Новые приключения Великолепной Пятерки

[989] They switched out the light and opened the study door softly. Up the stairs they fled, as quietly as Indians, their hearts thumping so loudly that it seemed as if everyone in the house must hear the beat.

[990] The girls got safely to their rooms and Dick was able to slip into his. But Julian was seen by Mr. Roland as he came out of his room with a torch.

[991] 'What are you doing, Julian?' asked the tutor, in surprise. 'Did you hear a noise downstairs? I thought I did.'

[992] 'Yes - I heard quite a lot of noise downstairs,' said Julian, truthfully. 'But perhaps it's snow falling off the roof, landing with a plop on the ground, sir. Do you think that's it?'

[993] 'I don't know,' said the tutor doubtfully. 'We'll go down and see.'

[994] They went down, but of course, there was nothing to be seen. Julian was glad they had been able to shut the panel and make the stone come back to its proper place again. Mr. Roland was the very last person he wanted to tell his secret to.

[995] They went upstairs and Julian slipped into his room. 'Is it all right?' whispered Dick.

[996] 'Yes,' said Julian. 'Don't let's talk. Mr. Roland's awake, and I don't want him to suspect anything.'

[997] The boys fell asleep. When they awoke in the morning, there was a completely white world outside. Snow covered everything and covered it deeply. Timothy's kennel could not be seen! But there were footmarks round about it.

[998] George gave a squeal when she saw how deep the snow was. 'Poor Timothy! I'm going to get him in. I don't care what anyone says! I won't let him be buried in the snow!'

[999] She dressed and tore downstairs. She went out to the kennel, floundering knee deep in the snow. But there was no Timmy there!

[1000] A loud bark from the kitchen made her jump. Joanna the cook knocked on the kitchen window. 'It's all right! I couldn't bear the dog out there in the snow, so I fetched him in, poor thing. Your mother says I can have him in the kitchen but you're not to come and see him.'

[1001] 'Oh, good - Timmy's in the warmth!' said George, gladly. She yelled to Joanna, 'Thanks awfully! You are kind!'

[1002] She went indoors and told the others. They were very glad. 'And I've got a bit of news for you' said Dick. 'Mr. Roland is in bed with a bad cold, so there are to be no lessons today. Cheers!'

[1003] 'Golly, that is good news,' said George, cheering up tremendously. 'Timmy in the warm kitchen and Mr. Roland kept in bed. I do feel pleased!'

[1004] 'We shall be able to explore the Secret Way safely now,' said Julian. 'Aunt Fanny is going to do something in the kitchen this morning with Joanna, and Uncle is going to tackle the snow. I vote we say we'll do lessons by ourselves in the sitting-room, and then, when everything is safe, we'll explore the Secret Way!'

[1005] 'But why must we do lessons?' asked George in dismay.

[1006] 'Because if we don't, silly, we'll have to help your father dig away the snow,' said Julian.

[1007] So, to his uncle's surprise, Julian suggested that the four children should do lessons by themselves in the sitting-room. 'Well, I thought you'd like to come and help dig away the snow,' said Uncle Quentin. 'But perhaps you had better get on with your work.'

[1008] The children sat themselves down as good as gold in the sitting-room, their books before them. They heard Mr. Roland coughing in his room. They heard their aunt go into the kitchen and talk to Joanna. They heard Timmy scratching at the kitchen door - then paws pattering down the passage - then a big, inquiring nose came round the door, and there was old Timmy, looking anxiously for his beloved mistress!

[1009] 'Timmy!' squealed George, and ran to him. She flung her arms round his neck and hugged him.

[1010] 'You act as if you hadn't seen Tim for a year,' said Julian.

[1011] 'It seems like a year,' said George. 'I say, there's my father digging away like mad. Can't we go to the study now? We ought to be safe for a good while.'

[1012] They left the sitting-room and went to the study. Julian was soon pulling the handle behind the secret panel. George had already turned back the rug and the carpet. The stone slid downward and sideways. The Secret Way was open!

[1013] 'Come on!' said Julian. 'Hurry!'

He jumped down into the hole. Dick followed, then Anne, then George. Julian pushed them all into the narrow, low passage. Then he looked up. Perhaps he had better pull the carpet and rug over the hole, in case anyone came into the room and looked around. It took him a few seconds to do it. Then he bent down and joined the others in the passage. They were going to explore the Secret Way at last!

[ 1014 ] Chapter Fifteen AN EXCITING JOURNEY AND HUNT