"But it means shinning up to the roof," said Warrender. "It's broad daylight now. You might be seen."
"So I might. Well, let's take a look over Ambrose Pratt's grounds."
They went into the eastern room. The tower, a little south of the house, appeared to be slightly the nearer to them, but, ignorant as they were of the exact length of their paces, they agreed that the end of the tunnel might lie beneath either of the buildings.
Going then into the room facing south, they started back from the window. Rush was tramping along the weedy path leading to the southern end of the island.
"Lucky I didn't climb!" murmured Armstrong.
They watched the man. He seemed to be a little suspicious, stopping every now and again to listen and look round. Presently he disappeared into the thicket.
"Safe to go now?" asked Armstrong.
"Let's wait a bit."
Warrender kept his eyes fixed on the stretch of river which was visible over the low trees southward. After a while he saw a small boat moving slowly down stream.
"All right now," he remarked. "I dare say he's been spying out on our camp from the north end. Hope he hasn't missed us."