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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Frank and Andy Afloat, by Vance Barnum
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Frank and Andy Afloat
+       The Cave on the Island
+
+
+Author: Vance Barnum
+
+
+
+Release Date: October 21, 2006  [eBook #19601]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK AND ANDY AFLOAT***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Al Haines
+
+
+
+FRANK AND ANDY AFLOAT
+
+Or
+
+The Cave on the Island
+
+by
+
+VANCE BARNUM
+
+Author of "Frank and Andy at Boarding School," "Frank and Andy in a
+Winter Camp," "The Joe Strong Series."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Whitman Publishing Co.
+Racine, Wisconsin
+Copyright, 1921, by
+George Sully & Company
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER
+
+      I. HIT BY A WHALE
+     II. THE WRECKED MOTOR BOAT
+    III. THE BOY'S RESCUE
+     IV. "WHO ARE YOU?"
+      V. SEEKING THE WRECK
+     VI. CHET SEDLEY'S STYLE
+    VII. A LIVELY CARGO
+   VIII. ANDY IS CAUGHT
+     IX. "THAR SHE BLOWS!"
+      X. A RIVAL CLAIM
+     XI. A FIRE ON BOARD
+    XII. THE STRANGER AGAIN
+   XIII. A MIDNIGHT SCARE
+    XIV. THE WRECK AGAIN
+     XV. ORDERED BACK
+    XVI. ON THE SEARCH
+   XVII. ON CLIFF ISLAND
+  XVIII. "THERE HE IS!"
+    XIX. IN THE CAVE
+     XX. THE RISING TIDE
+    XXI. DEATH IS NEAR
+   XXII. THE STORM
+  XXIII. TO THE RESCUE
+   XXIV. THE ESCAPE
+    XXV. A LUCKY QUARREL
+   XXVI. THE PRISONER
+  XXVII. SEARCHING THE WRECK
+ XXVIII. BUILDING A RAFT
+   XXIX. "SAIL HO!"
+    XXX. THE ACCUSATION--CONCLUSION
+
+
+
+
+FRANK AND ANDY AFLOAT
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+HIT BY A WHALE
+
+"How about a race to the dock, Frank?"
+
+"With whom, Andy?"
+
+"Me, of course.  I'll beat you there--loser to stand treat for the ice
+cream sodas.  It's a hot day."
+
+"Yes, almost too warm to do any speeding," and Frank Racer, a lad of
+fifteen, with a quiet look of determination on his face, rested on the
+oars of his skiff, and glanced across the slowly-heaving salt waves
+toward his brother Andy, a year younger.
+
+"Oh, come on!" called Andy, with a laugh rippling over his tanned face.
+"You're afraid I'll beat you."
+
+"I am, eh?" and there was a grim tightening of the older lad's lips.
+"Well, if you put it that way, here goes!  Are you ready?"
+
+"Just a minute," pleaded Andy, and he moved over slightly on his seat
+in order better to trim the boat.  He took a tighter grip on the oars,
+and nodded toward his brother, still with that tantalizing smile on his
+face.
+
+"Let her go!" he called a moment later, adding: "I can taste that
+chocolate soda now, Frank!  Yum-yum!"
+
+"Better save your breath for rowing," counseled Frank good-naturedly,
+as he bent to the ashen blades with a will.
+
+The two boats--for each of the Racer lads had his own craft--were on a
+line, and were headed for a long dock that ran out into the quiet inlet
+of the Atlantic which washed the shores of the little settlement known
+as Harbor View, a fishing village about thirty miles from New York.
+
+"Wow!  Here's where I put it all over you by about six lengths!"
+boasted Andy Racer, paying no attention to his brother's well-meant
+advice, and then the two lads got into the swing of the oars, and the
+skiffs fairly leaped over the waves that rolled in long swells.
+
+Both boys having spent nearly all their summer vacations at the coast
+resort, which was something of a residence place for summer colonists,
+as well as a fishing centre, were expert oarsmen, sturdy and capable of
+long exertion.  They were nearly matched in strength, too, in spite of
+the difference in their ages.  They had taken a long, leisurely row
+that summer morning and were on their way back when Andy proposed the
+race.
+
+"Row!  Row!  Why don't you put some speed in your strokes, Frank?"
+called the younger brother.
+
+"That's all right--you won't want to do any speeding by the time you
+get to the dock," and Frank glanced over his shoulder to where the
+public dock stretched out into the bay like some long water-snake.
+"It's nearly two miles there, and the swell is getting heavier."
+
+Frank spoke quickly, and then relapsed into silence.  It was
+characteristic of him to do whatever he did with all his might, while
+his more fun-loving brother sometimes started things and then left off,
+saying it was "too much trouble."
+
+For a time Andy's skiff was in the lead, and then, as he found the
+exertion too much, he eased up in his strokes, and lessened the number
+of them.
+
+"I thought you were going it a bit too heavy," remarked Frank, with a
+smile.
+
+"Oh, you get out!" laughed Andy.  "I'll beat you yet.  But I like your
+company, that's why I let you catch up to me."
+
+"Oh, yes!" answered Frank, half sarcastically.  "But why don't you stop
+talking?  You can't talk and row, I've told you that lots of times.
+That's the reason you lost that race with Bob Trent last week--you got
+all out of breath making fun of him."
+
+"I was only trying to get him rattled," protested Andy.
+
+"Well, he got the race just by sticking to it.  But go on.  I don't
+care.  I'm going to win, but I don't want to take an unfair advantage
+of you."
+
+"Oh, lobsters!  I'm not asking for a handicap.  You never can beat me
+in a thousand years."  And, with a jolly laugh Andy began to sing:
+
+  "The stormy winds do blow--do blow,
+  And I a winning race will row--yo ho!
+  You'll come in last,
+  Your time is past,
+  Out on the briny deep, deep, deep!
+  Out on the briny deep!"
+
+
+"All right, have your way about it," assented Frank good naturedly.  "I
+can stand it if you can," and with that he increased his strokes by
+several a minute, until his skiff had shot ahead of his brother's, and
+was dancing over the waves that, now and then, brilliantly reflected
+the sun as it came from behind the fast-gathering clouds.
+
+"Oh, so you are really going to race?" called Andy, somewhat surprised
+by the sudden advantage secured by his brother.  "Well, two can play at
+that game," and he, also, hit up the pace until in front of both boats
+there was a little smother of foam, while the green, salty water
+swirled and sparkled around the blades of the broad ashen oars, for the
+boys did not use the spoon style.
+
+For perhaps two minutes both rowed on in silence, and it was so quiet,
+not a breath of wind stirring, that each one could hear the labored
+breathing of the other.  The pace was beginning to tell, for, though
+Frank was not over-anxious to make record time to the dock, he was not
+going to let his brother beat him, if he could prevent it.
+
+"I shouldn't wonder but what there'd be a storm," spoke Andy again,
+after a pause.  He couldn't keep quiet for very long at a time.
+
+"Um," was all the reply Frank made.
+
+"What's the matter; lost your tongue overboard?" questioned Andy with a
+chuckle.
+
+Frank did not reply.
+
+"I'm going to pass you," called the younger brother a moment later
+when, by extreme exertion, he had regained the place he had held, with
+the bow of his craft in line with Frank's.  Then Andy fairly outdid
+himself, for, though Frank was rowing hard, his brother suddenly shot
+ahead.
+
+"It's about time you did some rowing," was Frank's quiet remark, and
+then he showed that he still had some power in reserve, for he caught
+up to his brother, and held his place there with seeming ease, though
+Andy did not let up in the furious pace he had set.
+
+"Oh, what's the use of killing yourself?" at length the younger lad
+fairly panted.  "It's--it's farther than I thought."
+
+He began losing distance, but Frank, too, had no liking for the fast
+clip, so he, likewise, rowed slower until the two boats were on even
+terms, bobbing over the long ground swell that seemed to be getting
+heavier rapidly.
+
+From time to time one brother or the other glanced over his shoulder,
+not so much to set his course, for they could do that over the stern,
+having previously taken their range, but in order to note the aspect of
+the fast-gathering clouds which were behind them.
+
+The wind, which had died out shortly after they had started on their
+row that morning, now sprang up in fitful gusts, with a rather uncanny,
+moaning sound, as if it was testing its strength before venturing to
+develop into a howling storm.
+
+"Don't you think it's going to kick up a rumpus?" asked Andy, tired of
+keeping quiet.
+
+"Um," spoke Frank again, for his breath was needed to keep up his speed
+in the swells.
+
+"There you go again--old silent-face!" and Andy laughed to take the
+sting out of his words.  "Your tongue will get so tired being still so
+long that it won't know how to wiggle when you want it."
+
+Frank smiled, and glanced over his shoulder again.  He noted that the
+dock, which was their goal, was now a little more than half a mile
+distant.  He could see several fishing boats and other craft making for
+the more sheltered part of the harbor.  Frank was calculating the space
+yet to be covered, to decide when he should begin the final spurt, for,
+though the race was only a friendly one, such as he and his brother
+often indulged in, yet he wanted to win it none the less.  He decided
+that it would not do to hit up the pace to the limit just yet.
+
+"It's a heap sight longer than I thought it was," came from Andy, after
+a bit.  "What say we call it off?"
+
+"Not on your life!" exclaimed Frank vigorously.  "I'm going to finish
+whether you do or not--but you have to buy the sodas if I do."
+
+"I will not.  I'll finish, too, and I'll beat you."
+
+Once more came a period of silent rowing.  Then, whether it was because
+he pulled more strongly on one oar than on the other, or because of the
+drift of the current, and the effect of the wind, the younger lad
+suddenly found himself close to the boat of his brother.
+
+At that moment Frank had once more turned to look at the dock, and Andy
+could not resist the chance to play a little trick on him.  Skillfully
+judging the distance, he suddenly swept back his left oar, so that the
+flat blade caught the crest of a long roller and a salty spray flew in
+a shower over Frank.
+
+"What's that--rain?" Frank cried, turning quickly.
+
+He saw the laughing face of his brother, and guessed what had happened.
+
+"I thought this was a rowing race, not a splashing contest!" he cried
+good-naturedly.
+
+"It's both," was the answer.  Then, though Frank kept on vigorously
+swinging the oars, Andy paused, rested on the ashen blades, and,
+holding the handles of both under his left palm for a moment, he
+pointed out to sea with his right hand, and cried:
+
+"Look!  What's that out there, Frank?"
+
+"Oh, ho!  No you don't!  You don't catch me that way--pretending to
+show me a sea serpent!" objected the older lad.
+
+"No, really, there's something there--something big and humpy--it's
+moving, too!  Don't you see it?  Look, right in line with the Eastern
+Spit Lighthouse!  See!"
+
+Andy stood up in his boat, skillfully balancing himself against the
+rolling swell, and pointed out to sea.  His manner was so earnest that,
+in spite of the many times he had joked with his brother, Frank ceased
+rowing and peered to where the extended finger of the younger lad
+indicated something unusual.
+
+"Smoked star fish!  You're right!" agreed Frank, forgetting all about
+the race now, and standing up in his craft, in order to get a better
+view.
+
+"What is it?" cried Andy.  "A floating wreck?"
+
+"That's no wreck," declared Frank.
+
+"Then what is it?"
+
+"It's a whale, if I'm any judge.  A whale, and a big one, too!"
+
+"Dead?"
+
+"I guess so.  No--by Jupiter!  It's alive, Andy, and it's coming this
+way!"
+
+"Cracky!  If we only had a harpoon or a bomb gun now, that would be the
+end of Mr. Whale.  Let's row out and meet him!"
+
+"Say, are you crazy?" demanded Frank, with some heat.
+
+"Crazy?  No; why?"
+
+"Wanting to tackle a whale in these boats!  We'd be swamped in a
+minute!  We'd better pull out to one side.  Most likely the whale will
+keep on a straight course, though he'll be stranded if he goes much
+farther in.  The tide's out, and it's shallow here.  Pull to one side,
+Andy--the race is off.  Pull out, I tell you!" and Frank swung his
+skiff around with sudden energy.
+
+"I am not!  I'm going to get a nearer view of the whale!" cried Andy.
+"Maybe he's hurt, or perhaps there's a harpoon with a line fast to it
+in him.  We might get hold of it and--"
+
+"Yes, and go to kingdom come.  Nixy!  Get out of the way while you've
+got time.  Jinks!  He's coming on faster than ever!"
+
+Frank's manner so impressed his brother that the younger lad now began
+to swing his craft around.  They could both see the whale plainly now,
+even while sitting down, for the great sea animal was nearer.
+
+Then, whether it was some sudden whim, or because he saw the boats and
+took them for natural enemies, there was a sudden swirling of water and
+the whale increased his speed, heading straight for the two skiffs that
+were now almost touching side by side.
+
+"He's coming!" yelled Andy.
+
+"I told you he was!" cried Frank.  "Row!  Row!  Get out of the way!"
+
+This was more easily said than done.  In vain did the lads pull
+frantically on their oars.  The whale was now coming on with the speed
+of an express train.  He was headed right for the two boats!
+
+"Pull out!  Pull out!" shouted Andy.  "He may go between us then!"
+
+It was good advice, and Frank, who was a little the better rower,
+started to follow it.
+
+But it was too late.  On came the monster of the deep, his great head
+throwing up a huge wave in front of him.  Andy was rowing as hard as
+was his brother until he suddenly jumped his left oar out of the
+oarlock.  In another moment it had gone overboard.
+
+This seemed to attract the attention of the whale to the skiff of the
+younger lad.  The monster might have thought that the occupant of the
+boat was trying to hurl a harpoon.
+
+Suddenly changing his course, the leviathan, which had been headed for
+Frank's craft, now turned toward Andy's.
+
+"Look out!" frantically shouted the older lad.
+
+"I can't!  He's got me!" screamed Andy.
+
+The next instant there was a splintering, crashing and rending of wood.
+A shower of spray flew high in the air.  Frank's boat rocked on the
+heavy swell caused by the flukes of the whale, as they went deep into
+the water after delivering a glancing blow upon the unfortunate Andy's
+skiff.
+
+Frank had a momentary glance of his brother's boat, with one side
+smashed down to the water's edge.  He saw the green sea pouring in, and
+he saw Andy standing up, ready to leap overboard.  He saw the maddened
+monster sheering off out to sea again, and then Frank cried:
+
+"I'm coming, Andy!  I'm coming!  I'll save you!  Hold on to your boat!
+Don't jump!"
+
+The whale disappeared in a smother of foam, as Frank, with desperate
+energy, bent to his oars and swung his boat in the direction of the
+sinking one containing his brother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE WRECKED MOTOR BOAT
+
+"Hold on, Andy!  Hold on!  You'll float for a while yet!" called Frank,
+while he threw all his strength upon the oars in the endeavor to reach
+his brother.  He cast anxious eyes about, fearing a return of the
+whale, but there was no sign of the big creature.
+
+"All right--take your time!" called Andy.  "I can keep afloat for quite
+a while yet.  Maybe I won't sink after all."
+
+"I'm not taking any chances," returned Frank, and then he swung his
+craft up alongside that of his brother.  As Andy had said, his skiff
+was in pretty good condition.  This was due to two causes.  The blow of
+the whale's tail had been a glancing one, and the skiff had an
+unusually high freeboard, so that though it was splintered down to the
+water edge, not much of the sea had entered.
+
+"I believe she'll float when I'm out of it so she'll ride higher,"
+declared the younger lad.  "Take me into your boat, and maybe we can
+tow mine in and fix it up.  It's too good to lose."
+
+"That's right.  Wow!  But you had a narrow escape!" and Frank looked
+very grave as he assisted his brother into the undamaged craft.  "I
+thought it was all up with you."
+
+"So did I, when I saw that beast coming for me.  But he sheered off
+just in time.  Then I felt sure my boat would fill and sink in an
+instant, when I saw the water pouring in, after he swiped me, so I got
+ready to jump.  I didn't want to be carried down with it."
+
+"That's right.  Say, that's cut through as clean as if done with a
+knife," and Frank looked at the slash in the side of his brother's
+boat.  It was indeed a sharp cut, and showed with what awful force the
+tail of the monster must have descended.
+
+"As much water came pouring in over the side as there did through the
+hole," went on Andy.  "That's what gave me a scare.  But did you see
+the harpoon in that whale?"
+
+"No, was there one?"
+
+"Sure as you're a foot high.  There was a short piece of line fast to
+it, and the whale had a big hole in his side.  He's been wounded,
+probably by a steamer's propeller after he was harpooned up north, or
+else that's the wound of a bomb gun.  I could see it quite plainly."
+
+"Yes, you had a nearer view than I'd want," observed Frank, as he made
+fast Andy's boat to the stern of his own.  As the younger lad had said,
+his skiff, now that it was higher in the water, because his weight was
+out of it, took in very little of the sea.
+
+"I guess we can tow it if we bail out," observed Frank.  "Are you very
+wet?"
+
+"Not much--only up to my knees.  I was just going to jump in and swim
+for it when you called to me.  Well, here goes for bailing."
+
+"Yes, and if you shift that anchor back to the stern it will raise the
+bow, and the hole will be so much more out of water.  It'll row easier,
+too."
+
+"Right you are, my hearty.  Shiver my timbers!  But it's some
+excitement we've been having!" and Andy laughed.
+
+"Say, I believe you'd joke if your boat was all smashed to pieces, and
+you were floating around on the back of the whale," observed Frank
+gravely.
+
+"Of course I would.  A miss is as good as a mile and a half.  But if I
+can find my other oar I'll help you row in your boat.  It ought to be
+somewhere around here," and Andy ceased his bailing operations to cast
+anxious looks over the rolling waves.
+
+"Yes, we'll look for it after we get some of the water out of your
+craft.  I can't get over what a close call you had," and, in spite of
+the fact that he had been in many dangerous places in his life, Frank
+could not repress a shudder.
+
+"Oh, forget it!" good-naturedly advised Andy, vigorously tossing water
+out of his boat with a tin can.  "Hello!  There's my lost oar out
+there.  Put me over."
+
+"All right," agreed Frank.  "I think we've got enough water out so
+she'll ride high.  Now for the dock."
+
+"I guess you'll win the race," observed the younger lad, half
+regretfully, as he recovered his ashen blade.
+
+"Oh, we'll call it off," said Frank good-naturedly.  "We'll have
+something to tell the folks when we get back to the cottage; eh?"
+
+"I guess.  But are you going right home?"
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Oh, I thought we might row in, and take out our sail boat.  I'd like
+to have another try for that whale.  We might get him, and there's
+money to be made."
+
+"Say, do you mean to tell me you'd take another chance with that
+whale?" demanded Frank, as he prepared to row.
+
+"Of course I would!  It would be safe enough in our catboat.  He'd
+never attack that.  We could take our rifles along and maybe plug him.
+Think of hunting for whales!  Cricky!  That would be sport!" and Andy
+sighed regretfully, He seemed to have forgotten the narrow escape he
+had just experienced.  "Come on, let's do it, Frank," he urged.  "Don't
+go up to our cottage at all.  If you do mother will be sure to see me
+all wet.  Then she'll want to know how it happened, and the whale will
+be out of the bag, and we can't go.  Let's start right out in the
+_Gull_ as soon as we hit the pier.  There won't be any danger, and we
+might sight the whale.  He must be nearly dead by this time."
+
+"I wonder if we could find him," mused Frank.
+
+"Sure!" exclaimed his impulsive brother.  "It will be great.  There's
+some grub aboard the _Gull_ and we can stay out until nearly dark.
+Mother doesn't expect us home to dinner, as we said we might go to
+Seabright.  Come on!"
+
+"Well, if you feel able, after--"
+
+"Pshaw!  I'm as fit as a fiddle.  Let's hit it up, and get to the dock
+as soon as we can.  Think of landing a whale!"
+
+"Or of being lambasted by one," added Frank grimly.  Nevertheless, he
+fell in with his brother's plan, as he usually did.  The two boys rowed
+steadily toward the pier, towing the damaged boat.  They were very much
+in earnest.
+
+In fact, though of different characters, the brothers were very much
+alike in one trait--they always liked to be doing things.  Their name
+fitted them to perfection; they were "Racers" by title and nature,
+though Andy was the quicker and more impulsive.
+
+They were the sons of Mr. Richard Racer, a wealthy wholesale silk
+merchant of New York City.  Mr. Racer owned a neat cottage at Harbor
+View, and his summers were spent there.  His wife, Olivia, was a lady
+fond of society, and when she closed her handsome house in New York, to
+go to the coast resort for the summer, she transferred her activities
+there.
+
+While in the metropolis Mrs. Racer spent much time at charitable
+organizations, and at Harbor View she was a moving spirit in the
+ladies' tennis and golf clubs.
+
+Mr. Racer traveled back and forth from New York to Harbor View each day
+during the summer, for his business needed much of his attention.  His
+vacation, however, was an unbroken series of days of pleasure at the
+coast resort where he and his wife and sons enjoyed life to the utmost.
+
+The two boys had spent so many summers at Harbor View that they were
+almost as well known there as some of the permanent residents, and they
+had many friends among the seafaring folk, especially in the lads.
+They had one or two enemies, as will develop presently, not through any
+fault of their own, but because certain lads were jealous of our heroes.
+
+"Well, we're here," announced Frank at last, as he swung the boat up
+alongside the landing stage which rose and fell with the tide.
+
+"And it's a good wind coming up," observed Andy.  "We can make good
+time out in the _Gull_."
+
+"Maybe we'd better beach your boat before we go out, and pull it above
+high-water mark," suggested Frank.  "Some of the seams may have been
+opened, as well as this hole being in her, and she might sink."
+
+"Good idea.  We'll do it."
+
+As the brothers were ascending the gangway from the float to the pier,
+preparatory to going out in their sailing craft, they were hailed by an
+elderly man, whose grizzled, tanned face gave evidence of many days
+spent on the water under a hot sun.
+
+"Where you boys bound fer now?" the sailor demanded.
+
+"Oh, we're just going out for a little sail, Captain Trent," replied
+Andy.
+
+"Better not," was the quick advice.
+
+"Why?" Frank wanted to know.
+
+"It's coming on to blow, and it's going to blow hard.  Hear that wind?"
+and the captain, whose son Bob was quite a chum of the Racer boys,
+inclined his grizzled head toward the quarter whence the breeze came.
+
+"Oh, that's only a cat's paw," declared Andy.
+
+"You'll find it'll turn out to be a reg'lar tomcat 'fore you're through
+with it," predicted the old salt.  "But what happened to your boat,
+Andy?  I see you've got a hole stove in her.  Did you run on the rocks?"
+
+"No, something ran into us," replied Frank quickly.  "Don't say
+anything to him about the whale," he remarked to his brother in a low
+voice.
+
+"What's that about a sail?" demanded the captain, catching some of
+Frank's words.
+
+"We're going for a sail," spoke Andy quickly.  "Come on, Frank."
+
+"Better not!" again cautioned Captain Trent.  But our heroes were no
+different from other boys, and did not heed the warning.  Had they done
+so perhaps this story would not have been written, for the events
+following their sail that day were unusual, and had a far-reaching
+effect.
+
+"Come on!" called Andy sharply to his brother, as he saw the captain
+making ready to start a discussion about the weather.  Mr. Trent might
+also ask more questions about the damaged boat, and neither Andy nor
+his brother wanted to answer--just yet.
+
+Five minutes later saw the two brothers sailing away from the pier.
+The breeze was getting stronger every moment, until the rail of their
+trim boat was under water part of the time.
+
+"Say, it _is_ blowing!" declared Frank.
+
+"Oh, what of it?  The _Gull_ can stand more than this.  Besides we're
+safe in the harbor, and we may soon sight the whale.  Keep a good
+lookout!"
+
+For some time they sailed on, each one scanning the expanse of the bay,
+which was now dotted here and there with whitecaps.  The boat was
+heeling over almost too much for comfort.
+
+"Hadn't we better turn back?" asked Frank, after a period of silence,
+broken only by the swish of the water.
+
+"Of course not," declared the more daring Andy.  "It was about here
+that my boat was stove in.  The whale may be around these diggings
+looking for us."
+
+"Likely--not!" exclaimed Frank decidedly.
+
+There came a fiercer gust of wind, and it fairly howled through the
+rigging.  The waters whitened with spray and foam.
+
+"It's a squall!" yelled Frank.  "Better turn back."
+
+"We can't now," shouted Andy at the top of his voice, to make himself
+heard above the howling of the wind.  "We'd better keep on to
+Seabright.  We can lay over there until this blows by.  See anything of
+the whale?"
+
+"No.  It's useless to look for him.  I'm going to take a reef in the
+sail."
+
+"That's right.  I guess you'd better shorten some of our canvas.  I'll
+hold her as steady as I can while you're doing it.  Or shall I lash the
+helm and help you?"
+
+"No, you stay there.  I can manage it."
+
+The storm increased in sudden fury, and it was no easy task to shorten
+sail with the pressure of the wind on it.  But Frank Racer had
+considerable skill in handling boats, and with his brother at the helm,
+to ease off when he gave the word, he managed to cast off the throat
+and peak lines, lower the gaff and sail, and then take a double reef in
+the canvas.
+
+Even under the smaller spread the _Gull_ shot along over the
+foam-crested waves like some speeding motor boat.  Andy was so taken up
+with watching his brother, and in aiding him as much as he could by
+shifting the helm as was needful, that he did not look ahead for
+several minutes.  He was recalled to this necessary duty by a sudden,
+frightened cry from Frank.
+
+"The rocks!  Look out for the rocks!" shouted the older lad.  "We'll be
+on 'em in a second!  Port your helm!  Port!"
+
+Andy desperately threw over the tiller, and with fear-blanched face he
+looked to where his brother pointed.  Amid a smother of white foam,
+almost dead ahead and scarcely two cable lengths away there showed the
+black and jagged points of rocks, known locally as the "Shark's Teeth."
+The _Gull_ was headed straight for them.
+
+Anxiously, and with strained eyes, the brothers looked to see if their
+boat would answer her rudder.  For a moment or two she hung in the
+balance, the howling wind driving her nearer the rocks, to strike upon
+which meant sure destruction in the now boiling sea.
+
+Then, with a feeling of relief, Andy saw that they were sheering off,
+but very slowly.  Could they make it?  They were near to death, for no
+one--not even the strongest swimmer--could live long unaided in that
+boiling sea that would pound him upon the sharp rocks.
+
+Suddenly Frank uttered a cry, and pointed to a spot at the left of the
+rocks, in a space of water comparatively calm.
+
+"There!  Look!  Look!" he shouted.
+
+"What is it?  The whale?" demanded Andy.
+
+"No, a boat--a motor boat!  It's disabled--drifting!  It must have been
+on the rocks.  It's a large one, too.  Look out you don't hit it."
+
+"It's on fire!" cried Andy.  "See the smoke--the flame!  It's burning
+up!"
+
+The _Gull_ was now far enough from the Shark's Teeth to warrant her
+safety, and the boys could look at the motor craft, that was bobbing
+helplessly about in the spume and spray, being tossed hither and
+thither by the heaving waves.
+
+"See anybody on her?" yelled Andy.
+
+"No--not a soul," answered Frank, who had made his way forward, and was
+standing up, clinging to the mast.
+
+Suddenly, amid the howling of the storm, there came a sharp explosion.
+There was a puff of flame, and a cloud of smoke hovered over the
+hapless motor boat, which, strange to say, still remained intact and
+afloat.
+
+"She's blown up!  Exploded!" yelled Andy.
+
+"Yes, and there's a boy in the water!  Look!" fairly screamed Frank.
+"He was on the boat!  The explosion must have blown him out!  He's
+floating!  We must save him, Andy!"
+
+"Sure!  Jupiter's lobsters! but things are happening to us to-day!
+Look out!  I'm going to put about!"
+
+Frank scrambled back to join his brother.  The big boom with its
+shortened sail swung over, and, heeling under the force of the
+shrieking wind, the _Gull_ darted toward the dangerous rocks once more.
+Toward the wrecked motorboat, toward the figure of the boy floating in
+the smother of foaming and storm-torn waves she swept.
+
+Could they reach the helpless lad in time?  It was the question
+uppermost in the hearts of Frank and Andy Racer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE BOY'S RESCUE
+
+"Can we make it, Frank?" questioned Andy desperately.
+
+"We've got to," came the quick answer.  "Ease her off a little until I
+get the lay of things."
+
+"Is he swimming?" demanded the younger lad.
+
+"Yes, but only with one hand.  He must be injured.  He can just manage
+to keep afloat.  Put in a little closer.  We've passed the worst of the
+Teeth.  It's deep water here, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, as near as I can tell.  I haven't been here very often.  It's too
+dangerous, even in calm weather, to say nothing of a storm."
+
+The wind was now a gale, but the boys had their sailboat well in hand
+and were managing her skillfully.  They came nearer to the feebly
+swimming lad.
+
+"There he goes--he's sunk--he's under!" yelled Andy, peering beneath
+the boom.
+
+"Too bad!" muttered Frank.  "We're too late!"
+
+Eagerly he looked into the tumult of waters Then he uttered a joyful
+cry.
+
+"There he is again!  He's a plucky one.  We must get him, Andy!"
+
+"But how?  I daren't steer in any closer or I'll have a hole in us and
+we'll go down."
+
+"We've got to save the poor fellow.  I wonder who he is?"
+
+"It's tough," murmured Andy.  "See, the fire on the motor boat seems to
+be out."
+
+"Yes, probably the explosion blew it out.  The boat floats well.  Maybe
+we can save that."
+
+"Got to get this poor boy first.  Oh, if he could only swim out a
+little farther we could throw him a line.  Hey there!" he called to the
+lad, "we're coming!  Can you make your way over here?  We daren't come
+in any closer."
+
+There was no answer, but the desperately struggling lad waved his one
+good arm to show that he had heard.  Then he resumed his battle with
+the sea--an unequal battle.
+
+"Plucky boy!" murmured Frank.  "I'm going to save him.  He can never
+swim out this far."
+
+Andy had thrown the boat up in the wind, had lowered the sail so that
+she was now riding the waves comparatively motionless, for there came a
+lull in the gale.
+
+Then, even as Frank spoke, the unfortunate lad again disappeared from
+sight.
+
+"He's gone--for good this time I guess," spoke Andy, and there was a
+solemn note in his faltering voice.
+
+"No!  There he is again!" fairly yelled Frank.  "I'm going overboard
+for him."
+
+"You can't swim in this sea!" objected his brother.  "There'll be two
+drowned instead of one."
+
+"I _can_ do it!" firmly declared the older lad.  He began to take off
+his shoes, and divest himself of his heavier garments.
+
+"You're crazy!" cried Andy.  "You can't do it!"
+
+"Just you watch," spoke Frank calmly.  "I can't stand by and see a lad
+drown like that.  Have we a spare line aboard?"
+
+"Yes, plenty.  It's up forward in the port locker under the deck."
+
+"Good.  Now I'm going to tie a line around my waist, and go overboard.
+I'll swim to that chap and get a good hold on him.  Then it will be up
+to you to pull us both in, if I can't swim with him, and I'm afraid I
+can't do much in this sea.  Can you haul us in, and manage the boat?"
+
+"I've just _got_ to!" cried Andy, shutting his teeth in grim
+determination.  "The boat will ride all right out here.  The wind isn't
+quite so bad now.  Take care of yourself."
+
+"I will.  Shake!"
+
+The brothers clasped hands.  Frank well knew the peril of his
+undertaking, no less than did Andy.  They stood on the heaving, sloping
+deck of the _Gull_, and looked into each other's eyes.  They understood.
+
+"Watch close, and pull when you see me wave to you," ordered the older
+lad, as he fastened the rope about his waist.
+
+"All right," answered Andy, in a low voice.
+
+With a quick glance about him, noting that the wounded lad was still
+struggling feebly in the water, Frank dived overboard.  He disappeared
+beneath the green waves with their crests of foam, and for a moment
+Andy anxiously watched for his brother.  Then he saw him reappear, and
+strike out strongly toward the other youth.  Frank was an excellent
+swimmer.
+
+"That's the way to do it!" murmured Andy, admiringly.  "If anybody can
+save him, Frank can."
