔的地方。他朝迪克叫道：“我们又回到老房子了！我的天，它看起来比早上更糟糕了！”
　　乔治和蒂米一起跳出来，安妮紧跟在后面。她不像其他人那样擅长这种事情，一颗心紧张得怦怦直跳！
　　孩子们走向那两个人，按照朱利安的交代一直在说话。那两人一看见孩子们，就立刻停下来，迅速交谈了几句。男人皱起眉头，女人朝孩子们尖声问道：“你们是谁？在这里做什么？”
　　“我们在郊游，”朱利安停下脚步说，“现在是我们的期中假期。”
　　“你们为什么来这里？”女人说，“这里是私人领地。”
　　“当然不是。”朱利安说，“这只是一片被烧毁的废墟，任何人都可以来。我们想探索这个湖的秘密，它看起来很神秘。”
　　一男一女彼此看了一眼。显然，孩子们的这个想法让他们既震惊又烦恼。接着，女人又说：“你们不可以靠近那个湖，太危险了。
　　那里禁止游泳、禁止划船！”
　　“我们怎么不知道？”朱利安看起来大为吃惊，“有人告诉我们来这里的路，但从没有人说过湖是禁区。你们听到的话不对。”
　　“湖里有水鸟，你们看。”安妮突然看见了湖面上的水鸟，插话道，“我们喜欢大自然。”
　　“听人说这里还有鹿呢。”乔治也说道。
　　“还有野马。”迪克也加入了，“昨天我们就看到了。它们真的很可爱。你们看见了吗？”
　　突然爆发的“连珠炮”比朱利安的话更让这一男一女恼怒。男人粗鲁地说：“都给我闭嘴！这里不准人进来，在我们动手之前你们最好自己离开！”
　　“既然这里不准人进来，那你们为什么在这里？”朱利安毫不示弱地说，“别用这种语气对我们说话！”
　　“我让你们滚出去！”男人突然发了脾气，大声吼道。他抬脚朝孩子们走了两三步，样子很可怕。乔治松开了蒂米的项圈。
　　蒂米也向前走出两三步，脖子上的一圈毛都竖了起来，喉咙里发出恶狠狠的低吼声。男人立刻停下来，往后退去。
　　“抓住那只狗的项圈。”男人命令道，“它太凶了。”
　　“它本来就是这个样子。”乔治说，“有你们在这里，我是不会拉着它的。你们想都别想！”
　　蒂米又往前踏出两三步，大声吠叫起来。它步伐坚定，毫不退让，这副勇猛强悍的样子看起来很有威慑力。
　　女人再一次大声说：“好吧，孩子们，我的朋友只是暂时情绪失控。快把你们的狗叫回去吧。”
　　“我会把它叫回来的，但不是现在。”乔治说，“你们要在这里待多久？”
　　男人吼道：“这不关你们的事！”但是他不敢再多说什么，因为他刚一说完，蒂米就朝他狂吠起来。
　　“我们进去吃饭吧，不必理会他们。”朱利安大声地对伙伴们说，“别人能留在这里，我们一样也可以。再说，我们又没挡他们的路！”
　　四个孩子继续往前走。蒂米长得高大威猛，看起来威风凛凛的。这时候没有人拉着它，它从那两个人身边走过时，凶狠地朝他们叫了两声，吓得这一男一女立刻向后退了好几步！他们恼羞成怒地瞪着孩子们走进被烧毁的房子里。
　　乔治一进来就指着门廊对蒂米说：“警戒，蒂米。”蒂米立刻明白了她的意思，站在门廊边。它竖起颈毛，咧着嘴，露出锋利的牙齿，样子十分骇人。孩子们来到地下室，担心有人进来过，便把整个房间检查了一遍。还好，房间里东西都没有被动过。
　　“可能他们还没有注意到这里的地下室。”朱利安说，“我饿了，希望剩下的面包还能让我们像昨晚一样好好吃一顿！哎呀，麦琪和臭迪克真叫人讨厌呀！”
　　迪克说：“是啊，那两个人太令人讨厌了！啊！我实在受不了麦琪难听的嗓音和她那张僵硬的脸！”
　　“我更讨厌臭迪克，”安妮说，“他肥厚的肩膀隆起来，活像一只大猩猩。还有，他为什么不剪头发？”
　　“可能他觉得自己那个样子还挺不错的吧。”乔治切下一块面包说，“他应该改名叫‘怪物’或者‘人猿泰山’。幸亏有蒂米在我们身边，真好！”
　　“我也这么觉得。”安妮说，“就连一向友好的蒂米都讨厌他们，可见那两个家伙有多可恶。我敢说，只要蒂米守在门口，他们就不敢靠近这里！”
　　“不知道他们现在在哪儿。”迪克说着随手拿起一大块夹着黄油和肉罐头的面包，“我出去看看。”
　　他很快就回来了，说：“他们应该是去船库了。我只看见其中一个人往那个方向走，我猜是去找‘漂亮的简’了。”
　　“我们坐下来边吃边谈吧，”朱利安说，“现在最重要的是弄清楚他们接下来要干什么！他们很可能比我们知道更多纸片里的秘密。
　　我们只要跟着他们，就能知道接下来要怎么做了。”
　　“没错。”迪克说，“臭迪克和麦琪一定能听懂尼勒尔给的口信，也能看懂那张纸片。”他一边嚼着面包，一边苦思冥想，再一次尝试破解那张纸上的秘密。
　　朱利安沉默了一会儿，说：“总的来说，我认为今天下午我们要按原先的计划进行，把木筏弄出来，划着木筏沿湖搜寻‘漂亮的简’。
　　如果麦琪和臭迪克也在湖面划船，我们还可以监视他们。”
　　“好主意，”乔治说，“这个下午一定会过得很愉快！我喜欢划着木筏游湖，希望那个木筏没有腐烂。”
　　“放心吧，”迪克说，“它是用上好的木材制成的，不容易腐烂。
　　把那块蛋糕递过来，乔治。不要给蒂米留了，这么好的东西给它吃是一种浪费。”
　　“才不是呢！”乔治反驳道，“你知道它喜欢吃蛋糕的。”
　　“是的，但是我还是要说给它吃就是浪费。”迪克说，“我们有这么大一块蛋糕，真是太棒了！还有饼干吗？”
　　“多着呢，”安妮说，“巧克力也还有许多！”
　　“好极了！”迪克说，“希望这些食物能撑到我们离开。但如果乔治的胃口一直这么大，那这些肯定不够吃。”
　　“你的胃口才大呢！”乔治气愤地说。迪克随口说出的玩笑，每次都能把乔治气得跳脚。
　　“你们两个别斗嘴了。”朱利安说，“我去把水壶接满水，我们兑一些橙汁饮料喝。给我一点东西喂蒂米。”
　　半个小时后，他们吃好了午餐，决定去船库把木筏弄出来。木筏肯定很重，不好移动，他们还不确定能不能让它在湖里游起来呢。
　　他们出了房子向船库走去。朱利安突然看见湖面上有东西。“看！”他叫道，“他们已经把船弄出来了，肯定是那艘半沉的船！臭迪克正在使劲划桨。他们一定是在找‘漂亮的简’！”
　　孩子们停下来，看向那艘船。迪克感到很不妙，他想：“麦琪和迪克会先找到藏着船的地方吗？他们知道‘漂亮的简’在哪里吗？”
　　“别再耽误时间了，走吧。”朱利安说，“如果我们想监视他们的一举一动，就要快点走。也许他们要划船去‘漂亮的简’被藏起来的地方！”
　　进了船库后，朱利安发现有一艘船不见了，正是“快乐的梅格”。它是唯一一艘还能使用的船。
　　四个孩子沿着木板来到木筏前，开始移动笨重的木筏。木筏四角各有一个绳柄，他们每人抓住一个，一起把木筏抬到木板边缘。
　　“现在，轻轻地把它放下去。”朱利安说，“轻轻地放，就这样……啊，它下去了！”
　　木筏落水时溅起不小的水花。这条完好无损的木筏在水面轻轻摇荡，蓄势待发。
　　朱利安喊道：“拿上船桨，我们准备出发喽！”
Chapter 16 OUT ON THE RAFT
Chapter 16 OUT ON THE RAFT
　　There were four little paddles. Dick got them, and gave everyone one each. Timmy looked downsolemnly at the raft. What was it? Surely he was not expected to ride on that bobbing, floating thing?
　　Julian was on the raft already, holding it steady for the others. He helped Anne on and then Georgestepped down. Dick came last - well, not quite last, because Timmy was not yet on.
　　'Come on, Tim!' said George. 'It's all right! It's not the kind of boat you're used to, but it acts in thesame way. Come on, Timmy!'
　　Timmy jumped down and the raft bobbed violently. Anne sat down suddenly with a giggle. 'Oh dear -Timmy is so sudden! Keep still, Tim - there isn't enough room on this raft for you to walk all over it.'
　　Julian pushed the raft out of the boat-house. It knocked against the wooden ledge as it went, and thenswung out on to the backwater outside. It floated very smoothly.
　　'Here we go!' said Julian, paddling deftly. 'I'll steer, Dick. None of you need to paddle till I say so. Ican paddle and steer at the moment, till we get on to the lake itself.'
　　They were all sitting on the raft except Timmy, who was standing up. He was very interested inseeing the water flow past so quickly. Was this a boat then? He was used to boats - but in boats thewater was never quite so near. Timmy put out a paw into the water. It was pleasantly cool and tickledhim. He lay down with his nose almost in the water.
　　'You're a funny dog, Timmy!' said Anne. 'You won't get up too suddenly, will you, or you'll knockme overboard.'
　　Julian paddled down the little backwater and the raft swung out on to the lake itself. The childrenlooked to see if there was any sign of Maggie and Dirty Dick.
　　'There they are!' said Julian. 'Out in the middle, rowing hard. Shall we follow them? If they knowwhere the Saucy Jane is they'll lead us to it.'
　　'Yes. Follow them,' said Dick. 'Shall we paddle now? We'll have to be quick or we may lose them.'
　　They all paddled hard, and the raft suddenly swung to and fro in a most alarming manner.
　　'Hey, stop!' shouted Julian. 'You're all paddling against one another. We're going round in 65circles. Dick and Anne go one side and George the other. That's better. Watch how we're going, all ofyou, and stop paddling for a moment if the raft swings round too much.'
　　They soon got into the way of paddling so that the raft went straight ahead. It was fun. They got veryhot and wished they could take off their jerseys. The sun was quite warm, and there was no wind atall - it was really a perfect October afternoon.
　　'They've stopped rowing,' said George, suddenly. 'They're looking at something - do you supposethey have got a bit of paper like the one we have, with the same marks, and are examining it? I wish Icould see!'
　　They all stopped paddling and looked towards the boat in which Maggie and Dirty Dick sat.
　　They were certainly examining something very carefully - their heads were close together. But theywere too far away for the children to see if they were holding a piece of paper.
　　'Come on - we'll get as close to them as we can!' said Julian, beginning to paddle again. 'I expect itwill make them absolutely mad to see us so close, but we can't help that!'
　　They paddled hard again, and at last came up to the boat. Timmy barked. Maggie and Dirty Dick atonce looked round and saw the raft and the four children. They stared at them savagely.
　　'Hallo!' cried Dick, waving a paddle. 'We took the raft out. It goes well. Does your boat go all right?'
　　Maggie went red with rage. 'You'll get into trouble for taking that raft without permission,' sheshouted.
　　'Whose permission did you ask when you took that boat?' shouted back Julian. 'Tell us and we'll asktheir permission to use this raft!'
　　George laughed. Maggie scowled, and Dirty Dick looked as if he would like to throw his oars atthem.
　　'Keep away from us!' he shouted. 'We don't want you kids spoiling our afternoon!'
　　'We like to be friendly!' called Dick, and made George laugh again.
　　Maggie and Dirty Dick had a hurried and angry conversation. They glared at the raft and thenMaggie gave an order to Dirty Dick. He took up the oars again, and began to row, looking rathermutinous.
　　'Come on - follow,' said Julian, so the four began to paddle again following after the boat.
　　'Maybe we'll learn something now.'
　　But they didn't. Dirty Dick rowed the boat towards the west bank, and the raft followed. Then he 66swung out into the middle again, and again the raft followed, the children panting in their efforts tokeep up.
　　Dirty Dick rowed right across to the east bank and stayed there till the children came up. Then herowed off again.
　　'Having some nice exercise, aren't you?' called the woman in her harsh voice. 'So good for you all!'
　　The boat swung out to the middle of the lake again. Dick groaned. 'Blow! My arms are so tired I canhardly paddle. What are they doing?'
　　'I'm afraid they're just leading us on a wild goose chase,' said Julian, ruefully. 'They have evidentlymade up their minds that they won't look for the Saucy Jane while we're about - they're just tiring usout!'
　　'Well, if that's what they're doing I'm not playing!' said Dick, and he put down his paddle and lay flaton his back, his knees drawn up, panting hard.
　　The others did the same. They were all tired. Timmy licked each one sympathetically and then satdown on George. She pushed him off so violently that he nearly fell into the water.
　　'Timmy! Right on my middle!' cried George, surprised and indignant. 'You great clumsy dog, you!'
　　Timmy licked her all over, shocked at being scolded by George. She was too exhausted to push himaway.
　　'What's happened to the boat?' asked Anne at last. 'I'm too tired to sit up and see.'
　　Julian sat up, groaning. 'Oh my back! Now where is that wretched boat? Oh, there it is - right awaydown the lake, making for the landing-place by the house - or for the boat-house probably.
　　They've given up the search for the Saucy Jane for the time being anyway.'
　　'Thank goodness,' said Anne. 'Perhaps we can give it up too - till tomorrow anyhow! Stop snufflingdown my neck, Timmy. What do you want us to do, Julian?'
　　'I think we'd better get back,' said Julian. 'It's too late now to start searching the banks of the lake- and anyway somehow I think it wouldn't be much use. The two in the boat didn't appear to be goinganywhere near the banks - except when they began to play that trick on us to make us tired out!'
　　'Well, let's get back then,' said George. 'But I simply must have a rest first. Timmy, I shall push youinto the water if you keep sitting on my legs.'
　　67
　　There was a sudden splash. George sat up in alarm. Timmy was not on the raft! He was swimming inthe water, looking very pleased with himself.
　　'There! He thought he'd rather jump in than be pushed,' said Dick, grinning at George. 'You pushedhim in!' said George, looking fierce.
　　'I didn't,' said Dick. 'He just took a header. He's having a jolly good time. I say - what about putting arope round him and getting him to pull us to shore? It would save an awful lot of paddling.'
　　George was just about to say what she thought of that idea, when she caught Dick's sly grin. Shekicked out at him. 'Don't keep baiting me, Dick. I'll push you in, in a minute.'
　　'Like to try?' asked Dick, at once. 'Come on. I'd like a wrestle to see who'd go into the water first.'
　　George, of course, always rose to a challenge. She never could resist one. She was up in a momentand fell on Dick, who very nearly went overboard at once.
　　'Shut up, you two!' said Julian, crossly. 'We haven't got a change of clothing, you know that. And Idon't want to take you back with bronchitis or pneumonia. Stop it, George.'
　　George recognized the tone in his voice and she stopped. She ran her hand through her short curlsand gave a sudden grin.
　　'All right, Teacher!' she said, and sat down meekly. She picked up her paddle.
　　Julian picked up his. 'We'll get back,' he said. 'The sun's sinking low. It seems to slide down the skyat a most remarkable speed in October.'
　　They took a very wet Timmy on board and began to paddle back. Anne thought it was a truly lovelyevening. She gazed dreamily round as she paddled. The lake was a wonderful dark blue, and theripples they made turned to silver as they ran away from the raft. Two moor-hens said'crek-crek' and swam round the raft in curiosity, their heads bobbing like clockwork.
　　Anne gazed over the tops of the trees that grew at the lake-side. The sky was turning pink. Away inthe distance, on a high slope about a mile away she saw something that interested her.
　　It looked like a high stone. She pointed at it. 'Look, Julian,' she said. 'What's that stone? Is it aboundary mark, or something? It must be very big.'
　　Julian looked where she was pointing. 'Where?' he said. 'Oh, that. I can't imagine what it is.'
　　'It looks like a very tall stone,' said Dick, suddenly catching sight of it too.
　　'A tall stone,' repeated Anne, wondering where she had heard that before. 'A tall... oh, of course!
　　68
　　It was printed on that plan, wasn't it - on the piece of paper Dick was given. Tall Stone! Don't youremember?'
　　'Yes. So it was,' said Dick and he stared at the faraway stone monument with interest. Then as the raftswung onwards, high trees hid the stone. It was gone.
　　'Tall Stone,' said Julian. 'It may be only a coincidence, of course. It wants a bit of thinking about,though. Funny we should suddenly spot it.'
　　'Would the loot be buried there?' asked George, doubtfully. Julian shook his head. 'Oh, no,' he said, 'itis probably hidden in some position explained by that mysterious map. Paddle up, everyone! Wereally must get back.'
