Chapter 1 THREE VISITORS ARRIVE
Chapter 1 THREE VISITORS ARRIVE
'Fanny!' shouted Mr. Kirrin, running up the stairs with a letter in his hand. 'FANNY! Where are you?'
'Here, dear, here, helping Joanna with the dusting,' said Mrs. Kirrin, appearing out of a bedroom.
'Don't shout like that. I'm not deaf, you know. What's the matter?'
'I've a letter here from that old friend of mine, Professor Hayling,' said Mr. Kirrin. 'You rememberhim, don't you?'
'Do you mean the man who came here to stay a few years ago, and kept forgetting to come in formeals?' said Mrs. Kirrin, flicking some dust off her husband's coat.
'Fanny, don't flick at me like that,' said Mr. Kirrin, crossly. 'Anyone would think I was covered indust. Listen - he's coming to stay today for a week - instead of next week.'
Mrs. Kirrin stared at her husband in horror. 'But he can't do that!' she said. 'George is coming hometoday - and her three cousins with her, to stay. You know that!'
'Oh - I'd forgotten,' said Mr. Kirrin. 'Well, ring up and tell George to stay where she is - we can't havethem while Professor Hayling is here. I shall want to be quite undisturbed - he and I have to conferabout some new invention of his. Don't look like that, my dear - this may be very very important.'
'Well, it's important to the Five that their plans shouldn't be spoilt,' said Mrs. Kirrin. 'After all, Georgeonly went to stay with Dick, Julian and Anne because you had some urgent papers to write, and youdidn't want to be disturbed - and you knew today was the day they were due home. Quentin, you mustring up your Professor friend and say he can't come.'
'Very well, my dear, very well,' said Mr. Kirrin. 'But he won't like it. He won't like it at all!' He wentoff to his study to use the telephone, and Mrs. Kirrin hurried up the stairs to get ready the rooms forthe four cousins.
'Anne can sleep with George as usual,' she said to Joanna. 'And the two boys can sleep in the guest-room.'
'It will be nice to have all the Five back again,' said Joanna, pushing the carpet-sweeper up and downthe landing. 'I miss them - and you should see the cakes I made yesterday, ma'am - two whole tinsfull!'
2'You're too good to those children, Joanna,' said Mrs. Kirrin. 'No wonder they're so fond of you.
Now, we'll - oh dear - there's Mr. Kirrin calling me again. All right, dear, I'm coming, I'm coming!'
She ran downstairs to the hall, and into the study. Mr. Kirrin was standing there, holding thetelephone receiver. 'What shall I do?' he almost shouted. 'Professor Hayling has left and is already onhis way here. I can't stop him coming. And he's bringing his son with him, so there are two of them.'
'His son! Well, really!' said Mrs. Kirrin. 'There isn't room for them here, with the four cousins aswell, Quentin. You know that.'
'Well, ring up George and tell her not to come back for a week, but to stay with her cousins,'
said Mr. Kirrin, crossly. 'There's no reason why they should ALL come here.'
'But, Quentin, you know perfectly well that George's aunt and uncle are shutting up the house today,and going on a cruise somewhere,' said Mrs. Kirrin. 'Oh dear, oh dear! Well, I'll ring up George, andtry to stop them all coming!'
So once more the telephone was used, and Mrs. Kirrin tried anxiously to get in touch with George.
For a long time nobody answered, and then at last a voice came. 'Hallo - who's there?'
'Mrs. Kirrin here - may I speak to George, please?'
'Oh - I'm sorry - all the Five have already left, on their bicycles,' said the voice. 'And the house isempty except for me. I'm a neighbour come in to lock everything up. I'm so sorry I can't get Georgefor you.'
'Oh - thank you. Never mind!' said Mrs. Kirrin and put back the receiver. She gave a heavy sigh.
NOW WHAT, what was to be done? Professor Hayling and his son were on their way to KirrinCottage - and so were the Five - and none of them could be stopped. What a household it would be!
'Quentin,' she said, going into the study where her husband was tidying up enormous piles of papers.
'Quentin, listen - George and all the others are on their way here. And HOW I am going to puteveryone up. I do - not - know. It looks as if somebody will have to sleep in Timmy's kennel, and I'vea good mind to make a bed up for you in the coal-house!'
'I'm busy,' said Mr. Kirrin, hardly listening. 'I've all these papers to get in order before ProfessorHayling comes. And by the way, my dear, will you PLEASE tell the children to be quiet while theProfessor is here - he's rather short-tempered, and...'
3'Quentin, I'm beginning to feel rather short-tempered too,' said Mrs. Kirrin. 'And if...' She stoppedvery suddenly and gazed through the study window in horror. Then she pointed her finger at it.
'Look! What's that at the window?'
Her husband turned and stared in amazement. 'It looks like a monkey!' he said. 'Where on earth did itcome from?'
A voice called down the stairs. It was Joanna. 'Ma'am! There's a car at the door - I think it's themaster's visitors - a man and a boy!'
Mrs. Kirrin was still staring in astonishment at the monkey, who was now scratching at the window-pane, chattering in a funny little prattle. He pressed his nose to the glass, just like a child.
'DON'T tell me that your friend owns a monkey - and has brought him to stay too!' groaned poor Mrs.
Kirrin. She jumped as a loud bang came from the front door, and went to open it.
Yes - there stood Professor Hayling, the man who had so often forgotten to come in for meals whenhe had stayed at Kirrin Cottage years before. And by him was a boy of about nine, with a face a littlelike that of the monkey now on his shoulder!
The professor strode in, calling to the chauffeur behind. 'Bring the luggage in, man. Hallo, Mrs.
Kirrin - nice to see you again. Where's your husband? My word, I've some interesting news to tellhim. Ah, Quentin, there you are! Got your papers all ready for me?'
'My dear old friend!' said Mr. Kirrin, shaking hands warmly. 'Fine to see you! So glad you couldcome.'
'This is Tinker, my son,' said Professor Hayling, clapping the boy on the back, and almost knockinghim over. 'I always forget what his real name is - we call him Tinker because he's always tinkeringwith cars - mad on them, you know! Shake hands, Tinker. Where's Mischief?'
Poor Mrs. Kirrin hadn't been able to get in a word. The Professor was now in the hall, still talking.
The monkey had leapt off the boy's shoulder, and was on the hall-stand, swinging on a hat-peg.
Really, it's like a circus! thought poor Mrs. Kirrin. And the rooms not prepared yet - and what aboutlunch? Oh my goodness - and all the cousins coming as well. What is that monkey doing now?
Making faces at himself in the hall mirror!
Somehow or other the visitors were pushed into the living-room, and they sat down. Mr. Kirrin wasso anxious to discuss some mighty problems with the Professor that he actually fetched a 4great sheaf of papers and immediately spread them over the table.
'Not in here, dear - in your study please,' said Mrs. Kirrin, firmly. 'Joanna! Will you take the bags upto the guest-room. And make up a bed there on the couch for the little boy? There won't be roomanywhere else.'
'What about the monkey!' asked Joanna, eyeing it warily. 'Is he to have a bed too?'
'He sleeps with me,' said Tinker, in an astonishingly loud voice, and leapt suddenly up the stairs,making a most extraordinary purring noise as he went. Mrs. Kirrin stared after him in amazement.
'Is he in pain, or something?' she said.
'No, no - he's just being a car,' said his father. 'I told you he was mad about cars. He can't helppretending to be one now and again.'
'I'm a car, a Jaguar car!' yelled Tinker, from the top of the stairs. 'Can't you hear my engine! R-R-R-R-R-R-R! Hey, Mischief come and have a ride!'
The little monkey scampered up the stairs and leapt on to the boy's shoulder, chattering in its funnylittle voice. The Jaguar car then apparently made a tour of all the bedrooms, occasionally giving avery loud honk.
'Does your boy always behave like that?' asked Mr. Kirrin, amazed. 'How do you manage to do anywork?'
'Oh, I have a sound-proof workroom in my garden,' said the Professor. 'I hope your workroom issoundproof, too?'
'No, it isn't,' said poor Mr. Kirrin, still hearing the 'car' upstairs. What a boy! How could anyone bearhim for more than two minutes? And to think he had come to STAY!
He shut the study door after the Professor - but no door could shut out the sound of the small boyhonking upstairs!
Poor Mrs. Kirrin was eyeing all the luggage brought in. Why hadn't the Professor gone to a hotel?
What was life going to be like, with the Five here, and the Professor, and a small boy who apparentlythought he was some kind of car all the time. To say nothing of a monkey called Mischief! AndWHERE were they all going to sleep?
1.三个不速之客
三个不速之客
“范妮！”昆廷叔叔高声叫嚷着冲上楼梯，手里拿着一封信，“范妮！你在哪里？”
“亲爱的，我在这儿呢，正在帮乔安娜把灰尘清理干净。”范妮婶婶从卧室里走出来，说道，“不要那样大吼大叫的，我的耳朵又不聋，发生什么事了？”
“我收到一封老朋友寄来的信，就是那个海林教授，”昆廷叔叔说，“你还记得他吧？”
“你说的是那个几年前来我们家里住过，总是忘记吃饭的人吗？”范妮婶婶一边说，一边掸走她丈夫外套上的灰尘。
“范妮，别掸我的衣服了，”昆廷叔叔一脸不高兴地抱怨，“别人还以为我身上蒙了一层灰呢。我是想告诉你，海林教授今天就会到，而且要待上一个星期，就是这个星期。”
范妮婶婶一脸惊恐地盯着她丈夫，“不，这可不行。”她说，“乔治今天就回来了，并且还带着她那三个堂兄妹，这你是知道的呀！”
“哦，我忘记了。”昆廷叔叔说道，“那么，你现在就打电话给乔治，让她别回来了。海林教授在这里住的话，我们不可能同时招待他们这么多人。教授到这儿来，是要和我一起讨论他的新发明的，我们需要一个安静的环境……不要那样看着我，亲爱的，这件事非常重要。”
“可是对四个孩子来说，他们的计划也很重要，不应该被随便打乱。”范妮婶婶强调说，“毕竟，之前乔治到迪克、朱利安、安妮他们家住，是因为你有一篇论文要赶，不想被他们吵到，当时也说好了让他们今天回来。昆廷，你必须打电话给你的朋友，告诉他今天不能来。”
“这个理由确实很好，亲爱的，”昆廷叔叔说，“但我敢肯定，海林教授绝对不会喜欢的！”说完，昆廷叔叔就去书房打电话了，范妮婶婶则匆忙走上楼梯，为四个孩子准备房间。
“安妮和乔治睡一张床，和往常一样，”她对管家乔安娜说，“而两个男孩可以睡在客房里。”
“这五个小家伙又聚在一起了，真让人开心。”乔安娜一边在地毯上推着吸尘器，一边说，“我真想他们啊，夫人，您应该看看我昨天做的蛋糕，用了整整两盒水果罐头！”
“你太娇惯那些孩子了，乔安娜，”范妮婶婶说，“也难怪他们如此喜欢你。亲爱的，我们一起做……哦！我丈夫好像又在找我了。
昆廷，你在叫我吗？我这就来。”
她冲下楼梯，跑过客厅，进入书房。昆廷叔叔呆站着，手里拿着电话听筒。“我该怎么办？”他几乎开始咆哮了，“海林教授已经动身了，他正在路上，我来不及告诉他了。他还带了他儿子，两个人一起来。”
“还有他儿子！天哪，怎么办？”范妮婶婶嚷着，“而且四个孩子就要回来了，家里没地方住啦，昆廷，你是知 道的！”
“好吧，那就赶快打电话给乔治，告诉她不要回来，和她那些堂兄妹再待上一星期。”昆廷叔叔有点生气了，“他们又不是非来不可。”
“但是，昆廷，你又不是不知道，乔治的婶婶和叔叔今天就要出发，把家门一锁，准备坐上游艇出去旅行了。”范妮婶婶说，“天哪，我得马上给乔治打电话，让他们所有人先别回来了！”
于是，书房的电话又派上了用场，这次是范妮婶婶。她急得团团转，恨不得马上联系上乔治，可是电话那头响了很长时间，都没有人接。就在铃声即将结束的时候，电话那头终于传来一个声音：“你好，是哪位？”
“我是范妮婶婶，请问，能让乔治接电话吗？”
“哦，我很抱歉，四个小家伙已经骑着自行车离开了。”电话那边说道，“房子里空无一人。我是隔壁的邻居，过来把门和柜子锁好。很抱歉，不能帮您联系到乔治。”
“哦，谢谢，没关系！”范妮婶婶只好挂掉了电话。她重重叹了口气，现在能做什么？海林教授和他儿子正在前往科林庄园的路上，而那四个小家伙也是如此，没人能阻止他们的到来，到时这个房子将会多么拥挤啊！
“昆廷，”她呼唤着丈夫，昆廷叔叔正忙着整理一大摞论文，“听好了，乔治还有其他所有人都要来，我正在想办法，一个能让每个人都住下的办法。真不知道如何才能做到，看来，有人要睡蒂米的狗窝了，而且，我很想把你的床铺在煤窖里面！”
“没看到我正忙着吗？”昆廷叔叔心不在焉地说，根本没听妻子说话，“在海林教授来之前，我得将这些文件都整理好。顺便说一下，亲爱的，你要告诉孩子们，教授在的时候，一定要保持安静，他的脾气十分暴躁，而且……”
“昆廷，我的脾气也开始暴躁了，”范妮婶婶说，“如果……”突然，她停了下来，惊恐地盯着书房的窗户。她用手指指向它，声音颤抖地说，“看！窗户上是什么东西？”
她的丈夫转过身，一脸惊讶地盯着窗户。“好像是一只猴子！”他说，“见鬼了，这是哪儿来的？”
这时，外面传来叫喊声，是乔安娜在喊，“夫人，门口停了一辆车，我想是先生的访客到了，是一个男人带着一个小男孩，他们刚下车！”
范妮婶婶目瞪口呆，只顾盯着猴子看。它正挠着窗户上的玻璃，嘴里不断地发出顽皮的叫声。它将小鼻子压在玻璃上，就像一个孩子。
“可别告诉我，你那个朋友还养了只猴子，而且，竟然还把它带过来留宿！”可怜的范妮婶婶呻吟道。那猴子轻巧地一跃，落地时弄出一声巨响，它蹿到前门处，把门打开了。
果然没错，门口站着海林教授，他就是几年前住在科林庄园时经常忘记吃饭的那个人。他身旁站着一个九岁左右的男孩，男孩的脸和那只站在他肩膀上的猴子简直一模一样！
海林教授大摇大摆地走了进来，并吩咐着身后的司机：“把行李搬进来，伙计。你好，夫人，很高兴再次见到你。你丈夫在哪里？
我有一些有趣的消息要带给他……啊，昆廷，你在这儿呢！你的论文准备好了吗？”
“我亲爱的老朋友！”昆廷叔叔热情地握着他的手说道，“见到你真是太高兴了！很高兴你能来。”
“这是阿修，我儿子，”海林教授介绍着，用力拍拍男孩的背，力气大得差点把他拍倒了，“我总是不记得他的真名是什么了，我们叫他阿修，因为他总是在修车，他对汽车很痴迷。来，跟大家握握手，阿修。对了，淘气包去哪 儿了？”
可怜的范妮婶婶，不知道该说什么好了。海林教授如今已进入大厅了，他滔滔不绝，口若悬河。猴子从小男孩的肩膀上一跃而下，蹿到门口的衣帽架上，在上面荡来荡去。
天哪，家里现在就像一个马戏团！范妮婶婶满心郁闷，房间还没准备好，还有，午餐吃什么？哦，天哪，还有那么多个侄子侄女。看，那只猴子又在做什么呢？它正对着镜子里的自己做着鬼脸！
访客不知何时已进入客厅，坐了下来。昆廷叔叔一脸渴望，想与教授讨论些重大问题，他已经从论文中抽出一叠文件，在桌子上一张张摊开。
“请不要在这里讨论啊，亲爱的，去你的书房不好吗？”范妮婶婶坚定地要求道，“乔安娜，可以把行李带去客房吗？再为这个小男孩在沙发上铺张床，屋子里已经没有多余的地方给他睡了。”
“那只猴子怎么安排呢？”乔安娜小心翼翼地盯着它，“也给它准备一张床吗？”
“它和我一起睡。”阿修回答问题的嗓门惊人的洪亮，他突然跳上楼梯，嘴里发出奇怪的咕噜咕噜的声音。范妮婶婶惊讶地看着他。
“他是生病了还是怎么了？”她问。
“不，没有，他只是在假装自己是一辆车。”他爸爸说，“我告诉过你，他对车痴迷，他克制不住自己，总是假装成一辆汽车，装了一次又一次。”
“我是一辆小汽车，捷豹牌的！”阿修的叫声回荡在楼顶，“你听不到我发动机的声音！嗷——嗷——嗷——嘿，淘气包，快来和我一起兜风！”
听到主人的呼唤声，小猴子立刻蹿上楼梯，跳到那个男孩的肩膀上，不断发出滑稽的叽叽咕咕声。显然，这个小男孩，正假装自己是辆捷豹牌汽车。他溜进每一间卧室，进行参观，偶尔还会大声地模仿汽车的喇叭声。
“你的孩子总是这样吗？”昆廷叔叔惊讶地问道，“这样你还怎么工作？”
“哦，在我家的花园里，有间隔音的工作室。”教授说，“我希望你的工作室也是隔音的。”
“不，不是的。”可怜的昆廷叔叔说，他仍然可以听见楼上的“汽车”声。真是个顽皮的小男孩！有人能忍受他超过两分钟吗？而且，这个男孩子居然要在家里住下来了！
他只好关上书房门，但是这个世界上没有一扇门能隔绝楼上小男孩刺耳的尖叫声。
可怜的范妮婶婶，呆呆地盯着两位访客带来的一堆行李。为什么教授不去酒店住呢？接下来的几天会有多吵闹啊，那四个小家伙马上就要到了，现在又加上教授和一个小男孩住进了家里。而且，这个男孩还总是假装成汽车，更不用提还有一只叫“淘气包”的猴子了！真是乱上加乱！屋子里如何能挤得下这么多人呢？
Chapter 2 A LITTLE EXCITEMENT
Chapter 2 A LITTLE EXCITEMENT
George and her three cousins were already on their way back to Kirrin. They cycled along the laneswith Timmy, George's dog, loping easily beside them.
'Won't it be fun to be at Kirrin Cottage again!' said Anne. 'It's so lovely to look out of a window andsee Kirrin Bay, blue as the sky! I vote we go over to the Island for a picnic!'
'You'll like to have your own kennel again, won't you, Timmy?' said George, and Timmy gave herankle a quick lick, and barked.
'It's always so peaceful at Kirrin Cottage,' said Dick. 'And your mother's so kind and jolly, George, Ihope we shan't upset Uncle Quentin with our talk and fun.'
'I don't think Father has any very important work on hand,' said George. 'Anyway, he'll only have youfor a week - it's a pity that Professor friend of his is coming in a week's time, or you could havestayed longer.'
'Well, a week is quite a nice long time,' said Julian. 'Hallo - there's our first glimpse of Kirrin Bay,look - as blue as ever!'
They were all glad to see the little blue bay, and to catch sight of Kirrin Island lying there peacefullyin the sun. 'You're lucky, George, to have an island all of your own,' said Anne. 'One that is really andtruly yours!'
'Yes, I am lucky!' said George. 'I was never so pleased in all my life as the day Mother gave it to me.
It's belonged to our family for years, of course - and now it's mine! We'll go over there tomorrow!'
At last they came to the end of their journey. 'I can see the chimneys of Kirrin Cottage!' said Julian,standing up on the pedals of his bicycle. 'And the kitchen fire is going - I can see smoke.
The dinner must be cooking!'
'I can smell it!' said Dick, sniffing. 'I think it's sausages.'
'Ass,' said the other three together, and laughed. They rode up to the back gate, and leapt off theirbicycles. They put them into the shed, and George gave a shout!
'Mother! We're HOME! Where are you?'
She had hardly finished yelling when Anne suddenly clutched her arm. 'George - what's that?
Look! Peeping out of the window there!'
6They all looked - and George shouted in astonishment: 'It's a monkey! A MONKEY! No, Timmy. No- come back! TIMMY!'
But Timmy too had seen the quaint little face peering out of the window, and had shot off toinvestigate. Was it a small dog? Or a queer sort of cat? Anyway, whatever it was, he was going tochase it away! He barked at the top of his voice as he galloped indoors, and almost knocked over asmall boy there. The monkey, terrified, at once leapt on to the picture-rail that ran round the room.
'You leave my monkey alone, you big bully you!' cried a furious voice; and through the open doorGeorge saw a small boy give Timmy a sharp smack. She raced indoors, and gave the small boy asmack as sharp as the one he had given Timmy! Then she glared at him angrily.
'What are you doing here? How DARE you hit my dog? It's a good thing he didn't eat you up.
And what's that creature doing up there?'
The little monkey was terrified. It sat clinging to the picture- rail, trembling, making a piteouschattering noise. Julian came in just as Joanna and cook arrived from upstairs.
'What's all this?' she said. 'You'll have your father racing out of his study in a minute, George.
Stop barking at the little monkey, Timmy, for goodness sake! And stop crying, Tinker, and take yourmonkey away before Timmy eats him.'
'I'm NOT crying,' said Tinker fiercely, rubbing his eyes. 'Come here, Mischief. I won't let that doghurt you! I'll - I'll...'
'You take your monkey away, old son,' said Julian gently, thinking that the small boy was very braveto imagine he could fight old Timmy. 'Run along.'
Tinker made a clicking sound and the monkey dropped at once on to his shoulder, and nuzzled there.
It put its tiny arms round the boy's neck, and made a little choking noise.
'Oh - poor little mite - it's crying!' said Anne. 'I didn't know monkeys could cry. Timmy, don'tfrighten it again, please don't. You mustn't bully tiny things.'
'Timmy never bullies anything!' said George at once, frowning at Anne. 'But after all, what do youexpect him to do when he comes home and finds a strange boy and a monkey here. Who are you,boy?'
'I shan't tell you,' said Tinker, and marched out of the room, the monkey still whimpering into hisneck.
'Joanna - who on earth is he?' asked Dick. 'And what is he doing here?'
7'I thought you wouldn't like it,' said Joanna. 'It's that Professor friend of your father's, George -the one who was coming to stay next week. He telephoned this morning to say he was coming thisweek instead - and bringing his boy as well! He didn't say anything about a monkey, though!'
'Are they staying here?' said George, in horror. 'How can Mother let them - she knew we were allcoming today! How mean of her, how...'
'Be quiet, George,' said Julian. 'Let Joanna go on.'
'Well, they arrived before anything could be done to stop them,' said Joanna. 'And now your father isshut up in his study with Professor Hayling - the boy's father - and your mother and I are at our wit'send to know where to put you all. The boy and his father - and I suppose the monkey too - are sharingthe guest-room.'
'But that's where Julian and Dick were going to sleep!' said George, losing her temper again. 'I'll goand tell Mother that boy can't stay, I'll...'
'Don't be an ass, George,' said Julian. 'We'll manage somehow. We can't go back home because ourhouse will be all shut up now.'
'You could sleep up in the loft,' said Joanna, sounding rather doubtful. 'But it's very dusty and terriblydraughty. I could put a couple of mattresses up there for you.'
'All right,' said Julian. 'We'll make do up in the loft. Thanks, Joanna. Where's Aunt Fanny? Does shemind all this?'
'Well - she's a bit rushed,' said Joanna. 'But you know what your aunt is - always so kind, neverthinks of herself. That Professor Hayling! Just walked into the house as if he owned it, bringingluggage and that most peculiar little boy - and a monkey! Though the monkey seems a nice enoughlittle thing. It came and watched me wash up, and bless me if it didn't try to dry the plates for me!'
The kitchen door swung open and George's mother came in. 'Hallo, dears!' she said smiling. 'Ithought I heard Timmy barking. Dear Timmy - wait till you see the monkey!'
'He's seen him already,' said George, scowling. 'Mother, how could you take people in when youknew we were coming home today?'
'That's enough, George,' said Julian, who saw how worried his aunt looked. 'Aunt Fanny, we won't beANY trouble! We'll keep out of the house as much as we can, we'll do the shopping for you, we'll goacross to Kirrin Island and keep out of your way, we'll...'
8'You're kind, Julian,' said his aunt, and smiled at him. 'Things will be rather difficult - especially asProfessor Hayling never can remember to come to meals in time, and you know what your uncle is!
He could forget breakfast, dinner and supper for a whole year, and then wonder why he felt hungry!'
That made everyone laugh. Julian slipped his arm round his aunt and gave her a hug. 'We'll sleep inthe loft,' he said, 'and enjoy it, too. The girls will help with the housework, and Dick and I will do theodd jobs. You've no idea how fine I look with an apron round my waist, and a broom in my hand!'
Even George smiled at the idea of Julian wearing an apron. Then Timmy went suddenly to the half-open door and barked. He could smell that monkey again. He heard a high chattering noise, andpushed the door open at once. What! Was that monkey calling him rude names?
He saw the little creature sitting on the top of the rail at the foot of the stairs. It saw Timmy, anddanced up and down, sounding as if it were laughing. Timmy raced to the rail and leapt up, barkingfiercely.
The study door flew open and out marched not one angry Professor, but two! WHAT'S ALLTHIS NOISE? CAN'T WE HAVE A MOMENT'S PEACE?
'Oh dear!' said Mrs. Kirrin, foreseeing this kind of thing happening twenty times a day, now thatTimmy and the others were here. She shushed the two angry men.
'Now, now - Timmy just isn't used to the monkey yet. Go back, please, and shut the door. I'll see youaren't disturbed again!'
'WOOF-WOOF!' shouted Timmy, using his very loudest bark, and Professor Hayling shot back intothe study at top speed!
'Any more rudeness from Timmy and I'll have him sent away!' roared Mr. Kirrin, and he toodisappeared.
'WELL!' said George, her face red with anger. 'What does he mean by that, Mother? If Timmy goes, Igo too! Oh look at that monkey - he's sitting on top of the grandfather clock now! He ought to be sentaway, horrid little mischievous thing - not old Timmy!'
2.闹成一团
闹成一团
与此同时，乔治还有她的三个堂兄妹正沿着小路骑着车，一路直奔科林庄园。蒂米——乔治的爱犬，欢快地跑着，跟在他们身旁。
“我们又能去科林庄园里玩了，大伙儿难道不高兴吗？”安妮笑道，“从科林庄园的窗户望出去，正好能看到科林湾的美景呢，大海碧蓝澄净，海天一色，真是美极了！我们一定得去岛上进行一次野餐！”
“你又能拥有自己的狗窝了，开心吗，蒂米？”乔治说完，蒂米舔了舔她的脚踝，高兴得汪汪直叫。
“科林庄园，总是那么宁静祥和。”迪克说，“乔治，你妈妈总是对我们和颜悦色的，可是昆廷叔叔……但愿我们谈天说地的声音，不会打扰到他。”
“不会的，我爸爸现在手头上没什么太重要的工作。”乔治说，“反正他答应让你们待上一个星期，因为一个星期后，他的一个教授朋友要来，本来你们可以待上更长时间的。”
“没事，一周也够了。”朱利安说，“哟呵！我们马上就要看见科林湾了……看，它还是和以前一样蓝！”
一看到小小的蓝色海湾，和阳光下平静伫立着的科林岛，他们全都兴奋极了。“你真幸运，乔治，这座岛是属于你的。”安妮说，“真真正正属于你的！”
“是啊，我很幸运！”乔治说，“妈妈把岛送给我的那天，是我一生中最高兴的一天，它以前是属于我们家族的财产，现在它是我的了！明天我们要到岛上去探险哦！”
终于，他们到了。“我看到科林庄园的烟囱了！”朱利安站在自行车的踏板上，往庄园看去，“厨房正在生炉子呢，我看到有烟冒出来了，他们肯定正在做晚餐，迎接我们回家呢！”
“我闻到香味了！”迪克吸着鼻子说，“是香肠的味道！”
“你就编吧！”其他三个人异口同声地说，随即几个人哄堂大笑。他们骑车绕到后门，跳下车来，把车停进棚子里，然后乔治大喊了一声：“妈妈，我们回来了！你们人呢？”
乔治话音未落，突然，安妮紧紧地抓住她的胳膊。
“乔治，那是什么呀？快看！那个从窗户里偷看我们的，是什么东西呀？”
大伙儿看向窗户，乔治惊讶地喊出声来：“猴子！是一只猴子！
别去，蒂米，别去，快回来！蒂米！”
但是，蒂米一看到那张映在窗户上的古怪的脸，便立即冲上去，要探查一番。在那里的，是一只小型犬，还是一只奇怪的猫？
不管是什么怪物，蒂米都决心要把它赶跑！蒂米在屋里跑来跑去，叫破了嗓子，整个楼都回荡着它的声音。一个小男孩突然出现了，蒂米差点撞到他。而那只猴子早被吓坏了，它一下子蹿到画框上，顺着画框往墙上爬，接着开始在房间里乱窜。
“不要再追赶我的猴子了，你这个欺负别人的坏蛋！”一个愤怒的声音喊道。透过虚掩的门，乔治看见一个男孩拍打了蒂米一下。
她气坏了，立刻冲上前去，给那个小男孩同样的一击，并生气地瞪着他。
“你是谁？在这里做什么？你居然敢打我的狗，幸好它没咬你一口。那只小怪物是谁的，在这里捣什么乱？”
小猴子吓坏了。它紧紧抓住画框，浑身颤抖，嘴里发出哀怨的嘶鸣声。这时，朱利安和乔安娜同时过来了。
“这是怎么回事？”乔安娜说，“乔治，你爸爸在书房呢，你非要惹得他马上冲出来大吼大叫吗？看在老天的分上，蒂米，不要再冲那只小猴子叫了！还有你，阿修，别哭了，在蒂米吃掉你的猴子前，赶快把它带走！”
“我没有哭。”阿修一边坚定地回答，一边揉了揉眼睛，“过来，淘气包，我绝对不会让那只狗伤害你的！我……我……”
“把你的猴子带走吧，兄弟。”朱利安温柔地说道，想到他居然面对蒂米也不害怕，看来这个小男孩还是挺勇敢的，“快跑吧，小鬼。”
这时，阿修的嘴里发出咔哒咔哒的声音，猴子听到主人的呼唤，立刻跳上他的肩膀，蹭了蹭小男孩的脸，然后用它小小的胳膊搂住男孩的脖子，并发出闷闷的声音。
“哦，可怜的小东西，它哭了呢！”安妮说，“我不知道猴子也会哭，蒂米，别吓唬它了，你不可以欺负弱小。”
“蒂米从来不欺负弱小！”乔治冲安妮皱起眉头，立刻回击道，“毕竟它一回到家里，就发现了一个奇怪的男孩，还有一只奇怪的猴子，它能不发怒吗？这位小弟弟，你到底是谁啊？”
“我才不告诉你呢。”阿修说完，便走出了房间，那只猴子仍然把脸埋在男孩的脖子里抽泣着。
“乔安娜，他到底是谁啊？”迪克问道，“他在这里做 什么？”
“我想你们不会喜欢的。”乔安娜说，“乔治，你爸爸的朋友——海林教授来了，他本来是下周才来的。但是，今天早上教授突然打来电话，说他这周就要过来，顺便还带上了他的儿子！而且关于那只猴子的事情，他一个字都没提……”
“他们住在这里，是来表演杂耍的吗？”乔治用惊恐的声调打断了乔安娜，“妈妈怎么能让他们住进来呢，她知道我们今天要回来的！她怎么能这么过分，怎么能这样……”
“安静点，乔治，”朱利安说，“让乔安娜继续把话说完。”
“好吧，他们来之前，我们本想阻止，但没有成功。”乔安娜说，“现在，你爸爸和海林教授——那位男孩的爸爸，正在书房里研究论文，我和你妈妈正努力想法子，让你们都能住下来。这个男孩和他爸爸，我猜还有那只猴子，在客房里睡。”
“但那是朱利安和迪克准备睡觉的地方！”乔治怒火中烧，说，“我要去告诉妈妈，这男孩不能留下来，我会……”
“不要闹了，乔治，”朱利安说，“我们会搞定的。我们也不能回家了，因为我家现在已经锁上门了。”
“你们可以在阁楼里睡，”乔安娜说，听她的声音就知道她自己都不确定是不是可以这样做，“但那里满是灰尘，风呼呼直吹，不过我可以在那儿为你们准备一些床垫。”
“可以了，”朱利安说，“我们就在阁楼睡。谢谢你，乔安娜。范妮婶婶在哪里？她对这个安排不会有意见吧？”
“呃，她现在正在忙。”乔安娜说，“你也知道你婶婶的为人，她总是那么善良，从不为自己考虑。而那个海林教授呢，似乎觉得他才是这里的主人，带着行李和古里古怪的小男孩，还带了一只猴子不由分说地住了进来！虽然猴子似乎还挺可爱的，在我洗洗涮涮的时候，它一直瞧着我。老天保佑，要是它没有试图为我擦干盘子就好了，那么那些盘子也不会碎了！”
这时，厨房的门开了，乔治的妈妈走了进来。“亲爱的！”她说道，“我就说呢，我怎么听到蒂米叫了。原来是你们回来了呀，亲爱的蒂米，你还没看到猴子吧？”
“它已经见到了。”乔治皱着眉头说道，“妈妈，您知道我们今天都要回家的，怎么还让那些人住进来呢？”
“别说了，乔治。”朱利安说，他已经看到了范妮婶婶一脸焦虑，“范妮婶婶，我们不会给您添麻烦的！我们尽可能不待在家里，可以外出帮您采购，还有，明天我们会到科林岛上去，不会妨碍到您，我们会……”
“你真好，朱利安。”范妮婶婶报以微笑，说，“事情是有点棘手，尤其是海林教授，从来不记得按时吃饭，你知道你叔叔也是这样，他可以一整天都忘记吃早餐、午餐和晚餐，然后花半天时间想自己为什么会饿！”
一席话让大家都笑了。朱利安搂着婶婶，给了她一个大大的拥抱。“我们就在阁楼里睡吧，”他说，“这样我们会很开心的。女孩们帮忙做家务，迪克和我帮忙解决各种难题。如果我的腰上围着一条围裙，手里再拿着一把扫帚，看上去肯定帅极啦！”
一想到朱利安穿围裙的样子，连乔治都跟着笑了。这时蒂米突然冲到虚掩的门前狂吠起来，可能它又闻到那只猴子的味道了。它听到高亢的叽里咕噜声，便立刻把门拱开。到底发生什么事了，是那只猴子在粗声粗气地呼唤它吗？
这时，蒂米看到那只猴子坐在楼梯角的扶手上。它一见蒂米，便上蹿下跳，像在嘲弄它。蒂米跑到扶手前，跳得老高，狂吠起来。
书房门瞬间打开了，传来愤怒的吼声，这一次，不仅是教授一个人的声音，而是两个人的呼喊：“怎么这样吵？不能安静一会儿吗？”
“哦，亲爱的！”范妮婶婶连忙出来解围，她猜这样的事以后每天都会发生不下二十次，毕竟，现在蒂米和猴子在同一个空间相处。她冲着两个愤怒的男人发出“嘘”的 声音。
“好了好了，蒂米只是还没有习惯猴子的存在。现在你们就回书房去，关上门，我保证你们不会再被打扰了！”
“汪！汪！”蒂米发出响亮的吠声，海林教授则用最快的速度回到了书房。
“蒂米要是再这么无理取闹的话，我会立刻把它送走！”昆廷叔叔吼完，也消失在书房门口。
“哈！”乔治说，脸憋得发红，一脸怒气，“妈妈，爸爸是什么意思？如果他让蒂米走，那我也走！哦，看看那只猴子，它居然坐在了爷爷的钟上！它才应该被送走，而不是可怜的蒂米！可怕的淘气包！”
Chapter 3 MISCHIEF, TINKER - AND TIMMY!
Chapter 3 MISCHIEF, TINKER - AND TIMMY!
Julian and Dick set to work to take a couple of old mattresses up to the loft, and some rugs and acouple of cushions for pillows. It was rather draughty! But what else was to be done? It was still toocold to sleep outside in a tent.
George was very sulky. 'That scowl will grow on your face, George, if you aren't careful,' said Dick.
'Cheer up, for goodness' sake. It's worse for your mother than it is for any of us. She's going to bevery busy this week.'
She certainly was! Meals for nine people, five of them very hungry children, were not easy toprovide. Joanna did an enormous amount of cooking, the girls helped with the housework, and theboys cycled off to Kirrin village in the mornings to do the shopping.
'Why can't that boy Tinker help?' demanded George, on the second day they were at home.
'What on earth does he think he's doing now? Look at him out in the garden rushing all round,making a frightful noise. Tinker, shut up! You'll disturb your father and mine.'
'You shut up yourself!' called back Tinker, rudely. 'Can't you see I'm a Bentley car, with a verypowerful engine? And see how well it stops when I put on the brakes - no jerk at all! And hear thehorn - marvellous!'
He gave a remarkably good imitation of a powerful car-horn. At once the study window shot up andtwo very angry men shouted together: 'TINKER! What do you think you're doing, making that noise?
You've been told to be QUIET!'
Tinker began to explain about the Bentley, but as this didn't seem to satisfy either of the angry men,he offered to be a little mini-car. 'You see, it goes like this,' said Tinker, beginning to move off,making a low purring noise, 'and it...'
But the window was slammed shut, so the little mini-car drove itself into the kitchen, and said it wasvery hungry, could it have a bun?
'I don't feed cars,' said Joanna. 'I have no petrol. Go away.'
The mini-car purred out of the kitchen on its two legs, and went to look for passengers.
Mischief the monkey scampered up, and ran up Tinker's body to his shoulder.
'You're my passenger,' said Tinker, and Mischief held on to his hair as he drove all round the gardenat top speed, honking every now and again, but very quietly indeed.
10
'He's a funny child,' said Joanna to Mrs. Kirrin, when she came into the kitchen. 'Not bad really- him and his cars! I've never seen a child so mad on them in my life! One of these days he'll turn intoone!'
It began to rain next day and Tinker couldn't go out. He nearly drove everyone mad, rushing about allover the house hooting, and purring like a car engine.
'Now look,' Joanna said to him, when for the twentieth time he drove himself all round her kitchen. 'Idon't care if you're a Morris Minor, or an Austin, or a Consul, or even a Rolls - you just keep out ofmy kitchen! It's a funny thing to think that a fine car like a Rolls can steal a bun out of my tin - itought to be ashamed of itself!'
'Well, if I can't get petrol, I've got to get something to run on, haven't I?' demanded Tinker.
'Look at Mischief - he's helping himself to apples in the larder, but you don't say anything to him!'
'Oh lands sakes, is that creature in the larder again?' cried poor Joanna, rushing across the kitchen.
'Who left it open, I'd like to know?'
'Timmy did,' said Tinker.
'You little fibber!' said Joanna, as she shooed Mischief out of the larder. 'Timmy would never do athing like that. He's as honest as the day, not like that little thief of a monkey of yours!'
'Don't you like him?' said Tinker, sorrowfully. 'He likes you.'
Joanna glanced across at the tiny monkey. He sat huddled in a corner, his arms over his face, lookingvery small and sad. One small brown eye peeped out at Joanna.
'You're a humbug, you are!' said Joanna. 'Looking as if you're the unhappiest monkey in the world,when all the time you're thinking what mischief to do next. Here - come and get this biscuit, yourascal - and don't you dare to go near Timmy this morning. He's very very angry with you.'
'What did Mischief do to Timmy?' asked Tinker, surprised.
'He went to Timmy's dish and stole one of the bones there,' said Joanna. 'Timmy growled like a rollof thunder! I really thought he would bite off the monkey's tail. My word, you should have seenMischief skedaddle!'
Mischief had now crept up cautiously to Joanna, eyeing the biscuit she held. He had had one or twoslaps from her for stealing, and he was rather wary of her quick right hand.
'Here you are - take the biscuit, for goodness' sake,' said Joanna. 'And don't look such a little 11misery, or I might suddenly find myself giving you another biscuit. Hallo - where's he gone?'
The monkey had snatched the biscuit with one of his tiny paws, and had scampered away to the door.
It was shut, so Tinker opened it for him. At once Timmy came in. He had been lying outside thedoor, sniffing the good smell of soup cooking on the stove.
Mischief leapt to the top of a chair- back and made a strange little whinnying sound - ratherapologetic and sad. Timmy stood still and pricked up his ears. He understood animal language verywell!
Mischief still held the biscuit. He leapt down to the seat of the chair - and then, to Joanna's enormoussurprise, he held out the biscuit to Timmy! He chattered in a very small voice, and Timmy listenedgravely. Then the big dog took the biscuit gently, threw it up into the air, chewed it once, andswallowed it!
'Well, did you ever see anything like that before!' said Joanna, marvelling. 'For all the world as ifMischief was apologizing to Timmy for stealing his bone - and offering him his biscuit to make up!
Well, whatever will George say when she hears!'
Timmy licked his lips to see if any biscuit crumbs were left, and then put his big head forward, andgave the monkey a sudden lick on the tip of his funny little nose.
'Timmy's saying thank you!' cried Tinker, in delight. 'Now they'll be friends - you see if they won't!'
Joanna was astonished and pleased. Well, well - to think of that monkey being clever enough topresent Timmy with a biscuit that he very much wanted to eat himself! He wasn't a bad little thing!
She went upstairs to find George and tell her.
But George didn't believe her. 'Timmy would never take a biscuit from that silly little monkey!'
she said. 'Never! You made all that up, Joanna, just because you're getting fond of Mischief.
You wait till he runs off with your toasting-fork again!'
All the same, George went down with Joanna, curious to see if the two animals were becomingfriendly - and she saw a very strange sight indeed!
Mischief was on Timmy's back, and Timmy was solemnly trotting round the kitchen, giving him aride! The monkey was chattering in delight, and Tinker was shouting in glee.
'Go faster, Tim, go faster! You're a very fine horse! You'd easily win the Derby! Go on gallop!'
'I don't want Timmy to give rides to the monkey,' said George. 'Stop it, Timmy! You look silly.'
The monkey suddenly leaned forward and hugged Timmy round the neck. Then he slid off and 12looked at George as if to say, 'All right! I won't make your dog look silly!'
Timmy knew that George was cross and he went to lie down on the rug. At once Mischief camesidling across to him, and settled himself between Timmy's big front paws, cuddling there withoutfear. Timmy bent his big head and licked him very gently.
Tears came suddenly to Joanna's eyes. That Timmy! He was just about the nicest dog in the wholeworld.
'See that!' she said to George. 'Big-hearted and kind that dog of yours is! Don't you scold him now forbeing great enough to make friends with a little creature who stole his bone!'
'I'm not going to scold him!' said George, astonished and proud. 'He's a marvel - the best dog in theKingdom! Aren't you, Timmy darling?'
And she went over to Timmy and stroked his big soft head. He whined lovingly and licked her,looking up as if to say, 'Well, everything's all right now - we're all friends!'
Tinker had been watching from a corner of the kitchen, saying nothing. He was rather afraid ofGeorge and her quick temper. He was delighted when he saw her go over and pat Timmy, withouteven disturbing the monkey. In his joy he began to honk like a lorry, and startled everyone so muchthat they yelled at him.
'Stop it, Tinker!' 'Be quiet, you little nuisance!' 'Woof!' That was from Timmy.
'You'll have Mr. Kirrin in here if you honk like that,' said Joanna. 'Can't you be something quiet for achange - a bicycle, for instance?'
Tinker thought that was quite a good idea. He ran round the kitchen and out into the hall, making ahissing noise like the sound of a bicycle's wheels on the road. Then he decided to make a noise like abicycle bell, and produced a very loud ringing noise indeed! It was so like the ringing of a bell thatMrs. Kirrin ran out of the living-room, thinking there was someone at the front door!
Then the study door flew open and out came Mr. Kirrin and Tinker's father. Poor Tinker was caughtand his father shook him so hard that two pencils shot out of his pocket and rolled over the floor.
Tinker began to yell - and how he could yell! George came out of the kitchen to see what washappening, and Dick, Julian and Anne raced down the stairs. Joanna rushed out into the hall, too, andalmost sent Mr. Kirrin flying.
Then George did a very silly thing. She began to laugh - and when George laughed properly, 13her laugh was wonderful to hear! But neither Mr. Kirrin nor Professor Hayling thought it wonderful -they merely thought it rude! George was laughing at them - and that wouldn't do at all!
'This is absolutely the last straw!' shouted Mr. Kirrin, his face red with rage. 'First this boy ringingbells all over the place - and George encouraging him by laughing! I won't have it!
Don't you know that very very important work is going on here, in Kirrin Cottage - work that maybring great benefits to the world! Fanny, send these children away somewhere. I won't have them inthe house, disturbing us when we are doing such important work. Do you hear?
SEND THEM AWAY! And that's my LAST word!'
And he and the Professor stalked back to the study and banged the door. WELL! Now what was to bedone?
吵闹三人组
吵闹三人组
朱利安和迪克把旧床垫运上阁楼，还有地毯和几个靠垫。阁楼里的风呼呼直响，但是，哪里还有比这更好的地方呢？这个季节住在帐篷里会冷得无法睡觉。
乔治仍生着闷气。“别再愁眉苦脸的啦，脸上的五官都要皱在一起了。”迪克说，“开心点吧，看在老天爷的分上，你妈妈比我们更为难。这一周她会忙得团团转。”
她已经开始忙得团团转了！要为整整九个人准备食物，其中五个还是饿不得的孩子，这可是个苦差事。乔安娜做了一大桌菜，女孩们帮忙做家务，男孩们一大早就骑车去科林村大采购。
“为什么那个阿修不能帮点忙呢？”乔治抱怨道。那个小男孩到底在做什么？看看他，整天满花园跑，忙着制造噪音，“阿修！闭上你的嘴！你这样会吵到你爸爸还有我爸爸！”
“你才闭嘴！”阿修粗鲁地回应道，“你看不见吗，我是一辆宾利汽车，拥有非常强大的发动机，看我踩一脚刹车，它刹得多么及时，毫不费力气，你还能听到刹车的声音，嘟——多完美！”
他模仿起汽车喇叭，发出一声尖锐刺耳的响声。随即，书房窗子就被打开了，两个怒火中烧的男人一起大吼：“阿修！你搞什么鬼呢，吵死人了！不是跟你说了，要保持安静吗？”
阿修又开始重复他是宾利车的故事，但这套说辞，肯定不能安抚两个愤怒的男人。他改变了主意，说自己不是宾利车，而是微型小轿车。“看，它是这样开的，”阿修一边说，一边开始移动，还发出低低的呜呜声，“我是……”
窗户立刻被重重地关上。于是“微型小轿车”一路开到厨房里，说自己很饿，问道：“可不可以给我一个面包？”
“我可不给车喂饭，”乔安娜说，“我这儿没有汽油，走开！”
于是“微型小轿车”伸出两条腿，从厨房迈了出来，寻找他的乘客了。那只叫淘气包的猴子蹿了出来，跳到阿修身上，顺着男孩的背爬到肩膀上。
“你就是我的乘客。”阿修说，他以最快的速度绕着花园打起转来，淘气包紧紧抓着他的头发，阿修不时模仿开车时按喇叭的样子，不过没有发出声音。
“其实他是个挺有趣的孩子。”乔安娜走进厨房，对范妮婶婶说，“他模仿车倒是挺像的。我从没见过一个孩子这么痴迷车，说不定有一天，他真会变成一辆车呢！”
第二天下雨了，阿修不能到外面去闹腾，因此，他差点把每个人都搞崩溃了。他一直在房间里呜呜叫，学汽车发动机轰轰作响。
当他第二十次绕着厨房打转时，乔安娜忍不住对他叫道：“我可不管你是什么车，莫里斯也好，奥斯汀也好，还是莫斯勒，甚至是一辆劳斯莱斯都好，通通滚出我的厨房！想想这多么滑稽，一个像劳斯莱斯这样的豪华汽车，居然从我的罐子里偷了一个小小的圆面包，他应该为自己的行为感到羞耻！”
“嗯，如果我没有补充汽油，我必须得补充别的东西，维持我继续运行，难道不对吗？”阿修用强硬的语气说，“看看淘气包，它正蹿上橱柜，偷苹果吃呢，但你也没说什 么呀！”
“我的老天爷呀，那个小怪物又上橱柜了？”可怜的乔安娜喊道，穿过厨房，“谁把门打开了，到底是谁干的？”
“小狗蒂米干的。”阿修说道。
“你这个撒谎的小坏蛋！”乔安娜叫着，她把淘气包赶离橱柜，“蒂米永远不会那么做的，它很诚实，可不像你那只小猴子一样喜欢偷偷摸摸！”
“你不喜欢淘气包吗？”阿修伤心地说道，“可它喜欢你。”
乔安娜瞥了一眼小猴子，它蹲在一个角落里，双臂放在胸前，看起来小小一团，很是伤心的样子。它用一只棕色的小眼睛，滴溜溜地偷瞄着乔安娜。
“你就是个小骗子！”乔安娜说，“看上去，好像你是世界上最不幸的猴子一样，实际上，你是在思考等下该使什么坏呢！来吧，给你块小饼干，小坏蛋。还有，今天上午你就不要靠近蒂米了，它非常非常生你的气！”
“淘气包对蒂米做了什么？”阿修惊讶地问道。
“它从蒂米的饭碗里偷了一块骨头。”乔安娜说，“蒂米叫得跟打雷一样。我真担心，它会咬掉猴子的尾巴。哎，你真应该看看淘气包当时逃跑的速度，像闪电一样快！”
淘气包小心翼翼、蹑手蹑脚地爬向乔安娜，盯着她手中的饼干。因为偷东西的事情，它已经领教过乔安娜拳头的滋味了，因此对她迅猛的右手十分警惕。
“给你一块饼干，看在老天爷的分上。”乔安娜说，“别一脸惨兮兮的样子呀，说不定我会再给你一块饼干。哎呀，你又要跑到哪里去？”
猴子伸出一只小爪子，以迅雷不及掩耳之势抢走了饼干，快速逃到门口。门是关着的，阿修打开了门，突然，蒂米蹿了进来——其实它一直躺在门外——小鼻子嗅着炉子上煮好的汤散发的味道。
淘气包立马跳上椅背的顶部，嘴里发出嘶嘶的叫声，表现出十分抱歉和伤感的样子。蒂米站着原处，竖起耳朵，好像它们之间，可以用动物语言进行沟通！
淘气包仍然抓着饼干，从椅背跳到座位上。突然，一件出乎乔安娜意料的事发生了——它竟然把饼干递给了蒂米！它不断地小声发出嘶嘶声，蒂米则一脸严肃地听着。然后，这只大狗轻轻地叼起饼干，扔向空中，又落到它口中，它嚼了嚼，然后一口吞下了！
“天哪，你以前见过这样的奇事吗！”乔安娜惊叹不已，“淘气包好像正在向蒂米道歉呢，因为它偷了狗的骨头，希望给它块饼干来弥补！真想知道乔治看到这一幕会是什么 反应！”
蒂米舔了舔嘴唇，想知道嘴边是否还残留了一些饼干屑，然后它把大脑袋朝前伸去，用它滑稽的小鼻子蹭了蹭猴子。
“蒂米在说谢谢你呢！”阿修高兴地叫道，“现在它们肯定是朋友了，乔安娜，你说是不是？”
乔安娜又惊讶又高兴，说：“嗯，想想这猴子还真是聪明，居然还把自己最想吃的饼干分给了蒂米！原来它并不是一个小坏蛋嘛！”她决定上楼去找乔治，告诉她这件事。
乔治听完乔安娜的描述表示自己并不相信。“吃那只傻猴子给的饼干！蒂米绝不会那样做，”她说，“绝不可能！肯定都是你编的，乔安娜，因为你喜欢淘气包，等着瞧吧，一会儿它又会偷走你的吐司，然后逃跑的。”
尽管并不相信乔安娜的故事，乔治还是随她一起下了楼，好奇地想知道这两只动物是否真的握手言和了。结果是她确实见证了非常神奇的一幕！
淘气包骑在蒂米背上，蒂米则一本正经地在厨房里跑来跑去，淘气包骑得很开心，高兴地嘶嘶叫着，一旁的阿修也跟着高兴地叫着：“快点，蒂米，快点！你真是一匹好马！你会赢得德比联赛的冠军的！加油跑啊！”
“我可不想让蒂米给猴子当马骑，”乔治说，“快停下，蒂米！你看起来傻极了！”
猴子突然向前一趴，搂住蒂米的脖子，顺势滑到地上。它看向乔治，好像在说：“好吧！我不会让你的狗变傻的！”
蒂米看见乔治来了，马上翻身躺在地毯上，恳求乔治抚摸它。
淘气包见状立刻爬到它身旁，在蒂米的前爪之间，毫无畏惧地依偎在它的胸脯上。蒂米则把脑袋靠近淘气包，轻轻地舔了舔它。
乔安娜的眼睛里突然涌出了泪水。蒂米真是全世界最好的狗。“看到了吧！”她对乔治说，“你这只狗，真是心地善良又亲切。
它心胸宽阔，能和一个偷走它骨头的小怪物交朋友！难道你要因此骂它吗？”
“我当然不会骂它啦！”乔治半是惊讶半是自豪地说，“它就是一个奇迹，它是这个国家里最好的狗！难道不是吗，亲爱的蒂米？”
她走向蒂米，轻抚它柔软的大脑袋。它开心满足地舔了舔她，抬起头，仿佛在说：“好了好了，现在一切都好了，大家都是朋友了！”
阿修一直待在厨房的角落里观察着，一句话也没说。他非常害怕乔治的坏脾气。当他看到乔治逗弄蒂米，并且没有赶走猴子时，感到十分高兴。阿修一感到开心，便又学起卡车的喇叭“嘟嘟”地叫了起来，声音大得震惊了在场所有人。他们对他大声喊道：
“停下来，阿修！”
“安静点，你这个烦人精！”
“汪汪！”这声音出自蒂米。
“如果你再学喇叭叫，小心昆廷叔叔又来教训你了。”乔安娜说，“你就不能变成安静的交通工具吗，比如自行车？”
阿修似乎觉得这是个好主意，于是他围着厨房乱跑，又冲进大厅，还发出哐当哐当声，好像是真的自行车骑在路上一样。阿修想，自行车也会响铃啊，于是，他嘴里发出了十分响亮的丁零丁零声，很像门铃的声音，范妮婶婶从客厅里冲了出来，她还以为来了客人！
瞬间，书房的门打开了，昆廷叔叔和阿修的爸爸一起出现在大厅，可怜的小阿修被他爸爸拎了起来，两腿直晃，两支铅笔从口袋里掉了出来，滚到地板上。
阿修开始尖叫——他可真能叫！乔治走出厨房，来到大厅，想看看发生了什么，迪克、朱利安和安妮也跑下楼，乔安娜也冲入了大厅，而范妮婶婶几乎是飞进大厅的。
看到这个滑稽的场景，乔治做了一件非常愚蠢的事——她开始放声大笑。乔治的笑声高亢嘹亮，也很悦耳动听，但昆廷叔叔和海林教授可不这么认为，他们只觉得这笑声很粗鲁，好像在嘲笑他们，虽然乔治一点都没有这个意思。
这绝对是压垮骆驼的最后一根稻草！昆廷叔叔脸都气红了，开始高声怒吼：“先是这个男孩，满屋子学车喇叭叫，接着乔治还用笑声鼓励他！我不会再忍受了！难道你们不知道，我们正进行着非常非常重要的工作吗？而这工作，可能会给世界带来巨大的好处！范妮，把这些孩子送出去吧，随便送到哪里都行，我不会再容许他们留在家里，干扰我们完成如此重要的事情了。你听到了吗？把他们全部送走！这是我最后的警告！”
他和教授退回书房，“砰”地关上房门。现在好了！接下来要怎么办呢？
Chapter 4 TINKER HAS A WONDERFUL IDEA
Chapter 4 TINKER HAS A WONDERFUL IDEA
Mrs. Kirrin had appeared during the row, and sighed when she heard her husband shouting. Oh deardear - these scientists who liked to do wonderful things for the world - and yet often made their ownfamilies unhappy! She smiled at George's angry face, and took her arm.
