The pistol had been close to Dick’s head and the discharge caused the smoke to get into his face, choking and blinding him. Then he received another blow, and for a minute or two knew no more.
“Listen!” cried Tom, as the pistol went off. “Dick must be in trouble! Come on, Sam!”
“Yes, but be careful,” was the answer.
“Want me?” asked the old tar, anxiously.
“You had better stay on guard here, for the present,” replied Tom.
“Just as you say, messmate.”
Tom wormed his way between the rocks and Sam followed. The pistol shot was followed by silence, and the two Rover boys did not know what to make of it.
“Shall I call?” asked Sam.
“Might as well,” was Tom’s reply, and both called Dick’s name as loudly as they could.
“Help! help!” came back faintly.
“We are coming!” yelled Tom, rushing forward. “Where are you?”
“I am her——” was the answer, and then of a sudden all became quiet again, as a hand was placed over Dick’s mouth.
With their weapons ready for use, Tom and Sam ran through the cavern. But all was silent, and the flickering rays from the campfire beyond were too faint for them to see much.
“Dick! Dick! Where are you?” called out Tom.
“To the left!” was the faint reply. “Turn to the left!”
The voice sounded muffled, as if the speaker was being strangled, and with their hearts in their throats, Tom and Sam advanced and at a break in the rocky wall, turned to the left. Hardly had they gone a dozen steps when they plunged downward into space.
“Oh!” came from both, and then followed a mighty splash, as the pair struck the water. Each went down over his head, and on coming up had to strike out to keep from drowning.
“Sam! Sam!” cried Tom.
“I’m here!” was the spluttered-out reply. “Are you hurt?”
“Not much, but I went over my head in water!”
“So did I.”
“Where is Dick?”
“I don’t know.”
“Can he be drowned?”
“Oh, don’t say that!”
It was pitch dark, and only by calling to each other did the two lads manage to get together. Both swam around until their feet touched a rock and on this they stood to catch their breath. The water was all around them.
“Which way did we come, Tom?” asked Sam, after a moment of silence, during which both did what they could to get back their breath.
“I don’t know. I can’t see a thing, can you?”
“No.”
“I don’t believe Dick is here.”
“Neither do I, Tom. I believe somebody fooled us.”
“That’s it! And we fell right into the trap!”
“But where can Dick be?”
“Most likely a prisoner of our enemies,” muttered Tom, bitterly.
Tom’s surmise was correct, Dick was indeed a prisoner of their enemies. He had his hands and his feet bound tightly, and he had been dragged, by Tad Sobber towards the campfire that was burning at the further end of the big cave. In the meantime the fellow who had been followed by Dick went off to make sure that Tom and Sam would turn to the left and fall into the water.
“Well, Dick Rover, this is what you get for following us!” cried Tad Sobber, in tones of triumph. “Perhaps, some day, you’ll learn enough to keep your hands out of my affairs.”
“Sobber, tell me, what have you done with Mrs. Stanhope?” asked Dick, quickly. Even though he felt bruised and shook up, the welfare of Dora’s mother was uppermost in his mind.
“I am not here to answer your questions.”
“You won’t tell me?”
“Not a word.”
“Do you realize that you and Josiah Crabtree have committed a big crime?”
“We have done nothing wrong.”
“Don’t you call stealing and abducting wrong?”
“I haven’t stolen anything. The fortune from Treasure Isle belonged to my uncle and me—the Stanhopes had no right to it whatsoever.”
“I think otherwise—and so did the courts.”
“Bah! Your side didn’t treat me fairly, you bought up the judges! I know you!” stormed Tab Sobber. “The fortune was ours! Now I’ve got it—and I mean to keep it!”
“And what of Mrs. Stanhope?”
“Mrs. Stanhope has acted like a sensible woman.”
“Acted like a sensible woman? What do you mean?”
“She has done what she should have done years ago—she has given her heart to the man who loves her.”
“Sobber, you don’t mean——” Dick could not go on, for the lump that came into his throat.
“I do mean it.”
“What?”
“I mean that she has become the wife of Mr. Josiah Crabtree!” cried Tad Sobber. “So if you ever marry Dora Stanhope you’ll have Mr. Crabtree for your father-in-law.”
At the announcement of Tad Sobber, Dick could only stare at the speaker for the time being.
Was it really true that Dora’s mother had married the disreputable Josiah Crabtree after all? It made his heart sick to think of such a state of affairs.
“You are telling me the truth?” he asked at last.
