"George will have to wait while we send some officers out to that house boat," said Matt.
"You haven't an idea those three tinhorns will have the nerve to go back to the house boat, have you?"
"They may, to pick up their traps. That makes it necessary for us to act quickly, if we are to accomplish anything. Come on, and we'll hunt up police headquarters."
Ping hesitated.
"What's the matter with you, chink?" asked McGlory. "Ain't you coming with us?"
"No can do," replied Ping. "My no leavee boat. Mebbyso my makee sleep in boat, huh? Plenty fine place. My no lettee 'Melican man lun away with him some mo'."
"Stay here if you want to, Ping," answered Matt.
"That's the heathen of it," grunted McGlory. "He'd rather bunk in the bottom of the Sprite, with his legs doubled over the thwarts, than to rest on a good mattress like a Christian."
"Here's one Christian that's ready to rest," said Matt.
"And here's another," added McGlory. "Listen. Do you recollect that we haven't had a feed since we took that quick-order lunch at noon?"