“Who?” both asked in a breath. “Reuben Stone.” Yates and Avery uttered an exclamation. “You don’t mean it!” cried the latter. “It’s so.” “What did he want?” “Wanted the boat. He said it belonged to him. He rescued the people who were on board, and they gave him the craft for the service.” “Well, that’s the oddest thing I ever came across!” ejaculated Yates. “Norton didn’t say anything about the boy coming over here. What did you do?” “Sent the boy about his business. Told him the boat wasn’t anywhere near the island.” It will readily be seen from the above that Andy Carney knew how to draw upon his imagination. I could not help but smile at his version of our meeting. “You are sure the boy knows nothing about the boat being here?” “Positive.” “Because we don’t want him to be nosing about here later on.” “Don’t fear about that. I’m going to take her away as soon as I can. Do you men want to get over to Bayport now?” “Yes,” replied Yates. “Land us about half a mile above the town.” “All right.” The three men moved off towards the place where the sloop had been left. They passed close to where Darrow and I were in hiding. For an instant I thought we would be discovered, but then they disappeared around the rocks. “We will follow them,” I whispered. “Don’t you want to stay behind and get the boat?” asked Darrow. “Yes; but I want to see them off first.” So silently as shadows we followed the trio to the shore, and saw them enter Carney’s boat. In doing this they ran within half a dozen yards of where my own craft was tied up. For an instant my heart stood in my throat. Would they see her? If so, what would be the consequence? But the three did not notice the craft, and soon they were a goodly distance from the shore. With a sigh of relief I rose from my cramped position, and told Darrow to follow me. In a moment we were within sight of the Catch Me. Since I had been gone Carney had been working like a beaver changing her appearance. He had shortened her mast and spars, put a different kind of a top to the cabin, and finished the painting. “In a day more, no one would be able to recognize her,” I said. “I suppose he thought he would be safe after he had finished his work.” “It’s a big swindle!” cried Darrow. “But you’ll cut him off short. No doubt he intends to come back for her as soon as he has landed those two men, who, to my guessing, are no good.” “That’s just my idea. Well, we’ll get the best of him this time. New paint or not, I must get the boat out of this inlet, and tow her over to the Torrent Bend shore.” “That’s the talk. Come, we’ll get to work without delay.” “But you may get all paint, Tom,” I protested. “I won’t mind that; I’ve got on my old clothes. Come ahead. Won’t Carney be surprised when he finds the boat gone!” “He might have expected that I would be back.”