“Well, boys,” began Frank producing the object he had taken from the visitor’s foot, “Arnold discovered the horse buried upside down in the sand on Petit Bois and he insisted on bringing the shell.”

“All as plain as mud,” shouted Arnold.  “I left the horseshoe crab shell in the forward cabin.  It must have got kicked about during the evening and left with the tail sticking straight up.  When this fellow came down the steps, he landed on it kerplunk.”

“Right-O!” declared Frank.  “At least,” he continued, “that’s my deduction.  If anyone has a better explanation, let him give it.”

None was offered, however, the boys seeming to agree that Arnold’s explanation had been correct.  They all waited to hear further from Frank.  He noticed their hesitation and continued: 

“I think it would be a good idea to go and interview this lad.  He looks to me like a tough customer here for no good.”

This suggestion met with instant approval.  The boys crowded forward eagerly.  One or two automatics were displayed.

“Hello, what’s this,” questioned Harry, picking up an object from the bunk beside the visitor who was lying on his side.

“Why, it’s a piece of raw meat,” he exclaimed.  “Where did that come from?  We haven’t any beef aboard, have we?”

“Not that I know of,” answered Arnold.  “It’s only a small piece.  Give it to Rowdy.  He needs a lunch.”

“Stop,” shouted Jack.  “Don’t give that to Rowdy.”

“Why not?” Arnold questioned in a surprised tone.

“Maybe this chap brought it aboard for that very purpose!”

“What a numbskull I am,” scolded Arnold.  “Here I might have killed our best friend.  I must get the habit of thinking.”

“How about it, friend?” queried Jack shaking the stranger by the shoulder.  “What have you got on the meat?”

“Nothing,” stoutly declared the newcomer, keeping his face turned toward the bulkhead.  “I have nothing on it.”

“I see,” scorned Jack.  “You intended to bring the meat aboard to use for a sandwich for yourself.  You were about to use our kitchenette for a while, then you would have gone on peaceably.”

No answer was vouchsafed to this sally and Jack continued: 

“You might as well make a clean breast of the whole matter.  We know you.  You were aboard our boat once before.  We are several gallons of gasoline short because of your kindness.  ’Fess up, now.”

“I guess I know a way to make him talk,” declared Frank.  “Come here until I suggest a method that I hope will be effective.”

Frank and Jack withdrew a little from the group about the berth holding the stranger.  After a moment’s consultation they returned and Jack again addressed the injured boy in a friendly tone: 

“Come, now, Carlos Madero, or whatever your name may be, we want to treat you right, but we’re going to have some information if we have to wring your neck to get it.  We don’t care about doing you any harm, especially since you’re already wounded, but you will have to explain your presence here at this hour of the night.  Why did you come aboard barefooted and unannounced?”