The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers' Island Part 36

"I'm not sure--yet."

"Are you going to find out?"

"That's one of the things that brought me to Mackinac Island."

"But the boys say," suggested Fred, "that you haven't any right to search his property over there. He's in Canada and you belong to the United States."

"I surely do," responded Mr. b.u.t.ton smilingly, "but it is possible that I may try to make a few investigations, not as an officer, but simply to satisfy my personal curiosity."

"What are you going to do?" inquired Fred impulsively.

Mr. b.u.t.ton laughed again and after a brief silence said, "Why not?

Perhaps I can make use of your help. I don't mind telling you, now that you know so much, that I expect to go over to c.o.c.kburn Island to-morrow.

Furthermore I expect to make some investigations there. It may be that I might take two of you boys with me, though they used to tell me when I was a youngster that one boy is a boy and two boys is a half a boy."

"Which two will you take?" demanded Fred excitedly.

"I have no preference. In fact I may be wrong in allowing any of you to go. If either of those huge dogs should attack you there would surely be trouble. Besides, the little j.a.panese cannot be ignored. And then too, the smuggler himself, if he is caught on the ground, or finds we are making our own investigations, may make more trouble than all the rest put together."

"What's the reason," spoke up George excitedly, "that Grant and I can't take another motor-boat and go over there near the channel and spend the day fishing? You see we would be within easy calling if you need us and the fact that we were there might help to explain why Fred and John were on the island."

"There wouldn't be very much for you to do," suggested Mr. b.u.t.ton.

"It will be enough for us if we can just go ahead," said Grant.

So eager were the boys and so intense was their desire to join in the expedition of the morrow that at last Mr. b.u.t.ton somewhat reluctantly gave his consent, explaining that if there should be any real danger he would insist upon the boys at once withdrawing in their motor-boats across the American border.

"We must start to-morrow morning," explained Mr. b.u.t.ton, "by four o'clock at the latest."

"We'll be ready," declared Fred confidently.

"Then, all of you boys better turn in now," said Mr. b.u.t.ton as he arose and departed from the room.

True to their promise all four boys were on the dock before four o'clock the following morning.

"I think we are going to have a good day," said Mr. b.u.t.ton to Fred and John as soon as their motor-boat was free.

"It looks so," said John as he glanced toward the eastern sky.

"I don't mean the weather alone," explained Mr. b.u.t.ton, "but I feel quite sure that Halsey will not be on c.o.c.kburn Island to-day."

"How do you know? What makes you think so?" demanded Fred quickly.

Mr. b.u.t.ton smiled, but did not explain his reasons for the opinion which he held. Indeed, conversation lagged and every one in the motor-boat apparently was busy with his own thoughts.

The boat which George and Grant had secured manifestly was much slower, for it soon was left behind and had not been seen again when about ten o'clock in the morning the party drew near the sh.o.r.es of c.o.c.kburn Island.

"The first thing," explained Mr. b.u.t.ton, "I want you to do is to stay on board this motor-boat while I go up to the house."

"But you may need us," suggested John.

"If I do I shall let you know," laughed Mr. b.u.t.ton.

As soon as the boat came to anchor, taking the little skiff which the motor-boat had in tow, Mr. b.u.t.ton alone rowed quickly to the sh.o.r.e and soon was on his way toward the little house in the distance.

CHAPTER XXV A SMALL BOX

The feeling of keen excitement, soon after the departure of Mr. b.u.t.ton returned in full force to the waiting boys. And what a sharp contrast it presented to the scene all about them! The waters of the lake were so smooth that an occasional gentle breeze ruffled the surface only in spots. There was scarcely a cloud to be seen in the summer sky. The shadows of the rocks and trees along the sh.o.r.e were so clearly reflected in the lake that the boys were reminded of the clearness of the water along the sh.o.r.es of Mackinac Island. Far away the motor-boat in which George and Grant were approaching now could be seen. Whenever the two boys looked toward the house in the distance they were again impressed by the almost unnatural quietness of the summer day. Not a person was to be seen near the building and the silence was broken only by the noisy flying gra.s.shoppers near the sh.o.r.e.

"Suppose this is all a false alarm," suggested John at last breaking in upon the silence.

"What do you mean?"

"Why, I mean suppose that there's nothing in this. Suppose the whole thing is a wild goose chase."

"Do you mean that Mr. b.u.t.ton may not be what he says he is?"

"Oh, I don't know that I mean that," rejoined John, "but somehow it seems so unreal. It doesn't seem possible that men really should be trying to break the laws and smuggle goods across the border here when everything is so quiet and peaceful on every side."

"Look yonder!" suddenly exclaimed Fred, pointing as he spoke to a man who could be seen walking rapidly toward the sh.o.r.e. He was coming from the house and it was quickly manifest that it was Mr. b.u.t.ton himself who was returning. He was alone and as the boys watched his rapid approach their feeling of excitement quickly returned.

As soon as Mr. b.u.t.ton arrived it was manifest to both Fred and John that he too had been strongly aroused. His eyes were shining and though his manner was quiet it was plain that he was highly elated over some discovery he had made.

As soon as he was on board the motor-boat he said, "The little j.a.p has taken two of the dogs and gone away."

"Gone for good?" demanded John.

"No. The woman says he has gone out to exercise them and that he is usually gone an hour at least. Now is the time when you boys can help me if you really want to."

"We do," said Fred eagerly. "We'll go ahead the minute you say so."

"That's very good. What I want you to do is just this,--while these dogs are away I'll go into the house and keep the attention of the woman there."

"What about the third dog?" demanded Fred.

"I think I can manage that, too. Now, while I'm in the house I want you somehow to get into the barn. There's a small box about six inches square. It is a wooden box, not very heavy and hidden somewhere in that place. I am sure your eyes are keener than mine and you'll be more likely to find it. If you get that box, almost all the difficulties will be cleared away."

"What's in the box?" inquired Fred.

"You do not need to know that now. Perhaps I'll tell you later. I haven't any idea where the box is hidden, but I am sure it is somewhere in that little barn. You won't have very long for your search. I might say too that even if you do not find the box, if you come across anything that is suspicious or that might contain valuables, I wish you would bring it away with you."

"Shall we look under the floor?" inquired Fred quickly.

"Yes, look under the floor. Anywhere and everywhere. Work as fast as you are able, but don't forget that in about an hour the j.a.p will come back with those two Great Danes."