Chapter 15
A QUEER HAPPENING AND A FINE TRIP

That night Jack told the others his plan, and they were at first doubtful, and then thrilled and excited.
Could we really find the entrance? said Lucy-Ann, scared.
Easily, said Jack, who, once he had made up his mind about anything, would not recognise any difficulties at all. I saw the entrance this afternoon, I'm sure, and I certainly saw it on that map. So did Dinah.
So did Dinah, so did Dinah, so did Dinah, chanted Kiki. Nobody took any notice of her. They all went on talking excitedly.
You see, once I feel absolutely at home in handling Bill's boat, I shan't be a bit afraid of taking Jo-Jo's, said Jack.
He'll half kill you if he finds out, said Philip. How are you going to manage it without his knowing?
I shall wait till he takes the old car and goes shopping, said Jack at once. I thought of all that. As soon as he goes off in the car, I shall take out the boat, and hope to come back before he returns. If I don't well, it just can't be helped. You'll have to distract his attention somehow or lock him up in the cellar or something.
The others giggled. The idea of locking Jo-Jo up was distinctly pleasing.
But look here, said Philip, aren't we coming with you? You can't go alone.
I'm not taking the girls, said Jack firmly. I don't mind any risk myself but I won't risk anything with the girls. You can come, of course, Philip.
I'm coming too, said Lucy-Ann at once. She was not going to have Jack going off on a risky adventure without her by his side.
Well, you can't come, so that's that, said Jack decidedly. Don't be an ass, Lucy-Ann. You'd spoil everything if you came. We'd have to be too careful if you or Dinah were on board. We wouldn't dare to take any risks at all.
I don't want you to take risks, said poor Lucy-Ann, with tears in her eyes.
Don't be such a baby, said Jack. Why can't you be like Dinah, and not worry me when I want to do something? Dinah doesn't bother about Philip taking risks, do you, Dinah?
No, said Dinah, well aware that Philip could take very good care of himself. All the same I wish we could come.
Lucy-Ann blinked back her tears. She didn't want to spoil things for Jack but really, it was awful to think he might be wrecked or drowned. She wished with all her heart that Great Auks had never existed. If they hadn't existed they couldn't be extinct, and if they hadn't been extinct there wouldn't be all this excitement about finding one again.
Jack did not sleep much that night. He lay and thought about the island and its birds, and could hardly wait to sail off and see whether it really was a Great Auk or not he had spotted through his glasses that afternoon. He might get a lot of money if he caught the Great Auk. It couldn't fly, it could only swim. It might be so tame that it would let itself be caught. There might be three or four Great Auks. It would be simply wonderful to find out.
Jack got up and went to the window. He looked out to the west where the island lay. There was no moon that night, and he could see nothing at first. But, as he gazed earnestly to the west, thinking hard of the island, he was astonished to see something distinctly unusual.
He blinked his eyes and looked again. It seemed as if a light was shining out there, over to the west where the island was. It went out slowly as he watched, and then came again. It can't be a real light, said Jack. Anyway, it can't be a light on the island. It must be some ship a good way out, signalling.
The light to the west faded again, and did not reappear. Jack pulled his head back, meaning to go to bed again, feeling sure that it must have been a ship's light he had seen.
But, before he could go back to his bed, something else attracted him. The narrow window on the opposite side, the one looking over the top of the cliff, was outlined in a soft light. Jack stared in amazement.
He ran to the window and looked out. The light came from the top of the rocky cliff. Someone had either built a fire there or had a bright lantern. Who could it be? And why show a light at night? Was it to signal to the ship out at sea?
Jack's room was the highest in Craggy-Tops, and the tower in which it was built jutted above the cliff-top. But though he craned his neck to look out as far as he could, he could not see what the light was on the top of the cliff, nor exactly where. He decided to find out.
He did not wake Philip. He put on shorts and coat and shoes and ran silently down the stairs. He was soon climbing the path to the top of the cliff. But when he got there, there was no light to be seen at all no smell, even, of a fire. It was very puzzling.
The boy stumbled along the cliff and suddenly he got the fright of his life. Someone clutched at him and held him fast.
What you doing up here? said Jo-Jo's voice, and he shook the boy till he had no breath left in his body. Go on you tell me what you doing up here.
Too frightened to think of anything but the truth, Jack blurted it out.
I saw a light from the tower-room and I came to see what it was.
I told you there was ‘things' on the cliff at night, didn't I? said Jo-Jo, in a frightening voice. Well, those things show lights, and they wail and yell sometimes, and lordy knows what else they do. Didn't I tell you not to wander out at night?
What are you out for? asked Jack, beginning to recover from his fright.
Jo-Jo shook him again, glad to have got one of the children in his power. I come out to see what the light was too, he growled. See? That's what I was out for, of course. But it's always those ‘things' a-making a disturbance and a trouble. Now, you promise me you'll never leave your bedroom no more at nights.
I shan't promise you anything, said Jack, beginning to struggle. Let me go, you beast. You're hurting me.
I'll hurt you a mighty lot more, 'less you tell me you won't go out at nights, threatened the black man. I got a rope-end here, see? I been keeping it for you and Philip.
Jack was afraid. Jo-Jo was immensely strong, spiteful and cruel. He struggled hard again, feeling Jo-Jo untying the rope he had around his waist.
It was Kiki that saved him. The parrot, missing Jack suddenly from the tower-room, where she had been sleeping peacefully on the perch that the boy had rigged up for her, had come in search of her master. She would not be separated from him for long, if she could help it.
Just as Jack was wondering whether it would be a good idea to bite Jo-Jo hard or not, Kiki swooped down with a glad screech. Kiki! Kiki! Bite him! Bite him! yelled Jack.
The parrot gladly fastened her sharp curved beak into a very fleshy part of the black man's arm. He let Jack go and gave an agonised yell. He hit out at Kiki, who was now well beyond reach, watching for a chance to attack again.
This time she tore at Jo-Jo's ear, and he yelled loudly. Call that bird off! I'll wring her neck!
Jack disappeared down the cliff path. When he was safely out of reach of Jo-Jo, he called Kiki.
Kiki! Come on. You're a very good bird.
Kiki took a last bite at Jo-Jo's other ear and then flew off with a screech. She flew to Jack's shoulder and made soft noises in his ear. He scratched her head gently as he made his way back to the house, his heart beating fast.
Keep out of Jo-Jo's way, Kiki, he said. He certainly will wring your neck now, if he can. I don't know what you did to him but it must have been something very painful.
Jack woke up Philip and told him what had happened. I expect the light was from a ship at sea, he said, but I don't know what the other light was. Jo-Jo said he went up to see too, but he thought it was made by the ‘things' he is always talking about. Golly, I nearly got tanned by him, Philip. If it hadn't been for Kiki, I guess I'd have had a bad time.
Good old Kiki, said Philip, and Kiki repeated his words in delight.
