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diff --git a/26778-h/26778-h.htm b/26778-h/26778-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f6596a5 --- /dev/null +++ b/26778-h/26778-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7012 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Ocean Wireless Boys And The Naval Code, + by John Henry Goldfrap, AKA Captain Wilbur Lawton + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ocean Wireless Boys And The Naval +Code, by John Henry Goldfrap, AKA Captain Wilbur Lawton + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Ocean Wireless Boys And The Naval Code + +Author: John Henry Goldfrap, AKA Captain Wilbur Lawton + +Illustrator: Christopher L. Wren + +Release Date: October 5, 2008 [EBook #26778] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/spine.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + + +<h1>THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND THE NAVAL CODE</h1> + +<h2>BY CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON</h2> + +<h3>AUTHOR OF "THE BOY AVIATORS' SERIES," "THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS' SERIES," +"THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC," "THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND +THE LOST LINER," "THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS OF THE ICE-BERG PATROL," ETC.</h3> + + +<h4><i>WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHARLES L. WRENN</i></h4> + +<h4>NEW YORK<br /> +HURST & COMPANY<br /> +PUBLISHERS</h4> + +<h4>Copyright, 1915,<br /> +BY HURST & COMPANY</h4> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="i1" id="i1"></a> +<img src="images/i1.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"Huh, I don't think the idea's worth a cent," sniffed +Thurman.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. <span class="smcap">Vacation Days</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. <span class="smcap">"Speedway" vs. "Curlew"</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. <span class="smcap">Captain Simms, of the "Thespis"</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. <span class="smcap">On Secret Service</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. <span class="smcap">Night Signals</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. <span class="smcap">In the Dark</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. <span class="smcap">The Naval Code</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. <span class="smcap">A Monkey Interlude</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. <span class="smcap">Noddy and the Bear</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. <span class="smcap">"What Do You Make of It?"</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. <span class="smcap">A Swim with a Memory</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. <span class="smcap">A Tale from the Frozen Lands</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII. <span class="smcap">A Night Alarm</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV. <span class="smcap">Jack's Curiosity and Its Results</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV. <span class="smcap">Billy Takes the Trail</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI. <span class="smcap">A "Ghostess" Abroad</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII. <span class="smcap">One Mystery Solved</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII. <span class="smcap">Bill Sniggers Decides</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX. <span class="smcap">What a "Hayseed" Did</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX. <span class="smcap">The "Curlew" in Trouble</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI. <span class="smcap">The End of Jack's Holiday</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII. <span class="smcap">"The Gem of the Ocean"</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII. <span class="smcap">Jack's Big Secret</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV. <span class="smcap">The Navy Department "Sits Up"</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV. <span class="smcap">A Mystery on Board</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI. <span class="smcap">A "Flash" of Distress</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII. <span class="smcap">A Strange Wreck</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII. <span class="smcap">Cast Away with a Python</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX. <span class="smcap">Captured by Radio</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX. <span class="smcap">Thurman Plots</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI. <span class="smcap">The "Suitable Reward"</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII. <span class="smcap">The Plotter's Triumph</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII. <span class="smcap">In the Power of the Enemy</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV. <span class="smcap">The Search for Jack</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV. <span class="smcap">The Wireless Makes Good</span></a><br /><br /> +<a href="#HURST_COMPANYS_BOOKS_FOR_YOUNG_PEOPLE">HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + +<p><a href="#i1">"Huh, I don't think the idea's worth a cent," sniffed Thurman.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#i2">While Billy stood there hesitating, the creature gave another of its alarming growls.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#i3">The next instant a great lithe, striped body streaked through the air.—</a></p> + +<p><a href="#i4">What he saw made him almost lose his grip on the hatchway.</a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Naval Code.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>VACATION DAYS.</h3> + + +<p>"Up with your helm there, Noddy! Luff her up or you'll have the <i>Curlew</i> +on the rocks!"</p> + +<p>"That's right, luff!" cried Billy Raynor, adding his voice to Jack +Ready's command.</p> + +<p>"That's what I <i>luff</i> to do," grinned the red-headed, former Bowery +waif, Noddy Nipper, as, with a dexterous motion, he jerked over the +tiller of the fine, speedy sloop in which the boys were enjoying a sail +on Alexandria Bay, above the Thousand Islands.</p> + +<p>The mainsail and jib shivered, and the <i>Curlew</i> spun round like a top +just as it seemed inevitable that she must end her career on some jagged +rocks that had suddenly loomed up ahead.</p> + +<p>"Neatly done, Noddy," applauded Jack. "We'll forgive you even that awful +pun for that skillful bit of boat-handling."</p> + +<p>The freckled lad grinned in appreciation of the compliment paid him by +the Wireless Boy.</p> + +<p>"Much obliged," he said. "Of course I haven't got sailing down as fine +as you yet. How far do you reckon we are from home?"</p> + +<p>"From the Pine Island hotel, you mean?" rejoined Billy Raynor. "Oh, not +more than ten miles."</p> + +<p>"Just about that," chimed in Jack. "If this wind holds we'll be home in +time for supper."</p> + +<p>"Supper!" exclaimed Bill; "I could eat an octogenarian doughnut, I'm so +hungry."</p> + +<p>A groan came from Noddy. Although the Bowery lad had polished up on his +grammar and vocabulary considerably since Jack Ready first encountered +him as second cook on the seal-poaching schooner <i>Polly Ann</i>, Captain +"Terror" Carson commanding, still, a word like "Octogenarian" stumped +him, as the saying is.</p> + +<p>"What's an octo-octo—what-you-may-call-'um doughnut, anyhow?" he +demanded, for Noddy always liked to acquire a new word, and not +infrequently astonished his friends by coming out with a "whopper" +culled out of the dictionary. "Is it a doughnut with legs on it?"</p> + +<p>Jack and Billy broke into a roar of laughter.</p> + +<p>"A doughnut with legs on?" sputtered Billy. "Whatever put that idea into +your head, Noddy?"</p> + +<p>"Well, don't octo-octo-thing-a-my-jigs have legs?" inquired Noddy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you mean octopuses," cried Jack, with another laugh. "Billy meant +an eighty-year-old doughnut."</p> + +<p>"I'll look it up when we get back," remarked Noddy gravely; "it's a good +word."</p> + +<p>"Say, fellows, we are sure having a fine time out of this holiday," +remarked Billy presently, after an interval of silence.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but just the same I shan't be sorry when Mr. Juke's new liner is +completed and we can go to sea again," said Jack, "but after our +experiences up north, among the ice, I think we had a holiday coming to +us."</p> + +<p>"That we did," agreed Noddy. "Some difference between skimming around +here in a fine yacht and being cast away on that wretched island with +nothing to eat and not much prospect of getting any."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but if it hadn't been for that experience, and the ancient +treasure we found, we couldn't have taken such a jolly vacation," argued +Jack. "It's made Uncle Toby a rich man and put all of us on Easy +Street."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it was certainly worth all the hardships we went through," agreed +Noddy.</p> + +<p>"I guess we are in for a long spell of quiet now, though," remarked +Jack, after a pause, during which each boy thought of their recent +adventures.</p> + +<p>"Not so sure of that," replied Noddy. "You're the sort of fellow, +judging from what you've told us, who is always tumbling up against +something exciting."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I feel it in my bones that we are not destined to lead an +absolutely uneventful time——" began Billy Raynor. "I—hold hard there, +Noddy; watch yourself. Here comes another yacht bearing down on us!"</p> + +<p>Jack and Billy leaped to their feet, steadying themselves by clutching a +stay. Billy was right. Another yacht, a good deal larger than their own, +was heading straight for them.</p> + +<p>"Hi! put your helm over! We've got the right of way!" shouted Jack, +cupping his hands.</p> + +<p>"Look out where you're going!" cried Billy.</p> + +<p>But whoever was steering the other yacht made no motion to carry out the +suggestions. Instead, under a press of canvas, she kept directly on her +course.</p> + +<p>"She'll run us down," cried Noddy. "What'll I do, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Throw her over to port lively now," sang out Jack Ready. "Hurry up or +we'll have a bad smash-up!"</p> + +<p>He leaped toward the stern to Noddy's assistance, while Billy Raynor, +the young engineer, did the same.</p> + +<p>In former volumes of this series the previous adventures of the lads +have been described. In the first book, devoted to their doings and to +describing the fascinating workings of sea-wireless aboard ocean-going +craft, which was called "The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Atlantic," we +learned how Jack became a prime favorite with the irascible Jacob Jukes, +head of the great Transatlantic and Pacific shipping combine. Jack's +daring rescue of Millionaire Jukes' little girl resulted in the lad's +obtaining the position of wireless man on board a fine ship, after he +had looked for such a job for months in vain. But because Jack would not +become the well-paid companion of Mr. Jukes' son Tom, a rather sickly +youth, the millionaire became angry with the young wireless man. +However, Jack was able, subsequently, to rescue Mr. Jukes from a +drifting boat after the magnate's yacht had burned in mid-ocean and, +following that, to reunite the almost frantic millionaire with his +missing son.</p> + +<p>Other exciting incidents were described, and Jack gained rapidly in his +chosen profession, as did his chum, Billy Raynor, who was third +assistant engineer of the big vessel. The next volume, which was called +"The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner," told of the loss of the +splendid ship "Tropic Queen," on a volcanic island after she had become +disabled and had drifted helplessly for days. By wireless Jack managed +to secure aid from U. S. vessels, and it came in the nick of time, for +the island was destroyed by an eruption just after the last of the +rescued passengers had been taken off. Wireless, too, secured, as +described in that book, the capture of a criminal much wanted by the +government.</p> + +<p>The third volume related more of Jack's doings and was called "The Ocean +Wireless Boys of the Ice-berg Patrol." This book told how Jack, while +serving aboard one of the revenue cutters that send out wireless +warnings of ice-bergs to transatlantic liners, fell into the hands of a +band of seal poachers. Things looked black for the lad for a time, but +he found two good friends among the rough crew in the persons of Noddy +Nipper and Pompey, an eccentric old colored cook, full of superstitions +about ghosts. The <i>Polly Ann</i>, as the schooner was called, was wrecked +and Jack and his two friends cast away on a lonesome spot of land called +Skull Island. They were rescued from this place by Jack's eccentric, +wooden-legged Uncle, Captain Toby Ready, who, when at home, lived on a +stranded wooden schooner where he made patent medicines out of herbs for +sailors. Captain Toby had got wind of an ancient treasure hidden by a +forgotten race on an Arctic island. After the strange reunion they all +sailed north. But an unscrupulous financier (also on a hunt for the +treasure) found a way to steal their schooner and left them destitute. +For a time it appeared that they would leave their bones in the bleak +northland. But the skillful resource and pluck of Jack and Noddy won the +day. We now find them enjoying a holiday, with Captain Toby as host, at +a fashionable hotel among the beautiful Thousand Islands. Having made +this necessary digression, let us again turn our attention to the +situation which had suddenly confronted the happy three, and which +appeared to be fraught with imminent danger.</p> + +<p>Like their own craft, the other boat carried a single mast and was +sloop-rigged. But the boat was larger in every respect than the +<i>Curlew</i>. She carried a great spread of snowy canvas and heeled over +under its press till the white water raced along her gunwale.</p> + +<p>As she drew nearer the boys saw that there were two occupants on board +her. One was a tall, well-dressed lad in yachting clothes, whose face, +rather handsome otherwise, was marred by a supercilious sneer, as if he +considered himself a great deal better than anyone else. The other was a +somewhat elderly man whose hair appeared to be tinged with gray. His +features were coarse, but he resembled the lad with him enough to make +it certain he was his father.</p> + +<p>"Sheer off there," roared Jack at the top of his lungs, to the occupants +of the other boat; "do you want to run us down?"</p> + +<p>"Get out of the way then," cried the boy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sheer off yourselves, whipper-snappers!" came from the man.</p> + +<p>"We've got the right of way!" cried Jack.</p> + +<p>"Go chase yourselves," yelled Noddy, reverting in this moment of +excitement, as was his habit at such times, to his almost forgotten +slang.</p> + +<p>"Keep her on her course, Donald; never mind those young jack-a-napes," +said the man in the other sloop, addressing the boy, who was steering.</p> + +<p>"All right, pop," was the reply; "they'll get the worst of the smash if +they don't clear out."</p> + +<p>"Gracious, they really mean to run us down," cried Jack, in a voice of +alarm. "Better sheer off, Noddy, though I hate to do it."</p> + +<p>"By jinks, do you see who they are?" cried Bill Raynor, who had been +studying the pair in the other boat, which was now only a few yards off. +"It's that millionaire Hiram Judson and his son Donald, the boy you had +the run in with at the hotel the other day."</p> + +<p>But Jack made no reply. The two boats were now almost bowsprit to +bowsprit. As for Noddy, the freckles stood out on his pale, frightened +face like spots on the sun.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>"SPEEDAWAY" VS. "CURLEW."</h3> + + +<p>But at the critical moment the lad at the helm of the other craft, which +bore the name <i>Speedaway</i>, appeared to lose his nerve. He sheered off +and merely grazed the <i>Curlew's</i> side, scraping off a lot of paint.</p> + +<p>"Hi, there! What do you mean by doing such a thing?" demanded Jack, +directly the danger of a head-on collision was seen to have been +averted.</p> + +<p>The other lad broke into a laugh. It was echoed by the man with him, +whom he had addressed as "pop."</p> + +<p>"Just thought I'd see how much you fellows knew about handling a boat," +he sneered. "It's just as I thought, you're a bunch of scare-cats. You +needn't have been afraid that I couldn't keep the <i>Speedaway</i> out of +danger."</p> + +<p>"You risked the lives of us all by running so close," cried Billy +indignantly.</p> + +<p>"Never attempt such a thing again," said Jack angrily, "or——"</p> + +<p>"Or what, my nervous young friend?" taunted the elderly man.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the lad, with an unpleasant grin, "what will you do?"</p> + +<p>"I shall feel sorely tempted to come on board your boat and give you the +same sort of a thrashing I gave you the other day when I found you +tormenting that poor dog," said Jack, referring to the incident Billy +Raynor had already hinted at when he first recognized the occupants of +the <i>Speedaway</i>.</p> + +<p>"You'll never set foot on my boat," cried Donald Judson, with what he +meant to be dangerous emphasis; but his face had suddenly become very +pale. "You think you got the best of me the other day, but I'll fix you +yet."</p> + +<p>The two craft were out of earshot almost by this time, and none of the +three lads on the <i>Curlew</i> thought it worth while to answer Donald +Judson. The millionaire and his son occupied an island not far from the +Pine Island Hotel. A few days before the incident we have just recorded, +Jack, who hated cruelty in any form, had found Donald Judson, who often +visited the hotel to display his extensive assortment of clothes, +amusing himself by torturing a dog. When Jack told him to stop it the +millionaire's son started to fight, and Jack, finding a quarrel forced +upon him, ended it in the quickest way—by knocking the boy flat.</p> + +<p>Donald slunk off, swearing to be revenged. But Jack had only laughed at +him and advised him to forget the incident except as a lesson in +kindness to animals. It appeared, however, that, far from forgetting his +humiliation, Donald Judson was determined to avenge it even at the risk +of placing his own life in danger.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if he followed us up to-day on purpose to try to ram us or +force us on a sandbar?" mused Noddy, as they sailed on.</p> + +<p>"Looks like it," said Billy.</p> + +<p>"I believe he is actually sore enough to sink our boat if he could, even +if he damaged his own in doing it," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"To my mind his father is as bad he is," said Noddy; "he made no attempt +to stop him. If I——Look, they've put their boat about and are +following us."</p> + +<p>"There's no doubt that they are," said Jack, after a moment's scrutiny +of the latest maneuver of the <i>Speedaway</i>. The Judsons' boat, which was +larger, and carried more sail and was consequently faster than the +<i>Curlew</i>, gained rapidly on the boys. Soon she was within hailing +distance.</p> + +<p>"What are you following us for? Want to have another collision?" cried +Jack.</p> + +<p>"Do you own the water hereabouts?" asked Donald. "I didn't know I was +following you."</p> + +<p>"We've a right to sail where we please," shouted Judson.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you don't imperil other folks' boats," agreed Jack. "If you've +got any scheme in mind to injure us I'd advise you to forget it," he +added.</p> + +<p>"Huh! What scheme would I have in mind? Think I'd bother with +insignificant chaps like you and your little toy boat?"</p> + +<p>"You keep out of our way," added the man.</p> + +<p>"Yes, just do that little thing if you know what's healthy for you," +chimed in Donald Judson.</p> + +<p>His insulting tone aroused Jack's ire.</p> + +<p>"It'll be the worse for you if you try any of your tricks," he roared.</p> + +<p>"What tricks would I have, Ready?" demanded the other.</p> + +<p>"Some trick that may turn out badly for you!"</p> + +<p>"I guess I don't need you to tell me what I will or what I won't do."</p> + +<p>"All right, only keep clear of us. That's fair warning. You'll get the +worst of it if you don't."</p> + +<p>"So, young man, you are going to play the part of bully, are you?" +shouted Donald's father. "That fits in with what I've heard of you from +him. You've been prying around our boat for several days. I don't like +it."</p> + +<p>"Well, keep away from us," cried Billy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, your room's a lot better than your company," sputtered Noddy. "We +don't care if you never come back."</p> + +<p>"Really, what nice language," sneered Donald. "I congratulate you on +your gentlemanly friend, Ready. He——"</p> + +<p>"Look out there," warned Jack, for Noddy, in his indignation, had sprung +to his feet, entirely forgetting the tiller. The <i>Curlew</i> broached to +and heeled over, losing "way." The <i>Speedaway</i> came swiftly on. In an +instant there was a ripping, tearing sound and a concerted shout of +dismay from the boys as the sharp bow of Judson's larger, heavier craft +cut deep into the <i>Curlew's</i> quarter.</p> + +<p>"Now you've done it!" cried Billy Raynor.</p> + +<p>"I—er—it was an accident," cried Donald, as the two boats swung apart, +and there was some justification for this plea, as the <i>Speedaway</i> was +also damaged, though not badly.</p> + +<p>"It was no accident," cried Jack, but he said no more just then. He was +too busy examining the rent in the <i>Curlew's</i> side.</p> + +<p>Still shivering, like a wounded creature, from the shock of the impact, +the <i>Curlew</i>, with the water pouring into the jagged rip in her side, +began slowly to sink!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>CAPTAIN SIMMS OF THE "THESPIS."</h3> + + +<p>Silence, except for the inrush of water into the damaged side of the +<i>Curlew</i>, followed the collision. The three lads on the sinking craft +gazed helplessly at each other for a few seconds.</p> + +<p>"Get away as quick as you can," whispered Donald's father to the boy who +had wrought the damage, and now looked rather scared. The <i>Speedaway</i> +swung out and her big mainsail began to fill.</p> + +<p>"We are going to the bottom," choked out Billy, the first of the party +to recover the use of his vocal organs.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid there's no doubt of that," said Jack. "Donald Judson," he +shouted, raising his voice and throwing it across the appreciable +distance that now separated the two craft, "you'll pay for this."</p> + +<p>"It was an accident, I tell you," yelled back the other lad, but in a +rather shaky voice.</p> + +<p>"You'll do no good by abusing us," chimed in his father.</p> + +<p>"What'll we do, Jack?" demanded Noddy, tugging at Jack's sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Steer for the shore. There's just a chance we can make it, or at least +shallow water," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Doesn't look much as if we could make it," said Billy dubiously, +shaking his head and regarding the big leak ruefully, "but I suppose we +can try."</p> + +<p>The wounded <i>Curlew</i> began to struggle along with a motion very unlike +her usual swift, smooth glide. She staggered and reeled heavily.</p> + +<p>"Put her on the other tack," said Jack. Noddy followed his orders with +the result that the <i>Curlew</i> heeled over on the side opposite to that +which had been injured, and thus raised her wound above the water line. +Billy began bailing, frantically, with a bucket, at the water that had +already come in.</p> + +<p>"Shall we help you?" cried Donald.</p> + +<p>"No, we don't want your help," answered Jack shortly. "We'll thresh all +this out in court later on," he added.</p> + +<p>"I'm a witness that it was an accident," shouted the elder Judson.</p> + +<p>"You'll have a swell time proving I ran you down on purpose," added his +son.</p> + +<p>Seeing that it was useless to prolong such a fruitless argument at long +distance, Jack refrained from making a reply. Besides, the <i>Curlew</i> +required his entire attention now. He took the tiller himself and kept +the injured craft inclined at such an angle that but little water +entered the hole the <i>Speedaway's</i> sharp bow had punched in her.</p> + +<p>The shore, on which were a few small houses and a wharf hidden among +trees and rocks, appeared to be a long distance off. But the <i>Curlew</i> +staggered gamely onward with Jack anticipating every puff of wind +skillfully.</p> + +<p>"I believe that we'll make it, after all," said Billy hopefully, as the +water-logged craft was urged forward.</p> + +<p>"I wish that Donald, with his sissy-boy clothes, was ashore when we +land," grumbled Noddy. "I'd give him what-for. I have not forgotten how +to handle my dukes, and as for his old octo-octo——"</p> + +<p>"Octogenarian," chuckled Raynor.</p> + +<p>"Octogenarian of a father,—I knew I'd get a chance to use that +word——" said Noddy triumphantly; "he's worse than his son. They're a +fine pair,—I don't think."</p> + +<p>"Well, abusing them will do no good," said Jack. "We'll have to see what +other steps can be taken. I'm afraid, though, that they were right; +we'll have a hard time proving that it was not an accident, especially +as Noddy had dropped our tiller."</p> + +<p>"Well, I just couldn't——" began Noddy, rather shamefacedly, when there +came a mighty bump and the <i>Curlew</i> came to a standstill.</p> + +<p>"Now what?" cried Raynor.</p> + +<p>"We've run on a shoal, fellows," declared Jack. "This cruise is over for +a time."</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow, we can't sink now," said Noddy philosophically, "but +although the <i>Curlew's</i> stuck on the shoal I'm not stuck on the +situation."</p> + +<p>"Better quit that stuff," ordered Jack, "and help Billy lower the +mainsail and jib. They are no good to us now. In fact a puff of wind +might send us bowling over."</p> + +<p>His advice was soon carried out and the <i>Curlew</i> lay under a bare pole +on the muddy shoal. The boys began to express their disgust at their +predicament. They had no tender, and would have to stay there till help +came because of their lack of a small boat.</p> + +<p>"Better set up some sort of a signal to attract the attention of those +folks on shore," suggested Billy.</p> + +<p>"That's a good idea," agreed Jack, "but hullo! Look yonder, there's a +motor boat coming out from the shore. Let's hail that."</p> + +<p>"Hullo, there! Motor boat ahoy!" they all began to yell at the top of +their lungs.</p> + +<p>But they might have saved their voices, for the motor boat swung about +in a channel that existed among the shoals and began making straight for +them. Its single occupant waved an encouraging hand as he drew closer.</p> + +<p>"In trouble, eh?" he hailed; "well, maybe I can get you off. I saw that +other boat run you down. It was a rascally bit of business."</p> + +<p>"Gracious!" cried Jack suddenly, as the motor boat drew closer and they +saw its occupant was a bronzed, middle-aged man with a pleasant face; +"it's Captain Simms of the revenue cutter <i>Thespis</i>! What in the world +is he doing up here?"</p> + +<p>"If it isn't Jack Ready!" came in hearty tones from the other, almost +simultaneously.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>ON SECRET SERVICE.</h3> + + +<p>There was no question about it. Astonishing as it appeared, the bluff, +sunburned man in the motor boat which was winding its way toward the +<i>Curlew</i>, in serpentine fashion, among the tortuous channels, was +Captain Simms, the commander of the revenue cutter on which Jack Ready +had served as "ice-patrol" operator. The greetings between his late +commander and himself were, as might be imagined, cordial, but, owing to +the circumstances under which they were exchanged, somewhat hurried.</p> + +<p>"So you've been in a smash-up," cried the captain, as he reduced speed +on nearing the stern of the <i>Curlew</i>, which was still afloat. "Nobody +hurt, I hope?"</p> + +<p>"Except the boat," smiled Jack with grim humor.</p> + +<p>"So I see. A nasty hole," was the captain's comment. "Lucky that I +happen to be camping ashore or you might have stayed out here for some +time. Rivermen hereabouts aren't over-obliging, unless they see big +money in it for their services."</p> + +<p>"We'd have been content to pay a good salvage to get off here," Jack +assured him.</p> + +<p>"Well, that other craft certainly sheered off in short order after she +hit you," was Captain Simms' comment, as he shut off power and came in +under the <i>Curlew's</i> stern, which projected, as has been said, over +fairly deep water, only the bow being in the mud.</p> + +<p>"Then you can tell who was to blame?" asked Billy eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I certainly can and will, if I am called upon to do so."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Jack. "I mean to make them settle for the damage, even +if I have to go to court to do it."</p> + +<p>"That's right. It was a bad bit of business. She followed you right up. +I'd be willing to swear to that in any tribunal in the land. I hope you +bring them to justice. Who were the rascals?"</p> + +<p>"A millionaire named Judson, who owns an island near here, and his son, +who is a fearful snob."</p> + +<p>The boys saw a look of surprise flit across the naval officer's face. +But it was gone in an instant.</p> + +<p>"Surely not Hiram Judson?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"The same man," replied Jack. "Why, do you know him, sir?"</p> + +<p>"I—er—that is, I think we had better change the subject," said Captain +Simms with odd hesitation. Jack saw that there was something behind the +sea officer's hesitancy, but of course he did not ask any more +questions.</p> + +<p>"I can give you a tow to the shore where there is a man who makes a +business of repairing boats," volunteered Captain Simms. "But will your +craft keep afloat that long?"</p> + +<p>"I think so," said Jack. "We can all sit on one side and so raise the +leak above water. But can you pull us off?"</p> + +<p>"We shall soon see that," was the rejoinder. "It looks as if it would be +an easy task. Throw me a line and I'll make it fast to my stern bitts."</p> + +<p>This was soon done, and then the little launch set to work with might +and main to tug off the injured yacht.</p> + +<p>"Hurray, she's moving!" cried Billy presently.</p> + +<p>This was followed by a joyous shout from all the boys.</p> + +<p>"She's off!"</p> + +<p>They moved down the channel with the boys hanging over one side in order +to keep the <i>Curlew</i> heeled over at an angle that would assure safety +from the leak. They landed at a rickety old dock with a big gasoline +tank perched at one end of it. Attached to it was a crudely painted +sign:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Charles Hansen, Boats Built and Repaired.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All work Promptly Exicutid."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Hansen himself came toddling down the wharf. He was an old man with a +rheumatic walk and a stubbly, unshaven chin stained with tobacco juice. +A goodly sized "chaw" bulged in his withered cheek.</p> + +<p>"Can you repair our boat quickly?" asked Jack, pointing to the hole.</p> + +<p>Old Hansen shot a jet of tobacco juice in the direction of the injury.</p> + +<p>"Bustitupconsiderable," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" demanded Billy. "Doesn't he talk English?" and he turned +an inquiring glance at Captain Simms, who laughed.</p> + +<p>"That's just his way of talking when he's got a mouthful of what he +calls 'eatin' tobacco.' He said, 'he is of the opinion that your boat is +bust up considerable.'"</p> + +<p>"Well, we don't need an expert to tell us that," laughed Jack.</p> + +<p>"Doyouwantmetofixit?" inquired the eccentric old man, still running his +words together in the same odd way.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Jack, "can we have her by to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Haveterseehowbadlyshesbusted," muttered the old man.</p> + +<p>"He'll have to see how badly she's busted," translated Jack. "Suppose +you take a look at her," he added to the boatman.</p> + +<p>"Maybeagoodidee," agreed old Hansen, and he scrambled down into the +boat.</p> + +<p>"I'llfixherbyto-morrow," he said at last.</p> + +<p>The charges, it appeared, would not be more than ten or twelve dollars, +which the boys thought reasonable.</p> + +<p>"Especially as they won't come out of our pockets," commented Billy.</p> + +<p>"Not if I can help it," promised Jack decisively.</p> + +<p>"And now," said Captain Simms, "as I happen to have some business at the +Pine Island Hotel, I'll run you down there in the <i>Skipjack</i>, as I call +my boat."</p> + +<p>"That's awfully good of you," said Jack gratefully. "I began to think +that we would have to stay ashore here all night."</p> + +<p>Before many minutes had passed they were off, leaving old Hansen, with +working jaws, examining the hole in the <i>Curlew's</i> side. The <i>Skipjack</i> +proved speedy and they made the run back to the hotel in good time, +arriving there before sundown. Captain Toby had met Captain Simms after +the latter had found the treasure party at the spot where they had +unearthed the rich trove. But he proved equally reticent as to the +object of his presence at Alexandria as he had been with the boys. He +was doing some "special work" for the government, was all that Captain +Toby could ascertain.</p> + +<p>"There's considerable mystery to all this," said Captain Toby to the +boys after Captain Simms had left them to write some letters which, he +said, he wished to send ashore by the hotel motor boat that evening.</p> + +<p>"It's some sort of secret work for Uncle Sam, I guess," hazarded Jack, +"but what it is I've no idea. Anyhow it's none of our business."</p> + +<p>The boys little guessed, when Jack made that remark, how very much their +business Captain Simms' secret mission was to become in the near future.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>NIGHT SIGNALS.</h3> + + +<p>After supper Captain Simms suddenly announced that he wished to make a +trip to the mainland to the town of Clayton. He wished to send an +important telegram to Washington, he explained.</p> + +<p>"How are you going?" asked Jack. "The hotel boat has stopped running for +the day."</p> + +<p>"I know that, but I'll go on the <i>Skipjack</i>. You lads want to come?"</p> + +<p>"Do we? I should say we do."</p> + +<p>"You lads must be full of springs from the way you're always jumping +about," remarked Uncle Toby, with a smile, "but I suppose it's boy +nature."</p> + +<p>The run to the shore was made quickly. It seemed almost no time at all +before they made out the string of lights that marked the pier and the +radiance of the brilliantly lit hotel behind them. But as they were +landing an unforeseen accident occurred. Mistaking his distance in the +darkness, the captain neglected to shut off power soon enough, and the +nose of the <i>Skipjack</i> bumped into the pier with great force. At the +same time a splintering of wood was heard.