(no subject)
Chapter Fifteen
Making Plans
"I think I know where we could take Uncle Quentin's plans," said Nicola thoughtfully.
"Where?" asked Dick. "Because I can't think of anywhere. We could carry them about with us but I don't think I like the idea very much. Supposing we lost them?"
"George's island," said Nicola. "No-one could get at them there, could they, because they'd never get past the rocks."
"You're right," said George. "It's the obvious place. Why didn't I think of that?"
"Probably for the same reason the rest of us didn't," said Julian with a yawn. "It's late and we're all exhausted with all this excitement. Let's think about it more in the morning. It's a good idea, Nick but we can't do anything much tonight."
"It's a wonderful idea," said Anne admiringly. "I would never have thought of it in a million years."
"Perhaps we ought to do something tonight," Dick said. "Perhaps we ought to take Uncle Quentin's pink folder to Kirrin Island now. After all, it's a full moon. We could easily do it. And supposing they come back again?"
"I don't think they will," said Julian. "I think they're much more likely to watch the house and try again when we're all out of the way. They might even try tricking us in some way to give them the opportunity."
"Tricking us?" asked Lawrie. "How?"
"For you," said Nicola, "a simple phone call suggesting an audition at the BBC - "
Lawrie glowered at her over the last of her hot chocolate. Peter, who had said very little for the last few minutes, now said:
"I think I've got an idea."
The others looked at him expectantly.
"The thing is," he said, "that somehow or other they're going to try again. Even if we get the folder onto the island they won't know that so they're still going to come back here to break into the safe. So how about if we put a substitute folder in the safe? Then we could all clear off and just let them break in and take it. Once they've done that we'd have some evidence and surely the police would listen to us then."
"Better still," said Julian, suddenly very awake. "Some of us could keep watch so we know exactly what they're doing and where they are - "
"Some of us could go to the island and some of us could stay here - "
"We could send signals with a mirror so we know what's happening - if it's sunny again tomorrow - "
"I know where Father keeps his pink folders. I could easily find some stuff to put in one."
"Oh, dear, I do wish all this wasn't happening. I still think we ought to phone Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny - "
"Look," Julian's voice, deep and authoritative, broke into the excited discussion. "We really must go to bed and try and get some sleep. We know what we're going to do so the final plans can wait until breakfast time tomorrow."
"Breakfast time today," said Dick glancing at his watch. "Is anyone feeling just a little bit peckish after all this talking? I wouldn't mind a quick sandwich - "
The others groaned.
"Do you ever think of anything but your stomach?" said George, getting up from the table and giving a stretch. "You can make a sandwich if you like. I'm off to bed - but first I'm going to get that pink folder of Father's and sleep with it under my pillow. Come on, Timmy."
"Are you sure they won't come back?" Anne asked Julian. "If George has Uncle Quentin's plans under her pillow and - "
"You don't think Tim would let anyone near George, do you?" said Julian cheerfully. "Come on, Anne, I'll help you clear these mugs away and then we really must turn in."
Anne and Lawrie were almost asleep and Nicola just settling down in bed when George finally appeared carrying a pink folder.
"Where've you been?" whispered Nicola.
"Doing what Peter suggested," George answered tucking the folder under her pillow. "Get out of the way, Tim, it isn't a seek game - I've put some old designs and notes of Father's in another folder in the safe and this one in the real one. Just in case."
"Clever."
"Clever of Peter," replied George getting into bed. "It's a fine idea. I can't wait for tomorrow."
"Isn't it lucky you know the combination code for the safe?" Nicola said. We would have been stuck if you hadn't."
"Oh, Mother and I have to know it," said George. "Father keeps forgetting it even though it's really simple. It's one, two, three, four."
Nicola chuckled and after a second or two George joined in.
"You mean Uncle Quentin really can't remember that!"
"Sounds mad, doesn't it? We're supposed to change it every so often but most of the time Father's stuff isn't that important. And I'm sure anyone who knew what they were doing could crack the lock anyway. Once Father changed the code without telling us and then forgot it, of course, so we had to get the locksmith out. It didn't take him long to open it."
