"Happened? How?" asked Jerry.
"Why aboard the tug. Blowitz went off the deck in a hurry, and the
steersman has left the pilot house. Maybe something is wrong with the
machinery."
That something of this nature had happened was evident a few minutes
later, for the Monarch had to slow up, and the Ripper was soon so far
in advance that to catch up with her was out of the question.
"I guess the chase is over," announced Mr. De Vere. "I think they've
had an accident. Still Blowitz will not give up. I must expect a legal
battle over this matter when I get ashore. He will try to ruin me, and
claim these papers and the gold. But I will beat him."
The Ripper, urged on by her powerful motor, soon lost sight of the
tug, which, from the last observation Mr. De Vere took, seemed to have
turned about, to go back to the brig.
Two days later, having made quick time, and on a straight course, the
voyagers sighted the harbor of San Felicity a few miles away.
"Now for home!" cried Ned.
"And the bungalow 'The Next Day,' Ponto and a good square meal!" added
Bob.
"And the girls," came from Jerry. "I guess they'll be glad to see us."
"If Blowitz doesn't turn up to make trouble for me," put in Mr. De
Vere, rather dubiously.
The Ripper docked that afternoon, and, Mr. De Vere, promising to call
on the boys and pay them their prize money as soon as he had seen his
lawyer, and deposited the gold and papers in a safe place, bade them
good-bye at the wharf, and hurried off.
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