'
By this time the boat was approaching Cherry Gardens Pier, but
unfortunately a thin night-fog had swept over the river, and objects
could not be discerned with any clearness beyond a distance of
thirty yards. As the Customs boat scraped down past the pier all its
occupants strained eyes for a glimpse of the mysterious launch, but
nothing could be seen of it. The boat continued to float idly
down-stream, the men resting on their oars.
Then they narrowly escaped bumping a large Norwegian sailing
vessel at anchor with her stem pointing down-stream. This ship
they passed on the port side. Just as they got clear of her bowsprit
the fat man cried out excitedly, 'There's her nose!' and he put the
boat about and began to pull back against the tide. And surely the
missing 'Squirm' was comfortably anchored on the starboard
quarter of the Norwegian ship, hidden neatly between the ship and
the shore. The men pulled very quietly alongside.
Chapter Twenty-Six THE NIGHT CHASE AND THE MUDLARK
'I'LL board her to start with,' said Hazell, whispering to Racksole.
'I'll make out that I suspect they've got dutiable goods on board,
and that will give me a chance to have a good look at her.'
Dressed in his official overcoat and peaked cap, he stepped, rather
jauntily as Racksole thought, on to the low deck of the launch.
'Anyone aboard?'
Racksole heard him cry out, and a woman's voice answered.
Pages:
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245