ess tedious. From a gable-window in the attic a very
fair view could be had of the little house below. Here, on rainy days,
a watcher sat during all the hours of daylight; and on other days the
sheltering pines hid an observer. But day followed day, night
succeeded night, and no message was registered on the wireless
instrument nor did anything suspicious occur in the house under
surveillance.

Indeed the fact that nothing did occur was in itself suspicious. For
there was hardly a sign of life about the house. No man left it in the
morning bound for business. No woman emerged from its door to go
shopping of an afternoon. For days at a time nobody entered or left
the place, excepting the grocer's boy who came with food.

Then one day a motor-car, with its top raised, chugged up the highway
and climbed the steep driveway to the house on the cliff. Henry was in
the attic gable on watch and he promptly notified his comrades. There
was a rush for the third story, and four heads crowded close together
as four pairs of eyes sought to identify the make and number of the
car. But the name-plate was missing, and the license tag was so dusty
that the number could not be read.

"Run down to the pines with this, quick," said Captain Hardy, thrusting
his field-glasses into Willie's hand, "and get the number of that car.
See if you can tell what make it is and look for distinguishing marks."

Willie scrambled down the slope through the concealing shrubbery and
approached the house as near as he dared. But he had hardly reached
his station when the driver ran down the steps of the house, sprang to
the wheel, and was off at a fast pace. Willie climbed cautiously back
to headquarters.

"Did you get its number?" asked his chief.

"No," replied Willie. "It was covered with dust. And I couldn't tell
what make of car it was. But I saw the driver and I am sure I have
seen him before and the car, too."

"That's not unlikely," said Captain Hardy, "if he lives anywhere near
here. We've been here several days now."

"I'm sure I've seen that man somewhere," said Willie. "I wish I could
remember where it was."

Another day passed and another, and still the little house on the cliff
showed no signs of life. But one afternoon the monotonous watch came
to a sudden end. Lew, in the attic gable, espied a fleet of transports
coming down the bay. Instantly he spread the alarm.

"You boys slip down to the pines," said Captai