diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/63394-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/63394-0.txt | 5177 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 5177 deletions
diff --git a/old/63394-0.txt b/old/63394-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 6013096..0000000 --- a/old/63394-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5177 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bill Bolton and the Flying Fish, by -Noel Everingham Sainsbury, Jr. - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Bill Bolton and the Flying Fish - -Author: Noel Everingham Sainsbury, Jr. - -Release Date: October 6, 2020 [EBook #63394] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BILL BOLTON AND THE FLYING FISH *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines, Stephen Hutcheson & the online -Distributed Proofreaders Canada team at -https://www.pgdpcanada.net - - - - - - - - - - BILL BOLTON - _and the_ - _Flying Fish_ - - - BY - Lieutenant Noel Sainsbury, Jr. - - _Author of_ - Bill Bolton, Flying Midshipman - Bill Bolton and the Flying Fish - Bill Bolton and Hidden Danger - - ★ - - - THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING CO. - CHICAGO - - Copyright, 1933 - The Goldsmith Publishing Company - MADE IN U. S. A. - - - _To_ - Philip Malseed - -_grandson of a Marine Engineer, and who may become one himself some day_. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I The Derelict 15 - II Surprised 30 - III Man Overboard 42 - IV Vandals of the High Seas 58 - V The Transformation of a Sea Monster 72 - VI The Raider 84 - VII Aboard 96 - VIII Piracy 109 - IX The Baron’s Methods 122 - X Bill Starts In 133 - XI Dangerous Business 146 - XII The Job 163 - XIII Results 176 - XIV Trouble Ahead 190 - XV The Chase 202 - XVI Prisoners 215 - XVII Charlie’s Note 228 - XVIII The Flying Fish Plays Its Part 239 - - - - - Bill Bolton and The Flying Fish - - - - - Chapter I - THE DERELICT - - -“There’s something wrong over yonder, Osceola.” - -“Where, Bill? What are you talking about?” - -The young Seminole chief spoke from the rear cockpit of Bill Bolton’s -two-seater amphibian, into the transmitter of his headphone set. Bright -August sunshine painted a calm Atlantic brilliant blue two thousand feet -below the speeding airplane. Cirrus clouds like fleecy wisps of carded -wool flecked a light blue sky which melted into the sea on the unbroken -circle of their wide horizon. Since passing Cape Hatteras Light Ship -flying north a quarter of an hour before, neither lad had seen a single -thing to relieve the monotony of an empty ocean. - -“I thought my eyesight was better than average,” Osceola continued, -scanning the horizon, “but I don’t see a blessed thing.” - -“It’s more habit than good vision—spotting something at sea,” returned -Bill from his place at the controls. He clapped a pair of field glasses -to his eyes. “There’s a single stacker off our starboard quarter. She’s -almost hull down to the horizon. I’ve been watching her off and on for -the past five minutes, and I’ll swear she hasn’t moved an inch. What’s -more—the glasses don’t show the slightest sign of smoke.” - -“I can make her out now. Think she’s worth while investigating?” - -“Yes, I do. There’s something queer about that ship.” - -“Why not investigate then?” - -“That’s my idea. The people on board may be in a bad way. It’s our duty -to be of help if we can.” - -“I’m with you, but—how about the time, Bill? You father expects us in -New York this afternoon.” - -Young Bolton banked to starboard, then neutralized his ailerons when the -plane’s nose was headed toward the dot on the horizon. - -“The airline distance between Miami and New York City is one thousand -and ninety-five miles,” said Bill, applying a normal amount of right -rudder to offset the torque. “We’re a good deal better than half way -now, and we’ve made swell time with this light wind on our tail all the -way. Don’t worry, you’ll see the Statue of Liberty before they turn the -floodlights on her tonight.” - -“Okay. Your father is such a grand guy—he’s been so wonderful to me and -my people ever since we cleaned up that Martinengo gang—I’d hate to -disappoint him. And especially so now when he is giving me this trip -north.” - -“I savvy,” Bill replied. “I’m pretty fond of Dad myself—but he’d be the -last person in the world to suggest we pass up anything like this, you -know.” - -He brought the glasses to his eyes again and stared through them for a -full minute without speaking. - -“The nearer we get, the queerer she looks,” he muttered finally. - -“Some kind of a yacht, isn’t it?” - -“It is. And a whopping big one. But that’s not the point, Osceola. She’s -not moving, yet she hasn’t broken out her breakdown flag at the fore. -She isn’t even flying her colors.” - -“I can’t see anyone on board.” - -“Neither can I—and still, if she was abandoned after sunset yesterday -when her colors had been hauled down, why doesn’t she show her three red -lights in vertical line—that’s the sign of a ship not under control?” - -“Some mystery!” - -“I should say you’re right, Osceola. And what’s more, I don’t like -it—not one little bit.” - -Bill banked until the amphibian was headed into the teeth of the light -breeze. With the wings level once more, he closed the throttle and -pushing his stick forward, sent the plane into a normal glide. At an -altitude of about twenty-five feet, he began to break the glide with a -slow backward movement of the stick. With expert precision he gradually -decreased their gliding angle until they were in level flight with the -bottom of the hull perhaps a foot above the water. Although the plane -was steadily losing speed he did not yet permit his craft to make -contact; but continued to pull back the stick gradually raising the nose -and depressing the tail. - -Like every other trained aviator he knew that as a plane approaches the -stalling point, its nose-heaviness increases sharply and the stick must -be pulled farther back to compensate for this. When his point of stall -was reached, Bill pulled the stick fully back, completing the stall. The -step of the hull made contact. There was no rebound. For an instant, the -plane skimmed the surface, then floated forward. A few yards to windward -lay the yacht, broadside to the gentle ground swell. - -Bill ripped off his headgear. - -“Slap your feet on the pedals, Osceola,” he called. “Keep her headed for -that gangway amidships. She’ll fetch it all right!” - -Without waiting for a reply, he caught up a looped mooring line and -climbed out of the cockpit. An instant later he stood on the heaving -grating, with the taut line wound about his arm. - -“Come aboard!” he shouted. “Make it snappy, will you? This ship’s -rolling like a drunken sailor!” - -The agile Seminole landed beside him and the two lads ran swiftly up to -the deck. - -“Looks deserted, all right,” Bill eyed Osceola, while he played off the -line to the plane, then made it fast. “Packed your gat, I hope?” - -The young Chief grinned, and nodded emphatically. “You bet.” He produced -an automatic from its holster below his left armpit. “I do everything -except sleep with this since the Shell Island mixup.” - -Bill nodded. “Me too, old man. From the lay of the land, we’re alone on -this craft. Still, you never can tell. There’s something uncanny about a -sea mystery——” - -“She’s a swell ship.” Osceola motioned toward the polished brass and -mahogany. “Some rich man’s plaything, I guess. Must have cost a pretty -penny.” - -“And she must have carried a large crew. I wonder where everybody -disappeared to! I don’t know how you feel, but this ship gives me the -creeps.” - -“I’m glad I’ve got my gun.” Osceola released the safety catch. - -“Well, we can’t stand here all day,” declared Bill. “Let’s take in the -engine room first. There can’t be a leak. She’s too high in the water.” - -“How do we get down there?” - -“The thwartships passage forward of the main companionway is probably -what we’re looking for. Let’s go see.” - -Bill entered the passage with Osceola at his heels. - -“Captain’s and chief engineer’s quarters,” said Bill, glancing through -the open doorways on either hand. - -“And everything is in apple-pie order,” added Osceola. - -Bill stepped inside the captain’s cabin and began to rummage, pulling -out drawers at the small desk and bureau. “Strange,” he murmured, “—not -a sign of it.” - -“What are you looking for?” Osceola sat down on the captain’s bunk. - -“Not being a sea-faring man yourself, you probably don’t quite realize -_how_ darned mysterious this business is.” Bill slammed a drawer shut in -disgust and turned toward his friend. “This ship has no name!” he -exploded. “Oh, she had one, all right. I spotted the marks on the hull, -under a fresh coat of paint where the metal lettering had been—even -before we came overside. And her boats, lifebuoys and belts are gone. I -thought I would find the logbook or some of her ship’s papers in the -skipper’s cabin—but I’ve drawn a blank. There isn’t the merest scrap of -paper.” - -“And yet,” remarked Osceola thoughtfully, “the lads who had these cabins -left in a hurry. I may be what you Naval Academy midshipmen call a -landlubber—but I can see that they left their clothes behind.” - -Bill’s eyes crinkled. “Right you are. Let’s go below now. I don’t think -Sherlock Holmes could dig any more dope out of these cabins.” - -A steep stair further along the passage led down to a roomy forecastle, -which, like the cabins above, they found empty. Next to the bunkroom -were a crew’s mess, lazarette and galley—likewise deserted. - -“Look here, Bill!” cried the Indian, lifting a lid from the cook range. - -Bill bent over and was astonished to see the red bed of glowing coals. -“Well, I’ll be doggoned! That fire has hardly burned down at all.” - -“Somebody has put coal in that range less than three hours ago. I don’t -know anything about ships, but fires are another matter.” - -“This yacht seems to be the original question mark,” said Bill gloomily. -“But in spite of it, we do know three things.” - -“That the people on board left in a hurry, and left not more than a -couple of hours ago.—What’s the third?” - -“Why, that they were so keen on hiding the name of this craft that they -either destroyed or took with them everything that could identify her.” - -“Yes, that’s so. It sure is confusing. Everything was all right on board -at breakfast time, too.” - -“How do you fathom that one?” - -Osceola took up a large bowl from a table-rack. “Taste that.” He pointed -to a cream-colored, doughy mass in the bottom. - -Bill dipped in a forefinger and brought it to his mouth. “Wheat cakes!” -he exclaimed. “You’ve got it. The cook doesn’t feed the men wheat cakes -knowing the ship is going to be abandoned shortly. They’re too much -trouble to make in a rush.” - -“Exactly!” Osceola looked pleased. - -“I always knew you Carlisle lads were a wide-awake bunch,” grinned Bill. -“Anything more, Mister Holmes?” - -“Yes, there is, big boy—even if they do turn out real live kidders at -Annapolis! I don’t know what time the ship was abandoned, but the cook -left this kitchen—” - -“Galley—” corrected his friend, with a wink. - -“The cook left this _galley_—” Osceola continued, “shortly after -breakfast.” - -“And how—” - -“Well, you see, he’d washed the griddle—it’s hanging up over there—” - -“But he hadn’t got to this bowl yet, or those other dirty dishes on the -table—” Bill broke in. - -“For the first time in history,” said Osceola suavely, “Midshipman -William Bolton, U.S.N., Second Class, and all the rest of it, shows a -decided glimmer of almost human intelligence! ‘Sing ho, the jolly maiden -and the tar’—or words to that effect . . .” - -Bill saluted. “And seeing there’s no maiden, the tar suggests we beat it -out of here before the famous Seminole Chief goes completely nerts! That -door across the passage is marked ‘Engine Room—Keep Out.’” - -“And so, naturally, we’ll go in,” laughed Osceola, and leaving the -galley, he swung open the door. - -The two stepped onto a metal grating. A steel ladder led down to the -floor of the engine room ten feet below. - -“You wait here while I have a looksee,” suggested Bill, and he ran -lightly down the ladder. - -From his stand on the grating, Osceola watched him make a hurried -inspection of the main engines. “Diesels,” he called up, “they are -certainly big ones—but there’s not a blooming thing wrong so far as I -can see.” - -He stayed below for about ten minutes, then joined Osceola above. “The -machinery’s all in running order,” he began. - -The young Indian suddenly raised a hand to his lips, cutting Bill short. -He tiptoed across the grating and into the passage, and presently -beckoned Bill forward, cautioning silence. - -“There’s somebody on deck!” he whispered. “He walked across that passage -one flight up just now, and went on deck over on the side by the -captain’s cabin.” - -“You certainly have a pair of ears,” murmured Bill. “I never caught a -sound. Are you sure it wasn’t a cat or a dog that got left behind?” - -“Dog nothing! My ancestry and early upbringing have been more or less of -a hindrance in this white man’s country—but when it comes to -distinguishing sounds, Bill, I’m one hundred per cent. Those were the -footsteps of a human being. He knows we are down here, whoever he is—and -he doesn’t want us to know he’s aboard, or he’d have come into the open -long before this.” - -“Well, let’s get after him then, and find out why he’s hiding.” - -“Right. But let me go first. I’ve had more experience in tracking than -you. Better take off your shoes. This is a ticklish business and it’s -more than likely he’s armed.” - -Osceola waited until Bill was in his stocking feet with his shoes tied -together and hanging about his neck. Then he passed up the stair to the -passage that led to the deck like a stealthy shadow, with the young -aviator at his heels. - -After pausing to make sure the way was clear, the two went out on deck. -Osceola seemed at a loss for an instant, then started aft, motioning -Bill to follow. He walked with his body bent forward so as to keep below -the level of the deckhouse portholes, and darted into the main -companionway. Then without the slightest hesitation he entered a large -cabin on his right, evidently the main salon. For a moment, he gazed -about, then he sprang back into the passage, pushing Bill ahead of him. - -While his friend watched, Osceola did a peculiar thing. He dropped to -the floor and wormed his way along the passage wall until he could peer -round the open door. His hand, with the automatic revolver in it, came -forward, and trained the gun on someone within the room. - -“You’re covered,” he said in his deep voice, “come out from under that -couch—and come pronto! _Or I’ll fire!_” - - - - - Chapter II - SURPRISED - - -Bill didn’t care to be thrust out of danger’s way by Osceola. He stepped -into the open doorway, his revolver leveled. At the far end of the -yacht’s salon, taking up the entire space across the rear wall, stood -the couch. It was so low from the floor that he wondered not only how a -human being could squeeze beneath it, but how Osceola could possibly -have known that anyone was hidden there. - -“Come on! Get out of that!” growled the Seminole. “And come out feet -first, or you’ll stop a bullet before you leave the floor.” - -“Please don’t shoot!” cried a high-pitched, muffled voice. “I’m—I’m -coming!” - -A pair of rubber soled sneakers appeared from beneath the couch, soon -followed by two stockinged legs. Then while the two friends stared in -amazement a boy of possibly twelve years wriggled forth and got to his -feet. He was a round-faced, red-headed youngster in khaki shorts and -outing shirt, and across his nose and one side of his face he bore a -great smudge of black coal-dust. He looked hot and badly rumpled, but -did not appear to be frightened in the least; on the contrary, he was -bursting with rage, and began to hold forth immediately. - -“Look here, you!” he piped in his ridiculous treble, both hands thrust -into trouser pockets and balancing on the balls of his feet against the -roll of the ship. “What are you fellas doin’ here? Whose yacht do you -think this is, anyway?” - -Bill and Osceola broke into roars of laughter and holstered their -automatics. - -“That’s exactly what we want to know, young bantam-cock!” gasped Bill, -when he could speak. - -“Tell us all about it, bub,” seconded the chief. “We aren’t going to -hurt you.” - -For a full minute the boy stared at the two young men. - -“Say!” he exploded. “You fellas don’t look like pirates!” - -“Pirates?” - -“Hijackers, then, or whatever you call ’em.” - -“What _do_ we look like?” asked Osceola, smiling. - -The boy looked puzzled. “You came in a plane—I saw you land—but you talk -like college men.” - -“Remarkable perception—” The chief winked at Bill. - -“Oh, quit your kiddin’—who are you guys, anyway?” - -Bill shook his head. “Who are _you_, and what are you doing here?” - -“I asked you first,” stubbornly insisted the youngster. - -“All right, then,” laughed Bill. “My name is Bolton, and I’m ‘commonly -known as Bill.’” - -“A college man?” - -“Midshipman at the Naval Academy.” - -“You aren’t in uniform,” said the boy doubtfully. “How do you happen to -be here?” - -“Oh, I change my clothes occasionally. And this is my second class -summer—I’m on leave. Anything else you’d like to know?” - -“Sure—heaps!” - -“Well,” Bill drew a deep breath, “I was born an orphan at the age of -five, and until I was ninety-seven I could only go upstairs backward -with my hair parted on the side—” - -“Raspberries!” flashed back redhead. “Come on, who’s the other fella? -I’ll bet six bits his middle name is Mussolini!” - -“The other fella, as you so elegantly put it, is Chief Osceola, Grand -Sachem of the Seminole Nation and a senior at Carlisle. And -incidentally, neither Chief Osceola nor myself permit grubby little -schoolboys to get fresh when we’re around.” Bill shot out a long arm and -gathered in the urchin. “Will you scalp him, Osceola?” he inquired -solemnly. “Or shall I lay him across my knee and give him what he’s -asking for? Stop wriggling, you young ruffian, or you’ll get a double -dose!” - -“Please, Mister Bolton—I didn’t mean to be fresh—really, I didn’t!” The -youngster was all contrition now. - -“Then snap out of it, and answer _our_ questions!” - -“I will, sir, I will—” he broke off and stared up at Bill, awe and -amazement written on his round face. “Say!” he