This was agreed to, and we made for the shore of Rock Island Lake without delay. To our astonishment the Catch Me was gone! What did it mean? I gazed about in perplexity. Suddenly Constable Pointer gave a shout. “That explains it! Avery came back and took the boat! I’ll bet he landed at some other point where he thought he would be free from pursuit!” “I think you are right,” replied Captain Harley. “We must take the Mary and look for him.” This was agreed to; and they left the rest of us to return to Bayport. I trusted they would succeed in their mission, not only for the sake of capturing the robber, but also that my beautiful sloop might be returned to me. It took us quite a while to secure another craft in the vicinity. However, we at length hailed a fishing-sloop, and the owner agreed to take us down the lake provided we would put up with such accommodations as his boat afforded. “Good enough,” said Chief Larkins. “The main thing is to get there.” “I was never treated so meanly in all my life,” growled Mr. Norton. “You’ll see worse, I reckon,” was the reply. “A man that steals shouldn’t look for any comfort in this life.” “I would never have done it if the boy hadn’t put me up to it.” “More shame to you if instead of being led you didn’t lead, that’s all I’ve got to say.” And the police official turned away in disgust. “You don’t believe me guilty?” I asked earnestly. “You don’t look it,” he replied. “If you are innocent I trust you will have an easy time proving it.” “I don’t know about that. A diamond was found upon my person; but I am willing to swear I found the stone and did not steal it.” “I don’t see why the man accuses you if you are not guilty.” “He is angry because I captured him.” “Ah, I see. Well, capturing him ought to be a deed much in your favor.” We were soon underway. It was a clear, bright day and the breeze was strong. Of course we had to tack, and this made the trip a slow one; but we spent a good half-hour in dining upon some fish which Ford and I broiled in the cuddy, and of which all hands partook. It was well on in the afternoon when we struck the dock at Bayport. While we were landing quite a crowd gathered, and the news was soon circulated that two of the robbers had been captured. A perfect mob of people followed us up to the court-house, and a goodly number entered the room where Judge Green sat deeply interested over some legal documents. “What is this I hear?” he exclaimed as the party entered. “Two of the robbers captured! Good! it is glorious news! So this is the man called Yates, and this is Norton. Well, gentlemen, what have you to say for yourselves?” “Nothing,” replied Yates. “That’s better than telling a falsehood,” said the judge. “So your breaking jail didn’t do you any good,” he added, turning to Mr. Norton. “It is all a mistake,” whined my guardian. “So it would seem, sir.” And the fat judge laughed at what he thought was a good joke.