“Good!” cried the millionaire. “I’ll give a hundred dollars to every man in the crew if we catch that boat before dark!” he cried.
“And I’ll do the same!” exclaimed Madame Androletti. “Oh, if I can but see my boy again!” and she gave way to her emotion. Grace led her below to her stateroom.
“I’ll print every man’s picture in the paper,” offered Larry, and his offer, with the others, soon spread throughout the boat. And, strange as it may seem, the men were almost as pleased at the young reporter’s promise as they were at the offer of money.
“They’ll all do their best,” said Captain Reardon. “If we had all day, we might do something—we might catch them, even with our disabled engine, for I believe they are only making a spurt. Sooner or later they’ll have an accident to their machinery, and then maybe we can get them. They’re forcing their motor too hard, I’m sure. But the time is against us. It will soon be dark, and then they’ll give us the slip.”
“Oh, if we could only get up more speed!” cried the millionaire. “Next time I chase kidnappers I’ll have a double supply of gaskets aboard!”
Another hour passed, and, if the Elizabeth was no nearer her quarry, she had not fallen behind. But it was getting later.
Suddenly there was a cheer from the engine-room.
“What’s that?” cried Mr. Potter.
“I’ll see,” volunteered Larry. He came back on the run. “They’ve managed to patch up the two gaskets!” he cried. “They’re going to start the other motor soon, and then we’ll make short work of these fellows.”
“Good!” cried Mr. Potter. “How did they manage it?”