gave a little
exclamation. From the other side of the steamer another tug shot away,
turning back towards New York. Huddled up in the stern, half concealed in
a tarpaulin, was a man in a plain black suit. Quest, with a little shout,
recognised the man at the helm from his long brown beard.

"That's one of those fellows who was in the truck," he declared, "and
that's Craig in the stern! We've got him this time. Say, Captain, it's
that tug I want. Never mind about the steamer. Catch it and I'll make it a
hundred dollars!"

The man swung round the wheel, but he glanced at Quest a little
doubtfully.

"Say, what is this show?" he asked.

Quest opened his coat and displayed his badge. He pointed to the
Inspector.

"Police job. This is Inspector French, I am Sanford Quest."

"Good enough," the man replied. "What's the bloke wanted for?"

"Murder," Quest answered shortly.

"That so?" the other remarked. "Well, you'll get him, sure! He's looking
pretty scared, too. You'd better keep your eyes open, though. I don't know
how many men there are on board, but that tug belongs to the toughest crew
up the river. Got anything handy in the way of firearms?"

Quest nodded.

"You don't need to worry," he said. "We've automatics here, but as long as
we're heading them this way, they'll know the game's up."

"We've got her!" the captain exclaimed. "There's the ferry and the first
of the steamers coming down in the middle. They'll have to chuck it."

Right ahead of them, blazing with lights, a huge ferry came churning the
river up and sending great waves in their direction. On the other side,
unnaturally large, loomed up the great bows of an ocean-going steamer. The
tug was swung round and they ran up alongside. The man with the beard
leaned over.

"Say, what's your trouble?" he demanded.

The Inspector stepped forward.

"I want that man you've got under the tarpaulin," he announced.

"Say, you ain't the river police?"

"I'm Inspector French from headquarters," was the curt reply. "The sooner
you hand him over, the better for you."

"Do you hear that, O'Toole?" the other remarked, swinging round on his
heel. "Get up, you blackguard!"

A man rose from underneath the oilskin. He was wearing Craig's clothes,
but his face was the face of a stranger. As quick as lightning, Quest
swung round in his place.

"He's fooled us again!" he exclaimed. "Head her round, Captain--back to
the _Durham_!"

The sailor shook his head.