"The captain," replied the officer grimly.
"Where does he go?" Jack further questioned.
"See here, young man," spoke the inspector rather sharply. "Do you think I've got all night to bother with you?"
"I don't know as I do," replied Jack in the same voice, "but if you will just explain what you want us to do we will give you no further trouble." Jack knew one thing—to refuse to comply with the request of an officer is about the last thing to do if one values either money or liberty.
"That's the way to talk," replied the inspector. "So just suppose you take this rope and I'll tow, you along. I fancy the party would, rather come than let one go alone."
"Of course we would," declared Cora. "In fact I am the captain of this boat."
Jack gave her a meaning bump on the arm—it meant, "let me do the talking," and Cora understood perfectly.
"But where are we going?" wailed Belle, as the man threw the towline to Ed.
"Not far," answered the man. "I just have to take you in, and then you have to do the rest."
"What's the rest?" inquired Walter.