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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/49030-0.txt b/49030-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8100999 --- /dev/null +++ b/49030-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6726 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 49030 *** + +The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate + +OR + +A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog + +By + +H. IRVING HANCOCK + +Author of The Motor Boat Club of the Kennebec, The Motor Boat Club at +Nantucket, The Motor Boat Club off Long Island, The Motor Boat Club and +the Wireless, The Motor Boat Club in Florida, etc., etc. + +Illustrated + +PHILADELPHIA +HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY + + +COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY HOWARD E. ALTEMUS + + +[Illustration: "I Trust You, But I'll Hold Onto the Pitcher." + +_Frontispiece._] + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER PAGE + I. TOM HALSTEAD, KNIGHT OF THE OVERLAND MAIL, 7 + + II. HAZING, M. B. C. K. STYLE, 22 + + III. CAPTAIN TOM'S NEW COMMAND, 34 + + IV. HALSTEAD IS LET INTO A SECRET, 52 + + V. A HUNT IN THE UNDER-WORLD, 59 + + VI. FACING THE YELLOW BARRIER, 68 + + VII. DICK TAKES THE RESCUE BOAT TRICK, 81 + + VIII. THE REAL KENNEBEC WAY, 94 + + IX. THE CHASE OF THEIR LIVES, 100 + + X. COMING TO CLOSE, DANGEROUS QUARTERS, 111 + + XI. GASTON GIDDINGS MAKES TROUBLE, 122 + + XII. TOO-WHOO-OO! IS THE WORD, 129 + + XIII. THE CALL FROM OUT OF THE FOG, 136 + + XIV. MR. CRAGTHORPE IS MORE THAN TROUBLESOME, 146 + + XV. THE MIDNIGHT ALARM, 155 + + XVI. THE FIRE DRILL IN EARNEST, 164 + + XVII. CRAGTHORPE INTRODUCES HIS REAL SELF, 172 + +XVIII. A TRICK MADE FOR TWO, 183 + + XIX. TED DYER, SAILOR BY MARRIAGE, 196 + + XX. THE FIND IN THE FOREHOLD, 206 + + XXI. ON A BLIND TRAIL OF THE SEA, 213 + + XXII. A STERN LOOMS UP IN THE FOG, 222 + +XXIII. ROLLINGS'S LAST RUSE, 228 + + XXIV. CONCLUSION, 243 + + + + +The Motor Boat Club at The Golden Gate + + + + +CHAPTER I + +TOM HALSTEAD, KNIGHT OF THE OVERLAND MAIL + + +"I feel it in my bones," announced Joe Dawson, quietly though +positively. + +"That's no talk for an engineer," jibed Tom Halstead. "Tell me, instead, +that you read it in your gauge." + +"Oh, laugh, if you want to," nodded Dawson, showing no offense. "But +you'll find that I'm right. You know, I don't often make predictions." + +"Yet, this time, you feel that something disastrous is going to happen +before this train rolls out on the mole at Oakland? In other words, +before we set foot in San Francisco?" + +"No, I don't say quite that," objected Joe, thoughtfully. "There's a +heap of the navigator about you, Tom Halstead, and you're pinning me +down to the map and the chronometer. I won't predict quite as closely as +that. But, either before we reach 'Frisco, or mighty soon after we get +there, something is going to happen." + +"And it's going to be a disaster?" questioned Tom, closely. + +"For someone, yes; and we're going to be in it, at great risk." + +"Well, it's a comfort to have it narrowed down even as closely as that," +smiled Tom Halstead. "I hope it isn't going to be another earthquake, +though." + +"No," agreed Joe, thoughtfully. + +"Oh, well, that much of your prediction will comfort the people of San +Francisco, anyway." + +"Now, you're laughing at me again," grinned Joe, good-naturedly. + +"No; I'm not," protested Halstead, but belied himself by the twinkle in +his eyes, and by whistling softly the air of a popular song that the +boys had heard in a New York theatre just before leaving for the West. + +At the present moment both boys were sitting comfortably facing each +other in their section in a sleeping car on the luxurious Overland Mail. +It was early forenoon. They had left Sacramento behind some time before, +on the last stretch of the run across the state of California. + +Joe Dawson was riding facing forward. Tom Halstead, in the seat +opposite, half lolled at the window-ledge, with his back toward the +engine. Both boys had slept well on their last night out from San +Francisco. Both had breakfasted heartily, that morning, in the dining +car now left behind at the state capital. The next thing that would +interest them, so far as they could now guess, would be their arrival at +Oakland, and the subsequent ferry trip that would land them in San +Francisco. + +It may seem a curious fact to the reader, but neither Tom Halstead nor +Joe Dawson knew just what new phases of life awaited them in the City by +the Golden Gate. They were engaged to enter the employment of a man who +owned a motor yacht. The owner had agreed to their own terms in the way +of salary, and he was paying all their expenses on this luxurious trip +westward. Moreover, the same owner had engaged some of the other members +of the Motor Boat Club of the Kennebec, as will soon be told. + +Readers of the preceding volumes of this series are already well +acquainted with bright, energetic, loyal and capable Tom Halstead, who, +from the start, had held the post of fleet captain of the Motor Boat +Club. The same readers are equally familiar with the career of Joe +Dawson, fleet engineer of the Club. + +As narrated in "THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC," Tom and Joe were +two boys of seafaring stock, and natives of Maine, having been born +near the mouth of the Kennebec River. That first volume detailed how the +two young men served aboard the "Sunbeam," the motor yacht of a Boston +broker, and how the boys aided the Government officers in solving the +mystery of Smugglers' Island. Out of those adventures arose the founding +of the Club, with Tom and Joe at its head. + +In "THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET" the two boys were again seen to +great advantage. There they had some most lively sea adventures, all +centering around the abduction of the Dunstan heir. Next, as told in +"THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND," the motor boat boys played an +exciting part in the balking of a great Wall Street conspiracy. In +recognition of their services at this time, the man whom they most +helped presented them with a fifty-five foot cruising motor boat, which +the two proud young owners named the "Restless." Afterwards they +installed a wireless telegraph apparatus on the boat, and then came one +of their truly famous cruises, as related in "THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND +THE WIRELESS," wherein wireless telegraphy was employed in ferreting out +one of the great mysteries of the sea. + +"THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA" described the sea wanderings of Captain +Tom and Engineer Joe in the Gulf waters, and their subsequent +adventures in the Everglades and at Tampa, including the laying of the +Ghost of Alligator Swamp. + +From time to time other seafaring boys, whose experience aboard motor +yachts qualified them, were elected members of the Motor Boat Club, an +organization which now boasted some forty members along the Atlantic +seaboard. Several of these boys had made themselves barely less famous +than had Halstead and Dawson. + +Broker George Prescott, of Boston, their first employer and founder of +the Club, was still their staunch friend. So, too, in scarcely less +degree, was Francis Delavan, a Wall Street financier to whom Tom and Joe +had rendered most valuable services. + +It was through Mr. Delavan that Halstead and Dawson had secured their +present engagement, the details of which they did not yet know. This +engagement had come just as the young men were leaving Florida waters in +January, preparatory to making their way to New York, near which great +city the "Restless" was now laid up, out of commission at present, +though as seaworthy a boat as ever. + +Tom had been allowed to engage Jeff Randolph, the Florida member of the +Club, for this new, unknown enterprise. Jeff was believed to be either +on his way, or already in San Francisco, at the Palace Hotel, on Market +Street, which was to be the meeting place of the motor boat boys. + +Yet there were other old friends due to meet the fleet captain and fleet +engineer. Mr. Delavan had also engaged, by wire, Dick Davis and Ab +Perkins, of Maine, now back from a famous trip to Brazil as told in "THE +MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS." Jed Prentiss, a Nantucket member of +the Club, was also on his way to or in San Francisco to join them, +thanks to Mr. Prescott's interest. How Jed joined the Club, and proved +himself more than worthy, was all told in "THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT +NANTUCKET." + +The name of the San Francisco man who had engaged six members of the +Motor Boat Club to cross the continent was Joseph Baldwin. Beyond this +the boys knew nothing of him, save that Francis Delavan had vouched for +him. That was enough. Not even the name of Baldwin's craft was known to +the seafaring boys who were crossing the continent. + +"I wonder if Mr. Baldwin will be at Oakland, to meet us?" asked Joe, as +the train sped evenly, swiftly along. + +"It isn't likely," replied Tom. "He has told us where to report. I fancy +he considers that enough." + +"A man might get a boat's crew together a good deal more cheaply," +mused Joe, aloud. "Our fellows that Mr. Baldwin has engaged are all +top-notchers in the way of salary. With such a crew it's going to cost +our man a good deal to keep his boat running." + +"You know the reputation that California millionaires have, Joe," +laughed his chum. "It is said of them that they'd sooner spend money +than keep it drawing interest." + +"Still," pondered Joe Dawson, "I don't believe California people like to +pitch money out of the window any better than people of other sections +do." + +"It has struck me," Tom went on, "that we're engaged by a man who is +running a racing boat. If that is so, and we can get the top speed out +of his craft, then I suppose Mr. Baldwin wouldn't consider the matter of +expense at all. All he wants, in that case, is to win cups and build a +big reputation for his boat." + +"I hope it _is_ a racer," cried Joe, his eyes glistening. "Whew! How our +crowd, pulling together in team work, could make a boat everlastingly +sprint over the waves!" + +The car in which the two boys sat was the last of the train. It had an +observation platform at the rear. In this observation compartment the +motor boat boys had spent much time while the train was rolling along +through the highly picturesque scenery of the Rocky Mountains. This +morning, however, going swiftly past sun-lit sections of California, +over a nearly level road, both young travelers were content to remain in +their seats by the window. + +In the car were a dozen other passengers. Only one other besides the +motor boat boys was especially young. She was a girl of about eighteen, +blond, rather plump and very pretty. She appeared to be traveling alone, +having boarded the train at Kansas City. Tom and Joe had been able to +offer her a few travelers' courtesies, which had been graciously +accepted. Neither young man, however, knew the girl's name. Both motor +boat boys were too well bred to attempt to force an acquaintance. + +Just now, as Tom happened to lean over his seat and glance down the +aisle, he saw that this young lady was in the observation compartment. +She appeared to be alone there. Something in the expression on her face +made her seem highly uneasy about something. + +"I hope she isn't in any trouble," murmured Halstead, to himself, "and +that she isn't going to find anything unpleasant at the end of her +journey." + +The next time he glanced down the aisle Halstead again caught a glimpse +of her face. + +"By Jove, I believe she's been crying, or else is about to begin," +muttered the young captain. "I wonder if it's real trouble, or just +something that she's afraid of." + +Then Tom made haste to look away, lest the young lady should see that he +had been studying her and take offense. + +"Look at the roses," commented Joe, glancing out of the window at a +pretty little California village through which the train was passing at +somewhat lessened speed. "Great Scott, there are violets growing in the +garden we've just passed. February! Think of the deep feet of snow on +either bank of the Kennebec just now!" + +"It's the land of roses and other posies, all right," agreed Halstead, +himself looking out with a good deal of interest at the bright scene +under the soft haze of the California winter day. + +"Say, these are real days! This beats Florida!" exclaimed Joe, +enthusiastically. + +"When it doesn't rain," remarked the practical Halstead. "You know, this +is the rainy season in California." + +"I don't care," contended Joe. "Even on a rainy day it must be beautiful +in this fine old state." + +"And on a foggy one, also," laughed Tom. "You know, at this time of the +year, there are likely to be some great old fogs around San Francisco +Bay. I've heard that it takes a clever pilot to guess correctly whether +he's landing at San Francisco or Oakland." + +"Humph!" grunted Joe. + +Dawson turned, looking out of the window for some time without speaking. + +"We're getting near some big town," he remarked, at last. Then, after +glancing at his watch: "It must be Oakland." + +"Yes," nodded Tom. "I guess we'll soon be making our stop at the +Sixteenth Street station." + +"Anything special about that station?" + +"It's the last stop before we run out onto the mole at Oakland." + +The train had now begun to run, at greatly lessened speed, through one +of the streets of the city. Joe found less to interest him. He glanced +upward at the rack, toward his traveling bag and overcoat. + +"That overcoat seems like an insult to the climate," he remarked. + +"Don't throw it away," advised Tom Halstead, "until you see whether some +of the 'Frisco nights are chilly. I've sort of an idea they will be." + +"I wonder whether we're going to have much time ashore, or whether it +will be all spent on the water?" suggested Joe. But Tom, of course, +didn't know the answer. + +"Sixteenth Street next stop!" called the porter through the car. + +"Might as well stretch our legs," hinted Tom, rising. Joe also left his +seat. + +As several of the passengers in the car were heading toward the front +end, the motor boat boys started for the observation compartment at the +rear end. + +The young lady was still standing there. It looked as though she +intended to step down outside as soon as the train should come to a +stop. Not wishing to intrude, Tom Halstead halted, a few feet away, Joe +doing the same. + +Hardly had the train stopped when a porter opened the door of the +observation compartment. The young lady quickly descended, the boys +following. The young lady remained close to the steps, glancing about +her. Lifting their hats, Tom and Joe stepped past her, mingling in the +throng at the station. There wasn't much here to see, but it was a +relief to be quit of the train for a minute or two. + +"There's the engine bell ringing," nudged Joe, at last. "We may as well +hustle back." + +As the two motor boat boys turned once more, Tom saw the young woman +standing beside the rear steps, one hand holding to the brass rail. She +appeared rather frightened. Before her, talking rapidly, was a man of +perhaps thirty years of age and some five feet nine inches in height. +On his smooth-shaven, dark face rested an ugly, black look. Something +that the man said just as Tom glanced that way caused the girl to wince +and grow paler. + +"Why, that fellow has been on the train, though not in our car, for the +last two days," occurred to Halstead, swiftly. "And now I remember I saw +the young lady talking to him back at Battle Mountain. Jove! but she +seems afraid of him. There, she's trying to leave him, and he has caught +at her sleeve to hold her. Confound the ugly look in his eyes! I wish +she were _my_ sister for five minutes!" + +Almost unconsciously, in his indignation, Captain Tom increased his +pace. Joe, looking in another direction, did not at once perceive this, +and so fell a bit behind. + +"I'm not going to listen to you any longer," cried the young woman, in a +voice that sounded tearful, though she was resolutely keeping the tears +back out of her eyes. "You are talking like a coward!" + +"Pardon me," said Captain Tom, rather stiffly, brushing past the young +man. The girl edged to give the motor boat boy room on the steps, and, +as he passed her, started to follow him up into the car. + +"You're not going to leave me in that fashion," snapped the dark young +man, angrily. "See here----" + +Again he caught at the girl's sleeve, after leaping up onto the lowest +step. + +"Let me go," commanded the girl, indignantly. + +"Not until----" + +She wrenched herself free, then bounded after Halstead. + +"Don't let him come into the car," begged the girl. + +"Out of my way, young fellow," ordered the dark man, gaining the second +step up. + +"Is this man annoying you?" asked Tom, in a friendly tone of the girl, +though he turned a cool, hostile stare upon the young man. + +"Yes, he is," the young woman answered. + +"Get out of the way, boy," commanded the man, reaching out a hand. + +Tom Halstead's right hand closed instantly. His fist shot out, landing +on the fellow's neck. That persecutor fell back, missed his footing, and +went sprawling to the station platform. The girl had started to dart +into the car, but now she turned, watching with fearful eyes. + +"Oh, don't let him hurt you!" she cried to Tom. + +"Thank you," responded the young captain, dryly; "I don't believe he +will." + +The train was beginning to move as the man fell sprawling on the +platform. Joe, who had seen the blow struck, darted in, dragging the +fellow swiftly to his feet. + +"You'll have to hustle, mister, if you're going to get your car +forward," Joe advised him. + +"This car is the one I----" began the man. + +But Joe coolly swung in ahead of him, elbowing the fellow out of the +way. The next moment the porter, grinning, reached over with the key and +locked the door of the car, which Dawson had closed. + +Looking the picture of rage, the man darted swiftly down the platform. +The train was now moving too rapidly, however, for the stranger to get +aboard, and the last car rolled by him as he stood, baffled, on the +platform. + +"I--I don't know how to thank you both," faltered the girl. + +"I assure you it didn't even put us to any inconvenience," smiled +Captain Tom. + +"But--oh! I hope you won't meet him in San Francisco," cried the girl, +in sudden alarm. "He's dangerous, ugly, vengeful!" + +"We've met such men before," laughed Captain Tom, quietly. "And +yet----well, we're here." + +"But you don't know that man!" shuddered the girl. + +"That we don't is something to brag about, I reckon," smiled Joe. + +"If you ever do come face to face with him, or catch him, anywhere, +watching you, beware of him!" begged the young lady, earnestly. "He +never forgives anything--that wretch!" + +"Are you uneasy over the remainder of your journey?" asked Tom, +politely. "Will you feel safer for escort?" + +"Oh, I shall be all right, now," replied the girl, with a grateful +smile, though her cheeks were still pallid. "He is no longer on the +train." + +"Command us, if you will," begged Captain Tom Halstead, gallantly. He +and Joe Dawson lifted their hats courteously, then passed on to their +own section. + +"One of the little dramas of life that are being enacted all around us," +muttered Halstead. + +"I wouldn't have minded seeing that one through," returned Joe. + +Neither boy, at that moment, suspected that they would yet "see it +through." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +HAZING, M. B. C. K. STYLE + + +At the ferry slip on the San Francisco side the two motor boat boys saw +the young woman again. + +A big, broad-shouldered, well-dressed, wholesome looking young man of +twenty-two or twenty-three years of age, came forward eagerly, hat in +hand, to meet her. + +"She's all right, now," declared Joe, with satisfaction. "Gracious! That +husky young fellow could eat up two or three muckers like the one you +punched, Tom." + +"Yes; our young lady of the journey is surely all right," nodded +Halstead, delighted with what he had seen. "So come along, Joe. We'll +probably never see any of that party again." + +Through a throng of eager cabmen the two young motor boat boys plodded +sturdily. Neither had ever been in San Francisco before, but they knew +that the ferry came in at the foot of Market Street, and that the Palace +Hotel was but a few blocks from the water-front on the same great artery +of traffic. + +"Might as well walk up, and get a little bit of a look at the town," +proposed Halstead. + +"Which side of the street is the Palace on?" queried Joe. + +"East." + +"Then we'll cross over. I don't believe we can miss it." + +It was a bustling crowd through which the boys steered their way. The +man on the San Francisco sidewalk who is under eighty years of age is +engaged in making his fortune, and has no time to lose. After he has +made it, he buys an automobile, and has comparatively little need of a +sidewalk. + +Men from every country in Europe and the Orient passed them. There was, +of course, a large sprinkling of native Americans, yet even the chance +passer knew that he was moving through a throng recruited from the four +quarters of the world. + +To Tom the walk ended all too soon. However, they were bent on business, +not pleasure, so they turned in briskly through the main entrance of the +Palace Hotel as soon as a policeman had pointed it out to them. + +Captain Tom Halstead stepped to the desk, picking up a pen to register. +"Are Davis, Perkins, Prentiss and Randolph here ahead of us?" queried +Halstead, as soon as he had written his name and his chum's. + +"All of 'em," smiled the clerk, after glancing at the entry on the +hotel register. "Davis, who got here first, with Perkins, engaged rooms +close together for the whole party. Front! I'll have you shown right up, +Captain Halstead." + +The colored boy in blue uniform and brass buttons confiscated the bags +and overcoats of the two young travelers, leading the way to the +elevator. That bell-boy turned his head to conceal a grin that illumined +his face. + +"So our friends are all here ahead of us, and have everything ready?" +remarked young Dawson. + +The bell-boy, his head still turned away, seemed to be choking. + +"I wonder if they've seen Mr. Baldwin, or heard from him?" mused Tom, +aloud. + +"Right dis way, sah," begged the bell-boy, stepping out of the elevator +ahead of them at the third floor. + +He led them down a long corridor, turned into another corridor, then +halted before a door. That bell-boy gave three distinct knocks; a pause, +then two more knocks. + +"I reckon yo' can go right in, sah," announced the bell-boy, dropping +some of his burden in order to throw the door open. + +Utterly unsuspicious, Tom and Joe passed through the doorway. The +instant they had done so, the bell-boy tossed their bags and coats in +after them, yanked the door shut and fled, chuckling. + +"Here they come! Welcome!" roared Dick Davis's deep, hearty voice. + +A short hallway led from the door to the room proper. As Tom Halstead +passed over the inner threshold a pair of arms reached out from either +side, yanking him into the room out of Joe's sight. Dawson leaped after +his chum, only to be similarly seized. + +Then it snowed! At least, for a brief instant, that was what the victims +thought. + +Tom was neatly, ruthlessly tripped, being sent sprawling to the floor, +while Ab Perkins, snatching up a bolster, which he had ripped open, +shook all the fine, downy feathers over him. They sifted down the young +captain's neck; they obscured his vision; some of the small feathers +fell into his mouth. He fell to spitting them out with vigor, even +before he tried to get up. + +Nor did Joe Dawson fare any better. If anything, he was rather more +roughly handled by Jed Prentiss and Jeff Randolph. + +"Now, roll 'em!" roared Dick Davis. + +Before either of the newcomers could rise to his feet they were rolled +together in the middle of the floor. Ab lifted the mattress from the +bed, plumping it down over the two victims. Then all four of the gleeful +assailants threw themselves across the mattress, shoving it over the +floor, using Tom and Joe, underneath, for rollers. + +And, over it all, rose the famous club yell: + +"M. B. C. K.! M. B. C. K.! Motor Boat Club! Wow!" + +"Oh, but we're glad to see 'em!" yelled Dick Davis, in his deepest +tones. "Good old chums! Keep up the welcome, fellows!" + +From under the mattress Tom Halstead managed to make himself heard, +though his voice sounded muffled indeed. + +"Help!" he roared. "Turn out the port watch! Mutiny!" + +"Port watch, ahoy! Roll up on deck, you lubbers!" roared Ab Perkins. +"Cap'n wants you!" + +At that Jed and Jeff left the mattress, darting to where Tom's and Joe's +traveling bags lay. These they quickly opened, dumping all the contents +on the floor. + +"All hands to quell mutiny!" yelled Jed Prentiss. Dick Davis and Ab +Perkins joined them on the jump. + +That gave Tom and Joe, both very red-faced and much winded, a chance to +crawl out from under the mattress. + +Yet no sooner did they show their astonished faces than all four of the +first-comers began to pelt them with the articles dumped from the +traveling bags. + +Slippers flew straight and true, landing with swats. Hair brushes, +tooth-brushes, cakes of soap, boxes of tooth-powder and numerous other +articles filled the air, a veritable cyclone with the fleet captain and +the fleet engineer in the middle of it. + +"Cut it!" commanded Tom Halstead, sternly. "Oh, if I had my revolver and +handcuffs and leg-irons here. This is the last time I'll ever go on deck +without 'em. But cut it--anyway!" + +Dick Davis, having thrown the last missile that came to hand, and having +pitched Halstead's overcoat up in the air so that it now lay hanging +from the chandelier, suddenly straightened up, looking very grave as he +saluted and roared out: + +"Aye, aye, sir!" + +At that the other three disturbers of the peace lined up with Dick, all +saluting. + +"What's the meaning of all this riot?" insisted Halstead, trying to keep +back the grin that struggled to his face. + +"After not having seen each other for all these moons," demanded Davis, +in a hurt voice, "can't we do anything to show you how ding-whanged glad +we are to behold you two once more?" + +"Your joy takes a strange turn," grimaced Captain Tom. + +"I prefer people who put their welcome in writing," retorted Joe. + +At that Ab Perkins, with a whoop, made for a table. From it he snatched +up a cork, one end of which had been burned to a char. + +"Come on, then, fellows," proposed Ab Perkins, gleefully; "we'll write +our welcome on Joe's face." + +"Will you, though?" demanded Dawson, crouching low, as though for a +football tackle. He caught Ab, and rising with that boisterous youth, +toppled him over. Ab Perkins went sprawling; fortunately for him he +landed across the mattress. + +"Hold on!" expostulated Tom Halstead. "The reception committee is +excused--fired--bounced, in fact. Now, stop all this monkey-business, +and let's get down to trade topics. But, first of all----" + +Tom paused to spit out two or three fragments of down feathers. Then he +crossed to where the water pitcher stood on a tray. Pouring out a glass +of water, Halstead took a mouthful, while the late mutineers looked on +expectantly. + +"O-oh! Ugh! Waugh! Wow!" sputtered Tom, expelling his mouthful into a +waste-water jar beside the wash-stand. "That water's _salt_!" + +"Well, what of it, you bo'sun's mate of a lobster trap?" demanded Ab +Perkins, aggressively. "Is it the first time you've ever hit up against +salt water?" + +"Now, see here, fellows," grinned Halstead, looking around at the impish +faces of the first-comers, "this is all right. We know how glad you are +to see us. Your pleasure is far greater than we had ever dared to +hope----" + +"Oh, we can show more pleasure!" proposed Dick. + +"Do it at your personal risk, then!" defied the young captain, arming +himself with the water pitcher. "Now, then, will you all be quiet?" + +"Oh, aye!" promised young Davis, with a sudden assumption of meekness. + +"I trust you--trust you all to the death," affirmed Tom, grimly. "But +I'm going to keep hold of the water pitcher just the same!" + +"This deck doesn't look ship-shape, does it?" demanded Dick Davis, +glancing about him. "Hadn't we better change craft? Wait here a moment." + +Stepping to the push-button, he pressed twice, for the porter. Tom +Halstead remained on guard, armed as before, and Joe keeping rather +close to him, until the porter knocked at the door. + +"See here, my friend," remarked Dick, holding out a dollar bill to the +porter, "there has been a ship-wreck here." + +"It looks like it, sir," grinned the porter, pocketing the money. +"What'll you have, sir?" + +"Find the chambermaid that belongs on this floor," begged Dick, "and +bring her here." + +The porter was soon back with the chambermaid, who also received a +dollar bill from young Davis. + +"Now, you two try some team-work, please," begged Dick Davis, "and see +whether you can make this place look neat enough to be a captain's +cabin. Gentlemen of the Motor Boat Club, will you adjourn to the costly +quarters that Ab and myself consider almost good enough for us?" + +Tom Halstead laid down the water pitcher and passed out of the room last +of all. + +"I reckon you'd better go into the other room first, Joe, and let me +bring up the rear," called Tom, grimly. "Then we can watch, from both +ends of the line, for any new tricks." + +Dick Davis produced a key, admitting all hands to the adjoining room. + +"Now, be seated," proposed Davis, in his most hospitable tone. The club +members found chairs. + +"Have you seen Mr. Baldwin?" inquired Captain Tom. + +"No; but we've sent him word," Ab replied. "Mr. Baldwin has offices in +the Chronicle Building." + +"Is that near?" queried Halstead. + +"Only a few hawser lengths from here, on the other side of Market +Street," put in Jed Prentiss. "Come here to the window. There's the +Chronicle Building over yonder." + +"Mr. Baldwin has a telephone, of course?" suggested Captain Tom. + +"Yes; 9378 Market." + +"I can tell him we're here, then," murmured Tom, crossing the room to +where a telephone apparatus rested against the wall. + +"Don't," prompted Dick. "Mr. Baldwin has sent his orders. You can 'phone +him between three and three-thirty to-day. Mustn't bother him at any +other time." + +"That's right, is it?" demanded Halstead, looking half-suspiciously at +Davis. + +"Quite right," nodded the latter youth, gravely. Dick was older than the +others, being nineteen, as against a general average of sixteen years +for the other boys. Dick was different in another respect. While the +other five boys followed motor boating as a means of livelihood, +depending upon their earnings, young Davis, the son of a ship-builder of +Bath, Maine, was at all times well supplied with money. Dick's outline +for the future included a possible college course, and then breaking +into the ship-building business with his father. It was not yet quite +decided whether young Davis should omit the college part of the plan. In +the meantime, the elder Davis believed that an active membership in the +Motor Boat Club would be the best possible training to fit his son for a +position in the ship-yard. + +"Well, if those are the instructions, then," replied Captain Tom, +returning to his chair, "we'll wait until a few minutes after three." + +"And now it's half-past eleven," said Jed, consulting his watch. +"Luncheon will not be served until one. We can wait here as well as +anywhere. Say, fellows, I'm just crazy to hear some good old yarns of +what you others have been through." + +With that, yarn-spinning became the order of the day. The young men were +still at it when they went down to the gorgeous dining room of the +Palace Hotel. The air about their table was thick with yarns all through +the meal. + +While they sat around the table, absorbed in one another's stories, a +dark-visaged, well-dressed man of thirty started to enter the dining +room. Just at the threshold, however, he paused, for his glance had +alighted on a profile view of Captain Tom Halstead at one of the tables +in the center of the dining room. + +"That's the cub who struck me this morning," muttered the dark-faced +one, drawing back. "I want to know who he is. I want to place him--I +want to meet him and settle the account for that blow and the +disappointment it brought about!" + +Tom Halstead turned around, a moment later, but he did not see the man +he had knocked from the train that morning at the Sixteenth Street +station in Oakland. That worthy had drawn quickly back out of sight, and +was now looking about for some hotel employé to question. + +Ten minutes later he of the dark visage had all the information he felt +he needed. + +"Tom Halstead? So that's your name?" snarled the stranger, as he started +for the street entrance. "And you're employed by Baldwin--could anything +be more favorable to our meeting again, eh?" The stranger smiled darkly, +meaningly, as he pronounced the name of Baldwin. + +Luncheon over, the yarning motor boat boys embarked in the elevator. +This time they went direct to the room assigned to Tom and Joe. The +trunks of these two young men had arrived, and now rested in the room. + +Once more the yarning went on, until Captain Tom checked it at exactly +two minutes past three o'clock. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +CAPTAIN TOM'S NEW COMMAND + + +"It's time for Mr. Baldwin to hear from us, now," announced the young +skipper, rising and crossing to the room-telephone. He gave the number, +waiting briefly. + +"Hello," sounded a voice in the receiver. + +"Hello," returned Tom, quietly. "Is this Mr. Baldwin?" + +"No; wait a moment. I'll connect you." + +"Hello," came, an instant later. + +"Hello. Mr. Baldwin?" + +"Yes." + +"I am Captain Tom Halstead, here at the Palace Hotel, awaiting your +orders." + +"Is Dabson with you?" + +"Dawson, sir," Tom corrected. "Yes; Dawson is with me." + +"Then your whole crew is on hand?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Good! Well, as the finishers are about through with their repair work +on my boat we shall be ready to get you aboard without delay." + +"May I ask, sir, how big a boat----" + +"Captain, be at my office, all of you in uniform, at four o'clock +exactly." + +"Very good, sir. Four o'clock." + +"Captain Halstead, punctuality is one of my failings," warned Joseph +Baldwin's voice. + +"It's one of my studies, Mr. Baldwin." + +"Then, at four o'clock?" + +"Four o'clock, sharp, sir!" + +"Good-bye." + +Ting-ling-ling! Tom hung up the receiver. + +"Well," came an eager chorus. "What are we going to do?" + +"We're going to get into our club sailing uniforms," smiled Captain Tom, +"and we're to be at Mr. Baldwin's office at four o'clock to the minute." + +"What sort of a boat----" + +"Cruising or racing----" + +"Coasting or sea-voy----" + +"You'll all of you have to cut out the questions," laughed Tom Halstead. +"I've told you every blessed thing I've just learned over the 'phone. +Fellows, I think our Mr. Baldwin is stingy----" + +"Stingy?" broke in Ab Perkins, with fine scorn. "And paying every one +of us first-class salaries!" + +"Stingy of words," finished Captain Tom, calmly. "If our new employer +keeps on as he has begun, we won't know anything he means to do until +the time comes to do it. Then he'll give his complete orders in from six +to eight words. That's the way it looks. Now, for your uniforms. Come +along, Joe, and we'll get into ours. Mr. Baldwin, I omitted to tell you, +did inform me----" + +Captain Tom paused, looking mysterious. + +"Told you what?" chorused Dick, Ab and Jed, eagerly. + +"That he's extremely partial to people who are punctual to the minute," +finished Tom Halstead, making a sign that brought Joe along in his +trail. + +Sailors are accustomed to quick dressing, as they are to quick work of +all sorts. Hence the six motor boat boys, all looking decidedly neat and +important in their uniforms and visored caps, were soon on their way to +the elevator shaft. Soon afterwards they stepped from the Palace +entrance to the street, making for the other side of Market Street at +the first crossing. + +More than one swift pedestrian paused long enough to send a look back +after these six trim, almost martial-looking young men, who walked in +pairs and carried themselves like graduates of the Naval Academy. + +It was just five minutes before four o'clock when the sextette halted +outside the Chronicle Building. + +"A couple of minutes to breathe," announced Halstead, watch in hand. +Presently, he marched them into the corridor. Here, after a short wait, +they stepped into one of the several elevators, leaving it a few floors +from the street. + +"Sixty seconds yet to spare," whispered Captain Tom, smilingly, holding +up his watch. + +Precisely at the dot of four o'clock the six motor boat boys filed in at +the door of the Baldwin offices, after Halstead had turned the knob. + +In the outer office were several clerks, behind a railing. An office boy +sat at a desk close by the gate of the railing. + +"Mr. Baldwin expects us at four," stated Tom to the boy. "Will you +please tell him that Captain Halstead and party are here?" + +The boy disappeared. When he returned a briskly-moving man of fifty was +at his heels. It was Joseph Baldwin, one of the rich men of the Pacific +Coast, and one of its most daring promoters. He was a man who acted, +ordinarily, as though the day were but five minutes long and crowded +with business. Mr. Baldwin looked like a prosperous business man, +though there was nothing foppish in his attire. + +"Captain Halstead?" he demanded, holding out a hand. The act was +gracious enough, though hurried. In less than a minute Tom had presented +his friends and all had been through the handshake. + +Back of Mr. Baldwin stood a clerk, holding his employer's hat. + +"I'm off for the day, Johnson," he announced. "Is the transportation at +the door?" + +"Yes, sir. I just looked out of the window. Your transportation is +ready." + +"Come along, Captain Halstead and gentlemen," directed Mr. Baldwin. + +Though he led them swiftly, another clerk had slipped out ahead of them, +and now stood by the elevator shaft. A car was just stopping at the +floor. Down the party whizzed. Mr. Baldwin led the boys to a street +door, outside of which two automobile touring cars stood. + +"Captain, I want you and Dawson in the car with me. Let your friends +follow in the other." + +Two tonneau doors closed with bangs. Off whizzed the cars. Speed laws +did not appear to be made for the concern of a man like Joseph Baldwin. +It seemed as though the cars had barely started when they ran out onto a +dock not much to the westward of the ferry houses. + +A man in plain blue uniform and visored cap, wearing the insignia of a +quartermaster, stood at the far end of the dock. He saluted as soon as +he espied Joseph Baldwin hastening toward him. + +"I see you're on time, Bickson." + +"Yes, sir." + +By this time Mr. Baldwin was going down a short flight of steps to a +landing stage. There lay moored a trim-looking sixteen-foot power +tender. + +"Fall aboard," briefly directed Mr. Baldwin, and the motor boat boys, +rather enjoying this systematized bustle, obeyed. + +Bickson, without waiting for orders, cast off, started the motor and +sent the boat gliding out into the stream. + +"Quite a motor yacht that carries a quartermaster," observed Captain +Halstead, with a smile. + +"I carry three," rejoined Mr. Baldwin, thrusting a cigar into his mouth +and lighting it with a "blazer" match. + +In and out among the shipping the tender glided. Then, at last, Captain +Tom caught sight of a graceful craft some hundred and twenty feet long. +She looked like a miniature liner. + +"I wonder if I'll ever command a handsome craft like that?" thought the +young motor boat skipper, with a brief pang of envy. "Jove! what a +boat!" + +The next thing the motor boat boys knew they were running up alongside +this hundred-and-twenty-footer. A young man of twenty-five or +twenty-six, whose uniform proclaimed him to be a watch officer, stood at +the top of a side gangway. + +"This can't be the boat--such a beauty!" gasped Tom Halstead, inwardly. +Joe Dawson's eyes were full of wonder. Ab Perkins's lower jaw was +hanging down in proof of his bewilderment. Dick Davis's face was +flushing. Jed was staring. Only Jeff Randolph appeared indifferent. + +"How do you do, Mr. Costigan?" hailed Mr. Baldwin, leading the way up +the side gangway. "Mr. Costigan, pay your respects to the new captain of +the 'Panther.' Captain Halstead, Mr. Costigan, your third officer." + +If Mr. Costigan appeared astonished, Tom Halstead did not look less so. +That he was really to command this big, handsome craft seemed to Tom +like a dream. A moment before, when he had realized that the "Panther" +was Mr. Baldwin's craft, the most the Maine boy had expected was that he +and his companions would be allowed to stand watch in the engine room +and on the bridge. But--captain! + +Third Officer Costigan, however, saluted in a most proper manner. Tom +held out his hand cordially. + +"Presently, Mr. Costigan, I shall ask you to show me about this craft." + +"At your orders, sir," replied Costigan, again saluting his commanding +officer, then making his way forward. + +"Here's the captain's cabin. I have the key," announced Mr. Baldwin, +leading the way to a door immediately aft of the pilot house. The owner +unlocked the door, then led the way inside. Again Captain Tom wondered +if he could be dreaming. Though everything was compact in this +stateroom, yet all the conveniences were there, too. There was a double +bed, a wardrobe locker, running water, two easy chairs, a desk, and a +table just under a well-stocked China and glass cupboard. + +"Your stateroom runs right through the deck-house from starboard to +port," explained Mr. Baldwin, who now appeared less pressed for time. +"Bathroom and chart-room open out of this cabin aft. I think, Captain, +you will be comfortable." + +"Comfortable!" murmured Tom, then smiled in sheer delight. + +The other motor boat boys stood about the doorway, not offering to enter +while the owner was there. Mr. Baldwin dropped into one of the arm +chairs. + +"Now, Captain, I'll tell you what we have aboard," continued the owner. +"Costigan is third officer. He's a good fellow, and a capable sailor, +but he has his limitations, and--well, I don't believe he'll ever be +much more than a third officer. You'd better keep him in that +grade--unless you find he's better than some of your comrades. One good +thing about Costigan is that he has a pilot's license for San Francisco +Bay and the coast hereabouts. He's a good pilot, too. Another good thing +about Costigan is that he's loyal, and a man who knows how to keep his +tongue resting in the back of his mouth. + +"Besides Costigan, there are three quartermasters and seven men in the +crew. We have also a cook and helper, a cabin steward and a men's +steward. That's the whole outfit. We have no one, at present, in the +engine-room department. You have men with you to fill out those +positions, haven't you, Captain?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Then let me see how you'll go to work to place them," shot out Mr. +Baldwin, instantly. + +"Mr. Perkins, first officer; Mr. Davis, second officer," replied +Halstead, promptly. "Mr. Costigan, of course, third officer." + +"And in the engine room?" pressed the owner. + +"Mr. Dawson, chief engineer; Mr. Prentiss, first assistant; Mr. +Randolph, second assistant engineer." + +"All right," nodded Joseph Baldwin. "That makes our complement complete, +I think. Now, Captain, publish your selections to the crew and take +command. There's the bell at the side of your desk." + +Hardly had Tom Halstead, still feeling as though in a trance, pressed +the button, when a jauntily uniformed sailor appeared at the doorway, +saluting. + +"My compliments to Mr. Costigan; ask him to come here," ordered Tom. + +From the speed with which he reported, Third Officer Costigan must have +been awaiting the summons. + +"Pipe the crew forward of the pilot house, Mr. Costigan. All hands. I've +something to say to them." + +The third officer's whistle rang out shrilly forward. A few moments +later Captain Halstead was notified that all hands were on deck. + +Tom thereupon went forward, accompanied by the new officers of the +"Panther," who were proclaimed to the crew, including even the stewards +and cooks. + +"And I now invite the officers to my cabin," said Captain Halstead as +he wound up his harangue to the men. "The details of the deck and engine +room watches will be decided at once." + +This was soon done. Following the practice that now obtains on many +yachts, the watches were made eight hours long, instead of four. This +enabled each member of a watch to get a full sleep between watches. In +ordinary weather neither the captain nor first officer stands watch. The +captain's, or starboard, watch was to be taken by Dick Davis as second +officer. Mr. Costigan, third officer, was to stand the first officer's, +or port, watch. Joe Dawson, as chief engineer, was generally responsible +for the engineering department, but stood no watch in the engine room, +the starboard watch at the motors falling to Jed Prentiss, and the port +watch to Jeff Randolph. Bickson, as chief quartermaster, was made +responsible for the general policing of the craft, the other two +quartermasters taking watch trick at the wheel in the pilot house. + +During the making of these arrangements Mr. Baldwin had strolled aft to +his own suite of rooms. These, immediately aft of the chart room, +consisted of parlor, bed-room and bath. Aft of these quarters lay the +deck dining room, from which a staircase led down to the cabin proper. +Off the cabin were eight handsome staterooms for the owner's guests. + +All this Tom and his comrades saw as Costigan piloted them over this +superb yacht. + +Forward of the main cabin, below, was the chief engineer's stateroom, +which Joe would occupy by himself. In Joe's room, also, was service for +the chief engineer's meals. + +Then there was a stateroom for the second and third officers, and +another for the engineer's two assistants. For these junior officers, +and Mr. Costigan, there was an officers' mess. Further forward was the +crew's mess, then the kitchen department. Ahead of this was the engine +room, with the crew's forecastle quarters right up in the bow of the +craft, below decks. + +"You see, sir," explained Mr. Costigan, "there's everything that could +be thought of for the comfort of officers and crew." + +"It's the most compact boat I could imagine," declared Captain Tom, +enthusiastically. + +"You may well say that, sir." + +They passed on to inspect the engine room. Joe's eyes fairly gleamed as +he inspected the twin motors, the dynamos and all the other details of +his own department. It was a finer engine room than Joe Dawson had hoped +to command for many years to come. He remained below, with his +assistants, to inspect their new domain, while Tom, Ab and Dick +returned to the deck with Mr. Costigan. + +The "Panther" was schooner rigged, with a full set of sails for each of +the two masts. There was a short bowsprit, carrying two jibs. + +"This craft does pretty well under sail, sir," declared the third +officer. + +"She looks as though she ought to," replied Captain Tom. "But what gait +does she make with her power alone?" + +"She's been running, cruising, sir, at about twelve to fourteen miles an +hour. She's listed as a twenty-two mile boat at her best, but I believe, +sir, that a good engineer could get twenty-four out of her." + +"The new chief engineer is one who can get out any speed that the motors +will stand." + +"He looks it, sir." + +Halstead was careful always to use the word "Mister." Watch officers and +engineers, who are also officers, are always addressed in that way, by +the captain, or even by the owner. Costigan was equally careful to say +"sir," when addressing any officer of grade above his own. + +"When you can spare the time, Captain, I'll have a few words with you," +called Mr. Baldwin, showing his head through the starboard doorway of +his suite. + +"At once, sir," replied Captain Tom, turning and going to the owner's +door. At the threshold the new captain of the "Panther" halted. + +"Come right in, Captain. Take a chair," invited the owner. "Now, then, +what do you think of your new task?" + +"I'm astounded, sir. Overjoyed, too," Tom replied, with a candid smile. + +"Why?" + +"Well, sir, this craft represents the height of my dreams. The 'Panther' +is twice the length and about four times the total size of any boat I've +ever commanded before." + +"Are you afraid it's too big an undertaking for you?" asked Mr. Baldwin, +regarding his young sailing master keenly. + +"No, sir!" came the prompt answer. + +"Hm! I'm glad of that. But I wasn't worrying. I've known Delavan a long +time. I told him what I wanted, and knew I could bank on his choice. Are +all your friends satisfied?" + +"They're delighted," Tom nodded. "All they're aching for now, sir, is to +get out on the first cruise." + +"They'll have their wish this evening," laughed Mr. Baldwin. "Is there +anything you want to ask me, Captain?" + +"Nothing, unless you'll permit me to be a bit curious." + +"That's a bad fault on this yacht," replied Joseph Baldwin, with a +slight frown that quickly disappeared. "What is it you want to know?" + +"I'm wondering, sir, why you had to send all the way east for officers +for the 'Panther'?" + +"Because I've had to get rid of two sets of officers," replied Mr. +Baldwin, crisply. "One captain was too inquisitive, the other was +incapable. Then I began to hear a good deal about your famous Motor Boat +Club. That set me to corresponding with Delavan. He told me a lot more +about you young men, and I couldn't get it out of my head that _you_ +were the sort of people I wanted." + +"You weren't afraid on account of our being so--well, youthful?" + +"I knew, if you'd suit Frank Delavan, you'd suit me. And I'm just as +sure after having seen you all. Now, Captain Halstead, you'll be ready +to sail at any time after seven this evening. That is the hour when my +guests and I sit down to dinner aboard. At the time I'll give you your +general sailing instructions. Remember, Mr. Costigan must be your pilot +until you're out through the Golden Gate and clear of the coast." + +"Yes, sir," assented Halstead, rising. "Any further orders, sir?" + +"That is all, for the present, Captain." + +Tom Halstead left the owner's suite and walked forward, filled with a +wonderful sense of elation. He passed the pilot house just in time to +see Joe Dawson coming up forward. + +"Say, are we going to wake up, chum?" breathed young Dawson in his +friend's ear. + +"I don't believe we'll have to," laughed the young skipper, happily. +"We're all right, I'm pretty sure, if we don't do something that greatly +displeases the boat's owner. Thanks to Mr. Delavan, the owner of this +craft is willing to believe, at the start, that we're all that's good +and wonderful. But come into my cabin, old fellow, if you have the time. +We'll dine together to-night." + +Both motor boat boys sighed their supreme contentment as they dropped +into arm-chairs facing each other. It was now so dark that Tom switched +on the electric lights. + +"How are the engines, Joe?" asked Tom, dropping into his old, friendly +manner. + +"Ready to start at a second's notice. And Jed's on duty there, waiting +for the word." + +"Gasoline?" + +"Tanks bulging with it. Tom, this is a beautifully appointed boat below, +and every store of every description is in place." + +"That's the kind of a man I'm pretty sure Mr. Baldwin is," nodded +Halstead. + +Joe surveyed a row of speaking tubes that hung against the forward wall +of the captain's room. He picked out one labeled "engine-room," pressing +the button beneath it. + +"Hello, sir," came the quick response, in Jed Prentiss's unmistakable +tones. + +"Hello, Mr. Prentiss," Joe returned. "How do you like it down there, on +duty?" + +"It's perfect!" responded Jed, almost dreamily. "Everything here but my +own personal steward. I ain't sure but what _he'll_ blow in, in a +minute, and ask me what I'll have for dinner." + +"Tell him we're scheduled to start at seven," suggested Halstead. + +"I can start in seven seconds, if I'm asked to," promised Prentiss. +"Anyway, I can have the propellers turning fast before you can get the +anchor up. Crackey! I forgot that I have to supply even the power for +hoisting anchor." + +Twenty minutes later the two chums, who had begun their career by +patching up an old steam launch down at the mouth of the Kennebec River, +in Maine, were seated at table in the captain's cabin, doing justice to +a meal that was but little short of sumptuous. + +The chief steward himself, a man named Parkinson, served the young +captain and chief engineer. He hovered about, as attentive as any hotel +waiter or private butler could have been. + +It was the second steward, however, who came in with the dessert for +the two chief officers of the "Panther." + +"What has become of the other steward?" inquired the young captain. + +"Time for him, sir, to put on the finishing touches in the dining +saloon," replied Collins, the second steward, who served also the junior +officers and the crew. + +"If we eat like this at every meal, Joe," sighed Halstead, contentedly, +when the second steward had removed the last of the things, "we'll have +to devote all the rest of the time to exercising off extra flesh. Let's +get out on deck." + +"All right. But I mean to be in the engine-room when the start is made." + +At the side gangway the chums stepped quickly past, to make way for half +a dozen men who were coming up over the side, while Mr. Costigan stood +respectfully by to receive them. They were guests of the owner just +coming on board for the night's cruise. One of these newcomers went +directly to Mr. Baldwin's suite. + +"Owner's compliments, sir," called Parkinson, softly, as he came +hurrying after the young sailing master. "Mr. Baldwin wishes to see +Captain Halstead on the jump, sir." + +The call had come for the brisk beginning of the strangest duties in +which young Halstead had ever been employed. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +HALSTEAD IS LET INTO A SECRET + + +"Captain Halstead, my friend, Mr. Jason Ross," announced Mr. Baldwin, +crisply, as soon as the young skipper had closed the owner's door behind +him. + +Mr. Ross was a man of forty-five, and looked like a man who might be of +much importance in the financial world. Yet _he_ was presented to +Halstead, for on a yacht the captain is considered next in importance to +the owner. + +Tom modestly greeted Mr. Ross. + +"Sit down, Captain," snapped out the owner, though not unkindly. "Now, +I've got to take you into my confidence a bit. Delavan's word for you +makes me feel that I can safely do it." + +Tom had only time to nod ere Mr. Baldwin went on, crisply: + +"My guests are on board, with one exception. In a way, the exception is +the most important one of us all. He isn't so very important in himself, +but Gaston Giddings, though a very weak, foolish young man, happened to +succeed his father in the principal control and presidency of the +Sheepmen's National Bank. Young Giddings and the funds his bank can +supply are of the utmost importance to my associates and myself in some +big enterprises we are putting through. Do I make myself clear?" + +"Wholly so, sir," Tom answered, quietly. + +"Now, Giddings, besides being several kinds of plain and ornamental +fool--no, I won't quite say that, but this weak young man has one +fearful fault for the head of a bank----" + +Joseph Baldwin paused in his rapid speech. He looked sharply at Mr. Ross +an instant, then continued: + +"Oh, well, Frank Delavan told me I could trust you and Dawson with +anything from my yacht to my reputation. You understand that what I'm +telling you, Captain, is absolutely confidential?" + +"Of course, sir," responded Tom, quietly. + +"Well, then, within the last three months young Giddings has, in some +way we can't understand, fallen a victim to the opium habit. The young +man is all but totally wrecked by the vile drug. How, or why, he +started, none of us can understand. You see, a good many of us older +men, who were fast friends of his father, have tried to stand by the +young man. Two of to-night's party are directors in the Sheepmen's Bank. +We've tried to get the bank's funds placed in interests that we control, +so that young Giddings couldn't go very far wrong, by not having enough +money left in his charge to wreck the bank. You follow me?" + +"I--I think so, Mr. Baldwin." + +"Truth to tell," pursued the owner, "I had planned--my friends on board +with me--to go out ostensibly for one night, but really to be gone for +several days. One of our friends is a specialist in the opium habit--Dr. +Gray. We had hoped, on this trip, to plan some financial enterprises +that would use up, for the present, the dangerously large balance at the +Sheepmen's Bank. At the same time we were going to try to force young +Giddings to agree to heroic medical treatment in order to overcome his +fearful vice." + +Tom Halstead remained silent, but attentive. + +"Now, at the last moment," pursued Mr. Baldwin, "we hear that Giddings +was seen in a closed carriage, evidently headed for Chinatown, that vile +Oriental section of San Francisco, where the opium vice flourishes at +its worst. And in Chinatown a man can disappear so completely that his +friends can't find him again in years. Giddings was to be here to-night, +but he's in a Chinatown opium den instead. If we appeal to the police, +it'll all be in the newspapers. There'll be a scandal that will disgrace +Giddings forever, start a run on the Sheepmen's Bank, and--though this +is the least of our worries--will delay for some time the pushing of +the big financial game in which my friends and myself are interested. +Now, we've got to find some way of getting at Giddings, and of bringing +him on board without trouble or noise. I've told you this much, Captain +Halstead, so that you'll understand the need of secrecy. If we can find +Giddings, and get him out here, then we _must_ bring him over the side +and get him into his stateroom without his being seen by any of the crew +on board, except, possibly, by one or two of your own comrades whom you +think you can best trust." + +"I can trust every one of 'em, sir," declared Captain Tom, promptly. "So +will you, when you know them better." + +"Then, Captain, before we make any move to find Giddings in his +Chinatown hiding-place, and attempt to get him aboard this yacht, we +must have all of the crew safely out of the way, save for your own +personal friends among the officers." + +"I can plan for the crew to go ashore," declared Tom Halstead. "I have +only to state that you've decided to delay putting out to sea, and that +you've been good enough to grant the men a night on shore at the theatre +at your expense. That will take every one of them over the side. Do you +want Mr. Costigan to go?" + +"Why, I think Costigan is all right, but he isn't needed here, anyway, +so he'd better go ashore also." + +"Easily settled, then, Mr. Baldwin. I can send Mr. Costigan off in +charge of the shore party. At what hour do you wish them all to return, +sir?" + +"Not a minute before midnight!" + +"Very good, sir. I can tell Mr. Costigan that you've been called ashore, +that you will dine there, and that you are very glad of this opportunity +to give the older members of the crew a chance to enjoy themselves +ashore." + +"Excellent, indeed!" cried Mr. Baldwin, in a low tone. "What do you say, +Ross?" + +"If Captain Halstead can vouch so heartily for the silence and +discretion of his own friends, then the plan ought to clear the decks so +that we can get Giddings aboard--if we find him--without any comment or +scandal at all," agreed Jason Ross. + +Joseph Baldwin employed himself stripping a few banknotes from a roll +that he drew from a trousers pocket. + +"Give this money to Mr. Costigan, Captain, and tell him to see to it +that the men have a good time on shore--though no drunkenness! And you, +Captain Halstead, I trust to see to it that none but your own friends +remain aboard." + +Ten minutes later Captain Tom returned to the owner's suite to report +that Third Officer Costigan and the crew, including the stewards and +cooks, had gone ashore in the tender, Jeff Randolph running the boat in. + +"How soon will Randolph be back?" asked Mr. Baldwin. + +"Within ten minutes, sir." + +"Then I shall want him to put Mr. Ross and myself ashore. We two must +take up the seemingly impossible task of locating young Giddings in the +heart of Chinatown's slums, and bring him here by force, yet without +noise. Once we get him on board, and below, we can keep the young man +quiet until morning, when we'll be well out on the ocean. Dr. Gray will +attend to that." + +"Are your friends going to remain on board, without dinner?" asked +Halstead. + +"No; they can go ashore and get dinner at a restaurant, returning +presently. Mr. Randolph can keep the tender at the landing stage until +they return. Then, as soon as he has brought our other friends aboard, +Mr. Randolph can return for Ross and myself, when we get back. But Mr. +Randolph must not let Costigan or the crew get aboard until after we've +returned." + +"I'll make his instructions clear on that point," nodded Tom. + +"That is all, then. Let me know when the tender returns." + +"Hold on, a moment, Baldwin," interposed Mr. Ross. + +"Well?" + +"Baldwin, neither of us is in what might be called the pink of +condition, and young Giddings may put up a fight in his half-crazed way. +Don't we need a little real brawn with us?" + +"Taking Captain Halstead with us, do you mean?" + +"That was the idea that had come into my head," nodded Mr. Ross. + +"Yes; it would be an excellent idea. Captain, you will go with us. Leave +your first officer in command here until we return." + +"Very good, sir." + +Tom Halstead saluted, then withdrew. He gave his orders quickly, not +deeming it necessary to mention any phase of the story of young Gaston +Giddings to his comrades of the Motor Boat Club. + +As soon as the launch was alongside Tom hastened to inform Mr. Baldwin. +The entire party thereupon came out on deck, gathering at the side +gangway. They speedily embarked in the tender, in which Jeff sat where +he could handle both engine and steering gear. + +"Your instructions are clear, Mr. Perkins?" called Tom Halstead, +softly, from the launch. + +"Quite clear, sir," Ab replied. "The instructions will be followed to +the letter." + +"Shove off, then," Tom commanded. "To the landing stage, Mr. Randolph." + +It would have been almost laughable, to anyone who had witnessed the +frolicsome motor boat boys going through their hazing affair of the +forenoon, had he now been at hand to hear them using the stately +"mister" and "sir" with all the gravity of naval officers. + +Jeff speedily had the party ashore. + +Twenty minutes later a closed cab rolled slowly in at one corner of +gayly-lighted, malodorous Chinatown. The vehicle contained Messrs. +Baldwin and Ross and young Captain Tom Halstead. In this poisonous +atmosphere they sought a young human wreck, Gaston Giddings. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A HUNT IN THE UNDER-WORLD + + +During the ride from the water front Captain Tom Halstead had sat on the +front seat of the cab, quiet and reserved. + +Now, as they entered the outer confines of Chinatown, Halstead leaned +slightly forward, peering out at the shops and at the queer Oriental +jumble, mixed here and there with white people, that thronged the narrow +sidewalks. + +"Are you headed for any particular place, sir?" queried the young +skipper, after a few moments. + +"No," admitted Mr. Baldwin. "I know nothing of Chinatown. We must drive +through, first of all, at a venture. Presently an idea may come to us. +Whatever we do, our plans must soon be formed. If I dared speak to a +police officer--but the risk is too great." + +"There's a restaurant," murmured the boy, suddenly. "It looks like a big +and clean place. Why don't you and Mr. Ross slip in there, have some tea +or something, and let me prowl about in these queer, crooked streets for +a few minutes? Chinatown is only a few blocks in extent, I understand. I +may be able to learn something that way, unless you have a better plan, +sir." + +"I am afraid you'll run into danger, alone in this barbarous crowd," +objected Mr. Baldwin. + +"I'm not in the least afraid," smiled Tom, confidently. "Two prosperous +looking men like you might attract attention, but, as for me, the people +hereabouts will think only that I'm some young sailor ashore for a lark. +Shall I stop the cab, sir?" + +"Yes," agreed Joseph Baldwin, though he spoke doubtfully. + +Tom's hand shot up at once, grabbing the check string. The driver pulled +up his horses, then came to the door, opening it. + +"This will be as good a place for you to remain, driver, as anywhere," +said Halstead, as he stepped out. Then he turned, waiting for Messrs. +Baldwin and Ross to alight. + +"Shall I find you in that restaurant, sir?" the young skipper inquired. + +"Yes; but don't be too long away, Halstead, or we shall be more uneasy +than ever." + +"Trust a sailor to take care of himself in any crowd, sir," laughed Tom +Halstead, jauntily. With that he stepped off, at a more rolling gait +than he usually employed on shore. + +The young motor boat captain carried in his mind a good personal +description of Gaston Giddings. He had secured this from Mr. Baldwin +before leaving the yacht. + +"Ugh! The smell here is worse than in New York's Chinatown," Tom told +himself, disgustedly. + +From upper windows of some of the buildings that lined the narrow, dirty +streets came the squawkings of Chinese fiddles and other discordant +"musical" instruments of a wholly Oriental type. There seemed to be two +or three joss-houses, or temples, in every short block. On the street +floors, however, stores offering all kinds of Chinese merchandise were +most common. Tom suspected that the gambling places and opium joints lay +in the rear of these stores. + +"Want a guide to Chinatown? Show ye everything, boss, for two dollars. +Show ye every real sight in Chinatown," appealed a seedy, dirty, young +white man who now held Tom by one sleeve. + +"Anything really worth seeing?" asked Halstead, smilingly. + +"Oh, _everything_ worth seeing," responded the seedy guide, with a wide +wave of one arm. "Best two dollars' worth you ever had. Most curious +sights you ever saw in any part of the world. Sailor, ain't ye?" + +"Yes." + +"Sailors are my specialty," declared the seedy guide, grimly. "Come, +ye'd better haul up the two dollars and let me take you about." + +"What about opium joints, for instance?" asked Tom Halstead, speaking as +though he had not enthused much as yet. + +"I know 'em all," asserted the seedy guide, eagerly. "Want to smoke the +opium pipe?" + +"Can't say," replied Tom, vaguely. "Yet, if I do go around with you, +you've got to take me to the really swell opium places." + +"Oh, I can do it--better'n any other guide in Chinatown," promised the +fellow, quickly. "Come, just hand over the two dollars, and see what I +can show you." + +With a great pretense of reluctance Captain Tom produced four half +dollars, which he handed to the guide. + +"Remember, now," he said, "I want what you might call the aristocratic +places." + +"If ye ain't satisfied," promised the guide, glibly, "then ye'll get +your money back." + +"Go ahead, then, but mind what I told you." + +Through dark alleyways, or through stores into rear apartments, Halstead +followed his conductor. In rapid succession he passed in and out of half +a dozen opium joints. One was as much like another as two kernels of +wheat resemble each other. + +In each place there was the same outer room, then the same bunk-room, an +apartment fitted up with bunks at the sides. It was in these rooms that +the smoking was done. The intending smoker stretched himself out in a +bunk, while a Chinese attendant brought lamp and kit. A tiny ball of +opium was quickly lighted--"cooked"--at the lamp's flame. Then this +glowing pellet of opium was thrust into the bowl of an opium pipe, and +the latter handed to the smoker in the bunk. The smoker consumed his +pellet after two or three whiffs. After smoking three or four pipes, +most of the smokers succumbed, falling back in a torpid sleep. + +The air was heavy, disgusting in these places. Degraded white men and +women were occasionally to be seen, though most of the smokers were +Orientals, generally Chinese. + +Heart-sick and dizzy, Tom Halstead still kept on, though, whenever he +reached outer air, he took pains to inflate his lungs several times +before again entering one of the wretched, squalid "joints." + +Off the bunk-rooms several of these dens had "private" sleeping +apartments, for white smokers who desired more privacy. Wherever he +noted doors to such private rooms Tom Halstead thrust them open, +glancing inside. Nor was his conduct resented. The opium smokers were +too far gone to show or feel anger. + +"You haven't shown me any very swell places yet," protested the young +skipper, after leaving the seventh place. + +The guide, a thin, undersized, slovenly man in his early thirties, +turned to look the motor boat boy over keenly. + +Tom noticed that the fellow's eyes had a look in them much like the look +in the eyes of several of the smokers they had just seen. + +"This fellow is an opium-user himself," decided Tom Halstead. + +"Say, young feller," remarked the guide, in a cautious undertone, +"you're looking for _someone_." + +"Perhaps I am," the young skipper half admitted. + +"Who is he?" + +"No matter. But do you know any of the men who come here to Chinatown +often to use the pipe?" + +"Say, if there's any white hop-fiend that I don't know, then he's a +brand-new one," rejoined the guide. + +"Do you know a young man of twenty-four or five, about five-eight tall, +dark, slim, rather fine-looking, smooth faced and with a slight scar +under his right ear?" + +"I guess that must be young Doc Gaston," whispered the guide. + +Gaston? That was Giddings's first name. Tom Halstead started, though he +strove to conceal his excitement. + +"Where does Doc Gaston go?" he demanded. + +"What'll you pay to find out?" insisted the guide, cunningly. + +"Ten dollars." + +"Make it fifty, and I'll do it for you." + +Tom, however, stuck to his original price, though three or four minutes +were lost in haggling. + +"Ten dollars is the highest price," Tom declared, flatly. "That pays you +for standing by me until I get Doc Gaston--if he's the one I'm looking +for--outside of Chinatown." + +"Well, gimme the money now, then," demanded the guide. + +"Oh, no," retorted the young skipper, tartly. "You get the money after +we're through and on the edge of Chinatown in a cab. Now, don't haggle +any more, or I'll drop the matter altogether. Are you going to take my +offer, or not?" + +"Say, you'll sure pay the ten, will ye?" whined the fellow. + +"As sure as there's a sky above us." + +"Then come along." + +"Where's the place?" questioned Tom Halstead. + +"Around the next corner." + +"Do you know where Yum Kee's restaurant is?" + +"O' course. They call Yum Kee the Chinatown Delmonico." + +"Lead me back there, then, and we'll get the carriage." + +Tom Halstead had been around so many corners in this crowded, complex +quarter of San Francisco that he had lost his bearings. The guide, +however, piloted him back to the waiting cab within two minutes. + +First of all, however, the young skipper peered in at the restaurant. +Messrs. Baldwin and Ross were at one of the rear tables, eating. + +"Tell the driver where to go, now, and we'll make the start," Tom +instructed the guide. Soon afterwards they alighted before a +brightly-lighted Chinese grocery store. Besides the proprietor, there +were three or four clerks and a dozen yellow-skinned, pig-tailed +customers in the place. The guide, with an air of being at home here, +led the way straight back, pushing ajar a door at the rear. The instant +they entered this rear compartment the sickening odor of sizzling opium +greeted Captain Tom's nostrils. This proved to be the inevitable outer +room, but the guide led into the adjoining bunk-room. In this latter +apartment were half a dozen doors. + +"Just look through 'em," whispered the guide. "Don't talk to me none. +Remember, if there's a row here, I've got to make up a yarn that will +square things for me." + +Two of the private rooms into which Halstead boldly intruded proved to +be empty. + +In the third room a weazened little old Chinaman crouched over a lamp +and a tray holding an outfit. He was preparing to remove these things. +In the bunk, sprawled out, with glassy eyes, was a young man whom Tom +Halstead recognized in a flash--weak, vice-ridden Gaston Giddings! + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +FACING THE YELLOW BARRIER + + +"Maybe what you likee here?" demanded the little old Chinaman, looking +up with a snarl. + +"Looking around," retorted Tom, grimly. + +"Allee same--_git_!" + +The guide had approached, taking a swift, shifty look in at the bunk. + +"That's Doc Gaston, isn't it?" whispered Tom, over his shoulder. + +"Don't ye know him?" queried the guide, suspiciously. + +"He looks strange, with that glassy look in his eyes." + +"That's Doc Gaston, all right. 'Least, that's what he calls himself in +Chinatown." + +"You allee same git--chop-chop," snarled the Chinaman, savagely. He had +put the smoking outfit on the floor once more, and now pushed against +the motor boat boy with both hands, trying to force him from the room. +Tom, however, coolly and gravely picked the short Chinaman up off his +feet, wheeled and put him down again on the floor of the bunkroom +beyond. + +"Now, shove off!" ordered Halstead, half gruffly. "Don't bother me +again." + +After flashing an ugly look at the motor boat boy, the Chinaman fled in +the direction of the store. + +"Now, whatcher going to do?" demanded the guide, nervously. + +"If I can't get young Gaston to walking on his own feet, then I'm going +to pick him up in my arms and carry him out to the carriage," answered +Tom Halstead, firmly. + +"Smoking joss-house!" gasped the guide. "D'ye know what'll happen? +There'll be a house-full of them chinks down on us! Hatchet men--gun +men--say, young feller, dontcher know that these here hop-joints are +protected by the highbinders?" + +Tom Halstead had heard of the Chinese highbinders in New York. He knew +of them as a desperate crowd of yellow-skinned thugs. The guide's own +terror was too real to be feigned. + +"If you're afraid of this kind of a job, what did you come here for?" +asked the young skipper, quickly, gruffly. + +"Why, I thought ye was goin' to try to _coax_ the young Doc out. But, +say--taking him out by force--lemme get outer this on the jump!" + +"No, you don't," roared Tom Halstead, with swift and quite unlooked-for +energy. "Stand by, now!" + +He gripped the guide by the arm, fairly forcing him over to the bunk in +which the young opium smoker lay. Giddings, if it was really he, lay +open-eyed, yet unheeding. + +"Come, get up!" ordered the boy, reaching with both hands under the +opium smoker's shoulders and raising him. "Out on your feet!" + +A drowsy, unintelligible protest came from the stranger. But Tom fairly +lifted him out onto his feet, then threw a strong, supporting arm about +him. + +"Now, walk! Come along!" ordered Halstead, briskly, taking hold of the +young man with his other hand. + +"Sufferin' joss-sticks!" wailed the guide. "Here come the +chinks--number-one man and all!" + +The door of the bunkroom burst open. Through the doorway rapidly +advanced the gorgeously-dressed Chinaman whom Tom had supposed to be the +proprietor of the store beyond. Back of him came four plainly-attired +Chinamen with as hard-looking, evil faces as could be found in all +Chinatown's quagmire of vice. + +"This ain't my doings, Ling!" wailed the guide, quailing before the +stern glances of the yellow leader--the "number-one man." "I told this +young fellow he'd have to quit. Let us out." + +"Yes; let us out!" repeated Tom Halstead, staring undauntedly into the +eyes of Ling. + +"Put him down," ordered Ling, nodding scowlingly at the stranger whom +Halstead supported. "Then, maybe, we see what we do with you." + +The air was full of danger of the most awesome kind. Though not a weapon +showed, as yet, each of the four Chinese behind the proprietor stood +with his hands thrust up into his sleeves. A Chinaman always carries his +weapons up his sleeves, whence he can bring them down, into action, with +incredible rapidity. + +"Now, don't think you've got me frightened," uttered Tom Halstead, +sturdily, gazing undauntedly at the Chinese. "There isn't any scare in +me when I'm dealing with people like you. If you make one single false +move you'll be the ones who'll be sorry for it. Ling, I'm going to take +this young man out of here. His friends know where he is, and they've +sent me here to get him. I'm going to take him out of here, chop-chop. +If I'm not out of here in another minute or so, then this young man's +friends will bring down police enough on you to clean the place out." + +Ling laughed contemptuously. + +"Oh, you may think you have money enough, and 'pull' enough, to keep the +police from troubling you," jeered young Halstead. "But, if this young +man's friends get after you, it'll make a noise that the police can't +shut their ears to." + +Two of the men behind Ling stood blocking the doorway. The other two, by +now, were edging around to get on either side of the unflinching boy. + +"You yellow scoundrels, get back, and stay back!" commanded Tom, glaring +at them sternly. + +There comes into notice, now and then, a man who has enough of the +magnetic quality of bravery to hold a mob back. Tom Halstead was +possessed of the grit needed for such an undertaking. + +"Get out of the way, Ling--you and your heathen hatchet men," commanded +the young skipper, resolutely. "I'm going past you. If I find any fellow +in my way I'll knock him down. If you fight back, it'll be the finish +of you and of this place. _Gangway, you yellow idiots!_" + +[Illustration: "Gangway, You Yellow Idiots."] + +Still supporting, half dragging, the dazed young banker, Tom Halstead +grittily pressed his way to the doorway and through it. One of Ling's +henchmen attempted to stand immovable, but Halstead, with a quick blow +of his open hand, sent the fellow stumbling backward. + +"If you're thinking of creeping up behind me, don't try it," advised +Halstead, as coolly as ever, as he started across the outer room. + +He gained the closed door connecting with the outer store. Pausing here, +a moment, he beheld two of Ling's yellow-visaged fellows creeping toward +him. + +"Back for yours--that'll keep you out of trouble," barked the young +skipper, coolly, without raising a hand to defend himself. Then he threw +the door open, calling backward over his shoulder: + +"Don't you dare let this young man in here again, Ling. If you do, it'll +wind you up." + +With that the motor boat boy contrived to pilot his charge swiftly +through the store. He was not safe until he had passed the last of these +yellow men, and the young skipper knew it. Yet, at last, he had the +stranger out on the sidewalk, one hand up to signal the driver of the +cab. + +The guide, keeping close to the motor boat boy, had managed to get out +with him. But the little fellow was shaking as though seized with the +ague. + +"Get into the cab, and help me take the young man in," ordered Tom, and +the guide was glad, indeed, to dive inside the carriage. In another +moment they were driving away. + +"Say, but you've got the nerve!" chattered the guide, his teeth knocking +together. + +"Maybe you'd have some nerve if you'd learn to leave hop alone," +rejoined Halstead. "Hop" is the Chinatown name for opium. + +Halstead sat on the rear seat, supporting the young banker beside him. +In a little while the cab again halted in front of Yum Kee's restaurant. + +"Here," said Halstead, producing a ten-dollar bill. "Take this. Skip as +soon as you like." + +"You oughter gimme more," whined the guide. + +"I've given you all I agreed. No use trying to get any more." + +The guide, thereupon, sprang out, vanishing within a few seconds. Going +to the doorway of the restaurant, yet standing where he could keep a +close watch on the cab, Tom uttered a long, low whistle. Messrs. Baldwin +and Ross saw him instantly, and came hastening out. By the time they +reached the cab the young skipper was inside again. + +"Is this your young man?" asked Halstead, almost in a whisper. + +"Yes," nodded Baldwin, a jubilant gleam showing in his eyes. + +"Better jump in, then, sir, so we can get away quickly." + +Gaston Giddings now leaned against Tom's shoulder, sleeping the sleep of +drugged stupefaction. + +"How on earth did you find him so soon?" questioned Joseph Baldwin, +leaning forward when the cab had gone beyond the confines of Chinatown. +Tom told the whole story, simply and modestly. + +"Young man," uttered Jason Ross, solemnly, "I don't believe you have any +idea, yet, of how huge a risk you ran yourself into. The Chinese +criminal is desperate at all times, but ten-fold more so when he's on +his own ground, surrounded only by his own crowd." + +"Well, I got out, didn't I?" smiled the young skipper, coolly. + +"Yes; but I marvel at it." + +"I understand more and more why Delavan recommended these youngsters to +me," breathed Joseph Baldwin, gleefully. "'Ready for anything,' he told +me, was the motto of the Motor Boat Club boys." + +When the cab rolled out onto the dock Jeff Randolph was found pacing +back and forth on the landing stage. No other member of the crew was in +sight, and Jeff stated that none of the others of Mr. Baldwin's party of +guests had yet returned. + +Gaston Giddings, still unaware of his surroundings, was helped aboard +the tender. A swift trip was made to the "Panther," and the unfortunate +young man was immediately carried below to be put to bed in one of the +stateroom berths. + +Half an hour later Mr. Baldwin's other guests returned from dinner. +Jeff, who had gone back to meet them, brought them on board, next going +back to await the arrival of Third Officer Costigan and the crew. Dr. +Gray hastened below, to attend to Giddings, and to keep him quiet, also, +after the crew should come on board. + +As for Captain Tom, after receiving Ab Perkins's report that all was +well aboard, he went to his own cabin, calling Joe Dawson, through the +speaking tube, to join him. Here Joseph Baldwin found both youngsters. + +"Captain Halstead, how much did you spend on my account, to-night?" +asked the owner. + +"Altogether, sir, twelve dollars on the guide." + +"Never mind about any change, then," rejoined Mr. Baldwin, passing over +a bank note. + +"I think I can make change for that, sir," retorted Skipper Tom, his +color rising. "I'm not out after 'tips,' you know, sir," he added, with +a smile. + +Producing a roll of money from an inner pocket, Halstead counted out +eighty-eight dollars, which he handed to the owner. + +"You may refuse, now, but I shall be even with you later," remarked +Joseph Baldwin. "And now, Captain, as soon as you can, after the crew +comes aboard, I want you to put out to sea. I'll give you more explicit +orders as soon as we're seven or eight miles west of the coast." + +"Very good, sir," replied Captain Tom, saluting as the owner turned to +leave the captain's cabin. + +"You've been running into a bit more excitement, have you?" queried Joe, +smiling. + +"A bit," laughed Halstead. Dawson asked no further questions. + +At a few minutes after midnight Mr. Costigan returned with his shore +party. + +"It's your watch below, Mr. Costigan, until eight o'clock in the +morning," First Officer Ab Perkins informed the third officer. "When +you are called to turn out we'll be at sea." + +"Very good, sir," replied Costigan, and went below to seek his berth. +Neither the third officer nor any of the crew had any suspicion that +anything unusual had happened this evening. + +"Where's Mr. Costigan?" inquired Captain Halstead, coming forward. + +"Gone below to sleep, sir," Ab replied. + +"Then I'm afraid you'll have to rout him out. He'll have to stay on deck +until he has piloted us through the Golden Gate. I want to be under way +within five minutes." + +Somewhat chagrined, Ab Perkins sent one of the crew below for the third +officer. Costigan was speedily in evidence. + +Now, one of the motors began to chug briskly below, and the two bow +anchors came speedily up, being stowed by the watch. Joe was in the +engine room with Jed Prentiss, while Captain Tom Halstead, feeling +prouder and happier than ever in his life before, climbed to the bridge +up behind the pilot house. After him went Dick Davis, whose watch it was +to stand. Mr. Costigan, after seeing the anchors stowed, started for the +bridge also. + +"Give the engine room slow speed ahead, Mr. Davis," directed Tom. + +Dick gave the bell-pull at the bridge rail the required jerk. The +"Panther" began to move gracefully ahead, while Mr. Costigan, with the +pilot-house speaking tube in his hand, called down the helmsman's +orders. + +"Dick, this is the real thing!" whispered Tom Halstead, jubilantly, in +his comrade's ear while Costigan was busy at the speaking tube. + +"It's as fine as bossing a liner," rejoined Dick Davis, +enthusiastically. + +"Better!" declared Halstead. + +Dick presently signaled the engineer for more speed. The "Panther" +ploughed through the waters of the bay, toward the Golden Gate. + +As Tom Halstead peered through the night ahead he felt another ecstatic +thrill. It was all so fine, so glorious! No doubt it was better for him, +at this moment, that he could not foresee all that lay ahead of him. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +DICK TAKES THE RESCUE BOAT TRICK + + +It wasn't long before First Officer Ab Perkins also climbed the stairs +to the bridge. + +"If this craft runs on the rocks, it won't be for want of officers at +their post," laughed Skipper Tom, gleefully. + +"I couldn't keep away," confessed Ab. "It's the first time in my life +I've ever stood on a real bridge by right. Oh, but this is a different +thing altogether from the tiny bridge-deck of a fifty-foot boat!" + +Third Officer Costigan paid no heed to the motor boat boys. Though +Costigan had never held higher rank than he now enjoyed, standing watch +on a bridge was no new sensation for him. The young Irishman thought, +mainly, of the time when he would have the "Panther" through the Gate +and well off the coast. Then he could turn in below. + +Presently a fifth person joined the little squad on the bridge. It was +Joseph Baldwin. + +"You've a clear night and an easy sea, Captain," smiled the owner. "It's +a fortunate sort of start for you." + +"Yes, sir." + +"When you're well clear of the Gate, Captain, look in on me down in the +main cabin, and I'll give you your sailing orders for the night." + +"Yes, sir." + +Halstead knew his own dignity on the bridge. He was on duty, and did not +attempt to engage the owner in any conversation other than that which +concerned his present duties. Mr. Baldwin went below just after the +"Panther's" prow was turned into the beginning of the Golden Gate, that +magnificent approach to San Francisco harbor. The Gate is some two miles +long, and nearly a mile wide, with an abundance of deep water for the +passage of the largest craft afloat. + +"What speed, sir?" asked Dick Davis. + +"Ten miles is fast enough in this channel, isn't it, Mr. Costigan?" +inquired the young captain. + +"About as much as is best, sir." + +Dick, at a sign from Halstead, communicated the order to the engine +room. Twelve minutes later the "Panther" was clearing the Gate, leaving +a track of foam behind her as Davis signaled for increased speed. + +Joe, leaving his first assistant below at the motors, now joined the +bridge squad. + +"If there's nothing more, Captain," suggested Dawson, "I'll turn in +below for the night." + +Captain Halstead nodded. Soon afterwards he went below, to the main +cabin. + +"I've come to report for orders, Mr. Baldwin," he announced. + +"They're simple enough," replied the owner. "Clear the coast by some +twenty miles; then cruise south, at not too great speed--say, about +twelve miles an hour." + +"Do these orders hold until changed, sir?" + +"Yes, Captain." + +Tom saluted, then turned as though to leave the cabin, but Mr. Baldwin +called him back. + +"You're not needed on the bridge yet, Captain. Remain with us a little +while, if you feel like it. You can see that Dr. Gray is keeping his own +watch down here in the main cabin." + +At that moment the physician, an elderly man, stepped out of a +stateroom, closing the door after him. + +"There! My patient will sleep for some hours, I think. I'll take the +upper berth in his room to-night, so that I can hear him and attend to +him if he wakes. Ah, good evening, Captain. Or is it good morning? I +have been told of your fine work--on land, at that." + +"Is Giddings going to be in anything like his right mind when he wakes?" +asked Mr. Baldwin. + +"Oh, in a general way, I think he'll know what he's saying," replied the +physician. "But he won't be at all bright before thirty-six hours have +passed. Even then I can't guarantee him. Opium drives him to the verge +of mania." + +When several of the others had engaged in conversation, and the doctor +had taken a seat near the young captain, Tom asked: + +"Is opium smoking a very great evil in San Francisco, Doctor? That is, +do very many take to it?" + +"Not a very large proportion of the white population, I am glad to +say," responded the physician. "Still, when the hop habit does get hold +of our white people it works fearful havoc with them. Opium and morphine +streak all the crime in San Francisco. These habits are the horrible +revenge that the Chinaman has taken upon the city for the persecution +the Chinaman once suffered at the hands of our hoodlums." + +"Then opium and morphine are largely responsible for the crime and vice +in the big city we have just left?" asked Halstead. + +"No; I won't say they're responsible," replied Dr. Gray. "But they color +the wickedness of San Francisco in their own way. There's a heap of +wickedness in every large city, but the crimes and vices here take on +aspects that are tremendously due to the use of opium and morphine by +the criminal classes. A very large percentage of our San Francisco +jailbirds use either opium or morphine. These drugs give them a lower +order of intelligence, and make them more cowardly, though often more +desperate when they find themselves driven into a corner. Captain +Halstead, be sure you never allow yourself to be tempted to use either +of those drugs." + +"Thank you; I don't believe I shall," smiled the young skipper. +"Especially, after what I've seen to-night." + +"Great as the curse of alcohol is," added Dr. Gray, "the bane of opium +is ten-fold greater. In two or three generations it would ruin any +race." + +"Then why isn't the Chinese nation destroyed?" asked Halstead. + +"Because, although we have imported these dread habits from China, only +a small proportion of the Chinese people use the drugs. Those who do are +the outcasts of China." + +It was growing late, so the young skipper rose, inquiring whether the +owner had any further orders for him. + +"None, thank you, Captain," replied Mr. Baldwin. + +Tom thereupon took his leave, returning to deck. The "Panther" was now +miles westward of the coast. + +"Ugh!" shivered young Halstead, as he stepped out on deck. Though it was +February, the air had been all but balmy in town. Out on the bay there +had been a little more chill in the air. But now, out on the wide +expanse of the ocean, there was a cold, damp wind blowing that seemed to +bite to the marrow after the bright warmth of the main cabin. + +Tom promptly stepped into his own cabin, taking down his deck ulster and +donning it. Then he made his way to the bridge, where Dick Davis was +pacing from side to side. + +"No; I don't want any ice cream, thank you," grinned Dick, as his +captain joined him. Davis, who wore a reefer, was beating his arms +against his sides as though to keep warm. "I've been wishing, Captain, I +could get below for my ulster." + +"Go ahead," nodded Halstead. "I'll walk the bridge until you return." +Dick needed no urging, but made speed for his stateroom below. When he +came back he looked more contented. + +"Queer climate, this," he remarked. + +"Yes," agreed the young skipper. "I'm told the thermometer never shows a +very low marking, but that the night air chills one down to the marrow +of his bones." + +For five minutes more young Halstead remained on the bridge, then went +below, after having left the customary instructions to call him to the +bridge in case he was needed. + +"Well, it's great to walk the bridge of as fine a craft as puts out of +San Francisco," Dick told himself, later on in the night. "But at night +it's mighty lonesome. I almost wish I could call one of the deckhands up +here to talk to." + +Of the seven seamen of the crew, one was assigned to work under the +first officer's orders during the daytime. The remaining six were +divided between the two watches. Of the three now at Davis's orders, one +was in the pilot house, for the purpose of relieving the quartermaster +whenever required. A second seaman, at night, stood out far forward as +bow-watch. The third made regular trips of inspection around the yacht, +unless ordered to some other duty. + +Jed Prentiss, sitting all alone down in the motor room, made the sixth +of those who were now awake on board the "Panther." At starboard and +port the colored running lights gleamed; a third light, white, twinkled +from the foremast-head. On the bridge stood a powerful searchlight whose +rays could be turned on at will. + +Thus manned, the "Panther" swept on steadily over the ocean, now headed +south. The solitary, boyish figure pacing the bridge, represented in the +night the brains and the present master-hand of this yacht, which, +equipped with a single three-inch cannon at the bow, could have outrun +or destroyed all the navies, combined, of ancient times. + +Through the night the sea roughened a good deal. The wind blew more +freshly, coming down off the land from the northeast. Still, the yacht +was in no labor in the sea, and the sky remained bright overhead. So the +second officer did not feel it necessary to disturb the rest of the +captain. + +At a quarter of eight in the morning, however, with the sun hidden +behind a haze, Dick pressed the button that sounded the electric +vibrating bell over Tom Halstead's berth. Then Davis picked up the +mouthpiece of the speaking tube to the pilot house. + +"Call the port watch," directed Dick, when the seaman had answered. + +Captain Tom came up on the bridge, pulling on his ulster as he came. He +greeted Dick, then stood looking about at the sky. + +"It has freshened up a good deal in the night," remarked the young +skipper. + +"Yes; I thought, sir, you'd want to see the weather while the watch was +changing." + +Third Officer Costigan was not long in appearing, greeting his two +superior officers as he reached the bridge. + +"Does this weather spell trouble coming on this coast, Mr. Costigan?" +questioned Halstead. + +"It'll most likely turn rougher, sir. Sometimes we get a gale out of the +northeast in February, though not as often as you do on the Atlantic. +That's all I can say, sir. How's the glass? The barometer, you see, sir, +is behaving like a gentleman at present." + +As Dick left the bridge at the changing of the watch, Tom followed him. +Halstead went to his own cabin, where he ordered his breakfast served. +This meal eaten, the young skipper, who still felt the fatigue of late +hours the night before, threw himself down on a divan. Though he had not +intended to sleep, in less than five minutes Tom Halstead had traveled +all the way to the land of Nod. + +Nor did the increased rolling and pitching of the "Panther" disturb him; +if anything, it lulled the young skipper into sounder slumber. + +By ten o'clock the gale was going more than forty miles an hour. At +eleven Ab Perkins turned the knob of the door, stepping inside. As Ab +stood there looking at the occupant of the divan, moisture dripped from +the ulster of the first officer. + +"I guess we need you on deck, sir," roared Ab, shaking the young +captain's shoulder. In a twinkling, Halstead was awake. In another +instant he was on his feet. + +"Weather is booming a bit, eh?" cried Captain Tom, eagerly. + +"Nothing near as much, sir, as this craft can stand with comfort," Ab +responded. "But we're coming up with a schooner under bare poles and +wallowing badly. Foretop-mast blown away, too, and some of the bowsprit +missing." + +"Then you did right to call me," rejoined Halstead, pulling on his shoes +swiftly, and standing up to don his cap and reefer. "I'll go on the +bridge at once." + +Baldwin and three of the passengers were on deck as Captain Tom +appeared. Halstead nodded their way, then hurriedly climbed the bridge +stairs. Now, he turned to take a look at the schooner. She lay dead +ahead, for Costigan had ordered the "Panther's" course altered so as to +speak the craft in distress. She was still about a mile distant, but for +a keen-eyed sailor it needed no glass to make out the fact that the +three-master was in utter distress. + +"Hard luck, that, in only a forty-mile blow," muttered Tom. + +"Wind-gauge shows forty-eight, sir," replied Mr. Costigan. + +"Anyway, someone must have been dozing on that schooner, to let her +canvas be blown away in such a wind," contended the young skipper. + +Then Tom picked up the marine glasses, for a good look at the craft. + +"Why, confound it, she has nothing left but a dinghy at the stern +davits," muttered Captain Halstead. "I'm afraid, Mr. Costigan, we've got +to get out our own boat." + +"I'm afraid so, sir." + +"Then tumble out the starboard watch." + +The order was given through the pilot house speaking tube. The sailor +down there with the quartermaster went below at lively speed, routing +out the sleeping watch. + +By the time they were on deck Tom Halstead was manoeuvring the motor +yacht around to leeward of the wreck. + +"Schooner, ahoy!" he bellowed through a megaphone, from the bridge end. + +"Yacht ahoy!" came back the faint answer on the breeze. "This is the +schooner 'Alert,' Seattle; Jordrey, master." + +"What help do you want, 'Alert'?" + +"We're ready to abandon our vessel. Send us a boat, if you can." + +"Boat it is, then, Captain," Tom bawled back, lustily. "Stand by to help +our boat make fast alongside your lee quarter!" + +Then, turning, glancing down at the deck, Tom called: + +"Mr. Davis, the rescue boat is the second officer's trick!" + +"Glad of it, sir," retorted Dick, his eyes glistening. + +"Lower the port life-boat. Take four men at the oars and one for the +bow. You'll have to row. The power tender would be worthless in this +sea. Mr. Perkins will take the bridge. Mr. Costigan and the +quartermasters will help you off, Mr. Davis." + +Officers and men all moved with perfect discipline. With a merry roar +they lowered the life-boat. A boarding gangway was lowered at the side, +and down this the crew of the life-boat scrambled. Dick Davis took his +place at the tiller. + +"Cast off," he commanded. "Shove off. Let fall oars. Now, then--at it, +hearties!" + +From owner and passengers a cheer went up as the boat put off in such +famous style. In another instant, however, the boat tossed like a cork +on a high, rolling wave. Then it went down in the hollow between two +billows. It was up in sight, an instant later. The men at the oars were +doing their work with a will. Over the water struggled the life-boat, +and then turned to come up under the lee quarter of the schooner. + +Suddenly Captain Tom Halstead clutched desperately at the bridge rail, +his face going deathly white. + +"Merciful heaven!" he quivered, staring hard. For, near the crest of a +wave, the life-boat heeled. Another big wave caught her. + +Dick Davis and the boat's crew had been hurled from the overturning +boat! + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE REAL KENNEBEC WAY + + +The young skipper of the "Panther" brushed his hand past his eyes. + +It was no dream, no trick of the vision. The life-boat was overturned, +riding keel upward, while two of its crew clung desperately to the keel. +A third head could be seen bobbing on the water. What had become of the +other three human beings? + +"Mr. Perkins, take command of the 'Panther,'" ordered Tom, hoarsely. +"Mr. Dawson, you and Mr. Prentiss, with two of the quartermasters and +the remaining seaman, stand by the starboard life-boat. I'll go in +charge." + +All those ordered sprang to their posts. Like a flash the davits were +swung around outward, other hands loosening the lowering tackle. + +"Captain, this is madness," remonstrated Mr. Baldwin. "If that boat +couldn't ride the water, this one can't." + +"This one must," retorted Captain Tom. "They're our own shipmates in the +water over there. Stand by to lower!" + +"Captain, I protest!" cried Baldwin. + +"Get out of the way, then, sir, and do your protesting in private," +came, sternly, from the young skipper. + +Before those flashing eyes Mr. Baldwin took a step backward. At sea the +captain, not the owner, commands, and Joseph Baldwin quickly realized +it. + +"Captain!" roared down Ab Perkins's voice from the bridge. + +On the point of giving the lowering-away order, Tom turned to look where +the first officer pointed. + +In another second Captain Halstead commanded, hoarsely: + +"Stand by your posts at the davits!" + +Then he darted forward along the rail, taking in the inspiring sight +that greeted his eyes. + +Though Dick Davis had met with bad luck, he did not mean to let it turn +into disaster. + +Seeing two of his boat's crew safe for the moment, Dick succeeded in +helping two more sailors to gain the boat. Still another was making +stubborn headway over the waves toward the side of the schooner, where +one of the crew of the wreck stood ready to cast a rope. + +And now the master of the "Alert" made a splendid cast with a line that +shot far out, uncoiling until it lay across the overturned boat. + +"Good old Dick!" breathed young Halstead, as he saw his second officer +catch the rope and pass the end quickly back past the others who clung +to the keel of the overturned life-boat. + +The swimmer had now succeeded in reaching the rope, and was being helped +up to the schooner's deck. Dick and the remaining men, besides holding +onto the overturned boat, were slowly aiding those at the schooner's +rail to haul them to greater safety. + +When Halstead saw the overturned boat made fast along under the +schooner's lee he turned to shout back: + +"Swing in the davits, but stand by. We may need our boat yet." + +Dick Davis, however, aided by his own men and those on the derelict, was +working hard to right the life-boat. When they succeeded a great cheer +went up from the watchers on the "Panther." + +"Shall I go in closer, sir?" The question came from Parkinson, the chief +steward, who, when Captain Tom made such a draft for a second crew, had +been sent to the wheel house. + +"Get your orders from the bridge," Tom called back to him. + +Though Davis had lost his oars in the upset, the master of the "Alert" +was able to supply others. Now the loading of the life boat began. On +the return trip Dick was able to have six oarsmen. All hands stowed +themselves away in the life-boat, Captain Jordrey coming last of all, +with his log, papers and instruments. Then Davis gave the order to shove +off. + +"Our friend is taking a big passenger contract, on such a rough sea," +Tom muttered, uneasily, to Joe Dawson, who had joined him. "But Dick +will pull it through, if anyone can." + +The life-boat, which was not of the largest size, lay low in the water +as she set out on her return. Every now and then one of the waves broke +with a choppy crest, to be succeeded by a long, rolling mass of water +that threatened to fill and overwhelm the boat. Dick Davis, however, +standing up, with one hand on the tiller and one knee against it, +handled his little craft with a master's skill. + +"Your friend is a wonderfully good officer, Captain," cried Joseph +Baldwin, enthusiastically. + +"Any of my other officers could do as well, sir," Tom replied, calmly. +"It's the way of the Motor Boat Club training, and its effect on boys of +sea-roving stock." + +Yet there were half a dozen times, on that perilous return trip, when +those on the deck of the "Panther" held their breath, their pulses +moving faster. + +At just the right moment Ab Perkins swung the craft around somewhat to +starboard, then headed in so that Dick Davis was able more quickly to +have the life-boat up under the yacht's broad lee. + +Then, in a moment of relief, falls and tackle were made fast to the +boat, and the rescued men began coming up over the side like so many +squirrels. + +"Where's your captain?" demanded Master Jordrey, as he came over the +side. "I want to tell him that that boy officer of his is worth a dozen +of some kinds of men I've seen." + +"I'm captain here, at your service, sir," Tom announced, with a smile. +Jordrey stared hard, for Tom was plainly much younger than Davis. + +"What is this?" gasped the master of the "Alert." "A juvenile orphan +asylum afloat, without the teachers? But no matter who you are, you know +how to handle boats, large and small. My respects, Captain." + +The two mates, cook and crew of the schooner were pressing forward. +Costigan returned to the bridge, while Ab came down to the deck again, +attending to the hoisting and stowing of the life-boat. Halstead grasped +the hand of Dick Davis as he came over the side, looking at him with a +gaze full of appreciation. + +"Where are you bound, Captain Halstead?" inquired Captain Jordrey, a man +of some forty years. + +"Cruising," Tom replied. "According to the owner's whim or orders. But +we can stow your people away somewhere on the boat until we make port, +or pass some other craft in smoother water. There's an extra stateroom +forward, below, Captain Jordrey, that you can have." + +There were also three berths, not in use, in the forecastle. For the +rest mattresses were laid, at need, on the forecastle floor. + +"It serves my owners right to lose the schooner," grumbled Jordrey. "The +canvas was worn out. I put in a requisition for new sets of sails before +leaving port, but they wouldn't let me have them." + +Joseph Baldwin approached Davis while he and Tom were talking on the +deck. + +"All I want to say, Mr. Davis," explained the owner, "is that, every +time I see you Motor Boat Club boys do anything new it only makes me +more and more glad that you're on my craft." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE CHASE OF THEIR LIVES + + +It was Saturday forenoon when the officers and men of the "Alert" were +taken from the wreck. By Sunday morning the sea was running smoothly +after the short gale. On this latter morning the steamer from San Diego +to San Francisco was sighted and hailed, and Captain Jordrey and his men +were transferred to her. + +At this time the "Panther" was cruising leisurely, first north, then +south, out of sight of land, and at a mean distance of some two hundred +miles from the Golden Gate. + +On this Sunday morning young Gaston Giddings appeared on deck. He +appeared to have entirely recovered from his late debauch, though his +eyes lacked their natural luster. He was tastefully attired in a new +suit and topcoat taken from his wardrobe on board. He and Joseph Baldwin +walked much together, talking, and once in a while Mr. Ross joined them. + +"Captain," called the owner, as young Halstead stepped on deck. + +"Yes, sir," responded Tom, approaching. + +"Mr. Giddings understands the part you played Friday night," went on +Mr. Baldwin, in a low voice. + +"And I wish to thank you, of course," put in Giddings, holding out his +hand, though it seemed to the young skipper that his own pressure was +not very cordially returned. + +"You're welcome, of course, Mr. Giddings," smiled Halstead, "though I +hope I shall never have a chance to render the same service again." + +"I hope not," sighed the young man. Though Tom did not stare +impertinently, he looked into the young man's face long enough to note +the lifelessness depicted there, and the weakness of the mouth. + +"It seems queer to think of such a young fellow, and such a pulseless +piece of putty, being president of a great bank," thought Tom to +himself. "However, of course, if he inherited the controlling stock, he +could see to it that he was elected to the post." + +Dr. Gray, though he did not often speak to Giddings, hovered on deck, +keeping a rather watchful look over the young man. + +During the afternoon Tom had occasion to go to the main cabin briefly. +Mr. Baldwin looked around from the table at which he sat with his +guests. He nodded to the young captain, then turned back to the pile of +papers that he had evidently been discussing with his guests. + +"You needn't go, Captain," called the owner over his shoulder. "We are +talking business, but we know you have no ears, away from your duties. +Now, Giddings, as I've been explaining to you, we need ten million +dollars in cash to put this matter in motion. Your bank, the Sheepmen's, +then, will advance five millions on the collateral we have been +discussing, and the syndicate of banks that I have named will put up the +other five millions. That will start the matter in motion. Then, when we +come to the second step in the game, we shall have to be ready with +fifteen millions, and of this money the Sheepmen's----" + +Tom Halstead heard, yet didn't hear. It was all a matter of listless +indifference to him what these men of the money world were planning in +the way of new and big enterprises. The young captain would have been +much more interested in reading the "Panther's" patent log. + +"Are you certain, Giddings, that you have facilities for turning over +the five millions to us at once?" asked Mr. Ross. + +"Why, we've been calling in cash for some days," replied Gaston +Giddings. "We've been preparing for this demand of yours for money. +Then, you know, we secured the whole of the Treasury Department's last +apportionment of thousand-dollar Treasury notes. We have three million +dollars' worth of these notes locked in our vaults at this moment. +That's good enough money for you, isn't it?" demanded the young bank +president, boastfully. + +"Yes," muttered Ross, "if it's all there when we get back." + +"What do you mean?" demanded Giddings, flushing. + +"I guess you know how highly I esteem your cashier, Rollings?" + +"He's all right," declared Giddings, hotly. + +"As long as I don't own any stock in your bank I'm not worrying," +replied Ross, rather shortly. "It's none of my business, young man; yet, +as one of your father's friends, I can't help being uneasy over the +thought that Rollings has the combination of your main vault." + +"If he didn't have, I could hardly take these jaunts out to sea," +retorted the young man. + +"Yes, you could; Hawkins, your vice-president and your father's before +you, is a man to be trusted with anything. Hawkins could go to the main +vault whenever necessary. For Rollings to have that combination----" + +"I don't want to hear any more of this!" cried Giddings, hotly, rising +from the table. + +"You don't need to, then," rejoined Mr. Ross, coolly. "You know what I +_think_." + +"Don't get in a huff, Gaston," put in Joseph Baldwin, briskly. "Ross has +told you, plainly, in so many words, just what other friends of yours +think of Rollings. He's an able banking man, but none of us think too +highly of his honesty. You'll find that two of your own directors, Mr. +Pendleton and Mr. Howe, who are here, agree with Mr. Ross and myself." + +Mr. Howe remained silent, tapping the table with a pencil, but Mr. +Pendleton said, slowly: + +"Oh, I guess Frank Rollings is all right. Still, I wish, with the +others, that he didn't have such easy access to three millions of +dollars in bills of such large denomination that the whole sum could be +carried off in a satchel." + +"Gentlemen," announced Giddings, rather stiffly, "when we reach San +Francisco to-morrow morning, and find that the money is all safe, I +shall consider that I have the apology of each one of you for the doubts +thrown at my friend, Frank Rollings, behind his back." + +That was the last that Tom Halstead heard, for he left the cabin. At +eight o'clock that evening, however, the young skipper received his +orders from Mr. Baldwin to make San Francisco at ten the following +forenoon. Almost to the minute the yacht's bow anchors were let go at +her usual moorings in San Francisco Bay. The power tender was lowered +over the side, to take Mr. Baldwin and his guests ashore, Quartermaster +Bickson going along to handle the boat. + +"Come along with us, if you like, Captain," invited Mr. Baldwin. "After +we get through our business at the bank our party will lunch at one of +the clubs. It ought to be pleasant for you." + +Tom gratefully accepted, making a swift change from his uniform to +ordinary street dress. + +Gaston Giddings held his head a good deal higher than usual when he led +the party from carriages into the sombre, solid old building in which +the Sheepmen's Bank was housed. The young president conducted his party +through the long counting room and into the president's office at the +rear. + +Here Giddings took command, as by right. Showing his guests to seats, he +stepped over to a massive roll-top desk, unlocking it and throwing the +roll up. Then he pressed a button on his desk. One of the bank's +messengers entered. + +"Ask Mr. Rollings to come in," desired Giddings. + +The messenger soon returned, to report: + +"Mr. Rollings is out at this moment. Mr. Conroy, the first assistant +cashier, is at his desk." + +"Mr. Conroy will do, then." + +The first assistant cashier was soon in the president's office. To him +Giddings explained about the loan that had been decided upon. + +"I will prepare a list, Mr. Conroy, of stable securities on which I wish +you to raise two million dollars in cash at once. But, first of all, get +Mr. Hawkins to go to the main vault with you. Tell Mr. Hawkins that I +wish the three millions in thousand-dollar notes brought here. You come +back here with Mr. Hawkins." + +"Can it be delayed for just a little while, sir?" inquired Conroy. "Two +of the United States bank examiners are here, prepared to go over our +assets." + +"Bring that three million here at once," rapped out Gaston Giddings, +rather sharply. "The bank examiners may come in here and help in +counting it here in my office. Now, go; carry out my orders, precisely." + +Mr. Conroy departed in haste. While he was gone the two bank examiners +entered the president's room. Giddings greeted them, asking them to take +seats. Cigars were passed about by a messenger. The air was rather thick +with smoke when Conroy returned, accompanied by the aged +vice-president, Mr. Hawkins. The latter carried a satchel, which he took +to the large centre table. + +"The money there?" inquired Giddings. + +"Yes, sir," responded Mr. Hawkins. "I understood that you wished to look +it over here." + +As Giddings laid down his cigar, moving over to the table, the two bank +examiners joined the bank's officers. + +Not a very imposing-looking pile was revealed when Mr. Hawkins opened +the satchel, drawing forth the contents--three not very large packages +covered with numerous heavy seals. + +"As I'll probably never see three million dollars again in my life, I'll +try to get a good look now," thought Tom Halstead, keenly alive with +interest. He sat at some distance from the table, but had a good view. + +Gaston Giddings himself opened one of the packages. He broke the seals +deliberately, then unfolded many wrappings. Suddenly the contents of the +package fell to the polished mahogany surface of the table, followed by +the frenzied gaze of the young president. + +"_Nothing but blank brown paper!_" he screamed, hoarsely. He collapsed, +falling with his arms across the table, his eyes bulging as though an +epileptic seizure threatened him. + +With a fearful gasp Henry Hawkins snatched up another package, tearing +it nervously apart. Conroy did the same with the third package. In each +case the result was the same. + +"Three million dollars worth of brown paper!" clicked one of the bank +examiners. + +Gaston Giddings, moaning piteously, turned, tottering back to his desk, +where he fell heavily into his chair, next letting his head fall forward +on his arms. Messrs. Hawkins and Conroy recovered much more quickly. +They darted out into the counting room, but presently came back to +report. + +Frank Rollings had been gone more than an hour. When he left, he had +carried a satchel. Some fifteen minutes before leaving the bank he had +been in the main vault, the huge steel door of which he had afterwards +closed. Conroy was now in that vault, with several subordinates, engaged +in making a rapid survey of the other contents. + +In the president's room Henry Hawkins, who no longer waited to consult +the almost paralyzed young president, went swiftly to the telephone. The +Bankers' Protective Association, advised by telephone, swiftly had half +a dozen detectives scurrying to the bayside, to take up the trail at the +ferry that furnishes the sole avenue to the east. Others of these +detectives covered the docks of vessels due to sail that day from the +port of San Francisco. + +Nor did the bank examiners present fail to do their duty promptly. +Within a few minutes a United States assistant district attorney and two +deputy marshals arrived at the bank. + +From the first moment none who had knowledge of the affair believed +Frank Rollings, the absent cashier, to be innocent. The assistant +district attorney swiftly drew up an information, which Giddings and +Hawkins signed under oath. The law's officer rushed off to get from a +United States judge a brief warrant authorizing the arrest of the +cashier, for the Sheepmen's was a national bank, and the robbery came +under the jurisdiction of the United States courts. + +Then came a telephone message from the Banker's Association: + +"One of our detectives has learned that Rollings sailed, an hour ago, on +the steam yacht, 'Victor.' An observer at the Cliff House reports that +he has made out the 'Victor,' some miles from the coast, hull-down to +the southwest!" + +That news electrified those in the bank president's office. They sprang +into action. Automobiles were summoned to the door of the bank. Joseph +Baldwin's same party sped back to the water front. Another 'phone +message summoned the assistant district attorney and his marshals to +meet them at the landing stage. + +It was all carried through with a rush. Hardly had the last member of +the party stepped over the side of the "Panther" before Tom Halstead had +the anchors up and stowed. The young skipper himself, from the bridge, +rang the engine room bell for half speed ahead, quickly changing this to +full speed. + +"Are you in the engine room, Joe Dawson?" called Skipper Tom, through +the speaking tube. + +"Right on hand!" came the answer. + +"Then whoop up the speed for all you're worth. Let's have it all--every +bit. We're on the chase of our lives!" + +Captain Tom Halstead was still on the bridge when the Golden Gate was +left behind. He was still there, more than two hours later, when the +upper spars of a vessel believed to be the "Victor" were made out on the +far southwestern horizon. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +COMING TO CLOSE, DANGEROUS QUARTERS + + +"Have any of you gentlemen ever had a good, long look at the 'Victor'?" +shouted Captain Tom, leaning down over the starboard bridge rail. + +"I have," admitted Mr. Baldwin. + +"Then I think you'd better come up here, sir, and take one of the +glasses." + +"Think you've sighted her?" demanded Baldwin, eagerly, as he raced up +the steps. + +"We've sighted some yacht. We've got to cut down a few miles of the +distance between us before we can be sure about the stranger." + +Then, while Baldwin held the glasses to his eyes, Dick Davis showing him +where to look, Halstead snatched up the engine room speaking tube. + +"Joe, give us more of that hot-foot, if it's in the old motors. We think +we're in chase--but, oh, man, man! How we need speed now!" + +"I can't be sure of anything yet," complained Mr. Baldwin, in a +depressed tone. "We've got to be nearer, and see the hull of the craft +yonder, before I can feel sure about her." + +"I'm pretty near sure, now, that it's the 'Victor,'" muttered Halstead, +after he had picked up his own marine glass and used it for a few +seconds. + +"Why do you say that?" demanded the owner. + +"Our masts must be visible to the commander of the other craft. As if he +suspected pursuit, he's crowding on steam. See that big cloud of black +smoke coming up between the other craft's masts?" + +"Yes! You're right." + +"Now, unless a captain who is already moving under good speed is trying +to escape something, he doesn't suddenly throw on his furnace drafts in +that fashion," went on Tom, hurriedly. "So, Mr. Baldwin, I think you may +feel sure that you're speeding along in the wake of the 'Victor.'" + +"I'll have to call Jephson up here and show him this," cried the owner, +moving to the bridge rail. + +"All right, sir. But don't ask any others up. We've got a hard chase in +hand, and don't want enough folks up here to interfere with the handling +of the 'Panther.'" + +Jephson started quickly forward at the call. + +"Have you sighted the runaway craft?" called Mr. Ross, also starting +forward. + +"We think so," Mr. Baldwin answered. "But don't come up here. Captain +Halstead doesn't want a crowd on the bridge. All the space up here is +needed for handling the yacht." + +Mr. Jephson saw what there was to see. He added his belief that they +were in the wake of the "Victor." + +"Are you going to be able to overtake her, Captain?" he demanded, +eagerly. + +"We're going to try," Tom responded, anxiously. "We've only four hours +of daylight, or so, left to us. If we can get close enough, however, we +ought to hold the 'Victor' after dark with our searchlight." + +"You'll overtake her, of course!" declared Joseph Baldwin, abruptly. + +"Yet the 'Victor' is said to be a very fast boat, sir." + +"So is the 'Panther,'" retorted the owner. "Besides, Captain Halstead, +we've _got_ to overtake her!" + +Tom Halstead took up the mouth-piece of the engine room speaking tube. + +"That you, chief?" he asked. "I think you'd better come to the bridge, +watch the chase, and see what you have to beat." + +Joe Dawson came immediately to the bridge. Presently he used the tube, +calling down very definite instructions to Jed Prentiss, whose trick it +was at the motors. + +"Keep a close eye on your helmsman's work, Mr. Davis," the young captain +directed. "See to it that he doesn't waver a hair's breadth in bearing +down on the stranger. Any speed lost in steering would be a useless +waste." + +While Joe remained on the bridge, Halstead soon went to the deck below. +Mr. Baldwin followed him. + +"If you can make the 'Panther' show all I think there is in her, +Captain," commented the owner, "then we should overtake that other craft +and have this chase ended in a few hours." + +"The 'Panther' is doing, now, sir, all that she is capable of doing +under her motors alone. The result of this race depends mainly on how +well the steam yacht is handled, for she seems very nearly, if not +quite, as speedy as your yacht." + +"Is the 'Panther' going at absolutely her last quarter of a mile?" + +"Chief Engineer Dawson informs me that he might get a little more speed +out of the motors, but that he feels it wouldn't be altogether safe to +try." + +"Wouldn't a hoist of sail help us?" + +"Not with the wind from the present quarter," Tom replied, +thoughtfully. "I have already been considering that." + +"It seems hard to be beaten," sighed Joseph Baldwin. "It is hard, even, +not to find ourselves racing right up on the 'Victor.'" + +"We haven't been beaten yet, sir," smiled Halstead. "Nor are we beaten +as long as we have the other boat in sight." + +As Baldwin turned and stepped over to the rail, he saw Skipper Tom +moving away. + +"Where are you going, Captain?" + +"To my cabin, sir, to take a nap." + +"Nap?" echoed the owner, in great amazement. + +"Yes, sir; I am afraid I shall be up about all night. Just now there's a +chance for me to store up some sleep." + +"But the chase?" + +"Mr. Davis will have his orders to call me if we appear to be losing +ground at all." + +Mr. Baldwin looked his astonishment. He did not yet know the Motor Boat +Club boys as well as he might have done. Dick Davis was up on the +bridge, keen-eyed and alert. Dick knew well enough what to do, and he +could call the young captain at need. Besides, Joe Dawson was up there +with the second officer, watching the relative speeds of the two boats. + +When Tom Halstead turned out again he had put two hours of sleep into +his supply of reserve force. + +"How do we stand, now, Mr. Davis?" asked the young skipper, reaching for +the speaking tube. + +"We've been gaining, sir. We can make out the upper hull, now. Mr. +Baldwin is here on the bridge, and declares the stranger is the +'Victor.' One of the deputy marshals, who knows the boat well, is also +certain." + +"Is the 'Victor' burning coal as hard as ever?" + +"Just as hard, sir." + +"And we're gaining? That shows we can overhaul the other craft in time. +How's the weather?" + +"Slight haze, Captain, but fine weather," reported Dick Davis. + +So Captain Tom Halstead felt that he could still safely take his time, +for he expected to be all night on duty. He indulged in the luxury of a +bath, dressed comfortably, drew on his reefer, then leisurely left his +cabin, ascending the stairs to the bridge. + +"I've hardly been away from here," announced Mr. Baldwin. + +"I doubt if I shall be, to-night, sir," Tom answered. + +"You speak of to-night as though you thought the chase would last +through the hours of darkness." + +"And doesn't it seem likely to you that it will, Mr. Baldwin, unless +something happens to the 'Victor'?" + +"I fear I was never built for slow, patient work like this," sighed the +financier. "Gaining one second in every hour would wear me out in time." + +Before dark Captain Halstead had the hull clearly in sight. The +"Victor," however, was still some five miles in the lead, nor did the +"Panther" appear to be gaining, much more than half a mile an hour. + +It was Third Officer Costigan's watch on the bridge, by this time. Dick +Davis, however, did not feel like turning in, and spent much of his time +pacing the deck forward, keeping a sharp lookout. + +Just before dark the motor yacht's searchlight was turned on. A few +minutes later its thin, bright ribbon of light was kept almost +constantly turned on the craft ahead. + +Tom Halstead and Joe spent a comfortable amount of time over their +dinner at table in the captain's cabin. + +"I guess Mr. Baldwin wonders that we can take any comfort at this sort +of thing," laughed Joe. "I'll wager he doesn't give much time to his +supper to-night." + +"Perhaps we wouldn't, either, if we owned considerable stock in the +Sheepmen's Bank, as Mr. Baldwin does," murmured Halstead. "For him, and +for some of the others aboard, this race is for tremendously heavy +stakes. I wish, though, that Mr. Baldwin could realize that, even if we +do eat, and even nap, we are straining every nerve to catch up with the +other boat." + +Just then the buzzer for the bridge speaking tube sounded. Tom was able +to reach the mouthpiece without leaving the table. + +"Captain," reported Mr. Costigan, "the craft ahead seems to be making +somewhat less speed." + +"Does it look like a break-down?" asked the young skipper. + +"Can't say, sir. But the 'Victor' must be going two miles an hour slower +than she was ten minutes ago." + +"That's the best news I've heard, Mr. Costigan. Watch your helmsman's +work. Let me know if anything more happens. Anyway, I'll be on the +bridge as soon as I've finished dinner." + +Joe, who had jumped up while he heard his chum speaking, now looked +astonished. + +"Going to finish your dinner, Tom, after hearing such news as that?" + +"Yes. Why not? Oh, I'm enthusiastic enough, but it takes gasoline, not +enthusiasm, to keep motors going. You might call the news down to Jeff +Randolph, though, and see whether he thinks he can put on any more spurt +without danger." + +Jeff Randolph reported that the motors were going at top speed. + +Chief Steward Parkinson came in to remove the dishes for that course. +His face was glowing. + +"Mr. Baldwin's up on the bridge, Captain," reported the steward. + +"I thought he would be," nodded the young skipper, coolly. + +Twenty minutes later, when Captain Tom Halstead had finished the last of +the meal, he rose, donning his cap, then pulling on his deck ulster. + +"Now," he remarked, quietly, "I think I'll go above and have a look." + +Joe Dawson followed at his heels. The long beam of the searchlight +trailed out over the water, its further end resting across the stern of +the "Victor." Mr. Costigan had ordered a sailor to the bridge, whose +sole duty was to keep the searchlight trained. + +"This race can't last much longer," cried Mr. Baldwin, gleefully. + +"The present indications, sir," Tom replied, "are that it will last more +than long enough for you to go below and have your dinner, Mr. Baldwin, +if you want it." + +"I think I will go," laughed the owner. "Standing up here, watching, +watching all the time, my nerves are getting thready. You'll call me, of +course, if----" + +"When we get near enough to hail the other boat, sir," Tom Halstead +replied, gravely. + +Dinner was not quite over in the main cabin when Skipper Tom uttered a +sudden exclamation that made Costigan wheel about. + +The "Victor" was palpably slowing down. + +"What can that mean?" demanded Halstead. + +"A crank-pin loose, or some other trouble with the machinery, sir?" +suggested the third officer. + +Tom Halstead quickly summoned the sailor who was with the quartermaster +in the pilot house. + +"Go to the main cabin, with my compliments, and tell Mr. Baldwin that +the other craft is slowing down," ordered Tom. + +There was a rush from below. The assistant from the United States +district attorney's office took but a brief look, then dived below to +find his two deputy marshals. These two officers followed their +superior to the deck, stationing themselves in the bow. + +"Captain," shouted Mr. Jephson, "will you go up close enough so that I +can hail them?" + +"When we overtake the steam yacht," Captain Halstead shouted back, "I +shall run up to starboard of her, and as close as I can without danger +of collision." + +"That will do excellently, Captain," assented the district attorney's +assistant. + +The "Panther" was now rapidly closing in on the distance that separated +the two craft. As yet, however, the motor yacht remained almost fairly +astern. + +Suddenly, from one of the stern port-holes of the steam yacht there came +two red flashes. A bullet crashed through the glass in the front window +of the "Panther's" pilot house. Captain Tom was standing with his head +some two feet from the searchlight. The second bullet whizzed between +his head and the light. + +Almost instantly two more flashes showed ahead. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +GASTON GIDDINGS MAKES TROUBLE + + +THE second pair of bullets passed overhead, though close enough for +their whistling song to be heard. + +In a jiffy there was a mad scramble to get away from the bridge. Captain +Tom Halstead and Third Officer Costigan had that place to themselves. + +"Throw the wheel over three points to the starboard! Hold to a course +three points off the present one," called Halstead, sharply. + +"You men answer with your revolvers," was Mr. Jephson's order. + +"Our revolvers wouldn't carry that far, sir," objected one of the deputy +marshals. + +"I know it, but let those scoundrels discover that we have firearms +too," retorted the district attorney's assistant. + +So the futile revolver shots flashed out. In answer a rifle bullet +carried away the hat of one of the deputies. + +"That's confounded close shooting," coolly uttered the unhatted one, +running down the deck after his head gear. + +Another shot flew by close to the searchlight. + +"That's the mark the scoundrels are aiming at," muttered the young +skipper, angrily. "Turn off the current, Mr. Costigan, and I'll unship +the light." + +This done, the big reflector and the bulb behind it were taken down to +the pilot house by one of the sailors. + +"You confounded pirates!" roared the district attorney, shaking his fist +in the direction of the "Victor." + +"That _was_ actual piracy, wasn't it?" questioned Mr. Baldwin. + +"Nothing else!" retorted the assistant, angrily, as he came down aft to +place the wheel house between himself and that other craft. "If we ever +get that captain and crew on shore we'll make 'em smart in a trial for +piracy!" + +Having veered off the course of direct pursuit, Captain Halstead was now +steering ahead, meaning to run parallel with the "Victor." He kept half +a mile away, but, even had the other craft lowered its running lights, +the starlight was bright enough to enable the bridge officer to keep the +"Victor" in sight. + +"Try to keep just this distance, Mr. Costigan," directed Tom Halstead. + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +Tom then descended to the deck, where he sauntered up to the excited +group. + +"What's your guess, Halstead, as to the meaning of those shots?" +questioned Mr. Baldwin. + +"Well, of course," replied Tom, slowly, "the master of that other yacht +would be glad to see our searchlight smashed. That was one reason for +the firing." + +"And another?" + +"Why, I imagine, sir, those people want us to know that they carry +rifles. They want to show us the folly of thinking we can pursue and +board them." + +"This pursuit should really have been undertaken by a naval vessel or +revenue cutter," said Mr. Jephson, rather disgustedly. "One shot from +the bowgun of an armed vessel would bring that yacht lying to in a +jiffy." + +"Humph!" grunted the practical Mr. Baldwin. "There isn't a cutter or +gunboat in San Francisco waters fast enough to overtake either of these +boats." + +"I don't understand, sir," put in Halstead, quietly, "why you haven't +had a wireless telegraph apparatus installed aboard this yacht. Why, +even the little fifty-five foot boat that Dawson and I own has a +wireless installation." + +"What would you do with one, if you had it on board now?" asked Mr. +Baldwin. + +"Do?" repeated Halstead. "Why, we could signal in all directions. There +may be some fast cruiser or torpedo boat destroyer, out of our sight, +yet within reach by wireless. If we could pick up one such vessel now, +we could soon end this chase, and without bloodshed. Even any foreign +war vessel would answer, for all war vessels have the right to overhaul +and capture pirates. Any warship of any nation in the world would act, +now, on a request from Mr. Jephson, who represents the United States. +And such help may be not twenty miles off, but we have no wireless with +which to find out." + +"As we haven't a wireless installation," pursued Mr. Baldwin, "what are +we going to do now, Mr. Jephson?" + +"I trust you'll continue to keep that other yacht in sight," replied the +assistant district attorney. "We may yet meet a warship or a revenue +cutter." + +"Any kind of a vessel we meet may have a few rifles on board that we +could borrow or buy," suggested Captain Tom. + +"Anyway," decided Mr. Baldwin, "we'll keep that pirate craft right in +sight if we can, and as long as we can. We'll trust for something to +turn up that will throw luck in our way." + +The "Victor" which was of some ten feet greater length than the +"Panther," looked like a boat which, despite her speed, was built to +carry a good deal of coal. + +Yet, through the next few hours that followed, no attempt was made by +those handling the steam craft to get her best speed out of her. It +looked as though her sailing master and engineer meant to save some +coal, now that the "Panther" had caught up and could keep up. Both +vessels continued at a speed of some sixteen miles per hour. + +Mr. Baldwin and his guests remained on deck. So did young Halstead, who +had decided that he must now do with but little sleep while the chase +continued in its present phase. + +"Any sharp little sea-trick might enable the other fellows to slip away +from us," he declared to the owner. "Every man on board ought to help in +the good work on hand." + +At about eleven o'clock the young skipper left Mr. Costigan on the +bridge, and went below, though he did not turn in. + +Nor had any of the passengers sought their berths. All of Mr. Baldwin's +friends were on deck. Young Gaston Giddings, however, paced nervously, +apart from the rest. + +"He's fretting over his folly in keeping Rollings in such an important +post, and giving the rascal the chance to run away with all that money, +I suppose," thought the young skipper. + +Somehow, Tom could not help watching Giddings a good deal. It was the +nervous hitch in the young man's gait that first caught Halstead's eye. +Presently the young captain of the "Panther" strolled slowly by Gaston +Giddings. + +"Confound it, what a queer, restless look there is in the fellow's +eyes," thought Tom, uneasy, though he could hardly have explained why. + +After that Halstead watched the young bank president even more closely, +though he took pains to hide the scrutiny. + +A request from Mr. Jephson called the cabin party over to the port rail +to watch the "Victor." The instant the last of his companions had gone +forward, and had passed around the pilot house, Giddings, after a swift +look about him, stole into the dining saloon. + +Tom Halstead, ostensibly lounging behind one of the life-boats, saw this +move. + +"Now, what's he up to?" muttered Tom. "Mischief, judging by his queer +antics. We've mischief enough to deal with, without having it take place +right on board our own boat!" + +Halstead stole forward in time to see Giddings darting down the +staircase into the main cabin. + +"I'll just get down where I can watch this," muttered Tom. Concealed +near the foot of the staircase, he saw Giddings, with some sort of a +small tool, prying the lock of Dr. Gray's medicine case open. + +"Oho!" muttered Halstead, as he saw young Mr. Giddings abstract a +small, screw-capped vial. "There's morphine in that doctor's outfit, and +Giddings has guessed it!" + +Tossing the medicine case back into the doctor's stateroom, Gaston +Giddings stole up the after-companionway to the deck aft. + +"With all our other troubles aboard, I don't believe we want any +morphine maniacs here!" muttered Tom Halstead, excitedly. + +Giddings, quivering with eagerness, trembling with aggravated +nervousness, leaned against the stern rail, glancing out over the water +as he drew the screw-capped vial from his pocket. + +Just as he started to remove the cap from the bottle, a hand shot around +him from the rear. + +The young skipper of the "Panther" snatched the vial, remarking coolly: + +"Mr. Giddings, you don't need that stuff, and no one on board wants you +to have it." + +With a swift movement, Halstead dropped the vial into one of his +pockets. + +"You confounded thief!" hissed Gaston Giddings. + +Swift as a flash, in his rage, the young man sprang at the youthful +skipper of the yacht. + +"You'll give that back to me, or go overboard!" snarled the victim of +the drug habit. + +"If you get it, it'll be after I'm overboard," snapped back Tom. + +In another instant Giddings's fingers were wrapped in a tight hold +about Tom's throat. The drug maniac seemed possessed, for the instant, +of the strength of half a dozen men. + +The young skipper himself was no weakling, but now he had his hands +full. + +Even had he been so minded, he could not have called for help. Backward +and forward the pair struggled for a few seconds. Then the young skipper +found himself growing weaker for lack of air. + +With a triumphant snarl Gaston Giddings forced his antagonist to the +stern rail. Still Tom Halstead fought furiously, silently, with that +tight grip at his throat making his brain reel. He realized that Gaston +Giddings was winning the victory! + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +TOO-WHOO-OO! IS THE WORD + + +IN that last desperate moment Tom Halstead employed the trick he had +hesitated to use. + +He raised one of his feet, kicking smartly at the left knee-cap of his +assailant. + +With a groan, Giddings weakened his hold, for the pain following the +kick was intense. + +Throwing both his arms tightly around the young man, Halstead held on, +drawing himself back to the deck as Giddings fell back. + +"You're not going to fool me that way!" snarled the young drug maniac. +He made another spring, trying to forget the pain in his knee. + +But Halstead had regained his footing fully. Now, he dodged, then closed +in, tripping Giddings and throwing him heavily to the deck. + +"What's this? What's this going on?" demanded Joseph Baldwin, running +back along the port side, followed by Mr. Ross and Dr. Gray. + +Halstead was now on top of his assailant, and, though Giddings still +tried to fight with fury, his strength was deserting him. + +"One of you hold him," urged Captain Tom, "and I'll get up and explain." + +"Did he attack you?" insisted Mr. Baldwin. + +"Well, rather," grunted Halstead. + +"Let him up. He won't dare attack you again, with so many about." + +"No; but he may try to jump overboard," retorted Halstead. "Mr. Giddings +has another drug streak on him. He's not responsible for what he does." + +"I guess that's right," nodded Dr. Gray. "Baldwin, you and Mr. Ross hold +him, while the captain gets up and tells us what has happened." + +The young skipper quickly explained, producing the vial he had snatched +from the young bank president. + +"That's all the morphine I have with me," remarked Dr. Gray. "I'll make +sure of keeping that, hereafter, where no one but myself can find it. +Mr. Baldwin, you'd better get the young man below. Use force, if you +find it necessary." + +They accomplished this without having attracted the attention of any of +the sailors or stewards. Mr. Giddings was then unceremoniously thrust +into his stateroom, and the door locked, though this was not until the +physician had searched the young man, removing his pocket knife and also +the tool that the drug victim had used in forcing the lock of the +medicine case. + +"I did what I thought was right," Halstead explained. + +"And I'm mighty glad you saw him, and acted so promptly," replied the +physician. + +Through the rest of the night the physician had a battle with his +patient, working hard to keep a more pronounced streak of mania from +coming on. It is to such fearful torments that "hop-fiends" and morphine +users are always exposed in the end. + +At midnight Dick Davis again went on the bridge, beginning his eight +hours' watch. Though Halstead had the utmost faith in the skill and +judgment of his friend, he, also, remained up until nearly four o'clock +in the morning. Then he turned to leave the bridge. + +"I'm going to my cabin now, Mr. Davis, to turn in on my sofa for a +while. If I am needed for anything at all, don't hesitate to call me +instantly." + +"Aye, aye, Captain," Dick replied. + +Barely two hours had the young skipper slept when the sharp, jarring +tones of the vibrating electric bell from the bridge rang over his head. +Tom was up in an instant, pulling on his shoes. As he reached for his +deck ulster and cap there came from overhead a note that told him at +once why he was wanted. + +Too-whoo-oo-oo! + +"Fog!" gasped the young yacht captain. "Of all the confounded luck!" + +With his ulster over his arm he threw open the door of his cabin, making +for the bridge steps. + +The mist was yet light and curling as Captain Halstead reached the open. +Second Officer Dick Davis met him at the head of the steps. + +"How long has this been coming on?" demanded Halstead. + +"The first little puffs rolled in half an hour ago," replied Dick. "You +see, I've put in closer to the enemy. We're still well in sight, or I'd +have called you earlier." + +The motor yacht was now running along abreast of the "Victor," and less +than three hundred yards distant. The steam yacht's lights were in plain +sight, save when occasional puffs of fog obscured them briefly. + +Tom groaned with excitement. + +"This is going to get heavier," he muttered. + +"Yes, sir," nodded Davis. "Still, I didn't believe it necessary to call +you until I had to use the whistle." + +Too-whoo-oo-oo! sounded the auto fog-horn, controlled by the sailor on +watch in the pilot-house with the quartermaster. + +"You did right, Mr. Davis," the young skipper nodded. "But we're going +to be up against it in half an hour. Where's your extra man of the +watch?" + +Davis blew a thrilling blast on his mate's whistle. In answer the third +sailor of the watch came running to the bridge steps. + +"My man," called down Halstead, "go at once to Mr. Baldwin's stateroom +door, and tell him, with my compliments, that I believe he'd better come +to the bridge at once." + +Even with so imperative a summons as this, five or six minutes passed +before the owner appeared on the scene. + +"Good heavens, Captain!" gasped Joseph Baldwin. "And this white curtain +is thickening all the time, isn't it?" + +"The fog is beginning to roll in fast, now, sir. Mr. Davis, alter the +course so as to bring us a hundred yards closer to the 'Victor.' We've +got to keep her in sight to the last moment." + +"We've got to keep that other boat in sight all the time," retorted Mr. +Baldwin. + +"As close as we can go without running her down," Halstead answered. +"We've the rules of the sea to obey, sir, at any cost." + +"Go and call Mr. Jephson here," shouted down Mr. Baldwin, to the sailor, +who was still standing by at the port rail. + +In another five minutes the representative of the United States district +attorney at San Francisco was beside them on the bridge. + +Dick Davis had now manoeuvred the "Panther" in within one hundred and +fifty yards of the "Victor." Closer than that Tom Halstead did not dare +to go. Even this he considered almost too little sea-way. + +"May the furies consume the luck!" growled the man of the law. "Yet, of +course, we might have looked for this! It's bound to happen on this +coast. A genuine, four-ply, real old 'Frisco fog reaching out to +encompass us and let those blackguards yonder get away!" + +Aboard the other yacht few signs of human life showed. One figure, +wrapped in a great coat and topped by a sou'wester, huddled in the bow. +That was the bow watch of the "Victor." As the light of coming morning +began to filter through the increasing fog, it was possible, now and +then, to make out a figure in the steam yacht's wheel house. A watch +officer tramped the bridge. No other figures appeared. Once the steam +yacht's watch officer looked directly over at his foes, and a cunning +grin illumined his face. + +"That's a great face to show above the hangman's noose!" bellowed Mr. +Jephson, angrily, through the megaphone that he snatched up. + +Captain Tom suddenly darted from the bridge, running to his cabin. When +he came back he carried a pair of revolvers, one of which he handed to +Dick Davis. + +"Mr. Jephson, the fellows on that craft may open fire on us, at any +moment, hoping to make us drop back into the fog. If they do, we'd +better shoot back, eh, sir?" + +"If they open fire on us," replied the assistant district attorney, +promptly, "I order Mr. Davis and yourself to return it." + +To make matters more emphatic, Mr. Jephson passed the word to have his +two deputy marshals aroused at once and ordered to the deck. + +Still, though the day broadened, the fog rolled in so thick and heavy +that the steam yacht, nearby though it was, became more and more +obscured. + +Both yachts sounded their fog-horns simultaneously just as a final big, +thick, white blanket of mist rolled in and shut them out of each other's +view. + +"Done! Beaten out!" groaned Mr. Jephson, savagely. "It's only a question +of minutes, now, when we shall have lost all trail of that craft on this +hidden waste of water!" + +"Only a question of minutes?" repeated Tom Halstead, grimly. "Is it?" