When they arrived back at the cottage the fisherman was anxious that they go in and continue the chat, but the Hardy boys wanted to return to the caves.
"Some other time," they promised.
"Well," said the fisherman reluctantly, "if you won't come in, I suppose you won't; but you must come back and see me before you leave these parts. You're smart lads, cotchin' that jailbird, and I'm sure he's the fellow that's been performin' all the monkeyshines down around Honeycomb Caves."
Frank and Joe said nothing. It occurred to them that possibly the fisher folk did not know of Captain Royal's presence in the vicinity and they preferred to keep the secret to themselves.
"Yes," said the man, wagging his head, "I guess he was the chap, all right, even if you don't seem to think so."
"He was a thief, at any rate," said Joe.
"He stole your grub, you was sayin'. If you need more, you're welcome to anything I've got here. It ain't much, but you're more'n welcome," said their hospitable friend.
The boys thanked him, but assured him that Carl Schaum had been forced to divulge the hiding place of the provisions. With great glee they told how they had frightened him into telling.
"We're all set for a few days' stay now," said Frank. "I guess we won't be bothered any more."
The boys parted from the fisherman and ascended the path up the hillside again. Up over the rocks, along the cliff edge until they came to the ravine, down the steep slope, and after an arduous hour they were again at their cave.