“Certainly.”
“I don’t believe you, Tad Sobber.”
“Very well—you can ask Mr. Crabtree—and Mrs. Stanhope, when you see her.”
“If she married Crabtree she was forced to do it.”
“No, she married him willingly.”
“I’ll never believe it. Where is she now?”
“I am not here to answer questions, Dick Rover. You and your brothers came here I suppose to get the best of us. Well, you are nicely caught.”
“What are you going to do with me?”
“You’ll find that out before you are many hours older,” answered Sobber, and turned away.
A quarter of an hour went by and the man who had met Koswell and the others outside of the cavern came back.
“Well, Jim, what about the other Rovers?” questioned Tad Sobber.
“Safe enough,” answered Jim Pally, with a grin.
“Where?”
“Down in the pool.”
“They slipped in?”
“They sure did.”
“I hope they won’t drown,” went on Sobber, uneasily.
“Oh, they are safe enough. I heard ’em swimming around until they found the rocks to stand on.”
“Good enough. Now, what do you think we had better do with this one?”
“Why don’t you make him join his brothers?” answered Jim Pally. And then he motioned Sobber to one side, out of Dick’s hearing. A conversation in a low tone followed. Pally was telling Sobber they had better be on guard, since the Rovers might not be alone. Then he told of the meeting with Koswell, Larkspur and Darkingham; and the two went off to consult with Josiah Crabtree.
Left to himself, Dick tried his best to free himself of the bonds that held him. But the work of making him a prisoner had been done well, and all he did was to cut his wrists and his ankles.
When Sobber and Pally came back they were accompanied by Josiah Crabtree. The former teacher and jailbird wore the same dictatorial look as of yore.
“Ha! so we meet again, Rover!” cried Josiah Crabtree, pursing up his lips.
“Mr. Crabtree, is it true that you have married Mrs. Stanhope?” asked Dick, bluntly.
“Well—er—we are as good as married, yes,” he stammered, taken somewhat off his guard by the suddenness of the question.
“As good as married? What do you mean?”
“I mean she has promised to be my—er—my bride as soon as we can obtain a—er—a minister to perform the ceremony.”
“You are forcing her into this marriage!”
“Not at all, young man, not at all! She is going to marry me of her own free will.”
“I do not believe it.”
“Ha! don’t dare to talk to me in this fashion, Rover!” stormed Josiah Crabtree, glaring at the helpless youth before him.
“Will you let me speak to Mrs. Stanhope?”
“And poison her mind against me? Indeed not!”
“Where is she?”
“She is in safe hands.”
“In your hands?”
“No, in the hands of a very estimable lady, who is doing all that is possible to make her comfortable.”
“Is she well?”
“She is—er—a little bit fatigued by her journey, that is all. She will be quite herself after she has rested for a few days.”
“Mr. Crabtree, you had no right to abduct her.”
“Who says I abducted her? She accompanied me willingly, Rover.”
“I do not believe that, and never will believe it. You mesmerized or hypnotized her, or something of the sort. I know your tricks of old.”
“Ha! don’t dare to talk to me in that fashion!” stormed Josiah Crabtree. “Don’t you dare to do it!” And coming closer he shook his fist in Dick’s face.
“You’d not do that if I were free, Josiah Crabtree!” cried the youth, defiantly.
“Say, we can’t afford to waste time in talk!” interrupted Tad Sobber. “I reckon the best thing we can do with this fellow is to make him join his brothers.”
“And then—” went on Crabtree, and finished in a whisper which Dick did not catch.
A few minutes later Dick was led back into the cavern towards the pool into which his brothers had fallen. Sobber carried a torch, that threw a flickering light throughout the dismal underground opening.
“Help! help!” came faintly from the bottom of the pool, and looking down those on the rocks high above saw Sam and Tom standing there, in water up to their knees.
“Hello!” cried Dick. “Are you all right?”
“We would be, if we could get out,” answered Tom.
“Hello! It’s the Sobber crowd, with Dick!” murmured Sam.
“I don’t think they are going to aid us,” returned Tom.
A few words passed between Sobber, Crabtree, and Pally, and then while two of the evildoers held Dick the third cut his bonds.
“Now, then, you can join your brothers!” cried Sobber, and gave Dick a shove that sent him headlong. Down he came with a tremendous splash, and then the waters of the pool closed over him.
“You cowards!” shouted Tom, in a rage. “I shouldn’t treat a dog that way!”
