“When we get up to the hut,” he said, “I’ll show you how much I got for the gold. It was sold at Para, at a small discount.”
Frank did not appear at all interested in the price of this gold—the gold he had considered his own.
“All right!” he said, dully. “Then we’ll turn back.”
“Not until you look over the island,” cried Alex. “I’ve a notion that there’s something crooked been going on here, and I want to remain here-abouts long enough to dig it out,” he continued, his eyes flashing in John’s direction. John did not appear to mind this in the least, and even Captain Joe seemed to make light of the hostile demonstration, for he sniffed a moment at John’s trousers and then, taking him into his confidence lay down at his feet!
“You must have made a good thing off Frank’s gold!” Jule broke in.
“Something like $300,000,” was the cool reply.
“That’s nice!” cried Case, moving toward the speaker.
“And the check for it all,” John went on, laughing as he talked, “is waiting for Frank! It was his mine, you know, and if he wants to pay me for my trouble, why——”
An avalanche of boys flowed over John! They dragged him about the deck, tore at his clothes, shouted his name——
“John! John! John! He’s a brick is John!”