Jack opened his eyes.

The light was still gray, but the air was evendamper and colder than in Frog Creek.

"Wow, I'm in a long dress," said Annie. "It'sscratchy. Hey, I've got a little purse on my belt. It hasmy library card in it!"Jack looked down at his own clothes.

He was wearing a shirt and trousers, made of heavywool. He also wore leather slippers. And in place ofhis backpack was a leather bag.

"Wow," said Annie, looking out the window. "Thisreally looks like the Dark Ages."Jack looked out, too. He couldn't see any-thingthrough the mist.

"It's just because the sun's not up yet," he said. "I'dbetter check the book."Annie handed the Ireland book to Jack. He openedit and read aloud:

The early Middle Ages were once known as the"Dark Ages" because learning and culture nearlyvanished throughout Europe. Scholars today praisethe brave Irish monks who helped keep Westerncivilization alive.

"What do 'civilization' and 'monks' mean?" askedAnnie.

"I think civilization is when people have books andart and good manners," said Jack. "Monks arereligious people who spend their time praying andreading and helping people.""Well, I don't see any civilization or monks outthere," said Annie, pointing at the mist.

Jack pulled out his notebook. He wrote:

Brave monks in IrelandThen he looked at Annie. "If we find civilization, Ithink we'll find the lost story," he said.

"Let's go," said Annie. She lifted her skirt andclimbed out the window.

Jack read more in the Ireland book.

The monks copied the ancient writings of theWestern world. Before printing was invented, allbooks had to be written and copied by hand.

"Hey, we're on a cliff!" Annie called from outside.

"Above the ocean!""Be careful!" said Jack.

He stuffed the Ireland book and his note-book intohis leather bag. Then he climbed out the window.

Annie was peering over the edge. Jack looked, too.

There was a rocky shore twenty feet below. Wavesslapped against the rocks. Sea gulls swooped andglided above the sea.

"It doesn't look like there's any civilization downthere," said Jack.

"Maybe we should climb those," said rile. Shepointed to steep steps cut into the cliff.

Jack looked up. The cliff also rose above them in themist.

"We better wait till the sun comes up," he said.

"Let's just go super slow," said Annie. She startedup the stone steps.

"Wait, Annie!" said Jack. "They might be slippery.""Whoa!" she said, almost falling backward. "Itripped on my darn dress!""I told you to wait," Jack said. "It's too dangerous."Just then something fell from above.

"Watch it!" said Jack. He put his hands over hishead.

"Hey, it's a rope!" said Annie.

Jack saw a thick rope dangling down the stairs.

"Where'd this come from?" he asked.

"It's like when Morgan dropped the ladder to us,"said Annie. "I bet someone's trying to help us.""Yeah, but who?" said Jack.

"Let's find out," said Annie. She grabbed the rope.

"I'll use it first. Once I'm at the top, you can comeafter me.""Okay, but hurry," he said. "And be very careful."Jack waited as Annie started climbing up the steps.

Annie held on to the rope as she climbed slowly upthe stairs. Soon she vanished over the top of the cliff.

"What's up there?" Jack shouted. But his voice waslost in the sound of the waves.

He grabbed the rope and started up the steep steps.

At the top of the cliff, he pulled himself over the edge.

"Aha!" boomed a deep, jolly voice. "It's another littleinvader!"