They took every precaution not to be seen or heard, and crept down close to the shore. The light on board the vessel showed them she was small, and the longer they watched her the firmer became their conviction that she was the stolen yacht. “If we could get off to her without arousing those on board, we’d be able to capture her, Bart,” said Frank. “Let’s try it!” palpitated Hodge. “How?” “Swim!” “We might do that, but we could not carry any weapons.” “Don’t need them. We’ll find something after we get on board.” Hodge was quivering with eagerness. The thought of making such an attempt filled his heart with a fierce longing for the struggle. He felt that he was ready for any sort of adventure, as long as Frank Merriwell was with him. At first Frank was inclined to take the desperate venture. It would not be difficult to swim out to the vessel, and, in all probability, those on board of her would be asleep. It was possible she could be taken without much of a struggle. Then came another scheme. Why not return to the launch, back out of the cove on her, creep round the island, lay alongside the yacht, board her and take her that way? That seemed the better plan, and he whispered it to Hodge. “What a surprise it would be for Diamond and Dustan if we were to do the job all alone,” said Bart, who seemed reluctant to give up the original scheme. “That would be very fine, but we know from report that at least three men were concerned in stealing the yacht. What if we boarded her, cramped by the cold of the water, and were overcome by numbers? That would be a bad piece of business. I think we had better use every precaution.” “Well, you are in charge of this business, and I am ready to do as you say.” “Then let’s go back to the launch and tell the others what we have discovered.” “All right.” They made their way back into the cedars, and climbed to the crest of the island. From that point the light could not be seen, as some of the cedars intercepted their view. “But we know it is down there,” said Hodge, who was glowing with enthusiasm caused by their discovery. “It’s on the _White Wings_, too, and we’ll soon have her back, Merry. What will you do to the rascals who stole her?” “I’ll not decide on that till I recover the yacht,” said Frank. “We have not got her yet.” “But we shall!” “In time.” “To-night.” “I hope so.” It was not such an easy thing to go straight to the cove in the rocks where lay the _Fox_. Frank decided that the light from the lantern might aid them, and, as they were hidden so no one on the vessel could see them, he lighted up again. After a time they came to the cove, but here a great surprise awaited them. Looking down into the cleft amid the rocks, they could see nothing of the _Fox_. The cove was empty! “This can’t be the place, Frank!” exclaimed Bart. “The launch is not here!”