"Keep cool," Frisk advised. "We have a head start. We'll make the island okay and can hide the boat in the tunnel."

"And if it's found there I'll take the rap," Jabowski whined. "I wish you'd never mixed me up in this dirty mess. And you dragged Jacques in against his will-"

"Shut up!" Frisk said harshly. "We'll get out of this. But if we don't, we'll all take the rap together."

"Throw the cargo overboard," Jabowski pleaded. "Then the cops won't find any evidence even if they do catch up with us."

He arose and reached for one of the smaller boxes. Joe Matt shoved him back.

"Lay off!" he ordered. "We went to plenty of risk to carry out this job tonight. We ain't pitching any $10,000 haul just because a copper blows a little tin whistle!"

By this time, a powerfully motored police boat had taken up the pursuit.

Jabowski watched anxiously as its brilliant searchlight swept the water.

"She's coming up fast!" he exclaimed. "They'll soon be within firing distance."

"Keep your shirt on," Frisk advised, hunching lower over the steering wheel. "The cops don't know for sure we got the stuff. They may take the boat for Manheim's just as we figured. While they're wondering whether they dare risk taking a shot, we'll make the island."

"I dunno," Jabowski said fearfully. "They're gaining."

"We'll make the island," Frisk repeated with more confidence. "The Dawson Street bridge is just ahead. Once past there, we'll be hidden from view.

We'll slip behind the island into the tunnel. You left Manheim's boat tied to the wharf?"

"Sure, just as you ordered."

"Good. If the cops come by and check they'll find the motor cold. You can claim you haven't been away from the island all night."

"They'll question me. I'm not willing to take the rap while the rest of you get away."

"The cops can't prove a thing once we make the tunnel," f.a.gan growled.

"This is our last haul in this area. You'll get your share and we pull out to a safer spot."

"We pull out all right," Jabowski muttered. "After tonight I'm through. I never should have dragged poor Jacques into this mess-he tried to run away-"

The caretaker glanced briefly at his nephew, huddled in the stern of the boat. Jacques gave no sign he had heard.

"If the cops overtake us-" Jabowski whined.

"Oh, pipe down," Frisk said irritably. "We're coming to the bridge now.

We're safe!"

Lying quite helpless on the deck of the speeding motorboat, Dan suddenly saw Jacques come to life.

With no warning whatsoever, the boy sprang to his feet. Savagely, he hurled himself upon the surprised Frisk f.a.gan, wresting the steering wheel from him.

"Hey, have you gone crazy?" Frisk shouted.

With both hands he gave the boy a mighty shove which sent him reeling backwards over the gunwale.

Out of control, the motorboat crashed with terrific impact into the bridge pier.

CHAPTER 15 The Pay-Off

Dan was hurled violently into the foaming water. As he went under, he held his breath and instinctively turned his head upward.

After what seemed an eternity, his face emerged from the water.

But the boy was helpless, bound hand and foot. He rolled over on his back, trying to float. The gag in his mouth had become water soaked. He began to choke.

This, he thought, was it.

As black despair claimed him, a hand reached out of nowhere to support his back. The gag was jerked from his mouth so that he could breath again. Gratefully, he sucked in big mouthfuls of air.

Twisting his head, Dan saw that it was Jacques who had saved him. The boy was treading water beside him, supporting his body with his left hand.

"Lie still," Jacques commanded. "I tow you. Police boat come. Pick us up."

Even as he spoke, the powerful beam from the approaching launch spotlighted the water about them. A moment later, both boys were hauled aboard.

"Jacques, you saved me," Dan murmured gratefully as the other boy bent to unfasten the ropes which bound him. "Thanks."

Gravely they shook hands and wrung the water from their dripping garments.

"And you deliberately crashed the boat so the police would catch up with us," Dan added. "Why, Jacques?"

The boy shrugged. "Only way," he answered briefly.

After freeing Dan, Jacques watched anxiously while police picked up his uncle, Frisk f.a.gan and Joe Matt. The three had saved themselves by clinging to the sinking motorboat.

Before the men could release the boxes of stolen furs, police had them covered. They were forced aboard the launch, and the smashed motorboat taken in tow. f.a.gan's forehead was cut and Jabowski nursed an injured arm. Otherwise the crash had left them unscathed.

"This was your fault!" Joe Matt accused Jacques savagely as a policeman snapped handcuffs on his wrists. "Yellow rat! I wish I'd let you go that time you sneaked away!"

During the ride back to the dock, police officers took detailed statements from both Dan and Jacques. The later spoke in broken English and had difficulty in telling his story.

However, he revealed that in recent weeks he had been held virtually a prisoner at Skeleton Island. Brought to America from France by his uncle, everything had gone well until Jabowski had fallen in with evil companions.

On the night that the Cubs had found him lying exhausted on the beach, the boy had been a.s.signed to carry a message in code to Joe Matt.

"And what did that message say?" Dan asked. "I figured out only the first word before it was s.n.a.t.c.hed from the Cave."

"Coming through 24," Jacques revealed. "Today the 24th."

"That meant the fur shipment?"