, with a look that made
gentle Amy blush.

"Go on," urged Roy. "Then we'll get out on the water again. This weather
is too good to miss."

"It was this way," explained Will. "I told dad I wanted a little longer
vacation before I started in for college, after my experiences in that
turpentine camp, and he agreed that I could have it. I don't know
whether I told you or not, but when I ran away from Uncle Isaac's down
South, I fell in with a Government Secret Service man. I guess he rather
suspected I was up to some game, but he was real decent about it, and
didn't give me away.

"I happened to do him a favor--helped him trail a certain man he was
looking for, and he was good enough to compliment me on my memory for
faces. He said it was the beginning of a successful detective's career.

"Well, I had no notion of being a detective, but it made me stop and
think. I _am_ pretty good at remembering faces and voices, you know,
even if I do say it myself."

"That's right!" chimed in Allen. "I wish I had that faculty. It is the
hardest thing for me to remember the faces and names of those I meet.
But go on, Will."

"Well, the upshot of it was that this government man said if I ever
wanted a lift he'd be glad to help me. He gave me his card, and, after
all my troubles were over, thanks to your efforts, girls," and he
included them all in his bow, "I decided to go in for Secret Service
work.

"It wasn't as easy as I had expected, but at last I got the promise of a
chance, and I began studying up, and taking the examinations. I passed
successfully, and received my commission."

"So that's what you were doing all those days you were away so much?"
asked Grace.

"That was it, Sis. And now I am a full fledged Secret Service agent,
though I haven't arrested anyone yet."

"And are you really going to?" asked Betty.

"That all depends," replied Will. "If I see any law violations I'll have
to."

"But are you looking for anyone in particular, up here?" asked Amy. "Any
smugglers, pirates, or--or anything like that?"

"Bless her heart! She shall see a pirate arrested the first chance I
have!" laughed Will.

"Oh, be serious, can't you?" asked Grace, with just the hint of a snap
in her voice.

"Beg your pardon, Amy," apologized Will. "You see it's this way. I'm in
the Boston district, and that takes in a good part of the New England
coast. I haven't really been assigned to any particular locality yet.
I'm supposed to keep