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, another wreck," exclaimed Jack.</p> + +<p>"Wow! What a bump!" cried Noddy.</p> + +<p>"Is it a bad smash?" asked Billy anxiously.</p> + +<p>The captain was bending over the broken prow of the boat examining it by +the white lantern.</p> + +<p>"Bad enough to keep us here all night, I'm afraid," he said. "Do you +boys mind? It looks to me as if it could soon be repaired in the +morning, and the boat will be safe here to-night at any rate."</p> + +<p>"It's too bad," exclaimed Jack. "We seem to be regular hoodoos on a +boat."</p> + +<p>"It was my own fault," said the captain, "but the lights on the pier +dazzled me so that I miscalculated my distance."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's a good thing no other harm was done," was Billy's comment.</p> + +<p>The boat was tied up and the watchman on the dock given some money to +keep an eye on it. They engaged rooms at the hotel, and while Captain +Simms composed his telegram, the boys took a stroll about the grounds of +the hostelry, which sloped down to the bay. They had about passed beyond +the radiance of the lights of the hotel when Jack suddenly drew his +companions' attention to a figure that was stealing through the darkness +hugging a grove of trees. There was something indescribably furtive in +the way the man crept along, half crouched and glanced behind him from +time to time.</p> + +<p>"A burglar?" questioned Billy.</p> + +<p>"Some sort of crook I'll bet," exclaimed Noddy.</p> + +<p>"He's up to some mischief or I'm much mistaken," said Jack, as he drew +his companions back further into a patch of black shadow cast by some +ornamental shrubs.</p> + +<p>"Let's trail him and see what he's up to," said Noddy.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, you're a regular Sherlock Holmes at the drop of the hat," +laughed Billy. "What do you think, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. He's going toward the wharf and I don't see just what he +could steal there."</p> + +<p>"Look at him stop and glance all around him as if he was afraid of being +followed," whispered Billy.</p> + +<p>"That doesn't look like an honest man's action, certainly," agreed Jack. +"Come on, boys; we'll see what's in the wind. Do you know, somehow I've +got an idea that we've seen that fellow somewhere before."</p> + +<p>"What gives you that impression?" asked Billy.</p> + +<p>"I can't say—it's just a feeling I've got. An instinct I guess you +might call it."</p> + +<p>The three boys moved forward as stealthily as did the man whose actions +had aroused their suspicions. Presently they saw him cut across a small +patch of lawn and strike into a narrow path which led among some trees.</p> + +<p>With every care to avoid making any noise, the three boys followed. The +path led to the edge of a cliff, down the face of which a flight of +stone steps ran down to the water's edge. The man descended these.</p> + +<p>"What can he be? A smuggler," suggested Billy.</p> + +<p>"I don't see any boat down there, if he is," rejoined Jack in low tones.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a sharp, low exclamation came from Noddy, who had been looking +out over the lake.</p> + +<p>He caught Jack's arm and pointed.</p> + +<p>"Look, boys, a yacht!" he breathed.</p> + +<p>"Heading in this way, too," rejoined Jack. "It looks like—but no, it +cannot be."</p> + +<p>"Cannot be what?" asked Billy, caught by something in his companion's +voice.</p> + +<p>"Cannot be the <i>Speedaway</i>."</p> + +<p>"Judson's craft, the one that ran us down? Nonsense, you've got Judson +on the brain, Jack."</p> + +<p>"Have I? Well, it's an odd coincidence, then, that the yacht yonder has +a tear in her foresail exactly where our bowsprit tore the <i>Speedaway's</i> +jib this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"By hookey, you're right, Jack!" cried Noddy. "There may be more to this +than we think."</p> + +<p>Billy was peering from behind a bush over the edge of the cliff, which +was not very high.</p> + +<p>He could see below, the dark figure of a man making a black patch in the +gloom upon the white beach. He was moving about and pacing nervously to +and fro on the shingle as if awaiting something or somebody.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he made a swift move.</p> + +<p>"He's waving his handkerchief," whispered Billy to the others, as he saw +the man make a signal with a square of white linen.</p> + +<p>"To that yacht, I'll bet a cookie," exclaimed Noddy.</p> + +<p>As if in answer to his words there suddenly showed, on the yacht, a red +lantern, as if a scarlet eye had suddenly opened across the dark water.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>IN THE DARK.</h3> + + +<p>"Something's in the wind sure enough," said Jack. "Hark, there's the +plash of oars. They must be going to land here."</p> + +<p>From below there came a man's voice.</p> + +<p>"Right here, Judson; here's the landing place. Are you alone?"</p> + +<p>"No, my son is with me," came the reply, "but for heaven's sake, man, +not so loud."</p> + +<p>"There's no one within half a mile of this place. I came down through +the grounds and they were deserted."</p> + +<p>"Humph, but still it's as well to be careful. One never knows what spies +are about," came the reply.</p> + +<p>The boys, nudging each other with excitement, heard the bow of the boat +scrape on the shingly beach and then came the crunch of footsteps.</p> + +<p>"They are coming up the steps," whispered Jack in low, excited tones.</p> + +<p>"That's right, so they are," breathed Billy cautiously. "Let's get +behind the trees and learn what is going on."</p> + +<p>"It's something crooked, that's sure," whispered Noddy.</p> + +<p>"I begin to think so myself," agreed Jack, "but that man's voice, as +well as his figure, seemed familiar to me when he hailed Judson, but I +can't, for the life of me, think where I heard his voice before."</p> + +<p>The three lads lost no time in concealing themselves behind some +ornamental bushes in the immediate vicinity. They were none too soon, +for hardly had they done so when the figures of two men and a boy +appeared at the top of the steps.</p> + +<p>"Phew," panted Judson, "I'm not as young as I was. That climb has made +me feel my age. Let's sit down here."</p> + +<p>"Very well, that bench yonder will be just the place," agreed the man +the boys had followed, and who had seemed so oddly familiar to Jack.</p> + +<p>The seat they had selected could hardly have been a better one for the +boys' purpose. It was placed right against the bush behind which they +were hiding. The voices came to them clearly, although the speakers took +pains to modify them.</p> + +<p>"Well, I've been waiting for you," came in the voice of the man the boys +had instinctively followed.</p> + +<p>"We'd have got here sooner, but were delayed by an accident, or rather a +sort of accident on purpose that occurred this afternoon. I was glad to +see that you hadn't forgotten our night signal code," said Judson.</p> + +<p>"What was the accident?" asked the man, who was a stranger to the boys, +who were listening intently.</p> + +<p>"Oh, just three brats who are summering here," scoffed Donald Judson. +"They appeared to think they owned the bay, and I guess it was up to me +to show them they didn't. I guess Jack Ready will be on the market for +another boat before long and——"</p> + +<p>"Hold on, hold on," exclaimed the strange man. "What was that name?"</p> + +<p>"Ready, Jack Ready. He thinks he's a wizard at wireless. Why, do you +know him, Jarrow?"</p> + +<p>Jarrow, at the sound of the name there, brought into Jack's mind the +recollections of the rascally partner of Terrill & Co., who had financed +his uncle's treasure hunt and had then tried to steal the hoard from +him. It was Jack who had overthrown the rascal's schemes and made him +seek refuge in the west to escape prosecution. Yet he had apparently +returned and in some way become associated with Judson. Noddy, too, as +had Bill, had started at the name. Both nudged Jack, who returned the +gesture to show that he had heard and understood.</p> + +<p>"So Ready is here, eh?" growled Jarrow. "Confounded young milksop."</p> + +<p>"You appear not to be very fond of him," interjected the elder Judson.</p> + +<p>"Fond of him! I should think not! I hate him like poison."</p> + +<p>"What did he ever do to you?"</p> + +<p>"He—er—er—he upset an—er—er—business deal I was in with his +uncle."</p> + +<p>"The one-legged old sea captain?"</p> + +<p>"That's the fellow. He trusted me in everything till Jack Ready came +nosing in and spoilt his uncle's chance of becoming a rich man through +his association in business with me."</p> + +<p>"I've no use for him either," exclaimed Donald vindictively. "I'll give +him a good licking when I see him."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, let's get down to business," said the elder Judson +decisively. "You have been to Washington, Jarrow?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and found out something, but not much. The new naval wireless code +is not yet completed. I found out that by bribing a clerk in the Navy +Department and——"</p> + +<p>"This business is proving pretty expensive," grumbled Judson.</p> + +<p>"We're playing for a big stake," was the reply. "I found out that the +code has been placed in the hands of a Captain Simms, recently attached +to the revenue service, for revision. I believe that it is the same +Captain Simms against whom I have a grudge, for it was on his ship that +I was insulted by aspersions on my business honesty, and that, also, was +the work of this Jack Ready."</p> + +<p>"Pity he didn't tell them that he was in irons at the time," thought +Jack to himself.</p> + +<p>"Where is this Captain Simms?" asked Judson, not noticing, or appearing +not to, his companion's outbreak.</p> + +<p>"That's just it," was the rejoinder. "Nobody knows. His whereabouts are +being kept a profound secret. Since it has become rumored that the Navy +wireless code was being revised, Washington fairly swarms with secret +agents of different governments. Simms is either abroad or in some +mighty safe place."</p> + +<p>"Our hands are tied without him," muttered Judson, "and if I don't get +that code I don't stand a chance of landing that big steel contract with +the foreign power I have been dealing with."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not," rejoined Jarrow. "I saw their representative in +Washington and told him what I had learned. His answer was, 'no code, no +contract.' I'm afraid you were foolish in using that promise as a means +to try to land the deal."</p> + +<p>"I had my thumb on the man who would have stolen it for me at the time," +rejoined Judson, "but he was discharged for some minor dishonesty before +I had a chance to use him."</p> + +<p>"The thing to do is to locate this Captain Simms."</p> + +<p>"Evidently, you must do your best. The wind has died down and I guess +we'll stop at the hotel till to-morrow. Anyhow, it's too long a sail +back to-night. Come on, Donald; come, Jarrow." The bench creaked as they +rose and made off, turning their footsteps toward the hotel.</p> + +<p>Not till they had gone some distance did the boys dare to speak, and +even then they did not say much for a minute or two. The first +expression came from Jack. It was a long, drawn-out:</p> + +<p>"We-e-l!"</p> + +<p>"And so that is the work that Captain Simms has been doing in that +isolated retreat of his," exclaimed Billy.</p> + +<p>"And these crooks have just had the blind luck to tumble over him," +exploded Noddy. "Just wait till they take a look at the hotel register."</p> + +<p>"Maybe by the time they enter their names the page will have turned," +suggested Billy.</p> + +<p>"No," rejoined Jack, "our names were at the top of the page and there +would hardly have been enough new arrivals after us at this time of +night to have filled it since."</p> + +<p>"We must find Captain Simms at once and tell what is in the wind," +decided the young wireless man a moment later. "I guess the instinct +that made us follow Jarrow was a right one."</p> + +<p>"I wonder how the rascal became acquainted with Judson?" pondered Billy.</p> + +<p>"Mixed up with him in some crooked deal or other before this," said +Noddy.</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't wonder," said Jack.</p> + +<p>They began to walk back to the hotel. They did not enter the lobby by +the main entrance, for the path they followed had brought them to a side +door. They were glad of this, for, screened by some palms, they saw, +bending intently over the register, the forms of the three individuals +whose conversation they had overheard.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>THE NAVAL CODE.</h3> + + +<p>"Now that you boys know the nature of the work I have been engaged on, I +may as well tell you that confidential reports from Washington have +warned me to be on my guard," said Captain Simms. "It was in reply to +one of these that I sent a code dispatch to-night."</p> + +<p>It was half an hour later, and they were all seated in the Captain's +room, having told their story.</p> + +<p>"But I should have imagined making up a code was a very simple matter," +said Billy.</p> + +<p>"That is just where you are wrong, my boy," smiled Captain Simms. "A +commercial code, perhaps, can be jumbled together in any sort of +fashion, but a practical naval code is a different matter. Besides +dealing in technicalities it must be absolutely invulnerable to even the +cleverest reader of puzzles. The new code was necessitated by the fact +that secret agents discovered that an expert in the employ of a foreign +power had succeeded in solving a part of our old one. It was only a very +small part, but in case of trouble with that country it might have meant +defeat if the enemy knew even a fragment of the wireless code that was +being flashed through the air."</p> + +<p>"Have you nearly completed your work?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Almost," was the reply, "but the fact that these men are here rather +complicates matters. At Musky Bay, the name of the little settlement +where I am stopping, they think I am just a city man up for the fishing. +I do not use my right name there. By an inadvertence, I suppose it was +habit, I wrote it on the hotel register to-night. That was a sad +blunder, for it is practically certain that these men will not rest till +they have found out where I am working."</p> + +<p>"At any rate I'm mighty glad we followed that Jarrow," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"And caught enough of their plans to put you on guard," chimed in Billy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I am deeply grateful to you boys," was the rejoinder. +"'Forewarned is forearmed.' If Judson and his crowd attempt any foul +tactics they will find me ready for them."</p> + +<p>"Judson apparently wishes now that he had not been so anxious to secure +that contract as to promise the naval code as a sort of bonus," said +Jack.</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt it," answered Captain Simms. "Now that I recall it, I +heard rumors that Judson, who once had a steel contract with our +government, is not so sound financially as he seems. I judge he would go +to great lengths to assure a large contract that would get him out of +his difficulties."</p> + +<p>"I should imagine so," replied Jack. "What was the reason he never did +any more work for the government?"</p> + +<p>"The inferior quality of his product, I heard. There were ugly rumors +concerning graft at the time. Some of the newspapers even went so far as +to urge his prosecution."</p> + +<p>"Then we are dealing with bad men?" commented Jack.</p> + +<p>"Unquestionably so. But I think we had better break up this council of +war and get to bed. I want to get an early start in the morning."</p> + +<p>But when morning came, it was found that the repairs to the <i>Skipjack</i> +would take longer than had been anticipated. While Captain Simms +remained at the boat yard to superintend the work, the lads returned to +the hotel and addressed some post cards. This done they sauntered out on +the porch. Almost the first person they encountered chanced to be +Jarrow. He started and turned a sickly yellow at the sight of them, +although he knew, from an inspection of the register the night before, +that they were there.</p> + +<p>"Why—er—ahem, so it is you once more. Where did you spring from?"</p> + +<p>"We came out of that door," murmured Jack, while Noddy snickered. "Where +did you come from?"</p> + +<p>"I might say from the same place," was the rejoinder, with a look of +malice at Noddy.</p> + +<p>"We thought you were in the west," said Billy. "Great place, the west. +They say the climate out there is healthier than the east—for some +folks."</p> + +<p>"Boy, you are impudent," snarled Jarrow.</p> + +<p>"Not at all. I was merely making a meteorological remark," smiled Billy.</p> + +<p>"Wait till I get that word," implored Noddy, pulling out a notebook and +a stub of pencil.</p> + +<p>"Splendid grounds they have here for taking strolls at night," Jack +could not help observing.</p> + +<p>From yellow Jarrow's face turned ashen pale. Muttering something about a +telephone call, he hurried into the hotel.</p> + +<p>"Goodness, that shot brought down a bird, with a vengeance," chuckled +Billy.</p> + +<p>Jarrow's head was suddenly thrust out of an open window. He glared at +the boys balefully. His face was black as a thundercloud.</p> + +<p>"You boys have been playing the sneak on me," he cried angrily. "If you +take my advice, you will not do so in the future."</p> + +<p>He withdrew his head as quickly as a turtle draws its headpiece into its +shell.</p> + +<p>"He's a corker," cried Noddy. "I'll bet if he had a chance, he'd like to +half kill us."</p> + +<p>"Shouldn't wonder," laughed Jack, "but he isn't going to get that +chance. But hullo! What's all this coming up the driveway?"</p> + +<p>The others looked in the same direction and beheld a curious spectacle.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>A MONKEY INTERLUDE.</h3> + + +<p>"Well, here's something new, and no mistake," cried Billy.</p> + +<p>"Good, it will help pass our morning," declared Noddy, who was beginning +to find time hang heavily on his hands now that he had nobody to play +pranks on, like those he used to torment poor Pompey with.</p> + +<p>An Italian was coming up the road toward the hotel. Strapped across his +shoulders was a small hand-organ. He led a trained bear, and two monkeys +squatted on the big creature's back. He came to a halt near the grinning +boys.</p> + +<p>"Hurray! This is going to be as good as a circus!" declared Noddy. +"Start up your performance, professor."</p> + +<p>"They're off!" cried Billy.</p> + +<p>Summer residents of the hotel, anxious for any diversion out of the +ordinary, came flocking to the scene as the strains of the barrel organ +reached their ears, and the bear, in a clumsy fashion, began to dance to +the music of the ear-piercing instrument.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going, Noddy?" asked Jack, as the red-headed lad tried to +get quietly out of the crowd.</p> + +<p>"I just saw a chance for a little fun," rejoined Noddy innocently.</p> + +<p>"Well, be careful," warned Jack. "This is no place for such jokes as you +used to play on Pompey."</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing like that," Noddy assured him as he hurried off.</p> + +<p>"Just the same I'm afraid of Noddy when he starts getting humorous," +thought Jack.</p> + +<p>He would have been still more afraid if he could have seen Noddy make +his way to the hotel kitchen and bribe a kitchen maid to get him three +large sugar cakes. Then he made his way to the dining-room, and boring +tiny holes in the buns filled each of them with red pepper from the +casters.</p> + +<p>"Now for some fun," he chuckled.</p> + +<p>"I just know that boy is up to some mischief by the look on his face," +remarked an old lady as he hurried by.</p> + +<p>Quite a big crowd was round the Italian when Noddy got back. Almost as +soon as he arrived the man began passing the hat, and taking advantage +of this, Noddy proffered his buns to the animals. They accepted them +greedily.</p> + +<p>"Peep! Peep!" chattered the monkeys.</p> + +<p>"You mean 'pep,' 'pep'," chuckled Noddy to himself.</p> + +<p>Both bear and monkeys tore into their buns as if they were half starved. +In their hunger they got a few mouthfuls down without appearing to +notice that anything was wrong. Then suddenly one of the monkeys hurled +his bun at the bear and the other leaped on the big hairy creature's +head. Apparently they thought the innocent bear had something to do with +the trick that had been played on them.</p> + +<p>"Da monk! da monk!" howled the Italian, "da monk go a da craz'."</p> + +<p>"He says they are mad," exclaimed an old gentleman, and hurried away.</p> + +<p>Just as he did so, the bear discovered something was wrong. He set up a +roar of rage and broke loose from his keeper. The monkeys leaped away +from the angry beast and sought refuge. One jumped on the head of an +elderly damsel who was very much excited. The other made a dive for a +fashionably dressed youth who was none other than Donald Judson.</p> + +<p>"Help!" screamed the old maid. "Help! Will no one help me?"</p> + +<p>"I will, madam," volunteered an old gentleman, coming forward. He seized +the monkey and tugged at its hind legs, but it only clung the tighter to +the elderly damsel's hair.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there came a piercing scream.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, her hair's come off!" cried a woman.</p> + +<p>"She's been scalped, poor creature!" declared another.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you wretch, how dare you!" shrieked the monkey's victim, rushing at +the gallant old gentleman. She raised her parasol and brought it down on +his head with a resounding crack. In the meantime the Italian was +howling to "Garibaldi," as he called the monkey, to come to him.</p> + +<p>But this the monkey had no intention of doing. Clutching the old maid's +wig in its hands, it leaped away in bounds and joined its brother on the +person of Donald Judson.</p> + +<p>"Ouch, take them off. They'll bite me!" Donald was yelling.</p> + +<p>The monkeys tore off his straw hat with its fancy ribbon and tore it to +bits and flung them in the faces of the crowd. Then, suddenly, they both +darted swiftly off and climbed a tree, where they sat chattering.</p> + +<p>It was at that moment that the confused throng recollected the bear, +which had not remained in the vicinity but had gone charging off across +the lawn looking for water to drown the burning sensation within him. +Now, however, an angry roar reminded them of him. The beast was coming +back across the lawn, roaring and showing his teeth.</p> + +<p>"Look out for the bear!"</p> + +<p>"Get a gun, quick."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he'll hug me," this last from the old maid, were some of the cries +which the crowd sent up.</p> + +<p>"He's mad, shoot him!" cried somebody. The Italian set up a howl of +protest.</p> + +<p>"No, no, no shoota heem. Mika da gooda da bear. No shoota heem."</p> + +<p>"If you don't want him shot, catch him and get out of here. You'll have +my hotel turned into a sanitarium for nervous wrecks the first thing you +know," cried the proprietor of the place.</p> + +<p>"Somebody playa da treeck," protested the Italian. "Mika da nica da +bear, da gooda da bear."</p> + +<p>"I guess he's like an Indian, only good when he's dead," said the hotel +man. "I'm off to get my gun."</p> + +<p>Noddy watched the results of his joke with mixed feelings. He had not +meant it to go as far as this. He looked about him apprehensively, but +everybody was too frightened to notice him.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the bear headed straight for Noddy. Perhaps his red head was a +shining mark or perhaps the creature recollected the prank-playing youth +as the one who had given him the peppered bun. At any rate he charged +straight after the lad, who fled for his life.</p> + +<p>"Help!" he called as he ran. "Help, help!"</p> + +<p>"Noddy's getting a dose of his own medicine," cried Jack to Billy.</p> + +<p>"But we don't want to let the bear get him," protested Billy.</p> + +<p>"Of course not, but he'll beat the bear into the hotel, see if he +doesn't."</p> + +<p>The hotel front door was evidently Noddy's objective point. It appeared +he would reach it first, but suddenly he tripped on a croquet hoop and +went sprawling. He was up in a minute, but the bear had gained on him. +As he rushed up the steps it was only a few inches behind him.</p> + +<p>Noddy gave a wild yell and took the steps in three jumps. The next +second he was at the door and swinging it shut with all his might. But +just then an astonishing thing happened.</p> + +<p>Just as Noddy swung the door shut the bear made a leap. The result +surprised Noddy as much as Bruin.</p> + +<p>The edge of the door caught the big creature's neck and held him as fast +as if he had been caught in a dead-fall. He was gripped as in a vise +between the door and the frame. But poor Noddy was in the position of +the man who caught the wild cat.</p> + +<p>He didn't know how to let go!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>NODDY AND THE BEAR.</h3> + + +<p>"I've got him!" yelled Noddy. "Help me, somebody!"</p> + +<p>"Goodness, Noddy's caught the bear," cried Jack, as he and Billy +streaked across the lawn, followed by the less timid of the guests.</p> + +<p>"Hold him tight," shouted some in the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Let him go," bawled others.</p> + +<p>Perspiring from his efforts, Noddy braced his feet and kept the door +tightly closed on the bear's neck. But the creature's struggles made the +portal groan and creak as if it would be shoved off its hinges.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, I can't hold it much longer. Can't somebody hit him on the +head with a club?"</p> + +<p>The negro bell boys and clerk, together with several of the guests who +had been in the lobby, began to come back, now that they saw there was +no immediate chance of the bear rushing in.</p> + +<p>"Ah reckon ah knows a way ter fix dat b'ar widout hurting him," cried +one of the negro boys.</p> + +<p>He snatched a fire extinguisher off the wall of the office and squirted +its contents full in the bear's face. The animal gave one roar of dismay +and a mighty struggle that burst the door open and threw Noddy off his +feet. He set up a yell of fright. But he need not have been afraid. The +ugliness had all gone out of the bear, and besides being half choked he +was temporarily blinded by the contents of the fire extinguisher.</p> + +<p>The Italian came running up, carrying a chain and a muzzle.</p> + +<p>"Gooda da boy! Gooda da Mika!" he cried ingratiatingly.</p> + +<p>The bear was as mild as a kitten, but nevertheless the muzzle was +buckled on and the Italian departed in search of his monkeys just as the +manager appeared with his gun. It had taken him a long time to find, he +explained, whereat Noddy, who had recovered his spirits, snickered.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to pay the bill and get out of here," whispered Jack in +Noddy's ear. "You'd better get away as quietly as you can. Several +people saw you give those buns to the animals. If they find you here, +they'll mob you."</p> + +<p>"Being chased by a bear is quite enough excitement for one day," +rejoined Noddy, "but my! It was good fun while it lasted. Did you see +that old maid's hair, did you see Donald Judson, did you——"</p> + +<p>"Get out of here quickly," warned Jack, and this time Noddy took his +advice without waiting. It was just as well he did, for the elderly +gentleman, whose shining bald head had been belabored by the old maid's +parasol, came in, accompanied by the damsel. She had recovered her hair +when the monkeys were caught and had tendered handsome apologies to the +would-be gallant.</p> + +<p>"Where is that boy who started all this?" demanded the old gentleman.</p> + +<p>"It was one of that gang there," cried Donald Judson, who had followed +them and whose face showed plenty of scratches where the monkeys had +clambered up to demolish his hat.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a terrible boy he must be," cried the old maid. "He ought to +go to prison. Where is he?"</p> + +<p>"Ask them, they'll know," cried Donald, pointing to Jack and Billy.</p> + +<p>"No, it wasn't either of them. They were back in the crowd," cried the +old maid; "it was another boy, a red-headed one."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad I told Noddy to get out," whispered Jack to his friends.</p> + +<p>"Look, they are whispering to each other. I told you they knew all about +it," cried Donald, who saw a chance of avenging himself for his +treatment by the monkeys.</p> + +<p>"Say, young man," said the manager, coming up to Jack, "I think your +friend was responsible for this rumpus."</p> + +<p>"What rumpus?"</p> + +<p>"Why, that trouble with the bear, of course. You boys are at the bottom +of it all."</p> + +<p>"Why, the bear chased my friend harder than anyone else," said Jack, +with assumed indignation.</p> + +<p>"I guess we'll pay our bill and leave," struck in Billy.</p> + +<p>"Think you'd better, eh?" sneered the manager.</p> + +<p>"If you want your money you'd better be civil," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but—your bill is eight dollars."</p> + +<p>"Here it is. Now don't bother us any more or I'll report you to the +proprietor."</p> + +<p>"I know, but look here."</p> + +<p>"I can't see in that direction."</p> + +<p>"I don't know if that man has caught his monkeys yet."</p> + +<p>"No use of your worrying about that unless you're afraid one of them +will get your job."</p> + +<p>There was a loud laugh at this and in the midst of it the boys passed +out of the hotel, leaving the clerk very red about the ears.</p> + +<p>"I hope that will teach Noddy a lesson," said Jack, as they hurried down +to the boat yard where Noddy had been instructed to precede them.</p> + +<p>"It ought to. Being chased by a bear is no joke."</p> + +<p>But when they reached the yard they were just in time to see the man who +was working on the boat clap his hand to the back of his neck and yell:</p> + +<p>"Ouch! A bee stung me."</p> + +<p>Not far off, looking perfectly innocent, stood Noddy, but Jack detected +him in the act of slipping into his pocket a magnifying glass, by which +he focused the sun's rays on the workman's neck.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>"WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF IT?"</h3> + + +<p>The <i>Skipjack</i> was all ready for them and no delay was had in making a +start back to Musky Bay, where, it will be remembered, the boys had left +their boat to be repaired. A brief stop was made at the Pine Island +hotel and then the trip was resumed.</p> + +<p>"Wonder where Judson and his crowd have gone to?" pondered Jack, as they +moved rapidly over the water.</p> + +<p>"One thing sure, they never started back home in the <i>Speedaway this</i> +morning," said Billy. "The water is like glass, and there's not a breath +of wind."</p> + +<p>"Look, there's a handsome motor boat off yonder," exclaimed Jack +presently. He pointed to a low, black craft, some distance behind them +and closer in to the shore.</p> + +<p>"She's making fast time," said Bill.</p> + +<p>"Maybe she wants to give us a race," suggested Noddy.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we wouldn't stand much chance with her," laughed Captain +Simms.</p> + +<p>They watched the black boat for a time, but she appeared to slacken +speed as she drew closer, as if those in charge of her had no desire to +come any nearer to the <i>Skipjack</i> than they were.</p> + +<p>"That's odd," remarked Jack. "There is evidently nothing the matter with +her engine, but for all that they don't seem to want to pass us. That's +the first fast boat I ever saw act that way."</p> + +<p>"It does seem queer," said Captain Simms, and suddenly his brow clouded.</p> + +<p>"Could it be possible——" he exclaimed, and stopped short.</p> + +<p>Jack looked at him in a questioning way.</p> + +<p>"Could what be possible, sir?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Why, that Judson and the others are on board that black craft?"</p> + +<p>"Ginger! That never occurred to me!" cried Jack; "and yet, if they were +following us to find out where you are located that would be just the +sort of way in which they would behave."</p> + +<p>"So I was thinking," said Captain Simms thoughtfully. "However, we can +soon find out."</p> + +<p>He opened a locker and took out his binoculars. Then he focused them on +the black craft.</p> + +<p>"Well?" questioned Jack, as the captain laid them down again.</p> + +<p>"There's a man at the wheel, but he isn't the least like your +descriptions of your men," said the captain.</p> + +<p>"What does he look like?" questioned Billy.</p> + +<p>"He's rather tall and has a full black beard," was the answer.</p> + +<p>"Then it's not one of Judson's crowd," said Jack with conviction.</p> + +<p>"I guess we are all the victims of nerves to-day," smiled the captain.</p> + +<p>They swung round a point and threaded the channel that led among the +shoaly waters of Musky Bay. The point shut out any rearward view of the +black motor boat and they saw no more of it. Captain Simms invited them +up to the house he occupied, which was isolated from the half dozen or +so small habitations that made up the settlement. It was plainly +furnished and the living room was littered with papers and documents.</p> + +<p>"What made you select Musky Bay as a retreat?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"I come from up in this part of the country," rejoined Captain Simms, +"and I thought this would be a good quiet place to hide myself till my +work was complete. But it seems," he added, with a smile, "that I may +have been mistaken."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know," replied Jack. "Those fellows would never think of +trailing you here. I guess they think you are still in Clayton."</p> + +<p>"Let us hope so, anyway," said the captain, and here the discussion +ended.</p> + +<p>Soon after they said good-by, promising to run over again before long. +Their boat was all ready for them. A good job had been done with it.</p> + +<p>"It looks as good as new," commented Jack.</p> + +<p>"She's a fine boat," said Billy.</p> + +<p>"A regular pippin," agreed Noddy.</p> + +<p>"Well, young men, your-craft-will-carry-you-through many a blow yet. +She's as nice a little-ship-as-I-ever-saw."</p> + +<p>"I guess he says that of every boat that brings him a job," grinned +Noddy, as Jack paid the man, and they got ready to get under way. A +light breeze had risen, and they were soon skimming along, taking great +care to avoid shoals and sand-banks. By standing up to steer, Jack was +easily able to trace the deeper water by its darker color and they got +out of the bay without trouble.</p> + +<p>As they glided round the point, which had shrouded the black motor boat +from their view when they entered the bay, Billy, who was in the bow, +uttered a sharp cry and pointed. The others looked in the direction he +indicated, realizing that something unusual was up.