THE MOTOR GIRLS ON WATERS BLUE

Or

The Strange Cruise of The Tartar

By Margaret Penrose

CHAPTER I

NEWS

With a crunching of the small stones in the gravel drive, the big carswung around to the side entrance of the house, and came to a stop, with a whining, screeching and, generally protesting sound of thebrake-bands. A girl, bronzed by the summer sun, let her gloved handsfall from the steering wheel, for she had driven fast, and was tired. The motor ceased its humming, and, with a click, the girl locked theignition switch as she descended. 

"Oh, what a run! What a glorious run, and on a most glorious day!"she breathed in a half whisper, as she paused for a moment on thebottom step, and gazed back over the valley, which the high-settinghouse commanded, in a magnificent view. 

The leaves of the forest trees had been touched, gently as yet, bythe withering fingers of coming winter, and the browns, reds, goldenambers, purples and flame colors ran riot under the hazy light of anOctober sun, slowly sinking to rest. 

"It was a shame to go alone, on this simply perfect day, " murmuredthe autoist, as she drew off one glove to tuck back under hermotoring cap a rebellious lock of hair. "But I couldn't get a singleone of the girls on the wire, " she continued. "Oh, I just hate to goin, while there's a moment of daylight left!"

She stood on the porch, against a background of white pillars, facingthe golden west, that every moment, under the now rapidly appearingtints of the sunset, seemed like some magically growing painting. 

"Well, I can't stand here admiring nature!" exclaimed Cora Kimball, with a sudden descent to the commonplace. "Mother will be wantingthat worsted, and if we are to play bridge tonight, I must help Nancyget the rooms in some kind of shape. "

As Cora entered the vestibule, she heard a voice from the hall insidesaying:

"Oh, here she is now!"

"Bess Robinson!" murmured Cora. "And she said she couldn't comemotoring with me. I wonder how she found time to run over?"

Cora Hung open the door to confront her chum Bess or, to be morecorrect, Elizabeth Robinson--the brown-haired, "plump", girl--she whowas known as the "big" Robinson twin--the said Bess being rather outof breath from her rapid exit from the parlor to the hall. 

As might be surmised, it did not take much to put Bess out of breath, or, to be still more exact, to put the breath out of Bess. It wasall due to her exceeding--plumpness--to use a "nice" word. 

"Oh, Cora!" exclaimed Bess. "I've been waiting so long for you! Ithought you'd never come! I--I--"

"There, my dear, don't excite yourself. Accidents will happen in thebest of manicured families, and you simply must do something--takemore exercise--eat less--did you every try rolling over and over onthe, floor after each meal? One roll for each course, you know, " and Corasmiled tantalizingly as she removed her other glove, and proceeded tocomplete the restoration of her hair to something approaching the modernstyle--which task she had essayed while on the porch. 

"Well, Cora Kimball, I like your--!"

"No slang, Bess dear. Remember those girls we met this summer, andhow we promised never, never to use it--at least as commonly as theydid! We never realized how it sounded until we heard them. "

"Oh, Cora, do stop. I've such a lot to tell you!" and Bess laid aplump and rosy palm over the smiling lips of her hostess. 

"So I gathered, Bess, from your manner. But you must not be in sucha hurry. This is evidently going to be a mile run, and not a hundredyard dash, as Jack would say. So come in, sit down, get comf'y, waituntil you and your breath--are on speaking terms, and I'll listen. But first I want to tell you all that happen to me. Why didn't youcome for a spin? It was glorious! Perfectly 'magnificent!"

"Oh, Cora, I wanted so much to come, you know I did. But I was outwhen you 'phoned, and mamma is so upset, and the house is in such astate--really I was glad to run out, and come over here. We aregoing--"

"My turn first, Bess dear. You should have been with me. In thefirst place, I had a puncture, and you'll never in the world guesswho helped me take off the shoe--"

"Your shoe, Cora!"

"No, silly! The tire shoe. But you'd never guess, so I'll tell you. It was Sid Wilcox!"

"That fellow who made so much trouble--"

"Yes, and who do you think was with him?"

"Oh, Ida Giles, of course. That's easy. "

"No, it was Angelina Mott!"

"What, sentimental Angie?"

"The same. I can't imagine how in the world she ever took up with Sidenough to go motoring. "

"Say, rather, how he took up with her. Sid is much nicer than he usedto be, and they say his new six-cylinder is a beautiful car. "

"So it is, my dear, but I prefer to select my chauffeur--the cardoesn't so much matter. Well, anyhow, Sid was very nice. He offeredto put in a new inner tube for me, and of course I wasn't going torefuse. So Angelina and I sat in the shade, while poor Sid labored. And the shoe was gummed on, so he had no easy task. But I will saythis for him--he didn't even once hint that there was a garage notfar off. Wasn't that nice?"

"Brave and noble Sid!"

"Yes, wasn't he, Bess? But I don't want to exhaust all my eloquenceand powers of description on a mere puncture. "

"Oh, Cora! Did anything else happen?" and Bess, who had followed herchum into the library of the Kimball home, sank down, almostbreathless once more, into the depths of a deep, easy chair. 

"There you go again!" laughed Cora, laying aside her cap and veil. "I'll have to pull you out of that, Bess, when you want to get up. Why do you always select that particular chair, of all others?"

"It's so nice and soft, Cora. Besides, I can get up myself, thankyou, " and, with an assumption of dignity that did not at all accordwith her plump and merry countenance and figure, Bess Robinson triedto arise. 

But, as Cora had said, she needed help. The chair was of such adepth that one's center of gravity was displaced, if you wish thescientific explanation. 

"Now don't you dare lean back again!" warned Cora, as her chum sat onthe springy edge of the chair, in a listening attitude. "To resume, as the lecturer in chemistry says, after Sid had so obligingly fixedthe puncture, I started off again, for mamma wanted some worsted andI had offered to run into town to get it for her. The next thingthat happened to me, Bess dear, I saw the nicest young man, and ranright into--"

"Not into him, Cora! Don't tell me you hurt anyone!" cried Bess, covering her face with her hands or at least, trying to, for herhands were hardly large enough for the completion of the task. 

"No, I didn't run into him, Bess, though there was a dog--but that'sanother story. "

"Oh, Cora! I do wish you'd finish one thing at a time. And thatreminds me--"

"Wait, Bess, dear. I didn't run into the young man, but he bowed tome, and I turned around to make sure who he was, for at first Ithought him a perfect stranger, and I was going to cut him. In myexcitement, I ran right into a newly oiled place on the road, and, before I knew it, I was skidding something awful! Before I couldreach the emergency brake, I had run sideways right against thecurbing, and it's a mercy I didn't split a rim. And the young manran over--"

"Oh, Cora Kimball! I'll never get my news in, if I don't interruptyou right here and now!" cried Bess. "Listen, my dear! I simplymust tell, you. It's what I ran over for, and I know you can't havehad any serious accident, and look as sweet as you do now--it'simpossible!"

"Thanks!" murmured Cora, with a mock bow. "After that, I must yieldthe floor to you. Go on, Bess. What is it? Has some one stolenyour car, or have you discovered a new kind of chocolate candy? Iwish I had some now; I'm simply starved! You have no idea howbracing and appetizing the air is. What was I telling you about?"

"Never mind, Cora. It's my turn. You can't guess what hashappened. "

"And I'm not going to try, for I know you're just dying to tell me. Go on. I'm listening, " and Cora sat on a stool at the feet of herchum. 

"Well, it would take too long to tell it all, but what would you say, if I went on a long sea voyage this winter?"

"What would I say? Why, my dear, I'd say that it was simply perfectlymagnificent! It sounds like--like a wedding tour, almost. A sea voyage. Oh, Bess, do tell me!" and Cora leaned forward eagerly, expectantly. "Are you really going?"

"It seems so, yes. Belle and I shall have to go if papa carries outhis plans, and takes mamma to the West Indies. You see it's likethis. He has--"

A knock came at the door. Cora turned her head quickly, and called:"Come in!"

A maid entered, bearing on a silver server a note, the manilaenvelope of which proclaimed it as a telegraph message. 

"Oh, a telegram!"' gasped Cora, and her fingers trembled, in spite ofher, as she opened it. 

She gave a hasty glance at the written words, and then cried:

"Oh, it was for mother, but the envelope had 'Miss Kimball' on it. However, it doesn't matter, and I'm glad I opened it first. Oh, dear!"

"Bad news?" asked Bess, softly. 

"It's about my brother Jack, " said Cora, and there was a sob in hervoice. "He has suffered a nervous breakdown, and will have to leavecollege at once!"

CHAPTER II

MORE NEWS

"Oh, Cora!" murmured Bess, rising from, the chair, and it was with noeasy effort that she did so, for she had allowed herself to sink backagain into its luxurious depths. "Oh, Cora dear! Isn't that perfectlydreadful!"

Cora Kimball did not answer. She was staring at the fatefultelegram, reading it over and over again; the words now meaninglessto her. But she had grasped their import with the first swiftglance. Jack was ill--in trouble. 

Bess put her arms around her chum, and slipped one plump hand up onthe tresses tangled by the wind on the motor ride. 

"Can I do anything to help--your mother is she--"

"Of course!" exclaimed Cora with a sigh. "I must tell mother atonce. Yes, she's at home, Bess. Will you--do you mind coming withme?"

"Of course not, my dear. I wouldn't think of letting you go alone totell her. Is the telegram from jack himself?"

No, it's from Walter Pennington. Walter says a letterfollows--special delivery. "

"Oh, then you'll get it soon! Perhaps it isn't so bad as you think. Dear Walter is so good!"

"Isn't he?" agreed Cora, murmuringly. "I sha'n't worry so much aboutJack, now that I know Wally is with him. Oh, but if he has to leavecollege--"

Cora did not finish. Together she and Bess left the library, seekingMrs. Kimball, to impart to her the sudden and unwelcome news. Andso, when there is a moment or two, during which nothing ofchronicling interest is taking place, my dear readers may be glad ofa little explanation regarding Cora Kimball and her chums, and also aword or two concerning the previous books of this series. 

Cora Kimball was the real leader of the motor girls. She was, bynature, destined for such a position, and the fact that she, of allher chums, was the first to possess an automobile, added to herprestige. In the first volume of this series, entitled "The MotorGirls, " I had the pleasure of telling how, amid many otheradventures, Cora, and her chums, Bess and Belle Robinson, helped tosolve the mystery of a twenty thousand dollar loss. 

Cora, Bess and Belle were real girl chums, but they never knew all, the delights of chumship until they "went in" for motoring. Livingin the New England town of Chelton, on the Chelton River, life hadbeen rather hum-drum, until the advent of the "gasoline gigs" asJack, Cora's brother, slangily dubbed them. Jack, with whosefortunes we shall concern ourselves at more length presently, had acar of his own--one strictly limited to two--a low-slung red andyellow racing car, "giddy and gaudy, " Cora called it. 

Later on, the Robinson twins also became possessed of an automobile, and then followed many delightful trips. 

"The Motor Girls on a Tour, " the second volume of the series, tellsin detail of many surprising happenings, which were added to, andaugmented, at "Lookout Beach. "

Through New England the girls went, after their rather strenuoustimes at the seaside, and you may be sure Cora Kimball was in theforefront of all the happenings on that rather remarkable run. 

Perhaps the most romantic of all the occurrences that befell thegirls were the series at Cedar Lake. There, indeed, were Cora andher chums put to a supreme test, and that they emerged, tried andtrue, will not be surprising news to those of you who really know themotor maids. 

As another summer followed the green spring, so adventures followedour friends, and those on the coast were in no whit tamer thanprevious happenings. Once again did Cora prove that she could "dothings, " if such proof were needed. 

"The Motor Girls on Crystal Bay, Or The Secret of the Red Oar, " isthe title of the book immediately preceding this one. 

It would hardly be fair to tell you, bold-facedly, what the "secret"was. I would not like a book spoiled for me that way, and I am sureyou will agree with me. 

But when Cora and her friends made the acquaintance of sad littleFreda Lewis, and later on of Denny Shane, the picturesque oldfisherman, they had the beginnings of the mysterious secret. And insolving it, they bested the land-sharpers, and came upon the realknowledge of the value of the red oar. 

Those incidents had taken place during the summer. Autumn had come, with its shorter days, its longer nights, the chill of approachingfrosts and winter, and the turning of leaves, and the girls I hadbidden farewell to the sad, salty sea waves, and had returned tocheerful Chelton. 

Cheerful Chelton--I believe I never thus alliteratively referred toit before, but the sound falls well upon my ear. Cheerful Chelton--indeed it was so, and though Cora and her chums had enjoyedthemselves to the utmost at Crystal Bay and in so enjoying had doneit noble service still they were glad to get back. 

And now--

I beg your pardon! I really am forgetting, the boys, and as theyalways have, and seem always destined to play in important part inthe lives of the girls, perhaps I had better introduce them in dueform. 

To begin with, though not to end with, there was Cora's brother Jack. Like all other girls' brothers was Jack--a tease at times, but ofsterling worth in hours of distress and trouble. 

Jack was a junior at Exmouth College, but, bless you! that is notnearly as important as it sounds, and none of my new readers need beon their dignity; or assume false society manners with Jack. For Iwarn them, if they do, the thin veneer will very soon be scratchedoff. A true boy was Jack!

So was his chum, Walter Pennington--"Wally, " the girls often calledhim, though it was not at all an effeminate term of endearment. Walter gave exactly the opposite impression from that. Besides, hewas too athletic (which you could tell the moment you looked at him)to further such associations. 

Other young men there were, Ed Foster, in particular, who often wentmotoring with the girls, to make the third male member which causedthe little parties to "come out even. "

Occasionally Paul Hastings, and his sister Hazel, would be included, but, of late, Paul had been too busy setting up an automobilebusiness of his own, to ride with his friends. 

So much for the boys--though there were more of them, but we need notconcern ourselves with them at present. 

Bess and Belle Robinson were the daughters of Mr. And Mrs. PerryRobinson--the "rich"' Mr. Robinson, as he was called, to distinguishhim from another, and more humble, though none the less worthy, citizen of Chelton. Bess and Belle had nearly everything theywanted--which list was not a small one. But mostly they wanted CoraKimball, and they looked up to her, deferred to her and loved her, with a devotion that comes only from sweet association since earlychildhood. 

"Cheerful Chelton!" Somehow I cannot seem to forego the temptationof using that expression again. It was a typical New Englandvillage, the nearness of it to New York not having spoiled it. 

Of late, the invasion of many automobiles had threatened to turn itinto a "popular" resort. There was already one garage, and anotherin building, and to the trained and experienced motorist, no moreneed be said. 

It was to Chelton that Cora Kimball and her chums had returned, following their summer at Crystal Bay. Cora, after trying in vain toget some of her chums, by telephone, to come for a little motor runwith her, had gone alone, coming back to find Best at her home, whenthe events narrated in the initial chapter took place. 

Now the two girls were on their way upstairs to impart the newscontained in the telegram, to Mrs. Kimball. 

"Do you--do you think she'll faint?" asked Bess. 

"No--of course not! Mother isn't of the fainting sort, " repliedCora, for Mrs. Kimball, a widow since her boy and girl were littlechildren, was used to meeting emergencies bravely and calmly. 

"I wonder what could have happened to Jack?" mused Bess, as theyreached the upper hall. "Do you suppose he could have been hurtplaying football, Cora?"

"I don't see how. The season hasn't really opened yet, and they playonly light games at first. Besides, Jack has played before, andknows how to take care of himself. I can't imagine what it is--anervous breakdown. "

"Probably Wally's letter will tell. "

"I hope so. Oh, but, Bess, I didn't hear your news. You must tellme all about it, my dear. "

"I will--when this excitement is over. "

Mrs. Kimball received the news calmly--that is, calmly after a firstsharp in-taking of breath and a spasmodic motion toward her heart. For Jack was very dear to her. 

"Well, my dears, we must hope for the best, " she said, cheerfully, tothe girls. "Fortunately, his room is in order, which is more than canbe said for it when he went away. Cora, can look up trains, or, better still, ask the station agent when one might get in fromExmouth. Probably Walter will bring Jack home as soon as he can. 

"It can't be so very serious, or Walter would have so specified inhis telegram. I am anxious to get his letter, however. You mightcall up the post-office, Cora, and find out when the next mail getsin. Then you could go down in your car and get the special. Thatwill be quicker than waiting for the boy to come up on his bicyclewith it. Often he has half a dozen letters to deliver, and he mightbe delayed coming to us. "

"I'll do that, Mother. You seem to think of everything!" and Corathrew her arms about the neck of the gray-haired lady, in whose eyesthere was a troubled look, though neither in voice nor manner did shebetray it. 

"I can't imagine Jack ill, " murmured Bess. 

"Nor I, " said Cora. "He has always been so strong and healthful. Ifonly it isn't some accident--"

"Don't suggest it!" begged Bess. "Shall I come with you to thestation, Cora?"

"I'd like to have you, dear, if you can spare the time. "

"As if I wouldn't make time for such a thing as this. Come, do yourtelephoning, and we'll go. "

Cora learned that no train which Jack could possibly get would arriveuntil very late that afternoon, but at the post-office it was said amail would be in within the hour, and there was a chance that thespecial delivery letter would be on it. 

"We'll go and see, " decided Cora, now again a girl of action. 

"And on your way, Cora dear, " requested her mother, "stop at Dr. Blake's office, and ask him to meet the train Jack comes on. While Ianticipate nothing serious, it is best to be on the safe side, andJack may be in a state of collapse after his trip. You had betterexplain to Dr. Blake, rather than telephone. "

"Yes, mother. Now are you sure you'll be all right?"

"Oh, certainly. I am not alone, with the servants here. Besides, John is just outside, trimming the lawn paths. You won't be long. "

"No longer than we can help. Come on, Bess. Oh! and now you'll havea chance to tell me what you started to. "'

"Oh! It isn't so much, Cora. In fact, I don't like to mention mypleasure, after hearing of your trouble. "

"Then it's pleasure?"

"Yes, Belle seems to think so. "

"Did you mention the West Indies?"

"Yes, father has to go to Porto Rico on business, and we are going tomake a winter cruise of it. Mamma and we girls are going, and what Icame over to ask you--"

The voice of Bess was rather lost in the throb of the motor as Corathrust over the lever of the self-starter. As the two girls settledthemselves in the seat, Bess resumed:

"I came over to ask if you couldn't go with us, Cora? Can't you comeon a winter's cruise to where there is no snow or ice, and where thewaters are blue--so blue?"

"Come with you?" gasped Cora. 

"Yes. Papa and mamma specially asked me to come and invite you. Oh, Cora, do say you'll go! It will be such fun!"

"I'd love to, Bess, " said Cora, after a moment's thought. "Butthere's poor Jack, you know. I shall probably have to stay home andnurse him. I can't leave mother all alone. "

"Oh, Cora!" murmured Bess, in disappointed tones. 

CHAPTER III

THE LACE SELLER

Cora, Bess and Belle were sitting on the broad, long porch of theKimball home. It was the next day. To be exact, the day followingthe imparting of Cora's news to Bess, of her automobile mishaps, theday of the news which Bess retailed to her friend and chum, concerning the trip to the West Indies, and the still more news, if Imay be permitted the expression, of Jack's sudden illness. 

Cora and Bess had gone to the post-office to get the expected specialdelivery letter, stopping on their way to speak to Dr. Blake, who hadagreed to meet any train on which the stricken Jack might beexpected. But, as it happened, his services were not required thatnight, for Jack did not arrive. 

To go back a little bit, from the point where we have left the threegirls sitting on the porch, Cora and Bess did find the specialdelivery letter awaiting them in the post-office. 

"And I'm glad you called for it, " said Harry Moss, whose duty it wasto deliver the blue stamped epistles, "for I've got a lot of 'emthis afternoon, and your place is out of my route, Miss Cora. "

"All right, Harry, " spoke Cora, half-hearing. She was already tearingopen the envelope, as the messenger rode off on his wheel, certainlyat a pace to justify the old proverb that he was a rolling stone, even if he had already gathered moss. 

"Is it from Walter?" asked Bess. 

"Yes, and it isn't as bad as we feared. Jack over-trained, tryingfor a new position on the football eleven, and that, with some extrastudies he undertook, reduced his already tingling nerves to acondition where he was not at all himself. "

"A long rest and a change will set him up again in fine style, "Walter wrote. "There is no need worrying, Cora, " for he had writtento her, rather than to Mrs. Kimball, relying on Cora's discretion toexplain matters. 

"I am bringing Jack home, and we'll come on the early afternoontrain, Thursday. There is no great need of haste. "

It was now Thursday, just after lunch, and the girls were waiting atCora's house to go down with her, or, rather one of them (to bedecided later) to meet Jack and Walter. There was no need of aphysician to help Jack home, though Dr. Blake promised his serviceswhen the sufferer should have been safely quartered in his own room. 

"Isn't it good of Wally to come home with him?" ventured Belle, thoughtfully gazing at her long, thin hands, that were still tannedby the summer's sun. 

"Perfectly fine!" exclaimed Cora. "Oh, you can always depend onWally, " and her eyes lightened up. 

"So you can, too, on Jack, for that matter, " voiced Bess, warmly. Bess was, of late, generally regarded as having more than a merechum's sisterly feeling for Jack. 

"I suppose he'll lose a term, " remarked Belle. 

"Too bad, I say. "

"Better that than lose your health, " declared Cora, as she put back astrand of hair that would persist in straying out from under her cap, for she, as well as the others, were attired for motoring, theRobinson twins, in fact, having come over in their car. 

"Oh, Cora! I think you look so different with your hair in that newclose formation!" declared Bess. "I wish I could get mine to liedown flat at the sides, and over my ears. How do you do it?"

"Whisper--it's a secret, " said Cora, smiling. "I found a new kind ofhairpin when I was shopping the other day. "

"Oh, do show us!" begged Belle. "I was going to have the permanentwave put in mine, but it costs twenty-five dollars, and it's awfullytiring, Hazel said. Besides, I think it's getting rather--common. "

"Do show us, Cora!" begged Bess. 

"Come inside. I'm not going to turn the porch into a hair-dressingparlor for demonstrations, " laughed Cora. "It won't take a minute toshow you how to do I it, and we have plenty of time before Jack'strain is due. "

Cora obligingly let down her pretty hair, and then, by means of thenew hairpins, she put it up again, in the latest "flat" mode, which, with its rather severe lines, is far from becoming to the averageface. But, as it happened, Cora's face was not the average, and thedifferent style was distinctly becoming to her. 

"Oh, isn't it simple--when you're shown?" cried Bess. "I wonder ifI'd have time to do mine that way before--?"

"Before Wally sees you!" interrupted her sister. "No, and don'tthink it. He's probably seen plenty of that style at college, and--"

"Thank you! I wasn't thinking of Mr. Pennington!" and Bess tried totilt her chin up in the air with an assumption of dignity that illsat upon her, the said chin being of the plump variety which lendsitself but poorly to the said tilting. 

"Cora, are you there?" asked the voice of Mrs. Kimball from theporch. 

"Yes, Mother. I was just showing the girls the new hairpins. We aregoing to the station directly. "

Cora's voice floated out of the low French windows, which opened fromthe library to the porch, and they were swung wide, for the fall tangin the air had vanished with the rising of the orb of day, and it wasnow warm and balmy. 

"It will be even warmer than this when we go to the West Indies, "murmured Bess. "Oh, Cora, I do wish you were going!"

"So do I, dear! But I don't see how I can. "

"Hark!" said Belle, softly. 

A murmur of voices came from the porch through the low, openedwindows. 

"It's one of those Armenian lace peddlers, "' said Cora, stooping downto look as she finished making the twist at the back of her head. "There's been a perfect swarm of them around lately. Mother istalking to her, though she seldom cares for lace--such as they sell. "

"There is some beautiful lace work to be had on some of the WestIndian islands, so mamma says, " spoke Belle. "I am just crazy to getthere!"

"Are you going to spend all your time on Porto Rico?" asked Cora, asshe finished her hair. 

"Well, most of it, though we shall probably cruise about some, " spokeBess, and as she paused the murmuring of the voices of Mrs. Kimballand the lace peddler could be heard. 

"She doesn't talk like an Armenian, " ventured Belle. "She has aSpanish accent. "

"Yes, so she has, " agreed Cora. "Oh, girls! You don't know how Ienvy you that trip. But duty first, you know, " and she sighed. 

"We expect to have a perfectly gorgeous time, " went on Belle, as shesettled her trim jacket more snugly over her slim hips. "One trippapa has promised us is to Sea Horse Island, not far from Porto Rico. He is going there after orchids--you know he is an enthusiasticamateur collector--and he says some very rare ones grow on Sea Horse. I wish I could send you some, Cora. "

"It's awfully sweet of you, but--"

The girls were interrupted by the darkening of one of the lowwindows, by a tall, slim shadow. In surprise they looked up to seestaring at them a girl whose swarthy, olive-tinted face proclaimedher for a foreigner from some sunny clime. 

In her hand she field a bundle of lace, which she had evidently takenfrom her valise to show to Mrs. Kimball. Cora's mother had arisenfrom a porch chair, in some wonder, to follow the girl's movements. 

"Pardon Senoritas, " began the lace seller, in soft accents, "but didI hear one of you ladies mention Sea Horse Island--in ze West Indies?I am not sure--I--"

She paused, painfully self-conscious. 

"I spoke of it, " said Belle, gently. "We are going there on a wintercruise, and--"

"Pardon me--but to Sea Horse Island?" and the girl's trembling voiceseemed very eager. 

"We are going there--among other places, " put in Bess, and her voicegrew rather colder than her sister's, for the manner of the laceseller was passing strange. 

"--Oh, to Sea Horse Island--in ze West Indies--Oh, if I could but gozere--my father--he is--he is, oh, Senoritas, I crave your pardon, but---but--"

Her voice trailed off in a whisper, and swaying, she fell at the feetof Cora, who sprang forward, but too late, to catch the slim, inanimate burden. The little lace peddler lay in a crumpled up heapon the floor. 

CHAPTER IV

JACK ARRIVES

"Oh, Cora!"

"The poor girl!"

Belle and Bess, with clasped hands, bent over the prostrate form ofthe girl, whose plain, black dress showed the dust and travel stainsof the highways about Chelton. From the verandah Mrs. Kimball steppedin, through the long window. 

"Get some water, Cora, " she directed in a calm and self-possessedvoice. "Also the aromatic ammonia on my dressing table. It ismerely a faint. Poor girl! She seemed very weak while she wastalking to me. I was just going to ask her to sit down, and let mehave a cup of tea brought to her, when she suddenly turned away fromme and came in where you girls were. "

"She heard us talking, " ventured Bess, a little awed by the strangehappening. 

"And she asked the oddest question--about Sea Horse Island--wherepapa is going--and she spoke of her father--I wonder what she meant?"asked Belle. 

"Time enough to find out after we've revived her, " suggested Cora, who, like her mother, was not at all alarmed by a mere fainting fit. 

Belle, inspired by her chum's coolness, had stooped over and wasraising the girl's head. 

"Don't do that!" exclaimed Cora. "The trouble is all the blood hasgone from her head now. Let it remain low and the circulation willbecome normal, after the has had a little stimulant. I'll get theammonia, " and she hurried off, stopping long enough to ring for hermother's maid. 

The foreign girl opened her dark brown eyes under the revivingstimulus of the aromatic spirits of ammonia, and she tried to speak. She seemed anxious to apologize for the trouble she had caused byfainting. 

"That's all right, my dear, " said Mrs. Kimball, soothingly. "Don'tbother your poor head about it. You may stay here until you feelbetter. "

"But, senora--" she protested, faintly. 

"Hush!" begged Cora, touching the girl's hand gently with her ownbrown fingers. It was a pretty little hand, that of the laceseller--a hand not at all roughened by heavy work. Indeed, if shehad made some of the dainty lace she was exhibiting, a piece of whichwas even now entangled about her, she needs must keep both handsunroughened. 

"Oh, but Senorita, I--I am of ze ashamed to be so--to be--" Againher voice trailed off into that mere faintness, which was as weak asa whisper, yet unlike it. 

"Now, not another word!" insisted Mrs. Kimball, in the tone of herdaughter, and the Robinson twins well knew she meant to have her owngood way. "You are in our hands, my dear child, and until you areable to leave them, you must do as we say. A little more of thatammonia, Cora, and then have Janet bring in some warm bouillon--nottoo hot. I believe the poor child is just weak from hunger, " shewhispered over the head of the lace seller, whose brown eyes were nowveiled with the olive lids. 

"Oh!" gasped Bess. "Hungry!"

"Hush! She'll hear you, " cautioned Belle, for somehow she sensed theproudness of those who, though they toil hard for their daily bread, yet have even greater pride than those who might, if they wished, eatfrom golden dishes--the pride of the poor who are ashamed to have itknown that they hunger--and there is no more pitiful pride. 

The girl did not show signs of sensing anything of that which went onaround her. Even when the second spoonful of ammonia had trickledthrough her trembling lips, she did not again open her eyes. 

"Here is the bouillon, " said Janet, as she came in with some in adainty cup, on a servette. 

"We must try to get her to take a little, " said Mrs. Kimball, who hadher arm under the girl's neck. A dusky flush in the olive cheekstold of the returning blood, under the whip of the biting ammonia. 

Some few sips of the hot broth the girl was able to take, but she didnot show much life, and, after a close look at her immobilecountenance, and feeling of the cold and listless hands, Cora'smother said:

"I think we had better put her to bed, and have Dr. Blake look at herwhen he comes for Jack. "

"Oh, Jack! I had almost forgotten about him!" exclaimed Cora. "Wemust go to the depot. It is almost time for his train. "

"You have time enough to help me, " said her mother, gently. "I thinkwe must look after her, Cora, at least--"

"Oh, of course, Mother. We can't send her to the hospital, especially when she seems so refined. She is really--clean!" and Corasaid the word with a true delight in its meaning. She had seen somany itinerant hawkers of lace who were not and neither were theirwares. 

"Oh, she has such a sweet, sweet face, " murmured Belle, who was fair, and who had always longed to be dark. 

"Is there a bed ready, " Janet asked Mrs. Kimball. 

"Yes, Madam, in the blue room. " The Kimball family had a habit ofdistinguishing chambers by the color of the wall papers. 

"That will do. We'll take her there. I think a little rest and foodis all she needs. She looks as though she had walked far to-day. "

A glance at the worn and dusty shoes confirmed this. 

"Can we carry her, or shall I call John?" asked Cora, referring tothe one man of all work, who kept the Kimball place in order. 

"Oh, I think we can manage, " said her mother. "She is not heavy. "

It was not until Cora and her mother lifted the girl, that theyrealized what a frail burden she was in their arms. 

"She's only a girl, yet she has the face of a woman, and with tracesof a woman's troubles, " whispered Belle, as Cora and Mrs. Kimball, preceded by Janet to hold aside the draperies, left the room. 

"Yes. And I wonder what she meant by speaking of her father and SeaHorse Island in the way she did?" spoke Bess. "It sounds almost likea mystery!"

"Oh, you and your mysteries!" scoffed Belle. "You'd scent one, if anItalian organ grinder stopped in front of the house, looked up atyour window, and played the Miserere. "

"I might give him something to eat, anyhow, " snapped Bess--that is, as nearly as Bess ever came to snapping, for she was so well"padded, " both in mariners and by nature, that she was too much likea mental sofa cushion to hurt even the feelings of any one. 

Cora came down presently, announcing:

"She is better now. She took a little of the bouillon, but she isvery weak. Mother insists on her staying in bed. She really seems avery decent sort of a person--the girl, I mean, " added Cora quickly, with a little laugh. "She was so afraid of giving trouble. "

"Did she tell anything of herself?" asked Bess. 

