Free The Mystery of Smugglers Cove (The Mystery Series, Book 1) by Paul Moxham Page A

acts as an anchor, we should succeed.” He directed Amy and Sarah into various positions and then moved behind them. “We haul at my command. One… two… three.”
    They all started pulling. This went on for a few minutes, and each time they gathered a large amount of rope, they would wrap it around the tree and tie it.
    This was the easiest way that they could think of and, if they happened to slip, or if they wanted to take a break, then they could do so and not worry about all their hard effort being lost.
    Finally, just as Amy was about to suggest they take a rest, her eyes lit up. “Hey! I think I see Will.”
    Sarah smiled. “We’ve done it!”
    “Okay, a few more heaves and that should do it,” Mr Spencer said, a wide grin spreading over his face.
    Moments later, Will was safe. “Thanks, everyone. For a while there, I thought I was gone. Next time I’ll be more careful.”
    “I hope you will,” Mr Spencer said as he gave his son a hug. “Lucky I was at home, otherwise you might be at the bottom of the cliff by now.”
    Will smiled. “I’ll make sure it’ll never happen again.”
    “My goodness!” Mr Spencer said. “It’s almost lunch time. Why don’t you young ladies go and collect your brother and come back to my place for a bite to eat?”
    Amy was stuck for words. “Well, er, we were—”
    “What’s she trying to say,” Will broke in, “is that we were planning to have a picnic on the beach today.”
    “That’s right,” Amy said, “And we’re getting some food from our place.”
    “Oh, all right then.” Mr Spencer smiled. “It’s more fun having picnics than eating inside with me.”
    “No, it’s not that,” Amy protested.
    “Well, have fun and no more taking risks, understood?” With that, Mr Spencer gathered up the rope and, with a cheery wave, strode back along the cliff path.
    ~
    “I can’t see him or the boat,” Amy said, crestfallen.
    “Are you sure this is the spot?” Sarah asked.
    Amy nodded as she glanced around. “I was standing right here. I’m positive.”
    “We can easily find out,” Will said. “If this was the spot, there should be marks on the sand where the rowboat was beached. Let’s go down and check.”
    They made their way down the steep side path until they reached the sand and hurried to the spot where Amy thought the boat had been.
    “It looks as though you’re right after all,” Will said, after finding some marks on the sand.
    “I told you so,” Amy said, “but you didn’t believe me.”
    “We do now,” Sarah replied. “As well as the marks made by the boat, I can see some footprints leading back the way we came.”
    “Hmm,” Will murmured, as he looked at all the evidence. He walked over to the cliffs and studied the footprints there.
    He walked back to the girls. He pointed to the first lot of footprints. “As you can see, there’s one set of footprints that’s smaller than the other. But the ones over at the cliff look almost identical.”
    “What does that mean?” Sarah broke in.
    Will explained. “I believe the two men that Amy saw came here and found Joe. One of them took the rowboat somewhere else, while the other one marched Joe back along the beach. I could be completely wrong though.”
    “It doesn’t really matter what took place here,” Amy replied. “What really matters is, where’s Joe? If the crooks have captured him, then the most likely place for him to be would be the manor.”
    “You’re probably right,” Will said. “I suggest that we explore Chandler Manor.”
    Agreeing with him, the sisters followed him as they walked up the cliff path once again and through the woods until they reached the big building.
    They found the ladder in the same place as they had left it. They leaned it against the wall and climbed over. After hiding it in the bushes, they proceeded to the manor.
    They had made it almost halfway there when they heard a noise. Unable to recognise the sound, the children