[CHAPTER IV]
OFF TO THE COAST
“Perhaps a search light on some vessel,” put in Ned. “He looks like a seafaring man.”
“I think you boys had better go, now,” said Dr. Bounce. “We will have to operate on the patient, but I am afraid it will be a long time before he recovers his senses. If he does and wants to see you, I will let you know. I would like to get at the bottom of this. Strange, he should think you boys could rescue Jess. Stranger still, who is Jess?”
But, for a while at least, there was no prospect of solving the strange meaning of the old man. His condition grew worse, and there was little hope for him.
That night the boys heard that though the operation was performed it was not entirely successful. A piece of bone was pressing on the man’s brain, and it was found impossible to remove it until his condition improved. Consequently he remained in a stupor, and could not talk. He murmured, in his delirium, Dr. Bounce said, something about Jess and the light, and there he stopped.
Three days after the wreck Mrs. Hopkins got a letter from the real estate agent informing her he had been able to secure a large cottage, close to the beach. It was on a small cove, and there was a boathouse near by.
“Fine!” cried Jerry when he heard of it. “Now to get the Dartaway ready. Whoop! But life is worth living, I tell you!” and he began to dance a jig with such vigor that the dishes on the sideboard rattled.
“Jerry, you’ll smash some of my fine cut glass!” exclaimed Mrs. Hopkins in alarm, yet she could not help being glad that she was able to provide a summer’s outing for her son and his chums.