+
+The younger lad was braced against the tiller, standing in a slanting
+position, his feet planted firmly in the cockpit, while he payed out
+the rope, one end of which was about Frank's waist, and the other made
+fast to a deck cleat.
+
+"To the left.  To the left!" yelled Andy suddenly, as he saw his
+brother taking a slightly wrong course.  The spume in his eyes, and the
+bobbing waves which now and then hid the wounded lad from sight, had
+confused Frank.  The latter made no reply, but his hand, raised above
+the water, and waved to Andy, told that he understood the hail.
+
+Frank changed his course, still swimming strongly.  The wind had again
+begun to blow hard, and the _Gull_ was drifting nearer the rocks, yet
+Andy dared not send her out for fear of pulling Frank with him.  He
+must stand by until--
+
+Carefully he payed out the line.  He could see it slipping through the
+green water.  Then he caught a glimpse of his brother on the crest of a
+wave.  The next moment he saw how close he was to the lad he had so
+bravely set out to save.
+
+"Tread water!  Don't swim!  Tread water and save your strength!" cried
+Andy to the injured one.  The boy heard and obeyed.
+
+In another moment Frank was near enough to clasp the almost exhausted
+lad in his strong right arm.  Andy saw this and there was no need for
+the signal which his brother gave an instant later.  Frank was on his
+guard lest the youth he was rescuing might clasp him in a death grip.
+But the latter evidently knew something about life saving, for he
+placed his uninjured hand on his rescuer's shoulder and let Frank do as
+he would.
+
+Andy began to haul in on the rope.  It was hard work to do this, and
+manage the boat at the same time, but he did it somehow--how he never
+could really tell afterward.  But he had something of his brother's
+grim determination and that was just what was needed in this emergency.
+
+Slowly the rope came in, pulling the rescuer and the rescued one.
+Without it that life could never have been saved, for the waves were
+running high, and there was a current setting in toward the sharp,
+black rocks.
+
+Foot by foot Frank and his almost unconscious burden were pulled toward
+the _Gull_.
+
+"Can you keep up?" asked the elder Race lad.
+
+"I--I guess--so," was the faint reply.
+
+"We'll be there in a minute now.  You'll soon be all right!"
+
+The other did not answer.  Valiantly Andy hauled in, until his
+brother's head was right under the rail.
+
+"I'll take him now," called Andy, as he let go of the tiller, and
+reached for the lad Frank had saved.  With a strong heave Andy got him
+over the side.  He slumped down into the cockpit, unconscious.  A
+moment later Frank clambered on board and quickly untied the rope from
+his waist.
+
+"Quick, Andy!" he cried.  "Mind your helm!  We're drifting on the rocks
+again!"
+
+"Look out for this lad.  I'll steer clear!" yelled his brother in
+reply, as he sprang back the tiller, after hoisting the sail.
+
+Frank lifted the unconscious form in his arms, and moved the wounded
+lad over to a pile of tarpaulins.  With all his strength Andy forced
+over the tiller, for the wind was strong on the sail, and the waves
+were running high, their salty crests filling the atmosphere with
+spume, while a fine spray drenched those aboard the _Gull_.
+
+Suddenly there was a scraping sound, and the little craft shivered from
+stem to stern.
+
+"The rocks!  The rocks!  We're on the rocks!" cried Frank, as with
+blanched face he looked up from where he was kneeling over the silent
+form of the lad he had rescued from the sea and the gale.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+"WHO ARE YOU?"
+
+For a moment terror held the Racer boys motionless.  The danger had
+come so suddenly that it deprived them of the power to think.  Then
+came the reaction, and they were themselves once more.
+
+"Quick!  Throw your helm over!  We can just make it!" yelled Frank.
+"I'll attend to the sheet--you manage the tiller!  Lively now!"
+
+Andy needed no second command.  He fairly threw himself at the helm,
+and with all his strength forced it hard over.  The shortened sail
+rounded out with the pressure of the wind on it, and the _Gull_ heeled
+over at dangerous angle.  Under her keel came that ominous scraping
+sound that told of her passage over part of the Shark's Teeth.
+
+"It's a submerged rock!" shouted Andy.  "We may scrape over it!"
+
+"Let's hope so!" murmured Frank, as he looked hastily down at the
+unconscious form of the strange lad.  Then he gave all his attention to
+the rope that controlled the end of the swinging boom.
+
+With the same suddenness that it had come upon them, the danger was
+past.  The _Gull_ slid into deep water, and the hearts of the boys beat
+in glad relief.  Rapidly the craft paid off until she was well away
+from the ugly black points that could be seen, now and then, rearing up
+amid a smother of foam.
+
+"Round about and beat for home!" yelled Frank.  "Whoever this fellow
+is, he needs a doctor right away.  I hope the wind holds out."
+
+"Did you learn who he was?" asked Andy, as he gave his attention to
+putting the boat on the proper course.
+
+"No.  How could I?  He was as weak as a cat when I got to him, but he
+had sense enough not to grab me.  He knows how to swim all right, but
+something is the matter with his left arm."
+
+"Think it's broken?"
+
+"I don't know.  It's a wonder he wasn't killed when that boat blew up.
+He must have been hurt in some way, or he wouldn't be unconscious."
+
+"Maybe it's because he's nearly drowned.  He may be half full of water."
+
+"That's so," agreed Frank.  "I'll see what I can do for him while you
+steer.  Make all you can on each tack."
+
+They were fast leaving behind them the wrecked motor boat which bobbed
+about on the waves.  It was no longer on fire, and the brothers would
+liked to have towed it to the pier, but this was impossible in the
+storm.
+
+Then, as his brother skillfully managed the sailboat, Frank once more
+bent over the unconscious form.  He knew what to do in giving first aid
+to partly drowned persons, and lost no time in going through the
+motions designed to rid the lungs of water.
+
+Frank did succeed in getting some fluid from the system of the
+stranger, but the lad still remained unconscious, with such a pale
+face, with tightly closed eyes, and showing such apparent weakness,
+that Andy remarked:
+
+"I guess he's done for, poor fellow!"
+
+"I'm not so sure of that," responded Frank "He's still breathing, and
+there's a spark of life in him yet.  We must get him to our house, and
+have a doctor right away.  Oh! now's the time I wish we had a motor
+boat!"
+
+"We're doing pretty well," declared Andy, And indeed the _Gull_ was
+skimming along at a rapid rate.  She was quartering the wind, until a
+sudden lull in the gale came.  They hung there for a moment or two, and
+the brothers looked anxiously at each other.  Were they to be becalmed
+when it was so vitally necessary to get the stranger to a doctor
+immediately?
+
+But once more the sail swelled out, and with joy the Racer boys noticed
+that the wind was now right astern and that they could run down to the
+dock on the wings of it, making an almost straight course.
+
+"This is the stuff!" cried Frank, as he made a sort of pillow from some
+sail cloth for the sufferer's head.
+
+"It sure is.  We'll be there soon.  You'd better get some of your
+clothes on before we land."
+
+Frank slipped on his garments, over his wet underwear and trusted to
+the wind to dry him before reaching home.
+
+"I wonder who he can be?" mused Andy.  "He wears good clothes, and if
+he owns that wrecked motor boat he must have money, for it was a big
+one, and cost a lot."
+
+"It sure did.  Well, we may find out who he is when he comes to, after
+the doctor has seen him.  We'll take him up to our house."
+
+"Of course.  There's no other place for him in Harbor View.  We'll be
+at the dock in five minutes more."
+
+The rest of the trip was quickly covered, and, a little later, the two
+brothers had run their craft right up to the float, made her fast and
+began lifting out the unconscious form of the lad they had saved.
+
+"Avast there!  What ye got?" cried the hearty voice of Captain Trent.
+"Is he dead?  Who is he?"  He peered down over the pier railing.
+
+"We don't know," answered Frank to both questions.  "He was in a motor
+boat--wrecked--it blew up--we saved him."
+
+"By Davy Jones!  Ye don't mean it!  Wa'al, I'll give you a hand."
+
+With the old salt's aid the boy was soon lifted up to the pier.  Then
+Frank asked:
+
+"Where's your horse and wagon, Captain?  We can never carry him to our
+house without something like that.  Where's the wagon?"
+
+"Bob jest got back from delivering clams in it.  I'll go clean it
+out--the hoss is hitched to it yet, an'----"
+
+"Don't bother to clean it!" interrupted Andy.  "Just put some sail
+cloth in the bottom.  It doesn't matter if it's dirty.  Every second
+counts now.  Get the wagon."
+
+"Right away!" cried the old sailor, who did a general clamming and fish
+business.  He hurried off in the direction of his store and stable,
+impressed by the words and energetic actions of the Racer boys.  "Hi
+there, Bob!" the captain called to his son, whom he saw approaching.
+"Bring Dolly an' the rig here as quick as you can!  Frank an' Andy
+Racer went out an' brought back a dead motor boat--leastways I mean a
+fellow that was nearly killed in one.  Bring up the rig jest as she is!
+Lively!"
+
+"Aye, aye!" answered Bob, seaman fashion.
+
+A minute later a nondescript vehicle, drawn by a big but bony horse
+rattled up, driven by the captain's son.
+
+"What's up?" asked Bob Trent of the lads, with whom he was quite
+friendly.  "Who is he?"
+
+"That's what we'd like to know," spoke Frank.  "We may find out if he
+doesn't die.  We've no time to spare."
+
+They lifted the unconscious form into the wagon, on the bottom of which
+had been spread a number of old sails.
+
+"I'll drive," said Bob briefly.  "I can get more out of Dolly than most
+folks.  You've got to do your best now, old girl," he called to the
+horse.  The animal pricked up her ears.
+
+"I'll ride in back and hold his head," volunteered Frank.  "Andy, you
+go telephone for Dr. Martin.  Tell him to get to our house as soon as
+possible--explain why.  Have him there by the time we arrive, if
+possible."
+
+"Right!" cried Andy sharply, and he raced off toward the nearest
+telephone, there being a few of the instruments in Harbor View.
+
+"Wa'll, I'll be jib-boomed!" exclaimed Captain Trent, as his son drove
+off, the horse making good time.  "Them Racer boys is allers up to
+suthin' or other."
+
+Bob spoke the truth when he said he could do better with Dolly than
+most drivers, for the steed started out at a fast pace, and kept it up
+until the rickety vehicle turned into the drive that led to the
+handsome cottage owned by Mr. Racer.  Mrs. Racer hurried to the door as
+she heard the sound of wheels, and at the sight of Frank sitting in the
+wagon, holding the head of another lad in his lap, Mrs. Racer cried out:
+
+"Oh, Frank!  What has happened?  Is--Is it--Andy?  Is he--is he----?"
+she could say no more, and began crying.
+
+"It's all right, mother!" shouted Frank heartily.  "We rescued an
+unknown lad.  Andy has gone to telephone for Dr. Martin.  He ought to
+be here now.  Tell Mary to get some hot water ready.  We may need it.
+Lay out some blankets.  Get a bed ready, mother."
+
+Frank issued his requests as if he had been used to saving drowned
+persons every day.  His crisp words had the effect of restoring Mrs.
+Racer to her usual calmness.
+
+"I'll attend to everything," she said.  "Oh, the poor fellow!  Bring
+him right in here.  Can you and Bob lift him?"
+
+"I think so," answered the captain's sturdy son.
+
+"Oh, why doesn't Dr. Martin come?" cried Mrs. Racer.
+
+"That sounds like his auto now!" exclaimed Frank, as he and Bob carried
+the unknown lad into the house.  "Yes," he added a moment later, "here
+he comes."
+
+"And Andy's with him," added Bob.  "The doctor must have picked him up
+on the way here."
+
+It was the work of but a few moments to get most of the unconscious
+youth's clothes off and place him in bed.  By that time the physician
+was ready to begin his ministrations.
+
+"I don't know," mused Dr. Martin, as he felt of the feeble, flickering
+pulse, and listened to the scarcely audible breathing.  "He's pretty
+far gone.  Hurt internally, I imagine.  But we'll see if we can save
+him."
+
+With the eager and able assistance of the Racer boys, their mother and
+Bob Trent, Dr. Martin labored hard to restore the lad to consciousness.
+At first his efforts seemed of no avail.  His eyes remained closed, and
+the pulse and breathing seemed to grow more feeble.
+
+"I think I'll try the electric battery," said the doctor finally.  "If
+one of you will bring it in from my auto, I'll see what effect that
+has."
+
+"I'll get it!" cried Andy, and he fairly ran out and back.
+
+For a time it looked as if even the powerful current would be useless,
+but when the doctor turned it on full strength there was a convulsive
+shudder of the body.  Then, suddenly the eyes opened, and the voice of
+the rescued lad murmured:
+
+"It's cold--the water--Oh!  The gasolene tank!  It will explode!  I
+can't get away now!  I must jump!"
+
+He raised himself in bed, but the doctor gently pressed him back.
+
+"There, there now," spoke the physician soothingly.  "You are all
+right.  Don't worry.  You'll be all right."
+
+"He's going to live," said Andy softly.
+
+Once more the tired eyes closed, and then opened again.
+
+"Where--where am I?" asked the lad wildly.
+
+He looked about the room in amazement, and once more tried to get out
+of bed, but was restrained.
+
+"You're with friends," said Mrs. Racer softly.  "You will be well taken
+care of."
+
+"What--what place is this?" gasped the lad.
+
+"Harbor View," replied Frank promptly.  "Who are you?"
+
+Eagerly they all leaned forward, for they wanted to solve the mystery
+of the identity of the rescued lad.  He gazed at them all in turn.  A
+half smile played about his face.  Then he said weakly:
+
+"I am----"
+
+He sank back upon the bed unconscious, his name unspoken.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+SEEKING THE WRECK
+
+For a moment there was silence in the room, and something like a
+disappointed sigh came from Frank and his brother.  Andy leaned over
+the bed.
+
+"Who are you?" he asked, placing his hand on the head of the lad.
+"Can't you tell us who you are, or where you live?  We want to help
+you.  How did you come to be in the boat alone?  How did it get on
+fire?"
+
+There was no response.
+
+"It is useless to question him," said Dr. Martin.  "I will give him
+some medicine, now that he is partially restored to consciousness, and
+perhaps when he is stronger he can tell who he is.  In the meanwhile it
+will be best not to bother him."
+
+The boys took this as a hint that they had better leave the room, so
+the three of them filed silently out to permit of the physician and
+Mrs. Racer continuing their efforts to bring the lad out of the stupor
+into which he had fallen.
+
+"It's a queer case," mused Frank.
+
+"It sure is," agreed his brother.  "I hope he doesn't die before we
+find out who he is, or where he belongs."
+
+"I hope he doesn't die at all," put in his brother quickly.
+
+"Oh, of course," assented Frank.  "So do I."
+
+"Could you make out any name on the motor boat?" inquired Bob.
+
+"Didn't have a chance," answered the older Racer lad.  "Andy and I had
+our hands full managing our boat, and, when I went overboard I had to
+depend on Andy to pull that lad and me back.  The sea was fierce and it
+was blowing great guns.  All I know is that it was a fine boat, and
+it's a shame it was wrecked on the Shark's Teeth."
+
+"She'll go to pieces if she stays there long," was Bob's opinion.  "The
+bottom will be pounded out of her and she'll go down."
+
+"Your father was right about the storm coming up," said Frank, after a
+pause.  "I never saw it blow so hard in such a short time."
+
+"Oh, dad can generally be depended on for a weather guess," said the
+son proudly.  "Well, I must be getting back.  Got to put on another
+load of clams before supper.  Let me know how that chap makes out, will
+you?"
+
+"Sure," assented Frank.  "And if you see or hear anything of that motor
+boat up or down the coast, let us know.  Maybe we can save it, and find
+out something about this boy from it, in case he isn't able to tell."
+
+"I'll do it," promised the captain's son.
+
+"And if you see a wounded whale, it belongs to us," added Andy.
+
+"A wounded whale?" gasped Bob.  "Are you stuffing me?  This isn't
+Thanksgiving."
+
+"It was a whale all right," went on Andy, playfully poking his brother
+in the ribs, "and it stove in my boat.  If I could catch the beggar I'd
+sell his hide or oil or whatever is valuable about him, and get a new
+boat."
+
+"Does he mean it?" asked Bob, turning to Frank, for the younger Racer
+lad was well known for his practical jokes and his fun-loving
+characteristics.
+
+"Yes, we did get rammed by one just before we went out in the _Gull_,"
+said Frank, a bit solemnly, for the events of the past few hours had
+made quite an impression on him.  Then he briefly told the story of the
+monster's attack.
+
+"We didn't say anything to your father about it when we came in,"
+explained Andy, "as we didn't want to be delayed.  But if you see or
+hear of that whale, don't forget he belongs to us."
+
+"I won't," declared Bob.  "Now I've got to hustle, as it's almost
+supper time."
+
+"Supper!" cried Andy.  "That reminds me, we haven't had dinner yet,
+Frank."
+
+"My stomach reminded me of that some time ago," declared the brother.
+"We had such a strenuous time that it slipped our minds, I guess.  But
+I'm going to make up for it now.  So long, Bob; see you later."
+
+"So long."
+
+Then, as the rickety wagon was driven away Frank and Andy went in the
+house to change their wet garments.
+
+The two brothers were tiptoeing their way to the room where the wounded
+lad lay, having first ascertained from Mary, the cook, that supper
+would soon be ready, when they saw Dr. Martin coming from the apartment.
+
+"Is he better?" asked Frank in a whisper.
+
+"Yes," and the doctor smiled.  "I succeeded in fully restoring him to
+consciousness, and he is now sleeping quietly.  I have given him a
+powder and it will be some time before he awakens.  He is worn out, in
+addition to being injured."
+
+"Is he badly hurt?" Andy wanted to know.  "Is his arm broken?"
+
+"No, only severely sprained.  In addition, he has several big bruises
+and a number of cuts where he must have been tossed against the rocks.
+His hands are burned slightly, but there is nothing dangerous, and with
+care he ought soon to recover."
+
+"He must have gotten burned trying to put out the fire on the boat,"
+commented Frank.  "But, Dr. Martin, did you learn anything about him?
+What's his name?  Where does he belong?  What was he doing near the
+Shark's Teeth in a gale?"
+
+"I can't answer any of your questions," replied the physician gravely.
+"I asked the lad who he was, thinking that his people would be worried,
+and that I might be able to send some word to them.  But, though he was
+fully in his senses, and seemed to realize what he had gone through, I
+couldn't get a word out of him about his name.
+
+"When I asked him, as I did several times, and as also did your mother,
+he would begin, 'I am----'  Then he would stop, pass his hand across
+his forehead, and look puzzled.  He did this a number of times, and it
+seemed to pain him to try to think.  So I gave it up."
+
+"How do you account for that?" asked Andy.
+
+"Well, the fright and injuries he received may have caused a temporary
+loss of memory," replied the doctor.  "Or there may be some injury to
+the brain.  I can't decide yet.  But I'll look in again this evening.
+He'll be much improved by then, I am sure."
+
+"It's getting queerer and more queer," commented Andy, as the physician
+hastened away in his car.  "Think of forgetting who you are, Frank!"
+
+"It sure is too bad.  We must try to help him.  That motor boat would
+be a clue, I think.  As soon as the weather gets better, and this storm
+blows over, we'll have a search for it."
+
+"Yes, we're in for a hard blow, I think.  It's a worse gale now than
+when we were out."
+
+The wind, which had momentarily died out, had sprung up again with the
+approach of night, and it began to rain.  Out on the bay, a view of
+which could be had from their house, the boys could see big tumbling
+billows.
+
+"It's a good night to be home," mused Frank.  "I'm afraid we'll never
+see that wrecked motor boat again.  It will pound to pieces on the
+Shark's Teeth."
+
+"Very likely.  Well, let's go in and see how much nearer supper is
+ready.  Dad's home now."
+
+It was rather a long and dreary night, with the storm howling outside,
+and Frank, who had the last watch, was not sorry when the gray daylight
+came stealing in.  The unidentified lad had slept soundly, only
+arousing slightly once or twice.
+
+"We must have a nurse for him," Mrs. Racer decided, when she and her
+husband, together with the boys, had talked the case over at the
+breakfast table.  "Poor lad, he needs care.  He looks as if he came
+from good people--a refined family--don't you think so, Dick?" and she
+turned to her husband.
+
+"Oh, yes, he seems like a nice lad.  Get a nurse if you can, and have
+the best of everything.  And I don't want you boys tackling any more
+whales," Mr. Racer added decidedly, as he gazed at his sons a bit
+sternly.
+
+"No, indeed!" their mother hastened to add.  "I should have died of
+nervousness if I had known they went out again, after that dreadful
+fish smashed Andy's boat."
+
+"A whale's an animal, not a fish, mother," said the younger lad as he
+gave her a kiss.  "We are going to capture that one and sell its oil."
+
+"Don't you dare venture whale-hunting again, or we'll go straight back
+to New York, and that will be the end of your vacation," she threatened.
+
+"That's right," added Mr. Racer.  "Don't forget.  Well, I must be off
+or I'll miss my boat," and he hurried away to his New York office.
+
+There was quite an improvement in the condition of the mysterious youth
+that day, and, with the arrival of the nurse, the Racer boys and their
+mother were relieved from the care of him, though one or the other of
+them paid frequent visits to the sick room.
+
+"He's doing nicely," said Dr. Martin on the third day.  "He is out of
+danger now."
+
+"And still not a word to tell who he is," spoke Frank.
+
+"No," said the doctor musingly, "he talks intelligently on every
+subject but that.  He remembers nothing of his past, however.  He
+doesn't even seem to know that he was out in a motor boat.  All he can
+recall is that he was in some kind of trouble and danger, and that he
+was saved.  He knows that you boys saved him, and he is very grateful."
+
+"And he doesn't know a thing about himself?" asked Andy wonderingly.
+
+"Not a thing.  It is as if he was just born, or as if he came to life
+right after the wreck.  He has some dim memory of being in a big city,
+and of looking for some man, but who this man is seems to be as
+mysterious as who he himself is.  So I have given up questioning him
+for the present as it distresses him."
+
+"Will he ever recover his mind?" asked Mrs. Racer anxiously.
+
+"Well, such cases have been known," replied the doctor.  "Perhaps in
+time, with rest and quietness, it may all come back to him as suddenly
+as it left him.  But what are your plans in regard to him?"
+
+"He is to stay here, of course, until he recalls something of himself,"
+said Mrs. Racer decidedly.  "Then he may be able to tell us who his
+people are."
+
+"And if that should take--say all summer?"  The doctor looked at her
+questioningly.
+
+"If we have to take him back to New York with us in the fall, we'll do
+it," went on the mother of Frank and Andy.
+
+"Perhaps the city sights may recall him to himself," suggested Frank.
+
+"Perhaps," agreed Dr. Martin.  "Well, I'll stop in again to-morrow."
+
+The next day, and the next, however, saw very little change.  The lad
+grew much stronger, so that he could sit up in bed, but that was all.
+The past remained as dark as before.  Yet he was intelligent, and could
+talk on ordinary topics with ease, and with a knowledge that showed he
+had been well educated.  But even his name was lost to him.  They
+looked in the newspapers but saw no mention of a lost boy.
+
+Meanwhile Frank and Andy had made diligent inquiries about the wrecked
+boat, but had heard nothing.  Nor was there any news of the whale.
+
+"Of course I don't intend to go out after him, when dad and mom don't
+want us to," Andy carefully explained to his brother, "but it does no
+harm to ask; does it?" and he laughed joyously.
+
+"No, I suppose not," assented Frank.
+
+It was about a week after the rescue of the mysterious lad, and his
+physical condition had continued to improve.  He would soon be able to
+get around, the doctor said.  Frank and Andy, who never grew tired of
+discussing the problem, and of wondering when the lad's mind would come
+back, were strolling along the beach of Harbor View.  The weather had
+cleared and they were thinking of going for a sail, mainly on pleasure
+but incidentally to look for the wrecked motor boat.
+
+"It's queer no one has sighted her, or heard of her," remarked Andy,
+gazing on to sea, as if he might pick up the disabled craft on the
+horizon.
+
+"Yes," agreed Frank.  "I guess she's sunk all right."
+
+They walked on in silence, and were about to turn back toward where
+their boat was moored, when they noticed a man walking rapidly along
+the sands of the beach toward them.
+
+"He seems to be in a hurry," observed Frank, in a low voice.
+
+"Yes," agreed his brother.  "He looks as if he wanted to speak to us."
+
+"He's a stranger around here," went on Andy.
+
+A moment later the man hailed them.
+
+"I beg your pardon," he began, striding up to the two brothers, and
+shifting his gaze rapidly from one to the other.  "But have you seen or
+heard of a large motor boat going ashore around here?  I'm looking for
+one.  There would be a boy in it perhaps--a lad of about your size.
+Perhaps he put in here to get out of the storm.  I've inquired all
+along the coast, but I can't get any word of him.  You haven't happened
+to have heard anything, have you?"
+
+Frank and Andy looked at each other quickly.  At last they seemed on
+the track of the mystery.
+
+"Was he a tall, dark lad, with black hair?" asked Frank.
+
+"Yes--yes, that's the boy I'm looking for!" exclaimed the man quickly.
+
+"And was the motor boat a long one, painted white with a green water
+line, and with the engines forward under a hood?" added Andy.
+
+"Yes!" eagerly cried the man, in his excitement taking hold of Andy's
+coat.  "That's the boat!  Where is it?  I must have it!"
+
+"She's wrecked," said Frank quickly.  "We saw her on the Shark's Teeth,
+going to pieces, and we've been looking for her since, but the boy--"
+
+"Yes--yes!  The boy--the boy!  What of him?  Where is Paul--?"
+
+The man stopped suddenly, and fairly clapped his hand over his own lips
+to keep back the next word.  He seemed strangely confused.
+
+"We rescued the boy, and he is up at our house," said Frank quickly.
+"We have been trying to pick up the wreck of the boat and learn who the
+boy is.  He has lost his memory."
+
+"Lost his memory!" the man exclaimed, and he actually appeared glad of
+it.
+
+"Yes, he doesn't remember even his name," explained the elder Racer
+lad.  "But now we can solve the mystery as you know him.  You say his
+name is Paul.  What is his other name?  Who are you?  Don't you want to
+see him?  We can take you to him--to Paul."
+
+The brothers eyed the man eagerly.  On his part he seemed to shrink
+away.
+
+"I--I made a mistake," he said, biting his nails.  "I know no one named
+Paul.  I--I--it was an error.  That is not the boy I want.  I must
+hurry on.  Perhaps I shall get some news at the next settlement.  I
+am--obliged to you."
+
+His shifty eyes gazed at the brothers by turns.  Then the man suddenly
+turned away muttering something under his breath.
+
+"But you seemed to know him!" insisted Frank, feeling that the mystery
+was deepening.
+
+"No--no!  I--I made a mistake.  His name is not Paul.  I am wrong.
+That is--well, never mind, I'm sorry to have troubled you."
+
+He was about to hurry away.
+
+"Won't you come and see him?" urged Frank.  "It is not far up to our
+house.  My mother would be glad to meet you.  Perhaps, after all, this
+lad may be the one you seek.  His name may be Paul."
+
+"No--no!  I must go!  I must go.  I--I don't know any Paul," and before
+the Racer boys could have stopped him, had they been so inclined, the
+man wheeled about and walked rapidly down the beach.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+CHET SEDLEY'S STYLE
+
+"Well, wouldn't that frazzle you!" exclaimed Andy.
+
+"It certainly is queer," agreed his brother.
+
+They stood looking down the beach after the figure of the strange man
+who had seemed to know the lad whom they had rescued from the sea, but
+who, on learning of his location, had shown a desire to get away
+without calling on the unfortunate youth.
+
+Andy set out on a run.
+
+"Here, where you going?" his brother demanded quickly.
+
+"I'm going after that man, and make him tell what he knows!" declared
+the impulsive youth.  "It's a shame to let him get away in this
+fashion, just when we were on the verge of learning something," Andy
+called back over his shoulder.
+
+"You come right back here!" exclaimed the older lad, sprinting after
+his brother and catching him by the arm.
+
+"But he'll get away, and we'll never solve the mystery!"
+
+"That may be, but we can't take this means of finding out.  We don't
+know who that man is.  He may be a dangerous chap, who would make
+trouble if you interfered with him.  You stay here."
+
+"But how are we ever going to find out, Frank?"
+
+"If this boy is the one whom that man wants he'll show his hand sooner
+or later.  He was taken by surprise when he found that we had him, and
+he didn't know what to say.  But he won't disappear altogether--not
+while the lad is with us.  He'll come around again.  Now you stay with
+me."
+
+"All right," assented Andy, but with no very good grace.  "I'm going to
+holler after him, anyhow."
+
+Then, before Frank could stop him, had he been minded to do so, Andy
+raised his voice in a shout:
+
+"Hey, where are you going?  Don't you want to send some word to that
+boy we rescued?"
+
+The man turned half around, and for a moment Andy and Frank hoped he
+would come back.  Instead he shouted something that sounded like:
+
+"Important business--see--later--don't bother me."
+
+"Humph!" exclaimed Andy, as the man resumed his rapid walk.  "We're not
+going to bother you.  But we'll solve that mystery, whether you want us
+to or not," he added firmly.  "Won't we, Frank?"
+
+"If it's possible.  I'm almost ready to go out now and have a search
+for the motor boat, but I think we'd better go back and tell him what
+happened."
+
+"Tell who, the doctor?"
+
+"No, this lad--the one who's at our house.  He may know the man when we
+describe him."
+
+"That's so.  Paul, the man said his name was.  Wonder what the other
+half was?"
+
+"Guess you'll have to take it out in wondering.  Come on back to the
+house."
+
+It was a great disappointment to Frank and Andy when, after detailing
+their adventure with the queer man, and describing him minutely, to
+have the rescued lad say:
+
+"I'm sorry, boys, but I can't recall any such man."
+
+"Try hard," suggested Frank.
+
+"I am trying," and the youth frowned and endeavored hard to concentrate
+his thoughts.  "No, it's useless," he added with a sigh.  "My memory on
+that point, if I ever had any, has gone with the rest of the past.
+It's too bad.  I wish I _could_ remember."
+
+"Well, don't try any more now," said Frank quickly, as he saw that the
+youth was much distressed.  "We'll do our best to help you out.  And
+the first thing we'll do will be to look for that motor boat--that is,
+if she's still floating."
+
+"Does the name 'Paul' mean anything to you?" asked Andy.  "That's what
+the man called you before he thought."
+
+"Paul--Paul," mused the lad.  "No, it doesn't seem to be my name.  Did
+he mention any other?"
+
+"No, he cut himself off short.  But what's the matter with us calling
+you Paul, until we find out your right name?  It's a bit awkward to
+refer to you as 'he' or 'him' all the while.  How does Paul suit you?"
+
+"Fine!  I like it."
+
+"But what about his other name?" asked Frank.
+
+"Gale!" suddenly shouted Andy.
+
+"Gale?" repeated his brother wonderingly.
+
+"Yes, don't you see," and Andy laughed.  "We picked him up in a gale.
+His first name's Paul, I'm sure, and Paul Gale would be a good name.
+How about it, Paul?"
+
+"It will do first rate until I can find my real one.  Paul Gale--Paul
+Gale--it sounds good."
+
+"Then Paul Gale it shall be," declared Andy.  and when he suggested it
+to his father and mother that night they agreed with him.  So the
+rescued lad became Paul Gale.
+
+As the days passed he gained in health and strength until he was able
+to walk out.  Then the wonderful sea air of Harbor View practically
+completed the recovery, until Dr. Martin declared that there was no
+further use for medicine, and only nourishing food was needed.
+
+"But about his mind," the physician went on, "time alone can heal that.
+We must be patient.  Take him out with you, Andy and Frank, when he is
+able to go, and let him have a good time.  That will help as much as
+anything."
+
+In the meanwhile, pending the gaining of complete strength on the part
+of Paul Gale, as he was now called, the two Racer boys made many trips
+around the Shark's Teeth in their sailboat, looking for the wrecked
+motor craft.  But they could not locate it.  Nor were their inquiries
+any more successful.  Sailors and fishermen who went far out to sea
+were questioned but could give no trace of the wreck.
+
+"Guess we'll have to give it up," said Andy with a sigh one day.
+
+"It's like the mysterious man," added his brother.
+
+Mr. Racer was much interested in the efforts his sons were making to
+solve the mystery of Paul Gale.  He even advertised in a number of
+papers, giving details of the rescue, and asking any persons who might
+possibly know the history of such a youth as he described, to call on
+him at his New York office.  But none came.
+
+Paul had not yet ventured far from the house, for he was still rather
+weak.  His arm, too, was very painful, and he could not yet accompany
+his two friends on any of their rowing or sailing trips.
+
+"But I'll go soon," he said one day, when Frank and Andy started off
+for the beach, with the intention of interviewing some lobstermen who
+were due to arrive from a long cruise out to sea.  "Some time I'll
+surprise you by coming along."
+
+"Glad of it," called Frank, linking his arm in that of his brother.
+Together they strolled down on the sands, to await the arrival of the
+lobstermen.  They found Bob Trent there, loading up his wagon with soft
+clams, which he had just dug.
+
+As Bob tossed in shovelful after shovelful of the bivalves, the two
+Racer boys saw approaching the vehicle a youth of about their own age
+but of entirely different appearance.  For, whereas the Racer boys
+dressed well they made no pretense of style, especially when they were
+away on their vacation.  But the lad approaching the wagon was "dressed
+to kill clams," as Andy laughingly expressed it.
+
+"Look at Chet Sedley!" exclaimed the younger lad to his brother.  "Talk
+about style!"
+
+"I should boil a lobster; yes!" agreed Frank, laughing.
+
+And well he might, for Chet, who was a native of Harbor View, had
+donned his "best" that afternoon.  He wore an extremely light suit,
+with new tan ties of a light shade, and his purple and green striped
+hose could be seen a long distance off.
+
+"You can hear those socks as far as you can get a glimpse of them,"
+remarked Andy.
+
+"And look at his hat," observed Frank.  It was a straw affair, of rough
+braid, and the brim was in three thicknesses or "layers" so that it
+looked not unlike one of those cocoanut custard cakes with the cocoanut
+put in extremely thick.  In addition to this Chet's tie was of vivid
+blue with yellowish dots in it, and he carried a little cane, which he
+swung jauntily.
+
+As Chet passed the clam wagon, manned by Bob, who was dressed in his
+oldest garments, as befitted his occupation, one of the bivalves
+slipped from the shovel, and hit on the immaculate tan ties of the
+Harbor View dude.  It left a salt water mark.
+
+"Look here, Bob Trent!  What do you mean by that?" demanded Chet
+indignantly as he took out a handkerchief covered with large green
+checks and wiped off his shoe.  "How dare you do such a thing?"
+
+"What did I do?" asked the clammer innocently, for he had not seen the
+accident.
+
+"What did you do?  I'll show you!  I'll teach you to spoil a pair of
+new shoes that cost me two dollars and thirty-five cents!  I'll have
+you arrested if that spot doesn't come out, and you'll have to pay for
+having them cleaned, too."
+
+"I--I--" began Bob, who was a lad never looking for trouble, "I'm
+sorry--I--"
+
+"Say, it's you who ought to be arrested, Chet!" broke in Andy, coming
+to the relief of his chum.
+
+"Me?  What for, I'd like to know?" asked the dude, as he finished
+polishing the tan ties with the brilliant handkerchief.
+
+"Why you're dressed so 'loud' that you're disturbing the peace," was
+the laughing reply "You'd better look out."
+
+"Such--er--jokes are in very bad taste," sneered Chet, whose parents
+were in humble circumstances, not at all in keeping with his dress.  In
+fact, though Chet thought himself very stylish, if was a "style"
+affected only by the very vain, and was several years behind the season
+at that.
+
+"You're a joke yourself," murmured Frank.  "It wasn't Bob's fault that
+the clam fell on you, Chet," he added in louder tones.
+
+"Why not, I'd like to know?"
+
+"Because you are so brilliant in those togs that you blinded his eyes,
+and he couldn't see to shovel straight; eh, Bob?"
+
+"I--I guess that's it.  I didn't mean to," murmured Bob.
+
+"Well, you'll pay for having my shoes shined just the same," snapped
+Chet, as he restored his handkerchief to his pocket with a grand
+flourish.
+
+"Whew!  What's that smell?" cried Andy, pretending to be horrified.  "I
+didn't know you could smell the fish fertilizer factory when the wind
+was in this direction."
+
+"Me either," added Frank, entering into the joke.  "It sure is an awful
+smell.  Whew!"
+
+"I--I don't smell anything," said Chet, blankly.
+
+"Maybe it's your handkerchief," went on Andy.  "Give us a whiff," and
+before the dude could stop him the younger Racer boy had snatched it
+from his pocket.  "Whew!  Yes, this is it!" he cried, holding his nose
+as he handed the gaudy linen back.  "How did it happen, Chet?  Did you
+drop it somewhere?  It's awful!" and he pretended to stagger back.
+"Better have it disinfected."
+
+"That smell!  On my handkerchief!" fairly roared Chet.  "That's the
+best perfumery they have at Davidson's Emporium.  I paid fifteen cents
+a bottle for it.  Give me my handkerchief."
+
+"Fifteen cents a bottle?" cried Andy.  "Say, you got badly stuck all
+right!  Fifteen cents!  Whew!  Get on the other side, where the wind
+doesn't blow, please, Chet."
+
+"Oh, you fellows think you are mighty funny," sneered the dude.  "I'll
+get even with you yet.  Are you going to pay for shining my shoes, Bob?"
+
+"I--er--" began the captain's son.
+
+"Sit down and let's talk it over," suggested Andy, as he flopped down
+on the sand.  "Have a chair, Chet.  You must be tired standing," he
+went on.
+
+"What?  Sit there with--with my good clothes on?" demanded the dude in
+accents of horror.  "Never!"
+
+"A clam might bite you, of course.  I forgot that," continued the
+fun-loving Andy.  Then, as Chet continued to face Bob, and make demands
+on him for the price of having his tan shoes polished, the younger
+Racer lad conceived another scheme.
+
+In accordance with what he thought were the dictates of "fashion" Chet
+wore his trousers very much turned up at the bottoms.  They formed a
+sort of "pockets," and these pockets Andy industriously proceeded to
+fill with sand.  Soon both trouser legs bulged with the white particles.
+
+"Well, are you going to pay me?" demanded Chet of Bob finally.
+
+"I--I didn't mean to do it, and I haven't any change to pay you now,"
+said the captain's son.
+
+"Pay him in clams," suggested Frank.
+
+"No, I want the money," insisted the dude.  He took a step after Bob,
+who walked around to get on the seat of the wagon.  At his first
+movement Chet was made aware of the sand in the bottoms of his trousers.
+
+The dude looked down, half frightened.  Then he made a leap forward.
+The sand was scattered all about, a good portion of it going into the
+low shoes Chet wore.  This filled them so that they were hard to walk
+in, and the next moment the stylishly dressed youth lurched, stepped
+into a hollow, and fell flat on the sand, his slender cane breaking off
+short at the handle as it caught between his legs.
+
+"Come here and I'll pick you up!" shouted Andy, who had scrambled away
+as he saw Chet start out.
+
+"You--you--who did this?  Who pushed me?" stammered Chet, as he got up
+spluttering, for some sand had gotten in his mouth.  "I'll have revenge
+for this--on some one!  Who knocked me down?"
+
+"It was the strong perfumery on your handkerchief," suggested Andy.
+"It went to your head, Chet."
+
+"It was you, Bob Trent; you did it!" yelled the dude, making a rush for
+the captain's son.  "I'll give you a thrashing for this!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A LIVELY CARGO
+
+"Hold on there, Chet!" cried Andy, as he saw Bob about to suffer for
+the trick he himself had played.  The dude had hauled back his fist to
+strike the captain's son, who put himself in a position of defense.
+
+"You can't stop me!" yelled Chet, making rapid motions with his fists.
+Bob Trent shrank back.
+
+"Stop, I say!" shouted Andy again, making a rush to get between the
+prospective combatants.
+
+"Now you see what your fooling did," spoke Frank, in a low voice to his
+brother.  "Why can't you cut it out?"
+
+"Can't seem to," answered the fun-loving lad.  "But I won't let 'em
+fight.  I'll own up to Chet, and he can take it out of me if he likes."
+
+"There!" suddenly cried Chet, as he landed a light blow on Bob's chest.
+"That'll teach you to dirty up my shoes, fill my pants full of sand and
+trip me up.  There's another for you!"
+
+He tried to strike the captain's son again, but Bob, though he was not
+a fighting lad, was a manly chap, who would stand up for his rights.
+Suddenly his fist shot forward and landed with no little force on the
+nose of the dude.
+
+Once more Chet went down, not so gently as before, measuring his length
+in the sand.  When he arose his face was red with anger, and his former
+immaculate attire was sadly ruffled.
+
+"I--I--I'll have you all arrested for this!" he yelled.  "I'll make a
+complaint against you, Bob Trent, and sue you for damages."
+
+Chet made another rush for the driver of the clam wagon as soon as he
+could arise, but this time Andy had stepped in between them and blocked
+the impending blows.
+
+"That'll do now!" exclaimed the younger Racer lad with more sternness
+and determination than he usually employed.  "It was all my fault.  I
+filled your pants with sand, Chet.  I really couldn't help it, the
+bottoms were so wide open.  But I didn't push you when you fell the
+first time.  You tripped in that hollow.  Now come on, and I'll buy you
+two chocolate sodas to square it up.  I'll treat the crowd.  Come
+along, Bob."
+
+"No, I can't," answered Bob.  "Got to get along with these clams.  I'm
+late now.  But I want to say that I'm sorry I knocked Chet down.  I
+wouldn't have done it if he hadn't struck me first."
+
+"That's right," put in Frank.  "I'm sorry it happened."
+
+"So am I," added Andy contritely.  But it is doubtful if he would
+remain sorry long.  Already a smile was playing over his face.
+
+"Well, who's coming and have sodas with me?" asked the younger Racer
+brother, after an awkward pause, during which Bob mounted the seat of
+his wagon and drove off.  "Come on, Chet.  I'll have your cane fixed,
+too.  And if you don't like a chocolate soda you can have vanilla."
+
+"I wouldn't drink a soda with you if I never had one!" burst out the
+dude, as he wiped the sand off his shoes and brushed his light suit.
+"I'll get square with you for this, too; see if I don't."
+
+"Oh, very well, if you feel that way about it I can't help it," said
+Andy.  "I said I was sorry, and all that sort of thing, but I'm not
+going to get down on my knees to you.  Come along, Frank.  Let's go for
+a sail."
+
+The clam wagon was heading for the street that led up from the beach.
+Chet had turned away with an injured air, and Andy linked his arm in
+that of his brother.
+
+"You see what your fooling led to," said Frank in a low voice, as the
+two strolled off, "Why can't you let up playing jokes when you know
+they're going to make trouble?"
+
+"How'd I know it was going to make trouble, just to put sand in Chet's
+pants?" demanded Andy, with some truth in his contention.  "If I had
+known it I wouldn't have done it.  But it was great to see him tumble;
+wasn't it?"
+
+"Oh, I suppose so," and in spite of his rather grave manner Frank had
+to smile.  "But you must look ahead a bit, Andy, when you're planning a
+joke."
+
+"Look ahead!  The joke would lose half its fun then.  It's not knowing
+how a thing is going to turn out that makes it worth while."
+
+"Oh, you're hopeless!" said Frank, laughing in spite of himself.
+
+"And you're too sober!" declared his brother.  "Wake up!  Here, I'll
+beat you to the dock this time!"  And with that Andy turned a
+handspring, and darted toward the pier, near which their sailboat was
+moored.  Frank started off on the run, but Andy had too much of a
+start, and when the elder lad arrived at the goal Andy was there
+waiting for him.
+
+"Now the sodas are on you!" he announced.  "How's that?"
+
+"Why, we didn't finish the rowing race on account of the whale, but
+this contest will do as well.  I'll have orange for mine."
+
+"Oh, all right, come on," and Frank good-naturedly led the way toward
+the only drug store in Harbor View.  "But I thought you were going for
+a sail, and see if we could get a trace of mysterious wrecked motor
+boat," he added.
+
+"So I am," admitted Andy.  "But first I want a drink.  Then I'm going
+to see how Jim Bailey is coming on with repairing the skiff that the
+whale tried to eat.  After that we'll go sailing."
+
+"And we'll see what we can do on our own account," announced Frank, as
+a little later he assisted his brother to hoist the sail on the _Gull_.
+Soon they were standing out of the harbor under a brisk wind which
+heeled their craft well over.  They knew it was practically useless to
+expect a sight of the mysterious wreck until they were well out, and so
+they gave themselves up to the enjoyment of the trip, talking at
+intervals of many things, but principally of the strange lad still
+quartered at their house.
+
+"Poor Paul Gale!" said Frank.  "It must be hard to lose your memory
+that way."
+
+"Sure," agreed Andy.  "Not to know who your father or mother is, or
+whether you have any, or whether you are rich or poor--it sure is
+tough."
+
+"I think he must be well off, as I've said before," declared Frank.
+"But that's as far as I can get.  If there was only some way of getting
+on the track of that strange man who seemed to know Paul, we could do
+something."
+
+"But he's disappeared completely," said Andy.  "He sure did make a
+quick getaway the day we met him on the sands."
+
+Frank, who was steering, changed the course of the _Gull_.  As he did
+so Andy suddenly stood up, pointed off across the slowly rolling waves,
+and cried out:
+
+"Look there!"
+
+"What is it, the motor boat or the whale?" asked Frank.
+
+"It's a boat, but look who's in it.  The mysterious man!"
+
+A short distance away was a dory, containing one person, and it needed
+but a single glance from the eyes of the Racer boys to tell them it was
+indeed the tall, dark stranger who had acted so oddly after questioning
+them about Paul Gale.  The man was rowing slowly and awkwardly, as if
+unused to the exertion, but as the sea was fairly calm he was not
+having a hard time, especially as the dory was built for safety.
+
+"Think he sees us?" asked Andy.
+
+"No, but he'll hear us if you don't talk lower," objected Frank.
+"Sounds carry very far over water."
+
+"All right," whispered the younger lad.  "Let's see if we can't creep
+up on him.  If we get near enough we can tell him Paul is much better,
+and he may be so surprised that he'll let out some information before
+he knows it."
+
+"I haven't much hope of that," replied Frank, "but we'll try it."  He
+changed the course of the sailboat once more until, it was headed right
+for the dory.  The man rowing seemed to pay no attention to our heroes.
+
+They were rapidly drawing close to him, and Andy took pains to conceal
+himself so that the stranger could not see him until the last moment.
+Frank was well screened by the sail.
+
+Suddenly, off to the left, the boys heard a cry:
+
+"Help!  Help!  They're getting loose!  I can't catch 'em!  Help!  Help!"
+
+"What's that?" demanded Andy in some alarm.  "Some one is drowning."
+
+"No, the call came from that lighter over there," declared Frank,
+pointing toward one of the clumsy harbor craft used to transport or
+"lighter" cargoes from one ship to another, or from dock to dock.  The
+next moment this was made plain, for the call sounded a second time:
+
+"Help!  Help!  Sailboat ahoy!  Come to the rescue!  I'll be bitten to
+death!  Help!"  At the same time the boys saw a man quickly climb up
+the stumpy mast of the lighter and cling there with one hand while he
+waved his cap at them with the other.
+
+"We've got to go help him!" exclaimed Andy.
+
+"If we do, this strange man will get away," warned his brother.
+
+"That's so.  What shall we do?"
+
+They paused, undecided.  Following up the man might mean the solution
+of the mystery surrounding Paul Gale.  On the other hand they could
+hardly ignore the call for aid.  They could not go to both places, as
+the lighter was in one direction and the dory being rowed in another.
+Once more came the cry:
+
+"Help!  Help!  They're all getting out of the cages!"
+
+"What in the world can he be talking about?" demanded the puzzled
+Frank, trying to catch a glimpse of the deck of the lighter.  But the
+rail was too high.
+
+"Shall we go to him?" asked Andy.
+
+"Yes," spoke Frank reluctantly.  "We can't let him die, and he seems to
+be in trouble.  Maybe we can find that mysterious man again;" and he
+swung the tiller over.  The _Gull_ headed about and moved toward the
+lighter.
+
+The man on the mast was frantically waving his cap and pointing at
+something down on the deck.  Andy gave one look in the direction of the
+dory.  The man was rowing more rapidly now.  Perhaps he wanted to get
+out of the zone of so much excitement.
+
+"There's something lively going on aboard that lighter," declared
+Frank, as they drew nearer.
+
+"I should say so!" agreed Andy.  "Hear those yells!  They must be
+killing one another!  I'll bet it's a mutiny!"
+
+"Mutiny aboard a lighter, with one man as captain and crew?" demanded
+Frank.  "Hardly.  But we'll soon find out what it is.  Aboard the
+lighter!" he yelled.  "What's the trouble?"
+
+"Everything," was the quick answer.  "Hurry up if you want to save me.
+They're all over the deck."
+
+"What is?" demanded Andy.
+
+"Snakes and monkeys.  They broke out of their cages and they're raising
+hob!  Come on!  Come on!  Never again will I lighter a cargo of live
+stock of this kind!  Hurry, boys!  Hurry!"
+
+"Snakes and monkeys!" murmured Andy.  "I should say it was a lively
+cargo!  How in blazes are we going to save him?  I don't want fifteen
+feet of anaconda or boa constrictor aboard us!"
+
+"We've got to do something for him," decided Frank with a grim
+tightening of his lips.  "Stand by, I'm going to head up in to the
+wind.  Then we'll lower the small boat and see what we can do."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+ANDY IS CAUGHT
+
+The lighter had been slowly moving ahead, but not under the influence
+of her sail, for the main sheet was free and the piece of canvas was
+idly flapping in the wind.  Consequently the boys had no difficulty in
+coming up to her in their boat.  Now they were ready to lower the small
+craft they carried slung on davits at the stern.  This was a new
+addition to the _Gull_, put in place since the rescue of Paul Gale, for
+the brothers thought they might need it if they chanced to sight the
+wreck of the motor boat.  Now it was likely to come in useful.
+
+"Lower your sail," called Andy to Frank.  "Then we can leave the _Gull_
+to drift while we pull over and see what's up."
+
+The canvas came down on the run, and then Frank assisted his brother in
+lowering the small boat.
+
+"Hurry!  Hurry!" begged the man on the mast of the lighter.  "One big
+gray-bearded monkey is getting ready to shin up after me, and there's a
+twenty-foot snake wiggling this way from the after hatch.  Hurry!"
+
+Andy paused in the operation of lowering the boat.
+
+"Say, we're going to be up against it ourselves if we board that
+lighter," he said to Frank.
+
+"I know it, but I don't intend to board her until I get those creatures
+out of our way."
+
+"But how you going to do it?" his brother wanted to know.
+
+"I'll make some plan after we row over and talk to the man.  It's queer
+how he happened to have such a cargo, and how they got loose.  Lower
+away."
+
+The little craft took the water easily and was soon riding under the
+stern of the _Gull_.  Frank and Andy slid down the rope falls, after
+tossing two pairs of oars into the boat, and unhooked the blocks,
+leaving them dangling to be used on their return to hoist the boat up
+to the davits again.
+
+"We're coming!" yelled Frank, in answer to another frantic appeal for
+aid.  "How many of them are there?"
+
+"About a million snakes and ten thousand monkeys!" was the frightened
+reply.  "Come on!  I can't hang here much longer."
+
+"Where did they come from?" demanded Andy, when he and his brother were
+near the side of the lighter.
+
+"I got a job of transfering them from a ship that's just in from South
+America, to a dock up near Seabright way," answered the man.
+
+"How'd they get loose?" Frank wanted to know.
+
+"Hanged if I know," was the reply.  "I was sailing along easy like,
+when all of a sudden I felt something on my leg.  It was sort of
+squeezin' me, and when I looked down I saw a big snake crawling up.  I
+gave one yell and scudded across the deck.  Then I saw a monkey making
+faces at me from the hatchway.  The long tailed beasts must have broken
+out of their cages, and then the monkeys let the snakes loose.  I
+climbed up here, and here I am."
+
+"Are they savage?" asked Andy.
+
+"Say, for the love of lobsters don't ask so many questions!" begged the
+man.  "Get aboard here and drive the critters away so I can come down.
+One of the monkeys cast off the main sheet and spilled the wind out of
+the sail."
+
+"It's a good thing he did, or we couldn't have come up to you," called
+Frank.  "We'll see what we can do.  Where are the cages?"
+
+"Down in the hold.  The steamer captain, when I took the beasts, told
+me to keep 'em below, and I did, but I didn't think they'd get loose so
+I didn't have the hatch covers on."
+
+"Well, it's easier than I thought," went on Frank.  "Wait a minute and
+we'll be back."
+
+He started to row their boat toward the _Gull_.
+
+"Oh, don't leave me!" wailed the man.
+
+"I'm not going to," shouted back the elder Racer boy.
+
+"What are you going to do?" asked his brother.
+
+"Go back and get some grub, and my revolver with blank cartridges in
+it."
+
+"What's that for?"
+
+"You'll see."
+
+The brothers were soon aboard their own sailing craft again, and Frank
+quickly secured the weapon, directing Andy to pack in a bag all the
+spare food on board, for the boys usually kept a supply in a small
+galley, in case they were ever becalmed over night.
+
+"Here's some crackers, some cans of peaches, some peanuts and a lot of
+stale pop corn balls," announced Andy.
+
+"That'll do.  Get a dish, and bring along the can opener," ordered
+Frank.  "I guess that will do."
+
+"Oh, I'm on to your game now," said Andy.
+
+"I'll want some condensed milk, too," went on the older boy.  "Got any?"
+
+"Yes, here's a couple of cans."
+
+"Good, bring 'em along and another dish.  Now I guess we're ready."
+
+They were soon at the side of the lighter again with their odd
+collection.
+
+"Where is the safest place to come aboard?" asked Frank of the man, who
+was still up the mast.
+
+"Right amidships," he answered.  "There's not a snake or monkey near
+there now, and it's right by the open hatch."
+
+"Good!" answered Frank.  "That'll do.  Make our boat fast, Andy, and
+follow me.  Bring the grub."
+
+His brother obeyed, and soon the two lads were aboard the lighter.
+They saw a group of monkeys aft, chattering and wrestling among
+themselves, whether in play or anger was not evident.  Forward were
+several large snakes contentedly sunning themselves on deck.  There did
+not seem to be so much danger as the man had said, though doubtless if
+the monkeys were really aroused they might injure some one, as several
+were very large specimens.
+
+"Quick now!" called Frank to Andy.  "Help me spread out this grub near
+the open hatch.  Open the cans of peaches and pour them over the
+crackers in the dish.  Do the same with the condensed milk, only put
+that in a separate dish.  It's lucky the snakes are forward, they'll
+get a whiff of it there."
+
+Soon there was an array of food about the open hatch.  So far the
+monkeys had paid no attention to the boys, for the brothers had worked
+silently, the man on the mast watching them curiously, but still afraid
+to come down.
+
+"Now I guess we're ready," announced Frank.  "Come over here, Andy, and
+we'll hide under this pile of canvas."
+
+With his revolver in readiness, Frank led the way, followed by his
+brother.  When they were both concealed from view Frank reached out his
+hand, and tossed several crackers toward the group of monkeys.  There
+was a movement among them, and the chattering broke out doubly loud.
+One monkey grabbed a cracker in each paw, but they were immediately
+snatched from him by some of his mates.  Then the whole crowd caught
+sight of the food around the open hatch and made a mad dash for it.
+
+At the same time the snakes must have smelled the milk, and, as it is
+well known that these reptiles are very fond of this liquid, they
+crawled toward it.
+
+"Now's my chance!" exclaimed Frank, when he saw the snakes and monkeys
+grouped about the hole in the deck, eagerly devouring the food.  He
+raised his revolver in the air and fired several shots rapidly.
+
+The effect was almost magical.  With screams of fright the monkeys
+fairly leaped down the dark hole, and the snakes with angry hisses
+followed them.  In less than five seconds not an animal or reptile was
+on deck.
+
+"Quick!  The hatch cover!" cried Frank, springing from under the
+canvas.  His brother followed and the cover was clapped into place.
+
+"Good enough!" yelled the man, climbing down from the mast, and
+assisting the boys to make the cover fast.  "Now I've got the critters
+where I want 'em, and I'll keep 'em there until I get to the dock.
+Then the man that owns 'em can take 'em out.  I won't.  That was a
+slick trick, all right, boys.  I'd never thought of that.  You saved my
+life."
+
+"Oh, I guess they wouldn't have killed you," spoke Frank.  "But what's
+going to be done with them?"
+
+"They're to go in some sort of summer show up Seabright way, I reckon.
+My! but I'm obliged to you boys!  How much do I owe you?" and the man
+made a motion toward his pocket.
+
+"Nothing," answered Frank quickly.  "We're glad we could help you.  I
+guess you won't have any more trouble."
+
+"Not if you keep the hatch closed," added Andy.
+
+"And you can make up your mind that I will!" answered the man
+decidedly.  "No more snake or monkey cargoes for me.  Well, I'll get
+along now, I guess.  Say, I'd like to make you boys a present.  I've
+got some prime lobsters that a fellow gave me.  They're all alive.
+Won't you take some along?"
+
+"Well, we generally can eat them," spoke Frank.  "And my mother is very
+fond of lobster salad."
+
+"Don't say another word," exclaimed the lighterman.  "Here you are,"
+and he drew forth a basket from under a pile of bagging at the foot of
+the mast.  "Take 'em along."
+
+There were a dozen fine, large lobsters in the basket as Andy
+ascertained by a peep, and then after thanking the man for them, and
+making sure that the hatch cover was on tight, the brothers rowed back
+to their craft.  As they sailed away they saw the man carrying a small
+ketch anchor and placing it on top of the hatch cover.
+
+"He isn't taking any chances," remarked Frank.
+
+"Indeed not," agreed his brother.  "Well, let's see if we can pick up
+that mysterious man again."
+
+They looked all about, but there was no sign of the dory, and they felt
+that it would be useless to sail about in search, as it was getting
+late.
+
+"Let's put for home," proposed Frank, and Andy assented.
+
+When nearing their mooring place Andy got a piece of string and some
+strong paper, and proceeded to wrap up one of the largest lobsters.
+
+"What are you going to do with that; give it to some of your girls?"
+asked Frank.
+
+"Hu!  I guess not," was the somewhat indignant answer.  "I'm going to
+have a little fun with it.  There are more than we need in that basket."
+
+"Look out that some one doesn't have fun with you," warned his brother.
+
+"Oh, I can take care of myself," answered Andy with a grin.  He
+assisted his brother to carry the basket of lobsters up on the pier,
+and then, as they were rather heavy, and as a delivery wagon from a
+grocery where Mrs. Racer traded was at hand, Frank decided to send the
+shell fish home in that.
+
+"Coming along?" asked the elder boy of his brother, as the delivery
+vehicle drove off.
+
+"Yes, but I want to have some fun first.  I see Chet Sedley coming, and
+I'm going to make him a present of this lobster.  It's a lively one,
+and he won't know what's in the paper--until he opens it.  Watch me."
+
+Frank shook his head, but smiled.  He followed his brother at a
+distance.  The town dude, attired more gorgeously than before, saw Andy
+approaching, and was about to turn aside.
+
+"Hold on," called Andy.  "I'm sorry about what happened a while ago,
+Chet, and here's a little present for you."
+
+He held out the package.
+
+"What's in it?" asked Chet suspiciously, as he took it.
+
+"Why--er----" began Andy, but just then Mabel Chase, one of the
+prettiest girls in Harbor View, approached, and Andy took off his hat.
+Chet did likewise, making an elaborate bow.  At the same time he let
+slide to the sidewalk the package containing the lobster, and he gave
+it a shove with his foot so that it would be in back of him.
+
+For Chet was a very proud youth, and did not want to be seen carrying a
+bundle, especially by a young lady whose good opinion he desired.
+
+"Charming day, Miss Chase," murmured Chet, as he resumed an upright
+position.
+
+"Delightful," agreed the girl.  "Where have you been, Andy?  I haven't
+seen you in some time."
+
+"Oh, we have been sailing."
+
+"Have you rescued any more strange boys?" she went on.  "Oh, I think
+that was so romantic!  Does he know who he is yet?"  For the story of
+Paul Gale was well known in Harbor View by this time.
+
+"He hasn't the least idea," answered Andy.
+
+"Beautiful day," observed Chet, edging nearer to the girl.  "Oh, I said
+that before, didn't I?" he asked in confusion, for the dude's powers of
+talk were rather limited.  "I mean, do you think it's going to rain?"
+
+"Hardly," replied Andy.  "But say, Chet, why don't you open the present
+I gave you?"
+
+Andy could not resist the opportunity of seeing how his joke would turn
+out--especially when there was a girl present to witness it.
+
+"Oh, I--I don't want to now," replied Chet, and he took a step
+backward.  Accidentally he stepped on the paper containing the large
+lobster.  The string slipped off.  There was a rustling movement in the
+wrapping and the paper suddenly opened.  Something of a sort of
+greenish hue came into view; something with big claws.  Neither Chet
+nor Andy noticed it, for they were both talking to Miss Mabel.  The
+girl saw the lobster slowly reach up one large claw.
+
+"Oh!" she screamed.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Andy.
+
+He knew a moment later, for the crustacean caught him by the left ankle
+in a firm grip, and held on, while the would-be joker danced about on
+one leg, holding the other up in the air with the lobster dangling
+from, it.  The tables were effectually turned.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+"THAR SHE BLOWS!"
+
+"Take him off!" yelled Andy, dancing about.  "Grab him, Chet.  Wow!
+How he pinches!"
+
+"Oh!  Don't let it get loose!" begged Miss Mabel, looking for a place
+upon which she could climb out of danger.
+
+"Loose!  That's just what I want to do--get him loose!" cried Andy.
+
+"How--how did it happen?" asked Chet innocently.  "Was that a lobster
+you gave me, Andy?"
+
+"Never mind what I gave you," howled the youth.  "Help me get him off."
+
+Now Chet was not a very wise youth, but he knew better than to pick off
+a lobster, especially when there was yet one large claw that wasn't
+working, but which was waving about seeking for something else to pinch.
+
+"Can't you help me?" begged Andy.  Frank had stopped to speak to an
+acquaintance, and did not see the plight of his brother.
+
+"Oh!  Oh, dear!  What shall I do?" wailed Mabel.  Several men and boys
+began to gather about the scene.
+
+"I've got to get him loose or he'll pinch off my foot!" cried Andy.  He
+reached over as well as he could, while standing on one foot, and tried
+to get hold of the lobster by the back, behind the vicious claws.  But
+he made a miscalculation.
+
+The next moment the other claw of the lobster had gripped him on the
+wrist, fortunately taking hold around Andy's coat sleeve so that the
+flesh was not cut by the "teeth" of the crustacean's pincher.
+
+Andy was now in a peculiar predicament, for he was held in a stooping
+position with the lobster clinging to his ankle and wrist.  He put on
+the ground the foot which had first been gripped and was vainly
+endeavoring to pull the lobster loose when Frank, attracted by the
+crowd, hurried up.  He saw at once what the trouble was, and with one
+well-directed kick he sent the lobster spinning out into the middle of
+the street, the suddenness of the blow loosening the tight claws.
+
+"Well, of all things!  What happened, Andy?" Frank asked.
+
+"Don't ask me.  Come on home," replied his brother, limping away, while
+Miss Mabel smiled and turned aside.  Chet Sedley grinned.  It was the
+first and only time he had unwittingly gotten the better of Andy Racer.
+
+"I told you not to play any more jokes," spoke Frank, as he walked
+along at his brother's side.  "You never can tell when they're going to
+come back on you."
+
+"Oh, say, let a fellow alone; can't you?" expostulated the younger lad.
+
+"Does it hurt you very much?" inquired Frank.
+
+"I should say it does!" and Andy stooped over and rubbed his ankle and
+then gently massaged his wrist.
+
+"Better get home and put some vaseline on it," suggested Frank.
