Part 21 (2/2)
He had left the instruth and the aerial switch in receiving position
”S O S, S O S, S O S,” crashed into his ears in rapid, energetic, excited succession, it seeination
Quickly he threw over the switch, and called for an explanation It came as follows:
”Thoseafter me S O S, S O--”
That was all--not another dot or dash Desperately Max appealed for further details, but it was like calling for life in a cemetery The ether was dead, so far as Friday Island was concerned
CHAPTER XX
Four Prisoners
When the Catwhisker arrived at Friday Island again, the place appeared to be deserted
The camp was as they had left it, except that the breakfast dishes ashed and put away ”Friday” had performed his duty, but both boys had disappeared, and there seemed to be only one explanation of their disappearance, naer at the hands of the four strange men that the Rockport amateur, Max, had received froe had been done to the tent or any of the ca exactly as it had been when they left it in charge of Hal and Bud a few hours previously
”This is getting pretty serious,” Mr Perry said, after they had made an unsatisfactory review of the situation ”I confess I don't knohat to make of it”
Cub felt an i mystery that had yet confronted theh as entirely too facetious for the occasion
”We've got to get the authorities busy on this case,” Mr Perry added after a few moments' hesitation ”Weaffair There must be a retreat of some bad men around here somewhere”
”What authorities shall we ask to help us?” Cub inquired
His father seemed about to answer, but he hesitated a moment or tith a puzzled look, first at his son, then at Mr Baker
”That's so,” he said presently ”Where are we--in Canada or the United States?”
”I think we ought to apply for help in both New York and Ontario,” said Mr Baker, as ordinarily a man of quiet demeanor, but noorked up to a state of nervous worry over the fate of his son
”It's going to take soet the authorities of New York and Ontario busy,” said Mr Perry; ”but I suppose that's the only thing to do, and every ht away”
”Hold on, father,” Cub interrupted; ”you forget that we have a ht here”
”It won't do to depend on your radio es” his father replied ”You know the experience Mr Baker's son had trying to get help that way”
”Yes, but there were conditions that queered his calls,” Cub replied
”Just re our new friend, Max, at Rockport, and what he did for us Unless I'm badly mistaken, we can look for ht, Bob,” Mr Perry ad here and depending on a few boys to take care of so big a proposition We need to arouse the whole country around here, including all people along the shores, on the islands and those boating up and down the river”