[CHAPTER XXX]
CAUGHT—CONCLUSION
About seven o’clock the two pursuing boats were about ten miles above Cresville. They made a short stop at a little village and coffee was prepared. While the simple breakfast was being gotten ready the chief and Detective Layton went ashore. They learned from a man who kept a boathouse that a large motor craft had gone up the river about four o’clock that morning. He said he had seen it when he came down to go out on a short fishing trip.
“Three hours ahead of us,” said Mr. Layton. “Well, if they only have some sort of an accident we might catch them. If not, we’ll have to trail them to the cave.”
Jerry, who had not been asleep during the past two nights, save for a brief nap or two, was almost exhausted. Seeing his condition Mr. Layton offered to steer the Dartaway.
“All right,” said Jerry. “But wake me up the moment you sight the other boat.”
About two o’clock the pursuing boats swung out into a long straight stretch of the river.
“We’re getting pretty close now,” the tramp-detective called to the chief. “About five miles up is where they left the boat the other time and took to the cave. I wish we could sight ’em now.”