"Can't say as to that; but I tell you that thin fellow is an awful knowing chap."
"But, see here, man, how comes it that you know so much about the matter? Did you go aboard the schooner again?"
"Yes, I took those bottles up to the boathouse and hid them as you told me; then I had a few words to say to our boys there, when the cap'n came ashore and wanted us all to help him land his goods, so I took a hand and went aboard with him. Then the officers came, and as soon as I could I slipped out to let you know what was in the wind."
"Come into the cavern, we must talk this over with Barney and his friends," and a little later they were heard crawling through the passage.
The first question Bissell put when they had joined them was:
"Is there any one living who knows of the existence of this place who would give the knowledge away to the detectives?"
"Not one," answered Pete, promptly.
"Then, as the schooner is taken," said Bissell, "we must stay here till you get a chance to ship us on board some other West Indian craft."
"That won't work, so far as Pete is concerned," put in Clarky, abruptly.
"Why not?"