Dan and Brad grasped the launch owner's h.o.r.n.y hand, expressing grat.i.tude for the rescue. From him they learned that their drifting boat had been sighted by Midge from the Cave. The Cub had summoned Mr. Hatfield, who had sought the help of Mr. Fisher in finding them.

"You and Brad scared us out of a year's growth," Chips said accusingly.

"Seeing that empty boat made us think you might have drowned."

"Me drown?" Dan snorted.

"You may be a crack swimmer, but accidents do occur," Mr. Hatfield interposed. "Suppose you tell us what happened that caused you to sail so far from the clubhouse."

Together Dan and Brad explained how their attention had been drawn to the raft and motorboat.

"The storm struck us unexpectedly," Brad added. "We barely had time to get the sail down."

"I'm glad you managed that," Mr. Hatfield approved. "The wind didn't last long but it was strong when it came. If it had hit you with the sail up, the dinghy probably would have capsized."

"We made Skeleton Island," Dan took up the account. "After beaching the boat, we dashed back into the bushes to get out of the rain. When we returned to the beach, our boat was gone."

"Oh, Dan," Mr. Hatfield sighed. "How many times have I warned the Cubs always to pull a boat beyond reach of the waves?"

"But we did, sir! Someone deliberately set the dinghy loose."

Mr. Hatfield braced himself as the launch swung sharply around a buoy which marked a river shoal.

"Your boat was set loose?" he demanded. "Are you sure, Dan?"

"Well, we found a man's footprint in the sand. That boat couldn't have broken away by itself."

"We have an idea who did it," Brad added.

"Let's mention no names," Mr. Hatfield said quickly. "That is, not unless you're certain."

Being unable to prove that it was Jabowski who had shoved their boat from the beach, Dan and Brad remained silent.

"I know you believe you were careful about the boat," Mr. Hatfield said.

"Perhaps you were. On the other hand, you might have been mistaken."

"Hardly," commented Brad in quick protest.

"Bear in mind that Mr. Manheim, the island owner, has been very friendly to the Scouts and Cubs. He's given permission for us to camp on Skeleton Island this weekend. Now if wild accusations should reach his ears, it might prove embarra.s.sing to say the least."

Brad and Dan grasped the idea Mr. Hatfield intended to convey.

"After all, maybe we were mistaken," Brad grinned. "Those waves were pretty big."

No more was said about the sailboat mishap at that time. But later at the Cave, the two boys told Mr. Hatfield why they had been so interested in the raft operator's contact with the motorboat.

"It seemed queer the men in the motorboat would signal," Dan remarked.

"We figured it must have been Jabowski who ferried across the river to meet them. No one else appears to be living on the island."

"We'll know more about Skeleton Island after this weekend," Mr. Hatfield remarked. "The camping trip should give us an opportunity to see that everything is satisfactory before the property is purchased."

"Then you think something queer may be going on there?" Brad demanded alertly.

Mr. Hatfield smiled and did not answer the question directly. "Oh, one can't tell," he replied. "No use exciting the Cubs in any case. So not a word of this to the other boys!"

During the remainder of the week, preparations for the camping trip kept Dan and Brad so busy they had little time to think of possible mystery at Skeleton Island.

However, unknown to them, Mr. Hatfield was more disturbed by the sailboat incident than he cared to admit.

On two occasions he telephoned Mr. Manheim, intending to inquire as to any possible intruders on Skeleton Island.

He was informed that the island owner was out of the city and would not return before Sat.u.r.day.

Though Brad and Dan were careful to say nothing of their unfortunate experience on Skeleton Island, the other Cubs guessed that there was more to the story than had been told.

"Come on-give," Midge urged. "I know you boys are too smart to let a boat get away from you, even in a storm."

"Nothing to report," Dan replied with a wide grin.

His silence only made the Cubs more curious. They discussed the proposed camping trip at great length, building up elements of mystery and adventure. And to make their rivals, the Cubs of Den 1, envious, they pa.s.sed out hints that something queer already had happened there.

In due time, these rumors reached the ears of Ross Langdon.

Still smarting from his defeat in the swimming meet, he told his buddies that he intended to have a little wholesome fun at Dan Carter's expense.

"Just be sure it's fun and not revenge," a fellow Cub warned him. "Seems to me you've been a sore-head ever since you lost the race."

"Who lost a race?" Ross retorted. "I wuz robbed!"

Unaware that Ross was plotting revenge, Dan continued to practice his swimming faithfully at the "Y" pool.

Between times, he slaved on the coded message left by Jacques. But try as he would, he could not decipher it.

"When it comes to solving a puzzle, I'm a dud," Dan remarked one afternoon as he and Brad lounged in the cave. "And that reminds me-we've heard nothing more about Paper Bag Eddie or his friend f.a.gan."

"You know, that fellow's hook-up with a man of Eddie's shady reputation makes me wonder if he could have had any part in the fur theft," Brad said thoughtfully. "I've not seen a word in the paper lately about any hauls by river pirates."

"Neither have I, Brad. That robbery was pulled just about the time of night Mr. Holloway's boat was. .h.i.t."

"Sure, that's what I've been thinking, Dan. Why not drop around and talk to Hank Hawkins? He may have heard of this bird f.a.gan."

Having nothing more pressing to do, Dan agreed to the proposal.

The boys found the warehouseman at the dock chatting with his friend, Joe Matt. The seeing-eye dog, upon sighting Dan, began to strain at his leash. Only after the blindman had restrained the animal were the Cubs able to enter the warehouse.

For awhile the conversation centered on river commerce. Then presently, Dan and Brad steered it to the topic of river pirates.

"I wish the police would get busy and catch these pug-uglies that have been makin' so much trouble along the waterfront," Hank said irritably.

"Trouble is, they're slick operators."