shook his head.

"That's going pretty far," he said. "I don't know that there is warrant
for it."

"It won't need to be a hard bump," Orme explained. "I don't want to hurt
the fellow."

"Then why----?"

"To frighten him into giving up some papers."

Porter looked straight into Orme's eyes. "Do the papers belong to you?"
he demanded.

"No." Orme spoke quietly. "They belong to this young lady--or, rather, to
her father. This Japanese, and the other one, there on the shore, stole
them."

"What is the lady's name?"

"I can't tell you that."

"But the police----"

"It isn't a matter for the police. Please trust me, Mr. Porter."

The life-saver stood irresolute.

"If this boat is damaged, I'll make it good five times over," continued
Orme.

"Oh, it wouldn't hurt the boat. A few scratches, perhaps. It's the other
boat I'm thinking of."

"It's pretty grim business, I know," remarked Orme.

The younger man again studied Orme's face. "Can you give me your word
that the circumstances would justify us in ramming that boat?"

It flashed over Orme that he had no idea what those circumstances were.
He knew only what little the girl had told him. Yet she had assured him
again and again that the papers were of the greatest importance. True,
throughout the affair, thus far, with the exception of the blow he had
given Maku, the persons concerned had offered no dangerous violence. The
mysterious papers might contain information about South American
mines--as little Poritol had suggested; they might hold the secrets of an
international syndicate. Whatever they were, it was really doubtful
whether the necessity of their recovery would justify the possible
slaying of another man.

Perhaps the girl had unconsciously exaggerated their value. Women who
took a hand in business often lost the sense of relative importance. And
yet, she had been so sure; she had herself gone to such lengths. Then,
too, the South Americans had hired a burglar to break into her father's
house, and now this Japanese had abducted her. Yes, it was a serious
game.

Orme answered Porter. "I give you my word," he said.

Porter nodded and tightened his lips.

"At the very least, that fellow has tried to abduct this young lady,"
added Orme.

"All right," said Porter. "Let her go."

The other boat had drifted about fifty feet away. Orme called out.

"Hello, there, Japanese. Will you give up the papers."

No answer came.

"If you won't," cri