ly the accompaniment of the embarkment of Van
Cleft's yachting cruise, but the sleeping longshoreman suddenly arose to
his feet and blew a shrill police whistle. Next instant the flash of
his pocket-lamp illumined the dark boat below him. A volley of curses
greeted this untoward action! A revolver barked from the hand of a big
man in the stern. Young Van Cleft lay face downward in the boat, neatly
gagged and bound. As the light still flickered over the surprised
oarsmen, an answering shot evidenced better aim. The man in the back of
the bobbing vessel groaned as he fell forward upon the prostrate body of
the pinioned millionaire. One oarsman disappeared over the side of the
boat, to glide into the unfathomable darkness, with skilful strokes.

"Hold still! I'll kill the first man who makes a move!"

As Shirley's voice rang out, Cleary with his assistants was dashing
across the open space to the end of the dock.

"Shove out that boat-hook and hold onto the dock!" was the additional
order, accompanied by a punctuation mark in the form of another bullet
which splintered the gunwale of the boat. Looking as they were, into the
dazzling eye of the bulb light, the men were uncertain of the number of
their assailants: surrender was natural. Cleary's men made quick work
of them. The boat from the yacht now hove to by this time, filled with
excited and profane sailormen. The skipper of the "White Swan," revolver
drawn, stood in its bow as it bumped against the stairway. Howard Van
Cleft was unbound: dazed but happy he tried to talk.

"What--why--who?" he mumbled.

"Pat Cleary, from the Holland Detective Agency," was Shirley's response.
"There, handcuff these men quick. Two cops are coming. We want the
credit of this job before the rookies beat us to it."

Van Cleft recognized the speaker, and caught his hand fervently.
Shirley, though, was too busy for gratitude. He gave another quick
direction.

"Hurry on board your yacht tender and get underway. Your life isn't
worth a penny if you stay in town another hour. These men will be
attended to. Good luck and goodbye."

The young man rapidly transferred his luggage to his own boat. They
were soon out of view on their way to the larger vessel. Shirley turned
toward Cleary.

"I'll file the charge against these two men. They tried to rob me and
make their getaway in this boat. You were down here as a bodyguard for
Van Cleft, who, of course, knew nothing about the matter as he le