"She tried to, but mother would not hear of it until she is stronger. I really think the poor thing was starving. She can't make much of aliving selling lace, though some of it is very beautiful, " and Corapicked up from the library door the length that had dropped from thegirl's hand. 

"Wasn't it strange--that she should come in and seem so worked-upover the mention of Sea Horse Island?" spoke Belle. 

"It was, " admitted Cora. "We shall have to find out about itlater--she was on the verge of telling us, when she fainted. But, girls, if I am to go get Jack, it's time I started. Are you coming?"

"Suppose we go in our car, " suggested Bess. 

"You may want all the room you have to spare in yours, Cora, to bringback some of his luggage. And perhaps some of the boys besidesWalter may come on from Exmouth with Jack. In that case--"'

"Exactly!" laughed Cora. "And if they do you want to be in aposition to offer them your hospitality. Oh, Bess! And I thoughtyou would be true to Jack; especially when he is so ill!"

"Cora Kimball! I'll--" but Bess, her face flaming scarlet, found nowords to express her, at least pretended, indignation. "Come on, Belle, " she cried. "We won't let a boy or young man ride in our car, not even if they beg us!"

"Oh, I didn't mean anything!" said Cora, contritely. But Besssimulated indignation. 

The throb of motors soon told that the three girls were on their way. Cora in her powerful car, and the twins in their new one, bothheading for the railroad station, though the train was not due yetfor nearly half an hour, and the run would not take more than tenminutes. 

"I wonder if Walter will stay on for a few days?" asked Belle ofBess, who was steering. 

"I should think so--yes. He'll probably want to see how Jack standsthe trip. Poor Jack!"

"Isn't it too bad?"

"Yes, and that reminds me. I wonder if he couldn't--"

"Look out, for that dog!" fairly screamed Bess, as one rushed barkingfrom a house yard. It was only instinctive screaming on the part ofBess, for it was she herself who "looked-out, " to the extent ofsteering to one side, and so sharply that Belle gasped. And, even atthat, the dog was struck a glancing blow by the wheel and with barkschanged to yelps of pain, ran, retreating into the yard whence he hadcome, limping on three feet. 

"Serves him right--for trying to bite a hole in our tires, " murmuredBess, with a show of indignation. 

A slatternly woman, who had come to the door of the tumble-down houseat the sound of the dog's yelps, poured out a volume of vituperationat the girls, most of it, fortunately, being lost in the chugging ofthe motor. 

Three or four other curs came out from various hiding places tocommiserate with their fellow, and the girls left behind them a weirdcanine chorus. 

"Curious, isn't it?" observed Belle, "that the poorer the peopleseem, the more dogs they keep. "

"What were we talking of?"

"Perhaps misery loves company, " quoted Bess. 

"Jack?" suggested her sister. 

"No, Walter, " corrected the other, and they laughed. 

"What's the joke?" asked Cora, who had slowed up her car to await theon-coming of her chums. "Did you try to see how near you could missa dog?"

"Something like that, yes, " answered Bess, as she related theoccurrence. 

There was a period of rather tedious waiting at the station, before awhistle was heard, announcing the approach of some train. 

"There it is!" cried Cora, as she jumped from her car to go to theplatform. 

It was only a freight engine, and the girls were disappointed. But, a few minutes later, the express sounded its blast, and, amid a whirlof dust, and a nerve-racking screech of brakes, drew into the depot. 

"There's Jack!" cried Bess, grasping Cora's shoulder, and directingher gaze to a certain Pullman platform. 

"And Walter's right behind him!" added Belle. "Why, he isn'tcarrying Jack!"

"You goose! Jack isn't as ill as all that!" laughed Cora, a bithysterically. "Oh, Jack!" she called, waving her handkerchief. 

"And there's Harry Ward!" murmured Belle. 

"I didn't know he was coming, and, instinctively, her hands went toher hair. For Harry, whom Belle had met during the summer, had paidrather marked attention to her--marked even for a summeracquaintance. 

"Hello, Sis!" greeted Jack, as he came slowly forward--and in hisvery slowness Cora read the story of his illness, slight though itwas. "It was awfully good of you to come down, " he added, as hebrushed her cheek in a strictly brotherly kiss. 

"My! Look at the welcoming delegation!" scoffed Walter. "I say, fellows, are there any cinders on my necktie?" and he pretended to bevery much exercised. 

"Oh, it's a sight!" mocked Belle. "Isn't it, girls? How are you, Jack?" she asked, more warmly, as she shook hands. "Oh! Don't youdare--not on this platform!" she cried, as Jack leaned forward, withthe evident intention of repeating his oscillatory greeting to Cora. 

"All right. Come on around back, I'd just as soon, " offered Jack, with something of his old, joking manner. "They can't see us there. "

"I guess you know Harry--all of you--don't you?" put in Walter. 

"Oh, yes, forgetting my manners, as usual, " laughed Jack, but therewas little of mirth in the sound. "Harry, the girls--the girls--Harry. Pleased to meet you--and all that. Come on, Cora. I guessI'm--tired. "

His eyes showed it. Poor Jack was not at all himself. 

"But how did it happen--what's the matter?" asked Cora. "Were yousuddenly stricken?"

"About like that--yes, " admitted Jack. "Trying to do too much, thedoc said. I oughtn't to have made an effort for the doubleliterature. Thought I'd save a term on it. But that, and trainingtoo hard, did me up. It's a shame, too, for we have a peach of aneleven!"

"I know, Jack, it is too bad, " said Cora, sympathetically. 

"Oh, it isn't that I'm actually a non-combatant, Sis, but I've lostmy nerve, and what I have left is frayed to a frazzle. I've just gotto do nothing but look handsome for the next three months. "

"It's a good time to look that way, " ventured Bess. 

"Look how?" asked Jack. 

"Handsome. Tell me about the pretty stranger, Cora. "

"What's that?" cried Walter, crowding up. "Handsome stranger?Remember, boys, I saw her first!"

"She means the lace seller, " said Belle, languidly. 

"Tell you later, " Cora promised. 

CHAPTER V

INEZ

They were at the autos, standing near the edge of the depot platformnow. The porter had set down the grips of the boys, and had departedwith that touching of the cap, and the expansive smile, whichbetokens a fifty-cent tip. They do not touch the cap for a quarterany more. 

"How'll we piece out?" asked Jack, and his tone was listless. "Whogoes with whom?"

His voice was so different from his usual joking, teasing, snappingtones that Cora looked at him again. Yes, her brother was certainlyill, though outwardly it showed only in a thinness of the bronzedcheeks, and a dull, sunken look in the eyes. A desperately tiredlook, which comes only from mental weariness. 

"You'd better ride with me, Jack, " his sister said. "The car hasmore room. "

"Walter can come with us, " suggested Jack. "I've been sort ofleaning on him in the train, and it eases me. So if--"

"Of course!" interrupted Cora quickly, and Walter, hearing his namespoken, came hurrying up, from where he had stood joking and talkingwith the Robinson twins at their car. 

"On the job, Jack, old man!" he exclaimed. "Want me to hold yourhand some more?"

"Wrenched my side a little at football, " Jack explained to hissister. "It sort of eases it to lean against some one. The porterwanted to get me a pillow, but I'm not an old lady yet--not with Wallyaround. "

"Harry, think you'll be safe with two of them?" asked Walter, as henodded at Bess and Belle. 

"Oh, sure, " he answered with a laugh. "If they promise not to rockthe boat. "

"Perhaps he thinks we can't drive?" suggested Belle, mockingly. 

"Far be it from me to so assume!" said Harry, bowing with his hand onhis right side, and then quickly transferring it, after the manner ofsome stage comedian. "I'd go anywhere with you!" he affirmed. 

"Don't be rash!" called Jack, who had taken his place in the tonneauof Cora's car. "Come on, Walter. Leave him to his own destruction. But, I say, Cora, what's this about some new girl? Has a prettyarrival struck town? If there has, I'm glad I came home. "

"It's just a poor Armenian lace peddler, who fainted from lack offood as she was talking to mother, " Cora explained. 

"She isn't Armenian--she's Spanish, I'm sure of it, " declared Belle, for the cars had not yet started. 

"Well, Spanish then, " admitted Cora. 

"And she's so pretty!" put in Bess. 

"Pretty! I suppose you'll be at home this evening, Jack, old chap?"asked Walter, pretending to straighten his tie, and arrange his hair. 

"Is her name Carmencita or Marita?" he asked. 

"We don't know, yet, " Cora informed him. "The poor child wasn't ableto tell us much about herself. "

"Child!" exclaimed Jack. "Oh, then she's a little girl! The Materalways was great on infant classes. "

"Wait until you see, " advised Belle, loftily. 

"You make me very curious!" mocked the invalided young man. "Driveon, Cora, and let's get the suspense over with. "

Walter slipped in beside his chum, and put his arm about Jack'swaist, for the wrench given Jack's side in a football scrimmage wasfar from healed, and often pained him severely. It was this directcause, as much as anything else, that had pulled him down. 

On the way to the Kimball home, Cora driving slowly and with carefulregard for Jack's weakness, the sufferer told how he had "keeledover" in a faint, while playing the last half of a hard game, and howthe team physician had insisted on his being sent home. 

"And the boys very kindly offered to come with me, " ended Jack. 

"It's very good of them to spare the time, " said Cora, with adecidedly grateful look at Walter. 

"As if we wouldn't!" he said, half indignantly. 

And so the cars rolled on until they turned in at the gateway of theKimball home. 

"Is she any better, Mother?" asked Cora, when Jack's mother hadkissed him, and held him off at arms' length to get a better look athim. 

"Who, Cora? Oh, Inez Ralcanto? Yes, she is much better. A goodmeal was her most pressing need. "

"Inez!" murmured Jack. "Charming name. Lead me to Inez!"

"Jack!" cried Cora, in shocked accents. 

His mother only smiled. It sounded like the Jack of old, and she washopefully feeling that he was not as ill as she had been led to fear. 

"Did she say anything about herself?" asked Bess, who with Belle andHarry had now come in. 

"Yes, she told me her story, and I think she is anxious to repeat itto you girls, " said Mrs. Kimball, looking at the Robinson twins. 

"Us?"' cried Belle. "Why us in particular?"

"I don't know, but she said one of you had mentioned something abouta West Indian Island--"

"Sea Horse, " explained Bess, in a low voice. 

"That's it--such an odd name, " went on Mrs. Kimball. "And she isanxious to know more about your plan of going there. I could nottell her--having heard only the vaguest rumors about your trip, mydears. "

"Yes, we are going there--or, at least, father expects to get someorchids there when we are in the West Indies, " explained Bess. "Butwe really know nothing about the island. "

"There seems to be some sort of mystery, " put in Belle. "Just beforeshe fainted, she spoke of her father. Is her name Inez, Mrs. Kimball?"

"Yes, Inez Ralcanto. She is a Spaniard. But I had rather let hertell you herself, as she is anxious to do. As soon as yow arerested--"

"Oh, we're not tired!" interrupted Walter. "That is, unless Jackfeels--"

"Oh, never too tired to listen to a pretty girl--especially when sheis called Inez, " broke in the invalided hero. "Still, perhaps Sisand the twins had better have a first whack at her. I fancy wefellows would look better with some of the car grime removed, " and hesank rather wearily into a chair. 

"You poor boy! You are tired!" expostulated his mother, as she puther arms about him. "You had better go to your room, and lie down. We'll have a light dinner served soon. You'll stay, of course, " andshe included the Robinson twins as well as Walter and Harry in herinvitation. 

"Oh, I don't know, " spoke Harry, diffidently. He had not known the"Cheerful Chelton Crowd" as long as had Walter. "Perhaps I'd betterput up at the hotel--"

"You'll do nothing of the sort!" broke in Jack. "You and Wally willbunk in here. You forget Inez is due to give a rehearsal of the'Prisoner of Sea Horse Island, ' and you want to be here. "

"Don't joke, Jack! This may be serious, " said Cora, in a low voice. 

"Don't worry, Sis! I feel very far from joking, " and Jack put hishand to his head with a weary gesture. 

"You must go and lie down, " his mother said. "Dr. Blake is coming, and wants to see you. I am also going to have him for Inez. Cora, if you'll show Walter and Mr. Ward--"'

"Please call me Harry!" he pleaded. 

"Harry then, " and she smiled. "Show them to their rooms--you know, the ones next to Jack's room. Then you girls can come up and see ourlittle stranger. "

Cora, with her brother and his guests, went up stairs, but soon camedown, her face flaming. 

"What's the matter?" asked Belle. 

"Oh, Jack! I don't believe he's ill at all!" she stormed. "It'sonly an excuse to escape college. "

"What did he do?" asked Bess, slyly. 

"Said Walter and Harry might--kiss me!" and Cora's face flushed. 

"And--er--did they?" asked Belle. 

"Belle Robinson! If you--well!" and Cora closed her lips in a firmline. 

Her mother smiled. 

"Perhaps we had better go up and see Inez, " suggested Mrs. Kimball. 

"Yes, do!" urged Cora, eager to change the subject. 

The lace seller was sitting up in bed, and the white lounging gownthat had been put on her, in exchange for her simple black dress, made her seem the real Spaniard, with her deep, olive complexion. She smiled at the sight of the girls. 

"Pardon, Senoritas!" she murmured, as Cora and her chums entered theroom. "I am so sorry that I give you ze trouble. It is too bad--Iam confused at my poor weakness. But I--I--"

"You needn't apologize one bit!" burst out Cora, generously. "I'msure you need the rest. "

"Yes, Senorita, I was weary--so very weary. It is good--to rest. "

"I think you had better have a little more broth, " suggested Mrs. Kimball. "Then Dr. Blake will be here, and can say whether it wouldbe wise to give you something more solid. You must have been quitehungry, " she added, gently. 

"I--I was, Senora--very hungry, " and taking the hand of Mrs. Kimballin her own thin, brown one, the girl imprinted a warm kiss on it. 

"Do you feel well enough to talk?" asked Cora. "These are myfriends. They expect to go to Sea Horse Island soon. You mentionedthat, just before you fainted, and--"

"Yes, Senorita, I did. Oh! if I could find someone to take me zere--Iwould do anyzing! I would serve zem all, my life--I would work myfingers to ze bare bones--I would--"

A flood of emotion seemed to choke her words. 

"We'll help you all we can, " interrupted Cora. "Why are you soanxious to go there?"

"Because my father--my dear father--he is prisoner zere, and if I gozere, I can free him!" and the girl clasped her hands in an appealinggesture. 

CHAPTER VI

THE MYSTERIOUS MAN

For a moment Cora and the Robinson twins looked alternately at oneanother, and then at the figure of the frail girl on the bed. Sheseemed to be weeping, but when she took her hands down from her eyes, there was no trace of tears in them--only a wild, and rather hauntinglook in her face. 

"Is she--do you think she is raving--a little out of her mind?"whispered Belle. 

"Hush!" cautioned Cora, but Inez did not seem to have heard. 

"I pray your pardon--I should not inflict my emotions on you thus, "the lace seller said, with a pretty foreign accent. Only now andthen did she mispronounce words--occasionally those with the hard (toher) "th" sound. 

"We shall be only too glad to help you, " said Cora, gently. 

"I do not know zat you can help me, Senorita, " the girl murmured, "and yet I need help--so much. "

She was silent a moment, as though trying to think of the most simplemanner in which to tell her story. 

"You said your father was a--a prisoner, " hesitated Bess, gently. "Did he--"

"He did nozing, Senorita!" burst out the girl. "He was thrown into avile prison for what you call 'politics. ' Yet in our countrypolitics are not what zey are here--so open, with all ze papairsprinting so much about zem. Spanish politics are more in zedark--what you call under the hand. "

She seemed uncertain whether she had used the right word. 

"Underhanded--yes, " encouraged Cora, with a smile. 

"He had enemies, " proceeded the girl. "Oh, zose politic--zoseintrigues--I know nozzing of zem--but zey are terrible!" She spreadher hands before her face with a natural, tragic gesture. 

"But I must not tire you, Senoritas, " she resumed. "My father, hewas arrested on ze political charges. We lived on Sea HorseIsland-L, it is a Spanish possession of ze West Indies. We werehappy zere (it is one grand, beautiful place). Ze waters of ze bayare so blue--so blue--ah!"

She seemed lost in a flood of happy memories, and then, as swiftly, she apologized for giving away to her feelings. 

"I should not tire you, " she said. 

"Oh, but we just love to hear about it, " said Belle, eagerly. "Weare going there--to waters blue--"

"That I might go wiz you--but no, it is impossible!" the lace sellersighed. 

"Tell us your story--perhaps we can help you, " suggested Cora. 

"I will make for you as little weariness as I can, Senoritas; and, believe me, I am truly grateful to you, " she said. "I do not evendare dream zat I could go to my father, " sighed Inez, "but perhapsyou will be of so great kindness as to take him a message from me. Icannot mail it--he is not allowed to receive letters zat are notread, and we have no secret cipher we might use. "

"If we can get a letter to him, rest assured we shall do so, "promised Belle, though her sister rather raised her eyebrows at therashness of the pledge. 

"I cannot go into all ze details of ze politics, for I know zem not, "went on the Spaniard. "All I painfully know is zat my father wasthrown into prison, and our family and home broken up. My mother andI came to New York--to relatives, but alas! my, poor mother died. Iwas left alone. I was desolate. 

"I had learned to make lace, and my friends thought I could sell it, so I began to make zat my trade. I thought I could save enough to goback to my father, and the beloved island--perhaps to free him. "

"How did you hope to do that?" asked Cora. 

"Because, in New York, I found one of his political party--himself anexile, who gave me what you call documents--I know not ze term--"

"Evidence?" suggested Belle. 

"Zat is it. Evidence! I have evidence, zat would free my father, ifI could get it to him. But I fear to send it by mail, for it wouldbe taken--captured by his enemies. "

"It's rather complicated--isn't it?" suggested Cora. 

"Yes, Senorita--more so even zan I am telling you. Of myself I knowbut little, save zat if I can get ze certain papairs to my father, hemight go free. But how am I to go to Sea Horse Island, when I havenot even money to buy me food to keep from starving? I ask you--howcan I? And yet I should not trouble you wiz my troubles, Senoritas. "

"Oh, but we want to help you!" declared Cora, warmly. 

"Surely, " added Belle. "Perhaps I had better speak to my father. Hemay know of someone on Sea Horse Island, where he is going to gatherorchids. "

"No, no, Senorita! If you please--not to speak yet!" broke in theSpanish girl suddenly. "It must be a secret--yet. I have enemieseven here. "

"Enemies?" echoed Cora. 

"Yes. Zey followed me from New York. Listen, I haf not yet tell youall. I make ze lace in New York, but it so big a city--and so manylace sellers--not of my country. It is hard for me to make even apittance. Some of my friends, zey say to go out in ze country. So Igo. But I weary you--yes?" and with a quick, bird-like glance sheasked the question. 

"Oh, no, indeed!" answered Cora. Then the girl told of traveling outof New York City, into the surrounding towns, plying her humblecalling. She made a bare living, that was all, dwelling in thecheapest places, and subsisting on the coarsest food in order to saveher money for her father's cause. Then came a sad day when she wasrobbed--in one of her, stopping places, of her little horde. Shetold of it with tears in her eyes. 

"The poor girl!" murmured Bess, with an instinctive movement towardher pretty, silver purse. 

Inez Ralcanto, for such she said was her name, her father being SenorRafael Ralcanto, was heartbroken and well nigh discouraged at herloss. But to live she must continue, and so she did. She madebarely enough to live on, by selling her laces, and since reachingChelton the day-before, she had not sold a penny's worth. Her moneywas exhausted, and she was nearly on the verge of fainting when sheapplied at the Kimball home. Cora's mother had seemed interested inthe lace, which really was beautifully worked, and while showing iton the porch, the girl had overheard the mention of her home island. The rest is known to the reader. 

"And so I am so silly as to faint!" said Inez, with a little tinklinglaugh. "But I faint in good hands--I am so grateful to you!" shewent on, warmly, her olive checks flushing. 

"And you want to go to Sea Horse Island?" asked Belle. 

"I want--Oh! so much, Senorita. But I know it is a vain hope. Butyou are good and kind. If you could take zese papairs wiz you--andmanage to get zem to my father--he could tell you how to help him. For it is all politics--he had committed no--what you call crime--nota soul has he wronged. Oh, my poor father!"

"And these papers?" asked Cora. "'What are they?"

"I know not, Senorita. I am not versed in such zings. A fellowpatriot of my father gave them to me. "

"Have you them with you?" asked Bess. 

The girl started up in bed, and clutched at her breast. A wild lookcame over her face. 

"I had zem in New York--I bring zem away wiz me. Zat man--he is zeenemy of my father and his party. He know I have zem, and he try toentrap me. But I am too--what you call foxy, for him! I slipthrough his fingernails. Ze papairs--in my valise--Oh, where is it?I--when I faint--I have it at my feet--"

"It was on the porch!" exclaimed Mrs. Kimball. "I forgot all aboutit in the excitement. It was full of lace--Oh, if some one has takenit!"

"And my papairs--zat could free my father!" cried the girl. 

A shout came from the front of the house. 

"That's Walter's voice!" exclaimed Cora, starting up. 

"Here, drop that satchel!" came the call. 

The girls swept to the window in time to see a small man running downthe drive, closely pursued by Walter Pennington. And, as the manfled, he dropped a valise from which trailed a length of lace. Thegirl, Inez, caught a reflection of the scene in a mirror of thebedroom. 

"Zat is him--ze mysterious man!" she cried. 

"Oh, if he has taken my papairs!" and she seemed about to leap fromthe bed. 

CHAPTER VII

NEW PLANS

"You mustn't do that!" cried Cora. "Hold her, girls!"

"But ze man--my papairs!" fairly screamed the Spanish visitor. 

"He has nothing--Walter is after him--he doesn't seem to have takenanything, " said Belle, soothingly, as Mrs. Kimball pressed back onthe pillow the frail form of the eager girl. Inez struggled for amoment, and then lay quiet. 

But she murmured, over and over again:

"Oh, if he has--if he has--my father--he may never see ze outside ofze prison again!"

"We will help you, " said Cora's mother, softly. "If there has been arobbery, the authorities shall be notified. I will have one of thegirls inquire. You say Walter is down there, Belle?"

"Yes, and a man is running off down the road. I'll go see what itall means. "

"I wish you would, please. "

The eager gaze of Inez followed Belle as she left the room. Thelittle excitement had proved rather good, than otherwise, for thepatient, for there was a glow and flush to her dusky cheeks and hereyes had lost that dull, hopeless look of combined hunger and fear. 

Quiet now reigned in the little chamber where the lace seller hadbeen given such a haven of rest. 

"What's it all about, Wally?" asked Belle, as she encountered thechum of Cora's brother, who was coming up the side steps bearing ablack valise, from which streamed lengths of lace. 

"Some enterprising beggar tried to make off with this valise, " hesaid. "I had come down from Jack's room, and was sitting in thelibrary, when I saw him sneak up on the porch, and try to get awaywith it. He dropped it like a hot potato when I sang out to him. But whose is it? Doesn't look like the one Cora uses when she goesoff for a week-end, that is, unless you girls have taken to wearingmore lace on your dresses than you used to. "

"It belongs to the lace seller--Inez--you know, the one we spoke of, "said Belle. "She's here--in a sort of collapse from hunger. And shehas told the strangest story--all about a political crime--her fatherin prison--secret papers and a mysterious man after them. "

"Good!" cried Waker, with a short laugh. "I seem to have fitted injust right to foil the villain in getting the papers. Say, betternot let Jack know about this, or he'll be on the job, too, and what heneeds just now is a rest--eh, Harry?"

"That's it, " agreed the other college youth, whom Belle had notnoticed since coming down stairs in such haste. 

"Wally robbed me of the honors, " complained Harry. "I was just goingto make after the fellow. "

"And was he really going to steal the papers?" asked Belle. 

"I don't know as to that, " Walter answered. 

"I don't know anything about any papers. But Harry and I weresitting here, after seeing that Jack was comfortable in his room, waiting for the doctor, when I heard someone come up the steps. Atfirst I thought it was Dr. Blake himself but when the footstepsbecame softer, and more stealthy, as the novels have it, I took aquiet observation. 

"Then I saw this Italian-looking chap reaching for the valise. I letout a yell, went after him and he dropped it. Ahem! Nothing likehaving a first-class hero in the family!" and Walter swelled out hischest, and looked important. 

"Better find out, first, whether you saved the papers, or just theempty valise, " suggested Harry, with a smile. "Such things have beenknown to happen, you know. "

"That's right!" admitted Walter. "Guess I had better look, " and hewas proceeding to open a valise when Belle hastily took it from him. 

"You mustn't!" she exclaimed. "It isn't ours, and poor little Inezmay not like it. Leave it up to her and she can tell if anything ismissing. "

"Just tell that I saved it for her--I, Walter Pennington!" begged theowner of that name. "Nothing like making a good impression, from thestart, on the pretty stranger, " he added. "Eh?"

"Just my luck!" murmured Harry, with a tragic air. 

"Oh, you silly boys!" laughed Belle. She hastened up the stairs tothe room where Inez as resting, the lace trailing from thehalf-opened valise. 

"Oh, you have it back--my satchel!" gasped a Spanish girl. "Oh, ifze papairs are only safe!"

They were, evidently, for she gave utterance a sigh of relief whenshe drew a bundle of crackling documents from a side pocket of thevalise, under a pile of filmy lace, at the sight of which Cora andthe girls uttered exclamations of delight. Inez heard them. 

"Take it--take it all!" she begged of them, thrusting into Mrs. Kimball's hands a mass of the beautiful cob-webby stuff. "It is allyours, and too little for what you have done for me!"

"Nonsense!" exclaimed Cora's mother. "This lace is beautiful. Ishall be glad to purchase some of it, and pay you well for it--Ican't get that kind in the stores. You didn't show me this atfirst. "

"No, Senora, I was too tired. But it is all yours. I care not forit, now zat I have ze papairs safe. Zey are for my father!"

"Do you really think some man was trying to get them?" asked Cora. 

"Oh, yes, Senorita, " was the serious answer. 

"There was a man up on the stoop--he had the valise, Walter said, "put in Belle. "He dropped it and ran. "

"Who could he be?" asked Cora. 

"An enemy!" fairly hissed the Spanish girl, with something ofdramatic intensity. "I tried to keep secret ze fact zat I wasworking for my father's release. I will not tire you wiz telling youall, but some enemies know I have papairs zat prove ze innocence ofSenor Ralcanto. Zis man--Pedro Valdez he call himself--has beentrying to get zem from me. He tried in New York, and he said hewould give me no rest until he had zem. He must have been followingme--no hard task since I have traveled a slow and weary way. Zen, when he saw my valise--he must have thought it his chance. "

"How dreadful!" murmured Bess. "To think that such things couldhappen in Chelton!"

"And perhaps we are not at the end of them yet, " said Cora, softly. "The man got away, didn't he, Belle?"

"So Walter said. Oh, dear! I'm glad we're going to the WestIndies!"

"Oh, zat I were going wiz you!" exclaimed Inez, clasping her thin, brown hands in an appealing gesture. "But if you will take zesepapairs, Senorita, and help to free my father--I will never be ableto repay your great kindness. "

"We shall have to ask papa about it, " said Bess, cautiously. "Wouldyou like to have him come and talk to you--he would understand aboutthe political side of it so much better than we would. "

"I would gladly welcome ze senor, " said Inez, with a gracefuldignity. "I shall be honored if he come. "

"I think he'll be glad to, " spoke Belle. "He loves anything about, politics--he's a reformer, you know. "

"And so was my father--he belong to ze reform party--but the others--zeyof ze old regime--zey like not reform in Sea Horse Island, " chatteredInez. "Zey lose too much money zereby. So my father he is in prison, and I am here!" she finished, softly. 

"Well, it's all dreadfully mixed up, " sighed Cora, "and I believe itwill take your father, Belle, to straighten out some of the tangle. Meanwhile, I suppose I'd better put these papers in the safe, " forInez had thrust them into Cora's rather unwilling hands. 

"Keep zern safe, if you can Senora, " pleaded the girl. "Zat--zatvillain, if I must call him such--zat Valdez may come back for zem. "

Mrs. Kimball started. 

"Don't worry, mother, " said Cora. "Jack is home now, to say nothingof Walter and Harry. "

"Oh, my poor boy!" exclaimed his mother. "I must go to him. Dr. Blake ought to be here. "

"There comes his car now, " volunteered Belle. "I know the sound. "

Several events, of no particular importance now followed each otherin rapid succession. It was Dr. Blake who had arrived, and he wassoon subjecting Jack to a searching medical examination, with theresult of which, only, we need concern ourselves. Cora, slipping thebundle of papers the Spanish girl had given her into the house safe, begged Walter to keep a sharp lookout for the possible return of themysterious man, and then she went back to stay with Inez until Dr. Blake should be able to see the foreign visitor. Harry and Waltertalked in the library, and Bess and Belle--after a brief chat with theother boys, went home to tell their folks the news, and consult Mr. Robinson about the Spanish prisoner. 

"Rest--rest and a change of scene--a complete change is all heneeds, " had been Dr. Blake's verdict regarding Jack. "If he could gosouth for the winter, it would be the making of him. He'll come backin the spring a new lad. But a rest and change he must have. Hisnerves demand it!"

"And we shall see that he gets it, " said Mrs. Kimball. "Now aboutthat girl, Doctor. "

"Nothing the matter with her--just starved, that's all. The easiestprescription to write in the world. Feed her. You've already got agood start on it. Keep it up. "

"Of course you can't advise us about her father, and the story shetells. "

"No. She seems sincere, though. As you say, Mr. Robinson, with hisbusiness connections, will be the best one at that end of it. "

"Poor girl, " murmured Cora. "I do hope we can help her. "

"She has been helped already, " the physician informed her. "And, ifI am any judge by the past activities of the motor girls, she is infor a great deal more of help in the future, " and he laughed andpinched Cora's tanned check. 

"Will you need to see Jack again?" asked his mother. 

"Not until just before he goes away. The less medicine he takes thebetter, though I'll leave a simple bromide mixture for thoseshrieking nerves of his--they will cry out once in a while--the endsare all bare--they need padding with new thoughts. Get him away assoon as you can. "

It was a new problem for the Kimball family to solve, but they wereequal to it. Fortunately, money matters did not stand in the road, and since Jack was not to keep up his studies, and since Cora had"finished, " there were no ties of location to hinder. 

"I guess we'll all have to go away, " sighed Mrs. Kimball. "I hadrather counted on a quiet winter in Chelton, but of course now wecan't have it. "

"Perhaps it will be all for the best, " suggested Cora. "If Bess andBelle are going away, I won't have any fun here alone. "

A little silence followed this remark. The Robinson twins, who hadjust come back for an evening call, sat looking at each other. Between them they seemed to hide some secret. 

"You tell her, Bess, " suggested Belle. 

"You, you, dear!"

"Is there anything?" asked Cora, smiling at her chums. 

"Oh, dear, it's the best thing in the world--if you'll consent toit!" burst out Bess. "Listen! Papa and mamma want you to come withus, Cora--to the West Indies. They'd love to have you and yourmother. "

"We couldn't leave Jack!" said Cora, softly. 

"Bring him along!" invited Belle. "It would be just the thing forhim--wouldn't it, Dr. Blake?"

"The West Indies? Yes, I should say there couldn't be a betterplace. "

"Oh!" gasped Cora. 

