Part 42 (1/2)
”I reckon he's gone to Raquette Lake with the two fellows who were camping over on the point.”
”Have they skipped?” and now Jim's eyes were opened very wide.
”Went yesterday morning bag and baggage.”
”What'll we do when the officer comes to arrest 'em?”
”See here, Jim, are you so stupid as not to know what has happened?”
”Why don't you tell me?” the guide screamed.
”Because you have been giving me the story. The very jolly fellow you met was a friend of the men I came here to watch; he talked with you long enough to find out that the telegram you were carrying concerned them in some way, and cooked up the yarn about Pine Pond, in order to get hold of it. Then he came down to hunt me, stole the things to prevent our following him, and skipped on to look for his pals.”
Jim gazed at his friend with dilated eyes while this explanation was being made, and when Jet concluded, he said in a half-whisper:
”Then I'm to blame for all that has happened?”
”There's no question but you have been the means of informing those fellows what we are here for,” was the gloomy reply.
”Do you know where they have gone?”
Jet told of his fruitless journey, and when he concluded, Jim said decidedly:
”They didn't go into the upper lake, if they want to keep out of sight.
I'll bet they've landed on Dollar Island.”
”Which is that?”
”The one nearest the outlet. It's a good place to camp, and from it they can keep track of everybody coming or going. Suppose that fellow who said he was a guide hasn't found 'em yet?”
”Well, what then?”
”We might catch him before the others find out about the telegram message.”
”He has a boat, and we haven't.”
”But he's bound to land somewhere, and I know of a trail down this side, which would take us to the outlet in short order. It isn't more'n two miles.”
”Are you willing to go and take the chances? Remember if Bob and Sam have learned what we are here for it will likely be a case of life or death with us.”
”See here, Dave, I've spoiled all your plans without meanin' to do wrong, an' now I'm ready to take any risks if things can be straightened out. You've got a revolver, eh?”
”Yes.”
”Then let's see what can be done.”
Jim was thoroughly excited now, and his determination to rectify the error put new life into Jet.