Hardee."
"Yes, I'm that boy," said the other, slowly. "Oh, I hope your folks
won't be very mad at me. I--I didn't know what to do, so when I ran
away, I hid on your boat."
"And have you been here ever since?" asked Bert.
"Yes," answered Will. "I've been hiding here ever since."
"And was it you who took the things?" Harry wanted to know.
"Yes, I took them. I was half starved. But I'll pay you back as soon
as I get out west, where my uncle lives. He's a gold miner, and I
guess he's got lots of money. Oh, I hope your father and mother will
forgive me."
"Of course they will," said Bert, seeing tears in the eyes of the
ragged boy.
"What's the matter there?" called Mr. Bobbsey. "Has anything happened,
Bert?"
"Yes," answered Bert. "We've solved the mystery--Harry and I."
"Solved the mystery!" cried Mr. Bobbsey. "I'll be right there."
"Oh, what can it be?" his wife asked.
Meanwhile, Captain White, Dinah and the little Bobbsey twins had been
awakened by the loud voices. Up on deck Snap, the dog, feeling that
something was wrong, was barking loudly.
"I--I hope the dog doesn't get me!" said Will, looking about.
"I won't let him hurt you," promised Bert. "So it was you, hiding in
the closet that made Snap act so funny?" he asked. "He knew you were
there."
"Yes, only I wasn't in the closet all the while.
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