“What are they?”
“Well, either the men who were disappointed in not getting the whale did this, or it’s up to that mysterious man who knows Paul Gale.”
“I believe it’s the latter. He wants to discourage us from trying to get on his track.”
“Probably. Well, we won’t say anything about that part of it at home, though we’ll have to mention the fire. I hope we can make our trip to-morrow to Seabright.”
“So do I.”
It was found the next morning that the Gull was not much damaged, and, though it smelled strongly of smoke, the two brothers did not mind that as they prepared for the cruise to Seabright.
“Think we’ll get any clue?” asked Andy, as he cast off, while Frank ran up the sail.
“Well, it won’t be from want of trying. We’ll keep a good lookout on the way up, and then we’ll go ashore there and make some inquiries. I’m going to get at the bottom of this mystery if it’s at all possible,” and Frank looked very determined as he fastened the throat and peak halyards on the cleats and looked to see if the sheet was running free in the blocks.
On the trip up the coast the boys kept a sharp watch for anything resembling a wrecked motor boat, or for one in good condition resembling the towing craft of which Jack Kett had spoken. They saw nothing, however, even though they sailed out to sea several miles.
“Let’s head for Seabright now,” proposed Andy, as they swung about on a long tack. “Maybe he’s there waiting for us.”