"What's the joke?" demanded Mr. Halsey angrily as he turned upon his servant. Again the Japanese laughed, and ignoring the question called to the dogs, every one of which instantly obeyed his call. Both Fred and John were convinced that if the Japanese should order the dogs to attack any one his word instantly would be obeyed. Meanwhile the manner of Rufus again quickly changed. Assured that he was safe from an attack, the look of cunning again appeared in his little red eyes and when the three men departed from the barn there was a swagger in his walk as he led the way to the house. As soon as the boys were convinced that the men had withdrawn, they quickly descended the ladder and ran out into the yard. "Look yonder," said John grasping his friend by the arm and pointing toward the shore. "There are George and Grant and they are both coming here." "The more the merrier," laughed Fred, relieved by the sight of his friends. "There will be less danger now than there was before. That man Halsey is desperate. What have you done with the box?" "I have got it here under my sweater," answered John in a low voice. "Does it show?" "Not much. I don't believe I should notice it unless I was looking for it." At that moment Mr. Button appeared in the doorway of the kitchen and said, "Come into the house, boys." "Wait a minute, Mr. Button," called John. "Come out here a minute." The man glanced hastily behind him and then turned quickly around the corner of the house. John at once joined him and in a low voice said, "We got the box." "Where is it?" whispered Mr. Button. "Under my sweater." "Let me see it." Standing directly in the way so that no one coming from the house could see him, Mr. Button glanced quickly at the box and then said, "Keep it, John, and don't let any one see it and guard it as if your life depended upon it." "Is that the box you were looking for?" whispered John. "Yes. Now we'll go into the house, or at least I shall. Perhaps you had better stay here with Fred until I call you or come out." George and Grant now had arrived, and laughingly the former said, "What's the matter with you fellows? You're all covered with dust and dirt." "Maybe you would be if you had been where we have." "Where have you been?" John was unable to explain, however, for at that moment both Mr. Button and Mr. Halsey together came out of the house. The appearance of the latter indicated that he was not so much angry as crestfallen and perhaps alarmed as well. Mr. Button, however, was quiet in his manner and as he glanced at the boys his confidence and pride were instantly manifest. Rufus too came and joined the group and whispering to Fred said, "I want to go with you when you leave." "What's the matter, Rufus?" laughed Fred. "I don't want to stay here after you go. There's something happened." "What has happened?" "I can't tell you." "Well, I'll back you up, Rufus. I know you didn't take it."