fairly shouted. “You must -be the two guys I read about in the newspaper. The ones that busted up -that gang of gunmen down in Florida a couple of weeks ago!” - -“What of it?” Bill released him. “That doesn’t give you license to show -off your bad manners, does it?” - -“Gee whiz! And to think I was trying to get fresh with a couple of real -men like you! I’m darned sorry—and I apologize, Mr. Bolton, and to you, -too, Chief Osceola.” - -“That’s all right, kid. No harm done,” laughed Osceola. “Quit stalling -and tell us something about yourself.” - -“Well, I’m Charlie Evans,” returned the boy, still awestruck at his -discovery of their identity. “My father is C. B. Evans. We live in -Boston, and this is our yacht, the _Merrymaid_.” - -Bill walked over to the divan and sat down, while Osceola leaned against -the arm of a chair. “Come over here, Charlie,” he invited, “and tell me -how it happens that we find you alone on this yacht. Chief Osceola and I -are on our way from Miami to New York. We sighted the _Merrymaid_ adrift -and evidently abandoned out here, so we naturally landed to -investigate.” - -“Gee, that was fine of you!” Charlie curled up on the couch beside him. -“But you see, I can’t very well tell you what happened, because I don’t -know!” - -“You don’t know?” Osceola’s voice sounded rather gruff. - -“Look here, Charlie,” cut in Bill. “This is a serious matter. We’ve got -to be on our way soon. You are wasting our time and your own.” - -Charlie flushed. “I ain’t kidding you, Mr. Bolton, really I’m not.” - -“But there must have been a crew and passengers aboard this ship. Do you -mean to say that they disappeared into thin air and you don’t know why -or how?” - -“Yes, sir, I do. You see, I went below to the trunk room after -breakfast. When I came on deck again, there wasn’t a soul in sight. I -searched the yacht, but you fellas are the first people I’ve seen since -I came up on deck.” - -“I reckon you’d better start at the beginning,” said Osceola. “I’ll ask -questions and you answer them. And maybe we’ll be able to get somewhere. -Suppose you tell us where this yacht was going and who were aboard her -at breakfast time?” - -“That’s easy,” returned young Evans. “We were out of Boston, bound for -Savannah. Dad had business there, so he took Mother and me and Uncle -Arthur along. Uncle Arthur is Mother’s brother, you know. The four of us -had breakfast together at eight o’clock, and—” - -“Woa, not so fast. I suppose somebody skippered this boat?” - -“That’s right. Captain Ridley is skipper. I forgot to say that he had -breakfast with us, too. And we carry a pretty big crew. I can’t tell you -how many without counting them, but I know all their names.” - -Osceola smiled at the boy’s earnestness. “Never mind the crew, now. What -happened after breakfast? I take it everything was running as usual up -to that time?” - -“Yes, that’s right, chief. Well, you see, after breakfast, I wanted to -practice that slow drop Harold Lane told me about. You see, I pitch on -our team. So I asked Uncle Arthur if he would catch for me. He said he -would, so we went out on deck—but say—Uncle Arthur can’t catch for nuts! -He muffed the very first ball, and it went overboard—” - -“You shouldn’t pitch balls,” interrupted Bill. “Strikes are what make a -pitcher.” - -“Who’s kidding now?” said Charlie delightedly. - -“Say,” Osceola broke in, “I’m cross examining this witness. Don’t listen -to him Charlie. What did you do after the ball was lost?” - -“I went into my cabin, but I couldn’t find another one there. Then I -remembered that I had one in my trunk—so I went below to get it. Well, -when I got the trunk open, I got interested in some things I found that -I didn’t know I’d brought with me—and I guess I stayed down there for -some time.” - -“About how long, do you think?” - -“Oh, something over an hour, maybe. I came across a book I like, and got -to reading it.” - -“Did you know the ship had stopped moving?” - -“Of course, but that was nothing. I mean, father often has her stopped -on a hot day, and goes overboard for a swim. I do, too, and so does -Uncle Arthur.” - -“I see—and when you came upstairs again—” - -“One says topside or above on shipboard,” suggested Bill, winking at -Charlie. - -“O-and likewise-K,” replied Osceola. “Not that it has a thing to do with -the matter in hand. Now, Charlie, when you came—on deck, you found that -everybody had vanished—that you were alone on board?” - -“Yes, sir. And believe me but I was some scared! I went all over the -ship, but even the cat had gone. And, well—I guess you men won’t tell on -a fella—I came in here, and I guess I cried some—” He ended -shame-facedly. - -“Of course you did! I would probably have done the same thing in your -place!” Bill encouraged him. - -Charlie looked relieved. “Gee whiz, but it was lonesome!” he exploded. -“I hung round a bit, didn’t know just what to do. Then I thought of -sending out a call for help. I know the International Morse Code. But -when I got to the radio room—someone had put the darn thing on the -fritz. Wouldn’t that jar yuh!” - -“Pretty tough!” agreed Bill. “What next?” - -“Well, I kind of nosed around. Thought Dad or Mother might have left a -note or something for me. I couldn’t find anything, though. Gosh, it was -so quiet! Then I made myself a couple of sandwiches and ate half a plum -cake I found in the pantry, and felt better. - -“After that, I hunted some more, but it wasn’t any use. I heard your -plane about that time. I didn’t know who you were, of course, so I -decided I’d better lay low until I could size up what kind of guys you -were. Oh, Mr. Bolton—can’t you find Mother and Dad for me?” Charlie’s -voice broke suddenly and he sounded very much like a lost small boy. - -Just then Osceola raised a warning hand. “Listen!” - -There came a rush of feet on deck. Before the three in the salon could -reach for revolvers, men with leveled rifles appeared at every porthole. - -“Stick ’em up and keep ’em there!” cracked a voice from the open -doorway, and a man in the smart white uniform of a ship’s officer strode -into the room. - - - - - Chapter III - MAN OVERBOARD - - -The man who entered so abruptly was a tall, heavy-set individual in the -early thirties. Blond as only the Scandinavians or North Germans are -blond, his very next words betrayed Teutonic origin. - -“So!” he sneered as the three kept their hands level with their ears. “A -boy and two half-grown men. Master Evans, and a pair of aviators, eh? -The one, we miss the first time. The others descend on us like manna out -of heaven,—I don’t think! Three more mouths to feed and no money in it -for anyone. _Donnerwetter, noch ein Mahl!_” - -“Nichts kom heraus, mahogany bedstead,” piped Charlie. The added danger -seemed to revive his waning spirits with a vengeance. “The same to you -and many of ’em, Dutchy. I know some more, too,” he went on proudly. -“Schweitzerkäse, frankfurters and getthe-Houtofhere! That last is the -longest word in the Heinie dictionary!” - -“What’s the shortest?” inquired Bill, who was enjoying this byplay. - -“Oh, I don’t know—but the one they say the quickest is ‘camerad.’” - -“_Halts ’maul!_ Shut up, I mean!” thundered the blond stranger. The -whites around the pupils of his light blue eyes became bloodshot with -anger. “I am master here,” he roared. “_Silence!_ I will have it!” - -Two sailors appeared in the doorway behind him. He wheeled about. -“Adolph, you will keep the prisoners covered. Hans, take their weapons -from them. And now,” he continued, when the three lowered their hands -after they had been searched, “you will tell me what names you go by.” - -Charlie sprang to his feet and made a stiff, military bow. “The dark -gentleman over yonder,” he said solemnly, “is traveling incognito. So -that you will not be confused by false appearances, I will breathe his -secret. He is no less a personage than His Majesty, George the Fifth! -Beside me on this couch is Mary, the Four-Fifths, and I am Herbert -Hoover!—Oh, Doctor, why so angry? You may call me Herbie if you’re -good!” He finished in falsetto, with rolling eyes toward Bill and -Osceola. - -“_Ruhig!_ Silence!” shouted the exasperated officer, while Bill and -Osceola were convulsed with laughter at his fury. “Hans—take this -devil-child on deck and keep him there until I come. If he offers more -insolence, give him a taste of your belt!” - -“Gosh, you can’t please the Doctor,” protested Charlie with an air of -injured innocence as he was led forth. “He asked for the go-by, so I -gave it to him.” - -The stranger waved him away. “Now, you two will tell me who you are,” he -commanded. “From American children one expects insolence—with you, it is -different. Your names at once, if you please.” - -“My name is Bolton.” Bill saw no reason for hiding his identity. - -“And I,” said his friend, “am Osceola, Chief of the Seminoles.” - -“So,” mused their captor. “The two young fellows that were mixed up in -the Shell Island business. _So!_” He pronounced the last word as though -it were spelled with a Z. Then for a minute or so he appeared lost in -thought. Neither Bill nor Osceola uttered a word. - -“So——It shall be done.” Apparently the blond man had arrived at an -important decision. “I am the Baron von Hiemskirk. And remember, both of -you—my word is the law. I am in command. You will earn your keep. _Ja_, -you will be put to work and it will be well to remember that my -discipline is that of the Imperial Navy. You will obey all orders—on the -jump!” - -“And the alternative?” Bill rose to his feet. - -The baron stuck a single eyeglass in his eye and stared at Bill with an -evil smile on his lips. - -“We are now about sixty miles off the coast of North America,” he said -coldly. “It is a long swim, my young friend. Come now—we will go on -deck.” - -He strode out of the room, and Bill and Osceola followed him, with a -look of mutual understanding. The sailor brought up the rear. - -Charlie called to them from the rail. “Say, look what I’ve found! That’s -what took Mother and Dad and everybody off of here while I was in the -trunk room. Hans says they’re going to take us too. I don’t care what -happens now, I’ll be with Dad and Mother—but it’s pretty tough on you -fellows! Say, you wouldn’t think these Heinies had brains enough to run -one of those things, would you?” - -He waved excitedly overside, and the two friends saw the long gray hull -and conning tower of a submarine moored beside the yacht. - -The baron, who had stopped to speak to a young officer, walked over to -the boy and caught him roughly by the shoulder. - -“Devil-child!” he roared in his deep bass. “I spoke to you regarding -insolence for the last time a short while ago!” He turned to the -officer. “Herr Lieutenant!” he commanded. “Take this boy forward and see -that he is well punished.” - -“The whip, Herr Baron?” - -“Ten lashes—yes—and at once.” - -“_Zum befehl_, Herr Baron!” He grabbed Charlie’s arm and yanked the -struggling youngster along the deck. - -Like a flash Bill darted after them. He caught up with the pair at the -gangway, and gripping the young officer by the collar, he jerked him -backward on to the deck. Then, as Charlie made a dash for Osceola, he -bent down and deliberately slapped the lieutenant’s face with the palm -of his open hand. - -“Before you try to maltreat that boy, perhaps it would be as well to -settle with me,” he said calmly, while along the deck came the click of -the sailors’ rifles. “That is,” he added, “if you’ve got the guts to do -it.” - -“_Schweinhund!_” cried the enraged officer, as he sprang to his feet. -Without an instant’s hesitation, he swung for Bill’s head. - -The useful art of self-defense is well taught at the Naval Academy, and -Bill had ever been a proficient pupil. He jerked back his head, dodging -the man’s fist by a hair’s breadth. Then as the other overbalanced, he -stepped in with a short-arm jab to his opponent’s kidneys. This he -followed up immediately with a powerful left hook to the point of the -jaw, and the Herr Lieutenant went crashing overside, through the ropes -of the gangway. There came the dull thud of his head as it struck the -metal side of the submarine, and he disappeared down the narrow strip of -water between the vessels. Immediately Bill dived after him. - -His lithe body cut the surface with hardly a splash, and he shot into -the cool green depths from his twenty foot dive with eyes wide open. To -right and to left dark blurs of the vessels’ hulls shadowed the -translucent green. No other objects met his searching gaze, so using a -powerful breast stroke, he forged further downward. All at once he saw -something grayish white below. His lungs were bursting with lack of air -and the heavy water pressure at this depth. It grew icy cold, but he -continued to strain onward, backing his muscles with an indomitable -force of will. - -The white spot beneath him was taking shape now—surely the linen uniform -of the unlucky lieutenant. Yes, there he was, sinking face down, arms -and legs spread-eagled and useless, the wind knocked out of him by the -double blow of Bill’s fists and the crash against the submarine side. - -Bill caught the sprawling, inert figure, with a cupped hand beneath the -chin. Instantly his legs and free arm got into action again, but heading -this time in the opposite direction. Up shot the drowning man and his -rescuer. Bill’s head was whirling, his faculties were leaving him. The -man would sink again if he lost his hold. Slipping the crook of his -elbow beneath the unconscious lieutenant’s chin, he held his head close -to his side. Would they never reach the surface—and air? What if his own -unprotected skull should strike the bulging curve of a vessel’s hull? -Sharp pain stabbed him between the eyes—he knew no more. - -Far away—fathoms above him—Bill heard a voice calling his name. He -seemed to be floating upward in a sea-green haze, but there was air at -last—heaven-sent air. - -“He’s coming round now,” said the voice, which sounded like Osceola’s, -and much nearer than before. “No wonder he went out—under water nearly -two minutes and a half! How’s the other fellow, Baron?” - -“Poor Fritz!” Surely this was the blond commander speaking and his voice -seemed much louder and closer at hand than that of the young chief. And -as the words grew more distinct, their meaning impressed itself on -Bill’s dawning consciousness. “Poor Fritz!” repeated the baron. “We’ve -got the water out of him now and he will live—but it will be a touch and -go for some time. The poor lad has a bad case of concussion. I can’t -tell whether his skull is fractured, but I don’t think so.” - -“He got an awful crack on the back of his head, but you can’t hold that -up against Bill Bolton,” returned Osceola. - -“Oh, no, my dear chap. I assure you I hold no grudge at all.” - -Something has happened, thought Bill, to alter Osceola’s status with the -Baron. - -“I wish you to know, my dear Chief, that both Fritz and I are sportsmen. -Blows were struck in fair fight. When Fritz hit the submarine, I could -have killed young Bolton without hesitation. But when he dived after my -cousin—I loved the lad. It was splendid—_colossal_!” - -“I’m glad you feel that way,” Osceola remarked. “Things were getting a -bit strained, I thought.” - -“Yes, yes, I know that. But I have had a terrible day, my friend. That -devil-child put my temper on edge. And a dozen wildcats are as nothing -to the boy’s mother when she found we’d left him behind. God be thanked, -that is over. I cannot let you and Bolton continue your journey at -present, but at least you will live well, and have an interesting time. -In saving the life of Fritz, you two have rendered me a service. Karl -von Hiemskirk does not forget such favors.” - -“Thanks for dragging me in,” laughed Osceola. “I didn’t do anything.” - -“Hah! You dived in after them while my men looked on like half-wits!” -bridled the Baron. “You brought these two unconscious fellows to the -surface! I call that a very great deal.” - -Bill heard him sigh, but although he was now fully awake, he kept his -eyes closed and listened attentively to the Baron’s next words. - -“The thing of great importance that is worrying me is that Fritz was -first pilot of my command. I, myself, am an aviator, a combat flyer, who -had the great honor to be a member of what you call the circus of the -unsurpassed Graf von Richthofen, of glorious memory.” - -Bill opened his eyes to find himself on the _Merrymaid’s_ deck. He sat -up and began to speak rapidly. “Richthofen was undoubtedly the greatest -air strategean who ever flew,” he declared, “they tell me that his -combat formations and the battle manoeuvers of his famous circus have -never been improved upon. Sorry I wasn’t old enough then to take a crack -at you myself—you must be a humdinger, Baron, when it comes to this -flying game! If you want to use my bus and friend Fritz is temporarily -out of the picture—why not fly her yourself?” - -Osceola put his arm about Bill’s shoulders, and the Baron bowed from the -waist. - -“Thank you, indeed, my dear young friend,” he said formally, “both for -your eulogy of my long-time-dead friend von Richthofen, and because, -after stunning my cousin, you had the courage and graciousness to save -his life at risk of your own.” - -“Oh, please don’t.” Bill colored a dusky red. “Or I shall have to pass -out a second time.” With the chief’s help he rose and held out his hand. -The Baron shook it heartily. - -“We will let our has-beens be never-wases.” - -“I couldn’t help overhearing what you said to Osceola when I was -regaining consciousness,” went on Bill. “So as long as you can’t see -your way clear to letting us go, I’ll do my best to be peaceable in the -future.” - -“Say nothing more about it, my boy.” The Baron fairly oozed urbanity. -“_Es tut mer sehr leid_, I mean, it makes me very sorry to have to -detail you chaps, but it is the fate of war.” - -Bill and Osceola looked their surprise. “War?” - -“I have to inform you that my command is at war with society. I can not -allow my liking for individuals to deter me from my aim.” - -“And what is that?” inquired Osceola. - -“We will talk of that later. Now, there is work to be done. Too much -time has been wasted already. I need an airplane pilot, Bolton, because -with my multitudinous duties, it is impossible for me always to handle -the controls. I will make you two what you Americans call a proposition. -You will fly where and when I tell you, Bolton. You will give me your -word of