s the grave," said Bruce.

"What grave?"

"Why, the one we told you about--the grave of the Boston man who
disappeared in such a mysterious manner. It is supposed that he was
murdered on this island and buried there."

Bart shivered.

"You act as if you half expected to see another grave beside that one,"
he muttered.

"Not so soon."

"But to-morrow----"

"If Frank has been foully dealt with, the villains have not been given
time to make another grave. His body is hidden somewhere. But I will not
believe anything of the kind has happened. We shall find him
somewhere--alive and well."

"We must!"

Bruce remembered the strange whispering they had heard there when he
and Frank visited the place, and now he listened, half expecting to hear
it again.

The silence was unbroken save by the mournful sound of the wind in the
trees.

Bruce went forward quickly and stood by the grave. Bart came up, and
together they looked down at the gray headstone.

"What is that?" asked Hodge, pointing. "Somebody has been doing
something to the stone since it was placed here."

They bent down and looked at the stone.

"Why," cried Bruce, "the first name has been chiseled off! Another name
has been put on! That name is----"

"Frank Merriwell!"

Astounded, they stared at the headstone. What did it mean? Why was that
name upon it?

The tightening sensation grew around Browning's heart. All at once it
seemed that the mystery of the island was deeper and darker than ever
before.

"Now what do you think of that?" cried Bart, huskily.

Bruce shook his head, for the moment feeling that he was not able to
speak. It did not seem that he could govern his voice. All sorts of wild
fancies were rushing through his head.

He looked at the mound, and a feeling of relief came to him when he saw
that it seemed undisturbed.

Hodge was shaking. He reached out and grasped the big fellow's arm with
a savage clutch.

"Was it--was it meant for a warning?" he asked.

"Yes," said Bruce, quickly grasping at that explanation, "it must have
been. You have struck it, Hodge."

"Then it is not likely Frank saw it."

"Perhaps not, and yet he may have come here."

Then they stood there a long time, silently staring at that stone, on
which was chiseled the name of the friend they held dearest in all the
world.

At last Bruce hoarsely said:

"Come, let's get away from here!"

"But it may be that--somehow--we may strike a clew here. This