"Yais, sah, I'se comin' sah!" and from somewhere in the depths of the garden the voice sounded. A moment later the colored man appeared, trying to hide a broad yawn.

"Ponto, do you know— well, I declare, if you haven't been asleep again!"

"I— I— er— I jest was weedin' de garden, Massa Seabury, an' I done felt so warm dat I jest closed mah eyes, jest fo' a second, not a minute longer, no sah, not a minute. Guess I knows better dan t' go t' sleep when yo' got company sah!" and Ponto looked very much hurt at the accusation.

"Well, Ponto, I suppose you can't help it. Do you happen to know where there are any horned toads?"

"Horned toads! Good lan', Massa Seabury! No sah! I ain't got none!"

"I didn't suppose you had. Do you know whether there are any around here?"

"Well, I doan know ef dey has horns or not, but de oder day, when I were comin' home from goin' t' ole Mexican Pete's shanty after some red peppers, I seen some horrible kind of thing hoppin' along ober de sand. I— I didn't stop t' look an' see ef he had horns, but I s'pects he had, cause he were kind of diggin' in de sand."

"That's the toad all right!" exclaimed the professor, joyfully. "Where is the place? Take me out there right away, Ponto."

"Take you out dere, Perfesser?"

"Yes, right away."

"I— I s'pects I'd better go back an' 'tend t' mah weedin'!" exclaimed Ponto, looking as pale as a colored man can. look. "Weeds grow powerful fast in dis climate. Dey'll choke de flowers in about an hour. I'se got t' 'tend t' 'em immejeet, sah. I ain't got no time t' go huntin' horned toads. I hopes you'll 'scuse me, sah," and with that Ponto was gone, walking faster than he had at any time since the travelers arrived.

"He's afraid," said Rose, with a laugh. "I'm not. Come on, Professor, I'll show you where Ponto means, and maybe we can find some horned toads."

"Let's all go," proposed Jerry.

"I will, if you'll promise not to let the horrible things come near me," said Nellie, and Jerry promised.

Mr. Seabury declared he would rather rest on the veranda than hunt horned toads, so the three boys and the trio of girls, with the professor, who armed himself with specimen boxes and a small net, set off after the curious reptiles.

A short distance from the bungalow there was a sort of sandy stretch, where little grew in the way of vegetation, and there, Rose explained, was probably where Ponto had seen the toads. They headed toward it, the scientist eagerly looking on the ground, for a first sight of the specimens he had come so far to seek.

CHAPTER XII

A STRANGE MEETING

"I GUESS Ponto must have been asleep when he was walking along here, and dreamed he saw those toads," commented Ned, after the party had covered a considerable part of the sandy stretch without getting a glimpse of the ugly reptiles.

"That's too bad!" exclaimed the professor. "I had hopes of finding one here."

"Oh!" suddenly screamed Rose. "There's one!"

"Where?" asked the scientist eagerly.

"Right there, by that stone. I saw it jump. Oh, girls, I'm going to run!"

"And she said she wasn't afraid of them!" cried Nellie.

The professor cautiously approached with his net outstretched. With a long stick he turned the boulder over, and made a quick movement with his net, imprisoning something beneath it.

"I've got it!" he cried. "I have the horned toad!"

Holding his captive down beneath the net, he leaned forward on his knees, to get a better view. Over his face came a look of disappointment.

"It's only a harmless lizard," he said, "and not one of the web-footed variety, either. That's too bad. I thought I had my toad."

"I'm glad, Professor," said Rose. "Oh, no," she added quickly, "I'm sorry for you, but I'm glad it wasn't a horned toad so close to me."

The professor raised the net and the lizard scurried away, probably very much frightened, and wondering what all the excitement was about.

"Let's go over this way," suggested Ned.

"That looks as if it might be a good place for toads," and he pointed to where there was a clump of trees.

"Can you tell where horned toads like to stay?" asked Olivia.

"No," replied Ned, in a low voice, "but it's shady over there, and this sun, beating down on the sand, is very hot. I wanted to get where it's cool, and, anyhow, there's just as liable to be horned toads there as anywhere. If he doesn't find a toad he'll find something else that will make him nearly as happy, so it's all the same."

"Isn't he a queer man," said Olivia, as they followed along behind Mr. Snodgrass, who was walking ahead, closely scanning the ground.

"He is, but he's a good friend of ours," replied Ned. "He is very much in earnest over his collection of insects and reptiles, and, though he acts queerly at times, he is one of the best men in the world."

"I'm sure he must be," agreed Olivia. "I like him very much. I hope he stays a long time, and I hope you boys do also. It's quite lonesome here, with nothing but Mexicans and Chinese for the main part of the population."

"We'll stay as long as you let us," said Ned.

"We can have fine times," went on the girl. "We can go boating on the little bay, and take trips off into the country. We, ourselves, haven't seen much of it yet, as papa was not feeling well when we first came, and we had to stay home and care for him. But he is better now, and we can go on little excursions.

Ned's harmless trick to get the party to a shady spot was successful. The professor headed for the little clump of trees looking, the while, for a horned toad, but he saw none of the queer creatures.

"My, but it's hot!" exclaimed Bob, as he sat down on the ground.

"Oh, it will be worse than this, some days," said Rose. "We are getting used to it. But suppose we go down to the seashore? It's not far, and there is a very pretty view."

"Perhaps I can get a horned toad there," put in the professor hopefully.

After a short rest in the shade the little party headed for the beach. As they came in sight of it from a small hill, the boys uttered exclamations of delight, for a beautiful expanse of water was stretched out before them,— the Pacific ocean sparkling blue in the sun.

"Oh, for our motor boat!" exclaimed Jerry. "Oh, for the Dartaway! Couldn't we have fine sport in her, out on that bay!"

"Don't speak of it!" said Ned with a groan.

"What, is the Dartaway lost?" asked Rose.

"Gone! Busted! Smashed!" exclaimed Bob, and the boys all tried to talk at once, telling of the disaster that had befallen their craft.

"It's too bad," declared Olivia. "But never mind. We have a couple of rowboats, and maybe you can hire a little sailing skiff."

"It wouldn't be the Dartaway," answered Bob, with a sigh. "That boat had the nicest little kitchen in it—"

"So, that's all you cared about her for— the kitchen— where you could cook something to eat!" exclaimed Jerry. "Chunky, I'm ashamed of you; that's what I am!"

"Well, I— er— I—" began Bob. "Oh, come on," he continued, and led the way down to the beach, where there were some bathing pavilions and several houses. The professor was walking along behind, in the vain hope of yet discovering a horned toad, perhaps on its way to get a dip in the surf or drink some salt water.

"I think you'll like some chocolate," said Nellie, as the boys were in front of a little refreshment booth. "It is made by a Mexican—"

She stopped, for she saw that the boys were not listening to her. Their attention was drawn to a man who was just coming from the place they were going in. The boys could not help staring at him, for he was the man who had acted so strangely in the freight depot at Cresville.

CHAPTER XIII

A QUEER STORY

FOR several seconds the boys and the man stared at one another. The stranger did not seem to be the least bit embarrassed but, on the contrary, was smiling in a genial manner.

"Is he a friend of yours?" asked Nellie, of Jerry.

"Well, not exactly what you could call a friend," was the answer. "We don't even know his name," and he spoke in a low voice. "We saw him back in Cresville, just before we started out west, and he was acting in a strange manner. We thought—"

"Excuse me," suddenly interrupted the strange man, advancing toward the group of boys and girls, "but haven't I seen you lads before? Your faces are very familiar."

"We saw you in the Cresville freight office," declared Ned boldly.

"Exactly! I knew it was somewhere. I remember now. I was there attending to some goods that had to be shipped in a hurry. I'm glad you remembered me. To think that I should meet you away out here! It's a small world, isn't it?" and he smiled, but there was something in his smile, in his looks and in his manner that the boys did not like. Neither did the girls, for, as Nellie said afterward, he acted as though he wanted to make friends so you would not be suspicious of him.

"Shake hands, won't you?" asked the man, advancing closer to the boys. "My name is Carson Blowitz, and though it sounds foreign I was born in this country. I travel around so much I can't give you any particular place as my residence."

There was no way without being rude of avoiding shaking hands with the man, and, though there was something in his manner that caused the boys to feel a distrust of him, they were not going to be impolite on mere suspicion.

They shook hands with Mr. Blowitz, and Jerry introduced himself, his chums, the young ladies and Professor Snodgrass, and told, briefly, the object of their trip.

"Well isn't that nice, now," said Mr. Blowitz, when Jerry had finished. "The professor comes out here to hunt horned toads, and you lads come to hunt adventures, Mr. Seabury comes out here in search of health and I— well, I'm out here on a sort of hunt myself."

"Are you interested in science?" asked Mr. Snodgrass eagerly. "Perhaps you and I might go off together after horned toads and web-footed lizards. Or, if you care for snakes, or insects, I think I can show you where there are plenty."

"No, no," said Mr. Blowitz, with a laugh, which he tried to make sound hearty by the mere noise of it. "No, I'm on a different sort of a search. In fact it's quite a queer story— perhaps you would like to hear it. In fact, I'm hunting for a lost ship."

"A lost ship!" exclaimed Bob.

"Well, one that was abandoned just before she sank, and that's about the same thing. It was abandoned quite a way out, but off this part of the coast. There is a current setting in towards shore, at this point, I'm told, and I thought I might get some news of her, or find some of the wreckage floating in on the beach. That's why you find me here."

"What ship is it?" asked Ned, interested in spite of the aversion he and the others felt toward Mr. Blowitz.

"It is a brig, Rockhaven by name. But suppose we go inside'? It is rather warm out here in the sun, and I'm not quite used to this climate yet. Won't you come in and have some chocolate with me? They have a very nice drink in here, and I—"

"It's my treat," interrupted Bob.

"No; if I may be so bold as to insist, you must be my guests this time," went on Mr. Blowitz. "It is not often that I see lads away off east and meet them a little later, in California, so I must have the pleasure of their company for a little while. The young ladies too— I'm very fond of young ladies," and Mr. Blowitz smiled in a manner that Rose characterized later as "ugly," though just why she thought so she couldn't explain.

