He made a circuit of the island, scanning every section of the swamp, and finally returned to his partner, and said:
"We've had our labor for our pains."
"No sign of them, eh?"
"No. Could they have gone to the Dalton residence?"
"More than likely. As Mason is skulking about this neighborhood, he, of course, must be living in the big house."
"Come on over there then."
"Get in the boat. It will save us making a detour of the swamp."
They saw numerous channels by following which they could reach the mainland quite close to the big house.
Gliding slowly over the water, the boat finally touched the shore, and the two detectives debarked and pulled the punt up on the bank.
There were rocks, trees and bushes all around.