The Secret of Steeple Rocks

  CHAPTER XVII

  PIRATES' COVE

  Bill's men, out in the boats, reported to him at noon the short trip ofthe Sea Crest and the passengers upon it. Bill accepted the report,thinking that the "writin' feller," if he liked the girl who madepictures and kept himself to his work and his visits with the Secrests,was probably harmless so far as Bill's pursuits were concerned. Hedispatched Tom Carey with an excellent choice of fish, which he couldleave at the tent if the man had not returned. But Tom chose to wait forMr. Tudor.

  "Hello, Tom," Evan Tudor called, as he approached his tent and saw Tomstretched out on a rock by the stream. "Have you been waiting long? Youmight have left the fish, but I'm glad that you did not. Anything toreport?"

  This last was in a lower tone, after he had jumped across the stream byits 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 thenI did not limit the quantity and the more delivered the better businessfor Bill."

  "Yes, sir," grinned Tom. "I didn't expect to have any news for you sosoon, but Bill is about sick to-day, having a chill or something. So hewants me to take a boat, go to Pirates' Cove, row into the cave andbring out a man."

  "What?" Evan Tudor was a little puzzled. "I thought, from what I havebeen told that it was not safe to go into the Cove at all. Miss Secrestjust spoke of it on a trip that they took me around the bay and throughthe 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 dangerwhere that opening occurs."

  "Yes, sir; that is what is generally thought around here. But mygrandmother has always laughed to me about it, and she remembers thetime 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 allthis, and get some hold on me, you know. If you weren't here I'd neverdo 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 somesmuggled stuff that he can't trust them with, or he just wants to get meinto 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 inany 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 agood fire, while a well satisfied young man watched them and made moreplans. This was a great opportunity. He would visit the cave after Tomand the man had left. There was a possibility of there being others inthe cave, but he would risk that. It was not very likely. Perhaps Tomcould let him know in some way if there were, though no signal had beenagreed upon. Indeed, he must keep out of sight.

  Evan Tudor did not know, of course, that he would not be the onlywatcher that night. The only decision that the girls and Jack had beenable to make was that of immediate action in seeing Bill take out theman whose voice the girls had heard through the "speaking tube." Itwould never do to miss that. Leslie thought that perhaps Peggy wouldwant to give up their plan after hearing Jack's plain statements. Butthe last thing that she said before the Sea Crest left her and Jack attheir dock was, "Now don't forget to-night!" Peggy still loved mystery.

  More than once Peggy afterward remarked to Dalton, with whom she becameso very, very well acquainted, that it was funny how the differentpeople who were engaged that night in Pirates' Cove affairs had noknowledge of each other. Bill's man escorted Tom part way, but did notknow about Tom's relation to Mr. Tudor. The pretended nobleman had noidea how near discovery he was. The Ives-Secrest group knew nothingabout Mr. Tudor and he knew nothing of their interest or presence atfirst.

  Peggy and Jack decided that rather than steal out of the house late atnight it would be better to go out openly for a row to the Eyrie, earlyin the evening. Peggy's mother would assume that they had returned, theyhoped, for Mrs. Ives was concerned about other things. Their plan was toreturn with the girls and hide among the rocks in the channel, wherethere was a view of the Cove. About the time the last boats were goingin 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, andafter reaching quiet waters, edged around into the channel. NaturallyLeslie did not know that it was their own Swallow, borrowed from Bethand Dalton by Mr. Tudor, though he had not come for it till long afterthe first party had left the Eyrie. Sarita had gone to sleep, lulled bythe gentle rocking of their boat, for the wait seemed long. Her head wason Leslie's shoulder, but she was startled awake when Peggy clutchedLeslie 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 theshadows of the rocks, and presently they saw the boat no longer as itgently glided farther within the channel, and none too soon for itsoccupant, for two more boats, rapidly rowed, approached the mouth of theCove. In one was Tom, who was given final orders and directions by theman 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 thedark 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 thecave, with only one exception, when Tom avoided a foaming, restlessstretch 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 shestill more than half believed in the old story.

  "If he does and they get away all right, let's go in, too," Peggysuggested, a wild desire to see the inside of that cave takingpossession of her. They could take the same course. That boat had keptsteady, unharmed, not tossed about by any current or whirlpool.

  "It would be safe enough," said Jack, looking at his watch, "if we cando it before the tide comes up much. It is not quite low tide now. Ilooked up the tides before we came out. It will be easier to get in atlow tide, though we may have to watch for rocks more. Make up your mindswhat 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 fromthe dark, spray-washed entrance. All had seen the flash of light,presumably from Tom's flashlight, as he took his bearings beforestarting out of the cave. Two figures were in the boat this time. Overthe legend-cursed waters of Pirates' Cove Tom's boat sped, faster thanwhen it was attempting an unknown course. Again they saw him avoid theone tempestuous spot. Again they saw him reach the rocks and the buoywhere the other boat waited.

  The watchers did not hear, however, the rough jeer with which the manwho 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 hadbrought from the cave. It was to the effect that this was his trip andthat 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 mooringat the village. The boat load of young people watched, still keeping inthe shadow of the rocks and discussing in low tones the likelihood oftheir being still watched, if at all, by the other boat which had comeinto the channel.

  Then they hear
d the soft plash of oars. Startled, Jack braced himselffor possible trouble and Peggy clutched Leslie again. The boat passedthem, its occupant leaning to look in their direction. Then it shot backand 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 toget 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 MissSecrest 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 inhis favor. "If you think that it will not be a trespass, Miss Peggy, Ishould like to go with you. It seems safe to me. Suppose you let me gofirst, however. I noted the boatman's course, and we shall avoid thesame 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, themystery of the Cove, the yawning entrance of the cave. The Ives boatfollowed exactly the trail of the Swallow, which the girls nowrecognized. Now they passed the boiling surf. "Between Scylla andCharybdis," quoted Leslie to Sarita, and Peggy, who did not know whatshe meant, decided to look that up.

