"That's what I can't make out. Here a fellow who had just got a job, and then tries to beat it and make his employer think he is dead. Something behind it."
"Anything missing from the yacht in the way of valuables?"
"Nothing reported. You see, the Commodore had to steam out the next day, as he didn't have any more margin left him before the time he was due in Mexico. It appears a pile of money was dependent on his getting down in time to pull off a deal."
"So he left the next morning?"
"Must have! When I took a look out, the yacht was gone."
"Has Hatton communicated with anybody since he's been away?"
"I hear he's been in touch with the sheriff, but King—that's the deputy who's on the job—is mum as wax about it, attending to his own business. That's what I hear from Dareville."
"He has his headquarters in Dareville?" asked Hardy.
"Ye-ah, and I know they've made a pretty close search of the waters hereabouts for that
