ard his hip-pocket--'another moment to get out of sight!'

"I knew that it was as much as my life was worth to remain where I was;
so, despite the girl's pitiful entreaties, I rowed back slowly into
midstream and down the river.

"I fairly made my boat fly over the water. I headed straight for
Clayton--the nearest village--and there I told my startling story to the
people. In less time than it takes to tell it, a half dozen of us
started back for Wau-Winet Island. Arriving, we crept silently up the
steep path that led to the house. My loud ringing brought the gentleman
himself to the door. I shall never forget the fire that leaped into his
eyes as he saw me; but nothing daunted, I said to him determinedly:

"I have come here with these men to aid the young girl who appealed to
me for help a little while ago.'

"My companions pressed close behind me, until they filled the wide
entrance hall and closed in around him.

"'You are certainly mad!' he cried. 'There is no young lady on Wau-Winet
Island, nor has any woman ever put foot upon it at least since it has
been my property,' he added.

"'Do you mean to say that I did not row you and a young lady over to
this island within this hour, and that she did not appeal to me for
help?' I asked.

"'Certainly not!' he declared promptly.

"'You must be either mad or dreaming to even think of such a thing,' he
continued, haughtily. 'However,' turning to my companions, 'seeing that
you have had the trouble of coming here--brought by this lunatic--you
are welcome to look through the house and satisfy yourselves. In fact, I
beg that you will do so.'

"Much to his surprise, we took him at his word."

CHAPTER V.

THE MYSTERIOUS HOUSE ON LONELY WAU-WINET ISLAND.

"We searched the stone house from cellar to garret in hopes of finding a
trace of the beautiful girl I felt sure was imprisoned within its grim
walls, the owner following, with a look of defiance on his dark,
handsome face.

"'She _must_ be on this island,' I declared, vehemently. 'I rowed you
and her over here.'

"It is quite true that you rowed _me_ over here, my good fellow, but no
fair lady accompanied me, unless it might have been some mermaid. I hope
you are satisfied,' said he, turning to my companions, 'that the man who
has brought you here has played you a trick.'

"And now stranger, you ask me to take you to Wau-Winet Island on just
such a mission, and I answer you that it would be as much as