“You shut your mouth!” yelled back Tad Sobber. “It serves you right—for following us.”
“Some day you’ll be in jail, Tad Sobber!” shouted Sam. “It’s where you belong.”
All waited for Dick to come up, but second after second passed and the eldest Rover boy failed to appear.
“Something is wrong!” gasped Tom, in alarm. “Maybe his head struck on the bottom,” cried Sam. “If he is dead, you’ll pay the penalty!” he cried, to those on the shore of the rocky pool.
All were worried, for those above had not expected anything of this sort to happen. They looked down, but could see nothing of Dick.
“I’m going to hunt for him!” cried Tom, and leaving the rocks upon which he was standing, he swam with all haste in the direction of the spot where his big brother had gone down. Seeing this, Sam followed his example.
“Perhaps we had better be getting out of here!” muttered Jim Pally, turning pale.
“No! no! let us see if they bring Dick Rover up!” answered Tad Sobber, hoarsely.
The firebrand was swung into a larger blaze and the glare cast on the waters. As the rays lit up the weird scene, Tom set up a sudden shout.
“There he is!”
“Where?” demanded Sam.
“Over yonder! I just saw him bob up. Quick, Sam, before he goes to the bottom!”
The brothers swam to the spot indicated by Tom with all possible speed, and Tom made a dive under the surface. When he came up again he had hold of Dick’s left foot.
“I’ve go—got him!” he gasped. “Hel—help me!”
For reply Sam ranged up by his brother’s side, and between them they raised Dick up and swam with him to the spot where the water was shallow. Then they stood there, in water up to their knees, supporting Dick as best they could. The oldest Rover boy was all but unconscious.
“Going to help us?” yelled Tom, to their enemies.
“What’s the matter with him?” asked Tad Sobber.
“Oh, I fancy he was only shamming!” came from Josiah Crabtree. “Come on away.”
“Don’t you dare to leave us here!” cried Sam.
“Help us out,” came from Tom. “It is your duty to do it.”
“Not much!” answered Tad Sobber, with a sneer. “You can help yourself—if you can!” And with these words he walked away, in company with Crabtree and Pally, leaving the Rovers to their fate in the water and the darkness.
“Of all the rascals!” murmured Tom, as the light faded from sight.
“They are the worst!” supplemented Sam. And then he added: “How do you feel Dick?”
“Oh, I—I guess I’ll come around!” murmured the oldest Rover boy. “But I came pretty close to being drowned!” he added, with a shudder. “I struck something and it about stunned me, and I swallowed a lot of water.”
Tom and Sam continued to hold up their brother until Dick had recovered sufficiently to support himself. As they stood on the submerged rocks, they listened for some sound from their enemies, but none came.
“Maybe they have left the cave,” suggested Sam, after ten or fifteen minutes had passed.
“This is a fierce place,” was Tom’s comment. “It’s just like a great big well!”
“And we are like the frogs at the bottom of the well!” added Dick, grimly. He felt a little weak, but otherwise was all right.
“I looked around when we had the light of that torch,” said Tom, “but I didn’t see any place where a fellow could climb out, did you?”
“Nary a spot, Tom,” answered Sam. “The walls were all as smooth and as slippery as glass.”
“Do you think they mean to leave us here to die?” asked Dick.
“I shouldn’t think they’d be as heartless as all that,” came from Tom. “They’d be afraid of consequences.”
An hour went by—just then it was an age—and at last the boys saw a glimmer of light approaching. It flickered and flared over the walls for fully a minute and then commenced to fade.
“Somebody went past, through the main cave!” cried Tom. “Wonder who it was?”
“The Sobber crowd most likely,” returned Dick.
“But it might be somebody else!” cried Sam. “I’m going to yell and find out.”
He raised his voice in a loud call, and Tom and Dick joined in. Several minutes went by, and they called again. Then they saw the flickering of the light once more.
“Who is there?” came faintly to their ears.
“This way! This way!” shouted one Rover boy after another.
“Be careful of where you step!” cautioned Tom.
“Where are you?”
“This way!” they answered, and kept calling until the light of a ship’s lantern came into view, and they saw Captain Wells and Larry Dixon approaching.
“Well, I never!” ejaculated the captain of the steam tug, as he came to a halt on the brink of the blackish pool. “How in the world did you git down there?”
“Help us out first, and then we’ll tell you,” replied Dick, quickly.
“Didn’t you meet our enemies?” asked Tom.
“Nary a soul have we met since we landed,” answered the captain.
