eir motor-boat had been left.

As they drew near the place, John suddenly stopped and clutching George
by his arm, who was walking beside him, said, "Look at that man over on
the dock! Who is it?"

"It's the fellow who was the leader of that gang of canal-men that
boarded us the other morning."

"What do you suppose he's doing here?" demanded John in a whisper.

"I can't say. I'm not sure that it is the same man, but it certainly
looks like him."

The boys stopped and excitedly explained to their friends the discovery
which they had made.

The opinion was general as soon as all had looked at the man that it
was indeed their unwelcome visitor who had fled precipitately with his
companions when the Caledonia had stopped to aid them.

The stranger was only a few yards from the place where the Black
Growler had been made fast, and as the boys approached he looked up and
said with a laugh, "Glad to see yer. I thought I'd come down and look
ye up. I wonder if yer got any gasoline?"

"Yes, sir, we have," answered Fred tartly. He was not desirous of
continuing the conversation.

Sam Hodge, who had come with the boys from Henderson Harbor, had
departed soon after the landing at Cape Vincent had been made.
Consequently the Black Growler had been left without any one on board
when the Go Ahead boys had gone to the hotel for their luncheon.
Whether or not the man before them had made investigations or helped
himself to anything of value on board the boat no one knew. There was,
however, no one to prevent him from doing such things as he had desired.

"Where did you come from?" demanded George as he stepped in front of
the stranger.

"I jes' started for me summer home," laughed the canal-man. "I didn't
think I would go down before the Fourth of July, but the sight of you
boys made me homesick."

"Where is your island?"

"I can't jes' describe it," said the man, "but if you'll give me a lift
in your boat I'll p'int it out to you when we come to it."

"How did you come down here?" demanded George.

"The same as any gintleman might come. I thought of comin' in me yacht,
but I finally decided I'd take me own car and in that way I would be
indepindent of the whole world. Now, then, boys," he added, "I'm a bit
fearful that I shan't be able to stay with ye very long. Did any of ye
find a document of any value after I left ye the other day? I was a bit
sorry I couldn't stop to shake hands with ye, but there were several