n eat them," spoke Frank. "And my mother is very
fond of lobster salad."

"Don't say another word," exclaimed the lighterman. "Here you are,"
and he drew forth a basket from under a pile of bagging at the foot of
the mast. "Take 'em along."

There were a dozen fine, large lobsters in the basket as Andy
ascertained by a peep, and then after thanking the man for them, and
making sure that the hatch cover was on tight, the brothers rowed back
to their craft. As they sailed away they saw the man carrying a small
ketch anchor and placing it on top of the hatch cover.

"He isn't taking any chances," remarked Frank.

"Indeed not," agreed his brother. "Well, let's see if we can pick up
that mysterious man again."

They looked all about, but there was no sign of the dory, and they felt
that it would be useless to sail about in search, as it was getting
late.

"Let's put for home," proposed Frank, and Andy assented.

When nearing their mooring place Andy got a piece of string and some
strong paper, and proceeded to wrap up one of the largest lobsters.

"What are you going to do with that; give it to some of your girls?"
asked Frank.

"Hu! I guess not," was the somewhat indignant answer. "I'm going to
have a little fun with it. There are more than we need in that basket."

"Look out that some one doesn't have fun with you," warned his brother.

"Oh, I can take care of myself," answered Andy with a grin. He
assisted his brother to carry the basket of lobsters up on the pier,
and then, as they were rather heavy, and as a delivery wagon from a
grocery where Mrs. Racer traded was at hand, Frank decided to send the
shell fish home in that.

"Coming along?" asked the elder boy of his brother, as the delivery
vehicle drove off.

"Yes, but I want to have some fun first. I see Chet Sedley coming, and
I'm going to make him a present of this lobster. It's a lively one,
and he won't know what's in the paper--until he opens it. Watch me."

Frank shook his head, but smiled. He followed his brother at a
distance. The town dude, attired more gorgeously than before, saw Andy
approaching, and was about to turn aside.

"Hold on," called Andy. "I'm sorry about what happened a while ago,
Chet, and here's a little present for you."

He held out the package.

"What's in it?" asked Chet suspiciously, as he took it.

"Why--er----" began Andy, but just then Mabel Chase, one of the
prettiest girls in Harbor View, approa