But Mrs. Warrender made it clear that she would be grateful for any help he could give them. So Jon fetched the map, which he spread out on the floor so that they could all see it.

They all examined it again for a long time until finally Mr. Morton got up from his knees and lit his pipe.

"There are too many coincidences," he said at last, "for this to be a fake, and I really do believe there is treasure hidden round here somewhere. Jon may be right in this theory about it being hidden in an old Roman vase. A smuggler on the Marsh is likely to have unearthed Roman remains, and I dare say you all noticed that the map showed a route across the Marsh to this place - and I think they must mean the Dolphin, because it's specially emphasised on the map."

"We're sure this is a smugglers' inn, Mr. Morton," Penny broke in excitedly. "And when you see our room upstairs and the passage you'll be sure, too... We think smugglers hid from the King's men in our room."

Mr. Morton drew at his pipe and picked up the map again.

"And there seems to be a link between the Dolphin and Camber, and then the track goes on to the hill on which you sheltered last night and then goes on a little way further towards Cliff End. I believe there was once an old inn on the edge of the beach there, but it was destroyed by the sea some time ago. Anyway, if it wasn't destroyed then, it will have gone last night. We'll ask Vasson, but I think I read somewhere that it was once used by smugglers... I believe there's an extra clue somewhere that you haven't yet found. Do you remember, Jonathan, if the parchment looked as if it had been torn or cut?"

Jon shook his head. "I can't remember. I don't think so... but I tell you what, sir, I believe the message was written at the bottom of the piece of paper."

"I was thinking that perhaps you'd only got hold of half the message... Does Mrs. Warrender mind if we explore the secret passage now? I think we ought to do that at once. I must admit that I'm as excited as any of you."

Mrs. Warrender smiled. "I don't mind. I haven't seen it yet, you know. Let's go at once. Shall we want candles and torches, Penny?"

"What I want to know," Dickie said loudly, "is what's happened to the storm and the sea? Will someone tell me if we are utterly surrounded with water in this place and if the sea is still coming through that hole and if they've been able to stop it and if Beach View is still burning and whether Slinky has been caught and..."