Part 17 (2/2)

”It was lucky orked in the saeport with Barton and kneas a ht”

”Yes, there isn't much that he wouldn't do for money,” chimed in the pallid-faced hdt, or if ve hoff

Fro the intricate prints and plans, Rob knew that the ineer of no mean ability With a small pocket scale he went over every scrap of paper and then fell to exaed that Barton had served the rascal well Berghoff declared the plans and the models all that would be required to produce a _Peace-boat

”Well, when do we etaway?” queried the red-haired o,” declared Berghoff ”In New York I catch der steamer for Europe undt you two scatter verefer you like”

Rob felt his face flush with indignation, and at the sa of indecision The plans and the models lay there, almost within his reach, but so far as the possibility of recovering theht as well have been in China

”If only all the boys were here,” he thought, ”it would be possible to 'rush' those scoundrels and secure all their loot”

Finally Rob came to the decision to remain where he was for the present and see if some opportunity would not present itself to recover the articles of such vital importance to Uncle Sa in low tones, and presently the red-headed man started to prepare soht fro odors began to drift out to him frory Before long, however, his desire for food beca to lie out there in the dark, tired and hungry, and hear within the hut the clatter of knives and forks and inhale the odors of as evidently a hearty , and Rob heard the whether they should sleep in the hut or on board their motor boat The boy pricked up his ears as he listened If only they decided to sleep on the boat and leave the models and plans in the hut, he would have a chance to recover the stolen property and make aith it in the beached rowboat before dawn

Rob could hardly restrain an exclaht when the ht on their boat

”What are you going to do with this stuff?” inquired the pallid-facedthe mass of papers and ,” was Berghoff's response; ”dere is no use in taking idt by der boat now”

”Goodness,” thought Rob, ”I sure aet that stuff as soon as they have gone, and carry it back to the island I al to be a harder task It's a bit too lary to suit me”

But Rob was not to have such an easy time of it as he anticipated

CHAPTER XIX

A CHASE IN THE NIGHT

Thethe door behind therew di himself cautiously he crept around to the door of the hut

The light had been extinguished, but as the boy had matches in his waterproof case this fact did not worry hi the door open Rob entered the place Before striking a light he did all he could to assure himself that he was not likely to be interrupted by the sudden return of theestablished to his satisfaction that he was safe, which was not until he perceived a light on the motor boat, which lay not far froht up the lantern the men had left behind

Anxious not to lose any ti papers and plans into his pockets at once The models, or most of them, he decided he would have to convey to the boat in his arms