"Do say yes, Mrs. Kimball!" pleaded Belle. 

"What about poor little Inez?" questioned Cora. "Did you tell yourfather, Bess?"

"Yes, and he seems to think there may be something in it. He isgoing to make inquiries. Oh, but let's settle this first. Will youcome with us, Mrs. Kimball--Cora? And bring Jack! Oh, it would bejust perfect to have you with us. "

"Could we go, Mother?" Cora pleaded. 

"Why, it is all so sudden--and yet there is no good reason why weshouldn't. "

"Good!" cried Walter. "I'm coming, too! I never could leave oldJack! Ho, for the West Indies!"

CHAPTER VIII

THE DREAM OF INEZ

"Oh, Walter, are you really going?"

"Do you mean it?"

"Are you joking?"

Thus Belle, Bess and Cora questioned Jack's chum, who stood in thecenter of the library, one hand thrust between two buttons of hiscoat, and the other raised above his head like some political oratorof the old school. 

"Mean it? Of course I mean it!" he exclaimed, while Dr. Blakechuckled. "I need a rest and change. Anyone will tell you that--ermy appetite is not what it once was. "

"No, it's on the increase, " murmured Harry. 

"And as for nerves--"

"Nerve, you mean, " Harry went on. "You have more than your share. "

"There, you see!" declaimed Walter, triumphantly. "I simply needsome change. "

"Better pay back what you borrowed of me to fee the Pullman porter, "went on his tormentor. 

"Hush!" ordered Walter, imperiously. "I'll pay you--when I come backfrom the West Indies. "

"You seem to think it's all settled, " laughed Cora. 

"It is, as far as I'm concerned, " said Walter, coolly. "If I can'tgo any other way I'll go as a valet to Mr. Robinson, or courier tothe rest of the family. I can speak the language--habe Espanola?Oh, you simply can't get along without me--especially as I'll pay myown fare. And, Jack'll need me, too. It's all settled. "

Mrs. Kimball looked at Dr. Blake. There was a serious andquestioning look on her face. 

"What do you think, Doctor?" she asked. 

"Professionally, I should say it was an excellent chance, " hereplied. "It would do Jack a world of good, and, though neither younor Cora seems to be in need of recuperation, I have no doubt youwould enjoy the trip. "

"Then you simply must come!" cried Belle. "I'll 'phone papa atonce. "

"Not quite so fast, my dear, " said Mrs. Kimball, gently. "I mustfirst see if Jack would like it. "

"He's sure to, " declared Cora, who already had visions of palm-tuftedcoral islands, and deep blue waters. 

"Just tell him he's going, " suggested Dr. Blake. "Patients, such ashe, don't need much urging one way or the other. The trouble is theyare too little inclined to resist. "

He took up his, hat, as a signal that he was going, and once moreexpressing his professional opinion that the change would be the bestpossible medicine for Jack, took his leave. 

"Let's go up and tell Jack now, " suggested Cora, who, the more shethought of the new plan, more cordially welcomed it. 

"It might disturb his night's rest, " objected her mother. "He hashad a hard day, traveling and all that--"

"He seemed very bright, " put in Walter. "I think it would give himsomething good to think of. He's been brooding too much over havingto quit the football eleven and his favorite studies. "

"Then tell him, by all means, " assented Mrs. Kimball. "May we counton you, if we make up a party to go to the West Indies?" she asked ofHarry. 

"I'm afraid not, thank you. I'd give anything to go, but I can'tspare the time from college. Some other occasion, perhaps. "

As Walter had predicted, Jack took fire at once oh hearing theproposal. 

"It'll be great!" he declared. "I've always wanted to go. I wonderwhat sort of a boat we could get down there, Wally? It would beimmense to go on a cruise, among those hundreds of islands. "

"Time enough to think of that when we get there, old man. Then you'dlike to go?"

"I sure would. Tell Mr. Robinson thanks--a hundred times. "

"I'll save some of them for to-morrow; it's getting late. Now turnover, and go to sleep. "

"Sleep! As if I could sleep with that news! Let's talk about it!"

And they did--the girls coming up with Mrs. Kimball for a brief chat. Then the invalid was ordered to quiet down for the night. 

Walter, with Harry, who was to remain at the Kimball residence for afew days, went home with the Robinson twins in their car, Coratrailing along in her automobile to bring back the boys. 

The next day nothing was talked of but the prospective trip. Walter wired his people and received permission to absent himselffrom college, ostensibly to help look after Jack. As Harry hadsaid, he could not go, but Mrs. Kimball and Cora fully made up theirminds to make the journey with Jack, and close up the Cheltonhome for the winter months. 

"But what about Inez and her political problem?" asked Belle, whenthis much had been settled. "She doesn't want to stay and be, as shesays, a burden on you any longer, poor little girl. "

"She's far from being a burden, " spoke Cora. "Why, mother says thelace she sold us was the most wonderful bargain, even though we didgive her more than she asked for it. And as for making prettythings, why she's a positive genius. My pretty lace handkerchiefthat was so badly torn, she mended beautifully. And she is soskillful with the needle! Mother says she never need go out peddlinglace again. There are any number of shops that would be glad to haveher as a worker. "

"It's so good she fell into your hands, " murmured Bess. "But, as yousay, what about her? Papa has looked over her papers, and he saysthere is really enough evidence in them to free Mr. Ralcanto. Papaeven cabled to some business friends in San Juan, and they confirmedenough of Inez's story to make him believe it all. 

"Of course I don't understand--I never could make head nor tail ofpolitics, but there seems to be a conspiracy to keep Mr. Ralcanto injail, and treat him shamefully. Inez did accidentally find theevidence to free him, and her father's enemies tried to get it awayfrom her. "

"Then that man whom Walter saw, " began Cora, "was--"

"He might have been after the papers, " interrupted Bess, "and again, he might have been only a tramp, hoping to get a valise full of lace. At any rate, he hasn't been around again. "'

"Mother told our man John to be on the watch for him, " said Cora. "And now lets consider what we are going to do. What shall I need totake in the way of clothes?"

"Only your very lightest, my dear, " suggested Belle. "Of course thetrip down on the steamer will be cool--at least the first day or so. Well start in about two weeks. That will bring us to Porto Ricaabout, the beginning of the dry season--the most delightful time. "

"And is your father really going to try to have the Spanish prisonerreleased?" asked Cora. 

"He says he is, my dear. And when papa makes up his mind to do athing, it is generally done, " said Bess. "Besides, he has learnedthat Mr. Ralcanto did some political favors for friends of papa's. That is before the poor man was put in prison. Which brings us backto Inez--what about her, Cora?"

"I have just thought of something, " murmured Jack's sister. "As Isaid, she has several times suggested going, now she is practicallyassured that something will be attempted for her father. But I wasjust wondering why we couldn't take her with us?"

"Of course!" cried Belle. 

"Mamma was going to take Janet for a maid, " Cora resumed, "but Janetisn't very keen on going. I fancy she thinks the West Indian Islandsare inhabited by cannibals. "

"The idea!" laughed Bess. 

"Well, I found her reading some books on African travel, " Cora wenton, "and she asked me if the climate wasn't about the same. Sheseems to think all hot countries are the homes of cannibals. So Iimagine Janet will refuse to go--at the last moment. "

"Would Inez go, as a maid?" asked Belle. 

"I fancy so. She says she has done so before, since the change inher fortunes. And mother and I like her very much. Besides, shespeaks Spanish, and that would be a great help. "

"Why, Walter said--" began Bess, wonderingly. 

"He knows just two words of Spanish, and he speaks them as though hewere a German comedian, " declared Cora. "Wally is all rightotherwise, but as a translator of the Castilian tongue, I wouldn'ttrust him to ask what time it was, " she laughed. But Inez would besuch a help. "

"Then why don't you take her?" asked Bess. And, when it had beentalked over with Mrs. Kimball, it was practically decided upon. 

"Lets go tell Inez, " proposed Belle, "when the decision had beenreached. It will be such a surprise to her. "

The Spanish girl, though not fully recovered from the long period ofinsufficient food and weary toil, had insisted upon taking up some ofthe duties, of the Kimball home. But Cora's mother required that sherest a portion of each day to recover her strength. And, as thegirls sought her in her own little room (for Inez was anything but aservant), they found her just awakening from a sleep. 

"Oh, Senoritas!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushed under their olivetint. "I have had such a beautiful dream. I dreamed I was back inmy own dear country--on Sea Horse Island. Oh, but ze palms waved awelcome to me, and ze waters--ze so blue waters--zey sang a song tome. Ze blue waves broke on ze coral--as I have seen it so, often. Oh, but, Senoritas, I was sorry to awaken--so sorry--for it was but adream. "

"No, Inez, it was not all a dream, " said Cora, gently. "If you like, you may go back to Sea Horse Island. We will take you to Porto Ricowith us, and from there you can easily go to your own island. "

"Oh, will you--will you take me, Senoritas?" cried Inez, kneeling atCora's feet. "Oh, but it is magnificent of you!" and she coveredCora's hands with kisses. 

CHAPTER IX

OFF TO WATERS BLUE

"Oh, Jack! Aren't you just wild to go?"

"I don't know, Cora. Anything for a change, I suppose, " was thelistless answer. "I'd go anywhere--do anything--just to get one goodnight's sleep again. "

"You poor boy! Didn't you rest well?"

"A little better than usual, but I'm so dead tired when I wake up--Idon't seem to have closed my eyes. "

Jack's nervous trouble had taken the turn of insomnia---that bugbearof physician and patient alike--and while the others had their nighthours filled with dreams, or half-dreams, of pleasant anticipation, poor Jack tumbled and tossed restlessly. 

"I'm sure you will be much better when we get to San Juan, " affirmedCora. "The sea voyage will do you good, and then down there it willbe such a change for you. "

"I suppose it will, " assented her brother. "But just now I don'tfeel energetic enough even to head a rescue party for SenorRalcanto. "

That remark seemed very serious to Cora, for her brother was of alively and daring disposition, always the leader in any pranks. Now, his very listlessness told how strong a hold, or, rather, lack ofhold, his nerves had on him. 

"Never mind, " said Cora cheerfully. "Once we get started, and withWally, Bess and Belle to cheer you up, I'm sure you'll be muchbetter. "

"Anything for a change, " again assented Jack, without enthusiasm. 

Arrangements were rapidly being made. The Kimball and Robinson homesin Chelton would be closed for, the winter, for the families plannedto stay in the West Indies until spring should have again broughtforth the North into its green attire. Walter Pennington had agreedto stay as long as Jack did, and Mrs. Kimball, being of independentmeans, as were Mr. And Mrs. Robinson, could prolong their cruiseindefinitely, if they so desired. 

As for the girls, it was like standing on the threshold of a newwonderland. They did not know all the wonders they were about tosee, nor did they dream of all the strange experiences and adventuresin which they, would play an active part. 

Inez had communicated with the few distant friends she had in NewYork, telling them of her great joy in being able to get back to SeaHorse Island. And her father, too, might find happiness in releasefrom his political prison. 

The Spanish girl would go as a maid and companion to Mrs. Kimball, and Inez rejoiced in her new duties. Cora's mother declared Inez wasa jewel. 

The papers that it was hoped would free Mr. Ralcanto were carefullyconcealed for taking with the party, for, though Jack and Walterscoffed at the idea of anyone daring to try to get them, Mr. Robinsonwas not so sanguine. 

"Down there conditions are very different from up here, " he said. "They haven't the same wholesome regard for law--or, rather, theytake it into their own hands, as suits their fancy. And if any oneof the political party opposed to Mr. Ralcanto, was to see a chance, even up north here, I don't doubt but that he'd take it, and make offwith the papers. 

"Of course we might manage to do without them, but there is no userunning unnecessary risks. So I'll just put them where they won'tfind them in a hurry. "

A search had been made in Chelton for the mysterious man who hadtried to make off with Inez's valise, but all trace of him was lost. He might have been merely a passing tramp. 

The girls were in a constant flutter of excitement. There was somuch to do, and so many new garments to secure. The two motor carswere kept in constant use, Bess, Belle and Cora darting back andforth in their respective houses, or to the Chelton shops. Occasionally they made a trip to New York for something which simplycould not properly be had at the home stores. 

As for Jack and Walter, they declared that they we're ready to starton ten minutes notice. 

"All we have to do is to chuck a few things in a suit case, and buyour tickets, " Walter declared. "I always carry a tooth brush withme. "

"Wonderful--marvelous!" mocked Bess. 

"Superior creatures--aren't they?" suggested Cora, smiling. 

And so the preparations went on. The party was to sail in a fruitsteamer from New York, and would land at San Juan, where Mr. Robinsonhad engaged rooms at the best hotel. He expected to do considerablebusiness there, but future plans were not all settled. 

"At any rate, we'll have a most glorious time!" declared Bess, "andI'm sure it will do Jack good. "

"I think its done him some good already just thinking about it, "replied Cora. "Though he declares that he doesn't care much, one wayor the other. It isn't like Jack to be thus indifferent. "

"He doesn't seem so very indifferent--just now, " commented. Belle, dryly. "He and Walter are trying to explain to Inez how a motor carworks and I do believe Jack is holding her hand much longer than heneeds, to in showing her how the gears are shifted. "

The three girls--Cora and her chums--were in Cora's room, making apretense at packing. They could look down to the drive at the sideof the house--where Jack's car stood after a little run. As Bellehad said, Jacks indifference seemed partially to have vanished. Forhe was enthusiastic in imparting some information to Inez. 

As I have explained, the position of the pretty Spanish girl was muchdifferent from that of an ordinary servant. She was more like acompanion. And, now that a rest and good food had rounded out herhollow cheeks, she was distinctively pretty, with that rather boldand handsome type of beauty for which the southern women are sonoted. Jack and Walter both seemed much impressed. The girls werenot jealous--at least not yet--of Inez. 

Inez was so delighted with the prospect of getting back to her ownisland, and with the chance of helping free her father, that it isdoubtful if she looked upon Jack and Walter with any more seeing eyesthan those which she would have directed to small boys at their play. She liked them. She liked them to show her about the automobile, andshe laughed frankly with them--but she was totally ingenuous. 

"And she could be so--so dangerous--if she chose, " murmured Belle. 

"What do you mean?" asked Cora. 

"I mean--with her languorous, " was the murmured reply. 

Cora looked sharply at her chum, but said nothing. 

The last gown had been delivered, and the trunks needed but thestraps around them to close their lids. The Chelton houses had beenput in readiness for their lonely winter, and already the tang offrost in the late October air had brought the advance message of JackFrost. 

Some few purchases remained for Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Kimball tomake, but these were deferred until the trip to New York to take thesteamer. They would remain a day or so in the metropolis beforesailing. 

"One last run in our cars, and then well put them away, " suggestedCora to her chums. 

"We'll come along, " Jack invited himself and Walter. 

They had a glorious day in the open. Then the gasoline tanks wereemptied, the radiators drained, and the cars put away in the garage. 

"I do hope we can do some motor boating down there, " said Jack, withsomething like a return of his former interest. 

"We shall, I'm sure, " said Bess. "'They say it is ideal for thesport there. "

Inez had sent word to her father that an attempt would be made tofree him. That is, she had sent the message. Whether it would reachhim or not was another question, for his political enemies had himpretty well hedged about. 

New York was no novelty to our friends, for they often ran in duringthe winter. The days there were busy ones, and passed quickly. 

Their luggage was put aboard the steamer, the last purchases had beenmade, and now they were ready themselves to walk up the gang-plank. 

"Well, girls, are you all ready to leave?" asked Mr. Robinson, as hecame on deck. 

"All ready--for waters blue!" half chanted Cora. 

"Inez, " she asked, "would you mind going down and seeing if motherhas everything she wants?"

"I go, Senorita, " murmured the Spanish girl. As she turned to makeher way to Mrs. Kimball's stateroom, Inez started and drew back atthe sight of a very fat man just coming aboard. "Zat man! Here!"she gasped, and Cora turned to see Inez shrink out of sight behindone of the lifeboats. 

CHAPTER X

THE BLUE WATERS

"What is the matter, my dear girl?" asked Cora, when she hadrecovered from the little start Inez gave her. "Did that man doanything--or speak to you?" and she looked indignantly about for aship's officer to whom to complain. 

"No! No--not that!" cried the Spanish girl, quickly. "He did notspeak--he did not even look!"

"Then why are you so alarmed?"

"It is because I know zat man--I know him when I am in New Yorkbefore. He try to find out from me about my father, " and ashivering, as if of fear, seemed to take possession of the timidgirl. 

"Do you mean he belonged to the political party that put your fatherin prison?"

"Zat is it. Oh, but zese politics! I know not what zey mean, butzey are trouble--trouble always. Now zat man he is here--he islooking for me, I am sure. "

"Nonsense!" exclaimed Cora, determined, whether she believed it or, not, to make light of the matter, for Inez was certainly muchalarmed. 

"I don't believe he even knows you are on board, " Jack's sister wenton, "But we'll speak to Mr. Robinson about it. He'll know what todo. Do you think that man saw you?"

"I know not, Senorita Cora. But I am much afraid!" There was nodoubt of that; the girl's eyes and every movement, showed her alarm. 

"Come along!" Cora forced herself to say brightly. "We'll soonsettle this matter. We'll find out who that man is, and--"

"Oh, no! No, Senorita. Do not trouble. It you should do zat, zisman would only make matters worse for my poor father. Let himalone!"

"And have you, and us, worrying all the time on this voyage? Indeed, I'll not. "

This was not Cora's way. She never shrank from doing what sheconsidered to be her duty. In this case, her duty lay in finding outwhether or not there was a real, or fancied enemy, of Mr. Ralcanto'saboard. 

The man who had caused this little flurry of excitement, had, by thistime, gone down to his stateroom. Other belated passengers werehurrying aboard, the last consignment of freight was being brought tothe dock, and preparations for leaving were multiplying. 

"I might as well wait until I can see him, you can point him out tome again, " said Cora, "and then I'll show him to Mr. Robinson. Hecan speak to the captain, and find out who the big man is. "

"Very well, Senorita, " assented Inez. "But I do not wish to giveannoyance. I have already been such a burden--"

"Nonsense!" Cora cried. "We've undertaken this business of gettingyour father out of that political prison, and we're going to do it. I think we're going to start now. "

There was little doubt about it. Bells were jingling, whistles wereblowing and men were hoarsely shouting. Then the gang-plank waspulled to the dock, away from the steamer's side, just after a lastbelated passenger had run up it. 

Mooring ropes were cast off, and then with a blast from her siren, that fairly made the decks tremble, the ship was slowly pushed outinto the river to drop down the harbor, and so on her way to PortoRico. 

It was just before the pilot was about to leave, that Cora got achance to carry out her intention of drawing the attention of Mr. Robinson to the mysterious man who had so seriously alarmed Inez. 

The personal baggage of our travelers had been put away in therespective staterooms, and they were all up on deck watching thescenes about the harbor. Inez, who was standing near Mrs. Kimballand Cora, suddenly gave a start, and touching Jack's sister on thearm, whispered:

"There he is! And he is looking right at me!"

Cora turned quickly. She did behold the gaze of the fat man directedin rather scrutinizing fashion on the Spanish girl, and, as he sawthat he was attracting attention, he quickly averted his eyes. Inappearance he was a Cuban or Spaniard, well dressed and prosperouslooking, but not of prepossessing appearance. 

At that moment Mr. Robinson strolled past, talking to the captainwhom he knew, for the twins' father had long been engaged in a branchof the coffee importing business, and had much to do with ships. 

"Now is my chance, " thought Cora. "I'll find out who that man is. "

She whispered to Inez to keep the mysterious stranger in view, whileshe herself went to speak to Mr. Robinson and the captain. She hadpreviously been introduced to the commander, and found him mostagreeable. 

Cora quickly explained to Mr. Robinson the little alarm Inez hadexperienced, and requested him to find out, from the captain, who theman was. 

"That man?" queried the commander, in answer to Mr. Robinson'squestion. "Why, he is an old traveler with me. He goes up and downto Porto Rico quite often. He's a coffee merchant, Miguel Ramo byname, and very wealthy, I believe. Do you wish to meet him?"

"Oh, no!" said Cora hastily, and with a meaning look at Mr. Robinson, "I--I just wanted to know who he was. "

"He has a very interesting personality, " went on the captain. "Hehas been through a number of revolutions in his own native country, of Venezuela, and, I believe, has mixed up, more or less, withpolitics in Porto Rico. He tells some queer stories. "

"Perhaps I shall be glad to make his acquaintance, later, " murmuredMr. Robinson, as Cora, with a meaning look, slipped away. She hadfound out part of what she wanted to know. 

While Mr. Robinson and the captain continued their stroll along deck, Cora slipped to where Inez was waiting. 

"Do you know a Senor Miguel Ramo?" asked Jack's sister. 

Inez puckered her brow in thought. 

"No, " she said slowly, "I do not know ze name, but I am sure zat manwas on Sea Horse Island when my father was taken to prison. I amfearful of him. "

"Well, you needn't be, " declared Cora, lightly. "Remember you'rewith us, and under the protection of Mr. Robinson. Besides, that manseems well known to Captain Watson, and, even if he is a revolutionist, he may not be a bad one. "

Inez shook her head. The sad experiences through which she hadpassed had not tended to make her brave and self-reliant, as wasCora. But, even at that, Inez could not but feel the helpfulinfluence of the motor girls, and already, from their influence, she, had gained much. 

Out of seeming confusion and chaos came order and discipline, andsoon matters were running smoothly aboard the vessel. Jack andWalter came up on-deck, with Bess and Belle, and the young people, including Inez, who was regarded more as a companion than as a maid, formed one of the group that watched the shores and ships slippingpast, as they went through the Narrows, and out into the bay. 

Cora told of the little alarm Inez had experienced, and Walter was atonce anxious to establish a sort of espionage over the suspect. Jackagreed with him, and doubtless they would have constituted themselvesa committee of two to "dog" the footsteps of the fat man, had notCora firmly interfered. 

"Mr. Robinson is looking after him, " said Jack's sister, "and he'lldo all that is necessary. Besides, I don't believe that man is theone Inez thinks he is. She isn't quite so sure as she was; are you?"

"No, Senorita. And yet--I know not why but I am of a fear abouthim. "

"Don't you worry--I'll look out for you!" said Jack, taking her hand, which Inez, with a pretty blush, hastily snatched away from him. 

The pilot was "dropped, " and then began the real voyage of aboutfifteen hundred miles to San Juan. It was destined to be uneventful, so we shall not concern ourselves with it, except to say that thoughMr. Robinson kept a close watch on Senor Ramo, he could detectnothing that could connect him with the imprisonment of the father ofInez. If the coffee merchant were in any way responsible, hebetrayed no sign of it, not even when Mr. Robinson, in conversationwith him, introduced the name of Senor Ralcanto. So, unless the fatman was an excellent actor, it was decided Inez had been mistaken. 

She herself, however, would not admit this, and continued to believethe man an enemy of her family. She avoided meeting him, and whenshe saw him on deck, she went back to her stateroom. 

The weather had been cold, sharp and rather dreary on leaving NewYork, and warm clothing and coats were in demand. But in a day or sothe balmy winds of the south began to make themselves felt, and thetravelers were glad to don lighter clothing. 

Mr. Robinson had been to Cuba, though not to Porto Rico, but theislands, are much the same, and his knowledge of one sufficed for theother. Inez, too, was of service to the girls and the two ladies intelling them what to wear. 

Mr. Robinson and the boys were comfortable in suits of thin Scotchtweed, once the southern limits were reached, and later they changedto linen of the kind they used during their stay. Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Kimball, and the girls varied from brown silks to linens, andfound them perfectly well suited to the climate. 

The days slipped by. The sun became warmer and warmer, and then, onemorning, as the party came on, deck after breakfast, Cora, goingforward, called out:

"Oh, see how blue the water is!"

"Isn't it!" agreed Bess. 

"How beautiful!" murmured Belle. 

"Now we are coming to my country, " said Inez, softly. "Off there isPorto Rico, and beyond--beyond is Sea Horse Island--and my father!"

There were traces of tears in her eyes. Cora softly slipped her handinto that of the pretty refugee. 

CHAPTER XI

IN SAN JUAN

The anchor splashed into the blue waters of San Juan Bay. The shipswung around at her cable, and came to rest, and then up came thesmall boats with their skippers, eager to obtain fares and thetransportation of baggage. Sailing craft there were, puffing tugs, old-fashioned naphtha launches and the more modern gasoline launches, all-swarming about the steamer. 

"Look at that!" cried Jack, as he viewed the scene before him. "Whatdoes it all mean? Why don't we go up to the dock in regular style, and not stop away out here?"

"There aren't any really good docks in San Juan, though there may besome built soon, " said Mr. Robinson. "We'll have to go ashore insome of these craft. They're all right. I'll see to our luggage. "

"Well, this is some difference from New York, " commented Jack. 

"Yes, and that's the beauty of it, " remarked his sister. "It is thechange that is going to do you good, Jack dear, " and she smiled athim, brightly. 

"I'm beginning to feel better already, Sis, " he answered, and therewas a keener look in his eyes that had been so tired, while hischecks were flushed with the warmth of the air, and the excitement inanticipation of new scenes. 

"Well, get ready, girls!" called Mr. Robinson, "Get all yourfurbelows and fixings together, and we'll go ashore in one of theseboats. My! but it's warm!"

It was hot, with the heat of the tropics, for the rainy season wasnot yet fully over, though it was approaching its end, and morepleasant weather might be expected. 

Porto Rico, I might explain, nearly resembles the climate of Florida, though it is not quite so hot in summer, nor so cold in winter. Itis nearly always like June in Porto Rico, the thermometer then, andin July, reaching its maximum of eighty-six, the average beingseventy-two. 

Mr. Robinson bargained with the skipper of a large and new motor boatto take him, his party and their baggage ashore, and when the trunksand bags had been transferred, off they started over the blue waterstoward the small, docks, at which were congregated many small fishingcraft. 

"Oh, but it is beautiful!" exclaimed Cora, as she looked down intothe waters, which were of an intense blue, even close to shore. Thatis characteristic of this coral land, the, ocean near the coast beingalways that blue, except where it is colored by the inflowing of somelarge stream. 

Before them lay the city itself, a city of many white buildings, thecolor of which met and blended with the tints of the mountainsbeyond, and those tints varied from olive green, into olive brown, indigo, and, in some places, even to the more brilliant ultramarine. The motor girls gazed at the scene with eager eyes, and into those ofInez came tears of joy, for she was, every minute, coming nearer andnearer to the land she loved--the land where her father was aprisoner. 

Up to the small dock puffed the motor boat, and when Mr. Robinsondemanded to know the price, the boatman named a sum that instantlybrought forth a voluble protest from the Spanish girl. At once sheand the boatman engaged in a verbal duel. 

"Mercy!" exclaimed Bess. "What can have happened? Is he somebrigand who wants to carry us off ?"

"Or a pirate?" suggest Jack. "He looks like one. Wally, have you arevolver with you?"

"Don't you dare!" cried Belle, covering her ears with her hands. 

"He want to charge two pesos too much!" explained Inez, when she hadher breath. "It is not lawful!" and once more she expostulated inSpanish. 

The boatman, with a shrug of his shoulders, as much as to ask, "Howcan one quarrel with a woman?" accepted the amount Inez picked outfrom the change Mr. Robinson held out, and then they went ashore, their luggage being put on the pier. 

The boatman was sullen about the failure of his trick, until Mr. Robinson, who was an experienced traveler, slipped him a coin, whichmust have been large enough to make up for the disappointment, forthe man murmured: "Muchas gracias!" and fell to with a will to helpthe travelers get their belongings into a carriage. 

"What did he say to papa?" asked Bess, of Inez. 

"Many thanks, " translated the Spanish girl. 

"I must practice that!" spoke Jack. "What else do you say in thiscountry, Inez?"

"Oh, many zings, Senor, " and she blushed prettily. "It all dependson what you want. But many here speak ze English as you do. Zere islittle trouble. "

"What would I do if I wanted a glass of ice cream soda water?" askedWalter. "And I feel like one now. "

"Zere is not so much of your ice-cream soda here, " went on Inez, "butozer drinks are of a goodness. Cocoanut milk is much nice. If in astore you go, say 'Quiero' (ke-a-ro), which means 'I want. ' And zenname zat which you desire. You will of a soon learn ze Spanish formany zings. "

"And how shall we know what to pay?" asked Bess. 

"Say 'Cuanto?"' directed Inez. Cuanto (koo-ahn-to) means 'how much, 'and the man will soon tell you--if, indeed, he does not tell you toomuch. But you will soon learn. "

"I have a better way than all this cuanto and piero business, " spokeWalter. 

"How?" asked Jack. "Show me. "

"Go in the place, make a noise like the article you want, or, betterstill, go pick it out from the shelves, hold out a handful of money, and let the fellow help himself, " was Walter's way out of thedifficulty. "He'll probably leave you enough for carfare. "

"Well, that is a good way, too, " agreed Jack. 

"We'll try both. "

The travelers were distributed in two carriages, their heavy luggagebeing put in a wagon to follow them to the hotel. On the way totheir stopping place, Cora and her chums were much interested in thevarious sights. They had come to a typical tropical Spanish city, though it was under the dominion of the United States. 

No one seemed in a hurry, and, though there were many whites, including Spaniards, to be seen, the majority of the inhabitants wereof negro blood, the gradations being from very black to a mulatto, with a curious reddish tinge, in hair and skin, showing Spanishblood. 

It was quite a different hotel from the one they had stopped at inNew York, there being none of that smartness of service one looks forin the metropolis. 

But the rooms were comfortable, and the travelers were assured ofgood cooking, Inez said. However, there was a penetrating odor ofonion and garlic from the direction of the kitchen, that made Jacksay to his mother, apprehensively:

"I say, Mater, you know I can't go onions, especially since I am downon my feed. What'll I do? I can stand their red pepper, but onionsnever!"

"You shall but ask zat none be put in your food, and none will, " saidInez. "Many travelers do so. I, myself, do not like onions anymore. "

"I'm glad of it!" said Jack. "You can sit next to me at table, Inez, " whereat she blushed under her olive hue. 

Mr. Robinson, seeing that the ladies, girls and youths werecomfortably settled in their new quarters, went off to see somebusiness associates, promising to come back in time for an afternoondrive, following the siesta. 

"For everyone takes a siesta, " explained Inez, speaking of the"afternoon nap. "

The drive about the city, and out a distance into the country, wasenjoyed by all. Jack seemed to be improving hourly, and his motherand sister assured each other that no mistake had been made inbringing him to Porto Rico. 

"And, now that we have him in a fair way to getting better, we mustsee what we can do to help Inez, " said Cora. "I am sure she willnever be happy until she is on her way to Sea Horse Island, and isable to start measures for freeing her father. "

"I fancy we had better let Mr. Robinson attend to those matters, "Mrs. Kimball said. "He knows best what moves to make. Poor girl! Iknow just how she feels. "

The party stopped for a while to look at the statue of Columbus, whodiscovered Porto Rico on his second voyage. From there, they droveabout the city, admiring the various buildings of Spanisharchitecture, and, as a finish to the drive, went to the old morro--fort or castle--of San Juan. All signs of the bombardment by AdmiralSampson's fleet, during the Spanish-American War, had been done awaywith. It was a place of interest to them all, for it was very old, and had withstood many attacks. They went through the watch-towerand also the lighthouse. 

"Well, I think we've done enough for one day, " announced Cora, asthey started back for the hotel. "I'm quite done out, and I'm sureJack must be tired. "

"A little, " he admitted. 

