"Well, I guess you've got me," he growled. "What are you going to do
with me?"

"It depends on what you tell us," said Frank.

"I'll tell you nothing!"

"Then we'll take you where you will. I guess when Paul Gale sees you
he'll remember something about you that will put us on the right track."

"Paul Gale! That's not his name. It's--you say he'll remember?" and
the man interrupted himself in some confusion. "Has he lost his mind?"
The question was an eager one.

"He can't remember--" began Andy, but Frank stopped him with a sudden
gesture.

"When you tell us what we want to know, we'll answer some of your
questions," the elder lad said. "Come on, Andy. Let's have a look at
the wrecked motor boat. Maybe we can find some clues there."

"You keep away from that boat!" cried the man savagely. "It's mine. I
order you to keep away!" He struggled desperately to get loose, but
could not.

"We'll do as we please now," said Frank. "You had your way long
enough. We're going to solve this mystery. Come, Andy."

The man glared at them, but he could not help himself. He watched them
go toward the boat and muttered threats at them. But the boys were not
frightened.

The interior of the motor boat, which once had been an expensive craft,
was all confusion. It plainly showed the effects of the fire and
explosion, and the battering of the sea. The hull, however, was sound,
or it would have sunk.

"What do you suppose is in it that he's been looking for?" asked Andy.

"I don't know," replied Frank. "Gold perhaps, or jewels."

"Maybe valuable papers."

"Perhaps. Well, let's see what we can find."

They poked about in the engine cockpit, looked in all the lockers, and
took out some of the broken seats to search under them, but came upon
nothing of value. There were many splintered and charred boards, and
these they removed, but all to no purpose.

"If anything is here it's well hidden," remarked Frank at length.

"This is a fine boat, and with a little fixing could be made good
again."

They went on with the search. At times the man laughed at them, and
again he harshly urged them to leave the wreck alone. But the boys
searched on. The sun rose higher and the day grew hot.

"I wonder if dad will come for us?" ventured Andy.

"Sure," asserted his brother.

"I suppose they'll say we did wrong to come here, and run so many
risks," went on Andy.

"Well, we meant it all for the best, and it