When Lon Trustleton came on board of the cutter, he looked very much scared. Mr. Wilkins had put him into the boat in spite of the protest of Capt. Bendig. “If that fellow has been saying any thing bad about me, it is all a lie,” said Lon, almost as soon as he touched the deck, and saw the captain and Wade talking together. “Never mind that just now, my lad,” interposed the commander. “You will answer my questions; and be sure you speak the truth. Do you know a man by the name of Wallgood?” “Yes, sir, I do: he is the cashier of the Walnut National Bank, and my father is president of it,” replied Lon, his face brightening up; for the question did not seem to affect him in any bad way. “Where is Mr. Wallgood now?” inquired Capt. Singleton, in a very indifferent way. “In Midhampton, I suppose.” “Have you seen him to-day?” “No, sir: of course I haven’t. I have been on the water all day,” replied Lon, puzzled at the questions put to him. “Should you know him if you saw him?” “Certainly I should: I used to see him about every day.” “That’s all now.--Go ahead,” added the captain to an officer; and the cutter was headed for the “Housatonic.” CHAPTER XXX. THE SEARCH AND THE ARREST. In a few moments the cutter was going through the water at her highest rate of speed. No doubt Capt. Bendig understood what she was about when he saw her headed towards the “Housatonic.” Very likely he would have made an end of Wade Brooks, if he could have laid his hands upon him at that moment; but Wade was safe for the present. Lon Trustleton was vexed and perplexed to know the meaning of the strange questions the commander of the cutter had put to him; and he had no idea where the steamer was going, though Wade comprehended the matter fully. “Where are we going now, Wade Brooks?” asked Lon, after he had tried in vain to solve the mystery of the situation. “You must ask the captain, if you want to know any thing about it,” replied Wade coldly. “You needn’t be so stiff about it.” “I don’t run this vessel; and the captain of her hasn’t told me what he is going to do,” added Wade. “I didn’t suppose he had; but the captain of the yacht says you have been telling him something,” continued Lon. “I have told him a great many things; and he has told me some.” “I dare say he thinks a good deal of you, Wade Brooks,” said Lon, with a sneer. “I think he is one of the sort that will give a fellow fair play. He isn’t such a fellow as the captain of that yacht. You made friends with him; and I don’t believe he was willing to have you leave his vessel,” said Wade. “What makes you think so?” asked Lon, whose curiosity was excited. “I think he will take you back to your father, and then charge him a good price for doing it.”