tened to send her in--then he was to stand off until the blow
was over."

"Do you know what I think?" came from Dick. "I think he is going to
sail around to the other side of the isle. Probably he has an idea of
consulting with Sid Merrick. Then, if Merrick's offer suits him, he
will do all he can to prevent us from getting the treasure."

"You mean he and Bossermann will throw in their fortunes with
Merrick?" asked Mr. Rover.

"Yes, and as many more on the steam yacht as Carey can win over. I
believe Carey is a rascal and Bossermann is no better."

"Yes, but they are only two against over a dozen?" said Captain
Barforth.

"No, three, for you must remember they have Wingate with them," put in
Tom.

"That is true."

"Can't we get to the yacht somehow?" asked Sam. He was thinking of
Grace and the other girls, and wondering what would become of them in
case there was a fight on board.

"No, that is out of the question," answered Mr. Rover. "All we can do
is to remain on the isle and wait developments. If they land we can
fight them, but not before."

CHAPTER XXVIII

A NEW MOVE OF THE ENEMY

"Something is up."

It was Fred who spoke, only a few minutes after Songbird and the
sailor in charge of the rowboat had left the side of the steam yacht.
He addressed Hans.

"Vot you vos see?" asked the German youth.

"Look!"

Hans looked and beheld Walt Wingate on the deck, in earnest
conversation with the mate. The deck hand was not handcuffed as he had
been a short while before, when tramping the forward deck for air, by
Captain Barforth's permission.

"Carey must haf daken dem handguffs off," said the German youth. "I
ton't like dot. Maype dot Vingate make troubles, hey?"

The boys watched, and presently saw Bossermann come up and join the
pair. Then Bossermann went below to the engine room. Shortly after
this the yacht began to get up steam.

"We're moving!" cried Dora, as she came to the boys, accompanied by
Nellie and Grace. "Oh, what does it mean?"

"I don't know," answered Fred.

"Can't you find out, Fred?" asked Nellie. "I am sure the captain said
nothing about sailing before he went ashore."

"I'll find out--if the mate will tell me," answered Fred.

He walked over to where the mate stood, close to the wheelhouse,
giving directions to the pilot of the _Rainbow_.

"Mr. Carey, where are we bound?" he asked, respectfully.

"Oh, just going to take a little sail around, to test the engine