“Exactly how long ago did this boat pass?”
“Oh, an hour or more. Why?”
“She seems to have been beached up north here a little way.”
“She may have been. Or they’ve been lying to out there.”
In Orme’s mind arose a surmise that in this motor-boat Maku and his companion had come from Chicago. The surmise was so strong as to develop quickly into a certainty. And if the Japanese had come by this boat, it stood to reason that the one who had the papers was escaping in it. He must have waited some time for Maku and, at last, had pushed off to return alone.
Were these Japanese acting for themselves? That did not seem possible. Then who was their employer?
Orme did not puzzle long over these questions, for he had determined on a course of action. He spoke to the life-saver, who appeared to be listening to the droning conversation which continued within the station.
“The hold-up men may be in that boat,” remarked Orme.
“Hardly.” A laugh accompanied the answer.
“Well, why not? She came north an hour or so ago and either was beached or lay to until just now.”