16.坏人的把戏
　　坏人的把戏
　　木筏上一共有四支小桨，迪克把它们分到大家手里，每人一支。蒂米低头盯着木筏看，似乎在想——这是什么？它真的要到这个在水面漂浮不定、摇摇晃晃的东西上去吗？
　　朱利安已经上了木筏，他要先上去稳住它。然后，他帮助安妮上了木筏，接着是乔治。迪克是最后一个上来的。好吧，他不算是最后一个，因为蒂米还站在木板上。
　　“快来，蒂米！”乔治说，“没关系的！这虽然跟你以前坐过的船不一样，但它也能在水中行驶。来吧，蒂米！”
　　蒂米跳下来，木筏猛地摇晃了几下。安妮被摇得一下子坐了下来，忍不住咯咯笑道：“哦，天哪，蒂米跳得太猛了！别动，蒂米。
　　木筏上可没地方让你动来动去的。”
　　朱利安将木筏划出船库。木筏一路上在木板上磕磕碰碰，最后一转头，进了船库外面的水道，平稳地漂流在水面上。
　　“我们出发啦！”朱利安熟练地划着桨说，“我来掌舵，迪克，你们现在都不用划桨，等我让你们划的时候，你们再动手。在到达湖面之前，我一个人完全没问题。”
　　小伙伴们全都坐在木筏上，只有蒂米是站着的。它看着水从身边迅速流过，觉得十分有趣。这真的是船吗？它以前坐船的时候从来没有跟水离得这么近过。它把爪子伸进水里，水流轻柔地挠着它，清凉的水让它感觉舒服极了。蒂米趴下来，鼻尖几乎碰到水面。
　　“蒂米，你这个小傻瓜！”安妮说，“你不会突然站起来，对不对？否则你会把我撞下去的。”
　　朱利安将木筏划出水道，木筏在湖面上漂了起来。孩子们四处寻找麦琪和臭迪克的踪迹。
　　“他们在那儿，”朱利安说，“在湖中心，奋力地划着船。我们要不要跟上他们？如果他们知道‘漂亮的简’在哪里，就可以带我们过去了。”
　　“对，跟着他们。”迪克说，“朱利安，现在我们可以划桨了吗？
　　我们要加快速度，要不然就跟不上了。”
　　他们全都使劲划起桨来，木筏突然开始来回晃动起来，十分危险。
　　“嘿，停下！”朱利安喊道，“你们在往不同的方向划。这样下去，木筏只会在原地打转。迪克和安妮在一边，乔治去另一边。这样就好多了。每个人都要注意看着木筏，要是它摇晃得太厉害，就立刻停止划桨。”
　　聪明的孩子们很快掌握了划桨的要领，在四个人的共同努力下，木筏笔直地向前驶去。划木筏确实很有趣，他们划得都很起劲。十月的下午，太阳高照，一点风也没有。不一会儿，他们就热得想把身上的毛衣脱掉。
　　“他们停下来了，”乔治突然说，“正拿着什么东西在看。不知道他们那张纸上都写了些什么，和我们的是不是一模一样，你们觉得呢？真希望我能看到他们那张纸。”
　　孩子们都停下手里的动作，看向麦琪和臭迪克。那两个人的头紧挨在一起，确实是在非常认真地研究着什么。但由于离得太远，孩子们看不出来他们手里有没有拿着一张纸。
　　“走吧，尽量靠近他们！”朱利安又划起桨说，“如果我们跟得近了，肯定会惹火他们，但是我们必须跟上去！”
　　他们使劲划桨，终于追上了那艘船。蒂米叫了一声，麦琪和臭迪克立刻抬起头，看见了木筏上的四个孩子。两人恶狠狠地瞪着他们。
　　“你们好呀！”迪克挥舞着船桨喊道，“我们把木筏弄出来了，它很好用。你们的船用着也还好吗？”
　　麦琪气得脸色发红。她尖声叫道：“你们未经允许，擅自使用木筏，会有大麻烦的！”
　　“你们用船的时候经过谁的允许了？”朱利安反问道，“告诉我们，我们会去征求他的同意！”
　　乔治听了哈哈大笑。麦琪气得眉头紧皱，而臭迪克也怒得似乎马上就要把手里的桨砸到他们身上。
　　“离我们远点！”臭迪克怒气冲冲地大叫，“我们可不想让好好的一个下午被你们几个孩子毁了！”
　　迪克喊道：“不会的，大家可以友好相处！”乔治又大笑起来。
　　麦琪和臭迪克简直要气疯了，两人盯着木筏，简单迅速地交谈了几句。接着，臭迪克在麦琪的指示下又开始划桨。这次他拿出了狠劲儿，整个人看起来既暴躁又凶悍。
　　“快点，跟上去！”朱利安说，“也许这次我们会有新发现。”四个人再一次划起桨，跟在那艘船后面。但是他们并没有如愿。臭迪克把船划到湖的西岸，木筏也跟着去西岸。然后，臭迪克掉转船头，来到湖心，木筏又跟着划到湖心。孩子们累得气喘吁吁，但仍然努力跟着。
　　臭迪克划着船穿过湖心，一路直行到东岸，就在那里停了下来。等到孩子们追上来，他又把船划走了。
　　“让你们好好锻炼一下身体，感觉不错吧？”女人尖细刺耳的声音响起，“这对你们很有好处！”
　　那艘船又一次来到湖心。迪克抱怨道：“啊！我的胳膊太累了，快要划不动了。他们到底要干什么？”
　　“恐怕他们就是想让我们无功而返。”朱利安泄气地说，“很明显，他们已经拿定了主意。只要有我们跟着，他们就不会去找‘漂亮的简’。他们就是想把我们累倒！”
　　“好吧，如果这就是他们的目的，那我就不玩了！”迪克说完放下船桨，仰面躺在木筏上，两腿伸直，大口呼吸着。
　　其他人也像他那样躺下来，他们全都累了。蒂米在他们每个人身上舔了舔，然后在乔治身上坐了下来。乔治使劲推了它一下，蒂米差点掉进湖里。
　　“蒂米！你正好坐到了我的肚子上！”乔治生气地大声叫道，“你这个傻瓜！”
　　蒂米很震惊，乔治竟然责骂它，于是它连忙讨好地舔起乔治，希望她能原谅自己。乔治实在太累了，就懒得再推开它。
　　“那艘船现在到哪儿了？”过了一会儿，安妮说，“我已经累得坐不起来了，没办法看它了。”
　　朱利安坐起来，痛苦地叫道：“天哪，我的背！啊，那艘船在那儿——它笔直地划过湖面，可能要在老房子那边靠岸，也可能要划进船库。他们最终还是暂时放弃去找‘漂亮的简’了。”
　　“谢天谢地，”安妮说，“这样我们也可以歇一歇，至少等明天再继续！蒂米不要在我的脖子旁边喘息。朱利安，接下来我们做什么？”
　　“我看还是先回去吧。”朱利安说，“如果现在开始搜寻湖岸，时间上有些晚了，而且我觉得那样做也没有太大的意义。那两个人看样子不会再来划船了，除非他们又要耍花招，想让我们筋疲力尽。”
　　“那我们就回去吧。”乔治说，“我必须要先休息一下。蒂米，如果你继续坐在我的腿上，我就把你推到水里去。”
　　突然“哗啦”一声响起。乔治一惊，慌忙坐起来，发现木筏上不见了蒂米的踪影！
　　哦，它正开心地在水里游泳呢！
　　“蒂米自己到水里去了！它肯定觉得与其被你推下去，不如自己跳下去，哈哈。”迪克朝乔治咧着嘴笑，露出一口白牙。
　　“一定是你把它推了下去！”乔治怒气冲冲地说。
　　“我没有，”迪克说，“是它自己跳下去的。你看它玩得多开心。
　　对了，拿根绳子系在它身上，让它拉着我们划到岸边怎么样？这样我们就不用划桨了，能省很多力气。”
　　就在乔治打算认真考虑这个主意时，她看到了迪克嘴角狡诈的笑，就一脚朝他踢过去。
　　“别总拿我当笑料，迪克。我会把你也推下去的！”
　　“来吧。”迪克立刻回嘴道，“我正想试一试，看到底谁先掉进水里。”
　　面对挑战，乔治总是迎难而上从不退缩。她眨眼之间翻身而起，扑向迪克。迪克立刻闪身，眨眼到了木筏边缘。
　　“你们两个都停下！”朱利安发怒了，“把衣服弄湿了，可没有干的给你们换！我不想你们出来玩一趟还得了支气管炎和肺炎回去。
　　乔治，你也住手！”
　　乔治听出来他真的生气了，便停了下来。她用手捋捋自己短短的鬈发，突然调皮地笑着说：“遵命，老师！”然后乖乖坐下，拿起自己的桨。
　　朱利安也拿起桨，说：“我们现在回去吧，太阳已经西沉。十月的太阳，很快就会落山。”
　　他们把浑身湿透的蒂米拉上木筏后，开始往回划。安妮觉得这是一个美丽的傍晚。她一边划桨，一边欣赏着四周的景色，沉浸在梦幻般的想象中。湖水是美丽的深蓝色，木桨搅起的水波在身后化为一道道银色的水痕。两只水鸟叽叽喳喳地叫着，好奇地围着木筏游来游去。它们的脑袋转来转去，像上了发条一样。
　　安妮盯着湖岸上的树顶，看着夕阳映照下的天空渐渐变成了淡红色。突然，大约一英里外高高的山坡上，有一个东西吸引了她的目光。
　　那东西看起来像是一块高高的石头。安妮指着它说：“看，朱利安，那块石头是什么？那是地界标志，还是什么别的东西？它一定很高很大。”
　　“在哪儿？”朱利安向安妮所指的地方望去说，“哦，那个啊，我也不知道它是什么。”
　　迪克也在猛然间看见了它，说：“看着像一块高高的石头。”
　　“一块高高的石头，”安妮重复着这句话，觉得之前好像在哪儿听过，“一块高高的……啊，我想起来啦！它不是在那张示意图上出现过吗？就在迪克收到的那张纸上！就是‘高石’呀！你们想起来了吗？”
　　“哦，我想起来啦，的确是这样。”迪克说，他兴冲冲地看着远处那块石碑。随着木筏不断前进，大家的视线被高高的树木遮挡，石碑不见了。
　　“高石，”朱利安思索了一下说，“这可能只是个巧合。怎么可能这么轻松就找到了高石，这也太巧了！肯定没有这么简单。”
　　“那些宝藏会埋在高石下吗？”乔治疑惑地问。
　　朱利安摇摇头，说：“不会。它很可能被藏在那张神秘纸片所暗示的地方。大家都划起桨来！我们要快点回去了。”
Chapter 17 TIT FOR TAT!
Chapter 17 TIT FOR TAT!
　　When they arrived at the boat-house there was no sign of Maggie or Dick. But their boat was in theshed, tied up in front of the other two, where it had been before.
　　'They're back all right,' said Julian. 'I wonder where they are. Don't let's drag this clumsy, heavy raftinto the boat-house. I don't feel as if I've any strength left in my arms. Let's drag it under a bush andtie it there.'
　　They thought this a good idea. They pulled the raft up to some thick bushes and tied it firmly to a rootthat was sticking out of the ground.
　　Then they made their way to the ruined house, keeping a sharp look-out for Maggie and Dick.
　　There was still no sign of them.
　　They went in, Timmy first. He didn't growl so they knew it was safe. He led the way to the cellarsteps. Then he growled!
　　'What's up?' said Julian. 'Are they down there, Tim?'
　　Timmy ran straight down the steps into the cellar room. He growled again, but it was not the fiercegrowl he always gave when he wanted to warn that enemies or strangers were near. It was an angry,annoyed growl as if something was wrong.
　　'I expect dear Maggie and Dirty Dick have been down here and found out where our headquartersare!' said Julian, following Timmy down the steps. He switched on his torch.
　　69
　　The beds of heather and bracken were there as they had left them, and their macs and rugs andrucksacks. Nothing seemed to have been disturbed. Julian lighted the candles on the mantelpiece andthe dark little underground room came to life at once.
　　'What's the matter with Timmy?' asked George, coming down into the room. 'He's still growling.
　　Timmy, what's up?'
　　'I expect he can smell that the others have been down here,' said Dick. 'Look at him sniffing all round.
　　It's quite clear that someone has been here.'
　　'Anyone hungry?' asked Anne. 'I could do with some cake and biscuits.'
　　'Right,' said Julian, and opened the cupboard where they had put the food they had bought.
　　There was none there! Except for the crockery and one or two odds and ends that had been in thecupboard before, there was nothing. The bread had gone, the biscuits, the chocolate - everything!
　　'Blow!' said Julian, angrily. 'Look at that! The beasts! They've taken all our food - every bit. Not evena biscuit left. We were mad not to think they might do that!'
　　'Clever of them,' said Dick. 'They know we can't stay here long without food. It's a good way ofchasing us out. It's too late to go and get any tonight, anyway - and if we go tomorrow for some,they'll do what they have come to do in their own good time... when we're not here.'
　　Everyone felt distinctly down in the dumps. They were hungry and tired, and a good meal wouldhave made all the difference. Anne sank down on her bed of heather and sighed.
　　'I wish I'd left some chocolate in my rucksack,' she said. 'But I didn't leave any there at all. And poorTim - he's hungry too! Look at him sniffing in the cupboard and looking round at George.
　　Tim, there's nothing for you. The cupboard is bare!'
　　'Where are those two wretches gone?' suddenly said Julian, fiercely. 'I'll tick them off! I'll tell themwhat I think of people who come and rifle cupboards and take away all the food.'
　　'Woof,' said Timmy, in full agreement.
　　Julian went angrily up the stairs. He wondered again where Maggie and Dirty Dick were. He went tothe empty doorway and looked out. Then he saw where they were.
　　Two small tents had been put up under some thickly growing trees! So that's where the two weregoing to sleep. He debated whether or not to go and tell them what he thought of people who stolefood. He decided that he would.
　　But when he got over to the tents with Timmy, there was no one there! Rugs were laid inside, andthere was a primus stove and a kettle and other odds and ends. At the back of one tent was a 70pile of something, covered by a cloth.
　　Julian had a good look into each tent, and then went to see if he could find out where Maggie andDirty Dick had gone. He saw them at last, walking through the trees. They must have gone for anevening stroll, he thought.
　　They didn't come back to the tents, but sat down by the lake. Julian gave up the thought of tacklingthem and went back to the others. Timmy was left behind, snuffling about happily.
　　'They've got tents,' Julian informed the others when he was back in the cellar room again.
　　'They're obviously staying put till they've got what they came for. They aren't in the tents -they're out by the lake.'
　　'Where's Timmy?' asked George. 'You shouldn't have left him behind, Ju. They might do somethingto him.'
　　'Here he is!' said Julian, as a familiar noise of claws clattering on the ground came to their ears.
　　Timmy came down the stone steps and ran to George.
　　'He's got something in his mouth!' said George, in surprise. Timmy dropped it into her lap. She gavea yell.
　　'It's a tin of shortbread! Where did he get it from?'
　　Julian began to laugh. 'He must have taken it from one of the tents!' he said. 'I saw something coveredup with a cloth in one tent - their food, I imagine! Well, well - tit for tat - they took our food and nowTimmy is taking theirs!'
　　'Fair exchange is no robbery,' grinned Dick. 'Serves them right! I say - Tim's gone again!'
　　He was back in a minute with something large and paper-covered. It was a big cake! The four roaredwith laughter. 'Timmy! You're a wonder! You really are!'
　　Timmy was pleased at this praise. Off he went again and brought back a cardboard box in which wasa fine pork-pie. The children could hardly believe their eyes.
　　'It's a miracle!' said Anne. 'Just as I had made up my mind to starve for hours! A pork-pie of allthings! Let's have some.'
　　'Well, I have no second thoughts about it,' said Julian, firmly. 'They took our food and we deservesome of theirs. Good gracious - don't say Tim's gone again.'
　　He had! He was enjoying himself thoroughly. He arrived this time with a packet of ham, and thechildren couldn't imagine how he had stopped himself from eating some on the way.
　　'Fancy carrying it in his mouth and not even tasting a bit!' said Dick. 'Tim's a better person than I 71am. I'd just have to have had a lick.'
　　'I say - we ought to stop him now,' said Julian, as Timmy ran up the steps again, his tail waggingnineteen to the dozen. 'We're getting a bit too much in exchange!'
　　'Oh, do see what he brings back this time,' begged Anne. 'Then stop him.'
　　He came back carrying an old flour bag in which something had been packed. Timmy carried itcleverly by the neck so that nothing had fallen out. George undid the bag.
　　'Home-made scones - and buns,' she said. 'Timmy, you are very, very clever, and you shall have awonderful supper. But you are not to go and take any more things, because we've got enough.
　　See? No more. Lie down and be a good dog and eat your supper.'
　　Timmy was quite willing. He wolfed ham and scones and a slice of cake, and then he went up intothe kitchen, jumped into the sink and lapped the water lying there. He then jumped down and went tothe doorway to look out. He barked. Then he growled loudly.
　　The children rushed up the stone steps at once. Outside, at a safe distance, was Dirty Dick.
　　'Have you been taking anything of ours?' he shouted.
　　'No more than you have been taking of ours!' shouted back Julian. 'Fair exchange, you know, and allthat.'
　　'How dare you go into our tents?' raged the man, his shock of hair making him look very peculiar inthe twilight.
　　'We didn't. The dog fetched and carried for us,' said Julian. 'And don't you come any nearer. He's justlonging to fly at you! And I warn you, he'll be on guard tonight, so don't try any funny tricks.
　　He's as strong and savage as a lion.'
　　'Grrrr,' said Timmy, so fiercely that the man started back in fright. He went off without another word,shaking with anger.
　　Julian and the others went back to finish a very delicious supper. Timmy went with them - but heplanted himself at the top of the cellar steps.
　　'Not a bad place for him to be in tonight,' said Julian. 'I don't trust that couple an inch. We can givehim one of our blazers to lie on. I say - this has boiled up into quite an adventure, hasn't it?
　　It seems frightful to think we'll be back at school on Tuesday!'
　　'We must find the loot first!' said Anne. 'We really must. Let's get out that plan again, Ju. Let's makesure that Tall Stone is marked on it.'
　　They got it out and put it on the table. They bent over it once more.
　　72
　　'Yes - Tall Stone is marked at the end of one of the lines,' said Julian. 'Tock Hill is at the end of theopposite line. Let's get the map and see if there is a Tock Hill.'
　　They got the map, and studied it. Anne suddenly put her finger down on it. 'There it is. On theopposite side of the lake from where we saw the Tall Stone. Tock Hill on one side. Tall Stone on theother. Surely that means something.'
　　'It does, of course,' said Julian. 'It is bearings given to show the whereabouts of the hidden goods.
　　There are four bearings given - Tall Stone. Tock Hill. Chimney. And Steeple.'
　　'Listen!' said Dick, suddenly. 'LISTEN! I know how to read that map. It's easy.'
　　The others looked at him in surprise and doubt.
　　'Read it, then,' said Julian. 'Tell us what it all means. I don't believe you can!'
