just what I do mean," replied Allen. "Come on, let's do a
little sprint, and we may get them. If we don't they'll soon be down on
the beach, and it will be all up with the chase if they have a boat, as
they probably have."

"If it was on the ocean side we'd have some chance; the surf is heavy
to-night."

"Yes, but they're running toward the bay."

As I have explained, Edgemere was built on a point of land. One side of
the house fronted the ocean, and the other the bay. At this point the
land was not above a thousand feet wide, and the cottage property
extended from shore line to shore line.

As Allen had said, the intruders, coming from the cellar, had turned
toward the bay side, and if they had a boat waiting for them in those
quiet waters they would have no difficulty in pushing off. But if they
had gone the other way the unusually heavy surf would have held them
back, at least for a time.

"There they go!" cried Roy, breaking out through the last fringe of
bushes.

"And in a motor boat, too!" added Roy.

"If we only had ours," Henry mourned.

But it was vain wishing. The _Pocohontas_ was docked some distance away,
and by the time the boys could reach her, and start an engine that was
never noted for going without considerable "tinkering," it would be too
late.

For the men had luck on their side. They fairly tumbled into a swift
looking craft that was near shore, in charge of some one evidently
waiting for them. In another instant the chug of the motor told that it
had started. Then the boys had the dissatisfaction of standing on the
sand, panting after their run, and seeing the men gradually draw out
into the bay.

The sky had clouded over and the moon, that might have been a help, was
not now of any service.

"Well, there they go," said Allen, in exasperated tones. "I'd give a
good deal to know who they were, and what they were after."

"Let's go back to the house and see if we can find out," suggested Roy.
"The fuss started there, you know."

"In the cellar--where the diamonds are," added Henry.

"That's so!" cried Allen. "For the moment I had forgotten them! Come on
back. Maybe the rascals got the stones!"

The boys went back the same route they had so recently and so uselessly
traveled. As they neared the cottage a voice hailed them.

"I say. Hold on! Who are you? What do you want? Remember there are
ladies here!"

"It's Percy!" gasped Allen, trying not to laugh. "He's acting as home
gua