Part 48 (1/2)

grumbled Link Merwell, when given his quarters.

”What else could you expect?” returned Dave. ”If this was my affair alone, Link, I might let you go, now you have given up the jewels. But what is to be done is for Mr. Wadsworth and the authorities to say.”

Merwell had confessed that he and Jasniff had taken the skates and other things at Squirrel Island, and told where they had been left, in a barn along the river, and how they might be recovered. He had also admitted impersonating Dave on several occasions and ordering goods in our hero's name, and doing other mean things of which he had been suspected, and said he was heartily sorry for his actions.

Soon the _Golden Eagle_ was ready for the departure from Cave Island.

As the sails were hoisted the boys gathered on deck to take a last look at the remarkable spot.

”It is really and truly Cave Island,” declared Dave. ”I don't believe any other place in the world is so full of caves and holes!”

”I am glad the volcanoes didn't get busy while we were there,”

remarked the s.h.i.+powner's son.

”So am I,” added Roger. ”The caves and holes were bad enough, without adding other perils.”

”Dave, do you think we'll catch that schooner?” went on Phil, after a pause, during which the boys watched the s.h.i.+p drawing away from the island.

”I sincerely hope so,” was the serious reply. ”If we don't, and Jasniff gets away, this mission down here will have proved almost a failure.”

”Then you think Jasniff has the most of the jewels?”

”Yes. If you'll remember, the jewels that were taken were valued at about seventy-five thousand dollars. Well, I have looked at the jewels I got from Link, and so has Mr. Borden, who knows something about gems, and we have come to the conclusion that those Link turned over to me are not worth over fifteen thousand dollars. That means that Jasniff has about sixty thousand dollars' worth.”

”Isn't that like Jasniff!” cried the senator's son. ”Always wanted the big end of everything! It's a wonder he and Link didn't quarrel before.”

”They did quarrel, and Link wanted to leave him several times, but didn't dare, for Jasniff threatened to expose him. In one way, I am sorry for Link,-but, of course, he had no right to commit such a deed.”

After Cave Island was left in the distance, Captain Sanders had a long conference with Giles Borden concerning the Englishmen who had robbed him. Later a general talk took place between the pair and the boys.

”I am afraid we'll have to trust to luck to catch the _Aurora_ or locate her,” said the captain, finally. ”She may go to San Juan and she may go elsewhere.”

”If we pa.s.s any other vessels, can't we ask if they saw the schooner?”

ventured Dave.

”Certainly.”

The day went by and also the next. Link Merwell kept to himself, only speaking when addressed. He felt his position keenly, and would no doubt have given a great deal if he could have cleared himself. He was learning that the way of the transgressor is hard.

On the third day, early in the morning, they pa.s.sed a big barkentine bound for South American ports. Greetings were exchanged, and Captain Sanders asked concerning the _Aurora_.

”Yes, we met her,” was the reply. ”Yesterday, about two bells in the afternoon watch.”

”Did she say where she was bound?”

”Bound for San Juan, Porto Rico.”

”Direct?”