“Haven’t you boys a launch?” asked Helen.
“No,” replied Tom, “but perhaps we can hire one,” and he looked at Ruth, who had been trying to signal him when the Mexican’s name was mentioned.
“That’s a good idea,” declared Phil. “We’ll see about it this afternoon.”
Then Jeanette, the maid, having come from the store with the tea, the boys took their leave, to allow the girls time to change into more comfortable and camp-like garments, and also to enjoy their beverage.
“We’ll see you after lunch,” called Phil.
“We’d ask you to stay,” spoke Madge, “but really we haven’t quite found ourselves yet. Later on——”
“Come on over to our tent,” invited Sid.
“No, thank you,” laughed the young hostess. “Some other time. We have to unpack our dresses, or they’ll get wrinkled.”
The boys thought lunch time would never pass, but it did, though they made a hasty meal of it. Then they hurried back to the cottage, and a little later four pairs of young persons were strolling in four different directions over the beautiful island.
“Oh, Tom!” exclaimed Ruth. “I’ve been just wild to get you alone for a moment to ask if you’ve found out anything about my brooch?”