FIVE FALL INTO ADVENTURE by Enid Blyton

24 A GRAND SURPRISE

The thought that the men might soon return even angrier than they had been before was most unpleasant.

"As soon as Markhoff tries the key in the door of the tower room he'll find it won't unlock it, and he'll know that Jo has tricked him!" said George.

"And then he'll be in such a fury that he'll tear down here again, and goodness knows what will happen to us!" groaned Julian. "What shall we do? Hide again?"

"No," said Dick. "Let's get out of here and climb down the cliff to the sea. I'd feel safer there than up here in this cave. We might be able to find a better hiding-place down on the rocks in that little cove."

"It's a pity my boat's smashed," said George, with a sigh for her lovely boat. "And, I say - how are we going to get old Timmy down?"

There was a conference about this. Timmy couldn't climb down, that was certain. Jo remembered the rope still hanging down the side of the cliff to the ledges below - the one she had tied there to help Julian and Dick climb up the steep sides of the cliff.

"I know," she said, her quick mind working hard again. "You go down first, Julian, then Dick. Then George can go - each of you holding on to the rope as you climb down, in case you fall.

"Then I'll haul up the rope and tie old Timmy to it, round his waist - and I'll lower him down to you. He's so sleepy still, he won't struggle. He won't even know what's happening!"

"But what about you?" said Dick. "You'll be last of all. Will you mind? You'll be all alone up on this ledge, with the men coming behind you at any minute."

"No, I don't mind," said Jo. "But let's be quick."

Julian went down first, glad of the rope to hold to as his feet and hands searched for crevices and cracks. Then came Dick, almost slipping in his anxiety to get down.

Then George climbed down, slowly and anxiously, not at all liking the steep cliff. Once she glanced down to the sea below, and felt sick. She shut her eyes for a moment and clung with one hand to the rope.

It was a dreadful business getting Timmy down. George stood below, anxiously waiting. Jo found it very difficult to tie Timmy safely. He was big and heavy, and didn't like being tied up at all, though he really seemed hardly to know what was going on. At last Jo had got the knots well and securely tied, and called out to the others.

"Here he comes. Watch out that the rope doesn't break. Oh, dear - I wish he wouldn't struggle - now he's bumped himself against the cliff!"

It was not at all a nice experience for poor Timmy. He swung to and fro on the rope as he was slowly let down, and was amazed to find that he was suspended in mid air. Above him Jo panted and puffed.

"Oh, he's so awfully heavy! I hope I shan't have to let go. Look out for him!" she screamed.

The weight was too much for her just at the last, and the rope was let out with rather a rush. Fortunately Timmy was only about six feet up then, and Julian and George managed to catch him as he suddenly descended.

"I'm coming now," called Jo, and without even holding the rope, or looking at it, she climbed down like a monkey, seeming to find handholds and footholds by magic. The others watched her admiringly. Soon she was standing beside them. George was untying Timmy.

"Thanks awfully, Jo," said George, looking up gratefully at Jo. "You're a wonder. Tim must have been frightfully heavy."

"He was," said Jo, giving him a pat. "I nearly dropped him. Well - what's the next move?"