Harold Bird, of the person who gave
this information.

"I don't think she was," was the answer. "She went down before the
flames got very far."

"And what of the rascals who ran, or rather swam, away?" asked Dick.

"They came ashore, went to a hotel, where they dried their clothing
and got something to eat, and then went off to get the launch raised."

"I don't believe they intended to raise the launch," said Sam,
promptly. "That was only a bluff."

"Exactly what I think," put in Tom. "Those fellows know they'll be
followed sooner or later, and they'll try to make themselves scarce."

What to do next our friends scarcely knew. They went to several points
along the sound front, but could gain no information of value.

"We've lost them," said Songbird, dismally. "All our long chase for
nothing."

They were moving from one dock to another when they saw a man sitting
on some bales of cotton, sleeping soundly and snoring lustily.

"Why, isn't that the carpenter who was going to repair the _Dora_?"
cried Sam.

"Sure it is!" answered Tom. "Here is luck!"

"I wonder if those other rascals are near?" questioned Fred.

They looked all around, but soon reached the conclusion that Solly
Jackson was alone. Then they shook the fellow and roused him. He had
evidently been drinking, but he was now almost sober.

"What's the matter?" he demanded, sleepily. "Lemme alone, Pold."

"Wake up, you rascal!" cried Dick. "You're not on the launch."

"What's the reason I ain't?" stammered Solly Jackson. "Oh, she got
on fire, didn't she? Well, let her burn!" And he attempted to go to
sleep again.

"You'll wake up!" cried Harold Bird, and between them he and Dick
shook the fellow until he was thoroughly aroused. When he realized
his position he was greatly alarmed.

"Oh, gentlemen, it's all a mistake," he whined. "I--er--I didn't run
off with the launch, or the houseboat either. All a mistake, I tell you!"

"It was a mistake," answered Dick, grimly. "And you'll find it so
when you are behind the prison bars."

"Whe--where are the others?"

"That is what we want to know," said Tom. "Where did you leave them?"

"Ain't they here?"

"No. Where were you with them last?"

Solly Jackson scratched his head thoughtfully.

"At the tavern. I had several drinks, and that's the last I knew."

"Did they bring you here and leave you?" asked Sam.

"I reckon they did--I don't know exactly. But, gentlemen, I didn't
steal the boats an