f he sees something about it in the papers,
he'll take the alarm and leave Buffalo before we can land him."

"Buffalo? Is he headed for Buffalo?" asked John Scanlon excitedly.

"Yes. Why?" asked Nat.

"Why, that's where we're going! My father's steam yacht leaves for
Buffalo to-morrow. We're going to make the trip all the way to New
York, by way of the St. Lawrence River, and we're going to stop off at
Buffalo. Maybe we'll see this Bumstead."

"Say, if you only could catch him!" cried Nat eagerly.

"There are several legal difficulties to that plan," objected the
detective.

"Perhaps I can suggest a way out," put in Mr. Scanlon, who had been
listening with interest to the story of Nat's newly discovered
possessions. "I am a lawyer, and if I can help the lad who saved my
son's boat from destruction, I'd be only too glad to do so."

"That might be the very thing," went on the officer. He explained the
mix-up that would ensue if some unauthorized person attempted to cause
the arrest of the mate in Buffalo.

"I think we can get around that difficulty," said the lawyer.
"According to your story the mate is guilty of embezzling money
belonging to another, with which he was entrusted. Then there is the
promissory note, which would come under a different head. Nat can make
a complaint in this city, charging the mate with embezzlement. A
warrant can be sworn out, and I can be duly authorized to prosecute
the case for Nat."

"That would answer first-rate," commented the detective.

"Only I'm afraid it will put you to a good deal of trouble, Mr.
Scanlon," said Mr. Weatherby.

"I don't mind that in the least. I am in no hurry. In fact I am on a
pleasure trip, and it does not matter when I get to New York. I had
planned to stop at Buffalo, and spending a few days longer there than
I calculated on will make no difference."

"But will your boat get to Buffalo ahead of the freight steamer?"
asked Mr. Clayton.

"I think so," replied John Scanlon, with a smile. "It is one of the
fastest small yachts afloat. I fancy we will be at the dock waiting
for this Bumstead when his ship gets in."

"Yes," agreed his father. "I will be waiting for him there with a
warrant. But we must lose no time. Supposing we go to the police
station and draw up the complaint?"

This was soon done, and with the proper papers in his pocket, Mr.
Scanlon and his son prepared to set out on their voyage to capture the
rascally mate. The lawyer promi