+
+"Vaseline!  Say, the next time I try to play a joke on anybody, please
+holler 'Lobster' at me.  And if that doesn't do any good just pinch me
+good and hard," requested the younger lad.
+
+"I told you so," commented Frank.
+
+"Yes, but I didn't believe you.  Let's get home.  Don't tell mother.
+She'd think I'd be in for a siege of blood poisoning, and keep me in
+bed.  I'll be all right.  But say, things have been happening lately;
+haven't they?"
+
+"I should say yes.  I'm sorry we missed that strange man to-day.  We
+might have been able to get something about Paul out of him."
+
+"I doubt it.  However, we had a great time with the snakes and monkeys.
+Better not say anything about that at home, either, or dad and mom will
+put a stop to our sailboat if they think that something happens every
+time we go out in her."
+
+"I guess that's right.  We'll lay low and say nothing."
+
+But the story got out, for the skipper of the lighter told at the dock
+in Seabright how two boys had come to his rescue, and the description
+of them fitted our heroes.
+
+"I don't know what I'm going to do with you chaps," said their father
+after supper a few evenings later, as he looked at them over the top of
+the paper.  "Seems to me you're always doing something."  He had heard
+the lobster and snake stories from a friend that day.
+
+"But this wasn't our fault," said Frank.  "We just had to help that
+man."
+
+"It was just the same as when they rescued me," put in Paul Gale, who
+was sitting in an easy chair.  "I'd never be alive to-day only for
+them."
+
+"And it's too bad we missed getting a chance to talk with that strange
+man," went on Andy, glad to change the subject.  "He might have told us
+something about you, Paul."
+
+"I doubt it," commented Mr. Racer.  "That man, whoever he is, has some
+strong object in keeping out of our way.  I can't understand it, and
+have half made up my mind to put detectives on the case, for I feel
+sure that there is some strange mystery behind it all."
+
+"Detectives, dad!" exclaimed Andy.  "Say, let Frank and me do the
+detective work, and pay us the reward."
+
+"Reward!  I never thought of that!" exclaimed the silk merchant.  "I
+believe it would be a good idea to do that.  I'll put another
+advertisement in the papers."
+
+He did so.  But it brought no responses of any account, though many
+irresponsible persons claimed to be able to solve the mystery of the
+identity of Paul Gale.  However, they all proved to be "fakers," and
+Paul was as hopeless as before.
+
+"Never mind, we'll get on the track of it yet," declared Frank one day.
+
+"Oh, if you only could!" sighed Paul.  "Perhaps my mother or father may
+be anxiously looking for me, and can't find me.  Nor can I find them
+until I know who I am."
+
+"Well, we'll find out, if it's possible," declared Andy.  "I haven't
+yet given up looking for your motor boat.  I suppose it was your boat?"
+and he looked at the lad who, though yet partly an invalid, was rapidly
+convalescing.
+
+"I--I don't know," was the weak response.  "Sometimes I have a hazy
+notion that I had many such things, an auto, a boat, a pony, and a rich
+home, but it is all like a dream--a dream," and Paul buried his face in
+his arms.
+
+"Don't worry," spoke Mrs. Racer soothingly.  "Now you boys must stop
+talking about this, and get on a more cheerful subject.  I want you all
+to promise to come and see me play golf to-morrow.  We have a medal
+match at the Harbor View links, and it will do you good to get in some
+society, other than that of whales, wrecked motor boats and sailors.
+You will be strong enough to come, won't you, Paul?"
+
+"I--I think so.  I'm feeling better every day."
+
+Paul went to the golf match in a carriage, and sat on the shady porch
+of the clubhouse while the two Racer boys followed their energetic
+mother about the links.
+
+The sixteenth hole was down near the sandy shore of the bay, and while
+Mrs. Racer was teeing up for a trial at the seventeenth, Frank and Andy
+strolled toward the beach.
+
+"It's a fine day for a sail," observed the younger lad.
+
+"What!  Go off and not see mother win!" cried Frank.
+
+"Oh, I was only joking."
+
+"Hum!  Joking!" exclaimed Frank, and Andy laughed uneasily.
+
+"There's someone in a boat headed this way," said Frank, after a pause.
+"He's rowing fast, too."
+
+"Looks like Bob Trent's dory," commented his brother.
+
+"It is," was the answer.  "Wonder what he's in such a hurry about?"
+
+They watched the rower in silence for a few minutes, while Mrs. Racer
+played on, too interested in the game to miss her sons.  A little later
+Bob's boat grounded on the shelving beach.  He leaped out, pulled it up
+farther on the sands, and then, seeing the two Racer boys regarding
+him, he sang out:
+
+"There she blows!  A whale!  Almost dead, and headed for shore.  There
+she blows!"
+
+He pointed out across the bay.
+
+"A whale?" cried Frank.
+
+"Maybe it's our whale!" exclaimed Andy "Let's go out and get It!"
+
+He looked at his brother.  Then both glanced over to where their mother
+was posing for a difficult shot.
+
+"Come on!" cried Andy, and Frank followed him in a race to the beach,
+where Bob Trent awaited them.  Out on the bay they could see two misty
+fountains of spray blown into the air--the spouting of the wounded
+whale.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+A RIVAL CLAIM
+
+"Pull hard!" cried Andy Racer.
+
+"Pull hard yourself," retorted his brother.
+
+"We've all got to pull for all we're worth if we want to get that whale
+before someone else does," added Bob Trent.  They were all three in the
+old captain's big boat--the one in which Bob had been out clamming when
+he sighted the wounded whale, and hastened to shore with the news.
+
+"Do you think anyone else would want it?" asked Frank, as he labored at
+the heavy oars.  There was room for the trio of lads to handle sweeps.
+
+"Sure, most anyone would want a whale," replied Bob.  "It'll be worth a
+lot of money to the fertilizer factory, and then there's the oil."
+
+"Then there's the whalebone," put in Andy eagerly.  "We ought to get a
+lot of money for that."
+
+"This kind of a whale doesn't have the sort of bone that is valuable, I
+believe," suggested Frank.  "It's only for the oil that they're hunted.
+But still, if we can get this one we ought to knock out a pretty penny."
+
+"If there was a lump of ambergris in it we all be millionaires!"
+exclaimed Andy eagerly.
+
+"Well, of course ambergris is said to be found in dead whales,"
+admitted Frank, as he cast a look over his shoulder to observe their
+course, "but our whale isn't dead yet."
+
+"And? maybe we won't get it after all," went on Bob.  "Have you seen
+him spout lately?"
+
+"No, but then he may have sounded and it will be about fifteen minutes
+before he comes up again," announced Frank.  "Was he nearly dead, Bob?"
+
+"Pretty far gone.  Some gulls were hovering over him in anticipation, I
+guess, and that's a good sign."
+
+"I wonder what mom will say," came from Frank, after a pause.  "We sort
+of promised we wouldn't go whaling again, Andy."
+
+"I don't believe she'd care if she knew how it was, but we didn't have
+time to tell her.  Besides, she doesn't like to be interrupted when she
+golfing.  Anyhow, this whale is nearly dead and there can't be any harm
+going for a dead one.  I was a live one she and dad were thinking about
+when they warned us."
+
+"I guess so," agreed Frank.  "Anyhow we're out now and we might as well
+keep on.  I wonder----"
+
+"There she blows again!" interrupted Bob excitedly, and he stopped
+rowing long enough, to point to a spot in the bay not far distant.
+
+"And she's spouting blood now!" fairly yelled Andy.  "That whale is
+ours as sure as guns!  Have you a line aboard, Bob?"
+
+"Yes, a long anchor rope, strong enough, I guess, for what I need.
+Let's put in a little closer.  We can keep track of the whale now.
+Don't lose sight of it."
+
+"One of us had better keep on the watch," proposed Andy.
+
+"What are you trying to do--get out of rowing?" asked his brother with
+a laugh.
+
+"No, we can take turns being lookout.  Only we don't want to lose sight
+of the whale."
+
+This was agreed to, and, as he had suggested it, Andy was allowed to
+take his place in the bow and watch the progress of the immense animal.
+It was a large whale, probably seventy-five feet long and big in
+proportion.  It was swimming slowly along, about half submerged.
+
+"Don't go too close," advised the younger Racer boy, in memory of what
+had once happened to him when he first met the whale.  "It may remember
+me and be anxious to finish up what it began."
+
+"Do you suppose it's the same one?" Frank wanted to know.
+
+"Shouldn't be a bit surprised," said Bob.  "There would hardly be two
+whales around here so close together, and both injured.  That's your
+whale sure enough.  But Andy's right, we must not get too near.  It
+might take a notion to charge us."
+
+Accordingly they sheered off, and rowed along in a course parallel with
+that of the monster They had paid little attention to where they were
+heading, and it was not until an exclamation from Frank drew their
+attention to it that they noticed how far away from land they were.
+
+"We'll have a fine long row to get back," observed Andy.
+
+"Yes, towing the whale, too," added his brother.
+
+"Maybe we'd better take a chance and make fast," suggested Bob.  "I
+think I can get my anchor line over that harpoon I see sticking out and
+then we can begin towing."
+
+"Nixy on that!" exclaimed Andy quickly.  "We don't tackle any live
+whales.  We'll wait for this one to die."
+
+"I wish it would hurry up about it then," grumbled Frank.  "I don't
+want to stay out here a night."
+
+Suddenly, as he spoke there was a flurry of water about the dying
+monster of the deep.
+
+"Look out!" yelled Andy.  "It's coming for us."
+
+"Back water!" shouted Bob.
+
+They bent to the oars with a will, Andy taking up his discarded ones.
+But they need not have been alarmed.  It was the last move the whale
+was destined to make.  Rearing itself partly up out of the water the
+monster suddenly sank, making such a commotion that the boat of the
+boys was tossed about like a chip in the surf.
+
+"He's sounded again!" shouted Andy.
+
+"No, that's the end," said Bob, who had heard his father tell of
+whaling voyages.  "The whale is dead, and he's gone to the bottom."
+
+"Then we can't get it," came regretfully from Andy.
+
+"Oh, yes we can," declared Bob.
+
+"How?" Frank wanted to know.
+
+"Why, after a whale dies, and sinks, gases very soon begin to form
+inside it.  This swells it up like a balloon, and it comes to the top
+again.  Then we can get it."
+
+"How long will it take?" asked Andy, with an anxious look at the sun,
+for it was getting late.
+
+"Oh, maybe an hour, perhaps longer," replied Bob.  "We will just have
+to hang around here until it comes up."
+
+"I hope our folks don't get worried about us," remarked Frank, who was
+a little uneasy about having gone off as they had so suddenly.  "We
+left Paul at the clubhouse all alone, too."
+
+"Oh, well, he won't mind.  There's lots going on, and we'll soon be
+back--if we have luck," commented Andy.
+
+"Queer about that Paul," spoke Bob.  "You haven't seen anything more of
+that strange man; have you?"
+
+"No, and I'm afraid we won't, either," declared the elder Racer boy.
+"It seems to be a mystery we'll never solve.  If we could only find
+that missing motor boat it might help some.  But I guess that's sunk,
+though it was floating when we took Paul aboard our craft."
+
+The boys rowed slowly about the spot where the whale had gone down,
+casting eager glances from time to time at the rolling billows.  They
+were careful to keep far enough away so that the rising monster would
+not come up beneath them, and capsize the boat.
+
+It was a little short of an hour when Frank, who had stood up to
+stretch his cramped legs, suddenly uttered an exclamation:
+
+"Look!" he cried, and pointed dead ahead.
+
+Something rose from the sea, rolled over several times, and then swayed
+gently with the motion of the waves.
+
+"Our whale!" cried Andy.
+
+"Dead as a door nail!" added Frank.
+
+"Don't be too sure," cautioned Bob.  "Wait a minute."
+
+They waited, but there was no motion to the monster save that caused by
+the heaving ocean, and they ventured closer.
+
+"Gee whizz!  He's big all right!" exclaimed Andy.
+
+"That's right," agreed Bob.  "Now let's make this line fast to the
+harpoon handle, and we'll tow him ashore."
+
+"Why, there are two harpoons in him!" cried Frank, as a second shaft
+was visible.
+
+"There was only one when he tackled us," declared Andy.  "Someone else
+must have had a try at killing him since he smashed my boat."
+
+The other lads agreed that this was very probable, but there was no
+time to speculate on it.  The anchor line was quickly made fast, and
+being attached to the stern of the boat the work of towing the whale to
+the beach was begun.
+
+It was hard work, and it might seem that three boys could not
+accomplish it.  But it is well known that once a large and heavy body
+is started in motion in water, a slight force will keep it going.  It
+was so in this case.
+
+At first the three lads tugged and strained on the oars to little
+advantage.  The whale did not move.  But finally persistance told, and
+the inert body began to slide through the waves.  After that it was but
+a matter of keeping at it.
+
+"Oh, we'll get home before dark I guess," remarked Andy, when they had
+rowed in silence for half an hour.
+
+"If we don't we'll be in for it when we do arrive," prophesied Frank
+half dubiously.  "Let's see if we can't get up a little more steam."
+
+They quickened their strokes, and soon the coast line came into view,
+having been hidden by mist.  Then they headed for the stretch of sand
+of their home town.
+
+"Where shall we land it?" asked Frank, nodding at the whale, floating
+astern.
+
+"Oh, a little way up from the big pier will be a good place, I guess,"
+decided Bob.  "It's deep water close in to shore there, and we'll have
+to get the body stranded where the tide won't carry it off.  Besides,
+if we sell it to the fertilizer factory that's the best place for them
+to come after it."
+
+To this the Racer boys agreed, and by hard work they managed to reach
+the beach before dark, towing the whale in as close to shore as
+possible.
+
+Their arrival was soon noticed by the people of Harbor View and as word
+of what they had captured spread, a large throng soon gathered on the
+beach.
+
+"A whale!  Good land, what will them Racer boys do next?" one woman
+wanted to know.  No one took the trouble to answer her.
+
+"It's a fair-sized one, too," observed old Captain Obed Harkness.  "I
+mind the time I was up in the Arctic after them critters.  We didn't
+often git 'em bigger'n that."
+
+"What you fellows going to do with it?" asked Harry Dunn, who sometimes
+went clamming with Bob.  "Gee, I wish I'd been along."
+
+"We're going to sell it to the fertilizer factory," said Andy.  Then he
+added to his brother, in a low voice: "Hadn't we better telephone to
+mother that we're here?  She may get wind of this and worry."
+
+"Yes, I'll call her up," volunteered Frank.  "Then we'll see if we can
+talk to someone at the fertilizer factory.  You stay here.  I'll be
+right back."
+
+"Say, why don't you put a tent over the whale, and charge admission to
+see it?" asked Bert Ramsey.  "You could make a lot of money.  Summer
+visitors from Seabright and other places would like to see a real
+whale."
+
+"Couldn't get a tent big enough without a lot of trouble," replied
+Andy, as his brother hurried away.  Meanwhile the crowd on the beach
+became larger, and there were new arrivals every second, as the news
+spread.
+
+"There's a big motor boat coming in here," suddenly remarked Bob to
+Andy, as they stood near the head of the whale.
+
+The Racer lad glanced across the darkening sea.  He had a momentary
+idea that it might be the craft from which he and his brother had
+rescued Paul Gale.  But a glance showed him that it was a fishing
+vessel, that had been fitted up with a "kicker" or small gasolene
+engine, the noise of which came across the bay as the craft was headed
+toward the spot where the whale was stranded.
+
+"Wonder what they want?" mused Andy.
+
+"Out of gasolene, perhaps, and need a supply," suggested Bob.
+
+Few paid any attention to the oncoming craft, as they were too
+interested in looking at the whale.  Frank came hurrying back, and said
+to his brother:
+
+"It's all right.  Mother was just beginning to get worried.  But I
+fixed it all right, and said we had the whale, and hadn't been in a bit
+of danger."
+
+"What about the fertilizer factory?"
+
+"Couldn't get 'em on the wire.  To-morrow will do for that.  Now let's
+get home.  The whale will be safe here, I guess."
+
+"Let's see that the line is good and tight," suggested Bob, for the
+ketch anchor cable had been carried up on shore and made fast to an old
+bulkhead.
+
+The three boys were just making their way through the crowd when the
+oncoming motor boat came to a stop as near the shore as was possible to
+run in.  Two men, in long rubber boots, leaped overboard and waded
+through the shallow water.
+
+"Here it is, Bill!" called the foremost.
+
+"So you were right about it, Jack.  Those lads in the small boat did
+have it."
+
+The two burly fishermen elbowed their way through the throng, shoving
+people to right and left as they approached the whale.
+
+"Come now!" exclaimed the one called Jack.  "Get away from our whale!
+We're going to tow it out again."
+
+"Your whale!" cried Frank, who, hearing the words, quickly turned back
+with his brother and Bob.
+
+"Yes, our whale!" cried Bill.  "We harpooned it the other day, and
+we've been hunting for it ever since.  We thought we saw a motor boat
+towing it away to-day, and chased after it just about the time Jack
+spied you lads in the rowboat hauling something.  Jack wanted to take
+after you, but the rest of us thought the motor boat had our prize, so
+we lost time until we found it was only a wrecked boat that they were
+towing.  Then we came after you.  I wish we'd caught you before you
+hauled this up on shore, as we're going to have trouble getting our
+whale off again."
+
+"What makes you say that's _your_ whale?" demanded Andy hotly.
+
+"Because it is," answered Jack.  "We struck it, though it didn't die
+right away.  Now you folks keep back, and we'll haul it off.  Come on,
+fellows!" he called to the others in the motor boat.  "Lend a hand
+here, it's bigger than I thought."
+
+"That's not your whale, and you can't have it!" cried Frank
+determinedly.  "We picked it up at sea, and towed it in.  My brother
+and I saw it several days ago, and it struck one of our boats.  It's
+our whale, and we intend to keep it."
+
+"Get out of the way!" roughly cried the man called Bill.  "We haven't
+time to bother with you," and he elbowed Frank to one side.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+A FIRE ON BOARD
+
+Surprise at the bold claim of their rivals held the three boys almost
+spellbound for a moment.  The possibility that someone should seek to
+get possession of the whale they had brought ashore after such labor,
+and almost as soon as they landed, had never occurred to them.  Yet the
+fishermen seemed determined, for one of them began casting off Bob's
+anchor line, and several more of the burly chaps, in their long rubber
+boots, leaped overboard from the boat, and waded ashore.
+
+"What had we better do?" asked Andy of his brother.  "Are you going to
+let them take our whale?"
+
+"Not much!" exclaimed Frank, with a determined tightening of his lips.
+"I'm going to fight every inch.  They shan't take it away."
+
+"Let's appeal to the crowd," suggested Andy.  "Tell 'em just how we
+found the whale, and they won't let these men take it away from us."
+
+Frank looked doubtful as to the wisdom of that course.  Meanwhile the
+men were busily preparing to tow the whale away out to sea in the
+powerful motor boat.
+
+"If my father was only here," began Bob, "he would know what to do, and
+what our rights were.  There are certain laws about whales and things
+found at sea, and he'd make these fellows skip out if they were in the
+wrong."
+
+"Of course they're in the wrong!" cried Andy.  "Didn't we see the whale
+first, and didn't we to it home?"
+
+"But they say they harpooned it," said Bob,
+
+"Yes, and there was only one iron in it, Andy, when it broke your
+boat," added Frank.  "Now there are two harpoons in the back.  One
+might be theirs.  I'm going to notify Justice Fanchard and see what he
+says."
+
+"Lively now, men!" called Bill, as Frank started off.
+
+There was another movement on the outskirts of the throng, and someone
+pushed his way in.
+
+"It's dad!" cried Bob.  "Hey, dad!" he shouted.  "These men are going
+to take our whale!  We just towed it in, Frank and Andy Racer and me!
+Can these men take it?"
+
+"Of course we can, kid!" cried one of the fishermen.  "Get out of the
+way, if you don't want to be knocked down."
+
+"Oh, it's you, is it, Jack Kett!" exclaimed Captain Trent.  "And Bill
+Lowden and his crowd.  Well, you fellows would take anything, whether
+it was yours or not.  Now jest hold on a bit.  Luff up and let's see
+where we're at.  Maybe you're on the wrong course and need new
+clearance papers.  Avast there, and let me know the particulars."
+
+"There ain't any particulars except that we harpooned this whale, and
+it's ours," growled Bill Lowden.  "You needn't be putting your oar in,
+Cap'n Trent.  We know our rights.  There's our iron, and it's got the
+name of our boat branded in it--the _Scud_--you can see if you light a
+match," for it was now dark.
+
+"Hum!  When did you strike it?" asked the captain, amid a silence, for,
+as an old whaling master and one of the most influential residents of
+Harbor View, the captain was universally respected.
+
+"We were going along just outside the Shark's Teeth reef day 'fore
+yesterday," spoke Jack Kett, "when our lookout spied the whale.  We
+keep a couple of irons aboard for sharks, dogfish and the like, and it
+didn't take long to sink one in this critter.  Then he sounded and we
+couldn't pick him up again.  We've been looking for him ever since, and
+to-day we thought we saw someone in a motor boat towing our whale away.
+I explained how we got on the wrong course," and he detailed what is
+already known to my readers.
+
+"Then we found the whale here," went on Jack Kett, "and we're going to
+have it."
+
+"Hum," mused the captain.  "It looks as they had the right of it,
+boys," he said in a low voice, to his son and the latter's chums.
+
+"Ask them if the whale wasn't about dead when they harpooned it, and if
+it didn't already have an iron in it?" suggested Frank.
+
+"Another iron; eh?  That's a different story.  Somebody bring a
+lantern," called the captain quickly.
+
+One was procured, and the crowd made way while the aged whaleman
+approached the dead beast.
+
+"Here, you can see our iron," said Bill Lowden eagerly.  "There it is,
+as plain as day, with our boat's name burned in the handle."
+
+"Hum, that's right," admitted Captain Trent as he noted the harpoon.
+"But what about this?" he asked quickly, pointing to a second one,
+lower down, and in such a position that it could not be readily seen.
+"Is that yours too?" and Captain Trent held the lantern so that the
+gleam shone on the other implement.
+
+"What's that?  Another harpoon?" cried Kett.  "Did we use two, boys?"
+and he turned to the group of his men.
+
+"No, only one," somebody answered.
+
+"This has a brand on it too," went on Bob's father.  He held the
+lantern nearer.  "The _Flying Fish_," he read as he saw the burned
+letters.  "Guess that was in some time before your iron, Lowden, for
+it's pretty well worn by sea water.  There's a prior claim to this
+whale, and as long as no one is here from the _Flying Fish_ this prize
+belongs to the boys that towed it in.  If you don't agree with that
+jest say so, an' we'll go to law about it.  But I know my rights, and
+these boys will get theirs."
+
+"That's right!" cried several in the crowd.  "The whale belongs to the
+boys."
+
+Jack Kett and Bill Lowden looked at each other.  This was something for
+which they had not bargained.  There was a murmur among their men.
+
+"We--we didn't know the whale had been struck before," admitted Bill.
+
+"That's right," chimed in his partner.  "We only want what's fair," he
+went on, in more conciliatory tone than at first.
+
+"That's the way to talk," commented Captain Trent.  "I admit you have
+some claim on the whale, for your iron helped to kill it.  The law
+gives you a tenth part, after other parties have landed the prize, and
+I'll see that you get it.  Now if it's settled you fellows can go, and
+I'll notify you when the money's ready."
+
+"All right," assented Bill, after a conference with his partner and
+men.  "I guess it's the best we can get out of it.  But it's hard to
+lose a prize when you think you're got it.  I'm not blaming you boys,"
+he added quickly, "for I guess you had a hard pull with it.  Come on,
+men, we'll leave our case with Captain Trent."
+
+It was an unexpected turn of affairs, and the boys were glad the
+contest had ended in their favor.  They were congratulated on all
+sides, and jokingly asked what they were going to do with the money,
+which was likely to be quite a large sum.
+
+"We're going to buy a whaling vessel, make Mr. Trent captain, and go
+into the business," said Andy with a laugh.  He looked around for his
+brother, and saw Frank talking to Kett.
+
+"I heard you say something about seeing a boat towing something you
+thought was the whale, but which turned out to be a wrecked motor
+boat," began the elder Racer lad.  "What sort of a boat was the wrecked
+one?"
+
+"Well, it was pretty big, with a hood up forward, and it looked as if
+it had been in a fire.  It was all blacked."
+
+"A fire!" cried Frank eagerly, as the memory of the boat from which
+Paul Gale had been rescued came to him.  "Are you sure of this?"
+
+"Certain.  We were right close to 'em.  That's what made us lose so
+much time.  If we'd taken after you boys in the first place we might
+have found the whale ourselves."
+
+"Bob Trent sighted the whale before he came for us," explained Frank,
+"so he'd have first claim on it anyhow.  But which way was the motor
+boat going?"
+
+"Along toward Seabright.  Then it got hazy and we lost sight of it."
+
+"Did you notice whether there was a tall, dark man aboard?" asked Frank
+eagerly.
+
+"Yes, there was such a chap," broke in Bill Lowden.  "And he seemed
+mighty anxious about the wrecked boat in tow.  Why, do you know him?"
+
+"I don't know--I've met him," said Frank, as he quickly turned to join
+his brother.  Then he whispered to Andy: "Come away, I've got on the
+track of the mysterious man and the wrecked motor boat.  I want to talk
+to you."
+
+Wonderingly, Andy followed.  There was no need to stay and guard the
+whale, as Kett and his crowd were preparing to leave.  Soon Andy had
+been told all that Frank had learned.
+
+"What are you going to do?" asked the younger brother.
+
+"We'll go to Seabright the first thing in the morning.  Maybe we can
+find the man there.  I believe we're on the right track.  Let's go and
+tell Paul."
+
+There was no little excitement in the Racer home when Andy and Frank
+arrived with their tale of the sea, the whale, and the quarrel about
+it.  So interested were Mr. and Mrs. Racer that they did not chide
+their sons for their partial disobedience of orders.  As for Paul, he
+leaned forward eagerly in the easy chair, listening to the tale of the
+brothers.
+
+"Oh!  If I would only get strong enough go with you!" he exclaimed
+regretfully.
+
+"Don't worry, you will be strong soon," said Mrs. Racer kindly.
+
+"It was rather mean of us to go away and leave you all alone, momsey,"
+spoke Frank.  "And Paul, too.  But when Bob called us we just couldn't
+resist."
+
+"I'll forgive you," said the mother.  "I won my golf match after all,
+and perhaps if you had followed me over the links I might not have done
+so."
+
+"And I didn't mind being left alone," added Paul.  "I'm so glad you got
+the whale."
+
+"And we may get your motor boat, and find out who that strange man is,"
+said Frank.
+
+"Now go slowly," advised Mr. Racer.  "I don't want you boys getting
+into trouble and danger.  I think I had better attend to this matter
+myself, only I can't very well stay away from the office to-morrow."
+
+"Oh, we can do the work all right," declared Frank.  "We'll go in our
+sailboat, it won't take us long.  Perhaps Paul will be strong enough to
+come along."
+
+"I wish I was," and the invalid shook his head.  "But somehow I don't
+feel so well to-night."
+
+"Then we must have Dr. Martin look at you," decided Mr. Racer, and, in
+spite of Paul's protests the physician was summoned by telephone.
+
+"It is nothing," he said after examining Paul.  "He exerted himself a
+little too much to-day.  He must be quiet for a couple of weeks yet and
+he'll be all right."
+
+"Then that means no trip for you to-morrow," said Mrs. Racer kindly.
+"Never mind, I'll amuse you while the boys are away pretending they are
+detectives," and she smiled at Paul.
+
+It was about nine o'clock when Frank happened to remember that he had
+left aboard their sloop _Gull_ a book of adventures in which he was
+much interested.
+
+"I'm going down and get it," he announced.  "I won't be long."
+
+"I'll go with you," offered Andy, and the two started off toward the
+mooring place, which was near the big public pier.  The boys kept a
+light skiff tied to the float and in this way they used to row out to
+the sailboat.
+
+As they approached the pier they heard confused shouts and cries coming
+from the direction of the bay.
+
+"Something's going on!" cried Frank, breaking into a run.
+
+"Yes.  Sounds like someone in trouble," added Andy as he hollowed.
+
+Once more came the cry, and this time the brothers could make it out:
+
+"Fire!  Fire!  Fire!"
+
+They turned a corner of the street that led straight out on the long
+pier, and there caught sight of a cloud of smoke in the moonlight, and
+saw dancing flames near the surface of the water.  Then Frank uttered a
+cry of alarm:
+
+"It's our boat--the _Gull_--she's on fire!" he yelled.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE STRANGER AGAIN
+
+Frank and Andy ran as they had never run before.  Out on the long pier
+they speeded, their eyes turned toward their boat which they could now
+hardly see on account of the haze of smoke.
+
+"How do you think it happened?" panted Andy.
+
+"Don't know.  We've got to get the fire out first, and think afterward.
+Come on, leg it faster!"
+
+Once more they heard the cries of fire.
+
+"That's Bob Trent!" called Frank.  "There he goes out in his boat!
+We'll have to get some sort of a pump."
+
+"That's--right!" gasped Andy.
+
+The brothers were now at the gangway leading down to the float.
+Several men and boys who had been fishing off the end of the pier were
+gathered there, and it was they who had been shouting.
+
+"Guess your boat's a goner," observed Captain Trent.  "Bob has gone out
+to her."
+
+There was now more smoke than fire aboard the _Gull_, but it seemed to
+the boys only a matter of a few seconds when the flames would again
+break out.
+
+"Is there a pump?  Has anyone a pump?" begged Frank.
+
+"Here's a small one they use to get the bilge water out of their motor
+boats," said the dock master, for the pier was a station for a yacht
+club, and the dock-keeper lived in a small house on the pier.  "It
+doesn't throw much of a stream, though."
+
+"Better use pails," cried Captain Trent.  "Here are a couple I use for
+clams.  Take 'em along.  The fire started sudden-like, when we were all
+standing here talking about the whale."
+
+Andy and Frank did not stay to hear more.  Quickly they shoved off in
+their skiff and were soon approaching the _Gull_, at the side of which
+Bob Trent now was.
+
+"It's a lot of hay smoldering!" he shouted.  "Maybe I can get it
+overboard with my boathook.  Come on, fellows."
+
+"Row!  Row!" cried Frank, for Andy had the only available pair of oars.
+
+"I am rowing as hard as I can.  Hay on fire!  We had no hay on our
+boat.  Someone must have put it there and tried to burn it!"
+
+"I guess so.  But don't talk--save your breath for rowing."
+
+A minute later Frank and Andy were beside Bob in his boat.  Dense smoke
+was pouring from the _Gull_, and Frank, dipping up a pailful of water,
+dashed it into the cockpit.  There was a hiss, showing that fire was
+present.
+
+"Wait!" cried Bob.  "I think I can pull the hay overboard now.  It's a
+small bale."
+
+He stood up and jabbed his boat-hook into something.  The next moment a
+dark mass, in which red glowing embers could be seen, and which gave
+out a dense smoke, splashed into the water with a loud hissing noise.
+
+"There's still some fire in the boat!" cried Andy, as he saw tiny
+tongues of flame.
+
+"Yes, the woodwork is on fire, but a little water will douse that,"
+cried Frank, as he caught up another pailful.  With Bob using the
+second pail, and Andy the pump, the fire was soon put out.
+
+"Not so much damaged," observed Frank, as the three boys went aboard,
+and examined the craft with a lantern.  "But how in the world did it
+start--or, rather, who put the hay here and set fire to it?"
+
+"That's the question," admitted Bob.  "All I know is that I was
+standing talking to dad, when I smelled smoke, and saw it coming from
+your boat."
+
+"Did you see anyone around it to-night?" Andy wanted to know.
+
+"Not a soul.  We'll ask the pier master."
+
+But when the boys, after making sure that no sparks of fire remained,
+had gone back to the float, the dock master could give them no
+information.  He had not noticed any suspicious characters about, but
+it was admitted that under cover of darkness, before the moon had
+risen, someone might have rowed silently to the side of the _Gull_ and
+started the fire smoldering in the bale of hay.
+
+"But why would they want to do it?" asked Captain Trent.
