THE ROVER BOYS Boxed Set: 26 Illustrated Adventure Novels. Stratemeyer Edward

plunged into the woods beyond. As they progressed Tom cautioned his brother to keep to the rocks as much as possible, in order that the trail might be hidden.

      It was still hot, and before long the exertion of climbing the rocks and picking their way through the dense underbrush told upon them. Coming to the top of a small hill, they halted.

      "Let us climb into yonder tree and rest," said Sam. "Perhaps we can see the Peacock from that point."

      This seemed a good idea, and they moved to the very top of the tallest tree to be found.

      A grand view lay spread before their gaze. Close upon every side was the thickly wooded island, sloping gradually down to the lake, and beyond, as far as eye could reach, was the rolling water, sparkling brightly in the sunlight. To the northward Tom discovered a bit of greenery, which he rightly took for another island.

      But what interested them most was the appearance of a ship riding at anchor to the westward, in one of the several bays previously mentioned. It was a sailing vessel of fair size, carrying a single mast.

      "That's not the Peacock!" ejaculated Sam.

      "You're right!" cried Tom. "She's a stranger. Hurrah! Perhaps Dick has followed us up, after all!"

      "Anyway, we ought to find friends on that ship, Tom. Let us get to her as soon as possible."

      "I'm willing. But I must rest a bit, I'm so dead tired."

      "I wish we could get those on the strange ship to make the Baxters and Captain Langless prisoners."

      "Perhaps we can. But it will be a good deal to get out of the clutches of the enemy, even if we can't do any more."

      Feeling much elated over the discovery of the strange vessel, the boys rested for quarter of an hour, and then, descending to the ground, struck out rapidly once more through the woods and underbrush. As they proceeded Tom carried his pistol in his hand, in case some wild animal might start up in their path, but nothing of the sort came to view.

      As they came closer to the shore they found that the ground was wet and boggy, and they had to pick their way with care. Once Sam went into the soil up to his ankles, and dragged himself out only with great difficulty. Then they made a detour, coming out on the beach some distance below where the strange ship was anchored.

      Halting behind a convenient bush, they surveyed the ship with interest. On the deck they discovered a man and a lady. The lady was sitting in an easy-chair, and the man stood by, leaning on a railing. Both were talking earnestly.

      "Well I never!" came from Tom. "Sam, do you recognize those two people?"

      "I do," was the answer. "Josiah Crabtree and Mrs. Stanhope! How in the world did they get here?"

       HALTING BEHIND A CONVENIENT BUSH THEY SURVEYED THE SHIP WITH INTEREST.

      CHAPTER XX

       JOSIAH CRABTREE'S GAME

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      For the moment the boys were practically dumfounded. Josiah Crabtree and Mrs. Stanhope in this out-of-the-way place? What could it mean?

      "They are arguing about something," said Tom, after a long pause. "Hear how earnestly old Crabtree is talking to her?"

      "I wonder if Dora is with them."

      "I don't see anything of her."

      "What shall we do?"

      "I don't know — excepting to remain hidden until we learn how the land lays."

      The boys considered the situation for a while, and then, by turning back into the woods, managed to come up at a point still closer to the ship, which rested at anchor close to the trunk of a fallen tree.

      Here they could hear the most of what was being said, and could also obtain a fair look at the side of Mrs. Stanhope's face. Josiah Crabtree's back was turned to them. They noticed that Mrs. Stanhope's face wore a peculiar, drawn expression, like that of one who is walking in his sleep.

      "I'll wager he's been hypnotizing her again," whispered Tom. "Oh, what a rascal he is! Just as bad as the Baxters, every bit!"

      "I do not, cannot, understand it all," the lady was saying. "I thought Dora and I were to take this trip alone."

      "It will all be clear to you in a few days, Pet," returned the ex-school-teacher soothingly. He had lately gotten to calling the lady "Pet," although that was not her real name.

      "Where is my child now? I do not wish to remain on board without her."

      "She will be back soon; do not worry."

      "I thought the trip would do me much good," continued the lady, with a deep sigh. "But I am more feeble than ever, and I cannot think as clearly as I would wish."

      "It may be that this lake air is too strong for you, Pet. To-morrow we will take a run ashore. The village of Nestwood is close at hand, and I dare say I can find very good accommodations for you there."

      "Will Dora be with me?"

      "Perhaps."

      "I do not wish to go ashore without her. She always said we would be safe on the boat."

      "And you are safe."

      "But she didn't want me to — that is, she didn't expect you to be along."

      "She has changed her mind about that, Pet. I had a long talk with her and proved to her that she had been mistaken in me, and that I was not as black as painted."

      "But they put you in jail."

      "All a mistake, as I told you before. It was the work of those rascally Rover boys."

      "I like that," muttered Tom. "Isn't he a peach, though, for smoothing matters over?"

      "He has hypnotized her, beyond a doubt," returned Sam. "She would never believe him otherwise."

      "And what did Dora say?" went on Mrs. Stanhope, after a pause, during which Josiah Crabtree took a turn up and down the deck.

      "She is perfectly willing that we should marry, but under one condition."

      "And what is that?"

      "I hardly dare to tell you — it is so peculiar. She doesn't wish to be present at the ceremony."

      "Not present?"

      "No. She says it would not be right. That she very foolishly made a vow never to be present should you marry again, and that she must keep that vow. She feels her position keenly, but she won't break her vow."

      Such a statement would have aroused any ordinary woman, but Mrs. Stanhope appeared to be completely in Josiah Crabtree's power, and all she did now was to draw a long sigh and then wipe away a tear which stole down her pallid face.

      "I do not think it right that I should marry without Dora being present."

      "Pooh! If the girl wishes to remain away, let her do so. She will soon come to her senses and be glad of the way matters have turned."

      "You do not know Dora. She is very — very headstrong at times."

      "Yes, I do know her, Pet. She is headstrong, and greatly influenced by those Rover boys — especially by Dick Rover, who seems to be — ahem — somewhat smitten with her."

      "Dick always impressed me as being a good youth."

      "Good? He is anything but that. Why, if it wasn't for the Rovers, I would now have the finest boarding school for boys on Cayuga Lake. They spoiled all the plans I ever made. But they shall do so no longer. They cross my path again at their peril!"

      "The tragic old fraud!" whispered Tom. "I've a good mind to face him just where he stands."

      "Go