“I think I can fix you out in good shape,” suggested Harrison, now becoming thoroughly interested.  “I saw several of those big flat bottomed oyster boats a ways back as I came to your vessel some time ago.  I believe with a little persuasion I could get one.”

“Will it take us all?” inquired Harry anxiously.

“I believe it will and more, too, if necessary.”

“Then let’s get it and be away.  I’m getting nervous about the delay.  I can understand why Wyckoff gets excited at strangers.”

Accordingly Harrison departed in quest of the large boat he had seen.  In a short time the boys heard the sound of oars and discovered him rowing the skiff towards the Fortuna.

“I have the boat all right,” he cried as he approached the vessel, “but there is no painter.  We haven’t a thing to make fast with.”

“We’ve got plenty of line,” asserted Jack.  “Tom, suppose you hand up a length of that half inch stuff in the lazarette.”

“Here’s a long piece coiled up.  Will that do?” asked Tom.

“Sure,” asserted Harrison.  “Anything that’s long enough.  If it’s too long we’ll let the end drag,” he added with a laugh.

“Now the shovels and we’ll be all right,” cried Arnold.

“The man who had charge of the boats has gone after a couple of shovels,” replied Harrison.  “By the time we’re aboard, he should be here.  He hasn’t far to go.  Are all of you ready?”

“All ready,” declared Jack.  “The doors are locked, the kitten out, the clock wound and everything is snug and comfy.”

“He knows how to close up shop,” asserted Harry.  “Go a voyage with him and see if I’m not right!  I’ve sailed with him.”

“And the cap and fuse for the dynamite?” asked Frank.

“Here in my pocket,” replied Harrison.  “I got it from the watchman.  He wasn’t inclined to let me have it as first, though.”

“Gee,” said Harry.  “I’d like to be a United States Marshal.”

“It is not altogether a pleasant business,” smiled Harrison.  “There are times when we have disagreeable tasks like the one I had this evening.  Then there are other tasks that are pleasant like another one I anticipate I may have later on this evening.”

“Are you after someone else, too?” queried Arnold.

“Well, yes,” admitted Harrison.  “But I don’t know whether or not I will be able to locate them.  That will, of course, be seen.”

“If we can be of any help to you, just let us know and we’ll be ready to render any assistance possible,” offered Jack.

“Thank you, boys; I appreciate your kind offer, and you may be able to help me if my suspicions are correct.”

“Why, what has Wyckoff been doing?” inquired Tom.

“Who said it was Wyckoff?” laughingly replied Harrison.

“Well, it seems to be mighty plain that it is he.”

“Possibly it is he,” admitted the Marshal.  “There have been some shady deals carried through down here lately.  Some smuggling and a bad wreck and one or two other things that the United States Government feels should be explained.  Someone must explain.”