"Did he take the boat with him?"
"No; the boat and all his effects were still with me. I was still very ill, and I concluded to remain there until my strength returned, but four days afterwards, when I was able to move about, I found that the boat had disappeared."
The strain of the conversation appeared to affect him, and the three visitors stated they would call on him later for further information.
When the boys returned to their huts, with John, the latter was quiet and very much reserved. The boys were so much interested in the story of the old man, that they could not wait until they were seated before they began to question him.
"What do you think of his story?" asked Harry.
John did not answer promptly, as was his habit. Instead, he reflected for some time, and at last said slowly: "The story may be true. Clifford was, in my opinion, tied to the boat and set adrift, and his death was due to that, unquestionably."
"Do you think this man had anything to do with it?" asked George.
"So far, I have no direct reason for thinking so, but there are several very curious things about the story."
"What in particular do you have in mind?"