</p> + +<p>"Well, look at that, will you?" exclaimed Jack.</p> + +<p>The black motor-boat was anchored close in to the shore. Her dinghy lay +on the beach, showing that somebody had just landed. Clambering up the +steep and rocky sides of the point were three figures. When the boys +caught sight of them the trio had just gained the summit of the rocky +escarpment.</p> + +<p>They crouched behind rocks, as if fearing that they would be seen, and +one of them drew from his pocket a pair of field glasses. He gazed +through these down at the settlement of Musky Bay, which lay below. Then +he turned to his companions and made some remark and each in turn took +up the glasses.</p> + +<p>"What do you make of it?" asked Billy, turning to Jack.</p> + +<p>The wireless boy shook his head dubiously.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what <i>I</i> make of it," he said. "Just this. Those three +figures up yonder are Judson, Donald and Jarrow. They trailed us here in +that motor boat but were too foxy to round the point. When they saw us +turn into the bay, they knew they could land and sneak over the point +without being seen. They are spying on the settlement and watching for +Captain Simms. At any rate, they will see his boat tied up there and +realize that they have struck a home trail."</p> + +<p>"What will we do?" asked Billy, rather helplessly.</p> + +<p>"There's only one thing to do," said Jack with decision, "and that is to +turn back and warn Captain Simms of what is going on."</p> + +<p>The <i>Curlew</i> was headed about and a few moments later was in sight of +Musky Bay again.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>A SWIM WITH A MEMORY.</h3> + + +<p>"So they did find me out, after all?" said Captain Simms grimly, after +he had heard the boys' story. "Well, it will not do them much good. I am +well armed and the government is at my back. If I get the chance I will +deal with those rascals with no uncertain hand."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you have them arrested right now?" asked Noddy.</p> + +<p>"Because it would be premature to do so at the present moment. The +agents of several nations are keen on getting a copy of the code. If +these men were arrested, it would reveal, directly, the whereabouts of +the code and its author."</p> + +<p>"It seems too bad such rascals can carry on their intrigues without +being punished," said Jack.</p> + +<p>As it was noon by that time, and the appetites of all were sharp set, +Captain Simms invited the boys to have lunch with him. It was a simple +meal, consisting mainly of fish; but the boys did ample justice to it, +and finished up with some pie, which the captain had brought from +Clayton to replenish his larder.</p> + +<p>After dinner the capricious breeze died out entirely. The heat was +intense, and the water glittered like a sheet of molten glass. The boys +looked longingly at the bay, however. The idea of a cool swim seemed +very attractive just then. Captain Simms had left them to their own +devices while he took a nap.</p> + +<p>"Tell you what," said Billy, "let's take a swim, eh, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Suits me down to the ground," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"Suits me down to the water," grinned Noddy.</p> + +<p>They had bathing trunks on their boat, and, having found what looked +like a good spot, a little cove with a sandy beach, they disrobed and +were soon sporting in the water.</p> + +<p>"Ouch! It's colder than I thought it was," cried Noddy.</p> + +<p>"You'll soon warm up," encouraged Jack. "I'll race you out to that +anchored boat."</p> + +<p>"Bully for you," cried Billy.</p> + +<p>"You're on," echoed Noddy, not to be outdone. But, as a matter of fact, +the red-headed lad, who had eaten far more than the others, wasn't +feeling very well. However, he did not wish to spoil the fun, so he +didn't say anything.</p> + +<p>Jack and Billy struck out with long, strong strokes.</p> + +<p>"Come on," cried Jack, looking back at Noddy, who was left behind, and +who began to feel worse and worse. "What's the trouble—want a +tow-rope?"</p> + +<p>"I'll beat you yet, Jack Ready," cried Noddy, fighting off a feeling of +nausea.</p> + +<p>"I guess I went in the water too soon after eating," he thought. "It +will wear off."</p> + +<p>"Help!"</p> + +<p>The single, half-choked cry for aid reached the ears of Jack and Billy +when they were almost at the anchored boat, which was the objective +point of the race.</p> + +<p>"Great Cæsar!" burst from Jack. "What's up now?"</p> + +<p>He turned round just in time to see Noddy's arms go up in the air. Then +the red-headed lad sank out of sight like a stone.</p> + +<p>"He can't be fooling, can he?" exclaimed Billy nervously.</p> + +<p>"He wouldn't be so silly as to do that," rejoined Jack, who was already +striking out for the spot where Noddy had vanished. Billy followed him +closely.</p> + +<p>They were still some yards off when Noddy suddenly reappeared. He was +struggling desperately, and his eyes seemed to be popping out of his +head. His arms circled wildly, splashing the water helplessly. Then he +disappeared once more.</p> + +<p>"Heavens, he is drowning," choked out Jack. "We must save him, Billy."</p> + +<p>"Of course we will, old boy," panted Billy, upon whom the pace was +beginning to tell.</p> + +<p>Jack reached the spot where the disturbed water showed that Noddy had +gone down for the second time. Just as he gained the place Noddy shot up +again. He was totally unconscious and sank again almost instantly.</p> + +<p>Like a flash Jack was after him, diving down powerfully. He grasped +Noddy round the chest under the arms.</p> + +<p>"Noddy! Noddy!" he exclaimed, as they shot to the surface. But the lad's +eyes were closed, his face was deadly white, and his matted hair lay +over his eyes. A terrible thought invaded Jack's mind. What if Noddy +were dead and had been rescued too late?</p> + +<p>"Here, give me one of his arms. We must get him ashore as quickly as we +can," cried Billy.</p> + +<p>"That's right; he's a dead weight. Oh, Billy, I hope that he isn't——"</p> + +<p>A moan came from Noddy. Suddenly he opened his eyes and grasped at Jack +wildly, with five times his normal strength. The movement was so +unexpected that Jack was dragged under water. But the next moment +Noddy's drowning grip relaxed and they rose to the surface.</p> + +<p>"He's unconscious again," panted Jack. "He'll be all right, now. Take +hold, Billy, and we'll make for the shore."</p> + +<p>It was an exhausting swim, but at last they reached shallow water, and, +ceasing swimming, carried Noddy to the beach. They anxiously bent over +him.</p> + +<p>"We must get that water out of his lungs," declared Jack, who knew +something of how to treat the half-drowned.</p> + +<p>Luckily, an old barrel had drifted ashore not far off, and over this +poor Noddy was rolled and pounded and then hoisted up by the ankles till +most of the water was out of his lungs and he began to take deep, +gasping breaths.</p> + +<p>But it was a long time before he was strong enough to get on his feet, +and even then his two chums had to support him back to Captain Simms' +house, where they received a severe lecture for going in the water so +soon after eating.</p> + +<p>"It was an awful sensation," declared Noddy. "It just hit me like an +electric shock. I couldn't move a limb. Then I don't remember much of +anything more till I found myself on the beach."</p> + +<p>Noddy's deep gratitude to his friends may be imagined, but it was too +painful a subject to be talked about. It was a long while, however, +before any of them got over the recollection of Noddy's peril.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>A TALE FROM THE FROZEN LANDS.</h3> + + +<p>Although Noddy had recovered remarkably quick, thanks to his rugged +constitution, from the effects of his immersion, Captain Simms ordered +him on the sick-list and he was, much against his will, sent to bed.</p> + +<p>"He'd better stay there all night," said the captain. "We don't want to +run any risks of pneumonia. I don't suppose your uncle will worry about +you?"</p> + +<p>"He's got over that long ago," laughed Jack; "besides, there's a +professor stopping at the hotel who is on the lookout for funny plants +and herbs. That's Uncle Toby's long suit, you know."</p> + +<p>"So I have heard," smiled the captain. "Well, you boys may as well make +yourselves at home."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, we will," said Billy. Whereat there was a general laugh.</p> + +<p>There was a phonograph and a good selection of records in the cottage, +so they managed to while away a pleasant afternoon. Jack cooked supper, +"just by way of paying for our board," he said. After the meal they sat +up for a time listening to Captain Simms' tales of seal poachers in the +Arctic and the trouble they give the patrol assigned to see that they do +not violate the international boundary, and other laws. Before he had +taken command of the <i>Thespis</i>, of the Ice-berg Patrol, Captain Simms +had been detailed to command of the <i>Bear</i> revenue cutter, and had +chased and captured many a sealer who was plying his trade illicitly.</p> + +<p>The boys listened attentively as he told them of the rough hardships of +such a life, and how, sometimes, a whole fleet of sealers, if frozen in +by an early formation of ice, must face hunger and sometimes death till +the spring came to release them from their imprisonment.</p> + +<p>"It must take a lot of nerve and courage to be a sealer," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"It certainly does," agreed the captain. "Yet I heard from one sealing +captain the story of a young fellow whom it turned from a weak coward +into a brave man. This lad, who was regarded as a weakling, saved +himself and two companions from a terrible death simply by an act of +almost sublime courage. Would you like to hear the story?"</p> + +<p>"If you don't mind spinning the yarn," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"Well, then," began the captain, "to start with, the name of my hero is +Shavings. Of course he had another name, but that's the one he was +always known by, and I've forgotten the right one. He was a long-legged, +lanky Vermont farmer, with dank strings of yellow hair hanging about his +mild face. This hair gave him his nickname aboard the sealing schooner, +<i>Janet Barry</i>, on which he signed as a boat man. How Shavings came to +St. Johns, from which port the <i>Janet Barry</i> sailed, or why he picked +out such a job, nobody ever knew. He had, as sailors say, 'hayseed in +his hair' and knew nothing about a ship.</p> + +<p>"But what he didn't know he soon learned under the rough method of +tuition they employed on the <i>Barry</i>. A mate with a rope's end sent him +aloft for the first time and kept sending him there till Shavings +learned how to clamber up the ratlines with the best of them. He learned +boat-work in much the same way, although he passed through a lot of +experiences while chasing seals, that scared him badly. He told the +captain long afterward that, although he was afraid of storms and gales, +still he sometimes welcomed them, because he knew the boats would not +have to go out.</p> + +<p>"One day, far to the north, they ran into an exceptionally fine school +of seals. All the boats were sent away, and among them the one to which +Shavings belonged. In command of this boat was Olaf Olsen, the mate who +had taught Shavings the rudiments of his profession by means of hard +knocks. Dark clouds were scurrying across the sky, and the sea looked +angry, but that made no difference to the sealers. Lives or no lives, +women in the States had to have their sealskin coats.</p> + +<p>"So the boats pursued the seals for a long distance, and in the +excitement nobody noticed what the weather was doing. Nobody, that is, +but Shavings, and he didn't dare to say that it was growing worse, for +fear of angering the mate. The hunters harpooned a goodly catch before +the gale was upon the little fleet almost without warning.</p> + +<p>"Then the storm broke with a screech and a massing of angry water. The +boats had been under sail, and in a flash two of them were over-turned. +Shavings saw all this with terror in his eyes and a cold clutch at his +heart. He knew the men in those boats would never go sealing again.</p> + +<p>"Then his eyes fell on the mate, Olaf Olsen. The man appeared to be +petrified with fright. He made no move to do anything. Then something in +Shavings seemed to wake up.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps that yellow hair of his was a survival of some old Viking +strain, or perhaps all those months of rough sea life had made him over +without his knowing it. But he seized the mate and shook him by the +shoulder:</p> + +<p>"'Give an order, man!' he shouted. 'Order the sail reefed.'</p> + +<p>"But the sight of the death of his shipmates had so unnerved the mate +that he could no nothing. Shavings kicked him disgustedly, and went +about the job himself. Clouds of spray burst over him. Time and again he +was within an inch of being swept overboard, but at last he had the sail +reefed down. Then he took the tiller and headed back for the schooner +across the immense seas through the screeching gale.</p> + +<p>"He handled that boat skillfully, meeting the big seas and riding their +summits, only to be buried the next instant in the watery valley between +the giant combers. But always he rose. He had the cheering sight of the +schooner before him and it grew closer. The boat sailed more on her beam +than on her keel, but at last Shavings, more dead than alive, ran her in +under the lee of the schooner's hull, and willing hands got the +survivors out of the boat.</p> + +<p>"The skipper of that craft was a rough man. He drove Olaf Olsen forward +with blows and curses and the strong Swede whimpered like a whipped cur. +Then he came aft to where the cook was giving Shavings and the rest hot +coffee.</p> + +<p>"'Shavings,' he said, 'after this you're mate in that coward Olsen's +place. You're a man.'</p> + +<p>"'No, sirree,' rejoined Shavings, 'I'm a farmer. No mate's job for me. +When we gets back ter home I'm goin' ter take my share uv ther catch and +buy a farm.'</p> + +<p>"But he was finally persuaded to take the job of mate when his canny New +England mind grasped the fact that the mate's share of the profits is +much bigger than a foremast hand's. He was as good as his word, however, +and, when the <i>Janet Barry</i>, with her flag at half mast but her hold +full of fine skins, docked at St. Johns after the season was over, +Shavings drew his money and vanished. I suppose he is farming it +somewhere in Vermont now, but I agree with his captain, who told me the +story, that there was a fine sailor lost in Shavings."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>A NIGHT ALARM.</h3> + + +<p>Jack sat bolt upright in bed and listened with all his might. Outside +the window of the little room he occupied that night in the captain's +cottage he was almost certain he had heard the sound of a furtive +footfall and whisperings. His blood beat in his ear-drums as he sat +tense and rigid, waiting a repetition of the noise.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, there came a low whisper from outside.</p> + +<p>"If only we knew if the captain was alone. For all we know those +bothersome boys may be with him, and, if they are, we are likely to get +the worst of it."</p> + +<p>"Donald Judson!" exclaimed Jack to himself. "What ought I to do?"</p> + +<p>He pondered a moment and then recollected that there was a door to his +room which let directly out on a back porch without the occupant of the +room having to traverse any other chamber. Jack at once formed a bold +resolve. He did not wish to arouse the others unnecessarily, but he did +want, with all his power, to find out what was going on.</p> + +<p>He rose from the bed as cautiously as he could, and made his way to the +door. It was a ticklish task, in the dark, to accomplish without noise, +but he succeeded in doing it. Outside it was very dark, with a velvety +sort of blackness. The boy was glad of this, for it afforded him +protection from the men he felt sure were reconnoitering the house for +no good purpose.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he saw, not far off, the gleam of a light of some sort. If it +belonged to the Judsons, they must have presumed that nobody was about, +or not have realized that the place where they had left it was visible +from the cottage.</p> + +<p>"Now I wonder what they've got up there?" mused Jack. "Maybe it would be +a good scheme to go up and see."</p> + +<p>Anything that looked like an adventure aroused Jack's animation, and a +few seconds after the idea had first taken hold of him he was making his +way up a rather steep hillside, covered with rocks and bushes, toward +the light. At last he reached a place where he could get a good look at +the shining beacon. He hardly knew what he had expected to see, but +somehow he felt a sort of sense of disappointment.</p> + +<p>The lantern stood by itself on a rock and the idea suggested itself to +Jack that it might have been placed there as a beacon to guide the +midnight visitors back when they had accomplished whatever they purposed +doing.</p> + +<p>"I've a good mind to carry off their lantern," said Jack to himself; "if +they put it there to guide them that would leave them in a fine fix and +we could easily capture them."</p> + +<p>Once more, half involuntarily, his feet appeared to draw him toward the +lantern. The next instant he had it in his grasp.</p> + +<p>"Now to turn it out," he muttered, when he felt himself seized from +behind in a powerful grip and a harsh voice growled in his ear:</p> + +<p>"Yer would, would yer, you precious young scallywag."</p> + +<p>The lantern was wrested from his grasp, and Jack felt a noose slipped +over his head.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" he demanded indignantly of his unknown captor.</p> + +<p>"Bill Smiggers, of the motor boat <i>Black Beauty</i>," was the gruff reply. +"They left me up here to watch by the light, and I guess they'll be glad +they did when they see who I've caught. I reckon you're one of those +snoopy kids I've heard them talking about."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what you mean," replied Jack, "but you'd better let me go +at once."</p> + +<p>"Huh, I'd be a fine softy to do that, wouldn't I? No, young man, here +you are, and here you stay. I'm getting well paid for this job, and I'm +going to do a good one."</p> + +<p>Just then footsteps were heard coming up the hillside. Then a low, +cautious voice whispered out of the darkness:</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Bill? We saw the light waved, and came right back. +Is there any danger?"</p> + +<p>"Not right now, I reckon," rejoined Bill, with grim humor. "Any of you +gents know this young bantam I've got triced up here?"</p> + +<p>"Jack Ready, by all that's wonderful!" cried Judson, stepping forward. +He was followed by young Judson and Jarrow.</p> + +<p>"Dear me, what an—er—what a pleasant encounter," grinned Jarrow.</p> + +<p>"So you thought you'd spy on us, did you?" snarled Donald, vindictively; +"well, this is the time that we've got you and got you right."</p> + +<p>Jack's heart, stout as it was, sank like lead within him. He was in the +hands of his enemies and that, largely, by his own foolishness.</p> + +<p>"So this is that Ready kid I hearn you talkin' about?" asked Bill.</p> + +<p>"That's the boy, confound him! He's always meddling in my schemes," +growled Jarrow.</p> + +<p>"Bright looking lad, ain't he?"</p> + +<p>"Too bright for his own good. He's so sharp he'll cut himself."</p> + +<p>"No, his brightness won't help him now," chuckled Donald maliciously. +"I'll bet you're scared to death," he went on, coming close to Jack.</p> + +<p>"Not particularly. It takes more than a parcel of cowards and crooks to +frighten me."</p> + +<p>"Don't you put on airs with me. You're in our power now," jeered Donald. +"I'll make you suffer for the way you've treated me."</p> + +<p>"It would be like you to take advantage of the fact that my arms are +tied," retorted Jack.</p> + +<p>Donald came a step closer and stuck his fist under Jack's nose.</p> + +<p>"You be careful, or I'll crack you one," he snarled.</p> + +<p>"You're a nice sort of an individual, I must say. Why don't you try fair +dealing for a change?"</p> + +<p>"I do deal fair. It's you that don't. I——"</p> + +<p>"That will do," interrupted his father; "I've been talking with Bill and +he says he knows a place where we can take this young bantam and leave +him till he cools off."</p> + +<p>"You mean that you are going to imprison me?" demanded Jack indignantly.</p> + +<p>"You may call it that, if you like," said Judson imperturbably; "you are +quite too clever a lad to have at large."</p> + +<p>"Where are you taking me to?"</p> + +<p>"You'll find that out soon enough. Now then, forward march and, if you +attempt to make an outcry, you'll feel this on your head."</p> + +<p>Judson, with a wicked smile, flourished a stout club under the captive +boy's nose.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>JACK'S CURIOSITY AND ITS RESULTS.</h3> + + +<p>"What do you intend to do with me?" repeated Jack, as they hurried over +the rough ground, following Bill, who trudged ahead with the lantern.</p> + +<p>"You'll find out quick enough, I told you before," said Donald.</p> + +<p>"Don't you know that my friends are in the neighborhood? They will +invoke the law against you for this outrage."</p> + +<p>"We know all about that," was the elder Judson's reply, "but we're not +worrying. We'll have them prisoners, too, before long."</p> + +<p>Jack made no reply to this, but he judged it was an empty threat made to +scare him. He knew that nothing would have delighted Donald Judson more +than to see him breaking down. So he kept up a brave front, which he was +in reality far from feeling at heart.</p> + +<p>From the bold manner in which Bill displayed the lantern as he led the +party on, Jack knew that the rascal must be familiar with the country, +and know it to be sparsely inhabited. So far as Jack could judge they +were retreating from the river and going up hill.</p> + +<p>About an hour after they had started, Bill paused in front of an ancient +stone dwelling—or rather what had been a dwelling, for it was now +dilapidated and deserted.</p> + +<p>"This is the place, boss," he grated, holding up his lantern so that its +rays fell on the old place, which looked as grim as a fortress.</p> + +<p>"It's haunted, too, isn't it, Bill?" asked Donald meaningly.</p> + +<p>"Well, they do say there was a terrible murder done here some years ago +and that's the reason it's been deserted ever since, but I really could +not say as to the truth of that, Master Judson," rejoined Bill, falling +into Donald's plan to tease Jack.</p> + +<p>Inside the place was one large room. A few broken bits of furniture +stood about. Bill set the lantern down on a rickety table and then went +to guard the door, while the others retreated to a corner and held a +parley.</p> + +<p>At its conclusion Judson came over to Jack.</p> + +<p>"Well, Ready," he said, "you've caused us a lot of trouble, but still I +might come to terms with you."</p> + +<p>"Are you ready to release me?" demanded Jack.</p> + +<p>"Yes, under certain conditions. First, you must tell us all you know +about that naval code of Captain Simms."</p> + +<p>"And the truth, too," snarled Jarrow. "We'll find out quick enough if +you're lying, and we'll make it hot for you."</p> + +<p>"You bet we will," chimed in Donald.</p> + +<p>"Donald, be quiet a minute," ordered his father. "Well, Ready, what have +you to say?"</p> + +<p>"Suppose I tell you I know nothing about the naval code?" said Jack +quietly.</p> + +<p>"Then I should say you were not telling the truth."</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless I am."</p> + +<p>"What, you know nothing about the code?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing except that Captain Simms was ordered to get up something of +the sort."</p> + +<p>"You don't know if it's finished or not?"</p> + +<p>"I have no idea."</p> + +<p>"Is your life worth anything to you?" struck in Jarrow.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Just what I say. If it is, you had better make terms to save it."</p> + +<p>"Impossible. You are fooling with me, Jarrow. Even a man as base as you +wouldn't dare——"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't, eh? Well, you'll find out before long if I'm in earnest or +not."</p> + +<p>Jack was a brave lad, as we know, and carried himself well through many +dangerous situations. But he was not the dauntless hero of a nickel +novel whom nothing could scare. He knew Jarrow for a desperado and, +although he could not bring himself to believe the man would actually +carry out any such threat as he had made, still he realized to the full +the peril of his situation.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you say?" demanded Jarrow, after a pause.</p> + +<p>"I don't know just what to say," said Jack. "My head is all in a whirl. +Give me time to think the thing over. I can hardly collect my thoughts +at present."</p> + +<p>The men made some further attempts to get something out of him, but, +finding him obdurate, they ordered Bill to see that his bonds were tight +and then to put him in the "inner room" he had spoken of. Bill gave the +ropes a savage yank, found they were tight and then led Jack to a green +door at the farther end of the large room. Jack had a glimpse of a +square room with a broad fireplace at one end and a small window. It +appeared to be used as a storehouse of some kind, for it was half filled +with bags, apparently containing potatoes. In one corner stood a +grindstone operated by a treadle. Then the door was shut with a bang, +and he was left to his own, none-too-pleasant reflections. Outside he +could hear the buzz of voices. But he couldn't catch much of what was +being said. Once he heard Jarrow say:</p> + +<p>"You're too soft with the boy. A good lashing with a black-snake would +bring him to his senses quick enough."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to lay it on," he heard Donald chime in.</p> + +<p>At last they appeared to grow sleepy. Jack heard a key turned in the +lock of the inner room that he occupied and not long thereafter came the +sound of snores. Evidently nobody was on guard, the men who had captured +him thinking that there was no chance of the boy's escape.</p> + +<p>"Now's my chance," thought Jack. "If only I could get my hands free, I +might be able to do something. But, as it is, I'm helpless."</p> + +<p>His heart sank once more, as he thought bitterly of the predicament into +which his own foolhardiness had drawn him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>BILLY TAKES THE TRAIL.</h3> + + +<p>"What's the matter?"</p> + +<p>Just as Jack stole out of the house Billy Raynor sat bolt upright in bed +and asked himself that question. He was on the other side of the +cottage, and, like Jack a few minutes before, he too heard the cautious +footsteps of the marauders, as they crept round the cottage, +reconnoitering.</p> + +<p>"Somebody's up to mischief," thought the boy. "It may only be common +thieves, or it may be that rascally outfit. I'll go and rouse Jack. +Perhaps we can get after them."</p> + +<p>He tiptoed across the main room of the cottage to Jack's door. Inside +the room he struck a match. He almost cried out aloud when he saw that +the bed was empty and that there was no sign of his chum.</p> + +<p>"Where can he be?" thought the lad. "Surely he has not gone after that +gang single-handed."</p> + +<p>Raynor hastened to his own room, slipped on some clothes, and went to +the door. Far up on the hillside a lantern was twinkling like some +fallen star.</p> + +<p>"That's mighty odd," reflected the lad. "I guess I'll take a look up +there and see what's coming off."</p> + +<p>He picked his way cautiously up the rough hillside. But the lantern +retreated as he went forward. As we know, Judson and his gang, led by +Bill, were carrying off Jack. Without realizing how far he had gone, +Raynor kept on and on. Some instinct told him that the dodging +will-o'-the-wisp of light ahead of him had something to do with Jack, +and he wanted to find out what that something was.</p> + +<p>But, not knowing the trail Bill was following, and having no light but +the spark ahead of him, Raynor found it pretty hard traveling. At last +he was so tired that he sat down to snatch a moment's rest, leaning his +back against a bush.</p> + +<p>As his weight came against the bush, however, a strange thing happened. +The shrub gave way altogether under the pressure. Raynor struggled for +an instant to save himself, and then felt himself tumbling backward down +an unknown height. He gave a shout of alarm, but his progress down what +appeared to be a steep wall of rock, was over almost as soon as it had +begun.</p> + +<p>"What happened?" gasped the lad, as, shaken by his adventure, he picked +himself up and tried to collect his wits. "Oh, yes, I know, that bush +gave way and I toppled over backward. I must be in some sort of hole in +the ground. Well, the first thing to do is to get a light."</p> + +<p>Luckily Raynor's pockets held several matches, and he struck one of them +and looked about him.</p> + +<p>His eyes fell on the bush which lay at his feet.</p> + +<p>"No wonder it gave way," he muttered. "The thing is dead and withered. +But"—as a sudden thought struck him—"it will make a dandy torch and +help save matches."</p> + +<p>He lit the dead bush, which blazed up bravely, illumining his +surroundings with a ruddy glow. Above him was a dark hole, presumably +the one through which he had fallen. But there was no way of escape in +that direction. He turned his gaze another way. The cave appeared to +recede beyond the light of the blazing branch.</p> + +<p>Looking down, he saw that the floor of the cave was thickly littered +with leaves and small branches. This encouraged him a good deal.</p> + +<p>"They couldn't have been blown in by the hole I fell through," he mused, +"for the dead bush covered that. Their being here must mean that there +is another entrance to this place."</p> + +<p>Carrying his torch aloft, he struck off into the cave. Its floor sloped +gently upward as he progressed and the walls began to grow narrower. The +air, too, rapidly lost its musty odor, and blew fresh and sweet on his +perspiring head.</p> + +<p>"This will be quite an adventure to tell about if I ever get out of +here," muttered Raynor, and the thought of Jack, whom he had almost +forgotten in his fright at his fall into the cave, occurred to him.</p> + +<p>What could have happened to his chum? Surely he had not been foolhardy +enough to face the marauders alone? Raynor did not know what to make of +it.</p> + +<p>"Somehow," he pondered, "I am sure that lantern had something to do with +Jack. I wonder if they would have dared to carry him off? I wish to +goodness I'd kept on, instead of leaning against that bush. Even if I do +get out of here, the light must be far out of sight by this time, and +I'll have to wait till daylight, anyhow, for I must have walked almost a +mile from the other entrance to the cave by this time."</p> + +<p>His thoughts ran along in this strain as he walked. The thought of +Captain Simms' alarm, too, when he found both boys missing, gave him a +good deal of worry.</p> + +<p>He was thinking over this phase of the situation when he was startled by +a low growl, coming from a pile of rocks just ahead of him. What could +it be? Holding his breath painfully, while a cold chill ran down his +spine, Raynor came to a dead pause and listened. His improvised torch +had almost burned out and it was appalling to think that he faced the +possibility of being in darkness ere long, with a wild beast close at +hand.</p> + +<p>Again came the growl. It echoed and re-echoed hollowly in the cave till +the frightened lad appeared to be menaced from all directions.</p> + +<p>"It must be a bear, or some wild beast just as bad," thought Raynor.</p> + +<p>The growling was repeated, but now it appeared to be retreating from +him. Plucking up courage, after a while, Raynor, waving his torch, +pushed forward again. He came to a place where it was necessary to +scramble up to a sort of platform considerably higher than the path he +had been traversing.</p> + +<p>As he gained this, he saw several tiny bright lights in front of him.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! It's the stars!" he cried aloud.</p> + +<p>"The—s-t-a-r-s!" the echoes boomed back.</p> + +<p>At almost the same instant Raynor saw, in front of him, what looked like +two balls of livid green flame.</p> + +<p>But the boy knew that they were the eyes of whatever beast it was that +had sent its growls echoing fearfully through the cave.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>A "GHOSTESS" ABROAD.</h3> + + +<p>Suddenly, like an inspiration, Jack thought of a way in which he might +free his captive hands. Naturally quick-witted, the emergency he found +himself facing had made his mind more active than usual.</p> + +<p>"That grindstone," he thought. "I can work the treadle with my foot, +while I stand backward to it. If I hold the rope against the sharp edge +of the stone it ought to cut through in a very short time."</p> + +<p>It was quite a task to locate the grindstone in the darkness without +making a noise. But at last Jack, by dint of feeling softly along the +walls, located it. Then he turned his back to the machine and put his +foot on the treadle. As the wheel began to turn he pressed the rope that +bound his hands against the rough stone. In ten minutes he was free.</p> + +<p>"Now for the next move," counseled the boy. "I've got to do whatever I +decide upon quickly. If I don't escape, and that gang finds how I've +freed my wrists, they'll shackle me hand and foot, and I'll not get +another chance to get away. If it was only daylight I'd stand a much +better opportunity of getting out."</p> + +<p>There was the door, but to try that was out of the question. Jack had +heard it locked and the key turned. The window? It was too small for a +big, well-grown boy like Jack to creep through. He had noted that during +the time the door was open and his prison was lighted by the rays of the +lantern.</p> + +<p>"There's that fireplace," thought the boy, "that's about the last +resort. I wonder——"</p> + +<p>He located the big, old-fashioned chimney, built of rough stones and +full of nooks and crannies, without trouble. Getting inside it on the +hearthstone he looked upward; it was open to the sky and at the top he +could see a faint glow.</p> + +<p>"It's getting daylight," he exclaimed to himself.</p> + +<p>The next moment he noticed that right across the top of the chimney was +the stout branch of a tree.</p> + +<p>"If I could get up the chimney that branch would afford me a way of +getting to the ground," he thought.</p> + +<p>"By Jove! I believe I could do it," he muttered, as the light grew +stronger and he saw how roughly the interior of the chimney was built. +"It's not very high, and those rough stones make a regular ladder."