“What’s the matter? Who is it?” cried Frank.
“It’s Fred Cunningham! He was the third one. He got away and is on that motor boat!”
CHAPTER XIX
WHEN THE ROCKET SHOWED HER SPEED
It was the Speedaway! And it was Fred Cunningham running it! He was a party to this robbing of Mrs. Parsons—at least, all the evidence was that he was a party to the plan to get away with the loot this night!
Out into the stream the Speedaway was moving, the engine running in excellent shape.
“Get your boat and catch him!” cried the chief of police. “Men, watch those fellows close. Don’t let one of them get away. Shoot to kill if one of them starts. I’ll go with the boys to help ’em get off!”
Saying this, the chief pushed Frank roughly by the shoulder, and all five of them, the four boys and the chief, dashed through the weeds and brush along the bank of the river to the point where the Rocket was tied.
Out on the river they could plainly hear the put-put of an exhaust. They reached the Rocket. Frank stopped a moment to listen.
“He’s going downstream, chief. If I catch him I’ll take him to the jail. But how shall we get you?”