It was in their thoughts that Marian and Allen must not land at Waupegan, where their intentions would be advertised to the world.

The race must end before the dock was reached.

At the end of a quarter of an hour Dan called to Sylvia to cease paddling.
"We've passed them; there's no doubt of that," he said, peering into the dark.
"Maybe they're just out for fun and have turned back," suggested Sylvia.
"I wish I could think so.

More likely they're trying to throw us off.
Let's check up for a moment and see if we hear them again." He kept the canoe moving slowly while they listened for some sign of the lost quarry.

Then suddenly they heard a paddle stroke behind them, and an instant later a canoe's bow brushed their craft as lightly as a hand passing across paper.