Page:The House On The Cliff.pdf/208

 They hastened down the passageway and came at last to the cave. As Joe expected, the boat was gone.

"They got away," he said, in disappointment, as the trooper turned the flashlight on to the channel between the rocks.

There was a shout from the darkness of the cove.

"Give us a light!" they heard.

Joe gave a shout of joy. It was Tony Prito's voice!

Then Joe and the troopers with him heard the steady beat of a motorboat.

Joe seized the flashlight and ran out along the path leading to the entrance of the cave.

The motorboat was not many yards away. Tony had been searching for the channel.

"Right this way!" Joe called out. "Head toward the right of the cave and you'll be in deep water. A little further! Good!"

As the motorboat drew nearer he saw that it was filled with men and that a rowboat was being towed behind.

"We got 'em," cried Tony exultantly. "They were just getting out of the cove in the boat when we came up."

"Who is with you?" asked Joe.

"Police. The rest of them went up the shore road in a car."

"We've caught the whole gang then. They