cted Nat's
attention, when the young pilot arose early in the afternoon. The lad
had red hair, and his figure seemed familiar.

"If I didn't think he was a good way off from here I'd say that fellow
was Sam Shaw," mused Nat. "He looks a good deal like him."

He tried to watch, to determine if it was his former enemy, but, as
the lad kept moving to and fro, it was impossible to be certain.

"If I saw Mr. Bumstead I'd know it was Sam who was with him," went on
Nat, as he stood at the rail nearest the dock. "It might be possible
they transferred to that ship. I wonder if I hadn't better speak to
Mr. Weatherby, and ask his advice? No, he's sick, and I don't want to
bother him about my affairs. I guess I'll just take a stroll over
there and see for myself. Captain Turton won't care, as we can't sail
until late this evening."

Nat started down the gangplank, but, when he was half way down, he met
a man in uniform, who asked him:

"Is this the _Mermaid_?"

"Yes, sir."

"I am looking for a young man, named Nat Morton. Can you tell me where
I shall find him?"

"That is my name," replied our hero. He thought perhaps it might be an
officer from police headquarters, with some message concerning Mr.
Bumstead.

"Then you are just the person I want," the man went on. "You will have
to come with me."

"Come with you? What for? Is it about Mr. Bumstead?"

"Yes," replied the man. "How did you guess?"

"Well, I've been expecting a message regarding him."

"Then what you will hear will be no news to you."

"Has he been arrested?"

"Arrested? No. Why should he be arrested?"

"Why, I thought you said----"

"Perhaps I had better not say anything more until you get to
headquarters," the man went on.

"Then it surely must be about that rascally mate," thought Nat. "Mr.
Weatherby will be glad they have him."

He followed the man off the pier, and along a street on the water
front.

"I understand you piloted that boat through the storm last night,"
said the man.

"Well, I did, but I guess it was more by good luck than anything else
that enabled me to do it. Who told you about it?"

"Oh, it is pretty generally known. The crews of vessels talk more or
less when they are in dock."

They walked along in silence a little longer, and then the man stopped
in front of a small building.

"This doesn't look like police headquarters," thought Nat. "I wonder
if there's a mistake."

"Go right that way," said the officer, ke