There was no way of getting gracefully out of the invitation, and so the crowd of young people and the professor accompanied Mr. Blowitz into the refreshment booth.

They went out into the shaded courtyard, where a fountain of splashing water at least gave the effect of coolness, if it did not really make it so. They sat at small tables, and were served with cold chocolate and sweet cakes, by a pretty Mexican girl. Bob wanted to pay for the treat but Mr. Blowitz would not hear of it. In fact he played the host in such a genial way, and seemed so anxious to make every one have a good time, that the boys were rather ashamed of their first opinion of him.

Even Rose whispered to Bob that "he was not so bad, when you got acquainted with him."

"Now I suppose you would like to hear the story of the abandoning of the brig Rockhaven," said Mr. Blowitz, and the boys nodded.

"I hope no one was drowned," exclaimed Olivia.

"Not as far as we know," replied Mr. Blowitz. "The whole affair is rather mysterious, and I am seeking information about the fate of the ship as much as anything else."

"I would like to ask you one question," said Professor Snodgrass, who had been more interested in the antics of a small bug, walking on the table, than he was in his chocolate.

"What is it?" inquired Mr. Blowitz.

"Did you, or any of your men notice whether, just before the ship sank, that all the rats on board deserted it?" asked the scientist. "I have often heard that rats will desert a sinking ship, and I would like to know whether it is true. If you made any observations to that effect I wish you would tell me about them, and I can put them into a book I am writing about rats and mice."

"I thought you were writing about horned toads," said Bob.

"So I am, but this is another book. This will be in seventeen volumes, with colored plates. I want to get all the information I can, about rats."

"I'm sorry that I can't help you," replied Mr. Blowitz. "In fact I know little about the abandoning of the brig, except what I heard. I was not aboard, and I don't know whether the rats left it or not. All I know is that the vessel is lost, and with a fortune aboard."

"A fortune aboard?" inquired Ned.

"Yes, worth about a quarter of a million."

"Is it gold or diamonds?" asked Rose, who was very fond of jewelry and precious stones.

"Neither one, my dear young lady," said Mr. Blowitz, with as happy a smile as he could assume. "It is valuable merchandise. Of course there was some money, and some valuable papers, but the main part of the cargo was costly merchandise. I'll tell you how it happened. But first, let us have some more chocolate," and he called to the Mexican girl waiter.

When the cups had been filled Mr. Blowitz resumed his story.

"I am interested in many enterprises," he said, "and I and some other men went into a venture to ship some valuable goods to the Santa Barbara islands, which are not far off this coast. I was the principal owner, having bought out my partner, and it looked as if I would make a large sum.

"The vessel sailed from San Francisco, and as the weather was fine, we looked for a quick trip. I was attending to some of my other business affairs, having just arrived on this coast from Boston, when I received a telegram from the captain of the brig, telling me that she had been abandoned with everything on board. Of course there must have been an accident. Probably there was a collision, or fire on board, so that the brig was in a sinking condition. At any rate the captain, and, I suppose the crew, also, left her. That's why I can't tell whether they were all saved, though I assume so, as nothing was said about any one being lost.

"The captain, it appears, was picked up By another vessel, and landed at a small coast town. He sent me the telegram from there, and I forwarded him money to come to San Francisco, to meet me. But, for some reason, he did not arrive, and so I decided to come down here, and see if I could get any news of the ship and the valuable cargo. Of course, if the ship sank at once that is the end of her, but, if she broke up, there is a chance of some parts of her, and perhaps some of the cargo, being washed ashore. At any rate I would like to get some news of her, that I might collect the insurance, if nothing else.

"So that's why I'm here. I arrived yesterday, but, so far, I have been unable to obtain any news of the brig. I left word for the captain to join me here, and he may arrive at any time. I am glad to have met you, for it will not be so lonesome now."

"I hope you have good luck," said Nellie, as she arose to leave the place. "I think we must be going now," she added to her sisters. "Papa might worry about us."

"Give Mr. Seabury my regards," said Carson Blowitz, "and tell him I shall do myself the honor of calling on him soon, to pay my respects. As for you young people, I shall see you again, I hope. I am going to hire a boat and cruise about in search of my brig— if I don't get some news soon— and perhaps you might like to go along."

"Perhaps," replied Jerry, as he and his chums followed the girls out of the place.

Mr. Blowitz remained in the courtyard, drinking chocolate, and, as the little party was leaving Ned looked back. He saw their recent host pull a bundle of papers from his pocket, and, spreading them on the table in front of him, closely scan them.

"I don't like that man," declared Nellie, when they were out of hearing. She was very frank in her statements.

"Neither do I," said Jerry, "though he was nice enough to us."

"He has a strange manner," commented Olivia.

"And that was a queer story he told of the abandoning of the brig," went on Bob. "I wonder if he made it up, or if it's true? It seems strange that the captain would leave his ship, and not give a reason for it."

"There's some mystery back of it, I think," was the opinion of Rose. "The less we have to do with Mr. Carson Blowitz, the better it will be, I think."

"Well, we're not likely to see much of him." said Jerry. But in this opinion he was mistaken. They were to see and hear much of him, as later events proved.

CHAPTER XIV

IN A MOTOR BOAT

SEVERAL days after this, during which time the boys had, under the escort of the three girls, visited many places of interest, Rose suggested they make a trip on the bay.

"But what can we go in?" asked Bob. "We haven't any boat."

"We have several rowing skiffs," said Nellie. "I know they are not as fine as your Dartaway, but you can have a nice time. The fishing is good, and it is very pleasant on the water."

"It would be pleasant wherever you girls were," said Ned, with an attempt at gallantry.

"Thank you!" exclaimed Nellie, making a low, bow.

"You're improving, Ned," remarked Jeer, critically. "In time you'll be able to go out in polite society."

"Oh, is that so'?" remarked Ned, sarcastically, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," retorted Jerry, bowing low.

"Oh, stow that away for use at some future time," advised Bob. "Come on, if we're going out in a boat."

There was a little wharf, at which the Seaburys kept a couple of rowboats, and, as six were too many to go into one craft, Nellie and Jerry occupied the smaller, while Bob and Ned, Olivia and Rose, got into the other.

"Where shall we go?" asked Ned.

"Oh, row around anywhere," replied Jerry. "We'll have to get used to oars, we haven't handled 'em in quite a while."

The boys soon found that the skill with which they had formerly used the ashen blades, before the era of their motor boat, was coming back to them, and they sent the skiffs around the bay at fairly good speed, the two crafts keeping close together.

"This is something like work," announced Jerry, as he rested on his oars, and let the boat drift with the tide, which was running in.

"That's what it is," declared Ned. "I wish—"

"Thank you!" exclaimed Olivia. "I'm sure we're very sorry that we have given you so much work. We didn't know we were so heavy; did we girls?"

"No, indeed!" chimed in Rose. "If you will kindly row us back to shore, we'll get out and you boys can go where you please. Work! The idea!"

"Oh, I say now!" cried Ned, alarmed at the effect of his words. "I didn't mean— Jerry didn't mean— we—"

"Of course not!" added Jerry. "I only said—"

"You said it was hard work to row us around," declared Nellie in rather icy tones.

"Well I meant— you see since we had a motor boat— that is I— we— it's rather—"

"Now don't try to get out of it and make it worse," advised Olivia. "We know what you said, and what you meant."

"I didn't say anything," put in Bob, with an air of virtue.

"Good reason," declared Jerry. "You're so busy eating that cocoanut candy that you didn't have time to speak. Besides you're not rowing."

"Oh, has he got cocoanut candy!" cried Nellie. "Give me some and we'll forgive you for the rude way you and Ned spoke, Jerry. Won't we girls?"

"Of course," chorused Olivia and Rose.

"I— I didn't know you cared for cocoanut candy," declared Bob, rather ashamed that he had not, before this, offered the girls some.

"Oh, don't we though!" exclaimed Nellie. "Just you pass some over and you'll see, Bob," for the two boats had drifted close together.

Bob, who had purchased a big bag full of the confection, before they had started for the row, passed it over, and the girls helped themselves generously.

"Take it all," advised Ned, who, perhaps, felt a little vindictive at Bob, because of that youth's lucky escape from displeasing the girls by unfortunate remarks.

"No, thank you, we don't want to rob him," said Olivia.

At that moment a shrill whistle sounded just behind the rowboats and the girls turned around to see what it was. Ned and Jerry, from the position in which they sat to handle the oars had seen a motor boat approaching, and they had stopped using the blades to watch its approach.

"Oh, that's the Ripper!" exclaimed Rose. "And Charlie Farson is all alone in her. Maybe he'll give us a ride."

"Who is Charlie Farson?" asked Jerry of Nellie.

"He's a friend of Rose. He lives in San Francisco, but he is staying with his uncle at a bungalow about two miles from where we are. He owns that motor boat, and it's the biggest and fastest on this part of the coast. Sometimes he takes us out with him. I hope he does so now. He's headed right this way."

"Um," grunted Jerry, not altogether pleased that a young fellow with a motor boat should come along, and claim the girls who, of course, would naturally prefer a power craft to one propelled by oars.

Rose waved her handkerchief and, in answer the captain of the Ripper sent out three shrill blasts as a salute.

"Oh, isn't that fine! He's coming over here!" exclaimed Rose. "I'll introduce you boys to him."

Neither Ned nor Bob looked very pleased at the prospect of meeting a youth who might be a rival in entertaining the girls, but there was no help for it.

On came the Ripper, and, as she approached, the motor boys could not help admiring her. The craft was powerful and swift, much more so than the Dartaway had been. It was considerably larger, too, and had an enclosed cabin.

"That's a dandy!" exclaimed Jerry in spite of himself.

"It's a peach!" was Ned's half-spoken comment.

"All to the mustard!" came Bob's characteristic comment.

"Want a ride, or a tow?" called Charlie Farson, when he got within hailing distance, and he slowed down his craft.

"I guess we'll ride, if you'll tow our boats," replied Rose, for she knew the young fellow fairly well.

"All right, come aboard."

