Part 14 (1/2)
”In as big a hurry as I ever was to get anywhere,” breathed Halstead fervently. The elderly man smiled, though he evidently was not curious, for he asked no further questions. Halstead sat there delightedly watching the distance fade. Even to his anxious mind the trip seemed a brief, speedy one. As the car ran in by the railway station Halstead saw the late afternoon train slowly backing down the track. It had been in, then, for three or four minutes.
”Thank you, thank you!” breathed Tom fervently, as he threw open the door to leap out, then closing it behind him. ”You haven't any idea what a huge favor you've done me.”
”I'm glad I've been able to be of some use in the world to-day,” laughed the old gentleman pleasantly.
But Tom, bounding across the tracks and over the ground, hardly heard him. The young skipper had but one thought at this moment-to get aboard and have his craft under way at the earliest possible second.
As Halstead neared the pier he saw Joe and Jed seated on the deckhouse, while Mr. Crane, the Dunstan lawyer, arrived on the train, was walking along over the boards.
”Joe, get the engine started on a hustle!” bellowed Tom, using both hands to form a trumpet. ”Jed, on the pier with you and stand by the stern-line, ready to cast off!”
Both boys leaped to obey such crisp commands. Lawyer Crane, having reached the boat, turned on the pier to look inquiringly at the racing young skipper.
”Get aboard, sir, as quickly as you can, if you please,” requested the young skipper all but breathlessly.
”May I inquire--” began the lawyer slowly.
”Yes, sir; when we're under way. But we haven't a second to lose in starting. Get aboard, sir, if you please.”
In his eagerness Tom almost shoved the legal gentleman over the side.
Mr. Crane, not a little astonished at the hasty procedure, looked as though about to resent such treatment, but fortunately changed his mind.
Tom himself seized the bowline and threw off. He and Jed sprang aboard, fore and aft, at about the same instant. The ”Meteor's” engine was already chugging merrily.
”Slow speed ahead, Joe,” bellowed down Captain Tom, and the ”Meteor”
swung gracefully out. ”Now work her up to good speed,” he called, a few moments later. ”We're on the grand old chase!”
CHAPTER X-OVERHAULING THE MYSTERY
”And now,” demanded Lawyer Crane, in his calm, heavy voice, ”may I ask what all this chaos and confusion is about?”
”In just a minute or two, sir, I'll be hugely delighted to have you listen,” Halstead answered. ”But I want to get out of this cove and clear of coast shoals and ledges first.”
Joe had already begun to make the engine ”kick” somewhat, and the boat was moving fast, leaving behind her a graceful swirl of water. Jed, after coiling the stern-line, had come forward, and, though he asked no questions, that youth was whistling a ditty of fast movement, the surest sign of all that he shared in the unknown excitement.
”There she is!” cried Halstead, suddenly, taking his right hand from the wheel to point out over the water.
”She?” repeated Mr. Crane. ”Who?”
”That boat! Don't you see the steam launch with the yellow hull?”
The launch was some two or more miles away, heading over the waters in a direction that would carry her past the northern end of Martha's Vineyard. Mr. Crane adjusted his gla.s.ses, staring hard. At last he made out the low-lying hull.
”I see some sort of a craft out there,” he replied slowly. ”But I must congratulate you on having very good eyes, Captain Halstead, if you can make out the fact that she is painted yellow. However, what have we to do with that boat?”
”We're going after her,” responded Tom, briefly. He was wondering just how to begin the wonderful story of his late adventure.
”Going after her?” repeated Mr. Crane, in slow astonishment. ”Why, I was under the impression that your present task related to carrying me over to Mr. Dunstan's home.”