where he was most likely
to put it."

"I think so myself; but Nick has had the advice of Cornwood since the
Islander reached Key West."

"Cornwood is a cunning rogue, I know."

"If we had suspected that Nick was on board the Islander, we might have
telegraphed to the police at Key West to arrest him and detain the
steamer," I continued. "I am satisfied that Cornwood would not have
gone to Key West if he had not expected to find Nick on board of the
Islander. At least, he would not have gone without the hundred dollars
he asked to pay his expenses in advance."

"Your logic seems to be entirely correct, but the facts so far do not
seem to bear out the theory," laughed the colonel. "But I have
recovered my steam-yacht, and I am entirely happy over the result so
far."

"I have no desire to prove that Nick Boomsby is a thief and a rascal;
on the contrary, I should be glad to have him relieved of the suspicion
that hangs to him just now. Cornwood may have considered that the
state-rooms were the most unsafe places on board of the vessel to
conceal the money, and even Nick himself may have come to this
conclusion before he had seen Cornwood."

"There is some reason in that," said the colonel. "Everybody in
Jacksonville knew that both yachts were bound to New Orleans. Nick may
have suspected that he would be charged with the robbery. He is old
enough to understand all about the telegraph, and he may have put the
money where it was not likely to be found, or if found, might not
appear to have any connection with him."

Captain Blastblow had made as thorough a search in the port as I had in
the starboard state-room, and had joined us in the cabin while we were
talking about the matter. He seemed to fall in with our reasoning, and
expressed his satisfaction that he had not been boarded by officers,
who might have suspected him of being concerned in the robbery of the
bank messenger.

"Cornwood has been on board of the Islander three days now," I said.
"Have you seen much of him, Captain Blastblow, during this time?"

"Very little indeed. From the time he came on board Sunday, I think I
hardly saw him at all until Monday afternoon. He was in close
conversation with Mr. Boomsby most of the time, the steward said to me.
The first night they sat up till after midnight; and Lonsdale says
there was a good deal of strong talk between them," replied the
captain.

"Do you know what it was about?" I asked.

"I haven't the l