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diff --git a/41265-0.txt b/41265-0.txt index 0ac93cb..810d555 100644 --- a/41265-0.txt +++ b/41265-0.txt @@ -1,35 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner, by -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 Lost Liner - -Author: Wilbur Lawton - -Illustrator: Charles Wrenn - -Release Date: November 2, 2012 [EBook #41265] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND LOST LINER *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41265 *** [Illustration: There was a sudden blinding flash from the instruments and a blaze of blue, hissing fire filled the room.] @@ -6489,359 +6458,4 @@ HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner, by Wilbur Lawton -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND LOST LINER *** - -***** This file should be named 41265-0.txt or 41265-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/2/6/41265/ - -Produced by Roger Frank 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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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 Lost Liner - -Author: Wilbur Lawton - -Illustrator: Charles Wrenn - -Release Date: November 2, 2012 [EBook #41265] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND LOST LINER *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - -[Illustration: There was a sudden blinding flash from the instruments -and a blaze of blue, hissing fire filled the room.] - - - - -THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND THE LOST LINER - -BY - -CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON - -AUTHOR OF "THE BOY AVIATORS' SERIES," "THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS' SERIES," -"THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC," ETC. - -WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHARLES L. WRENN - -NEW YORK - -HURST & COMPANY - -PUBLISHERS - - - - -Copyright, 1914 - -BY HURST & COMPANY - - - - -CONTENTS - - CHAPTER I--AT SEA ONCE MORE - CHAPTER II--WIRELESS CONVERSATIONS - CHAPTER III--A STRANGE REQUEST - CHAPTER IV--A PECULIAR COINCIDENCE - CHAPTER V--THE INTERRUPTED MESSAGE - CHAPTER VI--A DARING FEAT - CHAPTER VII--QUARTERMASTER SCHULTZ VOLUNTEERS - CHAPTER VIII--SAFE ONCE MORE - CHAPTER IX--THE MIDNIGHT INTRUDER - CHAPTER X--A MESSAGE IN SECRET CODE - CHAPTER XI--WHAT SAM HEARD - CHAPTER XII--A SUDDEN ALARM - CHAPTER XIII--A DOSE OF SLEEPING POWDER - CHAPTER XIV--THE WINKING EYE - CHAPTER XV--SECRET SIGNALS AT DAWN - CHAPTER XVI--S. O. S. - CHAPTER XVII--A DERELICT OF THE SKIES - CHAPTER XVIII--A LEAP FOR A LIFE - CHAPTER XIX--A CALL IN THE NIGHT - CHAPTER XX--TO THE RESCUE - CHAPTER XXI--A TALE OF THE SEA - CHAPTER XXII--A DECOY MESSAGE - CHAPTER XXIII--FALSE FRIENDSHIP - CHAPTER XXIV--KIDNAPPED - CHAPTER XXV--SAM, A TRUE FRIEND - CHAPTER XXVI--A WICKED PLAN - CHAPTER XXVII--IN THE LION'S MOUTH - CHAPTER XXVIII--A CLIMB FOR LIFE - CHAPTER XXIX--FREEDOM ONCE MORE - CHAPTER XXX--IN SEARCH FOR A CLEW - CHAPTER XXXI--LOOK FOR A WHITE HORSE - CHAPTER XXXII--A BOLD ROBBERY - CHAPTER XXXIII--JARROLD AGAIN - CHAPTER XXXIV--BAD NEWS FOR THE COLONEL - CHAPTER XXXV--JARROLD GETS FRANTIC - CHAPTER XXXVI--ADRIFT - CHAPTER XXXVII--THE IRONY OF FATE - CHAPTER XXXVIII--A BOLT FROM THE BLUE - CHAPTER XXXIX--JACK'S RADIO - CHAPTER XL--THE ANSWER TO THE WIRELESS CALL - - - - -CHAPTER I - -AT SEA ONCE MORE - - -The West Indian liner, _Tropic Queen_, one of the great vessels owned by -the big shipping combine at whose head was Jacob Jukes, the New York -millionaire, was plunging southward through a rolling green sea about -two hundred miles to the east of Hatteras. It was evening and the bugle -had just sounded for dinner. - -The decks were, therefore, deserted; the long rows of lounging chairs -were vacant, while the passengers, many of them tourists on pleasure -bent, were below in the dining saloon appeasing the keen appetites -engendered by the brisk wind that was blowing off shore. - -In a small steel structure perched high on the boat deck, between the -two funnels of the _Tropic Queen_, sat a bright-faced lad reading -intently a text-book on Wireless Telegraphy. Although not much more than -a schoolboy, he was assistant wireless man of the _Queen_. His name was -Sam Smalley, and he had obtained his position on the ship--the crack -vessel of the West Indies and Panama line--through his chum, Jack Ready, -head operator of the craft. - -To readers of the first volume of this series, "The Ocean Wireless Boys -on the Atlantic," Jack Ready needs no introduction. - -Here he comes into the wireless room where his assistant sits reading in -front of the gleaming instruments and great coherers. Jack has been off -watch, lying down and taking a nap in the small sleeping cabin that, -equipped with two berths, opens off the wireless room proper, thus -dividing the steel structure into two parts. - -"Hello, chief," said Sam Smalley, with a laugh, as Jack appeared; "glad -you're going to give me a chance to get to dinner at last. I'm so hungry -I could eat a coherer." - -"Skip along then," grinned Jack; "but it's nothing unusual for you to be -hungry. I'll hold down the job till you get through, but leave something -for me." - -"I'll try to," chuckled Sam, as he hurried down the steep flight of -steps leading from the wireless station up on the boat deck to the main -saloon. - -"Well, this is certainly a different berth from the one I had on the old -_Ajax_," mused Jack, as he looked about him at the well-equipped -wireless room; "still, somehow, I like to look back at those days. But -yet this is a long step ahead for me. Chief wireless operator of the -_Tropic Queen_! Lucky for me that the uncle of the fellow who held down -the job before me left him all that money. Otherwise I might have been -booked for another cruise on the _Ajax_, although Mr. Jukes promised to -give me as rapid promotion as he could." - -Readers of the first volume, dealing with Jack Ready and his friends, -will recall how he lived in a queer, floating home with his uncle, Cap'n -Toby. They will also recollect that Jack, who had studied wireless day -and night, was coming home late one afternoon, despondent from a -fruitless hunt for a job, when he was enabled to save the little -daughter of Mr. Jukes from drowning. The millionaire's gratitude was -deep, and Jack could have had anything he wanted from him. - -All he asked, though, was a chance to demonstrate his ability as a -wireless man on the _Ajax_, a big oil tanker which had just been -equipped with such an outfit. He got the job, and then followed many -stirring adventures. He took part in a great rescue at sea, and was able -to frustrate the schemes of some tobacco smugglers who formed part of -the crew of the "tanker." This task, however, exposed him to grave -danger and almost resulted in his death. - -At sea once more, after the smugglers had been apprehended and locked -up, Jack's keen wireless sense enabled him to solve a problem in -surgery. The _Ajax_ carried no doctor, and when one of the men in the -fireroom was injured, and it appeared that a limb would have to be -amputated, a serious question confronted the captain, who, like most of -his class, possessed a little knowledge of surgery, but not enough to -perform an operation that required so much skill. - -The injured man was a chum of Jack's, and he did not want to see him -lose a limb if it could be helped, or have his life imperiled by -unskillful methods. Yet what was he to do? Finally an idea struck him. -He knew that the big passenger liners all carried doctors. He raised one -by means of the wireless and explained the case. The injured man was -carried into the wireless cabin and laid close to the table. Then, while -the liner's doctor flung instructions through space, Jack translated -them to the captain. The result was that the man was soon out of danger, -but Jack kept in touch with doctors of other liners till everything was -all right beyond the shadow of a doubt. - -This feat gained him no little commendation from his captain and the -owners. Next he was instrumental in saving Mr. Jukes' yacht which was on -fire at sea. In the panic Mr. Jukes' son Tom, who was the apple of the -ship-owning millionaire's eye, was lost. By means of wireless, Jack -located him and reunited father and son. - -His promotion was the result, when the regular operator of the _Tropic -Queen_ went west to receive a big legacy left him. As the services of -the retiring operator's assistant had been unsatisfactory, Jack was -asked to find a successor to him. He selected an old school chum, Sam -Smalley, who had owned and operated a small station in Brooklyn and was -an expert in theory and practice. The ship had now been at sea two days, -and Sam had shown that he was quite capable of the duties of his new -job. - -An old quartermaster passed the door of the wireless cabin. He poked his -head in. - -"Goot efenings, Yack," he said, with easy familiarity. "How iss der -birdt cage vurking?" - -This was Quartermaster Schultz's term for the tenuous aërials swung far -aloft to catch wide-flung, whispered space messages and relay them to -the operator's listening ears. - -"The bird cage is all right," laughed Jack. "Dandy weather, eh?" - -The old man, weather-beaten and bronzed by the storms and burning suns -of the seven seas, shook his head. - -"Idt is nice now, all righdt," he said, "but you ought to see der -glass." - -"The barometer? What is the matter with it?" - -"Py gollys, I dink der bottom drop oudt off idt. You may have vurk -aheadt of you to-night." - -"You mean that we are in for a big storm?" - -"I sure do dot same. Undt ven it comes idt be a lollerpaloozitz. Take my -vurd for dat. Hark!" - -The old quartermaster held up a finger. - -Far above him in the aërials could be heard a sound like the moaning -bass string of a violin as the wind swept among the copper wires. - -"Dot's der langwitch of Davy Chones," declared Schultz. "Idt says, 'Look -oudt. Someding didding.' I'fe heardt idt pefore, undt I know." - -The old man hurried off on his way forward, and Jack emitted a long -whistle. - -"My, won't there be a lot of seasick passengers aboard to-night! The -company will save money on breakfast to-morrow." - -Just then Sam came back from dinner and Jack was free to go below to his -meal. He was about to relinquish the instruments when there came a -sudden call. - - "To all ships within three hundred miles of Hatteras: Watch out for - storm of hurricane violence. - - "Briggs, Operator Neptune Beach U. S. Wireless Service." - - - - -CHAPTER II - -WIRELESS CONVERSATIONS - - -Sam was looking over Jack's shoulder as the young wireless chief of the -_Tropic Queen_ rapidly transcribed the message on a blank. - -"Phew! Trouble on the way, eh?" he asked. - -"Looks like it. But we need not worry, with a craft like this under our -feet." - -But Sam looked apprehensive. - -"What is the trouble? Not scared, are you?" asked Jack, who knew that, -excellent operator though he had shown himself to be, this was Sam's -first deep-sea voyage. - -"N-no. Not that," hesitated Sam, "but seasickness, you know. And I ate -an awful big dinner." - -"Well, don't bother about that now. Lots of fellows who have never been -to sea before don't get sick." - -"I hope that will be my case," Sam replied, without much assurance in -his voice. - -"Here, take this to the captain; hurry it along now," said Jack, handing -him the dispatch. "I guess he'll be interested. Wait a minute," he added -suddenly. "There's the _Tennyson_ of the Lamport & Holt line talking to -the _Dorothea_ of the United Fruit, and the battleship _Iowa_ is cutting -in. All talking weather." - -It was true. From ship to ship, borne on soundless waves, the news was -being eagerly discussed. - -"Big storm on the way," announced the _Tennyson_. - -"We should worry," came flippantly through the ether from the -_Dorothea_. - -"You little fellows better take in your sky-sails and furl your funnels; -you'll be blown about like chicken feathers in a gale of wind," came -majestically from Uncle Sam's big warship. - -Then the air was filled with a clamor for more news from the Neptune -Beach operator. - -"You fellows give me a pain," he flashed out, depressing and releasing -his key snappily. "I've sent out all I can. Don't you think I know my -job?" - -"Let us know at once when you get anything more," came commandingly from -the battleship. - -"Oh, you _Iowa_, boss of the job, aren't you?" remarked the flippant -_Dorothea_. - -"M-M-M!" (laughter) in the wireless man's code came from all the others, -Jack included. The air was vibrant with silent chuckles. - -"Say, you fellows, what is going on?" came a fresh voice. Oh, yes, every -wireless operator has a "voice." No two men in the world send alike. - -"Hello, who are you?" snapped out Neptune Beach. - -"_British King_, of the King Line, Liverpool for Philadelphia. Let us in -on this, will you? What you got?" - -"Big storm. Affect all vessels within three hundred miles of Hatteras. -This is Neptune Beach." - -"Thanks, old chap. Won't bother us, don't you know," came back from the -_British King_, whose operator was English. "Kind regards to you -fellows. Hope you don't get too jolly well bunged up if it hits you." - -"Thanks, Johnny Bull," from the _Dorothea_. "I reckon we can stand -anything your old steam tea-kettle can." - -The wireless chat ceased. Sam hastened forward to the sacred precincts -of the captain's cabin, while Jack went below to his belated dinner. As -he went he noticed that the sea was beginning to heave as the dusk -settled down, and the ship was plunging heavily. The wind, too, was -rising. The social hall was brilliantly lighted. From within came -strains of music from the ship's orchestra. Through the ports, as he -passed along to the saloon companionway, Jack could see men and women in -evening clothes, and could catch snatches of gay conversation and -laughter. - -"Humph," he thought, "if you'd just heard what I have, a whole lot of -you would be getting the doctor to fix you up seasick remedies." - -In the meantime Sam, cap in hand, presented the message to the captain. -The great man took it and read it attentively. - -"This isn't a surprise to me," said Captain McDonald, "the glass has -been falling since mid-afternoon. Stand by your instruments, lad, and -let me know everything of importance that you catch." - -"Very well, sir." Sam, who stood in great awe of the captain, touched -his cap and hastened back. He adjusted his "ear muffs," but could catch -no floating message. The air was silent. He sent a call for Neptune -Beach, but the operator there told him indignantly not to plague him -with questions. - -"I'll send out anything new when I get it," he said. "Gimme a chance to -eat. I'm no weather prophet, anyhow. I only relay reports from the -government sharps, and they're wrong half the time. Crack!" - -Sam could sense the big spark that crashed across the instruments at -Neptune Beach as the indignant and hungry operator there, harassed by -half a dozen ships for more news, smashed down his sending key. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -A STRANGE REQUEST - - -When Jack came on deck again, he thought to himself that it was entirely -likely that the warning sent through space from Neptune Beach would be -verified to the full by midnight. The merriment in the saloon appeared -to be much subdued. The crowd had thinned out perceptibly and hardly -anybody was dancing. - -The ship was rolling and plunging like a porpoise in great swells that -ran alongside like mountains of green water. Although it was dark by -this time, the gleam of the lights from the brilliantly illuminated -decks and saloon showed the white tops of the billows racing by. - -Just as Jack passed the door leading from the social hall to the deck, a -masculine figure emerged. At the same instant, with a shuddering, -sidelong motion, the _Tropic Queen_ slid down the side of a big sea. The -man who had just come on deck lost his balance and went staggering -toward the rail. The young wireless man caught and steadied him. - -In the light that streamed from the door that the man had neglected to -close, Jack saw that he was a thickset personage of about forty, -black-haired and blue-chinned, with an aggressive cast of countenance. - -"What the dickens----" he began angrily, and then broke off short. - -"Oh! It's you, is it? The wireless man?" - -"The same," assented Jack. - -"Well, this is luck. I was on my way up to your station. On the boat -deck, I believe it is. This will save me trouble." - -The man's manner was patronizing and offensive. Jack felt his pride -bridling, but fought the feeling back. - -"What can I do for you, Mr.--Mr.----" - -"Jarrold's the name; James Jarrold of New York. Have you had any -messages from a yacht--the _Endymion_--for me?" - -"Why, no, Mr. Jarrold," replied Jack wonderingly. "Is she anywhere about -these waters?" - -"If she isn't, she ought to be. How late do you stay on watch?" - -"Till midnight. Then my assistant relieves me till eight bells of the -morning watch." - -Mr. Jarrold suddenly changed the subject as they stood at the rail on -the plunging, heaving deck. Somebody had closed the door that he had -left open in his abrupt exit, and Jack could not see his face. - -"We're going to have bad weather to-night?" he asked. - -"So it appears. A warning has been sent out to that effect, and the sea -is getting up every moment." - -Mr. Jarrold of New York made a surprising answer to this bit of -information. - -"So much the better," he half muttered. "You are, of course, on duty -every second till midnight?" - -"Yes, I'm on the job till my assistant relieves me," responded the young -wireless chief of the _Tropic Queen_. - -"Do you want to make some money?" - -"Well, that all depends," began Jack doubtfully. "You see, I----" - -He paused for words. He didn't want to offend this man Jarrold, who, -after all, was a first-cabin passenger, while he was only a wireless -operator. Yet somehow the man's manner had conveyed to Jack's mind that -there was something in his proposal that implied dishonesty to his -employers. Except vaguely, however, he could not have explained why he -felt that way. He only knew that it was so. - -Jarrold appeared to read his thoughts. - -"You think that I am asking you to undertake something outside your line -of duty?" - -"Why, yes. I--must confess I don't quite understand." - -"Then I shall try to make myself clear." - -"That will be good of you." - -The man's next words almost took Jack off his feet. - -"When you hear from the _Endymion_, let me know at once. That is all I -ask you." - -"Then you are expecting to hear from the yacht to-night?" asked Jack -wonderingly. It was an unfathomable puzzle to him that this somewhat -sinister-looking passenger should have so accurate a knowledge of the -yacht's whereabouts; providing, of course, that he was as certain as he -seemed. - -"I am expecting to hear from her to-night. Should have heard before, in -fact," was the brief rejoinder. - -"There are friends of yours on board?" asked Jack. - -"Never mind that. If you do as I say--notify me the instant you get word -from her, you will be no loser by it." - -"Very well, then," rejoined Jack. "I'll see that you get first word -after the captain." - -Jarrold took a step forward and thrust his face close to the boy's. - -"The captain must not know of it till I say so. That is the condition of -the reward I'll give you for obeying my instructions. When you bring me -word that the _Endymion_ is calling the _Tropic Queen_, I shall probably -have some messages to send before the captain of this ship is aroused -and blocks the wire with inquiries." - -"What sort of messages?" asked Jack, his curiosity aroused to the -utmost. He was now almost sure that his first impression that Jarrold -was playing some game far beyond the young operator's ken was correct. - -Jarrold tapped him on the shoulder in a familiar way. - -"Let's understand each other," he said. "I know you wireless men don't -get any too big money. Well, there's big coin for you to-night if you do -what I say when the _Endymion_ calls. I want to talk to her before -anyone else has a chance. As I said, I want to send her some messages." - -"And as I said, what sort of messages?" said Jack, drawing away. - -"Cipher messages," was the reply, as Jarrold glanced cautiously around -over his shoulder. - -The door behind them had opened and a stout, middle-aged man of military -bearing had emerged. He had a gray mustache and iron-gray hair, and wore -a loose tweed coat suitable for the night. Jack recognized him as a -Colonel Minturn, who had been pointed out to him as a celebrity the day -the ship sailed. Colonel Minturn, it was reported, was at the head of -the military branch of the government attending to the fortifications of -the Panama Canal. The colonel, with a firm stride, despite the heavy -pitching of the _Tropic Queen_, walked toward the bow, puffing at a -fragrant cigar. - -When Jack turned again to look for Jarrold, he had gone. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -A PECULIAR COINCIDENCE - - -But the young wireless boy had no time right then to waste in -speculation over the man's strange conduct. It was his duty to relieve -Sam, who would not come on watch again till midnight. - -As he mounted the steep ladder leading to the "Wireless Hutch," he could -feel the ship leaping and rolling under his feet like a live thing. -Every now and then a mighty sea would crash against the bow and shake -the stout steel fabric of the _Tropic Queen_ from stem to stern. - -The wind, too, was shrieking and screaming through the rigging and up -among the aërials. Jack involuntarily glanced upward, although it was -too dark to see the antennæ swaying far aloft between the masts. - -"I hope to goodness they hold," he caught himself thinking, and then -recalled that, in the hurry of departure from New York, he had not had a -chance to go aloft and examine the insulation or the security of their -fastenings himself. - -In the wireless room he found Sam with the "helmet" on his head. The boy -was plainly making a struggle to stick it out bravely, but his face was -pale. - -"Anything come in?" asked Jack. - -"Not a thing." - -"Caught anything at all from any other ship?" - -Sam's answer was to tug the helmet hastily from his head. He hurriedly -handed it to Jack, and then bolted out of the place without a word. - -"Poor old Sam," grinned Jack, as he sat down at the instruments and -adjusted the helmet that Sam had just discarded; "he's got his, all -right, and he'll get it worse before morning." - -Sam came back after a while. He was deathly pale and threw himself down -on his bunk in the inner room with a groan. He refused to let Jack send -for a steward. - -"Just leave me alone," he moaned. "Oh-h, I wish I'd stayed home in -Brooklyn! Do you think I'm going to die, Jack?" - -"Not this trip, son," laughed Jack. "Why, to-morrow you will feel like a -two-year-old." - -"Yes, I will--not," sputtered the invalid. "Gracious, I wish the ship -would sink!" - -After a while Sam sank into a sort of doze, and Jack, helmet on head and -book in hand, sat at the instruments, keeping his vigil through the long -night hours, while the storm shrieked and rioted about the ship. - -The boy had been through too much rough weather on the _Ajax_ to pay -much attention to the storm. But as it increased in violence, it -attracted even his attention. Every now and then a big sea would hit the -ship with a thundering buffet that sent the spray flying as high as the -loftily perched wireless station. - -The wind, too, was blowing as if it meant to blow the ship out of the -water. Every now and then there would come a lambent flash of lightning. - -"It's a Hatteras hummer for sure," mused the boy. - -The night wore on till the clock hands above the instruments pointed to -twelve. - -Above the howling and raging of the storm Jack could hear the big ship's -bell ring out the hour, and then, faint and indistinct, came the cry of -the bow watch, "All's well." It was echoed boomingly from the bridge in -the deep voice of the officer who had the watch. - -"Well, nothing doing on that _Endymion_ yet," pondered Jack. - -He fell to musing on Jarrold's strange conduct. Why had the man suddenly -vanished when Colonel Minturn appeared? What was his object in the -strange proposal he had made to the young wireless man? What manner of -craft was this _Endymion_, and how was it possible that she could live -in such a sea and storm? - -These, and a hundred other questions came crowding into his dozing -brain. They performed a sort of mental pin-wheel, revolving over and -over again without the lad's arriving at any conclusion. - -That some link existed between Jarrold and the _Endymion_ was, of -course, plain. But just why he should have vanished so quickly when the -Panama official appeared, was not equally evident. Jack had a passenger -list in front of him, stuck in the frame designed for it. - -He ran his eyes over it. Yes, there was the name: - - Mr. James Jarrold, N. Y.--Stateroom 44. - Miss Jessica Jarrold, N. Y.--Stateroom 56. - -Suddenly Jack's roving glance caught the name of Colonel Minturn, U. S. -A., stateroom 46. So the colonel's stateroom adjoined that of the man -who appeared to be so anxious to avoid him! Another thing that Jack -noted was that, although the ship was crowded and a stateroom for a -single passenger called for a substantial extra payment, both Mr. -Jarrold and the army man had exclusive quarters. In the case of Colonel -Minturn this was, of course, understandable, but Jarrold? Jack looked at -the latter's name again, and now he noticed something else that had -escaped him before. - -Stateroom 44, the room occupied by Jarrold and adjoining Colonel -Minturn's, had evidently been changed at the last moment, for -originally, as a crossed-out entry showed, Jarrold had been given -stateroom 53. A pen line had been drawn through this entry by the purser -evidently, when Jarrold had changed his room. - -Jack happened to know that Colonel Minturn had come on board at the last -moment, so, then, Jarrold had changed his stateroom only when he had -found out definitely that Colonel Minturn's room was No. 46. There must -be something more than a mere coincidence in this, thought Jack, but, -puzzle as he would, he could not arrive at what it meant. - -He was still trying to piece it all out when suddenly the door, which he -had closed to bar out the flying spray, was flung open. - -A gust of wind and a flurry of spume entered, striking him in the face -like a cold plunge. - -"Bother that catch," exclaimed Jack, swinging round; "I'll have to get -the carpenter to fix it to-morrow, I----" - -But it was not a weakened catch that had given way. The door had been -opened by the hand of a man, who, enveloped in a raincoat and topped by -a golf cap, now stood in the doorway. - -The man was James Jarrold. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE INTERRUPTED MESSAGE - - -Jack sprang to his feet, but the other held out a withholding hand. - -"Stay right where you are, Mr. Ready," he said. "I couldn't sleep and I -decided to sit out your watch up here with you. You've no objection?" - -"I'm sorry," said Jack, for after all Jarrold was a passenger and it -would not do to offend him if he could help it, "but it is against the -rules for passengers to linger about the wireless room." - -"Well, I can write a message, then. You have no objection to that?" - -Jack was in a quandary. He knew perfectly well that Jarrold was there -for some purpose of his own, but what it was--except that its aim was -sinister--he could not hazard a conjecture. - -"Of course the office is always open for business," he rejoined, pushing -a stack of sending blanks toward Jarrold. - -"Of course," replied Jarrold, sinking into a chair beside the young -operator. "By the way, nothing from the _Endymion_ yet?" - -"That is the business of the line so far, sir," replied Jack. "If it is -anything of general interest, you will find the notice posted on the -bulletin board at the head of the saloon stairs in the morning." - -Jarrold made no reply to this, but sat absent-mindedly tapping his -gleaming white teeth with a gold-cased pencil as if considering what he -should write on the blank paper before him. He appeared to be in no -hurry to begin, but fumbling for his cigar case, produced a big black -weed and leisurely lighted it, puffing out the heavy smoke with an -abstracted air. - -"Sorry, sir," struck in Jack sharply, "but you can't smoke in here, -sir." - -"Why not?" - -"It is against the rules." - -"Where do you see such a rule? Reckon you made it, eh? Too much of a -molly-coddle to smoke, hey?" - -The man's tone was aggressive, offensive. The subtle objection to him -that Jack had felt when they first met was growing with every minute. -But he kept his temper. It was with an effort, however. - -"There are the rules on the wall," he said. - -"Humph," said Jarrold, with a disgusted grunt. "In that case I'll throw -my cigar away. But one always helps me to think." - -"Personally, I've always heard that tobacco dulls the brain," retorted -Jack, "but never having tried it, and not wanting to, I don't know how -true it is." - -Jarrold made no reply to this, but a contemptuous snort. He unfolded his -big, loose-knit frame from the chair and went toward the door. He flung -the cigar into the night. As he did so, there was a blinding flash of -lightning. The rain was coming in torrents now, but the wind and sea -were dying down. - -The man came back to his chair and again appeared to be considering the -message he should send out. - -"I have my doubts about getting a message through to-night at all," -hinted Jack. "The rain doesn't always interfere with the Hertzian waves -but sometimes it does. Maybe you would better wait till morning." - -"I'll send it when I choose," was the growled reply. - -At that instant Jack's hand suddenly shot out across the desk in front -of him and turned the switch that sent the current into the detectors. -Faintly, out of the storm, some whispered dots and dashes had breathed -against his ear-drums. Somebody was trying to send a radio. - -Jarrold's lounging figure stiffened up quickly. He had seen Jack's -sudden motion and guessed its meaning. He leaned forward eagerly while -the young operator tuned his instruments till the message beat more -strongly on his ears. - -Through the storm the message came raggedly but it was intelligible. - -"_Tropic Queen! Tropic Queen! Tropic Queen!_" - -"Yes! Yes! Yes!" flung back the boy at the liner's key. "Who is that?" - -"Are you the _Tropic Queen_?" - -The sending of the call across the storm was uncertain and hesitating; -not the work of a competent operator, but still understandable. - -"Yes, this is the _Tropic Queen_." - -The answer that came made Jack thrill up and down his spine. - -"This is the _Endymion_!" - -Then came a pause that vibrated. Jack pounded his key furiously. The -sending on the other craft was bad, and the waves that were beating -against the aërials of the _Tropic Queen_ were weak. Although rain does -not necessarily hamper the power of the Hertzian billows, and all things -being equal the transmission of messages is clearer at night, yet -certain combinations may result in poor service. - -The spark writhed and squealed and glared with a lambent blue flame as -it leaped like a serpent of fire between the points. - -But even above its loud, insistent voice calling into the tempest-ridden -night could be heard the deep, quick breathing of Jarrold as he leaned -forward to catch every move of the young operator's fingers. - -"This is the _Endymion_," came again. - -"Yes! Yes!" flashed back Jack. - -"Have you a passenger named Jarrold on board?" - -Jack's heart and pulses gave a bound. Jarrold was leaning forward till -his bristling chin almost touched Jack's cheek. The man's hand stole -back toward his hip pocket and stayed there. - -"Yes, what do you want with him?" - -"We--have--a--message--for him," came the halting reply. - -Jack's fingers were on the key to reply when the quick, harsh voice of -Jarrold came in his ear. - -"That's the _Endymion_. No monkey business now. Send what I tell you. -I----" - -There was a sudden blinding flash from the instruments and a blaze of -blue, hissing fire filled the wireless room. - -Jarrold and the young wireless man staggered back, their hands flung -across their faces to shield their eyes from the scorching glare. It was -all over in an instant--just one flash and that upheaval of light. - -"The aërials have gone!" cried Jack. - -He darted from the wireless room, leaving Jarrold alone, a look of -frustrated purpose in his eyes. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -A DARING FEAT - - -Out along the wet and slippery decks, spray-dashed and awash, rushed the -boy. He was headed for the bridge. He found the first officer, Mr. -Metcalf, on duty. - -The officer was shrouded in gleaming oil-skins and sou'wester. Spray -glistened on his cheeks and big mustache as the dim light from the -binnacle revealed his features. Ahead of them Jack could make out dimly -the big, plunging forepart of the ship as it rushed up a water mountain -with glowing phosphorescent head, and then with a swirling roar went -sliding down the other side. - -"Well, Ready, what's the trouble?" boomed out Mr. Metcalf -good-naturedly. "You seem excited." - -"Yes, sir. I've just had a message." - -The officer was alert in a moment. - -"A vessel in distress?" - -"No, sir. Although----" - -"Well, well, be quick. On a night like this any call may be urgent." - -"This was from a yacht. The _Endymion_, she said her name was." - -"And she's in trouble?" - -Mr. Metcalf was one of those men who leap to instant conclusions. -Already he was considering the best method of proceeding to the -distressed--as he thought--ship's assistance. - -"No, in no trouble, sir. She had a message for a passenger, but in the -middle of it something happened to our aërials." - -"They've parted?" - -"I don't know, sir. Anyhow, I'm going aloft to see. I came to report to -you." - -"Nonsense, Ready, you can't go aloft to-night. I'll send a man." - -"Pardon me, Mr. Metcalf," broke in Jack. "I don't want to be -disrespectful, but there's not a man on this ship who could repair those -aërials but myself." - -"But you are not used to going aloft," protested Mr. Metcalf. - -"I've been up on the _Ajax's_ masts in worse weather than this to fix -anything that was wrong," he said. "I'll be all right. And besides, I -must go. It's my duty to do so." - -"Very well, then, but for heaven's sake be careful. You've no idea what -the trouble is?" - -"No, sir, but I'm inclined to think it is the insulation that has worn -and caused a short circuit somewhere. That could easily happen on a -night like this." - -"Well, be off with you, Ready," said the officer, not without -reluctance. "Good luck." - -Jack descended from the bridge deck to the main deck. The ship was -plunging and jumping like a race-horse. He could catch the wild movement -of the foremast light as it swung in crazy arcs against the dark sky. - -"Not a very nice night to go aloft," thought the boy, with a shrug, "but -it must be done." - -Temporarily he had forgotten all about Jarrold. All that lay in front of -him was his duty, the stern necessity of repairing the aërials upon -which it was possible human lives might depend. In the event of accident -to the _Tropic Queen_, the existence of all on board might hang on the -good condition of those slender strands of copper wire which alone -connected the ship with other craft and dry land. - -The wind screamed across the exposed main deck with locomotive-like -velocity. Big waves, nosed aside by the bow, viciously took their -revenge by sweeping like waterfalls across the ship's stem. Jack was -drenched through before he had fought his way to the weather shrouds, by -which slender ladder he had to climb to the top of the swaying steel -fore-mast, fully fifty feet above the lurching decks. - -He had not put on oil skins and his blue serge uniform, soaked through, -clung to his body like an athlete's tights. But he was not thinking of -this as he grabbed the lower end of the shrouds and prepared to mount -aloft. A big sea swept across the exposed foredeck, almost beating the -breath out of his body. But he clung with the desperation of despair to -the steel rigging, and the next moment, taking advantage of a momentary -lull, he began to mount. - -Long before he reached the cross-trees, his hands were cut and sore and -every muscle in his body taut as fiddle strings. About him the confusion -and the noise of the storm shrieked and tore like Bedlam let loose. - -But stubbornly the figure of the young wireless boy crept upward, -flattened out by the wind at times against the ratlines to which he -clung, and again, taking every fighting chance he could seize, battling -his way up slowly once more. The cross-trees gained, Jack paused to draw -breath. He looked downward. He could see, amid the inferno of raging -waters, the dim outline of the hull. From that height it looked like a -darning needle. As the mast swung, it appeared that with every dizzy -list of the narrow body of the ship beneath, she must overturn. - -Jack had been aloft often and knew the curious feeling that comes over a -novice at the work: that his weight must overbalance the slender hull -below. But never had he experienced the sensation in such full measure -as he did that night, clinging there panting, wet, bruised, -half-exhausted, but yet with the fighting spirit within him unsubdued -and still determined to win this furious battle against the elements. - -As he clung there, catching his breath and coughing the salt water from -his lungs, he recollected with a flash of satisfaction that he had his -rubber gloves in his pocket. These gloves are used for handling wires in -which current might be on, and are practically shock-proof. Jack knew -that he would have to handle the aërials when he got aloft, and if he -had not his gloves with him, he would have stood the risk of getting a -severe shock. - -With one more glance down, in which he could perceive a dim, wet -radiance surrounding the ship like a halo, proceeding from such lights -as still were aglow on board, the boy resumed his climb. - -The most perilous part of it still lay before him. So far, he had -climbed a good broad "ladder"--the ratlines stretched between the three -stout steel shrouds. From the cross-trees to the top of the slender -mast, there was but a single-breadth foothold between the two shrouds -running from the tip of the foremast to the cross-trees. - -Far above him, cut off from his vision by darkness and flying scud, Jack -knew that the footpath he had to follow narrowed to less than a foot in -breadth. At that height the vicious kicking of the mast must be -tremendous. - -It was equivalent to being placed on the end of a giant, pliable whip -while a Gargantuan Brobdingnagian driver tried to flick you off. - -But Jack gritted his teeth, and through the screeching wind began the -last lap of his soul-rasping ascent. - -He was flung about till his head swam. His ascent was pitifully slow and -tortuous. The reeling mast seemed to have a vicious determination to -hurtle him through space into the vortex of waters below him, over which -he was swung dizzily hither and yon. - -But at last, somehow, with reeling brain, cut and bleeding hands and -exhausted limbs, he reached the summit and stretched out cramped fingers -for the aërials. - -With the other hand he clung to the shrouds, and with legs wrapped round -them in a death-like grip, he was dashed back and forth through midair -like a shuttle-cock. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -QUARTERMASTER SCHULTZ VOLUNTEERS - - -Clinging with his interlocked lower limbs, Jack managed to draw on his -insulated rubber gloves. Then he fumbled, with fear gripping at his cold -heart, for his electric torch, which every wireless man carries for just -such emergencies. - -He pressed the button and a small, pitifully small, arc of light fell on -the aërials where they were secured to the mast. Far beneath him on the -bridge, the first officer and the wondering captain--who had been -summoned from his berth--watched the infinitesimal fire-fly of light as -it flickered and swayed at the top of the mast. - -The storm wrack flew low and at times it was shut out from their gaze -altogether. At such times both men gripped the rail with a dreadful fear -that the brave lad, working far above them, had paid the penalty of his -devotion to duty with his life. - -But every time that they looked up after such a temporary extinguishment -of the flickering light, they saw it still winking like the tiny -night-eye of a gnome above them in dark space. - -With fingers dulled by the thick rubber covering which he dared not -remove, Jack worked among the aërial terminals. One by one he counted -the strands. - -One, two, three, four, five. - -Yes, they were all there. But he did not count them as fast as that. -Instead, between the fingering of one and another an interval of ten -minutes might elapse, during which time he was flung from pole to pole, -dry mouthed and dizzy. - -Then came a sudden flash of lightning outlining the rigging, the steel -hull far below him, the anxious figures on the bridge and the angry -heavens in blue, glaring flame. But Jack had no eye for this. The sudden -light had shown him a jagged rip in the insulation of the wires where -they were joined to the mast rigging. Through this, current had been -leaking into the mast and robbing the aërials of their power of sending -or receiving, short circuiting the Hertzian waves. - -Jack waited for a lull and then, almost dead with nausea and brain -sickness from his wild buffeting, he reached for his electrician's tape -and began making hasty repairs on the electric leak. He bound coil after -coil of the adhesive stuff around the exposed wire, till it was -blanketed beyond chance of "spilling" into the rain. - -Then, his work done, he rested for an instant to steady his whirling -senses, and then began the long descent. - -Now that the job was over, he felt that he could never live to reach the -deck, miles and miles--hundreds and hundreds of miles--below him. Step by -step, though, he descended, fighting for his life against the sense -numbness that was creeping over him. Limbs and intelligence seemed -equally absent. He felt as if he were a disembodied being, floating -through space on the wings of the storm. - -He appeared to have no weight. Like a thistle bloom he thought that he -might be blown where the winds wished. Conquering this feeling, it was -succeeded by a leaden one. He was too heavy to move. His feet felt -enormous, and heavy as a deep-sea diver's weighted boots. His head was -balloon-like and appeared to sway crazily on his shoulders. - -But he still descended. Step by step, painfully, semi-consciously, the -brain-sick, nauseated boy clung to the ratlines. On his grip depended -his life, and this, in a dim, stupid sort of way, he realized. - -If he could only reach the cross-trees! Here he could rest in -comparative security for a while. - -He must reach them, he must! He wasn't going to die like this. A furious -fighting spirit came over him. His head suddenly cleared; the deadly -nausea left him; his limbs grew light. - -Jack shouted aloud and came swiftly down. He called out defiantly at the -storm. He raved, he yelled in wild delirium. - -All at once he felt the cross-trees under his feet. With a last loud cry -of triumph he sank down on the projecting steel pieces that formed, at -any rate, a resting place. - -Then came another wild swing of the ship, and a vicious gust. - -Jack felt himself flung from the cross-trees and out into the dark void -of the storm. - -Down, down, down he went, straight as a stone toward the dark, black, -raging vortex through which the ship was fighting. - -He felt rather than heard a despairing cry; but did not know whether it -had come from his lips or not. - -Then a rushing dark cloud enveloped him, and with a fearful roaring in -his ears, Jack's senses swam out to sea. - -"The light has disappeared, Metcalf. Do you think the poor lad is lost?" - -Far below on the bridge, Captain McDonald, oil-skinned like his officer, -peered upward. - -"The good Lord alone knows, sir," was the fervent reply. "It was a -madcap thing to do. I should never have let him go." - -"It's done now," muttered the captain. "Though, had you consulted me, I -should have forbidden it. That boy is the bravest of the brave." - -"He is, sir. You may well say that. A seasoned sailorman might have -hesitated to go aloft to-night." - -"I wish to heaven I knew what had become of him and if he is safe, yet I -wouldn't order another man up there in this inferno." - -There was a voice behind him. - -"Vouldt you accepdt idt a volunteer, sir?" - -"You, Schultz?" exclaimed the captain, turning around to the old -quartermaster who was just going off his trick of duty at the wheel. -"Why, man, you'd be taking your life in your hands." - -"I've been up der masts of sheeps off der Horn on vorse nights dan -dees," was the calm reply. "Ledt me go, sir." - -"You go at your own responsibility, then," was the reply. "I ought not -to let you up at all, and yet that boy--go ahead, then." - -The old German quartermaster saluted and was gone. - -From the bridge they saw him for a moment, in the gleam of light from a -porthole, crossing the wet deck. - -He clambered into the shrouds and then began climbing upward along the -perilous path Jack had already traveled. - -"Pray Heaven we have not two deaths to our account to-night, Metcalf," -said the captain earnestly to his first officer. - -"Amen to that, sir," was the reply. - -And then there was nothing but the shriek of the wind and the beat of -the waves, while the two officers gazed piercingly upward into the -darkness where they knew not what tragedies might be taking place. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -SAFE ONCE MORE - - -Suddenly Captain McDonald had an inspiration. - -"Metcalf!" he cried, above the storm. - -"Sir!" was the alert response of the _Tropic Queen's_ chief officer. - -"Order the searchlight turned on that mast!" - -One of the two quartermasters, struggling with the bucking, kicking -wheel, was ordered to get the apparatus ready and focus it on the -foremast. - -The canvas hood was taken off the big light and then a switch snapped, -sputtering bluely. A radiant spear of light pierced the night. It -hovered vaguely for a few instants and then settled on the foremast. - -It revealed a thrilling scene. Schultz had clasped in his arms the -unconscious form of Jack Ready. For the young wireless man, when he -collapsed, had been caught by a stay and held in position on the -cross-trees. - -Slowly, and with infinite caution, the old quartermaster began to -descend the shrouds. It was a nerve-racking task to those looking on. -Jack was not a light-weight, and the descent of his rescuer, clasping -the boy with one arm while he held on with all his strength, was -painfully slow. - -But at last they reached the deck in safety, and Captain McDonald was -there in person to meet them. He wrung Schultz's hand in a tight grip as -the old seaman stood pantingly before him. - -"That was as brave a bit of work as I've seen done since I've been going -to sea, Schultz," he exclaimed. "I'll see to it that the company gives -you recognition. But now let us take this lad to my cabin. He's opening -his eyes and the doctor can give him something that will soon set him on -his feet again." - -And so it proved. Half an hour after Jack had been laid on a lounge in -the skipper's cabin and restoratives had been administered by Dr. Flynn, -he was feeling almost as hale and hearty as ever, although his terrible -ordeal when he was flung back and forth pendulum-wise had left him with -a racking headache. - -The captain showered congratulations on him, but reminded him that never -again must he risk his life in such a perilous way. - -"The job could have waited till daylight, anyhow," he said. - -"I beg your pardon, sir," said Jack, firmly but respectfully, "it could -not. You know that I was in communication with a ship--the yacht -_Endymion_--when the insulation wore away and my 'juice' began to leak?" - -"No, I knew no such thing," said the captain. - -"Mr. Metcalf knew of it, sir." - -"In all the excitement caused by your exploit, young man, he must have -forgotten to tell me." - -"That was probably the reason, sir. But the _Endymion_----" The captain -broke in as if struck by some sudden thought. - -"Jove, lad, the _Endymion_, you say?" - -"Yes, sir, do you know her?" - -"I know of her. She bears no good reputation. Once she was chartered to -the Haytian government and was used as a war ship; then she was in the -smuggling trade along the coast. The last I heard of her she was laid up -in the marine Basin at Ulmer Park. Her history has been one of troubles. -Do you feel strong enough to go back to your key?" - -"Yes, sir," exclaimed Jack eagerly. "Young Smalley, my assistant, is too -seasick to work to-night. I'll take the trick right through." - -"Good for you, my boy. I'll see that you are no sufferer by it. By the -way, did the _Endymion_ have any message? Was she in trouble?" - -"No, sir, but they wished to give some sort of a radio to a Mr. James -Jarrold, one of the first-class passengers." - -The captain tapped his foot musingly on the polished wood floor of his -cabin. - -"Odd," he mused, "I wonder what possible communication they could have -to make to him. Is Jarrold a heavy-set man with a blue, square jaw and -bristly, black hair?" - -"Yes, sir, that is the man to the dot." - -"I have noticed him at dinner. He sits at the first officer's table. -Back in my head I've got a sort of indefinable idea that I've seen him -somewhere before, but just where I cannot, for the life of me, call to -mind just now." - -"It is too bad that the aërials went out of commission just as that -other operator was starting to give the message." - -"It was, indeed, but you must try now to pick up this _Endymion_ again. -I'm curious to know more of her and of our mysterious passenger." - -"I'll report to you the instant I get anything, sir," Jack assured him, -and hurried off. - -On the way he passed Schultz and put out his hand with direct, -sailor-like bluntness. - -"You saved my life to-night, Schultz. I'll never forget it," he said -simply, but there was a wealth of feeling behind the quiet words. - -"Oh, dot makes it no nefer mindt, Yack," said the old German. "Don't get -excitedt ofer idt. Idt vos just a yob dot hadt to be done und I didded -idt." - -"It was a great deal more than that," said Jack, with warmth. "I hope -some day I will get a chance to repay you." - -But Schultz, embarrassed and red as a beet under his tan, had hurried -off. Like most sailors, Schultz hated sentiment. To him, his daring deed -of saving Jack from his perilous perch in the cross-trees had been all -in the line of duty. - -Back in the wireless room once more, Jack looked in on Sam. The boy was -sitting up in bed staring feverishly out into the wireless room. - -"Oh, Jack, I'm glad you have come back!" he exclaimed. "Where have you -been?" - -"Fixing a little job of work, youngster. Something was wrong with the -wireless. How do you feel?" - -"Better, but oh, what a head! It's the worst feeling I ever knew!" - -"Like something to eat?" - -"For heaven's sake, don't mention it! The mere thought makes me feel bad -again. But, listen, Jack, I've something to tell you. I wakened about -half an hour ago and there was a man out there in the wireless room." - -"What?" - -Jack had temporarily forgotten all about Jarrold. Now Sam's remark -brought the earlier scene back to him. What had Jarrold been doing in -the wireless room while he was absent? - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE MIDNIGHT INTRUDER - - -"He was stooping over the desk, rummaging about the papers and -dispatches," said Sam in response to Jack's eager questions. - -"Did he take anything?" asked Jack. - -"I don't know. I called out to him and asked him what he was doing." - -"Yes; what did he say?" - -"He didn't say a word. Just hurried out. Who was he?" - -"A man named Jarrold. He's a first-cabin passenger. He came in here this -evening and was much interested in getting first news of a yacht called -the _Endymion_." - -"I don't like his looks." - -"Frankly, neither do I, and yet one cannot let a man's appearance count -against him. But if he was rummaging about that desk, that is another -matter." - -"I think he knows something about wireless himself. I saw him fiddling -with the key." - -"At any rate, I'll keep a close eye on Mr. Jarrold," Jack promised -himself. "I don't quite know what all this means, but I bet I'll find -out before it's over!" - -There was not much more sleep for Sam that night. He fought bravely -against his seasickness and took the key for a time while Jack stole a -catnap. Both boys worked hard to get in touch with the _Endymion_ once -more, but they failed to raise her operator. So far as Jack could make -out, nothing had been taken from the desk by Jarrold; and the boy came -to the conclusion that the man, disbelieving his word, had searched the -desk for some evidence of a previous message from the _Endymion_. - -At breakfast the next morning Jarrold, cleanly shaven around his blue -chin, appeared in the saloon of the ship accompanied by a very pretty -young lady, who, Jack learned, was his niece, Miss Jessica Jarrold. The -man did not raise his glance to Jack, although the latter eyed him -constantly. The young woman, though, regarded Jack with a somewhat -curious gaze from time to time. He was pretty sure in his own mind that -she knew of the events of the night. - -In fact, she made it a point to leave the table at the same time as did -Jack. As they both emerged on deck through the companionway she -addressed him. - -"Have you heard anything more of the _Endymion_?" she asked. - -Although the sea was still running high, the sky was clear and the -weather good. She steadied herself against a stanchion as the ship -pitched, and Jack found himself thinking that she made a pretty picture -there. She was clad in a loose, light coat, and bareheaded, except for a -scarf passed over a mass of auburn hair, from which a few rebellious -wind-blown curls escaped. - -Jack raised his uniform cap. - -"Nothing, Miss Jarrold," he said. "Your----" - -"My uncle," she continued for him, "is very anxious to be informed as -soon as you do hear." - -"Of course, the captain will have to be told first," he said. Her dark -eyes snapped and she bit her lip with a row of perfectly even, gleaming -little teeth. - -"Can't it be arranged so that my uncle can know first about it?" she -said, breaking into a smile after her momentary display of irritation. -"Suppose you told--well, me, for instance." - -"I would be only too glad to do anything to oblige you, Miss Jarrold," -said Jack deferentially, "but that is out of the question." - -"But why?" she demanded. - -"It's a rule," responded Jack. - -"Oh, dear, what is a stupid old rule! My uncle is rich and would pay you -well for any favor you did him, and then I should be awfully grateful." - -"I'm just as sorry as you are," Jack assured her, "but I simply could -not do it." - -"Well, will you let my uncle and myself sit up in your wireless room and -wait any word you happen to catch?" - -"That, too, I am afraid I shall have to refuse to do," said Jack. "Such -a procedure would also be against the rules; and especially after -something that happened last night, I am determined to enforce the order -to the letter." - -"What happened last night?" she asked, quizzically eying him through -narrowed lids. - -"I am afraid you will have to ask your uncle about that, Miss Jarrold. -No doubt he will tell you." - -Eight bells rang out, and Jack, raising his cap, said: - -"That's my signal to go on duty. Depend upon it, though, Miss Jarrold, -if I get any word from the _Endymion_ which I can give you without -violation of the rules, or if any message comes for either yourself or -your uncle, you will be the first to get it." - -She made a gesture of impatience and turned to meet her uncle, who was -just emerging from the companionway. Jarrold glared at Jack with an -antagonism he did not take much trouble to conceal. - -"Any news of the _Endymion_?" he growled out in his deep, rumbling bass. - -"As I just told Miss Jarrold, there isn't," said Jack. "And, by the way, -I hope you had a pleasant evening in my cabin last night." - -"I left there as soon as you did, right after the short circuit," said -Jarrold, turning red under Jack's direct gaze. - -"I'm sorry to contradict you, Mr. Jarrold," replied Jack, holding the -man with keen, steady eyes that did not waver under the other's angry -glare. "You were in there quite a time after I left." - -"I was not, I tell you," blustered Jarrold. "You are an impudent young -cub. I shall report you to the captain." - -"I would advise you not to," said Jack calmly. "If you did, I might also -have to turn in a report from Assistant Sam Smalley, who was in the -other room all the time and saw almost every move you made." - -"What! there was someone there?" blurted out Jarrold. And then, seeing -the error he had made, he turned to his niece. "Come, my dear, let us -take a turn about the decks. I refuse to waste more time arguing with -this young jackanapes." - - - - -CHAPTER X - -A MESSAGE IN SECRET CODE - - -Later that morning something happened which caused Jack to cudgel his -brain still further to explain the underlying mystery that he was sure -encircled the girl and Jarrold, and in which Colonel Minturn was in some -way involved. - -He was sitting at the key with the door flung open to admit the bright -sunshine which sparkled on a sea still rough, but as a mill pond -compared with the tumult of the night before, when there came a sudden -call. - -"_Tropic Queen. Tropic Queen. Tropic Queen._" - -"Yes, yes, yes," flashed back Jack. - -He turned around to Sam. - -"I'll bet a million dollars that it is a navy or an army station -calling," he said. "You can't mistake the way those fellows send. It is -quite different from a commercial operator's way of pounding the brass." - -A moment later he was proved to be right. - -"This is the _Iowa_," came the word. "We are relaying a message from -Washington to Colonel Minturn on board your ship. Are you ready?" - -"Let her come," flashed back Jack. - -He drew his yellow pad in front of him and sat with poised pencil -waiting for the message to come through the air from a ship that he knew -was at least two hundred miles from him by this time. - -"It is in code; the secret government code," announced the naval man. - -"That makes no difference to me," rejoined Jack. "Pound away." - -"All right, old scout," came through the air, and then began a -topsyturvy jumble of words utterly unintelligible to Jack, of course. - -The message was a long one, and about the middle of it came a word that -made Jack jump and almost swallow his palate. - -The word was _Endymion_, the name of the yacht that had sent out a call -for Jarrold through the storm. - -Then, closely following, came a name that seemed to be corelated to -every move of the yacht: James Jarrold! - -At last the message, about two hundred words long, was complete. It was -signed with the President's name, so Jack knew that it must be of the -utmost importance. He turned in his chair as he felt someone leaning -over him and noticed a subtle odor of perfume. Miss Jarrold, with parted -lips, was scanning the message eagerly. He caught her in the act. - -But the young woman appeared to be not the least disconcerted by the -fact. With a wonderful smile she extended a sheet of paper. - -"Will you send this message for me as soon as you can, please?" she -asked. - -Jack was taken aback. He had meant to accuse her point blank of trying -to read off a message which was clearly of a highly important nature. -But her clever ruse in providing herself with the scribbled message that -she now held out to him had quite taken the wind out of his sails. - -"Here, Sam, take this message to Colonel Minturn at once," he said, -thrusting the paper into Sam's hands and carefully placing his carbon -copy of it in a drawer. - -"Now, Miss," he said, looking the girl full in the eyes, "I'll take your -message." - -"Oh, I've changed my mind now," said the girl suddenly turning. "Sorry -to have troubled you for nothing. Don't forget about the _Endymion_ -now." - -And she was gone. - -"Well, what do you know about that?" muttered Jack. "A woman is -certainly clever. Of course, she merely came in here to see what was -going on, and, by Jove, she came in at just the right time, too. Lucky -the message was in code. And then she was foxy enough to have that -message of hers all ready so that I couldn't say a thing. Oh, she's -smart all right! I wish I knew what game was up. I was right about -Colonel Minturn playing some part in it, judging from that dispatch, but -for the life of me I can't make out what is up." - -He was still reflecting over this when Colonel Minturn, with Sam close -on his heels, entered. - -Jack saluted him. - -"Good morning," said the colonel, introducing himself, "I am Colonel -Minturn. I have just received a cipher dispatch and want to send a -reply." - -"I guess I'll have to relay it through the _Iowa_ if it is for -Washington," said Jack. - -"That is just its destination," was the rejoinder. "By the way, I hear -from the captain that you did a very brave act last night in climbing -the foremast in the storm and repairing the wireless. That was nervily -done and I want to compliment you on it." - -"Glory! And he didn't even breathe a word of it to me!" muttered Sam -under his breath. - -Jack got red in the face. "Why, that was nothing, Colonel," he said. "It -had to be done, and nobody but I could have done it." - -"You are as modest as all true heroes," said the colonel approvingly. -"But, now, here is the dispatch I want you to send. You see, like the -other, it is in cipher. The government's secrets have to be closely -guarded." - -Jack took the message and filed it and then proceeded to raise the -_Iowa_ again. - -Before long came a reply to his insistent calls. - -"Here is the _Iowa_. What is it?" - -Something peculiar about the sending struck Jack, but he went ahead. - -"This is the _Tropic Queen_. I have a message from Colonel Minturn to -Washington. It must be rushed through." - -"Very well, transmit," came the answer; but once more the curious ending -of the other wireless man struck him forcibly. - -"I don't believe that is the _Iowa_ at all," he muttered to himself. "I -never heard a man-o'-war operator sending like that. It sounds more -like--like--by hookey! I've got it. It's that fellow on the -_Endymion_,--the craft that Jarrold is so much interested in." - -Just then, winging through the air, came the short, sharp, powerful -sending of the _Iowa_. - -"Hullo, there, _Tropic Queen_, this is the _Iowa_. Who is that fellow -butting in?" - -"I don't know," Jack flashed back. "Re-tune your instruments so that he -can't crib this message I'm going to send you. Tune them to man-of-war -pitch. From what I heard of his sending, his batteries are too weak to -reach such high power." - -"All right," was the brief reply. - -The two instruments were then run up to a pitch which only the most -powerful supply of "juice" could give them. Then came the test and -everything was found to be working finely. - -Jack at once rattled off the message. In it he noticed that the name -Jarrold recurred, also the _Endymion_. Colonel Minturn stood close -beside him and watched him with interest as Jack worked his key in -crisp, snappy, expert fashion. - -"You are a very good operator, my boy," he said when Jack had flashed -out good-by with the squealing, crackling spark. "I may have government -work for you some day. Should you like it?" - -"Oh, Colonel!" cried the boy, his face lighting up, "I'd rather work for -Uncle Sam than for anyone else in the world." - -"Then some day you may have that opportunity. In the meantime I want -you, without saying a word to anybody, to inform me of any suspicious -moves on the part of this man Jarrold." - -"Why, is he--is he an enemy of Uncle Sam's?" Jack ventured. - -"He is probably the most dangerous rascal in existence," was the -staggering reply. