"Do not be afraid to speak it, senor," said Mr. Alantrez, with a sad smile. "Poverty and I have been close friends, of late, though we were not always such. I am poor, and I am glad, for now the scoundrels may the sooner return my son to me. If there was but a fast boat to be had, we would give chase to them. But there is none to be secured without much money, and I, alas, have none. So I must wait; but it is hard! My poor boy!" Dick's face shone with a sudden light, and his eyes brightened. He took a step forward. "Would you like to get a boat, and take a cruise after those men who have your son?" he asked. "Ah, senor, it would give me the utmost happiness! But why ask me? I can get no boat." "Yes, you can," cried the young millionaire. "I wonder I didn't think of it before. My yacht, the _Albatross_, is at your disposal, Senor Alantrez! If you will be my guest we'll get up steam at once, and trail after those villains! I'd ask nothing better than to run them down!" and Dick's eyes sparkled with righteous anger. "They tried to injure me, and I'd be glad of a chance to get back at them. Come, senor, we'll start at once, if you are ready, and I think we can overtake the _Princess_, though she has a good start." "Oh, I can never thank you enough, senor!" cried the father, seizing Dick's hand, and attempting, in his warm, Spanish way, to kiss it, only the lad drew it quickly away. "I am your debtor for life!" he cried. "Wait until we see if we catch those fellows," spoke Dick, as he led the way from the police station, followed by Senor Alantrez, and Beeby, who had been busy taking several snapshots. The chief of police and his lieutenant shrugged their shoulders. "These Americanos!" murmured the chief. "They are always in such a hurry. To-morrow would have done as well." But Dick, hurrying toward his yacht, with the now hopeful father, waited for no to-morrows. He was going to get on the trail at once. CHAPTER XXIV OFF FOR STONE ISLAND Dick's chums, when they returned to the yacht, after waiting in vain for him at the plaza, where the band played, and where he had promised to meet them, were surprised to see him in earnest conversation with a Spanish gentleman on the deck of the _Albatross_. "Well, we've been looking everywhere for you, Dick," said Paul Drew. "We were beginning to be afraid you had been kidnapped." "The saints forbid!" cried the Cuban, fervently and earnestly. "Come here and meet a friend of mine," invited Dick, and, when the lads crowded up, he presented them to Senor Alantrez--that is, all save Beeby, who, having accompanied Dick to the police station, was already acquainted with the father of the kidnapped lad. "We are going to sea once more, fellows," announced the young millionaire. "We're going to chase after those kidnappers." "But what about the search you came here to make?" suggested Paul Drew, in low tones. "Aren't you going to look for your mother's relatives?"