Good old Kiki, good old Kiki, good old . . .
That's enough, said Jack, and Kiki stopped. Jack snuggled down deep into bed. I'm tired, he said. I hope I soon go to sleep. I simply couldn't doze off before. I kept thinking and thinking of the Isle of Gloom.

chapter 15 continuation

But it was not long before he was asleep, dreaming of a large map that had the island marked on it, then of a boat that was trying to get to the isle, and then of Jo-Jo clutching him and trying to pull back both him and the boat.
The children felt pleased the next morning when they remembered that Bill Smugs had said they could try out the boat by themselves. They set off early, having done all their jobs very quickly. Jo-Jo was in a bad temper that day. He slouched about, frowning, glaring at Jack and Kiki as if he would like to get hold of both of them.
For once in a way he did not follow them about or try to track them where they went. Aunt Polly was determined that he was going to do some work that morning, and she set him all kinds of tasks. He saw that it would be no good trying to evade them, so, very sulkily, he set to work, and the children were able to escape easily without being seen.
I'm going to the town today, said Bill, when they arrived at his tumbledown shack. I simply must get hammer and nails and wood, and mend up my house a bit. Some more bits of wall have fallen down, and I spent last night with a gale rushing all round me or what seemed like a gale in this small place. I must do a spot of mending. Do you want to come with me and do some shopping again too?
No, thank you, said Jack at once. We would rather go out in the boat, please, Bill. It's quite a calm day. We will be very careful.
You'll remember your promise, of course, said Bill, and looked at Jack sharply. The boy nodded.
I won't go far out, he said, and the others said the same. They saw Bill off in his car, and watched him going carefully down the bumpy way to join the rough-and-ready road that led to the town.
Then they went to get the boat. Bill had left it out on the rocks, in its hiding-place. The children had not discovered why he liked to keep it there, but they imagined that he did not want it stolen when he was away from the place. They had to swim out to it, wrapping their dry clothes in an oil-skin bag that Bill lent them for the purpose. Philip towed it behind him.
They reached the rocks and made their way over them to the flattish stretch where the boat was hauled up, well out of reach of the waves. They undid the oil-skin bag and changed into dry things. They threw their bathing-suits into the boat and then pulled her down to the water.
The sea was deep around the rocks, and the boat slid neatly in, with hardly a splash. The children piled into her, and the two boys took the oars.
With a little trouble they rowed the big boat away from the rocks and out into open water. Then they faced the task of putting up the sail without Bill Smugs to help them.
It ought to be easy enough to us, panted Jack, tugging at various ropes. We did it yesterday by ourselves, you know.
But yesterday Bill had shouted directions at them. Now there was no-one to help them if they got into a muddle. Still, they did get the sail up after a time. Dinah was nearly knocked overboard, but just managed to save herself. She was very angry.
You did that on purpose, Philip, she said to her brother, who was still struggling with different ropes. Just you apologise! Bill said there wasn't to be any hanky-panky or silly tricks on board.
Shut up, said Philip, getting suddenly caught in a rope that seemed determined to hang him. Jack, help me.
Take the tiller, Dinah, ordered Jack. I'll help old Tufty. Dinah! Did you hear me? Take the tiller and let me help Philip.
But it was Dinah who, suddenly seeing that Philip was indeed in difficulties, came to his rescue and untangled him.
Thanks, said Philip. Blow these ropes! I seem to have undone too many. Is the sail all right?
It seemed to be. The wind filled it and the boat began to rush along. It was fun. The children felt important at being alone, managing the boat all by themselves. It was, after all, a very big boat for children to sail. Jack looked across the water to where the Isle of Gloom loomed up. One day he would go there land on it look around and goodness knows what he might find! A picture of the Great Auk arose in his mind and in his excitement he gybed the boat round and the sail swung across, almost knocking off the heads of the crouching children.
Idiot! said Philip indignantly. Here, let me take the tiller. We shall all be in the water if you play about like that.
Sorry, said Jack. I was just thinking of something how I'd go off in Jo-Jo's boat. When do you think we could, Philip? In two of three days' time?
I should think we could sail Jo-Jo's boat all right by then, said Philip. It's easy enough once you've got the knack and are quick enough. I'm getting to know the feel of the wind, and its strength really feeling at home in the boat. Poor Lucy-Ann never will, though. Look how green she's gone.
I'm all right, said Lucy-Ann valiantly. They had run into a choppy patch, and poor Lucy-Ann's tummy didn't like it. But nothing would ever persuade her to let the others go without her, even if she knew she was going to feel sick all the time. Lucy-Ann had plenty of pluck.
The children furled the sail after a time and got out the oars. They carefully remembered their promise and did not go very far away. They thought it would be a good thing to practise rowing for a while, too.
So all of them took turns, and soon they could pull the boat along well, and make it go any way they liked, even without the rudder.
Then they put up the sail once more and sailed to shore, feeling very proud of themselves. When they came near the shore they saw Bill Smugs waving to them. He had already come back.
They sailed in to the beach, and pulled in the boat. Good! said Bill. I was watching you out at sea. You did very well. Have another go tomorrow.
Oh, thanks, said Jack. I suppose we couldn't have a try this afternoon too, could we? Dinah and Lucy-Ann wouldn't be able to, because they've got to do something for Aunt Polly. But Philip and I could come.
The girls knew that Jack wanted to see if he and Philip were able to manage the boat by themselves, in preparation for going out alone in Jo-Jo's boat. So they said nothing, much as they would have liked to join in, and Bill Smugs said yes, the boys could go along that afternoon if they liked.
I shan't come, he said. I'm going to have a go at my wireless set. It's gone wrong.
Bill had a marvellous radio, the finest the boys had ever seen. It was set at the back of the old hut, and there Was no station that Bill could not get. He would not allow the boys to tamper with it at all.
Well, we'll be along this afternoon, then, said Jack, pleased. It's awfully nice of you to lend us your boat like this, Bill. Really it is.
It's a pleasure, said Bill Smugs, and grinned. Kiki imitated him.
It's a pleasure, it's a pleasure, it's a pleasure, poor old Kiki, wipe your feet, never mind, never mind, it's a pleasure.
Oh that reminds me, said Jack, remembering his queer experience of the night before. Bill, listen to this. He went off into a long account of his adventure on the cliff with Jo-Jo, and Bill Smugs listened with the greatest attention.
So you saw lights? he said. Out at sea and on the cliff. Very interesting. I don't wonder you wanted to look into the matter. Jo-Jo apparently had the same curiosity about them. Well, if I may give you a bit of advice, it's this don't get up against Jo-Jo more than you can help. I don't much like the sound of him. He sounds a dangerous sort of fellow.
Oh, he's just a bit mad, and hates children, but he's very stupid and I don't think he'd really dare to do us much harm, said Philip. We've had him for years.
Have you really? said Bill, interested. Well, well I expect your people would have a hard job to get anyone in Jo-Jo's place if he went. All the same beware of him.
