's haunted, too, isn't it, Bill?" asked Donald meaningly.

"Well, they do say there was a terrible murder done here some years ago
and that's the reason it's been deserted ever since, but I really could
not say as to the truth of that, Master Judson," rejoined Bill, falling
into Donald's plan to tease Jack.

Inside the place was one large room. A few broken bits of furniture
stood about. Bill set the lantern down on a rickety table and then went
to guard the door, while the others retreated to a corner and held a
parley.

At its conclusion Judson came over to Jack.

"Well, Ready," he said, "you've caused us a lot of trouble, but still I
might come to terms with you."

"Are you ready to release me?" demanded Jack.

"Yes, under certain conditions. First, you must tell us all you know
about that naval code of Captain Simms."

"And the truth, too," snarled Jarrow. "We'll find out quick enough if
you're lying, and we'll make it hot for you."

"You bet we will," chimed in Donald.

"Donald, be quiet a minute," ordered his father. "Well, Ready, what have
you to say?"

"Suppose I tell you I know nothing about the naval code?" said Jack
quietly.

"Then I should say you were not telling the truth."

"Nevertheless I am."

"What, you know nothing about the code?"

"Nothing except that Captain Simms was ordered to get up something of
the sort."

"You don't know if it's finished or not?"

"I have no idea."

"Is your life worth anything to you?" struck in Jarrow.

"What do you mean?" asked Jack.

"Just what I say. If it is, you had better make terms to save it."

"Impossible. You are fooling with me, Jarrow. Even a man as base as you
wouldn't dare----"

"I wouldn't, eh? Well, you'll find out before long if I'm in earnest or
not."

Jack was a brave lad, as we know, and carried himself well through many
dangerous situations. But he was not the dauntless hero of a nickel
novel whom nothing could scare. He knew Jarrow for a desperado and,
although he could not bring himself to believe the man would actually
carry out any such threat as he had made, still he realized to the full
the peril of his situation.

"Well, what do you say?" demanded Jarrow, after a pause.

"I don't know just what to say," said Jack. "My head is all in a whirl.
Give me time to think the thing over. I can hardly collect my thoughts
at present."

The men made some further attempts to get something out of him, but,
finding him obdurate