noon
The next morning brought still no change in the condition of Clodis . He was alive , breathing feebly , and Dr. Cosgrove was attempting to ward off an attack of brain fever . Through the forenoon Joe was kept rather busy sending messages ashore to the authorities , for Powell Seaton , though not leaving the island , was waging a determined campaign to get hold of Dalton . `` I do n't need Dalton , particularly , '' confessed Mr. Seaton , as he sat with the three motor boat boys at the noon meal . `` But it would be worth a very great deal of money to get back the papers that Dalton must have stolen after assaulting my sick friend , yonder , on board the ` Constant . ' '' `` Do you -- do you know -- what was in the stolen papers ? '' asked Captain Tom Halstead , hesitatingly .