Chapter 1 THE HOLIDAY BEGINS
Chapter 1 THE HOLIDAY BEGINS
　　'Blow! I've got a puncture!' said Dick. 'My tyre's going flat. Worst time it could possibly happen!'
　　Julian glanced down at Dick's back tyre. Then he looked at his watch. 'You've just got time to pumpit up and hope for the best,' he said. 'We've got seven minutes before the train goes.'
　　Dick jumped off and took his pump. The others got off their bicycles, too, and stood round, watchingto see if the tyre blew up well or not.
　　They were on their way to Kirrin Station to catch the train, bicycles and all. Their luggage had goneon in advance, and they thought they had left plenty of time to ride to the station, get their bicycleslabelled and put in the luggage van, and catch the train comfortably.
　　'We can't miss the train!' said George, putting on her best scowl. She always hated it when thingswent wrong.
　　'We can. Easiest thing in the world!' said Julian, grinning at George's fierce face. 'What do you say,Timmy?'
　　Timmy barked sharply, as if to say he certainly agreed. He licked George's hand and she patted him.
　　The scowl left her face as she saw Dick's tyre coming up well. They'd just do it! Dick felt his tyre,gave a sigh of relief, and put his pump back in its place.
　　'Phew! That was hot work,' he said, mounting his bicycle. 'Hope it will last till we get to the station. Iwas afraid you'd have to go without me.'
　　'Oh, no,' said Anne. 'We'd have caught the next train. Come on, Timmy!'
　　The four cousins and Timmy the dog raced on towards the station. They cycled into the station yardjust as the signal went up to show the train was due. The porter came towards them, his big roundface red and smiling.
　　'I sent your luggage off for you,' he said. 'Not much between you, I must say - just one small trunk!'
　　'Well, we don't wear much on holidays,' said Julian. 'Can you label our bikes quickly for us? I see thetrain is due.'
　　2
　　The porter began to label the four bicycles. He didn't hurry. He wouldn't let the train go off again tillhe had done his job, that was certain. There it was now, coming round the bend.
　　'You going off to Cornwall, I see?' said the porter. 'And to Tremannon, too. You want to be careful ofbathing there. That's a fierce coast and a hungry sea.'
　　'Oh, do you know it?' said Anne, surprised. 'Is it a nice place?'
　　'Nice? Well, I dunno about that,' said the porter, raising his voice as the train came rumbling in. 'Iused to go out in my uncle's fishing-boat all round there, and it's wild and lonely. I shouldn't havethought it was much of a place for a holiday - no pier, no ice-cream sellers, no concert parties, nocinema, no...'
　　'Good,' said Julian. 'We can do without all those, thank you. We mean to bathe, and hire a boat, andfish, and bike all round about. That's our kind of holiday!'
　　'Woof!' said Timmy, wagging his tail.
　　'Yes, and yours too,' said George, rubbing his big head. 'Come on, we'd better get into a carriage.'
　　'I'll see to your bikes,' said the porter. 'Have a good holiday, and if you see my uncle, tell him youknow me. His name's same as mine, John Polpenny.'
　　' ''By Tre, Pol and Pen, you may know the Cornishmen'',' quoted Julian, getting into a carriage withthe others. 'Thanks, John. We'll look up your uncle if we can!'
　　They each took a corner seat, and Timmy went to the opposite door, put his feet up on the ledge andhis nose out of the window. He meant to stand like that all the way! He loved the rush of air past hisnose.
　　'Timmy, come down,' said George.
　　Timmy took no notice. He was happy. It was holidays again, and he was with everybody he loved.
　　They were going away together. There might be rabbits to chase. Timmy had never yet caught arabbit, but he went on hoping!
　　'Now, we're off again!' said Julian, settling into his corner. 'Gosh, how I do like the beginnings of aholiday, getting ready, looking at maps, planning how to get there, and then at last setting off!'
　　'On a lovely fine day like this!' said Anne. 'George, how did your mother hear of Tremannon Farm?'
　　3
　　'Well, it was Father who heard about it, really,' said George. 'You know Father's got a lot of scientistfriends who like to go off to lonely places and work out all kinds of ideas in peace and quiet. Well,one of them went to Tremannon Farm because he heard it was one of the quietest places in thekingdom. Father said his friend went there all skin and bone and came back as fat as a Christmasgoose, and Mother said that sounded just the place for us to go to these hols!'
　　'She's right!' said Dick. 'I feel a bit skin-and-bonish myself after slaving at school for three months. Icould do with fattening up!'
　　They all laughed. 'You may feel skin-and-bonish, but you don't look it,' said Julian. 'You want a bit ofexercise to take your fat off. We'll get it, too. We'll walk and bike and bathe and climb...'
　　'And eat,' said George. 'Timmy, you must be polite to the farm dogs, or you'll have a bad time.'
　　'And you must remember that when you go out to play, you'll have to ask the other dogs'
　　permission before you can chase their rabbits,' said Dick solemnly.
　　Timmy thumped his tail against Dick's knees and opened his mouth to let his tongue hang out.
　　He looked exactly as if he were laughing.
　　'That's right. Grin at my jokes,' said Dick. 'I'm glad you're coming, Tim, it would be awful withoutyou.'
　　'He always has come with us, on every holiday,' said George. 'And he's shared in every singleadventure we've ever had.'
　　'Good old Timmy,' said Julian. 'Well, he may share in one this time, too. You never know.'
　　'I'm not going to have any adventures this time,' said Anne in a firm voice. 'I just want a holiday,nothing more. Let's have a jolly good time, and not go on looking for anything strange or mysteriousor adventurous.'
　　'Right,' said Julian. 'Adventures are off this time. Definitely off. And if anything does turn up, wepooh-pooh it and walk off. Is that agreed?'
　　'Yes,' said Anne.
　　'All right,' said George, doubtfully.
　　'Fine,' said Dick.
　　Julian looked surprised. 'Gosh, you're a poor lot, I must say. Well, I'll fall in with you, if you're allagreed. Even if we find ourselves right in the very middle of Goodness Knows What, we say''No, thank you'' and walk away. That's agreed.'
　　4
　　'Well,' began George, 'I'm not sure if...' But what she wasn't sure about nobody knew because Timmychose that moment to fall off the seat. He yelped as he hit the floor with a bang, and immediatelywent back to his post at the window, putting his head right out.
　　'We'll have to get him in and shut the windows,' said George. 'He might get something in his eye.'
　　'No. I'm not going to cook slowly to a cinder in this hot carriage with all the windows shut, not evenfor the sake of Timmy's eyes,' said Julian, firmly. 'If you can't make him obey you and come inside,he can jolly well get something in his eye.'
　　However, the problem was solved very quickly because at that moment the train gave a mostunearthly shriek and disappeared headlong into utter blackness. Timmy, astounded, fell back into thecarriage and tried to get on to George's knee, terrified.
　　'Don't be a baby, Timmy,' said George. 'It's only a tunnel! Ju, haul him off me. It's too hot to try andnurse a heavy dog like Timmy. Stop it, Timmy, I tell you it's only a tunnel!'
　　The journey seemed very long. The carriage was so hot, and the train stopped at so many little out-of-the-way places, sometimes for ten minutes at a time. They had to change twice, and sit on sun-bakedstations waiting for their next train to come along. Timmy panted loudly and hung his tongue out;George begged the porters for water at each changing-place.
　　They had their lunch with them, but somehow they weren't hungry. They got dirtier and dirtier, andthirstier and thirstier, for they very quickly drank the orangeade they had brought with them.
　　'Phew!' said Julian, fanning himself with a magazine. 'What wouldn't I give for a bathe? Timmy, don'tpant all over me. You make me feel hotter still.'
　　'What time do we get there?' asked Anne.
　　'Well, we have to get out at Polwilly Halt,' said Julian. 'That's the nearest place to Tremannon Farm.
　　We bike from there. With luck, we should be there by tea-time.'
　　'We ought to have brought masses more to drink,' said Dick. 'I feel like a man who's been lost in asun-scorched desert for weeks.'
　　They were all extremely glad when they at last arrived at Polwilly Halt. At first they didn't think itwas a halt, but it was. It was nothing but a tiny wooden stage built beside the railway. The childrensat and waited. They hadn't even seen the little wooden stage or the small sign that said'Polwilly Halt'.
　　5
　　The sound of impatient feet came along the little platform. The guard's perspiring face appeared atthe window.
　　'Well? Didn't you want to get out here? You going to sit there all day?'
　　'Gosh! Is this Polwilly?' said Julian, leaping up. 'Sorry. We didn't know it was a Halt. We'll be out inhalf a tick.'
　　The train started off almost before they had banged the door. They stood there on the funny littlestaging, all alone save for their four bicycles at the other end. The little Halt seemed lonely and lost,set in the midst of rolling fields and rounded hills. Not a building was in sight!
　　But not far off to the west George's sharp eyes saw something lovely. She pulled Julian's arm.
　　'Look, the sea! Over there, between the hills, in the dip. Can't you see it? I'm sure it's the sea.
　　What a heavenly blue.'
　　'It's always that gorgeous blue on the Cornish coast,' said Dick. 'Ah, I feel better when I see that.
　　Come on, let's get our bikes and find our way to Tremannon Farm. If I don't get something to drinksoon I shall certainly hang my tongue out, like Timmy.'
　　They went to get their bikes. Dick felt his back tyre. It was a bit soft, but not too bad. He could easilypump it up again. 'How far is it to Tremannon Farm?' he asked.
　　Julian looked at his notes. ' ''Get out at Polwilly Halt. Then bike four miles to Tremannon Farm,along narrow lanes. Tremannon Village is about one mile before you get to the farm.'' Not too bad.
　　We might get some lemonade, or even an ice-cream, in the village.'
　　'Woof, woof,' said Timmy, who knew the word ice-cream very well indeed.
　　'Poor Tim!' said Anne. 'He'll be so hot running beside our bikes. We'd better go slowly.'
　　'Well, if anyone thinks I'm going to tear along, he can think again,' said Dick. 'I'll go as slowly as youlike, Anne!'
　　They set off with Timmy down a queer little lane, deep-set between high hedges. They went slowlyfor Timmy's sake. He panted along valiantly. Good old Timmy! He would never give up as long ashe was with the four children.
　　It was about five o'clock and a very lovely evening. They met nobody at all, not even a slow old farmcart. It was even too hot for the birds to sing. No wind blew. There seemed a curious silence andloneliness everywhere.
　　6
　　Julian looked back at the other three with a grin. 'Adventure is in the air! I feel it. We're all set foradventure! But no, we'll turn our backs on it and say: ''Away with you!'' That's agreed!'
1.暑假开始
　　暑假开始
　　“不是吧！”迪克说，“我的轮胎被扎破了，变得越来越瘪。为什么在最关键的时候会发生这种事？”
　　朱利安低头观察迪克单车的后轮，然后看了看手表说：“还有点时间，快给轮胎打气。距离火车发车还剩七分钟。”
　　迪克从单车上跳下来，拿出他的打气筒。其他人也从自己单车上下来，围在迪克身边，看轮胎能否顺利打上气。
　　他们一行人正在赶往科林火车站，准备去搭乘火车，单车也是他们的行李之一。其他行李已经提前运到火车站，所以他们以为还有充足的时间可以骑行去火车站，给单车打上标签，放到行李车厢里，再不急不忙地去搭火车。
　　“我们可不能错过这趟火车！”乔治说，她皱着眉，表示此刻她极度不满意。每当事情进行得不顺利的时候，她都会露出这样一副表情。
　　“还真不好说，而且是极有可能！”朱利安看了看乔治烦躁的表情笑嘻嘻地说，“你觉得呢，蒂米？”
　　蒂米“汪汪”叫了起来，就像在说它完全同意。它跑去舔乔治的手，乔治则轻拍它的头。当乔治看到迪克的轮胎又重新鼓起来的时候，她紧皱的眉头终于舒缓下来。轮胎还能用！迪克捏了一下轮胎，松了一口气，接着把他的打气筒收好。
　　“可恶！怎么碰上这倒霉事。”迪克抱怨着，然后骑上单车，“希望它还能撑到火车站，我刚还担心你们会抛下我。”
　　“不会的，”安妮说，“实在没办法的话，我们再搭下一趟火车就是。重新出发喽！蒂米！”
　　四个堂兄妹还有蒂米，一起向着火车站狂奔而去。就在他们骑进火车站的时候，火车到站的信号刚好响起。行李搬运工又大又圆的红脸上带着微笑，他朝着他们走来。
　　“我已经把你们的行李托运走了，”他说，“你们的行李还真少，一个小小的行李箱就够了。”
　　“是的，因为假期里并不需要换很多衣服。”朱利安说，“您能把我们的单车迅速贴上标签吗？火车已经到站了。”
　　于是搬运工开始给四辆单车贴标签，但他一点都不着急，因为在他的工作完成之前，他能保证火车不会开走。
　　“我猜，你们是要去康沃尔吧？”搬运工说，“还会去特曼农。你们在那边游泳的时候，可要注意安全。那边的海很凶险。”
　　“哦？您知道那个地方？”安妮惊讶地说，“那边怎么样？”
　　“怎么样？这我倒不是特别清楚。”搬运工提高了嗓音说，因为这时候，火车正隆隆作响，“我以前经常搭我叔叔的钓鱼船在那边出入，那边很宽阔也很平静。我不觉得那边是一个度假的好地方，因为那边没有码头，没有人卖冰激凌，没有演唱会，没有电影院，没有……”
　　“那就太棒了！”朱利安说，“您说的这些我们全都不需要，我们只想去游泳，租一艘船去钓鱼，还想在那边骑着单车四处游玩。这才是我们想要的暑假！”
　　“汪！”蒂米叫了一声，摇晃着尾巴。
　　“对，这也是你想要的暑假。”乔治摸着它的头说，“走吧，我们最好先进车厢里去。”
　　“我会处理好你们的单车的，”搬运工说，“祝你们暑假玩得开心，如果你们看到我叔叔的话，告诉他你们认识我，他的名字跟我的一样，约翰•波尔潘尼。”
　　“只要是姓特里，姓波尔潘尼，姓庞，那他一定长着康沃尔郡人的脸庞。”朱利安引用了这句话后，跟其他人一起进入了车厢里，“谢谢，约翰，如果有机会的话，我们会去拜访您叔叔的！”
　　他们四个人各自坐在角落里的座位上，而蒂米却跑到车厢另外一侧，把爪子趴到窗边，鼻子伸到窗户外面去。它真想一路上都保持这个姿势！因为它特别喜欢风拂过它鼻子时的那种感觉。
　　“蒂米，下来。”乔治说。
　　蒂米并没有理会她。它现在非常开心，因为暑假又来临了，而且还可以和喜欢的人一起度过，他们将会一起去度假，还可能有兔子抓。虽然蒂米从来没有成功抓住过一只兔子，但它一直期待着那一天。
　　“现在我们再一次出发啦！”朱利安在他的座位上安顿好后说，“我真是太喜欢度假之前做准备的这段时间了，从收拾东西，翻阅地图，计划出发路线，直到最后动身出发！”
　　“而且还是在这么惬意的天气里！”安妮说，“乔治，你妈妈是怎么知道特曼农农场的？”
　　“其实，是我爸爸听说的这个地方。”乔治说，“你知道我爸爸有很多朋友都是科学家，他们喜欢去那种安静的地方，在没人打扰的环境下寻找各种各样的灵感。他们其中一个就去了特曼农农场，因为他听说那里是咱们国家最安静的地方之一。我爸爸说他的朋友去之前瘦骨嶙峋，回来的时候却胖得像只圣诞鹅 。就这样，我妈妈才建议我们去那里度假的。”
　　“你妈妈说的没错！”迪克说，“在学校被‘拘禁’了整整三个月的时间，我感觉我可以用骨瘦如柴来形容自己了！我完全可以再胖一点。”
　　他们全都哈哈大笑。“你真的感觉自己骨瘦如柴吗，但你看起来可不是那样！”朱利安说，“你需要多运动，减掉你这一身的肥肉。
　　放心，这点运动量肯定会有的，我们会去散步、骑车、游泳还有爬山。”
　　“还有吃东西。”乔治说，“蒂米，你对待农场里的狗一定要以礼相待，不然你会有麻烦的。”
　　迪克严肃地说：“你还要记住，在你出去玩耍的时候，一定要征求其他狗狗的同意，然后才能抓捕它们的兔子。”
　　蒂米用它的尾巴热情地拍着迪克的膝盖，然后咧开嘴，把舌头伸了出来，样子看起来就像是在微笑。
　　“很好，当我讲笑话的时候，你就应该笑。”迪克说，“你能跟我们一块儿来，我真的很开心。蒂米，如果没有你的话，我会感觉非常糟糕的。”
　　“它陪我们度过了每一个假期。”乔治说，“而且我们每一次的冒险，都有它的陪伴。”
　　“蒂米是好样的，”朱利安说，“世事难料，没准这一次的冒险它也会参与进来呢。”
　　“这一次如果有任何冒险我都不想参与，”安妮坚定地说，“我只想要度假，仅此而已。我们这次轻松愉快地度过假期就行了，不要去找任何奇怪的、神秘的或者冒险的事情。”
　　“赞成！”朱利安说，“这一次不去冒险，绝对不去。不管发生什么事情，我们都无视它，然后远离。大家同意吗？”
　　“同意。”安妮说。
　　“好吧。”乔治充满怀疑地说。
　　“可以。”迪克说。
　　朱利安看起来很惊讶：“天哪，没想到你们还挺一致的。如果你们都同意的话，我肯定会支持你们的。即便发现自己正处于未知的环境中，我们也要尽快脱身，趁早远离。这是大家都同意的事情。”
　　乔治说：“其实，我并不确定，如果……”但她不确定什么事情，没有人知道。因为蒂米在这个时候突然从座位上摔了下来。它摔在地上时，发出“砰”的一声，并伴随着一声惨叫。然而它又马上恢复刚才的姿势，依然把头伸出窗外。
　　“我们得让它把头放进来，把窗户关上。”乔治说，“不然可能会有东西跑进它眼睛里的。”
　　“不行，车厢这么热，还要把所有的车窗都关上，我可不想在这里被慢慢烤成煤渣。”朱利安坚定地说，“如果它不服从你的命令，乖乖地把头放进来，那就让它眼睛进东西好了。”
　　然而，这个问题很快就解决了，因为在这个时候，火车突然发出了极其尖锐的笛声，然后车厢陷入完全黑暗的环境里。蒂米受到了惊吓，把头缩回车厢里，试图爬上乔治的膝盖。
　　“别跟个小孩子似的，蒂米，”乔治说，“火车只不过是进了隧道而已！朱利安，快把它抱走。像蒂米这么大一只狗蹲在身上实在是太热了。别动了！蒂米，我不是告诉过你火车只是进了隧道而已吗！”
　　路程似乎特别漫长。车厢里非常闷热，火车多次停留在偏僻的地方，有时候一次要停十分钟。他们需要转两次车，转车期间要坐在被阳光暴晒的车站等下一辆火车到来。蒂米大口大口地喘气，舌头伸在外面，乔治在每一次转车的时候都会向车站里的搬运工要水喝。
　　他们跟车站的人一起吃了午餐，虽然他们并不是很饿。他们身上都被汗浸湿了，越来越渴，很快就把带的橘子水喝完了。
　　“唉！”朱利安叹了口气，一边用杂志给扇风，“现在要是能洗个澡多好。蒂米，你不要把气呼到我身上，这让我感觉更热了。”
　　“我们什么时候能到？”安妮问。
　　“我们得在波尔威利站出站，”朱利安说，“那是离特曼农农场最近的车站。我们从那里开始骑车，幸运的话，在下午茶时间就能赶到特曼农农场了。”
　　“我们应该多带点水的！”迪克说，“我感觉自己就像一个在烈日炎炎的沙漠里，迷路了几个星期的人。”
　　当最终到达波尔威利站的时候，孩子们都开心极了。一开始，他们并不知道已经到站了——这是一个什么都没有，建在铁路旁边的一个小小的木制站台，孩子们就坐在车上继续等待着，因为他们根本没看到那个小小的木制站台和一个写着波尔威利站的小小标牌。
　　一阵急促的脚步声从站台上传来，车站管理员挂满汗珠的脸出现在窗户上。
　　“怎么回事？你们不想出站了？想在这里坐一整天？”
　　“天啊！这里就是波尔威利？”朱利安说，他跳了起来，“对不起，我们不知道这里是个火车站，我们马上就下来。”
　　火车几乎在他们关上门之前就已经发动了。他们站在一个小小的站台上，除了一侧的四辆单车什么也没有了。小小的车站周围都是起伏的旷野和圆形山丘，显得孤独且毫无意义——附近一个建筑物都没有。
　　但乔治尖锐的眼睛在西边不远处发现了另一番风景，她拉着朱利安的手臂：“快看，海！在那边！两座山的中间，再往下看。你们看到了吗？那肯定是大海，多么漂亮的蓝色。”
　　“康沃尔郡的海岸上总能看到这美丽的蓝色。”迪克说，“啊，看到这景色我感觉浑身舒服多了。走吧，我们去取单车，然后骑去特曼农农场。要是再没有水喝的话，我肯定也得跟蒂米一样把舌头伸出来了。”
　　他们去取单车了。迪克捏了一下他的单车后轮胎，虽然有点软，但情况还不算糟糕，再打些气进去应该就没问题了。“从这里去特曼农农场有多远？”他问。
　　朱利安查阅了自己的笔记，然后说：“从波尔威利站出站，然后沿着一条狭窄的小路骑行四英里就可以到特曼农农场了。到达特曼农农场前一英里的地方，有一个特曼农村子，我们说不定能在村子里找到一些柠檬汁，甚至是冰激凌。”
　　“汪汪！”蒂米说，它的确对冰激凌这个词非常熟悉。
　　“可怜的蒂米！”安妮说，“它跟在我们单车后面跑的话，会热得受不了的，所以我们最好骑慢一点。”
　　“如果有人觉得我会一路飞驰的话，那就错了，”迪克说，“我会跟你慢慢骑的，安妮。”
　　他们跟蒂米一起沿着一条两边都是树篱的小路动身出发了。为了照顾蒂米，他们已经骑得很慢了，但它一路上还是大口大口地喘气。蒂米真是令人敬佩啊！它只要有这四个伙伴陪着，就绝对不会放弃。
　　快到下午五点了，这时候四周万分寂静。他们一路上没有遇到过任何人，甚至连老旧的农场马车也没见到。天气太热了，没有一只鸟歌唱，也没有一丝风，仿佛陷入了寂静和孤独中。
　　朱利安往后看他们三个，嬉皮笑脸地说：“我能感觉得到空气中充满着冒险的气息，我们现在已经准备好冒险了！但是，我们会绕开它，然后说：‘经一致同意，撤！’”
Chapter 2 TREMANNON FARM
Chapter 2 TREMANNON FARM
　　It certainly was a lovely ride to Tremannon Farm. Poppies blew by the wayside in hundreds, andhoneysuckle threw its scent out from the hedges as they passed. The corn stood high in the fields,touched with gold already, and splashed with the scarlet of the poppies.
　　They came to Tremannon Village at last. It was really nothing but a winding street, set with a fewshops and houses, and beyond that, straggling out, were other houses. Farther off, set in the hills,were a few farm-houses, their grey stone walls gleaming in the sun.
　　The four children found the general store and went in. 'Any ice-cream?' said Julian hopefully.
　　But there was none. What a blow! There was orangeade and lemonade, however, quite cool throughbeing kept down in the cellar of the store.
　　'You be the folks that old Mrs. Penruthlan be having in?' said the village shopkeeper. 'She do beexpecting of you. Furriners, bain't you?'
　　'Well, not exactly,' said Julian, remembering that to many Cornish folk anyone was a foreigner whodid not belong to Cornwall. 'My mother had a great-aunt who lived in Cornwall all her life.
　　So we're not exactly ''furriners'', are we?'
　　'You're furriners all right,' said the bent little shopkeeper, looking at Julian with bird-like eyes.
　　'Your talk is furrin-like, too. Like that man Mrs. Penruthlan had before. We reckoned he was mad,though he was harmless enough.'
　　'Really?' said Julian, pouring himself out a third lemonade. 'Well, he was a scientist, and if you'regoing to be a really good one you have to be a bit mad, you know. At least, so I've heard. Golly, thislemonade is good. Can I have another bottle, please?'
　　The old woman suddenly laughed, sounding just like an amused hen. 'Well, well, Marty Penruthlan'sgot a fine meal ready for you, but seems like you won't be able to eat a thing, not with all thatlemonade splashing about in your innards!'
　　7
　　'Don't say you can hear the splashing,' said Julian earnestly. 'Very bad manners, that! Furriners'
　　manners, I'm sure. Well, how much do we owe you? That was jolly good lemonade.'
　　He paid the bill and they all mounted their bicycles once more, having been given minute directionsas to how to get to the farm. Timmy set off with them, feeling much refreshed, having drunk steadilyfor four minutes without stopping.
　　'I should think you've had about as much water as would fill a horse-trough, Timmy,' Julian told him.
　　'My word, if this weather holds we're going to look like Red Indians!'
　　It was an uphill ride to Tremannon Farm, but they got there at last. As they cycled through the opengates, a fusillade of barks greeted them, and four large dogs came flying to meet them.
　　Timmy put up his hackles at once and growled warningly. He went completely stiff, and stood thereglaring.
　　A woman came out behind the dogs, her face one large smile. 'Now, Ben; now, Bouncer! Here,Nellie, here! Bad dog, Willy! It's all right, children, that's their way of saying ''Welcome toTremannon Farm!'' '
　　The dogs now stood in a ring round the four children, their tongues out, their tails waggingvigorously. They were lovely dogs, three collies and one small black Scottie. Timmy eyed them oneby one. George had her hand on his collar, just in case he should feel foolhardy all of a sudden andimagine he could take on all four dogs single-handed.
　　But he didn't. He behaved like a perfect gentleman! His tail wagged politely, and his hackles wentdown. The little Scottie ran up to him and sniffed his nose. Timmy sniffed back, his tail waggingmore vigorously.
　　Then the three sheepdogs ran up, beautiful collies with plumy tails, and the children heaved sighs ofrelief to see that the farm dogs evidently were not going to regard Timmy as a 'furriner'!
　　'They're all right now,' said Mrs. Penruthlan. 'They've introduced themselves to one another.
　　Now come along with me. You must be tired and dirty - and hungry and thirsty. I've high tea waitingfor you.'
　　She didn't talk in the Cornish way. She was pleased to see them and gave them a grand welcome.
　　She took them upstairs to a bathroom, big but primitive. There was one tap only and that was for coldwater. It ran very slowly indeed!
　　But it was really cold, and was lovely and soft to wash in. The tired children cleaned themselves andcombed their hair.
　　8
　　They had two bedrooms between them, one for the girls and one for the boys. They were rathersmall, with little windows that gave a meagre amount of light, so that the rooms looked dark even inthe bright evening sunshine.
　　They were bare little rooms, with two beds in each, one chair, one chest of drawers, one cupboardand two small rugs. Nothing else! But, oh! The views out of the windows!
　　Miles and miles of countryside, set with cornfields, pasture land, tall hedges and glimpses of windinglanes; heather was out on some of the hills, blazing purple in the sun; and, gleaming in the distancewas the dark blue brilliance of the Cornish sea. Lovely!
　　'We'll bike to the sea as soon as we can,' said Dick, trying to flatten the few hairs that would stick upstraight on the top of his head. There are caves on this coast. We'll explore them. I wonder if Mrs.
　　Penruthlan would give us picnic lunches so that we can go off for the day when we want to.'
　　'Sure to,' said Julian. 'She's a pet. I've never felt so welcome in my life. Are we ready? Come ondown, then. I'm beginning to feel very empty indeed.'
　　The high tea that awaited them was truly magnificent. A huge ham gleaming as pink as Timmy'stongue; a salad fit for a king. In fact, as Dick said, fit for several kings, it was so enormous. It had in iteverything that anyone could possibly want.
　　'Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, radishes, mustard and cress, carrot grated up - that is carrot, isn't it, Mrs.
　　Penruthlan?' said Dick. 'And lashings of hard-boiled eggs.'
　　There was an enormous tureen of new potatoes, all gleaming with melted butter, scattered withparsley. There was a big bottle of home-made salad cream.
　　'Look at that cream cheese, too,' marvelled Dick, quite overcome. 'And that fruit cake. And are thosedrop-scones, or what? Are we supposed to have something of everything, Mrs.
　　Penruthlan?'
　　'Oh, yes,' said the plump little woman, smiling at Dick's pleasure. 'And there's a cherry tart made withour own cherries, and our own cream with it. I know what hungry children are. I've had seven of myown, all married and gone away. So I have to make do with other people's when I can get them.'
　　'I'm jolly glad you happened to get hold of us,' said Dick, beginning on ham and salad. 'Well, we'llkeep you busy, Mrs. Penruthlan. We've all got big appetites!'
　　9
　　'Ah, I've not met any children yet that could eat like mine,' said Mrs. Penruthlan, sounding reallysorry. 'Same as I've not met any man that can eat like Mr. Penruthlan. He's a fine eater, he is.
　　He'll be in soon.'
　　'I hope we shall leave enough for him,' said Anne, looking at the ham and the half-empty salad dish.
　　'No wonder my uncle's friend, the man who came to stay here, went away as fat as butter, Mrs.
　　Penruthlan.'
　　'Oh, the poor man!' said their hostess, who was now filling up their glasses with rich, creamy milk.
　　'Thin as my husband's old rake, he was, and all his bones showing and creaking. He said''No'' to this and ''No'' to that, but I took no notice of him at all. If he didn't eat his dinner, I'd take histray away and tidy it up, and then in ten minutes I'd take it back again and say: ''Dinner-time, sir, andI hope you're hungry!'' And he'd start all over again, and maybe that time he'd really tuck in!'
　　'But didn't he know you'd already taken him his dinner-tray once?' said Julian, astonished.
　　'Goodness, he must have been a dreamer.'
　　'I took his tray in three times once,' said Mrs. Penruthlan. 'So you be careful in case I do the samekind of thing to you!'
　　'I should love it!' grinned Julian. 'Yes, please, I'd like some more ham. And more salad.'
　　Footsteps came outside the room, on the stone floor of the hall. The door opened and the farmerhimself came in. The children stared at him in awe.
　　He was a strange and magnificent figure of a man - tall, well over six feet, broadly built, and as darkas a sunburnt Spaniard. His mane of hair was black and curly, and his eyes were as black as his hair.
　　'This is Mr. Penruthlan,' said his wife, and the children stood up to shake hands, feeling half afraid ofthis dark giant.
　　He nodded his head and shook hands. His hand was enormous, and was covered with hairs so thickand black that it was like fur. Anne felt that it would be quite nice and soft to stroke, like a cat'sback!'
　　He didn't say a word, but sat down and let his wife serve him. 'Well, Mr. Penruthlan,' she said,'and how's the cow getting along?'
　　'Ah,' said the farmer, taking a plate of ham. The children gazed at the slices in awe, seven or eight ofthem. Goodness!
　　10
　　'Oh, I'm glad she's all right,' said Mrs. Penruthlan, stacking up some dirty plates. 'And is the calf adear little thing - and what's the colour?'
　　'Ah,' said Mr. Penruthlan, nodding his head.
　　'Red and white, like its mother! That's good, isn't it?' said his wife, who seemed to have a miraculousway of interpreting his 'Ahs'. 'What shall we call it?'
　　Everyone badly wanted to say 'Ah', but nobody dared. However, Mr. Penruthlan didn't say 'Ah'
　　that time, but something that sounded like 'Ock'.
　　'Yes, we'll call it Buttercup, then,' said his wife, nodding her head. 'You always have such good ideas,Mr. Penruthlan.'
　　It sounded odd to hear her call her husband by his surname like that, and yet, somehow, the childrencouldn't imagine this giant of a fellow even owning a name like Jack or Jim. They went on with theirown meal, enjoying every minute of it, watching Mr. Penruthlan shovel in great mouthfuls, andworking his way quickly through every dish. Mrs. Penruthlan saw them watching him.
　　'He's a grand eater, isn't he?' she said, proudly. 'So were all my children. When they were at home, Iwas kept really busy, but now, with only Mr. Penruthlan to feed, I feel quite lost. That's why I likepeople here. You'll tell me if you don't have enough to eat, won't you?'
　　They all laughed, and Timmy barked. He had had a wonderful meal, too, it was the remains of Mrs.
　　Penruthlan's big stock-pot, and was very tasty indeed. He had also got the largest bone he had everhad in his life. The only thing that really worried the well-fed Timmy now was, where could he putthe bone out of the way of the farm dogs?
　　Mr. Penruthlan suddenly made a peculiar noise and began undoing a trouser pocket at the back.
　　'Oo-ah!' he said, and brought out a dirty, folded piece of paper. He handed it to his wife, whounfolded it and read it. She looked up at the children, smiling.
　　'Now, here's a bit of excitement!' she said. 'The Barnies will be along this week! You'll love them.'
　　'What are the Barnies?' asked George, puzzled at Mrs. Penruthlan's evident pleasure and excitement.
　　'Oh, they're travelling players that wander round the countryside and play and act in our big barns,'
　　said Mrs. Penruthlan. 'We've no cinemas for miles, you know, so the Barnies are always verywelcome.'
　　11
　　'Oh, you call them Barnies because they use your barns for their shows,' said Anne, seeing light.
　　'Yes, we shall love to see them, Mrs. Penruthlan. Will they play in your barn?'
　　'Yes. We'll have all the village here when the Barnies come,' said Mrs. Penruthlan, her cheeks goingred with delight. 'And may be people from Trelin Village, too. Now, there's a treat for you!'
　　'Ah,' said Mr. Penruthlan, and nodded his great head. Evidently he liked the Barnies, too. He gave asudden laugh and said something short and quite incomprehensible.
　　'He says you'll like Clopper the horse,' said his wife, laughing. 'The things he does! The way he sitsdown and crosses his legs. Well, you wait and see. That horse!'
　　This sounded rather astonishing. A horse that sat down and crossed its legs? Julian winked at Dick.
　　They would most certainly see the Barnies!
2.特曼农农场
　　特曼农农场
　　骑往特曼农农场的路上，大家的心情都十分愉快。路两旁成百上千的罂粟花向后飘过，他们骑过树篱时，可以闻到从里面飘散出来的金银花花香。田野里的玉米秆长得很高大，已经挂着饱满的果实，罂粟花又为这幅风景画添上了一抹艳红。
　　这里只有一条街道，蜿蜒着伸向前方，街道的一侧是依山而建的农舍，层层叠叠，灰色的石墙在太阳的照射下闪闪发光。
　　四个孩子找到一家杂货店走了进去，“有冰激凌吗？”朱利安满怀希望地问，但这里并不卖冰激凌。真令人失望！不过，这里有橘子汁和柠檬水，而且由于一直贮藏在杂货店的地窖里，所以还挺凉。
　　“你们应该就是庞鲁斯兰夫人要接待的客人吧？”杂货店的老奶奶说，“她一直在等着你们呢！你们是外地人 ，对吧？”
　　“也不完全是，”朱利安说，“虽然对于大部分康沃尔郡的人来说，只要不是出生在康沃尔的人就被认为是外地人，但我妈妈有个姑姥姥，一辈子都住在康沃尔郡，所以我们并不完全算是外地人，对吧？”
　　“你就是个外地人。”杂货店里的老奶奶说，由于驼背，她看起来很矮小，她用鸟一样的眼睛看着朱利安，“你说话也像个外地人，就像庞鲁斯兰夫人以前遇到的那人一样。即使他对我们没有造成什么不好的影响，但我们还是觉得他像个疯子。”
　　“真的吗？”朱利安说，他倒满了第三杯柠檬水，“事实上，他是个科学家。如果你想要成为一个伟大的科学家，你就得有一点疯子的感觉，但这都是我听说的。天哪！这柠檬水太好喝了，我可以再要一瓶吗？”
　　这位老奶奶突然笑了起来，笑声跟一只母鸡一样：“够了够了，庞鲁斯兰•马蒂给你们准备了一顿丰盛的饭菜，如果有这么多柠檬水在你们胃里叮咚响的话，你们就没办法再吃进什么东西了。”
　　“在我们胃里叮咚响！”朱利安不高兴地说，“这么说一个外地人，似乎不太礼貌。对了，我们该付您多少钱？”
　　付过钱后，他们再一次骑上了单车，杂货店老奶奶给他们指明去农场的方向。蒂米跟他们一起出发了，它的状态很好，因为它连续喝了整整四分钟的水，一秒都没停下。
　　“我觉得你喝的水足够填满一匹马的肚子了，蒂米。”朱利安说，“哎呀，如果这个天气一直持续下去的话，我们迟早会被晒成印第安人！”
　　到特曼农农场是一条上坡路，他们费了好大劲终于到达了那里。当他们骑单车穿过大门时，猛然听到一阵狗吠声，四只大狗向他们冲过来。蒂米马上龇牙咧嘴，发出了警告性的吼叫声，它僵在原地，在那儿瞪视着它们。
　　一个妇人跟在这些狗的后面，满脸笑容。“小班、小保镖、小莉、小威，你们这几个坏家伙，全部给我住口！放心，孩子们，这是它们欢迎你们来到特曼农农场的独特方式。”
　　那几只狗把四个孩子围在中间，舌头伸在外面，热情地摇晃着尾巴。它们看起来非常可爱，其中三只是牧羊犬，另外一只是黑色的苏格兰小狗。蒂米一直盯着它们，乔治用手抓住它的项圈，以防蒂米鲁莽行事——它能单独解决掉它们四个。
　　但蒂米却表现得非常绅士。它很礼貌地摇动着尾巴，凶狠的模样也从它脸上消失了。那只苏格兰小黑狗走近蒂米，闻了闻它的鼻子，随后蒂米回之以礼，有了“闻鼻之交”后，蒂米的尾巴就摇得更热情了。
　　另外三只漂亮的牧羊犬，也摇着毛茸茸的尾巴跑了过来，孩子们看到农场里的狗并没有把蒂米当作“外地人”之后，心里感到如释重负。
　　“它们都已经自我介绍过了，现在可以和平相处了。”庞鲁斯兰夫人热情地说，“跟我来吧，走了这么远的路你们一定又累又饿，我先带你们去洗漱一下，然后下来吃茶点。”
　　夫人把他们带到楼上一个很大却很老旧的浴室里，里面只有一个水龙头，而且只能出冷水，水流还非常慢。不过虽然这水有些凉，大热天里用它洗澡却很舒服。疲惫的孩子们洗完澡后，就开始梳理他们的头发。
　　他们有两间卧室，一间给女孩们，另外一间则是给男孩们准备的。房间很小，仅靠一个小小的窗户提供微弱的光线，即使是阳光明媚的天气，房间里看起来也十分昏暗。
　　房间虽然很简陋，除了两张床、一把椅子、一个单层抽屉柜、一个橱柜、两张毛毯外，就没有其他物品了，但是窗户外的风景实在是太美了！
　　绵延数英里的乡村田野，有玉米地、牧场、高高的树篱、曲折的小道。有些山上长着石南花，在太阳的照射下，闪耀着惊艳的紫色；而在更远处，康沃尔郡的海则闪耀着美丽的深蓝色。这风景实在是美不胜收！
　　“我们一有时间就骑行到海边，”迪克说，一边试图把他头上翘起来的一部分头发给按下去，“去探索海边的世界。不知道庞鲁斯兰夫人会不会在我们去的时候，给我们准备好野餐的食物。”
　　“当然会，”朱利安说，“我觉得她对我们真的很好，我从来都没这么受欢迎过。你们都收拾好了吗？收拾好了就下楼吧。我现在肚子饿得直叫唤。”
　　给他们准备的茶点非常丰盛。一根巨大的火腿，有着跟蒂米的舌头一样的粉红色；配料极尽奢华的沙拉。事实上，迪克是这样说的：“用极尽奢华都不足以形容这么丰盛的规格。”所有人想吃的东西，几乎都在这份沙拉里面。
　　“生菜、西红柿、洋葱、萝卜、芥菜、水芹，切碎的胡萝卜——这是胡萝卜吧，庞鲁斯兰夫人？”迪克说，“还有很多煮鸡蛋。”
　　有一个巨大的海碗，里面盛着鲜美的煮土豆，随着融化的黄油闪闪发光，一层香芹撒在上面。还有一大瓶自制的沙拉酱。
　　“看看这奶油干酪！”迪克惊讶地说，他被庞鲁斯兰夫人的厨艺给折服了，“看看那水果蛋糕，还有那个像烤饼一样的东西。这些我们都可以吃吗，庞鲁斯兰夫人？”
　　“当然可以。”这个矮小却很丰满的女人对满脸惊喜的迪克说，“还有一个用我自己种的樱桃和自制奶油做的樱桃馅饼。我知道你们的饭量，因为我自己也有七个孩子，但他们都已经结婚，不在家里住了。所以现在我做的饭菜，只有我的客人吃。”
　　“我很高兴您能接待我们！”迪克说，他先吃了火腿和沙拉，“庞鲁斯兰夫人，我们的胃口都很大，您会很忙的。”
　　“哈！”庞鲁斯兰夫人愉快地笑了一声说，“直到现在我还没见过比我的孩子胃口还大的小孩。”她语气听起来像是为她的这几个孩子感到发愁，“我也从来没有见过有人吃得比庞鲁斯兰先生还多。他的饭量也很大，他一会儿就回来了。”
　　安妮看了看剩下的火腿以及仅剩下一半的沙拉，“希望这些食物够他吃。”安妮说，“怪不得我叔叔的朋友，就是那个之前在这里住过的人，走的时候身上肥得流油。”
　　“你说他呀，那个可怜的人。”他们的女主人说着，又给孩子们的玻璃杯里倒满了浓浓的牛奶，“他刚来的时候瘦得跟我丈夫那老旧的耙子一样，真的！整个人骨瘦如柴。这个也不吃，那个也不吃，但我一点都不在意。如果他不吃他的晚餐，我就把盘子拿开，收拾好，十分钟后，我就又会把盘子端过去，然后说：‘晚餐时间到了，希望你饿了。’这时候他要么仍旧说不吃，要么就是尽情地吃。”
　　“他不知道你已经把装着他晚餐的盘子端进去过一次了吗？”朱利安震惊地说，“天哪，他一定是在梦游。”
　　“最夸张的是有一次我竟然端着他的晚餐三进三出。”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，“你们也要注意点，不然我也会用这种方式对待你们的。”
　　“我很乐意！”朱利安笑嘻嘻地说，“我还想吃火腿跟沙拉。谢谢。”
　　屋外传来了脚步声，很快房门被打开了，一个农夫走了进来。
　　孩子们用敬畏的眼神看着他。
　　他是一个冷漠、身材高大的男人——身高超过一米八，体形十分魁梧，像个被晒黑的西班牙人。他有一头浓密而卷曲的黑发，眼睛跟他的头发一样黑。
　　“这位就是庞鲁斯兰先生。”他的妻子介绍说，孩子们纷纷起身跟他握手，他们有点害怕这位巨人。
　　他点头示意并且跟他们一一握了手。他的手非常粗大，汗毛很黑很密。安妮觉得这只手摸起来一定非常柔软，就像抚摸一只猫的后背一样。
　　他一句话都没说，直接在桌子旁边坐了下来，他的妻子则在一旁服侍他。“庞鲁斯兰先生，”她说，“母牛的情况怎么样？”
　　“啊。”农夫说，随后开始吃火腿。孩子们佩服地数着他吃下的火腿，一共是七片……八片，天哪！
　　“那就好，听到它没事我就放心了。”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，她把一些空盘子叠起来，“刚出生的小牛可爱吗？是什么毛色的？”
　　“啊。”庞鲁斯兰先生说，一边点点头。
　　“红白相间，跟它妈妈一样！太好了。”庞鲁斯兰夫人用一种不可思议的方法来解释她丈夫含糊不清的“啊”，“我们给它取个什么名字好呢？”
　　所有人都很想说取个名字叫“啊”，但没有人敢说出来。然而，庞鲁斯兰先生这一次并没有说“啊”，而是说了一个像是“欧克”的音。
　　“赞成，那我们就叫它‘芭特卡普’。”他妻子点点头说，“你总是有好主意，庞鲁斯兰先生。”
　　她用她丈夫的姓来称呼他，这让人感觉有点奇怪。不过孩子们实在无法想象，这个巨人如果取一个像杰克或者吉姆这样的名字该多么滑稽。他们一边继续享用茶点，一边看着庞鲁斯兰先生大快朵颐——他如闪电般吃光了每一盘食物。庞鲁斯兰夫人注意到了孩子们在盯着他看。
　　“他是不是很能吃？”她自豪地说，“我所有的孩子也是这样，当他们在家的时候，我经常忙得不可开交。但现在，只要做饭给庞鲁斯兰先生吃就行了，我反而有点怀念之前的忙碌，所以我特别喜欢别人来我这里做客。如果你们不够吃的话，尽管跟我说！”
　　他们都笑了起来，蒂米也欢快地叫着，它吃得也很好——是庞鲁斯兰夫人煮的一大锅美味的汤，还有它这辈子吃过的最大的一根骨头。现在，唯一让吃饱喝足的蒂米担心的事情就是——要把骨头藏到哪里才不会被农场里的其他狗发现。
　　庞鲁斯兰先生突然发出了一个奇怪的声音，然后把手伸进他的裤袋，“唔啊。”他说，然后从里面拿出一张看起来很脏被折叠起来的纸。他把纸递给了他妻子，庞鲁斯兰夫人展开后开始读上面的内容，接着一脸兴奋地望向孩子们。
　　“现在，我要宣布一个好消息！”她说，“这个星期谷仓仔会到这里来表演。你们一定会非常喜欢他们的。”
　　乔治看到庞鲁斯兰夫人难以抑制内心的喜悦和激动，她疑惑地问：“什么是谷仓仔？”
　　“他们是在乡村巡回演出的表演队，而且会在我们的大谷仓里面表演。”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，“你也知道，我们这几英里附近都没有电影院，所以谷仓仔非常受欢迎。”
　　“是因为他们用你们的谷仓来表演，所以你们才叫他们谷仓仔的吗？”安妮说，她开始理解谷仓仔的意思了，“我们肯定不能错过他们，庞鲁斯兰夫人，他们会在你的谷仓里面表演吗？”
　　“没错，当谷仓仔来的时候，所有的村民都会来到这里。”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，她的脸颊激动得发红，“还有很多特里林村庄的人也会来，这就是我要宣布的好消息。”
　　庞鲁斯兰先生一边说“啊”，一边点点头，很明显他也喜欢谷仓仔。他突然笑了起来，还说了一句很短但难以听懂的话。
　　“他说你们一定会喜欢那匹叫‘克洛普’的马。”他妻子笑着说，“你们肯定会喜欢他的表演的，特别是它坐下来，跷二郎腿的时候。等着看吧，到时候你就知道那匹马了。”
　　这消息听起来更让人觉得震惊，一匹马居然能坐下来，还能跷二郎腿？朱利安给迪克使了个眼色。他们一定要看谷仓仔的表演。
Chapter 3 THE FIRST EVENING
Chapter 3 THE FIRST EVENING
　　After their wonderful high tea the four children didn't really feel like doing very much. Dick thoughthe ought to mend his puncture, but wasn't sure that he could bend over properly!
　　Mrs. Penruthlan began to stack the dishes and clear away. George and Anne offered to help her.
　　'Well, that's kind of you, Anne and Georgina,' said the farmer's wife. 'But you're tired tonight.
　　You can give me a hand some other time. By the way, which of you is which?'
　　'I'm Anne,' said Anne.
　　'And I'm George, not Georgina,' said George. 'So please don't call me that. I hate it. I always wantedto be a boy, so I only like to be called George.'
　　'What she really means is that she won't answer unless you do call her George,' said Anne. 'Well, ifyou really are sure you don't need our help, we'll go out with the boys.'
　　So out they went, George really looking far more like a boy than a girl, with her grey shorts and shirtand her short, curly hair and freckled face. She put her hands in her pockets and tried to walk likeDick!
　　12
　　Dick soon found his puncture and mended it. Mr. Penruthlan came by with some straw for his cowand new calf. The boys watched him in awe, for he was carrying almost a wagon load of straw tiedup in bales! What strength he had! He nodded to them and passed without a word.
　　'Why doesn't he talk?' wondered Dick. 'I suppose all his seven children take after their talkativemother, and he never had a chance to get a word in. And it's too late now, he's forgotten how to!'
　　They laughed. 'What a giant of a man,' said Julian. 'I hope I grow as big as that.'
　　'I don't. I'd hate to have my bare feet poking out of the bottom of the bed every night,' said Dick.
　　'There. I've finished that puncture. See the nail that made it? I must have run over it on the way to thestation this morning.'
　　'Do look at Timmy,' said Julian. 'He's having the time of his life with those farm dogs, acting just likea puppy!
　　So he was, bounding here and there, rushing round the dogs and then rushing away, jumping on firstone and then another, till they all went down in an excited, yapping scrum, the little Scottie doing hisbest to keep up with everything!
　　'Timmy's going to have a good time here,' said Dick. 'And he'll soon lose his beautiful waist-line if heeats as well as we do!'
　　'We'll take him on long bike rides,' said Julian. 'He can't grow much tummy if he runs for miles!'
　　The girls came up just then. A few feet behind trotted a queer little boy, bare-footed, shock-headedand very dirty.
　　'Who's this?' said Dick.
　　'I don't know,' said George. 'He suddenly appeared behind us and has been following us ever since.
　　He just won't go away!'
　　The boy wore a ragged pair of pants and a shirt with no sleeves or buttons. He was black-eyed andburnt dark-brown by the sun. He stood a few feet away and stared.
　　'Who are you?' said Dick. The boy went back a few steps in fright. He shook his head.
　　'I said, who are you?' said Dick again. 'Or, if you prefer it another way, what's your name?'
　　'Yan,' said the boy.
　　'Yan?' said Dick. 'That's a queer name.'
　　'He probably means Jan,' said George.
　　The boy nodded. 'Iss. Yan,' he said.
　　'I suppose ''Iss'' means ''Yes'',' said Anne. 'All right, Jan. You can go now.'
　　13
　　'I stay,' said the boy solemnly. 'Iss.'
　　And stay he did, following them about everywhere, gazing at all they did with the utmost curiosity, asif he had never in his life seen children before!
　　'He's like a mosquito,' said Dick. 'Always buzzing around. I'm getting tired of it. Hey, Yan!'
　　'Iss?'
　　'Clear out now! Understand? Get away, go, run off, vamoose, bunk, scoot!' explained Dick sternly.
　　Yan stared.
　　Mrs. Penruthlan came out and heard all this. 'Jan bothering you?' she said. 'He's as full of curiosity asa cat. Go home, Jan. Take this to your old Grandad. And here's some for you.'
　　Jan came up eagerly and took the packet of food Mrs. Penruthlan held out to him, and the slice ofcake. He ran off without a word, his bare feet making no sound.
　　'Who is he?' asked George. 'What a little scarecrow!'
　　'He's a poor little thing,' said the farmer's wife. 'He's got no kith or kin except for his old great-gran-dad, and there's more than eighty years between them! The old man is our shepherd. Do you see thathill over there, well, he's got a hut on the other side, and there he lives, winter and summer alike, andthat child with him.'
　　'Surely he ought to go to school?' said Julian. 'Perhaps he does?'
　　'No,' said Mrs. Penruthlan. 'He plays truant nearly all the time. You ought to go and talk to his oldgreat-grandad. His father was one of the Wreckers on this coast, and he can tell you some strangestories about those dreadful days.'
　　'We'll certainly go and talk to him,' said Dick. 'I'd forgotten that this Cornish coast was the haunt ofWreckers. They shone false lights to bring ships in close to shore, so that they would be smashed topieces on the rocks, didn't they?'
　　'Yes, and then they robbed the poor, groaning ship when she was helpless,' said Mrs. Penruthlan.
　　'And it's said they paid no heed to the drowning folk, either. Those were wicked days.'
　　'How far is it to cycle to the sea?' said George. 'I can see it from my bedroom window.'
　　'Oh, it won't take you more than ten minutes,' said the farmer's wife. 'Go tomorrow, if you like.
　　You all look very tired now. Why don't you take a short walk and go to bed? I'll have a snack readyfor you when you come in.'
　　'Oh, we couldn't possibly eat any more tonight, thank you,' said Dick, hurriedly. 'But the walk is quitea good idea. We'd like to see round the farm.'
　　14
　　Mrs. Penruthlan left them, and Dick looked round at the others. 'A snack!' he said. 'I never thought I'dgroan at the thought. But I bet Mr. Penruthlan will want a jolly good snack when he comes in. Comeon, let's go up by those sheds.'
　　They went off together, Timmy following behind with his four friends, their tails wagging amiably. Itwas still a lovely evening, and a cool breeze came down from the hills, making it lovelier still. Thechildren wandered round, enjoying the familiar farm sights, the ducks on the pond, a few hens stillclucking round, the grey sheep dotting the hills. Cows were peacefully grazing and an old farm horsecame to a gate to stare at them.
　　They rubbed his velvety nose, and he bent down to sniff at Timmy, whom he didn't know.
　　Timmy sniffed solemnly back.
　　They went into the barns and looked around, big, dark, sweet-smelling places, stored with manythings. Dick was sure that the biggest one would be the one used by the Barnies. What fun!
　　'I bet they'll be pretty awful, but good fun, all the same,' he said. 'It must be grand to wander roundthe countryside with all your belongings done up in a parcel or two, and then amaze the countrypeople with your songs and dances and acting. I wouldn't mind trying it myself! I'm pretty good at aspot of conjuring, for instance!'
