Free Five Go Down to the Sea by Enid Blyton Page B

down the hidden Wreckers" Way, wherever it is," said Julian. „And watching for the ship to crash to pieces. Then they wil collect sacks upon sacks of booty and creep away back."
    Dick felt a chil of horror. „Shut up, Ju!" he said, sharply. „Don"t talk like that. Now, what are we going to do about that light."
    „I"l tel you," said Julian, firmly, „We"re going to find that tower and see what"s going on.
    That"s what we"re going to do! And as soon as ever we can too, maybe tomorrow!"

Chapter Ten
GETTING READY FOR THE SHOW

    Julian and Dick watched the light for a little longer, and then turned to go back to the farm. The wind was so strong and so cold that even on that summer"s night they found themselves shivering.
    „I"m glad you found us, Yan," said Dick, putting an arm round the small, shivering boy.
    „Thanks for your help. We"re going to explore that old tower. Would you like to show us the way to it?"
    Yan shivered all the more, from fright as much as cold. „No. I"m frit," he said. „I"m frit of that tower now."
    „What does he mean, frit?" said Dick. „Short for frightened, I suppose! Al right, Yan. You needn"t come. It is pretty peculiar, I must admit. Now, go back to your hut."
    Yan shot off in the dark like a scared rabbit. The boys made their way home, not very cautiously, for they felt sure they were the only people out that night. But when they came to the farm-yard they saw something that made them stop suddenly.
    „There"s a light in the big barn!" whispered Dick. „It"s gone, no, there it is again. It"s somebody with a torch, flashing it on and off. Who is it?"
    „One of the Barnies, perhaps," whispered back Julian. „Let"s go and see. We know the Barnies are sleeping in the near-by sheds tonight."
    They tiptoed to the barn and looked through a crack. They saw nothing at first. Then a torch flashed, shedding its light on some of the properties of the Barnies, stacked in a corner, scenery, dresses, coats, and other things.
    „Somebody"s going through the pockets!" said Julian, indignantly. „Look at that! A thief!"
    „Who is it?" said Dick. „One of the Barnies pick-pocketing?"
    For a moment or two the torch lighted up the back of the intruder"s hand in the barn, and the boys stifled an exclamation. They knew that hand! It was covered with black hairs almost as thick as fur!
    „Mr Penruthlan!" whispered Dick. „Yes, I see it"s him now. Look at his enormous shadow.
    What"s he doing? He must be mad, walking about at night on the hil s, stealing into the barn, going through pockets. Look what he"s doing now! Looking in the drawers of that chest the Barnies are going to use in one of their scenes. Yes, he"s mad!"
    Julian felt most uncomfortable. He didn"t like spying on his host like this. What a strange man he was! He told untruths, he crept about at night, he went through people"s pockets.
    Yes, he must be mad! Did Mrs Penruthlan know? She couldn"t know, or she would be unhappy, and she real y seemed the most cheerful, gay little person in the world!
    „Come on," said Julian, in Dick"s ear. „He"s going through everything! Though what he expects to find in the Barnies" stage clothes and properties, I don"t know. He"s got a kink!
    Come on, I real y don"t want to spot him taking something, stealing it. It would be so awkward if we had to say we saw him stealing."
    They left the barn and went back to the farmhouse, creeping in once more at the back door. They looked at the front door. It was shut, but no longer locked or bolted.
    The boys went upstairs, puzzled. What a strange night! The howling wind, the flashing light, the furtive man in the barn, they didn"t know what to make of it at all!
    „Let"s wake the girls and tell them," said Julian. „I feel as if I can"t wait til the morning."
    George was awake and so was Timmy. Timmy had heard them going out, and had lain awake waiting for them to come back. He had stirred and had awakened George. She was quite prepared to hear a whisper at