"I'll put in a few blows for
you, seeing that you are so obliging."

CHAPTER XXIII.

AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.

"Now that we have so kindly been permitted to enter," said Lord
Hastings, "I don't believe it would be half a bad idea for us to go
ashore; or at least two of us."

"I speak to go with you, sir," exclaimed Frank.

"So do I, sir," said Jack.

"Well, all three of us can't go," Lord Hastings decided. "We'll draw
straws to see who are the fortunate--or unfortunate--two. I'll draw with
you. The one who gets the short one loses."

He drew three toothpicks from his pocket, and putting them behind his
back, broke one. Then he held them out to Frank.

"Pick one," he said.

Frank did so, and glanced at it eagerly. It had not been broken.

"I go," he declared.

"It's between us now," said Lord Hastings to Jack. "Pick one, Jack."

He held up the remaining two toothpicks Jack gazed at them earnestly.

"I'll take this one," the lad said at length, and picked the one on the
right.

"You win," said Lord Hastings quietly. "I'm the fellow that must remain
behind."

Jack was equally as pleased as Frank, but he did not manifest the same
enthusiasm.

"And what is it you expect us to learn, sir?" asked Jack. "I'm sure I
haven't any idea."

"Nor I, sir," declared Frank.

Lord Hastings smiled.

"You see," he said, "it might have been better to let me go." Then he
added after a brief pause: "I don't know that I had any particular plan
in view. I was just going ashore and stroll about a bit. It is barely
possible that one of you may overhear something. I wouldn't stay more
than two hours at the most." He glanced at his watch. "Two o'clock now,"
he said. "I shall expect you back here at 4.30 at the latest."

The lads nodded.

"Will it be best for us to row ashore ourselves, sir?" asked Frank. "Or
shall we have one of the men take us?"

"You would better go alone," replied Lord Hastings, after a moment's
hesitation. "You can tie your boat up some place. I hardly think any one
will bother it. A sailor might betray all of us unconsciously. In a game
like this, the fewer the better is my motto."

"Come on, Jack; let's be moving," said Frank impatiently. "There is no
use staying here all day. Hurry up."

"Now you just hold your horses," replied his chum. "We'll get there soon
enough--maybe a little too soon, so far as we know."

Nevertheless the lads wasted no further time in talk and five minutes
la