“Don’t you recall?” Dan demanded excitedly. “That coded message Jacques had in his pocket mentioned the 24th!”
“The note included the numerals 24,” Brad admitted. “But what does that prove?”
“Nothing perhaps. Then again, it may mean plenty!” Dan spoke with quiet conviction. “I know one thing. I’m really going to work on that message. I’ll break the code if it’s humanly possible!”
CHAPTER 8
“Dan Carter—Take Warning”
On the night prior to the departure of Den 2 for Skeleton Island, all the Cubs gathered at the Cave to receive final instructions.
Mr. Hatfield informed the boys they were to meet at the Webster City Yacht Club promptly at eight o’clock the next morning. Transportation would be provided to the island in a launch contributed by a friend of Midge’s father.
“Now don’t oversleep,” he warned as the meeting broke up. “And don’t arrive at the dock before the crack of dawn either! Try to make it about a quarter to eight so we can leave on the hour.”
After nearly all of the Cubs had gone, Mr. Hatfield and Brad busied themselves straightening the clubroom. Dan brought the record of the meeting up to date. Then, pulling a chair up beside the gasoline lamp, he reverted to his favorite occupation—that of trying to solve the coded message left by Jacques.
“Having any luck?” Mr. Hatfield presently inquired.
“Not yet.” Dan dropped his pencil in a gesture of utter discouragement. “I guess I’m a sap to waste time trying to figure it out. Maybe it isn’t even a code.”