Burglars carried dark lanterns. Crooks carried dark lanterns. What sort of men were these? What sort of a night expedition were they making?
For the moment the mystery surrounding the fate of Bart Hodge was forgotten. The boys had no thoughts for anyone or anything but the approaching boat.
The sound of rowing became more and more distinct.
“Changed now—not coming straight here,” whispered Frank. “Going in at pier. I thought so.”
Rattleton’s imagination was at work; strange fancies flitted through his brain.
“What if they are kidnapers?” he thought. “What if they had stolen that girl? What if they were paid to put her out of the way? What if they have murdered her and are bringing her ashore to bury her under cover of darkness, where her body will never be found. What if——”
That was the limit. He did not dare carry the speculation any further. Already he was gasping for breath, overcome with the horror of the thought. The adventures of the night bore heavily upon him. For the first time in his life he felt like a coward. He was willing to keep still and let the men in the boat go their way and do their will, no matter what crime they had perpetrated.
Frank did not feel that way. His curiosity was fully awakened, and he was eager to solve the mystery.
“Come!”
He arose to a crouching posture and moved toward the pier, stumbling blindly over the rough ground.