But to his chum he whispered: "We don't want any police fooling around here. Suppose they found Short and Long?"
"Right—oh!" agreed Lance. "Hope they'll all forget it and not mention the 'lone pirate' when they get home."
But as events proved, some member of the party mentioned the robbery of the lunch—and in a quarter which brought a search of the eastern end of Cavern Island by the police, a happening that Chet would have given a good deal to avoid.
Now, however, Laura's brother was busy inventing something to interest the party, and yet take them away from this end of the island. The twins were discussing with Eve Sitz the advantages of paddling over rowing, when Chet gave a shout which drew all attention to him instantly.
"Come on!" said the big lad. "Let's get into the boats. We'll have a four-oared race. I'll choose a crew of boys and let Laura choose one of girls. I bet we boys, using my boat, can row around that channel buoy out yonder and back again, before Laura in Lance's boat can do it. And Lance has the lightest boat."
"Done!" cried his sister. "And Lance's boat isn't so much lighter, either. What do you say, girls?"
"Let's show 'em!" cried Bobby. "Let me steer, Laura."
"All right," said Laura.
"And Freddie Ackerman here will steer for us," said Chet.
The crews were quickly chosen. Laura took Eve and the twins with her. Chet had Purt Sweet for Number 2 and pulled stroke himself. Lance arranged the start and was referee.