If they were legitimate agents of the law, why these muffled oars, with which they swept the boat across the lagoon, through the gap in the coral reef, and out to sea?
And if they were _not_ agents of the law, who were they, and where were they conveying him?
The boat was a large one, half-decked, and fitted to stand a heavy sea and rough weather.

It would have moved sluggishly through the water had not the four men who pulled the oars been possessed of more than average strength.

As soon as they passed the barrier reef, the sails were hoisted, and Dick took the helm.

The breeze was blowing fresh off the land, and the water rushed past the boat as she cut swiftly out to sea, leaving a track of white foam behind her.

For a few minutes the mass of the island was dimly seen rising like a huge shade on the dark sky, but soon it melted away, and nothing remained for the straining eyes to rest upon save the boat with its silent crew and the curling foam on the black sea.
"We've got him safe now, lads," said Dick Price, speaking for the first time that night in unguarded tones.