The landrover was hardly taxed by the rough track that the boys had followed earlier in the day. They reached the foot of Mt Stevenson within half an hour, and Mr. Carter parked it in a grassy area within a large grove of trees.

"We'll keep together. I don't want anyone going up on their own," he said, handing out respirators to the boys. "These are just a precaution. They're not gas masks. They're for painting, but I've put heavy duty cartridges in them, so they'll handle sulfur fumes. What else do volcanoes put out, Roger?"

Snoopy put his mask on and looked through the lenses at his teacher. "Hydrogen Cyanide, Sir."

"Very funny, Snoopy," Carter said. The fact that he used Roger's nickname meant that he was in a good mood. "Now take it off until we get up there. I don't want us to choke half way. Grab that rope, Kid. We may need it."

The climb was a repeat of the one the boys had done earlier. Chip was feeling decidedly jaded, but had the satisfaction of noticing that neither of the men was very fit. The boys spent much of their climb helping them up the difficult parts. It was beginning to get cold when they arrived at the top of the peak.

The lake was covered with a light mist as the warm water steamed against the cool mountain air.

"Wait here while I get a water sample," Mr. Carter said, slinging his backpack from his shoulder and removing a large screw-topped jar. They watched as he began to walk down the shallow slope towards the water.

From where they stood on the lip, they had a good view of the water which bubbled at the centre, sending out ripples towards the shore.

"Be careful, Jim," Mr. Hawke shouted.

Mr. Carter turned, lifted his respirator mask and called back, "It's all right, Ian, I'm just going to get a water ..."

He didn't finish. A surprised expression crossed his face, and he buckled at the knees. As if in slow motion he fell face down and slid feet first down the slope. Mr. Hawke was about to rush towards the fallen man, but Kid grabbed him and wrestled him back.

"No. You're too heavy! If you drop, we'll never be able to get you out."

"I'll go. I'm the smallest," Chip said. "Besides, I've got the rope."

"There's no time to argue," Snoopy said, tying a quick bowline around Mark's waist. "Take both ends. Tie the loose one around his waist. Any knot will do."

"I can do a bowline," Chip called out, racing down the slope. He reached the unconscious teacher and managed to get the rope around him. He started back to the others, but suddenly, the world swayed around him. He felt himself falling. The strong arms of Ian Hawke grabbed him and pulled him up the slippery bank. "Got ya, you little bottler," he said. Chip was in a daze as he was laid on the bank. "Give him air, boys, while I drag Jim out."

It seemed to take an age to drag the teacher up the slope, although it was shallow. Kid and Snoopy pulled as hard as they could. At last, the teacher was flat on his back with Mr. Hawke giving him Mouth to Mouth respiration.

"Damn," he swore as he worked on the unconscious man. Chip was sitting up, gasping, but conscious.

"I can't breathe properly," he puffed.

"Breathe deeply," Mr. Hawke said. Get plenty of oxygen into you. Where's that radio?"

"In Mr. Carter's pack," Kid said, pointing into the crater.

"No way," Mr. Hawke said. "I'm not risking anyone else."

Snoopy untied the bowline around Chip. While Mr. Hawke continued to work on Mr. Carter, he looked at Kid and put his finger to his mouth. Suddenly, he darted down the slope.

"No!" Mr. Hawke shouted, but Snoopy was almost at the pack. He snatched it up and pulled on the rope. Kid helped as Snoopy scrambled up the slope. "Don't you boys ever do what you're told?" Hawke asked between breaths. "Come on, Jim. Wake up!"

As if in answer to silent prayers, Mr. Carter gave a sudden hiccup and took a wheezy breath. He sucked air stridently, and Mr. Hawke rolled him into the prone position. Snoopy handed him the high powered walkie-talkie. "That's three heart attacks I've had today," he said, grabbing the instrument. "Consider yourself on report."

He fiddled with the controls, and was rewarded by a loud hissing sound.

"Hawke to Carter,"

"Is that you, Jim? Over." came Mrs. Carter's voice after a few moments delay.

"No, It's Ian. I want you to listen carefully. Minerva. I say again, Minerva. Over."

"What's happened! Over!"

