"I'm glad the police are along," came from Sam. "They must be well armed, and I don't see how Arnold Baxter and the others will dare resist them."

"They will dare a good deal to keep out of prison, Sam," remarked d.i.c.k. "They know well enough that if they are caught it may mean a long term for each of them."

On and on went the two yachts until Sandy Hook lighthouse was left in the distance. Once it began to cloud over as if there was a storm in sight, but soon the rising sun came out brightly over the rim of the ocean.

When it came mealtime Sam prepared the repast, and all, even the officers of the law enjoyed what was served to them. "It gives one an appet.i.te, this salt air," was Sergeant Brown's comment.

Soon they were standing down the New Jersey coast, but so far out on the ocean that the sh.o.r.e line was little more than a dark streak on the horizon.

"Are we gaining?" That was the question each asked, not once but a score of times. Martin Harris felt sure that they were; but if this was so, the advantage on the side of the _Searchlight_ was but a slight one.

CHAPTER XXIV

SEARCHLIGHT AND LANTERN

"One thing is in our favor," remarked d.i.c.k, as the day wore away and the distance between the two yachts seemed undiminished.

"Even if we don't succeed in catching them before tonight we know where they are bound."

"Perhaps it might be as well to hang back!" burst in Tom. "If we remain in sight they won't land as intended."

"The thing of it is, they may change their plans, especially if they think your brother overheard their talk," put in the police sergeant. "My idea is, they'll keep right on down the coast until the darkness hides them from us. Then they'll try to sneak in some cove or river and abandon the boat."

"They'll have a job taking Dora Stanhope along," was Sam's remark. "I don't believe she'll go another step willingly."

"As if she has gone willingly!" said d.i.c.k.

"Well, I mean she'll be more on her guard than she was, and they'll have more of a job to make her go along."

Night settled down gradually and found every heart full of serious speculation. d.i.c.k was especially affected, for he had hoped to see Dora rescued hours before.

"Goodness only knows where they will take her by morning!" he groaned. "I'd give almost anything to be at her side!"

With the going down of the sun the wind died away and the sails of the _Searchlight_ flapped idly to and fro.

"Now it's a waiting game," announced Martin Harris. "If we can't move neither can they."

"Just the same, the _Flyaway_ is turning out to sea!" cried Tom.

"Now what can that mean?"

"That may be only a blind," said Carter.

"No, they are afraid of drifting on the sands," answered the skipper of the _Searchlight_. "I reckon we'll have to turn out, too," and he changed the course of the yacht.

Darkness found both boats far out on the Atlantic and almost out of sight of each other.

"This is maddening!" cried d.i.c.k. "Can't we row, or do something?"

"Rowing wouldn't count much, I'm afraid," laughed Martin Harris.

"But don't fret. Unless I am mistaken, we'll have a breeze before midnight."

"And they may be out of sight long before that time!"

"That's to be seen, lad. I'll watch the thing closely, for I'm as anxious to catch 'em as you are."

"I'd give a good deal for a small boat."

"So would I."

"I thought all yachts carried them."

"They do generally, but mine was stove in at a Catskill dock about a week ago and is being repaired."

"Here comes the wind!" shouted Sam, half an hour later, and when the _Flyaway_ was almost out of sight. "Now, Harris, let us make the most of it."

"We will, and I hope there isn't too much of it," was the quick reply.

Soon the breeze struck them, and, as it came from sh.o.r.e, it hit the _Searchlight_ first and drove her fairly close to the other yacht. But before anything could be said or done, the other craft also moved; and then the chase began as before.

"We're getting all we want now," announced Tom, as the wind grew heavier. "Just look how the yacht dips her nose into the brine!"

"We'll have to shorten sail before long," said Martin Harris.

"If we don't, a sudden gust might make us lose our stick."

"I'd like to see the _Flyaway_ lose her mast!" cried Tom. "It would just serve the Baxters right if they went to the bottom."'

"No, we don't want to see that yacht harmed," put in d.i.c.k quickly. "Remember, Dora is on board--and that stolen fortune, too."

Swiftly both yachts flew on their outward course, the ocean growing more tempestuous each minute. The police officers viewed the turn of affairs with alarm.

"If it's not safe, let us turn back," whispered Carter.

"Don't get scared so soon," replied Harris, who overheard the remark. "I've been' in a worse blow than this, twice over."

The sails were reefed, and they continued on their course. The _Flyaway_ was now but a shadow in the gloom, and presently even this died out.

"The chase is over," announced Harris with disgust. "Hang the luck anyhow!"

"What do you, mean?" demanded d.i.c.k.

"She's out of sight, and there is no telling now how she will turn."

"But she can't tack back in this wind."

"She can make a putty good try at it, lad."