'Come into the living-room, dear, and bring the others with you. We'll have to decide what can bedone. Your father really is doing wonderful work, you know - and I must say that Tinker andMischief and Timmy don't help very much! All right, all right, George - I know it isn't Timmy's fault- but he does have a very loud bark, you know!'
She took the five children and Timmy into the living room. The monkey, scared at the shouting hadgone into hiding and was nowhere to be seen. Mrs. Kirrin called to Joanna.
'Joanna - come and help us to discuss what's to be done. This kind of thing can't go on.'
They all sat down, looking rather solemn. Timmy flopped down under the table, and put his nose onhis paws. Where was that little monkey who had given him his biscuit?
The discussion began. George spoke first, most indignantly.
'Mother, this is our home. Why do we have to go away just because Father wants this scientist friendto stay with him? I have to do holiday homework, and I don't make a row every time 14Father bangs a door when I'm studying. But if I so much as...'
'That will do, George,' said her mother. 'You ought to understand your father better than you seem to.
You are both exactly the same - impatient, short-tempered, bangers-of-doors, and yet both so kindtoo! Now - let's see if we can find a way out.'
'I only wish we could stay at my home,' said Julian, feeling awkward. 'But it's all shut up now that myparents have gone away.'
'Can't we take tents over to Kirrin Island?' said George. 'Yes, Mother, yes - I know what you're goingto say - it's only the beginning of April, and it's far too cold and all the rest of it, and...'
'The forecast for the weather is very bad,' said her mother. 'Rain, rain, nothing but rain. You can'tpossibly go and camp in the pouring rain - and row to and fro getting drenched each day -I'd have you all in bed with bronchitis before three days had gone - and then what should we do!'
'All right, Mother - have you any good suggestions?' said George, still cross. 'Hey - what's thatmonkey doing?' said Dick, suddenly. 'Stop him!'
'He's only poking the fire,' said Tinker. 'He thinks it's cold in here.'
'Well, what next!' said Joanna, and took the poker firmly from the monkey's little paw. 'Do you wantto set the house on fire, you - you little...'
'Monkey!' finished Dick, with a grin. 'I must say that Mischief is always up to mischief! Can't keepyour eye off him for a moment!'
'Well, now - if we can't go to Kirrin Island, or back home, or stay here - where can we go?' saidJulian, looking serious. 'Hotels are too expensive - and which of our friends would like to have five ofus to stay, plus a wicked little monkey and a big dog with an enormous appetite?'
There was a silence. What a problem! Then suddenly Tinker spoke up. 'I know where we could go -and we'd jolly well have some fun, too!' he said.
'Oh - and where is this wonderful place?' asked George disbelievingly.
'Well - I was thinking of my light-house,' said Tinker most surprisingly. And then, as no one saidanything, but merely stared at him in astonishment, he nodded at them. 'I said my lighthouse - don'tyou know what a light-house is?'
'Don't be silly, please,' said Dick. 'This is not time for jokes.'
'It's not a joke,' said Tinker, indignantly. 'It's perfectly true. You ask my father.'
'But Tinker dear - you can't possibly own a light-house,' said Mrs. Kirrin, smiling.
15
'Well, I do,' said Tinker, quite fiercely. 'You see, my father had some very special work to do, thatcouldn't be done on land - so he bought an old empty light-house, and did his work there. I went tostay with him - my, it was grand there, with the wind and the waves crashing about all the time.'
'But - surely he didn't give it to you, did he?' said Julian, disbelievingly.
'Yes, he did. Why shouldn't he, if I wanted it badly?' demanded Tinker. 'He didn't want it any more,and nobody would buy it - and I wanted it terribly, so he gave it to me on my last birthday. And it'smine, I tell you.'
'Well, I'm blessed!' said Julian. 'Here's old George owning an island given to her by her mother -and Tinker owning a light-house given to him by his father! I wish my parents would present me witha volcano, or something really thrilling!'
George's eyes shone as she looked at the surprising Tinker. 'A light-house - of your very own!
Where is it?'
'About ten miles along this coast to the west,' said Tinker. 'It's not an awfully big one, you know- but it's smashing! The old lamp is still there, but it's not used now.'
'Why not?' asked Dick.
'Well, because a big new light-house was built farther along the coast, in a better position for warningships,' explained Tinker. 'That's why this old one was put up for sale. It was fine for my father towork in. Nobody ever disturbed him there - though he did get very angry with the seagullssometimes. He said they mewed like great cats all the time, and made him feel he ought to put outmilk for them.'
This made everyone burst into loud laughter, and Tinker sat beaming round proudly. How clever hemust be to make these children laugh like that - yes, and even Joanna and Mrs. Kirrin too! He brokeinto their laughter by banging on the table.
'You do believe me now, don't you?' he said. 'It's quite true that the light-house is mine. You ask myfather. Do let's all go and stay in it till our two fathers have finished their work. We could takeTimmy and Mischief too - there's plenty of room.'
This proposal was so astonishing that no one answered for a few moments. Then George gave him afriendly dig in the chest.
'I'll come! Fancy living in a light-house! I bet the girls at school won't believe that!'
'Aunt Fanny! May we go?' said Anne, her eyes shining too.
16
'Well - I don't know,' said her aunt. 'It really is a most extraordinary idea. I shall have to discuss itwith your uncle, and with Tinker's father too.'
'My father will say yes, I know he will!' said Tinker. 'We left some stores there - and some blankets -I say, wouldn't it be grand to run a light-house ourselves!'
The idea certainly appealed to all the Five - even Timmy thumped his tail on the floor as if he hadunderstood every word. He probably had - he never missed anything that was going on!
'I've a map that shows where my light-house is,' said Tinker, scrabbling in one of his pockets.
'It's rather crumpled and dirty because I've looked at it so often. Look - here's a map of the coastline -and just there - built on rocks is my light-house. It's marked by a round dot, look!'
Everyone pored over the grubby map. Nobody had the least doubt but that this was the answer to alltheir problems! Dick stared at the excited Tinker. How lucky he was to own a light-house!
Dick had never before met a light-house owner - and to think it should be this funny little Tinker!
'The rocks that the light-house is built on used to wreck many ships,' said Tinker. 'Wreckers used towork along that coast, you know - they would shine a light as if to guide ships along the coast, andmake them go on the rocks. Crash! They'd be broken to pieces, and everyone drowned - and thewreckers would wait till the ship was washed up on the shore, and then take everything they couldfrom her.'
'The wicked wretches!' said Dick, horrified.
'There's a Wreckers' Cave there, too, where the wreckers stored the things they stole from thewrecked ships,' said Tinker. 'I haven't been very far into it - I'm too scared to. They do say there's anold wrecker or two there still.'
'Oh nonsense!' said Mrs. Kirrin, laughing. 'That's probably just a tale to keep children away fromdangerous caves and rocks. Well, dears - I really don't see any reason why you shouldn't go toTinker's light-house, if his father agrees.'
'Mother! THANK YOU!' cried George and gave her mother a hug that made her gasp. 'I say -living in an old light-house - it's too good to be true! I shall take my binoculars and keep watch forships!'
'Well, Julian had better take his record-player as well,' said Mrs. Kirrin. 'If it's stormy weather, it maybe a bit duller than you think, mewed up in a lonely light-house!'
'It will be MARVELLOUS!' cried Tinker, and he suddenly became a racing-car, tearing round 17the room at top speed, making a most extraordinary noise. Timmy barked and Mischief began tochatter loudly.
'Sh!' said Mrs. Kirrin. 'You'll make your father cross, Tinker, and that will be the end of your fineidea. Switch your engine off, please, and sit down quietly! I'll talk to your father as soon as I can!'
4.令人震惊的提案
令人震惊的提案
正在大家吵闹不休时，范妮婶婶过来了。她听完丈夫的抱怨，不禁叹了口气。哦，这些科学家都是这样的人，为世界带来美好，但也给自己的家人带来烦恼！她冲生气的乔治笑了笑，亲密地挽住她的胳膊，说：“好了，亲爱的，带上其他人一起去客厅，我们想想接下来该怎么打算。你爸爸正在做一件很了不起的事情，而阿修、淘气包以及蒂米却总是帮倒忙！好了，好了，乔治，我知道这不是蒂米的错，但它的叫声确实太吵了！”
她领着五个孩子和蒂米进入客厅，而那只猴子害怕得嘶嘶直叫，找了个地方藏了起来，不见踪影。范妮婶婶呼唤着乔安娜：“乔安娜，过来帮帮忙，讨论一下接下来怎么办，不可以让他们这样肆意妄为了。”
他们都坐了下来，神情严肃。蒂米趴在桌子底下，把小鼻子贴在爪子上，想着，那只刚才给它小饼干的小猴子去哪里了？
讨论开始了。乔治最先发言，因为她是最生气的。
“妈妈，这是我们的家，为什么我们必须离开，就因为爸爸希望那位科学家朋友留下来陪他做研究？我还有假期作业要做呢，每次我学习的时候，爸爸都把房门甩得直响，我也没有发过脾气。但如果真那么做了……”
“那一定会让你爸爸抓狂的，乔治！”妈妈说，“你应该表现得比你现在更理解你爸爸，因为你们两个简直一模一样，没耐心，又暴躁，爱把门甩得‘砰砰’响，但你们俩的心地都很善良！好了，现在让我们一起找找解决的办法。”
“要是之前留在我家就好了。”朱利安说，他感到很尴尬，“但是现在我爸爸妈妈已经离开了，大门都关了。”
“我们不能带上帐篷去科林岛吗？”乔治说，“哦，妈妈，是的，我知道您要说什么：现在只是四月上旬，天气太冷了，而且接下来都会很冷，而且……”
“接下来的天气还会更糟糕，”妈妈说，“下雨，下雨，全是雨天。你们不可能在倾盆大雨中露营，要是你们每天像这样闹来闹去，淋得浑身湿透，不出三天，肯定都会瘫在床上，患上支气管炎的，所以，我们需要想点别的法子！”
“哦，好吧，妈妈你有什么好提议吗？”乔治说，仍旧闷闷不乐。
“哎呀，那只猴子在做什么？”突然间，迪克叫道，“快阻止它！”
“它只是在用拨火棍戳火焰玩，”阿修说，“它可能觉得有点冷。”
“好了好了，别转移话题，说下一个提案！”乔安娜说着，从猴子的小爪子里拿走拨火棍，“你是想让房子着火吗！你这个小……”
“淘气鬼！”迪克咧开嘴笑了，“我得说，淘气包总是在淘气！你必须时刻盯紧它！”
“好吧，如果我们不能去科林岛，也不能回家，更不能留在这里，那我们可以上哪儿去呢？”朱利安一脸严肃地说道，“酒店对于我们来说太贵了，而我们的朋友，又怎么会愿意收留我们五个人呢，还要加上一只坏蛋小猴子，和一只胃口惊人的大狗？”
突然间大家都沉默了。这可真伤脑筋！过了一会儿，阿修开口了：“我知道，有个地方我们可以去，而且在那里，我们会玩得非常开心！”
“那么，这个神奇的地方在哪里？”乔治不相信地问道。
“嗯——我在想，要不去我的灯塔吧。”阿修的这番话，让大家十分惊讶。由于大家都没接话，只是一脸不相信地盯着他，阿修朝所有人晃晃脑袋，说，“我说，到我的灯塔去住吧，难道你们不知道灯塔是什么吗？”
“别傻啦，”迪克说，“现在不是开玩笑的时候。”
“我没开玩笑，”阿修愤怒地强调，“我说的都是真话，你可以问我爸爸。”
“但是，亲爱的阿修，你不可能拥有一座灯塔。”范妮婶婶微笑着说道。
“不，我有。”阿修非常坚定地说，“如你们所见，我爸爸手头上有些非常特殊的工作不能在陆地上完成，所以就买了一座空置的旧灯塔，在那里他可以尽情地工作。他工作时，我就和他住在灯塔里，灯塔巍峨高大，风和海浪一直拍打着它。”
“但是，他肯定不会把它送给你，不是吗？”朱利安难以置信地说道。
“不，他送给我了。如果我想要，他为什么不送呢？”阿修坚定地说，“他不再需要了，而且又没有人会买一座旧灯塔；而我呢，非常想拥有它，所以，在我生日那天他把灯塔送给我了。现在它是完全属于我的。”
“好吧，老天保佑！”朱利安说，“这边是乔治，拥有一座妈妈送给她的小岛；那边是阿修，拥有一座父亲送给他的灯塔！真希望我爸爸妈妈也能给我买一座火山，或者一些别的什么让人激动震惊的东西！”阿修的话真是出乎乔治的意料，她的眼睛不禁闪闪发亮，说道：“一座灯塔，属于你的！那它在哪里呢？”
“沿着这条海岸线，向西大约十英里，就是灯塔所在的地方。”阿修回答，“虽然它不是特别高大，但却是一座很棒的灯塔！
它的领航灯还在，只是不能再用了。”
“为什么不再用它了？”迪克问道。
“因为在沿海岸远一点的地方，人们又造了一座大型的新式灯塔，那座灯塔所处的位置能更方便地提醒船只。”阿修解释道，“这就是他们要把旧灯塔卖掉的原因。那里很适合我爸爸工作，因为没有人能打扰他，只是有时，海鸥的尖叫声让他非常烦躁。他说它们总像猫一样‘喵喵’叫，他认为，为了让它们停止尖叫，应该喂它们喝点牛奶。”
一席话让在场的每个人都开怀大笑，这让阿修有了一种众星捧月的感觉。他可神气啦，居然能让这群孩子一下子笑得这样开心，甚至连乔安娜和范妮婶婶也在笑！阿修敲了敲桌子，止住了众人的笑声。
“你们现在都相信我了，对吗？”他说，“灯塔属于我是千真万确的，你们问我爸爸就能确定了。在那两个人完成工作之前，让我们一起去那里待上一阵子吧。我们还可以带上蒂米和淘气包，灯塔大着呢。”
这个提议让大家感到很震惊，一时间没人作答。直到乔治把阿修抱在胸前，才打破了沉默，乔治给了他一个大大的友好的拥抱。
“我要去，我甚至想住在灯塔里！我敢打赌，同校的那些女孩们都不敢相信，这世界上居然有人能住在灯塔 里面！”
“范妮婶婶，我们可以去吗？”安妮说，她的眼睛里也发出期待的光芒。
“这……我不知道……”她的婶婶说，“这真是一个非同寻常的想法，我得和你叔叔还有阿修的爸爸商量一下。”
“我爸爸会答应的，我知道他一定会的！”阿修说，“在灯塔里，我们还留有一些备用物资，还有些毯子，我敢肯定我们自己能搞定，住在灯塔里一定超级棒！”
这个提议毫无疑问吸引了四个小孩，甚至连蒂米都表示同意，它的尾巴击打着地板，好像听懂了大家说的每一个字。它肯定听懂了，而且绝对不会错过任何有趣的事情！
“我这里有张地图，上面标记着我的灯塔的位置，”阿修说完，在口袋里乱翻一通，“它已经被我弄得皱巴巴的了，因为我经常拿出来看。瞧，这是一张海岸线的地图，就在那里，那座建在岩石上的建筑就是我的灯塔，用圆点做了标记，瞧！”每个人都凑上前去，仔细瞅了瞅皱巴巴的地图。大家都相信，这就是解决他们问题的方法！迪克盯着雀跃的阿修，不禁想道：“他真是一个幸运儿，拥有一座属于自己的灯塔！”迪克还从未见过灯塔主人呢，而所谓的主人，竟然还是眼前这个有趣的毛头小孩阿修！
“建造灯塔采用的石头，曾经造成了很多船只失事。”阿修说，“你们知道吗？以前沿着那条海岸藏着许多坏人，他们故意使船失事。那些坏家伙，会点亮领航灯，引导船只来到危险的海岸，故意让那些船撞上岩石。‘砰！’船撞了上去，被岩石击得四分五裂，船上的人都淹死了，而那些毁灭船只的人——叫作‘毁盗王’，会等到船只的残骸被冲上岸，从残骸里偷走一切值钱的宝藏。”
“真是一群邪恶的坏蛋！”迪克惊恐地说道。
“灯塔附近有一个洞穴，据说是毁盗王的老巢，用来储存所有偷走的宝藏。”阿修说，“我还没有深入探索过那个洞穴呢，因为我实在太害怕了。据说现在，仍然有一两个老毁盗王活在这个世界上。”
“哦！胡说八道！”范妮婶婶笑着说道，“这可能只是编出来的故事，为了让孩子们远离那些危险的洞穴和岩石。好了，亲爱的，如果阿修的爸爸同意的话，我真的没有任何理由阻止你们去灯塔。”
“妈妈，谢谢！”乔治喊着，给了妈妈一个大大的拥抱，差点让她喘不过气来，“在一座古老的灯塔里生活，将是一件多么棒的事情！我要带上双筒望远镜，观察那些游来游去的船！”
“嗯，朱利安最好也带上他的电唱机。”范妮婶婶说，“如果遇上暴风雨，日子可能比你想象中的要无聊多了。想想，你们一群人挤在一座荒僻的灯塔里，与世隔绝，无聊地靠唉声叹气打发时间！”
“不会的，灯塔上的日子肯定丰富多彩！”阿修喊道，他突然趴了下来，好像变成了一辆赛车，以最快的速度在房间里打转，发出超级巨大的噪音。蒂米汪汪直叫，淘气包也配合着叽里咕噜大叫。
“嘘——”范妮婶婶说，“你这样又会惹火你爸爸的，那你的提议可就行不通了，请关上发动机，静静地坐下！我会尽快和你爸爸谈谈！”
Chapter 5 TINKER'S LIGHT-HOUSE
Chapter 5 TINKER'S LIGHT-HOUSE
Mrs. Kirrin thought that she might as well go immediately to the study, and see if her husband andProfessor Hayling could talk about the children going away to this light-house of Tinker's.
Could it really be true? She knocked discreetly at the closed door.
She could hear voices inside the room, but nobody called 'Come in!' She knocked again.
'What is it now!' shouted Mr. Kirrin. 'If it's you, George, go away and keep away. And if it's Tinker,tell him to go to the garage and park himself there. I suppose it's he who has been making all that rowthis morning!'
Mrs. Kirrin smiled to herself. Well, well - if all scientists were like her husband and ProfessorHayling, it was a wonder they were ever calm enough to get any work done!
She went away. Perhaps she could bring up the subject of the light-house at dinner-time. What arelief it would be to have a peaceful house for a few days!
She went into the kitchen to find Joanna. The monkey was there, helping her! He had slipped awayfrom Tinker and gone to see if there were any tit-bits about. Joanna was talking away to him as sherolled out pastry.
'See, I roll it like this - and like that - and I pick off a tiny bit for you!' And she gave Mischief asnippet for himself. He was very pleased, and leapt on Joanna's shoulder. He lifted a piece of her hairand whispered in her ear. Joanna pretended to understand.
'Yes, Mischief, If you're good I'll give you another tit-bit in a minute. Now get off my shoulder, andstop whispering. It tickles!'
'Well, Joanna - I never thought to see you rolling pastry with a monkey on your shoulder!' said Mrs.
Kirrin. 'Joanna, what do you think about this light-house idea? I haven't been able to get 18into the study yet! Mr. Kirrin thought I was Tinker, and told me to go and park myself in the garage!'
'And a very good idea too,' said Joanna, rolling her pastry vigorously. 'Isn't that Tinker out in the hallnow - sounds like a car of some sort! Well, ma'am, I'd say that if the light-house is habitable, whyshouldn't the Five go there, with Tinker and the monkey? They'd enjoy themselves all right, andTimmy would look after them. Sort of thing that they love - rushing off to a light-house! Ugh! Nastylonely place, with waves crashing round and a wind fit to blow your head off!'
'Yes, but do you think they'd be all right all alone there, Joanna!' said Mrs. Kirrrin.
'Well, Julian and Dick are old enough to look after the others - though I must say I wouldn't like thejob of being in charge of that Tinker,' said Joanna. 'All I hope is that he doesn't imagine he's anaeroplane all of a sudden, and take off from the top of the light-house!'
Mrs. Kirrin laughed. 'Don't say that to him!' she said. 'His idea of being a car is bad enough.
Well, Joanna, I feel very mean sending George and the others away immediately they come here- but with two excitable scientists in the house, I don't see that there's anything else to do. Look outfor that monkey - he's found your bag of raisins!'
'Oh you little Mischief!' said Joanna, and made a grab at the monkey. He shot off to the top of acupboard with the bag of raisins firmly held in one paw. He made a tiny chattering noise, as if hewere scolding Joanna.
'You come down with those raisins!' said Joanna, advancing to the cupboard. 'Else I'll tie you to achair with that long tail of yours. You little monkey!'
Mischief said something in his funny little voice that sounded rather cheeky. Then he put his paw intothe paper bag and took out a raisin. But he didn't eat it - he threw it straight at Joanna!
It hit her on the cheek, and she stared at Mischief in astonishment.
'What! You'd pelt me with my own raisins! Well, that I will NOT have!' She went to the sink andfilled a cup with water, while Mischief pelted both her and Mrs. Kirrin with raisin after raisin! Hedanced about on the top of the cupboard, screeching loudly in glee!
A bowl on the top of the cupboard fell off as the monkey danced about, and crashed to the ground.
The noise scared him, and, with a flying leap, he shot off the cupboard and landed on the top of thehalf-open door. He pelted the two women from there, making the most extraordinary noises.
19
The study door was flung open, and out came Mr. Kirrin, followed by the Professor. 'What was thatcrash? What's happening here? How can we w...'
It was most unfortunate that Joanna should have thrown the cup of water at Mischief at that moment.
He sat there on the top of the door - and the water fell all over him, splashed over the top of the door -and down on to Mr. Kirrin's head as he pushed the door open!
Joanna was horrified. She disappeared into the scullery at once, not knowing whether to laugh or tomake her apologies.
Mr. Kirrin was astounded to find himself dripping wet. He stared angrily up at Mischief absolutelycertain that it was the monkey who had emptied the water over him.
By this time the Five had come out of the living-room, wondering what the noise was. 'It's oldMischief,' said Tinker. 'Throwing water, I should think!'
'Well, actually, I threw the water,' began Joanna apologetically, peeping out of the scullery,'because...'
'YOU threw it?' said Mr. Kirrin, amazed. 'What is happening in this house? Things have come to apretty pass if you start flinging water at people, Joanna. You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Areyou mad?'
'Listen, Quentin,' said his wife. 'Nobody's mad at present, but pretty soon we all shall be, if this sortof thing goes on! Quentin, are you LISTENING? I've something important to say to you -and to you too, Professor.'
The Professor remembered his manners. He gave a slight bow to Mrs. Kirrin. 'Please go on,' he saidpolitely, and then flinched as a raisin hit him squarely on the head. Mischief had found one on thefloor, and had taken a pot-shot at the Professor. Dick looked at the monkey admiringly -he really was a very good shot!
'What's that little fathead of a monkey throwing!' said Mr. Kirrin, fiercely, and at once knew when araisin hit him smartly on the nose. 'Get rid of him! Put him in the dustbin! Why have I to put up withmonkeys that throw things and boys that chug about the house like cars gone mad? I tell you Fanny, Iwill NOT have it!'
Mrs. Kirrin looked at him very sternly. 'Listen Quentin, I have something to say. LISTEN!
Tinker says his father gave him a light-house for his own, and he suggests that he and all the othersshould leave here and go and stay in the light-house. Quentin, are you listening?'
'A light-house! Are you mad? What, that little monkey of a boy says he owns a light- house?
20
And you believed him?' said Mr. Kirrin, amazed.
'Tinker's quite right, as it happens,' said Professor Hayling. 'I bought a light-house to work in when Iwanted to get right away from everywhere and concentrate - and when I'd finished, I couldn't sell it -so as Tinker pestered me for it, I gave it to him. But not to live in!'
'A light-house to work in!' said Mr. Kirrin, thinking what a truly marvellous idea this was. 'I'll buy itfrom you! I'll...'
'No, Quentin, you won't do anything of the sort,' said his wife, firmly. 'Will you PLEASE listen tome, both of you. Professor Hayling, is the light-house fit for these five to stay in - and if so, they wantto know if they can go there until you two have finished your work here. They're a nuisance to you -and to be quite honest, you're a nuisance to them!'
'Fanny!' said her husband, astonished and angry.
'Father, listen. We'll all get out of your way as soon as possible, if you'll say we can go to Tinker'slight-house,' said George, planting herself firmly in front of her father. 'Say one word -YES - that's all we want.'
'YES!' shouted Mr. Kirrin, suddenly tired of all the argument, and longing to get back to his paperswith the Professor. 'YES! Go to the light-house - go to the Tower of London - go and live at the Zoo,if you like! The monkeys will welcome that mischievous little creature, sitting grinning up there onthe cupboard! But go SOMEWHERE!'
'Oh thank you, Father!' said George, joyfully. 'We'll go off to the light-house as soon as we can.
HURRAY! THREE CH...'
But before she could continue, the study door shut with a bang behind the two exasperated men.
George bent down, took Timmy's two front legs, and proceeded to dance all round the living-roomwith him, shouting HURRAY! THREE CHEERS!' over and over again.
Mrs. Kirrin sat down suddenly in a chair, and began to laugh. Joanna laughed too. 'If we don't laugh,we shall cry!' she said. 'What a hullabaloo! Well, it's a good thing they'll soon be off, ma'am. That loftis much too draughty for the boys, you know. Look at poor Julian - he's got such a stiff neck he canhardly turn it this morning.'
'Who cares?' said Julian. 'We'll soon be off again together, all the Five - and two more to keep uscompany. It will be quite an adventure!'
'An adventure?' said Tinker, surprised. 'But you can't have adventures in a light-house - it's out on therocks, all by itself, as lonely as can be! There aren't any adventures to be found there!'
Ah - you wait and see, Tinker! You don't know the Five! If there's any adventure about, they're boundto be right in the middle of it!
5.恶魔岩上的灯塔
恶魔岩上的灯塔
范妮婶婶打算立刻去书房，和她丈夫以及海林教授谈谈孩子们去灯塔的事。“灯塔的事是千真万确的吗？”她小心翼翼地敲了敲书房的门问道。
她原本以为房间里会传来应答声，但没有一个人说“请进！”她又敲了敲门。
“又是什么事？”书房里传来昆廷叔叔的叫嚷，“如果是你，乔治，走远点，走得越远越好。如果是阿修，你就去车库里待着，把自己停进去，今天早上一切噪声都是你制 造的！”
范妮婶婶无奈地笑了笑。好吧，如果这世界上的科学家都像她丈夫和海林教授一样暴躁，能冷静地完成研究一定是个奇迹！
她只好离开了，想着，也许吃晚餐时，再提灯塔的事情也不迟，她还想，接下来几天，这屋子哪怕能安静那么一会儿，也很值得庆幸了。
她前去厨房，想找乔安娜商量，发现那只猴子居然也在厨房，还在帮乔安娜干活。猴子从阿修身边溜走，来厨房查探，是为了能捞些好吃的小点心。当乔安娜把油酥点心端上来时，她竟然还和猴子说起话来了：“这样卷一下，再卷一下，然后，看，这块小油酥蛋糕就做好了，给你！”随后，她给了淘气包一小块蛋糕。它可高兴了，跳到了乔安娜肩膀上，挑起一些发丝，低声在她耳边窃窃私语。乔安娜假装听懂了猴子说的话。
“是的，淘气包。如果你表现好，我马上再给你一块蛋糕。好了，现在离开我的肩膀，别再对我说悄悄话啦，痒死人了！”
“天啊，乔安娜，我从来没有想过，在你卷糕点的时候，会让一只猴子站在肩膀上！”范妮婶婶说道，“乔安娜，孩子们去住灯塔的想法，你觉得怎么样？我没能走进书房，同昆廷和海林教授商量！
昆廷还以为我是阿修，让我去车库把自己停进去呢！”
“这主意不错。”乔安娜说，兴致勃勃地卷着油酥点心，“是阿修在大厅外面吗？听起来像某辆汽车在响呢！嗯，夫人，我想说，如果灯塔适合居住的话，为什么不让那四个小家伙和蒂米去呢，再带上阿修和猴子？他们会很开心的，蒂米也会照顾他们。这样挺合他们的心意。想想那画面，一群人，欢歌笑语，朝着那座灯塔一路狂奔。啊！不过我一想到灯塔就恶心，与世隔绝，海浪不停地拍打，海风不停地猛吹，吹得脑袋好像都要爆炸了！”
“你真觉得即使没人陪伴他们，所有人也都会没事的，是吗，乔安娜？”范妮婶婶说。
“当然没事啦，朱利安和迪克已经长大了，两个小伙子可以照顾其他人了，虽然连我自己都不愿意照顾阿修。”乔安娜说，“我只希望，他不会突然把自己想成一架飞机，学飞机起飞，而从灯塔顶上跳下去！”
范妮婶婶莞尔一笑。“这些话可千万别对他说！”她说，“他想当一辆汽车的想法已经够糟糕了，不能再添一个当飞机的想法了。好吧，乔安娜，其实，我觉得这主意有点卑鄙，好像乔治和其他人刚一回到这里，就赶他们走似的。但是，家里现在有两个容易激动的科学家已经让人够难忍受了，我也想不出别的法子。哎呀，看紧那只猴子，它找到了你的葡萄干袋！”
“哦，你这个小淘气包！”乔安娜尖叫着，想抓住猴子。谁知它轻松一跃，跳到壁橱的顶部，把葡萄干牢牢地夹在一只爪子里，嘴里又发出轻微的叽叽咕咕声，好像在责骂乔 安娜。
“你马上带着那些葡萄干滚下来！”乔安娜吼着，走向壁橱，“否则，要是被我逮到，我会用你的尾巴将你绑在长条凳上，你这只无耻的小猴子！”
淘气包用滑稽的腔调小声应答，听上去它一点都不害怕。突然，它把爪子放进纸袋里，掏出一颗葡萄干，但不是用来吃，而是把葡萄干扔向了乔安娜！“啪叽！”葡萄干击中了乔安娜的脸颊，她瞪着淘气包，面色震惊。
“什么！你竟敢用我的葡萄干打我！哼，我不会善罢甘休的！”她走到水槽边，装上满满一杯水，而淘气包还在持续不断地朝乔安娜扔葡萄干，连范妮婶婶也被连累了。淘气包扔高兴了，在橱柜顶部跳起舞来，兴奋地大声尖叫！
猴子正手舞足蹈，一只碗被震得从橱柜顶部掉了下来，在地上撞碎了。碗碎的声音吓到了猴子，它纵身一跃，从橱柜上跳了下来，落在房门顶上，而房门是半开的。它蹲在门上，重新向两名女士发起攻击，接着扔葡萄干，这样来来回回的，制造出了巨大的噪音。
果不其然，书房门被猛地打开了，昆廷叔叔走了出来，接着是教授，两个人准备去厨房瞧个究竟。昆廷叔叔说：“刚才是什么声音？这里发生了什么事？我们到底怎样才能安静地工作……”
最不走运的事发生了。乔安娜正冲着坐在厨房门顶上的淘气包泼那杯水，而这时，厨房门被昆廷叔叔推开了，水杯击中了淘气包，而水也从门顶上洒了下来，不偏不倚地全洒在了昆廷叔叔的头上！
乔安娜吓坏了，立刻躲进了后厨里，看到昆廷叔叔滑稽的模样，不知道是该笑还是该道歉。
昆廷叔叔惊讶地发现，自己莫名其妙地突然浑身湿透，他愤怒地盯着淘气包，料想绝对是这只猴子把水泼在了他身上！
正在此时，五个孩子走了进来，想知道是谁发出的噪音。“肯定是淘气包干的。”阿修说，“我猜，它朝人身上泼水了！”
“好吧，实际上，是我泼的水，”乔安娜从后厨里偷偷探出身子，开始道歉，“因为……”
“居然是你泼的？”昆廷叔叔惊讶地说，“这所房子里到底发生了什么？竟然连你都开始冲人泼水，情况可想而知变得多糟糕。乔安娜，你应该为自己感到羞耻！你是疯了吗？”
“听好了，昆廷，”他的妻子开口说道，“目前没人发疯，但如果这些闹剧持续发生，迟早我们都会疯的！昆廷，你在听吗？我有一些重要的事，要对你说，还有你，教授。”
教授还没忘记礼貌风度，他对范妮婶婶略微低头。“说吧。”他客气地说道，就在此时，正好一颗葡萄干击中了他的头，他向后缩了一下身体。淘气包还没有放弃，它从地板上又捡起一颗葡萄干，并对教授进行了精准的一击。迪克不禁钦佩地看着这只猴子，它射得还真准！
“只有蠢人才会被猴子扔中！”昆廷叔叔刚狠狠地说完，便立刻领教到鼻子被葡萄干精准击中的滋味，他怒不可遏，叫嚷道，“扔掉那只猴子！把它丢进垃圾箱！为什么我要忍受这些——一只对人扔东西的猴子，和那个假扮汽车在屋子里乱转的男孩？我告诉你，范妮，我再也不能忍了！”
范妮婶婶一脸严肃地制止了他，说：“安静，昆廷，我有话要说。听好了！阿修说，他爸爸送给了他一座灯塔，属于他本人的。
因此他提议，所有孩子，包括他自己，离开这里去灯塔里住。昆廷，你在听吗？”
“一座灯塔！你疯了吗？一个养小猴子的小鬼，说他有一座灯塔？而你居然相信他？”昆廷叔叔惊讶地说道。
“碰巧，阿修说的都是真的。”海林教授说，“我曾经想要远离世俗的一切，集中注意力进行研究，所以我买了一座灯塔，在里面工作。当我完成工作后，却无法卖掉它。当阿修因此事对我纠缠时，我把它给了他。但不是给他住的！”
“在灯塔里工作！”昆廷叔叔说道，心想这是多么完美的主意，“我也想从你那里买下它！我要……”
“不，昆廷，那种事你想都不要想，”他的妻子坚定地拒绝了，说，“你们两个，能听一下我的建议吗？海林教授，灯塔适合这五个孩子住吗？如果真是如此，你们两个完成工作的这段时间里，他们能否去那里住？对你们来说，他们是些麻烦精，说实话，你们对他们来说，也是如此！”
“范妮！”她的丈夫又惊又气地说。
“爸爸，听我说。只要您对我们去阿修灯塔的事情说句同意，我们都会尽快离开，不再打扰您。”乔治说，坚定地站在她爸爸面前，“就一个字‘行’，这就是我们想要的。”
“行！”昆廷叔叔喊道，他已经厌倦了这场争执，渴望尽快和教授一起回到他那些论文研究里去，“行！不管是去灯塔，去伦敦塔，还是去住动物园，只要你们愿意的话！那些猴子会欢迎那只捣蛋的同类，就是正坐在橱柜上，咧着嘴笑的小怪物！只要你们去别的地方，去哪里都行！”
“哦，谢谢您，爸爸！”乔治高兴地说道，“我们会尽快去灯塔的！举起手来欢呼三声……”
但她还没说完，只听“砰”的一声，书房门被两名愤怒的男人猛地关上了。乔治弯下腰，抓住蒂米的两条前腿，和它在客厅里跳起舞来，一直高声呼喊：“万岁！万岁！万岁！”
范妮婶婶猛地坐在椅子上，放松地大笑起来。乔安娜也笑了。“如果我们不记得欢笑，就会只记得哭泣。”乔安娜说，“真是喧闹的一天！嗯，夫人，他们很快就会离开了，这是件好事。住在阁楼里对那些男孩来说并不好，寒风刺骨。看看可怜的朱利安，他脖子都被吹僵了，今天早上都无法转动脖子了。”
“谁在乎呢？”朱利安说，“我们很快就要离开，侦探团所有成员一起走，再加上另外两个小家伙陪着我们，这将是一次精彩的冒险！”
“冒险？”阿修说着，有点惊讶，“但是你不能在灯塔里冒险，它在岩石上，荒凉偏僻，那里不可能发生任何冒险！”
啊，你拭目以待吧，阿修！你对疯狂侦探团一所无知，但凡有任何冒险的可能性，他们一定会卷入其中！
Chapter 6 MAKING PLANS
Chapter 6 MAKING PLANS
It was very exciting making plans to go to the light-house. Tinker told them all about it, time andtime again. 'It's very tall - and there's an iron stairway - a spiral one, going from the bottom up to thetop. And at the top is a little room for the lamp that used to flash to warn ships away.'
'It sounds smashing,' said George. 'What about Timmy, though? Can he climb up a spiral stairway?'
'Well, he can live down at the bottom, can't he, if it's too difficult for him to climb up?' said Tinker.
'Mischief can climb it easily - he simply races up!'
'If Timmy has to live at the bottom, I shall live there with him,' said George.
'Why not wait and see the light-house before you arrange the sleeping places?' said Julian, giving hera friendly punch. 'Now first we must find out exactly where it is - and the way to get there. It's a pityTinker can't turn into a real car - he could run us there in no time!'
Tinker at once imagined himself to be a large van, taking the Five and all their luggage along theroad. He raced round the room, making his usual car noise, and hooting so loudly that he madeeveryone jump. Julian caught him as he raced round the table and sat him down firmly.
'Any more of that and we leave you behind,' he said. 'Now - where's that map of yours - let's have alook at it - and then we'll get Aunt Fanny's big map of the coast, and track down the road to yourlight-house.'
Soon Tinker and the Five were studying a large-scale map of the coast, Mischief sitting on Dick'sshoulder and tickling his neck.
'See - that's the way to go,' said Julian. 'It really wouldn't be far by sea - look, round the coast here,cut across this bay, round the headland - and just there are the rocks on which the old light-housestands. But by road it's a very long way.'
'Better go by car, though,' said Dick. 'We've a good bit of luggage to take - not only our clothes, butcrockery and things like that. And food.'
22
'There are still some stores there,' said Tinker, eagerly. 'Dad left some when we went away from thelight-house.'
'They'll probably have gone bad,' said Julian.
'Well - don't take too much,' said Tinker. 'It's a pretty rough way over the rocks to the lighthouse -there isn't a road that runs right up to it, you know. We shall have to carry everything ourselves, oncewe get to the place. We can always get fresh food if we want it - the village isn't all that far away -but there are some days when you can't even leave the light-house! You see the waves splash house-high over the rocks when there's a rough wind. We'd have to get across by boat if the tide's in - therocks are covered then!'
'This sounds too exciting for words!' said Dick, his eyes shining. 'What do you think about it, Anne?
You haven't said a word!'
'Well - I do feel just a bit scared!' said Anne. 'It sounds so lonely. I do hope no ships will be wreckedon those awful rocks while we're there!'
'Tinker said there was a fine new light-house farther along the coast,' said Julian. 'Its light will keepevery ship away from that wicked stretch of rocks. Look, Anne, you would like to come, wouldn'tyou? If not, Aunt Fanny wouldn't mind just you staying here - you're a little mouse, you wouldn'tbother Uncle Quentin or the Professor at all!'
'I shouldn't DREAM of not coming with you,' said Anne, indignantly. 'Julian - you don't think thereare still wreckers about, do you? I should hate that.'
'They belong to years gone by,' said Julian. 'Cheer up, Anne - this is just a little visit we're going topay to Tinker's seaside house! He is kindly taking in visitors this spring!'
'Well, let's get on with our plans,' said Dick. 'We go there by car - er, what was that you just said,Tinker?'
'I said I'll drive you, if you like,' said Tinker. 'I could dr...'
'You haven't a driving licence, so don't talk nonsense,' said George, crossly.
'I know I haven't - but all the same I can drive!' said Tinker. 'I've driven my father's car round andround our garden, see? And...'
'Oh do shut up,' said Dick. 'You and your pretend cars! Julian, when shall we go to his lighthouse?'
'Well, why not tomorrow morning?' said Julian. 'I'm sure everyone would be glad if we left as soon aspossible! It's hard on Aunt Fanny and Joanna to have so many here. We'll see about a 23car and someone to drive us, and then we'll pack and make our getaway!'
'Hurray,' said George in delight, and pounded on the table, making Mischief leap up to the top of abookcase in fright. 'Oh, sorry, Mischief - did I scare you? Timmy tell him I'm sorry, I didn't mean it.
He probably understands your doggy language.'
Timmy looked up at Mischief, gave two little whines and a comforting wuff. Mischief listened withhis head on one side, and then leapt down, landing neatly on Timmy's back.
'Thanks for giving him my message, Tim,' said George, and everyone laughed. Good old Timmy! Hewagged his long tail and put his head on George's knee, looking up at her beseechingly.
'All right old thing - I understand your language, whether you talk with your voice or your eyes,'
said George, patting him. 'You want a walk, don't you?'
'Woof!' said Timmy joyfully, and tore to the door.
'Let's walk down to the garage and see if they have a car or a van to hire out to us,' said Julian.
'We'll have to have a driver too, because someone has to take back the car. Come on, Timmy-dog!'
They all set off to the garage in the village. The rain held off for a while, and the sun came out,making Kirrin Bay sparkle and shine.
'I wish we could have gone to stay on my island,' said George. 'But it really is too damp to camp out.
Anyway, a light-house will be nice for a change!'
The man at the garage listened to Julian's tale of wanting a car to go to the light-house. 'It's the oldlight-house at Demon's Rocks, not the new one at High Cliffs,' he said. 'We're going to stay there.'
'Stay at a light-house!' said the man. 'This isn't a joke, is it!'
'No. It happens to belong to one of us,' said Julian. 'We have a few things to take there, of course, andwe hoped you'd have a car and a driver tomorrow for us. We'd let you know somehow when we areready to come back from the light-house, and you can send the same car for us then.'
'Right,' said the man. 'And you're staying at Kirrin Cottage now, you say? Oh - your uncle is Mr.
Kirrin? Well, I know Master George here, of course - but I wasn't certain who you were. Some queerpeople order cars, you know!'
George was pleased to be called Master George. It was nice to be thought a boy. She dug her 24hands deep down in the pockets of her jeans.
'We'd better take a few rugs and cushions,' said Julian. 'And some sweaters and wind-cheaters. I can'timagine it's very warm in the light-house.'
'There's an oil-heater there,' said Tinker. 'I think it was for the light-house lamp when it was in use.
We can use that for warmth, if we're cold.'
'What sort of stores did you and your father leave there?' asked Dick. 'We'd better order somefoodstuffs at the grocer's - and some ginger-beer or something - and take it all in the car.'
'Well - there's plenty of tinned food, I think,' said Tinker, trying to remember. 'We left it there in casemy father wanted to come back at any time and work again in peace and quiet.'
'Hm. It's a pity he didn't fix up with Uncle Quentin to have him there with him,' said Julian.
'Then everyone would have been happy!'
They went to the grocer's and Anne tried her best to order what she thought they would need, outsideof tinned food. 'Sugar - butter - eggs - oh dear - help me, George. How much shall I order?'
'Don't forget we can go shopping in Demon's Rocks village,' said Tinker. 'Only it's a bit of a nuisanceif there's windy weather - the path over the rocks isn't very safe then. We might have to stay in thelight-house for a day or two without leaving it. Even a boat might be too risky.'
'It sounds thrilling!' said George, picturing them all marooned by fierce storms, waiting to be rescuedfrom peril and starvation! 'Get some biscuits, Anne. And bars of chocolate. And lots of ginger-beer.
And a big bottle of lemonade. And a...'
'Wait a minute - do you know who's paying for all this?' said Julian. 'I am. So don't ruin mecompletely!' He took out his wallet. 'Here's a pound,' he said. 'That's all I can spare at present!
Dick can buy the next lot of food we want!'
'Well, I've plenty of money too,' said Tinker, taking out a handful from his pocket.
'You would have!' said George. 'I suppose your father just hands out money whenever you ask him.
He's so vague he wouldn't know if he paid you three times a day!'
'Well, yours seems pretty vague too,' said Tinker, smartly. 'He poured the coffee over his porridgethis morning, instead of the milk. I saw him. And what's more, he ate it without even noticing it wascoffee!'
'That's enough,' said Julian. 'We don't tell tales about our parents in public. Tinker, don't you want totake anything for Mischief to eat while we're in the light-house? George has bought 25biscuits for Timmy, and we're going to lay in a supply of bones, too.'
'I'll buy Mischief's food myself, thank you,' said Tinker, not very pleased at being ticked off byJulian. He gave an order for a packet of raisins, a packet of currants, a pound of apple rings and someoranges. Mischief eyed all these with very great pleasure.
'Paws off!' said George, sharply, as the little monkey slyly slid his paw into the bag of biscuits putready for Timmy. Mischief jumped on to Tinker's shoulder and hid his face in his tiny paws, as if hewere ashamed!
'We'll just buy some more fruit,' said Julian, 'and then I think we'll have enough. We'll have it all sentto the garage, and put in the car ready to take away tomorrow.'
'Tomorrow!' said George, her eyes shining. 'Oh, I hope it comes soon. I can't wait for it!'
