Finally he struck the path, and three minutes' walk brought him to the clearing. A bright light was burning in the cottage living-room, and cautiously approaching one of the side windows, he peeped in.
At the table, his head nodding sleepily, sat Mosey, with a glass and bottle close at hand.
"He must be alone," thought the young machinist. "Wonder where Pooler is?"
In his disappointment, he was about to return to the shore, when the door leading to the garret stairway opened, and Corrigan appeared.
He did not utter a word, but closing the door behind him, he locked it carefully.
Jack was pleased to see him. He instantly surmised that Deb had been brought to the place, and was at the present instant probably locked up in the room above.
He was bound to rescue her at all hazards, and looked around for some available weapon with which to defend himself if the occasion required.
A small axe lay near the doorstep, and he picked it up. It was ah ugly looking thing, and he felt better when he had it where it could be brought into instant use. Both of the men were desperate characters--one of them had tried to take his life--and he was resolved to run no more risks.
"Oi suppose we can't go back to Corney any more," remarked Mosey, as he took the bottle and helped himself freely. "Ye'll be up fer stealin' and----"
"You'll be up for something worse," finished Corrigan, with a forced laugh. "You're right, Andy. The place is getting too hot to hold us. We'll have to clear out soon, I'm afraid. Where is Max?"