some way, with the two men ashore.  The boat would never depart unless they were aboard, as they were evidently the leaders of the gang, yet this would be a most desperate expedient, to be resorted to only when all other effort had failed.  The two were husky chaps, and he would probably be the one to suffer most in such an encounter.  Besides it would put them on their guard, and possibly avail nothing.  Why not speak to the fellows pleasantly, and naturally?  They had no reason to be suspicious of him; he was but one of many others lounging idly about the pier.  His curiosity would seem reasonable enough, and he might thus gain some clue as to their destination.  Then, even if they did sail before Mac appeared, they could be safely intercepted in time for a rescue.  Indeed, such information, if it could be gained, would give opportunity to plan effective action.

Circumstances seemed to work to this end, the two men strolling carelessly back toward where he sat, pausing within a few feet of him, all their attention apparently riveted upon the yacht.

“Had some hard luck?” he ventured.  “Engine give out?”

The red-moustached one glanced about, his eyes surveying the speaker indifferently.

“Broke a piston, and had to be towed in,” he replied carelessly, “We’ll be off again presently.”

“Nice day for a sail.”

“Sure is.”

The very indifference of the fellow led West to take a chance.

“Some nice boat you’ve got there.  The Coolidge yacht, isn’t it?  Haven’t seen it out lately.”

“Are you a yachtsman?”

“A bit of an amateur, yes; have a cat-boat I play with some.  Belong to the Columbia Club.”

“Off Grant Park; this boat quarters in the Jackson lagoon.  We left there last night.  You knew Coolidge?”

“No, never met him; recognized the boat though.  Has it been sold?”

“Not yet.  It wasn’t his anyway; belonged to the estate.  I’m one of the trustees; that’s how I’ve got the use of it—­see?  Ever looked it over?”

West shook his head.

“No, but I wouldn’t mind; she’s a dandy.”

“She sure is; better inside than out to my notion.  Come aboard; we’ve got time enough.  Not thinking of buying a yacht, are you?”

“Well, I might, if the price is not too steep.  I’ve got the fever all right; what I lack maybe, is money.  It costs a lot to run a yacht.”

“Oh, I don’t know.  We operate this with three men as a crew.  That’s not so bad.  Come along with us, Mark; we’ll take a look at the cabin first, and then go forward.”

The three men stepped over the low rail, and moved aft across the deck, the leader talking fluently, and pointing out various things of interest.  His only object apparently was to arouse in West a desire to purchase.  The other man never spoke, and the latter gave no thought to his presence.  He had been rarely fortunate so far, and was looking for an opportunity to question his guide on the purpose of their voyage.  He would wait until later; until the examination had been completed, perhaps, when they believed him a possible purchaser.  Joe opened the cabin door, and West stepped inside, the interior darkened by drawn curtains.  The dusk was confusing, and he stood still after the first step, hearing the latch click behind him.