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -WHAT SAM HEARD - - -Jack looked the astonishment he felt. While he had sensed something of -sinister import about Jarrold right along, still he had never guessed -the man could merit such a sweeping description of bad character. - -"The most dangerous rascal in existence," he repeated. - -"Yes, I called him that and I mean it," was the reply. "What he is doing -on this boat, I don't know. But I have a guess and am prepared for him." - -He drew from his hip pocket a wicked looking automatic. - -"Is it as bad as that?" asked Jack. - -"I don't know. But, at any rate, I am prepared. Jarrold has been mixed -up in desperate enterprises in a score of countries. He is a diplomatic -free lance of the worst character. It was Jarrold who stole the -documents relating to the Russian navy, which it cost that country so -much time and trouble to recover before they found their way into the -hands of another power." - -"And the young lady--his niece?" - -"She has been implicated in most of his plots. They are a dangerous -pair. You will do me and the government a great favor by keeping an eye -on them. You will be able to do this, as I understand they are trying -hard to establish communication with a yacht called the _Endymion_." - -"Yes; both the man and the girl appear very anxious to do that," -rejoined Jack. - -"Jarrold has the stateroom next to mine. In my possession are documents -that would be of immense value to a certain far eastern power that -wishes the United States no good." - -"You think that Jarrold is after these?" asked Jack. - -"It is the only supposition I can go upon. That cipher message from the -government warned me to be careful of the man, as his errand had been -surmised by the Secret Service men. They also found out about the -_Endymion_, which fact I did not know before." - -"And he is, apparently, an American, too," exclaimed Jack. - -The colonel nodded. - -"Yes, he is a westerner by birth, I believe, but that makes little -difference to men of his type. The only country they know is the one -that gives the biggest price for their rascalities." - -"He ought to be shot for trying to betray the country he owes his birth -to," said Jack hotly. - -The colonel smiled and laid a hand on the excited lad's shoulder. - -"You feel about it as I do, lad," he said. "But remember we have nothing -to go upon as yet. Absolutely nothing." - -Jack agreed that this was so, and after some more conversation, the -colonel left the wireless room, first warning the young operator that -their talk must be held absolutely confidential. - -Of course Jack promised this, and so did Sam. But both lads felt that -they were playing parts in a big game, the nature of which was an -absolute mystery so far. - -"It's like sitting on a keg of dynamite," said Sam. - -"Yes; I have a feeling that there is something electrical in the air," -said Jack, "besides wireless waves. It may break at any minute, too." - -"If it does, I hope we get a chance to help out the colonel." - -"Yes, he is a fine man, a splendid type of soldier. I don't wonder the -government chose him for this Panama errand." - -"It's a mighty responsible job," agreed Sam. - -"And particularly when such a clever rascal as Jarrold, with unlimited -power at his back, is hanging about." - -But then it was dinner time, and Sam, whom even the most engrossing -conversation could not keep from his meals, hastened below. When he came -back, he had an important look on his face. - -"I stopped on deck for a breath of fresh air," he said, "and stood out -of the wind behind a big ventilator. Jarrold and his niece came along." - -"Didn't they see you?" - -"No; they were talking too earnestly; besides, the ventilator hid me, -anyhow." - -"Did you hear what they said?" - -"I couldn't catch much of it." - -"Well, let's hear what you were able to pick up." - -"Well, the man appeared to be urging something that the girl objected -to. 'I tell you it is too dangerous,' I heard her say. - -"Then the man, in a rough voice, told her she was a foolish woman and -that he was going 'to do it to-night at all costs.' - -"'You may ruin everything,' she said, but he only laughed and said that -if he failed this time, he would succeed later on, anyway." - -"Hum, that's a mighty interesting scrap of conversation," mused Jack, "I -wonder what the old fox is up to now." - -"Maybe we'd better inform the colonel," suggested Sam. - -"Hardly. Not with the meager information we've got. He would only laugh -at us. No, we'll have to wait and see what the event will be. But depend -upon it, there is something in the wind." - -Jack was right. What that something was, he was not to learn till later, -but it was far more startling and was to involve him more deeply than he -imagined. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -A SUDDEN ALARM - - -At midnight, while the _Tropic Queen_ was plying ever southward through -smooth seas and under a dark canopy of sky lit by countless stars, Jack -left his key and, calling Sam, whose turn it was on watch, went below -for his customary midnight "snack." A sleepy-eyed steward served him in -the big saloon, which looked empty and desolate with only one light in -all its vastness. - -Jack ate heartily and then prepared to go on deck again. He had reached -the foot of the saloon stairs when a sudden sound made him pause. - -It was the rustle of skirts. Jack drew back into the shadow which hung -thickly over that part of the saloon. To his astonishment, for he -thought that all the passengers--except a belated party in the -smoking-room--were in bed, he saw that the figure which passed swiftly -through the corridor beyond the staircase was that of Miss Jarrold. - -She wore a white dress which showed ghost-like through the gloom, -although the corridor was dimly lighted. But there was no mistaking her -slender, graceful outlines and quick, panther-like walk. - -Suddenly the conversation that Sam had repeated to him flashed across -Jack's mind. It had appeared to foreshadow some desperate attempt to -gain whatever the pair had set their minds on. Almost beyond a doubt, -these were the papers and plans relating to the Panama Canal. Jack knew -that Colonel Minturn's cabin was in the direction the girl was -following. - -Could it be possible that---- - -Suddenly a piercing shriek came, followed by cry after cry. - -Jack's heart stood still. His scalp tightened. - -[Illustration: The cry was the most blood-chilling that can be heard -at sea.] - -The cry was the most blood-chilling that can be heard at sea. - -"Fire! Fire! Fire!" - -Jack dashed down the passage. From every stateroom now, shouts of men -and screams of women were coming. Warned by he knew not what instinct, -he made for Colonel Minturn's cabin. - -It lay just around a corner of the passage. He had just gained it, when -he saw a bulky figure, that of Jarrold, hurl itself against the door and -go smashing through it. Jack rushed up. - -Jarrold turned on him with a savage growl. - -"Get away from here, boy. I'll save Colonel Minturn. You go and warn the -other passengers." - -But Jack made no move to go. Instead, he stepped into the cabin. In his -bunk lay the colonel, apparently sleeping deeply. Jack shook him, but he -did not move, only lay there, breathing heavily. - -"This man has been drugged," he exclaimed half aloud. - -At the same instant he felt the hulking form of Jarrold fling itself at -him. - -"You infernal, interfering young spy," he snarled. "Get out of here. Get -back to your post. Send out an alarm of fire." - -He seized Jack with his big hands. The boy's blood boiled. Big as -Jarrold was, and powerful, too, Jack was, he thought, a match for him. - -Jarrold aimed a fierce blow at him. Jack dodged it and parried it with -one of his own. Then the two clinched. Jarrold's powerful arms -encompassed the boy, squeezing the breath out of him. - -Outside the cabin, people in all stages of dress and undress were -rushing about screaming and shouting. The whole ship was in pandemonium. -Within the cabin, for Jarrold had closed the door when he followed Jack -in, the two combatants, the boy and the man, fought in desperate silence -for the mastery, while the man in the bunk lay with closed eyes, -breathing heavily. - -Back and forth they swayed till Jack suddenly wrenched himself loose. He -delivered a powerful blow and stopped a bull-like rush from Jarrold. The -fire, everything, was forgotten before his desire to overcome the man -who had attacked him. - -Jarrold was, as has been said, a bull of a man. Thick-necked, powerful -and possessed of no little science, he could have torn Jack to pieces if -he could have gripped him right. But Jack, once free of his clutches, -was careful to avoid this. - -Jack possessed no little of the science of the gymnasium, too. He fought -coolly, taking every advantage of his skill. Again and again he dodged -Jarrold's mad rushes, and again and again he landed blows which seemed -heavy enough to fell an ox. - -But they did not appear to have any effect on Jarrold's big frame. A -mere grunt was the only sign that he had noticed them. Jack began to -despair of handling his man after all. - -In the struggle, furniture was smashed, Jarrold's coat torn, and both -combatants' faces were cut and bruised. Gasping for breath, dizzy from -the thundering shock of the few blows Jarrold had driven home like flesh -and blood sledge hammers, Jack was about to give up, when suddenly he -noticed that no one was facing him. Jarrold, breathing heavily, his face -purple, lay stretched across a lounge as he had fallen. - -A terrible thought flashed through Jack's mind. Suppose he had killed -him? - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -A DOSE OF SLEEPING POWDER - - -Jack rushed out into the hallway. It was not, as he had expected, -smoke-filled, nor was there any odor of fire in the air. Somewhere he -could hear the voices of officers shouting above the distant hub-bub in -the saloon: "Keep your heads! There is no fire." - -Doctor Flynn, the ship's surgeon, came hurrying by. Jack stopped him and -explained what had occurred in Colonel Minturn's cabin. - -"We must send for help and carry them both out of danger at once," he -said. - -"Danger? But there is no danger," exclaimed the doctor. - -"But the fire?" gasped the boy. - -"There is none. It was either the overwrought nerves of a silly woman -that started the panic, or else there was some malicious design -underlying the whole thing." - -The thought of what he had seen as he stood in the shadow of the saloon -stairway rushed across Jack's mind: Miss Jarrold's sudden appearance and -then the scream of fire. Could it have been possible that this was the -thing that Sam had overheard her and her uncle debating? That, taking -advantage of the panic they knew would be caused by such an alarm in the -dead of night, Jarrold had schemed a way to enter Colonel Minturn's -cabin? - -"Will you come into Colonel Minturn's cabin with me at once, doctor?" -asked Jack. - -"Certainly, my boy. But," and the doctor stared at him in amazement, -"what has happened to you? Your face is bruised and marked. Have you -been fighting?" - -"A little bit," said Jack grimly. - -"With whom?" - -"With a man I believe to be a consummate scoundrel. By the merest -accident on earth, I happened along here just in time to frustrate what -I believe to be a plot against Colonel Minturn." - -All this Jack explained hastily as they retraced their way down the -corridor to Colonel Minturn's cabin. The panic had died down, and the -passengers, reassured now, were making their divers ways back to their -cabins. Some tried to turn the whole matter into a joke. Others looked -sheepish over the panic-stricken way in which they had behaved. - -But when the two entered the colonel's cabin a surprise awaited them. - -_Jarrold was not there._ - -Jack rubbed his mental eyes. He could have sworn he had left the man -lying across the lounge, to all appearances stunned. Now, in the brief -interval that the boy had been out of the cabin, the man had gone. - -"He must have been playing 'possum," said the surgeon, when Jack had -briefly explained the circumstances; "but now let us see to Colonel -Minturn." - -The doctor bent over the officer's form as it lay in the bunk. The -colonel was breathing heavily, his pulse was slow, his face gray. - -"Run to my cabin for my medicine bag," ordered the doctor to Jack. "You -will find it on my lounge. Hurry back." - -Jack waited to ask no questions but sped off. The corridors were still -choked with passengers discussing the fire scare. Most of them appeared -to think it had been a grim and criminal form of joke on somebody's -part. There was talk of offering a reward for the discovery of the -culprit. - -But Jack, knowing what he did, placed, as we know, a more sinister -construction on the midnight alarm. He was soon back with the doctor's -bag. The surgeon took out of it a small syringe and injected some sort -of solution into the unconscious man's arm. - -"What is the matter with him, sir, do you think?" ventured Jack, as the -doctor, his hand on Minturn's pulse, sat by the side of the bunk. - -"He has been drugged. That much is plain. Although what the agency was, -I cannot guess," was the rejoinder. - -A small glass article lying on the floor caught Jack's eye. It was an -atomizer, such as are used for perfumes. But this was filled with a gray -powder. He pressed the rubber bulb and an impalpable cloud of the powder -was sprayed into the air. He immediately felt sick and dizzy. - -"Look here, sir, what do you make of this?" he cried excitedly, handing -it to the doctor. "I found it on the floor. It must have dropped from -Jarrold's pocket while we were struggling. I'm sure that that powder in -it is some sort of drug. When I sprayed it out, it made me feel weak and -faint." - -The doctor took the glass vessel, unscrewed the top and shook out a -small quantity of the powder on his palm. - -"This is an important discovery, indeed," he exclaimed. "It is a -sleeping powder used by a certain South African tribe. A sufficient -quantity sprayed into the atmosphere would send anyone into a coma. It -is not poisonous, merely sleep producing." - -"Then you think that some of it was sprayed into this room, possibly -through the transom, by Jarrold before----" - -"We'll leave Mr. Jarrold's name out of this for the present," said the -doctor shortly. "Remember, we have no proof against him. For all you -know, and for all that appears, he broke in here to try to save the -colonel when the cry of fire occurred." - -"But he attacked me," protested Jack. - -"His answer to that would be that you were not at your post, where you -should have been." - -Jack colored. This was true. Jarrold had indeed a rejoinder to -everything he might say against the man. When it came to a point, the -lad had plenty of suspicions and theories, but absolutely no proofs to -offer. He couldn't even state positively that the atomizer full of the -sleeping powder was Jarrold's. - -The colonel moved uneasily and opened his eyes. In a few moments he was -able to talk. - -"Why, what has happened?" he asked drowsily, looking first at the doctor -and then at Jack. - -"First, will you tell us the last thing you recollect, Colonel?" - -"Most assuredly. I came to bed early. Before turning in, I examined -certain papers of mine and found they were all in perfect order. This -done, I lay down with a book. Suddenly I felt unaccountably drowsy, -and--and that's all. But what has occurred in the meantime? I can tell by -your presence in the cabin that something out of the ordinary is up." - -"Will you first oblige me by making sure your papers are safe?" asked -the doctor. - -"Certainly; they are in this box under my pillow. Ah yes, everything is -in perfect order. As you see, this is a combination lock. I could tell -in an instant if it had been tampered with." - -"Then, Colonel, I think that you should thank this young man here for -saving you from a theft that might have cost you dearly," said the -doctor, indicating Jack. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -THE WINKING EYE - - -"I--I must confess I don't understand," said the colonel, looking -bewilderedly from one to the other of his two companions. - -"Then let me enlighten you." And, supplemented from time to time by -Jack, the doctor gave a concise account of the incidents leading up to -the discovery of Jarrold breaking into the colonel's cabin. - -The officer could hardly believe his ears. - -"Of course I have suspected Jarrold all along, and cannot be too -grateful to this young man for his vigilance," he said; "but the -diabolical ingenuity of the man is beyond me." - -"He ought to be in irons at this minute," asserted the doctor, "but so -far as I can see, he has covered up his tracks so cleverly that we have -nothing upon which to base a complaint against him." - -"At the present time, no, unfortunately," said the colonel reluctantly. -"And if it had not been for Mr. Ready, here, the whole plot might have -proved a complete success." - -"I think it is reasonably certain that when you awakened, which might -not have been till late to-morrow morning, you would have found your -papers gone," said the doctor. - -"But in that case, I should have instantly suspected Jarrold," was the -reply. "And exercising my authority as an officer of the United States -army, I could have had him detained under suspicion while his baggage -and his person were searched." - -"I am afraid that that would have been very much like looking for a -needle in a haystack," said Dr. Flynn. "A rascal as clever as he is -would have found some way to dispose of the papers, where it would be -highly improbable that they could be found." - -"You are right," agreed Colonel Minturn. "Well, gentlemen, I think that -for the sake of all concerned, we had better keep this secret among us -three and await developments." - -"But Jarrold knows that Ready suspects him," objected the doctor. - -"Oh, well, for that very reason, he won't do any talking," was the -colonel's response. "We must watch and wait, and the next time catch him -red-handed." - -"Then you think he will make another attempt?" asked Jack. - -"I have not the slightest doubt of it. Whatever nation is paying him, it -has set a high price on the successful issue of his venture; and he will -stop at nothing to put it through, if I have any knowledge of the man," -was the response. - -"I think the best thing we can all do now is to turn in," said Dr. -Flynn. - -This was generally agreed and good-nights were said; but before Jack -sought his cabin, he visited the doctor's room, where his face was -attended to so as to leave hardly any marks of his encounter with -Jarrold. - -The latter did not appear the next day, but his niece, radiant and -smiling, was at breakfast as if nothing had occurred. Jack looked at her -wonderingly. He had not the slightest doubt that her part in the plot -had been the cry of "Fire"; but she appeared as carefree and debonair as -if she had nothing more important on her mind than making a charming -appearance. - -Jack could not help grinning to himself when Jarrold did not come down. - -"I guess I gave him something to think about," he remarked with a -chuckle to Sam, as the two discussed the subject. - -Jarrold appeared the next day. A dark mark under his left eye was the -only visible sign of the encounter in Colonel Minturn's cabin. He -studiously avoided the other passengers, however, and spent most of his -time pacing the deck with his niece. - -The weather was steadily growing warmer now. Porpoises appeared in -rolling, leaping schools, and flying fish were stirred up in whole -coveys by the ship's bow. The officers donned white uniforms, as did our -wireless boys, and everything indicated that the steamer was entering -the tropics. - -It was Jack's first voyage into such regions, and both he and Sam -thrilled with the anticipation of seeing the new sights and people. But -all the time, Jack was aware that under their feet was a smoldering -volcano. Covered for a time, and blanketed, it was still smoldering, of -that he was certain. He caught himself wondering uneasily what form the -next attempt would take. - -It was his watch one night and he was turning over these things in his -mind as the ship plowed steadily onward, when, on going to the door of -his cabin for a breath of fresh air, he was surprised to see, not far -off, the green starboard and white mast headlights of what, from the -distance between the lights on her fore and main masts, appeared to be a -fair-sized steamer. She was steaming in the same direction as the -_Tropic Queen_ and going quite as fast. - -Now, under ordinary circumstances, the sight of another craft on the -same course would not have astonished one. But nowadays, when almost -every ship is equipped with wireless, the operators of most vessels know -precisely what craft are in their vicinity. Even in the case where ships -are slow, and not equipped with radio apparatus, they usually signal, by -day or night signals, to craft which have wireless, and ask to be -reported. So that the sight of this stranger, moving along parallel with -the _Tropic Queen_, gave Jack what was not exactly a thrill, but a -sensation of vague uneasiness. - -All at once, on her bridge, a red light began to flash. Like a -blood-shot eye it winked through the dark night. - -"By Jove, signals!" exclaimed Jack. - -He got his signal code book and was able to read off, by his knowledge -of Morse, the letters and words the strange craft was sending, as -distinctly as if they had been printed. But they simply formed a -meaningless jumble. - -"It's a code message to someone on board this ship," muttered Jack to -himself, as the crimson eye ceased to wink. - -As it stopped transmitting its untranslatable--except to one who held the -key--message through the darkness, the strange ship began to drop back -under reduced speed. Whatever its mission, it had been accomplished. -That much was plain. Jack wished that the jumble of words before him was -as clear. - -He sat there racking his brains over the matter till almost midnight, -when Sam relieved him. The assistant operator looked at the message, -over which Jack was knitting his brows, with astonishment. - -"What in the world is that?" he asked. - -"I wish I knew," was Jack's enigmatic reply, "but there's one man on -board this ship who does, and I'm inclined to think that his name is -James Jarrold." - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -SECRET SIGNALS AT DAWN - - -The next morning both Jack and Sam were on the _qui vive_ for a sight of -the mysterious steamer of the night. But not even a smudge on the -horizon gave indication of what had become of her. When Jack went down -to breakfast, he met First Officer Metcalf and spoke to him of the -strange signals. - -"Yes; Muller, the third officer, who had the bridge last night, reported -them to me this morning," was the reply. "He jotted them down as they -were flashed, but we can't make head nor tail of them." - -"Nor can I," confessed Jack. "It was a code message of some sort." - -"Some would-be funny chump having a joke at our expense, I reckon," was -the way that Mr. Metcalf, who, of course, knew nothing of the suspected -machinations of Jarrold, dismissed the subject. - -A lingering suspicion was in Jack's mind that, by some queer chance, the -message might have been for Colonel Minturn, so after the morning meal -he drew him aside. But when shown the message, Colonel Minturn declared -that, although the government used several codes, the one in question -was not one of them. - -"Then it was for Jarrold," declared Jack positively, for, knowing what -he did, he could not share Mr. Metcalf's "joker" theory. - -"I believe you are right," responded Colonel Minturn, stroking his -mustache thoughtfully. "Jove, this thing is taking some strange turns!" - -Their eyes strayed to where Jarrold, sprawled out in a deck chair, was -seemingly absorbed in a book. But Jack could have sworn that over the -top of it he was covertly watching them. - -"It is evident, to my way of thinking," Jack ventured, "that the strange -craft was the _Endymion_, and that, despairing of getting a wireless to -Jarrold, or else on account of a break-down in their wireless, they -decided to chance that method of signaling him." - -"That certainly appears plausible," said Colonel Minturn. "The -_Endymion_, when pressed, can make twenty-five miles an hour. Our speed -is about sixteen. Therefore, it would be an easy matter for her to -overhaul us at night, slip away in the daytime, and sneak back at night -once more." - -"I think it would be a good plan to keep a sharp look-out to-night," -said Jack. "I've a notion that there may be something in the wind." - -"I agree with you," was the colonel's rejoinder. "Although, if it comes -down to that, there's no reason why Jarrold shouldn't, if he wishes to, -exchange messages with any ship. At least, I know of no way of stopping -him." - -"That's just the trouble, sir," said Jack, turning to go. "He's too much -of a fox to put himself into a position where we can get anything -definite on him." - -The day passed uneventfully and the first part of the night was the -usual unbroken routine. Jack spoke with two or three vessels in the West -Indian and South American trade. But nothing unusual occurred to break -the monotony. Midnight found him on the watch. When Sam, as much -interested in the strange developments as was Jack, came to relieve him -at the wireless key, Jack decided to forego his sleep and do some -investigating. - -Putting on a pair of light canvas shoes with rubber soles, Jack took up -a position on the main deck as soon as the ship was wrapped in sleep, -except for the watch and the officer who paced the bridge unceasingly -under the blazing tropic stars. His vigil was not rewarded till some -time before dawn, when, out of the blackness to port, came the sudden -blinking of a scarlet disk, like the leering wink of an ensanguined eye. - -It came so suddenly and startlingly that Jack knew that the stranger, -the one he was now convinced was the _Endymion_, had crept up without -lights, under cover of darkness. There came a few dots and dashes, -indicated by the length of the flash of the red light. Then it ceased. - -Then it began again, flashing like a night heliograph. - -"By Jove! Somebody answered them from this ship!" exclaimed Jack in high -excitement. - -But the decks were bare. Not a soul was to be seen. Had it been anyone -above, Sam was on the lookout there and would have notified Jack at -once. - -Suddenly a thought flashed across the boy. A thought that sent him, with -a swift, noiseless stride, to the rail. He peered overside. It had just -occurred to him that Jarrold's cabin was an outside one on the port side -of the _Tropic Queen_, which presented that flank to the stranger. - -As he gained the side and peered over, he gave vent to what was almost a -shout of triumph. He had solved part of the riddle at any rate. After a -pause in the signaling from the stranger, there had come from the side -of the _Tropic Queen_ a sudden flash of red light. It was reflected -ruddily on the smooth water as it gleamed across the sea. - -"So that's it, eh, Mr. Jarrold!" cried Jack in a low undertone. "You've -got some sort of a flash lantern rigged in your stateroom, connected -with the electric light socket, likely, and you're having a nice little -talk with your friends over yonder." - -All at once he slapped his thigh as a thought struck him. He knew that a -common switch controlled the lights in each separate corridor of the -ship. Thus, the four cabins in the section that Jarrold occupied, while -they each had their individual light switches, were also controlled by a -switch in the main corridor. - -This was so that, in case of accident, the electricians could work more -conveniently. - -"I don't know what the skipper would say to this," exclaimed Jack, "but -here goes." - -He darted below and soon reached the point in the main port corridor -from which the passage on which the four cabins in Jarrold's section -opened. He fumbled for the switch in the half darkness. First, though, -he had looked to see that no other lights were shining in that section -except the one he was sure was being used in Jarrold's room. - -Click! The switch was turned. - -"Now we'll see," exclaimed Jack to himself. - -He hastened back on deck. Through the night, off to the port the strange -craft was signaling frantically. Jack chuckled. - -"Spiked your guns, Mister Jarrold," he laughed, as the signaling -continued. Plainly on the other ship they could not understand why they -no longer got flashed replies from Jarrold's room. - -"Oh, I'll bet the air is blue below," chuckled Jack, delighted at the -success of his plan. "Now I'll just watch till they get sick of waiting -for Mr. Jarrold, and then go below and put that switch on again." - -For half an hour the vain red flashes came out of the night and then -they ceased. - -"I guess they've sneaked off for fear daylight would discover them," -said Jack. "Now to switch the light on again, and then for a snooze. I -think I've earned it." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -S. O. S. - - -Dawn showed a smudge of black smoke on the far horizon which might or -might not have been the mysterious visitant of the night. At any rate, -by noon something occurred which quite put out of Jack's mind, and those -of the ship's officers, who were considerably exercised over the -midnight signals, all thoughts of the secretive craft. - -To Jack, seated at his instruments, there had suddenly come a sharp -call: - -"S.O.S.--S.O.S.--S.O.S." - -Coming as it did, like a bolt from the blue, the urgent call thrilled -the young operator. He galvanized into action instantly and sent Sam -scurrying to the bridge with word that the most urgent call that can -assail a wireless man's ears had just come to him. - -It was faint and far away, but that very fact made it evident to Jack's -experienced mind that whoever was sending the message, was in dire -straits and running out of current. - -He pressed his key and sent thundering out with all the volleying force -of his powerful dynamos, an answer. - -"What ship are you?" he demanded. - -The answer that came back almost knocked him out of his chair. - -"The airship _Adventurer_, from New Orleans to Havana. We are on the -surface of the water and sinking rapidly." - -"Your position, quick!" demanded Jack. - -Back through space, in a slowly dying wireless voice, came the latitude -and longitude of the luckless craft. - -"You are on our course. Stand by and we will pick you up," said Jack, -whom a rapid glance at the wall map had shown that, roughly, the sinking -air-craft was not more than twenty miles to the southwest of the _Tropic -Queen's_ position. - -"What has happened?" asked Jack. - -"No time explain details. Hurry! Hurry!----" - -Jack tried to get the unseen operator once more, but a silence that was -far more eloquent than words alone greeted his efforts. He turned to see -the captain, in his white uniform and gold-laced cap, standing behind -him. - -"What is this S.O.S., Ready?" he demanded. "What craft is in distress?" - -"An airship, sir. The _Adventurer_, bound from New Orleans for Havana, -Cuba." - -"By Neptune! I recall now reading that two aviators were going to make -such a foolhardy attempt." - -"What kind of an air-craft is she, sir? Do you recall?" - -"Why, one of those flying-boats, as they are called, I believe." - -"A big aëroplane fitted with a boat's hull?" - -"That's the idea. But did they give you their position?" - -Jack handed over the figures. - -"Here they are, sir. But the current from the drifting airship was so -weak that I cannot be absolutely certain as to their accuracy." - -"Well, we'll have to take them for what they are worth," said the -captain, scanning them. - -"Roughly, they are on our course, sir," ventured Jack. - -"Yes, we can almost make a landfall on them if you got the positions -right. I'll have full speed ahead signaled. Poor fellows, their plight -must be desperate!" - -He hastened off to give the necessary orders, while Jack went back to -his instruments; but, although he tried with all his might to get -another whisper, he could hear nothing. - -Either the wrecked airship had gone to the bottom, or else, water having -reached her storage batteries, she could no longer send out word. - -But Jack raised another ship,--the _City of Mexico_ of the Vera Cruz -line. - -"What's biting you?" the flippant operator inquired. - -"Just got word that a wrecked airship is floating about on the sea," -flashed back Jack, and gave the latitude and longitude. - -"Why, we'll be there almost as soon as you," was the reply. - -"All right, let's make it a race," called Jack. "It is one for a good -cause." - -"Surest thing you know. See you later." - -The _City of Mexico's_ wireless man cut off. The third officer came into -the wireless room. - -"Ready, the old man wants you to make out a bulletin for the passengers. -They'll go wild over this." - -Jack quickly typed off a bulletin. - - "Shortly before noon, in communication with wrecked and drifting - flying-boat _Adventurer_. She is about twenty miles to the Southwest. - We are hurrying at top speed to her assistance and should be there in - a little over an hour's time. - - "Ready, Chief Operator, _S. S. Tropic Queen._" - -The excitement that followed the posting of this notice on the bulletin -board at the head of the saloon stairs may be imagined by those who have -passed long, dreamy, uneventful days at sea, when even the sight of a -distant sail provides all manner of topics of conversation. - -But now they were steaming at top speed toward the hulk of a -flying-boat--that is, provided she was still on the surface. The ship -buzzed and hummed with vibrant excitement. Passengers lined the rails, -and some of the more excitable even tried to swarm into the rigging, -from which exalted positions they were swiftly ejected. - -Black smoke poured from the _Tropic Queen's_ funnels, and the speed of -her accelerated engines caused a humming vibration to run through her -frame like the twanging of a taut fiddle string. On the bridge, -white-uniformed officers stood, with glasses in hand, all on the alert -to catch the first black speck on the sparkling sea which might reveal -the location of the wrecked air adventurers. - -Forward, on the forepeak and in the crow's nest, lookouts had been -doubled. And excitement was added to the race to the rescue when it -became known that the _City of Mexico_ was speeding from the southward -on the same errand of mercy. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -A DERELICT OF THE SKIES - - -"What a wonderful thing wireless is!" remarked Sam, as the two young -operators stood gazing from the upper deck where their "coop" was -perched. - -"Yes, if that flying-boat hadn't carried even the small, weak equipment -she has, it would have been all off with them," agreed Jack; "that is, -if they are not at the bottom now." - -"Oh, I hope not!" cried Sam. - -"Same here. But still, the sudden way that message cut off looked odd." - -The boys said little more, but kept their attention concentrated, -waiting for the first sharp, quick cry that would announce that the -derelict of the skies had been sighted. It was nerve-racking, the -waiting for that shout. - -It seemed that hours had passed, when suddenly there came a sharp bark -from the bows. A keen-eyed salt stationed there had seen something even -before the officers on the bridge had sighted it through their -binoculars. - -"What is it, my man?" hailed Captain McDonald through a speaking -trumpet. - -"Can't just make out, sir. It might be a big whale, but it looks to me -like a boat." - -The officers scrutinized the object pointed out through their glasses. -It lay some miles from the ship, spread out darkly on the blue, -gently-heaving sea. - -"Can you see any human beings on board it?" demanded Captain McDonald -anxiously of Mr. Metcalf. - -"No, sir, I--yes, I do, too. One man. He is standing up, waving." - -"Give me the glasses, Metcalf." - -The captain took the binoculars. - -"Yes, you're right; there's a man on board. But how long he will keep -afloat, I don't know. Lucky the sea is calm." - -"You may well say that, sir. In my opinion, whatever he is standing on -is due to sink before long." - -"My opinion, too. But hullo, what is that coming up over the horizon -there?" - -"That smoke, sir? That must be the _City of Mexico_." - -"Yes, you're right, it is. I can see her masts now. She's coming up -fast." - -"We don't want to let her beat us, sir." - -"No, indeed; signal below for more speed." - -Mr. Metcalf jerked the engine-room telegraph. A quickened impulse of the -steel hull followed. Inky smoke rolled in volumes from the two funnels -of the big ship. Never had she gone faster. Under the forced draught in -the sweating stokeholds below, the firemen toiled desperately. Steam -screeched from the 'scape pipes in a constant roar, testifying to the -big head of power being carried in the ship's boilers. - -It was a race to thrill the most critical, and a contest of speed, too, -which had, as its goal, a human life; for, from the frantic signals now -being made by the man on the drifting flying-boat, it was plain that he -did not expect to keep above the water much longer. - -The _Mexico's_ wireless man was signaling Jack. - -"Hit it up, you _Tropic Queen_." - -"We're doing nicely, thank you," came back Jack. "What's the matter with -your old sea-going smoke wagon?" - -In this way the messages between the two on-rushing steamships were -flashed back and forth above the sparkling sea, while the drama of the -race for a life was going forward. - -And now the passengers had caught sight of the tiny object adrift on the -vast ocean. A hoarse cheer ascended to the boat decks, in which the -shrill voices of women mingled. They were shouting encouragement and -advice to the castaway of the sky. - -He replied by waving. The speed of the ship suddenly was reduced. Under -Quartermaster Schultz a boat crew was made up. Jack begged to be allowed -to be one of them and, to his delight, the captain told him to cut -along. - -Sam, although deeply disappointed at being left behind, nevertheless -cheered with the rest as the boat was lowered and struck the water with -a splash. Then, as the steamer's propellers ground in reverse to check -her way, it dashed off toward the stricken flying-boat. - -The craft could be seen quite plainly now--a dainty affair with golden, -shimmering wings supporting a boat-like structure amidships. Jack was -familiar with the general construction of flying-boats, the very latest -type of aëroplane, from pictures he had seen in magazines, but he had -never seen a real one before. He marveled that so frail looking a craft -could have made her way so far out to sea. - -But as they neared the stricken airship, shouting words of encouragement -to her lone occupant, a startling thing happened. Simultaneously a groan -burst from the throats of the boat crew. - -The flying-boat vanished from the surface of the sea as if she had been -a smudge wiped off a slate with a sponge. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -A LEAP FOR A LIFE - - -Had the lone navigator of the craft perished when she gave the last -swift and decisive plunge to the bottom? A groan that went up from the -decks of the _Tropic Queen_, which had steamed quite close, seemed to -indicate that the enthralled onlookers thought so. - -But suddenly Jack gave a shout: - -"There he is! Over there! Pull for your lives, men!" - -The brawny arms of the oarsmen needed no encouragement. Every man bent -to his work till the stout ash sweeps curved and their backs cracked. - -The boat flew across the water to a tiny, bobbing, black dot, the head -of the castaway aviator. As they drew closer, they could see his face -turned toward them imploringly. He was a young man, black-haired and -apparently good-looking, although they did not pay much attention to his -appearance just then. - -As they drew alongside, his strength suddenly seemed to give out after -the brave struggle he had made, and he disappeared under the water. Even -as he did so, a figure leaped from the boat in a long, clean dive. When -Jack, for it was the young wireless man who had made the daring leap, -reappeared, he held in his arms the body of the half-drowned man. - -[Illustration: He held in his arms the body of the half-drowned man.] - -A dozen eager hands drew them aboard the boat, while from both the big -steamers, for the _City of Mexico_ had now come up, there arose a mighty -roar of recognition for the plucky rescue. From the _Mexico's_ signal -halliards a message of congratulation was fluttering as the _Tropic -Queen's_ boat started back for her ship. In the wireless coop, Sam and -the _City of Mexico's_ operator were busy exchanging comments by radio. - -The aviator soon recovered and was able to talk to Jack as the boat crew -pulled back. His name was Ramon de Garros, and he was a young Frenchman. -He was making the flight from Palm Beach to Havana in the flying-boat in -the interests of a hotel company owning giant hostelries in both places. - -He had set out the day before, thinking to finish the flight within a -few hours. Instead, an accident to his engine had compelled him to -alight on the surface of the ocean. Then adverse winds had driven him -far off his course, and finally his gasoline had given out. He luckily -had a wireless apparatus on board, a new, light device with which he had -been experimenting for the government. If it had not been for this, his -chance of rescue would have been slim. - -The rails of the ship were lined with men and women who gave the -returning rescuers a hearty roar of welcome as they drew alongside. De -Garros, with the volatility of a true Frenchman, waved his hand to show -that he was not injured. This brought another cheer. - -The boat was hoisted home and the crowd pressed about it as Jack -clambered out and extended his hand to De Garros, who was still feeble -from his trying experience. Men and women tried to grasp Jack's hand, -but he brushed past them, feeling awkward and embarrassed as he -conducted De Garros to the captain's cabin. - -In the crowd was Miss Jarrold, and as they passed her, to Jack's -astonishment, she and De Garros exchanged looks of unmistakable -recognition. The girl turned away the next instant, but De Garros -exclaimed to Jack: - -"What is that young lady doing on this ship?" - -"She is accompanying her uncle," rejoined Jack. "I believe they are on a -pleasure cruise." - -"Her uncle is on board?" - -There was a note almost of anxiety in the rescued aviator's voice as he -put the question. - -"Yes. You know him?" - -The reply astonished Jack. De Garros' tone was more than vehement as he -rejoined: - -"Know him! I know him too well! I--but never mind about that now." - -Jack had no time to ask questions; indeed, he would have considered it -impertinent to have done so. They now reached the captain's cabin and -that dignitary himself came forward to greet De Garros. The aviator -explained that he wished to be transported to Kingston, Jamaica, which -was the first port of call of the _Tropic Queen_, and that there he -would cable for money for his passage and so forth. - -Captain McDonald greeted him warmly, and clothes from the wardrobe of -the third officer, who was about his size, were found for De Garros, who -was beginning to shiver, warm though the air was. Jack had to hurry off -to relieve Sam at the key. As he left, he and De Garros shook hands -warmly. - -"I shall see more of you," said the young Frenchman. - -"I hope so," responded Jack. "I should like to hear more about your air -voyage, when you have time." - -"I can always make time for the man who saved my life," was the -rejoinder of the aërial castaway. - -"Oh, shucks!" exclaimed Jack, not being able to think of anything else -to say. - -Then he hurried back on the job. Half an hour later, in dry clothes, he -was at his key again and exchanging joshes with the operator of the -_Mexico_, as both the stately crafts stood on their courses once more -after participating in what was, probably, the first rescue of an aërial -castaway on record. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -A CALL IN THE NIGHT - - -Sapphire days of steaming through deep blue tropic seas beneath a -cloudless sky passed by dreamily. The _Tropic Queen_ was now in the -Caribbean, rolling lazily southward through azure water flecked with -golden patches of gulf weed--looking like marine golden-rod. Fleeing -flocks of flying fish scuttered over the water as the steamer's sharp -bow nosed into the stuff, like a covey of partridges rising from cover -before a sportsman's gun. - -To Jack and Sam, making their first voyage in these waters, everything -was new and fascinating. They never tired of leaning over the rail, -watching the different forms of marine life that were to be seen almost -every moment. - -Jack had succeeded in attaching a bell to the wireless apparatus, which, -while it did not sound powerfully when a wireless wave beat against the -antennæ, yet answered its purpose so long as they were in the vicinity -of the wireless room. Jack had hopes, in time, of perfecting a device -which would give a sharp, insistent ring and awaken even the soundest -sleeper. The boy knew that on many small steamers only one wireless -operator is, from motives of economy, carried. When such an operator is -asleep, therefore, the wireless "ears" of his ship are deaf. But with an -alarm bell, such as Jack hoped to bring to perfection, there would be no -danger of the man's not awakening in time to avert what might prove to -be grave disaster. - -They now began to steam past small islands, bare, desolate spots for the -most part, but surrounded by waters clear as crystal and gleaming like -jewels. Some of them were covered with a sparse sort of brush, but -generally they were mere specks of sand in a glowing sea of azure. - -One evening Jack was sitting at the key, when through the air there -came, beating at his ears, a wireless summons. Such messages were common -enough and the boy languidly, for the night was stiflingly hot, reached -out a hand for his pencil in order to jot down whatever might be coming. - -But the next instant he was sitting bolt upright, sending out with -strong, nervous fingers a crashing reply to the message that had come to -him. - -"To any ship in vicinity," it read. "Send us a boat-load of provisions -and water or we shall perish." - -"Who are you?" flashed Jack's key in reply. - -Feebly, as if the supply of juice was running low, the mysterious sender -of the urgent appeal sent back his answer. - -"The Sombrero Island Light. The monthly provision boat has not arrived -from the mainland. We are almost destitute." - -Jack looked up at his wireless map. Sure enough, on a tiny speck of land -not far off, was marked in blue, with a red star, the location of the -island light, the coloring denoting that, like many modern lighthouses, -it was equipped with wireless. - -"How many of you are there?" inquired Jack's radio. - -"Two. But my partner, an old man, is bedridden from suffering. I have -not slept for many nights and am almost exhausted." - -"Keep up your courage," rejoined Jack, "and I'll see what I can do." - -He hurried forward with his message to the bridge. He found the captain -taking his ease in slippers and pajamas outside the sacred precincts of -his cabin. Jack told him briefly about the communication he had had, and -then handed the skipper the notes he had made of the radio conversation. - -The captain looked annoyed. A frown furrowed his forehead. - -"Confound it all," he muttered, "I was making up my mind for a record -run and this means delay. But we can't neglect to aid those unfortunates -who are probably suffering the pangs of hunger and thirst at this very -moment." - -He paused as if reflecting, while Jack stood by respectfully. The -captain had not dismissed him, and the boy judged that he was -considering some plan. - -"Come into the chart room," he said presently; and Jack followed him -through a doorway into the chart room where the sea-maps were stowed -neatly away in overhead racks. - -The captain took down one. Jack saw that it showed the Caribbean. With a -brown forefinger the captain checked off the course of the _Tropic -Queen_ and her present whereabouts, as marked that day by the chief -officer when the log was written up. - -"No chance of getting this ship anywhere within ten miles of the -island," he said, after he had examined the soundings carefully. "It is -one of the worst places charted in these seas." - -"You mean it is unapproachable, sir?" asked Jack. - -"Yes, to a degree. It is surrounded by shoals and reefs. It would be -suicide to try to navigate a ship of this size amongst them." - -"What can be done then, sir?" asked Jack, who knew that he would have to -send a reply to the lighthouse keepers. - -"We shall be about twenty miles to the east of the island early -to-morrow morning," said the captain. "You may inform them that I shall -send off a boat and perhaps the doctor, if I can spare him." - -"Very well, sir." - -Jack started away, but then lingered. - -"Well, what is it?" - -The captain swung around in his chair and looked at the boy who -hesitated in the doorway. - -"I--I wondered if it would be possible for me to go along with the boat, -sir?" asked Jack haltingly. There was something very disconcerting in -that direct glance of the captain's. - -"In the boat, you mean?" - -"Yes, sir. You see they have wireless there. I might be of some use. -I----" - -"There, don't bother to make excuses," laughed the captain -good-humoredly. "You really want to go for the sake of the trip, don't -you?" - -"Well, I----" began Jack, feeling rather foolish at having his mind read -so unerringly. - -"Will your assistant stand watch if I let you go? The ship must not be -left without a wireless man." - -"Sam will stay, sir," rejoined Jack. "It is his watch, anyway." - -"All right, then, consider it settled. Cut along now and send out that -message. Those poor devils must be waiting eagerly for it." - -"Very well, sir, and thank you," exclaimed the delighted Jack. - -"Don't thank me," said the captain, with a gruffness that a twinkle in -his eye betrayed. "I heard before you joined the ship that you had a -faculty for rushing in where you had no business to be, and now I see -that I was not misinformed." - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -TO THE RESCUE - - -"Aren't you going to turn in?" - -Sam asked the question as, at midnight, he came on watch. He took his -position at the key, but, to his surprise, Jack did not show his usual -alacrity to seek his bunk. - -"I guess I'll sit up a while," rejoined Jack, without a trace of -drowsiness. - -Then he added, as Sam looked his bewilderment, "Sammy, my boy, just cast -your eye over those copies of radios I got and answered while you were -asleep." - -Sam obeyed, scanning the despatches and the answers to them, copied in -carbon, with deep interest. When he had finished he looked up. - -"I can guess the reason for your staying up now," he said. - -"Well?" asked Jack, his eyes dancing. - -"You're going along in that boat!" - -"A good guess," laughed Jack. "You don't mind, do you, Sam?" - -"Not a bit. If you will insist on risking your neck, it's no affair of -mine," laughed Sam. - -"Hum, you're a nice, sympathetic little friend, aren't you?" inquired -Jack, giving Sam a dig in the ribs. "But seriously, though," he added, -"you don't think it selfish of me to go off alone and----" - -"Get a ducking?" chuckled Sam. "No, I don't. I'd rather be comfortable -here on board than trying to make a landing on an island beach. It's ten -to one you get tipped over in the surf." - -"Not much danger of that," said Jack; "we've got some skillful oarsmen -in the crew, and you know that boat drill is one of the fads of this -line." - -"Well, what time do you expect to start?" - -"Haven't any idea, but the skipper said we ought to be up with the -island by dawn." - -"If I were you, I'd turn in and get some sleep." - -"Couldn't take a wink. I'm too keyed up about the trip." - -Jack looked at his watch, the fine gold one that had been presented to -him in Antwerp on his first voyage, in recognition of a brave deed. - -"Not one o'clock yet," he muttered impatiently. - -"It won't be light for four hours anyhow," counseled Sam; "you'd better -get into your bunk." - -But Jack was so fearful of being left behind that he refused to turn in. -However, after a time, as he sat in the spare chair of the wireless -room, his eyelids did close in spite of all he could do to prevent them. - -Sam smiled as, turning around, he saw that his chum was asleep. - -It was Schultz, the old quartermaster, who aroused Jack by poking his -head into the door of the wireless room. - -"Ahoy, vere is dot Yack vot vants to go midt us py der Somprero Lighdt?" - -Jack awakened with a start. - -"Eh? What?" he demanded sleepily. - -"Vell, don't you vant to go midt us py der Somprero?" asked Schultz. -"Oder dot you schleep?" - -Broad awake now, Jack sprang to his feet. - -"All right, Schultz, I'll be with you in a jiffy," he exclaimed. - -"Don't make no nefer mindt aboudt gedtting prettied oop," grinned the -old quartermaster grimly, as Jack plunged his face into a basin of cold -water and parted his tousled hair; "maype vee gedt idt a spill in der -vater before ve gedt back der ship py." - -"There, what did I tell you?" demanded Sam triumphantly; but Jack only -grinned. - -There was a great trampling about on the decks outside. The men who had -been selected to form the boat's crew, the pick of the sailors, were -running about, loading the small craft with provisions and barrels of -fresh water. - -To the men this sudden call for a trip to the shore came in the nature -of a junket. It afforded an agreeable bit of relaxation in the midst of -the hum-drum monotony of sea life. A sailor on such an expedition is -like a boy off on a picnic. The men joked and laughed as, in the gray of -the early light, they hustled about between boat and storeroom. - -Dr. Flynn, to Jack's disappointment, was unable to go. A sick patient on -board demanded all his attention. But he put up a case of medicines for -the old light keeper and gave Jack directions how to administer them; -for, by means of the old man's symptoms, transmitted by wireless through -Jack, the doctor of the _Tropic Queen_ had been able to diagnose the -trouble as being a case of tropic fever. - -At last all was ready, and a few early-rising passengers saw the boat -lowered and pulled away for the dim speck of land on the far horizon -that marked the site of Sombrero Island. A few moments later the -stopping of the _Tropic Queen's_ engines aroused the other passengers, -and before the breakfast bugle blew, the ship was humming with -conjecture and surmise as to the reason for the sudden check in the -voyage. - -A bulletin, posted by the captain's orders, dispelled the mystery. It -also announced that the boat was expected back by evening at the latest. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -A TALE OF THE SEA - - -The boat, urged by strong arms, fairly flew over the water. -Quartermaster Schultz served out breakfast to the crew in relays, for no -time had been taken for eating before they started. Jack felt in high -spirits. The morning was clear and quite cool. The scorching heat of the -day would not come till later, when the sun rose higher. - -"Ach, idt vos a badt ding to be on a lighdthouse midout help from der -supply boat undt not knowing if you vill lif or die," said the old -quartermaster, as he sat in the stern sheets with Jack. "I rememper ven -I vos younger vunce I vos tired of der sea undt ships, undt I take idt a -yob on a lighdthouse off der coast of Oregon on der Bacific. - -"Der Big Boint Lighdt vos its name. It vos known as vun of der loneliest -of all der lighdts on dot rocky coast. Budt I didn't care about dot, or -I dought I didn't. Der pay vos goodt undt dere vos annunder keeper, an -oldt man, oldt enough to be mein fadder, I reckon. - -"Vell, der supply boat idt take me to der lighdt, budt a badt storm came -up after dey hadt landed me, undt dey had to go avay again. To get to -der lighdt from der schmall boat dey sendt me ashore in, I hadt to be -hoisted oop in a sordt of basket from der boat by a derrick. Der lighdt -vos just as lonely as I hadt heardt idt vos. Idt stood on a big rock -vich formed der endt of a sordt of peninsula of rocks dot ran out two -miles from der shore. - -"Idt vos buildt of stone undt lookedt strong undt substantial. Idt -needed to pe so, I dought, as I lookedt aboudt me undt sized der place -oop. - -"Der oldt man on der lighdt, his name vos Abbott, velcomed me. He vos a -fine-looking oldt man, midt pale blue eyes undt a long white beard. -After de boat hadt left, pecause of der rising sea, der oldt man toldt -me dot ve vos in for a badt storm. - -"'Let idt come,' said I, 'dis tower is as strong aber der rock idt is -built on. Nuddings can harm idt.' - -"He didn't say nuddings, budt showed me my quarters vich vos in der -lower pardt of de tower. Den he took me oop to show me der lamp, an oil -burner midt a two minute flash. - -"'Many a poor sould vill bless dis lamp to-nighdt,' he saidt to me, undt -den he vent on to tell me dot his son vos a sailor on de China run on a -pig tea clipper. - -"'He is homevard boundt now, undt ought to pe off dis coast to-nighdt,' -he said. 'His ship runs into Portlandt.' - -"Vell, ve cooked our supper undt ate idt vhile der sea oudtside kept -rising undt der windt hadt a sordt of a moan in idt dot made you dink of -somepody in bain. I couldt see dot ve vere in for a mighty badt nighdt. -After ve had eaten, der oldt man, his name vos Abbott, climbed oop der -tower undt lighted der lamps. - -"Den he sedt in motion der clockvurk dot kept der lighdt revolving all -t'rough der nighdt giffing oudt der regular flashes, as sedt down on der -charts. Ven dot vos done dere vosn't much to do budt to smoke undt talk. -Der oldt man vosn't much of a handt for talking, budt aboudt his son he -had a lodt to say. Vot a fine poy he vos, undt how he vos going to try -to gedt him to leave der sea after dot voyage, der oldt man knowing der -sea undt how efery voyage may pe a sailor's last. He showed me his -picture, too. A fine figure of a poy. Ach, yes, undt to dink of vot vos -to happen dot night! Poor oldt Abbott, dot vos many years ago, budt I -can hear him still telling me aboudt his poy Harry, undt vot a fine poy -he vos. - -"Vell, py der time idt vos my turn to go to bed der vind vos howling -undt tearing roundt der lighdt like a pack of wolves. Der sea vos -gedtting oop, too. You could hear idt roar like vild beasts roundt der -place. I foundt myself being mighty gladt dot der tower vos of solidt -stone. Nudding else couldt have stoodt idt. - -"Outside der lighdt vos a small stone shanty. In dis vos der boiler vich -made der fog-horn blow. Oldt man Abbott toldt me pefore I go to bedt dot -I hadt bedder start der fires oop undter der boiler, so dot if anyting -happened to der lighdt ve vould still be able to varn der ships. - -"Ven I open der door to go to der boiler room der vind almost knocks me -off my feedt. Der spray blows in my face like knives. Der sea vos all -vhite, like idt vos boiling. I dell you, dot vos a nighdt, budt idt vos -nudding to vot vos to come. - -"I got steam oop undt banked der fires. Den I turned in till oldt man -Abbott should rouse me for my vatch. I didn't sleep much, vhat vith der -devils howling of vind, and der roar of der sea. Ven oldt man Abbott -vake me, he say dot I shall come oop into der lantern. - -"I hurried on a few clo'es and climbed oop. Himmel! At der top of der -tower you couldt feel dot stone shake, der vind vos so fierce! Oldt man -Abbott, he vos yust sitting dere saying nudding, budt staring out. He -didn't turn ven I came in, budt yust kept on staring. Budt at last he -turn round to me undt holdt oop vun of his vingers, solemn like. - -"'Hark!' he say. - -"'I don't can hear idt nuddings,' I saidt. - -"He shook his oldt vhite head. - -"'Don't you hear dem calling?' he saidt. 'Listen!' - -"I began to dink dot der oldt man hadt gone crazy, as lighdt keepers -sometimes do. For der life of me I could hear nuddings budt der vind -undt der sea. All at vonce a vave came crashing against der glass of der -lantern. You could hear der vater swish undt crash on der lenses. - -"Der tower shook as if idt hadt been struck a blow. I pegan to feel a -bidt scared. A few more vaves like dot undt nudding dot man buildt could -standt idt. Budt oldt man Abbott, he say nudding. Py undt py I saw his -lips move undt I dought maype he vos praying. - -"I not interrupt him budt come downstairs again. I know I must see to -der furnace under der boiler in der vistle house. But ven I opened der -door I vos blown in again. Dot vind vos so strong dot idt drove me -righdt back, undt I vos a strong young man den, too, midt my muscles -hardened on ships all ofer der vurld. I saw dot if I vanted to endt idt -my life, all I had to do vos to try to gedt to dot boiler house. So I -gif idt oop, undt come in py der tower again. - -"I go oop py der lighdt. Ach, it vos terrible oop dere! Der seas vos so -pig dot dey sweep righdt ofer der tower. Small rocks undt stones -hammered against der lenses till you vould haf dought dey must be -smashed in! Budt dey vere of t'ick, strong glass undt dey stoodt idt. - -"Oldt man Abbott, he asks me to go pelow undt gedt him some coffee. Py -dot time idt is gedtting on toward morning. Der storm is schreeching -undt howling undt ramping like ten t'ousand teufels. Sometimes ven a big -vave hit der tower idt shake like dere vos an eart'quake gotd idt in its -teef! - -"'Schultz,' I say by meinselfs, 'you are one pig fool, mein fine fellow, -to leave der sea. Aber idt is bedder to die on a goodt ship dan in der -wreck of a lighdthouse.' - -"I haf youst aboudt godt der coffee ready ven der oldt man comes down. -Dere vos a vild look in his eyes like he hadt seen a ghost. - -"'Dere's a ship, a fine ship, she's driven ashore on der Squabs,' he -said. Der Squabs peing vot ve called der long neck of small rocks -petween der Big Lighdt undt der shore. - -"'Impossible!' saidt I. 'Ve vould half heardt idt der rockets aber der -guns if such hadt been der case.' - -"'Pelief idt or nodt as you like,' he said, 'budt dere is a ship ashore. -I heardt der poor soulds on her screaming undt praying.' - -"I looked at him, dinking he had suddenly gone crazy. Budt he looked -quite sane undt serious. - -"'Idt is a terrible ding,' he said, 'to die like dot midtoudt a grave -budt der sea to lay your headt in, till der judgment day ven der good -book tells us dere shall pe no more sea.' - -"'Mr. Abbott,' I saidt, 'I dink you hadt bedder dake your coffee undt go -to bedt. You are overtired.' - -"'I shall keep oop till der storm dies oudt,' he saidt, undt I shall -nefer forget his voice as he saidt dot. 'I must see vot ship dot vos dot -drove ashore.' - -"Suddenly, above us, ve heardt a terrible noise as if der lighdthouse -vos peing torn to bits. Idt came from der oopper pardt of der tower. I -rushed to der foot of der steps undt vos medt py a rush of vater. - -"As idt swept py me idt almost knocked me off my feedt! Righdt avay I -know vot hadt happened. A big vave hadt smashed in der light, or more -likely a big rock, hurled py der vave, hadt done der damage. - -"Midt oldt man Abbott close behindt me, I fought my vay oop der steps. - -"Himmel! I nefer forget vot ve findt! - -"Der whole top of der lantern, idt hadt been cut off as if py a knife! -Only ragged edges of stone showed vhere idt hadt been. Der lighdthouse -vos no longer a lighdthouse, undt vos of no goodt to varn ships of der -danger. - -"As ve stoodt dere annuder big vave come sweeping ofer undt half drowned -us. A big rock just missed mein headt, undt der vater go pouring down -der stairs like a cascade. - -"'Ve must go pelow undt shut der door at der bottom of der stairs,' I -say; 'uddervise ve pe drowned oudt.' - -"Der oldt man nodded as if he only half understoodt. - -"'Yah, yah; drowned, drowned, drowned,' he saidt to himself; 'drowned -like der poor folk on der wreck.' - -"I got him down der stairs pefore annuder big vave come, undt den shut -der door so dot no more big vaves come into der room. Budt der place vos -a sight! Dere vos six inches of vater in dere vich hadn't flowed oudt -unter der door. Budt liddle by liddle idt drained oudt. - -"No more big vaves come. Idt look as if der storm, hafing wrecked der -lighdthouse, vos content to lie down undt pe quiet for a vhile. Bimeby, -ven der vind drop, I go out py der boiler house. - -"Idt hadt gone! Vere idt hadt stood dere vos nudding! Dose vaves hadt -taken idt off der rock as if idt hadt been a shellfish! - -"'Ach, dis is badt,' I say to meinself. 'Der lighdthouse is wrecked undt -I lose my yob!' - -"Der storm died down fast, undt py der time idt vos daylighdt, dere -being nuddings to do budt to sit round undt vait for der supply boat to -come back, I dropped off into a soundt sleep. I vakened oop an hour or -two later. Der kitchen vere ve hadt been sitting vos empty. I vent up -into der ruins of der lamp, budt oldt man Abbott vos not dere eidder. - -"I call for him budt dere comes no answer. Den I go oudtside on der rock -undt I findt him. He is lying very still on der edge of der vater. Close -py him is a big log vich look like part of der spar of a ship. Preddy -soon I see dat dere is someting on der spar, undt I look undt see dot -idt is a man. He is quite dead, dat I see by a look adt his face. - -"Den I look again. Undt den I see vy oldt man Abbott lies so still on -der edge of der rock. Der face of der man on der spar vos der face of -his son Harry! Undt oldt man Abbott is deadt. - -"Der ship dot der oldt man, in some mysterious vay, heardt drive to her -death on der rocks, vos his son's ship, der vun on vich he vos making -his homevard voyage. Vell, for a day I stay on der rock midt der dead -fadder undt der deadt son, undt den der relief ship come. Dey bury der -oldt man undt der boy side py side der next day, undt I leave dot part -of der country; undt since den I nefer see a lighdthouse budt I dink of -oldt man Abbott undt der homevard bound son he never saw." - -Not long after the conclusion of the old sailor's story, which left him -glum and taciturn, the white spiral of the Sombrero Island Light came -into view, sticking up like a finger on the sandy islet whose name it -bore. As they drew closer, Jack could make out a solitary figure on the -beach. It was the light keeper, who was soon greeting them with -heartfelt gratitude. He was probably a young man, but the anxiety he had -been through had aged him in a few nights. - -While the sailors were unloading the provisions and water, for drinking -water on that desolate island could only be caught in tanks when it -rained, Jack visited the other light keeper. He found him much better -than he had been when the wireless message was sent out. In fact, after -some of the remedies Dr. Flynn had sent had been administered, he -declared he would be strong enough to go about his duty that night. - -The light keepers explained that they were doubly anxious for a sight of -the relief ship, for her appearance meant that they would go on a -month's vacation, their places to be taken by two other men the relief -craft was bringing out. Before they left the island, Jack had the -satisfaction of spying a distant sail on the horizon. The light keeper, -who was up and about, scrutinized it through his glass. He broke into an -exclamation of thankfulness the next minute. - -"It's the old _Solitaire_, sure enough!" he cried. "She must have been -delayed by storms." - -"Looks as if one of der top masdts, idt has been carried avay," declared -Schultz, who had borrowed the glass. - -"Is the _Solitaire_ the relief ship?" asked Jack. - -"Yes; the same old schooner that always comes. Oh, won't Barney be glad! -It'll be better to him than medicine." And the keeper of the light ran -toward the tower to tell his companion the good news. - -And so, as they rowed back to the ship, they left the light keepers -happy, but nevertheless old Schultz shook his head as he spoke of them. - -"Aber, I'd radder pe a sea-cook dan a keeper py a lighdthouse," he said -with deep conviction; and added, nodding his head solemnly, "I know." