Joe cast a swift glance around. There were no boats near at hand which could be reached by a shout. Nor did he have a ghost of a chance against the husky figures standing about him. For the moment the advantage was with the enemy.
An agony of self-reproach overwhelmed him. Why had he so lightly taken it for granted that it was McRae at the telephone? Why had he let the warning of Anderson slip from his mind?
He had fallen into a trap! Where were they taking him? What was their object? He thought of Mabel and his family. Into what dread and consternation they would be plunged by his disappearance! And his comrades on the team! What would they think of him?
“Easy does it,” he remarked. “If you want a rough house you can have it, but take a fool’s advice and don’t go to starting it. We’re too many for you.”
There was sound sense in the advice, unpalatable as it was, and Joe recognized it. He must temporize. He wanted to dash his fist into the ugly face before him, and he promised himself that luxury later on. But just now he must depend on that nimble wit of his that had so often helped him to outguess an opponent.
He sank back in his seat with an affected resignation that was calculated to put his enemy off guard. It did so in the present case, as Hennessy chose to consider the action as a surrender.
“Now you’re acting sensible,” he grunted. “There ain’t no use butting your head against a stone wall.”
“Where are you taking me?” asked Joe in a lifeless tone.
“I don’t know as there’s any harm in telling you, now that we’ve got so far,” Hennessy answered. “I’m taking you on board my ship, the _Walrus_.”
“Just to give you a little sea air,” grinned Hennessy. “Your folks thought it would do you good to take a short v’yage down the coast.”
“South American coast,” replied the captain shortly. “You’re on your way to Rio Janeiro.”
Rio Janeiro! Joe’s heart thumped violently.
“You say my folks are in on this,” he said, trying to keep his voice calm. “Just what do you mean by that?”
“Oh, I’ve heard all about that gang you’re running with and those phony checks, and the like of that,” answered Hennessy.
“Don’t be playing innocent,” growled Hennessy roughly. “You know well enough what I mean.”