Search was made for the others of the gang, but they, including Bill Berry, had escaped in the sloop. As for Noddy Nixon, he left the summer resort that night, disappearing soon after he brought in his boat from which Jess had escaped. At the hut near the cove, later, among Bill’s belongings, was found the diamond ring and the case of specimen mosquitoes stolen from Uriah Snodgrass.
“Well, this will delight the professor!” cried Jerry, when he heard of the find. “I’ll wager he’ll think more of the mosquitoes than of the diamond ring.” It may be added that the professor was delighted over the recovery of his property and when he heard of what the boys had accomplished he praised them highly.
It was learned afterward that Noddy had no idea of the serious plot the men had planned. Bill Berry had enlisted the youth’s aid in getting Jess out of the way, on the pretense that only a harmless trick was to be played on the keeper. Noddy’s previous acquaintance with the girl made this easy. But Noddy, after Jess left him so suddenly, thought it best to make himself scarce. Bill, it seems, had written to him early in the season to come to the summer resort near the lighthouse.
It was the next afternoon when the boys were again on a visit to the lighthouse that they learned how near the steamer had been to the dangerous rocks. Some men of the life saving station had seen her approach, and then veer out again suddenly as the light was changed.
“I declare I don’t know how to thank you boys,” said Mr. Hardack. “You certainly are wonders.”
“Jess had us all beaten,” spoke Ned, wondering where she was.
“Oh, yes, poor Jessica. I wish I could help her out of her trouble as she and you helped me.”
“What trouble?” asked Ned.
“Didn’t I ever tell you? I started to several times, but it must have slipped my mind. Her father has been missing for several months, and I’ve not been able to locate him. He’s my only brother, quite an old man, with white hair, whiter than mine.”