The Mercer Boys on a Treasure Hunt

nd the two boys had engaged together alone. He found Don and J

," greeted Don. "

at you had been lost," smiled

professor. "But I have had a

?" they aske

"I wonder if you boys will help me? Outside, on a lonely street,

. "That means loss o

as nor where he came from. I questioned him at length, and while he answe

" murmured Don. "What

o would help me question him? If we ply him with questions we may be able to sugges

elp," said Jim, hea

replied the teacher,

commented Don. "I hope we

with him. "Come right in here, young man," he said, loudly and

replied. "Oh, if you can

ng man with red hair and freckled face, at the sight of whom Don and Jim s

kson!" the

ment, as he pushed the boy down into

his is Terry Mackson, an old chum o

ared in puzzled wonder at Don. "That is ve

t on the head," suggest

on, worry on his face. "

aid,'" was the unexpected reply, and the corners of his mouth, which ha

the professor laughed in unrestrained glee. After the first moment of d

ht. I don't want the world to witness the

d Jim. "I am due for a first c

e floor, where they punched him soundly, finding their task an easy one, for the red-headed boy was weak from laughter

ost low trick I ever saw,"

he brain that would think of

as you bent over me to help restore my fleeting memory! My friends, I thank you! If ever I d

e admit that we were completely sold that time.

r. "Luckily, he found me." And he rela

hope, professor?"

for Terry's timely intervention. It was while on the way over here in Ter

because you don't know Terry. But in the future never do anything that he suggests. If you do

der man. "I enjoyed that little s

returned Don, grimly, "

was taken from you, p

e. However, it won't do anyone else any good,

ip across the country. He spoke of going on down into Mexico, and the profess

"Why don't you c

ave no definite plan in mind, and I would certainly hate to miss any fun that

t his ranch. I'm really taking the boys along so that I won't have to tramp all over

It was late when he left them, agreeing to meet them on the following day and go to the steamer with them. The

the friends went aboard early in the afternoon and settled themselves in their cabin, a good sized room which was plain but clean. After that they wandered over the ship, keeping out of the way of t

poke to the mate. The captain was nowhere about at the time. Although not particularly interested the boys noted that the man had a shifty, watchful look, and that his eyes were set close together. The mate appeared to know him and

e on deck at the sound of the last whistle and together they watched the purple coast line fade from sight. Supper fo

dotted with a myriad of stars, and the steady throbbing of the huge engines made almost the only sound as the

thers, and some slight noise had awakened him. He sat up in his bunk, peering across the room at

! Who's prow

adows and for a second into the faint light which streamed in through a port hole. Instan

ong the narrow hallway that led to the companionway l

without waiting to put on shoes or clothing,

and saw the intruder slipping over the rail. The steamer was close into the shore, and without hesit

ment later by the captain and the mate, a lean-jawed man with a hooked nose

cided the captain, seeing that the man was a

ed to find that it was one of the men who had attacked the profes

tt!" h

m?" asked th

aptain. "He is a noted river pirate, and the police would give a who

sir," said the

let him on board yourself. My brother and I saw you

the mate, darting a

After you and he talked this man Sackett went fo

d. You get off my ship! The first port we come to you sling your pack and get out. I can't prove anything o

dvancing. But the captain, who was bigger than the

e rail!" he roared. "Get down below and pack up

turned back to the party. "I'd advise you to look out for that mate," he warn

e coat pocket at the time he was surprised by Terry, but nothing had been taken. Putting the whole affair down as

bunks. "For the life of me, I can't see why he should take the trouble to come aboard an

what doubtfully. "But it does seem strange t

e were on this partic

hangs around the docks and saw us come aboard tod

leepily. "Well, he's gone, and we pro

being formulated in the evil brain of Squint Sackett they would have had much food for th