honor to do that and no more. The chief here will also be given -congenial duties. Obey my commands and you need not give your -parole—there is no escape except by air and that will be circumnavigated -by your word!” - -“And you can sure use big words, Baron,” observed a much subdued -Charlie, who had been silently taking in the conversation. - -“Perhaps,” the Baron smiled, “but if you will take my advice, such -things are better left unsaid. Your tongue has already got you and a -number of others into trouble today.” He turned again to Bill. “I am -awaiting your decision,” he said. - -“And—the alternative in this case?” - -“You and the chief will be kept prisoners until such time as I can -negotiate your ransoms.” - -Bill looked at Osceola, who nodded slightly. “All right, then, Baron, I -promise to fly your planes as you dictate, but I suspect that your war -is nothing more than hijacking on a big scale. And I’m hanged if I have -anything to do with that!” - -The Baron bowed. “It is a bargain. I will now conclude my work on this -vessel. Fritz has already been taken aboard the other craft, and when I -am through here, Chief Osceola will go in her with me and my men. You, -Bolton, will follow us with Charlie, in your amphibian.” - -“Aye, aye, sir,” returned Bill with Naval Academy crispness, now that he -had recognized the baron as his superior officer. “You will keep above -surface, I suppose, otherwise, I am likely to loose your ship.” - -“Oh, no, we won’t,” broke in Charlie the irrepressible. “He’s going in -the air!” - -“The air? Don’t be silly, kid—” - -“I’m not the silly one—” retorted the youngster. “I’m right, ain’t I, -Baron?” - -“That submarine is an invention of my own,” declared the commander. “The -boy speaks correctly. I shall _fly_ her.” - - - - - Chapter IV - VANDALS OF THE HIGH SEAS - - -An hour later, Charlie sat aboard Bill’s amphibian which now lay moored -to a sea-anchor a quarter of a mile to leeward of the _Merrymaid_. A -hundred yards from the plane, the gray submarine rocked gently to a long -Atlantic ground swell. Charlie, a pair of field glasses glued to his -eyes, focussed them alternately on the yacht and on the deck of the -submarine which was crowded with men. - -The object of all this interest was a group of three aboard the -_Merrymaid_—three men and a youth. Left on board the vessel with a boat -wherewith to make their escape, these men were to open the seacocks of -the fated ship. - -In the side of every vessel, somewhat below the waterline is a large -circular manhole, two or more feet in diameter into which fits a steel -plate or plug. The plate is fastened to the reinforced sides of the ship -by means of bolts arranged at intervals of a few inches around the -circumference of the hole. Into this plate fit large pipes which, -communicating with the sea, form an intake for salt water. This plug and -its manhole are together called the ship’s seacocks. - -Opening a ship’s seacocks is a feat of not a little skill and danger. -The nuts of the bolts which fasten the plate to its manhole must be -unscrewed in such a manner that the plate loosens suddenly and not -gradually, so that the sailor who opens it may work until the last -minute and then escape from the inrushing water. To do this, special -strategy is necessary. - -The men from the submarine went about the operation in the following -way: Early that morning when the _Merrymaid_ was first captured, some -men were sent down into her hold to begin preliminary work on the -seacocks. Two of these men carefully unscrewed one rusty nut at a time, -thoroughly greased its threads, and then screwed it back into place -again before loosening the next. While this was being done, the other -men unbolted the pipes leading into the seacock and removed all -obstructions in the way of hasty escape from its neighborhood. - -This preliminary work of greasing and loosening was done merely in order -that the seacocks might be in readiness for immediate opening without -loss of time should an enemy appear or other emergency require hasty -action. The seacocks thus greased and disencumbered of pipes and -impediments were then left in place, and the men returned to the -submarine. - -The men who had accomplished this work were now aboard the fated yacht -once more to finish the opening of her seacocks. With them were Bill -Bolton and the Baron. Bill, who had had never witnessed this particular -operation before, though heartily condoning the act, was deeply -interested. Knowing that he was a midshipman on summer leave from the -United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Baron von Hiemskirk permitted -him to remain as a responsible party. - -The Baron, a sailor and Bill stood on deck while another seaman named -Muller, a strong, heavy-faced fellow who made a specialty of this work, -climbed down to the seacock, equipped with a monkey wrench and a sledge -hammer. Around his waist was tied a rope, the other end of which was -held by the three above for use in emergency. - -Muller, under direction of the Baron, took off the nuts from every -second bolt in the circle. Being recently loosened and greased, this was -easily done. After he had gone completely around the circumference of -the plate, the plug was being held by only half its former number of -bolts. Beginning once more, the adroit seaman again removed every second -nut, from the remaining bolts. The plate was now held by only one-fourth -the original number of bolts. This process of halving was continued -until the plug was finally being held by only two bolts on diametrically -opposite sides of the circumference of the seacock. By this time, the -pressure of the water outside was meeting with so little resistance that -the plate was bending slightly inward, letting water spurt between the -rubber packing and the steel plate up into the hold. - -Muller, sweating in every pore, now thrust his wrench into his overalls -pocket, picked up his sledge, and called out: “Ready!” - -At his signal, the men on deck took in the slack of the rope so that if -necessary they could hoist the imperilled seaman up out of danger. - -Muller now lifted his sledge hammer, took accurate aim, and with a -single vigorous blow, smashed one of the two protruding bolts through -its nut and hole. As the plate did not fly loose, he let the heavy -hammer fall again, throwing all his strength into the blow, this time -upon the remaining bolt. With a dull explosion, the whole two-foot plate -flew loose, and a geyser of sea water gushed upward into the hold. - -Muller at once leaped for the ladder and, still holding the sledge, -clambered to safety. Had he slipped, or been washed away by the force of -the water, his comrades on deck would have fished him up by means of the -rope. - -By this time the yacht was rapidly filling. As the doors through all -compartments had previously been opened, the water coming through this -one seacock at once began flowing to all parts of the hold. The men on -deck were now in real danger, for a sudden listing of the vessel, or its -unexpectedly rapid sinking might mean their death. - -All, therefore, at once scrambled overside to their boat, the Baron last -of all, and pulled away as quickly as possible, lest they be sucked into -the vortex of the sinking ship. - -For a short space the _Merrymaid_ settled rapidly, giving the watchers -reason to expect her to go to the bottom within fifteen or twenty -minutes. Their expectations, however, were not realized, for the ship -soon began to rest at the same level. - -The Baron turned to Bill. “Doubtless air has lodged in the tops of -compartments and is imprisoned elsewhere. She must ultimately go down, -of course, but there is no telling how long it will take—and I am in a -hurry to get away.” - -“What are you going to do, use dynamite?” - -“Yes. We’ve got sufficient here in the boat, for such an emergency. -We’ll row back now, and get busy.” - -Dynamite was presently placed at the base of the ship’s two masts and -amidships, and the fuses lit. They then rowed swiftly away, and had -hardly reached a position where they would be out of danger, when the -explosion came. Three crashes, one after the other, shattered the sides -and decks of the vessel. The _Merrymaid_ was sinking rapidly. First her -bow filled; then the gallant yacht stood perpendicularly on her prow, -and slid with a rush out of sight. - -At the instant her funnel plunged under, a final tremendous explosion -took place, throwing a cloud of steam and water high into the air. A -moment later, only a vortex of oily, tossing water gave evidence that a -million dollar yacht had gone to the bottom. - -“It’s a dirty shame!” Bill spat the words without caring whether the -Baron took umbrage or not. - -“It is indeed,” that blond giant answered seriously. “But this is war, -remember. I cannot use her, still less can I afford to have her -discovered. Yes, it is a shame. Vandalism, if you like, but none the -less, a necessity.” The Baron shook his head, then went on pompously: -“An hour ago that splendid little ship might have been of great service -to mankind. Now she is no more. Let it be her epitaph that she was -fulfilling her destiny, with work well done. May the world say the same -of me when I have gone to the eternal reward.” - -Bill kept silent and managed to conceal his disgust. He did not -appreciate such philosophizing. Neither could he agree with the Baron’s -estimate of his own worth. His work might be well done, but in itself -piracy on the high seas could hardly be called more than a disgraceful -profession. Bill began to realize that the commander’s brain, although -active enough, was more than slightly warped. - -They rowed over the spot where the _Merrymaid_ had gone down, and looked -about for any stray bits of wreckage which might have floated to the -surface. They found none, so made for the amphibian at once. - -“You will wait until you see us take off before you do the same, Mr. -Bolton,” directed the Baron with a return of his superior-officer -manner, as Bill boarded the plane. - -“Aye, aye, sir. Any further orders?” Bill returned the military manner -with interest. - -“Yes. You will follow my craft as though you were number two of a -patrol. Land when I land, and taxi over for further instructions.” - -“Very good, sir.” - -“A pleasant flight, Bolton.” - -“Thank you, Baron. The same to you, sir.” - -The boat moved off in the direction of the submarine and Bill climbed -into his fore cockpit. Charlie was already in his place in the rear -cockpit, and Bill noticed that he seemed strangely quiet, almost sullen. - -“What’s eating you, old boy?” Bill turned round to face him, then added -kindly, “I don’t blame you for feeling low. It’s hard lines about the -_Merrymaid_. Made me feel rotten myself. Nastier piece of vandalism was -never committed. But you mustn’t take it out on me.” - -“Well, I thought you and the chief were my friends,” began Charlie -aggrievedly. - -“But we are—what makes you think we’re not?” - -“Oh, I know you saved me a hiding—and risked your life for that pirate. -That was a bully thing to do, but now you and Chief Osceola have joined -up with them and—” - -“How come—joined up with them?” - -“Why, didn’t I hear you, myself, tell the Baron you would work for -him—do exactly what he told you to do?” - -“So that’s it.” Bill’s laugh was without humor. “There’s no good reason -why I should explain my actions to you, but I like you, Charlie, and I’m -sorry for you into the bargain. Now, pin back your ears—” - -“Well, I’m listening!” - -“But, before I tell you what’s what, I want your promise to keep your -mouth shut!” - -Charlie produced a packet of gum. He tossed Bill a stick and began to -munch another. “Okay,” he said earnestly, his eyes on the older lad’s, -“let’s have it.” - -“I should think you might have guessed it—but neither Osceola nor myself -have gone in with these pirates. I gave the Baron my word to obey -orders—but only so far as they have to do with driving his planes. It -was either that or being locked up—and cutting out any chance there -might be to escape. It’s the same with Osceola. He saw my scheme quick -as winking—which is more than you did—but then, you’re just a kid, of -course.” Bill’s eyes twinkled as he saw the boy’s discomfiture, but he -went on more seriously. “The Baron is so sure of himself and his strong -organization that he has no fear that we two can do anything to hinder -his plans. But unless we’re allowed some freedom, don’t you see, Osceola -and I might just as well have given up before we started?” - -Charlie was profoundly interested and ashamed of himself. “Gee, I was a -pill, all right. But, Bill—do you really think the three of us could -break up the gang?” - -“Well, you never can tell till you try,” Bill answered. “First of all, -we must pretend to work in with this bunch of sea bandits—do our best -not to arouse their suspicions, you know. Then, when we learn more about -them and their ways of doing business, it will be time enough to start -planning on our own account.” - -“That’s right. And don’t you worry. I’ll keep quiet. I wouldn’t breathe -a word!” - -“You mustn’t, kid—not even to your dad and mother when you see them.” - -“Cross my heart—hope to die if I do, Bill.” - -“That’s all right, then. And always remember that it’s the three of us -against a great big organization. A single slip on our part—and well, so -far as we’re concerned, it would be just too bad.” - -“I’ll keep my promise, Bill. Any idea where these pirates have their -hangout? Where we are bound for now?” - -“I have not. Why?” - -“Some hideout on the coast, I suppose. Shouldn’t wonder if maybe it was -somewhere in Pamlico or Albemarle Sound. There used to be lots of -pirates in those waters long ago, before the Revolution, I mean. There’s -a book at home, tells all about them.” - -“Times have changed a lot since then,” mused Bill, “and piracy, too, I -reckon.” - -“Then you don’t think they’ve a base of some kind over there?” - -Bill was facing forward now, staring steadily out over the water. -“Something quite different, Charlie,” he muttered; and then in a sharp -tone that made the boy start—“So that’s the way they work it!” - -“Gee whiz!” Charlie craned his neck and gazed in the same direction. -“The submarine’s sprouting wings!” - - - - - Chapter V - THE TRANSFORMATION OF A SEA MONSTER - - -The two lads, Bill and Charlie, stared with undivided attention at the -astonishing spectacle. Two large fins which evidently had been lying -close to the submarine’s sides, were rising into the air. With a speed -that seemed remarkable these fins reached a vertical position. For a -moment they remained pointing straight toward the high blue arc of the -heavens. Then they swung outward, lowering horizontally from the ship’s -sides, to come to rest when level with the deck, and about five feet -above the surface of the water—a complete set of airplane wings. - -“Gosh, she’s a monoplane now!” exclaimed Charlie. - -“Wonder how they’ll produce a tail unit?” - -“You mean a rudder?” - -“Yes. That, together with a stabilizer, fin and elevator.” - -But before the words were well out of Bill’s mouth, the miracle -occurred. A large rudder lifted itself out of the water, and opening out -as it came to rest, seemed to sprout like a giant seabud into a complete -tail group. - -“Can she use the water propeller in the air?” Charlie kept his eyes -glued on the submarine. “It seems to me that would hardly be big enough -to fly with.” - -“Hardly. That outfit is the queerest engineering jumble I’ve ever seen. -But unless the Herr Baron can work absolute miracles, it will take more -than one motor and propeller to move her.” - -The submarine lay to windward of the amphibian. The lads therefore -obtained a stern view of the ship and it was difficult for them to see -exactly what was going on forward. - -Suddenly Charlie raised another shout. “Look, Bill, look! Here comes the -motor. Some jack-in-the-box, I call it.” - -“And there’s another one! And still another! -Gee-jumpin’-gee-roosalem—the blamed thing is coughing up motors like—” - -“Like a cat with the belly-ache,” suggested Charlie. - -“Inelegant, but apt. Let’s see, there are one, two . . . _five_ of -them!” - -“Some packet!” - -“Some packet is right. I’d pay admission to see this any day.” - -The reason for this excited dialogue had been, first, the raising of -that section of the deck between the two great wing sections until from -wing-tip to wing-tip, one continuous horizontal plane was formed. Next, -up through what was probably a hatch in this center wing section, though -of course invisible at that distance from the lads, appeared an airplane -motor. This rose on its own engine struts, slid to starboard along the -wing and came to rest. Another made its appearance and moved to -starboard in line with the first. The next two found places on the port -wing, and the last engine remained directly above the hatch which -probably closed with a sliding cover. Then the mechanics came topside, -through another hatchway, bearing propellers which were fitted to the -engines, fore and aft. - -“That’s the first time I’ve ever seen two propellers on the same -engine!” cried Charlie. “What’s the reason for it, Bill?” - -Bill turned round in his seat. “Each one of those engines, as you call -them, Charlie, is a double unit. In other words, two motors joined -together, one forward and one aft. There are ten propellers, because -there are ten motors in that line. The propellers forward are tractors, -those aft pushers. The _Dornier_, the big German DO-X passenger plane, -has the same arrangement of motors.” - -“Guess they must generate a heap of power?” - -“Plenty. But you need it to propel a heavy ship like that sub. By the -way, do you happen to know what they call her?” - -“The _Flying Fish_—one of the gobs told me.” - -“Say, where do you get that Navy stuff?” - -“Gobs?” Charlie chuckled. “Oh, I’ve got a sea-goin’ dad. He had a -U.S.N.R.F. commission during the war.” - -“That so? Great!” - -“You bet yer. Say, Bill, hadn’t you better get our own engine going? The -_Flying Fish_ will be taking off right away. She’s a regular monoplane -now.” - -Bill shook his head, and turned to face the submarine again. - -“They won’t take off for a few minutes yet. As she is, those wings will -never hold her weight in the air. And for another thing, she sets much -too low in the water to ever get off.” - -“But, see, Bill—she’s rising. She’s getting higher in the water all