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE CALL FROM OUT OF THE FOG + + +Out of the dense fog to port came a chorus of derisive yells, then a +prolonged blast of the "Victor's" fog-horn. + +"That's as much as saying it's the last time we'll hear their toot," +burst, savagely, from Mr. Baldwin. + +"Maybe it _is_ the last time," admitted Tom. + +Mr. Jephson and the owner began to talk excitedly. + +"Sh!" warned the young skipper. "We don't want a tone aboard louder +than a whisper. If we can keep this interval, or pretty near it, we can +follow the steam yacht by the sound of her machinery. Mr. Davis, keep +your ears strained for it, and shape our course accordingly." + +In the hush that followed the keen-eared listeners could hear the now +invisible "Victor" slowing down her speed. Captain Tom, the engine room +speaking tube at his mouth, called down the orders softly for a similar +slowing of speed. The "Panther" fell back close to the "Victor." + +"Captain, they're likely to stop altogether, soon," whispered Mr. +Jephson. "Then we won't hear a sound to guide us." + +"We'd do the same," murmured Halstead. "Then the yachts would be likely +to drift together and bump. No; I hardly believe the steam yacht's +captain will try that trick. If he does, we must match it." + +The two craft engaged in this marine game of blind man's buff were now +going forward along their respective courses at not more than eight +miles an hour. Greater speed was not advisable, for they were in the +possible track of vessels plying between San Francisco and Hawaii, New +Zealand or Australia. + +For the next ten minutes there was no sound from the "Victor's" +fog-horn. To run without this precaution was all but tantamount to +piracy in itself. Skipper Tom and Second Officer Davis, however, managed +to keep within sound of the steam craft's machinery. So, presently, the +"Victor's" steam fog-horn again sounded on the air. + +Breakfast was served late, that morning, on board the motor yacht. All +hands were too much interested in the difficult chase to think of eating +before Nature made her demands clamoring. + +At eight o'clock, when Third Officer Costigan again came up on the +bridge to take his watch trick, Dick Davis declared he had no interest +in sleep. + +"You'd better go below," advised Tom. "This search through the fog may +be a long one. We'll want all hands to be fresh and bright. Get four or +five hours' sleep, anyway. I shall be on the bridge most of the time +until you're called again." + +So Dick went below and turned in, though almost with a grumble. + +For the next three hours Halstead was almost constantly on the bridge. +The blind pursuit kept up along the same lines. The steam yacht's +machinery still sent its dull clatter across the waters. The +quartermaster of the "Panther," with the help of the mate's orders, +still steered by that sound. + +"It'd be fierce to have a big, noisy liner rumble up close to us now, +making noise enough to drown out the sound of our enemy," grumbled +Captain Tom to the owner. + +Mr. Jephson, standing close by, heard, and his eyes snapped. + +"I hadn't thought of that," he growled. "Since that would be the +toughest sort of luck, that's what is almost sure to happen." + +"Don't complain of your luck," advised the young skipper, gravely. +"We've been able to keep right along with the steam craft for some hours +now. If we can do so for a few hours more, we're highly likely to run +out of this fog and be under a clear sky again. So far, Mr. Jephson, our +luck has been wondrously kind to us." + +Halstead remained on deck until nearly two o'clock. Then he passed word +for Ab Perkins. To that young first officer, in the presence of Baldwin, +Ross and Jephson, he said: + +"Mr. Perkins, my eyes are getting heavy, and I expect to be on deck most +of the night. I'm going to turn in, now, for an hour or two. Call me, +anyway, at the changing of the watches. You know the general orders, and +I look to you not to let the 'Victor' slip away from us." + +"If I do let her slip," affirmed Ab, "I'll eat the starboard +life-boat." + +"Mr. Perkins used to be the most famous 'hoodoo' at the mouth of the +Kennebec," Tom laughed, softly, as he turned to Mr. Baldwin. "His luck +changed, however, the day he went into the motor boating business. He's +about the luckiest young navigator afloat these days." + +Nor did Ab, left in temporary full command, intend to lose his later +laurels. He soon left the bridge, however, feeling that he could listen +more effectively from the port rail forward. Occasionally he turned to +signal, silently, to Third Officer Costigan, who still kept to the +bridge. + +Part of the time the "Victor" sounded its fog-horn with pauses longer +than the rules of the sea permitted in so deep a fog. It looked as +though those aboard the steam yacht were willing to leave it to the +"Panther" to warn away other craft from them both. However, thus far in +the day, no other vessel had sounded through the fog. Apparently, these +two craft had all of this part of the sea to themselves. + +In the silence and under the white pall even the interest of the chase +could not prevent the time from passing with deadly monotony for Ab +Perkins. Quite plainly it impressed also the others that way, for the +cabin passengers, two or three at a time, disappeared below. Messrs. +Baldwin and Ross remained on deck more than any of the cabin party, +though even they went inside, restlessly, every now and then. + +At last the deck was bare, save for Ab Perkins and the bow watch. In the +pilot house stood the quartermaster and his seaman helper. On the bridge +Mr. Costigan paced back and forth, glad that the fog was not too thick +for him to make out the first officer forward. + +One of Ab's reasons for being well up forward was that he might more +readily hear the sound of fog-horn or of bell from any other vessel +hidden away in this white gloom. + +It was a long while before he heard anything, but at last it came: + +"Help! Don't run me down!" + +The voice came from low down upon the water, somewhat ahead and barely +to port. + +Quick as a flash the bow watch turned to see if the first officer and +the bridge watch had heard. Both Perkins and Costigan had sprung to see +what might come to them out of the fog. + +"Careful!" warned Ab, in a steady voice. "Take the sound of my voice for +your guide. I'm at the port rail, moving toward you." + +Suddenly, out of the fog, there came into view, near at hand, a ship's +yawl. It contained a single man, dark, rather tall and about thirty +years of age. He was dressed carelessly, yet had much the air of a +gentleman. His clothing seemed to be soaked with moisture, as though he +had been long exposed to the elements. With his back to the bow of the +yawl, the man turned to glance over his shoulder as he handled a pair of +oars. + +"Don't run me down!" shouted the stranger. "Stop and take me aboard in +heaven's name." + +Ab Perkins had already swiftly caught up a coil of rope, which he deftly +poised for a clean throw. + +"We stop for nothing--mark that!" called First Officer Perkins, firmly. +"Catch this rope, or we've got to leave you behind!" + +The yawl was drifting by, and barely thirty feet from the motor yacht's +hull, when Ab made the throw. He was a master at such feats. The coil +unspread as it went whirling through the air, and a length lay across +the yawl. + +"Get it! Grab it!" panted sympathetic Ab. + +The stranger just managed the feat, leaping up and holding on as though +for dear life, while the yawl, checked in its headway, was swung around. +Desperately the stranger bent down, taking a hitch with the rope. The +bow watch had sprung to help Ab make fast the inside end of the line. + +"There you've got it," called Ab, cheeringly. As the "Panther" was going +but eight miles an hour the stranger was able, without risk, to haul +the small boat in alongside. + +"Can you climb?" Ab called down, in a low voice. + +"I--I think so." + +"Only a few feet needed, then we can reach your arm-pits," Ab called, +encouragingly. + +It was not long ere young Perkins and the bow watch were able to help +the stranger aboard. + +The young first officer's first thought, on seeing the yawl sweep into +view, was that a trick had been attempted by the enemy, for the "Victor" +had recently slipped ahead. But Ab's first glimpse at the stern of the +yawl showed the name, painted in goodly black letters, "S. S. Dolbear." +In the bottom of the yawl lay two life preservers bearing the same name. + +"How on earth do you come to be away out here at sea, in a small boat?" +demanded Ab of the stranger. + +"I was a freight clerk aboard the liner 'Dolbear,' bound from Auckland, +New Zealand, to San Francisco," replied the rescued one. + +"What happened to the 'Dolbear'?" + +"Foundered, five days ago. Life boats crowded, so that the last three of +us had to take to the yawl. We tried to keep up with the other boats, +but fell behind the first night. Next morning we were alone on the +ocean. After two days one man in our party became crazed and jumped over +into the sea. Last night the other man with me did the same. Oh, it was +a gruesome experience, I assure you." + +"It must have been," returned Ab Perkins, sympathetically. + +"Sir, that yawl is bumping alongside," broke in the bow watch. + +"Cut her loose, then, and let her drift," ordered Ab. "We can't be +encumbered with any useless lumber. Then return to your watch. Mr. +Costigan, warn the engine room to increase our speed as much as you find +necessary. We can't let the 'Victor' go on getting ahead of us. Run +right up parallel again." + +"Yes, sir," from the third officer. + +"You're hungry, I suppose," suggested Ab, looking at the stranger. "I'll +pass word for our second stew----" + +"I guess I shall be hungry when I get it fully through my head that I'm +safe," laughed the rescued one. "Just at present I'd rather go below and +warm myself." + +Ab blew his mate's whistle for the third seaman of the watch. + +"My man," he directed, "take this man down to the motor room. Tell Mr. +Randolph it will be all right for Mr.----" + +"Cragthorpe is my name," supplied the stranger. + +"Tell Mr. Randolph it will be all right for Mr. Cragthorpe to dry +himself off in the engine room," continued First Officer Perkins. "When +you get hungry, come up on deck. Mr. Costigan will see that you're fed +if I'm not here." + +The rescued one, after offering profuse thanks, was led below by the +seaman guide. + +"Mr. Costigan, what do you know about the 'Dolbear'?" called up Ab, +softly. + +"She belongs to the New Zealand line, and is due in 'Frisco about this +present time," replied the third officer from the bridge. + +"Then it's all right, as far as Cragthorpe goes?" + +"I think so, sir." + +"All I wanted," Ab finished, "was to be easy in my mind that the +stranger didn't come from the 'Victor.' Don't let us get at all astern +again, Mr. Costigan." + +"I won't, sir." + +In the meantime Jeff Randolph, sitting out through a long and lonely +watch in the engine room, was not sorry to see company coming his way. + +For some time they chatted together. Cragthorpe seemed greatly +interested in finding such young officers aboard the motor yacht. He +asked many questions about the Motor Boat Club. + +At last Jeff Randolph rose, excusing himself and stepping just outside +the engine room door, though lingering near enough to hear a signal from +the bridge, if one came. The young assistant engineer wanted to stretch +his legs after sitting a long time by the motors. No sooner was the +motor boat boy out of sight than the stranger rose swiftly. Snatching up +a wrench, he prowled about the motors as though looking for something. + +At last he evidently discovered what he wanted. Instantly he laid the +wrench on a bolt-head. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +MR. CRAGTHORPE IS MORE THAN TROUBLESOME + + +Luckily, at that moment, the Florida boy turned about, glancing into the +engine room. + +What he saw made Jeff stare, then gasp. Both operations were over in the +space of a second. + +"Here, you infernal rascal!" shouted Jeff. "Stop it!" + +Nor did he content himself with that startled roar. The Florida boy +carried his fighting pluck with him at all times. + +Though Cragthorpe was about half as large again as the young assistant +engineer, Randolph made a direct spring for him. + +Cragthorpe didn't have time to complete his mischief to the engine just +then. + +Instead, he swung around, aiming the wrench at Jeff's head. But young +Randolph halted, instantly picked up another wrench, and sent it +whizzing. + +Boiling with wrath, the Florida boy didn't aim particularly. He didn't +care where his wrench landed, provided that it served the purpose. + +The flying missile struck hard against the knuckles of Cragthorpe's +right hand, forcing him to let his own weapon drop. + +Then Jeff fairly flew at the larger stranger. + +"You won't play any tricks while I'm here on watch," panted Jeff +Randolph, as he clinched with his adversary. So impetuous was the +Florida boy's assault that he carried Cragthorpe down to the floor. + +There, locked in each other's arms, they rolled and fought. The pit in +which the motors stood was railed off, preventing their fighting their +way into the moving machinery. + +Both combatants displayed a good deal of staying power. For the first +sixty seconds they fought without either seeming to gain any advantage. +It was a grim, lonely duel, in which neither could accept less than +complete victory. + +No word was spoken. Neither cared to waste breath in speech. Jeff fought +for a strangle hold as his best chance. Cragthorpe tried to get in a +blow between the boy's eyes. + +Once Randolph got briefly on top, but the stranger rolled over on him, +and then the fighting went on more furiously than ever. + +However, the stranger's superior weight and a considerable advantage in +muscle soon told over the Florida boy's clear, savage grit. Though he +would not yield an inch, Jeff had to admit to himself that he could not +hope to hold out much longer. + +After another sixty seconds of it, during which the Florida boy was +breathing sorely, Cragthorpe managed to free one hand. Raising the +clenched fist with the swiftness of lightning, he brought that fist +down, aiming the blow to land on Jeff's forehead just above his eyes. + +The blow fell, though glancingly. Now there came a quick step behind the +stranger. + +With a brutal oath, Cragthorpe sprang up to confront the burning glance +of Captain Tom Halstead. + +Halstead had just come on deck again, after his nap. Learning from Ab +about the stranger, and quick to suspect, under such circumstances, the +young motor boat skipper had hastened below. + +"Caught you, you sneak, didn't I?" jeered Tom, harshly, dodging back and +shedding his deck ulster with almost a single motion. + +Then the young captain of the "Panther" threw himself on guard. Not an +instant too soon, for Cragthorpe had sprung forward to grapple with him. + +The two fists of the young skipper, moving with lightning-like rapidity, +caused Cragthorpe to retreat, throwing up his own hands as soon as he +saw it was to be a game of fisticuffs. + +As Tom crouched low, Cragthorpe attempted to leap in over his guard. It +was good tactics for one three inches taller. Yet Halstead was no novice +in boxing. He threw up his left on guard, holding back his assailant, +then tried to cut under and up with his right. He landed, though not +with much force, against Cragthorpe's ribs. It was enough to drive the +older combatant back until he could alter his guard. + +In the meantime, Jeff lay on the floor, further forward in the engine +room. The Florida boy had not wholly lost consciousness, but he was +half-dazed, seeking to remember what had happened. + +Now, at it again went Halstead and his enemy, each sparring cautiously, +each alternately retreating or forcing the other all around the open +part of the engine room. + +Once Cragthorpe caught Tom near the railing, and let drive hard with +both fists, seeking to push the young skipper over the railing and in +among the moving machinery. + +But Tom dodged artfully as he parried and struck back, and in an instant +more was away from his perilous position. + +Not once did the young skipper think of calling upon Cragthorpe to quit +it and surrender. Halstead knew the fellow was there for too serious +business to allow himself to be talked to a standstill. + +At last, as Cragthorpe retreated past him, almost stepping on the young +assistant engineer's face, Jeff rallied his senses enough to recall what +had happened. + +For a few moments Tom Halstead cleverly fought his opponent forward, +putting up effective parries and raining in his blows so fast that +Cragthorpe had all he could do to save himself from being floored. + +In those few moments Jeff managed to crawl past both, and down toward +the engine room door. + +The tide of battle turned, now, briefly at least. Cragthorpe, stung to +greater fury by a glancing blow on the end of his nose, hurled himself +into the fray with so much added energy that Halstead was compelled to +give ground. + +"Jeff, can you understand me!" panted Tom, as he retreated, an inch at a +time, keeping his fists moving fast. + +"Y-yes," stammered the Florida boy, still a bit dazed. + +"Then pass the word for help, like a flash!" + +But Jeff lingered by the doorway, holding to the frame for support. Only +one thing was plain in the Florida boy's mind--that running away wasn't +in his line. + +"A-a-h!" vented Cragthorpe, gleefully. He had suddenly closed in quickly +on Halstead, aiming a blow that it seemed must send the young captain to +the floor senseless. + +And so it would have done--only Tom wasn't there. He ducked low, passing +under Cragthorpe's extended arm, and came up behind him, forcing the +stranger to wheel about. + +That left the rascal with his back turned to the Florida boy. + +Jeff's mind was becoming a bit clearer every instant. Now he left the +doorway, gliding forward. + +Tom saw Jeff's new move, and half-guessed the meaning of it. By clever +sparring the young skipper held Cragthorpe just where he stood, +until---- + +Jeff leaped upon the big stranger from behind. He wound his arms around +Cragthorpe's throat, then held on with all the strength he could summon. + +Another oath escaped the wretch's lips. It was stopped by Halstead's +right fist landing across his mouth. + +"This is a gentleman's boat--no profanity allowed," mocked Tom, sending +in another blow that struck his man in the region of the belt, causing +him to double up in torment. + +Two more blows Tom drove in. Cragthorpe sank to the floor. + +"Let go of him, Jeff. I can handle him," ordered Captain Tom. "Get to +the speaking tube and direct Mr. Costigan to send the extra deckhand +down here on the jump." + +Cragthorpe lay on the floor. The fight was not by any means driven out +of him, but the wind was, for the moment, at least. Then steps were +heard. Mr. Costigan himself came in, followed by the extra deck-hand, +for Ab had relieved the third mate on the bridge. + +"So that's what our new gentleman has been doing, is it, sir?" demanded +Mr. Costigan, his Irish quickness enabling him to guess much at the +first glance. + +"Have you handcuffs with you, Mr. Costigan?" asked Tom. + +"I have, sir." + +"Then put them on this fellow." + +With a right good will Mr. Costigan and the sailor rolled Cragthorpe +over, not very gently at that, and forced his wrists together, manacling +the wretch. Then they dragged him to his feet. + +"Jupiter!" muttered Tom, staring hard. "I've seen this fellow somewhere +before. And now I have it! By Jove, he's the gallant fellow I had to +knock from the observation platform on the Overland Mail!" + +"You needn't be quite so glad. We haven't quite evened our account yet," +snarled the fellow. "But I'm not the man you think I am." + +"Do you deny you're the fellow I struck on the observation platform of a +car of the Overland Mail the other day?" Tom Halstead snorted. + +"I can't be. I've just come from Auckland," leered the fellow. + +"We picked him up from a small boat that bore the name of the liner, +'Dolbear,'" interjected Mr. Costigan. "The 'Dolbear' is due about now +from Auckland." + +"Then the boat was painted, as to her name, on board the 'Victor,'" said +Tom. "I understand we ran behind her a bit at one time this afternoon." + +"Yes, sir." + +"It's from the 'Victor' this fellow came, then, boat and all," declared +Captain Halstead, positively. "Now, bring the fellow up on deck and let +everyone have a look at him." + +As it was time to call the new watch up, anyway, this was now done. +Cragthorpe tried to make a fight against being taken to the deck, but, +manacled as he was, he could put up no effective resistance. + +The cabin passengers, too, were called. Tom and Jeff stated the case +against the fellow. + +"Of course you're justified in locking this man up in the brig, if there +is one aboard," observed Mr. Jephson. + +"Yes; there's a brig on board," Tom nodded, "and that's where a man goes +after trying to tamper with our engines on a chase like this." + +The "brig" is a ship's prison. On the "Panther" it was a small room, not +more than five by seven feet, with two berths and two stools in it. The +door was an iron grating. Even on a yacht a brig is often needed, as a +place of confinement for a drunken or crazy sailor. + +Dick Davis ascended to the bridge to stand the new watch. + +"Take the fellow to the brig, Mr. Costigan, and see that he's securely +locked in. Collins, see that the man gets his meals three times a day." + +"I'll make you mighty sorry for this, you boy skipper!" growled +Cragthorpe, as he was led away. + +"That's the fellow I knocked from the train, isn't it, Joe?" demanded +Halstead, turning to his chum. + +"He's not dressed as well, and he has a few days' growth of beard on his +face, but I'm positive he's the same fellow," answered Joe Dawson, +quietly. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE MIDNIGHT ALARM + + +"Still the sound of machinery," muttered Dick Davis, pacing the bridge +just before dark. "I imagine the skipper of that other craft wishes he +could have put a mute on his engines." + +"He has even taken to blowing his fog-horn again," replied young +Halstead. "It's just sheer luck that he hasn't been run down by some +vessel coming from the opposite direction." + +"I guess our fog-horn has protected him," suggested Dick. "We may have +passed some other craft whose fog-horns didn't carry sound as far as +ours. Hearing our fog-horn, such vessels might have given us such a wide +berth that the 'Victor' naturally escaped collision." + +It was about eight o'clock, when Tom and Joe were finishing the evening +meal in the captain's cabin, that a sudden sharp blast came through the +bridge speaking tube. + +"Right here at the other end, Mr. Davis," Captain Tom answered. + +"I think you'll be interested in coming to the bridge, sir. The fog is +lightening a bit, and I can see a couple of stars overhead." + +"Whew! That's good news! Do you still hear the 'Victor's' machinery?" + +"Yes; I've been keeping very close to her." + +Halstead quickly told the news to Joe Dawson. Both reached for their +ulsters, then ran out on deck. Tom's first discovery was that he could +hear, distinctly, the subdued clank-clank made by the invisible steam +yacht. + +Yes; the fog was surely lifting. Overhead, especially, things were +clearing. + +"We seem to be running out at the edge of the fog-bank, Mr. Davis," was +the young captain's greeting, as he climbed to the bridge, followed by +the young chief engineer. + +For five minutes or more Tom Halstead stood there, watching the fog. + +"I'm sure enough of the news, now, to go aft and tell Mr. Baldwin," he +declared, finally. + +Tom found all the cabin passengers at table in the deck dining saloon, +aft of the owner's quarters. They were not more than two-thirds through +the meal, but the table became instantly deserted. + +Twenty minutes later the watchers at the port rail made out, briefly, a +part of the hull of the "Victor." The two craft were but little more +than two hundred yards apart. + +Ten minutes later both craft passed almost completely out of the fog. A +cheer went up from the deck of the "Panther." There was no answer from +the pursued craft. + +Running up to the bridge, and snatching up a megaphone, Joseph Baldwin +bawled lustily: + +"We're still with you, you pirates! You can't shake us!" + +Still no sound of human voice came from the steam yacht. The answer was +of another sort. Great clouds of smoke began to pour from the "Victor's" +funnel. + +"They're going to try a spurt," chuckled Halstead, gleefully. "Well, +let 'em. We don't even have to get up more steam for a spurt. All we +have to do is to feed in the gasoline quicker." + +Within five minutes the "Victor" was racing along at more than twenty +miles an hour. On board the "Panther," however, Joe Dawson did not even +feel it necessary to go below to look at the motors. Jed Prentiss was +down there in the engine room, and Jed was a boy who knew what he was +doing. Second Officer Davis gave the speed orders from the bridge; Jed +carried out the orders. The "Panther," now widening the interval to four +hundred yards in this clearer atmosphere, ran along parallel with the +steam yacht. + +"They may fool us yet," chuckled Halstead, turning around to the owner. +"But they'll have to do it with something better than speed." + +"If they get away from _you_, Captain Halstead," replied the owner, his +face beaming, "I promise, in advance, to forgive you. It won't be your +fault. Lord, how you've hung to them! What a report I shall have to send +Delavan on the officers he sent me!" + +Then, suddenly, Halstead thought of the prisoner down in the brig. + +"Pass the word for Second Steward Collins," he directed, and that +yacht's servant soon reported. + +"You didn't forget to feed the prisoner, Collins?" + +"Oh, no, sir," and the steward rattled off the names of the dishes that +had been supplied the man in the brig. + +"He seems to have fed nearly as well as we did," laughed Skipper Tom. +"Well, that's right; just because we lock a fellow up is no reason why +we should starve him. The prisoner had a good appetite?" + +"Excellent, sir." + +"He's locked in tightly?" + +"Yes, sir." + +Ten minutes later Captain Halstead took the trouble to go below to the +brig. + +It was somewhat stuffy down there, but that couldn't be helped. + +From the center of the ceiling a single incandescent lamp supplied the +illumination of the room. + +As Tom Halstead peered in through the grating he saw Cragthorpe seated +on a stool in the far corner. + +Tom did not speak. The fellow glared at him, then looked away. + +"The door is locked tightly, all right," murmured Captain Halstead to +himself, after rattling the bars and examining the lock. + +No sooner had he turned away, and stepped out of sight, than Cragthorpe +rose like a caged tiger. A leer expressive of the utmost cruelty parted +his teeth. He shook his fist menacingly after the departing young +skipper. He was able to do that much, for Mr. Costigan, following the +usual course in such cases, had removed the handcuffs after depositing +the prisoner in the brig. + +"Perhaps you think I'm here, simply awaiting your pleasure, my young +salt water cub!" snarled Cragthorpe to himself. + +Tom Halstead, however, gave the fellow little further thought. He was +too happy over the lifting of the fog. It is possible for two craft of +the size of these to run all day within two hundred yards of each other +through a fog, judging each other's positions only by sounds. The slow +speed of fog-time makes this possible. Yet it requires splendidly expert +seamanship on both craft. The ordeal is bound to be wearing on the deck +and watch officers. Tom and his three mates felt utterly tired after +their experience, but the passing out of the belt of the fog had brought +huge relief to them. + +Up to ten o'clock that evening the "Victor" maintained her fast speed. +The air was now thoroughly clear in every direction. Tom could have +kept the other craft in sight even had the steam yacht shown no lights. +But the commander of the "Victor" had all his running lights going. + +"You'll call us, if anything whatever happens that's worth our knowing, +won't you, Captain?" asked Joseph Baldwin, joining the young sailing +master, who stood close to the bridge steps on the port side. + +"Yes, sir. Certainly." + +"All of us chaps in the cabin are going to turn in soon," continued Mr. +Baldwin, with a slight yawn. "We're fagged, both from the lack of sleep +and the suspense. Now, however, our minds are easier. Yonder is the boat +that carries Frank Rollings and the millions he stole from the bank. Our +fuel will last as long as theirs will. We can follow as far as they can +go." + +"Wouldn't it be a jarring surprise if it turned out that we've been +following a dummy, Mr. Baldwin?" Halstead asked. "What if we follow for +days and days, yet, and then learn that neither Rollings nor his plunder +is on board?" + +Joseph Baldwin started, then retorted: + +"Yes; but it won't happen, Captain. In the first place, the detectives +of the Bankers' Association found out positively that Rollings had gone +aboard, and that the yacht had then got under way at once. The captain +of that boat was expecting Rollings--was prepared for him--and has the +defaulter on board at this moment." + +"I hope so, sir, for I'm satisfied that we're yet going to lay alongside +of that craft and search her." + +"Of course we are. Good night, Captain." + +"Good night, sir. I'm going to turn in, myself, for a while." + +Half an hour later the young skipper was sound asleep. So, for that +matter, were all the officers and crew who were not on duty. + +Sky and surrounding atmosphere continued clear through the rest of Dick +Davis's watch on the bridge. That young second mate was pacing back and +forth contentedly. The two yachts, now making about a fourteen-mile +speed, were close together, and Davis had little to watch save the +general handling of the boat. + +Out of a hatchway forward a head was cautiously thrust up. Davis did not +happen to see that head. There was no reason why he should be looking +for it. + +The owner of that head saw Davis turn and pace over to starboard. +Swiftly, and silently, the man sprang out of the hatchway, after +observing that the quartermaster's head was bent over the compass. The +sailor in the wheel house with the quartermaster was not looking in +Davis's direction at the moment. + +So the prowler gained the port side of the deck-house, and stole aft +without hindrance. It was Cragthorpe, the late prisoner in the brig. +Now, besides being free, he carried a five-gallon can of gasoline that +he had found below deck. + +Away back to the after deck he ran, crouching low. There he halted, +staring about him. An evil smile flickered over his lips. With little +conscience, he was also without fear for himself. + +An instant later he began sprinkling gasoline about him. The task was +quickly accomplished. He drew out a box of blazer matches, striking one +of them and tossing it down where a pool of gasoline lay. + +There was a flare, in a second, but Cragthorpe had vanished almost as +quickly as the flare appeared. + +Dick Davis caught a glimpse of the glow. + +"Quartermaster, send your man aft to investigate a blaze there. Let him +run!" + +The blaze, however, was spreading and mounting so fast that the alert +young second officer did not have to pause to guess. + +"Fire!" shouted the sailor, running forward. But Dick Davis had already +sprung to the alarm bells. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE FIRE DRILL IN EARNEST + + +The sailor's cry of "Fire," the most dreaded that can rise at sea, +disturbed Captain Tom Halstead's sound rest. He half awoke. + +Then it sounded again: + +"Fire!" + +In prompt confirmation of the cry, the electric bell began ringing in +his room. Directly over it glowed an electric light in a red bulb--the +fire signal to the cabin. + +Tom Halstead fairly leaped from his bed. He got on all the clothing +needed with the speed of a fireman. + +Dick Davis's hand had come, first, to the bell rousing the watch below. +He rang that first, but Halstead's bell immediately afterward. + +As Halstead burst open the door of his cabin the red glow was in his +face. + +Down in the mates' and crew's quarters the fire-bell was ringing +steadily. Officers and men came tumbling up the stairs. + +"Stand by the handling of the ship, Mr. Davis!" roared the young +captain from the deck. "I'll have men enough for the fighting of the +fire." + +As the first heads showed from below, Halstead roared: + +"Mr. Perkins, the starboard hose. Mr. Costigan, the port! Two men each +and yourselves to a hose. The rest report to me." + +The hose lay in butts from which they were lifted and fastened to the +deck hydrants. While one man was securing each hose to a hydrant, a mate +and another sailor ran aft with the line along either rail. + +"The rest of you get fire axes," shouted Captain Halstead. "Jump up onto +the bridge and go aft over the deck-house. Mr. Davis, instruct Mr. +Prentiss to connect the pump in the engine room. Tell him to give us +instant pressure." + +Though he had heard the fire call, Jed was too dependable to allow +either curiosity or fear to take him from his post. When the order came, +through the speaking tube, young Prentiss was standing by, ready to +connect the pump with one of the motors. + +Through the two lengths of hose the water leaped almost instantly. + +Captain Tom had run with his axe-men over the deck-house. + +He found the after deck ablaze, and also the sides of the deck-house +aft. + +How it had all happened the young sailing master did not trouble himself +to ask, at first. It was more than enough for him to know that there was +a fire aboard, and to know where it was located. + +"Get up close, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Costigan!" he shouted, from the top +of the deck-house. "Let the flames have the water at full, direct +pressure. Steady, now! Throw in every drop of water where it will hit +the hottest, highest flames." + +Seldom had fire-drill at sea been more promptly or intelligently carried +out. It was fortunate, at the very outset, that the blaze had started so +near the time for the changing of the watches. The men were rested and +ready for prompt rising. + +The slight rolling of the boat carried gasoline along the decks, bearing +the flames with it. A pitching at the bow, slight though it was, brought +these running streams of flame down upon the crews with the hose. They +had to depress the nozzles almost at their feet, in order to assure +themselves of safe standing room. + +"Give me one of those axes," shouted Halstead, taking the implement from +a sailor. "Now, two of you jump down aft with me on the deck. Never +mind the fire! Remember, we've got to fight it for our lives anyway!" + +Down into the clearest spot he could find young Halstead leaped. Ab +Perkins, seeing him, turned the stream full on the blazing deck around +the young sailing master. That was all that saved Halstead from +perishing. The water kept the flames down so that he was able to lay +about him, loosening several of the deck planks. + +One of the sailors had landed close beside the young skipper. He, too, +laid about him. The second seaman, however, ran over to the other side +of the deck-house, looking for some spot where he might work protected +by the other hose. + +The hoarse shouting of orders, the running of feet overhead and the +sharp, sinister hiss of water coming in contact with fire, all combined +to arouse the owner of the imperiled yacht. + +Joseph Baldwin sprang from his bed, dashed aside the starboard curtains, +and caught a reflection of the glow. + +"Fire!" he gasped, turning pale. "Halstead and his comrades surely have +enough to handle this time." + +Then, with frenzied haste, the owner fell to pulling on his clothes. He, +too, broke some of his own records in the matter of dressing. In a very +few moments he was outside, and climbing the bridge steps. Then he +dashed aft. + +The breeze that was blowing was unfavorable to the fire fighters. The +factors in their favor, however, were the prompt discovery of the +trouble and the thinness with which the gasoline was spread. + +The blaze was at its worst in the middle of the after deck. It was the +realization of this fact that had caused young Captain Halstead to take +the desperate leap and make the bold effort that now stood to his +credit. + +"That boy has no sense of fear," cried Mr. Baldwin to himself. + +As a matter of fact, Halstead had escaped unscorched. His promptness, +good judgment, and the protecting streams from the hose had saved him +from disastrous consequences that might be expected to follow such a +hazardous act. + +By now the hosemen were able to get far enough aft to wet down the +blazing parts of the wall of the after deck-house. + +Within five minutes from the time it started the blaze was brought down +to where it required only persistent hosing to drown it completely. + +From time to time a sudden gust of the light breeze fanned up the fire +briefly at some point, but the fire fighters no longer feared for their +safety. + +Mr. Ross and Dr. Gray had been aroused by the sounds of fire-fighting; +the others in the cabin staterooms slept on, for Dick Davis had wisely +refrained from touching the button that would have sounded the heavy +gong in the main cabin. + +"How could the thing have started!" asked Mr. Ross, bewilderedly. + +"It was set, by someone," replied Tom Halstead, joining Mr. Baldwin and +the latter's friends. "It was a gasoline blaze, pure and simple." + +"Who could have----" began Dr. Gray. + +"I saw myself that the prisoner was safely locked in," broke in the +young skipper. "Yet he's the only one I could suspect." + +Almost at a run Halstead started forward, followed by Ab Perkins. + +Down below, these two investigators found the door of the brig open. The +lock had been picked. On the floor of the brig Tom found what was left +of a steel table fork such as the crew used. + +"He forced the tines and shank out of the handle, and worked it over +into a pick-lock," muttered the young skipper. "I respect the fellow's +ingenuity, if nothing else." + +But where was Cragthorpe himself? Two searching parties, one under Ab +and the other commanded by Third Officer Costigan, searched until Dick +Davis, still on the bridge past his hour, broke in with: + +"Why, Captain, you can guess what became of the fellow? When our blaze +was under way the 'Victor' turned and steamed nearer to us. The rascal +jumped overboard, of course, swam back and was picked up. It must have +been all part of a plan. At any rate, when the watch officer on the +steam yacht saw the blaze on board this craft, he knew well enough what +it meant, and stood by to rescue the Cragthorpe fellow." + +"That's what has happened to him," nodded Mr. Baldwin. "He's safe again +with the other rascals." + +So the searching parties were recalled, the new watch was set, and quiet +at last settled down over the yacht. + +It was two o'clock in the morning when Tom Halstead again sought his +rest. That fire had stirred him up so that he did not at once feel +drowsy. A fire at sea, on a gasoline motor yacht, is a trebly serious +affair. If the flames ever get close to the gasoline supply the blaze is +almost certain to wind up abruptly in a fearful, devastating explosion. + +"I've had some lively times at sea, before this," the young skipper +muttered, "but this voyage has already gone ahead of anything I've ever +had happen at sea. I hope we're through with visitors from the +'Victor.'" + +At last he closed his eyes and slept, for Halstead was not a highly +nervous youngster. When he was free from the demands of duty, and +physically tired, he was not usually long in finding his rest. + +Even in his sleep the lad did not lie quietly. He began to toss and +thrash, dreaming that he was fighting it out again with Cragthorpe. It +was like a nightmare, for, in his dream, the young captain of the +"Panther" felt himself to be getting the worst of the struggle. + +Then, all of a sudden, Tom Halstead awoke, roused by a sensation of +choking. A man knelt over him in his bed. Halstead's hands were lashed, +while a rope was noosed about his neck. + +On the front wall of the cabin was a ship's clock. A shaded light burned +near the dial of the clock, giving illumination to enable one to read +the clock's dial from the bed. + +That light also showed Tom the face and figure of his present +oppressor--Cragthorpe, in the flesh! + +"Now, we're going to have a chance to talk over the other side of this +question!" chuckled the wretch, in Tom's ear. "I remained aboard--risked +everything--in order to have this precious meeting. Just us two +here--fine, isn't it?" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +CRAGTHORPE INTRODUCES HIS REAL SELF + + +"Now, if you find you've anything to say," continued Cragthorpe, in the +same low voice, "you can say it when the time comes. But don't try to +call out, and don't attempt any impudence, or I'll pull this noose +tight. You know what that will mean!" + +Undeniably Tom Halstead paled. Upon his feet, with at least a fighting +chance, the young motor boat captain, while he might have feared death, +would not have run away from it. He had a record for showing grit. + +But this was a time when no amount of courage could give him a chance. +He read it in Cragthorpe's eyes that the fellow intended to keep the +upper hand, and to abuse it, to the end. + +"You felt fine and important when you told that big Irishman to lead me +off to the brig, didn't you!" began the tormentor. + +"What else could I do!" demanded Halstead, in a low voice. "Wouldn't you +have done the same by me, if the boot had been on the other foot!" + +"And you struck me that cowardly blow over at Oakland the other day," +cried Cragthorpe, who seemed to have nursed his wrath until it angered +him to the striking point. + +"When you went to school," mocked Tom, his coolness returning rapidly, +"you studied out of a different book of definitions from the one I had. +I was never taught that it was cowardice to defend a woman." + +"What call had you to defend her?" insisted Cragthorpe, with a show of +increasing anger. "Was it any of your affair?" + +"Yes; the fact that the young woman was annoyed by you was excuse enough +for my act." + +"You spoiled my last chance with her when you humiliated me by a blow +that I didn't get a chance to return at the time." + +"I'm glad to hear that," retorted Tom, candidly. + +"Oh, you are, are you?" + +The working of passion in Cragthorpe's face was a fearful sight to see. + +"And a fine thing you did for the young woman!" hissed the fellow. "I +wanted to marry her. She has money enough to make her a prize," sneered +the wretch. "Her brother is to go on trial for his life in a few days, +and I am the only witness who could save him from the chain of evidence +that the authorities are weaving about him. I made the offer to the girl +to save her brother if she would wed me." + +"You cowardly--cur!" uttered Tom Halstead, in cool disdain. + +Cragthorpe started; then deeper lines of passion graved themselves in +his features. + +"Yes," continued Tom, scornfully, "you're about the lowest sort of cur +that could possibly breathe. To charge a woman such a price for her +brother's life and good fame!" + +Cragthorpe suddenly restrained his growing anger. He leered down into +the face of his straightforward young enemy. + +"However, I am to make money in another way," he continued, cheerfully. +"Frank Rollings is my cousin. After my failure with the girl he found me +so desperate and ugly that, without telling me what he was about to do, +he enlisted me in his present fine enterprise." + +"Took you along with him to help him guard his stolen treasure, did he!" +jeered Captain Tom Halstead. + +"Yes, if it interests you," snarled Cragthorpe. + +"It'll interest your precious cousin a lot more, before he gets through +with you," sneered Halstead. "He'll be lucky if you don't make away with +him and try to secure all the stolen money for yourself!" + +Cragthorpe started, almost as though the young skipper had hit on the +head the nail of his intentions. + +"Here! Chew on this, instead of words!" flashed the wretch. + +He suddenly forced the young skipper's mouth open, wedging in a crumpled +up handkerchief. This he followed with another, gagging his victim. + +Scenting more dastardly work to come, Tom Halstead fought furiously with +the little chance that was left to him. His hands were secured, in front +of him, but his feet and legs were free. He struggled with all his +might, trying to use his bound hands, together, on the head of +Cragthorpe, as that wretch again bent over him. + +In his struggles Halstead rolled over on his side. His lashed hands +reached briefly under the edge of the bed. In this way he hoped to gain +purchase enough to pull himself free and yank himself to his feet. It +was a slight hope, yet the only one the motor boat boy could see. + +In the brief interval before Cragthorpe seized him roughly, hurling him +back into the middle of the bed, Tom's hands touched something on the +under side of the frame. He didn't know what it was he had touched. + +In that brief though furious struggle Halstead had succeeded in working +out the handkerchiefs. His oppressor caught up one of them. + +"I'll gag you in better shape, this time," he proposed. + +At that instant the door of the cabin opened. Cragthorpe, busy with his +scheme of revenge, did not hear it. But Halstead lay so that he saw the +door move ajar; he saw the head of the sailor who, with this watch, +served in the wheel-house. + +Over the seaman's face swept a look of the most intense amazement. He +darted back into the darkness, for an instant, then returned. + +"One moment--wait!" spoke Tom Halstead, sharply. + +"Confound you--not so loud, if you value your safety!" warned +Cragthorpe. + +Had not the rascal been so intensely absorbed he would have felt and +noted the light breeze that blew in with the opening of the door. But +Cragthorpe was passion-ridden at the moment. The door closed, with the +sailor and Third Officer Costigan in the room. + +That "one moment--wait!" Mr. Costigan and the sailor had the presence of +mind to understand was directed at them. + +"That girl--and her brother--you were lying to me about them," taunted +Halstead. "You can't tell me their names." + +"I can't--eh?" sneered Cragthorpe, harshly. "The girl's name is Rose +Gentry, and her brother's name Robert Gentry." + +"And the brother is accused of murder, and you could prove him +innocent? Yet you refused to save the brother because Rose Gentry would +not marry you and let you own her fortune! It's a lie!" + +"It's the truth," snarled Cragthorpe, hotly. "And you helped doom the +brother when you struck me down before Rose Gentry. You made her despise +me the more." + +"She did well to despise you," retorted Tom Halstead, bluntly. "_You +ought to be clubbed_!" + +[Illustration: "You Ought to Be Clubbed!"] + +That was exactly what happened, ere Cragthorpe could open his mouth. The +seaman had been crouching behind the fellow, a belaying-pin in his right +hand. At the word from Halstead the sailor struck, and Cragthorpe fell +to the floor, stunned. + +Leaving the sailor to attend to Cragthorpe, Mr. Costigan now bounded +forward to free the young captain's hands. + +"How on earth did this happen, sir?" demanded the third officer, as he +cut away the cord from the boy's wrists. + +"I dreamed I was fighting the fellow," laughed Tom, "but woke up to find +he had slipped my hands into that noose. He had this other noose around +my neck, threatening to draw it uncomfortably tight if I tried to make +any outcry." + +Tom was now able to slip out of bed and pull on his trousers, while Mr. +Costigan turned on a stronger light. + +"But how on earth did you two happen to come to my relief just at the +right time?" the young skipper demanded. + +"Why, you sounded the call to the bridge," retorted the third mate. + +"I sounded the----wait a second." + +Tom bent over the edge of his bed, feeling underneath along the frame. + +"Why, there's a button here. Does that call to the bridge?" demanded the +motor boat captain. + +"It certainly does," retorted the third officer. + +"I didn't even know the button was there," gasped the young sailing +master. "In my struggles I touched it by accident." + +"I sent Oleson, the sailor, to see what you wanted, sir," continued Mr. +Costigan. "The next thing I knew Oleson backed out of your cabin, +grabbed up a belaying-pin, and signaled to me. I came quick and +soft-like, sir. And now, Captain, if you've no further orders for me, +sir, hadn't I better be traveling back to the bridge? The quartermaster +of my watch is running the ship at this minute." + +"Go, then, Mr. Costigan, and thank you; but send the extra deck-hand of +this watch." + +In another moment the third mate's whistle was sounding shrilly. It +brought the extra man of the watch on the run. + +"Put these handcuffs on the fellow before he comes to," ordered Tom, +going to his desk and taking out a pair of manacles. "There, now he +won't do much harm if he does come out of it suddenly. But I'm going +with you to the brig, and want to see leg irons put on the rascal, too. +He won't have the use of his hands again, on this yacht. The second +steward will have to feed the fellow his meals." + +Tom quickly finished his dressing. Just as he had done so Cragthorpe +uttered a deep sigh and opened his eyes. He was still a bit dazed. +Halstead waited for some moments before speaking. + +"If you were telling the truth, fellow, about Rose Gentry and her +brother," taunted Tom, "your silence won't do you so much good, now. My +third officer and one of these sailors overheard your declaration of +your infernal villainy. They can testify in court in behalf of young +Gentry. They'll help the case quite a bit, I guess." + +Cragthorpe was enough himself, by this time, to understand. He scowled +blackly, but refused to speak. + +"Take him along down below to the brig, now," ordered Captain Halstead. + +As the three navigators and their captive stepped out forward of the +pilot house, Tom pointed over to port. + +"There's the boat of your friends, my man," laughed the young motor boat +skipper. "You've told me, too, that Frank Rollings _is_ aboard of her, +and that he has the stolen funds with him. Oh, one way and another, you +told me a lot this night that I'm glad to know!" + +Cragthorpe uttered some savage language under his breath as he was +dragged below. Once again he found himself in the brig, and the door +locked, after the leg-irons had been fitted. This time, to make doubly +sure of his man, Halstead put on a double lock by means of a chain and +padlock, the latter being of a pattern that could not be picked. + +"In one way I almost feel badly at doing this to you, Cragthorpe," Tom +said to the fellow, through the grating. "You'll think I'm crowing over +you, and abusing my power. I'd be easier with you--but it wouldn't be +safe for anyone aboard the yacht." + +Halstead then returned to his cabin, where, at his desk, he wrote a note +to Mr. Baldwin, advising the latter of what he had learned from the man +who was once more in the brig. + +This note he turned over to Mr. Costigan. + +"Hand it to him if he comes on deck in the morning before I do," +requested the young skipper. "Add anything you please, out of what you +saw and heard to-night." + +Then the motor yacht captain walked over to the port rail for one more +look at the "Victor." The "Panther" was still keeping abreast of her, +less than four hundred yards away. These two craft appeared to have the +sea all to themselves. + +"When, where and how will this all end?" wondered Tom Halstead. + +Then he turned in once more, this time hoping for some real rest. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A TRICK MADE FOR TWO + + +Just before eight o'clock in the morning Tom Halstead rolled over +luxuriously in his broad bed. + +"One more catnap wouldn't feel half bad," he muttered to himself. +"However, I reckon I feel about right. I've had some of the sleep that +was coming to me." + +Then: + +"I wonder how my friend Cragthorpe is this morning? It's quite plain he +hasn't found some other trick for getting out of the brig." + +Tom yawned a couple of times, stretched, and finally decided that he +felt like getting up. + +While he was coming to this conclusion the whistle sounded in the +bridge speaking tube. + +Springing out of bed, Tom took up the mouth-piece. + +"Well?" he called. + +"The 'Victor' is putting about, sir." + +"What's her new course?" + +"Going right back over the course she came out on, sir. Shall I turn and +follow?" + +"What else? The only thing we're living for now, Mr. Costigan, is to +keep close to that steam yacht. Follow her, without further orders, even +if she starts to steaming in circles. I'll be out soon." + +"Very good, sir." + +Tom looked slowly about him, then headed for the bath-room. He took +plenty of time in the warm water, finally dressing. Mr. Costigan's watch +had gone below, the third officer having left Tom's letter with Dick +Davis, to be handed to Mr. Baldwin when the latter should appear. But, +so far, none of the cabin party had yet turned out. + +"All our people are still abed, I think, sir," smiled Davis, when the +young motor boat captain appeared on deck. + +"They've been worn out, by the suspense as much as by their short hours +of rest," Halstead replied. + +"Now, you guess why the steam craft has put about, don't you?" asked +Halstead, after pacing the bridge for some moments while he studied the +weather. + +"I'm not sure that I do, sir," Dick admitted, after a moment's thought. + +"Within three or four hours, I'm willing to wager you a night's rest, +we'll be back in the fog belt," Tom replied, pointing ahead. "Now, +Rollings and the captain of the 'Victor' have felt that they were +getting too far off the course to their real destination, with us +tagging right alongside all the way. They knew that the fog bank was a +few hours astern of them as they lay on the other course, so they're +putting back to get into it." + +"For what purpose?" asked Dick. + +"Why, I suppose they've figured on some plan for losing us in the fog +this time. That's the way their hopes run, anyway." + +"I can't see any fog ahead of us, sir," proclaimed Dick. "And I thought +a fellow raised on the Maine sea-coast knew all about fogs." + +"There's Ab just coming up for the day's work," whispered Tom, as the +young first officer appeared through the companionway forward. "Just +hear what he says." + +Leaning forward over the bridge rail, Halstead called: + +"Mr. Perkins, what sort of weather do you think lies ahead of us?" + +Ab halted, looking all about him, then peering out for some moments past +the bow of the "Panther." + +"I think, sir," came the first officer's report, at last, "we're heading +back towards another real old San Francisco fog." + +"I surrender, then," nodded Dick Davis. + +"We'll be in it by noon, or before," Tom Halstead predicted. + +"And then, the folks on that craft yonder have it all figured out to +give us the slip, sure and easy this time," muttered Ab, as he climbed +the steps to the bridge. + +Out of the owner's quarters stepped Joseph Baldwin and came forward, +stretching and inhaling deeply the outdoor air. Captain Tom Halstead +stepped down from the bridge to meet him. + +"Haven't the other crowd changed their course a bit?" asked Mr. Baldwin. + +Halstead explained the new move on the part of the navigator of the +"Victor." + +"Going to try to lose us, are they?" chuckled Baldwin. "If they do, +Captain, they are clever people. If they can get away from _you_ I'm +positive it won't be your fault." + +Then, stretching like a man who has had a fine, long sleep, and who +isn't yet over the enjoyment of it, the owner added: + +"Thank goodness, nothing happened during the night!" + +"Nothing happened in the night, eh? I'm glad it was all carried off so +quietly, sir, that you weren't disturbed by it." + +"Why, _did_ anything happen?" + +"The fire, in the first place----" + +"Of course; but I meant, nothing after I turned in again." + +"Something certainly did happen," laughed Halstead. "I left a note for +you with the watch officer, in case you came on deck before I did. Now, +however, I can tell you about it." + +And that Tom Halstead proceeded to do. While he was still engaged in the +narration Mr. Ross came up on deck, and had to hear the tale. Just at +its finish Dr. Gray appeared, followed by Gaston Giddings. The latter +young man, though wholly out of the influence of morphine now, looked +seedy and sullen. Plainly, he resented his enforced abstinence from +drugs. + +"I want to see that infernal rascal, Cragthorpe," muttered Mr. Baldwin. +"Captain, won't you be good enough to have him brought on deck?" + +So Ab was summoned, and instructed to take the extra seaman of the +watch, as well as Quartermaster Bickson, and bring the prisoner to deck. + +"Bring him by force, if you have to," added Captain Tom, dryly. + +In a short time the quartermaster and seaman appeared, all but dragging +Cragthorpe, while Ab Perkins brought up the rear of the procession, +giving the doubly manacled fellow an occasional shove. + +It was the first time that Gaston Giddings had seen the prisoner. The +instant he did so, now, the young bank president looked suddenly angry. + +"Mr. Baldwin," demanded Gaston Giddings, "why is this gentleman under +such restraint?" + +"_Gentleman?_" demanded Baldwin, with withering scorn. "Why, my boy, +about whom are you talking?" + +"Why is Mr. Cragthorpe ironed, on board this yacht?" insisted Giddings, +his face now white and stern with increasing anger. + +"Well, then, I'll tell you," sniffed Joseph Baldwin. "That fellow is in +irons because he joined us from the 'Victor.' His first enterprise on +board was to try to put one of our motors out of the running. His next +effort was to set this yacht on fire, last night. After that, he broke +into Captain Halstead's cabin, presumably with the intention of killing +the navigator of this yacht; at any rate, he meant to injure Captain +Halstead severely. Those are some of the reasons, Giddings, my boy, why +Cragthorpe is now guarded as carefully as a mad dog might be if we +didn't possess the right to kill it." + +While speaking, Joseph Baldwin studied the young bank president's face +keenly. After a pause, the older man went on: + +"And now, Giddings, if you concede that I have any right to be curious, +in turn, I'd like to ask you why you are so intensely interested in this +scoundrel?" + +From the instant Cragthorpe had caught sight of the face of Gaston +Giddings, the man in irons had stood more at ease, a sneer on his face. + +"Cragthorpe is a friend of mine," replied Giddings, stiffly. + +"Indeed? Then I regret to say that I can't congratulate you on your +choice of friends." + +"I demand that you set Mr. Cragthorpe free!" cried young Giddings, in a +voice passionate with anger. + +"That's a request, my boy, that I'm not at all inclined to grant, even +had I the power," retorted Baldwin, coolly, yet speaking as though he +did not wish needlessly to further rouse the anger of Giddings. "You +see, I haven't any power to give the order." + +"No power?" snorted Giddings. "Don't you own this yacht?" + +"I do; but Halstead is her captain. It is one of the rules of the sea +that, after a vessel leaves her anchorage, her captain commands her +absolutely until port is again reached." + +"Do you mean to say that this boy would refuse to free Cragthorpe, if +you commanded it?" demanded Giddings, hotly, a flushed spot burning in +either cheek. + +"What would you say, Captain Halstead, if I demanded the release of the +prisoner?" asked Baldwin, facing the young motor boat skipper with +smiling eyes. + +"I'd refuse, sir," Tom replied, promptly. "In my opinion the 'Panther' +isn't safe a minute when Cragthorpe is out of the brig. Take the +prisoner back to the brig, Mr. Perkins." + +Gaston Giddings, with a wrathful cry, started forward, but Tom blocked +his way. + +"You know you're pleasing the owner you sail for, or you wouldn't dare +do this thing," choked the young bank president. + +The prisoner was speedily taken below. + +Gaston Giddings stamped angrily aft, while Joseph Baldwin's eyes +followed the young man with a wondering look. + +"Mr. Perkins," directed Tom, when Ab came back on deck, "lock the door +of the passage leading to the brig, and leave the key with the watch +officer, with instructions to turn it over to his successor on the +bridge." Tom's order was given for the purpose of preventing Giddings +from making any attempt to reach and aid Cragthorpe. + +"I'm going to have Doc Gray try to find out what part Cragthorpe has +been playing in the life of our young friend, Giddings," Mr. Baldwin +confided to the young skipper. "I've a suspicion, already, though." + +"May I ask, sir, what you suspect?" + +"Well, since Giddings has become a confirmed 'hop-fiend,' and Cragthorpe +comes to us from the Rollings crowd, I think it most likely that +Rollings has been employing Cragthorpe to cultivate Giddings's +acquaintance and lure him on into the opium habit. Such drugs destroy a +man's will, his sense of justice--they rot his very soul!" + +"So, then, sir, you think Rollings has been, for some time, engaged in a +deliberate plot to acquire an ascendancy over Mr. Giddings and ruin +him?" + +"That's my suspicion, stated in a few words, Captain." + +Through the forenoon the chase on the course back to San Francisco +continued without change. By eleven o'clock both yachts were moving +through occasional light blotches of fog, though the two craft still +moved in sight of each other. An hour later, however, the two yachts, +with speed now down to eight miles an hour, entered a dense, white gloom +in which they were soon shut out from sight of each other. Now, Captain +Tom was reduced to the old trick of going by sound. + +Fortunately, the "Victor" sounded a fog-horn at regular intervals of +sixty seconds, as did the "Panther." + +"I'm not going to take any chances, however, sir," Tom confided to the +owner. "I'm going to keep close enough to hear her machinery, too." + +Passing through the fog, the unseen "Victor" was off the better part of +three hundred yards to port of the "Panther." + +Of a sudden, however, there came a note that was new. Tom and Joe, in +the captain's cabin, heard it, and ran out on deck. Davis was bending +over the starboard rail of the bridge in his effort to comprehend the +new sound. + +"Too-whoo-oo!" Nearly abeam, and some three hundred yards off to +starboard, that new sound came--a fog-horn identical with the +"Victor's." + +"What on earth is the trick, now?" wondered Joe Dawson. + +"I'd be willing to give a day's pay to guess it all at once," responded +the young skipper. + +"Too-whoo-oo!" sounded the "Panther's" fog-horn. "Too-whoo-oo!" came the +answer, from port, presumably from the "Victor's" fog-horn. +"Too-whoo-oo!" came like an echo from starboard. + +"It sounds like the first move in a game to mix us up," muttered Tom +Halstead, shrewdly. + +"But what craft can be off at starboard?" questioned young Dawson. + +"Probably a steam launch, put off from the 'Victor,' with a similar +fog-horn," rejoined Captain Halstead. + +"Or a motor launch," suggested Joe. + +"No; I don't believe that. If it were a motor launch we'd hear the +chug-chug of her exhaust. It must be a steam launch. A steam craft of +small size can be run more quietly." + +"That's true," assented young Dawson. "Still, our power tender has a +pretty silent exhaust." + +"Great scheme!" grinned Tom, suddenly. + +"What?" + +"I'm going to play a return trick on Rollings's captain." + +"How?" + +"We have two reserve fog-horns that are identical in sound. I'm going +to rig one of 'em on the 'Panther,' using it in the place of the one +we're now sounding." + +"Yes----" + +"And rig the other fog-horn on the power launch," chuckled Tom. "Then +we'll put Bickson and his own deckhand in the power launch and send 'em +around to cruise to port of the 'Victor.' Thus we'll keep those fellows +guessing, too, what's in the wind." + +Joe chuckled, but he added: + +"Tom, you'd better ask Mr. Jephson to send one of his deputy marshals +along, armed, or something might happen that our power launch and two +men would be bagged." + +"That's a sound idea, too," Captain Tom nodded. Half an hour later the +"Panther's" power launch, containing Bickson, a seaman and a deputy +marshal, stole as noiselessly as possible around to the port side of the +"Victor" in the great, thick fog. Now, there were four fog-horns, +sounding all at once. The four power craft were moving practically in +one line. + +"Say, that's a funny stunt, surely," chuckled Joseph Baldwin, when he +heard the four fog-horns almost at once, and understood what the move +meant. + +"It may have another good effect," suggested Halstead. + +"What?" + +"Any sailing vessel headed our way, hearing four horns, is likely to +steer well out of the way of the whole fleet, thus lessening the danger +of collision." + +Barely two minutes later another sound intensely interested the watchers +aboard the "Panther." + +Out of the white gloom ahead, some hundreds of yards, and almost bow-on +from the "Panther," came the long-drawn-out hail: + +"He-e-elp!" + +"What's that?" demanded Joseph Baldwin, starting. + +"He-elp!" came the appeal once more. + +"Sounds like the latest trick from our friends on the 'Victor,'" grinned +Captain Tom Halstead. + +Ab Perkins, with the megaphone in his hand, had pushed his way up to the +very peak of the bow. + +"Ahoy!" he bawled, lustily, through the voice-carrier. "Who's in need of +help?" + +Back came the answer, faint, yet distinct: + +"A castaway in a dory! For heaven's sake, pick me up!" + +"Not a thing happened after we picked up the last castaway in a small +boat," uttered Joseph Baldwin, sarcastically. + +"That hail sounded like a boy's voice," muttered Tom. + +"If you pick _anyone_ up in this fog, be careful!" cautioned the owner. + +"Oh, won't I be careful, though?" retorted Skipper Tom. "Yet I've half a +mind to pick this chap up, just to see what the game is. My curiosity is +working over-time. I'm anxious to see the newest trick from the hands +that steer the 'Victor'!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +TED DYER, SAILOR BY MARRIAGE + + +Still Ab continued to hail from the bow of the motor yacht, young +Captain Tom having gone forward to stand by him and give directions. + +"We'll take you aboard, and have a look at you, anyway," Ab called +through the megaphone. "That is, if you make us closely enough to catch +a rope from us. But we won't change our course, or stop ship." + +"Sa-ay, that's hardly fair!" came the indignant protest. + +"If you want to get aboard this craft, do as we tell you," Ab Perkins +retorted, doughtily. + +"A-all right! I can't stay out on the ocean alone any longer, anyway!" +came back the answer, with a new note of determination in it. + +"Then stop talking," directed Ab, "and get down to your oars, so as to +run just alongside of us. And stand by to catch the line that'll be +thrown to you." + +"Aye, aye, sir!" + +Catching up a coil of line, Perkins ran down nearer the waist of the +ship. A seaman stood by with the ship's end of a rope boarding-ladder +made fast. Captain Tom remained up in the "Panther's" bow. + +Then, out of the fog, shot a dory into sight. In it sat a boy of about +sixteen, wearing only a ragged shirt and hardly less ragged trousers. He +bent at a pair of oars, his glance cast backward over one shoulder as he +guided the craft so as to pass the "Panther" without being engulfed by +her. + +It was close work, and required rather fine seamanship on the part of +the boy in the boat. + +Had the "Panther" been going at anything like her full speed the effort +to lay alongside would have ended in disaster. Even as it was, Captain +Tom Halstead watched with not a little anxiety. + +"Ready--catch the line!" sang Ab Perkins. The young executive officer +of the "Panther" possessed fine judgment and a straight eye for such +work. As the coil left Ab's hand it went whirling, uncoiling, through +the air. The line landed fairly across the shoulder of the other boy +below. He caught the rope, then sank down to the middle seat of the +dory, bracing himself and holding on hard. + +As the line became taut the bow of the dory was yanked about. The little +craft heeled a bit, then righted, bumping in against the larger hull, +then gliding off and riding rather easy. + +The seaman at Ab's side now dropped the rope boarding-ladder overboard +so that its lower end rested fairly in the dory. + +"Swing onto the ladder, and kick the dory loose," directed Ab Perkins, +steadily. "I reckon you can do it." + +"Don't you want to recover the dory, to pay for my passage to land?" +inquired the boy below. + +"Not a bit of it," uttered Ab. "Too much truck aboard now." + +"Then here comes--not much of anything," laughed the boy, in a clear, +cool voice, as he seized the rope ladder, and sprang up onto it. As he +left the dory that little craft drifted astern, soon to be lost to sight +in the great fog. + +In another moment the boy was aboard. No stranger was he to the sea. +That much could be told by the neat, seaman-like way in which he came up +the rope boarding-ladder. + +"I've come on board, sir," laughed the stranger, touching the make-shift +for a cap which he wore. + +"So I see," nodded Tom Halstead, coming aft from the bow. "What's your +name?" + +"Ted Dyer." + +"Hailing port?" + +"'Frisco." + +"Sailor, by trade?" + +"No," laughed Ted, his eyes twinkling; "a sailor by marriage." + +"What's that?" demanded Halstead, almost sharply. He almost suspected +that the other boy was making game of him. If Dyer came from the +"Victor," such levity was misplaced. + +"My mother's sister married a captain of a freight schooner," Ted +explained, more soberly. + +"Oh. So you, so to speak, ran away to sea with your uncle?" + +"No; he ran away from me _at_ sea," answered young Dyer, more soberly. + +"How long has your uncle been captain of the 'Victor'?" Halstead +demanded, swiftly, hoping to catch this other boy off his guard. + +"The 'Victor'?" repeated Ted, opening his eyes wide. If he was +shamming, then it was a fine bit of acting. + +"Didn't you come from the steam yacht 'Victor'?" demanded Captain Tom, +looking hard at the boy. + +"Never heard of the craft before," declared Ted. Then: "Hold on, though. +I'm lying without meaning to, it would seem. Yes; I know the 'Victor.' +She's a hundred and twenty-two foot steam yacht, fine and fast." + +"That's the 'Victor' just over to port," went on Tom, still eyeing the +other youth, closely. + +"Is it?" asked Ted Dyer. "Then your eyesight is sharper than mine." + +"Don't try to get funny," warned Halstead. + +"I don't want to," protested Ted. "You all strike me as first-rate +fellows. And, anyway, you've fished me up out of the vasty deep, so to +speak. Where's your captain?" + +"You're looking at him," replied Halstead. + +"Again," laughed Ted, "you're crediting me with finer eyesight than I +possess." + +"I am the captain," Tom replied, struggling against an inclination to +like this boy. Ted was so brimming over with good humor, that it seemed +almost wicked to suspect him of anything worse than being hungry. + +"You're the captain?" demanded Ted, taken aback, and staring hard. Then, +as he took in the details of Halstead's uniform, and noted the looks on +the faces of the others about him, he became convinced. + +"Captain----" began Ted. + +"Halstead," supplied Tom. + +"Captain Halstead, as I'll have to dead-beat my passage back to San +Francisco, I shall be mighty glad if you'll assign me to some work to +do." + +"On your word of honor you didn't come off the 'Victor'?" insisted the +young skipper, still looking hard at the new arrival on board. + +"On my honor I didn't. Why? Is it a crime to come on board from the +'Victor'?" + +"Very nearly," Halstead replied, dryly. "We've got one fellow in the +brig on board, charged with that very offense." + +"Whew!" muttered Ted, looking grave. "Then what's the sentence for +coming on board from a dory?" + +"How did you come to be in that dory?" pressed the young skipper of the +"Panther." + +"You might call it mainly my uncle's offense," replied Ted Dyer, more +gravely. "You see, my parents are dead. They left me a little money, and +put me under the guardianship of my uncle. He put the money into the +freight schooner, 'Nancy.' However, even at that, some of the earnings +of the schooner had to be put aside as belonging to my estate. So my +uncle, being a bright man, conceived the idea, night before last, of +putting me adrift in the dory you fished me out of. At the time he had +only a drunken sailor named Griggs on deck with him. Griggs is a fellow +my uncle, Captain Dalton, by name, can depend on. Uncle got me to go +into the dory that was towing astern. Made believe he wanted me to see +if anything had fouled the rudder. Then he cut the line and left me +adrift. I guess he figured that there was a storm coming; that I'd never +be heard from again, and that he'd get the schooner all for himself." + +"The infernal scoundrel!" breathed Halstead, indignantly. Then, +remembering his first suspicions, he shot in, closely: + +"So your uncle isn't captain of the 'Victor'?" + +"What's the joke?" demanded Ted, gazing at those about him, a look of +wonder in his innocent blue eyes. + +Tom Halstead was beginning to soften. Despite the grave need of caution +and suspicion, Ted's honest good nature was infectious. Besides, as both +the yachts were going at eight miles an hour, and the "Victor" was +traveling only abeam, anyway, how could a boy in a dory put off from the +steam yacht be so far ahead of the position of either boat as to come +down upon the "Panther" in the fashion Ted had done? Altogether, Captain +Tom felt that he might do well to drop some of his suspicions. That same +idea was occurring to some of the others who listened. It was Joe +Dawson, however, who first gave voice to this new idea. + +"I reckon Ted is all right, Captain," spoke up the young chief engineer. +"At any rate, I feel willing to go bail for his good behavior on this +craft." + +"I guess this youngster is all right, Captain," spoke Joseph Baldwin, +next stepping forward. "I'll take a chance with him, if you're willing." + +Ted Dyer, meanwhile, was looking from one face to another, as though he +wondered what kind of a crowd he had encountered. + +"You may think us a bit strange, Dyer," spoke Tom, with a quiet smile. +"The truth is, we have the best of reasons for being suspicious of the +other yacht you've heard us talking about. You can stay aboard, and +we'll try to make you comfortable." + +"I haven't anything else to do, sir," said Joe, turning once more to the +young captain. "I'll take Dyer in hand if you say so." + +"Go ahead," assented Halstead. "First of all, take him below, Mr. +Dawson, and introduce him to the cook. I imagine that will be +agreeable." + +"You're good at guessing, Captain," laughed the San Francisco boy, +saluting. + +"Come along then, Ted Dyer," proposed Joe, taking him by the arm with a +friendly grip. "You can come below to my cabin and chat while you eat." + +"I guess I can do a lot of both," admitted the San Francisco boy, going +along with Joe after making a bow that was intended to include everyone. + +Joe, however, did not at first press the other boy to talk much, but was +delighted at seeing Dyer able to stow away so much satisfying food. + +"Now," demanded the newcomer, pushing his chair back from the table, +"what am I going to do aboard this craft to earn my way?" + +"What do you know best how to do?" asked Dawson. + +"You said you are the chief engineer?" + +"Yes." + +"If there's anything I'm crazy about," confessed Ted Dyer, "it's +machinery. Why couldn't I go to work in your engine room?" + +"That's a rather unfortunate question," returned Joe, feeling a bit +uncomfortable. "You see, the fellow who really _did_ come aboard from +the 'Victor' got into the engine room and tried to put our machinery +into a useless condition. So you can understand why Captain Halstead +would stare if I told him I had put you in the engine room." + +"What's all this business about the 'Victor,' anyway?" demanded Ted +Dyer, curiously. + +So Joe told him enough to enable the other boy to understand, including +the fact that a United States assistant district attorney and two deputy +marshals were aboard intent upon arresting a bank absconder believed to +be on board the "Victor." + +"And that boat is trying to lose you in the fog, so that Mr. Absconder +can get away?" asked Ted Dyer, understandingly. + +"That's the case, Dyer." + +"Then I can understand why it wouldn't look well for me to ask for a job +in the engine room," pondered Ted, thoughtfully. "I suppose, though, I +could go in and help the cook. I couldn't do any harm there. Yes, I +could, though; I might poison the dishes or the food." + +Joe Dawson gave a hearty laugh, so completely was he disarmed of +suspicion of the other boy. + +"I guess perhaps we'd better leave it all to Captain Halstead," proposed +Joe Dawson. "He's a fine, splendid fellow, as you'll find." + +"Fine and suspicious," retorted Ted, with a grimace. + +"He has to be, on a strange cruise like this. But you'll find Captain +Tom Halstead as good as fine gold, Ted. Halstead is my chum." + +"If he's your chum," vouchsafed Dyer, heartily, "then I'll take my oath +he's all right." + +"Come up on deck," nodded Joe, moving toward the companion way. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE FIND IN THE FOREHOLD + + +Ted Dyer's place was quickly determined upon. + +Bickson, the chief quartermaster, who attended to the general "policing" +of the yacht--that is, the cleaning up and the sanitary care of the +boat, had one seaman assigned to help him. Ted was added as an extra +hand in this line, being placed at once under the orders of the +quartermaster who was acting in Bickson's place while the latter was out +in the launch. + +"It looks, now, as though Dyer is all right, from the ground up, +quartermaster," Captain Tom said, in a low voice. "At the same time, of +course, you'll keep a general eye on the youngster?" + +"I certainly will, Captain." + +"Above all, don't let him get anywhere near the prisoner in the brig. +Don't permit any possibility of communication between Dyer and +Cragthorpe." + +"I understand, Captain." + +Before he had been at work for an hour Ted Dyer was earning golden good +opinions from the acting chief quartermaster. Not the slightest +curiosity did the new member of the crew display about anything that +didn't concern him. As a worker Ted Dyer was number one. + +About three o'clock the evidence of a new game on the part of the enemy +came to notice. The steam launch of the "Victor" ceased sounding her +whistle off at the starboard of the "Panther." Tom Halstead, who was on +deck, ready to note the slightest sign, became instantly suspicious. + +"Mr. Davis," he called, "sound the agreed-on signal from our own +fog-horn for Bickson to come in, post-haste with our power boat." + +From the "Panther's" fog-horn sounded four short blasts. + +Just a few minutes later Tom Halstead, listening at the rail, heard the +"Victor's" machinery moving at faster rate. + +"There they go, stealing away from us," muttered the young skipper. + +"And not sounding their fog-horn any more, either," commented Joseph +Baldwin. + +"It won't take 'em long to get out of our hearing, if our tender doesn't +get in," predicted Halstead. + +"Confound Bickson! Where is he? What's he doing?" demanded the +"Panther's" owner, impatiently. + +Barely thirty seconds later, however, the "Panther's" power tender shot +in alongside. The falls and tackle were lowered swiftly. The instant +when the hoisting began Halstead called sharply: + +"Mr. Davis, start us forward on the jump. Don't let those tricksters +slip us in that fashion." + +Second Officer Davis gave the order for increased speed. Then, before it +could be carried out, he cried, excitedly: + +"What has become of the 'Victor,' sir? Can you hear her machinery, now?" + +Tom Halstead listened intently, growing paler. Barely forty-five seconds +before he had had the enemy within sound. Now, not a single trace of +noise came to him over the waters. + +"By Jove! they've slipped us," he groaned, uneasily. + +"That's what," confessed Dick, in a hushed, scared voice. + +Joseph Baldwin's face was a study in intense anxiety. + +"I'm afraid the steam yacht has gotten away from us, Captain," he +remarked. "If that really has happened, I don't blame you. The chances, +in a game of this sort, and under these conditions, are all with the +fugitive." + +"Perhaps it isn't a matter of blame," muttered Skipper Tom, his face +chalk-white, his hands nervously gripping at the port deck rail. "But +I'm chagrined--ashamed, just the same. What have those rascals done? +Have they stopped speed altogether? Are they drifting, so that, if we go +ahead, we are drawing further away from them all the time? Or did they +shoot well ahead of us, then succeed in running with almost no noise, +and on a new course, so that they are slipping further away from us +every minute? Shall we stop and drift? Or, if we go ahead, what speed +and which course shall we take? Confound the wretches!" + +"It is a big problem," admitted Joseph Baldwin, his own face as white as +that of the young skipper. + +"Have you any orders, sir?" asked Halstead, quickly. + +"No," replied Joseph Baldwin, slowly. "All I can do is to guess. That's +all you can do, either, Captain Halstead; but your guess is just as +likely to be the right one as is my own." + +The "Panther" was now traveling at a speed of twelve miles, sounding her +fog-horn twice in the minute. + +"The worst of it is that our horn betrays us to the enemy," muttered +Tom. "They have no respect for the laws of the sea, so that we give them +guide, while they give us nothing in return." + +"We won't quite give up hope," uttered Mr. Baldwin, dispiritedly. "At +the same time, I fancy we're now as good as whipped. I don't see any +chance for us." + +"The only chance that's left," replied Skipper Tom, "is the chance of +luck. Until you give other orders, sir, I shall keep to the same course, +and at the same speed." + +Baldwin nodded, turning away. Somehow, the depressing news had passed +around. The cabin passengers came pouring out on deck, asking well-nigh +innumerable questions of the young captain and of the sadly perplexed +owner. + +"All I can say," replied Mr. Baldwin to his questioners, "is that we +must depend upon the slender chance of--luck." + +"And all I can say," added Captain Tom Halstead, "is--wait!" + +Gaston Giddings, who, in the morning, had been so insistent on having +Cragthorpe set at liberty, now underwent a complete change of feeling in +the matter. + +"That wretch in the brig could tell us something about this latest +trick," declared the young bank president, quivering with wrath. "Mr. +Baldwin, why don't you have the fellow brought on deck and made to +confess whatever he may know about the plans of the Rollings crowd on +the 'Victor'?" + +"Even if Cragthorpe should know all about the enemy's plans," demanded +the owner, "how could I make him confess if he didn't want to?" + +"Torture him, if you have to, until he talks freely," snarled Gaston +Giddings. + +"That wouldn't do," negatived Baldwin. "This is the twentieth century, +and we live under laws. We can't put men to the torture nowadays." + +"Then let me go down and see Cragthorpe," cried Giddings, nervously. +"I'll find a way to make him talk! Give me the key to the brig." + +To this proposition Captain Halstead returned a most emphatic refusal. + +"Whoop!" sounded a jubilant voice from below. "Whoo-oo-oopee!" + +"Who on earth is that?" demanded Mr. Ross. + +"Ted Dyer, the last castaway we picked up out of the ocean," responded +Captain Halstead. + +"What on earth can he find to be so joyous----" + +"Whoo-oop!" interrupted Ted himself, appearing on deck at that instant. +His eyes were snapping with excitement, his face fairly glowing with +delight. + +"Say, do you know what's down in the forehold, sir?" he demanded, facing +Captain Tom Halstead. + +"No; and how do you?" broke in Joseph Baldwin, interrupting. + +"Quartermaster Bickson set me to tidying up there," explained Ted. Then, +turning to the young skipper, the San Francisco boy rattled on: + +"There's a case there, under a lot of other stuff, marked 'shotguns,' +and another case marked 'rifles.' Then there are other boxes labeled +'ammunition.'" + +"Great Scott! I had forgotten that stuff--didn't know it was on board, +in fact," exclaimed the owner. + +"I heard you tell," Ted hastened on, speaking to Tom Halstead, "how you +were handicapped, when right alongside the 'Victor,' by not having any +firearms except the two revolvers of the deputy marshals. But, now! +You've got an arsenal if those boxes are labeled straight." + +"I believe the boxes are labeled all right," replied Joseph Baldwin, +smiling sadly. "Yet, now that we know we have weapons enough at hand we +haven't any steam yacht to board!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +ON A BLIND TRAIL OF THE SEA + + +"Those guns were put aboard six months ago, when I was planning to run +the 'Panther' down to Guatemala on a jaguar-hunting trip," explained Mr. +Baldwin. "Afterwards, when the trip was abandoned, the guns were taken +ashore. I'll admit I didn't know the arms were now on board." + +"We may catch up with those rascals again, sir," suggested Ted Dyer, +hopefully. + +"I wish I had your enthusiasm, and your belief in the future, young +man," remarked Mr. Baldwin, with a shake of his head. + +"Anyway, since the weapons have been found," interjected Halstead, "they +may as well be taken out of their cases and cleaned, and the ammunition +sorted over. We should have such things where we can get at them in a +moment, at need." + +"Right enough," nodded the owner. + +"I'll go down and have a look at the things," proposed the young +skipper. "Lead the way, Dyer." + +Ted went below, jubilantly enough, pointing out the cases, which he had +dragged out from under other supplies. Then Dyer went to the engine room +for hammer, cold chisel and screwdriver, after which the cases were +opened. + +"Ten splendid repeating rifles, the same number of dandy shot-guns, and +ammunition enough to keep these guns firing for a week," muttered +Halstead when half an hour's work had resulted in displaying all the +contents of the cases. "Oh, if we had only had these the other night, or +at any time when we were out of the great fog and in sight of the +'Victor'!" + +Regrets were, however, utterly useless. + +All of the weapons were taken on deck. Some were stacked in the wheel +house, others in Tom's cabin and some in the owner's suite. Boxes of +cartridges and shells were also placed with the guns. + +"I shall hate these things every time I see them," muttered Joseph +Baldwin. "I should have remembered, and have had a search made. But it's +no use fussing now." + +"Oh, if we only could meet up with those fellows, now!" sighed Tom. + +"Humph! If hens would only lay eggs of solid gold," snorted Mr. +Baldwin, "there'd be no sense in a bank cashier running away with the +stuffing of the bank's vault! Captain Halstead, we won't pick that steam +yacht up again in this fog." + +"Then, sir, we may do it when the fog lifts," predicted Halstead, +hopefully. + +Baldwin shook his head. + +"All we can do, young man, is to keep on in a general course toward San +Francisco, as we're doing. This fog will probably hang to us all the way +to our anchorage off Market Street. If the fog should lift before that, +there isn't one chance in a thousand that we'll find the 'Victor' in +sight." + +"I'm on this cruise, sir," rejoined the young captain, "with the notion +that the cruise can't end until we've run alongside the 'Victor' +somewhere. It may be that we'll sight some other vessel that has seen +the steam yacht. In that way we may get the news that will send us +hustling down the coast to Mexico, or across the ocean to Japan." + +Joseph Baldwin grinned wistfully. + +"Well, one thing, Captain; we have enough gasoline to go 'most anywhere. +My friends thought I was almost crazy to have such big tanks put aboard +to hold gasoline. But I replied that, when we didn't need the extra +oil, it would serve as ballast. If we have to burn that oil we can fill +the tanks with salt water and still keep ballasted." + +"In any clear weather we can use the sails a good deal, and save oil at +that, sir," suggested the young skipper. + +However, they continued on through the fog the rest of that afternoon, +and through the night, without discovering a sign of any other craft. +The loneliness of that great ocean about them began to get somewhat on +the nerves of some of the passengers. Gaston Giddings, suffering +infernal tortures for want of the drug to which he had become such a +pitiful slave, kept to the cabin. + +Through the long night the "Panther" kept plodding on her way, rolling a +good deal in the sea. Tom spent much of his time on the bridge with the +watch officer. So morning came around again, and it was Third Mate +Costigan's deck watch. + +Tom, who had been below in his cabin for the last three hours, came on +deck again at about nine in the morning. Somehow, he could not sleep. +The sense of failure preyed upon his nerves. + +For some minutes Captain Tom stood at the bridge rail, one hand at his +ear. He was trying to catch even the faintest sound of another foghorn +than the "Panther's." + +At last he started. + +"Did you hear that, Mr. Costigan?" he demanded. + +"I heard nothing, sir." + +"Then keep perfectly quiet, and listen hard." + +Within two minutes both officers were sure they heard a fog-horn. + +"But it's the fog-horn of a sailing vessel," muttered Tom, +disappointedly. + +"Coming this way, too, sir," replied Mr. Costigan. + +"The people on the 'Victor' wouldn't hesitate to use a sailing vessel's +signals in order to fool us," muttered Halstead. + +"Shall I pass well to starboard of the sailing craft, sir?" asked the +third officer. + +"No; get in her path. When we're near enough, signal that we want to +speak the other vessel," Halstead answered. + +Within seven or eight minutes the "Panther" was signaling the other +craft by sound for the desired marine interview. The "all right" signal +came back. Then the two vessels were cautiously manoeuvred to meet each +other without collision. + +At last a big bowsprit loomed up out of the white gloom, close at hand. + +"Put your helm hard-a-starboard!" roared Mr. Costigan through the wheel +house speaking-tube. Then, after some further manoeuvring, during which +the "Panther's" propellers reversed, the two craft lay hazily in sight +of each other. + +The stranger proved to be a long, low, white schooner yacht hailing from +San Diego as the home port, but now bound for Hawaii. + +"Do you know the steam yacht 'Victor' when you see her?" Tom shouted +over the "Panther's" rail. + +"Yes," came back the testy answer. "And sometimes we see too much of +her. We did this morning." + +"You did?" Halstead demanded, excitedly. "Where?" + +"Back on our course. She came along through the fog like a thief, +without signaling. If my first mate hadn't been in the bow at the +moment, and able to pass the order back like lightning, that infernal +steam yacht would have sunk us." + +"How far away do you think the 'Victor' is now?" Tom demanded. + +"At a good guess, say twelve miles ahead of you, on a pretty straight +course for the Golden Gate." + +"Thank you, Captain!" + +"You're welcome." + +As the schooner yacht's sails filled, and she bore away on her course, +a dozen people on the "Panther's" deck let up a wild cheer. + +"Fog or no fog, we'll catch up with the 'Victor' if we have luck," +declared Captain Tom Halstead. Then his face took on a troubled look. + +"I forgot," he muttered. "The captain of the 'Victor' will hear our fog +horn, and--oh, confound a fog-horn on a chase like this!" + +"Perhaps this is where a lawyer can help you out," smiled Mr. Jephson. +"You're now a dozen miles behind the 'Victor.' Well, Captain, if you +tone down your fog-horn so that it can't be heard for more than half or +three quarters of a mile, it will still make noise enough to warn any +innocent craft out of your path. Can't you tone down the horn?" + +"Yes," answered Tom, rather dubiously, "if it will be strictly +straightforward and legal." + +"As a representative of the United States courts, I'll take all the +responsibility," Mr. Jephson pledged himself. "I know," he added, "that +I haven't, really, a legal right to authorize you to go forward without +signals. That right belongs to the Navy, and to revenue cutter +commanders. But I'll take the responsibility upon myself, Captain +Halstead. All innocent vessels proceed under regular signals, anyway, +and that does away with the risk of collision." + +The young motor boat captain needed no further urging. He called Joe on +deck. Together the two chums worked over the fog-horn until the hail it +sent forth would not carry more than a half mile. + +In the meantime, Third Officer Costigan, on the bridge, had been making +use of his arithmetic. Figuring that the "Victor" was twelve miles ahead +of the "Panther" and still following the same course at the same speed, +the third mate had to calculate the time that would elapse before the +motor yacht would be just two miles astern of its quarry. + +At the same time Ab Perkins was briefly busy, at least. It fell to his +share to see that the power tender was all in trim for lowering over the +side. Provisions and water, a compass and a fog-horn had to be added to +the usual equipment of the boat. Firearms were stocked aboard, as well, +and a greater supply of lines than the tender usually carried. + +Meanwhile, of course, the "Panther" was traveling at increased speed, +this speed being carefully regulated to fit in with the problems that +Third Officer Costigan was so carefully solving. + +For the next two hours Captain Tom Halstead strolled nervously about, +Mr. Jephson, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Ross and a few others were observed to be +similarly afflicted with restlessness. + +Just before noon Tom Halstead climbed the stairs to the bridge, +consulting Mr. Costigan's figures carefully. + +"Slow down the speed," Halstead ordered, after a few moments of +listening that brought to them no sound showing another vessel to be +near. "Mr. Perkins, stand by and lower the tender." + +As the "Panther" slowed up there was a rush to the port rail, for the +tender was to carry a goodly crew. When the little power boat lay in the +water alongside, Captain Tom Halstead was the first to go over the side. +He was followed by Jed Prentiss, who was to act as engineer officer of +this expedition. Then came Mr. Jephson and his two deputy marshals. Next +followed Joe Dawson, who did _not_ go in the capacity of engineer. +Messrs. Baldwin and Ross next followed, then two of the "Panther's" +seamen, and, last of all, Ted Dyer. Quartermaster Bickson had been in +the power boat when it was lowered, thus making twelve altogether in the +party. + +"Cast off," called Tom, sharply, while Joe, already at the steering +seat, threw the wheel over to port. "Mr. Perkins, you're in command of +the yacht." + +"Any signals to arrange with us, Captain?" called the young first mate. + +"No! I don't believe you'll see us again in a hurry," Tom replied, as +the power launch darted away, "unless we come back on board the +'Victor!'" + +From the yacht's rail came a subdued cheer. Halstead waved his hand to +his first mate. + +A few bucketfuls of water slopped over into the tender. The sea was +running high for such a small craft. Those in the launch, however, +thought of nothing but the goal ahead. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +A STERN LOOMS UP IN THE FOG + + +Joe Dawson, at the wheel of the power tender, bent grimly over the +compass. + +There was little need for him to look about him, anyway, since it was +not possible to see anything distinctly at a greater distance than three +boat-lengths away. + +Almost immediately the "Panther" dropped back out of view. The big motor +yacht was now to go along only at her slow cruising speed, but the +launch was to make greater haste. + +Tom Halstead had taken his post well up in the bow of the rolling little +craft. He was listening intently for any betraying sounds ahead in +their course. + +"This is hardly a big enough boat for a sea like this," grumbled Mr. +Jephson, who had taken up his post close to the young captain. + +"The sea _is_ a good deal on the roll to-day," Halstead assented, +briefly. + +"Why, this little craft acts as though she'd turn over and dump us all +in the ocean," muttered the assistant district attorney, uneasily. + +"The crowd we have aboard makes her sit lower than usual in the water," +Tom explained. + +"Is there any _real_ danger of our tipping over, Captain?" insisted Mr. +Jephson. + +"Why, it might happen, of course, sir." + +"Do you think it is _going_ to happen?" demanded Mr. Jephson, anxiously. + +There are many men, brave enough elsewhere, who are cowards on a heavy +sea with only a small boat between themselves and the water. Back on the +"Panther" the district attorney's representative had felt no sense of +danger. + +"Why, I don't know whether the boat is going to heel over, or not," Tom +replied. "You are right in supposing that it isn't quite a large enough +craft for the job in hand, but it was the only thing we had." + +"I can't swim, but I'll try to keep my nerve," grimaced Mr. Jephson. + +Whatever the others thought of their chances of being pitched into the +ocean, none of them said anything. + +Halstead looked back, presently, to inquire: + +"Mr. Prentiss, can't you deaden the noise of our exhaust still more?" + +"I'm trying to," replied the young assistant engineer. "Think I'm going +to succeed, too." + +After a few moments the tender ran along all but noiselessly. Though the +exhaust still gave forth some little sound, it was wholly likely that +this reduced noise would not be heard above the machinery running on the +"Victor" if the expedition in the tender should be so fortunate as to +catch up with the steam yacht. + +The twelve men sat huddled there in the cramped space, trying to blind +their minds to the danger of capsizing in the rolling sea. For more than +half an hour the tender ran ahead at nearly its best speed, ere Tom +Halstead called back: + +"Joe, take my signals. I think we're getting in closer--to something!" + +Eagerly all bent forward to listen. After a minute or two more it seemed +to them that they really could hear, faintly, the rather distant sound +of the moving machinery of some steam craft. Yet this noise, none too +distinct, was muffled still more by the ceaseless wash of the rolling +sea, whose waves broke in white crests everywhere about them. + +Halstead, whose ears were perhaps the keenest on board, listened and +occasionally signaled for the launch to be veered a little either to +port or starboard. + +Surely, they were creeping up on something that ran by machinery, though +through the curtain of white no eye could make out the form of a vessel. + +Somewhere, away to starboard, a great, deep note boomed out. + +"That's some big vessel, like a liner," Tom whispered to Jephson. Then, +from away off to port sounded the tolling bell of a sailing vessel. Both +appeared to be headed toward the "Panther" launch. + +"They seem to be about half a mile apart," Halstead whispered. "The +'Victor,' I think, will pass between the two craft. While that deep +whistle and solemn bell are going the people on the steam yacht are not +so likely to hear us. Pass the word to Mr. Prentiss to increase speed a +little, if he can do so without making more noise at the exhaust." + +A little faster spurted the power tender, and a little worse became the +tossing in that rolling sea. All the members of the party were in +drenched clothing by this time. The water came aboard faster under this +burst of speed; the two seamen began to bail it out. + +"If I ever get out of this boat alive, large yachts will be small enough +for me in the future," Mr. Jephson told himself, nervously. + +Tom Halstead was paying no heed to the incoming water. That was Joe's +affair, since Joe Dawson was handling the craft. + +"Pass the word to Jed to watch for signals from me," whispered Tom +Halstead, tensely, a few minutes later. + +"Then you think----" began the district attorney's assistant eagerly. + +"Pass the word for me, please," Tom broke in. + +In the gray fog ahead some craft was moving by steam power. Those in the +launch could now hear the regular thump-thump, soft though it was, of +machinery ahead. + +Yet, to most of the silent watchers it came as something of a shock +when, out of the mist ahead, there suddenly loomed, indistinctly, the +stern of a hull. + +Away to starboard sounded the deep whistle of the big steamship, while +over to port the bell of that sailing vessel tolled. The noise enabled +Halstead to creep in more closely with less dread of being discovered +too soon. + +A moment's breathlessness, then "Victor--San Francisco" stood out boldly +before the eyes of the people in the launch as that boat shot in by the +yacht's stern. + +They were taking grave chances, now, of being swamped at the very door +of success. None knew this better than Tom Halstead and Joe Dawson as +they jointly manoeuvred to run the tender up stealthily, while Jed +Prentiss, trembling inwardly, kept his hand on the lever, ready to obey +the slightest signal for speed. + +Then, swiftly, Tom Halstead, a rifle strapped over his back, rose in the +bow. In one hand he held a line to the other end of which was attached a +grappling hook. + +With a practiced eye and hand he measured the distance, poising the coil +for a throw. Just as the tender stole in closer he made the throw. + +All hands watched breathlessly for a second or two. Then, as straight +and true as a well-aimed bullet, the grappling hook fell and caught at +the "Victor's" stern rail. + +Not an instant did the young motor boat skipper lose. There was no time +to inquire whether someone else wanted to go first. Tom Halstead seized +the tautening line with both hands, and began to climb as only a sailor +_can_ go up a rope. + +His head quickly appeared above the steam yacht's stern rail. Tom +Halstead slipped onto the deck just in time to see two men walking +slowly aft. One of them was in uniform--perhaps he was the captain of +the steam yacht. But the other, in civilian dress, the young motor yacht +captain knew instantly from the description of him which he had heard. + +"Frank Rollings, the absconding cashier!" flashed through Tom's mind. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +ROLLINGS'S LAST RUSE + + +Both approaching men were regarding the deck, talking in earnest tones +as they came astern. + +"If we should pass out of this fog," Rollings was saying, "and if the +'Panther' should prove to be close to us----" + +Just at this point the speaker stopped. He panted, then staggered back, +clutching at his uniformed companion. + +In almost the same instant both caught sight of lone Tom Halstead. + +Though not quite alone, either, for Tom had succeeded in unlimbering his +rifle, and both strangers now found themselves staring down into the +muzzle. + +"Don't stir, please!" mocked Tom Halstead, coolly. + +"How in the world _did_ he get on board?" faltered Rollings, hoarsely, +his face ashen with terror. + +The uniformed man with him saw the grappling hook resting over the stern +rail, and did not need to ask. + +At this instant Tom Halstead felt himself being pushed from behind, and +took a step forward. Then Ted Dyer bounded onto deck beside him, +bringing another rifle into play. + +"They're boarding us!" gasped Rollings, in the voice of a man who felt +himself dying from fright. + +The uniformed man with him did not move; neither did he show any signs +of fear, though he was facing the business ends of two rifles. + +Joe Dawson was on deck, now. Joe turned long enough to toss down a light +line. It came up again, carrying the hooks of a boarding-ladder. Joe +dropped this into place, then, with a quiet grin, turned to inspect the +scene on deck. + +Suddenly the man in uniform turned and ran, defying possible shots. + +"Turn out the whole crew!" he bawled. "A posse is coming on board. Stand +by to fight!" + +"Shall I drop the fellow?" quivered Ted. + +"No," came Halstead's quick answer. Then, as Frank Rollings summoned the +strength to wheel about as if to bolt, Halstead shouted, warningly: + +"Rollings, if you try to move, you won't get three steps away!" + +At this instant one of the United States deputy marshals came up over +the rail. + +"Officer," called Tom, "there's the man you've cruised so far to +arrest." + +Though he had a rifle strapped over his back, the marshal drew his +revolver as he ran forward. + +"Frank Rollings, you're a United States prisoner. Put up your hands!" + +With a moan that was half a scream, Rollings, instead, sank to the deck +in a huddled heap. + +[Illustration: Rollings Sank to the Deck in a Huddled Heap.] + +"A man with no more nerve than you have should not try to loot a bank," +growled the officer, as he snapped handcuffs onto the wrists of the +seemingly palsied wretch. + +The other deputy was on board, by now, and other members of the boarding +party were coming up fast. Mr. Jephson was among the foremost of them. + +"Come forward to the bridge," he called, now taking charge. "We'll take +command of this whole craft. Deputy, make it your whole business to +prevent your prisoner from getting away. Hold on to him, but come +forward with us." + +The same uniformed, bearded man appeared suddenly around the pilot house +as the party swept forward along the port side of the yacht. Rollings, +his knees doubling under him, had to be dragged. + +The uniformed man suddenly raised a rifle, shouting: + +"Stand by, men! We'll put a stop to this nonsense!" + +"Drop that gun, or we'll open fire on you!" shouted Mr. Jephson, +sternly. + +The boarding party moved swiftly forward. Behind the captain stood a +mate and four or five seamen, all looking irresolute. Of a sudden the +mate wheeled, throwing a rifle over the rail at starboard. The seamen +with him instantly followed his example. + +Even the bearded captain had lowered the muzzle of his rifle. It is +easier to be brave on the side of the law than against it. + +"Put that captain in irons," Mr. Jephson ordered the marshal who had no +prisoner to cumber him. + +Sullenly, the captain of the "Victor" submitted to being handcuffed. + +"All of the rest of the officers and crew muster up in the bow," called +Mr. Jephson. "Captain Halstead, I call upon you to take command of this +yacht for the present. The quartermaster of this craft may remain in the +wheel house if he'll take orders straight." + +"Aye, aye, sir," the quartermaster called, briefly, through one of the +lowered windows of the pilot house. + +Tom Halstead, still carrying his rifle and holding it ready, ran up to +the bridge. + +Stepping over to the signaling apparatus, Halstead rang for speed enough +to furnish bare headway. + +"Quartermaster," the new commander of the "Victor" called down through +the wheel house speaking-tube, "you'll keep to the same course you've +been following, and sound the fog whistle every thirty seconds." + +"Captain," called Mr. Baldwin, a few moments later, "can you put one of +your party up there on the bridge? We have yet other duties to perform +here." + +"Take the bridge, Mr. Prentiss," called Tom, for he understood instantly +what other work was likely to be on hand, and he knew that Joe Dawson +would want a hand in it. + +Aft of the captain's quarters there was a main deck house. Into this +cabin Rollings and the captain of the steam yacht were taken. Mr. +Jephson was now talking to the two prisoners as solemnly as though +holding actual court. + +"Do you think the 'Panther' will overtake us here, out on the high seas, +Captain?" questioned Mr. Baldwin, just as they entered this cabin. +"That is, will he recognize the 'Victor's' fog-whistle?" + +"He'll make a good guess at it, I think," laughed Halstead. "I've just +directed Mr. Prentiss, in ten minutes more, to begin sounding whole +bunches of blasts in quick succession. Ab will be clever enough to guess +that it is our crowd celebrating a capture." + +"Now, then, Rollings," declared Mr. Jephson, sternly, "it is time for +you to tell us where the money stolen from the Sheepmen's Bank is hidden +aboard this craft?" + +"You won't find five hundred dollars on board," replied the cashier, +with a ghastly smile. + +"My man, it may save you some years on the sentence that is coming to +you if you tell us promptly where to find the stolen money," warned the +United States assistant district attorney, sternly. + +"I've said all I'm going to say," returned Rollings, sullenly. + +"Captain Blake," asked Jephson, turning toward the bearded one, "you +also have much to answer for in the courts. Do you desire to win any +leniency by telling us, now, what you can?" + +"All I've anything to do with here," retorted Captain Blake, "is the +running of this yacht. That work you've taken from me. So I've nothing +to do, and nothing to say." + +Mr. Jephson, however, continued to question first one prisoner, then the +other, though in vain, until Mr. Baldwin broke in: + +"Jephson, you can't make these fellows talk. They're afraid they'd only +run their necks further into the noose of the law. Besides, this rascal, +Rollings, hopes that, if you can't find the money, he'll win complete +pardon in the matter by restoring most of it later on. It'll save a good +deal of time, I imagine, if you place both these fellows under close +guard by one of your deputies, then lead us in a search through this +craft." + +By this time Jed Prentiss, following orders, had begun to turn loose on +the fog-horn, sounding it so rapidly that Ab Perkins, somewhere behind +in the mist with the "Panther," must be able to guess what had happened. + +One of the deputies now guarded Rollings and Captain Blake, while the +other had gone below to the engine room. There the engineer's crew had +agreed to serve faithfully under the new command, but the deputy was +there to see to it that they didn't change their minds. Quartermaster +Bickson and one of his seamen had driven the crew of the "Victor" to the +forecastle, and mounted guard over them. + +The searchers, comprising Mr. Jephson, Mr. Baldwin and the latter's +captain, Halstead, were joined by Mr. Ross, Joe Dawson and Ted Dyer. + +"There are enough of us here," laughed Mr. Baldwin, "to turn this craft +inside out in another half hour." + +First of all, Frank Rollings's own quarters were searched, as a matter +of course. It had been learned, since coming aboard, that the absconding +cashier was now the owner of the "Victor," having bought her secretly +three days before his flight. + +There was no safe in the owner's cabin. The desk stood wide-open, with +hardly a scrap of paper in it. The mattress was yanked from the bed, +ripped and thoroughly searched, but not a trace of the stolen money was +found. The pillows were served in the same fashion, with no better +results. Other nooks and corners of the cabin were explored, without +success. Nor were any better results achieved in the captain's cabin. + +Cabin, dining room and state-rooms below were explored. By this time the +searchers had broken up into smaller parties. The more they searched the +more dispirited did the hunters become. + +"We're not going to find the missing money with ease," announced Mr. +Jephson, when he had rounded up all his searching force on deck. + +"We've looked in about every possible place except the forecastle, the +water butts and the coal bunkers," declared Jason Ross, disgustedly. + +"The money isn't likely to be in any of those places," declared Mr. +Jephson, shaking his head. "Hullo, what's that racket?" + +Off in the fog a horn was sounding frantically. + +Tom Halstead laughed. + +"You ought to know that tune, Mr. Jephson. You've heard it days enough. +That's the 'Panther' coming up with us, with Ab Perkins in command. He +understood our signal, as I thought he would. He'll be hailing us within +two minutes." + +"But that won't be finding the money," broke in Joseph Baldwin, +impatiently. + +"Nor do I believe we're going to find it--not immediately, anyway," +answered Mr. Jephson. "This boat doesn't seem to be full of hiding +places, and I believe we have done all the searching we can do out here +at sea. We shall have to run the 'Victor' in at anchorage at San +Francisco, then put aboard a force of officers under experienced +detectives, and leave the search to them." + +"Confound it," growled Jason Ross, "I know, as well as I know I'm +standing here, that there are three million dollars in actual cash +somewhere within a hundred feet of us. It makes me almost frantic to +think that we can't put our hands right on it." + +"Ahoy, there!" roared a voice off in the fog. + +Though the other craft was invisible, and though the voice came through +a megaphone, the hearers knew it was Ab Perkins's voice. Jed snatched up +a megaphone to shout back: + +"Ahoy, 'Panther'!" + +"Ahoy! Then you've found the 'Victor'?" + +"Aye, and captured her." + +"Did you find Rollings!" + +"He's a prisoner, under close guard." + +"And the money?" + +"That's what we all want to know," Jed admitted, sadly. + +"You can't find it?" + +"Not even a dollar bill!" + +There was a pause, during which those on board the steam yacht knew that +their friends on the motor yacht were discussing this chilling news. + +"What are Captain Halstead's orders?" shouted Ab, finally. + +Jed bent over the bridge rail to talk with Captain Tom, then answered: + +"Keep about abreast of us, and a quarter of a mile off. Proceed with +us, straight for the Golden Gate. Keep your fog-horn sounding at +intervals of one minute, or at such other intervals as you may hear us +sounding. Three sharp blasts of the whistle will mean for you to stand +by to find out what we're doing in the fog." + +"Aye, aye," answered Ab Perkins. "Is that all?" + +"That's all, Mr. Perkins." + +The "Victor" now proceeded on her way to the home port at about eight +miles an hour. Though no one on board could see the "Panther," the sound +of the latter's fog-horn was always with them. + +"The prisoner, Rollings, wants to see you, Mr. Jephson," called the +deputy marshal from the deck-house cabin. + +Jephson went back. + +"Well, Rollings, have you come to your senses? Are you going to tell us +where the missing money is?" demanded the assistant district attorney. + +"I know nothing about any missing money," replied the bank cashier, +doggedly. "See here, man, what I want to ask is: Do you intend to +torture me needlessly?" + +"No; what do you want?" + +"Let me go to my own cabin, and let me have these handcuffs off," +pleaded the prisoner. "I need rest; I'm nearly a wreck." + +"I can let you go to your cabin, and even remove the handcuffs," agreed +Mr. Jephson. "But I'll have to place a guard in there with you. + +"All right, then," sighed the prisoner. + +He was taken to his own cabin, the handcuffs removed, and the cashier +threw himself upon his bed, while the deputy marshal took a seat where +he could watch his man. + +Captain Blake begged a similar privilege, which was refused. He was made +to go out on deck where he could be watched by all hands. + +For half an hour Rollings lay on the bed, his eyes closed, as though +asleep. Occasionally he twitched, or made some slight movement. That was +all. The deputy seated opposite began to find the situation a dull one. +At last the prisoner half sat up, to take off his shoes. + +"My feet are burning," he complained, as he dropped the shoes at the +foot of the bed, then sank back on the pillow. + +"You're nervous; that's why your feet trouble you," observed the deputy, +with a knowing smile. + +Then Rollings began to breathe heavily; bye and bye two or three snores +escaped him. The deputy, finding it duller and duller, unintentionally +allowed his eyes to close. Instantly the cashier's own eyes opened a +trifle. At last, smiling cunningly, the cashier moved slightly, securing +one of his shoes. He poised it, aimed and threw. The heel of the shoe +struck the deputy on the head, causing him to drop forward out of the +chair and lie apparently senseless on the floor. + +Suppressing a cry of exultation, Frank Rollings leaped from the bed. +There was now the light of mania in his eyes. This thief, disgraced, +about to be despoiled, and presently to be sent to prison for a long +term, preferred to die. + +This he might have accomplished with the deputy's revolver, but that +would not enable him to carry out all of his purpose. On one wall of the +cabin stood a rack containing a water-bottle and two glasses. + +Over to this rack stole the captured thief. He swung the rack to one +side, then pressed a certain nail in the wood-work there. Instantly a +door in the wall swung open. + +Rollings's eyes eagerly peered into the recess thus laid bare. Then, +with a nearly inarticulate cry of joy, he drew out a small though +heavy-looking iron box. + +"Neither me nor the money shall they have!" uttered the wretch, in +insane joy. + +With a last look at the still unconscious deputy, Frank Rollings threw +his cabin door open. + +As he sprang to the deck three or four watchers saw him. + +"Look out! There's the prisoner trying to escape!" shouted Joseph +Baldwin. + +There was not time for anyone to reach Rollings ere that crafty, +unbalanced wretch, clutching desperately at the iron box, bounded to the +rail, stood there tottering for an instant, and then leaped far out into +the water. + +It was Tom Halstead who first saw the iron box and comprehended the +meaning of the scene. + +"There he goes!" yelled Halstead. "And the box with the three millions +in it will sink like a stone!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +CONCLUSION + + +Never slow to act, Captain Tom darted aft, intent on leaping overboard +also. + +Ted Dyer, however, chanced to be standing close to the stern. Ted saw +Rollings when the latter first leaped to the rail. + +As quickly as it flashed upon Dyer what was happening, the San +Francisco boy scrambled to the rail. Almost at the instant that Rollings +jumped Ted's own feet left the rail. The two struck the water within +thirty feet of each other. + +Nothing but the slow speed of the steam yacht, perhaps, saved both from +being dragged under by the force of suction. In a moment or two the pair +were left astern. + +Feeling the shock of the cold water, Rollings's first instinctive act +was to try to keep himself afloat. Curiously, he would not, at first, +let go of the iron box, which, with its contents, weighed many pounds. + +Now, over the top of a rolling wave Ted Dyer's head appeared. All this +had taken place in a few seconds. + +"You want to catch me--you want the money!" sputtered Rollings, +expelling a spray of water from his mouth. "You shall do neither!" + +Clutching tightly at the box as an aid to his own drowning, Frank +Rollings let himself go beneath the surface. + +Promptly Ted went down after him, swimming straight and lustily. + +Another figure sprang forward and downward, shark-like, through the +water. This was Tom Halstead, who, with his stoutest strokes, had just +reached the scene. + +Between them Tom and Ted succeeded in seizing the box. By a common +impulse, for they could not talk, they forced it from Rollings, rising +to the surface. + +"Blub-bub-bub--whew!" + +Rollings, rising to the surface, made that noise as he fought for +breath. The cashier, an excellent swimmer, saw the two boys, a dozen +feet away, swimming and holding up the box. + +"Neither me nor the money shall you have!" he roared, striking out at a +strong overhand swimming gait. He was almost upon them like a flash. + +But there was another there, too. Joe Dawson had also leaped over from +the rail of the motor yacht. Joe got along just in time to swim between +Rollings and the two boys who were doing their best to keep up and hold +the iron box, too. + +"Back for yours! Go away back and float!" cried Joe, pushing one of his +fighting hands against the cashier's face. + +"I'll take _you_ down, then, or the box!" screamed Rollings. + +"Oh, all right, then. Take me," mocked Joe. "I'm used to it." + +Furiously the pair fought in that rolling sea. Joe devoted every +energy, first of all, to keeping the cashier from winding his arms +around him. + +Presently Rollings gave up that effort, trying to dodge around Joe and +get at the other pair, who, swimming slowly, were at the same time +managing to keep that precious iron box afloat. This latter task, easy +at first, soon became difficult. As the minutes passed the box became +more and more of a burden, until it threatened to drag both swimmers +under. Yet they hung to it manfully. + +Up on the bridge of the "Victor" Jed Prentiss had his own hard task to +perform. + +Almost at the outset the swimmers had vanished in the fog astern. Jed +Prentiss instantly gave orders for the steam yacht to stop and reverse +the screw. At the same time he ordered the "Victor" to go around +hard-a-port. Even this circle had to be one of large diameter. + +"No hails down there on the deck!" rang Jed's voice, sternly. "No +confusion of calls. Let me do all the hailing." + +Megaphone in hand, young Prentiss stood at the port bridge rail. + +"Ahoy!" he roared, through the megaphone. + +Again and again he repeated the call. At last he thought he heard an +answer out of the deeps. + +"Louder!" he roared. "Give us your position." + +Suddenly, some sixty feet off the rail, Jed just made out the heads of +Joe Dawson and Frank Boilings. + +The cashier was floating, now, making no resistance, for Joe had struck +him a blow across the head with his clenched fist. Rollings, stunned, +floated unresistingly, supported by Dawson. + +"We'll have a boat to you in a jiffy!" shouted Jed, while Bickson threw +a life preserver with almost perfect aim. + +Now, the "Victor," whose speed had been slowing down, was stopped. + +Joe and his charge had drifted just out of sight, but a boat was quickly +lowered, under command of Bickson, and reached the pair, after hailing. + +"Where's the captain?" demanded the quartermaster, as Joe and Rollings +were hauled in. + +"Hail 'em. They're close at hand," Joe replied. + +The first hail brought an answer. In a few moments more the iron box was +carefully brought over the side into the small boat. Finally Tom and Ted +nimbly joined the others. + +"Get back to the yacht as quickly as you can. Rollings may come to, and, +fighting in a small boat like this, he could make it unsafe--for the +money," Captain Tom Halstead added, with a wan grin. + +Little time passed before strong hands bore the iron box up over the +side of the "Victor." Then Frank Rollings, just beginning hazily to come +to, was carried up. This time he was handcuffed, to remain so until San +Francisco should be reached. + +It was an anxious conference that gathered in the main cabin as +Assistant District Attorney Jephson proceeded to force the iron box that +had come within a hair's breadth of going to the bottom of the ocean. +The three boys who had gone overboard after it stood by in their +dripping garments. + +As the lid of the sheet-iron box went up, a subdued cheer arose. This +increased in volume to a din as Mr. Jephson swiftly tore the paper +wrappings from one of the packages that he had lifted out. The first +tightly-packed bale of crisp, new thousand-dollar bills was in view. + +"All of the stolen money--the whole three million dollars--appears to be +here," announced Mr. Jephson, presently, as he began placing the bales +back in the iron box, which, now that it was open, proved not to be as +thick or solid as it looked when closed. + +"Then I'm off to where I can get dry and warm," muttered Tom Halstead. +"Come along, fellows." + +It was all over but making the anchorage at San Francisco. There was a +somewhat long, though uneventful cruise, through fog that lasted to the +end. With the "Panther's" crew divided up between two boats, the work +was hard, indeed. It was a welcome hour to all when anchorage was +finally made not far from the foot of Market Street, San Francisco. + +Frank Rollings was afterwards tried, convicted, and sentenced to twenty +years' confinement, which he is now serving. + +Captain Blake was convicted of firing upon the "Panther," of running +without lights or signals, and of attempting to resist United States +officers. He was sent to prison for twelve years. Blake confessed that +the idea in turning back on the course was to elude the "Panther," and +then seek a lonely point on the coast of Mexico for landing. + +Nor did Cragthorpe escape, his sentence being ten years for the part he +had played. Yet, before he was sent away, this wretch gave the evidence +which cleared Robert Gentry of the crime of which the latter stood +accused. Young Gentry was released, exonerated, and Rose Gentry, whom +Tom Halstead had briefly befriended on the Overland Mail at Oakland, +wedded her own heart's choice, the broad-shouldered young man who had +met her at the San Francisco ferry mole. + +Cragthorpe, as it was afterwards learned, had been serving Rollings for +some time, and Cragthorpe it was who, having made the acquaintance of +Gaston Giddings, lured the latter into the opium dens of Chinatown. Had +Cragthorpe succeeded in wedding Rose Gentry--and her fortune--he might +have discarded Rollings. As it was, he participated deeply in Rollings's +crimes, and had absconded from San Francisco with him on board the +"Victor" as a fighting man and trusted agent. + +Gaston Giddings has been broken of the fearful curse of the opium habit, +but he is no longer president of the Sheepmen's Bank. He is naturally +too weak-willed for prominent service in the financial world. + +Ted Dyer, you may be sure, became a member of the Motor Boat Club, going +into its engineer squad. Ted's worthless, heartless uncle was arrested +on his return to San Francisco, and a new guardian, who was appointed +for Ted, secured the young man's full inheritance back out of the +property of the uncle. + +All of our young Motor Boat Club friends remained aboard the "Panther" +for the balance of the winter and well into the spring. They had many +enjoyable cruises, though none as exciting as the one just closed. + +The reward that the directors of the Sheepmen's Bank voted to all hands +for the recovery of the three million dollars, made the bank accounts of +these sturdy, brave young navigators swell considerably. Not, however, +that any of Captain Tom Halstead's comrades needed money, for they have +that which is worth far more--the power that strong hands, brave hearts +and fearless, truthful eyes bring to any human being when rightly +employed. + +It is possible, even very likely, that we may yet again meet up with +these splendid young fellows, who stand for the new type in American +power of the seas in the twentieth century. + +In the meantime, let us hail Tom Halstead, Joe Dawson, and all the other +resourceful, capable and brave lads with their own famous club yell: + +"_M. B. C. K.! M. B. C. K.! Motor Boat Club._ WOW!" + + +[THE END.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate, by +H. Irving Hancock + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 49030 *** diff --git a/49030-h/49030-h.htm b/49030-h/49030-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..05a5d2c --- /dev/null +++ b/49030-h/49030-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6803 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate, by H. Irving Hancock. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + + p.bold {text-align: center; font-weight: bold;} + p.bold2 {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 150%;} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + h1 span, h2 span { display: block; text-align: center; } + #id1 { font-size: smaller } + + + hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; + } + + hr.smler { + width: 10%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 45%; + margin-right: 45%; + clear: both; + } + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; text-align: right;} + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + text-indent: 0px; + } /* page numbers */ + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smaller {font-size: smaller;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .space-above {margin-top: 3em;} + .left {text-align: left;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 49030 ***</div> + +<div class="center"><a name="cover.jpg" id="cover.jpg"></a><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /></div> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="images/i002.jpg" alt="I Trust You, But I'll Hold Onto the Pitcher. Frontispiece" /></div> + +<p class="bold">"I Trust You, But I'll Hold Onto the Pitcher."</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Frontispiece.</i></p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + +<h1>The Motor Boat Club<br />at the Golden Gate</h1> + +<p class="bold space-above">OR</p> + +<p class="bold space-above">A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog</p> + +<p class="bold space-above">By</p> + +<p class="bold">H. IRVING HANCOCK</p> + +<p class="bold">Author of The Motor Boat Club of the Kennebec, The Motor Boat<br /> +Club at Nantucket, The Motor Boat Club off Long<br /> +Island, The Motor Boat Club and the<br /> +Wireless, The Motor Boat Club<br /> +in Florida, etc., etc.</p> + +<p class="bold space-above">Illustrated</p> + +<p class="bold space-above">PHILADELPHIA<br />HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1909, by Howard E. Altemus</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table summary="CONTENTS"> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="left"><span class="smcap">Chapter</span></td> + <td><span class="smcap">Page</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>I.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Tom Halstead, Knight of the Overland Mail</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>II.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Hazing, M. B. C. K. Style</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>III.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Captain Tom's New Command</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>IV.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Halstead Is Let into a Secret</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>V.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Hunt in the Under-World</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>VI.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Facing the Yellow Barrier</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>VII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Dick Takes the Rescue Boat Trick</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>VIII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Real Kennebec Way</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>IX.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Chase of Their Lives</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>X.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Coming to Close, Dangerous Quarters</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XI.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Gaston Giddings Makes Trouble</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_122">122</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Too-Whoo-oo! Is the Word</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XIII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Call from out of the Fog</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_136">136</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XIV.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Mr. Cragthorpe Is More than Troublesome</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XV.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Midnight Alarm</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_155">155</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XVI.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Fire Drill in Earnest</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_164">164</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XVII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Cragthorpe Introduces His Real Self</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_172">172</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XVIII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Trick Made for Two</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_183">183</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XIX.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Ted Dyer, Sailor by Marriage</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_196">196</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XX.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Find in the Forehold</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XXI.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">On a Blind Trail of the Sea</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_213">213</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XXII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Stern Looms up in the Fog</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_222">222</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XXIII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Rollings's Last Ruse</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XXIV.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Conclusion</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_243">243</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> + +<p class="bold2">The Motor Boat Club at<br />The Golden Gate</p> + +<hr class="smler" /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER I</span> <span class="smaller">TOM HALSTEAD, KNIGHT OF THE OVERLAND MAIL</span></h2> + +<p>"I feel it in my bones," announced Joe Dawson, quietly though +positively.</p> + +<p>"That's no talk for an engineer," jibed Tom Halstead. "Tell me, instead, +that you read it in your gauge."</p> + +<p>"Oh, laugh, if you want to," nodded Dawson, showing no offense. "But +you'll find that I'm right. You know, I don't often make predictions."</p> + +<p>"Yet, this time, you feel that something disastrous is going to happen +before this train rolls out on the mole at Oakland? In other words, +before we set foot in San Francisco?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't say quite that," objected Joe, thoughtfully. "There's a +heap of the navigator about you, Tom Halstead, and you're pinning me +down to the map and the chronometer. I won't predict quite as closely as +that. But, either before we reach 'Frisco, or mighty soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> after we get +there, something is going to happen."</p> + +<p>"And it's going to be a disaster?" questioned Tom, closely.</p> + +<p>"For someone, yes; and we're going to be in it, at great risk."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's a comfort to have it narrowed down even as closely as that," +smiled Tom Halstead. "I hope it isn't going to be another earthquake, though."</p> + +<p>"No," agreed Joe, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, that much of your prediction will comfort the people of San +Francisco, anyway."</p> + +<p>"Now, you're laughing at me again," grinned Joe, good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>"No; I'm not," protested Halstead, but belied himself by the twinkle in +his eyes, and by whistling softly the air of a popular song that the +boys had heard in a New York theatre just before leaving for the West.</p> + +<p>At the present moment both boys were sitting comfortably facing each +other in their section in a sleeping car on the luxurious Overland Mail. +It was early forenoon. They had left Sacramento behind some time before, +on the last stretch of the run across the state of California.</p> + +<p>Joe Dawson was riding facing forward. Tom Halstead, in the seat +opposite, half lolled at the window-ledge, with his back toward the +engine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> Both boys had slept well on their last night out from San +Francisco. Both had breakfasted heartily, that morning, in the dining +car now left behind at the state capital. The next thing that would +interest them, so far as they could now guess, would be their arrival at +Oakland, and the subsequent ferry trip that would land them in San +Francisco.</p> + +<p>It may seem a curious fact to the reader, but neither Tom Halstead nor +Joe Dawson knew just what new phases of life awaited them in the City by +the Golden Gate. They were engaged to enter the employment of a man who +owned a motor yacht. The owner had agreed to their own terms in the way +of salary, and he was paying all their expenses on this luxurious trip +westward. Moreover, the same owner had engaged some of the other members +of the Motor Boat Club of the Kennebec, as will soon be told.</p> + +<p>Readers of the preceding volumes of this series are already well +acquainted with bright, energetic, loyal and capable Tom Halstead, who, +from the start, had held the post of fleet captain of the Motor Boat +Club. The same readers are equally familiar with the career of Joe +Dawson, fleet engineer of the Club.</p> + +<p>As narrated in "<span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club of the Kennebec</span>," Tom and Joe were +two boys of seafaring stock, and natives of Maine, having been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> born +near the mouth of the Kennebec River. That first volume detailed how the +two young men served aboard the "Sunbeam," the motor yacht of a Boston +broker, and how the boys aided the Government officers in solving the +mystery of Smugglers' Island. Out of those adventures arose the founding +of the Club, with Tom and Joe at its head.</p> + +<p>In "<span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club at Nantucket</span>" the two boys were again seen to +great advantage. There they had some most lively sea adventures, all +centering around the abduction of the Dunstan heir. Next, as told in +"<span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club off Long Island</span>," the motor boat boys played an +exciting part in the balking of a great Wall Street conspiracy. In +recognition of their services at this time, the man whom they most +helped presented them with a fifty-five foot cruising motor boat, which +the two proud young owners named the "Restless." Afterwards they +installed a wireless telegraph apparatus on the boat, and then came one +of their truly famous cruises, as related in "<span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club and +the Wireless</span>," wherein wireless telegraphy was employed in ferreting out +one of the great mysteries of the sea.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club in Florida</span>" described the sea wanderings of Captain +Tom and Engineer Joe in the Gulf waters, and their <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>subsequent +adventures in the Everglades and at Tampa, including the laying of the +Ghost of Alligator Swamp.</p> + +<p>From time to time other seafaring boys, whose experience aboard motor +yachts qualified them, were elected members of the Motor Boat Club, an +organization which now boasted some forty members along the Atlantic +seaboard. Several of these boys had made themselves barely less famous +than had Halstead and Dawson.</p> + +<p>Broker George Prescott, of Boston, their first employer and founder of +the Club, was still their staunch friend. So, too, in scarcely less +degree, was Francis Delavan, a Wall Street financier to whom Tom and Joe +had rendered most valuable services.</p> + +<p>It was through Mr. Delavan that Halstead and Dawson had secured their +present engagement, the details of which they did not yet know. This +engagement had come just as the young men were leaving Florida waters in +January, preparatory to making their way to New York, near which great +city the "Restless" was now laid up, out of commission at present, +though as seaworthy a boat as ever.</p> + +<p>Tom had been allowed to engage Jeff Randolph, the Florida member of the +Club, for this new, unknown enterprise. Jeff was believed to be either +on his way, or already in San <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>Francisco, at the Palace Hotel, on Market +Street, which was to be the meeting place of the motor boat boys.</p> + +<p>Yet there were other old friends due to meet the fleet captain and fleet +engineer. Mr. Delavan had also engaged, by wire, Dick Davis and Ab +Perkins, of Maine, now back from a famous trip to Brazil as told in "<span class="smcap">The +Motor Boat Club and the Wireless</span>." Jed Prentiss, a Nantucket member of +the Club, was also on his way to or in San Francisco to join them, +thanks to Mr. Prescott's interest. How Jed joined the Club, and proved +himself more than worthy, was all told in "<span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club at +Nantucket</span>."</p> + +<p>The name of the San Francisco man who had engaged six members of the +Motor Boat Club to cross the continent was Joseph Baldwin. Beyond this +the boys knew nothing of him, save that Francis Delavan had vouched for +him. That was enough. Not even the name of Baldwin's craft was known to +the seafaring boys who were crossing the continent.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if Mr. Baldwin will be at Oakland, to meet us?" asked Joe, as +the train sped evenly, swiftly along.</p> + +<p>"It isn't likely," replied Tom. "He has told us where to report. I fancy +he considers that enough."</p> + +<p>"A man might get a boat's crew together a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> good deal more cheaply," +mused Joe, aloud. "Our fellows that Mr. Baldwin has engaged are all +top-notchers in the way of salary. With such a crew it's going to cost +our man a good deal to keep his boat running."</p> + +<p>"You know the reputation that California millionaires have, Joe," +laughed his chum. "It is said of them that they'd sooner spend money +than keep it drawing interest."</p> + +<p>"Still," pondered Joe Dawson, "I don't believe California people like to +pitch money out of the window any better than people of other sections +do."</p> + +<p>"It has struck me," Tom went on, "that we're engaged by a man who is +running a racing boat. If that is so, and we can get the top speed out +of his craft, then I suppose Mr. Baldwin wouldn't consider the matter of +expense at all. All he wants, in that case, is to win cups and build a +big reputation for his boat."</p> + +<p>"I hope it <i>is</i> a racer," cried Joe, his eyes glistening. "Whew! How our +crowd, pulling together in team work, could make a boat everlastingly +sprint over the waves!"</p> + +<p>The car in which the two boys sat was the last of the train. It had an +observation platform at the rear. In this observation compartment the +motor boat boys had spent much time while the train was rolling along +through the highly <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>picturesque scenery of the Rocky Mountains. This +morning, however, going swiftly past sun-lit sections of California, +over a nearly level road, both young travelers were content to remain in +their seats by the window.</p> + +<p>In the car were a dozen other passengers. Only one other besides the +motor boat boys was especially young. She was a girl of about eighteen, +blond, rather plump and very pretty. She appeared to be traveling alone, +having boarded the train at Kansas City. Tom and Joe had been able to +offer her a few travelers' courtesies, which had been graciously +accepted. Neither young man, however, knew the girl's name. Both motor +boat boys were too well bred to attempt to force an acquaintance.</p> + +<p>Just now, as Tom happened to lean over his seat and glance down the +aisle, he saw that this young lady was in the observation compartment. +She appeared to be alone there. Something in the expression on her face +made her seem highly uneasy about something.</p> + +<p>"I hope she isn't in any trouble," murmured Halstead, to himself, "and +that she isn't going to find anything unpleasant at the end of her journey."</p> + +<p>The next time he glanced down the aisle Halstead again caught a glimpse +of her face.</p> + +<p>"By Jove, I believe she's been crying, or else<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> is about to begin," +muttered the young captain. "I wonder if it's real trouble, or just +something that she's afraid of."</p> + +<p>Then Tom made haste to look away, lest the young lady should see that he +had been studying her and take offense.</p> + +<p>"Look at the roses," commented Joe, glancing out of the window at a +pretty little California village through which the train was passing at +somewhat lessened speed. "Great Scott, there are violets growing in the +garden we've just passed. February! Think of the deep feet of snow on +either bank of the Kennebec just now!"</p> + +<p>"It's the land of roses and other posies, all right," agreed Halstead, +himself looking out with a good deal of interest at the bright scene +under the soft haze of the California winter day.</p> + +<p>"Say, these are real days! This beats Florida!" exclaimed Joe, +enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"When it doesn't rain," remarked the practical Halstead. "You know, this +is the rainy season in California."</p> + +<p>"I don't care," contended Joe. "Even on a rainy day it must be beautiful +in this fine old state."</p> + +<p>"And on a foggy one, also," laughed Tom. "You know, at this time of the +year, there are likely to be some great old fogs around San<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> Francisco +Bay. I've heard that it takes a clever pilot to guess correctly whether +he's landing at San Francisco or Oakland."</p> + +<p>"Humph!" grunted Joe.</p> + +<p>Dawson turned, looking out of the window for some time without speaking.</p> + +<p>"We're getting near some big town," he remarked, at last. Then, after +glancing at his watch: "It must be Oakland."</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Tom. "I guess we'll soon be making our stop at the +Sixteenth Street station."</p> + +<p>"Anything special about that station?"</p> + +<p>"It's the last stop before we run out onto the mole at Oakland."</p> + +<p>The train had now begun to run, at greatly lessened speed, through one +of the streets of the city. Joe found less to interest him. He glanced +upward at the rack, toward his traveling bag and overcoat.</p> + +<p>"That overcoat seems like an insult to the climate," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Don't throw it away," advised Tom Halstead, "until you see whether some +of the 'Frisco nights are chilly. I've sort of an idea they will be."