　　'Yes, you are,' said Anne. 'Wouldn't it be fun if we could give a little show too, if the Barnies wouldlet us join them just for one evening?'
　　'We wouldn't be allowed to because we're ''furriners'',' said Dick, grinning. 'I say, what's that, overthere, behind that sack?'
　　Timmy at once went to see, and stood there barking. The others went over to look.
　　'It's that kid Yan again,' said Julian, in disgust. He pulled the boy out from his hiding-place.
　　'What are you following us around for, you little idiot?' he demanded. 'We don't like it. See? Go andfind your old Grandad before you eat all the food Mrs. Penruthlan gave you. Go on, now.'
　　He pushed the boy out of the barn, and watched him go into the next field. 'That's got rid of him,'
　　he said. 'I think he's a bit simple. We'll go and see that Grandad of his one day and see if he really hasgot anything interesting to say about the old Wreckers.'
　　'Let's go back now,' said Dick, yawning. 'I've seen enough of this place to know. I'm going to like it alot. I'm going to like my bed tonight too. Coming, Ju?'
　　15
　　They all felt the same as Dick. His yawn had set them yawning, too, and they thought longingly ofbed. They made their way back to the farm, followed closely by Timmy at their heels, and the otherfour dogs a respectful distance away.
　　They said good night to the two Penruthlans, who were sitting peacefully listening to their radio.
　　Mrs. Penruthlan wanted to come up with them but they wouldn't let her.
　　They said good night to the farmer, who grunted 'Ah!' without even looking at them, and went onlistening to the radio programme. Then up the stairs they went, and into their rooms.
　　When Julian was in bed and almost asleep he heard a scrabbling noise outside his window. He half-opened his eyes, and listened. He hoped it wasn't rats! If it was, Anne would probably hear them too,and be scared, and Timmy would hear them and bark the place down!
　　The scrabbling noise came again. Julian spoke softly to Dick. 'Dick! Are you awake? Did you hearthat noise at the window?'
　　No answer. Dick was sound asleep, dreaming that he had a puncture in his foot and couldn't walk tillit was mended! Julian lay and listened. Yes, there it was again, and now surely there was someonetrying to peep in at the tiny window?
　　He slid out of bed and went to the side of the window. Thick ivy grew outside. Somebody was stillthere for Julian could see the leaves shaking.
　　He put his head suddenly out of the window, and a scared face, quite close to his, stared in fright.
　　'Yan! What do you think you're doing?' said Julian, fiercely. 'I'll spank you if you go on like this,staring and peeping! What's so queer about us?'
　　Yan was terrified. He suddenly slithered down the ivy like a cat, landed with a slight thud on theground and then ran off into the twilight at top speed.
　　'I hope he's not going to follow us around all the time,' thought Julian, getting into bed again. 'I'llteach him a lesson if he does. Blow him! Now he's made me wide awake!'
　　But it wasn't long before Julian was sleeping as soundly as Dick. Neither of them stirred until a cockoutside their window decided that it was time the whole world woke up, and crowed at the top of hisvoice.
　　'Cock-a-doodle-DOO!'
　　The boys woke with a jump. The early sun streamed into the room, and Julian glanced at his watch.
　　How early it was! And yet he could hear movements downstairs that told him Mrs.
　　Penruthlan was up and about, and so was her giant of a husband.
　　16
　　He fell asleep again, and was awakened by a loud knock at his door, and Mrs. Penruthlan's voice.
　　'It's half past seven, and breakfast will be on the table for you at eight. Wake up!'
　　How lovely to wake in a strange place at the beginning of a holiday, to think of bathing and bikingand picnicking and eating and drinking, forgetting all about exams and rules and punishments! Thefour children and Timmy stretched themselves and stared at the sunshine outside. What a day!
　　Downstairs breakfast awaited them. 'Super!' said Dick, eyeing the bacon and fried eggs, the cold ham,and the home-made jam and marmalade. 'Mrs. Penruthlan, your seven children must have been verysorry to marry and leave home. I feel, if I'd been one of them, I'd have stayed with you for the rest ofmy life!'
3.第一夜
　　第一夜
　　吃完这顿美味的茶点后，四个孩子什么事情都不想做了，但迪克觉得还是得给他的单车补个胎，虽然他并不确定到底能不能修好它。
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人开始收拾盘子，打扫卫生。乔治和安妮提出要帮她收拾。“安妮、乔治娜，你们两个都很乖，”这位农夫的妻子说，“但你们已经很累了，以后再给我帮忙吧。对了，这两个名字分别对应的都是谁啊？”
　　“我叫安妮。”安妮说。
　　“我叫乔治，不是乔治娜，”乔治说，“请您不要那样称呼我，我不太喜欢。我一直想要成为一个男孩子，所以我只喜欢别人叫我乔治。”
　　“她的意思就是说，除非您叫她乔治，不然的话她是不会搭理您的。”安妮说，“既然您不需要我们帮忙，那我们就出去跟男孩们玩了。”
　　随后她们一块儿走出门。作为一个女孩来说，乔治看起来的确更像一个男孩——灰色的短裤、衬衫，还有她短而卷的头发，以及长满雀斑的脸。她把手插进口袋里，试着让自己走路的姿态跟迪克一样。
　　迪克很快就发现轮胎被戳破的地方，并成功修补好了。庞鲁斯兰先生扛着稻草路过，这些稻草是给他的牛和刚出生的小牛用的。
　　男孩们用一种敬畏的眼神看着他，因为他肩上的那捆稻草，几乎需要一马车才能装得下。他的力气得有多大啊！他对男孩们点了点头，一句话都没说。
　　“为什么他总是不说话？”迪克好奇地说，“我猜他那七个小孩都像妈妈一样健谈，而他从来没有机会插嘴，即使现在才意识到，也为时已晚，他已经忘了怎么说话了。”
　　他们哈哈大笑。“好高大的一个人，”朱利安说，“我希望我以后也能像他那么高大。”
　　“我不喜欢，我很讨厌每天晚上脚都不得不伸到床外面去。”迪克说，“我的车胎终于补好了。看到这根钉子没？就是它戳破了我的轮胎。我肯定是在今天早上去火车站的路上轧到它了。”
　　“你们快看蒂米，”朱利安说，“它在跟农场里的狗玩呢，像一只小狗似的。”
　　只见蒂米四处乱蹦，先是冲着狗狗们跑过去，又急急跑开，跳到第一只狗的身上，再跳到另外一只身上，直到它们全都兴奋得乱吠。苏格兰小黑狗则试图融入到哥哥们的游戏中。
　　“蒂米一定会在这里玩得很开心的，”迪克说，“如果它也跟我们吃得一样好的话，它那优美的腰线很快就会消失了。”
　　“我们骑车外出的时候要带上它。”朱利安说，“如果让它跑几英里远的话，它肚子上就不会长那么多肉了。”
　　这时候女孩们也出来了，在她们后面几英尺远的地方，有一个奇怪的小男孩跟在后面慢跑，他光着脚，头发乱蓬蓬的，浑身脏兮兮的。
　　迪克说：“他是谁啊？”
　　“我也不知道，”乔治说，“他突然出现在我们后面，然后就一直跟着我们，怎么样都不肯走开。”
　　这个男孩穿着一条破旧的裤子和没有袖子、没有纽扣的衬衫。
　　他有一双黑色的眼睛，还有那被太阳晒成深棕色的皮肤。他站在离他们几英尺外的地方，观察着他们。
　　“你是谁？”迪克问他。男孩害怕得往后退了几步，然后摇了摇头。
　　“我们在问，你是谁？”迪克又问了一次，“呃，我可能应该这样问：‘你叫什么名字？’”
　　男孩回答说：“我叫扬。”
　　“扬？”迪克说，“这名字可真够怪的。”
　　乔治说：“他可能说的是扬。”
　　男孩点点头回答说：“对，我叫扬。”
　　“我猜他说‘对’的意思就是‘没错’。”安妮说，“好了，扬，你现在可以走了。”
　　“我不走，”男孩严肃地说，“我就是不走！”
　　他真的没有走，小伙伴们无论去哪儿，他都跟着，瞪着极其好奇的眼睛观察他们的一举一动，就像他从来没见过其他小孩子一样。
　　“他简直就像一只蚊子，”迪克说，“一直在周围骚扰我们。我受够了。嘿，扬！”
　　“嗯？”
　　“别烦我们，走开！听明白了吗？走，跑，飞，滚，离开！”迪克严厉地解释给他听，而他只是麻木地看着他。
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人从屋里出来，刚好听到这些。“扬打扰到你们了吧？”她说，“他的好奇心就跟猫一样强烈。回家去吧，扬，把这个带给你爷爷，这一份是给你的。”
　　扬急切地跑了过去，拿走庞鲁斯兰夫人递给他的一包食物和一块蛋糕。他一句话都没说就跑开了，光着脚丫，消失得无声无息。
　　“他是谁啊？”乔治问，“穿得可真破。”
　　“那个可怜的孩子，”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，“他没有什么亲人朋友，只得跟他年老的曾祖父相依为伴。两个人的年龄差距有80多岁！看到那边的山了吗？山的另一边有一个小房子，他们一年四季都住在那里。”
　　“他平时也会去上学的，”朱利安说，“对吗？”
　　“没有，”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，“他一直都是在这附近游荡，你们应该去跟他曾祖父聊聊，他曾祖父的父亲是这个海岸的‘船只毁灭者’成员之一，所以他曾祖父会讲一些不可思议的故事给你们听。”
　　“我们一定会去跟他聊聊的。”迪克说，“我都忘了康沃尔郡的海岸是船只毁灭者的出没地。他们会用灯光来误导船只靠岸，使得船只撞到礁石上，对吗？”
　　“对。然后他们就会抢劫那陷入绝望的船只，”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，“还对那些溺水的人视而不见。那真是段不堪回首的岁月。”
　　“从这里骑去海边要多久？”乔治问，“我从卧室的窗户就能看到海。”
　　“用不上十分钟。”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，“如果你们想去的话，明天再去吧。你们看起来很疲惫，再散会儿步就去睡觉吧。等你们回房间的时候，我会给你们准备好零食的。”
　　“天哪，我们今晚再也吃不下任何东西了，但还是谢谢您。”迪克赶紧说，“散步的确是个好主意，我们也想参观一下农场的环境。”
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人离开了。迪克望向其他人，说：“我从没想过我会有一天不想吃点心。不过我猜庞鲁斯兰先生回家的时候可能会想吃些点心吧。走吧，我们去棚屋那边。”
　　蒂米跟在它四个新朋友后面，它们亲切地摇着尾巴。夜晚恬静美好，凉风从山上吹来，让人更加舒适。孩子们在附近走着，欣赏着农场的风景：鸭子在池塘里欢快地游水，几只“咯咯”叫的母鸡呼唤着它们的鸡雏，散布在山坡上的灰山羊不时地“咩咩”叫上几声，牛儿们安静地吃着草，农场里还有一匹年老的马，它走到门边盯着孩子们看。
　　他们抚摸着老马柔软的鼻子。它不认识蒂米，所以弯腰去闻蒂米的气味，蒂米也认真地闻了闻它的气味。
　　孩子们来到一片谷仓，这是一片开阔而黑暗的地方，四周散发着一股甜香，谷仓里面存放着很多东西。迪克敢肯定，那个最大的谷仓就是给谷仓仔留的。
　　“我猜他们的表演应该比较新颖。”迪克说，“带着一些行李在乡村之间游荡，用歌舞和表演来征服村民们，这一定很了不起。我也很想尝试一下！要知道，我很擅长魔术。”
　　“你说得对，”安妮说，“如果我们也可以表演的话就更有趣了，不知道谷仓仔愿不愿意让我们跟他们一起表演一次呢？”
　　“一定会被拒绝的，因为我们是‘外地人’。”迪克笑嘻嘻地说，“那边是什么，在麻袋后面的？”
　　蒂米马上跑了过去，站在那里大叫。其他人也跑过去看。
　　“又是扬。”朱利安厌恶地说。他把男孩从他的藏身之处拖出来。“你这个家伙，一直跟着我们有什么目的？”他问，“我们不喜欢这样，明白吗？在你把庞鲁斯兰夫人给你的食物全部吃完之前，去找你曾祖父。快去！”
　　他把男孩推出了谷仓，一直看着他走远。
　　“终于摆脱他了，”朱利安说，“我觉得他有点笨。我们找一天去拜访他的曾祖父吧，看看他曾祖父是否真的会给我们讲一些关于船只毁灭者的故事。”
　　“我们现在回去吧。”迪克打着哈欠说，“看了这么多地方，我已经喜欢上这里了。今晚我一定会睡得很香。”
　　他的哈欠也传染到了其他孩子身上。他们都跟迪克有同样的感受——迫不及待地想要上床休息。他们开始往回走，身边紧跟着蒂米。另外四只狗则保持着一定的距离，以示尊重。
　　他们跟庞鲁斯兰夫妇道了晚安，夫妇二人此时正在安静地听着收音机。庞鲁斯兰夫人想要陪他们一起上楼，但是他们谢绝了。
　　孩子们对农夫说晚安的时候，他只是咕噜了一声“啊”，甚至都没有看他们一眼，就继续听他的节目了。他们上楼后，进入各自的房间。
　　就在朱利安几乎要睡着的时候，听到窗外有些声响。他半睁开眼睛，仔细聆听着。他希望那不是老鼠，如果是的话，安妮会害怕的，而蒂米听到老鼠声音的话，会把这地方吵得鸡犬不宁！
　　噪音又出现了，朱利安轻声对迪克说：“迪克，你还醒着吗？你有没有听到窗外的声音？”
　　迪克没有回答，他已经进入了梦乡，梦到他的脚被钉子扎破了，直到痊愈后才能走路。朱利安仍然躺在那儿仔细听着。声音又一次出现了，他现在能肯定，有人正试图通过小窗户来窥探屋里的情况。
　　他下了床，踱到窗户的一侧，看到窗外长满了粗大的常春藤。
　　而在常春藤上，正有个人趴在上面，朱利安可以看到他的袖子在随风摆动。
　　朱利安突然把手伸出窗外，一张惊恐的面孔出现在他触手可及的地方，那双充满畏惧的眼睛正紧紧地盯着他看。
　　“扬！你在干什么？”朱利安凶狠地说，“如果你再尾随我们、偷窥我们的话，就别怪我不客气了。我们有什么让你这么好奇的？”
　　扬吓坏了，他像只猫一样从常春藤上滑了下去，轻轻地落地后，以最快的速度消失在夜色中。
　　“真希望他不会一直都跟着我们。”朱利安心里想着，又回到了床上，“如果他再继续这样干的话，我就给他点教训，揍他一顿。该死，他让我现在睡意全无。”
　　但没过多久，朱利安就睡得跟迪克一样熟了。到了早晨，窗外的公鸡觉得是时候履行自己的职责了，便用最大的嗓门啼鸣：“喔喔喔——”
　　男孩们突然惊醒。早晨的第一缕阳光照进房间，朱利安看了看手表。这么早！但他却听到楼下有动静，这意味着，庞鲁斯兰夫人已经起床，和她那巨人丈夫开始忙活了。
　　他们闭上眼睛又睡着了。直到一声响亮的敲门声把他们吵醒，随后传来庞鲁斯兰夫人的声音，“孩子们，已经七点半了，八点开始吃早餐。快起床吧！”
　　在暑假期间醒来，发现自己身处异乡，是一件多么美妙的事啊——可以忘却所有的考试、校规和惩罚，只需考虑游泳、骑行、野餐、吃吃喝喝这些事！四个孩子和蒂米伸完懒腰后，欣赏着窗外的阳光，美好的一天开始了！
　　他们下楼时，发现早餐已经准备好了。“太赞了！”迪克说，他看着培根和煮蛋，还有冷切火腿、自制的果酱和柑橘酱，“庞鲁斯兰夫人，您那七个孩子结婚后离开家乡，一定会觉得非常遗憾。如果我是其中一个孩子的话，我会一辈子都跟您待在一起！”
Chapter 4 DOWN IN THE COVE
Chapter 4 DOWN IN THE COVE
　　The first three days at Tremannon Farm were lazy, uneventful days, full of sunshine, good food, dogs- and of little Yan.
　　He really was a perfect nuisance. The four children seemed to have a real fascination for him, and hetrailed them everywhere, following them bare-footed. He turned up behind hedges, along lanes, attheir picnicking places, his dark eyes watching them intently.
　　'What's the good of telling him to go?' groaned Julian. 'He disappears behind one hedge and appearsout of another. You'd think he'd get bored, doing this shadowing business all the time.
　　What's the point of it, anyway?'
　　'No point,' said George. 'Just curiosity. What I can't understand is why Timmy puts up with him.
　　You'd think he'd bark or growl or something, but he's quite silly with Yan, lets him play with him,and roll him over as if he was a mad puppy.'
　　'Well, I'm going to find this Great-Grandad of his tomorrow, and tell him to keep Yan with him,'
　　said Julian. 'He's maddening. I feel I want to swot him like a gnat, always buzzing round us.
　　Gosh, there he is again!'
　　So he was. A pair of dark eyes were gazing round a tree-trunk, half hidden by a sheaf of leaves.
　　Timmy bounded up to him in glee, and made such a fuss of Yan that George was quite disgusted.
　　17
　　'Timmy! Come here!' she called, imperiously. 'Don't you understand that you ought to chase Yanaway when he comes and not encourage him? I'm ashamed of you!'
　　Timmy put his tail down and went to her. He sat down beside her with a bump. Dick laughed.
　　'He's sulking! He won't look at you, George! He's turning his head away on purpose!'
　　Julian chased Yan away, threatening him with all sorts of things if he caught him, but the boy was asfast as a hare, and seemed suddenly to disappear into thin air. He had a wonderful way of vanishing,and an equally remarkable way of appearing again.
　　'I don't like that kid,' said Julian. 'He makes me shiver down my back whenever I see him suddenlypeeping somewhere.'
　　'He can't be a bad kid, though, because Timmy likes him so much,' said Anne, who had great faith inTimmy's judgment. 'Timmy never likes anyone horrid.'
　　'Well, he's made a mistake this time, then,' said George, who was cross with Timmy. 'He's being verystupid. I'm not pleased with you, Timmy!'
　　'Let's go down to the sea and bathe,' said Dick. 'We'll go on our bikes and Yan won't be able to popup and watch us there.'
　　They took their bicycles and rode off to the coast. Mrs. Penruthlan made them sandwiches and gavethem fruit cake and drinks to take with them. They saw Yan watching them from behind a hedge asthey went.
　　They took the road to the sea. It was no more than a narrow lane, and wound about like a stream,twisting and turning so that they couldn't get up any speed at all.
　　'Look - the sea!' cried Dick, as they rounded one last bend. The lane had run down between two high,rocky cliffs, and in front of them was a cove into which raced enormous breakers, throwing sprayhigh into the air.
　　They left their bicycles at the top of the cove, and went behind some big rocks to change into bathingthings. When they came out, Julian looked at the sea. It was calm beyond the rocks, but over thesethe waters raged fiercely and it was impossible to venture in.
　　They walked a little way round the cliffs, and came to a great pool lying in a rocky hollow. 'Just thething!' cried George and plunged in. 'Gosh, it's cold!'
　　It should have been hot from the sun, but every now and again an extra large wave broke right intothe pool itself, bringing in cooler water. It was fun when that happened. The four of them swam totheir hearts' content, and Timmy had a fine time too.
　　18
　　They picnicked on the rocks, with spray flying round them, and then went to explore round the footof the cliffs.
　　'This is exciting,' said George. 'Caves, and more caves, and yet more caves! And cove after cove, allas lovely as the one before. I suppose when the tide's in, all these coves are shoulder-high in water.'
　　'My word, yes,' said Julian, who was keeping a very sharp eye indeed on the tide. 'And a good manyof these caves would be flooded too. No wonder Mrs. Penruthlan warned us so solemnly about thetides here! I wouldn't want to try and climb up these cliffs if we were caught!'
　　Anne looked up and shivered. They were so very steep and high. They frowned down at her as if tosay 'We stand no nonsense from anyone! So look after yourself!'
　　'Well, I'm blessed! Look there, isn't that that tiresome little wretch of a Yan?' said Dick, suddenly. Hepointed to a rock covered with seaweed. Peeping from behind it was Yan!
　　'He must have run all the way here, and found us,' said Julian, in disgust. 'Well, we'll leave him here.
　　It's time we went. The tide's coming in. It'll serve him right to find us gone as soon as he arrives. Hemust be mad!'
　　'Do you think he knows about the tide?' said Anne, looking worried. 'I mean, knows that it's comingin and might catch him?'
　　'Of course he knows!' said Julian. 'Don't be silly. But we'll wait and have our tea at the top part of thecove, if you like. That's the only way back, if he wants to escape the tide, short of climbing the cliff,which no one would be mad enough to try!'
　　They had put aside some cake and biscuits for their tea, and they found a good picnicking place at thetop of the cove where they had left their bicycles. They settled down to munch the solid fruit cakethat Mrs. Penruthlan had given them. There was no doubt about it, she was a wonderful cook!
　　The tide swept in at a great rate, and soon the noise of enormous waves pounding on the rocks grewlouder. 'Yan hasn't appeared yet,' said Anne. 'Do you think he's all right?'
　　'He must be having a good old wetting if he's still there,' said Dick. 'I think we'd better go and see.
　　Much as I dislike him I don't want him to be drowned.'
　　The two boys went down the cove as far as they could, peering round the cliff to where they had seenYan hiding. But how different it all looked now!
　　19
　　'Gosh, the beach is gone already!' said Julian, startled. 'I can see how easily anyone could get caughtby the tide now, see that last wave, it swept right into that cave we explored!'
　　'What's happened to Yan?' said Dick. 'He's nowhere to be seen. He didn't come out of the cove; we'vebeen sitting there all the time. Where is he?'
　　Dick spoke urgently, and Julian began to feel scared too. He hesitated. Should they wade over therocks a little way? The next wave decided him. It would be folly to do any such thing!
　　Another wave like that and both he and Dick would be flung off the rock they were standing on!
　　'Look out, here comes an even bigger one!' yelled Julian, and the two boys leapt off their rock andraced back up the cove. Even so, the wave lapped right up to their feet.
　　They went back to the girls. 'Can't see him anywhere,' said Julian, speaking more cheerfully than hefelt. 'The whole beach is covered with the tide now, more than covered. The lower caves are full too.'
　　'He - he won't be drowned, will he?' said Anne, fearfully.
　　'Oh, I expect he can look after himself,' said Julian. 'He's used to this coast. Come on, it's time wewent.'
　　They all rode off, Timmy running beside their bicycles. Nobody said anything. They couldn't helpfeeling worried about Yan. Whatever could have happened to him?
　　They arrived at the farm and put their bicycles away. They went in to find Mrs. Penruthlan. They toldher about Yan, and how he had disappeared.
　　'You don't think he might have been swept off his feet and drowned, do you?' asked Anne.
　　Mrs. Penruthlan laughed. 'Good gracious, no! That boy knows his way about the countryside and theseashore blindfold. He's cleverer than you think. He never misses anything! He's a poor little thing,but he looks after himself all right!'
　　This was rather comforting. Perhaps Yan would turn up again, with his dark eyes fixed unblinkinglyon them!
　　After a high-tea as good as any they had had, they went for a walk down the honeysuckle-scentedlanes, accompanied as usual by the five dogs. They sat on a stile, and Dick handed round somebarley-sugar.
　　'Look!' said George suddenly. 'Do you see what I see? Look!' She nodded her head towards an oaktree in the hedge, not far off. The others stared up into it.
　　20
　　Two dark eyes stared back. Yan! He had followed them as usual, and had hidden himself to watchthem. Anne was so tremendously relieved to see him that she called to him in delight.
　　'Oh, Yan! Have a barley-sugar?'
　　Yan slithered down the tree at top speed and came up. He held out his hand for the barley-sugar.
　　For the first time he smiled, and his dirty, sullen face lighted up enchantingly. Anne stared at him.
　　Why, he was a dear little fellow! His eyes shone and twinkled, and a dimple came in each cheek.
　　'Here you are, here's a couple more sweets for you,' Dick said, very glad to see that the small boyhadn't been drowned. Yan almost snatched them from him! It was plain that he very, very seldom hadany sweets! Timmy was making a fuss of him as usual. He lay down on his back and rolled overYan's feet. He licked his bare knees and arms, and jumped up at him, almost knocking the boy down.
　　Yan laughed, and fell on Timmy, rolling over and over with him. Julian, Dick and Anne watched andlaughed.
　　But George was not pleased. Timmy was her dog, and she didn't like him to make a fuss of anyoneshe disapproved of. She was glad that Yan was safe but she still didn't like him! So she scowled, andJulian nudged Dick to make him see the scowl. George saw him and scowled worse than ever.
　　'You'll be sorry you gave him sweets,' she said. 'He'll be round us worse than ever now.'
　　Yan came up after a minute or two, sucking all three sweets at once, so that his right cheek was veryswollen indeed.
　　'Come, see my Grandad,' he said, earnestly, talking even worse than usual because of the sweets.
　　'I tell him 'bout you all. He tell you many things.'
　　He stared at them all seriously. 'Grandad likes sweets too,' he added, solemnly. 'Iss. Iss, he do.'
　　Julian laughed. 'All right. We'll come and see him tomorrow afternoon. Now you clear off or youwon't get any more sweets. Understand?'
　　'Iss,' said Yan, nodding his head. He took the three sweets out of his mouth, looked at them to seehow much he had sucked them, and then put them back again.
　　'Clear off now,' said Julian again. 'But wait a bit, I've just thought; how did you get away from thatbeach this afternoon? Did you climb that cliff?'
　　'No,' said Yan, shifting his sweets to the other cheek. 'I came the Wreckers' Way. My Grandad learntit me.'
　　21
　　He was off and away before anyone could ask him another question. The four looked at one another.
　　'Did you hear that?' said Julian. 'He went the Wreckers' Way. What's that, do you suppose? We musthave been on one of the beaches the wreckers used long, long ago.'
　　'Yes. But how did he get off that beach, and away into safety?' said Dick. 'I'd like to know more aboutthe Wreckers' Way! I certainly think we'd better pay a visit to old Great-Grandad tomorrow. Hemight have some very interesting things to tell us.'
　　'Well, we'll go and see him,' said George, getting up. 'But just you remember what I said. Yan willpester us more than ever now we've encouraged him.'
　　'Oh well, he doesn't seem such a bad kid after all,' said Dick, remembering that sudden smile and theeager acceptance of a few sweets. 'And if he persuades Grandad to let us into the secret of Wreckers'
　　Way, we might have some fun doing a bit of exploring. Don't you think so, Ju?'
　　'It might even lead to an adventure,' said Julian, laughing at Anne's serious face. 'Cheer up, Anne.
　　I can't even smell an adventure in Tremannon. I'm just pulling your leg!'
　　'I think you're wrong,' said Anne. 'If you can't smell one somewhere, I can. I don't want to, but I can!'
5.小海湾
　　小海湾
　　到达特曼农农场的头三天，四个孩子无所事事，生活中只有头顶的阳光、美味的饭菜和狗狗们的陪伴——还有扬。
　　他把讨厌鬼这个角色演绎得淋漓尽致。四个孩子对他来说极具吸引力，即使赤裸着双脚，他也要跟随他们到天涯海角。他会在树篱后、小路边、他们烧烤的地方出现，一双眼睛聚精会神地盯着他们。
　　“我是一点办法都没有了。”朱利安抱怨说，“刚把他从一排树篱后面赶走，他很快会在另外一排树篱后面出现。一直做这种鬼鬼祟祟的事情，他不会觉得无聊吗？这到底有什么好玩的啊？”
　　“没什么好玩的，”乔治说，“他只是好奇而已。我不明白的是为什么蒂米能忍受得了他，我还期待它会吼他或者吓走他呢，但它居然还跟他玩，任他把自己当一只发疯的小狗一样滚来滚去。”
　　“既然这样，我们明天就去找他曾祖父，让他好好管管扬。”
　　朱利安说：“让人抓狂的是，他会一刻不停地在我们身边转来转去，我真想狠狠地教训他一顿。天哪，他又来了！”
　　他那双黑色的眼睛注视着他们，身子被树叶遮挡了一半。蒂米高兴地跳到他那里去，这让乔治十分反感。
　　“蒂米！回来！”她强硬地命令道，“你应该把他赶走，怎么还跑去欢迎他，我真为你感到羞愧。”
　　蒂米把尾巴收了起来，向她走去，然后重重地坐在她身旁。迪克见状大笑起来。
　　“它生气了！看都不看你，乔治，它是故意把头转到其他地方去的。”
　　朱利安再次把扬赶走了。他威胁扬说，如果被他逮到的话，他将用各种方式惩罚他。扬跑得跟兔子一样快，就像是突然消失在空气里一样。他逃跑的技术的确高超，但也有着同样高超的技术可以突然出现。
　　“我不喜欢那个孩子，”朱利安说，“每次看到他突然在某个地方出现，正偷偷窥视我们的时候，我都会浑身起鸡皮疙瘩。”
　　“尽管如此，他也不是个坏孩子，因为蒂米很喜欢他。”安妮说，她很相信蒂米的判断力，“蒂米从来不会喜欢本性恶劣的人。”
　　“我想它这一次是判断错了，”乔治说，她现在对蒂米很生气，“它变得好蠢。你惹我不高兴了，蒂米！”
　　“我们去海里游泳吧，”迪克说，“我们骑车去，只要扬跟不上我们，他就没办法窥视我们了。”
　　于是他们骑上单车，向海边出发了。路很窄，弯弯曲曲的，以至他们骑行的速度很缓慢。
　　通过路上最后一个弯道之后，迪克大喊：“快看，是大海！”道路夹在高大的岩石峭壁之间，一直延伸到海边。在他们的面前，是一个小海湾，凶猛的海水不断冲击这里，把水花高高地喷溅到空中。
　　他们把单车停在海湾的最高处，然后躲到岩石后面换上泳衣。
　　当他们出来后，朱利安望向大海，发现海里的水流十分凶猛，根本没有条件下水。
　　他们沿着山崖峭壁走了一段距离，来到一个由凹陷的岩石形成的一个大泳池。“就是这里了！”乔治大喊道，随后跳了进去，“天哪，好冷啊。”
　　泳池里的海水原本应在太阳的照射下变得温热，但由于不时会有一大波海浪涌入泳池里，把冷水又带了进来，所以池水有些冰冷。海浪袭来的时候最是有趣，他们四个游得心满意足，蒂米也玩得很开心。
　　游了一会儿后，他们爬上岩石开始野餐，海浪激起的水花间隔一会儿就从空中飘下，让野餐变得别有风味。用餐结束后，他们又去了峭壁底下探险。
　　“这太令人兴奋了，”乔治说，“一个又一个洞穴，连绵不绝！一个又一个海湾，目不暇接！我猜涨潮的时候，所有洞穴都会被海水淹到齐肩这么高。”
　　“我觉得也是，”朱利安说，他一直在密切地观察着潮水的动态，“而且很多洞穴都会被淹没。难怪庞鲁斯兰夫人那么严肃地提醒我们要注意这边的潮水。如果我们被困住的话，我可不想尝试着从这些岩壁爬上去。”
　　安妮抬头观察着这些陡峭的岩壁，心里不禁暗自发抖，岩壁的情状就像是在对她说：“我们可不是轻易能对付的！所以要照顾好你自己哦。”
　　“我的天啊！你们看那边，那不是那个讨厌鬼扬吗？”迪克说，他指着一个被海草挡住的岩石，扬正从那后面窥视着他们！
　　“他一定是一路跑来这里，然后找到我们的。”朱利安厌恶地说。
　　“就让他待在这里吧，我们也该走了，因为快涨潮了。他刚到这里就发现我们要走了，也够让他难受的。我想他一定是疯了。”
　　“你们觉得他知道要涨潮了吗？”安妮说，她看起来很担心，“我的意思是，他如果不知道会涨潮的话，有可能把自己困在这里。”
　　“他当然知道！”朱利安说，“你要是不相信的话，我们就在海湾最高点的地方一边吃点心，一边等着看。如果他想要躲过潮水的话，只有那一条路能回去。像攀爬峭壁这种事，没有人会疯狂到想去尝试。”
　　他们在海湾的顶部找了一处好地方，就是他们放置单车那里，拿出蛋糕和饼干，准备配着茶一起享用。安顿好后，他们开始吃庞鲁斯兰夫人给他们准备的水果蛋糕。对于她的厨艺，所有人都赞不绝口。
　　涨潮的速度很快，海浪拍打岩石的声音越来越大。“还没有看到扬，”安妮说，“你们觉得他还好吗？”
　　“如果他还待在那里的话，一定全身都湿透了。”迪克说，“我觉得我们最好还是去看看，虽然我很讨厌他，但我并不想看到他被淹死。”
　　两个男孩尽可能跑到海湾更深的地方去，观察扬之前躲藏的地方，但现在那个地方已经呈现出另一幅画面了。
　　“天，沙滩已经被淹没了！”朱利安说，他一脸惊讶，“我现在知道被潮水困住是多么容易了，刚才的海浪直接就涌进了我们之前探索过的洞穴。”
　　“扬去哪儿了？”迪克说，“哪里都看不到他。他并没从海湾里出来，我们一直看着出口呢。他跑哪里去了？”
　　迪克的语气很着急，朱利安也开始感到害怕了。他正犹豫着是否要涉水再往前走一段时，下一波海浪就给了他答案，往前走无疑是愚蠢的举动，若是再有一个像刚才那样的海浪，迪克和他都会被海浪从岩石上卷走。
　　“小心，更大的海浪来了！”朱利安喊道，两个男孩急忙跳到更高的一块岩石上，回到海湾最高的地方，即便如此，海浪还是打湿了他们的脚。
　　他们回到女孩们身边。“哪里都找不到他，”朱利安说，说话的语气比他离开的时候要和缓些，“整个沙滩都被海水覆盖，应该说是淹没了，最低的洞穴也已经被海水灌满了。”
　　“他……他不会被淹死了吧？”安妮害怕地说。
　　“不，我觉得他可以照顾好自己。”朱利安说，“他对这里很熟悉，走吧，我们也该回去了。”
　　他们骑车往回走，蒂米跟在他们旁边跑，一路上没有人说话，他们都在担心扬。他会遭遇什么不测吗？
　　他们到达农场后，把单车停放好，跑去找庞鲁斯兰夫人。他们告诉她关于扬的事情，以及他如何消失了。
　　“他会不会被淹死啊？”安妮担心地说。
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人笑着说：“不会的，他对这里很熟，包括海岸上的一些盲区。虽然他是个可怜的小家伙，但比你们想象的要聪明，他懂得如何照顾好自己。”
　　这段话的确起到了安慰的作用，可能扬又会出现，用那双一眨不眨的眼睛牢牢地盯着他们。
　　他们吃完了跟之前一样美味的茶点之后，就沿着那条充满金银花香气的路散步，跟往常一样，五只狗在旁边陪伴着他们。孩子们在一个阶梯上坐下来，迪克开始给大家分发麦芽糖。
　　“快看，”乔治突然说，“知道我在说哪里吗？就是那边！”她转头示意篱笆边上一棵橡树的方向，就在不远处。其他人立刻朝橡树上看去。
　　一双黑色的眼睛也在盯着他们看。是扬！他跟往常一样把自己藏起来，偷偷窥视着他们。安妮看到扬安然无恙，如释重负，高兴地对他说：“扬，吃麦芽糖吗？”
　　扬用最快的速度从树上滑下来，跑到他们跟前，伸出手接过麦芽糖。这是他第一次微笑，那脏兮兮而又阴沉的脸终于放松了，显得很可爱，这使得安妮一直盯着他看。扬其实是个可爱的家伙，双眼炯炯有神，脸颊上还藏着两个酒窝。
　　“给，这里还有两颗麦芽糖。”迪克说，他看到这个小男孩没有被淹死，也非常高兴。扬几乎是从他手上把糖抢走的。很明显，他很少有机会吃到糖果。蒂米依然像往常一样跟他玩耍，它躺在地下，在扬的脚下翻滚，舔他裸露的膝盖和手臂，然后跳到他身上，几乎把他给扑倒。扬开心地笑着，跟蒂米躺在一块儿，一起翻来翻去。迪克和安妮一边看着，一边笑。
　　但乔治有些不高兴，因为蒂米是她的狗，她不喜欢蒂米跟任何她不喜欢的人玩耍。她看到扬没有遭遇危险，也很欣慰，但是她还是不喜欢他，所以她皱着眉头。朱利安用胳膊肘轻推迪克，让他注意看乔治的表情。乔治发现迪克在看自己后，脸上的表情就更不开心了。
　　“你会后悔给他糖的，”她说，“他会变本加厉地跟着我们。”
　　过了一两分钟后，扬走了过来。他一口含了三颗糖果，右脸颊胀得鼓鼓的。
　　“肘，去见我蒸煮父。”他很诚恳地说，由于糖果的缘故，他说的话比平时更难懂，“我会给他介绍你们所有人，他会告诉你们很多事情。”
　　他严肃地盯着他们看。“我蒸煮父也喜欢吃糖果，”他补充说，“真的，他真的也喜欢。”
　　朱利安听完哈哈大笑，说：“我们答应你，明天下午就去拜访他，但是你现在别来纠缠我们，不然的话你就再也没有糖吃了，明白吗？”
　　“明白。”扬点着头说。他把嘴里的三颗糖拿出来，看看还剩下多少，然后又塞回嘴巴里。
　　“快点走吧。”朱利安又一次说，“等一下，我突然想到一件事，你今天下午是如何从沙滩上消失的？你是攀着岩壁上来的吗？”
　　“没有。”扬说，他把嘴里的糖果从一侧滑到另一侧，“我从船只毁灭者的秘密通道出来的，这条路是我曾祖父跟我说的。”
　　其他人还没来得及问得更仔细一些，他就消失得无影无踪了。
　　他们四个人互相看着对方。“你们听到他说的话了吗？”朱利安说，“他走的是毁灭者的秘密通道。你们觉得那是什么样的？我们刚才一定到了一处很久很久以前毁灭者出没的沙滩。”
　　“我也这么觉得，但他是如何逃出来的呢？”迪克说，“我想知道关于这条毁灭者秘密通道的更多事情。我觉得我们最好明天去拜访一下那位曾祖父。他可能会有很多有趣的事情告诉我们。”
　　“没问题，我们可以去拜访他，”乔治站起身说，“但是你记住我说的，因为我们给了扬一点甜头，他会变本加厉地纠缠我们。”
　　想到扬那突然喜悦的微笑以及对几颗糖的渴望时，迪克说：“关于这个嘛，其实他看起来也不像一个坏孩子，而且如果他说服了曾祖父让我们进入秘密通道的话，我们可能在探索的过程中找到一些新奇的东西。朱利安，你说对不对？”
　　“可能会变成一场冒险。”朱利安煞有介事地说着，安妮严肃的表情使他想笑，“没事的，安妮，我在特曼农感受不到一点危险的气息，只是在跟你开玩笑而已。”
　　“我觉得你错了，”安妮说，“你感受不到，但我已经感受到了，虽然我很不想有这种感觉。”
Chapter 5 YAN - AND HIS GRANDAD
Chapter 5 YAN - AND HIS GRANDAD
　　The next day was Sunday. It made no difference to the time that the two Penruthlans got up, however.
　　As Mrs. Penruthlan said, the cows and horses, hens and ducks didn't approve of late Sundaybreakfasts! They wanted attending to at exactly the same time each day!
　　'Will you be going to church?' asked Mrs. Penruthlan. 'It's a beautiful walk across the fields toTremannon Church, and you'd like Parson. He's a good man, he is.'
　　'Yes, we're all going,' said Julian. 'We can tie Timmy up outside. He's used to that. And we thoughtwe'd go up and see your old shepherd this afternoon, Mrs. Penruthlan, and see what tales he has totell.'
　　'Yan will show you the way,' said the farmer's wife, bustling off to her cooking. 'I'll get you a fineSunday dinner. Do you like fresh fruit salad with cream?'
　　'Rather!' said everyone at once.
　　22
　　'Can't we help you to do something?' said Anne. 'I've just seen all the peas you're going to shell.
　　Piles of them! And don't you want help with those red currant? I love getting the currants off theirstalks with a fork!'
　　'Well, you'll have a few odd minutes before you go to church, I expect,' said Mrs. Penruthlan, lookingpleased. 'It would be a bit of help today. But the boys needn't help.'
　　'I like that!' said George, indignantly. 'How unfair! Why shouldn't they, just because they're boys?'
　　'Don't fly off the handle, George,' grinned Dick. 'We're going to help, don't worry. We like poddingpeas too! You're not going to have all the treats!'
　　Dick had a very neat way of turning the tables on George when he saw her flying into a tantrum.
　　She smiled unwillingly. She was always jealous of the boys because she so badly wanted to be oneherself, and wasn't! She hitched up her shorts, and went to get a pan of peas to shell.
　　Soon the noise of the popping of pads was to be heard, a very pleasant noise, Anne thought. The fourof them sat on the big kitchen step, out in the sun, with Timmy sitting beside them, watching withinterest. He didn't stay with them long though.
　　Up came his four friends, the little Scottie trotting valiantly behind, trying to keep up with the longerlegs of the others. 'Woof!' said the biggest collie. Timmy wagged his tail politely, but didn't stir.
　　'Woof!' said the collie again, and pranced around invitingly.
　　'Timmy! He says ''Will you come and play?'' ' said George. 'Aren't you going? You aren't the leasthelp with shelling peas, and you keep breathing down my neck.'
　　Timmy gave George a flying lick and leapt off the step joyfully. He pounced on the Scottie, rolledhim over, and then took on all three collies at once. They were big, strong dogs, but no match forTimmy!
　　'Look at him,' said George, proudly. 'He can manage the whole lot single-handed.'
　　'Single-footed!' said Dick. 'He's faster than even that biggest collie and stronger than the whole lot.
　　Good old Tim. He's come in jolly useful in some of our adventures!'
　　'I've no doubt he will again,' said Julian. 'I'd rather have one Timmy than two police-dogs.'
　　'I should think his ears are burning, the way we're talking about him!' said Anne. 'Oh, sorry, Dick,that pod popped unexpectedly!'
　　23
　　'That's the second lot of peas you've shot all over me,' said Dick, scrabbling inside his shirt. 'I mustjust find one that went down my neck, or I shall be fidgeting all through church.'
　　'You always do,' said Anne. 'Look - isn't that Yan?'
　　It was! He came sidling up, looking as dirty as ever, and gave them a quick smile that once moreentirely changed his sullen little face. He held out his hand, palm upwards, and said something.
　　'What's he saying?' said Dick. 'Oh, he's asking for a sweet.'
　　'Don't give him one,' said Julian, quickly. 'Don't turn him into a little beggar. Make him work for asweet this time. Yan, if you want a sweet, you can help pod these peas.'
　　Mrs. Penruthlan appeared at once. 'But see he washes those filthy hands first,' she commanded, anddisappeared again. Yan looked at his hands, then put them under his arm-pits.
　　'Go and wash them,' said Julian. But Yan shook his head, and sat down a little way away from them.
　　'All right. Don't wash your hands. Don't shell the peas. Don't have a sweet,' said George.
　　Yan scowled at George. He didn't seem to like her any more than she liked him. He waited tillsomeone split a pod, and a few peas shot out on to the ground instead of into the dish. Then he dartedat them, picked them up and ate them. He was as quick as a cat.
　　'My Grandad says come see him,' announced Yan. 'I take you.'
　　'Right,' said Julian. 'We'll come this afternoon. We'll get Mrs. Penruthlan to pack us up a basket, andwe'll have tea in the hills. You can share it if you wash your hands and face.'
　　'I shouldn't think he's ever washed himself in his life,' said George. 'Oh, here's Timmy come back. Iwill not have him fawn round that dirty little boy. Here, Timmy!'
　　But Timmy darted to Yan with the greatest delight and pawed at him to come and have a game.
　　They began to roll over and over like two puppies.
　　'If you're going to church, you'd better get ready,' said Mrs. Penruthlan, appearing again, this timewith arms floured up to the elbow. 'My, what a lot of peas you've done for me!'
　　'I wish I had time to do the red currants,' said Anne. 'We've practically finished the peas, anyway,Mrs. Penruthlan. We've done thousands, I should think!'
　　'Ah, Mr. Penruthlan is real fond of peas,' said the farmer's wife. 'He can eat a whole tureen at onesitting.'
　　She disappeared again. The children went to get ready for church, and then off they went. It certainlywas a lovely walk over the fields, with honeysuckle trailing everywhere!
　　24
　　The church was small and old and lovely. Yan went with them, trailing behind, right to the churchdoor. When he saw George tying Timmy up to a railing, he sat down beside him and looked pleased.
　　George didn't look pleased, however. Now Timmy and Yan would play about together all the timeshe was in church! How annoying!
　　The church was cool and dark, except for three lovely stained-glass windows through which the sunpoured, its brilliance dimmed by the colours of the glass. 'Parson' was as nice as Mrs.
　　Penruthlan had said, a simple, friendly person whose words were listened to by everyone, from anold, old woman bent almost double in a corner to a solemn-eyed five year old clutching her mother'shand.
　　It was dazzling to come out into the sun again from the cool dimness of the church. Timmy barked awelcome. Yan was still there, sitting with his arm round Timmy's neck. He gave them his suddensmile, and untied Timmy, who promptly went mad and tore out of the churchyard at sixty miles anhour. He always did that when he had been tied up.
　　'You come see Grandad,' said Yan to Dick, and pulled at his arm.
　　'This afternoon,' said Dick. 'You can show us the way. Come after dinner.'
　　So, after the children had had a dinner of cold boiled beef and carrots, with a dumpling each, and'lashings' of peas and new potatoes, followed by a truly magnificent fruit salad and cream, Yanappeared at the door to take them to his Grandad.
　　'Did you see the amount of peas that Mr. Penruthlan got through?' said Anne, in awe. 'I should thinkhe really did manage a tureen all to himself. I wish he'd say something beside 'Ah' and'Ock' and the other peculiar sounds he makes. Conversation is awfully difficult with him.'
　　'Is Yan taking you up to Grandad?' called Mrs. Penruthlan. 'I'll put a few cakes in the basket for him,too, then, and for Grandad.'
　　'Don't put us up a big tea,' begged Dick. 'We only want a snack, just to keep us going till high-tea.'
　　But all the same the basket was quite heavy when Mrs. Penruthlan had finished packing it!
　　It was a long walk over the fields to the shepherd's hut. Yan led the way proudly. They crossed thefields, and climbed stiles, walked up narrow cart-paths, and at last came to a cone-shaped hill onwhich sheep grazed peacefully. Half-grown lambs, wearing their woolly coats, unlike the shornsheep, gambolled here and there - then remembered that they were nearly grown up, and walkedsedately.
　　25
　　The old shepherd was sitting outside his hut, smoking a clay pipe. He wasn't very big, and he seemedshrivelled up, like an apple stored too long. But there was still sweetness in him, and the childrenliked him at once. He had Yan's sudden smile, that lighted up eyes that were still as blue as thesummer sky above them.
　　His face had a thousand wrinkles that creased and ran into one another when he smiled. His shaggyeye-brows, curly beard and hair were all grey, as grey as the woolly coats of the sheep he had livedwith all his life.
　　'You be welcome,' he said, in his slow Cornish voice. 'Yan here have told me about you.'
　　'We've brought our tea to share with you,' said Dick. 'We'll have it later on. Is it true that your fatherwas one of the Wreckers in the old days?'
　　The old fellow nodded his head. Julian got out a bag of boiled sweets, and offered them to the oldman. He took one eagerly. Yan edged up at once and was given one too.
　　Judging by the crunching that went on old Grandad still had plenty of teeth! When the sweet hadgone, he began to talk. He talked slowly and simply, almost as Yan might have done, and sometimespaused to find a word he wanted.
　　Living with sheep all his life doesn't make for easy talking, thought Julian, interested in this old manwith the wise, keen eyes. He must be much more at home with sheep than with human beings.
　　Grandad certainly had some interesting things to tell them, dreadful things, Anne thought.
　　'You've seen them rocks down on Tremannon coast,' began Grandad. 'Wicked rocks they be, hungryfor ships and men. There's many a ship been wrecked on purpose! Ay, you can look disbelieving-like,but it's true.'
　　'How did they get wrecked on purpose?' asked Dick. 'Were they lured here by a false light, orsomething?'
　　The old man lowered his voice as if he was afraid of being overheard.
　　'Way back up the coast, more than a hundred years ago, there was a light set to guide the ships thatsail round here,' said Grandad. 'They were to sail towards that light, and then hug the coast and avoidthe rocks that stood out to sea. They were safe then. But, on wild nights, a light was set two milesfarther down the coast, to bemuse lost ships, and drag them to the rocks round Tremannon coves.'
　　'How wicked!' said Anne and George together. 'How could men do that?'
　　26
　　'It's fair amazing what men will do,' said Grandad, nodding his head. 'Take my old Dad now - a kindman he was and went to church, so he did, and took me with him. But he was the one that set thefalse light burning every time, and sent men to watch the ship coming in on the rocks -crashing over them to break into pieces.'
　　'Did you - did you ever see a ship crashing to its death?' asked Dick, imagining the groaning of thesailing ships, and the groaning of the men flung into the raging sea.
　　'Ay. I did so,' said Grandad, his eyes taking on a very far-away look. 'I were sent to the cove with themen, and had to hold a lantern to bemuse the ship again when she came to the rocks. Poor thing, shegroaned like a live thing, she did, when she ran into them wicked rocks, and split into pieces. Andnext day I went to the cove to help get the goods that were scattered all around the cove. There werelots drownded that night, and...'
　　'Don't tell us about that,' said Dick, feeling sick. 'Where did they flash the false light from? Fromthese hills, or from the cliff somewhere?'
　　'I'll show you where my Dad flashed it from,' said Grandad, and he got up slowly. 'There's only oneplace on these hills where you could see the light a-flashing. The wreckers had to find somewherewell hidden, so that their wicked light couldn't be seen from inland, or the police would stop it, but itcould be seen plainly by any ship on the sea near this coast!'
　　He took them round his hill, and then pointed towards the coast. Set between two hills there the roofof a house could just be seen, and from it rose a tower. It could only be seen from that one spot! Dicktook a few steps to each side of it, and at once the house disappeared behind one or other of the hillson each side of it.
　　'I were the only one that ever knew the false light could be seen from inland,' said Grandad, pointingwith his pipe-stem towards the far-off square tower. 'I were watching lambs one night up here, and Isaw the light a-flashing. And I heard there was a ship wrecked down in Tremannon cove that night soI reckoned it were the wreckers at work.'
　　'Did you often see the light flashing over there, when you watched the sheep?' asked George.
　　'Oh ay, many a time,' said the shepherd. 'And always on wild, stormy nights, when ships werelabouring along, and in trouble, looking for some light to guide them into shore. Then a light wouldflare out over there, and I'd say to meself ''Now may the Good God help those sailors tonight, for it'ssure that nobody else will!'' '
　　27
　　'How horrible!' said George, quite appalled at such wickedness. 'You must be glad that you never seethat false light shining there on stormy nights now!'
　　Grandad looked at George, and his eyes were scared and strange. He lowered his voice and spoke toGeorge as if she were a boy.
　　'Little master,' he said, 'that light still flares on dark and stormy nights. The place is a ruin, andjackdaws build in the tower. But three times this year I've seen that light again! Come a stormy nightit'll flare again! I know it in my bones, little master, I know it in my bones!'
