"Caleb Cooler, at your service," came back the answer. "I thought I'd tell you something that may relieve your minds somewhat. Frank Merriwell is alive and unharmed."
Bart gasped.
"Why do you come to tell us that?" he asked.
"Because I know you are worrying about him. Don't worry. He will be with you to-morrow."
This angered Bart so that he lifted his revolver, being tempted to send a random shot toward the point from which the voice seemed to come, but he changed his mind and lowered the weapon.
"So long," called the voice of the queer old man. "Turn in and sleep. You won't be troubled."
"That is what they want us to do," thought Bart. "It is a trick. But they can't fool us that way."
No further sound was heard from the shore. Cooler did not answer, although Bart called to him several times.
Jack had heard Hodge speaking, and he came on deck. When Bart told Diamond what had happened, the latter was furious.
"If I had been here, I would have fired six shots in his direction," he declared.