</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether we're going to have much time ashore, or whether it +will be all spent on the water?" suggested Joe. But Tom, of course, +didn't know the answer.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p><p>"Sixteenth Street next stop!" called the porter through the car.</p> + +<p>"Might as well stretch our legs," hinted Tom, rising. Joe also left his +seat.</p> + +<p>As several of the passengers in the car were heading toward the front +end, the motor boat boys started for the observation compartment at the +rear end.</p> + +<p>The young lady was still standing there. It looked as though she +intended to step down outside as soon as the train should come to a +stop. Not wishing to intrude, Tom Halstead halted, a few feet away, Joe +doing the same.</p> + +<p>Hardly had the train stopped when a porter opened the door of the +observation compartment. The young lady quickly descended, the boys +following. The young lady remained close to the steps, glancing about +her. Lifting their hats, Tom and Joe stepped past her, mingling in the +throng at the station. There wasn't much here to see, but it was a +relief to be quit of the train for a minute or two.</p> + +<p>"There's the engine bell ringing," nudged Joe, at last. "We may as well +hustle back."</p> + +<p>As the two motor boat boys turned once more, Tom saw the young woman +standing beside the rear steps, one hand holding to the brass rail. She +appeared rather frightened. Before her, talking rapidly, was a man of +perhaps thirty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> years of age and some five feet nine inches in height. +On his smooth-shaven, dark face rested an ugly, black look. Something +that the man said just as Tom glanced that way caused the girl to wince +and grow paler.</p> + +<p>"Why, that fellow has been on the train, though not in our car, for the +last two days," occurred to Halstead, swiftly. "And now I remember I saw +the young lady talking to him back at Battle Mountain. Jove! but she +seems afraid of him. There, she's trying to leave him, and he has caught +at her sleeve to hold her. Confound the ugly look in his eyes! I wish +she were <i>my</i> sister for five minutes!"</p> + +<p>Almost unconsciously, in his indignation, Captain Tom increased his +pace. Joe, looking in another direction, did not at once perceive this, +and so fell a bit behind.</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to listen to you any longer," cried the young woman, in a +voice that sounded tearful, though she was resolutely keeping the tears +back out of her eyes. "You are talking like a coward!"</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," said Captain Tom, rather stiffly, brushing past the young +man. The girl edged to give the motor boat boy room on the steps, and, +as he passed her, started to follow him up into the car.</p> + +<p>"You're not going to leave me in that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>fashion," snapped the dark young +man, angrily. "See here——"</p> + +<p>Again he caught at the girl's sleeve, after leaping up onto the lowest +step.</p> + +<p>"Let me go," commanded the girl, indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Not until——"</p> + +<p>She wrenched herself free, then bounded after Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Don't let him come into the car," begged the girl.</p> + +<p>"Out of my way, young fellow," ordered the dark man, gaining the second +step up.</p> + +<p>"Is this man annoying you?" asked Tom, in a friendly tone of the girl, +though he turned a cool, hostile stare upon the young man.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is," the young woman answered.</p> + +<p>"Get out of the way, boy," commanded the man, reaching out a hand.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead's right hand closed instantly. His fist shot out, landing +on the fellow's neck. That persecutor fell back, missed his footing, and +went sprawling to the station platform. The girl had started to dart +into the car, but now she turned, watching with fearful eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't let him hurt you!" she cried to Tom.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," responded the young captain, dryly; "I don't believe he +will."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p><p>The train was beginning to move as the man fell sprawling on the +platform. Joe, who had seen the blow struck, darted in, dragging the +fellow swiftly to his feet.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to hustle, mister, if you're going to get your car +forward," Joe advised him.</p> + +<p>"This car is the one I——" began the man.</p> + +<p>But Joe coolly swung in ahead of him, elbowing the fellow out of the +way. The next moment the porter, grinning, reached over with the key and +locked the door of the car, which Dawson had closed.</p> + +<p>Looking the picture of rage, the man darted swiftly down the platform. +The train was now moving too rapidly, however, for the stranger to get +aboard, and the last car rolled by him as he stood, baffled, on the +platform.</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know how to thank you both," faltered the girl.</p> + +<p>"I assure you it didn't even put us to any inconvenience," smiled +Captain Tom.</p> + +<p>"But—oh! I hope you won't meet him in San Francisco," cried the girl, +in sudden alarm. "He's dangerous, ugly, vengeful!"</p> + +<p>"We've met such men before," laughed Captain Tom, quietly. "And +yet——well, we're here."</p> + +<p>"But you don't know that man!" shuddered the girl.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p><p>"That we don't is something to brag about, I reckon," smiled Joe.</p> + +<p>"If you ever do come face to face with him, or catch him, anywhere, +watching you, beware of him!" begged the young lady, earnestly. "He +never forgives anything—that wretch!"</p> + +<p>"Are you uneasy over the remainder of your journey?" asked Tom, +politely. "Will you feel safer for escort?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I shall be all right, now," replied the girl, with a grateful +smile, though her cheeks were still pallid. "He is no longer on the +train."</p> + +<p>"Command us, if you will," begged Captain Tom Halstead, gallantly. He +and Joe Dawson lifted their hats courteously, then passed on to their +own section.</p> + +<p>"One of the little dramas of life that are being enacted all around us," +muttered Halstead.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have minded seeing that one through," returned Joe.</p> + +<p>Neither boy, at that moment, suspected that they would yet "see it through."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER II</span> <span class="smaller">HAZING, M. B. C. K. STYLE</span></h2> + +<p>At the ferry slip on the San Francisco side the two motor boat boys saw +the young woman again.</p> + +<p>A big, broad-shouldered, well-dressed, wholesome looking young man of +twenty-two or twenty-three years of age, came forward eagerly, hat in +hand, to meet her.</p> + +<p>"She's all right, now," declared Joe, with satisfaction. "Gracious! That +husky young fellow could eat up two or three muckers like the one you +punched, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Yes; our young lady of the journey is surely all right," nodded +Halstead, delighted with what he had seen. "So come along, Joe. We'll +probably never see any of that party again."</p> + +<p>Through a throng of eager cabmen the two young motor boat boys plodded +sturdily. Neither had ever been in San Francisco before, but they knew +that the ferry came in at the foot of Market Street, and that the Palace +Hotel was but a few blocks from the water-front on the same great artery +of traffic.</p> + +<p>"Might as well walk up, and get a little bit of a look at the town," +proposed Halstead.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p><p>"Which side of the street is the Palace on?" queried Joe.</p> + +<p>"East."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll cross over. I don't believe we can miss it."</p> + +<p>It was a bustling crowd through which the boys steered their way. The +man on the San Francisco sidewalk who is under eighty years of age is +engaged in making his fortune, and has no time to lose. After he has +made it, he buys an automobile, and has comparatively little need of a +sidewalk.</p> + +<p>Men from every country in Europe and the Orient passed them. There was, +of course, a large sprinkling of native Americans, yet even the chance +passer knew that he was moving through a throng recruited from the four +quarters of the world.</p> + +<p>To Tom the walk ended all too soon. However, they were bent on business, +not pleasure, so they turned in briskly through the main entrance of the +Palace Hotel as soon as a policeman had pointed it out to them.</p> + +<p>Captain Tom Halstead stepped to the desk, picking up a pen to register. +"Are Davis, Perkins, Prentiss and Randolph here ahead of us?" queried +Halstead, as soon as he had written his name and his chum's.</p> + +<p>"All of 'em," smiled the clerk, after glancing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> at the entry on the +hotel register. "Davis, who got here first, with Perkins, engaged rooms +close together for the whole party. Front! I'll have you shown right up, +Captain Halstead."</p> + +<p>The colored boy in blue uniform and brass buttons confiscated the bags +and overcoats of the two young travelers, leading the way to the +elevator. That bell-boy turned his head to conceal a grin that illumined +his face.</p> + +<p>"So our friends are all here ahead of us, and have everything ready?" +remarked young Dawson.</p> + +<p>The bell-boy, his head still turned away, seemed to be choking.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if they've seen Mr. Baldwin, or heard from him?" mused Tom, +aloud.</p> + +<p>"Right dis way, sah," begged the bell-boy, stepping out of the elevator +ahead of them at the third floor.</p> + +<p>He led them down a long corridor, turned into another corridor, then +halted before a door. That bell-boy gave three distinct knocks; a pause, +then two more knocks.</p> + +<p>"I reckon yo' can go right in, sah," announced the bell-boy, dropping +some of his burden in order to throw the door open.</p> + +<p>Utterly unsuspicious, Tom and Joe passed through the doorway. The +instant they had done so, the bell-boy tossed their bags and coats<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> in +after them, yanked the door shut and fled, chuckling.</p> + +<p>"Here they come! Welcome!" roared Dick Davis's deep, hearty voice.</p> + +<p>A short hallway led from the door to the room proper. As Tom Halstead +passed over the inner threshold a pair of arms reached out from either +side, yanking him into the room out of Joe's sight. Dawson leaped after +his chum, only to be similarly seized.</p> + +<p>Then it snowed! At least, for a brief instant, that was what the victims +thought.</p> + +<p>Tom was neatly, ruthlessly tripped, being sent sprawling to the floor, +while Ab Perkins, snatching up a bolster, which he had ripped open, +shook all the fine, downy feathers over him. They sifted down the young +captain's neck; they obscured his vision; some of the small feathers +fell into his mouth. He fell to spitting them out with vigor, even +before he tried to get up.</p> + +<p>Nor did Joe Dawson fare any better. If anything, he was rather more +roughly handled by Jed Prentiss and Jeff Randolph.</p> + +<p>"Now, roll 'em!" roared Dick Davis.</p> + +<p>Before either of the newcomers could rise to his feet they were rolled +together in the middle of the floor. Ab lifted the mattress from the +bed, plumping it down over the two victims. Then all four of the gleeful +assailants threw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> themselves across the mattress, shoving it over the +floor, using Tom and Joe, underneath, for rollers.</p> + +<p>And, over it all, rose the famous club yell:</p> + +<p>"M. B. C. K.! M. B. C. K.! Motor Boat Club! Wow!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, but we're glad to see 'em!" yelled Dick Davis, in his deepest +tones. "Good old chums! Keep up the welcome, fellows!"</p> + +<p>From under the mattress Tom Halstead managed to make himself heard, +though his voice sounded muffled indeed.</p> + +<p>"Help!" he roared. "Turn out the port watch! Mutiny!"</p> + +<p>"Port watch, ahoy! Roll up on deck, you lubbers!" roared Ab Perkins. +"Cap'n wants you!"</p> + +<p>At that Jed and Jeff left the mattress, darting to where Tom's and Joe's +traveling bags lay. These they quickly opened, dumping all the contents +on the floor.</p> + +<p>"All hands to quell mutiny!" yelled Jed Prentiss. Dick Davis and Ab +Perkins joined them on the jump.</p> + +<p>That gave Tom and Joe, both very red-faced and much winded, a chance to +crawl out from under the mattress.</p> + +<p>Yet no sooner did they show their astonished faces than all four of the +first-comers began to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> pelt them with the articles dumped from the +traveling bags.</p> + +<p>Slippers flew straight and true, landing with swats. Hair brushes, +tooth-brushes, cakes of soap, boxes of tooth-powder and numerous other +articles filled the air, a veritable cyclone with the fleet captain and +the fleet engineer in the middle of it.</p> + +<p>"Cut it!" commanded Tom Halstead, sternly. "Oh, if I had my revolver and +handcuffs and leg-irons here. This is the last time I'll ever go on deck +without 'em. But cut it—anyway!"</p> + +<p>Dick Davis, having thrown the last missile that came to hand, and having +pitched Halstead's overcoat up in the air so that it now lay hanging +from the chandelier, suddenly straightened up, looking very grave as he +saluted and roared out:</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir!"</p> + +<p>At that the other three disturbers of the peace lined up with Dick, all +saluting.</p> + +<p>"What's the meaning of all this riot?" insisted Halstead, trying to keep +back the grin that struggled to his face.</p> + +<p>"After not having seen each other for all these moons," demanded Davis, +in a hurt voice, "can't we do anything to show you how ding-whanged glad +we are to behold you two once more?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p><p>"Your joy takes a strange turn," grimaced Captain Tom.</p> + +<p>"I prefer people who put their welcome in writing," retorted Joe.</p> + +<p>At that Ab Perkins, with a whoop, made for a table. From it he snatched +up a cork, one end of which had been burned to a char.</p> + +<p>"Come on, then, fellows," proposed Ab Perkins, gleefully; "we'll write +our welcome on Joe's face."</p> + +<p>"Will you, though?" demanded Dawson, crouching low, as though for a +football tackle. He caught Ab, and rising with that boisterous youth, +toppled him over. Ab Perkins went sprawling; fortunately for him he +landed across the mattress.</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" expostulated Tom Halstead. "The reception committee is +excused—fired—bounced, in fact. Now, stop all this monkey-business, +and let's get down to trade topics. But, first of all——"</p> + +<p>Tom paused to spit out two or three fragments of down feathers. Then he +crossed to where the water pitcher stood on a tray. Pouring out a glass +of water, Halstead took a mouthful, while the late mutineers looked on +expectantly.</p> + +<p>"O-oh! Ugh! Waugh! Wow!" sputtered Tom, expelling his mouthful into a +waste-water<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> jar beside the wash-stand. "That water's <i>salt</i>!"</p> + +<p>"Well, what of it, you bo'sun's mate of a lobster trap?" demanded Ab +Perkins, aggressively. "Is it the first time you've ever hit up against +salt water?"</p> + +<p>"Now, see here, fellows," grinned Halstead, looking around at the impish +faces of the first-comers, "this is all right. We know how glad you are +to see us. Your pleasure is far greater than we had ever dared to +hope——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, we can show more pleasure!" proposed Dick.</p> + +<p>"Do it at your personal risk, then!" defied the young captain, arming +himself with the water pitcher. "Now, then, will you all be quiet?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, aye!" promised young Davis, with a sudden assumption of meekness.</p> + +<p>"I trust you—trust you all to the death," affirmed Tom, grimly. "But +I'm going to keep hold of the water pitcher just the same!"</p> + +<p>"This deck doesn't look ship-shape, does it?" demanded Dick Davis, +glancing about him. "Hadn't we better change craft? Wait here a moment."</p> + +<p>Stepping to the push-button, he pressed twice, for the porter. Tom +Halstead remained on guard, armed as before, and Joe keeping<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> rather +close to him, until the porter knocked at the door.</p> + +<p>"See here, my friend," remarked Dick, holding out a dollar bill to the +porter, "there has been a ship-wreck here."</p> + +<p>"It looks like it, sir," grinned the porter, pocketing the money. +"What'll you have, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Find the chambermaid that belongs on this floor," begged Dick, "and +bring her here."</p> + +<p>The porter was soon back with the chambermaid, who also received a +dollar bill from young Davis.</p> + +<p>"Now, you two try some team-work, please," begged Dick Davis, "and see +whether you can make this place look neat enough to be a captain's +cabin. Gentlemen of the Motor Boat Club, will you adjourn to the costly +quarters that Ab and myself consider almost good enough for us?"</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead laid down the water pitcher and passed out of the room last +of all.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you'd better go into the other room first, Joe, and let me +bring up the rear," called Tom, grimly. "Then we can watch, from both +ends of the line, for any new tricks."</p> + +<p>Dick Davis produced a key, admitting all hands to the adjoining room.</p> + +<p>"Now, be seated," proposed Davis, in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> most hospitable tone. The club +members found chairs.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen Mr. Baldwin?" inquired Captain Tom.</p> + +<p>"No; but we've sent him word," Ab replied. "Mr. Baldwin has offices in +the Chronicle Building."</p> + +<p>"Is that near?" queried Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Only a few hawser lengths from here, on the other side of Market +Street," put in Jed Prentiss. "Come here to the window. There's the +Chronicle Building over yonder."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Baldwin has a telephone, of course?" suggested Captain Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes; 9378 Market."</p> + +<p>"I can tell him we're here, then," murmured Tom, crossing the room to +where a telephone apparatus rested against the wall.</p> + +<p>"Don't," prompted Dick. "Mr. Baldwin has sent his orders. You can 'phone +him between three and three-thirty to-day. Mustn't bother him at any +other time."</p> + +<p>"That's right, is it?" demanded Halstead, looking half-suspiciously at +Davis.</p> + +<p>"Quite right," nodded the latter youth, gravely. Dick was older than the +others, being nineteen, as against a general average of sixteen years +for the other boys. Dick was different in another respect. While the +other five<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> boys followed motor boating as a means of livelihood, +depending upon their earnings, young Davis, the son of a ship-builder of +Bath, Maine, was at all times well supplied with money. Dick's outline +for the future included a possible college course, and then breaking +into the ship-building business with his father. It was not yet quite +decided whether young Davis should omit the college part of the plan. In +the meantime, the elder Davis believed that an active membership in the +Motor Boat Club would be the best possible training to fit his son for a +position in the ship-yard.</p> + +<p>"Well, if those are the instructions, then," replied Captain Tom, +returning to his chair, "we'll wait until a few minutes after three."</p> + +<p>"And now it's half-past eleven," said Jed, consulting his watch. +"Luncheon will not be served until one. We can wait here as well as +anywhere. Say, fellows, I'm just crazy to hear some good old yarns of +what you others have been through."</p> + +<p>With that, yarn-spinning became the order of the day. The young men were +still at it when they went down to the gorgeous dining room of the +Palace Hotel. The air about their table was thick with yarns all through +the meal.</p> + +<p>While they sat around the table, absorbed in one another's stories, a +dark-visaged, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>well-dressed man of thirty started to enter the dining +room. Just at the threshold, however, he paused, for his glance had +alighted on a profile view of Captain Tom Halstead at one of the tables +in the center of the dining room.</p> + +<p>"That's the cub who struck me this morning," muttered the dark-faced +one, drawing back. "I want to know who he is. I want to place him—I +want to meet him and settle the account for that blow and the +disappointment it brought about!"</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead turned around, a moment later, but he did not see the man +he had knocked from the train that morning at the Sixteenth Street +station in Oakland. That worthy had drawn quickly back out of sight, and +was now looking about for some hotel employé to question.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later he of the dark visage had all the information he felt +he needed.</p> + +<p>"Tom Halstead? So that's your name?" snarled the stranger, as he started +for the street entrance. "And you're employed by Baldwin—could anything +be more favorable to our meeting again, eh?" The stranger smiled darkly, +meaningly, as he pronounced the name of Baldwin.</p> + +<p>Luncheon over, the yarning motor boat boys embarked in the elevator. +This time they went direct to the room assigned to Tom and Joe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> The +trunks of these two young men had arrived, and now rested in the room.</p> + +<p>Once more the yarning went on, until Captain Tom checked it at exactly +two minutes past three o'clock.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER III</span> <span class="smaller">CAPTAIN TOM'S NEW COMMAND</span></h2> + +<p>"It's time for Mr. Baldwin to hear from us, now," announced the young +skipper, rising and crossing to the room-telephone. He gave the number, +waiting briefly.</p> + +<p>"Hello," sounded a voice in the receiver.</p> + +<p>"Hello," returned Tom, quietly. "Is this Mr. Baldwin?"</p> + +<p>"No; wait a moment. I'll connect you."</p> + +<p>"Hello," came, an instant later.</p> + +<p>"Hello. Mr. Baldwin?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I am Captain Tom Halstead, here at the Palace Hotel, awaiting your +orders."</p> + +<p>"Is Dabson with you?"</p> + +<p>"Dawson, sir," Tom corrected. "Yes; Dawson is with me."</p> + +<p>"Then your whole crew is on hand?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Good! Well, as the finishers are about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> through with their repair work +on my boat we shall be ready to get you aboard without delay."</p> + +<p>"May I ask, sir, how big a boat——"</p> + +<p>"Captain, be at my office, all of you in uniform, at four o'clock +exactly."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir. Four o'clock."</p> + +<p>"Captain Halstead, punctuality is one of my failings," warned Joseph +Baldwin's voice.</p> + +<p>"It's one of my studies, Mr. Baldwin."</p> + +<p>"Then, at four o'clock?"</p> + +<p>"Four o'clock, sharp, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Good-bye."</p> + +<p>Ting-ling-ling! Tom hung up the receiver.</p> + +<p>"Well," came an eager chorus. "What are we going to do?"</p> + +<p>"We're going to get into our club sailing uniforms," smiled Captain Tom, +"and we're to be at Mr. Baldwin's office at four o'clock to the minute."</p> + +<p>"What sort of a boat——"</p> + +<p>"Cruising or racing——"</p> + +<p>"Coasting or sea-voy——"</p> + +<p>"You'll all of you have to cut out the questions," laughed Tom Halstead. +"I've told you every blessed thing I've just learned over the 'phone. +Fellows, I think our Mr. Baldwin is stingy——"</p> + +<p>"Stingy?" broke in Ab Perkins, with fine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> scorn. "And paying every one +of us first-class salaries!"</p> + +<p>"Stingy of words," finished Captain Tom, calmly. "If our new employer +keeps on as he has begun, we won't know anything he means to do until +the time comes to do it. Then he'll give his complete orders in from six +to eight words. That's the way it looks. Now, for your uniforms. Come +along, Joe, and we'll get into ours. Mr. Baldwin, I omitted to tell you, +did inform me——"</p> + +<p>Captain Tom paused, looking mysterious.</p> + +<p>"Told you what?" chorused Dick, Ab and Jed, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"That he's extremely partial to people who are punctual to the minute," +finished Tom Halstead, making a sign that brought Joe along in his +trail.</p> + +<p>Sailors are accustomed to quick dressing, as they are to quick work of +all sorts. Hence the six motor boat boys, all looking decidedly neat and +important in their uniforms and visored caps, were soon on their way to +the elevator shaft. Soon afterwards they stepped from the Palace +entrance to the street, making for the other side of Market Street at +the first crossing.</p> + +<p>More than one swift pedestrian paused long enough to send a look back +after these six trim, almost martial-looking young men, who walked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> in +pairs and carried themselves like graduates of the Naval Academy.</p> + +<p>It was just five minutes before four o'clock when the sextette halted +outside the Chronicle Building.</p> + +<p>"A couple of minutes to breathe," announced Halstead, watch in hand. +Presently, he marched them into the corridor. Here, after a short wait, +they stepped into one of the several elevators, leaving it a few floors +from the street.</p> + +<p>"Sixty seconds yet to spare," whispered Captain Tom, smilingly, holding +up his watch.</p> + +<p>Precisely at the dot of four o'clock the six motor boat boys filed in at +the door of the Baldwin offices, after Halstead had turned the knob.</p> + +<p>In the outer office were several clerks, behind a railing. An office boy +sat at a desk close by the gate of the railing.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Baldwin expects us at four," stated Tom to the boy. "Will you +please tell him that Captain Halstead and party are here?"</p> + +<p>The boy disappeared. When he returned a briskly-moving man of fifty was +at his heels. It was Joseph Baldwin, one of the rich men of the Pacific +Coast, and one of its most daring promoters. He was a man who acted, +ordinarily, as though the day were but five minutes long and crowded +with business. Mr. Baldwin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> looked like a prosperous business man, +though there was nothing foppish in his attire.</p> + +<p>"Captain Halstead?" he demanded, holding out a hand. The act was +gracious enough, though hurried. In less than a minute Tom had presented +his friends and all had been through the handshake.</p> + +<p>Back of Mr. Baldwin stood a clerk, holding his employer's hat.</p> + +<p>"I'm off for the day, Johnson," he announced. "Is the transportation at +the door?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. I just looked out of the window. Your transportation is +ready."</p> + +<p>"Come along, Captain Halstead and gentlemen," directed Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>Though he led them swiftly, another clerk had slipped out ahead of them, +and now stood by the elevator shaft. A car was just stopping at the +floor. Down the party whizzed. Mr. Baldwin led the boys to a street +door, outside of which two automobile touring cars stood.</p> + +<p>"Captain, I want you and Dawson in the car with me. Let your friends +follow in the other."</p> + +<p>Two tonneau doors closed with bangs. Off whizzed the cars. Speed laws +did not appear to be made for the concern of a man like Joseph Baldwin. +It seemed as though the cars had barely started when they ran out onto a +dock not much to the westward of the ferry houses.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p><p>A man in plain blue uniform and visored cap, wearing the insignia of a +quartermaster, stood at the far end of the dock. He saluted as soon as +he espied Joseph Baldwin hastening toward him.</p> + +<p>"I see you're on time, Bickson."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>By this time Mr. Baldwin was going down a short flight of steps to a +landing stage. There lay moored a trim-looking sixteen-foot power +tender.</p> + +<p>"Fall aboard," briefly directed Mr. Baldwin, and the motor boat boys, +rather enjoying this systematized bustle, obeyed.</p> + +<p>Bickson, without waiting for orders, cast off, started the motor and +sent the boat gliding out into the stream.</p> + +<p>"Quite a motor yacht that carries a quartermaster," observed Captain +Halstead, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I carry three," rejoined Mr. Baldwin, thrusting a cigar into his mouth +and lighting it with a "blazer" match.</p> + +<p>In and out among the shipping the tender glided. Then, at last, Captain +Tom caught sight of a graceful craft some hundred and twenty feet long. +She looked like a miniature liner.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if I'll ever command a handsome craft like that?" thought the +young motor boat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> skipper, with a brief pang of envy. "Jove! what a +boat!"</p> + +<p>The next thing the motor boat boys knew they were running up alongside +this hundred-and-twenty-footer. A young man of twenty-five or +twenty-six, whose uniform proclaimed him to be a watch officer, stood at +the top of a side gangway.</p> + +<p>"This can't be the boat—such a beauty!" gasped Tom Halstead, inwardly. +Joe Dawson's eyes were full of wonder. Ab Perkins's lower jaw was +hanging down in proof of his bewilderment. Dick Davis's face was +flushing. Jed was staring. Only Jeff Randolph appeared indifferent.</p> + +<p>"How do you do, Mr. Costigan?" hailed Mr. Baldwin, leading the way up +the side gangway. "Mr. Costigan, pay your respects to the new captain of +the 'Panther.' Captain Halstead, Mr. Costigan, your third officer."</p> + +<p>If Mr. Costigan appeared astonished, Tom Halstead did not look less so. +That he was really to command this big, handsome craft seemed to Tom +like a dream. A moment before, when he had realized that the "Panther" +was Mr. Baldwin's craft, the most the Maine boy had expected was that he +and his companions would be allowed to stand watch in the engine room +and on the bridge. But—captain!</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p><p>Third Officer Costigan, however, saluted in a most proper manner. Tom +held out his hand cordially.</p> + +<p>"Presently, Mr. Costigan, I shall ask you to show me about this craft."</p> + +<p>"At your orders, sir," replied Costigan, again saluting his commanding +officer, then making his way forward.</p> + +<p>"Here's the captain's cabin. I have the key," announced Mr. Baldwin, +leading the way to a door immediately aft of the pilot house. The owner +unlocked the door, then led the way inside. Again Captain Tom wondered +if he could be dreaming. Though everything was compact in this +stateroom, yet all the conveniences were there, too. There was a double +bed, a wardrobe locker, running water, two easy chairs, a desk, and a +table just under a well-stocked China and glass cupboard.</p> + +<p>"Your stateroom runs right through the deck-house from starboard to +port," explained Mr. Baldwin, who now appeared less pressed for time. +"Bathroom and chart-room open out of this cabin aft. I think, Captain, +you will be comfortable."</p> + +<p>"Comfortable!" murmured Tom, then smiled in sheer delight.</p> + +<p>The other motor boat boys stood about the doorway, not offering to enter +while the owner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> was there. Mr. Baldwin dropped into one of the arm +chairs.</p> + +<p>"Now, Captain, I'll tell you what we have aboard," continued the owner. +"Costigan is third officer. He's a good fellow, and a capable sailor, +but he has his limitations, and—well, I don't believe he'll ever be +much more than a third officer. You'd better keep him in that +grade—unless you find he's better than some of your comrades. One good +thing about Costigan is that he has a pilot's license for San Francisco +Bay and the coast hereabouts. He's a good pilot, too. Another good thing +about Costigan is that he's loyal, and a man who knows how to keep his +tongue resting in the back of his mouth.</p> + +<p>"Besides Costigan, there are three quartermasters and seven men in the +crew. We have also a cook and helper, a cabin steward and a men's +steward. That's the whole outfit. We have no one, at present, in the +engine-room department. You have men with you to fill out those +positions, haven't you, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then let me see how you'll go to work to place them," shot out Mr. +Baldwin, instantly.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Perkins, first officer; Mr. Davis, second officer," replied +Halstead, promptly. "Mr. Costigan, of course, third officer."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p><p>"And in the engine room?" pressed the owner.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dawson, chief engineer; Mr. Prentiss, first assistant; Mr. +Randolph, second assistant engineer."</p> + +<p>"All right," nodded Joseph Baldwin. "That makes our complement complete, +I think. Now, Captain, publish your selections to the crew and take +command. There's the bell at the side of your desk."</p> + +<p>Hardly had Tom Halstead, still feeling as though in a trance, pressed +the button, when a jauntily uniformed sailor appeared at the doorway, +saluting.</p> + +<p>"My compliments to Mr. Costigan; ask him to come here," ordered Tom.</p> + +<p>From the speed with which he reported, Third Officer Costigan must have +been awaiting the summons.</p> + +<p>"Pipe the crew forward of the pilot house, Mr. Costigan. All hands. I've +something to say to them."</p> + +<p>The third officer's whistle rang out shrilly forward. A few moments +later Captain Halstead was notified that all hands were on deck.</p> + +<p>Tom thereupon went forward, accompanied by the new officers of the +"Panther," who were proclaimed to the crew, including even the stewards +and cooks.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p><p>"And I now invite the officers to my cabin," said Captain Halstead as +he wound up his harangue to the men. "The details of the deck and engine +room watches will be decided at once."</p> + +<p>This was soon done. Following the practice that now obtains on many +yachts, the watches were made eight hours long, instead of four. This +enabled each member of a watch to get a full sleep between watches. In +ordinary weather neither the captain nor first officer stands watch. The +captain's, or starboard, watch was to be taken by Dick Davis as second +officer. Mr. Costigan, third officer, was to stand the first officer's, +or port, watch. Joe Dawson, as chief engineer, was generally responsible +for the engineering department, but stood no watch in the engine room, +the starboard watch at the motors falling to Jed Prentiss, and the port +watch to Jeff Randolph. Bickson, as chief quartermaster, was made +responsible for the general policing of the craft, the other two +quartermasters taking watch trick at the wheel in the pilot house.</p> + +<p>During the making of these arrangements Mr. Baldwin had strolled aft to +his own suite of rooms. These, immediately aft of the chart room, +consisted of parlor, bed-room and bath. Aft of these quarters lay the +deck dining room, from which a staircase led down to the cabin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> proper. +Off the cabin were eight handsome staterooms for the owner's guests.</p> + +<p>All this Tom and his comrades saw as Costigan piloted them over this +superb yacht.</p> + +<p>Forward of the main cabin, below, was the chief engineer's stateroom, +which Joe would occupy by himself. In Joe's room, also, was service for +the chief engineer's meals.</p> + +<p>Then there was a stateroom for the second and third officers, and +another for the engineer's two assistants. For these junior officers, +and Mr. Costigan, there was an officers' mess. Further forward was the +crew's mess, then the kitchen department. Ahead of this was the engine +room, with the crew's forecastle quarters right up in the bow of the +craft, below decks.</p> + +<p>"You see, sir," explained Mr. Costigan, "there's everything that could +be thought of for the comfort of officers and crew."</p> + +<p>"It's the most compact boat I could imagine," declared Captain Tom, +enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"You may well say that, sir."</p> + +<p>They passed on to inspect the engine room. Joe's eyes fairly gleamed as +he inspected the twin motors, the dynamos and all the other details of +his own department. It was a finer engine room than Joe Dawson had hoped +to command for many years to come. He remained below, with his +assistants, to inspect their new domain,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> while Tom, Ab and Dick +returned to the deck with Mr. Costigan.</p> + +<p>The "Panther" was schooner rigged, with a full set of sails for each of +the two masts. There was a short bowsprit, carrying two jibs.</p> + +<p>"This craft does pretty well under sail, sir," declared the third +officer.</p> + +<p>"She looks as though she ought to," replied Captain Tom. "But what gait +does she make with her power alone?"</p> + +<p>"She's been running, cruising, sir, at about twelve to fourteen miles an +hour. She's listed as a twenty-two mile boat at her best, but I believe, +sir, that a good engineer could get twenty-four out of her."</p> + +<p>"The new chief engineer is one who can get out any speed that the motors +will stand."</p> + +<p>"He looks it, sir."</p> + +<p>Halstead was careful always to use the word "Mister." Watch officers and +engineers, who are also officers, are always addressed in that way, by +the captain, or even by the owner. Costigan was equally careful to say +"sir," when addressing any officer of grade above his own.</p> + +<p>"When you can spare the time, Captain, I'll have a few words with you," +called Mr. Baldwin, showing his head through the starboard doorway of +his suite.</p> + +<p>"At once, sir," replied Captain Tom, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>turning and going to the owner's +door. At the threshold the new captain of the "Panther" halted.</p> + +<p>"Come right in, Captain. Take a chair," invited the owner. "Now, then, +what do you think of your new task?"</p> + +<p>"I'm astounded, sir. Overjoyed, too," Tom replied, with a candid smile.</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, this craft represents the height of my dreams. The 'Panther' +is twice the length and about four times the total size of any boat I've +ever commanded before."</p> + +<p>"Are you afraid it's too big an undertaking for you?" asked Mr. Baldwin, +regarding his young sailing master keenly.</p> + +<p>"No, sir!" came the prompt answer.</p> + +<p>"Hm! I'm glad of that. But I wasn't worrying. I've known Delavan a long +time. I told him what I wanted, and knew I could bank on his choice. Are +all your friends satisfied?"</p> + +<p>"They're delighted," Tom nodded. "All they're aching for now, sir, is to +get out on the first cruise."</p> + +<p>"They'll have their wish this evening," laughed Mr. Baldwin. "Is there +anything you want to ask me, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, unless you'll permit me to be a bit curious."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p><p>"That's a bad fault on this yacht," replied Joseph Baldwin, with a +slight frown that quickly disappeared. "What is it you want to know?"</p> + +<p>"I'm wondering, sir, why you had to send all the way east for officers +for the 'Panther'?"</p> + +<p>"Because I've had to get rid of two sets of officers," replied Mr. +Baldwin, crisply. "One captain was too inquisitive, the other was +incapable. Then I began to hear a good deal about your famous Motor Boat +Club. That set me to corresponding with Delavan. He told me a lot more +about you young men, and I couldn't get it out of my head that <i>you</i> +were the sort of people I wanted."</p> + +<p>"You weren't afraid on account of our being so—well, youthful?"</p> + +<p>"I knew, if you'd suit Frank Delavan, you'd suit me. And I'm just as +sure after having seen you all. Now, Captain Halstead, you'll be ready +to sail at any time after seven this evening. That is the hour when my +guests and I sit down to dinner aboard. At the time I'll give you your +general sailing instructions. Remember, Mr. Costigan must be your pilot +until you're out through the Golden Gate and clear of the coast."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," assented Halstead, rising. "Any further orders, sir?"</p> + +<p>"That is all, for the present, Captain."</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead left the owner's suite and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> walked forward, filled with a +wonderful sense of elation. He passed the pilot house just in time to +see Joe Dawson coming up forward.</p> + +<p>"Say, are we going to wake up, chum?" breathed young Dawson in his +friend's ear.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe we'll have to," laughed the young skipper, happily. +"We're all right, I'm pretty sure, if we don't do something that greatly +displeases the boat's owner. Thanks to Mr. Delavan, the owner of this +craft is willing to believe, at the start, that we're all that's good +and wonderful. But come into my cabin, old fellow, if you have the time. +We'll dine together to-night."</p> + +<p>Both motor boat boys sighed their supreme contentment as they dropped +into arm-chairs facing each other. It was now so dark that Tom switched +on the electric lights.</p> + +<p>"How are the engines, Joe?" asked Tom, dropping into his old, friendly +manner.</p> + +<p>"Ready to start at a second's notice. And Jed's on duty there, waiting +for the word."</p> + +<p>"Gasoline?"</p> + +<p>"Tanks bulging with it. Tom, this is a beautifully appointed boat below, +and every store of every description is in place."</p> + +<p>"That's the kind of a man I'm pretty sure Mr. Baldwin is," nodded +Halstead.</p> + +<p>Joe surveyed a row of speaking tubes that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> hung against the forward wall +of the captain's room. He picked out one labeled "engine-room," pressing +the button beneath it.</p> + +<p>"Hello, sir," came the quick response, in Jed Prentiss's unmistakable +tones.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Mr. Prentiss," Joe returned. "How do you like it down there, on +duty?"</p> + +<p>"It's perfect!" responded Jed, almost dreamily. "Everything here but my +own personal steward. I ain't sure but what <i>he'll</i> blow in, in a +minute, and ask me what I'll have for dinner."</p> + +<p>"Tell him we're scheduled to start at seven," suggested Halstead.</p> + +<p>"I can start in seven seconds, if I'm asked to," promised Prentiss. +"Anyway, I can have the propellers turning fast before you can get the +anchor up. Crackey! I forgot that I have to supply even the power for +hoisting anchor."</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes later the two chums, who had begun their career by +patching up an old steam launch down at the mouth of the Kennebec River, +in Maine, were seated at table in the captain's cabin, doing justice to +a meal that was but little short of sumptuous.</p> + +<p>The chief steward himself, a man named Parkinson, served the young +captain and chief engineer. He hovered about, as attentive as any hotel +waiter or private butler could have been.</p> + +<p>It was the second steward, however, who came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> in with the dessert for +the two chief officers of the "Panther."</p> + +<p>"What has become of the other steward?" inquired the young captain.</p> + +<p>"Time for him, sir, to put on the finishing touches in the dining +saloon," replied Collins, the second steward, who served also the junior +officers and the crew.</p> + +<p>"If we eat like this at every meal, Joe," sighed Halstead, contentedly, +when the second steward had removed the last of the things, "we'll have +to devote all the rest of the time to exercising off extra flesh. Let's +get out on deck."</p> + +<p>"All right. But I mean to be in the engine-room when the start is made."</p> + +<p>At the side gangway the chums stepped quickly past, to make way for half +a dozen men who were coming up over the side, while Mr. Costigan stood +respectfully by to receive them. They were guests of the owner just +coming on board for the night's cruise. One of these newcomers went +directly to Mr. Baldwin's suite.</p> + +<p>"Owner's compliments, sir," called Parkinson, softly, as he came +hurrying after the young sailing master. "Mr. Baldwin wishes to see +Captain Halstead on the jump, sir."</p> + +<p>The call had come for the brisk beginning of the strangest duties in +which young Halstead had ever been employed.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER IV</span> <span class="smaller">HALSTEAD IS LET INTO A SECRET</span></h2> + +<p>"Captain Halstead, my friend, Mr. Jason Ross," announced Mr. Baldwin, +crisply, as soon as the young skipper had closed the owner's door behind +him.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ross was a man of forty-five, and looked like a man who might be of +much importance in the financial world. Yet <i>he</i> was presented to +Halstead, for on a yacht the captain is considered next in importance to +the owner.</p> + +<p>Tom modestly greeted Mr. Ross.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Captain," snapped out the owner, though not unkindly. "Now, +I've got to take you into my confidence a bit. Delavan's word for you +makes me feel that I can safely do it."</p> + +<p>Tom had only time to nod ere Mr. Baldwin went on, crisply:</p> + +<p>"My guests are on board, with one exception. In a way, the exception is +the most important one of us all. He isn't so very important in himself, +but Gaston Giddings, though a very weak, foolish young man, happened to +succeed his father in the principal control and presidency of the +Sheepmen's National Bank. Young Giddings and the funds his bank can +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>supply are of the utmost importance to my associates and myself in some +big enterprises we are putting through. Do I make myself clear?"</p> + +<p>"Wholly so, sir," Tom answered, quietly.</p> + +<p>"Now, Giddings, besides being several kinds of plain and ornamental +fool—no, I won't quite say that, but this weak young man has one +fearful fault for the head of a bank——"</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin paused in his rapid speech. He looked sharply at Mr. Ross +an instant, then continued:</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, Frank Delavan told me I could trust you and Dawson with +anything from my yacht to my reputation. You understand that what I'm +telling you, Captain, is absolutely confidential?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, sir," responded Tom, quietly.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, within the last three months young Giddings has, in some +way we can't understand, fallen a victim to the opium habit. The young +man is all but totally wrecked by the vile drug. How, or why, he +started, none of us can understand. You see, a good many of us older +men, who were fast friends of his father, have tried to stand by the +young man. Two of to-night's party are directors in the Sheepmen's Bank. +We've tried to get the bank's funds placed in interests that we control, +so that young Giddings couldn't go very far wrong, by not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> having enough +money left in his charge to wreck the bank. You follow me?"</p> + +<p>"I—I think so, Mr. Baldwin."</p> + +<p>"Truth to tell," pursued the owner, "I had planned—my friends on board +with me—to go out ostensibly for one night, but really to be gone for +several days. One of our friends is a specialist in the opium habit—Dr. +Gray. We had hoped, on this trip, to plan some financial enterprises +that would use up, for the present, the dangerously large balance at the +Sheepmen's Bank. At the same time we were going to try to force young +Giddings to agree to heroic medical treatment in order to overcome his +fearful vice."</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead remained silent, but attentive.</p> + +<p>"Now, at the last moment," pursued Mr. Baldwin, "we hear that Giddings +was seen in a closed carriage, evidently headed for Chinatown, that vile +Oriental section of San Francisco, where the opium vice flourishes at +its worst. And in Chinatown a man can disappear so completely that his +friends can't find him again in years. Giddings was to be here to-night, +but he's in a Chinatown opium den instead. If we appeal to the police, +it'll all be in the newspapers. There'll be a scandal that will disgrace +Giddings forever, start a run on the Sheepmen's Bank, and—though this +is the least of our worries<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>—will delay for some time the pushing of +the big financial game in which my friends and myself are interested. +Now, we've got to find some way of getting at Giddings, and of bringing +him on board without trouble or noise. I've told you this much, Captain +Halstead, so that you'll understand the need of secrecy. If we can find +Giddings, and get him out here, then we <i>must</i> bring him over the side +and get him into his stateroom without his being seen by any of the crew +on board, except, possibly, by one or two of your own comrades whom you +think you can best trust."</p> + +<p>"I can trust every one of 'em, sir," declared Captain Tom, promptly. "So +will you, when you know them better."</p> + +<p>"Then, Captain, before we make any move to find Giddings in his +Chinatown hiding-place, and attempt to get him aboard this yacht, we +must have all of the crew safely out of the way, save for your own +personal friends among the officers."</p> + +<p>"I can plan for the crew to go ashore," declared Tom Halstead. "I have +only to state that you've decided to delay putting out to sea, and that +you've been good enough to grant the men a night on shore at the theatre +at your expense. That will take every one of them over the side. Do you +want Mr. Costigan to go?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p><p>"Why, I think Costigan is all right, but he isn't needed here, anyway, +so he'd better go ashore also."</p> + +<p>"Easily settled, then, Mr. Baldwin. I can send Mr. Costigan off in +charge of the shore party. At what hour do you wish them all to return, +sir?"</p> + +<p>"Not a minute before midnight!"</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir. I can tell Mr. Costigan that you've been called ashore, +that you will dine there, and that you are very glad of this opportunity +to give the older members of the crew a chance to enjoy themselves +ashore."</p> + +<p>"Excellent, indeed!" cried Mr. Baldwin, in a low tone. "What do you say, +Ross?"</p> + +<p>"If Captain Halstead can vouch so heartily for the silence and +discretion of his own friends, then the plan ought to clear the decks so +that we can get Giddings aboard—if we find him—without any comment or +scandal at all," agreed Jason Ross.</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin employed himself stripping a few banknotes from a roll +that he drew from a trousers pocket.</p> + +<p>"Give this money to Mr. Costigan, Captain, and tell him to see to it +that the men have a good time on shore—though no drunkenness! And you, +Captain Halstead, I trust to see to it that none but your own friends +remain aboard."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p><p>Ten minutes later Captain Tom returned to the owner's suite to report +that Third Officer Costigan and the crew, including the stewards and +cooks, had gone ashore in the tender, Jeff Randolph running the boat in.</p> + +<p>"How soon will Randolph be back?" asked Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Within ten minutes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then I shall want him to put Mr. Ross and myself ashore. We two must +take up the seemingly impossible task of locating young Giddings in the +heart of Chinatown's slums, and bring him here by force, yet without +noise. Once we get him on board, and below, we can keep the young man +quiet until morning, when we'll be well out on the ocean. Dr. Gray will +attend to that."</p> + +<p>"Are your friends going to remain on board, without dinner?" asked +Halstead.</p> + +<p>"No; they can go ashore and get dinner at a restaurant, returning +presently. Mr. Randolph can keep the tender at the landing stage until +they return. Then, as soon as he has brought our other friends aboard, +Mr. Randolph can return for Ross and myself, when we get back. But Mr. +Randolph must not let Costigan or the crew get aboard until after we've +returned."</p> + +<p>"I'll make his instructions clear on that point," nodded Tom.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p><p>"That is all, then. Let me know when the tender returns."</p> + +<p>"Hold on, a moment, Baldwin," interposed Mr. Ross.</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"Baldwin, neither of us is in what might be called the pink of +condition, and young Giddings may put up a fight in his half-crazed way. +Don't we need a little real brawn with us?"</p> + +<p>"Taking Captain Halstead with us, do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"That was the idea that had come into my head," nodded Mr. Ross.</p> + +<p>"Yes; it would be an excellent idea. Captain, you will go with us. Leave +your first officer in command here until we return."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead saluted, then withdrew. He gave his orders quickly, not +deeming it necessary to mention any phase of the story of young Gaston +Giddings to his comrades of the Motor Boat Club.</p> + +<p>As soon as the launch was alongside Tom hastened to inform Mr. Baldwin. +The entire party thereupon came out on deck, gathering at the side +gangway. They speedily embarked in the tender, in which Jeff sat where +he could handle both engine and steering gear.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p><p>"Your instructions are clear, Mr. Perkins?" called Tom Halstead, +softly, from the launch.</p> + +<p>"Quite clear, sir," Ab replied. "The instructions will be followed to +the letter."</p> + +<p>"Shove off, then," Tom commanded. "To the landing stage, Mr. Randolph."</p> + +<p>It would have been almost laughable, to anyone who had witnessed the +frolicsome motor boat boys going through their hazing affair of the +forenoon, had he now been at hand to hear them using the stately +"mister" and "sir" with all the gravity of naval officers.</p> + +<p>Jeff speedily had the party ashore.</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes later a closed cab rolled slowly in at one corner of +gayly-lighted, malodorous Chinatown. The vehicle contained Messrs. +Baldwin and Ross and young Captain Tom Halstead. In this poisonous +atmosphere they sought a young human wreck, Gaston Giddings.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER V</span> <span class="smaller">A HUNT IN THE UNDER-WORLD</span></h2> + +<p>During the ride from the water front Captain Tom Halstead had sat on the +front seat of the cab, quiet and reserved.</p> + +<p>Now, as they entered the outer confines of Chinatown, Halstead leaned +slightly forward,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> peering out at the shops and at the queer Oriental +jumble, mixed here and there with white people, that thronged the narrow +sidewalks.</p> + +<p>"Are you headed for any particular place, sir?" queried the young +skipper, after a few moments.</p> + +<p>"No," admitted Mr. Baldwin. "I know nothing of Chinatown. We must drive +through, first of all, at a venture. Presently an idea may come to us. +Whatever we do, our plans must soon be formed. If I dared speak to a +police officer—but the risk is too great."</p> + +<p>"There's a restaurant," murmured the boy, suddenly. "It looks like a big +and clean place. Why don't you and Mr. Ross slip in there, have some tea +or something, and let me prowl about in these queer, crooked streets for +a few minutes? Chinatown is only a few blocks in extent, I understand. I +may be able to learn something that way, unless you have a better plan, +sir."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid you'll run into danger, alone in this barbarous crowd," +objected Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"I'm not in the least afraid," smiled Tom, confidently. "Two prosperous +looking men like you might attract attention, but, as for me, the people +hereabouts will think only that I'm some young sailor ashore for a lark. +Shall I stop the cab, sir?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p><p>"Yes," agreed Joseph Baldwin, though he spoke doubtfully.</p> + +<p>Tom's hand shot up at once, grabbing the check string. The driver pulled +up his horses, then came to the door, opening it.</p> + +<p>"This will be as good a place for you to remain, driver, as anywhere," +said Halstead, as he stepped out. Then he turned, waiting for Messrs. +Baldwin and Ross to alight.</p> + +<p>"Shall I find you in that restaurant, sir?" the young skipper inquired.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but don't be too long away, Halstead, or we shall be more uneasy +than ever."</p> + +<p>"Trust a sailor to take care of himself in any crowd, sir," laughed Tom +Halstead, jauntily. With that he stepped off, at a more rolling gait +than he usually employed on shore.</p> + +<p>The young motor boat captain carried in his mind a good personal +description of Gaston Giddings. He had secured this from Mr. Baldwin +before leaving the yacht.</p> + +<p>"Ugh! The smell here is worse than in New York's Chinatown," Tom told +himself, disgustedly.</p> + +<p>From upper windows of some of the buildings that lined the narrow, dirty +streets came the squawkings of Chinese fiddles and other discordant +"musical" instruments of a wholly Oriental type. There seemed to be two +or three<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> joss-houses, or temples, in every short block. On the street +floors, however, stores offering all kinds of Chinese merchandise were +most common. Tom suspected that the gambling places and opium joints lay +in the rear of these stores.</p> + +<p>"Want a guide to Chinatown? Show ye everything, boss, for two dollars. +Show ye every real sight in Chinatown," appealed a seedy, dirty, young +white man who now held Tom by one sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Anything really worth seeing?" asked Halstead, smilingly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>everything</i> worth seeing," responded the seedy guide, with a wide +wave of one arm. "Best two dollars' worth you ever had. Most curious +sights you ever saw in any part of the world. Sailor, ain't ye?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Sailors are my specialty," declared the seedy guide, grimly. "Come, +ye'd better haul up the two dollars and let me take you about."</p> + +<p>"What about opium joints, for instance?" asked Tom Halstead, speaking as +though he had not enthused much as yet.</p> + +<p>"I know 'em all," asserted the seedy guide, eagerly. "Want to smoke the +opium pipe?"</p> + +<p>"Can't say," replied Tom, vaguely. "Yet, if I do go around with you, +you've got to take me to the really swell opium places."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p><p>"Oh, I can do it—better'n any other guide in Chinatown," promised the +fellow, quickly. "Come, just hand over the two dollars, and see what I +can show you."</p> + +<p>With a great pretense of reluctance Captain Tom produced four half +dollars, which he handed to the guide.</p> + +<p>"Remember, now," he said, "I want what you might call the aristocratic +places."</p> + +<p>"If ye ain't satisfied," promised the guide, glibly, "then ye'll get +your money back."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead, then, but mind what I told you."</p> + +<p>Through dark alleyways, or through stores into rear apartments, Halstead +followed his conductor. In rapid succession he passed in and out of half +a dozen opium joints. One was as much like another as two kernels of +wheat resemble each other.</p> + +<p>In each place there was the same outer room, then the same bunk-room, an +apartment fitted up with bunks at the sides. It was in these rooms that +the smoking was done. The intending smoker stretched himself out in a +bunk, while a Chinese attendant brought lamp and kit. A tiny ball of +opium was quickly lighted—"cooked"—at the lamp's flame. Then this +glowing pellet of opium was thrust into the bowl of an opium pipe, and +the latter handed to the smoker in the bunk. The smoker <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>consumed his +pellet after two or three whiffs. After smoking three or four pipes, +most of the smokers succumbed, falling back in a torpid sleep.</p> + +<p>The air was heavy, disgusting in these places. Degraded white men and +women were occasionally to be seen, though most of the smokers were +Orientals, generally Chinese.</p> + +<p>Heart-sick and dizzy, Tom Halstead still kept on, though, whenever he +reached outer air, he took pains to inflate his lungs several times +before again entering one of the wretched, squalid "joints."</p> + +<p>Off the bunk-rooms several of these dens had "private" sleeping +apartments, for white smokers who desired more privacy. Wherever he +noted doors to such private rooms Tom Halstead thrust them open, +glancing inside. Nor was his conduct resented. The opium smokers were +too far gone to show or feel anger.</p> + +<p>"You haven't shown me any very swell places yet," protested the young +skipper, after leaving the seventh place.</p> + +<p>The guide, a thin, undersized, slovenly man in his early thirties, +turned to look the motor boat boy over keenly.</p> + +<p>Tom noticed that the fellow's eyes had a look in them much like the look +in the eyes of several of the smokers they had just seen.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p><p>"This fellow is an opium-user himself," decided Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Say, young feller," remarked the guide, in a cautious undertone, +"you're looking for <i>someone</i>."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I am," the young skipper half admitted.</p> + +<p>"Who is he?"</p> + +<p>"No matter. But do you know any of the men who come here to Chinatown +often to use the pipe?"</p> + +<p>"Say, if there's any white hop-fiend that I don't know, then he's a +brand-new one," rejoined the guide.</p> + +<p>"Do you know a young man of twenty-four or five, about five-eight tall, +dark, slim, rather fine-looking, smooth faced and with a slight scar +under his right ear?"</p> + +<p>"I guess that must be young Doc Gaston," whispered the guide.</p> + +<p>Gaston? That was Giddings's first name. Tom Halstead started, though he +strove to conceal his excitement.</p> + +<p>"Where does Doc Gaston go?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"What'll you pay to find out?" insisted the guide, cunningly.</p> + +<p>"Ten dollars."</p> + +<p>"Make it fifty, and I'll do it for you."</p> + +<p>Tom, however, stuck to his original price,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> though three or four minutes +were lost in haggling.</p> + +<p>"Ten dollars is the highest price," Tom declared, flatly. "That pays you +for standing by me until I get Doc Gaston—if he's the one I'm looking +for—outside of Chinatown."</p> + +<p>"Well, gimme the money now, then," demanded the guide.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," retorted the young skipper, tartly. "You get the money after +we're through and on the edge of Chinatown in a cab. Now, don't haggle +any more, or I'll drop the matter altogether. Are you going to take my +offer, or not?"</p> + +<p>"Say, you'll sure pay the ten, will ye?" whined the fellow.</p> + +<p>"As sure as there's a sky above us."</p> + +<p>"Then come along."</p> + +<p>"Where's the place?" questioned Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Around the next corner."</p> + +<p>"Do you know where Yum Kee's restaurant is?"</p> + +<p>"O' course. They call Yum Kee the Chinatown Delmonico."</p> + +<p>"Lead me back there, then, and we'll get the carriage."</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead had been around so many corners in this crowded, complex +quarter of San<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> Francisco that he had lost his bearings. The guide, +however, piloted him back to the waiting cab within two minutes.</p> + +<p>First of all, however, the young skipper peered in at the restaurant. +Messrs. Baldwin and Ross were at one of the rear tables, eating.</p> + +<p>"Tell the driver where to go, now, and we'll make the start," Tom +instructed the guide. Soon afterwards they alighted before a +brightly-lighted Chinese grocery store. Besides the proprietor, there +were three or four clerks and a dozen yellow-skinned, pig-tailed +customers in the place. The guide, with an air of being at home here, +led the way straight back, pushing ajar a door at the rear. The instant +they entered this rear compartment the sickening odor of sizzling opium +greeted Captain Tom's nostrils. This proved to be the inevitable outer +room, but the guide led into the adjoining bunk-room. In this latter +apartment were half a dozen doors.</p> + +<p>"Just look through 'em," whispered the guide. "Don't talk to me none. +Remember, if there's a row here, I've got to make up a yarn that will +square things for me."</p> + +<p>Two of the private rooms into which Halstead boldly intruded proved to +be empty.</p> + +<p>In the third room a weazened little old Chinaman crouched over a lamp +and a tray holding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> an outfit. He was preparing to remove these things. +In the bunk, sprawled out, with glassy eyes, was a young man whom Tom +Halstead recognized in a flash—weak, vice-ridden Gaston Giddings!</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER VI</span> <span class="smaller">FACING THE YELLOW BARRIER</span></h2> + +<p>"Maybe what you likee here?" demanded the little old Chinaman, looking +up with a snarl.</p> + +<p>"Looking around," retorted Tom, grimly.</p> + +<p>"Allee same—<i>git</i>!"</p> + +<p>The guide had approached, taking a swift, shifty look in at the bunk.</p> + +<p>"That's Doc Gaston, isn't it?" whispered Tom, over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Don't ye know him?" queried the guide, suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"He looks strange, with that glassy look in his eyes."</p> + +<p>"That's Doc Gaston, all right. 'Least, that's what he calls himself in +Chinatown."</p> + +<p>"You allee same git—chop-chop," snarled the Chinaman, savagely. He had +put the smoking outfit on the floor once more, and now pushed against +the motor boat boy with both hands, trying to force him from the room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +Tom, however, coolly and gravely picked the short Chinaman up off his +feet, wheeled and put him down again on the floor of the bunkroom +beyond.</p> + +<p>"Now, shove off!" ordered Halstead, half gruffly. "Don't bother me +again."</p> + +<p>After flashing an ugly look at the motor boat boy, the Chinaman fled in +the direction of the store.</p> + +<p>"Now, whatcher going to do?" demanded the guide, nervously.</p> + +<p>"If I can't get young Gaston to walking on his own feet, then I'm going +to pick him up in my arms and carry him out to the carriage," answered +Tom Halstead, firmly.</p> + +<p>"Smoking joss-house!" gasped the guide. "D'ye know what'll happen? +There'll be a house-full of them chinks down on us! Hatchet men—gun +men—say, young feller, dontcher know that these here hop-joints are +protected by the highbinders?"</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead had heard of the Chinese highbinders in New York. He knew +of them as a desperate crowd of yellow-skinned thugs. The guide's own +terror was too real to be feigned.</p> + +<p>"If you're afraid of this kind of a job, what did you come here for?" +asked the young skipper, quickly, gruffly.</p> + +<p>"Why, I thought ye was goin' to try to <i>coax</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> the young Doc out. But, +say—taking him out by force—lemme get outer this on the jump!"</p> + +<p>"No, you don't," roared Tom Halstead, with swift and quite unlooked-for +energy. "Stand by, now!"</p> + +<p>He gripped the guide by the arm, fairly forcing him over to the bunk in +which the young opium smoker lay. Giddings, if it was really he, lay +open-eyed, yet unheeding.</p> + +<p>"Come, get up!" ordered the boy, reaching with both hands under the +opium smoker's shoulders and raising him. "Out on your feet!"</p> + +<p>A drowsy, unintelligible protest came from the stranger. But Tom fairly +lifted him out onto his feet, then threw a strong, supporting arm about +him.</p> + +<p>"Now, walk! Come along!" ordered Halstead, briskly, taking hold of the +young man with his other hand.</p> + +<p>"Sufferin' joss-sticks!" wailed the guide. "Here come the +chinks—number-one man and all!"</p> + +<p>The door of the bunkroom burst open. Through the doorway rapidly +advanced the gorgeously-dressed Chinaman whom Tom had supposed to be the +proprietor of the store beyond. Back of him came four plainly-attired +Chinamen with as hard-looking, evil faces as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> could be found in all +Chinatown's quagmire of vice.</p> + +<p>"This ain't my doings, Ling!" wailed the guide, quailing before the +stern glances of the yellow leader—the "number-one man." "I told this +young fellow he'd have to quit. Let us out."</p> + +<p>"Yes; let us out!" repeated Tom Halstead, staring undauntedly into the +eyes of Ling.</p> + +<p>"Put him down," ordered Ling, nodding scowlingly at the stranger whom +Halstead supported. "Then, maybe, we see what we do with you."</p> + +<p>The air was full of danger of the most awesome kind. Though not a weapon +showed, as yet, each of the four Chinese behind the proprietor stood +with his hands thrust up into his sleeves. A Chinaman always carries his +weapons up his sleeves, whence he can bring them down, into action, with +incredible rapidity.</p> + +<p>"Now, don't think you've got me frightened," uttered Tom Halstead, +sturdily, gazing undauntedly at the Chinese. "There isn't any scare in +me when I'm dealing with people like you. If you make one single false +move you'll be the ones who'll be sorry for it. Ling, I'm going to take +this young man out of here. His friends know where he is, and they've +sent me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> here to get him. I'm going to take him out of here, chop-chop. +If I'm not out of here in another minute or so, then this young man's +friends will bring down police enough on you to clean the place out."</p> + +<p>Ling laughed contemptuously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you may think you have money enough, and 'pull' enough, to keep the +police from troubling you," jeered young Halstead. "But, if this young +man's friends get after you, it'll make a noise that the police can't +shut their ears to."</p> + +<p>Two of the men behind Ling stood blocking the doorway. The other two, by +now, were edging around to get on either side of the unflinching boy.</p> + +<p>"You yellow scoundrels, get back, and stay back!" commanded Tom, glaring +at them sternly.</p> + +<p>There comes into notice, now and then, a man who has enough of the +magnetic quality of bravery to hold a mob back. Tom Halstead was +possessed of the grit needed for such an undertaking.</p> + +<p>"Get out of the way, Ling—you and your heathen hatchet men," commanded +the young skipper, resolutely. "I'm going past you. If I find any fellow +in my way I'll knock him down. If you fight back, it'll be the finish +of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> you and of this place. <i>Gangway, you yellow idiots!</i>"</p> + +<div class="center"><img src="images/i073.jpg" alt="Gangway, You Yellow Idiots" /></div> + +<p class="bold">"Gangway, You Yellow Idiots."</p> + +<p>Still supporting, half dragging, the dazed young banker, Tom Halstead +grittily pressed his way to the doorway and through it. One of Ling's +henchmen attempted to stand immovable, but Halstead, with a quick blow +of his open hand, sent the fellow stumbling backward.</p> + +<p>"If you're thinking of creeping up behind me, don't try it," advised +Halstead, as coolly as ever, as he started across the outer room.</p> + +<p>He gained the closed door connecting with the outer store. Pausing here, +a moment, he beheld two of Ling's yellow-visaged fellows creeping toward +him.</p> + +<p>"Back for yours—that'll keep you out of trouble," barked the young +skipper, coolly, without raising a hand to defend himself. Then he threw +the door open, calling backward over his shoulder:</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare let this young man in here again, Ling. If you do, it'll +wind you up."</p> + +<p>With that the motor boat boy contrived to pilot his charge swiftly +through the store. He was not safe until he had passed the last of these +yellow men, and the young skipper knew it. Yet, at last, he had the +stranger out on the sidewalk, one hand up to signal the driver of the +cab.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p><p>The guide, keeping close to the motor boat boy, had managed to get out +with him. But the little fellow was shaking as though seized with the +ague.</p> + +<p>"Get into the cab, and help me take the young man in," ordered Tom, and +the guide was glad, indeed, to dive inside the carriage. In another +moment they were driving away.</p> + +<p>"Say, but you've got the nerve!" chattered the guide, his teeth knocking +together.</p> + +<p>"Maybe you'd have some nerve if you'd learn to leave hop alone," +rejoined Halstead. "Hop" is the Chinatown name for opium.</p> + +<p>Halstead sat on the rear seat, supporting the young banker beside him. +In a little while the cab again halted in front of Yum Kee's restaurant.</p> + +<p>"Here," said Halstead, producing a ten-dollar bill. "Take this. Skip as +soon as you like."</p> + +<p>"You oughter gimme more," whined the guide.</p> + +<p>"I've given you all I agreed. No use trying to get any more."</p> + +<p>The guide, thereupon, sprang out, vanishing within a few seconds. Going +to the doorway of the restaurant, yet standing where he could keep a +close watch on the cab, Tom uttered a long, low whistle. Messrs. Baldwin +and Ross<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> saw him instantly, and came hastening out. By the time they +reached the cab the young skipper was inside again.</p> + +<p>"Is this your young man?" asked Halstead, almost in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Baldwin, a jubilant gleam showing in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Better jump in, then, sir, so we can get away quickly."</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings now leaned against Tom's shoulder, sleeping the sleep of +drugged stupefaction.</p> + +<p>"How on earth did you find him so soon?" questioned Joseph Baldwin, +leaning forward when the cab had gone beyond the confines of Chinatown. +Tom told the whole story, simply and modestly.</p> + +<p>"Young man," uttered Jason Ross, solemnly, "I don't believe you have any +idea, yet, of how huge a risk you ran yourself into. The Chinese +criminal is desperate at all times, but ten-fold more so when he's on +his own ground, surrounded only by his own crowd."</p> + +<p>"Well, I got out, didn't I?" smiled the young skipper, coolly.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but I marvel at it."</p> + +<p>"I understand more and more why Delavan recommended these youngsters to +me," breathed Joseph Baldwin, gleefully. "'Ready<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> for anything,' he told +me, was the motto of the Motor Boat Club boys."</p> + +<p>When the cab rolled out onto the dock Jeff Randolph was found pacing +back and forth on the landing stage. No other member of the crew was in +sight, and Jeff stated that none of the others of Mr. Baldwin's party of +guests had yet returned.</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings, still unaware of his surroundings, was helped aboard +the tender. A swift trip was made to the "Panther," and the unfortunate +young man was immediately carried below to be put to bed in one of the +stateroom berths.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later Mr. Baldwin's other guests returned from dinner. +Jeff, who had gone back to meet them, brought them on board, next going +back to await the arrival of Third Officer Costigan and the crew. Dr. +Gray hastened below, to attend to Giddings, and to keep him quiet, also, +after the crew should come on board.</p> + +<p>As for Captain Tom, after receiving Ab Perkins's report that all was +well aboard, he went to his own cabin, calling Joe Dawson, through the +speaking tube, to join him. Here Joseph Baldwin found both youngsters.</p> + +<p>"Captain Halstead, how much did you spend on my account, to-night?" +asked the owner.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p><p>"Altogether, sir, twelve dollars on the guide."</p> + +<p>"Never mind about any change, then," rejoined Mr. Baldwin, passing over +a bank note.</p> + +<p>"I think I can make change for that, sir," retorted Skipper Tom, his +color rising. "I'm not out after 'tips,' you know, sir," he added, with +a smile.</p> + +<p>Producing a roll of money from an inner pocket, Halstead counted out +eighty-eight dollars, which he handed to the owner.</p> + +<p>"You may refuse, now, but I shall be even with you later," remarked +Joseph Baldwin. "And now, Captain, as soon as you can, after the crew +comes aboard, I want you to put out to sea. I'll give you more explicit +orders as soon as we're seven or eight miles west of the coast."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir," replied Captain Tom, saluting as the owner turned to +leave the captain's cabin.</p> + +<p>"You've been running into a bit more excitement, have you?" queried Joe, +smiling.</p> + +<p>"A bit," laughed Halstead. Dawson asked no further questions.</p> + +<p>At a few minutes after midnight Mr. Costigan returned with his shore +party.</p> + +<p>"It's your watch below, Mr. Costigan, until eight o'clock in the +morning," First Officer Ab<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> Perkins informed the third officer. "When +you are called to turn out we'll be at sea."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir," replied Costigan, and went below to seek his berth. +Neither the third officer nor any of the crew had any suspicion that +anything unusual had happened this evening.</p> + +<p>"Where's Mr. Costigan?" inquired Captain Halstead, coming forward.</p> + +<p>"Gone below to sleep, sir," Ab replied.</p> + +<p>"Then I'm afraid you'll have to rout him out. He'll have to stay on deck +until he has piloted us through the Golden Gate. I want to be under way +within five minutes."</p> + +<p>Somewhat chagrined, Ab Perkins sent one of the crew below for the third +officer. Costigan was speedily in evidence.</p> + +<p>Now, one of the motors began to chug briskly below, and the two bow +anchors came speedily up, being stowed by the watch. Joe was in the +engine room with Jed Prentiss, while Captain Tom Halstead, feeling +prouder and happier than ever in his life before, climbed to the bridge +up behind the pilot house. After him went Dick Davis, whose watch it was +to stand. Mr. Costigan, after seeing the anchors stowed, started for the +bridge also.</p> + +<p>"Give the engine room slow speed ahead, Mr. Davis," directed Tom.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p><p>Dick gave the bell-pull at the bridge rail the required jerk. The +"Panther" began to move gracefully ahead, while Mr. Costigan, with the +pilot-house speaking tube in his hand, called down the helmsman's +orders.</p> + +<p>"Dick, this is the real thing!" whispered Tom Halstead, jubilantly, in +his comrade's ear while Costigan was busy at the speaking tube.</p> + +<p>"It's as fine as bossing a liner," rejoined Dick Davis, +enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"Better!" declared Halstead.</p> + +<p>Dick presently signaled the engineer for more speed. The "Panther" +ploughed through the waters of the bay, toward the Golden Gate.</p> + +<p>As Tom Halstead peered through the night ahead he felt another ecstatic +thrill. It was all so fine, so glorious! No doubt it was better for him, +at this moment, that he could not foresee all that lay ahead of him.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER VII</span> <span class="smaller">DICK TAKES THE RESCUE BOAT TRICK</span></h2> + +<p>It wasn't long before First Officer Ab Perkins also climbed the stairs +to the bridge.</p> + +<p>"If this craft runs on the rocks, it won't be for want of officers at +their post," laughed Skipper Tom, gleefully.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p><p>"I couldn't keep away," confessed Ab. "It's the first time in my life +I've ever stood on a real bridge by right. Oh, but this is a different +thing altogether from the tiny bridge-deck of a fifty-foot boat!"</p> + +<p>Third Officer Costigan paid no heed to the motor boat boys. Though +Costigan had never held higher rank than he now enjoyed, standing watch +on a bridge was no new sensation for him. The young Irishman thought, +mainly, of the time when he would have the "Panther" through the Gate +and well off the coast. Then he could turn in below.</p> + +<p>Presently a fifth person joined the little squad on the bridge. It was +Joseph Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"You've a clear night and an easy sea, Captain," smiled the owner. "It's +a fortunate sort of start for you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"When you're well clear of the Gate, Captain, look in on me down in the +main cabin, and I'll give you your sailing orders for the night."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>Halstead knew his own dignity on the bridge. He was on duty, and did not +attempt to engage the owner in any conversation other than that which +concerned his present duties. Mr. Baldwin went below just after the +"Panther's" prow was turned into the beginning of the Golden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> Gate, that +magnificent approach to San Francisco harbor. The Gate is some two miles +long, and nearly a mile wide, with an abundance of deep water for the +passage of the largest craft afloat.</p> + +<p>"What speed, sir?" asked Dick Davis.</p> + +<p>"Ten miles is fast enough in this channel, isn't it, Mr. Costigan?" +inquired the young captain.</p> + +<p>"About as much as is best, sir."</p> + +<p>Dick, at a sign from Halstead, communicated the order to the engine +room. Twelve minutes later the "Panther" was clearing the Gate, leaving +a track of foam behind her as Davis signaled for increased speed.</p> + +<p>Joe, leaving his first assistant below at the motors, now joined the +bridge squad.</p> + +<p>"If there's nothing more, Captain," suggested Dawson, "I'll turn in +below for the night."</p> + +<p>Captain Halstead nodded. Soon afterwards he went below, to the main +cabin.</p> + +<p>"I've come to report for orders, Mr. Baldwin," he announced.</p> + +<p>"They're simple enough," replied the owner. "Clear the coast by some +twenty miles; then cruise south, at not too great speed—say, about +twelve miles an hour."</p> + +<p>"Do these orders hold until changed, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Captain."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p><p>Tom saluted, then turned as though to leave the cabin, but Mr. Baldwin +called him back.</p> + +<p>"You're not needed on the bridge yet, Captain. Remain with us a little +while, if you feel like it. You can see that Dr. Gray is keeping his own +watch down here in the main cabin."</p> + +<p>At that moment the physician, an elderly man, stepped out of a +stateroom, closing the door after him.</p> + +<p>"There! My patient will sleep for some hours, I think. I'll take the +upper berth in his room to-night, so that I can hear him and attend to +him if he wakes. Ah, good evening, Captain. Or is it good morning? I +have been told of your fine work—on land, at that."</p> + +<p>"Is Giddings going to be in anything like his right mind when he wakes?" +asked Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Oh, in a general way, I think he'll know what he's saying," replied the +physician. "But he won't be at all bright before thirty-six hours have +passed. Even then I can't guarantee him. Opium drives him to the verge +of mania."</p> + +<p>When several of the others had engaged in conversation, and the doctor +had taken a seat near the young captain, Tom asked:</p> + +<p>"Is opium smoking a very great evil in San Francisco, Doctor? That is, +do very many take to it?"</p> + +<p>"Not a very large proportion of the white<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> population, I am glad to +say," responded the physician. "Still, when the hop habit does get hold +of our white people it works fearful havoc with them. Opium and morphine +streak all the crime in San Francisco. These habits are the horrible +revenge that the Chinaman has taken upon the city for the persecution +the Chinaman once suffered at the hands of our hoodlums."</p> + +<p>"Then opium and morphine are largely responsible for the crime and vice +in the big city we have just left?" asked Halstead.</p> + +<p>"No; I won't say they're responsible," replied Dr. Gray. "But they color +the wickedness of San Francisco in their own way. There's a heap of +wickedness in every large city, but the crimes and vices here take on +aspects that are tremendously due to the use of opium and morphine by +the criminal classes. A very large percentage of our San Francisco +jailbirds use either opium or morphine. These drugs give them a lower +order of intelligence, and make them more cowardly, though often more +desperate when they find themselves driven into a corner. Captain +Halstead, be sure you never allow yourself to be tempted to use either +of those drugs."</p> + +<p>"Thank you; I don't believe I shall," smiled the young skipper. +"Especially, after what I've seen to-night."</p> + +<p>"Great as the curse of alcohol is," added Dr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> Gray, "the bane of opium +is ten-fold greater. In two or three generations it would ruin any +race."</p> + +<p>"Then why isn't the Chinese nation destroyed?" asked Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Because, although we have imported these dread habits from China, only +a small proportion of the Chinese people use the drugs. Those who do are +the outcasts of China."</p> + +<p>It was growing late, so the young skipper rose, inquiring whether the +owner had any further orders for him.</p> + +<p>"None, thank you, Captain," replied Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>Tom thereupon took his leave, returning to deck. The "Panther" was now +miles westward of the coast.</p> + +<p>"Ugh!" shivered young Halstead, as he stepped out on deck. Though it was +February, the air had been all but balmy in town. Out on the bay there +had been a little more chill in the air. But now, out on the wide +expanse of the ocean, there was a cold, damp wind blowing that seemed to +bite to the marrow after the bright warmth of the main cabin.</p> + +<p>Tom promptly stepped into his own cabin, taking down his deck ulster and +donning it. Then he made his way to the bridge, where Dick Davis was +pacing from side to side.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p><p>"No; I don't want any ice cream, thank you," grinned Dick, as his +captain joined him. Davis, who wore a reefer, was beating his arms +against his sides as though to keep warm. "I've been wishing, Captain, I +could get below for my ulster."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead," nodded Halstead. "I'll walk the bridge until you return." +Dick needed no urging, but made speed for his stateroom below. When he +came back he looked more contented.</p> + +<p>"Queer climate, this," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed the young skipper. "I'm told the thermometer never shows a +very low marking, but that the night air chills one down to the marrow +of his bones."</p> + +<p>For five minutes more young Halstead remained on the bridge, then went +below, after having left the customary instructions to call him to the +bridge in case he was needed.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's great to walk the bridge of as fine a craft as puts out of +San Francisco," Dick told himself, later on in the night. "But at night +it's mighty lonesome. I almost wish I could call one of the deckhands up +here to talk to."</p> + +<p>Of the seven seamen of the crew, one was assigned to work under the +first officer's orders during the daytime. The remaining six were +divided between the two watches. Of the three now at Davis's orders, one +was in the pilot house,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> for the purpose of relieving the quartermaster +whenever required. A second seaman, at night, stood out far forward as +bow-watch. The third made regular trips of inspection around the yacht, +unless ordered to some other duty.</p> + +<p>Jed Prentiss, sitting all alone down in the motor room, made the sixth +of those who were now awake on board the "Panther." At starboard and +port the colored running lights gleamed; a third light, white, twinkled +from the foremast-head. On the bridge stood a powerful searchlight whose +rays could be turned on at will.</p> + +<p>Thus manned, the "Panther" swept on steadily over the ocean, now headed +south. The solitary, boyish figure pacing the bridge, represented in the +night the brains and the present master-hand of this yacht, which, +equipped with a single three-inch cannon at the bow, could have outrun +or destroyed all the navies, combined, of ancient times.</p> + +<p>Through the night the sea roughened a good deal. The wind blew more +freshly, coming down off the land from the northeast. Still, the yacht +was in no labor in the sea, and the sky remained bright overhead. So the +second officer did not feel it necessary to disturb the rest of the +captain.</p> + +<p>At a quarter of eight in the morning, however,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> with the sun hidden +behind a haze, Dick pressed the button that sounded the electric +vibrating bell over Tom Halstead's berth. Then Davis picked up the +mouthpiece of the speaking tube to the pilot house.</p> + +<p>"Call the port watch," directed Dick, when the seaman had answered.</p> + +<p>Captain Tom came up on the bridge, pulling on his ulster as he came. He +greeted Dick, then stood looking about at the sky.</p> + +<p>"It has freshened up a good deal in the night," remarked the young +skipper.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I thought, sir, you'd want to see the weather while the watch was +changing."</p> + +<p>Third Officer Costigan was not long in appearing, greeting his two +superior officers as he reached the bridge.</p> + +<p>"Does this weather spell trouble coming on this coast, Mr. Costigan?" +questioned Halstead.</p> + +<p>"It'll most likely turn rougher, sir. Sometimes we get a gale out of the +northeast in February, though not as often as you do on the Atlantic. +That's all I can say, sir. How's the glass? The barometer, you see, sir, +is behaving like a gentleman at present."</p> + +<p>As Dick left the bridge at the changing of the watch, Tom followed him. +Halstead went to his own cabin, where he ordered his breakfast served. +This meal eaten, the young skipper,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> who still felt the fatigue of late +hours the night before, threw himself down on a divan. Though he had not +intended to sleep, in less than five minutes Tom Halstead had traveled +all the way to the land of Nod.</p> + +<p>Nor did the increased rolling and pitching of the "Panther" disturb him; +if anything, it lulled the young skipper into sounder slumber.</p> + +<p>By ten o'clock the gale was going more than forty miles an hour. At +eleven Ab Perkins turned the knob of the door, stepping inside. As Ab +stood there looking at the occupant of the divan, moisture dripped from +the ulster of the first officer.</p> + +<p>"I guess we need you on deck, sir," roared Ab, shaking the young +captain's shoulder. In a twinkling, Halstead was awake. In another +instant he was on his feet.</p> + +<p>"Weather is booming a bit, eh?" cried Captain Tom, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Nothing near as much, sir, as this craft can stand with comfort," Ab +responded. "But we're coming up with a schooner under bare poles and +wallowing badly. Foretop-mast blown away, too, and some of the bowsprit +missing."</p> + +<p>"Then you did right to call me," rejoined Halstead, pulling on his shoes +swiftly, and standing up to don his cap and reefer. "I'll go on the +bridge at once."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p><p>Baldwin and three of the passengers were on deck as Captain Tom +appeared. Halstead nodded their way, then hurriedly climbed the bridge +stairs. Now, he turned to take a look at the schooner. She lay dead +ahead, for Costigan had ordered the "Panther's" course altered so as to +speak the craft in distress. She was still about a mile distant, but for +a keen-eyed sailor it needed no glass to make out the fact that the +three-master was in utter distress.</p> + +<p>"Hard luck, that, in only a forty-mile blow," muttered Tom.</p> + +<p>"Wind-gauge shows forty-eight, sir," replied Mr. Costigan.</p> + +<p>"Anyway, someone must have been dozing on that schooner, to let her +canvas be blown away in such a wind," contended the young skipper.</p> + +<p>Then Tom picked up the marine glasses, for a good look at the craft.</p> + +<p>"Why, confound it, she has nothing left but a dinghy at the stern +davits," muttered Captain Halstead. "I'm afraid, Mr. Costigan, we've got +to get out our own boat."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid so, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then tumble out the starboard watch."</p> + +<p>The order was given through the pilot house speaking tube. The sailor +down there with the quartermaster went below at lively speed, routing +out the sleeping watch.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p><p>By the time they were on deck Tom Halstead was manœuvring the motor +yacht around to leeward of the wreck.</p> + +<p>"Schooner, ahoy!" he bellowed through a megaphone, from the bridge end.</p> + +<p>"Yacht ahoy!" came back the faint answer on the breeze. "This is the +schooner 'Alert,' Seattle; Jordrey, master."</p> + +<p>"What help do you want, 'Alert'?"</p> + +<p>"We're ready to abandon our vessel. Send us a boat, if you can."</p> + +<p>"Boat it is, then, Captain," Tom bawled back, lustily. "Stand by to help +our boat make fast alongside your lee quarter!"</p> + +<p>Then, turning, glancing down at the deck, Tom called:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Davis, the rescue boat is the second officer's trick!"</p> + +<p>"Glad of it, sir," retorted Dick, his eyes glistening.</p> + +<p>"Lower the port life-boat. Take four men at the oars and one for the +bow. You'll have to row. The power tender would be worthless in this +sea. Mr. Perkins will take the bridge. Mr. Costigan and the +quartermasters will help you off, Mr. Davis."</p> + +<p>Officers and men all moved with perfect discipline. With a merry roar +they lowered the life-boat. A boarding gangway was lowered at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> the side, +and down this the crew of the life-boat scrambled. Dick Davis took his +place at the tiller.</p> + +<p>"Cast off," he commanded. "Shove off. Let fall oars. Now, then—at it, +hearties!"</p> + +<p>From owner and passengers a cheer went up as the boat put off in such +famous style. In another instant, however, the boat tossed like a cork +on a high, rolling wave. Then it went down in the hollow between two +billows. It was up in sight, an instant later. The men at the oars were +doing their work with a will. Over the water struggled the life-boat, +and then turned to come up under the lee quarter of the schooner.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Captain Tom Halstead clutched desperately at the bridge rail, +his face going deathly white.</p> + +<p>"Merciful heaven!" he quivered, staring hard. For, near the crest of a +wave, the life-boat heeled. Another big wave caught her.</p> + +<p>Dick Davis and the boat's crew had been hurled from the overturning boat!</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER VIII</span> <span class="smaller">THE REAL KENNEBEC WAY</span></h2> + +<p>The young skipper of the "Panther" brushed his hand past his eyes.</p> + +<p>It was no dream, no trick of the vision. The life-boat was overturned, +riding keel upward, while two of its crew clung desperately to the keel. +A third head could be seen bobbing on the water. What had become of the +other three human beings?</p> + +<p>"Mr. Perkins, take command of the 'Panther,'" ordered Tom, hoarsely. +"Mr. Dawson, you and Mr. Prentiss, with two of the quartermasters and +the remaining seaman, stand by the starboard life-boat. I'll go in +charge."</p> + +<p>All those ordered sprang to their posts. Like a flash the davits were +swung around outward, other hands loosening the lowering tackle.</p> + +<p>"Captain, this is madness," remonstrated Mr. Baldwin. "If that boat +couldn't ride the water, this one can't."</p> + +<p>"This one must," retorted Captain Tom. "They're our own shipmates in the +water over there. Stand by to lower!"</p> + +<p>"Captain, I protest!" cried Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Get out of the way, then, sir, and do your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> protesting in private," +came, sternly, from the young skipper.</p> + +<p>Before those flashing eyes Mr. Baldwin took a step backward. At sea the +captain, not the owner, commands, and Joseph Baldwin quickly realized +it.</p> + +<p>"Captain!" roared down Ab Perkins's voice from the bridge.</p> + +<p>On the point of giving the lowering-away order, Tom turned to look where +the first officer pointed.</p> + +<p>In another second Captain Halstead commanded, hoarsely:</p> + +<p>"Stand by your posts at the davits!"</p> + +<p>Then he darted forward along the rail, taking in the inspiring sight +that greeted his eyes.</p> + +<p>Though Dick Davis had met with bad luck, he did not mean to let it turn +into disaster.</p> + +<p>Seeing two of his boat's crew safe for the moment, Dick succeeded in +helping two more sailors to gain the boat. Still another was making +stubborn headway over the waves toward the side of the schooner, where +one of the crew of the wreck stood ready to cast a rope.</p> + +<p>And now the master of the "Alert" made a splendid cast with a line that +shot far out, uncoiling until it lay across the overturned boat.</p> + +<p>"Good old Dick!" breathed young Halstead, as he saw his second officer +catch the rope and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> pass the end quickly back past the others who clung +to the keel of the overturned life-boat.</p> + +<p>The swimmer had now succeeded in reaching the rope, and was being helped +up to the schooner's deck. Dick and the remaining men, besides holding +onto the overturned boat, were slowly aiding those at the schooner's +rail to haul them to greater safety.</p> + +<p>When Halstead saw the overturned boat made fast along under the +schooner's lee he turned to shout back:</p> + +<p>"Swing in the davits, but stand by. We may need our boat yet."</p> + +<p>Dick Davis, however, aided by his own men and those on the derelict, was +working hard to right the life-boat. When they succeeded a great cheer +went up from the watchers on the "Panther."</p> + +<p>"Shall I go in closer, sir?" The question came from Parkinson, the chief +steward, who, when Captain Tom made such a draft for a second crew, had +been sent to the wheel house.</p> + +<p>"Get your orders from the bridge," Tom called back to him.</p> + +<p>Though Davis had lost his oars in the upset, the master of the "Alert" +was able to supply others. Now the loading of the life boat began. On +the return trip Dick was able to have six oarsmen. All hands stowed +themselves away in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> life-boat, Captain Jordrey coming last of all, +with his log, papers and instruments. Then Davis gave the order to shove +off.</p> + +<p>"Our friend is taking a big passenger contract, on such a rough sea," +Tom muttered, uneasily, to Joe Dawson, who had joined him. "But Dick +will pull it through, if anyone can."</p> + +<p>The life-boat, which was not of the largest size, lay low in the water +as she set out on her return. Every now and then one of the waves broke +with a choppy crest, to be succeeded by a long, rolling mass of water +that threatened to fill and overwhelm the boat. Dick Davis, however, +standing up, with one hand on the tiller and one knee against it, +handled his little craft with a master's skill.</p> + +<p>"Your friend is a wonderfully good officer, Captain," cried Joseph +Baldwin, enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"Any of my other officers could do as well, sir," Tom replied, calmly. +"It's the way of the Motor Boat Club training, and its effect on boys of +sea-roving stock."</p> + +<p>Yet there were half a dozen times, on that perilous return trip, when +those on the deck of the "Panther" held their breath, their pulses +moving faster.</p> + +<p>At just the right moment Ab Perkins swung the craft around somewhat to +starboard, then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> headed in so that Dick Davis was able more quickly to +have the life-boat up under the yacht's broad lee.</p> + +<p>Then, in a moment of relief, falls and tackle were made fast to the +boat, and the rescued men began coming up over the side like so many +squirrels.</p> + +<p>"Where's your captain?" demanded Master Jordrey, as he came over the +side. "I want to tell him that that boy officer of his is worth a dozen +of some kinds of men I've seen."</p> + +<p>"I'm captain here, at your service, sir," Tom announced, with a smile. +Jordrey stared hard, for Tom was plainly much younger than Davis.</p> + +<p>"What is this?" gasped the master of the "Alert." "A juvenile orphan +asylum afloat, without the teachers? But no matter who you are, you know +how to handle boats, large and small. My respects, Captain."</p> + +<p>The two mates, cook and crew of the schooner were pressing forward. +Costigan returned to the bridge, while Ab came down to the deck again, +attending to the hoisting and stowing of the life-boat. Halstead grasped +the hand of Dick Davis as he came over the side, looking at him with a +gaze full of appreciation.</p> + +<p>"Where are you bound, Captain Halstead?" inquired Captain Jordrey, a man +of some forty years.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p><p>"Cruising," Tom replied. "According to the owner's whim or orders. But +we can stow your people away somewhere on the boat until we make port, +or pass some other craft in smoother water. There's an extra stateroom +forward, below, Captain Jordrey, that you can have."</p> + +<p>There were also three berths, not in use, in the forecastle. For the +rest mattresses were laid, at need, on the forecastle floor.</p> + +<p>"It serves my owners right to lose the schooner," grumbled Jordrey. "The +canvas was worn out. I put in a requisition for new sets of sails before +leaving port, but they wouldn't let me have them."</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin approached Davis while he and Tom were talking on the +deck.</p> + +<p>"All I want to say, Mr. Davis," explained the owner, "is that, every +time I see you Motor Boat Club boys do anything new it only makes me +more and more glad that you're on my craft."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER IX</span> <span class="smaller">THE CHASE OF THEIR LIVES</span></h2> + +<p>It was Saturday forenoon when the officers and men of the "Alert" were +taken from the wreck. By Sunday morning the sea was running smoothly +after the short gale. On this latter morning the steamer from San Diego +to San Francisco was sighted and hailed, and Captain Jordrey and his men +were transferred to her.</p> + +<p>At this time the "Panther" was cruising leisurely, first north, then +south, out of sight of land, and at a mean distance of some two hundred +miles from the Golden Gate.</p> + +<p>On this Sunday morning young Gaston Giddings appeared on deck. He +appeared to have entirely recovered from his late debauch, though his +eyes lacked their natural luster. He was tastefully attired in a new +suit and topcoat taken from his wardrobe on board. He and Joseph Baldwin +walked much together, talking, and once in a while Mr. Ross joined them.</p> + +<p>"Captain," called the owner, as young Halstead stepped on deck.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," responded Tom, approaching.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p><p>"Mr. Giddings understands the part you played Friday night," went on +Mr. Baldwin, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"And I wish to thank you, of course," put in Giddings, holding out his +hand, though it seemed to the young skipper that his own pressure was +not very cordially returned.</p> + +<p>"You're welcome, of course, Mr. Giddings," smiled Halstead, "though I +hope I shall never have a chance to render the same service again."</p> + +<p>"I hope not," sighed the young man. Though Tom did not stare +impertinently, he looked into the young man's face long enough to note +the lifelessness depicted there, and the weakness of the mouth.</p> + +<p>"It seems queer to think of such a young fellow, and such a pulseless +piece of putty, being president of a great bank," thought Tom to +himself. "However, of course, if he inherited the controlling stock, he +could see to it that he was elected to the post."</p> + +<p>Dr. Gray, though he did not often speak to Giddings, hovered on deck, +keeping a rather watchful look over the young man.</p> + +<p>During the afternoon Tom had occasion to go to the main cabin briefly. +Mr. Baldwin looked around from the table at which he sat with his +guests. He nodded to the young captain, then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> turned back to the pile of +papers that he had evidently been discussing with his guests.</p> + +<p>"You needn't go, Captain," called the owner over his shoulder. "We are +talking business, but we know you have no ears, away from your duties. +Now, Giddings, as I've been explaining to you, we need ten million +dollars in cash to put this matter in motion. Your bank, the Sheepmen's, +then, will advance five millions on the collateral we have been +discussing, and the syndicate of banks that I have named will put up the +other five millions. That will start the matter in motion. Then, when we +come to the second step in the game, we shall have to be ready with +fifteen millions, and of this money the Sheepmen's——"</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead heard, yet didn't hear. It was all a matter of listless +indifference to him what these men of the money world were planning in +the way of new and big enterprises. The young captain would have been +much more interested in reading the "Panther's" patent log.</p> + +<p>"Are you certain, Giddings, that you have facilities for turning over +the five millions to us at once?" asked Mr. Ross.</p> + +<p>"Why, we've been calling in cash for some days," replied Gaston +Giddings. "We've been preparing for this demand of yours for money. +Then, you know, we secured the whole of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> Treasury Department's last +apportionment of thousand-dollar Treasury notes. We have three million +dollars' worth of these notes locked in our vaults at this moment. +That's good enough money for you, isn't it?" demanded the young bank +president, boastfully.</p> + +<p>"Yes," muttered Ross, "if it's all there when we get back."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" demanded Giddings, flushing.</p> + +<p>"I guess you know how highly I esteem your cashier, Rollings?"</p> + +<p>"He's all right," declared Giddings, hotly.</p> + +<p>"As long as I don't own any stock in your bank I'm not worrying," +replied Ross, rather shortly. "It's none of my business, young man; yet, +as one of your father's friends, I can't help being uneasy over the +thought that Rollings has the combination of your main vault."</p> + +<p>"If he didn't have, I could hardly take these jaunts out to sea," +retorted the young man.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you could; Hawkins, your vice-president and your father's before +you, is a man to be trusted with anything. Hawkins could go to the main +vault whenever necessary. For Rollings to have that combination——"</p> + +<p>"I don't want to hear any more of this!" cried Giddings, hotly, rising +from the table.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p><p>"You don't need to, then," rejoined Mr. Ross, coolly. "You know what I +<i>think</i>."</p> + +<p>"Don't get in a huff, Gaston," put in Joseph Baldwin, briskly. "Ross has +told you, plainly, in so many words, just what other friends of yours +think of Rollings. He's an able banking man, but none of us think too +highly of his honesty. You'll find that two of your own directors, Mr. +Pendleton and Mr. Howe, who are here, agree with Mr. Ross and myself."</p> + +<p>Mr. Howe remained silent, tapping the table with a pencil, but Mr. +Pendleton said, slowly:</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess Frank Rollings is all right. Still, I wish, with the +others, that he didn't have such easy access to three millions of +dollars in bills of such large denomination that the whole sum could be +carried off in a satchel."</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," announced Giddings, rather stiffly, "when we reach San +Francisco to-morrow morning, and find that the money is all safe, I +shall consider that I have the apology of each one of you for the doubts +thrown at my friend, Frank Rollings, behind his back."</p> + +<p>That was the last that Tom Halstead heard, for he left the cabin. At +eight o'clock that evening, however, the young skipper received his +orders from Mr. Baldwin to make San Francisco at ten the following +forenoon. Almost to the minute the yacht's bow anchors were let go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> at +her usual moorings in San Francisco Bay. The power tender was lowered +over the side, to take Mr. Baldwin and his guests ashore, Quartermaster +Bickson going along to handle the boat.</p> + +<p>"Come along with us, if you like, Captain," invited Mr. Baldwin. "After +we get through our business at the bank our party will lunch at one of +the clubs. It ought to be pleasant for you."</p> + +<p>Tom gratefully accepted, making a swift change from his uniform to +ordinary street dress.</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings held his head a good deal higher than usual when he led +the party from carriages into the sombre, solid old building in which +the Sheepmen's Bank was housed. The young president conducted his party +through the long counting room and into the president's office at the +rear.</p> + +<p>Here Giddings took command, as by right. Showing his guests to seats, he +stepped over to a massive roll-top desk, unlocking it and throwing the +roll up. Then he pressed a button on his desk. One of the bank's +messengers entered.</p> + +<p>"Ask Mr. Rollings to come in," desired Giddings.</p> + +<p>The messenger soon returned, to report:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p><p>"Mr. Rollings is out at this moment. Mr. Conroy, the first assistant +cashier, is at his desk."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Conroy will do, then."</p> + +<p>The first assistant cashier was soon in the president's office. To him +Giddings explained about the loan that had been decided upon.</p> + +<p>"I will prepare a list, Mr. Conroy, of stable securities on which I wish +you to raise two million dollars in cash at once. But, first of all, get +Mr. Hawkins to go to the main vault with you. Tell Mr. Hawkins that I +wish the three millions in thousand-dollar notes brought here. You come +back here with Mr. Hawkins."</p> + +<p>"Can it be delayed for just a little while, sir?" inquired Conroy. "Two +of the United States bank examiners are here, prepared to go over our +assets."</p> + +<p>"Bring that three million here at once," rapped out Gaston Giddings, +rather sharply. "The bank examiners may come in here and help in +counting it here in my office. Now, go; carry out my orders, precisely."</p> + +<p>Mr. Conroy departed in haste. While he was gone the two bank examiners +entered the president's room. Giddings greeted them, asking them to take +seats. Cigars were passed about by a messenger. The air was rather thick +with smoke when Conroy returned, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>accompanied by the aged +vice-president, Mr. Hawkins. The latter carried a satchel, which he took +to the large centre table.</p> + +<p>"The money there?" inquired Giddings.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," responded Mr. Hawkins. "I understood that you wished to look +it over here."</p> + +<p>As Giddings laid down his cigar, moving over to the table, the two bank +examiners joined the bank's officers.</p> + +<p>Not a very imposing-looking pile was revealed when Mr. Hawkins opened +the satchel, drawing forth the contents—three not very large packages +covered with numerous heavy seals.</p> + +<p>"As I'll probably never see three million dollars again in my life, I'll +try to get a good look now," thought Tom Halstead, keenly alive with +interest. He sat at some distance from the table, but had a good view.</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings himself opened one of the packages. He broke the seals +deliberately, then unfolded many wrappings. Suddenly the contents of the +package fell to the polished mahogany surface of the table, followed by +the frenzied gaze of the young president.</p> + +<p>"<i>Nothing but blank brown paper!</i>" he screamed, hoarsely. He collapsed, +falling with his arms across the table, his eyes bulging as though an +epileptic seizure threatened him.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p><p>With a fearful gasp Henry Hawkins snatched up another package, tearing +it nervously apart. Conroy did the same with the third package. In each +case the result was the same.</p> + +<p>"Three million dollars worth of brown paper!" clicked one of the bank +examiners.</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings, moaning piteously, turned, tottering back to his desk, +where he fell heavily into his chair, next letting his head fall forward +on his arms. Messrs. Hawkins and Conroy recovered much more quickly. +They darted out into the counting room, but presently came back to +report.</p> + +<p>Frank Rollings had been gone more than an hour. When he left, he had +carried a satchel. Some fifteen minutes before leaving the bank he had +been in the main vault, the huge steel door of which he had afterwards +closed. Conroy was now in that vault, with several subordinates, engaged +in making a rapid survey of the other contents.</p> + +<p>In the president's room Henry Hawkins, who no longer waited to consult +the almost paralyzed young president, went swiftly to the telephone. The +Bankers' Protective Association, advised by telephone, swiftly had half +a dozen detectives scurrying to the bayside, to take up the trail at the +ferry that furnishes the sole avenue to the east. Others of these +detectives<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> covered the docks of vessels due to sail that day from the +port of San Francisco.</p> + +<p>Nor did the bank examiners present fail to do their duty promptly. +Within a few minutes a United States assistant district attorney and two +deputy marshals arrived at the bank.</p> + +<p>From the first moment none who had knowledge of the affair believed +Frank Rollings, the absent cashier, to be innocent. The assistant +district attorney swiftly drew up an information, which Giddings and +Hawkins signed under oath. The law's officer rushed off to get from a +United States judge a brief warrant authorizing the arrest of the +cashier, for the Sheepmen's was a national bank, and the robbery came +under the jurisdiction of the United States courts.</p> + +<p>Then came a telephone message from the Banker's Association:</p> + +<p>"One of our detectives has learned that Rollings sailed, an hour ago, on +the steam yacht, 'Victor.' An observer at the Cliff House reports that +he has made out the 'Victor,' some miles from the coast, hull-down to +the southwest!"</p> + +<p>That news electrified those in the bank president's office. They sprang +into action. Automobiles were summoned to the door of the bank. Joseph +Baldwin's same party sped back<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> to the water front. Another 'phone +message summoned the assistant district attorney and his marshals to +meet them at the landing stage.</p> + +<p>It was all carried through with a rush. Hardly had the last member of +the party stepped over the side of the "Panther" before Tom Halstead had +the anchors up and stowed. The young skipper himself, from the bridge, +rang the engine room bell for half speed ahead, quickly changing this to +full speed.</p> + +<p>"Are you in the engine room, Joe Dawson?" called Skipper Tom, through +the speaking tube.</p> + +<p>"Right on hand!" came the answer.</p> + +<p>"Then whoop up the speed for all you're worth. Let's have it all—every +bit. We're on the chase of our lives!"</p> + +<p>Captain Tom Halstead was still on the bridge when the Golden Gate was +left behind. He was still there, more than two hours later, when the +upper spars of a vessel believed to be the "Victor" were made out on the +far southwestern horizon.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER X</span> <span class="smaller">COMING TO CLOSE, DANGEROUS QUARTERS</span></h2> + +<p>"Have any of you gentlemen ever had a good, long look at the 'Victor'?" +shouted Captain Tom, leaning down over the starboard bridge rail.</p> + +<p>"I have," admitted Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Then I think you'd better come up here, sir, and take one of the +glasses."</p> + +<p>"Think you've sighted her?" demanded Baldwin, eagerly, as he raced up +the steps.</p> + +<p>"We've sighted some yacht. We've got to cut down a few miles of the +distance between us before we can be sure about the stranger."</p> + +<p>Then, while Baldwin held the glasses to his eyes, Dick Davis showing him +where to look, Halstead snatched up the engine room speaking tube.</p> + +<p>"Joe, give us more of that hot-foot, if it's in the old motors. We think +we're in chase—but, oh, man, man! How we need speed now!"</p> + +<p>"I can't be sure of anything yet," complained Mr. Baldwin, in a +depressed tone. "We've got to be nearer, and see the hull of the craft +yonder, before I can feel sure about her."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p><p>"I'm pretty near sure, now, that it's the 'Victor,'" muttered Halstead, +after he had picked up his own marine glass and used it for a few +seconds.</p> + +<p>"Why do you say that?" demanded the owner.</p> + +<p>"Our masts must be visible to the commander of the other craft. As if he +suspected pursuit, he's crowding on steam. See that big cloud of black +smoke coming up between the other craft's masts?"</p> + +<p>"Yes! You're right."</p> + +<p>"Now, unless a captain who is already moving under good speed is trying +to escape something, he doesn't suddenly throw on his furnace drafts in +that fashion," went on Tom, hurriedly. "So, Mr. Baldwin, I think you may +feel sure that you're speeding along in the wake of the 'Victor.'"</p> + +<p>"I'll have to call Jephson up here and show him this," cried the owner, +moving to the bridge rail.</p> + +<p>"All right, sir. But don't ask any others up. We've got a hard chase in +hand, and don't want enough folks up here to interfere with the handling +of the 'Panther.'"</p> + +<p>Jephson started quickly forward at the call.</p> + +<p>"Have you sighted the runaway craft?" called Mr. Ross, also starting +forward.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p><p>"We think so," Mr. Baldwin answered. "But don't come up here. Captain +Halstead doesn't want a crowd on the bridge. All the space up here is +needed for handling the yacht."</p> + +<p>Mr. Jephson saw what there was to see. He added his belief that they +were in the wake of the "Victor."</p> + +<p>"Are you going to be able to overtake her, Captain?" he demanded, +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"We're going to try," Tom responded, anxiously. "We've only four hours +of daylight, or so, left to us. If we can get close enough, however, we +ought to hold the 'Victor' after dark with our searchlight."</p> + +<p>"You'll overtake her, of course!" declared Joseph Baldwin, abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Yet the 'Victor' is said to be a very fast boat, sir."</p> + +<p>"So is the 'Panther,'" retorted the owner. "Besides, Captain Halstead, +we've <i>got</i> to overtake her!"</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead took up the mouth-piece of the engine room speaking tube.</p> + +<p>"That you, chief?" he asked. "I think you'd better come to the bridge, +watch the chase, and see what you have to beat."</p> + +<p>Joe Dawson came immediately to the bridge. Presently he used the tube, +calling down very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> definite instructions to Jed Prentiss, whose trick it +was at the motors.</p> + +<p>"Keep a close eye on your helmsman's work, Mr. Davis," the young captain +directed. "See to it that he doesn't waver a hair's breadth in bearing +down on the stranger. Any speed lost in steering would be a useless +waste."</p> + +<p>While Joe remained on the bridge, Halstead soon went to the deck below. +Mr. Baldwin followed him.</p> + +<p>"If you can make the 'Panther' show all I think there is in her, +Captain," commented the owner, "then we should overtake that other craft +and have this chase ended in a few hours."</p> + +<p>"The 'Panther' is doing, now, sir, all that she is capable of doing +under her motors alone. The result of this race depends mainly on how +well the steam yacht is handled, for she seems very nearly, if not +quite, as speedy as your yacht."</p> + +<p>"Is the 'Panther' going at absolutely her last quarter of a mile?"</p> + +<p>"Chief Engineer Dawson informs me that he might get a little more speed +out of the motors, but that he feels it wouldn't be altogether safe to +try."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't a hoist of sail help us?"</p> + +<p>"Not with the wind from the present <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>quarter," Tom replied, +thoughtfully. "I have already been considering that."</p> + +<p>"It seems hard to be beaten," sighed Joseph Baldwin. "It is hard, even, +not to find ourselves racing right up on the 'Victor.'"</p> + +<p>"We haven't been beaten yet, sir," smiled Halstead. "Nor are we beaten +as long as we have the other boat in sight."</p> + +<p>As Baldwin turned and stepped over to the rail, he saw Skipper Tom +moving away.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"To my cabin, sir, to take a nap."</p> + +<p>"Nap?" echoed the owner, in great amazement.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I am afraid I shall be up about all night. Just now there's a +chance for me to store up some sleep."</p> + +<p>"But the chase?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Davis will have his orders to call me if we appear to be losing +ground at all."</p> + +<p>Mr. Baldwin looked his astonishment. He did not yet know the Motor Boat +Club boys as well as he might have done. Dick Davis was up on the +bridge, keen-eyed and alert. Dick knew well enough what to do, and he +could call the young captain at need. Besides, Joe Dawson was up there +with the second officer, watching the relative speeds of the two boats.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p><p>When Tom Halstead turned out again he had put two hours of sleep into +his supply of reserve force.</p> + +<p>"How do we stand, now, Mr. Davis?" asked the young skipper, reaching for +the speaking tube.</p> + +<p>"We've been gaining, sir. We can make out the upper hull, now. Mr. +Baldwin is here on the bridge, and declares the stranger is the +'Victor.' One of the deputy marshals, who knows the boat well, is also +certain."</p> + +<p>"Is the 'Victor' burning coal as hard as ever?"</p> + +<p>"Just as hard, sir."</p> + +<p>"And we're gaining? That shows we can overhaul the other craft in time. +How's the weather?"</p> + +<p>"Slight haze, Captain, but fine weather," reported Dick Davis.</p> + +<p>So Captain Tom Halstead felt that he could still safely take his time, +for he expected to be all night on duty. He indulged in the luxury of a +bath, dressed comfortably, drew on his reefer, then leisurely left his +cabin, ascending the stairs to the bridge.</p> + +<p>"I've hardly been away from here," announced Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"I doubt if I shall be, to-night, sir," Tom answered.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p><p>"You speak of to-night as though you thought the chase would last +through the hours of darkness."</p> + +<p>"And doesn't it seem likely to you that it will, Mr. Baldwin, unless +something happens to the 'Victor'?"</p> + +<p>"I fear I was never built for slow, patient work like this," sighed the +financier. "Gaining one second in every hour would wear me out in time."</p> + +<p>Before dark Captain Halstead had the hull clearly in sight. The +"Victor," however, was still some five miles in the lead, nor did the +"Panther" appear to be gaining, much more than half a mile an hour.</p> + +<p>It was Third Officer Costigan's watch on the bridge, by this time. Dick +Davis, however, did not feel like turning in, and spent much of his time +pacing the deck forward, keeping a sharp lookout.</p> + +<p>Just before dark the motor yacht's searchlight was turned on. A few +minutes later its thin, bright ribbon of light was kept almost +constantly turned on the craft ahead.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead and Joe spent a comfortable amount of time over their +dinner at table in the captain's cabin.</p> + +<p>"I guess Mr. Baldwin wonders that we can take any comfort at this sort +of thing,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> laughed Joe. "I'll wager he doesn't give much time to his +supper to-night."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we wouldn't, either, if we owned considerable stock in the +Sheepmen's Bank, as Mr. Baldwin does," murmured Halstead. "For him, and +for some of the others aboard, this race is for tremendously heavy +stakes. I wish, though, that Mr. Baldwin could realize that, even if we +do eat, and even nap, we are straining every nerve to catch up with the +other boat."</p> + +<p>Just then the buzzer for the bridge speaking tube sounded. Tom was able +to reach the mouthpiece without leaving the table.</p> + +<p>"Captain," reported Mr. Costigan, "the craft ahead seems to be making +somewhat less speed."</p> + +<p>"Does it look like a break-down?" asked the young skipper.</p> + +<p>"Can't say, sir. But the 'Victor' must be going two miles an hour slower +than she was ten minutes ago."</p> + +<p>"That's the best news I've heard, Mr. Costigan. Watch your helmsman's +work. Let me know if anything more happens. Anyway, I'll be on the +bridge as soon as I've finished dinner."</p> + +<p>Joe, who had jumped up while he heard his chum speaking, now looked +astonished.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p><p>"Going to finish your dinner, Tom, after hearing such news as that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Why not? Oh, I'm enthusiastic enough, but it takes gasoline, not +enthusiasm, to keep motors going. You might call the news down to Jeff +Randolph, though, and see whether he thinks he can put on any more spurt +without danger."</p> + +<p>Jeff Randolph reported that the motors were going at top speed.</p> + +<p>Chief Steward Parkinson came in to remove the dishes for that course. +His face was glowing.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Baldwin's up on the bridge, Captain," reported the steward.</p> + +<p>"I thought he would be," nodded the young skipper, coolly.</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes later, when Captain Tom Halstead had finished the last of +the meal, he rose, donning his cap, then pulling on his deck ulster.</p> + +<p>"Now," he remarked, quietly, "I think I'll go above and have a look."</p> + +<p>Joe Dawson followed at his heels. The long beam of the searchlight +trailed out over the water, its further end resting across the stern of +the "Victor." Mr. Costigan had ordered a sailor to the bridge, whose +sole duty was to keep the searchlight trained.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p><p>"This race can't last much longer," cried Mr. Baldwin, gleefully.</p> + +<p>"The present indications, sir," Tom replied, "are that it will last more +than long enough for you to go below and have your dinner, Mr. Baldwin, +if you want it."</p> + +<p>"I think I will go," laughed the owner. "Standing up here, watching, +watching all the time, my nerves are getting thready. You'll call me, of +course, if——"</p> + +<p>"When we get near enough to hail the other boat, sir," Tom Halstead +replied, gravely.</p> + +<p>Dinner was not quite over in the main cabin when Skipper Tom uttered a +sudden exclamation that made Costigan wheel about.</p> + +<p>The "Victor" was palpably slowing down.</p> + +<p>"What can that mean?" demanded Halstead.</p> + +<p>"A crank-pin loose, or some other trouble with the machinery, sir?" +suggested the third officer.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead quickly summoned the sailor who was with the quartermaster +in the pilot house.</p> + +<p>"Go to the main cabin, with my compliments, and tell Mr. Baldwin that +the other craft is slowing down," ordered Tom.</p> + +<p>There was a rush from below. The assistant from the United States +district attorney's office took but a brief look, then dived below to +find<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> his two deputy marshals. These two officers followed their +superior to the deck, stationing themselves in the bow.</p> + +<p>"Captain," shouted Mr. Jephson, "will you go up close enough so that I +can hail them?"</p> + +<p>"When we overtake the steam yacht," Captain Halstead shouted back, "I +shall run up to starboard of her, and as close as I can without danger +of collision."</p> + +<p>"That will do excellently, Captain," assented the district attorney's +assistant.</p> + +<p>The "Panther" was now rapidly closing in on the distance that separated +the two craft. As yet, however, the motor yacht remained almost fairly +astern.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, from one of the stern port-holes of the steam yacht there came +two red flashes. A bullet crashed through the glass in the front window +of the "Panther's" pilot house. Captain Tom was standing with his head +some two feet from the searchlight. The second bullet whizzed between +his head and the light.</p> + +<p>Almost instantly two more flashes showed ahead.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XI</span> <span class="smaller">GASTON GIDDINGS MAKES TROUBLE</span></h2> + +<p>THE second pair of bullets passed overhead, though close enough for +their whistling song to be heard.</p> + +<p>In a jiffy there was a mad scramble to get away from the bridge. Captain +Tom Halstead and Third Officer Costigan had that place to themselves.</p> + +<p>"Throw the wheel over three points to the starboard! Hold to a course +three points off the present one," called Halstead, sharply.</p> + +<p>"You men answer with your revolvers," was Mr. Jephson's order.</p> + +<p>"Our revolvers wouldn't carry that far, sir," objected one of the deputy +marshals.</p> + +<p>"I know it, but let those scoundrels discover that we have firearms +too," retorted the district attorney's assistant.</p> + +<p>So the futile revolver shots flashed out. In answer a rifle bullet +carried away the hat of one of the deputies.</p> + +<p>"That's confounded close shooting," coolly uttered the unhatted one, +running down the deck after his head gear.</p> + +<p>Another shot flew by close to the searchlight.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p><p>"That's the mark the scoundrels are aiming at," muttered the young +skipper, angrily. "Turn off the current, Mr. Costigan, and I'll unship +the light."</p> + +<p>This done, the big reflector and the bulb behind it were taken down to +the pilot house by one of the sailors.</p> + +<p>"You confounded pirates!" roared the district attorney, shaking his fist +in the direction of the "Victor."</p> + +<p>"That <i>was</i> actual piracy, wasn't it?" questioned Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Nothing else!" retorted the assistant, angrily, as he came down aft to +place the wheel house between himself and that other craft. "If we ever +get that captain and crew on shore we'll make 'em smart in a trial for +piracy!"</p> + +<p>Having veered off the course of direct pursuit, Captain Halstead was now +steering ahead, meaning to run parallel with the "Victor." He kept half +a mile away, but, even had the other craft lowered its running lights, +the starlight was bright enough to enable the bridge officer to keep the +"Victor" in sight.</p> + +<p>"Try to keep just this distance, Mr. Costigan," directed Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir."</p> + +<p>Tom then descended to the deck, where he sauntered up to the excited +group.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p><p>"What's your guess, Halstead, as to the meaning of those shots?" +questioned Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Well, of course," replied Tom, slowly, "the master of that other yacht +would be glad to see our searchlight smashed. That was one reason for +the firing."</p> + +<p>"And another?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I imagine, sir, those people want us to know that they carry +rifles. They want to show us the folly of thinking we can pursue and +board them."</p> + +<p>"This pursuit should really have been undertaken by a naval vessel or +revenue cutter," said Mr. Jephson, rather disgustedly. "One shot from +the bowgun of an armed vessel would bring that yacht lying to in a +jiffy."</p> + +<p>"Humph!" grunted the practical Mr. Baldwin. "There isn't a cutter or +gunboat in San Francisco waters fast enough to overtake either of these +boats."</p> + +<p>"I don't understand, sir," put in Halstead, quietly, "why you haven't +had a wireless telegraph apparatus installed aboard this yacht. Why, +even the little fifty-five foot boat that Dawson and I own has a +wireless installation."</p> + +<p>"What would you do with one, if you had it on board now?" asked Mr. +Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Do?" repeated Halstead. "Why, we could signal in all directions. There +may be some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> fast cruiser or torpedo boat destroyer, out of our sight, +yet within reach by wireless. If we could pick up one such vessel now, +we could soon end this chase, and without bloodshed. Even any foreign +war vessel would answer, for all war vessels have the right to overhaul +and capture pirates. Any warship of any nation in the world would act, +now, on a request from Mr. Jephson, who represents the United States. +And such help may be not twenty miles off, but we have no wireless with +which to find out."</p> + +<p>"As we haven't a wireless installation," pursued Mr. Baldwin, "what are +we going to do now, Mr. Jephson?"</p> + +<p>"I trust you'll continue to keep that other yacht in sight," replied the +assistant district attorney. "We may yet meet a warship or a revenue +cutter."</p> + +<p>"Any kind of a vessel we meet may have a few rifles on board that we +could borrow or buy," suggested Captain Tom.</p> + +<p>"Anyway," decided Mr. Baldwin, "we'll keep that pirate craft right in +sight if we can, and as long as we can. We'll trust for something to +turn up that will throw luck in our way."</p> + +<p>The "Victor" which was of some ten feet greater length than the +"Panther," looked like a boat which, despite her speed, was built to +carry a good deal of coal.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p><p>Yet, through the next few hours that followed, no attempt was made by +those handling the steam craft to get her best speed out of her. It +looked as though her sailing master and engineer meant to save some +coal, now that the "Panther" had caught up and could keep up. Both +vessels continued at a speed of some sixteen miles per hour.</p> + +<p>Mr. Baldwin and his guests remained on deck. So did young Halstead, who +had decided that he must now do with but little sleep while the chase +continued in its present phase.</p> + +<p>"Any sharp little sea-trick might enable the other fellows to slip away +from us," he declared to the owner. "Every man on board ought to help in +the good work on hand."</p> + +<p>At about eleven o'clock the young skipper left Mr. Costigan on the +bridge, and went below, though he did not turn in.</p> + +<p>Nor had any of the passengers sought their berths. All of Mr. Baldwin's +friends were on deck. Young Gaston Giddings, however, paced nervously, +apart from the rest.</p> + +<p>"He's fretting over his folly in keeping Rollings in such an important +post, and giving the rascal the chance to run away with all that money, +I suppose," thought the young skipper.</p> + +<p>Somehow, Tom could not help watching Giddings a good deal. It was the +nervous hitch in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> the young man's gait that first caught Halstead's eye. +Presently the young captain of the "Panther" strolled slowly by Gaston +Giddings.</p> + +<p>"Confound it, what a queer, restless look there is in the fellow's +eyes," thought Tom, uneasy, though he could hardly have explained why.</p> + +<p>After that Halstead watched the young bank president even more closely, +though he took pains to hide the scrutiny.</p> + +<p>A request from Mr. Jephson called the cabin party over to the port rail +to watch the "Victor." The instant the last of his companions had gone +forward, and had passed around the pilot house, Giddings, after a swift +look about him, stole into the dining saloon.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead, ostensibly lounging behind one of the life-boats, saw this +move.</p> + +<p>"Now, what's he up to?" muttered Tom. "Mischief, judging by his queer +antics. We've mischief enough to deal with, without having it take place +right on board our own boat!"</p> + +<p>Halstead stole forward in time to see Giddings darting down the +staircase into the main cabin.</p> + +<p>"I'll just get down where I can watch this," muttered Tom. Concealed +near the foot of the staircase, he saw Giddings, with some sort of a +small tool, prying the lock of Dr. Gray's medicine case open.</p> + +<p>"Oho!" muttered Halstead, as he saw young<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> Mr. Giddings abstract a +small, screw-capped vial. "There's morphine in that doctor's outfit, and +Giddings has guessed it!"</p> + +<p>Tossing the medicine case back into the doctor's stateroom, Gaston +Giddings stole up the after-companionway to the deck aft.</p> + +<p>"With all our other troubles aboard, I don't believe we want any +morphine maniacs here!" muttered Tom Halstead, excitedly.</p> + +<p>Giddings, quivering with eagerness, trembling with aggravated +nervousness, leaned against the stern rail, glancing out over the water +as he drew the screw-capped vial from his pocket.</p> + +<p>Just as he started to remove the cap from the bottle, a hand shot around +him from the rear.</p> + +<p>The young skipper of the "Panther" snatched the vial, remarking coolly:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Giddings, you don't need that stuff, and no one on board wants you +to have it."</p> + +<p>With a swift movement, Halstead dropped the vial into one of his +pockets.</p> + +<p>"You confounded thief!" hissed Gaston Giddings.</p> + +<p>Swift as a flash, in his rage, the young man sprang at the youthful +skipper of the yacht.</p> + +<p>"You'll give that back to me, or go overboard!" snarled the victim of +the drug habit.</p> + +<p>"If you get it, it'll be after I'm overboard," snapped back Tom.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p><p>In another instant Giddings's fingers were wrapped in a tight hold +about Tom's throat. The drug maniac seemed possessed, for the instant, +of the strength of half a dozen men.</p> + +<p>The young skipper himself was no weakling, but now he had his hands +full.</p> + +<p>Even had he been so minded, he could not have called for help. Backward +and forward the pair struggled for a few seconds. Then the young skipper +found himself growing weaker for lack of air.</p> + +<p>With a triumphant snarl Gaston Giddings forced his antagonist to the +stern rail. Still Tom Halstead fought furiously, silently, with that +tight grip at his throat making his brain reel. He realized that Gaston +Giddings was winning the victory!</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XII</span> <span class="smaller">TOO-WHOO-OO! IS THE WORD</span></h2> + +<p>In that last desperate moment Tom Halstead employed the trick he had +hesitated to use.</p> + +<p>He raised one of his feet, kicking smartly at the left knee-cap of his +assailant.</p> + +<p>With a groan, Giddings weakened his hold, for the pain following the +kick was intense.</p> + +<p>Throwing both his arms tightly around the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> young man, Halstead held on, +drawing himself back to the deck as Giddings fell back.</p> + +<p>"You're not going to fool me that way!" snarled the young drug maniac. +He made another spring, trying to forget the pain in his knee.</p> + +<p>But Halstead had regained his footing fully. Now, he dodged, then closed +in, tripping Giddings and throwing him heavily to the deck.</p> + +<p>"What's this? What's this going on?" demanded Joseph Baldwin, running +back along the port side, followed by Mr. Ross and Dr. Gray.</p> + +<p>Halstead was now on top of his assailant, and, though Giddings still +tried to fight with fury, his strength was deserting him.</p> + +<p>"One of you hold him," urged Captain Tom, "and I'll get up and explain."</p> + +<p>"Did he attack you?" insisted Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Well, rather," grunted Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Let him up. He won't dare attack you again, with so many about."</p> + +<p>"No; but he may try to jump overboard," retorted Halstead. "Mr. Giddings +has another drug streak on him. He's not responsible for what he does."</p> + +<p>"I guess that's right," nodded Dr. Gray. "Baldwin, you and Mr. Ross hold +him, while the captain gets up and tells us what has happened."</p> + +<p>The young skipper quickly explained, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>producing the vial he had snatched +from the young bank president.</p> + +<p>"That's all the morphine I have with me," remarked Dr. Gray. "I'll make +sure of keeping that, hereafter, where no one but myself can find it. +Mr. Baldwin, you'd better get the young man below. Use force, if you +find it necessary."</p> + +<p>They accomplished this without having attracted the attention of any of +the sailors or stewards. Mr. Giddings was then unceremoniously thrust +into his stateroom, and the door locked, though this was not until the +physician had searched the young man, removing his pocket knife and also +the tool that the drug victim had used in forcing the lock of the +medicine case.</p> + +<p>"I did what I thought was right," Halstead explained.</p> + +<p>"And I'm mighty glad you saw him, and acted so promptly," replied the +physician.</p> + +<p>Through the rest of the night the physician had a battle with his +patient, working hard to keep a more pronounced streak of mania from +coming on. It is to such fearful torments that "hop-fiends" and morphine +users are always exposed in the end.</p> + +<p>At midnight Dick Davis again went on the bridge, beginning his eight +hours' watch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> Though Halstead had the utmost faith in the skill and +judgment of his friend, he, also, remained up until nearly four o'clock +in the morning. Then he turned to leave the bridge.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to my cabin now, Mr. Davis, to turn in on my sofa for a +while. If I am needed for anything at all, don't hesitate to call me +instantly."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, Captain," Dick replied.</p> + +<p>Barely two hours had the young skipper slept when the sharp, jarring +tones of the vibrating electric bell from the bridge rang over his head. +Tom was up in an instant, pulling on his shoes. As he reached for his +deck ulster and cap there came from overhead a note that told him at +once why he was wanted.</p> + +<p>Too-whoo-oo-oo!</p> + +<p>"Fog!" gasped the young yacht captain. "Of all the confounded luck!"</p> + +<p>With his ulster over his arm he threw open the door of his cabin, making +for the bridge steps.</p> + +<p>The mist was yet light and curling as Captain Halstead reached the open. +Second Officer Dick Davis met him at the head of the steps.</p> + +<p>"How long has this been coming on?" demanded Halstead.</p> + +<p>"The first little puffs rolled in half an hour ago," replied Dick. "You +see, I've put in closer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> to the enemy. We're still well in sight, or I'd +have called you earlier."</p> + +<p>The motor yacht was now running along abreast of the "Victor," and less +than three hundred yards distant. The steam yacht's lights were in plain +sight, save when occasional puffs of fog obscured them briefly.</p> + +<p>Tom groaned with excitement.</p> + +<p>"This is going to get heavier," he muttered.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," nodded Davis. "Still, I didn't believe it necessary to call +you until I had to use the whistle."