et," laughed one of the men. "There's no one
around here."

"And if they were, what could they pick up?" demanded another.

"That's all right--it's best to be careful," said the one called Hemp
Danforth. "I'm taking no chances. Some of us might--well, no telling
what might happen to us if we was to be found out."

"Don't talk that way," spoke a tall, thin man. "It isn't altogether
cheerful--especially with what work we have on hand. Come on, now; let's
make this pillar a little higher, and the light will show better."

"Say, what do you imagine they are doing?" whispered Joe. "It's a queer
game, Blake."

"It sure is. I've about made up my mind what they are up to, and yet I
may be wrong. Let's wait here a while longer, and maybe we can pick up
some information that will give us a better clue."

The men were now engaged in heaping more stones on the pile where the
lantern had set, and were making so much noise at it that the whispering
of the boys could not be heard.

"Any special vessels in view?" asked one of the men, after they had
worked away for some time in silence.

"No, but there'll sure be one along before long. We can count on that.
Of course, we'll have to keep the light going several nights, maybe, but
it'll be worth while."

"It ought to fool 'em, all right," went on Hemp Danforth. "If it hadn't
been that Nate Duncan tripped us up, and didn't come across with that
information we wanted, we wouldn't have all this trouble."

For a moment Joe seemed to stiffen as he heard the name, and then, in a
hoarse whisper, he turned to Blake and said:

"Did you hear that? These men know my father. They used his name."

"Yes, but keep quiet!" urged Blake, for Joe had raised his voice. "We
don't want them to know we're here."

"But they know my father, Blake," went on Joe, using more caution,
however, in his tones. "I must speak to them. Maybe they were associated
with him in lighthouse work, and this may be some new patent lantern
they're trying. Maybe my father hasn't gone to China at all, and these
men can tell where he is."

Joe made a move as though to leave the screened hiding place and
approach the men.

"No--don't go!" whispered Blake, hoarsely, holding his chum back. "Stay
here, Joe. Don't speak to those men!"

"But they have something to do with my father."

"No matter; do as I say, please! Believe me, Joe, I can't explain now,
for I promised I would not. But you'll understand--later. Don't ap