Case was wondering if the Fontenelles had a copy of the crude map which had been so mysteriously brought to the Rambler. He was wondering, too, if it would be safe for him to tell this youthful representative of the French family all that he knew of the two communications and the attacks which had been made on the Rambler. The question was virtually settled by Fontenelle himself.
“I am told,” the young man said, “that you boys were placed in peril by being mistaken for us.”
“We had a scrap with river pirates, if that is what you mean,” Case replied, “and Captain Morgan helped us to get away from them.”
“I’m afraid,” Fontenelle went on, “that the men you term ‘river pirates’ are pirates only for the purpose of this occasion. We have always been opposed in our quest for what father calls the lost channel.”
“Opposed everywhere in your searches?” Case asked, “or opposed only when you come to this section?”
“Opposed only in this vicinity,” answered Fontenelle, gazing keenly at the boy. “I see what you mean,” he added. “At least, your inference is that those who are opposing us really know more about the location of the charter and the jewels than we know ourselves, and that they believe them to be here.”
“That is the way it seems to me,” Case answered, “still if they think they know that the property sought for is in this vicinity, their knowledge fails when they try to put their hand upon it. They can only hope for success in case of your failure, and so they oppose your every effort.”
“That is the way in which we look at it,” Fontenelle replied. “In fact, father is positive that the search for the charter goes steadily on in this vicinity throughout most of the year.
“Last year, we had quite a merry picnic with a scout sent up to obstruct our search, and one of our men was seriously wounded. Our enemies are certainly becoming desperate, and if, as you say, your chums appear to be lost in the forest, we ought to be getting up there to look after them. They may be sorely in need of help.”
“I thank you for your offer of assistance,” Case replied, “and it is my opinion that we can’t get back there too quickly. Come over here and look through the cabin window,” he continued, “pointing through the glass panel to where he had left Max lying bound on the bunk.”