</p> + +<p>Too-whoo-oo-oo! sounded the auto fog-horn, controlled by the sailor on +watch in the pilot-house with the quartermaster.</p> + +<p>"You did right, Mr. Davis," the young skipper nodded. "But we're going +to be up against it in half an hour. Where's your extra man of the +watch?"</p> + +<p>Davis blew a thrilling blast on his mate's whistle. In answer the third +sailor of the watch came running to the bridge steps.</p> + +<p>"My man," called down Halstead, "go at once to Mr. Baldwin's stateroom +door, and tell him, with my compliments, that I believe he'd better come +to the bridge at once."</p> + +<p>Even with so imperative a summons as this, five or six minutes passed +before the owner appeared on the scene.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p><p>"Good heavens, Captain!" gasped Joseph Baldwin. "And this white curtain +is thickening all the time, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"The fog is beginning to roll in fast, now, sir. Mr. Davis, alter the +course so as to bring us a hundred yards closer to the 'Victor.' We've +got to keep her in sight to the last moment."</p> + +<p>"We've got to keep that other boat in sight all the time," retorted Mr. +Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"As close as we can go without running her down," Halstead answered. +"We've the rules of the sea to obey, sir, at any cost."</p> + +<p>"Go and call Mr. Jephson here," shouted down Mr. Baldwin, to the sailor, +who was still standing by at the port rail.</p> + +<p>In another five minutes the representative of the United States district +attorney at San Francisco was beside them on the bridge.</p> + +<p>Dick Davis had now manœuvred the "Panther" in within one hundred and +fifty yards of the "Victor." Closer than that Tom Halstead did not dare +to go. Even this he considered almost too little sea-way.</p> + +<p>"May the furies consume the luck!" growled the man of the law. "Yet, of +course, we might have looked for this! It's bound to happen on this +coast. A genuine, four-ply, real old 'Frisco fog reaching out to +encompass us and let those blackguards yonder get away!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p><p>Aboard the other yacht few signs of human life showed. One figure, +wrapped in a great coat and topped by a sou'wester, huddled in the bow. +That was the bow watch of the "Victor." As the light of coming morning +began to filter through the increasing fog, it was possible, now and +then, to make out a figure in the steam yacht's wheel house. A watch +officer tramped the bridge. No other figures appeared. Once the steam +yacht's watch officer looked directly over at his foes, and a cunning +grin illumined his face.</p> + +<p>"That's a great face to show above the hangman's noose!" bellowed Mr. +Jephson, angrily, through the megaphone that he snatched up.</p> + +<p>Captain Tom suddenly darted from the bridge, running to his cabin. When +he came back he carried a pair of revolvers, one of which he handed to +Dick Davis.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jephson, the fellows on that craft may open fire on us, at any +moment, hoping to make us drop back into the fog. If they do, we'd +better shoot back, eh, sir?"</p> + +<p>"If they open fire on us," replied the assistant district attorney, +promptly, "I order Mr. Davis and yourself to return it."</p> + +<p>To make matters more emphatic, Mr. Jephson passed the word to have his +two deputy marshals aroused at once and ordered to the deck.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p><p>Still, though the day broadened, the fog rolled in so thick and heavy +that the steam yacht, nearby though it was, became more and more +obscured.</p> + +<p>Both yachts sounded their fog-horns simultaneously just as a final big, +thick, white blanket of mist rolled in and shut them out of each other's +view.</p> + +<p>"Done! Beaten out!" groaned Mr. Jephson, savagely. "It's only a question +of minutes, now, when we shall have lost all trail of that craft on this +hidden waste of water!"</p> + +<p>"Only a question of minutes?" repeated Tom Halstead, grimly. "Is it?"</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XIII</span> <span class="smaller">THE CALL FROM OUT OF THE FOG</span></h2> + +<p>Out of the dense fog to port came a chorus of derisive yells, then a +prolonged blast of the "Victor's" fog-horn.</p> + +<p>"That's as much as saying it's the last time we'll hear their toot," +burst, savagely, from Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it <i>is</i> the last time," admitted Tom.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jephson and the owner began to talk excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Sh!" warned the young skipper. "We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> don't want a tone aboard louder +than a whisper. If we can keep this interval, or pretty near it, we can +follow the steam yacht by the sound of her machinery. Mr. Davis, keep +your ears strained for it, and shape our course accordingly."</p> + +<p>In the hush that followed the keen-eared listeners could hear the now +invisible "Victor" slowing down her speed. Captain Tom, the engine room +speaking tube at his mouth, called down the orders softly for a similar +slowing of speed. The "Panther" fell back close to the "Victor."</p> + +<p>"Captain, they're likely to stop altogether, soon," whispered Mr. +Jephson. "Then we won't hear a sound to guide us."</p> + +<p>"We'd do the same," murmured Halstead. "Then the yachts would be likely +to drift together and bump. No; I hardly believe the steam yacht's +captain will try that trick. If he does, we must match it."</p> + +<p>The two craft engaged in this marine game of blind man's buff were now +going forward along their respective courses at not more than eight +miles an hour. Greater speed was not advisable, for they were in the +possible track of vessels plying between San Francisco and Hawaii, New +Zealand or Australia.</p> + +<p>For the next ten minutes there was no sound<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> from the "Victor's" +fog-horn. To run without this precaution was all but tantamount to +piracy in itself. Skipper Tom and Second Officer Davis, however, managed +to keep within sound of the steam craft's machinery. So, presently, the +"Victor's" steam fog-horn again sounded on the air.</p> + +<p>Breakfast was served late, that morning, on board the motor yacht. All +hands were too much interested in the difficult chase to think of eating +before Nature made her demands clamoring.</p> + +<p>At eight o'clock, when Third Officer Costigan again came up on the +bridge to take his watch trick, Dick Davis declared he had no interest +in sleep.</p> + +<p>"You'd better go below," advised Tom. "This search through the fog may +be a long one. We'll want all hands to be fresh and bright. Get four or +five hours' sleep, anyway. I shall be on the bridge most of the time +until you're called again."</p> + +<p>So Dick went below and turned in, though almost with a grumble.</p> + +<p>For the next three hours Halstead was almost constantly on the bridge. +The blind pursuit kept up along the same lines. The steam yacht's +machinery still sent its dull clatter across the waters. The +quartermaster of the "Panther,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> with the help of the mate's orders, +still steered by that sound.</p> + +<p>"It'd be fierce to have a big, noisy liner rumble up close to us now, +making noise enough to drown out the sound of our enemy," grumbled +Captain Tom to the owner.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jephson, standing close by, heard, and his eyes snapped.</p> + +<p>"I hadn't thought of that," he growled. "Since that would be the +toughest sort of luck, that's what is almost sure to happen."</p> + +<p>"Don't complain of your luck," advised the young skipper, gravely. +"We've been able to keep right along with the steam craft for some hours +now. If we can do so for a few hours more, we're highly likely to run +out of this fog and be under a clear sky again. So far, Mr. Jephson, our +luck has been wondrously kind to us."</p> + +<p>Halstead remained on deck until nearly two o'clock. Then he passed word +for Ab Perkins. To that young first officer, in the presence of Baldwin, +Ross and Jephson, he said:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Perkins, my eyes are getting heavy, and I expect to be on deck most +of the night. I'm going to turn in, now, for an hour or two. Call me, +anyway, at the changing of the watches. You know the general orders, and +I look to you not to let the 'Victor' slip away from us."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p><p>"If I do let her slip," affirmed Ab, "I'll eat the starboard +life-boat."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Perkins used to be the most famous 'hoodoo' at the mouth of the +Kennebec," Tom laughed, softly, as he turned to Mr. Baldwin. "His luck +changed, however, the day he went into the motor boating business. He's +about the luckiest young navigator afloat these days."</p> + +<p>Nor did Ab, left in temporary full command, intend to lose his later +laurels. He soon left the bridge, however, feeling that he could listen +more effectively from the port rail forward. Occasionally he turned to +signal, silently, to Third Officer Costigan, who still kept to the +bridge.</p> + +<p>Part of the time the "Victor" sounded its fog-horn with pauses longer +than the rules of the sea permitted in so deep a fog. It looked as +though those aboard the steam yacht were willing to leave it to the +"Panther" to warn away other craft from them both. However, thus far in +the day, no other vessel had sounded through the fog. Apparently, these +two craft had all of this part of the sea to themselves.</p> + +<p>In the silence and under the white pall even the interest of the chase +could not prevent the time from passing with deadly monotony for Ab +Perkins. Quite plainly it impressed also the others that way, for the +cabin passengers, two or three at a time, disappeared below. Messrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +Baldwin and Ross remained on deck more than any of the cabin party, +though even they went inside, restlessly, every now and then.</p> + +<p>At last the deck was bare, save for Ab Perkins and the bow watch. In the +pilot house stood the quartermaster and his seaman helper. On the bridge +Mr. Costigan paced back and forth, glad that the fog was not too thick +for him to make out the first officer forward.</p> + +<p>One of Ab's reasons for being well up forward was that he might more +readily hear the sound of fog-horn or of bell from any other vessel +hidden away in this white gloom.</p> + +<p>It was a long while before he heard anything, but at last it came:</p> + +<p>"Help! Don't run me down!"</p> + +<p>The voice came from low down upon the water, somewhat ahead and barely +to port.</p> + +<p>Quick as a flash the bow watch turned to see if the first officer and +the bridge watch had heard. Both Perkins and Costigan had sprung to see +what might come to them out of the fog.</p> + +<p>"Careful!" warned Ab, in a steady voice. "Take the sound of my voice for +your guide. I'm at the port rail, moving toward you."</p> + +<p>Suddenly, out of the fog, there came into view, near at hand, a ship's +yawl. It contained a single man, dark, rather tall and about thirty +years of age. He was dressed carelessly, yet had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> much the air of a +gentleman. His clothing seemed to be soaked with moisture, as though he +had been long exposed to the elements. With his back to the bow of the +yawl, the man turned to glance over his shoulder as he handled a pair of +oars.</p> + +<p>"Don't run me down!" shouted the stranger. "Stop and take me aboard in +heaven's name."</p> + +<p>Ab Perkins had already swiftly caught up a coil of rope, which he deftly +poised for a clean throw.</p> + +<p>"We stop for nothing—mark that!" called First Officer Perkins, firmly. +"Catch this rope, or we've got to leave you behind!"</p> + +<p>The yawl was drifting by, and barely thirty feet from the motor yacht's +hull, when Ab made the throw. He was a master at such feats. The coil +unspread as it went whirling through the air, and a length lay across +the yawl.</p> + +<p>"Get it! Grab it!" panted sympathetic Ab.</p> + +<p>The stranger just managed the feat, leaping up and holding on as though +for dear life, while the yawl, checked in its headway, was swung around. +Desperately the stranger bent down, taking a hitch with the rope. The +bow watch had sprung to help Ab make fast the inside end of the line.</p> + +<p>"There you've got it," called Ab, cheeringly. As the "Panther" was going +but eight miles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> an hour the stranger was able, without risk, to haul +the small boat in alongside.</p> + +<p>"Can you climb?" Ab called down, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"I—I think so."</p> + +<p>"Only a few feet needed, then we can reach your arm-pits," Ab called, +encouragingly.</p> + +<p>It was not long ere young Perkins and the bow watch were able to help +the stranger aboard.</p> + +<p>The young first officer's first thought, on seeing the yawl sweep into +view, was that a trick had been attempted by the enemy, for the "Victor" +had recently slipped ahead. But Ab's first glimpse at the stern of the +yawl showed the name, painted in goodly black letters, "S. S. Dolbear." +In the bottom of the yawl lay two life preservers bearing the same name.</p> + +<p>"How on earth do you come to be away out here at sea, in a small boat?" +demanded Ab of the stranger.</p> + +<p>"I was a freight clerk aboard the liner 'Dolbear,' bound from Auckland, +New Zealand, to San Francisco," replied the rescued one.</p> + +<p>"What happened to the 'Dolbear'?"</p> + +<p>"Foundered, five days ago. Life boats crowded, so that the last three of +us had to take to the yawl. We tried to keep up with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> the other boats, +but fell behind the first night. Next morning we were alone on the +ocean. After two days one man in our party became crazed and jumped over +into the sea. Last night the other man with me did the same. Oh, it was +a gruesome experience, I assure you."</p> + +<p>"It must have been," returned Ab Perkins, sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"Sir, that yawl is bumping alongside," broke in the bow watch.</p> + +<p>"Cut her loose, then, and let her drift," ordered Ab. "We can't be +encumbered with any useless lumber. Then return to your watch. Mr. +Costigan, warn the engine room to increase our speed as much as you find +necessary. We can't let the 'Victor' go on getting ahead of us. Run +right up parallel again."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," from the third officer.</p> + +<p>"You're hungry, I suppose," suggested Ab, looking at the stranger. "I'll +pass word for our second stew——"</p> + +<p>"I guess I shall be hungry when I get it fully through my head that I'm +safe," laughed the rescued one. "Just at present I'd rather go below and +warm myself."</p> + +<p>Ab blew his mate's whistle for the third seaman of the watch.</p> + +<p>"My man," he directed, "take this man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> down to the motor room. Tell Mr. +Randolph it will be all right for Mr.——"</p> + +<p>"Cragthorpe is my name," supplied the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Tell Mr. Randolph it will be all right for Mr. Cragthorpe to dry +himself off in the engine room," continued First Officer Perkins. "When +you get hungry, come up on deck. Mr. Costigan will see that you're fed +if I'm not here."</p> + +<p>The rescued one, after offering profuse thanks, was led below by the +seaman guide.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Costigan, what do you know about the 'Dolbear'?" called up Ab, +softly.</p> + +<p>"She belongs to the New Zealand line, and is due in 'Frisco about this +present time," replied the third officer from the bridge.</p> + +<p>"Then it's all right, as far as Cragthorpe goes?"</p> + +<p>"I think so, sir."</p> + +<p>"All I wanted," Ab finished, "was to be easy in my mind that the +stranger didn't come from the 'Victor.' Don't let us get at all astern +again, Mr. Costigan."</p> + +<p>"I won't, sir."</p> + +<p>In the meantime Jeff Randolph, sitting out through a long and lonely +watch in the engine room, was not sorry to see company coming his way.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p><p>For some time they chatted together. Cragthorpe seemed greatly +interested in finding such young officers aboard the motor yacht. He +asked many questions about the Motor Boat Club.</p> + +<p>At last Jeff Randolph rose, excusing himself and stepping just outside +the engine room door, though lingering near enough to hear a signal from +the bridge, if one came. The young assistant engineer wanted to stretch +his legs after sitting a long time by the motors. No sooner was the +motor boat boy out of sight than the stranger rose swiftly. Snatching up +a wrench, he prowled about the motors as though looking for something.</p> + +<p>At last he evidently discovered what he wanted. Instantly he laid the +wrench on a bolt-head.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XIV</span> <span class="smaller">MR. CRAGTHORPE IS MORE THAN TROUBLESOME</span></h2> + +<p>Luckily, at that moment, the Florida boy turned about, glancing into the +engine room.</p> + +<p>What he saw made Jeff stare, then gasp. Both operations were over in the +space of a second.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p><p>"Here, you infernal rascal!" shouted Jeff. "Stop it!"</p> + +<p>Nor did he content himself with that startled roar. The Florida boy +carried his fighting pluck with him at all times.</p> + +<p>Though Cragthorpe was about half as large again as the young assistant +engineer, Randolph made a direct spring for him.</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe didn't have time to complete his mischief to the engine just +then.</p> + +<p>Instead, he swung around, aiming the wrench at Jeff's head. But young +Randolph halted, instantly picked up another wrench, and sent it +whizzing.</p> + +<p>Boiling with wrath, the Florida boy didn't aim particularly. He didn't +care where his wrench landed, provided that it served the purpose.</p> + +<p>The flying missile struck hard against the knuckles of Cragthorpe's +right hand, forcing him to let his own weapon drop.</p> + +<p>Then Jeff fairly flew at the larger stranger.</p> + +<p>"You won't play any tricks while I'm here on watch," panted Jeff +Randolph, as he clinched with his adversary. So impetuous was the +Florida boy's assault that he carried Cragthorpe down to the floor.</p> + +<p>There, locked in each other's arms, they rolled and fought. The pit in +which the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> motors stood was railed off, preventing their fighting their +way into the moving machinery.</p> + +<p>Both combatants displayed a good deal of staying power. For the first +sixty seconds they fought without either seeming to gain any advantage. +It was a grim, lonely duel, in which neither could accept less than +complete victory.</p> + +<p>No word was spoken. Neither cared to waste breath in speech. Jeff fought +for a strangle hold as his best chance. Cragthorpe tried to get in a +blow between the boy's eyes.</p> + +<p>Once Randolph got briefly on top, but the stranger rolled over on him, +and then the fighting went on more furiously than ever.</p> + +<p>However, the stranger's superior weight and a considerable advantage in +muscle soon told over the Florida boy's clear, savage grit. Though he +would not yield an inch, Jeff had to admit to himself that he could not +hope to hold out much longer.</p> + +<p>After another sixty seconds of it, during which the Florida boy was +breathing sorely, Cragthorpe managed to free one hand. Raising the +clenched fist with the swiftness of lightning, he brought that fist +down, aiming the blow to land on Jeff's forehead just above his eyes.</p> + +<p>The blow fell, though glancingly. Now there came a quick step behind the +stranger.</p> + +<p>With a brutal oath, Cragthorpe sprang up to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> confront the burning glance +of Captain Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>Halstead had just come on deck again, after his nap. Learning from Ab +about the stranger, and quick to suspect, under such circumstances, the +young motor boat skipper had hastened below.</p> + +<p>"Caught you, you sneak, didn't I?" jeered Tom, harshly, dodging back and +shedding his deck ulster with almost a single motion.</p> + +<p>Then the young captain of the "Panther" threw himself on guard. Not an +instant too soon, for Cragthorpe had sprung forward to grapple with him.</p> + +<p>The two fists of the young skipper, moving with lightning-like rapidity, +caused Cragthorpe to retreat, throwing up his own hands as soon as he +saw it was to be a game of fisticuffs.</p> + +<p>As Tom crouched low, Cragthorpe attempted to leap in over his guard. It +was good tactics for one three inches taller. Yet Halstead was no novice +in boxing. He threw up his left on guard, holding back his assailant, +then tried to cut under and up with his right. He landed, though not +with much force, against Cragthorpe's ribs. It was enough to drive the +older combatant back until he could alter his guard.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Jeff lay on the floor, further forward in the engine +room. The Florida<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> boy had not wholly lost consciousness, but he was +half-dazed, seeking to remember what had happened.</p> + +<p>Now, at it again went Halstead and his enemy, each sparring cautiously, +each alternately retreating or forcing the other all around the open +part of the engine room.</p> + +<p>Once Cragthorpe caught Tom near the railing, and let drive hard with +both fists, seeking to push the young skipper over the railing and in +among the moving machinery.</p> + +<p>But Tom dodged artfully as he parried and struck back, and in an instant +more was away from his perilous position.</p> + +<p>Not once did the young skipper think of calling upon Cragthorpe to quit +it and surrender. Halstead knew the fellow was there for too serious +business to allow himself to be talked to a standstill.</p> + +<p>At last, as Cragthorpe retreated past him, almost stepping on the young +assistant engineer's face, Jeff rallied his senses enough to recall what +had happened.</p> + +<p>For a few moments Tom Halstead cleverly fought his opponent forward, +putting up effective parries and raining in his blows so fast that +Cragthorpe had all he could do to save himself from being floored.</p> + +<p>In those few moments Jeff managed to crawl<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> past both, and down toward +the engine room door.</p> + +<p>The tide of battle turned, now, briefly at least. Cragthorpe, stung to +greater fury by a glancing blow on the end of his nose, hurled himself +into the fray with so much added energy that Halstead was compelled to +give ground.</p> + +<p>"Jeff, can you understand me!" panted Tom, as he retreated, an inch at a +time, keeping his fists moving fast.</p> + +<p>"Y-yes," stammered the Florida boy, still a bit dazed.</p> + +<p>"Then pass the word for help, like a flash!"</p> + +<p>But Jeff lingered by the doorway, holding to the frame for support. Only +one thing was plain in the Florida boy's mind—that running away wasn't +in his line.</p> + +<p>"A-a-h!" vented Cragthorpe, gleefully. He had suddenly closed in quickly +on Halstead, aiming a blow that it seemed must send the young captain to +the floor senseless.</p> + +<p>And so it would have done—only Tom wasn't there. He ducked low, passing +under Cragthorpe's extended arm, and came up behind him, forcing the +stranger to wheel about.</p> + +<p>That left the rascal with his back turned to the Florida boy.</p> + +<p>Jeff's mind was becoming a bit clearer every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> instant. Now he left the +doorway, gliding forward.</p> + +<p>Tom saw Jeff's new move, and half-guessed the meaning of it. By clever +sparring the young skipper held Cragthorpe just where he stood, +until——</p> + +<p>Jeff leaped upon the big stranger from behind. He wound his arms around +Cragthorpe's throat, then held on with all the strength he could summon.</p> + +<p>Another oath escaped the wretch's lips. It was stopped by Halstead's +right fist landing across his mouth.</p> + +<p>"This is a gentleman's boat—no profanity allowed," mocked Tom, sending +in another blow that struck his man in the region of the belt, causing +him to double up in torment.</p> + +<p>Two more blows Tom drove in. Cragthorpe sank to the floor.</p> + +<p>"Let go of him, Jeff. I can handle him," ordered Captain Tom. "Get to +the speaking tube and direct Mr. Costigan to send the extra deckhand +down here on the jump."</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe lay on the floor. The fight was not by any means driven out +of him, but the wind was, for the moment, at least. Then steps were +heard. Mr. Costigan himself came in, followed by the extra deck-hand, +for Ab had relieved the third mate on the bridge.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p><p>"So that's what our new gentleman has been doing, is it, sir?" demanded +Mr. Costigan, his Irish quickness enabling him to guess much at the +first glance.</p> + +<p>"Have you handcuffs with you, Mr. Costigan?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"I have, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then put them on this fellow."</p> + +<p>With a right good will Mr. Costigan and the sailor rolled Cragthorpe +over, not very gently at that, and forced his wrists together, manacling +the wretch. Then they dragged him to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Jupiter!" muttered Tom, staring hard. "I've seen this fellow somewhere +before. And now I have it! By Jove, he's the gallant fellow I had to +knock from the observation platform on the Overland Mail!"</p> + +<p>"You needn't be quite so glad. We haven't quite evened our account yet," +snarled the fellow. "But I'm not the man you think I am."</p> + +<p>"Do you deny you're the fellow I struck on the observation platform of a +car of the Overland Mail the other day?" Tom Halstead snorted.</p> + +<p>"I can't be. I've just come from Auckland," leered the fellow.</p> + +<p>"We picked him up from a small boat that bore the name of the liner, +'Dolbear,'" <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>interjected Mr. Costigan. "The 'Dolbear' is due about now +from Auckland."</p> + +<p>"Then the boat was painted, as to her name, on board the 'Victor,'" said +Tom. "I understand we ran behind her a bit at one time this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"It's from the 'Victor' this fellow came, then, boat and all," declared +Captain Halstead, positively. "Now, bring the fellow up on deck and let +everyone have a look at him."</p> + +<p>As it was time to call the new watch up, anyway, this was now done. +Cragthorpe tried to make a fight against being taken to the deck, but, +manacled as he was, he could put up no effective resistance.</p> + +<p>The cabin passengers, too, were called. Tom and Jeff stated the case +against the fellow.</p> + +<p>"Of course you're justified in locking this man up in the brig, if there +is one aboard," observed Mr. Jephson.</p> + +<p>"Yes; there's a brig on board," Tom nodded, "and that's where a man goes +after trying to tamper with our engines on a chase like this."</p> + +<p>The "brig" is a ship's prison. On the "Panther" it was a small room, not +more than five by seven feet, with two berths and two stools in it. The +door was an iron grating. Even on a yacht a brig is often needed, as a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +place of confinement for a drunken or crazy sailor.</p> + +<p>Dick Davis ascended to the bridge to stand the new watch.</p> + +<p>"Take the fellow to the brig, Mr. Costigan, and see that he's securely +locked in. Collins, see that the man gets his meals three times a day."</p> + +<p>"I'll make you mighty sorry for this, you boy skipper!" growled +Cragthorpe, as he was led away.</p> + +<p>"That's the fellow I knocked from the train, isn't it, Joe?" demanded +Halstead, turning to his chum.</p> + +<p>"He's not dressed as well, and he has a few days' growth of beard on his +face, but I'm positive he's the same fellow," answered Joe Dawson, quietly.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XV</span> <span class="smaller">THE MIDNIGHT ALARM</span></h2> + +<p>"Still the sound of machinery," muttered Dick Davis, pacing the bridge +just before dark. "I imagine the skipper of that other craft wishes he +could have put a mute on his engines."</p> + +<p>"He has even taken to blowing his fog-horn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> again," replied young +Halstead. "It's just sheer luck that he hasn't been run down by some +vessel coming from the opposite direction."</p> + +<p>"I guess our fog-horn has protected him," suggested Dick. "We may have +passed some other craft whose fog-horns didn't carry sound as far as +ours. Hearing our fog-horn, such vessels might have given us such a wide +berth that the 'Victor' naturally escaped collision."</p> + +<p>It was about eight o'clock, when Tom and Joe were finishing the evening +meal in the captain's cabin, that a sudden sharp blast came through the +bridge speaking tube.</p> + +<p>"Right here at the other end, Mr. Davis," Captain Tom answered.</p> + +<p>"I think you'll be interested in coming to the bridge, sir. The fog is +lightening a bit, and I can see a couple of stars overhead."</p> + +<p>"Whew! That's good news! Do you still hear the 'Victor's' machinery?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I've been keeping very close to her."</p> + +<p>Halstead quickly told the news to Joe Dawson. Both reached for their +ulsters, then ran out on deck. Tom's first discovery was that he could +hear, distinctly, the subdued clank-clank made by the invisible steam +yacht.</p> + +<p>Yes; the fog was surely lifting. Overhead, especially, things were +clearing.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p><p>"We seem to be running out at the edge of the fog-bank, Mr. Davis," was +the young captain's greeting, as he climbed to the bridge, followed by +the young chief engineer.</p> + +<p>For five minutes or more Tom Halstead stood there, watching the fog.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure enough of the news, now, to go aft and tell Mr. Baldwin," he +declared, finally.</p> + +<p>Tom found all the cabin passengers at table in the deck dining saloon, +aft of the owner's quarters. They were not more than two-thirds through +the meal, but the table became instantly deserted.</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes later the watchers at the port rail made out, briefly, a +part of the hull of the "Victor." The two craft were but little more +than two hundred yards apart.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later both craft passed almost completely out of the fog. A +cheer went up from the deck of the "Panther." There was no answer from +the pursued craft.</p> + +<p>Running up to the bridge, and snatching up a megaphone, Joseph Baldwin +bawled lustily:</p> + +<p>"We're still with you, you pirates! You can't shake us!"</p> + +<p>Still no sound of human voice came from the steam yacht. The answer was +of another sort. Great clouds of smoke began to pour from the "Victor's" +funnel.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p><p>"They're going to try a spurt," chuckled Halstead, gleefully. "Well, +let 'em. We don't even have to get up more steam for a spurt. All we +have to do is to feed in the gasoline quicker."</p> + +<p>Within five minutes the "Victor" was racing along at more than twenty +miles an hour. On board the "Panther," however, Joe Dawson did not even +feel it necessary to go below to look at the motors. Jed Prentiss was +down there in the engine room, and Jed was a boy who knew what he was +doing. Second Officer Davis gave the speed orders from the bridge; Jed +carried out the orders. The "Panther," now widening the interval to four +hundred yards in this clearer atmosphere, ran along parallel with the +steam yacht.</p> + +<p>"They may fool us yet," chuckled Halstead, turning around to the owner. +"But they'll have to do it with something better than speed."</p> + +<p>"If they get away from <i>you</i>, Captain Halstead," replied the owner, his +face beaming, "I promise, in advance, to forgive you. It won't be your +fault. Lord, how you've hung to them! What a report I shall have to send +Delavan on the officers he sent me!"</p> + +<p>Then, suddenly, Halstead thought of the prisoner down in the brig.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p><p>"Pass the word for Second Steward Collins," he directed, and that +yacht's servant soon reported.</p> + +<p>"You didn't forget to feed the prisoner, Collins?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, sir," and the steward rattled off the names of the dishes that +had been supplied the man in the brig.</p> + +<p>"He seems to have fed nearly as well as we did," laughed Skipper Tom. +"Well, that's right; just because we lock a fellow up is no reason why +we should starve him. The prisoner had a good appetite?"</p> + +<p>"Excellent, sir."</p> + +<p>"He's locked in tightly?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later Captain Halstead took the trouble to go below to the +brig.</p> + +<p>It was somewhat stuffy down there, but that couldn't be helped.</p> + +<p>From the center of the ceiling a single incandescent lamp supplied the +illumination of the room.</p> + +<p>As Tom Halstead peered in through the grating he saw Cragthorpe seated +on a stool in the far corner.</p> + +<p>Tom did not speak. The fellow glared at him, then looked away.</p> + +<p>"The door is locked tightly, all right," <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>murmured Captain Halstead to +himself, after rattling the bars and examining the lock.</p> + +<p>No sooner had he turned away, and stepped out of sight, than Cragthorpe +rose like a caged tiger. A leer expressive of the utmost cruelty parted +his teeth. He shook his fist menacingly after the departing young +skipper. He was able to do that much, for Mr. Costigan, following the +usual course in such cases, had removed the handcuffs after depositing +the prisoner in the brig.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you think I'm here, simply awaiting your pleasure, my young +salt water cub!" snarled Cragthorpe to himself.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead, however, gave the fellow little further thought. He was +too happy over the lifting of the fog. It is possible for two craft of +the size of these to run all day within two hundred yards of each other +through a fog, judging each other's positions only by sounds. The slow +speed of fog-time makes this possible. Yet it requires splendidly expert +seamanship on both craft. The ordeal is bound to be wearing on the deck +and watch officers. Tom and his three mates felt utterly tired after +their experience, but the passing out of the belt of the fog had brought +huge relief to them.</p> + +<p>Up to ten o'clock that evening the "Victor" maintained her fast speed. +The air was now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> thoroughly clear in every direction. Tom could have +kept the other craft in sight even had the steam yacht shown no lights. +But the commander of the "Victor" had all his running lights going.</p> + +<p>"You'll call us, if anything whatever happens that's worth our knowing, +won't you, Captain?" asked Joseph Baldwin, joining the young sailing +master, who stood close to the bridge steps on the port side.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. Certainly."</p> + +<p>"All of us chaps in the cabin are going to turn in soon," continued Mr. +Baldwin, with a slight yawn. "We're fagged, both from the lack of sleep +and the suspense. Now, however, our minds are easier. Yonder is the boat +that carries Frank Rollings and the millions he stole from the bank. Our +fuel will last as long as theirs will. We can follow as far as they can +go."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't it be a jarring surprise if it turned out that we've been +following a dummy, Mr. Baldwin?" Halstead asked. "What if we follow for +days and days, yet, and then learn that neither Rollings nor his plunder +is on board?"</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin started, then retorted:</p> + +<p>"Yes; but it won't happen, Captain. In the first place, the detectives +of the Bankers' <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>Association found out positively that Rollings had gone +aboard, and that the yacht had then got under way at once. The captain +of that boat was expecting Rollings—was prepared for him—and has the +defaulter on board at this moment."</p> + +<p>"I hope so, sir, for I'm satisfied that we're yet going to lay alongside +of that craft and search her."</p> + +<p>"Of course we are. Good night, Captain."</p> + +<p>"Good night, sir. I'm going to turn in, myself, for a while."</p> + +<p>Half an hour later the young skipper was sound asleep. So, for that +matter, were all the officers and crew who were not on duty.</p> + +<p>Sky and surrounding atmosphere continued clear through the rest of Dick +Davis's watch on the bridge. That young second mate was pacing back and +forth contentedly. The two yachts, now making about a fourteen-mile +speed, were close together, and Davis had little to watch save the +general handling of the boat.</p> + +<p>Out of a hatchway forward a head was cautiously thrust up. Davis did not +happen to see that head. There was no reason why he should be looking +for it.</p> + +<p>The owner of that head saw Davis turn and pace over to starboard. +Swiftly, and silently, the man sprang out of the hatchway, after +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>observing that the quartermaster's head was bent over the compass. The +sailor in the wheel house with the quartermaster was not looking in +Davis's direction at the moment.</p> + +<p>So the prowler gained the port side of the deck-house, and stole aft +without hindrance. It was Cragthorpe, the late prisoner in the brig. +Now, besides being free, he carried a five-gallon can of gasoline that +he had found below deck.</p> + +<p>Away back to the after deck he ran, crouching low. There he halted, +staring about him. An evil smile flickered over his lips. With little +conscience, he was also without fear for himself.</p> + +<p>An instant later he began sprinkling gasoline about him. The task was +quickly accomplished. He drew out a box of blazer matches, striking one +of them and tossing it down where a pool of gasoline lay.</p> + +<p>There was a flare, in a second, but Cragthorpe had vanished almost as +quickly as the flare appeared.</p> + +<p>Dick Davis caught a glimpse of the glow.</p> + +<p>"Quartermaster, send your man aft to investigate a blaze there. Let him +run!"</p> + +<p>The blaze, however, was spreading and mounting so fast that the alert +young second officer did not have to pause to guess.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p><p>"Fire!" shouted the sailor, running forward. But Dick Davis had already +sprung to the alarm bells.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XVI</span> <span class="smaller">THE FIRE DRILL IN EARNEST</span></h2> + +<p>The sailor's cry of "Fire," the most dreaded that can rise at sea, +disturbed Captain Tom Halstead's sound rest. He half awoke.</p> + +<p>Then it sounded again:</p> + +<p>"Fire!"</p> + +<p>In prompt confirmation of the cry, the electric bell began ringing in +his room. Directly over it glowed an electric light in a red bulb—the +fire signal to the cabin.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead fairly leaped from his bed. He got on all the clothing +needed with the speed of a fireman.</p> + +<p>Dick Davis's hand had come, first, to the bell rousing the watch below. +He rang that first, but Halstead's bell immediately afterward.</p> + +<p>As Halstead burst open the door of his cabin the red glow was in his +face.</p> + +<p>Down in the mates' and crew's quarters the fire-bell was ringing +steadily. Officers and men came tumbling up the stairs.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p><p>"Stand by the handling of the ship, Mr. Davis!" roared the young +captain from the deck. "I'll have men enough for the fighting of the +fire."</p> + +<p>As the first heads showed from below, Halstead roared:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Perkins, the starboard hose. Mr. Costigan, the port! Two men each +and yourselves to a hose. The rest report to me."</p> + +<p>The hose lay in butts from which they were lifted and fastened to the +deck hydrants. While one man was securing each hose to a hydrant, a mate +and another sailor ran aft with the line along either rail.</p> + +<p>"The rest of you get fire axes," shouted Captain Halstead. "Jump up onto +the bridge and go aft over the deck-house. Mr. Davis, instruct Mr. +Prentiss to connect the pump in the engine room. Tell him to give us +instant pressure."</p> + +<p>Though he had heard the fire call, Jed was too dependable to allow +either curiosity or fear to take him from his post. When the order came, +through the speaking tube, young Prentiss was standing by, ready to +connect the pump with one of the motors.</p> + +<p>Through the two lengths of hose the water leaped almost instantly.</p> + +<p>Captain Tom had run with his axe-men over the deck-house.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p><p>He found the after deck ablaze, and also the sides of the deck-house +aft.</p> + +<p>How it had all happened the young sailing master did not trouble himself +to ask, at first. It was more than enough for him to know that there was +a fire aboard, and to know where it was located.</p> + +<p>"Get up close, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Costigan!" he shouted, from the top +of the deck-house. "Let the flames have the water at full, direct +pressure. Steady, now! Throw in every drop of water where it will hit +the hottest, highest flames."</p> + +<p>Seldom had fire-drill at sea been more promptly or intelligently carried +out. It was fortunate, at the very outset, that the blaze had started so +near the time for the changing of the watches. The men were rested and +ready for prompt rising.</p> + +<p>The slight rolling of the boat carried gasoline along the decks, bearing +the flames with it. A pitching at the bow, slight though it was, brought +these running streams of flame down upon the crews with the hose. They +had to depress the nozzles almost at their feet, in order to assure +themselves of safe standing room.</p> + +<p>"Give me one of those axes," shouted Halstead, taking the implement from +a sailor. "Now, two of you jump down aft with me on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> the deck. Never +mind the fire! Remember, we've got to fight it for our lives anyway!"</p> + +<p>Down into the clearest spot he could find young Halstead leaped. Ab +Perkins, seeing him, turned the stream full on the blazing deck around +the young sailing master. That was all that saved Halstead from +perishing. The water kept the flames down so that he was able to lay +about him, loosening several of the deck planks.</p> + +<p>One of the sailors had landed close beside the young skipper. He, too, +laid about him. The second seaman, however, ran over to the other side +of the deck-house, looking for some spot where he might work protected +by the other hose.</p> + +<p>The hoarse shouting of orders, the running of feet overhead and the +sharp, sinister hiss of water coming in contact with fire, all combined +to arouse the owner of the imperiled yacht.</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin sprang from his bed, dashed aside the starboard curtains, +and caught a reflection of the glow.</p> + +<p>"Fire!" he gasped, turning pale. "Halstead and his comrades surely have +enough to handle this time."</p> + +<p>Then, with frenzied haste, the owner fell to pulling on his clothes. He, +too, broke some of his own records in the matter of dressing. In a very +few moments he was outside, and climbing the bridge steps. Then he +dashed aft.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p><p>The breeze that was blowing was unfavorable to the fire fighters. The +factors in their favor, however, were the prompt discovery of the +trouble and the thinness with which the gasoline was spread.</p> + +<p>The blaze was at its worst in the middle of the after deck. It was the +realization of this fact that had caused young Captain Halstead to take +the desperate leap and make the bold effort that now stood to his +credit.</p> + +<p>"That boy has no sense of fear," cried Mr. Baldwin to himself.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, Halstead had escaped unscorched. His promptness, +good judgment, and the protecting streams from the hose had saved him +from disastrous consequences that might be expected to follow such a +hazardous act.</p> + +<p>By now the hosemen were able to get far enough aft to wet down the +blazing parts of the wall of the after deck-house.</p> + +<p>Within five minutes from the time it started the blaze was brought down +to where it required only persistent hosing to drown it completely.</p> + +<p>From time to time a sudden gust of the light breeze fanned up the fire +briefly at some point, but the fire fighters no longer feared for their +safety.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ross and Dr. Gray had been aroused by the sounds of fire-fighting; +the others in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> cabin staterooms slept on, for Dick Davis had wisely +refrained from touching the button that would have sounded the heavy +gong in the main cabin.</p> + +<p>"How could the thing have started!" asked Mr. Ross, bewilderedly.</p> + +<p>"It was set, by someone," replied Tom Halstead, joining Mr. Baldwin and +the latter's friends. "It was a gasoline blaze, pure and simple."</p> + +<p>"Who could have——" began Dr. Gray.</p> + +<p>"I saw myself that the prisoner was safely locked in," broke in the +young skipper. "Yet he's the only one I could suspect."</p> + +<p>Almost at a run Halstead started forward, followed by Ab Perkins.</p> + +<p>Down below, these two investigators found the door of the brig open. The +lock had been picked. On the floor of the brig Tom found what was left +of a steel table fork such as the crew used.</p> + +<p>"He forced the tines and shank out of the handle, and worked it over +into a pick-lock," muttered the young skipper. "I respect the fellow's +ingenuity, if nothing else."</p> + +<p>But where was Cragthorpe himself? Two searching parties, one under Ab +and the other commanded by Third Officer Costigan, searched until Dick +Davis, still on the bridge past his hour, broke in with:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p><p>"Why, Captain, you can guess what became of the fellow? When our blaze +was under way the 'Victor' turned and steamed nearer to us. The rascal +jumped overboard, of course, swam back and was picked up. It must have +been all part of a plan. At any rate, when the watch officer on the +steam yacht saw the blaze on board this craft, he knew well enough what +it meant, and stood by to rescue the Cragthorpe fellow."</p> + +<p>"That's what has happened to him," nodded Mr. Baldwin. "He's safe again +with the other rascals."</p> + +<p>So the searching parties were recalled, the new watch was set, and quiet +at last settled down over the yacht.</p> + +<p>It was two o'clock in the morning when Tom Halstead again sought his +rest. That fire had stirred him up so that he did not at once feel +drowsy. A fire at sea, on a gasoline motor yacht, is a trebly serious +affair. If the flames ever get close to the gasoline supply the blaze is +almost certain to wind up abruptly in a fearful, devastating explosion.</p> + +<p>"I've had some lively times at sea, before this," the young skipper +muttered, "but this voyage has already gone ahead of anything I've ever +had happen at sea. I hope we're through with visitors from the +'Victor.'"</p> + +<p>At last he closed his eyes and slept, for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>Halstead was not a highly +nervous youngster. When he was free from the demands of duty, and +physically tired, he was not usually long in finding his rest.</p> + +<p>Even in his sleep the lad did not lie quietly. He began to toss and +thrash, dreaming that he was fighting it out again with Cragthorpe. It +was like a nightmare, for, in his dream, the young captain of the +"Panther" felt himself to be getting the worst of the struggle.</p> + +<p>Then, all of a sudden, Tom Halstead awoke, roused by a sensation of +choking. A man knelt over him in his bed. Halstead's hands were lashed, +while a rope was noosed about his neck.</p> + +<p>On the front wall of the cabin was a ship's clock. A shaded light burned +near the dial of the clock, giving illumination to enable one to read +the clock's dial from the bed.</p> + +<p>That light also showed Tom the face and figure of his present +oppressor—Cragthorpe, in the flesh!</p> + +<p>"Now, we're going to have a chance to talk over the other side of this +question!" chuckled the wretch, in Tom's ear. "I remained aboard—risked +everything—in order to have this precious meeting. Just us two +here—fine, isn't it?"</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XVII</span> <span class="smaller">CRAGTHORPE INTRODUCES HIS REAL SELF</span></h2> + +<p>"Now, if you find you've anything to say," continued Cragthorpe, in the +same low voice, "you can say it when the time comes. But don't try to +call out, and don't attempt any impudence, or I'll pull this noose +tight. You know what that will mean!"</p> + +<p>Undeniably Tom Halstead paled. Upon his feet, with at least a fighting +chance, the young motor boat captain, while he might have feared death, +would not have run away from it. He had a record for showing grit.</p> + +<p>But this was a time when no amount of courage could give him a chance. +He read it in Cragthorpe's eyes that the fellow intended to keep the +upper hand, and to abuse it, to the end.</p> + +<p>"You felt fine and important when you told that big Irishman to lead me +off to the brig, didn't you!" began the tormentor.</p> + +<p>"What else could I do!" demanded Halstead, in a low voice. "Wouldn't you +have done the same by me, if the boot had been on the other foot!"</p> + +<p>"And you struck me that cowardly blow over at Oakland the other day," +cried Cragthorpe,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> who seemed to have nursed his wrath until it angered +him to the striking point.</p> + +<p>"When you went to school," mocked Tom, his coolness returning rapidly, +"you studied out of a different book of definitions from the one I had. +I was never taught that it was cowardice to defend a woman."</p> + +<p>"What call had you to defend her?" insisted Cragthorpe, with a show of +increasing anger. "Was it any of your affair?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; the fact that the young woman was annoyed by you was excuse enough +for my act."</p> + +<p>"You spoiled my last chance with her when you humiliated me by a blow +that I didn't get a chance to return at the time."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear that," retorted Tom, candidly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you are, are you?"</p> + +<p>The working of passion in Cragthorpe's face was a fearful sight to see.</p> + +<p>"And a fine thing you did for the young woman!" hissed the fellow. "I +wanted to marry her. She has money enough to make her a prize," sneered +the wretch. "Her brother is to go on trial for his life in a few days, +and I am the only witness who could save him from the chain of evidence +that the authorities are weaving about him. I made the offer to the girl +to save her brother if she would wed me."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p><p>"You cowardly—cur!" uttered Tom Halstead, in cool disdain.</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe started; then deeper lines of passion graved themselves in +his features.</p> + +<p>"Yes," continued Tom, scornfully, "you're about the lowest sort of cur +that could possibly breathe. To charge a woman such a price for her +brother's life and good fame!"</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe suddenly restrained his growing anger. He leered down into +the face of his straightforward young enemy.</p> + +<p>"However, I am to make money in another way," he continued, cheerfully. +"Frank Rollings is my cousin. After my failure with the girl he found me +so desperate and ugly that, without telling me what he was about to do, +he enlisted me in his present fine enterprise."</p> + +<p>"Took you along with him to help him guard his stolen treasure, did he!" +jeered Captain Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if it interests you," snarled Cragthorpe.</p> + +<p>"It'll interest your precious cousin a lot more, before he gets through +with you," sneered Halstead. "He'll be lucky if you don't make away with +him and try to secure all the stolen money for yourself!"</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe started, almost as though the young skipper had hit on the +head the nail of his intentions.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p><p>"Here! Chew on this, instead of words!" flashed the wretch.</p> + +<p>He suddenly forced the young skipper's mouth open, wedging in a crumpled +up handkerchief. This he followed with another, gagging his victim.</p> + +<p>Scenting more dastardly work to come, Tom Halstead fought furiously with +the little chance that was left to him. His hands were secured, in front +of him, but his feet and legs were free. He struggled with all his +might, trying to use his bound hands, together, on the head of +Cragthorpe, as that wretch again bent over him.</p> + +<p>In his struggles Halstead rolled over on his side. His lashed hands +reached briefly under the edge of the bed. In this way he hoped to gain +purchase enough to pull himself free and yank himself to his feet. It +was a slight hope, yet the only one the motor boat boy could see.</p> + +<p>In the brief interval before Cragthorpe seized him roughly, hurling him +back into the middle of the bed, Tom's hands touched something on the +under side of the frame. He didn't know what it was he had touched.</p> + +<p>In that brief though furious struggle Halstead had succeeded in working +out the handkerchiefs. His oppressor caught up one of them.</p> + +<p>"I'll gag you in better shape, this time," he proposed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p><p>At that instant the door of the cabin opened. Cragthorpe, busy with his +scheme of revenge, did not hear it. But Halstead lay so that he saw the +door move ajar; he saw the head of the sailor who, with this watch, +served in the wheel-house.</p> + +<p>Over the seaman's face swept a look of the most intense amazement. He +darted back into the darkness, for an instant, then returned.</p> + +<p>"One moment—wait!" spoke Tom Halstead, sharply.</p> + +<p>"Confound you—not so loud, if you value your safety!" warned +Cragthorpe.</p> + +<p>Had not the rascal been so intensely absorbed he would have felt and +noted the light breeze that blew in with the opening of the door. But +Cragthorpe was passion-ridden at the moment. The door closed, with the +sailor and Third Officer Costigan in the room.</p> + +<p>That "one moment—wait!" Mr. Costigan and the sailor had the presence of +mind to understand was directed at them.</p> + +<p>"That girl—and her brother—you were lying to me about them," taunted +Halstead. "You can't tell me their names."</p> + +<p>"I can't—eh?" sneered Cragthorpe, harshly. "The girl's name is Rose +Gentry, and her brother's name Robert Gentry."</p> + +<p>"And the brother is accused of murder, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> you could prove him +innocent? Yet you refused to save the brother because Rose Gentry would +not marry you and let you own her fortune! It's a lie!"</p> + +<p>"It's the truth," snarled Cragthorpe, hotly. "And you helped doom the +brother when you struck me down before Rose Gentry. You made her despise +me the more."</p> + +<p>"She did well to despise you," retorted Tom Halstead, bluntly. "<i>You +ought to be clubbed</i>!"</p> + +<div class="center"><img src="images/i177.jpg" alt="You Ought to Be Clubbed" /></div> + +<p class="bold">"You Ought to Be Clubbed!"</p> + +<p>That was exactly what happened, ere Cragthorpe could open his mouth. The +seaman had been crouching behind the fellow, a belaying-pin in his right +hand. At the word from Halstead the sailor struck, and Cragthorpe fell +to the floor, stunned.</p> + +<p>Leaving the sailor to attend to Cragthorpe, Mr. Costigan now bounded +forward to free the young captain's hands.</p> + +<p>"How on earth did this happen, sir?" demanded the third officer, as he +cut away the cord from the boy's wrists.</p> + +<p>"I dreamed I was fighting the fellow," laughed Tom, "but woke up to find +he had slipped my hands into that noose. He had this other noose around +my neck, threatening to draw it uncomfortably tight if I tried to make +any outcry."</p> + +<p>Tom was now able to slip out of bed and pull<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> on his trousers, while Mr. +Costigan turned on a stronger light.</p> + +<p>"But how on earth did you two happen to come to my relief just at the +right time?" the young skipper demanded.</p> + +<p>"Why, you sounded the call to the bridge," retorted the third mate.</p> + +<p>"I sounded the——wait a second."</p> + +<p>Tom bent over the edge of his bed, feeling underneath along the frame.</p> + +<p>"Why, there's a button here. Does that call to the bridge?" demanded the +motor boat captain.</p> + +<p>"It certainly does," retorted the third officer.</p> + +<p>"I didn't even know the button was there," gasped the young sailing +master. "In my struggles I touched it by accident."</p> + +<p>"I sent Oleson, the sailor, to see what you wanted, sir," continued Mr. +Costigan. "The next thing I knew Oleson backed out of your cabin, +grabbed up a belaying-pin, and signaled to me. I came quick and +soft-like, sir. And now, Captain, if you've no further orders for me, +sir, hadn't I better be traveling back to the bridge? The quartermaster +of my watch is running the ship at this minute."</p> + +<p>"Go, then, Mr. Costigan, and thank you; but send the extra deck-hand of +this watch."</p> + +<p>In another moment the third mate's whistle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> was sounding shrilly. It +brought the extra man of the watch on the run.</p> + +<p>"Put these handcuffs on the fellow before he comes to," ordered Tom, +going to his desk and taking out a pair of manacles. "There, now he +won't do much harm if he does come out of it suddenly. But I'm going +with you to the brig, and want to see leg irons put on the rascal, too. +He won't have the use of his hands again, on this yacht. The second +steward will have to feed the fellow his meals."</p> + +<p>Tom quickly finished his dressing. Just as he had done so Cragthorpe +uttered a deep sigh and opened his eyes. He was still a bit dazed. +Halstead waited for some moments before speaking.</p> + +<p>"If you were telling the truth, fellow, about Rose Gentry and her +brother," taunted Tom, "your silence won't do you so much good, now. My +third officer and one of these sailors overheard your declaration of +your infernal villainy. They can testify in court in behalf of young +Gentry. They'll help the case quite a bit, I guess."</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe was enough himself, by this time, to understand. He scowled +blackly, but refused to speak.</p> + +<p>"Take him along down below to the brig, now," ordered Captain Halstead.</p> + +<p>As the three navigators and their captive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> stepped out forward of the +pilot house, Tom pointed over to port.</p> + +<p>"There's the boat of your friends, my man," laughed the young motor boat +skipper. "You've told me, too, that Frank Rollings <i>is</i> aboard of her, +and that he has the stolen funds with him. Oh, one way and another, you +told me a lot this night that I'm glad to know!"</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe uttered some savage language under his breath as he was +dragged below. Once again he found himself in the brig, and the door +locked, after the leg-irons had been fitted. This time, to make doubly +sure of his man, Halstead put on a double lock by means of a chain and +padlock, the latter being of a pattern that could not be picked.</p> + +<p>"In one way I almost feel badly at doing this to you, Cragthorpe," Tom +said to the fellow, through the grating. "You'll think I'm crowing over +you, and abusing my power. I'd be easier with you—but it wouldn't be +safe for anyone aboard the yacht."</p> + +<p>Halstead then returned to his cabin, where, at his desk, he wrote a note +to Mr. Baldwin, advising the latter of what he had learned from the man +who was once more in the brig.</p> + +<p>This note he turned over to Mr. Costigan.</p> + +<p>"Hand it to him if he comes on deck in the morning before I do," +requested the young <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>skipper. "Add anything you please, out of what you +saw and heard to-night."</p> + +<p>Then the motor yacht captain walked over to the port rail for one more +look at the "Victor." The "Panther" was still keeping abreast of her, +less than four hundred yards away. These two craft appeared to have the +sea all to themselves.</p> + +<p>"When, where and how will this all end?" wondered Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>Then he turned in once more, this time hoping for some real rest.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XVIII</span> <span class="smaller">A TRICK MADE FOR TWO</span></h2> + +<p>Just before eight o'clock in the morning Tom Halstead rolled over +luxuriously in his broad bed.</p> + +<p>"One more catnap wouldn't feel half bad," he muttered to himself. +"However, I reckon I feel about right. I've had some of the sleep that +was coming to me."</p> + +<p>Then:</p> + +<p>"I wonder how my friend Cragthorpe is this morning? It's quite plain he +hasn't found some other trick for getting out of the brig."</p> + +<p>Tom yawned a couple of times, stretched, and finally decided that he +felt like getting up.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p><p>While he was coming to this conclusion the whistle sounded in the +bridge speaking tube.</p> + +<p>Springing out of bed, Tom took up the mouth-piece.</p> + +<p>"Well?" he called.</p> + +<p>"The 'Victor' is putting about, sir."</p> + +<p>"What's her new course?"</p> + +<p>"Going right back over the course she came out on, sir. Shall I turn and +follow?"</p> + +<p>"What else? The only thing we're living for now, Mr. Costigan, is to +keep close to that steam yacht. Follow her, without further orders, even +if she starts to steaming in circles. I'll be out soon."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>Tom looked slowly about him, then headed for the bath-room. He took +plenty of time in the warm water, finally dressing. Mr. Costigan's watch +had gone below, the third officer having left Tom's letter with Dick +Davis, to be handed to Mr. Baldwin when the latter should appear. But, +so far, none of the cabin party had yet turned out.</p> + +<p>"All our people are still abed, I think, sir," smiled Davis, when the +young motor boat captain appeared on deck.</p> + +<p>"They've been worn out, by the suspense as much as by their short hours +of rest," Halstead replied.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p><p>"Now, you guess why the steam craft has put about, don't you?" asked +Halstead, after pacing the bridge for some moments while he studied the +weather.</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure that I do, sir," Dick admitted, after a moment's thought.</p> + +<p>"Within three or four hours, I'm willing to wager you a night's rest, +we'll be back in the fog belt," Tom replied, pointing ahead. "Now, +Rollings and the captain of the 'Victor' have felt that they were +getting too far off the course to their real destination, with us +tagging right alongside all the way. They knew that the fog bank was a +few hours astern of them as they lay on the other course, so they're +putting back to get into it."</p> + +<p>"For what purpose?" asked Dick.</p> + +<p>"Why, I suppose they've figured on some plan for losing us in the fog +this time. That's the way their hopes run, anyway."</p> + +<p>"I can't see any fog ahead of us, sir," proclaimed Dick. "And I thought +a fellow raised on the Maine sea-coast knew all about fogs."</p> + +<p>"There's Ab just coming up for the day's work," whispered Tom, as the +young first officer appeared through the companionway forward. "Just +hear what he says."</p> + +<p>Leaning forward over the bridge rail, Halstead called:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p><p>"Mr. Perkins, what sort of weather do you think lies ahead of us?"</p> + +<p>Ab halted, looking all about him, then peering out for some moments past +the bow of the "Panther."</p> + +<p>"I think, sir," came the first officer's report, at last, "we're heading +back towards another real old San Francisco fog."</p> + +<p>"I surrender, then," nodded Dick Davis.</p> + +<p>"We'll be in it by noon, or before," Tom Halstead predicted.</p> + +<p>"And then, the folks on that craft yonder have it all figured out to +give us the slip, sure and easy this time," muttered Ab, as he climbed +the steps to the bridge.</p> + +<p>Out of the owner's quarters stepped Joseph Baldwin and came forward, +stretching and inhaling deeply the outdoor air. Captain Tom Halstead +stepped down from the bridge to meet him.</p> + +<p>"Haven't the other crowd changed their course a bit?" asked Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>Halstead explained the new move on the part of the navigator of the +"Victor."</p> + +<p>"Going to try to lose us, are they?" chuckled Baldwin. "If they do, +Captain, they are clever people. If they can get away from <i>you</i> I'm +positive it won't be your fault."</p> + +<p>Then, stretching like a man who has had a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> fine, long sleep, and who +isn't yet over the enjoyment of it, the owner added:</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness, nothing happened during the night!"</p> + +<p>"Nothing happened in the night, eh? I'm glad it was all carried off so +quietly, sir, that you weren't disturbed by it."</p> + +<p>"Why, <i>did</i> anything happen?"</p> + +<p>"The fire, in the first place——"</p> + +<p>"Of course; but I meant, nothing after I turned in again."</p> + +<p>"Something certainly did happen," laughed Halstead. "I left a note for +you with the watch officer, in case you came on deck before I did. Now, +however, I can tell you about it."</p> + +<p>And that Tom Halstead proceeded to do. While he was still engaged in the +narration Mr. Ross came up on deck, and had to hear the tale. Just at +its finish Dr. Gray appeared, followed by Gaston Giddings. The latter +young man, though wholly out of the influence of morphine now, looked +seedy and sullen. Plainly, he resented his enforced abstinence from +drugs.</p> + +<p>"I want to see that infernal rascal, Cragthorpe," muttered Mr. Baldwin. +"Captain, won't you be good enough to have him brought on deck?"</p> + +<p>So Ab was summoned, and instructed to take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> the extra seaman of the +watch, as well as Quartermaster Bickson, and bring the prisoner to deck.</p> + +<p>"Bring him by force, if you have to," added Captain Tom, dryly.</p> + +<p>In a short time the quartermaster and seaman appeared, all but dragging +Cragthorpe, while Ab Perkins brought up the rear of the procession, +giving the doubly manacled fellow an occasional shove.</p> + +<p>It was the first time that Gaston Giddings had seen the prisoner. The +instant he did so, now, the young bank president looked suddenly angry.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Baldwin," demanded Gaston Giddings, "why is this gentleman under +such restraint?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Gentleman?</i>" demanded Baldwin, with withering scorn. "Why, my boy, +about whom are you talking?"</p> + +<p>"Why is Mr. Cragthorpe ironed, on board this yacht?" insisted Giddings, +his face now white and stern with increasing anger.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I'll tell you," sniffed Joseph Baldwin. "That fellow is in +irons because he joined us from the 'Victor.' His first enterprise on +board was to try to put one of our motors out of the running. His next +effort was to set this yacht on fire, last night. After that, he broke +into Captain Halstead's cabin, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>presumably with the intention of killing +the navigator of this yacht; at any rate, he meant to injure Captain +Halstead severely. Those are some of the reasons, Giddings, my boy, why +Cragthorpe is now guarded as carefully as a mad dog might be if we +didn't possess the right to kill it."</p> + +<p>While speaking, Joseph Baldwin studied the young bank president's face +keenly. After a pause, the older man went on:</p> + +<p>"And now, Giddings, if you concede that I have any right to be curious, +in turn, I'd like to ask you why you are so intensely interested in this +scoundrel?"</p> + +<p>From the instant Cragthorpe had caught sight of the face of Gaston +Giddings, the man in irons had stood more at ease, a sneer on his face.</p> + +<p>"Cragthorpe is a friend of mine," replied Giddings, stiffly.</p> + +<p>"Indeed? Then I regret to say that I can't congratulate you on your +choice of friends."</p> + +<p>"I demand that you set Mr. Cragthorpe free!" cried young Giddings, in a +voice passionate with anger.</p> + +<p>"That's a request, my boy, that I'm not at all inclined to grant, even +had I the power," retorted Baldwin, coolly, yet speaking as though he +did not wish needlessly to further<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> rouse the anger of Giddings. "You +see, I haven't any power to give the order."</p> + +<p>"No power?" snorted Giddings. "Don't you own this yacht?"</p> + +<p>"I do; but Halstead is her captain. It is one of the rules of the sea +that, after a vessel leaves her anchorage, her captain commands her +absolutely until port is again reached."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say that this boy would refuse to free Cragthorpe, if +you commanded it?" demanded Giddings, hotly, a flushed spot burning in +either cheek.</p> + +<p>"What would you say, Captain Halstead, if I demanded the release of the +prisoner?" asked Baldwin, facing the young motor boat skipper with +smiling eyes.</p> + +<p>"I'd refuse, sir," Tom replied, promptly. "In my opinion the 'Panther' +isn't safe a minute when Cragthorpe is out of the brig. Take the +prisoner back to the brig, Mr. Perkins."</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings, with a wrathful cry, started forward, but Tom blocked +his way.</p> + +<p>"You know you're pleasing the owner you sail for, or you wouldn't dare +do this thing," choked the young bank president.</p> + +<p>The prisoner was speedily taken below.</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings stamped angrily aft, while Joseph Baldwin's eyes +followed the young man with a wondering look.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p><p>"Mr. Perkins," directed Tom, when Ab came back on deck, "lock the door +of the passage leading to the brig, and leave the key with the watch +officer, with instructions to turn it over to his successor on the +bridge." Tom's order was given for the purpose of preventing Giddings +from making any attempt to reach and aid Cragthorpe.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to have Doc Gray try to find out what part Cragthorpe has +been playing in the life of our young friend, Giddings," Mr. Baldwin +confided to the young skipper. "I've a suspicion, already, though."</p> + +<p>"May I ask, sir, what you suspect?"</p> + +<p>"Well, since Giddings has become a confirmed 'hop-fiend,' and Cragthorpe +comes to us from the Rollings crowd, I think it most likely that +Rollings has been employing Cragthorpe to cultivate Giddings's +acquaintance and lure him on into the opium habit. Such drugs destroy a +man's will, his sense of justice—they rot his very soul!"</p> + +<p>"So, then, sir, you think Rollings has been, for some time, engaged in a +deliberate plot to acquire an ascendancy over Mr. Giddings and ruin +him?"</p> + +<p>"That's my suspicion, stated in a few words, Captain."</p> + +<p>Through the forenoon the chase on the course<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> back to San Francisco +continued without change. By eleven o'clock both yachts were moving +through occasional light blotches of fog, though the two craft still +moved in sight of each other. An hour later, however, the two yachts, +with speed now down to eight miles an hour, entered a dense, white gloom +in which they were soon shut out from sight of each other. Now, Captain +Tom was reduced to the old trick of going by sound.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, the "Victor" sounded a fog-horn at regular intervals of +sixty seconds, as did the "Panther."</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to take any chances, however, sir," Tom confided to the +owner. "I'm going to keep close enough to hear her machinery, too."</p> + +<p>Passing through the fog, the unseen "Victor" was off the better part of +three hundred yards to port of the "Panther."</p> + +<p>Of a sudden, however, there came a note that was new. Tom and Joe, in +the captain's cabin, heard it, and ran out on deck. Davis was bending +over the starboard rail of the bridge in his effort to comprehend the +new sound.</p> + +<p>"Too-whoo-oo!" Nearly abeam, and some three hundred yards off to +starboard, that new sound came—a fog-horn identical with the +"Victor's."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p><p>"What on earth is the trick, now?" wondered Joe Dawson.</p> + +<p>"I'd be willing to give a day's pay to guess it all at once," responded +the young skipper.</p> + +<p>"Too-whoo-oo!" sounded the "Panther's" fog-horn. "Too-whoo-oo!" came the +answer, from port, presumably from the "Victor's" fog-horn. +"Too-whoo-oo!" came like an echo from starboard.</p> + +<p>"It sounds like the first move in a game to mix us up," muttered Tom +Halstead, shrewdly.</p> + +<p>"But what craft can be off at starboard?" questioned young Dawson.</p> + +<p>"Probably a steam launch, put off from the 'Victor,' with a similar +fog-horn," rejoined Captain Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Or a motor launch," suggested Joe.</p> + +<p>"No; I don't believe that. If it were a motor launch we'd hear the +chug-chug of her exhaust. It must be a steam launch. A steam craft of +small size can be run more quietly."</p> + +<p>"That's true," assented young Dawson. "Still, our power tender has a +pretty silent exhaust."</p> + +<p>"Great scheme!" grinned Tom, suddenly.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to play a return trick on Rollings's captain."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p><p>"We have two reserve fog-horns that are identical in sound. I'm going +to rig one of 'em on the 'Panther,' using it in the place of the one +we're now sounding."</p> + +<p>"Yes——"</p> + +<p>"And rig the other fog-horn on the power launch," chuckled Tom. "Then +we'll put Bickson and his own deckhand in the power launch and send 'em +around to cruise to port of the 'Victor.' Thus we'll keep those fellows +guessing, too, what's in the wind."</p> + +<p>Joe chuckled, but he added:</p> + +<p>"Tom, you'd better ask Mr. Jephson to send one of his deputy marshals +along, armed, or something might happen that our power launch and two +men would be bagged."</p> + +<p>"That's a sound idea, too," Captain Tom nodded. Half an hour later the +"Panther's" power launch, containing Bickson, a seaman and a deputy +marshal, stole as noiselessly as possible around to the port side of the +"Victor" in the great, thick fog. Now, there were four fog-horns, +sounding all at once. The four power craft were moving practically in +one line.</p> + +<p>"Say, that's a funny stunt, surely," chuckled Joseph Baldwin, when he +heard the four fog-horns almost at once, and understood what the move +meant.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p><p>"It may have another good effect," suggested Halstead.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Any sailing vessel headed our way, hearing four horns, is likely to +steer well out of the way of the whole fleet, thus lessening the danger +of collision."</p> + +<p>Barely two minutes later another sound intensely interested the watchers +aboard the "Panther."</p> + +<p>Out of the white gloom ahead, some hundreds of yards, and almost bow-on +from the "Panther," came the long-drawn-out hail:</p> + +<p>"He-e-elp!"</p> + +<p>"What's that?" demanded Joseph Baldwin, starting.</p> + +<p>"He-elp!" came the appeal once more.</p> + +<p>"Sounds like the latest trick from our friends on the 'Victor,'" grinned +Captain Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>Ab Perkins, with the megaphone in his hand, had pushed his way up to the +very peak of the bow.</p> + +<p>"Ahoy!" he bawled, lustily, through the voice-carrier. "Who's in need of +help?"</p> + +<p>Back came the answer, faint, yet distinct:</p> + +<p>"A castaway in a dory! For heaven's sake, pick me up!"</p> + +<p>"Not a thing happened after we picked up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> the last castaway in a small +boat," uttered Joseph Baldwin, sarcastically.</p> + +<p>"That hail sounded like a boy's voice," muttered Tom.</p> + +<p>"If you pick <i>anyone</i> up in this fog, be careful!" cautioned the owner.</p> + +<p>"Oh, won't I be careful, though?" retorted Skipper Tom. "Yet I've half a +mind to pick this chap up, just to see what the game is. My curiosity is +working over-time. I'm anxious to see the newest trick from the hands +that steer the 'Victor'!"</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XIX</span> <span class="smaller">TED DYER, SAILOR BY MARRIAGE</span></h2> + +<p>Still Ab continued to hail from the bow of the motor yacht, young +Captain Tom having gone forward to stand by him and give directions.</p> + +<p>"We'll take you aboard, and have a look at you, anyway," Ab called +through the megaphone. "That is, if you make us closely enough to catch +a rope from us. But we won't change our course, or stop ship."</p> + +<p>"Sa-ay, that's hardly fair!" came the indignant protest.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p><p>"If you want to get aboard this craft, do as we tell you," Ab Perkins +retorted, doughtily.</p> + +<p>"A-all right! I can't stay out on the ocean alone any longer, anyway!" +came back the answer, with a new note of determination in it.</p> + +<p>"Then stop talking," directed Ab, "and get down to your oars, so as to +run just alongside of us. And stand by to catch the line that'll be +thrown to you."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir!"</p> + +<p>Catching up a coil of line, Perkins ran down nearer the waist of the +ship. A seaman stood by with the ship's end of a rope boarding-ladder +made fast. Captain Tom remained up in the "Panther's" bow.</p> + +<p>Then, out of the fog, shot a dory into sight. In it sat a boy of about +sixteen, wearing only a ragged shirt and hardly less ragged trousers. He +bent at a pair of oars, his glance cast backward over one shoulder as he +guided the craft so as to pass the "Panther" without being engulfed by +her.</p> + +<p>It was close work, and required rather fine seamanship on the part of +the boy in the boat.</p> + +<p>Had the "Panther" been going at anything like her full speed the effort +to lay alongside would have ended in disaster. Even as it was, Captain +Tom Halstead watched with not a little anxiety.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p><p>"Ready—catch the line!" sang Ab Perkins. The young executive officer +of the "Panther" possessed fine judgment and a straight eye for such +work. As the coil left Ab's hand it went whirling, uncoiling, through +the air. The line landed fairly across the shoulder of the other boy +below. He caught the rope, then sank down to the middle seat of the +dory, bracing himself and holding on hard.</p> + +<p>As the line became taut the bow of the dory was yanked about. The little +craft heeled a bit, then righted, bumping in against the larger hull, +then gliding off and riding rather easy.</p> + +<p>The seaman at Ab's side now dropped the rope boarding-ladder overboard +so that its lower end rested fairly in the dory.</p> + +<p>"Swing onto the ladder, and kick the dory loose," directed Ab Perkins, +steadily. "I reckon you can do it."</p> + +<p>"Don't you want to recover the dory, to pay for my passage to land?" +inquired the boy below.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it," uttered Ab. "Too much truck aboard now."</p> + +<p>"Then here comes—not much of anything," laughed the boy, in a clear, +cool voice, as he seized the rope ladder, and sprang up onto it. As he +left the dory that little craft drifted astern, soon to be lost to sight +in the great fog.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p><p>In another moment the boy was aboard. No stranger was he to the sea. +That much could be told by the neat, seaman-like way in which he came up +the rope boarding-ladder.</p> + +<p>"I've come on board, sir," laughed the stranger, touching the make-shift +for a cap which he wore.</p> + +<p>"So I see," nodded Tom Halstead, coming aft from the bow. "What's your +name?"</p> + +<p>"Ted Dyer."</p> + +<p>"Hailing port?"</p> + +<p>"'Frisco."</p> + +<p>"Sailor, by trade?"</p> + +<p>"No," laughed Ted, his eyes twinkling; "a sailor by marriage."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" demanded Halstead, almost sharply. He almost suspected +that the other boy was making game of him. If Dyer came from the +"Victor," such levity was misplaced.</p> + +<p>"My mother's sister married a captain of a freight schooner," Ted +explained, more soberly.</p> + +<p>"Oh. So you, so to speak, ran away to sea with your uncle?"</p> + +<p>"No; he ran away from me <i>at</i> sea," answered young Dyer, more soberly.</p> + +<p>"How long has your uncle been captain of the 'Victor'?" Halstead +demanded, swiftly, hoping to catch this other boy off his guard.</p> + +<p>"The 'Victor'?" repeated Ted, opening his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> eyes wide. If he was +shamming, then it was a fine bit of acting.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you come from the steam yacht 'Victor'?" demanded Captain Tom, +looking hard at the boy.</p> + +<p>"Never heard of the craft before," declared Ted. Then: "Hold on, though. +I'm lying without meaning to, it would seem. Yes; I know the 'Victor.' +She's a hundred and twenty-two foot steam yacht, fine and fast."</p> + +<p>"That's the 'Victor' just over to port," went on Tom, still eyeing the +other youth, closely.</p> + +<p>"Is it?" asked Ted Dyer. "Then your eyesight is sharper than mine."</p> + +<p>"Don't try to get funny," warned Halstead.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to," protested Ted. "You all strike me as first-rate +fellows. And, anyway, you've fished me up out of the vasty deep, so to +speak. Where's your captain?"</p> + +<p>"You're looking at him," replied Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Again," laughed Ted, "you're crediting me with finer eyesight than I +possess."</p> + +<p>"I am the captain," Tom replied, struggling against an inclination to +like this boy. Ted was so brimming over with good humor, that it seemed +almost wicked to suspect him of anything worse than being hungry.</p> + +<p>"You're the captain?" demanded Ted, taken aback, and staring hard. Then, +as he took in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> the details of Halstead's uniform, and noted the looks on +the faces of the others about him, he became convinced.</p> + +<p>"Captain——" began Ted.</p> + +<p>"Halstead," supplied Tom.</p> + +<p>"Captain Halstead, as I'll have to dead-beat my passage back to San +Francisco, I shall be mighty glad if you'll assign me to some work to +do."</p> + +<p>"On your word of honor you didn't come off the 'Victor'?" insisted the +young skipper, still looking hard at the new arrival on board.</p> + +<p>"On my honor I didn't. Why? Is it a crime to come on board from the +'Victor'?"</p> + +<p>"Very nearly," Halstead replied, dryly. "We've got one fellow in the +brig on board, charged with that very offense."</p> + +<p>"Whew!" muttered Ted, looking grave. "Then what's the sentence for +coming on board from a dory?"</p> + +<p>"How did you come to be in that dory?" pressed the young skipper of the +"Panther."</p> + +<p>"You might call it mainly my uncle's offense," replied Ted Dyer, more +gravely. "You see, my parents are dead. They left me a little money, and +put me under the guardianship of my uncle. He put the money into the +freight schooner, 'Nancy.' However, even at that, some of the earnings +of the schooner had to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> put aside as belonging to my estate. So my +uncle, being a bright man, conceived the idea, night before last, of +putting me adrift in the dory you fished me out of. At the time he had +only a drunken sailor named Griggs on deck with him. Griggs is a fellow +my uncle, Captain Dalton, by name, can depend on. Uncle got me to go +into the dory that was towing astern. Made believe he wanted me to see +if anything had fouled the rudder. Then he cut the line and left me +adrift. I guess he figured that there was a storm coming; that I'd never +be heard from again, and that he'd get the schooner all for himself."</p> + +<p>"The infernal scoundrel!" breathed Halstead, indignantly. Then, +remembering his first suspicions, he shot in, closely:</p> + +<p>"So your uncle isn't captain of the 'Victor'?"</p> + +<p>"What's the joke?" demanded Ted, gazing at those about him, a look of +wonder in his innocent blue eyes.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead was beginning to soften. Despite the grave need of caution +and suspicion, Ted's honest good nature was infectious. Besides, as both +the yachts were going at eight miles an hour, and the "Victor" was +traveling only abeam, anyway, how could a boy in a dory put off from the +steam yacht be so far<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> ahead of the position of either boat as to come +down upon the "Panther" in the fashion Ted had done? Altogether, Captain +Tom felt that he might do well to drop some of his suspicions. That same +idea was occurring to some of the others who listened. It was Joe +Dawson, however, who first gave voice to this new idea.</p> + +<p>"I reckon Ted is all right, Captain," spoke up the young chief engineer. +"At any rate, I feel willing to go bail for his good behavior on this +craft."</p> + +<p>"I guess this youngster is all right, Captain," spoke Joseph Baldwin, +next stepping forward. "I'll take a chance with him, if you're willing."</p> + +<p>Ted Dyer, meanwhile, was looking from one face to another, as though he +wondered what kind of a crowd he had encountered.</p> + +<p>"You may think us a bit strange, Dyer," spoke Tom, with a quiet smile. +"The truth is, we have the best of reasons for being suspicious of the +other yacht you've heard us talking about. You can stay aboard, and +we'll try to make you comfortable."</p> + +<p>"I haven't anything else to do, sir," said Joe, turning once more to the +young captain. "I'll take Dyer in hand if you say so."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead," assented Halstead. "First of all, take him below, Mr. +Dawson, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span>introduce him to the cook. I imagine that will be +agreeable."</p> + +<p>"You're good at guessing, Captain," laughed the San Francisco boy, +saluting.</p> + +<p>"Come along then, Ted Dyer," proposed Joe, taking him by the arm with a +friendly grip. "You can come below to my cabin and chat while you eat."</p> + +<p>"I guess I can do a lot of both," admitted the San Francisco boy, going +along with Joe after making a bow that was intended to include everyone.</p> + +<p>Joe, however, did not at first press the other boy to talk much, but was +delighted at seeing Dyer able to stow away so much satisfying food.</p> + +<p>"Now," demanded the newcomer, pushing his chair back from the table, +"what am I going to do aboard this craft to earn my way?"</p> + +<p>"What do you know best how to do?" asked Dawson.</p> + +<p>"You said you are the chief engineer?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"If there's anything I'm crazy about," confessed Ted Dyer, "it's +machinery. Why couldn't I go to work in your engine room?"</p> + +<p>"That's a rather unfortunate question," returned Joe, feeling a bit +uncomfortable. "You see, the fellow who really <i>did</i> come aboard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> from +the 'Victor' got into the engine room and tried to put our machinery +into a useless condition. So you can understand why Captain Halstead +would stare if I told him I had put you in the engine room."</p> + +<p>"What's all this business about the 'Victor,' anyway?" demanded Ted +Dyer, curiously.</p> + +<p>So Joe told him enough to enable the other boy to understand, including +the fact that a United States assistant district attorney and two deputy +marshals were aboard intent upon arresting a bank absconder believed to +be on board the "Victor."</p> + +<p>"And that boat is trying to lose you in the fog, so that Mr. Absconder +can get away?" asked Ted Dyer, understandingly.</p> + +<p>"That's the case, Dyer."</p> + +<p>"Then I can understand why it wouldn't look well for me to ask for a job +in the engine room," pondered Ted, thoughtfully. "I suppose, though, I +could go in and help the cook. I couldn't do any harm there. Yes, I +could, though; I might poison the dishes or the food."</p> + +<p>Joe Dawson gave a hearty laugh, so completely was he disarmed of +suspicion of the other boy.</p> + +<p>"I guess perhaps we'd better leave it all to Captain Halstead," proposed +Joe Dawson. "He's a fine, splendid fellow, as you'll find."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p><p>"Fine and suspicious," retorted Ted, with a grimace.</p> + +<p>"He has to be, on a strange cruise like this. But you'll find Captain +Tom Halstead as good as fine gold, Ted. Halstead is my chum."</p> + +<p>"If he's your chum," vouchsafed Dyer, heartily, "then I'll take my oath +he's all right."</p> + +<p>"Come up on deck," nodded Joe, moving toward the companion way.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XX</span> <span class="smaller">THE FIND IN THE FOREHOLD</span></h2> + +<p>Ted Dyer's place was quickly determined upon.</p> + +<p>Bickson, the chief quartermaster, who attended to the general "policing" +of the yacht—that is, the cleaning up and the sanitary care of the +boat, had one seaman assigned to help him. Ted was added as an extra +hand in this line, being placed at once under the orders of the +quartermaster who was acting in Bickson's place while the latter was out +in the launch.</p> + +<p>"It looks, now, as though Dyer is all right, from the ground up, +quartermaster," Captain Tom said, in a low voice. "At the same time,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> of +course, you'll keep a general eye on the youngster?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly will, Captain."</p> + +<p>"Above all, don't let him get anywhere near the prisoner in the brig. +Don't permit any possibility of communication between Dyer and +Cragthorpe."</p> + +<p>"I understand, Captain."</p> + +<p>Before he had been at work for an hour Ted Dyer was earning golden good +opinions from the acting chief quartermaster. Not the slightest +curiosity did the new member of the crew display about anything that +didn't concern him. As a worker Ted Dyer was number one.</p> + +<p>About three o'clock the evidence of a new game on the part of the enemy +came to notice. The steam launch of the "Victor" ceased sounding her +whistle off at the starboard of the "Panther." Tom Halstead, who was on +deck, ready to note the slightest sign, became instantly suspicious.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Davis," he called, "sound the agreed-on signal from our own +fog-horn for Bickson to come in, post-haste with our power boat."</p> + +<p>From the "Panther's" fog-horn sounded four short blasts.</p> + +<p>Just a few minutes later Tom Halstead, listening at the rail, heard the +"Victor's" machinery moving at faster rate.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p><p>"There they go, stealing away from us," muttered the young skipper.</p> + +<p>"And not sounding their fog-horn any more, either," commented Joseph +Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"It won't take 'em long to get out of our hearing, if our tender doesn't +get in," predicted Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Confound Bickson! Where is he? What's he doing?" demanded the +"Panther's" owner, impatiently.</p> + +<p>Barely thirty seconds later, however, the "Panther's" power tender shot +in alongside. The falls and tackle were lowered swiftly. The instant +when the hoisting began Halstead called sharply:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Davis, start us forward on the jump. Don't let those tricksters +slip us in that fashion."</p> + +<p>Second Officer Davis gave the order for increased speed. Then, before it +could be carried out, he cried, excitedly:</p> + +<p>"What has become of the 'Victor,' sir? Can you hear her machinery, now?"</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead listened intently, growing paler. Barely forty-five seconds +before he had had the enemy within sound. Now, not a single trace of +noise came to him over the waters.</p> + +<p>"By Jove! they've slipped us," he groaned, uneasily.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p><p>"That's what," confessed Dick, in a hushed, scared voice.</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin's face was a study in intense anxiety.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid the steam yacht has gotten away from us, Captain," he +remarked. "If that really has happened, I don't blame you. The chances, +in a game of this sort, and under these conditions, are all with the +fugitive."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it isn't a matter of blame," muttered Skipper Tom, his face +chalk-white, his hands nervously gripping at the port deck rail. "But +I'm chagrined—ashamed, just the same. What have those rascals done? +Have they stopped speed altogether? Are they drifting, so that, if we go +ahead, we are drawing further away from them all the time? Or did they +shoot well ahead of us, then succeed in running with almost no noise, +and on a new course, so that they are slipping further away from us +every minute? Shall we stop and drift? Or, if we go ahead, what speed +and which course shall we take? Confound the wretches!"</p> + +<p>"It is a big problem," admitted Joseph Baldwin, his own face as white as +that of the young skipper.</p> + +<p>"Have you any orders, sir?" asked Halstead, quickly.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Joseph Baldwin, slowly. "All<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> I can do is to guess. That's +all you can do, either, Captain Halstead; but your guess is just as +likely to be the right one as is my own."</p> + +<p>The "Panther" was now traveling at a speed of twelve miles, sounding her +fog-horn twice in the minute.</p> + +<p>"The worst of it is that our horn betrays us to the enemy," muttered +Tom. "They have no respect for the laws of the sea, so that we give them +guide, while they give us nothing in return."</p> + +<p>"We won't quite give up hope," uttered Mr. Baldwin, dispiritedly. "At +the same time, I fancy we're now as good as whipped. I don't see any +chance for us."</p> + +<p>"The only chance that's left," replied Skipper Tom, "is the chance of +luck. Until you give other orders, sir, I shall keep to the same course, +and at the same speed."</p> + +<p>Baldwin nodded, turning away. Somehow, the depressing news had passed +around. The cabin passengers came pouring out on deck, asking well-nigh +innumerable questions of the young captain and of the sadly perplexed +owner.</p> + +<p>"All I can say," replied Mr. Baldwin to his questioners, "is that we +must depend upon the slender chance of—luck."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p><p>"And all I can say," added Captain Tom Halstead, "is—wait!"</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings, who, in the morning, had been so insistent on having +Cragthorpe set at liberty, now underwent a complete change of feeling in +the matter.</p> + +<p>"That wretch in the brig could tell us something about this latest +trick," declared the young bank president, quivering with wrath. "Mr. +Baldwin, why don't you have the fellow brought on deck and made to +confess whatever he may know about the plans of the Rollings crowd on +the 'Victor'?"</p> + +<p>"Even if Cragthorpe should know all about the enemy's plans," demanded +the owner, "how could I make him confess if he didn't want to?"</p> + +<p>"Torture him, if you have to, until he talks freely," snarled Gaston +Giddings.</p> + +<p>"That wouldn't do," negatived Baldwin. "This is the twentieth century, +and we live under laws. We can't put men to the torture nowadays."</p> + +<p>"Then let me go down and see Cragthorpe," cried Giddings, nervously. +"I'll find a way to make him talk! Give me the key to the brig."</p> + +<p>To this proposition Captain Halstead returned a most emphatic refusal.</p> + +<p>"Whoop!" sounded a jubilant voice from below. "Whoo-oo-oopee!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p><p>"Who on earth is that?" demanded Mr. Ross.</p> + +<p>"Ted Dyer, the last castaway we picked up out of the ocean," responded +Captain Halstead.</p> + +<p>"What on earth can he find to be so joyous——"</p> + +<p>"Whoo-oop!" interrupted Ted himself, appearing on deck at that instant. +His eyes were snapping with excitement, his face fairly glowing with +delight.</p> + +<p>"Say, do you know what's down in the forehold, sir?" he demanded, facing +Captain Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>"No; and how do you?" broke in Joseph Baldwin, interrupting.</p> + +<p>"Quartermaster Bickson set me to tidying up there," explained Ted. Then, +turning to the young skipper, the San Francisco boy rattled on:</p> + +<p>"There's a case there, under a lot of other stuff, marked 'shotguns,' +and another case marked 'rifles.' Then there are other boxes labeled +'ammunition.'"</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! I had forgotten that stuff—didn't know it was on board, +in fact," exclaimed the owner.</p> + +<p>"I heard you tell," Ted hastened on, speaking to Tom Halstead, "how you +were handicapped, when right alongside the 'Victor,' by not having any +firearms except the two revolvers of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> deputy marshals. But, now! +You've got an arsenal if those boxes are labeled straight."</p> + +<p>"I believe the boxes are labeled all right," replied Joseph Baldwin, +smiling sadly. "Yet, now that we know we have weapons enough at hand we +haven't any steam yacht to board!"</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XXI</span> <span class="smaller">ON A BLIND TRAIL OF THE SEA</span></h2> + +<p>"Those guns were put aboard six months ago, when I was planning to run +the 'Panther' down to Guatemala on a jaguar-hunting trip," explained Mr. +Baldwin. "Afterwards, when the trip was abandoned, the guns were taken +ashore. I'll admit I didn't know the arms were now on board."</p> + +<p>"We may catch up with those rascals again, sir," suggested Ted Dyer, +hopefully.</p> + +<p>"I wish I had your enthusiasm, and your belief in the future, young +man," remarked Mr. Baldwin, with a shake of his head.</p> + +<p>"Anyway, since the weapons have been found," interjected Halstead, "they +may as well be taken out of their cases and cleaned, and the ammunition +sorted over. We should have such things where we can get at them in a +moment, at need."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p><p>"Right enough," nodded the owner.</p> + +<p>"I'll go down and have a look at the things," proposed the young +skipper. "Lead the way, Dyer."</p> + +<p>Ted went below, jubilantly enough, pointing out the cases, which he had +dragged out from under other supplies. Then Dyer went to the engine room +for hammer, cold chisel and screwdriver, after which the cases were +opened.</p> + +<p>"Ten splendid repeating rifles, the same number of dandy shot-guns, and +ammunition enough to keep these guns firing for a week," muttered +Halstead when half an hour's work had resulted in displaying all the +contents of the cases. "Oh, if we had only had these the other night, or +at any time when we were out of the great fog and in sight of the +'Victor'!"</p> + +<p>Regrets were, however, utterly useless.</p> + +<p>All of the weapons were taken on deck. Some were stacked in the wheel +house, others in Tom's cabin and some in the owner's suite. Boxes of +cartridges and shells were also placed with the guns.</p> + +<p>"I shall hate these things every time I see them," muttered Joseph +Baldwin. "I should have remembered, and have had a search made. But it's +no use fussing now."</p> + +<p>"Oh, if we only could meet up with those fellows, now!" sighed Tom.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p><p>"Humph! If hens would only lay eggs of solid gold," snorted Mr. +Baldwin, "there'd be no sense in a bank cashier running away with the +stuffing of the bank's vault! Captain Halstead, we won't pick that steam +yacht up again in this fog."</p> + +<p>"Then, sir, we may do it when the fog lifts," predicted Halstead, +hopefully.</p> + +<p>Baldwin shook his head.</p> + +<p>"All we can do, young man, is to keep on in a general course toward San +Francisco, as we're doing. This fog will probably hang to us all the way +to our anchorage off Market Street. If the fog should lift before that, +there isn't one chance in a thousand that we'll find the 'Victor' in +sight."</p> + +<p>"I'm on this cruise, sir," rejoined the young captain, "with the notion +that the cruise can't end until we've run alongside the 'Victor' +somewhere. It may be that we'll sight some other vessel that has seen +the steam yacht. In that way we may get the news that will send us +hustling down the coast to Mexico, or across the ocean to Japan."</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin grinned wistfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, one thing, Captain; we have enough gasoline to go 'most anywhere. +My friends thought I was almost crazy to have such big tanks put aboard +to hold gasoline. But I replied that,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> when we didn't need the extra +oil, it would serve as ballast. If we have to burn that oil we can fill +the tanks with salt water and still keep ballasted."</p> + +<p>"In any clear weather we can use the sails a good deal, and save oil at +that, sir," suggested the young skipper.</p> + +<p>However, they continued on through the fog the rest of that afternoon, +and through the night, without discovering a sign of any other craft. +The loneliness of that great ocean about them began to get somewhat on +the nerves of some of the passengers. Gaston Giddings, suffering +infernal tortures for want of the drug to which he had become such a +pitiful slave, kept to the cabin.</p> + +<p>Through the long night the "Panther" kept plodding on her way, rolling a +good deal in the sea. Tom spent much of his time on the bridge with the +watch officer. So morning came around again, and it was Third Mate +Costigan's deck watch.</p> + +<p>Tom, who had been below in his cabin for the last three hours, came on +deck again at about nine in the morning. Somehow, he could not sleep. +The sense of failure preyed upon his nerves.</p> + +<p>For some minutes Captain Tom stood at the bridge rail, one hand at his +ear. He was trying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> to catch even the faintest sound of another foghorn +than the "Panther's."</p> + +<p>At last he started.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear that, Mr. Costigan?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"I heard nothing, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then keep perfectly quiet, and listen hard."</p> + +<p>Within two minutes both officers were sure they heard a fog-horn.</p> + +<p>"But it's the fog-horn of a sailing vessel," muttered Tom, +disappointedly.</p> + +<p>"Coming this way, too, sir," replied Mr. Costigan.</p> + +<p>"The people on the 'Victor' wouldn't hesitate to use a sailing vessel's +signals in order to fool us," muttered Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Shall I pass well to starboard of the sailing craft, sir?" asked the +third officer.</p> + +<p>"No; get in her path. When we're near enough, signal that we want to +speak the other vessel," Halstead answered.</p> + +<p>Within seven or eight minutes the "Panther" was signaling the other +craft by sound for the desired marine interview. The "all right" signal +came back. Then the two vessels were cautiously manœuvred to meet +each other without collision.</p> + +<p>At last a big bowsprit loomed up out of the white gloom, close at hand.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p><p>"Put your helm hard-a-starboard!" roared Mr. Costigan through the wheel +house speaking-tube. Then, after some further manœuvring, during +which the "Panther's" propellers reversed, the two craft lay hazily in +sight of each other.</p> + +<p>The stranger proved to be a long, low, white schooner yacht hailing from +San Diego as the home port, but now bound for Hawaii.</p> + +<p>"Do you know the steam yacht 'Victor' when you see her?" Tom shouted +over the "Panther's" rail.</p> + +<p>"Yes," came back the testy answer. "And sometimes we see too much of +her. We did this morning."</p> + +<p>"You did?" Halstead demanded, excitedly. "Where?"</p> + +<p>"Back on our course. She came along through the fog like a thief, +without signaling. If my first mate hadn't been in the bow at the +moment, and able to pass the order back like lightning, that infernal +steam yacht would have sunk us."</p> + +<p>"How far away do you think the 'Victor' is now?" Tom demanded.</p> + +<p>"At a good guess, say twelve miles ahead of you, on a pretty straight +course for the Golden Gate."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Captain!"</p> + +<p>"You're welcome."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p><p>As the schooner yacht's sails filled, and she bore away on her course, +a dozen people on the "Panther's" deck let up a wild cheer.</p> + +<p>"Fog or no fog, we'll catch up with the 'Victor' if we have luck," +declared Captain Tom Halstead. Then his face took on a troubled look.</p> + +<p>"I forgot," he muttered. "The captain of the 'Victor' will hear our fog +horn, and—oh, confound a fog-horn on a chase like this!"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps this is where a lawyer can help you out," smiled Mr. Jephson. +"You're now a dozen miles behind the 'Victor.' Well, Captain, if you +tone down your fog-horn so that it can't be heard for more than half or +three quarters of a mile, it will still make noise enough to warn any +innocent craft out of your path. Can't you tone down the horn?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Tom, rather dubiously, "if it will be strictly +straightforward and legal."</p> + +<p>"As a representative of the United States courts, I'll take all the +responsibility," Mr. Jephson pledged himself. "I know," he added, "that +I haven't, really, a legal right to authorize you to go forward without +signals. That right belongs to the Navy, and to revenue cutter +commanders. But I'll take the responsibility upon myself, Captain +Halstead. All innocent vessels proceed under regular signals, anyway, +and that does away with the risk of collision."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p><p>The young motor boat captain needed no further urging. He called Joe on +deck. Together the two chums worked over the fog-horn until the hail it +sent forth would not carry more than a half mile.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Third Officer Costigan, on the bridge, had been making +use of his arithmetic. Figuring that the "Victor" was twelve miles ahead +of the "Panther" and still following the same course at the same speed, +the third mate had to calculate the time that would elapse before the +motor yacht would be just two miles astern of its quarry.</p> + +<p>At the same time Ab Perkins was briefly busy, at least. It fell to his +share to see that the power tender was all in trim for lowering over the +side. Provisions and water, a compass and a fog-horn had to be added to +the usual equipment of the boat. Firearms were stocked aboard, as well, +and a greater supply of lines than the tender usually carried.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, of course, the "Panther" was traveling at increased speed, +this speed being carefully regulated to fit in with the problems that +Third Officer Costigan was so carefully solving.</p> + +<p>For the next two hours Captain Tom Halstead strolled nervously about, +Mr. Jephson, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Ross and a few others were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> observed to be +similarly afflicted with restlessness.</p> + +<p>Just before noon Tom Halstead climbed the stairs to the bridge, +consulting Mr. Costigan's figures carefully.</p> + +<p>"Slow down the speed," Halstead ordered, after a few moments of +listening that brought to them no sound showing another vessel to be +near. "Mr. Perkins, stand by and lower the tender."</p> + +<p>As the "Panther" slowed up there was a rush to the port rail, for the +tender was to carry a goodly crew. When the little power boat lay in the +water alongside, Captain Tom Halstead was the first to go over the side. +He was followed by Jed Prentiss, who was to act as engineer officer of +this expedition. Then came Mr. Jephson and his two deputy marshals. Next +followed Joe Dawson, who did <i>not</i> go in the capacity of engineer. +Messrs. Baldwin and Ross next followed, then two of the "Panther's" +seamen, and, last of all, Ted Dyer. Quartermaster Bickson had been in +the power boat when it was lowered, thus making twelve altogether in the +party.</p> + +<p>"Cast off," called Tom, sharply, while Joe, already at the steering +seat, threw the wheel over to port. "Mr. Perkins, you're in command of +the yacht."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p><p>"Any signals to arrange with us, Captain?" called the young first mate.</p> + +<p>"No! I don't believe you'll see us again in a hurry," Tom replied, as +the power launch darted away, "unless we come back on board the +'Victor!'"</p> + +<p>From the yacht's rail came a subdued cheer. Halstead waved his hand to +his first mate.</p> + +<p>A few bucketfuls of water slopped over into the tender. The sea was +running high for such a small craft. Those in the launch, however, +thought of nothing but the goal ahead.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XXII</span> <span class="smaller">A STERN LOOMS UP IN THE FOG</span></h2> + +<p>Joe Dawson, at the wheel of the power tender, bent grimly over the +compass.</p> + +<p>There was little need for him to look about him, anyway, since it was +not possible to see anything distinctly at a greater distance than three +boat-lengths away.</p> + +<p>Almost immediately the "Panther" dropped back out of view. The big motor +yacht was now to go along only at her slow cruising speed, but the +launch was to make greater haste.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead had taken his post well up in the bow of the rolling little +craft. He was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>listening intently for any betraying sounds ahead in +their course.</p> + +<p>"This is hardly a big enough boat for a sea like this," grumbled Mr. +Jephson, who had taken up his post close to the young captain.</p> + +<p>"The sea <i>is</i> a good deal on the roll to-day," Halstead assented, +briefly.</p> + +<p>"Why, this little craft acts as though she'd turn over and dump us all +in the ocean," muttered the assistant district attorney, uneasily.</p> + +<p>"The crowd we have aboard makes her sit lower than usual in the water," +Tom explained.</p> + +<p>"Is there any <i>real</i> danger of our tipping over, Captain?" insisted Mr. +Jephson.</p> + +<p>"Why, it might happen, of course, sir."</p> + +<p>"Do you think it is <i>going</i> to happen?" demanded Mr. Jephson, anxiously.</p> + +<p>There are many men, brave enough elsewhere, who are cowards on a heavy +sea with only a small boat between themselves and the water. Back on the +"Panther" the district attorney's representative had felt no sense of +danger.</p> + +<p>"Why, I don't know whether the boat is going to heel over, or not," Tom +replied. "You are right in supposing that it isn't quite a large enough +craft for the job in hand, but it was the only thing we had."</p> + +<p>"I can't swim, but I'll try to keep my nerve," grimaced Mr. Jephson.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p><p>Whatever the others thought of their chances of being pitched into the +ocean, none of them said anything.</p> + +<p>Halstead looked back, presently, to inquire:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Prentiss, can't you deaden the noise of our exhaust still more?"</p> + +<p>"I'm trying to," replied the young assistant engineer. "Think I'm going +to succeed, too."</p> + +<p>After a few moments the tender ran along all but noiselessly. Though the +exhaust still gave forth some little sound, it was wholly likely that +this reduced noise would not be heard above the machinery running on the +"Victor" if the expedition in the tender should be so fortunate as to +catch up with the steam yacht.</p> + +<p>The twelve men sat huddled there in the cramped space, trying to blind +their minds to the danger of capsizing in the rolling sea. For more than +half an hour the tender ran ahead at nearly its best speed, ere Tom +Halstead called back:</p> + +<p>"Joe, take my signals. I think we're getting in closer—to something!"</p> + +<p>Eagerly all bent forward to listen. After a minute or two more it seemed +to them that they really could hear, faintly, the rather distant sound +of the moving machinery of some steam craft. Yet this noise, none too +distinct, was muffled still more by the ceaseless wash of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> rolling +sea, whose waves broke in white crests everywhere about them.</p> + +<p>Halstead, whose ears were perhaps the keenest on board, listened and +occasionally signaled for the launch to be veered a little either to +port or starboard.</p> + +<p>Surely, they were creeping up on something that ran by machinery, though +through the curtain of white no eye could make out the form of a vessel.</p> + +<p>Somewhere, away to starboard, a great, deep note boomed out.</p> + +<p>"That's some big vessel, like a liner," Tom whispered to Jephson. Then, +from away off to port sounded the tolling bell of a sailing vessel. Both +appeared to be headed toward the "Panther" launch.</p> + +<p>"They seem to be about half a mile apart," Halstead whispered. "The +'Victor,' I think, will pass between the two craft. While that deep +whistle and solemn bell are going the people on the steam yacht are not +so likely to hear us. Pass the word to Mr. Prentiss to increase speed a +little, if he can do so without making more noise at the exhaust."</p> + +<p>A little faster spurted the power tender, and a little worse became the +tossing in that rolling sea. All the members of the party were in +drenched clothing by this time. The water came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> aboard faster under this +burst of speed; the two seamen began to bail it out.</p> + +<p>"If I ever get out of this boat alive, large yachts will be small enough +for me in the future," Mr. Jephson told himself, nervously.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead was paying no heed to the incoming water. That was Joe's +affair, since Joe Dawson was handling the craft.</p> + +<p>"Pass the word to Jed to watch for signals from me," whispered Tom +Halstead, tensely, a few minutes later.</p> + +<p>"Then you think——" began the district attorney's assistant eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Pass the word for me, please," Tom broke in.</p> + +<p>In the gray fog ahead some craft was moving by steam power. Those in the +launch could now hear the regular thump-thump, soft though it was, of +machinery ahead.</p> + +<p>Yet, to most of the silent watchers it came as something of a shock +when, out of the mist ahead, there suddenly loomed, indistinctly, the +stern of a hull.</p> + +<p>Away to starboard sounded the deep whistle of the big steamship, while +over to port the bell of that sailing vessel tolled. The noise enabled +Halstead to creep in more closely with less dread of being discovered +too soon.</p> + +<p>A moment's breathlessness, then "Victor—San Francisco" stood out boldly +before the eyes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> of the people in the launch as that boat shot in by the +yacht's stern.</p> + +<p>They were taking grave chances, now, of being swamped at the very door +of success. None knew this better than Tom Halstead and Joe Dawson as +they jointly manœuvred to run the tender up stealthily, while Jed +Prentiss, trembling inwardly, kept his hand on the lever, ready to obey +the slightest signal for speed.</p> + +<p>Then, swiftly, Tom Halstead, a rifle strapped over his back, rose in the +bow. In one hand he held a line to the other end of which was attached a +grappling hook.</p> + +<p>With a practiced eye and hand he measured the distance, poising the coil +for a throw. Just as the tender stole in closer he made the throw.</p> + +<p>All hands watched breathlessly for a second or two. Then, as straight +and true as a well-aimed bullet, the grappling hook fell and caught at +the "Victor's" stern rail.</p> + +<p>Not an instant did the young motor boat skipper lose. There was no time +to inquire whether someone else wanted to go first. Tom Halstead seized +the tautening line with both hands, and began to climb as only a sailor +<i>can</i> go up a rope.</p> + +<p>His head quickly appeared above the steam yacht's stern rail. Tom +Halstead slipped onto the deck just in time to see two men walking +slowly aft. One of them was in uniform<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>—perhaps he was the captain of +the steam yacht. But the other, in civilian dress, the young motor yacht +captain knew instantly from the description of him which he had heard.</p> + +<p>"Frank Rollings, the absconding cashier!" flashed through Tom's mind.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIII</span> <span class="smaller">ROLLINGS'S LAST RUSE</span></h2> + +<p>Both approaching men were regarding the deck, talking in earnest tones +as they came astern.</p> + +<p>"If we should pass out of this fog," Rollings was saying, "and if the +'Panther' should prove to be close to us——"</p> + +<p>Just at this point the speaker stopped. He panted, then staggered back, +clutching at his uniformed companion.</p> + +<p>In almost the same instant both caught sight of lone Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>Though not quite alone, either, for Tom had succeeded in unlimbering his +rifle, and both strangers now found themselves staring down into the +muzzle.</p> + +<p>"Don't stir, please!" mocked Tom Halstead, coolly.</p> + +<p>"How in the world <i>did</i> he get on board?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> faltered Rollings, hoarsely, +his face ashen with terror.</p> + +<p>The uniformed man with him saw the grappling hook resting over the stern +rail, and did not need to ask.</p> + +<p>At this instant Tom Halstead felt himself being pushed from behind, and +took a step forward. Then Ted Dyer bounded onto deck beside him, +bringing another rifle into play.</p> + +<p>"They're boarding us!" gasped Rollings, in the voice of a man who felt +himself dying from fright.</p> + +<p>The uniformed man with him did not move; neither did he show any signs +of fear, though he was facing the business ends of two rifles.</p> + +<p>Joe Dawson was on deck, now. Joe turned long enough to toss down a light +line. It came up again, carrying the hooks of a boarding-ladder. Joe +dropped this into place, then, with a quiet grin, turned to inspect the +scene on deck.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the man in uniform turned and ran, defying possible shots.</p> + +<p>"Turn out the whole crew!" he bawled. "A posse is coming on board. Stand +by to fight!"</p> + +<p>"Shall I drop the fellow?" quivered Ted.</p> + +<p>"No," came Halstead's quick answer. Then, as Frank Rollings summoned the +strength to wheel about as if to bolt, Halstead shouted, warningly:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p><p>"Rollings, if you try to move, you won't get three steps away!"</p> + +<p>At this instant one of the United States deputy marshals came up over +the rail.</p> + +<p>"Officer," called Tom, "there's the man you've cruised so far to +arrest."</p> + +<p>Though he had a rifle strapped over his back, the marshal drew his +revolver as he ran forward.</p> + +<p>"Frank Rollings, you're a United States prisoner. Put up your hands!"</p> + +<p>With a moan that was half a scream, Rollings, instead, sank to the deck +in a huddled heap.</p> + +<div class="center"><img src="images/i231.jpg" alt="Rollings Sank to the Deck in a Huddled Heap" /></div> + +<p class="bold">Rollings Sank to the Deck in a Huddled Heap.</p> + +<p>"A man with no more nerve than you have should not try to loot a bank," +growled the officer, as he snapped handcuffs onto the wrists of the +seemingly palsied wretch.</p> + +<p>The other deputy was on board, by now, and other members of the boarding +party were coming up fast. Mr. Jephson was among the foremost of them.</p> + +<p>"Come forward to the bridge," he called, now taking charge. "We'll take +command of this whole craft. Deputy, make it your whole business to +prevent your prisoner from getting away. Hold on to him, but come +forward with us."</p> + +<p>The same uniformed, bearded man appeared suddenly around the pilot house +as the party swept forward along the port side of the yacht.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> Rollings, +his knees doubling under him, had to be dragged.</p> + +<p>The uniformed man suddenly raised a rifle, shouting:</p> + +<p>"Stand by, men! We'll put a stop to this nonsense!"</p> + +<p>"Drop that gun, or we'll open fire on you!" shouted Mr. Jephson, +sternly.</p> + +<p>The boarding party moved swiftly forward. Behind the captain stood a +mate and four or five seamen, all looking irresolute. Of a sudden the +mate wheeled, throwing a rifle over the rail at starboard. The seamen +with him instantly followed his example.</p> + +<p>Even the bearded captain had lowered the muzzle of his rifle. It is +easier to be brave on the side of the law than against it.</p> + +<p>"Put that captain in irons," Mr. Jephson ordered the marshal who had no +prisoner to cumber him.</p> + +<p>Sullenly, the captain of the "Victor" submitted to being handcuffed.</p> + +<p>"All of the rest of the officers and crew muster up in the bow," called +Mr. Jephson. "Captain Halstead, I call upon you to take command of this +yacht for the present. The quartermaster of this craft may remain in the +wheel house if he'll take orders straight."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir," the quartermaster called,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> briefly, through one of the +lowered windows of the pilot house.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead, still carrying his rifle and holding it ready, ran up to +the bridge.</p> + +<p>Stepping over to the signaling apparatus, Halstead rang for speed enough +to furnish bare headway.</p> + +<p>"Quartermaster," the new commander of the "Victor" called down through +the wheel house speaking-tube, "you'll keep to the same course you've +been following, and sound the fog whistle every thirty seconds."</p> + +<p>"Captain," called Mr. Baldwin, a few moments later, "can you put one of +your party up there on the bridge? We have yet other duties to perform +here."</p> + +<p>"Take the bridge, Mr. Prentiss," called Tom, for he understood instantly +what other work was likely to be on hand, and he knew that Joe Dawson +would want a hand in it.</p> + +<p>Aft of the captain's quarters there was a main deck house. Into this +cabin Rollings and the captain of the steam yacht were taken. Mr. +Jephson was now talking to the two prisoners as solemnly as though +holding actual court.</p> + +<p>"Do you think the 'Panther' will overtake us here, out on the high seas, +Captain?" questioned Mr. Baldwin, just as they entered this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> cabin. +"That is, will he recognize the 'Victor's' fog-whistle?"</p> + +<p>"He'll make a good guess at it, I think," laughed Halstead. "I've just +directed Mr. Prentiss, in ten minutes more, to begin sounding whole +bunches of blasts in quick succession. Ab will be clever enough to guess +that it is our crowd celebrating a capture."</p> + +<p>"Now, then, Rollings," declared Mr. Jephson, sternly, "it is time for +you to tell us where the money stolen from the Sheepmen's Bank is hidden +aboard this craft?"</p> + +<p>"You won't find five hundred dollars on board," replied the cashier, +with a ghastly smile.</p> + +<p>"My man, it may save you some years on the sentence that is coming to +you if you tell us promptly where to find the stolen money," warned the +United States assistant district attorney, sternly.</p> + +<p>"I've said all I'm going to say," returned Rollings, sullenly.</p> + +<p>"Captain Blake," asked Jephson, turning toward the bearded one, "you +also have much to answer for in the courts. Do you desire to win any +leniency by telling us, now, what you can?"</p> + +<p>"All I've anything to do with here," retorted Captain Blake, "is the +running of this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> yacht. That work you've taken from me. So I've nothing +to do, and nothing to say."</p> + +<p>Mr. Jephson, however, continued to question first one prisoner, then the +other, though in vain, until Mr. Baldwin broke in:</p> + +<p>"Jephson, you can't make these fellows talk. They're afraid they'd only +run their necks further into the noose of the law. Besides, this rascal, +Rollings, hopes that, if you can't find the money, he'll win complete +pardon in the matter by restoring most of it later on. It'll save a good +deal of time, I imagine, if you place both these fellows under close +guard by one of your deputies, then lead us in a search through this +craft."</p> + +<p>By this time Jed Prentiss, following orders, had begun to turn loose on +the fog-horn, sounding it so rapidly that Ab Perkins, somewhere behind +in the mist with the "Panther," must be able to guess what had happened.</p> + +<p>One of the deputies now guarded Rollings and Captain Blake, while the +other had gone below to the engine room. There the engineer's crew had +agreed to serve faithfully under the new command, but the deputy was +there to see to it that they didn't change their minds. Quartermaster +Bickson and one of his seamen had driven the crew of the "Victor" to the +forecastle, and mounted guard over them.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p><p>The searchers, comprising Mr. Jephson, Mr. Baldwin and the latter's +captain, Halstead, were joined by Mr. Ross, Joe Dawson and Ted Dyer.</p> + +<p>"There are enough of us here," laughed Mr. Baldwin, "to turn this craft +inside out in another half hour."</p> + +<p>First of all, Frank Rollings's own quarters were searched, as a matter +of course. It had been learned, since coming aboard, that the absconding +cashier was now the owner of the "Victor," having bought her secretly +three days before his flight.</p> + +<p>There was no safe in the owner's cabin. The desk stood wide-open, with +hardly a scrap of paper in it. The mattress was yanked from the bed, +ripped and thoroughly searched, but not a trace of the stolen money was +found. The pillows were served in the same fashion, with no better +results. Other nooks and corners of the cabin were explored, without +success. Nor were any better results achieved in the captain's cabin.</p> + +<p>Cabin, dining room and state-rooms below were explored. By this time the +searchers had broken up into smaller parties. The more they searched the +more dispirited did the hunters become.</p> + +<p>"We're not going to find the missing money<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> with ease," announced Mr. +Jephson, when he had rounded up all his searching force on deck.</p> + +<p>"We've looked in about every possible place except the forecastle, the +water butts and the coal bunkers," declared Jason Ross, disgustedly.</p> + +<p>"The money isn't likely to be in any of those places," declared Mr. +Jephson, shaking his head. "Hullo, what's that racket?"</p> + +<p>Off in the fog a horn was sounding frantically.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead laughed.</p> + +<p>"You ought to know that tune, Mr. Jephson. You've heard it days enough. +That's the 'Panther' coming up with us, with Ab Perkins in command. He +understood our signal, as I thought he would. He'll be hailing us within +two minutes."</p> + +<p>"But that won't be finding the money," broke in Joseph Baldwin, +impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Nor do I believe we're going to find it—not immediately, anyway," +answered Mr. Jephson. "This boat doesn't seem to be full of hiding +places, and I believe we have done all the searching we can do out here +at sea. We shall have to run the 'Victor' in at anchorage at San +Francisco, then put aboard a force of officers under experienced +detectives, and leave the search to them."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p><p>"Confound it," growled Jason Ross, "I know, as well as I know I'm +standing here, that there are three million dollars in actual cash +somewhere within a hundred feet of us. It makes me almost frantic to +think that we can't put our hands right on it."</p> + +<p>"Ahoy, there!" roared a voice off in the fog.</p> + +<p>Though the other craft was invisible, and though the voice came through +a megaphone, the hearers knew it was Ab Perkins's voice. Jed snatched up +a megaphone to shout back:</p> + +<p>"Ahoy, 'Panther'!"</p> + +<p>"Ahoy! Then you've found the 'Victor'?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, and captured her."</p> + +<p>"Did you find Rollings!"</p> + +<p>"He's a prisoner, under close guard."</p> + +<p>"And the money?"</p> + +<p>"That's what we all want to know," Jed admitted, sadly.</p> + +<p>"You can't find it?"</p> + +<p>"Not even a dollar bill!"</p> + +<p>There was a pause, during which those on board the steam yacht knew that +their friends on the motor yacht were discussing this chilling news.</p> + +<p>"What are Captain Halstead's orders?" shouted Ab, finally.</p> + +<p>Jed bent over the bridge rail to talk with Captain Tom, then answered:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p><p>"Keep about abreast of us, and a quarter of a mile off. Proceed with +us, straight for the Golden Gate. Keep your fog-horn sounding at +intervals of one minute, or at such other intervals as you may hear us +sounding. Three sharp blasts of the whistle will mean for you to stand +by to find out what we're doing in the fog."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye," answered Ab Perkins. "Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"That's all, Mr. Perkins."</p> + +<p>The "Victor" now proceeded on her way to the home port at about eight +miles an hour. Though no one on board could see the "Panther," the sound +of the latter's fog-horn was always with them.</p> + +<p>"The prisoner, Rollings, wants to see you, Mr. Jephson," called the +deputy marshal from the deck-house cabin.</p> + +<p>Jephson went back.</p> + +<p>"Well, Rollings, have you come to your senses? Are you going to tell us +where the missing money is?" demanded the assistant district attorney.</p> + +<p>"I know nothing about any missing money," replied the bank cashier, +doggedly. "See here, man, what I want to ask is: Do you intend to +torture me needlessly?"</p> + +<p>"No; what do you want?"</p> + +<p>"Let me go to my own cabin, and let me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> have these handcuffs off," +pleaded the prisoner. "I need rest; I'm nearly a wreck."</p> + +<p>"I can let you go to your cabin, and even remove the handcuffs," agreed +Mr. Jephson. "But I'll have to place a guard in there with you.</p> + +<p>"All right, then," sighed the prisoner.</p> + +<p>He was taken to his own cabin, the handcuffs removed, and the cashier +threw himself upon his bed, while the deputy marshal took a seat where +he could watch his man.</p> + +<p>Captain Blake begged a similar privilege, which was refused. He was made +to go out on deck where he could be watched by all hands.</p> + +<p>For half an hour Rollings lay on the bed, his eyes closed, as though +asleep. Occasionally he twitched, or made some slight movement. That was +all. The deputy seated opposite began to find the situation a dull one. +At last the prisoner half sat up, to take off his shoes.</p> + +<p>"My feet are burning," he complained, as he dropped the shoes at the +foot of the bed, then sank back on the pillow.</p> + +<p>"You're nervous; that's why your feet trouble you," observed the deputy, +with a knowing smile.</p> + +<p>Then Rollings began to breathe heavily; bye<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> and bye two or three snores +escaped him. The deputy, finding it duller and duller, unintentionally +allowed his eyes to close. Instantly the cashier's own eyes opened a +trifle. At last, smiling cunningly, the cashier moved slightly, securing +one of his shoes. He poised it, aimed and threw. The heel of the shoe +struck the deputy on the head, causing him to drop forward out of the +chair and lie apparently senseless on the floor.</p> + +<p>Suppressing a cry of exultation, Frank Rollings leaped from the bed. +There was now the light of mania in his eyes. This thief, disgraced, +about to be despoiled, and presently to be sent to prison for a long +term, preferred to die.</p> + +<p>This he might have accomplished with the deputy's revolver, but that +would not enable him to carry out all of his purpose. On one wall of the +cabin stood a rack containing a water-bottle and two glasses.</p> + +<p>Over to this rack stole the captured thief. He swung the rack to one +side, then pressed a certain nail in the wood-work there. Instantly a +door in the wall swung open.</p> + +<p>Rollings's eyes eagerly peered into the recess thus laid bare. Then, +with a nearly inarticulate cry of joy, he drew out a small though +heavy-looking iron box.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p><p>"Neither me nor the money shall they have!" uttered the wretch, in +insane joy.</p> + +<p>With a last look at the still unconscious deputy, Frank Rollings threw +his cabin door open.</p> + +<p>As he sprang to the deck three or four watchers saw him.</p> + +<p>"Look out! There's the prisoner trying to escape!" shouted Joseph +Baldwin.</p> + +<p>There was not time for anyone to reach Rollings ere that crafty, +unbalanced wretch, clutching desperately at the iron box, bounded to the +rail, stood there tottering for an instant, and then leaped far out into +the water.</p> + +<p>It was Tom Halstead who first saw the iron box and comprehended the +meaning of the scene.</p> + +<p>"There he goes!" yelled Halstead. "And the box with the three millions +in it will sink like a stone!"</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIV</span> <span class="smaller">CONCLUSION</span></h2> + +<p>Never slow to act, Captain Tom darted aft, intent on leaping overboard +also.</p> + +<p>Ted Dyer, however, chanced to be standing close to the stern. Ted saw +Rollings when the latter first leaped to the rail.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p><p>As quickly as it flashed upon Dyer what was happening, the San +Francisco boy scrambled to the rail. Almost at the instant that Rollings +jumped Ted's own feet left the rail. The two struck the water within +thirty feet of each other.</p> + +<p>Nothing but the slow speed of the steam yacht, perhaps, saved both from +being dragged under by the force of suction. In a moment or two the pair +were left astern.</p> + +<p>Feeling the shock of the cold water, Rollings's first instinctive act +was to try to keep himself afloat. Curiously, he would not, at first, +let go of the iron box, which, with its contents, weighed many pounds.</p> + +<p>Now, over the top of a rolling wave Ted Dyer's head appeared. All this +had taken place in a few seconds.</p> + +<p>"You want to catch me—you want the money!" sputtered Rollings, +expelling a spray of water from his mouth. "You shall do neither!"</p> + +<p>Clutching tightly at the box as an aid to his own drowning, Frank +Rollings let himself go beneath the surface.</p> + +<p>Promptly Ted went down after him, swimming straight and lustily.</p> + +<p>Another figure sprang forward and downward, shark-like, through the +water. This was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> Tom Halstead, who, with his stoutest strokes, had just +reached the scene.</p> + +<p>Between them Tom and Ted succeeded in seizing the box. By a common +impulse, for they could not talk, they forced it from Rollings, rising +to the surface.</p> + +<p>"Blub-bub-bub—whew!"</p> + +<p>Rollings, rising to the surface, made that noise as he fought for +breath. The cashier, an excellent swimmer, saw the two boys, a dozen +feet away, swimming and holding up the box.</p> + +<p>"Neither me nor the money shall you have!" he roared, striking out at a +strong overhand swimming gait. He was almost upon them like a flash.</p> + +<p>But there was another there, too. Joe Dawson had also leaped over from +the rail of the motor yacht. Joe got along just in time to swim between +Rollings and the two boys who were doing their best to keep up and hold +the iron box, too.</p> + +<p>"Back for yours! Go away back and float!" cried Joe, pushing one of his +fighting hands against the cashier's face.</p> + +<p>"I'll take <i>you</i> down, then, or the box!" screamed Rollings.</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right, then. Take me," mocked Joe. "I'm used to it."</p> + +<p>Furiously the pair fought in that rolling sea.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> Joe devoted every +energy, first of all, to keeping the cashier from winding his arms +around him.</p> + +<p>Presently Rollings gave up that effort, trying to dodge around Joe and +get at the other pair, who, swimming slowly, were at the same time +managing to keep that precious iron box afloat. This latter task, easy +at first, soon became difficult. As the minutes passed the box became +more and more of a burden, until it threatened to drag both swimmers +under. Yet they hung to it manfully.</p> + +<p>Up on the bridge of the "Victor" Jed Prentiss had his own hard task to +perform.</p> + +<p>Almost at the outset the swimmers had vanished in the fog astern. Jed +Prentiss instantly gave orders for the steam yacht to stop and reverse +the screw. At the same time he ordered the "Victor" to go around +hard-a-port. Even this circle had to be one of large diameter.</p> + +<p>"No hails down there on the deck!" rang Jed's voice, sternly. "No +confusion of calls. Let me do all the hailing."</p> + +<p>Megaphone in hand, young Prentiss stood at the port bridge rail.</p> + +<p>"Ahoy!" he roared, through the megaphone.</p> + +<p>Again and again he repeated the call. At last he thought he heard an +answer out of the deeps.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p><p>"Louder!" he roared. "Give us your position."</p> + +<p>Suddenly, some sixty feet off the rail, Jed just made out the heads of +Joe Dawson and Frank Boilings.</p> + +<p>The cashier was floating, now, making no resistance, for Joe had struck +him a blow across the head with his clenched fist. Rollings, stunned, +floated unresistingly, supported by Dawson.</p> + +<p>"We'll have a boat to you in a jiffy!" shouted Jed, while Bickson threw +a life preserver with almost perfect aim.</p> + +<p>Now, the "Victor," whose speed had been slowing down, was stopped.</p> + +<p>Joe and his charge had drifted just out of sight, but a boat was quickly +lowered, under command of Bickson, and reached the pair, after hailing.</p> + +<p>"Where's the captain?" demanded the quartermaster, as Joe and Rollings +were hauled in.</p> + +<p>"Hail 'em. They're close at hand," Joe replied.</p> + +<p>The first hail brought an answer. In a few moments more the iron box was +carefully brought over the side into the small boat. Finally Tom and Ted +nimbly joined the others.</p> + +<p>"Get back to the yacht as quickly as you can. Rollings may come to, and, +fighting in a small<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> boat like this, he could make it unsafe—for the +money," Captain Tom Halstead added, with a wan grin.</p> + +<p>Little time passed before strong hands bore the iron box up over the +side of the "Victor." Then Frank Rollings, just beginning hazily to come +to, was carried up. This time he was handcuffed, to remain so until San +Francisco should be reached.</p> + +<p>It was an anxious conference that gathered in the main cabin as +Assistant District Attorney Jephson proceeded to force the iron box that +had come within a hair's breadth of going to the bottom of the ocean. +The three boys who had gone overboard after it stood by in their +dripping garments.</p> + +<p>As the lid of the sheet-iron box went up, a subdued cheer arose. This +increased in volume to a din as Mr. Jephson swiftly tore the paper +wrappings from one of the packages that he had lifted out. The first +tightly-packed bale of crisp, new thousand-dollar bills was in view.</p> + +<p>"All of the stolen money—the whole three million dollars—appears to be +here," announced Mr. Jephson, presently, as he began placing the bales +back in the iron box, which, now that it was open, proved not to be as +thick or solid as it looked when closed.</p> + +<p>"Then I'm off to where I can get dry and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> warm," muttered Tom Halstead. +"Come along, fellows."</p> + +<p>It was all over but making the anchorage at San Francisco. There was a +somewhat long, though uneventful cruise, through fog that lasted to the +end. With the "Panther's" crew divided up between two boats, the work +was hard, indeed. It was a welcome hour to all when anchorage was +finally made not far from the foot of Market Street, San Francisco.</p> + +<p>Frank Rollings was afterwards tried, convicted, and sentenced to twenty +years' confinement, which he is now serving.</p> + +<p>Captain Blake was convicted of firing upon the "Panther," of running +without lights or signals, and of attempting to resist United States +officers. He was sent to prison for twelve years. Blake confessed that +the idea in turning back on the course was to elude the "Panther," and +then seek a lonely point on the coast of Mexico for landing.</p> + +<p>Nor did Cragthorpe escape, his sentence being ten years for the part he +had played. Yet, before he was sent away, this wretch gave the evidence +which cleared Robert Gentry of the crime of which the latter stood +accused. Young Gentry was released, exonerated, and Rose Gentry, whom +Tom Halstead had briefly befriended on the Overland Mail at Oakland, +wedded her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> own heart's choice, the broad-shouldered young man who had +met her at the San Francisco ferry mole.</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe, as it was afterwards learned, had been serving Rollings for +some time, and Cragthorpe it was who, having made the acquaintance of +Gaston Giddings, lured the latter into the opium dens of Chinatown. Had +Cragthorpe succeeded in wedding Rose Gentry—and her fortune—he might +have discarded Rollings. As it was, he participated deeply in Rollings's +crimes, and had absconded from San Francisco with him on board the +"Victor" as a fighting man and trusted agent.</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings has been broken of the fearful curse of the opium habit, +but he is no longer president of the Sheepmen's Bank. He is naturally +too weak-willed for prominent service in the financial world.</p> + +<p>Ted Dyer, you may be sure, became a member of the Motor Boat Club, going +into its engineer squad. Ted's worthless, heartless uncle was arrested +on his return to San Francisco, and a new guardian, who was appointed +for Ted, secured the young man's full inheritance back out of the +property of the uncle.</p> + +<p>All of our young Motor Boat Club friends remained aboard the "Panther" +for the balance of the winter and well into the spring. They had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> many +enjoyable cruises, though none as exciting as the one just closed.</p> + +<p>The reward that the directors of the Sheepmen's Bank voted to all hands +for the recovery of the three million dollars, made the bank accounts of +these sturdy, brave young navigators swell considerably. Not, however, +that any of Captain Tom Halstead's comrades needed money, for they have +that which is worth far more—the power that strong hands, brave hearts +and fearless, truthful eyes bring to any human being when rightly +employed.</p> + +<p>It is possible, even very likely, that we may yet again meet up with +these splendid young fellows, who stand for the new type in American +power of the seas in the twentieth century.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, let us hail Tom Halstead, Joe Dawson, and all the other +resourceful, capable and brave lads with their own famous club yell:</p> + +<p>"<i>M. B. C. K.! M. B. C. K.! Motor Boat Club.</i> WOW!"</p> + +<p class="center space-above">[<span class="smcap">The End.</span>]</p> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 49030 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/49030-h/images/cover.jpg b/49030-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2636d2b --- /dev/null +++ b/49030-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/49030-h/images/i002.jpg b/49030-h/images/i002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5ba4b1f --- /dev/null +++ b/49030-h/images/i002.jpg diff --git a/49030-h/images/i073.jpg b/49030-h/images/i073.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5f75603 --- /dev/null +++ b/49030-h/images/i073.jpg diff --git a/49030-h/images/i177.jpg b/49030-h/images/i177.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7adc29 --- /dev/null +++ b/49030-h/images/i177.jpg diff --git a/49030-h/images/i231.jpg b/49030-h/images/i231.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e89ab3b --- /dev/null +++ b/49030-h/images/i231.