the cabin and talk it over. We'll let you know right away."

"I'll wait five minutes," said the man. "Time is precious to me. I
have lots to do. But I know you'll go. I'll raise the offer five
hundred dollars. Now, that's the best I can do. But you must start as
soon as possible to-morrow."

"Come in here," called Jerry to his chums, entering the small cabin,
where the three girls had already gone as they did not wish to seem to
listen to the talk between Blowitz and the boys.

Jerry closed the sliding doors, and, by the light of a small lantern
which hung from the cabin ceiling, looked at his companions. Outside
they could hear Blowitz pacing up and down on the rocky shore.

"Well, what do you fellows say?" he asked.

"I'd like the trip," said Ned, wistfully.

"The money is a large sum," added Bob.

"Then you want to go?" asked Jerry. "I'll do just what ever you do.
I'll tell him we'll go."

"No! Don't!" cried Nellie in a tense whisper. "Jerry-- boys-- don't
have anything to do with this man. He may be all right, but there's
something mysterious about him. Why should he want to hire you when,
for the same money, or less, he could get a company of fishermen, who
know these waters well, to make the search? Take a girl's reason, for
once, and don't have anything to do with him!"