“Which way did you enter the cave?” asked Sam.
“By the slit in the rocks—where you came in,” answered Larry Dixon. “I watched you disappear, and afterwards I heard some yelling. Then I got scared and ran down to the shore and signalled for the steam tug to come in. I told the cap’n all I knew, and he came ashore with a lantern to see what was wrong—and here we be.”
“You’ve come in the nick of time,” said Dick. “Our enemies, the Sobber crowd, are here, and they left us as you see us. I rather think they have Mrs. Stanhope and that fortune here, too, but I am not certain. Help to get us out of here, and we’ll get after ’em without delay.”
“Don’t know how we are going to help you without a rope,” said the captain.
“I saw some rope, down in the big part of this cave,” said Larry Dixon. “Let me have the light an’ I’ll fetch it in a jiffy!”
He took the light and was off on the run. When he returned he was out of breath. In his hands he held several pieces of good, stout rope, parts of the same rope which had been used to make Dick a close prisoner.
“We can splice these,” said the old tar, and while Captain Wells held the lantern, he tied the bits together. Then both he and the captain allowed one end of the rope to dangle down into the hole, while they braced themselves and held on to the upper portion.
“Is it long enough?” asked Captain Wells.
“I think so—I’ll see,” cried Tom, and leaving the rocks he swam over to the rope. He was just able to reach it, and being something of an athlete, went up the rope hand over hand, with his feet against the rocks for added support.
“Now you go, Dick!” cried Sam. “If you are weak and fall, I’ll catch you.”
It was quite a task for Dick to gain the rocks at the top of the pool and once he came close to giving up and slipping back into the water. But he was gritty, and Tom assisted him by leaning down on his breast and extending a helping hand. Then Sam came up, and the three Rovers stood beside the two men who had come to their rescue.
“Phew! I am glad we are out of that!” murmured Sam, as he looked back at the cold and gruesome waters.
“We don’t want to stay here!” cried Dick. “We want to get after the Sobber crowd—before they have a chance to leave the island!”
“How can they leave the island?” questioned Sam. “I don’t think they have a boat. I haven’t seen any.”
“But Jerry Koswell’s crowd has a boat, Sam—that swift motor craft.”
“Do you think they would aid such criminals as Sobber and Crabtree?”
“They might—just to get the best of us.”
“Then the sooner we get after our enemies the better.”
“Where are your pistols?” asked the captain of the steam tug.
“Mine was taken from me by Sobber,” answered Dick.
“And ours are at the bottom of the pool,” added Sam. “We both dropped ’em when we plunged into the water.” And then he and his brothers acquainted Captain Wells and the old sailor with the particulars of their adventures since entering the cavern.
“Well, I still have my pistol!” cried Captain Wells, grimly.
“And I’ve got a good club,” came from Larry Dixon.
“We can arm ourselves with clubs,” said Dick. “But the main thing just now is to keep those rascals in sight. If they slip us, there will be no telling where they will go to.”
With eyes and ears on the alert, the whole party made its way through the big cave, coming out of the main opening, not far from where the campfire still lay smouldering.
“They certainly left in a hurry,” remarked Tom, as he gazed around. “They didn’t wait to pick up all of their provisions.”
“I guess they got scared,” murmured Dick. “Well, they’ll get more scared when they find we are so close on their heels.”
“Where do you suppose they went to?” asked the captain.
“I don’t know. But I think the best thing to do is to go down to where that motor boat was tied up. I don’t think they can leave unless they use that boat—unless, of course, they have some craft we haven’t as yet seen.”
There was a well-defined path running from the cave down to the shore of the island. This they followed, through the patch of woods and over some rocks. Then they came to an opening where were located several dilapidated buildings. Not far from one building were the remains of a recent camp.
“I believe this was the camp Darkingham and those with him made!” ejaculated Dick. “They have gone—maybe they have left the island!”
“Come on, I don’t like this!” put in Tom, and broke into a run for the old dock, and the others followed on his heels.
They were still a hundred yards from the dock when Tom let up a shout:
“There they are!”
“Where?” asked Dick.
“In the motor boat!”
“Who?” questioned Sam.
“The Sobber crowd—and they have Mrs. Stanhope with them.”
“Stop! stop!” yelled Dick, at the top of his voice. “Stop, I tell you! Mrs. Stanhope!”
“Oh!” came from the lady, as she espied the Rovers. “Save me! Save me! Don’t let them take me further away!”
