"I guess they've got us," spoke Andy, in a low voice to his brother.
"We can't risk being fired at."
"No, I suppose not," answered Frank bitterly. "We'll have to run back."
He let the head of his craft fall off in the wind.
"That's more sensible," commented the man on the rail. "Good-bye!" he called sarcastically as the vessels separated, the one towing the damaged motor craft forging ahead, while the Gull sailed off on the backward tack.
There were bitter feelings in the hearts of Frank and Andy Racer. They had almost solved the mystery, only to lose at the last moment. But they resolved not to give up.
CHAPTER XVI
ON THE SEARCH
For some time after they had been ordered back from their pursuit of the strange vessel neither Frank nor Andy said anything. They were thinking too hard for mere words. Finally the younger lad expressed himself.
"Well, wouldn't that spoil your clam chowder?"
"It sure would," agreed Frank, who was used to queer remarks from his brother.