Anyhow, I've about made up my mind to land and
find out."

"And perhaps we may be saved all the trouble, Jack, darlint," remarked
Jimmie, with one of his quizzical chuckles.

This, of course, caused the skipper to lift his head and look down the
river.

"Oh! you mean that that launch is heading for us; is that it, Jimmie?"
he asked.

"Here, take the glasses, and ye'll see the glint of brass buttons
aboard the same," remarked the crew of the motor boat, holding out the
magnifiers as he spoke.

Jack whistled, and then laughed.

"Well," he said, "that's good news you are telling me, Jimmie,--for us,
I mean. Nothing could please me better than to be met half way by a
posse of police just now. We've got a little surprise in store for
them, I guess. But I'll have to go ashore after all, for I don't mean
to let that bag go out of my possession without getting a receipt in
full for all it holds."

The launch was coming full-tilt for them. Soon it was so close that
they could see the several police officers who manned it, although they
were apparently trying to keep under cover as much as possible.

Jack kept straight on for the other boat. He even tooted his whistle
several times as though in greeting. And presently the larger launch
came alongside.

"Looks like the boat all right, boys," observed the man who was in the
bow, handling the wheel.

"Yes, and the description hits these two young scamps to a dot!" echoed
another, as he laid hold of the _Tramp_ and started to clamber over the
side; when he suddenly paused, and stared at something he had
discovered in the bottom of the boat. "Hi! what d'ye think?" he cried.
"They've got a couple of fellers tied up here, neck and crop. Pirates,
all right, you better believe. And here's a bag that's got the loot in
it, I wager. Keep 'em covered, will you, till I slip the bracelets on."

"Hold on, if you please, officer!" called a voice, as a gentleman in
civilian dress suddenly appeared at the side of the police boat. "I'm
afraid there's a little mistake here, after all. We've had a false
clew. I know these boys, and they're not the ones we're after."

Jack stared, as well he might.

"Why, hello! Mr. Gregory!" he cried, perhaps with hardly the reverence
he ought to show toward a bank president; but the astonishment of
seeing the gentleman away down here, so many hundred miles from home,
rather disconcerted him.

"Yes, it's no other, Jack," replied the o