The boys on the _Catspaw_ saw the boat's captain appear from the pilot-house and point a megaphone toward the white cruiser, and glimpsed Steve replying.

What was said they could only surmise, but the tug's mission was evident enough.
"He wants the job," said Joe anxiously.

"Wonder if Steve will let him have it." "I hope he doesn't," said Wink.

"We can do the trick without anyone's help, I guess.

Besides, he'd want half the money we'll get." "More than half, probably," said Han.