helper to China. I had long planned to take a sea voyage,
and when I got this news I decided to go at once, and bring her back.
Then I was to renew my search for you.

"An agent in San Francisco told me of a vessel about to sail for Hong
Kong, and I deserted my post at the lighthouse and sailed. I admit I did
wrong in leaving so suddenly, but it seemed to be the best thing to do.
I did not want to be arrested as a wrecker even though I was innocent."

"I'll forgive you," said Mr. Stanton, with a smile. "I'm so glad to
learn you're not one of them pesky wreckers."

And then began a long series of explanations, Mr. Duncan listening with
interest to Joe's story, and, in turn, telling how his vessel was
wrecked, and how he and the others were picked up, only to be wrecked
again, nearer home.

Joe's father paused a moment and then said:

"But, son, tell me something of yourself. I've been doing all the
talking, it seems. Are you really in this queer business of taking
moving pictures?"

"That's what I am, Dad--Blake and I. We've been in it some time, and
we're doing well. We hope to be in it some time longer, too. If it
hadn't been for these pictures I might never have found you."

"That's so, Joe. After this I'll never pass a moving picture theatre
without thinking what it has done for me. It gave me back my boy!"

"Now I think you have talked enough, Mr. Duncan," said one of the women,
coming up. "You had a much harder time of it than we did, and you must
quiet down. You must have swallowed a lot of salt water."

"I guess I did--enough to preserve about a barrel of pickles," he
admitted, with a smile. "I would be glad of a little rest. But you won't
leave me; will you, Joe?"

"No indeed, Dad. I've had enough trouble finding you to lose you now.
But you get a good rest. Blake and I have a lot to do yet. I want to get
these latest films in shape to send off for development. I hope they
came out good."

"I don't see how they could--with the weather conditions what they
were," remarked C. C. Piper, joining the group.

"Now that isn't a nice thing to say," Miss Lee reminded him. "Why can't
you be cheerful?"

"Why, I'm not at all gloomy. I only said----"

"You tried to throw cold water on what the boys did," she reminded him.

"Water! Say, if anybody says water to me again to-day, I don't know what
I will do!" exclaimed Blake. "Shame on you, C. C.! You ought to be more
careful."

"Oh, well, I didn't mean any