The boys and Fido, over against the outspread feast, were arranging fishing tackle, and watching the return of the boat; with eyes of anticipation.

To them came the doctor.
"Where is your sister, Ransom ?" "I don't know." The tone meant, I don't care.
"I do not see her anywhere." "No more do I," said Ransom, without raising his eyes from his fishing line.
"Where is she ?" "I told you, I don't know." "Did she go with the fishing party ?" "No sir; she was here when we came," Alexander Fish spoke up.
"Yes, I remember she was here," said Preston.

"I remember seeing her.
She cannot be far off.

It's hot enough to keep people from straying far." The doctor, being not absolutely satisfied with this reasoning, and having nothing better to do, occupied himself with a search after the missing Daisy.

It lasted some time, and he was beginning to be not quite easy in his mind; when, being a sportsman, his eye detected something at a distance which was not moss nor stone.