Dory was certain that the skipper was disgusted with the decision of the officer, and that he was very anxious to get rid of his troublesome passengers. But the owner of the boat was delighted with the conduct of the detective. He had been afraid that he would compromise with the villain, and that he should lose his boat, or at least be deprived of the use of her for a long time. "Where is the Sylph now?" asked the officer half an hour later. "She is not more than a mile astern of us," replied Dory. "Is she coming near us?" "She is headed directly for us." "And where is this boat?" continued Peppers. "We are approaching Long Point, and are within half a mile of it. We are inside of Sister Islands, and the Sylph seems to be taking the same course. She acts just as though she was following us," said Dory, who had been watching the progress of the beautiful steam-yacht ever since she first came in sight. "She does act as though she was following us, don't she, Dory Dornwood?" added Pearl Hawlinshed. "I have no doubt she is following us," replied Dory. "Do you know of any reason why she should follow us?" asked the skipper, trying to conceal his anxiety. "I don't," answered Dory. "Do you know her owner, Dory?" inquired Pearl. Dory hesitated. It was a disagreeable topic to him, and he would gladly have avoided it. It was plain enough that the Sylph was following the Goldwing, but Dory could think of no reason why she should do so. "Do you know Captain Gildrock, her owner?" asked Pearl again, and with more energy than before. "I do know him: he is my uncle," replied Dory, who could see no reason why he should conceal the disagreeable truth--for it was disagreeable to him--from the skipper. "Your uncle!" exclaimed Pearl, apparently startled at the reply. "Do you mean to say that Captain Gildrock is your uncle, you young cub?" "I mean to say it, and I do say it." But Dory wished with all his might that the captain was not his uncle, or any other relation. "He is one of the richest men in this part of the country," added Pearl, looking astern at the elegant steam-yacht. "I know it; but I don't have any thing to do with him, and I don't think he is coming after this boat on my account," added Dory. "I suppose you will be glad to get on board of her," suggested Pearl, who had now become quite nervous in spite of his fine philosophy. "No, I shouldn't. I was never on board of the Sylph in my life; and I shall not go on board of her if I can help it," answered Dory. "You and your uncle don't seem to be on the best of terms," continued Pearl, as he headed the boat to the eastward, after passing Long Point.