“You might ask others that same question,” retorted the young reporter calmly.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that I walked in here because I saw no one on guard, and I heard some one say, ‘Cheese it!’ from behind that pile of goods,” and Larry indicated some barrels, bales and boxes.
“You did!” cried the watchman. “Waterfront thieves, I’ll wager! Glad you told me. We’ll have a look!”
With a heavy club in one hand, and swinging his lantern in the other, the watchman advanced, followed by Larry. But before they could reach the boxes and bales there was a scurry of feet, and several dark figures rushed down the dock.
“Hold on, or I’ll shoot!” cried the watchman. But the dark figures did not tarry, running the faster.
A sliver of flame cut the darkness as the watchman fired his revolver, but he had only shot in the air to scare the thieves, and they ran on. As Larry and the watchman followed they heard some one jump into a boat, and, a little later, there was the sound of frantic rowing.
“They got away!” exclaimed the watchman regretfully. “It isn’t the first time they’ve tried to steal things off this dock, and I haven’t caught ’em.”
“Is this a public dock?” asked Larry.
“Yes, and all sorts of stuff is landed here. The water-rats come in boats and get what they can, too. I’m short-handed to-night. My partner is sick, and I’m trying to cover both ends of the dock—the land and water. That’s why I wasn’t on guard here when you walked in. But were you looking for something?”