5.扬和他的曾祖父
　　扬和他的曾祖父
　　一天又过去了，虽然今天是星期天，但庞鲁斯兰夫妇起床的时间与平时并没有任何不同。事实上，像庞鲁斯兰夫人说的，无论是牛还是马，是鸡还是鸭，它们每天只想在同一个时间吃早餐。
　　“你们要去教堂吗？”庞鲁斯兰夫人问，“去特曼农教堂的沿路风景特别美，你们肯定会喜欢那里的牧师，他是个好人。”
　　“我们要去的。”朱利安说，“我们可以把蒂米拴在外面，它已经习惯了。而且，我们还想在下午的时候去拜访扬的曾祖父，看看他有什么故事可以讲给我们听。”
　　“扬会给你们带路的。”庞鲁斯兰夫人一边说，一边忙着做饭，“今天是星期天，我会给你们准备好一顿丰盛的晚餐，想要吃新鲜的奶油水果沙拉吗？”
　　“想！”所有人异口同声地说。
　　“我们可以帮您做些什么吗？”安妮说，“我看到您有好大一堆豌豆要剥，还有那些红醋栗，需要我们帮忙吗？我很喜欢用刀叉把红醋栗的果蒂摘下来。”
　　“真是太好了。我估计你们去教堂之前，还有一点时间可以帮我，”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，她看起来很高兴，“今天就让你们帮我干点活，男孩子就不用帮忙了。”
　　“我很想剥豌豆，”乔治生气地说，“但是太不公平了！凭什么他们不用帮忙，就因为他们是男的？”
　　“别不服气，乔治，”迪克嬉皮笑脸地说，“我们也要帮忙的，放心，我们也喜欢剥豌豆，不会让你独享这份乐趣的。”
　　每当迪克看到乔治发飙的时候，他总有干脆利落的办法来使她消气。她不情愿地笑了笑。乔治非常嫉妒男孩子，因为她特别想成为一个男孩子，然而她不是。
　　孩子们都开始剥豌豆了，安妮觉得剥豌豆的声音特别好听。他们四个坐在厨房门口的大台阶上，晒着太阳。蒂米坐在旁边，饶有兴致地看着他们，但它并没有看多长时间。
　　它的四个小伙伴来找它玩了，苏格兰小黑狗在后面小跑着，试图跟上其他腿长的伙伴。“汪！”最大的牧羊犬叫了一声，蒂米礼貌地摇着尾巴，但并没有回答。
　　“汪！”牧羊犬又叫了一声，引诱般地在周围跳动。
　　“蒂米，它是在问：‘你要一起玩吗？’”乔治说，“你不去吗？剥豌豆你帮不上忙也就算了，还一直朝我的脖子呼气。”
　　蒂米伸出舌头飞快地舔了一下乔治，然后开心地跑到新伙伴身边。它扑到小黑狗身上，把小黑狗扑倒，然后又扑向其他牧羊犬。
　　虽然它们很大很强壮，但还是比不上蒂米。
　　“快看它，”乔治自豪地说，“它单手就可以摆平它们。”
　　“单爪！”迪克说，“它的速度甚至比那只最大的牧羊犬还快，而且更强壮。蒂米真棒，它在我们的冒险活动中可是起着很大作用呢。”
　　“以后它还会继续起作用的。”朱利安说，“比起两只警犬，我宁愿要一只蒂米。”
　　“我们这样夸它，恐怕它的耳根都快红了。”安妮说，“哎呀，对不起，迪克，我是不小心的。”
　　“这是你第二次把豌豆挤到我身上了。”迪克说，他用手在衬衣里面摸来摸去，“我得把我衣服里的豌豆找出来，不然我在教堂里会坐立不安的。”
　　“你一直都是，”安妮说，“看那边，那不是扬吗？”
　　那的确是扬，他悄悄地贴近他们，看起来跟以前一样浑身脏兮兮的。他微笑地看着他们，这微笑又一次把他那严肃的神情一扫而光。他把手伸出来，掌心向上，还开口说了些什么。
　　“他刚才说什么？”迪克说，“哦，他是跟我们要糖吃。”
　　“别给他，”朱利安赶紧说，“别把他惯成一个乞丐。这次让他用劳动来换取糖果。扬，如果你要糖的话，就帮我们剥豌豆。”
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人突然出现，“但首先得让他洗一下他那双脏兮兮的手。”她命令道，然后又忙活去了。扬看了看自己的双手，然后把它们插在腋窝下面。
　　“去洗手。”朱利安说，但扬摇了摇头，跑去离他们更远一点的地方坐下。
　　“随便你吧，不洗手就不能剥豌豆，但也没有糖吃。”乔治说。
　　扬皱起了眉头，他的样子看起来就跟乔治讨厌他时一样。他待在一旁等着，直到有人把豌豆挤崩掉到地上的时候，他就冲过去捡起来吃掉，速度快得跟猫一样。
　　“我曾祖父邀请你们去拜访他，”扬跟他们说，“我带你们去。”
　　“好的，”朱利安说，“我们今天下午去。我们会让庞鲁斯兰夫人给我们准备好一篮子食物，然后我们会在山上喝茶。如果你洗手洗脸的话，我们可以一起分享。”
　　“我觉得他从来没有洗过澡，”乔治说，“哦，蒂米回来了，我才不要它巴结那个脏兮兮的男孩。蒂米，过来！”
　　但蒂米直接冲向扬，它特别高兴，用爪子邀请他一起玩耍，接着他们就像两只小狗一样在地上打滚。
　　“如果你们要去教堂的话，最好准备出发了。”庞鲁斯兰夫人又出现了，而这一次她从手到肘部都沾着面粉，“天哪，你们已经帮我剥了这么多豌豆了！”
　　“要是我们还有时间可以处理红醋栗就好了。”安妮说，“我们基本上把豌豆剥完了，庞鲁斯兰夫人，我觉得我们剥了几千个。”
　　“啊，庞鲁斯兰先生很喜欢豌豆的，”夫人说，“他一顿可以吃一整海碗。”
　　孩子们准备好后就出发去教堂了。沿途的风景的确让人赏心悦目，金银花藤伸得到处都是。
　　教堂很小，老旧却别具一格。扬偷偷地跟在他们后面，一直跟到教堂门前。当他看到乔治把蒂米拴在一根栏杆上时，就在它旁边坐下来，看起来很开心的样子。乔治则不高兴了，因为在她待在教堂的这段时间里，蒂米会全程跟扬在一起玩。真让人烦恼！
　　教堂很冷很暗，阳光只能从三个彩色玻璃窗照射进来，而穿过彩色玻璃的光，已经黯然失色。
　　牧师跟庞鲁斯兰夫人形容的一样，是一个单纯友好的人，会倾听所有人的烦恼，上到弯腰倚在墙角的老奶奶，下到仍然需要抓紧妈妈的手的五岁小孩。
　　孩子们从寒冷昏暗的教堂里出来，阳光格外耀眼。蒂米叫了一声，表示欢迎。扬还坐在那里，用他的双臂环抱着蒂米的脖子。他朝他们微微一笑，然后解开拴着蒂米的绳子，它马上发疯似的，以60码的速度冲出教堂的院子。每次它被拴起来后，在解开时都会有这样的反应。
　　“我带你们去见我曾祖父。”扬对迪克说，他拉着迪克的手臂。
　　“下午就去，”迪克说，“你可以带路，吃完饭你再过来。”
　　孩子们的午餐有冷切牛肉片、萝卜、饺子、大份的豌豆、土豆，还有特大份的奶油水果沙拉。吃完饭后，扬就出现在门口，准备带他们去见他曾祖父。
　　“你们看到庞鲁斯兰先生吃了多少豌豆吗？”安妮敬畏地说，“我觉 得 他 真 的 可 以 自 己 吃 下 一 整 海 碗。 我 真 希 望 他 能 说 些 除了‘啊’和‘哦’以及其他奇怪声音之外的话。跟他交谈实在太困难了。”
　　“扬来了吗？”庞鲁斯兰夫人大声问道，“我再往篮子里多装一些蛋糕，送给他和他的曾祖父。”
　　“不用帮我们装太多食物，”迪克乞求说，“我们只要一些点心，能撑到茶点时间就够了。”
　　但等到庞鲁斯兰夫人打包完之后，篮子依然是沉甸甸的。
　　去小屋的路很远，扬在前面自豪地带着路。他们穿过田地，爬上阶梯，沿着一条狭窄的马车道一直走，最终走到一个圆锥形的山坡上。羊正在这里安静地吃草。小羊崽还披着绒羊毛，而那些羊毛被剃光的羊就不同了，它们仍然四处耍闹，等意识到自己快要成年后，又表现得很稳重。
　　扬的曾祖父在他的小屋外面坐着，用一根陶制的烟管在抽烟。
　　他身材已经萎缩了，就像储存了很久的苹果，但糖分依然还在，所以孩子们一看到他立马就对他产生了好感。他有着跟扬一样的微笑，那双眼睛就跟夏日的天空一样蓝。
　　他的脸上有很多皱纹，所以当他微笑时，这些皱纹就会交织在一起。他的眉毛杂乱无章，卷曲的胡须和头发都是灰色的，那灰色就如跟他打了一辈子交道的羊身上的绒羊毛。
　　“欢迎你们，”他带着康沃尔口音缓慢地说道，“扬给我介绍过你们。”
　　“我们带了些茶跟茶点来跟您分享，”迪克说，“一会儿我们一起吃吧。您父亲以前真的是船只毁灭者的成员之一吗？”
　　老人点了点头。朱利安拿出了一包糖果，把它们递给了老人家。老人家很急切地拿了一颗放进嘴里，扬马上凑了过来，也拿了一颗。
　　从曾祖父嘴里发出“嘎吱嘎吱”的声音来看，他还有很多牙齿。
　　吃完糖后，他便开始讲述了，语速缓慢简洁，几乎跟扬说话的方式一样，有时候还得停顿下来，找一个词来表达他想说的。
　　“一辈子跟羊打交道的话，说话就会变得不利索。”朱利安心里想，他对老人家那双深邃的眼睛充满了兴趣，“他跟羊待在一起的时间肯定比跟人类待的时间要长。”
　　“曾祖父肯定有一些有趣的事情跟我们讲，甚至是可怕的。”安妮心里想。
　　“你们看过特曼农海岸下面的礁石了吗？”老爷爷开始说，“一些罪孽深重的礁石，渴望着摧毁船只和人类。有很多船在那里触礁，全是人为的！你们可以不相信，但这是真的。”
　　“可船是如何被人为触礁的呢？”迪克问，“是被灯塔误导，还是其他情况？”
　　老人家降低了声音，像是怕被人听到似的。
　　“一百多年前，在返回海岸的途中，政府设置了一座灯塔来引导经过这附近的船只，”老人家说，“让他们朝着灯光的方向航行，然后靠岸，以此来避过海底的礁石，如此一来，他们就安全了。但是天气恶劣的夜晚，有另一座灯塔，建立在离海岸两英里的位置，来误导迷失的船只，把它们引向特曼农海湾里的礁石。”
　　“丧心病狂！”安妮和乔治异口同声地说，“怎么能有人做出这种事？”
　　“人的本性总是出乎意料。”老人家点点头后说，“拿我父亲来说吧，他是一个和蔼的人，也去教堂做礼拜，去的时候还会带上我，但同时也是他用灯光来误导船只触礁，再传信号给同伙去看船只触礁后撞成碎片的样子。”
　　“您……您也看过船撞成碎片的样子吗？”迪克问，脑海里想象着船只的呻吟以及人类的哀号，淹没在波涛汹涌的大海里。
　　“是，我看过。”老爷爷说，他的视线转移到了远方，“我被父亲派到海湾，手里还得拿着一盏灯具来再一次迷惑在礁石附近的船只。当船撞到那些罪恶的礁石，成为碎片的时候，船体发出的呻吟声，听起来就像是个活生生的动物一样，真的很像。第二天，我就去海湾帮忙拿那些散到四处的货物。那天夜里有很多人淹死，而且……”
　　“这部分可以跳过。”迪克说，他感到恶心，“他们在哪个地方使用灯具的？在山上，还是岩壁那边？”
　　“我来告诉你们我父亲他们是从哪里发信号的，”老爷爷说，接着他慢慢地起身，“在这座山上，只有一个地方可以看到信号。船只毁灭者需要找比较隐蔽的地方，使得内陆上的人看不到这邪恶的信号灯，这样警察就没办法来阻止，但还要保证灯光对于经过这片海岸的船来说清晰可见。”
　　他带着他们沿着山路绕行，走到一个位置后停了下来，指向海岸的方向——一个夹在两座山中间的位置，刚好能看到一个房子的屋顶，屋顶上面还建立了一个塔。只有这个特定的位置能够看得到它。迪克往两边各走了几步，房子就立马被山挡住了。
　　“我是唯一一个知道可以在内陆看到信号灯的人。”曾祖父说，他烟斗柄指着远处的方塔说。
　　“有一天晚上我在山上放羊，看到有灯光在闪烁。后来听说当天晚上有一艘船在特曼农海湾触礁，所以我认为那是船只毁灭者发出的信号。”
　　“你放羊的时候，经常看到信号灯吗？”乔治问。
　　“是的，经常看到，”曾祖父说，“而且总是在电闪雷鸣的暴风雨夜晚。这时候船只在海上行驶得很艰难，急于寻求指引它们上岸的明灯，与此同时，就会有信号灯从那里发出。每当碰到这种情况，我就会对自己说，希望老天今晚能拯救那些水手，毕竟没有其他人会去救他们了。”
　　“真可怕！”乔治说，这样的恶行让她感到颤栗，“好在现在的暴风雨夜里，再也没有出现这种信号灯了，您应该为此感到高兴吧。”
　　曾祖父看着乔治，露出恐惧而又十分奇怪的眼神，他以为乔治是男孩子，降低声音对她说：“小弟弟，那信号灯现在依然会在暴风雨夜里闪烁。那地方虽然已经变成了废墟，寒鸦也把那里当成了巢穴，但今年我又看到那信号灯闪了三次！只要暴风雨夜降临，它就又会亮起。我很清楚这一点，小弟弟，我很清楚！”
Chapter 6 A QUEER TALE
Chapter 6 A QUEER TALE
　　The four children shivered suddenly in the hot sun, as they listened to the shepherd's strange words.
　　Were they true? Did the wreckers' light still flash in the old tower on wild and stormy nights? Butwhy should it? Surely no wreckers any longer did their dreadful work on this lonely rocky coast?
　　Dick voiced the thoughts of the others. 'But surely there are no wrecks on this coast now? Isn't there agood lighthouse farther up, to warn ships to keep right out to sea?'
　　Grandad nodded his grey head. 'Yes. There's a lighthouse, and there's not been a wreck along thiscoast for more years than I can remember. But I tell you that light flares up just as it used to do. I seenit with my own eyes, and there's nought wrong with them yet!'
　　'I seen it too,' put in Yan, suddenly.
　　Grandad looked at Yan, annoyed. 'You hold your noise, you,' he commanded. 'You've never seen nolight. You sleeps like a babe at nights.'
　　'I seen it,' said Yan, obstinately, and moved out of Grandad's way quickly as the old man raised hishand to cuff the small boy.
　　Dick changed the subject. 'Grandad, do you know anything about the Wreckers' Way?' he asked.
　　'Is it a secret way to get down to the coves from inland? Was it used by the wreckers?'
　　Grandad frowned. 'That be a secret,' he said, shortly. 'My Dad, he showed it to me, and I swore as Inever would tell. Us all had to swear and promise that.'
　　'But Yan here said that you taught the way to him,' said Dick, puzzled.
　　28
　　Yan promptly removed himself from the company and disappeared round a clump of bushes. His oldGreat-Grandad glared round at the disappearing boy.
　　'Yan! That boy! He doesn't know anything about the Wreckers' Way. It's lost and forgotten by everyman living. I'm the last one left as knows of it. Yan! He's dreaming! Maybe he's heard tell of an oldWreckers' Way, but that's all.'
　　'Oh!' said Dick, disappointed. He had hoped that Grandad would tell them the old way, and then theycould go and explore it. Perhaps they could go and search for it, anyhow! It would be fun to do that.
　　Julian came back to the question of the light flashing from the old tower by the coast. He waspuzzled. 'Who could possibly flash that light?' he said to Grandad. 'You say the place is a ruin.
　　Are you sure it wasn't lightning you saw? You said it came on a wild and stormy night.'
　　'It weren't lightning,' said the old man shortly. 'I first saw that light near ninety years ago, and I tellyou I saw it again three times this year, same place, same light, same weather! And if you telled me itweren't flashed by mortal hands, I'd believe you.'
　　There was a silence after this extraordinary statement. Anne looked over towards the far-off towerthat showed just between the two distant hills. How queer that this spot where they were standing wasthe only place from which the tower could be seen from inland. The wreckers had been clever tochoose a spot like that to flash a light from. No one but old Grandad up on the hills could possiblyhave seen the light and guessed what was going on, no one but the callous wreckers themselves.
　　Grandad delved deep into more memories stored in his mind. He poured them out, tales of the olddays, queer, unbelievable stories. One was about an old woman who was said to be a witch.
　　The things she did!
　　The four stared at the old shepherd, marvelling to think they were, in a way, linked with the witchesand brownies, the wreckers and the killers of long-ago days, through this old, old man.
　　Yan appeared again as soon as Julian opened the tea-basket. They had now gone back to the hut, andsat outside in the sunshine, surrounded by nibbling sheep. One or two of the half-grown lambs cameup, looking hot in their unshorn woolly coats. They nosed round the old shepherd, and he rubbedtheir woolly noses.
　　'These be lambs I fed from a bottle,' he explained. 'They always remember. Go away now, Woolly.
　　Cake's wasted on you.'
　　29
　　Yan wolfed quite half the tea. He gave Anne a quick grin of pure pleasure, showing both his dimplesat once. She smiled back. She liked this funny little boy now, and felt sorry for him. She was sure thathis old Grandad didn't give him enough to eat!
　　The church bells began to ring, and the sun was now sliding down the sky. 'We must go,' said Julian,reluctantly. 'It's quite a long walk back. Thanks for a most interesting afternoon, Grandad.
　　I expect you'll be glad to be rid of us now, and smoke your pipe in peace with your sheep aroundyou.'
　　'Ay, I will,' said Grandad, truthfully. 'I do be one for my own company, and I likes to think my ownthoughts. Long thoughts they be, too, going back nigh on a hundred years. If I wants to talk, I talks tomy sheep. It's rare and wunnerful how they listen.'
　　The children laughed, but Grandad was quite solemn, and meant every word he said. They packed upthe basket, and said good-bye to the old man.
　　'Well, what do you think he meant when he talked about the light still flashing in the old tower?'
　　said Dick, as they went over the hills back to the farm. 'What an extraordinary thing to say. Was ittrue, do you suppose?'
　　'There's only one way to find out!' said George, her eyes dancing. 'Wait for a wild and stormy nightand go and see!'
　　'But what about our agreement?' said Julian, solemnly. 'If anything exciting seems about to happenwe turn our backs on it. That's what we decided. Don't you remember?'
　　'Pooh!' said George.
　　'We ought to keep the agreement,' said Anne, doubtfully. She knew quite well that the others didn'tthink so!
　　'Look! Who are all these people?' said Dick, suddenly. They were just climbing over a stile to cross alane to another field.
　　They sat on the stile and stared. Some carts were going by, open wagons, their canvas tops foldeddown. They were the most old-fashioned carts the children had ever seen, not in the least like gipsycaravans.
　　Ten or eleven people were with the wagons, dressed in the clothes of other days! Some rode in thewagons and some walked. Some were middle-aged, some were young, but they all looked cheerfuland gay.
　　30
　　The children stared. After Grandad's tales of long ago these old-time folk seemed just right! For afew moments Anne felt herself back in Grandad's time, when he was a boy. He must have seenpeople dressed like these!
　　'Who are they?' she said, wonderingly. And then the children saw red lettering painted on the biggestcart:
　　THE BARNIES
　　'Oh! It's the Barnies! Don't you remember Mrs. Penruthlan telling us about them?' said Anne.
　　'The strolling players, who play to the country-folk around, in the barns. What fun!'
　　The Barnies waved to the watching children. One man, dressed in velvet and lace, with a sword at hisside, and a wig of curly hair, threw a leaflet or two to them. They read them with interest.
　　THE BARNIES ARE COMING!
　　They will sing, they will dance, they will fiddle.
　　They will perform plays of all kinds.
　　Edith Wells, the nightingale singer.
　　Bonnie Carter, the old-time dancer.
　　Janie Coster and her fiddle.
　　John Walters, finest tenor in the world.
　　Georgie Roth - he'll make you laugh!
　　And Others.
　　We also present Clopper, the Funniest Horse in the World!
　　THE BARNIES ARE COMING!
　　'This'll be fun!' said George, pleased. She called out to the passing wagons: 'Will you be playing atTremannon Farm?'
　　'Oh, yes!' called a man with bright, merry eyes. 'We always play there. You staying there?'
　　'Yes,' said George. 'We'll look out for you all. Where are you going now?'
　　'To Poltelly Farm for the night,' called the man. 'We'll be at Tremannon soon.'
　　The wagons passed, and the gay, queerly-dressed players went out of sight. 'Good,' said Dick.
　　'Their show may not be first-rate, but it's sure to be funny. They looked a merry lot.'
　　'All but the man driving the front cart. Did you see him?' said Anne. 'He looked pretty grim, Ithought.'
　　31
　　Nobody else had noticed him. 'He was probably the owner of the Barnies,' said Dick. 'And has got allthe organization on his shoulders. Well, come on. Where's Timmy?'
　　They looked round for him, and George frowned. Yan had followed them as usual, and Timmy wasplaying with him. Bother Yan! Was he going to trail them all day and every day?
　　They went back to the peaceful farm- house. Hens were still clucking around and ducks werequacking. A horse stamped somewhere near by, and the grunting of pigs came on the air. It all lookedquite perfect.
　　Footsteps came through the farm-yard, and Mr. Penruthlan came by. He grunted at them and wentinto a barn.
　　Anne spoke in almost a whisper. 'I can imagine him living in the older days and being a wrecker.
　　I can really!'
　　'Yes! I know what you mean,' said Dick. 'He's so fierce-looking and determined. What's the word Iwant? Ruthless! I'm sure he would have made a good wrecker!'
　　'Do you suppose there are any wreckers now, and that light really is flashed to make ships go on therocks?' said George.
　　'Well, I shouldn't have thought there were any wreckers in this country, anyway,' said Dick. 'I can'timagine that such a thing would be tolerated for an instant. But if that light is flashed, what is itflashed for?'
　　'Old Grandad said there hadn't been any wrecks on this coast for ages,' said Julian. 'I think really thatthe old man is wandering a bit in his mind about that light!'
　　'But Yan said he had seen it, too,' said Anne.
　　'I'm not sure that Yan's as truthful as he might be!' said Julian.
　　'Why did Grandad say that the light isn't fiashed by mortal hands now?' asked George. 'It must be! Ican't imagine any other hands working it! He surely doesn't think that his father is still doing it?'
　　There was a pause. 'We could easily find out if we popped over to that tower and had a look at it,'
　　said Dick.
　　There was another pause. 'I thought we said we wouldn't go poking about in anything mysterious,'
　　said Anne.
　　'This isn't really mysterious,' argued Dick. 'It's just a story an old man remembers, and I really can'tbelieve that that light still flashes on a wild stormy night. Grandad must have seen lightning 32or something. Why don't we settle the matter for good and all and go and explore the old house withthe tower?'
　　'I should like to,' said George firmly. 'I never was keen on this ''Keep away from anything unusual''
　　idea we suddenly had. We've got Timmy with us - we can't possibly come to any harm!'
　　'All right,' said Anne, with a sigh. 'I give up. We'll go if you want to.'
　　'Good old Anne,' said Dick, giving her a friendly slap on the back. 'But you needn't come, you know.
　　Why don't you stay behind and hear our story when we come back?'
　　'Certainly not,' said Anne, quite cross. 'I may not want to go as much as you do, but I'm not going tobe left out of anything, so don't think it!'
　　'All right. It's settled then,' said Julian. 'We take our opportunity and go as soon as we can,Tomorrow, perhaps.'
　　Mrs. Penruthlan came to the door and called them. 'Your high tea is ready. You must be hungry.
　　Come along indoors.'
　　The sun suddenly went in. Julian looked up at the sky in surprise. 'My word, look at those blackclouds!' he said. 'There's a storm coming! Well, I thought there might be, it's been so terribly hot allday!'
　　'A storm!' said George. 'That light flashes on wild and stormy nights! Oh, Julian, do you think it willflash tonight? Can't we - can't we go and see?'
6.离奇的传说
　　离奇的传说
　　听完老爷爷讲的离奇故事后，四个孩子突然在炎炎烈日下打起了冷战。这些都是真的吗？在暴风雨之夜，船只毁灭者的信号灯依然会在那座旧灯塔里闪烁吗？但这又是为了什么？船只毁灭者肯定没有继续在这偏僻的海湾里作恶了吧？
　　迪克说出了其他人的疑问。“现在能肯定的是，这里的海湾已经没有船只毁灭者了吧？难道在离海湾更近的地方，没有新的灯塔来警告船只避开这里吗？”
　　老爷爷点了点头。“有的，有一个灯塔，正因如此，这里的海湾已经很久没有出过事故了。但信号灯依然会跟以前一样出现，我亲眼看到的，不会有错。”
　　“我也看到了。”扬突然插嘴说。
　　老爷爷生气地看着扬，“闭嘴，”他命令道，“你什么都没看到，你晚上睡得像个婴儿一样熟。”
　　“我看过。”扬固执地说，并从他曾祖父身边跑开，因为这位老先生准备抬起手要打他了。
　　迪克见状，赶紧转移话题。“老爷爷，您知道船只毁灭者的秘密通道吗？”他问，“那是从内陆通往海湾的秘密通道吧？他们以前就走这条道，是不是？”
　　老爷爷紧皱着眉头。“这是机密，”他简短地说，“我父亲将它展示给我看，而且要我发誓永远不会告诉别人，所有的成员都必须要发誓。”
　　“可扬说您告诉他了。”迪克不解地问。
　　扬立马逃跑了，消失在一片灌木丛里，而他的曾祖父则愤怒地盯着他消失的位置。
　　“扬这个小子，对于船只毁灭者，他什么都不知道。应该说所有人都不知道。这个世上除了我，没有第二个人知道实情。扬是在做梦！或许他只是听人说过那条秘密通道，仅此而已。”
　　“哦——”迪克失望地说道。他原本希望老爷爷会告诉他们那条秘密通道的入口，然后他们就可以去一探究竟。或许他们可以自己去找到答案，总而言之，这将是一件非常有趣的事情。
　　朱利安把话题引到海岸边在旧灯塔里发出的信号灯，他很困惑。“究竟是什么人在操作信号灯呢？”他对老爷爷说，“您说那地方是个废墟，那您确定您看到的不是闪电？因为您的确说过那是在暴风雨夜里看到的。”
　　“不是闪电。”老爷爷坚定地说，“我第一次看到信号灯是在将近九十年前，而我今年已经看到过三次了，同样的地点，同样的信号灯，在同样的天气下。如果你跟我说那不是人类在操作的话，我也不会怀疑。”
　　在这番言语之后，有一段时间大家都沉默了，安妮则望向远处夹在两座山中间的灯塔塔楼。他们站的地方，是唯一一处能够从内陆看到灯塔的地方，多么的神奇。除了山上的老爷爷能够看到这信号灯并猜出它的用途之外，没有人知道详情，当然，那帮冷酷无情的罪犯除外。
　　曾祖父深深地陷入自己的回忆当中，他又将它们一点点拼凑，讲述了往日一个个难以置信、无比神奇的故事。其中一个是关于老巫婆以及她的所作所为的。
　　他们盯着这位老牧羊人，惊讶于他所讲述的一切，因为在某种程度上，他将巫婆与巧克力糕饼、船只毁灭者和凶手联系在了一起。
　　当朱利安打开装茶点的篮子时，扬又跑了出来。他们现在已经返回小屋了，坐在屋外阳光底下，周围围着一群在吃草的羊。有一两只绵羊崽凑了过来，那身灰色的皮毛使人看着都觉得热。它们用鼻子蹭着老爷爷，他就抚摸他们那灰色的鼻子。
　　“它们喝奶还是我用奶瓶喂的，”他解释说，“所以它们会一直记得我的。现在别打扰我，小绵羊，蛋糕不是给你们吃的。”
　　扬狼吞虎咽地吃了半篮子茶点，然后对安妮投去了心满意足的微笑，露出两个小酒窝。
　　安妮也微笑地看着他，现在她已经不讨厌这个有趣的小男孩了，倒是有些可怜他。她敢肯定，他的曾祖父并没有足够的食物给他吃。
　　教堂的钟声开始敲响，太阳快要下山。“我们得回去了，”朱利安很不情愿地说，“因为回程需要很长时间。谢谢爷爷，今天下午我们过得很开心。您终于可以摆脱我们，能继续抽着您的烟，陪着您的羊，耳根子也终于清静了，这样对您来说应该会更开心吧？”
　　“是这样。”老爷爷诚实地说，“我喜欢独处，独自思考，回忆往昔，回忆一百年前的夜晚。如果我想说话，会跟我的羊说。它们的倾听既美好又宝贵。”
　　孩子们笑了起来，但老爷爷十分严肃，因为他说的都是实话。
　　他们收拾好篮子后，就跟老爷爷道别了。
　　“讨论一下吧，你们觉得他说信号灯还在旧灯塔那里闪烁是什么意思？”在回农场的路上，迪克问道，“这件事太神奇了，你们觉得是真的吗？”
　　“只有一个办法能知道答案。”乔治说，她转动着眼珠子，“等到暴风雨夜，我们去一探究竟。”
　　“可我们的约定呢？”朱利安严肃地说，“如果有什么冒险的事情发生，我们就转身绕过。这是我们约定好的，你忘记了吗？”
　　“嘁！”乔治说。
　　“我们要信守承诺。”安妮说，但她心里明白其他人并不这么想。
　　“看，那些人是谁？”迪克突然说，“他们要翻过山坡去那边的路上。”
　　孩子们在山坡上凑过去远远注视着。几辆敞篷马车正好经过，马车顶的帆布折叠收起。孩子们觉得这是他们见过的最时尚的马车，至少一点也不像流浪者的大篷车。
　　马车那边有10到11个人，每个人都穿着另一个年代的衣服。一部分人坐在马车上，其余的人则跟着马车走。他们中有一些是中年人，有一些看起来很年轻，但他们看上去都兴致勃勃。
　　孩子们依然注视着那些人。他们就像来自老爷爷所讲述的旧时光里的人。有那么一瞬间，安妮觉得自己正身处于老爷爷还是个小男孩的那个年代，他一定也见过别人穿这种服装。
　　“他们是谁？”她好奇地问。接着孩子们看到在最大的马车上面喷着的红色的字：
　　谷仓仔
　　“哦，原来是谷仓仔！难道你们忘了庞鲁斯兰夫人跟我们说过他们吗？”安妮说，“就是在乡村谷仓里巡回演出的表演队。这真是太有趣了。”
　　谷仓仔们对着注视他们的孩子们招手。一个穿着天鹅绒蕾丝服装，佩戴一把剑的鬈发男人，向他们丢了一两份传单。孩子们兴致勃勃地念了起来：
　　谷仓仔来了！
　　他们唱歌，跳舞，拉小提琴和表演戏剧。
　　他们演员阵容强大：
　　夜莺歌手——伊迪丝•威尔斯
　　旧派舞者——邦妮•卡特
　　小提琴手——詹妮•科斯特
　　世界上最好的男高音——约翰•沃尔特斯
　　让你捧腹大笑的男人——乔吉罗斯
　　以及其他表演者。
　　当然还有世界上最有趣的马——克洛普！
　　谷仓仔来啦！
　　“这一定很有趣！”乔治高兴地说。她冲着路过的马车说，“你们会到特曼农农场表演吗？”
　　“会！”一个有着一双明亮的眼睛的男人喊道，“我们经常在那边表演，你们在那边住吗？”
　　“是的。”乔治说，“我们都在期待你们去呢，你们现在要去哪里？”
　　“今晚要去波尔特利农场，”那个男人喊道，“很快就会去特曼农农场的。”
　　马车渐渐远去，那群奇装异服，充满欢声笑语的表演者们也消失在他们视线中。
　　“真不错，”迪克说，“他们的表演可能不是一流的，但肯定很有趣，因为他们看起来那么开心。”
　　“嗯，除了前面驾驶马车的那个人。你们注意到他了吗？”安妮说，“我觉得他看起来冷冰冰的。”
　　其他人都没有注意到他。“他可能是谷仓仔的老板，”迪克说，“可能由于担负着组织活动的重担才会这样。好了，我们走吧。
　　蒂米去哪儿了？”
　　他们在周围寻找它的身影。乔治又不高兴了，因为扬跟往常一样又跟着他们，蒂米正在后面和他玩耍呢。扬真是讨厌鬼！他是准备天天24小时跟踪他们吗？
　　一行人回到了农场院子里。周围环绕着母鸡“咯咯”的呼唤声、鸭子“嘎嘎”的叫声、马的跺脚声、猪的呼噜声。一切都是那么和谐。
　　一阵脚步声传来，是庞鲁斯兰先生路过这里，他对他们嘟哝了几声后就走进谷仓里去了。
　　安妮很小声地说：“我能想象得出他在以前的年代当船只毁灭者的样子。真的！”
　　“我明白你是什么意思，”迪克说，“他看起来很凶猛，很坚决。
　　我刚想到用什么词形容他来着？对，很无情！我敢肯定他做毁灭者一定是个狠角色！”
　　“你们觉得现在还有船只毁灭者吗？那信号灯真的是让船只触礁的诱因吗？”乔治问。
　　“我觉得现在已经没有人做船只毁灭者了。”迪克说，“无论如何这种罪行都不会被容忍。可那信号灯，是在发出什么信号呢？”
　　“老爷爷也说过这个海湾已经很久没有出过事故了。”朱利安说，“我觉得关于信号灯的事情只是他的错觉。”
　　“可扬说他也看到过。”安妮说。
　　“我觉得扬的话跟他这个人一样不可信。”朱利安说。
　　“为什么老爷爷说现在的信号灯已经不是人类在操作了？”乔治问，“怎么可能不是呢！除此之外，根本就想象不出还有什么别的情况。他不会觉得是他父亲还在做这一行吧？”
　　这时候大家都安静了。“如果我们跑去灯塔那里一探究竟，不就知道答案了吗？”迪克说。
　　这时候大家又安静了。“我记得我们说过不会去做任何神秘的冒险了。”安妮说。
　　“这并不算神秘，”迪克争论说，“只是老爷爷讲的一个故事而已，而且我真的不相信信号灯还会出现在暴风雨之夜。老爷爷肯定是看到闪电或者其他什么东西了。为何我们不准备一些食物，直接去灯塔那里看看呢？”
　　“我喜欢这个主意，”乔治坚决地说，“我一直都不喜欢我们仓促定下的‘远离是非’这个约定。我们有蒂米，基本上不会受到什么伤害。”
　　“好吧，”安妮叹气说，“我认输，你们想去的话我也去。”
　　“好姑娘。”迪克友好地在她背上拍了一下，“但你也不一定要跟着我们去，为什么不等我们回来后再把过程告诉你呢？”
　　“不行！”安妮有点生气地说，“我虽然没你们那么坚决，但我不想错过任何事情。这件事没得商量。”
　　“那就这么定了，”朱利安说，“我们一有机会就过去看看，没准就是明天。”
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人来到门前，对他们说：“下午茶准备好了，你们肯定饿坏了，快到屋里来。”
　　就在这时，太阳突然躲了起来。朱利安惊讶地看着天空。“天哪，快看那些乌云！”他说，“暴风雨要来了！难怪我觉得今天一整天出奇的闷热。”
　　“暴风雨！”乔治说，“在暴风雨之夜闪烁的信号灯！哦，朱利安，你觉得今晚会出现信号灯吗？我们要不要……要不要去看一看？”
Chapter 7 OUT IN THE NIGHT
Chapter 7 OUT IN THE NIGHT
　　Before the children had finished their high tea, the big kitchen-sitting-room was quite dark.
　　Thunder clouds had moved up from the west, gathering together silently, frowning and sinister.
　　Then, from far off, came the first rumble of thunder.
　　The little Scottie came and cowered against Mrs. Penruthlan's skirts. He hated storms. The farmer'swife comforted him, and her big husband gave a little unexpected snort of laughter. He saidsomething that sounded like 'oose'.
　　33
　　'He's not as timid as a mouse,' said his wife, who was really marvellous at interpreting her husband'speculiar noises. 'He just doesn't like the thunder. He never did. He can sleep with us in our roomtonight.'
　　There were a few more sounds from Mr. Penruthlan to which his wife listened anxiously. 'Very well,if you have to get up and see to Jenny the horse in the night, I'll see Benny doesn't bark the housedown,' she said. She turned to the children. 'Don't worry if you hear him barking,' she said.
　　'It will only be Mr. Penruthlan stirring.'
　　The thunder crashed and rumbled again, this time a little nearer, and then lightning flashed. Thendown came the rain. How it poured! It rattled and clattered on the roof in enormous drops, and thensettled down into a steady downpour.
　　The four children got out their cards and played games by the light of the oil lamp. There was noelectricity at Tremannon. Timmy sat with his head on George's knee. He didn't mind the thunder buthe didn't particularly like it.
　　'Well, I think we'd better go to bed,' said Julian at last. He knew that the Penruthlans liked to go tobed early because they got up so early, and as they did not go upstairs until after the children did,Julian saw to it that they, too, went early.
　　They said good night and went up to their bare little rooms. The windows were still open and thesmall curtains drawn back, so that the hills, lit now and again by lightning, showed up clearly.
　　The children went and stood there, watching. They all loved a storm, especially Dick. There wassomething powerful and most majestic about this kind of storm, sweeping over hills and sea,rumbling all round, and tearing the sky in half with flashes of lightning.
　　'Julian, is it possible to go up to that place the shepherd showed us and see if the light flashestonight?' said George. 'You only laughed when I asked you before.'
　　'Well, I laugh again!' said Julian. 'Of course not! We'd be drenched, and I don't fancy being out in thislightning on those exposed hills, either.'
　　'All right,' said George. 'Anyway, I don't feel quite such an urge to go now that it's so pitch dark.'
　　'Just as well,' said Julian. 'Come on, Dick, let's go to bed.'
　　The storm went on for some time, rumbling all round the hills again, as if it were going round in acircle. The girls fell asleep, but the boys tossed about, feeling hot and sticky.
　　'Dick,' said Julian, suddenly, 'let's get up and go out. It's stopped raining. Let's go and see if that lightis flashing tonight. It should be just the night for it, according to old Grandad.'
　　34
　　'Right,' said Dick, and sat up, feeling for his clothes. 'I simply can't go to sleep, even though I feltreally sleepy when I undressed.'
　　They pulled on as few clothes as possible, for the night was still thundery and hot. Julian took historch and Dick hunted for his.
　　'Got it,' he said at last. 'Are you ready? Come on, then. Let's tiptoe past the Penruthlans' door, or wemay wake that dog Scottie! He's sleeping there tonight, don't forget.'
　　They tiptoed along the passage, past the Penruthlans' door and down the stairs. One stair creakedrather alarmingly, and they stopped in dismay, wondering if Ben the Scottie would break out into astorm of barking.
　　But he didn't. Good! Down they went again, switching on their torches to see the way. They came tothe bottom of the stairs. 'Shall we go out by the front door or back door, Ju?' whispered Dick.
　　'Back,' said Julian. 'The front door's so heavy to open. Come on.'
　　So they went down the passage to the back door that led out from the kitchen. It was locked andbolted, but the two boys opened it without too much noise.
　　They stepped out into the night. The rain had now stopped, but the sky was still dark andoverclouded. The thunder rumbled away in the distance. A wind had got up and blew coolly againstthe boys' faces.
　　'Nice cool breeze,' whispered Dick. 'Now - do we go through the farm-yard? Is that the shortest wayto the stile we have to climb over into that first field?'
　　'Yes, I think so,' said Julian. They made their way across the silent farm-yard, where, in the daytime,such a lot of noise went on, clucking, quacking, grunting, clip-clopping, and shouting!
　　Now it was dark and deserted. They passed the barns and the stables. A little 'hrrrrrrumphing'
　　came from one of the stables. 'That's Jenny, the horse that's not well,' said Julian, stopping. 'Let's justhave a look at her and see if she's all right. She was lying down feeling very sorry for herself when Isaw her last.'
　　They flashed their torch over the top half of the stable door, which was pulled back to let in air.
　　They looked in with interest.
　　Jenny was no longer lying down. She was standing up, munching something. Goodness, she must bequite all right again! She whinnied to the two boys.
　　35
　　They left her and went on. They came to the stile and climbed over. The rain began drizzling again,and if the boys had not had their torches with them they would not have been able to see a step infront of them, it was so dark.
　　'I say, Ju - did you hear that?' said Dick, stopping suddenly.
　　'No. What?' said Julian, listening.
　　'Well, it sounded like a cough,' said Dick.
　　'One of the sheep,' suggested Julian. 'I heard one old sheep coughing just like Uncle Quentin doessometimes, sort of hollow and mournful.'
　　'No. It wasn't a sheep,' said Dick. 'Anyway, there aren't any in this field.'
　　'You imagined it,' said Julian. 'I bet there's nobody idiotic enough to be out on a night like this, exceptourselves!'
　　They went on cautiously over the field. The thunder began again, a little nearer. Then came a flash,and again the thunder. Dick stopped dead once more and clutched Julian's arm.
　　'There's somebody a good way in front of us, the lightning just lighted him up for half a second.
　　He was climbing over that stile, the one we're making for. Who do you suppose it is on a night likethis?'
　　'He's apparently going the same way that we are,' said Julian. 'Well, I suppose if we saw him he'squite likely to have seen us!'
　　'Not unless he was looking backwards,' said Dick. 'Come on, let's see where he's going.'
　　They went on cautiously towards the stile. They came to it and climbed over. And then a handsuddenly clutched hold of Dick's shoulder!
　　He jumped almost out of his skin! The hand gripped him so hard and so fiercely that Dick shouted inpain and tried to wriggle away from the powerful grip.
　　Julian felt a hand lunge at him, too, but dodged and pressed himself into the hedge. He switched offhis torch at once and stood quite still, his heart thumping quickly.
　　'Let me go!' shouted Dick, wriggling like an eel. His shirt was almost torn off his back in hisstruggles. He kicked out at the man's ankles and for one moment his captor loosened his grasp.
　　That was enough for Dick. He ripped himself away and left his shirt in the man's hand!
　　He ran up the lane into which the stile had led and flung himself under a bush in the darkness,panting. He heard his captor coming along, muttering, and Dick pressed himself farther into the bush.
　　A torchlight swept the ground near him, but missed him.
　　36
　　Dick waited till the footsteps had gone and then crawled out. He went quietly down tht lane.
　　'Julian!' he whispered, and jumped as a voice answered almost in his ear, just above his head!
　　'I'm here. Are you all right?'
　　Dick looked up into the darkness of a tree, but could see nothing. 'I've dropped my torch somewhere,'
　　he said. 'Where are you, Ju? Up in the tree?'
　　A hand groped out and felt his head. 'Here I am, on the first branch,' said Julian. 'I hid in the hedgefirst and then climbed up here. I daren't put on my torch in case that fellow's anywhere around andsees it.'
　　'He's gone up the lane,' said Dick. 'My word, he nearly wrenched my shoulder off. Half my shirt'sgone! Who was he? Did you see?'
　　'No, I didn't,' said Julian, clambering down. 'Let's find your torch before we go home. It's too good tolose. It must be by that stile.'
　　They went to look. Julian still didn't like to put on his torch, so that it was more a question of feelingfor Dick's torch, not looking! Dick suddenly trod on it and picked it up thankfully.
　　'Listen, there's that fellow coming back again, I'm sure!' said Dick. 'I heard the same dry little cough!
　　What shall we do?'
　　'Well, I don't now feel like going up to the shepherd's hill to see if that light is flashing from thetower,' said Julian. 'I vote we hide and follow this chap to see where he goes. I don't think anyonewho is wandering out tonight can be up to any good.'
　　'Yes. Good idea,' said Dick. 'Squash into the hedge again. Blow, there are nettles here! Just my luck.'
　　The footsteps came nearer, and the cough came again. 'I seem to know that cough,' whispered Dick.
　　'Sh!' said Julian.
　　The man came up to the stile, and they heard him climbing over it. After a short time both boysfollowed cautiously. They couldn't hear the man's footsteps across the grass, but the sky had cleared alittle and they could just make out a moving shadow ahead of them.
　　They followed him at a distance, holding their breath whenever they kicked against a stone orcracked a twig beneath their feet. Now and again they heard the cough.
　　'He's making for the farm,' whispered Julian. He could just see the outline of the big barns against thesky. 'Do you think he's one of the labourers? They live in cottages round about.'
　　37
　　The man came to the farm-yard and walked through it, trying to make as little sound as possible.
　　The boys followed. He went round the barns and into the little garden that Mrs. Penruthlan tendedherself. Still the boys followed.
　　Round to the front door went the man, and the boys held their breath. Was he going to burgle thefarmhouse? They tiptoed nearer. There came the sound of a soft click, and then of bolts being shothome! After that there was silence.
　　'He's gone in,' said Julian in amazement.
　　'Don't you know who it was? Can't you guess now?' said Dick. 'We both ought to have known whenwe heard that cough! It was Mr. Penruthlan! No wonder he almost dislocated my shoulder with hisstrong hand!'
　　'Mr. Penruthlan - gosh, yes, you're right,' said Julian, astonished, almost forgetting to speak in awhisper. 'We didn't notice that the front door was undone because we went out the back way. So itwas he we followed. How silly! But what was he doing out on the hills? He didn't go to see the horse,she wasn't ill.'
　　'Perhaps he likes a walk at night,' suggested Dick. 'Come on, let's go in ourselves. I feel a bit chillywith practically no shirt on!'
　　They crept round to the back door. It was still open, thank goodness! They went inside, bolted andlocked it, and tiptoed upstairs. They heaved sighs of relief when they were safely in their room again.
　　'Switch on your torch, Julian, and see if my shoulder is bruised,' said Dick. 'It feels jolly painful.'
　　Julian flashed his torch on Dick's shoulder. He gave a low whistle. 'My word, you've got a wonderfulbruise all down your right shoulder. He must have given you an awful wrench.'
　　'He did,' said poor Dick. 'Well, I can't say we had a very successful time, followed our host throughthe night, got caught by him, and followed him all the way back here. Not very clever!'
　　'Well, never mind. I bet no light flashed in that tower,' said Julian, getting into bed. 'We haven't lostmuch by not going all the way to see!'
7.夜晚行动
　　夜晚行动
　　还没等孩子们吃完下午茶，餐厅里的光线就暗淡了下来。乌云已经从西边飘过来，悄无声息地汇聚在一起。接着，远处传来第一声惊雷。
　　苏格兰小黑狗畏缩在庞鲁斯兰夫人的裙子边，它讨厌暴风雨天气。农妇安抚着它的情绪，而她的丈夫出人意料地笑出了声，他发出一个像“唔”的声音。
　　“小班才不像老鼠那么胆小，”他妻子解释道，她对她丈夫发出的独特声音有着别人所没有的理解能力，“它只不过是不喜欢打雷而已，一直都不喜欢。它今晚可以到我们房间里去睡。”
　　她丈夫又发出了几个音，其中包含的意思让庞鲁斯兰夫人感到焦虑。“好吧，如果你夜里得起床去看小马詹妮的话，我会管好小班，不会让它大吵大闹的。”她说完，接着转向孩子们，“听到它叫唤的话，你们也别担心，那一定是庞鲁斯兰先生引起的。”
　　又是一声惊雷，这次离他们稍微近了些，远处的闪电将光打进屋子里，接着外面就下起了雨，豆大的雨滴将屋顶敲得“哒哒”响，随之而来的是如注的暴雨。
　　四个孩子拿出他们的纸牌，开始在油灯下打牌——因为特曼农没有通电。蒂米坐在乔治旁边，把头靠在她身上，它并不怕打雷，但也不喜欢这种天气。
　　“我觉得我们应该上床睡觉了。”朱利安最终说，他知道庞鲁斯兰夫妇习惯早睡早起，如果他们不去睡觉的话，那对夫妇也不会上楼睡觉的，所以他们应该早点上楼休息。
　　向夫妇二人道过晚安之后，他们就上楼回房间了。窗户依然开着，窗帘也被拉开，山坡被闪电照亮了一次又一次的画面清晰可见。孩子们跑到窗边，站在那里观望此番奇景。他们都很喜欢暴风雨的天气，特别是迪克。暴风雨有种特别强劲、特别神圣的气息，狂风横扫着山峦和大海，四处喧嚣，闪电把天空劈成了两半。
　　“朱利安，今晚要不要去老爷爷跟我们讲的地方，看看有没有信号灯？”乔治说，“如果是以前，我这么问你的话，你就会笑话我。”
　　“我现在也会笑话你。”朱利安说，“当然不去，我们会被淋湿的，而且我也不喜欢在打雷天待在裸露的山上。”
　　“好吧，”乔治说，“其实，这会儿我也不是特别想去，天太暗了。”
　　“我也这么觉得。”朱利安说，“走吧，迪克，上床睡觉去。”
　　暴风雨持续了一段时间，雷声在山坡上来回作响，就像在绕圈似的。女孩们已经进入梦乡，但男孩们还在床上辗转反侧，觉得太闷热，浑身上下都黏糊糊的。
　　“迪克，”朱利安突然说，“出门吗？雨停了。出去看看今晚有没有信号灯。按照老爷爷的说法，今晚应该有的。”
　　“没错，”迪克说，他坐起身，摸索着他的衣服，“虽然脱衣服的时候我很困，但我就是睡不着。”
　　他们尽量不穿那么多衣服，因为天气依然闷热。朱利安拿上他的手电筒，迪克也在找他的手电筒。
　　“找到了，”他终于说，“你准备好了没？准备好了就出发吧。走过庞鲁斯兰夫妇的门前时一定要踮脚，不然我们可能会吵醒那只苏格兰小黑狗！别忘了，它今晚是在他们房里睡的。”
　　他们沿着走廊一路踮着脚走，轻轻通过庞鲁斯兰夫妇门前，接着下楼。其中有一个台阶异常的响，他们在惊慌之中停下脚步，害怕苏格兰小黑狗会突然狂吠不止。
　　还好这种情况没有发生，谢天谢地！他们继续走下楼，打开手电筒照亮前面的路。“朱利安，我们要走前门还是后门啊？”当他们终于来到楼下时，迪克悄声问道。
　　“后门，”朱利安说，“前门太重了，走吧。”
　　随后，他们走进厨房，后门就在厨房里。虽然门锁上了，但两个男孩打开的时候并没有造成很大声响。
　　他们的身影混入夜色当中，虽然雨已经停了，但天空依然乌云密布，天色很阴暗。雷声从远处传来，凉爽的风不断吹拂着男孩们的脸。
　　“夜风真凉爽，”迪克小声说，“要穿过院子吗？去老爷爷那边最短的路径就是穿过院子了吧？”
　　“我觉得是。”朱利安说。于是他们开始穿过寂静的院子，这里在白天的时候还有很多噪音——鸡叫声，鸭叫声，猪叫声，马蹄声，呼喊声；而现在夜黑风高，四下无声。他们先后穿过谷仓、马厩，这时，一声马嘶从其中一个马厩里传了出来。“是詹妮，那只身体不舒服的马，”朱利安停下来说，“我们去看看它，看它好点了没有。我最后一次看它的时候，它还躺在地上病恹恹的。”
　　他们把手电筒照向马厩门上半部分——这里打开着，是用来通风透气的。他们伸着头往里面看。
　　詹妮已经站了起来，嘴里正吃着东西。看来它身体恢复健康了，还会对两个男孩嘶叫呢！
　　二人离开了詹妮，继续赶路。天又开始下起了毛毛雨，男孩们如果没带手电筒的话，肯定看不到前面有个阶梯，因为天色实在是太暗了。
　　“朱利安，你听到什么了吗？”迪克说，他突然停下。
　　“没，怎么了？”朱利安说，同时也竖起了耳朵。
　　“我听到一个像咳嗽的声音。”迪克说。
　　“可能是一只羊，”朱利安猜测说，“我听过一只老羊咳嗽的声音，就跟昆廷叔叔一样，有种空洞和悲伤的感觉。”
　　“不，肯定不是羊，”迪克说，“至少在这里没有你说的那种羊。”
　　“你幻听了，”朱利安说，“肯定不会有人蠢到在这种天气的晚上出门，只有我们才会这么做！”
　　他们继续谨慎地在牧场上前行。天又开始打雷了，雷声比上次更近，然后是一道闪电，接着又是一声雷响。迪克突然再一次停住，同时抓住朱利安的手臂。
　　“有人在我们前面。刚才闪电的时候，我看到他了。他在栅栏那边，就是我们要去的那条路上。你觉得在这种夜晚，能是谁呢？”
　　“很明显，他跟我们的目的地相同。”朱利安说，“我想如果我们看到他的话，他也很可能看到了我们！”
　　“除非他回头看。”迪克说，“走，去看看他要去哪里。”
　　他们继续谨慎地往栅栏的方向走去，等到达后他们就翻了过去，这时候突然有一只手抓住了迪克的肩膀！
　　迪克吓得几乎灵魂出窍。那只手的力气很大，以至迪克痛苦地喊出声来，试图从这只强有力的手中逃脱。
　　朱利安也感觉到了一只手向他袭来，但他成功躲过了，并挤到了树篱里面去。朱利安马上把手电筒关掉，站着不动，但他的心脏正急速地跳动。
　　“放开我！”迪克喊着，他像条鳝鱼一样扭动着身体。在挣扎中，他的衬衫几乎都快被扯烂了。他往男人的脚踝处踢了一脚，这使得男人松懈了抓紧他的那只手。这对迪克来说是个机会，他成功地挣脱了，但被撕烂的衬衫有一部分留在了那个男人的手上。
　　他翻过栅栏，迅速藏进了灌木丛里。他听到抓他的人往这个方向走过来，嘴里咕哝些什么。迪克往灌木丛更深的地方钻去。一束手电筒的光芒在他附近的地上扫过，但没有照到他。
　　迪克等到脚步声消失后，才爬了出来。“朱利安。”他小声地叫着。一个声音传到他耳朵里，几乎是在他的耳边发出的，就在他的上方！
　　“我在这儿，你没事吧？”
　　迪克往树上看，但黑乎乎的一片，什么都看不到。“我的手电筒掉了，”他说，“你在哪里？树上吗，朱利安？”
　　这时候有一只手伸了出来，抚摸着他的头。“我在这儿，第一个树枝这里。”朱利安说，“我一开始躲在树篱那里，后来才爬上来的。我不敢开手电筒，怕被那个人发现。”
　　“他往路那边走了，”迪克说，“你知道吗？我肩膀差点被他撕烂。我半身衣服都差点被扯掉了！他到底是谁，你看清楚了吗？”
　　“我也没看清，”朱利安说着，从树上爬下来，“回家之前，先找一下你的手电筒吧。丢了就太可惜了，肯定还在栅栏那边。”
　　他们走到栅栏那里。朱利安并没有打开手电筒，所以他们只能摸索着找。迪克走运地踩到了他的手电筒，便心怀感激地把它捡了起来。
　　“你听，那个男人又来了，我很确定！”迪克说，“我又听到了那熟悉的咳嗽声。该怎么办？”
　　“我现在不是特别想去看那信号灯是否存在了。”朱利安说，“我的想法是，我们先躲起来，跟踪这个人，看看他去哪里。我相信能在今晚这种天气出门的，肯定是要做什么坏事。”
　　“好主意！”迪克说，随后两人又躲进了树篱，“不是吧，这里长着些刺草，怎么这么倒霉。”
　　脚步声越来越近，他们又听到那人的咳嗽声。“我好像听过这咳嗽声。”迪克小声说。
　　“嘘！”朱利安说。
　　那个男人走到栅栏这里，他们听到他翻过去的声音。过了一会儿，两个男孩开始十分谨慎地跟在后面。他们听不到男人在草地上行走的脚步声，但此时此刻的光线相对亮一些，他们可以通过移动的阴影辨认出他的位置。
　　他们虽然保持一定的距离尾随他，但每一次踢到石头或者踩到树枝的时候，都会吓得不敢动，不自主地屏住呼吸。
　　“他在往农场的方向走。”朱利安小声说，他可以辨认出大谷仓的轮廓，“你觉得他是农民吗？农民都住在附近的村庄。”
　　那个男人来到农场里，径直地穿了过去。他围着谷仓走，进入了庞鲁斯兰夫人照料的一个花园。两个男孩依然尾随着。
　　那个男人从前门走了进去，男孩们暗中观察着。他是要去农舍里偷东西吗？他们悄悄靠近。这时候传来门锁上的声音！之后再没有其他动静了。
　　“他进去了。”朱利安惊讶地说。
　　“你还不知道他是谁吗？现在知道了吧？”迪克说，“在我们听到咳嗽声的时候，就该猜出来的，那就是庞鲁斯兰先生！怪不得有那么大的力气，差点把我的肩膀弄脱臼。”
　　“庞鲁斯兰先生！天哪，你说得对，”朱利安震惊地说，几乎都忘了压低声音，“我们没注意到前门没锁，因为我们是从后门走的。
　　我们跟踪的人就是他，我可真笨！可是，他在山上做什么？他没有去照料那匹小马，小马的病已经好了。”
　　“可能他今晚想要散散步。”迪克猜着说，“行了，我们也进去吧，没有衣服在身上，我觉得有点冷。”
　　他们偷偷地绕到后门。门还开着，实属万幸！他们进门之后，将门锁上，又偷偷地上楼。当他们终于安全抵达房间的时候，心里才如释重负。
　　“打开手电筒，朱利安，看看我肩膀有没有淤青，”迪克说，“我觉得好痛。”
　　朱利安用手电筒照着迪克的肩膀，小声地吹了声口哨，接着说，“你的右肩上面全是淤青，他一定用了特别大的力气。”
　　“没错，”可怜的迪克说，“不得不说，我们这一次的行动很失败，先是一路尾随我们的东道主，还差点被他抓到，然后又一路尾随他回到这里。失策失策！”
　　“算了，我敢打赌，灯塔塔楼里并没有亮什么信号灯。”朱利安说着爬上床，“就算不去灯塔那边，也并没有损失什么。”
Chapter 8 HERE COME THE BARNIES!
