The Rover Roys on the Ocean | Page 7

there?"
"It is."
"Who is in charge of her?"
"A sailor named Bill Goss."
"Is he a -- ahem -- a man to be trusted?"
"I guess I can trust him," snickered Mumps.
"If he dared to give me away, I could send him to jail."
"You mean that you - er -- have him -- ahem -- in your power?"
"That's it, Mr. Crabtree."
"Very good. And is be, a good sailor?"
"As good as any on the river."
"Then he can sail the yacht down the river without mishap?"
"He can take her to Florida, if you wish to go that far."
"No, I don't want to go that far -- at least, not at present."
"Don't you think you ought to let me in on your little game," went on
Mumps earnestly. "So far I'm in the dark."

"You will know all very soon, John -- and you shall be well paid for
what you do."
"That's all right. But if it isn't lawful --"
"I will protect you, never fear."
"Where is Dan Baxter?"
"Hush! It will be best not to mention his name, my lad."
"'But where is he?"
"I cannot say exactly."
"Is he around Lake Cayuga?"
"Well -- ahem -- more than likely he is. To tell the truth, he is very
anxious to see his father."
"To bone him for some more money?"
"I think not. Daniel thinks a great deal of his parent, and when Mr.
Baxter was so seriously injured --"
"Dan didn't care much for that. He isn't that kind."
"Daniel is a better boy than you think, John. He loves his parent, and
when that imp of a Rover got Mr. Baxter into trouble Daniel was very
much exercised over it."
"Gracious, but that's rich," murmured Dick. "I got him into trouble. I
guess the rascal did that for himself."
"Well, we won't talk about that, professor," went on Mumps. "You
didn't stay in Chicago long."
"No, I -- ahem -- the position offered to me did not suit my views, so I
declined it."

"Gee-christopher!" came from Tom, and each of the Rovers could
scarcely keep from laughing.
"I think those Rover boys put up a job on you," said Mumps. "At least,
I got an inkling that way."
"Indeed. I would like to wring their necks, the imps!" burst out Josiah
Crabtree. "Oh, what have I not suffered at their hands! At one hotel
where I stopped they placed live crabs -- But let that pass, the subject is
too painful. To come back to the point. I can have the Falcon at any
time that I may need her?"
"Yes."
"And you will promise to say nothing to a soul about what is done on
the trip I propose?"
"I Will."
"Very good, You see, this is a - er -- a delicate matter."
"Are you going to marry Mrs. Stanhope and use the yacht for your
honeymoon?" said Mumps somewhat slyly.
"Hardly -- although that would not be a bad idea, my lad. But now I
have a different deal on hand -- something very much different. If you
do not object I'll take a look at your yacht and interview this sailor you
mention."
"All right, come ahead."
Mumps led the way down the rocky steps and Josiah Crabtree followed,
moving slowly that he might not fall. Creeping to the edge of the cliff,
the Rover boys saw the pair reach the Falcon and go on board.
"Now what is in the wind?" said Dick, as soon as the pair were out of
hearing.
"That's a conundrum," replied Tom. "I'll wager one thing though -- old

Crabtree is up to no good."
"I believe you are right. I wish we could hear the rest of what is going
on."
"Can't we get close to the yacht? suggested Sam. "See, the sky is
clouding over. I don't believe they will see us going down the stairs."
They talked the plan over for a moment, then began to descend the
steps, keeping as low down as possible and close to some brush which
grew up in the crevices of the stones. Soon the river bank was gained at
a point not over fifty feet from where the yacht lay.
They halted behind a large stone close to the water's edge. By straining
their eyes in the darkness they saw Mumps, Crabtree, and Bill Goss in
earnest conversation in the stern of the vessel. A low murmur came to
their ears, but not a word could be understood.
"We must get closer," was Dick's comment, when to the surprise of all
they saw the sailor hoist the mainsail of the Falcon. A gentle breeze
was blowing, and soon the yacht was leaving the shore. They watched
the craft until