He thought it was very unfair of his uncle to take the box like that.
"Listen— I'm not going to stand this.
We'll get hold of that box somehow and look into it.
I'm sure your father won't bother himself with it, George— he'll start writing his book again and forget all about it.
I'll wait my chance and slip into his study and get it, even if it means a spanking if I'm discovered!"
"Good!" said George.
"We'll all keep a watch and see if Father goes out."
So they took it in turns to keep watch, but most annoyingly their Uncle Quentin remained in his study all the morning.
Aunt Fanny was surprised to see one or two children always about the garden that day, instead of down on the beach.
"Why don't you all keep together and bathe or do something?" she said.
"Have you quarrelled with one another?"
"No," said Dick. "Of course not." But he didn't say why they were in the garden!
"Doesn't your father ever go out?" he said to George, when it was her turn to keep watch.
"I don't think he leads a very healthy life."
"Scientists never do," said George, as if she knew all about them.
"But I tell you what— he may go to sleep this afternoon!
He sometimes does!"
Julian was left behind in the garden that afternoon.
He sat down under a tree and opened a book.
Soon he heard a curious noise that made him look up.
He knew at once what it was!
"That's Uncle Quentin snoring!" he said in excitement. "It is!
Oh— I wonder if I could possibly creep in at the french windows and get our box!" He stole to the windows and looked in.
One was a little way open and Julian opened it a little more.
He saw his uncle lying back in a comfortable arm-chair, his mouth a little open, his eyes closed, fast asleep! Every time he took a breath, he snored.
"Well, he really does look sound asleep," thought the boy.
"And there's the box, just behind him, on that table.
I'll risk it.
I bet I'll get an awful spanking if I'm caught, but I can't help that!"
He stole in.
His uncle still snored.
He tiptoed by him to the table behind his uncle's chair. He took hold of the box.
And then a bit of the broken wood of the box fell to the floor with a thud!
His uncle stirred in his chair and opened his eyes.
Quick as lightning the boy crouched down behind his uncle's chair, hardly breathing.
"What's that?" he heard his uncle say.
Julian didn't move.
Then his uncle settled down again and shut his eyes.
Soon there was the sound of his rhythmic snoring!
"Hurrah!" thought Julian.
"He's off again!"
Quietly he stood up, holding the box. On tiptoe he crept to the French window. He slipped out and ran softly down the garden path.
He didn't think of hiding the box. All he wanted to do was to get to the other children and show them what he had done!
He ran to the beach where the others were lying in the sun.
"Hi!" he yelled.
"Hi! I've got it!
I've got it!"
They all sat up with a jerk, thrilled to see the box in Julian's arms.
They forgot all about the other people on the beach.
Julian dropped down on the sand and grinned.