Chapter 8 HERE COME THE BARNIES!
　　The two boys looked curiously at Mr. Penruthlan the next morning. It seemed strange to think of theirlittle adventure the night before with him, and he didn't even know it was they he had tried to catch!
　　He gave the curious little dry cough again, and Julian nudged Dick and grinned.
　　Mrs. Penruthlan was beaming at the head of the breakfast table as usual. 'Did you sleep well, all ofyou?' she asked. 'The storm soon died down, didn't it?'
　　Mr. Penruthlan got up saying 'Ah, ock, oooh!' or something that sounded like that, and went out.
　　'What did he say?' asked Anne curiously. She could not think how anyone could possibly understandMr. Penruthlan's extraordinary speech. Julian had said that he thought he must talk in shorthand!
　　'He said he might not be back for dinner,' said Mrs. Penruthlan. 'I hope he'll get some somewhere. Hehad his breakfast at half past six, and that's very early. I'm glad he came in and had a cup of yourbreakfast tea now. The poor man had a very bad night, I'm sorry to say.'
　　The boys pricked up their ears. 'What happened?' asked Julian at once.
　　'Oh, he had to get up and go and spend two hours with poor Jenny,' said Mrs. Penruthlan. 'I wokewhen he left, but luckily Benny didn't bark, and it wasn't till two hours later he came back, he'd beensitting with the horse all that time, poor man.'
　　Julian and Dick did not feel at all sympathetic. They knew quite well where Mr. Penruthlan had been,not with the horse, that was certain! Anyway, Jenny hadn't been ill when they had looked at her in thenight. What a lot of untruths!
　　They were puzzled. Why should Mr. Penruthlan deceive his wife and tell her what wasn't true?
　　What had he been doing that he didn't even want her to know?
　　They told the girls everything immediately after breakfast, when they went to pick currants,raspberries and plums for a fruit salad. Anne and George listened in surprise.
　　'You never told us you were going,' said George, reproachfully. 'I'd like to have come with you.'
　　'I always thought Mr. Penruthlan looked sort of strange and - and sinister,' said Anne. 'I'm sure he'sup to no good. What a pity. His wife is so very nice.'
　　39
　　They went on picking the endless red-currants. Anne suddenly got the feeling that somebody washiding somewhere near. She looked round uncomfortably. Yes, there was someone in the tallraspberry canes, she was sure! She watched.
　　It was Yan, of course. She might have guessed! He flashed his smile at her and came towards her. Heliked Anne best of all! He held out his hand.
　　'No, I've no sweets,' said Anne. 'How did you get on last night in the storm, Yan? Were youfrightened?'
　　Yan shook his head. Then he came nearer and spoke softly.
　　'I seen the light last night!'
　　Anne stared at him, astonished. What light?
　　'You don't mean - the light that flashes in that old hidden tower?' she said.
　　He nodded. Anne went quickly to Julian and Dick, who were picking white currants and eating justabout as many as they put into the basket!
　　'Julian! Dick! Yan says he saw that light flashing last night, the one in the tower!'
　　'Gosh!' said the boys together. They turned to Yan, who had followed Anne. 'You saw that light?'
　　said Julian.
　　Yan nodded. 'Big light. Very big,' he said. 'Like - like a fire.'
　　'Shining from the tower?' said Dick, and Yan nodded again.
　　'Did your Grandad see it?' asked Dick.
　　Yan nodded. 'He seen it, too.'
　　'Are you telling the truth?' demanded Julian, wondering how far he could believe Yan.
　　Yan nodded again.
　　'What time was this?' asked Dick. But that Yan couldn't tell him. He had no watch, and if he had had,he wouldn't have been able to use it. He couldn't tell the time.
　　'Blow!' said Julian to Dick. 'We missed it. If Yan's telling the truth we would have seen that light lastnight.'
　　'Yes. Well, we'll go tonight and watch for it,' said Dick, determined. 'It's a wild enough day, all windand scurrying clouds. If that light is used at night in weather like this, we'll be able to see it again. ButI'm blessed if I can understand why the wreckers' tower should be used nowadays. No ship wouldtake any notice of an odd light like that when they've got the lighthouse signalling hard all the time!'
　　40
　　'I go, too,' nodded Yan, who had overheard this.
　　'No, you won't,' said Julian. 'You can stay with Grandad. He'll wonder where you are if you're notthere.'
　　It began to rain. 'Blow!' said George. 'I do hope the weather hasn't broken up. It's been so gorgeous.
　　It's quite cold today with this tearing wind. Come on, let's go in, Anne. We've got enough now to feedan army, I should think!'
　　They all went in, just as the rain came down properly. Mrs. Penruthlan greeted them in excitement.
　　'The Barnies want our barn for tomorrow night!' she said. 'They're giving their first show in our barn,and after that they go to another place. Would you like to help clear out the barn and get ready?'
　　'Rather!' said Julian. 'We'll go now. There's a lot of stuff to clear out. Where shall we put it? In theother barn?'
　　The Barnies arrived in about twenty minutes and went straight to the barn, which they had been lentseveral times before for their shows. They were pleased to see the children and were glad of theirhelp.
　　They were no longer dressed in fancy clothes, as they had been when the children had seen them onthe Sunday evening. They were practically all dressed in slacks, the women, too, ready for the hardwork of clearing the barn and setting up a simple stage and background.
　　Julian caught sight of a horse's head being carried in by a little nimble fellow who pranced along withit comically.
　　'What's that for?' he said. 'Oh, is that Clopper's head? The horse that can sit down and cross its legs?'
　　'That's right,' said the little fellow. 'I'm in charge of it. Never let it out of my sight! Guv'nor's orders!'
　　'Who's the Guv'nor?' asked Julian. 'The fellow over there?' He nodded to a grim-faced man who wassupervising the moving of some bales of straw.
　　'That's him,' said the little man with a grin. 'His lordship himself! What do you think of my horse,chum!'
　　Julian looked at the horse's head. It was beautifully made and had a most comical look in its eye.
　　Its mouth could open and shut, and so could its big eyes.
　　41
　　'I'm only the hind legs,' said the little man regretfully. 'But l work his tail, too. Mr. Binks over there ishis front legs, and works his head, the horse's head, I mean. You should see old Clopper when heperforms! My, there isn't a horse like him in the world. He can do everything short of fly!'
　　'Where are his back and front legs - and - er - his body part?' asked Dick, coming up and looking withgreat interest at the horse's head.
　　'Over there,' said the little man. 'By the way, my name's Sid. What's yours, and how is it you're here?'
　　Julian introduced himself and Dick, and explained that they were helping because they were stayingat the farm. He caught hold of a bale of straw, thinking it was about time he did some work.
　　'Like to give me a hand?' he asked.
　　Sid shook his head.
　　'Sorry. Orders are I'm not to put this horse's head down anywhere. Where I go, it goes! I can tell you,me and Clopper are quite attached to one another!'
　　'Why? Is it so valuable?' asked Dick.
　　'It's not so much that,' said Sid. 'It's just that Clopper's so popular, you know. And he's important.
　　You see, whenever we think the show's flopping a bit, we bring Clopper on, and then we get thelaughs and the claps, and the audience is in a good temper. Oh, Clopper's saved the show timeswithout number. He's a jolly good horse is Clopper.'
　　Mr. Binks came up. He was bigger than Sid and much stronger. He grinned at the two boys.
　　'Admiring old Clopper?' he said. 'Did Sid tell you about the time Clopper's head dropped off thewagon and we didn't miss him till we were miles away? My word, what a state the Guv'nor was in!
　　Said we couldn't give a show without Clopper, and nearly gave us all the sack!'
　　'We're important, we are,' said Sid, throwing out his chest and doing a funny little strut with thehorse's head in front of him. 'Me and Binks and Clopper - no show without us!'
　　'Don't you put that horse down even for a moment,' warned Mr. Binks. 'The Guv'nor's got his eye onyou, Sid. Look, he's calling you.'
　　Sid went over to the Guv'nor, looking rather alarmed. He carried the horse's head safely under hisarm.
　　42
　　The grim-faced man said a few sharp words and Sid nodded. Julian went up to him when he cameback. 'Let me feel how heavy the horse's head is,' he said. 'I've often wondered, when I've seensomething like this on the stage.'
　　Sid immediately put the horse under his other arm, and glared at Julian, looking round quickly to seeif the Guv'nor had heard.
　　'That's a fool thing to ask me,' he said. 'After I've told you I'm not allowed to put the horse down!
　　And didn't the Guv'nor just this minute say to me ''Keep away from those kids, you know what tricksthey're up to. They'll have that horse away from you if you're not careful.'' See? Do you want me tolose my job?'
　　Julian laughed. 'Don't be silly. You wouldn't lose your job for that! When are you and Mr. Binksgoing to do a bit of practice? We want to see you!'
　　'Oh well, we could manage that all right,' said Sid, calming down. 'Here, Binks. Bit of practicewanted. Get the legs.'
　　Binks and Sid went to a cleared space in the big barn and proceeded to clothe themselves in thehorse's canvas skin and legs. Sid showed the boys how he worked the tail with one of his hands whenhe wanted to.
　　Binks put on the head and the front legs. His head only went into the neck of the horse, no farther. Hewas able to use his hands for pulling strings to open the horse's mouth and work its rolling eyes.
　　Sid got his legs in the horse's back legs, bent over and put his head and arms over towards Binks, somaking the horse's back. Somebody came up and zipped up the two halves of the horse's'skin'.
　　'Oh! What a jolly good horse!' said Dick, delighted. It looked a lively, comical, extremely supplebeast, and the two men inside at once proceeded to make it do ridiculous things. It marched -left-right, left-right, left-right. It did a little tap-dance with its front feet, which then remainedperfectly still, and then the back feet did the same little tap-dance.
　　The back feet got themselves entangled and fell over, and the horse's head looked round at itself inastonishment.
　　All four children were now watching, and Yan was peeping in at the door. They roared with laughterat the ridiculous horse.
　　43
　　It took its tail in its mouth and marched round and round itself. It stood up on its hind legs only.
　　It jumped like a kangaroo, and made peculiar noises. The whole company stood and watched andeven the grim-faced Guv'nor had to smile.
　　Then it sat down on its hind-legs and crossed its front ones in the air, looking round comically. It thengave an enormous yawn that showed dozens of large teeth.
　　'Oh, don't do any more!' cried Anne, who was weak with laughing. 'Don't! Oh, I can quite well seehow important you are, Clopper! You'll be the best part of the show!'
　　It was a mad, gay morning, for the Barnies were full of chatter and jokes and laughter. Sid and Binkstook off their horse garments, and Sid thereupon went about as before, the horse's head, grinningcomically, tucked safely under his arm.
　　Mrs. Penruthlan called the children in to dinner. Yan ran after Julian, and caught hold of his arm.
　　'I seen that light,' he said, urgently. 'You come, see it tonight. Don't forget. I seen that light!'
　　Julian had forgotten it in the excitement of the morning. He grinned down at the small boy.
　　'All right, all right. I won't forget. We're coming along tonight, but you're not coming, Yan, so getthat out of your head! Look, here's a sweet for you. Now, scoot!'
Chapter 9 THE LIGHT IN THE TOWER
Chapter 9 THE LIGHT IN THE TOWER
　　By the end of the day the big barn was quite transformed! It had been cleared of all straw, sacks ofcorn, bags of fertilizer and odd machines that had been stored in it. It looked enormous now, and theBarnies were very pleased with it.
　　'We've been here plenty of times,' they told the children. 'It's the best barn in the district. We don't getthe best audience, though, because it's rather a lonely spot here, and there are only two villages nearenough to send people to see us. Still, we have a good time, and Mrs. Penruthlan gives us amarvellous supper afterwards!'
　　'I bet she does!' said Dick, grinning. 'I bet that's why you come to this lonely spot, too, to taste Mrs.
　　Penruthlan's cooking. I don't blame you. I'd come a good few miles myself!'
　　44
　　A stage had been set up, made of long boards, supported on barrels. A back-cloth had been unrolledand hung over the wooden wall of the barn at the back of the stage. It showed a country scene, andhad been painted by the company themselves, bit by bit.
　　'That's my bit,' said Sid, showing Dick a horse standing in one of the fields painted on the back-cloth.
　　'I had to put old Clopper in! See him?'
　　The Barnies had plenty of home-made scenery, which they were used to changing several timesduring their performance. This was all home-made too, and they were very proud of it, especiallysome that represented a castle with a tower.
　　The tower reminded the boys of the one Yan had said he had seen flashing a light the night before.
　　They looked at one another secretly, and Julian nodded slightly. They would certainly watch to seethat light themselves. Then they would know for certain whether Grandad and Yan were telling thetruth.
　　Julian wondered if they would have to look out for Mr. Penruthlan again that night. Jenny the horsewas quite better now, if she had ever been ill, and was out in the fields again. So Mr.
　　Penruthlan had no excuse for creeping about the countryside at night again!
　　Neither of the boys could imagine what had taken him out the night before, on such a wild night too!
　　Was he meeting somebody? He hadn't had time to go up to see the shepherd about anything, andthere wouldn't have been much point in that anyway. He had seen Grandad in the morning already.
　　Mrs. Penruthlan came to see the barn now that it was almost ready for the show the next night.
　　She looked red and excited. This was a grand time for her, the Barnies in her barn, the villagers allcoming up the next night, a grand supper to be held afterwards. What an excitement!
　　She was very busy in her kitchen, cooking, cooking, cooking! Her enormous larder was already fullof the most appetizing looking pies, tarts, hams, brawns and cheeses. The children took turns atlooking into it and sniffing in delight. Mrs. Penruthlan laughed at them and shooed them out.
　　'You'll have to help me tomorrow,' she said. 'Shelling peas, scraping potatoes, stringing beans,picking currants and raspberries, and you'll find hundreds of wild strawberries in the copse, too,which can go to add a flavour to the fruit salad.'
　　'We shall love to help,' said Anne. 'All this is grand fun! But surely you aren't going to do all thesupper single-handed, Mrs. Penruthlan?'
　　45
　　'Oh, one or two of the villagers will stay behind to help me serve it,' said the plump little farmer'swife, who looked as happy as could be in the midst of so much hard work. 'Anyway, I'll be up at fiveo'clock tomorrow morning. I'll have plenty of time!'
　　'You'd better go to bed early tonight then!' said George.
　　'We all will,' said Mrs. Penruthlan. 'We'll be up early and abed late tomorrow, and we'll need somesleep tonight. It's no trouble to get Mr. Penruthlan to bed early. He's always ready to go!'
　　The children felt sure he would be ready to go early that night because he had spent so much time outin the storm the night before! Julian and Dick were tired too, but they were quite determined to go upto the shepherd's hill and find the place where they could watch and see if that light really did flashout!
　　They had a high tea as usual, at which Mr. Penruthlan was present. He ate solidly and solemnly, notsaying a word except something that sounded like 'Ooahah, ooh.'
　　'Well, I'm glad you like the pie, Mr. Penruthlan,' said his wife. 'Though I says it as shouldn't, it's agood one.'
　　It really was wonderful the way she understood her husband's speech. It was also very queer to hearher speak to her husband as if he was someone to whom she had to be polite, and call Mister! Annewondered if she called him Mr. Penruthlan when they were alone together. She looked at himearnestly. What a dark giant he was - and how he ate!
　　He looked up and saw Anne watching him. He nodded at her and said 'Ah! Oooh, ock, ukker.' Itmight have been a foreign language for all Anne could understand! She looked startled and didn'tknow what to say.
　　'Now, Mr. Penruthlan, don't you tease the child!' said his wife. 'She doesn't know what to answer.
　　Do you, Anne?'
　　'Well - I - er - I didn't really catch what he said,' said Anne, going scarlet.
　　'There now, Mr. Penruthlan - see how badly you talk without your teeth in!' said the farmer's wifescoldingly. 'Haven't I told you you should wear your teeth when you want to make conversation? Iunderstand you all right, but others don't. It must sound just a mumble to them!'
　　Mr. Penruthlan frowned and muttered something. The children all stared at him, dumbfounded tohear that he had no teeth. Goodness gracious - HOW did he manage to eat all he did, then? Heseemed to chew and munch and crunch, and yet he had no teeth!
　　46
　　'So that's why he speaks so queerly,' thought Dick, amused. 'But fancy eating as much as he does,with no teeth in his head! Goodness, what would he eat if he had got all his teeth.'
　　Mrs. Penruthlan changed the conversation because it was clear that her husband was annoyed withher. She talked brightly about the Barnies.
　　'That horse Clapper! You wait till you see him prance on to the stage, and fall off it. You'll see Mr.
　　Penruthlan almost fall out of his seat he laughs so much. He's fair set on that horse. He's seen it adozen times, and it tickles him to death.'
　　'I think it's jolly funny myself,' said Julian. 'I've always thought I'd like to put on an act like that at ourend-of-term concert at school. Dick and I could do it all right. I wish Sid and Mr. Binks would let ustry.'
　　The meal was finished at last. Most of the dishes were empty, and Mrs. Penruthlan looked pleased.
　　'There now - you've done really well,' she said. 'That's what I do like to see, people finishing upeverything put before them.'
　　'It's easy when it's food you put before us,' said George. 'Isn't it, Timmy? I bet Timmy wishes he livedhere always, Mrs. Penruthlan! I'm sure he keeps telling your dogs how lucky they are!'
　　After the washing-up, in which everyone but Mr. Penruthlan helped, they went to sit down for awhile, and read. But the farmer kept giving such enormous yawns that he set everyone else yawningtoo, and Mrs. Penruthlan began to laugh.
　　'Come on, to bed, all of you!' she said. 'I've never heard so many yawns in my life! Poor Mr.
　　Penruthlan. He's tired out with sitting up with Jenny the horse half the night.'
　　The children exchanged glances. They knew better!
　　Everyone went up to bed, and the children laughed to hear Mr. Penruthlan still yawning loudly in hisroom. Julian looked out of his window. It was a dark, blustery night, with sudden spurts of sharp rain.
　　The wind howled and Julian almost thought he could hear the great waves crashing on the rocks inthe nearest caves! How enormous they would be in this wind!
　　'A good night for wreckers, if there were any nowadays!' he said to Dick. 'Not much chance for anyship that went too near those coves tonight! They'd be on the rocks, and dashed to pieces in half anhour! The beach would be strewn with thousands of pieces of wreckage the next day.'
　　'We'd better wait a bit before we go,' said Dick. 'It's really very early. On a bright sunny evening thehills would still be full of daylight, but this stormy evening is very dark. Let's light our candles andread.'
　　47
　　The wind became even stronger, and grew almost to a gale. It made a howling noise round the oldfarm-house, and sounded angry and in pain. Not a very nice night to go out on the hills!
　　'We'll go now, I think,' said Julian, at last. 'It's quite dark, and getting late. Come on.'
　　They hadn't undressed, so they went down the stairs at once, and out of the back door as before,closing it silently behind them. They made their way through the farm-yard, not daring to shine theirtorches till they were well away from the house.
　　They had had a quick look at the front door, when they had stood in the hall. It was locked andbolted! Mr. Penruthlan was not out tonight, that was certain.
　　They walked steadily through the gale, gasping when it caught them full in the face. They each hadtheir warm jerseys on, for it was quite cold, and the wind blew all the time.
　　Across the fields. Over one stile after another. Across more fields. The boys stopped once or twice tomake sure they were right. They were relieved when they came to the great flock of sheep, and knewthey must be near the shepherd's hut.
　　'There's the hut,' whispered Julian, at last. 'You can just see its dark outline. We must go quietly now.'
　　They stole by the hut. Not a sound came from inside, and no candle-light showed through the cracks.
　　Old Grandad must be fast asleep! Julian pictured Yan curled up with him on their bed of oldsheepskins.
　　The boys went quietly along. Now, they must make for the spot from which the old tower could beseen, and it must be the exact spot, for the tower could be seen from nowhere else.
　　They couldn't find it, or, if they had found it, and were standing on it, they were unable to see thetower far off in the darkness.
　　'If it didn't happen to be flashing a light, we wouldn't know if we were looking in the right directionor not!' said Julian. 'We'd never see it in the dark. Why didn't we think of that?
　　Somehow I thought we'd see the tower whether it was lighted up or not. We're asses.'
　　They wandered about a little, continually looking in the direction where they thought the towershould be. But they saw nothing at all. What a waste of a long walk!
　　Then Julian suddenly gave an exclamation. 'Who's that? I saw you there! Who is it?'
　　Dick jumped. What was this now? Then someone sidled up against them both, and a voice spoketimidly.
　　'It's me, Yan!'
　　48
　　'Good gracious! You turn up everywhere!' said Julian. 'I suppose you were watching out for us.'
　　'Iss. Come with me,' said Yan, and tugged at Julian's arm. The two boys went with him, a few yardsto the right, then higher up the hill. Then Yan stopped.
　　The boys saw the distant light at once. There was no doubt about it at all! It flashed continually,rather like a small lighthouse light. Each time it flashed they could see the faint outline of the tower.
　　'It seems to be some kind of signal,' said Julian. 'Flash - flash-flash-flash - flash-flash - flash. Myword, how weird. Who's doing it, and why? Surely there are no wreckers nowadays!'
　　'Grandad says it's his old Dad,' said Yan, in an awed voice. Julian laughed.
　　'Don't be silly! All the same, it's a bit of a mystery, isn't it, Dick? Could any ship out at sea bedeceived and come near to the shore, and be wrecked? It's a wicked night, just the night for greatwaves to pound a ship to pieces if it came near this coast.'
　　'Yes. Well, we shall hear tomorrow if there has been a wreck,' said Dick soberly. 'I hope there won'tbe. I can't bear thinking of it, anyway. Surely, surely there aren't wreckers here now!'
　　'If there are, they will be creeping down the hidden Wreckers' Way, wherever it is,' said Julian.
　　'And watching for the ship to crash to pieces. Then they will collect sacks upon sacks of booty andcreep away back.'
　　Dick felt a chill of horror. 'Shut up, Ju!' he said, sharply. 'Don't talk like that. Now, what are we goingto do about that light.'
　　'I'll tell you,' said Julian, firmly, 'We're going to find that tower and see what's going on. That's whatwe're going to do! And as soon as ever we can too, maybe tomorrow!'
8.谷仓仔来了
　　谷仓仔来了
　　第二天早上，两个男孩十分好奇地看着庞鲁斯兰先生。他们对昨晚在冒险行动中碰上他，觉得有点不自在，而且他还不知道他要抓住的那两人就是他们。庞鲁斯兰先生又咳嗽了一声，朱利安调皮地用胳膊肘推了一下迪克，脸上露出诡异的笑容。
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人依然跟往常一样眉开眼笑。“你们睡得还好吗？”她问，“暴风雨很快就停了，对吧？”
　　庞鲁斯兰先生站起来，口中说着“啊，哦，呜”，或者是听起来类似的话语，说完就出去了。
　　“他说什么了？”安妮好奇地问。她实在不明白怎样才能听懂庞鲁斯兰先生说的话。朱利安认为庞鲁斯兰先生是在用缩略语一类的表达方法。
　　“他说他午餐可能不回来吃了。”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，“我希望他能找个地方吃点东西，因为他六点半就吃早餐了，太早了。不过，他刚才能跟你们再吃一顿早餐，我还放心了些。可怜的人，昨晚过得不太顺。”
　　两个男孩听到这里，立马竖起了耳朵。“发生什么事了？”朱利安问。
　　“他昨晚不得不起床，花了两个多小时去陪那匹叫詹妮的马，”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，“他走的时候，我被吵醒了，还好小班没有乱叫。直到两个多小时后，他才回来。那个可怜的人在这段时间里一直都陪在詹妮身边。”
　　朱利安跟迪克一点都不觉得他可怜，因为他们知道庞鲁斯兰先生究竟去了哪里，至少，他们能确定他肯定没有陪着那匹马。无论如何，昨晚他们去看詹妮的时候，它根本就没病。他说了谎话！
　　他们不由得又很困惑，为什么庞鲁斯兰先生要欺骗他的妻子？
　　难道他一直在瞒着她做什么事情？
　　吃过早餐，当他们去摘红醋栗、树莓、梅子准备去做沙拉的时候，他们把昨晚的事情跟女孩们交代了。安妮和乔治都很惊讶。
　　“你们没跟我们讲你们要去，”乔治责备地说，“我还想跟你们一块儿去的。”
　　“我一直觉得庞鲁斯兰先生有点奇怪，有点凶狠，”安妮说，“我敢说他半夜外出肯定没安好心。他妻子人这么好，真是可惜。”
　　随后，他们继续摘那数不胜数的红醋栗。安妮突然感觉到有人躲在附近，她注意到有人躲在高大的树莓藤里，于是朝着那个方向继续观察着。
　　肯定是扬，她当然猜对了。扬正冲着她笑，走到她的面前。他们中他最喜欢的人就是安妮了！这时候他把手伸了出来。
　　“我没有糖果。”安妮说，“昨晚暴风雨，你过得怎么样？害怕吗？”
　　扬摇了摇头，走得更近了一些，轻声说：“我昨晚看到灯在闪了！”
　　安妮惊讶地盯着他说：“什么灯？你该不会是说那个老灯塔塔楼里发出信号的灯吧？”
　　他点了点头。安妮快步跑到朱利安和迪克身边，他们正一边摘，一边吃。
　　“朱利安！迪克！扬说他昨晚看到信号灯亮了，就是在灯塔那里。”
　　“天哪！”两个男孩异口同声地说。他们转向扬，他一直跟在安妮后面。
　　“你看到信号灯了？”朱利安说。
　　扬点了点头，说：“很亮的灯光，非常亮，像火一样。”
　　“从灯塔那里发出的？”迪克说，扬又点了点头。
　　“你曾祖父看到了吗？”迪克问。
　　扬点头说：“他也看到了。”
　　“你说的是真的吧？”朱利安问道，他在判断扬的话有多少可信度。
　　扬点了点头。
　　“几点发生的事情？”迪克问，但扬没办法告诉他，因为扬没有手表，即使有，天那么暗，也看不清楚，总而言之，他没办法说是几点。
　　“可恶！”朱利安对迪克说，“我们错过了，如果扬说的是真的，我们昨晚应该可以看到信号灯的。”
　　“没错。那我们今晚再去那边看看，”迪克坚决地说，“今天的风很大，云移得也快。如果今晚信号灯出现的话，我们就能看到它。
　　我实在想不明白为什么还会有人在用船只毁灭者的灯塔。如果真正的灯塔信号灯一直亮着的话，没有船会注意到这个奇怪的灯光。”
　　“我也去。”偷听到他们对话内容的扬说。
　　“不行，你不能去，”朱利安说，“你得跟你曾祖父待在一起，如果你不在的话，他会找你的。”
　　这时候，天又开始下雨了。“倒霉！”乔治说，“我真希望没有变天，本来天气很好，这风一刮起来天都变冷的。走吧，安妮，我们去屋里。我觉得我们已经摘够足以喂饱一支军队的食物了。”
　　等到他们全都走进屋里，雨下得更大了，庞鲁斯兰夫人兴奋地跟他们打招呼。
　　“谷仓仔明天晚上要在我们谷仓表演了！”她宣布说，“我们的谷仓是他们第一个要表演的地方，然后才会到其他谷仓去。你们愿意帮我打扫谷仓的卫生吗？”
　　“好！”朱利安说，“我们现在就去，里面有很多东西要清理出来。”
　　谷仓仔们大概20分钟后到达了，他们径直走到谷仓，因为已经借用过这里好几次了，所以他们很熟悉。他们见到孩子们时很高兴，乐于有个帮手。
　　谷仓仔们已经不像星期天孩子们所见到的那样穿着奇装异服了，基本上都穿着休闲的衣服，女人也一样，这都是为了清理谷仓，设置舞台和背景而做的准备。
　　朱利安看到一个矮家伙拿着一只马头道具，他那昂首阔步的样子很滑稽。
　　“这是干什么用的？”朱利安说，“是不是克洛普的头部？就是那匹能够盘腿坐着的马。”
　　“没错，”矮家伙说，“我负责保管它，不能让它离开我的视线。
　　这是我们老板的命令。”
　　“你们老板是谁？”朱利安问，“那边那个人吗？”他把头往一个面孔铁青的人那里摆了一下，那人正在监督别人搬稻草。
　　“对，”矮家伙嬉皮笑脸地说，“他就是我们老板。你们觉得我的马怎么样，朋友？”
　　朱利安观察着马头。它的做工很精巧，眼睛十分逗趣，嘴巴能张能闭，眼睛也一样。
　　“我只负责操纵后腿那部分，”矮家伙遗憾地说，“但我会用他的尾巴。看那边，那个宾克斯先生，他负责前腿和头部。等他表演克洛普的时候，你们一定得好好看看。不是我吹，这个世界上再没有像它一样的马了。除了飞，它什么都会！”
　　“它的背跟前腿在哪里——还有——呃——它的身体？”迪克问，他凑上前，好奇地看着马头。
　　“在那边。”矮家伙说，“对了，我叫锡德，你们叫什么名字？你们怎么会在这里？”
　　朱利安介绍完自己后又介绍迪克，给矮家伙解释他们帮忙是因为他们暂住在这里。他拿起一捆稻草，觉得应该回去干活了。
　　“来帮忙吗？”朱利安问。
　　锡德摇摇头。
　　“抱歉，我有命令在身，不能把这个马头放下。我去哪里，就得带着它到哪里。跟你们说，我跟克洛普还真是离不开彼此了。”
　　“为什么？它很值钱吗？”迪克问。
　　“不是这回事，”锡德说，“是因为克洛普很受欢迎，这你也知道，而且它很重要，重要在当我们的表演有点抓不住人心的时候，我们就会让克洛普上，通常这时候我们就会收获观众们的欢声笑语和喝彩，氛围也会变好。克洛普已经拯救过无数次的演出了，它真的是一匹出色的好马。”
　　宾克斯先生也凑了过来。他比锡德要高大强壮些。“在欣赏克洛普吗？”他嬉皮笑脸地对两个男孩说，“锡德有没有跟你们讲克洛普的马头从马车上掉下来，而我们走到几英里外才发现这件事情。我的天，我们老板的反应简直太可怕了！他说我们没有克洛普的话就不用表演了，差点把我们全都炒了鱿鱼。”
　　“我们的确很重要。”锡德挺起胸膛说，“我和宾克斯还有克洛普都很重要，没有我们就没有演出！”
　　“锡德，马头被你放下过吗？”宾克斯先生提醒说，“老板一直在盯着你。看，他叫你过去呢。”
　　锡德跑到老板身边，看起来很惊慌，小心谨慎地把马头夹在他的胳膊下。
　　那个神情冷峻的人说了几句尖酸刻薄的话，锡德听了后点点头。朱利安在锡德回来后，跑去他身边。“可以让我感受一下这马头有多重吗？”他说，“每次看到舞台上有这种道具时，我都很好奇。”
　　锡德马上把那马头夹到他另外一只胳膊里，瞪了朱利安一眼，然后快速观察周围，看看老板有没有听到这句话。
　　“这还用问吗？”他说，“我都跟你说过我不能把马头放下来。而且老板刚刚才跟我说要远离你们这些孩子，他说你们的目的很明显，就是要趁我不注意，把马头拿走。明白我的意思吗？你们不想让我被炒鱿鱼吧？”
　　朱利安大笑起来：“别傻了，你才不会因为这个丢掉你的工作。
　　你跟宾克斯先生什么时候要彩排？我们想看。”
　　“这个很容易安排。”锡德冷静了下来，说，“宾克斯，过来练习一会儿，把马腿带上。”
　　宾克斯和锡德走到谷仓里一个干净的地方，开始换上帆布制的马皮和马腿。锡德给男孩们展示了他是如何通过一只手让马尾巴摇起来的。
　　宾克斯已把马头和前腿都穿戴好了，虽然他的头只待在了马脖子的位置，但他可以通过手来拉绳子，使得马的嘴巴和眼睛动起来。
　　锡德把腿伸进马的后腿里面，弯着腰，把头和手臂搭在宾克斯身上，如此一来，马的后背就形成了，接着有人过来把链子拉上，这样马的身体就合二为一了。
　　“天！这匹马真好玩！”迪克开心地说。马看起来栩栩如生，引人发笑，在里面的两个人开始做出一些滑稽的动作。它向前行进，脚步一左一右很有节奏感。它用前脚跳了一段踢踏舞，结束后，前脚就保持不动，后脚又跳起了踢踏舞。可刚跳了几下，后脚就被绊了一下，摔倒了，这时候马头往后转，震惊地看着自己。
　　四个孩子和在门口偷窥的扬，都被这匹荒唐的马逗得哈哈大笑。
　　假马用嘴巴叼着尾巴，就这样一圈又一圈地转。接着，它用后腿站了起来，跳得跟一只袋鼠似的，还发出一种独特的叫声。所有人都停下来看他们表演，即使是那位冷冰冰的老板，脸上也带着微笑。
　　接下来，它用后腿坐下，前腿在胸前交叉，神色滑稽地看着周围，随后又打了个哈欠，嘴巴张得特别大，露出几十颗巨大的牙齿。
　　“天哪，快停下，”安妮喊道，她已经笑到精疲力竭了，“够了！
　　我的天，我现在明白你们为什么那么重要了！克洛普！你肯定是所有的表演节目里最好的。”
　　那天早上大家都很疯狂，很愉快，谷仓仔为他们带来了接连不断的欢声笑语。锡德和宾克斯脱掉了马的道具之后，锡德继续跟之前一样，又将那表情滑稽的马头夹在自己的手臂下面。
　　这时候庞鲁斯兰夫人出来喊孩子们吃午饭。扬跑在朱利安后面，抓住朱利安的手臂。
　　“我看到信号灯了，”他急切地说，“记得，你今晚过来看！”
　　朱利安兴奋了一早晨，竟然把这件事给忘了，他嬉皮笑脸地对扬说：“好好好，我会记得的。我们今晚就去，但你不能跟着去，知道吗，想都不要想。这里有块糖，拿着，快走吧。”
9.灯塔又亮了
　　灯塔又亮了
　　到了夜里，这个大谷仓已经摇身一变！原本放置在这里的稻草、麻袋装的玉米、大量的肥料还有老旧的机器，全都搬了出去。
　　现在空间更大了，谷仓仔对此感到非常的满意。
　　“我们来过这里很多次了。”他们跟孩子们说，“在这附近，这个谷仓是最好的。由于比较偏僻，只有最近两个村庄的村民会过来看我们的表演，所以并没有多少观众，但是，我们依然很开心，因为在表演过后，可以吃到庞鲁斯兰夫人准备的超级大餐！”
　　“她肯定会准备的！”迪克笑嘻嘻地说，“我猜你们来到这么偏僻的地方，就是为了吃到庞鲁斯兰夫人做的美食，不过，这也怪不得你们，连我也是从好几英里外过来的！”
　　舞台已经搭建好了，台面用长长的木板组成，由粗腰桶在下面支撑着。一块背景幕布被挂到谷仓里的木墙上，也就是舞台的后面。幕布上是一幅乡村风景，是由谷仓仔们自己一点一点绘制而成的。
　　“那边是我画的。”锡德说，他在向迪克讲解幕布上的一匹马，“无论如何我都得把克洛普画在里面，看到它了没？”
　　谷仓仔有很多幅自制的背景幕布，每次表演都会随着场景的变换而更换。这一次也是自制的，他们对此感到非常自豪，尤其是其中一些有塔的幕布。
　　画中的塔使孩子们想起了扬说他昨晚看到信号灯的事情，他们互相交换了一下眼色，然后朱利安轻轻地点了点头。他们铁了心要亲自去看看信号灯，这样一来，他们就知道扬和他曾祖父有没有说谎了。
　　朱利安心里在想，晚上用不用继续防备着庞鲁斯兰先生，因为那匹叫詹妮的马已经恢复健康了，又在牧场里活动开来，那么庞鲁斯兰先生就没有借口再在夜里鬼鬼祟祟地出去了。
　　男孩们想不明白，那一夜他为什么要在天气那么恶劣的情况下外出呢？他是去见什么人吗？可他即使去了老爷爷那边，剩下的时间也什么都做不了，这又有什么意义呢？
　　这时候庞鲁斯兰夫人来到谷仓，这里为了明天晚上表演所做的准备已经大致完成。她脸色通红，看起来很兴奋。这对她来说是一件重要的事情——谷仓仔在她的谷仓里，附近的村民在明天晚上都会过来，所以表演过后需要准备一场极其丰厚的盛宴。多么让人期待！
　　她一直在厨房里面，非常忙，忙着烹饪，除了烹饪还是烹饪。
　　她巨大的食品柜已经塞满了让人垂涎欲滴的派、水果馅饼、汉堡包、腌制好的猪肉和奶酪。孩子们不停地看、不停地闻，兴奋至极。庞鲁斯兰夫人看见后哈哈大笑，当然还是把他们赶了出去。
　　“你们明天得帮我的忙，”她说，“帮我剥豌豆，削土豆，摘架豆，摘红醋栗和树莓，你们还要到小灌木丛去摘几百个野草莓，我们可以把它放到水果沙拉里增味。”
　　“我们很乐意帮忙，”安妮说，“这些都很有趣。但是你肯定没打算自己一个人完成全部的烹饪工作吧，庞鲁斯兰夫人？”
　　“不不不，会有一两个村民过来帮我。”这位丰满的农妇得意地说，她简直将苦中作乐诠释得十分完美，“总而言之，我明天早上五点就起床，这样我就有足够的时间去做这些事情了。”
　　“那您今晚最好早一点休息。”乔治说。
　　“庞鲁斯兰先生也是这样，”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，“我们明天会很早起床，很晚才能睡，所以今晚需要好好休息。对于庞鲁斯兰先生，他随时都可以上床睡觉。”
　　男孩们觉得庞鲁斯兰先生今晚肯定可以很快入睡，毕竟昨晚在暴风雨夜里折腾了那么长时间。朱利安跟迪克也很疲惫，但他们对于去山上观察是否真的有信号灯在闪这件事，态度十分坚决。
　　他们跟往常一样享用着下午茶，庞鲁斯兰先生也在场。他吃的过程很严肃，什么话都没说，除了发出一些听起来像“哦，哈，哦”的声音。
　　“庞鲁斯兰先生很喜欢吃这个派，”他妻子说，“虽然我不应该自夸，但是它的确很美味。”
　　她能明白她丈夫表达的所有意思实在是太神奇了，还有一点就是她称呼丈夫的方式有点奇怪，就像她丈夫应该是以礼相待的人一样，称呼他为“先生”。安妮好奇他们在两个人独处的时候，她是否依然这样称呼他。安妮认真地看着他，真是一位黑黢黢的大巨人，而且胃口超乎寻常的大！
　　他一抬头，看到安妮在看他，就对她点点头，说了一段像“啊，哦，呃”的声音。安妮就跟听外语一样，一句都听不懂，她看起来就像受了惊吓，不知道应该说些什么。
　　“够了，庞鲁斯兰先生，你就不要戏弄这些孩子了！”他妻子说，“她都不知道该怎么回答你。对吧，安妮？”
　　“我……呃……其实没听懂他在说些什么。”安妮愧疚地说。
　　“听到了没，庞鲁斯兰先生，你现在知道你嘴里没牙的时候说话多难懂了吗？我都跟你说过了，跟人说话的时候要把你的假牙戴上。我可以理解你说的话，但是其他人却很难理解，对于他们来说，只是听到一些含糊不清的声音。”
　　庞鲁斯兰先生皱了下眉头，嘟哝了些什么。所有孩子都盯着他看，他没有牙齿的这个消息让他们瞠目结舌。天哪，那他是如何吃下那么多食物的？他的动作的确像是在咀嚼，然而，他竟然没有牙齿！
　　“这就是为什么他说话那么奇怪的原因。”迪克在心里想，暗自发笑，“但神奇的是，尽管没有牙齿，这并没有影响到他吃饭！如果他牙齿都在的话，那他得吃多少啊。”
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人赶紧转移了话题，因为她丈夫显然对她有所不满。她开始说起关于谷仓仔的话题。
　　“等那匹叫克洛普的马在舞台上跳跃，再摔下来的时候，你会看到庞鲁斯兰先生笑到几乎从椅子上掉下来。他很喜欢那匹马，看过很多次了，但依然可以让他笑到缺氧。”
　　“我觉得很有趣，”朱利安说，“我自己也一直想要在我们学校的期末晚会上表演一个类似的节目。迪克和我都想要上台表演，所以我希望锡德和宾克斯先生会让我们尝试一下。”
　　这会儿他们已经吃完了晚餐，几乎都没有剩菜，这让庞鲁斯兰夫人感到很满意。“很好，几乎都吃完了，”她说，“这就是我想看到的。”
　　“我觉得只要是您做的饭菜，就很难有剩的。”乔治说，“对吧，蒂米？我敢说蒂米想要常住在这里，庞鲁斯兰夫人，它肯定一直跟你们家的狗说它们能住在这里有多么幸运。”
　　除了庞鲁斯兰先生之外，所有人一起动手做完了饭后清洁工作。随后，他们看了一会儿书，但庞鲁斯兰先生一直在打哈欠，还传染到了所有人，庞鲁斯兰夫人见此情景，笑开了怀。
　　“所有人都去睡觉。”她说，“我这辈子从没听过这么多的哈欠声。可怜的庞鲁斯兰先生，几乎整个晚上都在照顾那匹叫詹妮的马，他累坏了。”
　　孩子们心领神会地互相看了看，因为他们知道事情的真相。
　　所有人都上了床。这时，孩子们听到庞鲁斯兰先生在他房间里打哈欠的声音，都偷偷笑了。朱利安看向窗外，夜很黑，狂风伴随着暴雨。风的呼啸声使朱利安一度错以为那是洞穴里海浪冲击岩石的声音。风真是太强劲了！
　　“如果今时今日还有船只毁灭者的话，今晚对他们来说可是个好机会。”他对迪克说，“在这种天气里，船只根本没有多少机会靠近海湾，一旦触礁，就会立刻变成碎片。隔天的沙滩上，将会撒满失事船只的残骸。”
　　“我们最好等一等再出去，”迪克说，“现在太早了。天气好的时候，此刻山上的光线应该还很充足，但今晚的暴风雨使外面黑得伸手不见五指。我们点燃蜡烛，看一会儿书吧。”
　　风越来越大，几乎刮成了飓风。在这老旧的农舍里，四周都是风的呼啸声，强劲有力。很显然，这并不是去山上的好时机。
　　“我们现在走吧，”朱利安最终说，“时间也不早了，该出发了。”
　　他们睡前并没有脱衣服，所以可以马上下楼，像之前一样从后门溜走，再悄悄地把门关上。他们穿过农场院子，期间并不敢打开手电筒，直到他们远离了农舍。
　　他们经过走廊时，特意检查了一下前门，看见门已经上锁，显然庞鲁斯兰先生今晚并没有外出。
　　在狂风中一步一步行走的时候，风像刀子一样刮过脸颊，只能咬牙坚持着。因为只穿了运动衫，所以当凉风袭来，他们不免觉得有些冷。
　　他们穿过牧场，翻过一个又一个的栅栏，接着继续横穿另一片牧场。期间，两个男孩停下过一两次，为了确保行进的路径是正确的。当他们来到一大群羊的附近时，都松了一口气，因为他们知道老爷爷的小屋就在不远处。
　　“小屋在那边，”迪克轻声说，“你看到它的轮廓了吗？我们现在要小声一点。”
　　他们悄悄走过小屋，里面一点声音也没有，也看不到蜡烛的光芒。老爷爷肯定是睡着了，朱利安想象着扬蜷曲在他们旧羊毛制成的被褥上睡觉的样子。
　　两个男孩走路的时候都尽量不发出声音。现在他们要寻找能看到灯塔的特定位置，因为除了那个特定的位置，其他地方都是看不到的。
　　可即便他们找到了那个位置，甚至就站在那个地方，他们也不知道，因为没办法在黑暗中看到远处的灯塔。
　　“如果信号灯没有闪烁的话，我们根本就不知道我们的方向是不是正确的。”朱利安说，“这么黑的环境下肯定看不到，我们怎么就没有想到这一点呢？我一直以为不管灯塔有没有信号灯，我们都能看得到它，真是太笨了！”
　　他们在附近兜了一会儿，一直盯着他们认为灯塔所在的方向看，但他们什么都没看到——白跑这么长一段路！
　　朱利安突然惊叫道：“谁在那里？我看到你了。”
　　迪克吓得跳起来。发生了什么？这时候，一个黑影悄悄地靠近他们，一个腼腆的声音传来：“是我，扬。”
　　“我的天哪！你简直无处不在。”朱利安说，“我猜你一直在观察我们。”
　　“是的。现在跟我来吧。”扬拽着朱利安的手臂说。两个男孩只好跟着他走，先是往右边走了几码，又往山上更高的地方走，这时候扬停了下来。
　　男孩们看到了远处的信号灯，它确实又亮了！信号灯持续闪烁，就是一个小型灯塔，随着每一次闪烁，他们能依稀看到灯塔的外轮廓。
　　“看起来应该是在发信号，”朱利安说，“闪——闪闪闪——闪闪——闪。我很好奇，是谁在操作，又是出于什么样的目的？如今只能确定一点，那就是船只毁灭者已经不复存在了。”
　　“曾祖父说那是他爸爸在操作。”扬用一种敬畏的口气说。这话让朱利安不禁发笑。
　　“别傻了！都是活人操作的，只是被蒙上了一层神秘的面纱，是吧，迪克？你觉得会有船被误导后靠近海岸而导致触礁吗？今晚天气很恶劣，如果有船只靠近海岸的话，巨大的海浪足以将它摧毁。”
　　“是的，如果有船只遭遇不幸的话，我们明天也会听到消息的。”迪克严肃地说，“我希望这种事情不会发生，我连想都不敢想。无论如何，能确定的就是，现如今的船只毁灭者已经不存在了。”
　　“如果还存在的话，他们肯定会躲在他们的秘密通道里。”朱利安说，“看到船只撞成碎片，出来捡拾他们的货物再偷偷跑回去。”
　　迪克背后忽起一丝凉意。“别说了，朱利安，”他尖叫道，“别说这种话。我们现在要对那盏信号灯采取什么措施？”
　　“我是这么想的，”朱利安坚定地说，“我们要去灯塔那里踩点，看看究竟发生了什么。这就是我们将要做的，而且，动作要快，最好就是明天。”
Chapter 13 IN THE WRECKERS' TOWER
Chapter 13 IN THE WRECKERS' TOWER
　　Dick and Anne came hurriedly up to the old stone stairway when they heard what Julian and Georgiehad said. Oil! That could only mean one thing, a lamp in the tower.
　　They all stood and looked at the big splashes of oil on each step.
　　'Come on up,' said Julian at last. 'I'll go first. Be careful how you go because the tower's in a verycrumbly state.'
　　The tower was built at one end of the old house, and its walls were thicker than the house walls.
　　The only entry to it was by a doorway inside the house. In the tower was a stone stairway that wentvery steeply up in a spiral.
　　'This must once have been the door of the tower,' said Dick, kicking at a great thick slab of wood thatlay mouldering away beside the stone doorway. 'The tower doesn't seem to hold anything but thisstone stairway, just a look-out, I suppose.'
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　　'Or a place for signalling to ships to entice them on the rocks,' said George. 'Oh, Timmy, don't pushpast like that; you nearly made me fall, these stone steps are so steep.'
　　As Dick said, the tower seemed to hold nothing but a stairway spiralling up steeply. Julian came tothe top first and gave a gasp. The view over the sea was astonishing. He could see for miles over thedark cornflower-blue waters. Near the coast the churning of the waves into white breakers and sprayshowed the hidden rocks that waited for unwary ships.
　　George came up beside him and stared in wonder, too. What a marvellous sight, blue sky, blue sea,waves pounding over the rocks, and white gulls soaring on the stiff breeze.
　　Then Dick came up, and Julian gave him a warning. 'Be careful. Don't lean on the walls at all, they'recrumbling badly.'
　　Julian put out his hand and touched the top of the tower wall near him. It crumbled and bits fell awaybelow.
　　Big pieces had fallen away here and there, leaving great gaps in the wall round the top of the tower.
　　When Anne came up also, Julian took her arm, afraid that with such a crowd up there someone mightstumble against a crumbling wall and fall from the tower.
　　George had hold of Timmy's collar and made him stand quite still. 'Don't you go putting your greatpaws up on the wall,' she warned him. 'You'll find yourself down in the nettles below in no time ifyou do!'
　　'You can quite well see what a wonderful place this is for flashing a light at night over the sea,'
　　said Dick. 'It could be seen for miles. In the old days, when sailing ships got caught in the storms thatrage round this coast at times, they would be thankful to see a guiding light.'
　　'But what a light!' said Julian. 'A light that guided them straight on to those great rocks! Let me seenow. Are those the rocks near those coves we went to the other day?'
　　'Yes, I think so,' said Dick. 'But there are rocks and rocks, and caves and coves round here. It'sdifficult to tell if they are the same ones we saw.'
　　'The ships that sailed towards the light must have been wrecked on the rocks down there,' said Julian,pointing. 'How did the wreckers get there? There must have been a path from here somewhere.'
　　'The Wreckers' Way, do you think?' said Dick.
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　　Julian considered. 'Well, I don't know. I imagine that the Wreckers' Way must have been a wayleading to the sea from inland somewhere, certainly a way that was convenient for the villagers touse. No, I'll tell you what I think happened!'
　　'What?' said everyone.
　　'I think, on a stormy night long ago, the people who lived here in this house went up into the towerand flashed their false light to any ship that was sailing out on the waters. Then, in great excitement,they watched it sailing nearer and nearer, perhaps shown up by lightning, perhaps by the moon.'
　　Everyone imagined such a ship, and George shivered. Poor wretched ship!
　　'When the ship reached the rocks and crashed on them, the signallers in the tower gave a differentsignal, a signal to a watcher up there on the hills,' said Julian, pointing behind him. 'A watcher whowas standing on the only spot from which the flash could be seen! May be the light gleamed steadilyto entice a ship in, but was flashed in code to the watcher on the hills, and the flashing said, 'Ship onrocks. Tell the others, and come to the feast!' '
　　'How simply horrible!' said Anne. 'I can't believe it!'
　　'It is difficult to think anyone could be so heartless,' said Julian. 'But I think that's what happened.
　　And then, I think, the people who lived in this house went down from here to the near-by coves andwaited for their friends to come along the other way, the Wreckers' Way, wherever that is.'
　　'It must be a secret way,' said Dick. 'It must have been a way known only to those villagers who werewreckers. After all, wrecking was against the law, and so this whole business of showing lights andwrecking ships must have been kept a dead secret. We heard what old Grandad said, that everywrecker who knew the way had to vow he would tell no one else.'