+
+"Give it up," said Frank.  "Well, we might as well get back home, Andy.
+Will you keep your eyes open for any more fires, Mr. Robinson?" he
+asked of the caretaker of the yacht station.
+
+"Sure I will, and they'll find they're in the wrong harbor if they try
+any more tricks like that."
+
+"Have you any suspicions?" asked Andy of his brother, as they were on
+their way home.
+
+"I sure have," was the answer.
+
+"What are they?"
+
+"Well, either the men who were disappointed in not getting the whale
+did this, or it's up to that mysterious man who knows Paul Gale."
+
+"I believe it's the latter.  He wants to discourage us from trying to
+get on his track."
+
+"Probably.  Well, we won't say anything about that part of it at home,
+though we'll have to mention the fire.  I hope we can make our trip
+to-morrow to Seabright."
+
+"So do I."
+
+It was found the next morning that the _Gull_ was not much damaged,
+and, though it smelled strongly of smoke, the two brothers did not mind
+that as they prepared for the cruise to Seabright.
+
+"Think we'll get any clue?" asked Andy, as he cast off, while Frank ran
+up the sail.
+
+"Well, it won't be from want of trying.  We'll keep a good lookout on
+the way up, and then we'll go ashore there and make some inquiries.
+I'm going to get at the bottom of this mystery if it's at all
+possible," and Frank looked very determined as he fastened the throat
+and peak halyards on the cleats and looked to see if the sheet was
+running free in the blocks.
+
+On the trip up the coast the boys kept a sharp watch for anything
+resembling a wrecked motor boat, or for one in good condition
+resembling the towing craft of which Jack Kett had spoken.  They saw
+nothing, however, even though they sailed out to sea several miles.
+
+"Let's head for Seabright now," proposed Andy, as they swung about on a
+long tack.  "Maybe he's there waiting for us."
+
+"He'll run if he sees us," jokingly replied Frank.
+
+In about an hour the boys had made their craft fast to the Seabright
+pier, and going to the office of the dock master they inquired for a
+motor boat that answered the description of the one for which they were
+looking.
+
+"We have so many craft here in the summertime," said the dock official,
+"that it's a pretty hard matter to remember 'em all.  I don't recall
+the boat you speak of, and I'm sure no motor craft that was partly
+burned has put in here.  But speaking of a tall dark man, I recollect
+now that Jim Hedson, who runs the sailboat _Mary Ann_, was telling me
+he had a fellow come to him and want to hire her.  Maybe that's the
+fellow you're looking for."
+
+"Perhaps!" agreed Andy eagerly.  "Where is Jim Hedson?"
+
+"Over there," and the dock master pointed to where a group of sailors
+and fishermen were seated on an overturned boat on the beach.
+
+"We'll talk to him," proposed the elder Racer lad, and, followed by his
+brother, he approached the little gathering.  Before they reached the
+men Andy uttered a sudden exclamation.
+
+"Look!" he cried to his brother, pointing up the street which led down
+to the water front.  "That man--the mysterious stranger--here he comes!"
+
+"Sure enough!" agreed Frank, as he saw a tall dark man hurrying toward
+the pier.  "That's him all right."
+
+The boys stood waiting, hoping against hope that they could now solve
+the mystery.  The man hastened forward.  All at once he caught sight of
+the lads.
+
+Like a flash he wheeled about and fairly ran back up the street, while
+Frank took after him calling:
+
+"Hey!  Hey!  Wait a minute!  Stop!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A MIDNIGHT SCARE
+
+There was a trolley line, newly built, which ran through Seabright,
+touching some of the other seacoast towns, but not Harbor View.  As
+luck would have it, just when Frank Racer took after the strange man,
+hoping to make him stop by calling to him, one of the trolley cars came
+past.
+
+In a flash the man had jumped aboard the electric vehicle, and, as fate
+would have it, the motorman happened to be behind time.  No sooner was
+the queer stranger in the car, which had not even stopped for him, than
+the knight of the controller handle swung it clear around in an
+endeavor to keep up to his schedule, and with a whizz the car darted
+off.
+
+"Wait!  Wait!" yelled Frank, waving at the conductor.  The latter
+shouted something, what it was the lad could not make out.  Andy rushed
+up and joined his brother.
+
+"Missed him; didn't we?" exclaimed the younger lad ruefully.
+
+"Yes, worse luck," replied Frank.  "He always seems to get away from
+us."
+
+"There'll be another car along in fifteen minutes, boys," said a kindly
+fisherman passing along.
+
+"It wasn't the car we wanted, it was someone on it," answered Frank.
+"Fifteen minutes will give him such a start that we can't follow him."
+
+"Was he a pickpocket?" asked the fisherman.
+
+"We don't know what he was," said Andy.  "Come on, Frank, we'll go back
+and talk to Jim Hedson."
+
+"I was thinking of taking the next car, and keeping after this fellow,"
+spoke Frank, with his usual determined manner.
+
+"What would be the use?" asked Andy, who generally took the easiest
+way.  "He might get off anywhere along the line, and we could hunt all
+day and not find him.  It would be time wasted."
+
+"I guess you're right," assented Frank, with a sigh.  "But I hate to
+give up.  I'm sure there's some great mystery back of all this, and
+Paul and that man are in some manner connected with it.  I shouldn't be
+surprised if that man had wronged Paul in some way."
+
+"How, by taking his motor boat?"
+
+"No, in some other way.  It was a queer thing why Paul should be out in
+his boat alone in the blow.  Then to have the boat disappear, and to be
+seen again towed by this man."
+
+"You're not sure of the last part."
+
+"I am pretty sure.  But let's ask Mr. Hedson what he knows about it."
+
+The boys did not find the boatman in a very kindly frame of mind.  He
+greeted them rather sulkily as they approached:
+
+"What do you lads mean by scaring off customers?" he asked.
+
+"We didn't scare him off," answered Frank sturdily.
+
+"What do you call it then?  Wasn't he coming here to hire a sailboat
+off me, and didn't you chase after him, and make him leave on the car?
+Now he'll likely go to Hank Weston at Edgemere, and hire a boat off
+him.   I lose the trade."
+
+"We're sorry," explained Frank, "but if you noticed that man you saw
+that he ran as soon he saw us.  We didn't say a word to him. He just
+turned tail and sprinted."
+
+"So I see," grumbled Mr. Hedson, "but I thought maybe you flew some
+kind of a distress signal."
+
+"We were only too anxious to talk to him," put in Andy.  "But he's
+afraid of us."
+
+"Afraid; why?"
+
+"Well, there's some mystery about him," went on Frank, "and we'd like
+to discover it.  It's connected with a boy whom we saved from a gale."
+And he told about Paul, and how the man had hastened away that day on
+the beach.  "Do you know anything about him?" finished the elder Racer
+lad.
+
+"Only this," spoke the boatman, not quite so angry now.  "He come to
+see me yist'day, and asked if I had a sailboat I could hire out for a
+few days.  He said he wanted to go cruising out to sea to bring in a
+boat of his that was disabled."
+
+"A boat!" interrupted Frank eagerly.  "Did he say what kind?  Was it a
+damaged motor boat?"
+
+"He didn't say, and I didn't ask him.  I arranged with him to take my
+_Spray_ and he was to come to-day and get her.  Now you see what
+happened."
+
+"We're sorry to have spoiled your business," spoke Frank regretfully,
+"but perhaps it's just as well you didn't hire that man your boat.  I
+don't believe he's to be trusted," and he told about the suspicion they
+had that the stranger had already been seen towing a disabled motor
+boat with a gasolene craft.
+
+"The question is, where has he left the damaged boat--Paul's boat?"
+went on Andy.  "This thing is getting more and more complicated.  Why
+should he want a sailboat to go out and tow in the motor craft, when he
+was seen in power vessel yesterday?"
+
+"Maybe whoever owned the power vessel took it away from him," suggested
+Frank.
+
+"I wouldn't wonder but what you're right!" exclaimed Jim Hedson,
+slapping his big pain down on his broad leg.  "Now I think of it, I
+didn't like the looks of that man.  He wouldn't look you square in the
+eye, but kept shifting around.  I'm just as glad I didn't hire him my
+_Spray_, and I'm sorry I took you fellows up so short.  I'll keep a
+lookout for that man, and if I see or hear anything of him I'll let you
+know.  You're cottaging over Harbor View way; aren't you?  I think I've
+seen you there."
+
+"Yes, we're the Racer boys," replied Frank, "and we'll be obliged to
+you if you can put us on the track of this man.  It isn't so much for
+our sake, as that we want to find out who Paul Gale is."
+
+"Paul Gale!" exclaimed Mr. Hedson "That's a good name for the lad found
+as he was.  Well, I'll do my best."
+
+"Where to now?" asked Andy, as he followed his brother up the street.
+
+"To the fertilizer factory.  I think we can make a deal with them about
+our whale better by talking than over the telephone."
+
+"We ought to have some of Chet Sedley's fifteen cent perfume if we're
+going up there," said Andy.  "It smells worse than ten skunks on a wet
+night."
+
+"Oh, well, I guess we can stand it a little while."
+
+The fertilizer factory, where fish, chiefly menhadden, were ground up
+and treated, before being spread on farms and gardens to enrich them,
+was not a very delightful place.  The boys soon located the manager,
+who had heard about their whale, and he made them a good offer for it,
+agreeing to take the carcass away promptly.
+
+Paul improved but slowly, and, as far as his mind was concerned, there
+was no change.  The past was an entire blank to him, and Dr. Martin, as
+the days passed, shook his head in doubt.
+
+"I'm afraid it's going to take a long time," he said.
+
+"Have you given up hope, Doctor?" asked Mrs. Racer, as she followed him
+from Paul's room.
+
+"No, not entirely, but I'm disappointed that there is not a glimmer of
+the past.  Perhaps if he could see something or someone connected with
+his former life it might produce a shock that would start the sluggish
+brain cells to working.  Otherwise I don't know what can be done."
+
+Andy and Frank, in their goings to and fro about the bay in their
+sailboat, kept a close watch for the mysterious man.  But they did not
+see him.  Neither had Jim Hedson heard anything.
+
+"I guess you'll have to give it up," said Paul one night, when, with
+his chums and Mr. and Mrs. Racer, he was discussing the case.  "You
+better ship me off somewhere.  I--I'm afraid I'm becoming a burden to
+you."
+
+"Not a bit of it!" cried Frank heartily.  "Andy and I always wanted
+another chum, an' now we've got him."
+
+"Don't you feel strong enough to come for sail with us to-morrow?"
+asked Andy.
+
+"I think so," answered Paul.  "Dr. Martin said I could go for a walk
+to-morrow."
+
+"Then we'll arrange for a sail," decided Frank.  "It will do you lots
+of good."
+
+"But mind, no chasing after whales, dead or alive!" stipulated Mr.
+Racer, with a laugh.
+
+"All right," agreed his sons.
+
+Paul soon afterward went to his room.  A chamber on the ground floor,
+with a window opening into the garden had been fitted up for him, to
+save him the necessity of climbing up and down stairs.  It was in this
+little chamber that, soon afterward, he went to bed, hoping against
+hope that he might awaken on the morrow with his memory restored.
+
+It was about midnight when Frank, who was a light sleeper, was awakened
+suddenly by hearing a noise under his window.  He occupied the room
+over Paul.
+
+"I wonder if he's sick?" he thought, as he arose softly.  "Perhaps he
+is, and doesn't want to call anyone.  I'll take a look I guess."
+
+Before going down, however, Frank stepped to his window, softly raised
+the screen, and looked out.  As he did so he was startled by a shrill
+cry from the room below him.  It was Paul's voice, and the mysterious
+lad was crying:
+
+"Get away!  Leave me alone!  What do you want of me again?  Oh, why
+can't you let me alone!"
+
+"What's the matter?" shouted Frank in alarm.
+
+"That man!  He's after me again!" screamed Paul.
+
+Before Frank could leave his window to rush to the aid of the lad below
+him, he saw a bright light flash out from the casement of the boy who
+had no memory.  In an instant Frank recalled that it must be the
+portable electric light with which they had furnished the invalid in
+case he wanted to get up in the night.
+
+Then a movement below him attracted Frank's attention, and he saw a
+dark figure spring from Paul's window.  As this happened the light
+flashed out once more, and in the glare of it the elder Racer lad saw
+the countenance of the mysterious man, while Paul called out in fear:
+
+"Oh, don't come near me!  Let me alone!  I'm afraid of you!"
+
+Then it became dark, and Frank could hear someone crashing away through
+the bushes of the garden.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE WRECK AGAIN
+
+"Paul, are you hurt?  I'm coming!  Father, turn on the light!  Someone
+tried to get in Paul's room!"
+
+Thus Frank cried as he made his way through the darkness to the hall,
+and fairly ran down the stairs.  He knew every foot of the way.
+
+"What's the matter?" yelled Andy.
+
+"Oh, dear!  Is it burglars?" screamed Mrs. Racer.
+
+"Careful, boys!" shouted Mr. Racer, as he stepped out into the hall
+from his room, nearest to which the electric switch was, and flashed on
+the incandescents.  "Don't run into danger."
+
+Andy was now following his brother, having caught up a heavy fishing
+rod, bound together, as a substitute for a club.
+
+"Paul, are you hurt?" cried Frank again, and by this time he was at the
+room door of the lad who had been so alarmed by the midnight visitor.
+
+"No, I--I'm all right," was the panting answer, and Paul met Frank at
+the portal, throwing the gleam of the hand electric all about.  Frank
+turned on the regular light in Paul's room, and looked around.  The
+wire mosquito screen was raised, showing how the intruder had gained
+entrance.  By this time Andy and Mr. Racer had joined Frank and Paul,
+and Mrs. Racer had been assured that whoever had entered was now
+outside the house.
+
+"But what was it?  Who was it?" demanded Mr. Racer.
+
+"I--I--" began Paul, who was trembling from fright.
+
+"I know who it was, I saw him!" interrupted Frank.  "It was the same
+man we met on the beach--the mysterious man who knows something about
+Paul but who won't tell!  What did he do to you, Paul?"
+
+"Nothing.  That is, as far as I know.  I was sleeping soundly when I
+heard a noise in my room, and I could just see someone moving about
+around the bureau, opening drawers.  At first I thought it was one of
+you boys, or Mr. Racer, and then I knew you wouldn't come in without
+making a light.
+
+"I reached under my pillow where I kept this electric lamp, and flashed
+it.  As I did so the man came toward my bed.  Then I saw who he was and
+I yelled.  I thought he was going to take me away."
+
+"Take you away?" questioned Frank.  "Do you know him--have you seen him
+before?"
+
+"Yes!" suddenly exclaimed Paul.  "I--I know him!  His name is--"
+
+"That's what we want to know--who is he?" interrupted Andy eagerly.
+
+"He is--his name is--Oh, why can't I remember?" cried poor Paul,
+passing his hand over his forehead in despair.  "I thought it was
+coming to me, but it's faded away again!  Oh, why can't I recall who he
+is?  Then I know the mystery would be solved.  But I can't--it's
+all--so--so hazy.  Only I know that this man had something to do with
+me--and, yes, I'm beginning to recall it now--my father also.  He
+wanted to harm me--or was it my father?  I can't--"
+
+"Now look here," broke in Mr. Racer kindly, "this won't do, you know.
+You must calm yourself, Paul.  I can't let you excite him, boys.  Here
+is some quieting medicine Dr. Martin left, Paul.  Take that and in half
+an hour you will be calmer.  Then you can tell us all you recollect.
+Perhaps by that time your memory will be stronger.  Meanwhile, if you
+boys want to do something why don't you get some clothes on, and go
+with Jake the gardener to see if you can get any trace of that
+scoundrel?  I'll call up the police."
+
+"Good!" cried Frank.  "That's what we'll do.  Come on, Andy."
+
+The two boys were soon scouring the garden with lantern, accompanied by
+Jake, the man of all work.  But they had little hope of coming upon the
+intruder.  They found the place where he had burst through the currant
+bushes after leaping from Paul's window, and there were his footprints
+in the soft earth; but that was all.
+
+"He's far enough off by this time," declared Andy.  "Let's go in and
+see if Paul can tell us anything."
+
+They found their friend much quieter.  Mr. and Mrs. Racer had dressed,
+and Paul had on his clothes.  They were sitting in the dining room, Mr.
+Racer drinking some hot coffee Mary had made.
+
+"We'll have a little midnight supper," said the boys' mother with a
+faint laugh.  "I'm sure I won't get to sleep again to-night."
+
+"Did you see anything of him?" asked their father.
+
+Frank shook his head.  "What about Paul?" he asked.  "Can he remember
+anything?"
+
+"I wish I could," said the unfortunate youth, with a sigh.  "But it's
+all so hazy.  As soon as I saw that man's face in the light I knew I
+had met him before, and that he was an enemy of mine.  But I can't
+grasp any details.  I flashed the light on him as he was getting out of
+the window."
+
+"That's how I happened to see him," said Frank, in explanation, "and
+how I knew him to be the mysterious man."
+
+"Did he touch you?" asked Andy.
+
+"No," answered Paul, "though I don't know what he might have done if I
+hadn't awakened as I did."
+
+"Did he take anything of yours from the room?" asked Mr. Racer.
+
+"I haven't anything of my own, except the clothes I wore when the boys
+rescued me, so he couldn't get anything."
+
+"But you said he was at the bureau," went on Frank.
+
+"Nothing is missing from there," said Mrs. Racer quickly.
+
+"Perhaps he thought Paul had some important papers," suggested Andy.
+
+"I'm sure I haven't," and once more the unfortunate youth passed his
+hand across his forehead.  "I wish I could recall when it was, and
+under what circumstances, I met that man before.  But I can't.  Only
+I'm sure of one thing--he is an enemy of mine--and of my father."
+
+"Can you recall anything of your father--or mother?" asked Mrs. Racer
+softly.
+
+"No," answered Paul with a shake of his head; and tears filled his eyes.
+
+"Well, I know one thing!" exclaimed Frank decidedly.  "I'm going to
+have another try at finding that man.  I'm sure he's in this vicinity
+now.  He's hanging around here for some reason, and we have a double
+motive in locating him.  I believe he set our boat on fire," and for
+the first time he told his parents of his suspicions.
+
+"Be careful if you do meet him," cautioned Mr. Racer.  "He is evidently
+a dangerous character.  Now to see what the police can do, and then
+we'll go back to bed."
+
+The police could do very little, as might be expected, though they
+promised to keep a lookout for the fellow.  They made an utterly
+useless inspection of the house and grounds, and left.  Then the family
+and Paul went to bed to get what little sleep they could.
+
+Frank and Andy discussed the matter long and earnestly the next day.
+Paul was not so well, on account of the fright, and so it was not
+thought wise to have him accompany them on a sailing trip.
+
+"I'm not so sure it will do any good to go off in our boat," declared
+Andy.  "That fellow is just as likely to be on land as at sea."
+
+"I think he's more likely to be at sea," declared Frank.  "He wants to
+get that damaged motor boat."
+
+"Well, let's try looking for him ashore a while and if that doesn't
+amount to anything, I'll go sailing with you," suggested the younger
+brother.
+
+To this Frank agreed; and for several days he and his brother went from
+one seacoast settlement to another, making inquiries.  Nothing,
+however, came from them.  They spent much time riding back and forth on
+the electric car line, hoping they might unexpectedly meet the
+mysterious man there, but he kept out of their way as if he knew they
+were on his trail.
+
+"Well, now for a sailing cruise!" exclaimed Frank, one morning, and
+Andy announced that his theory had been tried and found wanting.  The
+brothers wanted to take Paul, but he was not well enough, so, having
+taken along a supply of provisions, if they should be becalmed and kept
+out all night, as was sometimes the case, they set sail, beating up
+along the coast.
+
+There was a fair wind, that freshened at noon, but which died out
+toward evening, and finally there settled over the ocean a dead calm.
+
+"It's us out for all night, unless you can whistle up a wind," said
+Frank grimly.
+
+"We'll both try," proposed Andy, and they whistled all the tunes they
+knew, but without avail.
+
+Then, having lighted their lamps, and cooked a supper on the oil stove
+in the small galley, they prepared to spend the night at sea.  They had
+often done it before, for their craft was a staunch one, and as they
+had said at home that they might be detained, they knew their folks
+would not worry.
+
+They stood watch and watch, of several hours at a stretch, and Frank
+was on duty when the gray and misty night began to be dispelled by the
+rosy sun rising from the water.  As he glanced across the slowly
+heaving billows, something in the very path of Old Sol's smiling beams
+caught his eye.
+
+It was a sailboat, somewhat larger than the _Gull_, but it was not the
+sight of the craft itself that attracted Frank's attention.  It was
+something trailing behind.
+
+"Andy!  Andy, come up here!" called elder Racer lad.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded his brother, coming from his berth in the
+tiny cabin, and rubbing his sleepy eyes.  "See another whale?"
+
+"No, but look at that sailboat?  Isn't it dragging something?"
+
+"It sure is!"
+
+"What do you make it out to be?"
+
+"It looks like--why it's a motor boat, and it looks as if it had seen
+hard usage."
+
+"That's what I thought, and I'll miss my guess if that isn't the very
+boat that blew up when Paul Gale was in it."
+
+"I believe you're right.  Wait a minute."  Andy disappeared, to return
+a moment later with a pair of powerful glasses.  He focused the
+binoculars on the object trailing behind the sailing craft.  Then he
+uttered a cry:
+
+"It's the damaged motor boat!  We're on the track of it again!  Let's
+chase after it and see who has it!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+ORDERED BACK
+
+The wind had freshened and was now blowing at a lively rate.  Andy and
+Frank sprang to the sails, even hoisting a small jib which they seldom
+used.  But now they wanted all the speed they could get, for the craft
+which was towing the damaged motor boat was some distance away, and was
+rapidly drawing ahead.
+
+"Can we catch her, do you think?" asked Andy, as he gave the tiller
+over to his brother.
+
+"We've got to," was the answer with quiet determination.  "Suppose you
+get something to eat while I handle the boat?  We may not have time to
+cook anything after we come up to them."
+
+"Are you going to come to close quarters?"
+
+"I'm going to try to get near enough to see if the mysterious man is
+aboard, and if he is, I'm going to fire some questions at him, and let
+him know that he's liable to arrest for entering our house the other
+night."
+
+"I'd like to fire something else besides questions at him.  I've got my
+small rifle aboard."
+
+"None of that!" objected Frank quickly.  "We'll proceed on lawful
+lines, no matter what he does.  Now, Miss _Gull_," and he patted the
+rail of the craft, "do your prettiest.  See if you can't catch up to
+those fellows."
+
+The wind continued good and the boys' craft slipped through the water
+at a lively rate of speed.  Andy busied himself in the galley, whence
+soon came the appetizing odor of coffee, bacon and eggs.
+
+"Hurry up with that!" called Frank.  "I'm as hungry as a crab."
+
+"It's almost ready," replied his brother.  "Shall I bring it up, or
+will you come down?"
+
+"You get yours first, and then relieve me.  I don't want to eat with
+one hand and steer with the other.  Only don't be all morning, and
+leave some for me."
+
+There was enough, as Frank soon discovered, and when he came up on deck
+again he found Andy leaning against the tiller and peering at the
+distant vessel through the binoculars.
+
+"Can you make out anything?" he asked.
+
+"No, I can see several men aboard, but I don't notice our mysterious
+friend."
+
+"Do they seem to be paying any attention to us?"
+
+"Not a bit.  Guess they don't even know we are here.  I don't believe
+we are going to catch up to them, though."
+
+"Oh, yes we are.  The _Gull_ is plenty fast, and they are handicapped
+by dragging that motor boat in the water.  It must be partly filled, as
+it sets so far down, and that makes it all the harder to tow.  We're
+gaining on them."
+
+"Not so's you could notice it."
+
+"Oh, well, we've got all day, and grub enough for another night.  I'm
+not going to give up this chase until I have to, or until I've solved
+the mystery."
+
+"And I'm with you."
+
+There is not much excitement in a sailing race, as the boys very soon
+found out.  There was nothing they could do, which would have been the
+case in a motor craft, to add to their speed.  All they could do was to
+sit and let the wind carry them.  And they were glad to see that the
+breeze was continually freshening.
+
+"There'll be another gale before night, if this keeps up," predicted
+Frank.
+
+"Let it," assented Andy.  "The _Gull_ likes heavy weather, and we can
+stand it."
+
+"Yes, but father and mother will be worried about us.  If it comes on
+to blow too hard we'll have to turn back."
+
+"And let that man get away?"
+
+"There'd be no help for it.  But we haven't turned back yet, and now
+his craft ought to be easy to trace."
+
+Once more they looked through the glass at the vessel ahead of them.
+They could see sailors moving about on deck, but that was all.  No sign
+of the tall dark man was visible.
+
+"Perhaps he isn't aboard," suggested Andy.
+
+"It can't be helped," answered his brother.  "We want the motor boat
+almost as much as we want the man, and we can't take our choice I'm
+afraid.  But we are certainly creeping up on them."
+
+This was true, for while two miles had at first separated the vessels,
+the distance was now narrowed to a little less than a half mile, and
+the _Gull_ was sailing better than was her rival.
+
+"What are you going to do when you get within hailing distance?" asked
+Andy, after a pause.
+
+"I don't know--haven't exactly made up my mind," was the answer of the
+elder Racer lad.  "But I'll have to soon."
+
+Frank was giving all his attention to managing the _Gull_, so as to
+gain every foot.  Andy went up forward now and then to report progress.
+
+"Hey, Frank!" he suddenly called, "there's something doing on board."
+
+"What makes you think so?"
+
+"Why the whole crowd of them have come aft and are looking at us for
+all they're worth."
+
+"Are they using glasses?"
+
+"No--yes, they are too!  A new man has come up on deck, and he's got a
+pair.  He's training them on us."
+
+"Good!  That shows they're worried.  Take our glasses and see what you
+can make out."
+
+Andy looked long and earnestly.  Then he let out a yell.
+
+"It's him!  It's that mysterious man!" he shouted.  "He's excited, too,
+for he's making motions to the crew!"
+
+"Good!  Watch him carefully.  We'll be up to them in about five
+minutes."
+
+Andy watched.  In a minute he gave another cry.
+
+"What is it?" asked Frank.
+
+"They're laying-to--waiting for us, I guess."
+
+"They won't have long to wait," declared Frank grimly.
+
+The _Gull_ was swiftly slipping through the water.  In a little while
+it was almost abeam of the craft towing the mysterious motor boat.
+Frank threw her head up into the wind, and, as he did so a voice from
+the other sailboat hailed him.
+
+"_Gull_ ahoy!  Are you trailing us?"
+
+It was the mysterious man calling, and he was standing on the rail.
+
+"Yes, we are," answered Frank boldly.
+
+"Well, what do you want?"
+
+"We want to find out who you are, what you have to do with a boy named
+Paul, why you have his motor boat in tow, and why you entered our house
+like a thief in the night."
+
+"Hu!  That's a lot of questions.  And I suppose you think they'll be
+answered," commented the man, in sneering tones.
+
+"I do," said Frank calmly.  "Where are you going with that boat?"
+
+"None of your business!" snapped the man.  "And I want to tell you one
+thing more.  You've got to quit trailing after us, too!"
+
+"Suppose we refuse?" asked Andy.
+
+"Then it will be the worse for you.  Meldrick, just run that brass
+cannon over on this side."
+
+A moment later the muzzle of a small brass gun was pointed menacingly
+at our heroes.
+
+"There's my answer," went on the mysterious man.  "If you persist in
+following us you'll be plugged below the water line.  Now you go back
+where you came from, and keep away.  Don't try to meddle with what
+doesn't concern you."
+
+"This does concern us--or, rather a friend of ours," said Frank
+determinedly.  "And what's more, we're going to swear out a warrant for
+your arrest for setting fire to our boat with a bale of hay."
+
+The man on the rail started.
+
+"Are you going to turn back?" he shouted.
+
+"No!" declared Frank.
+
+"Get ready to fire," said the scoundrel calmly.
+
+"I guess they've got us," spoke Andy, in a low voice to his brother.
+"We can't risk being fired at."
+
+"No, I suppose not," answered Frank bitterly.  "We'll have to run back."
+
+He let the head of his craft fall off in the wind.
+
+"That's more sensible," commented the man on the rail.  "Good-bye!" he
+called sarcastically as the vessels separated, the one towing the
+damaged motor craft forging ahead, while the _Gull_ sailed off on the
+backward tack.
+
+There were bitter feelings in the hearts of Frank and Andy Racer.  They
+had almost solved the mystery, only to lose at the last moment.  But
+they resolved not to give up.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+ON THE SEARCH
+
+For some time after they had been ordered back from their pursuit of
+the strange vessel neither Frank nor Andy said anything.  They were
+thinking too hard for mere words.  Finally the younger lad expressed
+himself.
+
+"Well, wouldn't that spoil your clam chowder?"
+
+"It sure would," agreed Frank, who was used to queer remarks from his
+brother.
+
+"He must be up to something crooked or he wouldn't be so anxious to
+have us stop following him," went on the younger Racer lad.
+
+"That's right.  And I was so sure I'd find out what the mystery was!
+But I didn't count on the cannon."
+
+"No, it wouldn't have been safe to risk a shot.  We might have sunk."
+
+"But I'll not give up!" exclaimed Frank determinedly.  "We've got some
+clues now, and we can follow them.  Just notice which way they're
+sailing, Andy."
+
+"What good will that do?"
+
+"I intend to circle back in a short time, and see if I can pick them
+up.  It's one thing for him to order us back, but we have just as much
+right on the ocean as he has, and he can't keep us off.  If we stay far
+enough back they can't see us, and we can find out where they're going."
+
+"Where do you think they're heading for?"
+
+"Give it up, but I know one thing.  It's evident that this man, whoever
+he is, wants to keep out of observation.  That is proved by the fact
+that he once had this damaged motor boat in tow of another gasolene
+craft, and for some reason he gave it up.  He may have anchored it in
+some out-of-the-way place, and has only just now gone for it.  That's
+what he wanted of Jim Hedson's boat, but we spoiled his plans.  Now he
+has another sailing craft to tow the prize in."
+
+"I believe you're right, Frank, but where do you suppose he's taking
+it?"
+
+"Give it up, but I'm going to keep on the search for him.  If there's a
+chance of bringing back Paul's memory I'm going to do it."
+
+"And I'm with you!" exclaimed Andy heartily.
+
+The two brothers cast backward glances at the vessel with which they
+had had a clash.  It was rapidly disappearing in a slight haze that was
+arising, and soon Frank thought it would be safe to turn about, sail
+with the wind, and take after the mysterious man.
+
+But he did not count on the weather.  Soon the wind increased in
+violence, and there was a choppy sea.
+
+"I don't like this," remarked Andy, as their small craft pitched and
+tossed on the waves.  "I don't mean I'm seasick, or anything like that,
+but we're getting pretty far out, and with a storm coming on toward
+night--"
+
+"That's right," agreed Frank.  "We'll have to turn back.  It's tough
+luck, just as we're on the right track, but it can't be helped.  It
+wouldn't be right to make mom and dad worry.  We'll beat it back for
+home."
+
+But the wind came up with such sudden violence, and the sea ran so
+high, that the best the boys could do was to run for shelter.  In fact
+it was only with considerable risk that they made a safe harbor, for
+with a rising tide and a cross current their small craft was in a bad
+way.
+
+"We'll never make Harbor View!" cried Frank above the noise of the wind
+and the spatter of the salt spume on deck.
+
+"What'll we do then?" shouted Andy.  The two brothers had donned their
+oilskins which were glistening with moisture in the fading light of the
+day.
+
+"Run for Mardene and anchor there.  Then we can go home on the
+railroad."
+
+"All right.  Got any cash?"
+
+"Enough for fares I guess."
+
+It was some hours later when two tired boys entered the Racer cottage,
+where they found their father and mother not a little alarmed at their
+absence in the storm which had rapidly developed.
+
+"But we're on the right track!" cried Frank with enthusiasm.
+
+"How's that?" asked his father.
+
+"We saw the mysterious man, and he had your motor boat, Paul."
+
+"I'm not sure it was my boat," answered Paul.  "I can't seem to
+remember that I ever owned one."
