“I’d like to go on that trip to Australia,” said Baxter, thinking of his distant relative.  “Do you want a passenger?”

“I’ll see about it, my hearty,” replied Jack Lesher, and on the following day said that Captain Blossom would take him for an even hundred dollars.  A bargain was struck at once, and Dan Baxter went on board of the schooner Golden Wave that afternoon.

“I’m glad I am out of it,” he told himself, when snug on board of the craft.  “I’ll get to Australia after all, and I’m considerably richer than I thought I would be.  More than that, I’ve got in on those Rover boys in a way they won’t forget in a hurry.”

While the detectives looked for the thief, the boys had small heart to go sight-seeing.  Every time they, went out they looked for Dan Baxter.

“If only I could meet him!” cried Tom.  “Oh, but wouldn’t I just punch him good before I passed him over to a policeman.”

During those days the lads received several letters from home, and also three communications from the Stanhopes and the Lanings.

“The Stanhopes have gone to Santa Barbara,” announced Dick, after perusing an epistle from Dora.  “And she says her mother is slightly better.”

“Nellie Laning is coming out, and so is Grace,” said Tom.

“When?” questioned Dick.

“They have already started, according to the letter I have,” put in Sam.  “Boys, I think we can have just the jolliest time ever was when the girls are all together.”

“Right you are,” came from Tom.  “What a pity we had to have that robbery to darken our fun.”

“I am not going to let it darken my fun,” said Dick.  “Don’t worry but what some day we’ll get the best of Dan Baxter.  That stolen stuff will never do him much good.”

The very next morning came word from the detectives.  One of them called at the hotel.

“I am afraid the case is queered,” said he.  “We tracked the rascal to Oakland, and now it looks as if he had given us the slip for good.”

“Can’t you find any trace of him?” questioned Sam.

“Oh, yes! but he has shipped on a vessel which is bound for Australia, and as she is already two days out of port he is out of our reach.”

“You are certain he went on that vessel?” cried Tom.

“Yes.  He went as a passenger, under the name of Robert Brown.”

“And did he take the jewels and money with him?”

“More than likely.  At any rate, we can find no trace of the jewels.”

“Then that chase is done for,” said Dick, “and we shall have to pocket our loss.”

The detective was chagrined to think that he had tracked Dan Baxter only to lose him, and promised to see if anything more could be done in the matter.

But nothing could be done, as there was no telling when the Golden Wave would arrive at Australia, and what port the craft would first make.

“We have seen the last of Dan Baxter,” said Sam.