Just then Captain Flint seemed to think of something suddenly.
“Look here,” he said, “I must go off at once to tell the police to stop making inquiries. I’ll take you across and drop you on your island.”
“You’ll come back for the shark steaks, won’t you?” said Susan.
“Shark?” said Roger. “Did you get a shark?”
“A walloper,” said Peggy.
“I’ll do my best,” said Captain Flint, “but don’t wait for me. I’ve got a long way to row. Come along.” He hove the big box on his shoulder and carried it to his boat. Roger was there before him, looking at a great green and white pike lying on the bottom boards.
“Did you catch him?”
“We caught him between us.”
“He’s nearly as big as the one I didn’t catch. There aren’t any like that in Houseboat Bay.”
“Who’s coming with me and who in Swallow ?” asked Captain Flint.
“I’m going with the shark,” said Roger.
“There’s room for you all,” said Captain Flint; “but someone ought to steer Swallow or she’ll be all over the place.”
“I’ll steer Swallow ,” said Titty, really because she wanted to be alone. She had had one idea firm in her head and had held to it when everyone thought she was wrong; and now, when everybody knew she had been right, just for a minute or two she did not want to do any talking.
Everybody else crowded into the big rowing boat. Captain Flint rowed in the bows, looking at his old cabin trunk with its ancient labels. Roger sat