the -time.” - -“By Jingoes! She is, at that!” - -“How do they do it?” - -“Same method as a submarine helps to raise itself from the bottom. Water -is forced out of certain compartments and air pumped in.” - -“Gee, it’s a marvel! And look, there are short wings or fins, extending -from the hull under each wing. What do they need them for?” - -“Wing-strut supports, I guess. Yes, there come the men with the struts. -See how they are securing them from the wing sections to the fins below, -and shorter ones from the fins to the hull?” - -“Is that what you meant when you said that the wings of the _Flying -Fish_ wouldn’t hold her?” - -“That’s it. Without struts to support that spread, the wings would -surely crumple with her weight in the air.” - -“Well, I guess she’s all set for the take off now.” - -“Reckon she is. Yes, there go her motors idling! Hear ’em?” - -“What shall I do now?” - -“Strap on your helmet and your goggles. Then go forward and haul in our -sea anchor. When you get back to your cockpit, keep your hands off the -controls in there and adjust the headphone set hanging below the -instrument board. Some day, if we ever get out of this mess, I may give -you flight instruction, but not on this hop.” - -“Anything else?” - -“Yes. And this is important—for safety’s sake, remember. I’m skipper of -this craft. What I say goes—and goes with a bang. Savez?” - -“Yes, sir.” Charlie’s voice was sober and subdued. - -“O.K., then. Hop to it, kid, I want to get moving.” - -A very important Charlie quickly buckled the chin-strap of his helmet -and scrambled forward. He followed directions exceedingly well, -considering the fact that he had never been in a plane before. Once out -on the nose he pulled in the mooring line and the collapsible canvas -bucket known as the sea anchor, and carried them back to the rear -cockpit. There he stowed them away. Back in the pilot’s seat again, he -adjusted his goggles and the headphone set. Then he stood up, and -grasping the cockpit’s cowl, he leaned forward so as to watch Bill -manipulate the controls in the fore cockpit. - -From the time that he was a little tad of a fellow, Charlie had been -crazy to fly. At home, his bedroom was decorated with pictures of famous -flyers and their planes. He fairly ate up airplane stories and his book -shelves were crowded with literature on flying, although he found some -of the volumes too technical. Now that he had a chance to witness a -take-off at first hand, he wasn’t going to miss a single detail if he -could help it. - -Charlie knew that the take-off includes the handling of a plane from the -time the throttle is opened until the ship is in level flight directly -above the surface. He had also read somewhere that in order to leave the -ground or the water, it is necessary for the plane to have flying speed, -the minimum speed at which the lift of the wings will equal the weight; -for the object of the take-off is to gain this speed. The plane must -first be manoeuvered into an attitude which facilitates a quick increase -in speed. It must be held in this attitude while moving forward at an -increasing rate and must finally be taken off in such a way that it is -under full control from the instant it leaves the surface. He also knew -that _all take-offs must be made directly into the wind_. - -The _Flying Fish_ was already moving through the water, her ten engines -roaring like an express train, when Charlie saw Bill set their own motor -idling. Rudder and ailerons were placed in neutral and the amphibian -allowed to swing until it was headed directly into the wind. Then Bill -slowly but steadily opened wide the throttle. At the same time, the -youngster saw him pull the stick back in order to raise their bow out of -the water. This he knew was necessary, both to gain planing speed and to -keep the propeller out of the spray which might damage it. - -Six or eight seconds after opening the throttle, with the bow well up -and the amphibian gaining momentum every instant, Bill pushed the stick -all the way forward, and did so in order to raise the tail and depress -the nose. But as the plane was moving at some speed, the bow could not -be pushed down into the water. Instead, the speed at which they were -taxying gradually forced it upward until they were skimming the surface -on their step. Bill then eased the stick back to neutral and maintained -it there while speed was being gathered. Spray was dashing against -Charlie’s face and chest as they sped along. The sensation of traveling -at terrific speed was enormous. - -“Gee! This sure is great!” - -“Getting a kick out of it?” asked a voice in his ear, causing him almost -to lose his balance. Then he remembered the transmitter on his chest and -realized he had been talking into it. - -“I sure am, Bill. What’s the next thing you have to do?” - -“The next thing for _you_ to do, young feller, is to get back to your -seat and buckle on your safety-belt. If you are so keen to learn, I’ll -talk as I run this old crate into the air, and you watch what I’m doing. -Maybe that will keep you from trying to climb down the back of my neck.” - -“Thanks, Bill, that’ll be great. I’ll sit tight, honest I will.” - -“All right, then. We are skimming the surface on the step now, as you’ve -noticed. No more large movements of the controls may be made, as the -plane is now sensitive to them. I’m paying particular attention to the -lateral balance from this stage on.” - -Bill stopped talking for a moment, then went on again: - -“Remember this, Charlie. It’s important. _The plane must not be taken -off until speed adequate to give complete control has been attained._ -Any attempt on my part to pull it off prematurely will result in a -take-off at the stalling point, where control is uncertain. Now we’ve -gained flying speed, so I break her out of the water with a momentary -pressure on the elevators. That pressure was very slight and I eased it -at the moment of take-off. - -“When the plane left the water, its speed was only slightly above -minimum flying speed. Any decrease in this would naturally mean a stall. -Therefore, I’m keeping the nose level for six to eight seconds in order -to get a safe margin above the stalling point before beginning to climb. -Safety first always—when flying, Charlie. Now she’s all right, the -engine’s running smooth and sweet. So I pull my stick back gently, and -as you see, we’re leaving the water behind.” - - - - - Chapter VI - THE RAIDER - - -Half a mile or so ahead of Bill’s plane, the great sea monster, the -_Flying Fish_, leveled off at an altitude of twenty-five hundred feet, -and headed out on a northeasterly course. - -Bill continued to climb his amphibian until they too reached that -height, then he spoke to Charlie again. - -“Now that we’re high enough, I’ve got to make a right turn in order to -follow that ship. So I push my stick slowly forward, drop the nose to -level like this, and maintain it there throughout the turn. Next I give -her right aileron and increase right rudder considerably at the same -time.” - -“And we’ve gone into a bank. I see.” Charlie unconsciously leant toward -the raised wing. - -“That’s it. And now that I’ve tilted her far enough, I check the wing -with the ailerons, and at the same time ease the pressure on the rudder. -I maintain a constant bank, you see, and a constant pressure on the -rudder bar throughout the turn. - -“Now we are round to where we want to go, so I resume level flight by -applying left aileron and left rudder. The wings are level once more, so -I neutralize the ailerons and give her a normal amount of right rudder. -And we’re pointed in a direct line for the _Flying Fish_!” - -“Gosh, but there’s an awful lot to it,” muttered Charlie into his -transmitter. “Looks so simple and easy when you’re on the ground, -watching a plane flying. How do you ever remember it all?” - -“Oh, at first it’s a bit confusing, until you get the hang of the -thing—but it soon becomes second nature to do the right trick. When you -come to fly you’ll find that there isn’t time for slow thinking in the -air. In fact, as my instructor used to say, a flyer must develop -instinctive coordination between the sensory organs and the muscles.” - -“You can’t prove it by me!” - -“Well, it simply means that when flying a pilot must act quicker than he -can think.” - -“Humph! Like Dad does when he gets mad and gives me a walloping.” - -Bill laughed heartily. “Hair brush or slipper?” - -“Oh, I always get the hair brush. He can get a better grip on it. But I -get a choice at that—back or bristles.” - -“I should think that bristles might be the less unpleasant.” - -“So did I. Just once. Never again, though. I had to carry a pillow -around with me for a week after that session.” - -“If I,” remarked Bill, “had your imagination, Charlie, I’d be worth more -than John D. Rockefeller!” - -“Raspberries!” - -For a time they kept silence, unbroken save for the humming drone of the -engine. - -“I wonder where that hideaway is we were talking about?” Charlie said -after a while. - -“Well, it isn’t located on our coast, if we’re bound there now. This -plane is pointing straight for Northern Europe.” - -“Gee! Do you really think we’re going across—making a trans-Atlantic -flight?” - -“Not a chance, kid, with the gas we’ve got aboard this crate. If you ask -me, the _Flying Fish_ is heading for a mother ship of some sort. This -gang will have to operate from a steamer if they have no land base. Slap -on those sea glasses you were using and take a squint dead ahead beyond -the _Fish_—Smoke on the horizon, isn’t there?” - -“Sure is. Yes, I can make it out plainly now. Say, you don’t realize how -fast we’re traveling until you get a bead on something in the distance. -The ship is still hull down, but the smoke seems to be getting denser—” - -“I can see it now,” said Bill, giving the amphibian more altitude in -order to gain a better view. “That’s no single-stacker, or I’m a -landsman.” - -“You’re right—she isn’t! I can see—one—two—three—_four_ funnels! -Jingoes! She must be a whopper!” - -“I wonder,” muttered Bill, half to himself. - -“What? But I can see—” - -“Oh, I’m not doubting your word, Charles.” - -“What are you wondering about then?” - -“Remember the _Amtonia_?” - -“_Amtonia?_ Why, she’s the big British liner that was held up at sea a -couple of months ago!” - -“Yes. A freighter SOS’d and when the _Amtonia_ went to offer help, the -crew of the tramp forced the liner’s crew and passengers to swap -steamers. Then they made off with the big ship.” - -“Sure, I remember all about that. Harry Davis’ dad was on the _Amtonia_, -coming home from England, when it happened. It was in the papers but I -got the inside dope from Harry. His old man told him all about it.” - -“Dollars to a dead stick, you’ll be able to tell Harry Davis more about -the _Amtonia_ than he ever dreamed of, one of these days.” - -“You mean—that ship over there is the _Amtonia_?” - -“Exactly. See—she’s hove to now—and the _Flying Fish_ is nosing over for -a landing!” - -The two in the speeding amphibian saw the _Flying Fish_ descend in a -long glide to the surface of the ocean and taxi toward the great -steamer. - -“She’s the _Amtonia_, all right, all right!” said Bill. - -“Gosh, she’s big. What’s her tonnage?” - -“Twenty-five thousand tons, I think.” - -“Whew!—Say, listen, do you suppose Mother and Dad are on board her now?” - -“I shouldn’t be surprised if your Mother and Father and some other boys’ -papas and mammas, along with them.” - -“That is, unless business in the ransom line is bad.” - -“Which,” said Bill, “considering the number of passengers watching us -and the _Flying Fish_ from her decks—it isn’t. Shut up now, kid,” he -added, cutting his gun and pushing forward the stick. “We’re going down -and it sure would look rotten to nose into the drink with that gallery’s -eyes on us.” - -“Humph! And what about us in that case?” - -“Boston papers,” said Bill, “please copy!” - -Down they soared, straight into the wind to land with hardly a splash, -went skimming over the water for fifty or sixty yards and came to rest -just behind the _Flying Fish_. Charlie, at Bill’s bidding, flung out the -sea anchor. - -To port lay the _Amtonia_, now Baron von Hiemskirk’s traffic raider, and -neither lad was surprised to see that she was blatantly flying the flag -of piracy, a skull and crossed bones of white on a black field. - -Bill had no difficulty in recognizing the _Amtonia_. She was one of the -largest passenger ships afloat, and consequently hard to disguise. Her -camouflaged hull and stacks, painted in broad wavy stripes of grey-green -and black made it still harder to judge her length on the waterline. He -knew, however, that she must be quite as long as two city blocks, and -her many decks rose above the amphibian to the height of a ten-story -building. Her four gigantic funnels—so huge that the greatest locomotive -could have passed through one of them lengthwise without scraping—and -her tall masts, made her easily recognizable to the young midshipman. - -“Hello!” exclaimed Charlie, “there’s a gob on the _Flying Fish_ -signalling the liner. Gee, I wish I understood wigwag.” - -“If you did,” said Bill, standing up on the pilot’s seat and flapping -his arms like a semaphore, “you’d know he was signalling us and not the -_Amtonia_. For heaven’s sake, kid, button that lip of yours. I want to -get this message.” - -Bill then snatched up the helmet he had just doffed and clapped it on -again, buckling the flaps over his ears. Charlie watched proceedings -with interest that for once was wordless. Presently the sailor aboard -the _Flying Fish_ stopped waving his two red flags. Bill answered him -with his arms, and the man rolled up his flags and went below. - -Bill Bolton unbuckled the chin-strap of his helmet and turned toward the -rear cockpit. - -“Snap on that safety belt and put on your helmet again,” he ordered, -“and don’t take it off this time until I tell you to. We are going -aboard.” - -“Aboard what?” - -“The _Amtonia_, of course.” - -“But how can I go aboard that liner if I’m tied to this seat?” - -“Wait and see—I’m too busy to talk now—even if you’re not!” - -Bill got down, started the engine idling and commenced to haul in their -sea anchor. - -Charlie stood up in the rear cockpit and called to him. - -“Hey, Bill!” - -“Well, what is it now?” - -“How _are_ we going aboard if I’m to be tied up in this belt?” - -“Great jumping snakes!” exploded Bill, with a furious glance over his -shoulder. “Have you still got that safety-belt on the brain?” - -“No—around the middle!” - -“For a counterfeit two-cent piece with a hole in it, I’d throw you into -the Atlantic and let you swim aboard!” - -“Aw, please tell me, Bill!” - -“Well, if you must know each detail, we’re going aboard by way of the -electric crane—” - -“Aw, quit yer kidding—there ain’t any electric trains out here!” - -“Not train, bozo—_c-r-a-n-e_—hoist!” - -“Oh! an electric crane! Are they going to hoist us up?” - -“That,” said Bill, as he stowed away their mooring, “is the usual -procedure when cranes are used. Sometimes up—sometimes down—and—chew on -this one thoughtfully, for this is the point of the story: Sometimes -when the tackle slips on a haul, there is a tendency to slip sideways. -And then, little chatterbox, since it is this amphibian which is to be -hauled upward, and you who will be sitting in said amphibian—the -aforementioned safety belt is likely to prove mighty useful. _Now_ do -you savez?” - -“Yup. But my teacher usta tell me that a straight line is the shortest -distance between two points.” - -“And when,” replied Bill with a grin, “you want to make a home run, it -is absolutely necessary to touch all three bases and the plate!” - -“Oh, yeah? Well, I think it’s pretty tough when a feller can’t open his -mouth without bein’ told to pipe down every other minute!” - -“Cheer up, Charles. It’s a long worm—you know. And you’ve got this one -on his back with your chatter. The Baron said that this was war, and I, -for one, believe he’s right!” - -“And,” Charlie chortled, “Sherman said that war was—” - -“All that _and_ more. Nothing slow about you when it comes to pickup. -Well, there’s the crane showing topside. Reckon I’d better feed the old -girl a little more gas and mosey over there.” - - - - - Chapter VII - ABOARD - - -The _Amtonia_ had stopped her engines and now lay broadside on to the -gentle groundswell. Bill landed to leeward of the great ship, and taxied -the amphibian upwind to a point off her leeward quarter. Then he shut -off his motor and when the plane’s momentum carried her to within a few -yards of the hull, towering high above the little aircraft, he ordered -Charlie to fling out the sea anchor. Their drift, of course, was to -leeward, so the manoeuver brought them nose on to the ship’s side, -directly below the long arm of the hoist. - -In order that seaplanes may be taken aboard ships, flying boats are -provided with slings. Bill’s craft being an amphibian, was equipped with -retractible landing gear, operated electrically from the cockpits. But -inasmuch as the _Amtonia_ boasted no deck upon which an airplane might -land, the hoist was the only means available. - -A heaving line was cast to the amphibian as soon as her propeller -stopped, and made secure while Bill and Charlie worked like beavers to -secure the wing lines. That accomplished, the lads broke out the sling, -and after considerable trouble, passed it completely around the hull of -their craft, using spreaders to prevent crushing during the hoist -aboard. - -While they were working on these details, the hoisting hook was let down -to them and presently the sling was made fast to it. - -“Gee whiz! Look at the gallery now!” cried Charlie, staring up at the -line of faces along the deck rails of the steamer. “Say! there’s Dad—and -Mother! And there’s Uncle Arthur! See them up there, next to the top -deck! They’re waving to us! Hi, Dad! Hello, Mother! Hello, Uncle -Arthur!” - -“Swell,” was Bill’s preoccupied comment. “I’m glad you’ve found your -people, kid. But get into the rear cockpit now, and pipe down a bit, -please. This is a ticklish job and unless you keep quiet so I can do a -bit of talking to those guys on the ship, it’s likely to turn into a -first class accident instead of a reunion.” - -Charlie, only slightly abashed, subsided in his seat, but he kept on -waving frantically to his parents. - -Then a chief petty officer, who stood by the rail just below the arm of -the hoist, raised a megaphone