"How's the time running along, I wonder?" was Noll's next thought.
Hal drew his watch from a pocket, laid it on the ground, and struck a match, screening the blaze with his hands.
"We've nearly an hour yet," Overton answered.
"I don't know but we'd better go back before we have to," ventured Noll. "Hullo, there's a boat out there, putting in this way."
Though neither of the boys knew it some of the glow of the burning match had been visible in the darkness out on the water, and this boat was coming in answer to a fancied signal.
"I'm going to watch that boat a bit," whispered Hal in his chum's ear.
"Why?"
"Well, I don't believe it has any right to land here at night. Any boatman here on honest business ought to go around to the dock, I think."
"Pooh!" breathed Noll.
"Don't make any noise, anyway."