“Put on all speed!” roared Tad Sobber, to Pally, who was at the engine. “Crowd her to the limit! They are after us!”
“Here we go! Hold fast everybody!” answered Pally, and the next moment the motor boat shot out into the waters of Casco Bay.
“Too late!” groaned Dick. “Oh, why didn’t we get here a minute sooner!”
“Stop, you rascals!” sang out Captain Wells. “Stop, or I’ll fire!” and he raised his pistol.
“Don’t shoot! You might hit Mrs. Stanhope!” whispered Dick.
“I only want to scare ’em,” muttered the captain of the steam tug.
The motor boat gathered headway rapidly, and soon was out of range of the pistol. The Rovers saw that the craft contained Tad Sobber, Jim Pally, Josiah Crabtree and Mrs. Stanhope and another woman, probably Mrs. Sobber.
“Wonder what has become of Koswell, Larkspur and that Darkingham,” said Sam.
“I don’t know, and I don’t care, just now!” returned Dick. “Captain, we must follow that boat without delay. If they get out of our sight we may never get another chance to rescue Mrs. Stanhope!”
“I’ll get after ’em as soon as I can,” returned the master of the steam tug.
But to start a pursuit was not so easy, from the fact that the tug lay on the other side of the island and could not be signalled.
“Tom and I can go after the tug,” said Sam. “The rest of you can try to keep that motor boat in sight;” and so it was arranged.
The two Rover boys skirted the south end of Chesoque Island. They kept on a run, and on turning a corner of rocks, plumped fairly and squarely into Koswell, Larkspur and Darkingham, who were talking earnestly among themselves.
“They said they would send the boat back sure,” Koswell was saying, when Tom almost ran him down.
“Hello! you here!” cried Tom, and then, as Koswell grabbed him by the arm he added: “Let me go!”
“Not so fast!” roared Koswell. “Bart, catch the other fellow!”
“I will!” muttered Bart Larkspur, and caught Sam by the arm.
What followed, came with such swiftness that both Koswell and Larkspur were taken completely off their guard. Tom drew back and hit Koswell a blow in the nose that sent him staggering back against the rocks and made the blood spurt freely. Sam, seeing this, also struck out, reaching Larkspur’s left eye, and putting that optic in deep mourning. Larkspur fell back on Darkingham, and for the moment there was great confusion.
“Skip! We don’t want to be delayed!” cried Tom, to his brother, and on they went again, before their enemies had time to recover.
Inside of five minutes they came in sight of the steam tug. Those aboard were on the watch for the return of Captain Wells, and the engineer had a full head of steam up, to use in case of emergency.
“Quick!” cried Tom, as he and Sam rushed on board. “Captain Wells and my brother want you on the other side of the island at once!”
“We’ll get there as quick as the propeller can take us,” said the mate, and the engineer nodded to show that he understood. The tug backed away from the island, and in a moment more was on the way to the old dock.
“Say we gave Koswell and Larkspur something to remember us by,” remarked Sam, grimly.
“So we did,” answered Tom, with a grin. “Wish it had been ten times as much!”
“They and that Darkingham must have loaned the motor boat to the Sobber crowd.”
“Most likely Sobber paid ’em well for its use. He could do it easily—out of that fortune.”
As the steam tug rounded the end of the island, Tom and Sam were just able to see the motor boat in the distance. It seemed to be heading for the mainland.
“All aboard!” sang out Tom, as they ran up to the old dock. But this invitation was unnecessary, for Dick, Captain Wells and Larry Dixon leaped on the deck as soon as the craft was close enough.
“Now then, after her!” sang out the eldest Rover boy. “Crowd on all steam! I’ll pay all expenses, and more!”
“Even if she blows up?” queried the captain, with a bit of dry humor.
“Yes, even if she blows up, Captain! Oh, we must catch them!” added Dick, pleadingly.
“We’ll do our level best, Mr. Rover. Nobody could do more.”
Soon the throbbing of the engine showed that the tug was running under a full pressure of steam. The spray dashed all over the craft and those on board, but to this nobody paid attention. Every eye was riveted on the craft ahead.
Those on the motor boat were equally eager, and watched the pursuit with chagrin.
“Do you—er—think they will catch us?” asked Josiah Crabtree, nervously, not once but several times.
“I don’t know—I hope not,” answered Pally.
“Can’t we run faster?”
“I am crowding her to the limit now.”
“Do you know about motor boats? Perhaps Mr. Sobber knows more.”