A concert in the evening, a stroll about the plaza, watching thepretty Spanish girls, and the homely duennas, brought the day to aclose. 

"And now for bed, " sighed Cora. "I wonder if one dreams in San Juanany differently than in Chelton?"

"Cheerful Chelton!" cried Bess. "Doesn't it seem far away!"

All the rooms of our party were near together on the same corridor, Bess, Belle and Cora having connecting apartments. They left thedoors open between, and it was due to this that Cora heard, soonafter falling into a light doze, the voice of Belle calling her. 

"Cora! Cora!" came the entreaty. 

"Yes--what is it?" asked Cora, sleepily. 

"Some one is in my room!" hissed Belle, in a stage whisper. 

"Oh!" cried Cora, and she sat up suddenly, and pulled the cord of theelectric light. 

CHAPTER XII

LEFT ALONE

The flood of radiance from the electric light shone from Cora's room, into that where Belle was, and with the gleam of the modern illumination, Cora's bravery grew apace. 

"What did you say, Belle?" she asked, now quite wide awake. "Are youill?"

"No, but, oh! I'm so frightened. There's some one in my room! I'msure of it!"

"Nonsense!"

"I tell you I can hear some one walking around!" insisted Belle. 

"Did you get up and look?" asked Cora. 

"Did I get up? Indeed I did not!" was the indignant answer. "I'mscared stiff as it is. "

"And you want me to look?" murmured Cora. 

"Oh, but you have your light lit, Cora dear. And really I am afraidto get up. Do come and see what it is. Perhaps it's only one ofthose large fruit bats that Inez told us about. "

"A bat! Indeed I'll not come in and have it get tangled in my hair!"objected Cora. "I'm going to call some one of the hotel help. "

But there was no need, for Jack, whose room was across the corridorfrom that of his sister, heard the talking, and, getting into adressing gown and slippers, he knocked at Cora's door. 

"What is it?" he asked. 

"Belle thinks she hears something in her room. "

"It's in mine, now, " called out Bess, whose apartment was beyond thatof her sister. 

"Open the door, and I'll have a look, " suggested Jack, good-naturedly. 

"Wait a minute, " Cora said, and, slipping into a robe, she admittedher brother. 

"Now we'll see what's going on, " he promised. 

"Cover up your heads, girls, " he called to Bess and Belle, as he andCora went into the room of the latter. "If it's a villain, you won'tget nervous when you see me squelch him. "

"Oh!" faintly murmured Belle, as she pulled the covers over her head. Jack groped for the electric switch and found it, making lightBelle's room. 

"I don't see a thing, " he announced, looking carefully about. 

"It is in here!" said Bess, faintly. "I can hear it walking about. It's rattling some papers in a corner of my room. "

Jack and Cora went on through to the farther apartment, and Jack, turning on the light there, approached a pile of paper Bess hadtossed in one corner after unwrapping some purchases made during theday. 

"Look out!" warned Cora, while Bess adopted the same protectivemeasures as had her sister. "It may be a rat--or--or something!"

"Most likely--something, " said Jack. He began picking up piece afterpiece of paper, and then he suddenly uttered an exclamation. 

"Ah! Would you!" he snapped, and, standing on one foot, he took theslipper from the other, holding his bare member carefully off thefloor, while he slapped viciously at the pile of papers with hisbedroom weapon. 

"Got him!" he announced triumphantly, after two or three blows. 

"What was it--a bat?" asked Bess, in muffled tones. 

"A centipede, " answered Jack. "A big one, too. About seven incheslong. "

"And their bite is--death!" murmured Bess, in awe-stricken tones. 

"Nothing of the sort, though it's very painful" said Jack, shortly. "Just as well to keep clear of them, however. I'll throw thisdefunct specimen out of the window. "

"Please do, and be sure my screen is down, " begged Bess. "I wonderhow he got in?"

"Oh, there are more or less of them in all hotels, I guess, " saidJack, cheerfully enough. 

"Don't you dare say so!" cried Belle. "Please look around my room, and leave the light burning. I know I'll never sleep a wink. "

Jack tossed out the centipede he had killed, and then looked amongthe waste paper for more, standing with his bare foot raised, andwith ready slipper, for the bite of this insect, which grows to alarge size in Porto Rico, is anything but pleasant, though it is saidnever to cause death, except perhaps in the case of some person whoseblood is very much impoverished. 

Both Bess and Belle insisted on their lights being left aglow, thoughJack made a careful search and could discover no more of theunpleasant visitors. How Belle had heard the one in her room, if itreally had been that which she said made the noise, was a mystery, but the creature might have rattled paper as it did in the room ofBess. 

"Call me if you want anything more, Sis, " said Jack to his sister, ashe started back to his own apartment. And then, as he was about toclose, Cora's door Jack looked fixedly at a place on the floor nearher bureau, and with a muttered exclamation hurried toward it. 

"Oh! what is it?" his sister begged, alarmed at the look on his face. 

"Another one--trying to hide, " he murmured. 

Off came his slipper again and there followed a resounding whack onthe floor. 

"Got that one, too!" Jack announced, and then, as Coral made brave bythe declaration of the death, came closer, she uttered a cry. 

"Jack Kimball!" she gasped, accusingly, "you've broken my bestbarrette, " and she picked up from the floor the shattered fragmentsof a dark celluloid hair comb, which had fallen from the bureau. 

"Barrette, " murmured Jack, in dazed tones. 

"Yes--a sort of side comb, only it goes in the back. "

"Well, it looked just like a centipede trying to hide under thebureau, " Jack defended himself. "Is it much damaged?"

"Damaged? It's utterly ruined, " sighed Cora. "Never mind, Jack, youmeant all right, " and she smiled at her brother. 

"Oh, dear! I don't believe I'm going to like it here, even if thewaters are such a heavenly blue. "

"What was it--another?" demanded Belle. 

"It was my barrette, my dear, " laughed Cora. 

"Come, young folks! You must quiet down, " came the voice of Cora'smother from the next room. "What's all the excitement about?"

"Just--insects, " said Jack, with a chuckle. "We are hunting thedeadly barretted side comb!"

"You'll have to get me another, " said Cora, as she bade Jackgood-night. 

There was no further disturbance, and the hotel clerk said, nextmorning, that the presence of one or two scorpions, or centipedes, could be accounted for from the fact that the rooms occupied by ourfriends had not recently been used. He promised to see to it that allundesirable visitors were hunted out during the day. 

For a week or more, life in San Juan was an experience of delight forthe motor girls. They visited points of interest in and about thecity, taking Inez with them. Of course Jack and Walter also went, and the change was doing the former a world of good. 

The mysterious "fat man, " as Jack insisted on calling Senor Ramo, hadnot come ashore at San Juan, going on with the steamer. Hisdestination was another of the many West Indian islands. 

As yet, Mr. Robinson had had no chance to communicate with, or makearrangements for rescuing the father of Inez. But he was makingcareful plans to do this, and now, being on the ground, he couldconfirm some information difficult to get at in New York. 

The motor girls, and their party, soon accustomed themselves to thechanged conditions. They learned to eat as the Porto Ricans do--littlemeat making eggs take the place, and they never knew before what avariety of ways eggs could e served. 

The weather was growing more pleasant each day, and with the gradualpassing of the hurricane season, they were allowed to take longertrips in one of the many motor boats with which the harbor abounded. 

Sometimes they spent whole days on the water, their dusky captainkeeping a sharp watch out for hurricanes. These can be detected somehours off, and a run made for safety. Some of the whirling stormsare very dangerous, and others merely squalls. 

It was when they had been in San Juan about a month, and Mr. Robinsonhad promised, in the next few days, to take some measures regardingthe liberation of Senor Ralcanto, that something occurred whichchanged the whole aspect of the visit of the motor girls to watersblue. 

Mr. Robinson found that he would have to go on business to a coffeeplantation near Basse Terre, on the French island of Guadeloupe, andas he had heard there were also rare orchids to be obtained them, hewanted to stay a few days after his trade matters had been attendedto. 

"But I did want to start for Sea Horse Island, and begin my plan toliberate your father, " he said to Inez. 

"It can wait, Senor, "' she said, softly. "A few days more will notmake much of ze difference, as long as he is to be rescued anyhow. Iwould not have you disappointed in ze orchids. "

"Then I'll go when we come back, " said Mr. Robinson. "I'll go toGuadeloupe, and take my wife and Mrs. Kimball with me. I want themto see the place. "

"And leave us here alone?" asked Bess. 

"Certainly, why not? You are in good hands at the hotel, especiallyas the boys are with you. And Inez is as good as a guide andEuropean courier made into one. "

The weather, which had been fine on the evening when Mr. Robinson andthe two ladies went aboard the steamer, underwent a sudden changebefore morning, and when Cora and her chums awoke in the hotel, andlooked out, they found raging a storm that, in its fury, was littleshort of a hurricane. 

"Oh, Jack!" his sister exclaimed, as she listened to the roar of thewind and the sharp swish of the rain, "I'm so afraid!"

"What about? This hotel is a good one. "

"I know. But mamma on that ship--they're out at sea now, and--"

She did not finish. 

"That's so, " spoke Jack, and a troubled look came over his face. 

CHAPTER XIII

THE HURRICANE

How the wind howled, and how the rain beat down! Outside the windowof Cora's room, the gutters were flush, and running over withseething water. In the street below there was a river, along whichbedraggled pedestrians forded their way, envying the patient donkeysdrawing the market venders' carts. 

At times the wind rose to a fury that rattled the casements, andfairly shook the solid structure of the hotel. Then Cora, who, withJack, had come up from the breakfast room, clung to her brother, anda look of fear came into her eyes. Nor were Jack's altogether calm. 

"What a storm!" murmured the girl. 

The door, leading into the next room, opened, and Bess came out. 

"Oh, Cora!" she gasped, putting the last touches to her hair, whichshe had arranged in a new Spanish way she had seen, and then, tiringof it, had gone to her room to put it back in its accustomed form. "Isn't this just awful!"

"Terrible, I say!" came from Belle, who now entered from herapartment. 

"It certainly does rain, " agreed Jack. "Five minutes ago therewasn't a drop in the street, and now you could float your motor boatthere, if you had it, Cora. "

"And we may wish we had it, before we're through, " chimed in thevoice of Walter. They had made of Cora's room, which was the largestof the suite, a sort of gathering place. 

"Why so, Wally?" demanded Jack. 

"It looks as though we'd be flooded, " was his answer. 

"Oh, these storms are common down here" put in Bess. "I spoke toInez about it, and she said the natives here were used to them. "

"Such storms as this?" asked Cora, as a fiercer dash of rain, and asudden blast of wind, seemed about to tear away the windows and letthe fury of the elements into the room. 

"Well, I suppose that's what she meant, " said Bess. "But it isawful, isn't it? And mamma and papa, and your mother, Cora, out onthat steamer. "

"Oh, they'll be all right, " declared Jack. "It's a big steamer, andthe captain and crew must be used to the weather down here. They'llknow what to do. Probably they ran for harbor when they saw thestorm coining. They say skippers in the West Indies can tell when astorm's due hours ahead. "

But that brought little comfort to the girls, and even Walter lookedworried as the day wore on and the fury of the storm did not abate. Inez, as one who had lived in the region, was appealed to ratheroften to say whether this was not the worst she had ever seen. 

"Oh, I have seen zem much worse, " was her ready answer, "but zey didterrible damage. Terrible!"

And, on talking with some of the old residents of San Juan, and withthe hotel people, Jack and Walter learned that the storm was a mostunusual one. 

It was of the nature of a hurricane, but it did not have the suddensharpness and shortness of attack of those devastating storms. Thereal hurricane season, due to a change of climatic conditions, wassupposed to have passed, and this storm was entirely unlooked for, and unexpected. 

It did not blow steadily, as hurricanes did, but in fits and gusts, more disconcerting than a steady blow of more power. The rain, also, came in showers. Now there would not be a drop filling, and againthere would be a deluge, blinding in its intensity. 

For want of a better name the storm was called a hurricane, thoughmany of the real characteristics were lacking. And, as the drearyday wore on, the motor girls, and the boys, too, felt themselvescoming under the spell of fear--not so much for themselves, as fortheir loved ones aboard the Ramona, which was the name of the steameron, which Mr. And Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Kimball had sailed. 

"Oh, if anything has happened to them!" sighed Cora. 

"Can't we get some news?" asked Bess, faintly. 

"Surely there are telegraph lines and cables, " spoke Belle. 

"There are, " the hotel clerk informed them, "but there are so manysmall islands hereabouts, into the harbor of any one of which theship may have put, that it would be impossible to say where it was. And not all the islands have means of communication. So I beg of younot to worry, Senoritas. Surely they are safe. "

Yet even the clerk, sophisticated as he was, did not believe all hehimself said. For the storm, as the girls learned afterward, wasalmost unprecedented in the West Indies. 

There was nothing they could do save to wait until it was over--untilit had blown itself out, and then to wait, perhaps longer and with anever increasing anxiety, for some news of those who had sailed. 

"Oh, if Senor Robinson should be lost!" half sobbed Inez, on thethird day of the storm, when it showed no signs of abating. "If heshould he lost, my father would be doomed forever to zat prison. "

"Nonsense!" exclaimed Jack, for it was in talking to Jack and Walterthat the Spanish girl gave utterance to these sentiments. "Don't gosaying such things around Cora and Bess and Belle, or you'll givethem the fidgets. There's no sign the steamer is lost just becauseit has run into a storm. "

"I know, Senor Jack, "--for so she called him, "but zere is so muchdanger. And my father--he is languishing in prison. "

"Yes, but we'll have him out. Mr. Robinson didn't take those paperswith him; did he--those papers that contain the evidence?"

"No, I have them--he has only ze copies. "

"Well, then you needn't worry. When this storm blows over, we'll allget busy on this rescue business!" and Jack spoke with a return ofhis old energy. He was becoming more like himself every day now, andeven the stress and danger of the storm had no hampering effects onhim. 

"Oh, you Americans!" exclaimed Inez, with a pretty pathetic gesture. "You speak of such queer English--to rescue is no business--itdemands intrigue--secrecy. "

"Well, we'll make it our business, " said Walter, grimly, "But, Inez, don't scare the other girls. We have troubles enough without that, you know, with Mr. Robinson away. Just make a bluff at feeling allright. "

"A bluff, Senor--a bluff--a high hill--I am to make a high hill offeeling good?" and she looked puzzled. 

"Translate, Jack, " begged Walter, hopelessly, and Jack, nothingloath, took Inez off into a corner of the hotel parlor to explain. 

But with all their assumed right-heartedness, the boys were finallygenuinely alarmed. Indefinite reports came to the hotel of muchdanger and damage to shipping, and several large steamers were saidto have gone on the reefs which abounded in that region of islands. No direct news came of the Ramona. In fact, she had not beensighted, or spoken to, since leaving San Juan. 

"Oh, if anything has happened to her!" sighed Cora. 

"There's just as much chance that nothing has happened, as that therehas, " declared Jack. "She might have gone into any one of a dozenharbors. "

"I suppose so, but, somehow, I can't help worrying, Jack. "

"I know, little girl, " he said, sympathetically. 

"But I oughtn't to trouble you, " Cora went on. 

"Are you really feeling any better, Jack?"

"Heaps; yes. Water and I are going out to have a look at the waterto-day. We're tired of being cooped up here. "

"Oh, I wish I could go!"

"Why not? Come along. It will do you girls good. "

So it was arranged. The girls, including Inez, donned rubber coats, and, well wrapped up for it was chilling with the advent of rain, they set forth from the hotel. 

They made a struggling way to the sea wall, and there looked out overa foaming waste of waters. In one place where a sunken reef of coralcame close to the surface the waves beat and tore at it as though towrench it up, and cast it ashore. There the sea boiled and seethedin fury. 

"A ship wouldn't last long' out there, " said Walter, quietly. 

"I should say not, " agreed Jack. 

On the beach the waves pounded with sullen fury, making a roar thatdrowned the voices of the motor girls. Cora and her chums clung toone another as they leaned their bodies against the blast, and peeredthrough the mist. 

"Isn't it awful, " said Cora, with a shudder. 

"Yes--for--for those who have to be out in it, " spoke Bess, and, though she mentioned no names, they all knew what she meant. 

CHAPTER XIV

NEWS OF SHIPWRECK

Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece oflace upon which she was engaged. The long, breathing sigh whichfollowed her rising from the chair, was audible across the room. 

"What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where thelight was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one ofher silk stockings. She held it off at arm's length, on herspread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show whenthe article was worn. 

"I just can't do another stitch!" Cora said. "It makes me so--nervous. "

"It's beautiful lace--a lovely pattern, " spoke Belle, as she pickedit up from the table. "I don't see how Inez carries them all in herhead, " for Cora was working out a model set for her by the Spanishgirl. 

"Nor I, " said did Bess, "It's perfectly wonderful. "

She glanced at Cora, who had gone to stand by another window to watchfor signs of clearing weather, that, of late, had come with morecertain promise. 

"There! I think that will do!" announced Bess, as she cut off thesilk thread. "I wonder if we shall ever get to the point where wecan go without stockings, as the Spanish ladies do here. "

"Do they?" asked Cora, absently. "I hadn't noticed. "

"They do indeed, my dear, " answered her chum. "I read about it, butI didn't believe it until Inez took us to call on Senora Malachitathe other day--Belle and I--you didn't come, you know. "

"I remember. "

"Well, my dear, positively she didn't have any stockings on--onlyslippers, and she received us that way. Belle and I had all we coulddo not to laugh, and I wondered if she could be so poor that shecouldn't afford them, though her, house, was beautiful, and theplaza, with its fountain and flowers, a perfect dream. 

"But Inez told me that often even the well-to-do Spanish ladies heredon't wear stockings, unless they go to church or to a dance. Eventhen they don't put them on, sometimes, until just before they gointo the church. We saw one, riding in on a donkey. She stoppedjust outside the church, and put on her stockings as calmly as thoughthey were gloves. "

"Fancy!" cried Cora. 

"Then you aren't going to follow that fashion?" asked Belle. 

"No, indeed!" exclaimed the plump Bess, as she carefully inspectedthe other stocking for a possible worn place. She did not find it, and sighed in content. 

"Aren't you going to finish that lace, Cora?" asked Belle. 

"Not now, at any rate. I just can't sit here and--wait! I want tobe doing something. "

"But there's nothing to do, dear, " objected Belle. "We can't doanything but wait for news of them. And no news is always good news, you know. "

"Just because it has to be!" retorted Cora. 

"But, girls, positively, I believe the weather is clearing! Yes, there's a blue patch of sky. Oh, if this storm should be over!"

Her two chums came and stood by her at the casement. Off to the westthe dark and sullen sky did seem to be clearing. The rain had ceasedsome time ago, but the wind was still blowing half a gale, and theboys, who had come back from the docks a short while before, reportedthat the sea was still very high, and that no ships had ventured toleave the harbor. Then Jack and Walter went out again, saying theywere going to the marina, the water plaza. 

"Oh, but it is going to clear!" cried Cora, in delight, an hour or solater. "Now we shall hear some news of them!"

"Won't it be lovely!" exclaimed Bess. "Oh, I have been so worried!"

"So have I, " admitted her sister. "But of course they are safe!"

"Of course, " echoed Cora, and yet there was a vague fear within her--afear that, somehow or other, in spite of her effort for self-control, communicated itself to her voice. 

"Let's go out, "' suggested Belle. "I'm tired of being cooped uphere. "

"Where are the boys?" asked Cora. "Really we oughtn't to go out somuch without them. We'll become talked about!"

"Never!" laughed Bess. "We are Americans, and everything is possibleto us. "

The others laughed. Before coming to Porto Rico, they had read booksabout the island, in which stress was laid on Spanish customs, especially about ladies going about without a male member of theirfamily, or some one to serve as a duenna. But our friends were toosensible to be hampered by that custom, save at night. 

"The boys are probably off enjoying themselves, " said Cora. "Jack isso much better. It has done him a world of good down here. We maymeet them. Come on, let's go out. Oh, there's the sun!"

It was shining for the first time since the storm began, and thegirls hastened to take advantage of it. 

"Where's Inez?" asked Belle. 

"Lying down, she had a little headache, " explained Bess. "We won'tdisturb her, and we won't be gone long. "

There was a great outpouring of the inhabitants, all anxious to takeadvantage of the clearing of the, storm, and the streets were sooncrowded. The girls went down to the sea wall, at a point where Jackand Walter had made a habit of taking observations from time to time, and there they found the chums. 

"Welcome to our city!" laughed Walter, as he greeted the girls. "Won't you come and have something cool to drink? It's going to beinsufferably hot!"

And so it promised after the storm, for the sun, coming out withalmost tropical warmth, after all the moisture, was fairly sizzlingnow. 

"It sounds nice, " spoke Cora. "Oh, Jack, do you think we can get anynews of the steamer soon?"

"I think so, Sis. Let's go round by the Morro, and see what thesemaphore says. "

At the ancient Spanish fort flags were displayed to signal theexpected arrival of steamers. 

The little party found a refreshment booth and enjoyed the iced andflavored cocoanut milk, which made a most delightful beverage. Then, going on to the fort, they saw, fluttering in the breeze that hadsucceeded the hurricane, the flags that told of the approach of asteamer. 

"I--I hope it brings news, " said Cora, softly. 

"Good news, " supplemented Belie. 

"Of course, " added her sister. 

They strolled back to the marina, the business quarter of the town, fronting directly on the water. There, in the activities of theowners of several motor launches, was read the further news of theapproach of the first steamer since the storm. The lighters weregetting ready to go out to bring ashore the passengers and freight. 

As it would probably be some time before the ship came to anchor outin the harbor, the boys and girls went back to the hotel, for it wasapproaching the dinner hour. 

In spite of their anxiety to receive any possible news of the Ramona, which the incoming steamer might bring, the girls went to their roomsfor a siesta after the meal--a habit that had really been forced onthem, not only by the customs, but by the climate of the place. Itwas actually too warm to go about in the middle of the day, andespecially now, since the sun had come out exceedingly hot after thestorm. Jack and Walter, however, declared that they were going downto the marina to get the earliest possible news. 

As it chanced, the girls remaining at the hotel were the first tohear that which made so great a difference to them. 

Cora, Bess and Belle, with Inez, whose head had stopped aching, camedown about four o'clock, dressed for a stroll. There was to be aband concert in one of the public park--the first in several days. 

As they went up to the desk to leave their keys, they saw standingtalking to the clerk a very stout man, at the sight of whom Inez drewback behind Cora. 

"It is him--him again, " she whispered. 

"Who?"

"Zat man--Senor Ramo--I do not like zat he should see me. "

"Oh, you mustn't be so timid, " declared Jack's sister. "He won'tharm you. "

"No, but my father--"

"I think you are mistaken, Inez!" went on Cora. "At any rate, he hasseen us--he remembers us as from having come out on the same steamerwith us, " for Senor Ramo was now bowing, and is smile spread itselfover his oily and expansive countenance. 

"Ah, Senorita Kembull!" he mispronounced. "I am charmed to see youagain. Also the Senoritas Sparrow--er--I am so forget--I know it issome kind of one of your charming birds--ah!--Robinson--a thousandpardons! I am charmed!" and he bowed low to the twins. 

Then his eyes sought the face of Inez, but he showed no recognition, though the significant pause indicated that he expected also toaddress her. Clearly, if he had seen her on the steamer coming fromNew York, he did not remember her. There was a questioning look inhis eyes. 

Inez pinched Cora's arm, and murmured something in her ear. Coraunderstood at once. Inez did not wish to meet this man, for reasonsof her own. He might, or might not, be of the political partyopposed to her father, and he might, or might not, have had a hand inplacing Senor Ralcanto in prison. Of this Cora could only guess, butthere was no mistaking the fear of Inez. 

Cora thought of the easiest way out of it. This was to allow Inez toassume the character she had been given--that of a maid. 

"Inez, I think I left my fan in my room--will you please get it forme?" requested Cora, at the same time giving the Spanish girl ameaning look. 

"Yes, Senorita, " was the low-voiced answer, as Inez glided from thefoyer. 

Senor Ramo seemed to understand. He turned, once more, with a smileto Cora. 

"And when may I have the pleasure of paying my respects to yourhonored mother?" he asked, "and to Senora--er--Robinson, and yourfather?" he inquired of the twins. "I have but just arrived, after amost stormy passage, from Barbados. Truly I thought we were lost, but we managed to weather the hurricane. "

"And we are hoping our folks did, too, " said Cora. "We have heardnothing of them since they sailed on the Ramona, nearly a week ago. Did your steamer hear of that vessel, Senor Ramo?" she asked, eagerly. 

"The Ramona did you say?" he inquired, and there was that in hismanner which sent a cold chill of fear to the hearts of the motorgirls. 

"Yes, " answered Cora, huskily. "Oh, has anything happened? Have youheard any news? Tell me! Oh!" and she clutched at her wildlybeating heart. 

"The Ramona--a thousand pardons that I am the bearer of ill-tidings--the Ramona was shipwrecked!" said Senor Ramo. "We picked up some ofthe sailors from it! Ah, deeply do I regret to have to tell you suchnews!"

CHAPTER XV

A SEARCH PROPOSED

"Cora, what's the matter? Has this man--?"

It was Jack who spoke, as he suddenly entered the rotunda of thehotel, with Walter, and saw his sister faintly recoiling from theshock of the news brought by Senor Ramo. Jack had a bit of fierytemper, and it had not lessened by his recent nervousness. Then, too, he seemed to have caught some of the Spanish impetuosity sincecoming to Porto Rico. 

"Hush, Jack!" begged Belie. "It is bad news, " and there was a traceof tears in her voice. 

"Bad news?" chorused Jack and Walter together. 

"Yes, Senor Kembull, " again mispronounced the Spaniard, "I deeplyregret to be the bearer of ill-tidings. I was just telling yoursister, and her friends, that the Ramona has been wrecked. "

"The Ramona--the steamer mother sailed on--wrecked?" cried Jack. "How did it happen--where?"

"As to where, I know not, but it happened, I assume, in the recenthurricane. Indeed, we barely escaped ourselves. I am just in fromthe Boldero. We picked up some refugees near St. Kitts. I did nothear their story in detail, but they said the Ramona had founderedwith all on board!"

"Oh!" gasped Belle, as she sank against Cora. The latter, meanwhile, had somewhat recovered from the shock. Again she was thequick-thinking, emergency-acting Cora Kimball. 

"We must find out exactly what happened, " she said. "Belle, pullyourself together. Don't you dare faint--everyone is looking atyou!"

Perhaps this information, as much as the bottle of ammonia smellingsalts, which Cora thrust beneath the nose of her chum, brought Belleto a realization of what part she must play. 

"I--I'm all right now, " she faltered. "But, oh! It is so awful--terrible. Oh--dear!"

"Hope for the best, " said Walter kindly, leading her to the ladies'parlor, which was screened, by a grill, from the public foyer. "Often, now a days, in shipwreck, nearly all are saved, even if thevessel does founder. "

"Of a surety--yes!" Senor Ramo hastened to put in. "I am a stupid toblurt out my news so, but I did not think! I ask a thousand and onepardons. "

"It doesn't matter, " said Jack. "We had to know sometime. Thesooner the better. We must get busy. "

"Always busy--you Americans!" murmured the Spaniard. "If I can be ofany service, Senor Kembull--"

"You can take us, to where those sailors are that were picked up byyour vessel, if you will, " interrupted Jack. "I'd like to hear theirstory, and find out exactly where the Ramona went down. That is, ifit is true that she completely foundered. "

"Why, if I may ask?"

"Because, this is only the beginning. There may be a chance ofsaving some--our folks--if, by any possibility they reached some ofthe smaller islands. I must see those sailors. "

"They will most likely remain aboard the Boldero--the vessel on whichI arrived, " spoke Senor Ramo. "They lost everything but the clothesthey wore. Doubtless you could see them on the steamer. "

"Then I'm going with you!" cried Cora. "I can't wait, Jack!" shepleaded, as he looked a refusal at her. "I must go!"

"Oh, poor mamma and papa!" half sobbed Bess, for they were now in theseclusion of the ladies' parlor. "Oh, what will become of us?"

"You mustn't give way like this!" objected Jack. "Now, if ever, isthe time to be brave. There is lots to be done!"

Jack was coming into his own again. The trip had worked wonders, butjust this touch and spice of danger was needed to bring out his oldenergetic qualities. 

"What can be done?" asked Cora. 

"I don't know, yet. I'm going to find out. Maybe it isn't so bad asit sounds after all, " replied Jack. 

"It sounds bad enough, " sighed Cora. "But, Jack, I am with you inthis. I simply won't be left out. "

"And no one wants to leave you out, Sis. Walter, just see if we canget a carriage, or a motor, to the marina. We'll take a boat fromthere out to the Boldero. "

"I will give you a letter to the captain, " said Senor Ramo. "Heknows me well, and he will show you every courtesy. "

"Surely, " thought Cora, "this man cannot be a political plotter, whowould put innocent men in prison. Inez must be mistaken about him. He is very kind. "

Some little excitement was caused by the advent of the bad news toour party of friends, and it quickly spread through the hotel. Anumber of the guests, whose acquaintance the motorgirls had made, offered their services, but there was little they could do. What wasmost needed was information concerning the wreck. 

Inez, who had made the getting of Cora's fan an excuse to go to herroom, to escape Senor Ramo, heard the sad tidings, and came down. Bythis time the "fat suspect, " as Jack had nicknamed him, had gone, having scribbled a note of introduction to the captain of theBoldero. 

"Oh, what is it, Senoritas?" gasped Inez. "Is it zat you are insorrow?"

"Yes, " said Cora, sadly. "Great sorrow, Inez. We have had very badnews, " and there were tears in her eyes. 

"I sorrow with you, " said the impulsive Spanish girl, as she put herarm about Cora. "I was in sorrow myself, and you aided me. Now Imust do ze same for you. Command me. "

"There is little that can be done until we learn more, " Cora madeanswer. "The steamer has been wrecked. "

"With Senor Robinson, and with the Senoras Kimball and Robinson?"gasped Inez. 

"So we hear. "

"Ah, zat is indeed of great sorrow. I weep for you. My own littletroubles are a nothing. My father may be in prison, but what of zat--heis living--and your mother--"

She did not finish. Walter came in to announce that he had secured alarge auto that would take them to the marina, whence they could geta boat to go out to the steamer. 

"I only hope those sailors haven't disappeared, " murmured Jack. "Nowthen, are you girls ready?"

"Yes, " answered Belle. She, as well as Cora and Bess, had somewhatrecovered their composure, after the first sudden shock. Hope hadsprung up again, though they were presently to learn on what aslender thread that hope hung. Jack had regained some of his formercommanding manner in the emergency. 

Inez went with her new friends to the docks. She seemed to haveforgotten her own grief in ministering to the girls, and much of herformer timid and shrinking manner had disappeared. 

They found a large and powerful motor boat that would take them outto the ship, and, indeed, a staunch craft was needed, since there wasstill a heavy swell on, from the recent storm. 

"Are there many boats like this in San Juan?" asked Jack of the manat the wheel, who spoke very good English. 

"Not many. There's only one as good, and that's much larger. She'sthe Tartar--and she's a beauty!"

"For charter?"

"Well, maybe. The same man owns her as owns this one, but only largeparties engage her. "

"Fast and seaworthy?"

"None better. "

"That's good, " Jack said. 

"What are you thinking of?" asked his sister. 

"Tell you later, " he announced briefly. 

"Oh, if it wasn't for the terrible news, how lovely this trip wouldbe!" exclaimed Bess. 

