“Unlucky for him he arn’t,” said one of the men. “If he had been we shouldn’t have had you aboard to-night.”
“What do you mean?”
“Only that we should have been miles away by now.”
“Do you think either of the other boats has picked him up?”
“Go and ask ’em,” said another of the men sulkily.
“No, sir,” said one of the coastguard, “they haven’t picked him up.”
“Back!” said the detective shortly; and, as soon as they were in the boat, he gave orders for them to row towards the faint light they could see right away east. They were not long in coming abreast, for the boat was returning.
“Got him?” was shouted.
“No.”
“Then why did you make the signal?”