“That’s all right,” said Jerry.  “We were coming ashore anyhow.”

“You were?  What for?” and Blowitz looked sharply at the boys.  “Oh, I suppose you saw me and wanted to tell me you would accept my offer—­ but excuse me, perhaps the young ladies—­”

“Oh, we have told them of it,” answered Ned.  “You can speak before them.”

“All right then.  I was going to say perhaps you came in after seeing me, to tell me you had accepted my offer and would search for the derelict.  Is that it?”

“Well, we hadn’t quite decided,” replied Jerry.

“What!  Not decided!” exclaimed Blowitz.  “Why I want you to start at once—­ or—­ that is—­ to-morrow morning.  I have just received news that makes it important that the search begin at once.  I am depending on you.  You will go at once, won’t you?  Come, I’ll increase my offer,” he said.  “I’ll pay you two thousand dollars for your time and trouble, stand all expenses, and, if you find the brig, and tow her in, I’ll give you three thousand dollars.  That’s a fair offer.  Now you can start to-morrow morning, can’t you, boys?”

“I don’t know,” began Jerry, slowly.

“Isn’t that money enough?” and Blowitz seemed much excited.

“Oh, yes, the offer is a very good one.  But I think we should consult with some one—­ We—­”

“No, there is no need of consulting with any one,” interrupted Blowitz.  “I have the papers all made out.  We can go before a notary-public to-night, for it is not late yet, and sign them, and you can start by to-morrow noon.  What do you say?  Will you go?”

It was a hard question to decide.  The trip was alluring to the boys, even had there been no prize money connected with it.  But there was something about Blowitz that made them hesitate.  His very eagerness to have them start, almost at once, made them feel there was something queer back of it all.  Still they had undertaken, before this, more difficult and risky tasks.  Why not this one?

“Well, I must have your answer soon,” said Blowitz, approaching nearer to the boat.

“Will you wait just a moment?” asked Jerry.  “My chums and I will go in the cabin and talk it over.  We’ll let you know right away.”

“I’ll wait five minutes,” said the man.  “Time is precious to me.  I have lots to do.  But I know you’ll go.  I’ll raise the offer five hundred dollars.  Now, that’s the best I can do.  But you must start as soon as possible to-morrow.”

“Come in here,” called Jerry to his chums, entering the small cabin, where the three girls had already gone as they did not wish to seem to listen to the talk between Blowitz and the boys.

Jerry closed the sliding doors, and, by the light of a small lantern which hung from the cabin ceiling, looked at his companions.  Outside they could hear Blowitz pacing up and down on the rocky shore.

“Well, what do you fellows say?” he asked.

“I’d like the trip,” said Ned, wistfully.