By this time the Ripper was quite close, and, in another moment it had come alongside of the boat containing Rose, Olivia, Ned and Bob.

"These are some friends of ours from the east," said Rose, introducing Ned and Bob, "There's another one, in that boat with Nellie," she went on, telling Jerry's name.

"I'm sure I'm glad to meet you all," said Charlie Farson, with such good nature, that the boys could feel no resentment toward him. "Come aboard, and we'll go for a spin. I guess it will be best to anchor your two boats here and you can pick them up when we come back. We can make better time then."

"Oh, your boat always makes good time," complimented Nellie, as she made her way to the cabin of the Ripper. "That's the only objection I have. You run her so fast that if you ever hit anything it would sink your boat before you had time to jump overboard."

"But I'm not going to hit anything," declared Charlie.

He tied the two rowboats together, the other boys helping him, and then anchored them with a small, spare kedge he carried on his craft.

"All ready?" he asked, looking to see that his passengers were comfortably seated.

"Already, Captain Charlie," answered Rose.

"Here we go then," and Charlie threw in the dutch of the engine, that had not ceased working,

The Ripper fairly flew away, so suddenly that Bob, who was near the stern, nearly toppled overboard.

"Look out!" cried Charlie.

"Oh, I'm looking out now," said Bob. "Say, but she can go!"

"Yes, she has some speed," modestly admitted Charlie.

He turned on more gasolene and advanced the spark still further, so that the boat increased her rate, piling up waves of white foam on either side.

They had a fine trip about the bay, the girls and boys thoroughly enjoying themselves, the latter being particularly interested in the engine part of the craft. The motor boys told the other lad of the Dartaway and how the craft had been destroyed.

"My, but I certainly would like to run this boat," announced Jerry with a sigh. "She's a dandy!"

"Maybe you'll get the chance," said Charlie.

"The chance? How? What do you mean?" asked Jerry, while his two chums eagerly waited for Charlie's answer.

CHAPTER XV

CAUGHT IN THE FOG

"WELL," replied Charlie as he sent the Ripper around in a big circle, "you see it's this way. I came down here expecting to stay with my uncle until Spring. I was going to learn how to raise oranges. I received word this morning that I would have to go back to my home in San Francisco. My father needs me there, because of a change in his business, and I've got to go."

"That's too bad!" exclaimed Rose.

"I guess you are thinking more of his motor boat than you are of Charlie," said Nellie, with a laugh at her sister.

"I was not!" declared Rose, indignantly.

"Well, I've got to leave my boat here," went on Charlie.

"Leave it here!" repeated Olivia.

"Yes, and I'm looking for some one to take charge of it while I'm gone."

"Take charge of it!" exclaimed Ned and Bob at once, while a joyous look came into Jerry's eyes.

"What I mean," said Charlie, "is that I would hire it out. I think that would be a better plan than merely to loan it to some one, for there is a chance that it might be damaged, and would have to be repaired, and, if I got a reasonable rent for it that would cover such a mishap."

"Would you hire it to us?" asked Jerry anxiously.

"I was thinking of that," answered the owner of the Ripper. "I heard from my friend, Rose," and he looked at the girl, "that you boys had had some experience with motor boats. I had rather hire mine out to some one who knew about machinery, than to persons who would have to learn. So, if we can make some deal, you may have a chance to run this boat. I've got to go to San Francisco in about a week."

"We'll take the boat," said Jerry quickly, "that is—"

"Oh, you needn't be afraid I'll ask too much money for her," interposed Charlie. "All I want is enough to pay for any possible damages, and for reasonable wear and tear. We'll talk it over later."

"Say, isn't that glorious!" whispered Ned to Bob. "Think of having a motor boat, and cruising on the Pacific! We're getting to be like Sinbad the sailor, making voyages all over."

"Yes, but maybe he'll want a small fortune for the hire of the Ripper," objected Bob. "We haven't any too much money, for this trip was rather costly."

"If we could get damages for the Dartaway, we—"

"Yes, but 'if' is a big word, even though it only has two letters," replied Bob quickly. "However, we'll do our best to get the Ripper during our stay here, and we'll take the girls out for some nice rides."

"That's what we will."

Charlie speeded his boat about the bay for some time longer, and then; as the girls said they thought they had better go home, he put back, picked up the anchored boats, and the motor boys and their hosts were soon rowing to shore.

"Come over any evening, Charlie," called Rose.

"Yes, come to-night," urged Jerry. "We can talk over the boat proposition then."

"I'll be there," replied the Ripper's skipper, as he put about and went whizzing over the blue waters of the bay.

When the young people entered the gateway they saw Ponto stretched out on the bench in the shade, fast asleep.

"Wait a minute," said Rose. "I'll play a trick on him."

She stole softly up, and, with a long piece of grass tickled the old colored servant on the ear. He put up his hand and sat up with a start.

"I 'clar' t' goodness!" he said, "I were jest waitin' fo' yo', an' I close mah eyes, jest fo' one little second, but dis atmosphere am so slumberous dat, 'fore I knows it, I'm sort of noddin'."

"I guess you were more than nodding," said Olivia. "But why were you waiting for us, Ponto?"

"'Deed an' I didn't no mo' dan nod, Miss Olivia, dat's what I didn't. But I'se been waitin' heah a pow'ful long time, an' I jest natcherly done gone an' fell t' noddin'."

"But what were you waiting for?" persisted Olivia.

"Dis letter," replied the colored man. "Massa Seabury done tole me t' give it t' one ob de young gentlemen what had de motor boat. He say it come from Cresville, an' it might be important, so I done set heah waitin', but I done forgot which young gentlemen he tole me t' gib it to."

"Let me see it," said Rose, and she looked at the envelope.

"It's for you, Jerry," she declared, "and it's from some railroad company. It's been sent on here from Cresville."

"Maybe it's about damages to our boat," said Bob.

And so it proved. The letter announced that an investigation had been made of the wreck in which the Dartaway was smashed, that the claim department of the Florida Coast Railway Company admitted their liability, and were prepared to pay damages. They enclosed in the letter a check for the value of the boat, as declared by Jerry at the time of the shipment.

"Hurrah!" cried Ned. "That's the stuff!"

"Well, it's the end of the Dartaway," observed Jerry. "Poor old boat! I suppose we had better accept this sum, and not sue, eh?" and he looked at his chums.

"Sure," replied Bob. "If we sued it would take a good while to collect, and if we got a larger sum we'd have to pay the lawyers. Let's take this money and hire the Ripper."

"I don't believe you'll need all that," interposed Rose. "That's quite a sum, and Charlie will surely not ask as much as that for the hire of his boat."

"Well, if he does we'll pay it," decided Jerry. "I want to cruise on the Pacific, and this seems to be the only way we can do it. We'll have a motor boat trip, even of the Dartaway is out of commission."

Charlie came over to "The Next Day" bungalow that night and in a short time he and the motor boys had arrived at a business arrangement regarding the hiring of the Ripper. Charlie only asked a small sum as rental, much less than the amount of damages received, so that the travelers had plenty left for other purposes.

"And now the boat is yours, as long as you stay here," said Charlie, when the final details had been arranged. "I know you will take good care of her."

"Of course we will," answered Jerry, "and, if you find, after you get to San Francisco, that you have a chance to come back, we'll give her up to you."

"There's no such good luck as my coming back this season," said Charlie.

Early the next morning he brought the craft to the Seabury dock, where it was run in the small boathouse. Then, having explained to the boys some minor details of the engine, which was different and more powerful than the one they were used to, Charlie took his departure, having had another letter from his father asking him to hurry to San Francisco.

"I hope you will have a good time," said the Ripper's owner, as he bade the boys and girls good-bye. "Don't get into any dangerous adventures, especially with the girls on board."

"We'll not," promised Jerry, but he did not know how soon Charlie's warning was to be fulfilled.

"Well, what do you girls say to a ride?" asked Jerry when Charlie had gone, and they stood looking at the powerful boat.

"Do you think you boys can run her?" asked Nellie.

"Run her? Well, I guess we can," declared Ned.

"Didn't we tackle the Atlantic in the Dartaway, a smaller boat than this?" asked Bob, "and isn't the Atlantic worse than the Pacific?"

"I don't believe it is, a bit," said Olivia. "Everyone thinks the Pacific ocean is very peaceful, because the name indicates that. But old fishermen here have told me there are terrible storms, which come up quite unexpectedly, and that at times there are dreadful fogs."

"Well, we're not afraid," boasted Bob. "Are we fellows?"

"Oh, I guess we can manage to run the boat," replied Jerry, who was critically examining the machinery. "If you girls want to go for a spin, I think I can guarantee to get you safely back."

"Oh, we're not afraid on a day like this," replied Nellie. "There's no sign of a storm. Come on girls."

She and her sisters got in, followed by Ned and Bob. Jerry was already in the small cabin, set aside for the engineer. He was testing various wheels and levers, seeing that the oil feed cups worked well, and looking to the sparking system.

"All ready?" he asked.

"Let her go, Captain Jerry," called Bob, as he cast off the lines, and the Ripper, with her new commander and crew, started off.

Jerry found he could manage the engine about as well as the one that had been in the Dartaway. He soon had the motor going almost at full speed, and the way the boat cut through the water was a revelation to the boys. They had never ridden so fast in a motor boat before. Straight out to sea Jerry headed the craft, and the weather was so pleasant, the water so calm, and the sense of swift motion so enthralling, that, before they knew it, they had gone several miles.

"Oh!" suddenly exclaimed Rose, as she came from the small cabin, and glanced back toward the shore, "I can't see anything."

"It is a bit hazy," admitted Ned.

"Must have blown up a little fog," spoke Jerry. "I guess we'll put back. It didn't look as it was going to be thick weather when we started."

He swung the boat around and headed for what he supposed was the shore. As the boat speeded on the mist became thicker, until they could scarcely see two hundred feet ahead of them.

"Better slow down; hadn't you?" suggested Bob. "We might hit something."

"Yes, for goodness, sake, don't have a collision," begged Nellie.

"We ought to be pretty near shore," remarked Jerry. "I'll keep on a little longer, and we'll come pretty near the dock, I think."

