glass. Them
six are his close friends, Cap'n Rufe. They've laid their plans----"

"Holy mackerel!" exclaimed Captain Hamilton. "What are you saying,
Tyke?"

"I've figgered out that we aren't going to have things our own way down
here," the other said earnestly. "I've been waiting for you to say
something, Cap'n Rufe, ever since that Bug-eye accused Allen like he
did. Ditty's on to our game--has been on to it right along--an' he
selected this crew of wharf-rats for a purpose."

"I agree with you, Mr. Grimshaw," Drew declared eagerly. "That's what
Ditty was after when he tried to rob you at the time you were knocked
down by the automobile. You were right. He did push you back in front
of the machine, and then he searched your pockets while you were on the
ground."

"For what?" demanded Captain Hamilton, staring.

"For the paper and the map. Ditty believed Mr. Grimshaw carried that
confession in his pocket," Drew replied.

The master of the schooner rose and began to walk about in excitement.

"That's it! He was lurking outside your office door that day, Tyke,
when we first found the papers in Manuel Gomez's chest. I see it now.
He was aboard the schooner that very evening, too, when I told Ruth at
dinner about the pirate's doubloons. He might have been eavesdropping
then."

"An' I bet he flung poor Parmalee over the rail himself," said Tyke.
Hamilton's expression changed and he shook his head at that.

"He'd git rid of one of the after-guard that way," urged Tyke.
"Parmalee could shoot. An' if it comes to a fight----"

"My soul!" groaned Captain Hamilton suddenly. "And Ruth with us!"

"What about Ruth?" asked that young lady cheerfully, coming from her
cabin. "Aren't you all ready yet? I am going ashore with you."

"Yes; you'd better come," said her father gloomily.

"Why, what is the matter?" she demanded.

"We were just wondering," said Drew quickly, assuming a casual tone to
cover their real emotion, "if the crew suspected our reason for
touching at this island."

Captain Hamilton picked up the ball at once.

"But I don't believe they do," he said. "Of course, it would have
seemed strange to the mate and to Rogers if I hadn't given them some
explanation, especially as we came out in ballast. So I dropped hints
that we were out on a survey expedition that couldn't be talked of just
now. They probably have the idea that we're looking up a suitable
coaling station for the Government