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The Mystery of Cabin Island · Chapter

XX: When Rogues Fall Out explained

Hanleigh meets with Tad Carson and Ike Nash, demanding they take him to Cabin Island.

What happens

Hanleigh meets with Tad Carson and Ike Nash, demanding they take him to Cabin Island. The youths suspect his motives and demand a larger payment, threatening to inform Mr. Jefferson. Hanleigh feigns agreement but later decides to outwit them by stealing their iceboat and going to the island alone in a snowstorm.

Themes in this chapter

  • Deception and Greed

    Hanleigh deceives Carson and Nash by agreeing to their demands, then plans to steal their iceboat to avoid payment.

  • Secrecy and Hidden Treasure

    Hanleigh's secretive visits to Cabin Island and the youths' suspicion of a hidden motive or treasure.

Characters to notice

  • Mr. Hanleigh

    Plans to go to Cabin Island alone after being blackmailed by Carson and Nash.

  • Tad Carson

    One of the youths who confronts Hanleigh and demands more money.

  • Ike Nash

    The other youth who joins Carson in pressuring Hanleigh for a larger payment.

Key passages

  • A hundred dollars! he exclaimed. The young pups! Thought they could make a fool out of me. Well, they'll have to get up in the middle of the night to get ahead of me. By the time they get wise to themselves I'll be at the island and back, and I won't pay for the privilege either.

    Hanleigh scoffs at the demand for a hundred dollars, planning to outsmart the youths by leaving early and stealing their iceboat.

    Hanleigh's internal monologue reveals his deceitful plan to avoid payment.

  • If you're up to something crooked, we're running the risk of being arrested for helping you. We won't take a chance like that for ten dollars each.

    Carson and Nash suspect Hanleigh's activities are illegal and demand more money to compensate for the risk.

    The youths express their suspicion and use it as leverage for higher payment.