Jed halted, rather uneasily, at that sinister suggestion. Then, meeting Tom’s firm glance, the boy got well forward and stood up, while Joe dropped down into the engine room to meet any order that might come about stopping speed.
“I hardly fancy anyone aboard that boat would dare threaten us with firearms,” said the lawyer, slowly. “There are too many witnesses here to risk such a serious breach of the law.”
“Mm!” chuckled Captain Tom grimly, to himself. “I wonder if this learned gentleman imagines that everyone has the wholesome respect for the law that possesses him?”
He leaned forward, to reach the bell-grip, steering, after the “Meteor’s” headway had been all but stopped, so that they would pass within a dozen feet of this mysterious craft.
“Say,” hailed back Jed, “I don’t believe there’s a soul on board that craft. I can see the bottom of the inside of the boat.”
“Get the boat-hook, then,” ordered Halstead. “We’ll lay alongside and make sure that she’s deserted.”
Jed jumped down nimbly. Apparently he was glad to provide himself with so handy a weapon as the boat-hook. With this he stepped out forward again. Tom ran the Meteor in until the two craft almost bumped.
“Ugh!” grunted Jed. “It looks almost uncanny to see that engine pumping right along with no sign of human care.”
Gradually he drew the bow of the moving launch closer.
“Go aboard,” directed Tom.