Part 29 (2/2)

Her glance searched the face of the bluff, which with each moment was becoming more distinctly visible.

”You don't suppose they landed here, do you?”

”Not very likely; even if they did they are not here now. They would have made it before daylight this morning. All the time we have been drifting out there they had to get away in. There is no danger that Hogan is anywhere along this sh.o.r.e now.”

”You think he and--and those others have all gone?”

”Yes; why should they hang around here? The last idea in their heads would be the possibility of our ever drifting in alive. Hogan has gone back to Chicago to make a report to Hobart, and the rest have scattered like a covey of partridges. Not one of them has a thought but that we went down in the _Seminole_. Now they'll pull off their graft, and pull it quick.”

”And what will you do?”

”Get safely ash.o.r.e first. It will be dark in less than an hour; but we are too far out yet to venture swimming. We shall have to hang tight to the raft a while yet, and drift; the current is carrying us all right. Do you see any sign of life over there--houses, or smoke?”

”No; I have been looking; the whole sh.o.r.e-line appears utterly deserted.

Have you any idea where we can be?”

”Not the slightest; only this is certainly the west sh.o.r.e; there is no such abandoned spot anywhere between Chicago and Milwaukee, and we must be much farther north. They had plenty of time to put the yacht quite a ways up sh.o.r.e before they sank her.”

”Hogan must have known where he was.”

”Unquestionably; it was all planned out; he knew exactly where he intended to land, and how long it would take them to reach there after they left the yacht.”

”Perhaps,” she suggested hesitatingly, ”the gang had some rendezvous up here in these north-woods, a place where they could hide.”

West shook his head negatively.

”No, I don't think that; they may know the country, and how best to get away quickly. But those fellows are city thieves--Hobart and Hogan anyway--and would feel far safer back in their haunts in Chicago. There is no place like a big city to hide in, and besides, even if they have got the money already,--which I doubt--there has been no chance to divide it, and 'Red' would never let Hobart get away without paying him his share. They are not loitering around here, Natalie, waiting for ghosts to appear; they are back in town hours ago.”

”But what can we do?”

”Get ash.o.r.e first, of course, and discover the quickest way to return to the city. None of this sh.o.r.e is deserted, and we'll find houses back behind that fringe of woods. I figure we have a big advantage. We know their real game now, and they are so sure we are both dead, they'll operate in the open--walk right into a trap. By this time McAdams must have discovered some clue as to the whereabouts of Hobart. With him under arrest, and our story told, some of these fellows will confess, and it will all be over with.”

”But suppose they have already succeeded in their purpose?”

”That can hardly be possible, Natalie. There hasn't been time yet.

Certain legal forms must be complied with. You could only draw a limited amount.”

”Until I reached a certain age; after which there was no restriction. I attained that age yesterday.”

”And they are aware of it, no doubt. Yet there must be some legal authorization necessary which may cause delay. The sooner we reach Chicago, the better. It is twilight already--the sun has gone down behind the bluff, but it will require an hour yet for this raft to drift into shallow water. You swim, you told me?”

”Yes, very well indeed.”

”Shall we risk it then together? It is not far to the end of the point yonder.”

She looked where he pointed and smiled, glancing back into his questioning eyes.

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