"It is hard to get ahead of a boy," he said to himself.
It was late that afternoon when Captain Horn, with Ralph and the two ladies, were standing on the rocks in the inner apartment, trying to persuade themselves that they were having a cosey cup of tea together, when suddenly a scrambling sound of footsteps was heard, and Maka dashed through the two adjoining apartments and appeared before them.

Instantly the captain was on his feet, his gun, which had been lying beside him, in his hand.

Up sprang the others, mute, with surprise and fear on their faces.

Maka, who was in a state of great excitement, and seemed unable to speak, gasped out the one word, "Gone!" "What do you mean ?" cried the captain.
Maka ran back toward the passage, and pointed inward.

Instantly the captain conjectured what he meant.