By this time the launch was close at hand.
"Ahoy the yacht!" called a voice.
"Ay! ay!" called back Merriwell, in true nautical style. "On board the launch, what's wanted?"
"Lay to. We have business with you."
"Keep off. We haven't time to bother with you."
"Don't act foolish!" was the angry exclamation. "If you do, you will be sorry!"
"If you bother us without a legal right you will be sorry," flung back Frank. "We are not to be trifled with this morning."
The launch made a circle and swung round so that she was heading in the same direction as the yacht.
"If you don't lay to," said the spokesman on board the launch, "we'll run alongside and board you."