He tried to peer ahead into the fog, but it slowly settled down in lazy, curling wreaths, that made it as hard to see through as though a white blanket had been hung in front of him.

"Hark! What's that'?" asked Olivia, holding up her hand.

Out of the mist there came the dismal clang of a bell.

"Dong! Ding! Dong!"

"A vessel!" cried Bob. "Look out, Jerry, or we'll be run down."

"That isn't a vessel," said Rose, with a worried look on her face. "That's the bell of the shoal buoy. We are quite a way out to sea!"

"And lost in the fog," added Nellie.

CHAPTER XVI

ON THE ROCKS

WITH a quick motion Jerry shut off the power, and the Ripper drifted through the mist, slowly losing headway. The sound of the bell became more distinct, and in a little while something dark loomed up before the anxious eyes of the boys and girls.

"Lookout! She's going to hit!" cried Ned.

"That's the buoy," declared Nellie.

"What's its location?" asked Jerry. "Can't we get our bearings from it?"

"Well, it's about eight miles off shore, I've heard the fishermen say," replied Nellie, "and it's about four miles down the coast from San Felicity."

"It doesn't seem as if we came as far as that," said Bob.

"This is a very fast boat," commented Rose.

"Is the buoy anchored to rocks?" asked Ned.

"No, it's on a dangerous shoal," answered Olivia "But there is no harm from that source to be feared to this boat, as it doesn't draw much water."

"It ought to be easy enough to start in the right direction for San Felicity, with this buoy to guide us," suggested Bob. "Can't you, Jerry."

"I guess so, if you think it will be safe to travel in the fog."

"No, don't," urged Nellie. "I'm afraid we might have a collision. I don't know much about this bay, and there are dangerous places in it, I've heard the fishermen say. We had better stay here until the fog lifts."

"That's what I think," agreed Rose and Olivia.

Bob and Ned, however, were for going on, but Jerry rather sided with the girls.

"Well," he finally said, in answer to the urging of his two chums, "Which way would you say the dock was, Ned?"

"Off there," and Ned pointed over the port rail.

"No, you're wrong," declared Bob. "It's there," and he indicated the opposite direction.

"There, you see," remarked Jerry. "It can't be both ways. The fog has you puzzled, just as it has me. We should have looked at the compass when we started out. Maybe the girls can advise us."

But they, too, were equally at loss regarding in what direction San Felicity lay.

"We'll have to drift around a bit," decided Jerry. "It's not very pleasant, but it's better than running any chances."

In spite of their dismal situation the boys and girls managed to extract a good deal of fun out of their experience. They laughed, joked, told stories and sang songs.

"Well, well!" exclaimed Jerry, looking at his watch. "Here it is noon, and we're not home for dinner."

"No, and not likely to be," added Ned rather gloomily. "I'll admit I'm as bad as Bob this time. I want something to eat."

"Do you?" asked the stout youth.

"Sure, Chunky."

"Then, maybe you'll quit making fun of me," was Bob's answer, as, from one of the lockers he drew out a bulky package.

"What is it?" asked Jerry.

"Sandwiches and cake. I bought 'em in the little booth where we had chocolate with Mr. Blowitz the other day. I thought we might be hungry, so I got 'em while you were tinkering with the engine. Now, maybe you wish I hadn't."

"Not a bit of it, Chunky," declared Jerry heartily. "You're all right!"

"It was very thoughtful to provide for us," said Rose.

There was fresh water in a cooler, and the young people made a merry meal. They ate everything to the last crumbs, and, as Bob said, they could probably have gotten away with more, for the salt air gave them good appetites.

"The fog's lifting!" exclaimed Ned suddenly. "Now we can start for home. I can just make out the coast."

True enough, right ahead of them was a low, dark line.

"Well, if that isn't queer," remarked Bob. "I would have said the shore was off there," and he pointed in the opposite direction.

"I guess we must have turned around when we drifted," said Jerry. "We're quite a way from the buoy now."

Once it began to lift, the fog dispersed rapidly, and Jerry soon had the engine going, and the boat headed for the shore. He speeded the motor up to as high a pitch as was safe, in unfamiliar waters, and soon the town of San Felicity came into view.

"Get near the shore," advised Ned, "then, if the fog shuts down on us again, we'll know where we are."

Jerry decided this was good advice, and steered the Ripper straight in, intending to run up along the coast to San Felicity. It was well that he did so, for the lifting of the fog was only temporary. When they were about a quarter of a mile from the shore the white mist closed in again, worse than before. But Jerry had his sense of direction now, and decided it would be safe to continue on at half speed, as there did not appear to be any other craft in sight, when he took a rapid survey of the bay just as the fog settled down.

Peering through the almost impenetrable white mass of vapor ahead of him, Jerry sent the Ripper slowly on her way.

"You'll have to be careful," cautioned Rose. "The tide is running out, and there's not much water along here at the ebb. I hope we don't go aground."

"So do I," answered Jerry.

Just then there was a shock, and the boat quivered, hesitated for an instant, and then resumed her course.

"We struck bottom that time," said Ned. "Luckily it seemed to be mud."

"There are rocks along here," declared Nellie. "Go slow, Jerry."

The steersman, who could manage the boat from the engine cockpit, as well as from the bow, further slowed down the motor, until the Ripper was barely moving through the water.

Suddenly there was a grinding sound, the boat heeled over to one side, and came to a stop.

"The rocks!" cried Rose. "We're on the rocks!"

"Reverse!" yelled Ned, and Jerry did so, as quick as a flash, but it was too late.

"We're aground," he announced grimly.

"Will we sink?" asked Olivia in alarm.

"I guess there's no danger of that," announced Jerry, as he went forward, "but I hope we haven't stove a hole in her," he added, peering anxiously over the side.

"How about it?" asked Ned.

"Well, it might be worse," answered Jerry. "We have run right on the cleft of a rock, and we're held there. Can't get off until high tide, I suppose. Say, we seem to be up against it on our first trip."

"Oh, as long as we're not sinking we're all right," said Olivia. "We can wade ashore. It's not far."

"Yes, it's quite a way, and I don't want to spoil my shoes," objected Nellie. "We should have brought our bathing suits. Oh, dear! Isn't it unfortunate? I'm afraid father will be worried about us."

"One of us will wade or swim ashore, and tell him," said Ned. "We can easily do it."

"Boat ahoy!" suddenly called a voice out of the mist. "Who are you?"

"The Ripper," answered Jerry. "Who are you?"

A moment later a rowboat appeared from behind the white curtain of fog, and the boys and girls saw. that Mr. Carson Blowitz was in the craft.

"Well! Well!" he exclaimed. "You're in trouble, aren't you?— and I'm just in time to effect a rescue," and he smiled at the boat load of boys and girls.

CHAPTER XVII

NEWS OF THE BRIG

"OH!" exclaimed Rose, rather excitedly, "take us off please! Our boat is sinking!"

"No, it isn't," declared Jerry. "We're all right only we're aground. Can't get off until high tide I suppose."

"Then perhaps I had better take the young ladies ashore," proposed Mr. Blowitz. "I have a large boat here, and they will be more comfortable than sitting there waiting for the tide to rise. Besides, you'll heel over quite a bit, I should judge by the way you're listing now."

There was no doubt of this, as the Ripper was, even now, far from being on an even keel. The boys did not relish having this man, whom they disliked, take off the girls, but there was no help for it.

"Say, we ought to go to some kindergarten and learn to run a motor boat," grumbled Ned in a low voice, as the girls were getting into Mr. Blowitz's craft. "We're peaches, we are!"

"It was my fault," admitted Jerry, rather embarrassed over the accident.

"Not in particular," remarked Bob. "Any one of us would have done the same thing. Lucky the boat isn't damaged any, but I hate to be under obligations to him," and he nodded toward Mr. Blowitz, who was helping Nellie into his boat. "I don't like him," he went on in a low voice. "There's something queer about him."

"We oughtn't to feel that way," said Jerry. "He's doing us a favor."

"Of course," admitted Bob. "I know it, and I suppose I shouldn't feel that way, but I do, and I can't help it. I don't want any favors from him. He's the kind, who, if he does something for you, will want you to do twice as much for him in return."

"Well, I'll be more careful next time I run this motor boat," said Jerry. "It's too bad."

"Might be worse," said Ned as cheerfully as he could.

"Don't you want to go ashore, boys?" called Mr. Blowitz.

"I guess we'd better," murmured Bob. "The water is quite deep except for the place where the Ripper went on the rocks."

"The motor boat will stay there all right until high tide," the man went on. "Better anchor her well, however, it might come on to blow."

Jerry attended to this, throwing over a strong anchor which was aboard. Then the three boys joined the others in the rowboat.

"Can you find your way to shore, through this fog?" asked Rose.

"Oh, yes, we're not far from the beach," replied Mr. Blowitz. "I've been out to see an old fisherman, on business, and I was slowly coming back through the fog, when I saw your boat. I didn't know you owned that."

"We don't," replied Jerry shortly, for he did not want to get too friendly with Mr. Blowitz, even if that man did show a desire to do so. "We hired it."

"I thought I'd seen it in the bay before," went on the man. "It's a fine boat. I suppose you could go out quite a way to sea in her."

"You could," said Bob. "It's big enough to weather quite a gale, and you could carry provisions enough for two weeks."

"It certainly is a fine craft," went on Mr. Blowitz, as if he was thinking of something. "A fine craft."

"Did you ever hear anything more of your brig, the Rockhaven?" asked Nellie.

"Yes, I did," was the unexpected answer. "In fact that was why I went out rowing to-day. I had a telegram from the captain of the brig last night. It seems she did not sink as at first supposed, but is a derelict, drifting about somewhere off this coast."

"Has any one seen her?" asked Ned.

"Yes, the captain of a fishing smack. He was the man I went to interview to-day. He says as he was cruising along, day before yesterday, he sighted what he took to be a small boat. When he got closer he saw it was an abandoned brig. From his description I knew it was the one I was interested in."

"But if you only got a telegram from the captain of the brig last night, telling you it had not sunk, how did you know the fishing smack captain had sighted her, and how did you go out to see him to-day?" asked Jerry, for he thought there was something queer in the story Mr. Blowitz told, while the man's manner did not favorably impress him.

