Part 23 (1/2)

”All right, then, let e quartet, whose self-confidence and courage seemed to be on the increase ”Do you see that stake there?”--indicating the visible end of a piece of wood siround at a point midway between the two hostile conferees

”I see it very plainly,” Mr Baker replied

”Do you knohat it norance”

”Well, I have a surprise for you There are other stakes driven about a hundred feet apart clear across this island east and west That is the dividing line between the United States and Canada You are a Canadian, ain't you?”

”I am”

”Well, that line there means that you are now in Canada and we are in the United States If you co the United States If you shoot at us, you are shooting across the border line at citizens of the United States I defy you to commit any such act”

Mr Baker was ”alument, and for several ent reply Cub also was nonplused at the ”international situation” However, the ludicrous element of the affair did not escape the heated rejoinder at the spokesman of the unfriendly four:

”Now, see here,to listen to this nonsense any longer My son has been kidnapped by you scoundrels, and I aht now I aers at international lines, if what you say is the truth I don't care to dispute your word on so fli to ot to stay here a prisoner until those boys are returned to us I'm in dead earnest, believe me If you try to escape, I'll shoot, and if necessary, I'll shoot to kill Now you coht over here into Canada as quick as ever you kno, for if you don't, in a very few seconds I'ood shot and o and as soon as they bring back those threeinto Canada Hurry up, I' to count ten, and if you're still over there in the United States conta the soil and atmosphere of Uncle Sa to begin to shoot If I have to bring you over into Canada, you'll coin to count--one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight--”

The brave spokesman of the unwelcome visitors collapsed at Number 8 and shuffled rapidly toward the counter with the automatic pistol His three coerness commensurate with his panic, broke into a run and soon disappeared in the thicket at the rear of the camp

”You'd better call after your friends and re those boys back or your fate hangs by a thread,” Mr

Baker advised as he proceeded to exaerous weapons

But the prisoner was either too sullen or toothe exercise of wits He merely obeyed clear-cut orders and turned a deaf ear to all other utterances on the part of his captors

”We'd better secure hiested ”There are soet thely he went into the tent and a moment later reappeared with two pieces of rope, the strands of which he unplaited and knotted together, end to end, and then tested the knots by straining them across his knee

”Noe're ready,” he said, addressing the prisoner ”Turn around and put your hands together behind you There, that's right I'll try not to be too cruel, but I ht Holler if it tortures you, but I e as to whether you can stand it

There, you won't be able to do any o into the tent and take care of your lower extremities, as you knoe couldn't afford to let you walk away We have to hold you for ransom, you know, and the ransom is three healthy, uninjured boys”

The prisoner obeyed without a word, and a few s also securely bound

”Now, I'll proceed to report developments to our radio friend at Rockport,” Cub announced as he and Mr Baker caain

With these words he sat down at the table, donned the phone headpiece and began to work the key He had no difficulty in getting into coave him a detailed account of what had taken place since his last report of earlier developments

”My father is on the way alone in the Catwhisker, bound for Rockport,”

the boy added after finishi+ng his account of the dispute with the professed owners of the island ”Can you get word to him of what has happened? Tell him to come back with a few armed men as soon as possible”

”I will run down to the docks and ”

That ended their code conversation for the ti, and Max started at a brisk pace for the municipal docks

Meanwhile, Mr Baker and Cub kept an alert watch over their prisoner and the caainst a surprise, for they were not uner of an attempt on the part of the three departed visitors to overthrow the advantage the h the instruerous weapons But soon they found ti heavily on their hands, so that it is no wonder that before long they began to cast about theree of hopefulness of their situation