Someone's coming!' suddenly said Dick. 'Snap out the light, Ju.'
Julian snapped off the torch he carried. At once they were all four in darkness. They crouched at the back of the cave, listening.
Yes - footsteps were coming. Rather cautious footsteps. 'Sounds like two or three people,' whispered Dick. They came nearer. Whoever was coming was plainly following the tunnel where the string was.
'Mr Barling perhaps - and Block,' whispered George. 'Come to have another talk with Father! But he's gone!'
A brilliant light flashed suddenly round the cave - and picked out the huddled children. There was a loud exclamation of astonishment.
'Good heavens! Who's here? What's all this?'
It was Mr Barling's voice. Julian stood up, blinking in the bright light.
'We came to took for my uncle and Sooty,' he said. 'Where are they?'
'Aren't they here?' said Mr Barling, seeming surprised. 'And is that horrible brute of a dog gone?'
'Oh - was Timmy here?' cried George, joyfully. 'Where is he?'
There were two other men with Mr Barling. One was Block. The other was his servant. Mr Barling put down the lantern he was carrying.
'Do you mean to say you don't know where the others are?' he said, uneasily. 'If they've gone off on their own, they'll never come back.'
Anne gave a little scream. 'It's all your fault, you horrid man!'
'Shut up, Anne!' said Julian. 'Mr Barling,' he said, turning to the angry smuggler, 'I think you'd better come back with us and explain things. Mr Lenoir is now talking to the police.'
'Oh, is he?' said Mr Barling. 'Then I think it would be as well for us all to stay down here for a while! Yes, you too! I'll make Mr Lenoir squirm! I'll hold you all prisoners - and this time you shall be bound so that you don't go wandering off like the others! Got some rope, Block?'
Block stepped forward with the other man. They caught hold of George first, very roughly.
She screamed loudly. 'Timmy! Timmy! Where are you? Timmy, come and help! Oh, TIMMY!'
But no Timmy came. She was soon in a corner with her hands tied behind her. Then they turned to Julian.
'You're mad' Julian said to Mr Barling, who was standing nearby, holding the lantern. 'You must be mad to do things like this.'
'Timmy!' shouted George, trying to free her hands. 'Timmy, Timmy, Timmy!'
Timmy didn't hear. He was too far away. But the dog suddenly felt uneasy. He was with George's father and Sooty at the edge of the marsh, about to lead them round the hill to safety. But he stopped and listened. He could hear nothing of course. But Timmy knew that George was in danger. He knew that his beloved little mistress needed him.
His ears did not tell him, nor did his nose. But his heart told him. George was in danger!
He turned and fled back into the tunnel. He tore up the winding passages at top speed, panting.
And, quite suddenly, just as Julian was angrily submitting to having his hands tied tightly together, a furry thunderbolt arrived! It was Timmy!
He smelt his enemy, Mr Barling, again! He smelt Block. Grrrrrrrr-rrrnr!
'Here's that awful dog again!' yelled Block, and leapt away from Julian. 'Where's your gun, Barling?'
But Timmy didn't worry about guns. He leapt at Mr Barling and got him on the floor. He gave him a nip in the shoulder that made him yell. Then he leapt at Block, and got him down, too. The other man fled.
'Call your dog off! Call him off, or he'll kill us!' cried Mr Barling, struggling up, his shoulder paining him terribly. But nobody said a word. Let Timmy do what he liked!
It wasn't long before all three of the men had gone into the dark tunnel, staggering about without a light, trying to find their way back. But they missed the string, and went wandering away in the darkness, groaning and terrified.
Timmy came running back very pleased with himself. He went to George and, whining with joy, he licked his little mistress from head to foot. And George, who never cried, was most astonished to find the tears pouring down her cheeks. 'But I'm glad, not sad!' she said. 'Oh, somebody undo my hands! I can't pat Timmy!'
Dick undid her hands and Julian's. Then they all had a marvellous time making a fuss of Timmy. And what a fuss he made of them too! He whined and barked, he rolled over and over, he licked them and butted them all with his head. He was wild with delight.
'Oh Timmy - it's lovely to have you again,' said George, happily. 'Now you can lead us to the others. I'm sure you know where Father is, Timmy, and Sooty.'