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -A DECOY MESSAGE - - -The following days passed quickly and pleasantly. The friendship between -De Garros and Jack ripened, being nourished, of course, by their mutual -interest in wireless, of which De Garros was a capable exponent. He did -not revert again to the subject of any previous acquaintance with -Jarrold and his niece and, seeing his reticence concerning it, Jack -avoided the topic. - -At last Jamaica was sighted on the horizon. Some hours later they were -steaming through a deep blue sea along brilliantly green shores, above -which rose rugged peaks and mountains. Jack and Sam gazed with delight -at the scene as it unrolled. - -The big steamer slowly rounded the long, sandy arm of Port Royal and -took on the black pilot. Then she proceeded up the harbor, following a -twisted, tortuous channel, past mangrove swamps, ruined batteries and -rankly growing royal palms. - -As soon as the ship had docked, Jack and Sam both received leave to go -ashore. As may be imagined, they did not waste much time on -preparations, but were on the deck almost as soon as the gang-plank was -down. Most of the passengers followed their example, and as but few of -the ship's company were leaving the _Tropic Queen_ at Kingston, the -quaint town, with its cement stores and hotels, its dusty streets and -swarming negroes, was soon thronged with sightseers. - -Jack and Sam chartered one of the hacks that are everywhere present in -the town, and ordered the driver to show them about the city. They found -that while the main town was businesslike and substantial with its -concrete structures and stores, the back streets still showed abundant -evidences of the earthquake, which some years ago shook down most of the -city and caused a tremendous loss of life. - -Some of the houses looked as if they had been shell-ridden. The roofs -had fallen in, showing the bare rafters. Walls were cracked, and in some -places the entire front was out of a house, revealing the interior of -the bare rooms. - -"I don't see very much that is interesting here," said Jack at length. -"Suppose we go back to the hotel that was recommended to us?" - -"I'm agreeable," said Sam. "So far, my chief impression of Kingston is -dust and noisy niggers." - -The order was given to the black driver, and they were soon rolling back -to the hotel that Jack had mentioned. It was a picturesque structure in -the Spanish style of architecture, which harmonized well with the tropic -gardens surrounding it. Passing through the lobby, where they stopped to -buy postcards, the boys found themselves in a palm grove facing the blue -waters of the harbor. - -A delightful breeze rustled through the palms and the boys contentedly -threw themselves into chairs and ordered two lemonades. They sipped them -slowly while they enjoyed the view and the shade. Many others from the -ship had found their way there, too. Among them was Colonel Minturn with -a party of friends. - -He passed the boys with a friendly nod. He had hardly gone by, when -Jack, who had happened to look around, gave a start. - -Standing behind a palm and watching the Minturn party intently, was -Jarrold. The trunk of the tree afforded him ample protection from the -observation of the man he was watching with an unwavering scrutiny. - -Apparently he had not seen the boys. Jack nudged Sam and gave him a -whispered warning not to turn around. - -"Jarrold is there, watching Colonel Minturn. He is plotting some -mischief. I am sure of it." - -"Wherever he is, there is trouble," agreed Sam. - -"That's just where you are right," replied Jack. - -"Is his pretty niece with him?" inquired Jack's companion. - -"I don't see her. By the way, I wonder where De Garros met them. Queer -that, although they know each other, as De Garros admits, they never -speak." - -"They probably met abroad somewhere," hazarded Sam. - -"I suppose so," was the reply, and then the talk drifted to other -subjects. But Jack had shifted his chair so as to watch Jarrold without -appearing to do so. Before long, the man turned and strolled in the -direction of a terrace which opened on the palm garden. - -Jack half rose from his chair as if he intended to follow him. - -"What's the trouble?" asked Sam. - -"I don't mean to let Jarrold out of my sight, that's all," said Jack. -"But look! He has stopped. He is talking to someone. That chap in a sun -helmet. I can't see his face, but somehow he looks mighty familiar to -me." - -The young man who had joined Jarrold strolled along the terrace with him -till they both found chairs. Then they sat down and seemed to be engaged -in earnest conversation. The stranger, who yet seemed familiar to Jack, -had his back turned to them so that it was impossible to see his -features. - -At length they arose, shook hands as if they had come to an agreement on -some matter, and parted. Jarrold came into the garden and took a seat at -a table. He scowled heavily at the boys as he passed them, but gave no -other sign of recognition. Suddenly Jack rose to his feet. - -"I'm a fine chump!" he exclaimed. "I ought to have brought my camera -along. Hanged if I didn't forget it!" - -"Why don't you go back to the ship for it?" asked Sam. "It's not very -far. You can get there and back in twenty minutes or less if you drive." - -"That part of it is all right. But I hate to leave His Nibs, there, -unwatched." - -"Oh, as for that, I'll take care of him till you get back," Sam -promised. - -"Bully for you! Then I'll go. And say----" - -But at that moment a page came into the garden. He was calling for "Mr. -Ready." - -"Means me, I guess," laughed Jack, "although it sounds new to be called -'Mr. Ready.' What do you want?" he asked, stopping the boy. - -"You are Mr. Ready? All right then, there's a telephone message for you. -You're wanted back on the ship as soon as possible." - -"That's a funny coincidence," murmured Jack; "just as I was ready to go, -too." - -As the page hurried off, Jack turned to Sam: - -"I can't think what they can want me for; still, orders are orders. You -stay here and watch His Nibs yonder, then, Sam, till I get back. If he -goes anywhere, follow him, but don't take any chances. He's got no great -love for either of us, I fancy." - -"Well, I guess not, after the pummeling you gave him," laughed Sam. - -Jack hurried off. Orders were orders, and although he could not imagine -what he could be wanted for on board the _Tropic Queen_, he knew that it -was his duty to obey at once. But, to his astonishment, when he reached -the ship he found that there had been no message for him so far as -anybody knew. All the ship's officers were ashore and the ship deserted, -except for the crew unloading the bulky cargo, while black stevedores -sung and swore and steam winches rattled and roared to the accompaniment -of the harsh screaming of the bos'n's pipe. - -A good deal puzzled, Jack was retracing his steps to the hotel and the -pleasant coolness of the garden, when he was suddenly accosted by a -young man who stepped from around the corner of a building. - -"Hello there, Jack Ready! Well, if I'm not glad to see you!" - -It was Ralph Cummings, the operator whose place had been taken by Sam -Smalley on Jack's recommendation. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -FALSE FRIENDSHIP - - -Jack had no great liking for Cummings. In fact, at the time the latter -lost his job on the _Tropic Queen_, he had left in a rage, swearing that -he would "get even." - -But now he held out his hand with a frank smile, or one that was -intended to be frank but was not, for Cummings hadn't that kind of a -face. He was about Jack's age, with sandy hair, low, rather receding -forehead and shifty, light eyes that had a habit of looking on the -ground when he spoke. - -"Well, well, Ready," he exclaimed. "It's good to see a face from home." - -"Thanks," said Jack, "but if I recollect rightly you were not so crazy -about seeing me again, the last time we met." - -He instinctively distrusted this fellow. There was something assumed, -something that did not ring true about his apparent heartiness. - -"Oh, come now, Ready, here we are thousands of miles from home and -you're still holding that old grudge against me! Shake hands, man, and -forget it." - -Jack began to feel rather ashamed of his brusqueness. After all, -Cummings might be more unfortunate in manner than intentionally -unpleasant. - -"That's all right, Cummings," he said, extending his hand. "I'm glad to -see you, too. Here on a ship?" - -"Yes, a small one, though. Not a liner like the _Tropic Queen_, but it -was the best I could get." - -Jack felt a twinge of remorse. Cummings said this uncomplainingly and -yet with an emphasis that made Jack feel uncomfortable. The man was -incompetent, it was true, but still, Jack almost began to think that he -ought to have given him another chance. - -"When did you get in?" pursued Cummings. - -"This morning. We'll lie here two days, I guess. We've got a big cargo." - -"Is that so? Well, I hope we'll see a lot of each other." - -"I hope so, too," said Jack, without, however, very much cordiality. - -"Well, come and have a drink before you go," suggested Cummings. - -"Thanks, but I never drink. I think it would be better for you, too, -Cummings, if you did not touch liquor." - -"Oh, I didn't mean that. I wanted you to try some cola. It's a native -drink. They make it here. It's very cool and nice." - -Jack had been walking fast and was hot. The idea appealed to his -thirsty, dust-filled throat. - -"All right, Cummings. Where do you go?" he said. - -"Down here. We could get it at a soda fountain in the drug store yonder; -but it's better in the native quarter right down this street." - -He motioned down the side street from which he had emerged when Jack -encountered him. - -"All right; but I can't stay long. I've got a friend waiting for me." - -"That's all right," Cummings assured him. "It's not more than a block -and you can take a short cut back to the hotel to save time." - -They walked down a curious narrow street with high-walled gardens on -either side. Over the tops of the walls, in some places, great creepers -straggled, spangled with gorgeous red and purple flowers. In other -spots, drooping above the walls could be seen the giant fronds of banana -plants, or tenuous palm tree tops. - -Cummings stopped in front of a plaster house, badly cracked by the -earthquake. - -"Right in here," he said. - -Jack followed him into the dark, cool interior. After the blinding glare -of the sun outside, it was hard at first to make out the surroundings. -But Jack's eyes soon became accustomed to the gloom, and he saw that -they were in a small room with a polished floor and that two or three -chairs and tables were scattered about. - -An old negro woman of hideous appearance, with one eye and two solitary -teeth gleaming out of her sooty, black face, shuffled in. She wore a -calico dress and a red bandana handkerchief and was smoking a home-made -cigar. - -Cummings, who seemed quite at home in the place, greeted her as Mother -Jenny. He ordered "two colas." - -"Great place this, eh?" said Cummings with easy familiarity, leaning -back. "You know I've made several voyages to the tropics, and when I'm -in Kingston I always like to come in here. There's a sort of local color -about it." - -"And a lot of local dirt, too," commented Jack, rather disgustedly -sniffing at the atmosphere, which was an odd combination of stale -tobacco smoke, mustiness and a peculiar odor inseparable from the native -quarters of tropical cities. - -However, the cola, when it arrived, quite made up for all these -deficiencies. It was served in carved calabashes and tasted like a sort -of sublimated soda pop. - -"Great stuff, eh?" said Cummings, gulping his with great relish. - -"It is good," admitted Jack. "You'd be a lot better off, Cummings, if -you only drank this sort of stuff." - -"Now don't preach, Ready," was the rejoinder. "You can't be a man and -not drink liquor." - -"That might have been true a hundred years ago, but it certainly isn't -to-day," retorted Jack. "The great corporations won't hire men who -drink. It's gone out of date. The man who drinks is putting himself on -the toboggan slide." - -"Say, you ought to have been in the Salvation Army," said Cummings, with -what amounted to a veiled sneer. - -Strangely enough Jack did not resent this. His head felt very heavy -suddenly. The bright patch of sunlight outside began to sway and waver -queerly. - -"I--I don't feel very well," he said presently in a feeble tone. - -"Must be the sun," said Cummings. "I'd better call a hack and take you -to the hotel. The sun often effects newcomers like that." - -"I wish you'd get a rig," said Jack feebly, preventing himself from -falling forward on the table only by a rigid effort. - -Cummings jumped to his feet and hurried from the place. - -"That native stuff worked quicker than I thought," he muttered. "Now to -get a rig and meet Jarrold. I guess he'll think I've done a good job. -Anyhow, I'm getting square on that conceited young fool for losing me my -position." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -KIDNAPPED - - -A rig was passing and Cummings hailed the driver. - -"There's a sick man in here and I want you to give me a hand to get him -out, and drive where I tell you," he said. "You'll be paid well if you -don't ask questions." - -"Dere's been berry many sick mans come out'n Mother Jenny's," -volunteered the man with a grin as he pulled up his aged horse. - -"You just keep your mouth shut. That's all I want you to do," said -Cummings with a scowl. - -"Oh, berry well, Busha," said the black with a grin. - -"Wait here, I'll be out in a minute," said Ralph Cummings. He hurried -back into the unsavory interior of the place and presently issued again, -supporting Jack, who was reeling and swaying from side to side and who -gazed about him with a vacant expression. - -It was at this moment that a dapper little man came hastening along the -street. - -"Good gracious, can it be possible that that is Jack Ready in such a -condition?" he exclaimed. "Being led out of a low dram shop! It's -incredible! I'd not believe it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes." - -He bustled up to Cummings, who was just putting Jack into the cab, where -the young wireless boy collapsed, breathing heavily and rolling his eyes -stupidly about. - -"My friend, pardon me," he exclaimed, addressing Cummings, "but my name -is De Garros. I am a friend of this young man's from the _Tropic Queen_. -In fact I owe my life to him. Is he ill?" - -"Ill nothing! He's just taken a drop too much. Sea-faring men often do." - -De Garros threw up his hands in horror. - -"I would never have believed it," he cried incredulously; "yet it must -be true! Ready, are you ill?" - -Jack mumbled something incoherently in rejoinder. De Garros looked his -disgust. - -"What did I tell you?" sneered Cummings. "I'm taking him to a hotel. -He'll be all right in a few hours." - -"I am glad he has a friend to take care of him," declared the dapper -little aviator, and he hurried on, shaking his head over the -intemperance which he had been led by Cummings to believe was the cause -of Jack's plight. - -"That's another spoke in your wheel, my lad," muttered Cummings as he -got in beside the now senseless youth. "I don't know who your friend is, -but he won't think much of you after this, if, indeed, he ever sees you -again." - -He leaned forward and gave a direction to the driver. - -"Drive out along the Castle Road," he said, mentioning an unfrequented -road that led to the outskirts of Kingston. - -The darky nodded. All these queer proceedings were none of his business. -Their road led through the negro quarter of the town and they passed -hardly a white face. Such negroes as they encountered merely stared -stolidly at the white-faced, reeling youth seated at Cummings' side. - -By and by the houses began to thin out. Then, in the distance, down the -dusty road, they came in view of an automobile halted at the roadside. - -"Stop at that car," ordered Cummings. - -"At dat mobolbubbul?" asked the black. - -"That's what I said, you inky-faced idiot," snapped Cummings. - -"My, my, dayt am a nice gen'mums, fo' sho'," muttered the old darky. "Ah -don' jes' lak de looks ob dese circumloquoshons nohow, an' Ah am goin' -ter keep mah eyes wide open. Yes, sah, jes' dat berry ting." - -By the side of the halted car stood Jarrold. He wore a broad Panama hat -and a long white dust coat. - -"Well, you got him, I see," said Jarrold, with an evil grin that showed -all his tusk-like teeth, as the darky's rickety old vehicle came to a -halt. - -"Yes, it was like taking candy from a child," responded Cummings. "Now -if you'll just give me a lift in with him, governor, we'll get started." - -Between them, the two rascals half pushed, half carried Jack's limp form -into the back of the auto. Jarrold dug down into his pockets. - -"This is the right road for the Lion's Mouth, isn't it?" he demanded of -the darky. "It's years since I was there and I've forgotten much about -it." - -The black looked at him with dropping jaw. - -"De Lion's Mouf out by der ole castle, Busha?" he asked. - -"Yes, of course," was the impatient response. "This is the right road?" - -"Oh, yas, sah, yas, sah," sputtered the driver. - -Jarrold gave him a big bill and told him to "keep his mouth shut with -that." The darky looked at the bill and his eyes rolled with -astonishment. - -"Dere's suthin' wrong hyer," he muttered as he climbed into his rickety -old rig and prepared to drive back to town. "Hones' folks wouldn' give -ole Black Strap dat amoun' uv money fo' dat lilly bitty ride 'less dey -was suthin' fishy. Reckon Ah'll do some 'vestigatin' when Ah gits back -to der town." - -In the meantime, Jarrold had taken the driver's seat of the car and -Cummings sat beside him. In a cloud of dust they started down the road, -the old darky gazing after them till long after they had passed out of -sight. - -Then he whipped up his bony old nag to its best speed and hurried back -to Kingston. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -SAM, A TRUE FRIEND - - -Sam saw Jarrold get up and leave his table suddenly. The boy was on his -feet in a minute and on his trail. Jarrold walked off quickly as if in a -hurry. But Sam trailed him through the lobby. In front of the hotel -stood an automobile, in the tonneau of which sat Jarrold's pretty niece. - -Sam got behind a pillar of the Spanish portico and strained his ears to -hear what the two were saying, as Jarrold paused with his foot on the -running board. A chauffeur, who had apparently driven his car from some -garage, stood beside it waiting respectfully. - -The listening boy could not hear much. But he saw the girl clasp her -hands as if pleading with her uncle not to do some contemplated act, and -he heard Jarrold grate out harshly: - -"Shut up, I tell you. What do you know about it?" - -Then Jarrold turned to the chauffeur. - -"You can go, my man. I'll drive myself," he said, and then he jumped in -and drove off at a fast pace, while Sam stood helplessly on the portico. -Jarrold had escaped his surveillance and it appeared, from the scrap of -conversation that he had overheard, that mischief was in the wind. - -Even had he had the money to hire another car, it would have been too -late. Sam felt vaguely that he had been outgeneraled. He went back to -the hotel to wait for his chum. But lunch time came, and no Jack. - -Sam began to get worried. Still, Jack might have been detained on the -ship. Partly to keep from worrying and partly to occupy his time, Sam -set out to walk to the ship. - -He found old Schultz, the quartermaster, superintending the getting out -of the cargo. - -"Seen Ready about, Schultz?" he asked, going up to the old man. - -"Sure I seen idt him," was the reply. - -"Where is he?" - -"How shouldt I know? I vos busy votching dese plack peggars vurk. Aber, -if I don'd vatch, dey all go py scheebs alretty. Yah." - -"But he came to the ship some time ago." - -"Ach! Don'd I know idt dot? Budt he leftd again, oh, an hour ago. Some -fool call him up py delephones undt tell him he is vanted. Dot is pig -lie. Nobotty vants him on der ship, so he go. Dot is all I know." - -Sam looked dismayed. If Jack had left the ship to return to the hotel an -hour before, then he should have reached there ages ago. He was not -likely to linger, either, considering how anxious he was to observe -Jarrold's movements. What could be the explanation? Was he hurt or -injured, or was some plot in execution against him? - -But Jack had no enemies in the world so far as Sam knew, and certainly -he had none in Kingston, where he was an utter stranger. Was it possible -that Jarrold--but no, that sinister personage had been quietly seated at -a table in the hotel garden till the time he drove off with his niece. - -Feeling puzzled and depressed, Sam went ashore once more and called up -the hospitals, in the belief that his chum might have been injured. But -nobody even remotely resembling Jack had been seen there. Nor did his -search in other quarters result any more favorably. At length Sam went -back to the hotel in the vain hope that Jack might have been delayed in -some way, and that they had passed each other. - -But no trace of his chum did he find there, either. The lad made a -miserable pretext of eating lunch and then set out on his search again. -By this time he was absolutely certain that harm of some sort had come -to Jack. - -As he was leaving the hotel gates, he almost collided with a figure just -coming in. He greeted the newcomer with a cry of joy. In the mood he was -in, Sam longed for someone in whom to confide his fears about Jack. - -"Why, what is the matter?" demanded the other as Sam exclaimed, - -"I am glad I met you. I'm in great trouble. It's about Jack. He left -here to go to the ship. He was summoned there by telephone. But on his -arrival at the dock, he found that the message was either a mistake or a -wilful hoax." - -"So?" said the aviator softly. "Go on, my young friend." - -"That much I found out by inquiry at the ship after I tired of waiting -for him to return." - -"Yes, and then?" - -Sam noticed something most peculiar about the aviator's manner, but he -was in no mood just then to criticize it. - -"Well, that's about all. He just hasn't shown up and I can't find any -trace of him." - -"That is more than strange," said De Garros in a serious voice, "when I -tell you that I myself saw him not more than two hours ago." - -"You saw him?" - -"Yes." - -"Where." - -De Garros looked embarrassed. He laid a kindly hand on the shoulder of -the anxious lad beside him. - -"I hated to believe my own eyes and I hate to tell you what I saw," he -said seriously, "but I saw your chum and my friend being helped out of a -low dram shop in the negro quarter into a cab. He was--I hate to say it, -but I must--tipsy." - -Sam started back from the Frenchman with flaming cheeks and angry eyes. - -"It's a lie, I don't care who says it!--It's a lie!" he burst out -angrily. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -A WICKED PLAN - - -How Cummings came to be acting as the rascally Jarrold's agent is easily -explained. After he was discharged from the _Tropic Queen_ at Jack's -behest, he had drifted about seeking any sort of a job. In this way he -discovered that a yacht called the _Endymion_ was being fitted out for a -mysterious voyage. - -There were several things about the _Endymion_ and her crew that had -prevented other wireless operators from accepting a berth on her. - -No information was forthcoming as to the nature of her cruise or its -destination or even who the owner was. - -But Cummings was not particular. He met Jarrold on board and after an -interview with the master rogue, in which he bound himself to ask no -questions but obey orders, he found himself signed on as the yacht's -wireless man. - -The _Endymion_, as we know, was a much faster boat than the _Tropic -Queen_, and had arrived in Kingston, after her mysterious maneuvering on -the voyage south, a day ahead of the liner, slipping in almost unnoticed -and docking at a remote pier. As soon as the _Tropic Queen_ docked, -Jarrold, to whom alone these arrangements were known, hastened to the -_Endymion_. He found Cummings and assigned to him the job of getting -Jack Ready into his power. Cummings would have obeyed Jarrold anyhow, -but the work given him held an added relish, for it afforded him an -opportunity to take revenge on the lad whom he hated with a malicious -envy. - -As the auto sped along the road, passing few people and those, country -negroes driving donkeys laden with produce for the Kingston market, -Cummings related with great glee to Jarrold the manner in which he had -tricked Jack into taking the drugged drink. - -"I'll take good care of you for putting the job through as you did," -Jarrold assured the treacherous youth. "With that young meddler out of -the way, I'll accomplish what I set out to do before the _Tropic Queen_ -reaches Panama." - -"Do you still intend to transfer to the _Endymion_ as soon as you have -the papers in your possession?" asked Cummings. - -"Yes. I shall signal you by the red flash." - -"By the way, what happened to your apparatus the last time we exchanged -signals?" asked Cummings, recalling the night that Jack played his -memorable trick and cut off the current by which Jarrold was working his -flash lamp. - -"I don't know, but I suspect that young jackanapes back there of having -something to do with it," was the reply. - -"Well, you won't be bothered with him now," said Cummings. - -"No; by the time he gets out of the Lion's Mouth the _Tropic Queen_ will -be far out at sea," chuckled Jarrold. - -"How did you ever come to locate the Lion's Mouth, as you call it?" -asked Cummings with some curiosity. - -"Many years ago, when I was in Jamaica for--well, never mind what -purpose--an old voodoo negro showed me the place. It forms part of the -ruins of an old Spanish castle, and there is a legend that the old Don -who once owned it kept lions in it for his amusement. Any one he didn't -like, he'd let the lions make a meal of. Nice old gentleman, wasn't he?" - -Cummings joined in Jarrold's laugh at his own grim humor. - -The road began to grow rougher and Jarrold had all he could do to keep -the machine in the track. He had no more opportunity to talk. Rocky -walls shot up on one side of the thoroughfare, and on the other a steep -precipice tumbled sheer down to the sea, which broke in roaring masses -of spray at its foot. - -It was a scene of gloomy magnificence in which the modern car with its -red trimmings and snorting engine seemed strangely out of place. At -length they came to a spot where a ravine ran back from the sea, -splitting the towering rock masses and spanned by a narrow bridge. - -Jarrold turned the car aside and ran it some distance back into a track -that wound along one side of the deep cleft, at the bottom of which the -sea boiled and roared. - -Cummings peered over somewhat fearfully into the dark depths. - -"The sea pours into that ravine, and then at high water empties into a -hole in the earth that penetrates nobody knows how deeply into the -bowels of the island," said Jarrold. - -"Has nobody ever explored it?" asked Cummings, unconsciously sinking his -voice. - -"Yes, some explorers fitted up a boat once and announced that they were -going to enter the ravine, and thence penetrate into the unexplored -cavern where the waters disappear," was the reply. - -"And what did they find?" asked Cummings. - -"Well, they never came back to tell," rejoined Jarrold, with grim -jocularity. - -He brought the car to a sudden stop. A sheer wall of rock shot up before -them. It was the end of the giant cleft in the earth. There were steps -cut in the forbidding acclivity and on a platform far above were traces -of ruined buildings. - -"That's what is left of the old Don's castle, up there yonder," said -Jarrold, pointing. - -"And the Lion's Mouth is up there?" asked Cummings. - -Jarrold nodded. - -"That's the place," he said. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -IN THE LION'S MOUTH - - -Jack came to himself lying on a rocky couch. For a few moments his brain -refused to work. He did not comprehend where he was or what had -happened. He felt stiff and sore and his head ached intolerably. - -Then memory came back with a rush. He recalled the darkened hut where he -had drunk the supposedly innocent cola and then, but very vaguely, the -sensation of being placed in a rig and experiencing a desire to call for -help without being able to raise his voice. - -But where was he now? - -He looked about him. He lay at the bottom of a steep walled pit, -apparently hewn by man or nature out of the solid rock. The walls shot -up sheer and smooth to a height of at least thirty feet. The bottom of -this pit was about forty or fifty feet in circumference. - -Beside him was a big canteen of water and some food. He noticed -something around his shoulders, something that passed under his armpits. -It was a rope about forty feet long. So, then, he had been lowered into -this pit by somebody. But by whom? - -His mind reverted to Cummings. Jack was tolerably certain now that he -had been drugged by his crafty enemy, but he could not bring himself to -believe that Cummings' mind had plotted the bold stroke by which he had -been marooned in this pit. Some master wit had contrived that. - -Jack's head swam as he began to sense the full horror of his situation. -He did not even know how long he had been there. He looked at his watch. -The hands pointed to three o'clock. He had wound the watch in the -morning, so it was clear that it was the same day as the one on which he -had entered Mother Jenny's place with Cummings. - -He rose dizzily to his feet and, steadying himself with one hand against -the rock walls, looked about him with greater minuteness. Far above was -the blue dome of the sky and at the top of those walls lay freedom. But -he might as well have been in China for all the good it did him. He was -cut off from his friends as effectually as if on the other side of the -globe. - -Naturally, too, he had not the slightest idea on what part of the island -the pit was located. There was nothing to indicate where it was. Jack -was not a lad who easily lost heart, but his present position was almost -unbearable. - -Unless rescuers came to his aid, and it seemed hardly likely that anyone -could penetrate to such a place without a guide, he was doomed to a -miserable death. He flung himself down on the rocky floor of the pit in -an agony of despair. His despondency lasted for some minutes, and then, -resolutely pulling himself together, Jack sprang to his feet. - -"I won't give up! I won't!" he said, gritting his teeth. "There must be -some way out of this." - -He took a pull at the canteen and ate some of the bread and meat. Then -he began a systematic tour of exploration of his place of captivity. It -was so nearly perfectly circular in form that he was sure that human -hands had fashioned it. - -In places in the walls were fastened iron rings that had mouldered away -with the ages till they were as thin as wire. In ancient days, though -Jack did not know it, the cruel old Don's victims were tied to these, to -be devoured by the lions from which the pit took its name. - -In one place a creeper hung temptingly down. But its extremity dangled -fully four feet above the boy's head, and although Jack could have -climbed on it to freedom had he been able to gain it, he knew that such -a feat was out of the question. - -All at once, though, he saw something that sent the blood of hope -singing through his veins. - -On the side of the pit opposite to that on which he found himself on his -first awakening from his coma, was a big fissure in the wall. A ragged -rent, it ran from top to bottom of the rock wall like a scar on a -duelist's face. - -It was apparently the work of an earthquake; perhaps the one that had -devastated Kingston had caused it. At any rate, there it was, and to -Jack, in his desperate condition, it offered a chance of escape. - -True, for all he knew, he might, by entering it, be embarking upon worse -perils than the ones he now faced, but at any rate it was an avenue to -possible liberty and he determined to take full advantage of it. - -In his pocket Jack had plenty of matches and the small electric torch -that he used in making examinations of the more intricate parts of the -wireless apparatus. He stuffed all the bread and meat he could inside -his coat, slung the canteen over his shoulder and was ready to start on -an adventure that would end he knew not how, but which he had sternly -made up his mind to attempt. - -As a last thought he coiled up the rope by which he had been lowered -into the pit and laid it over his arm. Then he plunged into the deep -fissure. For some distance it was open to the sky above, but after some -time it closed in and became a tunnel. - -At this point, Jack hesitated. The darkness beyond appalled even his -stout heart. He knew not what lay within, what perils might face him. -For several moments he stood there hesitant; but finally he took heart -of grace and, gripping his electric torch, plunged into the black mouth -of the tunnel. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -A CLIMB FOR LIFE - - -The passage, for such it was, through which Jack was now advancing, was -swept by a wind of such violence that at times it almost lifted the boy -from his feet. - -But this Jack regarded as a good omen. He knew that there must be some -opening in this bore of nature's making to cause the great draught. He -was glad he had his electric torch. No other light could have remained -burning in the fierce gale. - -The walls were of black rock, and the electric torch gleaming on them -was flashed back in spangled radiance from some sort of ore it -contained. In places, the tunnel contracted till it was only possible -for the boy to progress by bending double. Again it broadened out till -he could only touch the roof with his finger tips. - -Suddenly he heard ahead of him a roaring sound like a water fall. -Pressing on with a beating heart, lest he should find his further -progress barred, Jack found himself facing a fair sized chamber, from -the roof of which a cascade was falling. The boy guessed that he must be -beneath the bed of some river and that the water was pouring into the -cavern from a fissure in the rocky roof. - -It was a beautiful sight, but he had no time to stop and admire it. He -must push on. He left the cavern and the singing waterfall behind him, -and once more battled with the mighty wind that swept through the bore. - -The walls began to grow damp now and it was almost as cold as if a heavy -frost had fallen. Jack shuddered and drew his coat close around him. He -tried to calculate how far he had come, but the bore had made so many -twistings and windings that he found it impossible to estimate. - -His limbs felt tired and his eyes ached, but he kept on stubbornly. - -"I've started this thing and I'm going to see it through," he said -doggedly to himself. - -And now the passage began to grow narrower. Jack felt the walls closing -in on him as if with intent to crush out his life. The passage began to -slope steeply and it was hard to keep a footing on the wet floor. - -All at once the boy stumbled and slipped. He almost fell headlong, but -recovered himself with an effort. In front of him he could hear a mighty -roaring sound. The wind, too, was stronger and seemed damper than it had -further back. It smelled as if impregnated with salt. - -Jack gave another stumble on the uneven floor. This time he did not -recover himself, but pitched headlong. And then---- - -He was in the water. It filled his ears, drowning all sounds. He rose to -the surface battling desperately, all senses dormant but the frantic -desire to live. - -He dashed the water from his eyes. He spat it from his mouth. It was -salt and must come from the sea. Wave after wave swept toward him and -under each of them he dived. - -He soon realized that his fight for life was well-nigh hopeless, but he -struggled as men will when death stares them in the face, for life is -never sweeter than when it seems to be slipping from our grasp. - -Weaker and weaker he felt himself growing. A sort of lethargy crept over -him. He didn't care much longer. His limbs were numbed and chilled. The -waves swept down on him, each gleefully following its predecessor, as if -they were determined to end Jack's life in this cavern of the seas. - -At last he felt himself uplifted on the crest of a gigantic comber and -carried helplessly into the maw of that black gullet. - -"It's the end," he thought. - -But still the instinct of life was strong in his battered body. His -outflung hand caught a projecting scrap of rock in a drowning grip and -clung there, despite the efforts of the wave to tear him loose. It was -more blind instinct than human reason that sustained him as the wave -swept on into the dark cavern, thundering against its sides like a train -passing through a tunnel. - -[Illustration: His outflung hand caught a projecting scrap of rock.] - -He found himself hanging to the side of a jagged crack that slanted -across the rock high up on the side of the cavern. Into it he managed to -jam himself, and then he hung there, too exhausted to move hand or foot, -waiting for the next wave to tear him from his precarious hold. - -How long he hung there he never knew. Wave after wave came racing by, -reaching up watery fingers to tear him from his haven. But he had jammed -himself too securely into the providential rift in the rock to be easily -dislodged. - -Hope began to dawn in his mind once more, despite his position. He -mentally cast up what had occurred since that disastrous tumble in the -passage. It was plain enough that the bore in the rock opened on this -cavern where the salt seas swept and raved. The cave, then, must be -connected with the sea. Jack's reasoning was right. By an extraordinary -chance, he was in the cave which Jarrold had told Cummings existed far -under the ruins of the old Don's castle. - -The boy had lost his rope and his electric torch and he was soaked -through and through. But the canteen of water still hung round his neck. -Safe for the time being, he began to cast about for some means of -extricating himself from his position, but his heart sank as he realized -the full hopelessness of his predicament. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -FREEDOM ONCE MORE - - -The necessity for action became imperative. If he stayed cramped and wet -in that position much longer, there was grave danger that he would lose -the power of locomotion altogether. He could not tell how far up the -crack ascended, and, of course, since he had lost his torch he had no -means of lighting up the gloom, for his matches, like the bread and meat -with which he had stuffed his pockets, were soaked through. - -He began to climb, moving painfully forward perhaps an inch at a time. -For about fifteen feet he crawled, clinging with fingers and toes. It -was heart-breaking work and anyone with a less stout heart than Jack -Ready would have given it up and lain down to die where they were. - -But Jack was made of sterner stuff. He wormed his way forward, and found -suddenly that the crack widened. Then he struck his head violently -against the cavern roof. - -The crack continued to widen, though, till it was possible for him to -crawl into it. But the jagged edges of rock cut and tore his hands and -face unmercifully. - -Once within the crack, he lay still, panting. It hardly seemed worth -while to go further, after all. Would it not be better to die there in -the darkness without further effort? There was not the remotest -probability that he was nearing a way out of the cavern, and to follow -the crack further was labor lost. - -Thus he meditated as he stretched himself out to rest. But when he had -recovered his breath, love of life reasserted itself. - -He would keep on. At any rate, one thing was certain: he could never get -back now. Death lay behind him in all its grimness. Ahead, at least, -there was the unknown with a fighting chance--one chance in a thousand--in -his favor. - -Desperately, then, he struggled on, writhing between the narrow walls. -He felt as if the whole weight of a mountain was upon him, crushing his -ribs, driving the breath out of his body. The darkness was so dense that -it could be felt enveloping him like a velvety pall of blackness. - -Again and again he thought himself stuck fast, doomed to an eternal -grave in the secret bowels of the earth. But every time he managed to -wiggle through the tight place and gain another that was not quite so -constricted. - -But it was heart-breaking work at best. Then all at once the crack -widened very noticeably. Cautiously he drew himself to his feet. He -judged that he was standing on a shoulder or ledge of rock, but of -course, in the inky darkness, he had no means of knowing. - -It was at least good to be able to stand up and feel no longer the -crushing of the rock walls, like those of a living tomb. - -After a little he began to move along, taking care, however, to keep -close to the wall, for he did not know how wide the ledge, as he judged -it, might be. For perhaps a hundred yards he progressed thus. Always -before he took a step he reached out with one foot before him, fearing -to encounter vacancy. - -Suddenly he found he was on the edge of a void, and shrank back, -clinging to the wall with the desperation of fear. It was some seconds -before he dared to move again. He could feel the sweat rolling off him, -the cold, pricking sweat of fright. - -By a supreme effort he mastered himself. He found a loose bit of rock at -his feet. Cautiously he cast it into the darkness in front of him. There -was a long silence, and then, as if from miles away, came a tiny tinkle. - -Jack shuddered. - -He had narrowly escaped pitching head first into a bottomless abyss. He -carefully retraced his way down the ledge. Suddenly his feeling fingers -discovered another crack. This one ran vertically upward like a chimney, -almost, at least so far as he could determine by the sense of touch. - -A wild hope surged over him. This crack perhaps ran up to the surface of -the earth! Recalling an old school-boy trick, he "spreadeagled" himself -into the crack. He reached out his hands to either side of the "chimney" -and lifted himself a little. - -Then he wedged his toes in either side. Thus he painstakingly mounted, -praying within himself that the walls of this natural shaft might not -widen and make further progress impossible. - -It was terribly slow work, though. Time and again he was on the point of -giving up, but always the tough spirit of his indomitable old sea-faring -ancestors kept him at his task. - -Foot by foot he toiled upward, till he estimated he had climbed some -thirty feet. And then suddenly: Light! The blessed light of day! High -above it was, but unmistakably the light of the outside world was -streaming into this hideous subterranean chamber. It gleamed down into -the shaft he was painfully ascending, shining like a blessed beacon of -hope. It appeared to filter through some sort of net-work of greenery. - -Wild with hope, he climbed on till at last he burst his way through a -canopy of creepers and vines that obscured the mouth of the natural -shaft. He clambered out beneath the blessed sky. As he fell exhausted, -prone on the rocks, he heard a cry. - -It was his own name! - -But for the life of him he could not answer. He could only lie there -without thought or motion. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -IN SEARCH FOR A CLEW - - -The statement of De Garros concerning his chum struck Sam like a blow -between the eyes. Of course he did not place the slightest belief in the -Frenchman's words, but he was sorely puzzled and perplexed. - -"Where was this place?" he demanded. - -"If you will come with me, I will show you," said De Garros, linking the -boy's arm in his own. "How sorry I am that I did not accompany him -myself! But I thought, I sincerely thought, that he was in good hands." - -"Who was this fellow that was with him," demanded Sam. - -"I don't know. I didn't notice particularly. It was no one I had ever -seen before." - -"What did he look like?" - -"As I told you, I did not pay him the attention that I should had I -known things were going to turn out like this. He wore a big sun helmet, -if that will afford you any clew." - -They were walking through the streets now toward the hut of Mother -Jenny. - -Sam suddenly stopped short and struck his forehead with his hand, as if -striving to recollect something. Then he shouted: - -"Why, why, it was a young man with a sun helmet who was talking to -Jarrold at the hotel this morning." - -"So?" exclaimed the Frenchman. "Can this be more of that rascal's -villainy? Has he got a finger in this?" - -"I wouldn't put it past him," declared Sam vehemently. "He hates Jack, -and with good cause from his point of view, for Jack checkmated several -of his schemes." - -"In Paris and again here, Jarrold," muttered De Garros to himself, as if -recalling some latent memory. "Some day, my friend, you will meet your -reckoning." - -"You knew Jarrold abroad?" asked Sam. - -"I knew him, yes. I was his victim, almost--but let us talk no more of -this. Let us hurry to the place where I last saw Jack Ready." - -When they reached the hut with its palm thatch and untidy garden, Sam -gave a gesture of disgust. - -"And this is the place you saw Jack being helped out of?" he asked. - -"It is, my friend." - -"I cannot think that he would ever have come to such a hovel of his own -free will." - -"Possibly not. But you are confronted with the fact that he was here." - -"That is true. Let us ask that old hag in the doorway what she knows." - -They approached old Mother Jenny, who had hobbled to the doorway and -stood watching them out of her bloodshot old eyes, puffing the while -reflectively at a home-made cigar, as if ruminating on what the -strangers wanted. - -"We came to inquire about two young men who were here this morning," -began Sam. - -The old woman's voice rose to a shrill scream. - -"What I know 'bout dem, buckra?" (White man.) "Dey come. Dey drink de -cola an' den dey pay and go. I know nothing mo'." - -"She's lying," whispered De Garros to Sam. - -"Who was the hackman who drove them away?" demanded Sam. - -The old woman started, but swiftly recovered her composure, if such it -could be called, and flourished her stick wildly. - -"Tell you what, buckra," she yelled; "you go 'way. No bodder me no mo'. -Me, Mother Jenny,' 'spectable woman. Wha' yo' t'ink, buckra, yo' fren' -come to harm by my place?" - -"I didn't say so. I merely asked the name of the hackman who drove them -away?" - -Sam knew how important it was to keep his temper with the old crone. - -"How much it wort' yo' fo' me to impart dat imflumation?" asked the old -woman, leering hideously through a cloud of smoke she blew out of her -wrinkled old lips. - -"I'll pay you well for it," struck in De Garros, who had cabled for and -received a large remittance. Poor Sam was almost "broke." - -"Fi' dollar?" - -De Garros nodded. The old hag stretched out a shriveled claw. - -"Gib me de money, buckra," she croaked; "gib me de money here in dis -hand." - -"There you are," said De Garros with a gesture of disgust and annoyance. - -The aged crone burst into a scream of wild laughter. She shook with -mirth and then shrilled out in her high, cracked voice: - -"He drove a brown horse, dat's all I know. Now go look fo' him yo' -ownselves!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -LOOK FOR A WHITE HORSE - - -It was useless to try to recover the money, and the two friends had to -walk off minus five dollars and followed by the derisive laughter of the -hag. - -"At all events, she gave us one clew," said Sam hopefully; "the man -drove a brown horse. We must look for every driver in Kingston with a -brown horse." - -"As it so happens," commented De Garros, "that is no clew at all, for I -happened to notice that the equine in question was a white one." - -"Better still. A white horse should be easier to run down than a brown -one," declared Sam. "Hullo, there goes one now!" - -They halted the driver, but he declared he knew nothing of the matter, -having been out in the suburbs all the morning. - -"Oh, well, there must be other white horses," said Sam, as the man drove -off and they turned to take up the quest afresh. - -"I believe, too, I'd remember the driver if I saw him again," said De -Garros. - -"Better and better. I'll bet we'll have good old Jack back with us -before night," declared Sam hopefully. "At all events, we've got -something to work on now." - -"That's so," agreed De Garros. "But if we've got to interview every -owner of a white horse in Kingston, we've got our work cut out for us." - -"I don't care how hard I work, so long as we can find some trace of -Jack," declared Sam positively. - -An aged negro driving a dejected-looking white horse jogged by. The -horse was plastered with dust till it was difficult to decide on what -his real color might be. - -Sam stopped De Garros by a tug at the arm. - -"Stop that fellow," he said; "there's another white horse." - -But oddly enough it was the darky who pulled up without any admonition -to stop. He checked his aged beast and addressed De Garros. - -"'Pears ter me lak you am de party wot addressed dat young man wot was -a-helpin' an-nudder gen'mun inter mah equipage dis mawn-in'?" he said. - -"That's right!" cried De Garros. "You're the man we've been looking high -and low for. Where did you take him?" - -"'Bout five miles out down de Castle Road, 'Busha,'" said the old man. - -"Five miles out down the road?" - -"Yas, Busha, an' den dey takes him an' puts him in an awfulmobile and -runs off wid him. Ah t'inks to myself dat ain' des right. When Ah gets -back to town, Ah's goin' to hunt up dat gen'muns wot spoke to him dis -mawnin' and acquaint him with de circumplexes." - -"Great Scott! This is a clew, indeed. Do you know where they were going -to take him?" choked out Sam. - -"Yas, Busha. I hear dem say de Lion's Mouf." - -"The Lion's Mouth!" - -"Dat's right, massa. De Lion's Mouf ol' time name fo' a mighty big hole -in de groun' out at ol' Don Pedro's Castle. Don' nobody hardly never go -dar. White folks don' know 'bout it. Niggers all scared ob dere bein' a -ghos'. Ah was dere once when Ah was lil' an' dat's all I know 'bout it." - -De Garros, with the excitable nature of his race, was hopping about from -foot to foot. As the old negro finished speaking, he burst out: - -"Do you want to make some money?" - -The old man's eyes popped out of his head. Here was another chance to -make money. Things were coming his way. But he deemed it well to be -prudent. - -"Oh, as ter dat, I ain't particular. Ah'm right tired an'----" - -"Put your horse in the stable and meet us here in half an hour. It will -be worth your while. I want you to guide us to the Lion's Mouth." - -"Berry well, Busha. Ah'll jes' put up ole Whitey, he's nigh tired out, -an' Ah'll be right back." - -"Good; hurry. Now, then, Sam----" - -"Where are you going?" demanded Sam, carried off his feet by the -volcanic activity of the young Frenchman. "What are you going to do -now?" - -"Get about a mile of rope and then charter the fastest auto they've got -in this town," was the reply. - -"Then you think----" - -"I don't think, I know, that in revenge for his activities against him, -Jarrold has tried to wreak a hideous vengeance on Jack." - -"In the Lion's Mouth?" - -"I don't know. I surmise so. But let's waste no time here in -speculation. Get two hundred feet of the best manila rope you can buy. -In the mean time I'll charter a car. Then we'll pick up old Black Strap -and drive at top speed for the Lion's Mouth." - -"Heaven grant we won't be too late!" exclaimed Sam, but the lively young -aviator had darted off, leaving Sam dazed. Truly the climax had come -quickly. Jack kidnapped, possibly drugged, and cast into a deep pit! Had -it not been for Providence, they might never have heard of him again. - -And so it came about that when Jack emerged from the mouth of "the -chimney," not more than twenty yards from the rim of the Lion's Mouth, -the first sounds that greeted him were the voices of his friends who had -been peering, with blanched cheeks, into the profundities of the Lion's -Mouth. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -A BOLD ROBBERY - - -It was the day following Jack's stirring adventure, which had left no -more serious consequences to him than bruised hands and knees. He was -sitting in the wireless room listening to the uproar outside. For the -_Tropic Queen_ was coaling, and the shouts of the negroes and the roar -of the coal as it shot into the bunkers filled the air. - -Sam was ashore and so was De Garros. They had gone to communicate with -the authorities; but had found the Colonial police not much interested. -Jack felt drowsy. It was getting late in the afternoon. Soon the swift -tropic dusk would drop like a pall. - -To keep awake, he decided to take a turn along the decks. He descended -to the promenade deck and walked briskly up and down. - -"Since we don't sail till to-morrow, I guess I'll go ashore this -evening," he decided to himself. "It's too lonesome on board. -Everybody's gone ashore for that big ball at the hotel to-night." - -But he decided to wait for the return of Sam and De Garros before -leaving. It grew dark, and they had not come back. Jack was about to -scribble a note and leave it in the wireless room, explaining that he -had tired of waiting and gone ashore, when a roughly dressed man brushed -by. - -It was too dark to see the fellow's face, but he appeared to be a -sailor. Jack thought little more of the incident and went to his room to -change his uniform for street garments. He was descending the stairs -again to the main deck, bound for the gang-plank, when he was startled -by a sudden sound. - -It was the dull booming noise of an explosion, and it appeared to come -from some place on board the ship. - -For a minute or two he stood still, trying to locate the sound. As he -stood at pause, a figure darted from the purser's room. It was that of -the roughly dressed sailor who had shoved past the boy a short time -before. From the purser's room there rolled a dense cloud of smoke. It -reeked of dynamite. - -Jack flashed along the deck. There was a light inside the office of the -ship's bookkeeper and cashier--which is what a purser amounts to, besides -being a banker and money changer. - -The boy saw in an instant what had happened. - -The safe had been dynamited. Its door hung by one hinge. The air was -full of smoke and the acrid reek of the explosive. - -Jack knew that large sums of money and jewelry were frequently in the -safe, and no doubt the bold thief had made off with an armful of loot. -He wasted no more time investigating, but at top speed dashed for the -gangway. - -On the deck two big arc-lights shimmered whitely. Under their glare he -saw a darting figure making for the shore end of the dock. He noticed -that the man was heavily bearded and wore the rough clothes of a -sea-faring man. - -"Stop thief! Stop!" shouted the boy; but the man kept right on with his -head down, clutching something that he had concealed in his loose -sailor's blouse. - -There was an old watchman at the gates of the dock. He put out a feeble -arm to stop the marauder, but a terrific blow in the face knocked him -off his feet. - -The man darted on. Jack was close on his heels. They passed through the -gate with only a few feet separating them. - -A hack, apparently stationed there in preparation for the flight, was -waiting. The black-bearded man leaped into it. But, by providential -luck, another night-prowling rig came along at just that moment, its -driver nodding sleepily. - -As the first rig dashed off, rattling loudly over the rough street, Jack -leaped to the front seat of the second, beside the astonished driver. - -He seized the reins from the man and brought down the whip on the -horse's back with a crack that made the animal jump. It leaped forward -with a jerk that seemed as if it would disrupt the crazy harness. - -The man began to yell with dismay. But Jack quickly checked him. - -"It's all right. You'll be well paid for this. That man in the hack -ahead of us is a thief." - -"Gelagoodness, Busha, I t'ink you was de thief, when you come leaping -board mah cab de way you do." - -The man was reassured by Jack's frankness, however, and they flew down -the street at top speed after the other cab. The way lay along the -deserted water-front, by coal docks, warehouses and gaunt traveling -cranes. There were few lights and the road was rough and uneven. The old -hack jumped and bounced about like a ship at sea. - -Suddenly something happened to the cab in front. One of its wheels -caught in a rut as it was passing a dock. The wrench proved too much for -the rickety old contraption, and the wheel went spinning off its snapped -axle, while the black-bearded occupant was flung into the road like a -stone from a catapult. - -He lay still a moment while the driver of the wrecked vehicle in vain -tried to stop his horse. Sagging to one side on its broken axle, the -hack vanished in the distance with its runaway steed's legs working like -piston rods. - -Jack was out of the following rig in a flash. He rushed up to the -black-bearded man's side just as the other rose to his feet. - -It was not till that moment that Jack recollected that he had no weapon -with him. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII - -JARROLD AGAIN - - -By the light of an arc-lamp some distance off, Jack could catch the -dangerous gleam in the black-bearded man's eyes. It was no time for half -measures. The boy leaped straight at the other, who, entirely taken off -his guard by the sudden onslaught, was borne backward and fell in a heap -on the stones. - -The negro who had driven Jack, scared out of his senses by the sight of -the struggle, whipped up his horse and drove off. Jack was left alone -with his antagonist, whom he soon found out was no despicable foe. - -He struggled free from Jack's grip with the agility of an eel. He found -his feet and reached back into his pocket. For an instant Jack thought -the other was drawing a pistol. But it was a whistle that he produced. - -He placed it to his lips. Jack, guessing that it was for the purpose of -summoning aid that the thief was about to blow it, jumped forward to -tear it from his grasp. But in his excitement instead of seizing the -whistle he seized the man's beard. - -It came off in his grasp and--James Jarrold stood before him! - -For a second Jack's astonishment was so great that he stood perfectly -still, as if carved from stone. That atom of time was enough for the -disclosed Jarrold. He blew two shrill blasts on the whistle. From -somewhere they were answered. Down the dock came a swift pattering of -feet. - -At almost the same instant, Jarrold recognized Jack, as the boy's face, -for the first time, came into the light. - -"So it's you, is it?" he roared, with an oath. "You escaped from the -Lion's Mouth! Well, there's no escape for you now. Here come my men and -this time I'll put you where you'll be out of harm's way for good." - -At the same moment several men, among them Cummings, came running at top -speed toward them. - -Jack was no coward. But he was also no fool. There were six against him -in that lonely part of the dock section of Kingston. If he stood his -ground he would not have a chance. As Jarrold leaped toward him, he -turned swiftly and darted off. - -Bang! - -Jarrold had drawn a pistol and was sending bullets after him. Up a dark -alley Jack dodged, while behind him he could hear the rush of feet -pursuing. - -"Goodness, if they ever get me, it's all off!" gasped the boy. - -He darted out of the alley he had been following, doubled up another and -heard the rush of feet growing fainter. At last they died out -altogether. Apparently his pursuers had given up the chase. - -Utterly winded, he leaned against a blank wall to recover his breath. He -had no idea what part of the town he was in, but it appeared to be in -the native quarter. From the opposite direction he heard men -approaching. - -By a street lamp he saw that they were two blacks. Both carried bundles. -From their dress and walk they appeared to be stokers or firemen on some -steamer. Jack stepped up to them and asked them the way to the hotel. - -They stared at him a minute, and then one of them said: - -"Lawd, boss, we dunno no mo' 'bout Kingston 'an you do. We's United -States niggers, we is. Not dis Wes' Injun trash. We b'long on de -_'Dimyun_." - -Jack gasped. - -"On the _Endymion_?" - -"Yes, boss, reckon dat am de name, come ter fink ob it." - -"The _Endymion_ is docked here, then?" - -"She sho' is, boss, but she won' be long. We's got orders to git a -wiggle on. She's gwine to sail right away. Come on, Jake, we ain't got -no license ter be talkin' here. We's likely to miss de ship." - -"One question more!" cried Jack, as the men hurried off. "When did the -ship dock?" - -"Night befo' de day befo' yisterday," said Jake. - -"Do you know the name of her wireless operator?" - -"Ah dunno. Fink it's Comein or suthin' lak dat. But see here, we all -kain't answer no mo' question. Goo' night." - -The two negroes hurried off, leaving Jack with swimming senses. So the -_Endymion_ was in the harbor! Had docked the night before the _Tropic -Queen_! It was all plain enough now to the boy. Cummings was her -wireless man. That explained his connection with Jarrold. And the yacht -was to sail that night, within a few minutes probably, and Jarrold, in -disguise, had blown the _Tropic Queen's_ safe open. - -Jack's head buzzed. What was the key to it all? What had Jarrold blown -the safe for just before he was hurrying to sea on his yacht in this -clandestine fashion? - -And then, like a bolt of lightning, the explanation struck him. - -Colonel Minturn's papers had been placed in the safe while he was -ashore! - -Jarrold had taken a desperate chance and won out. - -In half an hour's time he would be at sea beyond the possibility of -pursuit, for the _Endymion_ was far faster than any craft in the -vicinity of Kingston. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV - -BAD NEWS FOR THE COLONEL - - -The gardens of the hotel were brilliantly lighted, and the colored -lamps, strung among the trees, glowed down on a gay throng, when into -the midst of the merry-makers there burst an odd figure. - -It was hatless, its white duck clothes were bedaubed with mud. Few would -have recognized in this panting, wild-eyed apparition the usually natty -Jack Ready. - -But Jack it was. A waiter stretched out an arm to stop him as he dashed -into the garden, but he shoved the man aside with a force that sent him -spinning. Men and women stared at the boy as if he were a madman as he -rushed about, searching frantically for Colonel Minturn. - -He found him at last, chatting with a group of ladies and gentlemen. - -Despite Jack's condition, the colonel recognized him at once. - -"What, my boy, what has happened?" he exclaimed. "You look----" - -"Never mind that now, Colonel, please," besought Jack. "I must speak to -you alone at once." - -"Certainly," said the military man, realizing that Jack must have some -serious news. He excused himself to his friends and stepped aside, while -Jack, in a swift, eager, low tone, told him what he feared had occurred. - -"Colonel Minturn must have bad news," said one of the ladies of the gay -party with which the colonel had been chatting. "Look, he's as white as -a ghost!" - -"That scare-crow messenger has brought him some news that has given him -a shock evidently," commented one of the men. - -But although Jack's message of the probable theft of the Panama papers -had shaken the colonel to the fibers of his being, the long training of -a military officer stood him in good stead at that crucial moment. By a -supreme effort he steadied his nerves, and in the most casual voice in -the world excused himself to his friends, saying that he would be back -before long. - -"I've a friend here who has a fast auto," he said to Jack, as the two -thrust their way through the throng, who gaped at the spectacle of the -distinguished-looking man in evening clothes and his disreputable -appearing companion. - -"We must get it and work quick," he went on, "there's a chance even yet -that we can stop that yacht." - -"If only I hadn't lost my way," said Jack, "we'd have saved a lot of -precious time." - -Colonel Minturn found his friend, and the auto with its chauffeur was -willingly loaned. They jumped into the fast machine and were off, after -Colonel Minturn had given directions to drive first to the ship. They -found old Schultz guarding the safe. The reek of the explosive was still -heavy in the air. - -Utterly regardless of his apparel, Colonel Minturn dived in among the -blackened contents. There were packages of money, costly jewels and -other valuables, but the most important contents of the safe--the papers -which the colonel had hoped against hope might have been overlooked by -the thief--were gone. - -Despite his stoicism, the colonel could not restrain a groan. - -"This means my ruin," he exclaimed. "We must get a boat of some kind at -once and give chase." - -"There's nothing in this harbor or south of New York that could touch -the _Endymion_ for speed," declared Jack bitterly. "There's only one -chance in a thousand of stopping her! Oh, why didn't I think of that -before?" - -Before the colonel could stop him or ask explanations, the boy rushed -off. He headed straight for the wireless room. Sam was there with De -Garros. - -"What in the world----!" began Sam, as the disheveled, wild-eyed boy burst -in. But Jack shoved his chum aside without a word and fairly threw -himself at the wireless key. - -He was calling the government quarantine station at the tip of Port -Royal and the mouth of Kingston Harbor. There was just one way he could -stop the _Endymion_ and he meant to try it, forlorn hope that it was. - -The spark flashed and roared and whined. - -Other stations, those on ships far out at sea and along the coast of the -island, broke wonderingly in as the volley of impatient calls went -thundering out into the night. - -The sweat poured from Jack's blackened face as he bent over the -apparatus in the boiling heat of the tropic night, and worked the -wireless as he had never worked it before. - -At last he raised the operator at the quarantine station. - -"We've shut up shop for the night. What is it?" inquired that -individual, not best pleased at having his rest disturbed. - -"You must stop the _Endymion_," thundered the Hertzian waves; "stop her -at all hazards, even if you have to notify the fort to fire upon her." - -"The _Endymion_?" - -"Yes; she has infectious disease on board. She must not leave the -harbor." - -There was a brief and portentous silence. In the hot, heavy stillness -the boys could hear each other's deep breathing. - -Then radio waves began to beat against Jack's stunned ears. "The -_Endymion_ with a clean bill of health passed out to sea half an hour -ago." