Frank broke into a hearty laugh.
"You just wait and see!" he said. "We've got to be mighty careful to keep away from the Federal officers, for a deputy marshal has been sent for. Can you get up a good hot run if you have to?"
"You bet I can!" answered Tommy.
"Well, we may get a signal to make a hot foot to the dock directly," the boy went on, "and if we do, there mustn't be any mistake about the pace you set."
"Are you really going to steal the motor boat?" asked Sam.
"I don't know!" replied Frank. "We've been waiting around here all day for something to take place, and I guess it's about time there was something doing."
"I thought you were going to wait until night before sneaking out with the despatch," suggested Tommy, eyeing his friend suspiciously.
"When we made those plans," replied Frank with a grin, "I didn't know how many friends I had in town."
"Is the doctor going with us?" asked Tommy.
"No," was the reply, "we are going with him!"