Part 25 (1/2)

”We shouldn't, and I don't intend to quarrel with you. But in my private opinion you will spend the greater part of the rest of your days within the stone walls.”

”I don't intend to do any thing of the sort; and I don't believe I shall, if I only take good care of you while I have you as a pa.s.senger.”

”But how can we fix this matter?” inquired the officer.

”If you will put your hands behind you, and then put them out through that hole you have made, I will fasten them together, as I have Dory Dornwood's. I will do the same with your roommate; and then I will land all three of you at Wilc.o.x Cove, or some other good place. How does this plan strike you?”

”It don't strike me at all,” protested Dory. ”I won't agree to it.”

”But, my dear little Bantam, I didn't ask you to agree to it. Your hands are already tied behind you; and, when I have done with you, I shall throw you overboard, if that happens to be the most convenient way to get rid of you. I was speaking to Mr. Peppers, whose hands are not yet tied behind him; and you should not interrupt the conversation of those who are older and wiser than you are.”

”I don't agree to the plan. We will turn in and go to sleep, and you can take us where you please; but you will find in the end that this world isn't big enough to hide you from me,” replied Peppers.

”Just as you please, Peppers. We shall not quarrel about a little matter like this. I suppose you came over after me. Allow me to suggest that you haven't stated the nature of your business with me,” continued Pearl gayly in appearance, though Dory could see that he did not feel half so chipper as he talked.

”I think I won't talk any more at present,” replied Peppers. ”I can wait till we see this thing through.”

”You won't have to wait many hours,” answered the skipper, as he looked astern to see if any craft was coming near the Goldwing.

Dory was certain that the skipper was disgusted with the decision of the officer, and that he was very anxious to get rid of his troublesome pa.s.sengers. But the owner of the boat was delighted with the conduct of the detective. He had been afraid that he would compromise with the villain, and that he should lose his boat, or at least be deprived of the use of her for a long time.

”Where is the Sylph now?” asked the officer half an hour later.

”She is not more than a mile astern of us,” replied Dory.

”Is she coming near us?”

”She is headed directly for us.”

”And where is this boat?” continued Peppers.

”We are approaching Long Point, and are within half a mile of it. We are inside of Sister Islands, and the Sylph seems to be taking the same course. She acts just as though she was following us,” said Dory, who had been watching the progress of the beautiful steam-yacht ever since she first came in sight.

”She does act as though she was following us, don't she, Dory Dornwood?”

added Pearl Hawlinshed.

”I have no doubt she is following us,” replied Dory.

”Do you know of any reason why she should follow us?” asked the skipper, trying to conceal his anxiety.

”I don't,” answered Dory.

”Do you know her owner, Dory?” inquired Pearl.

Dory hesitated. It was a disagreeable topic to him, and he would gladly have avoided it. It was plain enough that the Sylph was following the Goldwing, but Dory could think of no reason why she should do so.

”Do you know Captain Gildrock, her owner?” asked Pearl again, and with more energy than before.