Five Go To Smuggler's Top by Enid Blyton Read Free Book Online Page A

could see nothing. It was pitch-dark.
    'Are there steps down?' asked Julian, holding Anne back in case she fell.
    'No,' said Sooty, reaching out for a big torch he had brought in with him. 'Look!'
    He switched on his torch, and the children gave a gasp. The trap-door led down to a pit, far, far below!
    'Why! It's miles below the foundations of the house, surely!' said Julian, surprised. 'It's just a hole down to a big pit. What's it for?'
    'Oh, it was probably used to hide people - or to get rid of them!' said Sooty. 'Nice little place, isn't it? If you fell down there you'd land with an awful bump'!'
    'But - how in the world could we get Timmy down there - or get down ourselves?' said George. 'I'm not going to fall down it, that's certain!'
    Sooty laughed. 'You won't have to,' he said. 'Look here.' He opened a cupboard and reached up to a wide shelf. He pulled something down, and the children saw that it was a rope-ladder, fine but very strong.
    'There you are! We can all get down by that,' he said.
    'Timmy can't,' said George at once. 'He couldn't possibly climb up or down a ladder.'
    'Oh, couldn't he?' said Sooty. 'He seems such a clever dog - I should have thought he could easily have done a thing like that.'
    'Well, he can't,' said George, decidedly. 'That's a silly idea.'
    'I know,' said Marybelle, suddenly, going red at her boldness in breaking in on the conversation. 'I think I know! We could get the laundry basket and shut Timmy in it. And we could tie it with ropes, and let him down - and pull him up the same way!'
    The others stared at her. 'Now that really is a brainwave!' said Julian, warmly. 'Good for you, Marybelle. Timmy would be quite safe in a basket. But it would have to be a big one.'
    'There's a very big one in the kitchen,' said Marybelle. 'It's never used except when we have lots of people to stay, like now. We could borrow it.'
    'Oh yes!' said Sooty. 'Of course we could. I'll go and get it now.'
    'But what excuse will you give?' shouted Julian after him. Sooty had already unlocked the door and shot out! He was a most impatient person, and could never put off anything for a single minute.
    Sooty didn't answer. He sped down the passage. Julian locked the door after him. He didn't want anyone coming in and seeing the dragged-up carpet and the yawning hole!
    Sooty was back in two minutes, carrying a very heavy wicker laundry basket on his head. He banged on the door, and Julian unlocked it.
    'Good!' said Julian. 'How did you get it? Did anyone mind?'
    'Didn't ask them,' grinned Sooty. 'Nobody there to ask. Block's with Father, and Sarah has gone out shopping. I can always put it back if any awkward questions are asked.'
    The rope-ladder was shaken out down the hole. It slipped like an uncoiling snake, down and down, and reached the pit at the bottom. Then Timmy was fetched from Sooty's room. He came in wagging his tail overjoyed at being with everyone again. George hugged him.
    'Darling Timmy! I hate you being hidden away like this. But never mind, we're all going out together this morning!'
    'I'll go down first,' said Sooty. 'Then you'd better let Timmy down. I'll tie his basket round with this rope. It's nice and strong, and there's plenty to let down. Better tie the other end to the end of the bed, then when we come up again we can easily pull him up.'
    Timmy was made to get inside the big basket and lie down. He was surprised and barked a little. But George put her hand over his mouth.
    'Sh! You mustn't say a word, Timmy,' she said. 'I know all this is very astonishing. But never mind, you'll have a marvellous walk at the end of it.'
    Timmy heard the word 'walk' and was glad. That was what he wanted - a really nice long walk in the open air and sunshine!
    He didn't at all like having the lid shut down on him, but as George seemed to think he must put up with all these queer happenings, Timmy did so, with a very good grace.
    'He's really a marvellous dog,' said Marybelle. 'Sooty, get down the hole now,