　　'Old Grandad's father probably lived in this very house, and climbed the stone stairway on a wildnight, and lighted the lamp that shone out over the stormy sea,' said Julian.
　　'That's why Yan said he was 'frit' of this tower,' said George. 'He thinks his Grandad's dad still lightsit! Well, we know better. Somebody else lights it, somebody who can't be up to any good either!'
　　'And, don't let's forget, somebody who may still be about somewhere!' said Julian, lowering his voicesuddenly.
　　'Gosh! yes,' said Dick, looking round the little tower as if he expected to see a stranger there,listening. 'I wonder where he keeps his lamp. It's not here.'
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　　'The oil splashes are on almost every one of the stone steps,' said Anne. 'I noticed as I came up. I betit's a big lamp. It has to give a light far out to sea!'
　　'Look, it must have been stood on this bit of the wall,' said Dick. 'There are some oily patches here.'
　　They all looked at the dark patches. Dick bent down and smelt them. 'Yes, paraffin oil,' he said.
　　George was looking at the wall on the other side of the tower. She called to the other three.
　　'And here's a patch on this side!' she said. 'I know what happened! Once a ship had been caught bythe light and was on its way in, the men with the lamp put it on the other side of the tower to signal tothe watcher on the hills, to tell him the ship was caught!'
　　'Yes. That's it,' said Anne. 'But who could it be? I'm sure nobody lives here, the place is an absoluteruin, open to the wind and the rain. It must be somebody who knows the way here, sees to the light,and does the signalling.'
　　There was a pause. Dick looked at Julian. The same thought came into their minds. They had seensomebody wandering out in the stormy night, twice!
　　'Could it be Mr. Penruthlan, do you suppose?' said Dick. 'We couldn't imagine why he was out herein the storm the first night we came out to watch for the light.'
　　'No, he's not the man with the light, he's the watcher on the hills!' said Julian. 'That's it! That's why hegoes out on wild nights, to see if there's a signal from the tower, flashing to say that a ship is comingin!'
　　There was an even longer pause. Nobody liked that idea at all.
　　'We know he tells lies, we know he goes through people's pockets, because we saw him,' went onJulian after a few moments. 'He fits in well. He's the man who goes and stands in that special spot onthe hills and watches for a light!'
　　'What does he do after that?' said Anne. 'Didn't we hear that there were no wrecks here now, becauseof the lighthouse higher up the coast? What's the point of it all, if there isn't a wreck?'
　　'Smuggling,' said Julian shortly. 'That's the point. Probably by motor-boat. They choose a wild nightof storm and wind, when they will be neither seen nor heard, wait out at sea for the signalling light toshow them all's clear, and then come in to one of these coves.'
　　'Yes, and I bet the Wreckers' secret way is used by someone who steals down to the cove and takesthe smuggled goods!' said Dick, excited. 'Three or four people, perhaps, if the goods are heavy.
　　Gosh! I'm sure we're right.'
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　　'And it's the watcher on the hill who tells his friends, and down they go to the coves together. It'smost ingenious,' Julian said. 'Nobody sees the light on the tower except the boat waiting, and nobodysees the signal inland except the one watcher on the hills. Absolutely fool-proof.'
　　'We are lucky to stumble on it,' said Dick. 'But what puzzles me is this. I'm pretty certain that the manwho lights the lamp didn't come the way we came - we'd have seen trodden- down weeds orsomething. We should certainly have found some sort of a path his feet had made.'
　　'Yes. And there wasn't anything, not even a broken thistle,' said Anne. 'There must be some other wayinto this old house.'
　　'Of course there is! We've already said there must be a way for the man who lights the lamp to getdown to the coves from here!' said George. 'Well, that's the way he gets here, of course. He comes upthe passage from the cove. How stupid we are!'
　　This idea excited them all. Where was the passage? Nobody could imagine! It certainly wasn't in thetower, there was no room for anything in that small tower except for the spiral staircase leading to thetop.
　　'Let's go down,' said Anne, and began to descend the steps. A slight noise below made her stop.
　　'Go on,' said George, who was just behind her. Anne turned a scared face to her.
　　'I heard a noise down there,' she whispered.
　　George turned to Julian immediately. 'Anne thinks there's somebody down there,' she said, in a lowvoice.
　　'Come back, Anne,' ordered Julian at once. Anne climbed back, still looking scared.
　　'Would it be the man who does the lamp?' she whispered. 'Do be careful, Julian. He can't be a niceman!'
　　'Nice! He must be a beast!' said George, scornfully. 'Are you going down, Ju? Look out, then.'
　　Julian peered down the stone steps. There was really nothing for it but to go down and see who wasthere. They couldn't possibly stay up in the tower all day long, hoping that whoever it was would goaway!
　　'What sort of noise did you hear?' Julian asked Anne.
　　'Well, a sort of scuffling noise,' said Anne. 'It might have been a rat, of course, or a rabbit. It was justa noise, that's all. Something's down there, or somebody!'
　　'Let's sit down for a moment or two and wait,' said Dick. 'We'll listen hard and see if we can hearanyone.'
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　　So they sat down cautiously, George with her hand on Timmy's collar. They waited and they listened.
　　They heard the wind blowing round the old tower. They heard the distant gulls calling,'ee-oo, ee-oo, ee-oo'. They heard the thistles rustling their prickles together down below.
　　But they heard nothing from the kitchen at the foot of the tower. Julian looked at Anne. 'No sound tobe heard now,' he said. 'It must have been a rabbit!'
　　'Perhaps it was,' said Anne, feeling rather foolish. 'What shall we do then? Go down?'
　　'Yes. I'll go first though, with Timmy,' said Julian. 'If anyone is lying in wait, he'll be annoyed to seeour Timmy. And Timmy will be even more annoyed to see him!'
　　Just as Julian was getting up, a noise was quite distinctly heard from below. It was, as Anne haddescribed, a kind of scuffle, then silence.
　　'Well, here goes!' said Julian, and began to descend the steps. The others watched breathlessly.
　　Timmy went with Julian, trying to press past him. He hadn't seemed worried about the noise at all!
　　So perhaps it was only a rat or rabbit!
　　Julian went down slowly. Who was he going to find - an enemy, or a friend? Careful now, Julian,there may be somebody lying in wait!
Chapter 10 GETTING READY FOR THE SHOW
Chapter 10 GETTING READY FOR THE SHOW
　　Julian and Dick watched the light for a little longer, and then turned to go back to the farm. The windwas so strong and so cold that even on that summer's night they found themselves shivering.
　　'I'm glad you found us, Yan,' said Dick, putting an arm round the small, shivering boy. 'Thanks foryour help. We're going to explore that old tower. Would you like to show us the way to it?'
　　49
　　Yan shivered all the more, from fright as much as cold. 'No. I'm frit,' he said. 'I'm frit of that towernow.'
　　'What does he mean, frit?' said Dick. 'Short for frightened, I suppose! All right, Yan. You needn'tcome. It is pretty peculiar, I must admit. Now, go back to your hut.'
　　Yan shot off in the dark like a scared rabbit. The boys made their way home, not very cautiously, forthey felt sure they were the only people out that night. But when they came to the farm-yard they sawsomething that made them stop suddenly.
　　'There's a light in the big barn!' whispered Dick. 'It's gone, no, there it is again. It's somebody with atorch, flashing it on and off. Who is it?'
　　'One of the Barnies, perhaps,' whispered back Julian. 'Let's go and see. We know the Barnies aresleeping in the near-by sheds tonight.'
　　They tiptoed to the barn and looked through a crack. They saw nothing at first. Then a torch flashed,shedding its light on some of the properties of the Barnies, stacked in a corner, scenery, dresses,coats, and other things.
　　'Somebody's going through the pockets!' said Julian, indignantly. 'Look at that! A thief!'
　　'Who is it?' said Dick. 'One of the Barnies pick-pocketing?'
　　For a moment or two the torch lighted up the back of the intruder's hand in the barn, and the boysstifled an exclamation. They knew that hand! It was covered with black hairs almost as thick as fur!
　　'Mr. Penruthlan!' whispered Dick. 'Yes, I see it's him now. Look at his enormous shadow. What's hedoing? He must be mad, walking about at night on the hills, stealing into the barn, going throughpockets. Look what he's doing now! Looking in the drawers of that chest the Barnies are going to usein one of their scenes. Yes, he's mad!'
　　Julian felt most uncomfortable. He didn't like spying on his host like this. What a strange man hewas! He told untruths, he crept about at night, he went through people's pockets. Yes, he must bemad! Did Mrs. Penruthlan know? She couldn't know, or she would be unhappy, and she reallyseemed the most cheerful, gay little person in the world!
　　'Come on,' said Julian, in Dick's ear. 'He's going through everything! Though what he expects to findin the Barnies' stage clothes and properties, I don't know. He's got a kink! Come on, I really don'twant to spot him taking something, stealing it. It would be so awkward if we had to say we saw himstealing.'
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　　They left the barn and went back to the farmhouse, creeping in once more at the back door. Theylooked at the front door. It was shut, but no longer locked or bolted.
　　The boys went upstairs, puzzled. What a strange night! The howling wind, the flashing light, thefurtive man in the barn, they didn't know what to make of it at all!
　　'Let's wake the girls and tell them,' said Julian. 'I feel as if I can't wait till the morning.'
　　George was awake and so was Timmy. Timmy had heard them going out, and had lain awake waitingfor them to come back. He had stirred and had awakened George. She was quite prepared to hear awhisper at the door!
　　'Anne! George! We've got some news!' whispered Julian. Timmy gave a little welcoming whine andleapt off the bed. Soon Anne was awake, too, and the girls were listening in amazement at the boys'
　　news.
　　They were almost as surprised to hear about Mr. Penruthlan in the barn as to hear about the lightactually flashing in the tower.
　　'So it was true what old Grandad said, then?' whispered Anne. 'He had seen the light again. I do thinkit's weird, all this. Julian, you don't think we'll hear of a wreck tomorrow, do you? I couldn't bear it!'
　　'Nor could I,' said George, listening to the wind howling outside. 'Fancy being wrecked on a nightlike this, and being dashed on the rocks by those pounding waves. I feel as if we ought to rush off tothe caves here and now and see if we can do any rescuing!'
　　'We wouldn't be much use,' said Dick. 'I doubt if we could even get near the cove on a night like this.
　　The waves would run right up to the road that leads down to it.'
　　They talked and talked about everything. Then George yawned. 'We'd better stop,' she said.
　　'We'll never wake up tomorrow morning. We can't go and explore that tower tomorrow, Julian.
　　The Barnies will be here, and we've promised Mrs. Penruthlan to help her.'
　　'It'll have to be next day, then,' said Julian. 'But I'm determined to go. Yan said he wouldn't show usthe way. He said he was too 'frit'!'
　　'I feel pretty frit myself,' said George, settling down. 'I should have jumped out of my skin if I'd seenthat light tonight.'
　　The boys stole back to their room. Soon they were in bed and asleep. The wind still howled round thehouse, but they didn't hear it. They were tired out with their long walk over the hills.
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　　Next day was so busy that it was quite dificult to find time to remember the night's happenings!
　　They were reminded of it by one thing, though!
　　Mrs. Penruthlan was seeing to their breakfast, and making bright conversation as usual. She wasnever at a loss for words, and chattered all day long either to the children or to the dogs.
　　'Did you sleep well with that howling gale blowing all night long?' she asked. 'I slept like a top.
　　So did Mr. Penruthlan! He told me he never moved all night, he was that tired!'
　　The children kicked each other under the table, but said nothing. They knew quite a lot more abouther husband's nights than she did!
　　After that they had very little time to think of anything but picking fruit, podding peas, rushing hereand there, carrying things for the Barnies, helping them to put up benches, barrels, boxes and chairsfor the audience to sit on, and even mending tears in some of the stage clothes! Anne had offered tosew on a button, and at once found herself overwhelmed with requests to mend this, that and theother!
　　It was an extremely busy day. Yan appeared as usual and was greeted uproariously by Timmy, ofcourse. All the dogs loved him, but Timmy was quite silly with him. Mrs. Penruthlan sent Yan onendless errands, which he ran quickly and willingly.
　　'He may be a bit simple, but he's quick enough when he thinks there's some good food he's going toshare!' she said. So it was 'Fetch this, Yan!' 'Do that, Yan!' all day long.
　　The Barnies worked hard, too. They had a quick rehearsal in which every single thing went wrong;the Guv'nor raved and raged and stamped, making Anne wonder why they didn't all run away andstay away!
　　First there was to be a kind of concert party such as pierrots give on the beaches. Then there was tobe a play, most heart-rending and melodramatic, with villains and heroes and a heroine who was veryhardly used. But everything came right for her in the end, Anne was relieved to find!
　　Clopper the horse was to have no definite performance of his own. He just wandered on and off thestage to get laughs and to please everyone, or to fill awkward gaps. There was no doubt he would dothis to perfection!
　　Julian and Dick watched Mr. Binks and Sid doing a small rehearsal on their own in a corner of thefarmyard. How well those back legs and front legs worked together! How that horse danced, trotted,galloped, marched, fell over, tied itself into knots, sat down, got up, went to sleep, and, in 52fact, did every comical thing that Sid and Mr. Binks could think of. They really were very, veryfunny.
　　'Let me try the head on, Mr. Binks,' begged Julian. 'Do let me. Just to feel what it's like.'
　　But it was no good. Sid wouldn't let him. Mr. Binks had no say in the matter at all. 'Orders areorders,' said Sid, picking up the head as soon as Mr. Binks took it off. 'I don't want to lose my job.
　　The Guv'nor says if this horse's head is mislaid again, I'll be mislaid, too! So hands off Clopper!'
　　'Do you sleep with Clopper?' asked Dick, curiously. 'Having to take charge of a horse's head all thetime must be a bore!'
　　'You get used to it,' said Sid. 'Yes, I sleep with old Clopper. Him and me have our heads on thepillow together. He sleeps sound, does old Clopper!'
　　'He's the best part of the show,' grinned Julian. 'You'll bring the barn down with Clopper tonight!'
　　'We always do,' said Mr. Binks. 'He's the most important member of the Barnies, and he gets paid theworst. Shame.'
　　'Yes, back-legs and front-legs are badly paid,' said Sid. 'They only count as one player, see, so we gethalf pay. Still, we like the life, so there you are!'
　　They went off together, Sid carrying the horse's head as usual under his arm. He really was a funnylittle man, cheery and silly and gay.
　　Julian suddenly remembered something at dinner time. 'Mrs. Penruthlan,' he said. 'I suppose thatawful wind didn't cause any wrecks last night, did it?'
　　The farmer's wife looked surprised. 'No, Julian. Why should it? Ships keep right out to sea roundthese coasts now. The lighthouse warns them, you know. The only way any ship could come in nowwould be to nose into one of the caves at full tide, and then she'd have to be very careful of rocks.
　　The fishermen know the rocks as well as they know the backs of their hands, and they come into thecoves at times. But no other craft come now.'
　　Everyone heaved a sigh of relief. The flashing light hadn't caused a wreck last night, then. That was amercy! They went on with their meal. Mr. Penruthlan was there, eating away as usual, and sayingnothing at all. His jaws worked vigorously up and down, and it was impossible to think he had noteeth to chew with. Julian glanced at his hands, covered with black hairs. Yes, he had seen thosehands last night, no doubt about that! Not wielding a knife and fork, but sliding into pockets.
　　53
　　The evening came at last. Everything was ready. A big table was placed in the kitchen, made ofstrong trestles and boards. Mrs. Penruthlan gave the two girls a most enormous white cloth to layover it. It was bigger than any cloth they had ever seen!
　　'It's the one I use at harvest-time,' said the farmer's wife, proudly. 'We have a wonderful harvestsupper then, on that same table, but we put it out in the big barn because there's not enough roomhere in the kitchen for all the farm workers. And we clear the table away afterwards and have adance.'
　　'What fun!' said Anne. 'I do think people are lucky to live on a farm. There's always something goingon!'
　　'Town folk wouldn't say that!' said Mrs. Penruthlan. 'They think the country is a dead-and-alive place,but, my word, there's more life about a farm than anywhere else in the world. Farm life's the realthing I always say!'
　　'It is,' agreed Anne, and George nodded, too. They had now spread out the snowy-white cloth and itlooked lovely.
　　'That cloth's the real thing, too,' said Mrs. Penruthlan. 'It belonged to my great- great- great-grandmother, and it's nearly two hundred years old! As white as ever and not a darn in it! It's seenmore harvest suppers than any cloth made, and that's the truth!'
　　The table was laid with plates and knives and forks, cruets and glasses. All the Barnies had beeninvited, and there were the children, too, of course. One or two of the villagers were staying as well,to help. What a feast they would all have!
　　The larder was so crammed with food that it was difficult to get into it. Meat pies, fruit pies, hams, agreat round tongue, pickles, sauces, jam tarts, stewed and fresh fruit, jellies, a great trifle, jugs ofcream - there was no end to the things Mrs. Penruthlan had got ready. She laughed when she saw thechildren peeping there and marvelling.
　　'You won't get any high tea today,' she told them. 'You'll get nothing from dinner till supper, so thatyou can get up a good appetite and really eat well!'
　　Nobody minded missing high tea with that wonderful supper to come. The excitement grew as thetime came near for the show. 'Here come the first villagers!' cried Julian, who was at the barn door tohelp to sell the tickets. 'Hurrah! It will soon begin! Walk up, everyone! Finest show in the world.
　　Come along in your hundreds! Come along!'
10.表演就要开始啦
　　表演就要开始啦
　　朱利安和迪克继续观察了一会儿信号灯，接着就准备回农场去了。这里的风很强劲，而且还很冷，即使现在是夏日的夜晚，他们也冷得瑟瑟发抖。
　　“很高兴你能找到我们，扬，”迪克说，他把手臂搭在浑身发抖的小男孩身上，“感谢你帮助了我们。我们下一步要去探索那座旧灯塔，你可以带我们去吗？”
　　扬抖得更加厉害，既是出于恐惧，也是出于寒冷。“不可以，我很害，”他说，“我现在很害那个灯塔。”
　　“‘害’是什么意思？”迪克说，“我猜你是想说害怕吧？扬，这样吧，你不需要跟我们去了，我也必须承认这件事确实有点怪异。你现在可以回你的小屋了。”
　　扬像只受了惊吓的兔子，马上消失在夜色里。两个男孩也登上了回程的路。他们并不觉得害怕，因为他们能肯定今晚没有其他人外出了。可当回到农场时，他们又遇到了新的情况，使得他们突然停下了脚步。
　　“谷仓里有灯光！”迪克小声说，“消失了，哦不，又有了。有人拿着一个手电筒，开了又关。那人是谁？”
　　“有可能是其中一个谷仓仔吧，”朱利安小声地回答说，“我们去看看。你也知道，谷仓仔就在附近的棚屋里住。”
　　他们蹑手蹑脚地来到了谷仓，透过缝隙往里面观察。一开始他们什么都看不到，直到手电筒亮起，照在谷仓仔的一些物品上面，他们才看到角落里堆叠着一些场景幕布、服装和其他的东西。
　　“有人在掏那些衣服的口袋！”朱利安生气地说，“快看，是个小偷！”
　　“那是谁？”迪克说，“是其中一个谷仓仔在偷东西吗？”
　　有那么一两个瞬间，手电筒的光照到谷仓里那个人的手背。男孩们震惊地发现，他们认识这只手——手背上黑色的汗毛跟动物毛皮一样厚！
　　“是庞鲁斯兰先生！”迪克小声说，“是他准没错，你看那巨大的身影就能知道。他在做什么？他肯定是疯了，晚上在山上出没，现在又偷偷跑到谷仓里翻别人的口袋。快看他现在在做什么！翻衣柜里的抽屉！那里面放着谷仓仔表演节目时需要用到的东西。他肯定是疯了！”
　　朱利安心里觉得很不舒服，他并不喜欢这样子监视他的东道主。庞鲁斯兰先生不仅说谎话，夜晚外出偷偷摸摸的，还翻别人的东西。他肯定是疯了！庞鲁斯兰夫人知道这些事情吗？她肯定不知道，不然她会很不高兴的，她看起来简直就像是世界上最开心的人。
　　“走吧，”朱利安贴着迪克的耳朵说，“虽然我不知道他想在谷仓仔的服装里找什么东西，但我知道他要把这里搜个底朝天。他简直就是个变态！快走吧，我真的不想亲眼看到他偷东西。如果我们不得不交待出他做的这件事的话，那真是无比尴尬！”
　　他们悄悄离开了谷仓，回到了农舍，又从后门偷偷地溜了进去。他们特意看了一下前门——门虽然是关着的，但并没有上锁。
　　两个男孩一脸疑惑地上了楼。今晚真是太奇怪了！闪烁的信号灯，谷仓里那个多毛的疯子，这些事让他们的脑袋无比混乱。
　　“把女孩们叫醒吧，然后告诉她们这些事，”朱利安说，“我没办法等到明天再说。”
　　乔治和蒂米都醒着。蒂米听到他们出去的动静，就一直醒着等他们回来。它弄出的动静叫醒了乔治，所以她已经听到门外的窃窃私语了。
　　“安妮！乔治！我们有新消息。”朱利安小声说。蒂米发出“呜呜”的声音表示欢迎，然后从床上跳下来。很快安妮也醒了，她们听完了男孩们带回的新消息，对庞鲁斯兰先生在谷仓里的事，跟灯塔里的信号灯确实在闪着这件事感到同样惊讶。
　　“所以老爷爷说的话都是真的，”安妮小声地说，“他确实又看到了信号灯。我觉得这一切都很奇怪，朱利安，我们明天不会听到船只失事的消息吧？我会受不了的。”
　　“我也受不了。”乔治说，她听着外面狂风呼啸的声音，想象着船只在这样的一个夜里陷入困境，被海浪冲击到礁石上的画面，“我觉得我们现在应该立刻去海湾那边，看看能不能做些救援工作。”
　　“我们帮不了多少忙的，”迪克说，“甚至，在这样的夜晚我们能否靠近洞穴都是个问题！”
　　他们无休无止地讨论着，直到乔治有了困意，打起了哈欠。“我们最好别聊了，”她说，“否则我们明天会起不来的。我们明天没办法去灯塔那边探索，朱利安，谷仓仔要来这里表演，我们答应了庞鲁斯兰夫人要给她帮忙的。”
　　“那就只能往后再推一天了，”朱利安说，“但我是一定要去的，扬说他不会给我们带路的，他说他太害怕了！”
　　“我也觉得挺害怕的，”乔治已经平静了下来，“如果我今晚看到那个信号灯的话，我一定会吓到灵魂出窍的。”
　　两个男孩悄悄回到他们的房间，很快就爬上床，进入了梦乡。
　　风依旧在农舍周围咆哮，但他们完全听不到，他们已经被这段漫长的路途折腾得疲惫不堪了。
　　第二天有很多事情要做，忙到他们都没时间去回想昨晚发生的事情。不过，他们还是通过一件事想起来了！
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人给他们准备了早餐，跟往常一样欢快地跟他们聊天。她的嘴滔滔不绝，一直在说话，不是对着孩子们说，就是对着狗说。
　　“昨晚风那么吵闹，你们睡得还好吗？”她问，“我睡得很熟，跟庞鲁斯兰先生一样，他说他昨晚累坏了，一整晚动都没动。”
　　孩子们什么都没说，但桌子底下的脚却互相踢着彼此，因为他们比她更了解她丈夫所做的事情。
　　除了这件事，他们几乎没有什么空闲时间来想其他事情，一直忙于摘果实、剥豌豆，匆匆跑到这里来，又赶到那边去，帮谷仓仔他们搬东西，再摆好长椅、粗腰桶、箱子和椅子等供观众坐，甚至还要缝补些舞台服装。安妮提出要帮忙缝纽扣，她发现自己马上就上手了，缝了一个又一个！
　　真是忙碌的一天！扬跟往常一样突然出现，蒂米用极其亢奋的叫声跟他打招呼。农场里所有的狗都喜欢他，但只有蒂米会无条件地跟他好。庞鲁斯兰夫人派扬跑腿过很多次，他都很乐意而且很快地去执行。
　　“他平时比较笨，但只要能得到一份食物的话，他就变得特别灵敏！”她说，“一整天都可以对他说：‘扬，拿着这个。扬，去做那个。’”
　　谷仓仔也在卖力地做准备工作。他们频繁地进行彩排，而且只要有地方做错了，他们的老板就会大发脾气，这使得安妮好奇为什么他们仍然留在他身边而不是离他而去。
　　表演一开始是由音乐开场的，是一个叫“海滩上的小丑”的节目。接着就是表演剧，感人肺腑而又充满戏剧性的表演，正义与邪恶的对抗，英雄与歹徒的斗争，以及鲜有出现的女英雄。安妮看到女英雄最终有个好结局的时候，如释重负。
　　那匹叫克洛普的马没有固定档期，它为了取悦所有人，或者是为了拯救垮掉的表演，不断在台上台下活动，毫无疑问，它这份工作做得很完美。
　　朱利安和迪克在农场的一个角落里，观看宾克斯先生和锡德他们的彩排。它的前腿和后腿简直配合得天衣无缝！跳舞、小跑、飞跑、前进、摔倒、把自己扭成麻花、坐下、起身、睡觉，以及所有锡德和宾克斯先生能想到的喜剧动作，做得都十分到位。
　　“可不可以让我戴上马头试一下，宾克斯先生，”朱利安乞求着说，“你就让我试试吧，我只是想感受一下。”
　　但他并没有得逞。不仅锡德不肯，宾克斯先生也表现出一副没有一点商量余地的样子。
　　“命令就是命令。”锡德说，宾克斯先生拿下头套后，锡德第一时间就把它接过来，“我不想被炒鱿鱼，老板说过，如果马头不见了，我也得消失！所以，请不要再打克洛普的主意了！”
　　“你们睡觉也带着克洛普吗？”迪克好奇地问道，“无时无刻都要带着它的话，你不烦吗？”
　　“习惯了，”锡德说，“我睡觉也会带着克洛普。它跟我同床共枕，睡得可沉了！”
　　“它是整个表演最精彩的部分，”朱利安嬉皮笑脸地说，“你们今晚的表演一定会让谷仓里的人笑个不停的！”
　　“一直如此，”宾克斯先生说，“它是谷仓仔最重要的成员之一，然而它却拿着最低的报酬，真令人羞愧。”
　　“是的，负责后腿和前腿的人酬劳都很低，”锡德说，“我们加起来只能算一个人的薪资，也就是说，我们每个人只有一半的薪水，但是谁叫我们喜欢这个表演呢。”
　　他们两人一起走开了，锡德跟往常一样，依然把马头夹在自己的手臂下。他真是一个有趣的矮家伙，活泼又可爱。
　　朱利安在午餐的时候突然想起一些事情。“庞鲁斯兰夫人，”他说，“昨晚的狂风没有导致船只失事吧？”
　　农妇对这个问题感到很意外，回答说：“没有啊，为什么这么问？现在的船只都会跟这里的海岸保持一段距离，灯塔会给他们发警告的信息。现在的船只都会等到满潮的时候才会进入到其中一个洞穴里，虽然仍要小心那些礁石，但渔夫都特别清楚暗礁的位置，就跟熟悉自己的手背一样。所以他们现在虽然也会进到海湾里来，但已经没有船只会失事了。”
　　孩子们都如释重负。最终的结果就是，昨晚信号灯没有导致任何船只失事，这太令人高兴了！于是他们继续用餐。庞鲁斯兰先生也跟往常一样，在那里沉默地吃着饭。由于是在咀嚼，他的下巴一直上上下下地抖动着，实在是难以想象，他竟然没有牙齿！朱利安瞄了眼他的手，一层厚厚的汗毛。毫无疑问，朱利安昨晚看到的就是这双手，只不过当时这双手不像现在这样拿着刀叉，而是伸进了别人的口袋。
　　终于到了晚上，所有的事情都已经准备妥当。厨房里放着一张巨大的由坚固的支架和木板制成的桌子。庞鲁斯兰夫人把一块大大的白色桌布递给两个女孩，让她们铺在桌子上面，这是她们这辈子见过的最大的桌布！
　　“我在大丰收的时候就会用这块桌布，”农妇自豪地说，“在那个时候，我们会举办盛宴来庆祝，用同样的桌子，不过是在大谷仓那边，因为厨房没有足够的空间来容纳所有农民。吃完大餐之后，我们就会把桌子挪走，然后一起跳舞。”
　　“真有趣！”安妮说，“我觉得住在农场的人真幸运，一直都有新鲜事发生。”
　　“县城里的人就不这样认为，”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，“他们觉得农村生活很枯燥，但我觉得农村的生活比世界上其他任何地方都要有趣。就像我经常说的，这才是真正的生活！”
　　“没错。”安妮说，乔治也点点头。她们已经把雪白的桌布铺了上去，十分好看。
　　“这桌布也有年头了，”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，“这是我曾曾曾祖母的桌布，到现在已经将近200年了！但依然是那么雪白干净，从没有修补过，它见证过的丰收宴比任何桌布都要多！”
　　桌子上已经放置好盘子、刀叉、调味瓶和玻璃杯。晚宴邀请了所有的谷仓仔，当然孩子们也被邀请了，还有一两个留下来帮忙的村民。他们将会吃到一顿大餐！
　　食品室现在已经很难进得去了，里面堆满了肉馅饼、水果馅饼、火腿、泡菜、酱汁、果酱馅饼、水果、果冻、一大份松糕、一大壶奶油——庞鲁斯兰夫人准备的东西简直无穷无尽。孩子们情不自禁地偷偷往里看，瞠目结舌的模样，令她开怀大笑。
　　“今天没有下午茶，”她跟他们说，“正餐都不会有，就是为了让你们今天晚上有个特别好的胃口，才能大吃一顿。”
　　在丰盛的晚宴面前，没人介意吃不吃下午茶。越临近表演的时间，越是让人激动。“第一个村民来了！”朱利安大喊说，他在谷仓门口帮忙销售门票。
　　“快来啊！表演很快就开始了！来宾往里面请！这是世界上最好看的表演。快来看吧！”
Chapter 11 THE BARNIES - AND CLOPPER
Chapter 11 THE BARNIES - AND CLOPPER
　　When the big barn was full of villagers, and a few more boxes had been fetched for some of the extrachildren, the noise was tremendous. Everyone was laughing and talking, some of the children wereclapping for the show to begin, and the excited farm dogs were yapping and barking at the top oftheir voices!
　　Timmy was excited, too. He welcomed everyone with a bark and a vigorous wag. Yan was with him,and George was sure that he was pretending that Timmy was his dog! Yan looked cleaner than usual.
　　Mrs. Penruthlan had actually given him a bath!
　　'You don't come to the show and you don't come to the supper unless you bath yourself,' shethreatened. But he wouldn't. He said he was 'frit' of the bath!
　　'I'll be drowned in there,' he said, backing away from it hurriedly. It was already half full of water forhim!
　　'Frit, are you!' said Mrs. Penruthlan grimly, lifting him up and plunging him into the water, clothesand all. 'Well, you'll be fritter still now! Take your clothes off in the water and I'll wash them in thebath when you're clean. Oh, the dirty little varmint that you are!'
　　Yan screamed the place down as Mrs. Penruthlan scrubbed him and soaped him and flannelled him.
　　He hit out at her, but she gave him one sound spank on his small behind, and he stopped verysuddenly. He felt very much at her mercy, and decided not to annoy her in any way while he was inthat dreadful bath!
　　She washed his ragged pants and shirt, too, and set them to dry. She wrapped him in an old shawl,and told him to wait till his things dried and then put them on.
　　'One of these days I'll make you some decent clothes,' she said. 'Little rapscallion that you are!
　　What a mite of a body you've got. I'll need to feed you up a bit!'
　　Yan brightened up considerably. Feeding up was the kind of treatment he really liked!
　　Now he was down in the barn, welcoming everyone with Timmy, and feeling quite important.
　　He yelled with delight when he saw his old great-grandfather coming along!
　　'Grandad! You said you was coming, but I didn't believe you. Come you in. I'll find you a chair.'
　　'And what's come over you, the way you look tonight?' said the old man, puzzled. 'What you done toyourself?'
　　55
　　'I've took a bath. See?' said Yan, sounding proud. 'Iss. I took a bath, Grandad. Same as you ought.'
　　Grandad aimed a cuff at him, and then nodded to various people he knew. He had his big oldshepherd's crook with him, and he held on to it even when he sat down on a chair.
　　'Well, Grandad, it's nigh on twenty year since we saw you down hereabouts,' said a big, red-facedvillager. 'What you been doing with yourself all these years?'
　　'Minding my business and minding my sheep,' said Grandad, in his slow, Cornish voice. 'Ay, and it'llmebbe twenty years afore you sees me again, Joe Tremayne. And if you want to know summat, I'lltell you this. It bain't the show I'm come for, it's the supper.'
　　Everyone roared with laughter, and Grandad looked as pleased as Punch. Yan looked at him proudly.
　　His old Grandad was as good as anyone, any day!
　　'Sh! Sh! Show's going to begin!' said somebody, when they saw the curtain twitching. At once thetalking and shuffling stopped, and all eyes turned to the stage. A faded, rather torn blue curtain wasdrawn across.
　　There came a chord from a fiddle behind the scenes, and then a gay tune sounded out. The curtainwas drawn back slowly, halting on its rings here and there, and the audience gave a long sigh ofdelight. They had seen the Barnies many times but they never tired of them.
　　All the Barnies were on the stage, and the fiddler fiddled away as they struck up a rousing song with achorus that all the villagers joined in most heartily. Old Grandad beat time, banging his crook on thefloor.
　　Everything was applauded heartily. Then someone called out loudly. 'Where's old Clopper?
　　Where be he?'
　　And old Clopper the horse came shyly on, looking out of the sides of his eyes at the audience, andbeing so very bashful that old Grandad almost fell off his chair with laughing.
　　The fiddle struck up again and Clopper marched in time to it. It grew quicker, and he ran. It grewquicker still and he galloped, and fell right off the stage.
　　'Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!' roared someone. 'HOO-HOO-HOO-HOO!' It was such an enormous guffaw thateveryone turned round. It came from Mr. Penruthlan, who was writhing and wriggling in his seat as ifhe was in great pain. But he was only laughing at Clopper.
　　Clopper heard the giant of a laugh and put a hoof behind one ear to listen to it. Grandad promptly felloff his seat with joy. Clopper caught his back legs in his front legs and fell over too. There 56was such a pandemonium of screams and guffaws and yells from the delighted audience that it wassurprising the roof didn't fall in.
　　'Off now,' said a firm voice at the side of the stage. Julian looked to see who it was, as Clopperobediently turned to shuffle off, waving one back leg to the admiring villagers. The voice came fromthe Guv'nor who was standing where he could watch the whole show in detail. His face was stillunsmiling, even after Clopper's antics!
　　The show was a great success, although it could not have been simpler. The jokes were old, the playacted was even older, the singing was a bit flat, and the dancing not as good as the third form of agirls' school, but it was so merry and smiling and idiotic and good-natured that it went with a terrificswing from start to finish.
　　As for Clopper, it was his evening! Every time his head so much as looked in on the stage, theaudience rocked with joy. They would, in fact, have been delighted to have had one actor only, all theevening, and that actor, Clopper, of course. Julian and Dick watched him, fascinated. How they bothlonged to try on those back and front legs, and put on the head, and do a little'cloppering' themselves!
　　'Sid and Binks are awfully good, aren't they?' said Dick. 'Gosh, I wish we could get hold of legs and ahead and do that act at the Christmas school concert, Ju! We'd bring the house down. Let's ask Sid ifwe can have a shot some time.'
　　'He won't lend us the head,' said Julian. 'Still, we could do without that, and just try the legs. I bet wecould think of some funny things to do, Dick!'
　　Everybody was sad when the curtain went across the stage, and the show was over. The fiddle struckup 'God Save the Queen', and everyone rose loyally to stand and sing every word lustily.
　　'Three cheers for the Barnies!' yelled a child, and the hip-hurrahing rose to the rafters. Grandadwaved his crook too vigorously and hit a very large farmer on the back of his neck.
　　'Now, old Grandad!' said the farmer, rubbing his neck, 'you trying to pick a fight with me? No, no, I'dbe afeared to take you on, I would. You'd get me by my hind leg with that crook like you do yoursheep, and down I'd go!'
　　Grandad was delighted. He hadn't had such an evening for forty years! Maybe fifty. And now for thatsupper. That was what he had really come for. He'd show some of these sixty-year-old youngstershow to eat!
　　57
　　The villagers went home, talking and laughing. Two or three of the women stayed on to help.
　　The Barnies didn't bother to change out of their acting clothes, but came into the kitchen as theywere, grease-paint running down their cheeks in the heat. The barn had got very hot with so manypeople packed in close together.
　　The children were simply delighted with everything. They had laughed so much at Clopper that theyfelt quite weak. The play had amused them too, with its sighings and groanings and threats and tearsand stridings around. Now they were more than ready for their supper!
　　The Barnies crowded round the loaded table, cracking jokes, complimenting Mrs. Penruthlan,smacking everyone on the back, and generally behaving like a lot of school children out for a treat.
　　Julian looked round at them all. What a jolly lot! He looked for the Guv'nor, surely for once in a wayhe too would be smiling and cheerful.
　　But he wasn't there. Julian looked and looked again. No, he certainly wasn't there.
　　'Where's the Guv'nor?' he asked Sid, who was sitting next to him.
　　'The Guv'nor? Oh, he's sitting in solitary state in the barn,' said Sid, attacking an enormous slice ofmeat-pie laced with hard-boiled eggs. 'He never feeds with us, not even after a show. Keeps himselfto himself, he does! He'll be having a whacking great tray of food all on his own. Suits me all right! Inever did get on with the Guv'nor.'
　　'Where's Clopper - the horse's head, I mean?' asked Julian. He couldn't see it beside Sid anywhere. 'Isit under the table?'
　　'No. The Guv'nor's got it tonight. Said he wasn't going to have it rolled about under the table, or havejelly or gravy dropped all over it,' said Sid, taking six large pickled onions. 'My, Mrs.
　　Penruthlan is a wonder! Why don't I marry someone like her, instead of getting thinner and thinnerinside Clopper's back-legs?'
　　Julian laughed. He wondered who was going to take the Guv'nor's tray into the barn. He noticed thatMrs. Penruthlan was getting one ready, and he went over to her.
　　'Is that for the Guv'nor?' he asked. 'Shall I take it for you?'
　　'Oh, thank you, Julian,' said the busy farmer's wife, gratefully. 'Here it is, and ask Dick to carry in abottle and a glass for him, will you? There's no more room on the tray.'
　　So Julian and Dick together went out to the barn with the food and drink. The wind still blewstrongly and rain was beginning to fall again.
　　58
　　'There's no one here,' said Julian, looking round. He set down the tray, puzzled. Then he saw a notepinned on the curtain. He went to read it.
　　'Back in an hour,' he read. 'Gone for a walk. The Guv'nor.'
　　'Oh well, we'll leave the tray then,' said Julian. He and Dick were just turning to go when they caughtsight of something, the back and front legs of Clopper the horse! They stopped, each with the samethought in his mind.
　　'Everyone at supper! The Guv'nor gone for an hour. Nobody would know if we tried on the legs!'
　　They looked at one another, and read each other's mind. 'Let's have a go at being Clopper!'
　　'Come on, quick,' said Julian. 'You be the back legs and I'll be the front ones. Quick!'
　　They got into them hurriedly, and Julian managed to do up most of the zip. But it wasn't right withoutthe head. Had the Guv'nor taken it with him? Surely not. It would be quite safe in the barn.
　　'There it is, on that chair under the shawl!' said Dick, and they galloped over to get it. Julian picked itup. It was rather heavier than he had imagined. He looked inside it to see how far his head went in it,wondering how to work the eyes and mouth.
　　He put his hand inside, and scrabbled about. A lid fell open in the side of the neck, and out camesome cigarettes, scattering over the floor. 'Blow!' said Julian. 'I didn't know Mr. Binks kept hiscigarettes in Clopper. Pick them up, Dick, and I'll put them back. Thanks.'
　　He put the cigarettes back in the little space, and shut the lid on them. Then he put the head carefullyover his own. It felt extremely strange.
　　'There are eye-holes in the neck,' he said to Dick. 'That's how Mr. Binks knew where he was going. Ikept wondering why he didn't bump into things more than he did! Now - I'm ready. The head seemsto be on firmly. I'll count - one-two, one-two - and we'll walk in time. Don't let's start any funny trickstill we're used to Clopper. Does my voice sound funny inside the neck?'
　　'Most peculiar,' said Dick, who was now bending over so that his back made the horse's back, and hisarms were round Julian's waist. 'I say, what's that?'
　　'Someone's coming, it's the Guv'nor coming back!' said Julian in alarm. 'Quick, gallop out of the doorbefore we're caught.'
　　And so, to the Guv'nor's enormous surprise Clopper galloped very clumsily out of the barn door justas he was coming in, almost knocking him over. At first he didn't realize it was Clopper, then he letout a loud roar and gave chase.
　　59
　　'I can't see,' panted poor Julian. 'Where am I going? Oh thank goodness, it's an empty stable!
　　Quick, let's un-zip ourselves, and you'll have to take this head off for me. I can't manage it myself.'
　　But alas and alack! The zip got stuck and wouldn't come undone. The boys tugged and pulled but itwasn't a bit of good. It looked as if they had got to be Clopper for the rest of the evening!
11.谷仓仔和克洛普
　　谷仓仔和克洛普
　　大谷仓里坐满了村民，一些人拿出了几个箱子给小孩们坐，现场十分热闹。所有人都在谈笑，有一些孩子不停地鼓掌，催促表演快点开始，农场里的狗则兴奋地用它们最大的嗓门不断狂吠。
　　蒂米也很兴奋，它用吠叫和摇尾巴来欢迎所有人。扬跟它待在一起，乔治认定扬在假装蒂米是他的狗！扬今天看起来比往常要干净，因为庞鲁斯兰夫人给他洗了个澡。
　　“除非你洗澡，否则你就不能来看表演，也不能一起吃饭。”庞鲁斯兰夫人是这么威胁的，但扬说他很害怕洗澡。
　　“我会淹死的。”他说着急忙躲开，这会儿水已经装到半桶了！
　　“害怕？真的吗？”庞鲁斯兰夫人一边厉声说着，一边把他揪起来放到水里，连同他全身的衣服，“你现在最好给我待着！把衣服脱了，放到水里，你洗完澡后我会帮你洗干净的。天哪，你这个脏兮兮的淘气鬼。”
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人给他搓澡，涂肥皂擦洗的时候，扬一直在撕心裂肺地尖叫。他反抗时打到了她，但她只是往他屁股上一拍，他就突然安静了，因为他感受到了庞鲁斯兰夫人的善意，决定在这可怕的洗浴中不再给她增添麻烦。
　　她清洗了他破旧的裤子和衣服，拿去晾干，用老旧的披巾把他给裹起来，告诉他说要等到衣服干了之后再穿上。
　　“总有一天我会给你做套体面一些的衣服，”她说，“你个小坏蛋，怎么那么瘦，我得给你多吃一点。”
　　扬听到后相当高兴，他最喜欢的就是吃东西了！
　　他现在已经来到谷仓，和蒂米一起欢迎所有人的到来，觉得自己正扮演着重要的角色。当看到他曾祖父也来了的时候，他高兴得叫了起来。
　　“太爷爷，虽然您说过您会来，但我一直不相信。快进来，我给您找个椅子。”
　　“你怎么了？你好像变了一个人，”曾祖父疑惑地说，“你做了什么？”
　　“我洗了个澡，您看出来了是吗？”扬说，他听起来有些自豪，“真的，我确实洗了个澡，太爷爷，您也应该洗一个。”
　　曾祖父举起手作势准备给他一巴掌，转而又跟他认识的人打招呼去了。他拄着他那把老旧的拐杖，即使坐在了椅子上，也依然拿着它。
　　“老爷子，您有将近20年没有下山了吧？”一个大红脸的村民说，“这些年都忙着做什么呢？”
　　“忙着做生意，照料我的羊。”老爷爷带着康沃尔口音缓慢地说，“是啊，我们得有20年没见过了，乔•特里梅恩。如果你想知道我为什么要来，我跟你说吧，我不是为了表演来的，而是为了表演过后的大餐而来的！”
　　所有人都笑开了怀，老爷爷看起来也很高兴。扬自豪地看着他。他的曾祖父在任何时候都能跟别人相处得很好！
　　“嘘！嘘嘘！表演要开始了！”看到幕布突然晃动起来，有些人开始相互提醒着。现场的人陆陆续续停止说话和走动，所有人的目光都汇聚到舞台上。一个淡蓝色的——应该说是褪了色的蓝幕布被拉开了。
　　舞台上响起了由小提琴演奏的和弦，接着便奏起欢快的曲调。
　　观众们高兴地发出持久的感叹，虽然他们看过很多次谷仓仔的表演，但从来不觉得厌烦。
　　谷仓仔所有成员都登上舞台，伴着小提琴欢快的乐曲，一起合唱一首鼓舞人心的歌。全体村民也都热烈地加入了合唱，老爷爷用拐杖在地上敲打着节拍。
　　所有的表演都使人由衷地鼓掌喝彩，这时候有人大声喊道：“克洛普的表演呢？”
　　于是，那匹叫克洛普的马便害羞地出现了。它眼睛看着观众，羞羞答答、扭扭捏捏的模样使得老爷爷差点笑掉大牙。
　　小提琴手又开始演奏，克洛普跟着音乐加快了节奏，最后奔跑起来，越来越快，就在快要飞驰起来的时候，摔到了舞台下面。
　　“哈哈哈哈！”有人大笑起来，“啊哈哈哈！”这笑声实在太响，使得所有人都回头看——是庞鲁斯兰先生！他在椅子上扭来扭去，看起来很痛苦似的，但其实他只是被克洛普逗得不行。
　　克洛普听到这么大的笑声，把一只蹄子放到耳朵后面，做出倾听的动作。台下又是一阵狂笑，老爷爷看到后笑得从椅子上滑了下来。克洛普用后腿绊住前腿，跟着也摔倒了。观众们爆发出雷霆般的笑声、尖叫声和欢呼声，他们甚至惊讶于屋顶居然没有塌下来！
　　“下去！”舞台边传来一个冷冰冰的声音说。克洛普顺从地准备下场，并抬起一条后腿对着观众挥别。那声音是他们老板的，他一直站在能够仔细观察整场表演的位置上，脸色依然严肃，甚至对克洛普滑稽的动作也无动于衷。
　　虽然在这些节目中都是一些旧的噱头，表演就更老套了，歌唱也平淡无奇，舞蹈也不及一个三年级女孩跳得精彩，但演员们热情投入的表演从头到尾都令所有人融入其中。
　　至于克洛普，这简直是属于它的夜晚！每次只要它在舞台上，即使是做了个“看”的动作，观众都会哈哈大笑。事实上，他们一整晚就只被克洛普给逗笑了。朱利安和迪克着迷地看着它，他们两人都特别想尝试一下穿着前腿和后腿，戴上头套，也做一回克洛普。
　　“锡德和宾克斯的表演真是太好看了，你觉得呢？”迪克说，“天哪，我特别想在我们学校的圣诞节目上用这套服装去表演。朱利安，我们的表演一定会很出彩！我们有机会的话再去问问锡德，看看他肯不肯。”
　　“他不会把头套借给我们的，”朱利安说，“但即使没有头套，我们依然可以尝试一下那些腿，我觉得我们可以创造出一些有趣的东西。”
　　当表演落下帷幕的时候，所有人都觉得没看够。小提琴手奏起了《天佑女王》 ，所有人都肃然起敬，忘情地歌唱。
　　“让我们用热烈的欢呼声来感谢谷仓仔吧！”一个孩子喊道，接着欢呼声便响彻整个谷仓。老爷爷挥舞拐杖的动作过大，敲到了一个身材魁梧的农民后颈上。
　　“老爷子！”那位农民一边揉着自己的脖子，一边说，“您是要跟我打架吗？千万别啊，我可不想跟您打。我知道您是怎么用拐杖打您的羊的，勾住它们的后腿让它们摔跤，我可不想跟它们有一样的下场。”
　　老爷爷很开心。他已经有40年没有像今晚这样高兴了，或许是50年。现在到了盛宴的时间，也就是他来这里的真正目的，他会教那些60岁的“年轻人”怎么吃饭！
　　村民们说说笑笑，开始散场回家，有两三个女人留下来帮忙。
　　谷仓仔并没有换下他们的服装，直接来到了厨房，脸上的妆由于温度过高，油彩已开始脱落，谷仓里挤了那么多人，实在是太热了。
　　最高兴的要数孩子们，克洛普让他们笑得浑身都没力气了。它的表演实在太有趣，叹息、呻吟、威胁、流泪、踱步都表演得特别到位。他们已经准备好大吃一顿了！
　　谷仓仔有说有笑地围着装满食物的桌子坐下，称赞着庞鲁斯兰夫人的厨艺，表现得就像一大群小学生在跟人要糖果。朱利安在一旁看着他们，觉得实在是太有趣了！他在人群中寻找他们老板的身影，他觉得这时候他们老板的表情应该会和悦一些。
　　但却找不到他，他反反复复地确认，最后还是没能看到他。
　　“你们老板呢？”他问锡德，锡德坐在他旁边。
　　“老板？哦，他自己在谷仓里的舞台上坐着。”锡德说，他切下一大块馅饼，上面点缀着煮熟的鸡蛋，“他从来不跟我们一起吃饭，即使是演出结束后也一样，独来独往，只用一个大盘子装上一些食物自己吃。这正合我意，我并不怎么喜欢跟他相处。”
　　“克洛普在哪里？就是马头套，”朱利安问，他在锡德身边没发现它，“难道在桌子底下？”
　　“不，老板今晚自己保管。他不允许把它放在桌子底下，也不允许果冻或者肉汁沾在上面。”锡德说，他伸手拿了六个大大的腌制洋葱，“天哪，庞鲁斯兰夫人的厨艺真是太棒了！我为什么不娶一个像她这样的人呢？何必要在克洛普的后腿里面勒掉我的肉呢！”
　　朱利安听到他的话后大笑起来。他在想谁会把他们老板的盘子端到谷仓去，这时他注意到庞鲁斯兰夫人准备好了一个盘子，于是向她走过去。
　　“这是给谷仓仔老板的吗？”他问，“我可以帮您拿过去吗？”
　　“可以啊，谢谢你，朱利安，”这位忙碌的农妇感激地说，“你端着盘子，让迪克拿着饮料和一只玻璃杯，可以吗？盘子上已经放不下了。”
　　朱利安跟迪克两个人拿着饮料和食物向谷仓走去。风依然很大，天又要开始下雨了。
　　“这里没人。”朱利安在谷仓里看了一圈后说。他把盘子放下，感到很疑惑。这时候，他注意到幕帘上有一个纸条，便拿下来看。
　　“一小时后回来，”他读着纸条上的内容，“我出去走一走。谷仓仔老板留。”
　　“那我们就把盘子放这里好了。”朱利安说，当他跟迪克正准备转身出去的时候，注意到了地上的一样东西——克洛普的前腿和后腿！他们停下了脚步，脑海里产生了同样的想法。
　　“所有人都在吃饭，而老板得一个小时后才回来，如果我们穿上的话，也没有人会注意到。”
　　他们看着对方的眼睛，同时点了点头：“做一回克洛普！”
　　“快点，”朱利安说，“你负责后腿，我负责前腿，速度要快！”
　　他们快速地换上道具，朱利安已经设法把拉链给拉好了，但因为没有头套，所以看起来很怪。难道老板把它拿走了吗？应该不会啊，放谷仓里也挺安全的。
　　“在那边的椅子上，用围巾盖着呢。”迪克说，接着他们跑了过去。朱利安把它拿了起来，这比他想象中的还要重。他往头套里面看，估摸自己的头能伸进去多深，并研究着如何使眼睛和嘴巴动起来。
　　他把手伸了进去，胡乱抓了几下，在脖子处打开了一个盖子，掉出一些香烟，洒了一地。“可恶！”朱利安说，“宾克斯先生竟然把香烟藏在克洛普身上了。把它们捡起来，迪克，我得把它们装回去。”
　　他把香烟放回那个小小的机关里，然后把盖子盖上。接着他小心翼翼地把头套戴上，这感觉真是特别奇怪。
　　“脖子这里有观察孔，”他对迪克说，“这就是宾克斯先生知道他该往哪里走的奥秘。我还一直好奇他为什么总不会撞到呢！我现在准备好了，头套戴得很稳。我说‘一二一’，然后我们跟着节奏走，在我们上手之前，先不要做其他把戏。我的声音会不会因为是从这里面发出的而变得很有趣啊？”
　　“很特别。”迪克说，他现在已经把腰弯起来，只有这样才能形成马背，他的手搭着朱利安的腰，“你听到什么没有？”
　　“有人来了，肯定是老板回来了！”朱利安警觉地说，“在被他发现之前赶紧冲出去。”
　　老板进来的时候，意外地发现克洛普笨重地从谷仓冲了出来，差点把他撞倒。一开始他并没有意识到那是克洛普，等到他反应过来后立刻大喝一声，追了上去。
　　“我什么都看不到，”朱利安气喘吁吁地说，“我们跑到哪里去了？天哪，还好这里是个空着的马厩。快点，把拉链拉开，你得帮我把头套拿下来，我自己根本办不到。”
　　但拉链卡住了，偏偏怎么拉都拉不开。尽管两个男孩拼命地又拉又扯，却一点效果都没有。看来，他们一整晚都要扮演克洛普了。
Chapter 12 A TRIP TO THE TOWER
Chapter 12 A TRIP TO THE TOWER
　　'Blow this zip!' said Julian, desperately. 'It's got absolutely stuck! It's so dificult for us to undo it fromthe inside of the beastly horse. Oh, this head. I must get it off.'