6.深谋远虑
深谋远虑
大家非常兴奋，一起制订前往灯塔的计划。阿修反复说着有关灯塔的信息：“它高大巍峨，楼梯是铁做的，螺旋一样，从塔底到塔顶盘旋而上。塔顶有一个小房间，放置领航灯，一闪一闪，为那些过往的船只指引方向。”
“听上去棒极了，”乔治说，“但蒂米行不行啊？它能爬上螺旋楼梯吗？”
“哎呀，如果实在爬不上去的话，它可以在塔底住呀，不是吗？”阿修说，“淘气包倒能很容易爬上去，它一口气就跑上去了！”
“如果蒂米只能住在塔底，我就和它住在一起。”乔治说。
“在你安排睡觉的地方之前，为什么不先等到了灯塔再说呢？”朱利安说着，友好地拍了乔治一下，“首先，我们必须确定它确切的方位，还有到达那里的方式。很遗憾阿修无法变成真正的汽车，要不然，他可以立即将我们带到那里去呢！”
阿修脑海里立即浮现出自己是一辆大型货车的景象，将这五个家伙和所有行李都带上，一路奔驰。想着想着，他不禁在房间里跑来跑去，像往常一样，发出汽车一样的噪音，大声地学着汽车鸣笛，这让每个人都跳了起来。当他围着桌子转时，朱利安逮住了他，让他稳稳当当地坐了下来。
“你再这样，我们就不带你了。”他说，“现在，先拿出你的地图，让我们再来研究一下，然后呢，我们去找范妮婶婶，借用她那副大的海岸线地图对比一下，再找出通往灯塔的最佳路线。”
不久之后，阿修和四人一狗，一起研究着大幅的海岸线地图，淘气包坐在迪克的肩膀上，挠着他的脖子。
“看，这是我们要走的路，”朱利安说，“这条路离海边不远。穿过这个海湾，绕过岬角，就是那条路，环绕着岩石，通往古老的灯塔。但这条路连接的是公路，路途会很漫长。”
“最好开车去。”迪克说，“我们有很多行李要拿。除了我们的衣物，还有瓶瓶罐罐之类的，还有食物。”
“灯塔里还储存了一些食物，”阿修急切地说道，“上次我们离开时，爸爸留了一些。”
“可能已经变质了。”朱利安说。
“真的，别带太多东西了，”阿修说，“到灯塔去的那条路全是岩石，相当崎岖，没有一条直达灯塔的公路。一旦我们到达灯塔附近，就必须自己带着所有行李爬上岩石走过去。况且我们能找到新鲜食物，村庄离灯塔不远，只要我们需要，可以去村庄里买。不过，有些日子你是无法离开灯塔的。暴风雨的时候，风特别猛烈，会激起海浪，海浪越过岩石，浪花和房子一样高。而且涨潮时，我们只能乘船通行，那些岩石都会被海水覆盖。”
“听上去真令人兴奋！”迪克说，他的眼睛闪闪发亮，“你觉得怎么样，安妮？到现在你一句话也没说呢！”
“呃，我有些害怕！”安妮说，“那个地方听上去荒远又偏僻。希望我们坐的船不会被那些可怕的岩石毁坏！”
“阿修不是说了嘛，沿着海岸又建了一座漂亮的新灯塔。”朱利安强调，“它发出的光，足以让每艘船都能远离那些可怕的岩石阵。
你会来的，是不是，安妮？虽然你不去，范妮婶婶也不会介意你留在这里，而且你胆小如鼠，根本不会打扰到昆廷叔叔和教授的！”
“我做梦都想去，只是你不要再用激将法了。”安妮有些生气了，说道，“朱利安，那些故意使船只失事的毁盗王不会还存在吧？
我讨厌的是这个。”
“他们都已经是过去时了。”朱利安说，“振作起来，安妮，这只是一次小小的短途旅游，我们只是去参观一下阿修的海滨别墅。在这个美好的春天，我们不能辜负阿修慷慨的邀请。”
“好吧，照原计划进行，”迪克说，“我们乘车去那里。你刚才说什么，阿修？”
“如果你们愿意，我说，我会开车送你们，”阿修说，“我可以……”
“你没有驾驶执照，所以不要胡说八道。”乔治说道。
“我知道我没有，但我依然可以开车！”阿修说，“我开着我爸爸的车，在花园四周转了几圈，你们没看见吗？我还能……”
“哦，闭嘴，”迪克说，“别提你假装车的事情了。朱利安，我们什么时候去阿修的灯塔？”
“嗯，明天早晨怎么样？”朱利安说，“我们越快走越好，我相信每个人都会很高兴的。这么多人挤在这儿，范妮婶婶和乔安娜都很为难。我们先去找辆真车，看谁愿意送送我们，然后，我们就去打包行李，开始假期！”
“万岁！”乔治高兴地叫起来，捶了捶桌子，响声吓到了淘气包，它跳到书柜的顶端，“哦，对不起，淘气包，我吓到你了吗？蒂米，告诉它我很抱歉，我不是故意的。它可能会理解你的狗狗语言。”
蒂米抬头看向淘气包，发出两声低低的哀号，和一声安慰的汪汪声。淘气包偏着脑袋，认真听着它的解释，然后一跃而下，正好落在蒂米的背上。
“谢谢你帮我翻译，蒂米。”乔治说，大家都笑了。蒂米真是了不起！它摇着长长的尾巴，把头枕在乔治的膝盖上，抬头眼巴巴地望着她。
“好啦老朋友，无论你是用嘴巴还是用眼睛说话，我都听懂啦。”乔治说，同时拍拍它，“你想散步，是吗？”
“汪汪！”蒂米高兴地叫道，推开了房门。
“我们一起去汽车修理站吧，看看他们是否有汽车或者面包车租给我们。”朱利安说，“还要请一个司机，因为需要有人把这辆车开回来。一起走吧，蒂米！”
他们一同出发，去往村中的汽车修理站。雨终于停歇，太阳出来了，整个科林湾闪闪发光。
“其实我希望我们能留在岛上，”乔治说，“但是这个季节实在是不适合露营，所以，住灯塔也是一个很好的变通！”
汽车修理站的男人认真听着朱利安的想法。“是去恶魔岩上的旧灯塔，而不是高崖上的新灯塔。”朱利安说，“我们会留在那里。”
“待在灯塔里！”男人说，“这不是开玩笑吧？”
“不是开玩笑。这个灯塔碰巧属于我们其中一个人。”朱利安说，“我们有些行李要带过去，希望明天您能借一辆车和一个司机给我们。等我们准备从灯塔回来时，会以某种方式通知您，然后您再派司机和车去接我们。”
“可以。”男人说，“你现在住在科林庄园吗？哦，你叔叔是昆廷吧？我还知道住在那里的乔治阁下。好吧，我必须要确认一下，因为总是有一些古怪的人要订车！”
乔治很高兴被称为乔治阁下，被认成一个男孩其实挺好的。她把手深埋进牛仔裤的口袋里。
“我们最好带一些地毯和靠垫，”朱利安说，“还有一些毛衣和防风衣。我想，住在灯塔里可能会有些冷。”
“那里有一个加热器，”阿修说，“我猜想，它是灯塔还在使用的时候，工人们取暖用的。如果我们感到冷，我们可以用它来取暖。”
“你和你爸爸在那里留了些什么？”迪克问，“我们最好去杂货店买点食物，还可以买些姜汁汽水或者其他东西，然后都放到车上。”
“呃，留了很多罐装食品，”阿修试图回忆起来，“方便爸爸随时回来安静地工作。”
“嗯，真遗憾，他没带上昆廷叔叔去那里工作，”朱利安说，“那样的话，每个人都不会有烦恼了！”
他们去了杂货店，除了罐头食品之外，安妮绞尽脑汁，尽力买齐她认为必要的东西，她问：“糖、黄油、鸡蛋，亲爱的乔治，帮我算算要多少钱？”
“别忘了，我们可以去恶魔岩村购物。”阿修说，“只是在暴风天会有点麻烦，因为在岩石上行走不安全。我们可能会被关在灯塔里一两天无法去别的地方，即使划船也要冒很大风险。”
“听上去有些毛骨悚然。”乔治说，想象他们都被猛烈的风暴围困，等待从危险和饥饿中获救，“再拿些饼干吧，安妮，加上巧克力棒。多拿些姜汁汽水，还有大瓶的柠檬水，还有……”
“等一下，你知道是谁付钱吗？”朱利安说，“是我，所以不要把我榨干了！”他拿出钱包。“这里有一英镑，”他说，“这就是我身上所有的钱了，再加上迪克的钱，看能否买齐所有需要的食物。”
“呃，我也有很多钱。”阿修说，从口袋里掏出一把钞票。
“我就知道你很有钱。”乔治说，“我猜，以你爸爸的记性，只要你问他要钱，他就会给你。他太健忘了，甚至不记得他一天已经给过你三次钱了。”
“哎呀，你爸爸看起来也很健忘。”阿修巧妙地回避道，“今天早上，他居然把咖啡倒在粥里，而不是牛奶，我都看到了。更重要的是，他甚至都没有注意到，就把咖啡粥给 吃了！”
“别说了，”朱利安说，“我们不应该在公开场合嘲笑父母。阿修，你不想为淘气包带些吃的吗？乔治为蒂米买了饼干，我们还会给它准备一些骨头。”
“我自己会给淘气包买食物的，谢谢你。”阿修说，对于朱利安的责怪，他看起来不太高兴。他买了一包无核葡萄干，一磅苹果圈和一些橘子。淘气包看着这些美味，高兴得目不转睛。
“拿开你的爪子！”乔治尖锐地喊道，小猴子正要狡猾地伸出爪子，滑进给蒂米吃的饼干袋里。淘气包立刻跳到阿修的肩上，用它那小爪子遮住脸，仿佛它感到很羞耻。
“我们再买些水果，”朱利安说，“这些吃的应该足够了。我们将这些一起送到车辆修理站，放在车里，明天一起 带走。”
“明天！”乔治说，她的眼睛闪着光，“哦，我希望它快点来。我等不及了！”
Chapter 7 SEVEN OFF AT LAST
Chapter 7 SEVEN OFF AT LAST
It was very exciting that evening to talk about the next day - the car coming to fetch them - the driveround the coast to Demon's Rocks - exploring the light-house - looking out over the endless sea, andwatching the great waves coming in to pound on the rocks!
'What I'm looking forward to is our first night there,' said George. 'All alone, high up in that old light-house! Nothing but wind and waves around! Snuggling down in our rugs, and waking up to hear thewind and waves again.'
'And the gulls,' put in Tinker. 'They cry all the time. You can watch them from the light-house top. Iwish I had wings like a gull - spread out wide - sitting on the wind as they glide!'
'Sitting on the wind - yes, that's exactly what they do!' said Anne. 'I just wish their cry didn't sound somournful, though.'
Mrs. Kirrin was half-inclined not to let the children go after all! The weather forecast was bad, andshe pictured them sitting half-frozen, and perhaps very scared, in the old deserted lighthouse. But nosooner did she begin to wonder out loud if she ought to let them go than the children raised theirvoices in indignant chorus!
'But we've ordered the CAR!'
'And heaps of food! And Joanna has packed up a big tin of all kinds of things. She even baked a 26special cake for us!'
'Mother! How could you think of saying no when you've already said yes!'
'All right, all right, dears!' said Mrs. Kirrin. 'I wouldn't really stop you going. But do send me a cardor two, will you? That's if there's anywhere to post one!'
'Oh, there's a tiny post-office in the village,' said Tinker. 'We'll send a card every day. Then you'llknow we're all right.'
'Very well - but if a card doesn't come I'll be very worried,' said Mrs. Kirrin. 'So please do keep yourword! You won't forget your anoraks will you - and your rubber boots, and...?'
'Mother! I feel as if you're going to mention umbrellas next!' said George. 'But honestly we'd beblown out to sea if we put an umbrella up on Demon's Rocks. Tinker says there's always a galeblowing round the coast there.'
'You can think of us playing Slap Bang with our packs of cards, and having a fine time in the light-house while storms rage round and howl like demons!' said Dick. 'We'll be sitting snug in our rugs,with ginger-beer beside us, and chocolate biscuits all round...'
'Woof,' said Timmy, at once, pricking his ears up at words he knew so well.
'Ha - you think you're going to feed on chocolate biscuits, do you, Tim?' said Dick, ruffling the dog'shairy head. 'And please don't interrupt the conversation. It's not good manners.'
'Woof' said Timmy apologetically, and licked Dick's nose.
'I think you'd all better go to bed early tonight,' said Mrs. Kirrin. 'You've still some packing to dotomorrow - and you say you've ordered the car for half past nine.'
'We'll be down to breakfast at eight o'clock sharp,' said Julian. 'I bet the Professor won't be down tillabout eleven, and forget all about his bacon and eggs! Tinker, does your father ever have a really hotmeal? I mean - it seems to me he either forgets them altogether, or wanders in hours late, and thendoesn't know if he's having breakfast, dinner, or supper!'
'Well, I can always eat up everything that's there, if I think he's forgotten to come,' said Tinker,sensibly. 'Mischief helps too. You'd be surprised how fond Mischief is of fat bacon.'
'I'm not a bit surprised at anything Mischief does,' said Julian. 'I'm just wondering how we are goingto put up with his tricks when we're all cooped up in the light-house together! We can't send him outinto the garden then, to work off some of his high spirits. Aunt Fanny, do you know he took mypencil this morning and scribbled monkey-words all over my wall-paper? It's a good thing I can't readmonkey-language for I'm sure he wasn't scribbling anything polite!'
27
'You're not to say things like that about Mischief,' said Tinker, offended. 'He's very good-manneredfor a monkey. You should see some monkeys I know!'
'I'd rather not, thanks,' said Julian.
Tinker was cross. He picked up Mischief and went out of the room. Soon there was the noise of a carout in the hall - one that needed repairing by the sound of it!
'R-r-r-r-RRRRRR-r-r-r-r, OOOOOOPH, Rrrrrrr, PARP!'
Mrs. Kirrin rushed to the door. 'You know you've been told not to be a car out in the hall. Come backbefore your father hears you, Tinker. My goodness me, this house will be an entirely different place,once it is rid of all the cars that have driven about in it since you came!'
'I was only being a tractor,' said Tinker, surprised. 'I always feel as if I must go and be a car whenpeople are horrid to me or Mischief.'
'Oh, be your age!' said George.
'I shall go up to bed,' said Tinker, offended again.
'Well, that's not a bad idea, seeing that you have to be punctual tomorrow morning,' said Mrs.
Kirrin. 'Good night, then, Tinker dear. Good night Mischief.'
Tinker found himself gently propelled to the door. He went up the stairs, grumbling, Mischief on hisshoulder. But he soon stopped frowning as he undressed and thought of the next day. Off to the light-house - his light-house! Ha, that would make George and the others sit up. He snuggled down in bedwith Mischief nestling beside him, one little paw down the front of Tinker's pyjama jacket.
Next morning George awoke first. She sat up, afraid that the weather forecast might be right, and thatit would be pouring with rain. No - it was wrong for once - the sun shone down and she could nothear the sound of the sea - that meant that there was not much wind to blow up big waves thatpounded on the shore.
She awoke Anne. 'Light-house day!' she said. 'Buck up - it's half past seven.'
They were all down very punctually to breakfast - except Professor Hayling! As usual he did notappear until breakfast was over, and then he sauntered in at the front door!
'Oh - you are up then,' said Mrs. Kirrin. 'I thought you were still asleep in bed.'
'No - Tinker woke me up at some very early hour,' complained the Professor. 'Or else it was themonkey - I really don't know. They both look alike to me in the early morning.'
Mr. Kirrin was already down, but hadn't come into breakfast. He was in his study as usual.
28
'George - go and fetch your father,' said Mrs. Kirrin. 'His breakfast will soon be uneatable.'
George went to the study door and knocked. 'Father! Don't you want your breakfast?'
'I've had it!' said a surprised voice. 'Very nice couple of boiled eggs.'
'Father! That was your yesterday's breakfast!' said George, impatiently. 'It's bacon and fried eggstoday. You've forgotten as usual. Do come. We're leaving for the light-house soon.'
'Light-house - what light-house?' said Mr. Kirrin, in tones of great astonishment. But he had noanswer. George had gone back to the dining-room, not knowing whether to laugh or frown.
Really! Father was so forgetful that he would forget where he lived next!
There was great excitement after breakfast. Rugs - coats - night-clothes, the warmest that could befound - tins of cakes and mince-pies packed by Joanna - sandwiches to eat on the way -books - games - as George said, anyone would think they were going away for a month!
'The car's late!' said Dick, impatiently. 'Or else my watch is fast.'
'Here it comes!' said Anne, excited. 'Oh, Aunt Fanny, I wish you were coming too! We're going tohave such fun! Where's Mischief - oh, there he is! And Timmy - Timmy, we're going to live in alight-house! You don't even know what that is, do you?'
The car came up to the front gate of Kirrin Cottage, and the driver blew his horn, making Mr.
Kirrin almost jump out of his skin. He turned on poor Tinker at once. 'Was that you up to your sillytricks of pretending to be a car, and hooting again? Own up, now!'
'No sir, it wasn't, on my honour it wasn't,' said Tinker, indignantly, hopping out of the way of whatlooked as if it might be a very powerful slap. 'See - it's that car!'
'I'll just ask the driver what he means by driving up here and hooting fit to scare us all!' said Mr.
Kirrin indignantly. 'What's he come here for, anyway?'
'FATHER! It's the CAR that's come to take us to the LIGHT-HOUSE!' said George, not knowingwhether to laugh or be cross.
'Ah yes,' said Mr. Kirrin. 'Why didn't you tell me before? Well, good-bye, good-bye! Have a goodtime, and don't forget to dry yourselves well after a bathe.'
They piled into the car, and the man put their luggage into the big boot. He stared as Timmy andMischief leapt in. 'Sure you've all got enough room?' he said. 'What a carful!'
Then to the accompaniment of a loud R-r-r-r-r-RRR from the car's engine, and an equally loud onefrom the delighted Tinker, the car turned and drove away down the sandy lane.
'We're off,' said George, in a happy voice. 'Off all by ourselves again. It's the thing I like best of 29all. Do you like it too, Tim?'
'WOOF!' said Timmy, agreeing heartily, and lay down with his head on George's foot. Ah - now for alovely holiday with George. Timmy didn't mind where he went - even to the end of the world - solong as he was with George!
7.整装待发
整装待发
那天晚上，大家一直谈论着第二天的旅程。首先，车子会来接他们，沿着海岸线一路驶向恶魔之岩；然后，他们到了灯塔，会探索内部，再俯瞰无尽的海洋，看那巨大的海浪猛烈击打岸边的岩礁。
“我最期待的是我们到达那里的第一天晚上，”乔治说，“我们独上高楼，待在那座古老的灯塔里，周围只有风声和浪声。我们一起偎依着，在地毯上入眠，一觉醒来，还是只能听到风浪声，不绝于耳。”
“还有海鸥叫，”阿修说，“它们会一直号啕，你可以爬上塔顶，欣赏它们飞行的样子。我真希望有像海鸥一样的翅膀，可以大鹏展翅，在风中翱翔！”
“在风中翱翔，没错，它们就是那样。”安妮说，“我只是希望它们的叫声听起来不要悲伤得像哭一样。”
范妮婶婶并没有完全拿定主意，让孩子们去灯塔。预报说天气很糟糕，她在脑海中描绘着他们团坐在荒僻废弃的旧灯塔里忍饥挨冻、又惊又怕的景象。但是，她刚一提出她是否应该让他们离开这个问题，马上收到了孩子们怒气冲冲的抗议声！
“我们已经订了车！”
“还买了好多食物！乔安娜还为我们收拾了所有乱七八糟的行李，她甚至为我们烤了一块特别的蛋糕！”
“妈妈！您怎么能想到说不同意呢，特别是在您已经说过同意的情况下！”
“好吧，好吧，亲爱的，”范妮婶婶说，“我不是真想阻止你们去。但是别忘了，如果那里有邮局的话，给我寄一两张明信片，好吗？”
“哦，村里有一个小小的邮局，”阿修说，“我们每天都会寄一张卡片。那您就能知道，我们一切安好。”
“非常好，如果卡片没有如期而至，我会担心得报警的。”范妮婶婶说，“所以请不要忘记承诺，也不要忘了你的兜帽夹克，还有你的橡胶套鞋……”
“妈妈！我觉得您似乎要提到雨伞了！”乔治说，“但老实说，如果我们在恶魔岩上撑把雨伞，可能会被吹到海里去。阿修说灯塔伫立在海岸线附近，大风总是呼呼地吹着。”
“你可以往好处想，我们用卡片玩游戏，在灯塔里度过美好的时光，而暴风雨围绕着我们，发出恶魔般的号叫！”迪克说，“我们依偎在地毯上，旁边堆满姜汁汽水，还有巧克力饼干……”
“汪汪！”蒂米立刻叫道，听到熟悉的单词，它不禁竖起耳朵。
“哈哈，你以为大家会喂你吃巧克力饼干，是吗，蒂米？”迪克说，摸摸蒂米毛茸茸的头，“请不要打断大家谈话，这不礼貌哦。”
“汪！”蒂米道歉道，舔舔迪克的鼻子。
“我想今晚你们最好早点睡觉，”范妮婶婶说，“明天你们还有一些行李要打包，而且你们已经预订了九点半的汽车。”
“一到早上八点，我们就下楼吃早餐。”朱利安说，“我敢打赌，教授会完全忘记吃他的培根和鸡蛋，要到11点才会下楼。阿修，你爸爸有没有吃过一顿热饭？在我看来，他要么完全忘记吃饭，要么一连好几个小时徘徊来徘徊去，完全不知道他吃的是早餐、午餐还是晚餐。”
“好吧，一旦他忘了吃饭，我就会把所有食物都吃掉。”阿修明智地说道，“淘气包通常也会帮忙，你知道吗，淘气包居然喜欢吃肥腻的培根。”
“我对淘气包的所作所为一点都不感到惊讶。”朱利安说，“我只是想知道，当我们被困在灯塔里时，该怎么忍受它的那些诡计，因为我们无法把它送到花园里去消耗它旺盛的精力。范妮婶婶，您知道吗，淘气包今天早上偷走了我的铅笔，在我的墙纸上乱涂乱画猴语。幸好我看不懂猴语，我确信，它写的肯定不是什么文明的句子。”
“不准你这么说淘气包，”阿修有些生气地说，“它作为一只猴子，已经很有礼貌了。你应该看看那些我认识的其他猴子。”
“不用了，谢谢。”朱利安说道。
阿修真的生气了。他带着淘气包走出了房间。不久，大厅里出现了汽车的噪音，听声音，这车该修了。
“嗷——嗷——嗷——嗷嗷嗷嗷嗷嗷嗷嗷嗷，呜呜呜呜呜呜呜呜，突突突突，啪！”
范妮婶婶冲向门口，说：“停下，阿修，不是告诉你了吗，不要在大厅里学车叫。在你爸爸听到你的‘车’声之前，快回来。我的老天爷，只要听不到你假装的汽车声，这座房子将是多么宁静的地方啊！”
“我不是汽车，是拖拉机。”阿修说，“当别人对我和淘气包感到不耐烦时，我总觉得，自己必须成为一辆汽车，才能带淘气包逃走。”
“哦，拜托你成熟一点吧。”乔治说。
“我要去睡觉了。”阿修说，他好像又生气了。
“嗯，睡觉不是一个坏主意，明天早上你必须要准时。”范妮婶婶强调，“晚安，亲爱的阿修，你也晚安，淘气包。”
阿修被轻轻地推向门口。他气得跑上楼，嘴里一直抱怨，淘气包坐在他肩膀上。但当他脱掉衣服，想到明天的旅行，便很快地舒展开眉头。要去灯塔啦——他的灯塔！想到这里，他就不生气了。
哈，这会让乔治和其他人兴奋得难以入眠。他蜷缩在床上，淘气包偎依在他旁边，一只小爪子搭在阿修的睡衣外套前。
第二天早上，乔治率先醒来。她坐起来，担心今天会像天气预报说的那样，会下倾盆大雨。然而万幸的是并没有，这次预报是错误的，外头阳光普照，光芒四射。她也听不到大海的声音，这意味着外面也没有大风吹起大浪冲击岸边。
她唤醒了安妮。“今天是去灯塔的日子！”她说，“起床啦，七点半了。”
一行人非常准时，按约定的时间吃着早餐，除了海林教授和昆廷叔叔。直到早餐结束时，教授才突然出现。
“哦，你来了，”范妮婶婶说，“我以为你还在床上躺着呢。”
“没有，阿修在早些时候就把我弄醒了，”教授抱怨道，“或者是那只猴子？我真的分不清，他们在清晨看起来一个样。”
昆廷叔叔已经起床了，但没有吃早餐。他像往常一样闷头走进了书房。“乔治，去叫你爸爸，”范妮婶婶说，“要不然他的早餐很快就冷得没法吃了。”
乔治走到书房门口，敲了敲门，说：“爸爸，您不吃早餐了吗？”
“我吃了呀！”一个惊讶的声音回答，“这几个煮鸡蛋非常好吃。”
“爸爸！那是您昨天的早餐！”乔治不耐烦地说道，“您像往常一样忘记了吃早餐，今天的早餐是培根和煎鸡蛋。快来吃吧，我们很快就要去灯塔了。”
“灯塔，什么灯塔？”昆廷叔叔惊讶地问，但他没有得到回答。
乔治已经回到餐厅，不知道是该笑还是该皱眉。真是的！爸爸是如此健忘，接下来他估计会忘记他住在哪里了。
早餐后，大家都兴致勃勃地开始打包，地毯、外套、睡衣，能找到的最保暖的衣服。乔安娜用锡纸包好了蛋糕和馅饼，还包了些三明治，让孩子们在途中吃，还有书、纸牌……正如乔治所说，任何人看到这些行李，还以为他们要离开一个月呢。
“车子来晚了！”迪克不耐烦地说道，“要不然就是我的表走得太快。”
“快来了吧！”安妮兴奋地说道，“哦，范妮婶婶，真希望您也来！我们会很开心的！淘气包去哪里了，哦，它在那里！蒂米，蒂米，我们要住在灯塔里，你甚至都不知道灯塔是什么，是吧？”
汽车驶近了科林庄园，快到前门时，司机按了按喇叭，这声音让昆廷叔叔暴跳如雷。他立刻针对起无辜的阿修，嚷嚷道：“你是不是又开始那愚蠢的伎俩，假装成一辆汽车，还学喇叭叫了？老实说！”
“才没有，先生，我以人格担保，不是我！”阿修跳了起来，愤愤不平地说，好像用这种方式就如同给了昆廷叔叔一记响亮的耳光，“看，我不是那辆车！”
“我倒要去问问司机是什么意思，突然开车到这里来，还按喇叭，吓到所有人！”昆廷叔叔愤怒地说道，“总而言之，车来这里干什么？”
“爸爸，这是把我们送到灯塔的车啊！”乔治说着，不知道是该笑还是该生气。
“啊，是这样，”昆廷叔叔说，“你为什么不早告诉我？好了，再见，再见！玩得开心，不要忘记洗澡后把自己擦干。”
他们全挤上车，司机把行李放进大行李箱里，他眼睁睁地看着蒂米和淘气包，一蹦一跳挤了进来。“你们确定坐得下吗？”他说，“这车挤得太满了。”
然后，汽车发动机“突突”地响起来，接着又传来一声一模一样的发动机轰鸣声——是高兴的阿修嘴里发出的声音。汽车开始转向，驶入沙地车道。
“我们出发了，”乔治高兴地喊着，“我们所有人，又一起出发了，这是我最喜欢的事情。蒂米，你也喜欢吗？”
“汪汪！”蒂米发自内心地表示同意，然后把头枕在乔治的脚上。只要它和乔治在一起，蒂米就不介意去哪里，甚至到世界尽头都不介意。
Chapter 8 THERE'S THE LIGHT-HOUSE!
Chapter 8 THERE'S THE LIGHT-HOUSE!
Once they were out on the main road, Tinker began to talk to the driver, asking him questions aboutall kinds of cars. The others listened, amused.
'Well, I don't think much of the new cars,' said Tinker. 'All gadgets!'
'Some of the new gadgets are very good,' said the driver, amused with the cocky little boy, and hetouched a little lever beside him. At once the window next to Tinker went down smoothly, with acurious low moan. Tinker was extremely startled.
'Oh, don't open that window,' said Anne, as a rough wind swooped in. 'For goodness' sake shut it,Tinker.'
Tinker shut it and began to talk about cars again. Once more the driver touched the lever beside him,and once more Tinker's window slid mournfully down, and a cold draught came in.
'TINKER! Don't mess about with the windows,' ordered Julian.
'I never touched the thing,' said Tinker, eyeing the window with suspicion. It suddenly shut itself,sliding upwards very smoothly. Tinker began to feel uncomfortable. He watched the window closely,afraid that it might play tricks again. The others, knowing perfectly well that the driver could openand shut any of the windows automatically from his own seat, nudged one another, and giggled. 'Thatshut up poor old Tinker!' murmured Dick.
It had. Not another word about new cars or old came from Tinker during the whole drive! It was avery pleasant one, mostly round the coast, and very little inland. The views were magnificent.
'That dog of yours seems to like the views,' said the driver. 'His head has been out of the window allthe time.'
'Well - I always thought it was because he liked the fresh air,' said George. 'Timmy, is it because youenjoy the views?'
30
'Woof,' said Timmy, and withdrew his head to give George a lick. He also gave the little monkey alick. Poor Mischief didn't much like the motion of the car. He sat very still indeed, afraid that hemight be sick. The car purred along, sounding just like Tinker's usual imitation!
They stopped for an early lunch, and ate their sandwiches hungrily, sitting on a cliff. The driver hadbrought his own, and once Mischief had discovered that half the man's sandwiches were made oftomato, he sat on his knee in a very friendly manner, sharing his sandwiches in delight.
'We'll be there in another hour or so,' said the man. 'Where are you staying at Demon's Rocks?
The garage didn't tell me.'
'At the light-house,' said Julian. 'Do you know it?'
'Yes - but people don't stay there!' said the driver, thinking that Julian was pulling his leg. 'What hotelare you going to - or are you staying with friends?'
'No. We really are going to the light-house,' said Tinker. 'It's mine. My very own.'
'Well - you've certainly got a place with a fine view!' said the driver. 'I was born at Demon's Rocks.
My old great-grandad is still in the same cottage where I was born. My word - the stories he used totell me of that old light-house - and how the wreckers got into it one night and grabbed the keeperthere, and doused the light, so that a great ship might go on the rocks.'
'How horrible - and did it get wrecked?' asked Dick.
'Yes. Smashed to bits,' said the driver. 'Ab-sol-utely - smashed - to bits! And then they waited for thetide to wash up the wreckage. You ought to look up my old great-grandad, and get him to tell you histales. He might even show you the Wreckers' Cave...'
'Oh - we heard about that,' said George. 'Is it really true - can we see it? And is there someone in therestill?'
'No - no, all the old wreckers are gone long ago,' said the driver. 'As soon as the new light-house wasbuilt, the wreckers' day was done. It's so powerful, you see. Its beams can be seen even in the fierceststorm. The beam from the light-house you're going to wasn't very good - but it saved a good manyships, all the same!'
'What's your grandad's name?' asked George, making up her mind to look him up as soon as shecould. 'Where does he live?'
'Ask for Jeremiah Boogle,' said the driver, carefully skirting a herd of cows. 'You'll find him sittingsome where on the quay, smoking a long pipe, and scowling at anyone that comes nigh him. But helikes children, so don't you be afraid of his scowl. He'll tell you a few tales, will my 31old great-grandad! Well, bless us all, if there isn't another herd of cows coming round the corner.'
'Hoot at them,' said Tinker.
'Ever heard the rhyme about the cow that jumped over the moon, boy?' said the driver. 'Well,someone hooted when it came by, see? And that's what it did - jumped over the moon! No gooddriver hoots at cows. It scares them silly, and they jump like hares. Look - see that cliff round thecurve of the coast there? Well, that's the first bit of Demon's Rocks. We'll soon be there now.'
'Why is it called that?' asked George.
'Well, the rocks there are so wicked that it was reckoned they could only have been put there by somekind of savage demon,' said the driver. 'Some are just below the water so that they catch the keel of aboat and rip it. Others stick up sharp as sharks' teeth - and there's a great ledge of rocks where a boatcan be pounded to bits by the waves. Ah, they're Demon's Rocks all right!'
'When shall we see the light-house?' asked Tinker. 'We ought to see it soon.'
'Wait till another bit of the coast comes in sight as soon as we get to the top of this hill,' said thedriver. 'And just tell that monkey of yours to take his paw out of my coat-pocket. I've no moretomatoes there!'
'Behave yourself, Mischief,' said Tinker, so sternly that the little creature hid its face in its paws andwhimpered.
'Little humbug!' said George. 'There's not a tear in his eye! Oh look - is that the light-house?'
'Yes. That's it,' said the driver. 'You get a good view of it now, from this hill. Fine one isn't it, for anold one? Ah, they could build well in those days. That one's made of stone. It's wave-swept so it hasto be fairly tall, or the shining of the lamp would have been hidden by the spray falling on thewindows.'
'Where did the light-house keeper live?' asked Dick.
'Oh, there's a cosy enough room just under the lamp room,' said the driver. 'My grandad took me upthere once. I never saw such a view of a stormy sea in my life!'
'My father lived there all one summer,' boasted Tinker. 'I was with him most of the time. It wasgrand.'
'Why did your father want to live in a light-house?' asked the driver, curiously. 'Was he hiding, orsomething?'
32
'Of course not. He's a scientist, and he said he wanted peace and quiet, with no telephones ringing,and no one coming to see him,' said Tinker.
'And do you mean to say he had peace and quiet with you there?' said the driver teasingly.
'Well, well!'
'It's not so quiet there really,' said Tinker. 'The waves make such a noise, and so does the wind.
But my father didn't really notice those. He only notices things like bells ringing, or people talking, orsomebody knocking at the door. Things like that drive him mad. He loved the lighthouse.'
'Well - I hope you enjoy yourselves there,' said the driver. 'It's not my cup of tea - hearing nothing butwaves and gulls crying. Better you than me!'
They descended the other side of the hill and the light-house was no longer to be seen. 'Soon be therenow,' said Tinker. 'Mischief, will you like to be at the light-house again? My word, how quickly youcould go up the spiral staircase and down - do you remember?'
The car swept down almost to the edge of the sea. The light-house was now plainly to be seen, agood way out from the shore. A small boat bobbed at a stone jetty, and Tinker pointed it out with ascream of joy. 'That's the boat we had - the one that took us to and from the light-house when the tidewas in! It's called Bob-About, and my word, it does bob about too.'
'Is it yours?' asked George, rather jealously.
'Well, it was sold with the light-house, so I suppose it is,' said Tinker. 'Anyway, it's the one we'll usewhen we can't wade over the rocks.'
'Well, see you don't get storm-bound in the light-house,' said the driver, bringing the car to a stop.
'The sea between Demon's Rocks and the jetty will be too rough for that little boat, in stormyweather.'
'I can manage boats all right,' said George. 'I've had one since I was small.'
'Yes. You're pretty good with them, that I do know,' said the driver. 'Well - here we are. Are yougoing to go straight to the light-house - in that boat? Shall I help you to carry your things to it?'
'Well thanks,' said Julian, and between them they carried everything to the little boat. An old man satnearby, and he touched his cap to them. 'Message came through from Kirrin to say I was to get theold boat out for you,' he said. 'Which of you is Master Hayling?'
'I am,' said Tinker. 'And that's my boat, and that's my light-house! Come on, everyone - let's row tothe light-house - come on! I can hardly wait to get there!'
8.目标近在眼前
目标近在眼前
车子一行驶到主干道上，阿修便开始和司机攀谈起来，询问各种汽车的问题。其他人则开心愉悦地聆听着他们的对话。
“我认为那些新车型，都不怎么样，”阿修说，“所有那些新装置都不实用！”
“不，有些新装置其实非常好。”司机说道，他被这个自信满满的小男孩逗乐了。他按了按身旁的小操作杆，伴随着神奇的低鸣声，阿修旁边的窗户自动平稳地降了下来，阿修被这一幕惊呆了。
“哦，别打开那扇窗户。”一阵狂风袭来，安妮惊叫道，“看在老天爷的分上，把它关上，阿修。”
阿修关上窗户，又开始喋喋不休地谈论，司机又碰了碰他身旁的操作杆，伴随着低鸣声阿修身旁的窗户再一次滑了下来，刺骨的寒风乘虚而入。
“阿修，不要再玩窗户了！”朱利安命令道。
“我从来没有碰过它呀。”阿修说，他一脸狐疑，紧盯窗户。倏然，窗户又自行平稳地升了上去。阿修密切关注着，担心这扇窗户在玩什么狡猾的把戏。其他人心里十分清楚，知道是司机靠着操作按钮，就能自动打开和关闭任何窗户，他们互相挤眉弄眼，咯咯直笑。“可怜的阿修，这样终于让他停止唠叨了！”迪克低声说。
确实如此。在之后的旅途中，任何关于车的事，阿修一个字也不提了。旅途很愉快，车子大部分时间在海岸边行驶，很少走内陆，沿途的风景非常美妙。
“你的狗似乎很喜欢这些美景，”司机说，“它的脑袋一直伸在窗外。”
“嗯，我也这么认为，它喜欢清新的空气。”乔治说，“蒂米，你喜欢这些美景吗？”
“汪汪！”蒂米叫道，收回脑袋，舔了一下乔治，还舔了一下小猴子。可怜的淘气包，并不太适应汽车的摇晃，它安安静静地坐着，看上去就像生病了。车子一路发出呜呜声，听上去和阿修往常模仿的声音一模一样。
车子停了下来，一行人开始吃午餐。每个人都饥肠辘辘，他们围坐在悬崖边，狼吞虎咽地吞起三明治。司机自己带了午餐，淘气包发现司机的三明治一半都是番茄，它十分高兴，非常乖巧地坐在司机膝盖上，和他共享美味。
“还有一个小时左右我们就到了。”司机说，“到了恶魔岩，你们住哪里？汽车修理站的人没告诉我。”
“住在灯塔里。”朱利安说，“你知道吗，那座旧灯塔？”
“知道，但没有人会住在那里的。”司机说，以为朱利安在开玩笑，“你们打算去哪家酒店，或者去朋友家住？”
“都不是，我们真的要住在灯塔里。”阿修说，“灯塔是属于我的，我是主人。”
“哦，你们住的是一个视野辽阔的地方。”司机说，“我就出生在恶魔岩村，我出生后，曾祖父还活着，我们一起住在一个小屋里。
他过去常常对我说起这座古老灯塔的故事。他说，有一天晚上，毁盗王进入了灯塔，抓住守卫，故意熄灭灯塔上的领航灯，害得一艘巨轮因此被撞沉，被暗岩的漩涡给吞没了。”
“太可怕了，它是不是被撞碎了？”迪克问道。
“是的，瞬间七零八落。”司机说，“埋伏在岸边的毁盗王等潮水把残骸冲上岸后，便偷走了一切宝藏。你们应该去见见我的曾祖父，让他亲自告诉你们这个故事。说不定他还会指引你们去看看毁盗王的老巢……”
“哦，我们听说过那里。”乔治说，“我们真的能去看吗？那里还有人在吗？”
“不，没有了，很久以前，所有的毁盗王都消失不见了。”司机说，“新灯塔一建成，毁盗王的好日子也就到头了。你要知道，新灯塔的光芒是如此强劲，即使在最猛烈的风暴中也能看到。你要去的灯塔，它的光并不是很亮，但它过去仍然拯救了很多迷途的船只，都是一样的了不起！”
“能问下你曾祖父的名字吗？”乔治问道，她打定主意，想尽快见见他，“他住在哪里？”
“你就说找杰里迈亚•大黑。”司机一边说，一边小心翼翼地避开一群奶牛，“他喜欢坐在码头的某个地方，抽一根长长的烟斗，任何人只要靠近咫尺，他就会皱起眉头。但他喜欢孩子，所以他即使皱眉头，你们也不要害怕，他会告诉你们一些精彩的故事。哦，老天保佑，希望在拐角的地方，别再来一群奶牛了。”
“对它们按喇叭呀。”阿修说。
“你有没有听过，关于奶牛跳月球的打油诗啊，小男孩？”司机说道，“‘曾经有个人呀，开车遇到奶牛呀，按了按小喇叭，看到了吗，疯狂的奶牛呀，一跳跳上月球呀！’真正的好司机，是不会对奶牛按喇叭的，这只会把它们吓傻，然后它们就像野兔一样疯跳，挡住去路。快看，看到海岸线圆角处的那座悬崖了吗？嗯，那是恶魔岩的第一部分，我们很快就会到那里了。”
“为什么叫恶魔岩？”乔治问道。
“呃，因为那里的岩石是如此邪恶，估计只有野蛮的恶魔才会把它们放在那里。”司机说，“有些岩石深埋水下，可以钩住船的龙骨，把它撕得粉碎。另一些岩石嶙峋兀立，像鲨鱼的牙齿般尖锐，有一块特别巨大的岩石，它的岩壁会重创船只，把船撞得四分五裂，立马被海浪碾成碎片。啊，它们真是恶魔放在那里的岩石！”
“我们什么时候才能看到灯塔？”阿修问道，“应该很快就能看到它了吧？”
“等我们到达山顶，看到海岸线另一部分的时候。”司机说道，“顺便说一下，请你告诉那只小猴子，把它的爪子从我的外套口袋里拿开，里面已经没有西红柿了。”
“规矩点，淘气包！”阿修厉声说道，小怪物立马把脸埋进爪子里，呜咽起来。
“小骗子！”乔治说，“它眼中一滴泪也没有！哦，快看，那就是灯塔吗？”
“是的，那就是了。”司机说，“现在，你可以从这座山上看清楚它了。作为一座古老的灯塔，它还是那么完美，不是吗？啊，过去建造的建筑总是更结实一些。这座灯塔是用石头建成的，它要经得起风吹浪打，就必须营建得相当高，要不然灯塔的光芒就会被落在窗户上的浪花遮住，完全看不清了。”
“灯塔的守卫住在哪里呢？”迪克问道。
“哦，在灯室正下方，有一个舒适的房间。”司机说，“我曾祖父曾带我去过那里，到灯塔之前，我这辈子从来没有看到过那样波涛汹涌的海景！”
“我爸爸整个夏天都住在那里，”阿修说，“而大部分时间，我都和他在一起。真是太棒了。”
“为什么你爸爸要住在灯塔里？”司机好奇地问道，“因为他要躲什么人吗，还是有其他原因？”
“当然不是。他是一名科学家，他说他就是想要平静安宁，没有电话铃声响个不停，没有人来拜访。”阿修回答。
“你的意思是说，你和他待在一起，他还能感到平静安宁吗？”司机戏弄阿修道，“不可思议！”
“其实，并不是特别安静。”阿修说，“海浪声很大，风声也很吵，但我父亲通常没有注意到，他只会注意到铃声、说话声、敲门声，这些才会让他发狂。灯塔里的声音不会吵到他，他喜欢住在里面。”
“好吧，我希望你们在塔里也能过得愉快。”司机说，“我可不能忍受住在那里，只能听到海浪的拍打声、海鸥的哭泣声。你们比我厉害！”
他们行驶到山的下坡路，看不到灯塔了。“很快就到了，”阿修说，“淘气包，你想再到灯塔上去吗？你在螺旋楼梯上上下下，像飞一样，还记得吗？”
汽车停到了海的边缘地带，可以轻而易举地看见灯塔了，海岸边有一条笔直的路通往那里。一条小船系在石头堆成的码头上，晃晃悠悠，阿修尖叫起来，指着它，说道：“我们就坐这艘船，涨潮时，我们乘它去往灯塔！它的名字叫摇摇船，我保证，坐着它真是摇摇晃晃的。”
“它也是你的吗？”乔治嫉妒地问道。
“嗯，它是和灯塔一起出售的，所以我猜它是属于我的。”阿修说，“无论如何，我们只能乘坐它，现在，总不能步行通过恶魔岩。”
“好吧，但愿你们住在灯塔时，不要遭遇暴风雨。”司机说着，把车停了下来，“暴风雨来的时候，海浪太大了，要想乘那样小的船通过恶魔岩和码头之间的大海太艰难了。”
“不要紧，我擅长驾驶船只，”乔治说，“我小的时候就拥有一艘小船。”
“我知道，你一定很会驾驶船只。”司机说，“好了，车只能开到这里了。你们打算坐那艘船直奔灯塔吗？我可以帮你们搬点行李上去。”
“那就谢谢您了。”朱利安说，他们齐心协力，把所有行李都搬到小船上。船的附近坐着一位老人，他摸了摸帽子，说：“你们谁是海林阁下？科林家的口信说让我把这艘旧船给他。”
“我就是。”阿修说，“这是我的船，那是我的灯塔！来吧，伙伴们，让我们一起去灯塔吧，我已经迫不及待了！”
Chapter 9 INSIDE THE LIGHT-HOUSE
Chapter 9 INSIDE THE LIGHT-HOUSE
The five children jumped down into the boat, which was certainly acting up to its name of Bob-About! Timmy leapt in after George, but Mischief the monkey cried in terror when Tinker took himinto the bobbing boat and sat down, holding him firmly.
'It's all right, Mischief,' said Tinker. 'Don't you remember this little boat of mine? You never did likegoing in a boat, though, did you?'
There were two pairs of oars. Julian took one pair, and George was going to take the other, whenDick quietly took them himself, grinning at George's angry face.
'Sorry - there's a good old swell on the sea, and we've to row through some pretty good waves.
I'm just a bit stronger than you, George!'
'I row just as well as you do,' said George. The boat gave a great roll to one side just then, and shejust managed to save one of their suitcases from toppling overboard.
'Well saved!' said Julian. 'And only just in time too! My word, what a swell there is just here!'
'Are you going to row right over the rocks?' asked Anne peering down into the water. 'They arecovered by the water now - we shan't scrape the bottom of the boat at all.'
'These are the rocks that we can walk over when the tide's out,' said Tinker. 'Lovely pools there are inthem, too! I used to wallow in a nice warm one that was so well-heated by the sun that I wished I hada cold tap to turn on when the water felt too hot!'
Anne chuckled. 'I wish it was warm enough to bathe now,' she said. 'My word - look down and seewhat horrible rocks there are, just beneath the boat!'
'Yes - I bet they ripped up many a poor ship in the old days,' said Julian. 'No wonder they called themDemon's Rocks! It's a bit of a pull over them, isn't it, Dick?'
'Let me have a turn,' said George, grabbing at one of Dick's oars.
'Nothing doing,' said Dick, with a grin. 'You just look after those bags, old thing!'
'Is it a very old light-house?' asked Anne, as they swung over the hidden rocks, and the lighthousecame nearer and nearer. 'It looks old!'
'Yes, it is,' said Tinker. 'It's an odd little light-house, really - built by a rich man years and years ago.
His daughter was drowned in a ship that was wrecked on these rocks - so he built a lighthouse, partlyas a memorial to the girl, and partly to prevent other shipwrecks.'
34
Anne gazed at it. It was sturdily built and seemed very tall to her. Its base was firmly embedded in therocks below it. Dick thought that the foundations must go very deep down into the rocks, to hold thelight-house firmly in the great gales that must blow in bad weather. A gallery, rather like a verandah,ran round the top, just below the windows through which the light-house lamp once shone. What aview there would be from that gallery, thought Anne.
They came near to the light-house, which had stone steps running from the rocks up to a doorwaybuilt some way above the crashing waves.
'Will the door be locked?' asked Dick, suddenly. 'I wouldn't want to row all this way and then find wecan't get into the place!'
'Of course the door will be locked,' said Tinker. 'Anyone got the key?'
'Oh, don't be a donkey!' said Julian, resting his oars, and glaring at Tinker. 'Do you mean to say wecan't get in, after all this?'
'It's all right!' said Tinker, grinning at Julian's dismayed face. 'I just wanted to pull your leg.
Here's the key! It's my light-house, you see, so Dad gave me the key, and I always carry it about withme. It's very precious.'
It was an extremely large key, and George marvelled that Tinker could keep it in his pocket. Heflourished it at them, grinning again. 'I'm looking forward to unlocking my light-house with my key!'
he said. 'I bet you wish you had a light-house of your own, George.'
'Well, yes, I do,' said George, gazing up at the towering light-house, now so near to them.
'You'd better be a bit careful now,' said Tinker to the boys. 'Wait till a big wave swells up, then rideover it, and make for that rock over there - the one standing out of the water. There's a calm bitbeyond it, for some reason, and you can row up to the steps quite safely. Look out for a stone postthere, and chuck the rope round it, George. You're in a better position than I am for that.'
It was all done much more easily than the Five hoped. The boat swung into a stretch of fairly calmwater, and the two boys rowed hard for the steps. George neatly threw the loop of rope over the post -and there they were, at the foot of the light-house, with only a few rocks to climb over to reach thesteps. These rocks were not under water, and one by one the children and Timmy jumped out, andstared up at the light-house. It seemed much bigger now that they were just at the bottom!
'I'll unlock the door,' said Tinker, proudly, and climbed up the steep stone steps. 'Look at theenormous great stones that my light-house is made of. No wonder it has stood so long!'
35
He thrust the great key into the lock of the stout wooden door, and tried to turn it. He struggled for aminute, and then turned to the others with a scared face. 'I can't open the door!' he said.
'Now what do we do?'
'I'll have a try,' said Julian. 'It's probably stuck.' He took hold of the key, gave it a strong twist -and opened the door! Everyone was most relieved. Julian pushed the others in out of the wind and thespray, and shut the door firmly.
'Well - here we are!' he said. 'Isn't it dark! Good thing I brought a torch!'
He shone the torch round, but all that was to be seen was a steep iron staircase spiralling up themiddle of the light-house!
'The staircase goes right up to the top, to the lamp-room,' explained Tinker. 'It passes through a fewrooms on the way. I'll show you. Hang on to the railing of the staircase, you may feel giddy going upround and round so steeply.'
Tinker proudly led the way up the steep little staircase, that went round and round and round!
They came to a hole through which the stairway passed into a little dark room. 'One of thestorerooms,' said Tinker, and flashed his torch round. 'See - there are tins of food that I told you myfather and I left here. Now we go on up to the oil-room - that's not very big.'
'What's the oil-room?' asked Anne.
'Oh it was just where tins of paraffin oil used to be kept - the oil they used for the light at the top ofthe light-house. The old lamp had to burn oil, you see - there wasn't electricity in those days.
Look - here's the oil-room.'
The oil-room had a very low ceiling, no window, and was packed with old tins. It had a nasty smell,and Anne held her nose with her fingers.
'I don't like this room,' she said. 'It has a horrid smell and a horrid feel about it! Let's go on up thestaircase.'
The next room had one of the few little windows in the light-house, and as the sun came through it, itwas much lighter and more cheerful.
'This was where my father and I slept,' said Tinker. 'My word - look, we forgot to take that oldmattress away with us. What a bit of luck! We can use it!'
Up the spiral staircase they went once more, and this time came to a room with a higher 'ceiling'
than the others, and a good window, though small. The sun came through this one too, and it lookedquite homely! It had a table, and three chairs, and a box. It also had an old desk, and a 36little paraffin stove for boiling water or frying food.
'There's my old frying-pan!' said Tinker. 'We'll find that jolly useful. And a kettle - and a saucepan.
And we left spoons and forks and knives behind, though not enough for all five of us, I'm afraid. Andthere's crockery too - though not as much as there ought to be. I broke rather a lot. But there are sometin cups and plates - I used just to wipe them clean with a cloth. Water's precious in a light-house youknow.'
'Where is the water-tank?' asked George. 'We'll have to have some water.'
'My father arranged a catch-tank on the west side of the light-house,' said Tinker, proudly. 'It catchesrainwater, and runs into a pipe that goes through one of the windows and fills a little tank over a sink.
I forgot to show you that. There's a tap to turn the water on and off. My father's very clever you know- and a thing like that is as simple as ABC. He didn't want to have to fetch water every day forwashing in! Gosh, we did have fun here!'
'Well, it looks as if you'll have some more fun!' said Dick. 'You've plenty of company this time!
You must have been jolly lonely before.'
'Oh well - I had Mischief,' said Tinker, and when he heard his name, the little monkey camescampering over to him, and leapt into the boy's arms, cuddling into him lovingly.
'And what's the next room in this marvellous little light-house?' asked Julian.
'There's only one more - and that's the lamp- room. I'll show you that - it used to be the mostimportant room in the place - but now it's lonely - never used - quite forgotten! Come and see!'
And up the last spiral of the stairway went Tinker. How very, very proud he was of his lighthouse!
