Part 53 (1/2)
”But, say, aren't we going after those rascals? Remember, even though we have rescued Mrs. Stanhope, they still have the fortune!”
”Sure, we are going after 'em!” cried d.i.c.k. ”Go ahead!”
The order to proceed was given, but, much to the captain's chagrin, the tug refused to get up any speed. Then came a report from the engineer that the sudden reversing of the engine had broken some of the machinery.
They could run, but it would have to be slowly.
”Then they'll get away after all!” groaned Sam. ”And with that fortune, too!”
”Fortune?” came from Mrs. Stanhope, who was standing near the boiler, trying to dry her wet garments. ”What about the fortune, boys?”
”Haven't they got that fortune with them?” questioned Tom, quickly.
”Oh, no, they buried it, in the cave on the island,” was the answer.
”They didn't know I saw them, but I did. Tad Sobber and Mr. Crabtree said they would come back, after-after-” And here she blushed deeply.
”After old Crabtree had forced you to marry him, I suppose,” whispered d.i.c.k.
”Yes, d.i.c.k. But, oh! I didn't want to do it! He tried to hypnotize me, just as he tried to do years ago-but I fought him off as best I could!”
answered Mrs. Stanhope, earnestly.
”He ought to be in prison again!” muttered d.i.c.k.
”If the fortune is on the island, let us go and get it,” cried Sam. ”We can't catch that motor boat anyway!” For the craft was now all but out of sight.
The steam tug was headed for Chesoque Island, and slowly made her way to the old dock. There the engineer and his a.s.sistant set to work to make the necessary repairs, while the three Rover boys and Mrs. Stanhope visited the cave. Once in the underground opening, the lady pointed out the spot where the valise containing the fortune had been secreted between the rocks.
”Here it is!” cried Tom, and dragged the valise to light.
”Open it and see if the fortune is safe!” came from Sam, in a voice he tried in vain to steady.
The key to the valise was missing, so the lock to the bag had to be broken open. Inside were the gold and precious stones.
”All here-or at least the greater portion of it,” was d.i.c.k's comment, and he was right. Only about five hundred dollars in gold was missing, and two small diamonds-hardly worth mentioning beside the total value of the treasure.
”Hurrah!” shouted Tom. ”We've beaten them after all! We've got the treasure!”
”And Mrs. Stanhope,” added d.i.c.k. ”We must send word to Dora and the others just as soon as we can!”
”It's a pity we didn't catch those rascals,” murmured Sam.
”Oh, we'll get them some time!” said d.i.c.k. How they fell in with their enemies again will be related in another volume of this series, to be ent.i.tled, ”The Rover Boys in the Air; or, From College Campus to the Clouds,” a tale telling the particulars of several happenings far out of the ordinary.