The three smugglers were taken out of the boat and handcuffed, then escorted up the stairs, while the burly man, who was the chief of a squad of federal agents undertaking a drive against the smugglers on that part of the coast, remained with the motorboat.
Within a short time Darst returned with three more officers. He reported that a clean sweep had been made at the house.
“They have ’em all handcuffed and sittin’ in the kitchen,” he said. “Mr. Hardy got Snackley—”
“Snackley?” exclaimed the federal man. “Is it his gang?”
“Yes, sir. He got Snackley in the cellar. One of his sons tackled Redhead Blount, one of Snackley’s sidekicks, and held him down until the police came in. When we brought our three in, that finished the round-up.”
“It does, so far. We’re going out and grab Li Chang from that ship and that’ll clean everything up.”
The officers got into the motorboat and Joe clambered in beside Tony Prito, who was at the wheel. The craft backed out of the channel into the deeper water of the cove, then sped out into Barmet Bay.
“Once we get out of the bay we should see her lights,” said the federal officer. “Li Chang probably has his ship anchored just off the coast.”
This proved to be the case. The lights of the vessel were soon descried and the motorboat sped toward it through the night.
When the boat drew alongside, the federal man roared out: