The Mercer Boys on a Treasure Hunt

were to go to San Francisco and take a steamer there down to the settlements in Lower California. It w

in moved out of the station. "We

n sped westward. The professor, with his varied knowledge of places and people, his understanding of scientific facts and his historic incidents

was as keen as that of the boys. One of his first tasks, after they had been installed in a good hotel, was to hasten to the

rd and arranged for our passage. It isn't a passenger boat, but I didn't have any trouble in persuading the ca

visited, and they obtained their longed-for view of the piece of wreckage of the Spanish galleon of which Ned Scott had written them. It was a huge piece, w

professor remarked, as they walked ar

ery helpful to us, in

es and men amounted to a passion with him, and he loved to study them at every opportunity. The boys were

ired to do some mor

ed Don. "But if you'd like us to go with y

front. There are some very quaint places down there, and I'd like to visit some of them. But I don't want you boys to g

gan Jim, but the pro

s stay here and I'll wander

f, professor," called

Don't worry; I'

for the water front at a brisk pace. In th

is alright for hi

"He is pretty well able

medley of crafts could be seen rising above the low houses which fronted the bay. Down in this section the savant found some queer crooked streets, lined with rows of box-like houses and cheap eating places. Groups of men and women sat on the doorstep

ooners, yachts, sloops, catboats, yawls and power cruisers lay side by side with tugs and ferries. An army of stevedores worked under blazing arc lights loading and unloading, and the air vibrated with

rest. It was in fact nothing more than an alley, flanked by tall seamen's houses, with restaurants and poo

cher. "This is the quaintest of th

onversation as he passed groups who sat out taking advantage of the cool air. When he had walked to the end of the Slip he walked back, and seeing

ps. Most of them were eating, the rest were smoking and talking, and a few slept, hanging over the tables. The professor ate his sandwich and si

em were dressed in rough black clothing, which gave no real hint as to what business they were engaged in. They might have been sailors or stevedores, and both showed unmistakable signs of hardy, adventur

nd mentally cataloguing the men in the place. But when he once more looked across at his neighbors th

er and paid his small bill. "By the way they look at me I'd say they were talking about me. All

not greatly alarmed, for he did not carry much money with him, but feeling that he would be better off on a well-lighted thoroughfare, he made his way back along the dark street. It was now growin

for each time he looked around he was unable to see anyone who looked as though he might be trailing him. He fancied once

e hotel," mused the teacher. "I thi

ed or there was no one up at the time, for he saw no one as he crossed the corner. Only far ahead of him, on the opposite side of the street, a

emselves from the passageway and bore down on him. Before he could utter any cry a powerful pair of arms was thrown around him and he was strained close to the bo

is toes. But his feet were free, and he managed to kick the man who held him a smart blow in the shin. A low, growling curse was his reward, and a blow of considerable force followed, landing on his shoulder.

n his throat. "I'll bust your head, you old windjammer!" he roared, and swung his fist at the

tooping over the professor, who was some

of the struggle, and unnoticed by any of the principals he had jumped out of the car and was now upon them. Although he did not know one from the other he could see that two were against one, and noting,

ne star ranger!" he muttered. "Don't know

nd the second man grasped his leader by the arm. He spoke to him in a low tone, and the two, with a slight hesita

, sir?" he as

reabouts, tall and somewhat lanky, with red hair and a lean face, on wh

ws were going to throw me into

called 'Jumpiter,' because of its habit of doing so

een taken from me. I don't care much about the money, but the letter was from my son Ned,

man. "Let's get out of here. I'll d

oy the name of the hotel at which he was staying and they r

lied the boy. "Terry Mack

"I come from Maine, too. I am a

y entered the business section. "The

the professor. "I hav

d Terry. "Last summer I was in Bridgewater, sailing with them, and we go t

, and make some scientific studies, and perhaps look up a treasure that

t to visit friends in New Hampshire, and so I decided to tour the country in my car.

mented the professor. "You must step up and

em," returned Terry, heartily. "T

who had been thinking deeply, suddenly began to chuckle. Then, as

how would you like to h

ype="