I've said I'd dig 'em, and I'll dig 'em fast.
But the quicker I get done, and the quicker I get my outfit pointed
downstream again, and the quicker I'm out of this river, the better
suited I'll be. That's all I'm saying."
Roger laughed grimly.
"You talk like you'd had dealings with Garman before, White?"
"That's all I'm saying," repeated the man. Then suddenly: "What's
that?"
A clear shaft of light pierced the moonmist ahead, lighting a broad
space in the river from the next bend down to the tug. While they
watched in fascination the light came nearer, flashing in their eyes,
and behind it resounded the unmistakable hum of the Egret's engines.
Compared to the crawling pace of the tug the yacht seemed to leap out
of the night straight at them.
"Yo hoo!" yelled White. "Look out! Want to run us down?"
A full-throated laugh rang out from the Egret's bridge as her course
was changed slightly and her engines throttled down. On the bridge
beside the searchlight Roger saw Garman's huge figure looming.
"Ho, Payne!" came a hail. "Didn't see anything of the ---- we're
after, did you?"
"Not to recognize by that description," replied Roger.
"A ---- by any other name would look the same," laughed Garman. He
leaned over the rail, smoking furiously, his eyes alight with the
savage joy of the chase.
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