ou to take me
out to the other boat?"

The life-saver hesitated. "I'd like to," he said. "But my study----"

"There'll be some sport, if we get within reach of the man out there,"
Orme put in.

"Well--I'll do it--though the chances are that they will make their
repairs and be off again before we come within a mile."

"I'm much obliged to you," said Orme. "If you would let me make it
right----"

"For taking you out in another man's boat? No, sir."

"I know. Well--my name is Orme, not Holmes."

"And mine," grinned the life-saver, "is Porter."

A man turned in from the drive, and sauntered toward them.

"There's my relief," said Porter. "Hello, Kelmsley."

"Hello," replied the newcomer.

"Just wait till I punch the clock," said Porter to Orme.

"Punch the clock? Oh, I see; the government times you."

"Yes."

Porter went into the station for a moment; then, returning, he exchanged
a few words with the relief and led Orme down to the breakwater. The
launch which was moored there proved to be a sturdy boat, built for
strength rather than for speed.

Orme cast off while Porter removed the tarpaulin from the motor and made
ready to turn the wheel over.

"Is the policeman still busy with the Jap?" Orme questioned suddenly.

"Yes."

"He won't get anything out of him," said Orme--"except fairy-stories."

Porter started the motor and stepped forward to the steering-wheel.
Slowly the launch pushed out into the open lake, and the lights of the
shore receded.

No sound had come from the disabled boat since its motor stopped.
Doubtless it was too far off for the noise of repairs to be heard on the
shore. Orme peered over the dark surface of the water, but he could see
nothing except the lights of a distant steamer.

"I know why he went out so far," remarked Porter. "He is running without
lights."

"That in itself is suspicious, isn't it?" Orme asked.

"Why, yes, I suppose so--though people aren't always as careful as they
might be. Our own lights aren't lighted, you see."

"Have you any clue at all as to where she is?"

"Only from the direction the sounds came from just before the explosions
stopped. She had headway enough to slide some distance after that, and
I'm allowing for it--and for the currents. With the lake as it is, she
would be carried in a little."

For nearly half an hour they continued straight out toward mid-lake. Orme
noticed that there was a slight swell. The lights of Evanston were n