Part 29 (1/2)

Tom, Fleet and Pod were to keep watch in the bas.e.m.e.nt of the lodge, also heavily armed, prepared to take the smugglers by surprise should they reveal their mode of entrance.

While this was taking place Chot and Hoki were to go in Fleet's big canoe to the north island, there to find and liberate Bert, overpowering his guards if need be, and returning to the lodge in time to be of a.s.sistance to Truem or the boys in the bas.e.m.e.nt, as the exigencies of the case might demand.

Every boy was determined, knowing that if he did his share the smugglers would be captured. Then there would be but two things left to do to make the job complete-the notifying of the United States authorities, and the capture of Mr. Lawrence on his return to the lodge.

What bothered the boys was the fact that Mr. Lawrence had taken them into the lodge and left them in charge during his absence. They could find no plausible reason for his action, but felt that this, like everything else connected with the plans of the smugglers, would be revealed in time.

So, with their plans thoroughly mapped out, the boys took turns sleeping through the afternoon and early evening, and at night prepared to play their respective parts in the little drama should the smugglers again enter the secret pa.s.sage leading to the lodge.

CHAPTER XX-A CAPTURE

Though the boys kept a vigilant watch all through the night, nothing occurred to disturb the tranquility of Winnsocket Lodge. Truem sat on the sh.o.r.e, hoping the smugglers would enter the secret pa.s.sage, but not a boat of any description came near the island. He felt at times an almost uncontrollable desire to search for the pa.s.sage anyway, as that sh.o.r.e of the island was covered with rocks and trailing vines, any of which might hide the entrance. But to successfully prosecute his search he would need a light, and this might arouse the suspicion of the smugglers.

In the meantime, Tom, Pod and Fleet sat on the bas.e.m.e.nt steps, waiting a signal from Truem that the men were in the pa.s.sage, or another message from Bert through the speaking tube. Bert, however, was being kept away from the tube, they felt sure, and would find no way of communicating with his chums again.

Chot and Hoki sat on the broad verandah, ready to dash at a moment's notice down to the river's edge, and enter Fleet's canoe.

In this way the night was pa.s.sed. Hoki served breakfast at sun-up, and again the boys took turns sleeping, with a cold plunge in the bath-tub on awaking. By night they were in fine fettle again, and felt no effects from the loss of sleep the night before.

The same plan was followed again, the lights being extinguished early in the evening, the boys a.s.suming the same positions, except that Pod was stationed at a small window in the back hall, looking out toward where Truem was keeping watch on the sh.o.r.e, as well as toward the north island.

About eleven-thirty Pod heard the soft splash of oars, mingled with the sound of voices, wafted indistinctly to him over the water.

”I think they're coming fellows!” he cried, das.h.i.+ng back to the stairway on which sat Tom and Fleet.

”What makes you think so?” queried Tom.

”I can hear voices and the splash of oars.”

”Well, tell Chot and Hoki, then come back here with us.”

Pod sprang to obey, and a moment later Chot and the j.a.p were moving silently down the slope toward the water's edge.

”We'll work silently around the end of the island, and may have an opportunity to help Truem,” said Chot, in a whisper, and Hoki gave his hand a squeeze to signify that he understood.

In the meantime, let us see what Truem was doing. He had heard the first faint splash of oars, and he crouched low behind some shrubbery, trying to make out the form of the boat, which he knew was heading straight for Winnsocket Lodge. The splash of oars became louder, and voices more distinct, but as yet he could make out nothing in the darkness.

Finally, however, a dark object came indistinctly before his vision, and soon he could make out the outline of a big rowboat, moving almost directly toward him. As near as he could judge the boat had three occupants, but this was merely guesswork on his part, because in the uncertainty of the darkness, he saw at times more, and at times less.

But a few minutes elapsed before the boat was drawn up against the bank.

Then Truem saw the forms of four men leap out. One of them held a painter with which he made the boat fast to a stake.

The smugglers stood talking in low tones for the s.p.a.ce of a minute, though to the excited Truem it seemed a great deal longer. Then they moved up the sh.o.r.e a few yards, and disappeared, one after the other, behind two large rocks which were practically covered with shrubbery.

Just at this moment the canoe containing Chot and Hoki came softly around the end of the island. For a moment Truem was uncertain as to whether the new arrivals were friends or enemies. Then he recognized the outlines of Fleet's canoe, and a feeling of relief swept over him.

”s.h.!.+” he called, in a low tone, as the canoe came up to the bank.