to his lips. - -“Avast below!” he roared, showing a strong foreign accent. “Is that -sling secure, sir?” - -“All secure!” called back Bill. “But be sure your men keep the slack out -of our wing lines when you hoist us. I don’t want the plane to start -swinging.” - -“Aye, aye, sir. Are you quite ready, sir?” - -“All ready.” - -“Stand by to be hoisted, sir.” - -The officer raised a hand. There came a creaking of the sling as the -hoist hook caught up the slack, then very slowly the plane rose out of -the water on her upward journey. - -“Sit down and keep perfectly quiet, Charlie,” ordered Bill. “If we start -the plane see-sawing, there’ll be the dickens and all to pay.” - -Charlie did as he was told. “Don’t worry about me, skipper,” he answered -in a somewhat aggrieved tone. “It’s not me that’s raising all the row -now.” - -The passengers, or possibly they might better be termed prisoners on -board the liner, were waving handkerchiefs and calling greetings to the -boys. Any break in the monotony of ship life is always made the most of, -and Bill surmised that many of these people had been held on board the -liner for weeks. - -The plane in its sling went slowly upward, watched by the enthusiastic -gallery on the promenade deck. The hoist was situated far forward and as -the amphibian topped the bulwarks, it was swung aboard and deposited on -deck beside an open hatch. No more had she been landed and braced than -Charlie jumped out and raced off to seek his parents. - -Bill, in the meantime, had his hands full. It was explained to him that -inasmuch as the _Amtonia_ was not equipped for the carrying of aircraft, -the plane must be dissembled in order to permit its being stowed away in -the hold. A number of men were told off to assist him and for the next -couple of hours, he was busily engaged directing the work. Wing sections -were removed first and lowered through the hatchway. The tail plane came -next, and at the same time, the propeller was taken from the engine. -Last of all, lines were riven about the hull and made fast to heavy -fittings on the plane, such as engine bearers. Then the denuded hull was -hoisted from the deck and lowered nose first into the hold. Even then -Bill’s work was not completed, for it was necessary, of course, to -secure everything below against possible damage from the rolling or -pitching of the ship. - -Sandwiches and coffee were served to him by a steward, while he was -still on deck. He had sent his excuses when the captain had asked him to -lunch, as he felt it imperative that he stay with the men on the job. - -It was three-thirty before the work was finished to his satisfaction, -and with a petty officer as guide, he located the Baron in his cabin. -The _Amtonia_ had got under way again several hours earlier. Upon coming -topside, he saw that the ship was steaming into the north-east. Close in -their wake, the _Flying Fish_, once more a submarine, ploughed the -smooth surface of the ocean. - -When Bill entered the captain’s cabin, he found the Baron seated at his -desk, reading a paper which had just been handed him by the wireless -operator. - -“Stand by for a few minutes, Mr. Bolton,” he said, putting the note -aside. “Take a seat on the couch. I have need of you again.” - -Bill sat down while Baron von Hiemskirk went on talking to the operator. - -“Do your best to find out what other craft are in the vicinity and -report to me on the bridge as soon as possible.” He said this in German -which Bill understood but did not speak well. - -“Aye, aye, sir,” returned the man, saluted and departed. - -The Baron stood up, picked up his cap and turned to Bill who also rose. - -“All secure with the plane below?” - -“All secure, sir.” - -“Good. Come along then.” - -Together they passed through the thwartship passage and out on deck. -They reached the top deck of the superstructure by a steep stair and -went forward. From this deck another stair led to the bridge, where a -sailor with rifle and sidearms stood sentry. The man brought his gun to -“present” and both the Baron and Bill punctiliously returned the salute. -Long before this Bill had come to realize that strict naval discipline -was enforced to the letter aboard this pirate ship. - -Once they were on the bridge an officer came forward and saluted. - -The Baron said stiffly: “Commander Geibel—Mr. Bolton—in charge of flight -operations.” - -The Commander and Bill shook hands. - -“Has the lookout reported anything during the past quarter of an hour?” -inquired the Baron. - -“Not a thing, sir.” - -Commander Geibel and the others instinctively glanced toward the -foremast where about halfway to the top was located the ship’s first -lookout station. This station, Bill was to learn, always held an officer -and his assistant. Still higher up the mast in the crow’s nest, a -sharp-eyed seaman, especially trained to this service, kept a vigilant -scrutiny on the horizon. When the man in the crow’s nest discerned smoke -or haze which seemed to indicate a ship, he called to the men in the -lookout below. Instantly all glasses would be trained in the direction -he gave them, and the bridge would make ready to act upon the result of -their discovery. - -The Baron turned to Commander Geibel again. “We have just received a -wireless that the French liner _Orleans_ is about sixty miles to the -northward, steaming east. She carries the mails, you know, and a -capacity load of first class passengers. I think she will be worth -detaining.” - -“Decidedly so, sir.” - -“Make ready to stop the ship, if you please. Also signal the _Flying -Fish_ to prepare for a flight. While I am away, you will be in supreme -command, as usual.” - -“Very good, Herr Baron. Any further orders?” - -“No. You will maintain the usual routine. Good afternoon, Herr -Commander.” - -“May I wish the Herr Baron his usual success and a pleasant trip?” - -“Thank you, Herr Geibel.” The two shook hands. “_Auf wiedersehn!_” - -“_Auf wiedersehn_, Herr Baron! _Auf wiedersehn_, Herr Bolton.” - -“_Auf wiedersehn_, Commander.” - -They saluted. Commander Geibel stepped to the engine room telegraph and -the Baron with Bill at his heels left the bridge. - -“Come to my cabin. I want to say a few words to you.” - -Bill knew that Commander Geibel had given the order “All engines ahead -one-third.” So he was not surprised by the time they entered the -Captain’s cabin to find that the vibration from the ship’s propellers -had ceased. - -“You understand, Mr. Bolton,” the Baron said, “that we are about to -capture a trans-Atlantic liner?” - -“I understand that such is your purpose, sir.” - -“You are ready to obey orders—to pilot the _Flying Fish_ as we agreed?” - -Bill was silent for a moment. “And if I refuse?” he asked at last. - -“Then it will be my painful duty to place both you and Chief Osceola in -the brig and keep you there until we make port.” - -“Where is Osceola now?” - -“He is still aboard the _Flying Fish_. He is to act as your assistant. -You see, my dear fellow,” the Baron went on, his manner changing from -curtness to affability. “As a midshipman in the United States Navy, you -are too dangerous a person to allow you to mix freely with the other -passengers of this ship, unless—shall I put it frankly?—unless I have a -hold of some kind over you. Those people, wealthy men and women, or they -should not be here, are nevertheless but a flock of sheep. You and the -Chief proved in Florida that you were made of different stuff. Aboard -the _Merrymaid_, I gave you my reasons for the offer. What is your final -answer, now that you have had time to think it over?” - -Bill hesitated no longer. “I will fly the plane as agreed,” he said. -“But there, my duty to you and your organization ends.” - -“That satisfies me. I am glad to take your word as an officer and a -gentleman on this matter.” He rose from his chair and beamed at Bill. -“My organization is perfect, Mr. Bolton—perfect. You will have no chance -to escape—there is no where to escape to—but if you and your friend -should wish to try—you have my permission to do so!” - -Bill smiled, and said nothing. - -“Time to shove off now,” continued the Baron bruskly. “The boat will be -waiting for us.” - -They went overside by means of a ship’s ladder and were rowed over to -the _Flying Fish_. Her airplane engines were making their appearance -topside by the time they stepped aboard. For a few minutes Bill watched -them rise one by one, and slide on grooved tracks into place. At the -same time, he noticed that the decking just forward of the central motor -was moving upward to reveal itself as the roof of a glass-sided -structure about two feet high. - -“What’s under that?” he asked the Baron, “the pilot’s cockpit?” - -“Just so. Come below and we’ll inspect it.” - - - - - Chapter VIII - PIRACY - - -While they had been talking, Bill saw the conning tower lower itself -until it stood not more than a foot above the deck aft of the huge -wings. - -“This certainly is the most remarkable ship I’ve ever seen, or ever hope -to see,” he exclaimed as they descended into the hull through the -conning tower hatch. - -“I designed most of these gadgets before the close of the last war,” -replied the Baron in his usual pompous manner. “The armistice -interrupted my experiments and as there was no government that amounted -to anything in my country then, I kept the results of my work for -myself. Some little time ago, speculation in your American stocks gave -me sufficient capital to build that ship with added improvements. Now I -am cashing in on her.” - -The Diesel engines were drawing air from an intake valve just under the -small bridge as they dropped into the control room where Bill and the -Baron studied the charts for a while, and he was given the course he was -to fly. They passed through the battery room where the walls were lined -with the crews’ bunks and into the pilot’s glassed-in cockpit. - -“Hello!” Osceola beamed at them from one of the pilot’s seats. “It’s -sure good to see you again, Bill, old boy. How do you do, Baron?” - -The Baron was annoyed. - -“It is customary aboard my ships for a superior officer to receive a -salute when spoken to. And the salute should be rendered standing.” - -Osceola smiled, stood up, clicked his heels together and brought the -fingers of his right hand smartly to the edge of the soft helmet he -wore. - -“Thank you.” The Baron punctiliously returned the salute. “Good -afternoon, Chief.” - -Then he turned his back on the young Seminole and spoke again to Bill. - -“When the buzzer rings in here, Mr. Bolton, you will start idling your -engines and take off as soon as possible immediately afterward. You know -your course and you have instructions with regard to landing. Further -orders will be sent to you should I consider them necessary.” - -“I understand, sir,” said Bill. - -Both young fellows saluted. The Baron returned their salutes and left -the cockpit, sliding the door to behind him. - -“Gosh!” exploded Osceola. “That lad gives me the jim-jams with his -confounded bowing and saluting. I’ll turn into a Prussian Yunker myself -if we don’t get out of this soon!” - -“Reckon you weren’t cut out for a Naval man,” laughed Bill, “I admit -I’ve had my fill of that stuff at the Academy, but the Herr Baron -certainly goes the whole hog. Let’s see what kind of a crate I’ve got to -run,” he mused—“ten motors—dual control—aeromarine inertia starter!” - -He studied the layout thoughtfully and glanced at the instrument board. -Then he turned to Osceola again. - -“Thank heaven, they’ve fitted this bus with the wheel and column type of -control. The clever bird has stolen some of the Fokker features. That -worm gear, operated by a crank and shaft from the pilot’s seat to adjust -the stabilizer in flight proves it.” - -“Maybe,” grinned his friend. “That’s all Greek to me. The joke of it is -that these bozos think I understand—that I’m an aviator like you!” - -“Well, I’ve given you some pointers, haven’t I? You ought to recognize a -few of these gadgets.” - -The Chief snorted. “_Few_ is right. Your amphibian is one thing—but this -bus is fitted out like the engine room of an ocean liner!” - -Bill laughed and picked up a soft helmet. - -“Ever been in one?” - -“An engine room?” - -“Yes.” - -“Not yet—and I hope never.” - -“I thought so. Well, Mr. Assistant Pilot, get into your seat and look -pretty. I’ll do the work. Confound, there goes the buzzer!” - -He slipped into his seat and his hand sought the inertia starter. With -her multiple engines roaring in deafening crescendo, the _Flying Fish_ -leapt through the water and was jerked onto her step, quite as easily as -the smallest seaplane. A few seconds later she was in the air, nosing -upward into the ether. - -Bill ran her up to thirty-five hundred feet, leveled off, did a sharp -bank to port, then straightened out once more and spoke to Osceola. - -“Some bus! Runs like a ladies’ wristwatch.” - -“Aren’t you keeping pretty low?” - -“There’s no sense climbing higher. The skipper wants to get there in a -hurry.” - -“Er—you know this is rank piracy?” - -“I do, Osceola. But it’s a long chance—and a darned sight better for our -plans than being cooped up in the brig. If I wasn’t driving this plane, -the Baron would be. Friend von Hiemskirk is so sure of himself he says -that we have his permission to escape—if we can. I’d like to give him a -run, you know.” - -“Yes, nice of him, isn’t it? Still, we got away from the Shell Island -gang, didn’t we?” - -“Sure did—and put those guys in a place where they belong.” - -“Well, I’m entirely willing to try it with this bunch—but between you -and me, I’m almost inclined to agree with the Baron—I don’t think we’ve -the ghost of a show.” - -“Maybe not. But we’ll make a good stab at it, just the same. First of -all, we’ve got to know how they work their game. That’s the principal -reason why I took over this job. It’s not only escape I’m after, but -it’s busting up this organized piracy, as well.” - -“Ambitious, aren’t you?” - -“Well—hello! there’s smoke on the horizon!” - -“Oh, yes, I see it. Dead ahead. Think she’s the ship we want?” - -“Hope so. We’re following the course. Herr Pomposo plotted it himself, -so he can’t strafe us if it isn’t.” - -Osceola clapped a pair of glasses to his eyes and studied the distant -smudge of black that was curling up a blue horizon. - -“Three funnels. Looks like a pretty big ship—and she sure is moving -along.” - -“The _Orleans_ is a three-stacker. Also, she’s plenty big and fast. Push -that button on the instrument board marked ‘C.R.’, will you?” - -Osceola complied. “What’s C.R. mean?” - -“Control room. I want to let his high-mightiness know we’ve sighted his -prey.” - -“This,” said Osceola, “begins to get exciting.” - -“It will,” said Bill, “get a good deal more exciting than we bargained -for unless you pipe down, old man. There’s some ticklish business ahead -of us and I can’t afford to crack it. Now—get these instructions, and -get ’em right. That handle yonder works the bomb release. When I say the -word, take hold of it—but don’t pull until I tell you to.” - -“But—Bill!” protested the Seminole. “You surely aren’t taking orders -from von Hiemskirk or anyone else to bomb that liner!” - -“Not if I know it,” Bill answered curtly. “Get your mind on the job. -When I say NOW—you pull. Not one instant sooner, or an instant later. -It’s a matter of life and death—so be careful.” - -“Trust me,” said his mystified friend, lifting a nervous gaze to stare -at the great steamer they were approaching so swiftly. - -The _Orleans_ was a beautiful sight; a racing greyhound of the seas, -tearing through a glassy ocean, bound for Europe with mail and -passengers. - -The _Flying Fish_ came upon her from the south. As he drew nearer the -leviathan, Bill decreased the plane’s altitude to a meager five hundred -feet. Below the belching funnels he could see passengers and crew -crowding the starboard rails, for even the most _blasé_ traveler is -still thrilled by the sight of an airplane in mid-ocean. - -The great plane circled the ship. Then Bill dropped behind for a moment, -did a flipper turn to port, levelled off and came racing up from the -rear. When the _Flying Fish_ was directly over the steamer’s stern, Bill -spoke to Osceola. - -“Get ready!” he said. - -“Good Lord! You can’t do it, Bill. It’s murder!” - -“Shut up—and obey orders!” commanded his pilot. “This is my funeral—not -yours.” - -Osceola grasped the bomb release, his brain whirling in consternation -and confusion. - -Slowly they forged ahead, over the stacks, the foremast, the bow, and on -until they had gained a lead of possibly two hundred yards on the -_Orleans_. - -“NOW!” - -Back came Osceola’s hand, yanking the handle and at the same time Bill -banked the plane in a sharp left turn. Osceola descried an object -darting seaward beneath them. He glimpsed it strike the water and a -geyser shot upward in front of the racing liner. Then as the _Flying -Fish_ came about and landed, he saw that the _Orleans_ was slowing down. -By the time their own craft was moored to a sea anchor, the liner’s -propellers no longer turned and she lay like a “painted ship upon a -painted ocean.” - -Both lads stripped off their headgear as the Baron walked into the -cockpit. - -“I am about to board the _Orleans_,” he stated in that overbearing tone -that was so irritating to Osceola. “You young gentlemen will accompany -me. We leave directly. Once aboard, it will be your duty to make note of -the quantity of gasoline and lubricating oils carried by the liner and -render a report to me. I shall probably be found in the First Class -dining salon, where passengers will be interviewed. Come now, it is time -we were off.” - -When Bill and Osceola came out on deck they saw that a three-inch gun -had been brought topside and was trained on the _Orleans_. Signals had -evidently passed between the _Flying Fish_ and the liner, which lay -motionless a few hundred yards off their port quarter. Even as the -boarding party, armed to the teeth, stepped into a small launch, a -gangway was let down from the side of the leviathan. - -The journey across took but a very few minutes. Bill had only time to -note that the _Orleans_ no longer flew her colors and that the decks -were still crowded with passengers, when the seaman in the bow of their -launch caught the grating at the bottom of the steep flight of steps -with his boathook. - -The Baron immediately sprang onto the grating and, followed by another -officer, Bill, Osceola and four seamen bearing rifles, mounted the -gangway. The launch in the meantime hastened back toward the _Flying -Fish_ to pick up another load of men. - -An indignant officer, whose uniform proclaimed him to be the ship’s -captain, met them as they stepped on deck. - -“This is an outrage!” he thundered, addressing the Baron. “By what right -do you threaten my ship and board her?” - -Von Hiemskirk smiled cynically at the scowling captain, and bowed, -including the row of ship’s officers and men who stood close behind him, -in his salutation. - -“You make a mistake, Captain,” he replied affably, “when you say ‘my -ship.’ Allow me to inform you that she is no longer yours—but mine—by -right of conquest!” - -“But this is—piracy!” - -“I am glad,” said the Baron, “that you realize the fact.” He changed his -tone abruptly. “Permit me to inform you also that unless my orders are -obeyed—obeyed on the instant,—it will be my unpleasant duty to sink this -ship.” - -A man in the uniform of the ship’s wireless operator pushed his way -through the crowd of protesting passengers and saluting the _Orleans_ -captain, whispered a few words in his ear. - -“No secrets,” snapped the Baron. “Operator, what message have you -brought?” - -It was now the captain’s turn to smile. - -“I will answer your question,” he returned. “We have been in touch with -the United States Cruiser _Stamford_. At the present moment, she is -steaming at full speed to this spot!” - - - - - Chapter IX - THE BARON’S METHODS - - -Baron von Hiemskirk roared with laughter. “Splendid, Captain—splendid! -To use an American expression, Herr Captain—we pirates are not always as -dumb as we may look. I know all about that warship. It will take her -five hours, fast steaming, to reach this ship.” - -He turned his back contemptuously on the furious skipper and walked to -the rail. A glance overside told him that the launch, crowded to the -gunwales with more men from the _Flying Fish_ was nosing the landing -stage below. He again approached the choleric officer. - -“I now take over this ship. Order your crew to the forecastle and your -officers to their cabins. You and I, my friend, will repair to your -quarters. I want to look over your ship’s papers.” - -By this time the second boarding party reached the deck, and commands -snapped from the Baron like reports from a machine gun. - -Accompanied by an armed seaman from the _Flying Fish_, Bill and Osceola -followed the chief commissary steward below. The man had been told off -for the duty by the Baron, with a promise that if there were any -complaints upon their return, he would be shot. On second thought, he -had expanded Bill’s orders. - -“You will attend to the oil and gas,” he said, “and in addition, you -will commandeer all stores leaving two days’ crews’ rations for the -passengers. Break out what men you need and get the supplies to this -deck on the port side. And just as quickly as possible, Mr. Bolton.” - -“Aye, aye, sir.” - -Arrived at the chief steward’s office, he was amazed to learn from the -man’s lists the vast amount of eatables carried by the liner. - -“Gosh, there’s everything here from caviar to oatmeal!” - -“Well, orders are orders,” said Osceola. “While you’re deciding what to -take and what to leave, I’ll get hold of the crew and meet you below in -the storerooms.” - -“Right-o! I’ll be with you in a jiffy. I hate to have to do this, but if -we don’t make a clean job of it, you and I will finish out this cruise -in the well-known brig!” - -For the next few hours, both lads worked like beavers superintending the -transportation of supplies. Leaving Osceola in charge below, Bill went -up to the deck where the boxes, barrels and crates from the storerooms -were being stacked by members of the captured liner’s crew. The _Flying -Fish_, now transformed into her guise of submarine, came along side, a -hoist was brought into use and the provisions lowered to her. - -It soon became evident that the underseas boat’s cargo capacity would -take but a fraction of the plunder, so Bill ordered the _Orleans’_ -lifeboats to be lowered. One by one, these were loaded. The first boat -to receive its quota of goods was secured to the _Flying Fish_ by a -tow-line, and the bow of each succeeding lifeboat made fast by a line to -the stern of the one ahead. When the last load of crates was being -lowered overside, Bill found Osceola at his elbow. - -“That tears it, I reckon. Good plan that—using the boats. I wondered how -you were going to load all that stuff in the _Flying Fish_.” - -“I hated to do it,” admitted his friend, “but now that the _Orleans_ is -practically without provisions, she will have to return to New York, and -she can make port in less than twenty-four hours. With this fine -weather, there’s little or no danger of the passengers needing the -boats.” - -“What are we to do now?” asked Osceola. - -“Report to Herr Baron, I reckon.” - -Bill hailed one of the submarine’s petty officers who was herding the -crew back to their quarters. - -“Do you know where we’ll find Baron von Hiemskirk?” - -“He is in the main dining salon, sir.” - -“Come along, Osceola,” said Bill. “He must be pretty nearly finished -with his own particular job. I hope so, anyway. If that cruiser shows up -and we’re caught—well, it will take a lot of explaining to justify our -part in this. The chances are, I’d be handed my discharge from the Navy, -if nothing worse.” - -Osceola nodded gloomily and the two made their way along an almost empty -deck to the main companionway. - -“I wonder where the passengers have disappeared to,” mused the young -Seminole, as they descended the broad staircase. - -“They’ve probably been sent to their cabins for the time being. If my -guess is a good one, the big boy is at present engaged in robbing the -entire first class of their valuables.” - -“It’s certainly a bad bit of work, Bill.” - -“Gee, I know it. But some day we may be able to get even with this -polite pirate. Just now all we can do is to smile and take orders.” - -They found the Baron seated at the head of the captain’s table. An angry -gentleman, his wife and two pretty daughters, under guard of a seaman, -stood before him. - -“Mr. Rodney Conway and family, of New York.” The Baron glanced at a list -he held. “I am glad to say that this little interview will conclude my -business aboard the _Orleans_.” - -“Look here!” cut in the passenger. “This whole thing is preposterous! -Why, your men have ransacked our cabins and stolen nearly everything of -value we have with us. If, as you seem to be, you are German citizens, I -shall certainly make a complaint in person to the German ambassador, -when this ship lands us in England!” - -The Baron von Hiemskirk smiled, but the smile was not a pleasant one. “I -do not recognize the present German government,” he said sneeringly, -“and it also may interest you to know that they are quite as keen to -apprehend me and put a stop to my business ventures as you are. -Furthermore, Mr. Conway, you and your family are not going to -England—not by this ship.” - -Mr. Conway started visibly. Then he drew himself up: “I do not care for -myself—but I must beg of you to spare my wife and daughters—” - -The Baron put up a restraining hand. “There is no cause for alarm, Mr. -Conway. Unless, of course, you prove to be unreasonable. Who’s Who tells -me that you are president of the Western Hemisphere Bank in New York -City, and that you are on the board of directors of other important -financial institutions. Now, there will be a small matter of ransom to -go into before we part company. At present, time presses. You and your -family will go for a cruise with me—an agreeable one, I trust—until this -business of ransom can be attended to. You will go on deck with this -seaman now. Your cabin baggage has already left the ship. That will be -all, I think.” He stood up in dismissal, and bowed. - -“Good afternoon,” he beamed, “and bon voyage!” - -The Conway family, under guard, left the salon. Baron von Hiemskirk -beckoned to Bill and Osceola who had been silent witnesses of this -charming scene. - -“I have to report, sir,” said Bill at once, “that the supplies have been -placed aboard the _Flying Fish_ and the lifeboats. They are now ready -for transport to the _Amtonia_.” - -“Thank you, Mr. Bolton, and you, too, Chief. I was certain that I could -trust you with the job. That was a good idea to use the lifeboats. If a -heavy sea had been running the greater part of the stuff must have been -left behind.” - -“I should think,” said Osceola, “that you would have brought up the -_Amtonia_ and placed the stuff aboard her direct.” - -The Baron smiled goodhumoredly. “Mr. Bolton can you tell him my reason -for not doing so? I am not really a blood-thirsty person by nature, -Chief.” - -“Baron von Hiemskirk does not wish vessels like the _Orleans_ to know -that the _Amtonia_ is in his service, Osceola.” - -“But what has bloodthirstiness got to do with it, if I may ask?” - -Bill answered this too. “I suppose the Baron feels it would be necessary -to sink such vessels whose crews or passengers guess his secret. Am I -right, Sir?” - -“Quite, Mr. Bolton. That warship, for instance, will arrive here in an -hour or so. All that she can learn from those left aboard this ship is -that the _Flying Fish_ and the _Orleans_ boats have departed in such and -such a direction—which, of course, will not be the one they will -eventually take.” - -“But won’t they wireless that news to the _Stamford_ just as soon as we -leave the ship?” inquired the Chief. - -“Nobody,” replied the Baron gently, “will use the wireless after we -leave, for the simple reason that this ship’s wireless will not be in -working order. Now we will go on deck.” - -He led the way up the staircase without speaking further. At the -entrance to the companionway, they were met by one of the Baron’s men. - -“Beg to report, sir, that all decks have been cleared. Passengers and -crew are locked in their cabins. The fires have been drawn and the -wireless has been put out of commission.” - -“Good. We shall shove off at once.” - -The officer preceded them toward the gangway where a squad of armed -seamen were drawn up. - -“By Jove!” cried Osceola. “What’s become of the _Flying Fish_? She’s -disappeared. Surely she can’t have submerged and carried the boats down -with her.” - -“No such luck,” muttered Bill sotto voce. “There she is, with her -blooming boats in tow, off to the westward. She probably got underway -about the time we went below. What’s the matter, Osceola? You seem to be -in the dumps.” - -“Well, I hate this work we’ve been doing, that’s all, Bill. Unless we -can act pretty soon—do something to stop this robbing of innocent -people, I’ll be so low, I’ll have to reach up to touch bottom!” - -“Gosh, I’m with you. I could hardly keep quiet when that interview with -the Conways took place. But tonight, we’ll talk. Keep smiling now—here -we are at the gangway. Gee, we’re swiping the _Orleans_ launch! I -wondered how we were going to get back to the _Amtonia_.” - -“These guys,” said Osceola disgustedly, “snatch everything that’s loose. -What’s nailed down they pull up and charge the owners for the nails!” - -Following the Baron, who was conversing with an officer, they went down -the steps of the gangway, and took seats in the waiting launch. - - - - - Chapter X - BILL STARTS IN - - -The launch, a highpowered craft, soon caught up with the submarine and -its string of loaded lifeboats. Darkness had fallen before the little -flotilla reached the mothership, but the plunder was quickly taken -aboard, and the lifeboats were sunk. Within an hour of their arrival, -the _Amtonia_ with her submarine pilot-fish were heading into the -northeast again. - -The two lads were given a large, comfortable cabin together, where they -found the baggage from their amphibian had been stowed. They had just -taken a shower in the luxuriously appointed bathroom off their cabin, -when there came a knock at the door. - -“The Captain’s compliments, sir,” said the steward when Bill opened to -him, “and will you gentlemen dine with him and his officers at eight -thirty in the Palm Garden? He asks me to inform you, sir, that you will -find uniforms in your closet. He begs that you will not wear civilian -clothes while aboard.” - -“Thank Baron von Hiemskirk on behalf of Chief Osceola and myself. We -shall be glad to join the officers’ mess at half past eight. We shall -also put on the uniforms he has provided, although I must say that -nothing looks worse than a uniform one hasn’t been fitted for!” - -“Beg pardon, sir, but the tailor has already altered the uniforms. He -took measurements from the suits in your bags. He and his men are -working on more of them tonight. He tells me that they will all be -finished soon.” - -“Thank you,” said Bill. “That will be fine. By the way, where is the -Palm Garden?” - -“Off A deck, sir. Thank you, sir.” He was gone. - -“Well,” grinned Bill, “some system they have aboard this packet!” - -“You said it. Too much system to suit me, Bill. We’re likely to come a -bad cropper when we buck it.” - -“You know the adage about crossing bridges before you have to, Osceola. -Let’s get into these uniforms. It’s nearly time for mess and I’m hungry -enough to chew rubber.” - -The uniforms proved to be made of white duck, and the lads found their -names stitched inside the blouses. An officer’s cap and pair of white -canvas shoes went with each suit. To their further surprise, they found -that all these articles fitted them exactly. - -“Gee!” exclaimed Bill, as he saw the two gold stripes on his black -shoulder straps. “This is promotion with a vengeance! When I woke up -this morning, I was only a midshipman. Tonight I’m a full lieutenant! -What’s the Baron made you, big boy?” - -“I’ve got a broad stripe like yours, Bill, and a narrow one. I suppose -that rates me something—but what, I don’t know!” - -“That’s the insignia of a lieutenant j.g.” - -“And what’s the j.g. mean?” - -“Junior grade. A j.g. ranks with a first lieutenant in the army.” - -“And you, with your two broad stripes rank with an army captain, I -suppose, and you’re my superior officer on board here, I take it?” - -“Right. Only we say full stripes, not broad stripes. In Navy parlance, -I’m a two-striper, and you are a one-and-a-half striper.” - -“Sounds to me like a convict gang,” laughed the Seminole, as he buttoned -up his blouse. “Well, if you’re ready, I am.” - -“Don’t forget your cap,” Bill reminded him. “Strictly speaking, no naval -officer is in uniform without it.” - -“Pirate officer, you mean,” grunted Osceola as they entered the -corridor. “Last time we were kidnapped and lacked all this luxury, but -at least what clothes we wore were comfortable. I feel as if somebody -had laced me into a tight corset.” - -“You’ll feel better after dinner.” - -“Maybe. If the buttons hold!” - -Together they mounted the stairs to A deck. A few of the _Amtonia’s_ -passengers were lounging about on deck. They paid not the slightest -attention to them, in fact, Bill noticed that their indifference was so -marked that it could not be other than studied. - -Then a voice spoke behind them. “Hello, men!” As they turned, Charlie -joined them. “I wanted Father to meet you,” he said, rather -breathlessly, “but he says you’ve joined the pirates, and— But you -haven’t, have you?” - -Osceola looked down at him quizzically. “Only pro tem!” - -“Gee, what does that mean? I wish you’d talk American.” - -“If I spoke my own language, which is real American, youngster, you -wouldn’t understand me any better.” - -Bill grinned. “Pro tem means for the time being,” he said. “But I’d -better tell you, Charlie, that the Chief is feeling low tonight, so -don’t get fresh. He’ll tomahawk you one of these days if you don’t look -out!” - -“Oh, yeah?” Charlie seemed unimpressed by this dire threat. Then his -tone changed suddenly. “Please, Bill,” he whispered eagerly, “let me be -a pirate, too. Gee, it would be such fun. Can’t I?” - -Both Bill and Osceola burst into a shout of laughter. “But how about -your Dad?” asked the Seminole. - -“Well, what about him?” - -Bill shook his head. “Talk like that to him, and he’ll be offering you -the choice of back or bristles!” - -“Aw, cut it out! I’m serious, Bill. Please let me be a pirate!” - -“I’ll think about it, Charlie.” Bill took him by the arm and moved over -to the rail. “But I do want you to do something for me,” he said in -lowered tones. “You must keep it entirely to yourself, though. If you -mention it to a single soul, you’ll get us all into a heap of trouble.” - -“I won’t—honest, Bill. I’ll shut up like a clam! What is it?” - -“All right then, I’ll trust you. I want you to make friends with the -wireless operators. There are two of them. Find out when they relieve -each other, whether the door is kept locked—in fact, find out everything -you can—without making them suspicious. Got that?” - -“You bet. Take it from me, they’ll never guess what I’m after!” - -“Attaboy! Do you know where our cabin is?” - -“No.” - -“Well, it’s number 126 on the deck below, starboard side.” - -“I can find it.” - -“Good. Come there at eleven tonight, and report what you’ve found out.” - -“I’ll be there with bells on.” - -“Now be careful that nobody sees you come to our door. It won’t be -locked—we’ll be there. Just open it and come in.” - -“All right, Bill. You can trust me.” - -“That’s all, so cut along now, and remember, eleven sharp. We’ve got a -date for dinner, and I’m afraid we’re going to be late as it is. So -long, Charlie.” - -“So long, Bill. So long, Chief.” - -Charlie raced away, intent on the importance of his trust and his two -friends hurried toward the Palm Garden. - -They found the Baron and his officers awaiting them in the foyer of the -restaurant. The Baron beamed approval on their uniforms and introduced -them to the members of the group they had not already met. These -gentlemen each bowed from the waist and shook hands with continental -formality upon being presented. The Baron spoke a few words, and then as -the single stroke of the ship’s bell clanged, the chief steward appeared -in the doorway. - -“Dinner is served, Herr Captain.” - -The Baron leading, they went into the restaurant. The meal which they -sat down to proved to be a long, sumptuous affair of many courses. Every -delicacy, in and out of season, was served. Evidently the Baron believed -in living well—on other people. Both lads did full justice to the -banquet. Muffled strains of the ship’s orchestra, hidden behind palms, -lent