“Well, we’re looking for you!”
“Looking for me?”
“That’s right. We’re very anxious to get hands on you.”
“Gracious! What for?”
“Never mind. Can we get you on board the ship?”
“Of course. But what does this mean? Why do the authorities want to see me?”
“That I am not at liberty to tell you. Will you summon the man on post and tell him to guard the ‘Fair Wind’ till reënforcements arrive?”
Ned, sorely puzzled, promised to do so, and soon discovered the patrolman in question. He explained the case to him and then hurried down to the steamer. As he went, he turned the situation over and over in his mind. What could he have done that the police wanted to see him? And then they were coming out to the ship, too! Even if it was some trumped up accusation, Ned knew that he would have an awkward time of it. Had he had the leisure he would have gone to Headquarters himself and demanded some explanation. But his duty was to hasten back to the Manhattan with the stragglers at once.
The knowledge that the police wanted to see him even though he was conscious of having committed no offence, worried Ned considerably. The very vagueness of the information that had been vouchsafed to him made it worse. However, when he reached the steamer, Ned found plenty to occupy him in the disposal of his prisoners.
After that no time was lost in getting under way. Ned sat in the stern, busied with his own reflections. He had had a lively time but he had acquitted himself to his own satisfaction and carried out his orders promptly and faithfully. Had it not been for that mysterious police message, there would not have been a cloud in his sky.