“Will you promise not to expose me—at least, not for a year?” he asked eagerly. “That would give me time enough. Another season at this ghost game ought to pack that hotel full, and I can get a regular monthly salary to do my part of the work.” “I’ve always wanted to write stories,” said Sleuth shrewdly. “You seem to know something about that sort of business, and if you’ll put me wise to the game I’ll remain as dumb as an oyster about this spook trick.” “You won’t tell your friends even?” “Not a living soul,” vowed Piper. “Well, I’m not sure that I can instruct you in the art of writing stories; I’ve a lot to learn myself. Nevertheless, I’ll do my best. If you have some natural ability in that line, it may be possible that you can write, but I can’t promise you any degree of success without knowing more of your talents.” “It’s a bargain, Mr. Granger,” said Piper, putting out his hand in the darkness. “If you’ll do that, I’ll keep mum for a year or more, in case you ask it.” They shook hands, sealing the pledge. They had reached the canoe and were about to launch it when distant voices were heard calling: “Sleuth—oh, Sleuth! Piper! Where are you?” “Well, I’ll be hanged!” muttered the boy. “That’s some of my bunch. They’re over yonder somewhere. Confound their hides! Now I know who took my boat. Now I understand how I happened to be left here on this old island.” The boys were still calling. “You’d better answer them,” said Granger quickly. “Go to meet them. I’ll keep out of sight. Good by.” “Good by, Mr. Granger. I’ll see you tomorrow about two o’clock at your cabin, if that’s agreeable.” “That’s agreeable to me. Hustle now. Answer them quick.” Piper hurried away, shouting a response to his friends, and when he reached the place where he had left his boat he saw them a short distance away upon the water. There were three of them. Two were in the canoe, while one occupied the boat Sleuth had hired. “Well, it’s about time you fellows came back for me,” rasped Piper. “Thought you were playing a fine old game, didn’t you? You were having a lot of fun with me, weren’t you? Rather clever to sneak up and take my boat away, wasn’t it?” “Gee!” said Springer, who was sitting in the boat. “Old Sleuthy is mighty hot under the cuc-collar.” “Yes,” sneered Crane from the canoe; “I’ll bate he’s pretty nigh scat to death.” “Oh, you will, will you?” scoffed Piper. “Well, don’t bet too much on it, for you’ll lose your money. You haven’t got nerve enough to come here even with somebody, but I’ve been all over the island alone.” “Go ashore and take him off in the boat, Springer,” directed Grant. “He sure doesn’t seem very much frightened.” Piper got into the boat as soon as Phil brought it to the shore. “Just because you fellows are scarecrows yourselves,” he sneered, “you mustn’t get the idea that everyone else is a coward. Come on now, Springer, you can do the rowing as long as you have the oars. Let’s get to camp. I’m hungry for supper.”