The boys went off with the two girls. Philip was rather inclined to laugh at Bill's warning, but Jack took it to heart. He had not forgotten his fear the night before when the black man had caught him.
I think Bill's right somehow, thought Jack, with a little shiver. Jo-Jo could be a very dangerous sort of fellow.

Chapter 16
STRANGE DISCOVERIES

The next three days the children worked hard at rowing and sailing, until they were perfectly at home in Bill's boat, and could handle it almost as well as Bill. He was pleased with them.
I must say I do like to see children sticking to things, even if it means hard work, he said. Even old Kiki has stuck to it too, sitting on the sail, over-balancing half the time, but not dreaming of letting you go by yourselves. And as for Lucy-Ann, she's the best of the lot, because she has had to fight sea-sickness a good part of the time.
That afternoon, having first seen that Jo-Jo was safely in the yard at the back of the house, pumping up water from the deep well there, the children went to examine Jo-Jo's boat carefully, to see if they could possibly handle it themselves.
They stood and looked at it bobbing on the water. It was bigger than Bill's, but not very much. They felt certain they would be all right in it.
It's a pity Kiki can't row, said Jack. She could take the third pair of oars and we could get along fine.
Fine, said Kiki. Fine. God save the King.
Idiot, said Philip affectionately. He was as fond of Kiki as Jack and Lucy-Ann were, and the bird went to him readily. I say, Freckles I wonder when Jo-Jo is going to town again. I'm longing to try my hand at the boat; aren't you?
I should just think so, said Jack. I keep on and on thinking of that Great Auk I saw. I shan't be happy till I've seen it close to.
Bet you won't find it, said Philip. It would be awfully funny if you did, though and came back with it cradled in your arms. Wouldn't Kiki be jealous?
To the children's delight, Aunt Polly announced that Jo-Jo was going shopping the next day. So, if you want anything, you must tell him, she said. He has a long list of things to get for me you can add anything you want to it, and give him the money.
They put down a new torch battery on the list. Dinah had left her torch on one night and the battery was now no use. She must have a new one. Jack added another roll of film. He had been taking photographs of the sea-birds round Craggy-Tops, and now wanted a new film to take to the Isle of Gloom with him.
They waited anxiously for Jo-Jo to depart the next day. He seemed irritatingly slow. He started up the car at last and backed it out of the tumbledown shed where it lived. Now don't you children get into mischief whiles I'm gone, he said, his black face turned suspiciously towards them. Perhaps he sensed that they were wishing him to be gone for reasons of their own.
We never get into mischief, said Philip. Have a good time and don't hurry back. It will be pleasant without you, for a change.
Jo-Jo scowled, put his foot on the accelerator and shot off at his usual breakneck speed. Can't think how the old car stands those bumps and jerks, said Philip, watching it go across the cliff and disappear down to the road on the other side. Well he's gone. Now, what about it? Our chance has come.
In great excitement the children ran down to the beach, and made their way to the big boat. The boys got in. Dinah untied the rope and gave it a push.
Take care of yourselves, called Lucy-Ann anxiously, longing to jump into the boat with them. Do take care of yourselves.
Okay! yelled back Jack, and Kiki echoed the word. Okay, okay, okay, shut the door and wipe your feet!
The girls watched the boys rowing hard, and then they saw them put up the sail as soon as they were out on the open sea. There was a good wind and they were soon moving along at a fine speed.
Off to the Isle of Gloom, said Lucy-Ann. Well, I hope Jack brings back the Great Auk.
He won't, said Dinah, whose common sense told her that it would indeed be a miracle if he did. Well, I hope they find the entrance to those awful rocks all right. They seem to be managing the boat well, don't they?
Yes, said Lucy-Ann, straining her eyes to follow the boat, which was now becoming difficult to see, owing to a haze over the water. The Isle of Gloom could not be seen at all. Oh dear I do hope they'll get on well.
The boys were having a fine time. They found that although Jo-Jo's boat was heavier and more awkward to manage than Bill's it was not really difficult. There was quite enough wind and they were simply rushing through the water. It was most exhilarating to feel the up-and-down movement, and to hear the wind in the taut sail, and see the waves racing by.
Nothing like a boat, said Jack happily. One day I'll have one of my own.
They cost a lot of money, said Philip.
Well, I'll make a lot, then, said Jack. Then I'll buy a fine boat of my own, and go sailing off to distant islands inhabited by nothing but birds, and won't I have a marvellous time!
I wish we could see the island, said Philip. This haze is a nuisance. I hope we're going in the right direction.
Before they saw the island, they heard the thundering of the waves on the ring of rocks around it. Then quite suddenly, after what seemed a very long time, the island loomed up, and the boys felt the spray from the breaking waves falling finely around them.
Look out we're heading straight for the rocks! cried Philip in alarm. Take down the sail. We'll have to row. We can't manage the boat in this wind it's got too strong. She's going too fast.
They took down the sail, got out the oars and began to row. Jack tried to see the high hill. But it was much more difficult to spot the hill in reality than it had been to see it on the map. The hills seemed more or less the same size. The boys rowed round the ring of rocks, keeping well out of reach of the current that swept towards the island.
There's a high hill see, to the left, suddenly said Jack. Pull towards there, Tufty. That's right. I believe that's the one we want.
They pulled hard at their oars, panting and perspiring. Then, as the hill came right into view, the boys saw, to their delight, a gap in the ring of rocks a narrow gap, it is true, but decidedly an opening through which a boat might pass.
Now careful, warned Philip. This is the tricky bit. Watch out. We may get swung off our course and run into the rocks. And anyway, although there are none showing just there, in the gap, there might be some just below the water that would rip the bottom from our boat. Careful, Freckles, careful!
Jack was very careful. Everything depended on getting safely through the gap. The boys, their faces strained and anxious, rowed cautiously. Kiki didn't say a word. She knew that the boys were worried.
The gap or passage was narrow but long. It was anxious work getting the boat through. Various strong currents seemed to be doing their best to drive her to this side or that, and once the boys felt the bottom being scraped by some rock that was not far below the water.
That was a narrow shave, said Philip, in a low voice. Did you hear that nasty scrape?
I felt it too, said Jack. Hallo we seem to be all right now. I say, how marvellous, Tufty we're in a channel of perfectly calm water!
Beyond the ring of rocks was a channel or moat of brilliant blue, calm water, gleaming in the summer sun. It was strange to see it after the turbulence of the waves that raced over the rocks. They could hear the thunder of these still.
Not far to the island now, said Philip, thrilled. Come on I'm frightfully tired at least my arms are but we simply must get to land. I'm longing to explore.
They looked about for a good landing-place. The island was very rocky indeed, but in one place there was a tiny cove where sand gleamed. The boys decided to land there.
It was quite easy to land and haul the boat a little way up the beach, though it took all the boys' strength to pull it up. But Bill had shown them the knack of hauling, and soon they were free to explore the deserted island.