+
+"Well, that man had possession of it, whoever it was," went on Andy.
+"And he was quite threatening, too," he added, as he related about the
+brass cannon.
+
+"I'm glad you boys had sense enough to turn back," spoke Mr. Racer.
+"Don't take any chances with such scoundrels.  The probability is that
+he wouldn't have shot at you, but it isn't safe to run the risk.  But,
+Paul, is your memory any better for what Frank and Andy have told you?"
+
+"No, I'm afraid not.  I think--yes, I can remember something more!" he
+suddenly cried.  "I think I was once in a chase after that same man.
+Now that you boys speak of it my mind is a little clearer, but there is
+still that haze.  I'm sure I was after that man for something that
+belonged to me or my father.  And I remember something else?"
+
+"What is it?" cried Andy eagerly.
+
+"It has something to do with a doctor.  My father is ill, or was ill, I
+can dimly recollect that.  And I seem to see a nurse in a uniform,
+and--and--but it is all so hazy and blank!" and again the poor lad
+passed his hand over his aching head, in a vain endeavor to remember.
+
+"There, never mind," soothed Mrs. Racer.  "That's enough for to-night.
+My! how it rains!  I'm glad you boys are not out in the storm."
+
+"Just the same, I wish we were after that man," said Frank in a low
+voice.
+
+For three days the storm continued, and with such violence that the
+Racer boys could not even go after their boat which they had left at
+Mardene.
+
+Then, on the fourth day, the clouds broke and the sun shone.  There was
+a brisk wind, and Frank proposed that they take a train and get the
+_Gull_, sailing her back to Harbor View.
+
+"Before you go I wish you'd call at Captain Trent's fish store, and get
+me some lobsters," requested Mrs. Racer.  "I want some for dinner
+to-night."
+
+"And Andy wants one for a leg bracelet," added Frank with a laugh.
+
+"Aw, cut it out!" begged his brother.
+
+They stopped in the fish store on their way to the depot.  There they
+found Bob, busily engaged in putting up clams, and other products of
+the sea, for customers.  Andy remarked to the captain that he thought
+he had a new clue to the mysterious man.
+
+"And that reminds me, that I meant to ask you where he would likely be
+heading for when he drove us back," put in frank.
+
+"Where was he?" inquired the old seaman, and the brothers described the
+location.
+
+"By Neptune!" suddenly exclaimed the captain.  "I shouldn't wonder but
+what he was going to Cliff Island!"
+
+"Cliff Island!" cried Frank.
+
+"Yes, you know that group of rocks--it's not much more than ten miles
+from the Shark Teeth."
+
+"Sure we know where it is," agreed Andy "But no one lives on it.  It's
+as desolate as a volcano."
+
+"All the better for what that man wanted," declared die captain.  "Take
+my word for it he's gone there with the damaged motor boat, though why
+I can't say.  But he wants to be let alone, and that's the best place
+he could pick out for the purpose.  Why don't you go there?"
+
+"I believe we will!" cried Frank.  "We didn't know just how to begin
+the search, but that's the best clue yet."
+
+"On to Cliff Island!" cried Andy.
+
+"Hush!  Not so loud," cautioned his brother.  "You can't tell who might
+hear you."
+
+Then, having ordered the lobsters, they hurried away to take the train
+for Mardene to get the sailboat.  Once more they were on the search for
+the mysterious man.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+ON CLIFF ISLAND
+
+"Why didn't we think before of going to the island?" asked Andy, as he
+and his brother sat in the train on the way to Mardene.
+
+"Give it up," answered Frank.  "But, as the captain says, it would be
+just the place for a criminal to hide.  Hardly any boats stop there if
+they can help it, unless they want shelter from a storm, and it's out
+of the line of regular travel.  Still, we may not find our man there."
+
+"Yes, but it's a good chance.  There's a fine wind to-day, and we
+oughtn't to be a great while running to the island."
+
+The brothers discussed the curious case into which they had been drawn
+since rescuing Paul Gale, and they talked about the island.
+
+Its name came from the fact that, situated in the center of it, there
+was a high rocky cliff.  There were several caves running under this
+cliff, hollowed out by natural means, and rumor had it that, in the
+early days, sea rovers and pirates used them as places of refuge, or to
+hide their ill-gotten plunder.
+
+No one had been able to confirm this, however, though it was not for
+want of trying, as our heroes, as well as several other boys, had paid
+a number of visits to the island.
+
+But they found no traces of pieces of eight or Spanish doubloons, and,
+truth to tell, the caves were not very inviting places, being damp and
+dark, so the lads never penetrated very deeply.  Thus Cliff Island was
+not very well known.  It was a desolate, barren sort of place, wind and
+storm swept, and the abiding place of innumerable gulls.
+
+"I tell you what we ought to do," remarked Andy, as the train neared
+their destination.
+
+"What's that?  Not play any more jokes I hope."  And Frank smiled as he
+looked at his brother.
+
+"No, I mean about this chase.  We ought to arrange to stay on the
+island for several days--sort of camp there.  It's so big and so
+irregular in shape, and with so many caves, that we can't go all over
+it in one day.  And there's no telling where that man may be hiding."
+
+"That's so.  Then you think we'd better stock up with grub, and make it
+a sort of picnic?"
+
+"I do.  We can telephone word home of what we're going to do, so they
+won't worry.  It will be fun, even if we don't find any clues of the
+mysterious man."
+
+"I'm with you.  We can buy our grub in Mardene and stock our boat.
+Then for 'a life on the ocean wave, a home on the bounding deep,'"
+quoted Frank, in a sing-song voice.
+
+The _Gull_ was tied up in a small slip where they had left her, and the
+provisions were soon put aboard.  Then the two brothers went over every
+rope and sail, to make sure they would serve in the strain of a storm.
+
+"Well, guess we might as well pull out," remarked Frank, as he looked
+up at the "tattle-tale," or piece of triangular bunting flying from the
+mast to tell the direction of the wind.  "We've got a good breeze now.
+I hope it holds."
+
+"Wait just a minute," begged Andy.  "I want to take a look at that
+motor boat," and he motioned to a large one that was tied near the
+sailboat.  "I wish we had one like that.  It's a beaut!"
+
+No one was near the craft and soon Andy was in it, inspecting her
+critically.  Frank saw him handling some of the wires that ran to spark
+plugs in the four cylinder heads.
+
+"Better let things alone," cautioned the older Racer lad.  "You might
+get something out of order."
+
+"I just thought of a little joke I can play on the fellow who owns
+this," chuckled Andy, as he disconnected one of the high-tension cables.
+
+"Oh you and your jokes!" objected Frank, somewhat sternly.  "You'll get
+more than you count on, some day."
+
+"Oh, I'm only going to fix things so that when he turns on the
+batteries and starts to turn over the fly wheel he'll get a shock,"
+explained Andy.  "I'll just cross these wires and----"
+
+Andy Racer didn't finish what he was going to say.  Instead he jumped
+back as though he had been stung by a hornet, and let out a yell:
+
+"Wow!  Sufferin' cats!" he cried, holding one hand in the other and
+prancing about.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Frank in some alarm.
+
+"I got a fearful shock!  The wires were short-circuited and I didn't
+know it!  Smoked mackerel!  I got a big charge of electricity!" howled
+Andy.
+
+"Serves you right for meddling with other people's boats, and trying to
+play jokes on them," declared Frank, as sternly as he could, though he
+had to laugh at the wry face Andy was making as he danced about.
+
+"Huh!  Guess you wouldn't think it funny if you had about twenty-seven
+hornets after you!" grumbled the younger lad.
+
+"Well, maybe you'll get over playing jokes some day," predicted Frank.
+
+"I didn't suppose it was going to turn out this way," was the dubious
+answer.
+
+"Well, come aboard now, and we'll get under way," said Frank, trying
+not to laugh.
+
+A little later, under a spanking breeze, the _Gull_ was standing out
+for Cliff Island, while the boys peered eagerly forward for the first
+sight of the bit of land in the big bay which might mean so much to
+them.
+
+"Are you going to sail straight up to it?" asked Andy after they had
+covered several miles.
+
+"Well, the best place to drop anchor is in that little inlet on the
+east side.  To get to that we have to sail half way around the island,
+and I was thinking we might as well make a complete circuit."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Oh, we might see something of the man, or the boat, and that would
+give us a line on how to act.  After we go around we can tie up in the
+inlet and row ashore.  Then we can begin our search."
+
+"I guess that's a good plan," assented Andy; "Now I'll go get some grub
+ready and by that time we may sight the island."
+
+It was shortly after the meal, partaken of while the little boat was
+pitching and tossing on long ground swell, that the younger lad, who
+had stationed himself in the bow, called out:
+
+"Land ho!"
+
+"Where away?" demanded Frank.
+
+"Dead ahead."
+
+"It's the island, all right," exclaimed Frank.  "I laid a straighter
+course for it than I thought."
+
+In a little while the barren speck loomed up lore plainly.  As they
+approached closer the boys eagerly scanned the shores for a sight of he
+mysterious man, or the wrecked motor boat.  But they saw nothing, even
+through the powerful glasses they used.
+
+"Now to tie up and go ashore," said Frank, after the circuit was
+completed.  A little later the anchor splashed into the shallow waters
+of the inlet and the two brothers were rowing ashore.
+
+"Look out for yourself, Mr. Mysterious Man!" exclaimed Andy, as he
+stepped out of the boat.  "We're on your trail."
+
+"Bur-r-r-r!  It's as desolate as the place where Robinson Crusoe was
+stranded!" cried Frank, as he looked about.
+
+Overhead gulls were wheeling and circling with noisy cries, but this
+was the only sign of life on Cliff Island.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+"THERE HE IS!"
+
+"Well, what's the first thing to be done?" asked Andy, after he had
+assisted Frank to pull the boat up on the beach beyond high-water mark.
+
+"There's plenty to do," declared his brother.  "In the first place
+we've got to decide whether we'll stay on shore over night, or sleep on
+the boat.  If we stay on land we've got to bring our grub ashore.
+Then, the next thing is to map out a plan so we can search the island,
+and not go over the same ground twice."
+
+"My!  You'd think you had done this sort of thing all your life, and
+had it down to a science," declared Andy with a laugh.
+
+"Well, if it's going to be done at all, it might as well be done right.
+This thing is getting serious, and I want to clear it up if possible.
+For our sakes as well as for Paul's."
+
+They talked the matter over at some length, and decided that it would
+be more fun to camp on shore instead of going back and forth to the
+boat to sleep and eat.
+
+"The weather is warm," said Andy, "and we can sleep out in the open,
+especially as we have plenty of blankets.  And it will be jolly to
+build a fire on shore and sit around it nights.  Just like some old sea
+pirates.  Wow!"
+
+"Easy!" cautioned his brother.  "This isn't a joy-picnic.  We're here
+on serious business, and there may be some danger."
+
+"But we might as well have some sport along with it," argued Andy, who
+could not help seeing the funny or bright side of everything.  Frank,
+though more serious, did not despise a good time by any means, but he
+went at matters more determinedly than did his brother.
+
+"To my notion, the first thing to do is to go at this search with a
+system," went on the older lad.  "We'll climb up to the top of the
+cliff, and see if we can make out anything from there.  If that man is
+here he may have set up a camp, and built a fire.  If he has, we can
+easily see it from the cliff.  Then we will know where we're at."
+
+To this Andy agreed, and soon they were toiling to the top of the high
+land that ran lengthwise of the island, roughly dividing it into two
+parts.  It was no easy matter to reach the summit, and several times
+the boys had to stop for a rest.  But finally they were at the goal.
+
+Below them, on all sides, washing the rocky shores of the island were
+the heaving waters of the great bay.  They could take in most of the
+shore line, irregular and indented as it was, but, look as they did,
+there was no sign of life.
+
+They saw no curling smoke from a campfire.  They saw no figure of a
+man--the man whom they had so fruitlessly pursued.  Nor was there any
+vestige of a big motor boat half-burned.
+
+"Well, nothing doing so far," remarked Frank, after a pause.  "Now
+we'll go down and begin a circuit of the shore and see what is in some
+of the caves."
+
+Slipping and sliding over the loose stones and gravel, they reached the
+bottom of the slope near where they had drawn up their boat.  The sight
+of this craft gave Frank an idea.
+
+"Suppose while we're on one side of the island that man--or
+someone--should happen to come along?" he suggested.  "He'd make off
+with our boat, sure."
+
+"Probably," agreed Andy.  "But we can prevent that."
+
+"How?"
+
+"By hiding the oars.  We'll shove 'em under some bushes quite a
+distance back, so they can't be found."
+
+Frank agreed that this was a good idea, and though there was a chance
+that someone might land in a motor boat and tow off their rowing craft,
+still they had to take that risk.
+
+Then began a systematic search of the island.  They went along the
+shore, and looked into many small caves.  The interior of these was
+dark, but they had each provided a pocket portable electric flash lamp,
+so that they were able to illuminate the caverns.
+
+"Nothing here," announced Frank, after an inspection of the first one.
+And that was the result in all the others that they penetrated before
+dusk.  By nightfall they had covered perhaps a quarter of the shore
+line and then they turned back.
+
+A roaring blaze was kindled on the sand from the plentiful supply of
+driftwood that strewed the beach, and at the cheerful fire they sat and
+talked as they ate their supper.
+
+"Jolly fun, isn't it?" asked Andy.
+
+"It sure is, even if we don't discover anything.  I wish Paul was
+along."
+
+"Perhaps it's just as well he's home," commented the younger lad.  "I
+have an idea that this man keeps informed of our movements, and don't
+fancy having him sneak up on us during the night, which he would be
+very likely to do if Paul was with us."
+
+"That's so.  But, speaking of night, what are we going to do about
+sleeping?"
+
+"Under our boat, with our blankets spread out on the sands," said the
+younger lad.  "It's plenty warm enough."
+
+It was not a half bad way to spend the night, especially as the
+overturned rowboat kept off the chilly dew.  Soon the two brothers were
+soundly sleeping.  They did not bother to keep a watch and even allowed
+the fire to die out, taking the precaution, however, to put some wood
+under the boat, where it would be dry in case of rain in the night.
+
+"Well, now for another try at the mysterious man!" called Frank, as he
+crawled out from under their shelter the next morning.  "Maybe we'll
+have better luck to-day."
+
+They set off directly after breakfast, and took with them their
+blankets and a supply of food.  For they intended to make a half
+circuit of the island that day, and they figured that night would find
+them too far away from their camp to make it practical to return.
+
+"We'll eat and sleep wherever we are when it's dark," decided Frank.
+
+Their search that day was as fruitless as fore.  Not a vestige of the
+man or boat to be seen.  They made a sort of shelter of driftwood and
+seaweed before darkness fell, and built a rousing fire in front of it,
+where they sat and talked until it was time to turn in.
+
+"I don't like the looks of the weather," remarked Frank as he wrapped
+up in his blankets.
+
+"Why not?" his brother wanted to know.
+
+"It looks like rain, and if it does we're going get wet."
+
+"Oh, I guess not," said the younger lad easily.  He never looked for
+trouble.
+
+It was along toward morning when Frank awoke from a troubled dream that
+he was standing under a shower bath.  He found it to be almost a
+reality, for it was raining and the water was coming in through the
+flimsy roof of their shelter.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Andy sleepily as he heard his brother moving
+about.
+
+"It's raining a flood!  I'm drenched and so must you be."
+
+"That's right, I am pretty wet.  What had we better do; make for the
+_Gull_?"
+
+"What, in this storm and darkness?  No, but I think there's a cave near
+here.  We can go in that and keep dry, at any rate."
+
+"Go ahead, I'm with you."
+
+They were fortunate in finding a small cavern, and in it was a supply
+of dry wood.  They made a fire, though the smoke was almost as bad as
+the dampness, but it served to get rid of that chilly feeling.
+
+It was still raining when morning came, but the boys were more cheerful
+with the appearance of daylight, though they had to breakfast on cold
+food, for all the wood was wet, and the supply in the cave had been
+burned.
+
+"Oh, well, we can go back to our first camp and row out to the _Gull_
+pretty soon," remarked Frank.  "Let's hurry on with our search now."
+
+"I'm afraid it isn't going to amount to anything," declared Andy.
+"That man isn't here, and he hasn't been here.  Captain Trent's theory
+was all right, but it didn't work out."
+
+"Oh, I'm not going to give up yet," insisted Frank.  "We have a good
+part of the island to explore yet."
+
+But, as they went farther on, it became more and more evident that
+there was no one on the island but themselves--that is, unless the
+mysterious man was hidden somewhere between them and their first
+camp--a distance of about a mile.
+
+"We'll cover that, and then all there is to do is to sail back home,"
+proposed Andy, as they started on the last lap of their search, after
+eating a hasty lunch.  It had stopped raining, for which they were very
+thankful.
+
+There was one more cave to explore, and this was soon proved to contain
+nothing but a colony of bats, which they disturbed with their flashing
+light.
+
+"I hope our boat's safe," mused Frank as they headed for the place
+where they had left it.  "I don't fancy swimming out to the _Gull_."
+
+"Oh, it will be all right," asserted Andy confidently.  "There she is,"
+he added a moment later, as he made the turn around a jutting rock.
+"She hasn't been moved since we slept under her."
+
+Together they approached their boat.  As he neared it Frank looked
+critically at some marks in the wet sand--a series of footprints all
+about the craft.
+
+"Look!" he exclaimed, pointing to them.
+
+"Well, what about it?" asked Andy calmly.  "You and I made them."
+
+"It rained since we were here night before last," said Frank in a low
+voice, as if afraid someone would hear him.  "Our footprints would have
+been washed away.  Someone has been here since--a man----"
+
+He paused and looked down the beach.  An indefinable something had
+attracted his attention.  The next moment he grasped Andy by the arm.
+
+"There he is!" he exclaimed.
+
+And there, about a quarter of a mile away was a man, standing beside a
+big wrecked motor boat that was drawn up on the beach.  It was the
+mysterious personage for whom the Racer boys were searching.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+IN THE CAVE
+
+For a moment Frank and Andy were so surprised that neither one of them
+could think of anything to say.  It seemed almost impossible that their
+search should be rewarded just at the time when they had given it up.
+Yet there was no mistake.  There was the man they wanted.  At least
+they assumed so, for they could not make out his features at that
+distance.  At any rate, there was the wrecked motor boat, and the tall
+man was critically inspecting it.
+
+"Look!  Look!" was all Andy could whisper.
+
+"Yes," assented Frank.  "Now if he'll only let us get within talking
+distance, and not run as he always does, we may learn something.  I
+wish we could steal up on him quietly."
+
+"No chance of that, I'm afraid.  He knows we're here.  It was he who
+was walking around our boat."
+
+"Sure; and he knows it's the one from the _Gull_.  Well, the only thing
+to do is to go right up to him.  I wonder what he wants with that boat,
+anyhow?  See, he's poking into it as if there were gold or diamonds
+concealed in it."
+
+"Perhaps there are.  Maybe that's the mystery," said the younger Racer
+lad eagerly.
+
+"Oh, you got that out of some of the books you read.  But I can't
+understand how we could have missed him."
+
+Andy did not answer.  Instead he grabbed his brother and pulled him
+down on the sand behind the boat.  It was only just in time, for the
+man had turned and was gazing back toward the overturned craft.
+
+"I hope he didn't see us," whispered Andy.
+
+"We must lay low until we think of some plan.  Maybe he'll get down
+inside the motor boat and then we can get up to him before he knows it.
+But I tell you what I think, Frank," he went on, "either that man was
+hiding in some cave farther back than we looked, or he has just
+arrived."
+
+"The motor boat has just arrived, anyhow, or at least since night
+before last," assented the elder lad.  "We couldn't have overlooked
+that.  Say, Andy, he is getting inside!  Now's our chance!"
+
+They saw, by peering over the edge of their craft, that the mysterious
+man had climbed over the half-burned rail of the damaged motor boat.
+His back was toward them, and they could not see his head.  He appeared
+to be tearing the interior of the craft apart.
+
+Cautiously the two brothers crept out from behind their shelter and
+made their way softly over the sand toward where the man was.  What
+they intended to do when they confronted him they hardly knew.  Frank
+was sure that he wanted to ask the queer stranger certain questions,
+and he hoped to be able to plead with him to tell what he knew of Paul
+Gale.  The question was, whether or not the man would answer.
+
+It was lucky that their footsteps made no sound on the soft sand, for
+they were thus enabled to approach to within a short distance of the
+wreck as it rested on the beach.  The man was still in it, and they
+could hear him pounding and splitting wood in the interior.  Evidently
+he was not aware of their presence.
+
+For the first time since they had begun their surprising series of
+adventures, the boys were able to make out the name of the strange
+craft.  It was the _Swallow_, and as they had a chance to look at her
+graceful lines they realized that, before the fire, wreck, and
+explosion the boat had been a powerful one.
+
+"I think we have him this time," whispered Andy, as they came nearer
+and nearer, and the man was still bending over with his back toward
+them.
+
+Frank laid his finger across his lips as a sign of caution.  At that
+moment an unfortunate thing happened.  Andy stepped on a shell, not
+seeing it, and it broke under his weight with a sharp, crackling sound.
+
+Like a flash the man leaped up, and fairly sprang out of the boat.  He
+stood confronting the Racer boys.
+
+"Who are you?  What do you want?" he demanded sharply.  Then, as he
+recognized them, he added: "Oh, it's you two again.  Didn't I warn you
+to stop following me?"
+
+"We didn't choose to," retorted Frank calmly.  "We've found you after a
+good deal of trouble, and we intend to end this mystery now.  A boy's
+life--the life of Paul Gale--hangs in the balance."
+
+"As if I cared," sneered the man.  "You have had your trouble for your
+pains.  I shall tell you nothing, and I order you off this island."
+
+"We're not going!" exclaimed Andy firmly.  "This is a public place, and
+we have as much right here as you have.  Besides, you haven't any
+cannon now, and we're two to one."
+
+"Oh, you are; eh?" demanded the man in an ugly voice.  "We'll see about
+that.  Once more I order you to stop following me; do you hear?"
+
+"We're not going to let you get away until you answer our questions!"
+declared Frank.  "We demand to know what you are doing with Paul's
+boat, and we want to know what his full name is, so that we can
+communicate with his friends."
+
+"You'll never know from me!" fairly shouted the man.  "And I defy you
+to get anything out of me.  I'm not going to be bothered with you.
+Come on, men, here are these two bothersome boys!  Let's get rid of
+them!" he suddenly cried, waving his hand as if at someone approaching
+Andy and Frank from the rear.
+
+Involuntarily they turned, but the next instant they heard a triumphant
+laugh, and when they turned back, having seen no one, they beheld the
+mysterious man racing across the sands toward the interior of the
+island.
+
+"Quick!  After him!" cried Frank.
+
+"Yes, we mustn't let him get away again!" added his brother.
+
+They set off after the stranger at full speed.  He was running rapidly,
+now and then glancing over his shoulder at them.
+
+All at once he changed his course, and darted around a small rocky
+promontory.  The tide was rising and he had to step into the water to
+make the turn.
+
+"After him!" yelled Frank again.
+
+The two brothers made the turn, and just far enough behind the man to
+see him dart into the black entrance of a small cave.  It was one they
+had looked into, but into which they had not penetrated far.
+
+"Now we've got him!" yelled Andy.  "There's no way out of that!  Come
+on, Frank!"
+
+Together the two brothers entered the dark cavern.  The change from the
+glaring sunlight on the sands to intense gloom made them pause for a
+moment, and they heard from somewhere in the blackness of the rear a
+sinister chuckle.
+
+"He's in here," declared Andy.  "We have him now."
+
+The two pressed forward resolutely in the darkness.  Of what lay before
+them--the danger from a desperate man and the danger of the cavern they
+knew not--they only resolved to end the mystery if possible.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE RISING TIDE
+
+"Where are you, Frank?" called Andy.
+
+"Right here.  Give me your hand.  It won't do to get lost in this
+darkness.  Where are you?"
+
+The two brothers groped about in the darkness until they had found each
+other.
+
+"Listen," whispered the older one.  "Do you hear him?"
+
+In the silence and blackness there came to them the sound of retreating
+footsteps, and of small stones and particles of earth falling.
+
+"He must be climbing up," said Andy.  "This cave is bigger than we
+thought, and he must know the place, even in the dark.
+
+"It _is_ as dark as a pocket," complained Frank.  "I can't see
+anything."
+
+"Wait!" suddenly exclaimed Andy.  "Why didn't we think of them before?
+Our pocket electrics.  They'll do the trick!"
+
+"Sure enough."
+
+An instant later two small but powerful gleams of light cut the
+blackness of the cavern, and the boys were enabled to see so they could
+hurry ahead.  They could still hear the man retreating before them.
+
+"We're coming!" cried Andy in reckless bravado.
+
+"Hush!  He'll hear you," cautioned his mother.
+
+"What of it?  I want him to.  He'll see our lights anyhow.  But I think
+we have him trapped."
+
+"If there isn't another outlet to the cave.  But come on."
+
+Forward they pressed.  They could still hear the noise made by the man,
+and once they were startled by his mocking laugh.  So close was it that
+they knew he must have doubled on his tracks returned toward them.
+
+"There are several passages in this cave, I'm sure of it," declared
+Frank.  "We'll have to be careful not to get lost."
+
+"That's right.  This fellow must be at home here.  But the floor is
+beginning to slope upward.  Say, it's damp in here, all right," Andy
+added, as he stepped into a little puddle of water.
+
+"From the rain, I guess," replied Frank.
+
+"Hu!  How could rain get in here?"
+
+"It must have soaked in through the roof.  But we can't talk and listen
+for that man.  Let's hurry on."
+
+Once more they advanced, but they became confused by many windings and
+turnings of the dark passages, until Frank called a halt.
+
+"Let's consider a bit," he said to his brother.  "We can't go on this
+way.  We've got to mark some of these passages so we'll know them again
+if we come by.  Otherwise we'll get all confused."
+
+"Good idea.  Make some scratches on them with your knife.  That will
+do."
+
+Frank quickly did this and they pressed on.  Occasionally they called
+to the man, but he did not answer them now--not even by his mocking
+laugh.  They, however, could still hear him.
+
+"He's leading us on a wild goose chase!" declared Frank at length.
+"The first thing we know he'll get back to the entrance and escape."
+
+"Then one of us had better go to the mouth of the cave and either stop
+him, or else be there to give the alarm when he tries to get out,"
+proposed Andy.  "I'll go."
+
+"No, I think we'd better stick together," suggested his brother.  "That
+man is too dangerous for one of us to tackle alone.  We may catch up to
+him any moment now, and I hope he'll give in, and tell us what we want
+to know."
+
+Without the portable electric lights which they each carried it would
+have been impossible for the Racer boys to have found their way about
+the cave.  They marveled how it was that the mysterious man could
+follow the windings and turnings in the dark, but, as they learned
+afterward, he had been in the cave before.
+
+Back and forth, up and down, here and there, like following some
+will-o'-the-wisp went the boys.  At times they thought they had lost
+the object of their pursuit, but again they would hear him hurrying on
+ahead of them.
+
+"Hold on a minute!" suddenly exclaimed Frank, when he had led the way
+down a steep descent.  "I don't like this."
+
+"Like what?" asked Andy, in some alarm.
+
+"This chase.  That man knows what he's doing and we don't.  If he
+wanted to he could have been out of this cave a dozen times or more,
+yet he's staying in and leading us on.  He has some object in it, and I
+don't mind confessing that I'm afraid of it."
+
+"How do you mean afraid?"
+
+"I think we may come to some harm.  He fairly enticed us in here and
+now he's playing with us as a cat does with a mouse.  I'm going to stop
+and go back to the entrance."
+
+"Well, perhaps you're right," admitted Andy, and it was quite an
+admission for him, as he was always willing to take more risks than was
+his brother.  "We'll stand still a few minutes and see what happens."
+
+They remained there, quiet in the darkness.  For a time not a sound
+broke the stillness.  Then, with startling suddenness came a hail:
+
+"Well, why don't you catch me?"
+
+"Catch me?" repeated the echoes, and there followed a mocking laugh.
+
+"Here he is!" cried Andy.  "Off to the left."
+
+"No, the right," insisted Frank.  "Over this way."
+
+"All right," agreed Andy, and he followed his brother.
+
+Hardly had he spoken than there rang throughout the cave a dull,
+booming sound.  It seemed to shake the ground.
+
+"He's exploded something!" cried Frank, coming to a halt.  He flashed
+his electric torch around, but could see nothing.  He and his brother
+were in a low, rock-roofed passage.
+
+"It sounded like something falling," was Andy's opinion.  "Let's go
+forward and see what it was."
+
+They had not gone forward more than a dozen steps before they were
+halted by the sound of a voice--the voice of the mysterious man.
+
+"Maybe you'll take a warning next time!" he sneered.  "I think you've
+followed me once too often.  This is the end."
+
+They could hear him hastening away.  Then came silence.
+
+"What did he mean?" asked Andy.
+
+"I don't know," replied his brother.  "Let's look."
+
+Andy was in the lead.  Slowly he advanced, flashing his electric light.
+Then he came to a halt.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Frank.
+
+"I can't go any farther.  The passage ends here in a solid rock."
+
+"Then we'll have to go back.  I thought he was fooling us.  He wanted
+to get us in some side chamber, so he could make his escape from the
+entrance.  Hurry back."
+
+They fairly ran to the other end of the passageway, retracing their
+steps.  This time Frank was ahead.  Suddenly he came to a halt.
+
+"Well, why don't you go on?" asked Andy.
+
+"I can't.  There's a big rock here."
+
+"A rock?  There wasn't any there when we came in."
+
+"I know it, but it's fallen down since.  The passage is closed."
+
+"Closed!" gasped Andy.  "Then I know what happened.  That was the noise
+we heard.  That man toppled this rock down to trap us here.  We're
+caught, Frank!  Caught!"
+
+For a moment the older brother did not answer.  Then he replied:
+
+"It does looks so.  But we'll try to shove this stone out of the way.
+Come on, lend a hand."
+
+Together the boys pushed and shoved.  But all to no purpose.  Flashing
+their lights on the obstruction, they saw that it had fallen down in a
+wedged-shaped place, dove-tailing itself in so that no power short of
+dynamite could loosen it.  The hopelessness of moving it struck them at
+once.
+
+"The other end!" cried Frank.  "We must try to get out the other way!"
+
+Back they raced along the passage, slipping stumbling on the wet, rocky
+floor.  But it only to come face to face with a solid wall of rock.
+
+"No use trying to get through there," said Andy.  "We must try to move
+the big rock."
+
+"We can't," spoke Frank.  "I think----"  But he never finished that
+sentence.  Instead focused his light down on the stone floor of passage
+in the cave.  A thin stream of water trickling along it.
+
+"Look!  Look!" whispered Andy.
+
+"Yes," answered his brother in a low voice.  "The tide is rising.  It's
+running into the cave, and we--we're trapped here, Andy.  No wonder
+that man said it was the last time.  We're trapped by the rising tide!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+DEATH IS NEAR
+
+"Frank, are you there?"
+
+"Yes, Andy.  Give me your hand."
+
+The two brothers spoke softly.  It was in the darkness of the cave, for
+they had both released the pressure on the springs of their portable
+lights to make the little dry batteries last as long as possible.  It
+was several minutes after the first awful discovery of the incoming
+tide, and they had maintained a silence until the younger lad, unable
+to longer endure the strain, had called out.
+
+Silently they clasped hands in the blackness.
+
+"Frank, do you--do you think there's any way out?"
+
+"Why, of course there is, Andy.  All we've got to do is to wait a
+while, and someone will surely come to our rescue.  Father and mother
+know we started for this island, and if we don't get home soon they'll
+start a searching party after us."
+
+"Yes, but the rising tide, Frank.  We--we may drown."
+
+"Nonsense.  The water can't get very high in here.  We'll simply go to
+the highest part of the passage, and wait until the tide goes out.
+That won't be so very long.  What makes me mad though, is to think how
+that man fooled us.  That was his object all along.  He wanted to get
+us in here so he could drop that rock across the opening and have us
+caged."
