"By the big horn-spoon, those two wearers of stripes are Carl Schultz and his pal, Silas, or I'm a Dutchman," sputtered Ned, as the two boys, having exhausted the patience of the audience seated behind them, beat a hasty retreat. CHAPTER XXII. A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE. "You are sure of it, aren't you?" Herc asked the question as they gained the street. "Certain," replied Ned; "no mistaking that underhung jaw and heavy brow of friend Silas." "Or that lady-like simper of the rascal Schultz. Ned, I feel that we are on the verge of big discoveries." "Why?" "I don't know; it's in the air--like electricity." "Well, they'll have to hurry along--those big discoveries of yours, I mean," laughed Ned; "for it's ten-thirty now, and the shore boats will be at the float at eleven-thirty." "That's an hour," responded Herc, "and many a big battle has been fought and won in that time. By Hookey!" he broke off suddenly, "did you see those two fellows who just passed?" "I saw two rather fleshy men in evening clothes hurry by in the direction of the hotel. Why?" "Did you recognize them?" Ned laid a hand on Herc's shoulder and wheeled the red-headed Dreadnought Boy about. "Say, Herc, what's the matter with you to-night? You've got rememberitis, or some similar disease. Who are you going to recognize next?" "I don't know; likely to run into Gran'pa Zack, if this keeps up. Those two fellows were the same pair of worthies we yanked out of the seats that day in the subway." Herc chuckled at the recollection. "No?" "Yes." "The Pulsifer Gun people. The concern that sells American-made guns to foreign powers?" "That's right." "Are you sure?" "As certain as I am that the two figures in that convict picture were Silas and Schultz." "If that is the case, we might just trail after them a little way. There's little danger of their recognizing us. I don't imagine that they are here, while the fleet is on battle practice and trying out new guns, for any good or patriotic purpose." "That's just my idea. Anyhow, they are going toward the hotel where all that glare of light is. As we want to have a peep at the festivities anyway, we might as well kill two birds with one stone." "I agree with you. Come on." The two Dreadnought Boys wheeled about and began to follow the course taken by the red-faced, be-diamonded men they had last encountered so strangely in New York. As they had guessed, the pair they were shadowing went directly to the hotel--the front of which bore a brilliantly illuminated set-piece, formed of hundreds of red, white and blue incandescents, the whole forming a representation of the Stars and Stripes. Instinctively the two lads saluted the colors, and then passed up the broad wooden steps on to a capacious veranda.