ie. "What's this?"

"Mackinder and Norton again, I'll bet my head!" said Jack.

"Weren't satisfied with their first search," agreed Jimmie.

"Came back here and went through everything. Then I'll bet Mackinder
grabbed that milk cart and dogs, slipped on an old lady's dress and
chased down to the dock to see if he could stop us!" put in Jack. "When
he found we were armed he just cut it and ran away!"

"Boys, we will do well to pack up and get aboard that vessel as quickly
as possible!" declared Ned. "Through a mistake we're under suspicion, and
it won't pay us to remain here another minute!"

Replacing their belongings in the bags with skill and despatch the lads
were soon ready. They at once proceeded to the dock.

Tramping aboard they proceeded to the cabin at the after end of the
vessel. Entering they discovered Captain von Kluck seated at the little
table. Before him was a bottle and a glass.

"Well, Captain," began Ned, "we're here and ready to go!"

"So-o-o?" queried von Kluck. "Vhell, if you're reatty to go, vhy go! But
you don'd go on dis schip. Vhe don'd carry bassengers!"

CHAPTER VI

A DIFFICULT DEPARTURE

Astounded at the statement of the captain, whom they had begun to regard
as a friend but whose present manner indicated anything but friendship,
the boys glanced at each other in some degree of alarm.

"Just what do you mean by that, Captain?" inquired Ned. "I thought it was
understood that we were to have passage on your boat!"

"Vhell, den I forgot dot vhe don'd carry bassengers!"

"And I suppose it took Mackinder to refresh your memory!" snapped Jimmie,
stepping forward with an outward thrust of his chin.

At the mention of Mackinder's name the captain gave a quick start. His
glance at Jimmie was one of uneasiness and alarm.

"Vot do you know about Mackinter?" he inquired.

"I know this," stated Jimmie, angrily. "He's a fake and if you know when
you're well off you'll let go your lines right now!"

"Yes, Captain," added Ned, "we found Mackinder trying to detain us
because he fancies we have done something wrong or because he thinks we
have something he wants. Who he may be we don't know!"

"I know!" stated the captain, stoutly. "I know dot feller is a officer in
der British army, und vhen he says shtay, den I shtay!"

"An officer in the British army!" gasped Jimmie.

"I think I see now why he wants that package!" declared Ned. "He thinks
that we are bringing some instructio