At top speed they raced over the cliff path and launched the tender just as the Artful Dodger, a mystery no longer, emerged from the cliff face.
“Start the engine at top speed,” ordered Inspector Jennings. “No use for concealment now.”
Percy Simmons spun the wheel. The tender shot forward, headed so as to intercept the Artful Dodger as she came out of the cove.
At that instant those on board the smugglers’ craft saw the swift little tender cutting across to head her off. They dashed ahead at full speed.
“What’s their game now?” demanded Ralph excitedly.
“Heading for the Canadian line,” was the chief inspector’s brief response. “Give her more speed, boy, she mustn’t slip through our fingers now.”
“I’ll burn up the engines,” declared Percy.
“Never mind that,” shot out Ralph; “burn up the boat, but we’ve got to get them!”
The fever of the chase was in his veins. He felt as if his life depended on catching the other craft. The tender was now on a course which must bring her across the craft’s bows. As they drew near, the chief inspector stood up.
A revolver was in his hand. His two aides drew close to him with grim, determined looks.