The cock-eyed man whispered the words, his effort plainly being to make them as impressive as possible.
"Now," said Merriwell, "you have awakened my curiosity so that nothing can keep me away from Devil Island. I wouldn't miss going down there for anything. I simply dote on mysteries, and this seems to be a most fascinating one. I am going to lay claim to it, and I'll wager something that I solve it. Hereafter the mystery of Devil Island belongs to me till I make it a mystery no longer."
"Waal, you are a fool!" snarled the cock-eyed man. "I told you this for your own good, so you might have sense enough to stay away, but you ain't got no sense in your head! Go on, if ye want to, and I'll bet you git planted side of the man from Boston!"
Then he turned round and walked away.
"It is plain enough," murmured Frank, "that you do not want us to go to Devil Island. We will go there to-morrow."
"I should guess yes!" grunted Browning. "I am feeling just like looking the place over."
Then they entered their boat and rowed off to the yacht.