Timmy did, of course. He set off, his tail wagging, George's hand on his collar, and the others behind in a line, holding hands.
They had the lantern with them and two torches, so they could see the way easily. But they would never have taken the right tunnels if Timmy hadn't been with them. The dog had explored them all thoroughly, and his sense of smell enabled him to go the right way without mistake.
'He's a marvellous dog,' said Anne. 'I think he's the best dog in the world, George.'
'Of course he is,' said George, who had always thought that ever since she had had Timmy as a puppy. 'Darling Tim - wasn't it wonderful when he came racing up and jumped at Block just as he was tying Julian's hands? He must have known we needed him!'
'I suppose he's taking us to wherever your father and Sooty are,' said Dick. 'He seems certain of the way. We're going steadily downhill. I bet we'll be at the marshes soon!'
When they at last came to the bottom of the hill, and emerged from the tunnel in the mists, George gave a yell. 'Look! There's Father - and Sooty too!'
'Uncle Quentin!' shouted Julian, Dick and Anne. 'Sooty! Hallo, here we are!'
Uncle Quentin and Sooty turned in the greatest surprise. They jumped up and went to meet the dog and the excited children.
'How did you get here?' said George's father, giving her a hug. 'Did Timmy go back for you? He suddenly deserted us and fled back into the tunnel.'
'What's happened?' asked Sooty, eagerly, knowing that the others would have plenty of news.
'Heaps,' said George, her face glowing. It was so nice all to be together again, Timmy too. She and Julian and Dick began to tell everything in turn, and then her father told his tale, too, interrupted a little by Sooty.
'Well,' said Julian at last, 'I suppose we ought to be getting back, or the police will be sending out bloodhounds to trace us all! Mr Lenoir will be surprised to see us all turning up together.'
'I wish I wasn't in pyjamas,' said his uncle, drawing the rugs about him. 'I shall feel queer walking the streets like this!'
'Never mind - it's awfully misty now,' said George, and she shivered a little, for the air was damp. 'Timmy - show us the way out of this place. I'm sure you know it.'
Timmy had never been out of the tunnel before, but he seemed to know what to do. He set off round the foot of the hill, the rest following, marvelling at the way Timmy found a dry path to follow. In the mist it was almost impossible to see which place was safe to walk on and which was not. The treacherous marsh was all around them!
'Hurrah! There's the road!' cried Julian, suddenly, as they came in sight of the roadway built over the marsh, running up the hill from the salty stretches of mud. They picked their way to it, their feet soaked with wet mud. Timmy tried to take a flying leap on to it.
But somehow or other he slipped! He fell back into the marsh, tried to find a safe foothold and couldn't. He whined.
'Timmy! Oh look, he's in the mud - and he's sinking!' screamed George, in panic. 'Timmy, Timmy, I'm coming!'
She was about to step down into the marsh to rescue Tim, but her fatter pulled her back roughly. 'Do you want to sink in, too?' he cried. 'Timmy will get out all right.'
But he wasn't getting out. He was sinking. 'Do something, oh, do something!' shouted George, struggling to get away from her father's hold. 'Oh, save Timmy, quick!'
Chapter Twenty-two
THINGS COME RIGHT AT LAST
BUT what could anyone do? In despair they all gazed at poor Ti
mmy, who was struggling with all his might in the sinking mud. 'He's going down!' wept Anne.
Suddenly there came the sound of rumbling wheels along the road to the hill. It was a lorry carrying a load of goods - coal, coke, planks, logs, sacks of various things. George yelled to it.
'Stop, stop! Help us! Our dog's in the marsh.'
The lorry came to a stop. George's father ran his eye over the things it carried. In a trice he and Julian were dragging out some planks from the load. They threw these into the marsh, and, using them as stepping-stones, the two reached poor sinking Timmy.
The lorry-driver jumped down to help. Into the marsh, crosswise on the other planks, went some more wood, to make a safe path. The first lot were already sinking in the mud.
'Uncle Quentin's got Timmy - he's pulling him up! He's got him!' squealed Anne.
George had sat down suddenly at the edge of the road, looking white. She saw that Timmy would now be rescued, and she felt sick with shock and relief.
