Just then a small man, with a restless black eye and a beak-like face, pushed up to where Harris and the boys were talking.
"My name's Dennison," said he. "The chief has told me what you wanted, and I'm to take you to Ochiltree's place."
Harris gave Dennison his name and introduced Matt and Ferral.
"We hadn't better lose much time," suggested Dennison. "The fellow we're looking for is usually at home this time of the day."
"The quicker we can wind this up, the better," said Harris. "Lead the way, Dennison, and we'll be right behind you."
The course they followed took them across the river and then along the opposite bank in the direction of the life-saving station. There, in a patch of scrub, they came upon a small, shanty-like house.
As a precautionary move, Dennison went around to the back door, and left Harris and the boys to present themselves at the front.
It was well this precaution was taken. Although Harris rapped and pounded, no one answered his summons for several minutes. When a voice was finally heard from within the house, it was Dennison's.
"Come in, Harris," he called. "If the front door's locked, come around to the back of the house."
The front door, however, was not locked. Harris and the boys opened it and walked in. They found Dennison, revolver in hand, standing in front of a sulky, black-whiskered man, who was sitting in a chair.