"No use, Steve," said Chesty, squatting down on the dock. "We must have the key. Question is, who's got it? That pirate, or—or——"
"He's a pirate, all right," said Sybil, angrily.
"What do you think he intends to do?" Madeline quietly asked.
"Take the folks on the yacht by surprise, capture the ship and then claim it is his, because it is beached upon his island," replied Steve.
"How absurd!" exclaimed Orissa.
"Yes; but the scoundrel knows no law," declared Mr. Cumberford. "In this lost and forgotten island he has played the tyrant with a high hand; I can see that by the humble subjection of his people; and so he thinks he can rob us with impunity."
"He is mistaken, though," asserted Madeline greatly annoyed. "If this is really an independent island, I shall send an armed ship here to demand reparation—and force it. If the Don lies, and he is under the domain of any recognized nation, then our government shall take the matter up."
"To be sure," said Mr. Cumberford. "Interesting; very. Provided, of course, we—we——"
"Go on, sir."