It was a difficult business getting Timmy right out, for the mud was strong, and sucked him down as hard as it could. But at last he was out, and he staggered across the sinking planks, trying to wag a very muddy tail.
Muddy as he was George flung her arms round him. 'Oh Timmy - what a fright you gave us all! Oh, how you smell - but I don't care a bit! I thought you were gone, poor, poor Timmy!'
The lorry-driver looked ruefully at his planks in the marsh. They were now out of sight beneath the mud. Uncle Quentin, feeling rather foolish in pyjamas and rugs, spoke to him.
'I've no money on me now, but if you'll call at Smuggler's Top sometime I'll pay you well for your lost planks and your help.'
'Well, I'm delivering some coal to the house next to Smuggler's Top,' said the man, eyeing Uncle Quentin's curious attire. 'Maybe you'd all like a lift? There's plenty of room at the back there.'
It was getting dark now, as well as being foggy, and everyone was tired. Thankfully they climbed up into the lorry, and it roared up the hill into Castaway. Soon they were at Smuggler's Top, and they all clambered down, suddenly feeling rather stiff.
I'll be calling tomorrow,' said the driver. 'Can't stop now. Good evening to you all!'
The little company rang the bell. Sarah came hurrying to the door. She almost fell over in surprise as she saw everyone standing there in the light of the hall-lamp.
'Lands' sakes!' she said. 'You're all back! My, Mr and Mrs Lenoir will be glad - they've got the police hunting everywhere for you! They've gone down secret passages, and they've been to Mr Barling's, and...'
Timmy bounced into the hall, the mud now drying on him, so that he looked most peculiar. Sarah gave a scream. 'What's that? Gracious, it can't be a dog!'
'Come here, Tim!' said George, suddenly remembering that Mr Lenoir detested dogs. 'Sarah, do you think you'd have poor Timmy in the kitchen with you? I really can't turn him out into the streets - you've no idea how brave he's been.'
'Come along, come along!' said her father, impatient with all this talk. 'Lenoir can put up with Timmy for a few minutes, surely!'
'Oh, I'll have him with pleasure!' said Sarah. 'I'll give him a bath. That's what he wants. Mr and Mrs Lenoir are in the sitting-room, sir. Oh, sir, shall I get you some clothes?'
The little party went in, and made their way to the sitting-room, while Timmy went docilely to the kitchen with the excited Sarah. Mr Lenoir heard the talking and flung open the sitting-room door.
Mrs Lenoir fell on Sooty, tears pouring down her cheeks. Marybelle pawed at him in delight, just as if she was a dog! Mr Lenoir rubbed his hands, clapped everyone on the back, and said: 'Well, well! Fine to see you all safe and sound. Well, well! What a tale you've got to tell, I'm sure!'
'It's a strange tale, Lenoir,' said George's father. 'Very strange. But I'll have to see to my feet before I tell it. I've walked miles in my bare feet, and they're very painful now!'
So, with bits of tales pouring out from everyone, the household bustled round and got hot water for bathing Uncle Quentin's feet, a dressing-gown for him, food for everyone, and hot drinks. It was really a most exciting time, and now that the thrills were all over, the children rather felt important to be able to relate so much.
Then the police came in, of course, and the Inspector at once asked a lot of questions. Everyone wanted to answer them, but the Inspector said that only George's father, Sooty and George were to tell the tale. They knew most about everything.
Mr Lenoir was perhaps the most surprised person there. When he heard how Mr Barling had actually offered to buy the plans for draining the marsh, and how he had frankly admitted to being a smuggler, he sat back in his chair, unable to say a word.
'He's mad, of course!' said the Inspector of Police. 'Doesn't seem to live in this world at all!'
'That's just what I said to him,' said Sooty. 'I told him he ought to have lived a hundred years ago!'
'Well, we've tried to catch him in the smuggling business many and many a time,' said the Inspector, 'but he was too artful. Fancy him planting Block here as a spy, sir - that was a clever bit of work - and Block using your tower as a signalling place! Bit of nerve, that! And Block isn't deaf, after all? That was clever, too - sending him about, pretending he was stone-deaf, so that he could catch many a bit of knowledge not meant for his ears!'
'Do you think we ought to do something about Block and Mr Barling and the other man?' said Julian, suddenly. 'For all we know they're still wandering about in that maze of tunnels - and two of them are bitten by Timmy, we know.'
