“Keep in close touch with me, Bob, and if it looks like things are going to break down the coast, we’ll get help to you. Keep your chin up now, and give them all you’ve got.” The receiver on the far end of the line clicked and Bob hung up the instrument he had used. The night captain stuck his head in the door. “I’ve sent word to the coast guard to keep a close watch for any unusual boat. Maybe they’ll be able to turn up something.” “But we don’t know it was an unusual boat,” protested Bob. “Well, we didn’t have any description and I had to tell them something,” said the policeman. They returned to the main desk. The night captain was curious. “Lot of federal men coming in?” he asked. But Bob was noncommittal. He would be going further south in a few hours and the search for clues here would be turned over to Condon Adams. One thing he did need, was a good revolver and ammunition for the rifle. He made known his wants to the night captain. “It isn’t the usual thing, but I guess we can fix you up,” said the policeman. He called another officer to take charge of the desk and led the way into a rear room where there was a whole rack of guns. “Look these over and take your choice.” The night captain opened the case and Bob tried half a dozen revolvers in his hand until he found one that was balanced to suit him. “This feels like a good gun,” he said. “I’ll take it.” From another case the captain produced a generous supply of ammunition. “There’s a range downstairs if you’d like to try your marksmanship,” he volunteered. Bob knew that in the coming hours he might find himself in a position where a trusty gun would be a life saver and he accepted the captain’s invitation. His finger was steady and the pressure on the trigger smooth. As a result he turned in a surprisingly good score and the policeman whistled when he saw the card Bob shot out. “Good work, boy. Anytime you get tired of this federal manhunting just let me know and I’ll see that you have a job here.” “Thanks a lot,” replied Bob. “I may have to call on you if this case isn’t solved successfully.” When they returned upstairs the captain rummaged through the ammunition chest and finally found some cartridges which would fit Bob’s rifle. A shoulder holster was also borrowed and Bob adjusted the straps so that it fitted neatly under his coat. After thanking the night captain for his assistance, Bob returned to the hotel. Another inquiry at the desk revealed that there had been no word from his uncle and Bob went upstairs. His body was tired from the strain of the last few hours and he took a warm shower, topping it off with a cold spray that sent the blood tingling through his body. Then he dressed in fresh clothes and stretched out on the bed for a little relaxation before going to the train to meet Condon Adams.