+
+"Can't we try to get out?" asked Andy.  his usually joyous spirits had
+departed.  He was very much subdued now, and in the momentary flash of
+his light, which he permitted himself, Frank saw that his brother was
+very pale.
+
+"Of course we'll try!" exclaimed the elder lad, with all the assurance
+he could put into his voice.  "Perhaps we can manage it, too.  Let's
+have a try.  It's of no use to do it here.  We must go back to where he
+pushed down the rock.  Perhaps it isn't in as tight as we thought at
+first.  Come on.  But don't use your light.  Mine is enough, and we
+must save them as long as we can."
+
+By the gleam of the single electric torch they made their way back.
+Soon they were at the rock which made them prisoners.  It loomed grim
+and black in the semi-darkness.
+
+"The water's higher," said Andy, in a low voice.   Frank had noticed
+that, for it now reached to his ankles as he splashed his way back
+along the passage.  But he had said nothing, hoping Andy had not
+observed it.
+
+"Yes," said the older boy cheerfully, "It's bound to rise until the
+tide is at flood, and then--why, it will go down again--that's all."
+
+"But suppose it fills this cave?"
+
+"Nonsense!  It can't.  I'm not going to suppose anything of the sort.
+Now come on.  Let's see if we can move this rock."
+
+Together they pressed on the stone with all their strength.  They might
+as well have tried to budge the side of a mountain.  The rock was
+firmly wedged in place.
+
+"It's no use," spoke Andy, in a dull, hopeless tone.
+
+"Oh, don't give up so easily," urged his brother.  "If we can't do it
+one way, we may another.  See, it has slid down in a sort of groove.
+Only a little ridge of rock on either side holds it in place.  Now if
+we can break away those upright ridges, which are like the pieces on a
+window sash up and down which the window slides, we may be able to push
+the rock out.  Let's try.  Use your knife and take a rock for a hammer."
+
+Frank placed his torch on a ledge of rock, tying the spring down by a
+piece of cord so that the light would focus on the big bowlder.  Then,
+with their pocket-knives as chisels, and stones as mallets, they began
+their futile attempts to cut away the holding ridges of rock.
+
+That it was a futile attempt was soon made evident, for their knives
+slipped off the flint-like stone, and several times when the blades
+unexpectedly shut, the lads received severe cuts on their hands.
+
+Suddenly Andy uttered an exclamation:
+
+"The water!  It's getting deeper!" he cried
+
+It was up to their knees now.
+
+"Of course it getting deeper," said Frank, with a cheerfulness that he
+was far from feeling.  "The tide isn't half in yet."
+
+Andy shuddered.
+
+"What will we do when it's high water?" he asked.
+
+Frank did not answer, but kept on chipping away at the rock.  He
+managed to break off several pieces, but it was easy to see that it
+would take much more work to loosen the retaining ridges so that the
+bowlder that imprisoned them would fall outward.
+
+"There it goes!" suddenly exclaimed the older brother in despair.
+"I've broken my knife blade!  You'll have to do all the work, Andy."
+
+"Oh, what's the use?" sighed the younger lad.  "The water is coming in
+faster.  See, it's up to our waists now, and the tide is nowhere at
+full!  We're doomed, Frank!"
+
+"Not a bit of it.  See that ledge of rock up there?  We'll climb up on
+it and wait until the water goes down.  Then maybe someone will come
+for us, or we can get out.  Climb up, Andy.  We won't try to break off
+any more rock."
+
+Frank helped his brother to take a position on the narrow ledge.  It
+was barely wide enough for two, but, somehow, they managed to cling to
+it.  The surface was wet, and there were little puddles of water here
+and there.  Seeing them in the gleam of his light, Frank could not
+repress a shudder.
+
+"The tide must come up even to here," he thought.  "If it comes up to
+the roof--well, that's the end of us."  But he said nothing to Andy.
+
+Slowly the water rose.  They boys watched it, sitting on the narrow
+ledge with their feet and legs dangling off.  From time to time Frank
+would flash his light on the little lapping waves.
+
+"It will soon stop," he said, as cheerfully as he could.  But he did
+not believe himself.  He held Andy's hand in a firm grip.
+
+Higher and higher rose the tide.  It was at the knees of the boys now,
+and still mounting.
+
+"Let's stand up," proposed Frank at length.  "I'm tired of sitting."
+
+They took an upright position on the ledge of rock.  Their heads just
+touched the rocky roof of the cave.  In fact Frank, who was a trifle
+taller than his brother, had to stoop.
+
+"Now we'll be all right, Andy," he said.  "We can stand here until the
+water goes down."
+
+"If--if it doesn't touch the roof," was the solemn answer.
+
+Frank said nothing.
+
+Standing on the ledge, high above the floor the cave, the water now
+lapped their ankles once more.  Frank could feel it creeping
+higher--ever higher.  In spite of himself, a horrible fear took
+possession of him.  Death was very near, he thought--a terrible death
+by drowning in the cave where they were caged like rats in a trap.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE STORM
+
+"Do you know how high the tide rises on this island?" asked Andy after
+a pause.  His voice sounded strange in that hollow, dark place, amid
+the ceaseless lapping of the water on the rocks.
+
+"How high?  No, but it can't get much higher," answered Frank as
+cheerfully as he could.  "It's been rising some time now, and it must
+stop soon."
+
+"It seems a long time, but it isn't," went on Andy in that quiet voice.
+"Look, it's seven o'clock," and he held out his watch, illuminating it
+with the flashing electric light.
+
+"Seven in the evening," murmured Frank.  "It must be getting dark
+outside."  It had been dark from the beginning in the cave.
+
+"Seven o'clock in the evening," went on Andy, "and we came in here
+about four!  The tide has several hours to rise yet, and----"
+
+He did not finish, but he glanced down at the water that was steadily
+rising up on their legs.  It was chilling them, yet they dared not move
+much for fear of toppling off the narrow ledge.
+
+Frank did not answer.  He was busy trying to think of some way of
+escape.  Yet, rack his brain as he did, no way out of the cave seemed
+possible.  Were they doomed to die there?
+
+"Can we climb any higher?" asked Andy, after another period of silence.
+"If we could, we might get out of reach of the water, even when the
+tide is full.  Let's turn on both our lights and look at the wall back
+of us."
+
+They had been saving the fast-waning current in the electric lamps
+against the time of need.  They might have but little further use for
+it, so both Andy and his brother pressed the springs that turned on the
+gleaming lights.
+
+In the glow they could see the black and gurgling water at their knees.
+It was swirling around from the force of the tide outside that was
+rushing into the cave.  Though the stone thrown down by the man at the
+entrance prevented our heroes from escaping, the bowlder did not fit so
+tightly but what water could come in.
+
+"Now to see what's back of us," spoke Frank, turning around as well as
+he could on the small shelf, and flashing his light on the wall behind
+him.
+
+"Say!" suddenly exclaimed Andy, "doesn't it strike you that the water
+isn't coming in so fast is it was?"
+
+Frank held his light lower, and looked at the rising tide.
+
+"There doesn't seem to be quite so much force to it," admitted the
+elder Racer lad, "but I'm afraid that's only because it's higher, and
+because it has to wind in and out of so many passages, and force itself
+under and around the rock which that scoundrel threw down.  I wish we
+had him here!"
+
+"I guess he's far enough off by this time," remarked Andy.  "But let's
+see if there's a way to get higher up."
+
+Together they examined the wall of the cave against which they had been
+leaning.  Frank uttered a cry of joy.
+
+"It's mostly dirt, not stone!" he exclaimed.  "We can cut steps in it,
+and climb up.  Maybe we can get high enough so that the tide won't
+reach us, or at least we can keep our heads above water until it goes
+down.  Come on, where's your knife?"
+
+Working by turns, with the only knife available between them, the boys
+began frantically cutting niches or steps in the dirt wall.
+Fortunately it was packed hard enough so that it did not crumble.  They
+took turns at the desperate labor, one holding the torch, and the other
+wielding the knife.
+
+All the while the tide kept coming higher, until it was now to their
+waists.  But they had not yet made enough notches to enable them to
+stand up, clinging by their hands and toes.  For it needed four niches
+for each lad--eight laboriously-cut holes in the wall, four niches for
+the hands and four for the feet, some distance apart.  Even when this
+was done it would only raise them about twenty inches.  Would that be
+enough?
+
+"We can't cut any more after this," said Frank dully, when they had
+almost finished the eight.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because we can't hold on in these and cut any more.  The footing isn't
+good enough.  If we only had a sort of platform to stand on, we could
+reach up higher.  As it is, I'm afraid this isn't going to do much
+good--that is for very long.  The water is still rising."
+
+"If we only had some sticks," exclaimed Andy hopelessly.  "We could
+drive them in the dirt, leaving the ends projecting, and then we could
+go up, like on a ladder."
+
+"But we haven't any sticks."
+
+"Maybe there are some on the shelf where are standing; imbedded in it."
+
+It was a slim chance, but worth trying, and by turns they stooped over
+and felt down beneath the water.  This had the effect of wetting them
+to their shoulders, but not a piece of wood could they discover.
+Helplessly they stared at each other in the dying gleam of their
+electric torches.  Relentlessly the water mounted higher.
+
+"We might as well get up in the niches," said Andy, after another long
+pause.  "We may not be able to climb if we wait too long."
+
+"Wait as long as possible," advised his brother in a low voice.
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"Because it's going to be hard to cling there.  It's a stiff position
+to hold, and we ought to stay here, where we have a good footing, as
+long as possible.  There's time enough when the water gets up to our
+shoulders."
+
+It was like waiting for almost certain death, but the boys never lost
+their hearts.  Somehow they felt that there would be a way out--yet how
+it would come they dared not even imagine.  They only hoped and--waited.
+
+"We'd better climb up now," said Frank at length.  "You go first, Andy,
+and get a good hold.  I'll follow."
+
+"Why don't you go first?"
+
+"Oh, you might fall."
+
+"So might you."
+
+"Go ahead, I tell you!" and Frank spoke more sharply to his brother
+than he had ever done before.  Andy turned and clambered up in the
+niches.  They had cut them slanting to give their feet and hands a
+better grip, and this was a wise provision, for it was desperate
+holding at best.
+
+Frank followed his brother, and then, at the last stand, they clung
+there together, listening to the lapping of the water that, raised up
+as they were, even now wet their legs.
+
+How long they clung thus they did not know.  It seemed a long time, but
+it could not have been more than fifteen minutes they agreed afterward,
+for the water did not gain much.  But suddenly the silence of the night
+outside was broken by a loud report.
+
+"Signal guns!" exclaimed Andy.  "Some vessel is in distress."
+
+"No, that's thunder!" said Frank.  "There's a storm coming up.  But we
+won't know it--in here."
+
+"I hope our boat is safe, and that the _Gull_ is well anchored," went
+on the younger lad anxiously.
+
+"As if that mattered," thought Frank, but he did not say so.  He began
+to think they would never have any further use for their craft.  He
+choked back the dreadful fear that seemed to take possession of him.
+
+Once more came a terrific clap of thunder, and it seemed to shake the
+very island to its center.
+
+"It's a fierce one," murmured Andy.
+
+In quick succession came a number of awful reports.  The earthy wall to
+which they were clinging seemed to tremble.  The water gurgled below
+them, rising higher and higher.
+
+"I wonder--" began Andy, after a terrific clap, but his words were
+silenced in the thunderous vibration that followed.  It was the hardest
+clap yet, and the boys felt a tingling, numbing sensation in their
+fingers.
+
+"That struck near here!" yelled Frank.
+
+His face was turned upward toward the roof of the cavern.  He felt
+something falling on his cheeks.  It seemed to be particles of dirt.
+Then he felt a dampness that was not from the waters below him.  More
+particles fell.
+
+"What's the matter?" cried Andy.  "Something is happening.  What is it?"
+
+Before Frank could answer, had he known what was taking place, there
+came a loud splash in the water at Andy's left.
+
+"Is that you Frank?  Have you fallen?" he called desperately.
+
+"No, I'm here," replied his brother.  "That must have been part of the
+side or roof of the cave jarred off by the thunder.  Hold fast, Andy."
+
+There came a second splashing sound in the water, followed by another.
+The drops of dampness and particles of earth continued to rain into the
+faces of the lads.
+
+"The cave's crumbling in!" cried Andy.  "The roof is falling."
+
+"Hold--" began Frank.
+
+A roar interrupted him.  Suddenly the cave seemed to be illuminated by
+a dazzling light bluish in color.  By it the boys could see each other
+as they clung to the wall.  They could see the black and swirling
+waters now waist high.  But they could see something else.
+
+They could look up and out through a jagged hole in the roof of the
+cavern, and through that opening they had a glimpse of the fury of the
+storm.  They could see the lightning flashing in the sky.
+
+For a moment the meaning of it was lost on them.  Then Frank uttered a
+cry of hope.
+
+"We're saved, Andy, saved!  Now we can crawl up out of the top of the
+cave and escape.  The tide can't reach us now!  We're saved!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+TO THE RESCUE
+
+Back in the Racer cottage there was an anxious consultation going on.
+It was the afternoon of the second day since Andy and Frank had gone to
+Cliff Island, and they had not returned.
+
+"I don't like it!" exclaimed Mr. Racer, tossing aside the paper he had
+been trying to read, and restlessly pacing the floor.  "I wish they
+hadn't gone.  I wish they were back."
+
+"Don't you think they can look after themselves?" asked the mother.
+Usually she was the more nervous, but this time it was her husband.
+
+"Oh, I suppose they could, ordinarily," he answered.  "But this is
+different."
+
+"How, Dick?" and there was an anxious note in Mrs. Racer's voice.  She
+had just come in from a tennis tournament to find that her husband had
+returned from New York earlier than usual.  Now she began to realize
+the cause.  It was on account of the boys.
+
+"Well, there's a storm coming up, for one thing, and then there's that
+man.  I wish Andy and Frank hadn't started after him."
+
+"It was to help Paul, dear."
+
+"I know.  They meant all right, but they're too daring.  However, it
+can't be helped.  Where's Paul?"
+
+"He felt so well that he went for a little walk.  He said he'd go down
+toward the pier and see if he could see or hear anything of the boys.
+
+"Well, I'm glad he's getting better."  Mr. Racer once more tried to
+read the paper, but gave it up.
+
+"You're nervous," said his wife, as he tossed it aside.
+
+"Yes, I am.  Nothing is worse than sitting still, and waiting--waiting
+for something to happen.
+
+"Oh, Dick!  I'm sure you don't want anything to happen!"
+
+"Of course not.  But I don't like this weather."
+
+Paul came in at that moment.  The glow off health was beginning to
+reappear in his pale cheeks.
+
+"Well?" asked Mr. Racer quickly.
+
+"They're not in sight," answered the lad who did not know who he was.
+"And Captain Trent says a bad storm is brewing."
+
+"That settles it!" exclaimed Mr. Racer.  He started up and took down an
+old overcoat and hat.
+
+"Where are you going?" asked his wife in alarm.
+
+"I'm going for those boys.  I can't stand it any longer."
+
+"But how can you get to Cliff Island if a storm is coming up?  You have
+no boat, and to row--"
+
+"I don't intend to row.  Mr. Lacey, a friend of mine, put in here with
+his big motor boat a little while ago.  I saw him as I got off the New
+York steamer, and he said he might stay here a couple of days.  His
+craft is at the pier float.  I know he'll take me to Cliff Island, blow
+or no blow, and his _Norma_ is big enough to weather quite a sea."
+
+"Oh, Dick, I'm afraid to have you go!"
+
+"Oh, there's no danger, but there might be to our boys, and I'm going
+to the rescue.  Don't worry.  I may be able to get out to the island
+and back before dark.  They're probably scouting around, looking for
+that man, and he isn't there at all.  They think they're having a good
+time, but they don't realize what the weather is going to be."
+
+Mr. Racer went on with his preparations for being out in the storm.
+Mrs. Racer, after the first alarm, agreed with him that it was best to
+go after the boys.
+
+"Do you think that I--that is--Oh, mayn't I go?" burst out Paul Gale.
+"I'd like to help.  Andy and Frank have done so much for me.  Can't I
+go?"
+
+"I'm afraid you're not strong enough," objected Mr. Racer.
+
+"Oh, but I am!" insisted the lad.  "I believe it will do me good.  But
+can't you ask Dr. Martin?"
+
+They were saved the necessity of calling the physician up on the
+telephone for he drove past at that moment and Mr. Racer hailed him.
+The case was soon stated.
+
+"I agree with you that it is a good thing to go after Andy and Frank,"
+said the medical man.  "As for taking Paul along--hum--well, I don't
+know."
+
+"Oh, I'm all right, doctor," insisted the lad again.
+
+"You certainly have gained much strength in the last few days," went on
+the physician.  "If you take care of yourself perhaps it won't do you
+any harm.  But don't exert yourself too much."
+
+"No," promised Paul eagerly.  Then, as he hurried to his room to get
+ready, Dr. Martin said to Mr. Racer in a low voice:
+
+"I'm not so sure but what it won't be a good thing for him.  He lost
+his memory in a storm, you know, and if there is a little blow out in
+the bay his mind may be restored again.  We doctors don't know as much
+about the brain as we'd like to.  It can't do any harm to try it,
+especially as you are going in a big, safe boat.  Good luck to you."
+
+Mrs. Racer parted with her husband and Paul rather tearfully.  The
+signs of the storm increased as the two went down to the pier.  Mr.
+Racer found his friend there, and Mr. Lacey readily agreed to the use
+of his boat.
+
+"I'll pilot you to the island myself," he said generously, "and I'll
+tell the engineer and crew to make all the speed they can.  We've got
+lots of gasolene, and I guess we can weather almost any blow that's due
+this time of year."
+
+They were soon speeding away from the pier, and the sharp prow of the
+_Norma_ was turned in the direction of Cliff Island.  Clouds were
+rapidly gathering and there was an occasional muttering of thunder.
+
+Paul Gale kept to the cabin, as the wind had freshened since they
+started and there was quite a sea on, that sent the spume and spray of
+the salty waves across the deck.
+
+They were longer reaching the island than they counted on, and just
+before they sighted it the storm broke in all its fury.  But they were
+prepared for it, and the _Norma_ plunged gallantly ahead through the
+smashing big seas of green water that at times buried her nose out of
+sight.  Suddenly there was a slight crash forward and a shiver seemed
+to go through the gasolene craft.
+
+"What's that?" cried Mr. Racer in alarm.
+
+"We hit something," said Mr. Lacey.  "Danforth, just see what it is,
+will you?" he asked of the mate, who was in the snug cabin with the
+owner and his guests.
+
+But Mr. Racer did not wait.  He rushed up on deck.  The _Norma_ had
+been brought to quarter speed and the silk merchant could see, floating
+off to one side, a small wrecked skiff.  It seemed familiar to him.
+
+"That's what we hit, sir," explained one of crew.  "Cut it right in
+two."
+
+"It's my boys' boat!" cried Mr. Racer.  "The one they carry on the
+_Gull_.  I know the shape of it, and I can see the red circle on the
+stern.  Were they in it when we cut it down?"
+
+"No, sir.  I don't think so, sir," answered sailor as he noted the
+anguish of Mr. Racer.  "I saw it immediately after we struck, and I'm
+almost sure no one was in it.  I'd have seen them, sir, if there was,
+sir."
+
+"Oh, but perhaps they were in it!" cried Mr. Racer.  "Their sailboat
+may have foundered and they might have had to take to the small boat.
+Oh, Mr. Lacey.  We _must_ pick up my boys!" he added, as the owner came
+on deck.
+
+"Of course.  Captain Nelson, put back and circle around that boat.
+Light the searchlight and play it on the wreck."
+
+"Aye, aye, sir!"
+
+The _Norma_ began the search amid the storm and gathering darkness,
+while the father peered over the side in anguished fear.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+THE ESCAPE
+
+"Climb up, Andy!  Climb up!  Every time you see a lightning flash!"
+
+"But where are we going, Frank?"
+
+"Out of this cave!  Don't you see what has happened?  There's a hole in
+the roof, and it slopes right down to us here.  Crawl up on your hands
+and knees, but don't slip back.  It's our only chance!"
+
+It was a few minutes after the stunning crash that had actually opened
+up a way of escape for the two lads imprisoned in the cave.  Frank was
+quick to see and take advantage of it.  A sort of sloping way was now
+before them, and it was possible to crawl up along it.
+
+But there was danger, too, for the rain was pouring in through the
+opening in the roof--a veritable stream of water, probably diverted
+from some puddles that had gathered from the heavy downpour.  And to
+climb up through this, along a muddy, slimy slope, was no easy task.
+But it was their only means of escape, for back of them the tide was
+still rising relentlessly.
+
+"All ready, Andy?" called Frank.
+
+"As ready as I ever shall be," was the grim answer.
+
+"Well, don't move except when you see where you're going by means of
+the flashes.  It's the only safe way.  Go ahead; I'll follow."
+
+Slowly the younger lad took his feet and hands from the niches.  He was
+stiff from holding the same position so long, but his young blood was
+soon in circulation again.  He crawled out on the slope.  It was quite
+steep, but considerable earth had been jarred and washed from it so
+that it was no worse than going up the peaked roof of a house, and Andy
+and his brother had often done this in carrying out some of their
+boyish pranks.
+
+Slowly and painfully the younger lad toiled upward, followed by his
+anxious brother.  It was but a comparatively short distance up which to
+climb, but going on their hands and knees made it seem doubly long.
+
+Finally it was accomplished, however, and Andy crawled out of the
+ragged hole and stretched out on the wet earth above, almost exhausted.
+
+"Come!  Get up!" cried Frank, as he finished the perilous journey and
+sought to raise his brother.  "You mustn't lie there.  You'll get cold
+and stiff.  Move around--get warmed up.  We're safe now, Andy!  Safe!"
+
+"Yes, I know, but I'm so tired--I--I want a rest."
+
+"There'll be time enough to rest when we get to some shelter.  It's
+raining cats and dogs, and we can't get much wetter.  Let's see if we
+can make out where we are, and maybe we can get back to camp, and find
+some grub.  I'm starved."
+
+"So am I.  What time is it?"
+
+"My watch has stopped," answered Frank, looking at the timepiece by a
+lightning flash.  "The water did it."
+
+"Mine's not going either.  Well, let's see if we can find our camp.
+Some grub wouldn't be bad.  Only we've got to look out for that man."
+
+"Which side shall we go down?" asked Frank, as they paused on the
+summit of the cliff.
+
+"It's hard to decide," answered Andy.  "Let's try this," and he
+motioned to the left.
+
+Down they went, slipping and stumbling, pausing now and then to get
+their breaths, and again to speak of the terrible fate they had escaped.
+
+"Don't mention it any more," begged Andy with a shudder.  "I can't bear
+to think of that tide rising--rising all the while, and no way of
+getting out!"
+
+"Lightning probably struck a place on where the earth was thinner than
+anywhere else made a hole, and the rain did the rest," was Frank's
+theory.
+
+Drenched to the skin, covered with mud from the climb up the slope,
+tired and weary, the Racer boys stumbled on in the darkness.  Sometimes
+they fell over huge boulders or were tripped on outcropping tree roots.
+But they did not halt until they were on the sandy beach, where the big
+waves were pounding.  There, at least, the going was easier.
+
+"Now, which way?" asked Andy, as they halted to rest.
+
+"It's hard to say.  Camp might lie in either direction, and it's too
+dark to see.  I guess it doesn't make much difference.  We'll come up
+to it by morning, anyhow, if we can keep going that long.  Let's head
+off this way."
+
+Frank started to circle the island shore to the right, and Andy
+followed.  At times the rain would cease, and then it would begin its
+downpour again.  The lightning was less frequent, but they did not need
+the flashes to guide them now.
+
+That night seemed almost a year long, they said afterward.  Sometimes
+they fell from very weariness, only to get up again and struggle on.
+Frank placed his arm about his brother and half carried him at times.
+
+They covered many miles.  As yet they had seen no indication of their
+"camp," as they called the place on the beach opposite where they had
+left the _Gull_ riding at anchor, and where they had placed their small
+boat and a supply of provisions.
+
+"We must have come the wrong way, and have almost made a circuit of the
+island," said Andy wearily.
+
+"Never mind, it can't be much farther off now," and Frank tried to
+speak cheerfully.  But it was hard work.
+
+The rain had ceased for some time now, and looking up the boys saw the
+faint gleam of stars.
+
+"It's going to clear," observed Andy.
+
+"Yes," assented Frank.
+
+Another mile was covered.  A dim glow seemed to suffuse the sky.  It
+grew brighter.
+
+"It's morning!" cried the older lad.
+
+"Yes, and look there!" suddenly exclaimed Andy.  He pointed ahead.
+"There's where our camp was," he added.
+
+Frank gazed for a moment in silence.  Then he gasped:
+
+"But our small boat's gone."
+
+"And so is the _Gull_!" fairly shouted the younger lad as he waved his
+hand toward the place where it had been anchored.  "That man has taken
+it and gone off!  We're marooned Cliff Island!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+A LUCKY QUARREL
+
+Frank stared uncomprehendingly toward the slowly heaving waters of the
+bay.
+
+"I can't believe it!" he exclaimed.  "The _Gull_ must be somewhere
+else.  We're at the wrong place."
+
+"I only wish we were," spoke Andy dubiously.
+
+"But you can see for yourself that this is where we camped.  Here is
+where our small boat was pulled up on shore, where we slept under it,
+and, if you want any better evidence--here's grub!  Grub, Frank do you
+hear?  We shan't starve, even if we are marooned!"
+
+He raced to a clump of scrub bushes some distance up on shore and began
+pulling out boxes and tins.
+
+"Good!" shouted Frank.  "I never was so hungry before in my life.  Now
+if we could only make a fire!"
+
+But that was out of the question.  Every bit of driftwood, of which
+there was a big supply, was soaking wet.  The boys had plenty of
+matches, in waterproof boxes, but they would be useless until some dry
+fuel was available.
+
+"Well, it can't be helped," said Andy, as he proceeded to open a tin of
+corned beef.  "We ought to be thankful for this.  Open that tin box of
+crackers.  Luckily they're not wet.  We can make a meal off this, and
+we'll have a cooked dinner.  I wonder--why--blub--ugh--that
+man--um--lum--didn't--"
+
+"Oh, don't try to talk and eat at the same time," requested Frank with
+a laugh--the first since their adventure in the cave.  "Take your
+time."  For Andy was fairly devouring the corned beef.
+
+"Hum!  I guess you can't be very hungry, or you wouldn't take your
+time," retorted the younger lad.  "Hurry up with those crackers.  And
+there's some jam, somewhere.  Oh, for a cup of hot coffee."
+
+"Cheese it!" cried Frank sharply.  "Do you want to make me throw
+something at you?  But what were you trying to say when you had your
+mouth full a while ago?"
+
+"I said it was a wonder that man didn't take this grub with him when he
+took our boat and the _Gull_."
+
+"I don't know.  Maybe he couldn't find the food.  But what makes you
+think he took our boats?"
+
+"They're gone; aren't they?"
+
+"Yes, but I think the tide carried away the small boat.  The waves came
+up unusually high, as you can see by the marks in the sand.  We didn't
+pull the skiff up far enough."
+
+"What about the _Gull_?"
+
+"Well, I admit he might have taken that, though there is a possibility
+that it dragged the anchor.  We'll take a look all around the island
+after we get things in shape.  If we've got to stay here a while we
+might as well be comfortable."
+
+"I don't believe we'll stay very long."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because dad will start out and search for us if we don't get home
+pretty soon, and the first place he'll head for will be this island."
+
+"Guess you're right.  Pass the jam.  My! but this tastes good!"
+
+"Good!  I should say so!" agreed Andy.
+
+They made a rude but substantial breakfast, washing it down with plenty
+of spring water which they found a little way inland.  Then they talked
+matters over.
+
+The first thing to do, they agreed, was to look for the _Gull_, and to
+this end they once more ascended the cliff and looked all about.  She
+was not in sight, nor was there any other craft on the waters that now
+sparkled in the sunlight, for the storm had passed away.
+
+"The next thing to do is to make another circuit of the island," went
+on Frank.  "We'll do it as quickly as we can, and perhaps we can come
+upon our boat.  It may have drifted ashore."
+
+Together they started off.  They planned to keep up the search all day,
+taking their lunch with them, and camping out at night, as they had
+done before.
+
+"But first we'll hoist a distress signal, in case dad comes for us, and
+we'll leave a note saying where we have gone and that we'll come back,"
+suggested Frank.
+
+This was done.  They tied one of their coats to a tall tree well up on
+the cliff, where it could be seen by a boat coming from the direction
+of Harbor View.  Then, leaving a note, written on a piece of paper from
+a cracker box, they set out.
+
+Up to noon they had found nothing, but an hour later Andy, who was in
+the lead, suddenly uttered a cry as he turned a little promontory and
+started down a level stretch of beach.
+
+"There's our man!" he cried.  "He's just come ashore, and the wrecked
+motor boat is there too!  It must have drifted away and he went after
+it.  He has a man with him!"
+
+Frank saw what his brother indicated.  Disembarking from a large
+rowboat were two men--one the mysterious stranger who had imprisoned
+them in the cave.  The other seemed to be a boatman, or fisherman.  The
+two were pulling up on the beach the battered hull of the wrecked motor
+boat, now more dilapidated than ever.
+
+"What shall we do?" asked Andy.
+
+"Let's go right up to him," proposed Frank.
+
+"He ought to be afraid of us now, and he may play right into our hands."
+
+They started forward, but, were suddenly stopped by loud voices between
+the two men, neither of whom had yet noticed the approach of our heroes.
+
+"I want my pay now!" they heard the boatman declare.
+
+"And you won't get it until I'm ready to give it to you," retorted the
+mysterious man angrily.  "Now you help me get this boat farther up on
+the sand."
+
+"I won't do another thing!  I'm done with you.  Give me my money!"
+
+"No!"
+
+"Then take that!"
+
+With a quick motion the boatman drew back his fist and sent it with all
+his force into the face of the mysterious man.  The latter reeled under
+the blow, staggered for a second, and then toppled over backward on the
+sand, falling heavily.
+
+"Try to cheat me, will you!" shouted the man.  Then he caught sight of
+the boys.  A change seemed to come over him.  He shoved out the big
+rowboat, ran out after it, holding to the stern and then leaped in.
+The next moment he was pulling away lustily.
+
+The mysterious man lay motionless on the sands.
+
+"Now's our chance!" cried Frank.  "That was a lucky quarrel for us.  We
+can capture him.  That boatman saved us a hard job.  Come on, Andy!"
+
+Together the brothers ran forward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+THE PRISONER
+
+"What had we better do to him?" asked Andy, as they neared the
+prostrate man.
+
+"Tie him up so he can't get away again," replied Frank, as he glanced
+at the seaman who was rapidly rowing away.  "If we keep him, now that
+we've got him, he may tell us what we want to know.  And we've got the
+wreck of the motor boat, too.  We sure ought to get at the bottom of
+this mystery now."
+
+"Well, we deserve something after all we went through," remarked the
+younger lad, as he thought of the rising tide in the cave.
+
+"That fellow is in a hurry all right," went on Frank, with a wave of
+his hand toward the sailor who was now some distance out.  "I guess he
+hit him a pretty hard blow."
+
+"Maybe he killed that man, and is afraid we'll arrest him," suggested
+Andy.
+
+"Nonsense!  I don't believe that man is dead."
+
+They were close to him now and stopped to observe the quiet figure.
+They hesitated for a moment, for, though they had made up their minds
+to make the man a prisoner, it was the first time they had done
+anything of the sort, and, naturally, they were a little timid.
+
+Suddenly the figure on the sands stirred, and there came a murmur from
+the mysterious man.
+
+"If we're going to do anything, we'd better get at it," suggested Andy.
+"He'll come to his senses in a minute and we'll have our hands full.
+He's a powerful fellow."
+
+"That's so.  I wonder where there's some rope?" asked Frank.
+
+Andy motioned to the wreck of the motor boat, near which the man lay.
+
+"There's plenty," he said.  "They had a long rope to tow it with.  I'll
+get some."
+
+Holding the cord in readiness, the two brothers approached the man, one
+on either side.
+
+"You take his feet, and I'll attend to his hands," whispered Frank.
