that Dick had seen took in Merritt, and shortly landed him at one of
the docks along the river.

By this time the boys had reached the dock of the machine shops and
Jack tied up, covered his engine and walked up to the street with
Percival, the latter saying:

"It will be like those fellows to say that we were the cause of
Merritt's going overboard. They did not pass us at any rate."

"Let them talk," laughed Jack. "Talk costs nothing, and won't hurt
us."

The boys went to the office of the News where Jack gave the editor a
few little items, writing them out on the typewriter, Percival
looking on in great admiration, although he had seen Jack write before.

"One would think you had been born at a typewriter, Jack," he said.
"Now I could not do that. The very noise of the thing would bother
me and then, having that bell ring every few seconds would get on
my nerves."

"Don't listen to it, Dick. You don't mind the chug of an auto or of
a motor-boat, do you? This is not nearly as bad."

"Well, no, I suppose not, but I don't see how you can think with that
thing making such a clatter. It would drive all the thoughts out of
my head in a minute. None too many there, to start with!"

Leaving the office at length they came upon Herring on the main