Part 26 (1/2)
CHAPTER XVIII-THE MYSTERY DEEPENS
”It must be Bert!” cried Fleet.
”I don't know,” said Chot. ”I wish we had a light. I expect we'd better make for the canoes.”
”Help, help!” came the cry again, this time fainter than before.
”Wait,” said Hoki.
He dashed into the lodge and turned a b.u.t.ton that flooded the gallery with light. Then the boys saw him spring to a small contrivance on one end of the verandah, and which until now had pa.s.sed unnoticed by them.
The next instant they knew it was a small searchlight, for a streak of white light shot suddenly out on to the river, moved here and there under Hoki's skillful manipulation, then settled down upon a spot where the figure of a man or boy could be seen clinging to the bottom of an upturned skiff.
”Now, go,” said Hoki. ”I wait by light.”
”And I'll stay with you,” said Fleet, and Chot nodded a vigorous a.s.sent.
Chot, Tom and Pod ran quickly down to the bank where they had left their canoes, and pus.h.i.+ng them into the water, paddled rapidly in the direction of the light.
”That doesn't look like Bert,” said Tom.
”Help, fellows-I'm all in,” said the voice again, and there was something strangely familiar about it.
”That doesn't look like Bert,” said Tom, again, ”and it isn't Bert.”
”No; it's-it's Truem Wright!” cried Chot, as the canoes drew closer.
”It's Truem all right,” growled that person.
”Well, what do you think of that?” cried Pod.
”I don't think much of it,” said Truem. ”I'm glad I've found you fellows. Been searching for you the whole afternoon. But help me out of this-this water's pretty cool for an evening bath.”
Chot and Tom, one on either side, steadied Pod's canoe until Truem could crawl in. Then Chot secured the painter of the upturned skiff and the canoes started for the landing again, Chot towing Truem's upturned boat.
The boys were curious to know what had happened to Truem, but decided not to question him until he had been supplied with dry clothes.
Hoki turned off the searchlight as the boys climbed the steps leading to the verandah, and came forward to see if he could be of a.s.sistance.
Truem shook hands with Fleet, as Chot turned to the j.a.p.
”You might find a suit of old clothes, some underwear and anything that's handy, Hoki,” said Chot.
”I find plenty,” was the j.a.p's reply. ”You wait.”
They heard him rummaging in Mr. Lawrence's room and finally he emerged with all the necessary articles. Chot and Tom then took Truem into their room where, when he had stripped, they rubbed him with a rough towel until his skin fairly shone.
A little later, when the boys were again on the verandah, Truem told his story.
”I arrived at Clayton on the New York side, yesterday morning,” he said.