“I have a very important message for him,” Dick hastened to say.  “I must see him at once.”

“Oh, in that case you’ll find him down at the docks.  He has engaged passage on the Princess Lenida bound for Liverpool.”

“And when does the Princess Lenida sail?” asked Dick, quickly.

“I don’t know exactly.  Either this afternoon or to-morrow morning.”

“And you are sure he has gone to the steamer?”

“Oh, yes.  He sent his baggage off this morning, and he said he would not be back.”

“Thank you, Madam.”  And without another word Dick turned and left the residence.

As he did this he saw a man he knew hurrying along the street.  The man stopped when he caught sight of Dick and the two boys in the taxicab.

“Why, you here, Mr. Bronson?” cried Dick.

“Hello! how in the world did you fellows get here!” exclaimed the detective the Rovers had hired but a short time before.  “Are you on the trail of Pelter, too?”

“We are,” answered Dick.  “How did you learn he had been here?”

“Had been!  Do you mean to say he has left?”

“Yes.  The woman who came to the door told me he had left about an hour ago.  He is going to sail on the Princess Lenida for Liverpool either this afternoon or to-morrow morning.”

“Say, then we want to get after him at once!” cried the detective.

“I agree on that,” answered Dick.  He turned to the chauffeur.  “Do you know the dock from which the Princess Lenida sails?” he questioned.

“Sure I do!  I’ve been there many a time,” answered the taxicab driver.

“Then take us there just as quickly as you can,” said Dick.  “Never mind the speed laws.  If you are held up we will pay the fine.”

“We won’t be held up—­ not if I show this,” said the detective, and exhibited the badge pinned to his vest.  Then Dick and Mr. Bronson jumped into the taxicab, and away the turnout went at top speed back to the heart of the city.

“How did you get here?” questioned Tom, of the detective while riding along.

“As I said I would, I got into communication with one of our men out West, and he went after that Barton Pelter.  He got him in Dayton, and made him confess that he had sent that note to you.  Then he told our man that his uncle was most likely here in Philadelphia; so I came on at once to see if I could locate the man.”

“If only we can catch him before he sails!” cried Sam.

“Oh, we’ve got to do it!” put in Tom.

Soon the taxicab reached the crowded thoroughfares of Philadelphia.  They made several turns, crossing the track of the street cars, and finally came to a halt near the river front.

“There’s the dock you want,” said the chauffeur, pointing with his hand.

“Is that the Princess Lenida?” questioned Dick, quickly, indicating the upper works of a steamer, which could be seen over the dock buildings.