To his surprise the hermit sat bolt upright. "He knows that I never forged the note. It was that sneaking office boy."
That was the story! This man had been made to believe he had forged a note. His exile on the island was because of the supposed crime!
"Of course he knows," Jack soothed. "And to-morrow he will come to see you."
But the sick man was either unconscious, or sleeping. He did not reply.
CHAPTER XXIV
THE UNEXPECTED
"I heard a boat," Cora whispered to Jack, as on the following morning, he rubbed his eyes endeavoring to put sight into them.
"Well, what of it?" he asked.
"It seemed to stop at this landing," replied the sister.
"The girls most likely," and he got to his feet. "How is the old gentleman?"