grumbled Link Merwell, when given his quarters.

"What else could you expect?" returned Dave. "If this was my affair alone, Link, I might let you go, now you have given up the jewels. But what is to be done is for Mr. Wadsworth and the authorities to say."

Merwell had confessed that he and Jasniff had taken the skates and other things at Squirrel Island, and told where they had been left, in a barn along the river, and how they might be recovered. He had also admitted impersonating Dave on several occasions and ordering goods in our hero's name, and doing other mean things of which he had been suspected, and said he was heartily sorry for his actions.

Soon the _Golden Eagle_ was ready for the departure from Cave Island.

As the sails were hoisted the boys gathered on deck to take a last look at the remarkable spot.

"It is really and truly Cave Island," declared Dave. "I don't believe any other place in the world is so full of caves and holes!"

"I am glad the volcanoes didn't get busy while we were there,"

remarked the shipowner's son.

"So am I," added Roger. "The caves and holes were bad enough, without adding other perils."

"Dave, do you think we'll catch that schooner?" went on Phil, after a pause, during which the boys watched the ship drawing away from the island.

"I sincerely hope so," was the serious reply. "If we don't, and Jasniff gets away, this mission down here will have proved almost a failure."

"Then you think Jasniff has the most of the jewels?"

"Yes. If you'll remember, the jewels that were taken were valued at about seventy-five thousand dollars. Well, I have looked at the jewels I got from Link, and so has Mr. Borden, who knows something about gems, and we have come to the conclusion that those Link turned over to me are not worth over fifteen thousand dollars. That means that Jasniff has about sixty thousand dollars' worth."

"Isn't that like Jasniff!" cried the senator's son. "Always wanted the big end of everything! It's a wonder he and Link didn't quarrel before."

"They did quarrel, and Link wanted to leave him several times, but didn't dare, for Jasniff threatened to expose him. In one way, I am sorry for Link,-but, of course, he had no right to commit such a deed."

After Cave Island was left in the distance, Captain Sanders had a long conference with Giles Borden concerning the Englishmen who had robbed him. Later a general talk took place between the pair and the boys.

"I am afraid we'll have to trust to luck to catch the _Aurora_ or locate her," said the captain, finally. "She may go to San Juan and she may go elsewhere."

"If we pa.s.s any other vessels, can't we ask if they saw the schooner?"

ventured Dave.

"Certainly."

The day went by and also the next. Link Merwell kept to himself, only speaking when addressed. He felt his position keenly, and would no doubt have given a great deal if he could have cleared himself. He was learning that the way of the transgressor is hard.

On the third day, early in the morning, they pa.s.sed a big barkentine bound for South American ports. Greetings were exchanged, and Captain Sanders asked concerning the _Aurora_.

"Yes, we met her," was the reply. "Yesterday, about two bells in the afternoon watch."

"Did she say where she was bound?"

"Bound for San Juan, Porto Rico."

"Direct?"

"Yes. She was going to stop elsewhere, but the captain allowed he'd make straight for San Juan," added the captain of the barkentine, through the megaphone he was using. Then, after a few words more, the two vessels separated.

"It's San Juan sure!" cried Dave. "From what Mr. Borden and Billy Dill say of Captain Hunker he would not tell a falsehood. I guess the best thing we can do is to sail for that port."

"I think so myself," returned Captain Sanders.

The chase was now a definite one, and Dave felt much relieved. He wondered if they would be able to overtake the _Aurora_ before Porto Rico was reached.

"We can do that with ease," answered Captain Sanders when questioned.

"But even so, she may not stick to just the course we take, and we may pa.s.s her in the night. So don't worry if we don't see or hear anything before San Juan is reached."

"I'll try not to worry," answered our hero. Yet he could not help it, for so much depended on the successful outcome of his mission. He knew that those at home must be in deep distress, and he could picture the anxiety of Mr. Wadsworth and his wife and Jessie, and also the anxiety of his own folks.

"Oh, we've got to catch Jasniff and get back those jewels!" he told himself. "We've simply got to do it! I won't give up, if I have to follow him around the world!"

It had been warm, but now the weather changed and a strong breeze made living far more comfortable. The breeze was favorable to sailing, and the _Golden Eagle_ plowed the deep at a good rate of speed. Many of the islands of the Lesser Antilles were pa.s.sed, and some truly dangerous reefs, and then the course was straight for the harbor of San Juan, on the northeastern coast of Porto Rico.

They had seen nothing so far of the _Aurora_, but on the afternoon of the last day out they were pa.s.sed by a freight steamer from the south and received word that the schooner was not far away and making for San Juan.

"I guess we had better go right in and get the authorities to take hold," said Captain Sanders. "This is no matter for us to handle, now we are in United States waters once more."

Dave agreed; and as soon as possible they entered the harbor and went ash.o.r.e. It was an easy matter to notify the harbor police, and inside of two hours half a dozen officers of the law were detailed to make the necessary arrests. Dave and Giles Borden and Captain Sanders went with them, leaving Phil, Roger, and the others aboard the _Golden Eagle_.

The patrol boat of the harbor police had to remain on the watch all night and half the next morning before the _Aurora_ was sighted.

"There she is!" cried Dave, at last, and Giles Borden echoed the words. Then the patrol boat lost no time in steaming alongside of the schooner.

"h.e.l.lo, what's wanted?" demanded Captain Hunker, as he saw the officers of the law.

"We'll come aboard, captain," said the officer in charge.

"What's the matter?"

"We are after four of your pa.s.sengers."

At that moment somebody appeared near the rail, to learn what the shouting meant. It was Nick Jasniff. He gazed at the officers of the law and then at Dave. As he recognized our hero his face fell and he looked totally dumfounded.

CHAPTER x.x.x-HOMEWARD BOUND-CONCLUSION

"Jasniff, I want to see you!" shouted Dave.

"What do you want of me, Dave Porter?" returned the big youth, as boldly as he could.

"You know well enough."

"Humph! You think you've got me, don't you?" sneered Nick Jasniff, and then he left the rail of the vessel and disappeared down a companionway.