It must have been nine o'clock when the forward watch called and, springing to the rail, peering through the darkness, we saw down upon the horizon the fixed white eye and three red sectors of the Key West light.
"A good run, Gates."
"Nothing of our size can beat it, sir."
"You think the Orchid will be in harbor?"
"I carn't say, sir. She had six hours' start of us, and could have left."
"How long do we lay off this burg?" Tommy asked, sauntering up.
"That depends. If the mysterious yacht's here we'll stay till something happens."
"And if she isn't," he nudged the professor, "we'll comb out the universe. You get that, don't you? A nice fat job, I'll say it is! How'll we know which way to start? Gates, couldn't you get a peep at her papers in the port?" But the skipper solemnly shook his head, saying:
"It carn't be done, sir."
"Well, Jack, when customs are finished we'll take the launch and comb out the harbor, anyhow! She'll be anchored nearby, like as not."