e any of us to come in."

The little man seemed relieved.

"I--I didn't know," he faltered. "If he had--I--I was going to say
something. Perhaps it is not--necessary."

"Perhaps not," said Frank; "but it may not do any hurt to say it."

"And it may do some hurt--to you," muttered Diamond under his breath. "I
will kick this fellow!"

But, to the surprise of all, the superstitious man cackled out a short,
broken laugh, and said:

"Oh, I was going to--to warn you--that's all. It--it's liable to be a
pretty--stiff game. I thought it would be a--good thing for you to--keep
out of it. It started--light, but it's working--up--right along. Almost
any time somebody is liable to--to propose throwing off the--the limit,
and then somebody is going to get--hurt. If you are--not in it, why you
won't be in any--danger."

There was a silence. The four youths looked at the visitor and then at
each other.

What did it mean?

If he was playing them for "suckers," surely he was doing it in a queer
manner.

"Thank you," said Frank, stiffly. "You are kind!"

"More than kind!" muttered Diamond.

"Don't mention it," said the little man, trying to look pleasant, but
making a dismal failure. "I--I dont' like to see respectable young men
caught in a--trap. That's all. Thought I'd tell you. Didn't know that
you would--thank me. Took my chances on that. Well, I think I'll--be
going."

He turned, falteringly, seemed about to say something more, opened the
door part way, hesitated, then said "good-day," and went out.

CHAPTER VI.

THE CARGO OF THE "EAGLE."

"Well?"

"Well!"

"Well!"

The same word, but from three different persons, and spoken in three
different inflections.

"Will somebody please hit me with something hard!" murmured Jack.

"What does it mean, Merry?" asked Rattleton.

"You may search me!" exclaimed Frank, in rather expressive slang,
something in which he seldom indulged, unless under great provocation.

Browning had said nothing. He was pulling steadily at his pipe, quite
unaware that it had gone out.

"What do you make of Mr. Peddington Slush?" asked Jack.

"I don't know what to make of him," confessed Frank. "About the only
thing of which I am sure is that he has a corker for a name. That name
is enough to make any man look sad and dejected."

"What did he come here for, anyhow?" asked Rattleton.

"To find out about Raymond Bloodgood--he said."

"I know he said so, but I don't stake a