PIRATES’ COVE
Bill’s men, out in the boats, reported to him at noon the short trip of the Sea Crest and the passengers upon it. Bill accepted the report, thinking that the “writin’ feller,” if he liked the girl who made pictures and kept himself to his work and his visits with the Secrests, was probably harmless so far as Bill’s pursuits were concerned. He dispatched Tom Carey with an excellent choice of fish, which he could leave at the tent if the man had not returned. But Tom chose to wait for Mr. Tudor.
“Hello, Tom,” Evan Tudor called, as he approached his tent and saw Tom stretched out on a rock by the stream. “Have you been waiting long? You might have left the fish, but I’m glad that you did not. Anything to report?”
This last was in a lower tone, after he had jumped across the stream by its little stepping stones to the rock where Tom now stood.
“Yes, I have. Here are the fish.”
“Good. Those are fine. Bill must think that I have an appetite, but then I did not limit the quantity and the more delivered the better business for Bill.”
“Yes, sir,” grinned Tom. “I didn’t expect to have any news for you so soon, but Bill is about sick today, having a chill or something. So he wants me to take a boat, go to Pirates’ Cove, row into the cave and bring out a man.”
“What?” Evan Tudor was a little puzzled. “I thought, from what I have been told that it was not safe to go into the Cove at all. Miss Secrest just spoke of it on a trip that they took me around the bay and through the channel to Ives Bay.”
“Yes, sir. I was there when a man told Bill about your being with them.” Tom and Evan Tudor exchanged glances.
“Miss Secrest told me quite a tale of disappearances and of the danger where that opening occurs.”
“Yes, sir; that is what is generally thought around here. But my grandmother has always laughed to me about it, and she remembers the time when people used to visit the pirates’ cave.”
“Then probably smugglers built up this tale for their own purposes.”
Tom nodded assent. “I’ve told you how Bill wants to get me into all this, and get some hold on me, you know. If you weren’t here I’d never do it in the world, but I’ve pretended to listen to what he says about ‘making good money.’ I don’t know why he doesn’t have someone else go, unless it is dangerous and they will not do it, or there is some smuggled stuff that he can’t trust them with, or he just wants to get me into it. I’m not afraid to go, and it is a good chance to find out.”
“Don’t risk anything on my account, Tom; but if you think it safe to go, I shall be among those rocks somewhere with a boat. Call if you are in any danger. I am a good swimmer.”
Tom, rather glad that there would be help at hand if any were needed, went away and Mr. Tudor examined his fish. Soon they were cooking over a good fire, while a well satisfied young man watched them and made more plans. This was a great opportunity. He would visit the cave after Tom and the man had left. There was a possibility of there being others in the cave, but he would risk that. It was not very likely. Perhaps Tom could let him know in some way if there were, though no signal had been agreed upon. Indeed, he must keep out of sight.
Evan Tudor did not know, of course, that he would not be the only watcher that night. The only decision that the girls and Jack had been able to make was that of immediate action in seeing Bill take out the man whose voice the girls had heard through the “speaking tube.” It would never do to miss that. Leslie thought that perhaps Peggy would want to give up their plan after hearing Jack’s plain statements. But the last thing that she said before the Sea Crest left her and Jack at their dock was, “Now don’t forget tonight!” Peggy still loved mystery.
More than once Peggy afterward remarked to Dalton, with whom she became so very, very well acquainted, that it was funny how the different people who were engaged that night in Pirates’ Cove affairs had no knowledge of each other. Bill’s man escorted Tom part way, but did not know about Tom’s relation to Mr. Tudor. The pretended nobleman had no idea how near discovery he was. The Ives-Secrest group knew nothing about Mr. Tudor and he knew nothing of their interest or presence at first.
Peggy and Jack decided that rather than steal out of the house late at night it would be better to go out openly for a row to the Eyrie, early in the evening. Peggy’s mother would assume that they had returned, they hoped, for Mrs. Ives was concerned about other things. Their plan was to return with the girls and hide among the rocks in the channel, where there was a view of the Cove. About the time the last boats were going in they would quietly row out from the Eyrie. This plan was carried out.