"Remember the drill, dammit! Minerva."

"Minerva accepted. Over."

"Medivac to the summit of Mt. Stevenson. Two, I repeat, two casualties. One adult male and one juvenile. Both have respiratory problems, so we want them evacuated fast. Over."

"Right away, Hawke. I'm on to it. Over." She said.

Mr. Hawke turned the handset to standby and checked Mr. Carter.

"What was it, Ian?" the teacher asked, wheezing.

"Just lie still, Jim. I've initiated 'Minerva'. That's one for the books, eh?"

"I guess we'll find out if that large retainer we pay the company is worth the money or not. Never thought I'd be on the receiving end."

"You just lie quietly, Jim. It may take a while, but a lot quicker and safer than trying to evacuate you on foot."

"Please, Sir, What's 'Minerva'?" Snoopy asked.

"Oh go ahead and tell him," Mr. Carter said. "Better he knows than feeds rumors."

Kid and snoopy gathered a pile of twigs and started a small fire. It glowed orange against the darkening sky.

"Minerva is the code word for any extreme situation - a sort of school 'Mayday' that only staff can use." Mr. Hawke said. "You don't think we've got all you kids here without protective cover, do you?"

"I thought we knew everything," Kid said. "You know, Sir, Staff are full of surprises."

"Are we safe here?" Mr. Carter asked.

"We are higher than the gas cloud. It will pour out down that creek. I would like to get everyone up onto that hilly knob if possible," he said, pointing to a rising mound at the Western end of the crater.

"Good idea," Carter said. "Help me up. We'll take it slowly. You can work that report off by giving me a hand, Roger."

"Oh, forget that. I just lost my temper," Hawke said.

"Oh, no. You were right. Boy disobeyed a direct order." He winked at Snoopy as he was helped up. He leaned heavily, and stumbled towards the high mound. It took a while to climb it, but they all felt more secure at the top.

"Carbon dioxide. We might not be safe, even here, but it's the best we can do," He sat back and took a few deep, labored breaths. "How are you feeling, Young Chip?"

"Like I've got asthma," Chip said.

"Hmm. So you got wounded, rescuing me. Well, thank you. Come here."

Chip moved over next to where Mr. Carter sat. He grabbed Chip and gave him a hug around the shoulders. "I really mean that. A big 'thank you'. You probably saved my life, and that is a big thing between men. But in matters of school discipline, it won't be worth a damn. Understand?"

"I think so, Sir."

Mr. Carter chuckled, and went into a coughing spasm that settled down.

There was a low buzzing noise in the distance, and winking lights appeared in the sky. It settled into the throbbing, pulsing sound of a helicopter.

"Look at our signal fire," Snoopy said. It blazed merrily, then spluttered and winked out. "Hey, that was a decent fire."

"The gas is rising. Come on, come on," Mr. Hawke muttered.

The powerful beam of a searchlight lit up the mound. Soon, the chopper, a jet ranger, was overhead. Two men jumped from the skid and rushed over to them. They didn't waste time, but helped the two casualties into the helicopter. Kid and Snoopy followed, with Mr. Hawke. The men crammed in and closed the door. There was a lurch, and the helicopter translated into flight.

"I'd say we got out of there just in time," Kid said.

---0---

Port Palau, the main town on the island, had two streets of shops, a harbor for small boats, warehouses, and two roads out of town. One went to the airport, and the other rolled down the centre of the long thin island to the school. Roads to farms and villages branched off the dirt highway.

At night, it was dark and the streets were deserted. The small hospital had a night staff with two missionary nursing sisters who had been on call when the helicopter arrived on the front lawn. Mr. Hawke led Chip and Snoopy to a clear area off to one side, while Mr. Carter and Chip were transferred to stretchers and wheeled inside.

"There isn't much you boys can do," Mr. Hawke said. "Mrs. Carter's coming in, and she'll probably want to stay. Mrs. Edwards has to stay at the school. So we're short of staff - everyone is coming in tomorrow on the Monday flight. We might be able to find a cup of coffee in town. I'll let them know what we're doing.

They looked in on Mr. Carter and Chip who were lying on beds in the casualty area.

Sister Thomas smiled at them. "They'll be fine. CO2's acidic and it's irritated the lungs a little, so they're both on oxygen, which will dry them out a bit, and on CPAPs which are air pumps to help them breathe. So no visiting. I want them breathing, not talking.

"I didn't realise that CO2 could be so bad," Mr. Hawke said.

"Fraid so. Concentrated like that, it can cause skin burns and all sorts of problems. You were all very lucky. So Mt. Stevenson is playing up, eh?"

"A good start to the term. I suppose we'll have vulcanologists, geologists and journalists by the score this time tomorrow."

"Don't put them up at the school, Make them stay at the resort. The locals could do with the money."

Mr. Hawke smiled. "No problem about that. With a school full of kids, we don't have the room, anyway. We may have to put up with a vulcanologist or two. Come on, boys. I've got a friend in the town cafe who'll put up with us until our transport arrives."

"The Frangipani?" Sister Thomas asked.

"The Frangipani, it is," Mr. Hawke confirmed.

---0---

Angelou Fejalani was a Palauan of enormous proportions. He'd played rugby for Pacifica, and the walls of his dining room were covered with team pictures, banners, cups, and other mementos.

"Ah, my young friends from School. How are all the little piglets and to the point, what are you doing here at this time of night?"

"Hi, Angelou. We came in the helicopter with Mr. Hawke." Kid said.

"Ian. Good to see you, hiding in the dark back there - I was wondering who it was. Come in. Come in. And Snoopy, my little friend - He's the brainy one."

"He talks a lot," Hawke said. "And before you ask, there was a little accident on Mt. Stevenson. Poor Mr. Carter and a new boy got into a little trouble. Nothing too serious, so don't start any rumors."

"Rumors, Me?" Angelou asked with raised eyebrows. What makes you think that I, Angelou, would ever ever start any rumors?" he asked protesting while steering them to a table for four. Then he headed for the cafe bar. "Coffee or chocolate? And how do you like it? I know you two - iced chocolate with tall heads of whipped cream and ice cream, no?"

"Could I have a cappuccino please?" Kid asked.

"Me, too, please," Snoopy asked.

"So you think you are going to grow up on me, do you?" he laughed.

"They did a pretty good growing up job this afternoon," Hawke said, "So I daresay I'll indulge them with the coffee."

There was a lot of hissing and steam from behind the counter. Angelou kept up the prattle of small talk while he prepared the cups. "You know it is safe to drink coffee now? It's true. Coffee is good for you. Official news. It stops gallstones growing inside you, and prevents suicide by combating depression."

"Matron is a herbalist, so you haven't got a prayer," Kid muttered as the three steaming cups were placed on the table. Angelou placed a fourth and drew up a chair.

"There's an Australian detective and his partner staying at the hotel. Now why would they be here, do you think?"

Kid's heart missed a beat. He looked at Snoopy, who was already looking at him. Both boys assumed poker faces in an instant, but it had not escaped Angelou.

"So tell me what you know, and I'll tell you what I know."

"About what? Mr. Fejalani?" Snoopy asked with angelic innocence.

"Maybe we should tell him about the volcano," Kid said. "Is it OK to tell him about the volcano, Mr. Hawke?"

"We don't know anything about the volcano, Rupert. It's belching carbon dioxide, and the Crater Lake is running hot. But we'll have to wait until the vulcanologist does a health check on it. Now, Angelo. This did not come from us, understand? The kids are gossiping out of line."

"Ah. Well that kicks the sand out from under my feet. I was hoping they'd spill the beans about a new boy, and they come out with a better story about Mount Stevenson."

"You know better than that. We aren't allowed to talk about the boys," Hawke said. "You - of all people - should know better."

"Even if it's in the boy's interest, Ian. Now I don't know what Mark Bennett did in Australia, but it's serious enough for them to want to extradite him."

"Which they cannot do from Pacific Island Grammar School."

"There's talk of challenging the treaty."

"In the courts?" Mr. Hawke queried. "The boy would be an old man before that got settled. But thanks for the hint. We'll keep him out of town."

There was the tingle of the bell at the door as two men entered.

"Talk of the devil," Angelou muttered.

"If they come over here, don't say anything," Mr. Hawke whispered.

"Gotcha," Kid said.

"Willco," Snoopy added. "Read any good books, Kid, old chap?"

"Still on 'Treasure Island', Snoopy. Good plot, excellent characters, marvelous characterizations."

"Angelou, How's it going?" one of the men asked as the big Palauan got up to serve them.

"What can I get you, gentlemen?" he asked.

"Couple of flat whites, and some toasted tomato sandwiches - with plenty of pepper." The taller of the two men said. He flicked a glance at the boys as they sipped their coffee.

"You the boys from the Grammar School. Came in by chopper, eh?"

There was a studied silence from the table as Kid and Snoopy ignored them. For a moment, there was a tension that became stronger as the silence lengthened.

"Ah, 'scuse me, gentlemen, but the boys aren't permitted to talk to -ah -strangers," Angelou said. "They don't know you're policemen. He he."

The men relaxed. "Oh, of course. Stranger Danger and all that stuff. We should know, seeing that we invented it. Sorry for the intrusion. We are police - from Australia."

"Well, good evening," Mr. Hawke said. "I'm the school manager, and these boys are under my care."

"For sure, for sure," the chatty policeman said, reassuringly. "Hey, don't get us wrong. We're off duty at the moment." They pulled their chairs up at the table right next to the boys. "Overalls - is that the school uniform?"

"Bush bashing, mountain climbing, caving, fixing tru cks - it's not all Maths and Latin these days." Hawke said. "Boys have been doing a bit of practical science."

"Science - one of my favorite subjects." The detective said garrulously.

"We were doing some geology on the mountain," Kid said.

"Igneous intrusions in metamorphic rock forms," Snoopy added. "I guess you don't know what I'm talking about."

"Hot lava flowing into rock formed by a mixture of pumice ash, granites and marine limestone, eh? Riveting stuff. Did you bring some samples back in the helicopter? Oh, sorry - that was a Medivac. Local gendarmes took part in the rescue of a teacher and student overcome by fumes on the mountain."

He turned around to the table as Angelou brought their white coffee and toasted sandwiches. His partner sat silently, not saying a word. The boys looked at each other and shrugged.

"Sometimes, Edward, people forget that policemen know everything. It's our job," the detective said.

"Nice coffee," Edward grunted.

"Like metamorphic rocks and igneous intrusions, and the fact that Mr. James Carter and Master Mark Bennett were evacuated from Mount Stevenson earlier this evening."

Mr. Hawke stood up from the table and motioned the boys to follow him. "You'll have to excuse us, we've got to get back to the hospital."

"Late visiting hours?"

"No. Our ride back. Good evening, gentlemen."

"Mark isn't going back with you. He's under arrest. I'm told he rescued the teacher. He must be a brave boy. I am sorry, but we have our job to do." Edward said as they passed.

"Why do you want to make it worse?" Kid said. "His family hate him. He's lost his brother. It was an accident."

"His father pulled a shifty. The press got hold of it. The politicians came under fire." The detective said. "He may as well get it over with. A year or two in a remand home, and he'll be out and as free as a bird to do whatever he likes. It isn't like jail. Kids get well treated now. No corporal punishment, no cruelty. I've heard they still use the cane at your school ... "

"That will do!" Mr. Hawke said as he pushed Kid and Snoopy through the door. "You might be able to bait the boys, but you can't bully me. Good evening,"

The air outside was cooler, but humid. They walked quickly back through the dark streets towards the hospital building. Nobody spoke until they reached the gate in the low fence that surrounded the house. As they walked inside, they saw the two island policemen sitting outside of the ward. One stood up and barred their way.

"I'm sorry, Mister Hawke, you can't go in there." Constable Felix Manoto said.

"You know me, Felix. What do you think I'm going to do? Kidnap him, spirit him away? The boy's sick. He needs his friends right now."

"Well. All right. You just talk to him, that's all."

They entered the room. Chip lay on his side with his mask off. He shut his eyes, ashamed to let his friends see that he'd been crying. His left wrist was handcuffed to one of the side-bars of the bed.

Ian Hawke took a long look at the situation. "I'll see about this," he said, walking out of the room to confront the two island policemen.

