What was being done to the motor boat?
Clement was about to turn to the imprisoned Siwash and demand the truth about the motor boat when there came a startling interruption.
From up the hill they heard shouts and shots. Gatineau and Clement instinctively dived towards the door. Something hit the shack with a resounding thwack.
“Christopher!” yelled Gatineau. “They’re shooting up the shack.”
“Neuburg’s come back,” shouted Clement. “Take the back. I’ll take the front.”
The shouts and shots redoubled. Then suddenly across the tumult they heard another sound. From the lake there came the quick, stuttering throb of a gasoline engine springing into life.
With a yell Clement flung himself onto the porch.
Away across the lake the big motor boat that had been at the stringpiece was shooting towards Sicamous. Behind it trailed the skiffs and canoes that had been tied up at the lakeside.
Clement shot out his arm and began firing. He was too late. The motor boat had gathered speed and was already covered by the trees.
He could not hit Adolf Neuburg, who was steering it.