9.深入探险
深入探险
五个孩子跳到船上，小船果然剧烈地摇晃开来。蒂米紧跟在乔治身后，也跳了进去，但是，当阿修想把淘气包带入这艘摇晃的小船时，淘气包发出恐惧的喊叫声。他们坐好后，阿修紧紧地抱着它。
“没关系的，淘气包，”阿修说道，“你难道不记得我这艘小船了吗？不过，你从来都不喜欢坐船，对吗？”
船上有两对桨。朱利安拿了一对，当乔治正要去拿另一对时，迪克眼疾手快地拿走了它们，他冲着乔治生气的脸，咧嘴笑道：“对不起啦，海上波涛汹涌，我们要划船翻过巨浪，而我还是比你强壮一些的，乔治！”
“我和你划得一样好。”乔治说。正在此刻，船被浪打中，向一侧剧烈倾斜，她眼疾手快，伸出手，抢救了一只行李箱，使其免于跌落海中。
“漂亮的扑救！”朱利安说，“真是闪电一样的速度！哎呀，这里刚被巨浪击中！”
“你们打算在岩石上划船吗？”安妮向下凝视着海水说，“岩石被水淹没了，现在在上面行船应该不会剐擦到船底。”
“退潮时，我们可以在这些岩石上面行走，”阿修说，“岩石和岩石的缝隙里会形成大大小小的水坑。我曾经在其中一个水坑里畅游，水被阳光加热过，温暖极了。当时我感觉水太热了，真希望旁边有个能打开的水龙头，好加点冷水 进来！”
安妮“咯咯”地笑起来。“我倒希望那水足够温暖，方便洗澡，”她说，“哎呀，往下看，看那里，那些可怕的石头，正在船的下方！”
“是的，我敢打赌，过去就是它们摧毁了无数可怜的船只，”朱利安说，“难怪称它们为恶魔之岩！这些石头太锋利了，会迫使船停下来的，我们快远离它们，迪克！”
“让我来调头。”乔治说着，从迪克手中抢走了一支桨。
“你什么都别做，”迪克笑着说，“你还是照顾那些行李吧，乔治老兄！”
“这是一座历史悠久的灯塔吗？”当他们驶过那些隐藏的岩石，灯塔近在眼前时，安妮问道，“它看起来很旧！”
“是呀，”阿修说，“这是一座神奇的灯塔，在很多年以前，由一位富翁所建。因为他女儿乘坐的那艘船被恶魔岩弄沉了，她被淹死了，所以他建造了这座灯塔，一方面为了纪念爱女，另一方面则是为了防止其他沉船发生事故。”
安妮凝视着灯塔。它看上去坚不可摧，巍然屹立，对她来说，简直是庞然大物。它的基座牢牢地嵌在下方的岩石里，迪克猜想：“地基必须像这样嵌入岩石，才能将灯塔牢牢地固定住，以此对抗狂风暴雨。”灯塔上有一条环状的围廊，应该说是景观阳台，围绕塔顶而建，围廊的正下方是窗户，领航灯就在窗户里面。安妮想：“围廊上的视野该多美妙啊。”
一行人来到灯塔前，有一条由岩石搭成的台阶，伫立在那些翻涌的波浪上，一直延伸到灯塔的大门处。
“灯塔的门是锁上的吗？”迪克突然问道，“我可不想一路颠簸到此，结果发现我们根本无法进入这个地方！”
“当然啦，门是锁上的，”阿修说，“有人拿了钥匙吗？”
“哦，别逗了！”朱利安说，搁下双桨，瞪着阿修，“你是说我们进不去了，因为没有钥匙？”
“怎么会呢！”瞧见朱利安一脸沮丧，阿修咧开嘴笑道，“我只是想开个玩笑。钥匙在我这里呢！这是我的灯塔，所以爸爸给了我钥匙，而且我一直随身带着，它对我来说非常珍贵。”
说完，他掏出一把巨大的钥匙，阿修居然能把它藏在口袋里，令乔治大为惊叹。他朝他们挥动着钥匙，又咧嘴笑着说：“我很期待这一刻，用我的钥匙，打开我的灯塔！我敢打赌，你也希望有一座属于自己的灯塔，对吗，乔治？”
“好吧，我承认，确实如此。”乔治说。她凝视着高耸的灯塔，它离他们如此之近。
“你们现在要小心一点，”阿修对男孩们说道，“等下一个巨浪打过来，我们就趁机划到浪尖上，借着它的力量，冲向那块岩石，就是那块露在水面上的石头，它附近的水面相对平缓，我们顺着水流，可以安全地划到台阶上。在那里有一个石柱，只要把绳子套在柱子上，船就能被拴住了。要完成这项工作，你所在的位置比我更容易做到，乔治。”
完成这一切比五个人预想的要容易得多。船驶入一段相对平静的水域，两个男孩在台阶上用力地划着。乔治干净利落地把绳索环绕在柱子上。在那里，他们只爬过几块岩石，就到达石阶。这些岩石是露出水面的，孩子们和蒂米一个接一个跳了上去，直接走到了塔底。众人的目光齐齐凝视着灯塔，现在，灯塔似乎更加巍峨高大了。
“我来把门打开。”阿修自豪地说道，爬上了陡峭的石阶，“看看我的灯塔，建造它的石块是如此巨大，难怪它能这么多年屹立不倒！”
他将那把大钥匙插入木门门锁的锁芯中，试着转了转。他努力了一分钟，然后转过身，瞧着其他人，一脸惊慌地说：“我打不开门！现在我们怎么办？”
“我来试一试，”朱利安说，“它可能卡住了。”他握紧钥匙，用力一拧，门开了！每个人都松了一口气。朱利安领着其他人，摆脱了风浪，进入塔内，随后紧紧地关上了门。
“哎呀，我们终于进来了！”他说，“真黑呀！还好我带了手电筒！”
他拧亮手电筒，但映入眼帘唯一可见的东西是一个陡峭的铁楼梯，盘旋在灯塔中间。
“楼梯直达顶部，到达灯室，”阿修解释道，“途中会经过几个房间，我会指给你们看，从楼梯的栏杆往下看，你可能会感到头晕目眩。”
阿修神气十足，昂首挺胸，带头向螺旋楼梯走去。他们顺着楼梯盘旋而上，来到一个黑幽幽的洞口前。这个洞口，连接一个黑暗的小房间。“这是其中一个储藏室，”阿修用手电筒照了照，说，“看，这里有些罐头，我告诉过你们的，是我爸爸和我离开这里时留下的。现在我们继续前进，到储油室去，那地方不是很大。”
“什么是储油室？”安妮问道。
“哦，就是以前用来储存石蜡油的地方。旧式灯塔必须把油点燃，才能使灯亮起来，因为当时还没有电。看，这就是储油室。”
储油室的天花板很低，屋内没有窗户，里面堆满了旧罐子，充斥着一股难闻的气味，安妮用手捂住鼻子。
“我不喜欢这个房间，”她说，“里面的气味真可怕，给人一种不祥的感觉。我们上楼吧。”
隔壁的一间房，拥有灯塔内为数不多的小窗户，当阳光穿过窗户时，房间里显得更加敞亮。
“这是我爸爸和我睡觉的地方。”阿修说，“哎呀，看，我们之前忘了把那张旧床垫带走了。太走运了，这下我们正好可以用它来睡觉！”
他们再次走上螺旋形楼梯，又来到了一个房间，它的天花板比刚才看到的房间都要高，房里有一扇窗户，虽然很小，但阳光透过窗子照进来，显得房间里十分温馨怡人！里面有一张饭桌、三把椅子和一个盒子。房里还有一张旧书桌，和一只小石蜡炉，能用来烧水，煮食物。
“这是我的旧煎锅！”阿修说，“它很有用。还有这些，一只水壶，一个平底锅，我们留下的勺子、叉子和刀子，这里还有陶器，因为被我打破了很多，所以剩下的不多了。这儿还有一些锡杯和盘子，不要用水洗，在灯塔里水是很珍贵的，我会用布把它们擦干净。”
“水箱在哪里？”乔治问道，“我们必须得喝水。”
“我爸爸在灯塔的西侧造了个集水箱，”阿修自豪地说道，“它能收集雨水，雨水流入管道，通过一扇窗户填满水箱。我忘了给你们看了，有一个水龙头可以控制打开和关闭水箱的阀门。你知道我爸爸非常聪明，做这样的发明，就像写‘ABC’一样简单。他可不想每天出去打水洗衣服。天哪，那些过去的日子，我们确实过得很开心！”
“好吧，我保证这一次你会过得更开心！”迪克说，“以前你一个人在这里肯定很寂寞，但现在你有很多同伴陪着。”
“哦，我有淘气包。”阿修说，一听到它的名字，小猴子就跑到男孩身边，跳进他怀里，亲切地拥抱着他。
“这神奇的小灯塔，下一个房间是什么样子的？”朱利安问道。
“还剩一个了，那就是灯室。我会带你们看的，它曾经是这个地方最重要的房间，但现在它最孤单，因为它再也没有被用过，完全被遗忘了。过来看看吧！”说着，阿修走上螺旋形楼梯的最后一阶，他真的为他的灯塔感到万分自豪！
Chapter 10 SETTLING IN
Chapter 10 SETTLING IN
Once more they all climbed up the spiral stairway. Timmy rather slowly, for he found the windingstairs difficult. Mischief shot up in front of them, almost as if he were the owner of the light-house,and was showing off his home!
The lamp-room was a high room with big windows all round it. It was very bright, for the sun shonesteadily into it. The view was magnificent!
37
Anne gave a shout of wonder! The light-house was so high that the children could see for miles andmiles over the heaving dark blue sea. They went all round the lamp-room, looking in every direction.
'I say! There's a door here!' cried Dick. 'Does it open on to that little balcony, or gallery, or whateverit is that runs all round this room?'
'Yes. The gallery goes completely round the lamp-room,' said Tinker. 'My word, you should see itsometimes when the weather's rough, and the gulls go seeking somewhere out of the storm.
They perch on that gallery by the dozen! But you can't go out there except in calm weather -you might be blown right off! You've no idea what it's like when there's a storm. Honestly, one nightwhen my father and I were here I thought I felt the light-house rocking!'
'This is about the most exciting place I've ever stayed in,' said Anne, her eyes shining. 'Tinker, I thinkyou are the luckiest boy in the world!'
'Do you really?' said Tinker, pleased. He gave Anne a little pat. 'I hoped you'd like it. Mischief lovesit - don't you, Mischief?'
Mischief was up on top of the great lamp. He chattered down to Timmy as if he were telling him allabout it. Timmy listened, his ears cocked, his head on one side.
'He looks just as if he understood that monkey-gabble!' said George. 'Tinker - this lamp is neverlighted now, is it?'
'No, never,' said Tinker. 'I told you there is a fine new light-house a bit farther down the coast. It has aterrific lamp - run by electricity. We shall see its beam sweeping the sea at night.'
'Why don't people build light-houses and live in them?' wondered George, as she gazed out over thewide blue sea.
'Anyone feeling hungry?' asked Tinker, rubbing his tummy. 'I feel jolly empty.'
'Oh gosh - we haven't taken the things out of my boat!' said Tinker. 'Come on - let's carry them allindoors, and have a meal. What's the time? Past four o'clock! No wonder I feel empty. Come on,Mischief - to work! You can carry some of the things in too.'
They ran down the spiral stairway, through room after room, and came to the great door. 'I suppose ithad to be built as thickly and strongly as possible, because of the sea dashing against it in storms,'
said Julian, pulling it open. The wind rushed in and almost knocked him over!
They pushed their way out, and climbed back over the rocks to where they had left the boat. It wasbobbing gently up and down in the little stretch of calm water.
38
'Hallo, Bob-About!' said Tinker. 'Did you think we were never coming? Got all our goods safely?
Good little boat!'
'Ass!' said Dick, grinning. 'Come on, Ju - I'll take half the heavy things, you take the rest. The girlsand Tinker can manage the smaller things. Hey, Mischief, what do you think you're doing?'
Mischief had picked up a parcel or two, and was bounding off with them. 'It's all right! He's used tohelping!' shouted Tinker. 'He often goes shopping with me, and carries bags and things.
Let him help, he likes it.'
The monkey certainly was very useful. He scampered to and fro with all kinds of little things, andchattered happily. Timmy stood staring at him, his tail down, wishing he could use his paws asnimbly as Mischief could. George gave him a loving pat.
'It's all right, Timmy, darling. Here - take this basket.'
Timmy took the basket in his mouth by the handle and leapt happily up the steps of the lighthouse.
He might not be able to pick up the little things that Mischief so easily managed - but at least hecould carry baskets!
'We'll leave the boat bobbing up and down,' said Tinker. 'It will be quite all right there, tied to thepost, unless the sea gets terribly rough - then we'll have to pull it halfway up the steps.'
'Let's have our meal and unpack before we arrange our things,' said Anne. 'I really do feel veryhungry now. What sort of a meal shall we have? I feel as if I want something more than a teatimemeal!'
'That's the worst of living in a light-house,' said Tinker, quite seriously. 'You're awfully hungry nearlyall the time. I used to have five or six meals a day when I stayed here with my father.'
'Sounds all right to me,' said Dick, with a grin. 'Let's have a ''tea-sup'' meal, shall we? A mixture oftea and supper! Tea-sup!'
Some of the things were put into the bedroom and some into the living-room. Soon Tinker popped asaucepan of water on the stove to boil. Because of the rainy weather, the little rain-catch tank hadprovided plenty of water for the small inside tank set over the sink, which was most conveniently putin the living-room. When Tinker turned on the tap, out came clear rainwater!
'Magic!' said Anne, delighted. 'I feel as if I'm in a dream!'
Eggs were put into the saucepan, and were soon boiled. 'Exactly three minutes and a half,' said Anne,ladling out each one with a spoon. 'TWO eggs each! At this rate we shall have to go 39shopping every day! George, you cut some bread-and-butter. The bread's in that bag - but goodnessknows where the butter is. I know we bought some.'
'What about having a few of Joanna's famous mince-pies too?' said Dick, taking the lid off a bigsquare tin. 'Whew! Dozens! And cherry buns as well! And home- made macaroons - Joanna'sspeciality! I say - what a meal!'
'What shall we have to drink?' said Julian. 'Ginger-beer? Lemonade? Or shall we make some tea?'
Everyone voted for ginger-beer. It was a very pleasant and cheery meal that the Five had in the oldlight-house, with Mischief and Tinker. The gulls called outside, the wind gave the lighthouse anoccasional buffet, and the sound of the sea was mixed with all the other noises -lovely! Anne hugged her knees as she waited for her ginger-beer. To think they were going to stayhere for days and days. All by themselves.
When the meal was over, Anne and George washed up in the little sink. 'Oh don't wash up - just givethe things a quick wipe-over!' said Tinker. 'Like this!'
'Oh no!' said Anne. 'That's just like a boy! You'd better leave this side of things to me. I like doingjobs like this, see?'
'Just like a girl!' said Tinker, with a grin.
'No, it isn't,' said George. 'I hate doing them, and I'm a girl - though I wish I wasn't!'
'Never mind - you look like a boy, and you're often as rude as a boy, and you haven't an awful lot ofmanners,' said Tinker, quite thinking that he was comforting George.
'I've more manners than you,' said George, and stalked off in a huff to look out of the windows.
But nobody could be in a huff for long, with that wonderful view - sea for miles and miles, tippedhere and there with white breakers. George gave a sigh of pleasure. She forgot that she was annoyedwith Tinker, and turned to him with a smile.
'If I could own this view, I'd feel I was the richest person in all the world!' she said. 'You're verylucky, Tinker.'
'Am I?' said Tinker, thinking it over, 'Well, you can have half the view, if you like. I don't want it all.'
Julian laughed, and clapped the boy on the back. 'We'll all share it, while we're here!' he said.
'Come on - let's unpack and arrange everything. Girls, you had better sleep here in this living-room -and we three boys will sleep down in the bedroom. That all right by you, Tinker?'
40
'Fine - so long as you don't mind Mischief sleeping with us,' said Tinker. 'Anyway I expect Timmywill sleep with the girls.'
'Woof,' said Timmy, agreeing. He was certainly not going to sleep anywhere without George!
They all had fun unpacking, and putting the things in the different places. 'Store-room for that,'
Julian said, 'and living-room for this and this - and bedroom for these rugs - thought these two hadbetter go to the living-room, because the girls will sleep there.'
'Cards for the living-room,' said Dick, handing them to Anne. 'And books. And papers. Gosh, wemustn't forget to send a card each day to Aunt Fanny. We promised we would.'
'Well, she'll know we arrived safely today because the car-driver will be sure to send a message toher,' said George. 'But tomorrow we'll go down to the village and buy a stock of post-cards -and we'll send one every single day. I know Mother will worry if we don't.'
'All mothers are worriers,' said Dick. 'It's a nuisance - but on the other hand it's one of the nice thingsabout them. Now then - what about a game of cards?'
And there they all are in the light-house, playing cards with shouts and laughter, Timmy and Mischiefwatching. You do have fun together, Five, don't you?
10.安营扎寨
安营扎寨
一行人再次爬上螺旋形楼梯。蒂米爬得很慢，这楼梯弯弯曲曲的，对它来说爬起来很困难。淘气包却一蹦一跳，冲在最前面，为一行人带路，好像它才是这个灯塔的主人，正在向客人们炫耀它的房子一样。
灯室高大宽敞，四面环窗，因为阳光持续照耀，所以光线良好，屋子里一片光明，视野辽阔，风景棒极了！
安妮忍不住发出赞叹的呼声！灯塔巍峨高大，可以纵览四方。
孩子们站在里面，向外眺望，可以看清数英里以外的深蓝色海洋，他们探寻灯室的每个角落，从各个不同的方向观察外面的风景。
“听我说！这里有一扇门！”迪克喊道，“它是通向阳台的吗？
不，不应该叫阳台，是叫围廊吗？反正是绕房间整整一圈的那个东西，叫什么来着？”
“是叫围廊，它环绕着整个灯室。”阿修说，“你应该在天气恶劣的时候来看，海鸥会从风暴中冲出，成群结队地落在围廊上歇息。
但是除了风和日丽的天气，其余时间你都不能到那里去，否则会被大风刮走的！当风暴来临时，你不知道它会变得多可怕，实话告诉你，我上去过。那天晚上我爸爸和我都在围廊上，我觉得，整个灯塔都被风吹得摇晃 起来！”
“这是我住过的最令人激动的地方。”安妮说，眼睛里闪闪发亮，“阿修，我想说你是这个世界上最幸运的男孩！”
“你真的这么想吗？”阿修高兴极了，他轻轻拍了一下安妮，说，“我希望你喜欢它。淘气包就喜欢它，是不是，淘气包？”
淘气包站在那盏巨大的领航灯上面。它喋喋不休地对着蒂米叽里咕噜说着话，好像正在向它介绍这盏灯似的。蒂米将耳朵竖起，头歪向一边，认真地聆听着。
“蒂米看上去好像真能听懂猴语一样！”乔治说，“阿修，现在这盏灯永远不会再被点亮了，是这样吗？”
“是的，永远不会了。”阿修说，“我说过，海岸那边建了一座新灯塔，它有一盏了不起的领航灯，靠电运行。等黑夜降临大海，我们会看到它射出的光束。”
“为什么人们不多建造些灯塔，用来住呢？”乔治凝视着茫茫大海，感到很奇怪，自言自语道。
“有人觉得饿了吗？”阿修揉着肚子说，“我感到肚子空空的。”
“天哪，我们还没把行李从船上拿下来！”阿修叫道，“来吧，我们先把行李全部运到室内来，然后吃顿饭。现在几点了？都过了四点！难怪我感到肚子都空了，快来吧，淘气包，开工了！你也可以帮忙运点东西。”
他们从螺旋形楼梯上火速跑下来，穿过一间间屋子，来到大门前。“我猜，这扇门一定建造得又厚又结实，否则暴风掀起的海浪会冲垮它的。”朱利安说着，把门拉开。海风猛地涌了进来，差点把他刮倒。他们冲了出去，爬上岩石，回到他们系好船的地方。船在一片相对平静的水面上轻轻地上下摇摆着。
“你好，摇摇船！”阿修说，“你是不是觉得我们永远不会再回来了？我们的行李都安全吗？称职的小船！”
“真是蠢死了！”迪克笑道，“来吧，朱利安，重的行李我负责一半，剩下的你来拿。女孩们和阿修可以拿些较轻的东西。嘿，淘气包，你知道自己在干什么吗？”
淘气包拾起一两个包裹，带着它们一蹦一跳地走了。“没关系的！它习惯了帮忙！”阿修喊道，“它以前经常和我一同去购物，帮忙拿袋子什么的。让它帮忙吧，它喜欢这样。”
小猴子起到了很大的作用，它来来回回地运这运那，还喋喋不休地说着。蒂米站起身，盯着小猴子，尾巴向下立着，好像希望自己也可以像淘气包一样灵活地使用爪子。乔治忍不住给了蒂米一个充满爱意的击掌，说：“你也很棒，亲爱的蒂米。过来，提着这个篮子。”
蒂米把篮柄含在嘴里，快乐地在台阶上跳上跳下，直奔灯塔。
它可能无法像淘气包那样轻松灵活地运送小件行李，但至少它还可以搬运篮子！
“我们可以暂时把小船拴在这里，”阿修说，“它会逐渐静止下来。但如果有暴风雨来袭时，我们就必须把它拉到台阶上来。”
“在安排这些事情之前，我们先吃饭，然后整理行李吧。”安妮说，“我真的饿极了。现在，我们能不能大吃一顿呢？因为我觉得只喝下午茶肯定填不饱肚子！”
“这是生活在灯塔里要面对的最糟糕的事情，”阿修神色严肃地说，“你会一直觉得饥饿难耐，过去我和爸爸一起住在这里时，一天能吃五六餐呢。”
“听起来正合我意，”迪克咧嘴笑道，“我们吃一顿‘下午茶餐’吧——下午茶加晚餐，就叫下午茶餐！”
大家将一些行李放在卧室里，一些放进客厅。不久，阿修在炉子上放了一锅水，将它煮沸。由于连续不断的雨天，小小集雨箱里已经积满了水，水箱就放在客厅里，用起来很方便。当阿修拧开水龙头时，里面立即流出了清澈的雨水。
“像变魔术一样，”安妮高兴地叫道，“我好像在做梦！”
鸡蛋一放入锅里，很快就煮熟了。“整整三分半钟，”安妮说着，用勺子分别把鸡蛋舀出来，“每人两个鸡蛋，按照这个速度吃下去，我们每天都得去购物。乔治，你切一些面包和黄油。面包放在那个包里，但天知道黄油放在哪里了？我只知道，我们的确买了一些黄油。”
“我们来吃一点乔安娜最拿手的肉馅饼怎么样？”迪克说，拧开一个大方罐子的盖子，“哎呀！这么多！还有樱桃面包和一些自制的蛋白杏仁饼干，这是乔安娜最擅长的。天哪，多么丰盛的一顿饭呀！”
“我们喝什么呢？”朱利安问，“姜汁汽水，柠檬水，还是泡点茶喝？”
每个人都投了姜汁汽水一票。在这座旧灯塔里，五个小家伙还有淘气包和蒂米，一同享用了充满欢声笑语的一餐饭。海鸥在塔外盘旋鸣叫，海风偶尔给灯塔里的人带来一首大海的声音和其他所有声响混合在一起的歌曲。这一切真可爱！安妮环抱着膝盖，等待着她的姜汁汽水，她忍不住想：“就像这样留在这里，就我们几个人，真好。”
吃完饭后，安妮和乔治用小水槽的水，将锅碗瓢盆清洗干净。“哦，不要洗，快速擦拭就行了！”阿修说，“像这样。”
“哦，不！”安妮说，“这是男孩的方法！你最好把这类活儿留给我。我喜欢做这类工作，知道吗？”
“女孩都喜欢做。”阿修笑着说。
“不，才不是呢。”乔治说，“我就讨厌做家务，我就是一个女孩，虽然我真希望自己是个男孩！”
“别在意，你看起来就像个男孩，你通常和男孩一样粗鲁，虽然你的行为举止没我糟糕。”阿修说道，他以为他是在安慰乔治。
“我的举止可比你规矩多了。”乔治有点生气了，说完，她就把脸扭向窗外。海平线是蓝色的，绵延数英里，浪花边缘是白色的，向海岸线四处奔涌过去，看到窗外美妙的景色，谁还会长时间地保持愤怒呢？乔治高兴地叹了口气，她忘了对阿修生气的事情，笑着转向他。
“如果我能拥有这些风景，我会觉得自己是世界上最富有的人！”她说，“你真幸运，阿修。”
“是吗？”阿修说着，停下来想了想，“好吧，如果你愿意的话，你可以拥有一半的风景，我不需要拥有全部。”
朱利安大笑起来，拍了拍小男孩的背。“我们都会分享这里的风景的，因为我们都在这里！”他说，“来吧，让我们打开行李，整理妥当。女孩们，你们最好在客厅里睡觉，我们三个男孩在卧室里睡，没问题吧，阿修？”
“好，只要你不介意淘气包和我们一起睡觉。”阿修说，“我希望蒂米和女孩们一起睡觉。”
“汪汪！”蒂米附和着，没有乔治，它哪儿都不会去！
他们享受着整理行李的乐趣，把它们放到灯塔不同的地方去。“这些放储藏室；”朱利安说，“这些，还有这些，放客厅；地毯放卧室，我觉得这两张地毯应该放在客厅，因为女孩们要在那里睡觉。”
“纸牌放客厅，”迪克说着，把它们交给安妮，“还有书和纸。天哪，我们一定不要忘记，每天寄一张明信片给范妮婶婶。我们答应过她的。”
“好吧，她知道，我们今天已经安全抵达，因为送我们来的那位司机肯定会向她传达信息的。”乔治说，“但是，明天我们要去村里，买一沓明信片，然后每天寄一张。我知道，如果我们不这样做，妈妈会担心死的。”
“所有的母亲都爱着急，”迪克强调，“这经常带来烦恼，但另一方面，又常常带来好处。好了，现在我们来玩纸牌游戏怎么样？”
他们玩起了纸牌，灯塔里响起阵阵欢呼声和笑声，蒂米和淘气包在一旁观战。他们确实很开心，不是吗，五个小家伙？
Chapter 11 JEREMIAH BOOGLE
Chapter 11 JEREMIAH BOOGLE
When it began to get dark, Tinker left the card-table, and fetched an old-fashioned oil-lamp. Heshook it.
'It's still got some oil in,' he said. 'Good. I'll light it, then we can see properly.'
'What a pity we can't light the great oil-lamp at the top of the light-house,' said George. 'That musthave been the light-house keeper's great moment - lighting up the lamp to warn ships away. I wonderwho first thought of a light-house - someone whose folk sailed, and might be wrecked on rocks, Isuppose?'
'One of the first great light-houses was built ages ago on an island called Pharos at the mouth of theNile, not far from the great port of Alexandria,' said Julian.
'What was it built of - stone, like this one?' asked Tinker.
'No. It was built of white marble,' said Julian. 'I thought of it today when we went up the spiral 41staircase here - because the Pharos light-house had one too - much, much bigger than ours.'
'What was their lamp like?' asked Tinker.
'I don't know if it had a lamp,' said Julian. 'It's said that an enormous fire was built each night on thetop of the light-house, whose flames could be seen by ships a hundred miles away!'
'Goodness - it must have been a pretty high light-house, then, this Pharos!' said Dick.
'Well, it was supposed to be 600 feet high!' said Julian.
'Whew! I wonder the wind didn't blow it down!' said Dick. 'Let's go and see it one day - if it's stillthere.'
'Ass!' said Julian. 'It's gone long since. After all, it was built over twenty-two hundred years ago! Anearthquake came along one day and the magnificent light-house was shaken to bits -completely destroyed!'
There was a shocked silence. Everyone looked round at the walls of the light-house they were in. Anearth-quake! What a catastrophe that would be for even a little light-house!
'Cheer up, Anne!' said Julian, with a laugh. 'We're not likely to visited by an earthquake tonight!
That old light-house on Pharos Island was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. No- don't ask me the others - I'm getting too sleepy to remember!'
'I wish we could light the lamp in this light-house,' said Anne. 'It can't like being a blind lighthouse,after shining brightly for so many years. Could the lamp be lighted, Tinker, or is it broken now?'
'Anne - if you think we're going to scramble round that lamp-room and light the lamp just becauseyou feel sorry about it, you're mistaken,' said Dick, firmly. 'Anyway, it's sure to be out of order afterall these years.'
'I don't see why it should be,' objected Tinker. 'The lamp's never been interfered with.'
'Look - are we going to go on with our game, or are we not?' said Julian. 'I may as well remind youthat I have won practically every game so far! Unless someone else wins a game soon I shall considerthat I'm playing with a set of nitwits!'
That was quite enough to make everyone pick up their cards, and see if they couldn't possibly beatJulian!
'We'll jolly well play till you're well and truly beaten!' said Dick.
But no - nobody could beat Julian that night. Luck went his way all the time. At the end of the fifthgame Anne yawned loudly.
42
'Oh sorry!' she said. 'Don't think I'm bored. That yawn came too suddenly for me to stop it.'
'Well, I feel decidedly yawny too,' said Dick. 'What about a snack of something - and then we'll go tobed. We had such an enormous tea-sup that I feel I can't manage another meal - but a chocolatebiscuit or two would be quite welcome.'
'Woof!' said Timmy at once, agreeing heartily, and Mischief said something in his little chatteringvoice, and tugged at Tinker's sleeve.
'I'll bring you a snack or two,' said Anne, getting up. She soon came back with a tray on which shehad put lemonade, large slices of Joanna's new cake, and a chocolate biscuit for everyone, includingTimmy and Mischief.
They ate with enjoyment, feeling lazy and comfortable. 'And now to bed!' said Julian. 'Girls, do youwant any help with your mattress or rugs or anything?'
'No, thanks,' said Anne. 'Do you boys want to wash, and clean your teeth at the sink here?
Because if so, do it now.'
Before a quarter of an hour had gone, everyone was bedded down comfortably. The three boys curledup in rugs in the bedroom below, with Mischief cuddled into Tinker's neck. The two girls and Timmylay on a mattress, with a blanket over them. Timmy lay beside George, occasionally licking her earwith his big tongue.
'Dear Timmy!' said George, sleepily. 'I love you - but do please keep your tongue to yourself!'
And soon they were all asleep, boys, girls, and animals too. Outside, the sea sighed and splashed andswirled, and the wind cried like the day-time gulls. But all was peace and quiet inside the old light-house. Not even Mischief the monkey stirred in his sleep.
It was fun to wake up in the morning, and hear the gulls screaming round; fun to have breakfast ofeggs and bread-and-butter, and apples to crunch afterwards - fun to plan what to do that day.
'I vote we do a bit of shopping and buy some more eggs, and fresh bread, and a bottle or two ofcreamy milk,' said Anne.
'And we might try and find that car-driver's great-grandad, and ask him a few things about the light-house, and the wreckers that came in the old days,' said Dick.
'Yes - and he might show us the Wreckers' Cave!' said Julian. 'I'd like to see that! Buck up withwhatever jobs there are to do, Anne and George - and we'll go over the rocks to the jetty. The tideshould be out, so we ought to be able to walk over.'
'Well, we must be back before the tide comes in, then,' said Tinker. 'Because if we leave the 43boat tied up here by the light-house, we shan't be able to get back once the sea sweeps over the rocksand cuts us off!'
'Right,' said Julian. 'Be ready as soon as you can, girls.'
The girls were ready very quickly, and the little party set off over the rocks that at low tide laybetween the light-house and the shore. Wicked rocks they were too - with sharp edges and points thatwould hole a ship at once!
Soon the children were on the little stone jetty. 'What was the name of old great-grandad?' said Dickfrowning.
'Jeremiah Boogle,' said Anne. 'And he smokes a long pipe, and scowls at people.'
'Well - he should be easy to find!' said Julian. 'Come along. He's probably somewhere on the quay.'
'There he is!' said George, spotting an old man with a long pipe in his mouth. 'That's Jeremiah, I'msure!'
Yes, there he was, sitting with his legs stretched out in front of him, an old old man, smoking a verylong pipe! He had a fine beard, a yachting cap askew on his head, and such enormous shaggyeyebrows that it was difficult to see his eyes beneath them!
The Five went up to him, with Timmy trotting behind, and Mischief on Tinker’s shoulder. The oldman spotted Mischief at once.
'Well, well - a monkey!' he said. 'Many's the little monkey I've brought home from my voyages.'
He snapped his fingers and made a curious noise in his throat. Mischief stared at him, listening.
Then he leapt from Tinker's shoulder on to the old man's, and rubbed his head against the old sailor'shairy ear.
'Mischief!' said Tinker, amazed. 'Look at that, George. He never goes to a stranger!'
'Well, maybe I knew his great grandfather!' said the old sailor, laughing, and scratching Mischief'sneck. 'All monkeys like me - and I like them!'
'Er - are you Mr. Jeremiah Boogle!' asked Julian.
'Jeremiah Boogle, that's me,' said the old fellow, and touched his cap. 'How do you know my name?'
'Well, Jackson, the car-driver, told us he was your great-grandson,' said Julian. 'You see we're stayingat the old light-house - and Jackson said you could tell us a few things about it - its history, youknow. And about the wreckers that lived here before the light-house was built.'
44
'Oh, I can tell you tales all right!' said Jeremiah, puffing out a cloud of smoke, and making Mischiefcough. 'That's more than that silly young great- grandson of mine can! He don't know nothing,nothing at all - except about cars. Well, who wants cars, nasty, smelly noisy things?
Pah! That young George Jackson is a ninny!'
'He's not. He's the cleverest mechanic in the place!' said George, at once. 'There's not a thing hedoesn't know about cars!'
'CARS! There now, what did I say - nasty, noisy, smelly things!' said Jackson's great-grandad, with asnort.
'Well, look - we don't want to talk about cars,' said Julian. 'You tell us about the old days - thewreckers and all that!'
'Ah - them old days!' said great-grandad. 'Well I knew some wreckers myself, once - there was One-Ear Bill, now...' And then old Jeremiah told a story that the Five could hardly believe!
11.老者的故事
老者的故事
天色开始变暗，阿修离开牌桌，回来时，他手上拎着一盏老式的油灯。他摇了摇它。
“它里面还有一些油，”他说，“太好了，我来点亮它，这样我们可以看得清楚一些。”
“真可惜，我们不能点亮那盏巨大的油灯。”乔治说，“我想，点燃油灯肯定是灯塔管理员最激动的时候，顷刻间光芒万丈，为船领航。我真想知道，这世界上，是谁最先想到要建造一座灯塔的，肯定是他朋友的船失事了，被石头撞碎了，我猜是这样吧？”
“在很久很久以前，最古老的灯塔之一就建在尼罗河边上一个叫法罗斯的岛上，那里距离亚历山大港不远。”朱利安说。
“它是用什么建成的，石头吗，就像我们这座？”阿修问道。
“它是用白色大理石建造的，”朱利安说，“今天我们爬这座螺旋形楼梯时，我突然想到了它，因为法罗斯灯塔中也有一个这样的楼梯，比我们这座大得多。”
“那座灯塔的领航灯是什么样的呢？”阿修又问。
“我不知道它有没有灯。”朱利安说，“据传说，每天晚上灯塔的顶部都会升起巨大的火焰，一百英里以外的船只都能看到它的熊熊火光。”
“天哪，这座法罗斯灯塔一定相当高大壮观。”迪克感叹道。
“对，它应该有足足六百英尺高！”朱利安回答。
“哎呀！我猜这世界上没有风能吹倒它！”迪克说，“哪一天，我们一起亲眼去看看它吧，如果它还在那里的话。”
“傻瓜！”朱利安说，“它已经消失很久了。毕竟它建于两千二百年前！有一天发生了地震，这座壮丽的灯塔被震成了碎片，完全被毁了！”
大家都震惊得说不出话来。每个人都凝视着灯塔的墙壁。要是有地震的话，对于这座小小的灯塔来说，那将是多么巨大的灾难啊！
“振作起来，安妮！”朱利安一边说一边笑，“今晚不可能会有地震的。法罗斯岛上那座古老的灯塔是古代七大奇迹之一。不，别问我其他的几个奇迹是什么，我这么健忘，肯定记不住！”
“真希望我们能把这盏领航灯点亮，”安妮说，“这么多年以来，它一直光辉灿烂，可现在，它却不亮了，仿佛成了盲人一样，我们可以点亮它吗，阿修，还是说它坏掉了？”
“安妮，如果仅仅因为你感到遗憾，我们就要费尽心力爬到那个灯室把灯点燃，那你就错了。”迪克坚定地说道，“而且，经过经年累月的使用，它肯定已经出故障了。”
“我不认为它出故障了，”阿修反对道，“它从来没有损坏过。”
“我说，我们还是继续玩游戏吧。”朱利安说，“我要提醒一句，到目前为止，每一轮游戏都是我赢了！除非等会儿有人能赢得比赛，否则，我会以为我在和一群傻瓜玩游 戏呢！”
这句话，足以对每个人产生效果，让他们重新拿起牌，他们要狠狠击败朱利安！
“我们会好好玩的，直到把你打得落花流水为止！”迪克说。
但他们没能如愿以偿，这天晚上，没有人能击败朱利安，运气一直眷顾着他。第五场比赛结束时，安妮不禁大声打了个哈欠。
“真对不起！”她说，“我不是觉得无聊，只是这个哈欠太突然了，我来不及阻止它。”
“好吧，我也是哈欠不断，”迪克说，“干脆我们吃点零食，然后就去睡觉吧。下午茶餐时我们吃了那么多，我肚子胀得吃不下另一顿饭了，但是可以吃一两块巧克力饼干之 类的。”
“汪汪！”蒂米立刻响应，欣然同意。淘气包则叽里呱啦说了一通，还拽了拽阿修的袖子。
“好吧，我去给你们拿些饼干。”安妮说。她很快就带着一个托盘回来了，托盘上放着柠檬水、一大块乔安娜做的蛋糕和一大堆巧克力饼干，足够每个人吃的，包括蒂米和淘气包在内。
他们吃得眉飞色舞，吃完饼干后，大家都懒洋洋的，感到舒适又困倦。“现在该去睡觉了！”朱利安说，“女孩们，需要我们帮忙铺床垫和地毯吗？”
“不用了，谢谢，”安妮说，“你们男孩现在就去水箱那儿洗漱吧。”
一刻钟还没过去，每个人都已洗漱完毕，舒适地躺了下来。三个男孩蜷缩在卧室的地毯里，淘气包搂着阿修的脖子。两个女孩和蒂米躺在床垫上，盖上毯子，蒂米躺在乔治身边，不时地用舌头舔她的耳朵。
“亲爱的蒂米！”乔治睡意蒙眬地说道，“我是爱你的，但请将你的舌头收回去！”
很快，他们都进入了梦乡。无论男孩，还是女孩，或是小动物们，都睡着了。塔外，海水舞动着，旋转着，似乎发出轻轻的叹息声，海风如泣如诉，就像海鸥在鸣叫。但是在这座旧灯塔里，一切都安静祥和，甚至连淘气包都沉浸在美梦中。
对孩子们来说，在海鸥的鸣叫声中醒来是多么美妙啊。更令人期待的是，大家一起享用早餐——鸡蛋、涂了黄油的面包和苹果，他们一起大快朵颐着，当然最有趣的是安排一天的行程。
“我提议去购物，再去买一些鸡蛋、新鲜的面包和一两瓶奶油。”安妮说。
“我们应该去找那个汽车司机提到的曾祖父，问他一些有关灯塔的事，比如毁盗王的事情。”迪克建议。
“对，他也许还会带我们去看看毁盗王的老巢，”朱利安说，“我很想去参观一下！安妮和乔治，把接下来要做的清洁工作抓紧完成吧，然后我们一同越过岩石去码头，水马上就退了，所以我们应该可以从岩石上步行过去。”
“但是，我们必须在涨潮之前回来。”阿修接着说，“因为如果我们把船留在灯塔附近，一旦大海淹没了岩石，就会切断我们回来的路，我们就回不来了！”
“说得没错，”朱利安说，“尽快做好准备吧，女孩们。”
女孩们很快就准备好了，于是小伙伴们出发了。趁着退潮，他们走过海湾和灯塔之间的岩石，这些石头真是嶙峋突兀，船如果撞上它们锋利的边缘和石尖，会立刻粉身碎骨。
很快，孩子们就到达了石头海岸。“老爷爷叫什么名字？”迪克皱着眉头问。
“杰里迈亚•大黑。”安妮回答，“还有，他抽一根长长的烟斗，总是皱着眉头看着人们。”
“好吧，应该很容易找到他！”朱利安说，“大家一起来找。他可能就在码头的某个地方。”
“他在那里！”乔治惊呼，她看到一个嘴里叼着烟斗的老人，“那就是杰里迈亚•大黑，我确定！”
是的，双腿伸展着坐在那里的老人正是他。他留着一把漂亮的胡子，戴着一顶游艇帽，眉毛又粗又浓，很难看清下面的眼睛。
五个人走向他，蒂米跟在后面，一路小跑，淘气包则坐在阿修的肩膀上。老人马上发现了淘气包。
“了不起，真了不起，这里有一只猴子！”他说，“以前我出海时，带回了许多小猴子呢。”他打了个响指，喉咙里发出奇怪的声音。淘气包盯着他，安静地聆听着。突然，它从阿修的肩膀上跳到老人身上，蹭着他毛茸茸的耳朵。
“淘气包！”阿修叫着，一脸惊讶，“看呀，乔治，淘气包以前从不主动接近陌生人的。”
“哦，也许我认识它的曾祖父。”老人嘻嘻笑着，挠挠淘气包的脖子，说，“所有猴子都喜欢我，我也喜欢它们。”
“呃，您是杰里迈亚•大黑先生吗？”朱利安问。
“正是我。”老人回答，同时摸了摸他的帽子，“你怎么知道我的名字？”
“嗯，是杰克逊——我们的汽车司机告诉我们的，他说他是您的曾孙。”朱利安说，“您瞧，我们住在那座旧灯塔里。杰克逊说，您会告诉我们一些关于灯塔的传说，它的历史，还有它建成之前，这里出没的毁盗王的故事。”
“哦，我当然可以告诉你们那些传说。”杰里迈亚说完，嘴里吐出一团烟雾，淘气包不禁咳嗽起来，“真正的故事可比我那个幼稚天真的曾孙所知道的复杂多了！他什么都不知道，只了解关于汽车的事情。哎呀，谁想了解汽车啊，那令人作呕又嘈杂的装置，呸！只有幼稚的乔治•杰克逊了解。他那个家伙净会耍些小聪明！”
“他才不是耍小聪明呢，他是我们那个地方最聪明的机械师！”乔治马上反驳，“他对汽车无所不知，无所不晓！”
“汽车！听好了，我说过了，它们是肮脏的、吵闹的、臭烘烘的东西！”杰克逊的曾祖父嗤之以鼻。
“好吧，我们不谈汽车的事了。”朱利安说，“您还是讲讲过去吧，毁盗王和所有的传说！”
“啊，过去呀！”杰里迈亚感叹道，“嗯，我是知道一些毁盗王，有一个叫作单耳比尔，他啊……”接下来，杰里迈亚讲了一个令五个小伙伴难以置信的故事。
Chapter 12 JEREMIAH'S TALE
Chapter 12 JEREMIAH'S TALE
'Now when I was a boy,' began the old man, 'a boy not much older than this here youngster,' and hepoked Tinker with his horny forefinger, 'there wasn't no light-house out there - but there was alwaysthem wicked rocks! And many's the time in a stormy season when ships have been caught by theirteeth, a - glittering there, waiting. You know what they're called, don't you?'
'Yes. Demon's Rocks,' said Tinker.
'Well, up on that high cliff there, lived a wicked old man,' said Jeremiah. 'And he had a son as bad ashimself, and a nephew too. The Three Wreckers, they were called, and I'll tell you how they came bytheir name.'
'Did you know them?' asked Dick.
'That I did! And if I was hidden behind a bush when they came marching by, I'd send a stoneskedaddling after them!' said the old man. 'Mean and cruel and wicked they were. And everyone wasskeered of them, right down afraid! There was One-Ear, the old man. They say his left ear waschewed off by a monkey, but do I blame that monkey? No, I do not, no more than I'd blame yourmonkey for chewing off the ear of somebody else I know - but I won't mention no names, 45he might hear me.'
The old fellow looked over his shoulder as if the man he was thinking of might be about.
'Well - there was One-Ear, the old man - and there was Nosey, the son - and Bart his nephew -and not a pin to choose between them for meanness. There was only one thing they were after -and that was money! And a mighty wicked way they chose to get it.' The old man stopped and spat indisgust on the pavement.
'Pah! I'll tell you how they got rich, oh yes, I'll tell you. And I'll tell you what happened to them in theend too. Be a lesson to you and to everyone! Well now, you see that high cliff away down the coastthere - the one with the flag-post and the flag a - waving in the wind?'
'Yes,' said everyone, looking at the waving flag.
'Now ships mustn't hug the coast beyond that point!' said grandad. 'If they do, they'll be forced inlandby the current, and thrown on them rocks down there - Demon's Rocks. And that's the end of them.
No ship has ever been able to escape the sharp teeth of them wicked rocks, once she's caught in thatcurrent. Well now, to stop the ships going near to the cliff in those days, they flew a flag in the day-time - and lighted a lamp up there at night. And both said as plain as could be ''BEWARE! KEEPOUT! DANGER!'''
'Of course, all sailors knew the flag and the lamp too, and many a one blessed them, and took theirships out to sea, away from Demon's Rocks. But that didn't suit old One-Ear Bill. He didn't mind awreck or two! He'd be down on the beach picking up what he could, if a ship came smashing downon the rocks. And would he save a single soul - not he! There was some people said he was theDemon of Demon's Rocks himself!'
'What a wicked old man!' said Anne horrified.
'Aye, you're right missie,' said the old fellow. 'Well, the wrecks didn't come often enough for him andNosey and Bart. So they put their ugly heads together and thought up as wicked a plan as any mancould think of!'
'What was it?' said Tinker, his eyes almost falling out of his head.
'Well, on a stormy night he put out the lamp a-shining brightly on the far cliff, and he and Noseycarried it to that bit of cliff over yonder, see?' and the old man pointed to a jutting-out piece nearby.
'And you know what's just below that cliff, don't you - all round the light-house!'
'Rocks! Sharp, horrible rocks - the Demon's Rocks!' said George, horrified.
'Do you mean to say that One-Ear Bill and the others deliberately shone the lamp there on 46stormy nights, to guide ships straight on to the rocks?' said Julian.
'Aye, that's what I do mean,' said Jeremiah Boogle. 'And what's more I met old One-Ear Bill meselfone dark night when the storms were on - and what was he carrying between himself and Nosey - thelamp! They'd doused the light, of course, but I'd my own little lantern with me, and I saw the lampplain enough. Aye, that I did! And when they saw me, they set Bart on to me, to push me over thecliff, so that I wouldn't tell on them. But I got away, and I DID tell on 'em!
Ho, yes, I told all right. And One-Ear Bill went to prison, and serve him right, the wicked man.
But he didn't care - and why should he? He was rich! RICH!'
'But how was he rich?' asked Dick.
'Well, young sir, the ships that came sailing round this coast in those days, came from far- offcountries, and many of them carried treasure,' said Jeremiah. 'And One-Ear Bill stole so much goldand silver and pearls and other things from the wrecks that he knew he wouldn't need to do anotherday's work when he came out of prison. A rich man he would be - he wouldn't even need to wreck aship again!'
'But why weren't the stolen goods taken from him?' said Julian.
'He'd hidden them!' said the old man. 'Ah he'd hidden them well, too. Not even Nosey his son, norBart his nephew knew where he'd put them. They were sure he'd got everything hidden in one of thecaves in the cliff - but search as they might, they never found the treasure! They went to prison too,but they came out long afore old One-Ear Bill was due out, - and how they hunted for the gold andsilver, and all that One-Ear had hidden away!'
'Did One-Ear Bill get it when he came out of prison?' asked Dick, thinking this was a much moreexciting story than he had ever read in a book - and a true one too!
'No. No, he didn't get it,' said Jeremiah, puffing out a cloud of smoke. 'And glad I am to say that.
He died in prison, the wicked old man.'
'Well then - what happened to the treasure from the wrecked ships?' asked George. 'Who found it?'
'No one,' said the old man. 'No one at all! It's still there, hidden wherever that old rascal put it.
His secret went with him. Bart looked for it, and Nosey too - ho, I've seen 'em in those caves dayafter day, and with a lamp night after night. But they never found even a pearl necklace. Ho- that was a good joke, that was! They're dead and gone now - but there's relatives of theirs still livingin Demon's Rocks, who could do with a bit of that treasure - poor as church mice they are, 47with two children as skinny as ever you'd see!'
'Doesn't anyone even have an idea where the loot from the wrecked ships is?' asked Julian.
'What about the cave we've been hearing about - the Wreckers' Cave?'
'Oh aye - we've a Wreckers' Cave, all right,' said the old man, knocking out his pipe. 'And I reckonabout five thousand people have been in it, scouting round, looking into holes and corners hoping tofind what Bart and Nosey never did find! Or maybe ten thousand, who knows? I don't mind tellingyou, I've been there meself - but not a smell of a little gold coin did I ever see! I'll take you theremeself some day if you like. But mind - don't you hope to find anything. It's my belief that One-EarBill never did hide his treasure there - he just said it was there to fool Nosey and Bart!'
'We'd love to go and see the Cave,' said Dick, and George nodded her head in delight. 'Not to hunt fortreasure, of course - it's pretty obvious it's not there now - maybe somebody did find it, and took itaway secretly!'
'Maybe,' said Jeremiah. 'All right, young sir - you come and tell me when you're ready. I'm sittinghere most days. And if you've a nice bit of baccy you don't have no use for, you think of me, see?'
'We'll go and buy you some straightaway,' said Julian. He couldn't help laughing. 'What tobacco doyou smoke?'
'Oh you tell Tom the Tobacconist it's for old Jeremiah Boogle - he'll give you what I like,' said theold man. 'And mind now - don't you go snooping round them old caves by yourselves - you might getlost. It's a proper laby - laby...'
'Labyrinth,' said Julian, smiling. 'Right - we'll be careful.'
The Five went off, Timmy glad to be on the move again. He couldn't understand the old man's story,of course, and he wondered why George hadn't taken him for his usual after-breakfast walk. He gavea little whine, and she patted his big head.
'Sorry, Timmy!' she said. 'That old man told such an interesting story that I quite forgot you werelonging for a walk. We'll go for one now.'
'Let's call in at the tobacconist's first, shall we?' said Julian. 'That old chap deserves an extra smokefor his tale. Goodness knows how much was true - but he certainly told it well!'
'Of course it was true!' said George. 'Why ever should he tell lies?'
'Well - he might have to get extra tobacco, you know!' said Julian, smiling. 'I don't blame him!
48
It's a jolly good story - but please don't think there's any treasure still hidden somewhere, George. It'sno use believing that.'
'Well, I do believe it!' said George, defiantly. 'I think he was telling the truth, tobacco or no tobacco.
Don't you, Tinker?'
'Oh yes,' said Tinker. 'You wait till you see the caves round about here! Hoo - there might be anyamount of treasure there, and no one would ever know! I did hunt round a bit myself - but thosecaves are scary, and when I coughed once, my cough came echoing back to me a hundred times and Iwas so scared I ran for my life - and fell splash into a pool!'
Everyone laughed. 'Let's buck up and do our shopping,' said Dick. 'And then what about going for agood long walk?'
'Well, I don't want to carry eggs and bread and milk for miles,' said George. 'I say a walk first -and then we'll come back, have ice-creams, do our shopping - and go back to the light-house.'
'Right!' said Julian. 'Come on, Timmy. We're off for a WALK - a WALK! Ha, that's the word to setyour tail wagging, isn't it? Look at it Mischief. Don't you wish you could wag your tail like that!'
