The weather was growing more pleasant each day, and with the gradual
passing of the hurricane season, they were allowed to take longer
trips in one of the many motor boats with which the harbor abounded.

Sometimes they spent whole days on the water, their dusky captain
keeping a sharp watch out for hurricanes. These can be detected some
hours off, and a run made for safety. Some of the whirling storms
are very dangerous, and others merely squalls.

It was when they had been in San Juan about a month, and Mr. Robinson
had promised, in the next few days, to take some measures regarding
the liberation of Senor Ralcanto, that something occurred which
changed the whole aspect of the visit of the motor girls to waters
blue.

Mr. Robinson found that he would have to go on business to a coffee
plantation near Basse Terre, on the French island of Guadeloupe, and
as he had heard there were also rare orchids to be obtained them, he
wanted to stay a few days after his trade matters had been attended
to.

"But I did want to start for Sea Horse Island, and begin my plan to
liberate your father," he said to Inez.

"It can wait, Senor,"' she said, softly. "A few days more will not
make much of ze difference, as long as he is to be rescued anyhow. I
would not have you disappointed in ze orchids."

"Then I'll go when we come back," said Mr. Robinson. "I'll go to