“Hallo, hallo!” said Kiki, pleased at the attention she was getting. “Hallo!”
“She’s telephoning now!” grinned Jack. “Good old Kiki. Got the doctor yet? Tell him we’re all suffering from a nasty attack of Eppy-itis!”
Micky leapt down from the tree to join in the fun. He too had been badly scared, but now that everyone was talking and laughing, and the noisy men had gone, he felt safer. He landed on Philip, and tried to cuddle on to his shoulder. Philip was sitting up, his hands tied behind him.
“Sorry, I can’t stroke you, old thing, and make a bit of fuss over you after your scare,” said the boy. “But my hands are tied! Yes, that’s right — go and look for them. I’ve still got them — but they’re behind me!”
Micky badly wanted to be nursed, but he couldn’t find any arms to cuddle into! He went behind Philip to investigate. What had the boy done with his hands and arms? Ah — there they were behind him! Micky pulled at Philip’s hands with his tiny paws. He wanted to be stroked and patted.
“Sorry, Micky — nothing doing,” said Philip. He grinned round at the others. “Micky can’t understand why I don’t use my hands to pet him! He’s pulling at them!”
Micky had discovered the rope that bound Philip’s wrists together. He was puzzled. What had Philip done with this rope? Why was it so tightly round the boy’s hands? Micky tugged at the rope, and pulled at the knot.
Philip sat very still. “That’s right, Micky,” he said, in a caressing voice. “That’s right! You tackle those knots. Then I can pet you all you like!”
Everyone pricked up their ears at once. They looked eagerly at Philip. “I say, Philip — is Micky — can Micky — do anything?”
“Don’t know,” said Philip. “He’s fiddling about like anything. Go it, Micky. Pull those knots undone!”
But Micky couldn’t. His tiny paws were not strong enough to undo the tightly-tied knots of the rope. He gave it up. But he thought of something else!
He put his mouth down to the rope, and tried to gnaw it with his teeth!
“What are you doing, Micky!” cried Philip, feeling the wet little mouth against his wrist. “Gosh, Bill, the clever little thing is trying to gnaw through the rope now!”
Everyone watched Philip intently. His face showed clearly all he was thinking. “That’s it, Micky — bite away!” he said. “Good little monkey! No, go away, Kiki — don’t interfere with Micky!”
Kiki had gone to Philip and was now getting behind him to see what Micky was up to. She watched him.
“One, two, three, GO!” she said, for all the world as if she was encouraging him.
“Come here, Kiki. Leave Micky alone in his good work, ordered Jack, and Kiki came obediently.
“How’s Micky getting on?” asked Bill.
“Fine, I think,” answered Philip, trying his hands to see if they felt any looser. “I think the rope does feel not quite so tight. Go it, Micky.”
It was a long job, but Micky was patient and persevering. Once he knew that he was doing what Philip wanted, he went on and on. Bill marvelled at the way Philip understood animals and animals understood him. Any creature would do anything in the world for Philip!
“They’re getting loose!” exclaimed Philip. “Go on, Micky — just a bite or two more!”
And, sure enough, after another bout of patient gnawing, the rope snapped when Philip pulled on it. He brought his freed hands round to the front of him, groaning.
“My word — they’re painful! Thanks, Micky, old thing — you did a very good job of work. Wait till my hands feel a bit better and I’ll pat you from head to tail!”
The rope was still dangling from one of his wrists, the knots in it tied as tightly as ever. Philip picked it off with the other hand. He opened and shut his numb fingers, and then proceeded to pet the little monkey, who, delighted to be fussed, snuggled into Philip’s arms with contented little grunts.
Nobody hurried Philip. Nobody begged him to be quick and undo their bonds. Everyone knew that it was right for Micky to have his reward.
“Now, that’s enough, old fellow,” said Philip, at last. “I must see to the others. You come and help!”