</p> + +<p>As time was pressing, Jack began the ascent at once. For a lad as active +as he was, it proved even more easy than he had anticipated. But long +before he reached the top he was covered from head to foot with soot, +although, oddly enough, that thought never occurred to him. At length, +black as a negro in mourning, he reached the top of the chimney and +grasped the tree branch he had noticed from below.</p> + +<p>He swung into it and made his way to the main trunk of the tree, an +ancient elm. It was no trick at all then for him to slide to the ground. +Then, silently as a cat, he tiptoed his way from the old stone house, +with its occupants sleeping and snoring, blissfully unaware that Jack +had stolen a march on them.</p> + +<p>"Well, things have gone finely so far," he mused. "Now, what shall be +the next step?"</p> + +<p>He looked about him. The country was a wild one. There was no sign of a +house, and, as far as he could see, there was nothing but an expanse of +timber and rocks.</p> + +<p>"This is a tough problem," thought the boy. "I've no idea where I am, or +the points of the compass. If I go one way, I might come out all right, +but then again I might find myself lost in the forest. Hanged if I know +what to do."</p> + +<p>But, realizing that it would not do to waste any time around the old +house, Jack at length struck off down what appeared to have been, in +bygone days, some sort of a wood road. It wound for quite a distance +among the trees, but suddenly, to his huge delight, the boy beheld in +front of him the broad white ribbon of a dusty highway.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, too, he heard the sound of wheels and the rattle of a horse's +hoofs coming along at a smart rate.</p> + +<p>"Good; now I can soon find out where I am," thought the boy, and he +hurried forward to meet the approaching vehicle. It contained a pretty +young woman, wearing a sunbonnet.</p> + +<p>Jack had no hat to lift, but he made his best bow as the fair driver +came abreast of him.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," he began, "but could you tell me——"</p> + +<p>The young woman gave one piercing scream.</p> + +<p>"Oh-h-h-h-h-h!" she cried, and gave her horse a lash with the whip that +made it leap forward like an arrow. In a flash she was out of sight in a +cloud of dust.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you know about that?" exclaimed Jack. "She must be crazy, +or something, or else she's the most bashful girl I ever saw."</p> + +<p>He sat down on a rock at the side of the road to rest and waited for +another rig or a foot passenger to come by. Before long he heard a +sprightly whistle, and a barefooted boy, carrying a tin pail, and with a +fish pole over his shoulder, appeared round a curve in the road.</p> + +<p>"Now, I'll get sailing directions," said Jack to himself, and then, as +the boy drew near:</p> + +<p>"Hullo, sonny! Can you tell me——"</p> + +<p>The boy gave one look and then, dropping his can of bait, and his pole, +fled with a howl of dismay.</p> + +<p>"Hi! Stop, can't you? What's the matter with you?" shouted Jack. He ran +after the boy at top speed. But the faster he ran the faster the +youngster sped along the road.</p> + +<p>"Oh-h-h-h-h! Help! Mum-muh!" he yelled, as he ran, in terrified tones.</p> + +<p>At length Jack gave up the chase. He leaned against a fence and gave way +to his indignation.</p> + +<p>"Bother it all," he said. "What can be the matter with these people? +Everyone I speak to runs away from me, as if I had the plague or +something. Anyhow, that youngster can't be very far down this road. I +guess I'll keep right on after him, and then I'm bound to come to some +place where there are some sensible folks."</p> + +<p>As he assumed, it was not long before he came in sight of a neat little +farm-house, standing back from the road in a grove of fine trees. He +made his way toward it. In the front yard an old man was trimming +rose-bushes.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me——" began Jack.</p> + +<p>The old man looked up. Then uttering an appalling screech, he ran for +his life into the house. "Mandy! Mandy! Thar be a ghostess in the yard!" +he yelled, as he ran.</p> + +<p>Jack looked after him blankly. What could be the matter?</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>ONE MYSTERY SOLVED.</h3> + + +<p>"Well, I'll be jiggered!" exclaimed Jack. "What <i>can</i> be the matter? It +beats me. I——"</p> + +<p>"Hey you, git out of thar. I don't know what of critter ye be, but you +scared my old man nigh ter death. Scat now, er I'll shoot!"</p> + +<p>Jack looked up toward an upper window of the farm-house, from which the +voice, a high-pitched, feminine one, had proceeded. An old lady, with a +determined face, stood framed in the embrasure. In her hands, and +pointed straight at the mystified Jack, she held an ancient but +murderous looking blunderbuss.</p> + +<p>"It's loaded with slugs an' screws, an' brass tacks," pleasantly +observed the old lady. "Jerushiah!" this to someone within the room, +"stop that whimperin'. I'm goin' ter send it on its way, ghost or no +ghost."</p> + +<p>"But, madam——" stammered Jack.</p> + +<p>"Don't madam me," was the angry reply. "Git now, and git quick!"</p> + +<p>"This is like a bad dream," murmured Jack, but there was no choice for +him but to turn and go; "maybe it is a dream. If it is I wish I could +wake up."</p> + +<p>He turned into the hot, dusty road once more. He felt faint and hungry. +His mouth was dry, and he suffered from thirst, too. Before long he +found a chance to slake this latter. A cool, clear stream, spanned by a +rustic bridge, appeared as he trudged round a bend in the road.</p> + +<p>"Ah, that looks good to me," thought Jack, and he hurried down the bank +as fast as he could.</p> + +<p>He bent over the stream at a place where an eddy made an almost still +pool, as clear as crystal. But no sooner did his face approach the water +than he gave a violent start. A hideous black countenance gazed up at +him. Then, suddenly, Jack broke into a roar of laughter.</p> + +<p>"Jerusalem! No wonder everybody was scared at me when I scare myself!" +he exclaimed. "It's the soot from that chimney. Just think, it never +occurred to me why they were all so alarmed at my appearance. Why, I'd +make a locomotive shy off the track if it saw me coming along."</p> + +<p>It did not take Jack long to clean up, and, while his face was still +grimy when he had finished, it was not, at least, such a startling +looking countenance as he had presented to those from whom he sought to +find his way back to Musky Bay.</p> + +<p>"Now that I look more presentable I guess I'll try and get some +breakfast," thought the boy as, his thirst appeased, he scrambled up the +bank again.</p> + +<p>About half a mile farther along the road was the queerest-looking house +Jack had ever seen. It was circular in form, and looked like three giant +cheese-boxes, perched one on the top of the other, with the smallest at +the top.</p> + +<p>"Well, whoever lives there must be a crank," thought Jack; "but still, +since I've money to pay for my breakfast, even a crank won't drive me +away, I guess."</p> + +<p>A man was sawing wood in the back yard and to him Jack addressed +himself.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to know if I can buy a meal here?" he said.</p> + +<p>"No, you can't fry no eel here," said the man, and went on sawing.</p> + +<p>"I didn't say anything about frying eels. I said 'Can I get a meal?'" +shouted Jack, who now saw that the man was somewhat deaf.</p> + +<p>"Don't see it makes no difference to you how I feel," rejoined the man.</p> + +<p>"I'm hungry. I want to eat. I can pay," bellowed Jack.</p> + +<p>"What's that about yer feet?" asked the deaf man.</p> + +<p>"Not feet—eat—E-A-T. I want to eat," fairly yelled Jack.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by calling me a beat?" angrily rejoined the deaf man.</p> + +<p>"I didn't. Oh, Great Scott, everything is going wrong to-day," cried +Jack. Then he cupped his hands and fairly screeched in the man's ear.</p> + +<p>"Can I buy a meal here?"</p> + +<p>A light of understanding broke over the other's face.</p> + +<p>"Surely you can," he said. "Araminta—that's my wife—'ull fix up a bite +fer yer. Why didn't you say what you wanted in the fust place?"</p> + +<p>"I did," howled Jack, crimson in the face by this time; "but you didn't +hear me. You are deaf."</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, I may be a <i>little</i> hard o' hearing, young feller," admitted the +man, "but I hain't deef by a dum sight."</p> + +<p>Jack didn't argue the point, but followed him to the house, where a +pleasant-faced woman soon prepared a piping hot breakfast. As he ate and +drank, Jack inquired the way to Musky Bay.</p> + +<p>"It ain't far," the woman told him, "five miles or so."</p> + +<p>"Can I get anyone to drive me back there?" asked Jack, who was pretty +well tired out by this time.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; Abner will drive you over fer a couple of dollars."</p> + +<p>She hurried out to tell her husband to hitch up. Jack could hear her +shouting her directions in the yard.</p> + +<p>"All right. No need uv speaking so loud. I kin hear ye," Jack could hear +the deaf man shouting back. "I kin hear ye."</p> + +<p>"Just think," said the woman when she came back into the kitchen, where +Jack had eaten, "Abner won't admit he's deef one bit. At church on +Sundays he listens to the sermon just as if he understood it. If anyone +asks him what it was about, he'll tell 'um that he doesn't care to +discuss the new minister, but he's not such a powerful exhorter as the +old one. He's mighty artful, is Abner."</p> + +<p>The rig was soon ready and Jack was on his homeward way. To his +annoyance, Abner proved very talkative and required answers to all his +remarks.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, I'll have no lungs left if I have to shout this way all the +way home," thought Jack. "It'll be Husky Bay. If ever I drive with Abner +again, I'll bring along some cough lozenges."</p> + +<p>"Must be pretty tough to be really, down-right deef," remarked Abner, +after Jack had roared out answers to him for a mile and a half.</p> + +<p>"It must be," yelled Jack.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir-ee," rejoined Abner, wagging his head. "I'm just a trifle that +er-way, and it bothers me quite a bit sometimes, 'specially in damp +weather. Gid-ap!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>BILL SNIGGERS DECIDES.</h3> + + +<p>We left Billy Raynor in a most unpleasant position. With escape from the +cave within his grasp the way was blocked, it will be recalled, by some +wild beast, the nature of which Billy did not know. His torch, made from +the withered bush that was responsible for his dilemma, was burning low. +Just in front of him glowed two luminous green eyes.</p> + +<p>While Billy stood there hesitating, the creature gave another of its +alarming growls. Hardly thinking what he was doing, Billy, startled by a +shrill caterwaul, which followed the growl, flung his lighted torch full +at the eyes, and heard a screech that sounded as if his blazing missile +had struck its mark.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="i2" id="i2"></a> +<img src="images/i2.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>While Billy stood there hesitating, the creature gave another of its alarming growls.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>There was a swift patter of feet and the eyes vanished.</p> + +<p>"Great Christmas, I've scared the creature off," said Billy to himself, +with a sigh of relief; "a lucky thing I had that torch."</p> + +<p>He walked forward more boldly. The evident alarm of the animal that had +scared him, when the torch struck, convinced the boy that there was no +more danger to be feared from it. In a few seconds more he was out in +the open air and on a hillside.</p> + +<p>It was still pitch dark, but the stars seemed to be growing fainter. +Billy drew out his watch and, striking a match, looked at it. The hands +pointed to three-thirty.</p> + +<p>"It will be daylight before long," thought Billy. "If I start walking +now I will only lose myself. I'll wait till it gets light and then try +to get my bearings."</p> + +<p>Never had dawn come so slowly as did that one, in the opinion of the +tired and impatient lad. But at last the eastern sky grew faintly gray +and then flushed red, and another day was born. In the growing light, +Billy stood up and looked about him. The bay or any familiar landmarks +were not in sight. Billy was in a quandary. But before long he came to a +decision.</p> + +<p>"I'll strike out for a main road," he decided; "if I can find one, that +will bring me to where I can get some information, at any rate."</p> + +<p>With this end in view, he scrambled down the hillside and found himself +in some fields. After a half-hour's walk across these, he saw, with +delight, that he had not miscalculated his direction. A road lay just +beyond a brush hedge.</p> + +<p>Billy made his way through a gap and struck off, in what he was +tolerably sure was the way to Musky Bay. If he had but known it, +however, he was proceeding in an exactly opposite direction. He had +walked about a mile when another foot passenger hove in sight.</p> + +<p>The lad was glad of this at first, for, although he had walked some +distance, he had not passed a house, nor had any vehicles come by. But a +second glance at the man who was coming toward him made him by no means +so pleased at his appearance. The other foot passenger was a heavily +built man with a lowering brow. He wore clothes that savored of a +nautical character.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, there, young feller," he said, as he halted to allow Billy to +come up to him.</p> + +<p>"Good morning," said Billy. "I am trying to find my way to Musky Bay. +Can you direct me?"</p> + +<p>The other looked at the boy with a glance of quick suspicion. "Livin' +there?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is to say, I'm staying there with friends."</p> + +<p>"Umph! I know a crowd of folks there. Who you stopping with?"</p> + +<p>Before Billy realized what he was saying he had made a fatal slip.</p> + +<p>"With Captain Simms—that is," he hurried on, in an effort to correct +his blunder, "I——"</p> + +<p>"Know a kid named Ready—Jack Ready?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, he's my best friend. He—here, what's the matter?"</p> + +<p>The other had suddenly drawn a pistol and held it pointed unwaveringly +at Billy.</p> + +<p>"Jerk up yer hands, boy, and get 'em up quick!" he snarled.</p> + +<p>Billy had no recourse but to obey. The man facing him was a hard-looking +enough character to commit any crime. With a sudden pang Billy recalled +that he was wearing the handsome watch—one of which had been given both +to Jack and himself for services they had performed for a high official +in Holland, when they rescued the latter's wife and daughter from +robbers who had held up the ladies' automobile.</p> + +<p>He saw the man's eyes fixed on the chain with a greedy glare. "Hand over +that watch," he ordered.</p> + +<p>Billy did as he was told. Then came another order while the pistol was +pointed unwaveringly at him.</p> + +<p>"Now come across with your cash."</p> + +<p>Billy handed over what money he possessed—about fifteen dollars. The +rest was in a New York bank, and some in a safe at the hotel.</p> + +<p>The man looked at the inscription on the watch.</p> + +<p>"William Raynor, eh? Your friend was talking about you just before we +had to——"</p> + +<p>All his fear was forgotten as the man spoke. His tones were sinister. +Billy realized, like a flash, that this man was an ally of the Judsons, +and must have had a hand in Jack's disappearance.</p> + +<p>"Had to what?" Billy demanded. "You don't mean that you committed any +act of violence?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm not sayin' as to that," rejoined the other, who, as our +readers will have guessed, was Bill Sniggers, "you'll find out soon +enough."</p> + +<p>The man was deliberately torturing Billy.</p> + +<p>Soon after Jack's escape, Judson had awakened, and had been the first to +discover that the boy had got away. A hasty and angry consultation +followed, and it had been decided to send Bill, who was not known by +sight in the vicinity, out to scout and see if the hunt for the missing +boy was up. His astonishment at running into Billy was great. At first, +till the boy spoke of Musky Bay, Bill, who was an all-around scoundrel, +merely regarded him as a favorable object of robbery when he spied his +gold watch chain. Now, however, the boy was a source of danger.</p> + +<p>"Come over here, and I'll tell you all about it," said Bill. "Oh, you +needn't be scared. I won't hurt you. I got all I wanted off of you. You +see your friend got a little uppish after we carried him off, and so we +had—<i>to hit him this way</i>!"</p> + +<p>The last words were spoken quickly and were accompanied by a terrific +blow aimed at Billy's chin. The boy sank in the roadway without a moan. +He lay white and apparently lifeless, while Bill, with a satirical grin +on his face, regarded him.</p> + +<p>"Well, you won't come to life this little while, young feller," he +muttered. "I'll just put you over this hedge for safekeeping, so as you +won't attract undue attention, and then be on my way."</p> + +<p>He picked the unconscious boy up as if he had been a feather and placed +him behind the hedge. Then, with unconcern written on his brutal face, +the rascal walked on. He was bound for a neighboring village to get +provisions; for, till they knew how the land lay, none of the Judson +gang dared to leave the deserted house. Bill, in his rough clothes, +would attract little or no attention. But the others were smartly +dressed and wore jewelry, and Donald had on yachting clothes. Had they +been seen they could not have failed to be noticed in that simple +community.</p> + +<p>"This must be my lucky day," muttered Bill, as he walked along. "I got +my pay for that job last night, and now I've got a gold watch and chain +and fifteen dollars beside. Tell you what, Bill, old-timer, I won't go +back to that old house again. I'll just leave that bunch up there, and +beat it out of these parts in my motor-boat. That's what I'll do—go, +while the goin's good, because I kin smell trouble coming sure as next +election."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>WHAT A "HAYSEED" DID.</h3> + + +<p>Billy opened his eyes. His head swam dizzily, and he felt sick and +faint. The hot sun was beating down on him, but at first he thought he +was at home and in bed. Then he began to remember. He sat up, and then, +not without an effort, rose to his feet dizzily.</p> + +<p>"Where on earth am I?" he thought. "And what happened? Let's see what +time it is."</p> + +<p>But his watch pocket was empty, and then full recollection of what had +occurred came back to him. He was still rather painfully trying to +regain the road when he heard the sound of a voice. It was a very loud +voice, even though the owner of it was not yet in sight.</p> + +<p>"Looks like we might have rain. I said it looks like we might have a +shower."</p> + +<p>Then another voice—a boyish one—shouted back:</p> + +<p>"YES—IT—DOES."</p> + +<p>"Gid-ap," came in the first voice, and then came hoof-beats and the +rumble of wheels. The next minute a ramshackle, two-seated rig, with a +man and a boy on the front seat, came into sight. Billy gave one long +stare, as one who doubted the evidence of his own eyes. Then he broke +into a glad shout:</p> + +<p>"Jack!"</p> + +<p>"Billy, old fellow, what in the world? Why, you're white as a sheet."</p> + +<p>With alarm on his face, Jack sprang out, as Abner stopped the rig, and +rushed toward Billy.</p> + +<p>"How did you get here? What has happened?" demanded Jack.</p> + +<p>Billy told his story in as few words as possible.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the rascal," broke out Jack, when Billy described the hold-up. +"That was Bill Sniggers. He's the man who led the way to the stone +house—but get in and I'll tell you my story as we go along."</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"Back to Musky Bay; but a few hours ago I didn't think I'd ever see it +again."</p> + +<p>Jack had to shout both his story and Billy's for Abner's benefit. But he +gave them in highly condensed versions, as his sorely taxed vocal organs +had almost reached the limit of their strength. He had just reached the +conclusion, having been interrupted several times by Abner's +exclamations, when, ahead of them, on the road, they spied a figure +shuffling along in the dust. The two boys were on the rear seat of the +rig, so that the man, when he saw the rig approaching, having turned his +head at the sound of hoofs, did not see the boys.</p> + +<p>"Reckon that feller means ter ask fer a ride," remarked Abner, as a bend +in the road ahead screened the man from view for a few minutes.</p> + +<p>A sudden idea had come into Jack's head.</p> + +<p>"Let him have it," he said; "and then drive to the nearest village and +up to the police station. I'll pay you well for it."</p> + +<p>"But—but—who is he?" demanded Abner, stopping his horse.</p> + +<p>"Bill Sniggers, the rascal who is in league with Judson."</p> + +<p>"Great hemlock! You bet I'll pick him up right smart. But he'll see you +boys and scare."</p> + +<p>"No, we'll hide in here," and Jack raised a leather flap that hung from +the back seat. "It will be a tight fit, but there'll be room."</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, if that don't beat all," said Abner. "Git in thar, then, and +then the show kin go on."</p> + +<p>As Jack had said, it was a "tight fit" in the recess under the seat, +but, as Abner's rig had been made to take produce to market, there was a +sort of extension at the back, which gave far more room than would +ordinarily have been the case. Pretty soon the boys, in their +hiding-place, felt the rig come to a stop. Then came a voice both +recognized as Bill's.</p> + +<p>"Say, gimme a ride, will yer?"</p> + +<p>"Did ye say my harness was untied?"</p> + +<p>"No, I said gimme a ride," roared Bill, at the top of his powerful +lungs.</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right. Git in. Whoa thar', consarn yer (this to the horse). +Whar yer goin'?"</p> + +<p>"Nearest village. I'm campin' up the bay. I want to get some grub," +shouted Bill.</p> + +<p>"Yer a long ways frum ther river," remarked Abner.</p> + +<p>"Maybe; but I reckon that ain't your business," growled Bill.</p> + +<p>"Not ef you don't want ter tell it, 'tain't," said Abner apologetically. +He had heard enough of Bill's character not to argue with him.</p> + +<p>"That's a nice-looking watch you've got there," the boys heard Abner say +pleasantly.</p> + +<p>There was a pause and then Bill roared out:</p> + +<p>"What's that to you if it is?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing, only I jest saw that printing on it, and calkilated it +might have bin a present to yer."</p> + +<p>Jack could almost see Bill hurriedly thrusting the watch back into his +pocket. Then, after a little while, he spoke again.</p> + +<p>"Didn't see nothing of a kid back there in the road, did yer?"</p> + +<p>"He means you, Billy," whispered Jack.</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't see nothing of nobody," was Abner's comprehensive +rejoinder.</p> + +<p>There was a long silence, during which the boys sweltered in their close +confinement. But they would have gone through more than that for the +sake of what they hoped to bring about—the apprehension of at least one +of Judson's aides.</p> + +<p>"Getting near a village?" asked Bill presently.</p> + +<p>"Yep; 'bout half a mile more," rejoined Abner.</p> + +<p>In a short time the rig began to slacken its pace. Then it stopped.</p> + +<p>"Here, what's this?" the boys heard Bill exclaim. "You're stopping in +front of a police station."</p> + +<p>"Sure. The chief is Araminta's—that's my wife—cousin. I'm goin' in ter +see him a minit. Hold the horse, will yer, he's a bit skittish."</p> + +<p>The boys heard Abner get out, and then an eternity seemed to elapse. +Then a door banged and a sharp voice snapped out:</p> + +<p>"Throw up your hands, gol ding yer. I'm the chief uv perlice, an' I +arrest ye fer ther robbery of one gold watch and assault and batt'ry."</p> + +<p>"Confound it, the old hayseed led me into a trap!" exclaimed Bill.</p> + +<p>He threw himself out of the rig and started to run. But, as he did so, +Jack and Billy, who had crawled out from the back, suddenly appeared. +Bill gave a wild shout, and the next instant he was sprawling headlong +in the dusty street, while a crowd came rushing from all directions.</p> + +<p>Jack had tripped him by an old football trick. With an oath the +desperado reached for his revolver. But, before he could reach it, he +was pinioned by a dozen pairs of hands, and marched, struggling and +swearing, into the police station.</p> + +<p>He was searched, and Billy's watch found on him, as well as the money. +Then he was locked up. He refused to give any information about the +Judsons, in which he showed his astuteness, for, if they had been +caught, his plight would have been worse than it was, for they would +have been certain to implicate him deeply. So he contented himself by +saying that he knew nothing about them. They had hired him to help the +elder Judson recover his nephew from another uncle, who had treated him +badly. He knew nothing more about the case, he declared, except that, +after Jack's escape, the Judsons had left for New York. (It may be said +here that he was eventually found guilty of the theft and the assault +and received a jail sentence.)</p> + +<p>Abner was well rewarded for the clever way he had brought about Bill's +capture; and, well pleased with the way everything had come out, the +boys resumed their journey.</p> + +<p>"I hope Abner will invest part of what I gave him in an ear-trumpet," +said Jack, as they entered Musky Bay.</p> + +<p>"I hope so," laughed Billy. He was going to add something, but a shout +stopped him.</p> + +<p>"There's Captain Simms and Noddy," shouted Jack, as the two came running +toward the vehicle. There is no need to go into the details of the +reunion, or to relate what anxious hours the captain and Noddy had gone +through after their discovery that the boys had vanished. If they had +not reappeared when they did, Captain Simms was preparing to organize +posses and make a wide search for them, as well as enlisting the aid of +the authorities. In the vague hope that the Judsons and Jarrow might +have remained in the stone house, waiting Bill's return, a party +searched it next day, under the guidance of a native who knew the trail +to it. But it was empty. A search for the black motor boat, too, +resulted in nothing being found of her.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, not many minutes after Bill, from whom they wished +to be separated, had left the house, the Judsons—father and son—and +Jarrow, had made all speed to the point where the motor craft had been +left and had hastily made off in her. They knew that the search for Jack +would be hot and wished to get as far away from Bill as he treacherously +wished to get from them. In their case there was certainly none of the +proverbial honor among thieves.</p> + +<p>The black motor boat was left at Clayton and afterward claimed by a +relative of Bill, who, by reason of "circumstances over which he had no +control," was unable to claim her himself. As for the Judsons, they +vanished, leaving no trace behind them. The same was the case with +Jarrow.</p> + +<p>A message had been sent to Uncle Toby, telling him of the reason for the +boys' delay at Musky Bay, <i>via</i> a small mail steamer that plied those +waters. His reply was characteristic:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Them buoys is as hard to hurt as gotes, and as tuff as ship's biskit on +a Cape Horner. Best wishes to awl. Awl well here at eight bells.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Cap'n Toby Ready</span>,</p> + +<p>"<i>Inventor and Patentee of the Universal Herb Medicine, Guaranteed to +Cure All Ills, Both of Man and Quadruped.</i>"</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>THE "CURLEW" IN TROUBLE.</h3> + + +<p>"Looks as if we might have a blow, Jack."</p> + +<p>The <i>Curlew</i> was lazily moving along, with all sail set, carrying the +boys back to Pine Island from their adventurous visit to Musky Bay. But, +although every bit of canvas was stretched on her spars, she hardly +moved. Her form was reflected in the smooth water with almost +mirror-like accuracy.</p> + +<p>"A blow? Pshaw," scoffed Noddy, "there isn't a breath of wind. I wish we +could get a blow and cool off."</p> + +<p>"Well, your wish is likely to come true before very long," said Jack, +who was at the tiller.</p> + +<p>"How's that?"</p> + +<p>"See that cloud bank over yonder, that ragged one?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, what's that got to do with it?"</p> + +<p>"Well, that's as full of wind as an auto tire," said Jack. "I've been +watching it for some time. It'll be a nasty storm when it hits us."</p> + +<p>"Hadn't we better run in for shelter somewhere?" asked Billy.</p> + +<p>"There's so little wind now that I doubt if we could get inshore before +the squall hits us," replied Jack. "I'll try to, though."</p> + +<p>He headed for the distant shore, where the outlines of some sort of a +wooden structure could be seen.</p> + +<p>"If it gets very bad we can take refuge there," he said.</p> + +<p>"That's so. I've no great fancy for getting wet," said Billy.</p> + +<p>"Nor have I. We've had enough experiences of late to last us a long +time," laughed Jack.</p> + +<p>"And I was left out of every one of them," grumbled Noddy.</p> + +<p>"For which you ought to be duly thankful," said Billy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I didn't enjoy that stone house much, or the soot," declared Jack.</p> + +<p>"That cave didn't make much of a hit with me, either," said Billy. "My, +those green eyes gave me a scare. I thought it was a bear or a mountain +lion, sure; but they say there aren't any such animals in this part of +the country."</p> + +<p>"Abner said it must have been a lynx," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"That being the case, you should have cuffed it," chuckled Noddy.</p> + +<p>For the time being he escaped punishment for perpetrating this alleged +pun, for the wind began to freshen and the <i>Curlew</i> slid through the +water like a thing of life. The shore drew rapidly nearer.</p> + +<p>But the cloud curtain spread with astonishing rapidity, till the whole +sky was covered. The water turned from green to a dull leaden hue. Puffs +of wind came with great velocity, heeling over the <i>Curlew</i> till the +foam creamed in her lee scuppers.</p> + +<p>The wind moaned in a queer, eerie sort of way, that bespoke the coming +of a storm of more than ordinary severity. Jack was a prey to some +anxiety as he held the <i>Curlew</i> on her course. If they could not make +the dock he was aiming for before the storm struck, there might be +serious consequences.</p> + +<p>But, to his great relief, they reached the wharf, a tumble-down affair, +before the tempest broke. The <i>Curlew</i> was made "snug," and this had +hardly been done before a mighty gust of wind, followed by a blanket of +rain, tore through the air.</p> + +<p>"Just in time, boys," said Jack, as they set out on the run for the +structure which they had observed from the water. On closer view it +turned out to be nothing more than a barn, not in any too good repair, +but still it offered a shelter.</p> + +<p>The boys reached it just as a terrific blast of wind swept across the +bay, roughening it with multitudinous whitecaps. A torrent of rain +blotted out distances at the same time and turned all the world in their +vicinity into a driving white cloud.</p> + +<p>The barn proved to be even more rickety than its outside had indicated. +The door was gone and its windows were broken out. But at least it was +pleasanter under a roof than it would have been out in the open. The +rain, driven by the furious wind, penetrated the rotten, sun-dried +shingles and pattered on the earthen floor, but the boys found a dry +place in one corner, where there was a pile of hay.</p> + +<p>As the storm increased in fury the clouds began to blot out the +daylight. It grew as dark as night almost. The roar of the rain was like +the voice of a giant cataract.</p> + +<p>"We may have to stay here all night," said Billy, after a long silence.</p> + +<p>"That's true," rejoined Jack. "It would be foolhardy to take a boat like +the <i>Curlew</i> out in such a storm."</p> + +<p>Suddenly there came a terrific flash of lightning, followed by a sharp +clap of thunder. It was succeeded by flash after flash, in blinding +succession.</p> + +<p>"My, this is certainly a snorter," exclaimed Billy, and the others +agreed with him.</p> + +<p>"We won't forget it in a hurry," said Jack. "I can't recall when I've +heard the wind make such a noise."</p> + +<p>To add to their alarm, as the fury of the wind increased, the old barn +visibly quavered. It seemed to rock back and forth on its foundations. +The noise of the wind grew so loud that conversation was presently +impossible.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there came a fiercer blast than any that had gone before. There +was a ripping and rending sound.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! Boys, run for your lives, the old shack is tumbling down," +cried Jack.</p> + +<p>He had scarcely spoken when what he had anticipated happened. Beams, +boards and shingles flew in every direction. There was no time even to +think. Acting instinctively, each boy threw himself flat upon the pile +of moldy hay.</p> + +<p>Noddy, in his terror, burrowed deep into it. The noise that accompanied +the dissolution of the old barn was terrific. Each boy felt as if at any +moment a huge beam might fall on him and crush his life out. Above it +all the wind howled with a note of triumph at its work of destruction.</p> + +<p>The boys felt as if the end of the world had come.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>THE END OF JACK'S HOLIDAY.</h3> + + +<p>Fortunately, otherwise this story might have had a different ending, the +barn was lifted almost entirely from its foundations and hurled over on +its side. The roof was ripped off like an old hat and hurtled through +the tempest to the water's edge.</p> + +<p>None of the wreckage and débris struck the crouching boys. But the mere +sound was terrifying enough. Even Jack was cowed by the tremendous force +of the elements. Each lad felt as if the next moment would be his last.</p> + +<p>But at last Jack mustered up courage and looked up. The beating rain, +which had already soaked them all through, stung his face like +hailstones.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, fellows," he exclaimed, "is—is anybody hurt?"</p> + +<p>"All right here," rejoined Billy. "But say, wasn't that the limit?"</p> + +<p>"It sure was," agreed Jack. "At one time I thought we were goners, +and——"</p> + +<p>"Goo-oof-g-r-r-r-r-r!" An extraordinary sound, which can only be +typographically rendered in this manner, suddenly interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"Heavens, what's that?" gasped Billy, looking about him in a rather +alarmed manner.</p> + +<p>"Ugh-ugh-groof-f-f-f-f-f-f!"