he
foot of the ladder before going aboard the motor boat.

"Let's stop and have a word with him," Tom said. "Maybe he's a pretty
decent sort of chap. At any rate it won't hurt to get acquainted. He can
likely tell us something about the man you saw."

"Agreed," announced Jack. "By all means, let us cultivate the
acquaintance of the watchman. We may need him in our business."

Accordingly when the watchman arrived in the course of making his rounds
the boys spoke pleasantly to him, finding him quite agreeable. In fact,
he was inclined to visit at some length.

He was glad to exchange ideas with the boys upon learning that they were
from the North. Their tales of adventure with the motor boat seemed
quite fascinating to him. They related some of their adventures on Lake
Michigan and Lake Superior, in the mining region, where they had been on
special duty during the strike of mine employees and then detailed some
features of their trip South that had so nearly resulted in disaster.

An hour passed quickly away before the boys realized that it was getting
late. Jumping up from their seats they declared that they must prepare
supper and make ready for their chums who were expected momentarily.
With an expression of good will the watchman prepared to make his rounds
of the yard.

Just as he was about to move away Jack asked:

"Oh, by the way, do you know a man named Wyckoff who lives in this
vicinity somewhere? He's a man of medium build and has one of those
peculiar blue-black beards that can never be shaved quite clean because
the skin is so clear, the black roots of the whiskers show through. He
also is carrying a smashed nose just now."

"I cain't seem to reckomember of any sich man," deliberately replied the
watchman. "What did youall say he done?"

"I don't know what he does regularly. I think he's a fisherman and
shrimper betimes. Possibly he does odd jobs when he's not fishing. He
seems to be quite a handy man at any job."

"No, I don't believe I can place him," replied the watchman with a note
of regret in his voice, as if he were sorry for his lack of knowledge
concerning the man sought.

"Oh, well," lightly answered Jack, "it's no matter. He's probably from
some other town along the coast. Don't worry about it."

"Are you going to stay aboard tonight?" asked the watchman in leaving.
"If you wanted to take a run uptown to the show I'll be mighty glad to
watch your vessel right close while you're gone."