What's the trouble?
Engine working bad, and had to come in, hey?
All right--thanks; I'll go straight over and see them." This was great luck, yet there was very little he could hope to accomplish alone, without the help and authority of McAdams.

Even if the vessel had been stolen--which was probably not true--he possessed no power of arrest.

All he could hope to do would be to keep the fellows in sight until Mac showed up, and, if possible, prevent them from putting out into the lake again.

Even in that he needs must be cautious not to be seen by any of the gang who might recognize him.

An alarm, proving they were being followed, would doubtless send them scattering instantly.