“Perhaps you are right, Captain; but what could be their object in firing your boat?” asked Frank.
One of the passengers hurriedly approached at this moment. He was plainly much excited, and as the fire was completely out it could not have been from that cause.
“Captain, before you get into Centerville I demand that you have every person on board this boat searched!” he exclaimed vigorously.
“Searched, Mr. Pemberton—what do you mean?” exclaimed the captain, in dismay.
“Because, sir, my luggage has been opened while we were all excited about the fire, and my property scattered about. I have been robbed of something that was worth considerable money to me, sir. And I intend to hold you and your steamboat company liable for damages!” he cried indignantly.
The captain looked at Frank—here then was an explanation of the sudden fire!
CHAPTER II—TWO CLEVER ROGUES
“This is a serious charge, Mr. Pemberton!” said the captain, in a low voice.
“But I mean it, every word, sir. I tell you I have lost certain articles that represent a large amount of money to me. And I shall proceed against your company unless they are recovered,” declared the passenger, angrily.
Frank believed he recognized in this party a traveling agent who visited the jewelers in the lake towns several times a year. This being the case it was easy to understand that the packet which he complained was stolen, might have contained precious stones, or something along that line.