Everyone talked hard so that George would think they were not noticing her feelings at parting with Timmy. The talk, of course, was mostly about the unknown man on the island. It seemed very mysterious indeed that he should suddenly have arrived.

“How did he get there? I’m sure not one of the fishermen would have taken him,” said Dick. “He must have gone at night, of course, and I doubt if there is anyone but George who would know the way in the dark — or even dare to try and find it. These rocks are so close together, and so near the surface; one yard out of the right course and any boat would have a hole in the bottom!”

“No one could reach the island by swimming from the shore,” said Anne. “It’s too far, and the sea is too rough over these rocks. I honestly do wonder if there is anyone on the island after all. Perhaps that cigarette end was an old one.”

“It didn’t look it,” said Julian. “Well, it just beats me how anyone got there?”

He fell into thought, puzzling out all the possible and impossible ways. Then he gave an exclamation. The others looked at him.

“I’ve just thought — would it be possible for an aeroplane to parachute anyone down on the island? I did hear a throbbing noise one night — was it last night? It must have been a plane’s engine, of course! Could anyone be dropped on the island?”

“Easily,” said Dick. “I believe you’ve hit on the explanation, Ju! Good for you! But I say — whoever it is must be in deadly earnest, to risk being dropped on a small island like that in the dark of night!”

In deadly earnest! That didn’t sound at all nice. A little shiver went down Anne’s back. “I am glad Timmy’s there,” she said. And everyone felt the same — yes even George!

Chapter Twelve

The old map again

It was only about half past one when they arrived back, because they had had lunch so very early, and had not stayed long on the island. Joanna was most surprised to see them.

“Well, here you are again!” she said. “I hope you don’t all want another lunch, because there’s nothing in the house till I go to the butcher’s!”

“Oh no, Joanna — we’ve had our picnic lunch,” said her mistress, “and it was a good thing we packed so much, because the master ate quite half of the lunch! He still hasn’t had that nice soup we made for him. Now it will be bad of course.”

“Oh, the men! They’re as bad as children!” said Joanna.

“Well!” said George. “Do you really think any of us would let your good soup go bad, Joanna? You know jolly well we’d probably eat it up before we ought to!”

“That’s true — I wouldn’t accuse any of you four — or Timmy either — of playing about with your food,” said Joanna. “You make good work of it, the lot of you. But where is Timmy?”