d," and Joe spoke the words with an obvious effort.

"That's right," agreed Blake, and then there came to him the memory of
what the lighthouse keeper had said about Mr. Duncan being implicated in
the wrecking. If this was true, it might be better for Joe not to find
his father.

"But he may not be guilty," thought Blake, and he mused on this
possibility, while Joe looked curiously at his chum.

"Say, Blake," suddenly asked Joe. "What's the matter?"

"Matter? Why, what do you mean?" asked Blake, with a start.

"Oh, I don't know, but something seems to be the matter with you. You've
acted strangely of late, ever since--yes, ever since we were at the
lighthouse. Is anything troubling you?"

"No--no--not at all; that is, not exactly."

"You don't speak as if you meant it."

"But I do, Joe. There's nothing the matter with me--really there isn't."

"Well, I'm glad of it. If there is, and you need help, don't forget to
come to me. Remember we're pards, and chums, not only in the moving
picture business, but in everything else, Blake. Anything I've got is
yours for the asking."

"That's good of you, Joe, and if you can help me I'll let you know. I
didn't realize that I was acting any way strange. I must brighten up a
bit. I guess we've both been working too hard. We need some amusement.
Let's go to a moving picture show to-night, and see how they run things
here, and what sort of films they have. We may even see one of our own."

"All right. I'll go you. We can't see that shipping agent until
to-morrow. A moving picture show for ours to-night, then. Though, being
in the business, as we are, it's rather like a fireman going around to
the engine-house on his day off, and staying there--a queer sort of a
day's vacation."

But, nevertheless, they thoroughly enjoyed the moving picture play,
interspersed, as it was, with vaudeville acts. Among the films were
several that Mr. Ringold's company had posed for, and several that the
boys themselves had taken. The reels were good ones, too, the pictures
standing out clear and bright as evidence of good work on the part of
the boys and Mr. Hadley.

"Had enough?" asked Joe, after about an hour spent in the theatre.

"Yes, let's go out and take a walk."

"Feel any brighter?" went on Joe.

"Yes, I think I do," and Blake linked his arm in that of Joe, wondering
the while, as they tramped on, how he should ever break the news to his
chum, in case Joe himself did not find it o