The Go Ahead Boys on Smugglers' Island Part 39

"Look yonder," said John grasping his friend by the arm and pointing toward the sh.o.r.e. "There are George and Grant and they are both coming here."

"The more the merrier," laughed Fred, relieved by the sight of his friends. "There will be less danger now than there was before. That man Halsey is desperate. What have you done with the box?"

"I have got it here under my sweater," answered John in a low voice.

"Does it show?"

"Not much. I don't believe I should notice it unless I was looking for it."

At that moment Mr. b.u.t.ton appeared in the doorway of the kitchen and said, "Come into the house, boys."

"Wait a minute, Mr. b.u.t.ton," called John. "Come out here a minute."

The man glanced hastily behind him and then turned quickly around the corner of the house. John at once joined him and in a low voice said, "We got the box."

"Where is it?" whispered Mr. b.u.t.ton.

"Under my sweater."

"Let me see it."

Standing directly in the way so that no one coming from the house could see him, Mr. b.u.t.ton glanced quickly at the box and then said, "Keep it, John, and don't let any one see it and guard it as if your life depended upon it."

"Is that the box you were looking for?" whispered John.

"Yes. Now we'll go into the house, or at least I shall. Perhaps you had better stay here with Fred until I call you or come out."

George and Grant now had arrived, and laughingly the former said, "What's the matter with you fellows? You're all covered with dust and dirt."

"Maybe you would be if you had been where we have."

"Where have you been?"

John was unable to explain, however, for at that moment both Mr. b.u.t.ton and Mr. Halsey together came out of the house. The appearance of the latter indicated that he was not so much angry as crestfallen and perhaps alarmed as well. Mr. b.u.t.ton, however, was quiet in his manner and as he glanced at the boys his confidence and pride were instantly manifest.

Rufus too came and joined the group and whispering to Fred said, "I want to go with you when you leave."

"What's the matter, Rufus?" laughed Fred.

"I don't want to stay here after you go. There's something happened."

"What has happened?"

"I can't tell you."

"Well, I'll back you up, Rufus. I know you didn't take it."

For a moment the jaw of the ungainly man dropped and he stared blankly at the boy. "What do you know about it?" he said at last.

"Not very much," laughed Fred. "If you want to go with us I'll see if Mr.

b.u.t.ton is willing."

The consent was readily obtained and in a brief time the party which now consisted of six started toward the sh.o.r.e where their motor-boats were waiting for their coming.

It was not long before all were on board, Rufus insisting upon taking his place with Fred and John. It was on the same boat also that Mr. b.u.t.ton sailed.

For a time, until the sh.o.r.es of c.o.c.kburn Island could no longer be seen, silence rested upon the party. No one appeared about the house as they looked back at the island from which they had come. Not even the dogs now could be seen.

It was then that Mr. b.u.t.ton turning to the boys said, "I fancy you boys are anxious to know what all this means."

"Yes, we are," said Fred quickly. "We know a little, but not very much about it."

"This man," explained Mr. b.u.t.ton, "is one of the most expert smugglers of diamonds in America. Sometimes he comes to New York, sometimes to Boston and then again he lands at New Orleans or Baltimore."

"Why hasn't he ever been caught?" inquired John.

"He was caught once and brought to trial, but on some technicality he went free. I had word that he was trying a new tack. Several times he has landed at Montreal and then coming up the river has made his way across the border hereabouts and taken his goods either to Chicago or Buffalo.

But we have run the rascal down at last."

"But you haven't got him," protested Fred.

"That's true. I couldn't take him on Canadian soil without extradition papers. I have his diamonds, however, and he prefers to give them up rather than take any chances of being arrested and handed over to our government."

"It's a strange way to smuggle," said John thoughtfully.

"All smugglers are strange. I have been in the employ of the government a good many years and I never have found one that wasn't 'strange.'"

"What do you suppose those diamonds are worth?" inquired Fred.

"According to the word we have received," replied Mr. b.u.t.ton, "there are diamonds in that box valued at from $10,000 to $15,000."

"Whew!" said John. "I guess I will hand it over to you right away. You had better take it," he said as he drew the box from its hiding place and handed it to the Government Agent.

"I want to thank you boys for the part you have taken," continued Mr.

b.u.t.ton, "and I shall not forget about other rewards. I think the first real evidence I had came when the clerk at the hotel by mistake gave you my letter. Why did you write those letters!" he added turning abruptly upon Rufus, as he spoke.

"What letters?" demanded Rufus.

"About the smuggler."

For a moment the ungainly man appeared to be somewhat confused; then, rising from his seat and throwing back his shoulders, he said proudly, "I could not leave those diamonds on my conscience. I had to tell you about it."

"I wonder if that is the real reason. Did you get all the pay that Mr.

Halsey promised you?"

"Not yet," said Rufus, "but I will have it pretty soon. What are you laughing at!" he demanded abruptly as he turned toward the boys who were all manifestly enjoying the scene.

"We're laughing to think that Halsey gave up his goods rather than take a chance of an arrest. Of course he did not know that we had them. By the way, Mr. b.u.t.ton, do you think it is right for us to take them?"