They were gliding over the deep, blue waters of the bay, and thegolden setting sun now shone aslant the harbor, pouring its beamsover the tops of the distant mountains, and through the palmbranches. A promise of fair weather followed on the wings of thestorm. 

Whatever Senor Ramo might, or might not be, he certainly procured awelcome for our friends at the Boldero. Or, rather, the note Jackpresented to the captain did. 

"Ah, yes, you desire news of the shipwrecked sailors. Well, they arestill here on board. One of them is hurt, but the other can talk. But they speak no English--I had better translate for you. "

"First tell us what you know yourself, Captain, " begged Cora. 

"I know little, except what I have heard, of the foundering of theRamona, " was the answer. 

"Then you think she did go down?" asked Bess. 

"I fear so--the sailors we picked up so affirm. All I can tell youis that, a day or so ago, as we were staggering along through thestress of the storm, the lookout sighted a small boat. No signs oflife aboard were seen, but we stopped and picked it up. In thecraft, which was one of the lifeboats from the Ramona, were twosailors, nearly dead from exposure, and one from hurts received. "

"How was he hurt?"' asked Jack. 

"He was shot, Senor. "

"Shot!"

"Yes, it appears there was mutiny aboard the Ramona, as well as thehorrors of the storm and shipwreck. "

"Mutiny!" murmured Cora, a look of horror in her eyes. "Poor, poormother!"

"You had better hear the story directly from the sailors, " suggestedCaptain Ponchero. "I will summon the unwounded one. You will findthat more satisfactory. "

He came, a sorry and unfortunate specimen of a Spanish sailor. Therefollowed a rapid talk, in the Castilian tongue, between him and thecaptain, and the latter then said:

"His story is this. They ran into the storm soon after leaving SanJuan, and could not find, or, rather, did not dare to try, for thenearest harbor, as the seas were running too high to make it safe togo through the narrow entrance. They had to keep on, and this causeddiscontent among some of the crew. 

"There was an uprising--a mutiny, and some of them tried to leave inthe boats. The brave captain would not let them, but he wasoverpowered, and the mutineers, in the face of certain danger, turnedthe ship to put back to a harbor which the captain had passed becauseof the danger of trying to enter it in the storm. "

"But how did the sailor get shot?" asked Jack. 

"He worked against the mutineers--he and his comrade here, " thecaptain answered. "Then those who had revolted, and seized the ship, ordered into small boats all who would not throw in their lot withthem. So these two, with only a little food and water, were putadrift in the storm. It was almost certain death, but the boatlived through it, and we saved them. "

"But what of the ship--the passengers?" asked Cora. 

"The ship most certainly foundered, " declared the captain. "The nextmorning bits of wreckage were found by these two survivors. "

"Then all are lost?" half-sobbed Belle. 

"I fear so, Senorita, " was the answer of the captain, "unless somefew reached islands in small boats. "

"Is there a chance of that?" asked Jack. 

"A slight chance, yes, Senor. "

"Then it's a chance I'm going to take!" cried Jack. 

"What do you mean?" asked his sister, wonderingly. 

"I mean that we can go in search!" Jack went on, eagerly. "It'sworth trying, isn't it, Walter?"

"I should say so--yes, by all means! But what sort of a craft can weget to cruise in?"

"I just heard of one!" said Jack, eagerly. "The Tartar. She's a bigmotor boat, and will be just the thing for us. I'm going to seeabout it right away. Who's with me for a cruise in the Tartar?"

"I am!" came from Cora. 

"We're not going to be left behind, " said Bess. 

"Count on me, of course, " spoke Walter, quietly. 

"And, Senor Jack--may--may I go?" faltered Inez. 

"Of course!"

"Senor--Senor Jack, " she spoke in a tremulous whisper. "If you aresuccessful--if you find ze lost ones, and we are near Sea HorseIsland, would you leave me zere--wiz my father?"

"Leave you there?" cried Jack. "We'll bring your father away fromthere, if we get the chance! Now come on! We have lots to do!"

CHAPTER XVI

SENOR RAMO MISSING

Jack's eyes glowed with the brightness of renewed health, anddetermination, as he looked at his sister, at Bess and Belle, and atWalter. It was like old times, when the motor girls had proposedsome novel or daring plan, and the boys had fallen in with it. Thistime it had been Jack's privilege to make the suggestion, and theothers were only too ready to agree. 

"Oh, Jack, do you think we can do it?" asked Cora. 

"Of course we can!" her brother cried, with a growing, instead oflessening, enthusiasm. "We'll just have to do something, and I can'tthink of anything better to do--can you? than going off in search ofthe folks. "

"We simply must find them--if they're alive, " spoke Bess, rathersolemnly. 

"We'll find them--alive!" predicted Walter, joining his cheerfulefforts to those of his college chum. 

"Oh, you Americans--you are so wonderful, so amazing!" whisperedInez. "I am so glad I am wiz you, " and she divided her affectionatelooks impartially between Jack and his sister. 

"What do you think of it, Captain?" asked Walter of the skipper ofthe steamship. "Is it possible to go about down among these islandsin a big motor boat?"

"Yes, if the boat be large enough, and seaworthy. "

"I'm thinking of the Tartar, " said Jack. "I heard of her from theengineer of the boat we came out in just now. "

"Oh, the Tartar. Yes, she is a very fine boat, and quite safe, except in a very bad storm. "

"Oh!" gasped Bess. 

"But you are not likely to have bad blows now, " the captain went on, "especially after this one we've just passed through. It is the lastof the hurricane season, I hope. In fact, this was most unusual. Yes, I should say it would be very safe to make a cruise in theTartar. I know the craft well. "

"And what are the chances of success?" asked Walter in a low voice ofthe commander, as Jack, with his sister and the Robinson twinswithdrew a little apart to discuss the important question of thecoming cruise. 

Captain Ponchero shrugged his shoulders in truly foreign fashion. 

"One cannot tell, Senor, " he said in a low voice. "Certainly it is adubious tale the sailors told--a tale of mutiny and shipwreck. Butthe sea is a strange place. Many unforeseen things happen on it andin it. I have seen shipwrecked ones come back from almost certaindeath, and again--"

He hesitated. 

"Well?" asked Walter, a bit impatiently. "Might as well hear theworst with the best. "

"And again, " resumed the captain, "I have seen what would appear tobe the safest voyage result in terrible tragedy. So one who knowsmuch of the sea, hesitates to speak with certainty about it. Ishould say, Senor, that the chance was worth taking. "

"Then we may find some of them alive?"

"You may, and again--you may not. But it is worth trying. If youwill come below with me, I will give you the exact longitude andlatitude where we picked up the two sailors in the open boat. Thenyou can put for there, and make it the starting point of yoursearch. "

"Good idea, " commented Walter. 

By this time Jack and the others had finished their littlediscussion, and were eager to further question the captain concerningall the details he could give about the foundering of the Ramona. But there was little else that could be told. 

The sailors had given all the information they possessed. Theyrepeated again how the ship had suddenly run into a storm, and howthe refusal of the captain to put into a port, hard to navigate in astorm, brought on the mutiny. 

"But did they see any of our folks--either Mr. And Mrs. Robinson, orMrs. Kimball?" asked Jack, while his sister and the twins hungbreathless on the answer. 

The sailors had not especially noticed any passengers. They had beenin hard enough straits themselves, not having joined the mutineers. 

"But they are certain the ship foundered? asked Cora. 

"There seems to be little doubt of it, Senorita, " said the captain. "It was a fearful storm. We had three boats carried away, as well aspart of our port rail. "

The weather was calm enough now, save for a heavy ground swell. Thewaters were marvelously blue, and overhead was the blue sky. Seenagainst the background of the wonderfully tinted hills of palms, thecity of San Juan presented a most beautiful picture. 

"Well, let's get busy, " suggested Jack, and it was only by keepingthus occupied, mentally and physically, that he and his sister, aswell as the twins, were enabled not to succumb to the grief thatracked them. Belle, rather more nervous and temperamental than hersister, did give way to a little hysterical crying spell, as theywere on their way back to the marina from the steamer, but this wasdue merely to a reaction. 

"Don't, dear, " said Cora, softly. "We'll find them, never fear!"

She put her arms about her chum, and Inez slipped a slim brown handinto one of Belles. Then the wave of emotion passed, and the girlwas herself again. 

"Are you going out for a long cruise?" asked Walter, "or shall youcome back to San Juan from time to time? I ask, because I want tosend word to my folks not to worry, if they don't hear from me veryoften. "

"I think we'll cruise as long as we can, " said Cora, who had assumedas much of the burden of the search as had her brother. "If theTartar is large enough to allow us to take a big enough supply--ofprovisions and stores, we'll cruise until we--well, until we find outfor certain what has happened. "

Her voice faltered a little. 

"Oh, the Tartar's big enough, Senorita, " said the engineer of themotor boat in which they were making their way to shore. "You couldgo for a long cruise in her. "

"Then we'll plan that, " declared Jack. "Notify your folksaccordingly, Wally. "

"I shall. But you'll have to have help along, if she's as big as allthat, won't you?"

"I suppose so, " agreed Jack. "I'm not altogether up to the mark, ifit comes to tinkering with a big, balky motor. "

"I'd like to go as engineer, " said the man at the wheel. "I've oftenrun her, and I know her ways. If you were to ask the owner, SenorHendos, he'd let me go. "

The young people had taken a liking to Joe Alcandor, the obligingyoung engineer of the motor boat they had engaged to go out to thesteamer, and Jack made up his mind, since he had to have help aboardthe Tartar, to get this individual. 

"This is a strange ending to our happy holiday, " said Cora, with asigh, as they left the boat and walked up the steps at the water'sedge of the marina. The outing, up to now, had been a most happyone, once Jack's improvement in health was noticed. 

"It hasn't ended yet, " said Jack, significantly. "There's more aheadof us than behind us. "

"I hope more happiness, " said Cora, softly. 

"Of course, " whispered Jack. 

They told Joe they would see Senor Hendos, and arrange with him forchartering the Tartar. Then, in two hacks, they made their way backto the hotel. All of them were anxious to get started on the cruisethat might mean so much. "Do you really mean you'll take me wizyou?" asked Inez, of Cora, as they entered the hotel. 

"Of course, my dear! I wouldn't think of leaving you, " was the warmanswer. "And we need you with us. Besides, you heard what Jack saidabout your father. "

"Oh, will he try to rescue him?"

"I'm sure he will, if it's at all possible. "

Something of the news concerning the young Americans was soon currentin the hotel, and Cora and her friends were favored with many strangeglances, as they walked through the foyer. 

"We must thank Senor Ramo for his kindness in giving us the note tothe captain, "' said Cora, ever thoughtful of the nice littlecourtesies of life. 

"Indeed we must, " agreed Belle, who had quite recovered hercomposure, and, save for a suspicious redness of the eyes, showedlittle of the grief at her heart. 

Indeed, they were all rather stunned by the suddenness of the news, and only for the fact that under it lay a great hope, they would nothave been able to hear up as well as they did. 

The blow was a terrible one--to think that their loved ones were lostin a shipwreck! But there was that merciful hope--that eternal hope, ever springing up to take away the bitterness of death or despair. 

There was, too, the necessity of work--hard work, if they were to gooff on an unknown and uncertain cruise. And work is, perhaps, evenbetter than hope, to mitigate grief. 

So, though the sorrow would have been a terrible one, and almostunbearable, were it not for the ray of light and hope, they were ableto hold themselves well together--these young Americans in a strangeland. 

"Jack, perhaps you had better go and thank Senor Ramo at once, "suggested Cora. "He may be able to give you some good advice, too, about fitting up the Tartar for the cruise. He seems to know a greatdeal about these islands. "

"I'll see him at once, " agreed her brother. "Just send up my card tohim, please, " he requested the hotel clerk. 

"To whom, Senor?"

"To Mr. Ramo. "

"But he is not here--he is gone!"

"Gone?" Jack looked at the clerk blankly. 

"Yes. He left, Senor, soon after you went away. He said businesscalled him. "

"That is strange, " murmured Jack. 

Inez, who had heard what was said, looked curiously at Cora, and thenexclaimed:

"Ze papairs--for my father's release!"

A look of alarm showed in her face, as she hurried toward thestairway that led to her room. 

CHAPTER XVII

OFF IN THE "TARTAR"

"What's the matter?" asked Walter, quickly, as he saw Inez hurryingaway. "She see alarmed about something. "

"She is--or fancies she is, " answered Cora. "It's about those paperswhich she hopes will free her father of that political charge whichkeeps him locked up--poor man. "

"Did she lose them?"

"No, but as soon as she heard that Senor Ramo had left suddenly, sheassociated it with the taking of her documents, evidently. "

"Nonsense!" exclaimed Walter. 

"That's what I say, " added Cora. "But we mustn't make fun ofInez--she can't bear it. "

"Of course not. Besides, I guess none of us feel very much likemaking fun, " went on Walter. 

"Our thanks to Senor Ramo will have to wait, " said Jack, as he turnedaway from the hotel desk to rejoin his party. "And now let's gettogether, see what we have to take with us, and plan our cruise. I'll look up this man Hendos, who owns the Tartar, and see whatarrangements I can make with him. Where's Inez?"

"Gone to her room, " answered Cora. "I fancy we'd all better getready for dinner. It's getting late. "

They went up stairs, leaving the buzz of much talk behind them, formany of the hotel guests were speaking of the news concerning ourfriends. 

As Cora was entering her apartment, Inez came out into the corridorin front of her room. 

"Zey are gone, Senorita!" she gasped. 

"Gone!"

"What?" asked Cora, half forgetting, in her own grief and anxiety, what the Spanish girl had gone to ascertain. 

"My papairs--for my father! Oh, Senorita, what shall I do?"

"Gone?" echoed Cora. "Do you mean taken--stolen?"

"I fear so--yes. See, my room has been entered. "

There was no doubt of it. A hasty glance showed Cora that, in theabsence of Inez, her hotel room had been gone over quickly, butthoroughly. A small, empty valise, which Inez had trustingly hiddenunder the mattress of the bed lay on the floor, open. It hadcontained the papers which were so precious to her. Now they weregone--that was evident. 

"Oh, Inez!" cried Cora, and in such a voice that Jack, who was justcoming along with Walter, hurried up, inquiring:

"What is it? What's the matter?"

"Those papers Inez had, have been stolen!" cried Cora. "And SenorRamo is missing--has fled--"

"Hold on!" exclaimed Jack, laying a cautioning finger on his sister'slips. "It won't do to make such rash statements, and draw suchdamaging conclusions--in such a loud voice, Sis, " and he whisperedthe last words. "These walls are very thin, you know, and theseSpanish gentlemen are very punctilious on points of honor. I don'twant to be called on to fight a duel on your behalf. "

"Oh, Jack, how can you! Such a poor joke!"

"Not a joke at all, I assure you. Now let's have the wholestory--but in here, " and Jack drew his sister and Inez into the roomof the Spanish girl, Walter following. Bess and Belle had gone intotheir own apartments a little before, and had not heard, the talk. 

"Just in time, " murmured Jack, as he closed the door, having aglimpse of a servant coming along the corridor. "Now, what is it, Inez?" and, after a quick glance about the ransacked apartment, hegazed at the girl. 

"My papairs--for my father--zey are gone!" With a tragic gesture shepointed to the opened valise. 

"Was your room this way when you came in?" asked Walter, who ratherimagined he was gifted with amateur detective abilities. 

"Just like this--yes, Senor Jack. "

"Never mind the senor. Just plain Jack will do. And where were thepapers?"

"In the valise--in my bed. But they are gone. "

There was no doubt of that--also no doubt of the fact that SenorRamo--the man who was suspected by Inez of being in the plot to keepher father in the political prison--was likewise missing. 

"Hum, " mused Jack. "It may be merely a coincidence--or it may not. "

"I should say it was not!" declared Walter, positively. 

"And get into trouble saying it, Wally, " remarked Jack. "No, thebest thing to do in this case is to keep quiet about it. "

"But my papairs!" cried Inez. "My father--in prison. I must get himout. "

"Yes, and I think you can best do it by not letting it be known thatyou have discovered the theft, " Jack said. 

"I think that's silly, " declared Cora. "Whoever took those paperscan't help but know, that their loss would be discovered at once. The condition the room was left in would make that certain. I can'tsee what good it is to keep quiet about it. "

"I'll explain, " Jack went on. "The person who did the robbery ofcourse knows he, or she, did it, and knows that we won't be long infinding it out. But the hotel people don't know it yet, nor theguests, and it's possible to keep it from them. They're the ones whowill do the talking. Fortunately, the newspapers here aren't likethose up home. There won't be any reporters after us, if we keepstill. "

"But what's the advantage of it?" asked Cora. 

"To puzzle and alarm the thief, " was Jack's answer. "No doubt he--forI'll assume for the sake of argument that it was a man--will belooking for a hue and cry. He'll expect it, and when it doesn'tcome, he'll begin to imagine all sort of things. "

"I see!" cried Walter. "He'll believe we are on his trail, have aclue and--"

"Exactly!" interrupted Jack. "You're a regular 'deteckertiff, 'Wally. That's my game, to puzzle the thief, make him think all sortof things, and so worry him by our very quietness, that he may betrayhimself. "

"Well, maybe that's the best plan, " agreed Cora, rather doubtfully. 

"But how shall I get my papairs back?" asked Inez, falteringly. "Zepapairs are needed to get my poor father from prison. "

"Maybe not, " said Jack, hopefully. "Anyhow, there are copies to behad, aren't there?"

"Yes, but zese were ze originals. I need zem!"

"And we'll get them back for you, if we can, " broke in Jack. "We maybe able to work without them, if we have a chance to get to Sea HorseIsland on our cruise. I think our first duty is to try to find themissing ones. "

"Oh, of course, yes, Senor!" cried Inez, quickly. "I should notintrude my poor troubles on you. "

"Oh, that's all right, " said Jack, good-naturedly. "We have a prettybig contract on our hands, and one trouble more or less isn't goingto make much difference. Now don't forget--every body mum on thisrobbery. We'll puzzle the thief!"

"Do you think it, was Ramo?" asked Cora. 

"I don't know. If he had any object in getting those papers we gavehim the very chance he needed by all being away from the hotel, "answered Jack. "And, if it wasn't he, it was some one else who hasan object in keeping Mr. Ralcanto in jail. He'd have the same chanceas Ramo had to get the documents. So the person we must look for issome one who really needed the papers. But, above all, we'll have tobe cautious in making inquiries. "

"Yes, " agreed Cora. "Could you find out when Ramo left, and if hewas near this section of the hotel?"

"I'll try, " agreed Jack. "Now you girls begin to sort out the thingsyou want to take along on the cruise. Cora, speak to Bess and Belleabout it. "

"Why, aren't we going to take all our baggage?"

"What! Fill the Tartar up with trunks full of fancy dresses, whenwe'll need every inch of room? I guess not! We'll all get down tolight marching equipment. Just take what you can put in a suit-case. That's what Wally and I are going to do. "

"Oh, but boys are so different; aren't they, Inez?"

"It matters not to me. A few things are all I have. "

The Spanish girl looked helplessly and almost hopelessly at theopened valise. And then, as Jack and Walter went out to and whatthey could learn by cautious questions, the two girls "tidied up" theroom, and went to tell Bess and Belle the news. 

Jack and Walter could learn but little. Senor Ramo had departedsuddenly, alleging a business call as an excuse for leaving theisland on a steamer that sailed soon after the arrival of the one hehad come in on. That was about all that could be safely learned. 

Little else could be done, now, toward making plans for the rescue ofthe father of Inez. When Mr. Robinson was located, he might havesomething to suggest, but now all energies must be bent on the rescuework. 

The news soon spread through the hotel that the "amazing Americans"were about to undertake a most desperate venture--that of cruisingabout in the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, in search of theirrelatives who might have been able to save themselves from thewrecked ship. After a first glance at the map, and a considerationof the situation, Jack had voted for the inside, or Caribbean route, as being less likely to offer danger from storms. 

Satisfactory arrangements for chartering the Tartar were made, andthe engineer, Joe Alcandor, was engaged to look after the machinery, which, on the Tartar, was not a little complicated. 

"With him along we can be more at ease, " said Cora. 

"Yes, we won't always have to be worrying that one of the cylindersis missing, or that a new spark plug is needed, " added Bess. 

"Oh, I do hope we can soon start!" sighed Belle. "This suspense isterrible!"

Indeed, it was not easy for any of them, but perhaps Walter and Jackfound it less irksome, for they were very busy preparing for thecruise. 

Plans were made to leave some of their baggage at the hotel in SanJuan, and the rest would be taken with them. A goodly supply ofprovisions and stores were put aboard, and a complete account of theevents leading up to the cruise, including the story of the missingRalcanto papers, was written out and forwarded to Mr. Robinson'slawyers in New York. 

"That's in case of accident to us, " said Jack. 

"Oh, don't speak of accidents!" cried Cora. 

The last arrangements were completed. Jack made final and guardedinquiries, concerning Ramo, but learned nothing. Then, one fine, sunny morning in December, the little party of motor girls and theirfriends, who had so often made motor boat trips on the lakes orstreams of their own country, set off in the Tartar for a cruise onwaters blue. 

"All aboard!" cried Jack, with an assumption of gaiety he did notfeel. 

"Oh, I wonder what lies before us?" murmured Cora. 

"Courage, Senorita! Perhaps--happiness, " said Inez, softly. 

CHAPTER XVIII

THE SHARK

Looking at a map of the West Indies, the reader, if he or she willtake that little trouble, will see that the many islands lay in asort of curved hook, extending from Cuba, the largest, down toTobago, one of the smallest, just off Trinidad. In fact, Trinidad isa little off-set of the end of the hook, and, for the purpose of thisillustration, need not be considered. 

The problem, then, that confronted the motor girls, and, no less, Jack and Walter, was to cruise in among these islands, in the hope offinding, on one of them, Mrs. Kimball, and Mr. And Mrs. Robinson, who, by great good fortune, might have been able to save themselvesfrom the wreck of the Ramona. 

Looking at the map again, which is the last time I shall trouble youto do so, the problem might not seem so hard, for there are not somany islands shown. The difficulty is that few maps show all ofthem, and even on the best of navigating maps there may be one ortwo that are not charted. The shipwrecked ones, providing they livedto get off on a life raft, or in a boat, might as likely have beendriven to one of these little islands, as to a larger one. 

"But we can cut out a lot of them, " said Jack, when they were in thecozy cabin of the Tartar, and he and his sister, with the others, were bending over the charts. 

"It's like this, " Jack went on, pointing with a pencil to where PortoRico was shown, in shape and proportion not unlike a building brick. "Our folks started for Guadeloupe--that's here, " and he indicated theisland which bears not a little resemblance to an hour-glass on themap. Guadeloupe, in fact, consists of two islands, separated by anarrow arm of the sea--Riviere Salee--which divides it by a channelof from one hundred to four hundred feet in width. 

"Whether they arrived is of course open to question, " said Jack. "I'm inclined to think they didn't, or we'd have heard from them. The storm came before the ship got anywhere near there. Now, then, Ithink we shall have to look for them somewhere between Porto Rico andGuadeloupe. "

"Why not near St. Kitts?" asked Walter, covering with his finger thelittle island that is included in the discoveries of Columbus. "That's near where the two sailors were picked up, " Walter went on. 

"Yes--I think we ought to go there, " agreed Jack. "But it's only oneof many possible places where our folks may be. It's going to be along cruise, I'm afraid. "

"Where is Sea Horse Island?" asked Cora, as Inez flashed an appealinglook at her. 

"Here, " replied Jack, indicating a rather lonesome spot in the waterywaste, where no other islands showed. "It's about half way betweenGuadeloupe and Aves, or Bird Island. Speaking sailor fashion, itslatitude is about sixteen degrees north of the equator, and thelongitude about sixty-two degrees, fifty-one minutes west. "

"Oh, don't!" begged Bess. "It reminds me of my school days. I nevercould tell the difference between latitude and longitude. "

"Well, there's where Sea Horse Island is, " went on Jack, "and if allhad gone well, Mr. Robinson hoped to gather orchids there. Now--?"he hesitated. 

"And do you think we'll touch near there, Jack?" asked his sister. 

"I'm going to try. "

"Oh, it is so good of you!" murmured Inez. "Perhaps we can save myfather. "

"At any rate, they ought to allow you to see him, " put in Walter. "Political prisoners aren't supposed to be kept in solitaryconfinement. We'll have a try at him, anyhow; eh, Jack?"

"Sure. Well, that's our problem--to search among these islands, andI think we have the very boat to do it. "

Indeed the Tartar was just what they could have desired. It was apowerful motor boat, and had been in commission only a short time. It could weather a fairly big sea, or a heavy blow. It had apowerful motor, many comforts, and even some luxuries, including abathroom. 

The engine was located forward, where there was a sleeping room forthe engineer, who could steer from a small pilot house. Or the craftcould also be guided from the after deck, which was open. 

There was a large enclosed space, variously divided into cabins andstaterooms. A kitchen provided for ample meals, the cooking beingdone by the exhausted and heated gases from the motor, which alsowarmed the boat on the few days when the weather was rainy andchilly. When the motor was not running, a gasoline stove could beused. 

Adjoining the kitchen was the dining cabin, which had folding seatsthat could be used for berths when more than could be accommodated inthe regular sleeping spaces were aboard. 

There were two other cabins, fitted with folding berths, and thesmaller of these was apportioned to Jack and Walter, while the girlstook possession of the larger one. In addition, there were amplelockers and spaces for storing away food, and the other things theyhad brought with them. A considerable supply of gasoline had to becarried, but there were several islands where more could bepurchased. 

"Isn't it just the dearest boat!" murmured Belle, as she made a tourof it, and had peeped into the engine compartment. 

"It is, " agreed her sister. "Oh, Cora, wouldn't you just fairly loveto run that splendid motor?"

"I would, if I didn't have to start it too often, " replied Jack'ssister, as she looked at the heavy flywheel, which was now movingabout as noiselessly as a shaft of light. The propeller was not inclutch, however. 

"It has a self-starter, " Joe informed the girls. "It's the smoothestengine ever handled. No trouble at all. "

"Better knock wood, " suggested Jack. 

"Eh? Knock wood?" asked the engineer, evidently puzzled. 

"Oh, Jack means to do that to take away any bad luck that mightfollow your boast, " laughed Cora. 

"Oh, I see. But I carry a charm, " and Joe showed a queer blackpebble. "I always have it with me. "

"One superstition isn't much worse than the other, " said Bess, with alaugh. "Now let's get settled. Oh, Cora, did you bring anysafety-pins? I meant to get a paper, but--"

"I have them, " interrupted Belle. "I fancy we won't have much timeto sew buttons on--or room to do it, either, " she added, as shesqueezed herself into a corner of the tiny stateroom. 

Suitcases had been stowed away, the boys had gotten their possessionsinto what they called "ship-shape" order, and the Tartar was soonchugging her way over the blue waters of the bay. 

The route was to be around the eastern end of the island, taking thenarrow channel between Porto Rico and Vieques, and thus into theCaribbean. St. Croix was to be their first stop, though they did nothope for much news from that Danish possession. 

"Why don't you boys do some fishing?" asked Cora, as she and theother girls came from their stateroom, where they had been puttingtheir things to rights. "We won't have much but canned stuff to eat, if you don't, " she went on, addressing Jack and Walter, who sat onthe open after deck, under an awning that shaded them from the hotDecember sun. 

"That's so, we might, " assented Jack. "A nice tarpon now wouldn't gobad. "

"Nonsense!" exclaimed Walter. "We haven't the outfit for tarponfishing. If we get some red snappers, we'll be doing well. "

The boys had brought along a fishing outfit, one of the simple sortused in those waters, and as they baited their hooks, Jack said:

"Well, maybe I haven't the rod to catch a tarpon, but I can rig up aline and hook that will do the business, maybe. "

Accordingly he picked out what Joe said was a regular shark hook, and, baiting it with a piece of canned meat, tossed it over the side, fastening the line to the rail. 

Then Jack forgot about it, for Walter had a bite almost as soon as hecast in, and the two boys were soon pulling in red snappersabundantly enough to insure several meals. 

"Why don't you try your hand line, " suggested Cora, as she went towhere it was tied to the rail. "May be you'll get-a bite, Jack. "

As she spoke, she felt on the heavy string, and, an instant later, uttered a cry, for it was jerked from her hand with such force as toskin her knuckles, and at the same time she cried:

"Jack! Jack! You've hooked a big shark! Oh, what a monster!"

CHAPTER XIX

CRUISING DAYS

There was a sudden rush to see the tiger of the deep, of which Corahad had a glimpse. Walter, who was at the wheel, cried to Joe tosteer while he, too, ran to the rail. 

"I don't see him, " said Bess, as she peered down into the deep, bluewater. 

"You'll see him in a minute, " was Cora's opinion. "He had just takenthe hook, I think, and he didn't like it. He'll come into viewpretty soon. "

Hardly had she spoken, than, while the others were looking at theline, which was now unreeling from a spool on which it was wound, theshark came suddenly to the surface, its big triangular fin appearingfirst. 

"There it is!" cried Cora. "See it, Bess!"

"Oh, the monster! I don't want to look at the horrible thing!"screamed Bess, as she covered her eyes with her hands. 

The shark swam close to the motor boat, and then with a threshing ofthe water, and by wild leaps and bounds, sought to free himself fromthe sharp hook. But it had gone in too deep. 

"No, you don't, old chap, " cried Jack, as he took hold of the slackof the line. 

He regretted it the next instant, for the shark darted away with aspeed that made the tough string cut deep into Jack's palm. 

"Oh!" he murmured, as he sprang back from the rail. 

"Better be careful!" warned Joe. "They're mighty strong. "

"Oh, cut him loose!" urged Cora. "Do, Walter! We don't want himaboard here. "

"He'd be quite a curiosity, " observed Jack's chum, as he helpedCora's brother tie a rag around his cut and bleeding hand. "We couldsell the fins to the Chinese for soup, and you might have a fan madefrom the tail. "

"No, thank you! It's too horrible!" and Cora could not repress ashudder as the big fish, once more, made a leap partly out of thewater, showing its immense size. 

"Whew!" whistled Walter, for this was the first good view he had hadof the sea-tiger. "We never can get him aboard, Jack. Better do asCora says, and let him go. "

"Oh, I didn't intend to have him as a pet, " was the rueful answer ofJack. "I just wanted to see if I could catch one. I'm satisfied tolet him go, " and he looked down at his bandaged hand. 

"Too bad to lose all that good line, " mused Walter, "but we probablywon't want to do any more shark-fishing, so I'll cut it. "

"I've seen enough of sharks, " murmured Belle, who, with Inez, hadtaken one glance, and then retreated to the cabin. 

"These aren't regular man-eating sharks, " affirmed Jack, afterWalter, with a blow from a heavy knife, had severed the line, lettingthe shark swim away with the hook. 

"Ah, but zey are, Senor!" exclaimed the Spanish girl. "You shouldhear the stories the natives tell of them. "

"But I saw a bigger one not far from the harbor, " insisted Jack, "andit seemed almost tame. "

"They are, near harbors, " explained Cora. "One of the ladies at thehotel explained about that. The harbor sharks live on what they getnear shore, stuff thrown overboard from boats, and they grow verylarge and lazy. But, farther out to sea, they don't get so much toeat, and they'll take a hook and bait almost as soon as it's throwninto the water. The men sometimes go shark-fishing for sport. "

"It might be sport, under the right circumstances, " said Jack, with arueful laugh. "Next time I'll know better, than to, handle a sharkline without gloves. "

"So shall I, " agreed Cora, as she looked at her skinned knuckles. 

