d.

"That's a great idea," declared one of the government men. "Taking their
photographs in moving pictures! There'll be no chance for them to deny
they were present when they were captured," and he chuckled grimly.

Mr. Hadley was given an opportunity to move forward alone. He found an
advantageous spot and almost at once beckoned to the others to hasten.

"They're getting ready to leave!" he whispered, as they reached his
side.

"Come on, then!" cried Tom Cardiff. "Jump in on 'em, boys. Lively now!"

As he spoke he leaped forward, followed by the others.

"Surrender! We've got you surrounded!" yelled the assistant keeper.
"It's all over but the shouting!" and as he made a grab for one of the
men the moving picture machine began clicking.

"Hands up!" ordered Mr. Wilton.

"At 'em, boys!" called the other government man, as he and Blake and Joe
leaped to the attack together.

For a moment the wreckers stood as if paralyzed about the stone pedestal
on which the false lantern was being built. Then, with one accord, the
desperate men made a dash for the bush.

"Stop 'em!" cried Tom Cardiff. "Don't let 'em get away!"

"Come on!" yelled Blake to his chum. "We've got to get in this fracas!"

And as they dashed after the wreckers the moving picture camera in the
hands of Mr. Hadley recorded view after view of the exciting scene.

CHAPTER XXII

A LIFE GUARD'S ALARM

Fortune played into the hands of our friends in two ways as they sought
to capture the wreckers. Otherwise the desperate men might have gotten
away, so quickly did they dash out of the clearing at the first alarm.

But, as he ran along, big Hemp Danforth, the leader of the criminals,
stumbled and fell. Right behind him was sturdy Tom Cardiff, and the
assistant lighthouse keeper was quick to take advantage of the chance
thus put in his way.

"I've got you!" he yelled, as he fairly threw himself on the prostrate
wrecker. "I've got you! Give up, you varmint!"

There was a struggle, none the less desperate because the wrecker was
underneath. The two rolled on the ground until Tom got a grip on his
opponent. Then, by putting forth his enormous strength, Tom quickly
subdued the man.

"Give up, I tell you!" panted Tom, breathing hard. "I'll teach you to
wreck ships. Give up!"

"I give up!" was the sullen response.

With a quick turn of the ropes he had brought, Tom had the wrecker
trussed up.

Meanwhile the others had been busy. The secr