[CHAPTER IV]
IMPLIED ACCUSATION
Frank Simpson was the first to take definite action. He looked sharply at the man, as the latter gave the surprising information about trophies, and then, in a low voice, said to his companions in the barge:
“Let’s go ashore, fellows.”
“What for; to be insulted again?” asked Tom. “I’m not going to stand for that fellow’s insinuations. Who is he, anyhow?”
“I don’t know,” answered Frank, “and for the very same reason that I, neither, do not intend to stand for any imputation, I want to go ashore. Give way!”
They urged their heavy craft shoreward.
“They are certainly gone,” went on the man, as he continued to rummage about in the wreckage of his boat. “And it means a big loss to me. If you boys were here——”
“Say, just hold on a minute, my friend,” interrupted Frank, in that cool way of his. “Just go a bit slow about making cracks. It might not be altogether healthy!” and the eyes of the Big Californian glowed.
“But I tell you it’s a big loss!” went on the man. “I must find the things—money won’t pay for them!”
“Now suppose we go at this thing systematically,” suggested Frank, his chums, by common consent, letting him assume the leadership. “We don’t any of us know you, except that we all recall seeing you land on the main shore in your motor-boat a day or so ago. It was this same boat, I take it.”