The engine sputtered once or twice, and then began to whirr regularly. The launch moved away from the shore.
Under Shirley’s firm hand, it came about in a wide circle and started upstream. Five minutes later they were rounding a curve that hid the starting point.
As the boat went round the bend, Mabel looking back, thought she made out several figures standing upon the bank. She told her discovery to Shirley.
“I guess Jones has discovered that we have escaped,” said Shirley. “However, we are safe enough now.”
She increased the speed of the little craft, and it rushed on through the dark and murky water, both girls keeping a keen lookout ahead.
Neither had any idea how far they were from Paris, for their course had been changed so often.
“We’ll just have to keep going until we get there,” said Shirley.
“I expect your father will be terribly worried,” said Mabel.
“I know he will,” was the reply. “Poor Dad, he will think I have fallen into the hands of the conspirators. He probably has the whole town out looking for us.”
“What do you suppose has happened to Leonard, Dick and the others?”