Part 11 (1/2)

”I--er--I really don't know, Thomas. You see I was much upset, thinking my bonds were no good. Perhaps the yellow envelope was in the box, under the bonds.”

”And did Sid Merrick have hold of the box?” demanded Anderson Rover.

”He may have had. The box was on a side table, and he walked around the room and over to it several times.”

”Then, unless you have the envelope now, Sid Merrick stole it,” said Anderson Rover, somewhat bitterly.

This announcement filled Randolph Rover with increased anxiety and as a result he looked over all his private papers and ransacked his safe and his desk from end to end. But the precious yellow envelope and its contents were not brought to light.

”Merrick must have gotten hold of that envelope at the time he stole the bonds,” said d.i.c.k. ”Maybe that is what made him trace up this story of the treasure.”

”That may be true, d.i.c.k,” answered his parent.

Randolph Rover was greatly distressed over the disappearance of the maps and drawings and upbraided himself roundly for not having been more careful.

”Now that they are in this Merrick's hands he may make use of them,” he said dolefully.

”Undoubtedly he will,” answered Anderson Rover.

”If he has those papers and maps why did he send Cuffer and Sh.e.l.ley here?” asked Tom.

”Most likely he thought he could get additional information.”

”It seems to me the best thing we can do is to get after that treasure without delay,” said d.i.c.k. ”If we don't, Merrick may form some kind of a party, locate the island, and steal the gold and jewels from under our very noses!”

”Oh, such things are not done in a day, d.i.c.k,” said his father, with a faint smile. ”But I agree with you, the quicker we get after the treasure the better.”

After that a discussion lasting well after the dinner hour followed, and was only ended when Mrs. Rover fairly drove them into the dining room for the midday repast. It was resolved that the party to go in search of the treasure should be made up of Anderson Rover and his three sons, Mrs. Stanhope and Dora, the Lanings, and also Fred Garrison, Songbird Powell and Hans Mueller. During the afternoon a number of telegrams and letters were written, and the boys sent these off before nightfall.

Aleck Pop was very much interested in such conversation as he had overheard, and as he had accompanied the boys to the jungles of Africa and on the houseboat trip he was very anxious to be a member of the present party.

”I don't see how yo' young gen'men is gwine to git along widout me,” he said to Sam. ”Don't yo' think you kin squeeze me aboadh somehow?”

”Aren't you afraid you'd get seasick, Aleck?” asked Sam.

”I ain't afraid ob nuffin, if only yo'll take me along,” answered the darkey earnestly.

”I suppose the steam yacht has its cook.”

”Dat might be, Ma.s.sa Sam, but didn't I cook all right on dat houseboat?”

”You certainly did.”

”Might be as how I could gib dat cook on de yacht some p'ints as to wot yo' young gen'men like, ain't dat so?”

”Perhaps, Aleck. If you wish, I'll speak to father about it.”

”Tank yo' werry much, Ma.s.sa Sam!”