Frank sprang out like a flash and pursued the man on foot, leaping across the wharf with reckless bounds.
“Stop!” he called. “Stop, you villain!”
Again that scream came to urge him on; and, turning the corner of the low building, he saw the man roughly bundle his half-inanimate burden into the steam-launch. The man tumbled in also, and both instantly disappeared.
It looked clear to Frank that Amos Belton had previously placed the launch there to aid him in his crazy scheme. Without a moment’s hesitation, he sprang from the wharf to the launch. The summer awning had been removed, and the little deck was like that of a small yacht.
A door, seeming to lead into a companionway or cabin, was open before him, and into this Frank pushed, sure that Inza and her abductor had vanished through it.
He found himself in total darkness, except for the light that came in through the door. Outside on the wharf he heard the trample of horses’ feet and the voice of the cabman shouting some question after him.
Not taking time to strike a match, Frank pushed straight ahead, feeling out before him with his hands. In a moment he came against a wall, which seemed to bar his farther progress in that direction.
“Inza!” he called. “Inza!”
There was no answer. He heard the voice of the cabman again, then felt a footfall jar the launch. Apparently the cabman had leaped to the deck. The next instant Frank found himself in total darkness.
To his astonishment, he also heard the exhaust of a steam-pipe, and felt the launch tremble as it began to get under way.