"We'll be glad to have you do that," said Joe cordially.
The old man got up and walked toward the entrance of his own cave.
"Come on inside," he urged. "You'd better stay and have some dinner with me. I was out fishing this morning and I caught quite a few fish. As soon as they're ready, we'll sit down and eat."
The boys accepted the invitation eagerly, and trooped into the cave of Captain Royal. Chet looked around hungrily for the fish, but there was none in sight. The old man invited them to sit down, and they squatted in the sand, there being no chairs or boxes.
"Are you the only person living around here, Captain Royal?" asked Frank.
"The only one. I thought I was the only person who knew about these caves until I saw you lads here."
"There was some one visited us last night—" began Frank. Then he hesitated in surprise, for Captain Royal leaped to his feet, a look of fear on his face.
"What's that?" he exclaimed. "Some one visited you! Don't tell me there's some one else around here!"
CHAPTER XVI
"Go Away!"