Bob, watching the fisherman closely, thought he detected a slight narrowing of the other’s eyes, but he knew that the men of the east shore were by nature extremely cautious.
“Don’t know as I’ve seen just that boat,” replied the fisherman, “but there’s a good many crafts slip around the coves here.”
“This boat would have come in this morning.”
“Better climb in. We’ll ask some of the other boys.”
Bob and the intelligence officer seated themselves in the dory and were quickly put ashore, where a little group gathered about them.
The man who had brought them ashore acted as spokesman.
“These fellows are looking for a speedboat that might have come around here this morning. Anybody seen anything of such a craft?”
There was no immediate reply and Bob could see doubt as to the wisdom of answering the question in the eyes of a number of the men. It was then that he decided to tell them the importance of their visit.
He drew out his billfold and handed the nearest man his identification card.
“We’re federal officers,” he explained, “and we’re looking for a man who was kidnaped last night in Washington in a speedboat and brought somewhere near Rubio. If you can give us any information it may save a man’s life.”