It was a rather risky business, but still they were a strong party and the government officers were well armed. The descent to the side of the pool was made by a rocky path very like the one by which they had ascended the cliff.
Harry hung back while the others inspected the boat. But Ralph rallied him after a short time.
“She’s all solid, Harry,” he declared; “come on and see for yourself. Nothing ghostly about this fellow, unless a sixty horse-power motor of the best and speediest design appeals to you as being spookish.”
Harry came forward and soon satisfied himself that it was all as Ralph had said. Inside the boat they found tubs of phosphorus, for producing the ghostly effect that had so scared Harry, plenty of spare lanterns to work the stern-light trick and a stern search-light of great power, evidently intended to be thrown full in the eyes of the helmsman of any pursuing craft and dazzle his vision.
In a locker, too, were sheets with holes for heads and a number of masks painted to resemble grinning skulls.
“Quite a paraphernalia,” grinned the chief inspector. “All this would make a regular eight-hour-union ghost turn green with envy.”
In a small shanty which stood close by they found more evidence to show how the operators of the Artful Dodger had been practicing on the credulity of the islanders. All sorts of rigs and canvas frames by which the outlines of the motor boat might be altered at will were discovered. For instance, one frame was found which could be hooped on to the boat’s stern, changing her whole appearance. A false cabin top was also found, by means of which the Artful Dodger could be speedily converted to a cabin cruiser, in case any one was looking for a motor boat of another type.
“Well, this is the most complete layout we have uncovered for some time,” spoke the chief inspector. “I think——”
But Ralph interrupted him.