"Who are you?"
"We are in search of a desperate criminal whom we believe to be on board
your steamer," Quest explained. "Please take us on board."
The Captain shook his head.
"Are you from Scotland Yard?" he asked. "Have you got your warrant?"
"We are from America," Quest answered, "but we've got a Scotland Yard man
with us, and a warrant, right enough."
"Any extradition papers?"
"No time to get them yet," Quest replied, "but the man's wanted for
murder."
"Are you from the New York police?"
Quest shook his head.
"I am a private detective," he announced. "I am working in conjunction
with the New York Police."
The Captain shook his head.
"I am over an hour late," he said, "and it's costing me fifty pounds a
minute. If I take you on board, you'll have to come right along with me,
unless you find the fellow before we've left your tug behind."
Quest turned around.
"Will you risk it?" he asked.
"Yes!" they all replied.
"We're coming, Captain," Quest decided.
A rope ladder was let down. The steamer began to slow.
"Can you girls manage it?" Quest asked doubtfully.
Laura smiled.
"I should say so," she replied. "I can go up that with only one arm. You
watch me!"
They cheered her on board the steamer as she hobbled up. The others
followed. The tug, the crew of which had been already well paid, raced
along by the side. The Captain spoke once more to the pilot and came down
from the bridge.
"I'm forced to go full speed ahead to cross the bar," he told Quest.
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