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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
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