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV - -JARROLD GETS FRANTIC - - -Jack turned to find the colonel bending over him. Despite the military -man's firm effort at self-control, his face was gray. - -"Is there any hope?" he asked. - -Jack shook his head. - -"They've stolen a march on us, Colonel," he said. "The yacht had a clean -bill of health, whether forged or not, I don't know. At any rate, her -clearance papers must have been O. K. or she could not have sailed." - -"Probably forged," said the colonel. "I must communicate with Washington -at once." - -"I can probably relay a message through," said Jack. "What do you want -to say?" - -"I will go to my cabin and write it in code," was the reply, and with -stooping shoulders the stricken colonel left the wireless room. After a -short time he was back again with his code message. In the meantime, Sam -and De Garros, under Jack's instructions, had notified the ship's -officers, who were all ashore, of the looting of the safe, and an -important conference, which Colonel Minturn joined, was held in Captain -McDonald's cabin. - -An examination by the purser showed that nothing except the papers, -which had been in an inner drawer, had been taken, so that there was no -object in alarming the passengers by notifying them of the robbery. The -money and valuables were temporarily removed to another and older safe, -and a screen placed about the damaged one to shield it from prying eyes. - -Jack was summoned to the cabin to give his version of the affair and -received warm commendation for the way he had acted. But the boy felt -somehow--however causelessly--that he might have done more to prevent the -robbery and recover the papers. However, it was too late then. - -He succeeded at last in getting a message through to the national -capital, relaying to the immense radio station at Arlington. That -message borne over the seas, caused more excitement in Washington than -had any piece of news received there for many days. Cabinet officers -were summoned for an extraordinary conference and every wire and -tentacle of the secret service was set in motion. - -Scout cruisers stationed off Mexico were ordered to scour the seas for -the _Endymion_ and capture Jarrold if they had to sink his yacht. The -administration's message to Colonel Minturn was in code, but Jack -guessed that it was a sharp reprimand couched in no very gentle terms. -Uncle Sam is not harsh with his servants, but he does not tolerate -mistakes, even though innocent and unavoidable. - -The _Tropic Queen_ sailed early next morning while the naval wireless -was still sending the far-flung message, "Find the _Endymion_ and -capture the man Jarrold." That simple message from Jack, tapped out by -his agile finger-tips, had set the machinery of the war and navy -departments buzzing as nothing short of a declaration of war could have -done. - -The possession of the complete plans of the fortification of the Panama -Canal by Jarrold, meant only one thing. They would speedily pass into -the hands of the foreign power of which he was agent. This meant that -the power in question would have complete, triumphant knowledge of the -most carefully guarded secrets of the mighty nation that built the great -canal. - -It would be necessary to squander money and time on remodeling the whole -system of defense unless the _Endymion_ could be found. That was the -burden of the song the naval wireless men were flinging backward and -forward with flaming keys that crackled and flared angrily. - -"Find the _Endymion_! If she is on the Seven Seas, find her." - -Over those who knew the secret agony that the army officer was suffering -hung a heavy gloom, as the _Tropic Queen_ ploughed her way seaward, -bound for Santa Marta on the coast of Colombia. Colonel Minturn kept to -his room, nursing his anxiety. - -From time to time the naval wireless boomed messages in the secret code -into Jack's ears and they were promptly transmitted below. But the -colonel sent out no replies. All that he could say had been said in that -first radiogram that had set official Washington a-buzz. - -And in the meantime, on board the _Endymion_, what was happening? -Speeding as if from a deadly plague, she was driven at top speed across -the Caribbean. Jarrold, his face gray and lined, and almost as -anxious-looking as the visage of Colonel Minturn, paced the deck and the -bridge, calling always for speed and more speed. His niece, pale-faced -and nerve-racked, watched him anxiously. - -Cummings, catching the naval messages that volleyed through the air, -told of the hunt that was up; of the naval prows ploughing the tropic -seas in a systematic hunt for the grayhound-like yacht that was fleeing -like a criminal across the sea wastes. - -Jarrold, under the strain, grew dangerous to approach. He kept shouting -and signaling for speed and ever more speed. The engineer appealed to -him in vain. It was dangerous. The boilers could carry no more steam. -Already the ship was a-quiver with their imprisoned power. - -But Jarrold had only one reply: - -"More speed, I say, more speed!" - -On the evening of the second day of this mad race, a murmur began to run -through the ship: A rumor that Jarrold was a criminal. That he was -fleeing from justice. That he would blow the ship up with every soul on -board rather than be captured. - -The grimy crew of the stokehold, the "black watch," refused to face the -trembling boilers any longer. They feared that at any moment the steel -plates would yield under the terrific pressure and annihilate them and -the ship. The chief engineer, unable to keep them at their work, even at -the pistol's point, sought Jarrold, while the stokers spread a mutinous -spirit throughout the yacht. - -Jarrold was bending over a chart in the pilot house when the engineer -found him. - -"You are crawling like a snail," he snarled; "more speed." - -"The men have quit," said the engineer quietly to the half-crazed man. -"They are afraid to work below. The boilers may burst any moment." - -"I don't care about that. We must reach the coast before to-morrow -morning. It must be done. My life hangs on it." - -"I can't help that. The men won't work," protested the engineer; -"they've thrown down their shovels and gone forward. I'd advise you to -give in to them; they are in a dangerous mood." - -Jarrold sprang to his feet with a snarl. He reached into a drawer and -drew out a magazine revolver. - -"The mutinous dogs! I'll drive them back to their fires with this," he -rasped out, rushing from the bridge. - -"Don't do anything rash," implored the engineer, who knew how things -stood. "The rest of the crew are with them and we'll have a general -mutiny on our hands if you precipitate trouble." - -The only answer was a roar of rage from the hunted man, about whom Uncle -Sam was weaving a fine-meshed wireless net. - -He swung down the steps from the bridge to the main deck with the -agility of an ape. The captain, who also knew how matters stood, turned -to the engineer and the mate. - -"You fellows better get your guns," he said; "there's trouble coming -now." - -Suddenly the slender, graceful form of Jarrold's niece appeared on the -bridge. - -"Oh, what is it? What is the matter?" she implored. - -"It's nothing, Miss Jarrold," began the captain, in a tone intended to -pacify the half-hysterical girl. "You see----" - -The sharp crack of a pistol shot cut him short. Following the shot, came -a riot of savage cries and shouts. - -The captain wasted no more words but, followed by his officers, all -armed with revolvers, ran forward. - -"That madman has spilled the fat now," he cried, as they rushed toward -the forecastle. The sounds proceeding from it resembled the uproar from -a den of wild beasts. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI - -ADRIFT - - -Cummings, like the rank coward that he was, had run for his cabin just -behind the pilot house when the inferno broke loose. He was cowering in -it with ashen cheeks when Miss Jarrold appeared in the doorway. - -"Go away! Go away!" screamed Ralph, in an agony of fright. "The crew has -mutinied. They'll kill us all. Oh, dear!" - -"You coward!" said the girl, with flashing eyes, drawing her figure up -to its full height. "Have you got a pistol?" - -"Yes, there's one in the drawer there," stuttered Ralph. - -With cool, firm hands, the girl took out the weapon. - -"What are you going to do?" mewed Ralph fearfully. - -"Help my uncle. You know what danger is on his track. Those men must go -back to the furnaces." - -"Oh, we'll all be killed," repeated Ralph tremulously; "or, if we're not -killed, we'll be caught by a war ship. The air is full of messages about -us. Scout cruisers from Vera Cruz, and war craft from other places are -closing in all around us." - -The girl bit her lip and turned a trifle pale. - -"What are they saying?" she demanded. - -"I can't tell. The messages are all in code, but I can catch the name of -this yacht all the time." - -The bulky figure of the captain suddenly appeared. The girl looked at -him inquiringly. There was an expression on his bluff face that she -could not fathom. - -"Miss Jarrold, I have some unpleasant news for you," he said. - -"Well, Captain, what is it?" she demanded haughtily. - -The big seaman shifted from foot to foot uneasily. - -"Your uncle has shot a fireman up in the forecastle," he said. "Oh, -don't be alarmed; not dangerously, but the men are ugly. Your uncle, -too, has confessed to me that there's a whole lot that is crooked about -this cruise and I don't like it. The United States cruisers are after -us, he says." - -The girl bowed her head. - -"So I believe. What of it? We have chartered this vessel and it is your -duty to obey orders." - -"I beg your pardon, Miss, that's what I was coming to. It's my duty to -my owners not to get their craft in a position where it can be -confiscated by the government. That is what will happen if we keep on -running away. The situation amounts to this. The men have got your uncle -captured and tied. They say they won't work the ship as long as he is on -board unless he is made a prisoner." - -The girl tapped her foot impatiently. - -"Is that all the authority you have over them? Why don't you drive them -to their posts?" - -"Because I don't intend to, Miss. This cruise ain't regular; and I want -this fellow here to send out a wireless message to the nearest -battleship telling her our bearings and saying that we'll give up Mr. -Jarrold." - -"And if he refuses to accept?" - -"We'll have to provision a boat and turn him loose in it. It's in the -regular steamer lane here and he won't suffer much inconvenience. -Somebody's bound to pick him up, and, anyhow, there are islands not far -off." - -The mate and the engineer appeared with Jarrold at this juncture. His -hands were bound and his expression of rage was more like that of a wild -beast than a man. - -"I've already told Mr. Jarrold the men's terms and mine, Miss," said the -captain. "Mr. Jarrold, sir, which is it to be?" - -Jarrold looked like a trapped wolf. He glared at his niece and at his -captors. - -"You see, I can't lose my ship just because you've done something that -seems to have stirred up the whole administration," said the captain -diplomatically. "Personally, if you want to get away, I'd take to the -boat. I can cook up a story about you and the young lady escaping one -dark night, when we reach port." - -Jarrold raged silently. The girl, white-lipped, erect and defiant, -merely said: "Go on, please." - -"You see we can't hope to get away. Every port we can touch at has a -wireless plant of some sort. By this time the whole coast of the two -Americas is on the lookout for us. And we can't keep on going without -coal, and because of the crazy way we've been making steam, the bunkers -are pretty nigh empty." - -Jarrold nodded bitterly. The truth of the captain's arguments appeared -to strike home on even his stubborn mind. - -"You'll pledge your word to do no talking?" he said. - -"Not a word, sir, and I'll answer for my officers, too." - -"But the sailors?" - -"Oh, they'll talk, but nobody believes a sailor's yarns, anyhow. I don't -know what you've been doing, but it's clear that Uncle Sam wants you -mighty bad. However, that's none of my business. My job is to save my -ship from confiscation or being blowed up. So is it to be surrender by -wireless or the boat?" - -Jarrold glanced at his niece. She came to his side and stood there -proudly. - -"Let it be the boat," she said; and Jarrold nodded his head in silent -assent. He seemed crushed and broken by the way in which fate had turned -against him in the very hour of his triumph. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII - -THE IRONY OF FATE - - -The _Tropic Queen_ moved majestically through a sapphire sea. It was a -perfect tropic night. A dream mist, like a scarf of shimmering, spangled -vapor lay over the water. Above, the great, soft stars of the equatorial -regions beamed from a sky like blue-black velvet. High above the main -mast, like a great lamp, hung the full moon. - -Disaster, danger and death seemed miles away, a contingency too remote -to be considered. Yet they were close at hand, far closer than any of -the sleeping passengers dreamed. - -The bells chimed the hours and half hours as they slipped by to the -steady threshing of the propeller, and the wake of the big ship spread -fan-like from her stern in a milky stream that flashed with luminous -phosphorescence. - -Suddenly, from the lookout in the crow's nest came a shout sharp and -clear. - -"Something dead ahead, sir," was the reply to the inquiring hail from -the bridge. - -"Can you make it out?" - -"Not yet, sir. It's two points on the starboard bow." - -From the bridge night-glasses were leveled, but the eyes in the crow's -nest made out the nature of the drifting object on the moonlit sea -first. - -"It's a boat, sir." - -"A boat?" - -"Aye, aye, sir. Looks like a ship's boat." - -"Anybody aboard?" - -"Can't just make out yet, sir." - -And then a minute later: - -"Yes, sir. I see somebody standing up and waving. It's--it's a woman, -sir." - -"Jove," exclaimed Mr. Metcalf, who had the watch. "Schultz, call the -captain. Tell him there's a boat with a woman castaway on board ahead of -us." - -"Aye, aye," cried the old quartermaster, and hurried off on the errand, -leaving the wheel to his mate; for on such a night the ship could be -steered almost by a boy. - -The captain hastened to the bridge in his pajamas and bath-robe. - -"A boat, eh, Metcalf?" he said. - -"Yes, sir. A ship's boat, by the looks of her." - -"Order the engines slowed down. Schultz, get the after cutter ready for -clearing away." - -The old quartermaster's whistle sang out shrilly, and the watch jumped -aft, alert for anything that was in the wind. Like magic, word had flown -among the crew of the discovery of the tiny derelict. - -"The land's not more than two hundred miles off," said Metcalf. "It's -possible they've drifted out to sea." - -"Most probably that is it, unless some disaster has overtaken a ship. At -any rate, it couldn't have come from storm, for we haven't had any -weather to speak of for days." - -"By the way, sir, I heard a lot of talk before we left Kingston about -earthquake weather. In my opinion, a quiet, still night like this means -some sort of a shake. At least, that's what the natives say." - -"Yes; and the glass has been singularly high. That's a sign of something -in the wind," was the response. "But go aft, Metcalf, and see that they -clear that boat properly." - -"Yes, sir," and the chief officer hurried off. - -He found Colonel Minturn, who had been pacing the deck sleeplessly in -his anxiety, beside the boat crew, watching their preparations. Jack, -whose watch had just expired, was there, too. - -"Something up, eh?" asked the colonel. - -"Yes; there's a drifting boat with a woman in it dead ahead. We're going -to pick her up." - -"I wonder if I could go along," said the colonel. "It would be something -to relieve this anxiety. It is terrible. I cannot sleep. All I can do is -to walk the decks and think." - -"I'll ask the captain," said Mr. Metcalf. "Personally, I have no -objections." - -He was soon back with the required permission. - -"Ready, you're off duty and I know you like anything like adventure, so -if you want to come, get aboard." - -"Good!" exclaimed Jack. "Have you any idea what boat it is?" - -"Not the least. That makes it all the more interesting. From what we can -make out, though, it's a ship's boat of some sort." - -The big vessel almost ceased to move. Her propeller, driven by the -slowly working engines, only made a ripple on the water. The boat was -swung over and struck the sea with a gentle splash. - -"There they are, men. Give way with a will now," ordered Mr. Metcalf -briskly. - -The oars struck the water, sending serpents of phosphorescence over its -dark surface. The boat moved swiftly forward toward the other craft, a -small white gig apparently. - -"There's the woman," cried Jack. "Look, she's standing up and waving!" - -"There's a man there, too," cried Mr. Metcalf. "Pull hard, men, the poor -devils may have been drifting for days." - -"Hold on! We're coming," cried the colonel encouragingly, forgetting his -own troubles in the sight of these two castaways of the sea. - -The boats ranged alongside and the crew of the _Tropic Queen's_ boat -seized the gunwale of the other craft, holding them together. Jack stood -up and extended his arm to the young woman to aid her on board the -liner's boat. - -The next instant a shock, sharp as the sudden sting of a galvanic -battery, shook him. - -The girl was Miss Jarrold! She recognized him at the same instant and -gave a little cry. Simultaneously Jarrold and Colonel Minturn came face -to face. A hoarse cry broke from Jarrold's throat. He reached into an -inside pocket and drew out a bundle, which he threw overboard before -Minturn could catch his wrist in an iron grasp. - -But as the papers splashed, and Jarrold broke out into a mocking laugh -and cried, "You thought you had me beaten, but it's you that are beaten -now, Colonel Minturn," there came another splash, a bigger one. - -"It's the kid!" shouted one of the sailors. "He's gone after that -bundle!" - -Mr. Metcalf jumped from his seat to the assistance of Colonel Minturn, -for Jarrold, maddened by the series of disasters that had overtaken him, -had reached for and drawn a pistol. A crack over the wrist from an oar -wielded by the first mate, sent the weapon flying overboard. - -A few moments later Jarrold, who fought like a tiger, was lying bound in -the bottom of the boat with two sailors guarding him. His niece sat in -the stern sheets sobbing hysterically over the ironic turn of fate that -had caused the ship that they thought was to rescue them to be the very -one they most dreaded. - -Jack was hauled back on board after a few seconds' immersion. In one -hand he held high a dripping bundle of papers. A sailor reached out to -take them from him. But the boy refused to give them up. - -"Only one man gets these," he said, shaking the water from his curly -head, "and that is Colonel Minturn." - -With a gasp of thankfulness that was almost a sob, the colonel took the -papers from the boy's hands, thrust them within his coat and then fairly -hauled Jack on board. - -By a twist of fate, seemingly incredible, but really attributable to a -logical chain of events, the papers relating to the priceless secrets of -the Panama Canal were once more in the proper hands. They never left -them again. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII - -A BOLT FROM THE BLUE - - -All the way back to the ship the girl sat silent, with bowed head buried -in her slender white hands. Jarrold, tied and harmless, on the floor of -the boat, raved and swore incoherently. Not till she stood once more on -the deck of the _Tropic Queen_, however, did the girl give way. Then as -she saw her uncle, sullen and defiant now, led to the captain's cabin -where he was to be questioned, she reeled and would have fallen had not -De Garros, who happened to be close at hand, caught her. - -The sudden stopping of the ship had awakened most of the passengers and -they had come on deck to see what was the matter. - -"Here, take her below," said De Garros to a stewardess, as the -passengers crowded curiously around. - -The ship was once more got under way, the boat lashed home and the -voyage resumed, while in the captain's cabin, facing Colonel Minturn, -the wretched Jarrold told his story. But he expressed no sorrow, except -for the failure of his mission. Captain McDonald ordered him confined in -a cabin, to be turned over to the U. S. authorities when the ship -reached Panama. - -The sentence had hardly been executed, when a shuddering, jarring crash -shook the ship. - -Her way was checked abruptly and every plate and rivet in her steel -fabric groaned. - -Jack was thrown from his chair in the wireless room and hurled against a -steel brace. He struck his head and fell unconscious to the floor. - -For an instant following the shock, all was absolute silence. Then -bedlam broke loose. Hoarse voices could be heard shouting orders, and -the answering yells of the crew came roaring back. Women were screaming -somewhere below, and men passengers were trying in vain to quiet them. - -Sam was hurled out of his bunk, and, rudely awakened, found Jack lying -stunned on the floor. He dashed some water over him and then ran to the -bridge. Captain McDonald, firm and inflexible, stood there giving orders -as calmly as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. - -"Shall I send out an S. O. S., sir?" asked Sam, striving to keep as cool -as the ship's commander. - -"Not yet. I have not a full report of the extent of the injury to the -ship," was the reply. "First reports indicate that we have struck a -submerged derelict." - -But as Sam went back to the wireless room, he saw the boats' crews all -standing by and every preparation being made for abandoning the ship. In -an instinctive way, he felt that she had been mortally injured. She was -still moving, but slowly, like a wounded thing dragging itself along. - -The first officer came hurrying along the deck and shoved his head into -the door. - -"You had better try to raise any ship within our zone as fast as you -can," he said. - -"You are going to send the passengers off?" asked Sam. - -"Yes, as a measure of precaution. The derelict we struck has torn a big -hole in the engine room. It is impossible to say how long we can keep -afloat." - -He hurried off. Sam heard a groan and saw Jack rising on an elbow. - -"What is it? What's up?" he asked bewilderedly, and then: "Oh, I -remember now. Any orders for an S. O. S., Sam?" - -"Not yet. But we're to raise any ship we can. They are sending the -passengers off in the boats." - -"Wow! That was a crack I got when she struck," said Jack, getting on his -feet. "What did we hit, did you hear?" - -"A submerged derelict. It has torn a big hole in the engine room." - -Jack took the key from Sam and began pounding it. But an exclamation of -dismay spread over his face as he did so. - -"No juice!" he exclaimed. "Or not enough to amount to anything. Here's a -fine fix." - -Below them, as they stood facing each other, thunderstruck at this -disaster, every light on the ship went out. - -"Dynamos out of business," gasped Jack. He struck a match and lighted a -lamp that hung in "gimbals" on the bulkhead. - -They could hear the sharp staccato commands of the ship's officers as -they quelled the incipient panic that had followed the extinguishing of -the lights. The boats were being filled and sent away with quiet and -orderly precision, a boatswain or a quartermaster in each one. The -higher officers could not leave the ship till later, by the law of the -sea. - -Everything moved quietly, almost silently. It was like watching a dream -picture, Jack thought afterward. Luckily, the moon was bright and gave -ample light for the disembarking of the passengers. It was just this, -the bright moonlight, the cloudless sky and the smooth, summery sea that -made it all seem so unreal. It seemed impossible that a death blow had -been dealt to a mighty liner and that her passengers were in peril, on a -sea like a millpond and under an unruffled sky. - -Jack hastened forward to report the failure of the current, without -which not a message of appeal could be flung abroad. The captain -received the news without the flicker of an eyelid. - -"At any rate, the passengers are all safe," he said, "the boats are all -off. Each has plenty of provisions and water and is in charge of a -competent man. We are in for a long spell of fine weather and the coast -is not far off. At the worst it will be a sea adventure for them with -few discomforts." - -"Are you going to abandon the ship, sir?" asked Jack respectfully. - -"No. My duty is to stay by her as long as I think there is a chance of -saving her. The report from the engine room is that she can be run -several miles yet before the water reaches the boilers. All the pumps -are at work, full force, and that is the reason there is no power left -for the dynamos." - -"Do you mean you are going to try to beach her, sir?" inquired Jack. - -"If I can possibly do so," was the reply. "There is an island not far to -the south of here called Castle Island. If I can reach it in time and -beach her, there may be one chance in a thousand of salving her, after -all." - -Jack had asked all the questions he dared. Had it not been a time of -such stress, he would not have ventured to ask so many. - -He hurried back to the wireless room. Sam was busy at the key, but he -shook his head in reply to Jack's inquiring glance. - -"Nothing doing," he said. "Any news forward?" - -"Yes. All the passengers are off and there are now on board only the -officers and crew. The skipper means to run for an island called Castle -Island and beach her there. He thinks that later there may be a chance -of getting her hull off, if he can make it." - -"Then she is leaking fast?" - -"Yes, they've got all the pumps going to keep the water from getting to -the fires. That's the reason we've got no juice." - -"Let's look up Castle Island," said Jack, partly to relieve the -tenseness of their position as the wounded ship crawled strickenly -southward and partly to keep Sam, who was making a plucky effort to -fight back his fears, from thinking too much of their situation. - -They soon found it--a small island shaped like a splash of gravy on a -plate. It was marked with a red dot. Under this red dot, in italics, was -written, "_Volcano. Probably extinct._" - -"Well, any old port in a storm," remarked Jack, as he closed up the -atlas. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX - -JACK'S RADIO - - -Darkly violet under the light of the dawn-fading stars lay Castle -Island. Cradled in the heaving seas it was watched by scores of anxious -eyes on the _Tropic Queen_, now in her death struggle. The fire room -crew was kept at work only by physical persuasion. The water was gaining -fast now through the jagged wound in the craft's steel side. - -In the soft radiance that precedes the first flush of a tropic dawn, the -two young wireless men, their occupation gone, watched its notched -skyline grow into more definite shape. - -As the light grew stronger, they saw that it was a bigger island than -they had supposed. Vast chasms rent the sides of rock-ribbed mountains, -and the place looked desolate and barren to a degree. Suddenly, too, -Jack became aware of something they had not at first noticed. - -From the summit of the rocky apex that topped the island, a smudge of -smoke was blurred against the clear sky. - -"The volcano!" exclaimed the boys in one breath. - -"But I thought it was extinct," said Sam, in a dismayed voice. The -thought of being in the proximity of an active volcano was anything but -pleasing to him. - -"Extinct volcanoes smoke sometimes," said Jack. "I've read of several in -Mexico that do." - -On the bridge, gray-faced from their long vigil, the ship's officers -clustered about Captain McDonald, watched with anxiety the growing -outlines of the island. - -"There are shoals of sand off to the southeast there," said the captain. -"I was here years ago when I was an apprentice on the old _Abner A. -Jennings_. If we can reach them the old ship will lie easy unless bad -weather comes on." - -The steamer crept slowly forward. She hardly seemed to move, in the -minds of the impatient souls on board her. But at last the water began -to show green under her bows, signifying that she was getting into shoal -waters. On and on she crawled, till she was a scant quarter of a mile -from the mantling cliffs. - -It was then that Captain McDonald sent word below to let the stokers -come on deck. It was none too soon. The men were working at pistol point -with water up to their waists, when the word came to evacuate the -stokehold. Even firearms could not have kept them in that water-filled -black pit much longer. - -The engines were left running and a short time later, like a tired -child, the _Tropic Queen_ cradled herself in a bed of soft sand and her -voyage was over. An impressive silence hung over the ship as she -grounded, which was not broken till the sharp orders that preceded her -abandonment were issued. - -Then all was bustle. The two remaining boats were lowered and the men -sent ashore. At last all that were left on board were the officers and -the two wireless boys. The men had carried ashore provisions and canvas -for tents, and a stream of water that the first arrivals reported near -the landing place, showed them that there was no danger of their going -thirsty. - -It was just as Jack and Sam were preparing to get aboard the boat that a -strange thing happened. The tall, slender form of a young woman appeared -on deck. It was Miss Jarrold. An instant later De Garros joined her. - -"Why, I thought you were on board the other boats!" exclaimed Captain -McDonald, fairly startled out of his stoic calm. - -"Like myself, Mr. De Garros elected to see this thing out," chimed in -another voice, and there was Colonel Minturn. - -"So we stayed below while the other passengers were being taken off," -said the young aviator, "knowing that if there was any real danger we -would still be able to escape. A shipwreck was too exciting an -experience to miss." - -"Well, if you want to make two fools of yourselves, I can't stop you," -said the captain, in slightly nettled tones. "But this young lady. What -is she doing here?" - -"Inasmuch as my uncle is a prisoner on this ship, it was my duty to -stand by him," said the girl, firmly compressing her lips. - -"But I specifically ordered that Mr. Jarrold be taken off in one of the -boats," said the captain, in a bewildered tone. - -"Then whoever you gave the orders to disregarded them," replied the girl -calmly. Then quite in a matter-of-fact voice she added, "Are we going to -camp on that island?" - -"Till help comes, yes," replied the captain. "I will see that you have a -tent and are made as comfortable as possible, but of course you can't -expect luxuries." - -An hour later they were all on shore. Captain McDonald made an address -to the men, who were quiet and orderly, telling them that the discipline -in the shore camp would be the same as on board the ship, and that later -on a consultation would be held and the best means of getting assistance -decided upon. They had two boats and it was likely that Mr. Metcalf, in -one of them, might be sent to the mainland in quest of aid. - -Castle Island was a dismal-looking spot, but the boys decided to make -the best of a bad business and set out, after a mid-day meal of canned -provisions, coffee and crackers, for a walk along the beach. They didn't -find much of interest, however. In fact they could hardly keep their -eyes off the _Tropic Queen_, lying on the shoals helpless with smokeless -funnels, and listed heavily to port. - -It was on the way back to camp that an odd thing happened. Sam was -walking slightly in advance. Suddenly he turned around on Jack: "Say, -what are you doing?" he demanded. "Don't shove me." - -"I didn't shove you," said Jack. "I felt the same thing. I----Gracious, -it's the earth shaking!" - -"Look, look at the volcano!" cried Sam suddenly. - -Jack looked up at the towering, gaunt crest miles away, rearing to an -infinite height above them. An immense cloud of yellow, sulphurous -smoke, muddying the blue of the sky, was pouring from it. - -The earth shook again sickeningly. White-faced, the boys hastened back -to camp. They found Captain McDonald and the other men trying to quiet -the fears of the crew, who fully believed that before night the volcano -would be in eruption, burying them, maybe, in lava. They succeeded -fairly well, but the men kept their eyes turned to the smoking crest -almost ceaselessly. - -Miss Jarrold sat apart in front of her tent with her uncle, whose bonds -had been taken off. - -The day wore on and the tremors were repeated from time to time. But -nothing serious occurred. In fact, the marooned party began to grow used -to the shocks. It was arranged that early in the morning, Mr. Metcalf, -with one of the boats and a picked crew, was to set out for the mainland -and summon help. - -During the afternoon, to fend off his melancholy thoughts, Jack decided -to write down all that had happened since the eventful voyage of the -lost liner started. He begged some paper from the purser, who gave him a -stack of duplicate manifests. He sat himself down, pencil in hand, and -was beginning to scribble, when he suddenly stopped short and sat -staring at a sheet of paper that had fallen to the ground beside him. - -His eyes were centered on an entry at the top of the page. There didn't -appear to be much about the entry to cause Jack's pulses to throb with a -wild hope and his heart to beat quicker, but they did. Here is what he -read: - - "To Don Jose de Ramon, Electric Supplies, Santa Marta. 10 storage - batteries from Day, Martin & Co., New York." - -Storage batteries! - -Jack threw aside his writing and made for the purser. - -"Where are those storage batteries for Santa Marta stored?" he asked. - -"In hold Number One," was the reply. "They are on the top of the Santa -Marta cargo." - -"Can they be got at easily?" asked Jack. - -"They are among the 'fragile' goods," was the reply, "on the port side -of the hold. They were to be the first things ashore at Santa Marta. But -why do you want to know?" - -"Oh, there's a reason, as the ads. say," laughed Jack. - -That afternoon the two young wireless men spent in long and anxious -consultation. Dark came, and from the volcano a lurid glare lit the sky, -yet no heavy convulsions of the earth occurred. Supper was over and the -sailors, after desperately trying to keep up their spirits by singing, -turned in. Soon the whole camp was wrapped in silence. The only ones -awake were Jack and Sam. - -Silently, on the soft sand, the two lads crept from the camp. Around -their waists they wore life belts taken from the boats, which lay on the -sand where they had been pulled up. The inspiration that had come to -Jack when he read that entry on the manifest, was about to be put to the -test. - -"You are sure you can swim it, Sam?" asked the boy as the two lads waded -into the water with their eyes fixed on the black hull of the stranded -steamer. - -"With this life jacket on I could swim round the Horn," declared Sam -confidently. - -"All right, then, here goes." Jack struck off into deep water, followed -by Sam. - -The water was almost warm and quite buoyant. It was a real pleasure -swimming through it in the moonlight, while at every stroke the -phosphorescence rippled glowingly from their arms and legs. They reached -the ship almost before they knew it, and swam around her till they found -the Jacob's ladder by which the descent to the boats had been made. They -scrambled up this with the agility of monkeys, and then made their way -along the steeply sloping decks till they reached the wireless room with -its silent instruments. Everything there was in perfect order, except -for "juice" that was needed to wake them to life. And this Jack intended -to have in short order. - -Working under his directions, Sam broke into the storeroom where such -supplies were kept by the ship's electricians, and got two huge coils of -insulated wire. Carrying these, he followed Jack, who bore a lantern, to -Number One hold. It had been broken open at Kingston and the battens had -only been loosely replaced for the run to Santa Marta, so that it was an -easy matter to gain access to the hold. - -Down the steep iron ladder they climbed till they stood among high-piled -boxes and bales. Jack flashed his lantern about and at last uttered a -cry of triumph. - -"There they are," he cried, pointing to some big boxes labeled, "Jose de -Ramon, Santa Marta." - -"Now for the test," chimed in Sam. - -The boys attacked the cases vigorously with hatchets they had brought -with them, and soon had the ten powerful storage batteries exposed. - -"Now get to work, Sam," said Jack, producing some pliers and seizing -hold of a coil of wire. - - - - -CHAPTER XL - -THE ANSWER TO THE WIRELESS CALL - - -Most of my readers have, in all probability, by this time guessed Jack's -plan. It was nothing more nor less than to harness up the powerful -storage batteries to the wireless apparatus, and thus secure a wave -that, while not as strong as the one from the ship's dynamos, would yet -reach for two hundred miles or more. - -This was the inspiration that had come to him when his eye had fallen on -the momentous entry on the manifest. The boys worked feverishly. At last -the batteries were connected, and it only remained to run the wires to -the instruments in the wireless room. Then would come the supreme test. - -At last everything was "hooked up" to Jack's satisfaction, and he sat -himself down at the key. He knew that his wave lengths would not be very -heavy nor his radius large, but he calculated on the fact that already -this part of the ocean was alive with scout cruisers and warships -hunting for the _Endymion_. - -With a beating heart and a choking sensation in his throat, he seized -the key. Sam could not speak for excitement and suspense, but leaned -breathlessly over his chum's shoulder. - -Downward Jack pressed the key. - -A simultaneous shout burst from both boys' throats. The wireless was -alive once more! - -A green spark, like an emerald serpent, leaped from point to point of -the sender. With swift, practiced fingers Jack began sending abroad the -message of disaster and the appeal for rescue. - -Almost the entire night passed away without any answer reaching his -ears, although he ran the gamut of the wireless tuning board. He began -to fear that the current was too weak to reach any of the ships that he -knew were scouring the sea for the Endymion, when suddenly, in response -to his S.O.S., came a sharp, powerful: - -"Yes--Yes--Yes." - -"Oh, glory!" cried Jack. "I've got a battleship! I know it by the -sending." - -"This is the _Tropic Queen_," he flashed out. "We are wrecked on Castle -Island. Send help quickly. Rush aid. We are----" - -A loud, terrified cry from Sam interrupted him. Through the door the -whole sky could be seen a flaming, lurid red. The stranded ship shook as -if in the grip of cruel giant hands. The boys were thrown helter skelter -about the sloping cabin floor. - -The place gleamed with the glaring, crimson light. A dreadful roaring -sound filled their ears. The sands beneath them appeared to heave up and -down in sickening waves like those of the unquiet sea. - -Then came a vast uproar, and the two terror-stricken boys clawed their -way out on the slanting deck. They looked toward the island. The sky -above it was blood red. The rugged sky-line of its peaks stood out -blackly against the scarlet glare. The air was full of a gas that burned -the throat and choked the lungs. - -"It's the volcano!" cried Jack. "The volcano! Look!" - -But Sam was clutching the other's arm and pointing frantically seaward. -Rolling toward them, its foaming head crimsoned by the lambent glare of -the volcano, was a giant wave. - -"Into the wireless room. Quick! For your life!" screamed Jack. - -They scrambled up the sloping deck and threw themselves flat on their -faces in the coop, clinging to stanchions with a death-like grip. The -next instant there was a roar like a thousand Niagaras. They felt the -solid fabric of the _Tropic Queen_ lifted dizzily skyward, while tons of -water roared down on her. Then there came a sickening crash that shook -the boys loose from their grips and sent them rolling about the cabin. -The door was burst open and they staggered out on the deck. The _Tropic -Queen_ was almost upright now, with her bottom smashed in till she stood -flat upon her bare ribs in the soft sand. - -Jack could see, by the glare of the burning mountain, the bleak -figures of men far up among the rocks. The tidal wave, then, had been -seen in time for some of them, at least, to save themselves. He had -just time to observe this when before his eyes the sea sucked -outward--outward--outward. The ocean floor rose into view, all crimsoned -from the flaming volcano. He could see gaunt rocks uncovered for the -first time since the creation, perhaps, sticking up blackly in the -slimy depths. - -And then the sea came back! Out in the far distance across the exposed -flats a mighty wave shouldered itself. Its body and huge hollow incurve -was black, but its crest was glowing with reflected flame. Jack gave one -glance ashore. He could see black figures scuttling high up the rocks. - -They had just time to rush into the wireless room, with its steel walls -and stout foundations bolted to the iron superstructure, when, with a -roar, the mighty wave swept landward. Jack and Sam felt the _Tropic -Queen_ lifted and rushed toward the shore, then lifted again and again -and again till it seemed impossible that anything man-made could resist -the awful force. - -But at last the ship grounded with a shuddering, sidewise motion that -seemed like a last expiring gasp. The boys ventured forth. The ship was -lying on the beach almost at the foot of the cliffs. Her funnels and -masts had vanished, snapped off like pipe stems. She lay a sheer, -miserable hulk in the flaring light of the volcano. - -Seaward, the waves were breaking tumultuously, but the tidal wave had -spent its fury. Dizzy, sick and battered the boys made their way over -the side of the lost liner and crept up the beach. It was littered with -the smashed fragments of the two boats and the remnants of the hastily -abandoned camp. - -Through the glowing darkness a figure came toward them. - -"Great heavens, boys, is it you?" they heard. - -"Yes, Captain," rejoined Jack. "We've come ashore." - -"Thank Heaven you are safe! We are all right except for four poor -sailors who did not awaken in time. But where have you been? How did you -get on board?" - -"We swam out," said Jack simply, "and had just got out a wireless call -when the big blow-up came." - -"A wireless call! Are you out of your head, boy?" - -"By no means," said Jack. "We got out a call, and, better still, got an -answer. I don't know what ship it was, but it was a naval craft. I gave -our position and then came the tidal wave." - -"It is our only chance," said the captain. "Both boats were, of course, -smashed, and we are marooned till aid comes." - -It was the next night. The disconsolate castaways were huddled near the -pathetic wreck of the lost liner. Food had been obtained from on board, -so that there was no actual suffering, but the volcano still glared and -rumbled and at any moment a disastrous eruption was to be feared. - -De Garros and Miss Jarrold stood together apart from the rest. - -"And your uncle's influence over you is broken forever if we ever escape -from this?" he was asking. - -She nodded. - -"That time in Paris when he tried to persuade you to give up the -aeronautical plans was when I first began to mistrust him. I never -thought I should see you again after our engagement was broken off, but -fate has brought us together. It has been like a dream," she went on. "I -think sometimes that he exercised a hypnotic influence over me. But I -know it all now and can see things clearly." - -De Garros was about to answer, when suddenly his body stiffened. He -pointed to the northern horizon. - -"There," he cried. "Look there!" - -His excitement was mounting high. - -"See," he shouted, "that white light! It's sweeping the sky! What is -it?" - -Far off, a faint pencil of light swung across the zenith as if on a -pivot. It dipped to the horizon, rose again and swung like a radiant -pendulum across the sky. - -"Signals," the girl choked out. "It's a searchlight!" - -From the seamen there came a hoarse cheer. - -"It's a battleship! She's signaling!" shouted Jack in a voice that -shook. "It's Morse!" - -He took a long breath or two. Then he choked out the message that was -flung on the sky. - -"Courage! We are coming!" - -And then pandemonium broke loose. Under the glaring sky, seamen danced -and shouted and the other members of the party shook hands. Only Jarrold -stood silent and aloof, looking at his niece and De Garros. It was as if -he knew that his hold over her was broken forever, and that the -approaching warships, speeding to the rescue, meant for him shackles and -iron bars. - -The scene shifts to Colon harbor. Into port are steaming the -_Birmingham_, scout cruiser, and the _Wasp_, torpedo destroyer, the -craft that rescued the castaways of Castle Island. Already by wireless -the story of the lost liner and the wonderful resourcefulness of Jack -Ready and Sam Smalley has gone out to the world. Big crowds are waiting -to meet the rescuing warships. Among them are the military attachés to -whom Colonel Minturn, thanks to Jack, will be able to hand the Panama -documents so nearly lost forever. - -At the stern of the _Wasp_, under the ensign, are standing Jarrold's -niece and De Garros. He is telling her that Colonel Minturn has promised -to intercede for her uncle, and that in all probability he will be -deported with a warning never to tread American soil again, in place of -being imprisoned. Nations do not care to advertise their troubles with -international spies, if it can be avoided. - -Jack and Sam, on board the _Birmingham_, stand happily by the wireless -operator of the cruiser. He is taking a message. Presently he turns to -them. - -"Some news that will interest you, fellows," he says. "All the boats -from the _Tropic Queen_ have been picked up, without the loss of a -single passenger." - -"Good work!" exclaim the two listeners heartily. - -"And the _Endymion_," continues the operator, "has been in port for a -week, and her crew and captain are detained pending an inquiry." - -"Well, I guess they'll get out of the scrape, all right," says Jack, -"for they didn't know what schemes Jarrold was up to when he chartered -the yacht." - -"What about Cummings?" asks Sam. - -"So far as I am concerned, I shall take no action," replies Jack. "All -that I am anxious for now is for a sight of the good old U. S. A. and -Uncle Toby and----" - -"Somebody named Helen," chuckles Sam, while Jack turns red under his -tan. - -And here, with their adventures on the lost liner at an end, we will say -farewell to our ocean wireless boys till we encounter them again in a -forthcoming volume dealing with their further stirring adventures at the -radio key. - -THE END. - - - - -BOY AVIATORS' SERIES - -By Captain Wilbur Lawton - -Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys - -Cloth Bound--Price, 50c per volume - -THE BOY AVIATORS IN NICARAGUA, Or, Leagued With Insurgents - - The launching of this Twentieth Century series marks the inauguration - of a new era in boys' books--the "wonders of modern science" epoch. - Frank and Harry Chester, the _Boy Aviators_, are the heroes of this - exciting, red-blooded tale of adventure by air and land in the - turbulent Central American republic. The two brothers with their - $10,000 prize aeroplane, the _Golden Eagle_, rescue a chum from death - in the clutches of the Nicaraguans, discover a lost treasure valley of - the ancient Toltec race, and in so doing almost lose their own lives - in the Abyss of the White Serpents, and have many other exciting - experiences, including being blown far out to sea in their air-skimmer - in a tropical storm. It would be unfair to divulge the part that - wireless plays in rescuing them from their predicament. In a brand new - field of fiction for boys the Chester brothers and their aeroplane - seem destined to fill a top-notch place. These books are technically - correct, wholesomely thrilling and geared up to third speed. - -Sold by Booksellers Everywhere - -HURST & CO.--Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -BOY AVIATORS' SERIES - -By Captain Wilbur Lawton - -Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys - -Cloth Bound--Price, 50c per volume - -THE BOY AVIATORS ON SECRET SERVICE, Or, Working With Wireless - - In this live-wire narrative of peril and adventure, laid in the - Everglades of Florida, the spunky Chester Boys and their interesting - chums, including Ben Stubbs, the maroon, encounter exciting - experiences on Uncle Sam's service in a novel field. One must read - this vivid, enthralling story of incident, hardship and pluck to get - an idea of the almost limitless possibilities of the two greatest - inventions of modern times--the aeroplane and wireless telegraphy. - While gripping and holding the reader's breathless attention from the - opening words to the finish, this swift-moving story is at the same - time instructive and uplifting. As those readers who have already made - friends with Frank and Harry Chester and their 'bunch' know, there are - few difficulties, no matter how insurmountable they may seem at first - blush, that these up-to-date gritty youths cannot overcome with flying - colors. A clean-cut, real boys' book of high voltage. - -Sold by Booksellers Everywhere - -HURST & CO.--Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -BOY AVIATORS' SERIES - -By Captain Wilbur Lawton - -Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys - -Cloth Bound--Price, 50c per volume - -THE BOY AVIATORS IN AFRICA, Or, An Aerial Ivory Trail - - In this absorbing book we meet, on a Continent made famous by the - American explorer Stanley, and ex-President Roosevelt, our old - friends, the Chester Boys and their stalwart chums. In Africa--the Dark - Continent--the author follows in exciting detail his young heroes, - their voyage in the first aeroplane to fly above the mysterious - forests and unexplored ranges of the mystic land. In this book, too, - for the first time, we entertain Luther Barr, the old New York - millionaire, who proved later such an implacable enemy of the boys. - The story of his defeated schemes, of the astonishing things the boys - discovered in the Mountains of the Moon, of the pathetic fate of - George Desmond, the emulator of Stanley, the adventure of the Flying - Men and the discovery of the Arabian Ivory cache,--this is not the - place to speak. It would be spoiling the zest of an exciting tale to - reveal the outcome of all these episodes here. It may be said, - however, without "giving away" any of the thrilling chapters of this - narrative, that Captain Wilbur Lawton, the author, is in it in his - best vein, and from his personal experiences in Africa has been able - to supply a striking background for the adventures of his young - heroes. As one newspaper says of this book: "Here is adventure in good - measure, pressed down and running over." - -Sold by Booksellers Everywhere - -HURST & CO.--Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -BOY AVIATORS' SERIES - -By Captain Wilbur Lawton - -Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys - -Cloth Bound--Price, 50c per volume - -THE BOY AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST, Or, The Golden Galleon - - Everybody is a boy once more when it comes to the question of hidden - treasure. In this book, Captain Lawton has set forth a hunt for gold - that is concealed neither under the sea nor beneath the earth, but is - well hidden for all that. A garrulous old sailor, who holds the key to - the mystery of the Golden Galleon, plays a large part in the - development of the plot of this fascinating narrative of treasure - hunting in the region of the Gulf Stream and the Sagasso Sea. An - aeroplane fitted with efficient pontoons--enabling her to skim the - water successfully--has long been a dream of aviators. The Chester Boys - seem to have solved the problem. The Sagasso, that strange drifting - ocean within an ocean, holding ships of a dozen nations and a score of - ages, in its relentless grip, has been the subject of many books of - adventure and mystery, but in none has the secret of the ever shifting - mass of treacherous currents been penetrated as it has in the BOY - AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST. Luther Barr, whom it seemed the boys had - shaken off, is still on their trail, in this absorbing book and with a - dirigible balloon, essays to beat them out in their search for the - Golden Galleon. Every boy, every man--and woman and girl--who has ever - felt the stirring summons of adventure in their souls, had better get - hold of this book. Once obtained, it will be read and re-read till it - falls to rags. - -Sold by Booksellers Everywhere - -HURST & CO.--Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -BOY AVIATORS' SERIES - -By Captain Wilbur Lawton - -Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys - -Cloth Bound--Price, 50c per volume - -THE BOY AVIATORS IN RECORD FLIGHT, Or, The Rival Aeroplane - - The Chester Boys in new field of endeavor--an attempt to capture a - newspaper prize for a trans-continental flight. By the time these - lines are read, exactly such an offer will have been spread broadcast - by one of the foremost newspapers of the country. In the Golden Eagle, - the boys, accompanied by a trail-blazing party in an automobile, make - the dash. But they are not alone in their aspirations. Their rivals - for the rich prize at stake try in every way that they can to - circumvent the lads and gain the valuable trophy and monetary award. - In this they stop short at nothing, and it takes all the wits and - resources of the Boy Aviators to defeat their devices. Among the - adventures encountered in their cross-country flight, the boys fall in - with a band of rollicking cow-boys--who momentarily threaten serious - trouble--are attacked by Indians, strike the most remarkable town of - the desert--the "dry" town of "Gow Wells," encounter a sandstorm which - blows them into strange lands far to the south of their course, and - meet with several amusing mishaps beside. A thoroughly readable book. - The sort to take out behind the barn on the sunny side of the - haystack, and, with a pocketful of juicy apples and your heels kicking - the air, pass, happy hours with Captain Lawton's young heroes. - -Sold by Booksellers Everywhere - -HURST & CO.--Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -BOY AVIATORS' SERIES - -By Captain Wilbur Lawton - -Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys - -Cloth Bound--Price, 50c per volume - -THE BOY AVIATORS POLAR DASH, Or, Facing Death in the Antarctic - - If you were to hear that two boys, accompanying a South Polar - expedition in charge of the aeronautic department, were to penetrate - the Antarctic regions--hitherto only attained by a few daring - explorers--you would feel interested, wouldn't you? Well, in Captain - Lawton's latest book, concerning his Boy Aviators, you can not only - read absorbing adventure in the regions south of the eightieth - parallel, but absorb much useful information as well. Captain Lawton - introduces--besides the original characters of the heroes--a new - creation in the person of Professor Simeon Sandburr, a patient seeker - for polar insects. The professor's adventures in his quest are the - cause of much merriment, and lead once or twice to serious - predicaments. In a volume so packed with incident and peril from cover - to cover--relieved with laughable mishaps to the professor--it is - difficult to single out any one feature; still, a recent reader of it - wrote the publishers an enthusiastic letter the other day, saying: - "The episodes above the Great Barrier are thrilling, the attack of the - condors in Patagonia made me hold my breath, the--but what's the use? - The Polar Dash, to my mind, is an even more entrancing book than - Captain Lawton's previous efforts, and that's saying a good deal. The - aviation features and their technical correctness are by no means the - least attractive features of this up-to-date creditable volume." - -Sold by Booksellers Everywhere - -HURST & CO.--Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -BOY INVENTORS SERIES - -Stories of Skill and Ingenuity - -By RICHARD BONNER - -Cloth Bound, Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid. - -THE BOY INVENTORS' WIRELESS TELEGRAPH. - - Blest with natural curiosity,--sometimes called the instinct of - investigation,--favored with golden opportunity, and gifted with - creative ability, the Boy Inventors meet emergencies and contrive - mechanical wonders that interest and convince the reader because they - always "work" when put to the test. - -THE BOY INVENTORS' VANISHING GUN. - - A thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement, hope, effort and - final success--this is the history of many an invention; a history in - which excitement, competition, danger, despair and persistence figure. - This merely suggests the circumstances which draw the daring Boy - Inventors into strange experiences and startling adventures, and which - demonstrate the practical use of their vanishing gun. - -THE BOY INVENTORS' DIVING TORPEDO BOAT. - - As in the previous stories of the Boy Inventors, new and interesting - triumphs of mechanism are produced which become immediately valuable, - and the stage for their proving and testing is again the water. On the - surface and below it, the boys have jolly, contagious fun, and the - story of their serious, purposeful inventions challenge the reader's - deepest attention. - -Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. - -HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK - - - - -BORDER BOYS SERIES - -Mexican and Canadian Frontier Series - -By FREMONT B. DEERING. - -Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid - -THE BORDER BOYS ON THE TRAIL. - - What it meant to make an enemy of Black Ramon De Barios--that is the - problem that Jack Merrill and his friends, including Coyote Pete, face - in this exciting tale. - -THE BORDER BOYS ACROSS THE FRONTIER. - - Read of the Haunted Mesa and its mysteries, of the Subterranean River - and its strange uses, of the value of gasolene and steam "in running - the gauntlet," and you will feel that not even the ancient splendors - of the Old World can furnish a better setting for romantic action than - the Border of the New. - -THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE MEXICAN RANGERS. - - As every day is making history--faster, it is said, than ever before--so - books that keep pace with the changes are full of rapid action and - accurate facts. This book deals with lively times on the Mexican - border. - -THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE TEXAS RANGERS. - - The Border Boys have already had much excitement and adventure in - their lives, but all this has served to prepare them for the - experiences related in this volume. They are stronger, braver and more - resourceful than ever, and the exigencies of their life in connection - with the Texas Rangers demand all their trained ability. - -Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. - -HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK - - - - -MOTOR CYCLE SERIES - -Splendid Motor Cycle Stories - -By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON. - -Author of "Boy Scout Series." - -Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid - -THE MOTOR CYCLE CHUMS AROUND THE WORLD. - - 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. - -THE MOTOR CYCLE CHUMS OF THE NORTHWEST PATROL. - - 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." - -THE MOTOR CYCLE CHUMS IN THE GOLD FIELDS. - - The gold fever which ran its rapid course through the veins of the - historic "forty-niners" recurs at certain intervals, and seizes its - victims with almost irresistible power. The search for gold is so - fascinating to the seekers that hardship, danger and failure are - obstacles that scarcely dampen their ardour. 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. - -Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. - -HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK - - - - -DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES - -Tales of the New Navy - -By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON - -Author of "BOY AVIATORS SERIES." - -Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid - -THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON BATTLE PRACTICE. - - Especially interesting and timely is this book which introduces the - reader with its heroes, Ned and Here, to the great ships of modern - warfare and to the intimate life and surprising adventures of Uncle - Sam's sailors. - -THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ABOARD A DESTROYER. - - In this story real dangers threaten and the boys' patriotism is tested - in a peculiar international tangle. The scene is laid on the South - American coast. - -THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON A SUBMARINE. - - To the inventive genius--trade-school boy or mechanic--this story has - special charm, perhaps, but to every reader its mystery and clever - action are fascinating. - -THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON AERO SERVICE. - - Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned and Herc. Their - perilous adventures are not confined to the air, however, although - they make daring and notable flights in the name of the Government; - nor are they always able to fly beyond the reach of their old - "enemies," who are also airmen. - -Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. - -HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK - - - - -BUNGALOW BOYS SERIES - -LIVE STORIES OF OUTDOOR LIFE - -By DEXTER J. FORRESTER. - -Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid - -THE BUNGALOW BOYS. - - How the Bungalow Boys received their title and how they retained the - right to it in spite of much opposition makes a lively narrative for - lively boys. - -THE BUNGALOW BOYS MAROONED IN THE TROPICS. - - A real treasure hunt of the most thrilling kind, with a sunken Spanish - galleon as its object, makes a subject of intense interest at any - time, but add to that a band of desperate men, a dark plot and a devil - fish, and you have the combination that brings strange adventures into - the lives of the Bungalow Boys. - -THE BUNGALOW BOYS IN THE GREAT NORTH WEST. - - The clever assistance of a young detective saves the boys from the - clutches of Chinese smugglers, of whose nefarious trade they know too - much. How the Professor's invention relieves a critical situation is - also an exciting incident of this book. - -THE BUNGALOW BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES. - - The Bungalow Boys start out for a quiet cruise on the Great Lakes and - a visit to an island. A storm and a band of wreckers interfere with - the serenity of their trip, and a submarine adds zest and adventure to - it. - -Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. - -HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK - - - - -FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES - -Twentieth Century Athletic Stories - -By MATHEW M. COLTON. - -Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid - -FRANK ARMSTRONG'S VACATION. - - How Frank's summer experience 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. - -FRANK ARMSTRONG AT QUEENS. - - 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. - -FRANK ARMSTRONG'S SECOND TERM. - - 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." - -FRANK ARMSTRONG, DROP KICKER. - - 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. - -Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. - -HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost -Liner, by Wilbur Lawton - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND LOST LINER *** - -***** This file should be named 41265-8.txt or 41265-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/2/6/41265/ - -Produced by Roger Frank 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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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - -</pre> - +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41265 ***</div> </body> </html> diff --git a/41265.txt b/41265.