Part 39 (1/2)
”That is proof positive that she was here,” he thought grimly.
In one of the fireplaces he came across some half-burnt letters. He looked them over with care and caught the post-mark, Portland, Me. On one slip he read the following:
easy from Portla the schooner Mary Del as we arrive, I will have if not then Slay's Island, where
”Humph! this may prove of value,” murmured d.i.c.k to himself, and placed the bit of letter in his pocket. Then he hunted around the rooms again, but nothing more came to light.
”Will Mrs. Sobber come back?” asked the old man, when d.i.c.k went below.
”I doubt it, sir.”
”She must be an awful woman, if what you say is true.”
”She is a criminal, Mr. Mason, and so is that Tad Sobber. I would advise you to have nothing more to do with them.”
”I must have a housekeeper,” whined the old man.
”Then hire somebody you are sure is honest,” returned d.i.c.k; and a few minutes later he quitted the house.
On his way to the hotel he met Sam and Tom, who had looked in vain for the automobile. In as few words as possible he told his brothers about what Oliver Mason had said, and of the finding of the slip of paper.
”What do you make of it?” asked Sam.
”I think they are going to Portland, either by auto or in a boat,”
answered d.i.c.k.
”That's just what I think,” added Tom. ”But we may be mistaken.”
”Before we go any further, I am going to have that house watched,” went on d.i.c.k. ”I'll hire a first-cla.s.s detective, and then, if Mrs. Sobber or any of the others come back, we'll have 'em arrested.”
They visited a detective agency, and a man was put on the case without delay. Then the Rovers hurried down to the water front, to see if they could get any trace of Mrs. Stanhope there.
An hour's tramping produced no results, and somewhat discouraged, they were on the point of going to the hotel, to meet Spud, when they saw an old sailor come from a restaurant close by.
”My friend,” said d.i.c.k, addressing the old tar, ”I'd like to get some information. Did you ever hear of a schooner in these parts that was called the Mary Del something or other?”
”Mary Del?” repeated the old sailor, twisting his forelock. ”Oh, I reckon you mean the Mary Delaway!” he cried. ”Sure, I know her. Didn't I see her sail for Portland less than an hour ago!”
CHAPTER XXII A CHASE UP THE COAST
”You saw her sail for Portland!” cried Sam.
”Less than an hour ago?” exclaimed Tom.
”Where from?” queried d.i.c.k, quickly. ”Hurry up and tell me-it will be money in your pocket.”
”The Mary Delaway sailed from Cruser's dock,” answered the old sailor.
”That's about four blocks from here. I can show you the place. But you can't get aboard, messmates-she's gone.”