'Ah yes - that dog saved your lives, I should think,' said the Inspector. 'A bit of luck, that. Sorry you don't like dogs, Mr Lenoir, but I'm sure you'll admit it was a lucky thing for you all that he was wandering about!'
'Yes - yes, it was,' said Mr Lenoir. 'Of course, Block never wanted dogs here, either - he was afraid they might bark at his curious comings and goings, I suppose. By the way - where is this marvellous dog? I don't mind seeing him for a moment - though I do detest dogs, and always shall.'
'I'll get him,' said George. 'I only hope Sarah's done what she said, and bathed him. He was awfully muddy!'
She went out and came back with Timmy. But what a different Timmy! Sarah had given him a good hot bath, and had dried him well. He smelt sweet and fresh, his coat was springy and clean, and he had had a good meal. He was feeling very pleased with himself and everything.
'Timmy - meet a friend,' said George to him, solemnly. Timmy looked at Mr Lenoir out of his big brown eyes. He trotted straight up to him, and held up his right paw politely to shake hands, as George had taught him.
Mr Lenoir was rather taken aback. He was not used to good manners in dogs. He couldn't help putting out his hand to Timmy - and the two shook hands in a most friendly manner. Timmy didn't attempt to lick Mr Lenoir or jump up at him. He took away his paw, gave a little wuff as if to say 'How-do-you-do?' and then went back to George. He lay down quietly beside her. 'Well - he doesn't seem like a dog!' said Mr Lenoir, in surprise.
'Oh, he is,' said George, at once, very earnestly. 'He's a real, proper dog, Mr Lenoir - only much, much cleverer than most dogs are. Could I keep him, please, while we stay here, and get someone in the town to look after him?'
'Well - seeing he is such a very fine fellow - and seems so sensible - I'll let you have him here,' said Mr Lenoir, making a great effort to be generous. 'Only - please keep him out of my way. I'm sure a sensible boy like you will see to that.'
Everyone grinned when Mr Lenoir called George a boy. He never seemed to realise she was a girl. She grinned, too. She wasn't going to tell him she wasn't a boy!
'You'll never see him!' she said, joyfully. 'I'll keep him right out of your way. Thank you very much. It's awfully good of you.'
The Inspector liked Timmy, too. He looked at him and nodded across to George. 'When you want to get' rid of him, sell him to me!' he said.
'We could do with a dog like that in our police force! Soon round up the smugglers for us!'
/> George didn't even bother to reply! As if she would ever sell Timmy, or let him go into the police force!
All the same, the Inspector had to call on Timmy for help before long. When the next day came, and no one had found Mr Barling and his companions in the maze of tunnels, and they hadn't turned up anywhere, the Inspector asked George if she would let Timmy go down into the tunnels and hunt them out.
'Can't leave them there, lost and starving,' he said.
'Bad as they are we'll have to rescue them! Timmy is the only one who can find them.'
That was true, of course. So Timmy once more went underground into the hill, and hunted for his enemies. He found them after a while, lost in the maze of passages, hungry and thirsty, in pain and frightened.
He took them like sheep to where the police waited for them. And after that Mr Barling and his friends disappeared from public life for quite a long time!
'The police must be glad to have got them at last,' said Mr Lenoir. 'They have tried to stop this smuggling for a long time. They even suspected me at one time! Barling was a clever fellow, though I still think he was half mad. When Block found out my ideas about draining the marsh, Barling was afraid that once the mists and the marsh were gone, that would be the end of all his excitements - no more smuggling! No more waiting for his little ships to come creeping up in the fog - no more lines of men slipping across the secret ways of the marsh - no more signalling, no more hiding away of smuggled goods, Did you know that the police had found a cave full of them inside the hill?'
It was an exciting adventure to talk about, now that it was all over. The children felt sorry about one thing, though - they were sorry that they had thought Mr Lenoir so horrid. He was a queer man in many ways, but he could be kind and jolly too.
'Did you know we're leaving Smuggler's Top?' said Sooty. 'Mother was so terribly upset when I disappeared, that Father promised her he'd sell the place and leave Castaway, if I came back safe and sound. Mother's thrilled!'