“What are you worrying about? Of course they’ll get away.” “We’ve been watched, you know.” “It’s all your imagination. Nobody suspects.” “Those boys at the house—” “Just kids. If they come nosing around again we’ll knock one of ’em on the head.” “I don’t like this rough stuff. It’s dangerous.” “We’ve got to do it or we’ll end up in the pen. You can’t be white-livered in this game. What’s the matter with you to-night? You’re nervous.” “I’m worried. I’ve got a hunch that we’d better clear out of here.” “Clear out!” replied the other contemptuously. “Are you crazy? Why, this place is as safe as a church. We can make a big clean-up before they know we’re in this part of the country at all.” “Well, maybe you’re right,” said the first man doubtfully. “But still—” His voice died away as the boat went on into the cove. The boys could hear the rattle of oars and then a dull swishing of bushes, a muttered voice, and then silence fell. The boys looked at one another through the gloom. “Smugglers!” exclaimed Frank. “Sounds mighty like it,” replied Tony. “What do you think we should do?” “Follow them.” “Sure,” Joe agreed. “Follow them right into the cove.” But Tony demurred, though as he spoke he started up the engine again. “Count me out,” he said. “I don’t like that talk about being knocked on the head. I may be foolish, but I’m not _that_ foolish.” “There are three of us.” “And we don’t know how many more of them. And they’re grown men. I don’t want to be trapped in that cove. Besides, the motorboat makes too much noise. They’d hear us coming and then we’d be done for.” This phase of the matter had not occurred to the Hardy boys, but they saw that it was reasonable. In the darkness it would be risky entering the narrow passage to the cove and then, as Tony said, it was probable that their approach would be heard. “I hate to let them get away when we’ve got such a clue as this,” said Frank. “There’s no doubt they are smugglers. The men in that motorboat probably are going out to a ship for a cargo of smuggled goods, or else they have delivered a cargo and are on their way back.” “But where on earth did the motorboat come from!” exclaimed Joe. “There wasn’t any boat in the cove when we were in there.” “Probably well hidden,” said Frank. “There were a lot of bushes growing close down to the water’s edge, I noticed. They’d have some sort of a hiding place fixed up.” “But where did all those men come from?” “That’s what we’re going to find out. There must be some connection between this cove and the house on the cliff. I’m going ashore.” “Somebody’s got to stay with the motorboat,” said Tony. “I’m not afraid to go in there, and if it comes to a dare, I will go, although I don’t want to be killed. But we can’t leave the boat here, that’s certain.”