They climbed the rocky cliff behind the little cove, and gazed over that side of the Isle of Gloom.
It was the number of birds that first took the boys' attention. There were thousands upon thousands, all kinds, all sizes, all shapes. The noise they made was tremendous. They took little notice of the boys, who stood watching them in wonder.
But they were not as tame as they had hoped. Sitting birds flew away as soon as the boys went near. They seemed as wild as those at Craggy-Tops. Jack was disappointed.
Funny! he said. I always thought that birds on a deserted island, where no men ever came, were completely tame. It says so in all my books, anyway. These are quite wild. They won't let us go really near them.

There were few trees to be seen, and what there were grew in sheltered spots, bent over sideways by the wind that blew across the island. Underfoot was a kind of wiry grass which grew in tufted patches here and there. But even that did not grow everywhere, and the bare rock thrust up in many places.
The boys left the cliff and walked inland, the cries of the thousands of birds in their ears. They made their way towards the hill that towered up in the centre of the isle.
I want to see what those funny buildings are that I saw through the glasses, said Jack, remembering. And oh dear, I do want to find a Great Auk. I haven't seen a sign of one yet. I keep on looking and looking.
Poor Jack was in a terrible state of excitement, expecting to see a Great Auk at any moment, and, instead, seeing all kinds of birds he had already seen at Craggy-Tops. It was disappointing. He hadn't expected to see a procession of Great Auks but one, just one, would have been marvellous.
There were plenty of big razorbills with their curiously-shaped beaks, plenty of skuas, gulls, cormorants and other birds. It was a paradise of sea-birds, and Jack was lost in wonder at the number of them. How he would like to spend a few days on this island, watching and taking photographs!
They came to the hills, and found a pass between them. Here there was more grass and a few tiny wild flowers, sea-pinks and others. One or two stunted birches grew on the hillsides.
Between the hills lay a small valley, and in it was a stream, running off to the sea on the other side of the island. The boys went to have a look at it because it seemed rather a curious colour.
It certainly was a strange colour. Sort of coppery-red, said Jack, puzzled. I wonder why. I say, look! there are those queer buildings, up on that hill. And do you notice, Tufty, how the rocks change in colour here? They are not black any more, but reddish. And some of them look like granite. It's queer, isn't it?
I don't think I like this island much, said Philip, with a shudder. It feels lonely and queer and sort of bad.
You've been listening to old Jo-Jo's tales too much, said Jack, with a laugh, though he himself did not like the feel of the island either. It was so mournful and desolate, and the only sounds to be heard so far inland were the incessant cries of the sea-birds circling overhead.
They climbed half-way up a hill to see the buildings. It was difficult to make out what they were, they were so old and broken-down not much more than heaps of stones or rocks. They did not look as if they ever could have been places to live in.
And then, close to one of these buildings, Philip discovered something queer. He called to Jack in excitement.
I say! Come and look here! There's a terrific hole going right down into the earth simply terrifically deep!
Jack ran over to the hole and peered down it. It was a large hole, about six feet round, and it went so far down into the earth that the boys could not possibly see the bottom of it.
What's it for? said Philip. Is it a well, do you think?
The boys dropped a stone down to see if they could hear a splash. But none came. Either it was not a well, or it was so deep that the sound of the splash could not be heard.
I shouldn't like to fall down there, said Philip. Look! there's a ladder going down awfully old and broken but still, a ladder.
It's a mystery, said Jack, puzzled. Let's go and look around a bit. We might find something to help us to clear up such a queer problem. A shaft going right down into the depths of the earth, in a lonely island like this! Whatever was it made for?

Chapter 17
JO-JO IS ANGRY

To the boys' intense surprise, they found more of the deep, narrow holes, all of them near the curious old buildings. They can't be wells, said Jack. That's impossible. No-one would want so many. They must be shafts, sunk down deep into the earth here, for some good reason.
Do you think there were mines? asked Philip, remembering that coal-mines always had shafts bored down through the earth, so that men might go down and get the coal. Do you think there are old mines here? Coal-mines, for instance?
No, not coal, said Jack. I can't imagine what. We'll have to find out. I expect your uncle knows. Wouldn't it be exciting if it was a gold-mine! You never know.
Well, it must have been worked out hundreds of years ago, said Philip. There wouldn't be any gold left now, or it would still be worked. I say shall we go down and see what there is to be seen?
I don't know, said Jack doubtfully. The old ladders aren't much good, are they? We might fall hundreds of feet down and that would be the end of us.
What a pity, what a pity! remarked Kiki.
Yes, it would be a pity, said Philip, with a grin. Well, perhaps we'd better not. Hallo! here's another shaft, Jack a bit bigger one.
The boys peered down this big one. It had a much better ladder than the others. They went down it a little way, feeling very daring. They soon came up again, for they did not like the darkness and the shut-in feeling.
And then they made a discovery that surprised them even more than the shafts. Not far off, piled under an overhanging bit of rock, were some empty meat and fruit tins.
This was such an extraordinary find that the boys could hardly believe their eyes. They stood and stared at the tins, and Kiki flew down to inspect them to see if there was anything left to eat.
Where do you suppose those came from? said Jack at last. What a queer thing! Some are very rusty but others seem quite new. Who could come to this island and why and where do they live?
It's a mystery, said Philip. Let's have a jolly good look all round it whilst we're here, and see if we can find anyone. Better go carefully, because it's quite plain that whoever lives here doesn't want it known.
So the boys made a careful tour of the island, but saw nothing and nobody that could explain the mystery of the pile of tins. They wondered at the red rocks on the seaward side of the island, and again puzzled over the reddish colour of the stream that ran into the sea there. There were many more birds on the seaward side, and Jack kept a sharp look-out for the Great Auk. But he did not see one, which was very disappointing.
Aren't you going to take any photos? asked Philip. You said you were. Hurry up, because we oughtn't to be much longer.
Yes I'll take a few, said Jack, and hid behind a convenient rock to snap a few young birds. Then, having one more film left, a thought struck him.
I'll take a snap of that pile of tins, he said. The girls mightn't believe us if we bring home such a queer tale, but they'll believe it all right if we show them the photo.
So he snapped the pile of tins too, and then, with one last look down the big, silent shaft, the boys made their way back to the boat. There it lay, just out of reach of the water.
Well, let's hope we make as good a trip home as we did coming out, said Jack. I wonder if Jo-Jo is back yet. I hope to goodness that the girls have dealt with him somehow if he is.
They pulled the boat into the water and got in. They rowed over the smooth moat to the exit between the rocks, where spray was being sent high into the air from waves breaking on either side. They managed to avoid the rock that had scraped the bottom of the boat before, and rowed quite easily out of the passage.
They had some trouble just outside, where the sea was very choppy indeed. The wind had changed a little, and the sea was rougher. They put up the sail and ran home in great style, exulting in the feel of the wind on their cheeks and the spray on their faces.
