Whether accident or design had been the cause, made no odds--I was willing to match my wits against Kirby and endeavor to win.
And I must deal with facts, just as they were.
"It is my guess," I said, "that their only thought was to get away before the crime was discovered.

The leaving of this boat means nothing, because the steam-operated keel-boat they escaped in, could never be overtaken, once they had a fair start.

If Kirby was alone in this affair, and had those two women in his charge, getting away would be about all he could attend to.

He'd hardly dare leave them long enough to sink this craft.

But what does he know about running an engine ?" "Ah reckon as how he cud, sah, if he just had to," interposed the negro.