Yet anything relating to attempts by filibusters to ship arms secretly to another country should be brought to the notice of the United States Government. So Mr. Dunstan wrote fully to the authorities at Washington, who, so far, had not taken the pains to reply to his communication.
During these days the “Meteor” had been almost constantly in service. Tom and Joe felt nearly used up, so incessant had been their work. Jed Prentiss was now aboard, for, with detectives arriving and departing at all hours, there was frequently need of serving a visitor with a meal while the “Meteor” dashed over the waves to or from Nantucket. Jed was enjoying himself despite his long hours and hard work. He even found time to hang about Joe and learn much about the running of the motor.
By Saturday noon Horace Dunstan, who seemed to have aged much, gave up the notion that his detectives could aid him at Nantucket. The last three on the island were sent over to Wood’s Hole on the “Meteor,” with instructions to help the men at work on the case on the mainland.
“Thank goodness, we’re through with ’em,” grunted Jed, leaving the galley and coming up through the engine room hatchway. “I hope we’ll get a breathing spell to-morrow.”
“We’ve had a brisk four days of it,” nodded Tom. “I wouldn’t mind that at all, if only we had gotten any nearer to finding Ted. But all this work and nothing gained is enough to wear a fellow out.”
It was a part of Tom’s nature that he felt keenly all of his employer’s worries over the missing Ted, It worried Halstead, too, to think of any boy hopelessly losing such a huge fortune as was at stake.
“If only we could find Alvarez, and get a good grip on him,” growled Halstead, as Joe came up on deck, “I’d feel almost warranted in torturing him until he told all he knew.”
Joe nodded gravely, then suddenly grinned.
“I can imagine anyone as big-hearted as you are, Tom, putting any human being to the torture.”
“I said I’d almost be willing to” insisted Tom.