12.远古传说
远古传说
“那时，我还是一个小男孩，”老人开始讲他的故事，“比这个小鬼头还小。”他用粗糙的食指，戳了戳阿修的脸蛋，接着说道：“那时，灯塔还没有建成，那些邪恶的岩石却已经存在了。暴风雨季节，无数路过的船只被岩石的獠牙无情碾碎，就是那些闪着凶光静静等候的岩石。你知道它们的名字，是吧？”
“是的，恶魔之岩。”阿修回答。
“对，在那座高高的悬崖上，生活着一个邪恶的老人，”杰里迈亚说，“他有一个儿子，和他一样邪恶，还有一个同样邪恶的侄子。
他们被人称作‘三个毁盗王’，我会告诉你们这个名字是怎么来的。”
“你认识他们吗？”迪克问道。
“对，我认识！他们劫掠的时候，我就埋伏在他们身后的灌木丛里，我本应该找一块石头砸他们的头，把他们都赶走！”老人说，“他们就是残忍和邪恶的化身，害得人心惶惶，胆战心惊！其中年老的比尔只有一只耳朵，据说他的左耳是被一只猴子咬掉的。我会怪那只猴子吗？不，我不会，我还要感谢它呢。我只会怪猴子咬掉其他人的耳朵，一个我知道的人，但我不会告诉你们他的名字，他可能也听说 过我。”
老人看向他的肩膀，仿佛他提到的那个男人就在旁边。
“好吧，接着说。只有一只耳朵的老家伙，还有大鼻子——他的儿子，以及巴特大傻——他的侄子，这三个人当中，选不出来最坏的，他们都同样邪恶。他们在这世上只追逐一件事，那就是金钱！
而且他们选择了最邪恶的方式来获得财富。”老人突然停下讲述，朝地上厌恶地吐了一口口水。
“呸！我会告诉你们，他们是如何发家致富的，我还会告诉你们他们最后的下场。这是给你们或者说是给所有人的一个警示！那么现在，你们看向那边，沿着海岸线耸立的悬崖，看到那高耸的旗杆和在风中飘扬的旗帜了吗？”
“是的，看到了。”大家看着飞舞的旗帜，齐声说道。
“那是个标记，现在的船只都不能超过那个标记，驶入后面的海岸去！”老人说，“要是越过那个标记，就会被迫驶入内海，然后就会被石头阵缠住，那里埋伏着恶魔的岩石，遇到它们，将会是船只的末日。一旦陷入海里暗流，任何船只都无法从邪恶岩石的獠牙中逃离。因此，为了阻止船只靠近岩石所在的海域，他们在白天升起旗帜，在晚上点亮领航灯。这两个标记都是为了警告船只，如同在说‘当心！回避！前面危险！’”
“当然，所有的水手都知道旗帜和领航灯，愿其中一个能保佑他们，成功将他们的船带离危险的大海，远离恶魔的岩石。但这偏偏不合老家伙单耳比尔的心意。他就想看到船只失事，满是残骸。船只要是被岩石撞碎，他就会来到海滩，捡获尽可能多的东西。他会拯救幸存者吗？显然不可能！有人说，他就是恶魔之岩的恶魔！”
“多么可怕的老头儿！”安妮被吓坏了。
“啊，你说得完全正确，小女孩。”老人说，“我们继续讲，失事的残骸并不能满足单耳比尔、大鼻子和巴特大傻的欲望。因此，他们狼狈为奸，想到了一个任何人都想不到的邪恶计划！”
“是什么？”阿修迫切地问着，期待得眼珠子都要掉出来了。
“嗯，在一个暴风雨肆虐的夜晚，他把领航灯偷了出来，他和大鼻子负责把灯转移，放到另一边的悬崖上，看到了吗？”老人指着附近凸起的一块峭壁，“你们知道那悬崖下方是什么，对吧？灯塔周围全都是！”
“是恶魔岩！锋利、可怕的岩石，恶魔的岩石！”乔治战战兢兢地说。
“您是不是想说，单耳比尔和其他同伙，在暴风雨的夜晚，在高崖上点亮领航灯，故意引导船只撞上岩石？”朱利安问。
“啊，这就是我想说的。”杰里迈亚•大黑说，“我亲眼目睹单耳比尔在一个暴风雨来临的黑夜，和大鼻子两个人搬着什么东西——是那盏领航灯！当然，他们熄灭了灯光，但我提着小灯笼，灯光很亮，我清楚地看到那盏灯。啊！我真的目睹了一切！当他们看到我时，派巴特来对付我，还把我推下了悬崖，这样我就没机会告发他们了。但是，我成功逃跑了，还告发了他们。单耳比尔最终进了监狱，这个邪恶的人终于要遭报应了。但他一点也不害怕，他为什么要害怕？他很有钱，非常富有。”
“但他怎么会富有呢？”迪克问道。
“哎，年轻人啊，我告诉你们，当时在这个海岸航行的船只，都来自遥远的国家，其中许多船只负责运送宝藏。”杰里迈亚说，“单耳比尔从沉船里偷走了那么多金银珠宝和其他的宝物，他知道，当他出狱时，他什么都不需要干就会成为一个富豪，那些宝藏多到已经不需要他再去破坏船 只了！”
“但为什么不从他手中取回赃物呢？”朱利安问。
“他把宝物都藏起来了！”老人说，“他藏得很隐秘。甚至连他儿子大鼻子和他侄子巴特也不知道那些宝物藏在哪里。他们确信，所有宝物都被藏在这些悬崖中的一个洞穴里，但他们都搜遍了，也没有找到宝藏。他们也进了监狱，但他们比单耳比尔早出狱。他们花了很大力气寻找那些金银珠宝——被单耳比尔藏起来的所有宝物！”
“当单耳比尔从监狱出来时，是否取回了宝物呢？”迪克问道，他不禁想，这比他在书本中读到的任何一个故事更令人兴奋，而且，这还是一个真实的故事。
“不，他没能取回它。”杰里迈亚说，吐出一团烟雾，“我很高兴我能这么说——这个邪恶的老人，最后死在了监 狱里。”
“那么，那些失事船只的宝藏最终去了哪里呢？”乔治问道，“有谁找到了吗？”
“没有，”老人说，“没有一个人找到！它仍然在那里，就在那老流氓藏它的地方。这秘密同他一起随风而逝了。巴特、大鼻子也在找它，我看着他们日复一日地进出那些洞穴，夜复一夜地提灯寻找。但直到他们死亡，甚至连串珍珠项链都没找到。哈哈，这真是一个笑话！他们死了，但他们有些亲戚仍然生活在恶魔之岩附近，宝藏对他们来说非常有用，因为他们就跟教堂里的老鼠一样贫穷，他们有两个孩子，那会是你们看过最瘦弱的人！”
“有人知道关于那些宝藏的线索吗？”朱利安问道，“我们听说有个洞穴是毁盗王的老巢。”
“嗯，没错，我们这儿是有一个毁盗王老巢。”老人一边说，一边敲着他的烟斗，“而且我估计，至少有五千人在找它，他们四处搜查，寻找暗洞和角落，希望找到巴特和大鼻子没发现的宝藏。也可能是一万人，谁知道呢？我不介意告诉你们，我也去那里找过宝藏，但我连一枚金币的味道也没有闻到！如果你们愿意，哪天我带你们去。但是你们别期待找到任何东西。我坚信，单耳比尔从来没有把宝藏藏在那里，他这样说，只是为了愚弄大鼻子和巴特。”
“我们还是很想去看洞穴，”迪克说，乔治也雀跃地点点头，“当然不是为了寻找宝藏，很明显它不在那里。或许，有人确实找到了，然后暗中把它拿走了！”
“也许吧，”杰里迈亚说，“好吧，年轻人，当你们准备好的时候就告诉我。我通常就坐在这里。如果你们有一点点好烟，不知道给谁，你们会想到我的，对吗？”
“我们会给您买点好烟。”朱利安说，忍不住笑了起来，“您抽什么烟？”
“你去找烟草商汤姆，就说是老杰里迈亚•大黑要的，他会给你们我喜欢的那种烟草。”老人说，“你们注意了，不要偷偷自己跑去探寻那个洞穴，可能会迷路的，那里是一个完美的迷……迷……”
“迷宫。”朱利安笑着说道，“好的，我们会小心的。”
五个人离开了，蒂米对于能够再次前行，显得很兴奋。当然，它完全无法理解老人的故事，它只想知道，为什么乔治没有像往常一样在早餐后带它散步。它抱怨地叫了一声，而乔治拍了拍它的大脑袋。
“对不起，蒂米！”她说，“那位老人讲了一个有趣的故事，我听得入了迷，都忘记你多么想散步了。现在我们就去散步吧。”
“我们先去拜访烟草商，好吗？”朱利安说，“那位老人凭着他的故事理应得到一些烟草。天知道故事里有多少是真的，但他讲得确实很吸引人！”
“故事当然是真的！”乔治说，“他为什么要说谎？”
“因为他可能想多要一些烟草！”朱利安微笑着回答，“这是一个非常精彩的故事，但不要因此而认为，有任何宝藏还藏在某处，乔治，相信这些没有用。”
“唉，我确实信了！”乔治一脸蔑视地说，“我认为他说的是实话，无论有没有烟草，是不是，阿修？”
“嗯，是的。”阿修说，“等着看吧，那些洞穴里可能有数不尽的宝藏，只是没人找到过。我就探索过一个，但是那些洞穴太可怕了，我咳嗽了一下，洞中立马响起一百次咳嗽的回声！我被吓坏了，拼了命地逃跑，结果跌进了一个水 池中。”
大家大笑起来。“让我们先振作起来，搞定购物的事情吧，”迪克说，“然后再去散步。”
“呃，我可不想带着鸡蛋、面包和牛奶长途跋涉。”乔治说，“我提议先散步，回来后吃些冰激凌，再去购物，最后回到灯塔。”
“对！”朱利安说，“来吧，蒂米，我们要去散步了，哈哈，一听这个词你的尾巴就开始摇了。看看蒂米，淘气包，难道你不希望也能这样摇尾巴吗？”
Chapter 13 A PLEASANT MORNING - AND A SHOCK!
Chapter 13 A PLEASANT MORNING - AND A SHOCK!
'Where shall we go for our walk?' said George, as they wandered through the village. 'Oh look -there's a tiny little shop with Tom the Tobacconist written over the door. Let's get the tobacco whilewe remember.'
So in went Julian, and rapped on the counter. A very small man appeared like a hob-goblin out of adark corner.
'I want some tobacco for Jeremiah Boogle, please,' said Julian. 'I think you know the kind he wants.'
'I do that!' said Tom, scrabbling about on a shelf. 'The amount that old Jeremiah has smoked sinceI've been here would keep a bonfire going for years. There you are, young sir!'
'He tells a fine story,' said Julian, putting down the money for the tobacco.
Tom laughed. 'He's been going on about Bart and Nosey and all them old folk, I suppose,' he 49said. 'He's a queer one, is old Jeremiah. Never forgets a thing, even if it happened eighty or moreyears ago! Never forgives, neither. There's two folk in this village that he spits at when he passes bythem. Naughty old man, he is.'
'What have they done to earn his spite?' asked Dick, in surprise.
'Well, they be some kin of his old enemy, One-Ear Bill,' said Tom. 'I reckon he told you about him allright, didn't he?'
'Yes, he did,' said Julian. 'But all that business about the wrecking happened years and years ago!
Surely Jeremiah doesn't visit his anger on any descendants of the wicked One-Ear Bill!'
'Oh, but he do!' said Tom. 'You see, these two fellows he spits at have the job of showing peopleround the caves here - especially the Wreckers' Cave - and I reckon old Jeremiah still broods aboutOne-Ear's hidden treasure, and is scared in case these two chaps ever find it. Find it! It's nigh onseventy years since all that happened. Why, that light-house yonder was built over sixty years ago -after that wrecking business went on. No one will come across any treasure now!'
'But surely they might,' said George. 'It depends where it was hidden. If it was in some dry, watertightplace, it should still be all right. After all, gold and silver don't decay, do they?
Wherever it was hidden, it must still be there!'
'That's what all you visitors say!' said Tom. 'And that's what Ebenezer and Jacob say - they're the twochaps who show people round the caves. But they only say that to make a bit of a thrill for thevisitors, you know. Same as old Jeremiah does. Takes them in properly! Well - you believe what youlike, youngsters - but you won't find any treasure! I reckon the sea took that years ago! Good-day toyou! I'll give Jeremiah the baccy when he calls in.'
'Well,' said Dick, as soon as they were outside the shop, 'this is all very interesting! I think probablyold Tom's right. The reason why the treasure was never found is because it was probably hiddenwhere the sea managed to get at it - in some water-hole, or somewhere like that.'
'I still believe it's somewhere safe,' said George. 'So does Tinker.'
'Oh well... I should think probably Timmy believes it as well,' said Dick. 'He has a child-like mindtoo!'
Dick at once received a hard punch on the back from George. He laughed. 'All right! We'll give you achance to hunt for the treasure, won't we, Ju? We'll visit the Wreckers' Cave as soon as we can. Let'sgo up on the cliffs for our walk, and see if we can spot where the first old lamp used 50to be, that warned ships to swing out to sea, and avoid Demon's Rocks.'
It was a lovely walk along the cliffs. The celandines and tiny dog violets were out, and clumps of paleyellow primroses were everywhere. The breeze blew strongly, and Mischief held tightly to Tinker'sright ear, afraid of' being blown off his shoulder. Timmy enjoyed himself thoroughly, boundingalong, tail flourishing happily, sniffing at everything.
They came to the flag-post set high on the cliff, its great red flag waving vigorously in the breeze. Anotice-board was beside it. George read it.
'This flag warns ships off Demon's Rocks by day. By night the great light-house at High Cliffs, fartheralong the coast, gives warning. In the old days a lamp shone from this spot to give the ships warning,and later a small light-house was built out on Demon's Rocks. It is still in existence, but is no longerin use.'
'Ha - they're wrong there!' said Tinker, pointing to the last sentence. 'We're using it! I'll alter thenotice!' and Tinker actually took a pencil to scratch out the last six words!
Julian took it from him. 'Don't be an ass. You can't mess about with public notices. Don't say you'reone of the fatheads who like to scribble all over the place!'
Tinker held out his hand for the pencil. 'All right. It was just that I thought it wanted correcting.
I'm not the kind of idiot who scribbles on walls or public notices.'
'Right,' said Julian. 'Tinker, can we see Demon's Rocks - the rocks themselves, I mean, with our light-house - from these cliffs.'
'No,' said Tinker. 'The cliff swings away to the left, look, and the Demon's Rocks are away rightround the corner, if you see what I mean - so no ship should follow the coastline here, but shouldkeep well out at sea, or it'd be on the rocks. You can quite well see that if the wreckers took the lampfrom its warning-place here, and put it much farther back, along the way we've come, the ships wouldswing too far inland, and find themselves wrecked.'
'I think I should have hated old One-Ear Bill as much as old Jeremiah does,' said George, imaginingthe beautiful ships being ground to pieces all those years ago - just because of a greedy man wholiked the pickings from wrecks!
'Well, we'd better go back,' said Julian, looking at his watch. 'We've some shopping to do, remember!
Better buck up too - it looks like rain all of a sudden!'
He was right. It was pouring by the time they reached the village! They crowded into a little shop thatsaid 'Morning Coffee' and ordered a cup each, and buns. The buns were so nice that 51they bought some to take back to the light-house with them. Then Anne remembered post-cards.
'We must buy some,' she said, 'and send one off today. Better get some now, and write one and post itwhile we're here.'
Dick slipped out of the coffee-shop and returned with a packet of very gaudily coloured cards.
'Some of them show the light-house,' he said. 'We'll send one of those - and you choose a card to sendto your father too, Tinker.'
'It would be a waste,' said Tinker. 'He wouldn't even bother to read it.'
'Well, send one to your mother,' said Anne.
'I haven't one,' said Tinker. 'She's dead. She died when I was born. That's why my father and I alwaysgo about together.'
'I'm very, very sorry, Tinker,' said Anne, shocked. The others were sorry too. No wonder Tinkerhadn't very good manners, and was all on his own. No mother to teach him anything! Poor Tinker!
Anne felt as if she wanted to buy him every bun in the shop!
'Have another bun, Tinker,' she said. 'Or an ice-cream. I'll pay. Mischief can have one too.'
'We're all going to have another bun each, and an ice-cream,' said Julian. 'Timmy and Mischief too.
Then we'll do our shopping and go home - home to the light-house. That sounds grand, doesn't it!'
They wrote three cards - one to Mr. and Mrs. Kirrin - one to Joanna - and one to the Professor.
'Now they'll know we are safe and happy!' said Anne, sticking on the stamps.
The rain had stopped, so they went to do their shopping - fresh bread, more butter and eggs, twobottles of milk, some fruit and a few other things. Then off they went down to the little jetty.
'Tide will soon turn,' said Julian, as they jumped down from the jetty to the rocky little beach.
'Come on - we'll just have time to walk over the rocks to the light-house. PLEASE don't drop theeggs, Tinker!'
They made their way over the rocks, jumping over little pools here and there and avoiding the slimystrands of seaweed that in places covered the rocks. The light-house seemed very tall as they came upto it.
'It's tiny compared to the great new one away at High Cliff,' said Tinker. 'You ought to go over that!
The revolving lamp at the top is magnificent! Its light is so powerful that ships can see it for miles!'
'Well, this little light-house looks nice enough to me at the moment,' said Dick, climbing up the 52stone steps to the strong wooden door. 'Hallo! Look - two bottles of milk at the top step! Don't tell methe milkman's been!'
'He used to call when my father and I were here,' said Tinker. 'Only when the tide was out in themorning though, because he hasn't a boat. I suppose he heard we were all staying here, and came tosee if we wanted milk - and left two bottles when he found we were out. He probably yelled throughthe letter-box and when we didn't answer he just left the milk, on chance.'
'Sensible fellow!' said Dick. 'Get out your key, Tinker, and unlock the door.'
'I don't remember locking it behind us when we went out this morning,' said Tinker, feelingfrantically in all his pockets. 'I must have left it in the lock on the inside of the door. Let's see now -we locked the door last night, and left the key in the lock. So I must have unlocked it this morning forus all to go out.'
'That's right - but after you unlocked it you ran straight down the steps with George, and the rest of usfollowed,' said Julian. 'Anne was last. Did you lock the door after you, Anne?'
'No. I never thought of it!' said Anne. 'I just shut the door with a bang and raced after you all! So thekey must still be on the other side of the door!'
'Well, if we push the door, it should open!' said Julian, with a grin. 'And the key will be on the inside,waiting for us! Let's go in!'
He pushed hard, for the door shut very tightly - and sure enough, it swung open. Julian put his handround to the inside lock to feel for the key.
It wasn't there! Julian looked at the others, frowning.
'Someone's been here - and found the door unlocked - taken the key - and probably plenty of otherthings as well!' he said. 'We'd better go and look. Come on!'
'Wait - there's something on the door-mat,' said Dick, picking up a letter. 'The postman has visited thelight-house too - here's a letter forwarded from Kirrin - so at least two people came while we wereout! But surely neither of them would take the key - or anything else either!'
'Well - we'll soon see!' said Julian, grimly, and up the first bend of the spiral stairway he went, at topspeed!
13.晴天霹雳
晴天霹雳
他们一行人在村子里徘徊。“我们去哪里散步好呢？”乔治向大家询问意见。这时，乔治指着前方，说：“哦，快看呀，那儿有家小商店，门上写着汤姆烟草店，趁我们还记得这事的时候，赶快进去买点烟草吧。”
朱利安先走进烟草店，一行人跟在他身后。朱利安敲了敲柜台，一个男人出现了，男人的身材格外矮小，好像黑暗角落里出没的哥布林 妖怪。
“我想买一些烟草，送给杰里迈亚•大黑，”朱利安说，“您肯定知道他平时喜欢抽哪种烟。”
“我当然知道！”汤姆说完，便开始在货架上翻腾起来，“自打我来到这个村子，杰里迈亚就开始抽烟了，他是个老烟枪，他抽过的烟要是换成柴火，可以燃烧数百年了。这个给你，年轻的先生！”
“他讲的故事您听过吗？可精彩了。”朱利安说完，付了烟草的钱。
汤姆笑了，说：“我猜，他又开始谈论那些传说了，巴特啊，大鼻子啊，那些旧人物。”停顿了一下，他又补充说：“那个老杰里迈亚是一个奇怪的人，他非常记仇，一件小事也不会忘记，即使那件事发生在八十年或更久以前，他也会对那些人充满厌恶，永远不会原谅他们。这个村子里，就有两个这样的人，他一旦遇上，就朝他们吐口水。他真是个顽皮的老头儿！”
“那两个人到底做了什么，招致了他的厌恶？”迪克惊讶地问道。
“哎呀，他们是他的老仇人——单耳比尔的亲戚。”汤姆说，“我猜，他应该已经告诉过你们关于单耳比尔的事了，是不是？”
“是的，他告诉我们了。”朱利安说，“但是毁盗王作恶的事情是很久以前发生的，我认为，杰里迈亚不应该对别人发泄愤怒，那些人毕竟不是邪恶的单耳比尔，只是他的后 代呀！”
“哦，但他还是这么做了！”汤姆说，“你有所不知，他嗤之以鼻的那两个家伙，总是把外地游客带到这附近的洞穴寻宝，尤其喜欢去毁盗王的老巢。我推测，老杰里迈亚对单耳比尔隐藏宝藏的事情感到不满，并且他也害怕那两个人真的会找到宝藏。藏宝的事情发生在七十年前，那座灯塔是在六十多年前建的，那时毁盗王已经被抓了，所以现在没有人能找到宝藏了。”
“我猜总有人能找到吧，”乔治说，“这取决于毁盗王是否把宝物藏在了安全的地方。如果宝物藏在一个干燥、防水的地方，它就应该还在。毕竟黄金和白银是不会腐烂的，不是吗？无论它藏在何处，一定还在那里！”
“所有的游客都是这么说的！”汤姆说，“这也是埃比尼泽和雅各布的原话——就是那两个带人们去洞穴寻宝的家伙。但他们强调，自己只是带游客寻刺激，和老杰里迈亚一样带游客玩而已！嗯，年轻人啊，你想相信哪个人就找哪个人吧，但你们不会找到任何宝藏的！我估计，很多年前的某一天，大海就把宝物卷走了。祝你们好运！告诉老杰里迈亚，要是需要烟草就打电话给我。”
“好的。”迪克说完，一行人离开了烟草店。迪克接着感叹道：“这一切真有趣！我想，汤姆的话可能是对的，之所以没人找到宝藏，是因为它藏在大海深处的海底洞穴或类似的地方，反正是某个人类无法到达的位置。”
“我倒认为，它是藏在了某个安全的地方。”乔治说，“阿修也这么认为。”
“哦，好吧……我猜，蒂米也相信这说法，”迪克说，“毕竟，你们的智商都一样！”
这句调侃一出，迪克立刻就领教到了乔治的拳头。他大笑道：“好吧！我们会满足你们寻找宝藏的心愿，是不是，朱利安？现在，让我们步行爬上悬崖，尽快前往毁盗王老巢探险。我们先看看，能否找到第一盏旧灯所在的位置，就是最初用来警告船只远离危海、避开恶魔之岩的旧灯原址。”
一行人开始往悬崖方向出发，一路上风景怡人。路边盛开着白屈菜和迷你紫罗兰，还有淡黄色的报春花。微风吹拂，淘气包不得不紧紧抓住阿修的右耳，害怕被风从他的肩膀上吹走。蒂米则非常享受，蹦蹦跳跳，兴高采烈地摇着尾巴，每一个角落都要去闻一闻。
他们来到悬崖边，悬崖上竖立着高高的旗杆，巨大的红色旗帜十分醒目，正迎风飘扬，旁边有一张告示牌。乔治读了起来：“白天，这面旗帜用来警告船只远离恶魔之岩。晚上，高崖上那座巨型灯塔会亮灯，向船只提出警告。过去，这面旗帜所在的位置还会安置一盏灯照明，为过往船只领航，后来，在恶魔岩附近建了一座小一点的灯塔，由它负责警告，旧灯塔虽然存在，但已不再使用。”
“哈哈，那他们就错了！”阿修指着最后一句说，“我们现在就在使用它。我来改一下这个公告！”说完，阿修就拿出一支铅笔，去掉了最后六个字！
朱利安从阿修手中拿走铅笔，说道：“别傻了，不能乱改公告的，难道你是那种在公共场合乱涂乱画的傻瓜吗？”
阿修伸出手拿回铅笔，说：“好吧，我只是认为它需要修改。我才不是那种在墙上或公告栏上乱涂乱画的傻瓜呢。”
“这才对嘛。”朱利安说，“阿修，从这座悬崖往下看，我们能看到恶魔之岩吗？我指的是，那些围绕着灯塔的 石头。”
“看不见。”阿修说，“看，悬崖的走向是偏左的，而那些恶魔之岩密布在拐角右侧，你听懂了吗？所以没有船能沿着这条海岸线笔直地航行，否则就会撞上岩石，但只要远离海岸就能顺利航行。想象一下，毁盗王从这个警告点取走灯，沿着我们前进的方向把它放到远一点的位置，那些可怜的船就会靠近海岸，‘咣当’被撞沉了。”
“我想，我要是目睹了这样邪恶的事情，就会像杰里迈亚一样，恨死单耳比尔的。”乔治说，她不禁想到，多年前那么多壮丽的船只粉身碎骨的样子，仅仅只是因为一个贪婪的恶魔想要掠夺船上的宝物而造成的！
“呃，我们最好还是回去吧。”朱利安看了看手表，说道，“别忘了，还要买一些东西！我们最好赶快去买，这天色不妙，随时会下暴雨。”
朱利安是对的。当他们到达村庄时，雨便倾盆而下。他们不得不挤进一家名为“晨间咖啡”的小店，每人点了一杯咖啡，还买了几块面包。面包味道非常好，他们还打包了一些，准备带回灯塔。这时，安妮想起了明信片的事。
“我们得买一些明信片。”她说，“今天必须要寄一张，现在最好就去买，然后趁我们还在村里，赶快写好一张，找个邮局寄出去。”
迪克从咖啡店里麻利地溜了出去，很快就回来了，还带着一包色彩鲜艳的明信片。“其中一些印着灯塔，”他说，“我们会挑一张寄给范妮婶婶。你也选一张寄给你爸爸吧，阿修。”
“那纯粹是一种浪费，”阿修说，“他一个字都懒得读。”
“好吧，那给你妈妈寄一张，怎么样？”安妮说。
“我没有妈妈，”阿修说，“她死了，她在我出生时就去世了。这就是为什么我总是和爸爸在一起。”
“哦，我感到非常遗憾，阿修。”安妮震惊地说。其他人的神情也很黯然。难怪阿修举止调皮乖戾，因为他是在没有妈妈的教导下自己长大的。可怜的阿修！为了安慰他，安妮真想把店里所有的面包都买下来。
“还要面包吗，阿修？”她说，“或者冰激凌怎么样？我来付钱。
再买一个给淘气包。”
“我们每个人都再吃一个面包和一个冰激凌吧。”朱利安说，“蒂米和淘气包也有份。然后，我们就去买东西，再回灯塔去，这建议没人会反对吧！”
他们分别写了三张明信片，一张给昆廷叔叔和范妮婶婶，一张给乔安娜，还有一张给海林教授。“他们收到后就放心啦，知道我们不仅安全，还非常开心！”安妮说着给明信片粘上邮票。
这时雨已经停了，他们就去大采购了，买了新鲜的面包、黄油、鸡蛋、两瓶牛奶、一些水果和其他一些小玩意，然后回到码头。
“很快，又会涨潮了。”朱利安说。一行人从码头上跳了下来，步行通过布满岩石的海滩。朱利安接着说：“来吧，我们只有一点时间，走过这些岩石回到灯塔。别掉队，阿修！”
他们一路越过岩石，跳过水坑，小心地避开那些粘在岩石上的黏糊糊的海藻。当他们走近灯塔时，它还是那副巍峨高大的样子。
“与高崖上的灯塔相比，它看上去真小啊。”阿修说，“你们应该去参观新灯塔，塔顶上的灯是旋转的，可厉害了！它的光线强劲，船只在数英里以外都能看得到！”
“哎呀，眼前这座小灯塔对我来说已经够了不起了。”迪克说完，爬上石阶，向坚固的木门走去，“看，前面有两瓶牛奶！该不会这里还有送奶工吧！”
“真有送奶工，以前我爸爸和我在这里时，他常常过来。”阿修说，“不过只有在早晨潮水退去的时候他才来，因为他没有船。我想他可能听说我们这些人住在这里，所以过来看看我们需不需要牛奶，当他发现我们出门不在家时，就给我们留下了两瓶。他可能在信箱前大喊大叫，没有听到我们回答，就留下牛奶离开了。”
“聪明的家伙！”迪克说，“把钥匙拿出来吧，阿修，然后打开门。”
“我不记得今天早上外出时，是否把门锁上了。”阿修说，在口袋里疯狂翻腾着寻找钥匙，“我一定是把钥匙忘在门里边的锁上了，让我想想，昨晚，我锁上了门，把钥匙留在锁孔里。所以，今天早上我必须开锁，放我们所有人 出去。”
“对的，但开锁之后，你跟乔治一起直奔台阶，其余的人都跟在后面，”朱利安说，“安妮是最后一个。安妮，你把门锁上了吗？”
“没有。我根本没想过这事！”安妮说，“我只是‘砰’地把门关上，然后，我就跟着你们跑了，所以钥匙必然还插在里边的门锁上！”
“好吧，如果我们用力推，门应该可以打开。”朱利安说完，咧嘴笑笑，“钥匙应该插在门后，等着我们回来！我们进去吧！”
他猛地推了推紧闭的大门，果然，门缓缓打开了。朱利安伸出手，往门后的锁上一阵摸索，寻找钥匙的踪迹。
钥匙不在这里！朱利安皱着眉头，看着其他人。“有人来过这里，发现门没锁，他取走了钥匙，可能还取走了其他东西！”他说，“我们最好赶紧进去看看。来吧！”
“等等，门垫上有个东西，”迪克说，拿起一封信，“邮递员也来过灯塔，这是一封来自科林家的信，所以至少有两个人在我们出去的时候来过这里，但显然他们不可能拿走钥匙或者其他东西。”
“好吧，我们很快就会知道真相了！”朱利安冷静地说完，然后以最快的速度冲上了螺旋形楼梯！
Chapter 14 THE OLD, OLD MAP
Chapter 14 THE OLD, OLD MAP
Julian and Dick went into each room of the light-house, racing up the spiral stairway from one to theother. Why, oh why hadn't they watched to see that Tinker locked the door and took the key!
Yes - a few things had been taken! 'My rug!' said George. 'That's gone!'
'And my purse,' said Anne. 'I left it here on the table. That's been taken, too!'
'So has my little travelling clock,' groaned Julian. 'Why did I bring it? I could have used my watch!'
There were a few other things gone, all small. 'Horrible fellow, whoever he is, to creep into the light-house while we were out and take our things!' said Anne, almost crying. 'Who would come here -they would surely be seen from the quay, wouldn't they?'
'Yes - you're right there,' said Julian. 'Though probably the thief slipped in when it was pouring withrain, and the quay was deserted! I think we'll have to tell the police, you know. Let's have our dinner,and then I'll take the boat and slip across to the village. The tide will be in then, and I shan't be able towalk over the rocks. Blow that thief! I was looking forward to a nice quiet read this afternoon!'
After their meal, Julian took the boat and rowed across to the jetty. He went straight to the police-station, where a stolid-looking policeman listened to him, and wrote slowly in a book.
'Have you any idea, sir, who the thief might be?' asked the policeman. 'Or if anyone came to the light-house while you were out?'
'Well, two people seem to have come,' said Julian. 'The milkman, because we were surprised to findmilk-bottles on the steps. And the postman. There was a letter for us on the mat inside the door. Idon't know of anyone else.'
'Well, as far as I can tell you, both Willy the Milkman, and Postie, are as honest as the day,' said thepoliceman, scratching his chin with his pencil. 'There may have been a third visitor - one who didn'tleave milk or a letter! I'll see if anyone was on the quay this morning, who saw the thief going overthe Demon's Rocks. Er - do you suspect anyone, sir?'
'Good gracious, no!' said Julian. 'I don't know anyone here - unless you can count Jeremiah Boogle,or Tom the Tobacconist!'
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'No. No, sir, I think we can rule both of them out,' said the policeman, smiling. 'Well, I'll do what Ican, and let you know if I hear of anything. Good afternoon, sir - and by the way, as you can't lockthat light-house door now, and it's plain there are thieves about, I shouldn't leave the light-houseempty, see?'
'Yes. Yes, I'd already thought of that,' said Julian. 'I can jam the door all right with something whenwe're in the light-house - but I can't do that when we're out.'
'Well - it looks as if we're in for a wet spell,' said the policeman. 'So maybe it won't be much hardshipto keep indoors. I hope you're comfortable in the light-house - seems a funny place to stay, really.'
'Oh we're very comfortable, Constable,' said Julian, smiling. 'Why not pay us a call sometime, andsee us?'
'Thanks, sir,' said the policeman, and took Julian to the door.
The constable was right in forecasting a wet spell. It poured all that afternoon, and the little companyin the light-house whiled away the time playing cards. Julian and Dick had managed to find a heavypiece of wood in the store-room to jam the door from the inside. They all felt much safer when theyknew that had been done! Now no one could get in without making a terrific noise!
'I'm stiff,' said George, at last. 'I want to stretch my legs. I've a good mind to run up and down thestairway half a dozen times.'
'Well, go on, then,' said Dick. 'Nobody's stopping you!'
'How far down does the light-house go, Tinker?' asked George. 'We always scoot up the first bit ofthe spiral stairway and never think about the light-house foundations deep down in the rock.
Are they deep down?'
'Oh, they are,' said Tinker, looking up from his book. 'My father told me that when the lighthouse wasbuilt, they drilled right down into the rock for a long way - made a kind of shaft. And he said thatunder these rocks there are all kinds of queer holes and tunnels - the drill kept shooting downwardswhen it came to a sudden space.'
'Really?' said Dick interested. 'I hadn't thought of what would have to be done to make a high light-house safe from the gales and storms. It would have to have deep foundations, of course!'
'My father found an old map somewhere,' said Tinker. 'A sort of plan made when the lighthouse wasfirst built.'
55
'Like architects draw when they plan how to build a house?' said Anne.
'Yes. Something like that,' said Tinker. 'I can't remember much about it. I know it showed all therooms in the light-house, connected by the spiral stairway - and it showed the big lamp-room at thetop - and at the bottom of the map the foundation shaft was drawn.'
'Can you go down the shaft?' asked Dick. 'Is there a ladder, or anything?'
'I don't know,' said Tinker. 'I've never been down there. I never thought about it!'
'Do you know where the old map is - the one made by the architect who drew up plans for the light-house builder to follow?' said Julian. 'Where did your father put it?'
'Oh, I expect he threw it away,' said Tinker. 'Wait a minute though - it may be in the lamp-room! Iremember him taking it up there, because it had a drawing of how the lamp worked.'
'Well, I'd rather like to go and see if I can find it,' said Julian, interested. 'Come up with me, Tinker.
Thank goodness you don't keep turning into some sort of car now - you must be growing up!'
So the two of them went up the spiral stairway to the lamp-room at the very top of the tower.
Again Julian marvelled at the magnificent views all around. The rain had stopped for a time, and thesea, swept by strong winds, was a swirling tumult of angry waters.
Tinker scrabbled about in a little dark space under the lamp. He at last brought up a roll of somethingwhite and waved it at Julian. 'Here's the map. I thought it would be in the lamp-room.'
Julian took it down to the others, and they spread it out. It showed the plan of the light-house, andwas very clearly and beautifully drawn.
'How is it that architects draw so marvellously?' said George. 'Are they architects because they can dothis kind of thing so well - or do they draw beautifully because they are architects?'
'A bit of both, probably,' said Julian, bending over the finely- drawn plan. 'Ah - here are thefoundations, look - my word, they do go down a long way into the rock!'
'Great tall buildings like this always have deep, strong foundations,' said Dick. 'Last term at schoolwe studied how...'
'Let's not talk of school,' said Anne. 'It's already looming in the distance! Tinker - can anyone getdown into this foundation place?'
'I told you - I don't know,' said Tinker. 'Anyway I should think it would be a horrible place downthere - dark and smelly, and narrow, and...'
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'Let's go and see,' said George, getting up. 'I'm so bored at the moment that if I don't do something,I'll fall asleep for a hundred years.'
'Ass,' said Dick. 'Still - quite a good idea of yours. We'd have a bit of peace while you were sleeping!
Oooooch - don't jab me like that, George!'
'Come on,' said George. 'Let's trot down and find out what's down the shaft.'
Anne didn't want to go down the shaft, but the others ran down the stairway, Timmy too, and sooncame to the bottom, opposite the entrance door of the light-house.
Tinker showed them a large round trap-door in the floor there. 'If we open that, we'll be looking downinto the foundation shaft,' he said.
So they pulled up the large round wooden trap-door, and gazed downwards. They could see nothingat all except darkness! 'Where's my torch?' said Julian. 'I'll fetch it!'
Soon his torch was lighting up the round shaft, and they saw an iron ladder going down it on oneside. Julian climbed down a few steps and examined the walls of the shaft.
'They're cement!' he called. 'And they must be enormously thick, I should think. I'm going on down.'
So down he went, and down, marvelling at the sturdy cement lining of the enormous shaft. Hewondered why it had not been filled in. Perhaps a hollow cement-lined shaft was stronger than afilled-in one? He didn't know.
He came almost to the bottom - but he didn't go down the last steps of the iron ladder. A peculiarnoise came from below him! A gurgling, choking noise! What in the world could it be?
He shone his torch down to see - and then stared in amazement! There was water at the bottom of theshaft, water that swirled and moved around, making a strange hollow, gurgling noise.
Where did it come from?
As he watched it, it disappeared - then it came back again! He shone his torch here and there to findout how the water made its way into the shaft.
'There must be a tunnel or a passage of some sort down there, that the sea can enter!' he thought.
'It's high tide now - so the water is swirling in. I wonder - now I wonder - if it's free of water whenthe tide is out! And if so where does that tunnel, or whatever it is, lead to? Or is it always underwater? I'll go back and tell the others - and have another look at that old map!'
He climbed back, glad to be out of the smelly darkness of the old shaft. The others were at the top,looking down rather anxiously.
57
'Here he is!' said George. 'See anything interesting, Julian?'
'I did, rather,' said Julian, climbing out of the shaft. 'Got that old map with you? I want to look atsomething if so.'
'Come upstairs, then,' said Dick. 'We can see better there. What was down there, Ju?'
'Wait till we're up in the living-room,' said Julian. He took the map from Tinker as soon as he arrivedthere, and sat down to look at it. He ran his finger down the shaft to the bottom, and then jabbed at around mark drawn there.
'See that? That's a hole at the bottom of the shaft, through which sea-water is coming. It's high tidenow, so the water is seeping into the shaft - but it's only about a foot deep. At low tide there wouldn'tbe a single drop coming in. Wouldn't I love to know where that water-tunnel went to -up to the surface of the rocks? Through them to somewhere a good way off? Or what!'
'An undersea tunnel!' said George, her eyes bright. 'Why don't we explore it sometime when the tideis out?'
'Well - we'd have to be pretty certain we wouldn't suddenly be drowned!' said Julian, rolling up themap. 'Very interesting, isn't it? I suppose the hole was left in case the constant push of water there,when the tide was in, might undermine the foundation. Better to have the shaft half full of water thaneaten away by constant tides!'
'Well,' began Anne, and then suddenly stopped in fright. A stentorian voice came up the stairway, andmade everyone jump violently.
'ANYONE AT HOME? HEY, ANYONE AT HOME?'
14.按图索骥
按图索骥
朱利安和迪克检查了灯塔的每个房间，两个人在螺旋形楼梯上爬上爬下，心中很懊恼，为什么当时他们不检查一下阿修是否锁门，拿走钥匙呢？
没错，一小部分东西已经被拿走了！
“我的地毯！”乔治说，“它不见了！”
“还有我的钱包，”安妮说，“我把它放在桌子上，也被偷了！”
“还有我的小旅行钟，”朱利安叹息着，说：“我为什么要带上它呢？我原本有手表就够了！”
“还有一些东西没了踪影，都是些小玩意。可怕的家伙，居然趁着我们外出的时候，闯进来，偷走属于我们的东西！”安妮几乎要哭了，“会是谁来了这里呢，我们在码头的时候，本可以发现他们的，不是吗？”
“是的，你说的完全正确。”朱利安说，“可能是下暴雨的时候，码头上空无一人，小偷趁机溜了进来。我想，我们应该报警。先吃晚餐吧，然后我驾船到村里去，现在已经涨潮了，我没办法从岩石上走过去了。我要诅咒那个小偷，本来还打算这个下午安静地读一会儿书的。”
晚餐过后，朱利安立刻驾船来到码头。他径直前往警察局，一个看上去笨笨的警察接待了他，他听着朱利安的讲述，在一本小册子上不紧不慢地做着笔录。
“你有什么想法，先生，谁可能是小偷？”警察问，“或者说，有谁在你们外出时来过灯塔？”
“嗯，好像有两个人来过。”朱利安说，“有一个是送奶工，因为我们惊讶地发现台阶上多了两瓶牛奶。另一个是邮递员，门后的垫子上放着一封信，是寄给我们的。是否还有其他人来过那我就不知道了。”
“好吧，到目前为止，我只能告诉你，送奶工威利和邮递员都是天底下最诚实的人。”警察说，用铅笔挠挠下巴，“可能还有第三位访客，一个既没有留下牛奶，也没有留下信件的人。我会调查今天早上经过码头的人，也许他们碰巧看到那个越过恶魔之岩的小偷。
呃，你有怀疑的人吗，先生？”
“当然没有！”朱利安说，“我们不认识这里的任何人，除了杰里迈亚•大黑，或者烟草商汤姆！”
“不，先生，我想也可以把他们都排除在外。”警察笑着说：“好吧，我会尽我所能查明真相，得到任何消息都会立刻告诉你们的。
顺便说一句，因为你们现在无法反锁灯塔的房门，而附近又有盗贼，所以你们不能一起出门，让灯塔无人看守，知道吗？”
“是的，我已经想到了。”朱利安说，“我们在灯塔时可以用一些东西堵住门，但是当我们出去的时候就不好办了。”
“好吧，看来你们被困住了。”警察说，“也许，你们应该一直待在室内。我希望你们在灯塔里感到舒适自如，这是一个有趣的住宿地点，我是说真的。”
“我们非常自在，警官，”朱利安微笑着说，“有空可以给我们打个电话，然后来我们的灯塔玩一下。”
“谢谢你啦，我会来的，先生。”警察说完，把朱利安送出门口。
警察的预测真准，大家真的被困住了。整个下午都在不停地下雨，小伙伴们被困在灯塔里，靠玩纸牌消磨时间。朱利安和迪克设法在储藏室里找到了一块沉重的木头，从塔里堵住门。当木头把门堵上时，每个人终于感到安全一点了。现在没有人能在不发出巨大噪声的情况下，自由进入了！
“我坐得身体都僵了，”终于，乔治忍不住了，说，“我想伸展一下双腿。我有个好主意，在螺旋形楼梯上来回跑上六次，你们觉得怎么样？”
“好吧，快去吧，加油，”迪克说，“没有人会阻止你的！”
“灯塔朝地下延伸多远，阿修？”乔治问道，“我们总是在螺旋形楼梯上方跑来跑去，却从不下到灯塔的基底去，我说的是深入岩石的那部分楼梯。它们一直延伸到地底吗？”
“哦，是的。”本来在埋头看书的阿修，抬起头说，“我爸爸曾告诉我，建造灯塔的时候，工人们一直钻，一直钻，钻到岩石深层，钻出一条空心的竖井。他还说，在这些岩石内部，本身就存在着各种各样、奇形怪状的洞和隧道。”
“真的吗？”迪克很感兴趣，他说，“我不知道，要在狂风暴雨中保护这座高大的灯塔，到底需要怎么建造？它必须有很深的根基才对！”
“我爸爸曾经在塔里某个地方找到过一张旧地图，”阿修说，“上面是灯塔刚落成时的布局规划。”
“就像建筑师建造房屋之前画的设计图一样吗？”安妮问道。
“是，就是类似那样的东西。”阿修回答，“我记不太清楚了。我只知道它上面画有灯塔所有的房间，房间通过螺旋形楼梯互相连接，还画了塔顶的大灯室，并且在地图底部，绘制了基座的竖井。”
“能沿着竖井走下去吗？”迪克问道，“有没有梯子之类的东西？”
“我不知道。”阿修说，“我从未去过那里，也从没想过要到那里去！”
“你知道那张旧地图放在哪里吗，那张建筑师为灯塔建造者制作的规划图？”朱利安问，“你爸爸把它放在哪 里了？”
“哦，我猜他把它扔掉了。”阿修说，“等一下，它可能存放在灯室里！我记得爸爸把它拿到那里研究了一阵子，因为它描绘了领航灯的工作原理。”
“好吧，我去看看能不能找到它，”朱利安说，“跟我来吧，阿修。谢天谢地，我发现，最近你不再动辄变成某辆车了，你长大啦！”
两个人顺着螺旋形楼梯而上，来到了塔顶的灯室。朱利安再一次惊叹于四周波澜壮阔的景色。雨已经停了一段时间，海浪被狂风席卷而来，漩涡滚滚，怒海翻腾。
灯座底下，有一片黑得伸手不见五指的区域，阿修在这一块四处翻找着。终于，他拿起一卷白色的卷轴，向朱利安挥了挥手，说：“找到地图了，我就知道它会在灯室里。”
朱利安把它拿到楼下给其他人看。他们把地图展开铺平，上面显示了灯塔的布局规划，清晰明了，精美万分。
“建筑师怎么能画得如此精确？”乔治感叹道，“就因为他们画得如此漂亮，才当上了建筑师，还是说因为他们是建筑师，所以才能画得如此漂亮？”
“可能两者兼而有之。”朱利安说着弯下腰来，仔细审视这精心规划的设计图，“看起来，这是地基，哎呀，地基确实深入到了岩石内部！”
“像这样高大的建筑，总是拥有深厚而坚固的地基。”迪克说，“在学校的时候，我们学过……”
“我们别谈学校啦，”安妮说，“马上就要开学了！对了，阿修，有人去探索过地基的竖井吗？”
“我不知道。”阿修说，“我觉得那里十分可怕，又黑又暗，又臭又窄……”
“我们去看看吧。”乔治说，一脸振奋，“我现在很无聊，如果再不找点事做，我会睡着的，睡上个一百年。”
“不可能啦。”迪克说，“不过你这个想法倒挺好的，你睡着的时候，我们终于可以安静一会儿啦。啊——别用手指掐我啦，乔治！”
“去吧，”乔治说，“让我们去热一下身，看看竖井里有什么东西。”
安妮并不想探索井底，但是，其他人都跑下了楼梯，蒂米也快速跟在后面。很快，一行人就来到塔底的入口，入口正在灯塔大门的对面。
阿修带领一行人观察着入口，原来这里有一扇巨大的圆形活板门。“如果我们打开它，就能看到基底的竖井了。”他说。
于是，他们齐心协力，拉起巨大的圆形木制活板门，向下俯视，一片漆黑，什么都看不见。“我的手电筒在哪里？”朱利安说，“我去拿！”
不一会儿，手电筒照亮了圆形的竖井，他们看到一面墙上嵌着一架铁梯。朱利安爬到铁梯上，检查竖井的墙壁。
“它们是水泥做的！”他喊道，“这些墙肯定坚固极了，我要往下走了。”
朱利安一直向下爬去。他想知道，为什么这座巨大的竖井没有被水泥填满？也许一个空心的水泥竖井比实心的更加坚固？他没办法得出结论。
他几乎到达了底部，但他并没有走下铁梯的最后一格。因为下面传来了奇怪的声音，那是一种潺潺流动的令人窒息的声响。到底是什么鬼东西？
他用手电筒朝下一照，惊奇地发现，原来竖井的底部充满了水！流水旋转，四处翻滚，才形成这奇怪的空洞的汩汩声。这些水从哪里来的？
接着，水流声消失了，然后又出现了。他用手电筒四处照射，想探明水流是如何进入竖井的。
“地底肯定存在一条海底隧道，或连接着某种通道，海水可以流进来！”他猜想道，“现在因为涨潮，所以水流在旋转。我想知道，退潮的时候这些水是否就没有了？如果是这样，是哪条隧道能把水流引进来，还是灯塔的基底本来就在水下？我要回去告诉其他人，然后再去看看那张旧地图！”
他从铁梯上爬了回去，再次走出黑暗的竖井让他长舒一口气。
其他人正围在顶部，焦急地往下看着。
“他回来了！”乔治说，“看到什么有趣的东西了吗，朱利安？”
“我看到了相当有趣的东西。”朱利安从竖井里爬了出来，说，“那张旧地图呢？我想再看看它。”
“我们上楼吧，”迪克说，“在楼上我们可以看得更清楚一些。塔底有什么，朱利安？”
“等我们到客厅再说。”朱利安说。一到客厅，他就从阿修手里接过地图，坐下来仔细看起来。他用手指指着地图，沿着竖井移动到底部，在那里画了一个圆形标记。
“看到了吗？井底有个洞，海水会通过这个洞涌进来。现在涨潮了，所以水流入井中，但水只有一英尺深。退潮的时候，则不会有一滴水流进来。我真想知道，那个让水流进来，直达岩石表面的隧道，到底通向哪里呢？通过这条隧道，又能到达哪个神奇的地方去呢？”
“海底隧道！”乔治惊叫，她的眼睛闪闪发亮，“为什么我们不在退潮的时候一探究竟呢？”
“呃，探索隧道会非常有趣的，但我们必须得先确定路线，否则会被淹死的！”朱利安说，把地图卷起来，“我想这个洞是故意留在那里的，让潮水顺畅地通过，免得对塔底造成压力，破坏地基。”
“好吧……”安妮刚开始说，突然惊恐地停住。原来从楼下传来一声洪亮的呼喊，每个人都惊慌失措地跳起来。
“家里有人吗？嘿，家里有人吗？”
Chapter 15 JACOB IS IN TROUBLE
Chapter 15 JACOB IS IN TROUBLE
'Who's that shouting like that?' said Anne, fearfully. 'It can't be the robber, can it?'
'Of course not,' said Julian, and went to the door of the living-room. He yelled down the stairway:
'Who is it? What do you want?'
'It's the police!' shouted back the enormous voice.
'Oh. Come on up, then,' said Julian, relieved. Foot-steps could be heard coming up the iron stairway,accompanied by loud puffs and pants. Then a policeman's helmet appeared, followed 58by his shoulders and the rest of him. Soon he was standing in the living-room, beaming round at thesurprised company, panting with the effort of climbing so many stairs.
'How did you get in?' asked George. 'We jammed the door shut from the inside.'
'Well, I managed to unjam it, miss,' said the policeman, mopping his forehead, and smiling. He wasthe same policeman that Julian had seen that afternoon. 'Not much protection that, really.
You ought to get a new key made.'
'How did you get over here - the tide's in,' said Julian. 'You couldn't have walked over Demon'sRocks.'
'No, sir. I got Jem Hardy's boat,' said the policeman. 'By the way, my name's Sharp, sir - PoliceConstable Sharp.'
'A very good name for a policeman,' said Julian, with a cheerful grin. 'Well, have you caught the thiefwho took our key, and the other things?'
'No, sir. But I've a pretty good idea who it is,' said Sharp. 'I couldn't find anyone who'd been sitting onthe quay during the time you were away from the light-house, sir - but I did by chance find a ladywhose windows look down on the jetty, and she happened to see someone standing about there. Shesaid he went over the rocks to the light-house.'
'Who was it? The milkman, the postman?' asked Dick.
'Oh no, sir, I told your friend they were good fellows,' said the constable, looking quite shocked.
'It was er - well, sir, a man who's a bit of a bad lot.'
'Who's that?' asked Julian, suddenly afraid it might be old Jeremiah. Could he be a bad lot - he hadsounded such a good fellow!
'Well, sir, it's no one you know,' said Sharp. 'It's one of a family with rather a bad name, sir - a mancalled Jacob - Jacob Loomer, sir. He comes of a family that used to do a bit of wrecking, and...'
'Wrecking! Old Jeremiah was telling us of long-ago wreckers!' said Dick. 'One was called Nosey -and another was called Bart - relations of a well-known wrecker called One-Ear - er, One-Ear...'
'Bill,' said Sharp. 'Ah yes - One-Ear Bill. He lived a long time ago, when old Jeremiah was a youngman. This here Jacob, the one that was seen going into your light-house today, would be his great-great-great grandson, I reckon - something like that. Living image of old One-Ear Bill according toJeremiah. There's a bad strain in that family - can't seem to get it out!'
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'Well - you say it was Jacob who came into the light house? Why can't we have him arrested then?'
said Julian. 'And make him give up the key he took - and the other things?'
'Well, sir, if you'll come along with me and identify your things, maybe I can do something about it,'
said the constable. 'But he may have hidden them all by now - though he's that free-handed I wouldn'tbe surprised if he hasn't given them all away. A bit of a fool, Jacob is, as well as a rogue. Ah - he'dhave liked the job of wrecking ships, he would - right up his street.'
'I'll come with you now,' said Julian. 'The others don't need to, do they?'
'Oh no - you'll do, sir,' said the policeman, and he and Julian went down the spiral stairway to theentrance. The others heard the door bang, and looked at one another.
'Well! To think that a great-great-great grandson of that horrid old One-Ear Bill is still living in thesame place as the old wrecker himself did!' said Dick. 'And he's a rogue too. History repeating itself?'
'We must go and see the Wreckers' Cave tomorrow, if we can,' said George. 'Jeremiah Boogle said hewould show it to us.'
'So long as there isn't an old old wrecker hiding there!' said Anne. 'Older than Jeremiah Boogle -with a beard down to his feet - a sort of Old Man of the Sea - with a horrid gurgling voice, and eyeslike a fish!'
'Really, Anne!' said George astonished. 'I'll be scared to go into caves if you say things like that!'
