“My, but it feels good to be loose again,” he said.
He followed the others toward the creek.
The party made rapid progress for they did not wish Jones to get there ahead of them. But their fear was unnecessary, for Jones, once out of sight, had sat down, feeling safe in the darkness.
A short time after, the party of searchers arrived at the bank of the little stream.
“Great Scott! where’s the launch?” exclaimed Leonard.
The others also uttered exclamations of astonishment. There was no sign of the Sybil.
“Jones must have arrived ahead of us,” said Jenkins.
Dick was struck with a sudden idea. He uttered a low chuckle. The others turned upon him, and one of the officers said:
“This is no laughing matter. What’s so funny, anyhow?”
“Well,” said Dick, “I believe I have solved the disappearance of the Sybil. I am sure that it was not Jones who took it, and Uncle Briggs is still where we left him, so it could not have been him.”