aimed the girl,
petulantly. "I can get you all the help you may need."

"Let us work our own way," quietly answered the boy. "Knowing that
we've captured Nick, and may have pumped him, Mason will very likely be
on the lookout for us, and meet us with a hot reception. By waiting, it
will lead him to think we don't know anything about his subterranean
abode. Then, when we attack, we will have a better chance of taking him
by surprise."

The girl pondered a moment.

Cool reflection showed her the wisdom of Harry's plan.

"You are right," she admitted, reluctantly. "I'm so anxious to have
something done for my poor father's instant relief that I can hardly
suppress my impatience, though."

"We understand your feelings in the matter," replied Old King Brady,
quietly. "But we know best how to handle your cousin. If you will leave
the matter to our judgment, we will stand a better chance of making a
success of our plans."

It required no argument to convince the girl, and she sighed, and said:

"Very well, Mr. Brady. Do as you think best. All I ask is that you will
not lose any time about going to my father's rescue."

They discussed the matter fully that night.

In the morning the detectives returned to the swamp.

A careful examination was made of the dreary waste of mud and water,
but they failed to see any signs of their men.

It was a bright, sunny day, but a dense vapor hung over the marshy
land, and the officers went through it to the island.

They expected by coming so early in the morning to catch their enemies
sleeping. But a discovery Harry made dispelled this idea.

He caught view of a tiny stream of smoke rising from some rocks.

Upon examining the spot, he found a natural chimney coming up through
the ground, out of which the smoke was pouring.

When he returned to his partner and told him about it, he said:

"That's evidence enough that there's a cave under the island, and the
column of smoke shows that Mason and the valet have started a fire to
cook their breakfast. When we get in, we are likely to find them at
that occupation. Are you ready for the attempt?"

"Certainly," assented Young King Brady.

They walked over to the hut, and entered.

Nick had explained where the trap was located, and they soon found a
cunningly hidden ring, and pulled it upward.

A door, covered with earth, was raised.

It revealed a flight of damp stone stairs.

The Bradys drew their pistols, got their dark