by Enid Blyton
‘They didn’t say it to scare us. They meant it, you know they did!’ sobbed Lucy-Ann. ‘What are we going to do? We’ve got to do something.’
It was all very well to say that – but what in the world was there to do? The children got very little sleep that night. They debated whether to tell Philip or not what had happened – and what was proposed.
They decided not to. It would be dreadful for him to lie alone in his cave and worry. So, when morning came and they sent Snowy to Philip with the usual sandwiches made from their own breakfast rations, they said nothing in the daily note about what had happened.
But to their great surprise, who should be ushered up the steps by the soldiers that morning, but Philip himself! He bounded forward to greet them, grinning.
‘Hallo! They’ve let me out! Tired of starving me, I suppose, and seeing me get fatter and fatter. I say, did you see the helicopter last night? I heard it.’
Lucy-Ann and Dinah hugged him and Jack slapped him heartily on the shoulder. They were delighted to see him again. Snowy had come with him and acted like a mad thing, careering up and down the parapet as if he was in a circus.
They told him very little about the night before. He was rather puzzled that they said so little, even in answer to his questions. But Jack, by means of heavy frowns, had let the girls know they had better not say too much. He thought it would be wise to postpone saying anything in case Meier really hadn’t meant what he said.
But it looked a bit odd, Meier letting Philip come up to be with the others, all of a sudden – and bringing them very much better food and plenty of it. ‘Like victims being fattened for the sacrifice!’ thought Jack. ‘I wonder when the next helicopter’s due? How long have we got? Oh, Bill, do make haste!’
Lucy-Ann and Dinah, fearing that poor Philip really would have to jump from the helicopter, were most affectionate to him. Dinah even enquired after Sally the slow-worm and did not shrink away when Philip brought her out of his pocket.
‘I say! What’s up with Dinah?’ asked Philip at last. ‘She’s gone all sweet and sugary. It’s not like her. She’ll be offering to nurse Sally Slithery for me next!’
Philip felt sure there was something up. He couldn’t imagine what it was. He wondered if it was bad news about Kiki. No – if Jack had heard any, he would be much more upset than he was. Philip felt uncomfortable. It wasn’t like the others to keep anything from him. He tackled Jack about it firmly.
‘Look here, Jack – something’s up. Don’t say there isn’t – I jolly well know there is. So come out with it – or I’ll go back to my cave and sulk!’
Jack hesitated. Then he took the plunge. ‘All right, Philip – I’ll tell you. But it’s not good.’
He told him all about it – how the helicopter had arrived – what had happened – about the frightened paratrooper and the angry pilot – and finally about Meier’s wicked suggestion that one of the children should try the ‘wings’.
‘I see,’ said Philip slowly. ‘And I suppose the one they’re going to try is me?’
‘That’s what they said,’ said Jack. ‘The brutes! That experiment is only half-way to perfection – the wings aren’t a hundred per cent foolproof, nor even fifty per cent – though they may be one day!’
‘Well, well – to think I’m going to fly with wings,’ said Philip, trying to pass the whole thing off as a joke. He saw Jack’s troubled face. ‘Don’t worry, old son. It won’t happen! Something will turn up – and if it doesn’t, I’m no coward!’
‘I know. You don’t need to tell me that,’ said Jack. ‘The girls are awfully upset. That’s why we’ve seemed a bit funny with you. We just didn’t want to tell you.’
Philip pranced up to the girls, flapping his arms like wings. ‘Cheer up!’ he cried. ‘As soon as I’m out of that helicopter I’ll fly off to Bill and give him the shock of his life!’
But it wasn’t much use trying to make a joke of it. It was too serious. None of the children felt like playing with Snowy, who was very hurt and gambolled down the stone steps into the mountain to look for somebody with a bit more fun in them.
Three days went by. The children had almost given up all hope of Bill coming now. Surely he would have been along before, if he had come looking for them? They would have seen a search-party on the mountainside, if one had come. But they saw nothing at all. It was most disappointing. They felt quite sick with watching and waiting.
They pondered whether to make a dash for freedom again and try for the rope-ladder once more. But Jack shook his head. ‘No, they’ll be on the watch now. There’s always one of those soft-footed soldiers about. Meier will have put somebody on guard.’
