“And if I kin come, I’d like ter take a good swat at ther feller what stole my skiff, by gum!” chortled old man Whey, at which they all laughed; and the inspector promised the old fellow that he should be a member of the party that hoped to tout the gem smugglers out of their last stronghold and bring them to book for their misdeeds.
It was just at the conclusion of this arrangement that a messenger boy broke into the room.
“’Sage fer Ralph Fetson!” he burst out.
“No such——” began the inspector.
“I guess he means me,” said Ralph, taking the message.
Sure enough, the dispatch was for him. He tore it open and scanned it eagerly. It was from his father.
“Arrest, annoying mistake. Trip here useless. Made on a forged message. Tell all about it on my return.
Dad.”
“Well,” said Ralph, after he had communicated the news, “I guess we know almost as much about that as dad. He can’t get here before to-morrow morning, and by that time——”
“We’ll be able to confront him with the men responsible for his unpleasant experience,” promised the inspector confidently.