Page:The Secret of the Caves.djvu/138

in a while. As for having his shoelaces untied, he seems pretty sloppy anyway, and that would be only natural."

"Oh, yes, there's every chance in the world that Captain Royal is simply an eccentric old tar. I agree with you there. Just the same, we can't afford to overlook the chance that he might be Todham Todd."

"How are we going to find out?"

"If we asked him, he would deny it, certainly. But perhaps if we could talk to him and ask a few questions he might give himself away."

"If he has lost his memory he would not remember anything to give away."

"I hadn't thought of that," admitted Frank. "Still, my plan is worth trying, don't you think?"

"It certainly is. But do you think he'll talk to us at all, after what happened to-day?"

"Perhaps he's forgotten all about it by now. He might be as nice as pie if we went back."

"Yes, he seems a rather changeable old boy," laughed Joe. "And perhaps if he isn't around we might find some clue in that cave of his."

"Good idea. We'll make a try at it to-morrow."

"Do you think we should tell Chet and Biff?" asked Joe.

"I don't think so. Not just yet. After all, they don't know about the Todd affair, and if