That his thoughts were of an unpleasant nature was evident by a frown which disfigured his florid countenance. And this frown did not lessen, but rather increased as there suddenly appeared in the doorway no less a wild-looking personage than Silly Sue, whom Fritz had encountered upon the beach. She made a grimace and sort of a jerky bow as she saw his honor, and then stood staring at him in a strange manner. "Well!" he growled, angrily, "what brings you here?" "What allus brings me?" she replied, with a chuckle. "I want to come back and play up high-cockolorum, like my big-feelin' sister. S'pose that's silly, too, ain't it, daddy?" "No more so than your accursed obstinacy, you fool!" was the severe reply. "You well know the only terms that can ever restore you as a member of my family." "But I won't accept 'em!" "Then clear out. You shall never be anything to me till you surrender the stolen money." "Bah! it ain't yours! You're a bad, wicked man, and you got it wickedly, and get all your wealth wickedly, and the more you get the wickeder you get. Get out! I'd cut my head off, silly's I am, before I'd give you up the money." "Curses on your mulishness!" "Ha! ha! I know you cherish the most fatherly regard for me. If it wasn't for the hope that I will some day restore you your lost ten thousand you'd had me drowned months ago. By the way, old man, what have you done with my feller?" "Your fellow?" "Yes--Hal Hartly." "How should I know anything about him?" "Who should know better? Oh! you wicked monster!" "Take care, girl!" "No, I won't take care!" and her eyes flashed in defiance of his anger. "I ain't a bit afraid of you, because I can outrun any dog in the town. I know what's become of Hal. Your tools took him out and chucked him under. But, ha! ha! he's all right!" Greyville started a little. "What foolishness is this of yours?" "Oh! only silliness, of course," and she laughed loudly. "But Hal's all right, and, now that his scruples have had a pickle, I allow he'll come around to my cherished plan, and we'll make it warm for you!" "What! you dare to threaten _me_?" "Didn't I tell you I'd go for you if you didn't reform? Well, I must be off. How's my stately sister? How's the countess? Ha! ha! ha! shoot her. She's an old hag, with a glass eye and false teeth. The future Mrs. G! Bah! and such a model private excursion steamer, too! Still, it serves its purpose. I'm off now--just come up to spice your breakfast. Better mend your ways. The way of the transgressor is hard. By-by! Yours, truly, Silly Sue!" And then, with a wild laugh, she vanished. CHAPTER IX. FRITZ'S DISCOVERY. Let us return to our ventriloquist detective and his venturesome expedition. In heading the boat into the opening in the bluff, he had no idea how his venture would terminate, but was urged on by a great curiosity to explore the spot, feeling sure that it had some connection with the smugglers' league.