The Ripper, urged on by her powerful motor, soon lost sight of the tug, which, from the last observation Mr. De Vere took, seemed to have turned about, to go back to the brig.
Two days later, having made quick time, and on a straight course, the voyagers sighted the harbor of San Felicity a few miles away.
“Now for home!” cried Ned.
“And the bungalow ‘The Next Day,’ Ponto and a good square meal!” added Bob.
“And the girls,” came from Jerry. “I guess they’ll be glad to see us.”
“If Blowitz doesn’t turn up to make trouble for me,” put in Mr. De Vere, rather dubiously.
The Ripper docked that afternoon, and, Mr. De Vere, promising to call on the boys and pay them their prize money as soon as he had seen his lawyer, and deposited the gold and papers in a safe place, bade them good-bye at the wharf, and hurried off. He was fearful lest he should be intercepted by some agent of Blowitz, though there was no sign that the tug had arrived.
The three boys were warmly welcomed by the girls and Mr. Seabury, when they got to the bungalow.
“I congratulate you,” said the elderly gentleman. “You deserve great credit for what you did.”
“Well, we had good luck,” admitted Jerry. “But where is the professor?”