"Perhaps the Secret Service man are giving the pair enough rope for their hanging," proposed Jack.
At that moment the two detectives were espied going past in a buggy.
They waved their hands to the party. Jack replied by a signal to halt.
He and Hal ran down to the road to speak to the detectives.
"If it's a fair question to ask," demanded Hal, "what are you going to do with Lemaire and Mlle. Nadiboff?"
"To tell you the truth, we don't know," Trotter answered. "We haven't anything we could very well fasten on them. But of this you may be sure; our various moves are known to them, and they're on the tenterhooks of anxiety wondering what's going to break loose next. More than that, both are sharp enough to have guessed that it would be impossible for either of them to get away from Spruce Beach, now, without our leave. But we'll have to leave you, now, boys. You've been of so much help to us that I don't mind telling you what we're up to at this moment. We're driving back to jail, and we're going to try to put the screws on Leroux and his Greek companion. If we can make 'em think we've gained new evidence against 'em, they may get scared and begin to talk. If they talk fast enough, they'll begin to tell some truth."
The buggy rolled along again.
"You didn't tell them a word about Mlle. Nadiboff's threats to you," muttered Hal.
"I didn't mean to," Jack replied, simply.
"Why not?"
"Well, for one thing, I couldn't swear that she did threaten me. She may have meant it all for nonsense."
"Yes," mocked Hal Hastings. "That, would be just like her!"