"Yes, there was a cruising motor-boat went by about nine, or a little
after, headed toward the Pier Head. I didn't notice her much, but she
was painted dark. Come to think of it, it must have been pretty nearly
half-past, for I remember hearing three bells strike just afterwards."
"You didn't see her after she went by here?" asked Steve.
"No, I was getting ready for bed and saw her through a port. Anything
wrong?"
"Nothing," replied Steve dryly, "except that she belongs to us and
someone's evidently stolen her. Thanks very much. Good night."
"Good night," was the answer. "I hope you get her."
"Well, we know she got this far," said Joe, "but--um--which way did they
take her when they got outside?"
"That's the question," said Harry Corwin. "They might have gone across
to Provincetown and around the Cape, or taken her up the shore or down.
I guess the best thing for us to do would be to hike back and give the
alarm. If we telegraphed--"
"She went north," said Phil with conviction.
"How do you know?" demanded Joe.
"I don't _know_, but think a minute. If you were stealing a boat you'd
want to keep out of sight with her, wouldn't you?"
"Suppose I should."
"Then you wouldn't mess around in Cape Cod Bay.
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