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176 Here a small freight boat was lying, and Macklin said the boxes were to be transferred to the deck of this craft.

"And we'll have to hurry," he added. "For the boat sails at six o'clock."

"Where is the boat bound?" asked Franklin, with considerable curiosity.

"Up the shore to Milwaukee."

"And do the boxes go there?"

"I believe so. The captain of the freight boat has full charge of them, after they are delivered on board. He has a private arrangement with the firm."

"I see. Will we have to bring many truck loads down here?"

"Two truck loads a week regularly, that's all. The other boxes go to the freight depots, and to the regular warehouse."

The trucks were backed up on the dock, and the work of unloading at once began. Franklin took care to count all the boxes taken on board, and found that they numbered one hundred and forty. Not one of them was marked in any way, but by knocking loose the ends of several covers he saw that they contained batteries.

"Most likely these are the batteries upon which Mr. Brice fails to get his royalty," thought Franklin. "I would like very much to learn just where they are taken."