"But they would not believe us! They made us tell them where you were, and Belle is sick in bed. Their boat passed ours as we were coming in. We had a delay. Oh, we've been so alarmed!"
"Poor Belle," Jack murmured. "Now, Bess, just step up here and make sure for yourself that Cora is just as intact as when you last saw her. I am here to speak for myself. If anything she is better for a night's rest in the open. We expect to start a camp on this plan. It can't be beat."
Ed motioned Jack aside. "Wasn't that the police boat?" he asked.
"Yes, and Cora and I gave them all the clues they wanted. None at all in other words. They're after Tony."
"Oh! and Cora, is she all right?" Ed questioned further.
"Splendid. Did you hear the latest?"
"Which?" asked Ed, significantly.
"Laurel's father is almost better. The hermit, you know."
"You don't say! Can he testify?" asked Ed.
"He may be able to if they require it. But the queer part is it seems to have been the shock that awakened his brain. I have read of such cases."