“All right,” replied Harvey; “and if we get a bigger stock in the car than we can dispose of around here, we’ll load up the _Viking_, when we get a strong westerly some day, and run down to the big hotel at Stoneland. They’ll pay bigger prices than we can get at the market.” “My! but this lobster is good,” said young Joe Warren. “Henry, pass over that melted butter and vinegar.” “Isn’t it a great feast, though?” exclaimed young Tim. “Beats city grub all hollow.” And, indeed, it probably did surpass the sort of living Tim got at home. “How’s our friend, Mr. Carleton?” asked Bob. “It’s a wonder he hasn’t been around to welcome us back.” “Perhaps he is offended with me for not taking him aboard on our fishing trip,” said Henry Burns. “Why, he hasn’t been to see us for two days,” replied Joe. “By the way, though, last time I met him he asked me if I had seen anything of a ruby scarf-pin aboard the _Surprise_. Said he’d lost one.” “He asked me that, too,” said Arthur Warren. “He was up near the cottage yesterday. Said he thought he might have dropped it out aboard the _Viking_.” “I think not,” said Harvey. “If he had we should have found it, for we air that bedding out every clear day.” “I don’t recall seeing him wear one,” said Henry Burns. It is quite possible that Mr. Carleton might have been on hand to greet the fishermen on their return, had he not been away down the island for the day, in a rig he had hired of Captain Sam. The horse, though well recommended by Captain Sam, was modelled somewhat on the same generous lines as the captain’s boat, the _Nancy Jane_; that is, broad and beamy, solid and substantial, but not especially speedy; more inclined to thrash up and down, with considerable clatter, than to skim along and make time. The result on this occasion was, that it was about half-past nine o’clock when Mr. Carleton drove into Captain Sam’s dooryard, rather weary, and not in the best of temper. However, good-hearted Mrs. Curtis had supper waiting for him, and he lost no time in stretching his legs under the table, where, at his ease over a hot cup of tea, he was inclined to improve in spirits and rally the captain on the slowness of his horse. “Well,” said Captain Sam, with imperturbable good humour, “I’m sorry the old nag didn’t fetch you up a little quicker. She’s a safe, steady driver, though. Reckon the youngsters would have liked to see you over to their shore supper. They’re all over there. Guess you must have seen their fire down on the shore as you drove up. You know the _Viking_ got in this afternoon. Had real good luck, too, so Henry Burns was saying.” Mr. Carleton, leaning back in his chair and leisurely passing his cup for another serving of tea, straightened up suddenly at this remark. But he only said, indifferently, “That so? I’ll have to look them up in the morning. I’m afraid I’m too tired to walk down there to-night.” “Oh, they will be coming up before long now,” said Captain Sam.