“It is not at all likely that anybody will do so, you know; but I wish to have it understood.”
“Very well, Maxwell.”
True to Kane’s prophecy, the Goalong arrived at the time he said she would, and in a very short time after that he was in communication with the detective. Their conversation was short, but very much to the point.
“Is that you, Nick?” Kane asked; and when he had received an affirmative reply he continued:
“Don’t ask me for particulars over the phone, but come down here as quickly as you can, will you? It is a matter of life and death, old man.”
“I’ll be there at once,” was the reply; and Kane heard the click of the receiver as the detective replaced it at the other end.
And he had not long to wait after that.
He did not return at once to the yacht, but lingered where he was until he saw the detective leap from a car and approach him; then he led the way directly to his launch, and the two were speedily set aboard the yacht. In as few words as possible, he then related the story of their adventure which had ended so disastrously—in the abduction of Bessie Harlan.
The very first question which Nick then asked was one which Kane had foreseen. It was: