It hung down from a black hole at the top of the rocky wall, and as he pulled it, it held firm.
“Yes, that’s what it is!” said Mike. “It’s fastened to something overhead, and is meant to help anyone using this cave. I’ll go up first with the rope’s help, and you others can follow.”
It was easy to get up the slippery, rocky steps with the rope to help them. Mike swung himself through the dark opening at the top of the sloping wall. He shone his torch around.
He was in another cave, but much smaller. A few boxes and barrels lay around empty and half broken.
Mike called down excitedly. “This has been used by smugglers in the olden days! There are still the old boxes here that must have brought the brandy and silks and things that the smugglers hid. Come along, you others!”
One by one they scrambled up. Jack kicked the boxes. They were all empty. “Unpacked by smugglers years and years ago!” said Jack. He shone his torch round the cave. “Where do we go from here?” he wondered. “Ah, look - is that a door or something over there?”
“Yes,” said Mike, who was nearest. “A good solid oak door too, fitted with bolts! I say, what a shame if it’s locked.”
He tried it - but it was not locked. It swung heavily into the cave, showing beyond it a narrow passage cut out of the rock itself.
“Here’s the passage!” cried Mike, in the greatest excitement. “I say! Isn’t this thrilling?”
“Mike, don’t make such a row,” said Jack. “We don’t know if anyone is coming down the passage or not, and if they should be, they’ll hear us easily! Let me go first. My torch is the brightest.”