"When they told me you were not in the cave," said Marjorie, "I couldn't believe my ears. How on earth did you manage to escape?"
"Well," I replied, "you remember that stone table on which the mummies lay? Under one of them I found, let in the table, a flat stone carved with a turtle. I don't know whether you realise the significance of that sign. The turtle was the mark of that celebrated buccaneer, Captain Roberts, who, in the old days, was a great man in these waters. The buccaneers are known to have used Cock Island for obtaining fresh meat and water--you can read about it in the 'Sailing Directions'--so the sign of the turtle set me thinking.
"I tried to get the stone up but it was firmly cemented in the table. However, in my pushing and thrusting I leant against the table edge and suddenly the whole top swung round outwards into the cave leaving a hole about five feet deep. The hole was the opening of a passage several hundred yards long which led into the open air----"
"But how did you manage to close the opening behind you?"
"Quite simply. I arranged the mummies as they were before, covering the turtle stone, then standing in the hole I drew the table-top back into place again. It is quite solid and does not ring hollow--the simplest and neatest device of its kind I ever saw. Roberts and his men must have used the burial-chamber for some sort of secret meetings, I imagine. Perhaps in their day Cock Island was inhabited...."
There was so much I had to ask, so much I would have said. But the presence of her father, dour and intractable, threw an invisible bar between us. I felt embarrassed and miserable--because I realised I suppose, that our island dream was at an end.
"It is getting dark," said Garth, standing up. "Come, Marjie, it's time we were back on board!"
He did not include me in the summons. Yet I should have to sail with him again. He could not maroon me there.
"You're coming with us?" said my dear Marjorie with her ready tact.
"Only as far as the beach," I replied. "We have to decide what's to be done with our friend yonder...."
In truth the problem of Grundt was beginning to obtrude itself in my mind.
"I'll come on board later," I said, "if Sir Alexander will allow me...."