“I don’t,” answered Tad Sobber. “Wish I did.”
“I know about ’em—I ran one for two summers,” answered Jim Pally. “I’ll leave ’em behind if it’s in the boat to do it.”
“Oh, please let me go!” cried Mrs. Stanhope, almost tearfully. “Mr. Crabtree, I do not want to go with you another step! Please let me go!”
“Keep quiet, Mrs. Stanhope, don’t excite yourself,” he answered, trying to soothe her. But he was so nervous his voice trembled as he spoke. He had not dreamed that the pursuit would become so swift and sure.
Closer and closer drew the steam tug, until those on board could plainly see all that was taking place on the motor boat.
“I command you to stop!” yelled Captain Wells. “Stop, or we’ll run you down.”
“No, no, don’t you do that!” screamed Josiah Crabtree, in fright.
“Save me! Oh, save me!” screamed Mrs. Stanhope, and then, of a sudden, she sprang to her feet, leaped to the stern deck of the motor boat, and cast herself headlong into the waters of the bay.
The movement was so unexpected by the others on the Magnet that not a hand was raised to detain her. She went down, directly in the path of the oncoming tug.
“Stop! Back her!” screamed Dick, in horror, and Tom and Sam also yelled out a warning. There was a quick jangling of a bell, and the engine was stopped. Then the power was reversed, and the steam tug was steered to one side.
“There she is!” cried Tom, pointing with his hand, and the next instant came a splash, as Dick made a dive overboard. He, too, had seen Mrs. Stanhope floating near, and soon he had her in his arms and was supporting her.
“THERE SHE IS!” CRIED TOM! AND THE NEXT INSTANT CAME A SPLASH, AS DICK MADE A DIVE OVERBOARD.
The engine of the tug was now stopped, and a rope was thrown to the eldest Rover boy, and he and Mrs. Stanhope were hauled on board. As the lady was brought on deck, she fainted away, but in a few minutes she recovered.
“Thank heaven, she is safe!” murmured Dick.
“I’m thankful we didn’t run her down!” added Captain Wells. “It was a close shave! We had to reverse like lightning.”
“It was well done, sir,” answered Sam.
“Couldn’t have been better,” came from Tom.
“But, say, aren’t we going after those rascals? Remember, even though we have rescued Mrs. Stanhope, they still have the fortune!”
“Sure, we are going after ’em!” cried Dick. “Go ahead!”
The order to proceed was given, but, much to the captain’s chagrin, the tug refused to get up any speed. Then came a report from the engineer that the sudden reversing of the engine had broken some of the machinery. They could run, but it would have to be slowly.
“Then they’ll get away after all!” groaned Sam. “And with that fortune, too!”
“Fortune?” came from Mrs. Stanhope, who was standing near the boiler, trying to dry her wet garments. “What about the fortune, boys?”
“Haven’t they got that fortune with them?” questioned Tom, quickly.
“Oh, no, they buried it, in the cave on the island,” was the answer. “They didn’t know I saw them, but I did. Tad Sobber and Mr. Crabtree said they would come back, after—after—” And here she blushed deeply.
“After old Crabtree had forced you to marry him, I suppose,” whispered Dick.
“Yes, Dick. But, oh! I didn’t want to do it! He tried to hypnotize me, just as he tried to do years ago—but I fought him off as best I could!” answered Mrs. Stanhope, earnestly.
“He ought to be in prison again!” muttered Dick.
“If the fortune is on the island, let us go and get it,” cried Sam. “We can’t catch that motor boat anyway!” For the craft was now all but out of sight.
The steam tug was headed for Chesoque Island, and slowly made her way to the old dock. There the engineer and his assistant set to work to make the necessary repairs, while the three Rover boys and Mrs. Stanhope visited the cave. Once in the underground opening, the lady pointed out the spot where the valise containing the fortune had been secreted between the rocks.
“Here it is!” cried Tom, and dragged the valise to light.
“Open it and see if the fortune is safe!” came from Sam, in a voice he tried in vain to steady.
The key to the valise was missing, so the lock to the bag had to be broken open. Inside were the gold and precious stones.
“All here—or at least the greater portion of it,” was Dick’s comment, and he was right. Only about five hundred dollars in gold was missing, and two small diamonds—hardly worth mentioning beside the total value of the treasure.
“Hurrah!” shouted Tom. “We’ve beaten them after all! We’ve got the treasure!”
