"Leave it to me, and I'll contrive to keep the boat and its people under observation without looking too plainly in their direction." In due time the plain clothes policeman arrived.

He, the young engineers and the army lieutenant boarded the "Morton," which put out from the landing as though on a trip of inspection of the wall.
"Don't anyone look over at the sloop," Prescott urged.

"I'll do the watching.

A fellow on that craft is holding the glasses on us right now.
Officer, do you demand the assistance of all present in any police duty that may come up ?" "I do," replied the Blixton policeman, a man named Carnes, returning Prescott's wink.
"All right, then," laughed Dick.

"That demand makes policemen of us all.
Tom, you can turn, now, when ready, and put on full speed in going after that craft." Reade gave the order for full speed, then took the steering wheel himself.
"Guilty conscience!" laughed Prescott.