all pleasant looking. But the accusation did not seem to surprise
him.

"Are you trying to get it away from me for less than you offered?" he
demanded.

"You are an old man," said Mr. Hammond hotly, "and that lets you get away
with such a suggestion as that without punishment. I begin to believe that
there is something dead wrong with you, John--or whatever your name is."

He drew back the packet of manuscript, opened a drawer, put it within, and
locked the drawer.

"I'll think this over a little longer," he said grimly. "At least, until
you are willing to be a little more communicative about yourself. I would
be glad to use your story with some fixing up, if I was convinced you
really wrote it all. But you have got to show me--or give me proper
references."

"Give me back the scenario, then!" exclaimed the old man, his eyes blazing
hotly.

"No. Not yet. I can take my time in deciding upon the manuscripts
submitted in this contest. You will have to wait until I decide," said Mr.
Hammond, waving the man out of his office.

CHAPTER XXI

A HERMIT FOR REVENUE ONLY

The bays and inlets of the coast of Maine have the bluest water dotted by
the greenest islands that one can imagine. And such wild and romantic
looking spots as some of these islands are!

Just at this time, too, a particular tang of romance was in the air. The
Germans had threatened to devastate our Atlantic coast from Eastport to
Key West with a flock of submersibles. There actually were a few
submarines lurking about the pathways of our coastwise shipping; but, as
usual, the Hun's boast came to naught.

The young people on the _Stazy_ scarcely expected to see a German
periscope during the run to Reef Harbor. Yet they did not neglect watching
out for something of the kind. Skipper Phil Gordon, a young man with one
arm but a full and complete knowledge of this coast and how to coax speed
out of a gasoline engine, ordered his "crew" of one boy to remain sharply
on the lookout, as well.

The _Stazy_ did not, however, run far outside. The high and rocky headland
that marked the entrance to Reef Harbor came into view before they had
more than dropped the hazy outline of Beach Plum Point astern.

But until they rounded the promontory and entered the narrow inlet to Reef
Harbor the town and the summer colony was entirely invisible.

"If a German sub should stick its nose in here," sighed Helen, "it would
make everybody ashore get up and dust.