Vernon anxiously, as his chum, having got
astride the parapet, was about to lower himself upon the decrepit
woodwork.

"I've done it scores of times," said Ross confidently. "That's right,
I'll guide your foot. Now let go."

"By Jove!" suddenly exclaimed Haye; "there's a fellow coming towards
the ruin. How on earth did he get here?"

"Goodness only knows," said Trefusis inconsequently. "He may have
landed in Main Beach Cove. Anyhow, he's at perfect liberty to do so.
I suppose he's interested in ruins."

"Let's drop a bit of stone and give him a shock when he gets here,"
suggested Vernon. "We'll apologize afterwards. Ten to one he'll give
us a passage back."

"I'm not so keen on dropping chunks of stone," objected Ross. "I vote
we lie low for a bit at any rate, and see what he's up to."

"Why, do you think he's a spy?" asked his companion. Trefusis grunted
scoffingly.

"Spy?" he repeated. "What object would a spy have on St. Mena's
Island? This part of Cornwall is well outside the military area.
There's nothing in the fortification line for miles. No, it's not
that. But _cave_, here he comes."

The lads crouched behind the crumbling parapet, and by means of
conveniently placed gaps in the masonry watched the stranger's approach.

There was nothing about the man's appearance to suggest that he was
anything but an ordinary holiday-maker. He was slightly above average
height, rather heavily built, and inclined to flabbiness. His
complexion was undoubtedly florid, although his face and hands were
tanned a deep brown.

He was dressed in a light-grey lounge suit, with a straw hat and brown
shoes, while in his right hand he carried a thick Malacca cane.

The exertion of climbing up the hill on which the ruined chapel stood
apparently told upon him, for he was considerably out of breath when he
passed under the ivy-clad arch. Here he stopped to wipe his face with
a handkerchief, and while doing so dropped his cane.

It fell upon the stones with a dull thud.

At the same time the stranger gave vent to an exclamation that
certainly was not English.

The lads exchanged glances. Here was the beginning of a mystery. The
heaviest Malacca cane would not have made that dull metallic sound in
falling, while it was evident by the careful examination the stranger
made of the retrieved article that he was more than considerate for its
appearance.

The man made no attempt to explore the ruins. The weat