“Didn’t the Ranger ever turn up?” asked Fred.
“Not at any of the home towns,” answered Ross. 40 “But some months later it was found tied up to a wharf near Halifax. It was from the log they found on board that they learned of Captain Ramsay’s death. The crew were traced, and it was found that they had shipped on a brig that was bound for the Pacific. She went down in a storm off Cape Horn, and every soul on board was lost.”
“Then everybody who was actually concerned in the matter is probably dead,” mused Lester.
“Yes,” answered Ross, “we can’t look for any help from human witnesses. There’s a bare chance that some letter or document may turn up that will give us a clue. But that’s so unlikely that it’s hardly worth considering.”
“Then all you have to go on is the possibility that the box was buried somewhere on this coast not very far from Bartanet Shoals, and that if it was, it’s never been taken away?” asked Bill.
“That’s all,” admitted Ross, “except––”
He checked himself hastily.
41CHAPTER VI
AARON RUSHTON, CREDITOR
If the other boys noticed the involuntary movement, they made no comment, and Ross went on: