"They and that Darkingham must have loaned the motor boat to the Sobber crowd."
"Most likely Sobber paid 'em well for its use. He could do it easily—out of that fortune."
As the steam tug rounded the end of the island, Tom and Sam were just able to see the motor boat in the distance. It seemed to be heading for the mainland.
"All aboard!" sang out Tom, as they ran up to the old dock. But this invitation was unneces sary, for Dick, Captain Wells and Larry Dixon leaped on the deck as soon as the craft was close enough.
"Now then, after her!" sang out the eldest Rover boy. "Crowd on all steam! I'll pay all expenses, and more!"
"Even if she blows up?" queried the captain, with a bit of dry humor.
"Yes, even if she blows up, Captain! Oh, we must catch them!" added Dick, pleadingly.
"We'll do our level best, Mr. Rover. Nobody could do more."
Soon the throbbing of the engine showed that the tug was running under a full pressure of steam. The spray dashed all over the craft and those on board, but to this nobody paid attention. Every eye was riveted on the craft ahead.
