s morning and I
shouldn't wonder if they struck it out there. When they get back we'll
know."

"We've got to know before that," Gregory averred. "Why not send a bunch
of the boys over right away?"

Dickie shook her head with great emphasis.

"Haven't the gear," she objected. "It's liable to be nasty around the
island at this time of the year. We're shy on deep-sea hooks and heavy
line."

"We'll get it." Gregory turned to the telephone. "I'll order it by
express," he announced, as he put in his call for the ship-chandlers at
Port Angeles. While he waited for the call, he addressed Dickie Lang.
"We can send some over right away, can't we?"

She considered. Then nodded acquiescence. "The _Pelican_ and the
_Curlew_ are outfitted for that kind of work," she stated. "We could get
them moving in half an hour. They could go over and do the scouting.
They both have the wireless, you know."

Gregory made up his mind at once.

"Will you give me a list of the stuff you need?" he asked. "As soon as I
get this call through I'll come out and we'll get them started. We ought
to get the stuff we need to-night, or early to-morrow. Then the rest can
clear." His face brightened. "I'll have the _Richard_ to-morrow," he
said. "Bronson's going to bring her back and stay two or three days to
put me on to the ropes. We'll get him to take us to Diablo."

"Count me in on that too," exclaimed Hawkins. "I've got it coming.
Haven't had a breath of salt air since I've been here."

The girl completed her list of the required gear as the telephone rang.
Gregory turned to the instrument and gave the order.

"What's that?" he concluded. "You'll have to have the cash? Thirty days
is customary on that kind of stuff, isn't it? Well, I've got to have
it.--All right, go ahead and draw on me if that's the way you feel about
it.--But send the stuff." He turned wrathfully to the girl. "The
robbers," he said. "They have me in a hole and they know it. We have to
have that gear right away though Heaven only knows where I'm going to
raise the money to pay for it."

The problem of raising approximately three thousand in cash before ten
o'clock the following morning presented its difficulties. Gregory
decided to tackle the matter without delay.

"I'll try the local bank," he declared. "And give old Rock a chance to
make good on his promise."

Dickie strove to dissuade him.

"Keep in the clear of that old hypocrite," she cautioned. "If he lets
you ha