It was about one o’clock when a boat came into the bay from the sea, and after reaching quiet waters, edged around into the channel. Naturally Leslie did not know that it was their own Swallow, borrowed from Beth and Dalton by Mr. Tudor, though he had not come for it till long after the first party had left the Eyrie. Sarita had gone to sleep, lulled by the gentle rocking of their boat, for the wait seemed long. Her head was on Leslie’s shoulder, but she was startled awake when Peggy clutched Leslie and whispered, “Oh, who is this? One of Bill’s spies?”
“Sh-sh,” Jack warned. But it would not be easy to see them among the shadows of the rocks, and presently they saw the boat no longer as it gently glided farther within the channel, and none too soon for its occupant, for two more boats, rapidly rowed, approached the mouth of the Cove. In one was Tom, who was given final orders and directions by the man in the other boat.
Bay and Cove were comparatively calm. The night, too, was clear so far, bright with stars and a late moon, a condition good for the watchers, but not so favorable to any underhand project. The girls located the dark opening into the cave and watched tensely.
The one boat waited at the rocks which marked the beginning of the Cove. Tom’s boat entered the Cove and went straight across to the mouth of the cave, with only one exception, when Tom avoided a foaming, restless stretch where some hidden rocks lurked like Scylla of old.
“Look! He’s gone right on in,” said Leslie, “without a bit of trouble!”
“Wait till you see if he ever comes out again,” Sarita returned, for she still more than half believed in the old story.
“If he does and they get away all right, let’s go in, too,” Peggy suggested, a wild desire to see the inside of that cave taking possession of her. They could take the same course. That boat had kept steady, unharmed, not tossed about by any current or whirlpool.
“It would be safe enough,” said Jack, looking at his watch, “if we can do it before the tide comes up much. It is not quite low tide now. I looked up the tides before we came out. It will be easier to get in at low tide, though we may have to watch for rocks more. Make up your minds what you want to do, girls.”
“If it were a question of wanting,” said Leslie, “I’d say go at once, but I’m not sure it would be very safe. What do you think, Sarita?”
But Sarita did not answer, for at that moment Tom’s boat shot out from the dark, spray-washed entrance. All had seen the flash of light, presumably from Tom’s flashlight, as he took his bearings before starting out of the cave. Two figures were in the boat this time. Over the legend-cursed waters of Pirates’ Cove Tom’s boat sped, faster than when it was attempting an unknown course. Again they saw him avoid the one tempestuous spot. Again they saw him reach the rocks and the buoy where the other boat waited.
The watchers did not hear, however, the rough jeer with which the man who rowed the accompanying boat greeted Tom. “So Bill’s got ye at last, has he? Ye’ll work fer him now or yer life won’t be safe. That’s yer ’nishiation, did ye know it?”
Tom was spared an answer by the rough order of the man whom he had brought from the cave. It was to the effect that this was his trip and that he wanted to get to land as quickly as possible. So did Tom.
The two boats bobbed over the waves and out of the bay to some mooring at the village. The boat load of young people watched, still k
eeping in the shadow of the rocks and discussing in low tones the likelihood of their being still watched, if at all, by the other boat which had come into the channel.
Then they heard the soft plash of oars. Startled, Jack braced himself for possible trouble and Peggy clutched Leslie again. The boat passed them, its occupant leaning to look in their direction. Then it shot back and a voice addressed them. “Why, it’s the Eyrie crowd, isn’t it?”
What a relief! It was only Mr. Tudor!
“My, how you scared us, Mr. Tudor!” cried Peggy. “How did you happen to get out here? Did you see that boat come out of the Cove?”
“Yes. It would seem that the old story is not true, yet I heard Miss Secrest tell it only today.”
“We’re going over. Don’t you want to go with us?”
“Peggy!” Leslie exclaimed. “Have we decided to go?”
“I have, unless you really hate to go.”
“We’re crazy to see it,” said Sarita.
Mr. Tudor was inwardly amused at the turn of events. Again they were in his favor. “If you think that it will not be a trespass, Miss Peggy, I should like to go with you. It seems safe to me. Suppose you let me go first, however. I noted the boatman’s course, and we shall avoid the same rocks that took him aside.”
