“That’s right,” said Dan.
“And he got Spencer again after all,” added Tom unhappily.
“Well, we did the best we could for him,” said Nelson. “If we had kept him aboard the officer would have got him.”
“But what I don’t understand,” said Bob, “is how Captain Sauder happened to be here. If he expected the officers to catch Spencer and return him to Sanstable why did he leave there?”
“We don’t know that he did expect them to send Spencer back to Sanstable. Maybe he told them to hold him here until he came.”
“That’s it!” Tom cried. “And he was on his way here when he found Spencer in the tender. So instead of coming into the harbor he just went on.”
“Right-O,” said Dan. “You’re a regular Sherlock W. Holmes, Tommy.”
“That blamed old pirate was smarter than we were, after all,” said Tom disgustedly. “Couldn’t we follow him and—and——?”
“Take Spencer away by main force?” laughed Nelson. “I’m afraid not, Tommy. Especially as we don’t know where the schooner has gone.”
“Spencer said she was going to Newfoundland, didn’t he?” asked Tom.