“Then, all of you boys better turn in now,” said Mr. Button as he arose and departed from the room.
True to their promise all four boys were on the dock before four o’clock the following morning.
“I think we are going to have a good day,” said Mr. Button to Fred and John as soon as their motor-boat was free.
“It looks so,” said John as he glanced toward the eastern sky.
“I don’t mean the weather alone,” explained Mr. Button, “but I feel quite sure that Halsey will not be on Cockburn Island to-day.”
“How do you know? What makes you think so?” demanded Fred quickly.
Mr. Button smiled, but did not explain his reasons for the opinion which he held. Indeed, conversation lagged and every one in the motor-boat apparently was busy with his own thoughts.
The boat which George and Grant had secured manifestly was much slower, for it soon was left behind and had not been seen again when about ten o’clock in the morning the party drew near the shores of Cockburn Island.
“The first thing,” explained Mr. Button, “I want you to do is to stay on board this motor-boat while I go up to the house.”
“But you may need us,” suggested John.