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9000d9d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #49030 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/49030) diff --git a/old/49030-8.txt b/old/49030-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0a2d972 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/49030-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7123 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate, by +H. Irving Hancock + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most +other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of +the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have +to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. + + + +Title: The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate + or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog + +Author: H. Irving Hancock + +Release Date: May 23, 2015 [EBook #49030] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR BOAT CLUB *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + + + + + +The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate + +OR + +A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog + +By + +H. IRVING HANCOCK + +Author of The Motor Boat Club of the Kennebec, The Motor Boat Club at +Nantucket, The Motor Boat Club off Long Island, The Motor Boat Club and +the Wireless, The Motor Boat Club in Florida, etc., etc. + +Illustrated + +PHILADELPHIA +HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY + + +COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY HOWARD E. ALTEMUS + + +[Illustration: "I Trust You, But I'll Hold Onto the Pitcher." + +_Frontispiece._] + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER PAGE + I. TOM HALSTEAD, KNIGHT OF THE OVERLAND MAIL, 7 + + II. HAZING, M. B. C. K. STYLE, 22 + + III. CAPTAIN TOM'S NEW COMMAND, 34 + + IV. HALSTEAD IS LET INTO A SECRET, 52 + + V. A HUNT IN THE UNDER-WORLD, 59 + + VI. FACING THE YELLOW BARRIER, 68 + + VII. DICK TAKES THE RESCUE BOAT TRICK, 81 + + VIII. THE REAL KENNEBEC WAY, 94 + + IX. THE CHASE OF THEIR LIVES, 100 + + X. COMING TO CLOSE, DANGEROUS QUARTERS, 111 + + XI. GASTON GIDDINGS MAKES TROUBLE, 122 + + XII. TOO-WHOO-OO! IS THE WORD, 129 + + XIII. THE CALL FROM OUT OF THE FOG, 136 + + XIV. MR. CRAGTHORPE IS MORE THAN TROUBLESOME, 146 + + XV. THE MIDNIGHT ALARM, 155 + + XVI. THE FIRE DRILL IN EARNEST, 164 + + XVII. CRAGTHORPE INTRODUCES HIS REAL SELF, 172 + +XVIII. A TRICK MADE FOR TWO, 183 + + XIX. TED DYER, SAILOR BY MARRIAGE, 196 + + XX. THE FIND IN THE FOREHOLD, 206 + + XXI. ON A BLIND TRAIL OF THE SEA, 213 + + XXII. A STERN LOOMS UP IN THE FOG, 222 + +XXIII. ROLLINGS'S LAST RUSE, 228 + + XXIV. CONCLUSION, 243 + + + + +The Motor Boat Club at The Golden Gate + + + + +CHAPTER I + +TOM HALSTEAD, KNIGHT OF THE OVERLAND MAIL + + +"I feel it in my bones," announced Joe Dawson, quietly though +positively. + +"That's no talk for an engineer," jibed Tom Halstead. "Tell me, instead, +that you read it in your gauge." + +"Oh, laugh, if you want to," nodded Dawson, showing no offense. "But +you'll find that I'm right. You know, I don't often make predictions." + +"Yet, this time, you feel that something disastrous is going to happen +before this train rolls out on the mole at Oakland? In other words, +before we set foot in San Francisco?" + +"No, I don't say quite that," objected Joe, thoughtfully. "There's a +heap of the navigator about you, Tom Halstead, and you're pinning me +down to the map and the chronometer. I won't predict quite as closely as +that. But, either before we reach 'Frisco, or mighty soon after we get +there, something is going to happen." + +"And it's going to be a disaster?" questioned Tom, closely. + +"For someone, yes; and we're going to be in it, at great risk." + +"Well, it's a comfort to have it narrowed down even as closely as that," +smiled Tom Halstead. "I hope it isn't going to be another earthquake, +though." + +"No," agreed Joe, thoughtfully. + +"Oh, well, that much of your prediction will comfort the people of San +Francisco, anyway." + +"Now, you're laughing at me again," grinned Joe, good-naturedly. + +"No; I'm not," protested Halstead, but belied himself by the twinkle in +his eyes, and by whistling softly the air of a popular song that the +boys had heard in a New York theatre just before leaving for the West. + +At the present moment both boys were sitting comfortably facing each +other in their section in a sleeping car on the luxurious Overland Mail. +It was early forenoon. They had left Sacramento behind some time before, +on the last stretch of the run across the state of California. + +Joe Dawson was riding facing forward. Tom Halstead, in the seat +opposite, half lolled at the window-ledge, with his back toward the +engine. Both boys had slept well on their last night out from San +Francisco. Both had breakfasted heartily, that morning, in the dining +car now left behind at the state capital. The next thing that would +interest them, so far as they could now guess, would be their arrival at +Oakland, and the subsequent ferry trip that would land them in San +Francisco. + +It may seem a curious fact to the reader, but neither Tom Halstead nor +Joe Dawson knew just what new phases of life awaited them in the City by +the Golden Gate. They were engaged to enter the employment of a man who +owned a motor yacht. The owner had agreed to their own terms in the way +of salary, and he was paying all their expenses on this luxurious trip +westward. Moreover, the same owner had engaged some of the other members +of the Motor Boat Club of the Kennebec, as will soon be told. + +Readers of the preceding volumes of this series are already well +acquainted with bright, energetic, loyal and capable Tom Halstead, who, +from the start, had held the post of fleet captain of the Motor Boat +Club. The same readers are equally familiar with the career of Joe +Dawson, fleet engineer of the Club. + +As narrated in "THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC," Tom and Joe were +two boys of seafaring stock, and natives of Maine, having been born +near the mouth of the Kennebec River. That first volume detailed how the +two young men served aboard the "Sunbeam," the motor yacht of a Boston +broker, and how the boys aided the Government officers in solving the +mystery of Smugglers' Island. Out of those adventures arose the founding +of the Club, with Tom and Joe at its head. + +In "THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET" the two boys were again seen to +great advantage. There they had some most lively sea adventures, all +centering around the abduction of the Dunstan heir. Next, as told in +"THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND," the motor boat boys played an +exciting part in the balking of a great Wall Street conspiracy. In +recognition of their services at this time, the man whom they most +helped presented them with a fifty-five foot cruising motor boat, which +the two proud young owners named the "Restless." Afterwards they +installed a wireless telegraph apparatus on the boat, and then came one +of their truly famous cruises, as related in "THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND +THE WIRELESS," wherein wireless telegraphy was employed in ferreting out +one of the great mysteries of the sea. + +"THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA" described the sea wanderings of Captain +Tom and Engineer Joe in the Gulf waters, and their subsequent +adventures in the Everglades and at Tampa, including the laying of the +Ghost of Alligator Swamp. + +From time to time other seafaring boys, whose experience aboard motor +yachts qualified them, were elected members of the Motor Boat Club, an +organization which now boasted some forty members along the Atlantic +seaboard. Several of these boys had made themselves barely less famous +than had Halstead and Dawson. + +Broker George Prescott, of Boston, their first employer and founder of +the Club, was still their staunch friend. So, too, in scarcely less +degree, was Francis Delavan, a Wall Street financier to whom Tom and Joe +had rendered most valuable services. + +It was through Mr. Delavan that Halstead and Dawson had secured their +present engagement, the details of which they did not yet know. This +engagement had come just as the young men were leaving Florida waters in +January, preparatory to making their way to New York, near which great +city the "Restless" was now laid up, out of commission at present, +though as seaworthy a boat as ever. + +Tom had been allowed to engage Jeff Randolph, the Florida member of the +Club, for this new, unknown enterprise. Jeff was believed to be either +on his way, or already in San Francisco, at the Palace Hotel, on Market +Street, which was to be the meeting place of the motor boat boys. + +Yet there were other old friends due to meet the fleet captain and fleet +engineer. Mr. Delavan had also engaged, by wire, Dick Davis and Ab +Perkins, of Maine, now back from a famous trip to Brazil as told in "THE +MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS." Jed Prentiss, a Nantucket member of +the Club, was also on his way to or in San Francisco to join them, +thanks to Mr. Prescott's interest. How Jed joined the Club, and proved +himself more than worthy, was all told in "THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT +NANTUCKET." + +The name of the San Francisco man who had engaged six members of the +Motor Boat Club to cross the continent was Joseph Baldwin. Beyond this +the boys knew nothing of him, save that Francis Delavan had vouched for +him. That was enough. Not even the name of Baldwin's craft was known to +the seafaring boys who were crossing the continent. + +"I wonder if Mr. Baldwin will be at Oakland, to meet us?" asked Joe, as +the train sped evenly, swiftly along. + +"It isn't likely," replied Tom. "He has told us where to report. I fancy +he considers that enough." + +"A man might get a boat's crew together a good deal more cheaply," +mused Joe, aloud. "Our fellows that Mr. Baldwin has engaged are all +top-notchers in the way of salary. With such a crew it's going to cost +our man a good deal to keep his boat running." + +"You know the reputation that California millionaires have, Joe," +laughed his chum. "It is said of them that they'd sooner spend money +than keep it drawing interest." + +"Still," pondered Joe Dawson, "I don't believe California people like to +pitch money out of the window any better than people of other sections +do." + +"It has struck me," Tom went on, "that we're engaged by a man who is +running a racing boat. If that is so, and we can get the top speed out +of his craft, then I suppose Mr. Baldwin wouldn't consider the matter of +expense at all. All he wants, in that case, is to win cups and build a +big reputation for his boat." + +"I hope it _is_ a racer," cried Joe, his eyes glistening. "Whew! How our +crowd, pulling together in team work, could make a boat everlastingly +sprint over the waves!" + +The car in which the two boys sat was the last of the train. It had an +observation platform at the rear. In this observation compartment the +motor boat boys had spent much time while the train was rolling along +through the highly picturesque scenery of the Rocky Mountains. This +morning, however, going swiftly past sun-lit sections of California, +over a nearly level road, both young travelers were content to remain in +their seats by the window. + +In the car were a dozen other passengers. Only one other besides the +motor boat boys was especially young. She was a girl of about eighteen, +blond, rather plump and very pretty. She appeared to be traveling alone, +having boarded the train at Kansas City. Tom and Joe had been able to +offer her a few travelers' courtesies, which had been graciously +accepted. Neither young man, however, knew the girl's name. Both motor +boat boys were too well bred to attempt to force an acquaintance. + +Just now, as Tom happened to lean over his seat and glance down the +aisle, he saw that this young lady was in the observation compartment. +She appeared to be alone there. Something in the expression on her face +made her seem highly uneasy about something. + +"I hope she isn't in any trouble," murmured Halstead, to himself, "and +that she isn't going to find anything unpleasant at the end of her +journey." + +The next time he glanced down the aisle Halstead again caught a glimpse +of her face. + +"By Jove, I believe she's been crying, or else is about to begin," +muttered the young captain. "I wonder if it's real trouble, or just +something that she's afraid of." + +Then Tom made haste to look away, lest the young lady should see that he +had been studying her and take offense. + +"Look at the roses," commented Joe, glancing out of the window at a +pretty little California village through which the train was passing at +somewhat lessened speed. "Great Scott, there are violets growing in the +garden we've just passed. February! Think of the deep feet of snow on +either bank of the Kennebec just now!" + +"It's the land of roses and other posies, all right," agreed Halstead, +himself looking out with a good deal of interest at the bright scene +under the soft haze of the California winter day. + +"Say, these are real days! This beats Florida!" exclaimed Joe, +enthusiastically. + +"When it doesn't rain," remarked the practical Halstead. "You know, this +is the rainy season in California." + +"I don't care," contended Joe. "Even on a rainy day it must be beautiful +in this fine old state." + +"And on a foggy one, also," laughed Tom. "You know, at this time of the +year, there are likely to be some great old fogs around San Francisco +Bay. I've heard that it takes a clever pilot to guess correctly whether +he's landing at San Francisco or Oakland." + +"Humph!" grunted Joe. + +Dawson turned, looking out of the window for some time without speaking. + +"We're getting near some big town," he remarked, at last. Then, after +glancing at his watch: "It must be Oakland." + +"Yes," nodded Tom. "I guess we'll soon be making our stop at the +Sixteenth Street station." + +"Anything special about that station?" + +"It's the last stop before we run out onto the mole at Oakland." + +The train had now begun to run, at greatly lessened speed, through one +of the streets of the city. Joe found less to interest him. He glanced +upward at the rack, toward his traveling bag and overcoat. + +"That overcoat seems like an insult to the climate," he remarked. + +"Don't throw it away," advised Tom Halstead, "until you see whether some +of the 'Frisco nights are chilly. I've sort of an idea they will be." + +"I wonder whether we're going to have much time ashore, or whether it +will be all spent on the water?" suggested Joe. But Tom, of course, +didn't know the answer. + +"Sixteenth Street next stop!" called the porter through the car. + +"Might as well stretch our legs," hinted Tom, rising. Joe also left his +seat. + +As several of the passengers in the car were heading toward the front +end, the motor boat boys started for the observation compartment at the +rear end. + +The young lady was still standing there. It looked as though she +intended to step down outside as soon as the train should come to a +stop. Not wishing to intrude, Tom Halstead halted, a few feet away, Joe +doing the same. + +Hardly had the train stopped when a porter opened the door of the +observation compartment. The young lady quickly descended, the boys +following. The young lady remained close to the steps, glancing about +her. Lifting their hats, Tom and Joe stepped past her, mingling in the +throng at the station. There wasn't much here to see, but it was a +relief to be quit of the train for a minute or two. + +"There's the engine bell ringing," nudged Joe, at last. "We may as well +hustle back." + +As the two motor boat boys turned once more, Tom saw the young woman +standing beside the rear steps, one hand holding to the brass rail. She +appeared rather frightened. Before her, talking rapidly, was a man of +perhaps thirty years of age and some five feet nine inches in height. +On his smooth-shaven, dark face rested an ugly, black look. Something +that the man said just as Tom glanced that way caused the girl to wince +and grow paler. + +"Why, that fellow has been on the train, though not in our car, for the +last two days," occurred to Halstead, swiftly. "And now I remember I saw +the young lady talking to him back at Battle Mountain. Jove! but she +seems afraid of him. There, she's trying to leave him, and he has caught +at her sleeve to hold her. Confound the ugly look in his eyes! I wish +she were _my_ sister for five minutes!" + +Almost unconsciously, in his indignation, Captain Tom increased his +pace. Joe, looking in another direction, did not at once perceive this, +and so fell a bit behind. + +"I'm not going to listen to you any longer," cried the young woman, in a +voice that sounded tearful, though she was resolutely keeping the tears +back out of her eyes. "You are talking like a coward!" + +"Pardon me," said Captain Tom, rather stiffly, brushing past the young +man. The girl edged to give the motor boat boy room on the steps, and, +as he passed her, started to follow him up into the car. + +"You're not going to leave me in that fashion," snapped the dark young +man, angrily. "See here----" + +Again he caught at the girl's sleeve, after leaping up onto the lowest +step. + +"Let me go," commanded the girl, indignantly. + +"Not until----" + +She wrenched herself free, then bounded after Halstead. + +"Don't let him come into the car," begged the girl. + +"Out of my way, young fellow," ordered the dark man, gaining the second +step up. + +"Is this man annoying you?" asked Tom, in a friendly tone of the girl, +though he turned a cool, hostile stare upon the young man. + +"Yes, he is," the young woman answered. + +"Get out of the way, boy," commanded the man, reaching out a hand. + +Tom Halstead's right hand closed instantly. His fist shot out, landing +on the fellow's neck. That persecutor fell back, missed his footing, and +went sprawling to the station platform. The girl had started to dart +into the car, but now she turned, watching with fearful eyes. + +"Oh, don't let him hurt you!" she cried to Tom. + +"Thank you," responded the young captain, dryly; "I don't believe he +will." + +The train was beginning to move as the man fell sprawling on the +platform. Joe, who had seen the blow struck, darted in, dragging the +fellow swiftly to his feet. + +"You'll have to hustle, mister, if you're going to get your car +forward," Joe advised him. + +"This car is the one I----" began the man. + +But Joe coolly swung in ahead of him, elbowing the fellow out of the +way. The next moment the porter, grinning, reached over with the key and +locked the door of the car, which Dawson had closed. + +Looking the picture of rage, the man darted swiftly down the platform. +The train was now moving too rapidly, however, for the stranger to get +aboard, and the last car rolled by him as he stood, baffled, on the +platform. + +"I--I don't know how to thank you both," faltered the girl. + +"I assure you it didn't even put us to any inconvenience," smiled +Captain Tom. + +"But--oh! I hope you won't meet him in San Francisco," cried the girl, +in sudden alarm. "He's dangerous, ugly, vengeful!" + +"We've met such men before," laughed Captain Tom, quietly. "And +yet----well, we're here." + +"But you don't know that man!" shuddered the girl. + +"That we don't is something to brag about, I reckon," smiled Joe. + +"If you ever do come face to face with him, or catch him, anywhere, +watching you, beware of him!" begged the young lady, earnestly. "He +never forgives anything--that wretch!" + +"Are you uneasy over the remainder of your journey?" asked Tom, +politely. "Will you feel safer for escort?" + +"Oh, I shall be all right, now," replied the girl, with a grateful +smile, though her cheeks were still pallid. "He is no longer on the +train." + +"Command us, if you will," begged Captain Tom Halstead, gallantly. He +and Joe Dawson lifted their hats courteously, then passed on to their +own section. + +"One of the little dramas of life that are being enacted all around us," +muttered Halstead. + +"I wouldn't have minded seeing that one through," returned Joe. + +Neither boy, at that moment, suspected that they would yet "see it +through." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +HAZING, M. B. C. K. STYLE + + +At the ferry slip on the San Francisco side the two motor boat boys saw +the young woman again. + +A big, broad-shouldered, well-dressed, wholesome looking young man of +twenty-two or twenty-three years of age, came forward eagerly, hat in +hand, to meet her. + +"She's all right, now," declared Joe, with satisfaction. "Gracious! That +husky young fellow could eat up two or three muckers like the one you +punched, Tom." + +"Yes; our young lady of the journey is surely all right," nodded +Halstead, delighted with what he had seen. "So come along, Joe. We'll +probably never see any of that party again." + +Through a throng of eager cabmen the two young motor boat boys plodded +sturdily. Neither had ever been in San Francisco before, but they knew +that the ferry came in at the foot of Market Street, and that the Palace +Hotel was but a few blocks from the water-front on the same great artery +of traffic. + +"Might as well walk up, and get a little bit of a look at the town," +proposed Halstead. + +"Which side of the street is the Palace on?" queried Joe. + +"East." + +"Then we'll cross over. I don't believe we can miss it." + +It was a bustling crowd through which the boys steered their way. The +man on the San Francisco sidewalk who is under eighty years of age is +engaged in making his fortune, and has no time to lose. After he has +made it, he buys an automobile, and has comparatively little need of a +sidewalk. + +Men from every country in Europe and the Orient passed them. There was, +of course, a large sprinkling of native Americans, yet even the chance +passer knew that he was moving through a throng recruited from the four +quarters of the world. + +To Tom the walk ended all too soon. However, they were bent on business, +not pleasure, so they turned in briskly through the main entrance of the +Palace Hotel as soon as a policeman had pointed it out to them. + +Captain Tom Halstead stepped to the desk, picking up a pen to register. +"Are Davis, Perkins, Prentiss and Randolph here ahead of us?" queried +Halstead, as soon as he had written his name and his chum's. + +"All of 'em," smiled the clerk, after glancing at the entry on the +hotel register. "Davis, who got here first, with Perkins, engaged rooms +close together for the whole party. Front! I'll have you shown right up, +Captain Halstead." + +The colored boy in blue uniform and brass buttons confiscated the bags +and overcoats of the two young travelers, leading the way to the +elevator. That bell-boy turned his head to conceal a grin that illumined +his face. + +"So our friends are all here ahead of us, and have everything ready?" +remarked young Dawson. + +The bell-boy, his head still turned away, seemed to be choking. + +"I wonder if they've seen Mr. Baldwin, or heard from him?" mused Tom, +aloud. + +"Right dis way, sah," begged the bell-boy, stepping out of the elevator +ahead of them at the third floor. + +He led them down a long corridor, turned into another corridor, then +halted before a door. That bell-boy gave three distinct knocks; a pause, +then two more knocks. + +"I reckon yo' can go right in, sah," announced the bell-boy, dropping +some of his burden in order to throw the door open. + +Utterly unsuspicious, Tom and Joe passed through the doorway. The +instant they had done so, the bell-boy tossed their bags and coats in +after them, yanked the door shut and fled, chuckling. + +"Here they come! Welcome!" roared Dick Davis's deep, hearty voice. + +A short hallway led from the door to the room proper. As Tom Halstead +passed over the inner threshold a pair of arms reached out from either +side, yanking him into the room out of Joe's sight. Dawson leaped after +his chum, only to be similarly seized. + +Then it snowed! At least, for a brief instant, that was what the victims +thought. + +Tom was neatly, ruthlessly tripped, being sent sprawling to the floor, +while Ab Perkins, snatching up a bolster, which he had ripped open, +shook all the fine, downy feathers over him. They sifted down the young +captain's neck; they obscured his vision; some of the small feathers +fell into his mouth. He fell to spitting them out with vigor, even +before he tried to get up. + +Nor did Joe Dawson fare any better. If anything, he was rather more +roughly handled by Jed Prentiss and Jeff Randolph. + +"Now, roll 'em!" roared Dick Davis. + +Before either of the newcomers could rise to his feet they were rolled +together in the middle of the floor. Ab lifted the mattress from the +bed, plumping it down over the two victims. Then all four of the gleeful +assailants threw themselves across the mattress, shoving it over the +floor, using Tom and Joe, underneath, for rollers. + +And, over it all, rose the famous club yell: + +"M. B. C. K.! M. B. C. K.! Motor Boat Club! Wow!" + +"Oh, but we're glad to see 'em!" yelled Dick Davis, in his deepest +tones. "Good old chums! Keep up the welcome, fellows!" + +From under the mattress Tom Halstead managed to make himself heard, +though his voice sounded muffled indeed. + +"Help!" he roared. "Turn out the port watch! Mutiny!" + +"Port watch, ahoy! Roll up on deck, you lubbers!" roared Ab Perkins. +"Cap'n wants you!" + +At that Jed and Jeff left the mattress, darting to where Tom's and Joe's +traveling bags lay. These they quickly opened, dumping all the contents +on the floor. + +"All hands to quell mutiny!" yelled Jed Prentiss. Dick Davis and Ab +Perkins joined them on the jump. + +That gave Tom and Joe, both very red-faced and much winded, a chance to +crawl out from under the mattress. + +Yet no sooner did they show their astonished faces than all four of the +first-comers began to pelt them with the articles dumped from the +traveling bags. + +Slippers flew straight and true, landing with swats. Hair brushes, +tooth-brushes, cakes of soap, boxes of tooth-powder and numerous other +articles filled the air, a veritable cyclone with the fleet captain and +the fleet engineer in the middle of it. + +"Cut it!" commanded Tom Halstead, sternly. "Oh, if I had my revolver and +handcuffs and leg-irons here. This is the last time I'll ever go on deck +without 'em. But cut it--anyway!" + +Dick Davis, having thrown the last missile that came to hand, and having +pitched Halstead's overcoat up in the air so that it now lay hanging +from the chandelier, suddenly straightened up, looking very grave as he +saluted and roared out: + +"Aye, aye, sir!" + +At that the other three disturbers of the peace lined up with Dick, all +saluting. + +"What's the meaning of all this riot?" insisted Halstead, trying to keep +back the grin that struggled to his face. + +"After not having seen each other for all these moons," demanded Davis, +in a hurt voice, "can't we do anything to show you how ding-whanged glad +we are to behold you two once more?" + +"Your joy takes a strange turn," grimaced Captain Tom. + +"I prefer people who put their welcome in writing," retorted Joe. + +At that Ab Perkins, with a whoop, made for a table. From it he snatched +up a cork, one end of which had been burned to a char. + +"Come on, then, fellows," proposed Ab Perkins, gleefully; "we'll write +our welcome on Joe's face." + +"Will you, though?" demanded Dawson, crouching low, as though for a +football tackle. He caught Ab, and rising with that boisterous youth, +toppled him over. Ab Perkins went sprawling; fortunately for him he +landed across the mattress. + +"Hold on!" expostulated Tom Halstead. "The reception committee is +excused--fired--bounced, in fact. Now, stop all this monkey-business, +and let's get down to trade topics. But, first of all----" + +Tom paused to spit out two or three fragments of down feathers. Then he +crossed to where the water pitcher stood on a tray. Pouring out a glass +of water, Halstead took a mouthful, while the late mutineers looked on +expectantly. + +"O-oh! Ugh! Waugh! Wow!" sputtered Tom, expelling his mouthful into a +waste-water jar beside the wash-stand. "That water's _salt_!" + +"Well, what of it, you bo'sun's mate of a lobster trap?" demanded Ab +Perkins, aggressively. "Is it the first time you've ever hit up against +salt water?" + +"Now, see here, fellows," grinned Halstead, looking around at the impish +faces of the first-comers, "this is all right. We know how glad you are +to see us. Your pleasure is far greater than we had ever dared to +hope----" + +"Oh, we can show more pleasure!" proposed Dick. + +"Do it at your personal risk, then!" defied the young captain, arming +himself with the water pitcher. "Now, then, will you all be quiet?" + +"Oh, aye!" promised young Davis, with a sudden assumption of meekness. + +"I trust you--trust you all to the death," affirmed Tom, grimly. "But +I'm going to keep hold of the water pitcher just the same!" + +"This deck doesn't look ship-shape, does it?" demanded Dick Davis, +glancing about him. "Hadn't we better change craft? Wait here a moment." + +Stepping to the push-button, he pressed twice, for the porter. Tom +Halstead remained on guard, armed as before, and Joe keeping rather +close to him, until the porter knocked at the door. + +"See here, my friend," remarked Dick, holding out a dollar bill to the +porter, "there has been a ship-wreck here." + +"It looks like it, sir," grinned the porter, pocketing the money. +"What'll you have, sir?" + +"Find the chambermaid that belongs on this floor," begged Dick, "and +bring her here." + +The porter was soon back with the chambermaid, who also received a +dollar bill from young Davis. + +"Now, you two try some team-work, please," begged Dick Davis, "and see +whether you can make this place look neat enough to be a captain's +cabin. Gentlemen of the Motor Boat Club, will you adjourn to the costly +quarters that Ab and myself consider almost good enough for us?" + +Tom Halstead laid down the water pitcher and passed out of the room last +of all. + +"I reckon you'd better go into the other room first, Joe, and let me +bring up the rear," called Tom, grimly. "Then we can watch, from both +ends of the line, for any new tricks." + +Dick Davis produced a key, admitting all hands to the adjoining room. + +"Now, be seated," proposed Davis, in his most hospitable tone. The club +members found chairs. + +"Have you seen Mr. Baldwin?" inquired Captain Tom. + +"No; but we've sent him word," Ab replied. "Mr. Baldwin has offices in +the Chronicle Building." + +"Is that near?" queried Halstead. + +"Only a few hawser lengths from here, on the other side of Market +Street," put in Jed Prentiss. "Come here to the window. There's the +Chronicle Building over yonder." + +"Mr. Baldwin has a telephone, of course?" suggested Captain Tom. + +"Yes; 9378 Market." + +"I can tell him we're here, then," murmured Tom, crossing the room to +where a telephone apparatus rested against the wall. + +"Don't," prompted Dick. "Mr. Baldwin has sent his orders. You can 'phone +him between three and three-thirty to-day. Mustn't bother him at any +other time." + +"That's right, is it?" demanded Halstead, looking half-suspiciously at +Davis. + +"Quite right," nodded the latter youth, gravely. Dick was older than the +others, being nineteen, as against a general average of sixteen years +for the other boys. Dick was different in another respect. While the +other five boys followed motor boating as a means of livelihood, +depending upon their earnings, young Davis, the son of a ship-builder of +Bath, Maine, was at all times well supplied with money. Dick's outline +for the future included a possible college course, and then breaking +into the ship-building business with his father. It was not yet quite +decided whether young Davis should omit the college part of the plan. In +the meantime, the elder Davis believed that an active membership in the +Motor Boat Club would be the best possible training to fit his son for a +position in the ship-yard. + +"Well, if those are the instructions, then," replied Captain Tom, +returning to his chair, "we'll wait until a few minutes after three." + +"And now it's half-past eleven," said Jed, consulting his watch. +"Luncheon will not be served until one. We can wait here as well as +anywhere. Say, fellows, I'm just crazy to hear some good old yarns of +what you others have been through." + +With that, yarn-spinning became the order of the day. The young men were +still at it when they went down to the gorgeous dining room of the +Palace Hotel. The air about their table was thick with yarns all through +the meal. + +While they sat around the table, absorbed in one another's stories, a +dark-visaged, well-dressed man of thirty started to enter the dining +room. Just at the threshold, however, he paused, for his glance had +alighted on a profile view of Captain Tom Halstead at one of the tables +in the center of the dining room. + +"That's the cub who struck me this morning," muttered the dark-faced +one, drawing back. "I want to know who he is. I want to place him--I +want to meet him and settle the account for that blow and the +disappointment it brought about!" + +Tom Halstead turned around, a moment later, but he did not see the man +he had knocked from the train that morning at the Sixteenth Street +station in Oakland. That worthy had drawn quickly back out of sight, and +was now looking about for some hotel employé to question. + +Ten minutes later he of the dark visage had all the information he felt +he needed. + +"Tom Halstead? So that's your name?" snarled the stranger, as he started +for the street entrance. "And you're employed by Baldwin--could anything +be more favorable to our meeting again, eh?" The stranger smiled darkly, +meaningly, as he pronounced the name of Baldwin. + +Luncheon over, the yarning motor boat boys embarked in the elevator. +This time they went direct to the room assigned to Tom and Joe. The +trunks of these two young men had arrived, and now rested in the room. + +Once more the yarning went on, until Captain Tom checked it at exactly +two minutes past three o'clock. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +CAPTAIN TOM'S NEW COMMAND + + +"It's time for Mr. Baldwin to hear from us, now," announced the young +skipper, rising and crossing to the room-telephone. He gave the number, +waiting briefly. + +"Hello," sounded a voice in the receiver. + +"Hello," returned Tom, quietly. "Is this Mr. Baldwin?" + +"No; wait a moment. I'll connect you." + +"Hello," came, an instant later. + +"Hello. Mr. Baldwin?" + +"Yes." + +"I am Captain Tom Halstead, here at the Palace Hotel, awaiting your +orders." + +"Is Dabson with you?" + +"Dawson, sir," Tom corrected. "Yes; Dawson is with me." + +"Then your whole crew is on hand?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Good! Well, as the finishers are about through with their repair work +on my boat we shall be ready to get you aboard without delay." + +"May I ask, sir, how big a boat----" + +"Captain, be at my office, all of you in uniform, at four o'clock +exactly." + +"Very good, sir. Four o'clock." + +"Captain Halstead, punctuality is one of my failings," warned Joseph +Baldwin's voice. + +"It's one of my studies, Mr. Baldwin." + +"Then, at four o'clock?" + +"Four o'clock, sharp, sir!" + +"Good-bye." + +Ting-ling-ling! Tom hung up the receiver. + +"Well," came an eager chorus. "What are we going to do?" + +"We're going to get into our club sailing uniforms," smiled Captain Tom, +"and we're to be at Mr. Baldwin's office at four o'clock to the minute." + +"What sort of a boat----" + +"Cruising or racing----" + +"Coasting or sea-voy----" + +"You'll all of you have to cut out the questions," laughed Tom Halstead. +"I've told you every blessed thing I've just learned over the 'phone. +Fellows, I think our Mr. Baldwin is stingy----" + +"Stingy?" broke in Ab Perkins, with fine scorn. "And paying every one +of us first-class salaries!" + +"Stingy of words," finished Captain Tom, calmly. "If our new employer +keeps on as he has begun, we won't know anything he means to do until +the time comes to do it. Then he'll give his complete orders in from six +to eight words. That's the way it looks. Now, for your uniforms. Come +along, Joe, and we'll get into ours. Mr. Baldwin, I omitted to tell you, +did inform me----" + +Captain Tom paused, looking mysterious. + +"Told you what?" chorused Dick, Ab and Jed, eagerly. + +"That he's extremely partial to people who are punctual to the minute," +finished Tom Halstead, making a sign that brought Joe along in his +trail. + +Sailors are accustomed to quick dressing, as they are to quick work of +all sorts. Hence the six motor boat boys, all looking decidedly neat and +important in their uniforms and visored caps, were soon on their way to +the elevator shaft. Soon afterwards they stepped from the Palace +entrance to the street, making for the other side of Market Street at +the first crossing. + +More than one swift pedestrian paused long enough to send a look back +after these six trim, almost martial-looking young men, who walked in +pairs and carried themselves like graduates of the Naval Academy. + +It was just five minutes before four o'clock when the sextette halted +outside the Chronicle Building. + +"A couple of minutes to breathe," announced Halstead, watch in hand. +Presently, he marched them into the corridor. Here, after a short wait, +they stepped into one of the several elevators, leaving it a few floors +from the street. + +"Sixty seconds yet to spare," whispered Captain Tom, smilingly, holding +up his watch. + +Precisely at the dot of four o'clock the six motor boat boys filed in at +the door of the Baldwin offices, after Halstead had turned the knob. + +In the outer office were several clerks, behind a railing. An office boy +sat at a desk close by the gate of the railing. + +"Mr. Baldwin expects us at four," stated Tom to the boy. "Will you +please tell him that Captain Halstead and party are here?" + +The boy disappeared. When he returned a briskly-moving man of fifty was +at his heels. It was Joseph Baldwin, one of the rich men of the Pacific +Coast, and one of its most daring promoters. He was a man who acted, +ordinarily, as though the day were but five minutes long and crowded +with business. Mr. Baldwin looked like a prosperous business man, +though there was nothing foppish in his attire. + +"Captain Halstead?" he demanded, holding out a hand. The act was +gracious enough, though hurried. In less than a minute Tom had presented +his friends and all had been through the handshake. + +Back of Mr. Baldwin stood a clerk, holding his employer's hat. + +"I'm off for the day, Johnson," he announced. "Is the transportation at +the door?" + +"Yes, sir. I just looked out of the window. Your transportation is +ready." + +"Come along, Captain Halstead and gentlemen," directed Mr. Baldwin. + +Though he led them swiftly, another clerk had slipped out ahead of them, +and now stood by the elevator shaft. A car was just stopping at the +floor. Down the party whizzed. Mr. Baldwin led the boys to a street +door, outside of which two automobile touring cars stood. + +"Captain, I want you and Dawson in the car with me. Let your friends +follow in the other." + +Two tonneau doors closed with bangs. Off whizzed the cars. Speed laws +did not appear to be made for the concern of a man like Joseph Baldwin. +It seemed as though the cars had barely started when they ran out onto a +dock not much to the westward of the ferry houses. + +A man in plain blue uniform and visored cap, wearing the insignia of a +quartermaster, stood at the far end of the dock. He saluted as soon as +he espied Joseph Baldwin hastening toward him. + +"I see you're on time, Bickson." + +"Yes, sir." + +By this time Mr. Baldwin was going down a short flight of steps to a +landing stage. There lay moored a trim-looking sixteen-foot power +tender. + +"Fall aboard," briefly directed Mr. Baldwin, and the motor boat boys, +rather enjoying this systematized bustle, obeyed. + +Bickson, without waiting for orders, cast off, started the motor and +sent the boat gliding out into the stream. + +"Quite a motor yacht that carries a quartermaster," observed Captain +Halstead, with a smile. + +"I carry three," rejoined Mr. Baldwin, thrusting a cigar into his mouth +and lighting it with a "blazer" match. + +In and out among the shipping the tender glided. Then, at last, Captain +Tom caught sight of a graceful craft some hundred and twenty feet long. +She looked like a miniature liner. + +"I wonder if I'll ever command a handsome craft like that?" thought the +young motor boat skipper, with a brief pang of envy. "Jove! what a +boat!" + +The next thing the motor boat boys knew they were running up alongside +this hundred-and-twenty-footer. A young man of twenty-five or +twenty-six, whose uniform proclaimed him to be a watch officer, stood at +the top of a side gangway. + +"This can't be the boat--such a beauty!" gasped Tom Halstead, inwardly. +Joe Dawson's eyes were full of wonder. Ab Perkins's lower jaw was +hanging down in proof of his bewilderment. Dick Davis's face was +flushing. Jed was staring. Only Jeff Randolph appeared indifferent. + +"How do you do, Mr. Costigan?" hailed Mr. Baldwin, leading the way up +the side gangway. "Mr. Costigan, pay your respects to the new captain of +the 'Panther.' Captain Halstead, Mr. Costigan, your third officer." + +If Mr. Costigan appeared astonished, Tom Halstead did not look less so. +That he was really to command this big, handsome craft seemed to Tom +like a dream. A moment before, when he had realized that the "Panther" +was Mr. Baldwin's craft, the most the Maine boy had expected was that he +and his companions would be allowed to stand watch in the engine room +and on the bridge. But--captain! + +Third Officer Costigan, however, saluted in a most proper manner. Tom +held out his hand cordially. + +"Presently, Mr. Costigan, I shall ask you to show me about this craft." + +"At your orders, sir," replied Costigan, again saluting his commanding +officer, then making his way forward. + +"Here's the captain's cabin. I have the key," announced Mr. Baldwin, +leading the way to a door immediately aft of the pilot house. The owner +unlocked the door, then led the way inside. Again Captain Tom wondered +if he could be dreaming. Though everything was compact in this +stateroom, yet all the conveniences were there, too. There was a double +bed, a wardrobe locker, running water, two easy chairs, a desk, and a +table just under a well-stocked China and glass cupboard. + +"Your stateroom runs right through the deck-house from starboard to +port," explained Mr. Baldwin, who now appeared less pressed for time. +"Bathroom and chart-room open out of this cabin aft. I think, Captain, +you will be comfortable." + +"Comfortable!" murmured Tom, then smiled in sheer delight. + +The other motor boat boys stood about the doorway, not offering to enter +while the owner was there. Mr. Baldwin dropped into one of the arm +chairs. + +"Now, Captain, I'll tell you what we have aboard," continued the owner. +"Costigan is third officer. He's a good fellow, and a capable sailor, +but he has his limitations, and--well, I don't believe he'll ever be +much more than a third officer. You'd better keep him in that +grade--unless you find he's better than some of your comrades. One good +thing about Costigan is that he has a pilot's license for San Francisco +Bay and the coast hereabouts. He's a good pilot, too. Another good thing +about Costigan is that he's loyal, and a man who knows how to keep his +tongue resting in the back of his mouth. + +"Besides Costigan, there are three quartermasters and seven men in the +crew. We have also a cook and helper, a cabin steward and a men's +steward. That's the whole outfit. We have no one, at present, in the +engine-room department. You have men with you to fill out those +positions, haven't you, Captain?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Then let me see how you'll go to work to place them," shot out Mr. +Baldwin, instantly. + +"Mr. Perkins, first officer; Mr. Davis, second officer," replied +Halstead, promptly. "Mr. Costigan, of course, third officer." + +"And in the engine room?" pressed the owner. + +"Mr. Dawson, chief engineer; Mr. Prentiss, first assistant; Mr. +Randolph, second assistant engineer." + +"All right," nodded Joseph Baldwin. "That makes our complement complete, +I think. Now, Captain, publish your selections to the crew and take +command. There's the bell at the side of your desk." + +Hardly had Tom Halstead, still feeling as though in a trance, pressed +the button, when a jauntily uniformed sailor appeared at the doorway, +saluting. + +"My compliments to Mr. Costigan; ask him to come here," ordered Tom. + +From the speed with which he reported, Third Officer Costigan must have +been awaiting the summons. + +"Pipe the crew forward of the pilot house, Mr. Costigan. All hands. I've +something to say to them." + +The third officer's whistle rang out shrilly forward. A few moments +later Captain Halstead was notified that all hands were on deck. + +Tom thereupon went forward, accompanied by the new officers of the +"Panther," who were proclaimed to the crew, including even the stewards +and cooks. + +"And I now invite the officers to my cabin," said Captain Halstead as +he wound up his harangue to the men. "The details of the deck and engine +room watches will be decided at once." + +This was soon done. Following the practice that now obtains on many +yachts, the watches were made eight hours long, instead of four. This +enabled each member of a watch to get a full sleep between watches. In +ordinary weather neither the captain nor first officer stands watch. The +captain's, or starboard, watch was to be taken by Dick Davis as second +officer. Mr. Costigan, third officer, was to stand the first officer's, +or port, watch. Joe Dawson, as chief engineer, was generally responsible +for the engineering department, but stood no watch in the engine room, +the starboard watch at the motors falling to Jed Prentiss, and the port +watch to Jeff Randolph. Bickson, as chief quartermaster, was made +responsible for the general policing of the craft, the other two +quartermasters taking watch trick at the wheel in the pilot house. + +During the making of these arrangements Mr. Baldwin had strolled aft to +his own suite of rooms. These, immediately aft of the chart room, +consisted of parlor, bed-room and bath. Aft of these quarters lay the +deck dining room, from which a staircase led down to the cabin proper. +Off the cabin were eight handsome staterooms for the owner's guests. + +All this Tom and his comrades saw as Costigan piloted them over this +superb yacht. + +Forward of the main cabin, below, was the chief engineer's stateroom, +which Joe would occupy by himself. In Joe's room, also, was service for +the chief engineer's meals. + +Then there was a stateroom for the second and third officers, and +another for the engineer's two assistants. For these junior officers, +and Mr. Costigan, there was an officers' mess. Further forward was the +crew's mess, then the kitchen department. Ahead of this was the engine +room, with the crew's forecastle quarters right up in the bow of the +craft, below decks. + +"You see, sir," explained Mr. Costigan, "there's everything that could +be thought of for the comfort of officers and crew." + +"It's the most compact boat I could imagine," declared Captain Tom, +enthusiastically. + +"You may well say that, sir." + +They passed on to inspect the engine room. Joe's eyes fairly gleamed as +he inspected the twin motors, the dynamos and all the other details of +his own department. It was a finer engine room than Joe Dawson had hoped +to command for many years to come. He remained below, with his +assistants, to inspect their new domain, while Tom, Ab and Dick +returned to the deck with Mr. Costigan. + +The "Panther" was schooner rigged, with a full set of sails for each of +the two masts. There was a short bowsprit, carrying two jibs. + +"This craft does pretty well under sail, sir," declared the third +officer. + +"She looks as though she ought to," replied Captain Tom. "But what gait +does she make with her power alone?" + +"She's been running, cruising, sir, at about twelve to fourteen miles an +hour. She's listed as a twenty-two mile boat at her best, but I believe, +sir, that a good engineer could get twenty-four out of her." + +"The new chief engineer is one who can get out any speed that the motors +will stand." + +"He looks it, sir." + +Halstead was careful always to use the word "Mister." Watch officers and +engineers, who are also officers, are always addressed in that way, by +the captain, or even by the owner. Costigan was equally careful to say +"sir," when addressing any officer of grade above his own. + +"When you can spare the time, Captain, I'll have a few words with you," +called Mr. Baldwin, showing his head through the starboard doorway of +his suite. + +"At once, sir," replied Captain Tom, turning and going to the owner's +door. At the threshold the new captain of the "Panther" halted. + +"Come right in, Captain. Take a chair," invited the owner. "Now, then, +what do you think of your new task?" + +"I'm astounded, sir. Overjoyed, too," Tom replied, with a candid smile. + +"Why?" + +"Well, sir, this craft represents the height of my dreams. The 'Panther' +is twice the length and about four times the total size of any boat I've +ever commanded before." + +"Are you afraid it's too big an undertaking for you?" asked Mr. Baldwin, +regarding his young sailing master keenly. + +"No, sir!" came the prompt answer. + +"Hm! I'm glad of that. But I wasn't worrying. I've known Delavan a long +time. I told him what I wanted, and knew I could bank on his choice. Are +all your friends satisfied?" + +"They're delighted," Tom nodded. "All they're aching for now, sir, is to +get out on the first cruise." + +"They'll have their wish this evening," laughed Mr. Baldwin. "Is there +anything you want to ask me, Captain?" + +"Nothing, unless you'll permit me to be a bit curious." + +"That's a bad fault on this yacht," replied Joseph Baldwin, with a +slight frown that quickly disappeared. "What is it you want to know?" + +"I'm wondering, sir, why you had to send all the way east for officers +for the 'Panther'?" + +"Because I've had to get rid of two sets of officers," replied Mr. +Baldwin, crisply. "One captain was too inquisitive, the other was +incapable. Then I began to hear a good deal about your famous Motor Boat +Club. That set me to corresponding with Delavan. He told me a lot more +about you young men, and I couldn't get it out of my head that _you_ +were the sort of people I wanted." + +"You weren't afraid on account of our being so--well, youthful?" + +"I knew, if you'd suit Frank Delavan, you'd suit me. And I'm just as +sure after having seen you all. Now, Captain Halstead, you'll be ready +to sail at any time after seven this evening. That is the hour when my +guests and I sit down to dinner aboard. At the time I'll give you your +general sailing instructions. Remember, Mr. Costigan must be your pilot +until you're out through the Golden Gate and clear of the coast." + +"Yes, sir," assented Halstead, rising. "Any further orders, sir?" + +"That is all, for the present, Captain." + +Tom Halstead left the owner's suite and walked forward, filled with a +wonderful sense of elation. He passed the pilot house just in time to +see Joe Dawson coming up forward. + +"Say, are we going to wake up, chum?" breathed young Dawson in his +friend's ear. + +"I don't believe we'll have to," laughed the young skipper, happily. +"We're all right, I'm pretty sure, if we don't do something that greatly +displeases the boat's owner. Thanks to Mr. Delavan, the owner of this +craft is willing to believe, at the start, that we're all that's good +and wonderful. But come into my cabin, old fellow, if you have the time. +We'll dine together to-night." + +Both motor boat boys sighed their supreme contentment as they dropped +into arm-chairs facing each other. It was now so dark that Tom switched +on the electric lights. + +"How are the engines, Joe?" asked Tom, dropping into his old, friendly +manner. + +"Ready to start at a second's notice. And Jed's on duty there, waiting +for the word." + +"Gasoline?" + +"Tanks bulging with it. Tom, this is a beautifully appointed boat below, +and every store of every description is in place." + +"That's the kind of a man I'm pretty sure Mr. Baldwin is," nodded +Halstead. + +Joe surveyed a row of speaking tubes that hung against the forward wall +of the captain's room. He picked out one labeled "engine-room," pressing +the button beneath it. + +"Hello, sir," came the quick response, in Jed Prentiss's unmistakable +tones. + +"Hello, Mr. Prentiss," Joe returned. "How do you like it down there, on +duty?" + +"It's perfect!" responded Jed, almost dreamily. "Everything here but my +own personal steward. I ain't sure but what _he'll_ blow in, in a +minute, and ask me what I'll have for dinner." + +"Tell him we're scheduled to start at seven," suggested Halstead. + +"I can start in seven seconds, if I'm asked to," promised Prentiss. +"Anyway, I can have the propellers turning fast before you can get the +anchor up. Crackey! I forgot that I have to supply even the power for +hoisting anchor." + +Twenty minutes later the two chums, who had begun their career by +patching up an old steam launch down at the mouth of the Kennebec River, +in Maine, were seated at table in the captain's cabin, doing justice to +a meal that was but little short of sumptuous. + +The chief steward himself, a man named Parkinson, served the young +captain and chief engineer. He hovered about, as attentive as any hotel +waiter or private butler could have been. + +It was the second steward, however, who came in with the dessert for +the two chief officers of the "Panther." + +"What has become of the other steward?" inquired the young captain. + +"Time for him, sir, to put on the finishing touches in the dining +saloon," replied Collins, the second steward, who served also the junior +officers and the crew. + +"If we eat like this at every meal, Joe," sighed Halstead, contentedly, +when the second steward had removed the last of the things, "we'll have +to devote all the rest of the time to exercising off extra flesh. Let's +get out on deck." + +"All right. But I mean to be in the engine-room when the start is made." + +At the side gangway the chums stepped quickly past, to make way for half +a dozen men who were coming up over the side, while Mr. Costigan stood +respectfully by to receive them. They were guests of the owner just +coming on board for the night's cruise. One of these newcomers went +directly to Mr. Baldwin's suite. + +"Owner's compliments, sir," called Parkinson, softly, as he came +hurrying after the young sailing master. "Mr. Baldwin wishes to see +Captain Halstead on the jump, sir." + +The call had come for the brisk beginning of the strangest duties in +which young Halstead had ever been employed. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +HALSTEAD IS LET INTO A SECRET + + +"Captain Halstead, my friend, Mr. Jason Ross," announced Mr. Baldwin, +crisply, as soon as the young skipper had closed the owner's door behind +him. + +Mr. Ross was a man of forty-five, and looked like a man who might be of +much importance in the financial world. Yet _he_ was presented to +Halstead, for on a yacht the captain is considered next in importance to +the owner. + +Tom modestly greeted Mr. Ross. + +"Sit down, Captain," snapped out the owner, though not unkindly. "Now, +I've got to take you into my confidence a bit. Delavan's word for you +makes me feel that I can safely do it." + +Tom had only time to nod ere Mr. Baldwin went on, crisply: + +"My guests are on board, with one exception. In a way, the exception is +the most important one of us all. He isn't so very important in himself, +but Gaston Giddings, though a very weak, foolish young man, happened to +succeed his father in the principal control and presidency of the +Sheepmen's National Bank. Young Giddings and the funds his bank can +supply are of the utmost importance to my associates and myself in some +big enterprises we are putting through. Do I make myself clear?" + +"Wholly so, sir," Tom answered, quietly. + +"Now, Giddings, besides being several kinds of plain and ornamental +fool--no, I won't quite say that, but this weak young man has one +fearful fault for the head of a bank----" + +Joseph Baldwin paused in his rapid speech. He looked sharply at Mr. Ross +an instant, then continued: + +"Oh, well, Frank Delavan told me I could trust you and Dawson with +anything from my yacht to my reputation. You understand that what I'm +telling you, Captain, is absolutely confidential?" + +"Of course, sir," responded Tom, quietly. + +"Well, then, within the last three months young Giddings has, in some +way we can't understand, fallen a victim to the opium habit. The young +man is all but totally wrecked by the vile drug. How, or why, he +started, none of us can understand. You see, a good many of us older +men, who were fast friends of his father, have tried to stand by the +young man. Two of to-night's party are directors in the Sheepmen's Bank. +We've tried to get the bank's funds placed in interests that we control, +so that young Giddings couldn't go very far wrong, by not having enough +money left in his charge to wreck the bank. You follow me?" + +"I--I think so, Mr. Baldwin." + +"Truth to tell," pursued the owner, "I had planned--my friends on board +with me--to go out ostensibly for one night, but really to be gone for +several days. One of our friends is a specialist in the opium habit--Dr. +Gray. We had hoped, on this trip, to plan some financial enterprises +that would use up, for the present, the dangerously large balance at the +Sheepmen's Bank. At the same time we were going to try to force young +Giddings to agree to heroic medical treatment in order to overcome his +fearful vice." + +Tom Halstead remained silent, but attentive. + +"Now, at the last moment," pursued Mr. Baldwin, "we hear that Giddings +was seen in a closed carriage, evidently headed for Chinatown, that vile +Oriental section of San Francisco, where the opium vice flourishes at +its worst. And in Chinatown a man can disappear so completely that his +friends can't find him again in years. Giddings was to be here to-night, +but he's in a Chinatown opium den instead. If we appeal to the police, +it'll all be in the newspapers. There'll be a scandal that will disgrace +Giddings forever, start a run on the Sheepmen's Bank, and--though this +is the least of our worries--will delay for some time the pushing of +the big financial game in which my friends and myself are interested. +Now, we've got to find some way of getting at Giddings, and of bringing +him on board without trouble or noise. I've told you this much, Captain +Halstead, so that you'll understand the need of secrecy. If we can find +Giddings, and get him out here, then we _must_ bring him over the side +and get him into his stateroom without his being seen by any of the crew +on board, except, possibly, by one or two of your own comrades whom you +think you can best trust." + +"I can trust every one of 'em, sir," declared Captain Tom, promptly. "So +will you, when you know them better." + +"Then, Captain, before we make any move to find Giddings in his +Chinatown hiding-place, and attempt to get him aboard this yacht, we +must have all of the crew safely out of the way, save for your own +personal friends among the officers." + +"I can plan for the crew to go ashore," declared Tom Halstead. "I have +only to state that you've decided to delay putting out to sea, and that +you've been good enough to grant the men a night on shore at the theatre +at your expense. That will take every one of them over the side. Do you +want Mr. Costigan to go?" + +"Why, I think Costigan is all right, but he isn't needed here, anyway, +so he'd better go ashore also." + +"Easily settled, then, Mr. Baldwin. I can send Mr. Costigan off in +charge of the shore party. At what hour do you wish them all to return, +sir?" + +"Not a minute before midnight!" + +"Very good, sir. I can tell Mr. Costigan that you've been called ashore, +that you will dine there, and that you are very glad of this opportunity +to give the older members of the crew a chance to enjoy themselves +ashore." + +"Excellent, indeed!" cried Mr. Baldwin, in a low tone. "What do you say, +Ross?" + +"If Captain Halstead can vouch so heartily for the silence and +discretion of his own friends, then the plan ought to clear the decks so +that we can get Giddings aboard--if we find him--without any comment or +scandal at all," agreed Jason Ross. + +Joseph Baldwin employed himself stripping a few banknotes from a roll +that he drew from a trousers pocket. + +"Give this money to Mr. Costigan, Captain, and tell him to see to it +that the men have a good time on shore--though no drunkenness! And you, +Captain Halstead, I trust to see to it that none but your own friends +remain aboard." + +Ten minutes later Captain Tom returned to the owner's suite to report +that Third Officer Costigan and the crew, including the stewards and +cooks, had gone ashore in the tender, Jeff Randolph running the boat in. + +"How soon will Randolph be back?" asked Mr. Baldwin. + +"Within ten minutes, sir." + +"Then I shall want him to put Mr. Ross and myself ashore. We two must +take up the seemingly impossible task of locating young Giddings in the +heart of Chinatown's slums, and bring him here by force, yet without +noise. Once we get him on board, and below, we can keep the young man +quiet until morning, when we'll be well out on the ocean. Dr. Gray will +attend to that." + +"Are your friends going to remain on board, without dinner?" asked +Halstead. + +"No; they can go ashore and get dinner at a restaurant, returning +presently. Mr. Randolph can keep the tender at the landing stage until +they return. Then, as soon as he has brought our other friends aboard, +Mr. Randolph can return for Ross and myself, when we get back. But Mr. +Randolph must not let Costigan or the crew get aboard until after we've +returned." + +"I'll make his instructions clear on that point," nodded Tom. + +"That is all, then. Let me know when the tender returns." + +"Hold on, a moment, Baldwin," interposed Mr. Ross. + +"Well?" + +"Baldwin, neither of us is in what might be called the pink of +condition, and young Giddings may put up a fight in his half-crazed way. +Don't we need a little real brawn with us?" + +"Taking Captain Halstead with us, do you mean?" + +"That was the idea that had come into my head," nodded Mr. Ross. + +"Yes; it would be an excellent idea. Captain, you will go with us. Leave +your first officer in command here until we return." + +"Very good, sir." + +Tom Halstead saluted, then withdrew. He gave his orders quickly, not +deeming it necessary to mention any phase of the story of young Gaston +Giddings to his comrades of the Motor Boat Club. + +As soon as the launch was alongside Tom hastened to inform Mr. Baldwin. +The entire party thereupon came out on deck, gathering at the side +gangway. They speedily embarked in the tender, in which Jeff sat where +he could handle both engine and steering gear. + +"Your instructions are clear, Mr. Perkins?" called Tom Halstead, +softly, from the launch. + +"Quite clear, sir," Ab replied. "The instructions will be followed to +the letter." + +"Shove off, then," Tom commanded. "To the landing stage, Mr. Randolph." + +It would have been almost laughable, to anyone who had witnessed the +frolicsome motor boat boys going through their hazing affair of the +forenoon, had he now been at hand to hear them using the stately +"mister" and "sir" with all the gravity of naval officers. + +Jeff speedily had the party ashore. + +Twenty minutes later a closed cab rolled slowly in at one corner of +gayly-lighted, malodorous Chinatown. The vehicle contained Messrs. +Baldwin and Ross and young Captain Tom Halstead. In this poisonous +atmosphere they sought a young human wreck, Gaston Giddings. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A HUNT IN THE UNDER-WORLD + + +During the ride from the water front Captain Tom Halstead had sat on the +front seat of the cab, quiet and reserved. + +Now, as they entered the outer confines of Chinatown, Halstead leaned +slightly forward, peering out at the shops and at the queer Oriental +jumble, mixed here and there with white people, that thronged the narrow +sidewalks. + +"Are you headed for any particular place, sir?" queried the young +skipper, after a few moments. + +"No," admitted Mr. Baldwin. "I know nothing of Chinatown. We must drive +through, first of all, at a venture. Presently an idea may come to us. +Whatever we do, our plans must soon be formed. If I dared speak to a +police officer--but the risk is too great." + +"There's a restaurant," murmured the boy, suddenly. "It looks like a big +and clean place. Why don't you and Mr. Ross slip in there, have some tea +or something, and let me prowl about in these queer, crooked streets for +a few minutes? Chinatown is only a few blocks in extent, I understand. I +may be able to learn something that way, unless you have a better plan, +sir." + +"I am afraid you'll run into danger, alone in this barbarous crowd," +objected Mr. Baldwin. + +"I'm not in the least afraid," smiled Tom, confidently. "Two prosperous +looking men like you might attract attention, but, as for me, the people +hereabouts will think only that I'm some young sailor ashore for a lark. +Shall I stop the cab, sir?" + +"Yes," agreed Joseph Baldwin, though he spoke doubtfully. + +Tom's hand shot up at once, grabbing the check string. The driver pulled +up his horses, then came to the door, opening it. + +"This will be as good a place for you to remain, driver, as anywhere," +said Halstead, as he stepped out. Then he turned, waiting for Messrs. +Baldwin and Ross to alight. + +"Shall I find you in that restaurant, sir?" the young skipper inquired. + +"Yes; but don't be too long away, Halstead, or we shall be more uneasy +than ever." + +"Trust a sailor to take care of himself in any crowd, sir," laughed Tom +Halstead, jauntily. With that he stepped off, at a more rolling gait +than he usually employed on shore. + +The young motor boat captain carried in his mind a good personal +description of Gaston Giddings. He had secured this from Mr. Baldwin +before leaving the yacht. + +"Ugh! The smell here is worse than in New York's Chinatown," Tom told +himself, disgustedly. + +From upper windows of some of the buildings that lined the narrow, dirty +streets came the squawkings of Chinese fiddles and other discordant +"musical" instruments of a wholly Oriental type. There seemed to be two +or three joss-houses, or temples, in every short block. On the street +floors, however, stores offering all kinds of Chinese merchandise were +most common. Tom suspected that the gambling places and opium joints lay +in the rear of these stores. + +"Want a guide to Chinatown? Show ye everything, boss, for two dollars. +Show ye every real sight in Chinatown," appealed a seedy, dirty, young +white man who now held Tom by one sleeve. + +"Anything really worth seeing?" asked Halstead, smilingly. + +"Oh, _everything_ worth seeing," responded the seedy guide, with a wide +wave of one arm. "Best two dollars' worth you ever had. Most curious +sights you ever saw in any part of the world. Sailor, ain't ye?" + +"Yes." + +"Sailors are my specialty," declared the seedy guide, grimly. "Come, +ye'd better haul up the two dollars and let me take you about." + +"What about opium joints, for instance?" asked Tom Halstead, speaking as +though he had not enthused much as yet. + +"I know 'em all," asserted the seedy guide, eagerly. "Want to smoke the +opium pipe?" + +"Can't say," replied Tom, vaguely. "Yet, if I do go around with you, +you've got to take me to the really swell opium places." + +"Oh, I can do it--better'n any other guide in Chinatown," promised the +fellow, quickly. "Come, just hand over the two dollars, and see what I +can show you." + +With a great pretense of reluctance Captain Tom produced four half +dollars, which he handed to the guide. + +"Remember, now," he said, "I want what you might call the aristocratic +places." + +"If ye ain't satisfied," promised the guide, glibly, "then ye'll get +your money back." + +"Go ahead, then, but mind what I told you." + +Through dark alleyways, or through stores into rear apartments, Halstead +followed his conductor. In rapid succession he passed in and out of half +a dozen opium joints. One was as much like another as two kernels of +wheat resemble each other. + +In each place there was the same outer room, then the same bunk-room, an +apartment fitted up with bunks at the sides. It was in these rooms that +the smoking was done. The intending smoker stretched himself out in a +bunk, while a Chinese attendant brought lamp and kit. A tiny ball of +opium was quickly lighted--"cooked"--at the lamp's flame. Then this +glowing pellet of opium was thrust into the bowl of an opium pipe, and +the latter handed to the smoker in the bunk. The smoker consumed his +pellet after two or three whiffs. After smoking three or four pipes, +most of the smokers succumbed, falling back in a torpid sleep. + +The air was heavy, disgusting in these places. Degraded white men and +women were occasionally to be seen, though most of the smokers were +Orientals, generally Chinese. + +Heart-sick and dizzy, Tom Halstead still kept on, though, whenever he +reached outer air, he took pains to inflate his lungs several times +before again entering one of the wretched, squalid "joints." + +Off the bunk-rooms several of these dens had "private" sleeping +apartments, for white smokers who desired more privacy. Wherever he +noted doors to such private rooms Tom Halstead thrust them open, +glancing inside. Nor was his conduct resented. The opium smokers were +too far gone to show or feel anger. + +"You haven't shown me any very swell places yet," protested the young +skipper, after leaving the seventh place. + +The guide, a thin, undersized, slovenly man in his early thirties, +turned to look the motor boat boy over keenly. + +Tom noticed that the fellow's eyes had a look in them much like the look +in the eyes of several of the smokers they had just seen. + +"This fellow is an opium-user himself," decided Tom Halstead. + +"Say, young feller," remarked the guide, in a cautious undertone, +"you're looking for _someone_." + +"Perhaps I am," the young skipper half admitted. + +"Who is he?" + +"No matter. But do you know any of the men who come here to Chinatown +often to use the pipe?" + +"Say, if there's any white hop-fiend that I don't know, then he's a +brand-new one," rejoined the guide. + +"Do you know a young man of twenty-four or five, about five-eight tall, +dark, slim, rather fine-looking, smooth faced and with a slight scar +under his right ear?" + +"I guess that must be young Doc Gaston," whispered the guide. + +Gaston? That was Giddings's first name. Tom Halstead started, though he +strove to conceal his excitement. + +"Where does Doc Gaston go?" he demanded. + +"What'll you pay to find out?" insisted the guide, cunningly. + +"Ten dollars." + +"Make it fifty, and I'll do it for you." + +Tom, however, stuck to his original price, though three or four minutes +were lost in haggling. + +"Ten dollars is the highest price," Tom declared, flatly. "That pays you +for standing by me until I get Doc Gaston--if he's the one I'm looking +for--outside of Chinatown." + +"Well, gimme the money now, then," demanded the guide. + +"Oh, no," retorted the young skipper, tartly. "You get the money after +we're through and on the edge of Chinatown in a cab. Now, don't haggle +any more, or I'll drop the matter altogether. Are you going to take my +offer, or not?" + +"Say, you'll sure pay the ten, will ye?" whined the fellow. + +"As sure as there's a sky above us." + +"Then come along." + +"Where's the place?" questioned Tom Halstead. + +"Around the next corner." + +"Do you know where Yum Kee's restaurant is?" + +"O' course. They call Yum Kee the Chinatown Delmonico." + +"Lead me back there, then, and we'll get the carriage." + +Tom Halstead had been around so many corners in this crowded, complex +quarter of San Francisco that he had lost his bearings. The guide, +however, piloted him back to the waiting cab within two minutes. + +First of all, however, the young skipper peered in at the restaurant. +Messrs. Baldwin and Ross were at one of the rear tables, eating. + +"Tell the driver where to go, now, and we'll make the start," Tom +instructed the guide. Soon afterwards they alighted before a +brightly-lighted Chinese grocery store. Besides the proprietor, there +were three or four clerks and a dozen yellow-skinned, pig-tailed +customers in the place. The guide, with an air of being at home here, +led the way straight back, pushing ajar a door at the rear. The instant +they entered this rear compartment the sickening odor of sizzling opium +greeted Captain Tom's nostrils. This proved to be the inevitable outer +room, but the guide led into the adjoining bunk-room. In this latter +apartment were half a dozen doors. + +"Just look through 'em," whispered the guide. "Don't talk to me none. +Remember, if there's a row here, I've got to make up a yarn that will +square things for me." + +Two of the private rooms into which Halstead boldly intruded proved to +be empty. + +In the third room a weazened little old Chinaman crouched over a lamp +and a tray holding an outfit. He was preparing to remove these things. +In the bunk, sprawled out, with glassy eyes, was a young man whom Tom +Halstead recognized in a flash--weak, vice-ridden Gaston Giddings! + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +FACING THE YELLOW BARRIER + + +"Maybe what you likee here?" demanded the little old Chinaman, looking +up with a snarl. + +"Looking around," retorted Tom, grimly. + +"Allee same--_git_!" + +The guide had approached, taking a swift, shifty look in at the bunk. + +"That's Doc Gaston, isn't it?" whispered Tom, over his shoulder. + +"Don't ye know him?" queried the guide, suspiciously. + +"He looks strange, with that glassy look in his eyes." + +"That's Doc Gaston, all right. 'Least, that's what he calls himself in +Chinatown." + +"You allee same git--chop-chop," snarled the Chinaman, savagely. He had +put the smoking outfit on the floor once more, and now pushed against +the motor boat boy with both hands, trying to force him from the room. +Tom, however, coolly and gravely picked the short Chinaman up off his +feet, wheeled and put him down again on the floor of the bunkroom +beyond. + +"Now, shove off!" ordered Halstead, half gruffly. "Don't bother me +again." + +After flashing an ugly look at the motor boat boy, the Chinaman fled in +the direction of the store. + +"Now, whatcher going to do?" demanded the guide, nervously. + +"If I can't get young Gaston to walking on his own feet, then I'm going +to pick him up in my arms and carry him out to the carriage," answered +Tom Halstead, firmly. + +"Smoking joss-house!" gasped the guide. "D'ye know what'll happen? +There'll be a house-full of them chinks down on us! Hatchet men--gun +men--say, young feller, dontcher know that these here hop-joints are +protected by the highbinders?" + +Tom Halstead had heard of the Chinese highbinders in New York. He knew +of them as a desperate crowd of yellow-skinned thugs. The guide's own +terror was too real to be feigned. + +"If you're afraid of this kind of a job, what did you come here for?" +asked the young skipper, quickly, gruffly. + +"Why, I thought ye was goin' to try to _coax_ the young Doc out. But, +say--taking him out by force--lemme get outer this on the jump!" + +"No, you don't," roared Tom Halstead, with swift and quite unlooked-for +energy. "Stand by, now!" + +He gripped the guide by the arm, fairly forcing him over to the bunk in +which the young opium smoker lay. Giddings, if it was really he, lay +open-eyed, yet unheeding. + +"Come, get up!" ordered the boy, reaching with both hands under the +opium smoker's shoulders and raising him. "Out on your feet!" + +A drowsy, unintelligible protest came from the stranger. But Tom fairly +lifted him out onto his feet, then threw a strong, supporting arm about +him. + +"Now, walk! Come along!" ordered Halstead, briskly, taking hold of the +young man with his other hand. + +"Sufferin' joss-sticks!" wailed the guide. "Here come the +chinks--number-one man and all!" + +The door of the bunkroom burst open. Through the doorway rapidly +advanced the gorgeously-dressed Chinaman whom Tom had supposed to be the +proprietor of the store beyond. Back of him came four plainly-attired +Chinamen with as hard-looking, evil faces as could be found in all +Chinatown's quagmire of vice. + +"This ain't my doings, Ling!" wailed the guide, quailing before the +stern glances of the yellow leader--the "number-one man." "I told this +young fellow he'd have to quit. Let us out." + +"Yes; let us out!" repeated Tom Halstead, staring undauntedly into the +eyes of Ling. + +"Put him down," ordered Ling, nodding scowlingly at the stranger whom +Halstead supported. "Then, maybe, we see what we do with you." + +The air was full of danger of the most awesome kind. Though not a weapon +showed, as yet, each of the four Chinese behind the proprietor stood +with his hands thrust up into his sleeves. A Chinaman always carries his +weapons up his sleeves, whence he can bring them down, into action, with +incredible rapidity. + +"Now, don't think you've got me frightened," uttered Tom Halstead, +sturdily, gazing undauntedly at the Chinese. "There isn't any scare in +me when I'm dealing with people like you. If you make one single false +move you'll be the ones who'll be sorry for it. Ling, I'm going to take +this young man out of here. His friends know where he is, and they've +sent me here to get him. I'm going to take him out of here, chop-chop. +If I'm not out of here in another minute or so, then this young man's +friends will bring down police enough on you to clean the place out." + +Ling laughed contemptuously. + +"Oh, you may think you have money enough, and 'pull' enough, to keep the +police from troubling you," jeered young Halstead. "But, if this young +man's friends get after you, it'll make a noise that the police can't +shut their ears to." + +Two of the men behind Ling stood blocking the doorway. The other two, by +now, were edging around to get on either side of the unflinching boy. + +"You yellow scoundrels, get back, and stay back!" commanded Tom, glaring +at them sternly. + +There comes into notice, now and then, a man who has enough of the +magnetic quality of bravery to hold a mob back. Tom Halstead was +possessed of the grit needed for such an undertaking. + +"Get out of the way, Ling--you and your heathen hatchet men," commanded +the young skipper, resolutely. "I'm going past you. If I find any fellow +in my way I'll knock him down. If you fight back, it'll be the finish +of you and of this place. _Gangway, you yellow idiots!_" + +[Illustration: "Gangway, You Yellow Idiots."] + +Still supporting, half dragging, the dazed young banker, Tom Halstead +grittily pressed his way to the doorway and through it. One of Ling's +henchmen attempted to stand immovable, but Halstead, with a quick blow +of his open hand, sent the fellow stumbling backward. + +"If you're thinking of creeping up behind me, don't try it," advised +Halstead, as coolly as ever, as he started across the outer room. + +He gained the closed door connecting with the outer store. Pausing here, +a moment, he beheld two of Ling's yellow-visaged fellows creeping toward +him. + +"Back for yours--that'll keep you out of trouble," barked the young +skipper, coolly, without raising a hand to defend himself. Then he threw +the door open, calling backward over his shoulder: + +"Don't you dare let this young man in here again, Ling. If you do, it'll +wind you up." + +With that the motor boat boy contrived to pilot his charge swiftly +through the store. He was not safe until he had passed the last of these +yellow men, and the young skipper knew it. Yet, at last, he had the +stranger out on the sidewalk, one hand up to signal the driver of the +cab. + +The guide, keeping close to the motor boat boy, had managed to get out +with him. But the little fellow was shaking as though seized with the +ague. + +"Get into the cab, and help me take the young man in," ordered Tom, and +the guide was glad, indeed, to dive inside the carriage. In another +moment they were driving away. + +"Say, but you've got the nerve!" chattered the guide, his teeth knocking +together. + +"Maybe you'd have some nerve if you'd learn to leave hop alone," +rejoined Halstead. "Hop" is the Chinatown name for opium. + +Halstead sat on the rear seat, supporting the young banker beside him. +In a little while the cab again halted in front of Yum Kee's restaurant. + +"Here," said Halstead, producing a ten-dollar bill. "Take this. Skip as +soon as you like." + +"You oughter gimme more," whined the guide. + +"I've given you all I agreed. No use trying to get any more." + +The guide, thereupon, sprang out, vanishing within a few seconds. Going +to the doorway of the restaurant, yet standing where he could keep a +close watch on the cab, Tom uttered a long, low whistle. Messrs. Baldwin +and Ross saw him instantly, and came hastening out. By the time they +reached the cab the young skipper was inside again. + +"Is this your young man?" asked Halstead, almost in a whisper. + +"Yes," nodded Baldwin, a jubilant gleam showing in his eyes. + +"Better jump in, then, sir, so we can get away quickly." + +Gaston Giddings now leaned against Tom's shoulder, sleeping the sleep of +drugged stupefaction. + +"How on earth did you find him so soon?" questioned Joseph Baldwin, +leaning forward when the cab had gone beyond the confines of Chinatown. +Tom told the whole story, simply and modestly. + +"Young man," uttered Jason Ross, solemnly, "I don't believe you have any +idea, yet, of how huge a risk you ran yourself into. The Chinese +criminal is desperate at all times, but ten-fold more so when he's on +his own ground, surrounded only by his own crowd." + +"Well, I got out, didn't I?" smiled the young skipper, coolly. + +"Yes; but I marvel at it." + +"I understand more and more why Delavan recommended these youngsters to +me," breathed Joseph Baldwin, gleefully. "'Ready for anything,' he told +me, was the motto of the Motor Boat Club boys." + +When the cab rolled out onto the dock Jeff Randolph was found pacing +back and forth on the landing stage. No other member of the crew was in +sight, and Jeff stated that none of the others of Mr. Baldwin's party of +guests had yet returned. + +Gaston Giddings, still unaware of his surroundings, was helped aboard +the tender. A swift trip was made to the "Panther," and the unfortunate +young man was immediately carried below to be put to bed in one of the +stateroom berths. + +Half an hour later Mr. Baldwin's other guests returned from dinner. +Jeff, who had gone back to meet them, brought them on board, next going +back to await the arrival of Third Officer Costigan and the crew. Dr. +Gray hastened below, to attend to Giddings, and to keep him quiet, also, +after the crew should come on board. + +As for Captain Tom, after receiving Ab Perkins's report that all was +well aboard, he went to his own cabin, calling Joe Dawson, through the +speaking tube, to join him. Here Joseph Baldwin found both youngsters. + +"Captain Halstead, how much did you spend on my account, to-night?" +asked the owner. + +"Altogether, sir, twelve dollars on the guide." + +"Never mind about any change, then," rejoined Mr. Baldwin, passing over +a bank note. + +"I think I can make change for that, sir," retorted Skipper Tom, his +color rising. "I'm not out after 'tips,' you know, sir," he added, with +a smile. + +Producing a roll of money from an inner pocket, Halstead counted out +eighty-eight dollars, which he handed to the owner. + +"You may refuse, now, but I shall be even with you later," remarked +Joseph Baldwin. "And now, Captain, as soon as you can, after the crew +comes aboard, I want you to put out to sea. I'll give you more explicit +orders as soon as we're seven or eight miles west of the coast." + +"Very good, sir," replied Captain Tom, saluting as the owner turned to +leave the captain's cabin. + +"You've been running into a bit more excitement, have you?" queried Joe, +smiling. + +"A bit," laughed Halstead. Dawson asked no further questions. + +At a few minutes after midnight Mr. Costigan returned with his shore +party. + +"It's your watch below, Mr. Costigan, until eight o'clock in the +morning," First Officer Ab Perkins informed the third officer. "When +you are called to turn out we'll be at sea." + +"Very good, sir," replied Costigan, and went below to seek his berth. +Neither the third officer nor any of the crew had any suspicion that +anything unusual had happened this evening. + +"Where's Mr. Costigan?" inquired Captain Halstead, coming forward. + +"Gone below to sleep, sir," Ab replied. + +"Then I'm afraid you'll have to rout him out. He'll have to stay on deck +until he has piloted us through the Golden Gate. I want to be under way +within five minutes." + +Somewhat chagrined, Ab Perkins sent one of the crew below for the third +officer. Costigan was speedily in evidence. + +Now, one of the motors began to chug briskly below, and the two bow +anchors came speedily up, being stowed by the watch. Joe was in the +engine room with Jed Prentiss, while Captain Tom Halstead, feeling +prouder and happier than ever in his life before, climbed to the bridge +up behind the pilot house. After him went Dick Davis, whose watch it was +to stand. Mr. Costigan, after seeing the anchors stowed, started for the +bridge also. + +"Give the engine room slow speed ahead, Mr. Davis," directed Tom. + +Dick gave the bell-pull at the bridge rail the required jerk. The +"Panther" began to move gracefully ahead, while Mr. Costigan, with the +pilot-house speaking tube in his hand, called down the helmsman's +orders. + +"Dick, this is the real thing!" whispered Tom Halstead, jubilantly, in +his comrade's ear while Costigan was busy at the speaking tube. + +"It's as fine as bossing a liner," rejoined Dick Davis, +enthusiastically. + +"Better!" declared Halstead. + +Dick presently signaled the engineer for more speed. The "Panther" +ploughed through the waters of the bay, toward the Golden Gate. + +As Tom Halstead peered through the night ahead he felt another ecstatic +thrill. It was all so fine, so glorious! No doubt it was better for him, +at this moment, that he could not foresee all that lay ahead of him. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +DICK TAKES THE RESCUE BOAT TRICK + + +It wasn't long before First Officer Ab Perkins also climbed the stairs +to the bridge. + +"If this craft runs on the rocks, it won't be for want of officers at +their post," laughed Skipper Tom, gleefully. + +"I couldn't keep away," confessed Ab. "It's the first time in my life +I've ever stood on a real bridge by right. Oh, but this is a different +thing altogether from the tiny bridge-deck of a fifty-foot boat!" + +Third Officer Costigan paid no heed to the motor boat boys. Though +Costigan had never held higher rank than he now enjoyed, standing watch +on a bridge was no new sensation for him. The young Irishman thought, +mainly, of the time when he would have the "Panther" through the Gate +and well off the coast. Then he could turn in below. + +Presently a fifth person joined the little squad on the bridge. It was +Joseph Baldwin. + +"You've a clear night and an easy sea, Captain," smiled the owner. "It's +a fortunate sort of start for you." + +"Yes, sir." + +"When you're well clear of the Gate, Captain, look in on me down in the +main cabin, and I'll give you your sailing orders for the night." + +"Yes, sir." + +Halstead knew his own dignity on the bridge. He was on duty, and did not +attempt to engage the owner in any conversation other than that which +concerned his present duties. Mr. Baldwin went below just after the +"Panther's" prow was turned into the beginning of the Golden Gate, that +magnificent approach to San Francisco harbor. The Gate is some two miles +long, and nearly a mile wide, with an abundance of deep water for the +passage of the largest craft afloat. + +"What speed, sir?" asked Dick Davis. + +"Ten miles is fast enough in this channel, isn't it, Mr. Costigan?" +inquired the young captain. + +"About as much as is best, sir." + +Dick, at a sign from Halstead, communicated the order to the engine +room. Twelve minutes later the "Panther" was clearing the Gate, leaving +a track of foam behind her as Davis signaled for increased speed. + +Joe, leaving his first assistant below at the motors, now joined the +bridge squad. + +"If there's nothing more, Captain," suggested Dawson, "I'll turn in +below for the night." + +Captain Halstead nodded. Soon afterwards he went below, to the main +cabin. + +"I've come to report for orders, Mr. Baldwin," he announced. + +"They're simple enough," replied the owner. "Clear the coast by some +twenty miles; then cruise south, at not too great speed--say, about +twelve miles an hour." + +"Do these orders hold until changed, sir?" + +"Yes, Captain." + +Tom saluted, then turned as though to leave the cabin, but Mr. Baldwin +called him back. + +"You're not needed on the bridge yet, Captain. Remain with us a little +while, if you feel like it. You can see that Dr. Gray is keeping his own +watch down here in the main cabin." + +At that moment the physician, an elderly man, stepped out of a +stateroom, closing the door after him. + +"There! My patient will sleep for some hours, I think. I'll take the +upper berth in his room to-night, so that I can hear him and attend to +him if he wakes. Ah, good evening, Captain. Or is it good morning? I +have been told of your fine work--on land, at that." + +"Is Giddings going to be in anything like his right mind when he wakes?" +asked Mr. Baldwin. + +"Oh, in a general way, I think he'll know what he's saying," replied the +physician. "But he won't be at all bright before thirty-six hours have +passed. Even then I can't guarantee him. Opium drives him to the verge +of mania." + +When several of the others had engaged in conversation, and the doctor +had taken a seat near the young captain, Tom asked: + +"Is opium smoking a very great evil in San Francisco, Doctor? That is, +do very many take to it?" + +"Not a very large proportion of the white population, I am glad to +say," responded the physician. "Still, when the hop habit does get hold +of our white people it works fearful havoc with them. Opium and morphine +streak all the crime in San Francisco. These habits are the horrible +revenge that the Chinaman has taken upon the city for the persecution +the Chinaman once suffered at the hands of our hoodlums." + +"Then opium and morphine are largely responsible for the crime and vice +in the big city we have just left?" asked Halstead. + +"No; I won't say they're responsible," replied Dr. Gray. "But they color +the wickedness of San Francisco in their own way. There's a heap of +wickedness in every large city, but the crimes and vices here take on +aspects that are tremendously due to the use of opium and morphine by +the criminal classes. A very large percentage of our San Francisco +jailbirds use either opium or morphine. These drugs give them a lower +order of intelligence, and make them more cowardly, though often more +desperate when they find themselves driven into a corner. Captain +Halstead, be sure you never allow yourself to be tempted to use either +of those drugs." + +"Thank you; I don't believe I shall," smiled the young skipper. +"Especially, after what I've seen to-night." + +"Great as the curse of alcohol is," added Dr. Gray, "the bane of opium +is ten-fold greater. In two or three generations it would ruin any +race." + +"Then why isn't the Chinese nation destroyed?" asked Halstead. + +"Because, although we have imported these dread habits from China, only +a small proportion of the Chinese people use the drugs. Those who do are +the outcasts of China." + +It was growing late, so the young skipper rose, inquiring whether the +owner had any further orders for him. + +"None, thank you, Captain," replied Mr. Baldwin. + +Tom thereupon took his leave, returning to deck. The "Panther" was now +miles westward of the coast. + +"Ugh!" shivered young Halstead, as he stepped out on deck. Though it was +February, the air had been all but balmy in town. Out on the bay there +had been a little more chill in the air. But now, out on the wide +expanse of the ocean, there was a cold, damp wind blowing that seemed to +bite to the marrow after the bright warmth of the main cabin. + +Tom promptly stepped into his own cabin, taking down his deck ulster and +donning it. Then he made his way to the bridge, where Dick Davis was +pacing from side to side. + +"No; I don't want any ice cream, thank you," grinned Dick, as his +captain joined him. Davis, who wore a reefer, was beating his arms +against his sides as though to keep warm. "I've been wishing, Captain, I +could get below for my ulster." + +"Go ahead," nodded Halstead. "I'll walk the bridge until you return." +Dick needed no urging, but made speed for his stateroom below. When he +came back he looked more contented. + +"Queer climate, this," he remarked. + +"Yes," agreed the young skipper. "I'm told the thermometer never shows a +very low marking, but that the night air chills one down to the marrow +of his bones." + +For five minutes more young Halstead remained on the bridge, then went +below, after having left the customary instructions to call him to the +bridge in case he was needed. + +"Well, it's great to walk the bridge of as fine a craft as puts out of +San Francisco," Dick told himself, later on in the night. "But at night +it's mighty lonesome. I almost wish I could call one of the deckhands up +here to talk to." + +Of the seven seamen of the crew, one was assigned to work under the +first officer's orders during the daytime. The remaining six were +divided between the two watches. Of the three now at Davis's orders, one +was in the pilot house, for the purpose of relieving the quartermaster +whenever required. A second seaman, at night, stood out far forward as +bow-watch. The third made regular trips of inspection around the yacht, +unless ordered to some other duty. + +Jed Prentiss, sitting all alone down in the motor room, made the sixth +of those who were now awake on board the "Panther." At starboard and +port the colored running lights gleamed; a third light, white, twinkled +from the foremast-head. On the bridge stood a powerful searchlight whose +rays could be turned on at will. + +Thus manned, the "Panther" swept on steadily over the ocean, now headed +south. The solitary, boyish figure pacing the bridge, represented in the +night the brains and the present master-hand of this yacht, which, +equipped with a single three-inch cannon at the bow, could have outrun +or destroyed all the navies, combined, of ancient times. + +Through the night the sea roughened a good deal. The wind blew more +freshly, coming down off the land from the northeast. Still, the yacht +was in no labor in the sea, and the sky remained bright overhead. So the +second officer did not feel it necessary to disturb the rest of the +captain. + +At a quarter of eight in the morning, however, with the sun hidden +behind a haze, Dick pressed the button that sounded the electric +vibrating bell over Tom Halstead's berth. Then Davis picked up the +mouthpiece of the speaking tube to the pilot house. + +"Call the port watch," directed Dick, when the seaman had answered. + +Captain Tom came up on the bridge, pulling on his ulster as he came. He +greeted Dick, then stood looking about at the sky. + +"It has freshened up a good deal in the night," remarked the young +skipper. + +"Yes; I thought, sir, you'd want to see the weather while the watch was +changing." + +Third Officer Costigan was not long in appearing, greeting his two +superior officers as he reached the bridge. + +"Does this weather spell trouble coming on this coast, Mr. Costigan?" +questioned Halstead. + +"It'll most likely turn rougher, sir. Sometimes we get a gale out of the +northeast in February, though not as often as you do on the Atlantic. +That's all I can say, sir. How's the glass? The barometer, you see, sir, +is behaving like a gentleman at present." + +As Dick left the bridge at the changing of the watch, Tom followed him. +Halstead went to his own cabin, where he ordered his breakfast served. +This meal eaten, the young skipper, who still felt the fatigue of late +hours the night before, threw himself down on a divan. Though he had not +intended to sleep, in less than five minutes Tom Halstead had traveled +all the way to the land of Nod. + +Nor did the increased rolling and pitching of the "Panther" disturb him; +if anything, it lulled the young skipper into sounder slumber. + +By ten o'clock the gale was going more than forty miles an hour. At +eleven Ab Perkins turned the knob of the door, stepping inside. As Ab +stood there looking at the occupant of the divan, moisture dripped from +the ulster of the first officer. + +"I guess we need you on deck, sir," roared Ab, shaking the young +captain's shoulder. In a twinkling, Halstead was awake. In another +instant he was on his feet. + +"Weather is booming a bit, eh?" cried Captain Tom, eagerly. + +"Nothing near as much, sir, as this craft can stand with comfort," Ab +responded. "But we're coming up with a schooner under bare poles and +wallowing badly. Foretop-mast blown away, too, and some of the bowsprit +missing." + +"Then you did right to call me," rejoined Halstead, pulling on his shoes +swiftly, and standing up to don his cap and reefer. "I'll go on the +bridge at once." + +Baldwin and three of the passengers were on deck as Captain Tom +appeared. Halstead nodded their way, then hurriedly climbed the bridge +stairs. Now, he turned to take a look at the schooner. She lay dead +ahead, for Costigan had ordered the "Panther's" course altered so as to +speak the craft in distress. She was still about a mile distant, but for +a keen-eyed sailor it needed no glass to make out the fact that the +three-master was in utter distress. + +"Hard luck, that, in only a forty-mile blow," muttered Tom. + +"Wind-gauge shows forty-eight, sir," replied Mr. Costigan. + +"Anyway, someone must have been dozing on that schooner, to let her +canvas be blown away in such a wind," contended the young skipper. + +Then Tom picked up the marine glasses, for a good look at the craft. + +"Why, confound it, she has nothing left but a dinghy at the stern +davits," muttered Captain Halstead. "I'm afraid, Mr. Costigan, we've got +to get out our own boat." + +"I'm afraid so, sir." + +"Then tumble out the starboard watch." + +The order was given through the pilot house speaking tube. The sailor +down there with the quartermaster went below at lively speed, routing +out the sleeping watch. + +By the time they were on deck Tom Halstead was manoeuvring the motor +yacht around to leeward of the wreck. + +"Schooner, ahoy!" he bellowed through a megaphone, from the bridge end. + +"Yacht ahoy!" came back the faint answer on the breeze. "This is the +schooner 'Alert,' Seattle; Jordrey, master." + +"What help do you want, 'Alert'?" + +"We're ready to abandon our vessel. Send us a boat, if you can." + +"Boat it is, then, Captain," Tom bawled back, lustily. "Stand by to help +our boat make fast alongside your lee quarter!" + +Then, turning, glancing down at the deck, Tom called: + +"Mr. Davis, the rescue boat is the second officer's trick!" + +"Glad of it, sir," retorted Dick, his eyes glistening. + +"Lower the port life-boat. Take four men at the oars and one for the +bow. You'll have to row. The power tender would be worthless in this +sea. Mr. Perkins will take the bridge. Mr. Costigan and the +quartermasters will help you off, Mr. Davis." + +Officers and men all moved with perfect discipline. With a merry roar +they lowered the life-boat. A boarding gangway was lowered at the side, +and down this the crew of the life-boat scrambled. Dick Davis took his +place at the tiller. + +"Cast off," he commanded. "Shove off. Let fall oars. Now, then--at it, +hearties!" + +From owner and passengers a cheer went up as the boat put off in such +famous style. In another instant, however, the boat tossed like a cork +on a high, rolling wave. Then it went down in the hollow between two +billows. It was up in sight, an instant later. The men at the oars were +doing their work with a will. Over the water struggled the life-boat, +and then turned to come up under the lee quarter of the schooner. + +Suddenly Captain Tom Halstead clutched desperately at the bridge rail, +his face going deathly white. + +"Merciful heaven!" he quivered, staring hard. For, near the crest of a +wave, the life-boat heeled. Another big wave caught her. + +Dick Davis and the boat's crew had been hurled from the overturning +boat! + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE REAL KENNEBEC WAY + + +The young skipper of the "Panther" brushed his hand past his eyes. + +It was no dream, no trick of the vision. The life-boat was overturned, +riding keel upward, while two of its crew clung desperately to the keel. +A third head could be seen bobbing on the water. What had become of the +other three human beings? + +"Mr. Perkins, take command of the 'Panther,'" ordered Tom, hoarsely. +"Mr. Dawson, you and Mr. Prentiss, with two of the quartermasters and +the remaining seaman, stand by the starboard life-boat. I'll go in +charge." + +All those ordered sprang to their posts. Like a flash the davits were +swung around outward, other hands loosening the lowering tackle. + +"Captain, this is madness," remonstrated Mr. Baldwin. "If that boat +couldn't ride the water, this one can't." + +"This one must," retorted Captain Tom. "They're our own shipmates in the +water over there. Stand by to lower!" + +"Captain, I protest!" cried Baldwin. + +"Get out of the way, then, sir, and do your protesting in private," +came, sternly, from the young skipper. + +Before those flashing eyes Mr. Baldwin took a step backward. At sea the +captain, not the owner, commands, and Joseph Baldwin quickly realized +it. + +"Captain!" roared down Ab Perkins's voice from the bridge. + +On the point of giving the lowering-away order, Tom turned to look where +the first officer pointed. + +In another second Captain Halstead commanded, hoarsely: + +"Stand by your posts at the davits!" + +Then he darted forward along the rail, taking in the inspiring sight +that greeted his eyes. + +Though Dick Davis had met with bad luck, he did not mean to let it turn +into disaster. + +Seeing two of his boat's crew safe for the moment, Dick succeeded in +helping two more sailors to gain the boat. Still another was making +stubborn headway over the waves toward the side of the schooner, where +one of the crew of the wreck stood ready to cast a rope. + +And now the master of the "Alert" made a splendid cast with a line that +shot far out, uncoiling until it lay across the overturned boat. + +"Good old Dick!" breathed young Halstead, as he saw his second officer +catch the rope and pass the end quickly back past the others who clung +to the keel of the overturned life-boat. + +The swimmer had now succeeded in reaching the rope, and was being helped +up to the schooner's deck. Dick and the remaining men, besides holding +onto the overturned boat, were slowly aiding those at the schooner's +rail to haul them to greater safety. + +When Halstead saw the overturned boat made fast along under the +schooner's lee he turned to shout back: + +"Swing in the davits, but stand by. We may need our boat yet." + +Dick Davis, however, aided by his own men and those on the derelict, was +working hard to right the life-boat. When they succeeded a great cheer +went up from the watchers on the "Panther." + +"Shall I go in closer, sir?" The question came from Parkinson, the chief +steward, who, when Captain Tom made such a draft for a second crew, had +been sent to the wheel house. + +"Get your orders from the bridge," Tom called back to him. + +Though Davis had lost his oars in the upset, the master of the "Alert" +was able to supply others. Now the loading of the life boat began. On +the return trip Dick was able to have six oarsmen. All hands stowed +themselves away in the life-boat, Captain Jordrey coming last of all, +with his log, papers and instruments. Then Davis gave the order to shove +off. + +"Our friend is taking a big passenger contract, on such a rough sea," +Tom muttered, uneasily, to Joe Dawson, who had joined him. "But Dick +will pull it through, if anyone can." + +The life-boat, which was not of the largest size, lay low in the water +as she set out on her return. Every now and then one of the waves broke +with a choppy crest, to be succeeded by a long, rolling mass of water +that threatened to fill and overwhelm the boat. Dick Davis, however, +standing up, with one hand on the tiller and one knee against it, +handled his little craft with a master's skill. + +"Your friend is a wonderfully good officer, Captain," cried Joseph +Baldwin, enthusiastically. + +"Any of my other officers could do as well, sir," Tom replied, calmly. +"It's the way of the Motor Boat Club training, and its effect on boys of +sea-roving stock." + +Yet there were half a dozen times, on that perilous return trip, when +those on the deck of the "Panther" held their breath, their pulses +moving faster. + +At just the right moment Ab Perkins swung the craft around somewhat to +starboard, then headed in so that Dick Davis was able more quickly to +have the life-boat up under the yacht's broad lee. + +Then, in a moment of relief, falls and tackle were made fast to the +boat, and the rescued men began coming up over the side like so many +squirrels. + +"Where's your captain?" demanded Master Jordrey, as he came over the +side. "I want to tell him that that boy officer of his is worth a dozen +of some kinds of men I've seen." + +"I'm captain here, at your service, sir," Tom announced, with a smile. +Jordrey stared hard, for Tom was plainly much younger than Davis. + +"What is this?" gasped the master of the "Alert." "A juvenile orphan +asylum afloat, without the teachers? But no matter who you are, you know +how to handle boats, large and small. My respects, Captain." + +The two mates, cook and crew of the schooner were pressing forward. +Costigan returned to the bridge, while Ab came down to the deck again, +attending to the hoisting and stowing of the life-boat. Halstead grasped +the hand of Dick Davis as he came over the side, looking at him with a +gaze full of appreciation. + +"Where are you bound, Captain Halstead?" inquired Captain Jordrey, a man +of some forty years. + +"Cruising," Tom replied. "According to the owner's whim or orders. But +we can stow your people away somewhere on the boat until we make port, +or pass some other craft in smoother water. There's an extra stateroom +forward, below, Captain Jordrey, that you can have." + +There were also three berths, not in use, in the forecastle. For the +rest mattresses were laid, at need, on the forecastle floor. + +"It serves my owners right to lose the schooner," grumbled Jordrey. "The +canvas was worn out. I put in a requisition for new sets of sails before +leaving port, but they wouldn't let me have them." + +Joseph Baldwin approached Davis while he and Tom were talking on the +deck. + +"All I want to say, Mr. Davis," explained the owner, "is that, every +time I see you Motor Boat Club boys do anything new it only makes me +more and more glad that you're on my craft." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE CHASE OF THEIR LIVES + + +It was Saturday forenoon when the officers and men of the "Alert" were +taken from the wreck. By Sunday morning the sea was running smoothly +after the short gale. On this latter morning the steamer from San Diego +to San Francisco was sighted and hailed, and Captain Jordrey and his men +were transferred to her. + +At this time the "Panther" was cruising leisurely, first north, then +south, out of sight of land, and at a mean distance of some two hundred +miles from the Golden Gate. + +On this Sunday morning young Gaston Giddings appeared on deck. He +appeared to have entirely recovered from his late debauch, though his +eyes lacked their natural luster. He was tastefully attired in a new +suit and topcoat taken from his wardrobe on board. He and Joseph Baldwin +walked much together, talking, and once in a while Mr. Ross joined them. + +"Captain," called the owner, as young Halstead stepped on deck. + +"Yes, sir," responded Tom, approaching. + +"Mr. Giddings understands the part you played Friday night," went on +Mr. Baldwin, in a low voice. + +"And I wish to thank you, of course," put in Giddings, holding out his +hand, though it seemed to the young skipper that his own pressure was +not very cordially returned. + +"You're welcome, of course, Mr. Giddings," smiled Halstead, "though I +hope I shall never have a chance to render the same service again." + +"I hope not," sighed the young man. Though Tom did not stare +impertinently, he looked into the young man's face long enough to note +the lifelessness depicted there, and the weakness of the mouth. + +"It seems queer to think of such a young fellow, and such a pulseless +piece of putty, being president of a great bank," thought Tom to +himself. "However, of course, if he inherited the controlling stock, he +could see to it that he was elected to the post." + +Dr. Gray, though he did not often speak to Giddings, hovered on deck, +keeping a rather watchful look over the young man. + +During the afternoon Tom had occasion to go to the main cabin briefly. +Mr. Baldwin looked around from the table at which he sat with his +guests. He nodded to the young captain, then turned back to the pile of +papers that he had evidently been discussing with his guests. + +"You needn't go, Captain," called the owner over his shoulder. "We are +talking business, but we know you have no ears, away from your duties. +Now, Giddings, as I've been explaining to you, we need ten million +dollars in cash to put this matter in motion. Your bank, the Sheepmen's, +then, will advance five millions on the collateral we have been +discussing, and the syndicate of banks that I have named will put up the +other five millions. That will start the matter in motion. Then, when we +come to the second step in the game, we shall have to be ready with +fifteen millions, and of this money the Sheepmen's----" + +Tom Halstead heard, yet didn't hear. It was all a matter of listless +indifference to him what these men of the money world were planning in +the way of new and big enterprises. The young captain would have been +much more interested in reading the "Panther's" patent log. + +"Are you certain, Giddings, that you have facilities for turning over +the five millions to us at once?" asked Mr. Ross. + +"Why, we've been calling in cash for some days," replied Gaston +Giddings. "We've been preparing for this demand of yours for money. +Then, you know, we secured the whole of the Treasury Department's last +apportionment of thousand-dollar Treasury notes. We have three million +dollars' worth of these notes locked in our vaults at this moment. +That's good enough money for you, isn't it?" demanded the young bank +president, boastfully. + +"Yes," muttered Ross, "if it's all there when we get back." + +"What do you mean?" demanded Giddings, flushing. + +"I guess you know how highly I esteem your cashier, Rollings?" + +"He's all right," declared Giddings, hotly. + +"As long as I don't own any stock in your bank I'm not worrying," +replied Ross, rather shortly. "It's none of my business, young man; yet, +as one of your father's friends, I can't help being uneasy over the +thought that Rollings has the combination of your main vault." + +"If he didn't have, I could hardly take these jaunts out to sea," +retorted the young man. + +"Yes, you could; Hawkins, your vice-president and your father's before +you, is a man to be trusted with anything. Hawkins could go to the main +vault whenever necessary. For Rollings to have that combination----" + +"I don't want to hear any more of this!" cried Giddings, hotly, rising +from the table. + +"You don't need to, then," rejoined Mr. Ross, coolly. "You know what I +_think_." + +"Don't get in a huff, Gaston," put in Joseph Baldwin, briskly. "Ross has +told you, plainly, in so many words, just what other friends of yours +think of Rollings. He's an able banking man, but none of us think too +highly of his honesty. You'll find that two of your own directors, Mr. +Pendleton and Mr. Howe, who are here, agree with Mr. Ross and myself." + +Mr. Howe remained silent, tapping the table with a pencil, but Mr. +Pendleton said, slowly: + +"Oh, I guess Frank Rollings is all right. Still, I wish, with the +others, that he didn't have such easy access to three millions of +dollars in bills of such large denomination that the whole sum could be +carried off in a satchel." + +"Gentlemen," announced Giddings, rather stiffly, "when we reach San +Francisco to-morrow morning, and find that the money is all safe, I +shall consider that I have the apology of each one of you for the doubts +thrown at my friend, Frank Rollings, behind his back." + +That was the last that Tom Halstead heard, for he left the cabin. At +eight o'clock that evening, however, the young skipper received his +orders from Mr. Baldwin to make San Francisco at ten the following +forenoon. Almost to the minute the yacht's bow anchors were let go at +her usual moorings in San Francisco Bay. The power tender was lowered +over the side, to take Mr. Baldwin and his guests ashore, Quartermaster +Bickson going along to handle the boat. + +"Come along with us, if you like, Captain," invited Mr. Baldwin. "After +we get through our business at the bank our party will lunch at one of +the clubs. It ought to be pleasant for you." + +Tom gratefully accepted, making a swift change from his uniform to +ordinary street dress. + +Gaston Giddings held his head a good deal higher than usual when he led +the party from carriages into the sombre, solid old building in which +the Sheepmen's Bank was housed. The young president conducted his party +through the long counting room and into the president's office at the +rear. + +Here Giddings took command, as by right. Showing his guests to seats, he +stepped over to a massive roll-top desk, unlocking it and throwing the +roll up. Then he pressed a button on his desk. One of the bank's +messengers entered. + +"Ask Mr. Rollings to come in," desired Giddings. + +The messenger soon returned, to report: + +"Mr. Rollings is out at this moment. Mr. Conroy, the first assistant +cashier, is at his desk." + +"Mr. Conroy will do, then." + +The first assistant cashier was soon in the president's office. To him +Giddings explained about the loan that had been decided upon. + +"I will prepare a list, Mr. Conroy, of stable securities on which I wish +you to raise two million dollars in cash at once. But, first of all, get +Mr. Hawkins to go to the main vault with you. Tell Mr. Hawkins that I +wish the three millions in thousand-dollar notes brought here. You come +back here with Mr. Hawkins." + +"Can it be delayed for just a little while, sir?" inquired Conroy. "Two +of the United States bank examiners are here, prepared to go over our +assets." + +"Bring that three million here at once," rapped out Gaston Giddings, +rather sharply. "The bank examiners may come in here and help in +counting it here in my office. Now, go; carry out my orders, precisely." + +Mr. Conroy departed in haste. While he was gone the two bank examiners +entered the president's room. Giddings greeted them, asking them to take +seats. Cigars were passed about by a messenger. The air was rather thick +with smoke when Conroy returned, accompanied by the aged +vice-president, Mr. Hawkins. The latter carried a satchel, which he took +to the large centre table. + +"The money there?" inquired Giddings. + +"Yes, sir," responded Mr. Hawkins. "I understood that you wished to look +it over here." + +As Giddings laid down his cigar, moving over to the table, the two bank +examiners joined the bank's officers. + +Not a very imposing-looking pile was revealed when Mr. Hawkins opened +the satchel, drawing forth the contents--three not very large packages +covered with numerous heavy seals. + +"As I'll probably never see three million dollars again in my life, I'll +try to get a good look now," thought Tom Halstead, keenly alive with +interest. He sat at some distance from the table, but had a good view. + +Gaston Giddings himself opened one of the packages. He broke the seals +deliberately, then unfolded many wrappings. Suddenly the contents of the +package fell to the polished mahogany surface of the table, followed by +the frenzied gaze of the young president. + +"_Nothing but blank brown paper!_" he screamed, hoarsely. He collapsed, +falling with his arms across the table, his eyes bulging as though an +epileptic seizure threatened him. + +With a fearful gasp Henry Hawkins snatched up another package, tearing +it nervously apart. Conroy did the same with the third package. In each +case the result was the same. + +"Three million dollars worth of brown paper!" clicked one of the bank +examiners. + +Gaston Giddings, moaning piteously, turned, tottering back to his desk, +where he fell heavily into his chair, next letting his head fall forward +on his arms. Messrs. Hawkins and Conroy recovered much more quickly. +They darted out into the counting room, but presently came back to +report. + +Frank Rollings had been gone more than an hour. When he left, he had +carried a satchel. Some fifteen minutes before leaving the bank he had +been in the main vault, the huge steel door of which he had afterwards +closed. Conroy was now in that vault, with several subordinates, engaged +in making a rapid survey of the other contents. + +In the president's room Henry Hawkins, who no longer waited to consult +the almost paralyzed young president, went swiftly to the telephone. The +Bankers' Protective Association, advised by telephone, swiftly had half +a dozen detectives scurrying to the bayside, to take up the trail at the +ferry that furnishes the sole avenue to the east. Others of these +detectives covered the docks of vessels due to sail that day from the +port of San Francisco. + +Nor did the bank examiners present fail to do their duty promptly. +Within a few minutes a United States assistant district attorney and two +deputy marshals arrived at the bank. + +From the first moment none who had knowledge of the affair believed +Frank Rollings, the absent cashier, to be innocent. The assistant +district attorney swiftly drew up an information, which Giddings and +Hawkins signed under oath. The law's officer rushed off to get from a +United States judge a brief warrant authorizing the arrest of the +cashier, for the Sheepmen's was a national bank, and the robbery came +under the jurisdiction of the United States courts. + +Then came a telephone message from the Banker's Association: + +"One of our detectives has learned that Rollings sailed, an hour ago, on +the steam yacht, 'Victor.' An observer at the Cliff House reports that +he has made out the 'Victor,' some miles from the coast, hull-down to +the southwest!" + +That news electrified those in the bank president's office. They sprang +into action. Automobiles were summoned to the door of the bank. Joseph +Baldwin's same party sped back to the water front. Another 'phone +message summoned the assistant district attorney and his marshals to +meet them at the landing stage. + +It was all carried through with a rush. Hardly had the last member of +the party stepped over the side of the "Panther" before Tom Halstead had +the anchors up and stowed. The young skipper himself, from the bridge, +rang the engine room bell for half speed ahead, quickly changing this to +full speed. + +"Are you in the engine room, Joe Dawson?" called Skipper Tom, through +the speaking tube. + +"Right on hand!" came the answer. + +"Then whoop up the speed for all you're worth. Let's have it all--every +bit. We're on the chase of our lives!" + +Captain Tom Halstead was still on the bridge when the Golden Gate was +left behind. He was still there, more than two hours later, when the +upper spars of a vessel believed to be the "Victor" were made out on the +far southwestern horizon. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +COMING TO CLOSE, DANGEROUS QUARTERS + + +"Have any of you gentlemen ever had a good, long look at the 'Victor'?" +shouted Captain Tom, leaning down over the starboard bridge rail. + +"I have," admitted Mr. Baldwin. + +"Then I think you'd better come up here, sir, and take one of the +glasses." + +"Think you've sighted her?" demanded Baldwin, eagerly, as he raced up +the steps. + +"We've sighted some yacht. We've got to cut down a few miles of the +distance between us before we can be sure about the stranger." + +Then, while Baldwin held the glasses to his eyes, Dick Davis showing him +where to look, Halstead snatched up the engine room speaking tube. + +"Joe, give us more of that hot-foot, if it's in the old motors. We think +we're in chase--but, oh, man, man! How we need speed now!" + +"I can't be sure of anything yet," complained Mr. Baldwin, in a +depressed tone. "We've got to be nearer, and see the hull of the craft +yonder, before I can feel sure about her." + +"I'm pretty near sure, now, that it's the 'Victor,'" muttered Halstead, +after he had picked up his own marine glass and used it for a few +seconds. + +"Why do you say that?" demanded the owner. + +"Our masts must be visible to the commander of the other craft. As if he +suspected pursuit, he's crowding on steam. See that big cloud of black +smoke coming up between the other craft's masts?" + +"Yes! You're right." + +"Now, unless a captain who is already moving under good speed is trying +to escape something, he doesn't suddenly throw on his furnace drafts in +that fashion," went on Tom, hurriedly. "So, Mr. Baldwin, I think you may +feel sure that you're speeding along in the wake of the 'Victor.'" + +"I'll have to call Jephson up here and show him this," cried the owner, +moving to the bridge rail. + +"All right, sir. But don't ask any others up. We've got a hard chase in +hand, and don't want enough folks up here to interfere with the handling +of the 'Panther.'" + +Jephson started quickly forward at the call. + +"Have you sighted the runaway craft?" called Mr. Ross, also starting +forward. + +"We think so," Mr. Baldwin answered. "But don't come up here. Captain +Halstead doesn't want a crowd on the bridge. All the space up here is +needed for handling the yacht." + +Mr. Jephson saw what there was to see. He added his belief that they +were in the wake of the "Victor." + +"Are you going to be able to overtake her, Captain?" he demanded, +eagerly. + +"We're going to try," Tom responded, anxiously. "We've only four hours +of daylight, or so, left to us. If we can get close enough, however, we +ought to hold the 'Victor' after dark with our searchlight." + +"You'll overtake her, of course!" declared Joseph Baldwin, abruptly. + +"Yet the 'Victor' is said to be a very fast boat, sir." + +"So is the 'Panther,'" retorted the owner. "Besides, Captain Halstead, +we've _got_ to overtake her!" + +Tom Halstead took up the mouth-piece of the engine room speaking tube. + +"That you, chief?" he asked. "I think you'd better come to the bridge, +watch the chase, and see what you have to beat." + +Joe Dawson came immediately to the bridge. Presently he used the tube, +calling down very definite instructions to Jed Prentiss, whose trick it +was at the motors. + +"Keep a close eye on your helmsman's work, Mr. Davis," the young captain +directed. "See to it that he doesn't waver a hair's breadth in bearing +down on the stranger. Any speed lost in steering would be a useless +waste." + +While Joe remained on the bridge, Halstead soon went to the deck below. +Mr. Baldwin followed him. + +"If you can make the 'Panther' show all I think there is in her, +Captain," commented the owner, "then we should overtake that other craft +and have this chase ended in a few hours." + +"The 'Panther' is doing, now, sir, all that she is capable of doing +under her motors alone. The result of this race depends mainly on how +well the steam yacht is handled, for she seems very nearly, if not +quite, as speedy as your yacht." + +"Is the 'Panther' going at absolutely her last quarter of a mile?" + +"Chief Engineer Dawson informs me that he might get a little more speed +out of the motors, but that he feels it wouldn't be altogether safe to +try." + +"Wouldn't a hoist of sail help us?" + +"Not with the wind from the present quarter," Tom replied, +thoughtfully. "I have already been considering that." + +"It seems hard to be beaten," sighed Joseph Baldwin. "It is hard, even, +not to find ourselves racing right up on the 'Victor.'" + +"We haven't been beaten yet, sir," smiled Halstead. "Nor are we beaten +as long as we have the other boat in sight." + +As Baldwin turned and stepped over to the rail, he saw Skipper Tom +moving away. + +"Where are you going, Captain?" + +"To my cabin, sir, to take a nap." + +"Nap?" echoed the owner, in great amazement. + +"Yes, sir; I am afraid I shall be up about all night. Just now there's a +chance for me to store up some sleep." + +"But the chase?" + +"Mr. Davis will have his orders to call me if we appear to be losing +ground at all." + +Mr. Baldwin looked his astonishment. He did not yet know the Motor Boat +Club boys as well as he might have done. Dick Davis was up on the +bridge, keen-eyed and alert. Dick knew well enough what to do, and he +could call the young captain at need. Besides, Joe Dawson was up there +with the second officer, watching the relative speeds of the two boats. + +When Tom Halstead turned out again he had put two hours of sleep into +his supply of reserve force. + +"How do we stand, now, Mr. Davis?" asked the young skipper, reaching for +the speaking tube. + +"We've been gaining, sir. We can make out the upper hull, now. Mr. +Baldwin is here on the bridge, and declares the stranger is the +'Victor.' One of the deputy marshals, who knows the boat well, is also +certain." + +"Is the 'Victor' burning coal as hard as ever?" + +"Just as hard, sir." + +"And we're gaining? That shows we can overhaul the other craft in time. +How's the weather?" + +"Slight haze, Captain, but fine weather," reported Dick Davis. + +So Captain Tom Halstead felt that he could still safely take his time, +for he expected to be all night on duty. He indulged in the luxury of a +bath, dressed comfortably, drew on his reefer, then leisurely left his +cabin, ascending the stairs to the bridge. + +"I've hardly been away from here," announced Mr. Baldwin. + +"I doubt if I shall be, to-night, sir," Tom answered. + +"You speak of to-night as though you thought the chase would last +through the hours of darkness." + +"And doesn't it seem likely to you that it will, Mr. Baldwin, unless +something happens to the 'Victor'?" + +"I fear I was never built for slow, patient work like this," sighed the +financier. "Gaining one second in every hour would wear me out in time." + +Before dark Captain Halstead had the hull clearly in sight. The +"Victor," however, was still some five miles in the lead, nor did the +"Panther" appear to be gaining, much more than half a mile an hour. + +It was Third Officer Costigan's watch on the bridge, by this time. Dick +Davis, however, did not feel like turning in, and spent much of his time +pacing the deck forward, keeping a sharp lookout. + +Just before dark the motor yacht's searchlight was turned on. A few +minutes later its thin, bright ribbon of light was kept almost +constantly turned on the craft ahead. + +Tom Halstead and Joe spent a comfortable amount of time over their +dinner at table in the captain's cabin. + +"I guess Mr. Baldwin wonders that we can take any comfort at this sort +of thing," laughed Joe. "I'll wager he doesn't give much time to his +supper to-night." + +"Perhaps we wouldn't, either, if we owned considerable stock in the +Sheepmen's Bank, as Mr. Baldwin does," murmured Halstead. "For him, and +for some of the others aboard, this race is for tremendously heavy +stakes. I wish, though, that Mr. Baldwin could realize that, even if we +do eat, and even nap, we are straining every nerve to catch up with the +other boat." + +Just then the buzzer for the bridge speaking tube sounded. Tom was able +to reach the mouthpiece without leaving the table. + +"Captain," reported Mr. Costigan, "the craft ahead seems to be making +somewhat less speed." + +"Does it look like a break-down?" asked the young skipper. + +"Can't say, sir. But the 'Victor' must be going two miles an hour slower +than she was ten minutes ago." + +"That's the best news I've heard, Mr. Costigan. Watch your helmsman's +work. Let me know if anything more happens. Anyway, I'll be on the +bridge as soon as I've finished dinner." + +Joe, who had jumped up while he heard his chum speaking, now looked +astonished. + +"Going to finish your dinner, Tom, after hearing such news as that?" + +"Yes. Why not? Oh, I'm enthusiastic enough, but it takes gasoline, not +enthusiasm, to keep motors going. You might call the news down to Jeff +Randolph, though, and see whether he thinks he can put on any more spurt +without danger." + +Jeff Randolph reported that the motors were going at top speed. + +Chief Steward Parkinson came in to remove the dishes for that course. +His face was glowing. + +"Mr. Baldwin's up on the bridge, Captain," reported the steward. + +"I thought he would be," nodded the young skipper, coolly. + +Twenty minutes later, when Captain Tom Halstead had finished the last of +the meal, he rose, donning his cap, then pulling on his deck ulster. + +"Now," he remarked, quietly, "I think I'll go above and have a look." + +Joe Dawson followed at his heels. The long beam of the searchlight +trailed out over the water, its further end resting across the stern of +the "Victor." Mr. Costigan had ordered a sailor to the bridge, whose +sole duty was to keep the searchlight trained. + +"This race can't last much longer," cried Mr. Baldwin, gleefully. + +"The present indications, sir," Tom replied, "are that it will last more +than long enough for you to go below and have your dinner, Mr. Baldwin, +if you want it." + +"I think I will go," laughed the owner. "Standing up here, watching, +watching all the time, my nerves are getting thready. You'll call me, of +course, if----" + +"When we get near enough to hail the other boat, sir," Tom Halstead +replied, gravely. + +Dinner was not quite over in the main cabin when Skipper Tom uttered a +sudden exclamation that made Costigan wheel about. + +The "Victor" was palpably slowing down. + +"What can that mean?" demanded Halstead. + +"A crank-pin loose, or some other trouble with the machinery, sir?" +suggested the third officer. + +Tom Halstead quickly summoned the sailor who was with the quartermaster +in the pilot house. + +"Go to the main cabin, with my compliments, and tell Mr. Baldwin that +the other craft is slowing down," ordered Tom. + +There was a rush from below. The assistant from the United States +district attorney's office took but a brief look, then dived below to +find his two deputy marshals. These two officers followed their +superior to the deck, stationing themselves in the bow. + +"Captain," shouted Mr. Jephson, "will you go up close enough so that I +can hail them?" + +"When we overtake the steam yacht," Captain Halstead shouted back, "I +shall run up to starboard of her, and as close as I can without danger +of collision." + +"That will do excellently, Captain," assented the district attorney's +assistant. + +The "Panther" was now rapidly closing in on the distance that separated +the two craft. As yet, however, the motor yacht remained almost fairly +astern. + +Suddenly, from one of the stern port-holes of the steam yacht there came +two red flashes. A bullet crashed through the glass in the front window +of the "Panther's" pilot house. Captain Tom was standing with his head +some two feet from the searchlight. The second bullet whizzed between +his head and the light. + +Almost instantly two more flashes showed ahead. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +GASTON GIDDINGS MAKES TROUBLE + + +THE second pair of bullets passed overhead, though close enough for +their whistling song to be heard. + +In a jiffy there was a mad scramble to get away from the bridge. Captain +Tom Halstead and Third Officer Costigan had that place to themselves. + +"Throw the wheel over three points to the starboard! Hold to a course +three points off the present one," called Halstead, sharply. + +"You men answer with your revolvers," was Mr. Jephson's order. + +"Our revolvers wouldn't carry that far, sir," objected one of the deputy +marshals. + +"I know it, but let those scoundrels discover that we have firearms +too," retorted the district attorney's assistant. + +So the futile revolver shots flashed out. In answer a rifle bullet +carried away the hat of one of the deputies. + +"That's confounded close shooting," coolly uttered the unhatted one, +running down the deck after his head gear. + +Another shot flew by close to the searchlight. + +"That's the mark the scoundrels are aiming at," muttered the young +skipper, angrily. "Turn off the current, Mr. Costigan, and I'll unship +the light." + +This done, the big reflector and the bulb behind it were taken down to +the pilot house by one of the sailors. + +"You confounded pirates!" roared the district attorney, shaking his fist +in the direction of the "Victor." + +"That _was_ actual piracy, wasn't it?" questioned Mr. Baldwin. + +"Nothing else!" retorted the assistant, angrily, as he came down aft to +place the wheel house between himself and that other craft. "If we ever +get that captain and crew on shore we'll make 'em smart in a trial for +piracy!" + +Having veered off the course of direct pursuit, Captain Halstead was now +steering ahead, meaning to run parallel with the "Victor." He kept half +a mile away, but, even had the other craft lowered its running lights, +the starlight was bright enough to enable the bridge officer to keep the +"Victor" in sight. + +"Try to keep just this distance, Mr. Costigan," directed Tom Halstead. + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +Tom then descended to the deck, where he sauntered up to the excited +group. + +"What's your guess, Halstead, as to the meaning of those shots?" +questioned Mr. Baldwin. + +"Well, of course," replied Tom, slowly, "the master of that other yacht +would be glad to see our searchlight smashed. That was one reason for +the firing." + +"And another?" + +"Why, I imagine, sir, those people want us to know that they carry +rifles. They want to show us the folly of thinking we can pursue and +board them." + +"This pursuit should really have been undertaken by a naval vessel or +revenue cutter," said Mr. Jephson, rather disgustedly. "One shot from +the bowgun of an armed vessel would bring that yacht lying to in a +jiffy." + +"Humph!" grunted the practical Mr. Baldwin. "There isn't a cutter or +gunboat in San Francisco waters fast enough to overtake either of these +boats." + +"I don't understand, sir," put in Halstead, quietly, "why you haven't +had a wireless telegraph apparatus installed aboard this yacht. Why, +even the little fifty-five foot boat that Dawson and I own has a +wireless installation." + +"What would you do with one, if you had it on board now?" asked Mr. +Baldwin. + +"Do?" repeated Halstead. "Why, we could signal in all directions. There +may be some fast cruiser or torpedo boat destroyer, out of our sight, +yet within reach by wireless. If we could pick up one such vessel now, +we could soon end this chase, and without bloodshed. Even any foreign +war vessel would answer, for all war vessels have the right to overhaul +and capture pirates. Any warship of any nation in the world would act, +now, on a request from Mr. Jephson, who represents the United States. +And such help may be not twenty miles off, but we have no wireless with +which to find out." + +"As we haven't a wireless installation," pursued Mr. Baldwin, "what are +we going to do now, Mr. Jephson?" + +"I trust you'll continue to keep that other yacht in sight," replied the +assistant district attorney. "We may yet meet a warship or a revenue +cutter." + +"Any kind of a vessel we meet may have a few rifles on board that we +could borrow or buy," suggested Captain Tom. + +"Anyway," decided Mr. Baldwin, "we'll keep that pirate craft right in +sight if we can, and as long as we can. We'll trust for something to +turn up that will throw luck in our way." + +The "Victor" which was of some ten feet greater length than the +"Panther," looked like a boat which, despite her speed, was built to +carry a good deal of coal. + +Yet, through the next few hours that followed, no attempt was made by +those handling the steam craft to get her best speed out of her. It +looked as though her sailing master and engineer meant to save some +coal, now that the "Panther" had caught up and could keep up. Both +vessels continued at a speed of some sixteen miles per hour. + +Mr. Baldwin and his guests remained on deck. So did young Halstead, who +had decided that he must now do with but little sleep while the chase +continued in its present phase. + +"Any sharp little sea-trick might enable the other fellows to slip away +from us," he declared to the owner. "Every man on board ought to help in +the good work on hand." + +At about eleven o'clock the young skipper left Mr. Costigan on the +bridge, and went below, though he did not turn in. + +Nor had any of the passengers sought their berths. All of Mr. Baldwin's +friends were on deck. Young Gaston Giddings, however, paced nervously, +apart from the rest. + +"He's fretting over his folly in keeping Rollings in such an important +post, and giving the rascal the chance to run away with all that money, +I suppose," thought the young skipper. + +Somehow, Tom could not help watching Giddings a good deal. It was the +nervous hitch in the young man's gait that first caught Halstead's eye. +Presently the young captain of the "Panther" strolled slowly by Gaston +Giddings. + +"Confound it, what a queer, restless look there is in the fellow's +eyes," thought Tom, uneasy, though he could hardly have explained why. + +After that Halstead watched the young bank president even more closely, +though he took pains to hide the scrutiny. + +A request from Mr. Jephson called the cabin party over to the port rail +to watch the "Victor." The instant the last of his companions had gone +forward, and had passed around the pilot house, Giddings, after a swift +look about him, stole into the dining saloon. + +Tom Halstead, ostensibly lounging behind one of the life-boats, saw this +move. + +"Now, what's he up to?" muttered Tom. "Mischief, judging by his queer +antics. We've mischief enough to deal with, without having it take place +right on board our own boat!" + +Halstead stole forward in time to see Giddings darting down the +staircase into the main cabin. + +"I'll just get down where I can watch this," muttered Tom. Concealed +near the foot of the staircase, he saw Giddings, with some sort of a +small tool, prying the lock of Dr. Gray's medicine case open. + +"Oho!" muttered Halstead, as he saw young Mr. Giddings abstract a +small, screw-capped vial. "There's morphine in that doctor's outfit, and +Giddings has guessed it!" + +Tossing the medicine case back into the doctor's stateroom, Gaston +Giddings stole up the after-companionway to the deck aft. + +"With all our other troubles aboard, I don't believe we want any +morphine maniacs here!" muttered Tom Halstead, excitedly. + +Giddings, quivering with eagerness, trembling with aggravated +nervousness, leaned against the stern rail, glancing out over the water +as he drew the screw-capped vial from his pocket. + +Just as he started to remove the cap from the bottle, a hand shot around +him from the rear. + +The young skipper of the "Panther" snatched the vial, remarking coolly: + +"Mr. Giddings, you don't need that stuff, and no one on board wants you +to have it." + +With a swift movement, Halstead dropped the vial into one of his +pockets. + +"You confounded thief!" hissed Gaston Giddings. + +Swift as a flash, in his rage, the young man sprang at the youthful +skipper of the yacht. + +"You'll give that back to me, or go overboard!" snarled the victim of +the drug habit. + +"If you get it, it'll be after I'm overboard," snapped back Tom. + +In another instant Giddings's fingers were wrapped in a tight hold +about Tom's throat. The drug maniac seemed possessed, for the instant, +of the strength of half a dozen men. + +The young skipper himself was no weakling, but now he had his hands +full. + +Even had he been so minded, he could not have called for help. Backward +and forward the pair struggled for a few seconds. Then the young skipper +found himself growing weaker for lack of air. + +With a triumphant snarl Gaston Giddings forced his antagonist to the +stern rail. Still Tom Halstead fought furiously, silently, with that +tight grip at his throat making his brain reel. He realized that Gaston +Giddings was winning the victory! + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +TOO-WHOO-OO! IS THE WORD + + +IN that last desperate moment Tom Halstead employed the trick he had +hesitated to use. + +He raised one of his feet, kicking smartly at the left knee-cap of his +assailant. + +With a groan, Giddings weakened his hold, for the pain following the +kick was intense. + +Throwing both his arms tightly around the young man, Halstead held on, +drawing himself back to the deck as Giddings fell back. + +"You're not going to fool me that way!" snarled the young drug maniac. +He made another spring, trying to forget the pain in his knee. + +But Halstead had regained his footing fully. Now, he dodged, then closed +in, tripping Giddings and throwing him heavily to the deck. + +"What's this? What's this going on?" demanded Joseph Baldwin, running +back along the port side, followed by Mr. Ross and Dr. Gray. + +Halstead was now on top of his assailant, and, though Giddings still +tried to fight with fury, his strength was deserting him. + +"One of you hold him," urged Captain Tom, "and I'll get up and explain." + +"Did he attack you?" insisted Mr. Baldwin. + +"Well, rather," grunted Halstead. + +"Let him up. He won't dare attack you again, with so many about." + +"No; but he may try to jump overboard," retorted Halstead. "Mr. Giddings +has another drug streak on him. He's not responsible for what he does." + +"I guess that's right," nodded Dr. Gray. "Baldwin, you and Mr. Ross hold +him, while the captain gets up and tells us what has happened." + +The young skipper quickly explained, producing the vial he had snatched +from the young bank president. + +"That's all the morphine I have with me," remarked Dr. Gray. "I'll make +sure of keeping that, hereafter, where no one but myself can find it. +Mr. Baldwin, you'd better get the young man below. Use force, if you +find it necessary." + +They accomplished this without having attracted the attention of any of +the sailors or stewards. Mr. Giddings was then unceremoniously thrust +into his stateroom, and the door locked, though this was not until the +physician had searched the young man, removing his pocket knife and also +the tool that the drug victim had used in forcing the lock of the +medicine case. + +"I did what I thought was right," Halstead explained. + +"And I'm mighty glad you saw him, and acted so promptly," replied the +physician. + +Through the rest of the night the physician had a battle with his +patient, working hard to keep a more pronounced streak of mania from +coming on. It is to such fearful torments that "hop-fiends" and morphine +users are always exposed in the end. + +At midnight Dick Davis again went on the bridge, beginning his eight +hours' watch. Though Halstead had the utmost faith in the skill and +judgment of his friend, he, also, remained up until nearly four o'clock +in the morning. Then he turned to leave the bridge. + +"I'm going to my cabin now, Mr. Davis, to turn in on my sofa for a +while. If I am needed for anything at all, don't hesitate to call me +instantly." + +"Aye, aye, Captain," Dick replied. + +Barely two hours had the young skipper slept when the sharp, jarring +tones of the vibrating electric bell from the bridge rang over his head. +Tom was up in an instant, pulling on his shoes. As he reached for his +deck ulster and cap there came from overhead a note that told him at +once why he was wanted. + +Too-whoo-oo-oo! + +"Fog!" gasped the young yacht captain. "Of all the confounded luck!" + +With his ulster over his arm he threw open the door of his cabin, making +for the bridge steps. + +The mist was yet light and curling as Captain Halstead reached the open. +Second Officer Dick Davis met him at the head of the steps. + +"How long has this been coming on?" demanded Halstead. + +"The first little puffs rolled in half an hour ago," replied Dick. "You +see, I've put in closer to the enemy. We're still well in sight, or I'd +have called you earlier." + +The motor yacht was now running along abreast of the "Victor," and less +than three hundred yards distant. The steam yacht's lights were in plain +sight, save when occasional puffs of fog obscured them briefly. + +Tom groaned with excitement. + +"This is going to get heavier," he muttered. + +"Yes, sir," nodded Davis. "Still, I didn't believe it necessary to call +you until I had to use the whistle." + +Too-whoo-oo-oo! sounded the auto fog-horn, controlled by the sailor on +watch in the pilot-house with the quartermaster. + +"You did right, Mr. Davis," the young skipper nodded. "But we're going +to be up against it in half an hour. Where's your extra man of the +watch?" + +Davis blew a thrilling blast on his mate's whistle. In answer the third +sailor of the watch came running to the bridge steps. + +"My man," called down Halstead, "go at once to Mr. Baldwin's stateroom +door, and tell him, with my compliments, that I believe he'd better come +to the bridge at once." + +Even with so imperative a summons as this, five or six minutes passed +before the owner appeared on the scene. + +"Good heavens, Captain!" gasped Joseph Baldwin. "And this white curtain +is thickening all the time, isn't it?" + +"The fog is beginning to roll in fast, now, sir. Mr. Davis, alter the +course so as to bring us a hundred yards closer to the 'Victor.' We've +got to keep her in sight to the last moment." + +"We've got to keep that other boat in sight all the time," retorted Mr. +Baldwin. + +"As close as we can go without running her down," Halstead answered. +"We've the rules of the sea to obey, sir, at any cost." + +"Go and call Mr. Jephson here," shouted down Mr. Baldwin, to the sailor, +who was still standing by at the port rail. + +In another five minutes the representative of the United States district +attorney at San Francisco was beside them on the bridge. + +Dick Davis had now manoeuvred the "Panther" in within one hundred and +fifty yards of the "Victor." Closer than that Tom Halstead did not dare +to go. Even this he considered almost too little sea-way. + +"May the furies consume the luck!" growled the man of the law. "Yet, of +course, we might have looked for this! It's bound to happen on this +coast. A genuine, four-ply, real old 'Frisco fog reaching out to +encompass us and let those blackguards yonder get away!" + +Aboard the other yacht few signs of human life showed. One figure, +wrapped in a great coat and topped by a sou'wester, huddled in the bow. +That was the bow watch of the "Victor." As the light of coming morning +began to filter through the increasing fog, it was possible, now and +then, to make out a figure in the steam yacht's wheel house. A watch +officer tramped the bridge. No other figures appeared. Once the steam +yacht's watch officer looked directly over at his foes, and a cunning +grin illumined his face. + +"That's a great face to show above the hangman's noose!" bellowed Mr. +Jephson, angrily, through the megaphone that he snatched up. + +Captain Tom suddenly darted from the bridge, running to his cabin. When +he came back he carried a pair of revolvers, one of which he handed to +Dick Davis. + +"Mr. Jephson, the fellows on that craft may open fire on us, at any +moment, hoping to make us drop back into the fog. If they do, we'd +better shoot back, eh, sir?" + +"If they open fire on us," replied the assistant district attorney, +promptly, "I order Mr. Davis and yourself to return it." + +To make matters more emphatic, Mr. Jephson passed the word to have his +two deputy marshals aroused at once and ordered to the deck. + +Still, though the day broadened, the fog rolled in so thick and heavy +that the steam yacht, nearby though it was, became more and more +obscured. + +Both yachts sounded their fog-horns simultaneously just as a final big, +thick, white blanket of mist rolled in and shut them out of each other's +view. + +"Done! Beaten out!" groaned Mr. Jephson, savagely. "It's only a question +of minutes, now, when we shall have lost all trail of that craft on this +hidden waste of water!" + +"Only a question of minutes?" repeated Tom Halstead, grimly. "Is it?" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE CALL FROM OUT OF THE FOG + + +Out of the dense fog to port came a chorus of derisive yells, then a +prolonged blast of the "Victor's" fog-horn. + +"That's as much as saying it's the last time we'll hear their toot," +burst, savagely, from Mr. Baldwin. + +"Maybe it _is_ the last time," admitted Tom. + +Mr. Jephson and the owner began to talk excitedly. + +"Sh!" warned the young skipper. "We don't want a tone aboard louder +than a whisper. If we can keep this interval, or pretty near it, we can +follow the steam yacht by the sound of her machinery. Mr. Davis, keep +your ears strained for it, and shape our course accordingly." + +In the hush that followed the keen-eared listeners could hear the now +invisible "Victor" slowing down her speed. Captain Tom, the engine room +speaking tube at his mouth, called down the orders softly for a similar +slowing of speed. The "Panther" fell back close to the "Victor." + +"Captain, they're likely to stop altogether, soon," whispered Mr. +Jephson. "Then we won't hear a sound to guide us." + +"We'd do the same," murmured Halstead. "Then the yachts would be likely +to drift together and bump. No; I hardly believe the steam yacht's +captain will try that trick. If he does, we must match it." + +The two craft engaged in this marine game of blind man's buff were now +going forward along their respective courses at not more than eight +miles an hour. Greater speed was not advisable, for they were in the +possible track of vessels plying between San Francisco and Hawaii, New +Zealand or Australia. + +For the next ten minutes there was no sound from the "Victor's" +fog-horn. To run without this precaution was all but tantamount to +piracy in itself. Skipper Tom and Second Officer Davis, however, managed +to keep within sound of the steam craft's machinery. So, presently, the +"Victor's" steam fog-horn again sounded on the air. + +Breakfast was served late, that morning, on board the motor yacht. All +hands were too much interested in the difficult chase to think of eating +before Nature made her demands clamoring. + +At eight o'clock, when Third Officer Costigan again came up on the +bridge to take his watch trick, Dick Davis declared he had no interest +in sleep. + +"You'd better go below," advised Tom. "This search through the fog may +be a long one. We'll want all hands to be fresh and bright. Get four or +five hours' sleep, anyway. I shall be on the bridge most of the time +until you're called again." + +So Dick went below and turned in, though almost with a grumble. + +For the next three hours Halstead was almost constantly on the bridge. +The blind pursuit kept up along the same lines. The steam yacht's +machinery still sent its dull clatter across the waters. The +quartermaster of the "Panther," with the help of the mate's orders, +still steered by that sound. + +"It'd be fierce to have a big, noisy liner rumble up close to us now, +making noise enough to drown out the sound of our enemy," grumbled +Captain Tom to the owner. + +Mr. Jephson, standing close by, heard, and his eyes snapped. + +"I hadn't thought of that," he growled. "Since that would be the +toughest sort of luck, that's what is almost sure to happen." + +"Don't complain of your luck," advised the young skipper, gravely. +"We've been able to keep right along with the steam craft for some hours +now. If we can do so for a few hours more, we're highly likely to run +out of this fog and be under a clear sky again. So far, Mr. Jephson, our +luck has been wondrously kind to us." + +Halstead remained on deck until nearly two o'clock. Then he passed word +for Ab Perkins. To that young first officer, in the presence of Baldwin, +Ross and Jephson, he said: + +"Mr. Perkins, my eyes are getting heavy, and I expect to be on deck most +of the night. I'm going to turn in, now, for an hour or two. Call me, +anyway, at the changing of the watches. You know the general orders, and +I look to you not to let the 'Victor' slip away from us." + +"If I do let her slip," affirmed Ab, "I'll eat the starboard +life-boat." + +"Mr. Perkins used to be the most famous 'hoodoo' at the mouth of the +Kennebec," Tom laughed, softly, as he turned to Mr. Baldwin. "His luck +changed, however, the day he went into the motor boating business. He's +about the luckiest young navigator afloat these days." + +Nor did Ab, left in temporary full command, intend to lose his later +laurels. He soon left the bridge, however, feeling that he could listen +more effectively from the port rail forward. Occasionally he turned to +signal, silently, to Third Officer Costigan, who still kept to the +bridge. + +Part of the time the "Victor" sounded its fog-horn with pauses longer +than the rules of the sea permitted in so deep a fog. It looked as +though those aboard the steam yacht were willing to leave it to the +"Panther" to warn away other craft from them both. However, thus far in +the day, no other vessel had sounded through the fog. Apparently, these +two craft had all of this part of the sea to themselves. + +In the silence and under the white pall even the interest of the chase +could not prevent the time from passing with deadly monotony for Ab +Perkins. Quite plainly it impressed also the others that way, for the +cabin passengers, two or three at a time, disappeared below. Messrs. +Baldwin and Ross remained on deck more than any of the cabin party, +though even they went inside, restlessly, every now and then. + +At last the deck was bare, save for Ab Perkins and the bow watch. In the +pilot house stood the quartermaster and his seaman helper. On the bridge +Mr. Costigan paced back and forth, glad that the fog was not too thick +for him to make out the first officer forward. + +One of Ab's reasons for being well up forward was that he might more +readily hear the sound of fog-horn or of bell from any other vessel +hidden away in this white gloom. + +It was a long while before he heard anything, but at last it came: + +"Help! Don't run me down!" + +The voice came from low down upon the water, somewhat ahead and barely +to port. + +Quick as a flash the bow watch turned to see if the first officer and +the bridge watch had heard. Both Perkins and Costigan had sprung to see +what might come to them out of the fog. + +"Careful!" warned Ab, in a steady voice. "Take the sound of my voice for +your guide. I'm at the port rail, moving toward you." + +Suddenly, out of the fog, there came into view, near at hand, a ship's +yawl. It contained a single man, dark, rather tall and about thirty +years of age. He was dressed carelessly, yet had much the air of a +gentleman. His clothing seemed to be soaked with moisture, as though he +had been long exposed to the elements. With his back to the bow of the +yawl, the man turned to glance over his shoulder as he handled a pair of +oars. + +"Don't run me down!" shouted the stranger. "Stop and take me aboard in +heaven's name." + +Ab Perkins had already swiftly caught up a coil of rope, which he deftly +poised for a clean throw. + +"We stop for nothing--mark that!" called First Officer Perkins, firmly. +"Catch this rope, or we've got to leave you behind!" + +The yawl was drifting by, and barely thirty feet from the motor yacht's +hull, when Ab made the throw. He was a master at such feats. The coil +unspread as it went whirling through the air, and a length lay across +the yawl. + +"Get it! Grab it!" panted sympathetic Ab. + +The stranger just managed the feat, leaping up and holding on as though +for dear life, while the yawl, checked in its headway, was swung around. +Desperately the stranger bent down, taking a hitch with the rope. The +bow watch had sprung to help Ab make fast the inside end of the line. + +"There you've got it," called Ab, cheeringly. As the "Panther" was going +but eight miles an hour the stranger was able, without risk, to haul +the small boat in alongside. + +"Can you climb?" Ab called down, in a low voice. + +"I--I think so." + +"Only a few feet needed, then we can reach your arm-pits," Ab called, +encouragingly. + +It was not long ere young Perkins and the bow watch were able to help +the stranger aboard. + +The young first officer's first thought, on seeing the yawl sweep into +view, was that a trick had been attempted by the enemy, for the "Victor" +had recently slipped ahead. But Ab's first glimpse at the stern of the +yawl showed the name, painted in goodly black letters, "S. S. Dolbear." +In the bottom of the yawl lay two life preservers bearing the same name. + +"How on earth do you come to be away out here at sea, in a small boat?" +demanded Ab of the stranger. + +"I was a freight clerk aboard the liner 'Dolbear,' bound from Auckland, +New Zealand, to San Francisco," replied the rescued one. + +"What happened to the 'Dolbear'?" + +"Foundered, five days ago. Life boats crowded, so that the last three of +us had to take to the yawl. We tried to keep up with the other boats, +but fell behind the first night. Next morning we were alone on the +ocean. After two days one man in our party became crazed and jumped over +into the sea. Last night the other man with me did the same. Oh, it was +a gruesome experience, I assure you." + +"It must have been," returned Ab Perkins, sympathetically. + +"Sir, that yawl is bumping alongside," broke in the bow watch. + +"Cut her loose, then, and let her drift," ordered Ab. "We can't be +encumbered with any useless lumber. Then return to your watch. Mr. +Costigan, warn the engine room to increase our speed as much as you find +necessary. We can't let the 'Victor' go on getting ahead of us. Run +right up parallel again." + +"Yes, sir," from the third officer. + +"You're hungry, I suppose," suggested Ab, looking at the stranger. "I'll +pass word for our second stew----" + +"I guess I shall be hungry when I get it fully through my head that I'm +safe," laughed the rescued one. "Just at present I'd rather go below and +warm myself." + +Ab blew his mate's whistle for the third seaman of the watch. + +"My man," he directed, "take this man down to the motor room. Tell Mr. +Randolph it will be all right for Mr.----" + +"Cragthorpe is my name," supplied the stranger. + +"Tell Mr. Randolph it will be all right for Mr. Cragthorpe to dry +himself off in the engine room," continued First Officer Perkins. "When +you get hungry, come up on deck. Mr. Costigan will see that you're fed +if I'm not here." + +The rescued one, after offering profuse thanks, was led below by the +seaman guide. + +"Mr. Costigan, what do you know about the 'Dolbear'?" called up Ab, +softly. + +"She belongs to the New Zealand line, and is due in 'Frisco about this +present time," replied the third officer from the bridge. + +"Then it's all right, as far as Cragthorpe goes?" + +"I think so, sir." + +"All I wanted," Ab finished, "was to be easy in my mind that the +stranger didn't come from the 'Victor.' Don't let us get at all astern +again, Mr. Costigan." + +"I won't, sir." + +In the meantime Jeff Randolph, sitting out through a long and lonely +watch in the engine room, was not sorry to see company coming his way. + +For some time they chatted together. Cragthorpe seemed greatly +interested in finding such young officers aboard the motor yacht. He +asked many questions about the Motor Boat Club. + +At last Jeff Randolph rose, excusing himself and stepping just outside +the engine room door, though lingering near enough to hear a signal from +the bridge, if one came. The young assistant engineer wanted to stretch +his legs after sitting a long time by the motors. No sooner was the +motor boat boy out of sight than the stranger rose swiftly. Snatching up +a wrench, he prowled about the motors as though looking for something. + +At last he evidently discovered what he wanted. Instantly he laid the +wrench on a bolt-head. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +MR. CRAGTHORPE IS MORE THAN TROUBLESOME + + +Luckily, at that moment, the Florida boy turned about, glancing into the +engine room. + +What he saw made Jeff stare, then gasp. Both operations were over in the +space of a second. + +"Here, you infernal rascal!" shouted Jeff. "Stop it!" + +Nor did he content himself with that startled roar. The Florida boy +carried his fighting pluck with him at all times. + +Though Cragthorpe was about half as large again as the young assistant +engineer, Randolph made a direct spring for him. + +Cragthorpe didn't have time to complete his mischief to the engine just +then. + +Instead, he swung around, aiming the wrench at Jeff's head. But young +Randolph halted, instantly picked up another wrench, and sent it +whizzing. + +Boiling with wrath, the Florida boy didn't aim particularly. He didn't +care where his wrench landed, provided that it served the purpose. + +The flying missile struck hard against the knuckles of Cragthorpe's +right hand, forcing him to let his own weapon drop. + +Then Jeff fairly flew at the larger stranger. + +"You won't play any tricks while I'm here on watch," panted Jeff +Randolph, as he clinched with his adversary. So impetuous was the +Florida boy's assault that he carried Cragthorpe down to the floor. + +There, locked in each other's arms, they rolled and fought. The pit in +which the motors stood was railed off, preventing their fighting their +way into the moving machinery. + +Both combatants displayed a good deal of staying power. For the first +sixty seconds they fought without either seeming to gain any advantage. +It was a grim, lonely duel, in which neither could accept less than +complete victory. + +No word was spoken. Neither cared to waste breath in speech. Jeff fought +for a strangle hold as his best chance. Cragthorpe tried to get in a +blow between the boy's eyes. + +Once Randolph got briefly on top, but the stranger rolled over on him, +and then the fighting went on more furiously than ever. + +However, the stranger's superior weight and a considerable advantage in +muscle soon told over the Florida boy's clear, savage grit. Though he +would not yield an inch, Jeff had to admit to himself that he could not +hope to hold out much longer. + +After another sixty seconds of it, during which the Florida boy was +breathing sorely, Cragthorpe managed to free one hand. Raising the +clenched fist with the swiftness of lightning, he brought that fist +down, aiming the blow to land on Jeff's forehead just above his eyes. + +The blow fell, though glancingly. Now there came a quick step behind the +stranger. + +With a brutal oath, Cragthorpe sprang up to confront the burning glance +of Captain Tom Halstead. + +Halstead had just come on deck again, after his nap. Learning from Ab +about the stranger, and quick to suspect, under such circumstances, the +young motor boat skipper had hastened below. + +"Caught you, you sneak, didn't I?" jeered Tom, harshly, dodging back and +shedding his deck ulster with almost a single motion. + +Then the young captain of the "Panther" threw himself on guard. Not an +instant too soon, for Cragthorpe had sprung forward to grapple with him. + +The two fists of the young skipper, moving with lightning-like rapidity, +caused Cragthorpe to retreat, throwing up his own hands as soon as he +saw it was to be a game of fisticuffs. + +As Tom crouched low, Cragthorpe attempted to leap in over his guard. It +was good tactics for one three inches taller. Yet Halstead was no novice +in boxing. He threw up his left on guard, holding back his assailant, +then tried to cut under and up with his right. He landed, though not +with much force, against Cragthorpe's ribs. It was enough to drive the +older combatant back until he could alter his guard. + +In the meantime, Jeff lay on the floor, further forward in the engine +room. The Florida boy had not wholly lost consciousness, but he was +half-dazed, seeking to remember what had happened. + +Now, at it again went Halstead and his enemy, each sparring cautiously, +each alternately retreating or forcing the other all around the open +part of the engine room. + +Once Cragthorpe caught Tom near the railing, and let drive hard with +both fists, seeking to push the young skipper over the railing and in +among the moving machinery. + +But Tom dodged artfully as he parried and struck back, and in an instant +more was away from his perilous position. + +Not once did the young skipper think of calling upon Cragthorpe to quit +it and surrender. Halstead knew the fellow was there for too serious +business to allow himself to be talked to a standstill. + +At last, as Cragthorpe retreated past him, almost stepping on the young +assistant engineer's face, Jeff rallied his senses enough to recall what +had happened. + +For a few moments Tom Halstead cleverly fought his opponent forward, +putting up effective parries and raining in his blows so fast that +Cragthorpe had all he could do to save himself from being floored. + +In those few moments Jeff managed to crawl past both, and down toward +the engine room door. + +The tide of battle turned, now, briefly at least. Cragthorpe, stung to +greater fury by a glancing blow on the end of his nose, hurled himself +into the fray with so much added energy that Halstead was compelled to +give ground. + +"Jeff, can you understand me!" panted Tom, as he retreated, an inch at a +time, keeping his fists moving fast. + +"Y-yes," stammered the Florida boy, still a bit dazed. + +"Then pass the word for help, like a flash!" + +But Jeff lingered by the doorway, holding to the frame for support. Only +one thing was plain in the Florida boy's mind--that running away wasn't +in his line. + +"A-a-h!" vented Cragthorpe, gleefully. He had suddenly closed in quickly +on Halstead, aiming a blow that it seemed must send the young captain to +the floor senseless. + +And so it would have done--only Tom wasn't there. He ducked low, passing +under Cragthorpe's extended arm, and came up behind him, forcing the +stranger to wheel about. + +That left the rascal with his back turned to the Florida boy. + +Jeff's mind was becoming a bit clearer every instant. Now he left the +doorway, gliding forward. + +Tom saw Jeff's new move, and half-guessed the meaning of it. By clever +sparring the young skipper held Cragthorpe just where he stood, +until---- + +Jeff leaped upon the big stranger from behind. He wound his arms around +Cragthorpe's throat, then held on with all the strength he could summon. + +Another oath escaped the wretch's lips. It was stopped by Halstead's +right fist landing across his mouth. + +"This is a gentleman's boat--no profanity allowed," mocked Tom, sending +in another blow that struck his man in the region of the belt, causing +him to double up in torment. + +Two more blows Tom drove in. Cragthorpe sank to the floor. + +"Let go of him, Jeff. I can handle him," ordered Captain Tom. "Get to +the speaking tube and direct Mr. Costigan to send the extra deckhand +down here on the jump." + +Cragthorpe lay on the floor. The fight was not by any means driven out +of him, but the wind was, for the moment, at least. Then steps were +heard. Mr. Costigan himself came in, followed by the extra deck-hand, +for Ab had relieved the third mate on the bridge. + +"So that's what our new gentleman has been doing, is it, sir?" demanded +Mr. Costigan, his Irish quickness enabling him to guess much at the +first glance. + +"Have you handcuffs with you, Mr. Costigan?" asked Tom. + +"I have, sir." + +"Then put them on this fellow." + +With a right good will Mr. Costigan and the sailor rolled Cragthorpe +over, not very gently at that, and forced his wrists together, manacling +the wretch. Then they dragged him to his feet. + +"Jupiter!" muttered Tom, staring hard. "I've seen this fellow somewhere +before. And now I have it! By Jove, he's the gallant fellow I had to +knock from the observation platform on the Overland Mail!" + +"You needn't be quite so glad. We haven't quite evened our account yet," +snarled the fellow. "But I'm not the man you think I am." + +"Do you deny you're the fellow I struck on the observation platform of a +car of the Overland Mail the other day?" Tom Halstead snorted. + +"I can't be. I've just come from Auckland," leered the fellow. + +"We picked him up from a small boat that bore the name of the liner, +'Dolbear,'" interjected Mr. Costigan. "The 'Dolbear' is due about now +from Auckland." + +"Then the boat was painted, as to her name, on board the 'Victor,'" said +Tom. "I understand we ran behind her a bit at one time this afternoon." + +"Yes, sir." + +"It's from the 'Victor' this fellow came, then, boat and all," declared +Captain Halstead, positively. "Now, bring the fellow up on deck and let +everyone have a look at him." + +As it was time to call the new watch up, anyway, this was now done. +Cragthorpe tried to make a fight against being taken to the deck, but, +manacled as he was, he could put up no effective resistance. + +The cabin passengers, too, were called. Tom and Jeff stated the case +against the fellow. + +"Of course you're justified in locking this man up in the brig, if there +is one aboard," observed Mr. Jephson. + +"Yes; there's a brig on board," Tom nodded, "and that's where a man goes +after trying to tamper with our engines on a chase like this." + +The "brig" is a ship's prison. On the "Panther" it was a small room, not +more than five by seven feet, with two berths and two stools in it. The +door was an iron grating. Even on a yacht a brig is often needed, as a +place of confinement for a drunken or crazy sailor. + +Dick Davis ascended to the bridge to stand the new watch. + +"Take the fellow to the brig, Mr. Costigan, and see that he's securely +locked in. Collins, see that the man gets his meals three times a day." + +"I'll make you mighty sorry for this, you boy skipper!" growled +Cragthorpe, as he was led away. + +"That's the fellow I knocked from the train, isn't it, Joe?" demanded +Halstead, turning to his chum. + +"He's not dressed as well, and he has a few days' growth of beard on his +face, but I'm positive he's the same fellow," answered Joe Dawson, +quietly. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE MIDNIGHT ALARM + + +"Still the sound of machinery," muttered Dick Davis, pacing the bridge +just before dark. "I imagine the skipper of that other craft wishes he +could have put a mute on his engines." + +"He has even taken to blowing his fog-horn again," replied young +Halstead. "It's just sheer luck that he hasn't been run down by some +vessel coming from the opposite direction." + +"I guess our fog-horn has protected him," suggested Dick. "We may have +passed some other craft whose fog-horns didn't carry sound as far as +ours. Hearing our fog-horn, such vessels might have given us such a wide +berth that the 'Victor' naturally escaped collision." + +It was about eight o'clock, when Tom and Joe were finishing the evening +meal in the captain's cabin, that a sudden sharp blast came through the +bridge speaking tube. + +"Right here at the other end, Mr. Davis," Captain Tom answered. + +"I think you'll be interested in coming to the bridge, sir. The fog is +lightening a bit, and I can see a couple of stars overhead." + +"Whew! That's good news! Do you still hear the 'Victor's' machinery?" + +"Yes; I've been keeping very close to her." + +Halstead quickly told the news to Joe Dawson. Both reached for their +ulsters, then ran out on deck. Tom's first discovery was that he could +hear, distinctly, the subdued clank-clank made by the invisible steam +yacht. + +Yes; the fog was surely lifting. Overhead, especially, things were +clearing. + +"We seem to be running out at the edge of the fog-bank, Mr. Davis," was +the young captain's greeting, as he climbed to the bridge, followed by +the young chief engineer. + +For five minutes or more Tom Halstead stood there, watching the fog. + +"I'm sure enough of the news, now, to go aft and tell Mr. Baldwin," he +declared, finally. + +Tom found all the cabin passengers at table in the deck dining saloon, +aft of the owner's quarters. They were not more than two-thirds through +the meal, but the table became instantly deserted. + +Twenty minutes later the watchers at the port rail made out, briefly, a +part of the hull of the "Victor." The two craft were but little more +than two hundred yards apart. + +Ten minutes later both craft passed almost completely out of the fog. A +cheer went up from the deck of the "Panther." There was no answer from +the pursued craft. + +Running up to the bridge, and snatching up a megaphone, Joseph Baldwin +bawled lustily: + +"We're still with you, you pirates! You can't shake us!" + +Still no sound of human voice came from the steam yacht. The answer was +of another sort. Great clouds of smoke began to pour from the "Victor's" +funnel. + +"They're going to try a spurt," chuckled Halstead, gleefully. "Well, +let 'em. We don't even have to get up more steam for a spurt. All we +have to do is to feed in the gasoline quicker." + +Within five minutes the "Victor" was racing along at more than twenty +miles an hour. On board the "Panther," however, Joe Dawson did not even +feel it necessary to go below to look at the motors. Jed Prentiss was +down there in the engine room, and Jed was a boy who knew what he was +doing. Second Officer Davis gave the speed orders from the bridge; Jed +carried out the orders. The "Panther," now widening the interval to four +hundred yards in this clearer atmosphere, ran along parallel with the +steam yacht. + +"They may fool us yet," chuckled Halstead, turning around to the owner. +"But they'll have to do it with something better than speed." + +"If they get away from _you_, Captain Halstead," replied the owner, his +face beaming, "I promise, in advance, to forgive you. It won't be your +fault. Lord, how you've hung to them! What a report I shall have to send +Delavan on the officers he sent me!" + +Then, suddenly, Halstead thought of the prisoner down in the brig. + +"Pass the word for Second Steward Collins," he directed, and that +yacht's servant soon reported. + +"You didn't forget to feed the prisoner, Collins?" + +"Oh, no, sir," and the steward rattled off the names of the dishes that +had been supplied the man in the brig. + +"He seems to have fed nearly as well as we did," laughed Skipper Tom. +"Well, that's right; just because we lock a fellow up is no reason why +we should starve him. The prisoner had a good appetite?" + +"Excellent, sir." + +"He's locked in tightly?" + +"Yes, sir." + +Ten minutes later Captain Halstead took the trouble to go below to the +brig. + +It was somewhat stuffy down there, but that couldn't be helped. + +From the center of the ceiling a single incandescent lamp supplied the +illumination of the room. + +As Tom Halstead peered in through the grating he saw Cragthorpe seated +on a stool in the far corner. + +Tom did not speak. The fellow glared at him, then looked away. + +"The door is locked tightly, all right," murmured Captain Halstead to +himself, after rattling the bars and examining the lock. + +No sooner had he turned away, and stepped out of sight, than Cragthorpe +rose like a caged tiger. A leer expressive of the utmost cruelty parted +his teeth. He shook his fist menacingly after the departing young +skipper. He was able to do that much, for Mr. Costigan, following the +usual course in such cases, had removed the handcuffs after depositing +the prisoner in the brig. + +"Perhaps you think I'm here, simply awaiting your pleasure, my young +salt water cub!" snarled Cragthorpe to himself. + +Tom Halstead, however, gave the fellow little further thought. He was +too happy over the lifting of the fog. It is possible for two craft of +the size of these to run all day within two hundred yards of each other +through a fog, judging each other's positions only by sounds. The slow +speed of fog-time makes this possible. Yet it requires splendidly expert +seamanship on both craft. The ordeal is bound to be wearing on the deck +and watch officers. Tom and his three mates felt utterly tired after +their experience, but the passing out of the belt of the fog had brought +huge relief to them. + +Up to ten o'clock that evening the "Victor" maintained her fast speed. +The air was now thoroughly clear in every direction. Tom could have +kept the other craft in sight even had the steam yacht shown no lights. +But the commander of the "Victor" had all his running lights going. + +"You'll call us, if anything whatever happens that's worth our knowing, +won't you, Captain?" asked Joseph Baldwin, joining the young sailing +master, who stood close to the bridge steps on the port side. + +"Yes, sir. Certainly." + +"All of us chaps in the cabin are going to turn in soon," continued Mr. +Baldwin, with a slight yawn. "We're fagged, both from the lack of sleep +and the suspense. Now, however, our minds are easier. Yonder is the boat +that carries Frank Rollings and the millions he stole from the bank. Our +fuel will last as long as theirs will. We can follow as far as they can +go." + +"Wouldn't it be a jarring surprise if it turned out that we've been +following a dummy, Mr. Baldwin?" Halstead asked. "What if we follow for +days and days, yet, and then learn that neither Rollings nor his plunder +is on board?" + +Joseph Baldwin started, then retorted: + +"Yes; but it won't happen, Captain. In the first place, the detectives +of the Bankers' Association found out positively that Rollings had gone +aboard, and that the yacht had then got under way at once. The captain +of that boat was expecting Rollings--was prepared for him--and has the +defaulter on board at this moment." + +"I hope so, sir, for I'm satisfied that we're yet going to lay alongside +of that craft and search her." + +"Of course we are. Good night, Captain." + +"Good night, sir. I'm going to turn in, myself, for a while." + +Half an hour later the young skipper was sound asleep. So, for that +matter, were all the officers and crew who were not on duty. + +Sky and surrounding atmosphere continued clear through the rest of Dick +Davis's watch on the bridge. That young second mate was pacing back and +forth contentedly. The two yachts, now making about a fourteen-mile +speed, were close together, and Davis had little to watch save the +general handling of the boat. + +Out of a hatchway forward a head was cautiously thrust up. Davis did not +happen to see that head. There was no reason why he should be looking +for it. + +The owner of that head saw Davis turn and pace over to starboard. +Swiftly, and silently, the man sprang out of the hatchway, after +observing that the quartermaster's head was bent over the compass. The +sailor in the wheel house with the quartermaster was not looking in +Davis's direction at the moment. + +So the prowler gained the port side of the deck-house, and stole aft +without hindrance. It was Cragthorpe, the late prisoner in the brig. +Now, besides being free, he carried a five-gallon can of gasoline that +he had found below deck. + +Away back to the after deck he ran, crouching low. There he halted, +staring about him. An evil smile flickered over his lips. With little +conscience, he was also without fear for himself. + +An instant later he began sprinkling gasoline about him. The task was +quickly accomplished. He drew out a box of blazer matches, striking one +of them and tossing it down where a pool of gasoline lay. + +There was a flare, in a second, but Cragthorpe had vanished almost as +quickly as the flare appeared. + +Dick Davis caught a glimpse of the glow. + +"Quartermaster, send your man aft to investigate a blaze there. Let him +run!" + +The blaze, however, was spreading and mounting so fast that the alert +young second officer did not have to pause to guess. + +"Fire!" shouted the sailor, running forward. But Dick Davis had already +sprung to the alarm bells. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE FIRE DRILL IN EARNEST + + +The sailor's cry of "Fire," the most dreaded that can rise at sea, +disturbed Captain Tom Halstead's sound rest. He half awoke. + +Then it sounded again: + +"Fire!" + +In prompt confirmation of the cry, the electric bell began ringing in +his room. Directly over it glowed an electric light in a red bulb--the +fire signal to the cabin. + +Tom Halstead fairly leaped from his bed. He got on all the clothing +needed with the speed of a fireman. + +Dick Davis's hand had come, first, to the bell rousing the watch below. +He rang that first, but Halstead's bell immediately afterward. + +As Halstead burst open the door of his cabin the red glow was in his +face. + +Down in the mates' and crew's quarters the fire-bell was ringing +steadily. Officers and men came tumbling up the stairs. + +"Stand by the handling of the ship, Mr. Davis!" roared the young +captain from the deck. "I'll have men enough for the fighting of the +fire." + +As the first heads showed from below, Halstead roared: + +"Mr. Perkins, the starboard hose. Mr. Costigan, the port! Two men each +and yourselves to a hose. The rest report to me." + +The hose lay in butts from which they were lifted and fastened to the +deck hydrants. While one man was securing each hose to a hydrant, a mate +and another sailor ran aft with the line along either rail. + +"The rest of you get fire axes," shouted Captain Halstead. "Jump up onto +the bridge and go aft over the deck-house. Mr. Davis, instruct Mr. +Prentiss to connect the pump in the engine room. Tell him to give us +instant pressure." + +Though he had heard the fire call, Jed was too dependable to allow +either curiosity or fear to take him from his post. When the order came, +through the speaking tube, young Prentiss was standing by, ready to +connect the pump with one of the motors. + +Through the two lengths of hose the water leaped almost instantly. + +Captain Tom had run with his axe-men over the deck-house. + +He found the after deck ablaze, and also the sides of the deck-house +aft. + +How it had all happened the young sailing master did not trouble himself +to ask, at first. It was more than enough for him to know that there was +a fire aboard, and to know where it was located. + +"Get up close, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Costigan!" he shouted, from the top +of the deck-house. "Let the flames have the water at full, direct +pressure. Steady, now! Throw in every drop of water where it will hit +the hottest, highest flames." + +Seldom had fire-drill at sea been more promptly or intelligently carried +out. It was fortunate, at the very outset, that the blaze had started so +near the time for the changing of the watches. The men were rested and +ready for prompt rising. + +The slight rolling of the boat carried gasoline along the decks, bearing +the flames with it. A pitching at the bow, slight though it was, brought +these running streams of flame down upon the crews with the hose. They +had to depress the nozzles almost at their feet, in order to assure +themselves of safe standing room. + +"Give me one of those axes," shouted Halstead, taking the implement from +a sailor. "Now, two of you jump down aft with me on the deck. Never +mind the fire! Remember, we've got to fight it for our lives anyway!" + +Down into the clearest spot he could find young Halstead leaped. Ab +Perkins, seeing him, turned the stream full on the blazing deck around +the young sailing master. That was all that saved Halstead from +perishing. The water kept the flames down so that he was able to lay +about him, loosening several of the deck planks. + +One of the sailors had landed close beside the young skipper. He, too, +laid about him. The second seaman, however, ran over to the other side +of the deck-house, looking for some spot where he might work protected +by the other hose. + +The hoarse shouting of orders, the running of feet overhead and the +sharp, sinister hiss of water coming in contact with fire, all combined +to arouse the owner of the imperiled yacht. + +Joseph Baldwin sprang from his bed, dashed aside the starboard curtains, +and caught a reflection of the glow. + +"Fire!" he gasped, turning pale. "Halstead and his comrades surely have +enough to handle this time." + +Then, with frenzied haste, the owner fell to pulling on his clothes. He, +too, broke some of his own records in the matter of dressing. In a very +few moments he was outside, and climbing the bridge steps. Then he +dashed aft. + +The breeze that was blowing was unfavorable to the fire fighters. The +factors in their favor, however, were the prompt discovery of the +trouble and the thinness with which the gasoline was spread. + +The blaze was at its worst in the middle of the after deck. It was the +realization of this fact that had caused young Captain Halstead to take +the desperate leap and make the bold effort that now stood to his +credit. + +"That boy has no sense of fear," cried Mr. Baldwin to himself. + +As a matter of fact, Halstead had escaped unscorched. His promptness, +good judgment, and the protecting streams from the hose had saved him +from disastrous consequences that might be expected to follow such a +hazardous act. + +By now the hosemen were able to get far enough aft to wet down the +blazing parts of the wall of the after deck-house. + +Within five minutes from the time it started the blaze was brought down +to where it required only persistent hosing to drown it completely. + +From time to time a sudden gust of the light breeze fanned up the fire +briefly at some point, but the fire fighters no longer feared for their +safety. + +Mr. Ross and Dr. Gray had been aroused by the sounds of fire-fighting; +the others in the cabin staterooms slept on, for Dick Davis had wisely +refrained from touching the button that would have sounded the heavy +gong in the main cabin. + +"How could the thing have started!" asked Mr. Ross, bewilderedly. + +"It was set, by someone," replied Tom Halstead, joining Mr. Baldwin and +the latter's friends. "It was a gasoline blaze, pure and simple." + +"Who could have----" began Dr. Gray. + +"I saw myself that the prisoner was safely locked in," broke in the +young skipper. "Yet he's the only one I could suspect." + +Almost at a run Halstead started forward, followed by Ab Perkins. + +Down below, these two investigators found the door of the brig open. The +lock had been picked. On the floor of the brig Tom found what was left +of a steel table fork such as the crew used. + +"He forced the tines and shank out of the handle, and worked it over +into a pick-lock," muttered the young skipper. "I respect the fellow's +ingenuity, if nothing else." + +But where was Cragthorpe himself? Two searching parties, one under Ab +and the other commanded by Third Officer Costigan, searched until Dick +Davis, still on the bridge past his hour, broke in with: + +"Why, Captain, you can guess what became of the fellow? When our blaze +was under way the 'Victor' turned and steamed nearer to us. The rascal +jumped overboard, of course, swam back and was picked up. It must have +been all part of a plan. At any rate, when the watch officer on the +steam yacht saw the blaze on board this craft, he knew well enough what +it meant, and stood by to rescue the Cragthorpe fellow." + +"That's what has happened to him," nodded Mr. Baldwin. "He's safe again +with the other rascals." + +So the searching parties were recalled, the new watch was set, and quiet +at last settled down over the yacht. + +It was two o'clock in the morning when Tom Halstead again sought his +rest. That fire had stirred him up so that he did not at once feel +drowsy. A fire at sea, on a gasoline motor yacht, is a trebly serious +affair. If the flames ever get close to the gasoline supply the blaze is +almost certain to wind up abruptly in a fearful, devastating explosion. + +"I've had some lively times at sea, before this," the young skipper +muttered, "but this voyage has already gone ahead of anything I've ever +had happen at sea. I hope we're through with visitors from the +'Victor.'" + +At last he closed his eyes and slept, for Halstead was not a highly +nervous youngster. When he was free from the demands of duty, and +physically tired, he was not usually long in finding his rest. + +Even in his sleep the lad did not lie quietly. He began to toss and +thrash, dreaming that he was fighting it out again with Cragthorpe. It +was like a nightmare, for, in his dream, the young captain of the +"Panther" felt himself to be getting the worst of the struggle. + +Then, all of a sudden, Tom Halstead awoke, roused by a sensation of +choking. A man knelt over him in his bed. Halstead's hands were lashed, +while a rope was noosed about his neck. + +On the front wall of the cabin was a ship's clock. A shaded light burned +near the dial of the clock, giving illumination to enable one to read +the clock's dial from the bed. + +That light also showed Tom the face and figure of his present +oppressor--Cragthorpe, in the flesh! + +"Now, we're going to have a chance to talk over the other side of this +question!" chuckled the wretch, in Tom's ear. "I remained aboard--risked +everything--in order to have this precious meeting. Just us two +here--fine, isn't it?" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +CRAGTHORPE INTRODUCES HIS REAL SELF + + +"Now, if you find you've anything to say," continued Cragthorpe, in the +same low voice, "you can say it when the time comes. But don't try to +call out, and don't attempt any impudence, or I'll pull this noose +tight. You know what that will mean!" + +Undeniably Tom Halstead paled. Upon his feet, with at least a fighting +chance, the young motor boat captain, while he might have feared death, +would not have run away from it. He had a record for showing grit. + +But this was a time when no amount of courage could give him a chance. +He read it in Cragthorpe's eyes that the fellow intended to keep the +upper hand, and to abuse it, to the end. + +"You felt fine and important when you told that big Irishman to lead me +off to the brig, didn't you!" began the tormentor. + +"What else could I do!" demanded Halstead, in a low voice. "Wouldn't you +have done the same by me, if the boot had been on the other foot!" + +"And you struck me that cowardly blow over at Oakland the other day," +cried Cragthorpe, who seemed to have nursed his wrath until it angered +him to the striking point. + +"When you went to school," mocked Tom, his coolness returning rapidly, +"you studied out of a different book of definitions from the one I had. +I was never taught that it was cowardice to defend a woman." + +"What call had you to defend her?" insisted Cragthorpe, with a show of +increasing anger. "Was it any of your affair?" + +"Yes; the fact that the young woman was annoyed by you was excuse enough +for my act." + +"You spoiled my last chance with her when you humiliated me by a blow +that I didn't get a chance to return at the time." + +"I'm glad to hear that," retorted Tom, candidly. + +"Oh, you are, are you?" + +The working of passion in Cragthorpe's face was a fearful sight to see. + +"And a fine thing you did for the young woman!" hissed the fellow. "I +wanted to marry her. She has money enough to make her a prize," sneered +the wretch. "Her brother is to go on trial for his life in a few days, +and I am the only witness who could save him from the chain of evidence +that the authorities are weaving about him. I made the offer to the girl +to save her brother if she would wed me." + +"You cowardly--cur!" uttered Tom Halstead, in cool disdain. + +Cragthorpe started; then deeper lines of passion graved themselves in +his features. + +"Yes," continued Tom, scornfully, "you're about the lowest sort of cur +that could possibly breathe. To charge a woman such a price for her +brother's life and good fame!" + +Cragthorpe suddenly restrained his growing anger. He leered down into +the face of his straightforward young enemy. + +"However, I am to make money in another way," he continued, cheerfully. +"Frank Rollings is my cousin. After my failure with the girl he found me +so desperate and ugly that, without telling me what he was about to do, +he enlisted me in his present fine enterprise." + +"Took you along with him to help him guard his stolen treasure, did he!" +jeered Captain Tom Halstead. + +"Yes, if it interests you," snarled Cragthorpe. + +"It'll interest your precious cousin a lot more, before he gets through +with you," sneered Halstead. "He'll be lucky if you don't make away with +him and try to secure all the stolen money for yourself!" + +Cragthorpe started, almost as though the young skipper had hit on the +head the nail of his intentions. + +"Here! Chew on this, instead of words!" flashed the wretch. + +He suddenly forced the young skipper's mouth open, wedging in a crumpled +up handkerchief. This he followed with another, gagging his victim. + +Scenting more dastardly work to come, Tom Halstead fought furiously with +the little chance that was left to him. His hands were secured, in front +of him, but his feet and legs were free. He struggled with all his +might, trying to use his bound hands, together, on the head of +Cragthorpe, as that wretch again bent over him. + +In his struggles Halstead rolled over on his side. His lashed hands +reached briefly under the edge of the bed. In this way he hoped to gain +purchase enough to pull himself free and yank himself to his feet. It +was a slight hope, yet the only one the motor boat boy could see. + +In the brief interval before Cragthorpe seized him roughly, hurling him +back into the middle of the bed, Tom's hands touched something on the +under side of the frame. He didn't know what it was he had touched. + +In that brief though furious struggle Halstead had succeeded in working +out the handkerchiefs. His oppressor caught up one of them. + +"I'll gag you in better shape, this time," he proposed. + +At that instant the door of the cabin opened. Cragthorpe, busy with his +scheme of revenge, did not hear it. But Halstead lay so that he saw the +door move ajar; he saw the head of the sailor who, with this watch, +served in the wheel-house. + +Over the seaman's face swept a look of the most intense amazement. He +darted back into the darkness, for an instant, then returned. + +"One moment--wait!" spoke Tom Halstead, sharply. + +"Confound you--not so loud, if you value your safety!" warned +Cragthorpe. + +Had not the rascal been so intensely absorbed he would have felt and +noted the light breeze that blew in with the opening of the door. But +Cragthorpe was passion-ridden at the moment. The door closed, with the +sailor and Third Officer Costigan in the room. + +That "one moment--wait!" Mr. Costigan and the sailor had the presence of +mind to understand was directed at them. + +"That girl--and her brother--you were lying to me about them," taunted +Halstead. "You can't tell me their names." + +"I can't--eh?" sneered Cragthorpe, harshly. "The girl's name is Rose +Gentry, and her brother's name Robert Gentry." + +"And the brother is accused of murder, and you could prove him +innocent? Yet you refused to save the brother because Rose Gentry would +not marry you and let you own her fortune! It's a lie!" + +"It's the truth," snarled Cragthorpe, hotly. "And you helped doom the +brother when you struck me down before Rose Gentry. You made her despise +me the more." + +"She did well to despise you," retorted Tom Halstead, bluntly. "_You +ought to be clubbed_!" + +[Illustration: "You Ought to Be Clubbed!"] + +That was exactly what happened, ere Cragthorpe could open his mouth. The +seaman had been crouching behind the fellow, a belaying-pin in his right +hand. At the word from Halstead the sailor struck, and Cragthorpe fell +to the floor, stunned. + +Leaving the sailor to attend to Cragthorpe, Mr. Costigan now bounded +forward to free the young captain's hands. + +"How on earth did this happen, sir?" demanded the third officer, as he +cut away the cord from the boy's wrists. + +"I dreamed I was fighting the fellow," laughed Tom, "but woke up to find +he had slipped my hands into that noose. He had this other noose around +my neck, threatening to draw it uncomfortably tight if I tried to make +any outcry." + +Tom was now able to slip out of bed and pull on his trousers, while Mr. +Costigan turned on a stronger light. + +"But how on earth did you two happen to come to my relief just at the +right time?" the young skipper demanded. + +"Why, you sounded the call to the bridge," retorted the third mate. + +"I sounded the----wait a second." + +Tom bent over the edge of his bed, feeling underneath along the frame. + +"Why, there's a button here. Does that call to the bridge?" demanded the +motor boat captain. + +"It certainly does," retorted the third officer. + +"I didn't even know the button was there," gasped the young sailing +master. "In my struggles I touched it by accident." + +"I sent Oleson, the sailor, to see what you wanted, sir," continued Mr. +Costigan. "The next thing I knew Oleson backed out of your cabin, +grabbed up a belaying-pin, and signaled to me. I came quick and +soft-like, sir. And now, Captain, if you've no further orders for me, +sir, hadn't I better be traveling back to the bridge? The quartermaster +of my watch is running the ship at this minute." + +"Go, then, Mr. Costigan, and thank you; but send the extra deck-hand of +this watch." + +In another moment the third mate's whistle was sounding shrilly. It +brought the extra man of the watch on the run. + +"Put these handcuffs on the fellow before he comes to," ordered Tom, +going to his desk and taking out a pair of manacles. "There, now he +won't do much harm if he does come out of it suddenly. But I'm going +with you to the brig, and want to see leg irons put on the rascal, too. +He won't have the use of his hands again, on this yacht. The second +steward will have to feed the fellow his meals." + +Tom quickly finished his dressing. Just as he had done so Cragthorpe +uttered a deep sigh and opened his eyes. He was still a bit dazed. +Halstead waited for some moments before speaking. + +"If you were telling the truth, fellow, about Rose Gentry and her +brother," taunted Tom, "your silence won't do you so much good, now. My +third officer and one of these sailors overheard your declaration of +your infernal villainy. They can testify in court in behalf of young +Gentry. They'll help the case quite a bit, I guess." + +Cragthorpe was enough himself, by this time, to understand. He scowled +blackly, but refused to speak. + +"Take him along down below to the brig, now," ordered Captain Halstead. + +As the three navigators and their captive stepped out forward of the +pilot house, Tom pointed over to port. + +"There's the boat of your friends, my man," laughed the young motor boat +skipper. "You've told me, too, that Frank Rollings _is_ aboard of her, +and that he has the stolen funds with him. Oh, one way and another, you +told me a lot this night that I'm glad to know!" + +Cragthorpe uttered some savage language under his breath as he was +dragged below. Once again he found himself in the brig, and the door +locked, after the leg-irons had been fitted. This time, to make doubly +sure of his man, Halstead put on a double lock by means of a chain and +padlock, the latter being of a pattern that could not be picked. + +"In one way I almost feel badly at doing this to you, Cragthorpe," Tom +said to the fellow, through the grating. "You'll think I'm crowing over +you, and abusing my power. I'd be easier with you--but it wouldn't be +safe for anyone aboard the yacht." + +Halstead then returned to his cabin, where, at his desk, he wrote a note +to Mr. Baldwin, advising the latter of what he had learned from the man +who was once more in the brig. + +This note he turned over to Mr. Costigan. + +"Hand it to him if he comes on deck in the morning before I do," +requested the young skipper. "Add anything you please, out of what you +saw and heard to-night." + +Then the motor yacht captain walked over to the port rail for one more +look at the "Victor." The "Panther" was still keeping abreast of her, +less than four hundred yards away. These two craft appeared to have the +sea all to themselves. + +"When, where and how will this all end?" wondered Tom Halstead. + +Then he turned in once more, this time hoping for some real rest. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A TRICK MADE FOR TWO + + +Just before eight o'clock in the morning Tom Halstead rolled over +luxuriously in his broad bed. + +"One more catnap wouldn't feel half bad," he muttered to himself. +"However, I reckon I feel about right. I've had some of the sleep that +was coming to me." + +Then: + +"I wonder how my friend Cragthorpe is this morning? It's quite plain he +hasn't found some other trick for getting out of the brig." + +Tom yawned a couple of times, stretched, and finally decided that he +felt like getting up. + +While he was coming to this conclusion the whistle sounded in the +bridge speaking tube. + +Springing out of bed, Tom took up the mouth-piece. + +"Well?" he called. + +"The 'Victor' is putting about, sir." + +"What's her new course?" + +"Going right back over the course she came out on, sir. Shall I turn and +follow?" + +"What else? The only thing we're living for now, Mr. Costigan, is to +keep close to that steam yacht. Follow her, without further orders, even +if she starts to steaming in circles. I'll be out soon." + +"Very good, sir." + +Tom looked slowly about him, then headed for the bath-room. He took +plenty of time in the warm water, finally dressing. Mr. Costigan's watch +had gone below, the third officer having left Tom's letter with Dick +Davis, to be handed to Mr. Baldwin when the latter should appear. But, +so far, none of the cabin party had yet turned out. + +"All our people are still abed, I think, sir," smiled Davis, when the +young motor boat captain appeared on deck. + +"They've been worn out, by the suspense as much as by their short hours +of rest," Halstead replied. + +"Now, you guess why the steam craft has put about, don't you?" asked +Halstead, after pacing the bridge for some moments while he studied the +weather. + +"I'm not sure that I do, sir," Dick admitted, after a moment's thought. + +"Within three or four hours, I'm willing to wager you a night's rest, +we'll be back in the fog belt," Tom replied, pointing ahead. "Now, +Rollings and the captain of the 'Victor' have felt that they were +getting too far off the course to their real destination, with us +tagging right alongside all the way. They knew that the fog bank was a +few hours astern of them as they lay on the other course, so they're +putting back to get into it." + +"For what purpose?" asked Dick. + +"Why, I suppose they've figured on some plan for losing us in the fog +this time. That's the way their hopes run, anyway." + +"I can't see any fog ahead of us, sir," proclaimed Dick. "And I thought +a fellow raised on the Maine sea-coast knew all about fogs." + +"There's Ab just coming up for the day's work," whispered Tom, as the +young first officer appeared through the companionway forward. "Just +hear what he says." + +Leaning forward over the bridge rail, Halstead called: + +"Mr. Perkins, what sort of weather do you think lies ahead of us?" + +Ab halted, looking all about him, then peering out for some moments past +the bow of the "Panther." + +"I think, sir," came the first officer's report, at last, "we're heading +back towards another real old San Francisco fog." + +"I surrender, then," nodded Dick Davis. + +"We'll be in it by noon, or before," Tom Halstead predicted. + +"And then, the folks on that craft yonder have it all figured out to +give us the slip, sure and easy this time," muttered Ab, as he climbed +the steps to the bridge. + +Out of the owner's quarters stepped Joseph Baldwin and came forward, +stretching and inhaling deeply the outdoor air. Captain Tom Halstead +stepped down from the bridge to meet him. + +"Haven't the other crowd changed their course a bit?" asked Mr. Baldwin. + +Halstead explained the new move on the part of the navigator of the +"Victor." + +"Going to try to lose us, are they?" chuckled Baldwin. "If they do, +Captain, they are clever people. If they can get away from _you_ I'm +positive it won't be your fault." + +Then, stretching like a man who has had a fine, long sleep, and who +isn't yet over the enjoyment of it, the owner added: + +"Thank goodness, nothing happened during the night!" + +"Nothing happened in the night, eh? I'm glad it was all carried off so +quietly, sir, that you weren't disturbed by it." + +"Why, _did_ anything happen?" + +"The fire, in the first place----" + +"Of course; but I meant, nothing after I turned in again." + +"Something certainly did happen," laughed Halstead. "I left a note for +you with the watch officer, in case you came on deck before I did. Now, +however, I can tell you about it." + +And that Tom Halstead proceeded to do. While he was still engaged in the +narration Mr. Ross came up on deck, and had to hear the tale. Just at +its finish Dr. Gray appeared, followed by Gaston Giddings. The latter +young man, though wholly out of the influence of morphine now, looked +seedy and sullen. Plainly, he resented his enforced abstinence from +drugs. + +"I want to see that infernal rascal, Cragthorpe," muttered Mr. Baldwin. +"Captain, won't you be good enough to have him brought on deck?" + +So Ab was summoned, and instructed to take the extra seaman of the +watch, as well as Quartermaster Bickson, and bring the prisoner to deck. + +"Bring him by force, if you have to," added Captain Tom, dryly. + +In a short time the quartermaster and seaman appeared, all but dragging +Cragthorpe, while Ab Perkins brought up the rear of the procession, +giving the doubly manacled fellow an occasional shove. + +It was the first time that Gaston Giddings had seen the prisoner. The +instant he did so, now, the young bank president looked suddenly angry. + +"Mr. Baldwin," demanded Gaston Giddings, "why is this gentleman under +such restraint?" + +"_Gentleman?_" demanded Baldwin, with withering scorn. "Why, my boy, +about whom are you talking?" + +"Why is Mr. Cragthorpe ironed, on board this yacht?" insisted Giddings, +his face now white and stern with increasing anger. + +"Well, then, I'll tell you," sniffed Joseph Baldwin. "That fellow is in +irons because he joined us from the 'Victor.' His first enterprise on +board was to try to put one of our motors out of the running. His next +effort was to set this yacht on fire, last night. After that, he broke +into Captain Halstead's cabin, presumably with the intention of killing +the navigator of this yacht; at any rate, he meant to injure Captain +Halstead severely. Those are some of the reasons, Giddings, my boy, why +Cragthorpe is now guarded as carefully as a mad dog might be if we +didn't possess the right to kill it." + +While speaking, Joseph Baldwin studied the young bank president's face +keenly. After a pause, the older man went on: + +"And now, Giddings, if you concede that I have any right to be curious, +in turn, I'd like to ask you why you are so intensely interested in this +scoundrel?" + +From the instant Cragthorpe had caught sight of the face of Gaston +Giddings, the man in irons had stood more at ease, a sneer on his face. + +"Cragthorpe is a friend of mine," replied Giddings, stiffly. + +"Indeed? Then I regret to say that I can't congratulate you on your +choice of friends." + +"I demand that you set Mr. Cragthorpe free!" cried young Giddings, in a +voice passionate with anger. + +"That's a request, my boy, that I'm not at all inclined to grant, even +had I the power," retorted Baldwin, coolly, yet speaking as though he +did not wish needlessly to further rouse the anger of Giddings. "You +see, I haven't any power to give the order." + +"No power?" snorted Giddings. "Don't you own this yacht?" + +"I do; but Halstead is her captain. It is one of the rules of the sea +that, after a vessel leaves her anchorage, her captain commands her +absolutely until port is again reached." + +"Do you mean to say that this boy would refuse to free Cragthorpe, if +you commanded it?" demanded Giddings, hotly, a flushed spot burning in +either cheek. + +"What would you say, Captain Halstead, if I demanded the release of the +prisoner?" asked Baldwin, facing the young motor boat skipper with +smiling eyes. + +"I'd refuse, sir," Tom replied, promptly. "In my opinion the 'Panther' +isn't safe a minute when Cragthorpe is out of the brig. Take the +prisoner back to the brig, Mr. Perkins." + +Gaston Giddings, with a wrathful cry, started forward, but Tom blocked +his way. + +"You know you're pleasing the owner you sail for, or you wouldn't dare +do this thing," choked the young bank president. + +The prisoner was speedily taken below. + +Gaston Giddings stamped angrily aft, while Joseph Baldwin's eyes +followed the young man with a wondering look. + +"Mr. Perkins," directed Tom, when Ab came back on deck, "lock the door +of the passage leading to the brig, and leave the key with the watch +officer, with instructions to turn it over to his successor on the +bridge." Tom's order was given for the purpose of preventing Giddings +from making any attempt to reach and aid Cragthorpe. + +"I'm going to have Doc Gray try to find out what part Cragthorpe has +been playing in the life of our young friend, Giddings," Mr. Baldwin +confided to the young skipper. "I've a suspicion, already, though." + +"May I ask, sir, what you suspect?" + +"Well, since Giddings has become a confirmed 'hop-fiend,' and Cragthorpe +comes to us from the Rollings crowd, I think it most likely that +Rollings has been employing Cragthorpe to cultivate Giddings's +acquaintance and lure him on into the opium habit. Such drugs destroy a +man's will, his sense of justice--they rot his very soul!" + +"So, then, sir, you think Rollings has been, for some time, engaged in a +deliberate plot to acquire an ascendancy over Mr. Giddings and ruin +him?" + +"That's my suspicion, stated in a few words, Captain." + +Through the forenoon the chase on the course back to San Francisco +continued without change. By eleven o'clock both yachts were moving +through occasional light blotches of fog, though the two craft still +moved in sight of each other. An hour later, however, the two yachts, +with speed now down to eight miles an hour, entered a dense, white gloom +in which they were soon shut out from sight of each other. Now, Captain +Tom was reduced to the old trick of going by sound. + +Fortunately, the "Victor" sounded a fog-horn at regular intervals of +sixty seconds, as did the "Panther." + +"I'm not going to take any chances, however, sir," Tom confided to the +owner. "I'm going to keep close enough to hear her machinery, too." + +Passing through the fog, the unseen "Victor" was off the better part of +three hundred yards to port of the "Panther." + +Of a sudden, however, there came a note that was new. Tom and Joe, in +the captain's cabin, heard it, and ran out on deck. Davis was bending +over the starboard rail of the bridge in his effort to comprehend the +new sound. + +"Too-whoo-oo!" Nearly abeam, and some three hundred yards off to +starboard, that new sound came--a fog-horn identical with the +"Victor's." + +"What on earth is the trick, now?" wondered Joe Dawson. + +"I'd be willing to give a day's pay to guess it all at once," responded +the young skipper. + +"Too-whoo-oo!" sounded the "Panther's" fog-horn. "Too-whoo-oo!" came the +answer, from port, presumably from the "Victor's" fog-horn. +"Too-whoo-oo!" came like an echo from starboard. + +"It sounds like the first move in a game to mix us up," muttered Tom +Halstead, shrewdly. + +"But what craft can be off at starboard?" questioned young Dawson. + +"Probably a steam launch, put off from the 'Victor,' with a similar +fog-horn," rejoined Captain Halstead. + +"Or a motor launch," suggested Joe. + +"No; I don't believe that. If it were a motor launch we'd hear the +chug-chug of her exhaust. It must be a steam launch. A steam craft of +small size can be run more quietly." + +"That's true," assented young Dawson. "Still, our power tender has a +pretty silent exhaust." + +"Great scheme!" grinned Tom, suddenly. + +"What?" + +"I'm going to play a return trick on Rollings's captain." + +"How?" + +"We have two reserve fog-horns that are identical in sound. I'm going +to rig one of 'em on the 'Panther,' using it in the place of the one +we're now sounding." + +"Yes----" + +"And rig the other fog-horn on the power launch," chuckled Tom. "Then +we'll put Bickson and his own deckhand in the power launch and send 'em +around to cruise to port of the 'Victor.' Thus we'll keep those fellows +guessing, too, what's in the wind." + +Joe chuckled, but he added: + +"Tom, you'd better ask Mr. Jephson to send one of his deputy marshals +along, armed, or something might happen that our power launch and two +men would be bagged." + +"That's a sound idea, too," Captain Tom nodded. Half an hour later the +"Panther's" power launch, containing Bickson, a seaman and a deputy +marshal, stole as noiselessly as possible around to the port side of the +"Victor" in the great, thick fog. Now, there were four fog-horns, +sounding all at once. The four power craft were moving practically in +one line. + +"Say, that's a funny stunt, surely," chuckled Joseph Baldwin, when he +heard the four fog-horns almost at once, and understood what the move +meant. + +"It may have another good effect," suggested Halstead. + +"What?" + +"Any sailing vessel headed our way, hearing four horns, is likely to +steer well out of the way of the whole fleet, thus lessening the danger +of collision." + +Barely two minutes later another sound intensely interested the watchers +aboard the "Panther." + +Out of the white gloom ahead, some hundreds of yards, and almost bow-on +from the "Panther," came the long-drawn-out hail: + +"He-e-elp!" + +"What's that?" demanded Joseph Baldwin, starting. + +"He-elp!" came the appeal once more. + +"Sounds like the latest trick from our friends on the 'Victor,'" grinned +Captain Tom Halstead. + +Ab Perkins, with the megaphone in his hand, had pushed his way up to the +very peak of the bow. + +"Ahoy!" he bawled, lustily, through the voice-carrier. "Who's in need of +help?" + +Back came the answer, faint, yet distinct: + +"A castaway in a dory! For heaven's sake, pick me up!" + +"Not a thing happened after we picked up the last castaway in a small +boat," uttered Joseph Baldwin, sarcastically. + +"That hail sounded like a boy's voice," muttered Tom. + +"If you pick _anyone_ up in this fog, be careful!" cautioned the owner. + +"Oh, won't I be careful, though?" retorted Skipper Tom. "Yet I've half a +mind to pick this chap up, just to see what the game is. My curiosity is +working over-time. I'm anxious to see the newest trick from the hands +that steer the 'Victor'!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +TED DYER, SAILOR BY MARRIAGE + + +Still Ab continued to hail from the bow of the motor yacht, young +Captain Tom having gone forward to stand by him and give directions. + +"We'll take you aboard, and have a look at you, anyway," Ab called +through the megaphone. "That is, if you make us closely enough to catch +a rope from us. But we won't change our course, or stop ship." + +"Sa-ay, that's hardly fair!" came the indignant protest. + +"If you want to get aboard this craft, do as we tell you," Ab Perkins +retorted, doughtily. + +"A-all right! I can't stay out on the ocean alone any longer, anyway!" +came back the answer, with a new note of determination in it. + +"Then stop talking," directed Ab, "and get down to your oars, so as to +run just alongside of us. And stand by to catch the line that'll be +thrown to you." + +"Aye, aye, sir!" + +Catching up a coil of line, Perkins ran down nearer the waist of the +ship. A seaman stood by with the ship's end of a rope boarding-ladder +made fast. Captain Tom remained up in the "Panther's" bow. + +Then, out of the fog, shot a dory into sight. In it sat a boy of about +sixteen, wearing only a ragged shirt and hardly less ragged trousers. He +bent at a pair of oars, his glance cast backward over one shoulder as he +guided the craft so as to pass the "Panther" without being engulfed by +her. + +It was close work, and required rather fine seamanship on the part of +the boy in the boat. + +Had the "Panther" been going at anything like her full speed the effort +to lay alongside would have ended in disaster. Even as it was, Captain +Tom Halstead watched with not a little anxiety. + +"Ready--catch the line!" sang Ab Perkins. The young executive officer +of the "Panther" possessed fine judgment and a straight eye for such +work. As the coil left Ab's hand it went whirling, uncoiling, through +the air. The line landed fairly across the shoulder of the other boy +below. He caught the rope, then sank down to the middle seat of the +dory, bracing himself and holding on hard. + +As the line became taut the bow of the dory was yanked about. The little +craft heeled a bit, then righted, bumping in against the larger hull, +then gliding off and riding rather easy. + +The seaman at Ab's side now dropped the rope boarding-ladder overboard +so that its lower end rested fairly in the dory. + +"Swing onto the ladder, and kick the dory loose," directed Ab Perkins, +steadily. "I reckon you can do it." + +"Don't you want to recover the dory, to pay for my passage to land?" +inquired the boy below. + +"Not a bit of it," uttered Ab. "Too much truck aboard now." + +"Then here comes--not much of anything," laughed the boy, in a clear, +cool voice, as he seized the rope ladder, and sprang up onto it. As he +left the dory that little craft drifted astern, soon to be lost to sight +in the great fog. + +In another moment the boy was aboard. No stranger was he to the sea. +That much could be told by the neat, seaman-like way in which he came up +the rope boarding-ladder. + +"I've come on board, sir," laughed the stranger, touching the make-shift +for a cap which he wore. + +"So I see," nodded Tom Halstead, coming aft from the bow. "What's your +name?" + +"Ted Dyer." + +"Hailing port?" + +"'Frisco." + +"Sailor, by trade?" + +"No," laughed Ted, his eyes twinkling; "a sailor by marriage." + +"What's that?" demanded Halstead, almost sharply. He almost suspected +that the other boy was making game of him. If Dyer came from the +"Victor," such levity was misplaced. + +"My mother's sister married a captain of a freight schooner," Ted +explained, more soberly. + +"Oh. So you, so to speak, ran away to sea with your uncle?" + +"No; he ran away from me _at_ sea," answered young Dyer, more soberly. + +"How long has your uncle been captain of the 'Victor'?" Halstead +demanded, swiftly, hoping to catch this other boy off his guard. + +"The 'Victor'?" repeated Ted, opening his eyes wide. If he was +shamming, then it was a fine bit of acting. + +"Didn't you come from the steam yacht 'Victor'?" demanded Captain Tom, +looking hard at the boy. + +"Never heard of the craft before," declared Ted. Then: "Hold on, though. +I'm lying without meaning to, it would seem. Yes; I know the 'Victor.' +She's a hundred and twenty-two foot steam yacht, fine and fast." + +"That's the 'Victor' just over to port," went on Tom, still eyeing the +other youth, closely. + +"Is it?" asked Ted Dyer. "Then your eyesight is sharper than mine." + +"Don't try to get funny," warned Halstead. + +"I don't want to," protested Ted. "You all strike me as first-rate +fellows. And, anyway, you've fished me up out of the vasty deep, so to +speak. Where's your captain?" + +"You're looking at him," replied Halstead. + +"Again," laughed Ted, "you're crediting me with finer eyesight than I +possess." + +"I am the captain," Tom replied, struggling against an inclination to +like this boy. Ted was so brimming over with good humor, that it seemed +almost wicked to suspect him of anything worse than being hungry. + +"You're the captain?" demanded Ted, taken aback, and staring hard. Then, +as he took in the details of Halstead's uniform, and noted the looks on +the faces of the others about him, he became convinced. + +"Captain----" began Ted. + +"Halstead," supplied Tom. + +"Captain Halstead, as I'll have to dead-beat my passage back to San +Francisco, I shall be mighty glad if you'll assign me to some work to +do." + +"On your word of honor you didn't come off the 'Victor'?" insisted the +young skipper, still looking hard at the new arrival on board. + +"On my honor I didn't. Why? Is it a crime to come on board from the +'Victor'?" + +"Very nearly," Halstead replied, dryly. "We've got one fellow in the +brig on board, charged with that very offense." + +"Whew!" muttered Ted, looking grave. "Then what's the sentence for +coming on board from a dory?" + +"How did you come to be in that dory?" pressed the young skipper of the +"Panther." + +"You might call it mainly my uncle's offense," replied Ted Dyer, more +gravely. "You see, my parents are dead. They left me a little money, and +put me under the guardianship of my uncle. He put the money into the +freight schooner, 'Nancy.' However, even at that, some of the earnings +of the schooner had to be put aside as belonging to my estate. So my +uncle, being a bright man, conceived the idea, night before last, of +putting me adrift in the dory you fished me out of. At the time he had +only a drunken sailor named Griggs on deck with him. Griggs is a fellow +my uncle, Captain Dalton, by name, can depend on. Uncle got me to go +into the dory that was towing astern. Made believe he wanted me to see +if anything had fouled the rudder. Then he cut the line and left me +adrift. I guess he figured that there was a storm coming; that I'd never +be heard from again, and that he'd get the schooner all for himself." + +"The infernal scoundrel!" breathed Halstead, indignantly. Then, +remembering his first suspicions, he shot in, closely: + +"So your uncle isn't captain of the 'Victor'?" + +"What's the joke?" demanded Ted, gazing at those about him, a look of +wonder in his innocent blue eyes. + +Tom Halstead was beginning to soften. Despite the grave need of caution +and suspicion, Ted's honest good nature was infectious. Besides, as both +the yachts were going at eight miles an hour, and the "Victor" was +traveling only abeam, anyway, how could a boy in a dory put off from the +steam yacht be so far ahead of the position of either boat as to come +down upon the "Panther" in the fashion Ted had done? Altogether, Captain +Tom felt that he might do well to drop some of his suspicions. That same +idea was occurring to some of the others who listened. It was Joe +Dawson, however, who first gave voice to this new idea. + +"I reckon Ted is all right, Captain," spoke up the young chief engineer. +"At any rate, I feel willing to go bail for his good behavior on this +craft." + +"I guess this youngster is all right, Captain," spoke Joseph Baldwin, +next stepping forward. "I'll take a chance with him, if you're willing." + +Ted Dyer, meanwhile, was looking from one face to another, as though he +wondered what kind of a crowd he had encountered. + +"You may think us a bit strange, Dyer," spoke Tom, with a quiet smile. +"The truth is, we have the best of reasons for being suspicious of the +other yacht you've heard us talking about. You can stay aboard, and +we'll try to make you comfortable." + +"I haven't anything else to do, sir," said Joe, turning once more to the +young captain. "I'll take Dyer in hand if you say so." + +"Go ahead," assented Halstead. "First of all, take him below, Mr. +Dawson, and introduce him to the cook. I imagine that will be +agreeable." + +"You're good at guessing, Captain," laughed the San Francisco boy, +saluting. + +"Come along then, Ted Dyer," proposed Joe, taking him by the arm with a +friendly grip. "You can come below to my cabin and chat while you eat." + +"I guess I can do a lot of both," admitted the San Francisco boy, going +along with Joe after making a bow that was intended to include everyone. + +Joe, however, did not at first press the other boy to talk much, but was +delighted at seeing Dyer able to stow away so much satisfying food. + +"Now," demanded the newcomer, pushing his chair back from the table, +"what am I going to do aboard this craft to earn my way?" + +"What do you know best how to do?" asked Dawson. + +"You said you are the chief engineer?" + +"Yes." + +"If there's anything I'm crazy about," confessed Ted Dyer, "it's +machinery. Why couldn't I go to work in your engine room?" + +"That's a rather unfortunate question," returned Joe, feeling a bit +uncomfortable. "You see, the fellow who really _did_ come aboard from +the 'Victor' got into the engine room and tried to put our machinery +into a useless condition. So you can understand why Captain Halstead +would stare if I told him I had put you in the engine room." + +"What's all this business about the 'Victor,' anyway?" demanded Ted +Dyer, curiously. + +So Joe told him enough to enable the other boy to understand, including +the fact that a United States assistant district attorney and two deputy +marshals were aboard intent upon arresting a bank absconder believed to +be on board the "Victor." + +"And that boat is trying to lose you in the fog, so that Mr. Absconder +can get away?" asked Ted Dyer, understandingly. + +"That's the case, Dyer." + +"Then I can understand why it wouldn't look well for me to ask for a job +in the engine room," pondered Ted, thoughtfully. "I suppose, though, I +could go in and help the cook. I couldn't do any harm there. Yes, I +could, though; I might poison the dishes or the food." + +Joe Dawson gave a hearty laugh, so completely was he disarmed of +suspicion of the other boy. + +"I guess perhaps we'd better leave it all to Captain Halstead," proposed +Joe Dawson. "He's a fine, splendid fellow, as you'll find." + +"Fine and suspicious," retorted Ted, with a grimace. + +"He has to be, on a strange cruise like this. But you'll find Captain +Tom Halstead as good as fine gold, Ted. Halstead is my chum." + +"If he's your chum," vouchsafed Dyer, heartily, "then I'll take my oath +he's all right." + +"Come up on deck," nodded Joe, moving toward the companion way. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE FIND IN THE FOREHOLD + + +Ted Dyer's place was quickly determined upon. + +Bickson, the chief quartermaster, who attended to the general "policing" +of the yacht--that is, the cleaning up and the sanitary care of the +boat, had one seaman assigned to help him. Ted was added as an extra +hand in this line, being placed at once under the orders of the +quartermaster who was acting in Bickson's place while the latter was out +in the launch. + +"It looks, now, as though Dyer is all right, from the ground up, +quartermaster," Captain Tom said, in a low voice. "At the same time, of +course, you'll keep a general eye on the youngster?" + +"I certainly will, Captain." + +"Above all, don't let him get anywhere near the prisoner in the brig. +Don't permit any possibility of communication between Dyer and +Cragthorpe." + +"I understand, Captain." + +Before he had been at work for an hour Ted Dyer was earning golden good +opinions from the acting chief quartermaster. Not the slightest +curiosity did the new member of the crew display about anything that +didn't concern him. As a worker Ted Dyer was number one. + +About three o'clock the evidence of a new game on the part of the enemy +came to notice. The steam launch of the "Victor" ceased sounding her +whistle off at the starboard of the "Panther." Tom Halstead, who was on +deck, ready to note the slightest sign, became instantly suspicious. + +"Mr. Davis," he called, "sound the agreed-on signal from our own +fog-horn for Bickson to come in, post-haste with our power boat." + +From the "Panther's" fog-horn sounded four short blasts. + +Just a few minutes later Tom Halstead, listening at the rail, heard the +"Victor's" machinery moving at faster rate. + +"There they go, stealing away from us," muttered the young skipper. + +"And not sounding their fog-horn any more, either," commented Joseph +Baldwin. + +"It won't take 'em long to get out of our hearing, if our tender doesn't +get in," predicted Halstead. + +"Confound Bickson! Where is he? What's he doing?" demanded the +"Panther's" owner, impatiently. + +Barely thirty seconds later, however, the "Panther's" power tender shot +in alongside. The falls and tackle were lowered swiftly. The instant +when the hoisting began Halstead called sharply: + +"Mr. Davis, start us forward on the jump. Don't let those tricksters +slip us in that fashion." + +Second Officer Davis gave the order for increased speed. Then, before it +could be carried out, he cried, excitedly: + +"What has become of the 'Victor,' sir? Can you hear her machinery, now?" + +Tom Halstead listened intently, growing paler. Barely forty-five seconds +before he had had the enemy within sound. Now, not a single trace of +noise came to him over the waters. + +"By Jove! they've slipped us," he groaned, uneasily. + +"That's what," confessed Dick, in a hushed, scared voice. + +Joseph Baldwin's face was a study in intense anxiety. + +"I'm afraid the steam yacht has gotten away from us, Captain," he +remarked. "If that really has happened, I don't blame you. The chances, +in a game of this sort, and under these conditions, are all with the +fugitive." + +"Perhaps it isn't a matter of blame," muttered Skipper Tom, his face +chalk-white, his hands nervously gripping at the port deck rail. "But +I'm chagrined--ashamed, just the same. What have those rascals done? +Have they stopped speed altogether? Are they drifting, so that, if we go +ahead, we are drawing further away from them all the time? Or did they +shoot well ahead of us, then succeed in running with almost no noise, +and on a new course, so that they are slipping further away from us +every minute? Shall we stop and drift? Or, if we go ahead, what speed +and which course shall we take? Confound the wretches!" + +"It is a big problem," admitted Joseph Baldwin, his own face as white as +that of the young skipper. + +"Have you any orders, sir?" asked Halstead, quickly. + +"No," replied Joseph Baldwin, slowly. "All I can do is to guess. That's +all you can do, either, Captain Halstead; but your guess is just as +likely to be the right one as is my own." + +The "Panther" was now traveling at a speed of twelve miles, sounding her +fog-horn twice in the minute. + +"The worst of it is that our horn betrays us to the enemy," muttered +Tom. "They have no respect for the laws of the sea, so that we give them +guide, while they give us nothing in return." + +"We won't quite give up hope," uttered Mr. Baldwin, dispiritedly. "At +the same time, I fancy we're now as good as whipped. I don't see any +chance for us." + +"The only chance that's left," replied Skipper Tom, "is the chance of +luck. Until you give other orders, sir, I shall keep to the same course, +and at the same speed." + +Baldwin nodded, turning away. Somehow, the depressing news had passed +around. The cabin passengers came pouring out on deck, asking well-nigh +innumerable questions of the young captain and of the sadly perplexed +owner. + +"All I can say," replied Mr. Baldwin to his questioners, "is that we +must depend upon the slender chance of--luck." + +"And all I can say," added Captain Tom Halstead, "is--wait!" + +Gaston Giddings, who, in the morning, had been so insistent on having +Cragthorpe set at liberty, now underwent a complete change of feeling in +the matter. + +"That wretch in the brig could tell us something about this latest +trick," declared the young bank president, quivering with wrath. "Mr. +Baldwin, why don't you have the fellow brought on deck and made to +confess whatever he may know about the plans of the Rollings crowd on +the 'Victor'?" + +"Even if Cragthorpe should know all about the enemy's plans," demanded +the owner, "how could I make him confess if he didn't want to?" + +"Torture him, if you have to, until he talks freely," snarled Gaston +Giddings. + +"That wouldn't do," negatived Baldwin. "This is the twentieth century, +and we live under laws. We can't put men to the torture nowadays." + +"Then let me go down and see Cragthorpe," cried Giddings, nervously. +"I'll find a way to make him talk! Give me the key to the brig." + +To this proposition Captain Halstead returned a most emphatic refusal. + +"Whoop!" sounded a jubilant voice from below. "Whoo-oo-oopee!" + +"Who on earth is that?" demanded Mr. Ross. + +"Ted Dyer, the last castaway we picked up out of the ocean," responded +Captain Halstead. + +"What on earth can he find to be so joyous----" + +"Whoo-oop!" interrupted Ted himself, appearing on deck at that instant. +His eyes were snapping with excitement, his face fairly glowing with +delight. + +"Say, do you know what's down in the forehold, sir?" he demanded, facing +Captain Tom Halstead. + +"No; and how do you?" broke in Joseph Baldwin, interrupting. + +"Quartermaster Bickson set me to tidying up there," explained Ted. Then, +turning to the young skipper, the San Francisco boy rattled on: + +"There's a case there, under a lot of other stuff, marked 'shotguns,' +and another case marked 'rifles.' Then there are other boxes labeled +'ammunition.'" + +"Great Scott! I had forgotten that stuff--didn't know it was on board, +in fact," exclaimed the owner. + +"I heard you tell," Ted hastened on, speaking to Tom Halstead, "how you +were handicapped, when right alongside the 'Victor,' by not having any +firearms except the two revolvers of the deputy marshals. But, now! +You've got an arsenal if those boxes are labeled straight." + +"I believe the boxes are labeled all right," replied Joseph Baldwin, +smiling sadly. "Yet, now that we know we have weapons enough at hand we +haven't any steam yacht to board!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +ON A BLIND TRAIL OF THE SEA + + +"Those guns were put aboard six months ago, when I was planning to run +the 'Panther' down to Guatemala on a jaguar-hunting trip," explained Mr. +Baldwin. "Afterwards, when the trip was abandoned, the guns were taken +ashore. I'll admit I didn't know the arms were now on board." + +"We may catch up with those rascals again, sir," suggested Ted Dyer, +hopefully. + +"I wish I had your enthusiasm, and your belief in the future, young +man," remarked Mr. Baldwin, with a shake of his head. + +"Anyway, since the weapons have been found," interjected Halstead, "they +may as well be taken out of their cases and cleaned, and the ammunition +sorted over. We should have such things where we can get at them in a +moment, at need." + +"Right enough," nodded the owner. + +"I'll go down and have a look at the things," proposed the young +skipper. "Lead the way, Dyer." + +Ted went below, jubilantly enough, pointing out the cases, which he had +dragged out from under other supplies. Then Dyer went to the engine room +for hammer, cold chisel and screwdriver, after which the cases were +opened. + +"Ten splendid repeating rifles, the same number of dandy shot-guns, and +ammunition enough to keep these guns firing for a week," muttered +Halstead when half an hour's work had resulted in displaying all the +contents of the cases. "Oh, if we had only had these the other night, or +at any time when we were out of the great fog and in sight of the +'Victor'!" + +Regrets were, however, utterly useless. + +All of the weapons were taken on deck. Some were stacked in the wheel +house, others in Tom's cabin and some in the owner's suite. Boxes of +cartridges and shells were also placed with the guns. + +"I shall hate these things every time I see them," muttered Joseph +Baldwin. "I should have remembered, and have had a search made. But it's +no use fussing now." + +"Oh, if we only could meet up with those fellows, now!" sighed Tom. + +"Humph! If hens would only lay eggs of solid gold," snorted Mr. +Baldwin, "there'd be no sense in a bank cashier running away with the +stuffing of the bank's vault! Captain Halstead, we won't pick that steam +yacht up again in this fog." + +"Then, sir, we may do it when the fog lifts," predicted Halstead, +hopefully. + +Baldwin shook his head. + +"All we can do, young man, is to keep on in a general course toward San +Francisco, as we're doing. This fog will probably hang to us all the way +to our anchorage off Market Street. If the fog should lift before that, +there isn't one chance in a thousand that we'll find the 'Victor' in +sight." + +"I'm on this cruise, sir," rejoined the young captain, "with the notion +that the cruise can't end until we've run alongside the 'Victor' +somewhere. It may be that we'll sight some other vessel that has seen +the steam yacht. In that way we may get the news that will send us +hustling down the coast to Mexico, or across the ocean to Japan." + +Joseph Baldwin grinned wistfully. + +"Well, one thing, Captain; we have enough gasoline to go 'most anywhere. +My friends thought I was almost crazy to have such big tanks put aboard +to hold gasoline. But I replied that, when we didn't need the extra +oil, it would serve as ballast. If we have to burn that oil we can fill +the tanks with salt water and still keep ballasted." + +"In any clear weather we can use the sails a good deal, and save oil at +that, sir," suggested the young skipper. + +However, they continued on through the fog the rest of that afternoon, +and through the night, without discovering a sign of any other craft. +The loneliness of that great ocean about them began to get somewhat on +the nerves of some of the passengers. Gaston Giddings, suffering +infernal tortures for want of the drug to which he had become such a +pitiful slave, kept to the cabin. + +Through the long night the "Panther" kept plodding on her way, rolling a +good deal in the sea. Tom spent much of his time on the bridge with the +watch officer. So morning came around again, and it was Third Mate +Costigan's deck watch. + +Tom, who had been below in his cabin for the last three hours, came on +deck again at about nine in the morning. Somehow, he could not sleep. +The sense of failure preyed upon his nerves. + +For some minutes Captain Tom stood at the bridge rail, one hand at his +ear. He was trying to catch even the faintest sound of another foghorn +than the "Panther's." + +At last he started. + +"Did you hear that, Mr. Costigan?" he demanded. + +"I heard nothing, sir." + +"Then keep perfectly quiet, and listen hard." + +Within two minutes both officers were sure they heard a fog-horn. + +"But it's the fog-horn of a sailing vessel," muttered Tom, +disappointedly. + +"Coming this way, too, sir," replied Mr. Costigan. + +"The people on the 'Victor' wouldn't hesitate to use a sailing vessel's +signals in order to fool us," muttered Halstead. + +"Shall I pass well to starboard of the sailing craft, sir?" asked the +third officer. + +"No; get in her path. When we're near enough, signal that we want to +speak the other vessel," Halstead answered. + +Within seven or eight minutes the "Panther" was signaling the other +craft by sound for the desired marine interview. The "all right" signal +came back. Then the two vessels were cautiously manoeuvred to meet each +other without collision. + +At last a big bowsprit loomed up out of the white gloom, close at hand. + +"Put your helm hard-a-starboard!" roared Mr. Costigan through the wheel +house speaking-tube. Then, after some further manoeuvring, during which +the "Panther's" propellers reversed, the two craft lay hazily in sight +of each other. + +The stranger proved to be a long, low, white schooner yacht hailing from +San Diego as the home port, but now bound for Hawaii. + +"Do you know the steam yacht 'Victor' when you see her?" Tom shouted +over the "Panther's" rail. + +"Yes," came back the testy answer. "And sometimes we see too much of +her. We did this morning." + +"You did?" Halstead demanded, excitedly. "Where?" + +"Back on our course. She came along through the fog like a thief, +without signaling. If my first mate hadn't been in the bow at the +moment, and able to pass the order back like lightning, that infernal +steam yacht would have sunk us." + +"How far away do you think the 'Victor' is now?" Tom demanded. + +"At a good guess, say twelve miles ahead of you, on a pretty straight +course for the Golden Gate." + +"Thank you, Captain!" + +"You're welcome." + +As the schooner yacht's sails filled, and she bore away on her course, +a dozen people on the "Panther's" deck let up a wild cheer. + +"Fog or no fog, we'll catch up with the 'Victor' if we have luck," +declared Captain Tom Halstead. Then his face took on a troubled look. + +"I forgot," he muttered. "The captain of the 'Victor' will hear our fog +horn, and--oh, confound a fog-horn on a chase like this!" + +"Perhaps this is where a lawyer can help you out," smiled Mr. Jephson. +"You're now a dozen miles behind the 'Victor.' Well, Captain, if you +tone down your fog-horn so that it can't be heard for more than half or +three quarters of a mile, it will still make noise enough to warn any +innocent craft out of your path. Can't you tone down the horn?" + +"Yes," answered Tom, rather dubiously, "if it will be strictly +straightforward and legal." + +"As a representative of the United States courts, I'll take all the +responsibility," Mr. Jephson pledged himself. "I know," he added, "that +I haven't, really, a legal right to authorize you to go forward without +signals. That right belongs to the Navy, and to revenue cutter +commanders. But I'll take the responsibility upon myself, Captain +Halstead. All innocent vessels proceed under regular signals, anyway, +and that does away with the risk of collision." + +The young motor boat captain needed no further urging. He called Joe on +deck. Together the two chums worked over the fog-horn until the hail it +sent forth would not carry more than a half mile. + +In the meantime, Third Officer Costigan, on the bridge, had been making +use of his arithmetic. Figuring that the "Victor" was twelve miles ahead +of the "Panther" and still following the same course at the same speed, +the third mate had to calculate the time that would elapse before the +motor yacht would be just two miles astern of its quarry. + +At the same time Ab Perkins was briefly busy, at least. It fell to his +share to see that the power tender was all in trim for lowering over the +side. Provisions and water, a compass and a fog-horn had to be added to +the usual equipment of the boat. Firearms were stocked aboard, as well, +and a greater supply of lines than the tender usually carried. + +Meanwhile, of course, the "Panther" was traveling at increased speed, +this speed being carefully regulated to fit in with the problems that +Third Officer Costigan was so carefully solving. + +For the next two hours Captain Tom Halstead strolled nervously about, +Mr. Jephson, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Ross and a few others were observed to be +similarly afflicted with restlessness. + +Just before noon Tom Halstead climbed the stairs to the bridge, +consulting Mr. Costigan's figures carefully. + +"Slow down the speed," Halstead ordered, after a few moments of +listening that brought to them no sound showing another vessel to be +near. "Mr. Perkins, stand by and lower the tender." + +As the "Panther" slowed up there was a rush to the port rail, for the +tender was to carry a goodly crew. When the little power boat lay in the +water alongside, Captain Tom Halstead was the first to go over the side. +He was followed by Jed Prentiss, who was to act as engineer officer of +this expedition. Then came Mr. Jephson and his two deputy marshals. Next +followed Joe Dawson, who did _not_ go in the capacity of engineer. +Messrs. Baldwin and Ross next followed, then two of the "Panther's" +seamen, and, last of all, Ted Dyer. Quartermaster Bickson had been in +the power boat when it was lowered, thus making twelve altogether in the +party. + +"Cast off," called Tom, sharply, while Joe, already at the steering +seat, threw the wheel over to port. "Mr. Perkins, you're in command of +the yacht." + +"Any signals to arrange with us, Captain?" called the young first mate. + +"No! I don't believe you'll see us again in a hurry," Tom replied, as +the power launch darted away, "unless we come back on board the +'Victor!'" + +From the yacht's rail came a subdued cheer. Halstead waved his hand to +his first mate. + +A few bucketfuls of water slopped over into the tender. The sea was +running high for such a small craft. Those in the launch, however, +thought of nothing but the goal ahead. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +A STERN LOOMS UP IN THE FOG + + +Joe Dawson, at the wheel of the power tender, bent grimly over the +compass. + +There was little need for him to look about him, anyway, since it was +not possible to see anything distinctly at a greater distance than three +boat-lengths away. + +Almost immediately the "Panther" dropped back out of view. The big motor +yacht was now to go along only at her slow cruising speed, but the +launch was to make greater haste. + +Tom Halstead had taken his post well up in the bow of the rolling little +craft. He was listening intently for any betraying sounds ahead in +their course. + +"This is hardly a big enough boat for a sea like this," grumbled Mr. +Jephson, who had taken up his post close to the young captain. + +"The sea _is_ a good deal on the roll to-day," Halstead assented, +briefly. + +"Why, this little craft acts as though she'd turn over and dump us all +in the ocean," muttered the assistant district attorney, uneasily. + +"The crowd we have aboard makes her sit lower than usual in the water," +Tom explained. + +"Is there any _real_ danger of our tipping over, Captain?" insisted Mr. +Jephson. + +"Why, it might happen, of course, sir." + +"Do you think it is _going_ to happen?" demanded Mr. Jephson, anxiously. + +There are many men, brave enough elsewhere, who are cowards on a heavy +sea with only a small boat between themselves and the water. Back on the +"Panther" the district attorney's representative had felt no sense of +danger. + +"Why, I don't know whether the boat is going to heel over, or not," Tom +replied. "You are right in supposing that it isn't quite a large enough +craft for the job in hand, but it was the only thing we had." + +"I can't swim, but I'll try to keep my nerve," grimaced Mr. Jephson. + +Whatever the others thought of their chances of being pitched into the +ocean, none of them said anything. + +Halstead looked back, presently, to inquire: + +"Mr. Prentiss, can't you deaden the noise of our exhaust still more?" + +"I'm trying to," replied the young assistant engineer. "Think I'm going +to succeed, too." + +After a few moments the tender ran along all but noiselessly. Though the +exhaust still gave forth some little sound, it was wholly likely that +this reduced noise would not be heard above the machinery running on the +"Victor" if the expedition in the tender should be so fortunate as to +catch up with the steam yacht. + +The twelve men sat huddled there in the cramped space, trying to blind +their minds to the danger of capsizing in the rolling sea. For more than +half an hour the tender ran ahead at nearly its best speed, ere Tom +Halstead called back: + +"Joe, take my signals. I think we're getting in closer--to something!" + +Eagerly all bent forward to listen. After a minute or two more it seemed +to them that they really could hear, faintly, the rather distant sound +of the moving machinery of some steam craft. Yet this noise, none too +distinct, was muffled still more by the ceaseless wash of the rolling +sea, whose waves broke in white crests everywhere about them. + +Halstead, whose ears were perhaps the keenest on board, listened and +occasionally signaled for the launch to be veered a little either to +port or starboard. + +Surely, they were creeping up on something that ran by machinery, though +through the curtain of white no eye could make out the form of a vessel. + +Somewhere, away to starboard, a great, deep note boomed out. + +"That's some big vessel, like a liner," Tom whispered to Jephson. Then, +from away off to port sounded the tolling bell of a sailing vessel. Both +appeared to be headed toward the "Panther" launch. + +"They seem to be about half a mile apart," Halstead whispered. "The +'Victor,' I think, will pass between the two craft. While that deep +whistle and solemn bell are going the people on the steam yacht are not +so likely to hear us. Pass the word to Mr. Prentiss to increase speed a +little, if he can do so without making more noise at the exhaust." + +A little faster spurted the power tender, and a little worse became the +tossing in that rolling sea. All the members of the party were in +drenched clothing by this time. The water came aboard faster under this +burst of speed; the two seamen began to bail it out. + +"If I ever get out of this boat alive, large yachts will be small enough +for me in the future," Mr. Jephson told himself, nervously. + +Tom Halstead was paying no heed to the incoming water. That was Joe's +affair, since Joe Dawson was handling the craft. + +"Pass the word to Jed to watch for signals from me," whispered Tom +Halstead, tensely, a few minutes later. + +"Then you think----" began the district attorney's assistant eagerly. + +"Pass the word for me, please," Tom broke in. + +In the gray fog ahead some craft was moving by steam power. Those in the +launch could now hear the regular thump-thump, soft though it was, of +machinery ahead. + +Yet, to most of the silent watchers it came as something of a shock +when, out of the mist ahead, there suddenly loomed, indistinctly, the +stern of a hull. + +Away to starboard sounded the deep whistle of the big steamship, while +over to port the bell of that sailing vessel tolled. The noise enabled +Halstead to creep in more closely with less dread of being discovered +too soon. + +A moment's breathlessness, then "Victor--San Francisco" stood out boldly +before the eyes of the people in the launch as that boat shot in by the +yacht's stern. + +They were taking grave chances, now, of being swamped at the very door +of success. None knew this better than Tom Halstead and Joe Dawson as +they jointly manoeuvred to run the tender up stealthily, while Jed +Prentiss, trembling inwardly, kept his hand on the lever, ready to obey +the slightest signal for speed. + +Then, swiftly, Tom Halstead, a rifle strapped over his back, rose in the +bow. In one hand he held a line to the other end of which was attached a +grappling hook. + +With a practiced eye and hand he measured the distance, poising the coil +for a throw. Just as the tender stole in closer he made the throw. + +All hands watched breathlessly for a second or two. Then, as straight +and true as a well-aimed bullet, the grappling hook fell and caught at +the "Victor's" stern rail. + +Not an instant did the young motor boat skipper lose. There was no time +to inquire whether someone else wanted to go first. Tom Halstead seized +the tautening line with both hands, and began to climb as only a sailor +_can_ go up a rope. + +His head quickly appeared above the steam yacht's stern rail. Tom +Halstead slipped onto the deck just in time to see two men walking +slowly aft. One of them was in uniform--perhaps he was the captain of +the steam yacht. But the other, in civilian dress, the young motor yacht +captain knew instantly from the description of him which he had heard. + +"Frank Rollings, the absconding cashier!" flashed through Tom's mind. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +ROLLINGS'S LAST RUSE + + +Both approaching men were regarding the deck, talking in earnest tones +as they came astern. + +"If we should pass out of this fog," Rollings was saying, "and if the +'Panther' should prove to be close to us----" + +Just at this point the speaker stopped. He panted, then staggered back, +clutching at his uniformed companion. + +In almost the same instant both caught sight of lone Tom Halstead. + +Though not quite alone, either, for Tom had succeeded in unlimbering his +rifle, and both strangers now found themselves staring down into the +muzzle. + +"Don't stir, please!" mocked Tom Halstead, coolly. + +"How in the world _did_ he get on board?" faltered Rollings, hoarsely, +his face ashen with terror. + +The uniformed man with him saw the grappling hook resting over the stern +rail, and did not need to ask. + +At this instant Tom Halstead felt himself being pushed from behind, and +took a step forward. Then Ted Dyer bounded onto deck beside him, +bringing another rifle into play. + +"They're boarding us!" gasped Rollings, in the voice of a man who felt +himself dying from fright. + +The uniformed man with him did not move; neither did he show any signs +of fear, though he was facing the business ends of two rifles. + +Joe Dawson was on deck, now. Joe turned long enough to toss down a light +line. It came up again, carrying the hooks of a boarding-ladder. Joe +dropped this into place, then, with a quiet grin, turned to inspect the +scene on deck. + +Suddenly the man in uniform turned and ran, defying possible shots. + +"Turn out the whole crew!" he bawled. "A posse is coming on board. Stand +by to fight!" + +"Shall I drop the fellow?" quivered Ted. + +"No," came Halstead's quick answer. Then, as Frank Rollings summoned the +strength to wheel about as if to bolt, Halstead shouted, warningly: + +"Rollings, if you try to move, you won't get three steps away!" + +At this instant one of the United States deputy marshals came up over +the rail. + +"Officer," called Tom, "there's the man you've cruised so far to +arrest." + +Though he had a rifle strapped over his back, the marshal drew his +revolver as he ran forward. + +"Frank Rollings, you're a United States prisoner. Put up your hands!" + +With a moan that was half a scream, Rollings, instead, sank to the deck +in a huddled heap. + +[Illustration: Rollings Sank to the Deck in a Huddled Heap.] + +"A man with no more nerve than you have should not try to loot a bank," +growled the officer, as he snapped handcuffs onto the wrists of the +seemingly palsied wretch. + +The other deputy was on board, by now, and other members of the boarding +party were coming up fast. Mr. Jephson was among the foremost of them. + +"Come forward to the bridge," he called, now taking charge. "We'll take +command of this whole craft. Deputy, make it your whole business to +prevent your prisoner from getting away. Hold on to him, but come +forward with us." + +The same uniformed, bearded man appeared suddenly around the pilot house +as the party swept forward along the port side of the yacht. Rollings, +his knees doubling under him, had to be dragged. + +The uniformed man suddenly raised a rifle, shouting: + +"Stand by, men! We'll put a stop to this nonsense!" + +"Drop that gun, or we'll open fire on you!" shouted Mr. Jephson, +sternly. + +The boarding party moved swiftly forward. Behind the captain stood a +mate and four or five seamen, all looking irresolute. Of a sudden the +mate wheeled, throwing a rifle over the rail at starboard. The seamen +with him instantly followed his example. + +Even the bearded captain had lowered the muzzle of his rifle. It is +easier to be brave on the side of the law than against it. + +"Put that captain in irons," Mr. Jephson ordered the marshal who had no +prisoner to cumber him. + +Sullenly, the captain of the "Victor" submitted to being handcuffed. + +"All of the rest of the officers and crew muster up in the bow," called +Mr. Jephson. "Captain Halstead, I call upon you to take command of this +yacht for the present. The quartermaster of this craft may remain in the +wheel house if he'll take orders straight." + +"Aye, aye, sir," the quartermaster called, briefly, through one of the +lowered windows of the pilot house. + +Tom Halstead, still carrying his rifle and holding it ready, ran up to +the bridge. + +Stepping over to the signaling apparatus, Halstead rang for speed enough +to furnish bare headway. + +"Quartermaster," the new commander of the "Victor" called down through +the wheel house speaking-tube, "you'll keep to the same course you've +been following, and sound the fog whistle every thirty seconds." + +"Captain," called Mr. Baldwin, a few moments later, "can you put one of +your party up there on the bridge? We have yet other duties to perform +here." + +"Take the bridge, Mr. Prentiss," called Tom, for he understood instantly +what other work was likely to be on hand, and he knew that Joe Dawson +would want a hand in it. + +Aft of the captain's quarters there was a main deck house. Into this +cabin Rollings and the captain of the steam yacht were taken. Mr. +Jephson was now talking to the two prisoners as solemnly as though +holding actual court. + +"Do you think the 'Panther' will overtake us here, out on the high seas, +Captain?" questioned Mr. Baldwin, just as they entered this cabin. +"That is, will he recognize the 'Victor's' fog-whistle?" + +"He'll make a good guess at it, I think," laughed Halstead. "I've just +directed Mr. Prentiss, in ten minutes more, to begin sounding whole +bunches of blasts in quick succession. Ab will be clever enough to guess +that it is our crowd celebrating a capture." + +"Now, then, Rollings," declared Mr. Jephson, sternly, "it is time for +you to tell us where the money stolen from the Sheepmen's Bank is hidden +aboard this craft?" + +"You won't find five hundred dollars on board," replied the cashier, +with a ghastly smile. + +"My man, it may save you some years on the sentence that is coming to +you if you tell us promptly where to find the stolen money," warned the +United States assistant district attorney, sternly. + +"I've said all I'm going to say," returned Rollings, sullenly. + +"Captain Blake," asked Jephson, turning toward the bearded one, "you +also have much to answer for in the courts. Do you desire to win any +leniency by telling us, now, what you can?" + +"All I've anything to do with here," retorted Captain Blake, "is the +running of this yacht. That work you've taken from me. So I've nothing +to do, and nothing to say." + +Mr. Jephson, however, continued to question first one prisoner, then the +other, though in vain, until Mr. Baldwin broke in: + +"Jephson, you can't make these fellows talk. They're afraid they'd only +run their necks further into the noose of the law. Besides, this rascal, +Rollings, hopes that, if you can't find the money, he'll win complete +pardon in the matter by restoring most of it later on. It'll save a good +deal of time, I imagine, if you place both these fellows under close +guard by one of your deputies, then lead us in a search through this +craft." + +By this time Jed Prentiss, following orders, had begun to turn loose on +the fog-horn, sounding it so rapidly that Ab Perkins, somewhere behind +in the mist with the "Panther," must be able to guess what had happened. + +One of the deputies now guarded Rollings and Captain Blake, while the +other had gone below to the engine room. There the engineer's crew had +agreed to serve faithfully under the new command, but the deputy was +there to see to it that they didn't change their minds. Quartermaster +Bickson and one of his seamen had driven the crew of the "Victor" to the +forecastle, and mounted guard over them. + +The searchers, comprising Mr. Jephson, Mr. Baldwin and the latter's +captain, Halstead, were joined by Mr. Ross, Joe Dawson and Ted Dyer. + +"There are enough of us here," laughed Mr. Baldwin, "to turn this craft +inside out in another half hour." + +First of all, Frank Rollings's own quarters were searched, as a matter +of course. It had been learned, since coming aboard, that the absconding +cashier was now the owner of the "Victor," having bought her secretly +three days before his flight. + +There was no safe in the owner's cabin. The desk stood wide-open, with +hardly a scrap of paper in it. The mattress was yanked from the bed, +ripped and thoroughly searched, but not a trace of the stolen money was +found. The pillows were served in the same fashion, with no better +results. Other nooks and corners of the cabin were explored, without +success. Nor were any better results achieved in the captain's cabin. + +Cabin, dining room and state-rooms below were explored. By this time the +searchers had broken up into smaller parties. The more they searched the +more dispirited did the hunters become. + +"We're not going to find the missing money with ease," announced Mr. +Jephson, when he had rounded up all his searching force on deck. + +"We've looked in about every possible place except the forecastle, the +water butts and the coal bunkers," declared Jason Ross, disgustedly. + +"The money isn't likely to be in any of those places," declared Mr. +Jephson, shaking his head. "Hullo, what's that racket?" + +Off in the fog a horn was sounding frantically. + +Tom Halstead laughed. + +"You ought to know that tune, Mr. Jephson. You've heard it days enough. +That's the 'Panther' coming up with us, with Ab Perkins in command. He +understood our signal, as I thought he would. He'll be hailing us within +two minutes." + +"But that won't be finding the money," broke in Joseph Baldwin, +impatiently. + +"Nor do I believe we're going to find it--not immediately, anyway," +answered Mr. Jephson. "This boat doesn't seem to be full of hiding +places, and I believe we have done all the searching we can do out here +at sea. We shall have to run the 'Victor' in at anchorage at San +Francisco, then put aboard a force of officers under experienced +detectives, and leave the search to them." + +"Confound it," growled Jason Ross, "I know, as well as I know I'm +standing here, that there are three million dollars in actual cash +somewhere within a hundred feet of us. It makes me almost frantic to +think that we can't put our hands right on it." + +"Ahoy, there!" roared a voice off in the fog. + +Though the other craft was invisible, and though the voice came through +a megaphone, the hearers knew it was Ab Perkins's voice. Jed snatched up +a megaphone to shout back: + +"Ahoy, 'Panther'!" + +"Ahoy! Then you've found the 'Victor'?" + +"Aye, and captured her." + +"Did you find Rollings!" + +"He's a prisoner, under close guard." + +"And the money?" + +"That's what we all want to know," Jed admitted, sadly. + +"You can't find it?" + +"Not even a dollar bill!" + +There was a pause, during which those on board the steam yacht knew that +their friends on the motor yacht were discussing this chilling news. + +"What are Captain Halstead's orders?" shouted Ab, finally. + +Jed bent over the bridge rail to talk with Captain Tom, then answered: + +"Keep about abreast of us, and a quarter of a mile off. Proceed with +us, straight for the Golden Gate. Keep your fog-horn sounding at +intervals of one minute, or at such other intervals as you may hear us +sounding. Three sharp blasts of the whistle will mean for you to stand +by to find out what we're doing in the fog." + +"Aye, aye," answered Ab Perkins. "Is that all?" + +"That's all, Mr. Perkins." + +The "Victor" now proceeded on her way to the home port at about eight +miles an hour. Though no one on board could see the "Panther," the sound +of the latter's fog-horn was always with them. + +"The prisoner, Rollings, wants to see you, Mr. Jephson," called the +deputy marshal from the deck-house cabin. + +Jephson went back. + +"Well, Rollings, have you come to your senses? Are you going to tell us +where the missing money is?" demanded the assistant district attorney. + +"I know nothing about any missing money," replied the bank cashier, +doggedly. "See here, man, what I want to ask is: Do you intend to +torture me needlessly?" + +"No; what do you want?" + +"Let me go to my own cabin, and let me have these handcuffs off," +pleaded the prisoner. "I need rest; I'm nearly a wreck." + +"I can let you go to your cabin, and even remove the handcuffs," agreed +Mr. Jephson. "But I'll have to place a guard in there with you. + +"All right, then," sighed the prisoner. + +He was taken to his own cabin, the handcuffs removed, and the cashier +threw himself upon his bed, while the deputy marshal took a seat where +he could watch his man. + +Captain Blake begged a similar privilege, which was refused. He was made +to go out on deck where he could be watched by all hands. + +For half an hour Rollings lay on the bed, his eyes closed, as though +asleep. Occasionally he twitched, or made some slight movement. That was +all. The deputy seated opposite began to find the situation a dull one. +At last the prisoner half sat up, to take off his shoes. + +"My feet are burning," he complained, as he dropped the shoes at the +foot of the bed, then sank back on the pillow. + +"You're nervous; that's why your feet trouble you," observed the deputy, +with a knowing smile. + +Then Rollings began to breathe heavily; bye and bye two or three snores +escaped him. The deputy, finding it duller and duller, unintentionally +allowed his eyes to close. Instantly the cashier's own eyes opened a +trifle. At last, smiling cunningly, the cashier moved slightly, securing +one of his shoes. He poised it, aimed and threw. The heel of the shoe +struck the deputy on the head, causing him to drop forward out of the +chair and lie apparently senseless on the floor. + +Suppressing a cry of exultation, Frank Rollings leaped from the bed. +There was now the light of mania in his eyes. This thief, disgraced, +about to be despoiled, and presently to be sent to prison for a long +term, preferred to die. + +This he might have accomplished with the deputy's revolver, but that +would not enable him to carry out all of his purpose. On one wall of the +cabin stood a rack containing a water-bottle and two glasses. + +Over to this rack stole the captured thief. He swung the rack to one +side, then pressed a certain nail in the wood-work there. Instantly a +door in the wall swung open. + +Rollings's eyes eagerly peered into the recess thus laid bare. Then, +with a nearly inarticulate cry of joy, he drew out a small though +heavy-looking iron box. + +"Neither me nor the money shall they have!" uttered the wretch, in +insane joy. + +With a last look at the still unconscious deputy, Frank Rollings threw +his cabin door open. + +As he sprang to the deck three or four watchers saw him. + +"Look out! There's the prisoner trying to escape!" shouted Joseph +Baldwin. + +There was not time for anyone to reach Rollings ere that crafty, +unbalanced wretch, clutching desperately at the iron box, bounded to the +rail, stood there tottering for an instant, and then leaped far out into +the water. + +It was Tom Halstead who first saw the iron box and comprehended the +meaning of the scene. + +"There he goes!" yelled Halstead. "And the box with the three millions +in it will sink like a stone!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +CONCLUSION + + +Never slow to act, Captain Tom darted aft, intent on leaping overboard +also. + +Ted Dyer, however, chanced to be standing close to the stern. Ted saw +Rollings when the latter first leaped to the rail. + +As quickly as it flashed upon Dyer what was happening, the San +Francisco boy scrambled to the rail. Almost at the instant that Rollings +jumped Ted's own feet left the rail. The two struck the water within +thirty feet of each other. + +Nothing but the slow speed of the steam yacht, perhaps, saved both from +being dragged under by the force of suction. In a moment or two the pair +were left astern. + +Feeling the shock of the cold water, Rollings's first instinctive act +was to try to keep himself afloat. Curiously, he would not, at first, +let go of the iron box, which, with its contents, weighed many pounds. + +Now, over the top of a rolling wave Ted Dyer's head appeared. All this +had taken place in a few seconds. + +"You want to catch me--you want the money!" sputtered Rollings, +expelling a spray of water from his mouth. "You shall do neither!" + +Clutching tightly at the box as an aid to his own drowning, Frank +Rollings let himself go beneath the surface. + +Promptly Ted went down after him, swimming straight and lustily. + +Another figure sprang forward and downward, shark-like, through the +water. This was Tom Halstead, who, with his stoutest strokes, had just +reached the scene. + +Between them Tom and Ted succeeded in seizing the box. By a common +impulse, for they could not talk, they forced it from Rollings, rising +to the surface. + +"Blub-bub-bub--whew!" + +Rollings, rising to the surface, made that noise as he fought for +breath. The cashier, an excellent swimmer, saw the two boys, a dozen +feet away, swimming and holding up the box. + +"Neither me nor the money shall you have!" he roared, striking out at a +strong overhand swimming gait. He was almost upon them like a flash. + +But there was another there, too. Joe Dawson had also leaped over from +the rail of the motor yacht. Joe got along just in time to swim between +Rollings and the two boys who were doing their best to keep up and hold +the iron box, too. + +"Back for yours! Go away back and float!" cried Joe, pushing one of his +fighting hands against the cashier's face. + +"I'll take _you_ down, then, or the box!" screamed Rollings. + +"Oh, all right, then. Take me," mocked Joe. "I'm used to it." + +Furiously the pair fought in that rolling sea. Joe devoted every +energy, first of all, to keeping the cashier from winding his arms +around him. + +Presently Rollings gave up that effort, trying to dodge around Joe and +get at the other pair, who, swimming slowly, were at the same time +managing to keep that precious iron box afloat. This latter task, easy +at first, soon became difficult. As the minutes passed the box became +more and more of a burden, until it threatened to drag both swimmers +under. Yet they hung to it manfully. + +Up on the bridge of the "Victor" Jed Prentiss had his own hard task to +perform. + +Almost at the outset the swimmers had vanished in the fog astern. Jed +Prentiss instantly gave orders for the steam yacht to stop and reverse +the screw. At the same time he ordered the "Victor" to go around +hard-a-port. Even this circle had to be one of large diameter. + +"No hails down there on the deck!" rang Jed's voice, sternly. "No +confusion of calls. Let me do all the hailing." + +Megaphone in hand, young Prentiss stood at the port bridge rail. + +"Ahoy!" he roared, through the megaphone. + +Again and again he repeated the call. At last he thought he heard an +answer out of the deeps. + +"Louder!" he roared. "Give us your position." + +Suddenly, some sixty feet off the rail, Jed just made out the heads of +Joe Dawson and Frank Boilings. + +The cashier was floating, now, making no resistance, for Joe had struck +him a blow across the head with his clenched fist. Rollings, stunned, +floated unresistingly, supported by Dawson. + +"We'll have a boat to you in a jiffy!" shouted Jed, while Bickson threw +a life preserver with almost perfect aim. + +Now, the "Victor," whose speed had been slowing down, was stopped. + +Joe and his charge had drifted just out of sight, but a boat was quickly +lowered, under command of Bickson, and reached the pair, after hailing. + +"Where's the captain?" demanded the quartermaster, as Joe and Rollings +were hauled in. + +"Hail 'em. They're close at hand," Joe replied. + +The first hail brought an answer. In a few moments more the iron box was +carefully brought over the side into the small boat. Finally Tom and Ted +nimbly joined the others. + +"Get back to the yacht as quickly as you can. Rollings may come to, and, +fighting in a small boat like this, he could make it unsafe--for the +money," Captain Tom Halstead added, with a wan grin. + +Little time passed before strong hands bore the iron box up over the +side of the "Victor." Then Frank Rollings, just beginning hazily to come +to, was carried up. This time he was handcuffed, to remain so until San +Francisco should be reached. + +It was an anxious conference that gathered in the main cabin as +Assistant District Attorney Jephson proceeded to force the iron box that +had come within a hair's breadth of going to the bottom of the ocean. +The three boys who had gone overboard after it stood by in their +dripping garments. + +As the lid of the sheet-iron box went up, a subdued cheer arose. This +increased in volume to a din as Mr. Jephson swiftly tore the paper +wrappings from one of the packages that he had lifted out. The first +tightly-packed bale of crisp, new thousand-dollar bills was in view. + +"All of the stolen money--the whole three million dollars--appears to be +here," announced Mr. Jephson, presently, as he began placing the bales +back in the iron box, which, now that it was open, proved not to be as +thick or solid as it looked when closed. + +"Then I'm off to where I can get dry and warm," muttered Tom Halstead. +"Come along, fellows." + +It was all over but making the anchorage at San Francisco. There was a +somewhat long, though uneventful cruise, through fog that lasted to the +end. With the "Panther's" crew divided up between two boats, the work +was hard, indeed. It was a welcome hour to all when anchorage was +finally made not far from the foot of Market Street, San Francisco. + +Frank Rollings was afterwards tried, convicted, and sentenced to twenty +years' confinement, which he is now serving. + +Captain Blake was convicted of firing upon the "Panther," of running +without lights or signals, and of attempting to resist United States +officers. He was sent to prison for twelve years. Blake confessed that +the idea in turning back on the course was to elude the "Panther," and +then seek a lonely point on the coast of Mexico for landing. + +Nor did Cragthorpe escape, his sentence being ten years for the part he +had played. Yet, before he was sent away, this wretch gave the evidence +which cleared Robert Gentry of the crime of which the latter stood +accused. Young Gentry was released, exonerated, and Rose Gentry, whom +Tom Halstead had briefly befriended on the Overland Mail at Oakland, +wedded her own heart's choice, the broad-shouldered young man who had +met her at the San Francisco ferry mole. + +Cragthorpe, as it was afterwards learned, had been serving Rollings for +some time, and Cragthorpe it was who, having made the acquaintance of +Gaston Giddings, lured the latter into the opium dens of Chinatown. Had +Cragthorpe succeeded in wedding Rose Gentry--and her fortune--he might +have discarded Rollings. As it was, he participated deeply in Rollings's +crimes, and had absconded from San Francisco with him on board the +"Victor" as a fighting man and trusted agent. + +Gaston Giddings has been broken of the fearful curse of the opium habit, +but he is no longer president of the Sheepmen's Bank. He is naturally +too weak-willed for prominent service in the financial world. + +Ted Dyer, you may be sure, became a member of the Motor Boat Club, going +into its engineer squad. Ted's worthless, heartless uncle was arrested +on his return to San Francisco, and a new guardian, who was appointed +for Ted, secured the young man's full inheritance back out of the +property of the uncle. + +All of our young Motor Boat Club friends remained aboard the "Panther" +for the balance of the winter and well into the spring. They had many +enjoyable cruises, though none as exciting as the one just closed. + +The reward that the directors of the Sheepmen's Bank voted to all hands +for the recovery of the three million dollars, made the bank accounts of +these sturdy, brave young navigators swell considerably. Not, however, +that any of Captain Tom Halstead's comrades needed money, for they have +that which is worth far more--the power that strong hands, brave hearts +and fearless, truthful eyes bring to any human being when rightly +employed. + +It is possible, even very likely, that we may yet again meet up with +these splendid young fellows, who stand for the new type in American +power of the seas in the twentieth century. + +In the meantime, let us hail Tom Halstead, Joe Dawson, and all the other +resourceful, capable and brave lads with their own famous club yell: + +"_M. B. C. K.! M. B. C. K.! Motor Boat Club._ WOW!" + + +[THE END.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate, by +H. 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Irving Hancock. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + + p.bold {text-align: center; font-weight: bold;} + p.bold2 {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 150%;} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + h1 span, h2 span { display: block; text-align: center; } + #id1 { font-size: smaller } + + + hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; + } + + hr.smler { + width: 10%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 45%; + margin-right: 45%; + clear: both; + } + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; text-align: right;} + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + text-indent: 0px; + } /* page numbers */ + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smaller {font-size: smaller;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .space-above {margin-top: 3em;} + .left {text-align: left;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate, by +H. Irving Hancock + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most +other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of +the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have +to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. + + + +Title: The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate + or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog + +Author: H. Irving Hancock + +Release Date: May 23, 2015 [EBook #49030] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTOR BOAT CLUB *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="center"><a name="cover.jpg" id="cover.jpg"></a><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /></div> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="images/i002.jpg" alt="I Trust You, But I'll Hold Onto the Pitcher. Frontispiece" /></div> + +<p class="bold">"I Trust You, But I'll Hold Onto the Pitcher."</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Frontispiece.</i></p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + +<h1>The Motor Boat Club<br />at the Golden Gate</h1> + +<p class="bold space-above">OR</p> + +<p class="bold space-above">A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog</p> + +<p class="bold space-above">By</p> + +<p class="bold">H. IRVING HANCOCK</p> + +<p class="bold">Author of The Motor Boat Club of the Kennebec, The Motor Boat<br /> +Club at Nantucket, The Motor Boat Club off Long<br /> +Island, The Motor Boat Club and the<br /> +Wireless, The Motor Boat Club<br /> +in Florida, etc., etc.</p> + +<p class="bold space-above">Illustrated</p> + +<p class="bold space-above">PHILADELPHIA<br />HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1909, by Howard E. Altemus</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table summary="CONTENTS"> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" class="left"><span class="smcap">Chapter</span></td> + <td><span class="smcap">Page</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>I.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Tom Halstead, Knight of the Overland Mail</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>II.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Hazing, M. B. C. K. Style</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>III.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Captain Tom's New Command</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>IV.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Halstead Is Let into a Secret</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>V.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Hunt in the Under-World</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>VI.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Facing the Yellow Barrier</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>VII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Dick Takes the Rescue Boat Trick</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>VIII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Real Kennebec Way</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>IX.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Chase of Their Lives</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>X.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Coming to Close, Dangerous Quarters</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XI.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Gaston Giddings Makes Trouble</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_122">122</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Too-Whoo-oo! Is the Word</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XIII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Call from out of the Fog</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_136">136</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XIV.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Mr. Cragthorpe Is More than Troublesome</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XV.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Midnight Alarm</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_155">155</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XVI.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Fire Drill in Earnest</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_164">164</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XVII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Cragthorpe Introduces His Real Self</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_172">172</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XVIII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Trick Made for Two</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_183">183</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XIX.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Ted Dyer, Sailor by Marriage</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_196">196</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XX.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">The Find in the Forehold</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XXI.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">On a Blind Trail of the Sea</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_213">213</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XXII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">A Stern Looms up in the Fog</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_222">222</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XXIII.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Rollings's Last Ruse</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>XXIV.</td> + <td class="left"> <span class="smcap">Conclusion</span>,</td> + <td><a href="#Page_243">243</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> + +<p class="bold2">The Motor Boat Club at<br />The Golden Gate</p> + +<hr class="smler" /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER I</span> <span class="smaller">TOM HALSTEAD, KNIGHT OF THE OVERLAND MAIL</span></h2> + +<p>"I feel it in my bones," announced Joe Dawson, quietly though +positively.</p> + +<p>"That's no talk for an engineer," jibed Tom Halstead. "Tell me, instead, +that you read it in your gauge."</p> + +<p>"Oh, laugh, if you want to," nodded Dawson, showing no offense. "But +you'll find that I'm right. You know, I don't often make predictions."</p> + +<p>"Yet, this time, you feel that something disastrous is going to happen +before this train rolls out on the mole at Oakland? In other words, +before we set foot in San Francisco?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't say quite that," objected Joe, thoughtfully. "There's a +heap of the navigator about you, Tom Halstead, and you're pinning me +down to the map and the chronometer. I won't predict quite as closely as +that. But, either before we reach 'Frisco, or mighty soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> after we get +there, something is going to happen."</p> + +<p>"And it's going to be a disaster?" questioned Tom, closely.</p> + +<p>"For someone, yes; and we're going to be in it, at great risk."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's a comfort to have it narrowed down even as closely as that," +smiled Tom Halstead. "I hope it isn't going to be another earthquake, though."</p> + +<p>"No," agreed Joe, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, that much of your prediction will comfort the people of San +Francisco, anyway."</p> + +<p>"Now, you're laughing at me again," grinned Joe, good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>"No; I'm not," protested Halstead, but belied himself by the twinkle in +his eyes, and by whistling softly the air of a popular song that the +boys had heard in a New York theatre just before leaving for the West.</p> + +<p>At the present moment both boys were sitting comfortably facing each +other in their section in a sleeping car on the luxurious Overland Mail. +It was early forenoon. They had left Sacramento behind some time before, +on the last stretch of the run across the state of California.</p> + +<p>Joe Dawson was riding facing forward. Tom Halstead, in the seat +opposite, half lolled at the window-ledge, with his back toward the +engine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> Both boys had slept well on their last night out from San +Francisco. Both had breakfasted heartily, that morning, in the dining +car now left behind at the state capital. The next thing that would +interest them, so far as they could now guess, would be their arrival at +Oakland, and the subsequent ferry trip that would land them in San +Francisco.</p> + +<p>It may seem a curious fact to the reader, but neither Tom Halstead nor +Joe Dawson knew just what new phases of life awaited them in the City by +the Golden Gate. They were engaged to enter the employment of a man who +owned a motor yacht. The owner had agreed to their own terms in the way +of salary, and he was paying all their expenses on this luxurious trip +westward. Moreover, the same owner had engaged some of the other members +of the Motor Boat Club of the Kennebec, as will soon be told.</p> + +<p>Readers of the preceding volumes of this series are already well +acquainted with bright, energetic, loyal and capable Tom Halstead, who, +from the start, had held the post of fleet captain of the Motor Boat +Club. The same readers are equally familiar with the career of Joe +Dawson, fleet engineer of the Club.</p> + +<p>As narrated in "<span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club of the Kennebec</span>," Tom and Joe were +two boys of seafaring stock, and natives of Maine, having been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> born +near the mouth of the Kennebec River. That first volume detailed how the +two young men served aboard the "Sunbeam," the motor yacht of a Boston +broker, and how the boys aided the Government officers in solving the +mystery of Smugglers' Island. Out of those adventures arose the founding +of the Club, with Tom and Joe at its head.</p> + +<p>In "<span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club at Nantucket</span>" the two boys were again seen to +great advantage. There they had some most lively sea adventures, all +centering around the abduction of the Dunstan heir. Next, as told in +"<span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club off Long Island</span>," the motor boat boys played an +exciting part in the balking of a great Wall Street conspiracy. In +recognition of their services at this time, the man whom they most +helped presented them with a fifty-five foot cruising motor boat, which +the two proud young owners named the "Restless." Afterwards they +installed a wireless telegraph apparatus on the boat, and then came one +of their truly famous cruises, as related in "<span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club and +the Wireless</span>," wherein wireless telegraphy was employed in ferreting out +one of the great mysteries of the sea.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club in Florida</span>" described the sea wanderings of Captain +Tom and Engineer Joe in the Gulf waters, and their <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>subsequent +adventures in the Everglades and at Tampa, including the laying of the +Ghost of Alligator Swamp.</p> + +<p>From time to time other seafaring boys, whose experience aboard motor +yachts qualified them, were elected members of the Motor Boat Club, an +organization which now boasted some forty members along the Atlantic +seaboard. Several of these boys had made themselves barely less famous +than had Halstead and Dawson.</p> + +<p>Broker George Prescott, of Boston, their first employer and founder of +the Club, was still their staunch friend. So, too, in scarcely less +degree, was Francis Delavan, a Wall Street financier to whom Tom and Joe +had rendered most valuable services.</p> + +<p>It was through Mr. Delavan that Halstead and Dawson had secured their +present engagement, the details of which they did not yet know. This +engagement had come just as the young men were leaving Florida waters in +January, preparatory to making their way to New York, near which great +city the "Restless" was now laid up, out of commission at present, +though as seaworthy a boat as ever.</p> + +<p>Tom had been allowed to engage Jeff Randolph, the Florida member of the +Club, for this new, unknown enterprise. Jeff was believed to be either +on his way, or already in San <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>Francisco, at the Palace Hotel, on Market +Street, which was to be the meeting place of the motor boat boys.</p> + +<p>Yet there were other old friends due to meet the fleet captain and fleet +engineer. Mr. Delavan had also engaged, by wire, Dick Davis and Ab +Perkins, of Maine, now back from a famous trip to Brazil as told in "<span class="smcap">The +Motor Boat Club and the Wireless</span>." Jed Prentiss, a Nantucket member of +the Club, was also on his way to or in San Francisco to join them, +thanks to Mr. Prescott's interest. How Jed joined the Club, and proved +himself more than worthy, was all told in "<span class="smcap">The Motor Boat Club at +Nantucket</span>."</p> + +<p>The name of the San Francisco man who had engaged six members of the +Motor Boat Club to cross the continent was Joseph Baldwin. Beyond this +the boys knew nothing of him, save that Francis Delavan had vouched for +him. That was enough. Not even the name of Baldwin's craft was known to +the seafaring boys who were crossing the continent.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if Mr. Baldwin will be at Oakland, to meet us?" asked Joe, as +the train sped evenly, swiftly along.</p> + +<p>"It isn't likely," replied Tom. "He has told us where to report. I fancy +he considers that enough."</p> + +<p>"A man might get a boat's crew together a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> good deal more cheaply," +mused Joe, aloud. "Our fellows that Mr. Baldwin has engaged are all +top-notchers in the way of salary. With such a crew it's going to cost +our man a good deal to keep his boat running."</p> + +<p>"You know the reputation that California millionaires have, Joe," +laughed his chum. "It is said of them that they'd sooner spend money +than keep it drawing interest."</p> + +<p>"Still," pondered Joe Dawson, "I don't believe California people like to +pitch money out of the window any better than people of other sections +do."</p> + +<p>"It has struck me," Tom went on, "that we're engaged by a man who is +running a racing boat. If that is so, and we can get the top speed out +of his craft, then I suppose Mr. Baldwin wouldn't consider the matter of +expense at all. All he wants, in that case, is to win cups and build a +big reputation for his boat."</p> + +<p>"I hope it <i>is</i> a racer," cried Joe, his eyes glistening. "Whew! How our +crowd, pulling together in team work, could make a boat everlastingly +sprint over the waves!"</p> + +<p>The car in which the two boys sat was the last of the train. It had an +observation platform at the rear. In this observation compartment the +motor boat boys had spent much time while the train was rolling along +through the highly <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>picturesque scenery of the Rocky Mountains. This +morning, however, going swiftly past sun-lit sections of California, +over a nearly level road, both young travelers were content to remain in +their seats by the window.</p> + +<p>In the car were a dozen other passengers. Only one other besides the +motor boat boys was especially young. She was a girl of about eighteen, +blond, rather plump and very pretty. She appeared to be traveling alone, +having boarded the train at Kansas City. Tom and Joe had been able to +offer her a few travelers' courtesies, which had been graciously +accepted. Neither young man, however, knew the girl's name. Both motor +boat boys were too well bred to attempt to force an acquaintance.</p> + +<p>Just now, as Tom happened to lean over his seat and glance down the +aisle, he saw that this young lady was in the observation compartment. +She appeared to be alone there. Something in the expression on her face +made her seem highly uneasy about something.</p> + +<p>"I hope she isn't in any trouble," murmured Halstead, to himself, "and +that she isn't going to find anything unpleasant at the end of her journey."</p> + +<p>The next time he glanced down the aisle Halstead again caught a glimpse +of her face.</p> + +<p>"By Jove, I believe she's been crying, or else<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> is about to begin," +muttered the young captain. "I wonder if it's real trouble, or just +something that she's afraid of."</p> + +<p>Then Tom made haste to look away, lest the young lady should see that he +had been studying her and take offense.</p> + +<p>"Look at the roses," commented Joe, glancing out of the window at a +pretty little California village through which the train was passing at +somewhat lessened speed. "Great Scott, there are violets growing in the +garden we've just passed. February! Think of the deep feet of snow on +either bank of the Kennebec just now!"</p> + +<p>"It's the land of roses and other posies, all right," agreed Halstead, +himself looking out with a good deal of interest at the bright scene +under the soft haze of the California winter day.</p> + +<p>"Say, these are real days! This beats Florida!" exclaimed Joe, +enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"When it doesn't rain," remarked the practical Halstead. "You know, this +is the rainy season in California."</p> + +<p>"I don't care," contended Joe. "Even on a rainy day it must be beautiful +in this fine old state."</p> + +<p>"And on a foggy one, also," laughed Tom. "You know, at this time of the +year, there are likely to be some great old fogs around San<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> Francisco +Bay. I've heard that it takes a clever pilot to guess correctly whether +he's landing at San Francisco or Oakland."