The two detectives found a boat underneath a pier of which they did not hesitate to avail themselves.
“This is a wharf rat's outfit,” muttered Chick, who was examining the contents of the craft.
“All the better,” was Nick's reply. “Shove her off.”
Young Hercules, as Chick was sometimes called, was about to comply when a voice arrested him.
Nobody was visible, and yet the voice seemed to come from quite near.
“Who's there?” it demanded, in a gruff tone.
“What's that to you?” was the detective's uncompromising reply to the question.
“What are you doing with that boat?” demanded the voice again.
“That's my business, sonny.”
“Oh, is it? Well, I reckon it's mine, too.” Bah!” said Nick. “Shove off, Rattler,” he continued to Chick.