Part 27 (1/2)

”Oh, nothing, sirs; I request that you belief have.”

”Well, there are some mighty strange things going on in this vicinity.

One of our number has mysteriously disappeared-before our eyes, you might say. Don't you think you could make a pretty good guess as to what has become of him?”

”Don't me ask, sirs,” replied Hoki. ”See, I prostrate my bended knees on the carpet you before that you believe me when I say I nothing know.”

The j.a.p spoke earnestly, as he fell into a kneeling posture in front of Chot.

”Get up, Hoki,” commanded Chot. ”There is no need to kneel. We'll take your word for it.”

But it was easily apparent that Hoki knew more than he would tell. He was afraid, no doubt, of Mr. Lawrence. Beg and plead with him as they might during the rest of the evening, he maintained the strictest secrecy. Anything he knew of the lodge-anything of the mysterious happenings of the previous day and night-would remain locked within his breast. Hoki was at least faithful to his master, and the boys admired him for it.

”Well, we won't ask you anything more, Hoki,” said Chot, finally.

”I thanks make, sir.”

”But you must stand watch with me till midnight.”

”Oh, no, sir; I protest that-”

”Protesting will do no good. If we agree not to question you, you must, in turn, agree to aid us all you can without betraying your master.”

The j.a.p said nothing more, but wandered around with a scared look on his face. From the top to the bottom of the house, he went, now pacing restlessly up and down the big hall, now climbing the stairs to the upper floor, then down again and on to the verandah.

”I'm afraid Hoki will bear watching,” said Chot, who had been observing his movements.

”I don't believe he'd attempt any violence,” said Tom.

”No; on the contrary, I believe he likes us and would be glad to help us. But something frightens him and makes him hold his tongue. Mr.

Lawrence, for instance, may have sworn him to secrecy on some sacred j.a.panese oath, which Hoki would rather die than break. I have heard of such things.”

”If he'd only tell us what he knows of Bert's disappearance, I wouldn't ask him a thing about his master,” said Fleet.

”No; I'd be willing to take Bert and quit the lodge,” said Pod.

”Not I,” said Chot ”This mystery has aroused my curiosity, and I mean to see the bottom of it before I stir off the island. No matter how strange things may seem, there is a plausible explanation for everything and we've got to find it.”

”Chot is right,” said Truem; ”there's nothing supernatural about this.

Someone is working a mighty clever scheme-that's all. I, like Chot, want to get at the bottom of it.”

”And I,” said Tom.

”Oh, you fellows needn't think Pod and I are going to leave you in the lurch,” said Fleet. ”We're in the thing till the finish, even if it's our finish too.”

”We know that,” said Chot. ”You fellows who are to stand the later watches had better get some sleep. It's nine-thirty. I'll corral Hoki and try and cure him of his nervousness. Then I'll put out the lights and see if I can discover any deep, dark mysteries!”

Pod shuddered slightly at Chot's words, but Chot laughed.