The interest of the boys became still more intense when after a few minutes had passed Mr. Halsey himself came into the barn and closed the door after he had entered.
“You’re right on time to-day, Rufus,” said Mr. Halsey.
“Be I?” replied Rufus, apparently not strongly elated by the compliment.
“Yes, you are, and I’m going to give you that box to take to Mackinac.”
“What else are you going to give me?”
“You’ll get all you deserve, Rufus, if you’ll do just what I tell you.”
“That’s what I’ve heard you say before.”
“Well, you hear me say it now,” said Mr. Halsey sternly. “You do your part and you need not fear that I shall not do mine.”
“What is it you want me to do?”
“I have told you. I want you to take your motor-boat and carry that little box to Mackinac. You mustn’t let anybody see it, for it is valuable and much of what you will get from me depends upon how successful you are in keeping everybody away from that box, and delivering it safely just where I tell you. I’m writing out the directions,” he added, as drawing a blank card from his pocket he hastily wrote upon the back and then handed it to the ungainly man who apparently was still not strongly impressed by the words he had heard.