The boys seldom spoke throughout the meal and when at last they arose, one of them took some money from his pocket and handed it to the Japanese, who served them. Quickly the little man took the money and thrust it into his pocket. No language was required for the transaction and it was clearly manifest that he understood the action of his guest. "Let's go down to the shore again," suggested Fred. "Perhaps one of the boats has come in and the fellows are looking for us now." Both boys ran swiftly on their return but when they arrived on the bluff once more they were doomed to disappointment. Not a boat was to be seen in the dim light. Nor was any light to be seen as they looked out over the waters. Somehow the darkness itself seemed to be startling. "There isn't any boat here and there isn't any boat coming," said Fred at last. "What shall we do?" inquired John. "There's only one thing for us to do," said Fred, "and that's to go back to the house. We'll have to explain to them why we haven't left, and I don't believe that woman, even if she didn't want us to see her, will turn us out on a night like this. We'll tell her that we'll pay for our lodging and I guess she'll let us in." Neither boy, however, was confident of his welcome when they once more retraced their way and started back toward the little house which now itself was wrapped in darkness. Not even the beams of the candle now could be seen shining through the kitchen windows. CHAPTER IX THE LOST SKIFF Slowly the boys again crossed the familiar field. In their distraction the various objects assumed grotesque forms in the dim light. The swaying branch of a low tree seemed almost like the extended arm of a waiting man. Every sound that came from the waters startled them. The cry of the night birds was unusually weird and penetrating. Neither of the boys was willing to acknowledge that he was afraid, but nevertheless they kept closely together and did not speak until once more they were standing before the kitchen door. Both were startled when not far away they heard the sound of a deep growl. They had not seen any dogs about the premises in their previous visits and both were startled by the unexpected sound. In their haste and alarm they both began to rap upon the door. The dog, still growling, did not advance upon them, but they could see the dim outline of his form as he stood near the corner of the house. There was no sound within and no response was given to their summons. Nor when they repeated their knocking, as they did several times, was any heed paid them. "What shall we do?" whispered Fred, looking up into the face of his companion. "There must be somebody in here." "Open the door," suggested John. Fred reached for the latch, and, doing his utmost to be quiet in his action in order to avoid undue attention on the part of the dog, tried to open the door.