"Oh, that," and Mr. Blowitz glanced sharply at Jerry, and then resumed his rowing toward shore. The fog had lifted a bit, and the beach could be made out. "Well, that was rather queer," admitted the man, slowly, as if searching about for a good answer. "You see I didn't know the fishing captain had seen the derelict. When I got the telegram, telling me the brig was still afloat, I thought it might be a good plan to go about among the fishermen, making inquiries."

"And you happened to strike the right one?" asked Jerry.

"I— that is— well, I had inquired among several before I met Captain Deckton of the smack Sea Girl. He saw the derelict. But I'd like to have a talk with you boys, when you are at liberty," added Mr. Blowitz, quickly. "I have a proposition to make to you. I think you will be interested."

"Please put us ashore first, before you talk business," begged Olivia. "It is long past noon, and I'm afraid my father will be worried about us."

"We'll land at the dock in ten minutes," said Mr. Blowitz. "I'll talk to the boys later."

"I wonder what he wants?" thought Jerry. "Something of a favor, I'll bet. I know his kind."

"Let me take the oars and relieve you," proposed Ned, who saw that the man was having rather hard work with the boatload of young people.

"Thank you, there's another pair in the stern, if you want to try them," said Mr. Blowitz, and Ned got them out. They made better time after that, and were soon at the dock.

"We must hurry home," said Rose.

"Perhaps you boys had rather talk with me later," suggested Mr. Blowitz. "There is no special hurry. Some time this afternoon will do as well, and you might like to go home with the young ladies."

"I guess it would be better," decided Jerry. "Where shall we see you?"

"If you will call at the refreshment booth here about five o'clock this evening, I'll be taking my usual afternoon drink of chocolate there, and I'll be pleased to have you join me."

"We will be here," promised Jerry, as, with his chums, he followed the girls along the dock and toward the bungalow.

"Why didn't you ask him what he wanted?" inquired Ned, when they were beyond hearing distance.

"Because, I want a chance to think some matters over," replied Jerry. "I believe Mr. Blowitz is up to some game, and I want to see if I can't discover what it is."

"It seems a mean thing to say," added Rose, "but I don't like that man, in spite of the fact that he has been kind to us. I'm sure we ought to appreciate what he did for us to-day, in saving us a wetting, but I can't feel that he is sincere."

"I, either," admitted Olivia and Nellie, while the latter added:

"I hope you boys don't go into any business dealings with him. Perhaps you had better consult with my father, before you do."

"I guess it would be a good plan," said Jerry. "I hope Mr. Seabury will not be angry at us for taking you out and getting fog-bound, as well as involving you in a shipwreck."

"Oh, no!" answered Rose with a laugh. "He knows we are all right, for we have been on the water, more or less, all our lives. He sometimes worries a little, but, when we get home safe, he's so glad to see us that he never scolds." Nor did he this time. He inquired about the trip, and expressed his regrets at the mishap to the Ripper.

"It will be all right if we don't get a storm before high tide," he said. "I'll inquire of Ponto what the weather signs are. Ponto! I say Ponto! Where are you?"

"Comin' Massa Seabury! I'se comin'," answered a sleepy voice and Ponto came from the garden to the veranda, where Mr. Seabury, his daughters and the boys were.

"Do you think we are going to have a storm?"

"Storm? No, sah. No storm to-day."

"How can you tell?"

"Easy, Massa Seabury. When it's goin' t' storm, I cain't never sleep well, an' now, I can fall asleep as easy as a baby."

"I believe you. Well, that's what I wanted to know. He's a very good weather prophet," he added in a low voice to the boys. "I guess the boat is safe. Have you seen Professor Snodgrass lately, Ponto?"

"Yais, sah, I done saw him 'bout half an hour ago. He were huntin' around de' lower end ob de garden, after some web-footed grasshoppers, I t'ink he said."

"Web-footed lizards," corrected Ned.

"Yais, sah, dat's what it were. Web-footed lizards an' horned toads. Golly, I hopes he don't cotch none when I'se around!"

The boys told Mr. Seabury of Mr. Blowitz, and their host advised them to be careful about entering into any arrangement with the man.

"I don't know him," he said, "but I have heard from different persons here that there is something queer about him. However, he may only want some favor that you can easily do."

Shortly before five o'clock the three boys started to keep their appointment with Carson Blowitz. Professor Snodgrass had not succeeded in finding any horned toads, and announced his intention of making a search near the bed of a dried-up river that evening, as he had heard there were some there. The girls were too tired to care for further excursions that afternoon, and they remained on the shady veranda, as the boys started off.

"I wonder what Blowitz can want?" mused Ned, as he and his chums neared the chocolate pavilion.

"We'll soon know," said Jerry.

CHAPTER XVIII

WHAT MR. BLOWITZ WANTED

THE boys found Mr. Carson Blowitz in the little courtyard of the pavilion, calmly sipping some cold chocolate.

"Ah, you are right on time, I see," he remarked, as pleasantly as he could. "That's what I like, boys. It shows your American spirit. Bright, hustling lads, all of you. Just the kind I have been looking for."

"Did you want to see us on business?" asked Jerry, for he did not care for the man's too obvious flattery.

"Yes, I did, but first let me order some chocolate for you. It is a hot day and you'll feel better after it. I never talk business unless I am eating, or drinking something like chocolate or lemonade. It calms the nerves."

Jerry was about to refuse, as he wanted to get the interview over with as soon as possible, but he looked at Bob, and that youth showed an evident desire to have some refreshment.

"Well, we'll take a little," Jerry said.

"I thought so. Here!" and he clapped his hands to summon the waitress, who soon returned with some cups of cold chocolate.

"Now to business," went on Mr. Blowitz, after a pause. "Did I understand you to say you had hired that large motor boat?"

"We have; for several weeks," answered Jerry, who, by consent of Ned and Bob, had been elected spokesman.

"And do you think it could go to sea— say for a couple of weeks?"

"Yes, I think so. But did you think of hiring her from us? Because if you did I don't believe we can consider it, as we have no authority to let any one but ourselves run it."

"Oh, no, I was not thinking of running it," declared Mr. Blowitz. "I wouldn't know how if I wanted to. But I was thinking I might engage the motor boat and you with it, as a crew, to go on a cruise for me."

"A cruise?"

"Yes, out on the Pacific, but not too far from shore, say not more than twenty miles."

"What for?" asked Jerry.

"To search for that derelict— the brig Rockhaven!"

"The Rockhaven!" exclaimed Ned and Bob together.

"Yes, as I told you it has a valuable cargo aboard, and, in addition a supply of gold, in money, and some important papers."

"Do you think we could find her?" asked Ned.

"I think so," answered Mr. Blowitz. "I made some particular inquiries of the captain of the fishing smack, whom I saw to-day, and I got her longitude and latitude, as near as he could give it to me. Of course it would be a rather hard search, and might consume considerable time, but I would be willing to pay for that. What I want to know is, if you boys would care to go out in that boat, the Ripper, and search for the derelict? If you find her I will pay you prize money."

"If we found her, and she was quite a way out to sea, how would we get her in?" asked Jerry.

"You could tow her, unless there was a bad storm. That motor boat is very powerful."

"Then there isn't anyone on board now?" asked Bob.

"Not a living soul," answered the man. "It's queer how they came to desert her, but I guess the captain and crew got scared and went off in a hurry, without making a proper investigation. The brig is a small one, and if she hit on a rock, or was in a collision, it would not take much to knock her out.

"Now here is my proposition. You are to take the Ripper, get her in good shape for the cruise, and start out. The sooner the better. I will pay all expenses, such as for provisions and supplies. If you return with the brig I will pay you two thousand dollars. If you don't succeed in finding her, after say a two weeks' search, you are to return, and I will pay you five hundred dollars, and all expenses. What do you say?"

"That sounds good to me," replied Bob.

"Suppose we got the vessel, made fast to her, and started to tow her in and had to abandon her because of a storm?" asked Jerry.

"Well, of course that might happen, though it's not likely, for we seldom have bad storms an this coast this time of year. Still if you couldn't bring the derelict in, you couldn't that's all. But if you found her, you could get the papers and gold, and if you had to abandon her, you could go back after the storm was over. I think you boys could do what I want, and, as I say, I'm willing to pay well. I'd go with you, of course. What do you say?"

Mr. Blowitz seemed quite anxious. In fact he was so anxious that Jerry was suspicious.

"I wonder why he doesn't hire some larger boat, or a small steam tug to go for that derelict?" thought Jerry. "He could get men, who are regularly engaged in the business of saving vessels, to go out for that price. Why should he prefer us, when we have had no experience in that line, and hardly know him? There is something back of all this, that he is not telling us. I wonder what we had better do?"

"Well?" asked Mr. Blowitz, as none of the boys spoke. Ned and Bob were waiting for Jerry to reply and the latter was turning it over in his mind, seeking to find a reason for the strange request.

"When would we have to start?" asked Jerry, at. last.

"I'd like you to go to-morrow, or the day after, at the farthest. It would not take long to provision the boat for the cruise."

"Will you put your offer in writing?" asked Jerry.

"In writing— why, isn't my word good? Well, of course— Oh, I see— you think I am a stranger here and might— Oh, well, I have no objection to drawing up an agreement. Perhaps that will be the best way."

Mr. Blowitz looked a little annoyed that Jerry should have suggested such a thing, but he quickly covered his confusion by speaking rapidly.

"I'll draw up a paper right away," he said, taking a fountain pen from his pocket. "I'll have the waitress get me some blanks, and you can have them witnessed before a notary public, if you wish."

"There's no hurry," said Jerry. "Suppose you draw up the papers, and we can meet you here to-morrow to talk things over further. I think we should take a little time to consider this. It is rather a queer proposition—"

"Oh, of course, I don't want to hurry you into it," declared Mr. Blowitz, in rather a nervous manner. "Of course I could get some other boat and a regular crew, but I saw you boys, and I took a liking to you. I thought you might like to earn some money and, if you have good luck, it oughtn't to be hard work."

