“I’ll pass the word around,” said the sergeant, “and we’ll keep a lookout, but I want to tell you that if we find that you’ve been trying to put any funny business over, it’ll go hard with you. You’d better come in and see the chief in the morning and let him hear your story.”
Jack returned to the wharf and Cap’n Crumbie.
“Well, what did they say?” the watchman asked.
“I only saw Sergeant Banks, who was on night duty. He didn’t seem to believe me, but he’s going to pass the word round among his men, and I’m to see the chief in the morning.”
“Banks is a barnacle!” declared Cap’n Crumbie. “I’ll go with you next time, and we’ll see if we can’t get ’em to take a bit o’ notice.”
There was no more sleep for Jack that night. The watchman kept him company until dawn, and the boy went home as usual for an early breakfast, after which he and Cap’n Crumbie repaired to the police station.
“’Morning,” greeted the chief. “Glad to see you, Cap’n. Now, what’s your version of this business?”
The chief’s manner was much too airy for Cap’n Crumbie, and he scowled as he advanced to the desk. He grunted as he thrust his hands into his pockets and faced the man behind it.
“My version’s the same as his, chief,” he replied. “I s’pose you’ve got the feller by this time, ain’t you?”
“Why, no,” he said. “We haven’t made any arrest yet. There isn’t much to go on, Cap’n. We watched along the wharves last night, but didn’t see any one.”