17.以牙还牙
　　以牙还牙
　　他们进到船库的时候没有看到麦琪和臭迪克的踪影，但是他们的船在这里，就绑在其他两艘船前面，还在原来的位置。
　　“那两个人确实上岸了，”朱利安说，“就是不知道他们去了哪里。木筏太重了，我们就不用把它拖进船库了，我的胳膊一点力气都没了，就把它绑在湖边的灌木丛里吧。”
　　大家都觉得这个主意不错。他们把木筏拉进茂密的树丛，紧紧地绑在旁边的半截树干上。
　　他们往烧毁的老房子走去，一路上都留意着麦琪和臭迪克，但是仍然不见两个人的踪影。
　　蒂米最先走进了房子。它不出声，大家就知道里面是安全的。
　　但当他们走到地下室的楼梯口时，蒂米突然叫了起来！
　　“怎么了？”朱利安问，“有人在下面吗，蒂米？”
　　蒂米迅速跑下楼梯，冲进地下室。它又叫了起来，但那不是提醒大家附近有敌人或者陌生人的叫声，而是一种发现了事情不妙后发出的愤怒的咆哮声。
　　“肯定是麦琪和臭迪克来过这里了，他们发现了我们的大本营！”朱利安一边说一边打开手电筒，跟着蒂米走下楼梯。
　　草铺还是他们离开时的样子，雨衣、地毯、帆布背包也还是原样，看来东西没有被乱动过。朱利安点上壁炉台上的蜡烛，黑黑的小地下室一下子有了生气。
　　“蒂米怎么了？”乔治走进房间问，“它还在叫。蒂米，发生什么事了？”
　　“它可能闻到了其他人来过这里后留下的气味，”迪克说，“看它到处乱嗅的样子，显然有人来过这里。”
　　“你们饿不饿？”安妮问，“我想吃点蛋糕和饼干。”
　　“行。”朱利安打开橱柜。他们之前把买来的食物都放在这里，可是现在里面什么都没有！柜子里除了原本就有的瓦罐和一两个零碎的杂物之外，其余的什么都没了！面包、饼干、巧克力，所有的食物都不见了！
　　“我的天哪！”朱利安火冒三丈，“看啊，那两个坏蛋！他们把我们的食物都拿走了，一点也不剩，连一片饼干都没留给我们。真没想到他们竟然会做出这种事！”
　　“他们真狡猾，”迪克说，“知道我们没有了食物，就不能继续待在这里了。这是一个赶走我们的好办法。现在去找食物太晚了，但如果我们明天早上去找食物，他们还是会趁我们不在的时候，把食物偷走。”
　　遇到这么糟糕的事，每个人都很沮丧。他们又累又饿，本该有的一顿大餐现在也没了。安妮在她的草铺上坐下来，叹着气说：“早知道这样，我之前就应该在包里放几块巧克力，但是我一块也没放。蒂米一定也很饿！你们看它在橱柜里闻来闻去，又眼巴巴看着乔治的样子，实在太可怜了！哦，亲爱的蒂米，没有东西让你吃了。橱柜都空了！”
　　“那两个恶棍去了哪里？”朱利安突然发狠地说，“我要把他们揪出来！我要让这两个坏蛋知道，洗劫我们的食物会受到什么样的惩罚！”
　　“汪！”蒂米非常支持他这么做。
　　朱利安要去找麦琪和臭迪克，他怒气冲冲地上了楼梯，来到空荡荡的走廊，看见外面几棵枝叶繁茂的树下有两个搭好的小帐篷。
　　很好，他知道该去哪里找他们了。那两个帐篷一定就是他们晚上睡觉的地方。朱利安犹豫着要不要去告诉他们，偷别人的东西是多么恶劣的行为。最终，他决定去跟他们讲讲道理。
　　但是当他带着蒂米走进帐篷时，却发现里面一个人也没有！帐篷里面只有地毯，便携式煤油炉和其他零碎的杂物。其中一个帐篷后面放着一堆东西，用衣服盖着。
　　朱利安把两个帐篷里的东西都仔细看了一遍，然后继续去找麦琪和臭迪克。终于找到了，他们正在树林中闲逛。朱利安觉得他们一定是晚餐后出来散步了。
　　那两个人没有回到帐篷里，而是坐在了湖边。朱利安放弃了与他们讲理的想法，回到伙伴们身边。蒂米跟在他身后，不停地嗅来嗅去。
　　“他们带了帐篷，”朱利安回到地下室对大家说，“明显是要待在这里，直到找到他们想要的东西。他们现在坐在湖边。”
　　“蒂米去哪儿了？”乔治问，“你不应该把它留在那儿的，他们可能会伤害它。”
　　就在这时，熟悉的“嗒嗒”声响起，他们都知道这是蒂米的脚步声。朱利安说：“蒂米回来了！”蒂米跑下台阶，来到乔治身边。
　　“它嘴里有东西！”乔治惊讶地说。蒂米把东西放在她的大腿上，乔治大叫了一声，“是一罐脆饼干！它从哪里弄来的？”
　　朱利安笑起来，说：“肯定是从其中一个帐篷里带出来的！我看见一个帐篷里有一堆用衣服盖着的东西，那应该是他们的食物！很好，很好，以牙还牙——他们偷了我们的食物，现在轮到我们拿他们的了！”
　　“我们这是公平交易，不是偷盗。”迪克笑着说，他一向古灵精怪，调皮捣蛋的主意多得很，“就是要让他们自食其果！嘿，蒂米，再去一次！”
　　蒂米跑出去，很快就回来了。这次它带回来一个很大的，用纸包着的东西，是一块大蛋糕！四个孩子笑着大叫起来：“啊，蒂米！
　　你总是让人惊喜！”
　　蒂米被夸得心花怒放。它又跑了出去，回来的时候叼着一个硬纸盒子，里面是一份精致的肉饼。孩子们几乎不敢相信自己的眼睛。
　　“太神奇了！”安妮说，“就在刚才，我还想着要做好挨饿的准备呢，没想到一下子就有了这么好的肉饼！那我们就一起来享用吧！”
　　“好。”朱利安毫无异议，“他们拿走了我们的食物，这些是我们应得的。哦，别告诉我蒂米又出去了！”
　　它的确又出去了！它正玩得起劲呢。这次它带回来了一包火腿。孩子们都不知道它是怎么忍住，没在路上自己把东西吃了的。
　　“食物就在它嘴里，而它竟然没有咬一口，真是稀奇！”迪克惊叹道，“蒂米比我还厉害，刚才我都忍不住流口水了。”
　　“我们是不是应该让它停下了。”朱利安说，这时候蒂米已经又欢快地摇着尾巴跑上了楼梯，“我们拿的东西太多了。”
　　“就让它最后再去一次吧，看看它这次能带回来什么，”安妮说，“然后再拦住它。”
　　蒂米回来的时候背着一个面粉袋，里面是一包一包装好的东西。它很聪明地把袋子托在脖子上，所以东西一点都没有掉下来。
　　“自制的烤饼，还有圆面包。”乔治解开袋口，“蒂米，干得漂亮，你肯定是有超能力吧。但是不许再去拿东西了，这些已经够多了，明白吗？别再去了，坐下来，乖，吃晚餐吧。”
　　蒂米十分乐意吃晚餐，它狼吞虎咽地吃了一些火腿和烤饼，还有一块蛋糕。吃完后它跑到上面的厨房，跳进水池，在水里游了两圈后跳下来，跑到走廊向外张望着。它叫了两下，然后大声咆哮起来。
　　孩子们听到声音立刻赶上来。房子外面，臭迪克就站在不远处，和蒂米保持着安全距离。他大声问：“你们是不是拿了我们的东西？”
　　“是你们先拿了我们的食物，这是公平交换！”朱利安大声回答，“而且我们拿的没有你们拿的多！”
　　臭迪克怒吼道：“你们竟敢进我们的帐篷！”他乱糟糟的头发在黄昏红彤彤的夕阳下十分显眼。
　　“我们没有进去，是蒂米跑过去把东西带回来的。”朱利安说，“你不要再往前走了，蒂米正想扑上去咬你呢！它和狮子一样强壮凶猛。我警告你，它今晚会一直警戒，所以你们别想再耍什么花招。”
　　蒂米低吼着，喉咙里发出咕咕的声音，样子看起来十分凶恶。
　　臭迪克吓得退了回去，气得浑身发抖，没再多说一句话就离开了。
　　朱利安和伙伴们回到地下室饱餐了一顿。蒂米跟在他们身后，但它在通往地下室的楼梯口停了下来，守在那里一动不动。
　　“我一点也信不过那两个人，”朱利安说，“蒂米今晚就在那里过夜也不错。我们可以把外套给它，让它铺在身下。啊，这次的旅行已经升级成一次真正的冒险了，不是吗？只是我们星期二就要回到学校，快没时间了！”
　　“我们必须先找到珠宝，”安妮说，“一定要比他们先找到！朱利安，把那张图拿出来，看上面是不是真的有‘高石’。”
　　朱利安把那张图拿出来，放在桌子上。大家聚在一起，再一次研究起来。
　　“是的，‘高石’在其中一条线的末端，”朱利安说，“‘托科山’在另一条线的末端，这两条线是相对的。我们来看看地图上有没有托科山。”
　　他们打开地图，仔细查看。安妮突然用手指按住一个地方，说：“在这儿，这里是我们在湖上看到的高石的对面。科托山在一边，高石在另一边。这里面肯定有寓意。”
　　“一定是这样，”朱利安说，“这里面肯定暗示了藏宝的地点。示意图给出了四个线索：高石、托科山、烟囱和尖塔。”
　　“听我说！”迪克突然叫道，“大家听我说！我知道该怎么解释这张图了，其实很简单。”
　　其他人都震惊地看着他。
　　朱利安怀疑地说：“那你就说说看，我不相信你能解出来！”
Chapter 18 A VERY EXCITING TIME
Chapter 18 A VERY EXCITING TIME
　　'Let's take all the clues we know,' said Dick, looking excited. 'Two Trees. That's here. Gloomy Water.
　　That's where the hidden stuff must be. Saucy Jane. It's a boat that contains the stuff, hiddensomewhere on Gloomy Water.'
　　'Go on,' said Julian, as Dick paused to think.
　　'Maggie is the next clue - well she's here, probably an old friend of Nailer's,' said Dick. 'She knowsall the clues too.'
　　He jabbed his finger at the piece of paper. 'Now for these clues. Listen! We saw Tall Stone when wewere out on the lake, didn't we? Very well. There must be SOME spot on the lake from where we cansee not only Tall Stone, but also Tock Hill, Chimney and Steeple, whatever they are! There must beonly one spot from which we can see all those four things at the same time -and that's the spot to hunt in for the treasure!'
　　There was an astonished silence after this. Julian drew a long breath and clapped Dick on the back.
　　'Of course! What idiots we were not to see it before. The Saucy Jane must be somewhere on - or in -the lake at the spot where all four clues are seen at the same time. We've only got to explore and findout!'
　　73
　　'Yes - but don't forget that Maggie and Dirty Dick know what these clues mean too! They'll be therefirst if they possibly can!' said Dick. 'And what's more if they get the goods we can't do anythingabout it. We're not the police! They'll be off and away with their find and disappear completely.'
　　Everyone began to feel intensely excited. 'I think we'd better set off early tomorrow morning,'
　　said Julian. 'As soon as it's light. Otherwise Maggie and Dick will get in first. I wish to goodness wehad an alarm clock.'
　　'We'll go on the raft, and we'll paddle about till we see Tall Stone again - then we'll keep that in sighttill we see Tock Hill, whatever that is,' said Dick. 'And once we've spotted that we'll keep both TallStone and Tock Hill in sight and paddle round to find out where we can see a steeple -and then a chimney. I should think that would be the one chimney left on Two Trees-house! Did younotice there is just one left, sticking up high?'
　　'Yes, I noticed,' said Anne. 'What a clever way to hide anything, Dick. Nobody could possibly knowwhat the clues meant unless they knew something of the secret. This is awfully exciting!'
　　They talked about it for some time and then Julian said they really must try and go to sleep or theywould never wake up early enough in the morning.
　　They settled down in their beds of heather and bracken. Timmy lay on Julian's blazer on the top stepof the stairs leading down to the cellar room. He seemed to think it was quite a good idea to sleepthere that night.
　　They were all tired and they fell asleep very quickly. Nothing disturbed them in the night. The foxcame again and looked into the old house, but Timmy didn't stir. He merely gave a small growl andthe fox fled, his bushy tail spread behind him.
　　The morning came and daylight crept in at the burnt-out doorway and windows. Timmy stirred andwent to the door. He looked towards the two tents. No one was about there. He went to the cellarsteps and clattered down waking Dick and Julian at once.
　　'What's the time?' said Julian, remembering immediately that he was to wake early. 'Half-past seven.
　　Wake up, everyone! It's daylight. We've heaps to do!'
　　They washed hurriedly, combed out their hair, cleaned their teeth, and tried to brush down theirclothes. Anne got ready some snacks for them - ham, scones and a piece of shortbread each.
　　They all had a drink of water and then they were ready to go.
　　There was no sign of anyone near the two tents. 'Good,' said Julian. 'We'll be there first!'
　　74
　　They dragged the raft out and got on to it, taking up the paddles. Then off they went, Timmy too, allfeeling tremendously excited.
　　'We'll paddle out to where we think we were last night when Anne caught sight of Tall Stone,'
　　said Julian. So they paddled valiantly, though their arms were stiff with yesterday's paddling and itwas really very painful to use the tired muscles all over again!
　　They paddled out to the middle of the lake and looked for Tall Stone. It didn't seem anywhere to beseen! They strained their eyes for it, but for a long time it was not to be spotted at all. Then Dick gavea cry. 'It's just come into sight. Look, when we passed those tall trees on the bank yonder, Tall Stonecame into view. It was behind them before that.'
　　'Good,' said Julian. 'Now I'm going to stop paddling and keep Tall Stone in sight. If it goes out ofsight I'll tell you and you must back- paddle. Dick, can you possibly paddle and look out forsomething that could be Tock Hill on the opposite side? I daren't take my eyes off Tall Stone in caseit disappears.'
　　'Right,' said Dick, and paddled while he looked earnestly for Tock Hill.
　　'Got it!' he said suddenly. 'It must be it! Look, over there - a funny little hill with a pointed top.
　　Julian, can you still see Tall Stone?'
　　'Yes,' said Julian. 'Keep your eyes on Tock Hill. Now it's up to the girls. George, paddle away and seeif you can spot Steeple.'
　　'I can see it now, already!' said George, and for one moment the boys took their eyes off Tall Stoneand Tock Hill and looked where George pointed. They saw the steeple of a faraway church glintingin the morning sun.
　　'Good, good, good,' said Julian. 'Now Anne - look for Chimney - look down towards the end of thelake - where the house is. Can you see its one chimney?'
　　'Not quite,' said Anne. 'Paddle just a bit to the left - the left, I said, George! Yes - yes, I can see theone chimney. Stop paddling everyone. We're here!'
　　They stopped paddling but the raft drifted on, and Anne lost the chimney again! They had to paddleback a bit until it came into sight. By that time George had lost her steeple!
　　At last all four things were in view at once, and the raft seemed to be still and unmoving on the quietwaters of the lake.
　　'I'm going to drop something to mark the place,' said Julian, still keeping his eyes desperately on TallStone. 'George, can you manage to watch Tall Stone and Steeple at the same time? I simply 75must look what I'm doing for the moment.'
　　'I'll try,' said George, and fixed her eyes first on Tall Stone, then on Steeple, then on Tall Stone again,hoping and praying that neither would slip out of sight if the raft moved on the water.
　　Julian was busy. He had taken his torch and his pocket-knife out of his pocket and had tied themtogether with string. 'I haven't enough string, Dick,' he said. 'You've got some, haven't you?'
　　Dick had, of course. He put his hand into his pocket, still keeping his eyes on Tock Hill and passedhis string over to Julian.
　　Julian tied it to the end of the string that joined together the knife and torch. Then he dropped theminto the water, letting out the string as they went down with their weight. The string slid through hishands. It stopped in a short while and Julian knew that the knife and torch had reached the bed of thelake.
　　He felt in his pockets again. He knew he had a cork somewhere that he had carved into a horse'shead. He found it and tied the end of the string firmly round it. Then he dropped the cork thankfullyinto the water. It bobbed there, held by the string, which led right down to the knife and torch on thelake-bed below.
　　'It's done!' he said, with a sigh of relief. 'Take your eyes off everything! I've marked the place now, sowe don't need to glue our eyes on the four bearings!'
　　He told them how he had tied together his knife and torch and dropped them on string to the bottomof the lake, and then had tied a cork to the other end, so that it would bob and show them the place.
　　They all looked at it. 'Jolly clever, Ju,' said Dick. 'But once we slide away from this spot, and it wouldbe an easy thing to do, we'd find it jolly difficult to find that cork again! Hadn't we better tiesomething else to it?'
　　'I haven't got anything else that will float,' said Julian. 'Have you?'
　　'I have,' said George, and she handed him a little wooden box. 'I keep the three penny bits I collect inthat,' she said, putting the money into her pocket. 'You can have the box. It will be much easier to seethan the cork.'
　　Julian tied the box to the cork. It was certainly a good deal easier to see! 'Fine!' he said. 'Now we'requite all right. We must be right over the loot!'
　　They all bent over the edge of the raft and looked down - and they saw a most surprising sight!
　　Below them, resting on the bottom of the lake, was a boat! It lay there in the shadows of the 76water, its outline blurred by the ripples the raft made - but quite plainly it was a boat!
　　'The Saucy Jane!' said Julian, peering down, feeling amazed and awed to think that they had read thebearings so correctly that they were actually over the Saucy Jane herself! 'The Nailer must have comehere with the stolen goods - got out the Saucy Jane and rowed her to this spot. He must have taken hisbearings very carefully indeed, and then holed the boat so that she sank down with the loot in her.
　　Then I suppose he swam back to shore.'
　　'Most ingenious,' said Dick. 'Really, he must be a jolly clever fellow. But I say, Julian - how on earthare we going to get the boat up?'
