l of German sympathizers--and they can reach it
the way they're going. All they need to do is to keep right on around
this island. That will take them to Newark Bay. I wonder if that
isn't what they're up to, anyway?"

Willie went over to the mantel and brought a large map that showed all
the waters of the region. He spread it out on the table and the group
gathered around it, shoulders together, heads bent low.

"They might be making for Raritan Bay or Jamaica Bay," suggested Henry.

"Yes," replied Captain Hardy, "but I don't think it likely. Quite
evidently they fear pursuit, and they will know that they are safest
where boats are most numerous. And I should think that would be in
Newark Bay, although I don't really know."

"They could coast along the shores of New Jersey," said Henry, "or of
Long Island. What would they be most likely to do?"

"Ah!" replied Captain Hardy. "That's the very question. You know what
Sherlock Holmes used to say: 'Eliminate the impossible, and whatever
remains, no matter how improbable, is the truth.' I think that we can
eliminate the possibility of their going to sea. That is practically
impossible--unless--unless--there's a ship out there waiting for them.
If this were England instead of America, I'd say that's exactly what
was afoot: that there was a German boat somewhere offshore waiting for
them. But the possibility of there being such a ship here is so remote
that we can dismiss it."

"If they aren't going offshore, where are they going?" demanded Lew.

Everybody laughed. "That's what we've got to find out," replied
Captain Hardy.

"I don't see how," said Lew hopelessly.

"No more do I," rejoined their leader, "but we'll have to start with
what clues we have and try to follow them. All we know is that this
motor-boat is outward bound through the Narrows and presumably is going
to be at the Balaklavan rendezvous at nine o'clock."

"I wish we had a Light Brigade to send after them," sighed Henry, and
as the others laughed, he began to quote what he remembered of
Tennyson's lines that have made the name of Balaklava immortal:

"'Into the jaws of death,
Into the mouth of hell
Rode the six hundred.'"

Long ago dusk had come. The lights were lighted and the little group
of scouts still clustered about their maps, searching vainly for a
clue. Their hostess came to call them to dinner.

"I am sorry," said Captain Hardy apologetically, "but we are at