“Oh, yes, sirs; as many as six, sirs. Would you have them delivered?”
“Where are they kept?”
“In my master’s private chamber, if you please, sirs.”
“Then lead the way to them, Hoki. Come, Tom! The rest of you stay here till we return.”
They followed the Jap into the lodge, and, true to his word, Hoki found a case containing six revolvers in Mr. Lawrence’s apartment.
The boys appropriated them all, loading them carefully, and placed an extra supply of cartridges in their pockets. Tom and Chot took two revolvers each, dividing the other two with Fleet and Pod, together with cartridges and orders to keep the weapons handy for instant use.
The revolvers gave the boys a certain feeling of security that had been absent before, and they were just settling comfortably down on the verandah when they were startled by a voice from the river. Somewhere between Winnsocket Lodge and the island to the south a man or boy was in deep trouble. They could tell that from the mournful tones which reached them.
“Help, help!” said the voice. “Come quick! Help, help!”
CHAPTER XVIII—THE MYSTERY DEEPENS
“It must be Bert!” cried Fleet.