Curiously enough both lads had no thought of rowing off to the nearest ship for assistance. The fact that two unfortunate beings might perhaps be badly injured, and in want of immediate aid urged them to renew their investigations.
[Illustration: As their boat rubbed sides with the mysterious craft, the boys saw two motionless figures lying on the bottom-boards. Armitage clambered in, and cautiously touched the form nearest to him. "They're the water-police!" he cried]
Once more the two boats rubbed sides. Standish held on while his comrade clambered softly into the larger craft, and bent over the two motionless forms lying on the bottom-boards.
They were the water-police. Armitage could distinguish the peaked cap of one of the men. As he cautiously touched the form nearest to him the man writhed. He was bound and gagged.
"Steady there!" whispered Harry. "I'm Armitage. You know—the fellow in the yacht."
The man nodded his head in assent; and his rescuer, now satisfied that he would not receive a blow from the brawny fist of the policeman, deftly removed the gag and severed the man's bonds.
"Be careful with my mate, sir," said the first policeman. "He's been plugged."
The second watchman was quite conscious, and when released, Armitage found that the man had been shot through the left arm. The wound was caused by a small-bore automatic pistol, and had cut so clean a hole that there was very little bleeding.