'I wonder how Julian's getting on,' said Tinker. 'Mischief, stop jigging up and down - you make mefeel out of breath!'
Julian was at Jacob's house, and there, sure enough, were the things he had stolen - the rug - the clock- and Anne's purse - empty now!
'And what about the key?' demanded the constable. 'Come on now - you took the key out of the doorof the light-house - we know you did. Give it here, Jacob.'
'I didn't take it.' said Jacob, sullenly.
'I'll have to take you in, you know, Jacob,' said the constable. 'You'll be searched at the police-station.
Better give up the key now.'
'Search me all you like!' said Jacob. 'You won't find that key on me. I tell you. I didn't take it.
What would I want that key for?'
'For the same reason that you usually want keys for,' said the constable. 'For breaking in and 60stealing. All right, Jacob. If you won't let this young gentleman have his key, I'll have you searched atthe police-station. Come along with me.'
But alas, no key was found on the surly Jacob, and the constable shrugged his shoulders and raisedhis eyebrows at Julian.
'If you take my advice, sir, I'd get a different lock put on your door. Jacob's got your key somewhere.
He'll be at the light-house again as soon as he sees you all go out.'
'Bah!' said Jacob, rudely. 'You and your keys. I tell you I didn't take it. There wasn't a key there...'
'Come along with me, Jacob,' said the constable. He turned to Julian. 'Well, that's all, sir. We'll havehis house searched. The odds are that he's hidden the key somewhere. He's an artful dodger, this one!'
Julian went back to the light-house, rather worried. It might take a few days in a little place like thisto have a new lock put in. In the meantime they would either have to keep themselves prisoners in thelight-house - or leave a front door that anyone could open!
The others listened excitedly to his tale, when he went back. They were glad to have the rug, theclock, and the purse again - though Anne was sad that all her money was gone.
'We'll have to get a new lock and key,' said Julian. 'After all, this light-house has only been lent to us,and it's our responsibility to look after it and all it contains. It's a good thing it was only our thingsthat were taken - not Professor Hayling's!'
'It's getting rather late,' said Anne, jumping up. 'We haven't had our tea yet! I'll get it. Anyone feellike buns with butter and jam?'
Everyone did, and soon Anne produced a large plate of delicious looking buns. They talked as theydrank their tea, and ate the buns.
'I vote we go and find Jeremiah Boogle tomorrow, and see if he's heard of the robbery, and if he hasanything interesting to say about it,' said George.
'And also we really must get him to show us the Wreckers' Cave,' said Julian. 'By the way, what werethe names of the two men who have the job of showing the visitors round the caves? I'm pretty sureone was Jacob!'
'You're right - it was - and the other man was called Ebenezer!' said Dick. 'Well - let's hope Jacob islocked up, or out of the way somewhere when we go to see the caves. We shall get some black looksfrom him, if not!'
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'Well, we can give him some back!' said George, putting on a terrific scowl, and making Timmy givea sudden whine. She patted him. 'It's all right, Timmy - that scowl wasn't for you!'
'We'd better go to the caves tomorrow morning when the tide will be more or less out,' said Julian.
'And I'd better see if I can find a locksmith here who can give us a new lock and key quickly!'
'Why not slip out now?' said Dick. 'I'll come with you for a bit of fresh air. Want to come girls?'
'No, I'd like to finish my book,' said Anne, and George said the same. Tinker was playing withMischief, and he didn't want to come either.
'Well, you and the light-house will be safe with Timmy and Mischief to look after you!' said Julian,and down the stairway he went, with Dick close behind him.
The locksmith promised to come and look at the door in the next day or two. 'Can't leave my shopjust now,' he said. 'Nobody to see to it! It'll take me a few days to do the job for you, I'm afraid, sir.'
'Oh blow!' said Julian. 'We've already had a thief in the light-house! We don't like to go out and leaveit empty now!'
They rowed back to the light-house, shut and jammed the door as best they could, and went up to thegirls. Timmy gave them an uproarious welcome, and Mischief took a flying leap from a chair-back onto Dick's shoulder.
'No lock or key for a few days,' said Dick, sitting down and tickling the delighted little monkey.
'I did want to go and see the caves tomorrow - especially the famous Wreckers' one - but we can'tpossibly leave the light-house empty.'
'Woof,' said Timmy at once.
'He says, why not leave him behind, and let him guard it,' said George, solemnly, and Timmy at oncesaid 'Woof' again.
They all laughed. Dick patted Timmy, and ruffled the fur behind his ears. 'Dear old Tim - all right,you guard the light-house - you shall have a Very Special Bone for a reward!'
'That's settled then. We leave Timmy here on guard, and we all go off to the caves,' said Julian.
'Well, one of the brothers who show visitors round will be missing tomorrow, I fear - Jacob will notbe there!'
'I bet we'll get some scowls from the other brother - what's his name now - Ebenezer?' said Anne.
'We'll have to be careful that we don't get pushed into a deep pool of water!'
62
'Dear me, yes,' said Julian. 'One never knows! We'll certainly be on our guard!'
15.陷入麻烦的雅各布
陷入麻烦的雅各布
“是谁在大喊大叫？”安妮害怕地说道，“不会是强 盗吧？”
“应该不是。”朱利安说，他走到客厅大门口，冲着楼梯下面喊道，“是谁呀？你想做什么？”
“我是警察！”洪亮的声音回答。
“哦，那上来说吧。”朱利安说着，松了一口气。铁制的螺旋形楼梯上，传来清楚的脚步声和气喘吁吁的呼吸声。先是警察的头盔冒了出来，接着能看清肩膀的轮廓，最后终于看见了整个身体，是一个男人。他来到客厅，迎接他的是众人惊讶的目光。他四处张望着，因为一口气爬了这么多节楼梯，他不停地喘着粗气。
“您是怎么进来的？”乔治问道，“我们从里面堵住了门。”
“呃，我设法将堵住的门推开了，小姐。”警察一边微笑着回答，一边擦着额头的汗，这正是那天下午朱利安见过的那个警察，“你们这样的防范措施太薄弱了，真的，你们应该重新配一把新钥匙。”
“您是怎么过来的？现在涨潮了，”朱利安说，“您不可能走路通过恶魔之岩。”
“当然不是，先生。我向杰姆•哈迪借了一艘船，”警察说，“顺便说一句，我的名字是夏普，先生，叫我夏普警官就行。”
“对于一名警察而言，这个名字非常好。”朱利安说，咧着嘴欢快地笑道，“好吧，您是不是抓到了偷走钥匙的小偷？”
“还没有，先生，但是我很清楚是谁偷的了。”夏普说，“在你们离开灯塔的时候，我没有发现任何人经过码头，先生，但我偶然找到一名女士，她从家里的窗户俯视着码头，碰巧看到有人站在那里，她说看到那人从岩石上走过去，到达了灯塔。”
“那是谁呢？送奶工，还是邮递员？”迪克问道。
“哦，不，先生，我告诉过你的朋友，那两个人都是好人。”警官突然神色紧张，说道，“但来这里的人是一个邪恶的男人。”
“是谁？”朱利安问道，突然害怕起来，那个人会是杰里迈亚吗？他会是一个糟糕的坏人吗？但他看上去人很好呀！
“呃，先生，那个人你们并不认识，”夏普说，“他来自一个臭名昭著的家族，先生，他名叫雅各布，雅各布•卢默。他的家族以前经常干坏事，而且……”
“破坏船只！杰里迈亚告诉过我们——那些很久以前毁盗王出没的传说！”迪克说，“一个被称为大鼻子，另一个被称为巴特大傻，都是恶名远扬的毁盗王的亲戚，那名毁盗王就是单耳，呃，单耳……”
“比尔。”夏普接道，“对，正是那单耳比尔。他很久以前居住在此，当时杰里迈亚还是个年轻人呢。那个雅各布，就是今天被目睹潜入灯塔的人，是他的曾曾曾孙，根据杰里迈亚的说法，生活在单耳比尔恶劣形象的阴影下，导致这个家族的人都有恶习，他们似乎无法摆脱这个血缘的影响！”
“嗯，您说今天是雅各布潜入灯塔的吗？那么，为什么不逮捕他呢？”朱利安说，“让他交还他拿走的钥匙，还有其他他拿走的东西。”
“呃，先生，如果你能跟我走一趟，认出你们丢的东西，也许我可以帮你们伸张正义。”警察说，“但他现在应该把赃物都藏起来了，不过也不一定，他总是粗心大意的，就算他没有把东西藏起来，我也不感到惊讶。雅各布是个流里流气，有点傻乎乎的人。他肯定会喜欢毁盗船只的工作，他就是那种人，这正合他的意。”
“我现在就和您一起去，”朱利安说，“其他人不需要去，对吗？”
“哦，有你在就够了，先生。”警察说，他和朱利安沿着螺旋形楼梯走下楼，直到大门入口处。其他人听到门“砰”的一声关上了，互相看了看对方。
“天哪，单耳比尔的曾曾曾孙仍然住在这片土地上，这是多么可怕的事情！”迪克说，“何况他也是个流氓，历史会再度重演吗？”
“如果可以的话明天我们必须去探索毁盗王老巢，”乔治说，“杰里迈亚•大黑说过他会带我们去看的。”
“只要没有任何老毁盗王藏在那里就行，”安妮说，“那种比杰里迈亚•大黑更老的出过海的老人，留着直到脚底的胡子，嘴里冒着可怕的咕噜声，眼睛瞪得像鱼一样圆鼓鼓……”
“别说了，安妮！”乔治惊叫道，“如果你再说那样的话，我会害怕去洞穴的！”
“我想知道朱利安那边怎么样了。”阿修说，“淘气包，别跳上跳下了，你这样会让我紧张得喘不过气来！”
这时，朱利安已经到达雅各布的家中，在那里果然放着他偷来的东西——地毯、钟表和安妮的钱包，当然现在已经被掏空了！
“你把钥匙藏哪里了？”警官用命令的口吻说，“现在把它交出来，我们知道是你干的，是你把钥匙从灯塔门上拿走的，雅各布，把它还回来。”
“我没有拿走钥匙。”雅各布说道，他的脸紧绷着。
“要是你不交出来，我就把你关起来，雅各布！”警察说，“你会在警察局接受搜查，现在最好就把钥匙交出来。”
“随你怎么搜！”雅各布说，“我告诉你，你不会在我身上找到那把钥匙的，我没有拿走它。我要那把钥匙做 什么？”
“和你平时需要钥匙的原因一样，是为了入室盗窃。”警官说，“好吧，雅各布，如果你不让这位年轻的绅士拿回属于他的钥匙，我会让你待在警察局，好好调查你一番，跟我走吧。”
但是令人吃惊的是，雅各布身上并没有钥匙，警察只好耸了耸肩，一脸惊讶地看向朱利安。
“如果你接受我的建议，先生，就在灯塔的门上换一把锁。钥匙不在这里，雅各布把它藏在了别的地方。一旦他看到你们出去，肯定就会趁机进入灯塔的。”
“呸！”雅各布粗鲁地高声嚷嚷起来，“去你的，还有你的什么钥匙！我告诉过你们了，我没拿它，我这儿没有钥匙……”
“跟我走一趟吧，雅各布。”警察说完，转向朱利安，“好吧，就是这样，先生，我们会彻底搜查他的房子。看来他把钥匙藏在了别处，这个人就是一个狡猾的骗子！”
带着不安，朱利安回到了灯塔。在这样的小地方，可能需要几天时间才能将新锁装上去。而在这段时间里，他们要么将自己困在灯塔里；要么出去，留下任何人都可以打开的大门！
他回到灯塔，其他人一脸期待地等着，准备聆听他的故事。他们很高兴地毯、钟表和钱包都找了回来，但安妮很遗憾她所有的钱都没了。
“我们必须装一把新锁，配一把新钥匙，”朱利安说，“毕竟，这座灯塔借给了我们使用，我们有责任保护好它和它里面的物品。幸好只有我们的东西被偷了，而不是海林教授的东西。”
“天色不早了，”安妮说着跳了起来，“我们居然还没有喝下午茶！我去准备一下。有人想吃点涂了黄油和果酱的面包吗？”
每个人都表示想吃，很快，安妮就制作出一大盘美味又好吃的面包。他们一边喝茶一边聊天，并享用着面包。
“我建议，明天我们去找杰里迈亚•大黑，看看他是否听说过这里发生的抢劫，也许他会告诉我们一些有趣的事情。”乔治说。
“我们也一定得让他带我们参观毁盗王老巢。”朱利安说，“顺便问一下，那两个人的名字是什么？就是带游客去洞穴参观的那两个人，我只知道其中一个是雅各布！”
“你说得对，就是他，另一个人叫做埃比尼泽！”迪克说，“好吧，让我们祈祷，希望雅各布已经被关起来了，这样我们到洞穴去的时候，他们就不会出现在那里影响我 们了。”
“他要出现的话，那我们就以眼还眼，以牙还牙！”乔治怒气冲冲地说道，这让蒂米害怕得发出呜咽声，乔治安慰地拍了拍它，“没关系的，蒂米，我不是冲你生气。”
“最好明天一早，在潮水退得差不多的时候我们再去洞里。”朱利安说，“而且我得去找一个锁匠，尽早装上一把新锁，给我们一把新钥匙！”
“为什么现在不去呢？”迪克说，“我和你一起去，顺便呼吸一下新鲜空气。想要一起来吗，女孩们？”
“不了，我想看完我的书。”安妮说，乔治也这么认为。阿修正和淘气包一同玩耍，他也不想去。
“好吧，有蒂米和淘气包照顾你们，你们和灯塔都会很安全的！”朱利安说完，走下楼梯，迪克跟在他身后。
锁匠答应隔天或者后天上门看看。“现在我不能离开我的店铺，”他说，“因为没人看管它，先生。我恐怕要花上几天时间，来完成你交代的工作！”
“哦，真倒霉！”朱利安说，“我们已经遇上小偷了！现在我们出不了门，否则灯塔无人看守！”
他们只好划着船回到灯塔，尽可能地将门堵住，然后走到女孩们身旁。蒂米汪汪叫着，给了他们热情的欢迎，而淘气包则从椅背处一跃跳到迪克的肩膀上。
“这几天装不了锁，也没有钥匙了。”迪克说着，坐了下来，挠挠兴高采烈的小猴子，“明天，我的确想去看看那些洞穴，特别是著名的毁盗王老巢，但我们不可能让灯塔空无一人。”
“汪汪！”蒂米立刻响应。
“它说，为什么不把它留在这儿，让它守护灯塔呢？”乔治严肃地说道，蒂米立刻又汪汪叫了叫，表示同意。
他们都笑了。迪克拍拍蒂米，揉揉它耳后的绒毛，说：“亲爱的蒂米，好吧，就让你守护灯塔，我们应该给你一块非常特别的骨头作为奖励！”
“这个问题已经解决了，就让蒂米做守卫，然后我们都去探查洞穴。”朱利安说，“呃，我恐怕，那两个人中的一个明天会消失——雅各布不会出现在那里了！”
“我敢打赌，剩下的另一个兄弟可不会给我们好脸色看。他的名字是什么来着，埃比尼泽？”安妮说，“我们必须万分小心，别掉入他们的陷阱！”
“是的。”朱利安说，“那个人永远都不知道，我们已经提高了警惕！”
Chapter 16 DOWN IN THE CAVES
Chapter 16 DOWN IN THE CAVES
Next morning George awoke with a jump. Timmy was pushing her gently with his nose. 'What is it,Tim?' said George. Timmy gave a bark, and ran to where the spiral stairway led downwards.
'Go down and tell the boys what it is you want,' said George, sleepily. So down the stairway wentTimmy, and into the room where the boys were sleeping. He trotted in and nudged Julian with hisnose, but Julian was so fast asleep that he didn't stir.
Timmy pawed at him, and Julian awoke with a jump. He sat up. 'Oh, it's you, Tim - what on earth doyou want? Is anything wrong with the girls?'
'Woof,' said Timmy, and ran to the spiral stairway. He disappeared down it, barking.
'Blow! He's heard someone!' said Julian, yawning. 'Well, if it's Ebenezer or Jacob - no, it can't beJacob, of course - I'll tell him what I think of people who steal!'
He unjammed the door of the light-house and opened it. On the step stood two milk-bottles!
'Well, really, Timmy, fancy waking me because the milkman came!' said Julian, taking in the bottles.
'Good old milkman - I wonder if he had to come by boat - the sea's pretty high this morning - but Isuppose he could just about have waded over the rocks!'
At breakfast the Five remembered that they meant to see the caves that morning. They had a very finemeal of fried bacon, bought the day before, and eggs, with buttered toast and marmalade to follow.
Anne had made some good hot coffee, and they all enjoyed themselves immensely. Mischief madehimself a real nuisance by putting a paw deep in the marmalade jar and then, when smacked, runningall over the place leaving sticky marmaladey marks everywhere!
'We'd better all take a wet rag with us as we go about the room,' said Anne, in disgust. 'He's run overthe table and desk and everything. BAD Mischief! I do so hate feeling sticky!'
Mischief was sad to feel himself in disgrace, and leapt on to Tinker's shoulder, putting his stickypaws lovingly round the boy's neck. 'That's right!' said Tinker, 'rub all your stickiness off on me, 63you little monkey!'
'We'll wash up in the sink, and you boys can tidy up the rooms,' said Anne. 'Then we'll all go out. It'sa lovely day.'
'Looks a bit stormy to me,' said Dick. 'What do you say, Tim?'
Tim agreed. He thumped his tail vigorously on the floor, making Mischief pounce on it in joy.
Anne gathered up the crockery and took it to the sink.
In an hour or so they were ready to go out. 'Let's write a card to Aunt Fanny before we leave,'
said Anne. 'Then that will be done. We won't say a word about the things that were stolen, though.
She might feel upset, and tell us to go back! And then what would Uncle Quentin and ProfessorHayling say?'
'I bet they're having a wonderful time, arguing all day long, working out figures, and studyingpapers!' said Julian. 'And I'm pretty certain that Aunt Fanny will have to call them to a meal at leasttwenty times before they arrive at the table!'
Anne wrote the post-card and put on a stamp. 'Now I'm ready,' she said, standing up. Timmy ran tothe top of the stairs, glad that everyone seemed to be on the move at last. He did so love a walk.
'Darling Timmy,' said George. 'I'm afraid you'll have to be left behind to guard the light-house!
You see, we haven't a key - and we can't jam the door from outside. So please, Timmy dear, staybehind - on guard. You know what that means, don't you? ON GUARD!'
Timmy's tail went right down. He gave a small whine. He did so hate being left out of anything- especially a walk. He pawed gently at George as if to say, 'Do please change your mind.'
'On guard, Timmy, now,' said George. 'The light-house is in your charge. Don't let ANYONEin. You'd better lie on the mat just inside the entrance.'
Timmy ran slowly down behind Julian and the others, looking very mournful indeed. 'Now lie there,'
said George, and gave him a pat on the head. 'We'll take you out again soon, and then one of us willstay to guard the light-house - but this time we all want to go out. ON GUARD!'
Timmy lay down on the mat, and put his head on his paws, his big brown eyes looking up at George.
'Dear old faithful,' she said ruffling the hair on his head. 'We won't be very long!'
They slammed the door and went down the light-house steps. The tide was still out far enough forthem to be able to wade over the rocks to the jetty. 'We must be back before it's well in,' said Julian.
'Or we'll have to stay ashore till it's out again. Our boat is tied to the light-house post, 64remember!'
They went for a stroll along the front and who should be there, sitting on a stone seat, but oldJeremiah Boogle, smoking his long pipe, staring solemnly out to sea.
'Good-morning, Jeremiah,' said Dick, politely. 'I hope we bought the right tobacco for you fromTom.'
'Oh aye,' said Jeremiah, puffing out very strong-smelling smoke. 'Hallo, little monkey - so you'vecome to my shoulder again, have you? Well, what's the news from Monkey-Land?'
The others laughed as Mischief at once poured out a stream of monkey-chatter into the old man's ear.
'We thought we would go and see the caves today,' said Julian. 'Especially the old Wreckers' Cave.'
'Now don't you let that Ebenezer take you round!' said the old man, at once. 'You won't find Jacobthere - oho - I know what's happened to him. And serve him right. Never could keep his fingers tohimself, that one! Ebenezer's as bad. He could steal the buttons off your coat, and you'd never know!
Now look - what about me showing you the caves? I know them inside out, and I can show youthings that that rat of an Ebenezer doesn't even know of.'
'Well - we'd certainly much rather you took us, and not Ebenezer,' said Julian. 'Ebenezer may befeeling rather angry because we told the police about his brother stealing things. We'll give you somemore tobacco - I mean baccy - if you'll guide us round.'
'Well, let's go now,' said Jeremiah, getting up very spryly. 'This way!'
And off they all went, Mischief too - the little monkey did Jeremiah the honour of sitting on hisshoulder all the way down the village street. The old old man was delighted to see how everyonestared and laughed.
He took them round the foot of some very high cliffs. They came to a rocky beach farther along, andwalked over it. 'There's the entrance,' said the old man, pointing to a large hole in the cliff nearby.
'That's the way to the caves. Got a torch?'
'Yes - we brought one each,' said Julian, patting his pocket. 'Do we have to pay to go in?'
'No. People give Ebenezer a tip - five pence or so - if he shows them round - or Jacob, when he'sthere,' said Jeremiah. 'I'll deal with Ebby, though. Don't you waste your money on that scoundrel!'
The hole in the cliff led to the first cave, which was a big one. Lighted lanterns hung here and there,but gave very little light.
65
'Mind your step, now,' warned Jeremiah. 'It's real slippery in places. This way - through this old arch.'
It was cold and damp in the cave, and the children had to go carefully, and avoid the puddles left bythe sea. Then suddenly Jeremiah turned a corner and went in a completely different direction! Downand down and down they went!
'Hey - we're going towards the sea now surely?' said Julian, in surprise. 'Do the caves go under thesea, then? Not away back into the cliff?'
'That's right,' said Jeremiah. 'This is a real rocky coast - and the way we're taking leads down a tunnelunder the rocks, and then into the caves deep underground. See the rocky roof over our heads - well,if you listen, you can hear the sea now, mumbling and grumbling over it - that roof is the bed of thesea!'
That was a very strange thought indeed, and rather alarming! Anne gazed fearfully up at the rockyroof overhead, and shone her torch on it, half-expecting to see a few cracks leaking salt-water fromthe sea rolling over the rocky roof! But no - there was a little moisture shining on it, and that was all.
'Are we soon coming to the Wreckers' Cave?' asked George. 'Mischief, stop making those noises.
There's nothing to be scared of!'
Mischief didn't like this cold, dark strange walk underground, and had begun to make harshfrightened noises, and then suddenly gave a loud scared screech.
'Don't! You made me jump!' said Anne. 'Goodness - listen to the monkey's screech echoing all alongthe tunnel and back! Sounds like a hundred monkeys chattering at once! Our voices echo too!'
Mischief was most alarmed to hear the enormous amount of screeches and chattering noises that nowfilled the tunnel. He began to cry almost like a baby, and clung to Tinker as if he would never let himgo.
'I expect he thinks this place is absolutely full of screeching monkeys,' said Anne, sorry for theterrified little creature. 'It's only the echo, Mischief.'
'He'll soon get used to it,' said Tinker, hugging the monkey close to him.
'You want to hear the echo just round the next bend of the tunnel!' said Jeremiah, stroking the littlemonkey, and very foolishly gave an enormous yell just as they got there!
The yell came back ten times as loud, and the tunnel seemed suddenly full of shouts tumbling 66over one another. Everyone jumped violently, and Mischief leapt high in the air in terror. He sprangto the ground, and scampered away at top speed, wailing in his little monkey-voice. He tore down thetunnel, tail in air, and disappeared round the corner. Tinker was very upset.
'Mischief! Come back!' he yelled. 'You'll get lost!'
And along came the echo at once. 'Get lost, get lost, get lost - lost - lost!'
'Don't you worry about your monkey,' said Jeremiah, comfortingly. 'I've had a score of monkeys inmy time - and they always come back!'
'Well, I'll jolly well stay down here till Mischief does come back!' said Tinker in rather a shaky voice.
They came out into a cave. This too was lighted by lanterns, though very poorly. They had all heardthe murmur of voices as they came to it, and wondered who was there.
Three other visitors were in the cave, sight-seeing, like the children. A big burly fellow was withthem, with jet-black hair, deep-set dark eyes, and a surly mouth - so like Jacob that Julian guessed atonce that he was the brother, Ebenezer.
As soon as Ebenezer set eyes on Jeremiah, he roared in fury.
'You get out! This is my job - you get out. I'll show the caves to those youngsters!'
And with that such a battle of words followed that the Five were almost deafened, especially as theecho repeated everything very loudly indeed! The three visitors fled away up the tunnel, fearing afight. Anne was very frightened, and clung to Julian.
Ebenezer came shouting up to old Jeremiah, his hand raised. 'Haven't I told you more'n a hundredtimes to keep out of these caves? Haven't I told you I'm the one to show folks around -and Jacob too?'
'Don't take no notice of him!' said Jeremiah, turning his back on the angry man. 'He's nought but aBig Mouth, same as his brother Jacob!'
'Look out!' yelled Julian, as the angry Ebenezer rushed at Jeremiah, his fist raised to strike him.
'LOOK OUT!'
16.洞穴冒险
洞穴冒险
第二天早晨，乔治被惊醒了，原来是蒂米用鼻子轻轻拱了拱她。“你是什么意思，蒂米？”乔治说。蒂米叫了一声，跑向螺旋形楼梯口。
“去楼下告诉男孩们你想要做什么吧。”乔治半睡半醒地说。一到楼下，蒂米就冲入男孩们睡觉的房间。它一路小跑，来到朱利安身旁，也用鼻子轻轻拱他，但是朱利安睡得很沉，他纹丝不动。
蒂米伸出爪子，推了推他，朱利安一个激灵，跳了起来。他坐起身子，说：“哦，是你呀，蒂米，你到底想要说什么，女孩们那里发生了什么事情吗？”
“汪汪！”蒂米叫着，跑上螺旋形楼梯。不一会儿，它就消失了踪影，只听见汪汪的叫声。
“不好！可能是蒂米察觉到有什么人进来了！”朱利安说着，忍不住打了一个激灵，“好吧，要是埃比尼泽或是雅各布，不，当然不可能是雅各布，我会让他看看，我是怎么收拾一个窃贼的！”
他移开堵住灯塔前门的东西，把门打开了，台阶上赫然出现了两个牛奶瓶！“真是的，蒂米，原来你叫醒我只是因为送奶工来了！”朱利安说着，拿起瓶子，“好一个送奶工，今天早上海水涨得这么高，他是不是划船过来的？不过我猜他应该是从岩石上涉水过来的。”
早餐时间，五个人想起今天他们打算去探索洞穴。他们享用了一顿完美的煎培根，还有鸡蛋、涂了黄油和橘子酱的吐司。安妮沏了一壶香浓的热咖啡，他们吃得很尽兴。只是，淘气包又开始恶作剧了，它把一只爪子放进了果酱罐里，然后，当它被大家追打的时候，四处逃窜，到处都留下了黏稠的橘子酱爪印！
“我们等会儿进房间的时候最好都带上一块湿抹布。”安妮皱着眉头说，“它蹿到餐桌上，又蹿到书桌上，房间的一切都逃不过它的魔掌，坏心眼淘气包，我最讨厌黏糊糊的 感觉！”
淘气包感到很丢脸，它跳到阿修的肩膀上，用它黏糊糊的小爪子环绕住男孩的脖子。“这就对了！”阿修说，“把你弄脏的地方都擦干净，你这只淘气的小猴子！”
“我们到水槽那里把碗洗干净，男孩们，你们负责去把房间整理干净，”安妮说，“然后我们再出门。看上去今天天气不错。”
“我觉得马上会有暴风雨了，”迪克说，“你说呢，蒂米？”
蒂米表示同意，它用尾巴猛地向下一击，重重地敲在地板上。
这把淘气包逗乐了，高兴地扑向蒂米的尾巴。安妮把碗碟收好，拿到水槽里。
他们花了差不多一个小时左右的时间把房间整理干净，准备出门了。“离开之前，我们给范妮婶婶写一张明信片吧，”安妮说，“但是对于出现小偷的事情，我们一个字也别提。她可能会不安心的，而且会让我们立刻回去，然后昆廷叔叔和海林教授又会生气。”
“我敢打赌，我们不在，他们一定度过了美好的时光，整天争来争去，跟数据打交道，沉迷论文！”朱利安说，“而且我保证，在抵达餐桌之前，范妮婶婶至少得给他们打二十次电话，提醒他们该吃饭了。”
安妮写完明信片，贴上邮票。“现在都准备好了。”她边说着，边站起身子。蒂米一路冲到楼梯顶，高兴地看到每个人似乎都准备出门散步了，它真的很喜欢出门散步。
“亲爱的蒂米，”乔治说，“恐怕你不得不留下来，守卫灯塔。你看，我们没有钥匙，也不能从外面堵住门。所以，亲爱的蒂米，你只能留下来当守卫。你知道这意味着什么，是吧？我的小守卫！”
蒂米的尾巴不禁垂了下来，发出小小的哀鸣声。它真的很讨厌被排除在计划之外，尤其是出门散步的时候。它可怜兮兮地盯着乔治，仿佛在说：“请你改变主意吧。”
“当好守卫，蒂米，现在就做，”乔治说，“灯塔交给你负责。别让任何人进来。你最好就躺在门口的垫子上。”
蒂米慢慢地跑到朱利安和其他人的后面，一脸忧伤。“现在，就躺在那里，”乔治轻轻拍了拍它的脑袋，说，“我们很快就会回来。
如果把你带上，我们其中一个人就会替你留下来守卫灯塔，但是这次我们都需要出门，所以你要当好守卫！”
蒂米立刻躺倒在垫子上，把头埋进爪子里，棕色的大眼睛看着乔治。“亲爱的老朋友，”她抚弄着蒂米额头上的绒毛，说，“我们不会去很久的！”
他们“砰”的一声关上门，走下灯塔的台阶。潮水涨得不高，水的深度远远不够他们划船出行。“我们必须在涨潮之前回来，”朱利安说，“否则我们就不得不留在岸边直到退潮。因为我们的船被绑在灯塔这边的码头上，记住了！”
他们一路向前走到了码头。猜猜谁已经坐在那里的石头椅子上了？除了杰里迈亚，还能有谁呢。他还是抽着长长的烟斗，一脸肃穆，盯着大海。
“早上好，杰里迈亚先生。”迪克礼貌地问候道，“我希望，我们从汤姆那里买的烟草还合您的心意。”
“哦，当然，”杰里迈亚说道，吐出一口浓烟，“你好呀，小猴子，你又要跳上我的肩膀了，对吗？跟我说说，猴子庄园发生了什么新闻？”
其他人大笑起来，因为淘气包立刻跳到老人的耳朵跟前，嘴里叽里咕噜，涌出一串串猴语。“我们今天想探索洞穴，”朱利安说，“就是古老的毁盗王老巢。”
“为什么你们不找埃比尼泽带你们去转转呢？”老人马上说道，“当然，你们不能找雅各布了，哦，我知道他出了什么事。他真是活该。那个人啊，永远管不住自己的手脚！埃比尼泽和他一样糟糕，他可以从你外套上偷走纽扣，还不会被你发现！现在看来，我才是带你们去看洞穴最合适的人选！我十分了解它们，还可以向你们展示埃比尼泽那只老鼠也不知道的东西。”
“我们当然更愿意是您带领我们去，而不是埃比尼泽。”朱利安说，“埃比尼泽估计已经气坏了，因为是我们告诉警察，是他的兄弟偷了我们的东西。我们会再给您买些烟草——您喜欢的烟草，如果您能带我们去看洞穴的话。”
“好吧，我们现在就走，”杰里迈亚站起身，露出狡黠的笑容，“走这条路。”
他们都跟在他身后，一起前进，包括淘气包。小猴子让杰里迈亚“俯首称臣”，途经村庄时，它一路都坐在他的肩膀上。看到每个人都盯着他的肩膀，议论纷纷，老人十分 高兴。
走过一处布满岩石的海滩，他把一行人带到高崖下的山脚处。“那里就是入口了，”老人指着海滩附近悬崖上的一个大洞口，说道，“那里通往你们想去的洞穴，有手电 筒吗？”
“有的，我们每个人都带了一只，”朱利安拍着口袋，说，“需要付钱才能进去吗？”
“不用。埃比尼泽带游客转转的话，会要五便士左右的小费；要是雅各布在的话，他也会带游客到处走走。”杰里迈亚说，“不过，我会和埃比尼泽商量一下，让你们免费进去，难道你们还想在那个坏蛋身上浪费一分钱吗？”
悬崖上的洞口连接的洞穴幽深巨大，这是他们进入的第一个洞穴，里面到处挂着小灯笼，但是光线很暗。
“注意脚下。”杰里迈亚警告说，“洞里某些地方真的很滑。走这边，穿过这扇古老的拱门。”
洞穴里寒冷潮湿，孩子们必须十分小心翼翼，才能避开海水冲击后残留的水坑。突然，杰里迈亚拐了个弯，朝完全不同的方向走着，一直向下、向下、向下……他们一直朝洞穴底部走了下去！
“嘿，我们估计是要走进大海里了？”朱利安惊讶地说道，“洞穴一直延伸到海底吗？没有回到悬崖上？”
“你说得完全正确。”杰里迈亚说，“这是一个真正的岩石海岸，我们走的这条路，是岩石里面的隧道，我们一路向下，会进入地底深处的洞穴。现在，如果你仔细聆听，就能听到大海的声音，正在洞顶上方喃喃自语，洞的顶部正是大海的海床！”
这真是一番奇谈怪论，令人相当震惊。安妮惊恐地注视着头顶的岩石，用手电筒照亮它，期待能从洞顶裂缝处看见咸咸的海水渗进来，水珠在岩石顶上翻涌滚动的样子。但是她什么都没看见，洞顶摸上去只是有点湿，仅此而已。
“我们快要到毁盗王老巢了吗？”乔治问道，“淘气包，别再制造噪音了，没什么好害怕的！”
淘气包一点也不喜欢这样，在如此寒冷、阴暗、奇怪的地底摸索前进。它又惊又怕地一路嘟囔着，突然，它发出一声惊恐的尖叫。
“别叫了！你吓我一跳！”安妮说，“听，这只猴子尖叫的回音响彻整个隧道，听起来就像一百只猴子同时尖叫。我们的声音也有回响。”
听到不断响彻隧道的尖锐回音，淘气包被吓坏了。它像个婴儿一样哭了起来，紧紧抓住阿修的脖子，好像暗自决定永远都不会放开他了。
“我猜，它可能认为这个地方关满了正在尖叫的猴子。”安妮说，一脸抱歉地看着这只战战兢兢的小动物，“这只是回声啊，淘气包。”
“它很快就会习惯的。”阿修说，他紧紧抱住贴着他的 猴子。
“你应该听听下个拐弯处的回声。”杰里迈亚边说边抚弄着小猴子。一到拐角处，他突然开始大声喊叫，制造出非常愚蠢的巨响。
而这声尖叫的回音传回来时，比之前响了十倍，隧道里顷刻间充满恐怖的噪音。每个人都害怕得跳起来，而淘气包最为惊恐，它高高跃起，弹落在地，然后以最快的速度逃开，边逃边发出猴子特有的哀鸣声。它沿着隧道向下一条路飞跑，尾巴在空中飞舞，到了隧道拐角处，它的身影消失得无影无踪。
“淘气包！快回来！”阿修呼喊道，“你会迷路的！”
回来的却只有回声：“迷路，迷路，迷路，路，路……”
不见淘气包回来，阿修沮丧极了。“不用担心你的猴子，”杰里迈亚安慰道，“曾经，我带过一群猴子到这里来，最后它们都回来了。”
“好吧，我就留在这个洞底，直到淘气包回来。”阿修声音颤抖地说道。
他们走进另一个洞穴，里面也挂着灯笼，光线依旧很暗。一进来，他们就听到了窃窃私语声，谁会在这里呢？
洞穴里居然有另外三名游客，他们正像孩子一样左顾右盼，四处参观。一个身材魁梧的大个子和他们在一起。大个子有着一头黑发和深色眼睛，还有一张一看就满是粗语的大嘴巴，和雅各布一模一样，朱利安立刻猜到，他就是雅各布另一个兄弟——埃比尼泽。
埃比尼泽一看到杰里迈亚，就开始愤怒地大声吼道：“滚出去！
这是我的工作，你可以滚了，我会带这些年轻人参观洞穴的！”
他连珠炮似的大声吼着，五个人几乎要被震聋了，特别是当回声传来，重复他的话语时，如洪钟一般响亮！三名游客因为害怕争斗，迅速逃离隧道。安妮也怕得瑟瑟发抖，她紧紧抓着朱利安。
埃比尼泽一直冲着杰里迈亚大喊大叫，他双手高举道：“我好像警告过你一百次，别来这些洞穴。我难道没有告诉过你吗？只有我，还有雅各布才能带人来参观！”
“别管他！”杰里迈亚喊着，背对着这个愤怒的男人，“他只空有一张大嘴巴，说比做多，就和他的兄弟雅各布一样！”
“当心！”朱利安大声喊道，只见怒火中烧的埃比尼泽向杰里迈亚冲了过去，他的拳头高高举起，就快要打到杰里迈亚了。
Chapter 17 MISCHIEF AGAIN - AND A SURPRISE!
Chapter 17 MISCHIEF AGAIN - AND A SURPRISE!
Jeremiah saw the angry man coming at him, and very neatly side-stepped. Ebenezer couldn't stop,stepped heavily on a strand of very slippery seaweed - and went sprawling into a corner!
'Ho!' said Jeremiah, delighted. 'Very nice, Ebenezer! Get up, and run at me again!'
'He'd better not,' said Julian, in his most grown-up voice. 'I shall report him to the police if he does -and that will make a pair of them in two days. Jacob got into trouble yesterday - and now it will beEbenezer.'
Ebenezer got up, scowling, and glared at Jeremiah, who grinned back in delight. 'Coming at meagain, Ebby?' he said. 'It's grand fun to hit an old man, isn't it?'
But Ebenezer was very much afraid that Julian would do what he had threatened, and report him tothe police. He rubbed his shoulder where it had struck a piece of rock, and debated what to do.
'Come along,' said Jeremiah, to the five watching children. 'I'll take you down to the Wreckers'
Cave. Ebby can come too, if so be he can behave hisself. But mebbe he'd like to run away home, andget his shoulder looked to!'
That was enough for Ebby! He determined to follow the little company, and made rude remarks allthe time. So he tailed them, and shouted at them from a safe distance. How they wished they hadTimmy with them! He would have made short work of the rude Ebenezer!
'Don't take any notice of him,' said Julian. 'Lead on Jeremiah. My word, isn't it dark in this tunnel!
Good thing we all brought good torches!'
The tunnel came to an end at last and opened out into an extraordinary cave. The roof wasunexpectedly high, and the irregular sides were ridged with shelves of rocks. On the shelves weredirty old boxes, a crate or two and some sacks.
'What in the world are those?' asked Dick, shining his torch on them.
'Well young sir, they're just what they look like - ordinary boxes and sacks,' said Jeremiah. 'Put thereby Ebenezer and Jacob to fool people! They tell everybody they're what the old wreckers got out ofships they wrecked, years ago! Hoo-hoo-hoo! Anybody that believes those lies deserves to be fooled.
They're all from Ebby's back-yard. Seen them lying there meself! Hoo-hoo-hoo!'
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His hoo-hooing laugh echoed round the cave, and Ebenezer made an angry growling noise rather likea dog.
'I'm not going to fool these kids,' said Jeremiah. 'You and your sacks and boxes! I know where the oldthings are, the real old things - oh yes I do!'
'They're no better than the sacks and boxes there, wherever they are!' said Ebby, in a growling voice.
'You're lying, old Jeremiah - you don't know nothing!'
'Take us on farther,' said Dick. 'There must be more caves. I think this is exciting. Is this really wherethe old wreckers hid the things they salvaged from the wrecks they caused - or just a tale?'
'Oh, this is their cave, that's true enough. Dressed up a bit by Ebby there!' said Jeremiah. 'But I knowthe caves farther on. Ebby doesn't! He's too skeered to go farther under the sea. Ain't you, Ebby?'
Ebby said something that sounded rude. Julian turned to Jeremiah eagerly. 'Oh do take us farther - ifit isn't dangerous!'
'Well, I'm going farther on, anyway,' said Tinker, suddenly. 'Mischief hasn't come back - so he mustbe lost - and I'm going to find him!'
Julian saw that Tinker was quite determined. 'Right,' he said. 'We'll come with you. Jeremiah, leadthe way! But it's not really dangerous, is it? I mean - we don't want to find the sea sweeping throughthese caves, right up to where we are!'
'Tide's not on the turn yet,' said Jeremiah. 'We're all right for a while. When it comes in, it swirls upthis passage here - but it stops at the Wreckers' Cave - that's just too high for it, see? The tunnel runsdownwards fast now. It goes right under your light-house, have you seen it down at the bottom of theshaft?'
'Good gracious, yes!' said Julian, remembering. 'I went down it - and the sea was swirling in and outat openings in the bottom of the shaft. Do you mean to say that the sea that rises in the shaft at hightide, comes racing up into these tunnels too?'
'Aye, that it does,' said Jeremiah. 'You can get from here to the light-house under the rocky sea-bedright to that foundation shaft. But nobody dares! Tide comes in so quickly, you might get caught anddrownded!'
Ebby at once shouted something rude again - it sounded as if he was telling Jeremiah to go and'get drownded too'!
69
'Do let's go on farther,' said Dick. 'Come on, Jeremiah.'
So Jeremiah led them farther on under the rocky bed of the sea. It was strange and rather frighteningto hear the constant noise of the water racing over the roof of the winding tunnel.
Their torches lighted up slimy walls, and rocky shelves and hollows.
'You know - this would have been a very good place to hide treasure,' said Julian, glancing up at adark hollow in the roof of the tunnel. 'Though I don't know how anyone would set about looking forit - there are hundreds of nooks and crannies - and isn't it cold in this tunnel!'
'Well, the sun's rays never penetrate down here,' said Dick. 'My word, the sea sounds pretty loudnow!'
'I wish we could find Mischief,' said Anne to George. 'Look at poor Tinker. He's crying. He'spretending not to, but I could see the tears rolling down his cheeks last time I flashed my torch onhim.'
They stopped to look at something - a strange jellylike thing, like an enormous sea anemone.
Ebby caught them up, and bumped into Dick. He rounded on Ebby at once.
'Keep off! Follow us if you like, but don't come so near. We don't like you!'
Ebby took no notice but kept as close behind everyone as he possibly could, and Dick realized that hewas probably feeling very scared! Then, as they rounded another corner of the tunnel, and saw yetanother cave, Tinker gave a yell that echoed everywhere.
'MISCHIEF! LOOK! THERE HE IS! MISCHIEF!'
And sure enough, there was the little monkey, crouched under a small shelf of rock, shivering infright. He wouldn't even go running to Tinker. Tinker had to pick him up and hug him.
'Mischief! Poor Mischief - were you very frightened?' he said. 'You're trembling all over! Youshouldn't have run away! You might have been lost for ever!'
Mischief had something clutched in his tiny paw. He chattered to Tinker, and put his little furry armsround his neck. As he did so, he opened one paw - and something fell out and rolled over the rockyfloor.
'What have you dropped, Mischief?' said Dick, and shone his torch down on to the floor of the cave.
Something was glittering there - something round and yellow! Everyone stared, and a shock ofexcitement went through Julian, who was nearest. 'A gold coin!' he cried, and picked it up. 'As brightas when it was minted. Mischief, where did you get it from? Look, Dick, look, George - it's gold allright!'
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Immediately everyone was full of the greatest excitement, one thought only in their heads.
The treasure! Mischief must have found the treasure! It was an old coin - very old. Where couldMischief have found it?
'Oh let's go farther on and see!' cried Dick.
'Jeremiah, it must be the treasure! Mischief will lead us to it!'
But Mischief would do nothing of the sort. He was NOT going to lose himself again. He was going tosit on Tinker's shoulders, with an arm safely round the boy's neck! He hadn't liked being lost, all byhimself in the dark.
Jeremiah would not go any farther, either. He shook his head. 'No - not today, young sirs. Tide willsoon be sweeping up these tunnels - faster than we can walk. Better turn back now, in case we'recaught. Many's the visitor that's had to run for his life, when the tide came up all of a sudden!'
George's sharp ears caught the sound of swoosh-swoosh! Somewhere the tide had crept in!
'Come on!' she said. 'We'd better do what Jeremiah says. The sea's coming up the tunnel now as wellas over it - and soon it will be sweeping up the beach too, and in at the cliff-passages. We'll be caughtin the middle, and have to stay here for ages!'
'No need for alarm, missy,' said old Jeremiah. 'There's a bit of time yet. Hallo - where's Ebenezergone?'
'Blow - he must have heard us talking about Mischief's gold piece,' said George. 'I forgot all abouthim! Now he knows that Mischief has found a gold coin, he'll feel sure that the treasure may besomewhere down here - and he'll look for it as soon as ever he can! WHY didn't we keep quiet aboutit?'
'I forgot he was standing near us,' groaned Dick. 'Well I suppose the whole of Demon's Rocks Villagewill know by now that a monkey has found the treasure - and hordes of sight-seers will swarm downhere, hoping to find it. It must have been put in a pretty dry place, surely, for that coin to be so brightand untarnished.'
'Buck up - we'd better go back as quickly as possible,' said Julian. 'Look at old Jeremiah - he's toothrilled for words! He's planning to find the treasure himself at the earliest possible moment!'
'Well, I vote we have a shot at it ourselves tomorrow,' said Dick, excitement welling up in him at thethought. 'Good old Mischief! You're better than any detective!'
Then away up the tunnels they went, making all kinds of plans. WHAT an excitement!
17.狭路相逢
狭路相逢
眼看这怒火中烧的男人直愣愣地朝他冲过来，杰里迈亚干净利落地闪到一边。这下，埃比尼泽无法刹住脚步，踩在了一块滑溜溜的海藻上，整个人滑到了角落里！
“哈哈！”杰里迈亚得意地笑起来，“滑得漂亮，埃比尼泽！站起来呀，我在这里，再冲我跑一次啊！”
“他最好别这么干。”朱利安说道，这次他的语气成熟得像大人一样，“如果他有胆这么做的话，我会报警的，这样他们兄弟就可以团聚了。雅各布昨天已经被关进了警察局，现在该轮到你了，埃比尼泽。”
埃比尼泽站了起来，眉头紧锁，瞪着杰里迈亚，后者只是得意地笑着。“再来袭击我呀，埃比？”他说，“对你这种人来说，袭击一个老头儿是件很有趣的事，不是吗？”
但是，埃比尼泽非常害怕朱利安会报警抓他。他用肩膀抵住一块岩石，思索接下来要怎么做。
“来吧，”杰里迈亚对五个观战的孩子说，“我带你们到毁盗王的老巢去。埃比，你也可以来，只是你要表现得规矩点。不过，也许你只想撒开腿逃回家！”
这些话用于激怒埃比已经足够了。他决定尾随这队人马，故意制造粗鲁的噪音。于是他跟踪着他们，与他们保持一段安全距离，不时地朝他们吼叫。一行人多么希望此时蒂米能在这里，就可以给粗鲁的埃比尼泽一点教训了。
“别在意他，”朱利安说，“跟紧杰里迈亚先生，幸好，这条隧道并不是很暗，我们的手电筒还算管用。”
终于到了隧道的尽头，迎接他们的是一个巨大非凡的洞穴。洞顶出乎意料的高，洞脊两边排列着不规则的岩石。这些岩石上放着又脏又旧的盒子和板条箱，还有一些麻袋。
“这些到底是什么？”迪克问道，用手电筒照在它们上方。
“年轻人啊，你现在看到什么它们就是什么。把普通的箱子和麻袋放在原处，”杰里迈亚说，“埃比尼泽和雅各布就可以继续骗人了。这些年来，他们告诉来到这儿的所有人，这些都是老毁盗王从失事的船只上弄来的！哈哈哈，任何相信这低劣谎言的人都活该被愚弄。它们全都来自埃比家的后院。我亲眼见过。哈哈哈！”
他笑声的回音响彻洞穴，埃比尼泽愤怒地用吼声回应，听上去就像一条猛狗在他们身后追赶。
“我不会欺骗这群孩子的，”杰里迈亚说，“你的麻袋和箱子派不上用场啦。我知道宝藏在哪里——真正的宝藏！”
“你撒谎，老杰里迈亚，你什么都不知道！”埃比咆哮着，“无论它们放在哪里，都不会比这里的麻袋和箱子更像真的！”
“把我们带到更远的地方去吧，”迪克说，“这里肯定有很多洞穴可以探险，我觉得这才是令人兴奋的地方。那些老毁盗王真的会把从残骸里偷来的宝物藏在这里吗，还是说这仅仅是传说？”
“哦，这里就是他们的藏宝洞，是真的。这个洞只是稍微被埃比改变了一下外形。”杰里迈亚说，“但我还知道隧道更深处的洞穴。
埃比却不知道，他太胆小了，不敢在海底下走得太远，对吗，埃比？”
埃比骂了几句脏话。朱利安转向杰里迈亚，兴致勃勃地说：“如果没有危险就带我们去吧！”
“唉，看来无论如何我都要往洞穴更深处走了。”阿修突然说道，“可是淘气包还没有回来，它肯定是迷路了，我一定要把它找回来！”
“放心，”朱利安对阿修说，“我们会和你一起去找的。杰里迈亚先生，带路吧！不会有危险的，是吧？我是指潮水不会淹没那些洞穴，涌入我们所在的地方吧？”
“潮汐尚未到来。”杰里迈亚说，“这段时间我们都是安全的。涨潮时，海流一路席卷而来，但会在毁盗王老巢停住不前，这里的地势对海流来说太高了。看到了吗？隧道会在这附近陡然往下延伸，一直通往你们灯塔的下方，你不是在竖井的底部看到隧道的另一头了吗？”
“好家伙，是这样的！”朱利安记起来了，说道，“我一路向下走，看见竖井底部开口处，海水流进流出。您的意思是说，涨潮时竖井里涌入的海流，同时也会涌进这些隧 道吗？”
“是的。”杰里迈亚说，“这里直达灯塔，通过隧道，你可以从海底石床的下方，直接走到竖井底部。但没有人敢这么做！潮水是突然涌进来的，你可能会被海流逮住，迅速被淹没！”
埃比突然又开始大喊大叫，听起来好像他在对杰里迈亚说：“淹死吧”！
“让我们往前走吧，”迪克说，“别理他，杰里迈亚先生。”
杰里迈亚带他们去了隧道更深处，到达海底岩床的下方。盘旋蜿蜒的隧道顶部，不断传来嘈杂的水流冲击声，让人感觉又神奇又可怕。他们用手电筒照亮湿漉漉的墙壁，看到岩石暗礁和数不清的凹洞。
“这是一个隐藏宝藏的好地方，”朱利安说，瞥了一眼隧道顶部的黑洞，“虽然我不知道应该从哪一个洞开始寻找。这里有成百上千个洞穴和缝隙，而且在这隧道里寻宝的人，难道不会感觉到冷吗？”
“肯定会，因为这里照射不到太阳光，”迪克说，“你们不觉得海水声似乎更响了吗？”
“我希望能找回淘气包。”安妮对乔治说，“看看可怜的阿修，他在哭。虽然他假装没有，但上次我用手电筒照亮的时候，无意间看见他脸颊上挂着泪珠。”
他们停了下来，前方好像有什么东西，那是一种奇怪的果冻状的物体，原来是巨型海葵。正在此时，埃比赶了上来，他不小心撞到了迪克。迪克马上躲到一边，说：“请保持距离！你可以跟着我们，但不要靠这么近。我们不喜欢你。”
埃比没有理会这番话，他尽可能地跟在后面，迪克这才意识到，他可能也觉得害怕。当他们又拐了个弯，看到另一个洞穴时，阿修突然大声喊起来，洞穴里充满了回声。
“淘气包！看！它在那儿！淘气包！”
果然没错，小猴子蜷缩在一块小小的暗礁下，正惊恐地颤抖着，动都不敢动，阿修跑过去，一把将它抱起来。
“淘气包！可怜的淘气包，你吓坏了，对吗？”他说，“你全身都在抖！别再逃跑了，你可能会永远迷路的！”
淘气包的小爪子抓着什么。它一边叽叽咕咕对阿修说着话，一边用它那小小的毛茸茸的胳膊抱紧阿修的脖子。一只爪子打开了，什么东西掉了下来，滚落在洞穴的岩石地上。
“你扔了什么，淘气包？”迪克说，用手电筒照亮洞穴的底部。
这是一枚圆形的金灿灿的东西，在那里闪闪发光！每个人都盯着它看，离得最近的是朱利安，“一枚金币！”他喊道，捡了起来，“它闪闪发光，好像刚被铸造出来一样。淘气包，你从哪里找到的？迪克、乔治，看啊，这是真的黄金！”
每个人瞬间兴奋到极点，脑袋里同时冒出一个词：宝藏！
淘气包一定找到了宝藏！大家仔细端详，这是一枚旧钱币，看上去很古老。淘气包到底是在哪里找到它的呢？
“哦，我们往前走远一点，看能否找到宝藏！”迪克喊道，“杰里迈亚先生，肯定有宝藏！淘气包能带我们找到它！”
但是淘气包不想那样做，它不想再迷路了。它只是坐在阿修肩膀上，用胳膊抱紧男孩的脖子，不愿意下来，仿佛这样才能感到安全。它再也不愿意只身冒险了，尤其是在这黑暗的洞穴中！
杰里迈亚也不打算继续往远处走了。他摇摇头说：“不行，年轻人啊，今天不能往前走了，潮水很快就会席卷这些隧道，水流比我们速度更快。如果我们不想被潮水抓住，最好现在就转身回去。一旦突然涨潮，为了活命，多少访客不得不拼死拼活地逃跑！”
乔治耳朵很灵，她听到了哗哗声，潮水已经悄然而至！“快走吧！”她说，“我们最好照杰里迈亚先生的话去做。海水已经涌入隧道，就在上方盘旋，很快它也将席卷海滩，淹没悬崖的通道。我们会夹在中间进退两难，永远困在这里，年复一年！”
“不需要惊慌，小姐，”杰里迈亚说，“我们还有一点时间。喂，埃比尼泽，你上哪儿去啦？”
“完了，他一定是听到我们谈论淘气包找到金币的事情。”乔治说，“我完全忘记了他的存在。现在他知道淘气包找到金币的事情了，肯定也认为，宝藏就藏在这里的某个地方，他会回来找它的！
为什么我们刚才不保持沉默？”
“我完全忘记他就站在我们附近了，”迪克叹息道，“好吧，也许整个恶魔岩村的人，现在都知道有只猴子找到了宝藏。成群结队的观光者将拥入这里来寻宝。我肯定，宝藏放在一个干燥的地方，因为那枚金币闪亮如初，一点瑕疵都没有。”
“大家振作起来，现在先尽快回灯塔。”朱利安说，“看看杰里迈亚先生，他已经激动得说不出话来了，肯定也在计划用最快的速度找到宝藏。”
“好吧，我投票表决，明天就行动。”迪克说，这个想法令他振奋起来，“好一个淘气包！你比世界上任何一个侦探都精明！”
随后，他们立刻离开隧道，一路计划着寻宝的事情。这一切真令人兴奋！
Chapter 18 BACK IN THE LIGHT-HOUSE - AND AN EXCITING TALK!