As they got near the shore after their long run, they saw the two girls waiting for them, and they waved. Dinah and Lucy-Ann waved back. Soon the boat slid to its mooring-place and the boys got out and tied it up.
Did you find the Great Auk? cried Lucy-Ann.
Is Jo-Jo back? asked Philip.
You've been ages, said Dinah, impatient to hear everything.
We've had a fine adventure, said Philip. Is Jo-Jo back?
All these questions were asked at the same moment. The most important one was was Jo-Jo back?
Yes, said Dinah, with a giggle. He came back about an hour ago. We were watching for him. Luckily, he went straight down into the cellar with some boxes he brought back in the car, and we followed him. He opened that inner door and went into the back cellar with the boxes the cellar where the trap-door is and we remembered where you'd put the key of that door, got it, and locked him in. He's banging away there like anything.
Good for you! said the boys, pleased. Now he won't know we've been out in his boat. But how on earth are we going to let him out without his knowing we've locked him in?
You'll have to think of something, said Dinah. The boys walked up to the house, thinking hard.
We'd better slip down quietly and unlock the door when he's having a rest, said Philip at last. He can't keep banging at the door for ever. As soon as he stops for a bit of rest, I'll quietly put the key in the lock and unlock the door. Then I'll slip upstairs again. The next time he tries the door, it will open but he won't know why.
Good! said the others, pleased. It seemed a very simple way of setting Jo-Jo free without his guessing that it had anything to do with them.
Philip took the key and went down into the cellar as quietly as he could. As soon as he got down there he heard Jo-Jo hammering on the door. The boy waited till he had stopped for breath, and then pushed the big key quietly into the lock. He heard Jo-Jo coughing, and turned the key at the same moment, and then withdrew it. The door was unlocked now Jo-Jo could come out when he wanted to. Philip shot across the cellar, ran up the steps, out into the kitchen, and joined the others.
He'll be out in a minute, he panted. Let's slip up on to the cliff, and as soon as we see Jo-Jo again, we'll walk down to the house, pretending we are just back from a walk. That will puzzle him properly.
So they all ran up to the cliff, lay down on the top, and peeped over to see when Jo-Jo appeared. In low voices the boys told the girls all they had found on the Isle of Gloom.
The two girls listened in amazement. Deep holes in the earth a stream that was red a pile of food tins how very queer! No-one had expected anything like that. It was birds they had gone to see.
We simply must go back again and find out what those shafts lead down to, said Jack. We'll find out, too, if there were once mines of some sort there. Perhaps your Uncle Jocelyn would know, Dinah.
Yes, he would, said Dinah. Golly, I wish we could get hold of that old map of the island he spoke about the one he couldn't find. It might show us all kinds of interesting things, mightn't it?
Kiki suddenly gave one of her express-train screeches, which meant she had sighted her enemy, Jo-Jo. The children saw him down below, looking all round, evidently for them. They scrambled to their feet and walked jauntily down the path to the house.
Jo-Jo saw them and came to meet them, fury in his black face. You locked me in, he said. I'll tell Miss Polly of you. You ought to be whipped.
Locked you in! said Philip, putting a look of sheer amazement on his face. Where did we lock you in? Into your room?
Down in the cellar, said Jo-Jo, in a furious voice. Here's Miss Polly. I'll tell of you. Miss Polly, these children locked me into the cellar.
Don't talk nonsense, said Aunt Polly. You know there is no lock on the cellar door. The children have been for a walk look at them just coming back to the house how can you say they locked you in? You must be mad.
They locked me in, said Jo-Jo sulkily, suddenly remembering that the inner cellar was his own secret place and that he had better not go into any details, or Aunt Polly would go down and discover the door he had so carefully hidden.
I didn't lock him in, Aunt Polly, said Philip earnestly. I've been ever so far away all morning.
So have I, said Jack, quite truthfully. Aunt Polly believed them, and as she knew that the four children were always together, she imagined that the girls had been with them. So how could any of them have played a trick on Jo-Jo? And anyway, thought Aunt Polly, there was no lock on the door to the cellar, so what in the wide world did Jo-Jo mean? He really must be going off his head.
Go and do your work, Jo-Jo, she said sharply. You always seem to have your knife into the children, accusing them of this and that. Leave them alone. They're good children.
Jo-Jo thought otherwise. He gave one of his famous scowls, made an angry noise, beautifully copied by Kiki, and returned to the kitchen.
Don't take any notice of him, said Aunt Polly. He's a bit crazy, I think, and very bad-tempered, but he's quite harmless.
The children went back into the house, winking at one another. It was nice to have Aunt Polly on their side. All the same, Jo-Jo was piling up grievances against them. They must look out.
Funny, thought Jack. Aunt Polly says Jo-Jo is quite harmless and Bill Smugs says he's a dangerous fellow. One of them is certainly wrong.

Chapter 18
OFF TO THE ISLAND AGAIN

What should be done next? Should they tell Bill Smugs of their adventure? Would he be angry because they had evaded their promise, without actually breaking it, and gone out to the island in someone else's boat? The children decided that he might be very angry. He had great ideas of honour and promises and keeping one's word.
Well, so have we, said Jack. I wouldn't have broken my promise. I didn't. I just found a way round it.
Well, you know what grown-ups are, said Dinah. They don't think the same way as we do. I expect when we grow up, we shall think like them but let's hope we remember what it was like to think in the way children do, and understand the boys and girls that are growing up when we're men and women.
You're talking like a grown-up already, said Philip in disgust. Stop it.
Don't talk to me like that, flared Dinah. Just because I was talking a bit of sense.
Shut up, said Philip, and got a box on the ear from Dinah immediately. He gave her a slap that sounded like a pistol-shot and she yelled.
Beast! she said. You know boys shouldn't hit girls.
I shouldn't hit ordinary decent girls, like Lucy-Ann, said Philip. But you're just too bad-tempered for words. You ought to know by now that if you box my ears you'll get a jolly good slap. Serves you right.
Jack, tell him he's a beast, said Dinah; but Jack, although he never did hit a girl, couldn't help agreeing that Dinah deserved what she often got.
You should keep your hands to yourself, he said to her. You're too quick at dishing out ear-boxes, and you ought to know by now that Philip won't stand for it.
Clear out and get over your bad temper, said Philip, his ear stinging and going very red. Lucy-Ann looked distressed. She hated these quarrels between the brother and sister. Go on, clear out, said Philip. He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a box in which he had kept an extraordinarily tame beetle for days. Dinah knew he meant to open the box and put the beetle close to her. She gave a scream and rushed out of the room.
Philip put the box back into his pocket, after letting the enormous beetle have a run on the table. Whenever he held out his finger the beetle ran to it in delight. It really was amazing the way all creatures liked Philip.
You oughtn't to keep it in a box, said Lucy-Ann. I'm sure it hates it.
