Lieutenant Winters called softly to one of his men to flash the signal to the “Lucia,” and a moment later they heard the government boat move out of the cove and shoot around the end of the island in pursuit.
Tom ran quickly to his room and crawled in bed, and presently the lieutenant heard a soft, scraping sound in the basement, then light footfalls on the stairs. Mr. Lawrence made no attempt to strike a light, being thoroughly familiar with every foot of the lodge, and he tip-toed softly to the door of his room, entered and closed it with scarcely a sound.
“Ah!” breathed the revenue man. “The most important bird is caught at last.”
Then he sat down outside the door of the smuggler chief to await the coming of day.
CHAPTER XXIII—A SURPRISE FROM MR. LAWRENCE
When Mr. Lawrence entered the diningroom the following morning to greet his young guests, he was surprised to observe Lieutenant Winters and two men from the “Lucia” seated at his table. Hoki had prepared breakfast at Chot’s request, and the boys were all instructed to act as if nothing unusual had occurred.
The boys greeted their host with a cordial “Good morning,” as he entered the room, looking spick and span in a light duck suit. Then Chot arose. Lieutenant Winters and his men also got up.
“Mr. Lawrence,” said Chot, “you left us in charge of Winnsocket Lodge, so when these gentlemen arrived yesterday in a boat, and signified their intention of awaiting your return, I invited them to partake of our hospitality. Was I right?”
“Perfectly,” replied the smuggler chief. “Winnsocket Lodge has always been noted for its hospitality.”
“This, then, is Lieutenant Winters of the United States revenue boat, ‘Lucia’,” Chot continued.