"
"I can prove it's all right, captain."
"How so?"
Ballard ran his eye over the yacht's rigging, and said:
"Would you take any suggestions from a man who had plenty of
experience in crafts of this sort?"
"I would; yes."
The detective who really was a splendid seaman, made some very
pertinent and useful suggestions, and Denman was just sailor
enough to appreciate that he had secured a useful man; and he
said:
"It's all right. Consider yourself shipped. You're just the
man I want; and we'll get to work at once on your
alterations."
The suggestions were such as could easily be carried out by
the master and his crew, and soon all hands were busy.
It had been decided that the yacht would go to sea that night,
and our hero was booked for the trip.
Spencer Vance had played his cards well. He improved every
moment in making himself popular with the crew, and late in
the afternoon, when all hands went ashore, he was the hero of
the gang. In an offhand manner the detective remarked, as the
boat was run on the beach:
"I'll see you later, boys; I'm going over for a bit to look
after Tom Pearce."
CHAPTER, XVI.
Spencer Vance had proceeded but a short distance, when he saw
the figure of a girl coming across the sand, and his
astonishment was great, when, upon a nearer approach, he
recognized Renie.
The girl was neatly dressed, and her feet were covered with
dainty slippers, while her hair was tastefully arranged.
Our hero had been impressed with the girl's rare beauty upon
beholding her barefooted in her loose gown and unkempt hair;
but, as he gazed upon her face when arrayed in neat and
well-fitting attire, his admiration was increased.
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