“Did they ask you a lot of questions?” demanded Hart.
“Why,” was the reply, “I told them we were out after the river pirates, and they seemed satisfied with that.”
“It seems to me,” Hart insisted, “that we ought not to turn these boys loose. I just believe they’re spies sent here by our enemies. It can’t do any harm to take charge of them for a little while, anyway.”
“Still, this motor boat,” Peck suggested, “is a mighty fine craft, and these boys appear to me to belong to wealthy families. The boat will soon be back here, if what the boys say is true, and then inquiries will be made, and the first thing we know the District Attorney will have every one of our names before the grand jury.”
“You may be right,” Hart said reluctantly, “and if I thought the boys would go on about their business as soon as the boat returns, I’d be in favor of letting them alone, but I don’t believe they will. They’ll just sneak and pry around here until they get us into trouble.”
“Perhaps we’d better put the whole matter up to the others,” suggested Ball, “then, whatever action is taken, we can’t be blamed.”
“Now see here, fellows,” Peck exclaimed, “there are quite a number of reckless fellows in that company over there, and I’m afraid they wouldn’t take into consideration the fact that they are dealing with little boys. Now I’ll tell you what I propose.
“If you think best, I’ll take the boys up to the house and leave them there with the old woman. Then we’ll scatter, and by the time the boys get back with their friends, the country will be as peaceful as a stony farm in Massachusetts.”
“That will be all right,” Hart agreed, “provided some of us remain here and take charge of the other boys when they return.”
“Yes, I think that advisable,” Peck admitted. “Now, I’ll tell you what you do, Ball, and perhaps you’d better go with him, Hart—you take these boys over to my place and leave them there with instructions to the old lady to keep them safe and sound until I get back. While you’re gone. I’ll dismiss the company and stay on watch here.”