15 Sunrise

15. SUNRISE The water was cold. But Jim and Matilda could make out the headlights of the amphibious vehicle motoring towards them. They clung to some flotsam as the Black Rat finally disappeared beneath the waves.

"Woof!" barked Bones from the row- boat, which was drifting in the dark, piled high with the stolen treasures from the Dull-on-Sea Museum. The vehicle came to a splashy stop, and Jim's dad pulled Jim and Matilda, dripping wet, on board. He wrapped them in blankets and secured a tow for the rowboat. "ARRR! That all worked out fine, eh, kids?" said Jim's dad. "We'd have been 'ere sooner, but those maggots locked us up in our own food store. It'd have been hell without them chocolate-chip cookies.... Let's get back to the Blackhole an' get y'all warm and dry."

A few hours later, as the sun rose, the Jolley-Rogers and Matilda were motoring toward the shore, towing the booty-laden rowboat through the gentle swell. "It'd be best ye don't tell yer parents about this little adventure, Matilda," said Jim's mom. "They might not let ye come and play again."

Jim's dad had already phoned the Dull-on-Sea police, and Chief Inspector Klewless was waiting at the harbor with several of his officers and a van. It was early morning, so there weren't many other people around.

A few bemused fishermen watched and a seagull cackled as the vehicle emerged from the water, dripping with seaweed, water pouring from its bilges. The Jolley- Rogers unhitched the rowboat, and Jim's dad shook the dumbstruck Chief Inspector's hand. "Righto, here's yer treasure, then, Cap'n Klewless," said Jim's dad. "It should all be there, give or take a cutlass or two. Those ghostly pirates shouldn't be botherin' ye

again either. We've taken care of 'em for ye, with the help of brave Matilda 'ere. Oh, and sorry about the smell. I've been guttin' kippers for breakfast. Well... Best be off, then.... Cheerio!' "Time to get ye home, Tilly," said Jim Lad. They all climbed back into the vehicle and trundled off to Matilda's house.