Orme turned to Porter. "Give me the boathook," he said, and, taking it, he hooked it to the gunwale of the other boat, drawing the two crafts together. His intention was to use the boathook to bring the Japanese to terms. But the Oriental was too quick. His apparent indifference vanished, and with a cat-like pounce, he seized the boathook and snatched it from Orme's grasp. The action was so unexpected that Orme was completely taken by surprise. He made ready, however, to leap in unarmed, but the Japanese thrust the blunt end of the boathook at him, and the blow, which struck him in the chest, sent him toppling backward. He was saved from tumbling into the cockpit by Porter, who caught him by the shoulders and helped him to right himself. The two boats tossed for a moment like corks in the water. When Orme again leaped to the gunwale, the Japanese was using the boathook to push the craft apart. A final shove widened the distance to six or eight feet. The jump was impossible. Even if the boats had been nearer together it would have been folly to attempt an attack. Stepping down into the cockpit, Orme bent over the girl, who had sunk down upon a cushion. She seemed to be content that he should play the game for her. "What is wrong with his motor?" he said. "Do you know?" She answered in an undertone: "I shut off the gasoline-supply. He wasn't looking. He didn't see." "Good for you, Girl!" he exclaimed. "Where did you do it? At the tank?" "No. Unfortunately the valve is at the carburetter. Oh," she continued, "we _must_ get the papers!" Orme turned to Porter. "Are you willing to take a risk?" he asked. "Anything in reason." The life-saver grinned. "Of course, I don't understand what's going on, but I'll back you." "This is a good, stout tub we are in." Orme hesitated. "I want you to ram her nose into that other boat." Porter shook his head. "That's going pretty far," he said. "I don't know that there is warrant for it." "It won't need to be a hard bump," Orme explained. "I don't want to hurt the fellow." "Then why----?" "To frighten him into giving up some papers." Porter looked straight into Orme's eyes. "Do the papers belong to you?" he demanded. "No." Orme spoke quietly. "They belong to this young lady--or, rather, to her father. This Japanese, and the other one, there on the shore, stole them." "What is the lady's name?" "I can't tell you that." "But the police----" "It isn't a matter for the police. Please trust me, Mr. Porter." The life-saver stood irresolute. "If this boat is damaged, I'll make it good five times over," continued Orme. "Oh, it wouldn't hurt the boat. A few scratches, perhaps. It's the other boat I'm thinking of." "It's pretty grim business, I know," remarked Orme. The younger man again studied Orme's face. "Can you give me your word that the circumstances would justify us in ramming that boat?"