This settled in his mind, the captain strode on,
but at a slower pace. He had found his bearings,
and would steer with caution.

Hugging the dunes closer, he approached the house
from the rear. The big door was shut and a bit of
matting had been tacked over the one window to
deaden the light. This was why the patch of red
was dull. He stood now so near the outside planking
that he could hear the laughter and talk of those
within. By this time the wind had risen to half a
gale and the moan on the outer bar could be heard
in the intervals of the pounding surf. The captain
crept under the eaves of the roof and listened. He
wanted to be sure of Bart's voice before he acted.

At this instant a sudden gust of wind burst in the
big door, extinguishing the light of the lantern, and
Bart's voice rang out:

"Stay where you are, boys! Don't touch the
cards. I know the door, and can fix it; it's only
the bolt that's slipped."

As Bart passed out into the gloom the captain
darted forward, seized him with a grip of steel,
dragged him clear of the door, and up the sand-
dunes out of hearing. Then he flung him loose and
stood facing the cowering boy.