Chapter 19 A NASTY SHOCK!
The storm blew itself out that evening, and next day was much calmer. The sky still looked angry,and rain fell now and again, but it was possible to get out of the light-house door in the morning, andgo down the steps on to the rocks.
'Shall we go shopping first - or look for the hole?' said Julian.
'Look for the hole,' said Dick, promptly¹. 'The wind is still pretty strong, and the storm might blow upagain - just look at that angry sky! We wouldn't be able to mess about round the edge of the rocks ifthe sea gets any rougher.'
They spread out and went cautiously over the great rocks on which the light-house was built. At lowtide the rocks stood well up, out of the sea. The light-house was built on the highest part, and seemedto tower over the searchers as they clambered here and there, seeking for any hole that looked as if itmight lead down into some tunnel below.
'Here's a hole!' called Anne, suddenly, and they all clambered over to her in excitement, Timmy too.
Julian looked down to where Anne was pointing. 'Yes - it does look a likely one,' he said.
'Big enough to take a man, too. I'll climb down and see.'
He slid down the hole, holding on to projecting pieces of rock as he went. The others watched,thrilled. Timmy barked. He didn't like to see Julian disappearing like this!
But before Julian quite disappeared, he shouted again. 'I'm afraid it's no good! It's come to a suddenend! I'm standing² on firm rock, and though I've felt all round it with my feet, there's no openinganywhere. It's a blind end!'
What a disappointment! 'Blow!' said Dick, lying down on the rocks and putting his arm down thehole to help Julian to climb up again. 'I had high hopes then! Julian - here's my hand. Do you wantany help?'
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'Thanks - it is a bit difficult!' said Julian. He climbed up with difficulty, and squeezed out of the holethankfully. 'I wouldn't like to get wedged in here!' he said. 'Especially with the tide coming in!'
'It's beginning to pour with rain again!' said Anne. 'Shall we go shopping now - or wait a bit?'
'Oh, let's wait,' said George. 'I'm cold and wet now. Let's go into the light-house and make some hotcoffee. WHAT a disappointment! Never mind - we can always go down the tunnels we were inyesterday and search around - maybe Mischief³ will show us where he found the gold coin!'
They all went into the light-house, and once more Julian jammed the door. 'I wish that locksmithwould come,' he said. 'If we go down into the caves, we'll have to leave old Timmy behind on guard -and it is such a shame!'

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