ed, but I didn't find anyone."

"Find who?" Ted inquired.

"The tramps, or the ragged man you and Jan saw," answered his
grandfather. "I have been looking about the island, but I could not find
any of the ragged men, for I think there was more than one. So I guess
they've gone, and we needn't think anything more about them."

"Did you see the blue light?" asked Ted.

"No, I didn't see that, either. I guess it wouldn't show in the daytime.
But don't worry. Just have all the fun you can in camp. We can't stay
here very much longer."

"Oh, do we have to go home?" cried the Curlytops, sorrowfully.

"Well, we can't stay here much longer," said Mother Martin. "In another
month the weather will be too cold for living in a tent. Besides daddy
will want us back, and grandpa has to gather in his farm crops for the
winter. So have fun while you can."

"Isn't daddy coming here?" asked Jan.

"Yes, he'll be here next week to stay several days with us. Then he has
to go back to the store."

The Curlytops had great fun when Daddy Martin came. They showed him all
over the island--the cave, the place where Nicknack nearly ate up the
bower-tent, the place where Ted saw the muskrat, and they even wanted
him to go riding in the box-boats.

"Oh, I'm afraid I'm too big!" laughed Daddy Martin. "Besides, I'd be
afraid if a mud turtle pulled me along."

"Oh, Daddy Martin! you would not!" laughed Janet.

And so the happy days went by, until Mr. Martin had to leave Star Island
to go back to his business. He promised to pay another visit, though,
before the camp was ended.

Several times, before and after Daddy Martin's visit, Ted and Jan talked
about the queer ragged man they had seen, and about the blue light and
the cave.

"I wonder if we'll ever find out what it all means," said Jan. "It's
like a story-book, isn't it, Ted?"

"A little, yes. But grandpa says not to be scared so I'm not."

"I'm not, either. But what do you s'pose that ragged man is looking for,
and who is the professor?"

Teddy did not know, and said so. Then, when he and Jan got back to the
tent, having been out with Trouble for a ride in the goat-cart, they
found good news awaiting them.

"Here is a letter from Hal Chester, the little boy who used to be lame,"
said Mrs. Martin, for grandpa had come in, bringing the mail from the
mainland post-office.

"Oh, can he come to pay us a visit?" asked Ted. His mother had allowed
him to invite Hal.

"Yes, that