Part 44 (1/2)
CHAPTER XXV ON CHESOQUE ISLAND
For a moment there was silence. d.i.c.k looked at Alfred Darkingham and then at Captain Wells.
”What do you think of this?” he asked of the captain of the tug.
The captain shrugged his shoulders.
”You do as you think best, Mr. Rover,” he said slowly. ”He can certainly have us arrested if we land without permission. And the authorities have been pretty strict lately-so many folks landing where they hadn't any business to.”
”But if Mrs. Stanhope is here?”
”He says there is n.o.body but his crowd on the island.”
”They may be in hiding,” suggested Tom.
”If they are, they'll take good care to keep out of your way-if such a thing is possible.”
”Let us leave!” put in Sam, in a low voice. ”I've got a plan that may bring results.”
”What?” demanded d.i.c.k.
”I'll tell you as soon as we are out of hearing,” returned the youngest Rover.
The steam tug was backed away from the dock. Koswell and Larkspur grinned in triumph.
”Don't you think of coming back!” shouted Koswell.
”If you do, remember we are armed,” added Larkspur.
”We'll remember what you have done-don't forget that,” answered d.i.c.k, with some bitterness. It worried him greatly to have the search for Mrs.
Stanhope delayed.
”Now, what is your plan?” asked Tom of Sam, as soon as they were a goodly distance from the island.
”I propose we sail away and pretend to be going back to Portland. Then we can turn and come up on the other side of the island.”
”They'll watch for us,” said d.i.c.k.
”We might land at night.”
”Yes, we could do that. But if we wait, we may be losing valuable time.”
”I'll run for the next island and sail around that,” said Captain Wells.
”That may throw them off the scent.”
It took the best part of half an hour to gain the next island and round a convenient point. Here the tug was stopped, that they might decide on their next move.