“But who could have played such a trick as that?” exclaimed Miss Campbell.
The English brother and sister looked uncomfortable. There was no doubt in the minds of the company regarding the author of that practical joke, but no one cared to accuse Clarence Paxton since his cousins were their guests.
“What are we going to do, boy?” asked Miss Campbell helplessly. “How are we going to get back? I don’t suppose you can find any more gasoline in this wilderness, even if you could mend the boat.”
“No, the hotel is the nearest place,” replied Edward l’Estrange.
He knitted his brows and sat thinking for a moment, while the others waited in respectful silence. Surely this Edward must have been well accustomed to taking charge of things.
“There is nothing to be done,” he said at last, “but for me to go back to the hotel and get the motor car.”
“But how will you get there?” demanded Billie. “It must be at least ten miles.”
“Oh, I’ll manage,” he answered evasively.
“And must we wait here?” asked Miss Campbell.
Edward hesitated for some time before he replied.