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e9d84e4..0000000 --- a/41265.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6847 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner, by -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 Lost Liner - -Author: Wilbur Lawton - -Illustrator: Charles Wrenn - -Release Date: November 2, 2012 [EBook #41265] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND LOST LINER *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - -[Illustration: There was a sudden blinding flash from the instruments -and a blaze of blue, hissing fire filled the room.] - - - - -THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND THE LOST LINER - -BY - -CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON - -AUTHOR OF "THE BOY AVIATORS' SERIES," "THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS' SERIES," -"THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC," ETC. - -WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHARLES L. WRENN - -NEW YORK - -HURST & COMPANY - -PUBLISHERS - - - - -Copyright, 1914 - -BY HURST & COMPANY - - - - -CONTENTS - - CHAPTER I--AT SEA ONCE MORE - CHAPTER II--WIRELESS CONVERSATIONS - CHAPTER III--A STRANGE REQUEST - CHAPTER IV--A PECULIAR COINCIDENCE - CHAPTER V--THE INTERRUPTED MESSAGE - CHAPTER VI--A DARING FEAT - CHAPTER VII--QUARTERMASTER SCHULTZ VOLUNTEERS - CHAPTER VIII--SAFE ONCE MORE - CHAPTER IX--THE MIDNIGHT INTRUDER - CHAPTER X--A MESSAGE IN SECRET CODE - CHAPTER XI--WHAT SAM HEARD - CHAPTER XII--A SUDDEN ALARM - CHAPTER XIII--A DOSE OF SLEEPING POWDER - CHAPTER XIV--THE WINKING EYE - CHAPTER XV--SECRET SIGNALS AT DAWN - CHAPTER XVI--S. O. S. - CHAPTER XVII--A DERELICT OF THE SKIES - CHAPTER XVIII--A LEAP FOR A LIFE - CHAPTER XIX--A CALL IN THE NIGHT - CHAPTER XX--TO THE RESCUE - CHAPTER XXI--A TALE OF THE SEA - CHAPTER XXII--A DECOY MESSAGE - CHAPTER XXIII--FALSE FRIENDSHIP - CHAPTER XXIV--KIDNAPPED - CHAPTER XXV--SAM, A TRUE FRIEND - CHAPTER XXVI--A WICKED PLAN - CHAPTER XXVII--IN THE LION'S MOUTH - CHAPTER XXVIII--A CLIMB FOR LIFE - CHAPTER XXIX--FREEDOM ONCE MORE - CHAPTER XXX--IN SEARCH FOR A CLEW - CHAPTER XXXI--LOOK FOR A WHITE HORSE - CHAPTER XXXII--A BOLD ROBBERY - CHAPTER XXXIII--JARROLD AGAIN - CHAPTER XXXIV--BAD NEWS FOR THE COLONEL - CHAPTER XXXV--JARROLD GETS FRANTIC - CHAPTER XXXVI--ADRIFT - CHAPTER XXXVII--THE IRONY OF FATE - CHAPTER XXXVIII--A BOLT FROM THE BLUE - CHAPTER XXXIX--JACK'S RADIO - CHAPTER XL--THE ANSWER TO THE WIRELESS CALL - - - - -CHAPTER I - -AT SEA ONCE MORE - - -The West Indian liner, _Tropic Queen_, one of the great vessels owned by -the big shipping combine at whose head was Jacob Jukes, the New York -millionaire, was plunging southward through a rolling green sea about -two hundred miles to the east of Hatteras. It was evening and the bugle -had just sounded for dinner. - -The decks were, therefore, deserted; the long rows of lounging chairs -were vacant, while the passengers, many of them tourists on pleasure -bent, were below in the dining saloon appeasing the keen appetites -engendered by the brisk wind that was blowing off shore. - -In a small steel structure perched high on the boat deck, between the -two funnels of the _Tropic Queen_, sat a bright-faced lad reading -intently a text-book on Wireless Telegraphy. Although not much more than -a schoolboy, he was assistant wireless man of the _Queen_. His name was -Sam Smalley, and he had obtained his position on the ship--the crack -vessel of the West Indies and Panama line--through his chum, Jack Ready, -head operator of the craft. - -To readers of the first volume of this series, "The Ocean Wireless Boys -on the Atlantic," Jack Ready needs no introduction. - -Here he comes into the wireless room where his assistant sits reading in -front of the gleaming instruments and great coherers. Jack has been off -watch, lying down and taking a nap in the small sleeping cabin that, -equipped with two berths, opens off the wireless room proper, thus -dividing the steel structure into two parts. - -"Hello, chief," said Sam Smalley, with a laugh, as Jack appeared; "glad -you're going to give me a chance to get to dinner at last. I'm so hungry -I could eat a coherer." - -"Skip along then," grinned Jack; "but it's nothing unusual for you to be -hungry. I'll hold down the job till you get through, but leave something -for me." - -"I'll try to," chuckled Sam, as he hurried down the steep flight of -steps leading from the wireless station up on the boat deck to the main -saloon. - -"Well, this is certainly a different berth from the one I had on the old -_Ajax_," mused Jack, as he looked about him at the well-equipped -wireless room; "still, somehow, I like to look back at those days. But -yet this is a long step ahead for me. Chief wireless operator of the -_Tropic Queen_! Lucky for me that the uncle of the fellow who held down -the job before me left him all that money. Otherwise I might have been -booked for another cruise on the _Ajax_, although Mr. Jukes promised to -give me as rapid promotion as he could." - -Readers of the first volume, dealing with Jack Ready and his friends, -will recall how he lived in a queer, floating home with his uncle, Cap'n -Toby. They will also recollect that Jack, who had studied wireless day -and night, was coming home late one afternoon, despondent from a -fruitless hunt for a job, when he was enabled to save the little -daughter of Mr. Jukes from drowning. The millionaire's gratitude was -deep, and Jack could have had anything he wanted from him. - -All he asked, though, was a chance to demonstrate his ability as a -wireless man on the _Ajax_, a big oil tanker which had just been -equipped with such an outfit. He got the job, and then followed many -stirring adventures. He took part in a great rescue at sea, and was able -to frustrate the schemes of some tobacco smugglers who formed part of -the crew of the "tanker." This task, however, exposed him to grave -danger and almost resulted in his death. - -At sea once more, after the smugglers had been apprehended and locked -up, Jack's keen wireless sense enabled him to solve a problem in -surgery. The _Ajax_ carried no doctor, and when one of the men in the -fireroom was injured, and it appeared that a limb would have to be -amputated, a serious question confronted the captain, who, like most of -his class, possessed a little knowledge of surgery, but not enough to -perform an operation that required so much skill. - -The injured man was a chum of Jack's, and he did not want to see him -lose a limb if it could be helped, or have his life imperiled by -unskillful methods. Yet what was he to do? Finally an idea struck him. -He knew that the big passenger liners all carried doctors. He raised one -by means of the wireless and explained the case. The injured man was -carried into the wireless cabin and laid close to the table. Then, while -the liner's doctor flung instructions through space, Jack translated -them to the captain. The result was that the man was soon out of danger, -but Jack kept in touch with doctors of other liners till everything was -all right beyond the shadow of a doubt. - -This feat gained him no little commendation from his captain and the -owners. Next he was instrumental in saving Mr. Jukes' yacht which was on -fire at sea. In the panic Mr. Jukes' son Tom, who was the apple of the -ship-owning millionaire's eye, was lost. By means of wireless, Jack -located him and reunited father and son. - -His promotion was the result, when the regular operator of the _Tropic -Queen_ went west to receive a big legacy left him. As the services of -the retiring operator's assistant had been unsatisfactory, Jack was -asked to find a successor to him. He selected an old school chum, Sam -Smalley, who had owned and operated a small station in Brooklyn and was -an expert in theory and practice. The ship had now been at sea two days, -and Sam had shown that he was quite capable of the duties of his new -job. - -An old quartermaster passed the door of the wireless cabin. He poked his -head in. - -"Goot efenings, Yack," he said, with easy familiarity. "How iss der -birdt cage vurking?" - -This was Quartermaster Schultz's term for the tenuous aerials swung far -aloft to catch wide-flung, whispered space messages and relay them to -the operator's listening ears. - -"The bird cage is all right," laughed Jack. "Dandy weather, eh?" - -The old man, weather-beaten and bronzed by the storms and burning suns -of the seven seas, shook his head. - -"Idt is nice now, all righdt," he said, "but you ought to see der -glass." - -"The barometer? What is the matter with it?" - -"Py gollys, I dink der bottom drop oudt off idt. You may have vurk -aheadt of you to-night." - -"You mean that we are in for a big storm?" - -"I sure do dot same. Undt ven it comes idt be a lollerpaloozitz. Take my -vurd for dat. Hark!" - -The old quartermaster held up a finger. - -Far above him in the aerials could be heard a sound like the moaning -bass string of a violin as the wind swept among the copper wires. - -"Dot's der langwitch of Davy Chones," declared Schultz. "Idt says, 'Look -oudt. Someding didding.' I'fe heardt idt pefore, undt I know." - -The old man hurried off on his way forward, and Jack emitted a long -whistle. - -"My, won't there be a lot of seasick passengers aboard to-night! The -company will save money on breakfast to-morrow." - -Just then Sam came back from dinner and Jack was free to go below to his -meal. He was about to relinquish the instruments when there came a -sudden call. - - "To all ships within three hundred miles of Hatteras: Watch out for - storm of hurricane violence. - - "Briggs, Operator Neptune Beach U. S. Wireless Service." - - - - -CHAPTER II - -WIRELESS CONVERSATIONS - - -Sam was looking over Jack's shoulder as the young wireless chief of the -_Tropic Queen_ rapidly transcribed the message on a blank. - -"Phew! Trouble on the way, eh?" he asked. - -"Looks like it. But we need not worry, with a craft like this under our -feet." - -But Sam looked apprehensive. - -"What is the trouble? Not scared, are you?" asked Jack, who knew that, -excellent operator though he had shown himself to be, this was Sam's -first deep-sea voyage. - -"N-no. Not that," hesitated Sam, "but seasickness, you know. And I ate -an awful big dinner." - -"Well, don't bother about that now. Lots of fellows who have never been -to sea before don't get sick." - -"I hope that will be my case," Sam replied, without much assurance in -his voice. - -"Here, take this to the captain; hurry it along now," said Jack, handing -him the dispatch. "I guess he'll be interested. Wait a minute," he added -suddenly. "There's the _Tennyson_ of the Lamport & Holt line talking to -the _Dorothea_ of the United Fruit, and the battleship _Iowa_ is cutting -in. All talking weather." - -It was true. From ship to ship, borne on soundless waves, the news was -being eagerly discussed. - -"Big storm on the way," announced the _Tennyson_. - -"We should worry," came flippantly through the ether from the -_Dorothea_. - -"You little fellows better take in your sky-sails and furl your funnels; -you'll be blown about like chicken feathers in a gale of wind," came -majestically from Uncle Sam's big warship. - -Then the air was filled with a clamor for more news from the Neptune -Beach operator. - -"You fellows give me a pain," he flashed out, depressing and releasing -his key snappily. "I've sent out all I can. Don't you think I know my -job?" - -"Let us know at once when you get anything more," came commandingly from -the battleship. - -"Oh, you _Iowa_, boss of the job, aren't you?" remarked the flippant -_Dorothea_. - -"M-M-M!" (laughter) in the wireless man's code came from all the others, -Jack included. The air was vibrant with silent chuckles. - -"Say, you fellows, what is going on?" came a fresh voice. Oh, yes, every -wireless operator has a "voice." No two men in the world send alike. - -"Hello, who are you?" snapped out Neptune Beach. - -"_British King_, of the King Line, Liverpool for Philadelphia. Let us in -on this, will you? What you got?" - -"Big storm. Affect all vessels within three hundred miles of Hatteras. -This is Neptune Beach." - -"Thanks, old chap. Won't bother us, don't you know," came back from the -_British King_, whose operator was English. "Kind regards to you -fellows. Hope you don't get too jolly well bunged up if it hits you." - -"Thanks, Johnny Bull," from the _Dorothea_. "I reckon we can stand -anything your old steam tea-kettle can." - -The wireless chat ceased. Sam hastened forward to the sacred precincts -of the captain's cabin, while Jack went below to his belated dinner. As -he went he noticed that the sea was beginning to heave as the dusk -settled down, and the ship was plunging heavily. The wind, too, was -rising. The social hall was brilliantly lighted. From within came -strains of music from the ship's orchestra. Through the ports, as he -passed along to the saloon companionway, Jack could see men and women in -evening clothes, and could catch snatches of gay conversation and -laughter. - -"Humph," he thought, "if you'd just heard what I have, a whole lot of -you would be getting the doctor to fix you up seasick remedies." - -In the meantime Sam, cap in hand, presented the message to the captain. -The great man took it and read it attentively. - -"This isn't a surprise to me," said Captain McDonald, "the glass has -been falling since mid-afternoon. Stand by your instruments, lad, and -let me know everything of importance that you catch." - -"Very well, sir." Sam, who stood in great awe of the captain, touched -his cap and hastened back. He adjusted his "ear muffs," but could catch -no floating message. The air was silent. He sent a call for Neptune -Beach, but the operator there told him indignantly not to plague him -with questions. - -"I'll send out anything new when I get it," he said. "Gimme a chance to -eat. I'm no weather prophet, anyhow. I only relay reports from the -government sharps, and they're wrong half the time. Crack!" - -Sam could sense the big spark that crashed across the instruments at -Neptune Beach as the indignant and hungry operator there, harassed by -half a dozen ships for more news, smashed down his sending key. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -A STRANGE REQUEST - - -When Jack came on deck again, he thought to himself that it was entirely -likely that the warning sent through space from Neptune Beach would be -verified to the full by midnight. The merriment in the saloon appeared -to be much subdued. The crowd had thinned out perceptibly and hardly -anybody was dancing. - -The ship was rolling and plunging like a porpoise in great swells that -ran alongside like mountains of green water. Although it was dark by -this time, the gleam of the lights from the brilliantly illuminated -decks and saloon showed the white tops of the billows racing by. - -Just as Jack passed the door leading from the social hall to the deck, a -masculine figure emerged. At the same instant, with a shuddering, -sidelong motion, the _Tropic Queen_ slid down the side of a big sea. The -man who had just come on deck lost his balance and went staggering -toward the rail. The young wireless man caught and steadied him. - -In the light that streamed from the door that the man had neglected to -close, Jack saw that he was a thickset personage of about forty, -black-haired and blue-chinned, with an aggressive cast of countenance. - -"What the dickens----" he began angrily, and then broke off short. - -"Oh! It's you, is it? The wireless man?" - -"The same," assented Jack. - -"Well, this is luck. I was on my way up to your station. On the boat -deck, I believe it is. This will save me trouble." - -The man's manner was patronizing and offensive. Jack felt his pride -bridling, but fought the feeling back. - -"What can I do for you, Mr.--Mr.----" - -"Jarrold's the name; James Jarrold of New York. Have you had any -messages from a yacht--the _Endymion_--for me?" - -"Why, no, Mr. Jarrold," replied Jack wonderingly. "Is she anywhere about -these waters?" - -"If she isn't, she ought to be. How late do you stay on watch?" - -"Till midnight. Then my assistant relieves me till eight bells of the -morning watch." - -Mr. Jarrold suddenly changed the subject as they stood at the rail on -the plunging, heaving deck. Somebody had closed the door that he had -left open in his abrupt exit, and Jack could not see his face. - -"We're going to have bad weather to-night?" he asked. - -"So it appears. A warning has been sent out to that effect, and the sea -is getting up every moment." - -Mr. Jarrold of New York made a surprising answer to this bit of -information. - -"So much the better," he half muttered. "You are, of course, on duty -every second till midnight?" - -"Yes, I'm on the job till my assistant relieves me," responded the young -wireless chief of the _Tropic Queen_. - -"Do you want to make some money?" - -"Well, that all depends," began Jack doubtfully. "You see, I----" - -He paused for words. He didn't want to offend this man Jarrold, who, -after all, was a first-cabin passenger, while he was only a wireless -operator. Yet somehow the man's manner had conveyed to Jack's mind that -there was something in his proposal that implied dishonesty to his -employers. Except vaguely, however, he could not have explained why he -felt that way. He only knew that it was so. - -Jarrold appeared to read his thoughts. - -"You think that I am asking you to undertake something outside your line -of duty?" - -"Why, yes. I--must confess I don't quite understand." - -"Then I shall try to make myself clear." - -"That will be good of you." - -The man's next words almost took Jack off his feet. - -"When you hear from the _Endymion_, let me know at once. That is all I -ask you." - -"Then you are expecting to hear from the yacht to-night?" asked Jack -wonderingly. It was an unfathomable puzzle to him that this somewhat -sinister-looking passenger should have so accurate a knowledge of the -yacht's whereabouts; providing, of course, that he was as certain as he -seemed. - -"I am expecting to hear from her to-night. Should have heard before, in -fact," was the brief rejoinder. - -"There are friends of yours on board?" asked Jack. - -"Never mind that. If you do as I say--notify me the instant you get word -from her, you will be no loser by it." - -"Very well, then," rejoined Jack. "I'll see that you get first word -after the captain." - -Jarrold took a step forward and thrust his face close to the boy's. - -"The captain must not know of it till I say so. That is the condition of -the reward I'll give you for obeying my instructions. When you bring me -word that the _Endymion_ is calling the _Tropic Queen_, I shall probably -have some messages to send before the captain of this ship is aroused -and blocks the wire with inquiries." - -"What sort of messages?" asked Jack, his curiosity aroused to the -utmost. He was now almost sure that his first impression that Jarrold -was playing some game far beyond the young operator's ken was correct. - -Jarrold tapped him on the shoulder in a familiar way. - -"Let's understand each other," he said. "I know you wireless men don't -get any too big money. Well, there's big coin for you to-night if you do -what I say when the _Endymion_ calls. I want to talk to her before -anyone else has a chance. As I said, I want to send her some messages." - -"And as I said, what sort of messages?" said Jack, drawing away. - -"Cipher messages," was the reply, as Jarrold glanced cautiously around -over his shoulder. - -The door behind them had opened and a stout, middle-aged man of military -bearing had emerged. He had a gray mustache and iron-gray hair, and wore -a loose tweed coat suitable for the night. Jack recognized him as a -Colonel Minturn, who had been pointed out to him as a celebrity the day -the ship sailed. Colonel Minturn, it was reported, was at the head of -the military branch of the government attending to the fortifications of -the Panama Canal. The colonel, with a firm stride, despite the heavy -pitching of the _Tropic Queen_, walked toward the bow, puffing at a -fragrant cigar. - -When Jack turned again to look for Jarrold, he had gone. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -A PECULIAR COINCIDENCE - - -But the young wireless boy had no time right then to waste in -speculation over the man's strange conduct. It was his duty to relieve -Sam, who would not come on watch again till midnight. - -As he mounted the steep ladder leading to the "Wireless Hutch," he could -feel the ship leaping and rolling under his feet like a live thing. -Every now and then a mighty sea would crash against the bow and shake -the stout steel fabric of the _Tropic Queen_ from stem to stern. - -The wind, too, was shrieking and screaming through the rigging and up -among the aerials. Jack involuntarily glanced upward, although it was -too dark to see the antennae swaying far aloft between the masts. - -"I hope to goodness they hold," he caught himself thinking, and then -recalled that, in the hurry of departure from New York, he had not had a -chance to go aloft and examine the insulation or the security of their -fastenings himself. - -In the wireless room he found Sam with the "helmet" on his head. The boy -was plainly making a struggle to stick it out bravely, but his face was -pale. - -"Anything come in?" asked Jack. - -"Not a thing." - -"Caught anything at all from any other ship?" - -Sam's answer was to tug the helmet hastily from his head. He hurriedly -handed it to Jack, and then bolted out of the place without a word. - -"Poor old Sam," grinned Jack, as he sat down at the instruments and -adjusted the helmet that Sam had just discarded; "he's got his, all -right, and he'll get it worse before morning." - -Sam came back after a while. He was deathly pale and threw himself down -on his bunk in the inner room with a groan. He refused to let Jack send -for a steward. - -"Just leave me alone," he moaned. "Oh-h, I wish I'd stayed home in -Brooklyn! Do you think I'm going to die, Jack?" - -"Not this trip, son," laughed Jack. "Why, to-morrow you will feel like a -two-year-old." - -"Yes, I will--not," sputtered the invalid. "Gracious, I wish the ship -would sink!" - -After a while Sam sank into a sort of doze, and Jack, helmet on head and -book in hand, sat at the instruments, keeping his vigil through the long -night hours, while the storm shrieked and rioted about the ship. - -The boy had been through too much rough weather on the _Ajax_ to pay -much attention to the storm. But as it increased in violence, it -attracted even his attention. Every now and then a big sea would hit the -ship with a thundering buffet that sent the spray flying as high as the -loftily perched wireless station. - -The wind, too, was blowing as if it meant to blow the ship out of the -water. Every now and then there would come a lambent flash of lightning. - -"It's a Hatteras hummer for sure," mused the boy. - -The night wore on till the clock hands above the instruments pointed to -twelve. - -Above the howling and raging of the storm Jack could hear the big ship's -bell ring out the hour, and then, faint and indistinct, came the cry of -the bow watch, "All's well." It was echoed boomingly from the bridge in -the deep voice of the officer who had the watch. - -"Well, nothing doing on that _Endymion_ yet," pondered Jack. - -He fell to musing on Jarrold's strange conduct. Why had the man suddenly -vanished when Colonel Minturn appeared? What was his object in the -strange proposal he had made to the young wireless man? What manner of -craft was this _Endymion_, and how was it possible that she could live -in such a sea and storm? - -These, and a hundred other questions came crowding into his dozing -brain. They performed a sort of mental pin-wheel, revolving over and -over again without the lad's arriving at any conclusion. - -That some link existed between Jarrold and the _Endymion_ was, of -course, plain. But just why he should have vanished so quickly when the -Panama official appeared, was not equally evident. Jack had a passenger -list in front of him, stuck in the frame designed for it. - -He ran his eyes over it. Yes, there was the name: - - Mr. James Jarrold, N. Y.--Stateroom 44. - Miss Jessica Jarrold, N. Y.--Stateroom 56. - -Suddenly Jack's roving glance caught the name of Colonel Minturn, U. S. -A., stateroom 46. So the colonel's stateroom adjoined that of the man -who appeared to be so anxious to avoid him! Another thing that Jack -noted was that, although the ship was crowded and a stateroom for a -single passenger called for a substantial extra payment, both Mr. -Jarrold and the army man had exclusive quarters. In the case of Colonel -Minturn this was, of course, understandable, but Jarrold? Jack looked at -the latter's name again, and now he noticed something else that had -escaped him before. - -Stateroom 44, the room occupied by Jarrold and adjoining Colonel -Minturn's, had evidently been changed at the last moment, for -originally, as a crossed-out entry showed, Jarrold had been given -stateroom 53. A pen line had been drawn through this entry by the purser -evidently, when Jarrold had changed his room. - -Jack happened to know that Colonel Minturn had come on board at the last -moment, so, then, Jarrold had changed his stateroom only when he had -found out definitely that Colonel Minturn's room was No. 46. There must -be something more than a mere coincidence in this, thought Jack, but, -puzzle as he would, he could not arrive at what it meant. - -He was still trying to piece it all out when suddenly the door, which he -had closed to bar out the flying spray, was flung open. - -A gust of wind and a flurry of spume entered, striking him in the face -like a cold plunge. - -"Bother that catch," exclaimed Jack, swinging round; "I'll have to get -the carpenter to fix it to-morrow, I----" - -But it was not a weakened catch that had given way. The door had been -opened by the hand of a man, who, enveloped in a raincoat and topped by -a golf cap, now stood in the doorway. - -The man was James Jarrold. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE INTERRUPTED MESSAGE - - -Jack sprang to his feet, but the other held out a withholding hand. - -"Stay right where you are, Mr. Ready," he said. "I couldn't sleep and I -decided to sit out your watch up here with you. You've no objection?" - -"I'm sorry," said Jack, for after all Jarrold was a passenger and it -would not do to offend him if he could help it, "but it is against the -rules for passengers to linger about the wireless room." - -"Well, I can write a message, then. You have no objection to that?" - -Jack was in a quandary. He knew perfectly well that Jarrold was there -for some purpose of his own, but what it was--except that its aim was -sinister--he could not hazard a conjecture. - -"Of course the office is always open for business," he rejoined, pushing -a stack of sending blanks toward Jarrold. - -"Of course," replied Jarrold, sinking into a chair beside the young -operator. "By the way, nothing from the _Endymion_ yet?" - -"That is the business of the line so far, sir," replied Jack. "If it is -anything of general interest, you will find the notice posted on the -bulletin board at the head of the saloon stairs in the morning." - -Jarrold made no reply to this, but sat absent-mindedly tapping his -gleaming white teeth with a gold-cased pencil as if considering what he -should write on the blank paper before him. He appeared to be in no -hurry to begin, but fumbling for his cigar case, produced a big black -weed and leisurely lighted it, puffing out the heavy smoke with an -abstracted air. - -"Sorry, sir," struck in Jack sharply, "but you can't smoke in here, -sir." - -"Why not?" - -"It is against the rules." - -"Where do you see such a rule? Reckon you made it, eh? Too much of a -molly-coddle to smoke, hey?" - -The man's tone was aggressive, offensive. The subtle objection to him -that Jack had felt when they first met was growing with every minute. -But he kept his temper. It was with an effort, however. - -"There are the rules on the wall," he said. - -"Humph," said Jarrold, with a disgusted grunt. "In that case I'll throw -my cigar away. But one always helps me to think." - -"Personally, I've always heard that tobacco dulls the brain," retorted -Jack, "but never having tried it, and not wanting to, I don't know how -true it is." - -Jarrold made no reply to this, but a contemptuous snort. He unfolded his -big, loose-knit frame from the chair and went toward the door. He flung -the cigar into the night. As he did so, there was a blinding flash of -lightning. The rain was coming in torrents now, but the wind and sea -were dying down. - -The man came back to his chair and again appeared to be considering the -message he should send out. - -"I have my doubts about getting a message through to-night at all," -hinted Jack. "The rain doesn't always interfere with the Hertzian waves -but sometimes it does. Maybe you would better wait till morning." - -"I'll send it when I choose," was the growled reply. - -At that instant Jack's hand suddenly shot out across the desk in front -of him and turned the switch that sent the current into the detectors. -Faintly, out of the storm, some whispered dots and dashes had breathed -against his ear-drums. Somebody was trying to send a radio. - -Jarrold's lounging figure stiffened up quickly. He had seen Jack's -sudden motion and guessed its meaning. He leaned forward eagerly while -the young operator tuned his instruments till the message beat more -strongly on his ears. - -Through the storm the message came raggedly but it was intelligible. - -"_Tropic Queen! Tropic Queen! Tropic Queen!_" - -"Yes! Yes! Yes!" flung back the boy at the liner's key. "Who is that?" - -"Are you the _Tropic Queen_?" - -The sending of the call across the storm was uncertain and hesitating; -not the work of a competent operator, but still understandable. - -"Yes, this is the _Tropic Queen_." - -The answer that came made Jack thrill up and down his spine. - -"This is the _Endymion_!" - -Then came a pause that vibrated. Jack pounded his key furiously. The -sending on the other craft was bad, and the waves that were beating -against the aerials of the _Tropic Queen_ were weak. Although rain does -not necessarily hamper the power of the Hertzian billows, and all things -being equal the transmission of messages is clearer at night, yet -certain combinations may result in poor service. - -The spark writhed and squealed and glared with a lambent blue flame as -it leaped like a serpent of fire between the points. - -But even above its loud, insistent voice calling into the tempest-ridden -night could be heard the deep, quick breathing of Jarrold as he leaned -forward to catch every move of the young operator's fingers. - -"This is the _Endymion_," came again. - -"Yes! Yes!" flashed back Jack. - -"Have you a passenger named Jarrold on board?" - -Jack's heart and pulses gave a bound. Jarrold was leaning forward till -his bristling chin almost touched Jack's cheek. The man's hand stole -back toward his hip pocket and stayed there. - -"Yes, what do you want with him?" - -"We--have--a--message--for him," came the halting reply. - -Jack's fingers were on the key to reply when the quick, harsh voice of -Jarrold came in his ear. - -"That's the _Endymion_. No monkey business now. Send what I tell you. -I----" - -There was a sudden blinding flash from the instruments and a blaze of -blue, hissing fire filled the wireless room. - -Jarrold and the young wireless man staggered back, their hands flung -across their faces to shield their eyes from the scorching glare. It was -all over in an instant--just one flash and that upheaval of light. - -"The aerials have gone!" cried Jack. - -He darted from the wireless room, leaving Jarrold alone, a look of -frustrated purpose in his eyes. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -A DARING FEAT - - -Out along the wet and slippery decks, spray-dashed and awash, rushed the -boy. He was headed for the bridge. He found the first officer, Mr. -Metcalf, on duty. - -The officer was shrouded in gleaming oil-skins and sou'wester. Spray -glistened on his cheeks and big mustache as the dim light from the -binnacle revealed his features. Ahead of them Jack could make out dimly -the big, plunging forepart of the ship as it rushed up a water mountain -with glowing phosphorescent head, and then with a swirling roar went -sliding down the other side. - -"Well, Ready, what's the trouble?" boomed out Mr. Metcalf -good-naturedly. "You seem excited." - -"Yes, sir. I've just had a message." - -The officer was alert in a moment. - -"A vessel in distress?" - -"No, sir. Although----" - -"Well, well, be quick. On a night like this any call may be urgent." - -"This was from a yacht. The _Endymion_, she said her name was." - -"And she's in trouble?" - -Mr. Metcalf was one of those men who leap to instant conclusions. -Already he was considering the best method of proceeding to the -distressed--as he thought--ship's assistance. - -"No, in no trouble, sir. She had a message for a passenger, but in the -middle of it something happened to our aerials." - -"They've parted?" - -"I don't know, sir. Anyhow, I'm going aloft to see. I came to report to -you." - -"Nonsense, Ready, you can't go aloft to-night. I'll send a man." - -"Pardon me, Mr. Metcalf," broke in Jack. "I don't want to be -disrespectful, but there's not a man on this ship who could repair those -aerials but myself." - -"But you are not used to going aloft," protested Mr. Metcalf. - -"I've been up on the _Ajax's_ masts in worse weather than this to fix -anything that was wrong," he said. "I'll be all right. And besides, I -must go. It's my duty to do so." - -"Very well, then, but for heaven's sake be careful. You've no idea what -the trouble is?" - -"No, sir, but I'm inclined to think it is the insulation that has worn -and caused a short circuit somewhere. That could easily happen on a -night like this." - -"Well, be off with you, Ready," said the officer, not without -reluctance. "Good luck." - -Jack descended from the bridge deck to the main deck. The ship was -plunging and jumping like a race-horse. He could catch the wild movement -of the foremast light as it swung in crazy arcs against the dark sky. - -"Not a very nice night to go aloft," thought the boy, with a shrug, "but -it must be done." - -Temporarily he had forgotten all about Jarrold. All that lay in front of -him was his duty, the stern necessity of repairing the aerials upon -which it was possible human lives might depend. In the event of accident -to the _Tropic Queen_, the existence of all on board might hang on the -good condition of those slender strands of copper wire which alone -connected the ship with other craft and dry land. - -The wind screamed across the exposed main deck with locomotive-like -velocity. Big waves, nosed aside by the bow, viciously took their -revenge by sweeping like waterfalls across the ship's stem. Jack was -drenched through before he had fought his way to the weather shrouds, by -which slender ladder he had to climb to the top of the swaying steel -fore-mast, fully fifty feet above the lurching decks. - -He had not put on oil skins and his blue serge uniform, soaked through, -clung to his body like an athlete's tights. But he was not thinking of -this as he grabbed the lower end of the shrouds and prepared to mount -aloft. A big sea swept across the exposed foredeck, almost beating the -breath out of his body. But he clung with the desperation of despair to -the steel rigging, and the next moment, taking advantage of a momentary -lull, he began to mount. - -Long before he reached the cross-trees, his hands were cut and sore and -every muscle in his body taut as fiddle strings. About him the confusion -and the noise of the storm shrieked and tore like Bedlam let loose. - -But stubbornly the figure of the young wireless boy crept upward, -flattened out by the wind at times against the ratlines to which he -clung, and again, taking every fighting chance he could seize, battling -his way up slowly once more. The cross-trees gained, Jack paused to draw -breath. He looked downward. He could see, amid the inferno of raging -waters, the dim outline of the hull. From that height it looked like a -darning needle. As the mast swung, it appeared that with every dizzy -list of the narrow body of the ship beneath, she must overturn. - -Jack had been aloft often and knew the curious feeling that comes over a -novice at the work: that his weight must overbalance the slender hull -below. But never had he experienced the sensation in such full measure -as he did that night, clinging there panting, wet, bruised, -half-exhausted, but yet with the fighting spirit within him unsubdued -and still determined to win this furious battle against the elements. - -As he clung there, catching his breath and coughing the salt water from -his lungs, he recollected with a flash of satisfaction that he had his -rubber gloves in his pocket. These gloves are used for handling wires in -which current might be on, and are practically shock-proof. Jack knew -that he would have to handle the aerials when he got aloft, and if he -had not his gloves with him, he would have stood the risk of getting a -severe shock. - -With one more glance down, in which he could perceive a dim, wet -radiance surrounding the ship like a halo, proceeding from such lights -as still were aglow on board, the boy resumed his climb. - -The most perilous part of it still lay before him. So far, he had -climbed a good broad "ladder"--the ratlines stretched between the three -stout steel shrouds. From the cross-trees to the top of the slender -mast, there was but a single-breadth foothold between the two shrouds -running from the tip of the foremast to the cross-trees. - -Far above him, cut off from his vision by darkness and flying scud, Jack -knew that the footpath he had to follow narrowed to less than a foot in -breadth. At that height the vicious kicking of the mast must be -tremendous. - -It was equivalent to being placed on the end of a giant, pliable whip -while a Gargantuan Brobdingnagian driver tried to flick you off. - -But Jack gritted his teeth, and through the screeching wind began the -last lap of his soul-rasping ascent. - -He was flung about till his head swam. His ascent was pitifully slow and -tortuous. The reeling mast seemed to have a vicious determination to -hurtle him through space into the vortex of waters below him, over which -he was swung dizzily hither and yon. - -But at last, somehow, with reeling brain, cut and bleeding hands and -exhausted limbs, he reached the summit and stretched out cramped fingers -for the aerials. - -With the other hand he clung to the shrouds, and with legs wrapped round -them in a death-like grip, he was dashed back and forth through midair -like a shuttle-cock. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -QUARTERMASTER SCHULTZ VOLUNTEERS - - -Clinging with his interlocked lower limbs, Jack managed to draw on his -insulated rubber gloves. Then he fumbled, with fear gripping at his cold -heart, for his electric torch, which every wireless man carries for just -such emergencies. - -He pressed the button and a small, pitifully small, arc of light fell on -the aerials where they were secured to the mast. Far beneath him on the -bridge, the first officer and the wondering captain--who had been -summoned from his berth--watched the infinitesimal fire-fly of light as -it flickered and swayed at the top of the mast. - -The storm wrack flew low and at times it was shut out from their gaze -altogether. At such times both men gripped the rail with a dreadful fear -that the brave lad, working far above them, had paid the penalty of his -devotion to duty with his life. - -But every time that they looked up after such a temporary extinguishment -of the flickering light, they saw it still winking like the tiny -night-eye of a gnome above them in dark space. - -With fingers dulled by the thick rubber covering which he dared not -remove, Jack worked among the aerial terminals. One by one he counted -the strands. - -One, two, three, four, five. - -Yes, they were all there. But he did not count them as fast as that. -Instead, between the fingering of one and another an interval of ten -minutes might elapse, during which time he was flung from pole to pole, -dry mouthed and dizzy. - -Then came a sudden flash of lightning outlining the rigging, the steel -hull far below him, the anxious figures on the bridge and the angry -heavens in blue, glaring flame. But Jack had no eye for this. The sudden -light had shown him a jagged rip in the insulation of the wires where -they were joined to the mast rigging. Through this, current had been -leaking into the mast and robbing the aerials of their power of sending -or receiving, short circuiting the Hertzian waves. - -Jack waited for a lull and then, almost dead with nausea and brain -sickness from his wild buffeting, he reached for his electrician's tape -and began making hasty repairs on the electric leak. He bound coil after -coil of the adhesive stuff around the exposed wire, till it was -blanketed beyond chance of "spilling" into the rain. - -Then, his work done, he rested for an instant to steady his whirling -senses, and then began the long descent. - -Now that the job was over, he felt that he could never live to reach the -deck, miles and miles--hundreds and hundreds of miles--below him. Step by -step, though, he descended, fighting for his life against the sense -numbness that was creeping over him. Limbs and intelligence seemed -equally absent. He felt as if he were a disembodied being, floating -through space on the wings of the storm. - -He appeared to have no weight. Like a thistle bloom he thought that he -might be blown where the winds wished. Conquering this feeling, it was -succeeded by a leaden one. He was too heavy to move. His feet felt -enormous, and heavy as a deep-sea diver's weighted boots. His head was -balloon-like and appeared to sway crazily on his shoulders. - -But he still descended. Step by step, painfully, semi-consciously, the -brain-sick, nauseated boy clung to the ratlines. On his grip depended -his life, and this, in a dim, stupid sort of way, he realized. - -If he could only reach the cross-trees! Here he could rest in -comparative security for a while. - -He must reach them, he must! He wasn't going to die like this. A furious -fighting spirit came over him. His head suddenly cleared; the deadly -nausea left him; his limbs grew light. - -Jack shouted aloud and came swiftly down. He called out defiantly at the -storm. He raved, he yelled in wild delirium. - -All at once he felt the cross-trees under his feet. With a last loud cry -of triumph he sank down on the projecting steel pieces that formed, at -any rate, a resting place. - -Then came another wild swing of the ship, and a vicious gust. - -Jack felt himself flung from the cross-trees and out into the dark void -of the storm. - -Down, down, down he went, straight as a stone toward the dark, black, -raging vortex through which the ship was fighting. - -He felt rather than heard a despairing cry; but did not know whether it -had come from his lips or not. - -Then a rushing dark cloud enveloped him, and with a fearful roaring in -his ears, Jack's senses swam out to sea. - -"The light has disappeared, Metcalf. Do you think the poor lad is lost?" - -Far below on the bridge, Captain McDonald, oil-skinned like his officer, -peered upward. - -"The good Lord alone knows, sir," was the fervent reply. "It was a -madcap thing to do. I should never have let him go." - -"It's done now," muttered the captain. "Though, had you consulted me, I -should have forbidden it. That boy is the bravest of the brave." - -"He is, sir. You may well say that. A seasoned sailorman might have -hesitated to go aloft to-night." - -"I wish to heaven I knew what had become of him and if he is safe, yet I -wouldn't order another man up there in this inferno." - -There was a voice behind him. - -"Vouldt you accepdt idt a volunteer, sir?" - -"You, Schultz?" exclaimed the captain, turning around to the old -quartermaster who was just going off his trick of duty at the wheel. -"Why, man, you'd be taking your life in your hands." - -"I've been up der masts of sheeps off der Horn on vorse nights dan -dees," was the calm reply. "Ledt me go, sir." - -"You go at your own responsibility, then," was the reply. "I ought not -to let you up at all, and yet that boy--go ahead, then." - -The old German quartermaster saluted and was gone. - -From the bridge they saw him for a moment, in the gleam of light from a -porthole, crossing the wet deck. - -He clambered into the shrouds and then began climbing upward along the -perilous path Jack had already traveled. - -"Pray Heaven we have not two deaths to our account to-night, Metcalf," -said the captain earnestly to his first officer. - -"Amen to that, sir," was the reply. - -And then there was nothing but the shriek of the wind and the beat of -the waves, while the two officers gazed piercingly upward into the -darkness where they knew not what tragedies might be taking place. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -SAFE ONCE MORE - - -Suddenly Captain McDonald had an inspiration. - -"Metcalf!" he cried, above the storm. - -"Sir!" was the alert response of the _Tropic Queen's_ chief officer. - -"Order the searchlight turned on that mast!" - -One of the two quartermasters, struggling with the bucking, kicking -wheel, was ordered to get the apparatus ready and focus it on the -foremast. - -The canvas hood was taken off the big light and then a switch snapped, -sputtering bluely. A radiant spear of light pierced the night. It -hovered vaguely for a few instants and then settled on the foremast. - -It revealed a thrilling scene. Schultz had clasped in his arms the -unconscious form of Jack Ready. For the young wireless man, when he -collapsed, had been caught by a stay and held in position on the -cross-trees. - -Slowly, and with infinite caution, the old quartermaster began to -descend the shrouds. It was a nerve-racking task to those looking on. -Jack was not a light-weight, and the descent of his rescuer, clasping -the boy with one arm while he held on with all his strength, was -painfully slow. - -But at last they reached the deck in safety, and Captain McDonald was -there in person to meet them. He wrung Schultz's hand in a tight grip as -the old seaman stood pantingly before him. - -"That was as brave a bit of work as I've seen done since I've been going -to sea, Schultz," he exclaimed. "I'll see to it that the company gives -you recognition. But now let us take this lad to my cabin. He's opening -his eyes and the doctor can give him something that will soon set him on -his feet again." - -And so it proved. Half an hour after Jack had been laid on a lounge in -the skipper's cabin and restoratives had been administered by Dr. Flynn, -he was feeling almost as hale and hearty as ever, although his terrible -ordeal when he was flung back and forth pendulum-wise had left him with -a racking headache. - -The captain showered congratulations on him, but reminded him that never -again must he risk his life in such a perilous way. - -"The job could have waited till daylight, anyhow," he said. - -"I beg your pardon, sir," said Jack, firmly but respectfully, "it could -not. You know that I was in communication with a ship--the yacht -_Endymion_--when the insulation wore away and my 'juice' began to leak?" - -"No, I knew no such thing," said the captain. - -"Mr. Metcalf knew of it, sir." - -"In all the excitement caused by your exploit, young man, he must have -forgotten to tell me." - -"That was probably the reason, sir. But the _Endymion_----" The captain -broke in as if struck by some sudden thought. - -"Jove, lad, the _Endymion_, you say?" - -"Yes, sir, do you know her?" - -"I know of her. She bears no good reputation. Once she was chartered to -the Haytian government and was used as a war ship; then she was in the -smuggling trade along the coast. The last I heard of her she was laid up -in the marine Basin at Ulmer Park. Her history has been one of troubles. -Do you feel strong enough to go back to your key?" - -"Yes, sir," exclaimed Jack eagerly. "Young Smalley, my assistant, is too -seasick to work to-night. I'll take the trick right through." - -"Good for you, my boy. I'll see that you are no sufferer by it. By the -way, did the _Endymion_ have any message? Was she in trouble?" - -"No, sir, but they wished to give some sort of a radio to a Mr. James -Jarrold, one of the first-class passengers." - -The captain tapped his foot musingly on the polished wood floor of his -cabin. - -"Odd," he mused, "I wonder what possible communication they could have -to make to him. Is Jarrold a heavy-set man with a blue, square jaw and -bristly, black hair?" - -"Yes, sir, that is the man to the dot." - -"I have noticed him at dinner. He sits at the first officer's table. -Back in my head I've got a sort of indefinable idea that I've seen him -somewhere before, but just where I cannot, for the life of me, call to -mind just now." - -"It is too bad that the aerials went out of commission just as that -other operator was starting to give the message." - -"It was, indeed, but you must try now to pick up this _Endymion_ again. -I'm curious to know more of her and of our mysterious passenger." - -"I'll report to you the instant I get anything, sir," Jack assured him, -and hurried off. - -On the way he passed Schultz and put out his hand with direct, -sailor-like bluntness. - -"You saved my life to-night, Schultz. I'll never forget it," he said -simply, but there was a wealth of feeling behind the quiet words. - -"Oh, dot makes it no nefer mindt, Yack," said the old German. "Don't get -excitedt ofer idt. Idt vos just a yob dot hadt to be done und I didded -idt." - -"It was a great deal more than that," said Jack, with warmth. "I hope -some day I will get a chance to repay you." - -But Schultz, embarrassed and red as a beet under his tan, had hurried -off. Like most sailors, Schultz hated sentiment. To him, his daring deed -of saving Jack from his perilous perch in the cross-trees had been all -in the line of duty. - -Back in the wireless room once more, Jack looked in on Sam. The boy was -sitting up in bed staring feverishly out into the wireless room. - -"Oh, Jack, I'm glad you have come back!" he exclaimed. "Where have you -been?" - -"Fixing a little job of work, youngster. Something was wrong with the -wireless. How do you feel?" - -"Better, but oh, what a head! It's the worst feeling I ever knew!" - -"Like something to eat?" - -"For heaven's sake, don't mention it! The mere thought makes me feel bad -again. But, listen, Jack, I've something to tell you. I wakened about -half an hour ago and there was a man out there in the wireless room." - -"What?" - -Jack had temporarily forgotten all about Jarrold. Now Sam's remark -brought the earlier scene back to him. What had Jarrold been doing in -the wireless room while he was absent? - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE MIDNIGHT INTRUDER - - -"He was stooping over the desk, rummaging about the papers and -dispatches," said Sam in response to Jack's eager questions. - -"Did he take anything?" asked Jack. - -"I don't know. I called out to him and asked him what he was doing." - -"Yes; what did he say?" - -"He didn't say a word. Just hurried out. Who was he?" - -"A man named Jarrold. He's a first-cabin passenger. He came in here this -evening and was much interested in getting first news of a yacht called -the _Endymion_." - -"I don't like his looks." - -"Frankly, neither do I, and yet one cannot let a man's appearance count -against him. But if he was rummaging about that desk, that is another -matter." - -"I think he knows something about wireless himself. I saw him fiddling -with the key." - -"At any rate, I'll keep a close eye on Mr. Jarrold," Jack promised -himself. "I don't quite know what all this means, but I bet I'll find -out before it's over!" - -There was not much more sleep for Sam that night. He fought bravely -against his seasickness and took the key for a time while Jack stole a -catnap. Both boys worked hard to get in touch with the _Endymion_ once -more, but they failed to raise her operator. So far as Jack could make -out, nothing had been taken from the desk by Jarrold; and the boy came -to the conclusion that the man, disbelieving his word, had searched the -desk for some evidence of a previous message from the _Endymion_. - -At breakfast the next morning Jarrold, cleanly shaven around his blue -chin, appeared in the saloon of the ship accompanied by a very pretty -young lady, who, Jack learned, was his niece, Miss Jessica Jarrold. The -man did not raise his glance to Jack, although the latter eyed him -constantly. The young woman, though, regarded Jack with a somewhat -curious gaze from time to time. He was pretty sure in his own mind that -she knew of the events of the night. - -In fact, she made it a point to leave the table at the same time as did -Jack. As they both emerged on deck through the companionway she -addressed him. - -"Have you heard anything more of the _Endymion_?" she asked. - -Although the sea was still running high, the sky was clear and the -weather good. She steadied herself against a stanchion as the ship -pitched, and Jack found himself thinking that she made a pretty picture -there. She was clad in a loose, light coat, and bareheaded, except for a -scarf passed over a mass of auburn hair, from which a few rebellious -wind-blown curls escaped. - -Jack raised his uniform cap. - -"Nothing, Miss Jarrold," he said. "Your----" - -"My uncle," she continued for him, "is very anxious to be informed as -soon as you do hear." - -"Of course, the captain will have to be told first," he said. Her dark -eyes snapped and she bit her lip with a row of perfectly even, gleaming -little teeth. - -"Can't it be arranged so that my uncle can know first about it?" she -said, breaking into a smile after her momentary display of irritation. -"Suppose you told--well, me, for instance." - -"I would be only too glad to do anything to oblige you, Miss Jarrold," -said Jack deferentially, "but that is out of the question." - -"But why?" she demanded. - -"It's a rule," responded Jack. - -"Oh, dear, what is a stupid old rule! My uncle is rich and would pay you -well for any favor you did him, and then I should be awfully grateful." - -"I'm just as sorry as you are," Jack assured her, "but I simply could -not do it." - -"Well, will you let my uncle and myself sit up in your wireless room and -wait any word you happen to catch?" - -"That, too, I am afraid I shall have to refuse to do," said Jack. "Such -a procedure would also be against the rules; and especially after -something that happened last night, I am determined to enforce the order -to the letter." - -"What happened last night?" she asked, quizzically eying him through -narrowed lids. - -"I am afraid you will have to ask your uncle about that, Miss Jarrold. -No doubt he will tell you." - -Eight bells rang out, and Jack, raising his cap, said: - -"That's my signal to go on duty. Depend upon it, though, Miss Jarrold, -if I get any word from the _Endymion_ which I can give you without -violation of the rules, or if any message comes for either yourself or -your uncle, you will be the first to get it." - -She made a gesture of impatience and turned to meet her uncle, who was -just emerging from the companionway. Jarrold glared at Jack with an -antagonism he did not take much trouble to conceal. - -"Any news of the _Endymion_?" he growled out in his deep, rumbling bass. - -"As I just told Miss Jarrold, there isn't," said Jack. "And, by the way, -I hope you had a pleasant evening in my cabin last night." - -"I left there as soon as you did, right after the short circuit," said -Jarrold, turning red under Jack's direct gaze. - -"I'm sorry to contradict you, Mr. Jarrold," replied Jack, holding the -man with keen, steady eyes that did not waver under the other's angry -glare. "You were in there quite a time after I left." - -"I was not, I tell you," blustered Jarrold. "You are an impudent young -cub. I shall report you to the captain." - -"I would advise you not to," said Jack calmly. "If you did, I might also -have to turn in a report from Assistant Sam Smalley, who was in the -other room all the time and saw almost every move you made." - -"What! there was someone there?" blurted out Jarrold. And then, seeing -the error he had made, he turned to his niece. "Come, my dear, let us -take a turn about the decks. I refuse to waste more time arguing with -this young jackanapes." - - - - -CHAPTER X - -A MESSAGE IN SECRET CODE - - -Later that morning something happened which caused Jack to cudgel his -brain still further to explain the underlying mystery that he was sure -encircled the girl and Jarrold, and in which Colonel Minturn was in some -way involved. - -He was sitting at the key with the door flung open to admit the bright -sunshine which sparkled on a sea still rough, but as a mill pond -compared with the tumult of the night before, when there came a sudden -call. - -"_Tropic Queen. Tropic Queen. Tropic Queen._" - -"Yes, yes, yes," flashed back Jack. - -He turned around to Sam. - -"I'll bet a million dollars that it is a navy or an army station -calling," he said. "You can't mistake the way those fellows send. It is -quite different from a commercial operator's way of pounding the brass." - -A moment later he was proved to be right. - -"This is the _Iowa_," came the word. "We are relaying a message from -Washington to Colonel Minturn on board your ship. Are you ready?" - -"Let her come," flashed back Jack. - -He drew his yellow pad in front of him and sat with poised pencil -waiting for the message to come through the air from a ship that he knew -was at least two hundred miles from him by this time. - -"It is in code; the secret government code," announced the naval man. - -"That makes no difference to me," rejoined Jack. "Pound away." - -"All right, old scout," came through the air, and then began a -topsyturvy jumble of words utterly unintelligible to Jack, of course. - -The message was a long one, and about the middle of it came a word that -made Jack jump and almost swallow his palate. - -The word was _Endymion_, the name of the yacht that had sent out a call -for Jarrold through the storm. - -Then, closely following, came a name that seemed to be corelated to -every move of the yacht: James Jarrold! - -At last the message, about two hundred words long, was complete. It was -signed with the President's name, so Jack knew that it must be of the -utmost importance. He turned in his chair as he felt someone leaning -over him and noticed a subtle odor of perfume. Miss Jarrold, with parted -lips, was scanning the message eagerly. He caught her in the act. - -But the young woman appeared to be not the least disconcerted by the -fact. With a wonderful smile she extended a sheet of paper. - -"Will you send this message for me as soon as you can, please?" she -asked. - -Jack was taken aback. He had meant to accuse her point blank of trying -to read off a message which was clearly of a highly important nature. -But her clever ruse in providing herself with the scribbled message that -she now held out to him had quite taken the wind out of his sails. - -"Here, Sam, take this message to Colonel Minturn at once," he said, -thrusting the paper into Sam's hands and carefully placing his carbon -copy of it in a drawer. - -"Now, Miss," he said, looking the girl full in the eyes, "I'll take your -message." - -"Oh, I've changed my mind now," said the girl suddenly turning. "Sorry -to have troubled you for nothing. Don't forget about the _Endymion_ -now." - -And she was gone. - -"Well, what do you know about that?" muttered Jack. "A woman is -certainly clever. Of course, she merely came in here to see what was -going on, and, by Jove, she came in at just the right time, too. Lucky -the message was in code. And then she was foxy enough to have that -message of hers all ready so that I couldn't say a thing. Oh, she's -smart all right! I wish I knew what game was up. I was right about -Colonel Minturn playing some part in it, judging from that dispatch, but -for the life of me I can't make out what is up." - -He was still reflecting over this when Colonel Minturn, with Sam close -on his heels, entered. - -Jack saluted him. - -"Good morning," said the colonel, introducing himself, "I am Colonel -Minturn. I have just received a cipher dispatch and want to send a -reply." - -"I guess I'll have to relay it through the _Iowa_ if it is for -Washington," said Jack. - -"That is just its destination," was the rejoinder. "By the way, I hear -from the captain that you did a very brave act last night in climbing -the foremast in the storm and repairing the wireless. That was nervily -done and I want to compliment you on it." - -"Glory! And he didn't even breathe a word of it to me!" muttered Sam -under his breath. - -Jack got red in the face. "Why, that was nothing, Colonel," he said. "It -had to be done, and nobody but I could have done it." - -"You are as modest as all true heroes," said the colonel approvingly. -"But, now, here is the dispatch I want you to send. You see, like the -other, it is in cipher. The government's secrets have to be closely -guarded." - -Jack took the message and filed it and then proceeded to raise the -_Iowa_ again. - -Before long came a reply to his insistent calls. - -"Here is the _Iowa_. What is it?" - -Something peculiar about the sending struck Jack, but he went ahead. - -"This is the _Tropic Queen_. I have a message from Colonel Minturn to -Washington. It must be rushed through." - -"Very well, transmit," came the answer; but once more the curious ending -of the other wireless man struck him forcibly. - -"I don't believe that is the _Iowa_ at all," he muttered to himself. "I -never heard a man-o'-war operator sending like that. It sounds more -like--like--by hookey! I've got it. It's that fellow on the -_Endymion_,--the craft that Jarrold is so much interested in." - -Just then, winging through the air, came the short, sharp, powerful -sending of the _Iowa_. - -"Hullo, there, _Tropic Queen_, this is the _Iowa_. Who is that fellow -butting in?" - -"I don't know," Jack flashed back. "Re-tune your instruments so that he -can't crib this message I'm going to send you. Tune them to man-of-war -pitch. From what I heard of his sending, his batteries are too weak to -reach such high power." - -"All right," was the brief reply. - -The two instruments were then run up to a pitch which only the most -powerful supply of "juice" could give them. Then came the test and -everything was found to be working finely. - -Jack at once rattled off the message. In it he noticed that the name -Jarrold recurred, also the _Endymion_. Colonel Minturn stood close -beside him and watched him with interest as Jack worked his key in -crisp, snappy, expert fashion. - -"You are a very good operator, my boy," he said when Jack had flashed -out good-by with the squealing, crackling spark. "I may have government -work for you some day. Should you like it?" - -"Oh, Colonel!" cried the boy, his face lighting up, "I'd rather work for -Uncle Sam than for anyone else in the world." - -"Then some day you may have that opportunity. In the meantime I want -you, without saying a word to anybody, to inform me of any suspicious -moves on the part of this man Jarrold." - -"Why, is he--is he an enemy of Uncle Sam's?" Jack ventured. - -"He is probably the most dangerous rascal in existence," was the -staggering reply. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -WHAT SAM HEARD - - -Jack looked the astonishment he felt. While he had sensed something of -sinister import about Jarrold right along, still he had never guessed -the man could merit such a sweeping description of bad character. - -"The most dangerous rascal in existence," he repeated. - -"Yes, I called him that and I mean it," was the reply. "What he is doing -on this boat, I don't know. But I have a guess and am prepared for him." - -He drew from his hip pocket a wicked looking automatic. - -"Is it as bad as that?" asked Jack. - -"I don't know. But, at any rate, I am prepared. Jarrold has been mixed -up in desperate enterprises in a score of countries. He is a diplomatic -free lance of the worst character. It was Jarrold who stole the -documents relating to the Russian navy, which it cost that country so -much time and trouble to recover before they found their way into the -hands of another power." - -"And the young lady--his niece?" - -"She has been implicated in most of his plots. They are a dangerous -pair. You will do me and the government a great favor by keeping an eye -on them. You will be able to do this, as I understand they are trying -hard to establish communication with a yacht called the _Endymion_." - -"Yes; both the man and the girl appear very anxious to do that," -rejoined Jack. - -"Jarrold has the stateroom next to mine. In my possession are documents -that would be of immense value to a certain far eastern power that -wishes the United States no good." - -"You think that Jarrold is after these?" asked Jack. - -"It is the only supposition I can go upon. That cipher message from the -government warned me to be careful of the man, as his errand had been -surmised by the Secret Service men. They also found out about the -_Endymion_, which fact I did not know before." - -"And he is, apparently, an American, too," exclaimed Jack. - -The colonel nodded. - -"Yes, he is a westerner by birth, I believe, but that makes little -difference to men of his type. The only country they know is the one -that gives the biggest price for their rascalities." - -"He ought to be shot for trying to betray the country he owes his birth -to," said Jack hotly. - -The colonel smiled and laid a hand on the excited lad's shoulder. - -"You feel about it as I do, lad," he said. "But remember we have nothing -to go upon as yet. Absolutely nothing." - -Jack agreed that this was so, and after some more conversation, the -colonel left the wireless room, first warning the young operator that -their talk must be held absolutely confidential. - -Of course Jack promised this, and so did Sam. But both lads felt that -they were playing parts in a big game, the nature of which was an -absolute mystery so far. - -"It's like sitting on a keg of dynamite," said Sam. - -"Yes; I have a feeling that there is something electrical in the air," -said Jack, "besides wireless waves. It may break at any minute, too." - -"If it does, I hope we get a chance to help out the colonel." - -"Yes, he is a fine man, a splendid type of soldier. I don't wonder the -government chose him for this Panama errand." - -"It's a mighty responsible job," agreed Sam. - -"And particularly when such a clever rascal as Jarrold, with unlimited -power at his back, is hanging about." - -But then it was dinner time, and Sam, whom even the most engrossing -conversation could not keep from his meals, hastened below. When he came -back, he had an important look on his face. - -"I stopped on deck for a breath of fresh air," he said, "and stood out -of the wind behind a big ventilator. Jarrold and his niece came along." - -"Didn't they see you?" - -"No; they were talking too earnestly; besides, the ventilator hid me, -anyhow." - -"Did you hear what they said?" - -"I couldn't catch much of it." - -"Well, let's hear what you were able to pick up." - -"Well, the man appeared to be urging something that the girl objected -to. 