Bill I want to get Kiki, said Jack suddenly. I can’t leave her here. The men will kill her or she’ll die of starvation or fright. Can’t we go and get her?
No, said Bill. There are more important things to be done.
Let’s get her, Bill, said Philip, who knew that Kiki was to Jack what a dog was to other people. We’ve only got to get out the map, find that main passage, and then slip along to the caves there. Jack will know where the cell is where Kiki got locked in. I think it sounds like the same one the girls and I were imprisoned in.
Well we’d better be quick then, said Bill doubtfully. And mind no noise at all. We don’t want to attract attention.
They spread out the map, traced out where they were, and where the main passage was, and set out. It was not long before they were walking down the wide passage, silently and carefully.
Bill heard the clattering and banging noise. The machines were at work again. He looked grim and listened intently. Yes that was a printing-press all right.
Just as they were coming to the cell cave in which Kiki was imprisoned, they heard sounds of voices. They crouched against the wall, hardly daring to breathe.
That’s Jake, whispered Philip, his mouth close against Bill’s ear.
There were three men, and they were at the door of the cell where the parrot was. They were listening in astonishment. A voice came from the cell, raised high, and the words could be heard.
Don’t sniff, I tell you! Where’s your handkerchief? How many times have I told you to wipe your feet? Poor old Kiki, poor, poor old Kiki! Put the kettle on!
The boy’s gone mad, said Jake, to the other two men. Evidently they still thought they had Jack shut up in the cave.
Pop goes the weasel! announced Kiki dramatically, and then made a noise like a railway engine going through a tunnel and whistling.
He’s off his head, said Olly, amazed.
There came a terrific screech, and the third man spoke suddenly.
That’s a parrot. That’s what that is. The boy has got his parrot in there.
Open the door and we’ll see, said Olly.
Jake put the key into the lock, and the door swung inwards. Kiki at once flew out with a screech that made everyone jump. The men flashed their lamp into the cave and looked around.
It was empty. Olly turned fiercely on Jake. You fool! You put the parrot in there and let the boy escape. You deserve to be shot.
Jake stared into the empty cave. It was true. Only the parrot had been there. Well, said Jake, I expect the kid is lost for ever in these mines now, and will never be heard of again. Serve him right.
You’re a fool, Jake, said Olly bitterly. First you let those other children trick you, and then the boy.
They left the door open and went off towards the lighted cave. Jack gave a gasp. Kiki had suddenly flown on to his shoulder, and was making the most affectionate noises. She pretended to bite his ear, she made clicking noises meant to represent kisses, and altogether behaved in a most excited and delighted way. Jack scratched her head, and felt just as delighted himself.
Now, come along, for heaven’s sake, said Bill, in a low voice. They left the passage and walked quickly away, their torches shining brightly. They had not gone very far before they distinctly heard someone else coming.
It’s somebody from the main shaft, I should think, said Jack, in a low voice. They put out their torches and waited. The person came nearer, heavy-footed. His torch shone brightly. They could not see what he was like at all. They tried to slip back into a little blind passage, but Jack stumbled and fell, making a noise. Kiki screeched.
A torch dazzled them, and a voice came sharply out of the darkness. Stand where you are or I’ll shoot!
Bill put out a hand to make the boys stand still. There was something in that voice that had to be obeyed. The owner of it would not hesitate to shoot.
The three of them stood blinking there in the passage. Jack recognised the voice, and so did Philip. Who was it?
And then, in a flash, they knew. Of course they knew.
It’s Jo-Jo! cried Jack. Jo-Jo, what are you doing here?
A question I’m going to ask you, all three of you, said Jo-Jo, in a cold, grim voice. The light from his torch rested full on Bill’s face. So you’re here too, said Jo-Jo. I smashed your boat but I reckon you found the old way under the sea-bed, didn’t you? You think yourself mighty clever, all of you but you’ve been just a bit too clever. There’s a nasty time ahead of you a very nasty time.
Chapter 28
TRAPPED
The light gleamed on a revolver held by Jo-Jo. Bill felt angry with himself. If he hadn’t agreed to go back for that wretched parrot, this would never have happened. Jo-Jo was tough. He was not likely to be fooled as easily as Jake had been.
Turn round, hold your hands above your heads and walk in front of me, ordered Jo-Jo. Ah there’s that parrot. I owe it quite a lot well, I’ll pay my debt now.
Jack knew Jo-Jo meant to shoot Kiki and he gave the parrot a blow that surprised her very much. Kiki rose high into the air in indignation, screeching, lost in the darkness. Keep away, Kiki, keep away! yelled Jack.
Kiki remained lost in the darkness. Something warned her that Jack did not want her near him. She sensed danger. She followed the little company, keeping well behind Jo-Jo, flying from place to place as silently as a bat.
The three of them were soon shut in the now familiar cave. Jo-Jo, who had shouted for Jake, locked the door himself. Then the prisoners heard them going off.
Well, we’re in a pretty pickle now, I’m afraid, said Bill. Why in the world did I agree to go back for that parrot? We may all lose our lives because of that, and these fellows may escape scot-free with their thousands of false banknotes, to spread them all over the country. We really are up against it now.
I’m sorry I asked you to go back for Kiki, said Jack humbly.
I’m as much to blame as you, said Bill, lighting a cigarette. Golly, it’s hot down here.
After what seemed to be an endless time, the door was opened again, and Jo-Jo came in, with Jake, Olly and two or three more men behind him.
We just want to say a fond goodbye to you, said Jo-Jo, his black face gleaming in the lamp-light. We’ve finished up our business here. You came in at the end, Bill Smugs the cop, too late to do anything. We’ve got all the notes we’ll ever be able to use now.
So you’re clearing out, are you? said Bill quietly. Smashing up the machines to hide your tracks taking away all your stores and your packets of dud notes. You won’t escape so easily. Your machines, will be found all right, smashed or not, and your …
Nothing will ever be found, Bill Smugs, said Jo-Jo. Not a thing. The whole of the police force can come to this island, but they’ll never find anything they can trace back to us never!
Why? asked Bill, unable to conceal his surprise.
Because we’re flooding the mines, said Jo-Jo, smiling wickedly and showing his white teeth. Yes, Bill Smugs, these mines will soon be flooded water will pour into every tunnel, every passage, every cave. It will hide our machines, and all traces of our work. I am afraid it will hide you too.
You’re not going to leave us here, surely, said Bill. Leave me, if you like but take these boys up with you.
We don’t want any of you, said Jo-Jo, still in the same horribly polite tones. You would be in the way.
You couldn’t be as cruel as that! cried Bill. Why, they’re only children.
I have my orders, said Jo-Jo. He did not seem at all the same stupid, half-crazy fellow that the boys knew before he was a different Jo-Jo altogether, and not at all a pleasant one.
How do you propose to flood the mines? asked Bill.
Easily, replied Jo-Jo. We have mined part of the passage through which you came from Craggy-Tops, under the sea-bed. When we are safely above ground, you will hear the muffled roar of a great explosion. The dynamite will blow a hole in the roof of that undersea passage and the sea will pour through. As you will guess, it will rush into these mines, and fill them up to sea-level. I am afraid you will not find things very pleasant then.