MR. PRENWOOD’S launch carried Allan and McConnell, with the Arabella astern, swiftly southeast to Hazenfield.
Blickens was very talkative on the journey. It was evident that he wished to atone for that which had happened at Stonyshore; and Allan felt so little resentment for what had happened that he earnestly urged Blickens to come to the Hartel house for dinner. “Then,” said Allan, “I can send back these clothes by you.”
But Blickens could not be persuaded to stay. “I’ll wait here for the clothes, if you want me to,” said Blickens at Detective Dobbs’s landing; “though I don’t believe Mr. Prenwood expects you to bother sending them back.”
Since Blickens did not seem to be willing to accept the invitation, Allan said that he himself would return the clothes later, so that Blickens need not feel compelled to wait. Blickens said he hoped there would be no hard feelings, and shook hands good-by.
The boys were mooring the Arabella when Detective Dobbs came down the path with Sporty.
“Ship ahoy!” he called. “How many whales did you catch?”
“We caught a very unexpected fish,” said Allan. “There’s his skin,” and he tossed ashore the convict’s clothes.
“What do you mean?” demanded Dobbs, picking up the clothes. “This is a Sing Sing suit.”
Allan hurried ashore and as quickly as he could outlined to Dobbs the meeting with the Ghost and what followed.