"When I met Blowitz I accused him of cheating me, and I claimed the
brig, when she should be found. He wanted to argue with me, and talked
of seeing lawyers, but I knew I was right. Then he asked me to meet
him on the clips to-night, to talk matters over. He said we might get
some news of the ship from the captain of a fishing smack.
"Rather foolishly I consented to meet him, and talk the thing over. We
quarreled, and he attacked me, with what result you saw. He pushed me
over the cliff, and fled, leaving me, I suppose he thought, for dead.
"Now what I am going to ask of you boys is this: Will you go with me
in your motor boat and search for the brig? Wait; do not give me an
answer now. I think I can prove to you that I have a right to the
abandoned ship, and I will pay you well for your time and trouble.
Better than Blowitz offered to. But do not decide in a hurry. I must
get in a little better shape myself, and then I have some arrangements
to make. But I hope you will decide to go. Of course, if you don't
care to, I can hire some one else, but I would rather have you boys.
Now you can go home and think it over, and let me know at your
leisure."
The boys did not know what to say. Events had happened so rapidly that
they did not exactly understand all of them. They realized, however,
that they had another chance to go on a cruise on the Pacific, in the
Ripper, and they felt that they ought to take advantage of it, and aid
Mr. De Vere.
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