"I don't know how much they think they've got on him," concluded the surfman. "But just now, before I come back, Gyp Pellet—— Know him, Cousin Tobe? Lives down to Peehawket."
"I know him," confessed the interested lightkeeper.
"Well, Gyp Pellet came up to town and told the constable and this here bank detective that he'd rented Ralph his catboat—the old Gullwing—early on the morning after the bank was burgled."
"Yesterday morning? Oh, sugar! What was Ralph doing down to Peehawket Cove?"
"Got me. Gyp says he seen him walkin' up the railroad tracks carrying a heavy bag about daybreak. O' course, everybody says he had the bank's money—or part of it anyway—in that bag. They kind of figger he and the other burglars went down the railroad on a hand car, and separated somewhere below Peehawket. Ever hear such foolishness?"
"It listens purty foolish," admitted Tobias.
"Gyp says Ralph was terrible anxious to get away in the Gullwing. Ye know that old cat ain't wuth the new caulkin' Gyp put into her seams this spring. And you bet he held out for his price, seein' Ralph was in need. He didn't exactly say how much he stung the young feller; but if he don't never see that old tub again, I reckon he don't cal'late to lose much."
"What do you s'pose Ralph is up to?" sighed Tobias. "He put out yesterday morning from Peehawket Cove, did he? And Gyp ain't got no idea where he went?"
"Says he tacked southerly after he got outside. Beyond that Gyp declares he don't know a thing."
"Wherever Ralph is, I hope he's moored safe to-night," muttered the lightkeeper.