　　'I can't imagine,' said Julian. 'I simply - can't - imagine! I hadn't even thought of that.'
　　Timmy suddenly began to growl. The four looked up quickly to see why.
　　They saw a boat coming over the water towards them - the Merry Meg, with Maggie and Dirty Dickin it. And the children felt quite certain that both were reading the bearings on their piece of paper inexactly the same way as they themselves had!
　　They were so engrossed in watching for Tall Stone, Tock Hill, Chimney and Steeple that they tookno notice of the children at all. 'I don't think they guess for one moment that we've read the bearingsand marked the place,' said Julian. 'How wild they'll be when they find we are right over the placethey're looking for! Watch out for trouble!'
18.解开谜团
　　解开谜团
　　“现在我们来把所有的线索梳理一下，”迪克激动地说，“‘两棵树’就是这里，‘幽暗之水’肯定是珠宝被藏起来的地方，‘漂亮的简’是载着珠宝的船，它一定就被人藏在幽暗之水的某个地方。”
　　迪克说到这里，停下来想了一会儿。朱利安说：“你接着往下说。”
　　“麦琪是下一条线索，她很可能是尼勒尔的老朋友，而且已经来到这里了。”迪克说，“她也得到了所有的线索。”
　　他的手指在那张纸上猛地一敲，说：“现在再来说纸上这些字的含义。接下来大家要认真地听！我们在湖面上的时候不是看到高石了吗？这是一个很好的发现。湖面上肯定有一个地方，在那里，我们既能看见高石，又能看到托科山、烟囱和尖塔，也就是说能同时看到这四样东西。虽然还不知道它们都是什么，但这个地方一定是存在的。而那里，就是我们要找的藏着宝藏的地方！”
　　大家听完之后都震惊得说不出话来，房间里一时间非常寂静。
　　朱利安深深地吸了一口气，伸手拍在迪克的背上说：“一定是这样的！之前我们竟然没有想明白，真是太蠢了。‘漂亮的简’一定就在湖中那个可以同时看见四样东西的地方。船可能在水面上，也可能在水底下，我们要做的就是去把它找出来！”
　　“对，但是别忘了，麦琪和臭迪克也知道这些提示的意思！他们肯定会尽可能先到那里！”迪克说，“如果他们拿到了珠宝，一定会立刻带着它们离开，逃得无影无踪。到那时，我们将束手无策，因为我们不是警察！”
　　每个人都热血沸腾起来。朱利安说：“我们最好明天一大早就出发，否则的话，就会被麦琪和臭迪克抢了先。如果我们有闹钟，那该多好啊！”
　　迪克说：“明天我们继续划着木筏去今天见到高石的地方。看见了高石后，我们就盯着它，别让它离开视线，然后继续划动木筏，直到看到托科山。一旦看到了托科山，就要把它和高石一起盯住，然后找尖塔，最后是烟囱——我觉得‘烟囱’可能就是指从两棵树的左侧屋顶上伸出来的那个烟囱。它高高地矗立在那里，孤零零的，有人注意到吗？”
　　“我看见过它，”安妮说，“这个藏东西的办法真是太高明了。根本没有人能破解那些暗号，除非知道其中的一些秘密。真是太激动人心了！”
　　他们又讨论了一会儿后，朱利安就催大家去睡觉，不然第二天就不能早起了。
　　孩子们在各自的草铺上睡下。蒂米身下铺着朱利安的外套，睡在通向地下室的楼梯口。它似乎觉得今晚睡在这里是一个明智的选择。
　　四个孩子都很累，很快就进入了梦乡，一夜酣睡。那只狐狸又来了，往老房子里看了看。这次蒂米没有费神去管它，只是朝它低低地叫了一声。那只狐狸被吓得立刻炸开尾巴溜走了。
　　清晨降临，日光轻缓地爬进烧毁的门廊，照在窗户上。蒂米醒了，起身来到房子门口，向那两个帐篷看去。帐篷外面一个人也没有。蒂米跑下地下室的楼梯，“嗒嗒”的脚步声让迪克和朱利安一下子醒了过来。
　　“现在是什么时候了？”朱利安说完，立刻想起来今天要早起，于是大声叫道，“七点半了，天已经亮了，大家快醒醒！我们今天有很多事要做！”
　　他们迅速地刷牙、洗脸、梳头，最后还整理了身上的衣服。安妮为大家准备了一些零食——有火腿、小圆面包，每个人还有一片脆饼。他们每人喝了些水，然后就出发了。
　　两个帐篷附近没有人走过的痕迹。朱利安说：“他们还没有出来，这太好了，我们肯定会先到那里！”
　　四个人把木筏拖出来，等都上了木筏，他们就划起木桨出发了。每个人都精神振奋，跟着他们一起上了木筏的蒂米也一样。
　　朱利安说：“我们要先把木筏划到昨天下午安妮看见高石的地方。”尽管昨天他们的胳膊都已经累得发僵，现在动一动都十分疼痛，但他们仍然使劲划着桨。
　　他们把木筏划到湖中央寻找高石，睁大眼睛仔细地找了很久，却连高石的影子都没有见到。突然，迪克叫了起来：“我看见它了。
　　看，它在那里。我们一划过那几棵高高的树，高石就出现了。它之前是被那几棵树挡住了。”
　　“好极了。”朱利安高兴地说，“从现在起，我就不划桨了，只负责盯着高石。如果它离开了我的视线，我就告诉你们，你们就要让木筏稍微退回来一些。迪克，你能一边划桨，一边留意高石对面的托科山吗？我要时刻盯着高石，一刻也不能分心，以免它又不见了。”
　　“好。”迪克一边划着桨，一边热切地找着托科山。
　　“找到了！”没过一会儿，他就叫起来，“一定是它！看，在那里，就是那个形状奇怪的尖顶小山。朱利安，你还能看见高石吗？”
　　“能，”朱利安说，“你要盯牢了托科山，现在就看女孩们的了。
　　乔治，接着划桨，看你能不能找到尖塔。”
　　“我现在就能看见它！”乔治说。这一刻，男孩们把目光从高石和托科山上收回来，向乔治所指的地方望去，只见远处教堂上的尖塔正在晨光的照耀下闪闪发亮。
　　“好，好，好！”朱利安激动不已，又对安妮说，“现在，安妮，往湖岸上老房子的房顶看，你能看见那个烟囱吗？”
　　“我看得不是很清楚。”安妮说，“把木筏往左划一点点。我说的是左，乔治！对，对，我看见烟囱了。大家都停下来，不要再划了，我们要找的地方就是这里！”
　　他们放下了手中的船桨，但是木筏仍然在往前漂移。于是，烟囱从安妮的眼中消失了！他们不得不划起桨往回退，直到烟囱再次进入视线。可是这一回，乔治之前所见到的尖塔又不见了！
　　等四样东西终于再一次同时出现在他们的视线中时，木筏也停在了宁静的湖面上，不再乱跑了。
　　“我要往水里丢个东西，给这个地方做个标记。”朱利安说，他的眼睛一直紧紧盯着高石，“乔治，你能想办法同时看着高石和尖塔吗？我现在有事要做。”
　　“我尽力。”乔治说。她先了看一眼高石，然后看了一眼尖塔，接着又去看高石，心里祈祷着它们可千万别又不见了。
　　朱利安的手忙开了。他从口袋里拿出手电筒和小折刀，把它们系在一根绳子的一端。“这根绳子不够长，你们带绳子了吗？”
　　当然，迪克带了绳子。他从口袋里拿出绳子交给朱利安，这期间他一直盯着托科山。
　　朱利安把这根绳子系在之前那根绳子的另一端，然后把系有小刀和手电筒的一端扔进水里，并放松手里的绳子，让绳子随着它们的重量在水中垂下去。过了一会儿，绳子不再下坠，朱利安知道小刀和手电筒已经沉到湖底了。
　　朱利安记得自己身上有一个雕刻成马头的软木塞。他从口袋里把它取出来，牢牢地系在手中绳子的末端，然后把木塞扔进水中。
　　和朱利安料想的一样，木塞漂浮在了水面上，它被湖底的小刀和手电筒通过一根绳子牵拉着，不会漂走。
　　“大功告成了！”朱利安长舒了一口气，说道，“伙伴们，都把目光收回来吧！我已经给这个地方做了标记，大家不用再辛苦地盯着那四个方向了！”他把自己做标记的方法说了一遍，又让大家看了看漂浮着的木塞，说它会给大家指明正确的位置。
　　每个人都看见了木塞。“朱利安，你太聪明啦！”迪克说，“就是木塞小了点，要是木筏漂得远了，木塞就不太容易找到了！你为什么不绑一个别的东西呢？”
　　“我没有其他能漂浮起来的东西了，你那里有吗？”朱利安问。
　　“我有，这里面有几枚我存的硬币。”乔治说，然后交给朱利安一个木盒子，把里面的硬币取了出来放进口袋，“你可以把这个盒子绑上去，它可比软木塞要好找多啦。”
　　朱利安把盒子跟木塞绑在一起。这确实是个好主意，现在找起目标来比之前容易多了！“好极了！一切都十分顺利，我们一定能找到那些珠宝！”朱利安说。
　　孩子们都站到木筏边，低头向水下看去，然后都被看到的景象震惊了——木筏下面的湖底竟然有一艘沉船！它躺在幽暗的水底，虽然木筏摇荡所激起的水波模糊了它的轮廓，但还是能清楚地看出来，那就是一艘船！
　　朱利安看着下面说：“那一定是‘漂亮的简’！”他感到很不可思议。他们竟然真的破解了所有的暗示，而且分毫不差！现在，他们就在“漂亮的简”的正上方，这就是最好的证明！接着他说：“尼勒尔肯定带着抢来的珠宝来过这里。他先从船库里把‘漂亮的简’弄出来，把东西藏进船舱，然后在船底凿了个洞，让船和宝藏一起沉入湖底，最后他自己再游回岸上。”
　　迪克赞叹道：“他简直是个天才！真的，尼勒尔一定是一个十分聪明的家伙。可是，朱利安，我们要怎样才能把船弄上来呢？”
　　“我不知道，”朱利安说，“我真的一点也不知道！之前根本没有想过。”
　　蒂米突然大叫起来。四个孩子立即抬头，看见一艘船划过水面向他们驶来，是‘快乐的梅格’，麦琪和臭迪克都在上面。孩子们觉得那两个人一定也知道了寻找藏宝地点的办法！
　　麦琪和臭迪克正全神贯注地寻找着高石、托科山、烟囱和尖塔，根本没有注意到孩子们。朱利安说：“他们肯定想不到我们已经破解了暗号，还在这里做了标记。等那两个人看见我们正好就在他们要找的地方，肯定会气得发疯！这下可有麻烦了，大家要小心！”
Chapter 19 MAGGIE AND DICK ARE ANNOYED
Chapter 19 MAGGIE AND DICK ARE ANNOYED
　　The boat in which Maggie and Dirty Dick were rowing went this way and that as the two searchedfor the same objects that the children had already spotted. The four watched them, and George puther hand on Timmy to stop him barking.
　　The boat came nearer and nearer. Maggie was trying to keep in view two or three of the bearings atonce and her head twisted from side to side continually. The children grinned at one another. It hadbeen hard enough for the four of them to keep all the bearings in view - it must be very difficult forMaggie, especially as Dirty Dick didn't seem to be helping very much.
　　They heard Maggie give sharp orders as the boat swung this way and that. Then it headed for them.
　　Dirty Dick growled something to Maggie, who had her back to them, and she turned round 77sharply, losing the view of the things she was looking for.
　　Her face was full of anger when she saw the raft so near - and in the place where she wanted her boatto go! Afraid of completely losing the view of the things she was keeping her eyes on, she turnedback again and hastily looked to see if Tock Hill, Tall Stone and Steeple were still all to be seentogether. She said something in a furious voice to Dirty Dick, and he nodded with a sour face.
　　The boat came nearer and they heard Maggie say, 'I think I can see it now - yes - a bit farther to theright, please.'
　　'She's spotted One Chimney now,' whispered Anne. 'I expect they've got all the bearings. Oh dear- the boat will bump right into us!'
　　It did! Dirty Dick rowed viciously at them and the bows of the boat gave them a terrific jolt.
　　Anne would have fallen into the water if Julian hadn't grabbed at her.
　　He yelled at Dirty Dick. 'Look out, you ass! You nearly had us over! What on earth do you thinkyou're doing?'
　　'Get out of the way then,' growled Dirty Dick. Timmy began to bark savagely, and the boat at oncedrew away from the raft.
　　'There's plenty of room on this lake,' shouted Julian. 'What do you want to come and disturb us for?
　　We aren't doing any harm.'
　　'We're going to report you to the police,' called the woman, her face red with anger. 'Taking a raft thatdoesn't belong to you, sleeping in a house where you've no right to be - and stealing our food.'
　　'Don't talk nonsense,' cried Julian. 'And don't you dare to ram us again. If you do I'll send our dogafter you. He's longing to come.'
　　'Grrrr!' said Timmy, and showed his magnificent set of gleaming white teeth. Dirty Dick mutteredsomething quickly to Maggie. She turned round again and called to them.
　　'Now look here, you kids - be sensible. My friend and I have come down here for a quiet weekend,and it isn't nice to find you four everywhere we go. Go back and keep out of our way and we won'treport you at all. That's a fair bargain - we won't even say anything about your stealing our food.'
　　'We're going back when we think we will,' answered Julian. 'And no threats or bargains will makeany difference to us.'
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　　There was a silence. Then Maggie spoke hurriedly to Dirty Dick again. He nodded.
　　'Is this your half-term?' she called. 'When do you have to go back?'
　　'Tomorrow,' said Julian. 'You'll be rid of us then. But we're going to enjoy ourselves on this raft whilewe can.'
　　There was another hurried conference between the two. Then Dirty Dick rowed round a little, andMaggie began to peer down into the water. She suddenly looked up, nodded at Dirty Dick, and herowed away again towards the end of the lake! Not another word did the couple say.
　　'I can see what they've decided to do,' said Julian, in a pleased voice. 'They think we'll be gone bytomorrow, so they'll wait till the coast is clear and then they'll come and collect the loot in peace.
　　Did you see Maggie looking down into the water to spot the boat? I was afraid she would also spotour mark - the cork and the box! But she didn't.'
　　'I don't know why you sound so pleased,' said George. 'We can't get the boat up, you know that -and I don't feel pleased that we'll have to leave tomorrow and let that horrid pair collect the loot.
　　I imagine they'll have some clever grown-up way of pulling up the boat from the bed of the lake- which they will do when we've gone tomorrow.'
　　'You're not very bright today, George,' said Julian, watching the boat being rowed farther and fartheraway. 'I told them we'd be gone tomorrow, hoping they would clear off and wait - and leave us timeto get the loot ourselves. I think we can!'
　　'How?' said three voices at once, and Timmy looked inquiringly at Julian too.
　　'Well, we don't need to pull up the boat,' said Julian. 'We only want the loot. What's to prevent usfrom going down and getting it? I'm quite prepared to strip and dive down to the bottom there andfeel about for any sack or bag or box. If I find one I'll come up for air, borrow a bit of rope from theraft and go down again - tie the rope to the sack and you can haul it up to the surface!'
　　'Oh Julian - it sounds so easy - but is it really?' said Anne. George and Dick considered the proposalcarefully. They were most impressed by Julian's idea.
　　'Well, it may turn out to be much more difficult than it sounds, but I'm jolly well going to try it,'
　　said Julian, and began to strip off his jersey.
　　Anne felt the water. It was very very cold to her warm hand. 'Ugh! I'd hate to dive down to thebottom of this horrid cold dark lake,' she said. 'I think you're brave, Ju.'
　　'Don't talk rubbish!' said Julian.
　　He was ready to go in now. He dived neatly into the water with hardly a splash. The other three 79craned over the edge of the raft to watch. They could see him down, deep down in the water, aghostly figure. He stayed down such a long time that Anne got worried.
　　'He can't hold his breath all that time!' she said. 'He can't!'
　　But Julian could. He was one of the star swimmers and divers at his school, and this was easy to him.
　　He came up again at last, and panted hard, trying to make up for holding his breath so long.
　　The others waited patiently. At last his breathing grew more even and he grinned at them.
　　'Ah - that's better! Well - it's there!' he said, triumphantly.
　　'Is it!' said everyone, thrilled. 'Oh Julian!'
　　'Yes. I dived right down to the boat - almost got there with the force of my dive - had to swim just acouple of strokes perhaps. And there was the poor old boat, rotting to bits. And in one end is awaterproof bag - almost a sack, it's so big. I ran my hands over it, and it's waterproof all right- so the loot must be packed in there.'
　　'Did it feel heavy?' asked Dick.
　　'I gave it a tug and couldn't move it,' said Julian. 'Either it's wedged in somehow or is really heavy.
　　Anyway we can't fetch it out by diving down for it. I'll have to dive down again, fix a rope to it, thencome up - and we'll give a heave-ho and up she'll come!'
　　Julian was shivering. Anne picked up the blazer she had brought and gave it to him to dry himselfwith. Dick looked hurriedly over the raft. There were certainly bits and pieces of rope sticking outhere and there; some of it half-rotten, and a short length was tucked into a space between two planksof the raft.
　　It was much too short though - and surely the other bits and pieces would never join to make a longenough rope?
　　'The bits of rope we've got won't do, Julian,' said Dick. Julian was drying himself and lookingtowards the end of the lake, where Two-Trees stood. He was frowning. The others looked too.
　　The boat had reached the bank there, and had been pulled up. One of the couple, the children couldn'tsee which, was standing up on the bank - and something was glinting in the sun, something he or shewas holding!
　　'See that glint?' said Julian. 'Well, that's either Maggie or Dirty Dick using field-glasses. They'regoing to keep an eye on us while we're here - just to make sure we don't suddenly spot the boat, Isuppose! They don't guess we've already found it. I bet they were worried when they saw I'd taken aheader into the water just over the sunken boat!'
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　　'Oh - so that's what the flash is,' said George. 'The glint of field-glasses! Yes - they're watching us.
