Part 38 (2/2)
”I've had a bad tumble. Two men pushed me over the cliff on the other side of the island.”
”The d.i.c.kens you say! Pushed you over?”
”Yes, sir.”
”What for? Did they rob you?”
”No, sir.”
”Oh, then it was an accident, perhaps?”
”I don't think so. I don't see how it could have been accidental.”
”Well, you arouse my curiosity. Tell me your story--or, you said you wanted help. What can I do for you?”
”If you have a boat you can put me ash.o.r.e. The two men took my boat.”
”Then they robbed you after all.”
”But they didn't go through my pockets,” returned Ralph.
Sitting down on a soft knoll of gra.s.s, the boy told his story to Carter Franklin, for such was the sportsman's name. The latter listened with interest.
”Certainly an odd occurrence, to say the least, my young friend. What could have been the object of the two villains?”
”I cannot say, sir.”
”It is impossible to imagine they wished to murder you merely for your boat.”
”That is true, sir.”
”Depend upon it, they were up to something more. It may be that they were hired to do the deed.”
Ralph started.
”That may be!” he cried.
”Have you any great enemies?”
”I have enemies, but none so bad as to wish to take my life,” returned Ralph, and he thought he told the truth.
”Humph! Well, it's strange. I suppose you would like to be set ash.o.r.e as soon as possible?”
”Yes, sir.”
”You say you came from Glen Arbor? I have only a rowboat at hand----”
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