still."

"But what's the advantage of it?" asked Cora.

"To puzzle and alarm the thief," was Jack's answer. "No doubt he--for
I'll assume for the sake of argument that it was a man--will be
looking for a hue and cry. He'll expect it, and when it doesn't
come, he'll begin to imagine all sort of things."

"I see!" cried Walter. "He'll believe we are on his trail, have a
clue and--"

"Exactly!" interrupted Jack. "You're a regular 'deteckertiff,'
Wally. That's my game, to puzzle the thief, make him think all sort
of things, and so worry him by our very quietness, that he may betray
himself."

"Well, maybe that's the best plan," agreed Cora, rather doubtfully.

"But how shall I get my papairs back?" asked Inez, falteringly. "Ze
papairs are needed to get my poor father from prison."

"Maybe not," said Jack, hopefully. "Anyhow, there are copies to be
had, aren't there?"

"Yes, but zese were ze originals. I need zem!"

"And we'll get them back for you, if we can," broke in Jack. "We may
be able to work without them, if we have a chance to get to Sea Horse
Island on our cruise. I think our first duty is to try to find the