“I thought you had more nerve, Tim. Didn’t ever think you’d stand for no game like this. But, if you’re afraid—”
“Come on!” said Tim, angrily. “I’ll show you if I’m afraid! I guess it’s safe enough.”
“That’s more like my old pal Tim. I knew you had nerve enough. Let’s be movin’. The sooner we go, the sooner we’ll be back. And we’ll show who’s afraid—eh, old sport?”
“That’s the stuff, Larry! Guess there ain’t no one big enough to tell us what to do.”
And, with linked arms, they moved off. Bessie and Dolly, hardly able to believe in the good luck that left the way to the beach clear, held their breath for a moment. Then Bessie, seeing that Dolly was about to rise, whispered to her.
“Not yet, Dolly,” she said, tensely. “Wait till we’re sure they can’t see us. No use taking chances now.”
“All right, Bessie, but what luck! I was afraid we’d have to stay here until daylight, and I was wondering what Miss Eleanor and the girls would think!”
“So was I. I’m afraid they’re worried about us already. But it wasn’t our fault, and it really is a good thing we heard them, isn’t it? The ‘boss’ they’re talking about must be Mr. Holmes, don’t you think!”
“I don’t see who else it could possibly be. Come on, Bessie. I think it’s time now, they’re out of sight.”
Slowly and carefully, to take into account the off chance that Jeff, the other man, might have come back to see if his sentinels were faithful, they slipped across the path and made their way down. And at the bottom, as they reached the beach, Eleanor Mercer spied them, with a glad cry.