I'd be in for a siege of blood poisoning, and keep me in
bed. I'll be all right. But say, things have been happening lately;
haven't they?"

"I should say yes. I'm sorry we missed that strange man to-day. We
might have been able to get something about Paul out of him."

"I doubt it. However, we had a great time with the snakes and monkeys.
Better not say anything about that at home, either, or dad and mom will
put a stop to our sailboat if they think that something happens every
time we go out in her."

"I guess that's right. We'll lay low and say nothing."

But the story got out, for the skipper of the lighter told at the dock
in Seabright how two boys had come to his rescue, and the description
of them fitted our heroes.

"I don't know what I'm going to do with you chaps," said their father
after supper a few evenings later, as he looked at them over the top of
the paper. "Seems to me you're always doing something." He had heard
the lobster and snake stories from a friend that day.

"But this wasn't our fault," said Frank. "We just had to help that
man."

"It was just the same as when they rescued me," put in Paul Gale, who
was sitting in an easy chair. "I'd never be alive to-day only for
them."

"And it's too bad we missed getting a chance to talk with that strange
man," went on Andy, glad to change the subject. "He might have told us
something about you, Paul."

"I doubt it," commented Mr. Racer. "That man, whoever he is, has some
strong object in keeping out of our way. I can't understand it, and
have half made up my mind to put detectives on the case, for I feel
sure that there is some strange mystery behind it all."

"Detectives, dad!" exclaimed Andy. "Say, let Frank and me do the
detective work, and pay us the reward."

"Reward! I never thought of that!" exclaimed the silk merchant. "I
believe it would be a good idea to do that. I'll put another
advertisement in the papers."

He did so. But it brought no responses of any account, though many
irresponsible persons claimed to be able to solve the mystery of the
identity of Paul Gale. However, they all proved to be "fakers," and
Paul was as hopeless as before.

"Never mind, we'll get on the track of it yet," declared Frank one day.

"Oh, if you only could!" sighed Paul. "Perhaps my mother or father may
be anxiously looking for me, and can't find me. Nor can I find them
until I know who I am."

"Well, we'll find out, if it's