  Bowing his head, Mr. Tudor pulled upon his oars, and his boatdisappeared into the yawning maw of the cavern. Jack was wondering if itwere safe to follow immediately, but he heard a call, "Come on," and theentrance was illuminated by the light which Mr. Tudor carried and whichhe flashed upon the churning waters in the center of the opening. Downwent the heads,--a breathless moment! Now!

  The Secrest-Ives combination were within the pirate cave! Looking aboutby the steady light which Mr. Tudor held for them, they saw his boatdrawn aside a little and near a floating dock, as it might be called, amere plank tightly fastened to posts at the very edge of a worn rockyledge, the floor of the cave. Waters stretched to the right and left ofthem. Above, the roof of the cave was low at the entrance, but lifted toa high vault farther in. "Snug place," said Leslie, turning her ownflashlight 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?" heinquired, leaning toward the passengers of Jack's boat, which nowoccupied the other side of the landing space. He held his hand to thegirls, while Jack kept the boat steady. "Let us keep together,"suggested Mr. Tudor. Having the largest light, he naturally took thelead.

  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 orpersons, for they found more than one room, with steps cut in unevenplaces, and a long passage leading somewhere. They did not follow thatvery 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, andone 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 abreeze from somewhere."

  "Oh, it must be the place where the men were when we heard themtalking!" Peggy exclaimed. She and Leslie searched the wall and ceilingand found a crack which they decided to be the opening to the "speakingtube," for the immediate surroundings were like a wide funnel.

  A pile of old and foreign-looking clothing in one corner gave Mr. Tudorgood evidence of what he was seeking. There was a portable stove allgreasy and rusty, with a cask which they thought contained gasoline. Awooden door boarded up one opening off from the passage but it waslocked. As there was a narrow opening across the top of the ill-fittingdoor, Mr. Tudor suggested to Jack that he climb up to see what wasinside. "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. Partlylifted 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 aftercase, and a lot of loose bottles of liquor," he reported.

  "Bill's activities include more than one line of smuggling," Mr. Tudorreplied, 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 forthe girls yet," he continued. "Perhaps there is a safe somewhere withthe pirate jewels; but we must hurry. I want to see the front spaceagain. Come, please."

  The party went back into the front of the cave, while Mr. Tudor and Jacksearched the wall on the side toward the Ives' little bay and dock.There, indeed, in a little recess, were some steps, the same sort ofrocky steps, where the hand of man had assisted nature. At the top therewas another door, locked. But this time Mr. Tudor drew a key from hispocket which unlocked it. A breeze blew in, fresh and sweet and cool.Carefully lighting his steps before him Mr. Tudor stepped outside, thenmade room for the rest.

  They found themselves on a rocky ledge, rather narrow and walled in byrock. Mr. Tudor rounded a corner carefully, looked and came back. "Veryclever," said he. "This door is concealed by the mass of rock, and whenyou turn that corner, there you are in a narrow opening between rocksthat looks just like a hundred others. Look, but be careful not to stepoff the edge."

  Each followed directions and looked. "A long plank would reach over toour steps," said Peggy. "I've often wondered why that wide, long boardwas laid along the side of the steps. There is a sort of fasteningthere, too. I asked Mother about it once and she said she supposed itwas there to strengthen the stairway. I wonder why they go in and out byboat when that is there."

  "Perhaps," said Jack, "there is more danger of discovery, or maybe it isnot 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 thefirst. 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 tobe found inside, if you girls would prefer to cross to the steps. I amsure that I saw one somewhere."

  "No walking the plank for me _yet_," said Peggy. "Are you going to tellon Bill yet, Mr. Tudor?" From what he had said, Peggy knew that he mustknow about Bill. What else did he know? But she would not be the one totell about her step-father.

  "What do you think we ought to do about it, Miss Peggy?" Mr. Tudorcountered.

  "I suppose we can't let smuggling go on."

  "No," soberly Evan Tudor replied. "It will have to be broken upsometime. Probably we should have a little more proof about Bill and hisfriends."

  "Oh, yes," eagerly Peggy replied.

  "Poor child," Evan Tudor was thinking.

  Safely they all went through the spray. Mr. Tudor went first, thenturned his light upon the place for Jack's exit. To their surprise theyfound it foggy and by the time they reached Ives Bay and the dock therethe fog was rolling in so thickly that it was decided to leave theSwallow among the Ives boats till the next day. Evan Tudor and the girlswould walk home.

  Jack was distressed about this and wanted to accompany them, but Peggyinsisted that it would be foolish and the rest agreed. "The more quicklyand quietly we get into the house the better, Jack," said Peggy, "and noone will notice the Swallow, Mr. Tudor. We do all sorts of crazy thingsgoing back and forth, and Jack and I might easily have rowed home in theSwallow, or all of us landed here and gone on some hike or other."

  Tired as the girl
s were, they managed to give a full and clear accountof their suspicions and discoveries to Mr. Tudor on the way home. It wasa comfort to pass over some of the responsibility to him, though he didnot tell them that this smuggling of aliens was the subject of hisquest, nor that he represented the law and the United States government.The other smuggling would naturally be attended to at the same time, butit was desired to find the heads of a ring having operations atdifferent points.

  "We have been so troubled, Mr. Tudor, about our duty, how to notify theright authorities, or whether to do so or not, with Peggy and her familyto 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, MissLeslie. Suppose you just do nothing but keep your eyes open and tell meabout it. I will watch, too. Did you say that a schooner was expectedabout the twenty-eighth?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "I will talk it over with your brother and Miss Beth. Good-night; do notworry about this."