“I’d recommend a hospital,” said the doctor.
“Is there one near here?” inquired Ralph.
“Yes, at Cardinal, on the Canadian shore.”
“We had better take him there?”
“I should strongly advise it. In fact, it may be his only chance of pulling through. It was a good thing you came to me so early. I am going down the river to-day and may be gone for some time. Otherwise I should be glad to help you out in elucidating the mystery of that island.”
“Thank you,” rejoined Ralph; “we mean to try and do something in that way ourselves.”
“Well, you look capable enough,” said the doctor dryly, with a twinkle in his eye.
Not long after, for the doctor had cautioned them not to delay, the tender shot out from the dock. In the rush of events it had hardly occurred to the boys to talk over the disappearance of the River Swallow. Now, however, that they had done almost all they could for the boy, and the tender was headed for Cardinal, not more than six miles off, the talk swung naturally enough to that topic.
Indignation against Malvin was the ruling feeling, although Ralph warned them not to prejudge the man.
“He may have had some good reason for what he did,” he said.