"Meaning," added McGlory, "to get right in among 'em, big as life, and run the risk of having them put the kibosh on you?"
"It's not much risk, Joe, if I'm at all careful."
"Mebby not, but what's the good?"
"Perhaps I can find out something of importance about the money."
"You're putting your head in the lion's mouth. If the mouth should happen to close——" McGlory finished with a shrug and a gurgle. "Speak to me about that!"
"If that should happen," said Matt, "I'll have you and Ping to fall back on."
"Don't fall too hard, that's all."
Matt started up the motor again, proceeding slowly and as noiselessly as he could. McGlory went forward over the hood of the motor and prepared to make the Sprite's painter fast to the larger launch.
The noise of the motor did not arouse any one in the cabin—at least, no doors were opened and no one showed himself on the house boat.
Shutting off the power as soon as the Sprite had gathered headway enough to carry her to the other launch, Matt lay over the wheel and watched while McGlory leaned out and gripped the upright supporting the canopy over the cockpit of the larger boat. Then, pulling the Sprite along hand over hand, the cowboy came to the bow and made the painter fast to an iron ring.