Chapter 15 DIGGING FOR THE SECRET TUNNEL
'How can we get permission to dig?' asked Anne. 'I mean - will we be allowed to?'
'I don't see why not - Mr. Henning has only been given permission to dig in one place,' said Julian. 'Ibet we'd get permission to dig just here - it's a pretty good way from the castle-site, anyway.'
'Why shouldn't we just dig and see if anyone stops us?' said George. 'If Mr. Philpot stops us, we couldtell him what we're really doing. He'd probably let us, then. But whatever happens, we don't want Mr.
Henning to know what we've discovered - or think we've discovered!'
'Well, what shall we say then, if he asks why we're digging?' said Anne.
'Say silly things - joke about it!' said Dick. 'Twins, have you work to do this morning? Can you findus spades, do you think?'
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'Yes - you can have our spades, and Dad's old ones, too!' said Harry¹. 'We wish we could help -but we've tons to do, and we're late already.'
'Oh dear - and I promised that George and I would help in the kitchen!' said Anne. 'And pick peas fordinner and pod them - and get more raspberries! Can you and Dick dig all on your own, Ju?'
'Good heavens, yes!' said Julian. 'It'll be slower with just two of us digging, but we'll soon get deepdown, you'll see! Anyway, we could all take turns this afternoon, perhaps, if the twins finish theirwork.'
'We will! We'll do it at top speed!' said Harry and Harriet together. 'Now we'll get some spades foryou.'
They raced off, with Snippet beside them, and the two girls went down the hill more slowly, feelingvery thrilled. If only, only they could dig down and find the secret passage from the chapel² to thecellars of the old castle! Timmy felt the excitement and wagged his tail happily. He was alwayshappy when George was thrilled about anything.
Harriet soon brought two big spades and two smaller ones to the boys. They were heavy, and shepanted as she carried them up the hill.
'Good girl - or is it good boy?' asked Dick, as he took the spades. 'Wait - it's Harriet, isn't it?
You've no scar on your hand!'
Harriet grinned and ran off swiftly to join her brother in the farm-work that was their task. Juliangazed after her. 'They're good kids,' he said, as he turned to drive his spade into the earth. 'Worth ahundred Juniors! Funny how some children are made of such good stuff, and others aren't worth apenny. Well, Dick - go to it! This earth is pretty hard. I wish we could borrow one of those machinesthe men are using up there!'
They dug hard, and were soon very hot indeed. They stripped themselves to their shorts, but were stillfar too hot. They greeted Anne with joy when she laboured up the slope, carrying a

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