　　Blow! That will put an end to us trying to haul up the loot, Ju. They'd see it and wait for us!'
　　'Yes. No good trying for that now,' said Julian. 'Anyway, as Dick says, we've not got enough rope.
　　We'll have to get some from the boat-house.'
　　'But when do you propose to get the bag out of the sunk boat?' asked Dick. 'They'll keep those field-glasses on us even if we go out again this afternoon.'
　　'There's only one time to go when they won't have their glasses watching us,' said Julian, beginning todress himself very rapidly, 'and that's tonight. We'll go tonight! My word - what an adventure!'
　　'Don't let's,' said Anne, in a small voice.
　　'There'll be a moon,' said George, excited.
　　'Smashing idea!' said Dick, thumping Julian on the back. 'Let's go back now so that they won't haveany suspicions of us, and make our plans for tonight. And we'd better keep an eye on them too in casethey row out to this spot themselves this afternoon.'
　　'They won't,' said Julian. 'They daren't run any risk of us spotting what they're doing. They will besure to wait till we've gone.'
　　'And till the loot is gone!' said George with a laugh. 'I say - I do hope those two wretches haven'tgone and taken our food again!'
　　'I hid it down in the cellars beyond our room - and locked the door leading there - and here's the key,'
　　grinned Julian, holding up a large key.
　　'You never told us!' said George. 'Julian, you're a genius! How do you manage to think of things likethat?'
　　'Oh - just brains!' said Julian, pretending to look modest, and then laughing. 'Come on - if I don't getwarm quickly I'll have a most almighty chill!'
19.智斗
　　智斗
　　麦琪和臭迪克正一边划船，一边寻找孩子们刚才找过的那几样东西。四个小伙伴看着他们，乔治把手放在蒂米身上，让它不要叫。
　　那两个人的船越来越近。麦琪的头不停地转来转去，正在尽力同时盯住三个目标。孩子们相互看看，心领神会地笑了。这件事四个人做起来都很吃力，何况是麦琪一个人，尤其是臭迪克看起来根本帮不上多少忙。
　　他们听见麦琪用尖细的嗓音指挥臭迪克调整船的方向，不一会儿，船就笔直地朝木筏驶来。麦琪背对着他们，臭迪克低声对麦琪说了句什么，她就丢开了所有的目标，猛然转过身。
　　当看到孩子们的木筏就在眼前时，她一脸怒容——木筏竟然就停在她的船要去的地方！因为害怕弄丢了一直注意的目标，她又转回身去，慌忙去看托科山、高石和尖塔，看它们是否还能同时被看见。她怒不可遏，对臭迪克交代了几句。臭迪克阴沉着脸，点了点头。
　　那艘船更近了，孩子们听见麦琪说：“我看见它了，对，再往右划一点。”
　　“她找到烟囱了，”安妮低声说，“我想他们已经找到了所有的东西。”说到这里，她惊叫道，“哦，天哪，那艘船马上就要撞上我们了！”
　　的确要撞上了！臭迪克划船猛冲过来，把木筏撞得剧烈摇晃起来。安妮差点就落到了水里，幸亏朱利安及时抓住了她。
　　朱利安气得对臭迪克大喊：“小心点，你这个混蛋！你差点把我们的木筏撞翻了！你们究竟要干什么？！”
　　“让开，别挡路！”臭迪克吼道。蒂米对着他们一阵狂吠，那艘船立刻向后退了一些。
　　朱利安大声吼道：“湖面这么大，你们为什么要来打搅我们？我们并没有妨碍你们。”
　　麦琪气得满脸通红，说道：“我要向警察告发你们。你们私自使用别人的木筏，住别人的房子。你们没有权利住在那里，并且还偷了我们的食物。”
　　“你胡说！”朱利安与她针锋相对，警告道，“你们要是再敢撞我们一下，我就放狗！它正想咬你们呢！”
　　这时，蒂米露出闪着寒光的牙齿，喉咙里发出一连串低吼。
　　臭迪克在麦琪耳边迅速咕哝了几句，接着麦琪便喊道：“听我说，你们这群孩子，理智一点。我和我的朋友只想在这里过个安安静静的周末，可是不管走到哪里都能碰见你们，让人有些心烦。只要你们乖乖地回去，别再让我们见到，我们就绝对不会告发你们，也不计较你们偷食物的事。这个交易很公平吧，你们觉得怎么样？”
　　“我们想回去的时候自己会离开的。”朱利安答道，“任何威胁和交易对我们都不管用。”
　　一阵沉默。接着，麦琪又急促地在臭迪克耳边说了些什么，臭迪克点点头。
　　“所以这是你们的期中假期？”麦琪问，“那你们什么时候回去？”
　　“明天。”朱利安说，“到时候你们就能摆脱我们了，但不是现在。我们要在离开前好好地玩一玩。”
　　那两个人又匆忙商议了一会儿。然后，臭迪克划着船在水面转了一圈，麦琪一直盯着水下看。突然，她抬起头，对臭迪克点了点。接着，臭迪克就划着船向湖岸驶去，两个人谁也没有再多说一句话。
　　“我知道他们是怎么想的。”朱利安愉快地说，“他们想等我们明天离开后，这里没有别人了，安全了，再来悄悄把珠宝带走。你们注意到了没有，刚才麦琪一直看着水下，就是在找那艘沉船。我当时还害怕她会注意到我们留的记号，就是那个软木塞和木盒子，好在她没有发现。”
　　“我不明白你为什么还能这么愉快。”乔治心急地说，“我们没法把沉船弄上来，而且明天就要离开了，那些珠宝马上就会被那俩坏人拿到了。一想到这个，我就高兴不起来。他们肯定能毫不费力地把船从湖底拉上来。等我们明天离开后，他们就要动手啦。”
　　“你今天可不怎么聪明啊，乔治。”朱利安看着那艘船越行越远，胸有成竹地说，“我跟他们说我们明天离开，就是想先支走他们，这样我们就有时间自己去拿珠宝了。我们一定可以做到的！”
　　“要怎么做？”三个人的声音立刻同时响起。蒂米也好奇地看着朱利安。
　　朱利安接着说：“我们要的只是珠宝，没必要把船拉上来，只要跳进水里去拿就可以了。我准备把衣服脱了，潜到水底去。要是摸到了麻袋，也可能是包或者箱子，我就游上来换气，然后从木筏上取一根绳子，再游下去，把它绑在麻袋上。这样，我们就可以把珠宝从水底拉上来了。”
　　“哦，朱利安，这听起来简单，但是真的可行吗？”安妮说。乔治和迪克认真地考虑着这个办法。他们被朱利安的主意惊到了。
　　“好吧，这件事做起来可能是要比听起来难很多，但我还是想试一试。”朱利安说着，已经开始脱身上的外套了。
　　安妮伸手感受了一下水温，湖水冰冷极了！她叫道：“啊！水底又冷又暗，看着很可怕。朱利安，你真是太勇敢了！”
　　“先不说这些了，安妮。”朱利安说完，一跃跳进水中，溅起一阵水花。其他三个人在木筏边往水下看。他们看见朱利安一直往下游，游到了很深的地方，他的身影看着就像一个幽灵。过了很久，朱利安还没有上来。安妮开始担心了。
　　“他不可能这么长时间一直屏住呼吸，”她说，“没人做得到！”
　　但朱利安可以。他是学校里的游泳和潜水明星，这个对他来说不算什么。终于，他游了上来。长时间的屏气让他直喘粗气，其他人都耐心地等着。朱利安平复了呼吸，带着胜利的笑容对伙伴们说：“啊，我感觉好多了！珠宝就在下面！”
　　“真的吗？”三个人兴奋地大叫道，“哦，朱利安，你太棒了！”
　　“我游到那艘船上后就没有多少力气了，只能再游几下。那艘可怜的老船，已经腐烂成碎片了。船头放着一个很大的防水袋，差不多和麻袋一样大。我用手摸了一下，感觉是防水袋没错，那里面一定有珠宝。”
　　“它重吗？”迪克问。
　　“我使劲拉了一下，没拉动。”朱利安说，“如果不是被绊住了，就是里面的东西太重。不管是哪种情况，想潜到水下去把它带上来是绝对行不通的。我得再下去一趟，给它系上绳子，再游上来。我们一起使劲拉，一定能把它拉上来！”
　　朱利安冷得打了个寒战。安妮把他之前脱掉的外套捡起来递给他，让他把身上擦干。
　　迪克匆匆看了一眼木筏，木筏上散落着几段绳子，有的已经腐烂了，还有一小段夹在筏子的两块木板之间。这些绳子都太短了，根本不能连成一根足够长的绳子。
　　“我们的绳子不够。”迪克说。朱利安一边擦身上的水，一边看着两棵树所在的湖岸，皱起了眉毛。其他人也跟着看向那里。
　　那两个家伙的船已经被拉上了湖岸。一个人正站在岸边——离得太远，孩子们看不清是两人中的哪一个，手里拿着一个东西，在太阳下闪着亮光。
　　“看见那个闪光了吗？”朱利安说，“那个人在用望远镜。只要我们还在这里，麦琪和臭迪克就会一直监视我们，确保我们不会在无意间发现那艘沉船！哈哈，他们肯定想不到我们已经发现了。他们刚才看见我从沉船上方跳下水的时候，一定担心极了！”
　　“哦，原来刚才那是望远镜片的反光啊！”乔治说，“他们真的在监视我们。坏了！朱利安，这样我们就不能把珠宝拉上来了。他们会看到我们的行动，然后在岸上等着我们！”
　　“是啊，所以现在不是行动的时候。”朱利安说，“而且，就像迪克说的，我们的绳子也不够，等会儿还要再去船库拿一些。”
　　“那我们要什么时候来这里，把沉船上的珠宝拉上来呢？”迪克说，“今天下午他们肯定会一直监视我们，即使我们上了岸，他们也不会放松警惕。”
　　“只有在一个时间他们不会用望远镜。”朱利安说着迅速穿好衣服，“那就是晚上。所以，我们今天晚上就行动！啊，这样的冒险真是太刺激啦！”
　　“我们不要晚上行动，好不好？”安妮小声说道。
　　“今晚一定有月亮！”乔治激动地说。
　　“这个主意好极了！”迪克用拳头捶了一下朱利安的背，说，“为了不让他们起疑，我们现在就回去吧，还要好好计划一下晚上的行动。而且，我们最好也留意着他们，以防他们今天下午就来这里。”
　　“不会的。”朱利安说，“他们害怕被人发现要做的事，所以不敢冒险，一定会等我们走了才动手。”
　　“哈哈，到那时珠宝早已经不见啦！”乔治大笑着说，然后又想起了食物，“但愿那两个恶棍没再去偷我们的食物！”
　　“放心吧，我把食物藏在了我们房间旁边的酒窖里，而且锁了酒窖的门，钥匙在这里。”朱利安手里拿着一把大大的钥匙，说着得意地笑起来。
　　“你之前竟然一点也不给我们透露！”乔治说，“朱利安，你太厉害了！你是怎么想到的？”
　　“其实很简单，只要头脑聪明就行！”朱利安装出一副谦虚的模样，然后忍不住大笑起来，“我们回去吧，要是不快点暖和起来，我就要冻僵啦！”
Chapter 20 IN THE MOONLIGHT
Chapter 20 IN THE MOONLIGHT
　　They paddled rapidly away. Dick took a last glance back to make sure that the cork and the box werestill bobbing on the water to mark the place where the sunken boat lay. Yes - they were still 81there.
　　'It'll be maddening if it's cloudy tonight and the moon doesn't come out,' said George, as theypaddled. 'We shouldn't be able to see Tock Hill, Tall Stone and the rest - and we might paddle forages in the dark without spotting our cork-and-box mark.'
　　'Don't cross your bridges before you come to them,' said Dick.
　　'I'm not,' said George. 'I was only just hoping that wouldn't happen.'
　　'It won't,' said Julian, looking at the sky. 'The weather's set fine again.'
　　As soon as Maggie saw the children coming back again, she and Dirty Dick disappeared into theirtents. Julian grinned. 'They've heaved a sigh of relief and gone to have a snack,' he said. 'I could dowith one myself.'
　　Everyone felt the same. Paddling was hard work, and the air on the lake was keen - quite enough togive anyone a large appetite!
　　They pushed the raft into its hiding-place again. Then they made their way to the old house.
　　They went down into the cellar room. Timmy growled and sniffed about again.
　　'I bet Maggie and Dirty Dick have been here, snooping round again,' said George. 'Looking for theirpork-pie and ham! Good thing you locked it up, Ju!'
　　Julian unlocked the door into the cellars beyond, and brought out the food. 'A large toad was lookingat it with great interest,' he said, as he brought it back. 'Timmy also looked at the toad with interest -but he's wary of toads by now. They taste much too nasty when pounced on!'
　　They took the meal up into the sunshine and enjoyed it. The orangeade was finished so they drank thecold clear water, pumping some vigorously.
　　'Do you know it's a quarter to three?' said Julian amazed. 'Where has the time gone? In a couple ofhours or so it will be dark. Let me see - the moon will be well up about eleven o'clock. That's the timeto go, I think.'
　　'Please don't let's,' said Anne. Julian put his arm round her.
　　'Now you know you don't mean that, Anne,' he said. 'You know you'll enjoy it all when the timecomes. You couldn't bear to be left out of it! Could you?'
　　'No, I suppose I couldn't,' said Anne. 'But I don't like Maggie and Dirty Dick!'
　　'Nor do we,' said Julian, cheerfully. 'That's why we're going to beat them at their own game.
　　We're on the side of the right, and it's worth while running into a bit of danger for that. Now let's see -perhaps we'd better just keep an eye on that couple till it's dark - just in case they try any 82funny tricks - and then we'll have a snooze, if we can, so as to be sure to be lively tonight.'
　　'There they are!' said Anne. As she spoke Maggie and her companion came out of their tents.
　　They had a few words together and then walked off to the moorland.
　　'Taking their usual stroll, I suppose,' said Dick. 'Let's have a game of cricket. There's a bit of woodover there for a bat, and I've got a ball in my rucksack.'
　　'Good idea,' said Julian. 'I still feel a bit chilled from my bathe. Brrrrrr! That water was cold. I don'tfeel very thrilled at the thought of diving in tonight!'
　　'I'll do that,' said Dick, at once. 'My turn this time!'
　　'No. I know exactly where to spot the loot,' said Julian. 'I'll have to go down. But you can come downtoo, if you like, and help to tie the rope on to it.'
　　'Right,' said Dick. 'Now look out - I'm going to bowl!'
　　They enjoyed their game. The sun sank lower and lower, then it disappeared. A cloud came over thesky and darkness came quickly. George looked up at the sky anxiously.
　　'It's all right,' said Julian. 'It'll clear. Don't you worry!'
　　Before they went back into the house Julian and Dick slipped down to the boat-house for the coil ofrope they would want that night. They found it easily enough and came back, pleased. It was quitegood strong rope, frayed only in one place.
　　Julian was right about the weather. The sky cleared again in about an hour, and the stars shonecrisply. Good!
　　Julian put Timmy on guard at the doorway. Then he and the others went into the dark cellar-roomand lighted a couple of candles. They all snuggled down into their beds of heather.
　　'I shan't be able to snooze,' complained Anne. 'I feel much too excited.'
　　'Don't snooze then,' said Dick. 'Just have a rest and wake us up at the right time!'
　　Anne was the only one who didn't fall into a comfortable doze. She lay awake, thinking of this newadventure of theirs. Some children always had adventures and some didn't. Anne thought it would bemuch nicer to read about adventures than to have them. But then probably the ones who only readabout them simply longed to have the adventures themselves! It was all very difficult.
　　Anne woke the others at ten to eleven. She shook George first, and then the boys. They were all insuch a comfortable sleep that it was hard to wake them.
　　But soon they were up and about, whispering. 'Where's the rope? Good, here it is. Better put on 83blazers and macs. It'll be freezing on the lake. Everyone ready? Now - not a sound!'
　　Timmy had come to the cellar room as soon as he had heard them stirring. He knew he had to bequiet so he didn't give even one small bark. He was thrilled to find they were going out into the night.
　　The moon was well up now, and although it was not full, it was very bright. Small clouds swamacross the sky, and every now and again the moon went behind one of them and the world becamedark. But that was only for a minute or two, then out it came again, as brilliant as ever.
　　'Any sign of the others?' whispered Dick. Julian stood at the doorway and looked towards the tents.
　　No - all was quiet there. Still, it would be better if he and the others crept round the side of the houseand kept in the shadows.
　　'We don't want to run any risk of them spotting us now,' whispered Julian, giving his orders.
　　'Keep out of the moonlight, whatever you do. And see that Tim walks to heel, George.'
　　Keeping well in the shadows the five crept down to the lake- side. The water gleamed in themoonlight, and a bright moon-path ran all down it, lovely to see. The lake looked very dark andbrooding. Anne wished it had a voice of some kind - even the little lap-lap-lap of waves at the edge.
　　But there was none.
　　They pulled out the raft and threw the coil of rope on to it. Then they clambered on, enjoying itssmooth bob-bob-bobbing as they paddled out on the water. They were off!
　　Timmy was thrilled. He kept licking first one of the four, then another. He loved going out in thenight. The moon shone down on the little company and turned every little ripple to silver as the raftbobbed over the water.
　　'It's a heavenly night,' said Anne, looking round at the silent trees that lined the banks. 'The wholeplace is so quiet and peaceful.'
　　An owl immediately hooted very loudly indeed from the trees and Anne jumped violently.
　　'Now don't start all the owls hooting by talking about how quiet everything is,' teased Julian. 'I agreethough that it really is a heavenly evening. How calm and mirror-like this lake is. I wonder if it everproduces a wave of any sort! Do you suppose it stays like this even in a storm?'
　　'It's a queer sort of lake,' said Dick. 'Look out, Timmy - that's my ear. Don't lick it all away. I say- anyone looking out for our four bearings?'
　　'Well, we know more or less where we've got to paddle the raft to,' said Julian. 'We'll go in thatdirection and then see if we're spotting the bearings. I'm sure we're going right at the moment.'
