But the detective had gone too far to think of backing out now.
He knew that they were in the presence of a genuine danger.
He knew that if the men in the patrol boat fired they would shoot to kill.
In an instant he made his plans.
They were desperate, but there was no other way.
“Who goes there?” he cried.
“The patrol! Halt and surrender, or we'll shoot!” was the answer.
“We give in,” was the detective's response. Red Rob quaked with fear.
He believed that Sneaker had already four murders to answer for, and he wondered that so desperate a character should surrender in the face of such a charge.
“Row up to us, then,” came the order from the patrol. “We've got you covered.”