“Shimminy Gristmas!” gurgled Hans. “Did dot yotch valk avay py himseluf alone alretty?” “How do you know the yacht was stolen, Merry?” asked Browning. “It may have broken from anchorage with the turning of the tide, and drifted away.” Frank shook his head. “That was not possible. The small boat went with the _White Wings_. Both were stolen.” “Who by?” “Parker Flynn!” cried Jack Diamond. “Why, the fellow is dead—drowned,” said Browning. “Not much! He is alive, and he has that yacht. That drowning business was a trick. Find Parker Flynn, and you will find the _White Wings_.” “I will find them both,” declared Merriwell, with quiet determination. “Parker Flynn shall not escape me a second time!” “How can you follow him?” asked Bart. “I will follow him if I have to fly!” All knew Merriwell was in earnest. Frank determined to make sure the yacht was stolen, and so he searched around till he found a boat that he could use. He and Diamond got in and rowed off into the fleet of yachts. They could see nothing of the _White Wings_, and, as they were rowing about, they were hailed from another yacht. “What are you chaps looking for?” asked a voice. “For my sloop, _White Wings_,” answered Merry. “What? Are you the fellow who owns her?” “I am.” “Well, she’s gone.” “I see she is, but I’d like to know where she is gone.” “I can’t tell you that, but three fellows came off to her two hours ago, got up the anchor, hoisted sail and made down the bay. I watched them, because their actions were suspicious, and it was remarkable that they should start out at such an hour. I hailed them once, but they didn’t pay any attention to me.” “That settles it!” exclaimed Frank. “The _White Wings_ is stolen! I am much obliged to you for the information.” “Don’t mention it. I’m sorry I didn’t know those chaps were stealing her. I might have found a way to stop them.” Frank and Jack rowed ashore. “She was stolen, fellows,” said Merriwell. “We found a man who saw her when she was taken. I shall start in pursuit of her in the morning.” “How?” asked Hodge. “I will find a way.” They walked up into the city, Frank hurrying forward in advance. The Windsor Hotel had not closed for the night, and they went in there, where Frank registered for them all. “Now,” he said, “you had better go to sleep, fellows. I have some work to do myself, but you can’t help me.” “I couldn’t sleep if I tried,” declared Diamond. “Let me go with you.” “All right; but the others must turn in and try to sleep.” “What are you going to do, Merry?” asked Hodge. “I am not certain yet what I shall do. Sleep, as I have told you. I shall try to get some sleep myself before morning.” He seemed as calm as possible, now. To look at him and hear him speak, a stranger could not have dreamed that he had just met with such a loss. Diamond asked no questions as he and Merriwell left the Windsor. Jack was confident that Merriwell knew what he was about.