“There are men in the party who advise that,” was the significant answer. “They are at present discussing your fate. Many declare that it is not wise to permit you to leave the place! I’m sorry for you, but you had no right to snoop in here!”
“Next time,” Alex. replied, “you hoist a piracy flag, and we’ll keep away.”
“When will this strategy board you refer to make a report?” asked Jule.
“I may receive orders at any moment,” was the answer.
Silence followed. There were crunchings and chatterings, in the walls where rodents were busy making nests, but no sound of human action. In the long wait the boys heard a low, inquisitive sniff!
Alex. drew Jule’s head over to him and whispered in his ear:
“That’s Captain Joe, for a dollar and a half!”
“You’re on!” Jule responded. “I’ll be glad to lose the bet at that, too!”
“I guess I know that inquisitive snort!” Alex. went on. “Besides, I told you that the dog would find some way to get to us!”
“Aw, Clay sent him!” declared Jule. “He never found his way here alone.”