'Seen the _Heroic_?' began Harry; 'I say, if the men get their leave to-day do you think they will let us come with them?' 'We might show them the interesting places on the island,' said Reggie, with a sidelong glance at Allan. 'Oh, I say, what fun,' exclaimed Harry; 'I'd take them to the Smugglers' Caves and let them explore.' Reggie looked at Allan again. 'I wouldn't do that, if I were you, Harry,' said Allan. 'You don't know much about the caves yourself yet, you know, and they're most awfully dangerous; great holes full of water where you don't expect them, and rocks that might fall on the top of you and crush you to pieces; and then the smugglers might be lying in ambush round the corners, you know.' Tricksy, who had come out to join the others, opened her eyes very widely at this account of the hidden perils of the caves. 'Look,' cried Reggie, 'they're signalling something from the _Heroic_.' A string of flags had suddenly floated out from the _Heroic's_ masthead. 'Wait, and I'll fetch a spy-glass,' said Allan, running towards the house. 'Something about telling something to Father,' he said, after studying the signals for awhile; 'I can't make out the rest.' They looked at each other with frightened eyes. 'Here, Reggie,' said Allan, handing him the glass, 'you try.' Reggie looked, then shook his head. 'Can't make anything of it,' he said. 'Perhaps they want us to come on board again,' said Harry. 'You might give me the glass for a minute, Reggie.' 'They can't have been exploring already?' suggested Marjorie, in a voice designed only for Allan's and Reggie's ears. 'Don't know,' said Allan. 'If only they hadn't gone and made Father a J.P.!' he added, with a judiciously suppressed groan. 'They're signalling from the coastguard station, do you see?' cried Tricksy. 'Where's Gerald?' said Harry; 'he ought to be here to see this. Lazy beggar, if I don't remember to wake him at four in the morning he always oversleeps.' He flew into the house, and returned shortly, followed by Gerald, who came rubbing his eyes and trying to seem grateful to his brother for having roused him out of the first good sleep he had enjoyed for weeks. 'There's a coastguard just coming up the drive,' said Reggie. 'Perhaps all the men are going to ask us to a picnic or something,' suggested Harry; while Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie watched the messenger. Nothing was to be gathered from the demeanour of the coastguard, and after he had gone down the avenue all the young people crowded into the hall. 'A letter,' said Allan, looking at an envelope lying on the hall table; 'Allan Stewart, Esq. that doesn't tell us much, and Father has gone out.' 'Perhaps it's for you,' suggested Tricksy. 'Not it,' said Allan unwillingly; 'they'd never address me as esquire, especially as Father is Allan too. Can't do anything until he comes back.'