“What were those queer tracks in the sand around the mouth of the cave?” asked Kate. “Like a three-legged crane. We saw them the day we were at the Cove.”
The Doctor smiled.
“I carry a camera with me,” he said, amusedly. “Those were the tracks of the tripod, a rare beast in captivity.”
“And does the cave really go clear through the island to the castle?” asked Ruth, eagerly.
“It does. If you will come over, you may go through it. But you won’t find any treasure or loot there. Plenty of old barrels, and boxes, but nothing in them. The pirates must have made a clean sweep that last night.”
“Isn’t he splendid?” exclaimed Kate, as they gave place to all the people who were waiting to be presented.
“And his flannels are so becoming,” added Isabel, thoughtfully. “Do you know, girls, I have found out something awfully queer. All of the really ‘great’ people I ever met are much simpler and pleasanter and more natural, than the little, everyday people who fuss around, and snub each other, and just live and grow fat on trouble. Isn’t that so, Polly?”
“Well, there are ‘deceptions’ to every rule, you know Aunty Welcome says,” laughed Polly. “I wouldn’t say positively, but I do think that the Doctor is a darling.”
CHAPTER XV
THE PEARL FEST