　　He pushed at the head but somehow or other it had got wedged on him, and Julian felt that short ofpulling his own head off he would certainly never get Clopper's off!
　　The horse sat down, exhausted, looking a very peculiar shape. Julian leaned the head against the wallof the stable and panted. 'I'm so hot,' he complained. 'Dick, for goodness sake think of something.
　　We'll have to get help. But I daren't go back to the barn because of the Guv'nor, and we really can'tappear in the kitchen like this. Everyone would have a fit, and Sid and Mr. Binks would be furiouswith us.
　　'I think we were asses to try this,' said Dick, pulling viciously at the zip again. 'Ugh! What use arezips, I'd like to know. I feel most uncomfortable. Can't you get in some other position, Ju? I seem tobe standing on my head or something.'
　　'Let's go and scout round the kitchen,' said Julian trying to get up. Dick tried to get up too, but theyboth fell down on top of one another. They tried again and this time stood up rather shakily.
　　'It's not as easy as it looks, is it, to be a two-man horse,' said Julian. 'I wish I could get these eye holesin the right place. I'm absolutely blind!'
　　However, he managed to adjust them at last, and the two boys made their way cautiously andclumsily out of the stable. They went carefully over the farm-yard, Julian counting one-two, one-two,under his breath so that they walked in time with one another.
　　They came to the kitchen door and debated whether to try and catch someone's attention withoutgoing in. There was a fairly large window near by, open because of the warmth of the kitchen.
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　　Julian decided to take a look through to see if George or Anne were anywhere near. If so, he couldcall them outside.
　　But he reckoned without the clumsiness of the big head! It knocked against the window-frame, andeveryone looked up. There were shrieks at once.
　　'A horse! Farmer Penruthlan, one of your horses is loose!' cried a villager who was helping with thesupper. 'He looked in at the window!'
　　The farmer went out at once. Julian and Dick backed hurriedly away and trotted in very good styleover the farm-yard. Where now? The farmer saw their moving figure in the darkness and went afterthem.
　　Trot-trot-trot went the horse desperately then gallop-gallop-gallop! But that finished them, becausethe back and front legs didn't gallop together, got entangled and down went the horse!
　　The farmer ran up in alarm, thinking that his horse had fallen.
　　'Take your knee out of my mouth,' mumbled an angry voice, and the farmer stopped suddenly,astounded to hear a human voice coming from the horse. Then he realized what was happening -it was the stage horse with two people in it! Who? It sounded like Julian and Dick. He gave the horsea gentle kick.
　　'Don't,' said Dick's voice. 'For goodness' sake whoever it is, un-zip us! We're suffocating!'
　　The farmer let out a terrific guffaw, bent down and felt for the zip. One good pull and the horse'scanvas skin came in half as the zip was undone.
　　The boys clambered out thankfully. 'Oh - er - thanks awfully, Mr. Penruthlan,' said Julian, ratherembarrassed. 'We - er - we were just having a canter round.'
　　Mr. Penruthlan gave another hearty roar and went off towards the kitchen to finish his meal.
　　Dick and Julian felt very thankful. They carried the legs and head of the horse cautiously towards thebarn. They peeped in at a window. The Guv'nor was there, striding up and down, looking extremelyangry.
　　Julian waited till he was at the far end of the barn, and then hurriedly pushed the legs and head in atthe door, as quietly as he could. When the Guv'nor turned round to stride angrily back the first thinghe saw was the bundle that was Clopper! He raced over to it at once, and looked out of the door.
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　　But Julian and Dick had gone. They could own up the next day when things were not quite soexciting! They slid quietly into the kitchen, feeling hot and untidy, hoping that nobody would noticethem.
　　George and Anne saw them at once. George came over. 'What have you been doing? You've beenages and ages. Do you want any more to eat before everything is finished up?'
　　'Tell you everything afterwards,' said Julian. 'Yes, we do want something to eat. I've hardly had athing yet. I'm starving!'
　　Mr. Penruthlan was back in his place eating again. He pointed with his knife at the boys sliding intotheir seats. 'Ock-ock-oo,' he said, beginning to laugh, and added a few more equally puzzling words.
　　'Oh, they've been to help you catch the horse that peeped in at the window, have they?' said Mrs.
　　Penruthlan, nodding. 'Which horse was it?'
　　'Clopper!' said the farmer, quite clearly, and gave a loud guffaw again. Nobody understood what hemeant, so nothing more was said. George and Anne guessed, though, and grinned at the two boys.
　　It was a wonderful evening altogether, and everyone was sorry that it had to come to an end. Thevillage women and the two girls stacked the dirty dishes and plates and the boys carried them to thesink to be washed. The Barnies gave a hand where they could, and the big kitchen was full of chatterand laughter. It was very pleasant indeed.
　　But at last the kitchen was empty again, and the big lamp turned out. The village women went home,the Barnies departed. Old Grandad took Yan's hand and went back to his sheep, saying dolefully thathe'd 'et a mort too much and wouldn't be able to sleep a wink, so he wouldn't.'
　　'Never mind. It was worth it, Grandad,' said Mrs. Penruthlan, and shut and locked the kitchen door.
　　She looked round, tired but happy. There was nothing she liked better than to spend hours upon hourspreparing delicious dishes for people and then see them eaten in no time at all! The children thoughtshe was truly wonderful.
　　They were soon all in bed and asleep. The Penruthlans were asleep, too. Only the kitchen cat wasawake, watching for mice in the kitchen. She didn't like a crowd. She liked the kitchen to herself!
　　Next day was fair and warm, though a stiff breeze still blew. Mrs. Penruthlan spoke to the fourchildren at breakfast-time.
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　　'I'll be busy today cleaning up the mess. How would you like to take a picnic lunch of some of theremains of the supper and stay out all day? It's a nice day, and you'll enjoy it.'
　　Nothing could be better! Julian had already planned to make his way to the old tower once used bythe Wreckers, and explore it. Now they would have all day to do it in!
　　'Oh, yes, Mrs. Penruthlan, we'd love to do that,' he said. 'Let the girls get the picnic stuff ready for us.
　　You've plenty to do!'
　　But no, Mrs. Penruthlan wouldn't let anyone deal with food but herself. She proceeded to pack upenough food for twelve people, or so Julian thought when he saw her preparations!
　　They set off together happily, with Timmy at their heels. The four farm dogs accompanied them forsome way, tearing on in front and then tearing back trying to make Timmy as mad as they were. ButTimmy was sedate, walking along as if to say, 'I'm taking these children for a walk, I've no time toplay with you. You're only farm dogs!'
　　'Do we want Yan with us if he turns up?' asked George. 'Do we particularly want him to know whatwe are doing today?'
　　Julian considered. 'No, I don't think we do want him with us. We may find out something we don'twant him to know, or to spread around.'
　　'Right,' said George. 'Well, just you send him off, then, if he comes. I'm fed up with him. Thankgoodness he's a bit cleaner than he was!'
　　Yan did appear, of course. He came up silently on his bare feet. Nobody would have known he wastrotting behind if it hadn't been for Timmy. Timmy quite happily left George's heels and went to sayhow-do-you-do to Yan, jumping up at him in delight.
　　George turned round to see where Timmy was, and saw Yan. 'Julian, there's Yan!' she said.
　　'Hallo, Yan,' said Julian. 'Buzz off today. We're going somewhere alone.'
　　'I come too,' said Yan, strutting along behind. He still looked fairly clean.
　　'No, you don't come too,' said Julian. 'You buzz off. See? Off you go. We don't want you today.'
　　Yan's face took on a sullen look. He turned to Anne. 'I come too?' he said, pleadingly.
　　Anne shook her head. 'No, not today,' she said. 'Another time. Take this sweet, Yan, and go away.'
　　Yan took the sweet and turned away, his face sulky. He disappeared over the field and was soon lostto sight.
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　　The four children and Timmy went on together, glad of their warm jerseys when the wind blewstrongly. Julian gave a sudden groan.
　　'I shall be jolly glad when we've had our lunch,' he said. 'This bag of food is so heavy it's cutting intomy shoulders.'
　　'Well, let's wait till we get to the tower and we can put the bags down,' said Dick. 'We'll do a littleexploring before we have our lunch. I should think Mrs. Penruthlan meant us to stay out to dinner, teaand supper, the amount she's packed for us!'
　　They hoped they were going in the right direction. They had looked at a map, and found variouslanes which they thought would eventually lead to the tower, and had worked out which was the bestdirection to take.
　　Julian had his compass and was going by that, leading them down lanes, across fields, along littlepaths, and sometimes along no paths at all! He felt sure, however, that they were going right.
　　They were making for the coast, anyway.
　　'Look, there are two hills side by side, or cliffs, are they?' said Anne, pointing. 'I believe they are thehills between which we saw that tower.'
　　'Yes, you're right,' said Dick. 'We're nearly there. I wonder how people got there when the tower andthe house were lived in. There appears to be no proper road at all.'
　　They walked on, over a rough field. They soon found themselves in a very narrow, overgrown lane,deep-set between hedges that almost met overhead.
　　'A green tunnel,' said Anne, pleased. 'Look out for those enormous nettles, Ju.'
　　At the end of the lane an overgrown path swung sharply right, and there, not far from them, was thetower! They stood and stared at it. This was where the light had flashed a hundred years ago to bringships to their doom, and where the light had flashed only the other night.
　　'The tower's falling into ruin,' said Dick. 'Large pieces have dropped out of it. And I should think thehouse is in ruin, too, though we can't see enough of it at the moment, just a bit of the roof.
　　Come on. This is going to be fun!'
　　The tower didn't look the frightening thing it had seemed on the stormy night when the boys saw theflashing light. It just looked a poor old ruin. They made their way to it through high thistles, nettlesand willow-herb.
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　　'Doesn't look as if anyone has been here for years,' said Julian, rather puzzled. 'I rather wish we'dbrought a scythe to cut down these enormous weeds! We can hardly get through them. I'm stung allover with nettles, too.'
　　They came to the house at last, and a poor, tumbledown ruin it was! The doors had fallen in, thewindows were out of shape, and had no glass, the roof was full of holes. An enormous climbing roserambled everywhere, throwing masses of old-fashioned white roses over walls and roof to hide theugliness of the ruin.
　　Only the tower seemed still strong, except at the top, where parts of the wall had crumbled away andfallen. Julian forced his way through the broken doorway into the house. Weeds grew in the floor.
　　'There's a stone stairway going up the tower!' he called. 'And I say, look here! What's this on eachstair?'
　　'Oil,' said George. 'Someone's been carrying oil up in a can, or a lamp, and has spilt it. Julian, we'dbetter be careful. That somebody may be here still!'
12.去灯塔
　　去灯塔
　　“这可恶的拉链！”朱利安绝望地说，“它卡住了！我们很难从里面拉开它。还有这个头，我必须得把它拿下来。”
　　他试图把马头拿下来，但不知怎么的，好像有东西卡住了他的脑袋，拉扯马头的同时，脑袋也跟着被拉扯，他根本拿不下来！
　　克洛普疲惫地瘫坐下来，看起来实在不像一匹马。朱利安把马头依靠在马厩的墙壁上，累得气喘吁吁。“我好热，”他抱怨说，“迪克，你快想想办法。我们得叫人帮我们。但我们不能去谷仓，因为他们老板在那里，而且我们也不能穿着这套服装跑回宴会，那样的话，所有人都会被吓一跳，锡德和宾克斯先生肯定会对我们大发脾气的。”
　　“我们怎么蠢到来试这个。”迪克说，他又用力拉扯着那条拉链。“呃！拉链是这个世界上最没用的东西了！我感觉难受极了。朱利安，你不能换个姿势吗？我感觉自己像在倒立一样。”
　　“我们去厨房那边看看情况。”朱利安说着，试图站起身，迪克也一样，但两个人都摔倒了。他们又尝试了一次，这次总算颤颤巍巍地站住了。
　　“两个人扮演一匹马没有看上去那么简单啊。”朱利安说，“真希望我能对准这些观察孔，但现在我几乎什么都看不见。”
　　他们终于设法调整好了步伐。于是，两个男孩用笨拙的脚步走出了马厩。他们小心翼翼地在农场里走着，朱利安一边喘气，一边喊着口号“一二一，一二一”，这样他们才能跟得上彼此的步伐。
　　他们来到厨房的门外，决定在不进去的情况下，尝试吸引一个伙伴的注意。旁边有一个相当大的窗户，因为厨房里太闷热了，所以现在正开着。朱利安决定先瞄一眼，看看乔治和安妮是否在门附近，如果在的话，他就在外面呼喊她们。
　　但他忘了他还戴着个巨大的头套，等他撞到窗框的时候，惹得所有人都往这边看，马上就有人吓得尖叫了起来。
　　“有一匹马！庞鲁斯兰，你有一匹马跑出来了！”一个留下来帮忙的村民大喊道，“它在窗户那儿往里看了一眼。”
　　庞鲁斯兰先生立马就往外面跑。朱利安和迪克赶紧往后逃，以一个奇怪的姿态在农场里慢跑。要跑到哪儿去呢？庞鲁斯兰先生在黑暗中扫视了一圈，看到了它的身影，在后面追赶了过去。
　　克洛普一开始只是小跑，随着速度加快，大步奔跑了起来，但欲速则不达，因为前腿后腿节奏不一致，导致它们互相绊倒，整匹“马”摔倒在地。庞鲁斯兰先生心急火燎地跑上去，他以为他的马摔跤了呢。
　　“把你的膝盖从我嘴巴边拿开。”一个愤怒的声音含糊地喊道。
　　农夫突然停住了脚步，因为他听到马突然说话了，被吓了一跳。他马上就意识到这是怎么一回事了——有两个人正穿着克洛普的演出服。但会是谁呢？声音听起来像是朱利安和迪克，于是他轻轻地踢了踢那匹马。
　　“不要打我们，”迪克说，“无论你是谁，求求你帮我们把拉链拉开吧，我们快要窒息了。”
　　庞鲁斯兰先生大声地笑了起来，弯下腰找到拉链的位置，用力拉开之后，帆布制的马皮就分成了两半。
　　两个男孩终于从里面爬了出来。“哦，呃，特别感谢你，庞鲁斯兰先生，”朱利安说，他觉得非常尴尬，“我……我们……呃，我们在附近慢跑呢。”
　　庞鲁斯兰先生又不由自主地大笑起来，然后往厨房走去，继续去吃饭了。迪克和朱利安非常感激他，他们现在得把马腿和马头拿回谷仓去。二人从窗户向里窥视，发现老板正在里面来回踱步，脸上一副凶神恶煞的模样。
　　朱利安等他走到谷仓最里面时，匆匆地把马腿和马头从门外塞了进去。当老板转身往回走的时候，第一时间就发现了克洛普，马上冲了过去，朝门外看。
　　但朱利安和迪克早就跑远了——他们可以在第二天，等到老板心情没那么焦躁的时候再跟他坦白。他们悄悄地回到厨房里，身上又热又脏，只希望没人注意到他们。
　　但乔治和安妮第一时间就发现他们了，于是乔治凑了过来：“你们去做什么了，去了那么久？在东西被吃完之前，你们还想吃点什么吗？”
　　“过后再告诉你吧，”朱利安说，“我现在只想吃点东西，我几乎什么都没吃，肚子饿坏了！”
　　庞鲁斯兰先生已经回到他座位上开始吃东西了。他用刀叉指着那两个刚刚坐到椅子上的男孩。“哦咔，哦……”他说完，开始哈哈大笑，接着又补充了几个让人摸不着头脑的词。
　　“哦？你是说他们俩帮你抓住了那匹在窗户偷窥的马？”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，“是哪匹马？”
　　“克洛普！”农夫说，他这次发音意外地清楚，接着他又哈哈大笑起来。没有人明白他到底在说些什么，所以话题就没有再继续下去。乔治和安妮倒是猜出来了，对着两个男孩做鬼脸。
　　总而言之，今晚过得很完美，等到结束的时候，所有人都还恋恋不舍。农妇们和两个女孩把餐盘都堆叠起来，交给男孩们搬到水槽里去清洗。谷仓仔们也在尽心尽力地帮忙，偌大的厨房里充满着欢声笑语，真是其乐融融。
　　没过多久，厨房里的人开始散去，灯也熄灭了。农妇们也各回各家，谷仓仔们也离去了。老爷爷牵着扬的手，一起回到羊群那里，他说他今晚吃了太多东西，一定会失眠的。
　　“失眠也不要紧，反正值了，老爷子。”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，她把厨房的门关上后，看了看周围，疲倦却快乐着。她最喜欢的就是花上好几个小时来给人准备美味的菜肴，然后看着人们瞬间把它们消灭。孩子们都觉得她的厨艺特别棒。
　　一收拾完，孩子们就上床休息了，很快便沉入梦乡。庞鲁斯兰夫妇也睡着了。只有厨房里的猫还醒着，时刻警惕着老鼠的踪迹，它并不喜欢过于吵闹的人群，只想在完全属于自己的厨房里安安静静地待着。
　　虽然第二天依然有微风在吹，但天气还算温暖。庞鲁斯兰夫人叫醒四个孩子起来吃早餐。
　　“我今天要忙着打理卫生，你们中午可以去野餐，一整天都到外面去玩，怎么样？我给你们打包些昨天晚上剩下来的菜。今天天气不错，你们会玩得很开心的。”
　　天赐良机！朱利安已经计划过了，他要去船只毁灭者那座灯塔塔楼一探究竟，而现在他们有一整天的时间来做这件事情。
　　“那太好了，庞鲁斯兰夫人，我们很想出去玩，”他说，“让女孩们帮我们准备野餐的食物就行了，您还有很多事情要做呢！”
　　但庞鲁斯兰夫人依然亲手帮他们打包了食物。当朱利安看到她打包的食物时，心想，庞鲁斯兰夫人这是准备了整整12个人的食物啊！
　　他们开开心心地出发了，蒂米跟在他们身旁。另外四只狗也陪着他们走了一段路。它们来回奔跑，不断地吸引蒂米的注意，试图让它跟它们一起玩，但蒂米只是目不斜视地往前走，像是在说：“我带这群孩子们出去散散步，没时间跟你们玩，你们只是些无趣的狗狗！”
　　“如果扬出现的话，要让他跟着我们吗？”乔治问，“我们需要让他知道我们今天去干什么吗？”
　　朱利安思考了一会儿，说，“不，我不想让他跟着我们，我们可能会发现一些不想让他知道的事情，要防止他到处说。”
　　“没错。”乔治说，“那他出现的时候，你就负责赶他走。我再也忍受不了他了！虽然他看起来比之前要干净些。”
　　扬还是出现了——这是意料之中的事。他赤裸着双脚静悄悄地靠近他们，如果不是蒂米的话，没有人会发现有人跟在他们后面。
　　蒂米愉快地离开乔治身边，冲到扬身边打招呼，满心欢喜地在他身旁蹦蹦跳跳。
　　乔治回过头找寻蒂米的身影，结果却看到了扬。“朱利安，扬来了！”她说。
　　“早上好，扬，”朱利安说，“今天别跟着我们，我们要去一个地方。”
　　“我也去。”扬说完，大摇大摆地走在后面，看起来还是干干净净的模样。
　　“不，你不能来。”朱利安说，“别跟着我们，明白吗？我们今天不想跟你玩。”
　　扬的脸色暗淡了下来，他看向安妮，“我能一起去吗？”他用乞求的语气问道。
　　安妮摇了摇头。“今天不行，”她说，“改天吧。这个糖给你吃，然后你就走开好吗？”
　　扬接过糖，闷闷不乐地转身离开。他往牧场方向走去，很快就消失在他们的视野里。
　　四个孩子和蒂米继续往前走。当有强风吹来的时候，他们真庆幸自己穿了毛绒衫。
　　这时，朱利安突然埋怨起来：“真希望快点到吃午餐的时间，这包食物实在是太沉了，勒得我胳膊疼。”
　　“再坚持一下，等到了灯塔，我们就把包放下。”迪克说，“先在附近观察一下，之后我们再吃午餐。庞鲁斯兰夫人给我们准备了这么多，我想她的意思是让我们一整天都待在外面。”
　　希望他们没有走错路。他们翻阅过地图，找到很多条可以到达灯塔的路，经过讨论，最终确定了一条他们认为最好的路线。
　　朱利安拿着他的指南针，带着他们一路前行。他们走上小路，穿过牧场，为了不偏离方向，有时要挤过十分狭窄的地方，有时硬踩出一条新路。然而朱利安却十分坚定，他走的方向是对的。无论如何，他们都是在往海岸的方向走。
　　“看，那边有两座相邻的山，或者应该说是悬崖。”安妮指着前面说，“我觉得我们就是在那两座山之间看到灯塔的。”
　　“你说得没错。”迪克说，“我们快要到了，我很好奇住在灯塔那边的人是怎么生活的，这里连一条像样的路都没有。”
　　他们继续向前走，翻过一个凹凸不平的土坡，来到一个狭窄且长满杂草的地方，草几乎跟两边的树篱一样高，把人都给淹没在里面了。
　　“一条绿色的隧道。”安妮高兴地说，“朱利安，你要小心那些巨大的荨麻。”
　　在这条路的终点，一条杂草丛生的小路突然往右拐去，在他们的不远处，便是那座灯塔。他们停住了，站在那里盯着它看，这就是那座在暴风雨之夜发出信号的灯塔，那个一百多年前诱导船只陷入地狱的罪恶之地。
　　“灯塔应该已经成废墟了，”迪克说，“大部分都坍塌了。虽然现在只看到一点屋顶，还看不到它的详细情况，但我觉得房子应该已经不行了。我们快点走吧，那里一定很有趣。”
　　相较于在暴风雨之夜看到灯塔亮起信号灯那一刻而言，这时候的灯塔看起来已经不那么恐怖了，因为它就像是一片废墟。周围杂草丛生，孩子们得穿过高高的蓟和荨麻才能到达那里。
　　“这里看起来很久没人来过了。”朱利安说，他感到很疑惑，“我真后悔我们没带把镰刀来砍掉这些野草，有它们挡着我们几乎都走不过去，身上还扎满了刺。”
　　费了老大劲，他们最终来到了灯塔旁的老房子底下，眼前的它只是一个摇摇欲坠的废弃建筑。门已经掉落，窗户也不成样子，玻璃都不见了，屋顶上全是漏洞。蔷薇肆无忌惮地生长着，铺满了墙壁和屋顶，白色的花朵遍布老房子四周，掩盖了废墟的丑陋。
　　而老房子旁边的灯塔，除了墙面已经掉落之外，看起来还算坚固。朱利安从门口挤进房子，看到地面上长满了野草。
　　“这里有个石阶可以登上灯塔，”他喊道，“你们快看这里，台阶上是什么东西？”
　　“是燃料油，”乔治说，“有人把装着燃料油的容器拿到了上面，经过的时候洒在了这里，很可能是灯具。朱利安，我们最好多留个心眼，那个人可能还在这里！”
Chapter 15 LOCKED IN THE CAVE
Chapter 15 LOCKED IN THE CAVE
　　Dick, George and Anne looked at one another in dismay. Someone must have been lying in wait forthem, someone must have captured Timmy and shut him up. And now they were captured, too!
　　Timmy began to bark when Julian shouted. He ran to the door. Julian was hammering on it and evenkicking it.
　　A voice came from the other side of the door, a drawling voice, sounding rather amused.
　　'You came at an awkward time, that's all, and you must remain where you are till tomorrow.'
　　'Who are you?' said Julian fiercely. 'How dare you lock us in like this!'
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　　'I believe you have food and drink with you,' said the voice. 'I noticed the packs on your backs, whichI presume contain food. That is lucky for you! Now be sensible. You must pay the penalty of beinginquisitive!'
　　'You let us out!' shouted Julian, enraged at the cool voice with its impertinent tone. He kicked thedoor again out of temper, though he knew that it wasn't the slightest use!
　　There was no reply. Whoever it was outside the cave door had gone. Julian gave the door one lastfurious kick and looked round at the others.
　　'That fellow must have been watching us from somewhere. Probably followed us all the way to theold house, and saw the packs on our backs then. It must have been he that you heard down in thehouse when we were in the tower, Anne.'
　　Timmy barked again. He was still at the door. George called him. 'Tim! It's no use! The door'slocked. Oh dear, why did we let you go into that hole first? If you hadn't run on ahead and somehowgot yourself caught, you'd have been able to protect us when those men lay in wait!'
　　'Well, what do we do now?' said Anne, trying to sound brave.
　　'What can we do?' said George. 'Nothing at all! Here we are, locked and bolted in a cave inside thecliff, with nobody near except the fellow who locked us in. If anybody's got any good ideas I'd like tohear them!'
　　'You do sound cross!' said Anne. 'I suppose there isn't anything to do but wait till we're let out. I onlyhope that man remembers we're here. Nobody else knows where we are.'
　　'Horrid thought!' said Dick. 'Still, I've no doubt that Mrs. Penruthlan would raise the alarm, and asearch-party would set out to find us.'
　　'What a hope they'd have!' said George. 'Even if they did trace us to the old tower, they wouldn'tknow the secret entrance to the passage!'
　　'Well, let's look on the cheerful side,' said Julian, undoing the pack from his back. 'Let's have somefood.'
　　Everybody cheered up at once. 'I feel quite hungry,' said Anne in surprise. 'It must be past our dinnertime now. Well, anyway, eating will be something to do!'
　　They had a very good meal and felt thankful that Mrs. Penruthlan had packed up so much food.
　　If they were not going to be let out till the next day they would need plenty to eat!
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　　They examined the boxes and crates. Some were very old. All were empty. There was a big seaman'schest there, too, with 'Abram Trelawny' painted on it. They lifted the lid. That was empty, too, savefor one old brass button.
　　'Abram Trelawny,' said Dick, looking at the name. 'He must have been a sailor on one of the shipsthat the Wreckers enticed to the rocks. This chest must have been rolled up on the beach by the wavesand brought up here. I dare say this cave was the place where the man who owned that old house tookhis share of the booty and hid it.'
　　'Yes, I think you're right,' said Julian. 'That is why it has a door that can be locked. The Wreckerprobably stored quite a lot of valuable things here from different wrecks, and didn't want any otherWrecker to creep up from the cave and take them. What a hateful lot they must have been!
　　Well, there doesn't seem anything of real interest here.'
　　It was very, very boring in the cave. The children used only one torch because they were afraid that ifthey used the two they had brought they might exhaust both batteries, and then have to be in the dark.
　　Julian examined the cave from top to bottom to see if there was any possible way of escape. But therewasn't. That was quite clear. The cave walls were made of solid rock, and there wasn't a holeanywhere through which to escape, big or small!
　　'That fellow said we'd come at an awkward time,' said Julian, throwing himself down on the ground.
　　'Why? Are they expecting some smuggled goods tonight? They've signalled out to sea twice alreadythis week, as we know. Hasn't the boat they expected come along yet? If so, they must be expecting ittonight, and so we've come at an awkward time!'
　　'If only we weren't locked in this beastly cave!' said George. 'We might have spied on them and seenwhat they were up to, and might even have been able to stop them somehow, or get word to thepolice.'
　　'Well, we can't now,' said Dick gloomily. 'Timmy, you were an ass to get caught; you really were.'
　　Timmy put his tail down and looked as gloomy as Dick. He didn't like being in this low-roofed cave.
　　Why didn't they open the door and go out? He went to the door and whined, scraping at it with hisfeet.
　　'No good, Tim. It won't open,' said Anne. 'I think he's thirsty, George.'
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　　There was nothing for Timmy to drink except home-made lemonade, and he didn't seem to like thatvery much.
　　'Don't waste it on him if he doesn't like it,' said Julian hastily. 'We may be jolly glad of it ourselvestomorrow.'
　　Dick glanced at his watch. 'Only half past two!' he groaned. 'Hours and hours to wait. Let's have agame of some sort, noughts and crosses would be better than nothing.'
　　They played noughts and crosses till they were sick of them. They played word-games and guessinggames. They had a light tea at five o'clock and began to wonder what Mrs. Penruthlan would thinkwhen they didn't turn up that evening.
　　'If Mr. Penruthlan is mixed up in this affair, and it's pretty certain that he is,' said Julian, 'he'll not bebest pleased to be told to fetch the police to look for us! It's just the one night he won't want thepolice about!'
　　'I think you're wrong,' said George. 'I think he'd be delighted to have the police looking for lostchildren, and not poking their noses into his affairs tonight!'
　　'I hadn't thought of that,' said Julian. How slowly the time went by. They yawned, talked, fell silent,argued and played with Timmy. Julian's torch flickered out and they took Dick's instead.
　　'Good thing we brought two torches!' said Anne.
　　Half past nine came and they all began to feel sleepy.
　　'I vote we try to go to sleep,' said Dick, yawning hugely. 'There's a sandy spot over there, softer to lieon than this rock. What about trying to sleep?'
　　They all thought it was a good idea and went to the sandy spot. It certainly was better than the hardrock. They wriggled about in the sand and made dents for their bodies to lie in.
　　'It's still hard,' complained George. 'Oh, Timmy darling, don't snuffle all round my face. Lie downbeside me and Anne and go to sleep, too!'
　　Timmy lay down on George's legs. He put his nose on his paws and heaved a huge sigh.
　　'I hope Timmy's not going to do that all night,' said Anne. 'What a draught!'
　　Although they thought they couldn't possibly go to sleep, they did. Timmy did, too, though he keptone ear open and one eye ready to open. He was on guard! No one could open that door or even comenear it without Timmy hearing!
　　At about eleven o'clock Timmy opened one eye and cocked both ears. He listened, not taking hishead off George's legs. He opened the other eye.
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　　Then he sat up and listened harder. George woke up when he moved and stretched out a hand toTimmy. 'Tim, lie down,' she whispered. But Timmy didn't. He gave a small whine.
　　George sat up, fully awake. Why was Timmy whining? Was there something going on outside thedoor, men passing perhaps, on their way to the cove? Had the light been flashing out to sea and had itbrought in the boat the men were waiting for?
　　She put her hand on Timmy's collar. 'What is it?' she whispered, expecting Timmy to growl when henext heard something. But he didn't growl. He whined again.
　　Then he shook off George's hand and went to the door. George switched on her torch, puzzled.
　　Timmy scraped at the door and whined again. But still he didn't growl.
　　'Ju! I believe someone is at the door!' called George, suddenly, in a low voice. 'I believe Timmy canhear a search-party or something. Wake up!'
　　Everyone awoke suddenly. George repeated her words again. 'Timmy's not growling. That means it'snot our enemies he hears,' she added. 'He'd growl like anything at the man who locked us in.'
　　'Be quiet for a moment and listen,' said Julian. 'Let's see if we can hear anything ourselves. Wehaven't got Timmy's sharp ears, but we might be able to hear something.'
　　They sat absolutely still, listening. Then Julian nudged Dick. He had heard something. 'Quiet!' hebreathed. They listened again, hardly breathing.
　　They heard a little scrabbling noise at the door. Then it stopped. George expected Timmy to breakout into a fusillade of barks at once, but he didn't. He stood there with his head on one side and hisears cocked. He gave an excited little whine and suddenly scraped at the door again.
　　Somebody whispered outside the door, and Timmy whined and ran to George and then back to thedoor again. Everyone was puzzled.
　　Julian got up and went to the door himself, his feet making no sound. Yes, there was most certainlysomebody outside, two people, perhaps, whispering to one another?
　　'Who's there?' said Julian suddenly. 'I can hear you outside. Who is it?'
　　There was dead silence for a moment, and then a small familiar voice answered softly: 'It's me.
　　Yan.'
　　'Yan! Gosh! Is it really you?'
　　'Iss.'
　　There was an amazed silence in the cave. Yan! Yan at this time of night outside the door of the verycave they were locked in! Were they dreaming?
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　　Timmy went mad when he heard Yan speaking to Julian. He flung himself at the door, barking andyelping. Julian put his hand on his collar. 'Be quiet, idiot! You'll spoil everything! Be quiet!'
　　Timmy stopped. Julian spoke to Yan again. 'Yan, have you got a light?'
　　'No. No light. It is dark here,' said Yan. 'Can I come to you?'
　　'Yes, of course. Listen, Yan. Do you know how to unlock and unbolt a door?' asked Julian,wondering whether the half-wild boy knew even such simple things.
　　'Iss,' said Yan. 'Are you locked in?'
　　'Yes,' said Julian. 'But the key may be in the lock. Feel and see. Feel for the bolts, too. Slide themback and turn the key if there is one.'
　　The four in the cave held their breath as they heard Yan's hands wandering over the stout door in thedark, tapping here and there to find the bolts and the lock.
　　Then they heard the bolts being slid smoothly back. How they hoped their captor had left the key inthe lock!
　　'Here is a key,' said Yan's voice suddenly. 'But it is so stiff. My hand isn't strong enough to turn it.'
　　'Try both hands at once,' said Julian urgently.
　　They heard Yan trying, panting with his efforts. But the key would not turn.
　　'Blow!' said Dick. 'So near and yet so far!'
　　Anne pushed Dick out of the way, an idea suddenly flooding into her mind. 'Yan! Listen to me, Yan.
　　Take the key out of the lock and push it under the bottom of the door. Do you hear me?'
　　'Iss, I hear,' said Yan, and they heard him tugging at the key. There was a sharp noise as it camesuddenly out of the lock. Then, lo and behold! It appeared under the bottom of the door, slid throughcarefully by Yan!
　　Julian snatched it up and put it into the lock his side. He turned the key, and unlocked the door.
　　What a wonderful bit of luck!
13.毁灭者的灯塔
　　毁灭者的灯塔
　　迪克和安妮听到朱利安和乔治的对话，也连忙来到石阶前。燃料油？这就意味着，灯塔里有灯具！
　　他们仔细观察着石阶上洒的燃料油。
　　“上去看看，”朱利安说，“我先上去，大家的动作要轻一点，这座灯塔已经岌岌可危了。”
　　灯塔塔楼建在老房子的一侧，墙壁比老房子的要厚一些，唯一的入口就在老房子里。灯塔里有一段螺旋状的石梯，每一级都非常陡峭。
　　“这里以前肯定是灯塔的门，”迪克说，他用脚踢了踢一块巨大的木板，这块木板就在门旁边，独自腐朽，“这个灯塔好像没有什么地方可以放置东西，只能容下这段石梯，我猜它只是用来看风景的吧。”
　　“应该说是一个诱导船只失事的罪恶之地。”乔治说，“喂！蒂米，你别挤，害我差点摔跤了，这些台阶实在是太陡了。”
　　情况就如迪克描述的那样，灯塔除了这段螺旋状的陡峭石梯之外，什么都没有了。朱利安率先爬到顶端，嘴里一直喘着气。从这里看海，那一番风景只能用美不胜收来形容。他看到好几英里内全是深蓝色的海面，而靠近海岸的位置，翻腾的海浪涌出朵朵浪花，通过浪花可以察觉到那些隐藏在海底的岩石，它们正伺机等待着粗心大意的船只朝它们撞来。
　　乔治来到朱利安身边，同样为这番风景所折服。这是多么美妙的画面，蓝色的天空，蓝色的海洋，海浪冲击着岩石，海鸥在微风中肆意翱翔。
　　接着迪克也上来了，朱利安提醒他说：“小心别靠到墙，墙体已经摇摇欲坠了。”
　　说完，朱利安伸出手碰了一下他旁边的墙壁，墙面便开始脱落了。
　　到处都有掉落的墙皮，灯塔四周的墙面由此产生了很多条巨大的裂缝。当安妮也爬上来的时候，朱利安紧紧拉着她的手，他怕这里一旦拥挤起来，会有人靠上这摇摇欲坠的墙面，从塔上掉下去。
　　乔治则紧紧抓住蒂米的项圈，命令它不准乱动。“不准把你的爪子扑在墙上，”乔治警告它说，“除非你想掉到下面的荨麻堆里去。”
　　“这里可真是个往海上发射信号的好地方，”迪克说，“能覆盖好几英里。过去，如果有船只在这一带碰上了猛烈暴风雨的话，看到有灯塔指引方向时，内心一定特别感激。”
　　“但是，”朱利安说，“这却是诱导他们撞上礁石的死亡信号！借过，让我看看那些礁石是否就在我们那天去的海湾附近。”
　　“应该是在那附近。”迪克说，“不过到处都是暗礁，海湾和洞穴也是一个接着一个，很难判断出跟我们看到的是否是同一个。”
　　“那些朝着灯光方向行驶的船只，一定会撞到下面的暗礁，”朱利安指着下面说，“船只毁灭者是如何到那里去的呢？这附近肯定还有路才对。”
　　“你的意思是说毁灭者的秘密通道吗？”迪克说。
　　朱利安想了一会儿。“其实，我想象中的秘密通道一定是从内陆通往海边的，而且肯定是比较方便的道路。不不不，应该是这样子才对……”
　　“什么样子？”其他人异口同声地问。
　　“我觉得，在以前的暴风雨夜里，住在这里的人会跑上灯塔去发送诱导信号，借着月光或者是闪电的光芒，他们看到船越来越近，内心一定无比激动。”
　　所有人的都在想象着一个画面，乔治打了个冷战：“可怜的船！”
　　“当船成功撞到礁石的时候，发信号的人就会发出不同的信号，将信号传达给在内陆的山上观察的人。”朱利安说，他指着自己的后方，“信号灯所传达的信息就是，‘船已触礁，快通知其他人，狩猎开始了！’”
　　“好可怕！”安妮说，“真不敢想象。”
　　“的确很难想象怎么会有如此凶残的人，”朱利安说，“但我觉得他们就是这么作案的。然后，住在这所房子里的人就会从这里下去，跑到最近的洞穴里，等着他的同伙赶过来碰面，而且是通过他们的秘密通道赶来的，路在哪里我就不清楚了。”
　　“这条路一定很隐蔽，”迪克说，“而且只有船只毁灭者才知道。
　　毕竟他们干的是违法的事，所以所有的一切，包括点亮信号灯，诱导船触礁等等这些秘密都不能让人知道。我们也听过老爷爷说的话了，每一个参与者都要发誓保守秘密。”
　　“老爷爷的父亲可能就住在这所房子里，暴风雨之夜就爬上石阶，把信号发送到海面去。”朱利安说。
　　“这就是为什么扬说他害怕这座灯塔的原因，”乔治说，“他认为现在的信号灯还是他曾祖父的父亲发出的。不过，我们知道那肯定是别人发出的，而且是个没安好心的人。”
　　“别忘了，那个人可能现在就在附近呢！”朱利安说，他突然把声音降下来。
　　“天哪，对哦！”迪克说，他开始观察灯塔的周围，因为他觉得肯定有一个陌生人正躲在哪个角落里偷听，“我很好奇他把灯具放哪里去了，因为在这里并没有看到。”
　　“每个台阶上面都有洒落的燃料油，”安妮说，“我上来的时候注意到了，我觉得灯具肯定很大，因为它得照到海边去呢！”
　　“看这里，它肯定就放在这个位置上，”迪克说，“这里还残留了一些油渍。”
　　他们看着那摊黑糊糊的东西。迪克弯下腰闻了闻说：“没错，是燃料油。”
　　乔治观察着灯塔里另外一面墙壁，突然，她急声呼喊其他三个人。
　　“这边也有油渍，”她说，“我知道怎么回事了！等到引诱船只失事成功的时候，发信号的人就会把灯拿到这边，给山上的人发信号，告诉他们船已经撞上了。”
　　“是的，就是这样。”安妮说，“你们觉得会是谁呢？这里很明显已经没人居住了，所以只能是知道来这里的路的人，跑到这儿来发信号而已。”
　　所有人都沉默了一会儿。迪克看着朱利安，他们脑海里产生了一个同样的想法，因为他们曾经两次在暴风雨之夜看到过他。
　　“你们觉得是庞鲁斯兰先生吗？”迪克说，“我到现在还不清楚，我们第一次在暴风雨之夜准备去看信号灯的时候，他究竟在外面做什么。”
　　“不会的，他肯定不是发信号的人，他应该是在山上观察的人才对。”朱利安说，“没错！这就能解释他为什么在那种天气下外出了——就是为了看灯塔上有没有信号，告诉他有船在靠近！”
　　他们又沉默了，因为没有人喜欢这个想法。
　　“我们知道了他说谎话，知道他翻别人的口袋，这都是我们亲眼所见的。”过了一会儿，朱利安补充了几句话，“他简直太符合了，他就是那个站在山上特定位置上等待信号的人。”
　　“那他过后会做什么呢？”安妮说，“我们知道，现在已经没有船只失事了，因为海岸边已经建有一座更高的灯塔。如果不是为了引诱船只失事的话，那他们做这些的目的是什么呢？”
　　“走私，”朱利安说，“这就是他们的目的。他们选择在暴风雨夜进行，如此一来就不会被发现了。或许是利用汽船，他们在海里等着，看到安全的信号发出后，他们就把船驶进其中一个洞穴里。”
　　“没错，而且我觉得秘密通道的作用，就是让人溜到海湾去取走那些走私货的！”迪克兴奋地说，“如果货物很多的话，可能会有三四个人。天哪，我觉得我们肯定是对的！”
　　“山上的观察者接到信号后，会通知同伴，他们一起跑到海湾那里去。这种做法太聪明了，”朱利安说，“因为除了在海上等待的船，没有人会看这个信号灯，而且内陆除了站在特殊位置的观察者之外，更没有其他人可以看到了。这个计划真是天衣无缝！”
　　“我们还真是走运，把结论给推敲出来了，”迪克说，“但让我困惑的是，那个发信号的人是从哪条路来的呢？他如果走的是和我们同样的路，至少也应该会留下些痕迹才对。”
　　“可这条路上不但了无痕迹，就连一棵蓟草都没被破坏过。”安妮说，“所以肯定有其他路通往这栋老房子。”
　　“肯定有！我们已经说过，这里肯定有一条路可以让发信号的人跑到海湾那边去。”乔治说，“那么，他一定也是从海湾那边的通道过来的。我们真笨，他就是从海湾那边过来的！”
　　这个思路让他们全都兴奋起来。通道会在哪里呢？没有人猜得出来，但肯定不是在灯塔里，因为这里除了直达塔顶的螺旋状石梯以外，根本没有任何空间了。
　　“我们下去看看。”安妮说着便开始往楼梯下走。这时候，一个细小的声音使她停下了脚步。“别停下啊。”乔治抱怨道，她就在安妮后面。安妮转过身，面带恐惧地看着她。
　　“我听到下面有声音。”她小声地说。
　　乔治马上转身对朱利安小声说：“安妮觉得有人在下面。”
　　“上来，安妮。”朱利安马上说道。安妮又爬了上去，害怕得头发都立起来了。
　　“是不是发信号的那个人啊？”她小声地说，“你小心一点，朱利安，他肯定是个坏人。”
　　“坏人？他一定是个禽兽！”乔治轻蔑地说，“你要下去吗，朱利安？那你得小心点。”
　　朱利安往石梯下窥视着。除了下楼看看是谁在那里，也没有其他办法了。他们可没办法一整天都待在塔上面，干等着下面的人自己走开。
　　“你听到的是什么声音？”朱利安问安妮。
　　“是一种踩到东西的声音，”安妮说，“可能是一只老鼠，或者是一只兔子。仅仅只有一声而已，可能是动物，但也可能是人。”
　　“我们先在这里等一会儿，”迪克说，“仔细听听是否有人的声音。”
　　孩子们便悄悄地坐下来，静心探听着，乔治的手依然抓着蒂米的项圈。他们听到风在灯塔周围呼啸的声音，听到远处的海鸥在“噢噢”地鸣叫，还听见了蓟草在下面沙沙作响，唯独灯塔下面什么声音都没有。
　　朱利安看着安妮，“现在没有声音了，”他说，“刚才可能是只兔子。”
　　“可能是吧。”安妮说，她觉得自己太大惊小怪了，“那我们现在怎么办？下去吗？”
　　“是的，我跟蒂米先下去看看。”朱利安说，“如果有人在下面守着的话，他看到蒂米一定会无可奈何，蒂米看到他，会让他更加无可奈何。”
　　正当朱利安站起身来的时候，楼下又传来了一个清晰可辨的声音，这声音就和安妮描述的一模一样，紧接着又没了。
　　“既然这样，我先下去瞧瞧。”朱利安说着，开始向下面走去，其他人都屏气凝神地看着。蒂米跟在朱利安后面，试图挤到他前面去，它一点都不担心刚才的声音。可能真的只是一只老鼠或者是兔子吧！
　　朱利安慢慢地走下楼。楼下的会是谁呢？一个敌人？一个朋友？千万小心，朱利安，楼下可能有人在埋伏着！
Chapter 14 THE SECRET PASSAGE
Chapter 14 THE SECRET PASSAGE
　　Julian paused on the last step of the spiral staircase and listened. Not a sound came from the near-byroom. 'Who's there?' said Julian, sharply. 'I know you're there! I heard you!'
　　Still not a sound! The kitchen, overgrown with weeds and dark with ivy and the white rambling rose,seemed to be listening to him, but there was no answer!
　　Julian stepped right into the room and looked round. Nothing was there - nobody was there! Theplace was absolutely empty and quiet. Julian went through a doorway into another room. That wasempty, too. The old house only had four rooms altogether, two of them very tiny, and every one ofthem was empty. Timmy didn't seem disturbed at all, either, nor did he bark as he certainly wouldhave done if there had been any intruder there.
　　'Well, Timmy, it's a false alarm,' said Julian, relieved. 'Must have been a rabbit, or even a bit of wallcrumbling and falling. What are you sniffing at there?'
　　70
　　Timmy was sniffing with interest at a corner near the doorway. He stood and looked at Julian as if hewould like to tell him something. Julian went over to see what it was.
　　There was nothing there except for some rather flattened weeds, growing through the floor.
　　Julian couldn't think why Timmy should be interested. However, Timmy soon wandered away andwent all round the place, wondering why they had come to such a peculiar house.
　　'Dick! Bring the girls down!' shouted Julian up the stone stairway. 'There doesn't seem to be anyonehere, after all. It must have been some small animal that Anne heard.'
　　The others clattered down in relief. 'I'm sorry I gave you all a shock,' said Anne. 'But it did sound likesomebody down there! However, I'm sure Timmy would have barked if so! He didn't seem at alldisturbed.'
　　'No. I think we can safely say that it was a false alarm,' said Dick. 'What do we do next? Have ourlunch? Or hunt about to see if we can find the entrance to the passage that leads from here down tothe coves?'
　　Julian looked at his watch. 'It's not really time for lunch yet, unless you're all frightfully hungry,'
　　he said.
　　'Well, I'm beginning to feel jolly hungry,' said Dick. 'But, on the other hand, I feel I can't wait to findthat passage! Where on earth is the entrance?'
　　'I've been in all four rooms,' said Julian. 'None of them seems to have anything but weeds in, no olddoor leading out of the walls, no trapdoor. It's a puzzle.'
　　'Well, we'll all have a jolly good hunt,' said George. 'This is the sort of thing I like. Timmy, you hunt,too!'
　　They began to explore the four rooms of the old house. As weeds grew more or less all over the floorthey felt that there could be no trapdoor. If there had been, and the man with the lamp used it, theweeds would surely have shown signs of it. But they grew quite undisturbed.
　　'Listen,' said Julian at last. 'I've got an idea. We'll make Timmy find the entrance.'
　　'How?' said George at once.
　　'Well, we'll make him smell the oil drips on the steps, and follow with his nose any others that havedripped in the weeds,' said Julian. 'I don't suppose the lamp dripped only on the steps. It must havedripped all the way from the passage entrance, wherever it is, to the top of the tower.
　　Couldn't Timmy sniff them out? They would lead us to the entrance we're trying to find!'
　　71
　　'All right. But I'm beginning to believe there is no entrance,' said George, getting hold of Timmy'scollar. 'We've looked over every single inch of this house. Come on, Tim, you've got to perform amiracle!'
　　Timmy's nose was firmly placed over the oil-drip on the bottom stair. 'Sniff it, Timmy, and follow,'
　　said George.
　　Timmy knew perfectly well what she meant. George had trained him well! He sniffed hard at the oiland then started up the stone steps for the next oil patch. But George pulled him back.
　　'No, Tim. Not that way. This way. There must be other oil drips on the floor of the house.'
　　Timmy amiably turned the other way. He found an oil drip at once, on a patch of weeds growing onthe floor. He sniffed it and went on to another and another.
　　'Good old Timmy,' said George, delighted. 'Isn't he clever, Ju? He's following where the man walkedwhen he carried that lamp! Go on, Timmy, where's the next drip?'
　　It was an easy, strong-smelling trail for Timmy to follow! He followed it, sniffing, out of one roominto another, smaller one. Then into a third, bigger one, which must have been the main room, for ithad a very big fire-place. Timmy went straight to the fireplace, his nose to the ground. In fact, hewent right into the hearth, and there came to a stop. He looked round at George and barked.
　　'He says the trail ends here,' said George, in excitement. 'So the entrance to the secret passage mustbe in this big fire-place!'
　　The others crowded to the hearth. Julian produced his torch and shone it up the chimney. It was anenormous one, though part of the top of it had now fallen away. 'Nothing there,' said Julian.
　　'But - hallo - what's this?'
　　He now shone his torch to the side of the big fireplace and saw a small, dark cavity there, barely bigenough for a man to get into. 'Look!' he said, excited. 'I believe we've found it. See that small hole?
　　Well, I bet if we crawl through that we'll find it's the way to the secret passage! Good old Timmy!'
　　'We shall get absolutely filthy,' said Anne.
　　'You would say that!' said George, scornfully. 'Who cares? This may be very important, mayn't it,Ju?'
　　'Rather!' said Julian. 'If we're on to what we think we are, and that's Smuggling with a big S, it isimportant. Well, what about it? Lunch first, or exploring that hole?'
　　72
　　'Exploring, of course,' said Dick. 'What about letting old Tim go first? I'll give him a leg-up.'
　　Timmy was hoisted up to the black hole, and disappeared into it with delight. Rabbits? Rats?
　　What were the children after? This was a fine game!
　　'Now I'll go,' said Julian, and clambered up. 'It's a bit difficult to squeeze into. Dick, you help Anneand George up next, and then you come.'
　　He disappeared, and one by one the others also hoisted themselves to the hole and crawled in, too.
　　Anne wished she had shorts on, like George. Even a short skirt was a nuisance in performances ofthis kind!
　　The hole was merely an entrance to a narrow standing-place at the side of the chimney. Julian gotdown from the hole, and stood still for a moment, wondering if this was just an old hiding-place, andnot an entrance to anywhere, after all. But then, just to the right of his feet, he saw another hole thatdropped sharply downwards.
　　He flashed his torch down, and saw iron hand-grips at one side. He called back and told the others.
　　Then he descended into the hole, at first using the grips for his feet and then for his hands as well.
　　The hole went down as straight as a well. It came to a sudden end, and Julian found himself standingon solid ground. He turned round, flashing his torch.
　　There was the passage, in front of him! It must be the one that led down to the coves, the one that theman with the lamp must have used long ago, when he went to gloat over the groaning ships on therocks.
　　Julian could hear the others coming down the shaft. He suddenly thought of Timmy. Where was he?
　　He must have fallen headlong down the hole and found himself suddenly at the bottom. Poor Tim!
　　Julian hoped he hadn't hurt himself, but as he hadn't yelped, perhaps he had fallen like a cat, on hisfeet!
　　He called up to the others. 'I've found the passage. It starts at the bottom of the shaft. I'll go along it alittle way and wait for you all to come. Then we can keep together in a line.'
　　Soon everyone was safely down the shaft. George began to worry about Timmy. 'He must have hurthimself, Ju! Falling all that way; Oh, dear, where is he?'
　　'We'll soon come across him, I expect,' said Julian. 'Now, keep close together, everybody. The pathgoes downwards pretty steeply, as you might expect.'
　　73
　　It certainly did. In places the four children almost slithered along. Then Julian discovered iron staplesfixed here and there in the steepest places, and after that they held on to them in the most slipperyspots.
　　'These iron staples would be jolly useful to anyone coming up,' said Julian. 'It would be almostimpossible to climb up this passage without something to help the climber to pull himself up. Ah,here's a more level stretch.'
　　The level part soon became much wider. And then, quite suddenly, it became a cave! The four cameout into it in surprise. It was rather low-roofed, and the walls were made of black rock, that glistenedin the light of the torch.
　　'I wish I could find Timmy,' said George, uneasily. 'I can't even hear him anywhere!'
　　'We'll go on till we come to the cove,' said Julian. 'This must lead us right down to the shore,probably to the very cove where the ships were wrecked. Look, there's a kind of rocky arch leadingout of this cave.'
　　They went through the archway and into yet another passage that wound between jutting rocks,which made it rather dificult to get through at times. Then suddenly the passage divided into two.
　　One fork went meandering off towards the seaward side, the other into the cliff.
　　'Better take the seaward side,' said Julian. They were just going to take the right-hand passage whenGeorge stopped and clutched at Julian. 'Listen!' she said. 'I can hear Timmy!'
　　They all stopped and listened. George had the sharpest ears of the lot, and she could hear himbarking. So could the others after a few moments. Bark-bark-bark! Bark-bark-bark! Yes, it wasTimmy all right!
　　'Timmy!' yelled George, making the others jump almost out of their skins. 'TIMMY!'
　　'He can't hear you all this way away,' said Dick. 'Gosh, you made me jump. Come on, we'll have totake the cliff passage. Timmy's barking comes from that direction, not this.'
