Part 32 (2/2)

the officer went on, extending his hand. ”We have been trying to trace to their hiding place a band of smugglers. We have every reason to believe that this Mr. Lawrence is the leader of the band. Have there been any unusual happenings since your arrival?”

”There has been nothing else,” Chot replied, smiling. ”As for the smugglers, we have captured the entire band with the exception of Mr.

Lawrence, and we were getting ready to take him, too, believing at first that this was his boat.”

Of course, Lieutenant Winters wanted the details, and Chot related their adventures from the moment they met Mr. Lawrence until the release of Bert Creighton from the smugglers' lair the previous night.

”And you have these men safe in the cellar?” asked Lieutenant Winters, a merry twinkle in his eyes.

”Yes, sir.”

”Then I don't see much use of Uncle Sam keeping his officers in the St.

Lawrence. You have done your country a n.o.ble service, boys, and one which will not be forgotten.”

”We have simply tried to do our duty as citizens,” returned Chot, earnestly.

”And you have more than succeeded. Now, let me see the captives.”

The boys led the way to the lodge, Lieutenant Winters following with two of his men.

Down into the bas.e.m.e.nt they went where Bert sat with a revolver, guarding the prisoners.

”H'm! A bunch of beauties,” was Lieutenant Winter's comment. ”There is 'Dandy d.i.c.k' Short, whom we have been wanting for some time, who was formerly a notorious smuggler on the gulf coast; and Larry Nexton, and Bill Gerry, and Flitty Gray, and, who's this-oh, yes, and Joe Silverton.

Why, these are all old friends, boys-and old hands at the smuggling business. They have been trying to elude our clutches for a long time.”

”And it looks like we succeeded pretty well,” said Dandy d.i.c.k Short, the leader of the band. A sneer curled his lip. ”It was left to a bunch of kids to catch us when we were not looking.”

”Then all credit to the 'kids,' as you call them,” said Lieutenant Winters, warmly. ”The result has been accomplished, and I think I am safe in saying that you won't do any more smuggling for some years to come. How long have you been working for Lawrence?”

The men looked at each other, but said nothing.

”Don't want to squeal on him, eh? Oh, that's all right. I'm glad to see that there is still some honor among thieves. We'll get him, all right.

He knows nothing of what's happened here, and when he returns he'll find a little surprise waiting for him.”

Still the men said nothing.

”That's all right, boys, just hold your tongues.” The lieutenant turned to Chot. ”I'll leave my two men to take charge of these fellows. We're going to stay at the lodge until Lawrence returns.”

”That suits us,” said Chot. ”We'll all wait, and if we boys can render any further a.s.sistance, just command us.”

The two men from the revenue boat were placed as guards over the prisoners, thus relieving the boys of all responsibility in this regard.

Lieutenant Winters took up his abode at the lodge, sending the motor-boat around to the east end of the island, where, in a little cove, she was concealed from view from the north island, as well as the approaches from the west and south, by one of which routes Mr. Lawrence would be sure to come on his return to the island.

”Lawrence will no doubt come as he went, in the night,” said Lieutenant Winters, ”so we had best arrange a watch.”

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