"She couldn't have landed there." "Nonsense!" cried Archy angrily.

"Absurd! Who ever heard of a phantom lobster-boat ?" Dick shook his head, and then sat playing with the handle of his oar.
"You Dick," cried Archy, "you're a goose! There, it will not be safe to land, my lads.

Here, you two jump ashore as we back in.

Mind, just as the sea's off the ledge; and run up and have a good look round." The boat was turned, backed in, and, seizing the right moment, the men jumped on to the rock just as the water was only ankle-deep, had a good search round, and came back, to be picked up again safely, though the boat was within an ace of being capsized.
But they had seen nothing.

There was no boat, and they searched along some distance east, turned back to the ledge and went west, still without elucidation of the mystery; then they went as close under the cliffs as they dared go, in the hope of finding some cavern or passage through the rocks that escaped notice from outside.
All in vain, and, obeying the signal now flying on the cutter, the boat was rowed back.
"Well, Mr Raystoke, where's the boat ?" "Don't know, sir.