“For my sloop, _White Wings_,” answered Merry.
“I see she is, but I’d like to know where she is gone.”
“I can’t tell you that, but three fellows came off to her two hours ago, got up the anchor, hoisted sail and made down the bay. I watched them, because their actions were suspicious, and it was remarkable that they should start out at such an hour. I hailed them once, but they didn’t pay any attention to me.”
“That settles it!” exclaimed Frank. “The _White Wings_ is stolen! I am much obliged to you for the information.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m sorry I didn’t know those chaps were stealing her. I might have found a way to stop them.”
“She was stolen, fellows,” said Merriwell. “We found a man who saw her when she was taken. I shall start in pursuit of her in the morning.”
They walked up into the city, Frank hurrying forward in advance. The Windsor Hotel had not closed for the night, and they went in there, where Frank registered for them all.
“Now,” he said, “you had better go to sleep, fellows. I have some work to do myself, but you can’t help me.”
“I couldn’t sleep if I tried,” declared Diamond. “Let me go with you.”
“All right; but the others must turn in and try to sleep.”
“What are you going to do, Merry?” asked Hodge.
“I am not certain yet what I shall do. Sleep, as I have told you. I shall try to get some sleep myself before morning.”
He seemed as calm as possible, now. To look at him and hear him speak, a stranger could not have dreamed that he had just met with such a loss.
Diamond asked no questions as he and Merriwell left the Windsor. Jack was confident that Merriwell knew what he was about.
Frank proceeded straight to the home of Howard Dustan, despite the hour, and rang the bell. Ten minutes later he was talking with Howard himself.
“What is this you tell me?” cried Dustan, in amazement. “Your yacht stolen?”
“Yes. It was taken while we were at the party to-night. I suppose it was careless to leave it unguarded, but I fancied Parker Flynn was out of the way, so there was little danger that it would be molested. But Martin Woodock warned me to-night that Flynn was alive and in Belfast.”
“I have come to you to help me. I want to hire a small, fast steam launch. Do you know where I can get such a boat, and have it ready to leave at sunrise to-morrow?”