but he did not come. My friend had to leave in a hurry, and just then
I heard the noise made by your boat, so I called to you. Did you hear
a call?"

"We heard some sort of a call," spoke up Bob, "but we thought it
was--"

"That was me," interrupted Blowitz, "I recognized the Ripper by the
peculiar sound of the exhaust. I have quite a trick of recognizing
boats that way. I was afraid you'd get past, so I called. But I didn't
know you had the young ladies with you, or I would not have bothered
you."

"That's all right," said Jerry. "We were coming ashore anyhow."

"You were? What for?" and Blowitz looked sharply at the boys. "Oh, I
suppose you saw me and wanted to tell me you would accept my offer--
but excuse me, perhaps the young ladies--"

"Oh, we have told them of it," answered Ned. "You can speak before
them."

"All right then. I was going to say perhaps you came in after seeing
me, to tell me you had accepted my offer and would search for the
derelict. Is that it?"

"Well, we hadn't quite decided," replied Jerry.

"What! Not decided!" exclaimed Blowitz. "Why I want you to start at
once-- or-- that is-- to-morrow morning. I have just received news