ch other on an island the night I left you, but before
daylight he had again disappeared, leaving no trace. After that I
learned nothing concerning him until reaching this place, when I again
struck the trail. I am now following a warm scent, and expect to run
the young fox to earth within a few hours.

"So much for the boy. As for the raft, its disappearance is even more
complete and unaccountable than his. There is absolutely nothing to
report concerning it. I have boarded several rafts, but none of them
bears the slightest resemblance to the _Venture_, which I am certain I
should recognize at a glance. However, when I find Winn he will of
course be able to put me on the right track, and the subsequent
recovery of the raft will prove an easy matter.

"If you have any news, send it to me at this place, where I shall
remain until I hear from you.

"Love to Elta. Tell her that last evening I ran across the queerest
craft I ever saw, with the queerest name I ever heard of. It is called
the _Whatnot_. Of course its Captain knew nothing of Winn, and I did
not expect he would; but I make it my business to inquire of every one
I meet or pass.

"Hoping to be able to send you better news within a day or two, I am
your loving brother,

"WILLIAM."

As this letter reached Caspar's Mill in the same mail with those from
Winn and the owner of the _Whatnot_, who, in writing to the Major, had
used his old army name, and signed himself "Respectfully yours, Cap'n
Cod," it may easily be imagined that Billy Brackett's perplexity was as
nothing compared to that of his sister. What could it all mean? Winn
was alive and well; his letter brought that comfort. But what did he
mean by stating that he was on board that boat with the absurd name,
when both William and Captain Cod stated that he was not there. Then,
too, how could it be possible for those three persons, each of whom was
anxious to find one of the others, to be in a small place, such as this
Mandrake must be, for several days without running across each other?
Such stupidity was incredible, and could only be accounted for by the
fact that all three were of the masculine sex. Well, she would soon
set things to rights, and the fond mother smiled to herself to think
that it was left for her, who had remained quietly at home, to discover
the missing boy after all.

She had but a few minutes in which to catch the return mail; but when
it left, it bore three notes