She pulled Bess behind a row of bushes, and the others followed silently. They had started down to the beach from the cabin, but fortunately managed to conceal themselves in time. The men, walking up the little slope toward the cabin, had not seen them.
Trembling with nervousness, Cora and her chums awaited the new turn of events. That it would come soon seemed likely, for the men appeared bent on something. They had made fast their boat, and came up the slope openly, as though their errand was the most innocent in the world. The light still glowed in the cabin.
“Oh, Cora!” gasped Marita. “Suppose they do——do something!”
“Which is very likely they will do,” replied Cora. “But don’t talk—I want to watch.”
From behind the screen of bushes Cora watched the men coming forward. The moon still gave a good light, though it was declining in the west.
“Is he there?” Cora heard one of the men ask.
“He seems to be—there’s a light going, anyhow,” was the answer. “I’d rather found him in bed, but we can’t have all we want.”
“Oh, where are the boys!” cried Bess, frantically. “Why don’t they come?”
“I don’t know,” answered Cora. “Surely they should have been here. But there must be a good reason why they are not. Jack wouldn’t disappoint us.”