"Ha! he is snoring loudly--he is fast asleep," he thought, not noticing that two persons were in the stateroom instead of one, for the German in the upper berth happened just then to be silent.
In the dim light the French Canadian made out a valise standing on the floor and grabbed it hastily. Then he came away, shutting the door behind him.
"I haf eet!" he whispered. "Come!" And he almost ran for the stateroom assigned to him and Hammerditch. Once inside, the pair secured the door and then turned up the light.
"It's a mighty rusty-looking bag," was the Englishman's comment. "Have you got the key?"
Soon the valise was opened, and out tumbled a few articles of dirty underwear and a pair of embroidered slippers.
"I don't see any map!" exclaimed Hammerditch, in disgust.
"'Tis ze wrong bag!" groaned the French Canadian. "See, ze clothing is too big for a boy, and so are ze slippers."
"You've made a mess of it," answered his companion. "Better take that bag back or there'll be a jolly row all for nothing."
Much crestfallen, Le Fevre took the bag back. On his second visit he saw both Germans, and he retreated even more speedily than he had on his first trip to the stateroom.
"The cake is dough," announced Hammerditch. "But though we are foiled this time, we must get that map away from the boy, no matter at what cost."
Robert enjoyed his sleep, and did not awaken until after the _Arrow_ had tied up at the dock in Muskegon. He was just finishing his toilet when Mr. Porter opened his eyes.
"Ah, so you are ahead of me!" cried the hardware dealer, springing up. "Have we arrived?"
"For the depot. I am going to take a train for Timberville."
"I know the place and the route well. You cannot get a train for Timberville until eleven o'clock. Here is a time-table." And selecting one of several from his pocket, Mr. Porter passed it over.
A short examination showed Robert that his friend was right.
"It will give you time for breakfast and a chance to look around. Supposing we dine together?"
"Thank you! that will suit me first-rate."
In less than half an hour they had left the boat, and were walking up the main street of Muskegon. The gentleman knew the place well, and led the way to a substantial restaurant where a good meal could be had at a reasonable figure.