"We've got to work fast," urged Mr. Fulton. "If they get away with the motor the stuff's all off. They're desperate men—I don't want any of you trying to tackle them. Scout ahead, and when you sight them, this is the signal:" He whistled the three short notes of the whippoor-will's call. "I've got my automatic, and I guess I can take care of them."
As they hurried out into the night they spread out, working toward the east side of the island. Jerry found himself next to Phil, and after a few yards he moved over closer to the Scout Leader.
"I say, Phil," he called guardedly; "you ready to listen to the wildest kind of a notion?"
"Shoot," came the answer.
"I don't believe our visitors came on the island for that motor at all.
What good would it do them?"
"It'd stop our launching the Skyrocket, for one thing."
"But there are lots of lighter things that would do that. I don't trust those two ruffians—or their boss, either."
"Well, who does?"
"That's not the point. Mr. Fulton figures that they merely want to keep those others from buying his idea, so that when the first option expires, they can. But if they could steal the plans in the meanwhile—get me?"
"I get you. Then you think that stealing the motor was just a blind, and that they are——"