There was one good thing, orders had evidently been given to feed the children well, and they had plenty of good food. Even their sad hearts did not take away their appetites and they tucked in well, helped by Snowy, who would devour every scrap of greenstuff or vegetable if he could.
And then, one night as they slept together under the awning, their rugs pulled round them, they heard the familiar sound of the helicopter! All four sat up at once, their hearts beating. Tears came into Lucy-Ann’s eyes.
The helicopter circled round the moutain-top slowly. Then the bright beam came on and the courtyard was lighted up. The helicopter came slowly down and at last its wheels rested on the rocky yard.
There were two men in the machine, but neither of them was the same as before. The pilot had on big goggles and a peaked cap. The other man was bareheaded. He looked stern and grim.
Meier soon came up with Erlick and the soldier guards. ‘You the boss?’ called the pilot. ‘I’ve taken Kahn’s place. He’s on holiday. Had a job finding this place. This is Johns, my mate. We’ve got the goods you wanted.’
There was the same unpacking as before, and boxes and crates were piled on the ground. The pilot and his companion jumped down.
‘There is a meal ready for you,’ said Meier. ‘You will start back tomorrow night?’
‘No. Got to leave tonight,’ said the pilot. ‘They’re making enquiries about some of our doings. Got to be back at once.’
‘You have been told that – er – that er . . .’ began Meier.
‘What – that some paratrooper wants a jump off the helicopter?’ said the pilot. ‘Oh, yes. That’s okay by me. If a chap wants to do that, well, it’s no business of mine.’
‘You will be paid very very well,’ said Meier’s grim voice. ‘This time it is double the price. We have a young jumper – it is necessary for our experiments, you understand.’
There was a pause. Then the pilot’s voice came again, sharp and enquiring. ‘What do you mean – a young jumper?’
‘A boy,’ said Meier. ‘He is here.’ Then he turned to one of the soldiers and said something to him in a foreign language. The soldier darted off down the steps into the mountain. ‘I have sent to tell the inventor that you have arrived,’ he said. ‘Now will you come to have a meal?’
‘No,’ said the pilot. ‘I must be off. Get this boy and make him ready.’
Lucy-Ann’s knees were shaking so much that she couldn’t stand. Philip felt calm but rather fierce. All right! Let them strap those wings on him then – let them take him in the helicopter! He’d jump out all right! And if those wings did act – if they did – but would they? Philip just couldn’t bring himself to believe that they would.
The pilot had not seen any of the children, but now Philip had to go forward, fetched by one of the soldiers. The others followed, though Lucy-Ann had to hold on to Jack. Before the pilot could say a word to them, the king appeared. The children thought he must have dressed himself up very quickly! His crown was a little crooked, but otherwise he looked as majestic as ever.
The box with the wings in was carried by one of the soldiers. The king undid it and took out the wings. They really did look beautiful – and what was more, they looked as if they would be able to fly! Lucy-Ann hoped fervently that they could.
Philip made no fuss at a
ll as the wings were strapped to his arms. He was shown the two buttons and nodded. He flapped his arms a little and was surprised to feel the power in the wings, as they met the air. The others watched him in admiration. Jack warmed to him. What pluck he had! – he didn’t in the least show that he was scared. Perhaps he wasn’t.
But deep down inside Philip was a nasty little core of dread. He kept it clamped down. Not for worlds would he have let anyone know it was there.
Then Meier, the king, Erlick and the others got a surprise. Little Lucy-Ann stepped forward and laid her hand on the arm of the king.
‘Your Majesty! I think I ought to try out your wings for you. I am much lighter than Philip. It would be an honour for me to try them.’
Philip and Jack looked thunderstruck. The idea of it! Philip gave the little girl a hug, putting his winged arms all round her.
‘You’re a brave darling! But I’m going! And what’s more I’ll fly back to this old mountain-top and just show you how well I’m doing.’
Lucy-Ann gave a sob. This was too much for her altogether. The pilot said nothing but got into the helicopter with his companion.
The king showed no hesitation at all in letting Philip go. It was pathetic the way he believed whole-heartedly in his extraordinary wings. His head was in the clouds. The people who performed his experiments for him and tried out his clever ideas were nothing to him at all.