“And Mrs. Stanhope,” added Dick. “We must send word to Dora and the others just as soon as we can!”
“It’s a pity we didn’t catch those rascals,” murmured Sam.
“Oh, we’ll get them some time!” said Dick. How they fell in with their enemies again will be related in another volume of this series, to be entitled, “The Rover Boys in the Air; or, From College Campus to the Clouds,” a tale telling the particulars of several happenings far out of the ordinary.
While the steam tug was laid up for repairs, several of the party took a walk and looked for Koswell, Larkspur and Darkingham. But they looked in vain, for those rascals were thoroughly frightened, and kept themselves well hidden in the woods.
That evening found the Rover boys and Mrs. Stanhope in Portland, where they put up at one of the leading hotels. Messages were sent to Dora, the Lanings, and the Rovers at home, telling of the rescue of Mrs. Stanhope, and of the recovery of the fortune. Then Mrs. Stanhope told how she had been lured from her home and abducted, and then placed in the care of Mrs. Sobber, and how she had managed to mail the postal card.
“They treated me kindly enough,” she said. “But they would not let me have my liberty, and I think they told outsiders that I was insane.”
“That is just what they did,” answered Dick.
A general alarm was sent out for Sobber, Crabtree and the others. But they kept in the dark and were not captured.
“Oh, how glad I shall be to get back home!” murmured Mrs. Stanhope, when the return was begun. “It seems an age since I went away!”
“Dora will be glad to see you,” answered Dick.
“I owe you and your brothers a great deal, Dick!” she went on earnestly. “You are all noble young men!” And this earnest praise made all of the Rover boys blush.
The return to Cedarville was a great event. Dora clasped her mother in her arms and laughed and wept by turns, and then threw herself into Dick’s embrace.
“Oh, Dick! It was splendid!” she cried. “Oh, I shall never forget it, never!” And then she kissed him right in front of everybody.
The Lanings were equally pleased, and Nellie and Grace were proud of the parts Tom and Sam had played in the affair.
“You are a regular hero!” said Nellie to Tom, and gave him a glance that thrilled him through and through.
“And we shall always remember what you did!” added Grace, to Sam.
“You did better than the authorities,” was Mr. Anderson Rover’s comment.
“The authorities did nothing,” added Mr. Laning. “If it hadn’t been for your boys——” And then he bobbed his head enthusiastically. “Great lads! fine lads!” he added.
“Whoop!” cried Tom, in sudden high spirits, and catching Sam by the arms and whirling him around. “Say, I suppose now we can go back and finish that vacation, eh?”
“Sure thing, Tom!” cried Sam.
And then both set up a merry whistle; and here let us take our leave and say good-bye.
THE END
Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in this book?
Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author?
On the reverse side of the wrapper which comes with this book, you will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same store where you got this book.
Don’t throw away the Wrapper
Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete catalog.
By ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
(EDWARD STRATEMEYER)
Beautiful Wrappers in Full Color
No stories for boys ever published have attained the tremendous popularity of this famous series. Since the publication of the first volume, The Rover Boys at School, some years ago, over three million copies of these books have been sold. They are well written stories dealing with the Rover boys in a great many different kinds of activities and adventures. Each volume holds something of interest to every adventure loving boy.
A complete list of titles is printed on the opposite page.
BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD
(Edward Stratemeyer)
OVER THREE MILLION COPIES SOLD OF THIS SERIES.
Uniform Style of Bindings. Colored Wrappers.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York
By JAMES CODY FERRIS
Individual Colored Wrappers and Illustrations by
WALTER S. ROGERS
Each Volume Complete in Itself.
Thrilling tales of the great west, told primarily for boys but which will be read by all who love mystery, rapid action, and adventures in the great open spaces.
The Manly Boys, Roy and Teddy, are the sons of an old ranchman, the owner of many thousands of heads of cattle. The lads know how to ride, how to shoot, and how to take care of themselves under any and all circumstances.
The cowboys of the X Bar X Ranch are real cowboys, on the job when required but full of fun and daring—a bunch any reader will be delighted to know.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
By FRANKLIN W. DIXON
Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.
THE HARDY BOYS are sons of a celebrated American detective, and during vacations and their off time from school they help their father by hunting down clues themselves.
THE TOWER TREASURE
A dying criminal confessed that his loot had been secreted “in the tower.” It remained for the Hardy Boys to make an astonishing discovery that cleared up the mystery.
THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF
The house had been vacant and was supposed to be haunted. Mr. Hardy started to investigate—and disappeared! An odd tale, with plenty of excitement.
