they can't fool us that way."

No further sound was heard from the shore. Cooler did not answer,
although Bart called to him several times.

Jack had heard Hodge speaking, and he came on deck. When Bart told
Diamond what had happened, the latter was furious.

"If I had been here, I would have fired six shots in his direction," he
declared.

Diamond took his turn on deck, and it was about two o'clock when he
fancied he heard the sound of oars. The sound came nearer and nearer,
till at last it seemed that the boat reached the island, and then the
sound was heard no more.

Morning dawned, and Browning arose in a strangely agitated state of
mind. Never had his companions seen him in such a condition. When asked
about it, he said:

"Boys, I had a queer dream. I'm going to tell you what it was. I dreamed
that Frank Merriwell is buried in the grave on the island. I thought him
buried alive. We dug him out and restored him to life."

"It can't be that Merry is buried there, for the mound has not been
disturbed lately," said Diamond.

"All the same," declared Browning, "I am going to open that grave. I am
going to know the secret it holds."

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE SECRET OF THE GRAVE.

Browning was determined, and it was not long before he had worked the
others into a state of excitement over it. Without waiting for
breakfast, they sprang into the boat and rowed ashore.

"I saw some tools in the sheds at the end of the railroad," said Bruce.
"We will secure them."

The path was taken, and they passed through the old quarry and down the
track to the sheds. There they found a pick and spade. With those in
their possession, they hastened to the black glade in which lay the
grave.

For once in his life Bruce Browning was filled with energy--he was
aroused. But even as he reached the grave, he halted suddenly, his hand
uplifted, hoarsely gasping:

"Listen!"

The boys were silent.

"Help!"

It was a smothered cry, and it seemed to come from the ground at their
feet. It made the hair of the Dutch boy stand and his teeth chatter. It
astonished and amazed them all.

"Help!"

Again that smothered cry seemed to come from the grave. What did it
mean?

"Use the pick, Hodge!" hoarsely commanded Browning. "We will soon open
it up. Go at it lively!"

Bart obeyed, and the ground gave back a strange, hollow sound as he
struck his pick into it. Browning shoveled away the dirt, having torn
off his coat to work