proach
those men!"

"Why not?"

"Because--well, I can't tell you!"

"Then I'm going!" declared Joe, half fiercely. "Blake, I'm sure you're
keeping something from me. I've suspected it for some time, for you've
looked at me in a queer fashion when I spoke of my father. Now what is
it?"

"Really, Joe, it's nothing--that is----"

"Yes, it is something. If you don't tell me I'll go out there and take
the consequences!"

Joe broke from Blake's restraining grasp as he whispered this, and was
about to dash for the bushes, when Hemp Danforth, dashing down a stone
he was raising, cried out:

"Boys, you can't fool me! There is some one here, and they're spying on
us. I'll make 'em sorry for it! I hear whispering, and I've felt right
along as though unseen eyes were looking at me. Now I'm going to find
out who it is!"

Once more he started for the place where Blake and Joe were concealed.
This time it could be seen that he would not be swerved from his quest.

"Come on, Joe. We've got to run for it!" exclaimed Blake, and, not
caring now how much noise they made--being under the necessity of
betraying their presence--they dashed back in the direction they had
come.

"Here they are!" yelled Hemp, as he ran after them, tearing through the
underbrush. "I knew we were being spied on! Come along, men!" he yelled.

Blake and Joe looked back as they got to the path that led along the
cliff, below which was the rolling ocean. They had a glimpse of the big
man racing after them, several others in his wake.

"Stop!" commanded Hemp Danforth. "Hold on, you spies!"

"Don't answer," advised Blake. "Save your breath for running, Joe."

"Um!" grunted his chum.

They were fleet of foot, and had a start. They were also lighter in
weight than was their pursuer. In a short time they were well ahead.

"But he's still coming on!" declared Blake.

"We've got to give him the slip," declared Joe. "Can't you see some side
path we can take?"

"Yes, here's one," was the panting answer, and at that moment Blake
parted some low bushes and jumped into a sort of cross path, almost
concealed from view. "Come on, Joe!"

His chum lost no time in following, and for a few moments, at least,
they were comparatively safe.

"Now, Blake," said Joe, when they felt that they could slacken their
pace to get their breath, "I want you to tell me that secret!"

CHAPTER XVII

AFTER THE WRECKERS

Blake Stewart was at a loss. He did not know