The Rover Boys on Treasure Isle; Or, The Strange Cruise of the Steam Yacht

slowly to decay. The water wheel was gone, and so were the grinding stones, and the roof and sides were full of holes. Henderson, the owner

l, and the darkness under the thick trees was intense. They felt their way along slowly, and Tom w

lows have been putting up a

f they think we are

Tom. "If they hear us talkin

oser to the dilapidated structure, until it loomed up dim

but the rushing of the water over the rocks. Then came a sudde

again," growled a man's voice. "Shelley, why don't yo

ers may come here," was the ans

down the rive

ave turned

oys could not understand them. They heard a faint crea

ered Dick. "But I don't see how we are

lantern," said th

close to the building. Maybe we can find out something more about

nd soon the boys were at one of the broken out windows of the m

e," whispered Sam

f," answered his big

e from Tom.

tween the loose boards shone several streaks of light. As the

e water wheel used to be," whispered Tom. "Ma

k, cautiously. "If they have gone into the second

a!" cried Sam.

or you'll

. Dick led the way and crossed to where an enclosed stairs ran to the floor below. On tiptoes he went down, not trusting a step until he was sure of his foot

oom which Dick had suggested. The door to this was closed, a bolt on the inner side holding it in

em in if we wis

ered his brot

ouble in moving it into its socket. It made a rasping sound, but t

s of it," growled th

man would wake up. Neither of us made a

ns, Cuffer. If they knew the truth-" The man

. "But say, this is getting serious," he went on presently. "Merrick expects us to do this job

ible. Those Rovers are

hat traction company bond matter. He was a chump not

as afraid the market

want of those

for us if we got 'em. He says he's got some papers -or a map I guess it is-but he want

ecognize him, even if he t

the name of Sid Merrick, the rascal who had in the past tried so hard to harm them and who had up to the pres

ns," whispered Tom, excitedly. "If we do,

Sam, who had not forgotten the poi

lind," said Dick. "They want to get something

be valuable

nds, deeds to mining properties, and such. But I thought he

fellows would be fooled even if they got

ephine, and Shelley said she was now in port being repaired. Then the conversation drifte

he added. "And I want s

Sid Me

the speaker tried the door as he spoke, throwing the inner bolt back. Of course with the outer bolt i

ied Shelley, and pushed

too, tried to move the barrier. "This is a tric

re a bol

heavy on

body has t

out Cuffer, before his

red Dick, in an equally loud voice. "We hav

are

e with me. We are well armed, and we'll

age, and then uttered several

do?" asked Cuffer, af

n get help and then turn you ov

done anyth

mains to

ny right to lo

he right," answ

down," came in a low to

and cocked his pistol so the men might hear

emarked Shelley, after another pause. "We are not the bad fellows

doings are a joke, too," said Sam

Cuffer. "They must have been listening to our

x," answered Shelley. "I'd give a g

a look around," continued Cu

for his liberty. He talked in a loud tone, to cover up what noise his companion might make. The boys

e Ditwolds are anywhere around," said Dick,

Dick heard Cuffer

ore toe!" howled the ma

tes. Then their voices suddenly ceased. Tom and Dick s

ispered the eldest Rover. "Hi, you,

was just as ominous as before. The l

and ran close to the door to listen.

They waited for fully five minutes-then fiv

d the others, but I g

e the me

d Tom. "We are afraid th

ve a gasp. "The room-isn't there a

now," answ

run an

they heard a cry, and then he pounded on

wide open. The men have gone!"