He did not finish his sentence, for Grantley had already laid one hand on the power boat’s gunwale, and was preparing to pull himself over the side.
“Jump overboard, girl!” the detective shouted peremptorily. “We’ll take care of you.”
For a tense moment he feared that the girl would not profit by this advice, either, but her fears got the upper hand when the fugitive’s pale face and glaring eyes came into view above the gunwale.
With a cry of terror, she threw herself over the opposite rail.
“Thank Heaven!” exclaimed Nick, under his breath. “Now that she’s out of the way——”
Again he broke off abruptly, but the action which followed immediately left no doubt of his meaning.
He sank down on one knee, steadied his pistol arm on the other, and took careful aim at the figure which was climbing over the side of the racing craft.
The police tug was coming, approaching now at full speed, but it was at least fifty yards behind.
Doctor Grantley had proved that he was too dangerous a man to dally with. If he was not effectually stopped at once, before he started that blue streak of a speed boat, there was no telling when they would see him again. He was doubtless familiar with marine engines of that type, otherwise he would not have headed for the boat. As soon as he started the powerful motor, he would fade away up the Hudson with the speed of a projectile, and there was no craft at hand that could keep him in sight.
It was no time for halfway measures.