https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Go_to_Smuggler%27s_TopSiblings Julian, Dick and Anne are spending the Easter school holidayswith their cousin George at her parents’ house, Kirrin Cottage. After atree falls on the house, the four children are sent to Smuggler's Top,the home of Mr. Lenoir, a fellow-scientist of George's father, UncleQuentin. Smuggler's Top is a queer house at the summit of an old hilltopcoastal town, partly surrounded by dangerous marsh. The children arewelcomed by Pierre "Sooty" Lenoir (Julian's and Dick's schoolmate andMr. Lenoir's stepson) and his half-sister Marybelle. Mr Lenoir hatesdogs, so George's dog Timmy is hidden in a secret passage. One night,the boys spot a light flashing in the house's tower. They suspect thesignaller may be Block, the house's sinister, apparently deafmanservant, but he appears to be sleeping in his bedroom at the time.