Frank and Andy Afloat Part 22

"That's how I happened to see him," said Frank, in explanation, "and how I knew him to be the mysterious man."

"Did he touch you?" asked Andy.

"No," answered Paul, "though I don't know what he might have done if I hadn't awakened as I did."

"Did he take anything of yours from the room?" asked Mr. Racer.

"I haven't anything of my own, except the clothes I wore when the boys rescued me, so he couldn't get anything."

"But you said he was at the bureau," went on Frank.

"Nothing is missing from there," said Mrs. Racer quickly.

"Perhaps he thought Paul had some important papers," suggested Andy.

"I'm sure I haven't," and once more the unfortunate youth pa.s.sed his hand across his forehead. "I wish I could recall when it was, and under what circ.u.mstances, I met that man before. But I can't. Only I'm sure of one thing--he is an enemy of mine--and of my father."

"Can you recall anything of your father--or mother?" asked Mrs. Racer softly.

"No," answered Paul with a shake of his head; and tears filled his eyes.

"Well, I know one thing!" exclaimed Frank decidedly. "I'm going to have another try at finding that man. I'm sure he's in this vicinity now. He's hanging around here for some reason, and we have a double motive in locating him. I believe he set our boat on fire," and for the first time he told his parents of his suspicions.

"Be careful if you do meet him," cautioned Mr. Racer. "He is evidently a dangerous character. Now to see what the police can do, and then we'll go back to bed."

The police could do very little, as might be expected, though they promised to keep a lookout for the fellow. They made an utterly useless inspection of the house and grounds, and left. Then the family and Paul went to bed to get what little sleep they could.

Frank and Andy discussed the matter long and earnestly the next day.

Paul was not so well, on account of the fright, and so it was not thought wise to have him accompany them on a sailing trip.

"I'm not so sure it will do any good to go off in our boat," declared Andy. "That fellow is just as likely to be on land as at sea."

"I think he's more likely to be at sea," declared Frank. "He wants to get that damaged motor boat."

"Well, let's try looking for him ash.o.r.e a while and if that doesn't amount to anything, I'll go sailing with you," suggested the younger brother.

To this Frank agreed; and for several days he and his brother went from one seacoast settlement to another, making inquiries. Nothing, however, came from them. They spent much time riding back and forth on the electric car line, hoping they might unexpectedly meet the mysterious man there, but he kept out of their way as if he knew they were on his trail.

"Well, now for a sailing cruise!" exclaimed Frank, one morning, and Andy announced that his theory had been tried and found wanting. The brothers wanted to take Paul, but he was not well enough, so, having taken along a supply of provisions, if they should be becalmed and kept out all night, as was sometimes the case, they set sail, beating up along the coast.

There was a fair wind, that freshened at noon, but which died out toward evening, and finally there settled over the ocean a dead calm.

"It's us out for all night, unless you can whistle up a wind," said Frank grimly.

"We'll both try," proposed Andy, and they whistled all the tunes they knew, but without avail.

Then, having lighted their lamps, and cooked a supper on the oil stove in the small galley, they prepared to spend the night at sea. They had often done it before, for their craft was a staunch one, and as they had said at home that they might be detained, they knew their folks would not worry.

They stood watch and watch, of several hours at a stretch, and Frank was on duty when the gray and misty night began to be dispelled by the rosy sun rising from the water. As he glanced across the slowly heaving billows, something in the very path of Old Sol's smiling beams caught his eye.

It was a sailboat, somewhat larger than the _Gull_, but it was not the sight of the craft itself that attracted Frank's attention. It was something trailing behind.

"Andy! Andy, come up here!" called elder Racer lad.

"What's the matter?" demanded his brother, coming from his berth in the tiny cabin, and rubbing his sleepy eyes. "See another whale?"

"No, but look at that sailboat? Isn't it dragging something?"

"It sure is!"

"What do you make it out to be?"

"It looks like--why it's a motor boat, and it looks as if it had seen hard usage."

"That's what I thought, and I'll miss my guess if that isn't the very boat that blew up when Paul Gale was in it."

"I believe you're right. Wait a minute." Andy disappeared, to return a moment later with a pair of powerful gla.s.ses. He focused the binoculars on the object trailing behind the sailing craft. Then he uttered a cry:

"It's the damaged motor boat! We're on the track of it again! Let's chase after it and see who has it!"

CHAPTER XV

ORDERED BACK

The wind had freshened and was now blowing at a lively rate. Andy and Frank sprang to the sails, even hoisting a small jib which they seldom used. But now they wanted all the speed they could get, for the craft which was towing the damaged motor boat was some distance away, and was rapidly drawing ahead.

"Can we catch her, do you think?" asked Andy, as he gave the tiller over to his brother.

"We've got to," was the answer with quiet determination. "Suppose you get something to eat while I handle the boat? We may not have time to cook anything after we come up to them."

"Are you going to come to close quarters?"

"I'm going to try to get near enough to see if the mysterious man is aboard, and if he is, I'm going to fire some questions at him, and let him know that he's liable to arrest for entering our house the other night."

"I'd like to fire something else besides questions at him. I've got my small rifle aboard."

"None of that!" objected Frank quickly. "We'll proceed on lawful lines, no matter what he does. Now, Miss _Gull_," and he patted the rail of the craft, "do your prettiest. See if you can't catch up to those fellows."

The wind continued good and the boys' craft slipped through the water at a lively rate of speed. Andy busied himself in the galley, whence soon came the appetizing odor of coffee, bacon and eggs.

"Hurry up with that!" called Frank. "I'm as hungry as a crab."

"It's almost ready," replied his brother. "Shall I bring it up, or will you come down?"

"You get yours first, and then relieve me. I don't want to eat with one hand and steer with the other. Only don't be all morning, and leave some for me."