near enough to see if the mysterious man is
aboard, and if he is, I'm going to fire some questions at him, and let
him know that he's liable to arrest for entering our house the other
night."

"I'd like to fire something else besides questions at him. I've got my
small rifle aboard."

"None of that!" objected Frank quickly. "We'll proceed on lawful
lines, no matter what he does. Now, Miss _Gull_," and he patted the
rail of the craft, "do your prettiest. See if you can't catch up to
those fellows."

The wind continued good and the boys' craft slipped through the water
at a lively rate of speed. Andy busied himself in the galley, whence
soon came the appetizing odor of coffee, bacon and eggs.

"Hurry up with that!" called Frank. "I'm as hungry as a crab."

"It's almost ready," replied his brother. "Shall I bring it up, or
will you come down?"

"You get yours first, and then relieve me. I don't want to eat with
one hand and steer with the other. Only don't be all morning, and
leave some for me."

There was enough, as Frank soon discovered, and when he came up on deck
again he found Andy leaning against the tiller and peering at the
distant vessel through the binoculars.

"Can you make out anything?" he asked.

"No, I can see several men aboard, but I don't notice our mysterious
friend."

"Do they seem to be paying any attention to us?"

"Not a bit. Guess they don't even know we are here. I don't believe
we are going to catch up to them, though."

"Oh, yes we are. The _Gull_ is plenty fast, and they are handicapped
by dragging that motor boat in the water. It must be partly filled, as
it sets so far down, and that makes it all the harder to tow. We're
gaining on them."

"Not so's you could notice it."

"Oh, well, we've got all day, and grub enough for another night. I'm
not going to give up this chase until I have to, or until I've solved
the mystery."

"And I'm with you."

There is not much excitement in a sailing race, as the boys very soon
found out. There was nothing they could do, which would have been the
case in a motor craft, to add to their speed. All they could do was to
sit and let the wind carry them. And they were glad to see that the
breeze was continually freshening.

"There'll be another gale before night, if this keeps up," predicted
Frank.

"Let it," assented Andy. "The _Gull_ likes heavy weather, and we can
stand it."

"Yes, but father and mother will be wor