“But you will be going aboard the Bear, won’t you?” said Ensign Warwick. “I hadn’t thought of that before, but, of course, that will be the thing for you to do. Then you can return to San Francisco.”
The three boys glanced at each other in dismay.
[CHAPTER XVIII—CLOSING IN]
“Dad, we have got to see this thing through,” declared Bob, turning toward Mr. Temple and voicing the desires of himself and his chums. “Surely, you won’t put us aboard the Bear and return to San Francisco now!”
Mr. Temple smiled.
“Boys, I sympathize with you,” he said. “But you will have to look at this matter reasonably. We have been drawn into this plot by force of circumstances, and so far have been unable to keep out of it. But we came to the coast for a week’s business trip on my part, with you boys accompanying me to see the sights. I have got to return to San Francisco. Business demands my presence. And things have turned out providentially to enable me to do so.”
“But, Uncle George——”
It was Frank who spoke. Mr. Temple shook his head.
“No, Frank,” he said. “I’m sorry for your sakes. I know how all this adventuring must appeal to you young fellows. But do be reasonable. It isn’t our business to run these crooks to ground. And besides, you have had plenty of adventure out of the situation already. I know I have had enough to last me a lifetime. When you get to be my age——”
Bob grinned as he regarded his father’s sturdy figure, and disreputable appearance, unshaven, clad only in a shirt, trousers and stockings.