"Wouldn't a key be easier?"
"Gets lost," George said. She gave a noisy sigh. "Ooh, I'm wide awake still. I shall never get to sleep - Nick?"
"Here."
"I simply can't make up my mind. I want to take the plans to the island and I want to stay and guard the house."
"But you'll have to go to the island," Nicola said with a little yawn. "You're the only one who can steer the boat through the rocks."
"Couldn't Peter?"
"He's only done it once," said Nicola doubtfully. "And he was following you."
"Yes, I suppose it would be a risk."
"And I'm sure Julian would say the same."
"We don't have to do everything Julian says."
"Don't we? I thought we did."
George snorted into her pillow and Nicola said:
"Actually I like Julian. He's awfully kind hearted. Even if he does have some funny ideas about things. Does he really think girls are as incapable as he keeps saying?"
"Well, if you had Anne for a sister wouldn't you?"
They both chortled again.
"Anne thinks Julian is a sort of god," George went on. "That's why I get so cross with her. I mean, you don't feel that way about Peter, do you?"
"No, of course not," said Nicola and decided not to mention Giles. She had a feeling George might not get on very well with Giles at all.
George thumped her pillow, gave another noisy sigh and, in spite of not thinking she would, fell asleep very quickly. Nicola stayed awake a little longer grinning to herself about having a uncle who was so absent minded he couldn't remember the simplest of number sequences. And then she too was fast asleep.
She was pulled out of sleep by Timmy landing on her and giving several loud barks very close to her ear. She sat up. It was still dark.
"The milkman," murmured George. "Or the postman. Do shut up, Tim. You ought to know who they are by now."
"What time is it?" Nicola asked sleepily.
George groped for the little clock which stood on the shelf next to her bed.
"Just after seven," she said. "Come on. Time to get up. I'll wake the boys. Wake up, Anne, wake up, Lawrie! We've got things to do!"
Within a very short time all the children were up and dressed. Anne took charge of breakfast and very soon a wonderful smell of frying bacon filled the kitchen where the seven of them were gathered. Julian sat down at the head of the table where Uncle Quentin usually sat and took out a notepad and pencil.
"We've got plenty to do," he said. "Dick and I were talking and we think - "
"When were you doing this talking and thinking?" Peter asked, his voice extra polite to hide his feelings. "Because you were both asleep and snoring before I was even in bed properly last night."
"Oh, this morning while you were in the bathroom," said Julian. "Keep your hair on, old chap, no-one's trying to exclude you!"
Feeling a fool, Peter subsided and attacked his bacon with ill tempered stabs. Nicola frowned at him and he glared back.
"The thing is," Julian went on pleasantly, "we were wondering what they'll do when they find they've got the wrong plans - if they come at all, that is, which they may not, of course."
"They can't do anything," said George. "Father's plans will be safely on the island and I've thought of a fine place - right down in the last dungeon where there's that hole in the wall where the stones have come loose - "
"Hang on, George. We have to think," said Julian holding up his hand. "For instance, are we all going to the island or are some of us staying here?"
"Last night we said some of us would stay behind to watch them and tell the police as soon as they took the plans," put in Nicola. "That seemed like the best strategy."
"Yes but Julian's worried they might come after us," Dick said.
"Why should they?" argued George. "They're hardly going to stop and examine everything before they get away from the house. I think they'll take everything out of the safe to be sure and make a run for it. Why should they do anything else?"
"We don't know what they might do," said Julian portentously. "They might even think we suspect them."
"You're being - what's the word - " said George impatiently. "You know, someone who sees problems everywhere - "
"Paranoid," said Peter.
"Yes, paranoid. Why go looking for trouble?"
"We've got to make sure they think we're a) out of the way and b) don't have the slightest inkling what they're up to," said Julian scribbling on his pad. "And quite honestly, George, the way you've been stalking them and trying to get information out of the Percys and - "
"That's complete rubbish!"
"Well, no-one can say we've kept a low profile. Everywhere Rodney Stone has been this last day or two there's been one of us popping up spying on them."
George made an inarticulate sound of deep annoyance. Anne said anxiously:
"Oh, don't let's quarrel."
"Yes, calm down you two," said Dick. "Or we'll have to send you outside to settle your differences like gentlemen, like old Tatters, our games master always says!"
He made a funny face at George and George gave a reluctant grin.
"Sorry," she said. "I'm just worried about father's plans."
"So what do you think we ought to do, Julian?" asked Nicola diplomatically. "Have you got any ideas?"
"Not really," said Julian. "But I'm sure between us we can come up with something. I suppose we could go and visit the Seal's Head again and hang about there until we see them and then start talking loudly about going out for the day or something like that. Something to put them off the scent."
"Hammy," said Lawrie helping herself to more toast.
"You think of something then."
"Actually," said Peter. "Lawrie's the very person."
"How am I?" asked Lawrie pausing mid crunch while everyone else looked enquiringly at Peter.
"Lawrie can go and see Rodney Stone and take back the pen," said Peter. "Then she can do her artless prattle bit - "
"What artless prattle do I - ?"
"Oh, yes!" said Nicola thumping Peter on the back. "Perfect!"
"The pen's a good idea but why Lawrie?" asked Julian.
"Because she can do the don't-know-where-we're-going-but-we're-out-all-day-and-please-don't-forget-about-my-major-radio-role-will-you without even trying. And she can flutter her eyelashes if need be."
"Can you?" asked Anne. "I've always wanted to know how to do that. Show me."
Lawrie obliged. For a few seconds they all practised with Dick emerging as just as good as Lawrie until Julian whose short bristly eyelashes were not designed for such acrobatics called everyone to order.
"Come on," he said. "Let's make sure we all know what we're going to do. Stop it Dick! You'll have half the Upper Fifth after you!"
"Why?" asked Anne.
"To chuck him in the river," said Julian. "For being an idiot. Now can we please get down to business!"
Making Plans
"I think I know where we could take Uncle Quentin's plans," said Nicola thoughtfully.
"Where?" asked Dick. "Because I can't think of anywhere. We could carry them about with us but I don't think I like the idea very much. Supposing we lost them?"
"George's island," said Nicola. "No-one could get at them there, could they, because they'd never get past the rocks."
"You're right," said George. "It's the obvious place. Why didn't I think of that?"
"Probably for the same reason the rest of us didn't," said Julian with a yawn. "It's late and we're all exhausted with all this excitement. Let's think about it more in the morning. It's a good idea, Nick but we can't do anything much tonight."
"It's a wonderful idea," said Anne admiringly. "I would never have thought of it in a million years."
"Perhaps we ought to do something tonight," Dick said. "Perhaps we ought to take Uncle Quentin's pink folder to Kirrin Island now. After all, it's a full moon. We could easily do it. And supposing they come back again?"
"I don't think they will," said Julian. "I think they're much more likely to watch the house and try again when we're all out of the way. They might even try tricking us in some way to give them the opportunity."
"Tricking us?" asked Lawrie. "How?"
"For you," said Nicola, "a simple phone call suggesting an audition at the BBC - "
Lawrie glowered at her over the last of her hot chocolate. Peter, who had said very little for the last few minutes, now said:
"I think I've got an idea."
The others looked at him expectantly.
"The thing is," he said, "that somehow or other they're going to try again. Even if we get the folder onto the island they won't know that so they're still going to come back here to break into the safe. So how about if we put a substitute folder in the safe? Then we could all clear off and just let them break in and take it. Once they've done that we'd have some evidence and surely the police would listen to us then."
"Better still," said Julian, suddenly very awake. "Some of us could keep watch so we know exactly what they're doing and where they are - "
"Some of us could go to the island and some of us could stay here - "
"We could send signals with a mirror so we know what's happening - if it's sunny again tomorrow - "
"I know where Father keeps his pink folders. I could easily find some stuff to put in one."
