Part 7 (1/2)
”I suppose if n.o.body's living here, it's all right,” said Frank. He tried the door, which opened creakily.
The boys took off their snowshoes and went inside. At once Chet plopped into a sagging easy chair. A cloud of dust spewed up from the faded cus.h.i.+ons. He coughed and the others laughed.
”What a view!” exclaimed Biff, looking out the front window. Below, the curve of Barmet Bay lay like an ice-blue jewel, with Cabin Island a white pearl in the distance. Biff focused the binoculars on the spot.
Suddenly, he cried out, ”Hey, fellows! An ice-yacht is pulling up to the island! It's the Hawk!”
CHAPTER X.
Puzzling Theft BIFF'S report on the ice-yacht sent a thrill of excitement through the Bayporters.
”Who's aboard?” Frank asked eagerly.
”Hanleigh and his two stooges,” Biff replied. ”He's climbing out now, but Ike and Tad are staying in the boat.”
Biff handed the binoculars to Frank. Clamping them to his eyes, he saw Hanleigh moving alone up the slope towards the cabin. A sudden inspiration struck Frank.
”Let's get the goods on him, Joe. How about using your selfdeveloping camera? You can photograph Hanleigh from here with the telescopic lens.”
”Great idea!” Joe exclaimed. ”He'd probably deny he was on this island. If we have proof he was there, we may be able to bluff him into telling us what he's after.”
Joe, too, took a hasty look through the binoculars before pa.s.sing them on to Chet, then removed the camera from its case, focused it, and clicked the shutter. ”I'll leave the print in the camera until we get back. Let's go!”
”Wait a second!” exclaimed Frank, who had taken over the gla.s.ses again.
”What's Hanleigh doing now?” Biff asked as Frank s.h.i.+fted the binoculars slightly.
”He's circling the cabin - hey! He's stopping at the chimney! Looks as if he's examining it.”
Hanleigh had a stick with which he tapped and poked at the stonework. Presently he stopped and disappeared among the trees.
”Bet he's leaving,” said Frank. ”Come on, fellows!”
The boys hurried from the cabin, donned their snowshoes again, and made their way down the slope.
Soon they reached the Seagull. All climbed aboard except Biff who pushed the iceyacht to a running start.
As the Gull swooped across the cove to Cabin Island, Joe pointed toward the entrance to the bay.
”Hanleigh's leaving. There goes the Hawk!”
Biff turned the binoculars on the speeding craft and shook his head. ”Hanleigh isn't aboard. Ike and Tad are alone.”
”Hanleigh must still be on the island!” Joe cried out. ”Hurry, Frank!”
”Right!” His brother skilfully manoeuvred the Seagull, taking full advantage of every gust of wind. ”No doubt Ike and Tad will come back for Hanleigh later,” Frank added as he steered for the boathouse.
”Later? It's nearly evening already!” Chet observed. ”I'll bet that guy plans to stay all night!”
Biff hooted. ”Where would he sleep? Under a rock?”
Joe looked thoughtful. ”Maybe you have something, Chet. Hanleigh may know of a secret shelter on the island - perhaps a cave somewhere along the sh.o.r.e.”
Frank brought the Seagull to the boathouse, and as he put it inside, the boys discussed the strange action of Ike and Tad.
”I wonder why they took off” Joe said. ”We heard them agreeing to spy on Hanleigh, but now for some reason they seem to have changed their minds.”
”Maybe those two have deliberately stranded Hanleigh!” Frank exclaimed.
”You mean,” said his brother, ”Ike and Tad tried to cash in on Hanleigh's deal, and he told them to get lost.”
”Right,” said Frank. ”So now they're getting even by leaving him marooned here.”
Carrying their snowshoes, the four strode through the deep snowdrifts towards the cabin. Darkness was coming on rapidly; and they moved like stealthy Indians, keeping a wary lookout for the intruder.
However, they saw no sign of their enemy either on the way or near the cabin.
Cautiously Frank opened the door, entered, and lit the lamp. The place looked untouched. Everyone crowded in.
”Brr-r!” Chet s.h.i.+vered. ”It's icy in here. Let's get a fire going.”
Soon a cheerful blaze was crackling in the fireplace, and a woodstove fire added its warmth.
”Boy, that heat sure feels good,” Chet said gratefully, rubbing his hands together over the potbellied stove. ”Now for some chow!”
”Hold it!” Frank said. ”We still haven't located Hanleigh. If he's not here in the cabin - ”
”We don't know that for certain,” Joe cut in. ”There's one place we still haven't looked.”
”Where?” Biff asked.
”The attic.”
Frank snapped his fingers. ”You're right - I forgot that. We'd better check.”
”Give me a boost,” Joe said, ”and I'll soon find out.”
Frank and Biff each took one of Joe's legs and hoisted him towards the ceiling. Pus.h.i.+ng open the trap door, Joe clambered up into the attic and shone his flashlight all around through the chilly, musty darkness.
”How about it?” Frank called impatiently from below.
”No sign of him.”
The others were uneasily silent as Joe lowered himself through the ceiling opening again and dropped to the floor, letting the trap door fall shut behind him.