They told him very little about the night before. He was rather puzzled that they said so little, even in answer to his questions. But Jack, by means of heavy frowns, had let the girls know they had better not say too much. He thought it would be wise to postpone saying anything in case Meier really hadn’t meant what he said.
But it looked a bit queer, Meier letting Philip come up to be with the others, all of a sudden — and bringing them very much better food and plenty of it. “Like victims being fattened for the sacrifice!” thought Jack. “I wonder when the next helicopter’s due? How long have we got? Oh, Bill, do make haste!”
Lucy-Ann and Dinah, fearing that poor Philip really would have to jump from the helicopter, were most affectionate to him. Dinah even enquired after Sally the slow-worm and did not shrink away when Philip brought her out of his pocket.
“I say! What’s up with Dinah?” asked Philip at last. “She’s gone all sweet and sugary. It’s not like her. She’ll be offering to nurse Sally Slithery for me next!”
Philip felt sure there was something up. He couldn’t imagine what it was. He wondered if it was bad news about Kiki. No — if Jack had heard any, he would be much more upset than he was. Philip felt uncomfortable. It wasn’t like the others to keep anything from him. He tackled Jack about it firmly.
“Look here, Jack — something’s up. Don’t say there isn’t — I jolly well know there is. So come out with it — or I’ll go back to my cave and sulk!”
Jack hesitated. Then he took the plunge. “All right, Philip — I’ll tell you. But it’s not good.”
He told him all about it — how the helicopter had arrived — what had happened — about the frightened paratrooper and the angry pilot — and finally about Meier’s wicked suggestion that one of the children should try the “wings.”
“I see,” said Philip slowly. “And I suppose the one they’re going to try is me?”
“That’s what they said,” said Jack. “The brutes! That experiment is only half-way to perfection — the wings aren’t a hundred per cent foolproof, nor even fifty per cent — though they may be one day!”
“Well, well — to think I’m going to fly with wings,” said Philip, trying to pass the whole thing off as a joke. He saw Jack’s troubled face. “Don’t worry, old son. It won’t happen! Something will turn up — and if it doesn’t, I’m no coward!”
“I know. You don’t need to tell me that,” said Jack. “The girls are awfully upset. That’s why we’ve seemed a bit funny with you. We just didn’t want to tell you.”
Philip pranced up to the girls, flapping his arms like wings. “Cheer up!” he cried. “As soon as I’m out of that helicopter I’ll fly off to Bill and give him the shock of his life!”
But it wasn’t much use trying to make a joke of it. It was too serious. None of the children felt like playing with Snowy, who was very hurt and gambolled down the stone steps into the mountain to look for somebody with a bit more fun in him.
Three days went by. The children had almost given up all hope of Bill coming now. Surely he would have been along before, if he had come looking for them. They would have seen a search-party on the mountainside, if one had come. But they saw nothing at all. It was most disappointing. They felt quite sick with watching and waiting.
They pondered whether to make a dash for freedom again and try for the rope-ladder once more. But Jack shook his head. “No, they’ll be on the watch now. There’s always one of those soft-footed Japanese about. Meier will have put somebody on guard.”
There was one good thing, orders had evidently been given to feed the children well, and they had plenty of good food. Even their sad hearts did not take away their appetites and they tucked in well, helped by Snowy, who would devour every scrap of greenstuff or vegetable if he could.
And then, one night as they slept together under the awning, their rugs pulled round them, they heard the familiar sound of the helicopter! All four sat up at once, their hearts beating. Tears came into Lucy-Ann’s eyes.
The helicopter circled round the mountain-top slowly. Then the bright beam came on and the courtyard was lighted up. The helicopter came slowly down and at last its wheels rested on the rocky yard.
There were two men in the machine, but neither of them was the same as before. The pilot had on big goggles and a peaked cap. The other man was bareheaded. He looked stern and grim.
Meier soon came up with Erlick and the Japanese servants. “You the boss?” called the pilot. “I’ve taken Kahn’s place. He’s on holiday. Had a job finding this place. This is Johns, my mate. We’ve got the goods you wanted.”
There was the same unpacking as before, and boxes and crates were piled on the ground. The pilot and his companion jumped down.
“There is a meal ready for you,” said Meier. “You will start back tomorrow night?”
“No. Got to leave tonight,” said the pilot. “They’re making enquiries about some of our doings. Got to be back at once.”
“You have been told that — er — that er . . .” began Meier.
“What — that some paratrooper wants a jump off the helicopter?” said the pilot. “Oh yes. That’s okay by me. If a chap wants to do that, well, it’s no business of mine.”
“You will be paid very very well,” said Meier’s grim voice. “This time it is double the price. We have a young jumper — it is necessary for our experiments, you understand.”
There was a pause. The pilot’s voice came on the air, sharp and enquiring. “What do you mean — a young jumper?”
“A boy,” said Meier. “He is here.” Then he turned to one of the servants and said something to him in a foreign language. The servant darted off down the steps into the mountain. “I have sent to tell the inventor that you have arrived,” he said. “Now will you come to have a meal?”
“No,” said the pilot. “I must be off. Get this boy and make him ready.”
Lucy-Ann’s knees were shaking so much that she couldn’t stand. Philip felt calm but rather fierce. All right! Let them strap those wings on him then — let them take him in the helicopter! He’d jump out all right! And if those wings did act — if they did — but would they? Philip just couldn’t bring himself to believe that they would.
The pilot had not seen any of the children, but now Philip had to go forward, fetched by one of the servants. The others followed, though Lucy-Ann had to hold on to Jack. Before the pilot could say a word to them, the king appeared. The children thought he must have dressed himself up very quickly! His crown was a little crooked, but otherwise he looked as majestic as ever.
The box with the wings in was carried by one of the servants. The king undid it and took out the wings. They really did look beautiful — and what was more they looked as if they would be able to fly! Lucy-Ann hoped fervently that they could.
Philip made no fuss at all as the wings were strapped to his arms. He was shown the two buttons and nodded. He flapped his arms a little and was surprised to feel the power in the wings, as they met the air. The others watched him in admiration. Jack warmed to him. What pluck he had! — he didn’t in the least show that he was scared. Perhaps he wasn’t.
But deep down inside Philip was a nasty little core of dread. He kept it clamped down. Not for worlds would he have let anyone know it was there.
Then Meier, the king, Erlick and the others got a surprise. Little Lucy-Ann stepped forward and laid her hand on the arm of the king.
“Your Majesty! I think I ought to try out your wings for you. I am much lighter than Philip. It would be an honour for me to try them.”
Philip and Jack looked thunderstruck. The idea of it! Philip gave the little girl a hug, putting his winged arms all round her.
“You’re a brave darling! But I’m going! And what’s more I’ll fly back to this old mountain-top and just show you how well I’m doing.”
Lucy-Ann gave a sob. This was too much for her altogether. The pilot said nothing but got into the helicopter with his companion.
The king showed no hesitation at all in letting Philip go. It was pathetic the way he believed whole-heartedly in his extraordinary wings. His head was in the clouds. The people who performed his experiments for him and tried out his clever ideas were nothing to him at all.