</p> + +<p>"Humph!" grunted Joe.</p> + +<p>Dawson turned, looking out of the window for some time without speaking.</p> + +<p>"We're getting near some big town," he remarked, at last. Then, after +glancing at his watch: "It must be Oakland."</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Tom. "I guess we'll soon be making our stop at the +Sixteenth Street station."</p> + +<p>"Anything special about that station?"</p> + +<p>"It's the last stop before we run out onto the mole at Oakland."</p> + +<p>The train had now begun to run, at greatly lessened speed, through one +of the streets of the city. Joe found less to interest him. He glanced +upward at the rack, toward his traveling bag and overcoat.</p> + +<p>"That overcoat seems like an insult to the climate," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Don't throw it away," advised Tom Halstead, "until you see whether some +of the 'Frisco nights are chilly. I've sort of an idea they will be."</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether we're going to have much time ashore, or whether it +will be all spent on the water?" suggested Joe. But Tom, of course, +didn't know the answer.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p><p>"Sixteenth Street next stop!" called the porter through the car.</p> + +<p>"Might as well stretch our legs," hinted Tom, rising. Joe also left his +seat.</p> + +<p>As several of the passengers in the car were heading toward the front +end, the motor boat boys started for the observation compartment at the +rear end.</p> + +<p>The young lady was still standing there. It looked as though she +intended to step down outside as soon as the train should come to a +stop. Not wishing to intrude, Tom Halstead halted, a few feet away, Joe +doing the same.</p> + +<p>Hardly had the train stopped when a porter opened the door of the +observation compartment. The young lady quickly descended, the boys +following. The young lady remained close to the steps, glancing about +her. Lifting their hats, Tom and Joe stepped past her, mingling in the +throng at the station. There wasn't much here to see, but it was a +relief to be quit of the train for a minute or two.</p> + +<p>"There's the engine bell ringing," nudged Joe, at last. "We may as well +hustle back."</p> + +<p>As the two motor boat boys turned once more, Tom saw the young woman +standing beside the rear steps, one hand holding to the brass rail. She +appeared rather frightened. Before her, talking rapidly, was a man of +perhaps thirty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> years of age and some five feet nine inches in height. +On his smooth-shaven, dark face rested an ugly, black look. Something +that the man said just as Tom glanced that way caused the girl to wince +and grow paler.</p> + +<p>"Why, that fellow has been on the train, though not in our car, for the +last two days," occurred to Halstead, swiftly. "And now I remember I saw +the young lady talking to him back at Battle Mountain. Jove! but she +seems afraid of him. There, she's trying to leave him, and he has caught +at her sleeve to hold her. Confound the ugly look in his eyes! I wish +she were <i>my</i> sister for five minutes!"</p> + +<p>Almost unconsciously, in his indignation, Captain Tom increased his +pace. Joe, looking in another direction, did not at once perceive this, +and so fell a bit behind.</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to listen to you any longer," cried the young woman, in a +voice that sounded tearful, though she was resolutely keeping the tears +back out of her eyes. "You are talking like a coward!"</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," said Captain Tom, rather stiffly, brushing past the young +man. The girl edged to give the motor boat boy room on the steps, and, +as he passed her, started to follow him up into the car.</p> + +<p>"You're not going to leave me in that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>fashion," snapped the dark young +man, angrily. "See here——"</p> + +<p>Again he caught at the girl's sleeve, after leaping up onto the lowest +step.</p> + +<p>"Let me go," commanded the girl, indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Not until——"</p> + +<p>She wrenched herself free, then bounded after Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Don't let him come into the car," begged the girl.</p> + +<p>"Out of my way, young fellow," ordered the dark man, gaining the second +step up.</p> + +<p>"Is this man annoying you?" asked Tom, in a friendly tone of the girl, +though he turned a cool, hostile stare upon the young man.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is," the young woman answered.</p> + +<p>"Get out of the way, boy," commanded the man, reaching out a hand.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead's right hand closed instantly. His fist shot out, landing +on the fellow's neck. That persecutor fell back, missed his footing, and +went sprawling to the station platform. The girl had started to dart +into the car, but now she turned, watching with fearful eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't let him hurt you!" she cried to Tom.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," responded the young captain, dryly; "I don't believe he +will."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p><p>The train was beginning to move as the man fell sprawling on the +platform. Joe, who had seen the blow struck, darted in, dragging the +fellow swiftly to his feet.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to hustle, mister, if you're going to get your car +forward," Joe advised him.</p> + +<p>"This car is the one I——" began the man.</p> + +<p>But Joe coolly swung in ahead of him, elbowing the fellow out of the +way. The next moment the porter, grinning, reached over with the key and +locked the door of the car, which Dawson had closed.</p> + +<p>Looking the picture of rage, the man darted swiftly down the platform. +The train was now moving too rapidly, however, for the stranger to get +aboard, and the last car rolled by him as he stood, baffled, on the +platform.</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know how to thank you both," faltered the girl.</p> + +<p>"I assure you it didn't even put us to any inconvenience," smiled +Captain Tom.</p> + +<p>"But—oh! I hope you won't meet him in San Francisco," cried the girl, +in sudden alarm. "He's dangerous, ugly, vengeful!"</p> + +<p>"We've met such men before," laughed Captain Tom, quietly. "And +yet——well, we're here."</p> + +<p>"But you don't know that man!" shuddered the girl.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p><p>"That we don't is something to brag about, I reckon," smiled Joe.</p> + +<p>"If you ever do come face to face with him, or catch him, anywhere, +watching you, beware of him!" begged the young lady, earnestly. "He +never forgives anything—that wretch!"</p> + +<p>"Are you uneasy over the remainder of your journey?" asked Tom, +politely. "Will you feel safer for escort?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I shall be all right, now," replied the girl, with a grateful +smile, though her cheeks were still pallid. "He is no longer on the +train."</p> + +<p>"Command us, if you will," begged Captain Tom Halstead, gallantly. He +and Joe Dawson lifted their hats courteously, then passed on to their +own section.</p> + +<p>"One of the little dramas of life that are being enacted all around us," +muttered Halstead.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have minded seeing that one through," returned Joe.</p> + +<p>Neither boy, at that moment, suspected that they would yet "see it through."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER II</span> <span class="smaller">HAZING, M. B. C. K. STYLE</span></h2> + +<p>At the ferry slip on the San Francisco side the two motor boat boys saw +the young woman again.</p> + +<p>A big, broad-shouldered, well-dressed, wholesome looking young man of +twenty-two or twenty-three years of age, came forward eagerly, hat in +hand, to meet her.</p> + +<p>"She's all right, now," declared Joe, with satisfaction. "Gracious! That +husky young fellow could eat up two or three muckers like the one you +punched, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Yes; our young lady of the journey is surely all right," nodded +Halstead, delighted with what he had seen. "So come along, Joe. We'll +probably never see any of that party again."</p> + +<p>Through a throng of eager cabmen the two young motor boat boys plodded +sturdily. Neither had ever been in San Francisco before, but they knew +that the ferry came in at the foot of Market Street, and that the Palace +Hotel was but a few blocks from the water-front on the same great artery +of traffic.</p> + +<p>"Might as well walk up, and get a little bit of a look at the town," +proposed Halstead.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p><p>"Which side of the street is the Palace on?" queried Joe.</p> + +<p>"East."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll cross over. I don't believe we can miss it."</p> + +<p>It was a bustling crowd through which the boys steered their way. The +man on the San Francisco sidewalk who is under eighty years of age is +engaged in making his fortune, and has no time to lose. After he has +made it, he buys an automobile, and has comparatively little need of a +sidewalk.</p> + +<p>Men from every country in Europe and the Orient passed them. There was, +of course, a large sprinkling of native Americans, yet even the chance +passer knew that he was moving through a throng recruited from the four +quarters of the world.</p> + +<p>To Tom the walk ended all too soon. However, they were bent on business, +not pleasure, so they turned in briskly through the main entrance of the +Palace Hotel as soon as a policeman had pointed it out to them.</p> + +<p>Captain Tom Halstead stepped to the desk, picking up a pen to register. +"Are Davis, Perkins, Prentiss and Randolph here ahead of us?" queried +Halstead, as soon as he had written his name and his chum's.</p> + +<p>"All of 'em," smiled the clerk, after glancing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> at the entry on the +hotel register. "Davis, who got here first, with Perkins, engaged rooms +close together for the whole party. Front! I'll have you shown right up, +Captain Halstead."</p> + +<p>The colored boy in blue uniform and brass buttons confiscated the bags +and overcoats of the two young travelers, leading the way to the +elevator. That bell-boy turned his head to conceal a grin that illumined +his face.</p> + +<p>"So our friends are all here ahead of us, and have everything ready?" +remarked young Dawson.</p> + +<p>The bell-boy, his head still turned away, seemed to be choking.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if they've seen Mr. Baldwin, or heard from him?" mused Tom, +aloud.</p> + +<p>"Right dis way, sah," begged the bell-boy, stepping out of the elevator +ahead of them at the third floor.</p> + +<p>He led them down a long corridor, turned into another corridor, then +halted before a door. That bell-boy gave three distinct knocks; a pause, +then two more knocks.</p> + +<p>"I reckon yo' can go right in, sah," announced the bell-boy, dropping +some of his burden in order to throw the door open.</p> + +<p>Utterly unsuspicious, Tom and Joe passed through the doorway. The +instant they had done so, the bell-boy tossed their bags and coats<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> in +after them, yanked the door shut and fled, chuckling.</p> + +<p>"Here they come! Welcome!" roared Dick Davis's deep, hearty voice.</p> + +<p>A short hallway led from the door to the room proper. As Tom Halstead +passed over the inner threshold a pair of arms reached out from either +side, yanking him into the room out of Joe's sight. Dawson leaped after +his chum, only to be similarly seized.</p> + +<p>Then it snowed! At least, for a brief instant, that was what the victims +thought.</p> + +<p>Tom was neatly, ruthlessly tripped, being sent sprawling to the floor, +while Ab Perkins, snatching up a bolster, which he had ripped open, +shook all the fine, downy feathers over him. They sifted down the young +captain's neck; they obscured his vision; some of the small feathers +fell into his mouth. He fell to spitting them out with vigor, even +before he tried to get up.</p> + +<p>Nor did Joe Dawson fare any better. If anything, he was rather more +roughly handled by Jed Prentiss and Jeff Randolph.</p> + +<p>"Now, roll 'em!" roared Dick Davis.</p> + +<p>Before either of the newcomers could rise to his feet they were rolled +together in the middle of the floor. Ab lifted the mattress from the +bed, plumping it down over the two victims. Then all four of the gleeful +assailants threw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> themselves across the mattress, shoving it over the +floor, using Tom and Joe, underneath, for rollers.</p> + +<p>And, over it all, rose the famous club yell:</p> + +<p>"M. B. C. K.! M. B. C. K.! Motor Boat Club! Wow!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, but we're glad to see 'em!" yelled Dick Davis, in his deepest +tones. "Good old chums! Keep up the welcome, fellows!"</p> + +<p>From under the mattress Tom Halstead managed to make himself heard, +though his voice sounded muffled indeed.</p> + +<p>"Help!" he roared. "Turn out the port watch! Mutiny!"</p> + +<p>"Port watch, ahoy! Roll up on deck, you lubbers!" roared Ab Perkins. +"Cap'n wants you!"</p> + +<p>At that Jed and Jeff left the mattress, darting to where Tom's and Joe's +traveling bags lay. These they quickly opened, dumping all the contents +on the floor.</p> + +<p>"All hands to quell mutiny!" yelled Jed Prentiss. Dick Davis and Ab +Perkins joined them on the jump.</p> + +<p>That gave Tom and Joe, both very red-faced and much winded, a chance to +crawl out from under the mattress.</p> + +<p>Yet no sooner did they show their astonished faces than all four of the +first-comers began to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> pelt them with the articles dumped from the +traveling bags.</p> + +<p>Slippers flew straight and true, landing with swats. Hair brushes, +tooth-brushes, cakes of soap, boxes of tooth-powder and numerous other +articles filled the air, a veritable cyclone with the fleet captain and +the fleet engineer in the middle of it.</p> + +<p>"Cut it!" commanded Tom Halstead, sternly. "Oh, if I had my revolver and +handcuffs and leg-irons here. This is the last time I'll ever go on deck +without 'em. But cut it—anyway!"</p> + +<p>Dick Davis, having thrown the last missile that came to hand, and having +pitched Halstead's overcoat up in the air so that it now lay hanging +from the chandelier, suddenly straightened up, looking very grave as he +saluted and roared out:</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir!"</p> + +<p>At that the other three disturbers of the peace lined up with Dick, all +saluting.</p> + +<p>"What's the meaning of all this riot?" insisted Halstead, trying to keep +back the grin that struggled to his face.</p> + +<p>"After not having seen each other for all these moons," demanded Davis, +in a hurt voice, "can't we do anything to show you how ding-whanged glad +we are to behold you two once more?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p><p>"Your joy takes a strange turn," grimaced Captain Tom.</p> + +<p>"I prefer people who put their welcome in writing," retorted Joe.</p> + +<p>At that Ab Perkins, with a whoop, made for a table. From it he snatched +up a cork, one end of which had been burned to a char.</p> + +<p>"Come on, then, fellows," proposed Ab Perkins, gleefully; "we'll write +our welcome on Joe's face."</p> + +<p>"Will you, though?" demanded Dawson, crouching low, as though for a +football tackle. He caught Ab, and rising with that boisterous youth, +toppled him over. Ab Perkins went sprawling; fortunately for him he +landed across the mattress.</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" expostulated Tom Halstead. "The reception committee is +excused—fired—bounced, in fact. Now, stop all this monkey-business, +and let's get down to trade topics. But, first of all——"</p> + +<p>Tom paused to spit out two or three fragments of down feathers. Then he +crossed to where the water pitcher stood on a tray. Pouring out a glass +of water, Halstead took a mouthful, while the late mutineers looked on +expectantly.</p> + +<p>"O-oh! Ugh! Waugh! Wow!" sputtered Tom, expelling his mouthful into a +waste-water<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> jar beside the wash-stand. "That water's <i>salt</i>!"</p> + +<p>"Well, what of it, you bo'sun's mate of a lobster trap?" demanded Ab +Perkins, aggressively. "Is it the first time you've ever hit up against +salt water?"</p> + +<p>"Now, see here, fellows," grinned Halstead, looking around at the impish +faces of the first-comers, "this is all right. We know how glad you are +to see us. Your pleasure is far greater than we had ever dared to +hope——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, we can show more pleasure!" proposed Dick.</p> + +<p>"Do it at your personal risk, then!" defied the young captain, arming +himself with the water pitcher. "Now, then, will you all be quiet?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, aye!" promised young Davis, with a sudden assumption of meekness.</p> + +<p>"I trust you—trust you all to the death," affirmed Tom, grimly. "But +I'm going to keep hold of the water pitcher just the same!"</p> + +<p>"This deck doesn't look ship-shape, does it?" demanded Dick Davis, +glancing about him. "Hadn't we better change craft? Wait here a moment."</p> + +<p>Stepping to the push-button, he pressed twice, for the porter. Tom +Halstead remained on guard, armed as before, and Joe keeping<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> rather +close to him, until the porter knocked at the door.</p> + +<p>"See here, my friend," remarked Dick, holding out a dollar bill to the +porter, "there has been a ship-wreck here."</p> + +<p>"It looks like it, sir," grinned the porter, pocketing the money. +"What'll you have, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Find the chambermaid that belongs on this floor," begged Dick, "and +bring her here."</p> + +<p>The porter was soon back with the chambermaid, who also received a +dollar bill from young Davis.</p> + +<p>"Now, you two try some team-work, please," begged Dick Davis, "and see +whether you can make this place look neat enough to be a captain's +cabin. Gentlemen of the Motor Boat Club, will you adjourn to the costly +quarters that Ab and myself consider almost good enough for us?"</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead laid down the water pitcher and passed out of the room last +of all.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you'd better go into the other room first, Joe, and let me +bring up the rear," called Tom, grimly. "Then we can watch, from both +ends of the line, for any new tricks."</p> + +<p>Dick Davis produced a key, admitting all hands to the adjoining room.</p> + +<p>"Now, be seated," proposed Davis, in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> most hospitable tone. The club +members found chairs.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen Mr. Baldwin?" inquired Captain Tom.</p> + +<p>"No; but we've sent him word," Ab replied. "Mr. Baldwin has offices in +the Chronicle Building."</p> + +<p>"Is that near?" queried Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Only a few hawser lengths from here, on the other side of Market +Street," put in Jed Prentiss. "Come here to the window. There's the +Chronicle Building over yonder."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Baldwin has a telephone, of course?" suggested Captain Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes; 9378 Market."</p> + +<p>"I can tell him we're here, then," murmured Tom, crossing the room to +where a telephone apparatus rested against the wall.</p> + +<p>"Don't," prompted Dick. "Mr. Baldwin has sent his orders. You can 'phone +him between three and three-thirty to-day. Mustn't bother him at any +other time."</p> + +<p>"That's right, is it?" demanded Halstead, looking half-suspiciously at +Davis.</p> + +<p>"Quite right," nodded the latter youth, gravely. Dick was older than the +others, being nineteen, as against a general average of sixteen years +for the other boys. Dick was different in another respect. While the +other five<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> boys followed motor boating as a means of livelihood, +depending upon their earnings, young Davis, the son of a ship-builder of +Bath, Maine, was at all times well supplied with money. Dick's outline +for the future included a possible college course, and then breaking +into the ship-building business with his father. It was not yet quite +decided whether young Davis should omit the college part of the plan. In +the meantime, the elder Davis believed that an active membership in the +Motor Boat Club would be the best possible training to fit his son for a +position in the ship-yard.</p> + +<p>"Well, if those are the instructions, then," replied Captain Tom, +returning to his chair, "we'll wait until a few minutes after three."</p> + +<p>"And now it's half-past eleven," said Jed, consulting his watch. +"Luncheon will not be served until one. We can wait here as well as +anywhere. Say, fellows, I'm just crazy to hear some good old yarns of +what you others have been through."</p> + +<p>With that, yarn-spinning became the order of the day. The young men were +still at it when they went down to the gorgeous dining room of the +Palace Hotel. The air about their table was thick with yarns all through +the meal.</p> + +<p>While they sat around the table, absorbed in one another's stories, a +dark-visaged, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>well-dressed man of thirty started to enter the dining +room. Just at the threshold, however, he paused, for his glance had +alighted on a profile view of Captain Tom Halstead at one of the tables +in the center of the dining room.</p> + +<p>"That's the cub who struck me this morning," muttered the dark-faced +one, drawing back. "I want to know who he is. I want to place him—I +want to meet him and settle the account for that blow and the +disappointment it brought about!"</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead turned around, a moment later, but he did not see the man +he had knocked from the train that morning at the Sixteenth Street +station in Oakland. That worthy had drawn quickly back out of sight, and +was now looking about for some hotel employé to question.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later he of the dark visage had all the information he felt +he needed.</p> + +<p>"Tom Halstead? So that's your name?" snarled the stranger, as he started +for the street entrance. "And you're employed by Baldwin—could anything +be more favorable to our meeting again, eh?" The stranger smiled darkly, +meaningly, as he pronounced the name of Baldwin.</p> + +<p>Luncheon over, the yarning motor boat boys embarked in the elevator. +This time they went direct to the room assigned to Tom and Joe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> The +trunks of these two young men had arrived, and now rested in the room.</p> + +<p>Once more the yarning went on, until Captain Tom checked it at exactly +two minutes past three o'clock.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER III</span> <span class="smaller">CAPTAIN TOM'S NEW COMMAND</span></h2> + +<p>"It's time for Mr. Baldwin to hear from us, now," announced the young +skipper, rising and crossing to the room-telephone. He gave the number, +waiting briefly.</p> + +<p>"Hello," sounded a voice in the receiver.</p> + +<p>"Hello," returned Tom, quietly. "Is this Mr. Baldwin?"</p> + +<p>"No; wait a moment. I'll connect you."</p> + +<p>"Hello," came, an instant later.</p> + +<p>"Hello. Mr. Baldwin?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I am Captain Tom Halstead, here at the Palace Hotel, awaiting your +orders."</p> + +<p>"Is Dabson with you?"</p> + +<p>"Dawson, sir," Tom corrected. "Yes; Dawson is with me."</p> + +<p>"Then your whole crew is on hand?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Good! Well, as the finishers are about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> through with their repair work +on my boat we shall be ready to get you aboard without delay."</p> + +<p>"May I ask, sir, how big a boat——"</p> + +<p>"Captain, be at my office, all of you in uniform, at four o'clock +exactly."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir. Four o'clock."</p> + +<p>"Captain Halstead, punctuality is one of my failings," warned Joseph +Baldwin's voice.</p> + +<p>"It's one of my studies, Mr. Baldwin."</p> + +<p>"Then, at four o'clock?"</p> + +<p>"Four o'clock, sharp, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Good-bye."</p> + +<p>Ting-ling-ling! Tom hung up the receiver.</p> + +<p>"Well," came an eager chorus. "What are we going to do?"</p> + +<p>"We're going to get into our club sailing uniforms," smiled Captain Tom, +"and we're to be at Mr. Baldwin's office at four o'clock to the minute."</p> + +<p>"What sort of a boat——"</p> + +<p>"Cruising or racing——"</p> + +<p>"Coasting or sea-voy——"</p> + +<p>"You'll all of you have to cut out the questions," laughed Tom Halstead. +"I've told you every blessed thing I've just learned over the 'phone. +Fellows, I think our Mr. Baldwin is stingy——"</p> + +<p>"Stingy?" broke in Ab Perkins, with fine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> scorn. "And paying every one +of us first-class salaries!"</p> + +<p>"Stingy of words," finished Captain Tom, calmly. "If our new employer +keeps on as he has begun, we won't know anything he means to do until +the time comes to do it. Then he'll give his complete orders in from six +to eight words. That's the way it looks. Now, for your uniforms. Come +along, Joe, and we'll get into ours. Mr. Baldwin, I omitted to tell you, +did inform me——"</p> + +<p>Captain Tom paused, looking mysterious.</p> + +<p>"Told you what?" chorused Dick, Ab and Jed, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"That he's extremely partial to people who are punctual to the minute," +finished Tom Halstead, making a sign that brought Joe along in his +trail.</p> + +<p>Sailors are accustomed to quick dressing, as they are to quick work of +all sorts. Hence the six motor boat boys, all looking decidedly neat and +important in their uniforms and visored caps, were soon on their way to +the elevator shaft. Soon afterwards they stepped from the Palace +entrance to the street, making for the other side of Market Street at +the first crossing.</p> + +<p>More than one swift pedestrian paused long enough to send a look back +after these six trim, almost martial-looking young men, who walked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> in +pairs and carried themselves like graduates of the Naval Academy.</p> + +<p>It was just five minutes before four o'clock when the sextette halted +outside the Chronicle Building.</p> + +<p>"A couple of minutes to breathe," announced Halstead, watch in hand. +Presently, he marched them into the corridor. Here, after a short wait, +they stepped into one of the several elevators, leaving it a few floors +from the street.</p> + +<p>"Sixty seconds yet to spare," whispered Captain Tom, smilingly, holding +up his watch.</p> + +<p>Precisely at the dot of four o'clock the six motor boat boys filed in at +the door of the Baldwin offices, after Halstead had turned the knob.</p> + +<p>In the outer office were several clerks, behind a railing. An office boy +sat at a desk close by the gate of the railing.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Baldwin expects us at four," stated Tom to the boy. "Will you +please tell him that Captain Halstead and party are here?"</p> + +<p>The boy disappeared. When he returned a briskly-moving man of fifty was +at his heels. It was Joseph Baldwin, one of the rich men of the Pacific +Coast, and one of its most daring promoters. He was a man who acted, +ordinarily, as though the day were but five minutes long and crowded +with business. Mr. Baldwin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> looked like a prosperous business man, +though there was nothing foppish in his attire.</p> + +<p>"Captain Halstead?" he demanded, holding out a hand. The act was +gracious enough, though hurried. In less than a minute Tom had presented +his friends and all had been through the handshake.</p> + +<p>Back of Mr. Baldwin stood a clerk, holding his employer's hat.</p> + +<p>"I'm off for the day, Johnson," he announced. "Is the transportation at +the door?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. I just looked out of the window. Your transportation is +ready."</p> + +<p>"Come along, Captain Halstead and gentlemen," directed Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>Though he led them swiftly, another clerk had slipped out ahead of them, +and now stood by the elevator shaft. A car was just stopping at the +floor. Down the party whizzed. Mr. Baldwin led the boys to a street +door, outside of which two automobile touring cars stood.</p> + +<p>"Captain, I want you and Dawson in the car with me. Let your friends +follow in the other."</p> + +<p>Two tonneau doors closed with bangs. Off whizzed the cars. Speed laws +did not appear to be made for the concern of a man like Joseph Baldwin. +It seemed as though the cars had barely started when they ran out onto a +dock not much to the westward of the ferry houses.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p><p>A man in plain blue uniform and visored cap, wearing the insignia of a +quartermaster, stood at the far end of the dock. He saluted as soon as +he espied Joseph Baldwin hastening toward him.</p> + +<p>"I see you're on time, Bickson."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>By this time Mr. Baldwin was going down a short flight of steps to a +landing stage. There lay moored a trim-looking sixteen-foot power +tender.</p> + +<p>"Fall aboard," briefly directed Mr. Baldwin, and the motor boat boys, +rather enjoying this systematized bustle, obeyed.</p> + +<p>Bickson, without waiting for orders, cast off, started the motor and +sent the boat gliding out into the stream.</p> + +<p>"Quite a motor yacht that carries a quartermaster," observed Captain +Halstead, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I carry three," rejoined Mr. Baldwin, thrusting a cigar into his mouth +and lighting it with a "blazer" match.</p> + +<p>In and out among the shipping the tender glided. Then, at last, Captain +Tom caught sight of a graceful craft some hundred and twenty feet long. +She looked like a miniature liner.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if I'll ever command a handsome craft like that?" thought the +young motor boat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> skipper, with a brief pang of envy. "Jove! what a +boat!"</p> + +<p>The next thing the motor boat boys knew they were running up alongside +this hundred-and-twenty-footer. A young man of twenty-five or +twenty-six, whose uniform proclaimed him to be a watch officer, stood at +the top of a side gangway.</p> + +<p>"This can't be the boat—such a beauty!" gasped Tom Halstead, inwardly. +Joe Dawson's eyes were full of wonder. Ab Perkins's lower jaw was +hanging down in proof of his bewilderment. Dick Davis's face was +flushing. Jed was staring. Only Jeff Randolph appeared indifferent.</p> + +<p>"How do you do, Mr. Costigan?" hailed Mr. Baldwin, leading the way up +the side gangway. "Mr. Costigan, pay your respects to the new captain of +the 'Panther.' Captain Halstead, Mr. Costigan, your third officer."</p> + +<p>If Mr. Costigan appeared astonished, Tom Halstead did not look less so. +That he was really to command this big, handsome craft seemed to Tom +like a dream. A moment before, when he had realized that the "Panther" +was Mr. Baldwin's craft, the most the Maine boy had expected was that he +and his companions would be allowed to stand watch in the engine room +and on the bridge. But—captain!</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p><p>Third Officer Costigan, however, saluted in a most proper manner. Tom +held out his hand cordially.</p> + +<p>"Presently, Mr. Costigan, I shall ask you to show me about this craft."</p> + +<p>"At your orders, sir," replied Costigan, again saluting his commanding +officer, then making his way forward.</p> + +<p>"Here's the captain's cabin. I have the key," announced Mr. Baldwin, +leading the way to a door immediately aft of the pilot house. The owner +unlocked the door, then led the way inside. Again Captain Tom wondered +if he could be dreaming. Though everything was compact in this +stateroom, yet all the conveniences were there, too. There was a double +bed, a wardrobe locker, running water, two easy chairs, a desk, and a +table just under a well-stocked China and glass cupboard.</p> + +<p>"Your stateroom runs right through the deck-house from starboard to +port," explained Mr. Baldwin, who now appeared less pressed for time. +"Bathroom and chart-room open out of this cabin aft. I think, Captain, +you will be comfortable."</p> + +<p>"Comfortable!" murmured Tom, then smiled in sheer delight.</p> + +<p>The other motor boat boys stood about the doorway, not offering to enter +while the owner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> was there. Mr. Baldwin dropped into one of the arm +chairs.</p> + +<p>"Now, Captain, I'll tell you what we have aboard," continued the owner. +"Costigan is third officer. He's a good fellow, and a capable sailor, +but he has his limitations, and—well, I don't believe he'll ever be +much more than a third officer. You'd better keep him in that +grade—unless you find he's better than some of your comrades. One good +thing about Costigan is that he has a pilot's license for San Francisco +Bay and the coast hereabouts. He's a good pilot, too. Another good thing +about Costigan is that he's loyal, and a man who knows how to keep his +tongue resting in the back of his mouth.</p> + +<p>"Besides Costigan, there are three quartermasters and seven men in the +crew. We have also a cook and helper, a cabin steward and a men's +steward. That's the whole outfit. We have no one, at present, in the +engine-room department. You have men with you to fill out those +positions, haven't you, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then let me see how you'll go to work to place them," shot out Mr. +Baldwin, instantly.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Perkins, first officer; Mr. Davis, second officer," replied +Halstead, promptly. "Mr. Costigan, of course, third officer."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p><p>"And in the engine room?" pressed the owner.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dawson, chief engineer; Mr. Prentiss, first assistant; Mr. +Randolph, second assistant engineer."</p> + +<p>"All right," nodded Joseph Baldwin. "That makes our complement complete, +I think. Now, Captain, publish your selections to the crew and take +command. There's the bell at the side of your desk."</p> + +<p>Hardly had Tom Halstead, still feeling as though in a trance, pressed +the button, when a jauntily uniformed sailor appeared at the doorway, +saluting.</p> + +<p>"My compliments to Mr. Costigan; ask him to come here," ordered Tom.</p> + +<p>From the speed with which he reported, Third Officer Costigan must have +been awaiting the summons.</p> + +<p>"Pipe the crew forward of the pilot house, Mr. Costigan. All hands. I've +something to say to them."</p> + +<p>The third officer's whistle rang out shrilly forward. A few moments +later Captain Halstead was notified that all hands were on deck.</p> + +<p>Tom thereupon went forward, accompanied by the new officers of the +"Panther," who were proclaimed to the crew, including even the stewards +and cooks.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p><p>"And I now invite the officers to my cabin," said Captain Halstead as +he wound up his harangue to the men. "The details of the deck and engine +room watches will be decided at once."</p> + +<p>This was soon done. Following the practice that now obtains on many +yachts, the watches were made eight hours long, instead of four. This +enabled each member of a watch to get a full sleep between watches. In +ordinary weather neither the captain nor first officer stands watch. The +captain's, or starboard, watch was to be taken by Dick Davis as second +officer. Mr. Costigan, third officer, was to stand the first officer's, +or port, watch. Joe Dawson, as chief engineer, was generally responsible +for the engineering department, but stood no watch in the engine room, +the starboard watch at the motors falling to Jed Prentiss, and the port +watch to Jeff Randolph. Bickson, as chief quartermaster, was made +responsible for the general policing of the craft, the other two +quartermasters taking watch trick at the wheel in the pilot house.</p> + +<p>During the making of these arrangements Mr. Baldwin had strolled aft to +his own suite of rooms. These, immediately aft of the chart room, +consisted of parlor, bed-room and bath. Aft of these quarters lay the +deck dining room, from which a staircase led down to the cabin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> proper. +Off the cabin were eight handsome staterooms for the owner's guests.</p> + +<p>All this Tom and his comrades saw as Costigan piloted them over this +superb yacht.</p> + +<p>Forward of the main cabin, below, was the chief engineer's stateroom, +which Joe would occupy by himself. In Joe's room, also, was service for +the chief engineer's meals.</p> + +<p>Then there was a stateroom for the second and third officers, and +another for the engineer's two assistants. For these junior officers, +and Mr. Costigan, there was an officers' mess. Further forward was the +crew's mess, then the kitchen department. Ahead of this was the engine +room, with the crew's forecastle quarters right up in the bow of the +craft, below decks.</p> + +<p>"You see, sir," explained Mr. Costigan, "there's everything that could +be thought of for the comfort of officers and crew."</p> + +<p>"It's the most compact boat I could imagine," declared Captain Tom, +enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"You may well say that, sir."</p> + +<p>They passed on to inspect the engine room. Joe's eyes fairly gleamed as +he inspected the twin motors, the dynamos and all the other details of +his own department. It was a finer engine room than Joe Dawson had hoped +to command for many years to come. He remained below, with his +assistants, to inspect their new domain,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> while Tom, Ab and Dick +returned to the deck with Mr. Costigan.</p> + +<p>The "Panther" was schooner rigged, with a full set of sails for each of +the two masts. There was a short bowsprit, carrying two jibs.</p> + +<p>"This craft does pretty well under sail, sir," declared the third +officer.</p> + +<p>"She looks as though she ought to," replied Captain Tom. "But what gait +does she make with her power alone?"</p> + +<p>"She's been running, cruising, sir, at about twelve to fourteen miles an +hour. She's listed as a twenty-two mile boat at her best, but I believe, +sir, that a good engineer could get twenty-four out of her."</p> + +<p>"The new chief engineer is one who can get out any speed that the motors +will stand."</p> + +<p>"He looks it, sir."</p> + +<p>Halstead was careful always to use the word "Mister." Watch officers and +engineers, who are also officers, are always addressed in that way, by +the captain, or even by the owner. Costigan was equally careful to say +"sir," when addressing any officer of grade above his own.</p> + +<p>"When you can spare the time, Captain, I'll have a few words with you," +called Mr. Baldwin, showing his head through the starboard doorway of +his suite.</p> + +<p>"At once, sir," replied Captain Tom, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>turning and going to the owner's +door. At the threshold the new captain of the "Panther" halted.</p> + +<p>"Come right in, Captain. Take a chair," invited the owner. "Now, then, +what do you think of your new task?"</p> + +<p>"I'm astounded, sir. Overjoyed, too," Tom replied, with a candid smile.</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, this craft represents the height of my dreams. The 'Panther' +is twice the length and about four times the total size of any boat I've +ever commanded before."</p> + +<p>"Are you afraid it's too big an undertaking for you?" asked Mr. Baldwin, +regarding his young sailing master keenly.</p> + +<p>"No, sir!" came the prompt answer.</p> + +<p>"Hm! I'm glad of that. But I wasn't worrying. I've known Delavan a long +time. I told him what I wanted, and knew I could bank on his choice. Are +all your friends satisfied?"</p> + +<p>"They're delighted," Tom nodded. "All they're aching for now, sir, is to +get out on the first cruise."</p> + +<p>"They'll have their wish this evening," laughed Mr. Baldwin. "Is there +anything you want to ask me, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, unless you'll permit me to be a bit curious."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p><p>"That's a bad fault on this yacht," replied Joseph Baldwin, with a +slight frown that quickly disappeared. "What is it you want to know?"</p> + +<p>"I'm wondering, sir, why you had to send all the way east for officers +for the 'Panther'?"</p> + +<p>"Because I've had to get rid of two sets of officers," replied Mr. +Baldwin, crisply. "One captain was too inquisitive, the other was +incapable. Then I began to hear a good deal about your famous Motor Boat +Club. That set me to corresponding with Delavan. He told me a lot more +about you young men, and I couldn't get it out of my head that <i>you</i> +were the sort of people I wanted."</p> + +<p>"You weren't afraid on account of our being so—well, youthful?"</p> + +<p>"I knew, if you'd suit Frank Delavan, you'd suit me. And I'm just as +sure after having seen you all. Now, Captain Halstead, you'll be ready +to sail at any time after seven this evening. That is the hour when my +guests and I sit down to dinner aboard. At the time I'll give you your +general sailing instructions. Remember, Mr. Costigan must be your pilot +until you're out through the Golden Gate and clear of the coast."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," assented Halstead, rising. "Any further orders, sir?"</p> + +<p>"That is all, for the present, Captain."</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead left the owner's suite and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> walked forward, filled with a +wonderful sense of elation. He passed the pilot house just in time to +see Joe Dawson coming up forward.</p> + +<p>"Say, are we going to wake up, chum?" breathed young Dawson in his +friend's ear.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe we'll have to," laughed the young skipper, happily. +"We're all right, I'm pretty sure, if we don't do something that greatly +displeases the boat's owner. Thanks to Mr. Delavan, the owner of this +craft is willing to believe, at the start, that we're all that's good +and wonderful. But come into my cabin, old fellow, if you have the time. +We'll dine together to-night."</p> + +<p>Both motor boat boys sighed their supreme contentment as they dropped +into arm-chairs facing each other. It was now so dark that Tom switched +on the electric lights.</p> + +<p>"How are the engines, Joe?" asked Tom, dropping into his old, friendly +manner.</p> + +<p>"Ready to start at a second's notice. And Jed's on duty there, waiting +for the word."</p> + +<p>"Gasoline?"</p> + +<p>"Tanks bulging with it. Tom, this is a beautifully appointed boat below, +and every store of every description is in place."</p> + +<p>"That's the kind of a man I'm pretty sure Mr. Baldwin is," nodded +Halstead.</p> + +<p>Joe surveyed a row of speaking tubes that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> hung against the forward wall +of the captain's room. He picked out one labeled "engine-room," pressing +the button beneath it.</p> + +<p>"Hello, sir," came the quick response, in Jed Prentiss's unmistakable +tones.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Mr. Prentiss," Joe returned. "How do you like it down there, on +duty?"</p> + +<p>"It's perfect!" responded Jed, almost dreamily. "Everything here but my +own personal steward. I ain't sure but what <i>he'll</i> blow in, in a +minute, and ask me what I'll have for dinner."</p> + +<p>"Tell him we're scheduled to start at seven," suggested Halstead.</p> + +<p>"I can start in seven seconds, if I'm asked to," promised Prentiss. +"Anyway, I can have the propellers turning fast before you can get the +anchor up. Crackey! I forgot that I have to supply even the power for +hoisting anchor."</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes later the two chums, who had begun their career by +patching up an old steam launch down at the mouth of the Kennebec River, +in Maine, were seated at table in the captain's cabin, doing justice to +a meal that was but little short of sumptuous.</p> + +<p>The chief steward himself, a man named Parkinson, served the young +captain and chief engineer. He hovered about, as attentive as any hotel +waiter or private butler could have been.</p> + +<p>It was the second steward, however, who came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> in with the dessert for +the two chief officers of the "Panther."</p> + +<p>"What has become of the other steward?" inquired the young captain.</p> + +<p>"Time for him, sir, to put on the finishing touches in the dining +saloon," replied Collins, the second steward, who served also the junior +officers and the crew.</p> + +<p>"If we eat like this at every meal, Joe," sighed Halstead, contentedly, +when the second steward had removed the last of the things, "we'll have +to devote all the rest of the time to exercising off extra flesh. Let's +get out on deck."</p> + +<p>"All right. But I mean to be in the engine-room when the start is made."</p> + +<p>At the side gangway the chums stepped quickly past, to make way for half +a dozen men who were coming up over the side, while Mr. Costigan stood +respectfully by to receive them. They were guests of the owner just +coming on board for the night's cruise. One of these newcomers went +directly to Mr. Baldwin's suite.</p> + +<p>"Owner's compliments, sir," called Parkinson, softly, as he came +hurrying after the young sailing master. "Mr. Baldwin wishes to see +Captain Halstead on the jump, sir."</p> + +<p>The call had come for the brisk beginning of the strangest duties in +which young Halstead had ever been employed.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER IV</span> <span class="smaller">HALSTEAD IS LET INTO A SECRET</span></h2> + +<p>"Captain Halstead, my friend, Mr. Jason Ross," announced Mr. Baldwin, +crisply, as soon as the young skipper had closed the owner's door behind +him.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ross was a man of forty-five, and looked like a man who might be of +much importance in the financial world. Yet <i>he</i> was presented to +Halstead, for on a yacht the captain is considered next in importance to +the owner.</p> + +<p>Tom modestly greeted Mr. Ross.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Captain," snapped out the owner, though not unkindly. "Now, +I've got to take you into my confidence a bit. Delavan's word for you +makes me feel that I can safely do it."</p> + +<p>Tom had only time to nod ere Mr. Baldwin went on, crisply:</p> + +<p>"My guests are on board, with one exception. In a way, the exception is +the most important one of us all. He isn't so very important in himself, +but Gaston Giddings, though a very weak, foolish young man, happened to +succeed his father in the principal control and presidency of the +Sheepmen's National Bank. Young Giddings and the funds his bank can +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>supply are of the utmost importance to my associates and myself in some +big enterprises we are putting through. Do I make myself clear?"</p> + +<p>"Wholly so, sir," Tom answered, quietly.</p> + +<p>"Now, Giddings, besides being several kinds of plain and ornamental +fool—no, I won't quite say that, but this weak young man has one +fearful fault for the head of a bank——"</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin paused in his rapid speech. He looked sharply at Mr. Ross +an instant, then continued:</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, Frank Delavan told me I could trust you and Dawson with +anything from my yacht to my reputation. You understand that what I'm +telling you, Captain, is absolutely confidential?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, sir," responded Tom, quietly.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, within the last three months young Giddings has, in some +way we can't understand, fallen a victim to the opium habit. The young +man is all but totally wrecked by the vile drug. How, or why, he +started, none of us can understand. You see, a good many of us older +men, who were fast friends of his father, have tried to stand by the +young man. Two of to-night's party are directors in the Sheepmen's Bank. +We've tried to get the bank's funds placed in interests that we control, +so that young Giddings couldn't go very far wrong, by not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> having enough +money left in his charge to wreck the bank. You follow me?"</p> + +<p>"I—I think so, Mr. Baldwin."</p> + +<p>"Truth to tell," pursued the owner, "I had planned—my friends on board +with me—to go out ostensibly for one night, but really to be gone for +several days. One of our friends is a specialist in the opium habit—Dr. +Gray. We had hoped, on this trip, to plan some financial enterprises +that would use up, for the present, the dangerously large balance at the +Sheepmen's Bank. At the same time we were going to try to force young +Giddings to agree to heroic medical treatment in order to overcome his +fearful vice."</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead remained silent, but attentive.</p> + +<p>"Now, at the last moment," pursued Mr. Baldwin, "we hear that Giddings +was seen in a closed carriage, evidently headed for Chinatown, that vile +Oriental section of San Francisco, where the opium vice flourishes at +its worst. And in Chinatown a man can disappear so completely that his +friends can't find him again in years. Giddings was to be here to-night, +but he's in a Chinatown opium den instead. If we appeal to the police, +it'll all be in the newspapers. There'll be a scandal that will disgrace +Giddings forever, start a run on the Sheepmen's Bank, and—though this +is the least of our worries<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>—will delay for some time the pushing of +the big financial game in which my friends and myself are interested. +Now, we've got to find some way of getting at Giddings, and of bringing +him on board without trouble or noise. I've told you this much, Captain +Halstead, so that you'll understand the need of secrecy. If we can find +Giddings, and get him out here, then we <i>must</i> bring him over the side +and get him into his stateroom without his being seen by any of the crew +on board, except, possibly, by one or two of your own comrades whom you +think you can best trust."</p> + +<p>"I can trust every one of 'em, sir," declared Captain Tom, promptly. "So +will you, when you know them better."</p> + +<p>"Then, Captain, before we make any move to find Giddings in his +Chinatown hiding-place, and attempt to get him aboard this yacht, we +must have all of the crew safely out of the way, save for your own +personal friends among the officers."</p> + +<p>"I can plan for the crew to go ashore," declared Tom Halstead. "I have +only to state that you've decided to delay putting out to sea, and that +you've been good enough to grant the men a night on shore at the theatre +at your expense. That will take every one of them over the side. Do you +want Mr. Costigan to go?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p><p>"Why, I think Costigan is all right, but he isn't needed here, anyway, +so he'd better go ashore also."</p> + +<p>"Easily settled, then, Mr. Baldwin. I can send Mr. Costigan off in +charge of the shore party. At what hour do you wish them all to return, +sir?"</p> + +<p>"Not a minute before midnight!"</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir. I can tell Mr. Costigan that you've been called ashore, +that you will dine there, and that you are very glad of this opportunity +to give the older members of the crew a chance to enjoy themselves +ashore."</p> + +<p>"Excellent, indeed!" cried Mr. Baldwin, in a low tone. "What do you say, +Ross?"</p> + +<p>"If Captain Halstead can vouch so heartily for the silence and +discretion of his own friends, then the plan ought to clear the decks so +that we can get Giddings aboard—if we find him—without any comment or +scandal at all," agreed Jason Ross.</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin employed himself stripping a few banknotes from a roll +that he drew from a trousers pocket.</p> + +<p>"Give this money to Mr. Costigan, Captain, and tell him to see to it +that the men have a good time on shore—though no drunkenness! And you, +Captain Halstead, I trust to see to it that none but your own friends +remain aboard."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p><p>Ten minutes later Captain Tom returned to the owner's suite to report +that Third Officer Costigan and the crew, including the stewards and +cooks, had gone ashore in the tender, Jeff Randolph running the boat in.</p> + +<p>"How soon will Randolph be back?" asked Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Within ten minutes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then I shall want him to put Mr. Ross and myself ashore. We two must +take up the seemingly impossible task of locating young Giddings in the +heart of Chinatown's slums, and bring him here by force, yet without +noise. Once we get him on board, and below, we can keep the young man +quiet until morning, when we'll be well out on the ocean. Dr. Gray will +attend to that."</p> + +<p>"Are your friends going to remain on board, without dinner?" asked +Halstead.</p> + +<p>"No; they can go ashore and get dinner at a restaurant, returning +presently. Mr. Randolph can keep the tender at the landing stage until +they return. Then, as soon as he has brought our other friends aboard, +Mr. Randolph can return for Ross and myself, when we get back. But Mr. +Randolph must not let Costigan or the crew get aboard until after we've +returned."</p> + +<p>"I'll make his instructions clear on that point," nodded Tom.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p><p>"That is all, then. Let me know when the tender returns."</p> + +<p>"Hold on, a moment, Baldwin," interposed Mr. Ross.</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"Baldwin, neither of us is in what might be called the pink of +condition, and young Giddings may put up a fight in his half-crazed way. +Don't we need a little real brawn with us?"</p> + +<p>"Taking Captain Halstead with us, do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"That was the idea that had come into my head," nodded Mr. Ross.</p> + +<p>"Yes; it would be an excellent idea. Captain, you will go with us. Leave +your first officer in command here until we return."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead saluted, then withdrew. He gave his orders quickly, not +deeming it necessary to mention any phase of the story of young Gaston +Giddings to his comrades of the Motor Boat Club.</p> + +<p>As soon as the launch was alongside Tom hastened to inform Mr. Baldwin. +The entire party thereupon came out on deck, gathering at the side +gangway. They speedily embarked in the tender, in which Jeff sat where +he could handle both engine and steering gear.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p><p>"Your instructions are clear, Mr. Perkins?" called Tom Halstead, +softly, from the launch.</p> + +<p>"Quite clear, sir," Ab replied. "The instructions will be followed to +the letter."</p> + +<p>"Shove off, then," Tom commanded. "To the landing stage, Mr. Randolph."</p> + +<p>It would have been almost laughable, to anyone who had witnessed the +frolicsome motor boat boys going through their hazing affair of the +forenoon, had he now been at hand to hear them using the stately +"mister" and "sir" with all the gravity of naval officers.</p> + +<p>Jeff speedily had the party ashore.</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes later a closed cab rolled slowly in at one corner of +gayly-lighted, malodorous Chinatown. The vehicle contained Messrs. +Baldwin and Ross and young Captain Tom Halstead. In this poisonous +atmosphere they sought a young human wreck, Gaston Giddings.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER V</span> <span class="smaller">A HUNT IN THE UNDER-WORLD</span></h2> + +<p>During the ride from the water front Captain Tom Halstead had sat on the +front seat of the cab, quiet and reserved.</p> + +<p>Now, as they entered the outer confines of Chinatown, Halstead leaned +slightly forward,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> peering out at the shops and at the queer Oriental +jumble, mixed here and there with white people, that thronged the narrow +sidewalks.</p> + +<p>"Are you headed for any particular place, sir?" queried the young +skipper, after a few moments.</p> + +<p>"No," admitted Mr. Baldwin. "I know nothing of Chinatown. We must drive +through, first of all, at a venture. Presently an idea may come to us. +Whatever we do, our plans must soon be formed. If I dared speak to a +police officer—but the risk is too great."</p> + +<p>"There's a restaurant," murmured the boy, suddenly. "It looks like a big +and clean place. Why don't you and Mr. Ross slip in there, have some tea +or something, and let me prowl about in these queer, crooked streets for +a few minutes? Chinatown is only a few blocks in extent, I understand. I +may be able to learn something that way, unless you have a better plan, +sir."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid you'll run into danger, alone in this barbarous crowd," +objected Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"I'm not in the least afraid," smiled Tom, confidently. "Two prosperous +looking men like you might attract attention, but, as for me, the people +hereabouts will think only that I'm some young sailor ashore for a lark. +Shall I stop the cab, sir?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p><p>"Yes," agreed Joseph Baldwin, though he spoke doubtfully.</p> + +<p>Tom's hand shot up at once, grabbing the check string. The driver pulled +up his horses, then came to the door, opening it.</p> + +<p>"This will be as good a place for you to remain, driver, as anywhere," +said Halstead, as he stepped out. Then he turned, waiting for Messrs. +Baldwin and Ross to alight.</p> + +<p>"Shall I find you in that restaurant, sir?" the young skipper inquired.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but don't be too long away, Halstead, or we shall be more uneasy +than ever."</p> + +<p>"Trust a sailor to take care of himself in any crowd, sir," laughed Tom +Halstead, jauntily. With that he stepped off, at a more rolling gait +than he usually employed on shore.</p> + +<p>The young motor boat captain carried in his mind a good personal +description of Gaston Giddings. He had secured this from Mr. Baldwin +before leaving the yacht.</p> + +<p>"Ugh! The smell here is worse than in New York's Chinatown," Tom told +himself, disgustedly.</p> + +<p>From upper windows of some of the buildings that lined the narrow, dirty +streets came the squawkings of Chinese fiddles and other discordant +"musical" instruments of a wholly Oriental type. There seemed to be two +or three<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> joss-houses, or temples, in every short block. On the street +floors, however, stores offering all kinds of Chinese merchandise were +most common. Tom suspected that the gambling places and opium joints lay +in the rear of these stores.</p> + +<p>"Want a guide to Chinatown? Show ye everything, boss, for two dollars. +Show ye every real sight in Chinatown," appealed a seedy, dirty, young +white man who now held Tom by one sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Anything really worth seeing?" asked Halstead, smilingly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>everything</i> worth seeing," responded the seedy guide, with a wide +wave of one arm. "Best two dollars' worth you ever had. Most curious +sights you ever saw in any part of the world. Sailor, ain't ye?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Sailors are my specialty," declared the seedy guide, grimly. "Come, +ye'd better haul up the two dollars and let me take you about."</p> + +<p>"What about opium joints, for instance?" asked Tom Halstead, speaking as +though he had not enthused much as yet.</p> + +<p>"I know 'em all," asserted the seedy guide, eagerly. "Want to smoke the +opium pipe?"</p> + +<p>"Can't say," replied Tom, vaguely. "Yet, if I do go around with you, +you've got to take me to the really swell opium places."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p><p>"Oh, I can do it—better'n any other guide in Chinatown," promised the +fellow, quickly. "Come, just hand over the two dollars, and see what I +can show you."</p> + +<p>With a great pretense of reluctance Captain Tom produced four half +dollars, which he handed to the guide.</p> + +<p>"Remember, now," he said, "I want what you might call the aristocratic +places."</p> + +<p>"If ye ain't satisfied," promised the guide, glibly, "then ye'll get +your money back."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead, then, but mind what I told you."</p> + +<p>Through dark alleyways, or through stores into rear apartments, Halstead +followed his conductor. In rapid succession he passed in and out of half +a dozen opium joints. One was as much like another as two kernels of +wheat resemble each other.</p> + +<p>In each place there was the same outer room, then the same bunk-room, an +apartment fitted up with bunks at the sides. It was in these rooms that +the smoking was done. The intending smoker stretched himself out in a +bunk, while a Chinese attendant brought lamp and kit. A tiny ball of +opium was quickly lighted—"cooked"—at the lamp's flame. Then this +glowing pellet of opium was thrust into the bowl of an opium pipe, and +the latter handed to the smoker in the bunk. The smoker <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>consumed his +pellet after two or three whiffs. After smoking three or four pipes, +most of the smokers succumbed, falling back in a torpid sleep.</p> + +<p>The air was heavy, disgusting in these places. Degraded white men and +women were occasionally to be seen, though most of the smokers were +Orientals, generally Chinese.</p> + +<p>Heart-sick and dizzy, Tom Halstead still kept on, though, whenever he +reached outer air, he took pains to inflate his lungs several times +before again entering one of the wretched, squalid "joints."</p> + +<p>Off the bunk-rooms several of these dens had "private" sleeping +apartments, for white smokers who desired more privacy. Wherever he +noted doors to such private rooms Tom Halstead thrust them open, +glancing inside. Nor was his conduct resented. The opium smokers were +too far gone to show or feel anger.</p> + +<p>"You haven't shown me any very swell places yet," protested the young +skipper, after leaving the seventh place.</p> + +<p>The guide, a thin, undersized, slovenly man in his early thirties, +turned to look the motor boat boy over keenly.</p> + +<p>Tom noticed that the fellow's eyes had a look in them much like the look +in the eyes of several of the smokers they had just seen.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p><p>"This fellow is an opium-user himself," decided Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Say, young feller," remarked the guide, in a cautious undertone, +"you're looking for <i>someone</i>."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I am," the young skipper half admitted.</p> + +<p>"Who is he?"</p> + +<p>"No matter. But do you know any of the men who come here to Chinatown +often to use the pipe?"</p> + +<p>"Say, if there's any white hop-fiend that I don't know, then he's a +brand-new one," rejoined the guide.</p> + +<p>"Do you know a young man of twenty-four or five, about five-eight tall, +dark, slim, rather fine-looking, smooth faced and with a slight scar +under his right ear?"</p> + +<p>"I guess that must be young Doc Gaston," whispered the guide.</p> + +<p>Gaston? That was Giddings's first name. Tom Halstead started, though he +strove to conceal his excitement.</p> + +<p>"Where does Doc Gaston go?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"What'll you pay to find out?" insisted the guide, cunningly.</p> + +<p>"Ten dollars."</p> + +<p>"Make it fifty, and I'll do it for you."</p> + +<p>Tom, however, stuck to his original price,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> though three or four minutes +were lost in haggling.</p> + +<p>"Ten dollars is the highest price," Tom declared, flatly. "That pays you +for standing by me until I get Doc Gaston—if he's the one I'm looking +for—outside of Chinatown."</p> + +<p>"Well, gimme the money now, then," demanded the guide.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," retorted the young skipper, tartly. "You get the money after +we're through and on the edge of Chinatown in a cab. Now, don't haggle +any more, or I'll drop the matter altogether. Are you going to take my +offer, or not?"</p> + +<p>"Say, you'll sure pay the ten, will ye?" whined the fellow.</p> + +<p>"As sure as there's a sky above us."</p> + +<p>"Then come along."</p> + +<p>"Where's the place?" questioned Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Around the next corner."</p> + +<p>"Do you know where Yum Kee's restaurant is?"</p> + +<p>"O' course. They call Yum Kee the Chinatown Delmonico."</p> + +<p>"Lead me back there, then, and we'll get the carriage."</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead had been around so many corners in this crowded, complex +quarter of San<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> Francisco that he had lost his bearings. The guide, +however, piloted him back to the waiting cab within two minutes.</p> + +<p>First of all, however, the young skipper peered in at the restaurant. +Messrs. Baldwin and Ross were at one of the rear tables, eating.</p> + +<p>"Tell the driver where to go, now, and we'll make the start," Tom +instructed the guide. Soon afterwards they alighted before a +brightly-lighted Chinese grocery store. Besides the proprietor, there +were three or four clerks and a dozen yellow-skinned, pig-tailed +customers in the place. The guide, with an air of being at home here, +led the way straight back, pushing ajar a door at the rear. The instant +they entered this rear compartment the sickening odor of sizzling opium +greeted Captain Tom's nostrils. This proved to be the inevitable outer +room, but the guide led into the adjoining bunk-room. In this latter +apartment were half a dozen doors.</p> + +<p>"Just look through 'em," whispered the guide. "Don't talk to me none. +Remember, if there's a row here, I've got to make up a yarn that will +square things for me."</p> + +<p>Two of the private rooms into which Halstead boldly intruded proved to +be empty.</p> + +<p>In the third room a weazened little old Chinaman crouched over a lamp +and a tray holding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> an outfit. He was preparing to remove these things. +In the bunk, sprawled out, with glassy eyes, was a young man whom Tom +Halstead recognized in a flash—weak, vice-ridden Gaston Giddings!</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER VI</span> <span class="smaller">FACING THE YELLOW BARRIER</span></h2> + +<p>"Maybe what you likee here?" demanded the little old Chinaman, looking +up with a snarl.</p> + +<p>"Looking around," retorted Tom, grimly.</p> + +<p>"Allee same—<i>git</i>!"</p> + +<p>The guide had approached, taking a swift, shifty look in at the bunk.</p> + +<p>"That's Doc Gaston, isn't it?" whispered Tom, over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Don't ye know him?" queried the guide, suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"He looks strange, with that glassy look in his eyes."</p> + +<p>"That's Doc Gaston, all right. 'Least, that's what he calls himself in +Chinatown."</p> + +<p>"You allee same git—chop-chop," snarled the Chinaman, savagely. He had +put the smoking outfit on the floor once more, and now pushed against +the motor boat boy with both hands, trying to force him from the room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +Tom, however, coolly and gravely picked the short Chinaman up off his +feet, wheeled and put him down again on the floor of the bunkroom +beyond.</p> + +<p>"Now, shove off!" ordered Halstead, half gruffly. "Don't bother me +again."</p> + +<p>After flashing an ugly look at the motor boat boy, the Chinaman fled in +the direction of the store.</p> + +<p>"Now, whatcher going to do?" demanded the guide, nervously.</p> + +<p>"If I can't get young Gaston to walking on his own feet, then I'm going +to pick him up in my arms and carry him out to the carriage," answered +Tom Halstead, firmly.</p> + +<p>"Smoking joss-house!" gasped the guide. "D'ye know what'll happen? +There'll be a house-full of them chinks down on us! Hatchet men—gun +men—say, young feller, dontcher know that these here hop-joints are +protected by the highbinders?"</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead had heard of the Chinese highbinders in New York. He knew +of them as a desperate crowd of yellow-skinned thugs. The guide's own +terror was too real to be feigned.</p> + +<p>"If you're afraid of this kind of a job, what did you come here for?" +asked the young skipper, quickly, gruffly.</p> + +<p>"Why, I thought ye was goin' to try to <i>coax</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> the young Doc out. But, +say—taking him out by force—lemme get outer this on the jump!"</p> + +<p>"No, you don't," roared Tom Halstead, with swift and quite unlooked-for +energy. "Stand by, now!"</p> + +<p>He gripped the guide by the arm, fairly forcing him over to the bunk in +which the young opium smoker lay. Giddings, if it was really he, lay +open-eyed, yet unheeding.</p> + +<p>"Come, get up!" ordered the boy, reaching with both hands under the +opium smoker's shoulders and raising him. "Out on your feet!"</p> + +<p>A drowsy, unintelligible protest came from the stranger. But Tom fairly +lifted him out onto his feet, then threw a strong, supporting arm about +him.</p> + +<p>"Now, walk! Come along!" ordered Halstead, briskly, taking hold of the +young man with his other hand.</p> + +<p>"Sufferin' joss-sticks!" wailed the guide. "Here come the +chinks—number-one man and all!"</p> + +<p>The door of the bunkroom burst open. Through the doorway rapidly +advanced the gorgeously-dressed Chinaman whom Tom had supposed to be the +proprietor of the store beyond. Back of him came four plainly-attired +Chinamen with as hard-looking, evil faces as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> could be found in all +Chinatown's quagmire of vice.</p> + +<p>"This ain't my doings, Ling!" wailed the guide, quailing before the +stern glances of the yellow leader—the "number-one man." "I told this +young fellow he'd have to quit. Let us out."</p> + +<p>"Yes; let us out!" repeated Tom Halstead, staring undauntedly into the +eyes of Ling.</p> + +<p>"Put him down," ordered Ling, nodding scowlingly at the stranger whom +Halstead supported. "Then, maybe, we see what we do with you."</p> + +<p>The air was full of danger of the most awesome kind. Though not a weapon +showed, as yet, each of the four Chinese behind the proprietor stood +with his hands thrust up into his sleeves. A Chinaman always carries his +weapons up his sleeves, whence he can bring them down, into action, with +incredible rapidity.</p> + +<p>"Now, don't think you've got me frightened," uttered Tom Halstead, +sturdily, gazing undauntedly at the Chinese. "There isn't any scare in +me when I'm dealing with people like you. If you make one single false +move you'll be the ones who'll be sorry for it. Ling, I'm going to take +this young man out of here. His friends know where he is, and they've +sent me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> here to get him. I'm going to take him out of here, chop-chop. +If I'm not out of here in another minute or so, then this young man's +friends will bring down police enough on you to clean the place out."</p> + +<p>Ling laughed contemptuously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you may think you have money enough, and 'pull' enough, to keep the +police from troubling you," jeered young Halstead. "But, if this young +man's friends get after you, it'll make a noise that the police can't +shut their ears to."</p> + +<p>Two of the men behind Ling stood blocking the doorway. The other two, by +now, were edging around to get on either side of the unflinching boy.</p> + +<p>"You yellow scoundrels, get back, and stay back!" commanded Tom, glaring +at them sternly.</p> + +<p>There comes into notice, now and then, a man who has enough of the +magnetic quality of bravery to hold a mob back. Tom Halstead was +possessed of the grit needed for such an undertaking.</p> + +<p>"Get out of the way, Ling—you and your heathen hatchet men," commanded +the young skipper, resolutely. "I'm going past you. If I find any fellow +in my way I'll knock him down. If you fight back, it'll be the finish +of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> you and of this place. <i>Gangway, you yellow idiots!</i>"</p> + +<div class="center"><img src="images/i073.jpg" alt="Gangway, You Yellow Idiots" /></div> + +<p class="bold">"Gangway, You Yellow Idiots."</p> + +<p>Still supporting, half dragging, the dazed young banker, Tom Halstead +grittily pressed his way to the doorway and through it. One of Ling's +henchmen attempted to stand immovable, but Halstead, with a quick blow +of his open hand, sent the fellow stumbling backward.</p> + +<p>"If you're thinking of creeping up behind me, don't try it," advised +Halstead, as coolly as ever, as he started across the outer room.</p> + +<p>He gained the closed door connecting with the outer store. Pausing here, +a moment, he beheld two of Ling's yellow-visaged fellows creeping toward +him.</p> + +<p>"Back for yours—that'll keep you out of trouble," barked the young +skipper, coolly, without raising a hand to defend himself. Then he threw +the door open, calling backward over his shoulder:</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare let this young man in here again, Ling. If you do, it'll +wind you up."</p> + +<p>With that the motor boat boy contrived to pilot his charge swiftly +through the store. He was not safe until he had passed the last of these +yellow men, and the young skipper knew it. Yet, at last, he had the +stranger out on the sidewalk, one hand up to signal the driver of the +cab.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p><p>The guide, keeping close to the motor boat boy, had managed to get out +with him. But the little fellow was shaking as though seized with the +ague.</p> + +<p>"Get into the cab, and help me take the young man in," ordered Tom, and +the guide was glad, indeed, to dive inside the carriage. In another +moment they were driving away.</p> + +<p>"Say, but you've got the nerve!" chattered the guide, his teeth knocking +together.</p> + +<p>"Maybe you'd have some nerve if you'd learn to leave hop alone," +rejoined Halstead. "Hop" is the Chinatown name for opium.</p> + +<p>Halstead sat on the rear seat, supporting the young banker beside him. +In a little while the cab again halted in front of Yum Kee's restaurant.</p> + +<p>"Here," said Halstead, producing a ten-dollar bill. "Take this. Skip as +soon as you like."</p> + +<p>"You oughter gimme more," whined the guide.</p> + +<p>"I've given you all I agreed. No use trying to get any more."</p> + +<p>The guide, thereupon, sprang out, vanishing within a few seconds. Going +to the doorway of the restaurant, yet standing where he could keep a +close watch on the cab, Tom uttered a long, low whistle. Messrs. Baldwin +and Ross<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> saw him instantly, and came hastening out. By the time they +reached the cab the young skipper was inside again.</p> + +<p>"Is this your young man?" asked Halstead, almost in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Yes," nodded Baldwin, a jubilant gleam showing in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Better jump in, then, sir, so we can get away quickly."</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings now leaned against Tom's shoulder, sleeping the sleep of +drugged stupefaction.</p> + +<p>"How on earth did you find him so soon?" questioned Joseph Baldwin, +leaning forward when the cab had gone beyond the confines of Chinatown. +Tom told the whole story, simply and modestly.</p> + +<p>"Young man," uttered Jason Ross, solemnly, "I don't believe you have any +idea, yet, of how huge a risk you ran yourself into. The Chinese +criminal is desperate at all times, but ten-fold more so when he's on +his own ground, surrounded only by his own crowd."</p> + +<p>"Well, I got out, didn't I?" smiled the young skipper, coolly.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but I marvel at it."</p> + +<p>"I understand more and more why Delavan recommended these youngsters to +me," breathed Joseph Baldwin, gleefully. "'Ready<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> for anything,' he told +me, was the motto of the Motor Boat Club boys."</p> + +<p>When the cab rolled out onto the dock Jeff Randolph was found pacing +back and forth on the landing stage. No other member of the crew was in +sight, and Jeff stated that none of the others of Mr. Baldwin's party of +guests had yet returned.</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings, still unaware of his surroundings, was helped aboard +the tender. A swift trip was made to the "Panther," and the unfortunate +young man was immediately carried below to be put to bed in one of the +stateroom berths.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later Mr. Baldwin's other guests returned from dinner. +Jeff, who had gone back to meet them, brought them on board, next going +back to await the arrival of Third Officer Costigan and the crew. Dr. +Gray hastened below, to attend to Giddings, and to keep him quiet, also, +after the crew should come on board.</p> + +<p>As for Captain Tom, after receiving Ab Perkins's report that all was +well aboard, he went to his own cabin, calling Joe Dawson, through the +speaking tube, to join him. Here Joseph Baldwin found both youngsters.</p> + +<p>"Captain Halstead, how much did you spend on my account, to-night?" +asked the owner.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p><p>"Altogether, sir, twelve dollars on the guide."</p> + +<p>"Never mind about any change, then," rejoined Mr. Baldwin, passing over +a bank note.</p> + +<p>"I think I can make change for that, sir," retorted Skipper Tom, his +color rising. "I'm not out after 'tips,' you know, sir," he added, with +a smile.</p> + +<p>Producing a roll of money from an inner pocket, Halstead counted out +eighty-eight dollars, which he handed to the owner.</p> + +<p>"You may refuse, now, but I shall be even with you later," remarked +Joseph Baldwin. "And now, Captain, as soon as you can, after the crew +comes aboard, I want you to put out to sea. I'll give you more explicit +orders as soon as we're seven or eight miles west of the coast."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir," replied Captain Tom, saluting as the owner turned to +leave the captain's cabin.</p> + +<p>"You've been running into a bit more excitement, have you?" queried Joe, +smiling.</p> + +<p>"A bit," laughed Halstead. Dawson asked no further questions.</p> + +<p>At a few minutes after midnight Mr. Costigan returned with his shore +party.</p> + +<p>"It's your watch below, Mr. Costigan, until eight o'clock in the +morning," First Officer Ab<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> Perkins informed the third officer. "When +you are called to turn out we'll be at sea."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir," replied Costigan, and went below to seek his berth. +Neither the third officer nor any of the crew had any suspicion that +anything unusual had happened this evening.</p> + +<p>"Where's Mr. Costigan?" inquired Captain Halstead, coming forward.</p> + +<p>"Gone below to sleep, sir," Ab replied.</p> + +<p>"Then I'm afraid you'll have to rout him out. He'll have to stay on deck +until he has piloted us through the Golden Gate. I want to be under way +within five minutes."</p> + +<p>Somewhat chagrined, Ab Perkins sent one of the crew below for the third +officer. Costigan was speedily in evidence.</p> + +<p>Now, one of the motors began to chug briskly below, and the two bow +anchors came speedily up, being stowed by the watch. Joe was in the +engine room with Jed Prentiss, while Captain Tom Halstead, feeling +prouder and happier than ever in his life before, climbed to the bridge +up behind the pilot house. After him went Dick Davis, whose watch it was +to stand. Mr. Costigan, after seeing the anchors stowed, started for the +bridge also.</p> + +<p>"Give the engine room slow speed ahead, Mr. Davis," directed Tom.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p><p>Dick gave the bell-pull at the bridge rail the required jerk. The +"Panther" began to move gracefully ahead, while Mr. Costigan, with the +pilot-house speaking tube in his hand, called down the helmsman's +orders.</p> + +<p>"Dick, this is the real thing!" whispered Tom Halstead, jubilantly, in +his comrade's ear while Costigan was busy at the speaking tube.</p> + +<p>"It's as fine as bossing a liner," rejoined Dick Davis, +enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"Better!" declared Halstead.</p> + +<p>Dick presently signaled the engineer for more speed. The "Panther" +ploughed through the waters of the bay, toward the Golden Gate.</p> + +<p>As Tom Halstead peered through the night ahead he felt another ecstatic +thrill. It was all so fine, so glorious! No doubt it was better for him, +at this moment, that he could not foresee all that lay ahead of him.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER VII</span> <span class="smaller">DICK TAKES THE RESCUE BOAT TRICK</span></h2> + +<p>It wasn't long before First Officer Ab Perkins also climbed the stairs +to the bridge.</p> + +<p>"If this craft runs on the rocks, it won't be for want of officers at +their post," laughed Skipper Tom, gleefully.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p><p>"I couldn't keep away," confessed Ab. "It's the first time in my life +I've ever stood on a real bridge by right. Oh, but this is a different +thing altogether from the tiny bridge-deck of a fifty-foot boat!"</p> + +<p>Third Officer Costigan paid no heed to the motor boat boys. Though +Costigan had never held higher rank than he now enjoyed, standing watch +on a bridge was no new sensation for him. The young Irishman thought, +mainly, of the time when he would have the "Panther" through the Gate +and well off the coast. Then he could turn in below.</p> + +<p>Presently a fifth person joined the little squad on the bridge. It was +Joseph Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"You've a clear night and an easy sea, Captain," smiled the owner. "It's +a fortunate sort of start for you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"When you're well clear of the Gate, Captain, look in on me down in the +main cabin, and I'll give you your sailing orders for the night."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>Halstead knew his own dignity on the bridge. He was on duty, and did not +attempt to engage the owner in any conversation other than that which +concerned his present duties. Mr. Baldwin went below just after the +"Panther's" prow was turned into the beginning of the Golden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> Gate, that +magnificent approach to San Francisco harbor. The Gate is some two miles +long, and nearly a mile wide, with an abundance of deep water for the +passage of the largest craft afloat.</p> + +<p>"What speed, sir?" asked Dick Davis.</p> + +<p>"Ten miles is fast enough in this channel, isn't it, Mr. Costigan?" +inquired the young captain.</p> + +<p>"About as much as is best, sir."</p> + +<p>Dick, at a sign from Halstead, communicated the order to the engine +room. Twelve minutes later the "Panther" was clearing the Gate, leaving +a track of foam behind her as Davis signaled for increased speed.</p> + +<p>Joe, leaving his first assistant below at the motors, now joined the +bridge squad.</p> + +<p>"If there's nothing more, Captain," suggested Dawson, "I'll turn in +below for the night."</p> + +<p>Captain Halstead nodded. Soon afterwards he went below, to the main +cabin.</p> + +<p>"I've come to report for orders, Mr. Baldwin," he announced.</p> + +<p>"They're simple enough," replied the owner. "Clear the coast by some +twenty miles; then cruise south, at not too great speed—say, about +twelve miles an hour."</p> + +<p>"Do these orders hold until changed, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Captain."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p><p>Tom saluted, then turned as though to leave the cabin, but Mr. Baldwin +called him back.</p> + +<p>"You're not needed on the bridge yet, Captain. Remain with us a little +while, if you feel like it. You can see that Dr. Gray is keeping his own +watch down here in the main cabin."</p> + +<p>At that moment the physician, an elderly man, stepped out of a +stateroom, closing the door after him.</p> + +<p>"There! My patient will sleep for some hours, I think. I'll take the +upper berth in his room to-night, so that I can hear him and attend to +him if he wakes. Ah, good evening, Captain. Or is it good morning? I +have been told of your fine work—on land, at that."</p> + +<p>"Is Giddings going to be in anything like his right mind when he wakes?" +asked Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Oh, in a general way, I think he'll know what he's saying," replied the +physician. "But he won't be at all bright before thirty-six hours have +passed. Even then I can't guarantee him. Opium drives him to the verge +of mania."</p> + +<p>When several of the others had engaged in conversation, and the doctor +had taken a seat near the young captain, Tom asked:</p> + +<p>"Is opium smoking a very great evil in San Francisco, Doctor? That is, +do very many take to it?"</p> + +<p>"Not a very large proportion of the white<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> population, I am glad to +say," responded the physician. "Still, when the hop habit does get hold +of our white people it works fearful havoc with them. Opium and morphine +streak all the crime in San Francisco. These habits are the horrible +revenge that the Chinaman has taken upon the city for the persecution +the Chinaman once suffered at the hands of our hoodlums."</p> + +<p>"Then opium and morphine are largely responsible for the crime and vice +in the big city we have just left?" asked Halstead.</p> + +<p>"No; I won't say they're responsible," replied Dr. Gray. "But they color +the wickedness of San Francisco in their own way. There's a heap of +wickedness in every large city, but the crimes and vices here take on +aspects that are tremendously due to the use of opium and morphine by +the criminal classes. A very large percentage of our San Francisco +jailbirds use either opium or morphine. These drugs give them a lower +order of intelligence, and make them more cowardly, though often more +desperate when they find themselves driven into a corner. Captain +Halstead, be sure you never allow yourself to be tempted to use either +of those drugs."</p> + +<p>"Thank you; I don't believe I shall," smiled the young skipper. +"Especially, after what I've seen to-night."</p> + +<p>"Great as the curse of alcohol is," added Dr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> Gray, "the bane of opium +is ten-fold greater. In two or three generations it would ruin any +race."</p> + +<p>"Then why isn't the Chinese nation destroyed?" asked Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Because, although we have imported these dread habits from China, only +a small proportion of the Chinese people use the drugs. Those who do are +the outcasts of China."</p> + +<p>It was growing late, so the young skipper rose, inquiring whether the +owner had any further orders for him.</p> + +<p>"None, thank you, Captain," replied Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>Tom thereupon took his leave, returning to deck. The "Panther" was now +miles westward of the coast.</p> + +<p>"Ugh!" shivered young Halstead, as he stepped out on deck. Though it was +February, the air had been all but balmy in town. Out on the bay there +had been a little more chill in the air. But now, out on the wide +expanse of the ocean, there was a cold, damp wind blowing that seemed to +bite to the marrow after the bright warmth of the main cabin.</p> + +<p>Tom promptly stepped into his own cabin, taking down his deck ulster and +donning it. Then he made his way to the bridge, where Dick Davis was +pacing from side to side.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p><p>"No; I don't want any ice cream, thank you," grinned Dick, as his +captain joined him. Davis, who wore a reefer, was beating his arms +against his sides as though to keep warm. "I've been wishing, Captain, I +could get below for my ulster."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead," nodded Halstead. "I'll walk the bridge until you return." +Dick needed no urging, but made speed for his stateroom below. When he +came back he looked more contented.</p> + +<p>"Queer climate, this," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed the young skipper. "I'm told the thermometer never shows a +very low marking, but that the night air chills one down to the marrow +of his bones."</p> + +<p>For five minutes more young Halstead remained on the bridge, then went +below, after having left the customary instructions to call him to the +bridge in case he was needed.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's great to walk the bridge of as fine a craft as puts out of +San Francisco," Dick told himself, later on in the night. "But at night +it's mighty lonesome. I almost wish I could call one of the deckhands up +here to talk to."</p> + +<p>Of the seven seamen of the crew, one was assigned to work under the +first officer's orders during the daytime. The remaining six were +divided between the two watches. Of the three now at Davis's orders, one +was in the pilot house,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> for the purpose of relieving the quartermaster +whenever required. A second seaman, at night, stood out far forward as +bow-watch. The third made regular trips of inspection around the yacht, +unless ordered to some other duty.</p> + +<p>Jed Prentiss, sitting all alone down in the motor room, made the sixth +of those who were now awake on board the "Panther." At starboard and +port the colored running lights gleamed; a third light, white, twinkled +from the foremast-head. On the bridge stood a powerful searchlight whose +rays could be turned on at will.</p> + +<p>Thus manned, the "Panther" swept on steadily over the ocean, now headed +south. The solitary, boyish figure pacing the bridge, represented in the +night the brains and the present master-hand of this yacht, which, +equipped with a single three-inch cannon at the bow, could have outrun +or destroyed all the navies, combined, of ancient times.</p> + +<p>Through the night the sea roughened a good deal. The wind blew more +freshly, coming down off the land from the northeast. Still, the yacht +was in no labor in the sea, and the sky remained bright overhead. So the +second officer did not feel it necessary to disturb the rest of the +captain.</p> + +<p>At a quarter of eight in the morning, however,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> with the sun hidden +behind a haze, Dick pressed the button that sounded the electric +vibrating bell over Tom Halstead's berth. Then Davis picked up the +mouthpiece of the speaking tube to the pilot house.</p> + +<p>"Call the port watch," directed Dick, when the seaman had answered.</p> + +<p>Captain Tom came up on the bridge, pulling on his ulster as he came. He +greeted Dick, then stood looking about at the sky.</p> + +<p>"It has freshened up a good deal in the night," remarked the young +skipper.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I thought, sir, you'd want to see the weather while the watch was +changing."</p> + +<p>Third Officer Costigan was not long in appearing, greeting his two +superior officers as he reached the bridge.</p> + +<p>"Does this weather spell trouble coming on this coast, Mr. Costigan?" +questioned Halstead.</p> + +<p>"It'll most likely turn rougher, sir. Sometimes we get a gale out of the +northeast in February, though not as often as you do on the Atlantic. +That's all I can say, sir. How's the glass? The barometer, you see, sir, +is behaving like a gentleman at present."</p> + +<p>As Dick left the bridge at the changing of the watch, Tom followed him. +Halstead went to his own cabin, where he ordered his breakfast served. +This meal eaten, the young skipper,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> who still felt the fatigue of late +hours the night before, threw himself down on a divan. Though he had not +intended to sleep, in less than five minutes Tom Halstead had traveled +all the way to the land of Nod.</p> + +<p>Nor did the increased rolling and pitching of the "Panther" disturb him; +if anything, it lulled the young skipper into sounder slumber.</p> + +<p>By ten o'clock the gale was going more than forty miles an hour. At +eleven Ab Perkins turned the knob of the door, stepping inside. As Ab +stood there looking at the occupant of the divan, moisture dripped from +the ulster of the first officer.</p> + +<p>"I guess we need you on deck, sir," roared Ab, shaking the young +captain's shoulder. In a twinkling, Halstead was awake. In another +instant he was on his feet.</p> + +<p>"Weather is booming a bit, eh?" cried Captain Tom, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Nothing near as much, sir, as this craft can stand with comfort," Ab +responded. "But we're coming up with a schooner under bare poles and +wallowing badly. Foretop-mast blown away, too, and some of the bowsprit +missing."</p> + +<p>"Then you did right to call me," rejoined Halstead, pulling on his shoes +swiftly, and standing up to don his cap and reefer. "I'll go on the +bridge at once."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p><p>Baldwin and three of the passengers were on deck as Captain Tom +appeared. Halstead nodded their way, then hurriedly climbed the bridge +stairs. Now, he turned to take a look at the schooner. She lay dead +ahead, for Costigan had ordered the "Panther's" course altered so as to +speak the craft in distress. She was still about a mile distant, but for +a keen-eyed sailor it needed no glass to make out the fact that the +three-master was in utter distress.</p> + +<p>"Hard luck, that, in only a forty-mile blow," muttered Tom.</p> + +<p>"Wind-gauge shows forty-eight, sir," replied Mr. Costigan.</p> + +<p>"Anyway, someone must have been dozing on that schooner, to let her +canvas be blown away in such a wind," contended the young skipper.</p> + +<p>Then Tom picked up the marine glasses, for a good look at the craft.</p> + +<p>"Why, confound it, she has nothing left but a dinghy at the stern +davits," muttered Captain Halstead. "I'm afraid, Mr. Costigan, we've got +to get out our own boat."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid so, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then tumble out the starboard watch."</p> + +<p>The order was given through the pilot house speaking tube. The sailor +down there with the quartermaster went below at lively speed, routing +out the sleeping watch.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p><p>By the time they were on deck Tom Halstead was manœuvring the motor +yacht around to leeward of the wreck.</p> + +<p>"Schooner, ahoy!" he bellowed through a megaphone, from the bridge end.</p> + +<p>"Yacht ahoy!" came back the faint answer on the breeze. "This is the +schooner 'Alert,' Seattle; Jordrey, master."</p> + +<p>"What help do you want, 'Alert'?"</p> + +<p>"We're ready to abandon our vessel. Send us a boat, if you can."</p> + +<p>"Boat it is, then, Captain," Tom bawled back, lustily. "Stand by to help +our boat make fast alongside your lee quarter!"</p> + +<p>Then, turning, glancing down at the deck, Tom called:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Davis, the rescue boat is the second officer's trick!"</p> + +<p>"Glad of it, sir," retorted Dick, his eyes glistening.</p> + +<p>"Lower the port life-boat. Take four men at the oars and one for the +bow. You'll have to row. The power tender would be worthless in this +sea. Mr. Perkins will take the bridge. Mr. Costigan and the +quartermasters will help you off, Mr. Davis."</p> + +<p>Officers and men all moved with perfect discipline. With a merry roar +they lowered the life-boat. A boarding gangway was lowered at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> the side, +and down this the crew of the life-boat scrambled. Dick Davis took his +place at the tiller.</p> + +<p>"Cast off," he commanded. "Shove off. Let fall oars. Now, then—at it, +hearties!"</p> + +<p>From owner and passengers a cheer went up as the boat put off in such +famous style. In another instant, however, the boat tossed like a cork +on a high, rolling wave. Then it went down in the hollow between two +billows. It was up in sight, an instant later. The men at the oars were +doing their work with a will. Over the water struggled the life-boat, +and then turned to come up under the lee quarter of the schooner.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Captain Tom Halstead clutched desperately at the bridge rail, +his face going deathly white.</p> + +<p>"Merciful heaven!" he quivered, staring hard. For, near the crest of a +wave, the life-boat heeled. Another big wave caught her.</p> + +<p>Dick Davis and the boat's crew had been hurled from the overturning boat!</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER VIII</span> <span class="smaller">THE REAL KENNEBEC WAY</span></h2> + +<p>The young skipper of the "Panther" brushed his hand past his eyes.</p> + +<p>It was no dream, no trick of the vision. The life-boat was overturned, +riding keel upward, while two of its crew clung desperately to the keel. +A third head could be seen bobbing on the water. What had become of the +other three human beings?</p> + +<p>"Mr. Perkins, take command of the 'Panther,'" ordered Tom, hoarsely. +"Mr. Dawson, you and Mr. Prentiss, with two of the quartermasters and +the remaining seaman, stand by the starboard life-boat. I'll go in +charge."</p> + +<p>All those ordered sprang to their posts. Like a flash the davits were +swung around outward, other hands loosening the lowering tackle.</p> + +<p>"Captain, this is madness," remonstrated Mr. Baldwin. "If that boat +couldn't ride the water, this one can't."</p> + +<p>"This one must," retorted Captain Tom. "They're our own shipmates in the +water over there. Stand by to lower!"</p> + +<p>"Captain, I protest!" cried Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Get out of the way, then, sir, and do your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> protesting in private," +came, sternly, from the young skipper.</p> + +<p>Before those flashing eyes Mr. Baldwin took a step backward. At sea the +captain, not the owner, commands, and Joseph Baldwin quickly realized +it.</p> + +<p>"Captain!" roared down Ab Perkins's voice from the bridge.</p> + +<p>On the point of giving the lowering-away order, Tom turned to look where +the first officer pointed.</p> + +<p>In another second Captain Halstead commanded, hoarsely:</p> + +<p>"Stand by your posts at the davits!"</p> + +<p>Then he darted forward along the rail, taking in the inspiring sight +that greeted his eyes.</p> + +<p>Though Dick Davis had met with bad luck, he did not mean to let it turn +into disaster.</p> + +<p>Seeing two of his boat's crew safe for the moment, Dick succeeded in +helping two more sailors to gain the boat. Still another was making +stubborn headway over the waves toward the side of the schooner, where +one of the crew of the wreck stood ready to cast a rope.</p> + +<p>And now the master of the "Alert" made a splendid cast with a line that +shot far out, uncoiling until it lay across the overturned boat.</p> + +<p>"Good old Dick!" breathed young Halstead, as he saw his second officer +catch the rope and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> pass the end quickly back past the others who clung +to the keel of the overturned life-boat.</p> + +<p>The swimmer had now succeeded in reaching the rope, and was being helped +up to the schooner's deck. Dick and the remaining men, besides holding +onto the overturned boat, were slowly aiding those at the schooner's +rail to haul them to greater safety.</p> + +<p>When Halstead saw the overturned boat made fast along under the +schooner's lee he turned to shout back:</p> + +<p>"Swing in the davits, but stand by. We may need our boat yet."</p> + +<p>Dick Davis, however, aided by his own men and those on the derelict, was +working hard to right the life-boat. When they succeeded a great cheer +went up from the watchers on the "Panther."</p> + +<p>"Shall I go in closer, sir?" The question came from Parkinson, the chief +steward, who, when Captain Tom made such a draft for a second crew, had +been sent to the wheel house.</p> + +<p>"Get your orders from the bridge," Tom called back to him.</p> + +<p>Though Davis had lost his oars in the upset, the master of the "Alert" +was able to supply others. Now the loading of the life boat began. On +the return trip Dick was able to have six oarsmen. All hands stowed +themselves away in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> life-boat, Captain Jordrey coming last of all, +with his log, papers and instruments. Then Davis gave the order to shove +off.</p> + +<p>"Our friend is taking a big passenger contract, on such a rough sea," +Tom muttered, uneasily, to Joe Dawson, who had joined him. "But Dick +will pull it through, if anyone can."</p> + +<p>The life-boat, which was not of the largest size, lay low in the water +as she set out on her return. Every now and then one of the waves broke +with a choppy crest, to be succeeded by a long, rolling mass of water +that threatened to fill and overwhelm the boat. Dick Davis, however, +standing up, with one hand on the tiller and one knee against it, +handled his little craft with a master's skill.</p> + +<p>"Your friend is a wonderfully good officer, Captain," cried Joseph +Baldwin, enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"Any of my other officers could do as well, sir," Tom replied, calmly. +"It's the way of the Motor Boat Club training, and its effect on boys of +sea-roving stock."</p> + +<p>Yet there were half a dozen times, on that perilous return trip, when +those on the deck of the "Panther" held their breath, their pulses +moving faster.</p> + +<p>At just the right moment Ab Perkins swung the craft around somewhat to +starboard, then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> headed in so that Dick Davis was able more quickly to +have the life-boat up under the yacht's broad lee.</p> + +<p>Then, in a moment of relief, falls and tackle were made fast to the +boat, and the rescued men began coming up over the side like so many +squirrels.</p> + +<p>"Where's your captain?" demanded Master Jordrey, as he came over the +side. "I want to tell him that that boy officer of his is worth a dozen +of some kinds of men I've seen."</p> + +<p>"I'm captain here, at your service, sir," Tom announced, with a smile. +Jordrey stared hard, for Tom was plainly much younger than Davis.</p> + +<p>"What is this?" gasped the master of the "Alert." "A juvenile orphan +asylum afloat, without the teachers? But no matter who you are, you know +how to handle boats, large and small. My respects, Captain."</p> + +<p>The two mates, cook and crew of the schooner were pressing forward. +Costigan returned to the bridge, while Ab came down to the deck again, +attending to the hoisting and stowing of the life-boat. Halstead grasped +the hand of Dick Davis as he came over the side, looking at him with a +gaze full of appreciation.</p> + +<p>"Where are you bound, Captain Halstead?" inquired Captain Jordrey, a man +of some forty years.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p><p>"Cruising," Tom replied. "According to the owner's whim or orders. But +we can stow your people away somewhere on the boat until we make port, +or pass some other craft in smoother water. There's an extra stateroom +forward, below, Captain Jordrey, that you can have."</p> + +<p>There were also three berths, not in use, in the forecastle. For the +rest mattresses were laid, at need, on the forecastle floor.</p> + +<p>"It serves my owners right to lose the schooner," grumbled Jordrey. "The +canvas was worn out. I put in a requisition for new sets of sails before +leaving port, but they wouldn't let me have them."</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin approached Davis while he and Tom were talking on the +deck.</p> + +<p>"All I want to say, Mr. Davis," explained the owner, "is that, every +time I see you Motor Boat Club boys do anything new it only makes me +more and more glad that you're on my craft."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER IX</span> <span class="smaller">THE CHASE OF THEIR LIVES</span></h2> + +<p>It was Saturday forenoon when the officers and men of the "Alert" were +taken from the wreck. By Sunday morning the sea was running smoothly +after the short gale. On this latter morning the steamer from San Diego +to San Francisco was sighted and hailed, and Captain Jordrey and his men +were transferred to her.</p> + +<p>At this time the "Panther" was cruising leisurely, first north, then +south, out of sight of land, and at a mean distance of some two hundred +miles from the Golden Gate.</p> + +<p>On this Sunday morning young Gaston Giddings appeared on deck. He +appeared to have entirely recovered from his late debauch, though his +eyes lacked their natural luster. He was tastefully attired in a new +suit and topcoat taken from his wardrobe on board. He and Joseph Baldwin +walked much together, talking, and once in a while Mr. Ross joined them.</p> + +<p>"Captain," called the owner, as young Halstead stepped on deck.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," responded Tom, approaching.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p><p>"Mr. Giddings understands the part you played Friday night," went on +Mr. Baldwin, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"And I wish to thank you, of course," put in Giddings, holding out his +hand, though it seemed to the young skipper that his own pressure was +not very cordially returned.</p> + +<p>"You're welcome, of course, Mr. Giddings," smiled Halstead, "though I +hope I shall never have a chance to render the same service again."</p> + +<p>"I hope not," sighed the young man. Though Tom did not stare +impertinently, he looked into the young man's face long enough to note +the lifelessness depicted there, and the weakness of the mouth.</p> + +<p>"It seems queer to think of such a young fellow, and such a pulseless +piece of putty, being president of a great bank," thought Tom to +himself. "However, of course, if he inherited the controlling stock, he +could see to it that he was elected to the post."</p> + +<p>Dr. Gray, though he did not often speak to Giddings, hovered on deck, +keeping a rather watchful look over the young man.</p> + +<p>During the afternoon Tom had occasion to go to the main cabin briefly. +Mr. Baldwin looked around from the table at which he sat with his +guests. He nodded to the young captain, then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> turned back to the pile of +papers that he had evidently been discussing with his guests.</p> + +<p>"You needn't go, Captain," called the owner over his shoulder. "We are +talking business, but we know you have no ears, away from your duties. +Now, Giddings, as I've been explaining to you, we need ten million +dollars in cash to put this matter in motion. Your bank, the Sheepmen's, +then, will advance five millions on the collateral we have been +discussing, and the syndicate of banks that I have named will put up the +other five millions. That will start the matter in motion. Then, when we +come to the second step in the game, we shall have to be ready with +fifteen millions, and of this money the Sheepmen's——"</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead heard, yet didn't hear. It was all a matter of listless +indifference to him what these men of the money world were planning in +the way of new and big enterprises. The young captain would have been +much more interested in reading the "Panther's" patent log.</p> + +<p>"Are you certain, Giddings, that you have facilities for turning over +the five millions to us at once?" asked Mr. Ross.</p> + +<p>"Why, we've been calling in cash for some days," replied Gaston +Giddings. "We've been preparing for this demand of yours for money. +Then, you know, we secured the whole of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> Treasury Department's last +apportionment of thousand-dollar Treasury notes. We have three million +dollars' worth of these notes locked in our vaults at this moment. +That's good enough money for you, isn't it?" demanded the young bank +president, boastfully.</p> + +<p>"Yes," muttered Ross, "if it's all there when we get back."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" demanded Giddings, flushing.</p> + +<p>"I guess you know how highly I esteem your cashier, Rollings?"</p> + +<p>"He's all right," declared Giddings, hotly.</p> + +<p>"As long as I don't own any stock in your bank I'm not worrying," +replied Ross, rather shortly. "It's none of my business, young man; yet, +as one of your father's friends, I can't help being uneasy over the +thought that Rollings has the combination of your main vault."</p> + +<p>"If he didn't have, I could hardly take these jaunts out to sea," +retorted the young man.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you could; Hawkins, your vice-president and your father's before +you, is a man to be trusted with anything. Hawkins could go to the main +vault whenever necessary. For Rollings to have that combination——"</p> + +<p>"I don't want to hear any more of this!" cried Giddings, hotly, rising +from the table.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p><p>"You don't need to, then," rejoined Mr. Ross, coolly. "You know what I +<i>think</i>."</p> + +<p>"Don't get in a huff, Gaston," put in Joseph Baldwin, briskly. "Ross has +told you, plainly, in so many words, just what other friends of yours +think of Rollings. He's an able banking man, but none of us think too +highly of his honesty. You'll find that two of your own directors, Mr. +Pendleton and Mr. Howe, who are here, agree with Mr. Ross and myself."</p> + +<p>Mr. Howe remained silent, tapping the table with a pencil, but Mr. +Pendleton said, slowly:</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess Frank Rollings is all right. Still, I wish, with the +others, that he didn't have such easy access to three millions of +dollars in bills of such large denomination that the whole sum could be +carried off in a satchel."</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," announced Giddings, rather stiffly, "when we reach San +Francisco to-morrow morning, and find that the money is all safe, I +shall consider that I have the apology of each one of you for the doubts +thrown at my friend, Frank Rollings, behind his back."</p> + +<p>That was the last that Tom Halstead heard, for he left the cabin. At +eight o'clock that evening, however, the young skipper received his +orders from Mr. Baldwin to make San Francisco at ten the following +forenoon. Almost to the minute the yacht's bow anchors were let go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> at +her usual moorings in San Francisco Bay. The power tender was lowered +over the side, to take Mr. Baldwin and his guests ashore, Quartermaster +Bickson going along to handle the boat.</p> + +<p>"Come along with us, if you like, Captain," invited Mr. Baldwin. "After +we get through our business at the bank our party will lunch at one of +the clubs. It ought to be pleasant for you."</p> + +<p>Tom gratefully accepted, making a swift change from his uniform to +ordinary street dress.</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings held his head a good deal higher than usual when he led +the party from carriages into the sombre, solid old building in which +the Sheepmen's Bank was housed. The young president conducted his party +through the long counting room and into the president's office at the +rear.</p> + +<p>Here Giddings took command, as by right. Showing his guests to seats, he +stepped over to a massive roll-top desk, unlocking it and throwing the +roll up. Then he pressed a button on his desk. One of the bank's +messengers entered.</p> + +<p>"Ask Mr. Rollings to come in," desired Giddings.</p> + +<p>The messenger soon returned, to report:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p><p>"Mr. Rollings is out at this moment. Mr. Conroy, the first assistant +cashier, is at his desk."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Conroy will do, then."</p> + +<p>The first assistant cashier was soon in the president's office. To him +Giddings explained about the loan that had been decided upon.</p> + +<p>"I will prepare a list, Mr. Conroy, of stable securities on which I wish +you to raise two million dollars in cash at once. But, first of all, get +Mr. Hawkins to go to the main vault with you. Tell Mr. Hawkins that I +wish the three millions in thousand-dollar notes brought here. You come +back here with Mr. Hawkins."</p> + +<p>"Can it be delayed for just a little while, sir?" inquired Conroy. "Two +of the United States bank examiners are here, prepared to go over our +assets."</p> + +<p>"Bring that three million here at once," rapped out Gaston Giddings, +rather sharply. "The bank examiners may come in here and help in +counting it here in my office. Now, go; carry out my orders, precisely."</p> + +<p>Mr. Conroy departed in haste. While he was gone the two bank examiners +entered the president's room. Giddings greeted them, asking them to take +seats. Cigars were passed about by a messenger. The air was rather thick +with smoke when Conroy returned, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>accompanied by the aged +vice-president, Mr. Hawkins. The latter carried a satchel, which he took +to the large centre table.</p> + +<p>"The money there?" inquired Giddings.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," responded Mr. Hawkins. "I understood that you wished to look +it over here."</p> + +<p>As Giddings laid down his cigar, moving over to the table, the two bank +examiners joined the bank's officers.</p> + +<p>Not a very imposing-looking pile was revealed when Mr. Hawkins opened +the satchel, drawing forth the contents—three not very large packages +covered with numerous heavy seals.</p> + +<p>"As I'll probably never see three million dollars again in my life, I'll +try to get a good look now," thought Tom Halstead, keenly alive with +interest. He sat at some distance from the table, but had a good view.</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings himself opened one of the packages. He broke the seals +deliberately, then unfolded many wrappings. Suddenly the contents of the +package fell to the polished mahogany surface of the table, followed by +the frenzied gaze of the young president.</p> + +<p>"<i>Nothing but blank brown paper!</i>" he screamed, hoarsely. He collapsed, +falling with his arms across the table, his eyes bulging as though an +epileptic seizure threatened him.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p><p>With a fearful gasp Henry Hawkins snatched up another package, tearing +it nervously apart. Conroy did the same with the third package. In each +case the result was the same.</p> + +<p>"Three million dollars worth of brown paper!" clicked one of the bank +examiners.</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings, moaning piteously, turned, tottering back to his desk, +where he fell heavily into his chair, next letting his head fall forward +on his arms. Messrs. Hawkins and Conroy recovered much more quickly. +They darted out into the counting room, but presently came back to +report.</p> + +<p>Frank Rollings had been gone more than an hour. When he left, he had +carried a satchel. Some fifteen minutes before leaving the bank he had +been in the main vault, the huge steel door of which he had afterwards +closed. Conroy was now in that vault, with several subordinates, engaged +in making a rapid survey of the other contents.</p> + +<p>In the president's room Henry Hawkins, who no longer waited to consult +the almost paralyzed young president, went swiftly to the telephone. The +Bankers' Protective Association, advised by telephone, swiftly had half +a dozen detectives scurrying to the bayside, to take up the trail at the +ferry that furnishes the sole avenue to the east. Others of these +detectives<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> covered the docks of vessels due to sail that day from the +port of San Francisco.</p> + +<p>Nor did the bank examiners present fail to do their duty promptly. +Within a few minutes a United States assistant district attorney and two +deputy marshals arrived at the bank.</p> + +<p>From the first moment none who had knowledge of the affair believed +Frank Rollings, the absent cashier, to be innocent. The assistant +district attorney swiftly drew up an information, which Giddings and +Hawkins signed under oath. The law's officer rushed off to get from a +United States judge a brief warrant authorizing the arrest of the +cashier, for the Sheepmen's was a national bank, and the robbery came +under the jurisdiction of the United States courts.</p> + +<p>Then came a telephone message from the Banker's Association:</p> + +<p>"One of our detectives has learned that Rollings sailed, an hour ago, on +the steam yacht, 'Victor.' An observer at the Cliff House reports that +he has made out the 'Victor,' some miles from the coast, hull-down to +the southwest!"</p> + +<p>That news electrified those in the bank president's office. They sprang +into action. Automobiles were summoned to the door of the bank. Joseph +Baldwin's same party sped back<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> to the water front. Another 'phone +message summoned the assistant district attorney and his marshals to +meet them at the landing stage.</p> + +<p>It was all carried through with a rush. Hardly had the last member of +the party stepped over the side of the "Panther" before Tom Halstead had +the anchors up and stowed. The young skipper himself, from the bridge, +rang the engine room bell for half speed ahead, quickly changing this to +full speed.</p> + +<p>"Are you in the engine room, Joe Dawson?" called Skipper Tom, through +the speaking tube.</p> + +<p>"Right on hand!" came the answer.</p> + +<p>"Then whoop up the speed for all you're worth. Let's have it all—every +bit. We're on the chase of our lives!"</p> + +<p>Captain Tom Halstead was still on the bridge when the Golden Gate was +left behind. He was still there, more than two hours later, when the +upper spars of a vessel believed to be the "Victor" were made out on the +far southwestern horizon.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER X</span> <span class="smaller">COMING TO CLOSE, DANGEROUS QUARTERS</span></h2> + +<p>"Have any of you gentlemen ever had a good, long look at the 'Victor'?" +shouted Captain Tom, leaning down over the starboard bridge rail.</p> + +<p>"I have," admitted Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Then I think you'd better come up here, sir, and take one of the +glasses."</p> + +<p>"Think you've sighted her?" demanded Baldwin, eagerly, as he raced up +the steps.</p> + +<p>"We've sighted some yacht. We've got to cut down a few miles of the +distance between us before we can be sure about the stranger."</p> + +<p>Then, while Baldwin held the glasses to his eyes, Dick Davis showing him +where to look, Halstead snatched up the engine room speaking tube.</p> + +<p>"Joe, give us more of that hot-foot, if it's in the old motors. We think +we're in chase—but, oh, man, man! How we need speed now!"</p> + +<p>"I can't be sure of anything yet," complained Mr. Baldwin, in a +depressed tone. "We've got to be nearer, and see the hull of the craft +yonder, before I can feel sure about her."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p><p>"I'm pretty near sure, now, that it's the 'Victor,'" muttered Halstead, +after he had picked up his own marine glass and used it for a few +seconds.</p> + +<p>"Why do you say that?" demanded the owner.</p> + +<p>"Our masts must be visible to the commander of the other craft. As if he +suspected pursuit, he's crowding on steam. See that big cloud of black +smoke coming up between the other craft's masts?"</p> + +<p>"Yes! You're right."</p> + +<p>"Now, unless a captain who is already moving under good speed is trying +to escape something, he doesn't suddenly throw on his furnace drafts in +that fashion," went on Tom, hurriedly. "So, Mr. Baldwin, I think you may +feel sure that you're speeding along in the wake of the 'Victor.'"</p> + +<p>"I'll have to call Jephson up here and show him this," cried the owner, +moving to the bridge rail.</p> + +<p>"All right, sir. But don't ask any others up. We've got a hard chase in +hand, and don't want enough folks up here to interfere with the handling +of the 'Panther.'"</p> + +<p>Jephson started quickly forward at the call.</p> + +<p>"Have you sighted the runaway craft?" called Mr. Ross, also starting +forward.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p><p>"We think so," Mr. Baldwin answered. "But don't come up here. Captain +Halstead doesn't want a crowd on the bridge. All the space up here is +needed for handling the yacht."</p> + +<p>Mr. Jephson saw what there was to see. He added his belief that they +were in the wake of the "Victor."</p> + +<p>"Are you going to be able to overtake her, Captain?" he demanded, +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"We're going to try," Tom responded, anxiously. "We've only four hours +of daylight, or so, left to us. If we can get close enough, however, we +ought to hold the 'Victor' after dark with our searchlight."</p> + +<p>"You'll overtake her, of course!" declared Joseph Baldwin, abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Yet the 'Victor' is said to be a very fast boat, sir."</p> + +<p>"So is the 'Panther,'" retorted the owner. "Besides, Captain Halstead, +we've <i>got</i> to overtake her!"</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead took up the mouth-piece of the engine room speaking tube.</p> + +<p>"That you, chief?" he asked. "I think you'd better come to the bridge, +watch the chase, and see what you have to beat."</p> + +<p>Joe Dawson came immediately to the bridge. Presently he used the tube, +calling down very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> definite instructions to Jed Prentiss, whose trick it +was at the motors.</p> + +<p>"Keep a close eye on your helmsman's work, Mr. Davis," the young captain +directed. "See to it that he doesn't waver a hair's breadth in bearing +down on the stranger. Any speed lost in steering would be a useless +waste."</p> + +<p>While Joe remained on the bridge, Halstead soon went to the deck below. +Mr. Baldwin followed him.</p> + +<p>"If you can make the 'Panther' show all I think there is in her, +Captain," commented the owner, "then we should overtake that other craft +and have this chase ended in a few hours."</p> + +<p>"The 'Panther' is doing, now, sir, all that she is capable of doing +under her motors alone. The result of this race depends mainly on how +well the steam yacht is handled, for she seems very nearly, if not +quite, as speedy as your yacht."</p> + +<p>"Is the 'Panther' going at absolutely her last quarter of a mile?"</p> + +<p>"Chief Engineer Dawson informs me that he might get a little more speed +out of the motors, but that he feels it wouldn't be altogether safe to +try."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't a hoist of sail help us?"</p> + +<p>"Not with the wind from the present <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>quarter," Tom replied, +thoughtfully. "I have already been considering that."</p> + +<p>"It seems hard to be beaten," sighed Joseph Baldwin. "It is hard, even, +not to find ourselves racing right up on the 'Victor.'"</p> + +<p>"We haven't been beaten yet, sir," smiled Halstead. "Nor are we beaten +as long as we have the other boat in sight."</p> + +<p>As Baldwin turned and stepped over to the rail, he saw Skipper Tom +moving away.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"To my cabin, sir, to take a nap."</p> + +<p>"Nap?" echoed the owner, in great amazement.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I am afraid I shall be up about all night. Just now there's a +chance for me to store up some sleep."</p> + +<p>"But the chase?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Davis will have his orders to call me if we appear to be losing +ground at all."</p> + +<p>Mr. Baldwin looked his astonishment. He did not yet know the Motor Boat +Club boys as well as he might have done. Dick Davis was up on the +bridge, keen-eyed and alert. Dick knew well enough what to do, and he +could call the young captain at need. Besides, Joe Dawson was up there +with the second officer, watching the relative speeds of the two boats.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p><p>When Tom Halstead turned out again he had put two hours of sleep into +his supply of reserve force.</p> + +<p>"How do we stand, now, Mr. Davis?" asked the young skipper, reaching for +the speaking tube.</p> + +<p>"We've been gaining, sir. We can make out the upper hull, now. Mr. +Baldwin is here on the bridge, and declares the stranger is the +'Victor.' One of the deputy marshals, who knows the boat well, is also +certain."</p> + +<p>"Is the 'Victor' burning coal as hard as ever?"</p> + +<p>"Just as hard, sir."</p> + +<p>"And we're gaining? That shows we can overhaul the other craft in time. +How's the weather?"</p> + +<p>"Slight haze, Captain, but fine weather," reported Dick Davis.</p> + +<p>So Captain Tom Halstead felt that he could still safely take his time, +for he expected to be all night on duty. He indulged in the luxury of a +bath, dressed comfortably, drew on his reefer, then leisurely left his +cabin, ascending the stairs to the bridge.</p> + +<p>"I've hardly been away from here," announced Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"I doubt if I shall be, to-night, sir," Tom answered.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p><p>"You speak of to-night as though you thought the chase would last +through the hours of darkness."</p> + +<p>"And doesn't it seem likely to you that it will, Mr. Baldwin, unless +something happens to the 'Victor'?"</p> + +<p>"I fear I was never built for slow, patient work like this," sighed the +financier. "Gaining one second in every hour would wear me out in time."</p> + +<p>Before dark Captain Halstead had the hull clearly in sight. The +"Victor," however, was still some five miles in the lead, nor did the +"Panther" appear to be gaining, much more than half a mile an hour.</p> + +<p>It was Third Officer Costigan's watch on the bridge, by this time. Dick +Davis, however, did not feel like turning in, and spent much of his time +pacing the deck forward, keeping a sharp lookout.</p> + +<p>Just before dark the motor yacht's searchlight was turned on. A few +minutes later its thin, bright ribbon of light was kept almost +constantly turned on the craft ahead.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead and Joe spent a comfortable amount of time over their +dinner at table in the captain's cabin.</p> + +<p>"I guess Mr. Baldwin wonders that we can take any comfort at this sort +of thing,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> laughed Joe. "I'll wager he doesn't give much time to his +supper to-night."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we wouldn't, either, if we owned considerable stock in the +Sheepmen's Bank, as Mr. Baldwin does," murmured Halstead. "For him, and +for some of the others aboard, this race is for tremendously heavy +stakes. I wish, though, that Mr. Baldwin could realize that, even if we +do eat, and even nap, we are straining every nerve to catch up with the +other boat."</p> + +<p>Just then the buzzer for the bridge speaking tube sounded. Tom was able +to reach the mouthpiece without leaving the table.</p> + +<p>"Captain," reported Mr. Costigan, "the craft ahead seems to be making +somewhat less speed."</p> + +<p>"Does it look like a break-down?" asked the young skipper.</p> + +<p>"Can't say, sir. But the 'Victor' must be going two miles an hour slower +than she was ten minutes ago."</p> + +<p>"That's the best news I've heard, Mr. Costigan. Watch your helmsman's +work. Let me know if anything more happens. Anyway, I'll be on the +bridge as soon as I've finished dinner."</p> + +<p>Joe, who had jumped up while he heard his chum speaking, now looked +astonished.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p><p>"Going to finish your dinner, Tom, after hearing such news as that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Why not? Oh, I'm enthusiastic enough, but it takes gasoline, not +enthusiasm, to keep motors going. You might call the news down to Jeff +Randolph, though, and see whether he thinks he can put on any more spurt +without danger."</p> + +<p>Jeff Randolph reported that the motors were going at top speed.</p> + +<p>Chief Steward Parkinson came in to remove the dishes for that course. +His face was glowing.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Baldwin's up on the bridge, Captain," reported the steward.</p> + +<p>"I thought he would be," nodded the young skipper, coolly.</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes later, when Captain Tom Halstead had finished the last of +the meal, he rose, donning his cap, then pulling on his deck ulster.</p> + +<p>"Now," he remarked, quietly, "I think I'll go above and have a look."</p> + +<p>Joe Dawson followed at his heels. The long beam of the searchlight +trailed out over the water, its further end resting across the stern of +the "Victor." Mr. Costigan had ordered a sailor to the bridge, whose +sole duty was to keep the searchlight trained.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p><p>"This race can't last much longer," cried Mr. Baldwin, gleefully.</p> + +<p>"The present indications, sir," Tom replied, "are that it will last more +than long enough for you to go below and have your dinner, Mr. Baldwin, +if you want it."</p> + +<p>"I think I will go," laughed the owner. "Standing up here, watching, +watching all the time, my nerves are getting thready. You'll call me, of +course, if——"</p> + +<p>"When we get near enough to hail the other boat, sir," Tom Halstead +replied, gravely.</p> + +<p>Dinner was not quite over in the main cabin when Skipper Tom uttered a +sudden exclamation that made Costigan wheel about.</p> + +<p>The "Victor" was palpably slowing down.</p> + +<p>"What can that mean?" demanded Halstead.</p> + +<p>"A crank-pin loose, or some other trouble with the machinery, sir?" +suggested the third officer.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead quickly summoned the sailor who was with the quartermaster +in the pilot house.</p> + +<p>"Go to the main cabin, with my compliments, and tell Mr. Baldwin that +the other craft is slowing down," ordered Tom.</p> + +<p>There was a rush from below. The assistant from the United States +district attorney's office took but a brief look, then dived below to +find<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> his two deputy marshals. These two officers followed their +superior to the deck, stationing themselves in the bow.</p> + +<p>"Captain," shouted Mr. Jephson, "will you go up close enough so that I +can hail them?"</p> + +<p>"When we overtake the steam yacht," Captain Halstead shouted back, "I +shall run up to starboard of her, and as close as I can without danger +of collision."</p> + +<p>"That will do excellently, Captain," assented the district attorney's +assistant.</p> + +<p>The "Panther" was now rapidly closing in on the distance that separated +the two craft. As yet, however, the motor yacht remained almost fairly +astern.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, from one of the stern port-holes of the steam yacht there came +two red flashes. A bullet crashed through the glass in the front window +of the "Panther's" pilot house. Captain Tom was standing with his head +some two feet from the searchlight. The second bullet whizzed between +his head and the light.</p> + +<p>Almost instantly two more flashes showed ahead.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XI</span> <span class="smaller">GASTON GIDDINGS MAKES TROUBLE</span></h2> + +<p>THE second pair of bullets passed overhead, though close enough for +their whistling song to be heard.</p> + +<p>In a jiffy there was a mad scramble to get away from the bridge. Captain +Tom Halstead and Third Officer Costigan had that place to themselves.</p> + +<p>"Throw the wheel over three points to the starboard! Hold to a course +three points off the present one," called Halstead, sharply.</p> + +<p>"You men answer with your revolvers," was Mr. Jephson's order.</p> + +<p>"Our revolvers wouldn't carry that far, sir," objected one of the deputy +marshals.</p> + +<p>"I know it, but let those scoundrels discover that we have firearms +too," retorted the district attorney's assistant.</p> + +<p>So the futile revolver shots flashed out. In answer a rifle bullet +carried away the hat of one of the deputies.</p> + +<p>"That's confounded close shooting," coolly uttered the unhatted one, +running down the deck after his head gear.</p> + +<p>Another shot flew by close to the searchlight.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p><p>"That's the mark the scoundrels are aiming at," muttered the young +skipper, angrily. "Turn off the current, Mr. Costigan, and I'll unship +the light."</p> + +<p>This done, the big reflector and the bulb behind it were taken down to +the pilot house by one of the sailors.</p> + +<p>"You confounded pirates!" roared the district attorney, shaking his fist +in the direction of the "Victor."</p> + +<p>"That <i>was</i> actual piracy, wasn't it?" questioned Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Nothing else!" retorted the assistant, angrily, as he came down aft to +place the wheel house between himself and that other craft. "If we ever +get that captain and crew on shore we'll make 'em smart in a trial for +piracy!"</p> + +<p>Having veered off the course of direct pursuit, Captain Halstead was now +steering ahead, meaning to run parallel with the "Victor." He kept half +a mile away, but, even had the other craft lowered its running lights, +the starlight was bright enough to enable the bridge officer to keep the +"Victor" in sight.</p> + +<p>"Try to keep just this distance, Mr. Costigan," directed Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir."</p> + +<p>Tom then descended to the deck, where he sauntered up to the excited +group.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p><p>"What's your guess, Halstead, as to the meaning of those shots?" +questioned Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Well, of course," replied Tom, slowly, "the master of that other yacht +would be glad to see our searchlight smashed. That was one reason for +the firing."</p> + +<p>"And another?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I imagine, sir, those people want us to know that they carry +rifles. They want to show us the folly of thinking we can pursue and +board them."</p> + +<p>"This pursuit should really have been undertaken by a naval vessel or +revenue cutter," said Mr. Jephson, rather disgustedly. "One shot from +the bowgun of an armed vessel would bring that yacht lying to in a +jiffy."</p> + +<p>"Humph!" grunted the practical Mr. Baldwin. "There isn't a cutter or +gunboat in San Francisco waters fast enough to overtake either of these +boats."</p> + +<p>"I don't understand, sir," put in Halstead, quietly, "why you haven't +had a wireless telegraph apparatus installed aboard this yacht. Why, +even the little fifty-five foot boat that Dawson and I own has a +wireless installation."</p> + +<p>"What would you do with one, if you had it on board now?" asked Mr. +Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Do?" repeated Halstead. "Why, we could signal in all directions. There +may be some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> fast cruiser or torpedo boat destroyer, out of our sight, +yet within reach by wireless. If we could pick up one such vessel now, +we could soon end this chase, and without bloodshed. Even any foreign +war vessel would answer, for all war vessels have the right to overhaul +and capture pirates. Any warship of any nation in the world would act, +now, on a request from Mr. Jephson, who represents the United States. +And such help may be not twenty miles off, but we have no wireless with +which to find out."</p> + +<p>"As we haven't a wireless installation," pursued Mr. Baldwin, "what are +we going to do now, Mr. Jephson?"</p> + +<p>"I trust you'll continue to keep that other yacht in sight," replied the +assistant district attorney. "We may yet meet a warship or a revenue +cutter."</p> + +<p>"Any kind of a vessel we meet may have a few rifles on board that we +could borrow or buy," suggested Captain Tom.</p> + +<p>"Anyway," decided Mr. Baldwin, "we'll keep that pirate craft right in +sight if we can, and as long as we can. We'll trust for something to +turn up that will throw luck in our way."</p> + +<p>The "Victor" which was of some ten feet greater length than the +"Panther," looked like a boat which, despite her speed, was built to +carry a good deal of coal.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p><p>Yet, through the next few hours that followed, no attempt was made by +those handling the steam craft to get her best speed out of her. It +looked as though her sailing master and engineer meant to save some +coal, now that the "Panther" had caught up and could keep up. Both +vessels continued at a speed of some sixteen miles per hour.</p> + +<p>Mr. Baldwin and his guests remained on deck. So did young Halstead, who +had decided that he must now do with but little sleep while the chase +continued in its present phase.</p> + +<p>"Any sharp little sea-trick might enable the other fellows to slip away +from us," he declared to the owner. "Every man on board ought to help in +the good work on hand."</p> + +<p>At about eleven o'clock the young skipper left Mr. Costigan on the +bridge, and went below, though he did not turn in.</p> + +<p>Nor had any of the passengers sought their berths. All of Mr. Baldwin's +friends were on deck. Young Gaston Giddings, however, paced nervously, +apart from the rest.</p> + +<p>"He's fretting over his folly in keeping Rollings in such an important +post, and giving the rascal the chance to run away with all that money, +I suppose," thought the young skipper.</p> + +<p>Somehow, Tom could not help watching Giddings a good deal. It was the +nervous hitch in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> the young man's gait that first caught Halstead's eye. +Presently the young captain of the "Panther" strolled slowly by Gaston +Giddings.</p> + +<p>"Confound it, what a queer, restless look there is in the fellow's +eyes," thought Tom, uneasy, though he could hardly have explained why.</p> + +<p>After that Halstead watched the young bank president even more closely, +though he took pains to hide the scrutiny.</p> + +<p>A request from Mr. Jephson called the cabin party over to the port rail +to watch the "Victor." The instant the last of his companions had gone +forward, and had passed around the pilot house, Giddings, after a swift +look about him, stole into the dining saloon.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead, ostensibly lounging behind one of the life-boats, saw this +move.</p> + +<p>"Now, what's he up to?" muttered Tom. "Mischief, judging by his queer +antics. We've mischief enough to deal with, without having it take place +right on board our own boat!"</p> + +<p>Halstead stole forward in time to see Giddings darting down the +staircase into the main cabin.</p> + +<p>"I'll just get down where I can watch this," muttered Tom. Concealed +near the foot of the staircase, he saw Giddings, with some sort of a +small tool, prying the lock of Dr. Gray's medicine case open.</p> + +<p>"Oho!" muttered Halstead, as he saw young<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> Mr. Giddings abstract a +small, screw-capped vial. "There's morphine in that doctor's outfit, and +Giddings has guessed it!"</p> + +<p>Tossing the medicine case back into the doctor's stateroom, Gaston +Giddings stole up the after-companionway to the deck aft.</p> + +<p>"With all our other troubles aboard, I don't believe we want any +morphine maniacs here!" muttered Tom Halstead, excitedly.</p> + +<p>Giddings, quivering with eagerness, trembling with aggravated +nervousness, leaned against the stern rail, glancing out over the water +as he drew the screw-capped vial from his pocket.</p> + +<p>Just as he started to remove the cap from the bottle, a hand shot around +him from the rear.</p> + +<p>The young skipper of the "Panther" snatched the vial, remarking coolly:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Giddings, you don't need that stuff, and no one on board wants you +to have it."</p> + +<p>With a swift movement, Halstead dropped the vial into one of his +pockets.</p> + +<p>"You confounded thief!" hissed Gaston Giddings.</p> + +<p>Swift as a flash, in his rage, the young man sprang at the youthful +skipper of the yacht.</p> + +<p>"You'll give that back to me, or go overboard!" snarled the victim of +the drug habit.</p> + +<p>"If you get it, it'll be after I'm overboard," snapped back Tom.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p><p>In another instant Giddings's fingers were wrapped in a tight hold +about Tom's throat. The drug maniac seemed possessed, for the instant, +of the strength of half a dozen men.</p> + +<p>The young skipper himself was no weakling, but now he had his hands +full.</p> + +<p>Even had he been so minded, he could not have called for help. Backward +and forward the pair struggled for a few seconds. Then the young skipper +found himself growing weaker for lack of air.</p> + +<p>With a triumphant snarl Gaston Giddings forced his antagonist to the +stern rail. Still Tom Halstead fought furiously, silently, with that +tight grip at his throat making his brain reel. He realized that Gaston +Giddings was winning the victory!</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XII</span> <span class="smaller">TOO-WHOO-OO! IS THE WORD</span></h2> + +<p>In that last desperate moment Tom Halstead employed the trick he had +hesitated to use.</p> + +<p>He raised one of his feet, kicking smartly at the left knee-cap of his +assailant.</p> + +<p>With a groan, Giddings weakened his hold, for the pain following the +kick was intense.</p> + +<p>Throwing both his arms tightly around the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> young man, Halstead held on, +drawing himself back to the deck as Giddings fell back.</p> + +<p>"You're not going to fool me that way!" snarled the young drug maniac. +He made another spring, trying to forget the pain in his knee.</p> + +<p>But Halstead had regained his footing fully. Now, he dodged, then closed +in, tripping Giddings and throwing him heavily to the deck.</p> + +<p>"What's this? What's this going on?" demanded Joseph Baldwin, running +back along the port side, followed by Mr. Ross and Dr. Gray.</p> + +<p>Halstead was now on top of his assailant, and, though Giddings still +tried to fight with fury, his strength was deserting him.</p> + +<p>"One of you hold him," urged Captain Tom, "and I'll get up and explain."</p> + +<p>"Did he attack you?" insisted Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Well, rather," grunted Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Let him up. He won't dare attack you again, with so many about."</p> + +<p>"No; but he may try to jump overboard," retorted Halstead. "Mr. Giddings +has another drug streak on him. He's not responsible for what he does."</p> + +<p>"I guess that's right," nodded Dr. Gray. "Baldwin, you and Mr. Ross hold +him, while the captain gets up and tells us what has happened."</p> + +<p>The young skipper quickly explained, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>producing the vial he had snatched +from the young bank president.</p> + +<p>"That's all the morphine I have with me," remarked Dr. Gray. "I'll make +sure of keeping that, hereafter, where no one but myself can find it. +Mr. Baldwin, you'd better get the young man below. Use force, if you +find it necessary."</p> + +<p>They accomplished this without having attracted the attention of any of +the sailors or stewards. Mr. Giddings was then unceremoniously thrust +into his stateroom, and the door locked, though this was not until the +physician had searched the young man, removing his pocket knife and also +the tool that the drug victim had used in forcing the lock of the +medicine case.</p> + +<p>"I did what I thought was right," Halstead explained.</p> + +<p>"And I'm mighty glad you saw him, and acted so promptly," replied the +physician.</p> + +<p>Through the rest of the night the physician had a battle with his +patient, working hard to keep a more pronounced streak of mania from +coming on. It is to such fearful torments that "hop-fiends" and morphine +users are always exposed in the end.</p> + +<p>At midnight Dick Davis again went on the bridge, beginning his eight +hours' watch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> Though Halstead had the utmost faith in the skill and +judgment of his friend, he, also, remained up until nearly four o'clock +in the morning. Then he turned to leave the bridge.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to my cabin now, Mr. Davis, to turn in on my sofa for a +while. If I am needed for anything at all, don't hesitate to call me +instantly."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, Captain," Dick replied.</p> + +<p>Barely two hours had the young skipper slept when the sharp, jarring +tones of the vibrating electric bell from the bridge rang over his head. +Tom was up in an instant, pulling on his shoes. As he reached for his +deck ulster and cap there came from overhead a note that told him at +once why he was wanted.</p> + +<p>Too-whoo-oo-oo!</p> + +<p>"Fog!" gasped the young yacht captain. "Of all the confounded luck!"</p> + +<p>With his ulster over his arm he threw open the door of his cabin, making +for the bridge steps.</p> + +<p>The mist was yet light and curling as Captain Halstead reached the open. +Second Officer Dick Davis met him at the head of the steps.</p> + +<p>"How long has this been coming on?" demanded Halstead.</p> + +<p>"The first little puffs rolled in half an hour ago," replied Dick. "You +see, I've put in closer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> to the enemy. We're still well in sight, or I'd +have called you earlier."</p> + +<p>The motor yacht was now running along abreast of the "Victor," and less +than three hundred yards distant. The steam yacht's lights were in plain +sight, save when occasional puffs of fog obscured them briefly.</p> + +<p>Tom groaned with excitement.</p> + +<p>"This is going to get heavier," he muttered.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," nodded Davis. "Still, I didn't believe it necessary to call +you until I had to use the whistle."</p> + +<p>Too-whoo-oo-oo! sounded the auto fog-horn, controlled by the sailor on +watch in the pilot-house with the quartermaster.</p> + +<p>"You did right, Mr. Davis," the young skipper nodded. "But we're going +to be up against it in half an hour. Where's your extra man of the +watch?"</p> + +<p>Davis blew a thrilling blast on his mate's whistle. In answer the third +sailor of the watch came running to the bridge steps.</p> + +<p>"My man," called down Halstead, "go at once to Mr. Baldwin's stateroom +door, and tell him, with my compliments, that I believe he'd better come +to the bridge at once."</p> + +<p>Even with so imperative a summons as this, five or six minutes passed +before the owner appeared on the scene.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p><p>"Good heavens, Captain!" gasped Joseph Baldwin. "And this white curtain +is thickening all the time, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"The fog is beginning to roll in fast, now, sir. Mr. Davis, alter the +course so as to bring us a hundred yards closer to the 'Victor.' We've +got to keep her in sight to the last moment."</p> + +<p>"We've got to keep that other boat in sight all the time," retorted Mr. +Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"As close as we can go without running her down," Halstead answered. +"We've the rules of the sea to obey, sir, at any cost."</p> + +<p>"Go and call Mr. Jephson here," shouted down Mr. Baldwin, to the sailor, +who was still standing by at the port rail.</p> + +<p>In another five minutes the representative of the United States district +attorney at San Francisco was beside them on the bridge.</p> + +<p>Dick Davis had now manœuvred the "Panther" in within one hundred and +fifty yards of the "Victor." Closer than that Tom Halstead did not dare +to go. Even this he considered almost too little sea-way.</p> + +<p>"May the furies consume the luck!" growled the man of the law. "Yet, of +course, we might have looked for this! It's bound to happen on this +coast. A genuine, four-ply, real old 'Frisco fog reaching out to +encompass us and let those blackguards yonder get away!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p><p>Aboard the other yacht few signs of human life showed. One figure, +wrapped in a great coat and topped by a sou'wester, huddled in the bow. +That was the bow watch of the "Victor." As the light of coming morning +began to filter through the increasing fog, it was possible, now and +then, to make out a figure in the steam yacht's wheel house. A watch +officer tramped the bridge. No other figures appeared. Once the steam +yacht's watch officer looked directly over at his foes, and a cunning +grin illumined his face.</p> + +<p>"That's a great face to show above the hangman's noose!" bellowed Mr. +Jephson, angrily, through the megaphone that he snatched up.</p> + +<p>Captain Tom suddenly darted from the bridge, running to his cabin. When +he came back he carried a pair of revolvers, one of which he handed to +Dick Davis.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jephson, the fellows on that craft may open fire on us, at any +moment, hoping to make us drop back into the fog. If they do, we'd +better shoot back, eh, sir?"</p> + +<p>"If they open fire on us," replied the assistant district attorney, +promptly, "I order Mr. Davis and yourself to return it."</p> + +<p>To make matters more emphatic, Mr. Jephson passed the word to have his +two deputy marshals aroused at once and ordered to the deck.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p><p>Still, though the day broadened, the fog rolled in so thick and heavy +that the steam yacht, nearby though it was, became more and more +obscured.</p> + +<p>Both yachts sounded their fog-horns simultaneously just as a final big, +thick, white blanket of mist rolled in and shut them out of each other's +view.</p> + +<p>"Done! Beaten out!" groaned Mr. Jephson, savagely. "It's only a question +of minutes, now, when we shall have lost all trail of that craft on this +hidden waste of water!"</p> + +<p>"Only a question of minutes?" repeated Tom Halstead, grimly. "Is it?"</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XIII</span> <span class="smaller">THE CALL FROM OUT OF THE FOG</span></h2> + +<p>Out of the dense fog to port came a chorus of derisive yells, then a +prolonged blast of the "Victor's" fog-horn.</p> + +<p>"That's as much as saying it's the last time we'll hear their toot," +burst, savagely, from Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it <i>is</i> the last time," admitted Tom.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jephson and the owner began to talk excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Sh!" warned the young skipper. "We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> don't want a tone aboard louder +than a whisper. If we can keep this interval, or pretty near it, we can +follow the steam yacht by the sound of her machinery. Mr. Davis, keep +your ears strained for it, and shape our course accordingly."</p> + +<p>In the hush that followed the keen-eared listeners could hear the now +invisible "Victor" slowing down her speed. Captain Tom, the engine room +speaking tube at his mouth, called down the orders softly for a similar +slowing of speed. The "Panther" fell back close to the "Victor."</p> + +<p>"Captain, they're likely to stop altogether, soon," whispered Mr. +Jephson. "Then we won't hear a sound to guide us."</p> + +<p>"We'd do the same," murmured Halstead. "Then the yachts would be likely +to drift together and bump. No; I hardly believe the steam yacht's +captain will try that trick. If he does, we must match it."</p> + +<p>The two craft engaged in this marine game of blind man's buff were now +going forward along their respective courses at not more than eight +miles an hour. Greater speed was not advisable, for they were in the +possible track of vessels plying between San Francisco and Hawaii, New +Zealand or Australia.</p> + +<p>For the next ten minutes there was no sound<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> from the "Victor's" +fog-horn. To run without this precaution was all but tantamount to +piracy in itself. Skipper Tom and Second Officer Davis, however, managed +to keep within sound of the steam craft's machinery. So, presently, the +"Victor's" steam fog-horn again sounded on the air.</p> + +<p>Breakfast was served late, that morning, on board the motor yacht. All +hands were too much interested in the difficult chase to think of eating +before Nature made her demands clamoring.</p> + +<p>At eight o'clock, when Third Officer Costigan again came up on the +bridge to take his watch trick, Dick Davis declared he had no interest +in sleep.</p> + +<p>"You'd better go below," advised Tom. "This search through the fog may +be a long one. We'll want all hands to be fresh and bright. Get four or +five hours' sleep, anyway. I shall be on the bridge most of the time +until you're called again."</p> + +<p>So Dick went below and turned in, though almost with a grumble.</p> + +<p>For the next three hours Halstead was almost constantly on the bridge. +The blind pursuit kept up along the same lines. The steam yacht's +machinery still sent its dull clatter across the waters. The +quartermaster of the "Panther,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> with the help of the mate's orders, +still steered by that sound.</p> + +<p>"It'd be fierce to have a big, noisy liner rumble up close to us now, +making noise enough to drown out the sound of our enemy," grumbled +Captain Tom to the owner.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jephson, standing close by, heard, and his eyes snapped.</p> + +<p>"I hadn't thought of that," he growled. "Since that would be the +toughest sort of luck, that's what is almost sure to happen."</p> + +<p>"Don't complain of your luck," advised the young skipper, gravely. +"We've been able to keep right along with the steam craft for some hours +now. If we can do so for a few hours more, we're highly likely to run +out of this fog and be under a clear sky again. So far, Mr. Jephson, our +luck has been wondrously kind to us."</p> + +<p>Halstead remained on deck until nearly two o'clock. Then he passed word +for Ab Perkins. To that young first officer, in the presence of Baldwin, +Ross and Jephson, he said:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Perkins, my eyes are getting heavy, and I expect to be on deck most +of the night. I'm going to turn in, now, for an hour or two. Call me, +anyway, at the changing of the watches. You know the general orders, and +I look to you not to let the 'Victor' slip away from us."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p><p>"If I do let her slip," affirmed Ab, "I'll eat the starboard +life-boat."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Perkins used to be the most famous 'hoodoo' at the mouth of the +Kennebec," Tom laughed, softly, as he turned to Mr. Baldwin. "His luck +changed, however, the day he went into the motor boating business. He's +about the luckiest young navigator afloat these days."</p> + +<p>Nor did Ab, left in temporary full command, intend to lose his later +laurels. He soon left the bridge, however, feeling that he could listen +more effectively from the port rail forward. Occasionally he turned to +signal, silently, to Third Officer Costigan, who still kept to the +bridge.</p> + +<p>Part of the time the "Victor" sounded its fog-horn with pauses longer +than the rules of the sea permitted in so deep a fog. It looked as +though those aboard the steam yacht were willing to leave it to the +"Panther" to warn away other craft from them both. However, thus far in +the day, no other vessel had sounded through the fog. Apparently, these +two craft had all of this part of the sea to themselves.</p> + +<p>In the silence and under the white pall even the interest of the chase +could not prevent the time from passing with deadly monotony for Ab +Perkins. Quite plainly it impressed also the others that way, for the +cabin passengers, two or three at a time, disappeared below. Messrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +Baldwin and Ross remained on deck more than any of the cabin party, +though even they went inside, restlessly, every now and then.</p> + +<p>At last the deck was bare, save for Ab Perkins and the bow watch. In the +pilot house stood the quartermaster and his seaman helper. On the bridge +Mr. Costigan paced back and forth, glad that the fog was not too thick +for him to make out the first officer forward.</p> + +<p>One of Ab's reasons for being well up forward was that he might more +readily hear the sound of fog-horn or of bell from any other vessel +hidden away in this white gloom.</p> + +<p>It was a long while before he heard anything, but at last it came:</p> + +<p>"Help! Don't run me down!"</p> + +<p>The voice came from low down upon the water, somewhat ahead and barely +to port.</p> + +<p>Quick as a flash the bow watch turned to see if the first officer and +the bridge watch had heard. Both Perkins and Costigan had sprung to see +what might come to them out of the fog.</p> + +<p>"Careful!" warned Ab, in a steady voice. "Take the sound of my voice for +your guide. I'm at the port rail, moving toward you."</p> + +<p>Suddenly, out of the fog, there came into view, near at hand, a ship's +yawl. It contained a single man, dark, rather tall and about thirty +years of age. He was dressed carelessly, yet had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> much the air of a +gentleman. His clothing seemed to be soaked with moisture, as though he +had been long exposed to the elements. With his back to the bow of the +yawl, the man turned to glance over his shoulder as he handled a pair of +oars.</p> + +<p>"Don't run me down!" shouted the stranger. "Stop and take me aboard in +heaven's name."</p> + +<p>Ab Perkins had already swiftly caught up a coil of rope, which he deftly +poised for a clean throw.</p> + +<p>"We stop for nothing—mark that!" called First Officer Perkins, firmly. +"Catch this rope, or we've got to leave you behind!"</p> + +<p>The yawl was drifting by, and barely thirty feet from the motor yacht's +hull, when Ab made the throw. He was a master at such feats. The coil +unspread as it went whirling through the air, and a length lay across +the yawl.</p> + +<p>"Get it! Grab it!" panted sympathetic Ab.</p> + +<p>The stranger just managed the feat, leaping up and holding on as though +for dear life, while the yawl, checked in its headway, was swung around. +Desperately the stranger bent down, taking a hitch with the rope. The +bow watch had sprung to help Ab make fast the inside end of the line.</p> + +<p>"There you've got it," called Ab, cheeringly. As the "Panther" was going +but eight miles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> an hour the stranger was able, without risk, to haul +the small boat in alongside.</p> + +<p>"Can you climb?" Ab called down, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"I—I think so."</p> + +<p>"Only a few feet needed, then we can reach your arm-pits," Ab called, +encouragingly.</p> + +<p>It was not long ere young Perkins and the bow watch were able to help +the stranger aboard.</p> + +<p>The young first officer's first thought, on seeing the yawl sweep into +view, was that a trick had been attempted by the enemy, for the "Victor" +had recently slipped ahead. But Ab's first glimpse at the stern of the +yawl showed the name, painted in goodly black letters, "S. S. Dolbear." +In the bottom of the yawl lay two life preservers bearing the same name.</p> + +<p>"How on earth do you come to be away out here at sea, in a small boat?" +demanded Ab of the stranger.</p> + +<p>"I was a freight clerk aboard the liner 'Dolbear,' bound from Auckland, +New Zealand, to San Francisco," replied the rescued one.</p> + +<p>"What happened to the 'Dolbear'?"</p> + +<p>"Foundered, five days ago. Life boats crowded, so that the last three of +us had to take to the yawl. We tried to keep up with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> the other boats, +but fell behind the first night. Next morning we were alone on the +ocean. After two days one man in our party became crazed and jumped over +into the sea. Last night the other man with me did the same. Oh, it was +a gruesome experience, I assure you."</p> + +<p>"It must have been," returned Ab Perkins, sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"Sir, that yawl is bumping alongside," broke in the bow watch.</p> + +<p>"Cut her loose, then, and let her drift," ordered Ab. "We can't be +encumbered with any useless lumber. Then return to your watch. Mr. +Costigan, warn the engine room to increase our speed as much as you find +necessary. We can't let the 'Victor' go on getting ahead of us. Run +right up parallel again."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," from the third officer.</p> + +<p>"You're hungry, I suppose," suggested Ab, looking at the stranger. "I'll +pass word for our second stew——"</p> + +<p>"I guess I shall be hungry when I get it fully through my head that I'm +safe," laughed the rescued one. "Just at present I'd rather go below and +warm myself."</p> + +<p>Ab blew his mate's whistle for the third seaman of the watch.</p> + +<p>"My man," he directed, "take this man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> down to the motor room. Tell Mr. +Randolph it will be all right for Mr.——"</p> + +<p>"Cragthorpe is my name," supplied the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Tell Mr. Randolph it will be all right for Mr. Cragthorpe to dry +himself off in the engine room," continued First Officer Perkins. "When +you get hungry, come up on deck. Mr. Costigan will see that you're fed +if I'm not here."</p> + +<p>The rescued one, after offering profuse thanks, was led below by the +seaman guide.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Costigan, what do you know about the 'Dolbear'?" called up Ab, +softly.</p> + +<p>"She belongs to the New Zealand line, and is due in 'Frisco about this +present time," replied the third officer from the bridge.</p> + +<p>"Then it's all right, as far as Cragthorpe goes?"</p> + +<p>"I think so, sir."</p> + +<p>"All I wanted," Ab finished, "was to be easy in my mind that the +stranger didn't come from the 'Victor.' Don't let us get at all astern +again, Mr. Costigan."</p> + +<p>"I won't, sir."</p> + +<p>In the meantime Jeff Randolph, sitting out through a long and lonely +watch in the engine room, was not sorry to see company coming his way.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p><p>For some time they chatted together. Cragthorpe seemed greatly +interested in finding such young officers aboard the motor yacht. He +asked many questions about the Motor Boat Club.</p> + +<p>At last Jeff Randolph rose, excusing himself and stepping just outside +the engine room door, though lingering near enough to hear a signal from +the bridge, if one came. The young assistant engineer wanted to stretch +his legs after sitting a long time by the motors. No sooner was the +motor boat boy out of sight than the stranger rose swiftly. Snatching up +a wrench, he prowled about the motors as though looking for something.</p> + +<p>At last he evidently discovered what he wanted. Instantly he laid the +wrench on a bolt-head.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XIV</span> <span class="smaller">MR. CRAGTHORPE IS MORE THAN TROUBLESOME</span></h2> + +<p>Luckily, at that moment, the Florida boy turned about, glancing into the +engine room.</p> + +<p>What he saw made Jeff stare, then gasp. Both operations were over in the +space of a second.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p><p>"Here, you infernal rascal!" shouted Jeff. "Stop it!"</p> + +<p>Nor did he content himself with that startled roar. The Florida boy +carried his fighting pluck with him at all times.</p> + +<p>Though Cragthorpe was about half as large again as the young assistant +engineer, Randolph made a direct spring for him.</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe didn't have time to complete his mischief to the engine just +then.</p> + +<p>Instead, he swung around, aiming the wrench at Jeff's head. But young +Randolph halted, instantly picked up another wrench, and sent it +whizzing.</p> + +<p>Boiling with wrath, the Florida boy didn't aim particularly. He didn't +care where his wrench landed, provided that it served the purpose.</p> + +<p>The flying missile struck hard against the knuckles of Cragthorpe's +right hand, forcing him to let his own weapon drop.</p> + +<p>Then Jeff fairly flew at the larger stranger.</p> + +<p>"You won't play any tricks while I'm here on watch," panted Jeff +Randolph, as he clinched with his adversary. So impetuous was the +Florida boy's assault that he carried Cragthorpe down to the floor.</p> + +<p>There, locked in each other's arms, they rolled and fought. The pit in +which the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> motors stood was railed off, preventing their fighting their +way into the moving machinery.</p> + +<p>Both combatants displayed a good deal of staying power. For the first +sixty seconds they fought without either seeming to gain any advantage. +It was a grim, lonely duel, in which neither could accept less than +complete victory.</p> + +<p>No word was spoken. Neither cared to waste breath in speech. Jeff fought +for a strangle hold as his best chance. Cragthorpe tried to get in a +blow between the boy's eyes.</p> + +<p>Once Randolph got briefly on top, but the stranger rolled over on him, +and then the fighting went on more furiously than ever.</p> + +<p>However, the stranger's superior weight and a considerable advantage in +muscle soon told over the Florida boy's clear, savage grit. Though he +would not yield an inch, Jeff had to admit to himself that he could not +hope to hold out much longer.</p> + +<p>After another sixty seconds of it, during which the Florida boy was +breathing sorely, Cragthorpe managed to free one hand. Raising the +clenched fist with the swiftness of lightning, he brought that fist +down, aiming the blow to land on Jeff's forehead just above his eyes.</p> + +<p>The blow fell, though glancingly. Now there came a quick step behind the +stranger.</p> + +<p>With a brutal oath, Cragthorpe sprang up to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> confront the burning glance +of Captain Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>Halstead had just come on deck again, after his nap. Learning from Ab +about the stranger, and quick to suspect, under such circumstances, the +young motor boat skipper had hastened below.</p> + +<p>"Caught you, you sneak, didn't I?" jeered Tom, harshly, dodging back and +shedding his deck ulster with almost a single motion.</p> + +<p>Then the young captain of the "Panther" threw himself on guard. Not an +instant too soon, for Cragthorpe had sprung forward to grapple with him.</p> + +<p>The two fists of the young skipper, moving with lightning-like rapidity, +caused Cragthorpe to retreat, throwing up his own hands as soon as he +saw it was to be a game of fisticuffs.</p> + +<p>As Tom crouched low, Cragthorpe attempted to leap in over his guard. It +was good tactics for one three inches taller. Yet Halstead was no novice +in boxing. He threw up his left on guard, holding back his assailant, +then tried to cut under and up with his right. He landed, though not +with much force, against Cragthorpe's ribs. It was enough to drive the +older combatant back until he could alter his guard.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Jeff lay on the floor, further forward in the engine +room. The Florida<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> boy had not wholly lost consciousness, but he was +half-dazed, seeking to remember what had happened.</p> + +<p>Now, at it again went Halstead and his enemy, each sparring cautiously, +each alternately retreating or forcing the other all around the open +part of the engine room.</p> + +<p>Once Cragthorpe caught Tom near the railing, and let drive hard with +both fists, seeking to push the young skipper over the railing and in +among the moving machinery.</p> + +<p>But Tom dodged artfully as he parried and struck back, and in an instant +more was away from his perilous position.</p> + +<p>Not once did the young skipper think of calling upon Cragthorpe to quit +it and surrender. Halstead knew the fellow was there for too serious +business to allow himself to be talked to a standstill.</p> + +<p>At last, as Cragthorpe retreated past him, almost stepping on the young +assistant engineer's face, Jeff rallied his senses enough to recall what +had happened.</p> + +<p>For a few moments Tom Halstead cleverly fought his opponent forward, +putting up effective parries and raining in his blows so fast that +Cragthorpe had all he could do to save himself from being floored.</p> + +<p>In those few moments Jeff managed to crawl<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> past both, and down toward +the engine room door.</p> + +<p>The tide of battle turned, now, briefly at least. Cragthorpe, stung to +greater fury by a glancing blow on the end of his nose, hurled himself +into the fray with so much added energy that Halstead was compelled to +give ground.</p> + +<p>"Jeff, can you understand me!" panted Tom, as he retreated, an inch at a +time, keeping his fists moving fast.</p> + +<p>"Y-yes," stammered the Florida boy, still a bit dazed.</p> + +<p>"Then pass the word for help, like a flash!"</p> + +<p>But Jeff lingered by the doorway, holding to the frame for support. Only +one thing was plain in the Florida boy's mind—that running away wasn't +in his line.</p> + +<p>"A-a-h!" vented Cragthorpe, gleefully. He had suddenly closed in quickly +on Halstead, aiming a blow that it seemed must send the young captain to +the floor senseless.</p> + +<p>And so it would have done—only Tom wasn't there. He ducked low, passing +under Cragthorpe's extended arm, and came up behind him, forcing the +stranger to wheel about.</p> + +<p>That left the rascal with his back turned to the Florida boy.</p> + +<p>Jeff's mind was becoming a bit clearer every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> instant. Now he left the +doorway, gliding forward.</p> + +<p>Tom saw Jeff's new move, and half-guessed the meaning of it. By clever +sparring the young skipper held Cragthorpe just where he stood, +until——</p> + +<p>Jeff leaped upon the big stranger from behind. He wound his arms around +Cragthorpe's throat, then held on with all the strength he could summon.</p> + +<p>Another oath escaped the wretch's lips. It was stopped by Halstead's +right fist landing across his mouth.</p> + +<p>"This is a gentleman's boat—no profanity allowed," mocked Tom, sending +in another blow that struck his man in the region of the belt, causing +him to double up in torment.</p> + +<p>Two more blows Tom drove in. Cragthorpe sank to the floor.</p> + +<p>"Let go of him, Jeff. I can handle him," ordered Captain Tom. "Get to +the speaking tube and direct Mr. Costigan to send the extra deckhand +down here on the jump."</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe lay on the floor. The fight was not by any means driven out +of him, but the wind was, for the moment, at least. Then steps were +heard. Mr. Costigan himself came in, followed by the extra deck-hand, +for Ab had relieved the third mate on the bridge.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p><p>"So that's what our new gentleman has been doing, is it, sir?" demanded +Mr. Costigan, his Irish quickness enabling him to guess much at the +first glance.</p> + +<p>"Have you handcuffs with you, Mr. Costigan?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"I have, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then put them on this fellow."</p> + +<p>With a right good will Mr. Costigan and the sailor rolled Cragthorpe +over, not very gently at that, and forced his wrists together, manacling +the wretch. Then they dragged him to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Jupiter!" muttered Tom, staring hard. "I've seen this fellow somewhere +before. And now I have it! By Jove, he's the gallant fellow I had to +knock from the observation platform on the Overland Mail!"</p> + +<p>"You needn't be quite so glad. We haven't quite evened our account yet," +snarled the fellow. "But I'm not the man you think I am."</p> + +<p>"Do you deny you're the fellow I struck on the observation platform of a +car of the Overland Mail the other day?" Tom Halstead snorted.</p> + +<p>"I can't be. I've just come from Auckland," leered the fellow.</p> + +<p>"We picked him up from a small boat that bore the name of the liner, +'Dolbear,'" <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>interjected Mr. Costigan. "The 'Dolbear' is due about now +from Auckland."</p> + +<p>"Then the boat was painted, as to her name, on board the 'Victor,'" said +Tom. "I understand we ran behind her a bit at one time this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"It's from the 'Victor' this fellow came, then, boat and all," declared +Captain Halstead, positively. "Now, bring the fellow up on deck and let +everyone have a look at him."</p> + +<p>As it was time to call the new watch up, anyway, this was now done. +Cragthorpe tried to make a fight against being taken to the deck, but, +manacled as he was, he could put up no effective resistance.</p> + +<p>The cabin passengers, too, were called. Tom and Jeff stated the case +against the fellow.</p> + +<p>"Of course you're justified in locking this man up in the brig, if there +is one aboard," observed Mr. Jephson.</p> + +<p>"Yes; there's a brig on board," Tom nodded, "and that's where a man goes +after trying to tamper with our engines on a chase like this."</p> + +<p>The "brig" is a ship's prison. On the "Panther" it was a small room, not +more than five by seven feet, with two berths and two stools in it. The +door was an iron grating. Even on a yacht a brig is often needed, as a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +place of confinement for a drunken or crazy sailor.</p> + +<p>Dick Davis ascended to the bridge to stand the new watch.</p> + +<p>"Take the fellow to the brig, Mr. Costigan, and see that he's securely +locked in. Collins, see that the man gets his meals three times a day."</p> + +<p>"I'll make you mighty sorry for this, you boy skipper!" growled +Cragthorpe, as he was led away.</p> + +<p>"That's the fellow I knocked from the train, isn't it, Joe?" demanded +Halstead, turning to his chum.</p> + +<p>"He's not dressed as well, and he has a few days' growth of beard on his +face, but I'm positive he's the same fellow," answered Joe Dawson, quietly.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XV</span> <span class="smaller">THE MIDNIGHT ALARM</span></h2> + +<p>"Still the sound of machinery," muttered Dick Davis, pacing the bridge +just before dark. "I imagine the skipper of that other craft wishes he +could have put a mute on his engines."</p> + +<p>"He has even taken to blowing his fog-horn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> again," replied young +Halstead. "It's just sheer luck that he hasn't been run down by some +vessel coming from the opposite direction."</p> + +<p>"I guess our fog-horn has protected him," suggested Dick. "We may have +passed some other craft whose fog-horns didn't carry sound as far as +ours. Hearing our fog-horn, such vessels might have given us such a wide +berth that the 'Victor' naturally escaped collision."</p> + +<p>It was about eight o'clock, when Tom and Joe were finishing the evening +meal in the captain's cabin, that a sudden sharp blast came through the +bridge speaking tube.</p> + +<p>"Right here at the other end, Mr. Davis," Captain Tom answered.</p> + +<p>"I think you'll be interested in coming to the bridge, sir. The fog is +lightening a bit, and I can see a couple of stars overhead."</p> + +<p>"Whew! That's good news! Do you still hear the 'Victor's' machinery?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I've been keeping very close to her."</p> + +<p>Halstead quickly told the news to Joe Dawson. Both reached for their +ulsters, then ran out on deck. Tom's first discovery was that he could +hear, distinctly, the subdued clank-clank made by the invisible steam +yacht.</p> + +<p>Yes; the fog was surely lifting. Overhead, especially, things were +clearing.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p><p>"We seem to be running out at the edge of the fog-bank, Mr. Davis," was +the young captain's greeting, as he climbed to the bridge, followed by +the young chief engineer.</p> + +<p>For five minutes or more Tom Halstead stood there, watching the fog.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure enough of the news, now, to go aft and tell Mr. Baldwin," he +declared, finally.</p> + +<p>Tom found all the cabin passengers at table in the deck dining saloon, +aft of the owner's quarters. They were not more than two-thirds through +the meal, but the table became instantly deserted.</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes later the watchers at the port rail made out, briefly, a +part of the hull of the "Victor." The two craft were but little more +than two hundred yards apart.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later both craft passed almost completely out of the fog. A +cheer went up from the deck of the "Panther." There was no answer from +the pursued craft.</p> + +<p>Running up to the bridge, and snatching up a megaphone, Joseph Baldwin +bawled lustily:</p> + +<p>"We're still with you, you pirates! You can't shake us!"</p> + +<p>Still no sound of human voice came from the steam yacht. The answer was +of another sort. Great clouds of smoke began to pour from the "Victor's" +funnel.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p><p>"They're going to try a spurt," chuckled Halstead, gleefully. "Well, +let 'em. We don't even have to get up more steam for a spurt. All we +have to do is to feed in the gasoline quicker."</p> + +<p>Within five minutes the "Victor" was racing along at more than twenty +miles an hour. On board the "Panther," however, Joe Dawson did not even +feel it necessary to go below to look at the motors. Jed Prentiss was +down there in the engine room, and Jed was a boy who knew what he was +doing. Second Officer Davis gave the speed orders from the bridge; Jed +carried out the orders. The "Panther," now widening the interval to four +hundred yards in this clearer atmosphere, ran along parallel with the +steam yacht.</p> + +<p>"They may fool us yet," chuckled Halstead, turning around to the owner. +"But they'll have to do it with something better than speed."</p> + +<p>"If they get away from <i>you</i>, Captain Halstead," replied the owner, his +face beaming, "I promise, in advance, to forgive you. It won't be your +fault. Lord, how you've hung to them! What a report I shall have to send +Delavan on the officers he sent me!"</p> + +<p>Then, suddenly, Halstead thought of the prisoner down in the brig.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p><p>"Pass the word for Second Steward Collins," he directed, and that +yacht's servant soon reported.</p> + +<p>"You didn't forget to feed the prisoner, Collins?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, sir," and the steward rattled off the names of the dishes that +had been supplied the man in the brig.</p> + +<p>"He seems to have fed nearly as well as we did," laughed Skipper Tom. +"Well, that's right; just because we lock a fellow up is no reason why +we should starve him. The prisoner had a good appetite?"</p> + +<p>"Excellent, sir."</p> + +<p>"He's locked in tightly?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later Captain Halstead took the trouble to go below to the +brig.</p> + +<p>It was somewhat stuffy down there, but that couldn't be helped.</p> + +<p>From the center of the ceiling a single incandescent lamp supplied the +illumination of the room.</p> + +<p>As Tom Halstead peered in through the grating he saw Cragthorpe seated +on a stool in the far corner.</p> + +<p>Tom did not speak. The fellow glared at him, then looked away.</p> + +<p>"The door is locked tightly, all right," <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>murmured Captain Halstead to +himself, after rattling the bars and examining the lock.</p> + +<p>No sooner had he turned away, and stepped out of sight, than Cragthorpe +rose like a caged tiger. A leer expressive of the utmost cruelty parted +his teeth. He shook his fist menacingly after the departing young +skipper. He was able to do that much, for Mr. Costigan, following the +usual course in such cases, had removed the handcuffs after depositing +the prisoner in the brig.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you think I'm here, simply awaiting your pleasure, my young +salt water cub!" snarled Cragthorpe to himself.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead, however, gave the fellow little further thought. He was +too happy over the lifting of the fog. It is possible for two craft of +the size of these to run all day within two hundred yards of each other +through a fog, judging each other's positions only by sounds. The slow +speed of fog-time makes this possible. Yet it requires splendidly expert +seamanship on both craft. The ordeal is bound to be wearing on the deck +and watch officers. Tom and his three mates felt utterly tired after +their experience, but the passing out of the belt of the fog had brought +huge relief to them.</p> + +<p>Up to ten o'clock that evening the "Victor" maintained her fast speed. +The air was now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> thoroughly clear in every direction. Tom could have +kept the other craft in sight even had the steam yacht shown no lights. +But the commander of the "Victor" had all his running lights going.</p> + +<p>"You'll call us, if anything whatever happens that's worth our knowing, +won't you, Captain?" asked Joseph Baldwin, joining the young sailing +master, who stood close to the bridge steps on the port side.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. Certainly."</p> + +<p>"All of us chaps in the cabin are going to turn in soon," continued Mr. +Baldwin, with a slight yawn. "We're fagged, both from the lack of sleep +and the suspense. Now, however, our minds are easier. Yonder is the boat +that carries Frank Rollings and the millions he stole from the bank. Our +fuel will last as long as theirs will. We can follow as far as they can +go."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't it be a jarring surprise if it turned out that we've been +following a dummy, Mr. Baldwin?" Halstead asked. "What if we follow for +days and days, yet, and then learn that neither Rollings nor his plunder +is on board?"</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin started, then retorted:</p> + +<p>"Yes; but it won't happen, Captain. In the first place, the detectives +of the Bankers' <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>Association found out positively that Rollings had gone +aboard, and that the yacht had then got under way at once. The captain +of that boat was expecting Rollings—was prepared for him—and has the +defaulter on board at this moment."</p> + +<p>"I hope so, sir, for I'm satisfied that we're yet going to lay alongside +of that craft and search her."</p> + +<p>"Of course we are. Good night, Captain."</p> + +<p>"Good night, sir. I'm going to turn in, myself, for a while."</p> + +<p>Half an hour later the young skipper was sound asleep. So, for that +matter, were all the officers and crew who were not on duty.</p> + +<p>Sky and surrounding atmosphere continued clear through the rest of Dick +Davis's watch on the bridge. That young second mate was pacing back and +forth contentedly. The two yachts, now making about a fourteen-mile +speed, were close together, and Davis had little to watch save the +general handling of the boat.</p> + +<p>Out of a hatchway forward a head was cautiously thrust up. Davis did not +happen to see that head. There was no reason why he should be looking +for it.</p> + +<p>The owner of that head saw Davis turn and pace over to starboard. +Swiftly, and silently, the man sprang out of the hatchway, after +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>observing that the quartermaster's head was bent over the compass. The +sailor in the wheel house with the quartermaster was not looking in +Davis's direction at the moment.</p> + +<p>So the prowler gained the port side of the deck-house, and stole aft +without hindrance. It was Cragthorpe, the late prisoner in the brig. +Now, besides being free, he carried a five-gallon can of gasoline that +he had found below deck.</p> + +<p>Away back to the after deck he ran, crouching low. There he halted, +staring about him. An evil smile flickered over his lips. With little +conscience, he was also without fear for himself.</p> + +<p>An instant later he began sprinkling gasoline about him. The task was +quickly accomplished. He drew out a box of blazer matches, striking one +of them and tossing it down where a pool of gasoline lay.</p> + +<p>There was a flare, in a second, but Cragthorpe had vanished almost as +quickly as the flare appeared.</p> + +<p>Dick Davis caught a glimpse of the glow.</p> + +<p>"Quartermaster, send your man aft to investigate a blaze there. Let him +run!"</p> + +<p>The blaze, however, was spreading and mounting so fast that the alert +young second officer did not have to pause to guess.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p><p>"Fire!" shouted the sailor, running forward. But Dick Davis had already +sprung to the alarm bells.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XVI</span> <span class="smaller">THE FIRE DRILL IN EARNEST</span></h2> + +<p>The sailor's cry of "Fire," the most dreaded that can rise at sea, +disturbed Captain Tom Halstead's sound rest. He half awoke.</p> + +<p>Then it sounded again:</p> + +<p>"Fire!"</p> + +<p>In prompt confirmation of the cry, the electric bell began ringing in +his room. Directly over it glowed an electric light in a red bulb—the +fire signal to the cabin.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead fairly leaped from his bed. He got on all the clothing +needed with the speed of a fireman.</p> + +<p>Dick Davis's hand had come, first, to the bell rousing the watch below. +He rang that first, but Halstead's bell immediately afterward.</p> + +<p>As Halstead burst open the door of his cabin the red glow was in his +face.</p> + +<p>Down in the mates' and crew's quarters the fire-bell was ringing +steadily. Officers and men came tumbling up the stairs.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p><p>"Stand by the handling of the ship, Mr. Davis!" roared the young +captain from the deck. "I'll have men enough for the fighting of the +fire."</p> + +<p>As the first heads showed from below, Halstead roared:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Perkins, the starboard hose. Mr. Costigan, the port! Two men each +and yourselves to a hose. The rest report to me."</p> + +<p>The hose lay in butts from which they were lifted and fastened to the +deck hydrants. While one man was securing each hose to a hydrant, a mate +and another sailor ran aft with the line along either rail.</p> + +<p>"The rest of you get fire axes," shouted Captain Halstead. "Jump up onto +the bridge and go aft over the deck-house. Mr. Davis, instruct Mr. +Prentiss to connect the pump in the engine room. Tell him to give us +instant pressure."</p> + +<p>Though he had heard the fire call, Jed was too dependable to allow +either curiosity or fear to take him from his post. When the order came, +through the speaking tube, young Prentiss was standing by, ready to +connect the pump with one of the motors.</p> + +<p>Through the two lengths of hose the water leaped almost instantly.</p> + +<p>Captain Tom had run with his axe-men over the deck-house.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p><p>He found the after deck ablaze, and also the sides of the deck-house +aft.</p> + +<p>How it had all happened the young sailing master did not trouble himself +to ask, at first. It was more than enough for him to know that there was +a fire aboard, and to know where it was located.</p> + +<p>"Get up close, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Costigan!" he shouted, from the top +of the deck-house. "Let the flames have the water at full, direct +pressure. Steady, now! Throw in every drop of water where it will hit +the hottest, highest flames."</p> + +<p>Seldom had fire-drill at sea been more promptly or intelligently carried +out. It was fortunate, at the very outset, that the blaze had started so +near the time for the changing of the watches. The men were rested and +ready for prompt rising.</p> + +<p>The slight rolling of the boat carried gasoline along the decks, bearing +the flames with it. A pitching at the bow, slight though it was, brought +these running streams of flame down upon the crews with the hose. They +had to depress the nozzles almost at their feet, in order to assure +themselves of safe standing room.</p> + +<p>"Give me one of those axes," shouted Halstead, taking the implement from +a sailor. "Now, two of you jump down aft with me on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> the deck. Never +mind the fire! Remember, we've got to fight it for our lives anyway!"</p> + +<p>Down into the clearest spot he could find young Halstead leaped. Ab +Perkins, seeing him, turned the stream full on the blazing deck around +the young sailing master. That was all that saved Halstead from +perishing. The water kept the flames down so that he was able to lay +about him, loosening several of the deck planks.</p> + +<p>One of the sailors had landed close beside the young skipper. He, too, +laid about him. The second seaman, however, ran over to the other side +of the deck-house, looking for some spot where he might work protected +by the other hose.</p> + +<p>The hoarse shouting of orders, the running of feet overhead and the +sharp, sinister hiss of water coming in contact with fire, all combined +to arouse the owner of the imperiled yacht.</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin sprang from his bed, dashed aside the starboard curtains, +and caught a reflection of the glow.</p> + +<p>"Fire!" he gasped, turning pale. "Halstead and his comrades surely have +enough to handle this time."</p> + +<p>Then, with frenzied haste, the owner fell to pulling on his clothes. He, +too, broke some of his own records in the matter of dressing. In a very +few moments he was outside, and climbing the bridge steps. Then he +dashed aft.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p><p>The breeze that was blowing was unfavorable to the fire fighters. The +factors in their favor, however, were the prompt discovery of the +trouble and the thinness with which the gasoline was spread.</p> + +<p>The blaze was at its worst in the middle of the after deck. It was the +realization of this fact that had caused young Captain Halstead to take +the desperate leap and make the bold effort that now stood to his +credit.</p> + +<p>"That boy has no sense of fear," cried Mr. Baldwin to himself.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, Halstead had escaped unscorched. His promptness, +good judgment, and the protecting streams from the hose had saved him +from disastrous consequences that might be expected to follow such a +hazardous act.</p> + +<p>By now the hosemen were able to get far enough aft to wet down the +blazing parts of the wall of the after deck-house.</p> + +<p>Within five minutes from the time it started the blaze was brought down +to where it required only persistent hosing to drown it completely.</p> + +<p>From time to time a sudden gust of the light breeze fanned up the fire +briefly at some point, but the fire fighters no longer feared for their +safety.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ross and Dr. Gray had been aroused by the sounds of fire-fighting; +the others in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> cabin staterooms slept on, for Dick Davis had wisely +refrained from touching the button that would have sounded the heavy +gong in the main cabin.</p> + +<p>"How could the thing have started!" asked Mr. Ross, bewilderedly.</p> + +<p>"It was set, by someone," replied Tom Halstead, joining Mr. Baldwin and +the latter's friends. "It was a gasoline blaze, pure and simple."</p> + +<p>"Who could have——" began Dr. Gray.</p> + +<p>"I saw myself that the prisoner was safely locked in," broke in the +young skipper. "Yet he's the only one I could suspect."</p> + +<p>Almost at a run Halstead started forward, followed by Ab Perkins.</p> + +<p>Down below, these two investigators found the door of the brig open. The +lock had been picked. On the floor of the brig Tom found what was left +of a steel table fork such as the crew used.</p> + +<p>"He forced the tines and shank out of the handle, and worked it over +into a pick-lock," muttered the young skipper. "I respect the fellow's +ingenuity, if nothing else."</p> + +<p>But where was Cragthorpe himself? Two searching parties, one under Ab +and the other commanded by Third Officer Costigan, searched until Dick +Davis, still on the bridge past his hour, broke in with:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p><p>"Why, Captain, you can guess what became of the fellow? When our blaze +was under way the 'Victor' turned and steamed nearer to us. The rascal +jumped overboard, of course, swam back and was picked up. It must have +been all part of a plan. At any rate, when the watch officer on the +steam yacht saw the blaze on board this craft, he knew well enough what +it meant, and stood by to rescue the Cragthorpe fellow."</p> + +<p>"That's what has happened to him," nodded Mr. Baldwin. "He's safe again +with the other rascals."</p> + +<p>So the searching parties were recalled, the new watch was set, and quiet +at last settled down over the yacht.</p> + +<p>It was two o'clock in the morning when Tom Halstead again sought his +rest. That fire had stirred him up so that he did not at once feel +drowsy. A fire at sea, on a gasoline motor yacht, is a trebly serious +affair. If the flames ever get close to the gasoline supply the blaze is +almost certain to wind up abruptly in a fearful, devastating explosion.</p> + +<p>"I've had some lively times at sea, before this," the young skipper +muttered, "but this voyage has already gone ahead of anything I've ever +had happen at sea. I hope we're through with visitors from the +'Victor.'"</p> + +<p>At last he closed his eyes and slept, for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>Halstead was not a highly +nervous youngster. When he was free from the demands of duty, and +physically tired, he was not usually long in finding his rest.</p> + +<p>Even in his sleep the lad did not lie quietly. He began to toss and +thrash, dreaming that he was fighting it out again with Cragthorpe. It +was like a nightmare, for, in his dream, the young captain of the +"Panther" felt himself to be getting the worst of the struggle.</p> + +<p>Then, all of a sudden, Tom Halstead awoke, roused by a sensation of +choking. A man knelt over him in his bed. Halstead's hands were lashed, +while a rope was noosed about his neck.</p> + +<p>On the front wall of the cabin was a ship's clock. A shaded light burned +near the dial of the clock, giving illumination to enable one to read +the clock's dial from the bed.</p> + +<p>That light also showed Tom the face and figure of his present +oppressor—Cragthorpe, in the flesh!</p> + +<p>"Now, we're going to have a chance to talk over the other side of this +question!" chuckled the wretch, in Tom's ear. "I remained aboard—risked +everything—in order to have this precious meeting. Just us two +here—fine, isn't it?"</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XVII</span> <span class="smaller">CRAGTHORPE INTRODUCES HIS REAL SELF</span></h2> + +<p>"Now, if you find you've anything to say," continued Cragthorpe, in the +same low voice, "you can say it when the time comes. But don't try to +call out, and don't attempt any impudence, or I'll pull this noose +tight. You know what that will mean!"</p> + +<p>Undeniably Tom Halstead paled. Upon his feet, with at least a fighting +chance, the young motor boat captain, while he might have feared death, +would not have run away from it. He had a record for showing grit.</p> + +<p>But this was a time when no amount of courage could give him a chance. +He read it in Cragthorpe's eyes that the fellow intended to keep the +upper hand, and to abuse it, to the end.</p> + +<p>"You felt fine and important when you told that big Irishman to lead me +off to the brig, didn't you!" began the tormentor.</p> + +<p>"What else could I do!" demanded Halstead, in a low voice. "Wouldn't you +have done the same by me, if the boot had been on the other foot!"</p> + +<p>"And you struck me that cowardly blow over at Oakland the other day," +cried Cragthorpe,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> who seemed to have nursed his wrath until it angered +him to the striking point.</p> + +<p>"When you went to school," mocked Tom, his coolness returning rapidly, +"you studied out of a different book of definitions from the one I had. +I was never taught that it was cowardice to defend a woman."</p> + +<p>"What call had you to defend her?" insisted Cragthorpe, with a show of +increasing anger. "Was it any of your affair?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; the fact that the young woman was annoyed by you was excuse enough +for my act."</p> + +<p>"You spoiled my last chance with her when you humiliated me by a blow +that I didn't get a chance to return at the time."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear that," retorted Tom, candidly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you are, are you?"</p> + +<p>The working of passion in Cragthorpe's face was a fearful sight to see.</p> + +<p>"And a fine thing you did for the young woman!" hissed the fellow. "I +wanted to marry her. She has money enough to make her a prize," sneered +the wretch. "Her brother is to go on trial for his life in a few days, +and I am the only witness who could save him from the chain of evidence +that the authorities are weaving about him. I made the offer to the girl +to save her brother if she would wed me."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p><p>"You cowardly—cur!" uttered Tom Halstead, in cool disdain.</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe started; then deeper lines of passion graved themselves in +his features.</p> + +<p>"Yes," continued Tom, scornfully, "you're about the lowest sort of cur +that could possibly breathe. To charge a woman such a price for her +brother's life and good fame!"</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe suddenly restrained his growing anger. He leered down into +the face of his straightforward young enemy.</p> + +<p>"However, I am to make money in another way," he continued, cheerfully. +"Frank Rollings is my cousin. After my failure with the girl he found me +so desperate and ugly that, without telling me what he was about to do, +he enlisted me in his present fine enterprise."</p> + +<p>"Took you along with him to help him guard his stolen treasure, did he!" +jeered Captain Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if it interests you," snarled Cragthorpe.</p> + +<p>"It'll interest your precious cousin a lot more, before he gets through +with you," sneered Halstead. "He'll be lucky if you don't make away with +him and try to secure all the stolen money for yourself!"</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe started, almost as though the young skipper had hit on the +head the nail of his intentions.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p><p>"Here! Chew on this, instead of words!" flashed the wretch.</p> + +<p>He suddenly forced the young skipper's mouth open, wedging in a crumpled +up handkerchief. This he followed with another, gagging his victim.</p> + +<p>Scenting more dastardly work to come, Tom Halstead fought furiously with +the little chance that was left to him. His hands were secured, in front +of him, but his feet and legs were free. He struggled with all his +might, trying to use his bound hands, together, on the head of +Cragthorpe, as that wretch again bent over him.</p> + +<p>In his struggles Halstead rolled over on his side. His lashed hands +reached briefly under the edge of the bed. In this way he hoped to gain +purchase enough to pull himself free and yank himself to his feet. It +was a slight hope, yet the only one the motor boat boy could see.</p> + +<p>In the brief interval before Cragthorpe seized him roughly, hurling him +back into the middle of the bed, Tom's hands touched something on the +under side of the frame. He didn't know what it was he had touched.</p> + +<p>In that brief though furious struggle Halstead had succeeded in working +out the handkerchiefs. His oppressor caught up one of them.</p> + +<p>"I'll gag you in better shape, this time," he proposed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p><p>At that instant the door of the cabin opened. Cragthorpe, busy with his +scheme of revenge, did not hear it. But Halstead lay so that he saw the +door move ajar; he saw the head of the sailor who, with this watch, +served in the wheel-house.</p> + +<p>Over the seaman's face swept a look of the most intense amazement. He +darted back into the darkness, for an instant, then returned.</p> + +<p>"One moment—wait!" spoke Tom Halstead, sharply.</p> + +<p>"Confound you—not so loud, if you value your safety!" warned +Cragthorpe.</p> + +<p>Had not the rascal been so intensely absorbed he would have felt and +noted the light breeze that blew in with the opening of the door. But +Cragthorpe was passion-ridden at the moment. The door closed, with the +sailor and Third Officer Costigan in the room.</p> + +<p>That "one moment—wait!" Mr. Costigan and the sailor had the presence of +mind to understand was directed at them.</p> + +<p>"That girl—and her brother—you were lying to me about them," taunted +Halstead. "You can't tell me their names."</p> + +<p>"I can't—eh?" sneered Cragthorpe, harshly. "The girl's name is Rose +Gentry, and her brother's name Robert Gentry."</p> + +<p>"And the brother is accused of murder, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> you could prove him +innocent? Yet you refused to save the brother because Rose Gentry would +not marry you and let you own her fortune! It's a lie!"</p> + +<p>"It's the truth," snarled Cragthorpe, hotly. "And you helped doom the +brother when you struck me down before Rose Gentry. You made her despise +me the more."</p> + +<p>"She did well to despise you," retorted Tom Halstead, bluntly. "<i>You +ought to be clubbed</i>!"</p> + +<div class="center"><img src="images/i177.jpg" alt="You Ought to Be Clubbed" /></div> + +<p class="bold">"You Ought to Be Clubbed!"</p> + +<p>That was exactly what happened, ere Cragthorpe could open his mouth. The +seaman had been crouching behind the fellow, a belaying-pin in his right +hand. At the word from Halstead the sailor struck, and Cragthorpe fell +to the floor, stunned.</p> + +<p>Leaving the sailor to attend to Cragthorpe, Mr. Costigan now bounded +forward to free the young captain's hands.</p> + +<p>"How on earth did this happen, sir?" demanded the third officer, as he +cut away the cord from the boy's wrists.</p> + +<p>"I dreamed I was fighting the fellow," laughed Tom, "but woke up to find +he had slipped my hands into that noose. He had this other noose around +my neck, threatening to draw it uncomfortably tight if I tried to make +any outcry."</p> + +<p>Tom was now able to slip out of bed and pull<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> on his trousers, while Mr. +Costigan turned on a stronger light.</p> + +<p>"But how on earth did you two happen to come to my relief just at the +right time?" the young skipper demanded.</p> + +<p>"Why, you sounded the call to the bridge," retorted the third mate.</p> + +<p>"I sounded the——wait a second."</p> + +<p>Tom bent over the edge of his bed, feeling underneath along the frame.</p> + +<p>"Why, there's a button here. Does that call to the bridge?" demanded the +motor boat captain.</p> + +<p>"It certainly does," retorted the third officer.</p> + +<p>"I didn't even know the button was there," gasped the young sailing +master. "In my struggles I touched it by accident."</p> + +<p>"I sent Oleson, the sailor, to see what you wanted, sir," continued Mr. +Costigan. "The next thing I knew Oleson backed out of your cabin, +grabbed up a belaying-pin, and signaled to me. I came quick and +soft-like, sir. And now, Captain, if you've no further orders for me, +sir, hadn't I better be traveling back to the bridge? The quartermaster +of my watch is running the ship at this minute."</p> + +<p>"Go, then, Mr. Costigan, and thank you; but send the extra deck-hand of +this watch."</p> + +<p>In another moment the third mate's whistle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> was sounding shrilly. It +brought the extra man of the watch on the run.</p> + +<p>"Put these handcuffs on the fellow before he comes to," ordered Tom, +going to his desk and taking out a pair of manacles. "There, now he +won't do much harm if he does come out of it suddenly. But I'm going +with you to the brig, and want to see leg irons put on the rascal, too. +He won't have the use of his hands again, on this yacht. The second +steward will have to feed the fellow his meals."</p> + +<p>Tom quickly finished his dressing. Just as he had done so Cragthorpe +uttered a deep sigh and opened his eyes. He was still a bit dazed. +Halstead waited for some moments before speaking.</p> + +<p>"If you were telling the truth, fellow, about Rose Gentry and her +brother," taunted Tom, "your silence won't do you so much good, now. My +third officer and one of these sailors overheard your declaration of +your infernal villainy. They can testify in court in behalf of young +Gentry. They'll help the case quite a bit, I guess."</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe was enough himself, by this time, to understand. He scowled +blackly, but refused to speak.</p> + +<p>"Take him along down below to the brig, now," ordered Captain Halstead.</p> + +<p>As the three navigators and their captive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> stepped out forward of the +pilot house, Tom pointed over to port.</p> + +<p>"There's the boat of your friends, my man," laughed the young motor boat +skipper. "You've told me, too, that Frank Rollings <i>is</i> aboard of her, +and that he has the stolen funds with him. Oh, one way and another, you +told me a lot this night that I'm glad to know!"</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe uttered some savage language under his breath as he was +dragged below. Once again he found himself in the brig, and the door +locked, after the leg-irons had been fitted. This time, to make doubly +sure of his man, Halstead put on a double lock by means of a chain and +padlock, the latter being of a pattern that could not be picked.</p> + +<p>"In one way I almost feel badly at doing this to you, Cragthorpe," Tom +said to the fellow, through the grating. "You'll think I'm crowing over +you, and abusing my power. I'd be easier with you—but it wouldn't be +safe for anyone aboard the yacht."</p> + +<p>Halstead then returned to his cabin, where, at his desk, he wrote a note +to Mr. Baldwin, advising the latter of what he had learned from the man +who was once more in the brig.</p> + +<p>This note he turned over to Mr. Costigan.</p> + +<p>"Hand it to him if he comes on deck in the morning before I do," +requested the young <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>skipper. "Add anything you please, out of what you +saw and heard to-night."</p> + +<p>Then the motor yacht captain walked over to the port rail for one more +look at the "Victor." The "Panther" was still keeping abreast of her, +less than four hundred yards away. These two craft appeared to have the +sea all to themselves.</p> + +<p>"When, where and how will this all end?" wondered Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>Then he turned in once more, this time hoping for some real rest.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XVIII</span> <span class="smaller">A TRICK MADE FOR TWO</span></h2> + +<p>Just before eight o'clock in the morning Tom Halstead rolled over +luxuriously in his broad bed.</p> + +<p>"One more catnap wouldn't feel half bad," he muttered to himself. +"However, I reckon I feel about right. I've had some of the sleep that +was coming to me."</p> + +<p>Then:</p> + +<p>"I wonder how my friend Cragthorpe is this morning? It's quite plain he +hasn't found some other trick for getting out of the brig."</p> + +<p>Tom yawned a couple of times, stretched, and finally decided that he +felt like getting up.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p><p>While he was coming to this conclusion the whistle sounded in the +bridge speaking tube.</p> + +<p>Springing out of bed, Tom took up the mouth-piece.</p> + +<p>"Well?" he called.</p> + +<p>"The 'Victor' is putting about, sir."</p> + +<p>"What's her new course?"</p> + +<p>"Going right back over the course she came out on, sir. Shall I turn and +follow?"</p> + +<p>"What else? The only thing we're living for now, Mr. Costigan, is to +keep close to that steam yacht. Follow her, without further orders, even +if she starts to steaming in circles. I'll be out soon."</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir."</p> + +<p>Tom looked slowly about him, then headed for the bath-room. He took +plenty of time in the warm water, finally dressing. Mr. Costigan's watch +had gone below, the third officer having left Tom's letter with Dick +Davis, to be handed to Mr. Baldwin when the latter should appear. But, +so far, none of the cabin party had yet turned out.</p> + +<p>"All our people are still abed, I think, sir," smiled Davis, when the +young motor boat captain appeared on deck.</p> + +<p>"They've been worn out, by the suspense as much as by their short hours +of rest," Halstead replied.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p><p>"Now, you guess why the steam craft has put about, don't you?" asked +Halstead, after pacing the bridge for some moments while he studied the +weather.</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure that I do, sir," Dick admitted, after a moment's thought.</p> + +<p>"Within three or four hours, I'm willing to wager you a night's rest, +we'll be back in the fog belt," Tom replied, pointing ahead. "Now, +Rollings and the captain of the 'Victor' have felt that they were +getting too far off the course to their real destination, with us +tagging right alongside all the way. They knew that the fog bank was a +few hours astern of them as they lay on the other course, so they're +putting back to get into it."</p> + +<p>"For what purpose?" asked Dick.</p> + +<p>"Why, I suppose they've figured on some plan for losing us in the fog +this time. That's the way their hopes run, anyway."</p> + +<p>"I can't see any fog ahead of us, sir," proclaimed Dick. "And I thought +a fellow raised on the Maine sea-coast knew all about fogs."</p> + +<p>"There's Ab just coming up for the day's work," whispered Tom, as the +young first officer appeared through the companionway forward. "Just +hear what he says."</p> + +<p>Leaning forward over the bridge rail, Halstead called:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p><p>"Mr. Perkins, what sort of weather do you think lies ahead of us?"</p> + +<p>Ab halted, looking all about him, then peering out for some moments past +the bow of the "Panther."</p> + +<p>"I think, sir," came the first officer's report, at last, "we're heading +back towards another real old San Francisco fog."</p> + +<p>"I surrender, then," nodded Dick Davis.</p> + +<p>"We'll be in it by noon, or before," Tom Halstead predicted.</p> + +<p>"And then, the folks on that craft yonder have it all figured out to +give us the slip, sure and easy this time," muttered Ab, as he climbed +the steps to the bridge.</p> + +<p>Out of the owner's quarters stepped Joseph Baldwin and came forward, +stretching and inhaling deeply the outdoor air. Captain Tom Halstead +stepped down from the bridge to meet him.</p> + +<p>"Haven't the other crowd changed their course a bit?" asked Mr. Baldwin.</p> + +<p>Halstead explained the new move on the part of the navigator of the +"Victor."</p> + +<p>"Going to try to lose us, are they?" chuckled Baldwin. "If they do, +Captain, they are clever people. If they can get away from <i>you</i> I'm +positive it won't be your fault."</p> + +<p>Then, stretching like a man who has had a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> fine, long sleep, and who +isn't yet over the enjoyment of it, the owner added:</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness, nothing happened during the night!"</p> + +<p>"Nothing happened in the night, eh? I'm glad it was all carried off so +quietly, sir, that you weren't disturbed by it."</p> + +<p>"Why, <i>did</i> anything happen?"</p> + +<p>"The fire, in the first place——"</p> + +<p>"Of course; but I meant, nothing after I turned in again."</p> + +<p>"Something certainly did happen," laughed Halstead. "I left a note for +you with the watch officer, in case you came on deck before I did. Now, +however, I can tell you about it."</p> + +<p>And that Tom Halstead proceeded to do. While he was still engaged in the +narration Mr. Ross came up on deck, and had to hear the tale. Just at +its finish Dr. Gray appeared, followed by Gaston Giddings. The latter +young man, though wholly out of the influence of morphine now, looked +seedy and sullen. Plainly, he resented his enforced abstinence from +drugs.</p> + +<p>"I want to see that infernal rascal, Cragthorpe," muttered Mr. Baldwin. +"Captain, won't you be good enough to have him brought on deck?"</p> + +<p>So Ab was summoned, and instructed to take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> the extra seaman of the +watch, as well as Quartermaster Bickson, and bring the prisoner to deck.</p> + +<p>"Bring him by force, if you have to," added Captain Tom, dryly.</p> + +<p>In a short time the quartermaster and seaman appeared, all but dragging +Cragthorpe, while Ab Perkins brought up the rear of the procession, +giving the doubly manacled fellow an occasional shove.</p> + +<p>It was the first time that Gaston Giddings had seen the prisoner. The +instant he did so, now, the young bank president looked suddenly angry.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Baldwin," demanded Gaston Giddings, "why is this gentleman under +such restraint?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Gentleman?</i>" demanded Baldwin, with withering scorn. "Why, my boy, +about whom are you talking?"</p> + +<p>"Why is Mr. Cragthorpe ironed, on board this yacht?" insisted Giddings, +his face now white and stern with increasing anger.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I'll tell you," sniffed Joseph Baldwin. "That fellow is in +irons because he joined us from the 'Victor.' His first enterprise on +board was to try to put one of our motors out of the running. His next +effort was to set this yacht on fire, last night. After that, he broke +into Captain Halstead's cabin, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>presumably with the intention of killing +the navigator of this yacht; at any rate, he meant to injure Captain +Halstead severely. Those are some of the reasons, Giddings, my boy, why +Cragthorpe is now guarded as carefully as a mad dog might be if we +didn't possess the right to kill it."</p> + +<p>While speaking, Joseph Baldwin studied the young bank president's face +keenly. After a pause, the older man went on:</p> + +<p>"And now, Giddings, if you concede that I have any right to be curious, +in turn, I'd like to ask you why you are so intensely interested in this +scoundrel?"</p> + +<p>From the instant Cragthorpe had caught sight of the face of Gaston +Giddings, the man in irons had stood more at ease, a sneer on his face.</p> + +<p>"Cragthorpe is a friend of mine," replied Giddings, stiffly.</p> + +<p>"Indeed? Then I regret to say that I can't congratulate you on your +choice of friends."</p> + +<p>"I demand that you set Mr. Cragthorpe free!" cried young Giddings, in a +voice passionate with anger.</p> + +<p>"That's a request, my boy, that I'm not at all inclined to grant, even +had I the power," retorted Baldwin, coolly, yet speaking as though he +did not wish needlessly to further<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> rouse the anger of Giddings. "You +see, I haven't any power to give the order."</p> + +<p>"No power?" snorted Giddings. "Don't you own this yacht?"</p> + +<p>"I do; but Halstead is her captain. It is one of the rules of the sea +that, after a vessel leaves her anchorage, her captain commands her +absolutely until port is again reached."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say that this boy would refuse to free Cragthorpe, if +you commanded it?" demanded Giddings, hotly, a flushed spot burning in +either cheek.</p> + +<p>"What would you say, Captain Halstead, if I demanded the release of the +prisoner?" asked Baldwin, facing the young motor boat skipper with +smiling eyes.</p> + +<p>"I'd refuse, sir," Tom replied, promptly. "In my opinion the 'Panther' +isn't safe a minute when Cragthorpe is out of the brig. Take the +prisoner back to the brig, Mr. Perkins."</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings, with a wrathful cry, started forward, but Tom blocked +his way.</p> + +<p>"You know you're pleasing the owner you sail for, or you wouldn't dare +do this thing," choked the young bank president.</p> + +<p>The prisoner was speedily taken below.</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings stamped angrily aft, while Joseph Baldwin's eyes +followed the young man with a wondering look.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p><p>"Mr. Perkins," directed Tom, when Ab came back on deck, "lock the door +of the passage leading to the brig, and leave the key with the watch +officer, with instructions to turn it over to his successor on the +bridge." Tom's order was given for the purpose of preventing Giddings +from making any attempt to reach and aid Cragthorpe.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to have Doc Gray try to find out what part Cragthorpe has +been playing in the life of our young friend, Giddings," Mr. Baldwin +confided to the young skipper. "I've a suspicion, already, though."</p> + +<p>"May I ask, sir, what you suspect?"</p> + +<p>"Well, since Giddings has become a confirmed 'hop-fiend,' and Cragthorpe +comes to us from the Rollings crowd, I think it most likely that +Rollings has been employing Cragthorpe to cultivate Giddings's +acquaintance and lure him on into the opium habit. Such drugs destroy a +man's will, his sense of justice—they rot his very soul!"</p> + +<p>"So, then, sir, you think Rollings has been, for some time, engaged in a +deliberate plot to acquire an ascendancy over Mr. Giddings and ruin +him?"</p> + +<p>"That's my suspicion, stated in a few words, Captain."</p> + +<p>Through the forenoon the chase on the course<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> back to San Francisco +continued without change. By eleven o'clock both yachts were moving +through occasional light blotches of fog, though the two craft still +moved in sight of each other. An hour later, however, the two yachts, +with speed now down to eight miles an hour, entered a dense, white gloom +in which they were soon shut out from sight of each other. Now, Captain +Tom was reduced to the old trick of going by sound.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, the "Victor" sounded a fog-horn at regular intervals of +sixty seconds, as did the "Panther."</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to take any chances, however, sir," Tom confided to the +owner. "I'm going to keep close enough to hear her machinery, too."</p> + +<p>Passing through the fog, the unseen "Victor" was off the better part of +three hundred yards to port of the "Panther."</p> + +<p>Of a sudden, however, there came a note that was new. Tom and Joe, in +the captain's cabin, heard it, and ran out on deck. Davis was bending +over the starboard rail of the bridge in his effort to comprehend the +new sound.</p> + +<p>"Too-whoo-oo!" Nearly abeam, and some three hundred yards off to +starboard, that new sound came—a fog-horn identical with the +"Victor's."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p><p>"What on earth is the trick, now?" wondered Joe Dawson.</p> + +<p>"I'd be willing to give a day's pay to guess it all at once," responded +the young skipper.</p> + +<p>"Too-whoo-oo!" sounded the "Panther's" fog-horn. "Too-whoo-oo!" came the +answer, from port, presumably from the "Victor's" fog-horn. +"Too-whoo-oo!" came like an echo from starboard.</p> + +<p>"It sounds like the first move in a game to mix us up," muttered Tom +Halstead, shrewdly.</p> + +<p>"But what craft can be off at starboard?" questioned young Dawson.</p> + +<p>"Probably a steam launch, put off from the 'Victor,' with a similar +fog-horn," rejoined Captain Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Or a motor launch," suggested Joe.</p> + +<p>"No; I don't believe that. If it were a motor launch we'd hear the +chug-chug of her exhaust. It must be a steam launch. A steam craft of +small size can be run more quietly."</p> + +<p>"That's true," assented young Dawson. "Still, our power tender has a +pretty silent exhaust."</p> + +<p>"Great scheme!" grinned Tom, suddenly.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to play a return trick on Rollings's captain."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p><p>"We have two reserve fog-horns that are identical in sound. I'm going +to rig one of 'em on the 'Panther,' using it in the place of the one +we're now sounding."</p> + +<p>"Yes——"</p> + +<p>"And rig the other fog-horn on the power launch," chuckled Tom. "Then +we'll put Bickson and his own deckhand in the power launch and send 'em +around to cruise to port of the 'Victor.' Thus we'll keep those fellows +guessing, too, what's in the wind."</p> + +<p>Joe chuckled, but he added:</p> + +<p>"Tom, you'd better ask Mr. Jephson to send one of his deputy marshals +along, armed, or something might happen that our power launch and two +men would be bagged."</p> + +<p>"That's a sound idea, too," Captain Tom nodded. Half an hour later the +"Panther's" power launch, containing Bickson, a seaman and a deputy +marshal, stole as noiselessly as possible around to the port side of the +"Victor" in the great, thick fog. Now, there were four fog-horns, +sounding all at once. The four power craft were moving practically in +one line.</p> + +<p>"Say, that's a funny stunt, surely," chuckled Joseph Baldwin, when he +heard the four fog-horns almost at once, and understood what the move +meant.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p><p>"It may have another good effect," suggested Halstead.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Any sailing vessel headed our way, hearing four horns, is likely to +steer well out of the way of the whole fleet, thus lessening the danger +of collision."</p> + +<p>Barely two minutes later another sound intensely interested the watchers +aboard the "Panther."</p> + +<p>Out of the white gloom ahead, some hundreds of yards, and almost bow-on +from the "Panther," came the long-drawn-out hail:</p> + +<p>"He-e-elp!"</p> + +<p>"What's that?" demanded Joseph Baldwin, starting.</p> + +<p>"He-elp!" came the appeal once more.</p> + +<p>"Sounds like the latest trick from our friends on the 'Victor,'" grinned +Captain Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>Ab Perkins, with the megaphone in his hand, had pushed his way up to the +very peak of the bow.</p> + +<p>"Ahoy!" he bawled, lustily, through the voice-carrier. "Who's in need of +help?"</p> + +<p>Back came the answer, faint, yet distinct:</p> + +<p>"A castaway in a dory! For heaven's sake, pick me up!"</p> + +<p>"Not a thing happened after we picked up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> the last castaway in a small +boat," uttered Joseph Baldwin, sarcastically.</p> + +<p>"That hail sounded like a boy's voice," muttered Tom.</p> + +<p>"If you pick <i>anyone</i> up in this fog, be careful!" cautioned the owner.</p> + +<p>"Oh, won't I be careful, though?" retorted Skipper Tom. "Yet I've half a +mind to pick this chap up, just to see what the game is. My curiosity is +working over-time. I'm anxious to see the newest trick from the hands +that steer the 'Victor'!"</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XIX</span> <span class="smaller">TED DYER, SAILOR BY MARRIAGE</span></h2> + +<p>Still Ab continued to hail from the bow of the motor yacht, young +Captain Tom having gone forward to stand by him and give directions.</p> + +<p>"We'll take you aboard, and have a look at you, anyway," Ab called +through the megaphone. "That is, if you make us closely enough to catch +a rope from us. But we won't change our course, or stop ship."</p> + +<p>"Sa-ay, that's hardly fair!" came the indignant protest.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p><p>"If you want to get aboard this craft, do as we tell you," Ab Perkins +retorted, doughtily.</p> + +<p>"A-all right! I can't stay out on the ocean alone any longer, anyway!" +came back the answer, with a new note of determination in it.</p> + +<p>"Then stop talking," directed Ab, "and get down to your oars, so as to +run just alongside of us. And stand by to catch the line that'll be +thrown to you."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir!"</p> + +<p>Catching up a coil of line, Perkins ran down nearer the waist of the +ship. A seaman stood by with the ship's end of a rope boarding-ladder +made fast. Captain Tom remained up in the "Panther's" bow.</p> + +<p>Then, out of the fog, shot a dory into sight. In it sat a boy of about +sixteen, wearing only a ragged shirt and hardly less ragged trousers. He +bent at a pair of oars, his glance cast backward over one shoulder as he +guided the craft so as to pass the "Panther" without being engulfed by +her.</p> + +<p>It was close work, and required rather fine seamanship on the part of +the boy in the boat.</p> + +<p>Had the "Panther" been going at anything like her full speed the effort +to lay alongside would have ended in disaster. Even as it was, Captain +Tom Halstead watched with not a little anxiety.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p><p>"Ready—catch the line!" sang Ab Perkins. The young executive officer +of the "Panther" possessed fine judgment and a straight eye for such +work. As the coil left Ab's hand it went whirling, uncoiling, through +the air. The line landed fairly across the shoulder of the other boy +below. He caught the rope, then sank down to the middle seat of the +dory, bracing himself and holding on hard.</p> + +<p>As the line became taut the bow of the dory was yanked about. The little +craft heeled a bit, then righted, bumping in against the larger hull, +then gliding off and riding rather easy.</p> + +<p>The seaman at Ab's side now dropped the rope boarding-ladder overboard +so that its lower end rested fairly in the dory.</p> + +<p>"Swing onto the ladder, and kick the dory loose," directed Ab Perkins, +steadily. "I reckon you can do it."</p> + +<p>"Don't you want to recover the dory, to pay for my passage to land?" +inquired the boy below.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it," uttered Ab. "Too much truck aboard now."</p> + +<p>"Then here comes—not much of anything," laughed the boy, in a clear, +cool voice, as he seized the rope ladder, and sprang up onto it. As he +left the dory that little craft drifted astern, soon to be lost to sight +in the great fog.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p><p>In another moment the boy was aboard. No stranger was he to the sea. +That much could be told by the neat, seaman-like way in which he came up +the rope boarding-ladder.</p> + +<p>"I've come on board, sir," laughed the stranger, touching the make-shift +for a cap which he wore.</p> + +<p>"So I see," nodded Tom Halstead, coming aft from the bow. "What's your +name?"</p> + +<p>"Ted Dyer."</p> + +<p>"Hailing port?"</p> + +<p>"'Frisco."</p> + +<p>"Sailor, by trade?"</p> + +<p>"No," laughed Ted, his eyes twinkling; "a sailor by marriage."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" demanded Halstead, almost sharply. He almost suspected +that the other boy was making game of him. If Dyer came from the +"Victor," such levity was misplaced.</p> + +<p>"My mother's sister married a captain of a freight schooner," Ted +explained, more soberly.</p> + +<p>"Oh. So you, so to speak, ran away to sea with your uncle?"</p> + +<p>"No; he ran away from me <i>at</i> sea," answered young Dyer, more soberly.</p> + +<p>"How long has your uncle been captain of the 'Victor'?" Halstead +demanded, swiftly, hoping to catch this other boy off his guard.</p> + +<p>"The 'Victor'?" repeated Ted, opening his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> eyes wide. If he was +shamming, then it was a fine bit of acting.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you come from the steam yacht 'Victor'?" demanded Captain Tom, +looking hard at the boy.</p> + +<p>"Never heard of the craft before," declared Ted. Then: "Hold on, though. +I'm lying without meaning to, it would seem. Yes; I know the 'Victor.' +She's a hundred and twenty-two foot steam yacht, fine and fast."</p> + +<p>"That's the 'Victor' just over to port," went on Tom, still eyeing the +other youth, closely.</p> + +<p>"Is it?" asked Ted Dyer. "Then your eyesight is sharper than mine."</p> + +<p>"Don't try to get funny," warned Halstead.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to," protested Ted. "You all strike me as first-rate +fellows. And, anyway, you've fished me up out of the vasty deep, so to +speak. Where's your captain?"</p> + +<p>"You're looking at him," replied Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Again," laughed Ted, "you're crediting me with finer eyesight than I +possess."</p> + +<p>"I am the captain," Tom replied, struggling against an inclination to +like this boy. Ted was so brimming over with good humor, that it seemed +almost wicked to suspect him of anything worse than being hungry.</p> + +<p>"You're the captain?" demanded Ted, taken aback, and staring hard. Then, +as he took in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> the details of Halstead's uniform, and noted the looks on +the faces of the others about him, he became convinced.</p> + +<p>"Captain——" began Ted.</p> + +<p>"Halstead," supplied Tom.</p> + +<p>"Captain Halstead, as I'll have to dead-beat my passage back to San +Francisco, I shall be mighty glad if you'll assign me to some work to +do."</p> + +<p>"On your word of honor you didn't come off the 'Victor'?" insisted the +young skipper, still looking hard at the new arrival on board.</p> + +<p>"On my honor I didn't. Why? Is it a crime to come on board from the +'Victor'?"</p> + +<p>"Very nearly," Halstead replied, dryly. "We've got one fellow in the +brig on board, charged with that very offense."</p> + +<p>"Whew!" muttered Ted, looking grave. "Then what's the sentence for +coming on board from a dory?"</p> + +<p>"How did you come to be in that dory?" pressed the young skipper of the +"Panther."</p> + +<p>"You might call it mainly my uncle's offense," replied Ted Dyer, more +gravely. "You see, my parents are dead. They left me a little money, and +put me under the guardianship of my uncle. He put the money into the +freight schooner, 'Nancy.' However, even at that, some of the earnings +of the schooner had to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> put aside as belonging to my estate. So my +uncle, being a bright man, conceived the idea, night before last, of +putting me adrift in the dory you fished me out of. At the time he had +only a drunken sailor named Griggs on deck with him. Griggs is a fellow +my uncle, Captain Dalton, by name, can depend on. Uncle got me to go +into the dory that was towing astern. Made believe he wanted me to see +if anything had fouled the rudder. Then he cut the line and left me +adrift. I guess he figured that there was a storm coming; that I'd never +be heard from again, and that he'd get the schooner all for himself."</p> + +<p>"The infernal scoundrel!" breathed Halstead, indignantly. Then, +remembering his first suspicions, he shot in, closely:</p> + +<p>"So your uncle isn't captain of the 'Victor'?"</p> + +<p>"What's the joke?" demanded Ted, gazing at those about him, a look of +wonder in his innocent blue eyes.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead was beginning to soften. Despite the grave need of caution +and suspicion, Ted's honest good nature was infectious. Besides, as both +the yachts were going at eight miles an hour, and the "Victor" was +traveling only abeam, anyway, how could a boy in a dory put off from the +steam yacht be so far<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> ahead of the position of either boat as to come +down upon the "Panther" in the fashion Ted had done? Altogether, Captain +Tom felt that he might do well to drop some of his suspicions. That same +idea was occurring to some of the others who listened. It was Joe +Dawson, however, who first gave voice to this new idea.</p> + +<p>"I reckon Ted is all right, Captain," spoke up the young chief engineer. +"At any rate, I feel willing to go bail for his good behavior on this +craft."</p> + +<p>"I guess this youngster is all right, Captain," spoke Joseph Baldwin, +next stepping forward. "I'll take a chance with him, if you're willing."</p> + +<p>Ted Dyer, meanwhile, was looking from one face to another, as though he +wondered what kind of a crowd he had encountered.</p> + +<p>"You may think us a bit strange, Dyer," spoke Tom, with a quiet smile. +"The truth is, we have the best of reasons for being suspicious of the +other yacht you've heard us talking about. You can stay aboard, and +we'll try to make you comfortable."</p> + +<p>"I haven't anything else to do, sir," said Joe, turning once more to the +young captain. "I'll take Dyer in hand if you say so."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead," assented Halstead. "First of all, take him below, Mr. +Dawson, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span>introduce him to the cook. I imagine that will be +agreeable."</p> + +<p>"You're good at guessing, Captain," laughed the San Francisco boy, +saluting.</p> + +<p>"Come along then, Ted Dyer," proposed Joe, taking him by the arm with a +friendly grip. "You can come below to my cabin and chat while you eat."</p> + +<p>"I guess I can do a lot of both," admitted the San Francisco boy, going +along with Joe after making a bow that was intended to include everyone.</p> + +<p>Joe, however, did not at first press the other boy to talk much, but was +delighted at seeing Dyer able to stow away so much satisfying food.</p> + +<p>"Now," demanded the newcomer, pushing his chair back from the table, +"what am I going to do aboard this craft to earn my way?"</p> + +<p>"What do you know best how to do?" asked Dawson.</p> + +<p>"You said you are the chief engineer?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"If there's anything I'm crazy about," confessed Ted Dyer, "it's +machinery. Why couldn't I go to work in your engine room?"</p> + +<p>"That's a rather unfortunate question," returned Joe, feeling a bit +uncomfortable. "You see, the fellow who really <i>did</i> come aboard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> from +the 'Victor' got into the engine room and tried to put our machinery +into a useless condition. So you can understand why Captain Halstead +would stare if I told him I had put you in the engine room."</p> + +<p>"What's all this business about the 'Victor,' anyway?" demanded Ted +Dyer, curiously.</p> + +<p>So Joe told him enough to enable the other boy to understand, including +the fact that a United States assistant district attorney and two deputy +marshals were aboard intent upon arresting a bank absconder believed to +be on board the "Victor."</p> + +<p>"And that boat is trying to lose you in the fog, so that Mr. Absconder +can get away?" asked Ted Dyer, understandingly.</p> + +<p>"That's the case, Dyer."</p> + +<p>"Then I can understand why it wouldn't look well for me to ask for a job +in the engine room," pondered Ted, thoughtfully. "I suppose, though, I +could go in and help the cook. I couldn't do any harm there. Yes, I +could, though; I might poison the dishes or the food."</p> + +<p>Joe Dawson gave a hearty laugh, so completely was he disarmed of +suspicion of the other boy.</p> + +<p>"I guess perhaps we'd better leave it all to Captain Halstead," proposed +Joe Dawson. "He's a fine, splendid fellow, as you'll find."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p><p>"Fine and suspicious," retorted Ted, with a grimace.</p> + +<p>"He has to be, on a strange cruise like this. But you'll find Captain +Tom Halstead as good as fine gold, Ted. Halstead is my chum."</p> + +<p>"If he's your chum," vouchsafed Dyer, heartily, "then I'll take my oath +he's all right."</p> + +<p>"Come up on deck," nodded Joe, moving toward the companion way.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XX</span> <span class="smaller">THE FIND IN THE FOREHOLD</span></h2> + +<p>Ted Dyer's place was quickly determined upon.</p> + +<p>Bickson, the chief quartermaster, who attended to the general "policing" +of the yacht—that is, the cleaning up and the sanitary care of the +boat, had one seaman assigned to help him. Ted was added as an extra +hand in this line, being placed at once under the orders of the +quartermaster who was acting in Bickson's place while the latter was out +in the launch.</p> + +<p>"It looks, now, as though Dyer is all right, from the ground up, +quartermaster," Captain Tom said, in a low voice. "At the same time,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> of +course, you'll keep a general eye on the youngster?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly will, Captain."</p> + +<p>"Above all, don't let him get anywhere near the prisoner in the brig. +Don't permit any possibility of communication between Dyer and +Cragthorpe."</p> + +<p>"I understand, Captain."</p> + +<p>Before he had been at work for an hour Ted Dyer was earning golden good +opinions from the acting chief quartermaster. Not the slightest +curiosity did the new member of the crew display about anything that +didn't concern him. As a worker Ted Dyer was number one.</p> + +<p>About three o'clock the evidence of a new game on the part of the enemy +came to notice. The steam launch of the "Victor" ceased sounding her +whistle off at the starboard of the "Panther." Tom Halstead, who was on +deck, ready to note the slightest sign, became instantly suspicious.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Davis," he called, "sound the agreed-on signal from our own +fog-horn for Bickson to come in, post-haste with our power boat."</p> + +<p>From the "Panther's" fog-horn sounded four short blasts.</p> + +<p>Just a few minutes later Tom Halstead, listening at the rail, heard the +"Victor's" machinery moving at faster rate.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p><p>"There they go, stealing away from us," muttered the young skipper.</p> + +<p>"And not sounding their fog-horn any more, either," commented Joseph +Baldwin.</p> + +<p>"It won't take 'em long to get out of our hearing, if our tender doesn't +get in," predicted Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Confound Bickson! Where is he? What's he doing?" demanded the +"Panther's" owner, impatiently.</p> + +<p>Barely thirty seconds later, however, the "Panther's" power tender shot +in alongside. The falls and tackle were lowered swiftly. The instant +when the hoisting began Halstead called sharply:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Davis, start us forward on the jump. Don't let those tricksters +slip us in that fashion."</p> + +<p>Second Officer Davis gave the order for increased speed. Then, before it +could be carried out, he cried, excitedly:</p> + +<p>"What has become of the 'Victor,' sir? Can you hear her machinery, now?"</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead listened intently, growing paler. Barely forty-five seconds +before he had had the enemy within sound. Now, not a single trace of +noise came to him over the waters.</p> + +<p>"By Jove! they've slipped us," he groaned, uneasily.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p><p>"That's what," confessed Dick, in a hushed, scared voice.</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin's face was a study in intense anxiety.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid the steam yacht has gotten away from us, Captain," he +remarked. "If that really has happened, I don't blame you. The chances, +in a game of this sort, and under these conditions, are all with the +fugitive."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it isn't a matter of blame," muttered Skipper Tom, his face +chalk-white, his hands nervously gripping at the port deck rail. "But +I'm chagrined—ashamed, just the same. What have those rascals done? +Have they stopped speed altogether? Are they drifting, so that, if we go +ahead, we are drawing further away from them all the time? Or did they +shoot well ahead of us, then succeed in running with almost no noise, +and on a new course, so that they are slipping further away from us +every minute? Shall we stop and drift? Or, if we go ahead, what speed +and which course shall we take? Confound the wretches!"</p> + +<p>"It is a big problem," admitted Joseph Baldwin, his own face as white as +that of the young skipper.</p> + +<p>"Have you any orders, sir?" asked Halstead, quickly.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Joseph Baldwin, slowly. "All<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> I can do is to guess. That's +all you can do, either, Captain Halstead; but your guess is just as +likely to be the right one as is my own."</p> + +<p>The "Panther" was now traveling at a speed of twelve miles, sounding her +fog-horn twice in the minute.</p> + +<p>"The worst of it is that our horn betrays us to the enemy," muttered +Tom. "They have no respect for the laws of the sea, so that we give them +guide, while they give us nothing in return."</p> + +<p>"We won't quite give up hope," uttered Mr. Baldwin, dispiritedly. "At +the same time, I fancy we're now as good as whipped. I don't see any +chance for us."</p> + +<p>"The only chance that's left," replied Skipper Tom, "is the chance of +luck. Until you give other orders, sir, I shall keep to the same course, +and at the same speed."</p> + +<p>Baldwin nodded, turning away. Somehow, the depressing news had passed +around. The cabin passengers came pouring out on deck, asking well-nigh +innumerable questions of the young captain and of the sadly perplexed +owner.</p> + +<p>"All I can say," replied Mr. Baldwin to his questioners, "is that we +must depend upon the slender chance of—luck."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p><p>"And all I can say," added Captain Tom Halstead, "is—wait!"</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings, who, in the morning, had been so insistent on having +Cragthorpe set at liberty, now underwent a complete change of feeling in +the matter.</p> + +<p>"That wretch in the brig could tell us something about this latest +trick," declared the young bank president, quivering with wrath. "Mr. +Baldwin, why don't you have the fellow brought on deck and made to +confess whatever he may know about the plans of the Rollings crowd on +the 'Victor'?"</p> + +<p>"Even if Cragthorpe should know all about the enemy's plans," demanded +the owner, "how could I make him confess if he didn't want to?"</p> + +<p>"Torture him, if you have to, until he talks freely," snarled Gaston +Giddings.</p> + +<p>"That wouldn't do," negatived Baldwin. "This is the twentieth century, +and we live under laws. We can't put men to the torture nowadays."</p> + +<p>"Then let me go down and see Cragthorpe," cried Giddings, nervously. +"I'll find a way to make him talk! Give me the key to the brig."</p> + +<p>To this proposition Captain Halstead returned a most emphatic refusal.</p> + +<p>"Whoop!" sounded a jubilant voice from below. "Whoo-oo-oopee!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p><p>"Who on earth is that?" demanded Mr. Ross.</p> + +<p>"Ted Dyer, the last castaway we picked up out of the ocean," responded +Captain Halstead.</p> + +<p>"What on earth can he find to be so joyous——"</p> + +<p>"Whoo-oop!" interrupted Ted himself, appearing on deck at that instant. +His eyes were snapping with excitement, his face fairly glowing with +delight.</p> + +<p>"Say, do you know what's down in the forehold, sir?" he demanded, facing +Captain Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>"No; and how do you?" broke in Joseph Baldwin, interrupting.</p> + +<p>"Quartermaster Bickson set me to tidying up there," explained Ted. Then, +turning to the young skipper, the San Francisco boy rattled on:</p> + +<p>"There's a case there, under a lot of other stuff, marked 'shotguns,' +and another case marked 'rifles.' Then there are other boxes labeled +'ammunition.'"</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! I had forgotten that stuff—didn't know it was on board, +in fact," exclaimed the owner.</p> + +<p>"I heard you tell," Ted hastened on, speaking to Tom Halstead, "how you +were handicapped, when right alongside the 'Victor,' by not having any +firearms except the two revolvers of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> deputy marshals. But, now! +You've got an arsenal if those boxes are labeled straight."</p> + +<p>"I believe the boxes are labeled all right," replied Joseph Baldwin, +smiling sadly. "Yet, now that we know we have weapons enough at hand we +haven't any steam yacht to board!"</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XXI</span> <span class="smaller">ON A BLIND TRAIL OF THE SEA</span></h2> + +<p>"Those guns were put aboard six months ago, when I was planning to run +the 'Panther' down to Guatemala on a jaguar-hunting trip," explained Mr. +Baldwin. "Afterwards, when the trip was abandoned, the guns were taken +ashore. I'll admit I didn't know the arms were now on board."</p> + +<p>"We may catch up with those rascals again, sir," suggested Ted Dyer, +hopefully.</p> + +<p>"I wish I had your enthusiasm, and your belief in the future, young +man," remarked Mr. Baldwin, with a shake of his head.</p> + +<p>"Anyway, since the weapons have been found," interjected Halstead, "they +may as well be taken out of their cases and cleaned, and the ammunition +sorted over. We should have such things where we can get at them in a +moment, at need."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p><p>"Right enough," nodded the owner.</p> + +<p>"I'll go down and have a look at the things," proposed the young +skipper. "Lead the way, Dyer."</p> + +<p>Ted went below, jubilantly enough, pointing out the cases, which he had +dragged out from under other supplies. Then Dyer went to the engine room +for hammer, cold chisel and screwdriver, after which the cases were +opened.</p> + +<p>"Ten splendid repeating rifles, the same number of dandy shot-guns, and +ammunition enough to keep these guns firing for a week," muttered +Halstead when half an hour's work had resulted in displaying all the +contents of the cases. "Oh, if we had only had these the other night, or +at any time when we were out of the great fog and in sight of the +'Victor'!"</p> + +<p>Regrets were, however, utterly useless.</p> + +<p>All of the weapons were taken on deck. Some were stacked in the wheel +house, others in Tom's cabin and some in the owner's suite. Boxes of +cartridges and shells were also placed with the guns.</p> + +<p>"I shall hate these things every time I see them," muttered Joseph +Baldwin. "I should have remembered, and have had a search made. But it's +no use fussing now."</p> + +<p>"Oh, if we only could meet up with those fellows, now!" sighed Tom.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p><p>"Humph! If hens would only lay eggs of solid gold," snorted Mr. +Baldwin, "there'd be no sense in a bank cashier running away with the +stuffing of the bank's vault! Captain Halstead, we won't pick that steam +yacht up again in this fog."</p> + +<p>"Then, sir, we may do it when the fog lifts," predicted Halstead, +hopefully.</p> + +<p>Baldwin shook his head.</p> + +<p>"All we can do, young man, is to keep on in a general course toward San +Francisco, as we're doing. This fog will probably hang to us all the way +to our anchorage off Market Street. If the fog should lift before that, +there isn't one chance in a thousand that we'll find the 'Victor' in +sight."</p> + +<p>"I'm on this cruise, sir," rejoined the young captain, "with the notion +that the cruise can't end until we've run alongside the 'Victor' +somewhere. It may be that we'll sight some other vessel that has seen +the steam yacht. In that way we may get the news that will send us +hustling down the coast to Mexico, or across the ocean to Japan."</p> + +<p>Joseph Baldwin grinned wistfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, one thing, Captain; we have enough gasoline to go 'most anywhere. +My friends thought I was almost crazy to have such big tanks put aboard +to hold gasoline. But I replied that,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> when we didn't need the extra +oil, it would serve as ballast. If we have to burn that oil we can fill +the tanks with salt water and still keep ballasted."</p> + +<p>"In any clear weather we can use the sails a good deal, and save oil at +that, sir," suggested the young skipper.</p> + +<p>However, they continued on through the fog the rest of that afternoon, +and through the night, without discovering a sign of any other craft. +The loneliness of that great ocean about them began to get somewhat on +the nerves of some of the passengers. Gaston Giddings, suffering +infernal tortures for want of the drug to which he had become such a +pitiful slave, kept to the cabin.</p> + +<p>Through the long night the "Panther" kept plodding on her way, rolling a +good deal in the sea. Tom spent much of his time on the bridge with the +watch officer. So morning came around again, and it was Third Mate +Costigan's deck watch.</p> + +<p>Tom, who had been below in his cabin for the last three hours, came on +deck again at about nine in the morning. Somehow, he could not sleep. +The sense of failure preyed upon his nerves.</p> + +<p>For some minutes Captain Tom stood at the bridge rail, one hand at his +ear. He was trying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> to catch even the faintest sound of another foghorn +than the "Panther's."</p> + +<p>At last he started.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear that, Mr. Costigan?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"I heard nothing, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then keep perfectly quiet, and listen hard."</p> + +<p>Within two minutes both officers were sure they heard a fog-horn.</p> + +<p>"But it's the fog-horn of a sailing vessel," muttered Tom, +disappointedly.</p> + +<p>"Coming this way, too, sir," replied Mr. Costigan.</p> + +<p>"The people on the 'Victor' wouldn't hesitate to use a sailing vessel's +signals in order to fool us," muttered Halstead.</p> + +<p>"Shall I pass well to starboard of the sailing craft, sir?" asked the +third officer.</p> + +<p>"No; get in her path. When we're near enough, signal that we want to +speak the other vessel," Halstead answered.</p> + +<p>Within seven or eight minutes the "Panther" was signaling the other +craft by sound for the desired marine interview. The "all right" signal +came back. Then the two vessels were cautiously manœuvred to meet +each other without collision.</p> + +<p>At last a big bowsprit loomed up out of the white gloom, close at hand.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p><p>"Put your helm hard-a-starboard!" roared Mr. Costigan through the wheel +house speaking-tube. Then, after some further manœuvring, during +which the "Panther's" propellers reversed, the two craft lay hazily in +sight of each other.</p> + +<p>The stranger proved to be a long, low, white schooner yacht hailing from +San Diego as the home port, but now bound for Hawaii.</p> + +<p>"Do you know the steam yacht 'Victor' when you see her?" Tom shouted +over the "Panther's" rail.</p> + +<p>"Yes," came back the testy answer. "And sometimes we see too much of +her. We did this morning."</p> + +<p>"You did?" Halstead demanded, excitedly. "Where?"</p> + +<p>"Back on our course. She came along through the fog like a thief, +without signaling. If my first mate hadn't been in the bow at the +moment, and able to pass the order back like lightning, that infernal +steam yacht would have sunk us."</p> + +<p>"How far away do you think the 'Victor' is now?" Tom demanded.</p> + +<p>"At a good guess, say twelve miles ahead of you, on a pretty straight +course for the Golden Gate."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Captain!"</p> + +<p>"You're welcome."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p><p>As the schooner yacht's sails filled, and she bore away on her course, +a dozen people on the "Panther's" deck let up a wild cheer.</p> + +<p>"Fog or no fog, we'll catch up with the 'Victor' if we have luck," +declared Captain Tom Halstead. Then his face took on a troubled look.</p> + +<p>"I forgot," he muttered. "The captain of the 'Victor' will hear our fog +horn, and—oh, confound a fog-horn on a chase like this!"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps this is where a lawyer can help you out," smiled Mr. Jephson. +"You're now a dozen miles behind the 'Victor.' Well, Captain, if you +tone down your fog-horn so that it can't be heard for more than half or +three quarters of a mile, it will still make noise enough to warn any +innocent craft out of your path. Can't you tone down the horn?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Tom, rather dubiously, "if it will be strictly +straightforward and legal."</p> + +<p>"As a representative of the United States courts, I'll take all the +responsibility," Mr. Jephson pledged himself. "I know," he added, "that +I haven't, really, a legal right to authorize you to go forward without +signals. That right belongs to the Navy, and to revenue cutter +commanders. But I'll take the responsibility upon myself, Captain +Halstead. All innocent vessels proceed under regular signals, anyway, +and that does away with the risk of collision."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p><p>The young motor boat captain needed no further urging. He called Joe on +deck. Together the two chums worked over the fog-horn until the hail it +sent forth would not carry more than a half mile.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Third Officer Costigan, on the bridge, had been making +use of his arithmetic. Figuring that the "Victor" was twelve miles ahead +of the "Panther" and still following the same course at the same speed, +the third mate had to calculate the time that would elapse before the +motor yacht would be just two miles astern of its quarry.</p> + +<p>At the same time Ab Perkins was briefly busy, at least. It fell to his +share to see that the power tender was all in trim for lowering over the +side. Provisions and water, a compass and a fog-horn had to be added to +the usual equipment of the boat. Firearms were stocked aboard, as well, +and a greater supply of lines than the tender usually carried.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, of course, the "Panther" was traveling at increased speed, +this speed being carefully regulated to fit in with the problems that +Third Officer Costigan was so carefully solving.</p> + +<p>For the next two hours Captain Tom Halstead strolled nervously about, +Mr. Jephson, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Ross and a few others were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> observed to be +similarly afflicted with restlessness.</p> + +<p>Just before noon Tom Halstead climbed the stairs to the bridge, +consulting Mr. Costigan's figures carefully.</p> + +<p>"Slow down the speed," Halstead ordered, after a few moments of +listening that brought to them no sound showing another vessel to be +near. "Mr. Perkins, stand by and lower the tender."</p> + +<p>As the "Panther" slowed up there was a rush to the port rail, for the +tender was to carry a goodly crew. When the little power boat lay in the +water alongside, Captain Tom Halstead was the first to go over the side. +He was followed by Jed Prentiss, who was to act as engineer officer of +this expedition. Then came Mr. Jephson and his two deputy marshals. Next +followed Joe Dawson, who did <i>not</i> go in the capacity of engineer. +Messrs. Baldwin and Ross next followed, then two of the "Panther's" +seamen, and, last of all, Ted Dyer. Quartermaster Bickson had been in +the power boat when it was lowered, thus making twelve altogether in the +party.</p> + +<p>"Cast off," called Tom, sharply, while Joe, already at the steering +seat, threw the wheel over to port. "Mr. Perkins, you're in command of +the yacht."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p><p>"Any signals to arrange with us, Captain?" called the young first mate.</p> + +<p>"No! I don't believe you'll see us again in a hurry," Tom replied, as +the power launch darted away, "unless we come back on board the +'Victor!'"</p> + +<p>From the yacht's rail came a subdued cheer. Halstead waved his hand to +his first mate.</p> + +<p>A few bucketfuls of water slopped over into the tender. The sea was +running high for such a small craft. Those in the launch, however, +thought of nothing but the goal ahead.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XXII</span> <span class="smaller">A STERN LOOMS UP IN THE FOG</span></h2> + +<p>Joe Dawson, at the wheel of the power tender, bent grimly over the +compass.</p> + +<p>There was little need for him to look about him, anyway, since it was +not possible to see anything distinctly at a greater distance than three +boat-lengths away.</p> + +<p>Almost immediately the "Panther" dropped back out of view. The big motor +yacht was now to go along only at her slow cruising speed, but the +launch was to make greater haste.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead had taken his post well up in the bow of the rolling little +craft. He was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>listening intently for any betraying sounds ahead in +their course.</p> + +<p>"This is hardly a big enough boat for a sea like this," grumbled Mr. +Jephson, who had taken up his post close to the young captain.</p> + +<p>"The sea <i>is</i> a good deal on the roll to-day," Halstead assented, +briefly.</p> + +<p>"Why, this little craft acts as though she'd turn over and dump us all +in the ocean," muttered the assistant district attorney, uneasily.</p> + +<p>"The crowd we have aboard makes her sit lower than usual in the water," +Tom explained.</p> + +<p>"Is there any <i>real</i> danger of our tipping over, Captain?" insisted Mr. +Jephson.</p> + +<p>"Why, it might happen, of course, sir."</p> + +<p>"Do you think it is <i>going</i> to happen?" demanded Mr. Jephson, anxiously.</p> + +<p>There are many men, brave enough elsewhere, who are cowards on a heavy +sea with only a small boat between themselves and the water. Back on the +"Panther" the district attorney's representative had felt no sense of +danger.</p> + +<p>"Why, I don't know whether the boat is going to heel over, or not," Tom +replied. "You are right in supposing that it isn't quite a large enough +craft for the job in hand, but it was the only thing we had."</p> + +<p>"I can't swim, but I'll try to keep my nerve," grimaced Mr. Jephson.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p><p>Whatever the others thought of their chances of being pitched into the +ocean, none of them said anything.</p> + +<p>Halstead looked back, presently, to inquire:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Prentiss, can't you deaden the noise of our exhaust still more?"</p> + +<p>"I'm trying to," replied the young assistant engineer. "Think I'm going +to succeed, too."</p> + +<p>After a few moments the tender ran along all but noiselessly. Though the +exhaust still gave forth some little sound, it was wholly likely that +this reduced noise would not be heard above the machinery running on the +"Victor" if the expedition in the tender should be so fortunate as to +catch up with the steam yacht.</p> + +<p>The twelve men sat huddled there in the cramped space, trying to blind +their minds to the danger of capsizing in the rolling sea. For more than +half an hour the tender ran ahead at nearly its best speed, ere Tom +Halstead called back:</p> + +<p>"Joe, take my signals. I think we're getting in closer—to something!"</p> + +<p>Eagerly all bent forward to listen. After a minute or two more it seemed +to them that they really could hear, faintly, the rather distant sound +of the moving machinery of some steam craft. Yet this noise, none too +distinct, was muffled still more by the ceaseless wash of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> rolling +sea, whose waves broke in white crests everywhere about them.</p> + +<p>Halstead, whose ears were perhaps the keenest on board, listened and +occasionally signaled for the launch to be veered a little either to +port or starboard.</p> + +<p>Surely, they were creeping up on something that ran by machinery, though +through the curtain of white no eye could make out the form of a vessel.</p> + +<p>Somewhere, away to starboard, a great, deep note boomed out.</p> + +<p>"That's some big vessel, like a liner," Tom whispered to Jephson. Then, +from away off to port sounded the tolling bell of a sailing vessel. Both +appeared to be headed toward the "Panther" launch.</p> + +<p>"They seem to be about half a mile apart," Halstead whispered. "The +'Victor,' I think, will pass between the two craft. While that deep +whistle and solemn bell are going the people on the steam yacht are not +so likely to hear us. Pass the word to Mr. Prentiss to increase speed a +little, if he can do so without making more noise at the exhaust."</p> + +<p>A little faster spurted the power tender, and a little worse became the +tossing in that rolling sea. All the members of the party were in +drenched clothing by this time. The water came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> aboard faster under this +burst of speed; the two seamen began to bail it out.</p> + +<p>"If I ever get out of this boat alive, large yachts will be small enough +for me in the future," Mr. Jephson told himself, nervously.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead was paying no heed to the incoming water. That was Joe's +affair, since Joe Dawson was handling the craft.</p> + +<p>"Pass the word to Jed to watch for signals from me," whispered Tom +Halstead, tensely, a few minutes later.</p> + +<p>"Then you think——" began the district attorney's assistant eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Pass the word for me, please," Tom broke in.</p> + +<p>In the gray fog ahead some craft was moving by steam power. Those in the +launch could now hear the regular thump-thump, soft though it was, of +machinery ahead.</p> + +<p>Yet, to most of the silent watchers it came as something of a shock +when, out of the mist ahead, there suddenly loomed, indistinctly, the +stern of a hull.</p> + +<p>Away to starboard sounded the deep whistle of the big steamship, while +over to port the bell of that sailing vessel tolled. The noise enabled +Halstead to creep in more closely with less dread of being discovered +too soon.</p> + +<p>A moment's breathlessness, then "Victor—San Francisco" stood out boldly +before the eyes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> of the people in the launch as that boat shot in by the +yacht's stern.</p> + +<p>They were taking grave chances, now, of being swamped at the very door +of success. None knew this better than Tom Halstead and Joe Dawson as +they jointly manœuvred to run the tender up stealthily, while Jed +Prentiss, trembling inwardly, kept his hand on the lever, ready to obey +the slightest signal for speed.</p> + +<p>Then, swiftly, Tom Halstead, a rifle strapped over his back, rose in the +bow. In one hand he held a line to the other end of which was attached a +grappling hook.</p> + +<p>With a practiced eye and hand he measured the distance, poising the coil +for a throw. Just as the tender stole in closer he made the throw.</p> + +<p>All hands watched breathlessly for a second or two. Then, as straight +and true as a well-aimed bullet, the grappling hook fell and caught at +the "Victor's" stern rail.</p> + +<p>Not an instant did the young motor boat skipper lose. There was no time +to inquire whether someone else wanted to go first. Tom Halstead seized +the tautening line with both hands, and began to climb as only a sailor +<i>can</i> go up a rope.</p> + +<p>His head quickly appeared above the steam yacht's stern rail. Tom +Halstead slipped onto the deck just in time to see two men walking +slowly aft. One of them was in uniform<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>—perhaps he was the captain of +the steam yacht. But the other, in civilian dress, the young motor yacht +captain knew instantly from the description of him which he had heard.</p> + +<p>"Frank Rollings, the absconding cashier!" flashed through Tom's mind.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIII</span> <span class="smaller">ROLLINGS'S LAST RUSE</span></h2> + +<p>Both approaching men were regarding the deck, talking in earnest tones +as they came astern.</p> + +<p>"If we should pass out of this fog," Rollings was saying, "and if the +'Panther' should prove to be close to us——"</p> + +<p>Just at this point the speaker stopped. He panted, then staggered back, +clutching at his uniformed companion.</p> + +<p>In almost the same instant both caught sight of lone Tom Halstead.</p> + +<p>Though not quite alone, either, for Tom had succeeded in unlimbering his +rifle, and both strangers now found themselves staring down into the +muzzle.</p> + +<p>"Don't stir, please!" mocked Tom Halstead, coolly.</p> + +<p>"How in the world <i>did</i> he get on board?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> faltered Rollings, hoarsely, +his face ashen with terror.</p> + +<p>The uniformed man with him saw the grappling hook resting over the stern +rail, and did not need to ask.</p> + +<p>At this instant Tom Halstead felt himself being pushed from behind, and +took a step forward. Then Ted Dyer bounded onto deck beside him, +bringing another rifle into play.</p> + +<p>"They're boarding us!" gasped Rollings, in the voice of a man who felt +himself dying from fright.</p> + +<p>The uniformed man with him did not move; neither did he show any signs +of fear, though he was facing the business ends of two rifles.</p> + +<p>Joe Dawson was on deck, now. Joe turned long enough to toss down a light +line. It came up again, carrying the hooks of a boarding-ladder. Joe +dropped this into place, then, with a quiet grin, turned to inspect the +scene on deck.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the man in uniform turned and ran, defying possible shots.</p> + +<p>"Turn out the whole crew!" he bawled. "A posse is coming on board. Stand +by to fight!"</p> + +<p>"Shall I drop the fellow?" quivered Ted.</p> + +<p>"No," came Halstead's quick answer. Then, as Frank Rollings summoned the +strength to wheel about as if to bolt, Halstead shouted, warningly:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p><p>"Rollings, if you try to move, you won't get three steps away!"</p> + +<p>At this instant one of the United States deputy marshals came up over +the rail.</p> + +<p>"Officer," called Tom, "there's the man you've cruised so far to +arrest."</p> + +<p>Though he had a rifle strapped over his back, the marshal drew his +revolver as he ran forward.</p> + +<p>"Frank Rollings, you're a United States prisoner. Put up your hands!"</p> + +<p>With a moan that was half a scream, Rollings, instead, sank to the deck +in a huddled heap.</p> + +<div class="center"><img src="images/i231.jpg" alt="Rollings Sank to the Deck in a Huddled Heap" /></div> + +<p class="bold">Rollings Sank to the Deck in a Huddled Heap.</p> + +<p>"A man with no more nerve than you have should not try to loot a bank," +growled the officer, as he snapped handcuffs onto the wrists of the +seemingly palsied wretch.</p> + +<p>The other deputy was on board, by now, and other members of the boarding +party were coming up fast. Mr. Jephson was among the foremost of them.</p> + +<p>"Come forward to the bridge," he called, now taking charge. "We'll take +command of this whole craft. Deputy, make it your whole business to +prevent your prisoner from getting away. Hold on to him, but come +forward with us."</p> + +<p>The same uniformed, bearded man appeared suddenly around the pilot house +as the party swept forward along the port side of the yacht.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> Rollings, +his knees doubling under him, had to be dragged.</p> + +<p>The uniformed man suddenly raised a rifle, shouting:</p> + +<p>"Stand by, men! We'll put a stop to this nonsense!"</p> + +<p>"Drop that gun, or we'll open fire on you!" shouted Mr. Jephson, +sternly.</p> + +<p>The boarding party moved swiftly forward. Behind the captain stood a +mate and four or five seamen, all looking irresolute. Of a sudden the +mate wheeled, throwing a rifle over the rail at starboard. The seamen +with him instantly followed his example.</p> + +<p>Even the bearded captain had lowered the muzzle of his rifle. It is +easier to be brave on the side of the law than against it.</p> + +<p>"Put that captain in irons," Mr. Jephson ordered the marshal who had no +prisoner to cumber him.</p> + +<p>Sullenly, the captain of the "Victor" submitted to being handcuffed.</p> + +<p>"All of the rest of the officers and crew muster up in the bow," called +Mr. Jephson. "Captain Halstead, I call upon you to take command of this +yacht for the present. The quartermaster of this craft may remain in the +wheel house if he'll take orders straight."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir," the quartermaster called,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> briefly, through one of the +lowered windows of the pilot house.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead, still carrying his rifle and holding it ready, ran up to +the bridge.</p> + +<p>Stepping over to the signaling apparatus, Halstead rang for speed enough +to furnish bare headway.</p> + +<p>"Quartermaster," the new commander of the "Victor" called down through +the wheel house speaking-tube, "you'll keep to the same course you've +been following, and sound the fog whistle every thirty seconds."</p> + +<p>"Captain," called Mr. Baldwin, a few moments later, "can you put one of +your party up there on the bridge? We have yet other duties to perform +here."</p> + +<p>"Take the bridge, Mr. Prentiss," called Tom, for he understood instantly +what other work was likely to be on hand, and he knew that Joe Dawson +would want a hand in it.</p> + +<p>Aft of the captain's quarters there was a main deck house. Into this +cabin Rollings and the captain of the steam yacht were taken. Mr. +Jephson was now talking to the two prisoners as solemnly as though +holding actual court.</p> + +<p>"Do you think the 'Panther' will overtake us here, out on the high seas, +Captain?" questioned Mr. Baldwin, just as they entered this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> cabin. +"That is, will he recognize the 'Victor's' fog-whistle?"</p> + +<p>"He'll make a good guess at it, I think," laughed Halstead. "I've just +directed Mr. Prentiss, in ten minutes more, to begin sounding whole +bunches of blasts in quick succession. Ab will be clever enough to guess +that it is our crowd celebrating a capture."</p> + +<p>"Now, then, Rollings," declared Mr. Jephson, sternly, "it is time for +you to tell us where the money stolen from the Sheepmen's Bank is hidden +aboard this craft?"</p> + +<p>"You won't find five hundred dollars on board," replied the cashier, +with a ghastly smile.</p> + +<p>"My man, it may save you some years on the sentence that is coming to +you if you tell us promptly where to find the stolen money," warned the +United States assistant district attorney, sternly.</p> + +<p>"I've said all I'm going to say," returned Rollings, sullenly.</p> + +<p>"Captain Blake," asked Jephson, turning toward the bearded one, "you +also have much to answer for in the courts. Do you desire to win any +leniency by telling us, now, what you can?"</p> + +<p>"All I've anything to do with here," retorted Captain Blake, "is the +running of this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> yacht. That work you've taken from me. So I've nothing +to do, and nothing to say."</p> + +<p>Mr. Jephson, however, continued to question first one prisoner, then the +other, though in vain, until Mr. Baldwin broke in:</p> + +<p>"Jephson, you can't make these fellows talk. They're afraid they'd only +run their necks further into the noose of the law. Besides, this rascal, +Rollings, hopes that, if you can't find the money, he'll win complete +pardon in the matter by restoring most of it later on. It'll save a good +deal of time, I imagine, if you place both these fellows under close +guard by one of your deputies, then lead us in a search through this +craft."</p> + +<p>By this time Jed Prentiss, following orders, had begun to turn loose on +the fog-horn, sounding it so rapidly that Ab Perkins, somewhere behind +in the mist with the "Panther," must be able to guess what had happened.</p> + +<p>One of the deputies now guarded Rollings and Captain Blake, while the +other had gone below to the engine room. There the engineer's crew had +agreed to serve faithfully under the new command, but the deputy was +there to see to it that they didn't change their minds. Quartermaster +Bickson and one of his seamen had driven the crew of the "Victor" to the +forecastle, and mounted guard over them.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p><p>The searchers, comprising Mr. Jephson, Mr. Baldwin and the latter's +captain, Halstead, were joined by Mr. Ross, Joe Dawson and Ted Dyer.</p> + +<p>"There are enough of us here," laughed Mr. Baldwin, "to turn this craft +inside out in another half hour."</p> + +<p>First of all, Frank Rollings's own quarters were searched, as a matter +of course. It had been learned, since coming aboard, that the absconding +cashier was now the owner of the "Victor," having bought her secretly +three days before his flight.</p> + +<p>There was no safe in the owner's cabin. The desk stood wide-open, with +hardly a scrap of paper in it. The mattress was yanked from the bed, +ripped and thoroughly searched, but not a trace of the stolen money was +found. The pillows were served in the same fashion, with no better +results. Other nooks and corners of the cabin were explored, without +success. Nor were any better results achieved in the captain's cabin.</p> + +<p>Cabin, dining room and state-rooms below were explored. By this time the +searchers had broken up into smaller parties. The more they searched the +more dispirited did the hunters become.</p> + +<p>"We're not going to find the missing money<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> with ease," announced Mr. +Jephson, when he had rounded up all his searching force on deck.</p> + +<p>"We've looked in about every possible place except the forecastle, the +water butts and the coal bunkers," declared Jason Ross, disgustedly.</p> + +<p>"The money isn't likely to be in any of those places," declared Mr. +Jephson, shaking his head. "Hullo, what's that racket?"</p> + +<p>Off in the fog a horn was sounding frantically.</p> + +<p>Tom Halstead laughed.</p> + +<p>"You ought to know that tune, Mr. Jephson. You've heard it days enough. +That's the 'Panther' coming up with us, with Ab Perkins in command. He +understood our signal, as I thought he would. He'll be hailing us within +two minutes."</p> + +<p>"But that won't be finding the money," broke in Joseph Baldwin, +impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Nor do I believe we're going to find it—not immediately, anyway," +answered Mr. Jephson. "This boat doesn't seem to be full of hiding +places, and I believe we have done all the searching we can do out here +at sea. We shall have to run the 'Victor' in at anchorage at San +Francisco, then put aboard a force of officers under experienced +detectives, and leave the search to them."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p><p>"Confound it," growled Jason Ross, "I know, as well as I know I'm +standing here, that there are three million dollars in actual cash +somewhere within a hundred feet of us. It makes me almost frantic to +think that we can't put our hands right on it."</p> + +<p>"Ahoy, there!" roared a voice off in the fog.</p> + +<p>Though the other craft was invisible, and though the voice came through +a megaphone, the hearers knew it was Ab Perkins's voice. Jed snatched up +a megaphone to shout back:</p> + +<p>"Ahoy, 'Panther'!"</p> + +<p>"Ahoy! Then you've found the 'Victor'?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, and captured her."</p> + +<p>"Did you find Rollings!"</p> + +<p>"He's a prisoner, under close guard."</p> + +<p>"And the money?"</p> + +<p>"That's what we all want to know," Jed admitted, sadly.</p> + +<p>"You can't find it?"</p> + +<p>"Not even a dollar bill!"</p> + +<p>There was a pause, during which those on board the steam yacht knew that +their friends on the motor yacht were discussing this chilling news.</p> + +<p>"What are Captain Halstead's orders?" shouted Ab, finally.</p> + +<p>Jed bent over the bridge rail to talk with Captain Tom, then answered:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p><p>"Keep about abreast of us, and a quarter of a mile off. Proceed with +us, straight for the Golden Gate. Keep your fog-horn sounding at +intervals of one minute, or at such other intervals as you may hear us +sounding. Three sharp blasts of the whistle will mean for you to stand +by to find out what we're doing in the fog."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye," answered Ab Perkins. "Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"That's all, Mr. Perkins."</p> + +<p>The "Victor" now proceeded on her way to the home port at about eight +miles an hour. Though no one on board could see the "Panther," the sound +of the latter's fog-horn was always with them.</p> + +<p>"The prisoner, Rollings, wants to see you, Mr. Jephson," called the +deputy marshal from the deck-house cabin.</p> + +<p>Jephson went back.</p> + +<p>"Well, Rollings, have you come to your senses? Are you going to tell us +where the missing money is?" demanded the assistant district attorney.</p> + +<p>"I know nothing about any missing money," replied the bank cashier, +doggedly. "See here, man, what I want to ask is: Do you intend to +torture me needlessly?"</p> + +<p>"No; what do you want?"</p> + +<p>"Let me go to my own cabin, and let me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> have these handcuffs off," +pleaded the prisoner. "I need rest; I'm nearly a wreck."</p> + +<p>"I can let you go to your cabin, and even remove the handcuffs," agreed +Mr. Jephson. "But I'll have to place a guard in there with you.</p> + +<p>"All right, then," sighed the prisoner.</p> + +<p>He was taken to his own cabin, the handcuffs removed, and the cashier +threw himself upon his bed, while the deputy marshal took a seat where +he could watch his man.</p> + +<p>Captain Blake begged a similar privilege, which was refused. He was made +to go out on deck where he could be watched by all hands.</p> + +<p>For half an hour Rollings lay on the bed, his eyes closed, as though +asleep. Occasionally he twitched, or made some slight movement. That was +all. The deputy seated opposite began to find the situation a dull one. +At last the prisoner half sat up, to take off his shoes.</p> + +<p>"My feet are burning," he complained, as he dropped the shoes at the +foot of the bed, then sank back on the pillow.</p> + +<p>"You're nervous; that's why your feet trouble you," observed the deputy, +with a knowing smile.</p> + +<p>Then Rollings began to breathe heavily; bye<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> and bye two or three snores +escaped him. The deputy, finding it duller and duller, unintentionally +allowed his eyes to close. Instantly the cashier's own eyes opened a +trifle. At last, smiling cunningly, the cashier moved slightly, securing +one of his shoes. He poised it, aimed and threw. The heel of the shoe +struck the deputy on the head, causing him to drop forward out of the +chair and lie apparently senseless on the floor.</p> + +<p>Suppressing a cry of exultation, Frank Rollings leaped from the bed. +There was now the light of mania in his eyes. This thief, disgraced, +about to be despoiled, and presently to be sent to prison for a long +term, preferred to die.</p> + +<p>This he might have accomplished with the deputy's revolver, but that +would not enable him to carry out all of his purpose. On one wall of the +cabin stood a rack containing a water-bottle and two glasses.</p> + +<p>Over to this rack stole the captured thief. He swung the rack to one +side, then pressed a certain nail in the wood-work there. Instantly a +door in the wall swung open.</p> + +<p>Rollings's eyes eagerly peered into the recess thus laid bare. Then, +with a nearly inarticulate cry of joy, he drew out a small though +heavy-looking iron box.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p><p>"Neither me nor the money shall they have!" uttered the wretch, in +insane joy.</p> + +<p>With a last look at the still unconscious deputy, Frank Rollings threw +his cabin door open.</p> + +<p>As he sprang to the deck three or four watchers saw him.</p> + +<p>"Look out! There's the prisoner trying to escape!" shouted Joseph +Baldwin.</p> + +<p>There was not time for anyone to reach Rollings ere that crafty, +unbalanced wretch, clutching desperately at the iron box, bounded to the +rail, stood there tottering for an instant, and then leaped far out into +the water.</p> + +<p>It was Tom Halstead who first saw the iron box and comprehended the +meaning of the scene.</p> + +<p>"There he goes!" yelled Halstead. "And the box with the three millions +in it will sink like a stone!"</p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIV</span> <span class="smaller">CONCLUSION</span></h2> + +<p>Never slow to act, Captain Tom darted aft, intent on leaping overboard +also.</p> + +<p>Ted Dyer, however, chanced to be standing close to the stern. Ted saw +Rollings when the latter first leaped to the rail.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p><p>As quickly as it flashed upon Dyer what was happening, the San +Francisco boy scrambled to the rail. Almost at the instant that Rollings +jumped Ted's own feet left the rail. The two struck the water within +thirty feet of each other.</p> + +<p>Nothing but the slow speed of the steam yacht, perhaps, saved both from +being dragged under by the force of suction. In a moment or two the pair +were left astern.</p> + +<p>Feeling the shock of the cold water, Rollings's first instinctive act +was to try to keep himself afloat. Curiously, he would not, at first, +let go of the iron box, which, with its contents, weighed many pounds.</p> + +<p>Now, over the top of a rolling wave Ted Dyer's head appeared. All this +had taken place in a few seconds.</p> + +<p>"You want to catch me—you want the money!" sputtered Rollings, +expelling a spray of water from his mouth. "You shall do neither!"</p> + +<p>Clutching tightly at the box as an aid to his own drowning, Frank +Rollings let himself go beneath the surface.</p> + +<p>Promptly Ted went down after him, swimming straight and lustily.</p> + +<p>Another figure sprang forward and downward, shark-like, through the +water. This was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> Tom Halstead, who, with his stoutest strokes, had just +reached the scene.</p> + +<p>Between them Tom and Ted succeeded in seizing the box. By a common +impulse, for they could not talk, they forced it from Rollings, rising +to the surface.</p> + +<p>"Blub-bub-bub—whew!"</p> + +<p>Rollings, rising to the surface, made that noise as he fought for +breath. The cashier, an excellent swimmer, saw the two boys, a dozen +feet away, swimming and holding up the box.</p> + +<p>"Neither me nor the money shall you have!" he roared, striking out at a +strong overhand swimming gait. He was almost upon them like a flash.</p> + +<p>But there was another there, too. Joe Dawson had also leaped over from +the rail of the motor yacht. Joe got along just in time to swim between +Rollings and the two boys who were doing their best to keep up and hold +the iron box, too.</p> + +<p>"Back for yours! Go away back and float!" cried Joe, pushing one of his +fighting hands against the cashier's face.</p> + +<p>"I'll take <i>you</i> down, then, or the box!" screamed Rollings.</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right, then. Take me," mocked Joe. "I'm used to it."</p> + +<p>Furiously the pair fought in that rolling sea.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> Joe devoted every +energy, first of all, to keeping the cashier from winding his arms +around him.</p> + +<p>Presently Rollings gave up that effort, trying to dodge around Joe and +get at the other pair, who, swimming slowly, were at the same time +managing to keep that precious iron box afloat. This latter task, easy +at first, soon became difficult. As the minutes passed the box became +more and more of a burden, until it threatened to drag both swimmers +under. Yet they hung to it manfully.</p> + +<p>Up on the bridge of the "Victor" Jed Prentiss had his own hard task to +perform.</p> + +<p>Almost at the outset the swimmers had vanished in the fog astern. Jed +Prentiss instantly gave orders for the steam yacht to stop and reverse +the screw. At the same time he ordered the "Victor" to go around +hard-a-port. Even this circle had to be one of large diameter.</p> + +<p>"No hails down there on the deck!" rang Jed's voice, sternly. "No +confusion of calls. Let me do all the hailing."</p> + +<p>Megaphone in hand, young Prentiss stood at the port bridge rail.</p> + +<p>"Ahoy!" he roared, through the megaphone.</p> + +<p>Again and again he repeated the call. At last he thought he heard an +answer out of the deeps.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p><p>"Louder!" he roared. "Give us your position."</p> + +<p>Suddenly, some sixty feet off the rail, Jed just made out the heads of +Joe Dawson and Frank Boilings.</p> + +<p>The cashier was floating, now, making no resistance, for Joe had struck +him a blow across the head with his clenched fist. Rollings, stunned, +floated unresistingly, supported by Dawson.</p> + +<p>"We'll have a boat to you in a jiffy!" shouted Jed, while Bickson threw +a life preserver with almost perfect aim.</p> + +<p>Now, the "Victor," whose speed had been slowing down, was stopped.</p> + +<p>Joe and his charge had drifted just out of sight, but a boat was quickly +lowered, under command of Bickson, and reached the pair, after hailing.</p> + +<p>"Where's the captain?" demanded the quartermaster, as Joe and Rollings +were hauled in.</p> + +<p>"Hail 'em. They're close at hand," Joe replied.</p> + +<p>The first hail brought an answer. In a few moments more the iron box was +carefully brought over the side into the small boat. Finally Tom and Ted +nimbly joined the others.</p> + +<p>"Get back to the yacht as quickly as you can. Rollings may come to, and, +fighting in a small<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> boat like this, he could make it unsafe—for the +money," Captain Tom Halstead added, with a wan grin.</p> + +<p>Little time passed before strong hands bore the iron box up over the +side of the "Victor." Then Frank Rollings, just beginning hazily to come +to, was carried up. This time he was handcuffed, to remain so until San +Francisco should be reached.</p> + +<p>It was an anxious conference that gathered in the main cabin as +Assistant District Attorney Jephson proceeded to force the iron box that +had come within a hair's breadth of going to the bottom of the ocean. +The three boys who had gone overboard after it stood by in their +dripping garments.</p> + +<p>As the lid of the sheet-iron box went up, a subdued cheer arose. This +increased in volume to a din as Mr. Jephson swiftly tore the paper +wrappings from one of the packages that he had lifted out. The first +tightly-packed bale of crisp, new thousand-dollar bills was in view.</p> + +<p>"All of the stolen money—the whole three million dollars—appears to be +here," announced Mr. Jephson, presently, as he began placing the bales +back in the iron box, which, now that it was open, proved not to be as +thick or solid as it looked when closed.</p> + +<p>"Then I'm off to where I can get dry and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> warm," muttered Tom Halstead. +"Come along, fellows."</p> + +<p>It was all over but making the anchorage at San Francisco. There was a +somewhat long, though uneventful cruise, through fog that lasted to the +end. With the "Panther's" crew divided up between two boats, the work +was hard, indeed. It was a welcome hour to all when anchorage was +finally made not far from the foot of Market Street, San Francisco.</p> + +<p>Frank Rollings was afterwards tried, convicted, and sentenced to twenty +years' confinement, which he is now serving.</p> + +<p>Captain Blake was convicted of firing upon the "Panther," of running +without lights or signals, and of attempting to resist United States +officers. He was sent to prison for twelve years. Blake confessed that +the idea in turning back on the course was to elude the "Panther," and +then seek a lonely point on the coast of Mexico for landing.</p> + +<p>Nor did Cragthorpe escape, his sentence being ten years for the part he +had played. Yet, before he was sent away, this wretch gave the evidence +which cleared Robert Gentry of the crime of which the latter stood +accused. Young Gentry was released, exonerated, and Rose Gentry, whom +Tom Halstead had briefly befriended on the Overland Mail at Oakland, +wedded her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> own heart's choice, the broad-shouldered young man who had +met her at the San Francisco ferry mole.</p> + +<p>Cragthorpe, as it was afterwards learned, had been serving Rollings for +some time, and Cragthorpe it was who, having made the acquaintance of +Gaston Giddings, lured the latter into the opium dens of Chinatown. Had +Cragthorpe succeeded in wedding Rose Gentry—and her fortune—he might +have discarded Rollings. As it was, he participated deeply in Rollings's +crimes, and had absconded from San Francisco with him on board the +"Victor" as a fighting man and trusted agent.</p> + +<p>Gaston Giddings has been broken of the fearful curse of the opium habit, +but he is no longer president of the Sheepmen's Bank. He is naturally +too weak-willed for prominent service in the financial world.</p> + +<p>Ted Dyer, you may be sure, became a member of the Motor Boat Club, going +into its engineer squad. Ted's worthless, heartless uncle was arrested +on his return to San Francisco, and a new guardian, who was appointed +for Ted, secured the young man's full inheritance back out of the +property of the uncle.</p> + +<p>All of our young Motor Boat Club friends remained aboard the "Panther" +for the balance of the winter and well into the spring. They had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> many +enjoyable cruises, though none as exciting as the one just closed.</p> + +<p>The reward that the directors of the Sheepmen's Bank voted to all hands +for the recovery of the three million dollars, made the bank accounts of +these sturdy, brave young navigators swell considerably. Not, however, +that any of Captain Tom Halstead's comrades needed money, for they have +that which is worth far more—the power that strong hands, brave hearts +and fearless, truthful eyes bring to any human being when rightly +employed.</p> + +<p>It is possible, even very likely, that we may yet again meet up with +these splendid young fellows, who stand for the new type in American +power of the seas in the twentieth century.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, let us hail Tom Halstead, Joe Dawson, and all the other +resourceful, capable and brave lads with their own famous club yell:</p> + +<p>"<i>M. B. C. K.! M. B. C. K.! Motor Boat Club.</i> WOW!"</p> + +<p class="center space-above">[<span class="smcap">The End.</span>]</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate, by +H. 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