"I'm off for the day, Johnson," he announced. "Is the transportation at the door?"
"Yes, sir. I just looked out of the window. Your transportation is ready."
"Come along, Captain Halstead and gentlemen," directed Mr. Baldwin.
Though he led them swiftly, another clerk had slipped out ahead of them, and now stood by the elevator shaft. A car was just stopping at the floor. Down the party whizzed. Mr. Baldwin led the boys to a street door, outside of which two automobile touring cars stood.
"Captain, I want you and Dawson in the car with me. Let your friends follow in the other."
Two tonneau doors closed with bangs. Off whizzed the cars. Speed laws did not appear to be made for the concern of a man like Joseph Baldwin. It seemed as though the cars had barely started when they ran out onto a dock not much to the westward of the ferry houses.
A man in plain blue uniform and visored cap, wearing the insignia of a quartermaster, stood at the far end of the dock. He saluted as soon as he espied Joseph Baldwin hastening toward him.
"I see you're on time, Bickson."
"Yes, sir."