"Arrest them!" cried Kinney sternly, "as soon as they step upon the
wharf!"

"You can't do it!" I gasped.

"I HAVE done it!" answered Kinney. "It's good as done. I have
notified the chief of police at New Bedford," he declared proudly,
"to meet me at the wharf. I used the wireless. Here is my
message."

From his pocket he produced a paper and, with great importance,
read aloud: "Meet me at wharf on arrival steamer Patience. Two
well-known criminals on board escaping New York police. Will
personally lay charges against them.--Forbes Kinney."

As soon as I could recover from my surprise, I made violent
protest. I pointed out to Kinney that his conduct was outrageous,
that in making such serious charges, on such evidence, he would lay
himself open to punishment.

He was not in the least dismayed.

"I take it then," he said importantly, "that you do not wish to
appear against them?"

"I don't wish to appear in it at all!" I cried. "You've no right
to annoy that young lady. You must wire the police you are
mistaken."

"I have no desire to arrest the woman," said Kinney stiffly. "In