It won't look as if we had anything to do with the Digby kid--in case things do go wrong." So it was agreed that Hank was to be landed in a small cove a few miles farther down the coast, from which it was a short cut across country to the neighborhood of the Digby farm.
Then he was to waylay the first likely-looking messenger and entrust the note which Jack had read to him for delivery.

After that he was to spend the time as best he could in suitable seclusion, and after dark conceal himself near the sign-post.

He was not to make any attempt to secure the money if any one hovered about the place, but if the coast was clear he was to go boldly in and take it.
Hank was landed at the spot agreed upon, a short time later, and the other three then resumed their journey for the hydroplane's home port.
As they turned seaward Jack pointed mockingly to Topsail Island, which lay a short distance on their port bow.
"I'll bet there's plenty going on there right now," he grinned.
"Right you are," assented Bill.
"Hullo," he added hastily the next moment; "what's that ?" He pointed toward the island, and the occupants of the homing hydroplane saw, slowly rising from it in the still air, four straight columns of blue smoke.
"Looks like a signal of some kind," suggested Jack after a scrutiny.
"It's coming from about the place where we grabbed the kid," added Bill, a note of apprehension in his voice.
"I wonder what it signifies ?" demanded Jack, whose face began to bear a somewhat troubled look.
"I can tell you," said Sam shortly, turning round from the wheel.
"You can ?" "Yes." "Well, hurry up, then--what does it mean ?" Jack spoke sharply at Sam's deliberation.
"It means," said Sam slowly, as if he wanted every word to sink in, "that the Boy Scouts have picked up your trail.".