"Oh, we'd like the money all right enough," interposed Bob.

"We'll think it over," put in Jerry quickly, for he was afraid Ned or Bob might say something that would commit them. "We'll meet you here to-morrow at ten o'clock and you can have the papers with you."

"All right," agreed the man, and Jerry thought he seemed disappointed that the matter was not settled at once. "Don't forget now," he urged them, as they left the pavilion, Mr. Blowitz remaining there to drink more chocolate.

"Why didn't you agree to it, Jerry?" asked Bob, when they were outside. "That would be a swell cruise. Just the thing! And think of getting two thousand dollars!"

"That's just it," replied Jerry. "We want time to think it over, and I guess we had better tell Mr. Seabury. Boys, I believe there is something wrong back of all this, and we don't want to run into danger."

"Danger!" exclaimed Ned. "Do you think there is danger?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to be on the safe side. I don't like Mr. Blowitz, but he may be all right. If we find he is, and Mr. Seabury advises it, we'll go on that cruise, and try to find the derelict. I asked him to make out the papers so we could have a chance to consider it."

"Well, maybe you're right," admitted Ned. "But I do hope it's all right. It would be great, to take a voyage on the Pacific in the Ripper."

The boys hurried back to the bungalow, intending to tell Mr. Seabury the result of their talk with Mr. Blowitz before mentioning it to the girls.

"Father has gone out," said Rose. "He has gone to dine with a friend, and he'll not be back until late to-night. We'll have supper together, and go for a trip on the bay. It's going to be a nice moonlight night."

"The very thing!" exclaimed Ned. "But we must see to the Ripper. She's on the rocks yet."

"That's so," exclaimed Jerry. "I nearly forgot about her. Bob and I will get her and take her to the dock. She must be afloat by now."

"It's almost supper-time," said Nellie, "hurry back."

"Oh— it's near supper-time, is it?" asked Bob, with a woe-begone look on his face. "I— er—"

"Come on, Ned," called Jerry. "Bob's afraid he'll get left on the eating proposition. You come with me."

Ned and Jerry rowed out to the motor boat. They found her floated, and riding easily, and, after towing her to the dock, they returned to the house. Partaking of a hasty supper the young folks, leaving Ponto and the servant in the bungalow, went down to the beach, and started for a moonlight ride in the Ripper.

CHAPTER XIX

A CRY FOR HELP

"ISN'T this perfectly delightful," remarked Nellie, as she reclined on some cushions in the little cabin. "I just love to be on the water!"

"Well, it's better than being out in the fog," admitted Jerry, as he adjusted the oil feed on the engine, and glanced over the moonlit waves.

"There don't seem to be many boats out tonight," observed Olivia.

"Maybe the owners are afraid of a storm," suggested Rose. "Sometimes a storm will follow a fog. I wonder if it's safe for us to go out?"

"We're not going far, and we'll keep near shore," replied Jerry. "It does act as if it was going to blow a bit, but I guess it will not amount to much."

There was quite a swell on as they got further out, and the Ripper rolled some, but the boys and girls were too good sailors to mind that.

"I wonder if we'll meet Mr. Blowitz again," came from Nellie, after a period of silence. "He's always turning up most unexpectedly."

"I don't believe we'll see him to-night," said Ned. "What do you think he wanted of us? Shall I tell 'em, Jerry?"

"Might as well, I'm going to tell Mr. Seabury as soon as I see him."

Thereupon Ned related the interview with Carson Blowitz, and the latter's desire to have the boys search for the derelict Rockhaven.

"I hope you don't go," spoke Nellie.

"Why not?" asked Bob.

"Because— well, because," and she laughed a little uneasily.

"That's just like a girl," remarked Jerry, good-naturedly. "They don't want you to do a thing, but they can't tell you why."

"Well, it's just an uneasy feeling I have toward Mr. Blowitz, that's all," went on Nellie. "I can't explain it, but I feel, whenever I am near him, that he is planning something mean, or that he is up to some trick."

"Well, it's just how I feel," declared Rose, and Olivia admitted that she, too, did not trust the man.

"Well, we haven't decided to go," said Jerry, "and we're going to have a talk with your father about it. I admit I'd like to make the trip and find the brig, but, as you say, I don't quite trust Blowitz."

"Oh!" suddenly exclaimed Rose, as a wave, larger than any that had preceded it, sent a shower of spray over the boat. "Don't go out any farther, Jerry. It's getting quite rough."

"Yes, I guess it is," admitted the steersman, as he put the boat about. "There's quite a swell on. Wouldn't wonder but we'd have a storm by morning, though it's bright enough overhead. I don't believe Ponto is a good prophet."

There were only a few clouds in the sky, and the moon was shining down like a big silver disk, making objects unusually bright, for the southern moonlight is wonderful.

Jerry put the boat over near shore, and steered along the coast, which, at that point was quite rocky, cliffs rising here and there to a considerable height above the water.

"Look out you don't run her on the rocks again," cautioned Ned.

"I'll be careful," replied Jerry. "Maybe you want to run her a while. I don't want to be the whole show."

Ned was glad of the chance to take the wheel, and he and Jerry changed places. They were proceeding at slow speed, the girls occasionally humming the chorus of a song, and the boys joining in when they knew the air. The beauty of the night, the fine boat, and delight of moving along with scarcely a sound, had them all under a sort of magic spell, and they felt they could thus go on forever.

It was when they came opposite a range of low cliffs, close to the water's edge, that Bob suddenly called out in a low voice:

"Look at the men on the rocks!"

"Where?" asked Jerry.

"Over there," and Bob pointed. Ned steered the boat nearer to where two black figures, sharply outlined in the moonlight, could be seen in bold relief on the cliff.

"They are men, sure enough," replied Jerry, "but you needn't get excited over it."

"I'm not," went on Bob. "Only one of them is Mr. Blowitz, that's all."

"Mr. Blowitz?" queried Jerry sharply.

"Hush! He'll hear you," cautioned Rose. "Sounds carry very easily over water."

"It is Mr. Blowitz," admitted Jerry. "I wonder what he's doing out here."

"Probably getting some more information about the brig Rockhaven," suggested Ned. "Maybe that's a seaman who has some news of her."

By this time the motor boat was quite close to the two men, who, however, did not seem to notice the Ripper. There was no question about the identity of Mr. Blowitz. The other man was a stranger to the boys and girls. The two were apparently talking earnestly, and, occasionally Mr. Blowitz could be seen to be gesticulating violently.

"He's mad about something," declared Ned.

"It does look so," agreed Rose.

All at once the boys saw Blowitz take a step toward the other man, who retreated, as if afraid. Blowitz raised his hand as though to give a blow.

"Look out!" cried Ned involuntarily, as if the man could hear him. "You'll go over the cliff!"

With a quick motion he turned the boat, steering toward the foot of the rock, above which the men stood.

At that instant a black cloud came over the moon and the scene was plunged in darkness. It was just as if it had been blotted out, and a murmur of surprise, at the suddenness of it, came from those in the Ripper.

At the same instant a cry rang out— a man's cry— and it seemed to be one for help.

CHAPTER XX

BLOWITZ IS ANGRY

"QUICK!" called Jerry. "Put us over there, Ned!"

"I will! Something has happened. I wonder—"

"Oh, why doesn't the moon come out from behind that cloud," exclaimed Rose, for she and the other girls were nervously afraid.

"Maybe they have both toppled over the cliff," suggested Nellie.

"More likely only one of them did," said Bob. "I only heard one cry. What's the matter, Ned?"

"Something's gone wrong with the engine."

"Here, let me have a look," called Jerry, and he went to the cockpit.

There was a lantern aboard, and, by the light of it, Jerry saw that one of the battery wires, leading to a spark plug, had become loosened, breaking the circuit, and preventing the gas from exploding in the cylinders. He soon had it fixed and the engine started, sending the boat toward shore.

By this time the moon was out again, flooding the scene with radiance. Eagerly the boys and girls looked toward the spot on the cliffs, where the odd scene had taken place. To their surprise they saw Mr. Blowitz standing there, and they were close enough to note that he was smoking a cigar.

"Well!" exclaimed Nellie, for that was all she could say, so great was her astonishment.

"Guess nothing happened after all," added Ned. "We have had our fright for nothing."

"There certainly was another man there," declared Jerry, "and he's gone now."

"And I'm certain I heard a cry for help," said Bob.

"We all heard a cry," admitted Jerry, "but it might have been a call for a boatman, or something like that. However—"

He did not finish what he was going to say for, at that instant, Blowitz heard the noise of the approaching motor boat. The muffler. was not working just right, and the usually noiseless engine of the Ripper was making quite a fuss. Blowitz was in a listening attitude, standing in bold relief in the moonlight, and, having, apparently, satisfied himself as to where the boat was, he started to descend the cliff.

"He's coming down," said Ned.

"Is that the Ripper?" called Blowitz suddenly.

"Yes," replied Jerry, wondering how the man knew.

"I thought I recognized her engine. Are you coming ashore? If you are, I'd like to speak to you."

"We're coming," answered Ned.

"Don't come too close then, for there are dangerous rocks. Make for that little point up there," and the man pointed so that the boys could see where he meant. "There's deep water right up to the edge. It's a sort of natural dock, but go slow. I'll meet you there, I want to tell you something."

"Shall we ask him about the man?" inquired Bob in a low voice.

"No, don't," advised Nellie quickly. "It might make trouble. See what he has to say, and then let's hurry home. I'm afraid of him."

"What? With we three aboard?" asked Jerry with a little laugh. "We are complimented."

"Oh, I don't mean that," Nellie hastened to say. "I mean that Mr. Blowitz is a dangerous man."

She spoke low for she did not want him to hear her, and they were quite near to shore now.

Ned steered for the little point of land, and found he could send the boat quite close with no danger of hitting the rocks. Presently Blowitz, who had momentarily vanished amid the shadows at the foot of the cliff, appeared.

"Good evening, boys," he said. "I—" he stopped suddenly, "I didn't know you had young ladies aboard."

