“Well, all right, fellows,” said the man called Jack. “It’s up to you. We’d be glad enough to slip you a fiver. If you won’t take that, why, you won’t. We’ll keep the launch safe for you. Much obliged to you both. See you in the morning. Good-night.”
“Good-night,” replied Arnold, and “G’night,” muttered Toby, and the Frolic backed off and headed across the bay.
“Blankets and grub!” said Arnold disappointedly when they were out of hearing. “Isn’t that the limit? No wonder those fellows were so willing to give them up!”
“Where we fooled them,” said Toby, “was in taking their boat. Look here, Arn, supposing that launch is really theirs?”
“But you said you thought they’d——”
“Yes, and maybe they did. But supposing they didn’t? Then what?”
“Then,” answered the other after a moment’s consideration, “they’ll have to come and get it!”
“They’d be likely to!” jeered Toby. “I don’t see but what we may be thieves ourselves!”
“Well, that isn’t bothering me much,” answered Arnold. “What is bothering me is that I’ve got to come all the way back from town alone.”
“If you like you can leave the Frolic at the landing and I’ll take you back in the Turnover.”