That was the limit. He did not dare carry the speculation any further. Already he was gasping for breath, overcome with the horror of the thought. The adventures of the night bore heavily upon him. For the first time in his life he felt like a coward. He was willing to keep still and let the men in the boat go their way and do their will, no matter what crime they had perpetrated. Frank did not feel that way. His curiosity was fully awakened, and he was eager to solve the mystery. “Come!” He arose to a crouching posture and moved toward the pier, stumbling blindly over the rough ground. Diamond was ready to follow anywhere Merriwell might lead, and he followed close at Frank’s heels. Rattleton hesitated. It was not till Browning, with a groan, arose and started to follow the others that he seemed to awaken from the spell that had fallen upon him. “Brace up!” he grated. “What ails you? Are you going to wilt now?” He did brace up, but he followed along behind the others. They did not go far before Merriwell brought them to a stand. “They’re landing,” whispered Frank. The rowing had stopped. They could hear a subdued murmur of hoarse voices. The boat had come round under the lee of the pier, and the men were coming ashore. As the boys stood there, they again caught a gleam of light--a moving ray, shot from a reflector. It was gone in a moment, but it had shown them several figures. “Nearer!” palpitated Diamond, eagerly. “Dangerous,” declared Frank. “Might shoot the light on us at any moment. Can’t tell what those men are doing.” The others felt that Merriwell was right. It might be very dangerous to be discovered. “Shall we follow them?” asked Browning, who had been awakened in a most unusual manner. “Perhaps. Wait and see.” The wind howled, the fine sleet beat upon them, the white tigers roared from the distant shore. “Down!” Merriwell hissed the word, sinking to the ground. The others followed his example. “What’s the matter?” asked Jack, throbbing with excitement. “Coming,” answered Frank, laconically. This was true. The men had left the pier, and they were advancing toward the boys. Again strange fancies flitted through Harry Rattleton’s head. Had they been discovered? Were those men coming to attack them? Were they destined to soon be engaged in a savage battle for life? “If I ever get out of this scrape, I’ll let the _Jolly Sport_ rest where she is and keep off the sound in April,” he mentally vowed. “Lay low!” hissed Frank. They flattened themselves upon the ground, hearing footsteps close at hand. They looked up and saw dark figures passing. One, two, three, four of them. “Don’t try any funny business with us, old man!” sounded a hoarse voice. “Take us straight to the spot!” “If he tries ter fool Capt. Horn he’s as good as dead!” said another hoarse voice. Then there was a muttering of harsh laughter, and the four men passed on into the darkness. Frank sat up, and the others did likewise.