"Yes, we have been taking a moonlight run," Jerry explained. "We saw you up there on the cliff, and—"

"I was there with a friend of mine," Blowitz spoke quickly. "We were talking about the derelict brig. I was to meet a sea captain there, but he did not come. My friend had to leave in a hurry, and just then I heard the noise made by your boat, so I called to you. Did you hear a call?"

"We heard some sort of a call," spoke up Bob, "but we thought it was—"

"That was me," interrupted Blowitz, "I recognized the Ripper by the peculiar sound of the exhaust. I have quite a trick of recognizing boats that way. I was afraid you'd get past, so I called. But I didn't know you had the young ladies with you, or I would not have bothered you."

"That's all right," said Jerry. "We were coming ashore anyhow."

"You were? What for?" and Blowitz looked sharply at the boys. "Oh, I suppose you saw me and wanted to tell me you would accept my offer— but excuse me, perhaps the young ladies—"

"Oh, we have told them of it," answered Ned. "You can speak before them."

"All right then. I was going to say perhaps you came in after seeing me, to tell me you had accepted my offer and would search for the derelict. Is that it?"

"Well, we hadn't quite decided," replied Jerry.

"What! Not decided!" exclaimed Blowitz. "Why I want you to start at once— or— that is— to-morrow morning. I have just received news that makes it important that the search begin at once. I am depending on you. You will go at once, won't you? Come, I'll increase my offer," he said. "I'll pay you two thousand dollars for your time and trouble, stand all expenses, and, if you find the brig, and tow her in, I'll give you three thousand dollars. That's a fair offer. Now you can start to-morrow morning, can't you, boys?"

"I don't know," began Jerry, slowly.

"Isn't that money enough?" and Blowitz seemed much excited.

"Oh, yes, the offer is a very good one. But I think we should consult with some one— We—"

"No, there is no need of consulting with any one," interrupted Blowitz. "I have the papers all made out. We can go before a notary-public to-night, for it is not late yet, and sign them, and you can start by to-morrow noon. What do you say? Will you go?"

It was a hard question to decide. The trip was alluring to the boys, even had there been no prize money connected with it. But there was something about Blowitz that made them hesitate. His very eagerness to have them start, almost at once, made them feel there was something queer back of it all. Still they had undertaken, before this, more difficult and risky tasks. Why not this one?

"Well, I must have your answer soon," said Blowitz, approaching nearer to the boat.

"Will you wait just a moment?" asked Jerry. "My chums and I will go in the cabin and talk it over. We'll let you know right away."

"I'll wait five minutes," said the man. "Time is precious to me. I have lots to do. But I know you'll go. I'll raise the offer five hundred dollars. Now, that's the best I can do. But you must start as soon as possible to-morrow."

"Come in here," called Jerry to his chums, entering the small cabin, where the three girls had already gone as they did not wish to seem to listen to the talk between Blowitz and the boys.

Jerry closed the sliding doors, and, by the light of a small lantern which hung from the cabin ceiling, looked at his companions. Outside they could hear Blowitz pacing up and down on the rocky shore.

"Well, what do you fellows say?" he asked.

"I'd like the trip," said Ned, wistfully.

"The money is a large sum," added Bob.

"Then you want to go?" asked Jerry. "I'll do just what ever you do. I'll tell him we'll go."

"No! Don't!" cried Nellie in a tense whisper. "Jerry— boys— don't have anything to do with this man. He may be all right, but there's something mysterious about him. Why should he want to hire you when, for the same money, or less, he could get a company of fishermen, who know these waters well, to make the search? Take a girl's reason, for once, and don't have anything to do with him!"

She had risen to her feet, her eyes were flashing and her cheeks flushed with the excitement of the moment. The boys looked at her in admiration.

"I admit there is something queer in his offering to increase the prize money," spoke Jerry, after a pause. "He must be very desperate."

"And why this sudden rush?" inquired Ned. "This afternoon he was in no such hurry. Something must have occurred in the meanwhile— I wonder if it was the man on the cliff—"

"Now don't let's go to guessing at too much," cautioned Jerry. "The question to be settled now is: Do you want to go on a search for the derelict brig? Yes or no? That's what we've got to settle now."

There was silence for a moment, broken only by the tick of the clock in the cabin. Involuntarily Nellie glanced at it. The hands pointed to the hour of nine, and she felt that she and her sisters should be home. Jerry looked at his two companions.

"I guess we'd better not go," said Bob slowly.

"I hate to give it up, but maybe it will be for the best," added Ned. "I'm suspicious of him. Tell him we'll not go, Jerry."

"Very well."

Jerry stepped to the cabin door and slid it back. At the sound Blowitz came eagerly forward.

"Well?" he queried. "Are you going? Can you start at once'?"

"We have decided not to go," replied Jerry, slowly. "I— that is my chums and I— do not feel just right about it. It is not our boat, and—"

He hesitated, for he did not want to give the main reasons that had influenced him and his chums. But Blowitz did not give him a chance to continue.

"Not go!" the man fairly cried. "Why I'm surprised at you! You led me to believe, all along, that you would go. Here I've gone and wasted a lot of time on you, gone to a lot of trouble, made all my arrangements, expecting you would go, and—"

"We never gave you any reason to think we would go," declared Jerry very positively. "You are wrong, there, Mr. Blowitz. We only said we would consider it. We have done so, and have concluded not to go. I am sorry—"

"Sorry? You'll be sorrier than this before I'm through with you!" threatened the man. "You'll wish you had gone before very long, let me tell you. You've spoiled all my plans. I depended— Oh! I'll get even with you for this!" and the man, in a fury threw his cigar down on the rocks, whence it bounded up amid a shower of sparks. "You'll regret this!" he cried in angry tones, as he turned away and started off up the cliff, muttering to himself.

"You've made him mad," said Bob.

"Can't help it," replied Jerry. "I'm glad we are not going to have anything to do with him. I believe he is a dangerous person. Certainly he had no right to talk about us as he did."

"Oh, I'm so glad you're not going!" exclaimed Nellie, as she and her sisters came out of the cabin. "I was afraid you would give in when he got so angry. But let's get away from here. Somehow, I don't like this place. Besides we should have been home some time ago. Papa may have returned, and we always try to be in before ten o'clock. We'll hardly get home by that time now."

"Yes, we will," said Ned. "I'll send the Ripper along at a good clip."

He started the engine, and, as the boat swung out from beside the rock dock, the form of Blowitz could be seen going up the cliff in the moonlight. In less than an hour the boat was at San Felicity and the girls were put ashore. They found Ponto down at the dock to meet them.

"Massa Seabury done got worried after he got home," said the colored man, "an' he sent me to see if yo' was heah."

"Ponto," asked Jerry, "do you think you can take the young ladies safely home, without falling asleep?"

"Suttinly I can," Massa Jerry. "Fall asleep! I gess I doan't fall asleep at night. I'se only sleepy when de sun shines, I is."

"Then I guess you'll do all right. See that they get home safe."

"Why, aren't you boys coming too?" asked Nellie, in some surprise.

"Not now," replied Jerry.

"Why not?"

"I think we'll go back to the foot of the cliffs and see if we can't find the man to whom Blowitz was talking. I don't like the way he acted, for that certainly was a cry for help, and there may have been foul play!"

CHAPTER XXI

THE MAN ON THE ROCKS

JERRY'S announcement was news to his chums, for he had given them no hint of his intentions as the Ripper was nearing the boathouse.

"Do you mean you are going to hunt for that man on the rocks?" asked Ned.

"Yes, I think he fell; or was pushed over by Blowitz. There was no mistaking that call for help. Blowitz says it was he who called to us, but I know better. That was a cry of fear."

"Oh, don't get into any danger," cautioned Nellie. "Maybe you had better take Ponto with you. We're not afraid to go home alone. It's nice and bright, and there is no danger."

"Deed an' there be, Miss Nellie," interrupted Ponto, who did not relish going off on a strange hunt with the boys. "Some ob dem horned toads might git after yo', an' if Ponto wasn't along dey'd bite you. I shorely am gwine home wid yo'. Massa Seabury, he done 'specially stipulate it, an—"

"Yes, I guess Ponto had better go with you," said Jerry. "We can do better alone. It won't be the first time we've had a midnight hunt, though never before one just like this. We'll come back as soon as we can, and tell you all about it. We can make quick time in the boat."

"And, if you find the man?" asked Rose.

"If we do, and he needs help, we'll see that he gets it; I think if we do find him we'll learn more about Mr. Carson Blowitz than we know now."

"Shall I tell my father?" asked Nellie, as the boys were preparing to make the return trip. The dock was deserted, save for the young people and Ponto, but in the chocolate refreshment place, and other booths on shore there was plenty of life.

"I think it would be a good plan," agreed Jerry. "You know the whole story, about the brig and the offer Blowitz made. Tell Mr. Seabury that we would have consulted him before, only he was out when we got back this afternoon. Now, Ponto, lookout that no horned toads or web-footed lizards get the young ladies, and, above all, don't lie down alongside the road and take a nap."

"Hu! Guess I ain't gwine t' sleep when I's 'scortin my massa's daughters home," declared the colored man, rather indignant that such a slur should be cast on him.

"Don't worry," called Jerry, as the girls walked along the dock to shore. "We'll be back as soon as we can."

"Do you really think we'll find anything?" asked Ned of Jerry when they were some distance out, and speeding along toward where they had seen Blowitz and the other man on the cliff.

"I don't know," Jerry frankly admitted. "It looks suspicious, and the way Blowitz acted made it more so. Maybe the shadows deceived us, and the man did not fall, for the cloud over the moon made things black. But it will do no harm to take a look, and then we'll be satisfied."

"If we find him, what will we do with him?" asked Bob, who had a habit of looking ahead.

"Let's find him first," said Jerry. "Maybe it is some man who works for Blowitz, and who would not do just as his boss wanted him to. Blowitz can get angry very easily, as was proved by his actions when we refused to make that trip. Maybe he hit the man in a fit of passion, and the man cried out in surprise, and ran away."

The sky was more cloudy now, and the moon was oftener obscured by masses of dark vapor. Still, there was light enough for the boys to make out landmarks, and distinguish objects when they came near the low cliff, on which they had seen Blowitz and the other man.

