“Quite.”
“Then there is nothing in that to warrant your making us prisoners,” retorted Solado triumphantly.
“We’ll see about that later,” answered Nick. “The charge of abduction will do for the present. Ready, Chick?”
“All ready!” replied Chick, from below.
“Come on, gentlemen!” said Nick, leading his two prisoners to the gangway.
They looked around, as if to seek some avenue of escape. Then, giving it up, they went down the ladder and seated themselves in the stern of the skiff, as Chick directed.
“Throw your gun on them, Chick!” called out Nick Carter. “I want to speak to one of the gentlemen of the crew before I go. Shoot, if either of those men gets too obstreperous.”
In the absence of the captain and first mate, the second mate had been left in charge of the yacht.
The second mate had been in his stateroom, and so little noise had been made by Nick Carter and Chick in making the two temporary owners prisoner that he had not been disturbed till the door was broken open.
Even then he had not got up at once.