　　'Yes, I agree,' said Julian. 'We'll go and collect him, and then come back and take the other passage.
　　I'm sure it leads down to the sea.'
　　They made their way along the left-hand passage. It was not difficult, because it was much wider thanthe one they had already come down. Timmy's barking became louder and louder as they went down.
　　George whistled piercingly, hoping that Timmy would come rushing up. But he didn't.
　　'It's funny that he doesn't come,' said George, worried. 'I think he must be hurt. TIMMY!'
　　74
　　The passage wound round a corner, and then once more divided into two. To the children's surprisethey saw a rough door set into the rocky wall of the passage on the left-hand side. A door! How veryextraordinary!
　　'Look, a door!' said Dick, amazed. 'And a jolly stout one, too.'
　　'Timmy's behind it!' said George. 'He must have gone through it and it shut behind him. Timmy!
　　We're here! We're coming!'
　　She pushed at the door, but it didn't open. She saw that it was lightly latched, and lifted the old ironlatch. The door opened easily and all the four went through into a curious cave beyond. It was morelike a low-roofed room!
　　Timmy flung himself at them as soon as they came through the door. He wasn't hurt. He was sopleased to see them that he barked the place down! 'Woof! WOOOOOF!'
　　'Oh, Timmy, how did you get here?' said George, hugging him. 'Did the door click behind you?
　　My word, what a queer place this is! It's a storeroom - look at all the boxes and crates and things!'
　　They looked round the strange cave, and at that moment there was a soft click. Then something slidsmoothly into place. Julian leapt to the door and tried to open it.
　　'It's locked! Somebody's locked it, and bolted it! I heard them. Let us out, let us out, I say!'
14.秘密通道
　　秘密通道
　　朱利安在螺旋形石梯的最后一级停了下来，仔细探听着。可附近的房间里，什么声音都没有。“是谁？”朱利安厉声说道，“我知道你在这里，我听到你了！”
　　依然没有声音。厨房里杂草丛生，黑黢黢的，爬满了常春藤和白色蔷薇，那里似乎有人，但朱利安并没有听到回应。
　　朱利安走进厨房里面去看，一个人影都没有，房间里空荡荡的，十分安静。朱利安又进到另一个房间，依然一无所获。这所老房子总共有四个房间，其中两个比较小，全都空空如也。蒂米没有被影响到，它一直都没叫——如果这里有一个入侵者的话，它肯定会叫的。
　　“蒂米，看来是我们多心了，”朱利安说，心里如释重负，“肯定是只兔子，或者是墙体又掉了一些下来。你在那里闻什么？”
　　蒂米在靠近门口的一个角落里，极具兴趣地嗅来嗅去。它站在那里看着朱利安，就像是有话要跟他说一样。朱利安走过去想看看它发现了什么。
　　可这里除了一些被压扁的杂草外，什么都没有。朱利安不明白为什么蒂米对这里那么感兴趣。蒂米很快就走开了，在这附近绕来绕去，似乎不明白他们为什么要来这个地方。
　　“迪克，带女孩们下来吧。”朱利安站在石阶上喊，“这里应该没有人，安妮听到的可能是小动物的声音。”
　　他们三个吵吵闹闹地走下来，心里的大石头可算放下了。“抱歉，让你们全都吓了一跳，”安妮说，“但那声音确实像有人在这楼下。不过，如果真有的话，蒂米也应该会叫的，但它好像并没有发现什么。”
　　“是的，应该是我们多疑了。”迪克说，“现在做什么？吃午餐吗？或者再看看能不能找到那条从这里通往海湾的秘密通道？”
　　朱利安看了一眼手表。“现在还不到吃午餐的时间，除非你们都特别饿了。”他说。
　　“我确实很饿了，”迪克说，“但我能撑到找到秘密通道之后再吃。入口究竟在哪里呢？”
　　“四个房间我都进去过了，”朱利安说，“除了杂草，什么都没有，墙上也没有门，地板上也没有入口，真让人感到困惑。”
　　“这样的话，我们就得好好找一找了。”乔治说，“我就喜欢做这样的事情，蒂米，你也好好找找。”
　　他们开始在四个房间里搜索，由于地板上多多少少都长着杂草，他们就排除掉了地板上有入口的可能性。如果有的话，那个发信号的人肯定会在杂草上留下一些蛛丝马迹，但草全都是自然生长的样子。
　　“你们听我说，”朱利安说，“我有个主意，我们让蒂米来找入口。”
　　“怎么找？”乔治马上说。
　　“我们让它闻一闻滴在台阶上的燃料油，然后让它用鼻子嗅出沾有燃料油的杂草，”朱利安说，“我觉得燃料油应该不止滴在了石阶上面，肯定是从入口那里一直滴，滴到塔顶的。如果蒂米能嗅出来，我们就能找到那个入口！”
　　“那就试试吧，我觉得并没有所谓的入口，”乔治说，它拉着蒂米的项圈，“我们已经把房子搜了个底朝天了也没有找到。去吧，蒂米，带我们见证奇迹！”
　　蒂米把鼻子贴在石阶上闻了闻滴在上面的燃料油。“仔细闻一闻，然后去找其他滴有燃料油的地方吧。”乔治说。
　　蒂米完全明白她的意思，乔治把它训练得很好。它闻过燃料油之后，开始沿着石阶往上爬，但被乔治拉回来了。
　　“蒂米，不是那边，是反方向。房子里的地板肯定也滴到了一些燃料油。”
　　于是蒂米往反方向走，它马上就发现了一滴燃料油，是在地板的杂草上。它继续嗅着，又找到一滴。
　　“蒂米真棒，”乔治高兴地说，“它是不是很棒，朱利安？它正在追踪发信号的人留下的踪迹。继续，蒂米，接下来是哪里？”
　　对蒂米来说，燃料油的气味浓重很容易被找到。它一路搜寻着，从一个房间出来，又跑到另一个房间里去，接着跑到第三个比较大的房间里，这里应该是主卧室，因为里面有一个很大的壁炉。
　　蒂米朝着壁炉径直走去，它的鼻子紧贴着地面。事实上，它是直接走进壁炉底下去的，接着它停下了脚步，回头看着乔治，然后叫了一声。
　　“它说入口就在这里，”乔治兴奋地说，“所以秘密通道的入口一定就在这个大壁炉里。”
　　其他人都拥了过来。朱利安打开手电筒，朝着烟囱上面看：“这里很大，上面有一些地方已经掉下来了，里面是通透的。等等，这里有情况！”
　　他把手电筒照在壁炉的一侧，看到一个又小又黑的洞口，但洞口大小已经足够让一个成年男子出入了。“快看！”他兴奋地说，“我觉得我们找到了，看到那个小小的洞口了吗？这应该就是那条秘密通道的入口！蒂米真是太棒了！”
　　“我们的衣服会被弄脏的。”安妮说。
　　“谁还顾得上这个，”乔治责备道，“这可能是至关重要的线索，是不是，朱利安？”
　　“没错！”朱利安说，“如果真的如我们所猜测的那样，是有人在走私的话，这就是至关重要的线索。想先吃午餐，还是先下去看看？”
　　“肯定先下去看看啦，”迪克说，“要不让蒂米先下去？我来帮它。”
　　蒂米被托举起来，高兴地跑进洞里面去。
　　孩子们会发现什么呢？兔子？老鼠？真令人期待！
　　“到我进去了，”朱利安说着，也爬了进去，“挤进来还真容易，迪克，等会儿你帮安妮和乔治进来，然后你再进来。”
　　接着他就消失了，他们一个个接连爬进了洞里。安妮真希望自己穿的是裤子，跟乔治一样，在这种时候，穿短裙特别麻烦。
　　这个洞初看只是通往烟囱旁边一个狭窄空间的入口。朱利安在洞里站了一段时间，开始以为这里只不过是个躲猫猫的地方，并不是什么所谓的入口。但就在这个时候，他看到在他右脚边有另外一个看起来很深的洞。
　　他用手电筒照着洞里，发现在洞的一侧有铁制的爬梯，于是马上把这个消息传达给其他人。接着，他开始从洞口往下爬，先是用脚踩在第二级爬梯上，接着再用手抓稳爬梯一阶一阶走下去。
　　这个洞就像井一样笔直，爬着爬着，朱利安突然间发现自己已经站在地上了。他转过身，打开了手电筒。
　　这是一条通道！就在他的正前方。这肯定是那条通往海湾的路，也就是那位负责信号灯的人去看触礁船只时所走的秘密通道。
　　朱利安听到了其他人也从洞口爬下来的声音，这时候他突然想起了蒂米。它去哪里了？它肯定从洞口直接掉了下来，可怜的家伙！朱利安希望它没有受伤，不过并没听到它喊叫的声音，所以它也有可能跟猫一样灵活，稳稳地站住了。
　　他对其他人呼喊着说：“我找到一条通道，就在洞底，我先往前走一小段路，在前面等你们，然后我们前后排成一排走。”
　　很快，所有人都安全到达了洞底。乔治很担心蒂米的安危。
　　“从洞口直接掉下来的话，它肯定受伤了，朱利安。我可怜的蒂米呢，它在哪儿？”
　　“我们很快就会遇到它的，”朱利安说，“现在我们几个人靠紧一点，这条路可能有点陡。”
　　这条路还真的很陡，四个孩子几乎是滑着往下走的。朱利安还发现在最陡峭的位置都打上了钢钎，于是他们在最陡最滑的路段借助这些钢钎控制下滑速度，继续前行。
　　“这些钢钎对于那些走这条路的人来说可真是方便。”朱利安说，“如果没有这些钢钎可以借力的话，几乎不可能从这条路再爬回去。嘿！前面的路变得平坦些了。”
　　这条较为平坦的路越来越宽，不知不觉中，变成了一个洞穴！
　　四个孩子不禁为之感到惊奇。这个洞穴并不高，四周是黑色的岩石围成的墙，在手电筒的光照下反着亮光。
　　“我想快点找到蒂米，”乔治不安地说，“哪里都听不到它的声音。”
　　“我们一直走，走到海湾那边去，”朱利安说，“这里的洞穴很有可能会通往那个令船只触礁的海湾。你们看那边，有个岩石形成的拱门可以让我们从洞里出去。”
　　他们从石拱门走了过去，但眼前出现的却是另外一条两边立着岩石的窄路，有些地方走过去还挺困难的，接着这条路又一分为二，一条是通往海边的蜿蜒小路，一条则通往峭壁。
　　“最好还是走通往海边的这条路。”朱利安说。当他们正准备走右边的这条道路时，乔治突然停下脚步，用手抓着朱利安，说：“你们听，我听到蒂米的声音了！”
　　他们全都停下来仔细听。乔治的耳朵最灵敏，她可以听到蒂米在叫。过了一会儿，其他人也听到了它的声音，“汪汪汪！”没错，是蒂米的声音。
　　“蒂米！”乔治喊道，她的叫声让其他人全都吓了一跳，“蒂米！”
　　“它肯定听得到你的声音，”迪克说，“天哪，你吓了我一跳。走吧，我们走左边那条去峭壁的路，蒂米的声音是从那边传过来的，不是右边这条。”
　　“我同意，走吧，”朱利安说，“我们先去找它，然后再回来走另外一条路，我敢肯定另外一条路才是通往海边的。”
　　他们走上了左边这条路。路并不难走，相比他们走下来的那条路来说，这一条很宽敞。随着他们往前走，蒂米的叫声也越来越大。乔治大声地吹着口哨，她原本希望蒂米会冲过来，但它并没有。
　　“它没跑过来，可真是奇怪，”乔治担心地说，“我觉得它受伤了。蒂米！”
　　这条小路绕着一个拐角蜿蜒而行，然后又分成了两段。孩子们惊讶地发现了一扇夹在石壁上的门！就在通道的左侧，真不可思议！
　　“快看，有一扇门！”迪克惊讶地说，“门还很结实。”
　　“蒂米在门后面，”乔治说，“肯定是它走进去后，门才关上的。
　　蒂米，我们在外面，马上就来。”
　　她使劲推着门，但门纹丝不动。原来门闩已经闩上了，她把钢制门闩提了起来，门很轻易地打开了。四个孩子好奇地进到洞穴里面看。里面看起来像个房间，只不过屋顶比较低。
　　他们一进门，蒂米就欢呼雀跃地扑在他们身上。它并没有受伤，看到他们十分开心，吼叫声几乎快把洞穴震塌了：“汪！汪！”
　　“蒂米！你是怎么跑到这里来的？”乔治抱着它问，“门是不是在你进来之后锁上的？要我说的话，这地方可真够奇怪的！像是一个储藏室，你们看看那些盒子和大木箱，还有那些东西。”
　　正在他们四处观察洞里的东西时，传来了一个细微的“咔哒”声，是门上锁的声音。朱利安连忙冲向门的位置，试图把门打开。
　　“门被锁上了！有人故意锁上的！放我们出去，听到没有？放我们出去！”
15.被困岩洞
　　被困岩洞
　　迪克、乔治，包括安妮都沮丧地看着彼此。显然，有人一直在这里等着他们，肯定是那个人把蒂米抓到这里关起来的，而现在，他们也被关起来了。
　　朱利安喊叫的时候，蒂米也跑到门的位置，开始吠叫起来。朱利安用手捶着门，还用脚去踢。
　　门的另一侧传来了一个慵懒的声音，语气中透露出几分得意。
　　“你们来得真不是时候，明天再把你们放出来。”
　　“你是谁？”朱利安凶狠地说，“你竟敢把我们锁在里面。”
　　“你们肯定带着食物和饮料，”那个人说，“我注意到你们的背包了，里面装的应该就是食物。对于你们来说，该感到庆幸了！现在，你们要为自己的好奇心付出代价。”
　　“放我们出去！”朱利安喊道，他被那个人的冷酷无情及粗鲁的言语给激怒了，气得直踹门，虽然他知道这并没有任何用处。
　　外面没有了声音，门外的那个人已经离开了。朱利安愤怒地踢了最后一脚，回头去看其他人。
　　“那个家伙可能一直在盯着我们，只有一路尾随我们到老房子那里，才能注意到我们的背包。安妮，我们在灯塔的时候，你听到的声音很可能就是他。”
　　蒂米又开始吠叫起来，它依然蹲在门边。乔治对它喊道：“蒂米，没有用的！门被锁住了。亲爱的，我们为什么要让你先爬进洞里呢？如果没有那么做的话，你就不会被抓，就可以保护我们了。”
　　“事已至此，现在我们能做什么？”安妮说，她试图让自己听起来很勇敢。
　　“能做什么？”乔治说，“什么都做不了！我们现在被锁在一个岩洞里，附近没有任何人，当然，除了那个把我们锁在这里的人。如果其他人有更好的意见的话，我洗耳恭听。”
　　“你听起来好像有些气急败坏。”安妮说，“我们确实做不了什么，只能等着他把我们放出去，我只希望他不会忘记我们在这里，因为其他人根本不可能知道我们在哪儿。”
　　“确实挺恐怖的！”迪克说，“但我觉得，庞鲁斯兰夫人肯定会发起搜救行动的。”
　　“希望渺茫啊！”乔治说，“即使他们真的能够追踪到我们在旧灯塔的位置，也不会发现秘密通道的入口。”
　　“我们还是乐观一点，”朱利安说，他打开他背后的背包，“先吃点东西吧。”
　　所有人稍微振作了点。“我感觉挺饿的，”安妮惊讶地说，“现在午餐时间肯定过了。也好，吃饭也总比没事做好。”
　　他们吃得饱饱的，心里很感激庞鲁斯兰夫人装了这么多食物。
　　如果他们明天才被放出去的话，大量的食物是必不可少的。
　　他们又仔细地看了看周围的盒子和板条箱，全部都是空的，有一些已经很老旧。其中一个箱子上面印着水手胸章的图案，上面有“亚伯兰•特里劳尼”的字样，他们打开盖子，里面也是空的，只存放了一枚老旧的铜纽扣。
　　“亚伯兰•特里劳尼，”迪克看着这个名字说，“他肯定是被船只毁灭者诱导失事的船上的一名水手。这个箱子肯定是被海浪冲到沙滩上，被人带到这里来的。我敢说这个洞穴是那个老房子的主人藏匿赃物的地方。”
　　“我觉得你说得对，”朱利安说，“这也就解释了为什么这里会有一个可以上锁的门。其中一些毁灭者们可能在这里藏了很多有价值的东西，而且还不想让其他成员看到洞穴里的情况，而觊觎它们。
　　他们真的是太可恶了！哎，这里看起来也没有什么有趣的东西了。”
　　虽然洞穴里很黑，但孩子们只打开了一只手电筒。因为他们害怕如果同时用仅有的两只手电筒的话，等到两只都没电了，他们就只能在黑暗中度过了。
　　朱利安将洞穴仔细地观察了一遍，研究是否还有其他的逃生方法。但答案是显而易见的，洞穴的墙壁是由坚硬的岩石所组成，没有任何地方有可以供他们逃生的孔洞。
　　“刚才那个家伙说我们来的很不是时候，”朱利安说着，一屁股坐在了地上，“他为什么这么说？他们今晚会走私货物吗？就我们所掌握的信息来看，他们已经在一个星期内向海面发出过两次信号了，难道是那艘船还没有来？如果真是这样的话，那么就是今晚了。所以他才说我们来的很不是时候。”
　　“要不是我们被锁在这该死的洞穴里，”乔治说，“我们就可以监视他们，看看他们究竟在做什么勾当，甚至有可能阻止他们，或者报警。”
　　“唉，现在没办法了，”迪克沮丧地说，“蒂米，你居然会被抓，真是太笨了。”
　　蒂米把尾巴放了下去，看起来跟迪克一样沮丧，它并不喜欢待在这个矮屋顶的洞穴里，心想：“他们为什么不把门打开，然后出去呢？”它走到门的位置，发出“呜呜”的声音，同时用爪子抓着门。
　　“没有用的，蒂米，门开不了的。”安妮说，“乔治，我觉得它渴了。”
　　没有什么可以给蒂米喝的，除了自制的柠檬水，但它并不喜欢喝。
　　“如果它不喜欢的话，就别浪费了，”朱利安急忙说，“明天我们会非常需要的。”
　　迪克看了一眼手表。“才下午两点半！”他抱怨道，“还有很长一段时间要等呢，我们玩游戏吧，像井字游戏之类的，总比什么都不做强。”
　　他们开始玩井字游戏，直到玩腻了，接着又玩文字接龙，猜谜游戏。在下午五点钟的时候他们吃了些茶点，开始猜测当他们晚上没有回去的时候，庞鲁斯兰夫人会怎么做。
　　“如果庞鲁斯兰先生也是犯罪团伙成员的话——很明显他是，”朱利安说，“他最不想听的就是有人让他去叫警察来找我们，今晚的事情，他绝对不想惊扰到警察。”
　　“我不这么认为，”乔治说，“我反而觉得让警察来找我们的话，他会更加开心，因为那样警察就顾不上他今晚的‘好事’了。”
　　“这我倒没有考虑到。”朱利安说。时间过得异常缓慢，他们能做的就是打哈欠，聊天，沉默，争论，跟蒂米玩耍。朱利安的手电筒已经没电了，续上了迪克的。
　　“还好我们带了两只手电筒！”安妮说。
　　到了晚上九点半的时候，他们都困了。
　　“我觉得我们应该试着睡一觉，”迪克说，他打着哈欠，嘴巴张得特别大，“那边有沙子，躺在那边比躺在岩石上要软。”
　　他们都觉得这是一个好主意，于是走到有沙子的地方去。躺在上面确实比躺岩石上要舒服多了，他们在沙里扭来扭去，以便形成一个坑让自己躺得更舒服。
　　“还是觉得很硬。”乔治抱怨说，“蒂米，别用鼻子对着我的脸喘息。靠着我跟安妮这里躺下，你也睡觉。”
　　蒂米躺在乔治腿上，它把鼻子放在它爪子上，重重地叹了一口气。
　　“我真希望蒂米不会一整晚都这样，”安妮说，“唉声叹气的！”
　　虽然他们觉得自己肯定睡不着，但事实上，他们真的睡着了。
　　蒂米也一样，但它耳朵依然在倾听着，眼睛也随时准备睁开，就像在站岗一样。事后证明，如果没有蒂米的话，没有人会打开这扇门，甚至都不可能靠近。
　　大概晚上11点的时候，蒂米半睁着眼，竖起了两只耳朵。它在倾听，头仍靠在乔治脚上。很快，它的眼睛完全睁开了。
　　接着，它坐了起来，全神贯注地听着。在它坐起来的时候，乔治也醒了，她向蒂米伸出手，小声地安抚说：“蒂米，趴下。”但蒂米不听，反而发出“呜呜”的声音。
　　乔治坐了起来，她完全清醒了。她想：“为什么蒂米要发出‘呜呜’的声音？有人在门外面吗？可能是有人正在赶往海湾，路过这里？信号灯已经将信息传达给海上的那艘船了吗？”
　　她把手放在蒂米的项圈上。“你听到什么了？”她小声地问，她希望蒂米听到什么动静的时候可以大声叫出来，但它却没有，又开始“呜呜”地叫。
　　接着，它甩开乔治的手，跑到门边。乔治打开了手电筒，看到蒂米一边抓着门，一边发出“呜呜”的声音，但它依然没有大声叫出来。
　　“朱利安，我觉得有人在门外！”乔治小声地呼喊道，“蒂米可能听到有人来搜救了，或者是其他什么，快醒醒。”
　　所有人都醒了。乔治重复了刚才说的话。“蒂米没有大声叫，说明它听到外面的人不是我们的敌人。”她补充道，“如果外面是那个把我们锁在这里的人，它肯定会咆哮起来的。”
　　“安静一会儿，听听看。”朱利安说，“看看我们能不能听到什么动静。虽然耳朵没蒂米灵，但我们也可能听到些什么。”
　　他们都安静地听着。这时候朱利安用肘轻推着迪克，他听到了一些动静。“都别出声，我听到他的呼吸声了。”他们又开始倾听，呼吸声加重了。
　　他们听到门外有一个轻微的声音，然后又停了。乔治还以为蒂米会马上撕心裂肺地叫起来，但它却没有。它站在那里，头侧在一边，竖着耳朵，兴奋地发出“呜呜”声，又突然在门上挠了起来。
　　有人在门外窃窃私语，蒂米“呜呜”地呻吟着，跑向乔治后又跑到门边。所有人都感到疑惑。
　　朱利安站起身，走到门边，脚下并没有发出任何声音。他听到门外有人在窃窃私语，可能是两个人。
　　“是谁？”朱利安突然说，“我能听到你在外面。”
　　沉默了一会儿，一个熟悉的声音回复道：“是我，扬。”
　　“扬！天哪，真的是你吗？”
　　“是我。”
　　岩洞内的人惊讶得说不出话来。扬？扬居然在他们被锁在这洞穴里的时候出现了！他们在做梦吗？
　　当蒂米听到扬跟朱利安说话的时候，发疯似的向门的位置冲过去，大叫不止。朱利安把手放在它的项圈上。“安静，你个笨蛋！你会让我们遭殃的，别出声！”
　　蒂米安静了。朱利安又开始跟扬说话：“扬，你有手电筒吗？”
　　“手电筒，手电筒是什么？这里好黑，”扬说，“我能去你那里吗？”
　　“当然可以，扬，你听着，你知道怎么开这个门上的锁吗？”朱利安问，他不知道这个野孩子会不会这么简单的事情。
　　“我会，”扬说，“你们被锁在里面了？”
　　“是的，”朱利安说，“但钥匙可能在锁上面，你摸摸看，找一下门闩，把它打开，如果有钥匙的话，就转一下钥匙。”
　　四个孩子都聚精会神地听着外面的动静，扬在黑暗中用手在这扇结实的门上不住地摸索着，找寻门闩和锁头。
　　接着，他们听到了门闩被晃动的声音。此时此刻，他们是多么希望抓他们来的坏人把钥匙留在了门锁上啊。
　　“这里有钥匙，”扬突然说，“但锁头太钝了，我力气不够，转不动。”
　　“用两只手试试。”朱利安急切地说。
　　他们听到扬在尝试，虽然他折腾到气喘吁吁，但还是没能转动钥匙。
　　“可恶！”迪克说，“希望近在咫尺，却又远在天边。”
　　安妮把迪克推到一边，因为她突然想到了一个主意：“扬！你听我说，你把钥匙从锁里拿出来，然后从门缝里塞进来，听清楚了吗？”
　　“好，我听清楚了。”他们听到扬在用力拔钥匙的声音，当钥匙从锁里滑出来的时候，发出特别尖锐的声音。紧接着，门底下塞了一把钥匙进来。
　　朱利安赶紧拿起钥匙，把它插到门内的锁上，使劲一转动，门打开了。真是太幸运了！
Chapter 16 WRECKERS' WAY
Chapter 16 WRECKERS' WAY
　　Julian flung open the door. Timmy leapt past him and yelped with delight to find Yan standingoutside. He fawned on the boy and licked him, and Yan laughed.
　　'Let's get out of here, quick!' said Dick. 'That man may be along at any moment, you can't tell.'
　　'Right. Explanations later,' said Julian. He hustled everyone out, took the key from the inside lock andshut the door. He inserted the key into the outside lock and turned it. He shot the bolts, took out thekey and put it into his pocket. He grinned at Dick.
　　'Now if that fellow comes along to see how we are he won't even know we're gone! He won't be ableto get in to see if we're there or not.'
　　'Where shall we go now?' asked Anne, feeling as if she was in a peculiar kind of dream.
　　Julian stood and considered. 'It would be madness to go back up the passage and into the old house,'
　　he said. 'If there's any signalling going on, and there's pretty certain to be, we shall be caught again.
　　We'd be sure to make a noise scrambling out of that hole in the fire-place.'
　　'Well, let's take that other passage we saw, the righthand one,' said George. 'Look, there it is.' Sheshone her torch on it. 'Where does it lead to, Yan?'
　　'To the beach,' said Yan. 'I went down it when I was looking for you all, but you weren't there, so Icame back and found that door. There is nobody on the beach.'
　　'Well, let's go down there, then,' said Dick. 'Once we feel we're out of danger's way we can planwhat's best to do.'
　　They went along the other passage, their torch showing them the way. It was a steep tunnel, and theyfound it rather difficult going. Anne managed to give Yan a squeeze.
　　'You were clever to find us!' she said, and Yan gave her a smile which she couldn't see because of thedark.
　　They heard the sound of waves at last and came out into the open air. It was a windy night, but starswere shining in the sky, and gave quite a fair light after the darkness of the passage.
　　'Where are we exactly?' said Dick, looking round. Then he saw they were on the same beach as theyhad been a few days before, but a good way farther along.
　　'Can we get back to the farm from here?' said Julian, stopping to consider exactly where they were.
　　'Gosh! I think we'd better hurry. The tide's coming in! We'll be cut off if we don't look out!'
　　81
　　A wave ran up the sand almost to their feet. Julian took a quick look at the cliff behind them. It wasvery steep. They certainly couldn't climb it in the darkness! Would there be time to look for a cave tosit in till the tide went out again?
　　Another wave ran up, and Julian's feet felt suddenly wet. 'Blow!' he said. 'This is getting serious.
　　The next big one will sweep us off our feet. I wish the moon was out. These stars give such a faintlight.'
　　'Yan, is there a cave we can go to, a cave open to the air, not inside the cliff?' said George, anxiously.
　　'I take you back by the Wreckers' Way,' said Yan, surprisingly. 'Iss. You come with me.'
　　'Of course, you said you knew the Wreckers' Way,' said Julian, remembering. 'If it comes out nearhere, we're in luck's way! Lead on, Yan. You're a marvel! But do hurry, our feet got wet again justthen, and at any moment a giant of a wave may come!'
　　Yan took the lead. He led them into cove after cove, and then came to a larger one than usual. Hetook them to the back of the cove, and led them a little way up a cliff path.
　　He came to a great rock. He squeezed behind it and the others followed one by one. Nobody couldever have guessed that there was a way into the cliff behind that rock.
　　'Now we are in the Wreckers' Way,' said Yan proudly, and led them on again. But suddenly hestopped and the others all bumped into one another. Timmy gave a short, warning bark, and Georgeput her hand on his collar.
　　'Somebody comes!' whispered Yan, and pushed them back. Sure enough, they could hear voices inthe distance. They turned and hurried back. They didn't want to walk into any more trouble!
　　Yan got to the front and led them back to the big rock. He was trembling. They all squeezed outbehind it, and Yan went along the cliff face to a tiny cave, really only a big ledge with anoverhanging roof. 'Ssssssssss!' he said warningly, sounding like a snake!
　　They sat down and waited. Two men came out from behind the rock, one a big man, and one a smallone. Nobody could see them clearly, but Julian hissed into Dick's ear: 'I'm sure that's Mr.
　　Penruthlan! See how enormous he is!'
　　Dick nodded. It was no surprise to him to think that the giant farmer should be mixed up in this.
　　The five children held their breath and watched.
　　Yan nudged Dick and pointed out to sea. 'Boat comes!' he whispered.
　　82
　　Dick could see and hear nothing. But in a few moments he did hear something, the whirr of a fastmotor-boat! What sharp ears Yan must have! The others heard the noise, too, through the crashing ofthe waves on the rocks.
　　'No light,' whispered Yan, as the noise of the boat grew louder.
　　'He'll be on the rocks!' said Dick. But before the boat got to the rocks, the engine stopped. Thechildren could just make out the boat now, swaying up and down beyond the barrier of rocks.
　　Evidently it was not going to try and come any farther in.
　　Now the watchers could hear voices again. The two men who had come down Wreckers' Way werestanding below the big rock that hid the entrance, talking. One leapt down to a rock farther down, anddisappeared. The other man was left standing alone.
　　'It was the big man who leapt down,' whispered Julian. 'Where's he gone? Ah, there he is! You canjust see him moving behind that rock down there. What's he got?'
　　'A boat!' whispered Yan. 'He has a boat down there, pulled up high out of reach of the big waves.
　　There is a pool there. He is going to row out to the other boat.'
　　The children strained their eyes to watch. The sky was quite clear, but the only light they had wasfrom the stars, and it was dificult to see anything more than moving shadows or outlines.
　　Then there came the sound of oars in rowlocks, and a moving black shadow of a rowing-boat andman could be seen faintly, going over the waves.
　　'Does he know the way through that mass of rocks?' wondered Dick. 'He must know this coast well torisk rowing out through rocks at high tide in the dead of night!'
　　'Why is he doing it?' asked Anne.
　　'He's getting smuggled goods from the motorboat,' said Julian. 'Goodness knows what! There, I'velost him in the darkness.'
　　So had everyone. They could no longer hear the oars either, for the crashing of the waves on therocks drowned every other sound.
　　Beyond the rocks lay the motor-boat, but only Yan's sharp eyes could see it even faintly in thestarlight. Once, in a sudden silence of the waves, there came the exchange of voices over the water.
　　'He's reached the motor-boat,' said Dick. 'He'll be back in a minute.'
　　'Look! The second man is going down to the cove now, going to help the first one in, I expect,'
　　said Julian. 'What about us escaping through the Wreckers' Way while we've got the chance?'
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　　'Good idea,' said George, scrambling up. 'Come on, Timmy! Home!'
　　They went to the great rock arid squeezed behind it once more into the entrance of the Wreckers'
　　Way. Then, Yan once more leading, they went up the secret passage, flicking on the torch verythankfully.
　　'Where does the Wreckers' Way come out?' asked Anne.
　　'In a shed at Tremannon Farm,' said Yan, to the astonishment of everyone.
　　'Goodness, so it's very nice and handy for Mr. Penruthlan!' said George. 'I wonder how many timeshe has been up on the hills at night, and has been warned by the tower light to go down Wreckers'
　　Way to the cove and collect smuggled goods from some boat or other! A very good scheme, it seemsto me, and impossible for anyone to find out.'
　　'Except us!' said Dick in a pleased voice. 'We got on to it pretty well. There's not much we don'tknow about Mr. Penruthlan now!'
　　They went on and on. The passage was fairly straight and had probably been the bed of anunderground stream at some time. The way was quite smooth to the feet.
　　'We've walked about a mile, I should think!' groaned Dick, at last. 'How far now, Yan? Shall we soonbe back?'
　　'Iss,' said Yan.
　　Anne suddenly remembered that nobody knew how it was that Yan had found them that night.
　　She turned to him.
　　'Yan, how did you find us tonight? It seemed like a miracle when we woke up to find you outside thatlocked door!'
　　'It was easy,' said Yan. 'You said to me: ' Go away. Do not come with us today.'' So I went back alittle way. But I followed you. I followed you to the old house, though I was frit.'
　　'I guess you were frit!' said Dick with a grin. 'Well, go on.'
　　'I hid,' said Yan. 'You went up into the tower a long time. I came out into the room below, and...'
　　'It was you we heard scuffling there, then!' said Anne. 'We wondered who it was!'
　　'Iss,' said Yan. 'I sat down on some weeds in a corner, and waited till you came down, and then I hidagain; but I watched you through a hole from outside. I saw you go through the fire-place.
　　One minute you were there. The next you were gone. I was frit.'
　　'I love that word!' said Dick. 'So it was you who flattened down that patch of weeds that Timmysniped at? Well, what did you do next?'
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　　'I was going to come too,' said Yan. 'But the hole was so dark and black. I stood in the fire-place for along time, hoping you would come back.'
　　'Then what happened?' said Dick.
　　'Then I heard voices,' said Yan. 'I thought it was you all coming back. But it wasn't. It was men.
　　So l ran away and hid in the nettles.'
　　'What a place to choose!' said George.
　　'Then I was hungry,' said Yan, 'and I went back to Grandad's hut for food. He cuffed me for leavinghim, and he made me work for him all day. He was angry with me.'
　　'My word! So you've been on the hills all day, knowing we were down in that passage!' said Julian.
　　'Didn't you say anything to anyone?'
　　'I went down to Tremannon Farm to see if you were back when it grew dark,' said Yan. 'But youweren't there. Only the Barnies were there, giving another show. I didn't see Mr. or Mrs.
　　Penruthlan. I knew then that you must still be down in that dark hole. I was afraid the men had hurtyou.'
　　'So you came all the way again in the dark!' said Julian, astonished. 'Well, you've got pluck, I mustsay!'
　　'I was very frit,' said Yan. 'My legs shook at the knees like my old Grandad's. I climbed in at the hole,and at last I found you.'
　　'With no torch to light the way!' said Dick, and clapped the small boy on the back. 'You're a realfriend, Yan! Timmy knew you all right when you came to the locked door. He didn't even bark!
　　He knew it was you.'
　　'I wanted to save Timmy too,' said Yan. 'Iss. Timmy is my friend.'
　　George said nothing to that. She was thinking, rather unwillingly, that Yan was a remarkably braveyoung man, and that she had been silly and unkind to resent Timmy's liking for him. What a goodthing he had liked Timmy!
　　Yan suddenly stopped. 'We are there,' he said. 'We are at Tremannon Farm. Look above your heads.'
　　Julian flashed his torch upwards, and stared. An open trapdoor was just above them.
　　'The trapdoor is open!' he said. 'Someone came down here tonight!'
　　'And we know who!' said Dick, grimly. 'Mr. Penruthlan and his friend! Where does that trapdoor leadto, Yan?'
　　85
　　'Into a corner of the machine shed,' said Yan. 'When the trapdoor is shut, it is covered with sacks ofcorn or onions. They have been moved to open the way down.'
　　They all climbed out. Julian flashed his torch round the shed. Yes, there were the machines and thetools. Well, who would have thought that the sacks he had seen in here the other day were hiding thetrapdoor that led to the Wreckers' Way!
16.秘道之秘
　　秘道之秘
　　朱利安刚把门推开，蒂米就从他身边挤过去，发现扬站在外面，它开心地叫了起来。蒂米讨好着眼前的小男孩，伸舌头舔他，扬被它逗得咯咯直笑。
　　“我们赶紧离开这里，”迪克说，“那个人可能随时会来。”
　　“没错，晚点再解释。”朱利安催促着所有人快点出去，又把钥匙从门内的锁取出，插进门外的锁上并锁好，把门闩也闩好后，就把钥匙拿了出来，放到自己的口袋里，对着迪克偷偷一笑。
　　“即使那个人再回来，他也不知道我们已经走了，因为他没办法进去看我们是否还在里面。”
　　“我们现在去哪里？”安妮问，她觉得自己像在做梦一样。
　　朱利安思考了一会儿。“如果沿着神秘通道回到老房子那里去就太疯狂了，”他说，“如果有人正在那里发信号——这是很有可能发生的事情——我们又会被抓到。因为从壁炉那边出去的话，肯定会弄出很大动静。”
　　“既然这样，我们就走我们前面看到的另外一条路，右边那条。”乔治说，“快看，就是这条。她用手电筒照着那个方向。这条路通往哪里？扬。”
　　“沙滩，”扬说，“我去那边找过你们，但是你们都没在，所以我就回来了，结果找到了这扇门。沙滩那边一个人都没有。”
　　“那我们就往沙滩那边走，”迪克说，“等到我们脱离了危险，再计划怎么做。”
　　他们用手电筒照向前面，沿着那条路走着。这里是一条黑暗的隧道，地面还十分陡峭，所以很难前行。
　　安妮给了扬一个大大的拥抱。“你居然能找到我们，你真是太聪明了。”她说，扬对着她痴痴地笑着，但她并没看到，因为这里太黑了。
　　终于，他们听到了海浪的声音，紧接着走到了洞外。今晚的风很大，星星依然在天空中闪闪发光，相比伸手不见五指的通道里，外面的光线要好得多。
　　“这是什么地方？”迪克说完，观察了一下周围，才意识到他们前几天来过这附近。
　　“我们能从这边回到农场吗？”朱利安说，他已经不在乎这里是什么地方了，“我觉得我们应该快点回去。潮水就要涨起来了，一不小心的话，我们就会被淹死。”
　　海浪冲到沙滩上，几乎到了他们脚边。朱利安扫了一眼他们身后的峭壁，依然是那么陡峭，肯定没有办法在黑暗中攀爬上去。他们还有时间先找一个洞穴待着，等到潮水退回去吗？
　　另一波海浪涌了过来，把朱利安的脚打湿了。“可恶！”他说，“这可不是闹着玩的，下一波海浪会把我们扫倒的。我真希望月亮没被云遮住，这些星星能提供的光线太有限了。”
　　“扬，有没有一个我们可以藏身的洞穴？不是这种在峭壁下的，要露天的那种。”乔治焦急地问道。
　　“我带你们从秘密通道走，”扬一开口，就让大家提起了精神，“跟着我走吧。”
　　“对呀！你说过你知道秘密通道怎么走。”朱利安突然回想起来，“如果就在这附近的话，那它简直就是我们的幸运通道。扬，你可真是了不起，快带路吧，我们得抓紧时间，我们的脚刚才都被打湿了，下一波巨浪随时都可能扑过来。”
　　扬走在前头，带领着他们走过一个又一个海湾，然后来到了一个更大一点的海湾，绕到后面，沿着山崖峭壁爬了一小段距离。
　　他走到一个大岩石旁，从后面钻进去，其他人也紧随其后。没有人能猜到大岩石后面居然藏着一条路，可以进入到山的里面。
　　“我们现在就在秘密通道里了。”扬自豪地说，又继续带着他们向前走。突然，他停下了脚步，导致后面的人接连撞到一起。蒂米发出一声简短的警告，乔治马上用手抓紧它的项圈。
　　“有人来了！”扬小声说，转身推着他们往回走。错不了，他们听到远处的确有声音，于是他们连忙转身，匆匆往回折返。他们可不想再陷入什么麻烦中。
　　扬挪到了前头，带他们回到大岩石的位置，浑身不禁颤抖起来。他们全都从大岩石处挤了出去，扬沿着峭壁走到一个小小的洞穴里面，这个洞穴有一块突出的岩石部分可以当作屋顶。“嘘——”扬提醒他们，声音听起来就跟蛇一样。
　　他们坐了下来，静心等待着。两个人从大岩石后面走了出来，一个身材魁梧，一个较为瘦小，没有人看得清他们是谁，但朱利安凑到迪克耳边说：“我觉得那个是庞鲁斯兰先生，你看他身材多高大。”
　　迪克点点头，如果这位身材魁梧的农夫也参与到这件事情当中，他一点都不意外。五个孩子屏气敛息，静静观察着远处二人的一举一动。
　　扬轻推了一下迪克，指向海边小声说：“有船来了！”
　　迪克看向海面，什么都看不见，也听不到什么声音，过了一会儿，他才听清楚，有摩托艇的突突声！扬的耳朵真是太灵敏了！其他人也听到了这个声音——夹杂在海浪拍打岩石的声音之中。
　　“船灯没开。”扬小声地说，此时摩托艇的声音越来越大。
　　“他会撞在礁石上的！”迪克说，但船只在撞上之前，熄火停住了。孩子们现在已经可以依稀辨认出这艘摩托艇的形状，它在暗礁前随着波浪上下摇摆。很明显，它并不准备进来。
　　现在，这些暗中观察的孩子们又听到了声音。那两个从秘密通道出来的人，站在秘密通道入口处聊着天。接着，其中一个跳到更远的一块岩石上，消失了；而另外一个则继续站在那里。
　　“走的是身材高大的那个人。”朱利安说，“他去哪儿了？咦，在那边！他在下边的岩石后面，正在推什么东西。”
　　“一艘船！”扬小声说，“他想把船推到巨浪够不到的地方。那里有个水洼，看起来他准备划到摩托艇那边去。”
　　孩子们眼睛一眨不眨地观察着。虽然天气已经逐渐转晴，但依然只有星星提供一点微弱的光线，只能看到他们的轮廓。
　　随后，孩子们听到划桨的声音，接着可以依稀看到一艘船和一个划桨人的黑影，他正迎着海浪向前划去。
　　“难道他知道礁石的位置？”迪克心里在想，“他肯定非常熟悉这片海岸，才敢在这么黑的夜晚，而且还是潮水已经涨得这么高的情况下冒险划船。”
　　“他在做什么？”安妮问。
　　“他要去那艘摩托艇上拿走私的货物，”朱利安说，“天晓得那是什么东西！我已经看不见他了。”
　　其他人也一样看不见了，他们也听不到划桨的声音，因为海浪拍打岩石的声音覆盖了一切。
　　摩托艇停在了暗礁附近，但这一幕只有目光敏锐的扬才能在微弱的星光下看到。一阵沉寂后，水面上传来了交谈的声音。
　　“他上了摩托艇，”迪克说，“应该很快就会回来了。”
　　“快看！另一个人也去海湾那边了，他应该是去帮忙的。”朱利安说，“一有机会我们就从秘密通道那边逃走，怎么样？”
　　“好主意，”乔治说着爬起身来，“蒂米，走，回家！”
　　孩子们又跑到大岩石后面，从秘密通道的入口挤进去，仍然由扬带路。进到通道后，他们打开了手电筒。
　　“这条秘密通道通往哪里？”安妮说。
　　“特曼农农场的一个小屋里。”扬的一番话再次让其他人为之震惊。
　　“天哪，那对于庞鲁斯兰先生来说，岂不是非常方便？”乔治说，“天晓得他上过多少次山，观察过多少次信号灯，走过多少次秘密通道，接收过多少次走私物！至少对我来说，这计划简直天衣无缝，谁都不可能猜得到。”
　　“除了我们！”迪克开心地说，“我们的推断非常准确，现在对庞鲁斯兰先生简直了如指掌。”
　　他们一直向前走，这是一条笔直的通道，很可能曾经是地下溪流的河床——因为有点滑。
　　“我觉得我们走了有一英里了。”迪克忍不住抱怨道，“扬，还有多远？是不是快到了？”
　　“是的。”扬说。
　　安妮突然想起他们都还不知道扬是如何在今晚找到他们的，她转向他问道：“扬，你今晚是怎么找到我们的？我们醒来后发现你在门外，感觉就像发生了奇迹一样。”
　　“很简单啊。”扬说，“你们让我今天别跟着你们的时候，我就往回走了一小段路，但我还是打算跟着你们，一直跟到老房子那边，虽然我当时很害怕。”
　　“我就知道你会害怕，”迪克笑着说，“然后呢？”
　　“我就躲了起来，”扬说，“你们在灯塔上待了很长一段时间，我就走进了楼下的房间里，然后……”
　　“也就是说，我们当时听到的声音是你发出来的！”安妮说，“我们还怀疑是别人呢！”
　　“没错。”扬说，“我坐在角落的杂草上，等着你们要下楼的时候，我又躲了起来。接着我看到你们钻进壁炉那个位置。一开始你们还在，突然就不见了。我害怕极了。”
　　迪克被扬害怕的样子逗得直乐，说：“所以是你把那堆杂草给压扁的，蒂米还过去闻了。接下来你做了什么？”
　　“我本来也要跟在你们后面的，”扬说，“但洞里面太黑了，我在壁炉旁站了很久，希望你们能回来。”
　　“然后呢？”迪克说。
　　“然后我就听到有声音，”扬说，“我以为是你们回来了，结果发现不是，而是一个陌生男人，于是我赶紧逃跑，躲在了荨麻堆里面。”
　　“瞧你这地方选的。”乔治说。
　　“接着，我感觉肚子饿了，”扬说，“我就回到爷爷的小屋去吃东西。他因为我离开得太久，扇了我一巴掌，罚我一整天都帮他干活，他非常生我的气。”
　　“还好即使你一整天都在山上，也没忘了我们在那个秘密通道里！”朱利安说，“你没有跟其他人说过这件事吧？”
　　“天黑的时候，我跑下山，去特曼农农场看你们有没有回去。”扬说，“但你们没在，只有谷仓仔还在那边表演另一档节目，我也没有看见庞鲁斯兰夫妇，就在这时候，我想起你们一定还在那个通道里面，我很害怕那个男人会伤害你们。”
　　“天那么暗，你依然赶了过来，”朱利安说，他感到很惊讶，“我必须承认，你胆量可真大！”
　　“我很害怕，”扬说，“腿抖得就跟我曾祖父一样。我从洞里进去，最后找到了你们。”
　　“而且你还没有手电筒！”迪克说，他拍了拍这个小男孩的背，“扬，你真够义气！你来到那个岩洞门前的时候，蒂米就已经知道了，它都没有乱叫，因为它知道是你。”
　　“我也想救蒂米的，”扬说，“它也是我的朋友。”
　　乔治什么都没说。她内心有点愧疚，扬是个多么勇敢的小男孩，而她却一直对蒂米喜欢他这件事非常反感，其实他跟蒂米一样有着优秀的品质。
　　扬突然停下了脚步。“到了，”他说，“我们已经在特曼农农场了，看上面。”
　　朱利安把手电筒往上照，看到一个洞口就在他们上方。
　　“地板门开着！”他说，“有人今晚从这里下来过。”
　　“我知道那个人是谁，”迪克冷冷地说，“庞鲁斯兰先生和他的同伙！扬，这个地板门通向哪里？”
　　“放机器的小屋。”扬说，当地板门关着的时候，上面是用装着玉米和洋葱的麻袋掩盖着的，现在这些东西已经被移到一边了。
　　他们全都爬上来后，朱利安用手电筒照着小屋的四周，果然没错，这里的确是放置机器和工具的小屋。是啊！谁能想到平时放在这些麻布袋下面的，竟然是一扇通往秘密通道的地板门。
Chapter 17 LONG AFTER MIDNIGHT!
Chapter 17 LONG AFTER MIDNIGHT!
　　A rat suddenly shot out from a corner of the shed, and tore across to the open trapdoor. Timmy gavea bark and leapt after it. He just stopped himself from taking a header through the trapdoor by slidingalong on all four feet and coming to a stop at the entrance.
　　He stood up and looked down the hole, his head cocked to one side.
　　'Look, he's listening,' said Anne. 'Is there someone coming, those men, perhaps, with the smuggledgoods?'
　　'No, he's only listening for the rat,' said Julian.
　　'I tell you what we'll do! We'll shut the trapdoor and pile sacks and boxes and everything on top of it!
　　Then when the men come up, they'll find themselves trapped. They won't be able to get out.
　　If we can get the police in time, they'll be able to catch them easily.'
　　'Good idea!' said Dick. 'Super! How mad those two men will be when they come to the trapdoor andfind it shut! They can't get out the other way because the tide's up.'
　　'I'd like to see Mr. Penruthlan's face when he sees the trapdoor shut, and feels a whole lot of thingspiled on top of it!' said Julian. 'He'll make a few more of his peculiar noises!'
　　'Ooh - ah - ock,' said Dick, solemnly. 'Come on, help me with the trapdoor, Ju, it's heavy.'
　　They shut the big trapdoor and then began to drag sacks, boxes and even some kind of heavy farmmachine on top of the trapdoor. Now certainly nobody could open it from underneath.
　　They were hot and very dirty by the time they had finished. They were also beginning to feel verytired. 'Phew!' said Dick. 'I'm glad that's done. Now we'd better go to the farm-house and showourselves to Mrs. Penruthlan.'
　　86
　　'Oh dear, do we tell her about her husband, and how he's mixed up in this horrid business?' saidAnne. 'I do so like her. I expect she's very worried about us, too.'
　　'Yes. It's going to be a bit difficult,' said Julian, soberly. 'Better let me do most of the talking.
　　Come on, we'll go. Don't make too much row or we'll set the dogs barking. I'm surprised they haven'tyelled their heads off already!'
　　It was rather surprising. Usually the farm-dogs barked the place down if there was any unusual noisein the night. The five children and Timmy left the machine-shed and made their way towards thefarmhouse. George pulled at Julian's arm.
　　'Look,' she said, in a low voice. 'See those lights up in the hills? What are they?'
　　Julian looked. He could see moving lights here and there up on the hills. He was puzzled. Then hemade a guess. 'I bet Mrs. Penruthlan has sent out searchers for us,' he said, 'and they've got lanterns.
　　They're hunting for us on the hills. Gosh, I hope all the Barnies aren't out after us too.'
　　They came to the farm-yard, moving very quietly. The big barn, used by the Barnies for their show,was in darkness. Julian pictured it full of benches, left from that night's show. The memory of Mr.
　　Penruthlan turning out the pockets of the clothes left and hunting through the drawers in the chestused by the Barnies, came into his mind.
　　A sharp whisper made them stop very suddenly. George put her hand on Timmy's collar to stop himgrowling or barking. Who was this now?
　　None of the little company answered or moved. The whisper came again.
　　'Here! I'm here!'
　　Still nobody moved. They were all puzzled. Who was waiting there in the shadows, and whom washe waiting for? The whisper came again, a little louder.
　　'Here! Over here!'
　　And then, as if too impatient to wait any longer, the whisper moved out into the yard. Julian couldn'tsee who it was in the dark, and he quickly flashed his torch on the man.
　　It was the Guv'nor, grim-faced as ever! He flinched as the light fell on his face, took a few steps backand disappeared round a corner. Timmy growled.
　　'Well! How many more people wander about at night here?' said Dick. 'That was the Guv'nor.
　　What was he doing?'
　　'I give it up,' said Julian. 'I'm getting too tired to think straight. I shouldn't be in the least surprised tosee Clopper the horse peering round a corner at us, and saying 'Peep-bo, chaps!' '
　　87
　　Everyone chuckled. It was just the kind of thing Clopper would do if he were really alive!
　　They came to the farm-house. It was full of light, upstairs and downstairs. The curtains were notdrawn across the kitchen window and the children looked in as they passed. Mrs. Penruthlan wassitting there, her hands clasped, looking extremely worried.
　　They opened the kitchen door and trooped in, Yan too. Mrs. Penruthlan leapt up at once and ran tothem. She hugged Anne, she tried to hug George, she said all kinds of things at top speed, and to thechildren's dismay they saw that she was crying.
　　'Oh, where have you been?' she said, tears pouring down her face. 'The men are out looking for you,and all the dogs, and the Barnies too. They've been looking for ages! And Mr. Penruthlan's not home,either. I don't know where he is, he's gone too! Oh, what a terrible evening. But thank goodnessyou're safe!'
　　Julian saw that she was terribly upset. He took her arm gently and led her to a chair. 'Don't worry,' hesaid. 'We're all safe. We're sorry you've been upset.'
　　'But where have you been?' wept Mrs. Penruthlan. 'I pictured you drowned, or lost on the hills, orfallen into quarries. And where is Mr. Penruthlan? He went out at seven and there's been not a sign ofhim since!'
　　The children felt uncomfortable. They thought they knew where Mr. Penruthlan was, gettingsmuggled goods from the motor-boat, and carrying them back with his friend, up the Wreckers'
　　Way!
　　'Now just you tell me what you've been doing,' said Mrs. Penruthlan, drying her eyes, and soundingunexpectedly determined. 'Upsetting everybody like this!'
　　'Well,' said Julian, 'it's a long story, but I'll try to make it short. Strange things have been happening,Mrs. Penruthlan.'
　　He plunged into the whole story, the old tower, Grandad's tale of the flashing light, their journey toexplore the tower, the secret passage to the wreckers' cove, their imprisonment and escape, and thenJulian stopped.
　　How was he to tell poor Mrs. Penruthlan that one of the smugglers was her husband? He glanced atthe others desperately. Anne began to cry, and George felt very much like it, too. It was Yan whosuddenly spoke and broke the news.
　　'We seen Mr. Penruthlan in the cove,' he said, glad of a chance to put in a word. 'We seen him!'
　　Mrs. Penruthlan stared at Yan, and then at the embarrassed, anxious faces of the other children.
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　　'You saw him in the cove?' she said. 'You didn't! What was he doing there?'
　　'We think, we think he must be one of the smugglers,' said Julian, awkwardly. 'We think we saw himget into a boat and row to the motor-boat beyond the rocks. If so, he - well - he may get into trouble,Mrs. Penru...'
