One o'clock found the party safely ashore on Knott's Island, and by the aid of the lantern of the tugboat captain they managed to pick their way to Nash's store. His dwelling place was above and, in the rear, stood his garage.
"Well, I'll be jiggered again!" was his exclamation when he was roused after some effort in the way of door pounding and, armed with a pistol, came down to investigate the disturbance. "I'll be jiggered! How'd you get here this time o' night? Darn if I don't b'lieve you've been fool enough to fly."
The pilot rattled out his explanation and the pressing business in hand, offering ample compensation for the use of the auto.
"Anything to accommodate a friend like you," said the good-natured Nash. "Just so you don't ask me to go with you."
The motor was produced, Hardy took the wheel, the deputy the place by him, Legs sprawled on the rear seat, and the car was off, leaving the owner almost as flabbergasted as he had been at first sight of his visitors.
To call the road across Knott's Island bad would be to compliment it; it was one not to be
