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 friends, Joe Wayring and Arthur Hastings, Mr. Willis."

To Roy's great surprise his companions did not seem particularly pleased to make the acquaintance of Mr. Willis. They nodded, but did not offer to shake hands with him.

"Babcock has made his report and told everything just as it happened," said Arthur. "We have seen him, and he says he never would have made the mistake he did if Willis had not insisted that you were the boy they were looking for."

"Then Babcock told you what wasn't so," exclaimed Willis.

"That's what he told us, anyhow," said Joe. "He's outside now waiting for us, and you can speak to him about it, if you want to."

"Waiting for you?" repeated Roy. "Where are you going?"

"We intended to hire a tug and go over to the island after you," answered Arthur.

"But you see there's no need of it, don't you? Mr. Willis attended to that as soon as he became satisfied that I wasn't Rowe Shelly."