He watched the fellows closely, yet without neglecting the boat, but they neither glanced toward him, or seemed aware of his existence.
Convinced that they felt no suspicion, but were merely exercising ordinary precaution not to be overheard, the watcher soon banished all fear of them from his mind.

His whole thought centred on the early arrival of McAdams.

Until the detective came, there was nothing he could do but sit there quietly and wait.

But what if the necessary repairs were completed, and the _Seminole_ sailed before Mac got there?
The fellow called Joe had mentioned half an hour, and he probably meant that was the time set by the mechanics for completing their job on the engine.

Beyond doubt, the intention was to depart immediately.