'I tell you it is too dangerous,' I heard her say. - -"Then the man, in a rough voice, told her she was a foolish woman and -that he was going 'to do it to-night at all costs.' - -"'You may ruin everything,' she said, but he only laughed and said that -if he failed this time, he would succeed later on, anyway." - -"Hum, that's a mighty interesting scrap of conversation," mused Jack, "I -wonder what the old fox is up to now." - -"Maybe we'd better inform the colonel," suggested Sam. - -"Hardly. Not with the meager information we've got. He would only laugh -at us. No, we'll have to wait and see what the event will be. But depend -upon it, there is something in the wind." - -Jack was right. What that something was, he was not to learn till later, -but it was far more startling and was to involve him more deeply than he -imagined. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -A SUDDEN ALARM - - -At midnight, while the _Tropic Queen_ was plying ever southward through -smooth seas and under a dark canopy of sky lit by countless stars, Jack -left his key and, calling Sam, whose turn it was on watch, went below -for his customary midnight "snack." A sleepy-eyed steward served him in -the big saloon, which looked empty and desolate with only one light in -all its vastness. - -Jack ate heartily and then prepared to go on deck again. He had reached -the foot of the saloon stairs when a sudden sound made him pause. - -It was the rustle of skirts. Jack drew back into the shadow which hung -thickly over that part of the saloon. To his astonishment, for he -thought that all the passengers--except a belated party in the -smoking-room--were in bed, he saw that the figure which passed swiftly -through the corridor beyond the staircase was that of Miss Jarrold. - -She wore a white dress which showed ghost-like through the gloom, -although the corridor was dimly lighted. But there was no mistaking her -slender, graceful outlines and quick, panther-like walk. - -Suddenly the conversation that Sam had repeated to him flashed across -Jack's mind. It had appeared to foreshadow some desperate attempt to -gain whatever the pair had set their minds on. Almost beyond a doubt, -these were the papers and plans relating to the Panama Canal. Jack knew -that Colonel Minturn's cabin was in the direction the girl was -following. - -Could it be possible that---- - -Suddenly a piercing shriek came, followed by cry after cry. - -Jack's heart stood still. His scalp tightened. - -[Illustration: The cry was the most blood-chilling that can be heard -at sea.] - -The cry was the most blood-chilling that can be heard at sea. - -"Fire! Fire! Fire!" - -Jack dashed down the passage. From every stateroom now, shouts of men -and screams of women were coming. Warned by he knew not what instinct, -he made for Colonel Minturn's cabin. - -It lay just around a corner of the passage. He had just gained it, when -he saw a bulky figure, that of Jarrold, hurl itself against the door and -go smashing through it. Jack rushed up. - -Jarrold turned on him with a savage growl. - -"Get away from here, boy. I'll save Colonel Minturn. You go and warn the -other passengers." - -But Jack made no move to go. Instead, he stepped into the cabin. In his -bunk lay the colonel, apparently sleeping deeply. Jack shook him, but he -did not move, only lay there, breathing heavily. - -"This man has been drugged," he exclaimed half aloud. - -At the same instant he felt the hulking form of Jarrold fling itself at -him. - -"You infernal, interfering young spy," he snarled. "Get out of here. Get -back to your post. Send out an alarm of fire." - -He seized Jack with his big hands. The boy's blood boiled. Big as -Jarrold was, and powerful, too, Jack was, he thought, a match for him. - -Jarrold aimed a fierce blow at him. Jack dodged it and parried it with -one of his own. Then the two clinched. Jarrold's powerful arms -encompassed the boy, squeezing the breath out of him. - -Outside the cabin, people in all stages of dress and undress were -rushing about screaming and shouting. The whole ship was in pandemonium. -Within the cabin, for Jarrold had closed the door when he followed Jack -in, the two combatants, the boy and the man, fought in desperate silence -for the mastery, while the man in the bunk lay with closed eyes, -breathing heavily. - -Back and forth they swayed till Jack suddenly wrenched himself loose. He -delivered a powerful blow and stopped a bull-like rush from Jarrold. The -fire, everything, was forgotten before his desire to overcome the man -who had attacked him. - -Jarrold was, as has been said, a bull of a man. Thick-necked, powerful -and possessed of no little science, he could have torn Jack to pieces if -he could have gripped him right. But Jack, once free of his clutches, -was careful to avoid this. - -Jack possessed no little of the science of the gymnasium, too. He fought -coolly, taking every advantage of his skill. Again and again he dodged -Jarrold's mad rushes, and again and again he landed blows which seemed -heavy enough to fell an ox. - -But they did not appear to have any effect on Jarrold's big frame. A -mere grunt was the only sign that he had noticed them. Jack began to -despair of handling his man after all. - -In the struggle, furniture was smashed, Jarrold's coat torn, and both -combatants' faces were cut and bruised. Gasping for breath, dizzy from -the thundering shock of the few blows Jarrold had driven home like flesh -and blood sledge hammers, Jack was about to give up, when suddenly he -noticed that no one was facing him. Jarrold, breathing heavily, his face -purple, lay stretched across a lounge as he had fallen. - -A terrible thought flashed through Jack's mind. Suppose he had killed -him? - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -A DOSE OF SLEEPING POWDER - - -Jack rushed out into the hallway. It was not, as he had expected, -smoke-filled, nor was there any odor of fire in the air. Somewhere he -could hear the voices of officers shouting above the distant hub-bub in -the saloon: "Keep your heads! There is no fire." - -Doctor Flynn, the ship's surgeon, came hurrying by. Jack stopped him and -explained what had occurred in Colonel Minturn's cabin. - -"We must send for help and carry them both out of danger at once," he -said. - -"Danger? But there is no danger," exclaimed the doctor. - -"But the fire?" gasped the boy. - -"There is none. It was either the overwrought nerves of a silly woman -that started the panic, or else there was some malicious design -underlying the whole thing." - -The thought of what he had seen as he stood in the shadow of the saloon -stairway rushed across Jack's mind: Miss Jarrold's sudden appearance and -then the scream of fire. Could it have been possible that this was the -thing that Sam had overheard her and her uncle debating? That, taking -advantage of the panic they knew would be caused by such an alarm in the -dead of night, Jarrold had schemed a way to enter Colonel Minturn's -cabin? - -"Will you come into Colonel Minturn's cabin with me at once, doctor?" -asked Jack. - -"Certainly, my boy. But," and the doctor stared at him in amazement, -"what has happened to you? Your face is bruised and marked. Have you -been fighting?" - -"A little bit," said Jack grimly. - -"With whom?" - -"With a man I believe to be a consummate scoundrel. By the merest -accident on earth, I happened along here just in time to frustrate what -I believe to be a plot against Colonel Minturn." - -All this Jack explained hastily as they retraced their way down the -corridor to Colonel Minturn's cabin. The panic had died down, and the -passengers, reassured now, were making their divers ways back to their -cabins. Some tried to turn the whole matter into a joke. Others looked -sheepish over the panic-stricken way in which they had behaved. - -But when the two entered the colonel's cabin a surprise awaited them. - -_Jarrold was not there._ - -Jack rubbed his mental eyes. He could have sworn he had left the man -lying across the lounge, to all appearances stunned. Now, in the brief -interval that the boy had been out of the cabin, the man had gone. - -"He must have been playing 'possum," said the surgeon, when Jack had -briefly explained the circumstances; "but now let us see to Colonel -Minturn." - -The doctor bent over the officer's form as it lay in the bunk. The -colonel was breathing heavily, his pulse was slow, his face gray. - -"Run to my cabin for my medicine bag," ordered the doctor to Jack. "You -will find it on my lounge. Hurry back." - -Jack waited to ask no questions but sped off. The corridors were still -choked with passengers discussing the fire scare. Most of them appeared -to think it had been a grim and criminal form of joke on somebody's -part. There was talk of offering a reward for the discovery of the -culprit. - -But Jack, knowing what he did, placed, as we know, a more sinister -construction on the midnight alarm. He was soon back with the doctor's -bag. The surgeon took out of it a small syringe and injected some sort -of solution into the unconscious man's arm. - -"What is the matter with him, sir, do you think?" ventured Jack, as the -doctor, his hand on Minturn's pulse, sat by the side of the bunk. - -"He has been drugged. That much is plain. Although what the agency was, -I cannot guess," was the rejoinder. - -A small glass article lying on the floor caught Jack's eye. It was an -atomizer, such as are used for perfumes. But this was filled with a gray -powder. He pressed the rubber bulb and an impalpable cloud of the powder -was sprayed into the air. He immediately felt sick and dizzy. - -"Look here, sir, what do you make of this?" he cried excitedly, handing -it to the doctor. "I found it on the floor. It must have dropped from -Jarrold's pocket while we were struggling. I'm sure that that powder in -it is some sort of drug. When I sprayed it out, it made me feel weak and -faint." - -The doctor took the glass vessel, unscrewed the top and shook out a -small quantity of the powder on his palm. - -"This is an important discovery, indeed," he exclaimed. "It is a -sleeping powder used by a certain South African tribe. A sufficient -quantity sprayed into the atmosphere would send anyone into a coma. It -is not poisonous, merely sleep producing." - -"Then you think that some of it was sprayed into this room, possibly -through the transom, by Jarrold before----" - -"We'll leave Mr. Jarrold's name out of this for the present," said the -doctor shortly. "Remember, we have no proof against him. For all you -know, and for all that appears, he broke in here to try to save the -colonel when the cry of fire occurred." - -"But he attacked me," protested Jack. - -"His answer to that would be that you were not at your post, where you -should have been." - -Jack colored. This was true. Jarrold had indeed a rejoinder to -everything he might say against the man. When it came to a point, the -lad had plenty of suspicions and theories, but absolutely no proofs to -offer. He couldn't even state positively that the atomizer full of the -sleeping powder was Jarrold's. - -The colonel moved uneasily and opened his eyes. In a few moments he was -able to talk. - -"Why, what has happened?" he asked drowsily, looking first at the doctor -and then at Jack. - -"First, will you tell us the last thing you recollect, Colonel?" - -"Most assuredly. I came to bed early. Before turning in, I examined -certain papers of mine and found they were all in perfect order. This -done, I lay down with a book. Suddenly I felt unaccountably drowsy, -and--and that's all. But what has occurred in the meantime? I can tell by -your presence in the cabin that something out of the ordinary is up." - -"Will you first oblige me by making sure your papers are safe?" asked -the doctor. - -"Certainly; they are in this box under my pillow. Ah yes, everything is -in perfect order. As you see, this is a combination lock. I could tell -in an instant if it had been tampered with." - -"Then, Colonel, I think that you should thank this young man here for -saving you from a theft that might have cost you dearly," said the -doctor, indicating Jack. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -THE WINKING EYE - - -"I--I must confess I don't understand," said the colonel, looking -bewilderedly from one to the other of his two companions. - -"Then let me enlighten you." And, supplemented from time to time by -Jack, the doctor gave a concise account of the incidents leading up to -the discovery of Jarrold breaking into the colonel's cabin. - -The officer could hardly believe his ears. - -"Of course I have suspected Jarrold all along, and cannot be too -grateful to this young man for his vigilance," he said; "but the -diabolical ingenuity of the man is beyond me." - -"He ought to be in irons at this minute," asserted the doctor, "but so -far as I can see, he has covered up his tracks so cleverly that we have -nothing upon which to base a complaint against him." - -"At the present time, no, unfortunately," said the colonel reluctantly. -"And if it had not been for Mr. Ready, here, the whole plot might have -proved a complete success." - -"I think it is reasonably certain that when you awakened, which might -not have been till late to-morrow morning, you would have found your -papers gone," said the doctor. - -"But in that case, I should have instantly suspected Jarrold," was the -reply. "And exercising my authority as an officer of the United States -army, I could have had him detained under suspicion while his baggage -and his person were searched." - -"I am afraid that that would have been very much like looking for a -needle in a haystack," said Dr. Flynn. "A rascal as clever as he is -would have found some way to dispose of the papers, where it would be -highly improbable that they could be found." - -"You are right," agreed Colonel Minturn. "Well, gentlemen, I think that -for the sake of all concerned, we had better keep this secret among us -three and await developments." - -"But Jarrold knows that Ready suspects him," objected the doctor. - -"Oh, well, for that very reason, he won't do any talking," was the -colonel's response. "We must watch and wait, and the next time catch him -red-handed." - -"Then you think he will make another attempt?" asked Jack. - -"I have not the slightest doubt of it. Whatever nation is paying him, it -has set a high price on the successful issue of his venture; and he will -stop at nothing to put it through, if I have any knowledge of the man," -was the response. - -"I think the best thing we can all do now is to turn in," said Dr. -Flynn. - -This was generally agreed and good-nights were said; but before Jack -sought his cabin, he visited the doctor's room, where his face was -attended to so as to leave hardly any marks of his encounter with -Jarrold. - -The latter did not appear the next day, but his niece, radiant and -smiling, was at breakfast as if nothing had occurred. Jack looked at her -wonderingly. He had not the slightest doubt that her part in the plot -had been the cry of "Fire"; but she appeared as carefree and debonair as -if she had nothing more important on her mind than making a charming -appearance. - -Jack could not help grinning to himself when Jarrold did not come down. - -"I guess I gave him something to think about," he remarked with a -chuckle to Sam, as the two discussed the subject. - -Jarrold appeared the next day. A dark mark under his left eye was the -only visible sign of the encounter in Colonel Minturn's cabin. He -studiously avoided the other passengers, however, and spent most of his -time pacing the deck with his niece. - -The weather was steadily growing warmer now. Porpoises appeared in -rolling, leaping schools, and flying fish were stirred up in whole -coveys by the ship's bow. The officers donned white uniforms, as did our -wireless boys, and everything indicated that the steamer was entering -the tropics. - -It was Jack's first voyage into such regions, and both he and Sam -thrilled with the anticipation of seeing the new sights and people. But -all the time, Jack was aware that under their feet was a smoldering -volcano. Covered for a time, and blanketed, it was still smoldering, of -that he was certain. He caught himself wondering uneasily what form the -next attempt would take. - -It was his watch one night and he was turning over these things in his -mind as the ship plowed steadily onward, when, on going to the door of -his cabin for a breath of fresh air, he was surprised to see, not far -off, the green starboard and white mast headlights of what, from the -distance between the lights on her fore and main masts, appeared to be a -fair-sized steamer. She was steaming in the same direction as the -_Tropic Queen_ and going quite as fast. - -Now, under ordinary circumstances, the sight of another craft on the -same course would not have astonished one. But nowadays, when almost -every ship is equipped with wireless, the operators of most vessels know -precisely what craft are in their vicinity. Even in the case where ships -are slow, and not equipped with radio apparatus, they usually signal, by -day or night signals, to craft which have wireless, and ask to be -reported. So that the sight of this stranger, moving along parallel with -the _Tropic Queen_, gave Jack what was not exactly a thrill, but a -sensation of vague uneasiness. - -All at once, on her bridge, a red light began to flash. Like a -blood-shot eye it winked through the dark night. - -"By Jove, signals!" exclaimed Jack. - -He got his signal code book and was able to read off, by his knowledge -of Morse, the letters and words the strange craft was sending, as -distinctly as if they had been printed. But they simply formed a -meaningless jumble. - -"It's a code message to someone on board this ship," muttered Jack to -himself, as the crimson eye ceased to wink. - -As it stopped transmitting its untranslatable--except to one who held the -key--message through the darkness, the strange ship began to drop back -under reduced speed. Whatever its mission, it had been accomplished. -That much was plain. Jack wished that the jumble of words before him was -as clear. - -He sat there racking his brains over the matter till almost midnight, -when Sam relieved him. The assistant operator looked at the message, -over which Jack was knitting his brows, with astonishment. - -"What in the world is that?" he asked. - -"I wish I knew," was Jack's enigmatic reply, "but there's one man on -board this ship who does, and I'm inclined to think that his name is -James Jarrold." - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -SECRET SIGNALS AT DAWN - - -The next morning both Jack and Sam were on the _qui vive_ for a sight of -the mysterious steamer of the night. But not even a smudge on the -horizon gave indication of what had become of her. When Jack went down -to breakfast, he met First Officer Metcalf and spoke to him of the -strange signals. - -"Yes; Muller, the third officer, who had the bridge last night, reported -them to me this morning," was the reply. "He jotted them down as they -were flashed, but we can't make head nor tail of them." - -"Nor can I," confessed Jack. "It was a code message of some sort." - -"Some would-be funny chump having a joke at our expense, I reckon," was -the way that Mr. Metcalf, who, of course, knew nothing of the suspected -machinations of Jarrold, dismissed the subject. - -A lingering suspicion was in Jack's mind that, by some queer chance, the -message might have been for Colonel Minturn, so after the morning meal -he drew him aside. But when shown the message, Colonel Minturn declared -that, although the government used several codes, the one in question -was not one of them. - -"Then it was for Jarrold," declared Jack positively, for, knowing what -he did, he could not share Mr. Metcalf's "joker" theory. - -"I believe you are right," responded Colonel Minturn, stroking his -mustache thoughtfully. "Jove, this thing is taking some strange turns!" - -Their eyes strayed to where Jarrold, sprawled out in a deck chair, was -seemingly absorbed in a book. But Jack could have sworn that over the -top of it he was covertly watching them. - -"It is evident, to my way of thinking," Jack ventured, "that the strange -craft was the _Endymion_, and that, despairing of getting a wireless to -Jarrold, or else on account of a break-down in their wireless, they -decided to chance that method of signaling him." - -"That certainly appears plausible," said Colonel Minturn. "The -_Endymion_, when pressed, can make twenty-five miles an hour. Our speed -is about sixteen. Therefore, it would be an easy matter for her to -overhaul us at night, slip away in the daytime, and sneak back at night -once more." - -"I think it would be a good plan to keep a sharp look-out to-night," -said Jack. "I've a notion that there may be something in the wind." - -"I agree with you," was the colonel's rejoinder. "Although, if it comes -down to that, there's no reason why Jarrold shouldn't, if he wishes to, -exchange messages with any ship. At least, I know of no way of stopping -him." - -"That's just the trouble, sir," said Jack, turning to go. "He's too much -of a fox to put himself into a position where we can get anything -definite on him." - -The day passed uneventfully and the first part of the night was the -usual unbroken routine. Jack spoke with two or three vessels in the West -Indian and South American trade. But nothing unusual occurred to break -the monotony. Midnight found him on the watch. When Sam, as much -interested in the strange developments as was Jack, came to relieve him -at the wireless key, Jack decided to forego his sleep and do some -investigating. - -Putting on a pair of light canvas shoes with rubber soles, Jack took up -a position on the main deck as soon as the ship was wrapped in sleep, -except for the watch and the officer who paced the bridge unceasingly -under the blazing tropic stars. His vigil was not rewarded till some -time before dawn, when, out of the blackness to port, came the sudden -blinking of a scarlet disk, like the leering wink of an ensanguined eye. - -It came so suddenly and startlingly that Jack knew that the stranger, -the one he was now convinced was the _Endymion_, had crept up without -lights, under cover of darkness. There came a few dots and dashes, -indicated by the length of the flash of the red light. Then it ceased. - -Then it began again, flashing like a night heliograph. - -"By Jove! Somebody answered them from this ship!" exclaimed Jack in high -excitement. - -But the decks were bare. Not a soul was to be seen. Had it been anyone -above, Sam was on the lookout there and would have notified Jack at -once. - -Suddenly a thought flashed across the boy. A thought that sent him, with -a swift, noiseless stride, to the rail. He peered overside. It had just -occurred to him that Jarrold's cabin was an outside one on the port side -of the _Tropic Queen_, which presented that flank to the stranger. - -As he gained the side and peered over, he gave vent to what was almost a -shout of triumph. He had solved part of the riddle at any rate. After a -pause in the signaling from the stranger, there had come from the side -of the _Tropic Queen_ a sudden flash of red light. It was reflected -ruddily on the smooth water as it gleamed across the sea. - -"So that's it, eh, Mr. Jarrold!" cried Jack in a low undertone. "You've -got some sort of a flash lantern rigged in your stateroom, connected -with the electric light socket, likely, and you're having a nice little -talk with your friends over yonder." - -All at once he slapped his thigh as a thought struck him. He knew that a -common switch controlled the lights in each separate corridor of the -ship. Thus, the four cabins in the section that Jarrold occupied, while -they each had their individual light switches, were also controlled by a -switch in the main corridor. - -This was so that, in case of accident, the electricians could work more -conveniently. - -"I don't know what the skipper would say to this," exclaimed Jack, "but -here goes." - -He darted below and soon reached the point in the main port corridor -from which the passage on which the four cabins in Jarrold's section -opened. He fumbled for the switch in the half darkness. First, though, -he had looked to see that no other lights were shining in that section -except the one he was sure was being used in Jarrold's room. - -Click! The switch was turned. - -"Now we'll see," exclaimed Jack to himself. - -He hastened back on deck. Through the night, off to the port the strange -craft was signaling frantically. Jack chuckled. - -"Spiked your guns, Mister Jarrold," he laughed, as the signaling -continued. Plainly on the other ship they could not understand why they -no longer got flashed replies from Jarrold's room. - -"Oh, I'll bet the air is blue below," chuckled Jack, delighted at the -success of his plan. "Now I'll just watch till they get sick of waiting -for Mr. Jarrold, and then go below and put that switch on again." - -For half an hour the vain red flashes came out of the night and then -they ceased. - -"I guess they've sneaked off for fear daylight would discover them," -said Jack. "Now to switch the light on again, and then for a snooze. I -think I've earned it." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -S. O. S. - - -Dawn showed a smudge of black smoke on the far horizon which might or -might not have been the mysterious visitant of the night. At any rate, -by noon something occurred which quite put out of Jack's mind, and those -of the ship's officers, who were considerably exercised over the -midnight signals, all thoughts of the secretive craft. - -To Jack, seated at his instruments, there had suddenly come a sharp -call: - -"S.O.S.--S.O.S.--S.O.S." - -Coming as it did, like a bolt from the blue, the urgent call thrilled -the young operator. He galvanized into action instantly and sent Sam -scurrying to the bridge with word that the most urgent call that can -assail a wireless man's ears had just come to him. - -It was faint and far away, but that very fact made it evident to Jack's -experienced mind that whoever was sending the message, was in dire -straits and running out of current. - -He pressed his key and sent thundering out with all the volleying force -of his powerful dynamos, an answer. - -"What ship are you?" he demanded. - -The answer that came back almost knocked him out of his chair. - -"The airship _Adventurer_, from New Orleans to Havana. We are on the -surface of the water and sinking rapidly." - -"Your position, quick!" demanded Jack. - -Back through space, in a slowly dying wireless voice, came the latitude -and longitude of the luckless craft. - -"You are on our course. Stand by and we will pick you up," said Jack, -whom a rapid glance at the wall map had shown that, roughly, the sinking -air-craft was not more than twenty miles to the southwest of the _Tropic -Queen's_ position. - -"What has happened?" asked Jack. - -"No time explain details. Hurry! Hurry!----" - -Jack tried to get the unseen operator once more, but a silence that was -far more eloquent than words alone greeted his efforts. He turned to see -the captain, in his white uniform and gold-laced cap, standing behind -him. - -"What is this S.O.S., Ready?" he demanded. "What craft is in distress?" - -"An airship, sir. The _Adventurer_, bound from New Orleans for Havana, -Cuba." - -"By Neptune! I recall now reading that two aviators were going to make -such a foolhardy attempt." - -"What kind of an air-craft is she, sir? Do you recall?" - -"Why, one of those flying-boats, as they are called, I believe." - -"A big aeroplane fitted with a boat's hull?" - -"That's the idea. But did they give you their position?" - -Jack handed over the figures. - -"Here they are, sir. But the current from the drifting airship was so -weak that I cannot be absolutely certain as to their accuracy." - -"Well, we'll have to take them for what they are worth," said the -captain, scanning them. - -"Roughly, they are on our course, sir," ventured Jack. - -"Yes, we can almost make a landfall on them if you got the positions -right. I'll have full speed ahead signaled. Poor fellows, their plight -must be desperate!" - -He hastened off to give the necessary orders, while Jack went back to -his instruments; but, although he tried with all his might to get -another whisper, he could hear nothing. - -Either the wrecked airship had gone to the bottom, or else, water having -reached her storage batteries, she could no longer send out word. - -But Jack raised another ship,--the _City of Mexico_ of the Vera Cruz -line. - -"What's biting you?" the flippant operator inquired. - -"Just got word that a wrecked airship is floating about on the sea," -flashed back Jack, and gave the latitude and longitude. - -"Why, we'll be there almost as soon as you," was the reply. - -"All right, let's make it a race," called Jack. "It is one for a good -cause." - -"Surest thing you know. See you later." - -The _City of Mexico's_ wireless man cut off. The third officer came into -the wireless room. - -"Ready, the old man wants you to make out a bulletin for the passengers. -They'll go wild over this." - -Jack quickly typed off a bulletin. - - "Shortly before noon, in communication with wrecked and drifting - flying-boat _Adventurer_. She is about twenty miles to the Southwest. - We are hurrying at top speed to her assistance and should be there in - a little over an hour's time. - - "Ready, Chief Operator, _S. S. Tropic Queen._" - -The excitement that followed the posting of this notice on the bulletin -board at the head of the saloon stairs may be imagined by those who have -passed long, dreamy, uneventful days at sea, when even the sight of a -distant sail provides all manner of topics of conversation. - -But now they were steaming at top speed toward the hulk of a -flying-boat--that is, provided she was still on the surface. The ship -buzzed and hummed with vibrant excitement. Passengers lined the rails, -and some of the more excitable even tried to swarm into the rigging, -from which exalted positions they were swiftly ejected. - -Black smoke poured from the _Tropic Queen's_ funnels, and the speed of -her accelerated engines caused a humming vibration to run through her -frame like the twanging of a taut fiddle string. On the bridge, -white-uniformed officers stood, with glasses in hand, all on the alert -to catch the first black speck on the sparkling sea which might reveal -the location of the wrecked air adventurers. - -Forward, on the forepeak and in the crow's nest, lookouts had been -doubled. And excitement was added to the race to the rescue when it -became known that the _City of Mexico_ was speeding from the southward -on the same errand of mercy. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -A DERELICT OF THE SKIES - - -"What a wonderful thing wireless is!" remarked Sam, as the two young -operators stood gazing from the upper deck where their "coop" was -perched. - -"Yes, if that flying-boat hadn't carried even the small, weak equipment -she has, it would have been all off with them," agreed Jack; "that is, -if they are not at the bottom now." - -"Oh, I hope not!" cried Sam. - -"Same here. But still, the sudden way that message cut off looked odd." - -The boys said little more, but kept their attention concentrated, -waiting for the first sharp, quick cry that would announce that the -derelict of the skies had been sighted. It was nerve-racking, the -waiting for that shout. - -It seemed that hours had passed, when suddenly there came a sharp bark -from the bows. A keen-eyed salt stationed there had seen something even -before the officers on the bridge had sighted it through their -binoculars. - -"What is it, my man?" hailed Captain McDonald through a speaking -trumpet. - -"Can't just make out, sir. It might be a big whale, but it looks to me -like a boat." - -The officers scrutinized the object pointed out through their glasses. -It lay some miles from the ship, spread out darkly on the blue, -gently-heaving sea. - -"Can you see any human beings on board it?" demanded Captain McDonald -anxiously of Mr. Metcalf. - -"No, sir, I--yes, I do, too. One man. He is standing up, waving." - -"Give me the glasses, Metcalf." - -The captain took the binoculars. - -"Yes, you're right; there's a man on board. But how long he will keep -afloat, I don't know. Lucky the sea is calm." - -"You may well say that, sir. In my opinion, whatever he is standing on -is due to sink before long." - -"My opinion, too. But hullo, what is that coming up over the horizon -there?" - -"That smoke, sir? That must be the _City of Mexico_." - -"Yes, you're right, it is. I can see her masts now. She's coming up -fast." - -"We don't want to let her beat us, sir." - -"No, indeed; signal below for more speed." - -Mr. Metcalf jerked the engine-room telegraph. A quickened impulse of the -steel hull followed. Inky smoke rolled in volumes from the two funnels -of the big ship. Never had she gone faster. Under the forced draught in -the sweating stokeholds below, the firemen toiled desperately. Steam -screeched from the 'scape pipes in a constant roar, testifying to the -big head of power being carried in the ship's boilers. - -It was a race to thrill the most critical, and a contest of speed, too, -which had, as its goal, a human life; for, from the frantic signals now -being made by the man on the drifting flying-boat, it was plain that he -did not expect to keep above the water much longer. - -The _Mexico's_ wireless man was signaling Jack. - -"Hit it up, you _Tropic Queen_." - -"We're doing nicely, thank you," came back Jack. "What's the matter with -your old sea-going smoke wagon?" - -In this way the messages between the two on-rushing steamships were -flashed back and forth above the sparkling sea, while the drama of the -race for a life was going forward. - -And now the passengers had caught sight of the tiny object adrift on the -vast ocean. A hoarse cheer ascended to the boat decks, in which the -shrill voices of women mingled. They were shouting encouragement and -advice to the castaway of the sky. - -He replied by waving. The speed of the ship suddenly was reduced. Under -Quartermaster Schultz a boat crew was made up. Jack begged to be allowed -to be one of them and, to his delight, the captain told him to cut -along. - -Sam, although deeply disappointed at being left behind, nevertheless -cheered with the rest as the boat was lowered and struck the water with -a splash. Then, as the steamer's propellers ground in reverse to check -her way, it dashed off toward the stricken flying-boat. - -The craft could be seen quite plainly now--a dainty affair with golden, -shimmering wings supporting a boat-like structure amidships. Jack was -familiar with the general construction of flying-boats, the very latest -type of aeroplane, from pictures he had seen in magazines, but he had -never seen a real one before. He marveled that so frail looking a craft -could have made her way so far out to sea. - -But as they neared the stricken airship, shouting words of encouragement -to her lone occupant, a startling thing happened. Simultaneously a groan -burst from the throats of the boat crew. - -The flying-boat vanished from the surface of the sea as if she had been -a smudge wiped off a slate with a sponge. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -A LEAP FOR A LIFE - - -Had the lone navigator of the craft perished when she gave the last -swift and decisive plunge to the bottom? A groan that went up from the -decks of the _Tropic Queen_, which had steamed quite close, seemed to -indicate that the enthralled onlookers thought so. - -But suddenly Jack gave a shout: - -"There he is! Over there! Pull for your lives, men!" - -The brawny arms of the oarsmen needed no encouragement. Every man bent -to his work till the stout ash sweeps curved and their backs cracked. - -The boat flew across the water to a tiny, bobbing, black dot, the head -of the castaway aviator. As they drew closer, they could see his face -turned toward them imploringly. He was a young man, black-haired and -apparently good-looking, although they did not pay much attention to his -appearance just then. - -As they drew alongside, his strength suddenly seemed to give out after -the brave struggle he had made, and he disappeared under the water. Even -as he did so, a figure leaped from the boat in a long, clean dive. When -Jack, for it was the young wireless man who had made the daring leap, -reappeared, he held in his arms the body of the half-drowned man. - -[Illustration: He held in his arms the body of the half-drowned man.] - -A dozen eager hands drew them aboard the boat, while from both the big -steamers, for the _City of Mexico_ had now come up, there arose a mighty -roar of recognition for the plucky rescue. From the _Mexico's_ signal -halliards a message of congratulation was fluttering as the _Tropic -Queen's_ boat started back for her ship. In the wireless coop, Sam and -the _City of Mexico's_ operator were busy exchanging comments by radio. - -The aviator soon recovered and was able to talk to Jack as the boat crew -pulled back. His name was Ramon de Garros, and he was a young Frenchman. -He was making the flight from Palm Beach to Havana in the flying-boat in -the interests of a hotel company owning giant hostelries in both places. - -He had set out the day before, thinking to finish the flight within a -few hours. Instead, an accident to his engine had compelled him to -alight on the surface of the ocean. Then adverse winds had driven him -far off his course, and finally his gasoline had given out. He luckily -had a wireless apparatus on board, a new, light device with which he had -been experimenting for the government. If it had not been for this, his -chance of rescue would have been slim. - -The rails of the ship were lined with men and women who gave the -returning rescuers a hearty roar of welcome as they drew alongside. De -Garros, with the volatility of a true Frenchman, waved his hand to show -that he was not injured. This brought another cheer. - -The boat was hoisted home and the crowd pressed about it as Jack -clambered out and extended his hand to De Garros, who was still feeble -from his trying experience. Men and women tried to grasp Jack's hand, -but he brushed past them, feeling awkward and embarrassed as he -conducted De Garros to the captain's cabin. - -In the crowd was Miss Jarrold, and as they passed her, to Jack's -astonishment, she and De Garros exchanged looks of unmistakable -recognition. The girl turned away the next instant, but De Garros -exclaimed to Jack: - -"What is that young lady doing on this ship?" - -"She is accompanying her uncle," rejoined Jack. "I believe they are on a -pleasure cruise." - -"Her uncle is on board?" - -There was a note almost of anxiety in the rescued aviator's voice as he -put the question. - -"Yes. You know him?" - -The reply astonished Jack. De Garros' tone was more than vehement as he -rejoined: - -"Know him! I know him too well! I--but never mind about that now." - -Jack had no time to ask questions; indeed, he would have considered it -impertinent to have done so. They now reached the captain's cabin and -that dignitary himself came forward to greet De Garros. The aviator -explained that he wished to be transported to Kingston, Jamaica, which -was the first port of call of the _Tropic Queen_, and that there he -would cable for money for his passage and so forth. - -Captain McDonald greeted him warmly, and clothes from the wardrobe of -the third officer, who was about his size, were found for De Garros, who -was beginning to shiver, warm though the air was. Jack had to hurry off -to relieve Sam at the key. As he left, he and De Garros shook hands -warmly. - -"I shall see more of you," said the young Frenchman. - -"I hope so," responded Jack. "I should like to hear more about your air -voyage, when you have time." - -"I can always make time for the man who saved my life," was the -rejoinder of the aerial castaway. - -"Oh, shucks!" exclaimed Jack, not being able to think of anything else -to say. - -Then he hurried back on the job. Half an hour later, in dry clothes, he -was at his key again and exchanging joshes with the operator of the -_Mexico_, as both the stately crafts stood on their courses once more -after participating in what was, probably, the first rescue of an aerial -castaway on record. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -A CALL IN THE NIGHT - - -Sapphire days of steaming through deep blue tropic seas beneath a -cloudless sky passed by dreamily. The _Tropic Queen_ was now in the -Caribbean, rolling lazily southward through azure water flecked with -golden patches of gulf weed--looking like marine golden-rod. Fleeing -flocks of flying fish scuttered over the water as the steamer's sharp -bow nosed into the stuff, like a covey of partridges rising from cover -before a sportsman's gun. - -To Jack and Sam, making their first voyage in these waters, everything -was new and fascinating. They never tired of leaning over the rail, -watching the different forms of marine life that were to be seen almost -every moment. - -Jack had succeeded in attaching a bell to the wireless apparatus, which, -while it did not sound powerfully when a wireless wave beat against the -antennae, yet answered its purpose so long as they were in the vicinity -of the wireless room. Jack had hopes, in time, of perfecting a device -which would give a sharp, insistent ring and awaken even the soundest -sleeper. The boy knew that on many small steamers only one wireless -operator is, from motives of economy, carried. When such an operator is -asleep, therefore, the wireless "ears" of his ship are deaf. But with an -alarm bell, such as Jack hoped to bring to perfection, there would be no -danger of the man's not awakening in time to avert what might prove to -be grave disaster. - -They now began to steam past small islands, bare, desolate spots for the -most part, but surrounded by waters clear as crystal and gleaming like -jewels. Some of them were covered with a sparse sort of brush, but -generally they were mere specks of sand in a glowing sea of azure. - -One evening Jack was sitting at the key, when through the air there -came, beating at his ears, a wireless summons. Such messages were common -enough and the boy languidly, for the night was stiflingly hot, reached -out a hand for his pencil in order to jot down whatever might be coming. - -But the next instant he was sitting bolt upright, sending out with -strong, nervous fingers a crashing reply to the message that had come to -him. - -"To any ship in vicinity," it read. "Send us a boat-load of provisions -and water or we shall perish." - -"Who are you?" flashed Jack's key in reply. - -Feebly, as if the supply of juice was running low, the mysterious sender -of the urgent appeal sent back his answer. - -"The Sombrero Island Light. The monthly provision boat has not arrived -from the mainland. We are almost destitute." - -Jack looked up at his wireless map. Sure enough, on a tiny speck of land -not far off, was marked in blue, with a red star, the location of the -island light, the coloring denoting that, like many modern lighthouses, -it was equipped with wireless. - -"How many of you are there?" inquired Jack's radio. - -"Two. But my partner, an old man, is bedridden from suffering. I have -not slept for many nights and am almost exhausted." - -"Keep up your courage," rejoined Jack, "and I'll see what I can do." - -He hurried forward with his message to the bridge. He found the captain -taking his ease in slippers and pajamas outside the sacred precincts of -his cabin. Jack told him briefly about the communication he had had, and -then handed the skipper the notes he had made of the radio conversation. - -The captain looked annoyed. A frown furrowed his forehead. - -"Confound it all," he muttered, "I was making up my mind for a record -run and this means delay. But we can't neglect to aid those unfortunates -who are probably suffering the pangs of hunger and thirst at this very -moment." - -He paused as if reflecting, while Jack stood by respectfully. The -captain had not dismissed him, and the boy judged that he was -considering some plan. - -"Come into the chart room," he said presently; and Jack followed him -through a doorway into the chart room where the sea-maps were stowed -neatly away in overhead racks. - -The captain took down one. Jack saw that it showed the Caribbean. With a -brown forefinger the captain checked off the course of the _Tropic -Queen_ and her present whereabouts, as marked that day by the chief -officer when the log was written up. - -"No chance of getting this ship anywhere within ten miles of the -island," he said, after he had examined the soundings carefully. "It is -one of the worst places charted in these seas." - -"You mean it is unapproachable, sir?" asked Jack. - -"Yes, to a degree. It is surrounded by shoals and reefs. It would be -suicide to try to navigate a ship of this size amongst them." - -"What can be done then, sir?" asked Jack, who knew that he would have to -send a reply to the lighthouse keepers. - -"We shall be about twenty miles to the east of the island early -to-morrow morning," said the captain. "You may inform them that I shall -send off a boat and perhaps the doctor, if I can spare him." - -"Very well, sir." - -Jack started away, but then lingered. - -"Well, what is it?" - -The captain swung around in his chair and looked at the boy who -hesitated in the doorway. - -"I--I wondered if it would be possible for me to go along with the boat, -sir?" asked Jack haltingly. There was something very disconcerting in -that direct glance of the captain's. - -"In the boat, you mean?" - -"Yes, sir. You see they have wireless there. I might be of some use. -I----" - -"There, don't bother to make excuses," laughed the captain -good-humoredly. "You really want to go for the sake of the trip, don't -you?" - -"Well, I----" began Jack, feeling rather foolish at having his mind read -so unerringly. - -"Will your assistant stand watch if I let you go? The ship must not be -left without a wireless man." - -"Sam will stay, sir," rejoined Jack. "It is his watch, anyway." - -"All right, then, consider it settled. Cut along now and send out that -message. Those poor devils must be waiting eagerly for it." - -"Very well, sir, and thank you," exclaimed the delighted Jack. - -"Don't thank me," said the captain, with a gruffness that a twinkle in -his eye betrayed. "I heard before you joined the ship that you had a -faculty for rushing in where you had no business to be, and now I see -that I was not misinformed." - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -TO THE RESCUE - - -"Aren't you going to turn in?" - -Sam asked the question as, at midnight, he came on watch. He took his -position at the key, but, to his surprise, Jack did not show his usual -alacrity to seek his bunk. - -"I guess I'll sit up a while," rejoined Jack, without a trace of -drowsiness. - -Then he added, as Sam looked his bewilderment, "Sammy, my boy, just cast -your eye over those copies of radios I got and answered while you were -asleep." - -Sam obeyed, scanning the despatches and the answers to them, copied in -carbon, with deep interest. When he had finished he looked up. - -"I can guess the reason for your staying up now," he said. - -"Well?" asked Jack, his eyes dancing. - -"You're going along in that boat!" - -"A good guess," laughed Jack. "You don't mind, do you, Sam?" - -"Not a bit. If you will insist on risking your neck, it's no affair of -mine," laughed Sam. - -"Hum, you're a nice, sympathetic little friend, aren't you?" inquired -Jack, giving Sam a dig in the ribs. "But seriously, though," he added, -"you don't think it selfish of me to go off alone and----" - -"Get a ducking?" chuckled Sam. "No, I don't. I'd rather be comfortable -here on board than trying to make a landing on an island beach. It's ten -to one you get tipped over in the surf." - -"Not much danger of that," said Jack; "we've got some skillful oarsmen -in the crew, and you know that boat drill is one of the fads of this -line." - -"Well, what time do you expect to start?" - -"Haven't any idea, but the skipper said we ought to be up with the -island by dawn." - -"If I were you, I'd turn in and get some sleep." - -"Couldn't take a wink. I'm too keyed up about the trip." - -Jack looked at his watch, the fine gold one that had been presented to -him in Antwerp on his first voyage, in recognition of a brave deed. - -"Not one o'clock yet," he muttered impatiently. - -"It won't be light for four hours anyhow," counseled Sam; "you'd better -get into your bunk." - -But Jack was so fearful of being left behind that he refused to turn in. -However, after a time, as he sat in the spare chair of the wireless -room, his eyelids did close in spite of all he could do to prevent them. - -Sam smiled as, turning around, he saw that his chum was asleep. - -It was Schultz, the old quartermaster, who aroused Jack by poking his -head into the door of the wireless room. - -"Ahoy, vere is dot Yack vot vants to go midt us py der Somprero Lighdt?" - -Jack awakened with a start. - -"Eh? What?" he demanded sleepily. - -"Vell, don't you vant to go midt us py der Somprero?" asked Schultz. -"Oder dot you schleep?" - -Broad awake now, Jack sprang to his feet. - -"All right, Schultz, I'll be with you in a jiffy," he exclaimed. - -"Don't make no nefer mindt aboudt gedtting prettied oop," grinned the -old quartermaster grimly, as Jack plunged his face into a basin of cold -water and parted his tousled hair; "maype vee gedt idt a spill in der -vater before ve gedt back der ship py." - -"There, what did I tell you?" demanded Sam triumphantly; but Jack only -grinned. - -There was a great trampling about on the decks outside. The men who had -been selected to form the boat's crew, the pick of the sailors, were -running about, loading the small craft with provisions and barrels of -fresh water. - -To the men this sudden call for a trip to the shore came in the nature -of a junket. It afforded an agreeable bit of relaxation in the midst of -the hum-drum monotony of sea life. A sailor on such an expedition is -like a boy off on a picnic. The men joked and laughed as, in the gray of -the early light, they hustled about between boat and storeroom. - -Dr. Flynn, to Jack's disappointment, was unable to go. A sick patient on -board demanded all his attention. But he put up a case of medicines for -the old light keeper and gave Jack directions how to administer them; -for, by means of the old man's symptoms, transmitted by wireless through -Jack, the doctor of the _Tropic Queen_ had been able to diagnose the -trouble as being a case of tropic fever. - -At last all was ready, and a few early-rising passengers saw the boat -lowered and pulled away for the dim speck of land on the far horizon -that marked the site of Sombrero Island. A few moments later the -stopping of the _Tropic Queen's_ engines aroused the other passengers, -and before the breakfast bugle blew, the ship was humming with -conjecture and surmise as to the reason for the sudden check in the -voyage. - -A bulletin, posted by the captain's orders, dispelled the mystery. It -also announced that the boat was expected back by evening at the latest. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -A TALE OF THE SEA - - -The boat, urged by strong arms, fairly flew over the water. -Quartermaster Schultz served out breakfast to the crew in relays, for no -time had been taken for eating before they started. Jack felt in high -spirits. The morning was clear and quite cool. The scorching heat of the -day would not come till later, when the sun rose higher. - -"Ach, idt vos a badt ding to be on a lighdthouse midout help from der -supply boat undt not knowing if you vill lif or die," said the old -quartermaster, as he sat in the stern sheets with Jack. "I rememper ven -I vos younger vunce I vos tired of der sea undt ships, undt I take idt a -yob on a lighdthouse off der coast of Oregon on der Bacific. - -"Der Big Boint Lighdt vos its name. It vos known as vun of der loneliest -of all der lighdts on dot rocky coast. Budt I didn't care about dot, or -I dought I didn't. Der pay vos goodt undt dere vos annunder keeper, an -oldt man, oldt enough to be mein fadder, I reckon. - -"Vell, der supply boat idt take me to der lighdt, budt a badt storm came -up after dey hadt landed me, undt dey had to go avay again. To get to -der lighdt from der schmall boat dey sendt me ashore in, I hadt to be -hoisted oop in a sordt of basket from der boat by a derrick. Der lighdt -vos just as lonely as I hadt heardt idt vos. Idt stood on a big rock -vich formed der endt of a sordt of peninsula of rocks dot ran out two -miles from der shore. - -"Idt vos buildt of stone undt lookedt strong undt substantial. Idt -needed to pe so, I dought, as I lookedt aboudt me undt sized der place -oop. - -"Der oldt man on der lighdt, his name vos Abbott, velcomed me. He vos a -fine-looking oldt man, midt pale blue eyes undt a long white beard. -After de boat hadt left, pecause of der rising sea, der oldt man toldt -me dot ve vos in for a badt storm. - -"'Let idt come,' said I, 'dis tower is as strong aber der rock idt is -built on. Nuddings can harm idt.' - -"He didn't say nuddings, budt showed me my quarters vich vos in der -lower pardt of de tower. Den he took me oop to show me der lamp, an oil -burner midt a two minute flash. - -"'Many a poor sould vill bless dis lamp to-nighdt,' he saidt to me, undt -den he vent on to tell me dot his son vos a sailor on de China run on a -pig tea clipper. - -"'He is homevard boundt now, undt ought to pe off dis coast to-nighdt,' -he said. 'His ship runs into Portlandt.' - -"Vell, ve cooked our supper undt ate idt vhile der sea oudtside kept -rising undt der windt hadt a sordt of a moan in idt dot made you dink of -somepody in bain. I couldt see dot ve vere in for a mighty badt nighdt. -After ve had eaten, der oldt man, his name vos Abbott, climbed oop der -tower undt lighted der lamps. - -"Den he sedt in motion der clockvurk dot kept der lighdt revolving all -t'rough der nighdt giffing oudt der regular flashes, as sedt down on der -charts. Ven dot vos done dere vosn't much to do budt to smoke undt talk. -Der oldt man vosn't much of a handt for talking, budt aboudt his son he -had a lodt to say. Vot a fine poy he vos, undt how he vos going to try -to gedt him to leave der sea after dot voyage, der oldt man knowing der -sea undt how efery voyage may pe a sailor's last. He showed me his -picture, too. A fine figure of a poy. Ach, yes, undt to dink of vot vos -to happen dot night! Poor oldt Abbott, dot vos many years ago, budt I -can hear him still telling me aboudt his poy Harry, undt vot a fine poy -he vos. - -"Vell, py der time idt vos my turn to go to bed der vind vos howling -undt tearing roundt der lighdt like a pack of wolves. Der sea vos -gedtting oop, too. You could hear idt roar like vild beasts roundt der -place. I foundt myself being mighty gladt dot der tower vos of solidt -stone. Nudding else couldt have stoodt idt. - -"Outside der lighdt vos a small stone shanty. In dis vos der boiler vich -made der fog-horn blow. Oldt man Abbott toldt me pefore I go to bedt dot -I hadt bedder start der fires oop undter der boiler, so dot if anyting -happened to der lighdt ve vould still be able to varn der ships. - -"Ven I open der door to go to der boiler room der vind almost knocks me -off my feedt. Der spray blows in my face like knives. Der sea vos all -vhite, like idt vos boiling. I dell you, dot vos a nighdt, budt idt vos -nudding to vot vos to come. - -"I got steam oop undt banked der fires. Den I turned in till oldt man -Abbott should rouse me for my vatch. I didn't sleep much, vhat vith der -devils howling of vind, and der roar of der sea. Ven oldt man Abbott -vake me, he say dot I shall come oop into der lantern. - -"I hurried on a few clo'es and climbed oop. Himmel! At der top of der -tower you couldt feel dot stone shake, der vind vos so fierce! Oldt man -Abbott, he vos yust sitting dere saying nudding, budt staring out. He -didn't turn ven I came in, budt yust kept on staring. Budt at last he -turn round to me undt holdt oop vun of his vingers, solemn like. - -"'Hark!' he say. - -"'I don't can hear idt nuddings,' I saidt. - -"He shook his oldt vhite head. - -"'Don't you hear dem calling?' he saidt. 'Listen!' - -"I began to dink dot der oldt man hadt gone crazy, as lighdt keepers -sometimes do. For der life of me I could hear nuddings budt der vind -undt der sea. All at vonce a vave came crashing against der glass of der -lantern. You could hear der vater swish undt crash on der lenses. - -"Der tower shook as if idt hadt been struck a blow. I pegan to feel a -bidt scared. A few more vaves like dot undt nudding dot man buildt could -standt idt. Budt oldt man Abbott, he say nudding. Py undt py I saw his -lips move undt I dought maype he vos praying. - -"I not interrupt him budt come downstairs again. I know I must see to -der furnace under der boiler in der vistle house. But ven I opened der -door I vos blown in again. Dot vind vos so strong dot idt drove me -righdt back, undt I vos a strong young man den, too, midt my muscles -hardened on ships all ofer der vurld. I saw dot if I vanted to endt idt -my life, all I had to do vos to try to gedt to dot boiler house. So I -gif idt oop, undt come in py der tower again. - -"I go oop py der lighdt. Ach, it vos terrible oop dere! Der seas vos so -pig dot dey sweep righdt ofer der tower. Small rocks undt stones -hammered against der lenses till you vould haf dought dey must be -smashed in! Budt dey vere of t'ick, strong glass undt dey stoodt idt. - -"Oldt man Abbott, he asks me to go pelow undt gedt him some coffee. Py -dot time idt is gedtting on toward morning. Der storm is schreeching -undt howling undt ramping like ten t'ousand teufels. Sometimes ven a big -vave hit der tower idt shake like dere vos an eart'quake gotd idt in its -teef! - -"'Schultz,' I say by meinselfs, 'you are one pig fool, mein fine fellow, -to leave der sea. Aber idt is bedder to die on a goodt ship dan in der -wreck of a lighdthouse.' - -"I haf youst aboudt godt der coffee ready ven der oldt man comes down. -Dere vos a vild look in his eyes like he hadt seen a ghost. - -"'Dere's a ship, a fine ship, she's driven ashore on der Squabs,' he -said. Der Squabs peing vot ve called der long neck of small rocks -petween der Big Lighdt undt der shore. - -"'Impossible!' saidt I. 'Ve vould half heardt idt der rockets aber der -guns if such hadt been der case.' - -"'Pelief idt or nodt as you like,' he said, 'budt dere is a ship ashore. -I heardt der poor soulds on her screaming undt praying.' - -"I looked at him, dinking he had suddenly gone crazy. Budt he looked -quite sane undt serious. - -"'Idt is a terrible ding,' he said, 'to die like dot midtoudt a grave -budt der sea to lay your headt in, till der judgment day ven der good -book tells us dere shall pe no more sea.' - -"'Mr. Abbott,' I saidt, 'I dink you hadt bedder dake your coffee undt go -to bedt. You are overtired.' - -"'I shall keep oop till der storm dies oudt,' he saidt, undt I shall -nefer forget his voice as he saidt dot. 'I must see vot ship dot vos dot -drove ashore.' - -"Suddenly, above us, ve heardt a terrible noise as if der lighdthouse -vos peing torn to bits. Idt came from der oopper pardt of der tower. I -rushed to der foot of der steps undt vos medt py a rush of vater. - -"As idt swept py me idt almost knocked me off my feedt! Righdt avay I -know vot hadt happened. A big vave hadt smashed in der light, or more -likely a big rock, hurled py der vave, hadt done der damage. - -"Midt oldt man Abbott close behindt me, I fought my vay oop der steps. - -"Himmel! I nefer forget vot ve findt! - -"Der whole top of der lantern, idt hadt been cut off as if py a knife! -Only ragged edges of stone showed vhere idt hadt been. Der lighdthouse -vos no longer a lighdthouse, undt vos of no goodt to varn ships of der -danger. - -"As ve stoodt dere annuder big vave come sweeping ofer undt half drowned -us. A big rock just missed mein headt, undt der vater go pouring down -der stairs like a cascade. - -"'Ve must go pelow undt shut der door at der bottom of der stairs,' I -say; 'uddervise ve pe drowned oudt.' - -"Der oldt man nodded as if he only half understoodt. - -"'Yah, yah; drowned, drowned, drowned,' he saidt to himself; 'drowned -like der poor folk on der wreck.' - -"I got him down der stairs pefore annuder big vave come, undt den shut -der door so dot no more big vaves come into der room. Budt der place vos -a sight! Dere vos six inches of vater in dere vich hadn't flowed oudt -unter der door. Budt liddle by liddle idt drained oudt. - -"No more big vaves come. Idt look as if der storm, hafing wrecked der -lighdthouse, vos content to lie down undt pe quiet for a vhile. Bimeby, -ven der vind drop, I go out py der boiler house. - -"Idt hadt gone! Vere idt hadt stood dere vos nudding! Dose vaves hadt -taken idt off der rock as if idt hadt been a shellfish! - -"'Ach, dis is badt,' I say to meinself. 'Der lighdthouse is wrecked undt -I lose my yob!' - -"Der storm died down fast, undt py der time idt vos daylighdt, dere -being nuddings to do budt to sit round undt vait for der supply boat to -come back, I dropped off into a soundt sleep. I vakened oop an hour or -two later. Der kitchen vere ve hadt been sitting vos empty. I vent up -into der ruins of der lamp, budt oldt man Abbott vos not dere eidder. - -"I call for him budt dere comes no answer. Den I go oudtside on der rock -undt I findt him. He is lying very still on der edge of der vater. Close -py him is a big log vich look like part of der spar of a ship. Preddy -soon I see dat dere is someting on der spar, undt I look undt see dot -idt is a man. He is quite dead, dat I see by a look adt his face. - -"Den I look again. Undt den I see vy oldt man Abbott lies so still on -der edge of der rock. Der face of der man on der spar vos der face of -his son Harry! Undt oldt man Abbott is deadt. - -"Der ship dot der oldt man, in some mysterious vay, heardt drive to her -death on der rocks, vos his son's ship, der vun on vich he vos making -his homevard voyage. Vell, for a day I stay on der rock midt der dead -fadder undt der deadt son, undt den der relief ship come. Dey bury der -oldt man undt der boy side py side der next day, undt I leave dot part -of der country; undt since den I nefer see a lighdthouse budt I dink of -oldt man Abbott undt der homevard bound son he never saw." - -Not long after the conclusion of the old sailor's story, which left him -glum and taciturn, the white spiral of the Sombrero Island Light came -into view, sticking up like a finger on the sandy islet whose name it -bore. As they drew closer, Jack could make out a solitary figure on the -beach. It was the light keeper, who was soon greeting them with -heartfelt gratitude. He was probably a young man, but the anxiety he had -been through had aged him in a few nights. - -While the sailors were unloading the provisions and water, for drinking -water on that desolate island could only be caught in tanks when it -rained, Jack visited the other light keeper. He found him much better -than he had been when the wireless message was sent out. In fact, after -some of the remedies Dr. Flynn had sent had been administered, he -declared he would be strong enough to go about his duty that night. - -The light keepers explained that they were doubly anxious for a sight of -the relief ship, for her appearance meant that they would go on a -month's vacation, their places to be taken by two other men the relief -craft was bringing out. Before they left the island, Jack had the -satisfaction of spying a distant sail on the horizon. The light keeper, -who was up and about, scrutinized it through his glass. He broke into an -exclamation of thankfulness the next minute. - -"It's the old _Solitaire_, sure enough!" he cried. "She must have been -delayed by storms." - -"Looks as if one of der top masdts, idt has been carried avay," declared -Schultz, who had borrowed the glass. - -"Is the _Solitaire_ the relief ship?" asked Jack. - -"Yes; the same old schooner that always comes. Oh, won't Barney be glad! -It'll be better to him than medicine." And the keeper of the light ran -toward the tower to tell his companion the good news. - -And so, as they rowed back to the ship, they left the light keepers -happy, but nevertheless old Schultz shook his head as he spoke of them. - -"Aber, I'd radder pe a sea-cook dan a keeper py a lighdthouse," he said -with deep conviction; and added, nodding his head solemnly, "I know." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -A DECOY MESSAGE - - -The following days passed quickly and pleasantly. The friendship between -De Garros and Jack ripened, being nourished, of course, by their mutual -interest in wireless, of which De Garros was a capable exponent. He did -not revert again to the subject of any previous acquaintance with -Jarrold and his niece and, seeing his reticence concerning it, Jack -avoided the topic. - -At last Jamaica was sighted on the horizon. Some hours later they were -steaming through a deep blue sea along brilliantly green shores, above -which rose rugged peaks and mountains. Jack and Sam gazed with delight -at the scene as it unrolled. - -The big steamer slowly rounded the long, sandy arm of Port Royal and -took on the black pilot. Then she proceeded up the harbor, following a -twisted, tortuous channel, past mangrove swamps, ruined batteries and -rankly growing royal palms. - -As soon as the ship had docked, Jack and Sam both received leave to go -ashore. As may be imagined, they did not waste much time on -preparations, but were on the deck almost as soon as the gang-plank was -down. Most of the passengers followed their example, and as but few of -the ship's company were leaving the _Tropic Queen_ at Kingston, the -quaint town, with its cement stores and hotels, its dusty streets and -swarming negroes, was soon thronged with sightseers. - -Jack and Sam chartered one of the hacks that are everywhere present in -the town, and ordered the driver to show them about the city. They found -that while the main town was businesslike and substantial with its -concrete structures and stores, the back streets still showed abundant -evidences of the earthquake, which some years ago shook down most of the -city and caused a tremendous loss of life. - -Some of the houses looked as if they had been shell-ridden. The roofs -had fallen in, showing the bare rafters. Walls were cracked, and in some -places the entire front was out of a house, revealing the interior of -the bare rooms. - -"I don't see very much that is interesting here," said Jack at length. -"Suppose we go back to the hotel that was recommended to us?" - -"I'm agreeable," said Sam. "So far, my chief impression of Kingston is -dust and noisy niggers." - -The order was given to the black driver, and they were soon rolling back -to the hotel that Jack had mentioned. It was a picturesque structure in -the Spanish style of architecture, which harmonized well with the tropic -gardens surrounding it. Passing through the lobby, where they stopped to -buy postcards, the boys found themselves in a palm grove facing the blue -waters of the harbor. - -A delightful breeze rustled through the palms and the boys contentedly -threw themselves into chairs and ordered two lemonades. They sipped them -slowly while they enjoyed the view and the shade. Many others from the -ship had found their way there, too. Among them was Colonel Minturn with -a party of friends. - -He passed the boys with a friendly nod. He had hardly gone by, when -Jack, who had happened to look around, gave a start. - -Standing behind a palm and watching the Minturn party intently, was -Jarrold. The trunk of the tree afforded him ample protection from the -observation of the man he was watching with an unwavering scrutiny. - -Apparently he had not seen the boys. Jack nudged Sam and gave him a -whispered warning not to turn around. - -"Jarrold is there, watching Colonel Minturn. He is plotting some -mischief. I am sure of it." - -"Wherever he is, there is trouble," agreed Sam. - -"That's just where you are right," replied Jack. - -"Is his pretty niece with him?" inquired Jack's companion. - -"I don't see her. By the way, I wonder where De Garros met them. Queer -that, although they know each other, as De Garros admits, they never -speak." - -"They probably met abroad somewhere," hazarded Sam. - -"I suppose so," was the reply, and then the talk drifted to other -subjects. But Jack had shifted his chair so as to watch Jarrold without -appearing to do so. Before long, the man turned and strolled in the -direction of a terrace which opened on the palm garden. - -Jack half rose from his chair as if he intended to follow him. - -"What's the trouble?" asked Sam. - -"I don't mean to let Jarrold out of my sight, that's all," said Jack. -"But look! He has stopped. He is talking to someone. That chap in a sun -helmet. I can't see his face, but somehow he looks mighty familiar to -me." - -The young man who had joined Jarrold strolled along the terrace with him -till they both found chairs. Then they sat down and seemed to be engaged -in earnest conversation. The stranger, who yet seemed familiar to Jack, -had his back turned to them so that it was impossible to see his -features. - -At length they arose, shook hands as if they had come to an agreement on -some matter, and parted. Jarrold came into the garden and took a seat at -a table. He scowled heavily at the boys as he passed them, but gave no -other sign of recognition. Suddenly Jack rose to his feet. - -"I'm a fine chump!" he exclaimed. "I ought to have brought my camera -along. Hanged if I didn't forget it!" - -"Why don't you go back to the ship for it?" asked Sam. "It's not very -far. You can get there and back in twenty minutes or less if you drive." - -"That part of it is all right. But I hate to leave His Nibs, there, -unwatched." - -"Oh, as for that, I'll take care of him till you get back," Sam -promised. - -"Bully for you! Then I'll go. And say----" - -But at that moment a page came into the garden. He was calling for "Mr. -Ready." - -"Means me, I guess," laughed Jack, "although it sounds new to be called -'Mr. Ready.' What do you want?" he asked, stopping the boy. - -"You are Mr. Ready? All right then, there's a telephone message for you. -You're wanted back on the ship as soon as possible." - -"That's a funny coincidence," murmured Jack; "just as I was ready to go, -too." - -As the page hurried off, Jack turned to Sam: - -"I can't think what they can want me for; still, orders are orders. You -stay here and watch His Nibs yonder, then, Sam, till I get back. If he -goes anywhere, follow him, but don't take any chances. He's got no great -love for either of us, I fancy." - -"Well, I guess not, after the pummeling you gave him," laughed Sam. - -Jack hurried off. Orders were orders, and although he could not imagine -what he could be wanted for on board the _Tropic Queen_, he knew that it -was his duty to obey at once. But, to his astonishment, when he reached -the ship he found that there had been no message for him so far as -anybody knew. All the ship's officers were ashore and the ship deserted, -except for the crew unloading the bulky cargo, while black stevedores -sung and swore and steam winches rattled and roared to the accompaniment -of the harsh screaming of the bos'n's pipe. - -A good deal puzzled, Jack was retracing his steps to the hotel and the -pleasant coolness of the garden, when he was suddenly accosted by a -young man who stepped from around the corner of a building. - -"Hello there, Jack Ready! Well, if I'm not glad to see you!" - -It was Ralph Cummings, the operator whose place had been taken by Sam -Smalley on Jack's recommendation. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -FALSE FRIENDSHIP - - -Jack had no great liking for Cummings. In fact, at the time the latter -lost his job on the _Tropic Queen_, he had left in a rage, swearing that -he would "get even." - -But now he held out his hand with a frank smile, or one that was -intended to be frank but was not, for Cummings hadn't that kind of a -face. He was about Jack's age, with sandy hair, low, rather receding -forehead and shifty, light eyes that had a habit of looking on the -ground when he spoke. - -"Well, well, Ready," he exclaimed. "It's good to see a face from home." - -"Thanks," said Jack, "but if I recollect rightly you were not so crazy -about seeing me again, the last time we met." - -He instinctively distrusted this fellow. There was something assumed, -something that did not ring true about his apparent heartiness. - -"Oh, come now, Ready, here we are thousands of miles from home and -you're still holding that old grudge against me! Shake hands, man, and -forget it." - -Jack began to feel rather ashamed of his brusqueness. After all, -Cummings might be more unfortunate in manner than intentionally -unpleasant. - -"That's all right, Cummings," he said, extending his hand. "I'm glad to -see you, too. Here on a ship?" - -"Yes, a small one, though. Not a liner like the _Tropic Queen_, but it -was the best I could get." - -Jack felt a twinge of remorse. Cummings said this uncomplainingly and -yet with an emphasis that made Jack feel uncomfortable. The man was -incompetent, it was true, but still, Jack almost began to think that he -ought to have given him another chance. - -"When did you get in?" pursued Cummings. - -"This morning. We'll lie here two days, I guess. We've got a big cargo." - -"Is that so? Well, I hope we'll see a lot of each other." - -"I hope so, too," said Jack, without, however, very much cordiality. - -"Well, come and have a drink before you go," suggested Cummings. - -"Thanks, but I never drink. I think it would be better for you, too, -Cummings, if you did not touch liquor." - -"Oh, I didn't mean that. I wanted you to try some cola. It's a native -drink. They make it here. It's very cool and nice." - -Jack had been walking fast and was hot. The idea appealed to his -thirsty, dust-filled throat. - -"All right, Cummings. Where do you go?" he said. - -"Down here. We could get it at a soda fountain in the drug store yonder; -but it's better in the native quarter right down this street." - -He motioned down the side street from which he had emerged when Jack -encountered him. - -"All right; but I can't stay long. I've got a friend waiting for me." - -"That's all right," Cummings assured him. "It's not more than a block -and you can take a short cut back to the hotel to save time." - -They walked down a curious narrow street with high-walled gardens on -either side. Over the tops of the walls, in some places, great creepers -straggled, spangled with gorgeous red and purple flowers. In other -spots, drooping above the walls could be seen the giant fronds of banana -plants, or tenuous palm tree tops. - -Cummings stopped in front of a plaster house, badly cracked by the -earthquake. - -"Right in here," he said. - -Jack followed him into the dark, cool interior. After the blinding glare -of the sun outside, it was hard at first to make out the surroundings. -But Jack's eyes soon became accustomed to the gloom, and he saw that -they were in a small room with a polished floor and that two or three -chairs and tables were scattered about. - -An old negro woman of hideous appearance, with one eye and two solitary -teeth gleaming out of her sooty, black face, shuffled in. She wore a -calico dress and a red bandana handkerchief and was smoking a home-made -cigar. - -Cummings, who seemed quite at home in the place, greeted her as Mother -Jenny. He ordered "two colas." - -"Great place this, eh?" said Cummings with easy familiarity, leaning -back. "You know I've made several voyages to the tropics, and when I'm -in Kingston I always like to come in here. There's a sort of local color -about it." - -"And a lot of local dirt, too," commented Jack, rather disgustedly -sniffing at the atmosphere, which was an odd combination of stale -tobacco smoke, mustiness and a peculiar odor inseparable from the native -quarters of tropical cities. - -However, the cola, when it arrived, quite made up for all these -deficiencies. It was served in carved calabashes and tasted like a sort -of sublimated soda pop. - -"Great stuff, eh?" said Cummings, gulping his with great relish. - -"It is good," admitted Jack. "You'd be a lot better off, Cummings, if -you only drank this sort of stuff." - -"Now don't preach, Ready," was the rejoinder. "You can't be a man and -not drink liquor." - -"That might have been true a hundred years ago, but it certainly isn't -to-day," retorted Jack. "The great corporations won't hire men who -drink. It's gone out of date. The man who drinks is putting himself on -the toboggan slide." - -"Say, you ought to have been in the Salvation Army," said Cummings, with -what amounted to a veiled sneer. - -Strangely enough Jack did not resent this. His head felt very heavy -suddenly. The bright patch of sunlight outside began to sway and waver -queerly. - -"I--I don't feel very well," he said presently in a feeble tone. - -"Must be the sun," said Cummings. "I'd better call a hack and take you -to the hotel. The sun often effects newcomers like that." - -"I wish you'd get a rig," said Jack feebly, preventing himself from -falling forward on the table only by a rigid effort. - -Cummings jumped to his feet and hurried from the place. - -"That native stuff worked quicker than I thought," he muttered. "Now to -get a rig and meet Jarrold. I guess he'll think I've done a good job. -Anyhow, I'm getting square on that conceited young fool for losing me my -position." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -KIDNAPPED - - -A rig was passing and Cummings hailed the driver. - -"There's a sick man in here and I want you to give me a hand to get him -out, and drive where I tell you," he said. "You'll be paid well if you -don't ask questions." - -"Dere's been berry many sick mans come out'n Mother Jenny's," -volunteered the man with a grin as he pulled up his aged horse. - -"You just keep your mouth shut. That's all I want you to do," said -Cummings with a scowl. - -"Oh, berry well, Busha," said the black with a grin. - -"Wait here, I'll be out in a minute," said Ralph Cummings. He hurried -back into the unsavory interior of the place and presently issued again, -supporting Jack, who was reeling and swaying from side to side and who -gazed about him with a vacant expression. - -It was at this moment that a dapper little man came hastening along the -street. - -"Good gracious, can it be possible that that is Jack Ready in such a -condition?" he exclaimed. "Being led out of a low dram shop! It's -incredible! I'd not believe it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes." - -He bustled up to Cummings, who was just putting Jack into the cab, where -the young wireless boy collapsed, breathing heavily and rolling his eyes -stupidly about. - -"My friend, pardon me," he exclaimed, addressing Cummings, "but my name -is De Garros. I am a friend of this young man's from the _Tropic Queen_. -In fact I owe my life to him. Is he ill?" - -"Ill nothing! He's just taken a drop too much. Sea-faring men often do." - -De Garros threw up his hands in horror. - -"I would never have believed it," he cried incredulously; "yet it must -be true! Ready, are you ill?" - -Jack mumbled something incoherently in rejoinder. De Garros looked his -disgust. - -"What did I tell you?" sneered Cummings. "I'm taking him to a hotel. -He'll be all right in a few hours." - -"I am glad he has a friend to take care of him," declared the dapper -little aviator, and he hurried on, shaking his head over the -intemperance which he had been led by Cummings to believe was the cause -of Jack's plight. - -"That's another spoke in your wheel, my lad," muttered Cummings as he -got in beside the now senseless youth. "I don't know who your friend is, -but he won't think much of you after this, if, indeed, he ever sees you -again." - -He leaned forward and gave a direction to the driver. - -"Drive out along the Castle Road," he said, mentioning an unfrequented -road that led to the outskirts of Kingston. - -The darky nodded. All these queer proceedings were none of his business. -Their road led through the negro quarter of the town and they passed -hardly a white face. Such negroes as they encountered merely stared -stolidly at the white-faced, reeling youth seated at Cummings' side. - -By and by the houses began to thin out. Then, in the distance, down the -dusty road, they came in view of an automobile halted at the roadside. - -"Stop at that car," ordered Cummings. - -"At dat mobolbubbul?" asked the black. - -"That's what I said, you inky-faced idiot," snapped Cummings. - -"My, my, dayt am a nice gen'mums, fo' sho'," muttered the old darky. "Ah -don' jes' lak de looks ob dese circumloquoshons nohow, an' Ah am goin' -ter keep mah eyes wide open. Yes, sah, jes' dat berry ting." - -By the side of the halted car stood Jarrold. He wore a broad Panama hat -and a long white dust coat. - -"Well, you got him, I see," said Jarrold, with an evil grin that showed -all his tusk-like teeth, as the darky's rickety old vehicle came to a -halt. - -"Yes, it was like taking candy from a child," responded Cummings. "Now -if you'll just give me a lift in with him, governor, we'll get started." - -Between them, the two rascals half pushed, half carried Jack's limp form -into the back of the auto. Jarrold dug down into his pockets. - -"This is the right road for the Lion's Mouth, isn't it?" he demanded of -the darky. "It's years since I was there and I've forgotten much about -it." - -The black looked at him with dropping jaw. - -"De Lion's Mouf out by der ole castle, Busha?" he asked. - -"Yes, of course," was the impatient response. "This is the right road?" - -"Oh, yas, sah, yas, sah," sputtered the driver. - -Jarrold gave him a big bill and told him to "keep his mouth shut with -that." The darky looked at the bill and his eyes rolled with -astonishment. - -"Dere's suthin' wrong hyer," he muttered as he climbed into his rickety -old rig and prepared to drive back to town. "Hones' folks wouldn' give -ole Black Strap dat amoun' uv money fo' dat lilly bitty ride 'less dey -was suthin' fishy. Reckon Ah'll do some 'vestigatin' when Ah gits back -to der town." - -In the meantime, Jarrold had taken the driver's seat of the car and -Cummings sat beside him. In a cloud of dust they started down the road, -the old darky gazing after them till long after they had passed out of -sight. - -Then he whipped up his bony old nag to its best speed and hurried back -to Kingston. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -SAM, A TRUE FRIEND - - -Sam saw Jarrold get up and leave his table suddenly. The boy was on his -feet in a minute and on his trail. Jarrold walked off quickly as if in a -hurry. But Sam trailed him through the lobby. In front of the hotel -stood an automobile, in the tonneau of which sat Jarrold's pretty niece. - -Sam got behind a pillar of the Spanish portico and strained his ears to -hear what the two were saying, as Jarrold paused with his foot on the -running board. A chauffeur, who had apparently driven his car from some -garage, stood beside it waiting respectfully. - -The listening boy could not hear much. But he saw the girl clasp her -hands as if pleading with her uncle not to do some contemplated act, and -he heard Jarrold grate out harshly: - -"Shut up, I tell you. What do you know about it?" - -Then Jarrold turned to the chauffeur. - -"You can go, my man. I'll drive myself," he said, and then he jumped in -and drove off at a fast pace, while Sam stood helplessly on the portico. -Jarrold had escaped his surveillance and it appeared, from the scrap of -conversation that he had overheard, that mischief was in the wind. - -Even had he had the money to hire another car, it would have been too -late. Sam felt vaguely that he had been outgeneraled. He went back to -the hotel to wait for his chum. But lunch time came, and no Jack. - -Sam began to get worried. Still, Jack might have been detained on the -ship. Partly to keep from worrying and partly to occupy his time, Sam -set out to walk to the ship. - -He found old Schultz, the quartermaster, superintending the getting out -of the cargo. - -"Seen Ready about, Schultz?" he asked, going up to the old man. - -"Sure I seen idt him," was the reply. - -"Where is he?" - -"How shouldt I know? I vos busy votching dese plack peggars vurk. Aber, -if I don'd vatch, dey all go py scheebs alretty. Yah." - -"But he came to the ship some time ago." - -"Ach! Don'd I know idt dot? Budt he leftd again, oh, an hour ago. Some -fool call him up py delephones undt tell him he is vanted. Dot is pig -lie. Nobotty vants him on der ship, so he go. Dot is all I know." - -Sam looked dismayed. If Jack had left the ship to return to the hotel an -hour before, then he should have reached there ages ago. He was not -likely to linger, either, considering how anxious he was to observe -Jarrold's movements. What could be the explanation? Was he hurt or -injured, or was some plot in execution against him? - -But Jack had no enemies in the world so far as Sam knew, and certainly -he had none in Kingston, where he was an utter stranger. Was it possible -that Jarrold--but no, that sinister personage had been quietly seated at -a table in the hotel garden till the time he drove off with his niece. - -Feeling puzzled and depressed, Sam went ashore once more and called up -the hospitals, in the belief that his chum might have been injured. But -nobody even remotely resembling Jack had been seen there. Nor did his -search in other quarters result any more favorably. At length Sam went -back to the hotel in the vain hope that Jack might have been delayed in -some way, and that they had passed each other. - -But no trace of his chum did he find there, either. The lad made a -miserable pretext of eating lunch and then set out on his search again. -By this time he was absolutely certain that harm of some sort had come -to Jack. - -As he was leaving the hotel gates, he almost collided with a figure just -coming in. He greeted the newcomer with a cry of joy. In the mood he was -in, Sam longed for someone in whom to confide his fears about Jack. - -"Why, what is the matter?" demanded the other as Sam exclaimed, - -"I am glad I met you. I'm in great trouble. It's about Jack. He left -here to go to the ship. He was summoned there by telephone. But on his -arrival at the dock, he found that the message was either a mistake or a -wilful hoax." - -"So?" said the aviator softly. "Go on, my young friend." - -"That much I found out by inquiry at the ship after I tired of waiting -for him to return." - -"Yes, and then?" - -Sam noticed something most peculiar about the aviator's manner, but he -was in no mood just then to criticize it. - -"Well, that's about all. He just hasn't shown up and I can't find any -trace of him." - -"That is more than strange," said De Garros in a serious voice, "when I -tell you that I myself saw him not more than two hours ago." - -"You saw him?" - -"Yes." - -"Where." - -De Garros looked embarrassed. He laid a kindly hand on the shoulder of -the anxious lad beside him. - -"I hated to believe my own eyes and I hate to tell you what I saw," he -said seriously, "but I saw your chum and my friend being helped out of a -low dram shop in the negro quarter into a cab. He was--I hate to say it, -but I must--tipsy." - -Sam started back from the Frenchman with flaming cheeks and angry eyes. - -"It's a lie, I don't care who says it!--It's a lie!" he burst out -angrily. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -A WICKED PLAN - - -How Cummings came to be acting as the rascally Jarrold's agent is easily -explained. After he was discharged from the _Tropic Queen_ at Jack's -behest, he had drifted about seeking any sort of a job. In this way he -discovered that a yacht called the _Endymion_ was being fitted out for a -mysterious voyage. - -There were several things about the _Endymion_ and her crew that had -prevented other wireless operators from accepting a berth on her. - -No information was forthcoming as to the nature of her cruise or its -destination or even who the owner was. - -But Cummings was not particular. He met Jarrold on board and after an -interview with the master rogue, in which he bound himself to ask no -questions but obey orders, he found himself signed on as the yacht's -wireless man. - -The _Endymion_, as we know, was a much faster boat than the _Tropic -Queen_, and had arrived in Kingston, after her mysterious maneuvering on -the voyage south, a day ahead of the liner, slipping in almost unnoticed -and docking at a remote pier. As soon as the _Tropic Queen_ docked, -Jarrold, to whom alone these arrangements were known, hastened to the -_Endymion_. He found Cummings and assigned to him the job of getting -Jack Ready into his power. Cummings would have obeyed Jarrold anyhow, -but the work given him held an added relish, for it afforded him an -opportunity to take revenge on the lad whom he hated with a malicious -envy. - -As the auto sped along the road, passing few people and those, country -negroes driving donkeys laden with produce for the Kingston market, -Cummings related with great glee to Jarrold the manner in which he had -tricked Jack into taking the drugged drink. - -"I'll take good care of you for putting the job through as you did," -Jarrold assured the treacherous youth. "With that young meddler out of -the way, I'll accomplish what I set out to do before the _Tropic Queen_ -reaches Panama." - -"Do you still intend to transfer to the _Endymion_ as soon as you have -the papers in your possession?" asked Cummings. - -"Yes. I shall signal you by the red flash." - -"By the way, what happened to your apparatus the last time we exchanged -signals?" asked Cummings, recalling the night that Jack played his -memorable trick and cut off the current by which Jarrold was working his -flash lamp. - -"I don't know, but I suspect that young jackanapes back there of having -something to do with it," was the reply. - -"Well, you won't be bothered with him now," said Cummings. - -"No; by the time he gets out of the Lion's Mouth the _Tropic Queen_ will -be far out at sea," chuckled Jarrold. - -"How did you ever come to locate the Lion's Mouth, as you call it?" -asked Cummings with some curiosity. - -"Many years ago, when I was in Jamaica for--well, never mind what -purpose--an old voodoo negro showed me the place. It forms part of the -ruins of an old Spanish castle, and there is a legend that the old Don -who once owned it kept lions in it for his amusement. Any one he didn't -like, he'd let the lions make a meal of. Nice old gentleman, wasn't he?" - -Cummings joined in Jarrold's laugh at his own grim humor. - -The road began to grow rougher and Jarrold had all he could do to keep -the machine in the track. He had no more opportunity to talk. Rocky -walls shot up on one side of the thoroughfare, and on the other a steep -precipice tumbled sheer down to the sea, which broke in roaring masses -of spray at its foot. - -It was a scene of gloomy magnificence in which the modern car with its -red trimmings and snorting engine seemed strangely out of place. At -length they came to a spot where a ravine ran back from the sea, -splitting the towering rock masses and spanned by a narrow bridge. - -Jarrold turned the car aside and ran it some distance back into a track -that wound along one side of the deep cleft, at the bottom of which the -sea boiled and roared. - -Cummings peered over somewhat fearfully into the dark depths. - -"The sea pours into that ravine, and then at high water empties into a -hole in the earth that penetrates nobody knows how deeply into the -bowels of the island," said Jarrold. - -"Has nobody ever explored it?" asked Cummings, unconsciously sinking his -voice. - -"Yes, some explorers fitted up a boat once and announced that they were -going to enter the ravine, and thence penetrate into the unexplored -cavern where the waters disappear," was the reply. - -"And what did they find?" asked Cummings. - -"Well, they never came back to tell," rejoined Jarrold, with grim -jocularity. - -He brought the car to a sudden stop. A sheer wall of rock shot up before -them. It was the end of the giant cleft in the earth. There were steps -cut in the forbidding acclivity and on a platform far above were traces -of ruined buildings. - -"That's what is left of the old Don's castle, up there yonder," said -Jarrold, pointing. - -"And the Lion's Mouth is up there?" asked Cummings. - -Jarrold nodded. - -"That's the place," he said. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -IN THE LION'S MOUTH - - -Jack came to himself lying on a rocky couch. For a few moments his brain -refused to work. He did not comprehend where he was or what had -happened. He felt stiff and sore and his head ached intolerably. - -Then memory came back with a rush. He recalled the darkened hut where he -had drunk the supposedly innocent cola and then, but very vaguely, the -sensation of being placed in a rig and experiencing a desire to call for -help without being able to raise his voice. - -But where was he now? - -He looked about him. He lay at the bottom of a steep walled pit, -apparently hewn by man or nature out of the solid rock. The walls shot -up sheer and smooth to a height of at least thirty feet. The bottom of -this pit was about forty or fifty feet in circumference. - -Beside him was a big canteen of water and some food. He noticed -something around his shoulders, something that passed under his armpits. -It was a rope about forty feet long. So, then, he had been lowered into -this pit by somebody. But by whom? - -His mind reverted to Cummings. Jack was tolerably certain now that he -had been drugged by his crafty enemy, but he could not bring himself to -believe that Cummings' mind had plotted the bold stroke by which he had -been marooned in this pit. Some master wit had contrived that. - -Jack's head swam as he began to sense the full horror of his situation. -He did not even know how long he had been there. He looked at his watch. -The hands pointed to three o'clock. He had wound the watch in the -morning, so it was clear that it was the same day as the one on which he -had entered Mother Jenny's place with Cummings. - -He rose dizzily to his feet and, steadying himself with one hand against -the rock walls, looked about him with greater minuteness. Far above was -the blue dome of the sky and at the top of those walls lay freedom. But -he might as well have been in China for all the good it did him. He was -cut off from his friends as effectually as if on the other side of the -globe. - -Naturally, too, he had not the slightest idea on what part of the island -the pit was located. There was nothing to indicate where it was. Jack -was not a lad who easily lost heart, but his present position was almost -unbearable. - -Unless rescuers came to his aid, and it seemed hardly likely that anyone -could penetrate to such a place without a guide, he was doomed to a -miserable death. He flung himself down on the rocky floor of the pit in -an agony of despair. His despondency lasted for some minutes, and then, -resolutely pulling himself together, Jack sprang to his feet. - -"I won't give up! I won't!" he said, gritting his teeth. "There must be -some way out of this." - -He took a pull at the canteen and ate some of the bread and meat. Then -he began a systematic tour of exploration of his place of captivity. It -was so nearly perfectly circular in form that he was sure that human -hands had fashioned it. - -In places in the walls were fastened iron rings that had mouldered away -with the ages till they were as thin as wire. In ancient days, though -Jack did not know it, the cruel old Don's victims were tied to these, to -be devoured by the lions from which the pit took its name. - -In one place a creeper hung temptingly down. But its extremity dangled -fully four feet above the boy's head, and although Jack could have -climbed on it to freedom had he been able to gain it, he knew that such -a feat was out of the question. - -All at once, though, he saw something that sent the blood of hope -singing through his veins. - -On the side of the pit opposite to that on which he found himself on his -first awakening from his coma, was a big fissure in the wall. A ragged -rent, it ran from top to bottom of the rock wall like a scar on a -duelist's face. - -It was apparently the work of an earthquake; perhaps the one that had -devastated Kingston had caused it. At any rate, there it was, and to -Jack, in his desperate condition, it offered a chance of escape. - -True, for all he knew, he might, by entering it, be embarking upon worse -perils than the ones he now faced, but at any rate it was an avenue to -possible liberty and he determined to take full advantage of it. - -In his pocket Jack had plenty of matches and the small electric torch -that he used in making examinations of the more intricate parts of the -wireless apparatus. He stuffed all the bread and meat he could inside -his coat, slung the canteen over his shoulder and was ready to start on -an adventure that would end he knew not how, but which he had sternly -made up his mind to attempt. - -As a last thought he coiled up the rope by which he had been lowered -into the pit and laid it over his arm. Then he plunged into the deep -fissure. For some distance it was open to the sky above, but after some -time it closed in and became a tunnel. - -At this point, Jack hesitated. The darkness beyond appalled even his -stout heart. He knew not what lay within, what perils might face him. -For several moments he stood there hesitant; but finally he took heart -of grace and, gripping his electric torch, plunged into the black mouth -of the tunnel. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -A CLIMB FOR LIFE - - -The passage, for such it was, through which Jack was now advancing, was -swept by a wind of such violence that at times it almost lifted the boy -from his feet. - -But this Jack regarded as a good omen. He knew that there must be some -opening in this bore of nature's making to cause the great draught. He -was glad he had his electric torch. No other light could have remained -burning in the fierce gale. - -The walls were of black rock, and the electric torch gleaming on them -was flashed back in spangled radiance from some sort of ore it -contained. In places, the tunnel contracted till it was only possible -for the boy to progress by bending double. Again it broadened out till -he could only touch the roof with his finger tips. - -Suddenly he heard ahead of him a roaring sound like a water fall. -Pressing on with a beating heart, lest he should find his further -progress barred, Jack found himself facing a fair sized chamber, from -the roof of which a cascade was falling. The boy guessed that he must be -beneath the bed of some river and that the water was pouring into the -cavern from a fissure in the rocky roof. - -It was a beautiful sight, but he had no time to stop and admire it. He -must push on. He left the cavern and the singing waterfall behind him, -and once more battled with the mighty wind that swept through the bore. - -The walls began to grow damp now and it was almost as cold as if a heavy -frost had fallen. Jack shuddered and drew his coat close around him. He -tried to calculate how far he had come, but the bore had made so many -twistings and windings that he found it impossible to estimate. - -His limbs felt tired and his eyes ached, but he kept on stubbornly. - -"I've started this thing and I'm going to see it through," he said -doggedly to himself. - -And now the passage began to grow narrower. Jack felt the walls closing -in on him as if with intent to crush out his life. The passage began to -slope steeply and it was hard to keep a footing on the wet floor. - -All at once the boy stumbled and slipped. He almost fell headlong, but -recovered himself with an effort. In front of him he could hear a mighty -roaring sound. The wind, too, was stronger and seemed damper than it had -further back. It smelled as if impregnated with salt. - -Jack gave another stumble on the uneven floor. This time he did not -recover himself, but pitched headlong. And then---- - -He was in the water. It filled his ears, drowning all sounds. He rose to -the surface battling desperately, all senses dormant but the frantic -desire to live. - -He dashed the water from his eyes. He spat it from his mouth. It was -salt and must come from the sea. Wave after wave swept toward him and -under each of them he dived. - -He soon realized that his fight for life was well-nigh hopeless, but he -struggled as men will when death stares them in the face, for life is -never sweeter than when it seems to be slipping from our grasp. - -Weaker and weaker he felt himself growing. A sort of lethargy crept over -him. He didn't care much longer. His limbs were numbed and chilled. The -waves swept down on him, each gleefully following its predecessor, as if -they were determined to end Jack's life in this cavern of the seas. - -At last he felt himself uplifted on the crest of a gigantic comber and -carried helplessly into the maw of that black gullet. - -"It's the end," he thought. - -But still the instinct of life was strong in his battered body. His -outflung hand caught a projecting scrap of rock in a drowning grip and -clung there, despite the efforts of the wave to tear him loose. It was -more blind instinct than human reason that sustained him as the wave -swept on into the dark cavern, thundering against its sides like a train -passing through a tunnel. - -[Illustration: His outflung hand caught a projecting scrap of rock.] - -He found himself hanging to the side of a jagged crack that slanted -across the rock high up on the side of the cavern. Into it he managed to -jam himself, and then he hung there, too exhausted to move hand or foot, -waiting for the next wave to tear him from his precarious hold. - -How long he hung there he never knew. Wave after wave came racing by, -reaching up watery fingers to tear him from his haven. But he had jammed -himself too securely into the providential rift in the rock to be easily -dislodged. - -Hope began to dawn in his mind once more, despite his position. He -mentally cast up what had occurred since that disastrous tumble in the -passage. It was plain enough that the bore in the rock opened on this -cavern where the salt seas swept and raved. The cave, then, must be -connected with the sea. Jack's reasoning was right. By an extraordinary -chance, he was in the cave which Jarrold had told Cummings existed far -under the ruins of the old Don's castle. - -The boy had lost his rope and his electric torch and he was soaked -through and through. But the canteen of water still hung round his neck. -Safe for the time being, he began to cast about for some means of -extricating himself from his position, but his heart sank as he realized -the full hopelessness of his predicament. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -FREEDOM ONCE MORE - - -The necessity for action became imperative. If he stayed cramped and wet -in that position much longer, there was grave danger that he would lose -the power of locomotion altogether. He could not tell how far up the -crack ascended, and, of course, since he had lost his torch he had no -means of lighting up the gloom, for his matches, like the bread and meat -with which he had stuffed his pockets, were soaked through. - -He began to climb, moving painfully forward perhaps an inch at a time. -For about fifteen feet he crawled, clinging with fingers and toes. It -was heart-breaking work and anyone with a less stout heart than Jack -Ready would have given it up and lain down to die where they were. - -But Jack was made of sterner stuff. He wormed his way forward, and found -suddenly that the crack widened. Then he struck his head violently -against the cavern roof. - -The crack continued to widen, though, till it was possible for him to -crawl into it. But the jagged edges of rock cut and tore his hands and -face unmercifully. - -Once within the crack, he lay still, panting. It hardly seemed worth -while to go further, after all. Would it not be better to die there in -the darkness without further effort? There was not the remotest -probability that he was nearing a way out of the cavern, and to follow -the crack further was labor lost. - -Thus he meditated as he stretched himself out to rest. But when he had -recovered his breath, love of life reasserted itself. - -He would keep on. At any rate, one thing was certain: he could never get -back now. Death lay behind him in all its grimness. Ahead, at least, -there was the unknown with a fighting chance--one chance in a thousand--in -his favor. - -Desperately, then, he struggled on, writhing between the narrow walls. -He felt as if the whole weight of a mountain was upon him, crushing his -ribs, driving the breath out of his body. The darkness was so dense that -it could be felt enveloping him like a velvety pall of blackness. - -Again and again he thought himself stuck fast, doomed to an eternal -grave in the secret bowels of the earth. But every time he managed to -wiggle through the tight place and gain another that was not quite so -constricted. - -But it was heart-breaking work at best. Then all at once the crack -widened very noticeably. Cautiously he drew himself to his feet. He -judged that he was standing on a shoulder or ledge of rock, but of -course, in the inky darkness, he had no means of knowing. - -It was at least good to be able to stand up and feel no longer the -crushing of the rock walls, like those of a living tomb. - -After a little he began to move along, taking care, however, to keep -close to the wall, for he did not know how wide the ledge, as he judged -it, might be. For perhaps a hundred yards he progressed thus. Always -before he took a step he reached out with one foot before him, fearing -to encounter vacancy. - -Suddenly he found he was on the edge of a void, and shrank back, -clinging to the wall with the desperation of fear. It was some seconds -before he dared to move again. He could feel the sweat rolling off him, -the cold, pricking sweat of fright. - -By a supreme effort he mastered himself. He found a loose bit of rock at -his feet. Cautiously he cast it into the darkness in front of him. There -was a long silence, and then, as if from miles away, came a tiny tinkle. - -Jack shuddered. - -He had narrowly escaped pitching head first into a bottomless abyss. He -carefully retraced his way down the ledge. Suddenly his feeling fingers -discovered another crack. This one ran vertically upward like a chimney, -almost, at least so far as he could determine by the sense of touch. - -A wild hope surged over him. This crack perhaps ran up to the surface of -the earth! Recalling an old school-boy trick, he "spreadeagled" himself -into the crack. He reached out his hands to either side of the "chimney" -and lifted himself a little. - -Then he wedged his toes in either side. Thus he painstakingly mounted, -praying within himself that the walls of this natural shaft might not -widen and make further progress impossible. - -It was terribly slow work, though. Time and again he was on the point of -giving up, but always the tough spirit of his indomitable old sea-faring -ancestors kept him at his task. - -Foot by foot he toiled upward, till he estimated he had climbed some -thirty feet. And then suddenly: Light! The blessed light of day! High -above it was, but unmistakably the light of the outside world was -streaming into this hideous subterranean chamber. It gleamed down into -the shaft he was painfully ascending, shining like a blessed beacon of -hope. It appeared to filter through some sort of net-work of greenery. - -Wild with hope, he climbed on till at last he burst his way through a -canopy of creepers and vines that obscured the mouth of the natural -shaft. He clambered out beneath the blessed sky. As he fell exhausted, -prone on the rocks, he heard a cry. - -It was his own name! - -But for the life of him he could not answer. He could only lie there -without thought or motion. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -IN SEARCH FOR A CLEW - - -The statement of De Garros concerning his chum struck Sam like a blow -between the eyes. Of course he did not place the slightest belief in the -Frenchman's words, but he was sorely puzzled and perplexed. - -"Where was this place?" he demanded. - -"If you will come with me, I will show you," said De Garros, linking the -boy's arm in his own. "How sorry I am that I did not accompany him -myself! But I thought, I sincerely thought, that he was in good hands." - -"Who was this fellow that was with him," demanded Sam. - -"I don't know. I didn't notice particularly. It was no one I had ever -seen before." - -"What did he look like?" - -"As I told you, I did not pay him the attention that I should had I -known things were going to turn out like this. He wore a big sun helmet, -if that will afford you any clew." - -They were walking through the streets now toward the hut of Mother -Jenny. - -Sam suddenly stopped short and struck his forehead with his hand, as if -striving to recollect something. Then he shouted: - -"Why, why, it was a young man with a sun helmet who was talking to -Jarrold at the hotel this morning." - -"So?" exclaimed the Frenchman. "Can this be more of that rascal's -villainy? Has he got a finger in this?" - -"I wouldn't put it past him," declared Sam vehemently. "He hates Jack, -and with good cause from his point of view, for Jack checkmated several -of his schemes." - -"In Paris and again here, Jarrold," muttered De Garros to himself, as if -recalling some latent memory. "Some day, my friend, you will meet your -reckoning." - -"You knew Jarrold abroad?" asked Sam. - -"I knew him, yes. I was his victim, almost--but let us talk no more of -this. Let us hurry to the place where I last saw Jack Ready." - -When they reached the hut with its palm thatch and untidy garden, Sam -gave a gesture of disgust. - -"And this is the place you saw Jack being helped out of?" he asked. - -"It is, my friend." - -"I cannot think that he would ever have come to such a hovel of his own -free will." - -"Possibly not. But you are confronted with the fact that he was here." - -"That is true. Let us ask that old hag in the doorway what she knows." - -They approached old Mother Jenny, who had hobbled to the doorway and -stood watching them out of her bloodshot old eyes, puffing the while -reflectively at a home-made cigar, as if ruminating on what the -strangers wanted. - -"We came to inquire about two young men who were here this morning," -began Sam. - -The old woman's voice rose to a shrill scream. - -"What I know 'bout dem, buckra?" (White man.) "Dey come. Dey drink de -cola an' den dey pay and go. I know nothing mo'." - -"She's lying," whispered De Garros to Sam. - -"Who was the hackman who drove them away?" demanded Sam. - -The old woman started, but swiftly recovered her composure, if such it -could be called, and flourished her stick wildly. - -"Tell you what, buckra," she yelled; "you go 'way. No bodder me no mo'. -Me, Mother Jenny,' 'spectable woman. Wha' yo' t'ink, buckra, yo' fren' -come to harm by my place?" - -"I didn't say so. I merely asked the name of the hackman who drove them -away?" - -Sam knew how important it was to keep his temper with the old crone. - -"How much it wort' yo' fo' me to impart dat imflumation?" asked the old -woman, leering hideously through a cloud of smoke she blew out of her -wrinkled old lips. - -"I'll pay you well for it," struck in De Garros, who had cabled for and -received a large remittance. Poor Sam was almost "broke." - -"Fi' dollar?" - -De Garros nodded. The old hag stretched out a shriveled claw. - -"Gib me de money, buckra," she croaked; "gib me de money here in dis -hand." - -"There you are," said De Garros with a gesture of disgust and annoyance. - -The aged crone burst into a scream of wild laughter. She shook with -mirth and then shrilled out in her high, cracked voice: - -"He drove a brown horse, dat's all I know. Now go look fo' him yo' -ownselves!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -LOOK FOR A WHITE HORSE - - -It was useless to try to recover the money, and the two friends had to -walk off minus five dollars and followed by the derisive laughter of the -hag. - -"At all events, she gave us one clew," said Sam hopefully; "the man -drove a brown horse. We must look for every driver in Kingston with a -brown horse." - -"As it so happens," commented De Garros, "that is no clew at all, for I -happened to notice that the equine in question was a white one." - -"Better still. A white horse should be easier to run down than a brown -one," declared Sam. "Hullo, there goes one now!" - -They halted the driver, but he declared he knew nothing of the matter, -having been out in the suburbs all the morning. - -"Oh, well, there must be other white horses," said Sam, as the man drove -off and they turned to take up the quest afresh. - -"I believe, too, I'd remember the driver if I saw him again," said De -Garros. - -"Better and better. I'll bet we'll have good old Jack back with us -before night," declared Sam hopefully. "At all events, we've got -something to work on now." - -"That's so," agreed De Garros. "But if we've got to interview every -owner of a white horse in Kingston, we've got our work cut out for us." - -"I don't care how hard I work, so long as we can find some trace of -Jack," declared Sam positively. - -An aged negro driving a dejected-looking white horse jogged by. The -horse was plastered with dust till it was difficult to decide on what -his real color might be. - -Sam stopped De Garros by a tug at the arm. - -"Stop that fellow," he said; "there's another white horse." - -But oddly enough it was the darky who pulled up without any admonition -to stop. He checked his aged beast and addressed De Garros. - -"'Pears ter me lak you am de party wot addressed dat young man wot was -a-helpin' an-nudder gen'mun inter mah equipage dis mawn-in'?" he said. - -"That's right!" cried De Garros. "You're the man we've been looking high -and low for. Where did you take him?" - -"'Bout five miles out down de Castle Road, 'Busha,'" said the old man. - -"Five miles out down the road?" - -"Yas, Busha, an' den dey takes him an' puts him in an awfulmobile and -runs off wid him. Ah t'inks to myself dat ain' des right. When Ah gets -back to town, Ah's goin' to hunt up dat gen'muns wot spoke to him dis -mawnin' and acquaint him with de circumplexes." - -"Great Scott! This is a clew, indeed. Do you know where they were going -to take him?" choked out Sam. - -"Yas, Busha. I hear dem say de Lion's Mouf." - -"The Lion's Mouth!" - -"Dat's right, massa. De Lion's Mouf ol' time name fo' a mighty big hole -in de groun' out at ol' Don Pedro's Castle. Don' nobody hardly never go -dar. White folks don' know 'bout it. Niggers all scared ob dere bein' a -ghos'. Ah was dere once when Ah was lil' an' dat's all I know 'bout it." - -De Garros, with the excitable nature of his race, was hopping about from -foot to foot. As the old negro finished speaking, he burst out: - -"Do you want to make some money?" - -The old man's eyes popped out of his head. Here was another chance to -make money. Things were coming his way. But he deemed it well to be -prudent. - -"Oh, as ter dat, I ain't particular. Ah'm right tired an'----" - -"Put your horse in the stable and meet us here in half an hour. It will -be worth your while. I want you to guide us to the Lion's Mouth." - -"Berry well, Busha. Ah'll jes' put up ole Whitey, he's nigh tired out, -an' Ah'll be right back." - -"Good; hurry. Now, then, Sam----" - -"Where are you going?" demanded Sam, carried off his feet by the -volcanic activity of the young Frenchman. "What are you going to do -now?" - -"Get about a mile of rope and then charter the fastest auto they've got -in this town," was the reply. - -"Then you think----" - -"I don't think, I know, that in revenge for his activities against him, -Jarrold has tried to wreak a hideous vengeance on Jack." - -"In the Lion's Mouth?" - -"I don't know. I surmise so. But let's waste no time here in -speculation. Get two hundred feet of the best manila rope you can buy. -In the mean time I'll charter a car. Then we'll pick up old Black Strap -and drive at top speed for the Lion's Mouth." - -"Heaven grant we won't be too late!" exclaimed Sam, but the lively young -aviator had darted off, leaving Sam dazed. Truly the climax had come -quickly. Jack kidnapped, possibly drugged, and cast into a deep pit! Had -it not been for Providence, they might never have heard of him again. - -And so it came about that when Jack emerged from the mouth of "the -chimney," not more than twenty yards from the rim of the Lion's Mouth, -the first sounds that greeted him were the voices of his friends who had -been peering, with blanched cheeks, into the profundities of the Lion's -Mouth. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -A BOLD ROBBERY - - -It was the day following Jack's stirring adventure, which had left no -more serious consequences to him than bruised hands and knees. He was -sitting in the wireless room listening to the uproar outside. For the -_Tropic Queen_ was coaling, and the shouts of the negroes and the roar -of the coal as it shot into the bunkers filled the air. - -Sam was ashore and so was De Garros. They had gone to communicate with -the authorities; but had found the Colonial police not much interested. -Jack felt drowsy. It was getting late in the afternoon. Soon the swift -tropic dusk would drop like a pall. - -To keep awake, he decided to take a turn along the decks. He descended -to the promenade deck and walked briskly up and down. - -"Since we don't sail till to-morrow, I guess I'll go ashore this -evening," he decided to himself. "It's too lonesome on board. -Everybody's gone ashore for that big ball at the hotel to-night." - -But he decided to wait for the return of Sam and De Garros before -leaving. It grew dark, and they had not come back. Jack was about to -scribble a note and leave it in the wireless room, explaining that he -had tired of waiting and gone ashore, when a roughly dressed man brushed -by. - -It was too dark to see the fellow's face, but he appeared to be a -sailor. Jack thought little more of the incident and went to his room to -change his uniform for street garments. He was descending the stairs -again to the main deck, bound for the gang-plank, when he was startled -by a sudden sound. - -It was the dull booming noise of an explosion, and it appeared to come -from some place on board the ship. - -For a minute or two he stood still, trying to locate the sound. As he -stood at pause, a figure darted from the purser's room. It was that of -the roughly dressed sailor who had shoved past the boy a short time -before. From the purser's room there rolled a dense cloud of smoke. It -reeked of dynamite. - -Jack flashed along the deck. There was a light inside the office of the -ship's bookkeeper and cashier--which is what a purser amounts to, besides -being a banker and money changer. - -The boy saw in an instant what had happened. - -The safe had been dynamited. Its door hung by one hinge. The air was -full of smoke and the acrid reek of the explosive. - -Jack knew that large sums of money and jewelry were frequently in the -safe, and no doubt the bold thief had made off with an armful of loot. -He wasted no more time investigating, but at top speed dashed for the -gangway. - -On the deck two big arc-lights shimmered whitely. Under their glare he -saw a darting figure making for the shore end of the dock. He noticed -that the man was heavily bearded and wore the rough clothes of a -sea-faring man. - -"Stop thief! Stop!" shouted the boy; but the man kept right on with his -head down, clutching something that he had concealed in his loose -sailor's blouse. - -There was an old watchman at the gates of the dock. He put out a feeble -arm to stop the marauder, but a terrific blow in the face knocked him -off his feet. - -The man darted on. Jack was close on his heels. They passed through the -gate with only a few feet separating them. - -A hack, apparently stationed there in preparation for the flight, was -waiting. The black-bearded man leaped into it. But, by providential -luck, another night-prowling rig came along at just that moment, its -driver nodding sleepily. - -As the first rig dashed off, rattling loudly over the rough street, Jack -leaped to the front seat of the second, beside the astonished driver. - -He seized the reins from the man and brought down the whip on the -horse's back with a crack that made the animal jump. It leaped forward -with a jerk that seemed as if it would disrupt the crazy harness. - -The man began to yell with dismay. But Jack quickly checked him. - -"It's all right. You'll be well paid for this. That man in the hack -ahead of us is a thief." - -"Gelagoodness, Busha, I t'ink you was de thief, when you come leaping -board mah cab de way you do." - -The man was reassured by Jack's frankness, however, and they flew down -the street at top speed after the other cab. The way lay along the -deserted water-front, by coal docks, warehouses and gaunt traveling -cranes. There were few lights and the road was rough and uneven. The old -hack jumped and bounced about like a ship at sea. - -Suddenly something happened to the cab in front. One of its wheels -caught in a rut as it was passing a dock. The wrench proved too much for -the rickety old contraption, and the wheel went spinning off its snapped -axle, while the black-bearded occupant was flung into the road like a -stone from a catapult. - -He lay still a moment while the driver of the wrecked vehicle in vain -tried to stop his horse. Sagging to one side on its broken axle, the -hack vanished in the distance with its runaway steed's legs working like -piston rods. - -Jack was out of the following rig in a flash. He rushed up to the -black-bearded man's side just as the other rose to his feet. - -It was not till that moment that Jack recollected that he had no weapon -with him. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII - -JARROLD AGAIN - - -By the light of an arc-lamp some distance off, Jack could catch the -dangerous gleam in the black-bearded man's eyes. It was no time for half -measures. The boy leaped straight at the other, who, entirely taken off -his guard by the sudden onslaught, was borne backward and fell in a heap -on the stones. - -The negro who had driven Jack, scared out of his senses by the sight of -the struggle, whipped up his horse and drove off. Jack was left alone -with his antagonist, whom he soon found out was no despicable foe. - -He struggled free from Jack's grip with the agility of an eel. He found -his feet and reached back into his pocket. For an instant Jack thought -the other was drawing a pistol. But it was a whistle that he produced. - -He placed it to his lips. Jack, guessing that it was for the purpose of -summoning aid that the thief was about to blow it, jumped forward to -tear it from his grasp. But in his excitement instead of seizing the -whistle he seized the man's beard. - -It came off in his grasp and--James Jarrold stood before him! - -For a second Jack's astonishment was so great that he stood perfectly -still, as if carved from stone. That atom of time was enough for the -disclosed Jarrold. He blew two shrill blasts on the whistle. From -somewhere they were answered. Down the dock came a swift pattering of -feet. - -At almost the same instant, Jarrold recognized Jack, as the boy's face, -for the first time, came into the light. - -"So it's you, is it?" he roared, with an oath. "You escaped from the -Lion's Mouth! Well, there's no escape for you now. Here come my men and -this time I'll put you where you'll be out of harm's way for good." - -At the same moment several men, among them Cummings, came running at top -speed toward them. - -Jack was no coward. But he was also no fool. There were six against him -in that lonely part of the dock section of Kingston. If he stood his -ground he would not have a chance. As Jarrold leaped toward him, he -turned swiftly and darted off. - -Bang! - -Jarrold had drawn a pistol and was sending bullets after him. Up a dark -alley Jack dodged, while behind him he could hear the rush of feet -pursuing. - -"Goodness, if they ever get me, it's all off!" gasped the boy. - -He darted out of the alley he had been following, doubled up another and -heard the rush of feet growing fainter. At last they died out -altogether. Apparently his pursuers had given up the chase. - -Utterly winded, he leaned against a blank wall to recover his breath. He -had no idea what part of the town he was in, but it appeared to be in -the native quarter. From the opposite direction he heard men -approaching. - -By a street lamp he saw that they were two blacks. Both carried bundles. -From their dress and walk they appeared to be stokers or firemen on some -steamer. Jack stepped up to them and asked them the way to the hotel. - -They stared at him a minute, and then one of them said: - -"Lawd, boss, we dunno no mo' 'bout Kingston 'an you do. We's United -States niggers, we is. Not dis Wes' Injun trash. We b'long on de -_'Dimyun_." - -Jack gasped. - -"On the _Endymion_?" - -"Yes, boss, reckon dat am de name, come ter fink ob it." - -"The _Endymion_ is docked here, then?" - -"She sho' is, boss, but she won' be long. We's got orders to git a -wiggle on. She's gwine to sail right away. Come on, Jake, we ain't got -no license ter be talkin' here. We's likely to miss de ship." - -"One question more!" cried Jack, as the men hurried off. "When did the -ship dock?" - -"Night befo' de day befo' yisterday," said Jake. - -"Do you know the name of her wireless operator?" - -"Ah dunno. Fink it's Comein or suthin' lak dat. But see here, we all -kain't answer no mo' question. Goo' night." - -The two negroes hurried off, leaving Jack with swimming senses. So the -_Endymion_ was in the harbor! Had docked the night before the _Tropic -Queen_! It was all plain enough now to the boy. Cummings was her -wireless man. That explained his connection with Jarrold. And the yacht -was to sail that night, within a few minutes probably, and Jarrold, in -disguise, had blown the _Tropic Queen's_ safe open. - -Jack's head buzzed. What was the key to it all? What had Jarrold blown -the safe for just before he was hurrying to sea on his yacht in this -clandestine fashion? - -And then, like a bolt of lightning, the explanation struck him. - -Colonel Minturn's papers had been placed in the safe while he was -ashore! - -Jarrold had taken a desperate chance and won out. - -In half an hour's time he would be at sea beyond the possibility of -pursuit, for the _Endymion_ was far faster than any craft in the -vicinity of Kingston. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV - -BAD NEWS FOR THE COLONEL - - -The gardens of the hotel were brilliantly lighted, and the colored -lamps, strung among the trees, glowed down on a gay throng, when into -the midst of the merry-makers there burst an odd figure. - -It was hatless, its white duck clothes were bedaubed with mud. Few would -have recognized in this panting, wild-eyed apparition the usually natty -Jack Ready. - -But Jack it was. A waiter stretched out an arm to stop him as he dashed -into the garden, but he shoved the man aside with a force that sent him -spinning. Men and women stared at the boy as if he were a madman as he -rushed about, searching frantically for Colonel Minturn. - -He found him at last, chatting with a group of ladies and gentlemen. - -Despite Jack's condition, the colonel recognized him at once. - -"What, my boy, what has happened?" he exclaimed. "You look----" - -"Never mind that now, Colonel, please," besought Jack. "I must speak to -you alone at once." - -"Certainly," said the military man, realizing that Jack must have some -serious news. He excused himself to his friends and stepped aside, while -Jack, in a swift, eager, low tone, told him what he feared had occurred. - -"Colonel Minturn must have bad news," said one of the ladies of the gay -party with which the colonel had been chatting. "Look, he's as white as -a ghost!" - -"That scare-crow messenger has brought him some news that has given him -a shock evidently," commented one of the men. - -But although Jack's message of the probable theft of the Panama papers -had shaken the colonel to the fibers of his being, the long training of -a military officer stood him in good stead at that crucial moment. By a -supreme effort he steadied his nerves, and in the most casual voice in -the world excused himself to his friends, saying that he would be back -before long. - -"I've a friend here who has a fast auto," he said to Jack, as the two -thrust their way through the throng, who gaped at the spectacle of the -distinguished-looking man in evening clothes and his disreputable -appearing companion. - -"We must get it and work quick," he went on, "there's a chance even yet -that we can stop that yacht." - -"If only I hadn't lost my way," said Jack, "we'd have saved a lot of -precious time." - -Colonel Minturn found his friend, and the auto with its chauffeur was -willingly loaned. They jumped into the fast machine and were off, after -Colonel Minturn had given directions to drive first to the ship. They -found old Schultz guarding the safe. The reek of the explosive was still -heavy in the air. - -Utterly regardless of his apparel, Colonel Minturn dived in among the -blackened contents. There were packages of money, costly jewels and -other valuables, but the most important contents of the safe--the papers -which the colonel had hoped against hope might have been overlooked by -the thief--were gone. - -Despite his stoicism, the colonel could not restrain a groan. - -"This means my ruin," he exclaimed. "We must get a boat of some kind at -once and give chase." - -"There's nothing in this harbor or south of New York that could touch -the _Endymion_ for speed," declared Jack bitterly. "There's only one -chance in a thousand of stopping her! Oh, why didn't I think of that -before?" - -Before the colonel could stop him or ask explanations, the boy rushed -off. He headed straight for the wireless room. Sam was there with De -Garros. - -"What in the world----!" began Sam, as the disheveled, wild-eyed boy burst -in. But Jack shoved his chum aside without a word and fairly threw -himself at the wireless key. - -He was calling the government quarantine station at the tip of Port -Royal and the mouth of Kingston Harbor. There was just one way he could -stop the _Endymion_ and he meant to try it, forlorn hope that it was. - -The spark flashed and roared and whined. - -Other stations, those on ships far out at sea and along the coast of the -island, broke wonderingly in as the volley of impatient calls went -thundering out into the night. - -The sweat poured from Jack's blackened face as he bent over the -apparatus in the boiling heat of the tropic night, and worked the -wireless as he had never worked it before. - -At last he raised the operator at the quarantine station. - -"We've shut up shop for the night. What is it?" inquired that -individual, not best pleased at having his rest disturbed. - -"You must stop the _Endymion_," thundered the Hertzian waves; "stop her -at all hazards, even if you have to notify the fort to fire upon her." - -"The _Endymion_?" - -"Yes; she has infectious disease on board. She must not leave the -harbor." - -There was a brief and portentous silence. In the hot, heavy stillness -the boys could hear each other's deep breathing. - -Then radio waves began to beat against Jack's stunned ears. "The -_Endymion_ with a clean bill of health passed out to sea half an hour -ago." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV - -JARROLD GETS FRANTIC - - -Jack turned to find the colonel bending over him. Despite the military -man's firm effort at self-control, his face was gray. - -"Is there any hope?" he asked. - -Jack shook his head. - -"They've stolen a march on us, Colonel," he said. "The yacht had a clean -bill of health, whether forged or not, I don't know. At any rate, her -clearance papers must have been O. K. or she could not have sailed." - -"Probably forged," said the colonel. "I must communicate with Washington -at once." - -"I can probably relay a message through," said Jack. "What do you want -to say?" - -"I will go to my cabin and write it in code," was the reply, and with -stooping shoulders the stricken colonel left the wireless room. After a -short time he was back again with his code message. In the meantime, Sam -and De Garros, under Jack's instructions, had notified the ship's -officers, who were all ashore, of the looting of the safe, and an -important conference, which Colonel Minturn joined, was held in Captain -McDonald's cabin. - -An examination by the purser showed that nothing except the papers, -which had been in an inner drawer, had been taken, so that there was no -object in alarming the passengers by notifying them of the robbery. The -money and valuables were temporarily removed to another and older safe, -and a screen placed about the damaged one to shield it from prying eyes. - -Jack was summoned to the cabin to give his version of the affair and -received warm commendation for the way he had acted. But the boy felt -somehow--however causelessly--that he might have done more to prevent the -robbery and recover the papers. However, it was too late then. - -He succeeded at last in getting a message through to the national -capital, relaying to the immense radio station at Arlington. That -message borne over the seas, caused more excitement in Washington than -had any piece of news received there for many days. Cabinet officers -were summoned for an extraordinary conference and every wire and -tentacle of the secret service was set in motion. - -Scout cruisers stationed off Mexico were ordered to scour the seas for -the _Endymion_ and capture Jarrold if they had to sink his yacht. The -administration's message to Colonel Minturn was in code, but Jack -guessed that it was a sharp reprimand couched in no very gentle terms. -Uncle Sam is not harsh with his servants, but he does not tolerate -mistakes, even though innocent and unavoidable. - -The _Tropic Queen_ sailed early next morning while the naval wireless -was still sending the far-flung message, "Find the _Endymion_ and -capture the man Jarrold." That simple message from Jack, tapped out by -his agile finger-tips, had set the machinery of the war and navy -departments buzzing as nothing short of a declaration of war could have -done. - -The possession of the complete plans of the fortification of the Panama -Canal by Jarrold, meant only one thing. They would speedily pass into -the hands of the foreign power of which he was agent. This meant that -the power in question would have complete, triumphant knowledge of the -most carefully guarded secrets of the mighty nation that built the great -canal. - -It would be necessary to squander money and time on remodeling the whole -system of defense unless the _Endymion_ could be found. That was the -burden of the song the naval wireless men were flinging backward and -forward with flaming keys that crackled and flared angrily. - -"Find the _Endymion_! If she is on the Seven Seas, find her." - -Over those who knew the secret agony that the army officer was suffering -hung a heavy gloom, as the _Tropic Queen_ ploughed her way seaward, -bound for Santa Marta on the coast of Colombia. Colonel Minturn kept to -his room, nursing his anxiety. - -From time to time the naval wireless boomed messages in the secret code -into Jack's ears and they were promptly transmitted below. But the -colonel sent out no replies. All that he could say had been said in that -first radiogram that had set official Washington a-buzz. - -And in the meantime, on board the _Endymion_, what was happening? -Speeding as if from a deadly plague, she was driven at top speed across -the Caribbean. Jarrold, his face gray and lined, and almost as -anxious-looking as the visage of Colonel Minturn, paced the deck and the -bridge, calling always for speed and more speed. His niece, pale-faced -and nerve-racked, watched him anxiously. - -Cummings, catching the naval messages that volleyed through the air, -told of the hunt that was up; of the naval prows ploughing the tropic -seas in a systematic hunt for the grayhound-like yacht that was fleeing -like a criminal across the sea wastes. - -Jarrold, under the strain, grew dangerous to approach. He kept shouting -and signaling for speed and ever more speed. The engineer appealed to -him in vain. It was dangerous. The boilers could carry no more steam. -Already the ship was a-quiver with their imprisoned power. - -But Jarrold had only one reply: - -"More speed, I say, more speed!" - -On the evening of the second day of this mad race, a murmur began to run -through the ship: A rumor that Jarrold was a criminal. That he was -fleeing from justice. That he would blow the ship up with every soul on -board rather than be captured. - -The grimy crew of the stokehold, the "black watch," refused to face the -trembling boilers any longer. They feared that at any moment the steel -plates would yield under the terrific pressure and annihilate them and -the ship. The chief engineer, unable to keep them at their work, even at -the pistol's point, sought Jarrold, while the stokers spread a mutinous -spirit throughout the yacht. - -Jarrold was bending over a chart in the pilot house when the engineer -found him. - -"You are crawling like a snail," he snarled; "more speed." - -"The men have quit," said the engineer quietly to the half-crazed man. -"They are afraid to work below. The boilers may burst any moment." - -"I don't care about that. We must reach the coast before to-morrow -morning. It must be done. My life hangs on it." - -"I can't help that. The men won't work," protested the engineer; -"they've thrown down their shovels and gone forward. I'd advise you to -give in to them; they are in a dangerous mood." - -Jarrold sprang to his feet with a snarl. He reached into a drawer and -drew out a magazine revolver. - -"The mutinous dogs! I'll drive them back to their fires with this," he -rasped out, rushing from the bridge. - -"Don't do anything rash," implored the engineer, who knew how things -stood. "The rest of the crew are with them and we'll have a general -mutiny on our hands if you precipitate trouble." - -The only answer was a roar of rage from the hunted man, about whom Uncle -Sam was weaving a fine-meshed wireless net. - -He swung down the steps from the bridge to the main deck with the -agility of an ape. The captain, who also knew how matters stood, turned -to the engineer and the mate. - -"You fellows better get your guns," he said; "there's trouble coming -now." - -Suddenly the slender, graceful form of Jarrold's niece appeared on the -bridge. - -"Oh, what is it? What is the matter?" she implored. - -"It's nothing, Miss Jarrold," began the captain, in a tone intended to -pacify the half-hysterical girl. "You see----" - -The sharp crack of a pistol shot cut him short. Following the shot, came -a riot of savage cries and shouts. - -The captain wasted no more words but, followed by his officers, all -armed with revolvers, ran forward. - -"That madman has spilled the fat now," he cried, as they rushed toward -the forecastle. The sounds proceeding from it resembled the uproar from -a den of wild beasts. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI - -ADRIFT - - -Cummings, like the rank coward that he was, had run for his cabin just -behind the pilot house when the inferno broke loose. He was cowering in -it with ashen cheeks when Miss Jarrold appeared in the doorway. - -"Go away! Go away!" screamed Ralph, in an agony of fright. "The crew has -mutinied. They'll kill us all. Oh, dear!" - -"You coward!" said the girl, with flashing eyes, drawing her figure up -to its full height. "Have you got a pistol?" - -"Yes, there's one in the drawer there," stuttered Ralph. - -With cool, firm hands, the girl took out the weapon. - -"What are you going to do?" mewed Ralph fearfully. - -"Help my uncle. You know what danger is on his track. Those men must go -back to the furnaces." - -"Oh, we'll all be killed," repeated Ralph tremulously; "or, if we're not -killed, we'll be caught by a war ship. The air is full of messages about -us. Scout cruisers from Vera Cruz, and war craft from other places are -closing in all around us." - -The girl bit her lip and turned a trifle pale. - -"What are they saying?" she demanded. - -"I can't tell. The messages are all in code, but I can catch the name of -this yacht all the time." - -The bulky figure of the captain suddenly appeared. The girl looked at -him inquiringly. There was an expression on his bluff face that she -could not fathom. - -"Miss Jarrold, I have some unpleasant news for you," he said. - -"Well, Captain, what is it?" she demanded haughtily. - -The big seaman shifted from foot to foot uneasily. - -"Your uncle has shot a fireman up in the forecastle," he said. "Oh, -don't be alarmed; not dangerously, but the men are ugly. Your uncle, -too, has confessed to me that there's a whole lot that is crooked about -this cruise and I don't like it. The United States cruisers are after -us, he says." - -The girl bowed her head. - -"So I believe. What of it? We have chartered this vessel and it is your -duty to obey orders." - -"I beg your pardon, Miss, that's what I was coming to. It's my duty to -my owners not to get their craft in a position where it can be -confiscated by the government. That is what will happen if we keep on -running away. The situation amounts to this. The men have got your uncle -captured and tied. They say they won't work the ship as long as he is on -board unless he is made a prisoner." - -The girl tapped her foot impatiently. - -"Is that all the authority you have over them? Why don't you drive them -to their posts?" - -"Because I don't intend to, Miss. This cruise ain't regular; and I want -this fellow here to send out a wireless message to the nearest -battleship telling her our bearings and saying that we'll give up Mr. -Jarrold." - -"And if he refuses to accept?" - -"We'll have to provision a boat and turn him loose in it. It's in the -regular steamer lane here and he won't suffer much inconvenience. -Somebody's bound to pick him up, and, anyhow, there are islands not far -off." - -The mate and the engineer appeared with Jarrold at this juncture. His -hands were bound and his expression of rage was more like that of a wild -beast than a man. - -"I've already told Mr. Jarrold the men's terms and mine, Miss," said the -captain. "Mr. Jarrold, sir, which is it to be?" - -Jarrold looked like a trapped wolf. He glared at his niece and at his -captors. - -"You see, I can't lose my ship just because you've done something that -seems to have stirred up the whole administration," said the captain -diplomatically. "Personally, if you want to get away, I'd take to the -boat. I can cook up a story about you and the young lady escaping one -dark night, when we reach port." - -Jarrold raged silently. The girl, white-lipped, erect and defiant, -merely said: "Go on, please." - -"You see we can't hope to get away. Every port we can touch at has a -wireless plant of some sort. By this time the whole coast of the two -Americas is on the lookout for us. And we can't keep on going without -coal, and because of the crazy way we've been making steam, the bunkers -are pretty nigh empty." - -Jarrold nodded bitterly. The truth of the captain's arguments appeared -to strike home on even his stubborn mind. - -"You'll pledge your word to do no talking?" he said. - -"Not a word, sir, and I'll answer for my officers, too." - -"But the sailors?" - -"Oh, they'll talk, but nobody believes a sailor's yarns, anyhow. I don't -know what you've been doing, but it's clear that Uncle Sam wants you -mighty bad. However, that's none of my business. My job is to save my -ship from confiscation or being blowed up. So is it to be surrender by -wireless or the boat?" - -Jarrold glanced at his niece. She came to his side and stood there -proudly. - -"Let it be the boat," she said; and Jarrold nodded his head in silent -assent. He seemed crushed and broken by the way in which fate had turned -against him in the very hour of his triumph. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII - -THE IRONY OF FATE - - -The _Tropic Queen_ moved majestically through a sapphire sea. It was a -perfect tropic night. A dream mist, like a scarf of shimmering, spangled -vapor lay over the water. Above, the great, soft stars of the equatorial -regions beamed from a sky like blue-black velvet. High above the main -mast, like a great lamp, hung the full moon. - -Disaster, danger and death seemed miles away, a contingency too remote -to be considered. Yet they were close at hand, far closer than any of -the sleeping passengers dreamed. - -The bells chimed the hours and half hours as they slipped by to the -steady threshing of the propeller, and the wake of the big ship spread -fan-like from her stern in a milky stream that flashed with luminous -phosphorescence. - -Suddenly, from the lookout in the crow's nest came a shout sharp and -clear. - -"Something dead ahead, sir," was the reply to the inquiring hail from -the bridge. - -"Can you make it out?" - -"Not yet, sir. It's two points on the starboard bow." - -From the bridge night-glasses were leveled, but the eyes in the crow's -nest made out the nature of the drifting object on the moonlit sea -first. - -"It's a boat, sir." - -"A boat?" - -"Aye, aye, sir. Looks like a ship's boat." - -"Anybody aboard?" - -"Can't just make out yet, sir." - -And then a minute later: - -"Yes, sir. I see somebody standing up and waving. It's--it's a woman, -sir." - -"Jove," exclaimed Mr. Metcalf, who had the watch. "Schultz, call the -captain. Tell him there's a boat with a woman castaway on board ahead of -us." - -"Aye, aye," cried the old quartermaster, and hurried off on the errand, -leaving the wheel to his mate; for on such a night the ship could be -steered almost by a boy. - -The captain hastened to the bridge in his pajamas and bath-robe. - -"A boat, eh, Metcalf?" he said. - -"Yes, sir. A ship's boat, by the looks of her." - -"Order the engines slowed down. Schultz, get the after cutter ready for -clearing away." - -The old quartermaster's whistle sang out shrilly, and the watch jumped -aft, alert for anything that was in the wind. Like magic, word had flown -among the crew of the discovery of the tiny derelict. - -"The land's not more than two hundred miles off," said Metcalf. "It's -possible they've drifted out to sea." - -"Most probably that is it, unless some disaster has overtaken a ship. At -any rate, it couldn't have come from storm, for we haven't had any -weather to speak of for days." - -"By the way, sir, I heard a lot of talk before we left Kingston about -earthquake weather. In my opinion, a quiet, still night like this means -some sort of a shake. At least, that's what the natives say." - -"Yes; and the glass has been singularly high. That's a sign of something -in the wind," was the response. "But go aft, Metcalf, and see that they -clear that boat properly." - -"Yes, sir," and the chief officer hurried off. - -He found Colonel Minturn, who had been pacing the deck sleeplessly in -his anxiety, beside the boat crew, watching their preparations. Jack, -whose watch had just expired, was there, too. - -"Something up, eh?" asked the colonel. - -"Yes; there's a drifting boat with a woman in it dead ahead. We're going -to pick her up." - -"I wonder if I could go along," said the colonel. "It would be something -to relieve this anxiety. It is terrible. I cannot sleep. All I can do is -to walk the decks and think." - -"I'll ask the captain," said Mr. Metcalf. "Personally, I have no -objections." - -He was soon back with the required permission. - -"Ready, you're off duty and I know you like anything like adventure, so -if you want to come, get aboard." - -"Good!" exclaimed Jack. "Have you any idea what boat it is?" - -"Not the least. That makes it all the more interesting. From what we can -make out, though, it's a ship's boat of some sort." - -The big vessel almost ceased to move. Her propeller, driven by the -slowly working engines, only made a ripple on the water. The boat was -swung over and struck the sea with a gentle splash. - -"There they are, men. Give way with a will now," ordered Mr. Metcalf -briskly. - -The oars struck the water, sending serpents of phosphorescence over its -dark surface. The boat moved swiftly forward toward the other craft, a -small white gig apparently. - -"There's the woman," cried Jack. "Look, she's standing up and waving!" - -"There's a man there, too," cried Mr. Metcalf. "Pull hard, men, the poor -devils may have been drifting for days." - -"Hold on! We're coming," cried the colonel encouragingly, forgetting his -own troubles in the sight of these two castaways of the sea. - -The boats ranged alongside and the crew of the _Tropic Queen's_ boat -seized the gunwale of the other craft, holding them together. Jack stood -up and extended his arm to the young woman to aid her on board the -liner's boat. - -The next instant a shock, sharp as the sudden sting of a galvanic -battery, shook him. - -The girl was Miss Jarrold! She recognized him at the same instant and -gave a little cry. Simultaneously Jarrold and Colonel Minturn came face -to face. A hoarse cry broke from Jarrold's throat. He reached into an -inside pocket and drew out a bundle, which he threw overboard before -Minturn could catch his wrist in an iron grasp. - -But as the papers splashed, and Jarrold broke out into a mocking laugh -and cried, "You thought you had me beaten, but it's you that are beaten -now, Colonel Minturn," there came another splash, a bigger one. - -"It's the kid!" shouted one of the sailors. "He's gone after that -bundle!" - -Mr. Metcalf jumped from his seat to the assistance of Colonel Minturn, -for Jarrold, maddened by the series of disasters that had overtaken him, -had reached for and drawn a pistol. A crack over the wrist from an oar -wielded by the first mate, sent the weapon flying overboard. - -A few moments later Jarrold, who fought like a tiger, was lying bound in -the bottom of the boat with two sailors guarding him. His niece sat in -the stern sheets sobbing hysterically over the ironic turn of fate that -had caused the ship that they thought was to rescue them to be the very -one they most dreaded. - -Jack was hauled back on board after a few seconds' immersion. In one -hand he held high a dripping bundle of papers. A sailor reached out to -take them from him. But the boy refused to give them up. - -"Only one man gets these," he said, shaking the water from his curly -head, "and that is Colonel Minturn." - -With a gasp of thankfulness that was almost a sob, the colonel took the -papers from the boy's hands, thrust them within his coat and then fairly -hauled Jack on board. - -By a twist of fate, seemingly incredible, but really attributable to a -logical chain of events, the papers relating to the priceless secrets of -the Panama Canal were once more in the proper hands. They never left -them again. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII - -A BOLT FROM THE BLUE - - -All the way back to the ship the girl sat silent, with bowed head buried -in her slender white hands. Jarrold, tied and harmless, on the floor of -the boat, raved and swore incoherently. Not till she stood once more on -the deck of the _Tropic Queen_, however, did the girl give way. Then as -she saw her uncle, sullen and defiant now, led to the captain's cabin -where he was to be questioned, she reeled and would have fallen had not -De Garros, who happened to be close at hand, caught her. - -The sudden stopping of the ship had awakened most of the passengers and -they had come on deck to see what was the matter. - -"Here, take her below," said De Garros to a stewardess, as the -passengers crowded curiously around. - -The ship was once more got under way, the boat lashed home and the -voyage resumed, while in the captain's cabin, facing Colonel Minturn, -the wretched Jarrold told his story. But he expressed no sorrow, except -for the failure of his mission. Captain McDonald ordered him confined in -a cabin, to be turned over to the U. S. authorities when the ship -reached Panama. - -The sentence had hardly been executed, when a shuddering, jarring crash -shook the ship. - -Her way was checked abruptly and every plate and rivet in her steel -fabric groaned. - -Jack was thrown from his chair in the wireless room and hurled against a -steel brace. He struck his head and fell unconscious to the floor. - -For an instant following the shock, all was absolute silence. Then -bedlam broke loose. Hoarse voices could be heard shouting orders, and -the answering yells of the crew came roaring back. Women were screaming -somewhere below, and men passengers were trying in vain to quiet them. - -Sam was hurled out of his bunk, and, rudely awakened, found Jack lying -stunned on the floor. He dashed some water over him and then ran to the -bridge. Captain McDonald, firm and inflexible, stood there giving orders -as calmly as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. - -"Shall I send out an S. O. S., sir?" asked Sam, striving to keep as cool -as the ship's commander. - -"Not yet. I have not a full report of the extent of the injury to the -ship," was the reply. "First reports indicate that we have struck a -submerged derelict." - -But as Sam went back to the wireless room, he saw the boats' crews all -standing by and every preparation being made for abandoning the ship. In -an instinctive way, he felt that she had been mortally injured. She was -still moving, but slowly, like a wounded thing dragging itself along. - -The first officer came hurrying along the deck and shoved his head into -the door. - -"You had better try to raise any ship within our zone as fast as you -can," he said. - -"You are going to send the passengers off?" asked Sam. - -"Yes, as a measure of precaution. The derelict we struck has torn a big -hole in the engine room. It is impossible to say how long we can keep -afloat." - -He hurried off. Sam heard a groan and saw Jack rising on an elbow. - -"What is it? What's up?" he asked bewilderedly, and then: "Oh, I -remember now. Any orders for an S. O. S., Sam?" - -"Not yet. But we're to raise any ship we can. They are sending the -passengers off in the boats." - -"Wow! That was a crack I got when she struck," said Jack, getting on his -feet. "What did we hit, did you hear?" - -"A submerged derelict. It has torn a big hole in the engine room." - -Jack took the key from Sam and began pounding it. But an exclamation of -dismay spread over his face as he did so. - -"No juice!" he exclaimed. "Or not enough to amount to anything. Here's a -fine fix." - -Below them, as they stood facing each other, thunderstruck at this -disaster, every light on the ship went out. - -"Dynamos out of business," gasped Jack. He struck a match and lighted a -lamp that hung in "gimbals" on the bulkhead. - -They could hear the sharp staccato commands of the ship's officers as -they quelled the incipient panic that had followed the extinguishing of -the lights. The boats were being filled and sent away with quiet and -orderly precision, a boatswain or a quartermaster in each one. The -higher officers could not leave the ship till later, by the law of the -sea. - -Everything moved quietly, almost silently. It was like watching a dream -picture, Jack thought afterward. Luckily, the moon was bright and gave -ample light for the disembarking of the passengers. It was just this, -the bright moonlight, the cloudless sky and the smooth, summery sea that -made it all seem so unreal. It seemed impossible that a death blow had -been dealt to a mighty liner and that her passengers were in peril, on a -sea like a millpond and under an unruffled sky. - -Jack hastened forward to report the failure of the current, without -which not a message of appeal could be flung abroad. The captain -received the news without the flicker of an eyelid. - -"At any rate, the passengers are all safe," he said, "the boats are all -off. Each has plenty of provisions and water and is in charge of a -competent man. We are in for a long spell of fine weather and the coast -is not far off. At the worst it will be a sea adventure for them with -few discomforts." - -"Are you going to abandon the ship, sir?" asked Jack respectfully. - -"No. My duty is to stay by her as long as I think there is a chance of -saving her. The report from the engine room is that she can be run -several miles yet before the water reaches the boilers. All the pumps -are at work, full force, and that is the reason there is no power left -for the dynamos." - -"Do you mean you are going to try to beach her, sir?" inquired Jack. - -"If I can possibly do so," was the reply. "There is an island not far to -the south of here called Castle Island. If I can reach it in time and -beach her, there may be one chance in a thousand of salving her, after -all." - -Jack had asked all the questions he dared. Had it not been a time of -such stress, he would not have ventured to ask so many. - -He hurried back to the wireless room. Sam was busy at the key, but he -shook his head in reply to Jack's inquiring glance. - -"Nothing doing," he said. "Any news forward?" - -"Yes. All the passengers are off and there are now on board only the -officers and crew. The skipper means to run for an island called Castle -Island and beach her there. He thinks that later there may be a chance -of getting her hull off, if he can make it." - -"Then she is leaking fast?" - -"Yes, they've got all the pumps going to keep the water from getting to -the fires. That's the reason we've got no juice." - -"Let's look up Castle Island," said Jack, partly to relieve the -tenseness of their position as the wounded ship crawled strickenly -southward and partly to keep Sam, who was making a plucky effort to -fight back his fears, from thinking too much of their situation. - -They soon found it--a small island shaped like a splash of gravy on a -plate. It was marked with a red dot. Under this red dot, in italics, was -written, "_Volcano. Probably extinct._" - -"Well, any old port in a storm," remarked Jack, as he closed up the -atlas. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX - -JACK'S RADIO - - -Darkly violet under the light of the dawn-fading stars lay Castle -Island. Cradled in the heaving seas it was watched by scores of anxious -eyes on the _Tropic Queen_, now in her death struggle. The fire room -crew was kept at work only by physical persuasion. The water was gaining -fast now through the jagged wound in the craft's steel side. - -In the soft radiance that precedes the first flush of a tropic dawn, the -two young wireless men, their occupation gone, watched its notched -skyline grow into more definite shape. - -As the light grew stronger, they saw that it was a bigger island than -they had supposed. Vast chasms rent the sides of rock-ribbed mountains, -and the place looked desolate and barren to a degree. Suddenly, too, -Jack became aware of something they had not at first noticed. - -From the summit of the rocky apex that topped the island, a smudge of -smoke was blurred against the clear sky. - -"The volcano!" exclaimed the boys in one breath. - -"But I thought it was extinct," said Sam, in a dismayed voice. The -thought of being in the proximity of an active volcano was anything but -pleasing to him. - -"Extinct volcanoes smoke sometimes," said Jack. "I've read of several in -Mexico that do." - -On the bridge, gray-faced from their long vigil, the ship's officers -clustered about Captain McDonald, watched with anxiety the growing -outlines of the island. - -"There are shoals of sand off to the southeast there," said the captain. -"I was here years ago when I was an apprentice on the old _Abner A. -Jennings_. If we can reach them the old ship will lie easy unless bad -weather comes on." - -The steamer crept slowly forward. She hardly seemed to move, in the -minds of the impatient souls on board her. But at last the water began -to show green under her bows, signifying that she was getting into shoal -waters. On and on she crawled, till she was a scant quarter of a mile -from the mantling cliffs. - -It was then that Captain McDonald sent word below to let the stokers -come on deck. It was none too soon. The men were working at pistol point -with water up to their waists, when the word came to evacuate the -stokehold. Even firearms could not have kept them in that water-filled -black pit much longer. - -The engines were left running and a short time later, like a tired -child, the _Tropic Queen_ cradled herself in a bed of soft sand and her -voyage was over. An impressive silence hung over the ship as she -grounded, which was not broken till the sharp orders that preceded her -abandonment were issued. - -Then all was bustle. The two remaining boats were lowered and the men -sent ashore. At last all that were left on board were the officers and -the two wireless boys. The men had carried ashore provisions and canvas -for tents, and a stream of water that the first arrivals reported near -the landing place, showed them that there was no danger of their going -thirsty. - -It was just as Jack and Sam were preparing to get aboard the boat that a -strange thing happened. The tall, slender form of a young woman appeared -on deck. It was Miss Jarrold. An instant later De Garros joined her. - -"Why, I thought you were on board the other boats!" exclaimed Captain -McDonald, fairly startled out of his stoic calm. - -"Like myself, Mr. De Garros elected to see this thing out," chimed in -another voice, and there was Colonel Minturn. - -"So we stayed below while the other passengers were being taken off," -said the young aviator, "knowing that if there was any real danger we -would still be able to escape. A shipwreck was too exciting an -experience to miss." - -"Well, if you want to make two fools of yourselves, I can't stop you," -said the captain, in slightly nettled tones. "But this young lady. What -is she doing here?" - -"Inasmuch as my uncle is a prisoner on this ship, it was my duty to -stand by him," said the girl, firmly compressing her lips. - -"But I specifically ordered that Mr. Jarrold be taken off in one of the -boats," said the captain, in a bewildered tone. - -"Then whoever you gave the orders to disregarded them," replied the girl -calmly. Then quite in a matter-of-fact voice she added, "Are we going to -camp on that island?" - -"Till help comes, yes," replied the captain. "I will see that you have a -tent and are made as comfortable as possible, but of course you can't -expect luxuries." - -An hour later they were all on shore. Captain McDonald made an address -to the men, who were quiet and orderly, telling them that the discipline -in the shore camp would be the same as on board the ship, and that later -on a consultation would be held and the best means of getting assistance -decided upon. They had two boats and it was likely that Mr. Metcalf, in -one of them, might be sent to the mainland in quest of aid. - -Castle Island was a dismal-looking spot, but the boys decided to make -the best of a bad business and set out, after a mid-day meal of canned -provisions, coffee and crackers, for a walk along the beach. They didn't -find much of interest, however. In fact they could hardly keep their -eyes off the _Tropic Queen_, lying on the shoals helpless with smokeless -funnels, and listed heavily to port. - -It was on the way back to camp that an odd thing happened. Sam was -walking slightly in advance. Suddenly he turned around on Jack: "Say, -what are you doing?" he demanded. "Don't shove me." - -"I didn't shove you," said Jack. "I felt the same thing. I----Gracious, -it's the earth shaking!" - -"Look, look at the volcano!" cried Sam suddenly. - -Jack looked up at the towering, gaunt crest miles away, rearing to an -infinite height above them. An immense cloud of yellow, sulphurous -smoke, muddying the blue of the sky, was pouring from it. - -The earth shook again sickeningly. White-faced, the boys hastened back -to camp. They found Captain McDonald and the other men trying to quiet -the fears of the crew, who fully believed that before night the volcano -would be in eruption, burying them, maybe, in lava. They succeeded -fairly well, but the men kept their eyes turned to the smoking crest -almost ceaselessly. - -Miss Jarrold sat apart in front of her tent with her uncle, whose bonds -had been taken off. - -The day wore on and the tremors were repeated from time to time. But -nothing serious occurred. In fact, the marooned party began to grow used -to the shocks. It was arranged that early in the morning, Mr. Metcalf, -with one of the boats and a picked crew, was to set out for the mainland -and summon help. - -During the afternoon, to fend off his melancholy thoughts, Jack decided -to write down all that had happened since the eventful voyage of the -lost liner started. He begged some paper from the purser, who gave him a -stack of duplicate manifests. He sat himself down, pencil in hand, and -was beginning to scribble, when he suddenly stopped short and sat -staring at a sheet of paper that had fallen to the ground beside him. - -His eyes were centered on an entry at the top of the page. There didn't -appear to be much about the entry to cause Jack's pulses to throb with a -wild hope and his heart to beat quicker, but they did. Here is what he -read: - - "To Don Jose de Ramon, Electric Supplies, Santa Marta. 10 storage - batteries from Day, Martin & Co., New York." - -Storage batteries! - -Jack threw aside his writing and made for the purser. - -"Where are those storage batteries for Santa Marta stored?" he asked. - -"In hold Number One," was the reply. "They are on the top of the Santa -Marta cargo." - -"Can they be got at easily?" asked Jack. - -"They are among the 'fragile' goods," was the reply, "on the port side -of the hold. They were to be the first things ashore at Santa Marta. But -why do you want to know?" - -"Oh, there's a reason, as the ads. say," laughed Jack. - -That afternoon the two young wireless men spent in long and anxious -consultation. Dark came, and from the volcano a lurid glare lit the sky, -yet no heavy convulsions of the earth occurred. Supper was over and the -sailors, after desperately trying to keep up their spirits by singing, -turned in. Soon the whole camp was wrapped in silence. The only ones -awake were Jack and Sam. - -Silently, on the soft sand, the two lads crept from the camp. Around -their waists they wore life belts taken from the boats, which lay on the -sand where they had been pulled up. The inspiration that had come to -Jack when he read that entry on the manifest, was about to be put to the -test. - -"You are sure you can swim it, Sam?" asked the boy as the two lads waded -into the water with their eyes fixed on the black hull of the stranded -steamer. - -"With this life jacket on I could swim round the Horn," declared Sam -confidently. - -"All right, then, here goes." Jack struck off into deep water, followed -by Sam. - -The water was almost warm and quite buoyant. It was a real pleasure -swimming through it in the moonlight, while at every stroke the -phosphorescence rippled glowingly from their arms and legs. They reached -the ship almost before they knew it, and swam around her till they found -the Jacob's ladder by which the descent to the boats had been made. They -scrambled up this with the agility of monkeys, and then made their way -along the steeply sloping decks till they reached the wireless room with -its silent instruments. Everything there was in perfect order, except -for "juice" that was needed to wake them to life. And this Jack intended -to have in short order. - -Working under his directions, Sam broke into the storeroom where such -supplies were kept by the ship's electricians, and got two huge coils of -insulated wire. Carrying these, he followed Jack, who bore a lantern, to -Number One hold. It had been broken open at Kingston and the battens had -only been loosely replaced for the run to Santa Marta, so that it was an -easy matter to gain access to the hold. - -Down the steep iron ladder they climbed till they stood among high-piled -boxes and bales. Jack flashed his lantern about and at last uttered a -cry of triumph. - -"There they are," he cried, pointing to some big boxes labeled, "Jose de -Ramon, Santa Marta." - -"Now for the test," chimed in Sam. - -The boys attacked the cases vigorously with hatchets they had brought -with them, and soon had the ten powerful storage batteries exposed. - -"Now get to work, Sam," said Jack, producing some pliers and seizing -hold of a coil of wire. - - - - -CHAPTER XL - -THE ANSWER TO THE WIRELESS CALL - - -Most of my readers have, in all probability, by this time guessed Jack's -plan. It was nothing more nor less than to harness up the powerful -storage batteries to the wireless apparatus, and thus secure a wave -that, while not as strong as the one from the ship's dynamos, would yet -reach for two hundred miles or more. - -This was the inspiration that had come to him when his eye had fallen on -the momentous entry on the manifest. The boys worked feverishly. At last -the batteries were connected, and it only remained to run the wires to -the instruments in the wireless room. Then would come the supreme test. - -At last everything was "hooked up" to Jack's satisfaction, and he sat -himself down at the key. He knew that his wave lengths would not be very -heavy nor his radius large, but he calculated on the fact that already -this part of the ocean was alive with scout cruisers and warships -hunting for the _Endymion_. - -With a beating heart and a choking sensation in his throat, he seized -the key. Sam could not speak for excitement and suspense, but leaned -breathlessly over his chum's shoulder. - -Downward Jack pressed the key. - -A simultaneous shout burst from both boys' throats. The wireless was -alive once more! - -A green spark, like an emerald serpent, leaped from point to point of -the sender. With swift, practiced fingers Jack began sending abroad the -message of disaster and the appeal for rescue. - -Almost the entire night passed away without any answer reaching his -ears, although he ran the gamut of the wireless tuning board. He began -to fear that the current was too weak to reach any of the ships that he -knew were scouring the sea for the Endymion, when suddenly, in response -to his S.O.S., came a sharp, powerful: - -"Yes--Yes--Yes." - -"Oh, glory!" cried Jack. "I've got a battleship! I know it by the -sending." - -"This is the _Tropic Queen_," he flashed out. "We are wrecked on Castle -Island. Send help quickly. Rush aid. We are----" - -A loud, terrified cry from Sam interrupted him. Through the door the -whole sky could be seen a flaming, lurid red. The stranded ship shook as -if in the grip of cruel giant hands. The boys were thrown helter skelter -about the sloping cabin floor. - -The place gleamed with the glaring, crimson light. A dreadful roaring -sound filled their ears. The sands beneath them appeared to heave up and -down in sickening waves like those of the unquiet sea. - -Then came a vast uproar, and the two terror-stricken boys clawed their -way out on the slanting deck. They looked toward the island. The sky -above it was blood red. The rugged sky-line of its peaks stood out -blackly against the scarlet glare. The air was full of a gas that burned -the throat and choked the lungs. - -"It's the volcano!" cried Jack. "The volcano! Look!" - -But Sam was clutching the other's arm and pointing frantically seaward. -Rolling toward them, its foaming head crimsoned by the lambent glare of -the volcano, was a giant wave. - -"Into the wireless room. Quick! For your life!" screamed Jack. - -They scrambled up the sloping deck and threw themselves flat on their -faces in the coop, clinging to stanchions with a death-like grip. The -next instant there was a roar like a thousand Niagaras. They felt the -solid fabric of the _Tropic Queen_ lifted dizzily skyward, while tons of -water roared down on her. Then there came a sickening crash that shook -the boys loose from their grips and sent them rolling about the cabin. -The door was burst open and they staggered out on the deck. The _Tropic -Queen_ was almost upright now, with her bottom smashed in till she stood -flat upon her bare ribs in the soft sand. - -Jack could see, by the glare of the burning mountain, the bleak -figures of men far up among the rocks. The tidal wave, then, had been -seen in time for some of them, at least, to save themselves. He had -just time to observe this when before his eyes the sea sucked -outward--outward--outward. The ocean floor rose into view, all crimsoned -from the flaming volcano. He could see gaunt rocks uncovered for the -first time since the creation, perhaps, sticking up blackly in the -slimy depths. - -And then the sea came back! Out in the far distance across the exposed -flats a mighty wave shouldered itself. Its body and huge hollow incurve -was black, but its crest was glowing with reflected flame. Jack gave one -glance ashore. He could see black figures scuttling high up the rocks. - -They had just time to rush into the wireless room, with its steel walls -and stout foundations bolted to the iron superstructure, when, with a -roar, the mighty wave swept landward. Jack and Sam felt the _Tropic -Queen_ lifted and rushed toward the shore, then lifted again and again -and again till it seemed impossible that anything man-made could resist -the awful force. - -But at last the ship grounded with a shuddering, sidewise motion that -seemed like a last expiring gasp. The boys ventured forth. The ship was -lying on the beach almost at the foot of the cliffs. Her funnels and -masts had vanished, snapped off like pipe stems. She lay a sheer, -miserable hulk in the flaring light of the volcano. - -Seaward, the waves were breaking tumultuously, but the tidal wave had -spent its fury. Dizzy, sick and battered the boys made their way over -the side of the lost liner and crept up the beach. It was littered with -the smashed fragments of the two boats and the remnants of the hastily -abandoned camp. - -Through the glowing darkness a figure came toward them. - -"Great heavens, boys, is it you?" they heard. - -"Yes, Captain," rejoined Jack. "We've come ashore." - -"Thank Heaven you are safe! We are all right except for four poor -sailors who did not awaken in time. But where have you been? How did you -get on board?" - -"We swam out," said Jack simply, "and had just got out a wireless call -when the big blow-up came." - -"A wireless call! Are you out of your head, boy?" - -"By no means," said Jack. "We got out a call, and, better still, got an -answer. I don't know what ship it was, but it was a naval craft. I gave -our position and then came the tidal wave." - -"It is our only chance," said the captain. "Both boats were, of course, -smashed, and we are marooned till aid comes." - -It was the next night. The disconsolate castaways were huddled near the -pathetic wreck of the lost liner. Food had been obtained from on board, -so that there was no actual suffering, but the volcano still glared and -rumbled and at any moment a disastrous eruption was to be feared. - -De Garros and Miss Jarrold stood together apart from the rest. - -"And your uncle's influence over you is broken forever if we ever escape -from this?" he was asking. - -She nodded. - -"That time in Paris when he tried to persuade you to give up the -aeronautical plans was when I first began to mistrust him. I never -thought I should see you again after our engagement was broken off, but -fate has brought us together. It has been like a dream," she went on. "I -think sometimes that he exercised a hypnotic influence over me. But I -know it all now and can see things clearly." - -De Garros was about to answer, when suddenly his body stiffened. He -pointed to the northern horizon. - -"There," he cried. "Look there!" - -His excitement was mounting high. - -"See," he shouted, "that white light! It's sweeping the sky! What is -it?" - -Far off, a faint pencil of light swung across the zenith as if on a -pivot. It dipped to the horizon, rose again and swung like a radiant -pendulum across the sky. - -"Signals," the girl choked out. "It's a searchlight!" - -From the seamen there came a hoarse cheer. - -"It's a battleship! She's signaling!" shouted Jack in a voice that -shook. "It's Morse!" - -He took a long breath or two. Then he choked out the message that was -flung on the sky. - -"Courage! We are coming!" - -And then pandemonium broke loose. Under the glaring sky, seamen danced -and shouted and the other members of the party shook hands. Only Jarrold -stood silent and aloof, looking at his niece and De Garros. It was as if -he knew that his hold over her was broken forever, and that the -approaching warships, speeding to the rescue, meant for him shackles and -iron bars. - -The scene shifts to Colon harbor. Into port are steaming the -_Birmingham_, scout cruiser, and the _Wasp_, torpedo destroyer, the -craft that rescued the castaways of Castle Island. Already by wireless -the story of the lost liner and the wonderful resourcefulness of Jack -Ready and Sam Smalley has gone out to the world. Big crowds are waiting -to meet the rescuing warships. Among them are the military attaches to -whom Colonel Minturn, thanks to Jack, will be able to hand the Panama -documents so nearly lost forever. - -At the stern of the _Wasp_, under the ensign, are standing Jarrold's -niece and De Garros. He is telling her that Colonel Minturn has promised -to intercede for her uncle, and that in all probability he will be -deported with a warning never to tread American soil again, in place of -being imprisoned. Nations do not care to advertise their troubles with -international spies, if it can be avoided. - -Jack and Sam, on board the _Birmingham_, stand happily by the wireless -operator of the cruiser. He is taking a message. Presently he turns to -them. - -"Some news that will interest you, fellows," he says. "All the boats -from the _Tropic Queen_ have been picked up, without the loss of a -single passenger." - -"Good work!" exclaim the two listeners heartily. - -"And the _Endymion_," continues the operator, "has been in port for a -week, and her crew and captain are detained pending an inquiry." - -"Well, I guess they'll get out of the scrape, all right," says Jack, -"for they didn't know what schemes Jarrold was up to when he chartered -the yacht." - -"What about Cummings?" asks Sam. - -"So far as I am concerned, I shall take no action," replies Jack. "All -that I am anxious for now is for a sight of the good old U. S. A. and -Uncle Toby and----" - -"Somebody named Helen," chuckles Sam, while Jack turns red under his -tan. - -And here, with their adventures on the lost liner at an end, we will say -farewell to our ocean wireless boys till we encounter them again in a -forthcoming volume dealing with their further stirring adventures at the -radio key. - -THE END. - - - - -BOY AVIATORS' SERIES - -By Captain Wilbur Lawton - -Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys - -Cloth Bound--Price, 50c per volume - -THE BOY AVIATORS IN NICARAGUA, Or, Leagued With Insurgents - - The launching of this Twentieth Century series marks the inauguration - of a new era in boys' books--the "wonders of modern science" epoch. - Frank and Harry Chester, the _Boy Aviators_, are the heroes of this - exciting, red-blooded tale of adventure by air and land in the - turbulent Central American republic. The two brothers with their - $10,000 prize aeroplane, the _Golden Eagle_, rescue a chum from death - in the clutches of the Nicaraguans, discover a lost treasure valley of - the ancient Toltec race, and in so doing almost lose their own lives - in the Abyss of the White Serpents, and have many other exciting - experiences, including being blown far out to sea in their air-skimmer - in a tropical storm. It would be unfair to divulge the part that - wireless plays in rescuing them from their predicament. In a brand new - field of fiction for boys the Chester brothers and their aeroplane - seem destined to fill a top-notch place. These books are technically - correct, wholesomely thrilling and geared up to third speed. - -Sold by Booksellers Everywhere - -HURST & CO.--Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -BOY AVIATORS' SERIES - -By Captain Wilbur Lawton - -Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys - -Cloth Bound--Price, 50c per volume - -THE BOY AVIATORS ON SECRET SERVICE, Or, Working With Wireless - - In this live-wire narrative of peril and adventure, laid in the - Everglades of Florida, the spunky Chester Boys and their interesting - chums, including Ben Stubbs, the maroon, encounter exciting - experiences on Uncle Sam's service in a novel field. One must read - this vivid, enthralling story of incident, hardship and pluck to get - an idea of the almost limitless possibilities of the two greatest - inventions of modern times--the aeroplane and wireless telegraphy. - While gripping and holding the reader's breathless attention from the - opening words to the finish, this swift-moving story is at the same - time instructive and uplifting. As those readers who have already made - friends with Frank and Harry Chester and their 'bunch' know, there are - few difficulties, no matter how insurmountable they may seem at first - blush, that these up-to-date gritty youths cannot overcome with flying - colors. A clean-cut, real boys' book of high voltage. - -Sold by Booksellers Everywhere - -HURST & CO.--Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -BOY AVIATORS' SERIES - -By Captain Wilbur Lawton - -Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys - -Cloth Bound--Price, 50c per volume - -THE BOY AVIATORS IN AFRICA, Or, An Aerial Ivory Trail - - In this absorbing book we meet, on a Continent made famous by the - American explorer Stanley, and ex-President Roosevelt, our old - friends, the Chester Boys and their stalwart chums. In Africa--the Dark - Continent--the author follows in exciting detail his young heroes, - their voyage in the first aeroplane to fly above the mysterious - forests and unexplored ranges of the mystic land. In this book, too, - for the first time, we entertain Luther Barr, the old New York - millionaire, who proved later such an implacable enemy of the boys. - The story of his defeated schemes, of the astonishing things the boys - discovered in the Mountains of the Moon, of the pathetic fate of - George Desmond, the emulator of Stanley, the adventure of the Flying - Men and the discovery of the Arabian Ivory cache,--this is not the - place to speak. It would be spoiling the zest of an exciting tale to - reveal the outcome of all these episodes here. It may be said, - however, without "giving away" any of the thrilling chapters of this - narrative, that Captain Wilbur Lawton, the author, is in it in his - best vein, and from his personal experiences in Africa has been able - to supply a striking background for the adventures of his young - heroes. As one newspaper says of this book: "Here is adventure in good - measure, pressed down and running over." - -Sold by Booksellers Everywhere - -HURST & CO.--Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -BOY AVIATORS' SERIES - -By Captain Wilbur Lawton - -Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys - -Cloth Bound--Price, 50c per volume - -THE BOY AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST, Or, The Golden Galleon - - Everybody is a boy once more when it comes to the question of hidden - treasure. In this book, Captain Lawton has set forth a hunt for gold - that is concealed neither under the sea nor beneath the earth, but is - well hidden for all that. A garrulous old sailor, who holds the key to - the mystery of the Golden Galleon, plays a large part in the - development of the plot of this fascinating narrative of treasure - hunting in the region of the Gulf Stream and the Sagasso Sea. An - aeroplane fitted with efficient pontoons--enabling her to skim the - water successfully--has long been a dream of aviators. The Chester Boys - seem to have solved the problem. The Sagasso, that strange drifting - ocean within an ocean, holding ships of a dozen nations and a score of - ages, in its relentless grip, has been the subject of many books of - adventure and mystery, but in none has the secret of the ever shifting - mass of treacherous currents been penetrated as it has in the BOY - AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST. Luther Barr, whom it seemed the boys had - shaken off, is still on their trail, in this absorbing book and with a - dirigible balloon, essays to beat them out in their search for the - Golden Galleon. Every boy, every man--and woman and girl--who has ever - felt the stirring summons of adventure in their souls, had better get - hold of this book. Once obtained, it will be read and re-read till it - falls to rags. - -Sold by Booksellers Everywhere - -HURST & CO.--Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -BOY AVIATORS' SERIES - -By Captain Wilbur Lawton - -Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys - -Cloth Bound--Price, 50c per volume - -THE BOY AVIATORS IN RECORD FLIGHT, Or, The Rival Aeroplane - - The Chester Boys in new field of endeavor--an attempt to capture a - newspaper prize for a trans-continental flight. By the time these - lines are read, exactly such an offer will have been spread broadcast - by one of the foremost newspapers of the country. In the Golden Eagle, - the boys, accompanied by a trail-blazing party in an automobile, make - the dash. But they are not alone in their aspirations. Their rivals - for the rich prize at stake try in every way that they can to - circumvent the lads and gain the valuable trophy and monetary award. - In this they stop short at nothing, and it takes all the wits and - resources of the Boy Aviators to defeat their devices. Among the - adventures encountered in their cross-country flight, the boys fall in - with a band of rollicking cow-boys--who momentarily threaten serious - trouble--are attacked by Indians, strike the most remarkable town of - the desert--the "dry" town of "Gow Wells," encounter a sandstorm which - blows them into strange lands far to the south of their course, and - meet with several amusing mishaps beside. A thoroughly readable book. - The sort to take out behind the barn on the sunny side of the - haystack, and, with a pocketful of juicy apples and your heels kicking - the air, pass, happy hours with Captain Lawton's young heroes. - -Sold by Booksellers Everywhere - -HURST & CO.--Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -BOY AVIATORS' SERIES - -By Captain Wilbur Lawton - -Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys - -Cloth Bound--Price, 50c per volume - -THE BOY AVIATORS POLAR DASH, Or, Facing Death in the Antarctic - - If you were to hear that two boys, accompanying a South Polar - expedition in charge of the aeronautic department, were to penetrate - the Antarctic regions--hitherto only attained by a few daring - explorers--you would feel interested, wouldn't you? Well, in Captain - Lawton's latest book, concerning his Boy Aviators, you can not only - read absorbing adventure in the regions south of the eightieth - parallel, but absorb much useful information as well. Captain Lawton - introduces--besides the original characters of the heroes--a new - creation in the person of Professor Simeon Sandburr, a patient seeker - for polar insects. The professor's adventures in his quest are the - cause of much merriment, and lead once or twice to serious - predicaments. In a volume so packed with incident and peril from cover - to cover--relieved with laughable mishaps to the professor--it is - difficult to single out any one feature; still, a recent reader of it - wrote the publishers an enthusiastic letter the other day, saying: - "The episodes above the Great Barrier are thrilling, the attack of the - condors in Patagonia made me hold my breath, the--but what's the use? - The Polar Dash, to my mind, is an even more entrancing book than - Captain Lawton's previous efforts, and that's saying a good deal. The - aviation features and their technical correctness are by no means the - least attractive features of this up-to-date creditable volume." - -Sold by Booksellers Everywhere - -HURST & CO.--Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -BOY INVENTORS SERIES - -Stories of Skill and Ingenuity - -By RICHARD BONNER - -Cloth Bound, Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid. - -THE BOY INVENTORS' WIRELESS TELEGRAPH. - - Blest with natural curiosity,--sometimes called the instinct of - investigation,--favored with golden opportunity, and gifted with - creative ability, the Boy Inventors meet emergencies and contrive - mechanical wonders that interest and convince the reader because they - always "work" when put to the test. - -THE BOY INVENTORS' VANISHING GUN. - - A thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement, hope, effort and - final success--this is the history of many an invention; a history in - which excitement, competition, danger, despair and persistence figure. - This merely suggests the circumstances which draw the daring Boy - Inventors into strange experiences and startling adventures, and which - demonstrate the practical use of their vanishing gun. - -THE BOY INVENTORS' DIVING TORPEDO BOAT. - - As in the previous stories of the Boy Inventors, new and interesting - triumphs of mechanism are produced which become immediately valuable, - and the stage for their proving and testing is again the water. On the - surface and below it, the boys have jolly, contagious fun, and the - story of their serious, purposeful inventions challenge the reader's - deepest attention. - -Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. - -HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK - - - - -BORDER BOYS SERIES - -Mexican and Canadian Frontier Series - -By FREMONT B. DEERING. - -Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid - -THE BORDER BOYS ON THE TRAIL. - - What it meant to make an enemy of Black Ramon De Barios--that is the - problem that Jack Merrill and his friends, including Coyote Pete, face - in this exciting tale. - -THE BORDER BOYS ACROSS THE FRONTIER. - - Read of the Haunted Mesa and its mysteries, of the Subterranean River - and its strange uses, of the value of gasolene and steam "in running - the gauntlet," and you will feel that not even the ancient splendors - of the Old World can furnish a better setting for romantic action than - the Border of the New. - -THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE MEXICAN RANGERS. - - As every day is making history--faster, it is said, than ever before--so - books that keep pace with the changes are full of rapid action and - accurate facts. This book deals with lively times on the Mexican - border. - -THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE TEXAS RANGERS. - - The Border Boys have already had much excitement and adventure in - their lives, but all this has served to prepare them for the - experiences related in this volume. They are stronger, braver and more - resourceful than ever, and the exigencies of their life in connection - with the Texas Rangers demand all their trained ability. - -Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. - -HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK - - - - -MOTOR CYCLE SERIES - -Splendid Motor Cycle Stories - -By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON. - -Author of "Boy Scout Series." - -Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid - -THE MOTOR CYCLE CHUMS AROUND THE WORLD. - - 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. - -THE MOTOR CYCLE CHUMS OF THE NORTHWEST PATROL. - - 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." - -THE MOTOR CYCLE CHUMS IN THE GOLD FIELDS. - - The gold fever which ran its rapid course through the veins of the - historic "forty-niners" recurs at certain intervals, and seizes its - victims with almost irresistible power. The search for gold is so - fascinating to the seekers that hardship, danger and failure are - obstacles that scarcely dampen their ardour. 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. - -Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. - -HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK - - - - -DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES - -Tales of the New Navy - -By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON - -Author of "BOY AVIATORS SERIES." - -Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid - -THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON BATTLE PRACTICE. - - Especially interesting and timely is this book which introduces the - reader with its heroes, Ned and Here, to the great ships of modern - warfare and to the intimate life and surprising adventures of Uncle - Sam's sailors. - -THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ABOARD A DESTROYER. - - In this story real dangers threaten and the boys' patriotism is tested - in a peculiar international tangle. The scene is laid on the South - American coast. - -THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON A SUBMARINE. - - To the inventive genius--trade-school boy or mechanic--this story has - special charm, perhaps, but to every reader its mystery and clever - action are fascinating. - -THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON AERO SERVICE. - - Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned and Herc. Their - perilous adventures are not confined to the air, however, although - they make daring and notable flights in the name of the Government; - nor are they always able to fly beyond the reach of their old - "enemies," who are also airmen. - -Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. - -HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK - - - - -BUNGALOW BOYS SERIES - -LIVE STORIES OF OUTDOOR LIFE - -By DEXTER J. FORRESTER. - -Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid - -THE BUNGALOW BOYS. - - How the Bungalow Boys received their title and how they retained the - right to it in spite of much opposition makes a lively narrative for - lively boys. - -THE BUNGALOW BOYS MAROONED IN THE TROPICS. - - A real treasure hunt of the most thrilling kind, with a sunken Spanish - galleon as its object, makes a subject of intense interest at any - time, but add to that a band of desperate men, a dark plot and a devil - fish, and you have the combination that brings strange adventures into - the lives of the Bungalow Boys. - -THE BUNGALOW BOYS IN THE GREAT NORTH WEST. - - The clever assistance of a young detective saves the boys from the - clutches of Chinese smugglers, of whose nefarious trade they know too - much. How the Professor's invention relieves a critical situation is - also an exciting incident of this book. - -THE BUNGALOW BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES. - - The Bungalow Boys start out for a quiet cruise on the Great Lakes and - a visit to an island. A storm and a band of wreckers interfere with - the serenity of their trip, and a submarine adds zest and adventure to - it. - -Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. - -HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK - - - - -FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES - -Twentieth Century Athletic Stories - -By MATHEW M. COLTON. - -Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid - -FRANK ARMSTRONG'S VACATION. - - How Frank's summer experience 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. - -FRANK ARMSTRONG AT QUEENS. - - 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. - -FRANK ARMSTRONG'S SECOND TERM. - - 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." - -FRANK ARMSTRONG, DROP KICKER. - - 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. - -Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. - -HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost -Liner, by Wilbur Lawton - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND LOST LINER *** - -***** This file should be named 41265.txt or 41265.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/2/6/41265/ - -Produced by Roger Frank 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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