"That is proof positive that she was here," he thought grimly.

In one of the fireplaces he came across some half-burnt letters. He looked them over with care and caught the post-mark, Portland, Me. On one slip he read the following:

easy from Portla the schooner Mary Del as we arrive, I will have if not then Slay's Island, where

"Humph! this may prove of value," murmured d.i.c.k to himself, and placed the bit of letter in his pocket. Then he hunted around the rooms again, but nothing more came to light.

"Will Mrs. Sobber come back?" asked the old man, when d.i.c.k went below.

"I doubt it, sir."

"She must be an awful woman, if what you say is true."

"She is a criminal, Mr. Mason, and so is that Tad Sobber. I would advise you to have nothing more to do with them."

"I must have a housekeeper," whined the old man.

"Then hire somebody you are sure is honest," returned d.i.c.k; and a few minutes later he quitted the house.

On his way to the hotel he met Sam and Tom, who had looked in vain for the automobile. In as few words as possible he told his brothers about what Oliver Mason had said, and of the finding of the slip of paper.

"What do you make of it?" asked Sam.

"I think they are going to Portland, either by auto or in a boat,"

answered d.i.c.k.

"That's just what I think," added Tom. "But we may be mistaken."

"Before we go any further, I am going to have that house watched," went on d.i.c.k. "I'll hire a first-cla.s.s detective, and then, if Mrs. Sobber or any of the others come back, we'll have 'em arrested."

They visited a detective agency, and a man was put on the case without delay. Then the Rovers hurried down to the water front, to see if they could get any trace of Mrs. Stanhope there.

An hour's tramping produced no results, and somewhat discouraged, they were on the point of going to the hotel, to meet Spud, when they saw an old sailor come from a restaurant close by.

"My friend," said d.i.c.k, addressing the old tar, "I'd like to get some information. Did you ever hear of a schooner in these parts that was called the Mary Del something or other?"

"Mary Del?" repeated the old sailor, twisting his forelock. "Oh, I reckon you mean the Mary Delaway!" he cried. "Sure, I know her. Didn't I see her sail for Portland less than an hour ago!"

CHAPTER XXII A CHASE UP THE COAST

"You saw her sail for Portland!" cried Sam.

"Less than an hour ago?" exclaimed Tom.

"Where from?" queried d.i.c.k, quickly. "Hurry up and tell me-it will be money in your pocket."

"The Mary Delaway sailed from Cruser's dock," answered the old sailor.

"That's about four blocks from here. I can show you the place. But you can't get aboard, messmates-she's gone."

"We must catch her!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed d.i.c.k. "No matter at what cost, we must catch her. How can we do it?"

"Can't we follow her in a motor boat, or a steam launch?" asked Tom.

"You can follow her in a tug," said the old tar. "But she is out of sight now."

"Do you know where she is going to land in Portland?" asked Sam.

"No."

"Do you know anybody on board?"

"I know Jack Crumpet. He sailed in the old Resolute with me. I went to see him-that's how I know the Mary Delaway sailed."

"You were on board?" asked d.i.c.k.

"No, I wasn't-I saw Jack on the dock. He said as how the cap'n had given orders for n.o.buddy to come aboard-why, I don't know."

"Well, I know," muttered d.i.c.k. "It was to keep their villainous doings secret. Who did you see on the schooner?"

"I saw several men and two ladies. One lady looked kind of excited."

"It must have been Mrs. Stanhope!" murmured d.i.c.k. "Come!" he cried. "Let us get some kind of a boat and follow that schooner."

The Rover boys were accustomed to quick action, and they had supplied themselves with plenty of ready cash to use in case of emergency.

Consequently, it was an easy matter for them to pick up a steam tug at one of the docks. The captain said he would willingly follow up the Mary Delaway and try to overtake her if he was paid for it.

"Will you go along?" asked d.i.c.k, of the old tar. "I want you to aid in picking up that schooner. You know her by sight. I will pay you good wages."

"I've signed articles for a trip to Africy, starting next week Thursday,"

answered Larry Dixon, for such was the sailor's name.

"We'll get you back long before that time," answered d.i.c.k. "And pay you a nice salary in the bargain."

"Then I'm your man, messmate," responded Larry Dixon.

While the steam tug was getting ready to leave, d.i.c.k called up Spud on the telephone and acquainted their college chum with what had occurred.

"When will you be back?" asked Spud.

"I don't know," replied d.i.c.k. "Better not wait for us. This may prove a long chase."

"Well, I hope you rescue the lady, get back the fortune, and land those rascals in jail," said Spud.

The steam tug carried a crew of six, all good, strong, hearty fellows. In a few brief words d.i.c.k and his brothers explained to the captain how matters stood, and Captain Wells promised to aid them all he could in thwarting the plans of the evildoers. He was armed, and said he could lend the Rovers some pistols if they wanted them.