"Oh, dear, I do wish all this wasn't happening. I still think we ought to phone Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny - "
"Look," Julian's voice, deep and authoritative, broke into the excited discussion. "We really must go to bed and try and get some sleep. We know what we're going to do so the final plans can wait until breakfast time tomorrow."
"Breakfast time today," said Dick glancing at his watch. "Is anyone feeling just a little bit peckish after all this talking? I wouldn't mind a quick sandwich - "
The others groaned.
"Do you ever think of anything but your stomach?" said George, getting up from the table and giving a stretch. "You can make a sandwich if you like. I'm off to bed - but first I'm going to get that pink folder of Father's and sleep with it under my pillow. Come on, Timmy."
"Are you sure they won't come back?" Anne asked Julian. "If George has Uncle Quentin's plans under her pillow and - "
"You don't think Tim would let anyone near George, do you?" said Julian cheerfully. "Come on, Anne, I'll help you clear these mugs away and then we really must turn in."
Anne and Lawrie were almost asleep and Nicola just settling down in bed when George finally appeared carrying a pink folder.
"Where've you been?" whispered Nicola.
"Doing what Peter suggested," George answered tucking the folder under her pillow. "Get out of the way, Tim, it isn't a seek game - I've put some old designs and notes of Father's in another folder in the safe and this one in the real one. Just in case."
"Clever."
"Clever of Peter," replied George getting into bed. "It's a fine idea. I can't wait for tomorrow."
"Isn't it lucky you know the combination code for the safe?" Nicola said. We would have been stuck if you hadn't."
"Oh, Mother and I have to know it," said George. "Father keeps forgetting it even though it's really simple. It's one, two, three, four."
Nicola chuckled and after a second or two George joined in.
"You mean Uncle Quentin really can't remember that!"
"Sounds mad, doesn't it? We're supposed to change it every so often but most of the time Father's stuff isn't that important. And I'm sure anyone who knew what they were doing could crack the lock anyway. Once Father changed the code without telling us and then forgot it, of course, so we had to get the locksmith out. It didn't take him long to open it."
"Wouldn't a key be easier?"
"Gets lost," George said. She gave a noisy sigh. "Ooh, I'm wide awake still. I shall never get to sleep - Nick?"
"Here."
"I simply can't make up my mind. I want to take the plans to the island and I want to stay and guard the house."
"But you'll have to go to the island," Nicola said with a little yawn. "You're the only one who can steer the boat through the rocks."
"Couldn't Peter?"
"He's only done it once," said Nicola doubtfully. "And he was following you."
"Yes, I suppose it would be a risk."
"And I'm sure Julian would say the same."
"We don't have to do everything Julian says."
"Don't we? I thought we did."
George snorted into her pillow and Nicola said:
"Actually I like Julian. He's awfully kind hearted. Even if he does have some funny ideas about things. Does he really think girls are as incapable as he keeps saying?"
"Well, if you had Anne for a sister wouldn't you?"
They both chortled again.
"Anne thinks Julian is a sort of god," George went on. "That's why I get so cross with her. I mean, you don't feel that way about Peter, do you?"
"No, of course not," said Nicola and decided not to mention Giles. She had a feeling George might not get on very well with Giles at all.
George thumped her pillow, gave another noisy sigh and, in spite of not thinking she would, fell asleep very quickly. Nicola stayed awake a little longer grinning to herself about having a uncle who was so absent minded he couldn't remember the simplest of number sequences. And then she too was fast asleep.
She was pulled out of sleep by Timmy landing on her and giving several loud barks very close to her ear. She sat up. It was still dark.
"The milkman," murmured George. "Or the postman. Do shut up, Tim. You ought to know who they are by now."
"What time is it?" Nicola asked sleepily.
George groped for the little clock which stood on the shelf next to her bed.
"Just after seven," she said. "Come on. Time to get up. I'll wake the boys. Wake up, Anne, wake up, Lawrie! We've got things to do!"