Chapter 18 BACK IN THE LIGHT-HOUSE - AND AN EXCITING TALK!
Old Jeremiah was as excited as the others, but he said very little. He was angry to think that Ebenezershould have been there to see the find. He didn't trust that Ebby - nor that Jacob either! They'd beferreting after that treasure as sure as nuts were nuts, and monkeys were monkeys! Ha - wouldn't theylike to know where it was! He stumped on, up the old tunnels, thinking hard, and at last they cameout into the welcome daylight again!
'Here, Jeremiah - buy yourself some more baccy,' said Julian, putting twenty pence into the old man'shand. 'And don't count too much on that treasure! I expect it's just an odd coin that Mischief found ina dry corner somewhere!'
'Thank you, young sir,' said the old man. 'I'm not wanting the treasure myself - I'm just hoping thatEbby and Jacob don't find it. They'll be hunting all the time for it now!'
They were glad to be out in the open again. The sun had gone now, and the wind had whipped up. Itwas raining hard.
'I say - we'd better buck up, else we shan't be able to walk back to the light-house over the rocks!' saidJulian, worried. But fortunately the wind was against the tide and they just had time to wade over tothe light-house steps.
'There's our little boat bobbing-about,' said Tinker. 'And hark - I can hear old Timmy barking!
He's heard us coming!'
So he had. He had been lying on the door-mat, his ears glued to the crack under the door, listening,listening. Nobody had come near the light-house and not a sound did old Timmy hear but the windand the sea, and a few gulls gliding by.
'We're back, Timmy!' yelled George, and she pushed at the door. It opened, and Timmy leapt out,almost knocking her over. Mischief sprang on to the dog's back, and chattered at him withoutstopping.
'He's telling him about the gold coin he found,' said Tinker, with a laugh. 'Oh, I wish you'd been withus, Timmy. It was grand!'
72
'It feels as if we've been away for ages,' said George. 'But it isn't very late after all - unless my watchis slow! I'm hungry. Let's have something to eat and talk about everything - and what we're going todo!'
So, over biscuits and sandwiches and coffee, they talked and talked. 'We must get down to the cavesagain as soon as possible!' said George. 'I'm absolutely certain that Jacob and Ebby will be downthere, hunting for coins, as soon as the tide's out again.'
'Well, we can't do anything today, that's certain,' said Dick. 'For one thing the tide's in now - and foranother thing it's blowing up for a storm. Just hark at the wind!'
Timmy was sitting as close to George as he possibly could. He hadn't liked her going out withouthim. She sat with her arm round him, eating her biscuits, occasionally giving him half of one. Tinkerwas doing the same with Mischief!
The children talked and talked. Where could Mischief have found that coin? Was it one on it's own,that the sea had swept into the tunnel? Or was it part of a whole lot of coins? Had it come from anironbound box, whose wooden sides had rotted away? They talked endlessly, their eyes bright, theround gold coin on the table in front of them.
'I suppose it would be treasure-trove if we found it?' said Dick. 'I mean - it would be so old that itwould belong to the Crown, and not to anyone in particular.'
'I expect we'd be allowed to keep a few coins ourselves,' said George. 'If only we could gostraightaway now and hunt in that tunnel! I feel as if I can't wait!'
'Woof,' said Timmy, agreeing though he really hadn't much idea of what they were talking about!
'I say - LISTEN to the sea crashing over the rocks between us and the jetty!' said Julian, startled at thesudden booming. 'The wind must be working up to a gale!'
'Well, bad weather's been forecast for some time,' said Dick gloomily. 'Blow! It'll be jolly difficultrowing to and fro in that little Bob-About boat. I doubt if we'd be able to walk across the rocks evenat low tide, with a big sea running before the wind.'
'Oh don't be so gloomy!' said Anne.
'Well, do you want us to be prisoners here in the light-house?' demanded Dick. 'It wouldn't matter -there's plenty of food,' said Anne.
'No there isn't! Remember there are five of us - and Timmy and Mischief as well,' said Dick.
'Shut up, Dick,' said Julian. 'You're scaring Anne and Tinker. This storm will soon blow over -73
we'll be able to pop out and do some shopping tomorrow.'
But the storm grew fiercer, and the sky became so dark that Anne lighted the lamps. Rain slashedagainst the light-house, and the wind made a loud howling noise that made Timmy growl deep downin his throat.
Anne went to look out of the window. She felt frightened when she saw the great waves that camesurging over the rocks below. Some of them broke on the rocks, and the spray flew so high that itspattered the window out of which she was looking! She drew back in alarm.
'Do you know what hit the window then? It was spray from a great wave!'
'Whew!' said Julian, and went to the window himself. What a wonderful sight! The sea was greynow, not blue, and it raced along towards the shore, great waves curling over into white manes, sprayflying. Out to sea there were angry waves too, topped with white, which turned into spray as thestrong wind caught them. Only a few gulls were out, screaming in excitement, allowing the wind totake them along on their great white wings.
'Well, I certainly wouldn't mind being a gull today,' said Dick. 'It must be a wonderful feeling to rideon a storm - no wonder they are screaming in joy!'
'Ee-oo, Ee-oo, EE-OOO, EE-OOOOO!' cried the gulls, sounding like cats mewing in hunger.
'I'm sorry for the strips out in this,' said Julian. 'Goodness - think of the sailing-ships in the oldendays, caught on this rocky coast in a wind like this - it's almost a hurricane!'
'And think of that wicked old One-Ear Bill, gloating when he saw a ship sailing nearer and nearer therocks!' said George. 'And even taking the warning-lamp out of its place on the cliff, and bringing itnear here to make sure that any ships out that night would make straight for the rocks - CRASH!'
'Don't,' said Anne. 'I hate to think of things like that.'
'Let's have a game,' said Julian. 'Where are the cards? Move that lamp a bit closer to the table, Dick.
It's getting so jolly dark. Now no more talk of wrecks! Think of something cheerful - tea-sup, forinstance - the treasure - and...'
'You know, I think it would be quite easy to find the treasure,' said Dick, bringing the lamp close tothe table. 'Mischief is a very clever little thing. I'm sure he would remember where he found that coin,and lead us straight to the place.'
'It might have been just an odd coin, dropped by the man who hid the hoard,' said Anne.
'It might - but wherever it was found I think we can safely say that the main hoard wouldn't be 74very far away,' said Dick.
'Well, if we do go hunting we'll have to go when the tide is well out,' said Julian. 'I don't really fancyscrabbling about in those caves and tunnels under the rocky sea-bed, when I know that somehow orother when the tide is coming in the water gets under the sea-bed, as well as on it.'
Dick sat frowning, thinking out something. 'Ju,' he said at last, 'you remember the direction we wentin, as soon as we were underground this morning? We went left-ish all the way, didn't we?'
'Yes, we did,' said Tinker, at once. 'I had my little compass with me - look - it clips to my wristwatch- and we went sharp west all the time.'
'Towards the light-house, that would be,' said Julian, and drew a quick plan. 'See - here's the light-house, say - and just here is the entrance into the cliff, where we first went - here's the path we took,curving right back to the sea again, under the rocky beach - here it goes - and that's a cave, see, thenmore tunnel, and caves - the way always curving sharply to the left...'
'A bit farther on and we'd have been almost under the light-house!' said Dick, in amazement.
'That's right,' said Julian. 'And maybe in the old days, before this light-house was built, and shipswere sent crashing on the rocks on which it now stands, there was a tunnel down from those light-house rocks that joined up with the tunnel we were in this morning - so that the wreckers would findit very easy to stow away anything valuable they found in a wrecked ship without being seen!'
'Whew! You mean they waited till the ship smashed up, then waded over the rocks, as we do, tookwhat they could find, and disappeared down a tunnel there to hide it!'
'And came out the other end!' said Anne.
George stared at Julian, and her eyes were bright. 'Maybe the tunnel is still somewhere in theserocks!' she said. 'Somewhere down at the edge of them, because we know the sea gets into the tunnel.
Julian, let's look for it tomorrow. I think you're right. There may be a hole in the rocks heresomewhere, that drops down into the tunnel we were in.'
Nobody wanted to play a game after that! They felt much too excited. They studied Julian's planagain and again, glad that Tinker's little compass had shown him so clearly that morning that theunder-sea passages had led due west to the light-house rocks.
'Do you suppose that everyone has forgotten the old hole?' said Dick. 'Nobody has told us anythingabout it, not even Jeremiah. Do you think it may have been blocked up?'
Julian frowned, thinking hard.
'Well, yes - it may have been,' he said. 'It is queer that Jeremiah didn't say anything about it.
Anyway we'll have a good hunt tomorrow.'
'And if we find it, we'll drop down and hunt for the treasure!' said Tinker, his eyes shining.
'WHAT a shock for Ebenezer and Jacob if we find it first!'
18.重返灯塔
重返灯塔
杰里迈亚和其他人一样兴奋，但他不发一言。一想到埃比尼泽也会去寻宝，杰里迈亚就十分生气。他不信任埃比，还有那个雅各布！那两个人对宝藏垂涎已久，所谓江山易改，本性难移！哈哈，还好，他们并不知道它在哪里！他大步向前，紧随众人往隧道上方走去，但脑袋里却苦苦思索着宝藏有可能埋藏的位置。一番跋涉后，大伙儿终于走出隧道，迎接阳光的照耀！
“给您，杰里迈亚先生，给自己买些烟草吧，”朱利安把二十便士塞进老人手中，说，“还有，别太相信宝藏的事了。我猜，也许那只是一枚奇怪的硬币，正好藏在一个干燥的角落里，淘气包无意中发现的。”
“谢谢你，年轻人。”老人说，“我并不想要宝藏，只是希望埃比和雅各布找不到。他们贪得无厌，一直在寻找宝藏的踪影！”
能从黑暗的隧道走出来，大家感到很高兴。此时太阳已经落山，狂风飞舞，暴雨倾盆。
“我们要加把劲儿，天气恶劣，要想从石阶走回去不是件容易的事！”朱利安担心地说道。但幸运的是，狂风吹落了潮水，这给他们争取了时间，越过石阶终于回到灯塔。
“看，我们的小船正在上下摇晃呢。”阿修说，“听，蒂米正在叫呢！它肯定听到我们回来了！”
是的，它听到了。它一直躺在门垫上，耳朵紧贴在下方的缝隙上，听着远方的动静。这一天里没人前往灯塔，蒂米没有听到任何声音。只有风声和海声，还有海鸥滑翔的声音陪伴着它。
“我们回来了，蒂米！”乔治喊着，推开塔门。门刚一打开，蒂米跳了出来，差点把她撞倒。淘气包跳到蒂米的背上，对它叽叽咕咕讲个不停。
“它好像在告诉蒂米，找到那枚金币的事情呢。”阿修笑着说，“哦，真希望你能和我们一起来，蒂米。这次探险真是太棒了！”
“感觉我们好像已经离开许多年了，”乔治说，“但其实时间不是很晚，除非我的手表走慢了。我饿了，我们先吃点东西吧，再谈谈发生的一切，以及接下来要做的事情！”
坐在放着饼干、三明治和咖啡的毯子上，这群孩子谈啊谈啊，一谈起来就不知道结束。“必须尽快回到洞穴！”乔治说，“我非常肯定，只要一退潮，雅各布和埃比会抢先回去寻找宝藏。”
“呃，今天这个天气，什么都做不了，这一点是肯定的。”迪克说，“第一现在涨潮了，第二今天有风暴。听听这呼呼的风声！”
蒂米坐在乔治身旁，尽可能地贴紧小主人。它最不喜欢的事情，就是她和别人外出，留它独自守门。乔治吃着饼干，用胳膊搂着蒂米，不时地喂它吃一块。而阿修对淘气包也在做着同样的事情！
孩子们一直聊着宝藏的事。淘气包在哪里找到那枚金币的？难道洞里只剩这一枚金币，大海把其余的金币卷走了吗？还是真有一大堆金币等着人发现？这些金币藏在铁箱子里吗？说不定那箱子的木质边缘已经腐烂了。他们不眠不休地议论着，眼睛里闪着亮光。
而那枚圆形金币就放在桌前，对着他们闪闪发亮呢！
“如果我们找到更多的金币，应该就是传说中的宝藏啦！”迪克说，“我想，既然是如此久远的宝藏，它应该上缴给王室，而不是成为某个人私有的财产。”
“要是能保留几枚金币当作纪念就好了，”乔治说，“真想现在立刻前往那条隧道好好探索一番！我真的等不及了！”
“汪汪！”蒂米赞同地叫着，虽然它其实不太清楚孩子们在谈论什么。
“听，这是海水撞击岩石的声音，大海正在冲击灯塔，”朱利安被突如其来的隆隆巨响吓到了，不禁惊叹道，“肯定是猛烈的暴风！”
“看来这恶劣的天气要持续一段时间了。”迪克一脸黯淡，说道，“完了，摇摇船体积那样小，对抗不了巨浪，坐船来回不现实，就算等到退潮了，这风也会把海水掀得老高，到时这石阶上还能走人吗，毕竟人的速度比不上风快。”
“哎呀，不要那么消沉嘛！”安妮说。
“你猜，我们会被关在灯塔里多久啊？”迪克问道。
“没关系的，还有很多食物。”安妮说。
“我们有五个人，还有蒂米和淘气包，食物可远远不够啊。”迪克说。
“闭嘴啦，迪克，”朱利安说，“你这是在吓唬安妮和阿修。风暴很快就会平息的，说不定明天我们就可以出去买些吃的。”
然而，风暴变得更加猛烈了，房间里阴沉沉的，安妮只好点亮了灯。暴雨如注，冲刷着灯塔，外面的风声好像在咆哮，这让蒂米十分害怕，喉咙里也跟着发出低低的呜咽。
安妮看向窗外，顿时感到惊恐万分。巨浪翻腾，越过岩石朝灯塔袭来，浪花打在岩石上，顿时粉身碎骨，四处飞溅，溅到了窗户上。安妮正看着这扇窗户，吓了一大跳。她说：“你们知道刚才是什么打到窗户上了吗？是海浪！”
“天啊！”朱利安说，也走到窗前，驻足凝望。多么美妙的景象！窗外，不再有蔚蓝色的海洋，而是灰蒙蒙的海浪，包围了海岸线，浪花呈奶白色，好像卷曲的白马鬃毛。暴风追赶着浪花，浪被风吹成喷射的飞流，奔涌翻腾，拍打着海岸。几只海鸥兴奋地叫着，风振开它们白色的羽翼，坚持在这暴风中翱翔。
“哦，真希望我是一只海鸥，”迪克说，“骑着风暴飞行，这感觉肯定很美妙，难怪它们忍不住欢乐地尖叫！”
“哟哦，哟哦，哟哟哦哦哦，哟哟哦哦哦！”海鸥喊着，听起来像猫咪在饥饿地喵喵叫。
“我可不想这种天气里暴露在外面，”朱利安说，“想想过去那些船，在这样的飓风中航行，突然撞上海岸的岩石，真是一场灾难！”
“而那个邪恶的老家伙——单耳比尔，就在一旁埋伏，看着船逐渐靠近岩石，他却幸灾乐祸地等着出事，想到这里我就恶心！”乔治说，“甚至他还特意把警示灯从悬崖上偷走，故意把它带到恶魔岩附近，以便在暴风雨的夜晚，让船撞到岩石，变成残骸，‘砰砰’！”
“不要说了，”安妮说，“我讨厌听到这些邪恶的故事。”
“我们来场比赛吧。”朱利安说，“牌放哪里了？把灯移到桌子附近，迪克，屋里太暗了。现在不要再讨论沉船了！我们来想一些快乐的东西，例如，茶餐、宝藏、还有……”
“我感觉找到宝藏很容易，”迪克把灯放在桌子上，说，“淘气包挺聪明的，我相信它一定记得是在哪里找到这枚硬币的，它会带我们找到藏宝之地的。”
“也许只剩下这一枚奇怪的硬币了，是藏宝的人不小心掉落的。”安妮说。
“也许吧，但无论它是在哪里被发现的，我们都可以放心大胆地假设，藏宝的地点不会离发现地很远。”迪克说。
“好吧，如果我们去寻宝，必须趁退潮的时候。”朱利安说，“想到潮水可能随时淹没岩床下面的海底隧道和洞穴，我真不想再去第二次。”
迪克眉头紧皱，正襟危坐，好像在思考些什么。“朱利安，”最后他开口说道，“你还记得今天早上我们进入隧道在地下前进时的方向吗？好像一直在朝左边前进，对吗？”
“是的，是那个方向，”阿修立刻回答，“我带着小指南针，我一直盯着它，它就夹在手表上，我们一直向西前进。”
“那我们是在朝着灯塔的方向前进。”朱利安快速画了一个草图，说，“看，这里是灯塔，那是我们早上进入的悬崖入口，这条是我们走的隧道，拐个弯，我们走到了岩石海床的下方，一直朝里走，见到了一个洞穴。这里四处布满了隧道和洞穴，而我们总是朝左边拐弯……”
“虽然有点曲折，但我们几乎已经回到灯塔下方了！”迪克惊讶地说道。
“对，”朱利安说，“也许在这座灯塔建成之前，船只总是撞上这附近的岩石。岩石的下方有一条天然隧道，同我们今天早上进入的隧道相连通，也许那些毁盗王发现了这条秘密通道！所以，他们通过这条通道，能轻易地把沉船上有价值的宝藏运走，而不被人发现！”
“天啊！你的意思是，他们像我们现在这样待在岩石附近，等着船被岩石撞沉，偷走船上的所有东西，通过这条暗道，把宝物藏起来，再从隧道的另一端走出来！”安妮说。
乔治盯着朱利安，眼里闪着亮光。“也许那条暗道就藏在这些岩石之中！”她说，“肯定是的，因为海水能涌进来。朱利安，我们明天再去找吧。我猜你说得对，灯塔下面的岩石里藏着一个洞，而这个洞连接着我们今天去过的那条隧道。”
经过这番讨论后，大家都雀跃不已，连游戏都忘记玩了。一行人反复研究朱利安的草图，真庆幸阿修今早带了小指南针，清楚地记录了海底隧道一路向西到达灯塔附近的 事实！
“难道所有人都忘记了旧洞的存在吗？”迪克说，“没有人告诉我们洞的事情，甚至包括杰里迈亚先生。洞可能被封上了吗？”
迪克的这番话，让朱利安皱起眉头。“嗯，是的，可能是这样，”他说，“杰里迈亚先生没有提到那个可能存在的洞，是有点奇怪。无论如何，我们明天要去好好查探一番。”
“只要我们找到它，就能深入海底，找到宝藏！”阿修说，眼中熠熠生辉，“如果我们先找到宝藏，这会让埃比尼泽和雅各布惊掉大牙！”
Chapter 19 A NASTY SHOCK!
Chapter 19 A NASTY SHOCK!
The storm blew itself out that evening, and next day was much calmer. The sky still looked angry,and rain fell now and again, but it was possible to get out of the light-house door in the morning, andgo down the steps on to the rocks.
'Shall we go shopping first - or look for the hole?' said Julian.
'Look for the hole,' said Dick, promptly. 'The wind is still pretty strong, and the storm might blow upagain - just look at that angry sky! We wouldn't be able to mess about round the edge of the rocks ifthe sea gets any rougher.'
They spread out and went cautiously over the great rocks on which the light-house was built. At lowtide the rocks stood well up, out of the sea. The light-house was built on the highest part, and seemedto tower over the searchers as they clambered here and there, seeking for any hole that looked as if itmight lead down into some tunnel below.
'Here's a hole!' called Anne, suddenly, and they all clambered over to her in excitement, Timmy too.
Julian looked down to where Anne was pointing. 'Yes - it does look a likely one,' he said.
'Big enough to take a man, too. I'll climb down and see.'
He slid down the hole, holding on to projecting pieces of rock as he went. The others watched,thrilled. Timmy barked. He didn't like to see Julian disappearing like this!
But before Julian quite disappeared, he shouted again. 'I'm afraid it's no good! It's come to a suddenend! I'm standing on firm rock, and though I've felt all round it with my feet, there's no openinganywhere. It's a blind end!'
What a disappointment! 'Blow!' said Dick, lying down on the rocks and putting his arm down thehole to help Julian to climb up again. 'I had high hopes then! Julian - here's my hand. Do you wantany help?'
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'Thanks - it is a bit difficult!' said Julian. He climbed up with difficulty, and squeezed out of the holethankfully. 'I wouldn't like to get wedged in here!' he said. 'Especially with the tide coming in!'
'It's beginning to pour with rain again!' said Anne. 'Shall we go shopping now - or wait a bit?'
'Oh, let's wait,' said George. 'I'm cold and wet now. Let's go into the light-house and make some hotcoffee. WHAT a disappointment! Never mind - we can always go down the tunnels we were inyesterday and search around - maybe Mischief will show us where he found the gold coin!'
They all went into the light-house, and once more Julian jammed the door. 'I wish that locksmithwould come,' he said. 'If we go down into the caves, we'll have to leave old Timmy behind on guard -and it is such a shame!'
'Woof,' said Timmy, heartily agreeing. They all went upstairs and Anne began to make the coffee. Asthey were sitting drinking it, Timmy suddenly sprang to his feet with a most blood-curdling growl.
Everyone jumped, and Anne spilt her coffee.
'Timmy! What's up?' said George, in alarm. Timmy was standing with his nose towards the closeddoor of the room, his hackles rising up on his neck. He looked truly fierce!
'What on earth is the matter, Tim?' said Julian, going to the door. 'There can't be anyone on thestairway - the entrance door's jammed!'
Timmy raced out of the door as soon as Julian opened it and tore down the spiral stairway at such aspeed that he fell, and rolled to the bottom. George gave a terrified scream. 'Timmy!
Have you hurt yourself?'
But Timmy leapt to his feet at once, and ran to the entrance door, growling so ferociously that Annefelt really frightened. Julian ran down and went to the door. It was still well and truly jammed.
'Timmy! Maybe it's just the poor milkman, come with some milk again,' he said, and unjammed thedoor. He took hold of the handle to open it.
It wouldn't open! Julian pulled and tugged, but it was of no use. The door simply would NOTopen!
By this time everyone was down beside him. 'Let me try,' said Dick. 'The door must just have stuck.'
No - he couldn't open it either! Julian looked gravely round at everyone. 'I'm afraid - very muchafraid - that SOMEBODY has locked us in!' he said.
77
There was a horrified silence. Then George cried out in anger. 'Locked us in! How dare they!
Who's done this!'
'Well - I think we can guess,' said Julian. 'It was whoever came and stole our key the other day!'
'Ebenezer - no, Jacob!' cried Dick. 'One of the two, anyway. How DARE they? What are we to do?
We can't get out. Why have they done this - this - silly - wicked thing?'
'I'm afraid it's because they think we might go looking for the treasure - and find it,' said Julian, hisface grave. 'We felt sure that Mischief might remember where he had found that gold coin -and lead us there - and I'm pretty sure they think the same. So this is their way of making sure theyhave time to find the treasure, before we do!'
'They're wicked, they're wicked!' cried George, taking hold of the handle of the door, and pulling itviolently. 'We're prisoners!'
'Don't pull the handle off, old thing,' said Julian. 'That wouldn't help at all. Let's go upstairs and talkabout it. We'll have to think of some way out of this unexpected difficulty.'
They went soberly upstairs again, and sat down in the living- room. Yes - they were certainlyprisoners!
'What are we going to do?' said Dick. 'We are in a real fix, Julian.'
'Yes. You're right,' said Julian, looking worried. 'We can't get out of the light-house, that's certain. Onthe other hand - how can we get help? No telephone. Shouting would never be heard. Can't use ourboat. No one would ever know we are prisoners - they've seen us going in and out of the light-house,and if we suddenly don't appear any more, they'll simply think we have gone home, and that the light-house is empty again!'
'We shall die of starvation!' said Anne, scared.
'Oh no - I expect we shall think of something,' said Dick, seeing that Anne was really frightened. 'Allthe same, it's a puzzle. We can't get out - and no one can get in! Whoever locked that door hascertainly taken the key away with him.'
They talked and they talked, and finally they felt hungry, so they had a meal - though they felt thatthey ought to eat sparingly, in case their food ran short too quickly.
'And I feel so hungry,' complained George. 'I keep feeling hungry here.'
'That's what I told you. Living in a light-house somehow makes you feel hungry all the time!'
said Tinker.
'We'll try and catch the milkman tomorrow morning,' said Julian, suddenly. 'Let's see, now - we 78could write a note, and push it under the door, so that he would see it tomorrow when he comes.
We could put ''HELP - WE ARE LOCKED IN''.'
'It would blow away,' said George. 'You know it would.'
'We could pin it down our side - and then it wouldn't,' said Anne. 'Half of it would still stick outunder the door.'
'Well, it's worth trying,' said Dick, and immediately wrote out the note on a large sheet of paper.
He shot downstairs to pin it to the mat - and shoved half the paper underneath so that it stuck out onthe other side of the door.
He ran back upstairs. 'I don't for a moment think that the milkman will come across the rocks in thisweather,' he said. 'They'll be almost impassable. Still we'll hope for the best!'
There didn't seem anything else to do. The evening came early, for the sky was very dark again, andthe wind once more got up, and howled dismally. Even the gulls decided that it was no longer a goodidea to glide to and fro.
They played games that evening, and tried to laugh and make jokes. But secretly everyone wasworried. Suppose that the stormy weather went on and on, and nobody guessed they were locked inthe light-house, and the milkman didn't bring any milk, and didn't see the note - and they ate all theirfood and...
'Cheer up, everyone,' said Julian, seeing the dismal looks around the table. 'We've been in worse fixesthan this.'
'Well, I don't think we have!' said Anne. 'I just can't see ANY way out of this one!'
There was rather a long silence during which Timmy sighed heavily, as if he too was worrying!
Only the monkey seemed cheerful, and went head-over-heels at top speed round the room, sitting upfor laughs at the end. But nobody laughed. Nobody even seemed to notice him.
Mischief felt very sad, and crept over to Timmy for comfort.
'There is one idea that might be a good one,' said Julian, at last. 'It's been running round in my mindfor a while - and I'm not sure whether it's possible or not. Anyway, it's one we might try tomorrow, ifhelp doesn't come.'
'What?' asked everyone, at once, and Timmy lifted his head and whined, as if he too quiteunderstood.
'Well, do you remember that I went down that foundation shaft?' said Julian, 'and saw the waterswirling at the bottom? Now - do you suppose it's at all possible that that shaft was bored down 79through a natural hole - and the light-house builders chose to put the foundation shaft there becausethere was a ready-made shaft they could use - a fine hole going right down through the rock! Andthey made the hole into a cement-lined shaft, strong and everlasting, so that the lighthouse wouldnever be at the mercy of waves and wind - but would stand firm, whatever happened?'
This was a new idea to everyone, and it took a little while to sink in. Then Dick smacked the table-top and made them all jump.
'Julian! You've got it! Yes - that strong cement-lined shaft runs down a natural hole - and that holemust be the one we've been looking for! The one that connects up with the tunnels we were in thismorning! No wonder we couldn't find it when we hunted all over the rocks! The shaft-makers usedit!'
There was silence again. Everyone was taking this in, even Tinker. Julian looked round the table andsmiled. 'Have you all jumped to it?' he said. 'If that is the hole we were looking for - what about oneof us going down that iron ladder again to the bottom - and finding out if it does lead into the tunnelwe were in today?'
'And walking through it, and up the passage and coming out through the cliff entrance we used thismorning!' said George. 'Julian! What an absolutely wonderful idea! We could escape that way! Whata shock for Ebby and Jacob! We'll do it somehow - we'll do it!'
19.电闪雷鸣
电闪雷鸣
那天晚上，暴风雨逐渐平息了。第二天，海面平静下来，天空仍然阴沉沉地下着雨，好在天气没有那么恶劣了，上午，被困在灯塔里的孩子们终于出来了，走过石阶到达岩石码头。
“我们先去买东西，还是去找洞的入口？”朱利安说。
“找洞的入口。”迪克迅速回答，“这风刮得很猛，可能还有暴风雨，看天空阴沉得多厉害！如果水流变急，我们就无法步行通过岩石了。”
他们四散开来，小心翼翼地走上岩石阵，灯塔周围是巨大的乱石堆。潮水退去，石头露出了坚硬的表面。孩子们吃力地爬上爬下搜寻着。灯塔耸立在一旁，好像也成了搜寻队伍的一员，守候着孩子们一起寻找通往下方隧道的洞穴 入口。
“我发现这里有一个洞！”安妮突然喊起来。其他人听到都很开心，包括蒂米，一起向她所在的方向爬去。朱利安低头看向安妮所指的地方。“是的，看起来应该是个洞，”他说，“它很大，足够容下一个人通行。我爬下去看看。”
他用手抓住凸起的岩块，从洞口滑下。其他人在洞口围观，激动不已。蒂米却不停地咆哮，好像在说，它不喜欢朱利安像这样消失。
在朱利安的身影完全消失之前，他喊道：“不是这个洞，它已经见底了。我现在站在坚固的岩面上，用脚试探了周围，没有找到任何入口，这里是一个死胡同！”
多么令人失望啊！“完了！”迪克躺在岩石上，不忘将手臂垂在洞口，帮助朱利安爬上来，“我刚才还寄予厚望呢。朱利安，你需要帮忙吗，拉住我的手。”
“谢谢，我一个人上来确实有点困难。”朱利安说。谢天谢地，他艰难地从洞口里挤了出来，“我可不想被困在这里，特别是涨潮的时候！”
“又开始下暴雨了！”安妮说，“我们现在去买东西，还是等一下再去？”
“哦，等一下再去吧。”乔治说，“我又冷又湿，先回灯塔里煮一些热咖啡吧。现在这处境真令人失望！不过没关系，我们可以沿着昨天的隧道搜索，也许淘气包会告诉我们它是在哪里找到金币的！”
他们全都回到灯塔，朱利安又一次把门堵上。“真希望锁匠会来。”他说，“如果我们都去洞穴，那又得让蒂米留在灯塔守卫了，这真是太可惜了！”
“汪汪！”蒂米真诚地表示同意。他们都上楼了，安妮开始煮咖啡。当他们坐下来品尝时，突然，蒂米站立起身，发出令人毛骨悚然的咆哮声。所有人都吓得跳了起来，安妮还弄洒了她的咖啡。
“蒂米，怎么了？”乔治惊恐地问道。蒂米跑到门口，门紧闭着，它全身的毛都竖了起来。看起来，它正准备发动猛烈的攻击！
“到底是怎么回事，蒂米？”朱利安说着，走到门口，“楼梯上不可能有人的，大门被堵住了呀！”
朱利安刚打开房门，蒂米立刻以最快的速度从螺旋形楼梯上冲了下去，连滚带跑，跑到楼梯的底部。乔治惊恐地尖叫道：“蒂米！
你伤到自己了吗？”
只见蒂米跳起身，冲到门前，凶猛地咆哮着，这举动让安妮感到惊恐万分。朱利安也跑下楼梯，来到门附近。大门完好无损，从里面被堵得严严实实。
“蒂米！别叫了，也许是那个可怜的送奶工又送了一些牛奶过来。”他说着，把堵住门的东西移开，然后握住把手，试图把门打开。
可是门打不开了！朱利安使劲拉扯，但是没有用，门一点都开不了了！
此时，孩子们都下了楼，来到他旁边。“让我试试，”迪克说，“门肯定卡住了。”
他也打不开！这时，朱利安严肃地环视每个人，说：“恐怕，有人把我们锁起来了！”大伙儿陷入惊恐的沉默。过了片刻，乔治愤怒地喊道：“把我们锁起来！他们怎敢这么做，会是谁呢？”
“我想我们可以猜到的。”朱利安说，“前几天，不是有人来偷走了我们的钥匙吗！”
“埃比尼泽——不，雅各布！”迪克喊道，“肯定是两人中的一个。他们怎么敢这么做？我们接下来怎么做好呢？我们没办法离开灯塔了。而且，为什么他们要这么做——做这种愚蠢邪恶的事情？”
“我猜，这是因为他们以为我们可能会去寻找那些宝藏，并且找到它。”朱利安神色严肃地说，“我们确信，淘气包可能会记起找到那枚金币的地方，并带领我们去那里，而且我很确定，他们也有同样的想法。所以他们把我们锁起来，这是他们确保赶在我们之前找到宝藏的唯一方式！”
“他们真邪恶，真邪恶！”乔治喊道。她抓住门把手，猛烈地拉扯，喊着，“我们成了囚犯！”
“别费劲拉了，傻瓜。”朱利安说，“根本没有用。我们上楼商量一下，必须想出摆脱这个意外险境的方法。”
他们一个个神情严肃地上了楼，在客厅里坐下。毫无疑问，他们现在已经成了囚犯！
“我们能做什么呢？”迪克说，“我们被关在一个真正的监牢中，朱利安。”
“是的，你说得一点不错。”朱利安看起来很担心，他说，“现在，我们没有办法走出灯塔，这一点是肯定的。那么，我们如何获得帮助呢？没有电话，也没人能听到我们的求救，我们也不能驾船去村里。没有人知道我们成了囚犯，村里人目睹我们进出灯塔，如果突然看不到我们，他们只会认为我们已经回家了，灯塔里空无一人！”
“我们会死于饥饿！”安妮害怕地说道。
“哦，不会的，我们一定能想到什么办法的。”见安妮很害怕，迪克安慰她说，“尽管这是一个难题——我们无法离开，也没有人能够进来。无论谁锁上那扇门，肯定也把钥匙带走了。”
他们一直商量解决方案，谈啊谈啊，感到饿了才停下。他们吃了顿饭，大家都认为应该省着点吃，以防食物迅速 短缺。
“可我还是饿，”乔治抱怨道，“好像待在这里，总是会感到没吃饱。”
“这就是我告诉过你的。住在灯塔里，有时你总觉得没吃饱。”阿修说。
“明天早上，看我们能不能碰到送奶工。”朱利安突然说道，“现在，我们可以写一张纸条，把它从门下塞出去，这样明天送奶工就能看见。我们可以写上这句话：求救，我们被锁在里面了。”
“纸条会被风吹走的，”乔治说，“你知道的。”
“可以把留在我们这边的纸条固定住，然后它就不会被吹走了，”安妮说，“另一半则从门下伸出去。”
“嗯，这个方法值得尝试。”迪克说着，立即找来一张大纸，写下了求救的话语。他跑下楼，把一半纸条钉在垫子上，然后将另一半塞到门下，伸到外面。
他又跑上楼。“我想就别指望在这种天气下，送奶工会来岩石这边转悠了。”他说，“他根本过不来。当然啦，我们不能丧失希望！”
似乎没有别的事可做了。傍晚很早降临，因为天色又变暗了，暴风骤起，风凄凉地哀号着。海鸥也不来了，它们似乎也发现在这种天气飞行不是个好主意。
那天晚上，他们只有通过玩游戏，试图找些乐子，保持笑容。
但实际上，大家都很担心。假设这样的暴风雨一直持续，那么没有人会发现他们被锁在了灯塔里，送奶工也不会过来送牛奶，也就看不见这张纸条，而到时所有食物都被吃光了……
“大家都振作起来，”朱利安看到桌子周围一张张黯然的脸庞，说，“过去我们经历过比这还要糟糕的困境，还不是都过去了。”
“呃，我认为没有比这更糟糕的了！”安妮说，“我看不到任何出路！”
一阵更长的沉默，直到蒂米开始猛烈地吠叫沉默才被打破，它好像也十分担心！只有那只小猴子，仍然活泼开朗，以最快的速度上天下地，围着房间转悠，累了就坐在地上嘎嘎直笑。但是，没有人跟着它笑，甚至都没有人注意到它。淘气包有些伤心，为了寻求安慰，它向蒂米爬去。
“我有一个想法，可能是个好主意。”朱利安终于说道，“这想法已经在我的头脑中盘旋了一段时间，但我不确定它的可行性。无论如何，如果明天还没有救援，我们可以尝试一下。”
“什么主意？”大家立刻问，蒂米抬起头跟着呜咽，好像它也听明白了。
“好吧，你们还记得我去竖井底部看过了吗？”朱利安说，“我看到底部有水流漩涡。也许这个竖井本身是一个自然形成的洞穴，你们觉得有可能吗？制造灯塔的人，选择把地基建成竖井，是因为本来就有现成的洞吗？一个穿透岩石的洞！他们把这个洞打造成水泥做的竖井，坚固持久，而建在上面的灯塔就永远不会受海浪和暴风的冲击，无论发生什么灾害，它都会坚不可摧？”
这对每个人来说都是一个全新的想法，他们花了一点时间才搞明白。然后，迪克用拳头砸了下桌子，响声使每个人都跳了起来。
“朱利安！你说得太对了！没错，这座坚固的水泥竖井，其实就是沿着天然而成的洞穴向下延伸而成，而这个洞，肯定是我们一直在寻找的洞穴，连接我们昨天早上到过的隧道。难怪在岩石阵附近我们找不到洞，原来是制造竖井的人已经把它给占用了！”
又是一阵沉默，每个人都在思考这个想法，甚至包括阿修。朱利安环顾桌子，笑了笑。“你们都同意这个想法吗？”他说，“如果这正是我们寻找的洞穴，我们其中的一个人，要再次沿铁梯下去，爬到底部，看它是否真的连通那条海底隧道，这个主意怎么样？”
“到了隧道，往反方向走，从今天早上的悬崖入口处我们再一起出来！”乔治说，“这真是个绝妙的主意！朱利安！我们可以用这种方式逃走！这肯定会让埃比和雅各布震惊的！我们会做到的，我们一定会做到的！”
Chapter 20 DOWN THE SHAFT AND INTO THE TUNNEL
Chapter 20 DOWN THE SHAFT AND INTO THE TUNNEL
It was a most exciting idea to think that the iron ladder in the great cement-lined shaft might possiblylead to the tunnel they had been into that morning. Julian had seen water swirling at the bottom, whenthe tide was in - possibly if they went down it when the tide was going out, there would be no dangerof being trapped!
The storm was very fitful now - sometimes it came back again, and then the wind blew so hard that itseemed as if the buffeted light-house must fall! Rain fell in torrents that night, and during the darkearly hours of the morning, when the tide was in, great waves pounded over the rocks, sending sprayalmost over the top of the light-house. Julian awoke and looked out of the 80bedroom window in awe.
'I hope there's no ship out anywhere near here tonight,' he said, and then gave a sudden exclamation,'What's that - something swept right across the sky!'
'It's the beam from the new light-house at High Cliffs,' said Dick. 'I saw it last night. It must have avery powerful beam, mustn't it, to show even on a night like this?'
They watched for a little while, and then Julian yawned.
'Let's try to go to sleep,' he said. 'We thought we were going away for a nice little holiday - andBANG - we're in the middle of something again!'
'Well, let's hope that we come out of it all right,' said Dick, settling down in his rugs once more.
'I must say that I feel a bit cut off from civilization at the moment. Night, Julian.'
In the morning the storm was still about, and the wind was terrific. Julian ran down to the entrancedoor to see if the milkman could possibly have come - and had seen their message for help.
But no - the paper was still half on their side, flapping on the mat. Obviously the milkman hadn'tdared to cross the rocks that morning, either on foot or by boat!
Dick had looked out of the window to make sure that their boat was still safely moored to the post -and to his surprise and distress, it was no longer there! Tinker was very upset.
'Where's my little boat gone? Has somebody stolen it?'
'Maybe - or possibly the storm broke the mooring-rope, and the boat was smashed to pieces on therocks,' said Julian. 'Anyway, it's gone. Poor old Tinker. What a shame!'
Tinker was very sad, and Mischief tried to comfort him, doing all sorts of silly tricks to make himlaugh. But Tinker wouldn't laugh. He really was right down in the dumps.
They had rather a sparse breakfast, and were very silent. Anne cleared away and washed up, and thenJulian called them all together.
'Well, now we must decide about this descent down the shaft to what we hope will be the tunnel wewere in yesterday,' he said. 'I am going down myself.'
'Toss for it!' said Dick, at once. 'There's no reason why I shouldn't go, is there? Or what about us bothgoing, in case the other gets into trouble, and needs help?'
'Not a bad idea,' said Julian. 'Except that there won't be anyone to look after the girls and Tinker.'
'WOOF!' said Timmy, indignantly, standing up at once. Julian laughed and patted him.
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'It's all right, Timmy. I just wanted to see if you thought you could guard them well. All right -Dick and I will go down the shaft. The sooner the better. We simply must go while the tide is out.
What about now, Dick?'
Solemnly they all went down the spiral stairway to the entrance door, where the trap was that openedon to the great shaft. Julian pulled up the lid and gazed down into blackness. He shone his torchdown, but he could not see the bottom. 'Well - here goes!' he said, and lowered himself down into theshaft, his feet seeking the rungs of the iron ladder. 'Keep cheerful, girls. We'll get through the tunnelsand passages, and to the entrance in the cliff - and fetch help for you in no time at all!'
'Julian, please take care,' said Anne, in a shaky voice. 'Please, please do take care!'
Down went Julian, his torch now held between his teeth. After him went Dick. The girls shone theirown torches down the shaft, but soon the boys were so far down that they could not be seen. Onlytheir voices came up now and again, sounding very hollow and peculiar.
'We're at the bottom!' shouted Julian, at last. 'It's rock, and there's no water at present! We've a clearway to follow! I crawled out of the hole at the bottom, and there's some kind of tunnel there all right.
We're off now - crawling out, and into the tunnel. Cheer up, all of you! See you soon!' And then thequeer hollow voice stopped, and the girls and Tinker heard nothing more.
Timmy began to whine. He couldn't understand these queer goings-on at all!
Julian and Dick were feeling rather pleased with themselves. It hadn't been very difficult to squeezeout of the arches at the bottom of the shaft. Now they were in a dark narrow tunnel, whose roofsometimes came down so low that they had to bend double. It smelt damp and seaweedy, but thereseemed to be plenty of air. In fact at times quite a little breeze seemed to flow round them.
'I shall be glad when we come into a tunnel we recognize!' said Julian, at last. 'We surely must benear where we were yesterday. Hallo, what's this? Dick - look, Dick!'
Dick looked to where Julian's torch was shining and gave a shout. 'A gold coin - another one!
We must be near where old Mischief ran off to yesterday. Look - there's another - and another.
Where on earth did they come from?'
The boys shone their torches all around, and saw at last where the coins had fallen from. Above theirhead was a dark hole, running up into the rock. As they shone their torches on it, a gold coin slid outand dropped down to join the others.
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'This is where Mischief found the coin!' cried Dick. 'Julian there must be a box or something up there,which is rotting away, and letting out the money it contains bit by bit.'
'Whoever would have guessed at such a hiding-place!' said Julian, marvelling as he shone his torchabove his head. 'There's absolutely nothing to be seen except that dark hole - no box, nothing. It musthave been pushed right into a recess at the side of the hole, by someone who knew a good hiding-place was there.'
'Give me a leg-up so that I can put in my hand and feel,' said Dick. 'Buck up - this is too exciting forwords!'
Julian gave him a leg-up, and Dick put his head and shoulders into the hole. He felt to one side -nothing - felt to the other side, and his hand came across something hard and cold - an iron bandperhaps? He ran his hand over it and touched something soft and crumbly - old, old wood rottingaway, maybe - possibly a wooden chest - only held together by the iron bands. He scrabbled aboutand Julian gave a sudden shout.
'Hey - you've showered me with money! Whew - I never saw so many gold coins in my life!'
'Julian - I think there's more than one box or chest up there,' said Dick, jumping down, and looking atthe big heap of shining coins at his feet. 'There may be a fortune there! Talk about treasure-trove!
Look - let's not disturb anything else up that hole. No one knows about it except ourselves. Bettergather up these coins though, just in case that awful Ebby takes it into his head to come down thisway!'
So they filled their pockets with the coins and then made their way onwards again. To their joy theysoon recognized one of the tunnels they had been in the day before. 'Plain sailing now,' said Dickjoyfully. 'We'll soon be out, and then we'll get the locksmith to pick the lock of the lighthouse, so thatwe can get in.'
'Sh!' said Julian, suddenly. 'I think I can hear something.' They listened, but went on again, thinkingthat Julian was mistaken.
But he wasn't! As they turned a dark corner that led into a cave, someone leapt at them! Julian wentdown to the ground at once, and Dick followed. He just had time to see that Ebenezer was there withsomeone else - Jacob perhaps?
As Dick fell, gold coins spilled out of his pocket. Ebenezer gave a cry and bent down to them at once.
Julian tried to take his chance and slip by him - but the other man caught him and sent him spinningbackwards. 'Where did you find that money? You tell us or you'll be sorry!'
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shouted Ebenezer, and the echo came back at once, 'Sorry - sorry - sorry!'
'Run, Dick!' panted Julian. 'It's our only chance!' He gave Ebenezer a terrific shove, which sent himinto the other man - yes, it was Jacob - and then he and Dick were off at once, running as fast as theycould, back along the way they had come. 'You come here!' yelled Ebenezer, and they heard himpounding after them.
'Hurry!' panted Dick. 'If only we can get to the shaft, we're all right.'
But alas, they took the wrong turning, and soon found themselves in a cave they had never seenbefore. Ebenezer and Jacob blundered past without seeing them. 'Better stay here a while,' said Julian.
'Let them get a good way off.'
So they stayed still and quiet, and then at last ventured out of their hiding-place and tried to find theirway back to the right path.
'You know - if we get lost down here, we're done for!' said Julian. 'And once the tide flows in, weshall be in a pretty poor way! Somehow we've got to get out through the cliff way or back to theshaft. Hang on to me, Dick. We mustn't get separated, whatever happens!'
They stumbled on, not really knowing whether they were going in the right direction or not.
They seemed to go through endless tunnels and caves - what a labyrinth there was in that great strataof rocks! Then they heard voices!
'That's Ebby's voice - and Jacob's too,' whispered Julian. 'They're coming this way. Hide here, andkeep still!'
So they hid quietly, and listened to Ebby and Jacob. 'Those boys have got to come back here,'
said Ebby. 'We'll wait. Don't make a sound!'
'We'll have to make a dash for it, and hope for the best!' whispered Julian. 'Come on! We'll be caughtby the tide soon if we're not quick!'
They both made a sudden rush, and passed the surprised Ebby and Jacob at a run. Then down thetunnel beyond them they went as fast as they could, bumping their arms and legs and heads againstthe rocky walls, but holding their torches steadily in front of them. On they went and on- and behind them, breathing heavily, came Ebby and Jacob.
'I think this must be a bad dream!' panted Dick. 'JULIAN! JULIAN! Look - there's water comingalong this tunnel! The tide's coming in!'
'Come on,' said Julian. 'I feel as if the shaft isn't far away now. I seem to know this tunnel - and thiscave. Come on, Dick, we haven't a minute to spare! We've GOT to get to the ladder!'
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'Look! There's the shaft!' yelled Dick at last. 'Come on - we shall just about be able to squeeze underthe arch at the bottom! Hurry Julian - the water's up to our ankles now!'
They reached the shaft and squeezed under the small archway that let the water run through from sideto side over the rocky bottom of the shaft. They began to mount the ladder, and then stopped to hearif there were any sounds from Ebby or Jacob.
They heard yells. 'EBBY! COME BACK! Tide's flowing in!' and then they heard Ebby's angry voice.
'I'm coming! They've gone farther down - and they won't like it! They'll be drowned before they getmuch farther!'
Dick grinned. 'Come on, Ju, - up we go! I can see the light through the trap-door at the top. The girlshave left it open, bless them!'
And soon the two boys were clambering out of the trap-door, with Timmy barking madly and lickingtheir necks, the girls and Tinker too excited for words!
'What happened? Didn't you get out of the tunnel to find help for us? Were those men there?
What happened?'
'Plenty!' said Julian. 'But unfortunately we didn't get past Ebby and Jacob, who were lying in wait forus. So we're still stuck in this light-house, with nobody to help us. BUT...'
'But what?' asked George, shaking his arm 'Julian, you look excited. What's happened?'
'We found the treasure!' said Julian. 'Come on - we'll tell you all about it!' And he led the way up thespiral stairway, with Tinker and the excited girls close behind.
Soon the boys were telling their story, and George and Anne and Tinker listened and exclaimed anddanced about, and were altogether marvellous listeners to a marvellous tale.
'It MUST have been the treasure - in an iron-bound chest - oh, Ju, weren't you excited when the coinspoured out?'
'Yes. It was certainly a very fine moment,' said Julian. 'Mischief, stop pulling my hair. My word. It'sbeen an exciting morning! What about a drink of lemonade - and by the way, what's the weather beenlike? We couldn't see a thing down below!'
