"Then that's probably how it was left," suggested Belle. "But what is so mysterious about it What does it say, Cora?"

Cora read:

"If you would have news of your sister come alone to Shark's Tooth at nine to-night."

CHAPTER XXIX

AT THE SHARK'S TOOTH

"What a strange note!"

"Isn't it? And the odd way it was delivered!"

"What is the Shark's Tooth, Mr. Haley?"

The boys and girls were all together in the bungalow of the latter--or, rather, were out on the broad porch, for, following the visit of the light keeper, with the strange letter, they had gathered to discuss the matter.

"The Shark's Tooth," said Mr. Haley, "is a long, low ledge of rock, jutting out in the water about a mile above the light. It looks somewhat like a big tooth--the end of it does, I mean."

"Will you go there?" asked Jack.

"I sure will, my boy."

"Maybe it's a trap," suggested Ed. "This fellow Cross may be trying to get hold of you, Mr. Haley."

"I'm not afraid of him. I think I'll be his match," and certainly the st.u.r.dy keeper looked able to take care of himself.

"But he may not be alone," suggested Walter.

"However, we could go with you," he added hopefully.

"The note says to come alone, my lad, and alone I'll go. I'd do more than that to get news of poor Margaret. I'm not afraid."

"You boys might be within call," suggested Cora. "You need not be seen."

"Well, I'd consent to that," agreed Mr. Haley. "And it might be a good thing. And yet, somehow, I'm not worried."

"This is certainly a trap!" declared Norton. "They want you to go there, a lonely spot--after dark. Probably they'll take you off in a boat! Ha!

I have it! Wreckers!" and he struck a dramatic posture.

"Wreckers?" questioned Jack.

"Yes, don't you see. They want to get Mr. Haley in their control. Then they'll carry him off, some of them will put out the light and lure vessels ash.o.r.e by means of a false beacon. Then they'll get the booty!"

"Say, what sort of a dime novel have you been reading lately?" asked Ed, with a laugh. "Wreckers!"

"Sure!" maintained Norton, earnestly.

"No, lad," said Mr. Haley, quietly, "it isn't wreckers, for the light would be well defended by my helper, even if they got me. Besides it's dead low water at nine to-night, and they couldn't get a boat within a mile of the Shark's Tooth without staving a hole in her. The only approach is from the beach. I'm not afraid."

"Besides," added Cora, "this note was written by a woman. That's plain."

"A trick!" declared Norton, who seemed to insist on the melodramatic theory.

"Is this like your sister's writing?" asked Belle.

"I really couldn't be sure. Margaret was never much of a writer, and I can hardly see to read print, let alone writing, even with my gla.s.ses.

So I couldn't say as to that. However, I'll be there."

"And so will we," added Jack, "out if sight, of course."

"This is getting more and more complicated," declared Bess. "Oh, I do hope it won't turn out to be that horrid Mr. Cross, or any of his men."

"Hush!" said Cora, in a low voice. "Don't make Nancy nervous. She is alarmed enough now."

It seemed as if night would never come, and the boys and girls hardly had the heart for amus.e.m.e.nts to make the time pa.s.s more quickly. They remained near the bungalows, going in bathing when the tide was right. Belle was learning to swim with considerable confidence.

"You are getting quite brave," Cora told her when she had gone out to the float and back all alone.

Eline, who was rather daring in spite of her timid manner, made a half-suggestion that the girls go out in autos to see what happened at Shark's Tooth, but Mrs. Chester, exercising her authority, vetoed the scheme.

Mr. Haley started off alone, and was followed later by the boys, who arranged to conceal themselves where they could have a view of the ledge of rock that was uncovered at low water.

There was a half-moon that night and by the light of it Jack and his chums could see the long, black ledge extending out into the bay. They had a glimpse of Mr. Haley walking slowly up and down the beach, now and then looking at his watch to note the time. Jack and the others did likewise.

"It's nine now," whispered Walter, after a long--a seemingly long--wait, though it was really only a few minutes.

"And nothing seems to be happening," remarked Jack.

"Look!" suddenly exclaimed Ed, pointing to the sandy stretch. A dark figure was seen gliding over it--a figure of a woman--alone!

The light keeper heard the approaching footsteps, and turned quickly. He stood for a moment The woman had halted. Then Mr. Haley cried:

"Margaret!"

"Jim!" she responded, and they clasped each other close.

"I guess it's all right--they don't need us," whispered Jack. "It's his sister. She wrote the note. It's all right, we'll go tell the girls the mystery is solved and the missing one found."

"That's right," was the answer. "Say, this is great, isn't it?"

"It sure is."

"Now that they are together----"