For fully twenty minutes they remained thus, and the old detective was just about to order a move on to the India Basin when voices were heard at no great distance, speaking in some foreign tongue. "At last!" breathed Old King Brady. "I told you there would be something doing to-night, boss. Is that Chinese they are talking, Harry?" "Sounds so." "Sure it is," added the kicker. "I'll wake up Alice, then," said the old detective. "This is her job." We have not mentioned a woman who, wrapped in a heavy shawl, sat half reclining at Old King Brady's feet with her head resting on a corner of the stern seat. This was the noted female detective, Alice Montgomery, who is a full partner in the Brady Bureau. The daughter of a missionary, born and brought up in China, Alice, besides several other foreign languages, such as German, French and Italian, both speaks and reads Chinese. Of course, such an accomplishment was likely to prove invaluable in a situation like this. Old King Brady now aroused his female partner and explained. But by this time the voices had ceased. "Must be that they are in a sailboat," observed the kicker, half aloud. "Will you kindly keep quiet," breathed the old detective. "This mist is as good as a telephone. I want to do business to-night if I can." After a moment the voices in the mist were heard again. Alice listened attentively. "Chinese?" whispered Harry. "Yes; hush." The voices ceased. Chinese never hold continuous conversation like other people. They say what they have to say and let it go at that. This time the voices seemed to come from a greater distance. "What are they talking about?" the old detective asked. "They are trying to find the Islais Channel," whispered Alice. "They think they have missed their bearings." "Therein they are quite mistaken. The Islais Channel is right here. Didn't catch the name of any street or warehouse?" "No." "Or person?" "The name Volckman was mentioned." "Good! It may prove a valuable clew. Let us wait and listen. To attempt to overhaul them in the open bay would be useless, but once they enter the channel, we have them bottled up." "I wonder what sort of a craft they are in?" queried Harry. "It can't be either a rowboat or a launch," replied the old detective, "and it is hard to see how they can get around with a sailboat on a night like this, yet that must be what it is." "There is a breeze springing up now," observed the kicker. He had scarcely spoken when the voices were heard close to them. Evidently the ebb tide was taking the smugglers, if such they were, their way. They were now speaking loud and rapidly. "Draw your revolvers, boys, and be ready," breathed Old King Brady. "We are liable to be discovered at any moment." Alice sat listening. "They are the smugglers, all right," she presently whispered. "Sure?" asked Old King Brady. "Yes. They say----" "Never mind, Alice, unless it is something important." Still the voices continued.