　　He didn't finish, because, to his enormous surprise, Mrs. Penruthlan jumped up from her chair, andboxed his ears soundly. He hadn't even time to dodge.
　　'You wicked boy!' panted Mrs. Penruthlan, sounding suddenly out of breath. 'You bad, wicked boy,saying things like that about Mr. Penruthlan, who's the straightest, honestest, most God-fearing manwho ever lived! Him a smuggler! Him in with those wicked men! I'll box your ears till you eat yourwords and serve you right!'
　　Julian dodged the second time, amazed at the change in the cheerful little farmer's wife. Her face wasred, her eyes were blazing, and somehow she seemed to be taller. He had never seen anyone so angryin his life! Yan went promptly under the table.
　　Timmy growled. He liked Mrs. Penruthlan, but he felt he really couldn't allow her to set about hisfriends. She faced Julian, trembling with anger.
　　'Now you apologize!' she said. 'Or I'll give you such a drubbing as you've never had in your lifebefore. And you just wait and see what Mr. Penruthlan will say when he comes back and hears thethings you've said about him!'
　　Julian was much too big and strong for the farmer's wife to 'give him a drubbing' but he felt certainshe would try, if he didn't apologize! What a tiger she was!
　　He put his hand on her arm. 'Don't get so upset,' he said. 'I'm very sorry to have made you so angry.'
　　Mrs. Penruthlan shook his hand off her arm. 'Angry! I should just think I am angry!' she said. 'Tothink anyone should say those things about Mr. Penruthlan. That wasn't him down in Wreckers'
　　Cove. I know it wasn't. I only wish I knew where he was! I'm that worried!'
　　'He be down Wreckers' Way,' announced Yan from his safe vantage-point under the table. 'We puttrapdoor down over he. Iss.'
　　'Down Wreckers' Way!' cried Mrs. Penruthlan and to the children's great relief she sank down into achair again. She turned to Julian, questioningly.
　　89
　　He nodded. 'Yes. We came up that way from the beach - Yan knew it. It comes up in a corner of themachine-shed, through a trapdoor. We - er - we shut the trapdoor and piled sacks and things on it. I'mafraid, well, I'm rather afraid Mr. Penruthlan can't get out!'
　　Mrs. Penruthlan's eyes almost dropped out of her head. She opened and shut her mouth several times,rather like a goldfish gasping for breath. All the children felt most uncomfortable and extremely sorryfor her.
　　'I don't believe it,' she said at last. 'It's a bad dream. It's not real. Mr. Penruthlan will come walking inhere at any moment, at any moment, I tell you! He's not down in the Wreckers' Way.
　　He's NOT a bad man. He'll come walking in, you just see!'
　　There was silence after this, and in the silence a sound could be heard. The sound of big bootswalking over the farm-yard. Glomp-clomp-clomp-clomp!
　　'I'm frit!' squealed Yan, suddenly, and made everyone jump. The footsteps came round the kitchenwall, and up to the kitchen door.
　　'I know who that is!' said Mrs. Penruthlan, jumping up. 'I know who that is.'
　　The door opened and somebody walked in. Mr. Penruthlan!
　　His wife ran to him and flung her arms round him. 'You've come walking in! I said you would.
　　Praise be that you've come!'
　　Mr. Penruthlan looked tired, and the children, quite dumb with amazement at seeing him, saw that hewas wet through. He looked round at them in great surprise.
　　'What are these children up for?' he said, and they all gaped in surprise. Why, he was talkingproperly! His words were quite clear, except that he lisped over his s's.
　　'Oh, Mr. Penruthlan, the tales these bad children have told about you!' cried his wife. 'They said youwere a smuggler. They said they'd seen you in Wreckers' Cove going out to a motor-boat to getsmuggled goods, they said you were trapped in Wreckers' Way, they'd put the trapdoor down, and...'
　　Mr. Penruthlan pushed his wife away from him and swung round on the astounded children.
　　They were most alarmed. How had he escaped from Wreckers' Way? Surely even his great strengthcould not lift up all the things they had piled on top of the trapdoor? How fierce this giant of a manlooked, with his mane of black hair, his shaggy eyebrows drawn over his deep-set eyes, and his denseblack beard!
　　90
　　'What's all this?' he demanded, and they gaped again at his speech. They were so used to his peculiarnoises that it seemed amazing he could speak properly after all.
　　'Well, sir,' began Julian, awkwardly, 'we - er - we've been exploring that tower - and - er - finding outa bit about the smugglers, and we really thought we recognized you in Wreckers' Cove, and wethought we'd trapped you, and your friend, by shutting the trapdoor and...'
　　'This is important,' said Mr. Penruthlan, and his voice sounded urgent. 'Forget all this about thinkingI'm a smuggler. You've got things wrong. I'm working with the police. It was someone else down inthe cove, not me. I've been on the coast, it's true, watching out, and getting drenched, as you can see,all to no purpose. What do you know? What's this about the trapdoor?
　　Did you really close it, and trap those men?'
　　All this was so completely astonishing that for a moment nobody could say a word. Then Julian leaptup.
　　'Yes, sir! We did put the trapdoor down, and if you want to catch those fellows, send for the police,and we'll do it! We've only got to wait beside the trapdoor till the smugglers come!'
　　'Right,' said Mr. Penruthlan. 'Come along. Hurry!'
17.漫漫长夜
　　漫漫长夜
　　这时候，突然有一只老鼠从小屋的角落里冲了出来，从秘道口跑了下去。蒂米冲着老鼠叫了一声后，便赶过去追它，追到打开的地板门那里，它四条腿赶紧张开，顺势划过地板门，成功停在了秘密通道口旁边。
　　它站在地板门的位置，侧着耳朵倾听。
　　“快看，蒂米听到了什么。”安妮说，“难道有人来了？会不会是那些人带着走私货过来了？”
　　“不是，他只不过在听那只老鼠而已。”朱利安说，“这样，我们先把地板门给关起来，然后把盒子、麻袋以及其他东西都堆在上面。等到那些人回来的时候，就会发现自己被困在里面了。这时，只要我们及时报警，就可以将他们顺利抓捕起来。”
　　“好主意！”迪克说，“等到他们发现地板门打不开的时候，肯定会气急败坏的。而且另一边的出口已经涨潮，想跑也跑不掉。”
　　“我真想看看庞鲁斯兰先生发现地板门被关起来，还有这么多东西堆在上面时的表情。”朱利安说，“他肯定又会发出几个奇奇怪怪的声音！”
　　“哦哦啊啊的。”迪克调笑一番后，发现地板门抬不起来，“朱利安，快来帮我关这个地板门，它太重了。”
　　他们把这偌大的地板门关起来后，就开始拖动麻袋、箱子，甚至还搬了一些很重的机器压在地板门上面。现在，无论是谁都没办法从下面把门打开了。
　　把这些工作都做完后，他们浑身又热又脏，感到身心疲惫，但都松了口气。“呼！”迪克说，“做完这些后，感觉好多了。我们现在最好回农舍去，跟庞鲁斯兰夫人报平安。”
　　“唉，我们要告诉庞鲁斯兰夫人她丈夫做的这些勾当吗？”安妮说，“我真的很喜欢她，我觉得她现在一定非常担心我们。”
　　“是，要说出来并不简单，”朱利安冷静地说，“最好让我来跟她交代清楚。走吧，我们快回去，要是一直站在这里说话，会惹得农场的狗叫唤的。我很好奇，它们怎么到现在一声都没叫过。”
　　这的确是出人意料的事情。通常，如果夜里有一点动静的话，这些农场里的狗就会叫个不停。五个孩子和蒂米离开了放置机器的小屋，一起走回农舍。这时候乔治拉了拉朱利安的手臂。
　　“快看那边，”她小声地说，“看到山上的灯光了吗？那是什么？”
　　朱利安看到山上到处都是移动的灯光。他皱了皱眉头，猜想说：“我想可能是庞鲁斯兰夫人组织了一些人去找我们了，那些光就是他们手上拿着的灯笼。天哪，希望谷仓仔们没有一起跑去找我们。”
　　他们匆匆赶到农场里，看到那个大谷仓——也就是谷仓仔用来表演的地方——漆黑一片。朱利安能想象得到今晚看演出用的凳子应该还摆在那里，他还想起了庞鲁斯兰先生在里面翻找谷仓仔的柜子和衣服的情景。
　　一阵尖细的呼唤声使他们全都停下了脚步。乔治用手抓住蒂米的项圈，防止它叫起来。这人会是谁呢？
　　他们一动不动，也没有做出回应。那个人又说：“这边，我在这儿！”
　　依然没有人动。他们为此感到疑惑。会是谁在那边等人？他又在等谁？那个人声音更大了，说：“这边，在这边！”
　　这时候，他好像不耐烦了，跑到农场这边。由于环境太黑，朱利安看不清他是谁，于是他打开手电筒照着那个人。
　　是谷仓仔的老板！依然是那副铁青的面孔。当光线照在他脸上的时候，他赶紧往后退了几步，消失在一个角落里。蒂米冲他叫起来。
　　迪克说：“那个人是谷仓仔老板，他在这儿做什么？”
　　“我不知道，”朱利安说，“我好累，不想去探究了。如果看到克洛普在角落偷看我们，然后突然跑出来吓我们，我也不会感到意外的。”
　　所有人都笑了起来。这的确是栩栩如生的克洛普会做的事情。
　　他们来到农舍，楼上楼下都有灯光。厨房的窗帘没有拉上，孩子们路过的时候往里面瞄了一眼，看到庞鲁斯兰夫人正坐在椅子上，双手紧紧地握在一起，看起来非常焦虑。
　　他们打开厨房的门，连同扬也一起走进去。庞鲁斯兰夫人马上站起身来，跑到他们身边。她抱着安妮，试图将乔治也拥入怀中，她话说得特别快，而且孩子们不愿意看到的是，她担心得哭了。
　　“天哪，你们跑哪里去了？”她说着，眼泪止不住地往下流，“所有人都跑出去找你们，包括家里的狗，谷仓仔们也去了，他们已经找了好久，而且庞鲁斯兰先生也没在家，我都不知道他跑哪里去了，他也不见了。今晚真是太糟糕了，但好在你们都平安无事。”
　　朱利安看她那么难过，就轻轻地挽着她的手臂，带她到椅子前坐下。“别担心，”他说，“我们已经安全了，我们也很担心您会为我们着急。”
　　“你们究竟去了哪里？”庞鲁斯兰夫人哭着说，“我还以为你们被淹死了，或者是在山上迷路了，或是掉到矿洞里去了。庞鲁斯兰先生七点就出去了，我到现在还没有看到他呢！”
　　孩子们立刻感到浑身不舒服，因为他们知道庞鲁斯兰先生是去了摩托艇上拿那些走私货，然后再跟他的同伙从秘密通道把货物给拿回来。
　　“快告诉我你们去做什么了，”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，她擦干眼泪，声音听上去开始严肃起来，“我们所有人都在为你们担心！”
　　“好，”朱利安说，“虽然说来话长，但我试着长话短说。庞鲁斯兰夫人，这里发生了一些奇怪的事情。”
　　他把事情的经过全盘托出，从老爷爷的传说开始，讲到他们如何去旧灯塔探索，在通往船只毁灭者那个海湾的秘密通道里，他们如何被囚禁，又是如何逃脱的。说到这里，朱利安停了下来。
　　他要如何跟可怜的庞鲁斯兰夫人说，参与走私的其中一员，就是她的丈夫？他分别看了其他人一眼，安妮已经开始哭泣，乔治也有点想哭。这时候扬突然把话说了出来。
　　“我们看到庞鲁斯兰先生在海湾那边，”他为自己终于能插上话感到开心，“我们看到他了！”
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人盯着扬看，然后再看向其他几个孩子，他们脸上流露出尴尬和焦虑的神情。
　　“你在海湾那边看到他了？”她说，“不可能！他去那边能做什么？”
　　“我们觉得……我们觉得他也是走私犯成员之一，”朱利安尴尬地说，“我们看到他好像将一艘船划到暗礁上的摩托艇上，如果真的是他的话，他……可能……也许就卷入了一些麻烦中，庞鲁斯兰夫人……”
　　朱利安话还没说完，庞鲁斯兰夫人就从椅子上跳了起来，重重地打了他一耳光，他都来不及躲闪，这完全出乎大家的意料。
　　“你这个坏孩子！”庞鲁斯兰夫人气得大口大口直喘，“满口胡言，你居然敢说正直、诚实而又虔诚的庞鲁斯兰先生是个走私犯！
　　他会跟那些走私犯混在一起？你再胡说八道，我就打到你不敢乱说。”
　　朱利安躲过了第二个巴掌，他被平时和颜悦色的庞鲁斯兰夫人突然转变的态度吓到了。她满脸通红，眼神凶狠，突然间，个头好像也变得高大起来。他从来没见过有人发这么大的脾气！扬见状马上躲到了桌子底下。
　　蒂米呜呜地低吼着，它喜欢庞鲁斯兰夫人，但它不能允许她打自己的朋友。庞鲁斯兰夫人看着朱利安，气得浑身发抖。
　　“快给我道歉！”她说，“不然的话，我就狠狠地收拾你一顿。你等着看庞鲁斯兰先生回来以后，听到你们说的这些话，他会怎么说！”
　　朱利安高大强壮，对庞鲁斯兰夫人来说，“收拾”可能够呛了，但朱利安觉得如果他不道歉的话，夫人会拼尽全力去达到目的。她简直跟老虎一样凶猛！
　　他用手轻轻抓着她的手臂。“别生气了，”他说，“抱歉惹您不高兴了。”
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人把他的手甩开。“生气？只是生气那倒还好，”她说，“别人知道了会怎么说庞鲁斯兰先生？在海湾的人肯定不是他，肯定不是！我只想知道现在他在哪里，我非常担心。”
　　“他在秘密通道里，”扬躲在桌子底下说，“我们把他困在地板门下面了。”
　　“秘密通道里！”庞鲁斯兰夫人喊起来，孩子们看到她站起来又坐下后，心里总算松了一口气。她转身看向朱利安，向他确认这句话的真实性。
　　他点了点头。“是的，我们是从沙滩那边利用这条通道走回来的，扬知道路。我们是从放机器的小屋里的地板门下面出来的。我们，呃，我们把地板门关了起来，然后在上面堆了很多东西。我想，呃，我觉得庞鲁斯兰先生应该是出不来了。”
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人听得眼珠子都快掉下来了，她欲言又止，嘴巴就像一只金鱼呼吸时那样，重复张开又闭上。孩子们觉得很不自在，而且也为她感到难过。
　　“我不信，”她说，“你们做了个噩梦，这肯定不是真的。庞鲁斯兰先生随时都可能回来。我跟你们说，他肯定不在那条通道里！他不是个坏人，你们等着看吧，他一会儿就会走进来。”
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人说完后，所有人都陷入了沉默，就在这个时候，一阵脚步声从农场传过来，“哒，哒，哒哒……”
　　“我好害怕！”扬突然尖声叫出来，所有人都被吓了一跳。那脚步声是朝厨房这个方向来的，直到门的位置。
　　“我知道谁来了！”庞鲁斯兰夫人跳起来说，“我知道谁来了！”
　　门开了，一个人走了进来——是庞鲁斯兰先生！
　　他的妻子跑向他，并紧紧地抱住了他：“我就说你会回来的！谢天谢地。”
　　庞鲁斯兰先生看起来很疲惫，孩子们看到他的时候，也傻掉了，不过，也观察到他身上都湿了。他同样惊讶地看着孩子们。
　　“孩子们怎么都醒着？”他说，听到他说话，他们的下巴都快掉了下来。为什么他说话那么清楚？咬字变得那么清晰，虽然听起来有点咬舌头的感觉。
　　“哦，庞鲁斯兰先生，这些孩子说了你一些坏话，”他妻子哭着说，“他们说你是走私犯，看到你在船只毁灭者的海湾那边，跑到摩托艇上拿走私货，还说你被他们困在秘密通道里，地板门被他们堵住了，而且……”
　　庞鲁斯兰先生推开他的妻子，突然转身面对那群一脸惊讶的孩子们。他们非常警惕。难道他从秘密通道里逃出来了？即使他力气再大，也不可能推开堆在地板门上的那么多东西啊！这个男人黑色的头发，粗犷的眉毛，深邃的眼睛，浓厚的黑胡子，都让他看起来极其凶恶。
　　“怎么回事？”他命令般地询问。他们已经习惯了他口齿不清的样子，突然间变得吐字清晰让他们觉得有点不适应。
　　“是这样的，”朱利安尴尬地说，“我们……呃……我们在灯塔那边探索，然后……然后发现走私犯的秘密，我们以为我们在海湾那边看到的人是您，还把您，连同您的同伙，困在了地板门下面，而且……”
　　“这很重要，”庞鲁斯兰先生说，他的语气很急切，“我不是走私犯，你们搞错了，我正在配合警察工作。在海湾里的人不是我，而是另有其人。不过，我的确去过海岸那边，在那边观察过，所以身上都湿透了。不过我什么都没发现。你们知道些什么？说说地板门的事情，你们真的把那些人困在下面了吗？”
　　这些话让所有人都为之震惊，一时说不出话来。最后，朱利安率先打破了僵局。
　　“是的，我们的确把他们困在了地板门下面，如果你想要抓住这些人的话，就把警察找来，我们一起去。我们只需要在地板门上面等着走私犯上来就行。”
　　“太好了！”庞鲁斯兰先生说，“快走。”
Chapter 18 DICK GETS AN IDEA!
Chapter 18 DICK GETS AN IDEA!
　　In the greatest surprise and excitement the five children rushed to the kitchen door to follow Mr.
　　Penruthlan. Yan had scrambled out from beneath the table, determined not to miss anything. But atthe door the farmer turned round.
　　'Not the girls,' he said. 'Nor you, Yan.'
　　'I'll keep the girls here with me,' said Mrs. Penruthlan, who had forgotten her dismay and angercompletely in this new excitement. 'Yan, come here.'
　　But Yan had slipped out with the others. Nothing in the world would keep him from missing this newexcitement! Timmy had gone too, of course, as excited as the rest.
　　'What goings-on in the early hours of the morning!' said Mrs. Penruthlan, sitting down suddenlyagain. 'To think that Mr. Penruthlan never told me he was working to find those smugglers! We 91knew it was going on, around this coast, and to think he was keeping a watch, and never told me!'
　　Julian and Dick had quite forgotten that they felt tired. They hurried over the farm-yard with Mr.
　　Penruthlan, Yan a little way behind, and Timmy leaping round like a mad thing. They came to themachine-shed and went in.
　　'We piled ...' began Julian, and then suddenly stopped. Mr. Penruthlan's powerful torch was shiningon the corner where the trapdoor was fixed.
　　It was open! Unbelievably open! The sacks and boxes that the children had dragged over it were nowscattered to one side.
　　'Look at that!' said Julian, amazed. 'Who's opened it? Sir, the smugglers have got out, with theirsmuggled goods, and they've gone. We're beaten!'
　　Mr. Penruthlan made a very angry noise, and flung the trapdoor shut with a resounding bang. He wasabout to say something more when there came the sound of voices not far off. It was the Barniesreturning from their search for the children.
　　They saw the light in the shed and peered in. When they saw Julian and Dick they cried out indelight. 'Where were you? We've searched everywhere for you!'
　　Julian and Dick were so disappointed at finding their high hopes dashed that they could hardlyrespond to the Barnies' delighted greetings. They felt suddenly very tired again, and Mr.
　　Penruthlan seemed all at once in a very bad temper. He answered the Barnies gruffly, said thateverything was all right now, and any talking could be done tomorrow. As for him, he was going tobed!
　　The Barnies dispersed at once, still talking. Mr. Penruthlan silently led the way back to the farmhousewith Julian and Dick trailing behind. Yan had gone like a shadow. As he was not at the farm-housewhen they walked wearily into the kitchen, Julian guessed that he had scampered back up the hills toold Grandad.
　　'Five past three in the morning,' said Mr. Penruthlan, looking at the clock. 'I'll sleep down here for anhour or two, wife, then I'll be up to milk the cows. Send these children to bed. I'm too weary to talk.
　　Good-night.'
　　And with that he put his hand to his mouth and quite solemnly took out his false teeth, putting theminto a glass of water on the mantelpiece.
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　　'Oooh - ock,' he said to his wife, and stripped off his wet coat. Mrs. Penruthlan hustled Julian and therest upstairs. They were almost dropping with exhaustion now. The girls managed to undress, but thetwo boys flopped on their beds and were asleep in half a second. They didn't stir when the cockscrew, or when the cows lowed, or even when the wagons of the Barnies came trundling out into theyard to be packed with their things. They were going off to play in another village barn that night.
　　Julian awoke at last. It took him a few moments to realize why he was still fully dressed. He lay andthought for a while, and a feeling of dejection came over him when he remembered how all theexcitement of the day before had ended in complete failure.
　　If only they knew who had opened that trapdoor! WHO could it be?
　　And then something clicked in his mind, and he knew. Of course! Why hadn't he thought of itbefore? Why hadn't he remembered to tell Mr. Penruthlan about the Guv'nor standing in the shadows,and his whispered message: 'Here! I'm here!'
　　He must have been waiting for the smugglers to come to him, of course, he probably used localfishermen to row through the rocks to the motor-boat that had slunk over to the Cornish coast, andthose fishermen used the Wreckers' Way so that no one knew what they were doing.
　　The Barnies often came to play at Tremannon Barn, nothing could be easier than for the Guv'nor toarrange for the smuggling to take place then, for the Wreckers' Way actually had an entrance in theshed near the big barn! If a stormy night came, all the better! No one would be about. He could go upon the hills and wait for the signal from the tower which would tell him that at last the boat wascoming.
　　Yes, and he would arrange with the signaller too, to flash out the news that he, the Guv'nor, was atTremannon again, and waiting! Who was the signaller? Probably another of the fishermen,descendants of the old Wreckers, and glad of a bit of excitement, and extra money.
　　Everything fell into place, all the odd bits and pieces of happenings fitted together like a jig-sawpuzzle. Julian saw the clear picture.
　　Who would ever have thought of the owner of the Barnies being involved in smuggling?
　　Smugglers were clever, but the Guv'nor was cleverer than most!
　　Julian heard the noise outside, and got up to see what it was. When he saw the Barnies piling theirfurniture on the wagons, he rushed downstairs, yelling to wake Dick as he went. He must tell Mr.
　　Penruthlan about the Guv'nor! He must get him arrested! He had probably got the 93smuggled goods somewhere in one of the boxes on the wagons. What an easy way of getting it awayunseen! The Guv'nor was cunning, there was no doubt about that.
　　With Dick at his heels, puzzled and surprised, Julian went to find Mr. Penruthlan. There he was,watching the Barnies getting ready to go, looking very dour and grim. Julian ran up to him.
　　'Sir! I've remembered something, something important! Can I speak to you?'
　　They went into a near-by field, and there Julian poured out all he had surmised about the Guv'nor.
　　'He was waiting in the dark last night for the smugglers,' said Julian. 'I'm sure he was. He must haveheard us and thought we were the men. And it must have been he who opened the trapdoor, sir. Whenthey didn't come, he must have gone to the trapdoor and found it shut, with things piled on it. And heopened it, and waited there till the men came and handed him the goods. And now he's got themhidden somewhere in those wagons!'
　　'Why didn't you tell me this last night?' said Mr. Penruthlan. 'We may be too late now! I'll have to getthe police here to search those wagons, but if I try to stop the Barnies going now, the Guv'nor willsuspect something and go off at once!'
　　Julian was relieved to see that Mr. Penruthlan had his teeth in again and could speak properly!
　　The farmer pulled at his black beard and frowned. 'I've searched many times through the Barnies'
　　properties to find the smuggled goods,' he said. 'Each time they've been here I've gone througheverything in the dead of night.'
　　'Do you know what it is they're smuggling?' asked Julian. The farmer nodded.
　　'Yes. Dangerous drugs. Drugs that are sold at enormously high prices in the black market. The parcelwouldn't need to be very big. I've suspected one or other of the Barnies of being the receivers beforethis, and I've searched and searched. No good.'
　　'If it's a small parcel it could be hidden easily,' said Dick, thoughtfully. 'But it's a dangerous thing tohide. The Guv'nor wouldn't have it on him, would he?'
　　'Oh no, he would be afraid of being searched,' said Mr. Penruthlan. 'Well, I reckon I must let them gothis time, and I must warn the police. If they like to search the wagons on the road, they're welcome. Ican't get the police here in time to stop the wagons going off. We've got no telephone at the farm.'
　　Mr. Binks came up at that moment, carrying Clopper's front and back legs. He grinned at the boys.
　　'You led us a fine dance last night!' he said. 'What happened?'
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　　'Yes,' said Sid, coming up with Clopper's ridiculous head under his arm as usual. 'Clopper was rightworried about you!'
　　'Gosh, you didn't carry old Clopper's head all over the hills last night, did you!' said Dick, astonished.
　　'No. I left it with the Guv'nor,' said Sid. 'He took charge of his precious Clopper while I wentgallivanting over the hills and far away, looking for a pack of tiresome kids!'
　　Dick stared at the horse's head, with its comical rolling eyes. He stared at it very hard indeed.
　　And then he did a most peculiar thing!
　　He snatched the head away from the surprised Sid, and tore across the farm-yard with it! Julianlooked after him in amazement.
　　Sid gave an angry yell. 'Now then! What do you think you're doing? Bring that horse back at once!'
　　But Dick didn't. He tore round a corner and disappeared. Sid went after him, and so did somebodyelse!
　　The Guv'nor raced across the yard at top speed, looking furious! He shouted, he yelled, he shook hisfist. But when he and Sid got to the corner, Dick had disappeared!
　　'What's got into him?' said Mr. Penruthlan, amazed. 'What does he want to rush off with Clopper'shead for? The boy must be mad.'
　　Julian suddenly saw light. He knew why Dick had snatched Clopper's head. He knew!
　　'Mr. Penruthlan, why does the Guv'nor always have someone in charge of Clopper's head?' he said.
　　'Maybe he hides something precious there, something he doesn't want anyone to find!
　　Quick, let's go and see!'
18.迪克灵光一闪
　　迪克灵光一闪
　　孩子们怀着忐忑又激动的心情，跟着庞鲁斯兰先生匆匆往厨房的后门走去。扬从桌子底下爬了出来，他可不想错过任何事情，可到了门口，这位农夫转过身来。
　　“女孩不能去，”他说，“扬也不行。”
　　“我会照顾好女孩们的。”庞鲁斯兰夫人说，新情况的出现已经让她忘却了刚才的所有不满，“扬，回来。”
　　但扬已经溜了出去，跟在他们后面。无论如何，他都不会错过这件新鲜事的。当然，蒂米也跟了过去，它也跟其他人一样激动。
　　“凌晨时分到底发生了什么事？”庞鲁斯兰夫人自顾自地说，她又坐了下来，想起庞鲁斯兰先生从来没跟她提过他在抓走私犯的事情，“我们知道这片海岸上有人在做这种勾当，而他一直在观察，却从未告诉过我。”
　　朱利安和迪克已经忘却了身体上的疲惫，跟着庞鲁斯兰先生在农场里匆匆赶路，扬跑在后面，蒂米则疯狂地沿路跳跃飞奔。他们来到放置机器的小屋前，走了进去。
　　“我们堆了一些……”朱利安刚想说话，突然又停住了。庞鲁斯兰先生的手电筒照在地板门所在的地方。
　　地板门开着！居然正敞开着！孩子们堆在上面的麻袋和箱子已经被推到了一旁。
　　“快看！”朱利安惊讶地说，“谁开的？庞鲁斯兰先生，走私犯跑出来了，带着他们的走私货逃跑了！我们输了！”
　　庞鲁斯兰先生生气地叫了起来，然后把地板门狠狠地关上。当他正准备说些什么的时候，听到了不远处有声音——是谷仓仔，他们出去寻找孩子刚回来。
　　他们看到小屋里有灯光，于是就往这里面看。当他们看到朱利安和迪克的时候，高兴得大叫起来：“你们跑到哪里去了？我们到处找你们！”
　　朱利安和迪克由于期望落空，心情低落，一时间没办法回应谷仓仔们热情的招呼。他们突然间又觉得身心疲惫，而庞鲁斯兰先生则突然间脾气异常暴躁，他粗暴地对谷仓仔们说：“没事了！有事等明天再说。”对他来说，他也要上床睡觉了。
　　谷仓仔们马上就离开了，不过还在继续讨论着。朱利安和迪克跟着庞鲁斯兰先生向农舍走去，这位壮汉一路上一言不发。扬已经在不知不觉中离开了——当他们回到厨房时，没有看到他，朱利安猜他已经回去找他曾祖父了。
　　“凌晨三点二十五分，”庞鲁斯兰先生说，他看着钟表，“夫人，我先在楼下睡一两个小时，然后再起来挤牛奶。你带孩子们去睡觉，我太累了，不想说话。晚安。”
　　说完后他把手伸到嘴里，把他的假牙取了出来，放在壁炉台上的水杯里。
　　“哦，哦克。”他对他妻子说了声，然后脱下他湿透了的外套。
　　庞鲁斯兰夫人把孩子们赶去睡觉，他们已经精疲力竭了。女孩们拖着疲惫的身体更换衣服，而两个男孩则直接倒在床上睡着了。他们睡得很沉，哪怕公鸡啼叫，牛叫，甚至是谷仓仔的马车隆隆声都吵不醒他们。谷仓仔的马车已经被拉到农场里，他们正在打包东西，晚上就要到其他地方去表演了。
　　朱利安终于还是醒了，他醒来之后好一会儿才意识到自己昨天晚上都没有脱衣服。他躺着思考了一会儿，想起昨天的大起大落，一种挫败感油然而生。
　　如果他们知道是谁把地板门打开的就好了！这个人会是谁呢？
　　此时他突然灵光一闪，他知道是谁了！这么明显的事情，他怎么当时就没想到呢，怎么就忘记告诉庞鲁斯兰先生，他们听见谷仓仔老板鬼鬼祟祟躲在暗处小声喊着“这边，我在这儿”这件事情呢！
　　他肯定是一直在等着走私犯回来找他，很有可能是利用了当地的渔民，指引他们划船去跟偷渡到康沃尔郡海岸的摩托艇交接，然后让这些渔民从秘密通道回来，这样一来就没有人发现他们做的事情了。
　　谷仓仔们经常来特曼农谷仓里表演，这是他们老板进行走私的绝妙机会，更何况秘密通道的入口就在大谷仓旁的小屋里。碰上了暴风雨之夜，就更方便了！他可以跑到山上等待灯塔传递信号告诉他船来了。
　　对了，他还需要安排人手负责发信号，让人知道谷仓仔的老板又到了特曼农。发信号的那个人会是谁呢？可能是另一个渔民，想必是船只毁灭者的子孙，才会乐于做这种勾当，赚点额外的黑心钱。
　　所有的谜团都慢慢解开，真相的拼图逐渐拼凑在一起。朱利安已经把所有的线索都串联了起来。
　　谁能想到谷仓仔的老板居然是个走私犯！走私犯都很聪明，无疑，他是最狡猾的一个。
　　朱利安听到了外面的吵闹声，起身看发生了什么事。原来谷仓仔正在收拾他们的东西到马车上，朱利安一边大喊着把迪克叫醒，一边赶紧冲下楼。他必须得告诉庞鲁斯兰先生关于谷仓仔老板的事情。他一定要将他绳之以法！他们可能已经把走私货放进马车里的一个箱子中。这是多么巧妙的障眼法，这个走私犯真是太狡猾了。
　　迪克一脸困惑地跟在朱利安身后，朱利安跑去找庞鲁斯兰先生。找到他的时候，他正看着打包行李的谷仓仔们，神色黯然。
　　“庞鲁斯兰先生，我想起一些重要的事情。您方便听吗？”
　　他们走到附近的空地上，朱利安把关于谷仓仔老板的事情一五一十地说了出来。
　　“昨晚他躲在暗处等走私犯跟他会合，”朱利安说，“错不了。他肯定听到我们的声音，把我们误认为是他的同伙，所以地板门也一定是他打开的！应该是他发现他们没有上来，就跑过去看，发现地板门被关上了，上面还堆着很多东西，于是他便把地板门打开，等着他的同伙上来把走私货交给他。现在他肯定是把走私货藏在某个马车上了！”
　　“你昨晚怎么不告诉我？”庞鲁斯兰先生说，“现在可能为时已晚，我现在得把警察叫过来搜这些马车，但如果我试图去挽留谷仓仔的话，他们的老板肯定会有所察觉，然后马上逃跑。”
　　朱利安看到庞鲁斯兰先生戴着牙套，口齿清晰，心里松了一口气。这位农民抓着自己的黑胡子，眉头紧锁。“我搜过谷仓仔的私人物品很多次，试图找到走私货，”他说，“每一次他们来的时候，我都会在深夜时分把他们所有的东西都搜得清清楚楚。”
　　“您知道他们在走私什么东西吗？”朱利安问。农夫点了点头：“我知道，是一种非常危险的毒品。这种毒品在黑市可以卖到一个非常高的价格，另外它的包装也不需要很大。我曾经怀疑谷仓仔的成员参与过这种勾当，但我搜过一次又一次，都没搜出什么结果。”
　　“如果包装很小的话，就更容易藏了。”迪克说，他正在思考，“但如果这东西很危险的话，那么谷仓仔的老板肯定不会随身携带着，对吧？”
　　“是的，他肯定怕被搜身。”庞鲁斯兰先生说，“唉，估计这次又让他们跑了，但我还是得去报警，如果他们想要在途中搜一下马车，那就随他们去吧，但我现在没办法及时联系到警察，没办法限制他们离开——因为农场里没有电话。”
　　宾克斯先生这时候走上前来，带着克洛普的前腿和后腿。他嬉皮笑脸地对男孩子们说：“你们昨晚可演了一出好戏啊！发生什么了？”
　　“就是，”锡德说，他依然跟往常一样，在他的手臂下夹着克洛普的头，“克洛普可担心你们了！”
　　“天哪，你们昨晚不会带着克洛普的头跑遍了整座山吧？”迪克震惊地说。
　　“没有，我让我们老板保管了。”锡德说，“因为我要跑到那么远的地方，去寻找几个令人讨厌的孩子，所以他就只能自己保管他的宝贝克洛普。”
　　迪克盯着马头道具上那一双令人发笑的眼睛，十分入神。突然，他做了一件令人费解的事情。
　　迪克把马头从一脸震惊的锡德身上抢走，带着马头在农场里狂奔。朱利安惊讶地看着他的所作所为。
　　锡德生气地喊道：“够了！你知道你在做什么吗？马上把马头还给我！”
　　但迪克并不理会，他跑到一个角落后，消失在他们的视线里。
　　锡德跑过去追他，其他人也一样。
　　谷仓仔的老板拼尽全力冲过农场，怒发冲冠！他大喊大叫，张牙舞爪，但等到他追着迪克到了角落那里后，已经看不见迪克的踪迹了。
　　“他怎么了？”庞鲁斯兰先生惊讶地说，“为什么要把克洛普的头抢走？这个孩子肯定是疯了。”
　　朱利安突然想明白了。他知道为什么迪克要抢过克洛普的头，他想清楚了！
　　“庞鲁斯兰先生，为什么他们老板总是让别人来保管克洛普的头呢？”他说，“那一定是因为他在里面藏了某些珍贵的东西，某些他不想让其他人发现的东西。快走，我们也去看看。”
Chapter 19 MOSTLY ABOUT CLOPPER
Chapter 19 MOSTLY ABOUT CLOPPER
　　At that moment Dick appeared again, round another corner, still holding Clopper's head, with Sid andthe Guv'nor hard on his heels. He hadn't been able to stop for a moment, or even to hide anywhere.
　　He panted up to Mr. Penruthlan, and thrust the head at him.
　　'Take it. I bet it's got the goods in it!'
　　95
　　Then Sid and the Guv'nor raced up too, both in a furious rage. The Guv'nor tried to snatch Clopperaway from the big farmer. But he was a small man and Mr. Penruthlan was well over six feet. Hecalmly held the horse's head out of reach with his strong right hand, and fended off the Guv'nor withthe other.
　　Everyone ran up at once. The Barnies surrounded the little group in excitement, and one or two farm-men came up too. Mrs. Penruthlan and the girls, who were now up, heard the excitement and camerunning out as well. Hens scattered away, clucking, and the four dogs and Timmy barked madly.
　　The Guv'nor was beside himself with fury. He began to hit the farmer, but was immediately pulledaway by Mr. Binks.
　　Then one of the farm-men shouldered his way through the excited crowd, and put his great hand onto the Guv'nor's shoulder. He held him in a grip of iron.
　　'Don't let him go,' said the farmer. He lowered Clopper's head and looked round at the puzzledBarnies.
　　'Fetch that barrel,' he said to Julian, and the boy got it at once, placing it in front of the farmer.
　　The Guv'nor watched, his face going white.
　　'You leave that horse alone,' he said. 'It's my property. What do you think you're doing?'
　　'You say this horse is your property?' said the farmer. 'Is it entirely your property, inside as well asoutside?'
　　The Guv'nor said nothing. He looked very worried indeed. Mr. Penruthlan turned the head upsidedown, and looked into the neck. He put his hand in and scrabbled about. He found the little lid andopened it. Out fell about a dozen cigarettes.
　　'They're mine,' said Mr. Binks. 'I keep them there. Anything wrong with that, sir? It's a little place theGuv'nor had made for me.'
　　'Nothing wrong with that, Mr. Binks,' said the farmer, and put his hand in again. He pulled at the lid,and ran his finger round the hole where Mr. Binks kept his cigarettes. The Guv'nor watched,breathing quickly.
　　'I can feel something, Guv'nor,' said Mr. Penruthlan, watching the man's face. 'I can feel a falsebottom to this clever little space. How do I get it open, Guv'nor? Will you tell me, or do I smashClopper up to find it?'
　　96
　　'Don't smash him!' said Sid and Mr. Binks together. They turned to the Guv'nor, puzzled. 'What's up?'
　　said Sid. 'We never knew there was a secret about Clopper.'
　　'There isn't,' said the Guv'nor, stubbornly.
　　'Ah, I've found the trick!' said Mr. Penruthlan, suddenly. 'Now I've got it!' He worked his fingersabout in the space that he had suddenly hit on, behind the place where Mr. Binks had his cigarettes.
　　He pulled out a package done up in white paper, a small package, but worth many hundreds ofpounds!
　　'What's this, Guv'nor?' he asked the white-faced man. 'Is it one of the many packets of drugs you'vehandled round this coast? Was it because of this secret of yours that you told Sid never to let Clopperout of his sight? Shall I open this packet, Guv'nor, and see what's inside?'
　　A murmur arose from the Barnies, a murmur of horror. Sid turned fiercely on the Guv'nor.
　　'You made me guard your horrible drugs, not Clopper! To think I've been helping you all this time,helping a man who's only fit for prison! I'll never work with Clopper again! Never!'
　　Almost in tears poor Sid pushed his way through the amazed Barnies and went off by himself.
　　After a few moments Mr. Binks followed him.
　　Mr. Penruthlan put the white package into his pocket. 'Lock the Guv'nor up in the small barn,' heordered. 'And you, Dan, get on your bike and get the police. As for you, Barnies, I don't know rightlywhat to say. You've lost your Guv'nor, but it's good riddance, I'll tell you that.'
　　The Barnies stared after the Guv'nor as he was dragged away by two farm-men, over to the smallbarn.
　　'We never liked him,' said one. 'But he had money to tide us over bad times. Money from smugglingin those wicked drugs! He used us Barnies as a screen for his goings-on. It's good riddance, you'reright.'
　　'We'll manage,' said another Barnie. 'We'll get along. Hey, Sid, come back. Cheer up!'
　　Sid and Mr. Binks came back, looking rather solemn. 'We're not going to use Clopper any more,'
　　said Sid. 'He'll bring us bad luck. We'll get a donkey instead, and work up another act. Mr. Binks sayshe couldn't wear Clopper again, and I feel the same.'
　　'Right,' said the farmer, picking up Clopper's head. 'Get the back and front legs. I'll take charge of oldClopper. I've always been fond of him, and he won't bring any bad luck to me!'
　　97
　　There was nothing more to be done. The Barnies said rather a forlorn good-bye. Sid and Mr.
　　Binks shook hands solemnly with each of the children. Sid gave Clopper one last pat and turnedaway.
　　'We'll go off now,' said Mr. Binks. 'Thanks for everything, Mr. Penruthlan, sir. So long!'
　　'See you again when next you're by here,' said Mr. Penruthlan. 'You can have my barn any time, Sid.'
　　The Guv'nor was safely locked up, waiting for the police. Mr. Penruthlan picked Clopper up, legs andall, and looked down at the five children, for Yan was now with them.
　　He smiled at them all, looking suddenly quite a different man. 'Well, that's all finished up!' he said.
　　'Dick, I thought you'd gone mad when you went off with old Clopper's head!'
　　'It was certainly a bit of a brain-wave,' said Dick, modestly. 'It came over me all of a sudden.
　　Only just in time, too, the Barnies were nearly on their way again!'
　　They went over to the farm-house. Mrs. Penruthlan had already run across. The girls guessed why,and they were right!
　　'I'm getting a meal for you!' she cried, as they came in. 'Poor children, not a mite to eat have you hadtoday. No breakfast, nothing. Come away in and help me. You can turn out the whole larder if youlike!'
　　They very nearly did! Ham and tongue and pies went on the table. Anne picked crisp lettuces fromthe garden and washed them. Julian piled tomatoes in a dish. George cooked a dozen hardboiled eggsat the stove. A fruit-tart and a jam-tart appeared as if by magic and two great jugs of creamy milkwere set at each end of the table.
　　Yan hovered around, getting into everybody's way, his eyes nearly falling out of his head at the sightof the food. Mrs. Penruthlan laughed.
　　'Get away from under my feet, you dirty little ruffian! Do you want to eat with us?'
　　'Iss,' said Yan, his eyes sparkling. 'ISS!'
　　'Then go upstairs and wash those dirty hands!' said the farmer's wife. And, marvel of marvels, Yanwent off upstairs as good as gold, and came down with hands that really were almost clean!
　　They all sat down. Julian solemnly put a chair beside him, and arranged Clopper in such a way that itlooked as if he were sitting down too! Anne gave a giggle.
　　'Oh, Clopper! You look quite real. Mr. Penruthlan, what are you going to do with him?'
　　98
　　'I'm going to give him away,' said the farmer munching as hard with his teeth as he did without them.
　　'To friends of mine.'
　　'Lucky friends!' said Dick, helping himself to a hard-boiled egg and salad. 'Do they know how towork the back and front legs, sir?'
　　'Oh yes,' said the farmer. 'They know fine. They'll do well with Clopper. There's only one thing theydon't know. Haw-haw-haw!'
　　The children looked at him in surprise. Why the sudden guffaw?
　　Mr. Penruthlan choked, and his wife banged him on the back. 'Careful now, Mr. Penruthlan,' she said.
　　'Mr. Clopper's looking at you!'
　　The farmer guffawed again. Then he looked round at the listening children. 'I was telling you,' hesaid, 'there's only one thing these friends of mine don't know.'
　　'What's that?' asked George.
　　'Well, they don't know how to undo the zip!' said the farmer, and roared again till the tears came intohis eyes. 'They don't know how to - how to - haw-haw-haw-haw - undo the ZIP!'
　　'Mr. Penruthlan now, behave yourself!' said his amused wife. 'Why don't you say straight out thatyou're giving Clopper to Julian and Dick, instead of spluttering away like that?'
　　'Gosh, are you really?' said Dick, thrilled. 'Thanks most awfully!'
　　'Well, you got me what I wanted, so it's only right and fair I should give you what you wanted,'
　　said the farmer, taking another plate of ham. 'You'll do well with Clopper, you and your brother.
　　You can give us a show one day before you leave for home. Haw-haw - Clopper's a queer one, seehim looking at us now!'
　　'He winked!' said George, in an astonished voice, and Timmy came out from under the table to stareat Clopper with the others. 'I saw him wink!'
　　Well, it wouldn't be surprising if he did wink. He's really had a most exciting time!
　　THE END
19.克洛普何去何从
　　克洛普何去何从
　　就在这时候，迪克在另一个角落出现了，他依然拿着克洛普的头，锡德和他的老板在后面紧追不舍。他都没时间停下来喘口气或是躲起来。他气喘吁吁地跑到庞鲁斯兰先生面前，把马头推到他身上。
　　“拿着，我觉得走私货藏在里面！”
　　接着，锡德和他老板也跟了上来，两个人都非常生气。老板试图从身材魁梧的农夫身上抢走马头，但对于身高六尺的庞鲁斯兰先生来说，他完全不是对手。庞鲁斯兰先生一只手紧紧拽着马头，另一只手挡住谷仓仔老板。
　　谷仓仔们兴奋地围住这几个吵闹的人，一两个农夫也走上前来。庞鲁斯兰夫人和两个刚睡醒的女孩，听到吵闹声后，跑了出来。母鸡吓得一边跑一边咯咯叫，四只农场狗和蒂米则在一边狂吠。
　　谷仓仔老板站在庞鲁斯兰先生旁边，一脸愤怒，正当他要动手时，却被宾克斯先生拉开了。
　　一个农夫从喧闹的人群中挤了进去，用手按住谷仓仔老板的肩膀，把他给控制住了。
　　“别让他跑了。”庞鲁斯兰先生说。他把克洛普的马头放低，看了看周围一脸困惑的谷仓仔们。
　　此刻，谷仓仔老板脸色变得十分苍白。
　　“把马头放下，”他说，“那是我的私人财产，你知道你在干什么吗？”
　　“你刚说这马头套是你的财产？”庞鲁斯兰先生说，“里里外外都是？”
　　老板顿时一言不发，脸色变得十分焦虑。庞鲁斯兰先生把马头倒过来，在马脖子处研究一会儿后，把手伸进去开始摸索，他找到一个小小的盒子，打开后发现了十几根香烟。
　　“这些是我的，”宾克斯先生说，“我藏在那里的，有什么问题吗？这位先生？这里是我们老板为我制作的。”
　　“没什么问题，宾克斯先生。”庞鲁斯兰先生说，又把手伸进去搜，手指在宾克斯先生藏香烟的洞里面摸来摸去。谷仓仔老板一直看着，大口大口地喘气。
　　“我摸到了点东西，谷仓仔老板，”庞鲁斯兰先生盯着老板的脸说，“我能感觉到这个地方不止这么浅，里面应该藏着什么玄机。你是准备告诉我，还是让我把克洛普撕开？”
　　“别把它搞坏了！”锡德和宾克斯先生立马说，他们转向他们老板，一脸困惑。“怎么回事？”锡德说，“您从来都没有告诉我们克洛普还有其他秘密。”
　　“没有什么秘密。”他们老板依然固执地说。
　　“嘿，我知道怎么打开了！”庞鲁斯兰先生突然说，“我找到诀窍了。”他手指突然在宾克斯先生藏香烟的地方后面发现了玄机。他把一个白纸包从里面拉了出来，这个东西虽然不大，却值一大笔钱。
　　“这是什么东西，谷仓仔老板？”庞鲁斯兰先生大声质问脸色苍白的谷仓仔老板，“这只是你在这片海岸上走私的一小部分毒品吧？
　　这就是你让锡德要时时看住克洛普的原因吗？需要我把这个包装拆开，看看里面是什么东西吗？”
　　谷仓仔的成员们突然间开始纷纷抱怨起来，夹杂着恐慌的情绪。锡德愤怒地转向他老板，说：“原来你是让我保管好你的毒品，而不是克洛普，原来，我在这么长一段时间里，都在帮一个罪犯犯罪！我不干了！克洛普从此与我无关！”
　　可怜的锡德泪流满面地挤开围观的群众，自己一个人离开了。
　　没过多久，宾克斯先生也跟着他走了。
　　庞鲁斯兰先生把那小包东西装进自己的口袋里。“把他关到小谷仓里，”他命令道，“丹，你骑车去把警察叫过来。至于谷仓仔们，我不知道应该跟你们说什么，虽然你们没了老板，但你们应该庆幸摆脱了他。”
　　谷仓仔老板被两个农民拖进小谷仓的时候，谷仓仔们一直盯着他看。
　　“我们一直都很讨厌他，”其中一个谷仓仔说，“虽然他在我们最潦倒的时候救济过我们，却是用那些贩毒赚来的黑心钱救济我们！
　　他利用我们来掩盖他走私的罪行，你说得没错，我们很庆幸摆脱了他。”
　　“我们能撑过去的，”另一位成员说，“我们会继续表演下去。
　　喂，锡德，回来吧，振作一点。”
　　锡德和宾克斯先生听到后便回来了，但面无表情。“我们不会再用克洛普了，”锡德说，“它给我们带来了不幸。我们会用驴子来代替它，研究一些新的表演。宾克斯先生说他不想再穿上克洛普的服装了，我也是。”
　　“没错，”庞鲁斯兰先生说，他拿起克洛普的头套，“把前腿和后腿都拿上，我来负责处理克洛普。我一直都很喜欢它，而且它不会给我带来任何的不幸。”
　　已经没有什么事情需要做了，心情低落的谷仓仔们开始跟他们道别。锡德和宾克斯先生跟每个孩子都认真地握了手，锡德把克洛普身体那部分交给他们后转身准备离开。
　　“我们要走了，”宾克斯先生说，“谢谢你为我们所做的一切，庞鲁斯兰先生，再见！”
　　“下次见，”庞鲁斯兰先生说，“大谷仓随时欢迎你使用，锡德。”
　　谷仓仔老板已经被关起来，等着警察来把他带走。庞鲁斯兰先生把克洛普所有的道具都捡起来，然后看着五个孩子——这时候，扬已经赶了过来。
　　他对着他们微笑，完全不像他平常的样子。“一切都结束了！”他说，“迪克，当你把克洛普的头套抢走的时候，我还以为你疯了呢！”
　　“我也只是灵光一闪想到了而已，”迪克谦虚地说，“还好时间来得及，不然又让他跑了！”
　　他们一起走回农舍。庞鲁斯兰夫人已经先回去了，女孩们猜到了她为什么要先回去。
　　“我给你们准备了点吃的！”当他们一进门的时候，她大声喊道，“可怜的孩子，今天早餐没准备多少东西给你们吃，快进来帮我，如果你们想把食物橱里的东西都吃光也没问题。”
　　他们似乎真的准备吃光！桌上放着火腿、牛舌、馅饼等。安妮从花园里摘了生菜，并清洗干净，朱利安在盘子上堆满了土豆，乔治在火炉上煮了十几个鸡蛋，桌面上还有一个水果馅饼和果酱馅饼，两大罐牛奶分别放在桌子的两边。
　　扬一直跑来跑去，总是妨碍到别人，看到这么多吃的，他的眼睛都快要掉下来了。庞鲁斯兰夫人看到后一直笑个不停。
　　“别挡我路，你这个脏兮兮的小坏蛋！你是不是想跟我们一起吃？”
　　“是的，”扬说，他眼里闪烁着光芒，“我想！”
　　“那你就上楼去把手洗干净！”庞鲁斯兰夫人说。奇迹出现了——扬上楼的时候，手特别脏，下楼的时候，居然洗得干干净净！
　　他们都围着桌子坐下了。朱利安拿了一把椅子放在身边，然后把克洛普放在上面，看起来就像它也在坐着一样。安妮看到后咯咯直笑说：“天哪，克洛普看起来就跟真的一样。庞鲁斯兰先生，您要怎么处置它？”
　　“我要把它送给别人，”这位魁梧的农夫一边吃一边说，他戴着牙套吃饭跟不戴时没什么差别，都那么大口大口，“送给我几个朋友。”
　　“那您的朋友可真幸运！”迪克说，他起身拿了个煮熟的鸡蛋和一些沙拉，“他们知道怎么用前后腿表演吗，庞鲁斯兰先生？”
　　“他们知道，”庞鲁斯兰先生说，“他们很清楚，而且会表演得很好，只是他们不会一件事，哈哈哈哈……”
　　孩子们惊讶地看着他，不明白他为什么突然大笑起来。
　　庞鲁斯兰先生被呛到了，他的妻子赶紧拍他的背。“慢点说话，庞鲁斯兰先生，”她说，“克洛普正看着你呢！”
　　这使得庞鲁斯兰先生又大笑起来，然后他看着正等他说话的孩子们。“我在跟你们说，”他说，“我那些朋友们只有一件事不会做。”
　　“什么事？”乔治问。
　　“他们不知道怎么把拉链拉开！”庞鲁斯兰先生说完，又忍不住一直笑，笑到眼泪都出来了，“他们不知道……哈哈哈……不知道……怎么把拉链拉开！”
　　“庞鲁斯兰先生，够了！”被逗笑的庞鲁斯兰夫人说，“你干嘛不直接说你要把克洛普送给朱利安和迪克，非要把口水喷得到处都是。”
　　“天哪？真的吗？”迪克激动地说，“太感谢您了！”
　　“你们给了我想要的，所以，公平起见，我也把你们想要的给你们。”庞鲁斯兰先生说，他又夹了一盘火腿吃，“你们会用克洛普表演得很好。在你们回家之前，你和你哥哥要用克洛普给我们表演一个节目。哈哈哈，克洛普真是太搞笑了，你看它在看着我们呢！”
　　“它眨眼睛了！”乔治震惊地说，这时候蒂米也从桌子底下爬出来，和其他人一起盯着克洛普，“我看到它眨眼睛了！”
　　如果它真的眨眼睛了，也没什么好惊讶的，因为在这段时间里，它也过得很刺激！