"That settles it!" exclaimed Mr. Racer. He started up and took down an old overcoat and hat.
"Where are you going?" asked his wife in alarm.
"I'm going for those boys. I can't stand it any longer."
"But how can you get to Cliff Island if a storm is coming up? You have no boat, and to row—"
"I don't intend to row. Mr. Lacey, a friend of mine, put in here with his big motor boat a little while ago. I saw him as I got off the New York steamer, and he said he might stay here a couple of days. His craft is at the pier float. I know he'll take me to Cliff Island, blow or no blow, and his Norma is big enough to weather quite a sea."
"Oh, Dick, I'm afraid to have you go!"
"Oh, there's no danger, but there might be to our boys, and I'm going to the rescue. Don't worry. I may be able to get out to the island and back before dark. They're probably scouting around, looking for that man, and he isn't there at all. They think they're having a good time, but they don't realize what the weather is going to be."
Mr. Racer went on with his preparations for being out in the storm. Mrs. Racer, after the first alarm, agreed with him that it was best to go after the boys.
"Do you think that I—that is—Oh, mayn't I go?" burst out Paul Gale. "I'd like to help. Andy and Frank have done so much for me. Can't I go?"
"I'm afraid you're not strong enough," objected Mr. Racer.