　　84
　　They were. George soon saw Tall Stone, and then Tock Hill came into sight. It wasn't long beforeSteeple was seen too, shining in the moonlight.
　　'I bet the Nailer came and hid his loot out here on a moonlit night,' said Julian. 'All the bearings canbe seen so very clearly - even Tall Stone. We really must find out sometime what it is. It looks like agreat stone pointer of some sort, put up in memory of something or somebody.'
　　'There's One Chimney now,' said Anne. 'We have got them all in view - we should be near our mark.'
　　'We are!' said Dick, pointing to a little dark bobbing thing nearby. 'The cork and the box. Howextremely clever we are! I really have a great admiration for the Five!'
　　'Idiot!' said Julian. 'Go on, strip now, Dick - we'll do our job straight away. Brrrrrrr! It's cold!'
　　Both boys stripped quickly, putting their clothes into a neat pile in the middle of the raft. 'Look afterthem, Anne,' said Julian. 'Got the rope, Dick? Come on, then, in we go. We can't see the boat now,the waters are so dark - but we know it's just below the cork and the box!'
　　The boys dived in one after the other. Splash! Splash! They were both beautiful divers. The raftrocked as they plunged in and Timmy nearly went in too.
　　Julian had dived in first. He opened his eyes under the water and found that he could see the sunkenboat just below him. With two strong strokes he reached it, and tugged at the waterproof bag there.
　　Dick was beside him almost at once, the rope in his hands. The boys twisted it tightly round the toppart of the bag.
　　Before they could finish the job they had to rise up to the surface to breathe. Dick couldn't hold hisbreath under water as long as Julian and he was up first, gasping painfully. Then Julian shot up andthe night was full of great, painful breaths, as the boys gasped in the air they longed for.
　　The girls knew better than to ask anything just then. They waited anxiously till the boys'
　　breathing grew easier. Julian turned and grinned at them.
　　'Everything's all right!' he said. 'Now - down we go again!'
20.月夜行动
　　月夜行动
　　孩子们划着木筏迅速离开了。迪克在离开前不放心地回头看了一眼水面，想确定用来标记沉船位置的木塞和盒子是否还在。是的，它们还在那里。
　　乔治划着桨说：“要是今天晚上没有月亮，只有乌云，那可就糟了。到时候一片漆黑，我们什么也看不见。”
　　“事情没有发生之前，不要忧虑太多。”迪克说。
　　“我没有过分忧虑，”乔治说，“我只是希望不要发生那种情况。”
　　“不会的。”朱利安看看天空说，“今天晚上会很晴朗。”
　　麦琪一看到孩子们回来了，就和臭迪克进了帐篷。朱利安笑了，说：“他们刚才松了一口气，回去吃东西了。我们也吃点东西吧。”
　　大家都饿了。划桨是很费体力的活儿，再加上刚才在湖面上经历的那场激烈对峙，不论是谁都会饿得厉害！
　　他们把木筏又藏进灌木丛，然后回到老房子，走进地下室。蒂米又叫唤起来，到处嗅来嗅去。
　　“麦琪和臭迪克肯定又偷偷来过这里。”乔治说，“他们想拿回肉饼和火腿！朱利安，幸亏你把它们锁起来了！”
　　朱利安打开酒窖的门，把食物拿出来，说：“里面有只癞蛤蟆在盯着这些美味。蒂米好像对癞蛤蟆很感兴趣，但同时也在谨慎地提防着它。要是癞蛤蟆扑到了食物上去，那就太恶心了！”
　　孩子们来到外面的阳光下享用食物。橙汁已经喝完了，他们这会儿喝的是用抽水机抽出的清水。
　　“你们知道吗？现在已经2点45分啦！”朱利安惊讶地说，“时间怎么过得这么快？几个小时后，天就要黑了。让我想想，月亮大约会在11点升起来，我们就11点出发吧。”
　　“我们还是别去了吧。”安妮说。
　　朱利安伸出胳膊揽住她，说：“你心里并不是真的这样想的，到时候你一定会玩得很开心。你肯定不愿意一个人孤零零地留下来，对不对？”
　　“我不要一个人在这里。”安妮说，“但是我讨厌麦琪和臭迪克！”
　　“我们谁都不喜欢他们，”朱利安斗志昂扬地说，“所以，我们要打败他们。我们是正义的一方，正义是值得为之冒险的。”接着，他又说，“有一点大家要注意：在天黑之前，我们都要当心那两个人，以防他们又打什么坏主意。之后，如果还有时间，我们就小睡一会儿，确保晚上精神饱满。”
　　这时，麦琪和臭迪克从帐篷里走出来。安妮立刻就发现了，小声提醒大家说：“他们在那里！”
　　那两个人交谈了几句，然后一起向树林走去。
　　“他们应该是散步去了。”迪克说，“我们来打板球吧。那里有几块木板，可以拿来当球棒，我背包里有球。”
　　“好主意。”朱利安说，他现在需要运动来使身体暖和起来，“我从水里上来，到现在还感觉有点冷。啊，那水简直冷得刺骨，一想到晚上还要潜水，我都没有那么兴奋了！”
　　“晚上我来潜水。”迪克说，“这次轮到我了！”
　　“不行。”朱利安说，“我必须要下去，只有我知道珠宝的确切位置。如果你想下去，可以跟着我，帮忙把绳子系在袋子上。”
　　“好嘞，就这么定了。”迪克说完，拿起木板和球喊道，“注意啦，我要发球了！”
　　孩子们玩得很愉快。太阳不断西沉，终于带着最后的余晖消失在天边。接着，一片浓云涌起，遮住了天空，黑暗很快笼罩了大地。乔治抬头看了看天空，神色担忧。
　　“没关系，”朱利安说，“天会晴的。你不用这么担心！”
　　回屋之前，朱利安和迪克悄悄溜进船库找晚上要用的绳子。拿到了绳子，他们开开心心地回到了老房子。那是一长捆结实的绳子，只有一点点破损，完全不影响使用。
　　朱利安说对了。一个小时后，天空开始变得晴朗，星星闪闪发亮。这真是太好了！
　　蒂米留在门廊警戒，其他人走进黑暗的地下室，点亮了几根蜡烛，在各自的草铺上睡下。
　　“怎么办，我肯定睡不着。”安妮有些苦恼地说，“我太兴奋了。”
　　“那你就别睡了，”迪克说，“躺着养养神，等时间到了就叫醒我们！”
　　安妮是唯一没有睡着的人。她清醒地躺在那儿，想着他们这次的奇遇。有的人总是在冒险，有的人却从来没有冒过险。安妮觉得读冒险故事比亲身经历险境要好得多，但那些读过故事的人却又何尝不想亲身体验一下呢！想满足所有的愿望都不容易。
　　晚上10点50分的时候，安妮开始叫醒大家。她最先摇醒乔治，接着是朱利安和迪克。他们都睡得很香，醒来费了不少工夫。
　　但是他们很快就站了起来，来回走动热了热身。朱利安低声自言自语：“绳子在哪儿？很好，它在这里。”接着他对大家说：“大家最好穿上外套和雨衣，湖面上肯定很冷。都准备好了吧。从现在起，不要发出一点声音！”
　　蒂米一听见他们起床就来到地下室。它很清楚不能发出声音，所以连叫都没叫过一声。自从知道今夜要出去，它就一直很兴奋。
　　月亮已经升起来了，尽管不圆，但是非常亮。一小片一小片的云朵飘过天空，月亮偶尔会藏到云后面去，但过一会儿就又会出来，还和之前一样明亮。
　　“外面有其他人的踪迹吗？”迪克低声问。朱利安站在门廊处，看向那边的帐篷。夜里静悄悄的。如果他们顺着墙根走，把自己在月光下的影子也藏在墙的阴影里，这样会更安全。
　　“为了确保万无一失，大家无论如何都不能走出墙下面的阴影，暴露在月光下。乔治，你一定要管好蒂米，让它轻轻地走。”
　　他们五个在阴影中一路蹑手蹑脚地来到湖边。湖边的景色很美。皎洁的月光倾泻下来，给水面铺了一层亮光；幽暗的湖水在黑夜的寂静里，显得忧郁而神秘。安妮希望能有个什么声音，哪怕是水波轻轻拍打湖岸的声音也好。但是，四下里一片寂静，一点声音也没有。
　　他们拉出木筏，把找到的那捆绳子扔在上面。大家都站上去后，用船桨一撑，木筏就轻轻摇摆着划开水面，向前驶去！
　　蒂米喜欢在夜里出游，从出发到现在一直都兴致勃勃，这时它又把每个人舔了一遍。
　　月光照在一行人身上，随着木筏摇荡，激起的涟漪也在月光下泛出一层细碎的银光。
　　“这是一个神圣的夜晚，”安妮看着湖岸四周寂静的树林说，“整个天地间充满了宁静与祥和。”
　　突然，一只猫头鹰在树林里叫了一声。它的叫声非常大，安妮吓得快跳了起来。
　　“这个夜晚确实很神圣，”朱利安打趣说，“但我们最好不要把它有多么安静给大声说出来，不然树林里所有的猫头鹰都要被惹得叫起来啦！湖面真是平静呀，就像一面镜子一样。我真想知道它有没有起过一丝波澜！你们觉得它在暴风雨中还会是这个样子吗？”
　　“这确实很怪异。”迪克说，“小心，蒂米，那是我的耳朵，不要把它舔掉了。哎呀，我忘了要找那四样东西了，你们有人注意看了吗？”
　　“不用担心，我们只要知道木筏大概走到了哪里就行。”朱利安说，“沿着这个方向，过一会儿就能看到那四样东西了。我们行驶的方向肯定是正确的，我保证。”
　　朱利安说得没错。很快，乔治就看见了高石，接着是托科山，不久又看到了尖塔，它在月光下闪闪发亮。
　　“尼勒尔肯定是在一个明亮的月夜来这里藏珠宝的。”朱利安说，“在月光下，一切都能看得很清楚，就连那么远的高石也不例外。有时间的话，我们一定要去看看那块石头到底是什么。它看起来像是一块纪念碑。”
　　“我看见烟囱了。”安妮说，“现在，我们已经能够同时看到所有的东西了，那就应该快到有标记的地方了。”
　　“是的！”迪克指着不远处一小块漂浮在水面的东西说，“看，木塞和盒子在那里。我们怎么这么聪明！我简直太崇拜我们自己啦！”
　　“别太骄傲哟！”朱利安说，“我们还要继续往前。迪克，现在可以脱衣服了，咱俩马上就要开始干活了。”朱利安说着打了个寒战，“好冷啊！”
　　两个男孩很快脱下了衣服，放在木筏中间干净的地方。“看好我们的衣服，安妮。”朱利安说，“你带上绳子了吗，迪克？那我们就下水吧。虽然水里很暗，看不到沉船，但是我们知道它的位置，就在木塞和盒子的正下方！”
　　“扑通”“扑通”，两个人先后跳进水里，姿势优美。他们都是潜水好手。木筏在他们跳下去的时候猛烈地摇晃起来，差点把蒂米给摇下水去。
　　朱利安先潜到水下，他在水里睁开眼，看到那艘沉船就在他的正下方。迪克几乎立刻就赶了上来，手里抓着绳子。男孩们用绳子紧紧绑住那个防水袋的上半部分。
　　在水底的工作完成前，他们必须游出水面呼吸一些新鲜的空气。迪克不能像朱利安一样，在水下屏气那么长时间，所以他第一个游上来，接着朱利安也冒出水面。他们大口呼吸着空气，安静的夜色里响起男孩们难受的喘息声。
　　女孩们知道现在不是问话的时候。她们很担心，直到男孩们的呼吸顺畅了才放下心来。
　　朱利安转头，朝她们微笑道：“不用担心，我们一切都好，现在要再下去一趟！”
Chapter 21 THE SACK AT LAST!
Chapter 21 THE SACK AT LAST!
　　Down went the boys again and once more the raft jerked violently. The girls peered anxiously overthe edge, waiting for them to return.
　　Julian and Dick were down at the sunken boat in a matter of a second or two. They finished the taskof tying the rope to the waterproof bag. Julian gave it a hard jerk, hoping to free it if it were wedgedtightly into the boat. He took the rest of the rope length in his hands in order to take it up to thesurface.
　　Then, bursting for breath again, the two boys shot up to the raft, popping out of the water with loudgasps. They climbed on board.
　　They took a minute to get their breath and then Dick and Julian took the rope together. The girlswatched, their hearts beating fast. Now was the test! Would that waterproof sack come up - or not?
　　The boys pulled strongly but without jerking. The raft slanted and Anne made a grab at the pile ofclothes in the middle. Dick fell off into the water again.
　　He climbed back, spluttering. 'Have to pull more smoothly,' he said. 'I felt the sack give a bit, didn'tyou?'
　　Julian nodded. He was shivering with cold, but his eyes were shining with excitement. Anne put amacintosh round his shoulders and one round Dick's too. They never even noticed!
　　'Now - pull again,' said Julian. 'Steady does it - steady - steady! It's coming! Gosh, it's really coming.
　　Pull, Dick, pull!'
　　As the heavy bag came up on the end of the rope, the raft slanted again, and the boys pushedthemselves back to the other side of the raft, afraid of upsetting everyone into the water. Timmybegan to bark excitedly.
　　'Be quiet, Timmy,' said George at once. She knew how easily sound travels over water, and she wasafraid the couple in the tents might hear him.
　　'It's coming - it's there, look - just below the surface!' said Anne. 'One more pull, boys!'
　　But it was impossible to pull the heavy bag on board without upsetting the raft. As it was, the girlsgot very wet when the water splashed over the raft as it jerked and slanted.
　　'Look - let's paddle back to the shore and let the sack drag behind us.' said Julian, at last. 'We 86shall only upset the raft. Dress again, Dick, and we'll get back to the old house and open the sack incomfort. I'm so cold now that I can hardly feel my fingers.'
　　The boys dressed as quickly as they could. They were shivering, and were very glad to take up theirpaddles and work hard to get the raft back to shore. They soon felt a welcome warmth stealingthrough their bodies, and in ten minutes had stopped shivering. They felt very pleased withthemselves indeed.
　　They looked back at the bulky object following them, dragging along just under the surface.
　　What was in that bag? Excitement crept over all of them again, and the paddles struck through thewater at top speed as all the four strained to get back as quickly as possible. Timmy felt theexcitement too, and wagged his long tail without ceasing as he stood in the middle of the raft,watching the thing that bobbed along behind them.
　　They came at last to the end of the lake. Making as little noise as possible they dragged the raft underits usual bush. They did not want to leave it out on the bank in case Maggie and Dirty Dick saw thatit had been used again, and started wondering.
　　Dick and Julian dragged the waterproof sack out of the water. They carried it between them as theywent cautiously back to the house. It looked a most miserable, grotesque place with its burnt-out roof,doorways and windows - but the children didn't notice its forlorn appearance in the moonlight - theywere far too excited!
　　They walked slowly up the overgrown path between the two broken-down walls, their feet making nosound on the soft mossy ground. They came to the doorway and dragged the bundle into the kitchen.
　　'Go and light the candles in the cellar room,' said Julian to George. 'I just want to make sure that thatcouple are not snooping anywhere about.'
　　George and Anne went to light the candles, flashing their torches before them down the stone steps.
　　Julian and Dick stood at the open doorway, facing the moonlight, listening intently. Not a sound wasto be heard, not a shadow moved!
　　They set Timmy on guard and left him there, dragging the dripping, heavy bundle across the stonefloor of the kitchen. They bumped it down the cellar steps - and at last had it before them, ready to beopened!
　　Julian's fingers fumbled at the knots of the rope. George couldn't bear waiting. She took a pocket-knife and handed it to Julian.
　　87
　　'For goodness' sake, cut the rope!' she said. 'I simply can't wait another moment.'
　　Julian grinned. He cut the rope - and then he looked to see how to undo the waterproof wrapping.
　　'I see,' he said. 'It's been folded over and over the goods, and then sewn up to make a kind of bag.
　　It must have kept the loot absolutely waterproof.'
　　'Buck up!' said George. 'I shall tear it open myself in a minute!'
　　Julian cut the strong stitches that closed the covering. They began to unwrap the bundle. Thereseemed to be yards and yards of waterproof covering! But at last it was off - and there, in the middleof the mass of waterproof, were scores of little boxes - leather-covered boxes that everyone knew atonce were jewel-boxes!
　　'It is jewellery then!' said Anne, and she opened a box. They all exclaimed in wonder.
　　A magnificent necklace glittered on black velvet. It shone and glinted and sparkled in the candlelightas if it were on fire. Even the two boys gazed without a word. Why - it was fit for a queen!
　　'It must be that wonderful necklace stolen from the Queen of Fallonia,' said George at last. 'I saw apicture of it in the papers. What diamonds!'
　　'Oooh - are they diamonds!' said Anne, in awe. 'Oh Julian - what a lot of money they must be worth!
　　A hundred pounds, do you think?'
　　'A hundred thousand pounds more likely, Anne,' said Julian, soberly. 'My word - no wonder theNailer hid these stolen goods carefully, in such an ingenious place. No wonder Maggie and DirtyDick were longing to find them. Let's see what else there is.'
　　Every box contained precious stones of some kind - sapphire bracelets, ruby and diamond rings, astrange and wonderful opal necklace, ear-rings of such enormous diamonds that Anne was quite sureno one would be able to bear the weight of them!
　　'I would never, never dare to own jewellery like this,' said Anne. 'I should always be afraid of itsbeing stolen. Did it all belong to the Queen of Fallonia?'
　　‘No. Some to a princess who was visiting her,' said Julian. 'These jewels are worth a king's ransom. Ijust hate the thought of being in charge of them, even for a little while.'
　　'Well, it's better that we should have them, rather than Maggie or Dirty Dick,' said George. She held astring of diamonds in her hands and let them run through her fingers. How they sparkled!
　　No one could have imagined that they had been at the bottom of a lake for a year or two!
　　'Now let's see,' said Julian, sitting down on the edge of the table. 'We're due back at school 88tomorrow afternoon, Tuesday - or is it Tuesday already? It must be past midnight - gosh, yes, it'salmost half past two! Would you believe it?'
　　'I feel as if I'd believe anything,' said Anne, blinking at the glittering treasure on the table.
　　'We'd better start off fairly early tomorrow,' went on Julian. 'We've got to get these things to thepolice ...'
　　'Not to that awful policeman we saw the other day!' said George, in horror.
　　'Of course not. I think our best course would be to ring up that nice Mr. Gaston and tell him thatwe've got important news for the police and see which police station he recommends us to go to,'
　　said Julian. 'He might even arrange a car for us, so that we don't need to take this stuff about in buses.
　　I'm not particularly keen on carrying it about with me!'
　　'Have we got to carry all these boxes?' said George, in dismay.
　　'No. That would be asking for trouble if anyone spotted them,' said Julian. 'I fear we'll just have towrap up the jewels in our hankies and stuff them down into the bottom of our rucksacks. We'll leavethe boxes here. The police can collect them afterwards if they want to.'
　　It was all decided. The four divided up the glittering jewellery and wrapped it carefully into fourhandkerchiefs, one for each of them. They stuffed the hankies into their rucksacks.
　　'We'd better use them for pillows,' said Dick. 'Then they'll be quite safe.'
　　'What! These horrid rough bags!' said Anne. 'Why? Timmy's on guard, isn't he? I'll put mine besideme under the rug but I just won't put my head on it.'
　　Dick laughed. 'All right, Anne. Timmy won't let any robber through, I'm quite sure. Now - we startoff first thing in the morning, do we, Julian?'
　　'Yes. As soon as we wake,' said Julian. 'We can't have much to eat. There's only a few biscuits and abit of chocolate left.'
　　'I shan't mind,' said Anne. 'I'm so excited that at the moment I don't feel I'll ever eat anything again!'
　　'You'll change your mind tomorrow,' said Julian with a laugh. 'Now - to bed, everyone.'
　　They lay down on their heather and bracken, excited and pleased. What a week-end! And all becauseDick and Anne had lost their way and Dick slept in the wrong barn!
　　'Good-night,' said Julian, yawning. 'I feel very very rich - richer than I'll ever be in my life again.
　　Well - I'll enjoy the feeling while I can!'
21.女王的珠宝
　　女王的珠宝
　　木筏在男孩们潜下水时又晃了一下。两个女孩盯着水面，担忧地等着他们再次上来。
　　朱利安和迪克只花了一两秒钟就游到了沉船上，他们用绳子把防水袋绑好。朱利安使劲一拉，确认袋子是否被卡在船里，他希望这一下能把它拉出来。接着，他把剩余的绳子握在手中，游向水面。
　　两个男孩急速游到木筏边，从水中冒出来，喘着粗气爬上了木筏。夜色里再次响起他们大口呼吸的声音。
　　一分钟后，迪克和朱利安平复了呼吸，开始一起拉绳子。两个女孩在一旁看着，又紧张又期待，心跳得特别快。现在正是关键时刻，能不能把防水袋拉上来就在此一举啦！
　　男孩们用尽全身力气使劲拉，但是袋子纹丝不动。木筏开始向一边倾斜，安妮迅速抓起木筏中间那堆衣服。迪克一个没扶稳再一次掉进了水中。
　　迪克重新爬上来，吐掉口中的水。“我们必须要稳稳地拉，”他语速很快，“我觉得袋子动了一点，朱利安，你感觉到了没有？”
　　朱利安点点头，他虽然冷得直打战，但眼睛里却闪烁着炽热的光芒。安妮给两人披上雨衣，但他们都完全没有察觉！
　　“来，我们再拉一次。”朱利安说，“要稳，稳，稳！来了！哎呀，它真的动了！加油，迪克，继续拉！”
　　绳子被一点一点拉了上来，重重的袋子就在眼前。这时候，木筏也越来越倾斜了。迪克和朱利安害怕大家再掉进水里，匆忙退到木筏的另一侧。蒂米兴奋地叫出了声。
　　“安静，蒂米！”乔治立刻开口训斥道。她知道在这空旷的湖面上，声音很容易传播，生怕蒂米的叫声惊动了在帐篷里的麦琪和臭迪克。
　　“它上来了，就在那儿。看，就在水面下！”安妮说，“迪克、朱利安，你们再拉一下！”
　　但是要把这么重的一个袋子拉到木筏上来几乎是不可能的。如果非要拉上来，木筏肯定会像刚才那样摇晃倾斜，淹到水下，女孩们就会被水打湿。
　　“我们只能把袋子拖在木筏后面，”朱利安说，“拉上来的话会把木筏弄翻。快穿上衣服，迪克，我们要回去了，等到了温暖舒适的房间里再慢慢解开袋子。我现在太冷了，手指都冻得麻木了。”
　　两个男孩一边打着冷战，一边迅速穿上衣服，然后兴奋地拿起桨，用力地将木筏划向岸边。很快，他们的身体里涌起一股暖流。
　　十分钟后，两个人就不再打战了。迪克和朱利安今晚做得很棒，他们都为自己感到骄傲。孩子们看着拖在身后的袋子，禁不住心潮澎湃。它就在一层薄薄的水面下，里面究竟装着什么呢？
　　四个人使出全身力气划桨，木筏以最快的速度向岸边驶去。蒂米站在木筏中间，一路上都盯着水下的袋子，尾巴欢快地摇个不停。
　　终于来到了湖边，四个人小心地把木筏拖到灌木丛中，尽量不发出大的声响。他们必须把木筏藏好，要是让麦琪和臭迪克发现木筏又被动过，从而猜出什么来，那可就麻烦了！迪克和朱利安把防水袋从水里拉上来，然后抬着它往老房子走。月光下，被烧空的屋顶、黑洞一样的门廊和破破烂烂的窗户让整个房子看上去怪诞、阴郁，充满了不祥的气息。但是，孩子们并没有在意它这副破败荒凉的样子，因为他们现在都热情高涨，根本顾不上看它一眼！
　　他们轻手轻脚地快速走过那条长满荒草的小径，脚踩在茂盛柔软的草地上没有发出一点声音，路两边倾颓的围墙往后倒退而去。
　　接着，他们穿过门廊，拖着那个防水袋进了厨房。
　　“去把地下室的蜡烛点上。”朱利安对乔治说，“我去确认一下那两个人有没有在附近偷听。”
　　乔治和安妮打开她们的手电筒，走下楼梯，点上蜡烛。朱利安和迪克站在大开的门廊处，面对着月光，凝神观察着。四周静悄悄的，一点声音也没有，也没有发现走动的影子！
　　他们把蒂米留在门口警戒，然后折返回去，把那个沉沉的袋子拖在地上走过厨房，在厨房的石板上留下了一路水迹。接着，他们又拖着袋子磕磕碰碰地下了楼梯，最终把它放到大家眼前。现在就只剩下打开它了！
　　朱利安费了好大劲儿都没能把绳结解开，乔治等不下去了，拿出一把小刀递给他，说：“快刀斩乱麻，赶快把绳子割断吧！我一分钟也等不下去了。”朱利安翘起嘴角，笑了。他割断绳子，然后开始研究怎么打开袋子。
　　“我明白了，”他说，“它其实是用一块防水布包成的。先用防水布把东西裹起来，然后一遍一遍地翻折，直到布全都包在了上面，最后把开口一缝合，看起来就像是这些宝贝被装在袋子里。包得这么严实，里面的东西肯定没有被水浸湿。”
　　“朱利安，要不你让开吧，我用不了一分钟就能把它撕开！”乔治说。
　　朱利安割开结实的缝口，接着大家开始拆包裹。防水布很长，好像没有尽头一样！但最终，它还是被完全打开了。在一团凌乱的防水布上，躺着许多小盒子。那些都是包着皮革的盒子，任谁一看都知道是珠宝盒！
　　“盒子里肯定是奇珍异宝！”安妮说着打开其中一个盒子，大家全都惊呼出声。
　　一条华丽的项链躺在黑色天鹅绒布上闪闪发光。它在烛光的照耀下熠熠生辉，就像上面有一团火在燃烧跳跃，就连两个男孩子见了，都瞪大了眼睛，说不出一句话。啊！这是一条只有女王才能与之相配的项链！
　　“这一定是从法洛尼亚女王那里偷来的。”乔治回过神来说道，“我在书上见过它的照片。多么漂亮的钻石啊！”
　　“天哪，又多又大的钻石！”安妮惊叹道，“朱利安，这条项链一定值很多钱！你觉得能值多少？一百镑吗？”
　　“可能最少也要十万镑。”朱利安认真地说。
　　“我的天啊，难怪尼勒尔花了这么多心思，把东西藏在那么让人意想不到的地方！难怪麦琪和臭迪克急切地想要找到它们！我们快看看其他盒子里是什么东西。”
　　每一个盒子里都是珍贵的珠宝，有蓝宝石手镯、红宝石镶钻戒指、一条外形奇特而华美的蛋白石项链，还有各种巨大的钻石耳环。安妮想，没有人戴得了这么重的耳环吧！
　　“我绝对绝对不敢想象如果自己拥有这么多珍贵的珠宝会是什么样子。”安妮说，“我会一直担心它们被偷走。它们真的都是法洛尼亚女王的吗？”
　　“不全是，有一些是属于一位去拜访女王的公主的。”朱利安说，“这些珠宝都够一位国王的赎金了，但我讨厌保管它们，一分钟都不愿意接手这些东西。”
　　“但是，它们在我们这里，总比在麦琪和臭迪克手里要好得多。”乔治说，她把一条钻石项链缠在手指上。这些钻石闪出的光芒多么耀眼啊！任谁也想不到它们已经在湖底沉了一两年了！
　　朱利安在桌边坐下来说：“我们来想想该怎么办。明天下午，也就是星期二，我们就要回到学校。现在是不是已经到星期二了？这时候肯定已经过了午夜。天啊，你们相信吗，现在差不多两点半了？”安妮看了一眼桌子上闪闪发亮的珠宝说：“现在不管发生了什么事，我都相信。”
　　“我们最好明天一大早就出发。”朱利安继续说，“我们要把这些东西交给警察……”“千万不要交给那天见到的那个可恶的警察！”乔治慌忙打断他的话。
　　“当然不会交给他。最好的办法是先给善良的盖斯顿先生打个电话，告诉他我们有重要的消息要报告给警察，看他推荐我们去哪个警察局。”朱利安说，“他可能还会给我们安排一辆车，这样我们就不用带着珠宝去坐公交车了。我不喜欢带着这么多珠宝到处跑！”
　　“我们要把那些盒子也带走吗？”乔治问。
　　“不，盒子太占地方了，带着容易引人注意，会惹来麻烦的。”朱利安说，“我们只能把珠宝都藏在手帕里，然后把手帕塞在背包的最里面。那些盒子就留在这儿，警察来了会处理的。”
　　一切都决定好了。四个人将这些闪耀的珠宝分成四份，一人拿一份，把它们小心地包在各自手帕里，塞进背包。“我们最好都把背包枕在头下面，这样会更安全。”迪克说。
　　“什么！可是背包这么硬！”安妮叫道，“为什么要这么做？不是有蒂米在警戒吗？我会用毯子把它盖起来，绝对不会把它当枕头。”
　　“随你吧，安妮。”迪克笑着说，“蒂米确实不会让任何强盗进来的，我保证。朱利安，我们是不是明天一大早就离开呀？”
　　“是的，我们醒来后立刻就走。”朱利安说，“我们的食物也不多了，只剩下几片饼干和一块巧克力了。”
　　“我不吃也没有关系，”安妮说，“我太激动了，一点也不想吃东西！”朱利安笑了，说：“等到了明天早上你就不这么想了。好了，现在大家都快去睡觉吧。”
　　孩子们躺在草铺上，心情久久不能平静。多么愉快而又刺激的假期啊！而这一切都始于迪克和安妮迷了路，而且迪克还睡错了地方！
　　“晚安！”朱利安打了个哈欠，低声说，“这将是我一生中最富有的时刻，我要趁现在好好享受一下当富人的感觉。”
Chapter 22 AN EXCITING FINISH
Chapter 22 AN EXCITING FINISH
　　They awoke to hear Timmy barking. It was daylight already. Julian leapt up the steps to see what wasthe matter. He saw Maggie not very far away.
　　'Why do you keep such a fierce dog?' she called. 'I just came to see if you wanted to take any foodwith you. We'll give you some if you like.'
　　'It's too kind of you, all of a sudden!' said Julian. How anxious Maggie was to get rid of them!
　　She would even give them food to get rid of them quickly. But Julian didn't want any food fromMaggie or Dirty Dick!
　　'Do you want some, then?' asked the woman. She couldn't make Julian out. He looked a youngster,and yet his manner was anything but childish. She was rather afraid of him.
　　'No thanks,' said Julian. 'We're just about to go. Got to get back to school today, you know.'
　　'Well, you'd better hurry then,' said the woman. 'It's going to rain.'
　　Julian turned on his heel, grinning. It wasn't going to rain. Maggie would say anything to hurry themaway! Still, that was just what Julian wanted - to get away as quickly as possible!
　　In ten minutes' time the four children were ready to go. Each had rucksack and mac on their back- and each had jewels worth thousands of pounds in their charge! What a very extraordinary thing.
　　'It will be a lovely walk across the moors,' said Anne, as they went along. 'I feel like singing noweverything's turned out all right. The only thing is - nobody at school will believe George or me whenwe tell them what's happened.'
　　'We shall probably be set a composition to do - ''What did you do on your half-term?'' ' said George.
　　'And Miss Peters will read ours and say ''Quite well written, but rather far-fetched, don't you think?' '
　　Everyone laughed. Timmy looked round with his tongue out and what George called 'his smilingface'. Then his 'smile' vanished, and he began to bark, facing to the rear of the children.
　　They looked round, startled. 'Gosh - it's Maggie and Dirty Dick - rushing along like fury!' said Dick.
　　'What's up? Are they sorry we've gone and want us back again?'
　　'They're trying to cut us off,' said Julian. 'Look - they've left the path and they're going to take a shortcut to come across us. There is marshland all round, so we can't leave our own path. What 90idiots they are! Unless they know this bit of marsh-moor country they'll get bogged.'
　　Maggie and Dirty Dick were yelling and shouting in a fury. Dirty Dick shook his fists, and leapt fromtuft to tuft like a goat.
　　'They look as if they have gone quite mad,' said Anne, suddenly afraid. 'What's the matter with them?'
　　'I know!' said George. 'They've been into our cellar room - and they've found that waterproofcovering and all those empty boxes. They've found out that we've got the goods!'
　　'Of course!' said Julian. 'We should have thrown all the boxes into the cellars beyond. No wonderthey're in a fury. They've lost a fortune to us four!'
　　'What do they think they can do now, though?' said Dick. 'We've got Timmy. He'll certainly fly atthem if they come too near. But Dirty Dick looks mad enough to fight even Timmy. Honestly, I thinkhe's gone off his head.'
　　'I think he has,' said Julian, startled by the man's mad shouts and behaviour.
　　He looked at Anne, who had gone white. Julian felt sure that Timmy would go for Dirty Dick andbring him to the ground, and he didn't want Anne to see dog and man fighting savagely.
　　There was no doubt that Dirty Dick was quite out of his mind with rage and disappointment.
　　Timmy began to bark fiercely. He snarled, and looked very savage. He could see that the man wasspoiling for a fight with someone. All right - Timmy didn't mind!
　　'Let's hurry on,' said Julian. 'But no short cuts for us, mind - we'll keep strictly to the path.
　　Maggie is in difficulties already.'
　　So she was. She was floundering ankle deep in marshy ground, yelling to Dirty Dick to help her.
　　But he was too intent on cutting right across the children's path.
　　And then he got into difficulties too! He suddenly sank up to his knees! He tried to clamber out andreach a tuft of some sort. He missed his footing and went down again. He gave an anguished yell.
　　'My ankle! I've broken it! Maggie, come over here!'
　　But Maggie was having her own difficulties and paid no attention. The children stopped and looked atDirty Dick. He was sitting on a tuft, nursing his foot, and even from where the children stood theycould see that his face was deathly white. He certainly had done something to his ankle.
　　'Ought we to help him?' said Anne, trembling.
　　'Good gracious no!' said Julian. 'He may be pretending for all we know - though I don't think so.
　　91
　　The chase is over, anyway. And if, as I think, Dirty Dick really has injured his ankle, he won't be ableto get far out of that marsh - and nor will Maggie by the look of her - down she goes again, look! Itmay be that the police will find it very easy to pick up that unpleasant couple when they come alongto look for them.'
　　'Nicely embedded in the marsh,' said Dick. 'Well, personally, I don't feel sorry for either of them.
　　They're bad lots.'
　　They went on their way again, Timmy gloomy because he hadn't had a fight with Dirty Dick after all.
　　They walked all the way to Reebles. It took them two hours.
　　'We'll go to the post-office, and telephone from there,' said Julian.
　　The old man was pleased to see them again. 'Had a nice time?' he said. 'Did you find Two-Trees?'
　　Julian left him talking to the others while he went to look up Mr. Gaston's telephone number. Hefound it - and hoping devoutly that Mr. Gaston wouldn't mind giving his help, he rang him up.
　　Mr. Gaston answered the telephone himself. 'Hallo? Who? Oh, yes, of course I remember you.
　　You want a bit of help? Well, what can I do for you?'
　　Julian told him. Mr. Gaston listened in amazement.
　　'WHAT! You've found the Fallonia jewels! I can't believe it! In your rucksacks now, you say!
　　Bless us all! You're not spoofing me, are you?'
　　Julian assured him that he wasn't. Mr. Gaston could hardly believe his ears. 'Right. Right - of courseI'll put you in touch with the police. We'd better go to Gathercombe - I know the Inspector there, afine fellow. Where are you? Oh yes, I know it. Wait there and I'll fetch you in my car - in about halfan hour, say.'
　　He rang off and Julian went to find the others, delighted that he had thought of getting into touch withMr. Gaston. Some grown-ups were so jolly decent - and they knew exactly what to do. The otherthree were delighted too, when he told them.
