The boys were unable to see the expression which came over his face, but in their imagination they were both confident they knew how startling his appearance was. They were still able to see Rufus in his seat in the cart and the alarm which he quickly manifested was connected directly with the failure of his employer to find the object for which he was seeking. "Where's that box?" demanded Mr. Halsey, turning and approaching the cart. "I don't know nothing about the box," grumbled Rufus. "All I do is take your boxes over to Mackinac or down to Western Duck Island. You promised to give me ten dollars a day and I've spent ten days for you this summer and you have paid me just twelve dollars and a half." "If you'll find this box for me I will give you fifty dollars," declared Mr. Halsey. His excitement was plainly manifest in his voice and John trembled slightly as he assured himself that the box he had found was still safely in his possession. "Rufus," said Mr. Halsey sharply, "have you got that box?" "No." "Do you know where it is?" "No." "Do you know what is in it?" "Something good, I suppose, but I don't know what it is." "Rufus," said Mr. Halsey again after a brief silence, "I want you to give up that box." "I tell you I ain't got your box." "You give me that box or I shall set the dogs on you." Instantly the smuggler ran to the door to carry out his threat. He whistled shrilly and in response to his call the three huge dogs came bounding into the barn. "I'll give you one more chance," said Mr. Halsey turning again to Rufus. "You give me that box or get it and I'll give you fifty dollars. If you don't do it, then we'll see what you can do against the dogs." "I don't know nothing about your box," whined Rufus. It was plain now that he was alarmed, but no one knew better than the waiting boys how truthful his statement was. And then an almost unaccountable event followed. Angered by the persistent refusal of Rufus, Mr. Halsey turned sharply and said to the dogs, "Bite him! Bite him!" A wild yell from Rufus followed when the three huge dogs at once leaped upon him. They were, however, possessed with the spirit of play and not one of them did the trembling man any harm. In his terror Rufus had slipped from his seat and when he tried to leap to the floor he fell in a heap. A series of wild yells followed when the Great Danes came sniffing about him, apparently puzzled by all the commotion. Nor did they respond to the repeated demands of Mr. Halsey to attack the prostrate man. The screams of Rufus, however, had been heard in the house and now Mr. Button and the Japanese were seen running swiftly toward the barn. At the same time the excitement of the dogs increased and there were loud barkings and yelpings as they ran and leaped about the place. The little Japanese, however, as soon as he entered the barn threw back his head and emitted another of his wild, hoarse laughs.