Meier watched grimly as Philip climbed into the helicopter, helped by one of the soldiers, for his arms were hampered by the beautiful wings. The man would have been better pleased if the boy had objected and made a scene. He did not admire Philip’s pluck in the least. His piercing eyes looked into Philip’s and the boy looked back at him mockingly.
‘So long!’ he said, and raised one of his winged arms. ‘See you later! Look out for youself, Meier. You’ll come to a bad end one of these days!’
Meier stepped forward angrily, but the helicopter’s engine began to whirr. The rotors went slowly round, gathering speed. Lucy-Ann tried to stifle a sob. She felt sure she would never see Philip again.
The helicopter rose straight up into the air. The pilot leaned forward and shouted something loudly. ‘Don’t forget Bill Smugs!’ he called, and his voice was no longer the same as it had sounded before. It was quite different. It was somebody else’s.
In fact – it was BILL’S VOICE!
25
A thrilling night
Only Lucy-Ann, Jack and Dinah knew what the last shout meant. Meier and the others had no idea at all. They hardly heard what was shouted.
But the children had heard all right! They gasped. Jack’s hand found Lucy-Ann’s and Dinah squeezed Jack’s arm. They didn’t say a single word until Meier, Erlick, the king and the servants had all disappeared once more. Then they made their way to their awnings, linking hands to keep together.
‘Jack! That was Bill! Bill himself!’ said Lucy-Ann, her voice going all funny as she spoke.
‘Yes. And he knew if he yelled out, “Don’t forget Bill Smugs,” that we’d know it was him,’ said Dinah. ‘He called himself Bill Smugs the very first adventure we had – do you remember? Gosh – I never had such a surprise in my life!’
‘And Philip’s safe,’ said Jack, in intense satisfaction. ‘That’s one good thing. The other fellow with Bill must be one of his friends. Philip will just chuck those wings overboard and that’ll be that.’
‘I feel as if I simply must sit down at once,’ said Lucy-Ann. ‘My legs will hardly carry me. I feel so joyful!’
She sat down and the others followed suit. They all let out a terrific sigh of relief. A heavy load rolled away from them. Philip was safe! He didn’t have to jump out of the helicopter to try out an experiment for a mad old scientist, or for Meier and Erlick. He was with Bill.
‘What made Bill think of getting a helicopter?’ wondered Jack. ‘Landing on the mountain-top with it too – under the noses of Meier and Erlick.’
‘Well, don’t you remember, you put in your note something about the helicopter we thought was landing up here?’ said Dinah. ‘The note we left with Dapple.’
‘Yes, so I did,’ said Jack. ‘Well, that looks rather as if old Bill did come along here then – and found Dapple. Good for him! Trust Bill to get going somehow!’
‘What’s he going to do next?’ said Dinah. ‘Do you think he’ll come back for us?’
‘You bet he will!’ said Jack. ‘He’ll park Philip somewhere safe and he’ll be back as soon as he can. Perhaps tonight!’
‘Oh, how lovely!’ sighed Lucy-Ann. ‘I don’t like this mountain. I like Mrs Evans’ farmhouse best. I don’t like anyone here – that horrid Meier, and that awful fat Erlick, and those nasty little pussy-footing soldiers – and the king.’
‘Well – I feel sorry for him,’ said Jack. ‘He’s just got into the hands of rogues. No doubt they’ve made plenty of money already from his inventions. Now they’re going all out for this one. I do wonder if there’s anything in it.’
‘Well, I’m jolly glad Philip hasn’t got to find out!’ said Dinah. ‘Good old Philip – he was as plucky as could be, wasn’t he?’
‘Yes. And Lucy-Ann was jolly brave too,’ said Jack. ‘Whatever made you think of trying to go in Philip’s place, Lucy-Ann?’
‘I don’t know. It sort of came over me all at once,’ Lucy-Ann tried to explain. ‘But I wasn’t brave. My legs were wobbling like jelly.’
‘The only thing that worries me is Kiki,’ said Jack. ‘I hope those men haven’t done anything to her. She’s never been away from us so long. I haven’t heard so much as a hiccup from her!’
