Without considering the punishment that might be meted out to her, she seized the sack.
“Hey!” shouted Coon furiously. “Drop those cans!”
He sprang aboard, intending to strike her a stunning blow. Penny leaped for shore, but the boat shot from beneath her feet.
Misbalanced, it went over, tumbling Coon and herself into the water.
But as Penny went down, she clung fast to the cans of money. Fortunately, the muddy water was shallow. Her feet touched bottom and she came up sputtering.
Hod and Danny started for the boat on a run, intending to seize her. Suddenly, they halted, listening intently.
“What was that?” Danny demanded. “Thought I heard the splash of a paddle!”
“Two boats are coming!” Hod cried hoarsely. “Police!”
“Come on!” ordered Danny, seizing one end of the overturned boat. “Help me right this! We’ll still get away! The girl goes with us as a hostage!”
Hod grasped Penny’s arm, while his brother aided Danny with the boat.