The porter’s view had been obscured by the shrubbery. Moreover, he had no night glass to help his vision.
His curiosity would not be denied any longer, however, and he squeezed his way around.
Nick Carter placed the night glass in his hand.
“There you are, Corrigan! Take a squint through these!�
The porter obeyed, and after some moments of adjusting the glasses, he got the boatload of men into focus, and uttered a low grunt of wonder.
“Five of ’em, eh? Well, colonel, that will be two each for us, and whichever of us gets through first, let him have the odd one.�
Nick smiled at this businesslike proposition—which also had an agreeable sporting flavor—and nodded in acquiescence.
“All right, Mike! That goes! But—one thing, mind!—I take the first man! You can have the second. Then I’ll tackle the third, and the fourth is yours. By that time we’ll know who gets the fifth.â€�
“Fine!� chuckled the porter. “You’ve been in scraps like this before, I can see.[Pg 28]�
The boat was gliding straight toward the point where Nick Carter and his companion were hiding in the shrubbery. Then, suddenly, when it had come within fifty yards of the shore, it swerved abruptly, and shot toward that part of the Hotel Amsterdam where the windows of the baroness overlooked the bay.