31 An exciting finish
　　Jack¹, Dinah, Lucy-Ann, Kiki and the old couple were still in the cave of stars. They had justfinished their meal, and were wondering what to do. What a pity the old couple wouldn’t comeoutside the mountain – it was such a lovely day!
　　‘We could easily go and sun ourselves there,’ said Lucy-Ann longingly². ‘There’s no dangerfrom those men. They can’t get out of that locked door.’
　　Just as she spoke³, Jack clutched hold of her arm and made her jump. ‘Sh! I can hear voices.’
　　They all listened fearfully. Yes – there were voices – coming down the tunnel that led from thecave of stalactites to the cave they were now in.
　　‘More men! Quick, hide!’ said Dinah urgently. In a panic the children began to run to the otherend of the cave, stumbling and tripping, their feet echoing round the big vault⁴.
　　‘Halt!’ cried a stern voice, and a big figure stood just inside the cave. ‘Stand still! Put yourhands up!’
　　Lucy-Ann knew that voice. Of course she did. ‘Bill! BILL !’ she squealed⁵. ‘Oh, Bill, we thoughtyou were never coming!’
　　She ran across the cave and flung herself on the surprised Bill. Jack and Dinah followed,shouting in delight. Lucy-Ann caught sight of Philip and flung herself on him too.
　　‘Philip! Dear Philip, you did escape and get Bill!’
　　Philip was astonished to see the children and the old couple there. He had left them in thetreasure caves. How had they got out? And where were the men?
　　The old couple came slowly up, half frightened to see so many people by the light of thepowerful torches. Bill was gentle with them.
　　‘Poor frightened moles,’ he said to Philip. ‘Well, they will be well looked after and rewarded.
　　Now – where are these men?’
　　‘I bolted them in,’ said Jack proudly. ‘They are prisoners in the treasure caves.’
　　This was news to Philip – and, of course, to Bill too. They questioned Jack eagerly, and he toldthem how the old woman had shown them the hole behind the picture, and how they had managedto escape through it to the cave of echoes and from there to their own fern cave. Then how Jackhad gone to the men’s hut, and had come up against Pepi and tied him up – finally how he had gothis Great Idea, and slipped back to bolt the men in.

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