The party was breaking up. Already some of the guests had departed. Frank found Hans and Bruce, and told them it was time to leave. “Vale,” said Hans, “I haf had der pest time you efer saw!” They found Mabel Mischief and told her how much they had enjoyed the evening, after which they bade her good-night. “When do you sail?” she asked. “By nine o’clock to-morrow morning, if the wind is favorable.” “Hattie and I will come down to see you off.” “Yes,” laughed Hattie, who was standing beside Mabel, “we will be there.” The girls shook hands with them all, one after another. As they started out, Frank began to whistle “Nellie Was a Lady,” and the others, with the exception of Diamond, joined in. This was turned into “Marching Through Georgia,” to which tune they stepped off briskly toward the steamboat wharf. As they came down the street leading to the wharf the whistling died out, and they walked on in silence. “The wind is off shore to-night,” said Diamond. “I hope it will hold that way in the morning,” said Frank. They reached the wharf. Jack hurried forward and was the first to reach the steps, at the foot of which they had left their boat. He went down the steps quickly, and then a cry came from his lips. “What’s the matter?” asked Frank. “Boat is gone!” “Impossible!” “It is, all the same. Somebody has stolen her.” “Well, that is interesting!” Of a sudden, Frank turned and hurried out upon the wharf till he was where he could look over the water toward the anchored yachts. The moon was down, but the sky was clear and full of stars, so there was sufficient light for him to see the yachts. He could not distinguish the _White Wings_ among them! Hodge came hurrying to Frank’s side. “It was a mistake to leave the small boat there with the oars in her,” he said. “Some of these skulkers around the wharves got away with her.” “And they have taken the yacht, too!” came hoarsely from Frank’s lips. “The _White Wings_ is gone!” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER X PREPARING FOR PURSUIT. “What?” Hodge literally staggered. He clutched Frank’s arm, as if for support. “It can’t be true!” “It is!” “How do you know?” “Look for yourself. She is not where she was anchored.” “But the tide has changed since we left her. She must have swung round into another position.” “That’s all right. I have looked for her in the position she would occupy. She is not there.” Browning came loafing round the corner, grumbling as he approached. “Now, this is a great note!” he growled. “How are we to get on board—walk?” “You would have quite a walk to-night,” said Frank, huskily. “Eh?” “The _White Wings_ is gone.” “What?” “That is right.” “Gone? How?” “Stolen!” The big fellow leaned against the building, utterly overcome for the time. Diamond and Hans came up, and Frank explained the situation. “I feared it!” grated the Virginian.