Nothing was said of the incident at the fisherman's hut, and that afternoon the young people went for a motor boat trip. That is, all but Percy Falconer. He could not be induced to embark, even on the calm waters of the bay, and so he spent a lonesome afternoon at the cottage, talking to Mrs. Nelson.
Toward evening Betty found a chance to speak to Old Tin-Back, who came with a mess of crabs.
She asked him who lived in the little, lone hut.
"Well, no one as you would care to know, Miss Betty. He's a man that hasn't a good name."
"A man? But I thought a woman——"
"Oh, yes, Mag, his wife, is there, too. She's worse than Pete in some respects."
"Are they smugglers?" Betty wanted to know.
"Well, they might be, if there was anythin' to smuggle. But I call 'em just plain—thieves. Pete could tell lots about other folks' lobster and crab cars being opened if he wanted to, I guess."
A telegram came from Mr. Nelson that evening, saying he would remain in Boston two or three days. He added that there was "no news," which the girls took to mean he had heard nothing about the diamonds. Will sent no word.
It was about nine o'clock, when, after a stroll down the moonlit beach, the boys and girls were returning to the cottage. As they came up the walk a scream rang out.