Well, watch then, said Philip, and put the box out on the table again. He opened it, took out the beetle, and put it at the other end of the big table. He put the box, with its lid a little way open, on to the middle of the table. The beetle, having explored the top of the table thoroughly, made its way to the box, examined it, and then climbed into it and settled down peacefully.
There you are! said Philip, shutting the box and putting it back into his pocket. It wouldn't go deliberately back into its box if it hated it, would it?
Well it must be because it likes being with you, said Lucy-Ann. Most beetles would hate it.
Philip is a friend to everything, said Jack, with a grin. I believe he could train fleas and keep a circus of them.
I shouldn't like that, said Lucy-Ann, looking disgusted. Oh dear, I wonder where Dinah has gone off to. I wish you wouldn't quarrel like this. We were having such a nice talk about what to do next.
Dinah had left the room in a rage, her arm stinging from Philip's slap. She wandered down the passage that led to her uncle's room, thinking up horrid things to do to her brother. Suddenly her uncle's study door opened and he peered out.
Oh, Dinah is that you? The ink-pot here is empty, he said, in a peevish voice. Why doesn't somebody fill it?
I'll get the ink-bottle for you, said Dinah, and went to get it from her aunt's cupboard. She took it to the study and filled her uncle's ink-pot. As she turned to go, she noticed a map on a chair near by. It was the one that her uncle could not find before the large one of the Isle of Gloom. The little girl looked at it with interest.
Oh, Uncle here's that map you told us about. Uncle, do tell me used there to be mines on the island?
Now, where did you hear that? said her uncle, astonished. That's old history. Yes, there used to be mines, hundreds of years ago. Copper-mines rich ones too. But they were all worked out ages ago. There's no copper there now.
Dinah pored over the map. To her delight it showed where the shafts were, that ran deep down into the earth. How the boys would like to see that map!
Her uncle turned to his work, forgetting all about Dinah. She picked up the map and slipped out of the room very quietly. How pleased Philip would be with the map!
She had forgotten all her anger. That was the best part about Dinah she bore no malice, and her furies were soon over. She ran down the passage to the room where she had left the others. She flung open the door and burst in.
The others were amazed to see her smiling and excited face. Lucy-Ann could never get used to the quick changes in Dinah's moods. Philip looked at her doubtfully, not smiling.
Dinah remembered the quarrel. Oh, she said, I'm sorry I boxed your ears, Philip. Look here I've got that old map of the island. What do you think of that? And Uncle Jocelyn told me there were mines there, once copper ones very rich. But they are all worked out now. So those shafts must once have led down to the mines.
Golly! said Philip, taking the map from Dinah's hands and spreading it out. What a map! Oh, Dinah, you are clever!
He gave his sister a squeeze and Dinah glowed. She quarrelled with her brother continually, but she loved getting a word of praise from him. The four children bent over the map.
There's the gap in the rocks as plain as anything, said Dinah. The boys nodded.
It must always have been there, said Jack. I suppose that's the only way the old miners could use to go to and from the island. How thrilling to think of their boats going and coming taking food there, bringing back copper! Golly, I'd like to go down and see what they are like.
Look, all the old shafts are marked, said Philip, and he placed his fingers on them. There's the one we must have found those tins near, Freckles, look! and here's the stream. And now I know why it's red. It's coloured by the copper deposits still in the hills, I bet.
Well, perhaps there is still copper there then, said Dinah, in great excitement. Copper nuggets! Oooh, I wish we could find some.
Copper is found in veins, said Philip, but I think it's found whole, in nuggets too. They might be valuable. I say shall we, just for a lark, go across to the island, go down to the mines, and hunt about a bit? Who knows, we might find nuggets of copper.
There won't be any, said Jack. No-one would leave a mine if there was still copper to be worked. It's been deserted for hundreds of years.
There's something stuck on to the back of the map, said Lucy-Ann suddenly. The children turned it over, and saw a smaller map fastened to the larger one. They smoothed it out to look at it. At first they could not make head or tail of it and then Philip gave an exclamation.
Of course! It's an underground map of the island a map of the mines. Look at these passages and galleries and these draining-channels to take away water. Golly, part of these mines are below the level of the sea.
It was weird to look at a map that showed the maze of tunnels under the surface of the island. There had evidently been a vast area mined, some of it under the sea itself.
This section is right under the bed of the sea, said Jack, pointing. How queer to work there, and know that all the time the sea is heaving above the rocky ceiling over your head!
I shouldn't like it, said Lucy-Ann, shivering. I'd be afraid it would break through and flood where I was working.
Look here, we simply must go over to the island again, said Philip excitedly. Do you know what I think? I think that people are working in those mines now.
Whatever makes you think that? said Dinah.
Well, those food tins, said Philip. Someone eats food there, out of tins. And we couldn't see them anywhere, could we? So it must be that they were down in the mines, working. I bet you that's the solution of the mystery.
Let's go over to Bill and tell him all about it tomorrow, and take this map to show him, said Dinah, thrilled. He will tell us what to do. I don't feel like exploring the mines by ourselves. I somehow feel I'd like Bill with us.
No, said Jack suddenly. We won't tell Bill.
The others looked at him in surprise.
Why ever not? demanded Dinah.

chapter 18 continuation

Well because I've suddenly got an idea, said Jack. I believe it's a friend of Bill's or friends working in those mines. I believe Bill's come here to be near them to take food over and that sort of thing. I bet he uses his boat for that. It must be a secret, I should think. Well he wouldn't be too pleased if we knew his secret. He'd never let us go out in his boat again.
But, Jack you're exaggerating. Bill's only come for a holiday. He's bird-watching, said Philip.
He doesn't really do much bird-watching, said Jack. And though he listens to me when I rave about the birds here, he doesn't talk much about them himself not like I would if someone gave me the chance. And we don't know what his business is. He's never told us. I bet you anything you like that he and his friends are trying to work a copper-mine over on the island. I don't know who the mines belong to if they do belong to anyone but I guess if it was suspected that there was still copper there the people who made the discovery would keep it secret on the chance of mining some good copper nuggets themselves.
Jack paused, quite out of breath. Kiki murmured the new word she had heard.
Copper, copper, copper. Spare a copper, copper, copper.
Isn't she clever? said Lucy-Ann.
But no-one paid any attention to Kiki. The matters being discussed were far too important to be interrupted by a parrot.
Let's ask Bill Smugs straight out, suggested Dinah, who always liked to get things clear. She disliked mysteries that couldn't be solved.
Don't be an ass, said Philip. Jack's already told you why it would be best not to let Bill know we know his secret. Maybe he'll tell us himself one day and won't he be surprised to know that we guessed it!
We'll go over in Jo-Jo's boat again soon, said Jack. We'll go down that big shaft and explore a bit. We'll soon find out if anyone is there. We'll take this map with us so that we don't lose our way. It shows the underground passages and galleries very clearly.