THE SECRET OF THE OLD MILL
Counterfeit money was in circulation, and the limit was reached when Mrs. Hardy took some from a stranger. A tale full of thrills.
THE MISSING CHUMS
Two of the Hardy Boys’ chums take a motor trip down the coast. They disappear and are almost rescued by their friends when all are captured. A thrilling story of adventure.
HUNTING FOR HIDDEN GOLD
Mr. Hardy is injured in tracing some stolen gold. A hunt by the boys leads to an abandoned mine, and there things start to happen. A western story all boys will enjoy.
THE SHORE ROAD MYSTERY
Automobiles were disappearing most mysteriously from the Shore Road. It remained for the Hardy Boys to solve the mystery.
THE SECRET OF THE CAVES
When the boys reached the caves they came unexpectedly upon a queer old hermit.
THE MYSTERY OF CABIN ISLAND
A story of queer adventures on a rockbound island.
THE GREAT AIRPORT MYSTERY
The Hardy Boys solve the mystery of the disappearance of some valuable mail.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
By FRANKLIN W. DIXON
Illustrated. Each Volume Complete in Itself.
No subject has so thoroughly caught the imagination of young America as aviation. This series has been inspired by recent daring feats of the air, and is dedicated to Lindberg, Byrd, Chamberlin and other heroes of the skies.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
By VICTOR APPLETON
Author of “The Tom Swift Series”
Every red-blooded boy will enjoy the thrilling adventures of Don Sturdy. In company with his uncles, one a big game hunter, the other a noted scientist, he travels far and wide—into the jungles of South America, across the Sahara, deep into the African jungle, up where the Alaskan volcanoes spout, down among the head hunters of Borneo and many other places where there is danger and excitement. Every boy who has known Tom Swift will at once become the boon companion of daring Don Sturdy.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
(Trademark Registered)
By ALLEN CHAPMAN
Author of the “Railroad Series,” Etc.
Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.
Here is a series that gives full details of radio work both in sending and receiving—how large and small sets can be made and operated, and with this real information there are the stories of the radio boys and their adventures. Each story is a record of thrilling adventures—rescues, narrow escapes from death, daring exploits in which the radio plays a main part. Each volume is so thoroughly fascinating, so strictly up-to-date, and accurate that all modern boys will peruse them with delight.
Each volume has a foreword by Jack Binns, the well known radio expert.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
By ALLEN CHAPMAN
Author of the “Radio Boys,” Etc.
Uniform Style of Binding. Illustrated.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
In this line of books there is revealed the whole workings of a great American railroad system. There are adventures in abundance—railroad wrecks, dashes through forest fires, the pursuit of a “wildcat” locomotive, the disappearance of a pay car with a large sum of money on board—but there is much more than this—the intense rivalry among railroads and railroad men, the working out of running schedules, the getting through “on time” in spite of all obstacles, and the manipulation of railroad securities by evil men who wish to rule or ruin.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
IN THE AIR WITH ANDY LANE
By EUSTACE L. ADAMS
Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.
Mr. Adams, the author of this flying series for boys is an experienced aviator and has had many thrilling adventures in the air—both as a member of the famous Lafayette Escadrille in the World War and in the United States Naval Aviation Service flying with the squadrons patrolling the Atlantic Coast. His stories reveal not only his ability to tell daring and exciting air episodes but also his first hand knowledge of modern aeroplanes and the marvelous technical improvements which have been made in the past few years. Andy Lane flies the latest and most highly developed machines in the field of aviation.
FIFTEEN DAYS IN THE AIR
Andy refuels his ship in the air and sets a new endurance record.
OVER THE POLAR ICE
In a giant flying boat Andy beats his enemy in a dash to the South Pole.
RACING ROUND THE WORLD
In a series of thrilling flights Andy wins an air dash around the globe to win a $100,000 prize.
THE RUNAWAY AIRSHIP
Through foggy skies Andy Lane brings back the world’s greatest passenger carrying dirigible, blown away on the wings of a storm.
PIRATES OF THE AIR
Andy Lane pilots the giant passenger plane Apex No. 4 across the Atlantic in the face of almost overwhelming odds.
ON THE WINGS OF FLAME
Andy makes a forced landing in the South American jungle in the dead of night and has thrilling experiences with the natives.
THE FLYING WINDMILL
Andy Lane and his restless crew take off in a monster autogyro in search of pirate treasure.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK