The Chinaman seemed very nervous after that, and he kept on the watch for some time, but nothing more was seen or heard of the intruders. Midnight came at last. After the alarm all conversation was held in whispers. Ed suggested that they get on the job. Ethel was for postponing everything, but Pow was for going ahead, and he had his way. About half-past twelve, after a careful look around, Ed and the Chinaman started out. Ethel wanted to go along, but her husband sat down upon it. Pow ordered her to lock the doors and windows and keep close till their return. He seemed very nervous as they walked on down a narrow lane which took them to the shore. Here there was a stretch of rocks against which the water came. Beyond was a ruinous pier, at the head of which was the foundation of a large building apparently destroyed by fire a long time before. The neighborhood was lonely enough at all times, and now it appeared to be utterly deserted save for themselves. "If it wasn't for that scare we had, I should feel sure that we were going straight to success," growled the Chinaman. "I only wish I could have seen those fellows for myself. I can't imagine who they could have been." "Mebbe they were the same ones who brought me up here," suggested Ed. Pow, however, did not think so. They went down on the pier. The tide was up and the night dark. "Now then, what am I to do?" demanded Ed. "It is like this," said Pow. "The paper written by the pension agent says that he put the money in a water-tight tin case, tied a heavy stone to it, and sunk it alongside the seventh pile from the end of the pier where the water is about fifteen feet deep at high tide. Is it that now, I wonder?" Ed did not know. Having been brought up in Albany, tides were a mystery to him. "I can only try it," he said, "and I may as well go about it now." He began to undress. "Look about well when you get into the water," said Pow. "Those fellows might be hiding under the pier." Ed assented. Stripped in a minute, he stood looking down into the water. "Why don't you go ahead? What are you hanging back for?" the Chinaman demanded. "A fellow hates to dive where he doesn't know the depth, especially at night," replied Ed. "Oh, go ahead! I only wish I could dive. I wouldn't hesitate." "Well, here goes!" cried Ed, and throwing out his hands he dove off the pier. CHAPTER V. FOLLOWING UP THE CHINESE CLEW. Old King Brady hardly knew how to handle the old Chinaman. The man's face was as expressionless as a wooden block when he said: "Me no talkee, boss. Two hlundled dlollars, den me tellee you sometling big. No givee me, go away." "Something big?" queried Old King Brady. "You mean something more than just about the boy?" "Yair, whole lot more. Me no dlead one. Some fellers tlink me dlead one--no." What was he driving at? Old King Brady's curiosity was fully aroused.