“It’s about him, and about the boat. And I didn’t notice Jack Hagle, either. But his folks are living out here, just as the Zorns are.”
“Exactly! And those two fellows would be likely to be together in anything. And if they were out on the lake, they must have seen the blaze long ago.”
“What reason would they have for being out at this hour?”
“Might be fishing for pout.”
“I don’t believe it!” Step declared.
“I didn’t say I believe it,” Poke pointed out. “It’s just a possibility. But that isn’t the interesting thing, which is: If either of those fellows—or both of them—saw the fire, why didn’t they row in at once and notify their people? Something queer there, Step; something queer!”
“You’ve said it!” cried Step, with conviction.
Obeying the same impulse, the two moved toward the shore. Across the lake the flames were making a brilliant display, and the field of illumination was extending far out over the surface. It was still a shifting and uncertain light, smoke-dimmed at times and varying as the wind fanned the fire, but, presently, it enabled them to make out a floating object well out from the land.
“Hi! Look—straight out from us!” Poke exclaimed.
“I see it,” Step replied. “Boat, isn’t it?” “Guess it must be.”