Новые приключения Великолепной Пятерки

[217] 'No,' said the old woman. 'But you can get a candle if you like. There's one on the kitchen mantelpiece.'

[218] Anne shot off to get it. Julian lighted it and put it into the hole behind the panel. The others pushed against him to try and peep inside.

[219] 'Don't,' said Julian, impatiently. 'Wait your turn, sillies! Let me have a look.'

[220] He had a good look, but there didn't really seem anything to see. It was all darkness behind, and stone wall. He gave the candle to Dick, and then each of the children had a turn at peeping. Old Mrs. Sanders had gone back to the kitchen. She was used to the sliding panel!

[221] 'She said this house was full of queer things like that,' said Anne. 'What other things are there, do you think? Let's ask her.'

[222

] They slid the panel back into place and went to find Mrs. Sanders. 'Mrs. Sanders, what other funny things are there in Kirrin Farm-house?' asked Julian.

[223] 'There's a cupboard upstairs with a false back,' said Mrs. Sanders. 'Don't look so excited! There's nothing in it at all! And there's a big stone over there by the fireplace that pulls up to show a hidey-hole. I suppose in the old days people wanted good hiding-places for things.'

[224] The children ran to the stone she pointed out. It had an iron ring in it, and was easily pulled up. Below was a hollowed-out place, big enough to take a small box. It was empty now, but all the same it looked exciting.

[225] 'Where's the cupboard?' asked Julian.

[226] 'My old legs are too tired to go traipsing upstairs this morning,' said the farmer's wife. 'But you can go yourselves. Up the stairs, turn to the right, and go into the second door you see. The cupboard is at the farther end. Open the door and feel about at the bottom till you come across a dent in the wood. Press it hard, and the false back slides to the side.'

[227] The four children and Timothy ran upstairs as fast as they could, munching shortbread as they went. This really was a very exciting morning!

[228

] They found the cupboard, and opened the door. All four went down on hands arid knees to press round the bottom of the cupboard to find the dented place. Anne found it.

[229] 'I've got it!' she cried. She pressed hard, but her little fingers were not strong enough to work the mechanism of the sliding back. Julian had to help her.

[230] There was a creaking noise, and the children saw the false back of the cupboard sliding sideways. A big space showed behind, large enough to take a fairly thin man.

[231] 'A jolly good hiding-place,' said Julian. 'Anyone could hide there and no one would ever know!'

[232] I'll get in and you shut me up,' said Dick. 'It would be exciting.'

[233] He got into the space. Julian slid the back across, and Dick could no longer be seen!

[234

] 'Bit of a tight fit!' he called. 'And awfully dark! Let me out again.'

[235] The children all took turns at going into the space behind the back of the cupboard and being shut up. Anne didn't like it very much.

[236] They went down to the warm kitchen again. 'It's a most exciting cupboard, Mrs. Sanders,' said Julian. 'I do wish we lived in a house like this, full of secrets!'

[237] 'Can we come and play in that cupboard again?' asked George.

[238] 'No, I'm afraid you can't, Master George,' said Mrs. Sanders. 'That room where the cupboard is, is one the two gentlemen are going to have.’

[239] 'Oh!' said Julian, disappointed. 'Shall you tell them about the sliding back, Mrs. Sanders?'

[240

] 'I don't expect so,' said the old lady. 'It's only you children that get excited about things like that, bless you. Two gentlemen wouldn't think twice about it.'

[241] 'How funny grown-ups are!' said Anne, puzzled. 'I'm quite certain I shall be thrilled to see a sliding panel or a trap-door even when I'm a hundred.'

[242] 'Same here,' said Dick. 'Could I just go and look into -the sliding panel in the hall once more, Mrs. Sanders? I'll take the candle.'

[243] Dick never knew why he suddenly wanted to have another look. It was just an idea he had. The others didn't bother to go with him, for there really was nothing to see behind the panelling except the old stone wall.

[244] Dick took the candle and went into the hall. He pressed on the panel at the top and it slid back. He put the candle inside and had another good look. There was nothing at all to be seen. Dick took out his head and put in his arm, stretching along the wall as far as his hand would reach. He was just about to take it back when his fingers found a hole in the wall.

[245] 'Funny!' said Dick. 'Why should there be a hole in the stone wall just there?'

[246] He stuck in his finger and thumb and worked them about. He felt a little ridge inside the wall, rather like a bird's perch, and was able to get hold of it. He wriggled his fingers about the perch, but nothing happened. Then he got a good hold and pulled.