Part 33 (1/2)
The others waited breathlessly for the boy's return. When he came back he said:
”They've been on board and ransacked the cabin. They found no one there! Now, what do you think has become of Clay?” he added.
”It's a wonder they didn't run off with the boat,” Case said.
”Oh, they wouldn't do that,” Alex. ventured. ”They want to get us. I half believe the men are officers. What gets me is what they built that fire for?”
”Probably thought we were fools enough to run up to it,” hazarded Jule.
”But where is Clay?” demanded Case. ”We've got to find him. Do you know if they left any one on board the boat?”
”I didn't hear anything said about that,” was the reply, ”but it is a cinch that they did. And I believe there's more than one on board, too.”
”Hard luck to lose the boat after getting so far on our journey!” Jule commented.
”We don't lose the boat, if they are officers,” Alex. hastened to say.
”What they want is the crew! We'll fool 'em at that. I'm going to swim over and see what's doing on board. If everything is all right, I'll make a noise like an owl.”
”That's a nice long swim,” Case objected. ”I don't think you can make it.”
”Mose made it, didn't you, c.o.o.n?” Alex. replied. ”I'm the boy that poured the water into the Mississippi! Nice adventure this?” he continued. ”I'm going to give the residents of the valley a chromo each for the manner in which we have been entertained by them! Here goes for the _Rambler_!”
”You act like you meant to walk back to Chicago,” Case suggested, as Alex. started away, turning away from the river in order to avoid the people at the fire.
”Oh, I'm only going to walk up a little way and drift as I swim down.”
”Come up on the other side, then,” Case cautioned. ”Then you won't be seen.”
When Alex. started away on his perilous trip Mose disappeared, and Captain Joe was nowhere to be seen the next minute. Case searched and grumbled, but did not find them.
”They've gone with Alex.,” he suggested. ”They always do. Well, let them go, they can swim better than I can! Wish I was along, also.”
”If they are officers, the men at the fire,” Jule asked, ”why don't we go right up to them and find out what's doing? They won't lock us up, will they?”
”That is just about what they will do if they get us,” was the slow reply. ”We would get out of jail in time, but who wants to lie in a cell when there is so much fun to be had on the river? These fellows have been wired to head us off, probably by the sheriff we met up there. It may be that the diamonds Clay put in the deposit box have been identified as the ones stolen from Rock Island. I wish Chet would show up right now!”
”Oh, well, if they want to coop us up,” Jule agreed, ”we'd better cut our luck until they find out who stole the diamonds--or, at any rate, find out that we didn't.”
The boy ceased speaking suddenly, for the motor boat was getting under way, heading down toward the business wharves!
CHAPTER XXV
COMMONPLACE, AFTER ALL
”Can that be Alex. moving the _Rambler_?” asked Case, as the motors sputtered out their insistent clamor. ”I don't believe he has had time to get on board yet.”
”Well, Captain Joe has, anyway!” Jule declared, as a sharp bark came from the craft, which now seemed to be turning around. ”That's the Captain's voice, all right.”