Chapter 14 THE OLD, OLD MAP
Julian and Dick went into each room of the light-house, racing¹ 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,' groaned² 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 quay³, 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 deserted⁴! 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?'

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