Новые приключения Великолепной Пятерки

[1092] 'I say,' said Dick, appearing again, 'I can hear voices! Listen!'

[1093] All four children listened. Yes - there were men's voices - just outside the bedroom doors!

[ 1094 ] Chapter Sixteen THE CHILDREN AREDISCOVERED

[1095] 'WHAT shall we do?' whispered George. They had all tiptoed to the first room, and were standing together, listening.

[1096] 'We'd better go down the Secret Way again,' said Julian.

[1097] 'Oh no, we ...' began George, when she heard the handle of the door being turned. Whoever was trying to get in, could not open the door. There was an angry exclamation, and then the children heard Mr. Wilton's voice. "Thomas! My door seems to have stuck. Do you mind if I come through your bedroom and see what's the matter with this handle?'

[1098] 'Come right along!' came the voice of Mr. Thomas. There was the sound of footsteps going to the outer door of the second room. Then there was the noise of a handle being turned and shaken.

[1099] 'What's this!' said Mr. Wilton, in exasperation.' This won't open, either. Can the doors be locked?'

[1100] 'It looks like it!' said Mr. Thomas.

There was a pause. Then the children distinctly heard a few words uttered in a low voice. 'Are the papers safe? Is anyone after them?'

[1101] 'They're in your room, aren't they?' said Mr. Thomas. There was another pause. The children looked at one another. So the men had got the papers - and what was more, they were in the room! The very room the children stood in! They looked round it eagerly, racking their brains to think of some place they had not yet explored.

[1102] 'Quick! Hunt round again whilst we've time’ whispered Julian. 'Don't make a noise.'

[1103] On tiptoe the children began a thorough hunt once more. How they searched! They even opened the pages of the books on the table, thinking that the papers might have been slipped in there. But they could find nothing.

[1104] 'Hi, Mrs. Sanders!' came Mr. Wilton's voice. 'Have you by any chance locked these two doors? We can't get in!'

[1105] 'Dear me!' said the voice of Mrs. Sanders from the stairs. 'I'll come along and see. I certainly haven't locked any doors!'

[1106] Once again the handles were turned, but the doors would not open. The men began to get very impatient.

[1107] 'Do you suppose anyone is in our rooms?' Mr. Wilton asked Mrs. Sanders.

[1108] She laughed.

[1109] 'Well now, sir, who would be in your rooms? There's only me and Mr. Sanders in the house, and you know as well as I do that no one can come in from outside, for we're quite snowed up. I don't understand it - the locks of the doors must have slipped.'

[1110] Anne was lifting up the wash-stand jug to look underneath, at that moment. It was heavier than she thought, and she had to let it down again suddenly. It struck the marble wash-stand with a crash, and water slopped out all over the place!

[1111] Everyone outside the door heard the noise. Mr. Wilton banged on the door and rattled the handle.

[1112] 'Who's there? Let us in or you'll be sorry! What are you doing in there?'

[1113] 'Idiot, Anne!' said Dick. 'Now they'll break the door down!'

[1114] That was exactly what the two men intended to do! Afraid that someone was mysteriously in their room, trying to find the stolen papers, they went quite mad, and began to put their shoulders to the door, and heave hard. The door shook and creaked.

[1115] 'Now you be careful what you're doing!' cried the indignant voice of Mrs. Sanders. The men took no notice. There came a crash as they both tried out their double strength on the door.

[1116] 'Quick! We must go!' said Julian. 'We mustn't let the men know how we got here, or we shan't be able to come and hunt another time. Anne, George, Dick - get back to the cupboard quickly!'

[1117] The children raced for the clothes cupboard. I'll go first and help you down,' said Julian. He got out on to the narrow ledge and found the iron foot-holds with his feet. Down he went, torch held between his teeth as usual.

[1118] 'Anne, come next,' he called, 'And Dick, you come third, and give a hand to Anne if she wants it. George is a good climber - she can easily get down herself.'

[1119] Anne was slow at climbing down. She was terribly excited, rather frightened, and so afraid of falling that she hardly dared to feel for each iron staple as she went down.

[1120] 'Buck up, Anne!' whispered Dick, above her. 'The men have almost got the door down!'

[1121] There were tremendous sounds coming from the bedroom door. At any moment now it might break down, and the men would come racing in. Dick was thankful when he could begin to climb down the wall! Once they were all out, George could shut the big oak door, and they would be safe.