"Have you lost any shipments lately?" Joe Matt inquired.

"Not since the furs were s.n.a.t.c.hed. All the same, I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

"You don't think the river pirates would strike twice in the same area?"

the blindman scoffed. "Especially with police on the lookout."

"I wouldn't put anything past those boys!" Hank retorted as he studied a bill of lading. "I'm taking no chances! Not with another valuable shipment due any day."

"Another box of furs?"

"That's right."

"Coming through around the 24th," the blindman remarked casually.

"That happens to be the date," Hank admitted, gazing at the other rather sharply. "But I don't remember saying anything about it. Fact is-"

"You told me the other day."

"Then it was a slip of the tongue," Hank replied. "You'll do me a favor not to speak of the date. It's confidential information."

"Sorry," Joe Matt apologized. "I didn't know there was any secret about it."

"Every precaution is being taken to safeguard the shipment. Special police will guard the docks. I got nothing to worry about-and yet I do it anyhow."

"You're jittery," the blindman said, starting away. "Well, see you later.

Come on, Rudy!"

After he had tapped off down the dock, Brad and Dan lingered a few minutes longer. Hank, however, seemed preoccupied. Dan asked him if he knew any sailor by the name of Frisk f.a.gan.

"No, I don't," he answered a trifle irritably. "Now I wish you boys wouldn't pester me. I got work to do."

Thus dismissed, Brad and Dan took themselves off.

"Hank was out of sorts because we overhead Joe Matt mention that 24th shipping date," Dan remarked as they tramped along together. "Say, that's funny!"

"What is, Dan?"

"Those two dates being the same!"

"What two dates?"

"Don't you recall?" Dan demanded excitedly. "That coded message Jacques had in his pocket mentioned the 24th!"

"The note included the numerals 24," Brad admitted. "But what does that prove?"

"Nothing perhaps. Then again, it may mean plenty!" Dan spoke with quiet conviction. "I know one thing. I'm really going to work on that message.

I'll break the code if it's humanly possible!"

CHAPTER 8 "Dan Carter-Take Warning"

On the night prior to the departure of Den 2 for Skeleton Island, all the Cubs gathered at the Cave to receive final instructions.

Mr. Hatfield informed the boys they were to meet at the Webster City Yacht Club promptly at eight o'clock the next morning. Transportation would be provided to the island in a launch contributed by a friend of Midge's father.

"Now don't oversleep," he warned as the meeting broke up. "And don't arrive at the dock before the crack of dawn either! Try to make it about a quarter to eight so we can leave on the hour."

After nearly all of the Cubs had gone, Mr. Hatfield and Brad busied themselves straightening the clubroom. Dan brought the record of the meeting up to date. Then, pulling a chair up beside the gasoline lamp, he reverted to his favorite occupation-that of trying to solve the coded message left by Jacques.

"Having any luck?" Mr. Hatfield presently inquired.

"Not yet." Dan dropped his pencil in a gesture of utter discouragement.

"I guess I'm a sap to waste time trying to figure it out. Maybe it isn't even a code."

Mr. Hatfield paused at the table to study the scratch pad on which the boy had been writing.

"Don't give up, Dan," he advised, resting his hand for a moment on his shoulder. "Worthwhile things usually come hard. Keep plugging."

"I've tried every possible combination of letters. No soap."

Mr. Hatfield studied the odd grouping of numerals: "020614 7552845 24."

"Number 5 reappears three times," he observed. "If only you could figure that one out, it might give you a start."

"I've tried at least twenty combinations with no luck."

"Well, don't give up hope, Dan. Bring the message along with you to camp.

Perhaps some of the Den Dads can figure it out while we're there."

"Guess I'll have to," Dan sighed. "I'd rather do it myself though. I have one more idea I want to try."

Mr. Hatfield, who was ready to leave for home, remarked that the hour was growing rather late.

"Shouldn't you break it off for tonight, Dan?" he suggested. "Remember, we leave early for Skeleton Island."

"I'll be there, Mr. Hatfield. I just want to try one more idea. Don't wait for me. You and Brad go on."

The Cub leader was reluctant to leave the boy alone in the Cave. Twice during the week, Red and Chips had reported that they thought someone might be spying on the clubroom.

Although inclined to believe the boys were fanciful, Mr. Hatfield nevertheless disliked to leave Dan by himself.

"Sure you'll be all right?" he asked.

"Of course."

"Brad and I will be glad to wait if you're set on working longer on that code."