11 A Theory

11. A THEORY Jim and Matilda retreated across the sand, back to the steps by the cliff face. Bones was reluctant to leave the children in the cave, so he sat guard behind the boulder and out of view of the Piper. "We need a plan!" said Jim, pulling his headphones from his ears and resting

them around his neck. "That cursed piper has them kids under his spell, and we've gotta rescue them!" "I've been thinking about that," said Matilda. "And I've developed a theory." Jim wasn't entirely sure what a theory was. "What if Nugget's fiddle music is more powerful than the Pirate Piper's music?" Matilda said. "What if Nugget could enchant those children? And take them home?" "More like drive 'em away!" scoffed Jim. "Nugget's never enchanted me!"

"But don't you think it's funny that the only child in town who wasn't drawn to the Pirate Piper's flute was ME? And I just happened to be listening to Nugget's music when the piper took the children? "And the moment I heard Nugget on the beach the other day, I had to run and listen. I couldn't stop myself. And there were other children too, almost every child on the beach. I've got a plan, and we need Nugget and her fiddle," said Matilda. "Don't like the sound of any plan involvin' that cursed fiddle," said Jim, dreading the thought of listening to Nugget play. "But I could borrow yer bike and fetch her."

"You stay here and guard the cave with Bones. I'm probably faster than a pirate on a bike anyway," said Matilda. "I'll get Nugget, but I need to pop in to see my dad on the way." Matilda pedaled as fast as she could to Dull-on-Sea, dropping by her dad's office on her way to the harbor. She scribbled some instructions on a few sheets of paper and explained the plan to him. When she was sure he understood it all, and that the plan was top, top secret, she jumped back on her bike. Her dad waved her off. "If Mom calls, tell her I'm fine and I'm playing on the beach with Jim Lad and

Bones!" she said as she set off down the street. "And I'll see her for dinner!" When Matilda arrived at the Jolley- Rogers' ship, she saw a police car by the gangplank and her mom with two police officers talking to Jim's dad. She hid her bike behind an old fishing boat that was raised up on planks, waiting to have its hull repainted Matilda watched her mom closely, knowing that if she revealed herself, there was no way

she'd be allowed to return to Contraband Cove. She could talk to the police perhaps, but Chief Inspector Klewless was renowned for messing things up. Also, most of the officers loved playing with their blue lights and sirens, so the Pirate Piper would hear them coming. Matilda was pretty sure that her plan would the best way to return the children to Dull-on-Sea, safe and sound. And then she spotted Nugget, practic- ing her fiddle on the Blackhole's poop deck. Matilda crept along the wharf, darting between coils of ropes, lobster pots, and barrels. Soon she was at the ship's stern,