It would be some time before the young men returned from the other end of the island.
When they came back the boat would be gone.
They would probably discover the camp. Their suspicions might be aroused. One of them at least had a theory about the murder. The incident might be connected with the crime, and lead to a sure clue. The loss of their boat would, however, delay them. Perhaps they would not discover the boat in which the boys had landed—his, Petit’s boat—which he had hidden very carefully.
Petit so argued, and arriving at his conclusion, acted without delay.
He strode along the jungle path, driving the boys noiselessly before him like a couple of sheep.
They were within ten yards of the point when the convict, putting his hand to his waist, uttered an imprecation.
The money which he had been carrying about with him in a canvas belt was gone.
He had left it at the camp whither the two strangers had directly gone.
With fearful oaths and threats he bade Dave and Tom stay where they were until he returned, and wheeling about, he went back quickly along the track.
Tom waited until the jungle hid him from view, and then he grabbed Dave by the hand.