"Enough for fares I guess."
It was some hours later when two tired boys entered the Racer cottage, where they found their father and mother not a little alarmed at their absence in the storm which had rapidly developed.
"But we're on the right track!" cried Frank with enthusiasm.
"How's that?" asked his father.
"We saw the mysterious man, and he had your motor boat, Paul."
"I'm not sure it was my boat," answered Paul. "I can't seem to remember that I ever owned one."
"Well, that man had possession of it, whoever it was," went on Andy. "And he was quite threatening, too," he added, as he related about the brass cannon.
"I'm glad you boys had sense enough to turn back," spoke Mr. Racer.
"Don't take any chances with such scoundrels. The probability is that
he wouldn't have shot at you, but it isn't safe to run the risk. But,
Paul, is your memory any better for what Frank and Andy have told you?"
"No, I'm afraid not. I think—yes, I can remember something more!" he suddenly cried. "I think I was once in a chase after that same man. Now that you boys speak of it my mind is a little clearer, but there is still that haze. I'm sure I was after that man for something that belonged to me or my father. And I remember something else?"
"What is it?" cried Andy eagerly.