to grab your Osage princess."

"But more than that," said Ruth much worried now, "he may have so many
friends on the Canadian side that he can trace Wonota and her father over
there on Grenadier Island."

"Better warn Mr. Hammond when he comes back from town," suggested her
friend. "That Bilby seems to be universally troublesome. I'll say he is!"

They kept quiet after that, for the outline of the rocky island, with the
blasted beech visible at its summit, came into view. Nothing stirred upon
the island, nor was there any other boat in sight.

"Had we better venture ashore?" breathed Ruth, again in doubt.

"Come on. Let's try it. I've got an electric torch in my pocket. We can
find our way all over the island with that."

It was true that the girl of the Red Mill felt some trepidation, but she
had confidence in her companion's muscle and courage if not in his
caution. Besides, she was very curious about the queer old man and the
doings on his island.

Chess shut off the engine of the _Lauriette_ some distance from the
island; but first he had gone above the rocky landing, so that the
sluggish current between the islands drifted the motor-boat back upon
that strand.

He went forward and, with a line in his hand, leaped ashore the moment he
could do so, and drew the _Lauriette_ in to the rock. Then he passed the
line around the very sapling to which Ruth had once fastened the canoe.

"Come on!" he whispered, offering his hand to the girl.

She leaped ashore. They were both wearing canvas, rubber-soled, low shoes
which made no noise on the stones. Chess drew forth the electric torch
and tried it, turning the spot of light on the ground at their feet. It
worked perfectly.

In his right-hand jacket pocket he carried an entirely different article,
but he did not mention that fact to Ruth. She would not have gone with
him had she known of the presence of the pistol. The possession of
firearms would have, to her mind, at once taken the matter out of the
realm of mere adventure into that of peril, and Ruth was not seeking such
an experience.

She only half believed in the smugglers. She had seen some men in a boat
at the island, but she doubted if it meant anything more than a fishing
party. Those boxes taken ashore meant nothing much to her, if they did
suggest some particularly interesting situation to Chess.

In fact, Copley had not fully taken Ruth into his confidence. He had
reason to suspect that whoever mi