"Now, the question is, now to go to work to recover it.

It will do no good to search the house." "If you will leave the matter in my hands, sir," said Frank, "I will agree to recover the signal-book, and capture that mail-bag which they intend to send across the river in a few days." "Well," said the captain, "it was you who first knew that the signal-book was gone, and I believe you ought to have the honor of sifting the matter to the bottom.

Find out all you can, and call on me for any assistance you may need." Frank immediately returned to the plantation, and started toward the quarters, in quest of the negro who had given him the information, whom he found chopping wood in front of one of the cabins.
"See here, uncle," he exclaimed, "I want you to keep me posted on all that goes on here on the plantation; and tell your daughter to find out when that rebel lieutenant is coming here again, and when they intend to send that mail across the river." "I will do my best, young master," answered the negro.

"But you won't tell any one what I have said to you?
I shall be killed, sure, if you do" "No, uncle, I shan't betray you; so don't be afraid," said Frank; and, after purchasing some articles which they needed in the mess, he returned on board the boat.
A week passed on, but nothing further was developed.

The officers of the vessel still continued to visit the plantation, and Mr.Phillips and his family always seemed glad to see them, and evidently did all in their power to make their visits agreeable.
As soon as Frank had time to think the matter over, he wondered why he had not known that something suspicious was going on.