The captain went back to the boat in a very thoughtful mood.  The offer of the reward placed the whole affair in a new light now.  One hundred dollars!  It was just what the scouts needed to help them, and it would be money well earned, at that.  What a pity to let others win the reward after what he and the boys had done.

All the scouts except Rod had gone home, and this was for the best.  The captain did not want too many around lest they should spoil the plan he had in his mind.  Making the Roaring Bess fast to the wharf, he and Rod boarded the motorboat and started for home.  It took them only a few minutes to reach the shore, and they surprised Mrs. Britt as she was lighting the kitchen fire.

“Stay and have breakfast with us, Rodney,” was her friendly invitation, after the captain had briefly related their experience on the island.  “You must be hungry after such an adventure.”

Rod was only too willing to remain, and during the meal they discussed all that had taken place during the night.

“We must take those rascals ourselves,” the captain remarked.  “It would never do to allow the police to come here and land them after we have done the rounding up.”

“But how will we do it?” Rod enquired.  “Maybe they carry revolvers.  Won’t they shoot us down if we go near them?”

“Leave that to me, lad,” and the captain smiled as his eyes roved to a rifle standing in a corner of the room.  “But come, we haven’t any time to lose.  I imagine the police are on their way now.  It will take them from one and a half to two hours to run up from the city.  It all depends upon what kind of a boat they’ve got.  I expect it will be a fast one, though, fer they can’t afford to dilly-dally.”

With nothing to tow now, it did not take them long to reach the island.  They landed near where the scouts had camped during the night, and pulling the boat well up on the shore, they made their way to the place where they had left the robbers.  The captain went ahead, while Rod followed close at his heels.  The boy’s heart was beating fast now, for he knew that a great adventure was soon to take place.  He felt proud that the captain had chosen him for this important undertaking, and he was determined not to show the least sign of fear no matter what happened.

As they approached the place they advanced most cautiously, bending low, and stepping softly so as not to make the slightest noise.  Reaching the big rock, they crouched behind it for a few seconds, and listened.  Hearing nothing, the captain peered carefully over the edge.  Drawing quickly back, he motioned to Rod not to make the least sound.

“They’re jist wakin’ up,” he whispered, “and there’s bound to be trouble when they find their boat gone.”

This was exactly what happened.  Soon the voices of the men were heard in an excited conversation.  The captain again looked upon them from his concealed position and saw them straining their eyes in an effort to locate their boat.