“But,” he added, “do you recall we thought we heard a sound from shore as if some one were answering?”
“Sure! I had not forgotten that! You stopped the motor and kidded yourself that we were both allowing the darkness and the mysterious sounds of the river to get on our nerves.”
Frank smiled as he recalled plainly what remarks he had made. At the time it happened he little thought he would be nudging his memory to serve him in recalling all the things that had occurred, nor that he would have strong personal reasons for retracing all the detailed steps of that night.
“We haven’t answered the question yet why and when the signal was given.”
“What is this—an examination?” Ralph broke in. “I wish I could help!”
“Absolutely, this is an examination,” said Lanky Wallace. “This is the greatest little examination you ever saw. Frank is thinking certain things and he is using me to trace all the steps of his reasoning in order to assure himself that he is right. Eh, old boy?”
“Right you are—and if you come to the same conclusions I have, we’re going to get on the track of somebody.”
“I have it!” cried Lanky, touching Frank on the arm. “See the house from here?” and he turned to point to the house. There stood the hired man, Henry, just at the edge of the lawn! “Hey! What’re you standing there listening to?”
“The madam said for you to clear out of here.”
“You clear out yourself!” called Frank, starting toward the fellow. “We’re doing no harm to any one.”