"Tell me about Cockburn Island," said Mr. Button, speaking to the boys. "Is it inhabited? Are there many people living there?" "I don't know," said John. "We didn't see very much of it. We found a little shanty, or shack, not far from the shore and when we saw smoke coming out of the chimney we went up there thinking that we might dry our clothes, for we were wet through." "Did you find anybody there?" "Yes, that's the strange part of it," explained John. "The old shanty, that looked almost as if it would fall to pieces, was pretty well fixed up inside. There was a man there and he had a Japanese servant. Indeed, I am sure I saw the man at the harbor this morning. At least I thought it was the same man, but he didn't speak to me, so I couldn't be sure after all." Conversation ceased for a time and it was not until they had arrived off the shore of Drummond Island that Mr. Button said, "I think I will leave you here. I want to thank you again for your kindness in bringing me." "Where are you going?" demanded the captain, who again approached the group. "I'm going to leave the _Gadabout_ here," explained Mr. Button. "Where you going? There's no good fishing here." "I'm going to trust my guide for that," explained Mr. Button, pointing as he spoke to the man in whose skiff he was to depart. This man was now seated in his little skiff about one hundred feet astern of the _Gadabout_. "Fetch him up then," said the captain. "I'll stop the _Gadabout_ and let you off." In spite of the captain's manifest effort to appear at ease it was plain to his young passengers that he still was angry or alarmed over the presence of Mr. Ferdinand Button. What the connection was between the two not one of the boys was able to conjecture. Their attention, however, was speedily drawn to the skiff which Mr. Button now hauled in and as soon as it was drawn alongside he stepped lightly on board. It was impossible for any of the boys to see the face of the guide, who at the time was bending low over a box which contained the fishing tackle. It was only later when John reminded the other boys of the strange coincidence between the excitement of the captain and the inability of all to see the face of the guide in Mr. Button's boat, that they recalled it. "There isn't any fishing here," again shouted the captain. Apparently Mr. Button was not greatly impressed by the knowledge of the captain, for ignoring his words, he seated himself in the stern of the skiff and prepared to begin his trolling. Meanwhile the _Gadabout_ was belying her name, as now she was only drifting slowly with the current. "Come on, Captain," called Fred at last. "We're ready to start." "Better start," retorted the commander of the motor-boat. "There's no fishing here and I told that man there wasn't, but he doesn't seem to pay no attention." "That's his own fault," laughed Grant. "Go on with us."