13
　　Joe is tricked again
　　Joe thought about the mystery of the children being in the town, with, as faras he knew, no possible way of getting there – except by walking, and thisthey had not had time to do. He came to the conclusion that they must knowsomeone who gave them a lift there.
　　So he set himself to watch the children closely. He managed to find jobsthat always took him near them. If they went down to the shore, he wouldbe there, collecting driftwood. If they stayed in the house, he stayed too. Ifthey went up on the cliff, Joe followed. It was most annoying for thechildren.
　　‘He’ll follow us and find out about Bill Smugs and his boat and car,’ saidLucy-Ann. ‘We haven’t been able to go and see him at all today – and if hegoes on like this we shan’t be able to go tomorrow either.’
　　It was impossible to give Joe the slip. He was very clever at keeping awatch on the children, and soon they grew angry. The two girls went up intothe tower-room with the boys that night and discussed the matter together.
　　‘I know,’ said Jack¹ suddenly. ‘I know how we can give him the slipproperly, and puzzle him terribly.’
　　‘How?’ asked the others.
　　‘Why, we’ll all go into the caves,’ said Jack. ‘And we’ll slip down thehole into the secret passage, and go up to Craggy-Tops cellar, slip out ofthere whilst Joe is waiting down on the beach for us, and go over the cliffsto Bill.’
　　‘Oooh, that is a good idea,’ said Philip. The girls were doubtful about it,for they neither of them liked the idea of the secret passage very much. Still– they all had torches now, and it would be a good chance to use them.
　　So next day, with Joe close on their heels, the four children and Kikiwent down to the beach.
　　‘Joe, for goodness’ sake leave us alone,’ said Philip. ‘We’re going intothe caves, and no harm can come to us there. Go away!’
　　‘Miss Polly said I was to keep an eye on you,’ repeated Joe. He had toldthe children this times without number, but they knew it wasn’t the realreason. Joe enjoyed making himself a nuisance. He wanted to poke² his noseinto everything they did.
　　They went into the caves. Joe wandered outside, putting driftwood intohis sack. The children all slipped down the hole that led to the secretpassage, and then, with their torches switched on, they made their wayalong it.
　　The girls didn’t like it at all. They hated the smell, and when they foundthat in one part it was difficult to breathe, they stopped.

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