Philip put Micky on to his usual place on his shoulder. He felt in his pocket for a knife. His hands still felt queer and stiff, but they were rapidly getting more life into them. He brought out his knife and clicked it open.
He cut the rope round his ankles, and then he tried to stand up. His feet felt queer, for his ankles had been tied very tightly. But he was soon able to walk steadily. He went straight over to the girls.
He cut their bonds with his knife and Lucy-Ann gave a groan of thankfulness. “Oh, Philip — thank you! That’s better. Dinah, are your hands all right?”
“Bit stiff and numb,” said Dinah, rubbing them together. “Wouldn’t I like to tie up Mr. Eppy! And wouldn’t I make the ropes tight! The brute! He must be mad.”
Soon everyone was free. Bill found it hardest to stand because his ankles had been tied very viciously, and so had his hands. It took him some time to get the blood flowing freely in them, and it was a very painful process at first.
Everyone made a fuss over Micky, and the little monkey enjoyed it all thoroughly, chattering softly. Jack kept an eye on Kiki. She was jealous, and was looking out for a chance to nip Micky’s long tail.
“I’ll tie you up if you try any tricks, Kiki,” warned Jack, and tapped her smartly on the beak. She put her head under her wing, muttering to herself. “Poor Polly, poor Polly, don’t sniff, use your hanky!”
“She’s irrepressible!” said Bill, still massaging his wrists. “Well, I feel better now. What about some food, lads? If it’s still there, of course!”
Jack was half-way to the column already. He had to get Philip to give him a good leg-up, because his ankles still felt weak. Up he went, and dropped down inside. He looked about for the food. It was dark inside the column now, for the sun had gone. He felt about and to his delight found some bread and what felt like cheese. He called to Philip.
“Look out, Philip. I’m throwing the food out.”
Philip waited. Out came bread, cheese and a packet of some kind of meat. “Wait a bit — here’s some more bread,” shouted Jack, and out it came.
Jack climbed out again, grinning. “They must have been in such a hurry to get to the treasure that they didn’t even stop for a snack!” he said. “They must have seen the food there.”
“Bill, is it safe to sit and have a meal?” asked Lucy-Ann anxiously.
“Quite safe,” said Bill. “I’m going to sit here by the column — and I shall be very sorry for anyone who tries to get out, whilst I’m here!”
Chapter 25
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE NIGHT
IT was getting quite dark now. The sun had gone a long time ago, and the children could hardly see one another as they sat together in the courtyard, munching hungrily.
“I’ve never known bread and cheese to taste so lovely,” said Dinah. “Actually I didn’t think this cheese was terribly nice yesterday — sort of sweetish — but today it’s heavenly.”
“Only because you’re so hungry,” said Jack, giving Kiki some of his. “It’s goat-milk cheese, isn’t it, Bill? I say, look at Micky stuffing himself.”
“Pop goes Micky,” remarked Kiki, coming in at the right moment as usual. “One, two, three, POP!”
“Idiot,” said Jack. “Well, Bill — what are you thinking about?”
“Quite a lot of things,” said Bill soberly. “We’ve had an extraordinary day. And I’m just planning what to do about it.”
“Wasn’t that treasure wonderful!” said Lucy-Ann, her eyes shining.
Jack had, of course, heard all about their adventures underground by now, and was very envious because he was the only one who hadn’t seen the treasure-chamber, with its remarkable collection of riches. He had listened with amazement, and had wished and wished he had been with the others.
“What are your plans, Bill?” asked Philip, feeling that he could think sensibly again, now that he was free and had had a good meal. “I suppose we can’t do much tonight.”
“No, we can’t,” said Bill. “That’s quite certain. We’ve been through enough today without taking on any more adventures. Besides, the girls are nearly asleep, poor things!”
So they were. Excitement and exercise had completely tired them out. Lucy-Ann lay cuddled against Dinah, her eyes closed.
“Well, I’m pretty sleepy myself,” said Jack. He yawned loudly. “I wouldn’t mind a nice long snooze!”