Part 4 (2/2)

”I don't see any boat down there, if he is,” rejoined Jack in low tones.

Suddenly a sharp, low exclamation came from Noddy, who had been looking out over the lake.

He caught Jack's arm and pointed.

”Look, boys, a yacht!” he breathed.

”Heading in this way, too,” rejoined Jack. ”It looks like--but no, it cannot be.”

”Cannot be what?” asked Billy, caught by something in his companion's voice.

”Cannot be the _Speedaway_.”

”Judson's craft, the one that ran us down? Nonsense, you've got Judson on the brain, Jack.”

”Have I? Well, it's an odd coincidence, then, that the yacht yonder has a tear in her foresail exactly where our bowsprit tore the _Speedaway's_ jib this afternoon.”

”By hookey, you're right, Jack!” cried Noddy. ”There may be more to this than we think.”

Billy was peering from behind a bush over the edge of the cliff, which was not very high.

He could see below, the dark figure of a man making a black patch in the gloom upon the white beach. He was moving about and pacing nervously to and fro on the s.h.i.+ngle as if awaiting something or somebody.

Suddenly he made a swift move.

”He's waving his handkerchief,” whispered Billy to the others, as he saw the man make a signal with a square of white linen.

”To that yacht, I'll bet a cookie,” exclaimed Noddy.

As if in answer to his words there suddenly showed, on the yacht, a red lantern, as if a scarlet eye had suddenly opened across the dark water.

CHAPTER VI.

IN THE DARK.

”Something's in the wind sure enough,” said Jack. ”Hark, there's the plash of oars. They must be going to land here.”

From below there came a man's voice.

”Right here, Judson; here's the landing place. Are you alone?”

”No, my son is with me,” came the reply, ”but for heaven's sake, man, not so loud.”

”There's no one within half a mile of this place. I came down through the grounds and they were deserted.”

”Humph, but still it's as well to be careful. One never knows what spies are about,” came the reply.

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