“I guess that’s the last we’ll see of him,” said Ned.
“He dropped his bag,” cried Bob. “Let’s get that and see what’s in it.”
At this the professor and Ned ran down to the edge of the water, and soon returned with the sack the old man had carried on his back.
“Open it and let’s see if there are any murdered persons in it,” said Jerry, with an uneasy laugh.
Ned untied the string, and, not without some misgivings, peered inside.
“Well I never,” he exclaimed.
“What is it?” asked Bob.
“Fish! Nothing but fish!” replied Ned. “Fine ones at that. I guess all we have done is to have scared the poor old man away from his fishing grounds.”
“Certainly there is nothing suspicious in having a bag of fish,” put in the professor. “I wonder if that strange woman could have been telling the truth.”
“We’ll know better if she keeps her word and comes to take us to the hermit’s den,” said Jerry.