“I think the same man who tried to blow me up gave the warning,” stated Tom.
“Tried to blow you up!” gasped Ned. “What do you mean?”
Tom told of the explosion and fire, relating the sad tale of the wrecking of the talking-picture machine, but in words that would mean nothing to the three men even if they should hear. But they did not appear to be listening.
“Whew!” exclaimed Ned. “You were as badly off as I was!”
“Pretty near,” agreed Tom. “We couldn’t imagine what had become of you. Your folks were worried, but I sent word to them about your kite message and that relieved their minds.”
“Did you start to swim after me?” asked Ned, with a smile, noting Tom’s wet clothes.
“Swim? No. Oh, I see what you mean! You couldn’t see what happened because you were down on the bottom here. Well, I was chasing these fellows in a motorboat I’d hired, with Mr. Damon, Koku and the tramp that picked up your kite. We hit a rock and I went overboard. Then they hauled me in, for my boat slued off and I guess headed back for her own dock.”
“Tough luck!” murmured Ned. “Well, what’s the next item on the bill, I wonder?”
They were not left long in doubt. A few minutes later the speed of the boat began to slacken and, looking ahead, Tom and Ned saw that the craft was approaching a large island. It was known to the young men as a rendezvous for criminals and other unsavory characters. Tom had not visited Rattlesnake Island, as it was called, for a number of years, nor had his chum.
“Are you going to land us there?” Tom demanded, as he saw that the boat was heading for a dilapidated dock.