The others were worried too. Dinah couldn’t help feeling pretty certain that Kiki had come to some harm. If Meier caught her that would be the end of her. Dinah shivered when she thought of his cold, piercing eyes.
Suddenly she gave a small shriek. ‘Oh! Something’s wriggling over my leg! What is it, quick?’
‘It’s the slow-worm,’ said Jack, making a grab at it. ‘Sorry, Dinah. You see, Philip didn’t want to make poor old Sally share his jump – so he slipped her into my pocket when he thought you weren’t looking. I didn’t know she’d got out. Don’t yell, Dinah. With everybody being so frightfully brave tonight, you might as well show your pluck too!’
And, surprisingly, Dinah did. After all, what was a slow-worm compared to Philip’s jump – if he had had to jump? Nothing at all. Dinah drew her leg away, but made no fuss at all. Sally slithered round them for a little while and then went into Jack’s pocket again.
‘I just simply can’t get over knowing it was Bill in that helicopter!’ said Lucy-Ann for the twentieth time. ‘My heart jumped nearly out of my body when he suddenly changed his voice to his own and yelled out, “Don’t forget Bill Smugs!”’
‘We’ll have to be on the look-out for when he comes back,’ said Jack. ‘I’m sure it will be tonight. Perhaps no one will hear him but us, because we’ll be the only ones expecting him. You can’t hear a thing down in that mountain.’
‘Oooh – wouldn’t that be super, if Bill came back without being heard, and took us off?’ said Lucy-Ann. ‘What would Meier and the others think! They’d hunt all over the place for us!’
‘And send the dogs out too,’ said Jack.
‘Shall we keep awake to look out for him?’ said Dinah.
‘No, you girls have a nap. I’ll keep watch,’ said Jack. ‘I’m much too wide awake to go to sleep. I’ll wake you as soon as ever I hear anything.’
‘What about that beam of light that shows the helicopter where to land at night?’ said Dinah suddenly. ‘Can you turn it on when you hear it coming, Jack?’
‘I expect so,’ said Jack, and went into the middle of the courtyard to find the switch that turned on the powerful beam.
But he couldn’t find it anywhere. He hunted all over the place and gave it up at last. ‘Can’t find where the wretched thing turns on,’ he said. ‘Sickening!’
‘Well, I daresay Bill can land all right
,’ said Lucy-Ann, who had the utmost faith in Bill’s ability to do anything, no matter how impossible. ‘You keep watch, Jack. I’m going to have a nap.’
She and Dinah shut their eyes, and in spite of all the terrific excitement of that night, they were both asleep in half a minute. Jack sat up, keeping watch. It was a cloudy night, and only occasionally did he see a star peeping out from between the clouds.
Good old Bill! How had he got that helicopter? How did he know how to fly one? Jack felt very thankful indeed that they had had the sense to leave a note behind with Dapple, telling everything they knew. Otherwise Bill wouldn’t have known a thing about the mountain or its secret, and certainly wouldn’t have guessed that helicopters landed on the top!
From far away a noise came through the night. Jack strained his ears. Yes – it was the helicopter coming back. It hadn’t been long then – just long enough to drop Philip somewhere, hear his story and come back for the others. What a sell for Meier to find them all gone – and not to know what had happened to the wonderful wings!
The boy went to try and put on the lamp again, but could not find the switch at all. This was not surprising, because it was set in a tiny trap-door, let into the yard.
The helicopter came nearer. It circled the mountain. It rose vertically to land on the courtyard. Jack shook the two girls.
‘It’s here! Bill’s back!’
The girls woke up at once. Snowy, who was asleep by then, woke up and leapt to his feet. He could feel the terrific excitement of the others, and sprang about madly.
‘Look – it’s landing!’ said Jack, and the three of them strained their eyes to see the helicopter, a big dark shadow in the blackness of the night.
There came a slight crashing sound, and then the helicopter suddenly swung over to where Jack and the girls were. They had to dodge out of the way.
Bill’s voice came on the air. ‘Jack! Are you there?’
Jack ran to the helicopter as Bill switched on a powerful torch. ‘I’m here, Bill. The coast’s clear. Nobody’s up here. Gosh, it’s good to have you! Is Philip all right?’