</p> + +<p>"It's Noddy!" cried Jack.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, he must be dying," gasped Billy.</p> + +<p>In his eagerness to escape the full fury of the storm and the flying +wreckage of the barn, Noddy had plunged into the hay with his mouth +open, and now his throat was full of the dry stuff. He was almost +choked.</p> + +<p>"Pull him out," directed Jack, and he and Billy laid hold of Noddy's +heels and dragged him out of the hay-pile. The lad was almost black in +the face.</p> + +<p>"Ug-gug-groo-o-o-o-o-o!" he mumbled, making frantic gestures with his +arms.</p> + +<p>"Goodness, this is as bad as the time he was almost drowned," cried +Jack. "Clap him on the back good and hard. That's it."</p> + +<p>There were several gulps and struggles, and then Noddy began to cough. +But all danger from strangulation had passed, thanks to the heroic +efforts of Jack and Billy.</p> + +<p>"Phew! I thought I was choked," sputtered Noddy, as soon as he found his +voice. "I'd hate to be a horse and have to eat that stuff."</p> + +<p>"You are a kind of a horse," said Billy slyly.</p> + +<p>"How do you make that out?" demanded Noddy, falling into the trap.</p> + +<p>"A donkey," laughed Billy teasingly, but poor Noddy felt too badly after +his experience in the hay to retaliate in kind.</p> + +<p>After the restoration of Noddy, they began to survey the situation. All +were soaked through, and the rain beat about them unmercifully. But they +were thankful to have escaped with their lives. Through the white +curtain of rain they could make out the outlines of the <i>Curlew</i>, riding +at the dock.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to see that," observed Jack. "I was half afraid that she might +have broken away."</p> + +<p>"Then we <i>would</i> have been in a fine fix," said Billy.</p> + +<p>"What will we do next?" asked Noddy, removing some fragments of hay from +his ears.</p> + +<p>"Wait till the clouds roll by," laughed Billy. "I guess that's about the +program, isn't it, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Seems to be about all that there is to do," replied Jack; "but it seems +to me that the storm is beginning to let up even now. Look in the +northwest—it's beginning to get lighter."</p> + +<p>"So it is," agreed Billy. "Let's get under that clump of trees yonder +till it blows over altogether."</p> + +<p>"Say, fellows, if we had a fire now, it would feel pretty good," +observed Noddy.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's the matter with having one?" asked Jack. "We can get some +of those old shingles and tarred posts. They're pretty wet, but we can +start the blaze going with dried hay from the bottom of the pile."</p> + +<p>"Good for you. Volunteer firemen, get to work," cried Billy.</p> + +<p>Soon the boys were carrying the dry hay and such wood as seemed suitable +for their purpose to the clump of trees. Jack took some matches from his +safe and struck a lucifer after the wood had been properly piled.</p> + +<p>It blazed up cheerily. Each lad stripped to his underclothes and their +drenched garments were hung in front of the hot fire. The dripping +clothes sent up clouds of steam, but it was not long before they were +dry enough to put on. By the time this was done the storm had abated. +Presently the rain, which did not bother the boys under the thick clump +of trees, ceased altogether. Only in the distance a dull muttering of +thunder still went on. A rainbow appeared, delighting them with its +brilliant colors.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's over," observed Jack, as he dressed. "Now we'll go down +and pump out the <i>Curlew</i>. I'll bet she's half full of water."</p> + +<p>His conjecture proved correct. On their return to their trim little +craft they found a foot or more of water in her hull. But this was soon +disposed of and, with a brisk breeze favoring them, they set out once +more for Pine Island. On their return they found Captain Toby, who had +spied them from a distance, awaiting them on the dock.</p> + +<p>In his hand he held a yellow envelope. It was a telegram for Jack. The +boy eagerly tore it open, and for a moment, as he scanned its contents, +his face fell. But almost instantly he brightened.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's the news?" demanded his uncle.</p> + +<p>"Good and bad," rejoined Jack. "I guess our holiday is over. Billy and I +are ordered to join the <i>Columbia</i> as soon as we can."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! I was beginning to long for the sea again," declared Billy +Raynor.</p> + +<p>"I must confess I was, too," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"It's a great life for lads—makes men out of them," said Captain Toby. +"I must see if I've got two bottles of the Universal Remedy for you boys +to take to sea with you," and he hurried off.</p> + +<p>Noddy looked rather blue.</p> + +<p>"You are lucky fellows—off for more adventures and fun," he said, +"while I just stick around."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, you've got your business in New York to attend to, and, as +for adventures, I've had plenty of them for a time, haven't you, Billy?"</p> + +<p>"A jugful," declared Raynor. "Enough to last me for the rest of my +life-time, and, anyhow, life at sea is mostly hard work."</p> + +<p>"That's what makes it worth living," said Jack. "I'll be glad to get +down to work again after our long holiday."</p> + +<p>"And I really believe I will, too," said Billy; "and on a crack liner +like the <i>Columbia</i> we may be able to make our marks."</p> + +<p>"I hope we will. I mean to work mighty hard, anyhow," said the young +wireless man, "but hark, there goes the bell for supper. Hurry up, +fellows, I'll race you to the house."</p> + +<p>The next day was devoted to saying good-by to the scenes and the people +who had helped make up a happy vacation for the lads. Noddy, it was +decided, would stay on with Captain Toby for the present, as his +presence was not required in New York.</p> + +<p>Of course the lads visited Captain Simms. He told them that his holiday +also was almost over. The naval code was nearly completed, and he must +get back to Washington within a week or so.</p> + +<p>"Well, here's to our next meeting," he said, as he heartily clasped the +hands of both lads in farewell.</p> + +<p>Under what circumstances that meeting was to occur none of them just +then guessed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>"THE GEM OF THE OCEAN."</h3> + + +<p>The <i>Columbia</i>, a magnificent and imposing vessel of more than 20,000 +tons burden, lay at her New York dock two weeks later. Within her steel +sides, besides the usual cabin accommodations, she had swimming pools, +Roman courts, palm gardens and even a theater. Elevators conveyed her +passengers from deck to deck. The new vessel of the Jukes shipping +interests was the last word in shipbuilding, and from her stern flew the +Stars and Stripes.</p> + +<p>It was sailing day. From the three immense black funnels smoke was +rolling. Steam issued, roaring from the escape pipes. The dock buzzed +and fermented with a great crowd assembled to see their friends off on +the first voyage of the great ship. Wagons, taxicabs and autos blocked +the street in front of the docks. Photographers and reporters swarmed +everywhere. The confusion was tremendous, yet, promptly at the hour set +for sailing, the booming siren began to sound, last farewells were +shouted, and the invariable late stayer on board made his wild leap for +the gang-plank before it was drawn in.</p> + +<p>A perceptible vibration ran through the monster ship. Her propellers +began to churn the water white. A small fleet of tugs helped to swing +her against the tide as she slowly backed into the stream. Majestically +her monster bulk swung round, her bow pointing seaward. Her maiden +voyage had begun.</p> + +<p>It is doubtful if among her delighted passengers and proud officers, +however, there were any more enthusiastic about the great vessel than +two lads who were seated in the wireless operators' cabin on the topmost +deck.</p> + +<p>"Well, Billy, this is different from the old <i>Ajax</i>, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Is it? Well, I should say so," responded Billy. "You ought to see the +engine-room. You could have put the <i>Ajax</i> in it, almost."</p> + +<p>"We ought to be proud of our jobs," continued Jack.</p> + +<p>"I know I am. It's a great thing to be part of the human machinery of a +huge vessel like this, and the best part of it is that she flies the +American flag," added Billy enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"I heard that the <i>Gigantia</i>, of the London Line, sails to-day, too. By +Jove, there she comes now."</p> + +<p>He pointed out of the open door back up the river. The great British +steamer, till then the biggest thing on the ocean, was backing out. Her +four red-and-black funnels loomed up imposingly above her black hull.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll have a race for certain," said Billy, his eyes dilating with +excitement; "good for us, but my money goes on the <i>Columbia</i>."</p> + +<p>"That Britisher can travel, though," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we won't have an easy time of it, but I'll bet my shirt we'll win +the blue ribbon of the ocean."</p> + +<p>"I hope so," rejoined Jack with a smile at the other's enthusiasm. "But +what do you think of my quarters, Billy?"</p> + +<p>"Why, they're fit for a king or a millionaire," laughed Raynor. "I'll +bet you never thought, when you were in that little rabbit hutch of a +wireless room on the old <i>Ajax</i>, that some day you'd be traveling in +such style?"</p> + +<p>Raynor's eyes wandered to the instrument table, with its array of the +most up-to-date wireless apparatus.</p> + +<p>"Hullo! What's that thing?" he asked suddenly, pointing to a device that +looked unfamiliar. It was a box-shaped arrangement, metal, with +complicated wires strung to it and had a "telephone" receiver attached +to it with a band to hold it securely to the operator's head.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's an invention of my own that I'm trying out," said Jack. "I +don't just know what success I'll have with it. I haven't really put it +to the test yet."</p> + +<p>"What do you call it?"</p> + +<p>"The Universal Detector," replied Jack.</p> + +<p>"Just what is that?"</p> + +<p>"Well, at present you know a ship can only receive wireless messages +from a ship that is 'in tune' with her own radio apparatus. The +Universal Detector should make it possible to catch every wireless +sound. I am very anxious, if I perfect it, to get it adopted in the +navy. It would be of great value in time of war, for by its use every +message sent by an enemy, even if they were purposely put 'out of tune,' +could be caught."</p> + +<p>"By the way, speaking of the navy, did you hear from Captain Simms?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; he is still up at Musky Bay. Some difficulties in the code have +arisen, and he will not be through with his work for two weeks or more +yet, he says."</p> + +<p>"No more attempts to steal his work, or to spy on him?"</p> + +<p>"He doesn't mention any. I guess we're through with the Judson crowd."</p> + +<p>"Looks that way. What a gang of thorough-paced rascals they were."</p> + +<p>"I guess Judson's business must be in a bad way to make him take such +desperate chances to recoup by landing that contract."</p> + +<p>"I suppose that's it."</p> + +<p>Raynor lifted his eyes to the ship's clock above Jack's operating +instruments.</p> + +<p>"By Jove, almost eight bells! I've got to go on watch. This is my first +job as second engineer, and I mean to keep things on the jump. Well, so +long, old fellow."</p> + +<p>"See you this evening," said Jack, as Raynor hurried off.</p> + +<p>Jack soon became very busy. The air was full of all sorts of messages. +Besides that, his cabin was crowded with men and women who wished to +file last messages to those they left behind them. He worked steadily +through the afternoon, catching meteorological radios as well as +information from other steamers scattered along the Atlantic lane.</p> + +<p>He knew that he might expect hard work and plenty of it all that day. +There would be no chance for him to experiment with his Universal +Detector. About dusk, Harvey Thurman, his assistant, came into the +wireless room to relieve him while he went to dinner.</p> + +<p>Thurman was a short, thick-set young man, with a flabby, pallid face and +shifty eyes. He had got his job on the new liner through a "pull" that +he possessed through a distant relationship with Mr. Jukes. Jack had not +met him before, and, since they had been on board, they had exchanged +only a few words, but he instinctively felt that he and Thurman were not +going to make very good shipmates.</p> + +<p>As Jack relinquished the head-receivers and the key to his "relief," +Thurman's gaze rested on the Universal Detector.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"Oh, just a little idea I'm working on," said Jack, "a new invention. If +I can perfect it, it may be valuable."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but what is it? What's it for?" persisted Thurman.</p> + +<p>Jack explained what he hoped to accomplish with the instrument, and an +instant later was sorry he had done so, for he noticed an expression of +cupidity creep into Thurman's eyes. The youth persisted in asking a host +of questions, and Jack, having started to explain, could not very well +refuse to answer. Besides, inventors are notoriously garrulous about +their brain children, and Jack, even though he did not like Thurman, +soon found himself talking away at a great rate.</p> + +<p>"Huh, I don't think the idea's worth a cent," sniffed Thurman +contemptuously, when Jack had finished.</p> + +<p>"I guess that's where you and I differ," said Jack, controlling his +temper with some difficulty, for the sneer in Thurman's voice had been +marked. "I'm going to make it a success, and then we shall see."</p> + +<p>He left the wireless room, and the instant he was gone Thurman, with a +crafty look on his flabby face, eagerly began examining the detector. As +he was doing so Jack, who had forgotten his cap, suddenly reëntered the +wireless room. Thurman had been so intent on his scrutiny of the +detector that he did not hear him.</p> + +<p>"You appear to be taking great interest in that useless invention," said +Jack in a quiet voice.</p> + +<p>Thurman started and spun round. His face turned red and he had an almost +guilty look.</p> + +<p>"I didn't think you were coming creeping back like that," he exclaimed, +"a fellow would almost think you were spying on him."</p> + +<p>"Have you any reason to fear being spied upon?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Me? No, not the least. That's a funny question."</p> + +<p>"I want to tell you, Thurman, that my invention is not yet completed and +therefore, of course, is not patented. I was pretty free with you in +describing it, and I shall trust to your honor not to talk about it to +anyone."</p> + +<p>"Certainly not," blustered Thurman. "I'm not that sort of a chap."</p> + +<p>But, after Jack had gone out, he resumed his study of the detector a +second time, desisting every time he heard a step outside.</p> + +<p>"So it's not patented, eh?" he muttered to himself. "That will help. +It's an idea there that ought to be worth a pot of money."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>JACK'S BIG SECRET.</h3> + + +<p>The next day Jack found an opportunity to sandwich in some work on his +invention between his regular work. The thing fascinated him, and he +tried and tested it in a hundred different combinations. Suddenly, just +after he had altered two important units of the device, a new note came +to his ears through the "watch-case" receivers that were clamped to his +head.</p> + +<p>"It's code—somebody sending code!" exclaimed Jack, and then the next +instant, "it's some ship of the navy! Hurrah! The detector is working, +for they use different wave lengths from the commercial workers, and, if +it hadn't been for the Universal Detector, I'd never have been able to +listen in at their little talk-fest."</p> + +<p>He waited till the code message, a long one from Washington to the +<i>Idaho</i>, of the North Atlantic fleet at Guantanamo, Cuba, was finished, +and then he could not refrain from "butting in."</p> + +<p>"Hello, navy," he chattered with the wireless key, "that was a nice +little message you had. How's the weather up your way?"</p> + +<p>"Who is this?" demanded the navy wireless in imperious tones.</p> + +<p>"Oh, just a fellow who was listening," responded Jack.</p> + +<p>"Butting in, you mean. But say, how did you ever get on to our sending? +We were using eccentric wave-lengths to keep our talk a secret."</p> + +<p>"I'll have to keep how I caught your talk a secret, too, for the +present, old man."</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! It isn't possible that you've solved the problem of a +universal detector. Why, that's a thing the navy sharps have been +working on for years."</p> + +<p>"I can't say how I caught your message," shot back Jack's radio through +space.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to tell if the government gets after you," was the reply. +"Uncle Sam isn't going to have a fellow running round loose with +anything like that."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"That you will be forbidden to use it."</p> + +<p>"Is that so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's so. I'm going to make out a report for my superiors about +it right now. You're pretty fresh."</p> + +<p>"Put that in the report, too," chuckled the <i>Columbia's</i> wireless +disdainfully.</p> + +<p>"You'll find it's no joke to monkey with the government," snapped back +the naval man.</p> + +<p>Jack didn't answer. A message from the <i>Taurus</i>, of the Bull Line, was +coming in. She had sighted an iceberg, something very unusual at that +time of year. Jack hurried the message, which gave latitude and +longitude of the menace, to Captain Turner.</p> + +<p>"Well, that won't bother us," said that dignitary. "We're far to the +south of that. Those Bull fellows run to Quebec. Send a radio to Captain +Spencer, of the <i>Taurus</i>, thanking him for his information."</p> + +<p>The great man, the captain of a liner, who has literally more power than +a king, lit a cigar, and bent his head once more over the problem in +navigation he was wrestling with. Jack saluted and hurried back to his +quarters.</p> + +<p>He was highly elated over the success of his Universal Detector. The +threats of the government man did not alarm him, for he did not propose +to place his invention on the general market, but to sell it outright to +the government, whose secret it would then remain.</p> + +<p>He resolved to test it again. A moment after he had put the receivers to +his ears, a broad grin came over his face. The air was literally vibrant +with the calls of the navy men, flinging their high-powered currents +through space.</p> + +<p>"... he's a cheeky beggar, whoever he is, but he's got the goods," was +the first he heard.</p> + +<p>"Hum, that's Mr. Washington," thought Jack. Then, from some other point +came another message.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! Uncle Sam won't let him get away with anything like that."</p> + +<p>"I should say not. The Secret Service department is already at work +trying to find out who the dickens he is."</p> + +<p>"That will be a sweet job," came the naval station at Point Judith.</p> + +<p>"Talk about a needle in a haystack," sputtered the U. S. S. <i>Alabama</i>.</p> + +<p>"Not a patch on it," agreed the great dreadnought <i>Florida</i>.</p> + +<p>Then came Washington again.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you it's stirred up a fuss here," he said. "I wonder who it +can be."</p> + +<p>"Maybe that Italian fellow who invented the sliding sounder," suggested +the <i>Florida</i>.</p> + +<p>"Or Pederson, out in Chicago," came from a land station. All the navy +men appeared to be joining in the confab.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, what a fuss I've stirred up," thought Jack, with a quiet +smile. "They'd never guess in a million years that it's a kid of an +operator who's causing all the trouble."</p> + +<p>"No; both the men you mentioned are in Europe," declared Washington. +"The department's been trailing them since they got my news."</p> + +<p>"Well, the wireless men are going to be a happy hunting ground for the +Secret Service fellows for this one little while," chuckled the +<i>Florida</i>.</p> + +<p>"Wonder if he's listening now?" struck in the <i>North Dakota</i>, which had +not yet talked.</p> + +<p>"Shouldn't wonder," remarked the <i>Idaho</i>.</p> + +<p>Jack pressed down his key and the spark began to flash and crackle.</p> + +<p>"You fellows are having a grand old pow-wow," he said. "Sorry I can't +give you any information. I know you're dying of curiosity."</p> + +<p>"You've got your nerve, I must say," sputtered Washington indignantly. +"Have you been listening right along?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; that Secret Service hunt is going to be very interesting."</p> + +<p>"It won't be very interesting for you, whoever you are, when they get +you," thundered the mighty <i>Florida</i>. "It's bad business monkeying with +Uncle Sam."</p> + +<p>"Maybe they won't get me," suggested Jack's spark.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, they will," came from Washington, "and you'll find it doesn't +pay to be as sassy as you've been."</p> + +<p>"M-M-M," sent out Jack mischievously.</p> + +<p>The three letters mean, in telegraphers' and wireless men's language, +"laughter."</p> + +<p>Washington's dignity took fire at this gross insult. They must have +sizzled as from the national capital an angry message shot out to the +other ships to talk in code. Jack's fun was over, but he had thoroughly +enjoyed all the excitement he had stirred up. As he laid down the +receivers Raynor came in.</p> + +<p>"You look tickled to death over something," he exclaimed. "What's up?"</p> + +<p>Jack sprang to his feet. His eyes were shining. He clasped Raynor's hand +and wrung it pump-handle fashion. Raynor looked at the usually quiet, +rather self-contained lad, in blank astonishment.</p> + +<p>"What's happened—somebody wirelessed you that you're heir to a +million?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"No, better than that, Billy."</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! Tell me."</p> + +<p>"Billy, old boy, it works. It works like a charm. I've got half the navy +all snarled up about it now. By to-morrow they'll be after me with +Secret Service men."</p> + +<p>"Gee whillakers. You've done the trick! Good for you, old boy."</p> + +<p>A sudden shadow in the open door made them both look round. Thurman +stood in the embrasure.</p> + +<p>"May I add my congratulations?" he said, holding out his hand.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE NAVY DEPARTMENT "SITS UP."</h3> + + +<p>Jack could not refuse the proffered hand. But he took it with an uneasy +air. There was something not quite "straight" about Thurman, it seemed +to Jack, but as the former offered his congratulations he appeared +sincere enough.</p> + +<p>"After all, it may be just his misfortune that he can't look you in the +eyes," Jack told himself.</p> + +<p>But if he had been in the wireless room that night he would have deemed +his suspicions only too well founded. Thurman busied himself with +routine matters till he was sure Jack was asleep. Then he began calling +Washington with monotonous regularity.</p> + +<p>An irritable operator answered him. By the wave length the Washington +man knew that it was not a naval station or vessel calling.</p> + +<p>"Yes—yes—what—is—it?" he snapped.</p> + +<p>"I know the fellow who has that Universal Detector."</p> + +<p>"What!" The other man, hundreds of miles away, almost fell out of his +chair. Recovering himself, he shot out another message:</p> + +<p>"Who is this?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind that, just for the present."</p> + +<p>"Say, you're not that fresh fellow himself talking just to kid us, are +you?"</p> + +<p>"No, I'm far from joking. I expect to make some money out of this."</p> + +<p>"A reward?"</p> + +<p>"That's the idea."</p> + +<p>"Well, there's no doubt but you would get it if you really have the +information. The department's been all up in the air ever since that +fellow butted in."</p> + +<p>"Are you going to report this conversation?"</p> + +<p>"Most assuredly."</p> + +<p>"Don't forget that I demand a substantial reward for the information."</p> + +<p>"I won't. When will you call me again?"</p> + +<p>"About this time to-morrow night."</p> + +<p>"All right, then. Good-by."</p> + +<p>Thurman took the receiver from his head with a slow smile of +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"I guess that will cook that fresh kid's goose," he said. "It's a mean +thing to do, maybe, but I need the money, and I'm glad to get a chance +to set him down a peg or two."</p> + +<p>Thurman could hardly wait for the next night to come. During the day +Jack had been having some more fun with the navy men, driving them +almost wild. When Thurman finally got Washington, therefore, everything +in the government's big wireless station was at fever heat. A high +official of the navy sat by the operator, waiting for Thurman's promised +call to come out of space.</p> + +<p>Men of the Secret Service were scattered about the room as well as +department officials. The air was tense with expectancy. At last +Thurman's message came.</p> + +<p>His first question was about the reward.</p> + +<p>"Tell him he will be liberally rewarded," ordered the naval official. +"Tell him to give us the information at once. That fellow has been +playing with us all day, and we've been powerless to outwit the +Universal Detector, or whatever device it is he uses. The man must be a +wizard to have solved a problem that has baffled the keenest minds in +the Navy Bureau."</p> + +<p>"Reward is assured you," flashed back the naval operator. "Now give us +your information. Time is precious."</p> + +<p>But Thurman's answer proved disappointing to those in the room.</p> + +<p>"Impossible to do so now. Inventor is on the high seas. Will wireless +you later when he will return."</p> + +<p>"Confound it," grumbled the naval official. "I thought we would have had +our hands on the fellow before daylight. Now it seems we shall have to +play a waiting game."</p> + +<p>"If the man is on the high seas, it is not unlikely that he is the +wireless man on one of the liners," put in Burns, a spare, grizzled man +and Chief of the Secret Service.</p> + +<p>"That's probable, Burns," rejoined the navy official.</p> + +<p>"More than likely, I think," put in another member of the group, "but +it's impossible to find out which one."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we are at the mercy of our unknown informant," said Burns. "Why +the deuce was he so mysterious about it?" He tugged at his gray mustache +as a sudden thought struck him.</p> + +<p>"Jove!" he exclaimed. "You don't think it's a put-up job to get money +out of the government? Put up, I mean, by an agent of the inventor +himself."</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Burns," was the official's reply. "It's all mighty +mysterious. I confess I can't hazard a guess as to the man's identity. +We've looked up all the most prominent wireless sharps all over the +country. I am satisfied this fellow is not one of their number."</p> + +<p>"Some obscure fellow, I guess," said a Secret Service man.</p> + +<p>"Well, he won't remain obscure long," remarked Burns, "if he has brains +enough to turn the navy department topsy-turvy for forty-eight hours."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>A MYSTERY ON BOARD.</h3> + + +<p>Two days later the monotony of the voyage, which was broken only by the +radiograms which were posted daily concerning the race between the +American and British liners—the <i>Columbia</i> being in the lead—was +rudely shattered by an incident in which Jack was destined to play an +important part. Jack had been on a visit to Raynor during the young +engineer's night watch in the engine-room. They had stayed chatting and +talking over old times till Jack suddenly realized that it was long +after midnight and time for him to be in his bunk.</p> + +<p>Hastily saying good-night, he made his way through the deserted +corridors of the great ship, which stretched empty and dimly lit before +him. As he traversed them the young wireless man could not but think of +the contrast to the busy life of the day when stewards swarmed and +passengers hurried to and fro. Now everything was silent and deserted, +except for the still figures up on the bridge and below in the engine +and fire rooms, guiding and powering the great vessel onward through the +night at a twenty-four-knot clip.</p> + +<p>The lad had just reached the end of one corridor, and was about to turn +into another which led to a companionway, which would bring him to his +own domain, when he stopped short, startled by the sound of a single +sharp outcry. It came from the corridor he was about to turn into. Jack +darted round the corner and almost instantly stumbled over the huddled +body of a man lying outside one of the cabin doors.</p> + +<p>A dark stain was under his head, and Jack saw at once that the man had +been the victim of an attack. At almost the same moment, by the dim +light, he recognized the unconscious form as being that of Joseph +Rosenstein, a diamond merchant, so wealthy and famous that he had been +pointed out to Jack by the purser as a celebrity.</p> + +<p>"Queer fellow," the purser had said. "Won't put his jewels in the safe, +although I understand he is carrying three magnificent diamonds with +him. Likely to get into trouble if anyone on board knows about it."</p> + +<p>"He's taking big chances," agreed Jack, and now here was the proof of +his words lying at the boy's feet. Suddenly he recalled having received +a message a few days before from New York for the injured man.</p> + +<p>"Be very careful. F. is on board," it had read, and Jack interpreted +this to be meant as a warning to the diamond merchant. But he did not +devote much attention to it just then, except to rouse the sleepy +stewards. Within a few minutes the captain and the doctor were on the +scene.</p> + +<p>"A nasty cut, done with a blackjack or a club," opined Dr. Browning, as +he raised the man.</p> + +<p>"Is it a mortal wound?" asked the captain. "This is a terrible thing to +have happen on my ship."</p> + +<p>"I think he'll pull through if no complications set in," said the +doctor, and ordered the man removed to his cabin. Suddenly Jack +recollected what the purser had said about the diamonds.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, sir," said he to the captain, "but I heard that this +man carried about valuable diamonds with him. He was probably attacked +for purposes of robbery."</p> + +<p>"That's right," answered the captain, with a quick look of approval at +Jack. "Browning, we'd better examine the contents of his pockets." They +did so, but no traces of precious stones could be found.</p> + +<p>"Whoever did this, robbed him," declared the captain, with a somber +brow, "and the deuce of it is that, unless we can detect him, he will +walk ashore at Southampton or Cherbourg a free man."</p> + +<p>The door of the stateroom opposite to which the injured man lay opened +suddenly, and a little, wizen-faced man, wearing spectacles, looked out. +He appeared startled and shocked as he saw the limp form.</p> + +<p>"Good gracious! This is terrible, terrible, captain," he sputtered. +"Is—is the man dead?"</p> + +<p>"No, Professor Dusenberry, although that does not appear to be the fault +of whoever attacked him," was the rejoinder.</p> + +<p>"He was attacked, then, for purposes of robbery, do you think?"</p> + +<p>"I suspect so."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, this has so upset me that I shan't sleep the rest of the +night," protested the little man, and withdrew into his stateroom.</p> + +<p>The next day, naturally, the whole ship buzzed with the news of the +night's happenings, and speculation ran rife as to who could have +attacked the diamond merchant, who had recovered consciousness and was +able to talk. He himself had not the slightest idea of his assailant. He +had sat up till late in the smoking saloon, he said, and was coming +along the corridor to his stateroom when he was struck down from behind. +A black leather wallet, containing three diamonds, which were destined +to be sold to the scion of a European royal house, was missing from his +pocket, and the loss nearly drove the unfortunate diamond man frantic. +He valued the stones at $150,000, so that perhaps his frenzy at losing +them was not unnatural.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon, Professor Dusenberry, dressed in a frock coat and top +hat, although he was at sea and the weather was warm, came into the +wireless room. He wanted to send a message, he said, a wireless to +London. He was very cautious about inquiring the price and all the +details before he sat down to write out his dispatch. When it was +completed he handed it to Jack with his thin fingers, and asked that it +be dispatched at once. Then he retreated, or rather faded, from the +wireless room. Jack scanned the message with thoughtful eyes. It seemed +an odd radiogram for a college professor, such as he had heard Prof. +Dusenberry was, to be sending. It read as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Meet me at three on the granite paving-stones. The weather is +fine, but got no specimens. There is no suspicion as you have +directed, but I'm afraid wrong."</p> + +<p>F.</p></div> + +<p>"Well, that's a fine muddle for somebody to make out when they get it," +mused Jack, as he sent out a call for the Fowey Station.</p> + +<p>"Must be some sort of a cipher the old fellow is using. He's a dry sort +of old stick. Goodness! How scared he was when he saw that man lying +outside his door. I thought he was going to faint or something."</p> + +<p>"Wonder what sort of a cipher that is," mused Jack, as he waited for an +answer to his call. "Looks to me as if it's one of those numerical +ciphers where every second or third or fourth or fifth word is taken +from the context and composes a message. Guess I'll try and work it out +some time. It'll be something to do. And, hullo, he signs himself 'F'."</p> + +<p>Jack looked up at the printed passenger-list that hung before him. +"Professor F. Dusenberry" was the last of the "D's"</p> + +<p>"His initial," thought Jack, "but it's a funny coincidence that it +should be the same as that of the man the diamond merchant was warned to +watch out for, and that it should have been the professor's door outside +of which he was struck down."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>A "FLASH" OF DISTRESS.</h3> + + +<p>Having dispatched the message, Jack sat back in his chair and mused over +the future of the Universal Detector. It was a fascinating subject to +day-dream over, but his reverie was rudely interrupted by a sharp +summons from space.</p> + +<p>"Yes—yes—yes," he shot back, "who—is—it?"</p> + +<p>"This is the <i>Oriana</i>," came back the reply, "Hamburg for New York. We +are in distress."