"Oh, to see papa and mamma again!"
"And to think of them living on some lonely little island!" sighed her sister. "We can't get to them quickly enough!"
"You had better go ashore for the night," suggested Lieutenant Walling, "and we'll start early in the morning. I'll go with you—if you will let me," and he looked at Jack's sister.
"Of course," murmured Cora, blushing slightly.
"You'll need more gasoline perhaps, and other stores," the officer went on. "And the journey will be much easier made with a good morning's start."
So it was decided. Supper was served for the young people aboard the Ramona, by direction of the British officer who was put in charge. There was rather more room to move about than on the Tartar. After the meal—the merriest since the strange quest had begun—explanations were forthcoming.
"I want to know how Inez got those papers away from Ramo," said
Walter, with a flash of admiration at the Spanish girl.
"Ah, Senor, it is no secret!" she laughed. "I said I knew he had zem, and if he did not gif 'em I would tear zem from his pocket!
"He gave zem to me," she finished, simply.
"Good for you!" cried Jack. "What became of him?"