if I even suggested it."

McCoy walked with Dickie Lang to the dock to bid Gregory _bon voyage_
and wish him luck on his mission. Then they caught sight of the launch
nearing the float and their disappointment registered in their faces.
Gregory drew the girl aside.

"You have the same idea about her that I had," he said. "But don't
worry. Barrows' man, I guess, knows what he's talking about and if she
doesn't make good I don't take her." Lowering his voice so that only
Dickie could hear, he met her eyes. "You'll notice," he said, "that I
named her Richard. But as boats are always called 'she,' you will
understand that means 'Dickie.'"

Before the girl could recover from her surprise he hurried away and
dropped into the seat beside the driver. As the boatman threw in the
clutch and the launch shot out into the stream, Gregory looked back at
the wharf and noted that Dickie Lang's cheeks were red beneath her tan.
And Jack McCoy, though he said nothing as he walked with the girl along
the dock, wondered what the boss could have said to make Dick blush like
that.

CHAPTER XIX

ROCK FOLLOWS UP

His first ride in a speed-boat.

Kenneth Gregory leaned back on the cushions and watched the _Richard_
drag her heavy hull through the quiet water of Crescent Bay. A feeling
of disgust assailed him. The craft was utterly worthless for his
purposes. She had no pick-up at all and was barely able to maintain her
lead as she lumbered along ahead of one of the fastest of Mascola's
fishing-boats.

The driver, who called himself Bronson, appeared to be perfectly
satisfied with the vessel's behavior and made no effort to crowd her by
the fishing fleet. At length they reached the outlet and the _Richard_
settled comfortably into the trough of the swell. Then Bronson turned to
his passenger.

"Better put on your rain-coat," he suggested. "We'll be bucking the wind
and it picks up the spray and throws it right back at us."

As he spoke he slipped into his slicker and waited for Gregory to don
his mackintosh.

"I'm ready when you are," Gregory announced. "Let her go."

Bronson looked cautiously over his shoulder.

"Want to keep an eye out for Mascola," he said. "Don't want him to see
this one in action until we're good and ready. I won't open her up
to-day. Motor's too stiff yet and we're liable to burn out something."

As he spoke he advanced the throttle and the _Richard_ protested at his
action in a series of spasmodi