'Oh, it's awful again, Julian!' said Anne. 'There's another storm coming - look at those scurrying blackclouds.'
'It does look bad,' said Julian, his excitement leaving him, as he saw clearly that another big stormwas blowing up. 'We certainly shouldn't be able to get out of here today, even if we could 85get out of the door!'
'Julian, Tinker found his father's old pocket radio in a cupboard,' said Anne. 'And it still works.
We listened to the weather report, and it gave an important warning to all ships at sea or by the coast.
It said they must run to safety as soon as they could.'
'Well, I'm blessed if I know what to do for the best,' said Julian, looking out of the window.
'How in the world are we to let people know we're here, marooned in the light-house? We'll simplyhave to think of something!'
But that was easier said than done! How did one get help when there was no way to get help?
How did one escape out of a locked light-house when there was no key?
20.再入洞穴
再入洞穴
这个想法令人振奋！藏在钢筋水泥基座中的竖井有可能连接着他们早上进入的海底隧道。朱利安曾看到竖井底部有水流，可能是由于当时正在涨潮。如果他们趁着退潮时进入隧道，就不会有被困的危险。
现在外面的风暴是一阵阵的，平息一阵子后，突然又卷土重来，伴随着猛烈的飓风，疯狂地袭击着灯塔，仿佛不把塔吹倒便不会罢休。晚上，暴雨如注，雨水落在激流里，汇聚在一起，形成一片汪洋。到了黎明前的黑暗时期，潮水涨得老高，巨大的海浪拍打着岩石，掀起一面巨大的水墙。朱利安被海浪声惊醒，他从卧室的窗户向外望去，目睹此景，不禁心生敬畏。
“希望今晚不会有船只驶入这片海域。”他突然惊叫道，“那是什么？在天上划出一条横线！”
“这是高崖上新灯塔发出的光芒，”迪克说，“我昨晚就看到了。
它的光芒肯定非常耀眼，否则，在这样的暴风雨天气里，别人怎么看得见呢？”
他们盯着那束光看了好一会儿，直到朱利安打了个哈欠。
“先睡觉吧。”他说，“原以为我们会度过一个愉快的小假期，谁知我们再次陷入了困境！”
“哎呀，让我们祈祷能够顺利战胜它。”迪克躺在地毯上说，“这几天，我们好像与世隔绝了。晚安，朱利安。”
早晨来临，塔外仍然风雨交加，风吹得非常猛烈。朱利安跑下楼，来到大门入口，看看是否有送奶工过来，看到他们的求救信息。
显然没有，那张纸的一半还留在门里边的垫子上，正被风吹得飞动着。很明显，今早这样的天气，送奶工不敢越过岩石到灯塔来，无论用步行还是坐船的方式。
迪克向窗外望去，想知道那艘船是否仍然安全地停泊在码头上，令人惊讶和痛苦的是，它不在了！阿修得知这件事后，非常沮丧。
“我的小船去哪里了，是有人把它偷走了吗？”
“也许吧，或者可能是暴风吹断了它的绳索，船撞到岩石上成了碎片。”朱利安说，“不管怎么说，它已经消失了，可怜的阿修，这真令人惋惜！”
阿修伤心极了，淘气包试图安慰他，使出各种滑稽的招数逗他笑。但是阿修笑不出来，情绪跌落谷底。
他们吃了顿不太丰盛的早餐，大家都很安静。安妮负责清理干净，然后朱利安召集大伙儿。
“好吧，现在我们必须作出决定，去不去竖井底部探查？那里有可能通往我们昨天去过的隧道，”朱利安说，“我会去。”
“我同意！”迪克立刻响应，“我也要去，没有理由不去，不是吗？或者我们两个都去，如果陷入困境，互相还可以帮个忙。”
“这主意不错，”朱利安说，“但有一个坏处，那就是没有人来照顾女孩们和阿修了。”
“汪汪！”蒂米愤怒地立起身子，表示不满。朱利安笑着拍了拍它。
“好啦好啦，我知道蒂米你可以的，只是想确定下，你是否真的准备好保护他们。好了，迪克和我会爬下去，越快越好，必须赶在退潮时动身。现在就出发怎么样，迪克？”
大家神色严肃，一同沿着螺旋形楼梯走到下面的大门附近，那扇巨大的活板门仿佛一直等待着再次被打开。朱利安拉起门盖，凝视着黑幽幽的洞口，用手电筒向下一照，深不见底。“好吧，我们出发！”说着，朱利安先爬到竖井上，用脚寻找着铁梯的横档，“乐观点，女孩们，我们一定能找到到达悬崖的通道，然后为大家找到出口！”
“朱利安，小心点，”安妮的声音都颤抖了，“务必，务必小心啊！”
朱利安爬了下去，他用牙齿咬着手电筒。紧跟着，迪克也爬了下去。女孩们把自己的手电筒放在竖井上方照明，但是很快，男孩们就到达深处，看不见身影了，只剩下空荡荡的黑洞。只能听到男孩们的声音，一阵又一阵地传回地面，这种感觉真奇特。
“我们到达最底层了！”最后，朱利安喊道，“底部是石头，目前还没有涨潮！前方的路很明确清晰！竖井底部有个洞，我们爬出来了，前方是一条隧道，我们现在要离开这里，进入隧道。大家一定要振作起来！我们很快就回来！”然后，空荡荡的洞口里再也没有传来任何声音，女孩们和阿修什么也听不见了。蒂米开始汪汪大叫，仿佛在发牢骚。它完全无法理解到底发生了什么怪事！
朱利安和迪克觉得这次行动还算顺利。竖井底部是个拱洞，对他们来说，挤出来一点也不费事。他们已经走在一条黑暗狭窄的隧道里，有时隧道的顶部压得很低，不得不弯腰前进。里面很潮湿，闻起来有海藻的味道，但空气似乎也很充足，不时有微风拂过。
“要是现在进入的隧道是我们来过的就好了！”朱利安开口说道，“我肯定，昨天就在这地方附近转悠。哎，这是什么？迪克，快看啊，迪克！”
迪克朝朱利安用手电筒照亮的地方看过去，不禁大声喊了起来：“是金币，另一枚金币呀！昨天淘气包肯定也来过这里。看！这儿有一枚，那儿还有一枚。它们到底是从哪里来的？”
男孩们举着手电筒四处查探，最后终于确认金币掉落的源头，位于他们头顶的上方。在岩石的缝隙里有一个黑洞，他们用手电筒照亮洞口，一枚金币正掉下来，落入了地上的其他金币中。
“这就是淘气包找到金币的地方！”迪克喊道，“朱利安，洞里肯定有一个箱子，或者其他什么东西，估计已经腐烂了，所以里面的金币才一点一点地掉了出来。”
“真不知道是谁想到把宝藏藏在这里的！”朱利安说着，把手电筒举过头顶，惊叹不已，“洞里黑黢黢的，什么也看不见，没有箱子，什么都没有。它一定被推到很深的凹处，只有藏的那个人才知道这个绝佳的藏宝地。”
“抓住我的腿，把我抬起来，我可以把手伸进去摸摸，感受一下。”迪克说，“这个发现真令人兴奋！”
朱利安把他抬起来，迪克把头和肩膀伸进洞穴。他用手摸着一侧，什么都没有，又摸另一侧，似乎碰到了冷冰冰坚硬的东西，也许是铁链子？他把手向前伸，摸到一些柔软易碎的物体，是腐烂的旧木头，可能是木箱子，由铁链子系在一起。他正四处摸索着，朱利安突然叫起来：“嘿，你仿佛给我下了一场金币雨！哇，我这辈子都没见过这么多金币！”
“朱利安，我认为洞里不止有一个箱子。”迪克跳了下来，看着他脚下那堆闪亮的金币，说，“里面藏着一笔巨大的财富，应该就是大家口中所说的埋藏在地下的宝藏！我们不用继续探索这个洞了，现在除了我们以外，没有人知道它的存在。最好将这些金币收好，以防万一，那个可怕的埃比随时可能突然出现！”
他们往口袋里塞满金币，继续往前探索。令人高兴的是，他们很快就辨别出这条路就是昨天来过的海底隧道。“现在真是一帆风顺，”迪克高兴地说，“看来我们很快就能出去了，我们得去锁匠那里，拿回灯塔的新锁，然后就可以自由出入灯塔了。”
“嘘——”朱利安突然说道，“我好像听到有人来了。”两人停下来，仔细听着前方的动静。但是没听到响声，他们便认为是朱利安听错了，于是继续前行。
但朱利安没有听错！两人刚经过一个黑漆漆的拐角，朝洞穴的方向前进时，突然有个人跳了出来！朱利安立马就摔倒了，可怜的迪克也跟着摔了一跟头。原来是埃比尼泽，他正和另一个人一起，那个人应该是雅各布。
但迪克摔倒后，金币从他的口袋里纷纷滚落了出来。听到金币掉落的声音，埃比尼泽开始大吼大叫，朝他们扑了过来。朱利安想趁机溜走，可另一个男人抓住了他，并强迫他转身，说：“你在哪里找到这些宝贝的？快告诉我们，否则让你不好受！”话音刚落，洞穴里便传来回声：“不好受，不好受，不好受……”
“快跑，迪克！”朱利安上气不接下气地说，“现在是我们唯一的机会！”他打了埃比尼泽一拳，埃比摔到另一个人身上，果然，另一个人就是雅各布。朱利安和迪克立即趁机逃走，两人用最快速度，向来时的方向狂奔。“你给我回来！”他们听到埃比尼泽在身后追赶的声音。
“快！”迪克气喘吁吁地说，“只要能够进入竖井，我们就没事了。”
哎呀！令人揪心的是，他们走错了路，两人很快发现，自己身处一个从未见过的洞穴。还好埃比尼泽和雅各布没有看到他们，正好错过了。
“最好在这里待一会儿，”朱利安说，“那两个人应该没走错路，让他们追一会儿。”
所以他们静静地待了一会儿，最后实在忍不住，冒险离开了藏身之处，试图寻找回灯塔的正确方向。
“如果在这里迷路，我们就全完了！”朱利安说，“一旦潮水涌入，我们会陷入糟糕的境地！不管怎样，我们要么去悬崖上洞穴的入口，要么回到竖井。迪克，慢点，等我一下，无论发生什么，我们都不能分开！”
他们大步流星地向前奔跑，心里打着鼓，不知道前进的方向是否正确。一路上，似乎经过无数个洞穴，隧道怎么跑都跑不到尽头。这岩层下真是藏着一个巨大的迷宫！突然，他们听到了说话声。
“是埃比，还有雅各布，”朱利安压低嗓门说，“他们朝这边来了。我们就藏在原地，保持安静！”
他们静悄悄地藏起来，听着埃比和雅各布的动静。“那些男孩肯定会返回这里，”埃比说，“我们在这里埋伏，别发出声音！”
“必须赶快逃走！”朱利安低声耳语，“来吧！如果我们不赶快行动，很快就会被潮水淹没！”
他们开始奔跑，埃比和雅各布还没有反应过来，就被甩在了身后。两人用最快的速度向前跑着，尽管手臂和腿不断地撞到岩石墙壁上，但他们紧紧地握住了手电筒，照亮前方的路。他们跑呀跑呀，想甩开身后沉重的喘气声，那是埃比和雅各布追赶的呼吸声。
“这真是个噩梦！”迪克气喘吁吁，叫道，“朱利安！朱利安！
看，隧道里出现了水流，潮水要来了！”
“再跑快点，”朱利安说，“我感觉竖井应该离得不远了。这个洞穴我们似乎来过，迪克，我们没有多少时间了，必须赶快到达铁梯！”
“看！竖井在那儿！”迪克喊道，“来吧，从底部拱洞里钻进去。
快点快点，朱利安，水已经淹到脚踝了！”
他们到达竖井底部，迅速从拱洞里钻了上去，海水顷刻间奔涌而入，淹没了井底的岩石路面。两人爬上铁梯，然后停下来，看是否还能听到埃比和雅各布的声音。
他们听到了雅各布的尖叫：“埃比！快回来！潮水流了进去！”接着是埃比愤怒的声音。
“我回来了。那两个小鬼往里面跑了，他们不会喜欢这潮水的，跑不了多远就会被淹死！”
迪克咧嘴大笑，说：“不用管他们了，朱利安，我们往上爬吧！
我好像已经看到顶部有光线透进来了。看来女孩们已经把活板门打开了，真是老天保佑！”
两个男孩很快爬上去，从活板门里钻了出来。蒂米疯狂地咆哮着，扑上来舔男孩们的脖子，女孩们和阿修开心极了！
“发生了什么事？你们没能离开隧道找到救援吗？那两个恶棍在隧道等着吗？到底发生了什么事情？”
“发生了很多事！”朱利安说，“不幸的是，我们没能避开埃比和雅各布，那两人一直在等着我们。所以目前，我们仍然被困在这座灯塔里，找不到人帮助我们。但是……”
“但是什么？”乔治摇着他的胳膊，问道，“朱利安，你看起来很兴奋的样子，是不是遇到了什么特别的事情？”
“我们找到了宝藏！”朱利安说，“上楼吧，我们来告诉你们关于它的一切！”他带头走上螺旋形楼梯，阿修和女孩们激动地紧紧跟随其后。
男孩们用了很短的时间讲述今天的奇遇。听完后，乔治、安妮和阿修兴奋得手舞足蹈，欢呼雀跃，这些热爱冒险的听众最喜欢这精彩绝伦的故事。
“这一定就是传说中的宝藏，就藏在生锈的铁箱子里，哦，朱利安，看到金币洒了一地，你是不是特别兴奋？”
“当然啦，我可兴奋啦。”朱利安说，“淘气包，别拉我头发。哎呀，这真是个令人振奋的早晨！来一杯柠檬水怎么样，顺便问问，天气怎么样啦？在地底我们看不到外面！”
“哦，朱利安，还是很糟糕！”安妮说，“另一场暴风雨马上就要来了，看看那些黑压压的乌云。”
“天色看上去确实很糟糕，”朱利安清楚地知道，另一场风暴正要来临，“今天即使我们能走出大门，肯定也无法离开 这里！”
“朱利安，阿修在柜子中发现了放在他爸爸旧衣服口袋里的收音机，”安妮说，“收音机还能用。我们收听了天气预报，预报给海上航行和海岸停泊的所有船只，都发出了特大警告，说是船只必须尽快驶往安全地点。”
“我们该如何是好？”朱利安看向窗外，说，“到底怎么样才能让人知道我们被困在灯塔里了呢？真得好好想想法子了！”
说起来容易做起来难，现在大家与世隔绝，该如何获得救援呢？在没有钥匙的情况下，又怎么逃出一座大门紧锁的灯塔呢？
Chapter 21 A WONDERFUL IDEA
Chapter 21 A WONDERFUL IDEA
'I'm thirsty,' said Tinker. 'I'll get some lemonade.'
'Well, go slow with it, then,' said Dick. 'You don't know how long we may be locked up here -and we haven't endless food and drink!'
Tinker looked alarmed. 'Might we be locked up here for weeks and weeks?' he said.
'If people thought we had left the light-house and gone back home because of the bad weather, wemight easily be here for some time,' said Julian, soberly. 'Nobody would bother about us -they'd think we were safe at home.'
'But Mother would soon feel worried if she didn't hear from us,' said George. 'We said we'd send hera card each day, you know - and if she doesn't have one for a day or two, she would be sure to getworried, and send someone over here.'
'Hurrah for mothers!' said Dick, relieved. 'All the same - I don't fancy a week or so here with hardlyanything to eat. We'll have plenty of one thing though - and that's rain water!'
'There must be some way out of this,' said Julian, who had been sitting silent, frowning at histhoughts.
'Can't we get a message out somehow? Are there any flags here, Tinker, that we could wave out of awindow?'
'No,' said Tinker. 'I've never seen any. What about a white table-cloth? We've one of those.'
86
'Yes. That would do,' said Julian. 'Fetch it, Tinker.'
Tinker pulled it off the table and gave it to Julian. Julian went to the window and looked through theglass, which was misted with spray. 'I don't expect anyone will notice a table-cloth being shaken outof this window,' he said. 'But I'll try it. My word - the window's hard to open.
It seems to have stuck.'
He opened it at last, and immediately an enormous gust of wind came in, and everything went flying -papers, books, carpets - chairs fell over, and poor Mischief was blown from one side of the light-house room to the other. Timmy barked in fright and tried to catch the flying papers as they went byhis nose. The table-cloth disappeared at once!
Julian managed to close the window again after a terrific effort, and once more the room becamepeaceful. 'Whew!' said Julian. 'I didn't guess there was such a gale outside. I should think that table-cloth is about five miles away by now! The gulls will get a surprise when it comes flapping along inthe sky.'
George couldn't help laughing at that, frightened though she was. 'Oh, Julian - it was a jolly goodthing you didn't fly off with the table-cloth! My word, what a gale! I wonder the lighthouse stands it.'
'Well, we do feel a buffet now and again,' said Dick. 'There - did you feel that? It was either a wavebumping into the rocks, or spray forced against us - I distinctly felt the light-house shake a little.'
'Rubbish!' said Julian, seeing Anne's scared face. 'Don't make silly jokes like that.'
'You're quite sure that the light-house can't be blown down?' said Anne, in a small voice.
'Dear Anne, use your common-sense,' said Julian. 'Would it have stood for all these years if it hadn'tbeen strong enough to stand against storms far worse than this?'
'Mischief is feeling frightened too,' said Tinker. 'He's gone and hidden, look.'
'Well, long may he stay there,' said Julian. 'At least, he's not trying to open the biscuit-tin, or delveinto the bag of sweets! I should just like to know how many of our sweets he has eaten up to now!'
WHOOOOOOOOSH!
That was an extra big gale of wind that buffeted the light-house, and made Timmy stand up andgrowl. Rain pattered against the window, sounding as if someone was throwing pebbles.
Julian was very worried. It really did look as if the stormy weather was going on and on. It 87might quite well continue for a few days, and their food certainly would not last long. There were stillsome tins left, and they had plenty of water, of course - the rain saw to that - but somehow they wereall always so hungry!
'Cheer up, Julian,' said George. 'You do look grim.'
'I feel it,' said Julian. 'I cannot for the life of me think of any way to escape from here, or even to gethelp. We've no way of signalling...'
'Pity the light-house lamp is no longer going,' said Tinker. 'That would have been a fine signal.'
To Tinker's enormous surprise Julian suddenly gave a shout, leapt up, came over to Tinker, and gavehim such a clap on the back that the surprised boy almost fell off his chair!
'W-w-what's the matter?' stammered Tinker, rubbing his shoulder.
'Don't you see - perhaps we can set the old lamp going, and make it shine out as it used to do -not to warn ships, of course - but to make people realize that we are prisoners in the lighthouse!' saidJulian, jubilantly. 'Tinker - do you know if it's possible to light the lamp?'
'I think so,' said Tinker. 'My father showed me how it worked, and I think I remember. Oh - andthere's a bell that can be struck, too!'
'Better and better!' said Julian. 'Where is the bell?'
'It was dismantled and put away,' said Tinker. 'It used to hang in that sort of verandah place that runsoutside, round the lamp-room - there's a big hook for it there.'
'Oh - it hung in that outside gallery, did it?' said Julian. 'Well - that means that one of us would haveto go out there in the wind and hang it up - not too good! There must be a ninety-mile-an-hour galeup there. Anyway, let's get the bell and have a look at it.'
The great bell was down in the store-room, covered up. It was made of brass, and once had had ahammer that struck it at intervals, worked by some simple machinery. But the machinery was inpieces - no good at all!
'We'll take the bell upstairs,' said Julian. 'Gosh, it's heavy as lead. Dick, I'll want your help.'
Between them the two boys carried the heavy bell up to the living-room, and Tinker brought up theold hammer that used to strike it. Julian and Dick held up the bell by its loop of iron. 'Hit it with thehammer, Tinker,' said Julian. 'See if it stills sounds loudly.'
Tinker struck it hard with the hammer - and at once a great deep clang filled the room from side toside, making Timmy jump almost out of his skin. He and Mischief left the room at top speed, and felldown the spiral stairway together. All the others jumped too, and stared at one another 88in awe. The sound of the bell went booming round and round the room, filling their ears so that theyhad to shake their heads to try and get rid of the sound. Julian at last clasped the rim of the bell withboth his hands and the sound died away.
'What a WONDERFUL bell!' he said, in awe. 'Look how old it is, too - see, it says ''Cast in 1896''!
My word - if only we could get it hung up in its place on the gallery, the sound of it would go right tothe village and beyond! I wonder how many ships heard it in the old days, booming out every nowand again as the hammer struck it.'
Tinker raised the hammer again, but Dick stopped him. 'No - you saw how scared Timmy andMischief were. They'll probably jump through a window, glass and all, if we sound the bell again!'
'We'll wait till we think the wind has died down a bit, and then try to hang the bell,' said Julian.
'Now let's look at the lamp. Will it want oil, Tinker?'
'It may do - though I think there's some still in it, left when the light-house was closed down,'
said Tinker. 'But there is plenty down in the store-room.'
'Good,' said Julian, feeling decidedly more cheerful. 'Now - if the gale dies down at all, we'll try tohang the bell. We can strike that as soon as it's hung, and not wait till we light the lamp.'
But the gale seemed to get worse, and Julian really did wonder if the old light-house would stand upto it! Should he take everyone down to the store-room? Just in case? 'I will if the gale gets worse,' hethought. 'Though if the light-house should fall, there wouldn't be much chance for us, whatever partof it we're in!'
They went up to the lamp-room in the afternoon and looked at the great old lamp. Tinker explainedhow it worked. 'It used to go round and round mechanically,' he said, 'and there were screens here -and here - that shut out the light in places as it went round - so that the light seemed to go on and off,if any ship was watching it - it seemed to flash, you see, instead of to shine steadily. Ships noticed itmore quickly then.'
The screens were broken in pieces. There was still some oil in the lamp, but Julian added more.
The wick seemed perfectly good. Now if only they could light the lamp, and keep it going, someonewould be sure to see it, and wonder about it!
Julian felt in his pocket for matches. As the lamp-room was enclosed in glass, it was easy to keep thematch alight. He touched the oily wick with it - and hey, presto! the lamp was lighted!
It was a very big lamp, and, close to, the light was quite blinding. Dick crowed with delight.
89
'We've done it! Old light-house, you're going to shine once more tonight! You're alive again!'
'Now to hang the bell,' said Julian, and he cautiously opened the door leading on to the galleryoutside, having waited until the wind died down for a moment. He and Dick lifted the bell up to thehook there and slipped the iron loop over it. It hung there, swinging, and Julian lifted the hammer -but at that moment a great gust took him and he staggered, almost falling over the railing!
Dick caught him just in time, and, with George's help, dragged him into the lamp-room. They wereall very white-faced! 'That was a narrow escape,' said George, her hands shaking and her bodytrembling. 'We'll have to be careful if we go out on the gallery again! Perhaps we had better rely onlyon the lamp.'
'I vote we all go down and have some hot tea,' said Julian, thankful for his escape. His legs felt shakyas he went down the stairs. He was most surprised! Julian was seldom scared, and it was peculiar tohave legs that suddenly gave at the knees!
However, everyone soon recovered when they were drinking hot tea and eating ginger biscuits.
'I wish it was dark so that we could see how bright the light is from the lamp when it shines,'
said Dick. 'It will be dark very quickly today.'
It was! So dark that the light streaming from the old lamp at the top of the light-house was brilliant! Itcut a shining path through the night, gleaming yellow.
And through the roar of the sea went a great clanging, as Julian, with Dick holding on to him, struckthe old bell hanging in the gallery.
'Listen!' said George, her hand on Timmy's collar.
'Listen! BOOM. BOO-OOO-OOM! BOOOOM! Tim, that bell must feel happy tonight - it's found itsvoice again!'
BOOOOOOOOOM! Has anyone heard that old bell on this stormy night? Has anyone seen the lightfrom the old old lamp?
BOOOOOOOOOM!!!
21.灵机一动
灵机一动
“我口渴了，”阿修说，“我去弄点柠檬水。”
“去吧，省着点喝。”迪克说，“不知道我们还会被关在这里多久，食物和饮料不是取之不尽的！”
听了这话，阿修有些惊慌。“我们可能会被关上几周吗？”他说。
“人们也许以为我们因为天气恶劣已经离开灯塔回家了，那我们就要在这里待上很长一段时间了。”朱利安十分清楚目前的状况，“没有人会来找我们的，别人认为我们在家里很安全。”
“但是，如果这几天妈妈没有收到我们的信，她会担心有事发生。”乔治说，“我们说好每天会寄一张明信片给她，如果有一两天没有收到，她肯定会担心，然后派人到这里来。”
“妈妈万岁！”迪克松了一口气，说，“尽管如此，但再待一个星期我们就撑不住了，塔里几乎没什么吃的了，只有一种东西很充足，那就是雨水！”
“我们必须想些法子解决这个燃眉之急。”说完，朱利安坐着一动不动，不发一言，皱着眉头沉浸在思绪里。思考片刻后，他说，“我们不能想办法向外传送消息吗？这里有没有旗子之类的，阿修？我们可以从窗户里挥旗子呀！”
“没有，”阿修说，“我没见过这里有。白色桌布怎么样？可以当旗子用。”
“太好了。”朱利安说，“去拿一面过来吧，阿修。”
阿修从桌子上扯下一面桌布，交给朱利安。朱利安走到窗前，窗户上的玻璃雾蒙蒙的。他说：“我估计关着窗户挥动桌布很难被人注意到。我试试把窗户打开。哎呀，它很难打开，好像卡住了。”
费了很大力气，朱利安终于打开了窗户，一阵强风立刻喷涌进来，屋里的纸张、书籍、地毯等物品被吹得到处飞舞，连椅子都被掀翻了，可怜的淘气包从屋子东头被吹到西头。蒂米惊恐地汪汪大叫，试图抓住飞动的纸张，纸却贴在了它的鼻子上。桌布则立刻消失不见了！
经过一阵折腾，朱利安总算成功关上了窗户，房间里又变得平静下来。“天啊！”朱利安说，“我没想到外面风这么大。我估计，那面桌布现在已经飞出五英里远了！想到它在天空中飞来飞去，海鸥估计会感到很惊讶——这是什么东西？”
乔治忍不住笑了起来，尽管她心有余悸，但还是说：“哦，朱利安，想想你没有随着桌布被风吹走，是多么幸运！哎呀，这风真大，不知道灯塔是否足够坚固，能否抵挡这样的暴风？”
“我偶尔会感到晃动，”迪克说，“你们感觉到了吗？估计是因为那些撞在岩石上的海浪，正对灯塔发起冲击。刚才，我明显感觉灯塔晃了一下。”
“胡说！”朱利安说，他瞥见安妮害怕的脸，“不要再开这样愚蠢的玩笑。”
“你确定灯塔不会被摧毁吗？”安妮小声说道。
“亲爱的安妮，用常识思考，”朱利安说，“如果它不足以抵御比这更糟糕的风暴，那么它怎么可能存在这么多年？”
“淘气包也感到害怕，”阿修说，“看呀，它逃走了，藏起来了。”
“好吧，它可能会消失上一会儿了。”朱利安说，“往好处想，它不会再试图打开饼干罐，或者钻进糖果袋里！我想知道，到现在为止，我们甜食有多少已经被它吃了！”
“呜——”一阵猛烈的暴风反复冲击灯塔，风声让蒂米害怕得咆哮起来。雨水击打着窗户，听起来就好像有人在朝窗户上扔鹅卵石。
朱利安非常担心。暴风雨可能会持续好几天，可是食物肯定不能维持那么久了。现在只剩下一些罐头了，虽然水还很充足，但雨水又不能填饱肚子！
“振作起来，朱利安，”乔治说，“你太焦虑了。”
“我在想，”朱利安说，“我不能把时间都花在想主意上，这段时间我们得不到帮助，也没办法发信号求救……”
“可惜灯塔的灯不能亮了，”阿修说，“要不然可以用它当信号，效果肯定很好。”
阿修突如其来的这番话让朱利安灵光一现，他惊呼一声，跳了起来，跑到阿修跟前，朝着他的背上击了一掌，这出其不意的举动让男孩差点从椅子上掉下来！
“呃——怎么回事？”阿修揉了揉肩膀，结结巴巴地说。
“难道你没有想到，我们可以让这座旧灯塔重新运作，让它的灯亮起来？这次不是为了警告船只，而是告诉人们我们被关在灯塔里了！”朱利安兴高采烈地说，“阿修，领航灯还能点燃吗？”
“我想可以，”阿修说，“爸爸告诉过我它是如何运作的，我没忘记。哦，对了，塔里还有一口钟，有人敲打就能响！”
“事情越来越顺利了！”朱利安说，“钟在哪里？”
“它被拆了下来，收起来了。”阿修说，“以前它就挂在围绕灯室的阳台上，阳台外侧有一个很大的钩子。”
“哦，原来它挂在围廊上啊。”朱利安说，“这意味着我们中得有一个人必须到屋外去，顶住风暴把它挂起来，这可不是个好主意！
现在的风速，估计已经达到每小时九十英里了。任谁都会被吹飞！
还是让我们先看看那口钟吧。”
钟十分巨大，存放在储藏室里，用布遮起来了。它是黄铜制成的，以前有一个简单的机械装置，每隔一段时间让锤子敲击它，发出声音，但现在这装置已经成了碎片。
“我们先把钟运到楼上。”朱利安说，“天哪，它像铅块一样沉重。迪克，我需要你的帮助。”
两个男孩把沉重的铜钟搬入客厅，阿修找来曾经用来敲钟的旧锤子，朱利安和迪克将铁圈放在钟下，支撑住它。“试着用锤子敲一下，阿修，”朱利安说，“看看声音响不响。”
阿修拿起锤子，一阵猛敲，顿时巨大的当当声如雷贯耳，响声从房间的一边传到另一边，充满整个屋子。这声音几乎把蒂米的眼珠子都吓掉了，它和淘气包以最快的速度逃离房间，一同从螺旋形楼梯跑到楼下。其他人也吓得跳了起来，一脸茫然地瞧着对方。钟声好像爆炸了一样响彻耳膜，孩子们不得不用力摇头，试图摆脱声音的干扰。朱利安双手握住钟摆边缘，声音这才消失。
“这钟声太洪亮了！”他敬畏地说道，“看看有多久的历史了？
看，上面刻着‘铸于1896年’！哎呀，只要我们能成功地把它挂出去，敲打它的声音会传遍村庄，到达任何角落。想想过去有多少船只，听到了这锤子敲打铜钟发出的 警告。”
阿修又抬起锤子，这次迪克拦住了他，说：“别敲了，看，蒂米和淘气包有多害怕啊。如果我们又弄出响声，它们可能宁愿越过窗户玻璃跳出去！”
“我们会等风小一点的时候，去围廊挂钟。”朱利安说，“现在，我们检查一下灯的状况，需要加燃油吗，阿修？”
“可能要加，虽然我认为不用，灯里还有一些油，是这座灯塔废弃的时候残留在灯里面的。”阿修说，“储藏室里还有很多灯油。”
“很好。”朱利安说，感到心情开朗了些，“如果大风彻底平息了，我们会去围廊上挂钟，一旦挂起它，就立即敲击，不用等到点亮领航灯再敲。”
然而风吹得似乎更猛了，朱利安真想知道，这座古老的灯塔是否能挺住！他应该把大家都带到储藏室去吗，以防万一灯塔被吹倒了。“如果有更猛的大风，只能这么做。”他想，“要是灯塔被吹倒了，无论人在哪个房间都不会有逃生的机会！”
下午，一行人去了灯室，检查那盏旧灯的状况。阿修负责解释了它的运作原理。“它靠机械运行，”他说，“曾经这里和那里都放置着屏幕，它的光线射到屏幕上面，就被遮住了，外面看起来，灯光好像在上下移动。船只看到的光应该是在闪动，而不是一束静止的光，这样船只就能非常迅速地捕捉到这些信号了。”
屏幕已经裂成了碎片。灯里残留着一些油，朱利安又给它添了一些。灯芯保存得非常好。现在，只要他们可以点亮灯，让它亮上一段时间，肯定会有人看到它，并想弄清楚灯塔里发生了什么。
朱利安在口袋里摸索着寻找火柴。由于灯室里的玻璃全是密封的，没有风干扰，火柴很容易就点燃了。他用火轻触沾满油的灯芯，嘿，灯一下子就被点亮了！
这盏灯非常明亮，离得越近，灯光越炫目。迪克满心欢喜，喊道：“我们做到了！旧灯塔又在发光了！它又活过来了！”
“现在去外面挂钟吧，”朱利安说，小心翼翼地打开通往围廊的门，任风吹了一会儿。然后，他和迪克一起把钟抬出去挂在了钩子上，并用铁丝缠紧。终于挂好了，钟摆摇来摇去，朱利安刚抬起锤子，一阵巨大的狂风袭来，一下子刮倒了他，他差点从栏杆上摔下去！
还好迪克及时抓住了他，在乔治的帮助下，两人将朱利安拖进了灯室。他们的脸都吓得惨白！“这次真悬啊！”乔治说，双手止不住地颤抖着，身体也跟着抖，“如果我们还要去围廊上，必须得十分小心。最好只靠灯光求救。”
“我建议，先下楼喝些热茶。”朱利安说，万幸他这次又九死一生，虽然下楼梯时，他感到腿还在颤抖。真是被吓坏了！朱利安很少感到害怕，而这次，他感到膝盖以下的腿都是软的！
当他们喝完热茶，吃了些姜饼后，心情渐渐平复了。“希望天色快点变暗，这样人们就可以看到这明亮的光线了。”迪克说，“今晚的夜色肯定格外暗沉。”
没错！夜色真黑，而灯塔顶部那盏旧灯发出的光线却如此明亮！它闪动着黄色的光芒，在黑夜里照出了一道光。
伴随着大海的咆哮，钟发出了巨大的声响，是朱利安敲击的！
迪克正抱着他，好让他稳稳地敲击那口旧钟。
“听！”乔治说着，拉着蒂米的项圈，“当！当！……当！蒂米，这钟声真让人开心，好像灯塔又找回了它的声音！”
“当！当！当”！在这个风雨交加的夜晚，有没有人听到这口老钟的声音？有没有人看到这盏旧灯的光芒？
“当！当！当……”
Chapter 22 THE END OF THE ADVENTURE
Chapter 22 THE END OF THE ADVENTURE
Down in the village of Demon's Rocks that night, people drew their curtains, made up their fires, andsat down in their arm-chairs. They were thankful not to be out in the wind and the rain.
Old Jeremiah Boogle was lighting his pipe, sitting by his own roaring fire, when he heard a soundthat made him drop the flaring match, and listen in amazement.
BOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOM!
'A bell! A bell I've not heard for nigh on forty years!' said old Jeremiah, standing up, hardly able tobelieve his ears. 'No - it can't be the light-house bell. That's been gone for many a day!'
BOOOOOOOOM!
Jeremiah went to his window and pulled aside the old curtain. He stared out - and could not believehis eyes! He gave a yell. MILLIE! Come look here! Light-house lamp is shining out!
MILLIE! Where's that granddaughter of mine? MILLIE!'
'What is it, Grandad, now?' said a plump little woman, bustling in.
'Look, Millie - am I seeing right - ain't that the light-house lamp a-shining there?' said Jeremiah.
'Well - there's a bright light shining out there high above Demon's Rocks,' said Millie. 'But I never inmy life saw the light-house lamp shining out before! And what's that booming noise, Grandfather -like a wonderful great bell?'
'That's the old bell in the light-house!' said Jeremiah. 'I couldn't mistake that! Many's the time I heardit booming out to warn ships off them Demon's Rocks in the old days. Millie, it can't be!
It don't hang there no more. And the light don't shine no more. What's happening?'
'I dunno, Grandad,' said Millie, scared. 'Ain't no one in the light-house, far as I know!'
Old Jeremiah smacked his hand down on the window-sill, knocking over a plant-pot. 'There are folkthere - three boys and two girls, and a monkey too - and a dog as well!'
'Well, there now!' said Millie. 'And what would they be there for? Did they set the lamp agoing andsound that bell? BOOOOOM - there it goes again - enough to wake all the babies in Demon's RocksVillage!'
Millie was right. It did wake all the babies, and the children - and amazed every man and woman inthe place, including Ebenezer and Jacob. They had leapt to their feet when they had 91heard the bell, and were astounded to see the great light shining out steadily in the night.
They heard people hurrying by their cottage, on their way to Demon's Rocks jetty. They heardJeremiah's big voice booming out too. 'It's they children up there in the light-house, a-banging thatbell, and setting that light a-shining. Something's wrong! It's help they're needing, folks!
Something's wrong!'
Ebenezer and Jacob knew quite well what was wrong! The children were locked in the lighthouseand couldn't get out! They might be ill or hurt - or starving - but they couldn't get out to fetch help.
And now the whole village was aroused, and when the morning came, a boat would bob out on thegreat waves and find out what had happened!
Ebby and Jacob disappeared that night! It wasn't Constable Sharp they feared - it was the people ofthe village! They slipped away in the dark and the rain, and were gone. But you'll be caught, Ebby,you'll be caught, Jacob! And no one will be sorry for you. No one at all!
When daylight came, there were many people on the jetty, ready to go across to the light-house.
The wind was so rough that great waves still rolled over the rocks on which the light-house stood.
Soon a boat was launched, and Jeremiah, Constable Sharp and the village doctor went across, theboat careering from side to side like a mad thing, as the waves caught it.
They went up the steps to the light-house and banged at the door - and from the other side cameJulian's glad voice. 'You'll have to break down the door. Ebby or Jacob locked us in and took the key.
We can't get out, and we're running short of food!'
'Right. Stand back,' shouted Jeremiah. 'Constable and I are going to break in!'
Jeremiah was old but he was still hefty, and Constable Sharp was heftier still. The lock suddenlysplintered under their enormous shoves, and the door flew wide open! Jeremiah and the policemanshot inside and bumped into Julian and the rest, sending them flying. Timmy barked in astonishmentand Mischief fled up the stairway!
Soon they were all in the living-room, and Julian was pouring out his story. Anne made tea andhanded round steaming cups. Jeremiah listened open-mouthed, and the policeman busily took notes.
The doctor, glad that no one was ill or hurt, sipped his tea and listened, too.
'We didn't know how to get out when we were locked in,' said Julian, coming to the end of his longstory. 'So in the end we lighted the old lamp, and hung up the old bell, and struck it with the hammer.
I could hardly stand in the gallery, though, there was such a wind! I struck it for half an hour, andthen my brother here went on till he felt too cold. The lamp didn't burn all 92night - it went out early this morning.'
'But both bell and light did their job well, son,' said Jeremiah, looking twenty years younger, he wasso excited. 'Ah, to think that old lamp shone again, and that old bell sounded - I thought I must bedreaming!'
'We'll be after that Ebenezer and Jacob,' said the policeman, shutting his notebook. 'And it seems tome you'd all best go home, young sir. This weather's going on for a bit - and there's nothing to keepyou here, is there?'
'Well,' said Julian, 'actually there is something to keep us here. You know the old wreckers' losttreasure you told us about, Jeremiah? Well - we've found it!'
Jeremiah was so astounded that he couldn't say a word! He goggled at Julian, and opened and shut hismouth like a fish. Julian took some golden coins out of his pocket and showed them to the policemanand the doctor, and to Jeremiah.
'There you are!' he said. 'We know where there are thousands of these - they are in iron-bound boxesand chests down in one of the tunnels in the rock. What do you think of that? We can't leave here tillwe've given the treasure into the hands of the police! It belongs to the Crown, doesn't it?'
'Yes, it does,' said Constable Sharp, gazing at the bright gold coins. 'But you'll get a fine reward,young man - all of you will! Where's this treasure? I'd better get it straight away.'
'Well - you have to go down the foundation shaft of the light-house,' said Julian, gravely, but with atwinkle in his eye, 'and crawl under the archway at the bottom, and then make your way down thetunnel - but be careful the sea doesn't catch you - and then when you come to...'
The policeman stopped scribbling down what Julian was saying, and looked startled. Julian laughed.
'It's all right - Dick and I will fetch it ourselves today, and give it to you, complete with every singlegold coin,' he said. 'We don't need to go down the shaft - there's another way in - the way you tookus, Jeremiah. We'll go this morning, for a last excitement. And then - home! Perhaps you wouldkindly telephone to Kirrin Garage for a car to fetch us at twelve o'clock, Constable?'
'Oh good!' said Anne. 'An adventure is always exciting but I've really had enough at the moment!
This was such a bad-weather one! Oh, Constable, look out - that monkey has pulled out your whistle!'
So he had - and what is more he blew it - PHEEEEEEEEEE. Jeremiah almost jumped out of his 93skin, and Mischief received a slap that almost made him jump out of his skin too!
'Good-bye, Jeremiah,' said Julian. 'It's been fine meeting you - and thanks for coming to rescue us.
We'll see you again some day. Come along Constable - we'll go and find the treasure with you now.'
'I don't think I'll come,' said Anne, who really didn't like dark, smelly tunnels and caves. 'I'll do thepacking.'
'Timmy and I will help you,' said George, who knew that Anne wouldn't like to be left alone in thelight-house.
The boys went off with Jeremiah, the doctor and Constable Sharp, rowing over the rocks to the jetty.
The doctor and Jeremiah said good-bye at the jetty, and the three boys and Mischief took ConstableSharp to find the treasure. They had to push their way through quite a crowd of people, who hadcollected on the quay, anxious to know why the light had shone out from the light-house in the night,and why the bell had sounded.
'Make way, please,' said the policeman, politely. 'Everything is all right. These children were lockedin the light-house and couldn't get out. Make way, please. There is no need for any excitement!'
'No - that's all over now - isn't it, Ju?' said Dick. 'Whew - it was just a bit too exciting, at times! I shallbe quite glad to be at Kirrin Cottage again, with peace and quiet all around us.'
'You've forgotten that Uncle Quentin and his friend will still be there,' said Julian, with a grin.
'There'll be plenty going on while they're around! I'm afraid they won't be at all pleased to see usback!'
Oh yes they will, Julian - especially when they hear the exciting story you have to tell! You'll havesome fun showing round a gold coin or two. Timmy is to have one hung on his collar, as a reward forguarding you so well - how proud he will be!
Well, good-bye to you all! Good-bye, Julian, and Dick, and a good journey home! Good-bye, Anneand George - and Tinker too, and Mischief, you funny little monkey!
And good-bye, dear old Timmy, best of friends. How we wish we had a dog like you! See you allagain some day!
THE END
22.冒险的尾声
冒险的尾声
那天晚上，就在恶魔岩村，人们拉上窗帘，升起火炉，坐在扶手椅上。他们感谢上苍，在这风雨交加的夜晚不用出门。
杰里迈亚•大黑正坐在熊熊燃烧的炉火边吸着烟斗，突然听到一声巨响，他放下烟斗，惊讶地听着窗外的动静。
“当！当！当！”
“是钟声！这钟声我有四十年都没听过了！”杰里迈亚立刻站起身，几乎无法相信自己的耳朵，“不……不可能是灯塔里的那口钟，这钟声已经消失了很多年了！”
“当！”
杰里迈亚走到窗前，拉开旧窗帘。他盯着窗外，不敢相信自己的眼睛，不禁大叫一声：“米莉！快来看呀！灯塔在闪闪发光！米莉！我的孙女，你在哪里？米莉！”
“怎么了，爷爷？”一个胖胖的小个子女人回应道，手忙脚乱地赶了过来。
“看，米莉，我确定我看到了，那闪闪发光的不正是灯塔的领航灯吗？”杰里迈亚说。
“天哪，真的有一道明亮的灯光从恶魔岩的灯塔上照出来。”米莉回答，“我还从来没看见灯塔上那盏灯亮过呢！还有，爷爷，那个隆隆声是钟声吗，听起来好美妙啊！”
“没错，是从灯塔里传来的钟声！”杰里迈亚说，“我不会弄错的！过去我无数次听过这声音，警告船只远离恶魔之岩。但是，米莉，不可能是那口钟呀，它很久没有挂在灯塔上了，灯塔的领航灯也很久没使用了。外面到底发生了 什么？”
“我也不知道，爷爷，”米莉害怕地说道，“我还以为灯塔里没有人呢！”
“也许是那些孩子们干的，他们住在那里！”杰里迈亚说。
“天啊，现在还住在那里吗？”米莉说，“他们在里面做什么呢？
是那些孩子将领航灯点亮，将钟敲响的吗？钟声又响了，真洪亮啊，足以吵醒恶魔岩村的所有婴儿。”
米莉说得一点都没错。钟声惊醒了村里的婴儿和幼童，惊醒了所有成年人，还惊醒了埃比尼泽和雅各布。他们听到钟声，起身向外望去，惊讶地发现一道明亮的光束划破静谧的夜空。
两人听到人潮涌动，村里人纷纷从房子里出来，赶往恶魔岩的码头。外面响起杰里迈亚洪亮的嗓门，他说：“是住在灯塔里的那些孩子们！肯定是他们敲响了钟，点亮了灯，估计是出了什么状况，这是他们的求助信号。大伙儿一起去看看，看看到底发生了什么事情？”
埃比尼泽和雅各布非常清楚到底发生了什么，孩子们被他俩关在灯塔里没有办法出去！他们忍饥挨饿几天了，可能生病了，可能受伤了，但离不开灯塔，找不了救援。可现在，整个村庄都被他们唤醒了，早晨一到，人们就会开着一艘船，迎着风浪前往灯塔一探究竟！
当天晚上，埃比和雅各布就消失不见了！他们害怕的不是夏普警官会来抓捕，而是害怕所有村民的愤怒！趁着黑暗和暴雨，两人逃走了，逃得无影无踪。但你会被抓住的，埃比；你也会被抓住的，雅各布！没有人会为此感到伤心，没有一个人！
早晨一来，码头上已经挤满了人，准备动身去灯塔。风仍然很大，巨浪拍打着岩石。很快一艘船就起航了，杰里迈亚、夏普警官和乡村医生都在船上，由于海浪的推动，船就像发狂了一样摇晃，疯狂向前驶去。
三人走上台阶，来到塔前，重重地敲了敲塔门，门的另一边立刻传来朱利安高兴的声音：“你们必须破门而入。不知是埃比还是雅各布拿走了钥匙，把我们锁了起来，我们的食物快吃光了，却无法离开这里！”
“好，你们退后一步。”杰里迈亚喊道，“警官，我准备破门了！”
杰里迈亚虽然年迈，但身子骨仍然硬朗，夏普警官更加健壮。
他们用力一撞，门便打开了！由于惯性，杰里迈亚和警官冲了进去，撞倒了朱利安和其他人，众人倒成一团。蒂米惊讶地汪汪叫了起来，淘气包不明白发生了什么，害怕得逃上了楼梯！
混乱很快平息下来。众人来到客厅，朱利安讲述了这几天的遭遇。安妮负责泡茶，她将热气腾腾的茶递到大家手上，杰里迈亚听着朱利安的话，不知不觉嘴巴微张，表情惊讶。警官忙着做笔录。
医生很高兴没有人生病或受伤，他喝了一口茶，继续听朱利安的讲述。
“我们被锁在塔里，不知道如何离开，”朱利安终于讲到了长篇故事的尾声，“最后，我们只有将旧灯点亮，挂上旧钟，用锤子击打它发出声响。尽管围廊上刮着猛烈的暴风，人根本站不住，但我还是敲了有半个小时，接着由我弟弟迪克来敲，直到他冻僵了才停下。这盏灯没有持续亮一晚上，到了黎明燃油就耗尽了。”
“但是已经起到了作用，了不起啊小伙子！”杰里迈亚说道，他神采奕奕，看起来年轻了二十岁，“啊，看到熟悉的灯光，听到熟悉的钟声，我还以为是在做梦呢！”
“我们会继续追捕埃比尼泽和雅各布的。”警官合上他的笔记本说，“我认为你们最好回家去，年轻人。这种天气恐怕要持续一阵子，这里已经没有什么需要你们留下来的了，不是吗？”
“不，”朱利安说，“实际上，这里的确有东西需要我们留下来。
杰里迈亚先生，您还记得您告诉过我们毁盗王失落的宝藏吗？我们找到了！”
杰里迈亚呆若木鸡，说不出一句话来！他瞪着眼睛盯着朱利安，嘴巴无意识地一开一合，像鱼一样。朱利安从口袋里掏出一些金币，向警官和医生以及杰里迈亚展示。
“原来宝藏在那里！”他说，“我们发现，有成千上万个这样的金币都被放在铁盒子或是箱子里，从灯塔下方的隧道走进去就能找到宝藏。你们要去找找看吗？我们打算把宝藏交到警官手中再离开这里！它应该上交给皇室，对吗？”
“是的，理应如此。”夏普警官注视着明亮的金币，“但是，年轻人，你们会得到一笔很棒的奖赏，所有人都会得到！宝藏在哪里呢？我最好马上带走它。”
“您得从灯塔的竖井爬下去。”朱利安镇定地说道，眼睛里闪烁着快乐的光芒，“拉开塔底的活板门，踩着竖井的楼梯往下爬，就能看到隧道，沿着隧道一直朝里走，千万小心，别让潮水抓住你，然后当你到达……”
警官停下笔，惊讶地看着朱利安。朱利安笑了。
“不会有事的，迪克和我会陪您一起去，然后把宝藏交给您，一枚金币都不会少。”他说，“其实不需要爬下竖井，还有另一条路，就是您带我们走的那条路哦，杰里迈亚先生。今天早上，我们就动身，这是最后一次探险。然后，我们就启程回家！您可以打电话给科林庄园，让他们在十二点钟前派人开车来接我们，可以吗，警官？”
“哦，太好了！”安妮说，“冒险真令人兴奋，但我现在已经受够了冒险！这天气真恶劣！哦，警官，小心点，那只猴子已经拔出了您的口哨！”
没错，猴子拔出了哨子，放在口中吹响，“吱——”这声音吓得杰里迈亚跳得老高，几乎跳上了天花板，淘气包为此得到了一记耳光，这也吓得它几乎跳上了天花板！
“再见啦，杰里迈亚先生，”朱利安说，“很高兴认识您，还要感谢你们来救我们。有一天我们会再见面的。一起来吧，警官，我们现在就去找宝藏。”
“我不认为你们会需要我。”安妮说。她怕黑，还怕臭气难闻的隧道和洞穴，“我负责打包行李。”
“蒂米和我会帮助你的。”乔治说，她知道安妮不想独自留在灯塔里。
男孩们带着杰里迈亚、医生和夏普警官一起出发，坐上船向码头划去。医生和杰里迈亚在码头同他们告了别，三个男孩和淘气包带着夏普警官去寻找宝藏。他们不得不穿过拥挤的人群，这些人聚集在码头上，急切地想知道为什么夜里灯塔上会亮起光来，钟声会响起来？
“让让路，拜托了，”警官礼貌地说道，“一切都很好。这些孩子只是被锁在灯塔里出不去了。请让下路，大家没有必要激动！”
“是的，一切都结束了，是不是，朱利安？”迪克说，“想想真令人兴奋，我很高兴能回到科林庄园，享受那里的和平与安宁。”
“你忘了昆廷叔叔和他的朋友吗？他们可不这么想。”朱利安咧嘴笑着说，“这几天他们那边肯定也发生了很多事情。我担心，看到我们回来他们并不会感到高兴。”
哦，他们会感到高兴的，朱利安，特别是在他们听完这个令人兴奋的故事时！你会很荣耀地向他们展示一两枚金币。蒂米会把其中一枚挂在脖子上，这是它保护你们得到的奖励，蒂米将为自己感到十分自豪！
再会了，朋友们！再会，朱利安和迪克，祝你们归途愉快！再会，安妮和乔治！再会了，阿修！还有淘气包，你真是只有趣的小猴子！再会了！
再会，亲爱的蒂米，你是最好的伙伴。真希望我们能拥有一只像你这样棒的狗！有一天我们会再见面的！