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Rh "What?" demanded Dick.

"I'll tell you as soon as we are out of hearing," returned the youngest Rover.

The steam tug was backed away from the dock. Koswell and Larkspur grinned in triumph.

"Don't you think of coming back!" shouted Koswell.

"If you do, remember we are armed," added Larkspur.

"We'll remember what you have done—don't forget that," answered Dick, with some bitterness. It worried him greatly to have the search for Mrs. Stanhope delayed.

"Now, what is your plan?" asked Tom of Sam, as soon as they were a goodly distance from the island.

"I propose we sail away and pretend to be going back to Portland. Then we can turn and come up on the other side of the island."

"They'll watch for us," said Dick.

"We might land at night."

"Yes, we could do that. But if we wait, we may be losing valuable time.

"I'll run for the next island and sail around fhat," said Captain Wells. "That may throw them off the scent."

It took the best part of half an hour to gain the