that interested him most. Cautiously
he stole out along the further side of a ridge of land, toward the
rickety old house on the point.

"Not a sign of a light, now," breathed the submarine boy. "If Millard
was really there, I hope he hasn't had time to get away for good."

All was silent and dark about the old house, as Captain Jack stole
closer. At nearer range he made the circuit of the house, only to
find every window shuttered, and the place as dismal as the grave.

"I'm afraid the game has escaped," muttered Benson, with a sinking
feeling at his heart. "Yet he didn't escape, by sea or land, while we
were watching outside the village. And it was just at dark that the
storekeeper saw a light here. I wonder if it would be easy to--"

Right there Jack Benson's train of thought broke off. From the opposite
side of the house came a sound exactly like that of the opening and
closing of a door.

"Can that be our man coming out?" wondered Skipper Jack.

He started cautiously around the house, but soon drew back around the
corner of the building. Dropping to the ground, and lying flat, the
submarine boy allowed only the top of his head to show as he peeped.

Glory! Jack knew, well enough, that tall figure striding off into the
gloom. It was Millard, and under his left arm the fellow carried a
large package that might be a bulky portfolio well wrapped.

"He has his drawings--his maps of American fortifications and fortified
harbors--the very stuff that we want to get!" throbbed the boy. "And
now--we're going to get them!"

Keeping Millard's receding figure zealously in sight, Jack, crouching
low, started after the long-legged one as soon as the distance between
seemed sufficient to keep Millard from guessing at pursuit.

"Oh, how I wish Hal and Eph were here!" muttered Captain Jack, in keen
disappointment.

"I need help on this!"

Within two minutes Millard had struck into a well-beaten path that led
northward over succeeding ridges of laud. In a way, it was easier
following here, for there were occasional trees and clumps of bushes
behind which the young shadow could drop at need.

Two minutes in this path, and Jack Benson's heart gave another quick
leap. Some one else was coming stealthily behind him. Jack dodged
around a clump of bushes and waited.

"Hal!" breathed Jack, almost wild with joy, as the two chums clasped
hands fervently for one brief instant. Then:

"See here, Hal, I've got to