Part 16 (1/2)
”No, I a in behind the island this afternoon just before the signalling commenced,”
was the response
”In that case, she must be still far out?”
”Yes; but in any event they would have to send a boat ashore That launch is too large to land on the beach directly”
As if in answer to his opinion the watching boys presently saw a red light creeping over the water toward the island Undoubtedly it came fro they could detect the splash of oars, although whoever was rowing the boat was trying to ht drew close in shore, Merritt seized Rob's arm
”What's the next move?” he asked
”It looks as if it were ours,” was the quiet, but determined, rejoinder
CHAPTER XVII
ROB'S BRAVE ACT
While the boys had been watching, Barton had lain down, as though tired, on the suht came close in shore, however, he arose, and once nal the course of the red light shi+fted and headed directly toward him The boys' hearts beat thickly; the time for action was at hand The bow of the boat they had seen approaching grated on the beach, and two figures sprang out while Barton advanced to meet theled forward; ”ant to get every word”
Merritt merely nodded; but his silent advance was as rapid as his leader's Owing to the nature of the ground, they were able to run forward in an alht position when they reached the hollows of the dunes, being compelled to cast themselves down only when they topped a rise Therefore, they ithin ear shot when Barton greeted the two men who had disembarked from the boat
”Well,” said one of the newcoin; ”well, did you do as you said you would?”
”Yes,” responded Barton; ”I've got the drawings here They are not coive eport, before you left for this island, you can have all the time you want, only make the job complete”
”You can depend uponas I'm well paid, I'll sell out all I know, and that's about everything about the Barr submarine”
Here another voice, that of the second man who had left the boat, struck in:
”What about the ot them hidden up here in the sand,” came Barton's voice in reply ”I'd have had the kids trailed me here”
”Trailed you? What do you mean?” demanded the voice of the man who had first spoken and ith the solitary exception noted, had carried on reaves, this Navy dude, saw fit to bring a band of Boy Scouts down here They're the nosiest kids ever, and I half think they suspect uess,” whispered Rob to Merritt