For some time after they had been ordered back from their pursuit of the strange vessel neither Frank nor Andy said anything. They were thinking too hard for mere words. Finally the younger lad expressed himself.

“Well, wouldn’t that spoil your clam chowder?”

“It sure would,” agreed Frank, who was used to queer remarks from his brother.

“He must be up to something crooked or he wouldn’t be so anxious to have us stop following him,” went on the younger Racer lad.

“That’s right. And I was so sure I’d find out what the mystery was! But I didn’t count on the cannon.”

“No, it wouldn’t have been safe to risk a shot. We might have sunk.”

“But I’ll not give up!” exclaimed Frank determinedly. “We’ve got some clues now, and we can follow them. Just notice which way they’re sailing, Andy.”

“What good will that do?”

“I intend to circle back in a short time, and see if I can pick them up. It’s one thing for him to order us back, but we have just as much right on the ocean as he has, and he can’t keep us off. If we stay far enough back they can’t see us, and we can find out where they’re going.”

“Where do you think they’re heading for?”

“Give it up, but I know one thing. It’s evident that this man, whoever he is, wants to keep out of observation. That is proved by the fact that he once had this damaged motor boat in tow of another gasolene craft, and for some reason he gave it up. He may have anchored it in some out-of-the-way place, and has only just now gone for it. That’s what he wanted of Jim Hedson’s boat, but we spoiled his plans. Now he has another sailing craft to tow the prize in.”

“I believe you’re right, Frank, but where do you suppose he’s taking it?”

“Give it up, but I’m going to keep on the search for him. If there’s a chance of bringing back Paul’s memory I’m going to do it.”

“And I’m with you!” exclaimed Andy heartily. The two brothers cast backward glances at the vessel with which they had had a clash. It was rapidly disappearing in a slight haze that was arising, and soon Frank thought it would be safe to turn about, sail with the wind, and take after the mysterious man.

But he did not count on the weather. Soon the wind increased in violence, and there was a choppy sea.

“I don’t like this,” remarked Andy, as their small craft pitched and tossed on the waves. “I don’t mean I’m seasick, or anything like that, but we’re getting pretty far out, and with a storm coming on toward night—”

“That’s right,” agreed Frank. “We’ll have to turn back. It’s tough luck, just as we’re on the right track, but it can’t be helped. It wouldn’t be right to make mom and dad worry. We’ll beat it back for home.”

But the wind came up with such sudden violence, and the sea ran so high, that the best the boys could do was to run for shelter. In fact it was only with considerable risk that they made a safe harbor, for with a rising tide and a cross current their small craft was in a bad way.

“We’ll never make Harbor View!” cried Frank above the noise of the wind and the spatter of the salt spume on deck.

“What’ll we do then?” shouted Andy. The two brothers had donned their oilskins which were glistening with moisture in the fading light of the day.

“Run for Mardene and anchor there. Then we can go home on the railroad.”

“All right. Got any cash?”

“Enough for fares I guess.”

It was some hours later when two tired boys entered the Racer cottage, where they found their father and mother not a little alarmed at their absence in the storm which had rapidly developed.

“But we’re on the right track!” cried Frank, with enthusiasm.

“How&r............