“Good!” cried Peggy. “Have you a light? We brought some.”
“Yes. I have a large flashlight.”
It seemed like a dream—the late night, the restless waters, the mystery of the Cove, the yawning entrance of the cave. The Ives boat followed exactly the trail of the Swallow, which the girls now recognized. Now they passed the boiling surf. “Between Scylla and Charybdis,” quoted Leslie to Sarita, and Peggy, who did not know what she meant, decided to look that up.
Bowing his head, Mr. Tudor pulled upon his oars, and his boat disappeared into the yawning maw of the cavern. Jack was wondering if it were safe to follow immediately, but he heard a call, “Come on,” and the entrance was illuminated by the light which Mr. Tudor carried and which he flashed upon the churning waters in the center of the opening. Down went the heads—a breathless moment! Now!
The Secrest-Ives combination were within the pirate cave! Looking about by the steady light which Mr. Tudor held for them, they saw his boat drawn aside a little and near a floating dock, as it might be called, a mere plank tightly fastened to posts at the very edge of a worn rocky ledge, the floor of the cave. Waters stretched to the right and left of them. Above, the roof of the cave was low at the entrance, but lifted to a high vault farther in. “Snug place,” said Leslie, turning her own flashlight from side to side.
Mr. Tudor examined the landing, made it firm by some quick manipulation, and leaped out of his boat, which he had fastened. “Want to get out?” he inquired, leaning toward the passengers of Jack’s boat, which now occupied the other side of the landing space. He held his hand to the girls, while Jack kept the boat steady. “Let us keep together,” suggested Mr. Tudor. Having the largest light, he naturally took the lead.
They found it a large cave, quite evidently often and recently used. Nature had been assisted in making it a safe storage for either goods or persons, for they found more than one room, with steps cut in uneven places, and a long passage leading somewhere. They did not follow that very far, for Mr. Tudor suggested that it would not be best to stay long “this time” on account of the tide. There were cots standing on end, and one which had been left with bedding on it.
Peggy shuddered. “Think of sleeping with such damp bedding!” she said.
“This room seems fairly dry, though,” said Leslie, “and I feel quite a breeze from somewhere.”
“Oh, it must be the place where the men were when we heard them talking!” Peggy exclaimed. She and Leslie searched the wall and ceiling and found a crack which they decided to be the opening to the “speaking tube,” for the immediate surroundings were like a wide funnel.
A pile of old and foreign-looking clothing in one corner gave Mr. Tudor good evidence of what he was seeking. There was a portable stove all greasy and rusty, with a cask which they thought contained gasoline. A wooden door boarded up one opening off from the passage but it was locked. As there was a narrow opening across the top of the ill-fitting door, Mr. Tudor suggested to Jack that he climb up to see what was inside. “Stand on my shoulders,” he said.
Jack helped himself first by the edge of a thick board in the door, which had been made by nailing horizontal planks across a frame. Partly lifted or supported by Mr. Tudor, Jack clung to the top of the door, with one foot on Mr. Tudor’s shoulder, and looked over. “Case after case, and a lot of loose bottles of liquor,” he reported.
“Bill’s activities include more than one line of smuggling,” Mr. Tudor replied, as Jack dropped to the floor again.
“My muddy feet will not help your coat any,” said Jack.
“It will dry and brush off. We have not found any pirate treasure for the girls yet,” he continued. “Perhaps there is a safe somewhere with the pirate jewels; but we must hurry. I want to see the front space again. Come, please.”
The party went back into the front of the cave, while Mr. Tudor and Jack searched the wall on the side toward the Ives’ little bay and dock. There, indeed, in a little recess, were some steps, the same sort of rocky steps, where the hand of man had assisted nature. At the top there was another door, locked. But this time Mr. Tudor drew a key from his pocket which unlocked it. A breeze blew in, fresh and sweet and cool. Carefully lighting his steps before him Mr. Tudor stepped outside, then made room for the rest.
They found themselves on a rocky ledge, rather narrow and walled in by rock. Mr. Tudor rounded a corner carefully, looked and came back. “Very clever,” said he. “This door is concealed by the mass of rock, and when you turn that corner, there you are in a narrow opening between rocks that looks just like a hundred others. Look, but be careful not to step off the edge.”
Each followed directions and looked. “A long plank would reach over to our steps,” said Peggy. “I’ve often wondered why that wide, long board was laid along the side of the steps. There is a sort of fastening there, too. I asked Mother about it once and she said she supposed it was there to strengthen the stairway. I wonder why they go in and out by boat when that is there.”
“Perhaps,” said Jack, “there is more danger of discovery, or maybe it is not as safe a way.”
“That is what became of the Count that time. I was not far enough down, or not smart enough to see it.”
Mr. Tudor looked inquiringly at Peggy. “Count Herschfeld?” he asked.
“Yes. Do you know him?”
“I know of him.”
They were now back within the cave and Mr. Tudor locked the door again. “A place like this develops,” said he. “It is not planned from the first. It has probably been the resort of smugglers from early times.”
“But we’d better hurry away while the tide is low. There is a plank to be found inside, if you girls would prefer to cross to the steps. I am sure that I saw one somewhere.”
“No walking the plank for me yet,” said Peggy. “Are you going to tell on Bill yet, Mr. Tudor?” From what he had said, Peggy knew that he must know about Bill. What else did he know? But she would not be the one to tell about her step-father.
“What do you think we ought to do about it, Miss Peggy?” Mr. Tudor countered.
“I suppose we can’t let smuggling go on.”
“No,” soberly Evan Tudor replied. “It will have to be broken up sometime. Probably we should have a little more proof about Bill and his friends.”
“Oh, yes,” eagerly Peggy replied.
“Poor child,” Evan Tudor was thinking.
Safely they all went through the spray. Mr. Tudor went first, then turned his light upon the place for Jack’s exit. To their surprise they found it foggy and by the time they reached Ives Bay and the dock there the fog was rolling in so thickly that it was decided to leave the Swallow among the Ives boats till the next day.
Evan Tudor and the girls would walk home.
Jack was distressed about this and wanted to accompany them, but Peggy insisted that it would be foolish and the rest agreed. “The more quickly and quietly we get into the house the better, Jack,” said Peggy, “and no one will notice the Swallow, Mr. Tudor. We do all sorts of crazy things going back and forth, and Jack and I might easily have rowed home in the Swallow, or all of us landed here and gone on some hike or other.”
Tired as the girls were, they managed to give a full and clear account of their suspicions and discoveries to Mr. Tudor on the way home. It was a comfort to pass over some of the responsibility to him, though he did not tell them that this smuggling of aliens was the subject of his quest, nor that he represented the law and the United States government. The other smuggling would naturally be attended to at the same time, but it was desired to find the heads of a ring having operations at different points.
“We have been so troubled, Mr. Tudor, about our duty, how to notify the right authorities, or whether to do so or not, with Peggy and her family to consider—though I suppose that it is wrong to be hindered by that.” So Leslie told the man who represented the right authority.
“It would be a hard thing for you to take up without more proof, Miss Leslie. Suppose you just do nothing but keep your eyes open and tell me about it. I will watch, too. Did you say that a schooner was expected about the twenty-eighth?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I will talk it over with your brother and Miss Beth. Good-night; do not worry about this.”
CHAPTER XVIII
THE NET IS SPREAD
The girls found Elizabeth up and greatly worried. She had gone to bed and fallen asleep, she said, waking at midnight to find that they had not come in. “If Dalton had not needed his sleep so much, I would have wakened him,” she said.
Again the sleepy girls told the story, gathering up the details in the process and filling in what Beth did not know. “But we have passed the responsibility over to Mr. Tudor, Beth. He thinks that more proof is necessary, too. We’ve found out more than enough for poor little Peggy, though she is the stoutest little piece you ever saw. One thing, she does not like her step-father, or trust him, and she sees that he makes Mrs. Ives miserable. Mr. Tudor asked if she would be likely to warn her step-father and of course, we could not know. So far she has not said anything to her mother.”
The Second Girl Detective Megapack: 23 Classic Mystery Novels for Girls Page 304
