“Of course I saw them. They landed where you did, and started off at a dead run after you. Lingerwell said you had gone home; and they expect to find you there,” replied Dory, as he headed the yacht on her course up the river again.
“They won’t find me there,” added the passenger, chuckling at the success of Dory’s plan. “But won’t they find us at Beech Hill if you go there?”
“It will be two hours before they get back to the Juniper again, and then they won’t know where to look for you. We are all right.”
Dory did not go into Beech-Hill Creek, which led to the lake in the rear of the mansion of Captain Gildrock, but continued on his course till he came to the river-road, on which the estate was located. At this point he made a landing; and, leaving his charge in the boat, he hastened to the house.
Dory found his mother and sister in the garden. As briefly as he could, he told the story of his passenger, and announced his intention of going to Burlington at once. As he did so, they walked to the house, where Mrs. Dornwood put up a heavy lunch for her son. The skipper showed the money he had taken from the Juniper, to prove his statement; but this was a secret she was not to reveal to any person at present.
Mrs. Dornwood volunteered to call upon the Millweeds, and inform them of the true state of
the case; for the visit of Tim Lingerwell was likely to give them much trouble and anxiety before the whole truth came out.
With the large lunch-basket and his overcoat, Dory hastened back to the place where he had left the Goldwing. He found his passenger in a very nervous and troubled frame of mind, fearful that Tim Lingerwell might pounce upon him while he was waiting for the skipper. He re-assured him by his confident words, and they embarked without losing a moment.
“It is a little more than an hour since we left the steamer; and Lingerwell may see us as we go down the river, though I don’t think he has got back yet,” said Dory, when the yacht was under way.
“Why not wait here until after the Juniper has started?” suggested Mr. Millweed.