Dave Porter on Cave Island: or, A Schoolboy's Mysterious Mission

“‘It was awful funny – they positively looked scared to death, and while they were talking to me they looked over my shoulders, as if on their guard against somebody. I asked them what they had been doing since they left Rockville, and they said not much of anything, just traveling around. They seemed to have plenty of money, for just as I went into the shop I saw Merwell pay for something from a big roll of greenbacks.

“‘After I left them, I got a bit curious about the pair, and so I watched them come from the shop and walk down to one of the docks and go aboard a big four-masted schooner. I hung around a little and pretty soon they came from the schooner and went up to one of the big hotels, and there I lost sight of them. Each had his little valise with him, but they weren’t big enough for much clothing. My, but they were scared! I fancy they thought I might pitch into them for the mean things they did in the past. But I didn’t want to start any row.’”

“Is that all he says?” demanded Dave, after the senator’s son had finished.

“That’s all he says about Merwell and Jasniff and their doings.”

“Doesn’t he mention the name of that schooner, or the hotel?” asked Phil.

“No.”

“Did you say Luke was going to Jacksonville?” asked our hero.

“Yes, his whole family are down there.”

“Then I could telegraph to him and he could give me the name of the hotel, and of the schooner.”

“Dave, what do you make out of this?” demanded the senator’s son.

“I make out of it that Merwell and Jasniff are guilty!” burst out Dave. “They went from here to Florida, and now they have either gone to sea, or are going, as soon as that schooner sails. Do you notice what Luke says about their being scared almost to death when they saw him? They evidently thought some of us, or the officers of the law, were with him.”

“And the little valises!” burst out the shipowner’s son. “Perhaps they contain the jewels!”

“Would they be foolish enough to carry them around like that?” questioned Roger. “Wouldn’t they hide them?”

“They may be looking for some good hiding-place, or some place where they can sell them,” answered Dave. “Remember, Jasniff and Merwell are green at this business – they wouldn’t go at it like professionals. If they were professionals, they wouldn’t have acted so scared.”

“That is true. What will you do, tell Mr. Wadsworth of this?”

“I think I’ll tell my father and my Uncle Dunston first. Mr. Wadsworth doesn’t place much credit in the story of Merwell and Jasniff’s guilt. He thinks the detectives are on the right track.”

“Well, possibly they are,” admitted Phil. “But I must say, this looks mighty suspicious to me.”

“I have half a mind to take matters in my own hands and run down to Jacksonville,” went on our hero. “Who knows but what I might find Merwell and Jasniff? If I did, I could stop them and make them give an account of themselves by making that old charge of abduction against them, and that charge of having used my name.”

“Say, that’s an idea!” cried Roger. “And say, I’d like to go with you.”

“So would I,” added Phil. “We might go down in one of my father’s ships.”

“Too slow, Phil – the limited express for this trip,” answered Dave. “But I must talk it over with dad first,” he added.

“We have got over three weeks before school opens again,” pursued the senator’s son. “We could go down to Florida and back easily in that time.”

Dave’s father had gone to New York on business, but came home that evening. In the meantime a telegram was sent to Luke Watson, asking for the name of the hotel, at which Merwell and Jasniff had stopped, and of the schooner.

Dave’s father and his uncle listened closely to what he had to tell, and to the reading of the letter from Luke Watson. They talked the affair over for an hour with the boys.

“You may be right, boys,” said Mr. Porter, at last. “And it may be a good plan to follow those rascals up. But I don’t think I would bother Mr. Wadsworth about it. He received a telegram from one of the detectives, and the officer is more sure than ever that he is on the right track. He caught Red Andrews pawning a fair-sized diamond, and he thinks the gem is from the Carwith collection.”

“Can’t he make Red Andrews confess?” asked Dave.

“Unfortunately the rascal got away when on the way to the police-station. But the detective feels he can soon round him up again.”

Dave looked thoughtfully out of the window and tapped the table with his fingers.

“You still think Merwell and Jasniff guilty?” remarked his uncle, with a smile.

“Yes, Uncle Dunston. After what Hooker Montgomery said, I’ll think them guilty until somebody proves otherwise.”

“Then I tell you what I’ll do, boys,” said Dunston Porter. “I’ll take a trip down to Florida with you and look into this matter. I’d rather be on the move than sitting still waiting for something to turn up.”

“Will you go?” cried Dave, eagerly.

“I will.”

“When?”

“As soon as you wish, and we can get train accommodations.”

“Hadn’t we better wait until we hear from Luke?” suggested Roger.

“No, let us get off at once!” exclaimed Dave. “If he sends word after we are gone, it can be forwarded to us.” And so it was arranged.

Great was the surprise of the Wadsworths and of Laura when the boys and Dunston Porter announced that they were going to start for Florida the next morning.

“Why, Dave?” asked Jessie. “Why are you going in such a hurry?”

“Oh, I hardly care to tell, Jessie,” he answered. “It may prove only a wild goose chase.”

“It is about the missing jewels?”

“Yes.”

“Then you are after Merwell and Jasniff.”

“Yes, but please don’t tell any outsiders.”

“Oh, Dave, don’t get into any trouble!” cried the girl, as she clung to him. “They are such bad fellows! You know what they have done to you in the past!”

“I am not afraid of them.”

“Oh, I know how brave you are, Dave! But – but don’t let them harm you – for my sake, please!” And then the tears came into her eyes and she hid her face on his arm.

“There! there! don’t worry!” he said, as he bent over her, and then he kissed her forehead. “We’ll be back before long,” and he gave her a little hug. Then the others came in.

Laura was also worried, but glad that her uncle would be along. She helped Dave to pack his suit-case. Phil and Roger also packed up, and sent word home regarding the proposed trip. As my old readers know, all the boys were well-to-do, so the expenses did not bother them.

At breakfast time the following morning came a telegram from Luke Watson. It read as follows: