"Why, I thought you said——"
"Perhaps I had better not say anything more until you get to headquarters," the man went on.
"Then it surely must be about that rascally mate," thought Nat. "Mr. Weatherby will be glad they have him."
He followed the man off the pier, and along a street on the water front.
"I understand you piloted that boat through the storm last night," said the man.
"Well, I did, but I guess it was more by good luck than anything else that enabled me to do it. Who told you about it?"
"Oh, it is pretty generally known. The crews of vessels talk more or less when they are in dock."
They walked along in silence a little longer, and then the man stopped in front of a small building.
"This doesn't look like police headquarters," thought Nat. "I wonder if there's a mistake."
"Go right that way," said the officer, keeping close behind the boy. "The harbor master is in that room."