Chapter 17 AND AT LAST THE MYSTERY IS SOLVED!
George couldn't help singing loudly as she rowed back to the shore in her boat. Timmy joined in witha bark now and again. He was glad that George was so happy. He stood in the prow¹ of the boat,wishing it was not night-time, so that he could see clearly where he was going. The moon cloudedover, and the sea looked endless in the dark. Very few lights showed on the mainland at that time ofnight - just one or two from houses where people were still up.
Wait, though - what was that bright light suddenly shining out from the mainland? Was it someonetrying to pick out their boat? Timmy barked at the light, and George, who, of course, was rowingwith her back to the shore, shipped her oars² for a moment and looked round.
'It's someone on the quay,' she said. 'Maybe a late fisherman. Good! He'll be able to help me drag myboat up out of the way of the tide!'
But it wasn't a fisherman. It was Julian and Dick. They had arrived about five minutes ago, and hadlooked at once for George's boat, and hadn't found it.
'Blow! We're too late to stop her, then. She's gone over to the island!' said Julian and began toexamine all the other tied-up boats to see if he could find one that he could borrow, belonging to afriend. Somehow they must get over to Kirrin Island, and rescue George. He felt sure she would be indanger of some kind.
Then suddenly the two boys heard the sounds of oars splashing not far out to sea. Well, if that was afisherman coming home, maybe Julian could ask him to lend him his boat to go to Kirrin Island in.
He could tell him that he was afraid his cousin might be in need of help.
Timmy, in George's boat, suddenly recognised the two boys when the moon swam out from a cloud,and gave a delighted volley of barks. George, wondering if it was Julian and Dick, rowed as quicklyas she could. She came into shore, jumped out and began to drag in her boat. The boys were besideher at once, and the boat was soon in its usual place, carefully made safe in case the tide was a highone.
'George!' said Julian, so overjoyed to see his cousin safe and sound that he couldn't help giving her abear-hug. 'You wicked girl! You went to the island - just what I said you weren't to do. You mighthave found the thieves on the island, and then you would have been in trouble!'
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'I did find them - but it's they who are in trouble, not me!' said George. 'I saw a light over there, tookmy boat and went over to the island - and there they were - Mr. Wooh the Magician and another man- ON MY ISLAND! Did you ever hear such cheek? They asked me for the papers at once!'
'Oh, George - did you give them to the men?' asked Dick.

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