“What for?” asked Jerry.
“To search for that derelict—the brig Rockhaven!”
“The Rockhaven!” exclaimed Ned and Bob together.
“Yes, as I told you it has a valuable cargo aboard, and, in addition a supply of gold, in money, and some important papers.”
“Do you think we could find her?” asked Ned.
“I think so,” answered Mr. Blowitz. “I made some particular inquiries of the captain of the fishing smack, whom I saw to-day, and I got her longitude and latitude, as near as he could give it to me. Of course it would be a rather hard search, and might consume considerable time, but I would be willing to pay for that. What I want to know is, if you boys would care to go out in that boat, the Ripper, and search for the derelict? If you find her I will pay you prize money.”
“If we found her, and she was quite a way out to sea, how would we get her in?” asked Jerry.
“You could tow her, unless there was a bad storm. That motor boat is very powerful.”
“Then there isn’t anyone on board now?” asked Bob.
“Not a living soul,” answered the man. “It’s queer how they came to desert her, but I guess the captain and crew got scared and went off in a hurry, without making a proper investigation. The brig is a small one, and if she hit on a rock, or was in a collision, it would not take much to knock her out.