Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/278

260 Sanders wanted no bloodshed if it could be avoided. So then Billy Dill and I said we would come back here and get Phil and the sailors."

"I should think you'd do your best to capture Jasniff," said Merwell.

"Do you want him captured?" asked Roger, sharply.

"Why not? He didn't treat me fairly—and he planned the robbery in the first place."

"Well, if you want him taken you had better help us," put in Phil.

"Say, Dave, if I help you catch Jasniff and get the rest of the jewels back, will you—er—will you let me go?" faltered Link Merwell, anxiously.

"I don't know—I'll see about it, Link," answered Dave, and that was as far as he would commit himself, for he remembered that this case was for Mr. Wadsworth and the authorities to settle.

"I'll help you all I can—just to get square with Nick!" muttered the big youth. "I'll show him that he isn't the only frog in the puddle."

"The sooner we go the better," went on the senator's son.

"I am ready now," returned Dave. "I'll not rest easy until Jasniff is caught and the rest of those jewels are recovered."

A few words more were exchanged, and then it was decided that the whole party should follow