23 The guardians¹ of the treasure
　　The children stood absolutely still, holding their breath. Who was there, in that little room at thetop of the steps? The voice came again, repeating the words that the children could not understand.
　　Then to the top of the little flight of steps came a brown hen! It stood there, its head on one side,peering down at the children. ‘Cluck!’ it said, in a friendly kind of voice. ‘Cluck-luck!’
　　‘Cluck!’ said Kiki at once.
　　Lucy-Ann clutched Dinah. ‘Was it the hen talking before?’ she whispered in amazement².
　　It wasn’t, of course. The quavering voice came again, and to the children’s surprise it soundedreally frightened.
　　Nobody came to where Jack³ stood almost at the top of the steps. The boy screwed up hiscourage and marched into the little room.
　　At the other end of it, under a small archway or rock, stood an old, old man. Behind him was awoman, just as old, but more bent⁴. They stared at Jack in amazement, and then, turning to oneanother, they poured out a stream of hurried words that the children could not understand at all.
　　Lucy-Ann wondered what Jack was doing up in the little room. Somebody ought to be withhim. She went up the steps and joined Jack. The two old people stared at the red-haired freckledchild, so like Jack.
　　Then the old woman made a crooning noise, pushed past her husband and went over to Lucy-Ann. She put her arms round her and kissed her. Then she patted her hair. Lucy-Ann was surprisedand not very pleased. Who was this funny old woman who suddenly seemed so affectionate?
　　She called to the others. ‘Dinah! Philip! Come along up! It’s two old people here with theirhen!’
　　Soon all four children were in the little underground room. As soon as the old man heard themtalking, he joined in eagerly, speaking English in a strange, clipped way.
　　‘Ah, ah! You are English children! That is goot, very goot. Once, long time ago, I was in yourso beautiful country. I was in a big London hotel.’
　　‘Thank goodness he speaks English,’ said Philip. ‘I say – what are they doing here, with thetreasure? Are they in league with the other men?’
　　‘Have to find out,’ said Jack. ‘They seem quite harm- less, anyhow. But there may be others.’

分享到：