“He’ll run if he sees us,” jokingly replied Frank.
In about an hour the boys had made their craft fast to the Seabright pier, and going to the office of the dock master they inquired for a motor boat that answered the description of the one for which they were looking.
“We have so many craft here in the summertime,” said the dock official, “that it’s a pretty hard matter to remember ’em all. I don’t recall the boat you speak of, and I’m sure no motor craft that was partly burned has put in here. But speaking of a tall dark man, I recollect now that Jim Hedson, who runs the sailboat Mary Ann, was telling me he had a fellow come to him and want to hire her. Maybe that’s the fellow you’re looking for.”
“Perhaps!” agreed Andy eagerly. “Where is Jim Hedson?”
“Over there,” and the dock master pointed to where a group of sailors and fishermen were seated on an overturned boat on the beach.
“We’ll talk to him,” proposed the elder Racer lad, and, followed by his brother, he approached the little gathering. Before they reached the men Andy uttered a sudden exclamation.
“Look!” he cried to his brother, pointing up the street which led down to the water front. “That man—the mysterious stranger—here he comes!”
“Sure enough!” agreed Frank, as he saw a tall dark man hurrying toward the pier. “That’s him all right”
The boys stood waiting, hoping against hope that they could now solve the mystery. The man hastened forward. All at once he caught sight of the lads.
Like a flash he wheeled about and fairly ran back up the street, while Frank took after him calling: