“So we watched for awhile, Brady and I taking turns, and found that there were only three of them. One of them, the engraver, was an old hand and the Department had been after him for years. He was the one who took the money down to New York and handed it over to a confederate there for circulation. About two weeks ago he made another trip, and we set men to watch him when he reached the city. He was shadowed, his confederate marked down and we learned that he was coming back to-day. He reached here on the noon boat. At seven o’clock Brady and I went up and rounded up the three of them.” “Was there fighting?” asked Chub eagerly. “No, we managed to surprise them. We got their press, some plates, and a few counterfeit bills, enough to convict them, I guess. We took them to the jail at Silver Cove, and at midnight we’ll go on with them to New York. Now you know all about it. I’m sorry I’ve had to deceive you at times, but it’s necessary in my business.” “Then you weren’t a clown at all?” asked Roy. “Oh, yes, I was--for awhile. And all the other things I told you about,” answered Billy smilingly. “In the service we have to play many parts. Well, I must, be getting on. I was sorry I couldn’t come to your party, Miss Emery. Perhaps, though, we will meet again some day. I hope so. I’ve enjoyed knowing you and these young gentlemen immensely. It’s been real fun, and it isn’t often I manage to combine fun with business. Good-by.” Harry shook hands with him sorrowfully. “I wish you weren’t going,” she said. “Thank you,” he answered. “So do I. I’ll miss the fishing and the good times we’ve had around your camp-fire.” “I hope we’ll meet you again,” said Chub. “It’s been awfully jolly for us fellows, having you here.” “That’s so,” echoed Dick and Roy. “And I’m very much obliged for the help you gave me with the launch,” added the former. Billy smiled, hesitated, and-- “I’ve got a confession to make,” he answered. “I don’t want you to think I wouldn’t have done anything for you that I could have, but I was more interested in that launch than you suspected. I thought that perhaps some day I might want to use it and use it in a hurry. And so I made up my mind to find out just how she ran. As things turned out, though, I had no use for her.” Dick laughed. “Well, I hadn’t suspected that,” he said, “but you’d have been welcome to her if you’d wanted her. And I’m just as much obliged to you.” Billy turned to Mr. Cole. “Good-by,” he said. “You and I’ll see each other again.” “Well, we always have so far,” said the artist heartily as he shook hands. “We’re bound to,” was the response. “I owe you for something since yesterday, you know, and I’ve got to pay that off. Until then, good-by.” [Illustration: “Good-by”] They all followed Billy out to the deck and watched while he jumped into the _Minerva_, which lay with idly flapping sail beside the _Jolly Roger_. “What becomes of your boat?” asked Mr. Cole.