“I guess they’ve imprisoned Lockyer up there,” thought Ned. “Well, they certainly had their plans well laid for carrying out their campaign. Hullo! what’s that they’re saying?”
He listened attentively.
“Oh, they’re safe enough,” came in Gradbarr’s voice. “That kid in the cellar will keep till Christmas, and as for that milksop inventor, what the bag began that sleeping stuff you gave him will complete. Come on you’re as safe to take a run ashore as if we had them both locked up in a steel-lined safe deposit vault.”
“That’s no dream,” thought Ned.
“Well, I guess you’re right, Gradbarr,” replied Ferriss’s voice, “and, as you say, we’ve got to put back to shore and pick up Anderson——”
“Oh-ho, so he’s in this, too!” exclaimed Ned to himself. “What a choice collection of worthies.”
“Yes, you’d better come along, Ferriss,” urged Camberly. “Gradbarr will have to take the auto back to town. And in the event of trouble the three of us will be none too many.”
“You think, then, that that boy’s companions may have followed the car?”
“I don’t think it’s likely, but still they may have. There is no doubt in my mind, since we discovered that young Strong was hiding under the seat all the time, that the whole gang of them was on shore.”
This came from Gradbarr.