CHAPTER IX
IN THE BOAT
"Well, we didn't find out anything."
"No, we had all our trouble for our pains."
"But we know where he lives—that's something we didn't know before."
This last was said by Sammy Brown. His two chums, Bob and Frank, had made the other remarks. The boys were rowing toward Barnacle Cottage, having been practically driven away from the place to which they had trailed the strange old man. His manner had been severe and stern, yet the boys knew he had right and justice on his side.
"We couldn't do anything but go," said Bob. "He could have had us arrested for trespass if we didn't."
"That's right," admitted Frank.
"Well, I didn't think he'd be quite so sharp," said Sammy, after a moment. "I thought he was a sort of simple old man, like some of the fishermen around here."
"But he's a lot different," spoke Frank. "Did you see how his eyes snapped, when he told us to get away?"
"I should say I did!" answered Bob. "He was real angry."
"But he spoke good enough to us," said Sammy. "I s'pose it was a crazy idea to go there in broad daylight, when he was at home. Next time I'll go at night, or when he's away."
"What! Are you going again?" cried Bob.
"I should say I am! I'm going to get at the bottom of this yet!" declared Sammy.
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