92 
THE STRANGELAND BIRD LIFE 
sill and go right in. But you must be all ready 
to follow me and back me up. There might 
be a whole band of robbers in the cave.” 
“We’ll follow you,” shouted the other 
policemen. “We’ll come right after you,” 
shouted the short dutchy Adelie Penguins; 
“We’ll be right there,” shouted all the women 
and children in a chorus, as they moved close 
up to the doorstep in solid ranks. 
Rap, rap, rap! went the policeman’s club 
on the door-sill, but there came no answer. 
Rap, rap, rap! it went louder than before, but 
still no answer. RAP, RAP, RAP! louder 
than ever, but still no answer. 
“I’ll have to go in and bring him out,” 
whispered back the policeman. “Be ready!” 
“All right. All right,” whispered the 
others in one breath. 
The policeman made a sudden rush and 
started over the sill. Just when he was about to 
tumble over inside his foot slipped and back 
he came tumbling head over heels, and right 