　　'Well, I must say that although it's nice to have things happening to us, it's a sort of safe, comfortablefeeling when we hand over to the grown-ups,' said George. 'Now I only want one thing - breakfast!'
　　'We'd better have a mixture of breakfast and lunch,' said Julian. 'It's so late.'
　　'Oh yes - let's have brunch!' said Anne, delighted. 'I love brunch.'
　　So they had some 'brunch' - sandwiches, buns, biscuits and ginger-beer, which they bought at a 92little shop down the road. And just as they were finishing, up swept Mr. Gaston in an enormous car!
　　The four children grinned at him with pleasure. Julian introduced Anne and Dick. Timmy wasthrilled to see him again and offered him a polite paw, which Mr. Gaston shook heartily.
　　'Nice manners your dog's got,' he said, and pressed down the accelerator. Whoooosh! Away theywent at top speed, with Timmy sticking his head out of the window as he always did in a car.
　　They told their extraordinary story as they went. Mr. Gaston was full of admiration for all they haddone. 'You're a bunch of plucky kids!' he kept saying. 'My word, I wish you were mine!'
　　They came to the police station. Mr. Gaston had already warned the inspector they were coming, andhe was waiting for them.
　　'Come along into my private room,' he said. 'Now first of all - where are these jewels? Have youreally got them with you? Let's have a look at them before you tell your story.'
　　The children undid their rucksacks - and out of the hankies inside they poured the shining, glitteringjewellery on to the oak table.
　　The inspector whistled and exchanged a look with Mr. Gaston. He picked up the diamond necklace.
　　'You've got them!' he said. 'The very jewels! And to think the police everywhere have been huntingfor them for months and months and months. Where did you find them, youngsters?'
　　'It's rather a long story,' said Julian. He began to tell it, and he told it well, prompted by the others,when he forgot anything. Mr. Gaston and the inspector listened with amazement on their faces. WhenJulian came to the bit where Dirty Dick and Maggie had been left floundering in the marshes, theinspector interrupted him.
　　'Wait! Would they still be there? They would? Right. Half a minute!'
　　He pressed a bell and a policeman appeared. 'Tell Johns to take his three men and the car, and go tothe Green Marshes, near Gloomy Water,' ordered the inspector. 'He's to pick up two peoplefloundering there - man and woman. Our old friends Dirty Dick and Maggie Martin! Look sharp!'
　　The policeman disappeared. Anne hugged herself. Now that awful couple would be put into safecustody for some time, thank goodness - till she had forgotten about them! Anne hadn't liked them abit.
　　Julian's tale came to an end. The inspector looked across at the tousle-headed, dirty, untidy group 93and smiled. He held out his hand. 'Shake!' he said. 'All of you! You're the kind of kids we want in thiscountry - plucky, sensible, responsible youngsters who use your brains and never give up!
　　I'm proud to meet you!'
　　They all shook hands with him solemnly. Timmy held up his paw too, and the inspector grinned andshook that too.
　　'And now - what's your programme?' asked Mr. Gaston, getting up.
　　'Well - we're all supposed to be back at school by three o'clock,' said Julian. 'But I don't think we canarrive looking like this. We'd get into awful rows! Is there a hotel where we can have a bath and cleanourselves up a bit?'
　　'You can do that here,' said the inspector. 'And if you like I'll run you back to your schools in thepolice car. We can't do too much for people who produce the Fallonia jewels out of rucksacks, youknow. Bless us all - I can't believe it!'
　　Mr. Gaston said good-bye and went, saying that he was very proud to have made friends with them.
　　'And don't you get stuck down any more rabbit-holes!' he said to Timmy, who woofed happily at him.
　　They bathed and washed every inch of themselves. They found their clothes neatly folded andbrushed, and felt grateful. They brushed their hairs and arrived looking very clean and tidy in theinspector's private room. He had a man there, inspecting the jewels and labelling them before he putthem away into boxes.
　　'You'll be interested to know that we have picked up your couple,' he told them. 'The man had abroken ankle and couldn't stir a step. The woman was thigh deep in the marsh when we found her.
　　They quite welcomed the police, they were so fed up with everything!'
　　'Oh good!' said the four, and Anne beamed with relief. That settled Maggie and Dirty Dick then!
　　'And these are the Fallonia jewels,' said the inspector. 'Not that I had any doubt of it. They are nowbeing checked and labelled. I've no doubt the Queen of Fallonia and her titled friend will beextremely pleased to hear of your little exploit.'
　　A clock struck half past two. Julian looked at it. Half an hour only to get back in time. Would they doit?
　　'It's all right,' said the inspector, with his wide grin. 'Car's at the door. I'll come and see you off.
　　You'll all be back at your schools in good time - and if anyone believes your tale I'll be surprised.
　　Come along!'
　　94
　　He saw them into the car, Timmy too. 'Good-bye,' he said, and saluted them all smartly. I'm proud tohave met you - good luck to you, Famous Five!'
　　Yes, good luck to you, Famous Five - and may you have many more adventures!
　　THE END
22.有惊无险
　　有惊无险
　　孩子们是被蒂米的叫声吵醒的。天已经亮了，朱利安来到门口，看见麦琪就站在不远处。
　　“你们为什么一直让这只凶恶的狗守在这里？”麦琪大声说，“我只是过来看看你们走的时候需不需要带点吃的。如果需要，我们可以送给你们一些。”
　　“你们怎么突然变得这么好心了？！”朱利安说。他想，麦琪是多么急于摆脱他们啊！为了让他们快点离开，竟然舍得把食物拿出来。可惜朱利安一点也不想要麦琪和臭迪克的食物。
　　“你们想要吗？”麦琪问。她看不透朱利安，虽然他是个孩子，但他的行为举止却比一个孩子成熟得多。这使她多了一些顾虑。
　　“不了，谢谢。”朱利安说，“我们马上就走，你知道，我们今天就要回到学校。”
　　“那就好，你们最好快点走，”麦琪说，“天快下雨了。”
　　朱利安转过身，勾起嘴角，无声地笑了。他知道，今天是不会下雨的。只要能让他们赶紧离开，麦琪什么谎话都说得出口！当然，这也正合朱利安的意，他们本来就要尽快离开这里。
　　不到十分钟，四个孩子就已经准备好一切，整装待发了。他们每人背一个背包，背包上捆着各自的雨衣，里面还有各自负责保管的价值连城的珠宝！这些东西非同小可！
　　他们排成一列走在路上，安妮说：“回去的旅程会很愉快。现在，事情都圆满地结束了，我开心得都想唱歌啦。只是回到学校，我和乔治给大家讲这些事的时候，肯定没人相信我们的话。”
　　“老师很可能会给我们布置一篇作文，题目就是‘你的期中假期’。”乔治说，“皮特小姐读完我们的作文会说：‘你们写得非常好，但你们不觉得这有点太不真实了吗？’对吧？”
　　大家听了乔治的话都大笑起来。蒂米吐着舌头把他们看了一圈，也露出‘笑脸’来——乔治说它脸上此刻的表情就是笑。但是，下一刻它的笑容就消失了，朝着孩子们的身后大声叫起来。
　　大家扭头一看，全都被吓到了。“天啊，是麦琪和臭迪克，他们正疯了一样地向我们冲过来！”迪克说，“这是怎么回事？难道他们不舍得我们离开，想让我们再回去？”
　　“他们是要拦住我们。”朱利安说，“看，他们偏离了正道，准备走小路截住我们。这周围全是沼泽，根本没有别的路可走，他们这样做真是太愚蠢了！他们很快就会被沼泽困住，除非他们对这里十分了解。”
　　麦琪和臭迪克狂怒地大喊大叫。臭迪克挥着手臂，像山羊一样在草丛间跳来跳去。
　　“他们就好像完全疯了一样。”安妮说，她突然感到很害怕，“他们怎么会变成这样呢？”
　　“我知道了！”乔治说，“他们肯定进了地下室，看见了那张防水布和那些空盒子，就知道珠宝已经被我们拿走了！”
　　“正是这样。”朱利安说，“早知道这样，我们当时就应该把所有的盒子都放进地下室旁的酒窖里。他们丢了一笔巨大的财富，难怪要气得发疯。”
　　“可是就算知道了，他们又能怎么样呢？”迪克说，“我们这里有蒂米。只要他们靠近一点，它就会立刻冲上去把他们扑倒。但是臭迪克发起疯来太厉害了，要是真打起来，蒂米可能要费一些力气才能打败他。他疯得这么厉害，已经失去理智啦！”
　　“我也这么觉得。”朱利安说。他也被那个男人暴怒的吼声和疯狂的举动吓到了。
　　毫无疑问，臭迪克已经被愤怒和失落完全淹没，彻底疯掉了。
　　但朱利安并不害怕，他知道蒂米一定能把臭迪克扑倒在地。他看向安妮，可怜的安妮吓得脸色发白，于是在心里暗暗想着不能让安妮看到凶残的打斗场面。
　　蒂米开始狂吠，它龇牙咧嘴地咆哮着，面目凶狠。蒂米看得出来，那个男人也正想和它打一架。行啊，那就来吧，它一点也不怕！
　　“我们要走快一点，”朱利安说，“但是这里没有捷径，大家要小心沿着脚下的路走，千万别走出去了。快看，麦琪走的路不对，她已经陷入沼泽了。”
　　麦琪的确被困住了。她的脚踝陷入了沼泽，她一边挣扎，一边大声喊臭迪克来救她。但是，臭迪克正在一心一意地追赶孩子们，没有理会她的呼救。
　　紧接着，臭迪克也遇到麻烦了！他一下子踩进沼泽，淤泥没过他的脚踝。他奋力爬出来，踩在一簇草丛上，却又失足跌倒了。臭迪克立刻痛苦地叫起来：“我的脚踝！我的脚踝骨折了！麦琪，你快过来！”
　　麦琪正自顾不暇，根本管不了他。孩子们停下来，看向臭迪克。他正坐在草丛上，揉着自己的脚。即使离得这么远，孩子们也能看到他惨白的脸色。他一定是在给自己治伤。
　　“我们要过去帮他吗？”安妮声音发颤地问。
　　“千万不要过去！”朱利安说，“他可能在假装受伤，虽然这种可能性很小。不管怎么样，这一场追逐到这里就结束了。我觉得臭迪克是真的伤到了脚踝，那么他一定不会在沼泽中走得太远。麦琪也一样。看！她又跌倒了，肯定也走不远。警察来了就能很轻松地抓住这两个可恶的人。”
　　“他们被困在沼泽里了，这可真是大快人心！”迪克说，“我一点也不同情他们。他们都是坏人。”
　　孩子们再次出发了。蒂米有些闷闷不乐，因为它最终都没能和臭迪克打一架。两个小时后，他们走到了瑞博斯村。
　　“我们要去邮局，还要在那里打个电话。”朱利安说。
　　邮局里的那个老人很高兴再次见到他们。“你们玩得愉快吗？”他问，“找到两棵树了吗？”
　　朱利安在老人和其他孩子说话的时候，查到了盖斯顿先生的电话号码，给他打了电话，他希望盖斯顿先生能帮帮忙。
　　接电话的是盖斯顿先生本人。“喂？哪位？哦，是的，当然，我记得你。你需要帮助吗？好的，我能为你做些什么？”
　　朱利安把事情说了，盖斯顿先生听完非常震惊。
　　“什么！你们竟然找到了法洛尼亚女王的珠宝！太不可思议了！
　　你说它们现在就在你们的背包里！哈，你一定是在逗我，对不对？”
　　朱利安再三向他保证自己没有说谎。盖斯顿先生简直不敢相信自己的耳朵。“好，好，当然，我会帮你们联系警察的。我们最好去一趟吉特峡谷，我认识那里的一名警察局局长，他是个好人。你现在在哪儿？哦，是的，我知道了。在那里等着，我这就开车去接你们，大约半小时后到，再见。”
　　盖斯顿先生挂了电话，朱利安也准备去把消息告诉伙伴们。和盖斯顿先生取得了联系，朱利安十分高兴，他想：“一些成年人真的非常睿智，他们清楚地知道应该怎样解决问题。”
　　伙伴们听了朱利安说的情况也很开心。
　　“我必须要说，虽然珠宝放在我们身上也不错，但是只有把它们交给大人才会更安全。”乔治说，“现在我只想要一样东西，那就是早餐！”
　　“我们干脆把早餐和午餐合成一顿好了，”朱利安说，“现在已经不早了。”
　　“对，那我们就来吃一顿早午餐吧！”安妮兴冲冲地说，“我喜欢早午餐。”
　　他们在路边一个小商店买了一些东西，吃了一顿“早午餐”，有一些三明治、小圆面包和饼干，还喝了姜汁汽水。他们刚吃完，盖斯顿先生就开着一辆大汽车出现了！
　　大家都上了车。四个孩子朝盖斯顿先生露出开心、友好的笑容，朱利安向他介绍了安妮和迪克。蒂米再次见到盖斯顿先生也很高兴，向他伸出一只爪子。盖斯顿先生回以同样的热情，和它握了握手。
　　“这只可爱的狗很懂礼貌。”他说完一脚踩下油门，汽车载着侦探团的小伙伴们向前驶去。蒂米像以前坐车时一样，把头伸到车窗外。
　　在路上，孩子们讲了他们离奇的经历，盖斯顿先生听了，很欣赏他们的作为。“你们都是勇敢的孩子！”他一直夸奖着，非常喜欢他们，“真希望你们是我的孩子！”
　　警察局到了。盖斯顿先生在来之前已经跟那位警察局局长打了招呼。这会儿，他正在等着他们。
　　“来我的办公室说话。”局长说，接着几个人进了一个房间，“现在，在你们讲故事之前，先让我们看看珠宝。它们在哪儿？你们真的把它们带在身上了吗？”
　　孩子们打开背包，拿出四个手帕包裹，然后打开手帕把一堆闪闪发亮、璀璨耀眼的珠宝倒在橡木桌上。
　　局长长吁了一口气，和盖斯顿先生交换了一下眼神，然后拿起那条钻石项链，说：“你们居然真的拿到了它们！就是这些珠宝！警察到处搜寻，找了这么久都没有找到，竟然被你们找到了！孩子们，你们在哪儿找到它们的？”
　　“这是一个很长的故事。”朱利安说，接着他开始讲他们的经历。朱利安讲得很好，记不起来的时候，其他三个人就在一旁给他提示。盖斯顿先生和警察局局长听得满脸惊奇。当朱利安说到臭迪克和麦琪被困在沼泽地的时候，局长打断了他的话。
　　“等等！他们现在还在那里吗？他们还会待在那儿吗？好，请稍等片刻！”
　　他按了响铃，立即有一名警察走进来。局长命令道：“告诉约翰斯，让他带三个人，开警车去一趟幽暗之水附近的格林沼泽，务必把困在沼泽里的一男一女带回来。他们是我们的老朋友——臭迪克和马丁•麦琪！要快！”
　　那名警察离开了。安妮抱着胳膊，心想那对可恶的男女就要被送进监狱了，在她把他们忘掉之前都不会出来，真是谢天谢地，她一点也不想再见到他们。
　　朱利安的故事讲完了。局长看着这几个头发乱糟糟、衣服脏兮兮的孩子，微微一笑。他伸出手说：“请允许我跟你们握握手！我们国家需要的正是你们这样的孩子——勇敢、机智、有责任心，善于动脑又不轻言放弃！见到你们，是我的荣幸！”
　　警察局局长和每个孩子都郑重地握了手。蒂米也举起它的爪子，局长同样笑着和它握了手。
　　盖斯顿先生站起来，问：“那么接下来，你们有什么打算？”
　　“我们今天下午三点就要回到学校。”朱利安说，“但是我们身上太脏了，不想这个样子回去。这里有没有宾馆让我们洗个澡，把自己打扮得整洁一些。”
　　“你们可以就在这里洗澡。”局长说，“如果你们愿意的话，我可以派警车送你们回学校。你们找回了法洛尼亚女王的珠宝，这点报答完全不算什么。我的天啊，我到现在都觉得这一切很不真实！”
　　盖斯顿先生告别之后离开了，临走时说他为自己能和孩子们成为朋友而感到骄傲。他还对蒂米说：“你可别再钻兔子洞了哦！”蒂米欢快地冲他“汪汪”叫。
　　孩子们终于可以好好地洗个澡了，他们把自己身上的每一处皮肤都洗得干干净净。洗完后，他们发现衣服都已经洗好烘干了，被整齐地叠放在一边，穿在身上感觉特别舒服。他们梳好头发，再次来到局长办公室的时候，一个个都干净整洁、神清气爽。局长办公室里有一个人，正在查验珠宝，给每个珠宝都贴上标签，然后放进盒子。
　　“你们一定想知道那两个人的情况。”局长对他们说，“那个男人的脚踝骨折了，一步路都走不动；那个女人，我们发现她的时候，淤泥已经埋过她的大腿了。他们见到警察的时候非常开心，就好像他们已经迫不及待，让警察抓进监狱呢！”
　　“啊哈，这真是太好了！”孩子们说。这样，麦琪和臭迪克的事就完全解决了。安妮对此感到十分欣慰，露出了笑容。
　　“这些确实是法洛尼亚女王的珠宝，”局长说：“对此我毫不怀疑。现在专业人员正在检验，并给它们贴上标签。我想，女王和她尊贵的朋友们听到你们的功绩，一定会非常满意。”
　　房间里一个钟表响起了报时的声音，朱利安闻声看过去。现在是下午两点半，距离三点只剩下半个小时了，他们还来得及按时回到学校吗？
　　“不用担心，孩子们，”局长笑着说，“警车已经在门口待命了，你们会准时到达学校的。哦，学校里的人肯定都不会相信你们的故事，要是有人相信了，我倒会很惊讶。我送你们离开，走吧！”
　　局长看着他们上了车，蒂米也坐了上去。“再见。”局长说完，潇洒地向他们敬了一礼，“很荣幸见到你们。祝你们好运，小侦探们！”
　　是的，祝你们好运，小侦探们！也许未来，你们还会迎来更多的冒险之旅！