Part 41 (1/2)
”Then that's probably how it was left,” suggested Belle. ”But what is so mysterious about it What does it say, Cora?”
Cora read:
”If you would have news of your sister come alone to Shark's Tooth at nine to-night.”
CHAPTER XXIX
AT THE SHARK'S TOOTH
”What a strange note!”
”Isn't it? And the odd way it was delivered!”
”What is the Shark's Tooth, Mr. Haley?”
The boys and girls were all together in the bungalow of the latter--or, rather, were out on the broad porch, for, following the visit of the light keeper, with the strange letter, they had gathered to discuss the matter.
”The Shark's Tooth,” said Mr. Haley, ”is a long, low ledge of rock, jutting out in the water about a mile above the light. It looks somewhat like a big tooth--the end of it does, I mean.”
”Will you go there?” asked Jack.
”I sure will, my boy.”
”Maybe it's a trap,” suggested Ed. ”This fellow Cross may be trying to get hold of you, Mr. Haley.”
”I'm not afraid of him. I think I'll be his match,” and certainly the st.u.r.dy keeper looked able to take care of himself.
”But he may not be alone,” suggested Walter.
”However, we could go with you,” he added hopefully.
”The note says to come alone, my lad, and alone I'll go. I'd do more than that to get news of poor Margaret. I'm not afraid.”
”You boys might be within call,” suggested Cora. ”You need not be seen.”
”Well, I'd consent to that,” agreed Mr. Haley. ”And it might be a good thing. And yet, somehow, I'm not worried.”
”This is certainly a trap!” declared Norton. ”They want you to go there, a lonely spot--after dark. Probably they'll take you off in a boat! Ha!
I have it! Wreckers!” and he struck a dramatic posture.
”Wreckers?” questioned Jack.
”Yes, don't you see. They want to get Mr. Haley in their control. Then they'll carry him off, some of them will put out the light and lure vessels ash.o.r.e by means of a false beacon. Then they'll get the booty!”
”Say, what sort of a dime novel have you been reading lately?” asked Ed, with a laugh. ”Wreckers!”
”Sure!” maintained Norton, earnestly.