ried about us. If it comes on
to blow too hard we'll have to turn back."

"And let that man get away?"

"There'd be no help for it. But we haven't turned back yet, and now
his craft ought to be easy to trace."

Once more they looked through the glass at the vessel ahead of them.
They could see sailors moving about on deck, but that was all. No sign
of the tall dark man was visible.

"Perhaps he isn't aboard," suggested Andy.

"It can't be helped," answered his brother. "We want the motor boat
almost as much as we want the man, and we can't take our choice I'm
afraid. But we are certainly creeping up on them."

This was true, for while two miles had at first separated the vessels,
the distance was now narrowed to a little less than a half mile, and
the _Gull_ was sailing better than was her rival.

"What are you going to do when you get within hailing distance?" asked
Andy, after a pause.

"I don't know--haven't exactly made up my mind," was the answer of the
elder Racer lad. "But I'll have to soon."

Frank was giving all his attention to managing the _Gull_, so as to
gain every foot. Andy went up forward now and then to report progress.

"Hey, Frank!" he suddenly called, "there's something doing on board."

"What makes you think so?"

"Why the whole crowd of them have come aft and are looking at us for
all they're worth."

"Are they using glasses?"

"No--yes, they are too! A new man has come up on deck, and he's got a
pair. He's training them on us."

"Good! That shows they're worried. Take our glasses and see what you
can make out."

Andy looked long and earnestly. Then he let out a yell.

"It's him! It's that mysterious man!" he shouted. "He's excited, too,
for he's making motions to the crew!"

"Good! Watch him carefully. We'll be up to them in about five
minutes."

Andy watched. In a minute he gave another cry.

"What is it?" asked Frank.

"They're laying-to--waiting for us, I guess."

"They won't have long to wait," declared Frank grimly.

The _Gull_ was swiftly slipping through the water. In a little while
it was almost abeam of the craft towing the mysterious motor boat.
Frank threw her head up into the wind, and, as he did so a voice from
the other sailboat hailed him.

"_Gull_ ahoy! Are you trailing us?"

It was the mysterious man calling, and he was standing on the rail.

"Yes, we are," answered Frank boldly.

"Well, what do you want?"

"We want to find