"Strange I didn't see that boat before," muttered Ed. "It must just be tied up under here. There can't be anyone in it or they would have shown themselves by this time. I'll go for it." He had succeeded in convincing himself that the boat was empty. Such is the reasoning of a boy; such the chances a boy takes. For Ed it was a great big miss. He reached the boat, clutched the gunwale, which was unusually high, and throwing in the case, pulled himself up. Instantly strong hands clutched him, and he was pulled down on top of two men. Ed was terribly frightened. So certain was he that he was making no mistake that he had taken almost no precaution towards the last. The men got him by the throat, punched his head, kicked him and choked him till he was subdued. Meanwhile Ed made noise enough for Pow Chow to hear. The Chinaman probably heard something else, too--the boat pulling out from under the pier. Doubtless that was the time the Bradys saw him bending over the stringpiece. Ed heard him. "Eddie! Eddie!" he called. "What's the matter, Eddie? Speak!" Then a shot rang out. Ed, who was just picking himself up, saw now that the men were both Chinese. One worked the oars, the other held a smoking revolver. They gabbled to each other in Chinese. Ed was half frightened to death as he got up on the seat. He could see people running towards the pier, but he could see nothing of Pow Chow. "They've shot him!" he thought. "Well, I don't care so much, but what will they do with me?" Just now they were paying little heed to him. Ed determined to tumble overboard. But at this he was caught. That was the time the Bradys saw the two Chinamen attack the boy and tumble him into the bottom of the boat. Ed fought and struggled, but the Chinaman with the revolver pressed the weapon against his naked left breast and gruffly ordered him to keep still unless he wanted to be killed. Completely cowed now, Ed made no further resistance. He felt that he had made but a poor exchange. He wished now that he had played fair with Pow Chow, as well he might. By this time they were well out on the Sound. The two Chinks talked incessantly, but of course Ed could make nothing of what they were saying. In spite of their distance from shore, Ed would have taken to the water but for the revolver which the Chinaman never moved. At last the other shipped his oars, and producing a rope, proceeded to tie Ed's hands behind him, tumbling the boy about as roughly as if he had been a wooden block. This done, he picked up the case, and with a small hammer and a little cold chisel proceeded to attack it. Ed watched him curiously. At last the lid was pried off and the critical moment came. As the Chinaman looked into the case he threw it down in disgust. More hinging and hanging--the same old Chinese gabble so tiresome to a white man's ears. The other picked up the case and proceeded to examine its contents.