A few words more passed, and then the captain of the freight steamer gave the signal to go ahead.
The stopping of her engines had caused the steamer to drift quite close to the Swallow, and as she swung around those on the yacht caught a good view of the freighter's stern deck.
There were a small number of passengers on board, and as Sam looked them over he gave a sudden start.
"My gracious, can it be possible!" he gasped.
"Can what be possible, Sam?" queried Tom.
"Look! look!"
"At what?"
"At the passengers on the steamer. Am I dreaming, or is that—he is gone!" And Sam's face fell.
"Who are you talking about?"
"Arnold Baxter! He was on the steamer, just as sure as I stand here.
And we both thought him dead!"