CHAPTER XI
NEWS OF THE STOLEN YACHT.
Frank Merriwell showed his abilities as a hustler, for at sunrise he was on board the steam launch Fox, and ready to start in pursuit of his stolen yacht. The Fox was lying at a wharf some distance above the steamboat wharf. She was coaled for a trip, and steam was up as the sun rose out of the bay beyond the monument in the harbor.
Diamond, Hodge and Dustan were to accompany Frank. As the launch was small, Merriwell did not wish to overload her, so Browning and Dunnerwust were to be left behind.
Bruce and Hans were at the wharf to see the party off. It had cost the big Yale man a mighty effort to get out of bed and come down there at that hour, but now he was angry to think Frank intended to leave him behind.
“What have I done to be left?” he demanded. “I am sure that if there is to be any fighting, I might do my part on this trip.”
“I can take you, Bruce,” said Frank, “and I will, if you are determined to go; but I thought you might be able to help me some by staying home.”
“How?”
“I want you to do a little detective work. It is possible I may not succeed in finding the White Wings. While I am away, I wish you to do your best to learn who had a hand in stealing the yacht. If I do not succeed in running down the rascals who have the yacht, you may be able to put me on the right track when I return.”
“I’ll make a mighty poor detective,” grumbled Bruce.
“I don’t know about that. You can do it as well as any of the others, and this launch is so small that I do not wish to take the whole party.”