Mr. Button laughed again and after a brief silence said, "Why not? Perhaps I can make use of your help. I don't mind telling you, now that you know so much, that I expect to go over to Cockburn Island to-morrow. Furthermore I expect to make some investigations there. It may be that I might take two of you boys with me, though they used to tell me when I was a youngster that one boy is a boy and two boys is a half a boy." "Which two will you take?" demanded Fred excitedly. "I have no preference. In fact I may be wrong in allowing any of you to go. If either of those huge dogs should attack you there would surely be trouble. Besides, the little Japanese cannot be ignored. And then too, the smuggler himself, if he is caught on the ground, or finds we are making our own investigations, may make more trouble than all the rest put together." "What's the reason," spoke up George excitedly, "that Grant and I can't take another motor-boat and go over there near the channel and spend the day fishing? You see we would be within easy calling if you need us and the fact that we were there might help to explain why Fred and John were on the island." "There wouldn't be very much for you to do," suggested Mr. Button. "It will be enough for us if we can just go ahead," said Grant. So eager were the boys and so intense was their desire to join in the expedition of the morrow that at last Mr. Button somewhat reluctantly gave his consent, explaining that if there should be any real danger he would insist upon the boys at once withdrawing in their motor-boats across the American border. "We must start to-morrow morning," explained Mr. Button, "by four o'clock at the latest." "We'll be ready," declared Fred confidently. "Then, all of you boys better turn in now," said Mr. Button as he arose and departed from the room. True to their promise all four boys were on the dock before four o'clock the following morning. "I think we are going to have a good day," said Mr. Button to Fred and John as soon as their motor-boat was free. "It looks so," said John as he glanced toward the eastern sky. "I don't mean the weather alone," explained Mr. Button, "but I feel quite sure that Halsey will not be on Cockburn Island to-day." "How do you know? What makes you think so?" demanded Fred quickly. Mr. Button smiled, but did not explain his reasons for the opinion which he held. Indeed, conversation lagged and every one in the motor-boat apparently was busy with his own thoughts. The boat which George and Grant had secured manifestly was much slower, for it soon was left behind and had not been seen again when about ten o'clock in the morning the party drew near the shores of Cockburn Island. "The first thing," explained Mr. Button, "I want you to do is to stay on board this motor-boat while I go up to the house." "But you may need us," suggested John. "If I do I shall let you know," laughed Mr. Button.