They had taken all that two men could lift or carry for a few rods, stopping only at the limit of their endurance; and, though the amount was not so large as the express messenger had at first stated, it ran well over one hundred thousand dollars.
For a moment I stood staring from the hole to Captain Hall and back, too amazed to speak, while the old man looked at me keenly.
"Nice little job," he commented dryly.
"The doctor and his wife—do you think?" I asked. I was beginning to see light.
"Wife, thunder! That was a young man of tremendous strength," snarled the express messenger. "Look how he used that electric burner—look how he bent and tore at the plate—he was a giant—had the current on his hot chisel all day—that's the smell you noticed. Probably the two most expert safe-crackers alive, and our outfit gave them the chance to work the hot knife, burn their way in where they never could have blown. They connected with the light—got current enough to work with, and covered up with the rug——"
"Well, we won't waste time seeing how it was done; we'll get a move after them", said the old man. "Jump on deck, and blow the siren—blow the alarm for fire, police—set the signals——"
I was gone before he had finished, and by the time the uproar was well under way I had time to gaze toward the little schooner the doctor had marked out as his yacht.
She was still lying at anchor, but beyond her and about five miles distant lay a fishing schooner with very tall spars and a very able look. She was hoisting her foresail, and I could just make out that she was getting under way at once.
I waited no longer. Jumping to the upper deck, I yelled for the crew of the first cutter, boat number one, and gave the signal for her men. They came scrambling as to the drill, and as they came I yelled to young Smith, the third officer, to get arms and join me.