“Would you trust me?” said Martin, in a low voice. “Yes, I want to come and help you. And if we get in now, my guardian won’t be able to follow, because he won’t have a torch. We can get to the island and bring your uncle and George safely back.”

“Good for you!” said Dick. “Well, come on then. We’ve been talking far too long. Come on down again, Ju. Hand him a spade and torch, Martin.”

“Anne you’re not to come,” said Julian to his little sister. “You’re to go back and tell Aunt Fanny what’s happened. Will you do that?”

“Yes. I don’t want to come,” said Anne. “I’ll go back now. Do be careful, Julian!”

She climbed down with the boys and then stood and watched till all three had disappeared into the hole. Timmy, who had been waiting impatiently during the talking, barking now and again, was glad to find that at last they were going to make a move. He ran ahead in the tunnel, his eyes gleaming green every time he turned to see if they were following.

Anne began to climb up the steep side of the quarry again. Then, thinking she heard a cough, she stopped and crouched under a bush. She peered through the leaves and saw Mr Curton. Then she heard his voice.

“Martin! Where on earth are you?”

So he had come to look for Martin and go up the tunnel with him! Anne hardly dared to breathe. Mr Curton called again and again, then made an impatient noise and began to climb down the side of the quarry.

Suddenly he slipped! He clutched at a bush as he passed, but it gave way. He rolled quite near Anne, and caught sight of her. He looked astonished, but then his look became one of fear as he rolled more and more quickly to the bottom of the deep quarry. Anne heard him give a deep groan as at last he came to a stop.

Anne peered down in fright. Mr Curton was sitting up, holding one of his legs and groaning. He looked up to see if he could spy Anne.

“Anne!” he called. “I’ve broken my leg, I think. Can you fetch help? What are you doing here so early? Have you seen Martin?”

Anne did not answer. If he had broken his leg, then he couldn’t go after the others! And Anne could get away quickly. She climbed carefully, afraid of rolling down to the bottom, and having to lie beside the horrid Mr Curton.

“Anne! Have you seen Martin? Look for him and get help for me, will you?” shouted Mr Curton, and then groaned again.

Anne climbed to the top of the quarry and looked down. She cupped her hands round her mouth and shouted loudly:

“You’re a very wicked man. I shan’t fetch help for you. I simply can’t bear you!”

And, having got all that off her chest, the little girl shot off at top speed over the moor.