</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble?"</p> + +<p>The spark crackled and writhed, as Jack's rapid fingers spelled out the +message.</p> + +<p>"We struck a half submerged derelict and our bow is stove in. We believe +we are sinking. This is an S. O. S."</p> + +<p>Then followed the position of the craft and another earnest appeal to +rush to her aid. Jack roughly figured out the distances that separated +the two ships.</p> + +<p>"Will be there in about two hours," he flashed, and then hurried to +Captain Turner's cabin with his message.</p> + +<p>The captain scanned the message with contracted brow.</p> + +<p>"The <i>Oriana</i>," he muttered, "I know her well. Rotten old tramp. We must +have full speed ahead. Stand by your wireless, Ready, and tell them we +are rushing at top speed to their aid. Confound it, though," he went on, +half to himself, "this will lose us the race with the Britisher, but +still if we can save the lives of those poor devils I shall be just as +well satisfied."</p> + +<p>The captain hastened to the bridge to issue his orders and change the +big ship's course. Jack went quickly back to his cabin and began +flashing out messages of good cheer. About half an hour later Captain +Turner came along.</p> + +<p>"Any more news, Ready?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No, sir. Their current is getting weak. The last time I had them the +operator said that the ship was slowly settling, but that they had the +steam pumps going and would keep them working till the water reached the +fires. The officers were keeping the firemen at their work with +revolvers."</p> + +<p>"I've been through such scenes," remarked the captain. "It's part of a +seaman's life, but it's an inferno while it lasts."</p> + +<p>"Notify me if you hear anything further," said Captain Turner a few +moments later.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. Hullo, here's something coming now. It's the <i>Borovian</i>, of +the Black Star line. She got that S. O. S. too, and is hurrying to the +rescue. But she's far to the south of us."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we shall reach the <i>Oriana</i> long before she does," said the +captain. "By the way, Ready, I've heard that you have quite a reputation +for loving adventure."</p> + +<p>Jack colored. He did not quite make out what the captain was "driving +at," as the saying is.</p> + +<p>"I do like action, yes, sir," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Well, then," said Captain Turner, "you've got a little excitement due +to you for your prompt action last night in the case of the assault on +that diamond merchant. If you want to go on the boats to the <i>Oriana</i>, +you may do so. Get Thurman to stand by the wireless while you're gone. +You can make the time up to him on some other occasion."</p> + +<p>Jack's eyes danced. He could hardly express his thanks at the +opportunity for a break in the rather monotonous life on shipboard. But +the captain had turned on his heel as he finished his speech and left +the grateful lad alone.</p> + +<p>Thurman was sleeping when Jack roused him. When he learned that Jack was +to make one of the boat parties and that he (Thurman) was to remain on +duty, the second wireless man's temper flared up.</p> + +<p>"That's a fine thing, I must say," he growled. "You're to go on a junket +while I do your work. I won't stand for it."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw, Thurman," said Jack pacifically. "I'll do the same for you at +any time you say. Besides, I heard you say once you wouldn't like to go +in the small boats."</p> + +<p>"Think I'm afraid, eh?"</p> + +<p>"I said no such thing," retorted Jack, "I——"</p> + +<p>"I don't care, you thought it. I'll complain to Captain Turner."</p> + +<p>"I would not advise you to."</p> + +<p>"Keep your advice to yourself. I've got pull enough to have you fired."</p> + +<p>"This line treats its employees too fairly for any such claim as a +'pull' to be advanced."</p> + +<p>"You think so, eh? Well, I'll show you. You've been acting like a +swelled head all the way over, Ready," said Thurman, forgetting all +bounds in his anger. "I'll find a way to fix you——"</p> + +<p>"Say, you talk like an angry kid who's been put out of a ball game," +said Jack. "I hope you get over it by the time you come on duty."</p> + +<p>An angry snarl was Thurman's only rejoinder as Jack left the wireless +operator's sleeping quarters. But the next instant all thought of +Thurman was put out of his mind. The lookout had reported from the +crow's-nest. On the far horizon a mighty cloud of dark smoke was rising +and spreading.</p> + +<p>Before many moments had passed it was known that fire—that greatest of +sea perils—had been added to the sinking <i>Oriana's</i> troubles.</p> + +<p>As the news spread through the ship the passengers thronged to the +rails. Suppressed excitement ran wild among them. Even Jack found +himself unable to stay still as he thought of the lives in peril under +that far-off smoke pall. All communication with the stricken ship had +ceased, and Jack knew that things must have reached a crisis for her +crew.</p> + +<p>Then came an order to cast loose four boats, two on the port and two on +the starboard side. Officers and men obeyed with a will. By the time +they were ready to be dropped overside, the outlines of the burning +steamer were plainly visible. She looked very low in the water. From her +midships section smoke, in immense black clouds, was pouring.</p> + +<p>But to Jack's surprise no boats surrounded her, as he had expected would +be the case. Instead, on her stern, an old-fashioned, high-raised one, +he could make out, through his glasses, a huddled mass of human figures. +Suddenly one figure detached itself from the rest and Jack saw a pistol +raised and aimed at the lower deck. Spurts of smoke from the weapon +followed. Thrilled, Jack was about to report what he had seen to the +bridge when the third officer, a young man named Billings, came up to +him.</p> + +<p>"You're in my boat," he said. "Cut along."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>A STRANGE WRECK.</h3> + + +<p>"Well, boys, we got here just in time," observed Mr. Billings, as the +boat cut through the water.</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure that we have arrived in time to avert a tragedy," said +Jack, and he told of the shooting that he had witnessed.</p> + +<p>"Probably a mutiny," said Mr. Billings, with the voice of experience. +"The crews on those old tramps are the riff-raff of a hundred ports. Bad +men to handle in an emergency."</p> + +<p>He had hardly finished speaking when, borne toward them on the wind, +which was setting from the burning, sinking ship, came a most appalling +uproar. It sounded like the shrieks of hundreds of passing souls mingled +with deep roars and screeches.</p> + +<p>Even Mr. Billings turned a shade paler under his tan.</p> + +<p>"In the name of heaven what was that?" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>As he spoke a huge tawny form was seen to climb upon the rail of the +rusty old steamer and then launch itself into the sea with a mighty +roar.</p> + +<p>"A lion!" exclaimed Jack, "by all that's wonderful, a lion."</p> + +<p>"That explains the mystery of those noises and the predicament of those +poor fellows crowded on the stern away from the boats," said Mr. +Billings, who had quite regained his self-possession.</p> + +<p>"But—but I don't understand," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"That ship has a cargo of wild animals on board," explained Mr. +Billings. "Such shipments are regularly made from Hamburg, her hailing +port, to America. Most probably she had lions, tigers, leopards, great +serpents and other animals on board. When her bow was stove in a number +of cages were smashed and the wild beasts escaped."</p> + +<p>"That accounts for the shooting I saw, then," exclaimed Jack; "they must +have been firing from the raised stern at the animals which menaced them +on the main deck."</p> + +<p>"Unquestionably. I am glad I brought my own shooting iron," said Mr. +Billings. "I packed it along in case we had trouble with a mutinous +crew."</p> + +<p>They were now close to the blazing ship. The heat and odor of the flames +were clearly felt.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to pull around on the weather side," decided Mr. Brown. "If +we come up under the wind, we'd all be scorched before we could effect +any rescues.</p> + +<p>"Pull round the stern, my lads," he ordered.</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir," came in a deep-throated chorus from the crew.</p> + +<p>As the four boats made under the stern, white, anxious faces looked down +on them.</p> + +<p>"Thank heaven you've come!" exclaimed the captain, whose haggard +countenance showed all that he had been through. "We're just about at +our last ditch. The animals we were taking from Jamrachs, in Hamburg, +for an American circus, broke loose after the collision with the +derelict. They've killed two of my men and maimed another."</p> + +<p>"All right, my hearties, just hold on a minute and we'll have you out of +that," exclaimed Mr. Billings cheerfully.</p> + +<p>More roars and screeches from the loosened animals checked him. Then +came more shots, telling of an attack on the stern, the only cool part +of the ship left, which had been repulsed. The flames shot up, seeming +to reach to the sky, and the smoke blotted out the sun, enveloping +everything in the burning ship's vicinity in a sort of twilight.</p> + +<p>"Do you think we'll be able to get all of them off?" asked Jack eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I'm in hopes that we will," said Mr. Billings, "if nothing untoward +happens."</p> + +<p>There was, Jack noticed, a shade of anxiety in the young officer's tone. +There was, then, some peril, of which he knew nothing as yet, attached +to the enterprise, thought Jack. But of the nature of the danger he had +no guess till later.</p> + +<p>As the first boat, Mr. Billings' craft, drew alongside the blistering +side of the burning ship, a Jacob's ladder came snaking down from the +stern. At almost the same moment Jack, who had been looking upward, +uttered a shout of alarm.</p> + +<p>The fierce face of a wild beast had suddenly appeared above the rail of +the blazing <i>Oriana</i>. The next instant a great lithe, striped body +streaked through the air straight for the boat. Instinctively Jack, who +saw the huge form of the tiger, for that was the desperate +flame-maddened creature that had made the jump, sprang for the side of +the boat and dived overboard.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="i3" id="i3"></a> +<img src="images/i3.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The next instant a great lithe, striped body streaked through the air.—</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>He was not a second too soon. The tiger struck the side of the boat in +the stern just where Jack had been sitting a fragment of a minute +before. The boat heeled over as the great beast, mad with terror, clawed +at its sides with its fore-paws and endeavored to climb in. Mr. +Billings, pale but firm, whipped out his revolver with an untrembling +hand while the men, utterly unnerved, dropped their oars and shouted +with alarm.</p> + +<p>Bang! The tiger gave a struggle that almost capsized the boat. Then, +suddenly, its claws relaxed their hold and it slid into the water, limp +and lifeless, shot between the eyes. But where was Jack? The question +just occurred to Mr. Billings when, looking up suddenly, he saw +something that made him yell a swift order at the top of his lungs.</p> + +<p>"Row for your lives, men, row. She's going to blow up!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>CAST AWAY WITH A PYTHON.</h3> + + +<p>When Jack dived overboard he was so unnerved by the sudden apparition of +the fear-frenzied tiger that he rose some distance back of the boat. He +came to the surface just in time to see the slaying of the animal and +hear Mr. Billings' sharp cry of warning.</p> + +<p>Before he could attract attention the boats were all pulling at top +speed from the burning ship.</p> + +<p>"She's going to blow up!" the words etched themselves on Jack's brain +with the rapidity of a photographic plate.</p> + +<p>He saw a convulsive tremor shake the big steel fabric and the despairing +shouts of the men in the stern rang in his ears. At the same moment he +dived and began swimming with all his strength away from the doomed +ship. Suddenly came a shock that even under water seemed to drive his +ear-drums in.</p> + +<p>Then he felt himself seized as if in a giant's grip and dragged down, +down, down. His vision grew scarlet. His heart beat as if it must burst +from his frame and his entire body felt as if it was being cruelly +compressed in a monster vise. Jack knew what had occurred: the boilers +of the <i>Oriana</i> had blown up and he was being carried down by the +suction of the hull as it sank.</p> + +<p>Just as he felt that he could no longer endure the strain, the dragging +sensation ceased. Like a stone from a catapult Jack was projected up +again to the surface of the sea. The sky, the ocean, everything burned +red as flame as he regained the blessed air and sucked it in in great +lungfulls.</p> + +<p>For a moment or so he was actually unconscious. Then, as his normal +functions returned, and his sight grew less blurred, he made out a hatch +floating not far from him. He struck out for this and clambered upon it. +The sea was strewn with the wreckage of the explosion. Beams, skylights, +even charred and blistered metal liferafts floated all about him. But +these did not engross Jack's attention for long after he had cast his +gaze in the direction where the <i>Oriana</i> last lay. There he encountered +an extraordinary sight.</p> + +<p>On the surface of the ocean floated the stern section of the sunken +steamer. To it still clung the occupants that he had last seen there. +Jack rubbed his eyes and looked and looked again. Yes, there was no +doubt about it, the after part of the <i>Oriana</i> was still afloat, +although how long it would remain so it was impossible to say.</p> + +<p>Jack guessed, and as it afterward transpired, guessed correctly, that +the watertight bulkhead doors, which had automatically been closed all +over the ship when the collision occurred, were sustaining the stern +fragment of the ship on the surface. This part of the <i>Oriana</i>, unharmed +by the explosion or the collision, was now floating much as a corked +bottle might be expected to do, excepting, of course, that there was a +marked list to the drifting fragment.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> + +<p>Jack now saw the scattered boats returning to the scene. The man in +command of each was urging the crews on with voice and gesture. Not one +had been harmed, but it was a narrow escape. Jack set up a shout, but +apparently, in the excitement of racing for the floating stern part of +the <i>Oriana</i>, he was unnoticed. However, this did not alarm him, for he +was sure of being able to attract attention before long.</p> + +<p>A sudden lurch of the hatchway on which he was drifting, and the sound +of a slithering motion as of some heavy body being dragged along some +rough surface, made him turn his head.</p> + +<p>What he saw made him almost lose his grip on the hatchway.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="i4" id="i4"></a> +<img src="images/i4.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>What he saw made him almost lose his grip on the hatchway.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The hideous flat head and wicked eyes of a huge python faced him. The +great snake, escaping somehow from the catastrophe to the menagerie +ship, had swum for the same refuge Jack had chosen. Now it was dragging +its brilliantly mottled body, as thick as a man's thigh, up upon the +hatchway. The floating "raft" dipped under the great snake's weight, +while Jack, literally petrified with horror, watched without motion or +outcry.</p> + +<p>But apparently the snake was too badly stunned by the explosion to be +inclined for mischief. It coiled its great body compactly in gay-colored +folds on the hatch and lay still. But Jack noticed that its mottled eyes +never left his figure.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, I can't stand this much longer," thought Jack.</p> + +<p>He looked about him for another bit of wreckage to which he might swim +and be free of his unpleasant neighbor. But the débris had all drifted +far apart by this time and his limbs felt too stiffened by his +involuntary dive to the depths of the ocean for him to attempt a long +swim.</p> + +<p>Not far off he could see the boats busily transferring the castaways of +the <i>Oriana</i> on board. Supposing they pulled away from the scene without +seeing him? Undoubtedly, they deemed him lost and would not make a +search for him. Warmly as the sun beat down, Jack felt a chill that +turned his blood to ice-water run over him at the thought. Left to drift +on the broad Atlantic with a serpent for a companion and without a +weapon with which to defend himself. The thought was maddening and he +resolutely put it from him.</p> + +<p>So far the great snake had lain somnolently, but now, as the sun began +to warm its body, Jack saw the brilliantly colored folds begin to writhe +and move. It suddenly appeared to become aware of him and raised its +flat, spade-shaped head above its coils.</p> + +<p>Its tongue darted in and out of its red mouth viciously. Jack became +conscious of a strong smell of musk, the characteristic odor of +serpents.</p> + +<p>His mouth went dry with fear, although he was naturally a brave lad, as +we know. A dreadful fascination seemed to hold him in thrall. He could +not have moved a muscle if his life, as he believed it did, depended on +his escape. The hideous head began to sway rhythmically in a sort of +dance. Still Jack could not take his eyes from that swaying head and +darting red tongue. A species of hypnotic spell fell over him. He heard +nothing and saw nothing but the swaying snake.</p> + +<p>All at once the head shot forward. With a wild yell Jack, out of his +trance at last, fell backward off the hatch into the water. At the same +instant Mr. Billings' pistol spoke. Again and again he fired it till the +great snake's threshing form lay still in death. Unwilling to give Jack +up for lost, although he feared in his heart that this was the case, the +third officer would not leave the scene till all hope was exhausted. +Sweeping the vicinity with his glasses, he had spied the impending +tragedy on the hatch.</p> + +<p>Full speed had been made to the rescue at once and, as we know, aid +arrived in the nick of time. As Jack rose sputtering to the surface +strong hands pulled him into the boat. He was told what had happened.</p> + +<p>"A narrow escape," said Mr. Billings, beside whom sat Captain Sanders of +the lost steamer. He looked the picture of woe.</p> + +<p>"I owe my life to you, Mr. Billings," burst out Jack, holding out his +hand.</p> + +<p>The seaman took it in his rough brown palm.</p> + +<p>"That's all right, my lad," he said. "Maybe you'll do as much for me +some day."</p> + +<p>And then, as if ashamed even of this display of emotion, he bawled out +in his roughest voice:</p> + +<p>"Give way there, bullies! Don't sit dreaming! Bend your backs!"</p> + +<p>As the boats flew back toward where the great bulk of the <i>Columbia</i>, +her rails lined with eager passengers, rested immobile on the surface of +the ocean, the castaway captain turned a glance backward to the stern of +his ship, which was still floating but settling and sinking fast. It was +easy to guess what his thoughts were.</p> + +<p>"That's one of the tragedies of the sea," thought Jack.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>CAPTURED BY RADIO.</h3> + + +<p>It was two days later and they were nearing Southampton, but the stop +they had made to aid the <i>Oriana's</i> crew had given the Britisher a big +lead on them. The passengers eagerly clustered to read Jack's wireless +bulletin from the other ship which was posted every day. Excitement ran +high.</p> + +<p>Jack had seen no more of Professor Dusenberry, but he had spent a good +deal of leisure time pondering over the code message the queer little +dried up man had sent. Raynor, who had quite a genius for such things, +and spent much time solving the puzzles in magazines and periodicals, +helped him. But they did not make much progress.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, however, the night before they were due to reach Southampton, +Jack was sitting staring at the message when, without warning, as such +things sometimes will, the real sense of the message leaped at him from +the page.</p> + +<p>"Meet me at <i>three</i> on the paving <i>stones</i>, the weather is <i>fine</i> but +got no <i>specimens</i>, there is no <i>suspicion</i> as you have <i>directed</i> but +I'm afraid <i>wrong</i>."</p> + +<p>Taking every fourth word from the dispatch then, it read as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Three stones. Fine specimens. Suspicion directed wrong."</p></div> + +<p>Jack sat staring like one bewitched as the amazingly simple cipher +revealed itself in a flash after his hours of study. Granted he had +struck the right solution, the message was illuminating enough. +Professor Dusenberry was a dangerous crook, instead of the harmless old +"crank" the passengers had taken him for, and his cipher message was to +a confederate.</p> + +<p>But on second thought Jack was inclined to believe that it was merely a +coincidence that placing together every fourth word of the jumbled +message made a dispatch having a perfectly understandable bearing on the +jewel theft. It was impossible to believe that Professor Dusenberry, +mild and self-effacing, could have had a hand in the attack on the +diamond merchant. Jack was sorely perplexed.</p> + +<p>He was still puzzling over the matter when the object of his thoughts +appeared in his usual timid manner. He wished to send another dispatch, +he said. While he wrote it out Jack studied the mild, almost benevolent +features of the man known as Prof. Dusenberry.</p> + +<p>"But there's one test," he thought to himself. "If the 'fourth word' +test applies to this dispatch also, the Professor is a criminal, of a +dangerous type, in disguise. But he contrived to glance carelessly over +the dispatch when the professor handed it to him and fumbled in his +pocket for a wallet with which to pay for it. Not till the seemingly +mild old man had shuffled out did Jack apply his test to it. The message +read as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>Columbia</i> fast as motor-boat, watch her in Southampton. Am well +and will no more time throw away on fake life-preserver."</p> + +<p>F.</p></div> + +<p>With fingers that actually trembled, Jack wrote down every fourth word. +Here is the result he obtained:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Motorboat Southampton. Will throw life-preserver."</p></div> + +<p>"By the great horn-spoon," exclaimed Jack to himself, "it worked out +like a charm. But still, what am I going to do? I can't go to the +captain with no more evidence than this. He would not order the man +detained. I have it!" he cried, after a moment of deep reflection. "The +Southampton detectives have been already wirelessed about the crime and +are going to board the ship. I'll flash them another message, telling +them of the plan to drop the jewels overboard in a life-preserver so +that they will float till the motor-boat picks them up."</p> + +<p>Jack first, however, sent the supposed Prof. Dusenberry's message +through to London, with which he was now in touch. He noted it was to +the same address as before, that of a Mr. Jeremy Pottler, 38 South +Totting Road, W. Then he summoned the Southampton station, and, before +long, a messenger brought to the police authorities there a dispatch +that caused a great deal of excitement. He had just finished doing this +when Jack's attention was attracted by the re-entrance of the professor.</p> + +<p>He wanted to look over the dispatch he had sent again, he said, but Jack +noticed that his eyes, singularly keen behind his spectacles, swept the +table swiftly as if in search of something. The abstract that Jack had +made of the cipher dispatch lay in plain view. Jack hastily swept it out +of sight by an apparently careless movement. But he felt the professor's +eyes fixed on him keenly.</p> + +<p>But if Prof. Dusenberry had observed anything he said nothing. He merely +remarked that the dispatch appeared to be all right and walked out again +in his peculiar shambling way.</p> + +<p>"The old fox suspects something," thought Jack. "I wonder if he saw that +little translation I took the liberty of making of his dispatch. If he +did, he must have known that I smelled a rat."</p> + +<p>Just then Raynor dropped in on his way on watch.</p> + +<p>"Well, we're in to-morrow, Jack," he said, "but I'm afraid the Britisher +will beat us out."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid so, too," responded Jack. "Their operator has been crowing +over me all day. But at any rate it was in a good cause."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and they're taking up a subscription for the shipwrecked men at +the concert to-night, I hear, so that they won't land destitute."</p> + +<p>"That's good; but say, Bill, you're off watch to-morrow and I want you +to do something for me."</p> + +<p>"Anything you say."</p> + +<p>"This may involve danger."</p> + +<p>"Great Scott, you talk like Sherlock Holmes or a dime novel. What's up?"</p> + +<p>"I've got the man who stole those diamonds."</p> + +<p>"What!"</p> + +<p>"Don't talk so loud. I mean what I say. Listen."</p> + +<p>And Jack related everything that had occurred.</p> + +<p>"Now, what I want you to do is to watch Prof. Dusenberry, as he calls +himself, to-morrow when we get into the harbor. His is an inside +stateroom so that he can't throw it out of a porthole from there. He'll +most likely go to one at the end of a passage."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and then what?"</p> + +<p>"I'd do it myself but the old fox suspects me, I half fancy, and if he +saw me in the vicinity he'd change his plans. You'd better take two of +your huskiest firemen with you, Billy. He's an ugly customer, I fancy, +and might put up a bad fight."</p> + +<p>"U-m-m-m, some job," mused Billy. "Why don't you put the whole thing up +to the captain?"</p> + +<p>"It would do no good the way things are now, and he might get wind of it +and hide the jewels so that they couldn't be found. Anyhow, we've no +proof against him till he is actually caught throwing the jewels out in +that life-preserver to his confederates in the motor-boat."</p> + +<p>"I see, you want to catch him red-handed, but what about those cipher +radios?"</p> + +<p>"There's no way of proving that I read the cipher right," said Jack. +"Our only way is to do as I suggested."</p> + +<p>"I hear that Rosenstein has offered a big reward for the recovery of the +diamonds," said Billy. "He's up and about again, you know."</p> + +<p>"Well, Billy, I think he'll have his diamonds back by to-morrow noon if +we follow out my plan."</p> + +<p>And so it was arranged. The next morning Jack received a message from +Southampton:</p> + +<p>"All ready. Does our man suspect anything?"</p> + +<p>This was Jack's answer:</p> + +<p>"Not so far as I know. Have a plan to catch him red-handed. You watch +the motor-boat."</p> + +<p>Saluted by the whistles of a hundred water craft, the <i>Columbia</i> made +stately progress into Southampton harbor. As her leviathan bulk moved +majestically along under reduced speed, her whistles blowing and her +flag dipping in acknowledgment of the greeting, Jack with a beating +heart, stood on the upper deck watching earnestly for developments.</p> + +<p>He knew that Billy and the two firemen he had selected to help him, on +what might prove a dangerous job, were below watching Prof. Dusenberry. +They all wore stewards' uniforms so that the man who Jack believed +struck down the diamond merchant and stole the stones might not get +suspicious at seeing them about in the corridors.</p> + +<p>"I believe they must have changed their plans, after all," Jack was +thinking when, from the shore, there shot out, at tremendous speed, a +sharp-bowed, swift motor-boat. It headed straight for the <i>Columbia</i>. As +it drew closer, Jack saw it held two men. Both were blowing a whistle, +waving flags and pointing at the big ship as if they, like many other +small water craft, were just out to get a glimpse of the triumph of +American shipbuilders.</p> + +<p>They maneuvered close alongside, while Jack's fingers grasped the rail +till the paint flaked off under the pressure he exerted in his +excitement. What was happening below? he wondered. Could Billy and his +companions carry out their part of the program? Not far from the boy the +diamond merchant, unconscious of the drama being enacted on his account, +stood, with bandaged head, explaining for the hundredth time the beauty +and the value of the gems he had lost.</p> + +<p>"Five thousand thalers I give if I get them back," he declared.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Jack's heart gave a bound. From a port far down on the side of +the ship, and almost directly under him, a white object was hurled. It +struck the water with a splash and spread out, floating buoyantly.</p> + +<p>Instantly the black motor-boat darted forward, one of the men on board +holding a boat hook extended to grasp the floating life-preserver, +hidden in which was a king's fortune in gems.</p> + +<p>Jack stood still just one instant. Then, driven by an impulse he could +not explain, he threw off his coat, kicked off the loose slippers he +wore when at work, and the next moment he had mounted the rail and made +a clean, swift dive for the life-preserver.</p> + +<p>Billy rushed on deck, excitement written on his face, just as Jack dived +overboard.</p> + +<p>"Jack! Jack!" he shouted.</p> + +<p>But he was too late.</p> + +<p>"Great Neptune, has the boy gone mad?" exclaimed Captain Turner, who had +passed along the deck just in time to see Jack's dive. Regardless of sea +etiquette, Billy grasped the skipper's arm and rushed into a narrative +of the plan he and Jack had hoped to carry out.</p> + +<p>"But Dusenberry was too quick for us, sir," he concluded.</p> + +<p>"Never mind that, now," cried the captain, "that boy may be in danger."</p> + +<p>He looked over the rail, which, owing to most of the passengers being +busy below with their preparations for landing, was almost deserted. +Billy was at his side. In the black motor-boat two men stood with their +hands up. Alongside was a speedy-looking launch full of strapping big +men with firm jaws and the unmistakable stamp of detectives the world +over. Some of them were hauling on board the police launch Jack's +dripping figure, which clung fast to the life-preserver. Others kept the +men in the black launch covered with their pistols.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later, when the passengers—all that is but Mr. +Rosenstein—had gone ashore (the diamond merchant had been asked by the +captain to remain), a little group was assembled in Captain Turner's +cabin. In the center of it stood Professor Dusenberry, alias Foxy Fred, +looking ever more meek and mild than usual. He had been seized and bound +by the two disguised firemen as he threw the life-preserver, but not in +time to prevent his getting it out of the port. Beside him, also +manacled, were the two men who had been in the motor-boat and who, +according to the Southampton police, formed a trio of the most daring +diamond thieves who ever operated.</p> + +<p>"I think we may send for Mr. Rosenstein now," said Captain Turner with a +smile. "Only I hope that he is not subject to attacks of heart failure. +Ready," he said, turning to Jack, who stood side by side with Billy, +"take these and give them to Mr. Rosenstein with your compliments."</p> + +<p>Jack blushed and hesitated.</p> + +<p>"I'd,—I'd rather—sir—if you—don't mind——" he stammered.</p> + +<p>"You may regard what I just said as an order if you like," said Captain +Turner, trying to look grim, while everybody else, but Jack and the +prisoners, smiled.</p> + +<p>"You wanted to see me on important business, captain?" asked Mr. +Rosenstein, as he entered. "You will keep me as short a time as +possible, please. I must get to Scotland Yard, my diamonds——"</p> + +<p>"Are right here in this boy's hand," said the captain, pushing Jack +forward.</p> + +<p>"What! This is the fellow who took them?" thundered the diamond +merchant.</p> + +<p>"No; this is the lad you have to thank for recovering them for you from +those three men yonder," said the captain.</p> + +<p>"Professor Dusenberry!" exclaimed the diamond expert, throwing up his +hand.</p> + +<p>"Or Foxy Fred," grinned one of the English detectives.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my head, it goes round," exclaimed Mr. Rosenstein.</p> + +<p>"This lad, with wonderful ingenuity, and finally courage, when he leaped +overboard to save your property, traced the guilty parties," went on the +captain, "and by wireless arranged for their capture."</p> + +<p>"It's a bit of work to be proud of," said the head of the English +contingent.</p> + +<p>"It is that," said the captain. "It has cleared away a cloud that might +have hung over this ship till the mystery was dispelled, which probably +would have been never."</p> + +<p>Mr. Rosenstein, who had taken the diamonds from Jack, stood apparently +stupefied, holding them on his palm. Suddenly, however, to Jack's great +embarrassment, he threw both arms round the boy's neck and saluted him +on both cheeks. Then he rushed at Billy and finally the two firemen, who +dodged out of the way. Then he drew out a check book and began writing +rapidly. He handed a pink slip of paper to Jack. It was a check for +$5,000.</p> + +<p>"A souvenir," he said.</p> + +<p>"But—but——" began Jack, "we didn't do it for money. It was our duty +to the company and——"</p> + +<p>"It's your duty to the company to take that check, then," laughed +Captain Turner, and in the end Jack did. The two firemen, who had helped +the boys, received a good share of it and later were promoted by the +company for their good work. As for Prof. Dusenberry and his companions, +they vanish from our story when, in custody of the detectives, they went +over the side a few minutes later. But Jack and Billy to-day have two +very handsome diamond and emerald scarf-pins, the gifts of the grateful +Mr. Rosenstein.</p> + +<p>"Looks as if we are always having adventures of some kind or another," +said Billy to Jack that evening as they strolled about the town, for the +ship would not sail for Cherbourg, her last port before the homeward +voyage, till the next day.</p> + +<p>"It certainly does look that way," agreed Jack and then, with a laugh, +he added:</p> + +<p>"But they don't all turn out so profitably as this one."</p> + +<p>With which Billy agreed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h3>THURMAN PLOTS.</h3> + + +<p>It was two nights before the <i>Columbia</i>, on her homeward voyage, entered +New York harbor. On the trip across she had once more had the big +British greyhound of the seas for a rival. But this time there was a +different tale to tell. The <i>Columbia</i> was coming home, as Billy Raynor +put it, "with a broom at the main-mast head."