“Among the latter was the murderer. I recognized him at a glance. He pointed at me and said: “Arrest him; he killed the man; I saw him do it. See, he yet holds the pistol in his hand with which the crime was committed!” Although I protested my innocence, no one believed me. The men surrounded me; they were going to forcibly arrest me. Seeing how strong the circumstantial evidence was against me, I fled and escaped in safety to your house unseen. Since then, I am sure the authorities have been searching for me.”
“It looks black against you, Dr. Vaneyke.”
“Shall I surrender myself and stand trial?”
“You may not establish your innocence if you do.”
“Keep shady; if arrested you can’t go with me.”
“I want to leave as soon as possible in pursuit of the Red Eric to rescue Walter Grey. I can’t do it if you are arrested with such a serious charge hanging over your head. No! You must not submit to arrest.”
Bang, bang! came the sound of a volley of raps at the door.
“They’re bound to get in,” nervously said Dr. Vaneyke.
“After all, it may not be any one after you.”
“For safety get aboard the ice ship and hide yourself, while I open the door and ascertain who is outside.”
He had hardly done so when the bell rang loudly.
“Well?” demanded Frank, eyeing him keenly.
“I am after Dr. Vaneyke, sir,” replied the officer.
“Oh, no! It’s proven! He’s here, isn’t he?”
“Do you mean to say you will prevent me?”
“Very well,” answered Frank, shutting the door.
He went aboard of the Ranger, as he had christened the flying ice ship, and opening a door in the wheel-house, found himself in a large room.
It contained some furniture, a compass, steering wheel, levers for controlling the mechanism, and a number of registers.
A companionway led him down into a small but beautiful cabin, where he found the professor pacing nervously to and fro.
“It’s just as I feared,” murmured Dr. Vaneyke, despairingly. “The detective will guard this place until he can get a warrant to come in after me. Then he will take me anyway.”
“Not if I can prevent it,” replied Frank.
“Oh, yes, I can. A little more work will put the Ranger in perfect order. She is already equipped for her intended journey, and contains enough food and water to last several months. By to-night we will all leave here in her.”