“Better yet. These men have a boat which closely resembles yours.”
“And its name is the Water Witch,” said Chester. “I wish Captain Landon could run a race with it.”
“He can have the chance if he will agree.”
“I fail to see how. Those men after committing their crimes are not going to spend their time in running up and down the Sheepscot or Kennebec.”
“Not wholly, but I don’t see any particular risk they incur in doing so. If they are pressed hard they can put into some bay or branch or inlet and take to the woods.”
“Still I do not understand how we can help you, Mr. Calvert,” said Alvin.
“It is possible you cannot, but more probably you can. While cruising in these waters, we may catch sight of their boat, and you can see the advantage of being able to outspeed it. But do not think I am looking for a battle between you and me on the one hand, and the criminals on the other. I wish to employ the Deerfoot as a scout. I can’t express myself better than by that word.”
Whatever the right name of the caller might be, he was a good judge of human nature. He saw the sparkle in the eyes before him. While the lads would not have been averse to a scrimmage, neither dared incur such risk without the consent of his father, and you do not need to be told that such consent was out of the question.
“As I understand it, then, our boat promises to be useful to you solely on account of its speed?” said Alvin inquiringly asked the detective.
“Precisely. What is your answer?”