“I want to tell you boys something,” said the girl, in almost a whisper, and not noticing what Fred had proposed.  “I-I am afraid something is going to happen.”

“What’s that?” asked Songbird, and all three youths looked at Dora anxiously.

“I was just up near the bow of the boat, and I overheard Mr. Carey, the mate, talking to Mr. Bossermann, the assistant engineer.  You know I don’t like those men a bit.”

“None of us do,” said Fred.

“Didn’t ve haf a quarrel mid both of dem,” added Hans.

“They were so in earnest that they did not notice me,” continued Dora.  “I was going to walk away when I saw them, but then I overheard the name of Walt Wingate and I turned back to learn what they were saying about that bad man.  It seems both the mate and the assistant engineer have been talking to Wingate, and Wingate has made them an offer.”

“Does Wingate want his liberty?” questioned Fred.

“Yes, and he wants more—­he wants the mate and the assistant engineer to help him to defeat Mr. Rover’s plan to get the treasure.  He told Mr. Carey and Mr. Bossermann that if they would aid him he was sure Sid Merrick would reward them handsomely.”

“And what did Carey and Bossermann say to that?” asked Songbird eagerly.

“They said they’d like to talk it over with Sid Merrick.”

“The scoundrels!” vociferated Fred.  “Talk it over with Merrick!  We ought to put ’em, both in irons!”

“I wanted to hear more, but they walked away and I was afraid to follow them,” continued Dora.  “I thought I had better tell you and perhaps you’d know what to do.  I didn’t want to worry mother or my aunt.”

“We ought to let Captain Barforth know of this at once,” said Songbird.

“Chust vot I say,” said Hans.  “Der better der quicker.”

“How can you let him know?”

“One of us might row ashore,” said Fred.  “The others ought to stay behind to watch affairs.”

“I’ll go ashore,” said Songbird promptly.

“You’ll have to have one of the sailors row you.”

“I know it.  I can take Hollbrook, he’s a pretty decent sort of chap and I know he can row well.”

The fishing lines were wound up, and without delay Songbird presented himself to Asa Carey.

He and the others had agreed to say nothing to the mate about what Dora had over heard.

“Mr. Carey, I wish to go ashore,” he said.  “Can I have Hollbrook row me to the beach?”

“Go ashore?” growled the mate.  “I didn’t know anybody else was going.”

“Well, I’ve just made up my mind to go.  Can Hollbrook take me in one of the small boats?”

“Why didn’t you go when Captain Barforth went?”

“I didn’t think of it then.”

“I don’t know that I can spare Hollbrook,” grumbled the mate.  He was eyeing Songbird in a suspicious manner.

“He doesn’t seem to be doing anything just now.”