“And just think of how much good that money would do us if we could get hold of it!” added his twin.
“Well, Dad, if you thought it was a good thing to go into, why don’t you let us fellows go into it on our own account?” questioned Fred. “That is, unless you think we ought to stay here and put in our time trying to solve this hold-up mystery.”
So far Jack had not spoken and now his three cousins looked at him inquiringly.
“I hardly know what to say,” said the oldest of the boys. “Of course, if we can be of any assistance around here we ought to stay. On the other hand, if there’s a real chance of winning out in this hunt for the lost steam yacht, I’m in favor of going on the hunt.”
“Would you be willing to put your own money in it, Jack?” questioned Fred. “I’ll put up every cent I’ve got.”
“So will I!” came from the twins.
“Of course I’ll put up my money! We certainly wouldn’t expect our folks to do it. In fact, haven’t we already offered our money to them?”
“Are you sure there is no one else who could claim a right in this Margarita if she was found?” questioned Dick Rover.
“There isn’t a soul who could make a claim so far as I’ve been able to learn,” answered Captain Corning. “This affair, you must remember, happened a good many years ago, when Henry Swall was only a young man. He was over seventy-five when he died last year. So it isn’t likely that anybody would come forward and make a claim. You must remember too that the vessel was abandoned at sea, and that would make her the property of whoever found her.”