The capture of the two was so easy that it suggested a farce.
“If you had only put up a fight, Kit, it would have been a good deal more interesting,” said Calvert, “but you always were one of the biggest cowards that ever made a bluff at being a bad man. Get a move on you!”
As meekly as a lamb the prisoner stepped upon the nearest launch, and, as ordered, seated himself on one of the seats at the stern.
“Do you want me to go there too?” humbly asked Graff Miller.
“Of course; step lively.”
Calvert explained what was to be done. The handcuffed prisoners were to be taken to Wiscasset on the Deerfoot, their captors bearing them company. In that city they would be locked up, and every step that followed would be strictly in accordance with law.
Noxon was to trail after the launch in the Water Witch. There was more than one reason for this arrangement. Since both boats were capable of making good speed, it was better than to have one tow the other. If the Water Witch’s gasoline gave out, the Deerfoot could take it in tow, but this would not be done unless the necessity arose.
The separation of Noxon from his former associates would prevent an unpleasant scene. Kit Woodford and Graff Miller could not fail to see that Noxon had given them into the hands of the officers. While they were powerless to harm the young man, they could make it uncomfortable for him despite the restraining presence of Calvert and Hogan.
It is safe to say that none of the steamers and other boats encountered on that memorable voyage up stream suspected the meaning of what they saw. One launch was gliding evenly up the river with a second closely resembling it a hundred yards or more to the rear. In the latter sat a young man. In the former were four persons, two of whom had been engaged for weeks in robbing post offices in the State of Maine. No one observed that they wore handcuffs, or dreamed that the man handling the wheel was a famous detective. In this case he was Calvert, who had a fair knowledge of running a motor boat.
The prisoners were sullen and silent for most of the way. Hagan, seated behind Calvert, could protect him from any treacherous attack with the handcuffs. The detective was too wise to invite an assault of that nature.