"Mat Mogmore did not take that vessel round to New York," added Levi. "There is a bigger man than he on board of her, and we don't know his name. We can't do anything in this way, unless we stop all the letters directed to the vicinity of New York."
"Doesn't this man's name appear in any of Dock's papers?"
"No; I have looked in vain for it."
"Mr. Watson," said Levi, suddenly springing to his feet, "I am sure I can find Bessie."
Both Mr. Watson and Mr. Gayles looked at him with interest. He had done a similar work once before, and his confident expression was entitled to respect.
"I am as sure as I want to be that the Caribbee is anchored somewhere in New York Bay. Dock's letter says so. He sent her there, intending to join her as soon as he had collected his black mail. The facts and the theory agree with each other."
"Admit what you say," added Mr. Watson, "and there is no doubt of it. What shall we do?"
"I will go to New York in The Starry Flag. I can tell the Caribbee as far as I can see her, by night or by day. I will stand off and on by Sandy Hook, so that she cannot pass me. You and Mr. Gayles shall go to New York to-night, charter a small steamer, and explore all the inlets and bays below the city till you find her."
"She may escape before you get there," suggested Mr. Gayles.
"No; she will wait till she hears from Dock."