succeeded. Indeed the care of some of the stolen bonds
was left to me. They were not very easily converted into cash by any of
them and as they all believed I was really a yeggman they finally let
me into their secrets."

"Where are they now?" asked Fred.

"Some of them are missing but two have been taken into custody. I have
forwarded the bond, which you boys unconsciously were carrying on the
Black Growler, to the bank to be restored to its proper owners."

After the boys went to their rooms they were still discussing the story
of the lost bond.

The fact that one of the gang, which had forced its way on board the
boat while they were passing through the Erie Canal, had turned out to
be a detective, was sufficient to arouse the keenest interest among the
Go Ahead boys. Indeed, in the afternoon they insisted upon Mr. Brown
accompanying them once more while they made another test of the racing
motor-boat on the course.

Mr. Brown, upon the insistence of the Go Ahead boys, related many of
the stirring experiences which he had had as a detective and when he
departed, after they had returned to the island, they were all
delighted with the changed man. How he had been able to pass himself
among the professional bank thieves as one of their number was an
increasing marvel to all four.

It was still agreed that the boat-house must be guarded every night.
The various watches were continued, for the fear of the boys that some
evil might befall their boat was still with them.

Mr. Button laughed good-naturedly at their precautions, declaring that
a thief was almost unknown in the entire region. However, he offered no
objections and the boys arranged their vigils as on the preceding
nights.

No evil had befallen the racing motor-boat, however when morning came.

The race now was only two days distant. Only one night therefore
intervened and the irksome task of guarding the boat-house would only
have to be performed once more. The vigil of the Go Ahead boys,
however, was not rewarded by detecting the presence of any one with
plots against the Black Growler.

The day of the race dawned clear and fair. The excitement among the
boys had now become intense. Everything had been done for the swift
little racer that had been in the power of the boys.

Her sides were glistening and her machinery oiled and polished and when
at last she was declared by Sam to be ready for the supreme trial, all
the Go Ahead boys were agreed th