"You mean to search his valise for the map?"
"A good idea. We must work the plan, by all means," replied Hammerditch.
In the meantime Robert had gone to the bow of the boat and was enjoying the sea breeze.
Presently the clerk of the boat came up, followed by two burly Germans.
"I believe this is Mr. Robert Frost," said the clerk.
"That's my name," answered Robert, wondering what was wanted.
"These gentlemen are brothers and desire a stateroom together," explained the clerk. "If you do not mind I would like to put you in stateroom No. 50, along with a very nice gentleman named Porter, and give these gentlemen No. 45. Otherwise I will have to put one of them with you and one with Mr. Porter. They prefer to be together."
"It vill pe a great favor," said one of the Germans politely.
"All right, I would just as lief go in with the gentleman you mentioned," answered Robert.
"All right then, that's settled," said the clerk. "Mr. Frost, I will have your baggage transferred, if you will give me your key."
"I will transfer the baggage myself and take a look at the other stateroom," rejoined Robert.
Our hero and the clerk went below, and Robert took his bag to stateroom No. 50, which was better than the other. Mr. Porter sat outside of the door reading a newspaper, and the clerk introduced the pair. The stranger proved to be a Chicago hardware merchant on his way into Michigan on a business trip.
"I am glad to know you," he said, smiling pleasantly. "I hate to travel alone when there is the chance of an agreeable companion."
"Thank you! I think I can say the same," replied Robert, with a smile.
The boy retired at ten o'clock, and Mr. Porter with him. Soon Robert was sound asleep.
The Germans had gone to bed early, and both were in the land of dreams and snoring lustily when Jean Le Fevre and Hammerditch stole up to the door of stateroom 45.
"This is the one," whispered the French Canadian. "I was lucky to get the pincers, hey?"
"Hush, make no noise, the boy may be awake," said the Englishman, warningly.
While Hammerditch stood on guard Le Fevre inserted a small pincers in the key-hole of the door and managed to turn the key, which was stuck in from the other side.
Then the Frenchman opened the door several inches.