ng into them,
while Detective Calvert, who is in this part of the world for that
purpose, can't put his hand on them. If he and his friend, whom we saw at
Wiscasset, and who is an officer of the law also, were here, we should be
sure of doing the right thing. As it is, it's all guesswork."

"Light ahead!" suddenly called Chester beside him.

"Where away?"

"Right ahead, but closer in shore on the left."

Alvin leaned forward and gazed intently.

"You are right," he added as he saw a white light low down on the water.
"Now we'll show those fellows what the _Deerfoot_ can do when she tries."

He flirted over the little lever controlling the power, and instantly the
engine responded so fiercely that the launch shivered from stem to stern.
It bounded forward like a hound freed from the leash, the bow rising from
the impulse, as if it would leap clear of the water, and seemingly
shooting over it, like an iceboat driven in a hurricane.

But the launch in front was no laggard. Whether she increased her speed
at sight of the light which was seemingly hustling down the river after
her, or whether she simply held her former rate, she was going at a
tremendous pace. Soon leaving Long Ledge on their right, the pursuer shot
into the broader waters of Montsweag Bay, only to find the white light
seemingly as far off as ever. Possibly the pursuers had gained something,
but not enough to be perceptible.

"They have seen us," said Chester, from his station at the front, "and
are putting in their best licks. We must be going the limit."

"That is twenty-four miles, but we're not making it, Chester."

The second mate pulled down his cap more snugly, for the motionless air
was turned into a gale, and looked back.

"What do you mean? The _Deerfoot_ is eating up water."

"That may be, but she isn't getting there as she ought to," insisted
Alvin, who, of course, was more familiar with his boat. "Something is the
matter with her. She seems to be doing her best, and yet she lags."

"Do you think it because of her trouble yesterday?"

"It must be, but I was sure she was shipshape when we left her last
night. See whether we are gaining."

Chester spent several minutes in studying the position and progress of
that white light, which was gliding with swift smoothness over the water,
and hugging the bank all the while. When he spoke it was doubtfully.

"Perhaps we have gained a little, say about six inches."

Alvin groped about him