stealth of a tiger in the jungle. The
operation of its machinery was noiseless, and only the gentle slap of
the waves against the bow gave audible evidence of its passage. For a
considerable time they rode in silence. In the thick darkness the
shore was almost invisible while the glowing street lights that shone
here and there served only to accentuate the blackness of the night.
Close together in the cockpit huddled the passengers, for the air was
raw and chilly.

"Until we've got those fellows safe in handcuffs," said the man in
charge of the party, "I don't want one of you to speak aloud. And stay
down in the bottom of the boat where you can't be seen."

Noticeably the speed of the little craft fell off, It no longer drove
through the waves, but slipped through them so softly that even the
gentle splashing at the bow was ended. Presently Henry missed the
slight vibration, of which he had been but semi-conscious, and he knew
that the pilot had shut off his power completely.

Now the shores, with their towering trees, began to loom up uncertainly
in the darkness, and Henry knew that the boat was slipping into the
harbor. Presently he became aware of a dark spot ahead of them on the
water, then another, and another; and straining his eyes, he saw that
before them lay a great company of motor-boats and sailing yachts.
Very slowly his own craft drew nearer, for it had all but lost its
headway, until it was close to the fleet of pleasure boats. Then there
was a tiny splash and one of the secret service men began to pay out
the anchor rope over the side. The little boat came to rest, and lay
quiet, rolling gently, while its occupants crouched in the cockpit,
listening and peering through the thick darkness as they waited.

Never had either of the boys been in such a situation before, and the
strangeness, the mysteriousness of it impressed them powerfully. All
the sights and sounds of the day were missing and in their place arose
a host of unfamiliar sensations. Mist was rising all about them,
making the darkness denser and more impenetrable. Not a star was to be
seen. The shore-line was only a vague, uncertain black bulk. As they
huddled silently in the bottom of the little boat, they became
conscious of the voices of the night; but these voices were different
from the nocturnal whisperings of field and forest which they knew so
well. Now they heard only the lisping of water. Little wavelets broke
gently