It was exciting to talk over these secrets. When could they go off to the island again? Should they take the girls this time or not?
Well, I think we shall manage even better this time, said Philip. There wasn't much danger really last time, once we found the passage through the ring of rocks. I'm pretty certain we shall get to the island easily next time. We may as well take the girls.
Dinah and Lucy-Ann were thrilled. They longed for a chance to go at once, but Jo-Jo did not leave Craggy-Tops long enough for them to take his boat. However, he went out in it himself two or three times.
Are you going fishing? asked Philip. Why don't you take us with you?
Not going to bother myself with children like you, said the black man, in his surly way, and set off in his boat. He sailed out such a long way that his boat disappeared into the haze that always seemed to hang about the western horizon.
He may have gone to the island, for all we can see, said Jack. He just disappears. I hope he brings some fish back for supper tonight.
He did. His boat returned after tea and the children helped to take in a fine catch of fish. You might have taken us too, you mean thing, said Dinah. We could have let lines down as well.
The next day Jo-Jo departed to the town again, much to the children's joy. He's got the day off, said Aunt Polly. You will have to do some of his jobs. You boys can pump up the water for the day.
The boys went off to the well and let down the heavy bucket, unwinding the chain till the bucket reached the water. Jack peered over the edge.
Just like one of those shafts over in the island, he said. Wind up, Tufty here goes!
The children hurried over all the work that Aunt Polly set them to do. Then, making certain that the car was gone out of the garage, they begged a picnic lunch from Aunt Polly and raced down to Jo-Jo's boat.
They undid the rope and pushed off, the two boys rowing hard. As soon as they were out on the open sea, up went the sail. Off we go to the Isle of Gloom, said Dinah, in delight. Gosh, I'm glad we're coming with you this time, Jack. It was hateful being left behind last time.
Did you bring the torches? asked Philip of Lucy-Ann. She nodded. Yes. They're over there with the lunch.
We shall need them down the mines, said Philip, with an air of excitement. What an adventure this was to be going down old, old mines, where possibly men might be secretly hunting for copper. Philip shivered deliciously with excitement.
The sailing-boat, handled most expertly by the four children, went along well and they made very good time indeed. It did not seem to be very long before the island loomed up out of the usual haze.
Hear the waves banging on the rocks? said Jack. The girls nodded. This was the dangerous part. They hoped the boys would find the rock passage as easily as before, and go in safely.
There's the big hill, said Jack suddenly. Down with the sail, girls. That's right easy does it. Look out for that rope, Lucy-Ann. No, not that one that's right.
The sail was down. The boys took the oars and began to row cautiously towards the gap in the rocks. They knew where it was now. Into it they went, looking out for the rock that lay near the surface, ready to avoid it. It did scrape the bottom slightly and Lucy-Ann looked frightened. But soon they were in the calm moat of water that ran gleaming all round the island, between the shore and the ring of rocks.
Lucy-Ann heaved a sigh of relief. What with feeling a bit sea-sick and a lot scared, she had gone quite pale. But now she recovered quickly as she saw the island itself so near.
They landed safely and pulled the boat up on to the shore. Now we make for the hills, said Jack. My word, look at the thousands of birds again! I never in my life saw such a lot. If only I could see that Great Auk!
Perhaps I'll see one for you, said Lucy-Ann, wishing with all her heart that she could. Philip, where's that red-coloured stream and the pile of tins? Anywhere near here?
You'll see soon, said Philip, striding ahead. We go through this little pass in the hills.
Soon they could see the copper-coloured stream running in the valley among the hills. Jack paused and took his bearings. Wait a bit. Where exactly was that big shaft?
The girls had already exclaimed over the other holes in the ground, and the queer tumbledown erections beside them. There must have been some sort of shaft-head, said Jack, considering. Now, where's that pile of tins? It was somewhere near here. Oh there's the shaft, girls!
Everyone hurried to the big round hole and peered down it. There was no doubt but that the ladder leading down it was in very good condition. This is the shaft the men are using, said Philip. It's the only one whose ladder is safe.
Don't talk too loudly, said Jack, in a low voice. You don't know how sound might carry down this shaft.
Where are those tins you told us about? said Lucy-Ann.
Over there by that rock, said Philip, pointing. Go and see them if you want to.
He shone his torch down the shaft, but could see very little. It looked rather sinister and forbidding. What was it like down there? Were there really men down there? The children mustn't be discovered by them grown-ups were always angry when children poked their noses into matters that didn't concern them.
Jack I can't find the tins, said Lucy-Ann. Philip made an impatient noise. How silly girls were! They never could find anything. He strode over to show them the pile.
Then he stopped in astonishment. The place under the rock was empty. There was nothing there at all. The tins had been removed.
Look at that, Jack, said Philip, forgetting to speak softly. All those tins have gone. Who took them? Well that just shows there are people on this island people who have been here since we last came too. I say isn't this exciting!

Chapter 19
DOWN IN THE COPPER-MINES

Lucy-Ann looked round her fearfully as if she half expected to see somebody hiding behind a rock.
I don't like to think there may be people here we don't know anything about, she said.
Don't be silly, said Jack. They're down in the mines. Shall we go down this shaft now, and see what we can discover?
The girls didn't want to, but Lucy-Ann felt that it would be worse to stay up above ground, all alone with Dinah, than it would be to go down and keep with the boys. So she said she would go, and Dinah, who wasn't going to be left all alone, promptly said she would go too.
Philip spread the map of the underground mines out on the ground, and they all knelt down and studied it. See this shaft goes down to the centre of a perfect maze of passages and galleries, said Philip. Shall we take this passage here? it's a sort of main road, and leads to the mines that were worked right under the sea.
Oh no, don't let's go there, said Lucy-Ann, in alarm. But the other three voted to go there, so the matter was decided.
Now, Kiki, if you come with us, you are not to make a noise, warned Jack. Else, if we go anywhere near the miners, they will hear you, and we shall be discovered. See?
Eena meena mina mo, said Kiki solemnly, and scratched her poll hard.
You're a silly bird, said Jack. Now mind what I've told you don't you dare to screech or shout.
They went to the head of the shaft. They all peered down, feeling rather solemn. An adventure was exciting, but somehow this one seemed a bit frightening, all of a sudden.
Come on, said Philip, beginning to go down the ladder. Nothing can happen to us really, even if we are discovered. After all, we first came to this island to see if we could find a Great Auk for Freckles. Even if we were caught we could say that we'd keep our mouths shut. If the men are friends of Bill Smugs, they must be decent fellows. We can always tell them we are his friends.
They all began to climb down the long long shaft. Before they were half-way down they wished they had never begun their descent. They had not guessed they would have to go so far. It was like climbing down to the middle of the earth, down, down, down in the darkness, which was lit now by the beams from four torch lights.
You girls all right? asked Philip, rather anxiously. I should think we must be near the bottom now.
