That looked so much like earning money rapidly that Halstead called Joe up from the motor room to set the signal. The schooner lay to until overtaken. Hilton discovered that the schooner was bound for Beaufort, and the bargain was quickly completed. A small boat put off from the sailing vessel and the bridge deck passenger, his noticeable bag included, was transferred.
The “Restless” was nearer Lonely Island, and the schooner was hull down, when Captain Tom suddenly started as Joe Dawson stepped upon deck.
“Blazes, Joe!” exclaimed the young skipper. “I’m afraid we’ve done it!”
“I’m afraid so, too,” came quietly from the young engineer.
“That fellow Hilton, so anxious to get ashore, may be the very chap who struck down Mr. Clodis!”
“The thought had just come to me,” admitted Joe.
“Yes! You know, Mr. Seaton hinted that the ‘accident’ might have been an attempt to kill.”
Captain and engineer of the “Restless” stared disconcertedly at each other. 36
“Now, why did I have to go and make such a fearful stumble as that?” groaned Tom.
“You didn’t, any more than I did,” Joe tried to console him.