enough out
so's we can't see her from here. Anyway, jump into that boat there, and
we'll paddle around till we get her."

Rhoda Gray held her breath. The boat rocked violently as, one after
another, the men jumped into it. Her right hand was doubled under her,
it was hard to reach her pocket and her automatic. She moved a little;
they were cursing, splashing with their oars, making too much noise to
hear any slight rustle that she might make.

A minute, two, went by. She had her automatic now, and she lay there,
grim-lipped, waiting. Even if they found her now, she had her own way
out; and by now, beyond any question, the Adventurer and the Sparrow
would have reached the street, and, even if they had to hide out there
somewhere until the Adventurer had recovered the use of his limbs, they
would be safe.

She could not see, of course. Once the boat bumped, and again. They were
probably searching around under the wharf. She could not hear what they
said, for they were keeping quiet now, talking in whispers--so as not to
give her warning of their whereabouts undoubtedly!

The time dragged on. Her cramped position was bringing her excruciating
agony now. She could understand how the Adventurer, in far worse case
in the brutal position in which they had bound him, had fainted. She
was afraid she would faint herself--it was not only the pain, but it was
terribly close in the confined space, and her head was swimming.

Occasionally the oars splashed; and then, after an interminable time,
the men, as though hopeless of success, and as though caution were no
longer of any service, began to talk louder.

The third man was Shluker. She recognized his voice, too.

"It's no use!" he snarled. "If she's a good swimmer, she could get
across the river easy. She's got away; that's sure. What the hell's
the good of this? We're playing the fool. Beat it back! She was nosing
around the shed. How do we know she didn't let the Pug loose before we
saw her?"

Pinkie Bonn whined:

"If he's gone too, we're crimped! The whole works is bust up! The Pug
knows everything, where our money is, an' everything. They'll have us
cold!"

"Close your face, Pinkie!" It was Danglar speaking, his voice hoarse
with uncontrollable rage. "Go on back, then, Shluker. Quick!"

Rhoda Gray heard the hurried splashing of the oars now; and presently
she felt the bumping of the boat against the wharf, and its violent
rocking as the men climbed out of it aga