Part 22 (1/2)
”Do you know much about this Mr Barcoe Jenks, Mr Hosbrook?”
”Not a great deal,” was the reply ”In fact, I may say I do not know hiht he acted rather strangely”
”Just what the rest of us think,” declared the yacht owner ”He is no friend of uest on the RESOLUTE It came about in this way I had invited a Mr Frank Jackson towith him a Mr Jenks, a friend of his I assented, and Mr Jackson came aboard with Mr
Jenks Just as ere about to sail Mr Jackson received ahis presence in Canada, and he could not make the trip”
”But Mr Jenks see trip, and was so fond of the water, that I invited him to remain on board, even if his friend did not So that is how he caer to all of us”
”I see,” spoke Toe?” asked Mr Hosbrook suspiciously
”No, only he seeet off the island, but I suppose we all are He wanted to knohat I planned to do”
”Did you tell him?”
”No, for the reason that I don't knohether I can succeed or not, and I don't want to raise false hopes”
”Then you would prefer not to tell any of us?”
”No one--that is except Mr Fenwick and Mr Damon I may need them to help me”
”I see,” responded Mr Hosbrook ”Well, whatever it is, I wish you luck It is certainly a fearful place--this island,” and busy with hts, which crowded upon hi Toht have been seen in close conversation with Mr Da inventor had to say, blessed himself and his various possessions so often, that he seeotten out of breath
Mr Fenwick exclaireatest things you have ever done!”
”I hope I can work it,” was all the young inventor replied
For the next three days Tohborhood of the pile of machinery and apparatus taken fro around the spot, but a word or two from Mr Hosbrook sent him away, and our three friends were left to their work in peace, for they were inclined to be secretive about their operations, as Toasolene motor was overhauled, and put in shape to work Then it was attached to the dynamo When this much had been done, Tom and his friends built a rude shack around theit from view
”Humph! Are you afraid ill steal it?” asked Mr Parker, the scientist, who held to his alar the ultimate disappearance of the island
”No, I simply want to protect it from the weather,” answered Tom
”You will soon know all our plans I think they ork out”
”You'd better do it before we get another earthquake, and the island sinks,” was the dismal response
But there had been no shocks since the one that nearly engulfed Mr
Jenks As for that individual he said little to any one, and wandered off alone by himself Tom wondered what kind of diamonds they were that the odd man had, and the lad even had his doubts as to the value of the queer stones he had seen But he was too busy with his work to waste much time in idle speculation