They had made a good catch of food fishes and the boys now proceededto get these ready for their first meal aboard, the girls agreeing tocook them, and to set the table. 

The meal was rather a merry one, in spite of the grief that hung overthe party--a grief occasioned by the fear of what might have befallenMrs. Kimball, as well as Mr. And Mrs. Robinson. 

And yet, with all their sorrow, there was that never-failing ray ofhope. Without it, the days would have been dismal indeed. 

Joe ran the boat while the others were eating, and presently hecalled into the dining compartment. 

"Cape San Juan!" was his announcement. 

"Have we sighted it?" asked Jack, referring to the north easternmostpoint of Porto Rico. 

"Just ahead of us, " replied Joe, who was a skillful navigator of theWest Indian waters. "You said you were going to change the coursethere. "

"Oh, yes. We'll round the cape and go south, I think, " went on Jack. "A little more of that red snapper, Cora. Whoever cooked it knew howto do it, " and he looked at Ben, while the others laughed. 

"What's the joke?" Jack demanded, as he ate on, seeminglyunperturbed, though his cut hand made it rather awkward to handle hisknife and fork. 

"Honor to whom honor is due, " quoted Cora. 

"It was Inez who cooked the fish. It's in Spanish style. "

"Good!" exclaimed Jack, as he flashed another look at Bess, with whomhe seemed to have some understanding. "Whatever style it is, I'm forit. I don't care whether it has gores down the side, and plaits upthe middle, with frills around the ruffles, or whatever you callthem--it's good. "

The others laughed, while Inez looked very much puzzled at Jack'sjuggling of dressmaking terms. 

"Is it zat I have put too much paprika on ze fith?" asked the Spanishgirl. 

"No, Jack is just trying to be funny, " explained Cora. "He thinksit's great--don't you, Jack?"

"What, to be funny?"

"No, to eat the fish, " said Walter. 

There was more laughter. Little enough cause for it, perhaps, andyet there seemed to come a sudden relaxation of the strain underwhich they had all been laboring the last few days, and even a slightexcuse for merriment was welcomed. 

So the meal went on, and a good one it was. The motor girls, fromhaving gone on many outings, and from having done much camping, wereable to cook to satisfy even the sea-ravenous appetites of two youngmen, although Jack was not exactly "up to the mark. "

Then, too, the novelty of shifting for themselves, after being usedto the rather indolent luxury of a tropical hotel, made a welcomechange to them. Joe had his meal after the others had finished, asit was necessary for some one to stay at the wheel, for the Tartarwas slipping along through the blue water at a good rate of speed. 

Cape San Juan was rounded, and then the prow of the powerful motorboat was turned south, to navigate the often perilous passage betweenPorto Rico and Vieques. 

"Do you think we'll find any news at St. Croix?" asked Cora, of Jack, in a low voice, when, after the meal, they found themselves for themoment by themselves. 

"Hard to say, Sis, " he answered. "I'm always living in hope, youknow. "

"Yes, I suppose we must hope, Jack. And yet, when I think of allthey may be suffering--starving, perhaps, on some uninhabited island, it--it makes me shiver, " and Cora glanced apprehensively across thestretch of blue water as though she might, at any moment, sight thelonely isle that served as a refuge for her mother, and for Mr. AndMrs. Robinson. 

"Don't think about it, " advised the practical Jack. "There are justas many chances that the folks have been picked up, and taken to somegood island, as that they're on some bad one. "

By the course they had laid, it was rather more than a hundred milesfrom San Juan harbor to St. Croix, the Danish island, and as theywere going to make a careful search, and husband their supply ofgasoline as much as possible, they had set their average speed at tenmiles an hour. 

"That will bring us to St. Croix early this evening, " said Jack, forthey had started in the morning. "We'll stay there all night, for Idon't much fancy motoring after dark in unknown waters. "

"Neither do I, " said Cora. 

"And then there are the sharks!" murmured Belle. 

"I won't let them get you!" said Walter, it such soothing tones asone might use to a child. "The bad sharks sha'n't get little Belle, "and he pretended to slip an arm about her. 

"Stop it!" commanded the blonde twin, with a deep blush as she fairlysquirmed out of reach. 

CHAPTER XX

ANXIOUS NIGHTS

Dusk had begun to settle over the harbor of Christianstad, or Bassin, as the capital of St. Croix is locally known, when the anchor of theTartar was dropped into the mud. The boat had threaded its waythrough a rather treacherous channel, caused by the then shallowparts of the basin, and had come to rest not far from shore. 

"What's the program?" asked Walter, as the motor ceased itsthrobbing. 

"We'll go ashore, " said Jack, "and see what news we can learn. I'mnot very hopeful, but we may pick up something. "

"Back here to sleep?" Walter went on, questioningly. 

"Oh, sure. We want to start early in the morning. And from now on, we'll have plenty of stopping places, for there are many smallislands where survivors from the wreck might have landed. "

"Is there anything to see here ashore?" asked Bess. "If there is, you might take us girls. We don't want to be left alone. "

"Well, I suppose it could be done, " Jack assented. "Only we'll haveto do it in two trips, for the small boat won't hold us all. Toorisky, and there might be sharks here, Bess, " and he made a motiontoward the waters of the harbor. 

"Oh, how horrible!" she screamed. 

A small rowboat was carried as part of the equipment of the Tartar, but, at best, it could hold only four. However, the boys and girlswere saved the necessity of making two trips from the motor boat toshore, for a large launch, the pilot of which scented business, putout to them from the landing wharf, and soon bargained to land them, and bring them off again when they desired to come. Joe would stayaboard the Tartar. 

The travelers found Christianstad to be a picturesque town, and incertain parts of it there were many old buildings. The Danishgovernor was "in residence" then, and affairs were rather more livelythan usual. 

"What's that queer smell?" asked Cora, as they were on their way tothe best hotel in the place, for there they intended making theirinquiries. 

"Sugar factory, " answered Jack. "It's about all the business donehere--making sugar. "

"How'd you know?" asked Belle. 

"Oh, ask Little Willie whenever you want to know anything, " laughedJack. "Listen, my children!

"St. Croix is twenty-two miles long, and from one to six miles inwidth. It is inhabited by whites and blacks, the former sugarplanters, and the latter un-planters--that is, they gather the sugarcane. 

"St. Croix was discovered by Columbus in 1493, and at times theDutch, British and Spanish owned it. In 1733 Denmark bought it, andhas owned it since. The average temperature is--"

"That'll do you!" interrupted Walter. "We can read a guide book aswell as you can. Come again, Jack. "

"Well, I thought you'd be wanting to know something about it, so Iprimed myself, " chuckled Jack. 

Curious eyes regarded our friends as they reached the hotel. Walterand Jack left the girls in the parlor while they, themselves, went tomake inquiries at the office. And more curious were the looks, whenit became known that Jack and the others were seeking traces of thosewrecked on the Ramona. 

Curious looks, indeed, were about all the satisfaction that was had. For no news--not the most vague rumor--had come in regarding theill-fated vessel. The wreck had not even been heard of, for newsfrom the outside world sometimes filtered slowly to St. Croix. 

"Well, that's our first failure, " announced Jack, as, with Walter, herejoined the girls. "We must expect that. If we found them at ourfirst call, it would be too much like a story in a book. We have along search ahead of us, I'm thinking. "

"That's right, " agreed Walter. "But, Jack, if this island istwenty-two miles long, might not the refugees have come ashoresomewhere else than on this particular part of the coast?"

"Yes, I suppose so. But, if they did, they'd know enough to maketheir way to civilization by this time. It's over a week since thehurricane. "

"I know. But suppose they couldn't make their way--if they werehurt, or something like that?"

"That's so, " was the hesitating answer. "Well, we might make acircuit of the island to-morrow. "

"Oh, let's do it--by all means!" exclaimed Cora, catching at anystray straw of hope. "We--we might find them--Jack!"

"All right, Sis!" he agreed. 

"You look tired, " she said to him, as they sat in a littlerefreshment room, for Walter had offered to "stand treat" to such asthere was to be had. 

"I am a bit tuckered out, " confessed Jack, putting his hand to hishead. "It was quite a strain getting things ready for the start. But, now we're at sea, I'm going to take a good rest--that is, asmuch as I can, under the circumstances. "

"You mustn't overdo it, " cautioned Cora. "Remember that we came downhere for your health, but we didn't expect to have such a time of it. Poor little mother!" she sighed. "I wonder where she is to-night?"

"I'd like to know, " said Jack, softly, and again his hand went to hishead with a puzzled sort of gesture. 

"Does it ache?" asked Cora, solicitously. 

"No, not exactly, " answered Jack slowly, uncertainly. 

They finished their little refreshment, being, about the onlystranger-guests at the hotel, and then went out to view what theycould of the town by lamp-light. Some of the shops displayed waresthat, under other circumstances, would have been attractive to thegirls, but now they did not feel like purchasing. They were undertoo much of a strain. 

"Well, no news is good news, " quoted Walter. 

Alas! how often has that been said as a last resort to buoy up asinking hope. No one else spoke, as they made their way to the dockwhere the little ferry boat awaited them. 

"What's the matter, Jack?" asked Walter, as he sat beside his chum onthe return trip. 

"Matter! What do you mean?"

"You're so quiet. "

"He doesn't feel well, " put In Cora. 

"Oh, I'm all right!" insisted Jack, with brotherly brusqueness. "Letme alone!"

"Well, this place seems nice and cozy, " commented Belle, as theyreached the Tartar, and stepped into the cabin, which Joe hadilluminated from the incandescents, operated by a storage batterywhen the motor was not whirling the magneto. 

"Yes, it is almost like home, " said Bess, softly. 

Jack and Walter looked carefully to the anchor rope, for though theharbor was a safe one, there were muddy flats in places, and whilethere was no wind at present to drag them, it might spring up in thenight. 

"Might as well turn in, I guess, " suggested Jack, with a weary yawn. 

"Why--yes--old man--if you--feel that way about it!" mocked Walter, pretending to gape. 

"Oh, cut it out!" and Jack's voice was almost snarling. Cora lookedat him in some surprise, and, catching Walter's eye, made him asignal not to take any notice. 

Walter nodded in acquiescence, and the incident passed. 

As an anchor light was hoisted, and as there was no need for anyparticular caution, no watch was kept, every one retiring by eleveno'clock. Often, when the young people had been on outings together, Cora and her girl friends had had a "giggling-spell" after retiringto their rooms. But now none of them felt like making fun. It wasrather a solemn little party aboard the Tartar. 

The hope and plan of the young travelers to leave early in themorning, and make a circuit of the island, for a possible sight ofthe refugees, was not destined to be carried out. For somewherearound two o'clock, when bodily functions are said to be at theirlowest ebb, Walter heard Jack calling to him. 

"I say, old man, I wish, you would come here. Something's the matterwith me, " came in a hoarse whisper. 

"Eh? What's that? Something the matter?" murmured Walter, sleepily. 

"Yes, I feel pretty rocky, ", was Jack's answer. "Would you mindgetting me a little of that nerve stuff the doctor put up for me? Itmight quiet me so I could go to sleep. "

"Great Scott, man! Haven't you been asleep yet?"

"No, " was Jack's miserable answer. "I've just been lying here on myback, staring up at the darkness, and now I'm seeing things. "

"Seeing things!" faltered Walter. 

"Yes, blue centipedes and red sharks. It's like the time I keeledover at college, you know. "

"Ugh!" half grunted Walter, with no very cheerful heart, for theprospect before him, if Jack were to be ill. Jack was far from well, when the lights were turned aglow, and Cora came in to see him. Itseemed to be a return of his old malady, brought on by an excess ofwork and worry. 

There was little sleep for any of them the rest of the night, forCora insisted upon sitting up to look after Jack, and Walter madehimself up a bunk in the dining compartment, being ready on call. 

Toward morning Cora's brother sank into an uneasy slumber under theinfluence of a sedative, but he awoke at seven o'clock and seemedfeverish. 

"We must have a doctor from the island, " decided Cora, as she saw herbrother's condition. "We can't take any chances. "

The Danish physician who came out in the boat heartened them up alittle by saying it was merely a relapse, and that Jack would bemuch better after a few days' rest. 

"Just stay here with him, or anchor a little farther out, " was hissuggestion. "The sea breezes will be the best medicine for him. Ican't give him any better. Just let him rest until he gets back hisnerve. "

This advice they followed. But there were anxious nights, and forthree of them Walter and Cora divided the task of sitting up withJack. Joe generously offered to do his share, as did Bess, Belle andInez, but Cora would not let them relieve her. 

So they lingered off the coast of St. Croix until the fever leftJack, departing from his weakened body, but making his mind at rest. Then he began to mend. 

CHAPTER XXI

A STRANGE TALE

"Well, Sis, I don't see what's to keep us here any longer. We mightas well get under way again. "

"Do you really feel equal to it, Jack?"

"Surely, " and the heir of the Kimball family rose from the deck chairand stretched himself. The paleness of his cheeks for the past weekwas beginning to give way again to the faint glow of health. 

"Sorry to get myself knocked out in that fashion, " apologized Jack. 

"You couldn't help it, old man, " said Walter, sympathetically. "Therest has done you good, anyhow. "

"Yes, I guess I needed it, " confessed Jack. "All my nerves seemed tobe on the raw edge. " There was no need for him to admit this, sinceit had been very evident since reaching St. Croix. The Danishphysician had given good advice, and now Jack was even better thanwhen he received the news of the foundering of the Ramona. 

The balmy sea breezes, the lack of necessity for any hard work, theministrations of Cora, and, occasionally, the other girls, set Jackin a fair way to recovery. Inez Ralcanto made many dainty Spanishdishes for the invalid, from the stock of provisions aboard theTartar, and with what she could get from the island. Nothing gaveher more delight than to know that Jack had gone to the bottom ofeach receptacle in which she served her concoctions. 

"It is so good to see you smile again, Senor Jack, " she said to him, as she looked at him, on deck. 

"And it's good to smile again, Inez, " he said to her. 

"You'd better look out, Bess, " warned Walter. "First thing you know, she'll cut you out. "

"Silly!" was all the answer Bess vouchsafed. But there was atell-tale blush on her cheeks. 

The anchor of the Tartar was hoisted, and once more she sailed away, this time on the cruise about St. Croix. That it would result in anynews of the lost ones being obtained no one really believed, but theyfelt that no chance, not even the slightest, should be overlooked. 

So they motored around the Danish island, stopping aft little bays orinlets where it seemed likely a raft or boat from a shipwreckedvessel might most likely put in. They found no traces, however, andwhat few natives they were able to converse with had heard of norefugees coming ashore. 

"Where next?" asked Walter, when they Had completed the circuit ofSt. Croix, and come to anchor once more off Christianstad, to layaboard some supplies. 

"St. Kitts, " decided Jack, who was again able to take his part in thecouncils. "At least we'll head for there, and stop at any littletwo-by-four islands we pick up on the way. Isn't that your opinion, Cora?"

"Yes, Jack. Anything to find those for whom we are looking. Oh, Iwonder if we shall ever find them?"

"Of course!" said Jack quickly, but, even as he spoke, he wondered ifhe were not deceiving himself. For when all was said and done, itseemed such a remote hope--and might be so long deferred, as, notonly to make the heart sick, but to stop it's beating altogether. Itwas such a very slender thread that the beads of hope were strungon--it was so easy to snap. And yet they hoped on!

From St. Croix to St. Kitts is about one hundred and twenty miles, measured on the most accurate charts, and while it could have easilybeen made in a day's sail by the Tartar, it was decided not to tryfor any time limit, but to cruise back and forth in a rather zig-zagfashion. 

"For that's the only way we'll have of picking up any small islandsthat might possibly be uncharted, " explained Jack. "Most of thecoral reefs here are noted on the maps, but there's a bare chancethat we might strike an unknown one, or an island, that would serveas a haven of refuge for shipwrecked ones. "

His friends agreed with him, and Joe said it was probably the bestplan that could be adopted. 

So they were once more under way. 

It was near St. Kitts that the two sailors from the Ramona had beenpicked up, to tell their story of the stressful hurricane and mutiny. And, other things being equal, as Jack put it, it was near St. Kittsthat some news might be expected to be had of those for whom thesearch was being made. 

As the capital, Basseterre, was a town of more than ten thousandpopulation, it might reasonably be expected that some news of thefoundering of the Ramona would be received there. It was in thatvicinity, as was evident from the rescue of the two sailors, that theship had been torn by the wind and waves. 

A week was occupied in making the journey to St. Kitts from St. Croix, a week of cruising back and forth, and of stopping at manymere dots of islands. Some of these were seen at once to be notworth searching, since their entire extent could almost be seen at asingle glance. They were merely collections of coral rocks, submerged at high water. Others were larger, and these were visitedin the small boat which the Tartar carried with her. 

It was on some of these trips, over comparatively shallow water, thatthe beauties and mysteries of the ocean bottom were made plain to ourfriends. 

Joe, the engineer, made for them a "water glass, " by the simpleprocess of knocking the bottom out of a pail, and putting in puttiedglass, instead. This, when put into the water, glass side somewhatbelow the surface, enabled one to see with startling clearness thebottom of the ocean, in depths from seventy-five to one hundred feet. 

Most wonderful was the sight. 

"Why, it looks like a forest, or a wonderful green-house down there, "said Cora, after her first view. 

"Those are the coral and the sponges, " explained Joe. Our friendswere surprised to see that coral, instead of being stiff and hard, asit had seemed to them when they handled specimens of it on land, was, under the water, as graceful and waving as the leaves of palm treesin a gentle wind. The ocean currents waved and undulated, it, untilit seemed alive. 

Branch coral they saw, like miniature trees, and great "fans, " somenearly ten feet across. Then there were great rocks of thecoral-living rocks, formed of millions and millions of the bodies ofthe polyps, insects who build up such marvelous formations. 

Sponges there were, too, though not in great enough abundance towarrant the sponge-gathering fleets coming to this section. 

Through the water glass, our friends could see fish swimming aroundunder the water, darting here and there between the waving coral andunder the growing sponges. 

It was all very wonderful and beautiful, but it is doubtful if any ofthe young people really appreciated it as they might have done, hadtheir hearts been lighter. Inez did not care to look at the seasights, for she said she had seen them too often as a, child in theislands. 

In spite of her anxiety concerning her father und his possible fate, she did not obtrude her desires on her friends. She seldom spoke ofthe hope she had of going to Sea Horse Island, either to help rescueher father, or to learn some news of him, so that others might sethim free. 

"But we'll go there, just the same!" Jack had said. "And if we canget him out of prison, we will. There must be some sort of authoritythere to appeal to. "

"You are very lucky, Senor Jack, " whispered Inez, with a gratefullook. 

"Nonsense!" exclaimed Jack, who did not like praise. 

They reached St. Kitts, or St. Christopher, as it is often called, from the immortal Columbus who found it in 1493, when he did so muchto bring unknown lands to notice. 

"Now we'll see what sort of luck we'll have, " spoke Walter. 

They anchored off Basseterre, and, going ashore, had littledifficulty in confirming the story of the two shipwrecked sailorsbeing picked up. That much as current news, since another vesselthan the Boldero had been near, when the latter's captain stopped forthe two unfortunates. 

That was all that really was learned, save that some fishing boats, later, had seen pieces of wreckage. 

Diligent inquiry in Old Road, and Sandy Point, the two otherprincipal towns, failed to gain further information, and our friendswere considering continuing their cruise, when, most unexpectedly, they heard a curious tale that set them, eventually, on the rightcourse. 

They were coming down to the dock, one evening to take a boat out totheir own craft, when an aged colored man, who spoke fairly goodEnglish, accosted them. At first Jack took him for a beggar, andgruffly ordered him away, but the fellow insisted. 

"I've got news for you, boss, " he said, with a curious Britishcockney accent. "You lookin' for shipwrecked parties, ain't you?"

"Yes, " said Jack, a bit shortly. But that was common news. 

"Well, there's an island about fifty miles from here, " the black wenton, "and there's somethin' bloomin' stringe about it;" for so hepronounced "strange. "

"Strange--what do you mean?" asked Walter. 

"Just what I says, boss, stringe. If you was to say it'd be wortharf a crown now--"

"Oh, I haven't time to bother with curiosities!" exclaimed Jack, impatiently. 

"Let us hear his story, Jack, " insisted Cora. "What is it?" sheasked, giving him a coin, though not as much as he had asked for. 

"'Thank ye kindly, Miss. It's this way, " said, the coloredEnglishman. "I works on a fishin' boat, and a few days ago, comin'back, we sighted this island. We needed water, and we went ashore toget it, but--well, we comes away without it. "

"Why was that?" asked Walter, curiously. 

"Because, boss, there's a strange creature on that island, that'swhat there is, " said the negro. "He scared all of us stiff. He wasall in rage and titters, and when he found we was sheering off, without coming ashore, he went wild, and flung his cap at us. Itfloated off shore, and I picked it up, bein' on that side of theboat. "

"But how does this concern us?" asked Jack, rousing a little. 

"I could show you that cap, boss, " the Negro went on. "I've got ithere. It's dark, but maybe you can make out the letters on it. Ican't read very good. "

Jack held the cap up in the gleam of a light on the water-front. Hisstartled eyes saw a cap, such as sailors wear, while in faded giltletters on the band was the name: "RAMONA. "

CHAPTER XXII

THE LONELY ISLAND

Walter, looking over Jack's shoulder, rubbed his eyes as though toclear them from a mist, and then, as he saw the faded gilt letters, he closed both eyes, opening them again quickly to make sure of aperfect vision. 

"Jack!" he murmured. "Do I really see it?"

"I--I guess so, " was the faltering answer. 

"Cora, look here!"

The girls, who had drawn a little aside at the close approach of thenegro, came up by twos, Cora and Belle walking together. 

"What is it?" asked Jack's sister, thinking perhaps the man had madea second charity appeal to her brother, and that he wanted her adviceon it. 

"Look, " said Jack simply, and he extended the cap. 

As Walter had done, Cora was at first unable to believe the word shesaw there. 

"The--Ramona, " she faltered. 

"The steamer mother and father sailed on?" asked Belle, her face palein the lamp-light. 

"The same name, at any rate, " remarked Walter, in a low voice. "Andthere would hardly be two alike in these waters. "

"But what does it mean? Where did he get the cap?" asked Cora, hervoice rising with her excitement. "Tell me, Jack!"

"He says it was flung to him by some sort of an insane sailor, I takeit, on a lonely island. "

"That's it, Missie, " broke in the man, his tone sufficientlyrespectful. "Me and my mates, as I was tellin' the boss here, " andhe nodded at Jack, "started to fill our water casks, but we didn'tstay to do it arter we saw this chap. Fair a wild man, I'd call 'im, Missie. That's what I would. Fair a wild man!"

"And he flung you this cap?"

"That's what he done, Missie. Chucked it right into the tea, Missie, jest like it didn't cost nothin', and it was a good cap once. "

It was not now, whatever it had been, for it bore evidence of longsea immersion, and the band had been broken and cracked by the mannerin which the negro fisherman had crammed it into his pocket. 

"Jack!" exclaimed Cora, in a strangely agitated voice. "We must hearmore of this story. It may be--it may be a clue!"

"That's what I'm thinking. "

A little knot of idlers had gathered at seeing the negro talking tothe group of white 'young people, and Walter and Jack, exchangingglances mutually decided that the rest of the affair might better beconcluded in seclusion. Jack gave the negro a hasty butcomprehensive glance. 

"Shall we take him aboard, Cora?" he asked his sister. Jack was verywilling to defer to Cora's opinion, for he had, more than once, foundher judgment sound. And, in a great measure, this was her affair, since she had been invited first by the Robinsons, and Jack himselfwas only a sort accidental after-thought. 

"I think it would he better to take him to the Tartar, " Cora said. "We can question him there, and, if necessary, we can--"

She hesitated, and Jack asked:

"Well, what? Go on!"

"No, I want to think about it first, " she made reply. "Wait until wegirls hear his story. "

"Will you come to our motor boat?" asked Jack of the sailor, who saidhe was known by the name of Slim Jim, which indeed, as far as hisphysical characteristics were concerned, fitted him perfectly. Hewas indeed slim, though of rather a pleasant cast of features. 

"Sure, boss, I'll go, " he answered. "Of course I might git a job byhangin' around here, but--"

"Oh, we'll pay you for your time--you won't lose anything. " Jackinterrupted. Indeed the man had, from the first, it seemed, accostedhim with the idea of getting a little "spare-change" for, like mostof the negro population of the Antilles, he was very poor. 

"But what's it all about?" asked Bess, who had not heard all thetalk, and who, in consequence, had not followed the significance ofthe encounter. 

"Zey have found a man, who says a sailor on some island near here, wore a cap with ze name of your mozer's steamer, " put in Inez, who, with the quickness of her race, had gathered those important facts. 

"Oh!" gasped Bess. 

"Don't build too much on it, " interposed Jack. 

"It may be only a sailor's yarn. "

"It's all true, what I'm tellin' you, boss!" exclaimed the negro. 

"Oh, I don't doubt your word, " said Jack, quickly. "But let's getaboard the boat before we talk any further. "

Aboard the Tartar, seated in her cozy cabin, the story of Slim Jimseemed to take on added significance. He told it, too, with a dueregard for its importance--especially to him--in the matter of whatmoney it might bring to him. 

In brief, his "yarn" was about as I have indicated, in the brief talkwith Jack. Jim and his mates had been on a protracted fishing trip, and had run short of water. One of the number knew of a lonely anduninhabited island near where they were then cruising--an island thatcontained a spring of good water. 

 They were headed for the place, but when they were about to land, they had been alarmed by the appearance of what at first was supposedto be some wild beast. 

"He crawled on all fours, Missie, " said Slim Jim, addressing Corawith such earnestness that she could not repress a shiver. "Hecrawled on all fours like some bloomin' beastie, begging your pardon, Missie. We was all fair scared, an' sheered orf. "

"Then how did you get the cap?" asked Walter. 

"He chucked the blessed cap to us, sir!" Jim appeared to have adifferent appellation for each member of the party. "Chucked itright into the water, sir. I picked it up. "

"What else did he do?" asked Cora. 

"He behaved somethin' queer, Missie. Runnin' up and down, not onfour legs--meanin' his hands, Missie--and now on two. Fair nutty I'dcall him. "

"Poor fellow, " murmured Bess. 

"And is that all that happened?" demanded Walter. 

"Well, about all, sir. I picked up the cap, and we rowed away. Wethought we'd better go dry, sir, in the manner of speakin', insteadof facin' that chap. He was fair crazy, sir. "

"Did he look like a sailor?" Jack wanted to know. 

"Well, no, boss, you couldn't rightly say so, boss. He took onsomethin' terrible when we sheered off an' left 'im. "

"And that's all?" inquired Belle, in a low voice. 

"Yes--er--little lady, " answered Slim Jim, finding a new title forfair Belle. "That's all, little lady, 'cept that I kept th' cap, notthinkin' much about it, until I heard you gentlemen inquirin' fornews of the Ramona. I heard some one spell out that there name inthese letters for me, " and he indicated the name on the cap. "Then Ispoke to you, boss. "

"Yes, and I'm glad you did, " said Jack. 

"'Why?" began Cora. "Do you think--"

"I think it's barely possible that one of the sailors from the Ramonais marooned on that lonely island, " interrupted Jack. "He may be theonly one, or there may be more. We'll have to find out. Can youtake us to this island?" he asked Slim Jim. 

"The lonely island?"

"Yes. "

"I rackon so, boss, if you was to hire me, in the manner of speakin'"

"Of course. "

"Then I'll go. "

"Off for the lonely, isle, " murmured Coral softly. "I wonder whatwe'll find there?"

CHAPTER XXIII

THE LONELY SAILOR

Once more the Tartar was off on her strange cruise. This time shecarried an added passenger, or, rather a second member of the crew, for Slim Jim bunked with Joe, and was made assistant engineer, sincethe negro proved to know something of gasoline motors. 

After hearing the story told by the colored fisherman, and confirmingit by inquiries in St. Kitts, Jack, Cora and the others decided thatthere was but one thing to do. That was to head at once for thelonely island where the sailor, probably maddened by his lonelinessand hardship, was marooned. 

As to the location of the island, Slim Jim could give a fair idea asto where it rose sullenly from the sea, a mass of coral rock, with alittle vegetation. The truth of this was also established bycautious inquiries before the Tartar tripped her anchor. 

Lonely Island, as they called it, was about a day's run from St. Kitts in fair weather, and now, though the weather had taken a littleturn, as though indicating another storm, it was fair enough towarrant the try. 

More gasoline was put aboard, with additional stores, for Slim Jim, in spite of his attenuation, was a hearty eater. Then they were ontheir way. 

Aside from a slight excitement caused when Walter hooked a big fish, and was nearly taken overboard by it--being in fact pulled back justin time by Bess, little of moment occurred on the trip to LonelyIsland. 

Toward evening, after a day's hard pushing of the Tartar, Slim Jim, who had taken his position in the bows, called out:

"There she lies, boss!"

"Lonely Island?" asked Jack. 

"That's her. "

"Since you've been there, where had we better anchor?" asked Joe, with a due regard for the craft he was piloting. 

"Around on the other side is a good bay, with deep enough water andgood holding ground, " said the negro. "If it comes on to blow, an'it looks as if it might, we'll ride easy there. "

Accordingly, they passed by the place where the negro fishermen hadbeen frightened away with their empty water casks, and made for theother side of the island. Recalling the story of the queer andprobably crazed man, Jack and the others, including Slim Jim, gazedeagerly for a sight of him. But the island seemed deserted andlonely. 

"What if he shouldn't be there?" whispered Belle to Cora. 

"Don't suggest it, my dear. It's the best chance we've yet had offinding them, and it mustn't fail--it simply mustn't!"

It was very quiet in the little bay where they dropped anchor, thougha flock of birds, with harsh cries, flew from the palm trees at thesound of the "mud hook" splashing into the water. 

"Now for the sailor!" exclaimed Walter. 

"Hush! He'll hear you, " cautioned Belle. 

"Well, we want him to, don't we?" and he smiled at her. 

Eagerly they gazed toward shore, but there was no sign of a humanbeing around there. Lonely indeed was the little island in the midstof that blue sea, over which the setting sun cast golden shadows. 

"Are you going ashore?" asked Walter of Jack, in a low voice. Somehow it seemed necessary to speak in hushed tones in that silentplace. 

"Indeed we're not--until morning!" put in Cora. "And don't you boysdare go and leave us alone, " and she grasped her brother's arm in adetermined clasp. 

"I guess it will be better to wait until morning, " agreed Jack. 

Supper--or dinner, as you prefer--was served aboard, and then thesearchers sat about and talked of the strange turn of events, whileJim and Joe, in the motor compartment, tinkered with the engine, which had not been running as smoothly, of late, as could be desired. 

"I hope it doesn't go back on us, " remarked Jack, half dubiously. 

"Don't suggest such a thing, " exclaimed his sister. 

They agreed to go ashore in the morning, and search for the maroonedsailor supposed to be on Lonely Island. The night passed quietly, though there were strange noises from the direction of the island. Jack, and the others aboard the Tartar, which swung at anchor in thelittle coral encircled lagoon, said they were the noises of birds inthe palm trees. But Slim Jim shook his head. 

"That crazy sailor makes queer noises, " he said. 

"If he's there, " suggested Walter. 

In the morning they found him, after a short search. It was not atall difficult, for they came upon the unfortunate man in a clump oftrees, under which he was huddled, eating something in almost animalfashion. 