+"Have a slip-noose ready to put on, and pull it tight.  Then take
+several turns and we'll truss him up."
+
+They worked silently and rapidly.  Andy slipped the coil of rope about
+the man's ankles, and pulled the noose taut.  As he was doing this the
+man stirred and murmured:
+
+"I'll get even with you for this, Hank Splane!"
+
+"Quick!  He'll come to in a minute!" whispered Andy.
+
+"I've got him," answered Frank.  As one of the man's arms was partly
+under him the lad had to pull it out before he could slip the noose
+around it.  But he finally accomplished this, and, just as he had it
+tight, the fellow suddenly sat up.
+
+"Here!  What's this?  Splane, are you crazy to tie me up this way?  Let
+me go, I say, or I'll make you sorry for this.  Let me go, I say!"
+
+He was struggling violently, swaying to and fro as he sat on the sands.
+Then his vision, which was probably obscured by the blow he had
+received, cleared, and he saw the two boys holding the ends of the
+ropes that bound him.
+
+"Oh, it's you; is It?" he gasped, plainly astonished.  "Didn't I tell
+you to stop following me?  I won't have it!  If you don't--"  He
+stopped short.  A look of wonder followed by one of alarm came over his
+face.
+
+"The cave!" he exclaimed.  "I left you in the cave.  The tide was
+rising.  You--you--"
+
+"Yes, we escaped, but no thanks to you!" exclaimed Frank sternly.  "You
+meant us to be drowned, but we found a way out, and now we have you
+just where we want you, you rascal!  You'll tell us what we want to
+know, you'll clear up the mystery of Paul Gale, and you'll confess what
+you want of this motor boat now, I guess."
+
+"Suppose I refuse?"
+
+"Then we'll take you before the authorities.
+
+"Ha!  Ha!  A likely story.  Marooned on this lonely island you can't do
+much.  You see I happen to know your boat is gone, and--"
+
+"Gone, yes, because you took her," interrupted Andy.
+
+"No, I didn't take either your sailboat or the rowboat," spoke the man
+simply.  "I wanted to, but some one else got ahead of me.  I had to row
+away from the island as the storm came up, and it was no joke, either."
+
+"Then who did take our boats?" asked Andy blankly.
+
+"I don't know," replied the man.  "But I do know that you have more
+than you bargain for if you think you can make me talk.  There is no
+one on this island but ourselves, now that Splane played me a mean
+trick, and deserted.  Talk of authorities!  Ha!  Ha!  It's a joke," and
+he pretended to be amused.
+
+"We'll soon be off the island," said Frank, with more confidence than
+he felt.  "Our father will be looking for us, and may arrive at any
+minute."
+
+The man uttered an exclamation beneath his breath.  Evidently he had
+not counted on this.  The two boys stood regarding him.  Now that they
+had him, they hardly knew what to do with the fellow.
+
+With a suddenness that was surprising, considering that his feet were
+tied, the man managed to stand upright.  Then, with a mighty effort, he
+tried to loosen the rope around his hands.
+
+"When I get loose I'll show you what it means to trifle with me!" he
+shouted.  "You'll be sorry you ever meddled in this matter!  Wait until
+I get this rope off!"
+
+He tried desperately to get it off his hands, and Andy saw the strands
+loosening.
+
+"Quick, Frank!" cried the younger lad.  "We've got to take some more
+turns on that!  I'll help!  He can't hurt us now!"
+
+The two brothers fairly threw themselves on their prisoner and all
+three went down in a heap on the sands.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+SEARCHING THE WRECK
+
+There was a hard struggle on the beach of lonely Cliff Island.  And the
+boys did not have such an advantage as it would seem at first, even
+though the hands and feet of their mysterious prisoner were bound.
+
+He was big and strong, and he had evidently been in tight places
+before, for he knew how to handle himself.  Every time he got a chance,
+as he and his captors rolled together over the sands, he would strike
+out with his two hands at once.  Several times he hit Frank or Andy
+glancing blows, and once he gave the elder lad such a bop on the side
+of the head that the boy saw stars for a moment.
+
+Again he hit Andy, and knocked him several feet distant so that at
+first Frank feared his brother had been hurt.
+
+"I'm all right!" shouted the plucky Racer lad, as he jumped and came on
+to renew the struggle.  "Hold his head down in the sand, Frank, and
+I'll tie some more ropes around his feet!"
+
+"You will not!" yelled the man, and as Frank took his brother's advice,
+and pressed the man's head down in the yielding sand, Andy endeavored
+to slip another noose about the feet, for the boys had cut the tow rope
+into several pieces.
+
+Like a madman the fellow kicked out with both feet.  Frank saw his
+object, and uttered a warning cry.
+
+"Keep away!" shouted the elder lad.  "If he hits you it will be all day
+with you!"
+
+"That's what it will!" yelled the infuriated man.
+
+"Watch me!" cried Andy with a laugh.  "I didn't learn to throw a lasso
+for nothing."  He swung the noose in a circle about his head, and, as
+the man raised his feet in the air, to ward off any personal attack,
+Andy skillfully tossed the coils about his feet.  They fell around the
+shoes, and in an instant Andy had pulled his end of the rope taut,
+making two coils about the prisoner.
+
+"Now I have him, Frank," he called.  "I'll take a turn around part of
+the boat, and pull.  Then you tie down his arms."
+
+It was a good plan, and well carried out.  With a turn of the rope
+about a part of the wrecked motor boat, Andy pulled the man's menacing
+legs down flat on the sands.  He could no longer raise them.
+
+"I have him!" exclaimed Frank a moment later, as he passed several
+turns of the rope he held about the still bound hands and arms of their
+prisoner.  "Now we'll truss him up!"
+
+The man was practically helpless now, and realized it.  Suddenly he
+ceased his struggles and when the brothers had completed their work,
+and raised him to a sitting position on the sand, he could do no more
+harm.
+
+"Well, I guess you've got me," he growled.  "What are you going to do
+with me?"
+
+"It depends on what you tell us," said Frank.
+
+"I'll tell you nothing!"
+
+"Then we'll take you where you will.  I guess when Paul Gale sees you
+he'll remember something about you that will put us on the right track."
+
+"Paul Gale!  That's not his name.  It's--you say he'll remember?" and
+the man interrupted himself in some confusion.  "Has he lost his mind?"
+The question was an eager one.
+
+"He can't remember--" began Andy, but Frank stopped him with a sudden
+gesture.
+
+"When you tell us what we want to know, we'll answer some of your
+questions," the elder lad said.  "Come on, Andy.  Let's have a look at
+the wrecked motor boat.  Maybe we can find some clues there."
+
+"You keep away from that boat!" cried the man savagely.  "It's mine.  I
+order you to keep away!"  He struggled desperately to get loose, but
+could not.
+
+"We'll do as we please now," said Frank.  "You had your way long
+enough.  We're going to solve this mystery.  Come, Andy."
+
+The man glared at them, but he could not help himself.  He watched them
+go toward the boat and muttered threats at them.  But the boys were not
+frightened.
+
+The interior of the motor boat, which once had been an expensive craft,
+was all confusion.  It plainly showed the effects of the fire and
+explosion, and the battering of the sea.  The hull, however, was sound,
+or it would have sunk.
+
+"What do you suppose is in it that he's been looking for?" asked Andy.
+
+"I don't know," replied Frank.  "Gold perhaps, or jewels."
+
+"Maybe valuable papers."
+
+"Perhaps.  Well, let's see what we can find."
+
+They poked about in the engine cockpit, looked in all the lockers, and
+took out some of the broken seats to search under them, but came upon
+nothing of value.  There were many splintered and charred boards, and
+these they removed, but all to no purpose.
+
+"If anything is here it's well hidden," remarked Frank at length.
+
+"This is a fine boat, and with a little fixing could be made good
+again."
+
+They went on with the search.  At times the man laughed at them, and
+again he harshly urged them to leave the wreck alone.  But the boys
+searched on.  The sun rose higher and the day grew hot.
+
+"I wonder if dad will come for us?" ventured Andy.
+
+"Sure," asserted his brother.
+
+"I suppose they'll say we did wrong to come here, and run so many
+risks," went on Andy.
+
+"Well, we meant it all for the best, and it has turned out fine,"
+declared Frank.  "They won't worry much, I guess.  I wish they'd come
+for us though.  I don't know what to do with this man."
+
+"That's right.  Well, keep on looking.  Dad may come by afternoon."
+
+If the boys had only known of the cutting down of their rowboat and the
+intense anxiety of Mr. Racer they would not have been so confident of
+the lack of worry on the part of those at home.
+
+"Say, are you fellows going to keep me here like this all day, in the
+hot sun without shelter and nothing to eat?" the prisoner finally
+exclaimed.  "It's not right!"
+
+"Well, perhaps it isn't," agreed Frank, "but it wasn't right for you to
+shut us in the cave, either.  However, we will give you something to
+eat, if you promise not to attack us if we loose your hands."
+
+"Loosen only one hand, and don't trust him," whispered Andy.
+
+"Oh, I suppose I've got to promise," grumbled the man.  "I'm half
+starved."
+
+"So am I," remarked Andy to his brother.  "Let's quit searching now,
+and go for grub.  We have plenty of it at our camp, and we can bring it
+here.  Guess we'd better camp here, too.  It's a better place, and we
+can't move him down very well."
+
+To this Frank agreed, and they soon had their food moved to the new
+location.  They looked well to the bonds of the prisoner before leaving
+him, even for a few minutes.  Then, when a fire had been built, and
+some food prepared, they loosened the ropes from one of his hands so
+that he might feed himself.  Andy and Frank were seated in front of
+him, eating, when Andy happened to turn around.
+
+He saw that the man had in some manner, secured possession of a piece
+of heavy driftwood.  This club he was raising to bring down on the head
+of Frank, who was nearest to him.  There was no time to call out, for
+the stick was already descending, and Andy did the next best thing.
+
+With a quick shove of his foot he sent his brother sprawling over on
+his side in the sand, while the club came down harmlessly, but only a
+few inches away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+BUILDING A RAFT
+
+"What was the matter?" gasped Frank, somewhat dazed, as he crawled away
+and sat up.  "Why did you shove me over?"
+
+"Don't you see?" asked Andy quickly.  "He was going to hit you!  Then
+he'd have tackled me I guess.  Look out!  He's at it again!"
+
+With a snarl of rage the man had again raised the club.  But Frank was
+too quick for him.  Fairly leaping at him, the sturdy lad tore the
+piece of driftwood away and tossed it some distance off.
+
+"So!  That's how you keep your promise, is it?" the elder lad asked.
+"We won't give you any more chances.  We'll tie him up again, Andy, and
+let him go hungry for a while."
+
+The man glared hatred at them, and tried to fight them with the hand
+they had freed so that he might eat.  But the two lads were more than a
+match for him in his condition, and soon had him made fast again.  He
+had eaten only a part of his dinner when he thought he saw this chance
+to make his escape.
+
+"Are you going to leave me like this?" he growled, when Andy and Frank
+resumed their interrupted meal.  "I'll get sunstruck."
+
+"It would almost serve you right," murmured Frank, "but we'll return
+good for evil.  Let's make a sort of shelter, Andy."
+
+With pieces of driftwood they raised a framework over their prisoner as
+he sat on the sands.  On the boards they put sea weed, of which there
+was an abundance, and soon the man was sheltered from the hot sun.
+
+"We'll have to make something like that for ourselves to-night,"
+observed Frank.
+
+"Yes, and it isn't going to be very pleasant staying here with that
+man, even if he is tied up," went on his brother.  "I'm afraid he'll
+get loose in the night and attack us."
+
+"We'll have to look well to the knots, and keep a sort of watch I
+suppose," remarked Frank.  "But let's go back and finish searching in
+that wreck.  I wonder what it is that's in it, and where it is?"
+
+But the boys found no answer to their questions, though they made
+diligent search.
+
+"I don't believe it's here," said Andy at length.  "Whatever there was
+Paul must have taken away before he lost his memory, and he may have
+hidden it somewhere else.  But I have another plan, Frank?"
+
+"No jokes, I hope."
+
+"No, this is serious.  The more I think of staying here with that man
+all night, the less I like it."
+
+"I don't like it either, but what can we do!  Dad may think we're
+staying away too long, and he may come for us.  He knows we started for
+Cliff Island.  Then again he may not come for several days, as he knows
+we've got lots of food.  And our distress signal doesn't seem to
+attract any attention."
+
+"No, and that's why I think we oughtn't to stay here any longer.  It is
+very seldom that vessels come here, and we haven't much chance of being
+taken off.  We ought to get away and in the path of the fishing
+schooners.  Then we would be picked up."
+
+"Yes, but how are we going to get off?  We haven't a boat."
+
+"I know, but we can make a raft.  There's no end of wood here, and we
+have plenty of rope left after tying that man up, with which to bind
+the planks together.  There are some nails in that motor boat wreck,
+too, and some tools.  We could make a raft good enough to take us far
+enough out so we would be picked up.  We might even make the main land.
+There are two paddles in the _Swallow_."
+
+"What are we going to do with him--leave him here?" and he nodded
+toward the prisoner.
+
+"We'll have to take him along," said Andy.  "We're not going to lose
+him after we had so much trouble in finding him."
+
+"Well, perhaps it's the best thing to do," agreed Frank, after thinking
+it over.  "But we can't get it done in time to leave to-day.  It's late
+afternoon now."
+
+"No, but we can start it, finish it the first thing in the morning, and
+leave as early as possible.  We ought to be home by to-morrow easily."
+
+"I wish we could be.  If we could only run the _Swallow_."
+
+"It wouldn't be safe, in the condition she's in.  The raft is the only
+thing."
+
+They ceased their useless searching of the motor boat, and began
+gathering large pieces of driftwood.  Their prisoner in his seaweed
+shelter watched them curiously.
+
+"What are you up to now?" he asked in his surly voice.
+
+"You'll see soon enough," answered Frank.  He had no idea of telling
+their plans.
+
+It was not so easy to build a raft that would hold three as Andy had
+supposed.  But they did manage to get the framework of it together.
+Then they had to think of a shelter for themselves, and built one near
+that of the prisoner.  They also gathered wood for a campfire and made
+preparations for supper.
+
+"Am I going to starve?" demanded the man, as they made no effort to
+loosen his bonds so that he might eat.  "I'm thirsty, too."
+
+"We'll feed you and give you a drink," spoke Frank.  "We aren't going
+to take any more chances."
+
+And this they did, putting pieces of food in the man's mouth, and
+holding up a tin cup for him to drink from.
+
+They divided the night into watches, each taking turns.  While one
+slept the other would sit by the fire to see that the desperate man did
+not loosen his bonds.
+
+It was Andy's trick, and he was very tired.  In spite of himself his
+head would nod at times.  He even walked up and down to get rid of the
+sleepy feeling but it came back.  As he sat by the fire his head swayed
+to and fro.
+
+"I'll just close my eyes for a half minute," he told himself.  "Just
+for a few seconds.  I--I'll--"
+
+Andy was asleep and in the shelter where the prisoner lay bound there
+was a movement.  Eager and cruel eyes watched the lad on guard.  Both
+Andy and Frank were slumbering now.
+
+"It's my only chance," murmured the man as he heard their heavy
+breathing.  "My only chance."  Then he began rolling over and over on
+the sand, out of his shelter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+"SAIL HO!"
+
+Frank, in the heavy slumber that had come to him as soon as his watch
+was over, seemed to smell something burning.  It was like the mingled
+odor of charred rope and scorched leather and came pungently to his
+nose.
+
+At first he paid no heed to it, but turned restlessly in his slumber to
+compose himself more comfortably on the bunch of seaweed that served as
+his bed.  Then the odor became stronger.
+
+"Andy must be too near the fire, and is burning his shoes," he thought
+in a sort of hazy way.  "He ought to be more careful.  I guess--"
+
+Frank was wide-awake in a moment, for he heard some one exclaim aloud
+as if in pain.
+
+"What's that?" cried the lad, sitting up.  The smell of burnt leather
+and rope was even more noticeable.  Frank peered out of the shelter
+toward the campfire.
+
+A strange sight met his eyes.  There was Andy fast asleep, and there
+was the mysterious man, lying at full length on the sand, holding his
+rope-bound feet as near to the blaze as he dared.  He was burning off
+the cords that bound his legs that he might be free, and it was the
+smell of charred rope and leather that had awakened Frank.
+
+The explanation came to him in an instant.  The man had seen Andy fall
+asleep.  He had rolled from his shelter over and over on the sand and
+had gotten near enough to the blaze to nearly, accomplish his purpose.
+Frank dashed out.
+
+"Andy!  Andy!" he called.  "Wake up, our prisoner is trying to get
+away!"
+
+The man, with a snarl of rage, tried to burst the ropes that still held
+his legs, but they were not yet burned enough to break.  He had not
+risked loosening his hands in that way.
+
+Frank, in another instant, was beside their prisoner.  He had a spare
+piece of rope, and this he quickly passed about the man's ankles, for
+fear some of the other strands had become weak.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Andy, rubbing his eyes and leaping up.
+"Did I fall asleep?  Did he get away?"
+
+"You were asleep all right," replied Frank, "But he didn't escape.  I
+guess we'll have to both watch after this."
+
+"Oh, I'm so sorry," said the younger lad contritely.
+
+"That's all right," spoke Frank kindly.  "You couldn't help it.  We had
+no sleep last night.  Now you get back where you came from," he ordered
+the man.
+
+"Aren't you going to help me.  I can't walk."
+
+"Then roll in the same as you rolled out."
+
+There was no help for it, and the prisoner, muttering threats against
+the lads, was forced to roll over and over on the sand until he was
+back in his shelter.  Thereafter Andy and Frank both stayed awake until
+morning came.
+
+They resumed work on the raft immediately after a hasty breakfast.  In
+order that their prisoner might be taken to the mainland, or out as far
+as they might go before a ship picked them up, they made a sort of
+platform, on which he could sit.  They also improvised a mast on which
+they stretched a piece of canvas they found in the wrecked motor boat.
+By noon their rude vessel was completed.
+
+"Now for the launching," exclaimed Frank.  "It's nearly high tide, and
+if we can work it a little farther down the beach the tide will do the
+heaviest work for us.  Then we'll go aboard."
+
+"I'm not going on that thing!" snarled their prisoner.
+
+"Yes, you are, if we have to carry you," declared Frank.
+
+"But I may be drowned.  You ought to take off these ropes if you're
+going to do such a fool-hardy thing as to sail on that raft."
+
+"Not much!" exclaimed Frank determinedly "We've had enough of your
+tricks.  You'll go on that raft, and you'll stay tied up."
+
+"But if I give you my promise?" whined the man, who seemed to have lost
+much of his bravado.
+
+"Nixy on _your_ promises," exclaimed Andy.  "Come on, Frank, let's work
+the raft down to shore a bit."
+
+It was not without much labor that the boys succeeded in getting the
+heavy mass of driftwood down where the tide would float it for them.
+The man watched them with a scowling face, occasionally muttering to
+himself.
+
+"Better take something to eat along with us; hadn't we?" asked Andy,
+when they were waiting for the rising tide.
+
+"Sure," assented Frank.  "We may not be picked up until along toward
+night.  And we'll want water.  Lucky we've got some empty cracker tins
+to carry it in."
+
+They put the food and water aboard, rigged up their rude sail, and then
+carried their prisoner aboard, as it would be awkward to handle him
+after the raft was afloat.
+
+Meanwhile they had looked eagerly for any sign of an approaching sail,
+but had seen nothing.
+
+"Well, I guess we can get aboard," spoke Frank at length.  "It's been
+quite an adventure for us, and I'm glad it's about over.  Paul Gale
+will soon know who he is."
+
+"We'll see," sneered the man.
+
+The raft was afloat.  With their paddles the boys began to work it
+slowly from shore.  The wind caught their small sail.
+
+Suddenly Frank, who was seated ahead of his brother, uttered a cry.
+
+"Sail ho!  Sail ho!" he shouted.
+
+"Where?" demanded Andy.
+
+"Right over there and she's headed this way," said Frank, pointing.
+"It's a big motor boat.  I believe it's coming to rescue us, Andy!
+Let's wait a bit!"
+
+Eagerly they looked to where a speedy craft was plowing over the waters
+of the great bay.  Frantically they shouted and waved anything they
+could find until answering signals told them that theirs had been seen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+THE ACCUSATION--CONCLUSION
+
+"Frank!  Andy!" came a hail from the swift motor boat.
+
+"It's dad!" cried the two brothers together.
+
+"Yes, and Paul Gale is with him!" added the older lad.  "They arrived
+just in time.  Now we'll be all right."
+
+"And this will wind you up, Mr. Man!" exclaimed Frank, looking at the
+prisoner.
+
+"We'll see," was the sullen answer.
+
+"We might as well put back to shore, and unload our stuff," proposed
+Andy.
+
+"No, stay on the raft," suggested Frank.  "I will be easier to get in
+the motor boat then, as she can't run in too close to shore."
+
+It was a good idea, for the speedy craft of Mr. Lacey, as it proved to
+be, could not have come in very close.  But the raft made a good
+landing float.
+
+"Well, Andy and Frank!" exclaimed Mr. Racer, when he could grasp their
+hands.  "You've given us a fine scare."
+
+"We didn't mean to," spoke Andy.
+
+"And we have the man who caused all the trouble," added Frank.  "He's a
+prisoner, dad.  See, Paul.  Here's the man we've been after."
+
+Paul Gale pressed to the side of the motor craft as it floated near the
+raft.  At once a strange change came over the lad's face.  His cheeks
+flushed and his eyes grew bright.  There was a look of fear, and then
+it gave place to one of anger.  As for the prisoner he tried to turn
+his head away, but his bonds held him.
+
+"Ha!  Now I remember!" cried Paul.  "I know you, James Shallock!  I
+remember all!  It all comes back to me when I see you face to face."
+
+"Who is he?" asked Frank eagerly.
+
+"And who are you, if you can tell us?" demanded Mr. Racer.  This was
+more important than learning about the prisoner.  Frank and Andy
+thought it even more to the point than learning how their father had
+come to their rescue.  While, as for Mr. Racer, as long as his boys
+were safe he could forgive them the anxiety they had caused him.  "Who
+are you, Paul?" demanded the silk merchant.
+
+"I am--I am--" the lad hesitated.  He denied to be undergoing a severe
+mental struggle.  "I am Paul--Bartlett!" he cried.  "That's it!  I
+remember it all now!  And this man, who tried to swindle my sick father
+and myself, ought to be in jail!"
+
+"That's where he'll be, soon," declared Frank.
+
+"Tell us about it," urged Andy.
+
+"How did you happen to come for us, dad?" asked Frank.
+
+"We came here as a last hope, after we ran down your rowboat at sea,
+and found the _Gull_ adrift."
+
+"The _Gull_ adrift!" exclaimed Frank.  "That explains it then.  Our
+rowboat was washed away by the tide.  The _Gull_ pulled her anchor in
+the storm."
+
+"And we thought you were drowned or had fallen overboard," said the
+father.  "Thank the Lord you are safe!  It will be good news to your
+mother.  But let us hear Paul's story."
+
+"This man is a scoundrel," began the lad who had so suddenly recovered
+his memory.  "For a number of years he was my father's confidential
+secretary.  My father, who had large business interests fell ill, and
+this man took advantage of him to secure important papers.  He sought
+to ruin my father, and enrich himself.
+
+"There came a time when my father could no longer attend to business,
+and he went to a sanitarium to be cured.  I was an only son, and as
+there were no other near relatives I stopped at a seaside hotel not far
+from here.  I had only just arrived when I found that this man, James
+Shallock, was following me.  I had certain important papers of my
+father's and I knew he was trying to get them away from me as they were
+very valuable.
+
+"I made up my mind to escape.  Perhaps I acted foolishly, but I was
+very much afraid of this man.  I decided to go away in my motor boat,
+which my father had given me just before I went to the seaside hotel.
+One night I started out, taking the papers with me.  I was all alone,
+and I decided to go to some quiet place in my boat, and there stay
+until I could communicate with my father.  I hoped to throw this man
+off my track.
+
+"I left one evening, and soon found myself in this bay.  I did not know
+much about navigation, and I soon got off my course in the darkness.
+Then in the morning the storm came up, and my boat hit some obstruction
+which threw the steering gear out of order.
+
+"Next something went wrong with my engine, so I shut it down, hid the
+papers, and drifted at the mercy of the wind and waves, for no boat
+answered my signals of distress.  The storm grew worse, and all the
+next day I was driven about.  Then came a calm, but I could not make
+land, nor were my signals of distress answered.  I drifted farther and
+farther, and as I had no food or water I soon became partly delirious,
+I suppose.
+
+"Then came another storm, and I saw some jagged rocks, there was no way
+of avoiding them.  I thought of leaping overboard for I am a good
+swimmer, but my foot caught in an electric wire.  I pulled it from
+place as I fell, injuring my arm, and this made a short circuit.  There
+was some gasolene, from a leaky tank, on the floor of the cockpit, and
+this caught fire from the electric spark.
+
+"The storm grew worse.  I did not know what to do.  Then came an
+explosion and I found myself in the water.  I remember some one calling
+to me, and taking me on board a sailing vessel, and then it all became
+a blank.  My mind left me."
+
+"That was when we rescued you," spoke Frank, as Paul Bartlett finished.
+"But what did you do with the important papers?"
+
+"Wait.  Let me think," pleaded the lad.  "I put them--"
+
+They all leaned eagerly forward to hear answer.  The mysterious man
+struggled vainly at his bonds.
+
+"I put them in one of the cylinders of the engine," cried the lad.
+"One of the cylinders was out of commission.  I shut off the water
+supply, took off the head and stuffed the papers between the outer wall
+and the inner one.  They ought to be there now."
+
+"No wonder we couldn't find them," exclaimed Frank.
+
+"And where is your father now?" asked Mr. Racer.
+
+"Still in the sanitarium I hope," answered Paul.  "That is the reason
+none of our advertisements about me were answered.  My father did not
+see them, and I have no other relatives.  His business was closed up,
+and his friends did not know where he or I had gone.  But it's all
+right now.  Oh, how I want to see my father!"
+
+"We'll send him word at once, if you have his address," said Mr. Racer.
+
+"And what shall we do with this man?" inquired Mr. Lacey.
+
+"Jail is the place for him," declared Mr. Racer.  "He is a desperate
+criminal to have followed Paul about as he did.  Now, boys, get aboard,
+and we'll take Mr. James Shallock in with us also.  Cast off the raft,
+and we'll go home."
+
+"Wait until I get Paul's papers!" cried Frank.
+
+It did not take long to remove one of the engine cylinder heads, and
+there, between the two walls, were the important papers, safe.  They
+involved the possession of much property that Shallock hoped to get
+under his control.
+
+They set out for the mainland with their sullen prisoner.  He soon
+realized that his games were up, and when turned over to the
+authorities he made a partial confession.  He admitted that he had
+followed Paul, soon after the lad left the hotel, hoping to get the
+papers.  When the lad left in his motor boat the scoundrel lost track
+of him for a while.  Then he learned of Paul's efforts to escape and
+set out after him.  From the Racer boys the man learned of Paul's
+rescue, but naturally he would not tell what he wanted of him, and
+hurried away.  He hung about Harbor View, hoping for a chance to get
+hold of the helpless lad, or steal the papers.  That was the cause of
+his midnight visit to the Racer home.
+
+Then he had an idea that the papers were in the boat, and he made a
+search for that.  He found it floating at sea, and hiring a sailboat,
+started to tow it to land.
+
+He was frightened by the Racer boys, however, and soon afterward, a
+storm coming up, the tow line parted and the _Swallow_ was once more
+afloat.  Shallock made another attempt to find it, and succeeded.  Then
+he decided to tow it to Cliff Island so he might have plenty of time to
+search it.
+
+The arrival of the boys spoiled his plans, and once more he fled, after
+imprisoning them in the cave.
+
+He next hired a boatman to put him on the island with the wreck of the
+boat, but there was the quarrel which the boys witnessed, and once more
+the scoundrel's plans failed.  The rest is known to my readers.
+Shallock confessed to setting fire to the sailboat of the Racer boys,
+and after a trial he was sent to jail for a long term.
+
+Mr. Racer explained to the boys how he and Mr. Lacey had set out in
+search for them, and how they had run down the rowboat.  Then sure,
+after a fruitless search in the storm, that his sons were drowned, the
+silk merchant was distracted.  He was more so when the _Gull_ was found
+adrift a little later, having dragged her anchor in the gale.
+
+After that Mr. Racer, in the motor boat of Mr. Lacey, made a search up
+and down the coast for his sons' bodies.  Paul Bartlett, who was much
+improved, went with them, and it was Paul who suggested the possibility
+of the boys still being on the island.  Accordingly another trip was
+made there, with what result we have seen.
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad I know who I am, and that I have a father!" exclaimed
+Paul, when word had been sent to the invalid in the sanitarium.  "I
+thought I would never get my memory back."
+
+"It was the shock of seeing Shallock the second time that did it," said
+Dr. Martin.  "You are as good as ever now, Paul, and you won't need any
+more medicine."
+
+And the doctor was right.  The former invalid joined his father, who
+also recovered his health and Paul grew into a sturdy youth who had
+many good times with the Racer boys, and with Bob Trent.  He also
+helped to play several jokes on Chet Sedley, the Harbor View dude, for
+Paul was as lively as was Andy.
+
+"I declare I don't know what to do with of two boys," said Mrs. Racer
+in despair one day to her husband.  "Here is the latest.  Andy took out
+that Chet Sedley for a row, and dumped him overboard.  Something ought
+to be done."
+
+"I suppose they ought to be sent away school," said Mr. Racer
+reflectively.  "They getting to be old enough now."
+
+"Yes, a good quiet school would do them good," said his wife.  "I think
+I know of right place, kept by an old professor who is very deep
+student.  It is a nice quiet place."
+
+"We'll send them there," decided Mr. Racer.
+
+And how the Racer boys went to this same "quiet" school, and how they
+gave that same school a very rude, but very necessary, awakening will
+be related in the second volume of this series, to be called, "Frank
+and Andy at Boarding School; or, Rivals for Many Honors."
+
+Paul went back to his sick father a few days after the mystery had been
+cleared up, taking the important papers with him.  He gave Andy and
+Frank the wrecked motor boat, which they brought from Cliff Island and
+had repaired, so that it was a fine craft.  In it the brothers and Bob
+Trent had many a trip.
+
+Mr. Bartlett's health improved very much after his son joined him at
+the sanitarium.  Though the truth about the lad's disappearance had
+been kept from him as much as possible, yet something of it had to be
+told, and this, naturally, made the invalid worry.
+
+"But I am all right, now that you are safe, Paul," he said,
+affectionately patting his son on the shoulder.  "I think I will soon
+be able to leave this place."
+
+And he was, for his condition grew rapidly better after that.  The
+finding of the important papers, without which much of his fortune
+would have gone to Shallock, no doubt aided in Mr. Bartlett's return to
+health.
+
+"I should like to meet those brave Racer boys who aided you so much,
+Paul," said his father one day.  "How would it do for you and me to
+take a trip to Harbor View?"
+
+"Just the thing, dad!" exclaimed the boy, and thither they went.  That
+Frank and Andy were glad to see their chum once more goes without
+saying, and in the repaired motor boat they went to the island where
+Frank and Andy had undergone such an experience, visiting the cave
+where the lads had been held prisoners.
+
+Paul and his father remained at Harbor View for some weeks, and then
+business called Mr. Bartlett away.  He left, promising to see his
+friends again soon.
+
+"Come on," called Andy to Frank one day, "I've just thought of a fine
+trick to play on Chet Sedley."
+
+"Not for mine!" exclaimed Frank.  "I've had enough of your tricks for a
+while.  I'm going fishing.  We haven't much more time at the beach, as
+it will soon be time to go back to New York."
+
+"And then for boarding school," exclaimed Andy, turning a handspring.
+"I heard dad talking to mother about it.  Say!  Maybe we won't have
+sport!"
+
+"If we don't, it won't be your fault," spoke Frank.
+
+Then he and his brother went for a run in the _Swallow_; and here we
+will take leave of them for a time.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK AND ANDY AFLOAT***
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