Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/225

Rh he added, eagerly, "we've seen Jasniff and Merwell!"

"So we suspected," answered Dave. "But you didn't catch them?"

"No, they got away from us," returned Captain Sanders.

"In this cave?" queried Roger.

"Yes."

"But if they are in here, we can get them sooner or later," put in Dave.

"No, my lad. There are several openings to these caves. We found one at the far end, and I reckon those rascals got away through it."

"Did you speak to them at all?" asked our hero.

"Didn't get time," answered Phil. "The minute they saw us they ran like frightened deer."

"Did they have any baggage, Phil?"

"Not that I could see. I rather fancied Jasniff had a small bundle under his coat, but I may have been mistaken."

"The sailors said they came ashore without baggage. Perhaps the jewels went down with the bark."

"Oh, I think they'd make an effort to save such costly gems—anybody would."

"Not if they were thoroughly scared," broke in Captain Sanders. "A person who is thoroughly scared forgets everything but to save his life."