hborhood, but we did not see them."

"I suppose it might be as well to go back," said Percival. "It would not
be pleasant to run across a lot of half-civilized natives to say nothing
of smugglers."

"No, it would not," and at that instant there was a rustling in the bushes
not far away, and two men stepped out, the singular appearance of one of
them causing Jack to turn suddenly pale.

This man was of good height and build and evidently quite strong, and was,
besides, a person of superior intellect if not of the best tendencies, as
his face indicated, but what attracted most attention was the fact that
while his mustache was snowy white his hair and eyebrows were quite dark,
this making him noticeable in a moment.

"You here, George----"

"Rollins," said the other, evidently thinking that Jack was about to
pronounce another name, which was the fact. "Yes, I am here. It is safer
than back in New York state or any of the states, in fact. May I ask what
you are doing in this part of the world! I am as much surprised to see you
here as you are to see me," and the man made a sudden quick signal with
his left hand.

Jack heard a rustle behind him, and turned quickly, but not soon enough to
escape the quick rush of three big, strong, bearded men who sprang upon
him and his companions and held them fast.

"What does this mean, George--Rollins?" asked Jack, hesitating at
pronouncing the name, "Who are these men!"

"Friends of mine," laughed the man with the white mustache. "Business
partners I might say."

"The majority of your business partners get in jail or are shot by the
police, Mr. Rollins," said Jack. "Are these the same sort? What business
are you in now?" and then a look of intelligence shot across the boy's
face, as he remembered that Rollins was the name of the smuggler he had
but recently heard mentioned.

The other saw this look, and said with an evil glance:

"I think you have heard the name before. What are you doing here? You are
in the government service, you and your boy friends? What is this uniform
you wear?"

"That of the students of the Hilltop Academy. You knew that I was one of
them, for on the occasion of our last meeting----"

"I say, Jack," said Percival suddenly, "this is the man who was concerned
in the robbery of the Riverton Bank, your----" and the boy suddenly
paused, a deep flush on his face.

"His father, you were going to say," laughed the other, an evil look
crossing his coun