ve replies. Several hours elapsed before all
had been heard from. Meantime the Nark crisscrossed and quartered the
sea off Montauk Point, in search of the rumored "fleet" of liquor
runners, but without success. Numerous sail were sighted as well as
steamers, but the latter were all so large as to preclude in the
opinion of the revenue men the possibility of their being liquor
carriers, and the former never stood close enough to be examined. Nor
did any assemblage of vessels sufficiently large to warrant the
designation "fleet" appear.

Late in the day, when the low descending sun warned of the approach of
nightfall, and the boys' watches showed 7 o'clock, Lieutenant Summers
again consulted with Captain Folsom, who presently rejoined the boys
with word that they were going to turn back and cruise offshore and
that the boys in an hour or two could be landed, not at Starfish Cove,
but at their own boathouse, thus involving only a short trip afoot
home for Bob.

Hardly had the boat's course been altered, however, when "Sparks"
appeared from the radio room in a state of high excitement, addressed
Lieutenant Summers who was on the little bridge, and the two returned
together. The wireless room originally had been the chart house. It
was equipped for the employment, both sending and receiving, of
wireless telegraphy and telephony.

"I wonder what is up," said Captain Folsom to the boys, with whom he
was talking in the bow. "Something has come by radio that has excited
'Sparks.' Excuse me, boys, a moment, while I go to inquire."

Captain Folsom, however, had not had time to reach the radio room when
Lieutenant Summers again appeared on the bridge, and beckoned both him
and the boys to approach.

"I'll explain in a moment," he said, "as soon as I can give the
necessary orders."

A number of orders were delivered, and the men on deck leaped to
execute them with alacrity. What their purport, was not made known, of
course, but the helmsman was given a course direct for Starfish Cove
and, in response to signals to the engine room for full speed ahead,
the craft seemed fairly to leap through the water.

"Something has happened ashore," said Frank, to his companions. "I
wonder what it is."

Their curiosity was soon to be satisfied. Lieutenant Summers led the
way below to his cabin, and, once all five were gathered inside, he
lost no time in coming to the point.

"The mystery of that sub chaser seen by the crew of the 'Moll