The Cat’s Eye Shell Read Online Free PDF Page A

man?’ Lord Harry cried.
    â€˜We must go on,’ Father Plummer said, his voice hoarse. ‘Let us tie ourselves together, just in case …’
    â€˜Just in case of what?’
    â€˜Just in case.’
    â€˜Rollo can lead us,’ Emilia said. ‘He is used to leading Noah, my brother, who’s blind. Rollo has led us through darkness before.’
    So Emilia went first, the rope tied around her waist, her hand resting on Rollo’s back. She found the rough warmth of his long coat very reassuring. On and on they went, stumbling with exhaustion, occasionally feeling a cold blast of air from some unseen opening in the passageway, and having the terrifying lurch of space opening up under their fingers. Rollo did not hesitate, though. He loped on steadily, and after an immeasurable length of time the ground beneath their feet began to climb. It was so damp and slippery they had to claw at the walls to stop themselves slipping and slithering back again. Soon Emilia was heartened to hear the unmistakable sound of the wind shushing through leaves, and then she saw a dim grey light seeping in from ahead.
    Suddenly the ceiling of the passageway dropped sharply, forcing them all to their hands and knees. Emilia, as the smallest, had the easiest time. Poor Lord Harry could barely cram himself through. At last, scratched, bruised and panting, they found themselves squeezing out through a narrow crack into an old disused quarry cut into the side of the hill. Before them the land fell down precipitately to wide, rolling waters where a river wound in gentle, glimmering curves the colour of the falling twilight. Behind them was a steep road, and thick trees, and the rise of the Downs, dark against the sunset sky.
    â€˜Amberley Castle is a few minutes back that way,’ Father Plummer said, rubbing his filthy face with both hands, and smiling wearily. ‘I remember we had a fine welcome there after the siege. It’s abandoned now, I think, but we can camp there the night, at least.’
    â€˜Amberley? Is that all?’ Lord Harry groaned. ‘I thought we must have walked to Dover at least!’
    â€˜I’m starving,’ Luka said, and Zizi jumped up and down on her shoulder, gibbering in agreement. Rollo whined and wagged his tail.
    â€˜Dare we risk going to Amberley?’ the duke asked. ‘I know his Royal Highness sheltered there during his escape – he said it was truly lovely.’
    â€˜It’s a ruin now,’ the priest said. ‘The Roundheads sacked it during the war. I do not know if anyone lives there now.’
    â€˜Night is coming on,’ the duke said. ‘Let’s go and take a look, and see if there is anywhere we can rest. For I’m truly worn out after the day we’ve had.’
    Emilia and Luka could only agree. Together they trudged along the dusty lane, following the others, and arguing quietly among themselves.
    â€˜Why are we hanging around with this lot?’ Luka hissed. ‘If we’re caught, they’ll think we’re Royalists, and hang, draw and quarter us.’
    â€˜They won’t do that to us, we’re only weans,’ Emilia said.
    â€˜They’ll throw us in prison, and what use will we be to our family then?’
    â€˜We’re getting along much quicker with them than without them,’ Emilia said. ‘We could never have sailed that boat up the coast by ourselves, or found the secret passage. We’d still be stuck in the New Forest, trying to get round Portsmouth. This way we’ve left Coldham far behind us.’
    â€˜I suppose that’s true,’ Luka said unwillingly. ‘But why don’t we leave them now, and strike out on our own?’
    â€˜Because we have no food or money left,’ Emilia said. ‘And I’m tired. My feet ache. My whole body aches! I just want to get somewhere safe, and sleep, sleep, sleep! And that priest knows an awful lot about this place.