"There's the place," called Ned suddenly, from his position near the wheel.

"That's right," admitted Jerry. "Better put us in near that rock where we talked to Blowitz. We can fasten the boat there and go ashore. There's no swell in here."

In a short time the three boys were on the rocky shore. Jerry carried a lantern and Ned had a coil of rope, as he thought if the man had fallen over a cliff, and was unable to help himself, they might need a line to hoist him up.

"Go easy now," cautioned Jerry, as they moved forward. "We don't want to send out notice that we have arrived. Blowitz may still be sneaking around."

As cautiously as possible they advanced. They found there was a rough path leading from the beach up the cliff, on top of which the two men had stood. With Jerry, holding the lantern to guide them, Ned and Bob followed. They paused now and then to listen, but the only sound they heard was caused by the waves of the Pacific breaking on the rocky shore, the rattle of the pebbles on the beach, and the soft swish of the seaweed.

"It was right over there that he seemed to fall," said Ned, pointing to indicate where he meant.

"That's where I made it out to be," agreed Jerry.

It was not easy walking, as the rocks were slippery, and some of them were thick with weeds, for, at very high water, they, were covered by the ocean. Several times Bob slipped and nearly fell.

"Look out," cautioned Jerry. "We don't want two wounded persons to look after."

They paused a moment to get their breath, after a stiff bit of climbing, and, as they stood there in the silence of the night, with the moon fitfully showing through the clouds, they suddenly heard a groan.

"What's that?" whispered Ned, tensely.

"It must be the man we're looking for," replied Jerry. "He's hurt. Where did the sound come from?"

Ned pointed to a dark spot at the foot of the cliff. The three boys hastened toward it, Jerry flashing his lantern.

When they got to the place they saw, lying huddled up on a bed of seaweed, the form of a man.

As the light flashed on him they noticed that there was blood on his pale face, and one arm was doubled up under him in a strange manner.

"He's dead!" whispered Bob softly,

"No; he's breathing," answered Jerry, as he bent over the man on the rocks. "Get me some water in your cap, Ned. I'll try to bring him to."

CHAPTER XXII

DE VERE'S STORY

NED ran down to the shore, slipping and stumbling over the rocks, and once falling and bruising himself considerably. But he did not mind this. He wanted to get the water, for it might save the man's life. It looked as if some crime had been attempted, and evidence pointed to Blowitz.

Making as quick progress on the return trip as the carrying of a cap full of sea water would permit, Ned held it so Jerry could sprinkle some drops on the man's face. He stirred and seemed to be murmuring something.

"We ought to have some fresh water for him to drink," said Bob. "I'll get some from the cooler on the boat."

Off he hurried, returning presently with a pitcherful of fresh water and a glass, and with this the man was given a drink, when Jerry held up his head.

The water seemed the very thing needed for the sufferer, as they could see by the light of the lantern, opened his eyes, and gazed wonderingly about him.

"What— where am I?" he asked, in a hoarse whisper.

"You're at the foot of the rocks— on the cliff near the ocean," said Jerry. "You had a fall. Are you badly hurt?"

The man groaned in reply. Then an angry, light shone in his eyes.

"No! I didn't fall!" he exclaimed. "I was shoved over the cliff. He wanted to get me out of the way so he could claim everything! He's a villain!"

"Who?" asked Ned quickly.

"Who? Who else but Carson Blowitz! I suppose he thinks I am dead, and he can have all that is on the ship! But I'll—"

The man stopped suddenly, and a spasm of pain passed over his face.

"What is it?" asked Jerry.

"My arm— Oh, I'm afraid it is broken!"

The boys remembered how the left arm of the man was doubled up under him in a peculiar manner. He had doubtless fallen on it.

"Wait a minute and we'll lift you up so that you will rest more comfortably," said Jerry, and, with the aid of his chums he made from their coats and some seaweed a rude sort of bed for the man.

There was no doubt that the stranger's left arm was broken. It hung limply down, and the least motion of it produced terrible pain. Fortunately the man did not again lose his senses, and he directed the boys how to bandage the arm close to his side, with their handkerchiefs tied together, so that the injured member would not swing about, and further splinter the broken bones.

"Do you think you can walk down to our boat?" asked Jerry. "We can take you to a doctor, for I think you need one."

"Need one? I should say I did," replied the man. "It is a wonder I was not killed by that fall. I'm afraid my ankle is sprained, but, after I rest a bit, and get over this dizzy feeling, I'll try to walk to the boat. It's lucky you boys happened to come along, just when you did."

"We didn't 'happen' to come along," said Jerry. "We were looking for you."

"Looking for me'?"

"Yes, we saw you and Blowitz talking on the cliffs in the moonlight, and then we saw you disappear. We thought it was queer at the time," and Jerry related the subsequent events.

"I'm glad you witnessed that," said the man, when Jerry had finished. "This will be additional evidence against that scoundrel who intends to rob me, and who tried to get me out of his way. However my time of reckoning will come. But would you mind telling me your names?"

Jerry introduced himself and his companions, briefly, telling the reasons for their presence in California.

"My name is De Vere," said the man. "Maurice De Vere. I was in partnership with Blowitz, in several ventures, including the one in which a brig named the Rockhaven is concerned."

"Are you interested in that?" asked Jerry eagerly. "Why that is the derelict Blowitz wanted us to go in search of in the motor boat."

"He did? Now I understand why he wanted to get me out of the way!" cried Maurice De Vere, quickly. "He was afraid I would meet you boys."

"Yes, and that's why he was in such a hurry for us to start," added Ned, and they told of their dealings with Blowitz, and his anger at their refusal to take part in his schemes.

"I can't be thankful enough to you boys," said the wounded man. "I don't know what would have become of me if you hadn't happened to have seen Blowitz push me from the cliff. I— I wish—"

Mr. De Vere seemed overcome by a sudden weakness, and fell back on the pile of coats and seaweed.

"We had better get him to a doctor," said Ned. "He may be more injured than we suppose."

"I— I'll be all right in a little while— that is all but my arm," said the injured man faintly. "It was just a little weakness. If you will give me some more water—"

They gave him some and he seemed to feel better after that. Then he tried to rise, but he had to fall back again.

"My ankle— I think it's sprained," he said.

"Then let us carry you to the boat," suggested Jerry.

"I'm afraid you can't."

"Well, we can try."

They did, but it was hard work. By dint of carefully picking their steps over the rocks, however, the three boys finally managed to get Mr. De Vere into the cabin of the Ripper, where they made him comfortable on the cushions.

"Now speed her up for the doctor's," said Jerry to Ned, who had taken charge of the engine. "That is if you know where to find one."

"There is a physician whom I know, not far from the main wharf at San Felicity," said Maurice De Vere. "If you run the boat there I can get into a carriage and drive right to his house. Then after he has set my arm, I should like to tell you my story. That is, if you care to listen."

"We certainly do," said Jerry. "We will be very glad to help you in any way that we can."

"Will you?" asked the man eagerly. "Then, perhaps, I can get ahead of Blowitz after all."

Quick time was made to the dock, and, though it was quite late, the boys found several public hackmen on hand. Mr. De Vere was put in one of the vehicles and driven to the doctor's office, whither, after they had secured their boat, the boys followed.

It took a little time to set the broken arm, and, after some restoratives had been administered, and the sprained ankle, bandaged (though that hurt was not as severe as at first supposed) Mr. De Vere received the boys in his room, which his friend, the physician had provided.

"I do not want to detain you boys too long," he said, "and it is not necessary to go into all the details of my story now. I will tell you a little of it, and then I have a request to make of you. I have been making plans while the doctor was working over me. It helped me to forget the pain."

"We'll do anything we can for you," promised Jerry, and the other boys nodded in assent.

"Well, Blowitz and I have been associated in many enterprises," said Mr. De Vere, "but, of late, I have had my suspicions of him. I began to fear he was trying to get the best of me, so that he would control all the interests. Now I am sure of it.

"We went equal shares in loading the brig Rockhaven with valuable merchandise, for trade among the Santa Barbara Islands. There was also, aboard the brig, some valuable papers, and a considerable sum in gold, that was to go to a client of ours. After the ship was loaded I learned that Blowitz sent some mysterious boxes aboard. They came from Boston, I understand. I—"

"Those are the boxes we saw in Cresville!" exclaimed Bob.

"What's that?" asked Mr. De Vere, and the boys explained the curious actions of Blowitz in connection with the boxes.

"Very likely they were the same," said Mr. De Vere. "What they contained I do not know, but I—"

"Excuse me for interrupting you," said Jerry, "but I think at least one of the boxes contained something poisonous," and he related how the dog, in the Cresville freight station, had been affected by smelling at the broken package.

"That's it!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. De Vere, after a moment's thought. "I see it all now. I can understand his actions. But I will explain later, for I want to be very sure of my facts. At any rate, not to burden you with too many details, after the brig had sailed, Blowitz wanted to purchase my interest in her. As he offered me a large sum I consented, and I transferred all my rights to him.

"As soon as I had done so he left town, and then I learned that he had cheated me, for he had pretended to give me certain property for my share in the ship, and this property he gave me was utterly worthless. I then considered the deal off, and I knew that I still had a right to my half of the ship and the cargo. But, more than this, I also learned that Blowitz had cheated me in another way, by taking property and money that belonged to me. I consulted my lawyers, and they told me I had a right to the entire ship Rockhaven and all that it contained. I am the sole owner, and Blowitz has no right to the brig nor anything on it. It is all mine, though he is trying to get it.

"This all happened before the brig was abandoned and became a derelict, but I can't understand how that happened, as she was a very stout vessel, though small. There has been no collision, as far as I can learn. It is all something of a mystery, but I am going to solve it. As soon as I learned what a scoundrel Blowitz was, and of the wrecking of the brig, or, at least, the reported wrecking of it, I came here for further news.

"When I met Blowitz I accused him of cheating me, and I claimed the brig, when she should be found. He wanted to argue with me, and talked of seeing lawyers, but I knew I was right. Then he asked me to meet him on the clips to-night, to talk matters over. He said we might get some news of the ship from the captain of a fishing smack.