The House on the Cliff
Chapter 12: The Secret Passage
Slippery
rocks make climbing along the shore treacherous, but Frank and Joe finally
reach the tunnel’s mouth. After wading through the narrow tunnel, they search
the edge of the pond for a secret entrance in the vine-covered cliff walls. At
last, Frank spies a door concealed by artificial branches! It opens into a long
passageway filled with water, with a tiny dock. The rowboat is tied to it! As
they reach the other end of the passageway, the boys discover a stone stairway,
which leads upward to a heavy door cut into the wall of rock. Forcing open the
door, they enter a gloomy cave piled full of boxes, packages, and fabric bolts.
Smuggled goods? Their sharp eyes spot an exit door, hidden ingeniously
by boxes set on a swinging ledge. Frank opens that door into another stone
corridor, only to hear voices approaching! Hurriedly replacing the boxes, the
brothers barely have time to dart behind a bolt of silk draped over some
cartons before the cave door is opened. A floodlight goes on, and footsteps
approach the boxes behind which the Hardys are concealed!
