“That’s a good plan,” said Tom. “If there’s anything going on around here—and we are positive that there is—we’d best find out about it as soon as we can. We don’t want to spoil our vacation. Who knows, to-night some of us may get a clue to Bert’s disappearance.”
While Truem was eating his lunch, Chot explained matters to Hoki, and asked the Jap to stand the first watch with him.
“Oh, sirs,” he said, trembling as he surveyed them, “it is better that all go to bed and peacefully slumber. May be if you sit up you will great dissatisfaction have, perhaps danger, before morning.”
“Look here, Hoki,” said Chot, sternly. “What do you know about this lodge?”
“Oh, nothing, sirs; I request that you belief have.”
“Well, there are some mighty strange things going on in this vicinity. One of our number has mysteriously disappeared—before our eyes, you might say. Don’t you think you could make a pretty good guess as to what has become of him?”
“Don’t me ask, sirs,” replied Hoki. “See, I prostrate my bended knees on the carpet you before that you believe me when I say I nothing know.”
The Jap spoke earnestly, as he fell into a kneeling posture in front of Chot.
“Get up, Hoki,” commanded Chot. “There is no need to kneel. We’ll take your word for it.”
But it was easily apparent that Hoki knew more than he would tell. He was afraid, no doubt, of Mr. Lawrence. Beg and plead with him as they might during the rest of the evening, he maintained the strictest secrecy. Anything he knew of the lodge—anything of the mysterious happenings of the previous day and night—would remain locked within his breast. Hoki was at least faithful to his master, and the boys admired him for it.