Timmy put his head on her knee again. George was so absorbed in trying to think where her father’s hiding place could be that she absent-mindedly stroked Timmy’s head. He was almost beside himself with delight. He licked her fingers lovingly.

“Oh Timmy — I didn’t mean to pet you for ages,” said George. “Stop licking my hands. You make them feel wet and horrid. Dick, it’s very mysterious, isn’t it — where can Father be hiding?”

“I can’t imagine,” said Dick. He looked back at the island. A cloud of jackdaws rose up into the air calling loudly, “Chack, chack, chack!”

The boy watched them. What had disturbed them? Was it Uncle Quentin? Perhaps his hiding-place was somewhere about that old tower then, the one the jackdaws nested in? On the other hand, the jackdaws often rose into the air together for no reason at all.

“Those jackdaws are making a bit of fuss,” he said. “Perhaps Uncle’s hiding-place is not far from where they roost together, by that tower.”

“Can’t be,” said Julian. “We went all round there today.”

“Well, it’s a mystery,” said George, gloomily, “and I think it’s horrible having a mystery about my very own island — and to be forbidden to go to it, and solve it. It’s really too bad!”

Chapter Six

Up on the cliff

The next day was rainy. The four children put on their macintoshes and sou’-westers and went out for a walk with Timmy. They never minded the weather. In fact Julian said that he really liked the feel of the wind and rain buffeting against his face.

“We forgot that Uncle Quentin couldn’t flash to us if the weather wasn’t sunny!” said Dick. “Do you suppose he’ll find some way to signal instead?”

“No,” said George. “He just won’t bother. He thinks we’re awful fussers anyway, I’m sure. We’ll have to watch at half past ten tonight to see if he signals.”

“I say! Shall I be able to stay up till then?” said Anne pleased.

“I shouldn’t think so,” said Dick. “I expect Julian and I will stay up — but you kids will have to buzz off to bed!”

George gave him a punch. “Don’t call us “kids”! I’m almost as tall as you are now.”

“It’s not much use waiting about till half past ten now to see if Uncle signals to us in an any way, is it?” said Anne. “Let’s go up on the cliff — it’ll be lovely and blowy. Timmy will like that. I love to see him racing along in the wind, with his ears blown back straight!”

“Woof,” said Timmy.

“He says he likes to see you with yours blown back too,” said Julian, gravely. Anne gave a squeal of laughter.

“You really are an idiot, Ju! Come on — let’s take the cliff-path!”

They went up the cliff. At the top it was very windy indeed. Anne’s sou’-wester was blown to the back of her head. The rain stung their cheeks and made them gasp.