Within a very short time all the children were up and dressed. Anne took charge of breakfast and very soon a wonderful smell of frying bacon filled the kitchen where the seven of them were gathered. Julian sat down at the head of the table where Uncle Quentin usually sat and took out a notepad and pencil.
"We've got plenty to do," he said. "Dick and I were talking and we think - "
"When were you doing this talking and thinking?" Peter asked, his voice extra polite to hide his feelings. "Because you were both asleep and snoring before I was even in bed properly last night."
"Oh, this morning while you were in the bathroom," said Julian. "Keep your hair on, old chap, no-one's trying to exclude you!"
Feeling a fool, Peter subsided and attacked his bacon with ill tempered stabs. Nicola frowned at him and he glared back.
"The thing is," Julian went on pleasantly, "we were wondering what they'll do when they find they've got the wrong plans - if they come at all, that is, which they may not, of course."
"They can't do anything," said George. "Father's plans will be safely on the island and I've thought of a fine place - right down in the last dungeon where there's that hole in the wall where the stones have come loose - "
"Hang on, George. We have to think," said Julian holding up his hand. "For instance, are we all going to the island or are some of us staying here?"
"Last night we said some of us would stay behind to watch them and tell the police as soon as they took the plans," put in Nicola. "That seemed like the best strategy."
"Yes but Julian's worried they might come after us," Dick said.
"Why should they?" argued George. "They're hardly going to stop and examine everything before they get away from the house. I think they'll take everything out of the safe to be sure and make a run for it. Why should they do anything else?"
"We don't know what they might do," said Julian portentously. "They might even think we suspect them."
"You're being - what's the word - " said George impatiently. "You know, someone who sees problems everywhere - "
"Paranoid," said Peter.
"Yes, paranoid. Why go looking for trouble?"
"We've got to make sure they think we're a) out of the way and b) don't have the slightest inkling what they're up to," said Julian scribbling on his pad. "And quite honestly, George, the way you've been stalking them and trying to get information out of the Percys and - "
"That's complete rubbish!"
"Well, no-one can say we've kept a low profile. Everywhere Rodney Stone has been this last day or two there's been one of us popping up spying on them."
George made an inarticulate sound of deep annoyance. Anne said anxiously:
"Oh, don't let's quarrel."
"Yes, calm down you two," said Dick. "Or we'll have to send you outside to settle your differences like gentlemen, like old Tatters, our games master always says!"
He made a funny face at George and George gave a reluctant grin.
"Sorry," she said. "I'm just worried about father's plans."
"So what do you think we ought to do, Julian?" asked Nicola diplomatically. "Have you got any ideas?"
"Not really," said Julian. "But I'm sure between us we can come up with something. I suppose we could go and visit the Seal's Head again and hang about there until we see them and then start talking loudly about going out for the day or something like that. Something to put them off the scent."
"Hammy," said Lawrie helping herself to more toast.
"You think of something then."
"Actually," said Peter. "Lawrie's the very person."
"How am I?" asked Lawrie pausing mid crunch while everyone else looked enquiringly at Peter.
"Lawrie can go and see Rodney Stone and take back the pen," said Peter. "Then she can do her artless prattle bit - "
"What artless prattle do I - ?"
"Oh, yes!" said Nicola thumping Peter on the back. "Perfect!"
"The pen's a good idea but why Lawrie?" asked Julian.
"Because she can do the don't-know-where-we're-going-but-we're-out-all-day-and-please-don't-forget-about-my-major-radio-role-will-you without even trying. And she can flutter her eyelashes if need be."
"Can you?" asked Anne. "I've always wanted to know how to do that. Show me."
Lawrie obliged. For a few seconds they all practised with Dick emerging as just as good as Lawrie until Julian whose short bristly eyelashes were not designed for such acrobatics called everyone to order.
"Come on," he said. "Let's make sure we all know what we're going to do. Stop it Dick! You'll have half the Upper Fifth after you!"
"Why?" asked Anne.
"To chuck him in the river," said Julian. "For being an idiot. Now can we please get down to business!"