But on the sly he shook his fist at both Tom and Sam.
"Maybe we had better make sure that nobody else is around," suggested Shelley, who had been Merrick's best aide in the capture.
"All right, look around if you want to," was Merrick's reply.

"I am pretty certain these boys are alone here--although more persons from the steam yacht may be ashore." They looked around, but, of course, found nobody else.

Then Dick, Tom and Sam were tied in a row to three trees which were handy.

Merrick took possession of their single weapon.
"I don't want you to hurt yourselves with it," he said, grimly.
"Merrick, this is a high handed proceeding," said Dick, when the gag was removed from his mouth.
"No more so than was your statement of owning the isle," was the answer.
"What are you going to do with us ?" "Nothing." "I must say I don't understand you." "What should I do with you?
I don't enjoy your company.

I am here solely to get that treasure, as you must know.