Part 20 (2/2)
It was hard for Mr Barr to believe that the man whom he trusted implicitly could have proved traitor to him
”The best way to find that out is to look at your papers and ,” was the response
”I'll do so; but I'm sure the boys must be mistaken in Barton He has worked for e price he was offered to turn over the plans of the _Peaceested Merritt
”Perhaps; but I'll not say anything till I find out definitely that so”
Mr Barr hastened off toward the shed, but returned before long with a countenance filled with apprehension
”My !” he exclai friends were right,” he said ”In detecting the rascal they have done an excellent piece of scouting work But now let us hurry off in search of Rob at once”
”Hoill you reach that other island?” asked Merritt
”We will go in the motor boat She is fast and does not draw ?”
”No, we'll take one of my sailors, your chum Donald, Tubby Hopkins, you and myself We haven't settled accounts with Barton yet, and I don't want him left practically alone on the island”
”Do you think he would try to harm the submarine?”
”I think it likely He has probably been paid to injure it so that the rival power that is working against us can construct its sub to make hi prison terh it will be hard to prove that he actually stole the papers and nals, and then again, last nighthiood evidence in a court of law,”
was the rejoinder ”But enough of this now Tell Hawkins (one of the sailors) to get the boat ready, and hurry through your breakfast We'll start right afterward”
”We can't start too quick for me,” was the brisk reply ”Poor old Rob, I wonder what has happened to him”
While he ate a hasty meal Merritt outlined to the other Scouts what had happened Following this, Ensign Hargreaves announced a change of his plans He had decided, he said, to take Barton along, not caring to leave the erous,” he said, ”and I want him under my eye till I have decided how to dispose of his case”
”You are not going to let him know you suspect him?” asked Merritt
”For the present, no As to what I shall do in the future, I have not yet made up my mind”
Ten minutes later a black motor boat shot out of the little inlet in which she had beenfor the other island, those left behind set up the cry of the Eagle and Wolf patrols
Barton, looking sullen and suspicious, was at the engines He knew the object of the trip, but, of course, had no knowledge that his part in it was suspected Nor did any of the party show him by looks or words that so much as a breath of suspicion attached to hireaves, who had deterive the fellow plenty of rope
As the _Viper_, as the black motor boat was called, raced over the water, Merritt found hi serious had happened to Rob, he felt that he would be in a les to go off alone
CHAPTER XXII