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 to-day, 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 to-night!" 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 keeping 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 to-day."
"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."