"But without coming to tell us?" objected Grace.
"They probably had no time," said Allen. "My idea is," he went on, speaking rapidly so he would not be interrupted, "that they got some news about the diamonds, and had to act on it quickly. I think that is why they didn't wait to tell you girls. They knew if they didn't come back that you would know enough to come home, or they may have planned to return to you later."
"What had we better do?" asked Grace.
"Get back to Edgemere as soon as we can," was Allen's opinion. "We'll probably find them waiting for us."
They piled into the motor boat, and used all speed in getting back. No sooner had they reached the little dock, where Tin-Back tied his boats, than Will Ford came racing down from the cottage.
"I thought you would never come back!" he cried, his face showing excitement.
"Why, have you found them? Are they here?" asked his sister, wondering why her brother had returned from Boston.
"Here? Of course they're here!" he answered. "Where else would they be. And I've found them."
"I don't see how——" began Allen.
"Oh, it wasn't easy, I assure you. I had to work on a lot of clues. But I came out all right. I've found out all about 'em. Those diamonds were smuggled, and there's a good reward offered for the capture of the men, as well as something due for turning the diamonds over to Uncle Sam."