Free The House on the Cliff by Franklin W. Dixon Page B

shore.”
    The boys were tense with excitement as the Napoli moved slowly toward the light. As the boat crept nearer the cliff, they could barely distinguish the outline of a motorboat. The craft seemed to be making its way carefully out of the very face of the cliff.
    â€œIt must have come from that tunnel!” Joe whispered to Frank.
    â€œYes.”
    The Napoli went closer, in imminent danger of being discovered or of being washed ashore onto the rocks. Finally the other boat slowed to a crawl. Then came the faint clatter of oars and low voices. The motorboat had evidently met a rowboat.
    The next moment, with an abrupt roar, the motorboat turned and raced out to sea at an ever-increasing rate of speed.
    â€œWhere can it be going?” said Tony, in amazement. “Out to meet the Marco Polo?”
    â€œProbably,” Frank replied, “and we’d never catch it. I wonder where the rowboat’s going.”
    The four boys waited in silence for several minutes. Then the rattle of oars came again. This time the sound was closer. The rowboat was coming toward them!
    â€œWhat’ll we do now?” Tony asked.
    â€œTurn off your engine,” Frank whispered. Tony complied.
    Through the gloom suddenly came snatches of conversation from the rowboat. “—a hundred pounds—” they heard a man say harshly, and then the rest of the sentence was lost. There was a lengthy murmur of voices, then, “I don’t know. It’s risky—”
    The wind died down just then and two voices could be heard distinctly. “Ali Singh’s share—” one man was saying.
    â€œThat’s right. We can’t forget him,” the gruff voice replied.
    â€œI hope they get away all right.”
    â€œWhat are you worryin’ about? Of course they’ll get away.”
    â€œWe’ve been spotted, you know.”
    â€œIt’s all your imagination. Nobody suspects.”
    â€œThose boys at the house—”
    â€œJust dumb kids. If they come nosin’ around again, we’ll knock ’em on the head.”
    â€œI don’t like this rough stuff. It’s dangerous.”
    â€œWe’ve got to do it or we’ll end up in the pen. What’s the matter with you tonight? You’re nervous.”
    â€œI’m worried. I’ve got a hunch we’d better clear out of here.”
    â€œClear out!” replied the other contemptuously. “Are you crazy? Why, this place is as safe as a church.” The man laughed sardonically. “Haven’t we got all the squealers locked up? And tonight we make the big cleanup and get away.”
    â€œWell, maybe you’re right,” said the first man doubtfully. “But still—”
    His voice died away as the boat entered the tunnel
    Joe grabbed Frank’s arm. “Did you hear that? All the squealers locked up? I’ll bet Dad’s one of them and he’s a prisoner somewhere around here.”
    â€œAnd this is the hide-out of Snattman and the other smugglers he was after,” Frank added.
    â€œI don’t like this,” Chet spoke up. “Let’s leave here and get the police.”
    Frank shook his head. “It would take so long we might goof the whole thing. Tell you what. Joe and I will follow that rowboat through the tunnel!”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œOn foot or swim. I don’t think it’s deep along the edges.”
    â€œYou mean Chet and I will wait here?” Tony asked.
    â€œNo,” Frank answered. “You two beat it back to Bayport and notify the Coast Guard. Tell them we’re on the track of smugglers and ask them to send some men here.”
    â€œAnd tell them our suspicions about Ali Singh and the Marco Polo,” Joe added. “They can radio the captain to keep an eye on him.”
    â€œOkay,” said Tony. “I’ll do that. First I’ll put you ashore.”
    â€œDon’t go too close or you’ll