I'll jest take a look around myself. I sort of like a girl who
knows how to talk to old Ben without being sassy."

"Thank you very much, Ben, but I really must hurry to trace the
boys. I suppose you have no police around the island?"

"Wall, there's Constable Hannon. He is all right to trace a thing
when you tell him where it is, but Tom Hannon hates to think." Ben
raised the lantern above his head and then, as if satisfied that the
signaling was all finished, he placed the lantern on a hook that
hung over the edge of the dock.

"Oh, Cora," put in Bess, "it is almost eight O'clock. We must hurry
along."

"I know, Bess dear, but I had to find out all this man knew. Now I
am satisfied to start for the other end of the lake."

Cora's voice betrayed the emotion she was feeling in spite of her
outward calm. The matter was now assuming a very serious aspect.

"One thing seems certain," she said to all who were listening, "they
could not all have been drowned. They were all expert swimmers.
Nor would they go to any merry-go-'round and leave us waiting for
them. The question now is, what could have detained them?"

"Well, here comes Jim now," said Ben. "Just you keep quiet, and
I'll pump him."

A man came slouching along the dock. He had the way of seeming much