With Jack and Walter in the lead, the girls behind them, and Joe andJim in the rear, they had set off on their man-hunt. They had notgone far from the shore before an agitation in the bushes just aheadof them attracted the attention of the two boys. 

"Did you see something?" asked Walter. 

"Something--yes, " admitted Jack. "A bird, I think. "

"But I didn't hear the flutter of wings. "

"I don't know as to that. Anyhow, there are birds enough here. Comeon. "

They glanced back to where Bess had stopped to look at a beautifulorchid, in shape itself not unlike some bird of most brilliantplumage. 

"Oh, if father could only see that!" she sighed. "It is toobeautiful to pick. "

Cora and her chums closed up to the boys, and then, as they madetheir way down a little grassy hill, into a sort of glade, Corauttered a sudden and startled cry. 

"Look!" she gasped, clutching Jack's arm in such a grip that hewinced. 

"Where?" he asked. 

"Right under those trees. "

And there they saw him--the lonely sailor, crouched down, eatingsomething as--yes, as a dog might eat it! So far had he fallen backto the original scale--if ever there was one. 

Some one of the party trod on a stick, that broke with a loudsnap-almost like a rifle shot in that stillness. The lone sailorlooked up, startled, as a dog might, when disturbed at gnawing abone. Then he remained as still and quiet as some stone. 

"That's him, " said the negro sailor, and though he meant to speaksoftly, his voice seemed fairly to boom out. At the sound of it, thehermit was galvanized into life. He dropped what he had been eating, and slowly rose from his crouching attitude. Then he turned slowly, so as to face the group of intruders on his island fastness. Heseemed to fear they would vanish, if he moved too suddenly--vanish asthe figment of some dream. 

"Poor fellow, " murmured Cora. "Speak to him, Jack. Say something. "

"I'm afraid of' frightening him more. Wait until he wakes up a bit. "

"He does act like some one just disturbed from a sleep, " spokeWalter. "Maybe you girls--"

"Oh, we're not afraid, " put in Bess, quickly. 

Not with all this protection, and she looked from the boys to the twosturdy men. 

Now the lonely sailor was moving more quickly. He straightened up, more like the likeness and image of man as he was created, and took astep forward. Finding, evidently, that this did not dissipate theimages, he passed his hand in front of his face, as though brushingaway unseen cobwebs. Then he fairly ran toward the group. 

"Look out!" warned Joe. But there was nothing to fear. When yet alittle distance off, the man fell on his knees, and, holding up hishands, in an attitude of supplication cried out in a hoarse voice:

"Don't say you're not real. Oh, dear God, don't let 'em say that!Don't let 'em be visions of a dream! Don't, dear God!"

"Oh, speak to him, Jack!" begged Cora. "He thinks it's a vision. Tell him we are real--that we've come to take him away--to find outabout our own dear ones--speak to him!"

There was no need. Her own clear voice had carried to the lonelysailor, and had told him what he wanted to know. 

"They speak! I hear them! They are real. And now, dear God, don'tlet them go away!" he pleaded. 

"We're not going away!" Jack called. "At least not until we helpyou--if we can. Come over here and tell us all about it. Are youfrom the Ramona?"

"The Ramona, yes. But if--if you're from her--if you've come to takeme back to her, I'm not going! I'd rather die first. I won't goback! I won't be a pirate! You sha'n't make me! I'll stay here anddie first. "

CHAPTER XXIV

THE REVENUE CUTTER

The story told by Ben Wrensch--for such proved to be the name of thelonely sailor-cannot be set down as he told it. In the first place, there was little of chronological order about it, and in the secondplace he was interrupted so often by Cora, or one of the others, asking questions, or he interrupted himself so frequently, that itwould be but a disjointed narrative at best. So, I have seen fit toabridge it, and tell it in my own. 

As a matter of fact, the questions Cora, her girl chums, or the boysasked, only tended to throw more light on the strange affair, whereasthe interruptions of Ben himself were more dramatic. He was soafraid that it was all a dream that, he would awaken from it only tofind himself alone again. 

"But you are real, aren't you, now?" he would ask, pathetically. 

"Of course, " said Cora, with a gentle smile. 

"And you won't go away and leave me, as the others did?" he begged, but he did not couple Slim Jim with one of those. In fact, he didnot pay much attention to the negro, for which Jim, a rathersuperstitious chap, was very grateful. 

"Certainly we won't leave you here, " Jack said. "We'll take youwherever you want to go, Ben. "

"That's good. Well, as I was saying--" and then he would resume hisinterrupted narrative. 

So, instead of telling his "yarn" in that fashion, I have sought tosave your time and interest by condensing it. 

Up to the time of the hurricane, which caught the Ramona in rather abad stretch of water, there was nothing that need be set down. Thevessel bearing the mother of Jack and Cora, and the parents of theRobinson twins, had gone on her way, until the sudden bursting of thestorm, with unusual tropical fury, had thrown the seas against andover the craft with smashing fury. Boats and parts of the railingand netting, had been carried away, and one or two sailors washedoverboard. 

Then had come the mutiny, if such it could he called--an uprising ofsome of the sailors, driven to almost insane anger because of therefusal of the captain to put into a port, the harbor of which couldnot he made in such a sea as was running, nor in the teeth of suchfurious wind. The only thing to do was to scud before the gale, withthe engines and crew doing what they could. 

There had been an incipient panic, and a rush for the boats quelledhardly in time, for some had been lowered, and swamped and others hadgotten away. 

There was an exchange of shots between the captain and some of themutineers, and, as our friends knew, one sailor, at least, waswounded, though whether by the captain or by the mutineers wasuncertain. 

Ben Wrensch, who appeared of better character than the usual run ofWest Indian sailors, had his share in the mutiny--that is, he refusedto take sides with the small part of the crew who berated the captainfor something he could not do. He had sided with the small part ofthe crew who remained loyal. 

"And what did they do to you?" asked Jack. For the man had come to apause, after describing how many shouted that the ship wasfoundering. 

"The rascals drove me and some of the other to a boat, and lowered usaway, " was the answer. "They said they didn't want us aboard. Iguess they was afraid we'd give evidence against them, if we ever gotthe chance, and so I would. "

"And did you land here?" asked Cora, indicating the lonely isle. 

"Not at first, Miss. We tossed about in the boat and the sea gothigher and the wind stronger. And how it did rain! It seemed tobeat right through your skin. The rain helped to keep the seas down, but not much. It was fearful!"

He then went on to tell how, after laboring hard in the darkness ofthe night, the boat he was in (five other sailors being hiscompanions) was swamped by a huge wave. He was tossed into the sea, and must have been rendered unconscious by a blow on the head, for heremembered nothing more until he found himself being washed back andforth on the beach by the waves, and at last had understanding andstrength enough to crawl up beyond the reach of the water. 

So he had come to Lonely Island. And there he had existed eversince. 

Some few things--including the cap that had been of such value to ourfriends--had been washed ashore from the boat, or otherwise Ben mighthave starved at first, for he was too weak to hunt for food. Gradually he regained the power to help himself. 

He found mussels clinging to the rocks, he gathered some turtleseggs, and was lucky enough to kill a bird with a stone. On such foodhe lived. For shelter he made himself a hut of bark and vines, andso the days passed in loneliness. 

It had not taken him long to find that he was the only inhabitant ofLonely Island. He alone, of the company in the boat, had come ashoreto be saved. 

Of the time he spent on the island you would not be interested tohear. One day was like another, save as he had better or worse luckin providing food. His great anxiety was to be taken off and to thisend he made a signal, but it was a small one, and it is doubtful itwould ever have been seen. 

Gradually his hardships, his exposure and the loneliness preyed onhim until he was well-nigh insane. He became almost like an animalin his fight against nature. 

He was on the verge of madness when he saw the boat load of fishermenapproaching for water, and it was his queer actions that drove themoff. In his despair he threw his cap at them, the most fortunatething he could have done. 

"And now you come to me!" he said, simply. 

"Yes, we're here, " admitted Jack. "But can you give us any more newsof the Ramona? That is what we want to know. Which way was sheheaded when you were forced to leave her? Have you any idea whereshe is now?"

"She was headed southeast, " was the answer. 

"And how long would you say she could keep afloat?" Walter wanted toknow. 

"She ought to be afloat now!" was the startling reply. 

"Now!" cried Jack. "What do you mean?"

"Why, she was in no danger of sinking, " Ben went on, and Cora and thegirls felt new hope springing up in their hearts. 

"Are you sure of this?" demanded Jack. 

"Very sure; yes. I was below just before I was forced into the smallboat, and there wasn't a plate sprung. The engines were in goodorder and if the mutineers hadn't raised a hue and cry, everythingwould have been all right. But they wanted their way, for their ownends, I fancy. "

"Meaning what?" asked Jack. 

"That they were glad of any excuse to seize the ship. I overheardsome of their plans. They would have done it, storm or no storm. There was a plot to take the Ramona, put off all who would be in theway, take her to some port, change her name and engage her in whatamounted to piracy. "

"The plotters were going to do this?" cried Walter, aghast. 

"Yes, and the storm only egged them on. It was their opportunity. "

"Then the Ramona may be afloat now?" demanded Cora. 

"She very likely is, Miss, I should say. A little damaged perhaps, but not more than could be. "

"And what of the passengers?" asked Bess. 

"Well, they're either aboard her, as prisoners, or have thrown theirlot in with the mutineers, or--"

He did not go on. 

"Well?" asked Jack, grimly. 

"Or they were put adrift, as I was, " went on Ben. 

"But you did not see that happen?" asked Cora, for the story wasnearing its end now. 

"No, Miss, I didn't see that. When I was put overboard, all thepassengers--and there weren't many of them--were still aboard. "

"Did you see any of them?" asked Bess. 

"Oh, yes, Miss. All of 'em, I fancy. "

"My father and mother--"

Ben described, as well as he could, the various characteristics andappearances of the Ramona's passengers, and Mrs. Kimball and Mr. AndMrs. Robinson were easily recognized. 

"Then we must still keep on searching for them, " decided Jack, at theconclusion of the narrative. "We'll just have to keep on!"

"It looks so, " admitted Cora. 

"Oh, we mustn't think of giving up!" cried Bess. "I know my father. He just wouldn't give in to those horrid mutineers, and he wouldn'tthrow in his fortunes with them, either. I can't explain it, but, somehow I feel more hopeful than at any time yet, that they are allright--Papa and Mamma, and your mother, too, Cora. "

"I am glad you think so, dear. I haven't given up either. But let'sget away from here, Jack. "

"That's what I say!" murmured Belle, with a little nervous shiver. This place gives me such a creepy feeling. "

"You might well say so, Miss, " put in Ben. "That is, if you had tostay here all along, as I did, with nothing but them parrot birdsscreeching at you all day long. It was awful!"

There was no use in staying longer on Lonely Island, and Ben Wrenschwas only too glad to be taken from it. At first the motor girlstalked of taking him with them, on the remainder of the cruise, but, as Jack pointed out, there was no need of this. 

He could give no further information as to the location of theRamona, providing the steamer still was afloat. And he would only bean added, and comparatively useless, passenger. He was not exactlythe sort of personage one would desire in the rather cramped quartersof the Tartar, though he was kind and obliging. He would be betteroff ashore, for the time being, where he could get medical treatment. 

So the big motor boat swept out of the blue lagoon, and headed forSt. Kitts, for it was planned to leave Ben, and once more take up thesearch. 

They had not been under way more than an hour, however, before Jack, who was steering, uttered a cry. 

 "There's a boat cording toward us!" he said. "She seems to be asmall launch. "

"Yes, and she's signaling to us!" added Walter. "She wants to speakwith us!"

Joe came up from the motor room, and looked long and earnestly at theapproaching craft. 

"That's an English revenue cutter, " he said, "and she's in a hurry, too. "

"I wonder what she can want with us, " mused Jack, as he ordered asignal to be run up on the small mast, indicating that they wouldspeak to the approaching craft. 

CHAPTER XXV

NEWS OF THE "RAMONA"

Over the slowly heaving swell of the blue waters the swift revenuecutter came on. Those aboard the Tartar watched her with eager eyes. Did she have some news for them? This was the question in the mindof the motor girls. 

"Oh, perhaps they have mother aboard!" breathed Cora, her hopesrunning thus high. 

"And they might have our mother and father!" added Bess, taking boldheart as she heard Cora speak. 

Inez said nothing. It was too much for her to dare to think that herfather might be released from his political prison. She could onlywait and hope. 

"Some speed to her, " observed Jack, admiringly, as he watched thewhite foam piled up in front of the bow of the oncoming craft. 

"But she's not very big, " spoke Walter. 

"She's built for speed, " remarked Engineer Joe. "She doesn't usuallycome out this far to sea; just hangs around the harbors, and tries tocatch small smugglers. She couldn't stand much of a blow, and it'smy opinion we're going to get one. "

"Oh, I hope not soon!" exclaimed Cora, with a little nervous glanceup at the sky. 

"Well, within a day or so, " went on Joe. "It's making up for a stormall right, and I guess that cutter is trying to get her job done--whatever it is--and scoot back into harbor. "

"But why should she want to speak to us?" asked Bess. "Of courseit's interesting, and all that--almost like a story, in fact--butwhat does she want?"

"Tell you better when she gets here, " said Walter with a laugh. "Perhaps there are some ladies aboard, and they want to learn thelatest styles from the United States-seeing how recently you girlscame from there. "

"Silly!" murmured Belle, but it was noticed that she glanced at herbrown linen dress, relieved with little touches of flame-coloredvelvet here and there--in which costume she made a most attractivepicture. At least, Walter thought so. 

"Perhaps zey are in search of him, " suggested Inez, pointing toSailor Ben, who was lying on a coil of rope in the bow. 

"That's right!" exclaimed Jack, with a look of admiration at theSpanish girl. "They may have heard a story of his being on theisland, and come out to rescue him. They could tell we came fromthat direction. "

"It's possible, " admitted Walter. 

Whoever was in charge of the revenue cutter, seeing that theirsignals to speak the Tartar had been observed and answered, cut downthe speed somewhat, so that the government vessel came on moreslowly. In a short time, however, she was near enough for a hail, through a megaphone, to be heard. 

"What boat is that?" was the demand. 

"The Tartar, from San Juan, " was Jack's reply. 

"Where bound?"

"It's too long a story to yell this way, " was Jack's answer. "Shallwe come aboard?"

"No, I'll send a boat, " came back. Presently a small boat, containing three men, was lowered, for the sea was very smooth, andin a little while a trim-looking lieutenant was at the accommodationladder of the Tartar. 

"Why, it's just like a play!" murmured Bess, as she saw the sword atthe officer's side. "I wonder if he's going to put us all underarrest?"

"Would you mind?" asked Cora. 

"I don't know. He has nice eyes, hasn't he?"

"Hopeless!" sighed. Cora, with a little smile at her chum. 

A quick glance on the part of the lieutenant seemed to give him anidea of the nature of the cruise of the Tartar. 

"Oh! a pleasure party!" he exclaimed. "I am sorry we had to stopyou, but--"

"That's all right, " said Cora, for she thought it would be lessembarrassing if one of the feminine members gave some assurance. "Itdoesn't happen to be a pleasure trip. "

"No? You astonish me, really! I should say--"

His eyes caught sight of the ragged and un-kempt figure of themarooned sailor. 

"Has there been a wreck? Did you save some one?" the lieutenantasked, quickly. His practiced eye told him at once that some tragedyhad occurred. 

"Something like that--yes, " Cora assented. "But the rescue is notover yet. My brother will tell you all about it, " and she nodded toJack. The lieutenant, with a courteous lifting of his cap, turned toface Walter's chum. 

"We rescued him from a little island back there, " Jack said. "Wethought you might be on the same errand. "

"No, " the officer said, "though we would have gone if we had heard ofit. But we are after bigger game. Are you going back to St. Kitts?"

"Yes, and then on again. We're trying to find the Ramona, or some--"

"The Ramona!" cried the lieutenant, and there was wonder in histones. "Do you, by any possible chance, mean the Ramona of the RoyalLine?"

"That's the one, " said Jack, something of the other's excitement'communicating itself to him. "Why, do you know anything about her?"

"I only wish we knew more of her!" snapped the lieutenant, with agrim tightening of his lips, while the girls looked on in wonder atthe strange scene. "We're after her, too, " the officer continued. "She's in the hands of a mutinous crew, and she's been trying to dosome smuggling. We've orders to take her if we can, but first wehave to find her, and that's the errand we're on now. We stopped youto ask if you had had a sight of her. But why are you interested infinding her, if I may ask?"

"We're looking for my mother, who sailed on her, " said Cora, quickly, "and for Mr. And Mrs. Perry Robinson, the parents of these girls, "and she nodded toward the twins. 

"Is it possible!" exclaimed the lieutenant. "This is indeed acoincidence. "

"Have you sighted the Ramona?" asked Cora. 

"No, Miss, and I wish we would--soon, " spoke the lieutenant. "We'regoing to have a storm, if I'm any judge, and our cutter isn't any toosea-worthy. But it's all in the line of business, " and he shruggedhis shapely shoulders as though preparing for the worst. He wouldnot shirk his duty. 

"Well, I'm sorry we can't give you any information, " Cora said. "We, too, are very anxious to find the steamer, for we are not even surethat our parents are aboard. There was a terrible storm, you know, and she may have foundered. "

"No, she did not. We have good evidence of that, " was the officer'sanswer. "She had a hard time in the hurricane, and suffered somedamage, Miss, but she's sound and able to navigate. We heard thatsome of the crew, who would not join with the mutineers, weremarooned--I am glad to get confirmation of that, " and he nodded atBen, whose story had been briefly told. 

"But what of the passengers?" asked Bess, anxiously. "Oh, did youhear anything of father and mother?"

"Not personally, I am sorry to say, " was the answer of the lieutenantas he touched his cap, and smiled at the eager girl. 

"But did you hear anything?" asked, Cora, for somehow she fancied shedetected a tone as though the officer would have been glad to answerno further. 

"Well, Yes, Miss, I did, " he was the somewhat reluctant reply. "Thestory goes that all the passengers are still aboard. "

"Still on board!" echoed Jack. "Why, I thought they were alsomarooned. "

"Evidently not, " said the lieutenant. "Either the storm must havemade them change their plans, or the mutineers were afraid ofevidence being given against them by the passengers, for they keptthem aboard, according to the latest reports we have had. 

"After living through the hurricane, the Ramona was headed for aquiet harbor, where the smugglers have their headquarters, and thererepairs were made. Since then the ship, under another name, has beenengaged in running contraband goods. We were ordered to get afterher, but, so far, we have had our trouble for our pains. We hopedyou might have sighted her. "

"We're going to keep on trying, " said Cora. "We are going back toSt. Kitts, to land him, " and she nodded at the sailor they hadrescued. 

"Well, then we may see you again, " the lieutenant said, with a bow, that took in the motor girls impartially. He shot a quick glance atInez, but Cora did not think it wise to speak of the Spanish girl, nor mention her father. 

After some further talk, in the course of which the lieutenant saidthe mutineers and smugglers would be harshly dealt with when caught, he returned to the cutter, which was soon under way again. Shesheered off on a new tack, while the Tartar resumed her journey toSt. Kitts. 

"Wasn't that remarkable?" asked Bess. 

"Very strange, " agreed Cora. 

"And it gave us news, " spoke Belle. "We know now that your mother, Cora, and that our folks are all right. "

"All right?" cried Jack, questioningly. 

"Well, I mean they are safe on board, and not suffering on somelittle island, " went on Belle. 

"They might better off on some island, " murmured Jack, but onlyWalter heard him, and he cautioned his chum quickly. 

"Don't let the girls hear you say that, " he whispered. "I agree withyou that they might be better off on an island, than on the steamer, with the mutineers and smugglers. But if the girls hear that, they'llhave all kinds of fits. Keep still about it. "

"Oh, I intend to. But this complicates matters doesn't it? We'llhave to find a constantly moving steamer, instead of a stationaryisland. "

"It's about six of one and a half dozen of the other, " spoke Walter. "But we have help in our search now, " and he nodded toward thecutter, only the smoke of which could now be seen. 

St. Kitts was reached without further incident, and Sailor Ben wastaken ashore, Cora insisting on leaving him a sufficient sum of moneyto insure his care until he could find another berth. Then thepursuit of the Ramona was again taken up. 

For two days the Tartar cruised about on her strange quest, and whenthe third evening came, with the sun setting behind a bank ofslate-colored clouds, Cora said to Jack:

"It looks like a storm. "

"You're right, Sis, " he agreed. And, I even as he spoke, there camea strange moaning of the wind, which sprang up suddenly, whippingfeathers of foam from the crests of the oily waves. 

At the same moment, Joe, who had come up from the motor room for abreath of fresh air, cried out:

"Sail ho!"

CHAPTER XXVI

THE PURSUIT

"What is it?" cried Cora, as she came up from the little diningcabin, where she and the other girls had been "doing" the dishes. 

"A small steamer, Miss, " answered the engineer of the Tartar. "Ican't just make out what she is--sort of misty and hazy just now. "

"She seems to be headed this way, too, " spoke Bess, who had joined Coraon the little deck. "Oh, but doesn't the weather look queer?"

She turned a questioning and rather frightened gaze at her chum. 

"I think we're in for a storm, " Cora spoke. 

"But we're too good sailors to mind that--aren't we?"

"I hope so, " faltered Bess. 

It was not so much a question of sea-sickness with the motor girls, as it was a fear of damage in a comparatively small craft. They hadbeen on the water enough, and in stressful times, too, so that theysuffered no qualms. But a storm at sea is ever a frightfulsensation, to even the seasoned traveler. 

"Why, that boat is headed right for us, " observed Belle, who had alsocome out of the dining cabin. As for Inez, she frankly did not likethe water except when the sky was blue and the sun shining, thoughshe was far from being cowardly about it. So she remained below. 

"Jack! Jack!" called Cora, for Walter and her brother had gone downto their stateroom to don "sea togs, " as Jack called them--meaningthereby clothes that salt water would not damage. 

"What is it, Sis?" he asked. 

"There's another boat headed for us, perhaps she wants help?" Corasuggested. 

"We'll give them all we can, " Jack called, as he came hurrying up. Then, as he steadied himself at the rail, and looked off through themist toward the on-coming boat, he uttered an exclamation. 

"Why--that's the revenue cutter again!" he cried. "I'm sure of it!How about that, Joe?"

The engineer, who had left his machinery in charge of Slim Jim, forthe time, cleared his eyes of the salty spray. 

"I guess you're right, " he agreed. "Couldn't make her out at first, but that's who she is. Guess she wants to ask us if we have any moreinformation. Shall I heave to?"

"Better, I think, " advised Cora, following Jack's questioning glance. For, be it known, Jack deferred more than usual to his sister on thiscruise, since he had been under her direction, rather than she underhis. 

That it was the desire of the on-coming craft to have the Tartar slowup was evident a moment later. For, as the powerful motors revolvedwith less speed, a hail came over the heaving blue waters, that nowhad turned to a sickly green under the strange hue of the settingsun. 

"On board the Tartar!" came the cry. Evidently the boat of ourvoyagers had not been forgotten. 

"Ahoy!" shouted Jack, using a megaphone Cora handed him. 

"Stand by!" was the next command. "We want to send"--there came anundistinguishable word--"aboard. "

"They're going to send some one aboard!" cried Bess. "Oh, if itshould be our folks--mother and father-your mother, Cora dear!"

A flush of excitement gathered on Cora's cheeks. Belle, too, feltthat something was impending. Jack, and Walter exchanged glances. 

The sea was running higher now, under the influence of anever-increasing wind, and it was no easy matter to lower a small boatfrom the cutter--a small boat containing three men. 

"It's just as it was before--when they came to us for news, "exclaimed Bess. "I wonder if they bring us news, now. "

"They certainly aren't bringing any of our people, " said Cora with asigh, for, though she had discounted the hope that Bess hadexpressed, yet she could not altogether free herself from it. It wasevident that none save sailors were coming toward the Tartar. 

And, when the small boat drew nearer, those aboard the gasoline craftsaw that they were to receive the same Lieutenant Walling who hadbefore paid them a visit. 

"What is it, please?" asked Cora, leaning over the rail. She wasunable to withhold her question longer. 

"We have news for you!" exclaimed the lieutenant, the pause coming ashe made an ineffectual grasp for the rail as his boat rose on theswell. 

"News!" gasped Cora. Her heart was beating wildly now. 

"Oh, we haven't rescued your people, " Lieutenant Walling hastened toassure her, as this time he managed to grasp the rail of the motorboat, swinging himself over on the deck. The swells were so highthat no accommodation ladder was needed. "That's all--you may goback, and say to Captain Decker that I will look after matters, " hesaid to the sailors in the small boat. 

One of them fended off from the side of the Tartar, while the otherpulled on the oars. Soon they were on their way back, crossing thestretch of now sullenly heaving water between the two craft. 

"I find myself, under the direction of my commanding officer, CaptainDecker, obliged to ask for help, " said Lieutenant Walling, with asmile. 

"Help?" repeated Jack, who, with Walter, had joined the group ofgirls about the officer. 

"Yes. We have had news that the Ramona has been seen in thisvicinity, and we were after her. But there was an accident to ourmachinery, and we can't go on in the storm. The cutter was obligedto put back when we sighted you. 

"I suggested to Captain Decker that possibly you could give us thevery help we needed. You have an object in finding the Ramona, notthe same object as ourselves, but stronger, if anything, " and thelieutenant looked at Cora. She nodded her head in assent. 

"So it occurred to me, " Lieutenant Walling went on, "that I mightcontinue the chase in the Tartar. It is doubtful if our cutter couldmanage to navigate in the storm we seem about to have, so we shouldhave been obliged to put back in any case, even if we had not had theaccident. But you can stand a pretty good blow, "' he said, referringto the Tartar. 

 "She's a good little boat, all right, " said Jack, who knew somethingof motor craft. 

"So I perceive. And now, if you will allow me to use it on behalf ofthe government, we will try to catch the Ramona. "

"Is there really a chance of doing that?" asked Cora, in hereagerness laying her hand on the sleeve of the young officer. 

"There really is, " was his answer. "She has been sighted by afishing schooner--we had word from the captain of it. And the Ramonaseems to be crippled. She was going slowly. We ought to catch hersoon--if this storm holds off long enough. "

"Oh, isn't it exciting, Cora!" whispered Bess. "Almost like the timewhen you saved the papers in the red oar at Denny Shane's cabin!"

"Only I hope there are no physical encounters, " spoke Cora, with ashudder, as she recalled the strenuous days spent on Crystal Bay. 

"I fancy you need not be alarmed, " the lieutenant said. "From whatwe can learn, the mutineers and smugglers are rather sick of theirbargain. There have been dissentions and part of the crew is readyto give up. But the others are afraid of the punishment that will bemeted out. "

"Will it be heavy?" asked Belle. "Heavy enough, " was the significantanswer. "It is a high crime to mutiny on the ocean, especially intime of storm and trouble. "

"Then you have a good chance of catching them?" asked Jack. 

"We think so--yes. "

"'But isn't this a rather--er--small force to capture a largesteamer, in possession of desperate men?" Walter wanted to know. 

"It isn't as risky as you might think, " answered Lieutenant Walling, with a smile. "As I said, the smugglers are now divided. One-halfis already to turn on the other half. Once they are commanded tosurrender, in the name of the government, I fancy they'll be only tooglad to"

"And what of the passengers--our folks?" asked Cora. 

"Well, they are still aboard, as far as can he learned, " was therevenue officer's reply. "If we have luck, you may be with thembefore another day passes. But we need luck, " and as he said this, he glanced around the horizon, as if to judge how much the elementsmight figure in the odds against him. 

Truly they seemed likely to make the chances anything but easy. Thewind was constantly increasing in force, and from a low moan hadchanged to a threatening whine and growl. The seas were running highand the swells were breaking into foam. As yet the Tartar rodeeasily, being now under way again, but though she might stand evenheavier waves than those now rolling after her, it would not be verycomfortable for those aboard. 

"Will you take command?" asked Jack in answer to a look from hissister. "We'll turn this boat over to you, though we're UnitedStates subjects and you're--"

"British--you needn't be afraid to say it, " frankly laughed thelieutenant. "But I fancy we can strike up a, friendly alliance. No, I don't wish to take command. This is merely asking you for anaccommodation on your part. You are after the Ramona, as Iunderstand it, and so am I. I merely ask to be allowed to go alongand help you find her. Once I get aboard I shall put under arrestall the mutineers. And you will be with your people. "

"Oh, if we ever are again!"

"Which way was she headed when you last had information?" askedWalter. 

"Southeast, " was the reply, "and she isn't far ahead of us now. Bycrowding on speed we can overtake her by morning. "

"Hear that, Joe?" cried Jack. "Do your best now!"

"Aye, aye, sir!" was the reply. 

"Have you gasoline for a long run?" asked the lieutenant. 

"Yes, " Jack answered. "We filled the tanks at St. Kitts. But won'tyou come below, and we'll arrange for your comfort. "

"And do let me make you a cup of tea!" begged Cora. "I know youEnglishmen are so fond of it--"

"Well, we get rather out of the habitat sea, " was the reply, "but Ishould be glad of some--if it isn't too much trouble. "

Through the gathering dusk, the advent of which was hastened by thecoming storm, the Tartar heaved her way over the tumbling waters. Night came, and still the storm did not break. The lieutenantproved a good seaman, and, under his direction the motor boat kept onthrough the hours of darkness. The motor girls did not rest much, nor did Walter or Jack. 

As morning came, the storm broke in all its fury--being little short, in violence, of a West Indian hurricane. On through the mist, through the smother of foam, over the big greenish-blue waves scuddedthe Tartar, the lieutenant, in oilskins, standing in the bows, peering ahead for a sight of the steamer. 

And, at noon, following a fierce burst of wind, he give a cry. 

"What is it?" asked Jack, struggling toward. 

"Ship ahead! I think it is the Ramona!" was the answer. 

CHAPTER XXVII

SENOR RAMO

Clinging to the life-lines that had been stretched along the deck, Jack made his way to a partly-sheltered spot near which thelieutenant stood. 

"Where is she?" asked Jack, fairly shouting the words into theofficer's ear, for the noise of the storm was such as to make thisnecessary. 

"Right ahead!" was the answer. "Look when we go up on the nextcrest. "

One moment the Tartar was down in the hollow of the waves, and thenext on the top of the swell, and it was only on the latter occasionthat a glimpse ahead could be had. 

"Now's your chance!" cried Lieutenant Walling to Jack. "Look!"

Eagerly Cora's brother peered through the mist, wiping the saltyspray from his eyes. Just ahead, wallowing in the trough of the sea, as though she were only partly under control, was a steamer. 

"I see her!" Jack shouted, and then the Tartar, went down in thehollow between two waves again, and he could glimpse only theseething water as it hissed past under the force of the wind. 

"I think it's the Ramona--I'm not sure, " was the lieutenant's nextremark. 

"What are you going to do about it?" Jack wanted to know. 

"Hang on as long as I can, " was the grim reply. "She doesn't look asthough she were good for much more, and we are. "

"Yes, we seem to be making it pretty well, " Jack answered. 

Indeed the staunch little Tartar was more than living up to her name. She was buoyant, and there was a power and thrust to her screw thatkept her head on to the heavy seas, which allowed her to ride them. 

The chase was now on, and a chase it was, for soon after sighting thesteamer ahead of them, Lieutenant Walling, by means of powerfulglasses, had made sure that she was the Ramona, and, without doubt, in charge of the mutineers, unless, indeed, the half of the crewopposed to them, had risen, and taken matters into their own hands. 

