Part 28 (1/2)
They will get him of course.”
”With bloodhounds? How terrible!”
”Not at all. They are muzzled. And friendly brutes, at that. They only follow the scent they are put on, and probably would do their quarry no harm, even if they were unmuzzled.”
”Well, it seems terrible, just the same,” murmured Laura. Then she added: ”Suppose he was somebody _we_ had an interest in, Chet?”
”Humph! that _would_ be tough. But he isn't.”
”Just the same, promise me something,” urged Laura, clinging to his shoulder with both hands.
”What is it, Sis?” asked Chet, in surprise.
”_Don't_ tell the sheriff if you should run across the poor young man.
Don't tell anybody!”
”Why, Sis!”
”I have a reason. I can't tell you what it is,” Laura said, half sobbing. ”Will you mind me, Chet?”
”Surest thing you know!” declared her brother, heartily.
”And without asking questions?”
”That's putting a bit of a strain on me,” laughed Chet. ”But I know you must have a good reason, Sis. Only remember, when you want help, you haven't any friend like your own 'buddy.'”
”I know it, dear,” said Laura, kissing him. ”You are the best brother who ever lived!”
This was all ”on the side.” When they rejoined the others, neither Chet nor Laura revealed any particular emotion. The girls all promised to be ready for the fis.h.i.+ng trip an hour after daybreak on the following morning.
Meanwhile, everything at Acorn Island went on as usual. Liz Bean seemed no more morose than before. Mrs. Morse was much too busy to notice small things. She had half-heartedly offered to accompany the girls and boys to Bang-up Creek for the fis.h.i.+ng; but they had all a.s.sured her that it would be unnecessary.
Instead, they were to come home by mid-afternoon and all have supper at the island. The boys brought over a part of their own provisions, when they arrived in the bigger motorboat soon after sun-up.
Purt Sweet was the only boy who did not have a smile on; he looked gloomy indeed.
”What's the matter?” asked Jess.
”Surely he isn't afraid of the Barnacle, is he?” queried Dora.
”Don't bother about _him_,” said Dorothy. ”He's tied up, anyway, so as not to follow us.”
”How do you think that dog can follow us, when we're going ten miles by boat?” demanded Reddy b.u.t.ts.
”I don't know but the Barnacle would sprout wings and fly through the air after Purt,” giggled Bobby.
”It isn't the dog this time that troubles Purt--deah boy!” drawled Lance Darby.
”What is it?” asked Laura.