"For only a few minutes; my folks soon came back, not staying as long as they intended, but when they stepped aboard I cast one more look out to sea. It was so dark by that time that I could just see the boat fading from sight. She was still headed straight to the eastward, as if the fool really meant to try to cross the Atlantic. I should have used the glasses again, but I was too busy attending to my boat. As I circled about to start for home, Ram Island light flashed out, so you can know the day was pretty well gone."
"And you have seen nothing of the Deerfoot since?" asked Alvin, with a sinking heart.
"No; I don't believe anyone else has; and," added George, dropping his voice, "I don't believe you will ever see Mike Murphy again!"
CHAPTER XXVII
An Alarming Fact
Neither Alvin nor Chester asked their companion to explain his startling words, for there was no need to do so: only one meaning could be given them.
"How far dare you venture out with the Shark?" asked Alvin of the master of the little boat.
He shook his head.
"She isn't built for rough weather."