“If we keep this secret to ourselves,” continued Jim, “the others will be constantly on the lookout, and we may yet run down the one guilty of the theft.”
“Yes, even if they only get a fictitious chart, we would like to know who it is and for what purpose it was taken.”
Their conference over they returned now to the deck.
The day passed without event worthy of record, and it was growing dark when the captain again joined the others.
“Going to have a blow,” he said, looking to the west where a mass of dark clouds were piling up. “The barometer is falling. It is just the time to try a little experiment.”
“What is that?” asked Tom.
“I am going to try and give our friends the slip,” replied the captain. “There are no other ships in sight,” sweeping the horizon with his glass.
“How are you going to do it?” asked Tom.
“Wait and see,” replied the captain.
In the west it was growing darker. The storm brewing clouds, as they piled up blotted out the stars. There was scarcely a breath of air. The sea rose and fell in long, slow undulations. Away in the distance the roar of the storm was audible.