"I will."
"When?"
"As soon as you wish, and we can get train accommodations."
"Hadn"t we better wait until we hear from Luke?" suggested Roger.
"No, let us get off at once!" exclaimed Dave. "If he sends word after we are gone, it can be forwarded to us." And so it was arranged.
Great was the surprise of the Wadsworths and of Laura when the boys and Dunston Porter announced that they were going to start for Florida the next morning.
"Why, Dave?" asked Jessie. "Why are you going in such a hurry?"
"Oh, I hardly care to tell, Jessie," he answered. "It may prove only a wild goose chase."
"It is about the missing jewels?"
"Yes."
"Then you are after Merwell and Jasniff."
"Yes, but please don"t tell any outsiders."
"Oh, Dave, don"t get into any trouble!" cried the girl, as she clung to him. "They are such bad fellows! You know what they have done to you in the past!"
"I am not afraid of them."
"Oh, I know how brave you are, Dave! But-but don"t let them harm you-for my sake, please!" And then the tears came into her eyes and she hid her face on his arm.
"There! there! don"t worry!" he said, as he bent over her, and then he kissed her forehead. "We"ll be back before long," and he gave her a little hug. Then the others came in.
Laura was also worried, but glad that her uncle would be along. She helped Dave to pack his suit-case. Phil and Roger also packed up, and sent word home regarding the proposed trip. As my old readers know, all the boys were well-to-do, so the expenses did not bother them.
At breakfast time the following morning came a telegram from Luke Watson. It read as follows:
"The hotel was the Castor. Think schooner was the _Emma Brown_, or _Black_, or _Jones_. Common name."
"Well, that isn"t very definite, but it is something to work on,"
remarked Dunston Porter.
Soon the party of four were ready to start. There was a general hand-shaking and also a few kisses.
"Well, have a good time, even if you don"t catch those fellows," said Mrs. Wadsworth.
"Keep out of trouble," warned Laura.
"Yes, yes, don"t let them harm you," pleaded timid Jessie.
"And let us hear from you often," said Mr. Porter.
"I don"t know what to say about this," said Oliver Wadsworth, shaking his head, slowly. "But if you do get on the track of those jewels, leave no stone unturned to get them."
"Leave that to me, Mr. Wadsworth," said Dunston Porter. "If we find those young men have the gems-or had them-we"ll get them back, never fear." And he spoke in a tone that showed he meant what he said.
They went to the depot in the family sleigh. Ben had heard of their going away and was there to see them off. Soon the train rolled in that was to carry the travelers to New York City.
"Good-by!" cried the boys, as they clambered aboard the car.
"Good-by!" called Ben. "I wish you luck." And then the girls waved their hands, and the train moved off, slowly at first and then faster and faster, until Crumville was left behind.
"It"s a great trip they are taking," said Ben, to Laura and Jessie.
"Wish I was going along."
"Why didn"t you go?" questioned Laura.
"Oh, I"ve got some things to do at home," answered Ben. He did not care to add that his father did not wish to stand the extra expense. Mr.
Ba.s.swood was fairly well-to-do, but thought he was spending enough on his son by sending him to boarding-school.
The sleigh was about to drive off when the station agent came running out, waving a yellow envelope.
"Is Mr. Wadsworth here?" he questioned, of Jessie.
"No, Mr. Mack, my father went to business. What is it, a telegram?"
"Yes,-something very important too."
"Then give it to me and I will take it to him at once."
"I could send it, but--"
"Never mind. Here, I will sign for it," and Jessie did so. Then the whip cracked and the horses started for the jewelry works on a gallop.
When Jessie handed the telegram to her father he opened it and read the contents eagerly. His face lit up.
"This is good news!" he cried. "Good news! I must go to Boston at once."
"Have they found the jewels?" questioned his daughter.
"The detective thinks he has located them. Yes, I must go at once." And Mr. Wadsworth hurried off to prepare for the journey.
CHAPTER XV-SOMETHING ABOUT WHITE MICE
Dunston Porter and the boys were to go to New York City and there transfer to Jersey City for the train bound South. All had comfortable seats together.