He had just passed the lodge gates on his return when he heard the motor approaching, and quick as thought he had hidden himself behind the laurels at the entrance of the drive. His heart beat as he meditated on the punishment which doubtless awaited him for his disobedience, but a reckless feeling soon intervened. "In for a penny, in for a pound." He knew his father was not to return till dusk, for he had heard him tell the butler so, therefore he might as well have a jolly day before the reckoning came. "I’ll go back to Robin," he said, "and see if I can’t do something specially nice, as I needn’t be home for ages." It was with rather forced merriment, however, that he joined in the games, for an uncomfortable feeling would obtrude itself even in the most exciting moments, that something was hanging over him which sooner or later must be faced. Mrs. Power had asked him to stay for lunch, hearing that his father was away for the day, and not knowing of the interdict which had been laid upon the boy. "Let us go for a walk, Robin," said Julius afterwards, the restless mood increasing as the day wore on. "The tide is coming in strong, and I shouldn’t wonder if we found some buckles and things washed up on the beach. You know the fishermen pick up lots of treasures along the shore." "Yes," answered Robin, "it is just like a fairy tale to hear of that ancient city which once stood where the ocean now rolls. Old Timothy has been telling me all about it--how there were churches, and streets, and battlements there in the days of old, but the waves gradually ate away the cliff, just as they are doing now, until one after another the buildings fell into the sea, and the whole town was buried beneath the water." "I know a man who got quite a number of things which had been washed up," remarked Julius, "seals, with people’s names on them, and rings, and dear little bronze brooches, besides crowds of coins. Couldn’t we go and have a hunt now?" "I simply ache to find something," said Robin, "even if it is only an old pin, but I’m not sure whether mother would like me to go without her, as it is rather a dangerous beach when the tide is coming in." "We’re not babies," answered Julius, "surely we can keep a look-out so as to get back in plenty of time. Besides, we needn’t go far. The man told me that the best place to find the things is just under the ruined church, and it won’t take us ten minutes to walk there." "Well, if we only go a very little way," said Robin, "and come back when the waves get at all near the cliff, I don’t think there can be any harm. Mother has never forbidden me to go, and I should like awfully to find a brooch for her to wear."