let us out of here!" cried Betty, stamping her foot.

She looked around as though for some weapon with which to enforce her
orders, and the woman evidently guessed this, for she chuckled grimly.

"You can't have your own way here," she said, with a grin that showed
her almost toothless gums. "My man is captain of this boat, and out at
sea, you know, the captain has to be obeyed."

"Oh, are you going to take us out to sea?" gasped Amy. "Please don't!
I'll do anything if you will release us. See, I have money," and she
brought out a little gold purse from a skirt pocket. At the sight of the
gleaming metal the crone's eyes glittered.

"Don't be afraid," she said. "You won't be harmed. All we want to know
is----"

A knock interrupted her. She glided quickly between Betty and Amy and
the door was opened a crack. Betty had a wild idea of forcing her way
out, but she had a glimpse of two rough looking men through the opening,
and she dared not approach. There was a whispered talk between the old
woman and one of the men.

Then, in an instant the old crone slipped out, and the door was locked
again, leaving Betty and Amy alone in the cabin.

"Oh--oh!" cried Amy, and a moment later she was sobbing in the strong
arms of Betty.

Meanwhile Allen and Henry had come out from the fisherman's cottage,
having satisfied themselves, by a quick search, that no one was in the
upper story, or down in the cellar.

"They were here, though," Allen said.

"Yes, my sister's handkerchief proves that," agreed his chum. "Now we
must go back to the others."

"But Grace and Mollie will have a fit when they know we haven't found
Betty and Amy."

"It can't be helped. There has been some mix-up somewhere. I have an
idea, but I won't spring it now. Come on."

They hurried back to where the motor boat had been left.

"Were they there?" asked Grace, eagerly.

"Yes, they--_were_," said Allen, slowly. "But they've gone home."

"How do you know that?" asked Henry in a low voice.

"I don't know it!" came the reply in a whisper. "But we've got to
pretend that until we find it isn't so. I'm hoping it is, though. You
see," he went on, aloud, "we found they had been there. Amy dropped her
handkerchief."

"But where are they now?" demanded Mollie.

"They probably hurried back to the cottage."

"But without coming to tell us?" objected Grace.

"They probably had no time," said Allen. "My idea is," he went on,
speaking rapidly so he would no