“Send some one back here to get us,” replied the chief sharply, as he urged the boys to get aboard and start quickly.
Already Paul and Ralph were on board, and Lanky had untied and thrown the rope to the deck of the sturdy little craft that was now entering another race for the day.
Over to the deck of the boat Frank went, Lanky cast the boat off from shore, leaping aboard at the same moment. Frank gave a twist to the flywheel of the motor and they were off on the race!
It was when he reached to take the flywheel that he laid down the package which he had been carrying.
“Chief,” he called as the motor started and they were moving out to the stream, “I’ve got the box of jewels. I forgot to give them to you. We found the place where he had them hidden—so they’re safe!”
“Fine work, lad! Good luck to you! Catch that fellow and we’ve done a good day’s work!” called back Chief Berry.
Lanky had the searchlight going in another second, flooding the river’s surface in front of them.
Downstream they started, skirting past the island on the bank side instead of going around it, thus saving some distance.
The steady exhaust of their own engine kept them from hearing anything of the boat which was in front. And, quite naturally, their failure to hear the engine of the Speedaway caused Frank to raise a question as to whether they might miss the wily fellow in front.
What if he should duck to one side of the river in the darkness of the early morning—for it was well pass the midnight hour and the darkest time of the night—and disappear in the shadows of the growth along some island or along one of the shores of the Harrapin?