</p> + +<p>All day the wireless snapped out congratulations from the shore. Jack +was kept busy transmitting shore greetings and messages from returning +voyagers who had chosen the finest ship under the stars and stripes on +which to return to the United States. Patriotism ran riot as every +bulletin showed the <i>Columbia</i> reeling over two or three knots more an +hour than her rival. One enthusiastic millionaire offered a +twenty-dollar gold piece to every fireman, and five dollars each to all +the other members of the crew, if the <i>Columbia</i> beat her fleet rival by +a five-hour margin. The money was as good as won.</p> + +<p>Thurman sat in the wireless room. His head was in his hands and he was +thinking deeply. Should he or should he not send that message to +Washington which, he was sure, would cause Jack's arrest the instant the +ship docked. He had struggled with his conscience for some time. But +then the thought of the reward and the fancied grudge he owed Jack +overtopped every other consideration. He seized the key and began +calling the big naval station.</p> + +<p>It was not long before he got a reply, for when not talking to warships +the land stations of the department use normal wave-lengths.</p> + +<p>"Who is this?" came the question from the government man.</p> + +<p>"It's X. Y. Z," rapped out Thurman.</p> + +<p>This was the signature he had appended to his other messages.</p> + +<p>"The thunder you say," spelled out the other; "we thought we'd never +hear from you again."</p> + +<p>"Well, here I am."</p> + +<p>"So it appears. Well, are you ready to tell us who this chap is who's +been mystifying us so?"</p> + +<p>"I am."</p> + +<p>"Great ginger, wait till I get Rear-admiral —— and Secretary —— on +the 'phone. It's late but they'll get out of bed to hear this news."</p> + +<p>But it transpired that both the officials were at a reception and +Thurman was asked to wait till they could be rushed at top speed to the +wireless station in automobiles. At last everything was ready and +Thurman, while drops of sweat rolled down his face, rapped out his +treachery and sent it flashing from the antennæ across the sea.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," came the reply when he had finished, "the secretary also +wishes me to thank you and assure you of your reward. Secret Service men +will meet the ship at the pier."</p> + +<p>"And Jack Ready, what about him?"</p> + +<p>"He will be taken care of. You had better proceed to Washington as soon +as possible after you land."</p> + +<p>"How much will the reward be?" greedily demanded Thurman.</p> + +<p>"The secretary directs me to say that it will be suitable," was the +rejoinder.</p> + +<p>The next morning, when Jack came on duty, he sent a personal message to +Uncle Toby via Siasconset. This was it:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Universal detector a success. Will you wire Washington of my +intention to proceed there with all speed when I arrive?</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Jack</span>."</p></div> + +<p>Late that day he got back an answer that appeared to astonish him a good +deal, for he sat knitting his brows over it for some moments.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Washington says some ding-gasted sneak has been cutting up funny +tricks. Looks like you have been talking.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Toby Ready</span>."</p></div> + +<p>This characteristic message occupied Jack for some moments till he +thought of a reply to its rather vaguely worded contents. Then he got +Siasconset and shot this through the air:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Have talked to no one who could have seen Washington. My last +letter to the Secretary of the Navy was that I thought I was on the +road to success.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Jack</span>."</p></div> + +<p>No reply came to this and Jack went off watch with the matter as much of +a mystery as ever. But as Thurman came in to relieve him a sudden +suspicion shot across Jack's mind. Could Thurman have——?</p> + +<p>He recalled the night he had caught him examining the device with such +care! Jack had since removed it, but in searching in the waste basket +for a message discarded by mistake he had since come across what +appeared to be crude sketches of the Universal Detector. If Thurman had +not drawn them, Jack was at a loss to know who had. But for some +mysterious reason he only smiled as he left the wireless room.</p> + +<p>"If you've been up to any hocus-pocus business, Mr. Thurman," he said to +himself, as he descended to dinner, "you are going to get the surprise +of your life within a very short time."</p> + +<p>After dinner he came back to the upper deck again, but as he gained it +his attention was arrested by the scream of the wireless spark. It was a +warm night and the door of the cabin was open. Jack stopped +instinctively to listen to the roaring succession of dots and dashes.</p> + +<p>"He's calling Washington," said Jack to himself as he listened.</p> + +<p>"He's got them," he exclaimed a minute later.</p> + +<p>"Hullo! Hullo! I guess I was right in my guess, then, after all. Oh, +Thurman, what a young rascal you are."</p> + +<p>He listened attentively as Thurman shot out his message to the National +Capital. Jack repeated it in an undertone as the spark crackled and +squealed.</p> + +<p>"Do—I—get—my—reward—right—away?"</p> + +<p>Jack actually burst, for some inexplicable reason, into a hearty laugh.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Thurman! Thurman!" he exploded to himself. "What a badly fooled +young man you are going to be."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + +<h3>THE "SUITABLE REWARD."</h3> + + +<p>The arrival of the <i>Columbia</i> at her dock the next day was in the nature +of an ovation. A band played "Hail Columbia," and a dense crowd blocked +the docks and adjacent points of vantage to view the great liner which +had taken the blue ribbon of the seas from England's crack ship. News of +the dramatic rescue of the crew of the <i>Oriana</i>, wirelessed at the time +of the occurrence to the newspapers, had inflamed public interest in the +big ship too, and her subsequent doings had been eagerly followed in the +dailies.</p> + +<p>"Great to be home again, isn't it, old fellow?" asked Raynor, coming up +to Jack as a dozen puffing tugs nosed the towering <i>Columbia</i> into her +dock.</p> + +<p>"It is, indeed," said Jack, looking over the rail. "I'm going to——"</p> + +<p>He broke off suddenly and began waving frantically to two persons in the +crowd. One was an old man, rather bent, but hale and hearty and +sunburned. Beside him was a pretty girl. It was Helen Dennis and her +father, Captain Dennis, who had been rescued from a sinking sailing ship +during Jack's first voyage, as told in the "Ocean Wireless Boys on the +Atlantic." Captain Dennis, since the disaster, had been unable to get +another ship to command and had been forced to accept a position as +watchman on one of the docks, but Jack had been working all he knew how +to get the captain another craft, so far, however, without success.</p> + +<p>"There's one reason why you're glad to be home," said Raynor slyly, +waving to Helen. "You're a lucky fellow."</p> + +<p>The gang-plank was down, but before any passengers were allowed ashore, +way was made for four stalwart, clean-shaven men who hurried on board.</p> + +<p>"Wonder who those fellows are?" said Raynor; "must be some sort of +big-wigs."</p> + +<p>"Yes, they certainly got the right of way," responded Jack without much +interest.</p> + +<p>Thurman joined them.</p> + +<p>"I hear that the Secret Service men are on board," he said. "Must be +looking for someone."</p> + +<p>"I suppose so," said Jack. "They usually are."</p> + +<p>Somebody tapped Jack on the shoulder. It was one of the men who had +boarded the ship. An evil leer passed over Thurman's face as he saw +this.</p> + +<p>"Are you Jack Ready?" asked the man.</p> + +<p>"That's my name," replied Jack.</p> + +<p>The man threw back his coat, displaying a gold badge. His three +companions stood beside him.</p> + +<p>"I want you to come to Washington with us at once," said the man. "I am +operative Thomas of the United States Secret Service."</p> + +<p>"Why what's the matter? What's he done?" demanded Raynor.</p> + +<p>"That's for the Navy Department to decide," said the man sternly. +Thurman had slipped away after the man had displayed his badge. His +envious mind was now sure of its revenge. He, too, meant to get the +first train to Washington.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry, old fellow," said Jack. "Just slip ashore and make my +excuses to Helen and her father, will you, and then meet me in +Washington at the Willard. I think I shall have some news that will +surprise you."</p> + +<p>Greatly mystified, Raynor obeyed, while Jack and the four men, two on +each side of him, left the ship. Thurman followed them closely. His +flabby face wore a look of satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Two birds with one stone," he muttered to himself. "I've got even with +Jack Ready and I get a reward for doing it. Slick work."</p> + +<p>The trip to Washington was uneventful. On their arrival there Jack and +the Secret Service men went straight to the Navy Department. They passed +through a room filled with waiting persons having business there, and +were at once admitted to the office of the Secretary of the Navy, a +dignified looking man with gray hair and mustache, who sat ensconced +behind a large desk littered with papers and documents.</p> + +<p>There were several other gentlemen in the room. Some of them were in +naval uniforms and all had an official appearance that was rather +overawing.</p> + +<p>"So, this is our young man," said the Secretary, as Jack removed his +hat. "Sit down, Mr. Ready, these gentlemen and myself wish to talk to +you."</p> + +<p>Then, for an hour or more, Jack described the Universal Detector and +answered scores of questions. After the first few minutes his sense of +embarrassment wore off and he talked easily and naturally. When he had +finished, and everybody's curiosity was satisfied, the Secretary turned +to him.</p> + +<p>"And you are prepared to turn this instrument over to the United States +navy?"</p> + +<p>"That was the main object I had in designing it," said Jack, "but I am +at a loss to know how you discovered that I was on board the +<i>Columbia</i>."</p> + +<p>"That will soon be explained," said the Secretary, with a smile that was +rather enigmatic. "You recollect having a little fun with our navy +operators?"</p> + +<p>Jack colored and stammered something while everybody in the room smiled.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about that," laughed the Secretary. "It just upset the +dignity of some of our navy operators. Well, following that somebody +offered, for a consideration, to tell us who it was that had discovered +the secret of a Universal Detector. It turned out, as I had expected +from our previous correspondence, that it was you. But not till two +nights ago, when our informant again wirelessed, did we know that you +were at sea."</p> + +<p>"But—but, sir," stuttered Jack, greatly mystified, "who did this?"</p> + +<p>The Secretary pressed a button on his desk. A uniformed orderly +instantly answered.</p> + +<p>"Tell Mr. Thurman to come in," said the Secretary.</p> + +<p>There was a brief silence, then the door opened and Thurman, with an +expectant look and an assured manner, stepped into the room.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Thurman?" asked the Secretary.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," said Thurman in a loud, confident voice, "I thought I'd +hurry over here as soon as the ship docked and talk to you about my work +in discovering for you the fellow who invented the Universal Detector. +I——"</p> + +<p>He suddenly caught sight of Jack and turned a sickly yellow. Jack looked +steadily at the fellow who, he had guessed for some time, had been +evilly interested in the detector.</p> + +<p>"Well, go on, Mr. Thurman," said the Secretary, encouragingly, but with +a peculiar look at the corners of his mouth.</p> + +<p>Thurman shuffled miserably.</p> + +<p>"I'd prefer not to talk with—with him in the room," he said, nodding +his head sideways at Jack.</p> + +<p>"Why not? Mr. Ready has just sold his invention to the United States +government."</p> + +<p>"Sold it, sir——" began Jack, flushing, "why I——"</p> + +<p>The Secretary held up a hand to enjoin silence. Then he turned to the +thoroughly uncomfortable Thurman.</p> + +<p>"We feel, Mr. Thurman," he said, "that you really tried to do us a great +service."</p> + +<p>Thurman recovered some of his self-assurance. Could he have had the +skill to read the faces about him, though, he must have known that a +bomb was about to burst.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," he said, "I did what I could, what I thought was my +duty. And now, sir, about that reward."</p> + +<p>"'Suitable reward,' was what was said, I think, Mr. Thurman," said the +Secretary.</p> + +<p>"Well, yes, sir, 'suitable reward,'" responded Thurman, his eyes +glistening with cupidity.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Thurman," and the Secretary's voice was serious and impressive, +"these gentlemen and I have decided that the most suitable reward for a +young man as treacherous and mean as you have shown yourself to be, +would be to be kicked downstairs. Instead I shall indicate to you the +door and ask you to take your leave."</p> + +<p>"But—but—I told you who the fellow was that had discovered the +detector. Why, I even made drawings of it for you."</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt that," said the Secretary dryly. "There was only one weak +point in your whole scheme, Mr. Thurman, and that was that Mr. Ready +wrote us some time ago when he first began his experiments about his +work and asked some advice. At that time he informed us that if he +succeeded in producing a Universal Detector that it would be at the +service of this government. So you see that you were kind enough to +inform us of something we knew already. But for a time we were at a loss +to know whether it was not some other inventor working on similar lines +who had discovered such a detector. To find out definitely we +fine-combed the country."</p> + +<p>"And—and I get no reward?" stuttered Thurman.</p> + +<p>"Except the one I mentioned and the possible lesson you may have learned +from your experience. Good-afternoon, Mr. Thurman."</p> + +<p>Thurman was so thunderstruck by the collapse of his hopes of reaping a +fortune by his treachery that he appeared for a moment to be deprived of +the power of locomotion. The Secretary nodded to the orderly, who came +forward and took the wretched youth, for whom Jack could not help +feeling sorry, by the arm and led him to the door. This was the last +that was seen of Thurman for a long time, but Jack was destined to meet +him again, thousands of miles away and under strange circumstances.</p> + +<p>When Jack left the Navy Department he felt as if he was walking on air. +In his pocket was a check, intended as a sort of retaining fee by the +government, till tests should have established beyond a doubt the value +of his invention. His eyes were dancing and all he felt that he needed +was a friend to share his pleasure with. This need was supplied on his +return to the hotel, for there was a telegram from Billy Raynor, telling +Jack to meet him on an evening train. It wound up with these words:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Helen Dennis and myself badly worried. Hope everything is all +right."</p></div> + +<p>"All right," smiled Jack, "yes, all right, and then some."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + +<h3>THE PLOTTER'S TRIUMPH.</h3> + + +<p>The face of one of the first of the passengers to disembark from the +train as it rolled into the depot was a familiar one to Jack. With a +thrill of pleasure he darted through the crowd to clasp the hand of his +old friend, Captain Simms.</p> + +<p>"Here's a coincidence," he exclaimed. "I'm here to meet Billy Raynor. He +must have come on the same train. But are you ill, sir? Is anything the +matter?"</p> + +<p>"Jack, my boy," said the captain, who was pale and drawn, "a terrible +thing has happened. The code has been stolen."</p> + +<p>"Stolen! By whom?"</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly by Judson and his gang. I thought I saw them on the train +between Clayton and New York. I was on my way here with the completed +code. I had it under my pillow in my berth on the sleeper. When I +awakened it had gone."</p> + +<p>"Didn't you have a hunt made for Judson when you reached New York?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but we had made two stops in the night. Undoubtedly, they got off +at one of them. Unless that code is found I'm a ruined and a disgraced +man."</p> + +<p>At that moment Billy Raynor came hurrying up. But there was not much +warmth in Jack's welcome to him. His mind was busy with other things.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" said Billy in a low voice, for he too had noticed +Captain Simms' dejection.</p> + +<p>"Never mind now," whispered Jack, "I'll tell you later. If I may suggest +it, sir," he said, addressing the captain, who appeared completely +broken by the loss of the code, "hadn't we better get into a cab and +drive to the Willard? You are not going to the department to-night?"</p> + +<p>"No, I couldn't face them to-night," said the captain. "We'll do as you +say."</p> + +<p>"There may be a way of catching the rascals," said Jack as the taxicab +bumped off.</p> + +<p>The captain shook his head.</p> + +<p>"The code is in the hands of the ambassador of the foreign power that +wanted it as the price of a contract by this time," he said. "It is gone +beyond recovery. I am disgraced."</p> + +<p>On their arrival at the hotel, the captain retired at once to his room. +The boys had dinner without much appetite for the meal and then set out +for a stroll to talk things over.</p> + +<p>"This is a terrible off-set to my good news," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think there's a chance of getting the code back?" asked +Billy.</p> + +<p>Jack shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I think it is as Captain Simms said, the code is in the hands of that +ambassador by this time."</p> + +<p>"Jack Ready, by all that's good, and Billy too, shake!"</p> + +<p>The cry came from up the street and a tall, good-looking lad of their +own age came hurrying toward them. It was Ned Rivers, a youth who was +interested in wireless and in that way had become acquainted with Jack +and Billy on board the <i>Tropic Queen</i> while he was accompanying his +father on a cruise on that ill-fated ship.</p> + +<p>"Ned!" cried Jack.</p> + +<p>"You're a sight for sore eyes," exclaimed Billy, and a general +handshaking followed.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing here, Ned?" asked Jack, after a few more words had +been exchanged.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I thought you lived in Nebraska," said Billy.</p> + +<p>"So we did, but we've moved here. Father's in the Senate now. I thought +you knew."</p> + +<p>"Congratulations," said Jack. "I guess we'll have to call you Mr. +Senator, Jr., now and tip our hats to you."</p> + +<p>"Avast with that nonsense, as they don't say at sea," laughed Ned. +"There's our house yonder," and he pointed to a handsome stone +residence.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, what's that I see on the roof?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"That's my wireless outfit. Mother made an awful kick about having it +there, but at last she gave in."</p> + +<p>"So you're still a wireless boy?" said Billy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I've got a dandy outfit too. Come on over. I want to introduce +you to the folks."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, we will some other time, but not to-night. We don't feel fit +for company. You see quite a disaster has happened to a friend of ours," +and under a pledge of secrecy from Ned, who he knew he could rely on, +Jack told the lad part of the story of the theft of the code.</p> + +<p>"By jove, that is a loss," said Ned sympathetically. "I've heard dad +talking about the new code. It was a very important matter."</p> + +<p>"We were going for a walk to discuss the whole question," said Billy.</p> + +<p>"Can I join you?" asked Ned.</p> + +<p>"Glad to have you," was the rejoinder. Talking and laughing merrily over +old times on the <i>Tropic Queen</i>, the boys walked on, not noticing much +where they were going till they found themselves on an ill-lighted +street of rather shabby-looking dwellings.</p> + +<p>"Hullo," said Ned, "I don't think much of this part of town. Let's get +back to a main street."</p> + +<p>"It's a regular slum," said Billy, and the three boys started to retrace +their steps. But suddenly Jack stopped and jerked his companions into a +doorway. Two figures had just come in sight round the corner. They were +headed down the street on the opposite sidewalk.</p> + +<p>"It's Judson and his son," whispered Jack. "What can they be doing +here?"</p> + +<p>"Hiding, most probably," returned Billy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they—hullo! Look, they're going into that alley-way."</p> + +<p>The boys darted across the street. Looking down the alley-way, they saw +the figures of Judson and his son, by the light of a sickly gas lamp, +ascending the steps of a rickety-looking tenement house.</p> + +<p>"Jove, this is worth knowing," exclaimed Jack. "If they are really +hiding here we can get the police on their track. How lucky that we just +let ourselves roam into this part of town."</p> + +<p>"We ought to have them arrested at once," said Billy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's a good idea. But they may have just sneaked through the +hallway and out by a rear way. You fellows wait here till I go and see."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jack, you may get in trouble."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll go with you," said Ned.</p> + +<p>"No, you stay here," Jack insisted. "One of us won't be noticed. Three +would. Besides, that house is full of other tenants. Nothing much could +happen to me."</p> + +<p>In spite of their further protests he walked rapidly, but cautiously, +down the alley-way. Noiselessly he entered the hallway and walked to the +door of a rear room, where he heard voices. But it was a laboring man +and his wife quarreling over something. Jack heard a door open on an +upper floor. Then came a voice that thrilled him. It was Jarrow's.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Judson, back again? Well, how did things go?"</p> + +<p>Then Jack heard the door closed and locked.</p> + +<p>"So, they are really here," he muttered. "What a piece of luck. But the +question is, have they got the code? If it is out of their hands it will +be well nigh impossible to recover it, for it is a serious matter to +charge an ambassador with wrong-doing."</p> + +<p>Jack began to ascend the rickety stairs with great caution. They creaked +dismally under his tread. At a door on the second floor he caught the +sound of Judson's voice. With a beating heart he crept as close as he +dared and listened.</p> + +<p>"The plans have all been changed," he heard Judson saying. "We are to +take the code to Crotona (the capital of the power represented by the +ambassador) ourselves. There's a steamer that leaves Baltimore for +Naples to-morrow. We are to take that and proceed from Naples to our +destination."</p> + +<p>"What a bother," came in Donald's voice. "I don't see why the ambassador +didn't take them."</p> + +<p>"He said it was too dangerous. He was being watched by the Secret +Service men."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's just as dangerous for us, if it comes to that," grumbled +Jarrow.</p> + +<p>"I've got another piece of news for you," said Judson. "As I was passing +the Willard to-night I saw Simms, and who do you think was with him?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"Those two brats who made trouble for us at Alexandria Bay. It was a +good thing I was disguised, for I passed close to them before I +recognized them."</p> + +<p>"Confound it all," burst out Jarrow, "do you think they know we are +here?"</p> + +<p>"Not a ghost of a chance of it," said Judson confidently; "anyhow, we've +picked a hiding place where no one would ever dream of looking for us."</p> + +<p>"That's so. I'll be glad when we get out of the horrid hole," grumbled +Donald.</p> + +<p>A footstep sounded behind Jack on the creaking boards. It startled him. +He had not heard a door open. But now he was confronted by a portly +Italian. The man grabbed him by the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Whadda you do-a here?" demanded the man, "me thinka you one-a da +sneak-a da tief."</p> + +<p>"Let me go," demanded Jack, striving to wrench himself free.</p> + +<p>"I no leta you go justa yet. I tinka you here steala da tings," cried +the man in a loud voice.</p> + +<p>The talk inside Judson's room broke off suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, what's up outside?" exclaimed Donald. "Somebody's collared a +thief. Let's see what it's all about."</p> + +<p>He flung the door open and the lamplight streamed out full on Jack's +face.</p> + +<p>Donald fell back a pace with astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! It's Jack Ready," he exclaimed. "What in the world are you +doing here?"</p> + +<p>"You knowa desa boy?" asked the Italian, still holding Jack fast.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do. He's no good," replied Donald.</p> + +<p>"Dena I throwa him out or calla da police."</p> + +<p>"Yes—no, for goodness' sake, not the police," exclaimed Donald. "Dad, +Jarrow, here's that Ready kid spying on us. He was caught in the hall by +that Italian next door, who thought he was a sneak thief."</p> + +<p>"Ha! Ready, you are the most unlucky lad I know," cried Judson, coming +to the door, "we've got you just where we want you this time. There are +no chimneys here. Bring him inside."</p> + +<p>"Not much! Help!" Jack began to shout, but Jarrow clapped a hand over +his mouth.</p> + +<p>"Help us run him in here," he ordered the Italian, "I'll pay you for +it."</p> + +<p>"Whatsa da mat'?" asked the Italian suspiciously. "He no lika you."</p> + +<p>"No wonder. He robbed us once. I guess he was here to do it again. We +want to settle accounts with him."</p> + +<p>"Oh-ho, datsa eet ees it?" said the Italian. "All righta, I no make da +troub'."</p> + +<p>He gave Jack a forward shove into the room of the wireless boy's +enemies.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + +<h3>IN THE POWER OF THE ENEMY.</h3> + + +<p>As soon as the door was shut and locked, Judson faced Jack.</p> + +<p>"Now you keep quiet if you don't want a rap over the head with this," he +said, exhibiting a heavy bludgeon.</p> + +<p>"Don't dare touch me," spoke Jack boldly.</p> + +<p>"That will depend. I want to ask you some questions. Will you answer +them?"</p> + +<p>"I shall see."</p> + +<p>"You followed Donald and me here and were spying on us when that Italian +caught you."</p> + +<p>"A good thing he did," interjected Donald.</p> + +<p>"You heard us planning—er—er something?"</p> + +<p>"Possibly I did."</p> + +<p>"Boy, I know you did."</p> + +<p>"Then what's the sense of asking me?"</p> + +<p>"None of your impudence, young man! You've always been too much of a +busy-body for your own good," snarled Jarrow.</p> + +<p>"What's the use of questioning him, dad?" said Donald. "He'll only lie."</p> + +<p>"That's probably correct. I guess he heard everything. What shall we do +with him?"</p> + +<p>"Make him a prisoner," said Jarrow.</p> + +<p>"But we can't stay here to guard him and he'd be out of this room in a +jiffy."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you where we'll take him," said Donald. He whispered in his +father's ear. Judson's face brightened and he nodded approvingly.</p> + +<p>"Just the place. It will serve him right. He got himself into this +mess."</p> + +<p>"Are you going to let me go?" demanded Jack.</p> + +<p>"Certainly not. You've made your bed—you can lie on it."</p> + +<p>Jack made a leap for the door. The key was in the lock, but he didn't +have a chance to turn it before all three threw themselves on him. A +scuffle followed which Judson brought to a quick stop by striking Jack a +stunning blow on the head with his bludgeon. With a million stars +dancing before him in a void of blackness, Jack went down.</p> + +<p>"Now come on quick before anyone spots us," said Jarrow.</p> + +<p>Jack's limp form was rolled up in a dirty old blanket so as to look like +some kind of a bundle. Then Jarrow and Judson lifted him by the head and +feet, while Donald preceded them with the lamp.</p> + +<p>The younger Judson led the way out of a rear door to a side hallway. +From here two flights of stairs led down to an ill-ventilated, low +cellar which was seldom visited and was used mostly for old rubbish and +rags. Jack was carried to a high-sided wooden coal bin and his form +dropped on a pile of dirty old newspapers and decaying straw. There was +a heavy door with an iron bolt on the outside leading into the place. As +Judson closed this, leaving Jack to his fate, he muttered:</p> + +<p>"This is the time we don't need to bother about his getting out. He'll +stay there till to-morrow, anyhow, and by that time we'll be at sea."</p> + +<p>"What time will that auto be at the corner?" asked Donald.</p> + +<p>"It should be there in a few minutes. We must get ready right away," +replied his father. "Come on, we've no time to lose."</p> + +<p>In the meantime Billy and Ned waited on the corner. As the minutes flew +by they began to get worried.</p> + +<p>"Jack is certainly taking his time," said Ned.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he is scouting about," suggested Billy.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he has fallen into a trap," exclaimed Ned. "I've a good mind to +go for the police."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll wait a little longer," said Billy.</p> + +<p>Almost an hour passed and there was no sign of Jack.</p> + +<p>"I won't wait any longer," declared Ned, when suddenly three figures +emerged from the house. Their hats were pulled over their eyes and they +glanced about suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"It's the two Judsons and Jarrow," exclaimed Billy.</p> + +<p>As he spoke a big touring car came down the street and stopped at the +mouth of the alley-way. The three persons who had just emerged from the +tenement house began to hasten to it, but Billy intercepted them.</p> + +<p>"What have you done with Jack?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"Yes, where is he?" cried Ned.</p> + +<p>"Out of our way," said Jarrow, giving Billy a shove.</p> + +<p>"We don't know any Jack," growled Judson.</p> + +<p>Before the boys could stop them they had reached the car and sprung in.</p> + +<p>"Drive off at full speed," Judson ordered the chauffeur, and, leaving +the boys standing rooted to the spot, the car dashed off with a roar. +Borne back to them they could hear the mocking laughter of its +occupants.</p> + +<p>"Those rascals have played some trick on Jack and they've got away +scot-free," groaned Billy.</p> + +<p>"We must hunt for him at once," exclaimed Ned.</p> + +<p>The two boys set out for the tenement. It was pitch dark in the hallway. +Ned struck a match.</p> + +<p>"Jack! Jack! where are you?" he called softly.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE SEARCH FOR JACK.</h3> + + +<p>The two boys, with their hearts heavy as lead, ascended the stairs +calling for Jack. On the second floor, as they reached it, a door was +suddenly flung open.</p> + +<p>"Be jabers, stop that racket. Can't yez be lettin' a dacent family slape +in pace?"</p> + +<p>Another door flew open and a black, woolly head was poked out.</p> + +<p>"What fo' you alls come makin' such a cumsturbance at dis yar hour ob de +night?"</p> + +<p>"We're looking for a boy who we think has been trapped in this building. +Have you seen anything of him?" asked Ned.</p> + +<p>"Sure and I haven't. This is a dacent house and dacent folks. Go along +wid yer now and let us slape."</p> + +<p>"By gollys we don't kidsnap no boys," came from the negro.</p> + +<p>Another door was opened and the Italian who had caught Jack in the hall +came out.</p> + +<p>"Whatsa da mat'?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"We're looking for a boy, our chum. He came into this house two hours +ago. We're afraid he——" burst out Billy desperately.</p> + +<p>"I see-a da boy in deesa hall," said the Italian. "I teenka heem sneaka +teef. I catcha heem but two men and a boy in data rooma dere dey taka +heem. Dey say dat he robba heem and they getta even."</p> + +<p>"Did they take him into the room?" burst out Ned.</p> + +<p>The Italian nodded.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dey takea heem in. I geeva heem to them," said the man +indifferently.</p> + +<p>"Great heavens, they invented that story about his robbing them," cried +Billy. "They've made him a prisoner. We must get him out. Jack! Jack!"</p> + +<p>No answer came and then Billy, regardless of consequences, flung himself +against the door of the room the Italian had indicated. By this time +quite a crowd of tenement dwellers had assembled, attracted by the loud +voices. At first the door stood firm, but when Ned joined Billy it gave +way with a bang, precipitating them into the room.</p> + +<p>But now a new voice was added to the uproar. Hans Pumpernickel, a sour +old German who owned the tenements and lived there to save rent in a +better quarter, put in an appearance.</p> + +<p>"Vos is los?" he demanded, "ach himmel, de door vos busted py der +outside. Who did dis?"</p> + +<p>"We did," said Billy boldly. "My chum was decoyed into this house by +some bad characters. This was the room they occupied. But he isn't +here."</p> + +<p>"Ach du liebe! Vos iss idt I care aboupt your droubles? I haf mein own."</p> + +<p>"We'll find Jack if we go through this house from cellar to attic," +declared Ned.</p> + +<p>"I dond pelief dot boy vos harmed by der men dot hadt idt dis room," +declared the crabbed old man. "Dey vos very respectable. Now you pay me +for dot door undt den go aboudt your pusiness."</p> + +<p>"If you interfere with us we'll call in the police," said Billy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you want to keep out of trouble, you'll help us," said Ned +boldly.</p> + +<p>"Is dot so? Undt who iss you?"</p> + +<p>"I'm the son of Senator Rivers of Nebraska."</p> + +<p>The landlord's jaw dropped. He grew more respectful.</p> + +<p>"Vell, vot am I to do?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Don't interfere with us. We'll pay for this door. Hullo, what's that on +the floor?" exclaimed Billy. "Why, it's Jack's knife. But where is he?"</p> + +<p>"Den dose nice mens, Mr. Jenkins undt Mister Thompson are kidsnabbers," +exclaimed the landlord.</p> + +<p>"Are those the names they gave?" asked Billy.</p> + +<p>"Ches. Dey pay idt me a month in advance. Dey vost nice gentlemen."