I thought I saw a
figure stealing along in the shelter of those pines to the eastward of
this spot and after a while I made him out. The glasses showed that it
was our last visitor on board the Fortuna. So I knew he'd bear watching,
as they say, and I went below to get a gun for emergency. When I came
out again, he was real close, and I saw what he intended to do. I simply
started the engines, slipped the cable and ran the Fortuna high and dry
on shore, tumbled over the bow and arrived in time to checkmate his
little game. I'm glad, too!"
"So are we!" heartily agreed the boys with one accord.
"But what are we to do with this chap?" queried Jack. "It rather worries
me. He's apt to be a white elephant on our hands."
"It would serve him good and right," began Arnold, "and be only justice,
too, if we marooned him on this very island where he left Frank. I think
that's the best way out of the whole thing."
"Let's set the chap down by the fire," Tom suggested, "while we argue it
out. There's still a little raw edge on the wind."
Tom was right, and although the fog of the morning had gone, the air was
still damp and the wind from the Gulf was heavy with moisture that
chilled the boys when not in motion. Accordingly, following the lad's
suggestion, they directed their steps toward one of the fires kindled
earlier by Frank. There they seated themselves while Tom with one
automatic and Jack with another watched Wyckoff.
"Perhaps the prisoner at the bar may have a suggestion in the premises,"
ventured Frank.
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