"Hi, Chip. I see they've caught up with you. Fast work," Kid said.

"They came in a charter. Dad said once I was out of the country, they'd forget about me. They hardly ever chase up juveniles."

"He's high profile - your Dad. It's like he challenged them, Chip. They took it up. Papers wont let it go." Snoopy said. "The detective told us at the cafe."

At that moment, Hawke returned to the room with the key to the handcuffs. "All sorted," he said, holding it up, then unlocking Chip's hand with a flourish. The boy sat up in bed and wiped his eyes with the grubby sleeve of his overalls.

"Can I go now?" he asked, "I mean - back to the school with you guys?"

"No, I'm sorry, Mark. I had to give my word that you'd stay here. It isn't over by a long way. They can't just arrest you and ship you back to Australia. There has to be an extradition hearing." He paused. "Mrs. Carter's arrived, and brought some things in with her. Pajamas, and so on. She's with Mr. Carter now. I'm to drive the car back with Kid and Snoopy," he beamed with his familiarity in using the nicknames, "And return in the morning with the school bus. It will be a busy day what with greeting the new Head Master, Attending to new staff, and getting the rest of the boys back from the holidays. All this could not have come at a worse time."

"Is Chip going to be all right?" Snoopy asked.

"Of course he is," Hawke said firmly. "My dear Roger - there are times when you have to leave some things to the very powerful grown ups who run your little lives. We have weapons at our disposal that you have not dreamed of, and will not get for at least another thirty years or so."

"You mean - nuclear weapons, ray guns, that sort of thing?"

Ian Hawke shook his head. "No, boy. I'm talking about political clout, nepotism, old boys' networks, influence, bribery, corruption, and hanky pooh. And that old fashioned standby which usually works - money."

"Are you going to bribe him out?" Snoopy asked.

"No. It will all be done legally and above board. The negotiations will be tough, and sparks will fly. It all depends on dear old Queen Victoria really. She granted the Island to the Plantation Estate. It was a sovereign little country all on its ownsome. Then the Grammar School Board purchased the Island, Charter and all. The treaty of 1962 gave the school its charter of extra-territoriality on Palau, in return for ceding the rest of the Island to the Republic of Pacifica.

"Because of us, Pacifica is rich. Whenever a deal is done, mining, forestry, whatever - the Old Boys make sure Pacifica gets a wholesome cut of the cake. Australia might have a lot of political clout in the Pacific, but the republic does not go cap in hand to Canberra."

"Wow. That's deep," Kid said. "I never knew the school was so important."

"Great schools are always important," Mr. Hawke said. "Ah - Mrs. Carter."

"Hello, Ian. I've brought some clothes for Mark." She reached out and grasped Chip's hand. "I understand that you're staying in town for a while. What a business. You mustn't worry. I emailed your father, the board, and the new Headmaster to appraise them all of the situation. Now the treaty doesn't only cover the school grounds. It covers the students while on Palau Island - wherever."

"So I'm safe? They can't extradite me?"

"That's the story - but tomorrow we have to go through the magistrate's court to make sure. At least, if there are any complications, you'll be bailed, and back at school tomorrow afternoon."

"It doesn't sound very certain," Chip said.

Mrs. Carter sat on the bed beside Chip. She ruffled his hair. "You saved my husband's life, Chip. He is very very dear to me. Now I am going to do whatever it takes to get you out of this trouble. Do you trust me?"

Chip nodded. "Yep. When I got off the plane, I reckoned you're a pretty tough old bird. So I'll go along with what you say."

"Old? I'm not that old." She said, cuffing him lightly across the head. She reached into her purse and handed a set of keys to Mr. Hawke. "These boys had better get back to school, Ian. Car's OK. I'll see you back here in the morning. Boys - no gossip about any of this. Right?"

She drew her forefinger and thumb across her mouth.

Kid and Snoopy made the lip-zip gesture that was a part of school custom. They had never made the pact of silence with anyone on staff before, and it was even more unusual to make it with the deputy principal, but the pact is the pact. They were sworn to silence.

It had been a long day, and they were very tired. On the way back to school, they both fell fast asleep.