"But we'll soon find out, " said the lieutenant, grimly. 

"How?"' asked Cora, for, the officer had come down into the cabin. "Can you board her now?"

"Hardly, in this blow, Miss Kimball. But we can hang on, and getthem as soon as it lets up a little. "

"Won't they get away from us?" Bess wanted to know. She, as well asher more fragile sister, had thoroughly entered into the spirit ofthe chase now. 

"I think we can more than hold our own with them, " answered thelieutenant. "You have a very fast craft here, and owing to the factthat they haven't much coal, and that they have probably suffered somedamage, we won't let them get away very easily. We can hold on, I think. "

"Then you won't try to run up alongside now?" Walter wanted to know. 

"Indeed not! It would be dangerous. She rolls like a porpoise in aseaway, and she'd crush us like an egg shell if we got too close. All we can do is to hold off a bit, until this blows out. And itcan't last very long at this season of the year. Storms never do. "

For all the hopeful prediction of the young officer, this blow showedno signs of an early abatement. The wind seemed to increase, ratherthan diminish and the seas were still very high. 

Through it all the Tartar behaved well. Joe, with Slim Jim, thefaithful negro, to help, kept the motors up to their work, andWalters Jack and the lieutenant took turns steering, for it was toomuch to ask Joe or Jim to do this in addition to their other work. 

The afternoon was waning, and it was evident that there would beanother early night, for the clouds were thick. Walter and Jack hadgone up on deck, while the lieutenant remained in the cabin, takingsome hot tea which Cora had prepared for him. A warm feeling offriendship sprung up between the young officer and our travelers. Inez was not feeling well, and had gone to lie down in her berth, though it was anything but comfortable there, since the boat rolledand pitched so. 

"I say!" called Jack, down a partly opened port into the cabin, "Ithink you'd better come up here, Lieutenant. "

"Oh, he hasn't had his tea yet!" objected Cora. 

"That doesn't matter--if something is up!" was the hasty rejoinder, and, leaving the table, the revenue officer hastened up on deck, buttoning his oilskins as he went. 

"What is it?" he asked of the two young men. 

"She seems to be turning, " said Jack, "thought you'd better know. "

"That's right. I'm glad you called me. Yes, she is changing hercourse, " said Lieutenant Walling. "I wonder what she's up to?"

The Ramona--Jack and Walter had made out her name under her stem railnow--was still slowly wallowing in the sea. She appeared to havelost headway, for she was moving very slowly, having barelysteerage-way on. The Tartar had no trouble in keeping up to her. 

"I wonder if they've seen us, and are waiting for us?" venturedWalter. 

"They may have seen us, but they wouldn't stop--not in this sea, " wasthe reply of the revenue officer. "They're up to some trick, and Ican't just fathom what it is. "

With keen eyes he watched the steamer as it tore on through the mist. It was much nearer now. 

"I have an idea!" suddenly exclaimed the British officer. "I'll beback in a moment. "

He hurried down to the cabin again, and through a port Jack andWalter saw him bending over some charts. In a few minutes thelieutenant was up on deck again. 

"I understand!" he cried. "I know what they're up to now. "

"What?" asked Jack. He did not have to shout so loudly now, as thestorm seemed to be lessening in its fury. 

"They're going to run in under the lea of Palm Island, " saidLieutenant Walling. "I guess they've had enough of it. This is thebeginning of the end. They must be in bad shape. "

"Sinking--do you mean?" asked Walter. 

"No, not exactly. But they may have run out of coal, and can't keepthe engines going any longer. Yes, that's what they're doing--makingfor Palm Island. "

"What sort of a place is that?" Jack wanted to know. 

"A mighty ticklish sort of place to run for during a storm, " was theanswer. "There's a bad coral reef at the entrance to the harbor, butonce you pass that you're all right. I wonder if they can navigateit?"

"And if they don't?" asked Jack. 

"Well, they'll pile her up on the reef, and she'll pound to pieces inno time in this sea. "

Walter and Jack followed the lieutenant to the after deck, where thewheel was. There the revenue officer relieved Joe, the latter goingto his motor, which needed attention. The storm was constantlygrowing less in violence. 

As yet there was no sign of an island, but presently, through thegathering darkness, there loomed up a black mass in the swirl ofwhite waters. 

Now came the hard and risky work of getting in through the opening ofa dangerous coral reef to the sheltered harbor. The big steamer wentfirst, and, for a time, it seemed she was doomed, for the currentplayed with her like a toy ship. But whoever was in charge of thewheel had a master's hand, and soon the craft had shot into the calmwaters, followed by the Tartar. 

It was a great relief from the pitching and tossing of the last twodays. 

"Oh, to be quiet again!"

"Isn't it delightful!" agreed Bess. "And now if we can only find ourfolks!"

Lieutenant Walling lost no time. As the Ramona dropped her anchor, he sent the Tartar alongside, and on his official hail a ladder waslowered. Walter and Jack mounted with him. 

"Every mutinous member of this crew is under arrest!" was the grimannouncement of the revenue officer. "Who's in charge? Are thereany passengers aboard?"

Anxiously Jack looked for a sign of his mother, or for Mr. And Mrs. Robinson. He saw nothing of them. 

"The passengers were all put ashore, sir, " said sailor, with asalute. 

"Where?" demanded the lieutenant. 

Before he could answer there came on deck a fat man, at the sight ofwhom Jack uttered an exclamation. 

"Senor Ramo!" cried Cora's brother. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

FOUND

Unaware of what was taking place on the deck of the Ramona, for theywere far below its level in the Tartar, Cora, Belle, Bess and Inezlooked anxiously aloft. They could hear a murmur of voices, butlittle else. It was nearly dark now, but Joe switched on theelectrics in the motor boat, and aboard the steamer lights began togleam. 

"Well!" exclaimed Cora, with her usual spirit. "I'm not going tostay here and miss everything. I want to see mother just as much asJack does. "

She was as yet unaware, you see, of what the sailor had said to herbrother. 

"Where are you going?" asked Bess, as Cora started for the danglingaccommodation ladder. 

"Up there!" was the quick answer. 

"Oh, Cora! Don't leave us!" begged Bess. 

"Come along then, " suggested Jack's practical sister. 

"But it is so steep!" complained Bess, who was more "plump" thanever, due to the inactivity of the sea trip. 

"It wont be any the less steep from waiting, " spoke Cora, grimly, "and it'll soon be so dark that you'll likely fall off, if you try togo up. I'm going--mother must be up there, and so must your folks. "

"Of course!" cried Belle. "Don't be a coward, Bess. "

"I'm not, but--"

"I will help, " said Inez, gently, as she glided up from the cabin. "Perhaps zere may be news of my father!"

She had been very patient all this while regarding news of herparent--very unselfish, for though the trip was partly undertaken toaid Senor Ralcanto, if possible, nothing as yet had been done towardthis. All efforts had been bent toward getting news of Mrs. Kimball, and Mr. And Mrs. Robinson, and Inez had said nothing. Even now, shewas willing to help others first. 

"You're a dear, " murmured Cora, her foot on the first step of themounting ladder. "Oh, to think that all our worry is over now!" Shehad yet to learn what was in store for her and the others. 

"Oh, I know I'll fall in!" cried Bess, as she essayed to go up. 

"Don't be silly!" cautioned Cora. "Belle, you pull her from infront, and, Inez, you push. We've just got to get her up. "

The Tartar was made fast by a rope tossed from the deck of theRamona, and Joe and Slim Jim stood on deck, ready to execute anycommands that might come from the young navigators. Cora and theother girls safely reached the deck of the steamer. 

A carious sight confronted them. 

Jack and Walter stood confronting, in the glare of several electriclights, the portly form of Senor Ramo, who seemed ill at ease. Themembers of the mutinous crew stood about, rather shame-facedly, itmust be confessed. Lieutenant Walling wore an air of triumph. Hehad brought the criminals to the end of their rope. 

"Jack! Where are they?" asked Cora, impulsively. 

"They--they're not here, " her brother answered. 

"Not here? Then where are they? Oh, don't say they're--"

Cora's voice could not frame the words. 

At this moment Inez caught sight of Senor Ramo. She was rather atimid girl, and her troubles and, tribulations had not made her anybolder, but now, at the sight of the man she believed had done, orwho contemplated doing her father an injury, the Spanish maid'scourage rushed to the fore. 

Inez sprang forward and began to speak rapidly in Spanish. Cora, whohad managed to pick up a few words, understood that Inez was makinga spirited demand for the papers which she accused the fat man ofhaving taken from her room. Over and over again she insisted onreceiving them--here, now, at once, without delay!

So insistent was she that it looked, as though she meant to make apersonal assault on-Senor Ramo, and take the papers from hisill-fitting frock coat. 

"Whew!" whistled Walter, "that's going some, isn't it?"

"Walter! How can you?" remonstrated Cora. "At such a time, too!"

"Just can't help it!" he murmured. "He's getting his deserts allright. "

Senor Ramo fairly backed away from the excited Inez, but she followedhim to the very rail, where, as he could go no further, he made astand, and continued to listen to her voluble talk. 

"She certainly has some spirit, " murmured lieutenant Walling to Cora. "Is that the fellow she suspects?" he asked, for he had been told thestory of Inez. 

"Yes, " answered Cora. "But is my mother aboard? And Mr. And Mrs. Robinson?"

"They're not!" broke in Jack. "These scoundrels have put themashore--somewhere!"

"Oh!" cried Bess and Belle in chorus. 

"Where?" demanded practical Cora. 

"I am going to institute an inquiry at once, " said LieutenantWalling. "I'll also have something to say to that fat Spaniard. Better tell your friend so, " he suggested to the motor girls. "Shemight cause him to act hastily. He might do something desperate. "

"She only wants some papers she thinks he has, " said Jack, "and Iguess she's going to get them, " for Senor Ramo was putting his handto his inside breast pocket. 

"I'll soon straighten out this tangle, " the lieutenant promised. "I'll have the ring-leaders locked up, and then we'll get at thebottom of the whole affair. I'd better send ashore for help, though. May I use your boat?"

"Certainly, " answered Cora. She was keenly disappointed at notfinding the lost ones aboard. She and the others had counted so muchon this when they should have come up to the Ramona. Where could thepassengers be?

Jim and Joe were sent, in the Tartar, to bring aboard representativesof the English government, Palm Island belonging to Great Britain. The munitinous crew had no spirit of resistance left. The erstwhilecommander of the rebelling forces was locked in his stateroom, untilLieutenant Walling was reinforced, when others of the leaders wereput in irons. 

"And I now I hope we can get some news, " spoke Cora, when some sortof order had been brought out of the confusion, and the ship had beenformally taken in charge by the authorities. 

"You shall have all there is, " promised Lieutenant Walling. "First, in regard to your parents, " and he looked from Cora to the twins. "They are safe, so far as can be judged, though they may be in somedistress. "

"But where are they?" asked Cora, for Jack had found a chance to tellher that he had been informed they were put ashore. 

"On Double Island, " answered Lieutenant Walling. "They were madeprisoners when the mutineers rose and seized the ship. They werelocked in their cabins, so some of those who have confessed told me, and when the storm was over, they were treated fairly well. Theywere forced to remain on board while the plan of entering into thesmuggling game was carried on. They tried to get ashore, or to sendmessages for help, but were frustrated. 

"Then, finally, some of the crew began to grumble at the presence ofthe passengers. Food was running low, and a certain amount of carewas required to prevent them from escaping. The upshot of it wasthat your parents were put ashore on Double Island, with a fairlygood amount of food and other supplies. "

"How long ago?"

"Where is a Double Island?"

"Can't we start and rescue them?"

"What of Inez's father?"

These questions were fairly rained on Lieutenant Walling, "One at atime, please, " he said, as he gazed at the young people gatheredabout him in the cabin of the Ramona. "It was over a week ago thatthe passengers were put ashore on Double Island--there were only yourparents, " he added, glancing again from Cora to the twins. "All theothers had departed in the small boats when it was feared that theRamona was sinking. As to the location of Double Island--it is abouttwo days' steaming from here. We certainly can, and will, rescuethem, and as for the father of Miss Inez--well that is anothermatter. We shall have to see Senor Ramo. He seems to know somethingabout the prisoner--at least Miss Inez thinks that does. "

At that moment Inez came into the cabin. Whether she had been allthis while "laying down the law, " as Jack phrased it, to the Spaniardwas not, for the present, disclosed. But she was greatly excited, and she flourished in her hand a package of documents. 

"I have ze papairs!" she cried, exultantly. "Now my father will befree. Oh, Senorita you will help me--will you not--to go to SeaHorse Island and rescue him?"

"Of course, " spoke Cora, in answer to this pleading. "My! but wehave lots of work ahead of us!" and se sighed. 

"But you are equal to it, my dear, " said Bess. 

"Oh, to see papa and mamma again!"

"And to think of them living on some lonely little island!" sighedher sister. "We can't get to them quickly enough!"

"You had better go ashore for the night, " suggested LieutenantWalling, "and we'll start early in the morning. I'll go with you--ifyou will let me, " and he looked at Jack's sister. 

"Of course, " murmured Cora, blushing slightly. 

"You'll need more gasoline perhaps, and other stores, " the officerwent on. "And the journey will be much easier made with a goodmorning's start. "

So it was decided. Supper was served for the young people aboard theRamona, by direction of the British officer who was put in charge. There was rather more room to move about than on the Tartar. Afterthe meal--the merriest since the strange quest had begun--explanationswere forthcoming. 

"I want to know how Inez got those papers away from Ramo, " saidWalter, with a flash of admiration at the Spanish girl. 

"Ah, Senor, it is no secret!" she laughed. "I said I knew he hadzem, and if he did not gif 'em I would tear zem from his pocket!

"He gave zem to me, " she finished, simply. 

"Good for you!" cried Jack. "What became of him?"

"I believe he went ashore in a small boat, " said the lieutenant. "I'm having him watched, though, for I think he had some hand in thissmuggling. In fact, he may prove to be at the bottom of the wholebusiness. "

And so it turned out. Senor Ramo, while pretending to be arespectable Spanish coffee merchant, had been engaged secretly insmuggling. It was he who planned the mutiny on the Ramona forpurposes of his own, though the storm gave him unexpected aid. Hehad joined the steamer later, after having stolen the papers from theroom of Inez. 

For it was Ramo who had taken them. His agents had sent him wordthat Inez had the means to free the political prisoner, and as thiswould have interfered with the plans of Ramo and his cronies, hedetermined to frustrate it. So, watching his chance, he took thepapers and fled to join his mutinous and smuggling comrades. But thefates were against him. Later, it was learned that Ramo had tried, through agents in New York, to get the papers from the Spanish girl. And the tramp in Chelton was, undoubtedly, one of them. 

Inez said Ramo explained to her that he intended to keep her father aprisoner only a short time longer. With Senor Ralcanto free, theplans of the smugglers would have been interfered with, for thefather of Inez, and his party, stood for law and order. 

"But now I free my father myself!" cried the Spanish girl, proudly. "No more do I wait for that fat one!"

So with the papers which would eventually release the Spanishprisoner, and well fitted out for the cruise to Double Island, theparty once again set forth on her cruise. 

"There the island is!" cried Lieutenant Walling, on the second dayout. "And I think I can see a flag flying. Few ships pass this way, but, very likely, the refugees would try to call one. "

And, a little later, as the Tartar came nearer, Cora, who was lookingthrough the glasses, cried out:

"I can see them! They are on shore! There's mother, Jack! She'swaving, though of course she doesn't know who we are. And I see yourmother and father, girls! Oh, Bess--Belle--we've found them!"

CHAPTER XXIX

AT SEA HORSE

There proved to be a good harbor at Double Island--a harbor ringedabout with sand-fringed coral, with a sandy bottom which could beseen through the limpid depths of the blue water that was as clear asa sapphire-tinted crystal. And, a short way up from the beach was aline of palms and other tropical plants, while, in a little clearing, near what proved to be a trickling spring, was a rude sort of hut. 

"Ahoy, folks!" yelled Jack, his voice a shout with its old vigor. "Here we are!"

What the three on the beach said could not be heard, but they wereplainly much excited. 

"They don't yet know who we are, " said Cora. 

"They only know they are being rescued, " echoed Bess. 

"Oh, but isn't it great--we've found them!" cried Belle in delight, hugging first Cora, Bess and next Inez. 

Inez said nothing, but her shining eyes told of the joy she felt inthe happiness of her friends. Her time for rejoicing was yet tocome. 

So little did the beach in the coral harbor shelve that the big motorboat could come up to within a few yards of the shore. 

"Why it's Jack--and Cora!" cried Mrs. Robinson. "It's your son anddaughter--and the girls! Oh, of all things!"

Mrs. Kimball could not answer. She was softly crying on the shoulderof Mrs. Robinson, Mr. Robinson, who had been trying to catch somecrabs along shore, had his trousers rolled up. He was rather adisheveled figure as he stood there--in fact, none of the refugeesappeared to sartorial advantage--but who minded that?"

"Hurray!" yelled Mr. Robinson, waving, a piece of cloth on astick--an improvised crab-net. 

"Hurray!" So you've come for the Robinson Crusoes; have you?"

"That's it!" shouted Jack, who was getting the small boat ready to goashore. 

"I thought we'd find them, " spoke Lieutenant Walling. 

"Oh, and we can't, thank you enough!" Cora murmured to himgratefully. "Only for you we might not have located the Ramona in along time, and we night have been a month finding the folks. And youdear good girl!" she went on, putting her arms about Inez. "Next weare going to rescue your father. "

"I shall be glad--mos' glad!" said the Spanish girl, softly. 

Then they all went ashore, and brother and sisters were clasped inthe arms of their loved ones. 

"But how did it all happen?" asked Mr. Robinson. "How did you knowwhere to look for us? Did the Ramona's crew repent, and send you forus? Tell us all about it! How are you, anyhow?"

He poured out a veritable flood of questions, which the girls, Jack, Walter and Lieutenant Walling tried to answer as best they could--thegirls, it must be confessed, rather hysterically and tearfully. 

"It was Cora and Jack who had the idea, " said Bess, when quiet hadbeen a little restored. "They determined to charter a motor boat andgo in search of you, after we heard that the Ramona had foundered inthe storm. And of course we wouldn't be left behind. "

"Brave girls, " murmured their mother. 

"Indeed they were brave, " declared Jack, patting Bess on her plumpshoulder. 

"We--we were afraid of being left behind, " confessed Belle. "So wecame. "

"But what have you done since being marooned here?" Cora wanted toknow. "Wasn't it awful--just awful?"

"Not so awful!" answered Mr. Robinson, with a laugh that could bejolly now. "We've had a fine time, and you should see some of theorchids I have gathered! It was worth all the hardship!"

"But, really, it hasn't been so bad, " said Mrs. Kimball. "Theweather was delightful, except for the two storms, and we have hadenough to eat--such as it was. We have been camping out, and no moreideal place for such a life can be found than a West Indian coralisland in December. "

She looked back amid the palms, among which grew in a tropicalluxuriousness many beautiful blossoms, with birds of brilliantplumage flitting from flower to flower. 

"And you look so well, " commented Cora, for indeed, aside from tracesof sunburn, the refugees were pictures of health. 

"We are well, " declared Mrs. Robinson. "But of course we have beenterribly worried about you girls, and Jack, too. How are you, Jack?"she asked, anxiously. 

"You needn't ask, " laughed Cora. "One glance is enough. "

"Oh, I had a little touch of my old trouble, " said Jack, in answer tohis mother's questioning glance, "but I'm fine and fit now. But tellus about yourselves. "

"Well, we're camping out here, " said Mr. Robinson, with a laugh, "waiting for some vessel to come along and take us off. We couldhave stood it for another month, though it was getting prettylonesome, with all due respect to the ladies, " and he made a mockbow. 

"That's nothing to how tiresome just one man can get, my dears!" putin his wife, to the girls. 

Then they exchanged stories of their adventures. As those of themotor girls are well known to our readers, there is no need to dwellfurther on them. 

As the crew of the Ramona had confessed, they had set the passengers--Mrs. Kimball and Mr. And Mrs. Robinson--ashore on Double Island, some timeafter the uprising. Our friends were glad enough to leave the vessel, for there were constant bickering and quarrels among the mutineers. Affairs did not go at all smoothly. 

So it was with comparatively small regret that the refugees foundthemselves set ashore. They were given a boat, and a sufficientsupply of food and stores. Only in the matter of clothing were theyhandicapped, having only a few belongings, the mutineers keeping theremainder. 

"When we got ashore, and took an account of stock, " said Mr. Robinson, "I found some sort of shelter would be necessary, even ifwe were in a land of almost perpetual June. 

"This wasn't the first time I had gone camping, under worsecircumstances than these, so I soon put up this hut. Not bad, isit?" and he waved his hand toward the palm-leaf thatched structure. 

"It's great!" cried Jack. "I think I'll stay here a while myself, and camp out"

"You may--I've had enough, " said Mrs. Robinson. "Oh, I do hope yougirls have some spare hairpins!" she exclaimed. "Perry said to usethorns, but even if Mother Eve did her hair up that way, I can't!"she sighed. 

"Well, to make a long story short, " resumed Mr. Robinson, "we've beenhere ever since. And we are beginning to enjoy ourselves. We've hadenough to eat, such as it is, though the tinned stuff gets a triflepalling after a time. So I've been trying to catch a few crabs. "

"And he hasn't had any luck--he might as well confess, " said hiswife. 

"Give me time, my dear, " protested Mr. Robinson. "There's one now!"

He made a swoop with the improvised net, but the crustacean flippeditself into deep water and escaped. 

"Never mind--you're going to leave now, Dad!" said Bess, gaily. 

The young folks inspected the rude hut, and were charmed by itssimplicity. 

"Though it does leak, " said Mr. Robinson. 

"I must admit that. "

"Leak!" cried Mrs. Robinson. "It's a regular sieve!"

"Might as well haul down our signal, " observed Mr. Robinson, for on atall palm, at a prominent height of the island, he had raised animprovised flag. 

Double Island was uninhabited, and was seldom visited by any vessels, though in the course of time the refugees would have been rescuedeven if the motor girls had not come for them. But their experiencewould have been unpleasant, if not dangerous. 

"Well, let's go aboard and start back to civilization, " proposedBelle, after Lieutenant Walling had been introduced, and his part inthe affair told. 

"But we mustn't forget Inez's father!" cried Cora. "We still havesome rescue work to do. "

"Oh, I'm so sorry I couldn't make any move along that line, " spokeMr. Robinson. "But now I'll attend to it, Inez. "

"We'll make for Sea Horse Island at once, " said Cora. "Inez has thepapers with her. Tell him how you threatened Senor Ramo, dear, " andthe tale of the fat Spaniard was related. 

Made comfortable aboard the Tartar, which had resumed her strangecruise, the refugees told little details of their marooning, whichstory there had not been time for on the island. 

The days were pleasant, the weather all that could be desired, and indue season Sea Horse was sighted. This was a small place, maintainedby the Spanish government as a prison for political offenders. Asthe Tartar approached the fort at the harbor entrance, LieutenantWalling looked through the glass at several flags flying from a highpole. 

"Something wrong here, " he announced. 

"What do you mean?" asked Jack. 

"Some prisoner, or prisoners, have escaped, " was the answer. "'Thesignal indicates that. We'll soon find out. "

A curious idea came into Jack's head. 

CHAPTER XXX

SENOR RALCANTO

Sea Horse Island was not attractive. There was no coral enclosedharbor, filled with limpid blue water--though the sea off shore wasblue enough, for that matter. There were a few waving palms, and ahill or two midland. But that was all. The principal building wasthe political prison, and the barracks, or quarters of the commandingofficer and his aides. In fact, Sea Horse Island was as littlebeautiful as its name. But the eyes of Inez glowed when she saw it, for once it had been home to her. 

"And now to see my father!" cried the Spanish girl, when preparationswere made for going ashore. "Zey can hardly keep me from seeing him, can zey?" she asked Mr. Robinson and Lieutenant Walling. 

"I think not, my dear, " said the former. "And if I am any judge ofthe worth of evidence, they can't refuse to let him go, after we showour documents, though it may take a little time. "

"Matters may not be all easy sailing now, " suggested the Britishofficer. 

"Why not?" demanded Cora. 

"Because of the fact that there has been an escape--perhaps several, "was the answer. "Those signal flags are a warning to all vessels notto take aboard any refugees that seem to have escaped from here, unless they are taken as prisoners. "

"How horrid!" murmured Bess. 

"But we'll go see the commandant, and learn how matters stand, " wenton Mr. Robinson. "Fortunately I have letters from persons ininfluence that may aid me. And you have your papers, Inez?"

"Yes, Senor. I have them, " she answered. 

Our friends were stared at rather disconcertingly as they landed, andthere was no little suspicion in the glances directed at them, asthey made their way to the commandant's quarters. 

There was some delay before they were admitted, for they all went intogether, all save Walter, and he had said it might be best if heremained on board the Tartar with Joe and Jim. 

"We have come, " said Mr. Robinson to the Spanish officer, "to arrangefor the release of Senor Ralcanto--the father of this young lady. Wehave papers which prove his innocence of the charge against him, andI may add that one, of the men responsible for his unjust arrest ishimself a prisoner, and on a more serious charge than a merepolitical one. I refer to Senor Ramo, who is in jail at PalmIsland. "

The commandant started. Evidently he was regarding his callers withmore courtesy, for he had been a bit supercilious at first. 

"Senor Ramo incarcerated?" he asked. "Is it possible?"

"Very much so, " went on Mr. Robinson, grimly. "And now we come todemand the release of Senor Ralcanto--or at least I demand to have aninterview with him--as does his daughter--that we may take measuresfor freeing him. If you will look at the copies of these papers, youwill see what authority we have, " and he tossed some letters, andcopies of the documents Inez had recovered, on the table. 

"I am sorry, but it is impossible to grant what you request, " saidthe commandant stiffly, hardly glancing at the papers. 

"Why?" asked Mr. Robinson, truculently. "Do you mean we cannot seethe prisoner, or that you will not release him?"

"Both!" was the surprising answer. "You cannot see Senor Ralcantobecause he is not here. And I cannot release him, had I the power, for he has released himself. In other words, Senor, he has escaped!"

"Escaped!" cried Jack and Cora in a breath. "My father escaped!"murmured Inez. "Oh, praise ze dear God for zat! He is free! Oh, but where is he?"

"That I know not, Senorita, " was the stiff answer. "I wish I did. We have searched for him, but have not found him. He must have hadfriends working for him on the outside, " and he glanced withsuspicious eyes at our friends. 

"Well, we probably would have worked for him, had we had the chance, "said Mr. Robinson, "but we had no hand in his escape. May I ask howhe got away from your prison?"

"In a boat--about a week ago, " was the grudging reply. "That is allI can say. He is no longer on Sea Horse Island. I have the honor tobid you good-day!"

"Polite, at any rate, " murmured Jack. "Bow, what's our next move?"

"To find her father!" exclaimed the British officer, promptly. Hehad entered into this as enthusiastically as he had into the task offinding the mutineers and smugglers. 

"If he got away in a boat, " resumed the lieutenant, "he would mostlikely make for some island. There are many such not far from here, but these Spaniards are so back-numbered, they wouldn't think ofmaking a systematic search. That's for us to do. "

"Oh, if we can only find him!" murmured Inez. 

"We will--never fear!" cried Jack, with as much enthusiasm as hecould muster at short notice. 

It was little use to linger longer on Sea Horse Island. No moreinformation concerning the escaped man was available. It must be a"blind search" from then on. Still, the searchers did not give uphope, and once more the Tartar was under way. 

I shall not weary you with the details of the final part of hercruise. Suffice it to say that many islands were called at, and manyvessels spoken, with a view to finding out if any of the uninhabitedcoral specks in that stretch of blue West Indian waters had, of late, showed signs of being inhabited by a lone man. But no helpful cluewas obtained. 

Still the search was kept up. Mr. Robinson, his wife and Mrs. Kimball stayed with the young people, having renewed their wardrobesat the first suitable stopping place. Then the search was resumed. 

And, curiously enough, it was Inez who discovered the torn rag, floating from a tree, which gave the signal that help was needed at alonely isle they reached about two weeks after the search began. 

"I think some one is zere, " she said to Jack, pointing to the signal. 

"It does look so, " he agreed. "We'll put in there. "

"A hard place to live, " said Lieutenant Walling, as he came on deckand viewed the little Island. "It is very barren. "

"Do you--do you think it can be my father?" faltered Inez. 

"It is possible--it is some poor soul, at all events--or some one hasbeen there, " the officer concluded. 

"You mean it may be too late?" asked Cora, softly. 

Lieutenant Walling nodded his head in confirmation. 

The Tartar anchored off shore, and the small boat went to the beach. Hardly had it ground on the shingle than a tattered and ragged--atottering figure crawled from the bushes. It was the figure of aman, much emaciated from hunger. But the eyes showed bright fromunder the matted hair and from out of the straggly beard. Inez, whohad come ashore with the first boat-load, sprang forward. 

"Padre! Padre!" she cried, opening wide her arms, "I have found youat last! Padre! Padre!"

The others drew a little aside. 

Once more the Tartar was under way. She was nearing the end of herstrange cruise, for she was headed for San Juan--the blue harbor ofSan Juan. Seated on deck, in an easy chair, was a Spanish gentleman, about whom Inez fluttered in a joy of service. It was her father. 

He had, after many failures, made his escape from Sea Horse Island ina small boat, and had lived, for some time on the little coral rock, hardly worthy the name islet. He had almost starved, but he wasfree. Then his privations became too much for him, and he hoistedhis signal for help. He would even have welcomed a Spanish party, sodistressed was he. 

But his own daughter--and friends--came instead. And, had he butwaited a few weeks, he need not have so suffered in running away fromhis prison. The papers Inez had secured would have brought about hisfreedom from the unjust charge. 

"But we have him anyhow!" cried Jack, "and a good job it was, too!"

"Isn't Jack just splendid!" murmured Bess to Cora. "He is so wellagain!"

"Yes, the trip, in spite of its hardships, has worked wonders forhim. "

"And I suppose we'll have to go back North again soon, " remarkedBelle. "Papa's business here is practically finished. "

"Yes, we are going back to civilization, without smugglers andmutineers, "' said Mrs. Kimball. 

"Oh, I rather liked them, they were sort of a tonic, " laughed Mrs. Robinson. 

"Sometimes one can take a little too much tonic, " spoke Cora. "Butit certainly has been a wonderful experience. "

The Tartar dropped anchor at San Juan, coming to rest in the watersblue, over which she had skimmed on so many adventuresome trips oflate. 

"Well, are you glad to be back here?" asked Jack, of Senor Ralcanto. 

"Indeed, yes, I am. And you have all been so kind to me. I cannever repay you for what you have done for my daughter and myself, "and he stroked the dark hair of Inez, who knelt at his side. 

"Well, send for us again if you--er--need our services, " suggestedWalter. 

"Thank you--but I am going to keep out of prison after this, " was thelaughing answer. 

There is little more to tell of this story. Senor Ralcanto wasspeedily recovering from his harsh experiences, when our friends tooka steamer for New York, some weeks later. The mutineers andsmugglers of the Ramona, including Senor Ramo, the real, influentialleader, were duty punished. 

After a final cruise about the blue waters of San Juan, in theTartar, our friends bade farewell to the craft that had served themso efficiently. 

"Good-bye!" called Cora, as she stood on the steamer-deck, homewardbound, and waved her hand to the blue sky, the blue waters, the bluemountains and the green, waving palms. "Good-bye! Good-bye!"

And we will echo her words. 

THE END