Part 45 (1/2)

”Look!” cried d.i.c.k, as he pointed at the wet ground. ”Somebody has been here before us.”

”That's so!” returned Tom. ”Now, if we were only Indians, we would know whose footprints those were and would follow 'em.”

d.i.c.k and Sam got down to examine the footprints. The majority of them were of good size, but a few were small, the heel marks especially so.

”I believe those marks were made by a woman's shoes!” murmured d.i.c.k. ”And if so--”

”They were made by Mrs. Stanhope!” finished Sam. ”d.i.c.k, I think we've struck the right trail!”

”This proves that what that young fellow of the motor boat said was not true,” said d.i.c.k. ”Other folks are on this island.”

”Let us follow up the footmarks!” cried Larry Dixon. ”Come on, messmates, to the rescue!” And he waved a stick he had picked up.

To follow up the footmarks was not easy, for they led from the dirt to the path and then to some smooth rocks. But they managed to get the general direction, which was something.

”I wonder if it would do any good to set up a yell,” said Tom. ”Maybe Mrs. Stanhope would hear it, and answer it.”

”If she got the chance.” said Sam. ”If she didn't, all the yelling would do would be to let our enemies know we were here.”

”No, we had better go ahead as quietly as we can,” said d.i.c.k. ”If possible, we want to take them unawares.”

Much to their surprise, at the other side of the smooth rocks was another path, running between a thick growth of pines. Here the going was somewhat uncertain, and they had to proceed slowly, for fear of stepping into a crevice and twisting an ankle.

”If they brought Mrs. Stanhope this way, it must have been very hard on her,” murmured Tom.

”Listen!” exclaimed Sam, suddenly, and held up his hand.

All became silent, and listened with strained ears. But the only sounds that reached them was the breeze through the trees, and the was.h.i.+ng of the waves on the rocks.

”What was it, Sam?” asked d.i.c.k, in a whisper.

”I thought I heard a call.”

”You must have been mistaken.”

”Maybe I was, but-There it goes again!”

”That's so!” exclaimed Tom. ”Somebody is calling from the other side of this patch of trees.”

”It is Jerry Koswell,” said d.i.c.k.

”Who is he calling to?” asked Sam.

”I don't know. Keep still and maybe we'll find out.”

And then all listened with bated breath for what might follow.

CHAPTER XXVI A TALK OF IMPORTANCE