as not a welcome topic of conversation, he said quickly,
"Where's the man that wanted the bond?"

"How should I know?" retorted his grandfather.

"Has he been back here?"

"No, sir, he hasn't."

"Do you know where he is?"

"I'm not sure if I did that I should tell you."

"But you said he went to Syracuse."

"If I did that's probably where he went."

"Yes," said Fred, still persisting in asking questions, "but you don't
say whether he is coming back or not."

"That's quite true."

"Is he coming?"

"I cannot tell you."

"Don't you know?"

"Did any one ever hear such a pestiferous child!" said Mr. Button,
laughing as he spoke. "His questions and his tongue run like a
mill-tail."

"What's a mill-tail?" inquired Fred.

"There he goes again!" said Mr. Button, holding up both hands in mock
despair.

"But I want to know whether or not you have been up to Cape Vincent to
do anything about that bond," demanded Fred.

"The bond isn't registered in my name anyway," answered Mr. Button.
"Probably I couldn't get it if I wanted to."

"But you don't answer my question."

"Go into the house now and get ready for dinner. If you haven't any
plans made for to-morrow I may ask you to take me up to Cape Vincent in
the Black Growler."

"Of course we'll take you," said Fred. "We should like nothing better."

"Then it's understood that to-morrow we'll go to Cape Vincent."

"But, Grandfather," said Fred before he went upstairs, "Susie Stevens
and Mildred think they will want to go with us to-morrow."

"And you told them they might?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, I don't see then but what you'll have to keep your promise,
though you mark my words, young man, you'll be sorry you took that
tomboy along with you. She'll get you into trouble just as sure as the
sun rises. You mark my words."

Fred laughed and as he went to his room he had no thought how nearly
his grandfather's words were to be fulfilled the following day.

CHAPTER XVIII

A TEST

Early the following morning when the Go Ahead boys went down to the
dock, they found that Sam Hodge already had arrived and was busily at
work on the Black Growler.

"Good morning, Sam," called Fred, deeply interested in the sight of the
investigation which Sam was making.

"'Mornin'," called Sam, without looking up from his task.

"How do you find everything on the boat?"

"I haven't only seen a few things yet," retorted Sam. "I'll tell you
later what I think about