He ran back, closing the door. He dragged the table against it, bracing it against another strange attack. He stood over the trap door to prevent its uncanny opening without warning.
Then the lantern flame flared up, guttered—went out!
A sound, half squeal, half groan, assailed Chick’s ears as he cowered in the dark hovel. He realized at once what it was.
Pushing the table across the floor, the door was being opened.
CHAPTER IX
ONE MYSTERY—OR TWO?
Slowly the table grated back across the floor of the hut.
Then, to Chick’s intense relief, a cheerful voice hailed him.
“Ahoy, the boathouse! Who’s in there?”
“It’s—Chick—Chickering——”
“Gosh-a-mighty!” Chick sensed a familiar ring in the exclamation. “In the name of all-possessed! What are you doing in my boathouse?”