on an order of the court to which
Mr. Beacon had appealed, reported that they could get no trace of him.
Nor was the whereabouts of the missing Mrs. Raymond discovered.

In their two motor boats the young people paid visits to many near-by
resorts, occasionally, when the weather was fine, even venturing out on
the ocean. But, save for Cora, the girls were always a little timid about
this, and so the ocean trips were not numerous.

One day Mr. Haley came hurrying over to the girls' bungalow from the
lighthouse. He held a paper in his hand.

"Where is Miss Kimball?" he asked of Belle, who answered his knock. "I
must see her at once."

"Why, has anything happened?" Belle asked in sudden alarm. She looked down
on the beach, and was relieved to see Nancy safe there.

"No, miss, nothing has happened--yet," replied the keeper. "But I received
a strange message just now, and I want to tell Miss Kimball."

"Cora!" called Belle, and Cora, who had been in an inner room, came out.

"What is it?" she asked, and Mr. Haley handed her the piece of paper.

"I just found that on my doorstep," he explained. "I was home all alone,
my helper being in town buying supplies, and Rosalie and Dick being out in
the boat. Read it."

"But how did it get there?" asked Cora, as she stepped over to a window
to see more plainly.

"I don't know, except some boy must have brought it there, left it and
run away. It was weighted with a stone."

"Then that's probably how it was left," suggested Belle. "But what is so
mysterious about it What does it say, Cora?"

Cora read:

"If you would have news of your sister come alone to Shark's Tooth at nine
to-night."

CHAPTER XXIX

AT THE SHARK'S TOOTH

"What a strange note!"

"Isn't it? And the odd way it was delivered!"

"What is the Shark's Tooth, Mr. Haley?"

The boys and girls were all together in the bungalow of the latter--or,
rather, were out on the broad porch, for, following the visit of the light
keeper, with the strange letter, they had gathered to discuss the matter.

"The Shark's Tooth," said Mr. Haley, "is a long, low ledge of rock,
jutting out in the water about a mile above the light. It looks somewhat
like a big tooth--the end of it does, I mean."

"Will you go there?" asked Jack.

"I sure will, my boy."

"Maybe it's a trap," suggested Ed. "This fellow Cross may be trying to
get hold of you, Mr. Haley."

"I'm not afraid of him. I think I'll be his match," and