d what was wanted.

"I want the weather forecast for to-night," Bud replied. "We're out in a
motor boat and want to know if it's safe to stay out till dark."

"I'll get the latest by telephone and call you back in a few minutes,"
was the operator's generous offer.

Ten minutes later the promised call came, thus:

"Clear to-night. Wind brisk, but not violent."

Cub was listening-in and read this message to his father.

"That means we can go on nearly three hours yet before we have to seek a
post for the night," the latter announced.

"Good!" exclaimed Cub. "Now I'm going to test that radio compass and see
what may be expected of it in the morning if we don't find Mr. Crusoe
to-night, which isn't very likely."

Preparation for the test was simple and quickly made. The loop aerial, a
collapsible affair, was set up in the cabin and connected in such manner
that it could be used for receiving simultaneously with the use of the
outside aerial for sending.

While Cub was thus occupied, Mr. Perry set a hasty supper of prepared
foods on the table and "ate a bite". Then he returned to the chart and
wheel house and relieved Hal, sending the latter back to the cabin for
his meal and for further radio consultation with the other boys.

CHAPTER V

A Baffling Situation

The compass worked admirably. Although the principle of the affair was
very simple, Hal must be given credit for having done his work well.

So satisfactory did the device prove from the moment when it began to
take messages from the "island prisoner", that all on board the
Catwhisker became hopeful of success before sun-down. "V A X" kept a
stream of waves leaping from his aerial for their guidance and the motor
boat chug-chugged along like a hunting hound made more and more eager by
the increasing excitement of the hunt.

"I wonder what's become of the fellow who tried to head us off," remarked
Hal as he left the supper table and prepared to relieve Cub at the
wireless. "You haven't heard anything from him, have you?"

"No, not a thing all day," Cub replied. "I guess we've tired him out. Did
you get anything from him, Bud?"

"Not a shiver of the wires," answered the latter.

"Maybe he's given us up as hopeless easy marks," Cub suggested.

"Why, do you think his story is true and 'Bobby Crusoe' is a fake?"
asked Hal.

"I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised to find almost anything--or
nothing--as we get near to the end of our hunt."

"B