</p> + +<p>"Yes, very nice," exclaimed Billy bitterly. "However, knowing those +names may give a clew later on."</p> + +<p>They searched for several hours but found no further trace of Jack. At +last, tired out and sick at heart, they returned home. Billy accepted +Ned's invitation to stay at the latter's house that night and to lay the +matter before the Senator in the morning.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Half stunned, Jack lay still for some time on the moldy straw and the +old newspapers in the coal bin in the cellar. But at length he mustered +his strength and rose, rather giddily, to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Well, this is the limit of tough luck," he complained. "If I don't get +out of here before to-morrow, when that steamer sails, the code will +have gone for good. If only I'd cut away sooner. Confound that Italian. +He spoiled it all with his stupidity."</p> + +<p>Besides being pitch dark, the place was full of cobwebs. To add to +Jack's discomfort, a spider occasionally dropped on him. Suddenly +overhead sounded footsteps and voices.</p> + +<p>"Somebody lives up there," he thought. "If I could only attract their +attention."</p> + +<p>He shouted but nobody answered, although he tried it at intervals for +some hours. At last he gave up and sat down on the pile of straw to +think. He was very thirsty and his mouth and eyes were full of coal dust +and dirt. The roof of the cellar was so low, too, that in moving about +he bumped his head-against the beams.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he remembered that he had some matches. To strike a light was +the work of a moment. Then he located the door. But all his efforts +failed to make it budge. He struck another light and this time he made a +discovery.</p> + +<p>"Gee whiz, that looks like a trap-door just above me," he decided.</p> + +<p>He raised his hands and the cut-out square in the flooring came up with +ease. Jack scrambled up into a kitchen. In one corner was a ladder, no +doubt used when the occupants wished to enter the cellar. Through one of +the windows daylight was streaming, the gray light of early dawn.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! I've been down there all night," ejaculated the boy.</p> + +<p>He was considering his next step when a large woman, with stout red +arms, came into the kitchen. Her husband had to be at work early and she +was about to prepare his breakfast. She had a florid, disagreeable face.</p> + +<p>"What are you after doing here?" she demanded, picking up a heavy +rolling pin.</p> + +<p>"I'm trying to get out of this house. Will you show me the way?"</p> + +<p>"Indade and I will not. I'll hand yez over ter the perlice." She raised +her voice.</p> + +<p>"Pat! Pat! come here at onct."</p> + +<p>"Phwat's the mather?" came from another room.</p> + +<p>"Thare's a thafe forninst the kitchen. Get ther perlice. I'll hold +him—he's only a gossoon."</p> + +<p>"Are you crazy?" demanded Jack. "I was locked in that cellar by some +rascals and got out through your trap-door."</p> + +<p>"Tell that to the marines," sneered the woman, as she made a grab for +him.</p> + +<p>Jack wrenched himself away and dodged a blow from the rolling-pin. The +window was open and it was a short drop to the yard. He darted for the +window and made the jump.</p> + +<p>"Pat! Pat!" yelled the woman.</p> + +<p>Jack leaped over a fence at the back of the yard and found himself in an +alley. He ran for his life. Behind him came cries of pursuit but they +soon died away. He ran for several blocks, however, and then came to a +standstill.</p> + +<p>"I guess Ned and Billy went home," he mused. "I'd better hunt up Ned. If +his father is a Senator he may be able to use some influence to catch +these rascals before they get away for good. I wonder what time that +ship sails? By the way, I don't know her name."</p> + +<p>At the hotel, to which he went first, he slipped up to his room without +attracting much attention and washed off the dirt of the cellar. Then he +inquired for Billy and learned that Raynor had telephoned the night +before that he was going to stop at Senator Rivers' house and for Jack +to come straight over there, if he came in. Jack procured a copy of a +commercial newspaper which he knew listed sailings of ships from all +important ports. He turned to the Baltimore section. Half way down the +column he found this entry:</p> + +<p>"Italian-American Line. S.S. <i>Southern Star</i>,—Balto., for Naples, +Italy. Sails—A.M. (hour indefinite). Mixed cargo. Ten passengers."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! That's the ship, all right," thought Jack, "there's a chance +yet that we can stop them."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2> + +<h3>THE WIRELESS MAKES GOOD.</h3> + + +<p>He lost no time in hastening to Senator Rivers' house. Just as he turned +into the gate Billy and Ned emerged. They had spent a sleepless night +and were on their way to Police Headquarters to report Jack's absence. +As they saw their missing comrade, they set up a glad shout.</p> + +<p>"Gracious, where have you been?" demanded Billy.</p> + +<p>"We were on our way to the police about you," put in Ned.</p> + +<p>"Do you know anything about the Judsons and Jarrow?" asked Jack eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, they came out of the house some time after you went in. We +chased them but they jumped into a high-powered car and escaped."</p> + +<p>"I know; they've gone to Baltimore."</p> + +<p>"How in the world do you know that?" asked Billy wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you it all in a few minutes. Ned, is your father up yet?"</p> + +<p>"Gracious, no. But if it's important I can tell him to hurry up."</p> + +<p>"I wish you would; there's a chance that we can get back the naval code +if you do."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell him that, and he'll be dressed and down in record time," +cried Ned, running off.</p> + +<p>Jack waited to tell his adventures till they were all at breakfast. Then +Billy and Ned had to tell their stories.</p> + +<p>"Well, you boys certainly have your share of adventures," remarked the +Senator, "but the most important thing now is to secure the apprehension +of those rascals without delay. We had better call up the steamship +company at Baltimore and find out if anyone called Jenkins or Thompson, +I think those are the aliases they gave at the tenement house, are among +the passengers."</p> + +<p>This was done at once, but to the intense chagrin of all concerned, the +telephone company had seized that early hour of the day to repair some +wires which had been knocked down in a thunderstorm near Baltimore the +night before. It was impossible to communicate with that city till some +hours later.</p> + +<p>"We might telegraph," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll call a messenger at once. But I doubt even then that we'll be +in time," said the Senator.</p> + +<p>The telegram was sent, but before a reply came they were able to use the +telephone.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, is this the Italian-American steamship Company?—all right—are +three passengers, two men and a boy, booked on the <i>Southern Star</i> as +Jenkins and Thompson,—they are,—good, this is Senator Rivers talking, +from Washington,—those men are criminals,—they have robbed the +government of valuable documents—summon the police and have them +arrested and held—I'll take full responsibility—WHAT!—The <i>Southern +Star</i> sailed two hours ago!"</p> + +<p>The senator dropped the receiver from his hand in his disappointment.</p> + +<p>"Too late! The code is lost to the United States for good, and those +rascals have escaped!"</p> + +<p>But Jack suddenly sprang forward. His cheeks were aflame with +excitement.</p> + +<p>"Senator," he cried. "There is still a chance."</p> + +<p>"I fail to see it," said Mr. Rivers.</p> + +<p>"Get the line on the wire again, sir, and find out if the <i>Southern +Star</i> has a wireless."</p> + +<p>"But what—Jove, boy! I see your plan now."</p> + +<p>Eagerly the Senator snatched up the receiver again. Before long +connection was again established.</p> + +<p>"The <i>Southern Star</i> has a wireless," he exclaimed. "Her call is S. X. +A., and now for your plan, my boy."</p> + +<p>"Show me to your wireless room, will you, Ned?" said Jack, subduing the +excitement in his voice with a struggle.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jack, I see what you're going to do now," cried Ned. "Come on. We +don't want to lose a minute."</p> + +<p>The boys dashed up the stairs three at a time. The Senator followed at a +more discreet pace. They entered the wireless room with a bang and a +shout.</p> + +<p>Jack fairly flung himself at the key and began pounding out the +<i>Southern Star's</i> call. In reality it was only ten minutes, but to those +in that room it seemed hours before he got a reply. When he did, he +summoned the captain through the operator.</p> + +<p>"Have I got authority to use your name, Senator?" asked the boy while he +waited for the announcement that the captain was in the wireless room.</p> + +<p>"You have authority to use the name of the most powerful institution in +the world, my boy, the United States Government," said the Senator +solemnly. Then, as if he had suddenly thought of something, he hurriedly +left the room. Downstairs he once more applied himself to the telephone, +but this time he talked to the Secretary of the Navy.</p> + +<p>Fifteen minutes after Jack had spoken to the Captain of the <i>Southern +Star</i> that craft was anchored in the Chesapeake River waiting the +arrival of a gunboat hastily detailed by government wireless to proceed +at once up that river and take three prisoners off the <i>Southern Star</i>. +This latter order was the result of Senator Rivers' call to the Navy +Department.</p> + +<p>Jack's happy task was then to break the good news to Captain Simms, +which he lost no time in doing, and the captain's deep gratitude, which +was none the less because he expressed it in few words, may be imagined.</p> + +<p>"I declare," he said, "you boys have been my good angels all through. +You have helped me as if your own interests had been at stake. I don't +know how to thank you."</p> + +<p>The code was yielded up by Judson without a struggle, which procured him +some leniency later on. But both he and Jarrow met with heavy punishment +for their misdeeds. Donald was allowed to go free on account of his +youth and the government's disability to prove that he had actually +anything to do with the theft of the code. After the news of his arrest +spread, the long threatened disaster to Judson's company happened and it +went into bankruptcy. Donald, the pampered and selfish, had to go to +work for a living. The boys heard that he had gone west. They were +destined to meet him again, however, as they were Thurman.</p> + +<p>One of Jack's proudest possessions is a framed letter from the Secretary +of the Navy thanking him for his great aid and that of his friends in +the matter of the Navy Code, but he values the friendship of Captain +Simms as highly. Not long after the successful tests of the detector, +there was a joyous gathering on board the old <i>Venus</i>, to which queer +home Uncle Toby had returned. All our friends were there and Jack was +able to announce a joyous surprise. He had been able to secure, through +Captain Simms' influence, the command of a fine new sailing ship for +Captain Dennis. She was a full-rigged bark, plying between New York and +Mediterranean ports.</p> + +<p>Tears stood in the veteran captain's eyes, as he thanked Jack, and Helen +cried openly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jack, I—I'd like to hug you!" she exclaimed, whereupon everybody +laughed, and the emotional strain was over.</p> + +<p>After a while, Captain Dennis began to tell of some of his adventures. +Not only had he gone through many experiences on the sea, but also on +land, and especially during the great Civil War.</p> + +<p>"One time," said Captain Dennis, "while on a foraging expedition, our +men were surprised, and before I knew what had happened I was a +prisoner. I was taken to an old building and put in the upper story of +it.</p> + +<p>"Of course, I wanted to escape. So, after a while, I began to try my +luck with the rope tied around my wrists. To my joy I found that I could +move them. Half an hour later my wrists were free.</p> + +<p>"I peered out of the window. It was a very dark night, and the guard set +around the building was close and vigilant. I felt that my chances to +escape were very small.</p> + +<p>"Still, I determined to try. After listening many hours, I thought I +learned the exact position of the sentries. The spaces between them were +very short, but it would be quite possible, I thought, to pass by them +noiselessly and without being perceived. I may as well state that the +watch would have been even more strict had not the Confederates regarded +the struggle as virtually at an end, and were, therefore, less careful +as to their prisoners than they would otherwise have been.</p> + +<p>"I prepared for escape by tearing up the sheet on the bed, and knotting +the strips into a rope. I opened the window, threw out this rope, and +slipped down to the ground. So far I was safe.</p> + +<p>"It was dark and foggy, and very difficult to see two feet in advance. I +soon found that my observations as to the places of the sentries had +been useless. Still, in the darkness and thickness of the night, I +thought that the chance of detection was small.</p> + +<p>"Creeping quietly and noiselessly along, I could hear the constant +challenges of the sentries around me. These, excited by the unusual +darkness of the night, were unusually vigilant.</p> + +<p>"I approached until I was within a few yards of the line, and the voices +of the men as they challenged enabled me to ascertain exactly the +position of the sentries on the right and left of me. Passing between +these, I could see neither, although they were but a few paces on either +hand. Suddenly I fell into a stream running across my path.</p> + +<p>"Of course, in the darkness I had not observed it. At the sound of my +falling there was an instant challenge. Then a shot was fired!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! How thrilling!" exclaimed Helen.</p> + +<p>Jack and Ned laughed.</p> + +<p>"Well," resumed Captain Dennis, "I struggled across the stream, and +clambered out on the opposite side. As I did so, a number of muskets +were fired in my direction by soldiers who had rushed up to the point of +alarm. I felt a sharp, twitching pain in my shoulder, and I knew that I +had been hit. But fortunately the other shots fired whizzed harmlessly +by. At top speed I ran forward.</p> + +<p>"I was safe from pursuit, for in the darkness it would have been +absolutely impossible to follow me. So, in a few moments, I ceased +running. What was the use of taking chances? All was quiet behind me, +but I could no longer tell in what direction I was advancing.</p> + +<p>"So long as I heard the shouts of the sentries, though the sounds seemed +far off, I continued my way; and then, all guidance being lost, I lay +down under a hedge and waited for morning."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!" Helen cried sympathetically, "did you have to sleep in that +cold, moist night?"</p> + +<p>"Quite so," replied Captain Dennis, smiling good-humoredly; "and in the +morning it was still foggy. After wandering aimlessly about for some +time I at last succeeded in striking a road. I decided to take a +westerly course.</p> + +<p>"My shoulder was stiff and somewhat swollen. But the bullet had passed +through its fleshy part, missing the bone; and although it cost much +pain I was able, by wrapping my arm tightly to my body, to proceed. More +than once I had to withdraw from the road into the fields or bushes when +I heard a straggling number of Confederates coming along.</p> + +<p>"I came upon a house, and although I was hungry and tired, I was +cautious. Instead of going to the door I made for the window. But I had +my trouble for nothing. I looked in and saw a number of Confederate +soldiers there, and knew that there was no safety for me. To add to my +dismay, one of the soldiers happened to cast his eyes up as I glanced in +the room and he at once gave a shout of warning.</p> + +<p>"Instantly the others sprang to their feet and started out to pursue me. +I fled down the road. A few shots were fired, but fortunately I was not +hit again.</p> + +<p>"At last I came to a small village. I wondered why I had not reached my +camp. But you must remember that I was attached to a small number of men +only, and that we always were many miles ahead or in the rear of the +army, as occasion called for.</p> + +<p>"The village was deserted, for it was late at night again. I made myself +comfortable in a sort of stable warehouse, climbing over a number of +bales of cotton, and laid myself down next to the wall, secure from +casual observation.</p> + +<p>"When I awoke the next morning, I nearly uttered a cry of pain a sudden +movement had given to my arm. I, however, suppressed it, and it was well +that I did so, for I suddenly heard voices right near me. Darkies were +moving bales of cotton but, being well back, I had little fear of being +discovered.</p> + +<p>"The hours passed wearily. I was parched and feverish from pain of my +wound. Yet I was afraid to move. So I sometimes dozed off into snatches +of fitful sleep. Perhaps I moaned, or I was accidentally discovered. At +all events, when I awoke a mammy was bending over me, her voice fully of +pity. And—well, to make a long story short, I had blundered again, for +the village was being occupied by the Federals, and the cotton the +darkies had been taking away was going North. There is no need to add +that I was well fed and well taken care of."</p> + +<p>Captain Dennis paused, and thoughtfully smoked his pipe. His little +audience sat very quietly, their eager faces and shining eyes plainly +showing their rapt interest in the modestly told story.</p> + +<p>"Well, well," said Captain Dennis, at last breaking the silence, "some +day you, Jack and you Ned will be able to tell very many far more +thrilling stories."</p> + +<p>"Yes" replied Jack, "but none of them will be about so great a cause."</p> + +<p>"You are right, Jack," Captain Dennis said fervently; "it was a good +cause. But come, you are tired, so let us say 'good night,' my friends."</p> + +<p>A half hour later Jack and Ned were fast asleep, dreaming of those +stirring times when the immortal Abraham Lincoln was President of this +glorious nation.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The next week the <i>Columbia</i> sailed again. As she passed out of New York +harbor, and past Sandy Hook, the passengers crowded to the rail to look +at a beautiful sea picture.</p> + +<p>The sun was setting, and the radiance turned to gold the white sails of +a beautiful bark outward bound. As she heeled over on the starboard +tack, it was evident that she would pass close to the steamer. From the +wireless room Jack Ready and Billy Raynor watched the pretty sight with +more interest, perhaps—certainly it was so in Jack's case—than anyone +else on board.</p> + +<p>"It's the <i>Silver Star</i>, Jack, Captain Dennis's ship," said Billy.</p> + +<p>Jack nodded.</p> + +<p>"I know it," he answered. "She sailed this morning. I've been on the +lookout for her all the way down the bay."</p> + +<p>There was silence between the two chums. The <i>Silver Star</i>, gliding +swiftly through the water, came steadily on. As the steamer passed her, +she was quite close, looking like a beautiful toy from the towering +decks of the <i>Columbia</i>.</p> + +<p>"Look!" exclaimed Billy, half in a whisper, as her ensign fluttered down +in salute and then climbed upward to the peak again. A booming roar from +the <i>Columbia's</i> siren acknowledged the compliment.</p> + +<p>But Jack had no eyes for this. His gaze was fixed on the stern deck of +the <i>Silver Star</i>, where, by her steering-wheel, gripped by two stalwart +seamen, stood an upright old man, with glasses bent on the <i>Columbia</i>. A +graceful girl was at his side. Jack saw her wave, and was waving +frantically back, when there came an insistent summons from the wireless +room.</p> + +<p>When he came out on deck again twilight had fallen, but far back on the +horizon was a tiny blur—the <i>Silver Star</i>. As Jack gazed back at her, +she vanished below the horizon as suddenly as an extinguished spark in a +piece of tinder.</p> + +<p>"Good-night," breathed Jack, and he stood for a long time motionless, +leaning on the rail.</p> + +<p>And here, for the time being, we, too, will say good-by to our young +friends, to meet them all again in the next volume devoted to their +doings, which will be called "The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific."</p> + + +<h4>THE END.</h4> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The after part of the ill-fated tank steamer <i>Oregon</i>, sunk +100 miles off Sandy Hook, in 1913, when, during a severe storm, she +broke in two, floated with the survivors in exactly the manner described +in the <i>Oriana's</i> case.—Author's Note.</p></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HURST_COMPANYS_BOOKS_FOR_YOUNG_PEOPLE" id="HURST_COMPANYS_BOOKS_FOR_YOUNG_PEOPLE"></a>HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</h2> + + +<h3>KINDERGARTEN LIMERICKS</h3> + +<h3>By FLORENCE E. SCOTT</h3> + +<h4><i>Pictures by Arthur O. Scott with a Foreword by Lucy Wheelock</i></h4> + +<h4><i>A Volume of Cheerfulness in Rhyme and Picture</i></h4> + +<p>The book contains a rhyme for every letter of the alphabet, each +illustrated by a full page picture in colors. The verses appeal to the +child's sense of humor without being foolish or sensational, and will be +welcomed by kindergartners for teaching rhythm in a most entertaining +manner.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES</h3> + +<h3>By MATTHEW M. COLTON</h3> + + +<h4><i>Frank Armstrong's Vacation</i></h4> + +<p>How Frank's summer experiences with his boy friends make him into a +sturdy young athlete through swimming, boating and baseball contests, +and a tramp through the Everglades, is the subject of this splendid +story.</p> + +<h4><i>Frank Armstrong at Queens</i></h4> + +<p>We find among the jolly boys at Queen's School, Frank, the +student-athlete, Jimmy, the baseball enthusiast, and Lewis, the +unconsciously-funny youth who furnishes comedy for every page that bears +his name. Fall and winter sports between intensely rival school teams +are expertly described.</p> + +<h4><i>Frank Armstrong's Second Term</i></h4> + +<p>The gymnasium, the track and the field make the background for the +stirring events of this volume, in which David, Jimmy, Lewis, the "Wee +One" and the "Codfish" figure, while Frank "saves the day."</p> + +<h4><i>Frank Armstrong, Drop Kicker</i></h4> + +<p>With the same persistent determination that won him success in swimming, +running and baseball playing, Frank Armstrong acquired the art of +"drop-kicking," and the Queen's football team profits thereby.</p> + +<h4><i>Frank Armstrong, Captain of the Nine</i></h4> + +<p>Exciting contests, unexpected emergencies, interesting incidents by land +and water make this story of Frank Armstrong a strong tale of +school-life, athletic success, and loyal friendships.</p> + +<h4><i>Frank Armstrong at College</i></h4> + +<p>With the development of this series, the boy characters have developed +until in this, the best story of all, they appear as typical college +students, giving to each page the life and vigor of the true college +spirit.</p> + +<h4>Six of the best books of College Life Stories published. They accurately +describe athletics from start to finish.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>OAKDALE ACADEMY SERIES</h3> + +<h4>Stories of Modern School Sports</h4> + +<h3>By MORGAN SCOTT.</h3> + + +<h4>BEN STONE AT OAKDALE.</h4> + +<p>Under peculiarly trying circumstances Ben Stone wins his way at Oakdale +Academy, and at the same time enlists our sympathy, interest and +respect. Through the enmity of Bern Hayden, the loyalty of Roger Eliot +and the clever work of the "Sleuth," Ben is falsely accused, championed +and vindicated.</p> + +<h4>BOYS OF OAKDALE ACADEMY.</h4> + +<p>"One thing I will claim, and that is that all Grants fight open and +square and there never was a sneak among them." It was Rodney Grant, of +Texas, who made the claim to his friend, Ben Stone, and this story +shows how he proved the truth of this statement in the face of apparent +evidence to the contrary.</p> + +<h4>RIVAL PITCHERS OF OAKDALE.</h4> + +<p>Baseball is the main theme of this interesting narrative, and that means +not only clear and clever descriptions of thrilling games, but an +intimate acquaintance with the members of the teams who played them. The +Oakdale Boys were ambitious and loyal, and some were even disgruntled +and jealous, but earnest, persistent work won out.</p> + +<h4>OAKDALE BOYS IN CAMP.</h4> + +<p>The typical vacation is the one that means much freedom, little +restriction, and immediate contact with "all outdoors." These conditions +prevailed in the summer camp of the Oakdale Boys and made it a scene of +lively interest.</p> + +<h4>THE GREAT OAKDALE MYSTERY.</h4> + +<p>The "Sleuth" scents a mystery! He "follows his nose." The plot thickens! +He makes deductions. There are surprises for the reader—and for the +"Sleuth," as well.</p> + +<h4>NEW BOYS AT OAKDALE.</h4> + +<p>A new element creeps into Oakdale with another year's registration of +students. The old and the new standards of conduct in and out of school +meet, battle, and cause sweeping changes in the lives of several of the +boys.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>Log Cabin to White House Series</h4> + +<h3>LIVES OF CELEBRATED AMERICANS</h3> + + +<h4>FROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD</h4> + +<h4>(The Life of Benjamin Franklin). By <i>Wm. M. Thayer</i>.</h4> + +<p>Benjamin Franklin was known in the scientific world for his inventions +and discoveries, in the diplomatic world because of his statemanship, +and everywhere, because of his sound judgment, plain speaking, and +consistent living.</p> + +<h4>FROM FARM HOUSE TO WHITE HOUSE</h4> + +<h4>(The Life of George Washington). By <i>Wm. M. Thayer</i>.</h4> + +<p>The story of the hatchet and other familiar incidents of the boyhood and +young manhood of Washington are included in this book, as well as many +less well-known accounts of his experiences as surveyor, soldier, +emissary, leader, and first president of the United States.</p> + +<h4>FROM LOG CABIN TO WHITE HOUSE</h4> + +<h4>(The Life of James A. Garfield). By <i>Wm. M. Thayer</i>.</h4> + +<p>It was a long step from pioneer home in Ohio where James A. Garfield was +born, to the White House in Washington, and that it was an interesting +life-journey one cannot doubt who reads Mr. Thayer's account of it.</p> + + +<h4>FROM PIONEER HOME TO WHITE HOUSE</h4> + +<h4>(The Life of Abraham Lincoln). By <i>Wm. M. Thayer</i>.</h4> + +<p>No President was ever dearer to the hearts of his people than was +homely, humorous "Honest Abe."</p> + +<p>To read of his mother, his early home, his efforts for an education, and +his rise to prominence is to understand better his rare nature and +practical wisdom.</p> + + +<h4>FROM RANCH TO WHITE HOUSE</h4> + +<h4>(The Life of Theodore Roosevelt). By <i>Edward S. Ellis. A. M.</i></h4> + +<p>Every boy and girl is more or less familiar with the experiences of Mr. +Roosevelt as Colonel and President, but few of them know him as the boy +and man of family and school circles and private citzenship.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ellis describes Theodore Roosevelt as a writer, a hunter, a fighter +of "graft" at home and of Spaniards in Cuba, and a just and vigorous +defender of right.</p> + + +<h4>FROM TANNERY TO WHITE HOUSE</h4> + +<h4>(The Life of Ulysses S. Grant). By <i>Wm. M. Thayer</i>.</h4> + +<p>Perhaps General Grant is best known to boys and girls as the hero of the +famous declaration: "I will fight it out on this line if it takes all +summer."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>REX KINGDON SERIES</h3> + +<h3>By GORDON BRADDOCK</h3> + + +<h4><i>Rex Kingdon of Ridgewood High</i></h4> + +<p>A new boy moves into town. Who is he? What can he do? Will he make one +of the school teams? Is his friendship worth having? These are the +queries of the Ridgewood High Students. The story is the answer.</p> + + +<h4><i>Rex Kingdon in the North Woods</i></h4> + +<p>Rex and some of his Ridgewood friends establish a camp fire in the North +Woods, and there mystery, jealousy, and rivalry enter to menace their +safety, fire their interest and finally cement their friendship.</p> + + +<h4><i>Rex Kingdon at Walcott Hall</i></h4> + +<p>Lively boarding school experiences make this the "best yet" of the Rex +Kingdon series.</p> + +<h4><i>Rex Kingdon Behind the Bat</i></h4> + +<p>The title tells you what this story is; it is a rattling good story +about baseball. Boys will like it.</p> + +<h4>Gordon Braddock knows what Boys want and how to write it. These stories +make the best reading you can procure.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>NEW BOOKS ON THE WAR</h4> + +<h3>GREAT WAR SERIES</h3> + +<h3>By MAJOR SHERMAN CROCKETT</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Two American Boys with the Allied Armies</i><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Two American Boys in the French War Trenches</i><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Two American Boys with the Dardanelles Battle Fleet</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The disastrous battle raging In Europe between Germany and Austria on +one side and the Allied countries on the other, has created demand for +literature on the subject. The American public to a large extent is +ignorant of the exact locations of the fighting zones with its small +towns and villages. Major Crockett, who is familiar with the present +battle-fields, has undertaken to place before the American boy an +interesting Series of War stories.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>BOY SCOUT SERIES</h3> + +<h4><i>ENDORSED BY BOY SCOUT ORGANIZATIONS</i></h4> + +<h3>By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON</h3> + +<h4>BOY SCOUTS OF THE EAGLE PATROL</h4> + +<p>In this story, self-reliance and self-defense through organized +athletics are emphasized.</p> + +<h4>BOY SCOUTS ON THE RANGE</h4> + +<p>Cow-punchers, Indians, the Arizona desert and the Harkness ranch figure +in this tale of the Boy Scouts.</p> + +<h4>BOY SCOUTS AND THE ARMY AIRSHIP</h4> + +<p>The cleverness of one of the Scouts as an amateur inventor and the +intrigues of his enemies to secure his inventions make a subject of +breathless interest.</p> + +<h4>BOY SCOUTS' MOUNTAIN CAMP</h4> + +<p>Just so often as the reader draws a relieved breath at the escape of the +Scouts from imminent danger, he loses it again in the instinctive +impression, which he shares with the boys, of impending peril.</p> + +<h4>BOY SCOUTS FOR UNCLE SAM</h4> + +<p>Patriotism is a vital principle in every Boy Scout organization, but few +there are who have such an opportunity for its practical expression as +comes to the members of the Eagle Patrol.</p> + +<h4>BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA CANAL</h4> + +<p>Most timely is this authentic story of the "great ditch." It is +illustrated by photographs of the Canal in process of Building.</p> + +<h4>BOY SCOUTS UNDER FIRE IN MEXICO</h4> + +<p>Another tale appropriate to the unsettled conditions of the present is +this account of recent conflict.</p> + +<h4>BOY SCOUTS ON BELGIAN BATTLEFIELDS</h4> + +<p>Wonderfully interesting is the story of Belgium as it figures in this +tale of the Great War.</p> + +<h4>BOY SCOUTS WITH THE ALLIES IN FRANCE</h4> + +<p>On the firing line—or very near—we find the Scouts in France.</p> + +<h4>BOY SCOUTS at THE PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION</h4> + +<p>If you couldn't attend the Exposition yourself, you can go even now in +imagination with the Boy Scouts.</p> + +<h4>BOY SCOUTS UNDER SEALED ORDERS</h4> + +<p>Here the Boy Scouts have a secret mission to perform for the Government. +What is the nature of it? Keen boys will find that out by reading the +book. It's a dandy story.</p> + +<h4>BOY SCOUTS' CAMPAIGN FOR PREPAREDNESS</h4> + +<p>Just as the Scouts' motto is "Be Prepared," just for these reasons that +they prepare for the country's defense. What they do and how they do it +makes a volume well worth reading.</p> + +<h4>You do not have to be a Boy Scout to enjoy these fascinating and +well-written stories. Any boy has the chance. Next to the Manual itself, +the books give an accurate description of Boy Scout activities, for they +are educational and instructive.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>MOTOR CYCLE SERIES</h3> + +<h3>By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON</h3> + + +<h4><i>The Motor Cycle Chums Around the World</i></h4> + +<p>Could Jules Verne have dreamed of encircling the globe with a motor +cycle for emergencies, he would have deemed it an achievement greater +than any he describes in his account of the amusing travels of Philias +Fogg. This, however, is the purpose successfully carried out by the +Motor Cycle Chums, and the tale of their mishaps, hindrances and delays +is one of intense interest, secret amusement, and incidental information +to the reader.</p> + +<h4><i>The Motor Cycle Chums of the Northwest Patrol</i></h4> + +<p>The great Northwest is a section of vast possibilities and in it the +Motor Cycle Chums meet adventures even more unusual and exciting than +many of their experiences on their tour around the world. There is not a +dull page in this lively narrative of clever boys and their attendant, +"Chinee."</p> + +<h4><i>The Motor Cycle Chums in the Gold Fields</i></h4> + +<p>How the Motor Cycle Chums were caught by the lure of the gold and into +what difficulties and novel experiences they were led, makes a tale of +thrilling interest.</p> + +<h4><i>The Motor Cycle Chums' Whirlwind Tour</i></h4> + +<p>To right a wrong is the mission that leads the Riding Rovers over the +border into Mexico and gives the impulse to this story of amusing +adventures and exciting episodes.</p> + +<h4><i>The Motor Cycle Chums South of the Equator</i></h4> + +<p>New customs, strange peoples and unfamiliar surroundings add fresh zest +to the interest of the Motor Cycle Chums in travel, and the tour +described in this volume is full of the tropical atmosphere.</p> + +<h4><i>The Motor Cycle Chums through Historic America</i></h4> + +<p>The Motor Cycle Chums explore the paths where American history was made, +where interest centers to-day as never before.</p> + +<h4>You do not need to own either a motor-cycle or a bicycle to enjoy the +thrilling experiences through which the Motor Cycle Chums pass on their +way to seek adventure and excitement. Brimful of clever episodes.</h4> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ocean Wireless Boys And The +Naval Code, by John Henry Goldfrap, AKA Captain Wilbur Lawton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS *** + +***** This file should be named 26778-h.htm or 26778-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/7/7/26778/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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