My arms are terribly tired, said poor Lucy-Ann, who was not so strong as the others. Dinah was more like a boy in her daring and strength, but Lucy-Ann was small compared with her.
Stop a little and rest, said Jack. Golly, Kiki feels heavy on my shoulder. That's because my arms are a bit tired too, I expect, with holding on to the ladder-rungs.
They rested a little and then went on downwards. Then Philip gave a low exclamation.
I say! I'm at the bottom!
With great thankfulness the others joined him. Lucy-Ann promptly sat down on the ground, for her knees were aching now, as well as her arms. Philip flashed his torch around.
They were in a fairly wide passage. The walls and ceiling were of rock, gleaming a coppery colour in the light of the torches. From the main passage branched many galleries or smaller passages.
We'll do as we said and keep to this main passage, which looks like a sort of main road of the mines, said Philip.
Jack flashed his torch down a smaller passage. Look! he said. The roof has fallen in there. We couldn't go down that way if we wanted to.
Golly, I hope the roof of this passage won't fall in on top of us, said Lucy-Ann, looking up at it in alarm. In places it was propped up by big timbers, but mostly it was of hard rock.
Come on we're safe enough, said Jack impatiently. I say isn't it thrilling to be hundreds of feet below the earth, down in a copper-mine as old as the hills!
It's funny that the air is quite good here, isn't it? said Dinah, remembering the musty-smelling air in the secret passage at Craggy-Tops.
There must be good air-ways in these mines, said Philip, trying to remember how the air-ways in coal-mines worked. That's one of the first things that men think about when they begin to work mines underground how to get draughts of air moving down the tunnels they make and channels to drain off any water that might collect and flood the mine.
I'd hate to work in a mine, said Lucy-Ann, shivering. Philip, are we under the sea yet?
Not yet, said Philip. About half-way there, I should think. Hallo, here's a well-worked piece quite a big cave!
The passage suddenly opened out into a vast open cave that showed many signs of being worked by men. Marks of tools stood out here and there in the rock, and Jack, with a delighted exclamation, darted to a corner and picked up what looked like a small hammer-top made of bronze.
Look, he said proudly to the others. This must be part of a broken tool used by the ancient miners it's made of bronze a mixture of copper and tin. My word, won't the boys at school envy me this!
That made the others look around eagerly as well, and Lucy-Ann made a discovery that interested everybody very much. It was not an ancient bronze tool it was a stub of pencil, bright yellow in colour.
Do you know who this belongs to? said Lucy-Ann, her green eyes gleaming in the torch-light like a cat's. It belongs to Bill Smugs. I saw him writing notes with it the other day. I know it's Bill's.
Then he must have been down here and dropped it by accident, said Philip, thrilled. Golly, our guess was right then! He's no bird-watcher he's living on the coast with his car and his boat because he's friends with the men working this old mine, and brings them food and stuff. Artful old Bill he never told us a word about it.
Well, you don't go blabbing everything out to children you meet, said Dinah. Well, well how surprised he would be if he knew we knew his secret! I wonder if he's down here now?
 'Course not, silly, said Philip, at once. His boat wasn't on the shore, was it? And there's no other way of getting here except by boat.
I forgot that, said Dinah. Anyway I don't feel afraid of meeting the secret miners now that we know they are friends of Bill's. All the same, we won't let them know we're here if we can help it. They might think that children couldn't be trusted, and be rather cross about it.
They examined the big cave closely. The ceiling was propped up with big old timbers, some of them broken now, so that the roof was gradually falling in. A number of hewn-out steps led to a cave above, but the roof of that had fallen in and the children could not get into it.
Do you know what I think? said Jack suddenly, stopping to face the others behind him, as they examined the cave. I believe that light I saw out to sea the other night wasn't from a ship at all it was from this island. The miners were giving a signal to say that they had finished their food and wanted more and the light from the cliff was flashed by Bill to say he was bringing more.
Yes but the light came from our cliff, not from Bill's cliff, objected Philip.
I know but you know jolly well that it's only from the highest part of the cliff that anyone signalling from the cove side of the island could be seen, said Jack. If somebody stood on that hill in the middle of the island and made a bonfire or waved a powerful lamp, it could only be seen from our cliff, and not from Bill's. So Bill must have gone to our cliff that night and answered the signal.
I believe you're right, said Philip. Old Bill must have been wandering about that night, behind Craggy-Tops and you saw his signalling light and so did Jo-Jo. No wonder old Jo-Jo says there are ‘things' wandering about at night and is scared of them! He must often have heard Bill and seen lights, and not known what they were.
I expect Bill went off to the island in his boat, as soon as he could, with fresh food, said Jack. And he took away the pile of old tins. That explains why it is they are gone. Artful old Bill! What a fine secret he has and we are the only people who know it!
I do wish we could tell him we know it, said Lucy-Ann. I don't see why we can't. I'm sure he'd rather know that we knew it.
Well we could sort of say a few things that will make him guess we know it, perhaps, said Philip. Then if he guesses, he'll own up, and we'll have a good talk about the mines, and Bill will tell us all kinds of exciting things.
Yes, that's what we'll do, said Jack. Come on let's explore a bit further. I feel as if I know this cave by heart.
The passage swerved suddenly to the left after a bit, and Philip's heart gave a thump. He knew, by the map, that when the main passage swerved left they were going under the sea-bed itself. It was somehow very thrilling to be walking under the deep sea.
What's that funny noise? asked Dinah. They all listened. There was a curious, far-off booming noise that never stopped.
Miners with machines? said Philip. Then he suddenly knew what it was. No it's the sea booming away above our heads! That's what it is!
So it was. The children stood and listened to the muffled, far-away noise. Boom-boooom, boom. That was the sea, moving restlessly over the rocky bed, maybe pounding over rocks in its way, talking with its continual, rhythmical voice.
It's funny to be under the sea itself, said Lucy-Ann, half frightened. She shivered. It was so dark, and the noise was so strange.
Isn't it awfully warm down here? she said, and the others agreed with her. It certainly was hot down in the old copper-mines.
They went on their way down the passage, keeping to the main one, and avoiding all the many galleries that spread out continually sideways, which probably led to other workings of the big mines.
If we don't keep to this main road, we'll lose ourselves, said Philip, and Lucy-Ann gave a gasp. It had not occurred to her that they might get lost. How awful to go wandering about miles of mine-workings, and never find the shaft that led them upwards!
They came to a place where, quite suddenly, a brilliant light shone. The children had rounded a corner, noticing, as they came to it, that a glimmer of light seemed to show there. As they turned the corner of the passage they came into a cave lighted by a powerful lamp. They stopped in the greatest surprise.
Then a noise came to their ears a queer noise, not the muffled boom of the sea, but a clattering noise that they couldn't recognise then a bang, then a clattering noise again.
We've found where the miners work, said Jack, in an excited whisper. Keep back a bit. We may see them but we don't want them to see us!