FIVE ON KIRRIN ISLAND AGAIN by Enid Blyton

10 A SURPRISING SIGNAL

'WHAT'S up with George?' demanded Julian, as soon as they were safely out of earshot. 'I know you kicked her at tea-time, for talking too much about the island -that was idiotic of her - but why has she gone home in a huff?' 

Dick told them how he had trodden on poor Timmy's tail to make him whine, so that George would turn her attention to him and stop talking. Julian laughed, but Anne was indignant.

'That was horrid of you, Dick.' 

'Yes, it was,' said Dick. 'But I couldn't think of any other way to head George off the island. I really honestly thought she was giving away to that fellow all the things he badly wanted to know. But now I think he wanted to know them for quite another reason.'

 'What do you mean?' said Julian, puzzled.

'Well, I thought at first he must be after Uncle Quentin's secret, whatever it is,' said Dick, 'and that was why he wanted to know all the ins and, outs of everything. But now that he's told me he's a journalist - that's a man who writes for the newspapers, Anne - I think after all he only wants the information so that he can use it for his paper, and 'make a splash when Uncle has finished his work.'

 'Yes, I think that too,' said Julian, thoughtfully; 'in fact, I'm pretty sure of it. Well, there's no harm in that, but I don't see why we should sit there and be pumped all the time. He could easily say, "Look here, I'd be obliged if you'd spill the beans about Kirrin Island -- I want to use it in a newspaper story." But he didn't say that.' 

'No. So I was suspicious,' said Dick. 'But I see now he'd want all, sorts of tit-bits about Kirrin Island to put in his newspaper, whatever it is. Blow! Now I shall have to explain to George I was wrong - and she really is in a temper!' 

'Let's take the road to Kirrin Village and go to get some bones for Timmy at the butcher's,' said Julian. 'A sort of apology to Tim!' 

This seemed a good idea. They bought two large meaty ones at the butcher's, and then went to Kirrin Cottage. George was up in her bedroom with Timmy. The three went up to find her.
She was sitting on the floor with a book. She looked sulkily as they came in.

 'George, sorry I was such a beast,' said Dick. 'I did it for a good cause, if you only knew it. But I've discovered at Mr. Curton isn't a spy, seeking out your father's secret - he's only a journalist, smelling out a story for a paper! Look - I've brought these for Timmy - 'I apologize to him too.' 

George was in a very bad temper, but she tried to pond to Dick's friendliness. She gave him a small smile 'All right. Thanks for the bones. Don't talk to me right anybody. I feel mad, but I'll get over it.' 

They left her sitting on the floor. It was always best 

'How queer,' said Julian. 'Why twelve flashes? Hallo here we go again!' 

Another six flashes came from the tower, then no more at all. Julian wished he had a telescope, then he could see right into the tower! He sat and thought for a moment, puzzled. Then he heard the others come pounding up the stairs. They burst into the room.

'Julian! Father flashed eighteen times instead of six!' 'Did you count them, Ju?' 'Why did he do that? Is he in danger of some sort?' 'No. If he was he'd flash the S.O.S. signal,' said Julian.

'He doesn't know Morse!' said George.

'Well, I expect he just wants to let us know that he needs something,' said Julian. 'We must go over today and find out what it is. More food perhaps.' 

So, when Aunt Fanny came home they suggested they should all go over to the island. Aunt Fanny was pleased.

'Oh yes! That would be nice. I expect your uncle wants a message sent off somewhere. We'll go this morning.' 

George flew off to tell James she wanted her boat. Aunt Fanny packed up plenty of food with Joanna's help. Then they set off to Kirrin Island in George's boat.

As they rounded the low wall of rocks and came into the little cove, they saw Uncle Quentin waiting for them. He waved his hand, and helped to pull in the boat when it ran gently on to the sand.

'We saw your treble signal,' said Aunt Fanny. 'Did you want something, dear?' 

'Yes, I did,' said Uncle Quentin. 'What's in your basket, Fanny? More of those delicious sandviches. I'll have some!' 

'Oh Quentin haven't you been having your meals properly again?' said Aunt Fanny. 'What about that lovely soup?'

 'What soup?' said Uncle Quentin, looking surprised. I wish I'd known about it. I could have done with some last night.'

 'But Quentin! I told you about it before,' said Aunt Fanny. 'It will be bad by now. You must pour it away. Now don't forget pour it away! Where is it? Perhaps I had better pour it away myself.' 

'No. I'll do it,' said Uncle Quentin. 'Let's sit down and have our lunch.'

 It was much too early for lunch, but Aunt Fanny at once sat down and began to unpack the food. The children were always ready for a meal at any time, so they didn't in the least mind lunch being so early.

'Well, dear - how is your work getting on?' asked Aunt Fanny, watching her husband devour sandwich after sandwich. She began to wonder if he had had anything at all to eat since she had left him two days ago 

'Oh very well indeed,' said her husband. 'Couldn't be better. Just got to a most tricky and interesting point. I'll have another sandwich, please.' 'Why did you signal eighteen times, Uncle Quentin?' asked Anne.

'Ah well it's difficult to explain, really,' said her uncle 'The fact is - I can't help feeling there's somebody else on this island besides myself!' 

'Quentin! What in the world do you mean?' cried Aunt Fanny, in alarm. She looked over her shoulder as if she half expected to see somebody there. All the children stared in amazement at Uncle Quentin.

He took another sandwich. 'Yes, I know it sounds mad. Nobody else could possibly have got here. But I know there is someone!' 

'Oh don't Uncle!' said Anne, with a shiver. 'It sounds horrid. And you're all alone at night too!' 

'Ah, that's just it! I wouldn't mind a bit if I was all alone at night!' said her uncle. 'What worries me is that I don't think I shall be all alone.' 

'Uncle, what makes you think there's somebody here?' asked Julian.

'Well, when I had finished the experiment I was doing last night - about half past three in the early morning it would be - but pitch dark, of course,' said Uncle Quentin, 'I came into the open for a breath of fresh air. And I could swear I heard somebody cough - yes, cough twice!' 

'Good gracious!' said Aunt Fanny, startled. 'But Quentin - you might have been mistaken. You do imagine things sometimes, you know, when you're tired.' 

'Yes, I know,' said her husband. 'But I couldn't imagine this, could I?' He put his hand into his pocket and took something out. He showed it to the others. It was a cigarette end, quite crisp and fresh.

'Now, I don't smoke cigarettes. Nor do any of you! Well then who smoked that cigarette? And how did he come here? No one would bring him by boat and that's the only way here.'

 There was a silence. Anne felt scared. George stared at her father, puzzled. Who could be here? And why? And how had they got there?

'Well, Quentin - what are you going to do?' said his wife. 'What would be best?' 'I'll be all right if George will give her consent to something,' said Uncle Quentin. 'I want Timmy here, George! Will you leave him behind with me?'