“I’m glad you think so,” responded John. “I’m not so sure of it myself.”
“It’ll come out all right,” persisted Fred. “Come on now, we’ll go up to the house again.”
When the boys returned to the house and once more entered the kitchen, the little Japanese servant, who met them at the door, made no protest when they entered.
Once more the boys seated themselves in chairs near the window. They occasionally glanced blankly at each other for there was really no explanation for their presence in the house. At the same time they were both watching the waters of the lake not far away, but their watching was vain, for when an hour had passed no signs of the captain had been seen.
“Where is the man that lives here?” finally Fred inquired of the Japanese.
The servant laughed loudly, but shook his head to imply that he did not understand.
“He knows English, all right, I’m telling you,” said John in a low voice to Fred. “This is getting all mixed up. I wish we were back in Mackinac.”
“You are finding trouble everywhere, Jack,” said Fred, although he too was at pains to speak in subdued tones. Turning once more to the Japanese he continued, “Can you get us some supper? We’ll pay you for it.”
The sole reply of the servant was another of his unmusical bursts of laughter. Either he did not understand what was said, or he took this method of ignoring the requests of his uninvited visitors.
“Let’s go back to the shore,” suggested John.