Between the thunder-claps they could hear afar in the mountains a low and ominous moaning, but even Sleuth turned no backward glance toward the black sky that seemed to shut down perpendicularly not far beyond the white cross that marked Lovers’ Leap. As yet, although the surface of the lake was broken and dark, there seemed little wind, save occasional puffing blasts of short duration.
So intent were they upon their own business that it was some time before they perceived the small white sail of a boat somewhat to the right of their course. With each wind gust the sail filled and dipped, but between the puffs it was barely taut, and the boat, a tiny, punt-like affair, was moving slowly. Only one person could be seen, and he sat in the stern of the boat, steering.
“That gent sure better hustle some,” observed Grant, “unless he’s anxious to get a proper ducking. If he has oars, he’s foolish not to use them. We’re traveling twice as fast as he is, and we’ll soon be passing him.”
“A fellow might think him dud-deaf and dud-dumb and blind,” said Springer. “If he hears or sees the storm, he’s a chump not to get a move on.”
Piper opened his lips to make a remark, but a jagged, hissing spurt of lightning caused him to duck involuntarily and hold his breath, awaiting the thunder that must follow. It came, crashing and flung back in reverberations from the mountains, and Sleuth shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.
“Next time I visit Spirit Island,” he declared, “I shall take special pains to make sure there’s no thunderstorm on tap.”
“Nun-next time!” scoffed Phil. “I’ll bet there isn’t money enough to hire you to go there again.”
“Speak for yourself, my friend,” retorted Sleuth, “and judge not the courage of others by your own cowardice.”
“Cowardice! Bah! You were sus-scared almost stiff.”
The moaning sound was growing louder and more distinct, changing gradually but swiftly to a suppressed, smothered roar. The black sky seemed to close over Lovers’ Leap and blot it out. The rain was coming, a few drops of the advance guard pattering around the canoe, in which the two paddle-wielders continued to exercise the full strength of their arms.
They had been seen by Crane and Stone, both of whom were now standing well out upon the point, watching them with no small anxiety.