"You had no business to go off alone like that without notifying me," he exclaimed rather sharply. "Don't you know that the first duty of a soldier, a sailor or a scout is to obey orders?"
Merritt crimsoned and hung his head. He knew that the officer was right.
"We thought we were doing a good thing," he said, "but I know now that we did wrong in not notifying you."
The ensign's hand fell on the lad's shoulder. Then kindly enough he said:
"Well, acknowledging that you did wrong is a manly thing, my boy, and we'll say no more about the matter. But about Rob, something must be done right away. Arouse Mr. Barr while I am dressing and we'll set about searching for him at once. There's little doubt in my mind but that he is on that island where you saw the signals flying."
"But how could he get there unless he had an airship?" inquired Merritt.
"Hasn't it occurred to you that he might have hidden in the boat while the men were out of it?"
"Gracious! In that case he may be their prisoner by this time!"
"I am afraid that there is little doubt of that. We must get after the rascals at once."
By the time the ensign was dressed, Mr. Barr was also attired, and the two immediately began a discussion of plans for the rescue of Rob. But first the ensign wanted to know about Barton.