The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers' Island Part 7

It was not long afterward before a stranger approached the boys who were still seated and said, "One of you, I am afraid had a letter to-night which belonged to me."

"Yes, I guess we did," said Fred quickly, rising as he spoke. "My name is Fred b.u.t.ton and the clerk said that this letter was meant for Mr.

Ferdinand b.u.t.ton."

"That's my name," explained the stranger, "and the letter was for me. Did you read it?"

"I shall have to acknowledge that I did," answered Fred. "I didn't suspect until I had done that that it really belonged to any one else."

Somewhat confused by his confession Fred noted the bearing of the man before him more carefully.

It was plain to him now that the stranger was quiet in his manner, gentlemanly in his bearing and possessed of a quick intelligence that enabled him to perceive many a thing which his younger companions might have lost. The stranger was about thirty-five years of age and his bronzed face was nearly the color of that of the captain of the _Gadabout_.

"Have you been here long?" inquired John.

"I came this morning."

"I thought perhaps you had been on the lake--"

"I have been on the lake," interrupted the stranger. "Indeed, I spend much of my time on the lake. I am sorry you had the misfortune to receive this letter which apparently was meant for me."

"What makes you so sure it was for you?" inquired Fred laughingly. "It was signed 'American Brother' and was simply addressed 'Sir.' Perhaps it was meant for me after all."

"No, the letter is mine," said the man quietly and as he spoke the four boys were aware that he intended to retain possession of the perplexing missive.

That he was able to do so was manifest in the breadth of his shoulders and the evidences of strength which were apparent as he turned and walked away.

"Whew!" whispered Grant. "I guess that man could tell some stories if he wanted to."

"I hope he will want to," said George. "I know I want to hear them."

The conversation turned from the stranger who had claimed the letter to plans for the following day and then when two hours had elapsed all four boys, thoroughly tired by their experiences of the day, sought their rooms.

The following morning John was surprised when he first went down to the lobby to discover there his host of the preceding day.

At first John suspected that the man intended to ignore him, for he advanced toward him with outstretched hand to express his surprise at the unexpected meeting. The stranger, however, turned abruptly away. Abashed by the action John's face flushed and he watched the man when he slowly walked out to the piazza and seated himself near the entrance.

Turning to the clerk John said, "Who is that man?"

"I do not know," replied the clerk. "I have seen him here several times this summer."

"How many years have you been coming here?" broke in John.

"Fourteen."

"And you never saw this man until this summer?"

"No. Why?"

"Oh, nothing much. I just wanted to know. I had an idea somehow that he belonged to this part of the country and that perhaps he was here every summer."

"No, sir," answered the clerk. "This is the first summer he has shown up on Mackinac Island."

"You mean it is the first time he has shown up at your hotel," suggested John.

"No, I don't mean anything of the kind. I mean just what I say, that this is the first summer he has been seen on the island."

John said no more and turned away. He had decided that he would go out to the piazza and see if this mysterious man was still there. Was it possible that he had been mistaken? Was not this the man who had received them in his strange house on c.o.c.kburn Island the preceding day? If any questions concerning the ident.i.ty of the man remained in John's mind they were quickly dispelled when he glanced toward the dock and there saw the newcomer talking to the captain of the _Gadabout_.

At that moment the other three boys approached the place where John was standing and declaring that they were hungry demanded that he should at once go with them to the dining-room.

CHAPTER VI AN ADDITION TO THE PARTY

While the boys were seated in the dining-room they found Fred's namesake, as they now called Mr. b.u.t.ton, seated near them at a small table.

Apparently, however, he ignored their presence and paid no attention to what they were saying.

Convinced, that peculiar as the man's actions were they had nothing to fear from him, the boys soon gave their undivided attention to their breakfast and to discussing their plans for the coming day.

"It is agreed," said Fred, "that we are to go back to Drummond Island, isn't it?"

"That's right," said George. "We shan't get as early a start this morning but we ought to do as much as we did yesterday."

"I hope," said Grant, "that we shan't have any such storm."

"And I hope," joined in John, "that we don't have any more of these mysterious events that took us over to Canada and made us afraid there is somebody watching us."

"It's only a guilty conscience that is afraid," retorted Fred, "but we'll go to Drummond Island and the sooner we can get started the better it will be. We're late as it is."

When the boys departed from the dining-room they stopped together on the piazza to discuss one or two further details in connection with their proposed trip.

To their surprise Mr. Ferdinand b.u.t.ton approached the group and said, "Pardon me, but did I understand you to say that you were going to Drummond Island?"

"Yes, sir," said Fred promptly.

"I chanced to overhear your remarks while I was at breakfast and I thought perhaps you might be willing to give me a lift."

"Do you want to go there?" asked John.

"Near there," said the stranger quietly. "I find there isn't another motor-boat to be had. I am going to take a skiff and my man and if you can find a place for us on board your motor-boat I shall gladly bear my part of the expense and also appreciate your courtesy very much."

"Of course you can come," said Fred quickly.

"I shall not trouble you about coming back. I may not be ready to come when you are, or I may want to come before you do. In either event, I want to pay for my share of the _Gadabout_ for the day."

"We'll talk about that later," said Fred. "Are you ready to start?"