gaiety to the atmosphere, but could not cut through the rigid -formality of their companions’ demeanor. - -It was after ten thirty by the time they left the table and went out on -deck. The stars were like jewels flashing in the great inverted bowl of -night. The dark water gleamed quiet as a mill-pond, reflecting the -slender crescent of a new moon that had just appeared above the horizon. - -The Baron puffed a long cigar while he conversed at his ease in a deck -chair. - -“This voyage,” he remarked complacently, watching the red ash glow on -the end of his cigar, “is becoming quite a successful undertaking. A few -more months and we can well afford to retire, and go our own ways.” - -“But surely, Herr Baron, you are not contemplating ending this splendid -venture?” It was the Chief Engineer who spoke. - -“We must not try providence too far, Bauer. To date, this ship is a -mystery to the world at large, it is true. But we have already created -some stir. Personally, I consider it a positive compliment that the -navies of the world are seeking us out to destroy us!” - -“It must,” Bill remarked, “afford you a good deal of satisfaction, as -well as profit, Baron.” - -He was becoming restive. It was nearing eleven o’clock. The cabin door -was locked and Charlie could not get in. But how to break away without -arousing the Baron’s suspicions, he could not see. - -That gentleman puffed contemplatively for a moment or two. - -“Yes, you have it right, Mr. Bolton,” he observed at last. “Pleasure and -profit. Outside of the vast sums in money and jewels we have taken from -captured liners, you perhaps do not realize that we have more than two -hundred very wealthy people as passengers. Their ransoms, at the lowest -estimate will run well over a million dollars apiece. Yes, this is a -most profitable business, Mr. Bolton. But of course, a most dangerous -one. We must not practice it for too long a time.” - -“Herr Baron,” Bill leaned forward in his seat, and smiled his most -engaging smile, “neither Chief Osceola nor I have had the opportunity -this evening to thank you for your consideration in the matter of our -cabin and the uniforms you have provided us.” - -“Yes, indeed, Baron,” Osceola seconded him and threw the stub of his -cigarette over the rail. “Very kind of you, I must say.” - -“Oh, do not mention it, my dear fellows.” The Baron was joviality -itself. “Those are small matters and easily attended to.” - -“But we appreciate your wish to make us comfortable.” Bill rose, and -Osceola followed his example. “And now, sir, we will say good night. It -has been a long day and a busy one.” - -“Good night, my young friends,” beamed von Hiemskirk. “Pleasant dreams, -and _auf wiedersehn_ until tomorrow.” - -Everyone stood up and saluted and the lads marched off toward their -cabin. Osceola was unlocking the door, when a stealthy figure appeared -from out the shadows of a cross passage, and Charlie slipped into the -room with them. - -“Gee, I thought you were never coming,” he said, as Bill switched on the -light. - -“Sorry, Charles, so did we! Have you got any news?” - -“Plenty, Bill. I—” - -His words were cut short by a crash of gunfire from above. For an -instant they stood listening to the thunder of the gun, then Bill broke -their constrained silence. - -“We’ll have to postpone our talk, Charlie, worse luck. There’s something -doing out there, all right, and it’s up to the Chief and me to hustle up -on deck pronto.” - -Without further parley the three caught up their caps and ran out of the -cabin. - - - - - Chapter XI - DANGEROUS BUSINESS - - -The lads encountered a crowd of nervous and excited passengers on the -stairs and were swept up with them and out on deck. By common instinct -the flow was toward port. A few hundred yards away, the lights of a -steamer, parallel with them, could be discerned. Signals were flashing, -bells clanging, and the clamor of the startled passengers pressing the -rail was deafening. - -Bill gripped Osceola’s arm. “Let’s get out of this bedlam,” he shouted. -“The skipper is sure to be on the bridge—come along!” - -Diving across the ship they ran forward on the opposite deck and up the -stair to the bridge. Baron von Hiemskirk stood with a pair of night -glasses trained on the stranger across the water. Near him a group of -white uniformed ship’s officers conversed in whispers. He lowered the -binoculars as Bill and Osceola approached and rendered them a stiff -salute. - -“Good evening again, gentlemen. Thank you for your promptness. Chief -Osceola, I want you and Lieutenant Schneider to go aft and quiet that -rabble. Explain to the passengers that there is no cause for alarm. Tell -them also in my name that unless they go at once to their cabins, they -will be sent there forcibly.” - -Osceola and the Lieutenant saluted and departed on their errand. - -“Now, gentlemen,” continued the Baron, “as several of you already know, -I have been aware for some time that we were overhauling that ship we -see out there. Had she obeyed our signals and those of the _Flying -Fish_, there would have been no need to waste shell fire on her. You -will be interested to learn that she is the _Blake_ of Cardiff, loaded -with twenty-five hundred tons of coal—enough to keep us going for a week -at good speed, or two weeks at low speed. Tomorrow morning, we will -start coaling, and for the next few days, every one of us will be -especially busy. Those of you who are not on duty, will please me by -turning in at once, and getting a good night’s rest. Good night, -gentlemen.” - -Back in his cabin, Bill undressed and got into bed. He was lying there, -with the lights burning, thinking over the day’s events, when Osceola -came in. - -He tossed his cap on the lounge, and began to unbutton his blouse. -“Well, we got the sheep herded into their respective barns. Did you find -out anything about that ship?” - -Bill told him what the Baron had said. “Filthy business, coaling,” he -ended with a yawn. - -“It will be interesting to find out how they work it at sea, especially -when we’ve got at least one warship on our trail.” - -“I don’t think the Baron’s worrying about the _Stamford_. We’ve changed -our course at least twice in the last few hours. It’s a big ocean, -Osceola.” - -“Guess so. And some queer people on it. The noble Baron makes me laugh. -He’s probably the greatest thief unhung, yet he purposely chatted with -us and the other officers after dinner, on the side of the deck away -from this collier, so that we would go to bed early and get a good -night’s rest.” - -“He’s an odd beggar, all right,” yawned Bill. “Switch off the light, and -hop into that bed of yours, big boy, or I’ll be talking in my sleep.” - -A steward called them at five next morning. By five-thirty they had -dressed in uniform cap and dungarees, breakfasted and were out on deck. -The collier was now steaming slowly alongside the big liner. The ships -were kept together by a hawser across the lips of the _Amtonia’s_ bows, -supplemented by a few lines across her poop; and a speed of two miles an -hour was being maintained by both vessels. This kept their noses -together. It also gave them a certain steadiness in the choppy sea that -ran this morning. Above all, it kept the pirate ship constantly -prepared, steamed up in readiness to dash away in case an enemy cruiser -appeared. The lads noted that at each of the cables which held the -vessels together, a man was stationed, ax in hand, to cut the strands -should the emergency arise. - -Bill and Osceola soon found that preparations for coaling on the high -seas had already been made. Through the decks of the _Amtonia_ the -carpenters had cut large circular holes, one directly beneath the other. -In these openings, ship’s ventilator tubes were at that moment being -inserted. They were then spliced together in such a manner that coal -dumped on to the deck merely had to be pushed into the tubes to slide -swiftly down into the bunkers. - -Three temporary derricks had been erected, one fore, another amidships, -and one aft, all electrically equipped. Bill was presently put in charge -of the fore derrick, while Osceola crossed over to the collier, where he -helped to superintend the loading of sacks and baskets with coal. These -when filled were transferred from the _Blake’s_ derricks to those of the -liner, in midair. The coal was then unloaded on the _Amtonia’s_ deck and -shoveled into the tubes by the crew. - -As the sun grew higher, the weather became increasingly hotter. So hot -was this work of coaling that the men were soon working clad only in -pantaloons, cut short like boys’ trousers, or even in tights. There were -no feminine eyes about, for all passengers were being kept below, so -that occasionally the scanty loincloths were cast aside and the men -worked naked. Covered from head to foot with sweat and coal dust, they -soon looked like gangs of negroes. The officers fared quite as badly, -for, though they were spared manual labor and so did not discard their -uniforms, they soon became as grimy as the men and fully as -uncomfortable. - -Work was carried forward night and day, in alternate watches. To Bill it -became a nightmare of heat and sweat and coal dust. The ship, usually so -immaculate, took on the appearance of a coalyard, and the fine black -dust filtered into even the remotest nooks and crannies. When relieved -of duty, the black counterpart of that smart young Lieutenant Bolton -would satisfy his hunger at a buffet, get under a shower and then to -bed. Here, between coal dust coated sheets, he would snatch a few hours -sleep—then hurry above for his next trick at the derrick. He began to -find out that the life of an officer aboard this pirate craft was not -the bed of roses it had first appeared to be. As Osceola worked and ate -and slept on board the _Blake_, the two saw nothing of each other. - -Late in the afternoon of the third day, the last of the twenty-five -hundred tons of coal was transferred and shovelled down the chutes. Bill -saw to the taking down of his derrick and then went below to his cabin, -thankful that the dirty job had come to an end. He was getting out of -filthy clothes when Osceola walked in. - -“Coolheavers ahoy!” he greeted. “I’m one black warrior, if you ask me.” - -“And I’ve had pleasanter jobs.” - -“Oh, you’ve had a nice, comfortable deck to work on,” returned the -Chief, diving into the bathroom. “You’ve nothing to complain about. I -haven’t had these clothes off since the day before yesterday! Been -working down in the hold of that collier at a temperature that blew the -top off our thermometer.” His voice was drowned by the sound of the -shower. - -“That is tough! I missed you, old fellow. Where did you sleep?” - -“Where did I sleep!” spluttered the Chief. “Not in a downy white bed -like you—you son of luxury! I slept, or rather, I tried to sleep in a -ship’s hammock!” - -Bill chuckled, and began to unlace his shoes. “Pretty difficult to -navigate until you get on to them. Hard to get into—” - -“Harder still to stay put when you’re once in the darned thing! -Gosh-all-hemlock, this water is sure a sweet, cool dream, of Paradise! -Let me tell you that my hammock had to be slung between-decks—iron -decks, at that. Sleep! I’ve forgotten what it is. Every time I moved in -that hammock, the confounded thing dumped me onto that dirty iron deck -with a jar that nearly split my head! Push that bell for a steward, -please. I want food and plenty of it, and I’m going to eat it in my -comfortable bed. Then, I’m going to sleep _and_ sleep until tomorrow -morning.” - -“Oh, no, you’re not,” said Bill. - -“And who says so?” - -“Have your supper, by all means, and have it in bed if you like—but you -and I have a date.” - -“Date nothing! Keep it yourself. I’m only a poor Indian pirate. Neither -am I popular with first class passengers.” - -“Perhaps not—but this date isn’t with a passenger.” - -“Who then?” - -“Have you forgotten the wireless operator?” - -“Gosh! Do you have to pull that stunt tonight? I’m half dead.” - -“So are a few other people. That’s why I’m going to pull it off tonight. -Snap out of it, old man. The fortunes, if not the lives of a lot of -people depend on what we’re able to accomplish.” - -“Well, what are we going to do? You never have spilled that plan of -yours. Not to me, anyhow.” He came into the cabin, drying himself with a -bath towel. - -“You order your chow,” suggested Bill. “If you haven’t used all the hot -water aboard ship, I want to get under that shower myself. When I’m -dressed and you’re in your right mind, I’ve got to hunt up Charlie and -see what he’s found out. We’ll be back later and I’ll explain the job in -detail.” - -He disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door after him to cut -short further argument. It was after seven o’clock by the time Bill was -dressed and ready to go on deck. He knew that Charlie would be in the -passengers’ dining salon, and that was out of bounds for the ship’s -officers. So leaving Osceola attending to a substantial dinner in bed, -he went above to the Palm Garden, where the officers’ mess was held. - -It was not a talkative crowd at dinner that evening. Every man at the -table was dog tired and conversation flagged in consequence. The meal -with its many courses seemed interminable to Bill. When at last it was -over, he excused himself, while the others were smoking cigars and -sipping liqueurs and went in search of young Evans. - -Weary sailors were hard at work with hose and swabs on the promenade -deck, getting rid of the accumulated grime of the coaling. Bill took a -turn round to the opposite side of the ship, where he encountered a -similar gang at work, but found no passengers about. Charlie was not in -the smoking room. Eventually he found him, listening to the orchestra, -which was playing in the lounge. - -Without appearing to recognize the youngster, he caught his eye as he -sauntered past, surreptitiously crooked a finger and went down to his -cabin. There he found Osceola fast asleep in his bed, with all lights -burning. He was wondering whether he should wake him then and there, or -let him sleep, when Charlie softly opened the door and entered. - -Bill put a hand up for silence, and led him into the bathroom. “Better -let the poor Chief get some rest,” he said, closing the door. “He’s been -going it night and day aboard that collier. He needs the sleep.” - -“Well, I don’t, that’s a cinch! We’ve been kept off the decks ever since -you fellows started coaling, and sleep was the only thing left to do. -Say—did you see the _Blake_ go down?” - -“No. I was sure they’d sink her, though, for the Baron told me he was -going to take her captain and crew aboard the _Amtonia_ and dispose of -her as soon as we got her coal. When did it happen?” - -“Just before dinner—about quarter to seven.” - -“I was cleaning up in here then.” - -“Well, I got a peach of a view from the smoking room windows, with Dad’s -field glasses. They cut the ropes and she drifted away from us. It -wasn’t five minutes later, when she gave a great lurch and went down bow -first. It certainly is a crime, the way the Baron sinks good ships. I -guess he had dynamite planted on board just like he did with the -_Merrymaid_.” - -“Very likely. But there’s nothing we can do about it, Charlie. Not yet -awhile. But tell me, what have you found out about that wireless room?” - -“Well, since that first evening when we captured the _Blake_, I haven’t -been able to get up there. But I did manage to get in soon after the -gunfire that night. I copped a couple of Dad’s cigars and gave ’em to -the guy who was on duty. These Heinies are a leadpipe cinch to kid. He -isn’t such a bad guy at that—showed me the whole business—everything he -had. I began to think he’s a swell fellow even if he is a pirate. I got -a book on telegraphy out of the library and I’ve been boning up on the -Morse Code ever since. That and sleeping. Say, I bet I could send a -message now. Receiving’s not so easy, though.” - -“Never mind that—” - -“But I’m sure I can, Bill—” - -“All right—I believe you—but lay off it. I want the dope first. How many -operators does this ship run to? Did you find that out?” - -“Yep. There’s three of ’em.” - -“How long are their watches?” - -“Four hours each. But sometimes they’re on for eight hours.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“Well, there are two on duty daytimes—” - -“Never mind that either—I’m not interested in their complete schedule. -How many operators are in the wireless room now?” - -“Only one. He’s doing his trick from eight till midnight.” - -“Good. Now we’re getting somewhere. How about from midnight on?” - -“Another guy comes on duty then.” - -“For how long?” - -“Till eight in the morning.” - -“He’s alone all that time? Are you sure?” - -“Yes. The other two lads relieve him then.” - -“Do you know the operator who will go on at twelve tonight?” - -“Well, I’m not sure. They vary their watches, you know.” - -“I suppose it doesn’t matter,” Bill said to himself. “Tell me, is the -door kept locked?” - -“No, but they generally keep it shut.” - -“Does the night operator sit facing it?” - -“No. His back is toward the door.” - -“Then that window in the wireless house must be to his right when he’s -sending or receiving?” - -“Yes, and it’s sure to be open now.” - -“Thanks, Charlie. You’ve done splendidly. Run along to bed now. Osceola -and I will attend to your friend later.” - -Charlie’s face fell. “Aren’t you going to let me in on this?” he -pleaded. “Oh, Bill, gee—I did all the work and you two are going to have -all the fun!” - -“Not much fun about it.” Bill grinned and was silent for a minute. -“Well, I reckon we can use you. But you must remember that this is a -very serious and dangerous business, Charlie. If anything goes wrong, -von Hiemskirk is quite likely to have us shot out of hand. You’ll have -to obey orders to the letter, and take no chances.” - -“All right, Bill, of course, I will.” - -“Okay. Then go to your cabin and turn in. And be back here at one -o’clock sharp.” - -Charlie’s face was transformed with joy. “Thanks, Bill!” - -“Run along now,” directed the older lad. “I’ve got a lot to do before -then. And be sure nobody sees you going or coming.” - -“They won’t!” promised the youngster. “Say, are we going to shoot this -operator?” - -“Certainly not, you bloodthirsty wretch. None of us will have guns. -Neither Osceola nor I have one.” - -“What _are_ we going to do then?” - -“Obey orders, kid. Get out of here now—I’m busy!” - - - - - Chapter XII - THE JOB - - -When Charlie had gone, Bill glanced at his wrist watch. It was just ten -minutes to nine. With a sigh of satisfaction, he picked up his cap. -Then, snapping off the electrics in the bathroom and the cabin, he, too, -went out. - -It had been impossible for him to make preparations for this venture of -his since its inception at the beginning of the week. As he went out on -deck and forward toward the bridge, he could hardly believe that no -longer ago than Monday morning, he had been flying his amphibian north -to New York, with Osceola as passenger. Then had come the _Merrymaid_, -and capture by these pirates, their flying submarine and the raider, -this huge liner whose decks he was walking. That afternoon had come the -_Orleans_ affair; in the evening the collier _Blake_ had been taken. -Tonight, only Thursday. After the monotony of three days’ coaling, the -adventures of Monday seemed far away, except when he stopped to realize -that ever since then he had had no leisure whatsoever to develop his -plan. - -“Good evening, sir.” The guard at the foot of the stair that led to the -bridge saluted, and Bill came back to the actual present with a start. - -“Good evening, Schmidt.” He returned the man’s salute, and recognized -him as one of his derrick’s crew. “You look so spick and span I didn’t -know you at first glance.” - -“Thank you, sir.” Schmidt smiled, keeping his rifle at present. “And I -feel a good bit more comfortable this way, sir. Coaling is filthy work, -Lieutenant.” - -“Nothing dirtier.” Bill nodded and passed on up the stairs. - -Above he found Lieutenant Schneider pacing slowly up and down. “Good -evening,” said Bill. “Mind if I join you for a few minutes?” - -“I shall be honored, Herr Lieutenant,” returned the officer. “An -unlooked-for pleasure. A beautiful night, is it not? But I surmised that -like the rest of the mess you turned in directly after dinner.” - -“I admit I’m tired,” Bill went on chattily, “quite as tired as the other -chaps, after the grind of the last few days. Chief Osceola was -completely done up. Had his dinner in bed, and I found him sound asleep -when I went below.” - -“Don’t speak of bed,” grumbled the officer. “I wish I were there now. It -is just my luck to be on duty tonight.” - -“I found the cabin hot and stuffy, so I thought I’d come up for a breath -of air before turning in. Heading more to northward, since we sank the -_Blake_, I see.” - -“Yes, the course is nor’nor’east now. Captain von Hiemskirk is heading -the ship for the transatlantic passenger ship lane.” - -“We don’t seem to be in any hurry, Lieutenant.” - -“No, our speed is only sixteen knots. Everybody needs a rest, and the -Herr Baron, being a wise man, is saving coal.” - -“It sounds foolish of me, a ship’s officer, to admit it, but I honestly -have only the haziest idea of our position now.” - -“I don’t wonder at that,” laughed Schneider. “The way we changed our -course during the past week would make a snake break its back. At noon -today we were in latitude 38 degrees north, longitude 62 degrees -west—and we aren’t far from there now at the rate we’ve been steaming.” - -“Mm—I thought we were much farther east,” remarked Bill, and then -changed the subject. - -As he had now gained the information he wanted, he chatted for ten -minutes more with young Schneider, then, wishing him good night, went -below to his cabin. - -Here he set the tiny alarm on his watch for twelve-thirty. From the -closet, he brought forth a civilian suit of his own, and one of -Osceola’s. These, together with two pairs of tennis shoes and two soft -felt hats that he found in their bags, he placed on the lounge. Again he -dug into the bottom of a kit bag and pulled forth a coil of rope, two -monkey wrenches and a flashlight. Placing these conveniently near the -clothing, he began to undress. Osceola still slept the sleep of -exhaustion. Without awaking him, Bill crept into his bed and turned off -the light. - -It seemed but a moment or two later, though in reality three hours had -crept away, when the tinkle of his alarm bell brought Bill back to a -sleepy realization of the job before him. He switched off the alarm and -sat up in bed. Osceola’s voice cut the throbbing drone of the ship’s -machinery. - -“What’s the big idea?” - -“Time to get on the job,” Bill murmured in a low tone. “Had you -forgotten it? Don’t turn on the light.” - -“No, I hadn’t forgotten. You said something about working out a plan of -yours tonight. But can’t we put it off for twenty-four hours? I’m -bleary-eyed, I’m so tired.” - -Bill got out of bed. “So is everybody else aboard this packet. And -that’s why we’re pulling it off tonight.” - -He tossed Osceola’s clothes on to the chief’s bed. “Here’s an old suit -of yours—get into it.” - -“Oh, if you say so—” yawned his friend. “What are we going to do with -those wrenches? Crack the Baron’s safe?” - -“What a pair of eyes you’ve got! I’d forgotten you could see in the -dark. No, you big galoot, this is not robbery you’re in for now. We’re -going to tie up the wireless operator. I want to do some broadcasting on -my own.” - -“So that’s the way the wind blows!” Osceola, fully awake now, was -pulling on his trousers. “I have to hand it to you, boy, when it comes -to action—you act!” - -“Come on—I know it’s risky business, but if we’re ever going to break up -this nest of pirates, we’ve got to have help.” - -“You’re going to wire our position to that cruiser who was on our trail -Monday?” - -“And to whomever else it may concern—yes, that’s the idea!” - -Osceola grunted. “And what is the Herr Baron going to be doing to us -while the cruiser is trying to catch us?” - -“Not a blooming thing, if the wireless man doesn’t spot who we are. I’ve -got a couple of handkerchiefs cut with slits for eyeholes. We can drape -them over our lovely features just like real thugs, when we get on -deck!” - -“Swell!” responded his companion. “Gimme one of those wrenches. I’m all -set if you are.” - -Bill glanced at the luminous dial of his watch. “We’ll give him three -minutes.” - -“Give who three minutes?” - -“Charlie’s coming with us.” - -“What? Not that crazy kid! He’s sure to gum the show.” - -“No, he won’t. And we need a lookout, Osceola. The youngster worked like -a hero, getting dope about the wireless routine. I know it’s a -responsibility to let him take the risk—but the chap was so keen on -being in at the death—I simply hadn’t the heart to refuse him.” - -“Well, so long as this is your party, I’ll say no more about dragging -Charlie into it. But I’d hate to be you if his mother finds out what -you’ve let him in for.” - -A crack of light appeared under the door, and Charlie opened it, slipped -inside and closed the door behind him. - -“Here I am,” he whispered. - -“Not really,” Osceola whispered back, “why, I thought it was Christmas -Eve and Santa Claus had come to fill my stocking!” - -“Try the other side of your bed when you get up next time, Chief,” -Charlie snickered. “Why the grouch? Don’t lose your nerve. If anybody -tries to hurt you, I’ll put salt on his tail.” - -Osceola laughed good-humoredly. “You young scamp, if you don’t cut the -comedy and do what you’re told tonight, you’ll think you’ve had salt -rubbed on yours, along with the hiding you’ll get from me.” - -“Thar she blows! thar she blows!” teased Charlie. “What a whale of a guy -you are, Chief!” - -“Pipe down—both of you!” commanded Bill. “You make more noise than an -old maid’s tea party. What do you want to do—wake up the ship?” - -“Well, let’s shove off then,” said Charlie in a lower tone, and started -for the door. - -Bill caught his arm. “Not that way,” he warned. “The ports to this cabin -are regular windows, and we’re going out through them. There’s less -chance of being seen.” - -“Shall I lock the door?” asked Osceola. - -“No. If we’re able to pull this off, it will be a case of speed in -getting back here. The door may be handier then. Come on—mum’s the word. -I’ll go first—” - -He stepped onto the window seat. A moment later he was through the broad -porthole, and out on deck. Not a soul was in sight. A nod to Osceola -brought the Chief to his side and they waited until Charlie reached the -deck. - -With Bill in the lead, they walked swiftly forward until they came to -the open stair leading up to the boat deck. Motioning caution, Bill went -silently up the rubber-coated treads with the others close behind. He -knew that once above, they would be in plain sight of the bridge. -Therefore, before reaching the stairhead, he dropped to his knees and -crawled up to the deck level, careful to keep his head below the -skyline. Then, turning back to Charlie, he drew the boy’s head close to -his lips. - -“I want you to stay here!” he whispered. “If anyone comes off the bridge -and makes for this stair, run down to the deck below and get out of his -way. When he’s gone, come back here. If anyone comes up the stair, crawl -into the shadow of that lifeboat. If you see anybody at all going toward -the wireless house, whistle twice and beat it back to your cabin, no -matter what occurs. Got it clear, now?” - -Charlie, tense with excitement and proud of the responsibility given -him, nodded mutely. Then he moved to one side while Osceola slipped past -him, to lie beside Bill. - -Diagonally across the deck from the stairhead aft of the ship’s second -funnel was a small superstructure, the little wireless house. Light -shone through the open window at the forward end of the structure. -Charlie, who had never seen an Indian travel over an open space when the -red man didn’t wish to be seen, was surprised to see Bill and Osceola -move forward flat on their stomachs. With the sinuous, wriggling motion -of snakes, the two slid across the starlit deck. In a few moments he -lost sight of them in the shadow of the ship’s great funnel. - -“Gee,” he thought. “That sure is some stunt. Some day I’ve got to get -one of those guys to show me how they do it.” - -In the obscurity of deep shadow, the two plotters got to their feet and -adjusted their masks. - -“Can you see all right?” whispered Bill. “I wasn’t sure about the -eyeholes.” - -“I can see. What next?” - -“Get that lad in the wireless house from the window. I’ll take the -door.” - -“Okay. Good luck!” - -“Good luck to you. I’ll wait until I hear you speak.” - -“I get you.” - -Keeping always within the shadow cast by the big stack, and careful to -avoid the broad ray of light from the open window, Osceola glided -swiftly toward his goal. - -The blond young man who sat at the open window, dozing, with a magazine -in his lap, awoke with a start. - -“Stick up your hands and keep them there!” muttered a low voice. - -Just outside the window, the dazed operator saw a white-faced blur in -the darkness. The grim figure behind the mask held a black object -pointed directly at his head. - -Like most North Germans, the wireless expert was a sensible young man. -He held up his hands. - - - - - Chapter XIII - RESULTS - - -The _Amtonia’s_ wireless operator heard the door at his back open and -shut. - -“Stand up!” ordered a harsh voice. - -The man obeyed immediately, his magazine slipping to the floor. He did -not turn to look at this second speaker. The shiny black object in the -hand of the ominous figure outside the window held his eyes like an -electric magnet. - -The chair in which he had been dozing was whisked away. Strong hands -gripped his wrists, brought his arms downward. With a speed and -thoroughness that bespoke nautical experience, a rope lashed his arms -behind his back, first at the elbows and then at the wrists. - -Next, a cloth was bound over his eyes. A gag, made of a rolled-up -handkerchief was stuffed in his mouth and fastened by a band of cloth -tied at the back of his head. He felt wads of cotton being placed in his -ears and his ankles were then strapped together. He was grasped by the -shoulders, caught round the knees and lifted to a narrow couch where a -cushion was slipped under his head. Deaf, dumb and blind, he -nevertheless knew that he lay on the locker which ran along the farther -side of the room. He also knew that locker to be little more than a -narrow shelf, and at least four feet from the floor. If he moved an -inch, he’d get a tumble. He therefore lay still and tried to imagine -which of the passengers he had to thank for his present predicament. - -“I reckon he’ll do,” said Osceola, studying the bound figure on the -locker. “It’s lucky he didn’t try to put up a fight. Things might have -got messy.” - -“Would you have, in his place?” Bill was taking in the details of the -room and spoke rather absently. - -“No—can’t say I would. The poor beggar was scared stiff. That wrench -stunt was a happy thought. In the darkness, I guess it passed darned -well for an automatic!” - -“Say, look at the map on the wall over there. These lads certainly have -a system!” - -“What are those colored pins stuck all over it supposed to be—ships?” - -“Yes. Ships within a radius of several hundred miles that have been -sending out radio messages.” - -“But how does he do it?” - -“Oh, I guess our little operator is clever all right. I’m no wireless -expert and there are a lot of gadgets in here that I don’t understand. -Undoubtedly they’re delicate instruments by which the operator is able -to determine the approximate distance and direction of any ship sending -out messages. You see, he keeps this map constantly before him, charted -with the probable positions of ships. He changes the pins when his new -readings seem to be in error. This is how the noble Baron knows exactly -what is going on in his neighborhood. Just as if he were looking down on -the sea from the moon with a telescope!” - -“That list up there beside the chart is the key to the colored pins, I -suppose.” - -“Sure. There’s the _Stamford_.” Bill pointed to a gray pin. “Well, -here’s where I get busy. The sooner that cruiser is put wise to our -position, the better.” - -“But how did you find out where we are?” Osceola looked his surprise. -“When have you had a chance to shoot the sun? Do you keep a pocket -sextant up your sleeve? Or are you just guessing?” - -“Nothing like that. A sight must be taken when the sun reaches it’s -highest point. I got the dope tonight from Schneider. While you were -asleep, I went on the bridge and got him to give me our position this -noon.” - -“But that’s more than twelve hours ago!” - -“Certainly. But I also found out the speed and direction we’ve been -steaming this afternoon and evening. Where we are now is a simple sum in -arithmetic.” - -“I know, but—” - -“Gee, fella, when we’re out of this mess, I’ll take a week or two off -and go into detail. But right now, I’ve got to raise the _Stamford_!” - -He sat down in the chair before the sending apparatus and adjusted the -earphones. Then his left hand sought the sending key and the room was -filled with the crash and snap of electric discharges. - -Osceola took up a pencil and pad from the table. For a moment he -scribbled, then placed the written sheet in front of Bill. - -“Go easy!” the message read. “You’ll wake up the whole ship!” - -Bill smiled and shook his head. He was sending call after call out for -the _Stamford_. In his right hand he held a pencil. Presently Osceola’s -note was passed back with a few lines scrawled below his own. - -“Don’t worry. These fellows are continually sending out fake messages in -order to gain information from other ships. I’ve heard them. If nothing -was sent during this watch, somebody on the bridge would be sure to -smell a rat.” - -Osceola drew up a chair and sat down. Fascinated, he watched Bill’s left -hand pressing the sending key, calling—calling—calling. The young -Seminole’s education had been academic, not scientific, and his -knowledge of radio was only rudimentary. Although the International -Morse Code of dash-dot letters was as much of a mystery to him as it is -to the average layman, he soon realized that his friend was sending out -the same short message over and over again. - -Suddenly Bill lifted his hand from the key. He smiled at Osceola, nodded -and commenced to write hurriedly on the pad before him. The Seminole -leaned over and watched intently. - -“This is the _Stamford_. Who calls?” he read. - -Again Bill’s supple fingers pressed out an answer—a long one this time. -And for the next fifteen minutes the crash and crackle of an electric -storm reverberated through the room. - -Presently he stopped. - -“You raised the cruiser, I take it.” Osceola only half stifled a yawn. - -“I did that, old sport!” Bill was delighted with his success. “Got all -the dope over in great style. Told the operator aboard her who I was and -a short story of our capture. Dad probably thinks we were both lost at -sea, you know. The _Stamford_, will relay a message, assuring him of our -safety. Then I tapped out details of this ship, the _Flying Fish_, their -crews and armament. Last of all I gave our position, course and speed. -By this time, she and some other craft of Uncle Sam’s are making tracks -for us.” - -“You’re sure a right smart feller, Bill.” - -Bill laughed. “I agree with you, Big Chief.” - -“About when do you reckon they’ll catch up with us?” - -“Sometime tomorrow—or, rather, this afternoon. And then—boy, oh, boy! -There will be one sweet little rough house!” - -“There’ll probably be one aboard this sweet little packet as you call -her, before that,” prophesied the Seminole. - -“How come?” - -“The Herr Baron is sure to raise an awful stink when he finds that lad -on the locker!” - -“We should fret over that. We’ll both be sleeping the sleep of the just -long before that time!” - -“Well, I vote we get out of here and right now. This ain’t a healthy -place for either you or me. And say, I’m dead enough to go to sleep -under an ice-cold shower!” - -“Wait a minute. We don’t want to leave any clues. Grab that paper I was -writing on, will you?” - -As he talked. Bill was busily engaged in undoing nuts and screws which -he stuffed in his pockets, snapping wires and playing general havoc with -the radio apparatus. - -“Smash that line of glass jars on the shelf with your wrench,” he added, -bringing his own down on the sending key with a crash. “There isn’t -going to be any radio business aboard the _Amtonia_ when our friends -arrive, if I can help it!” - -“What’s to stop the _Flying Fish_ getting wise with their wireless?” -inquired Osceola, who was systematically wrecking everything within -reach. - -“Oh, they haven’t much of a wireless outfit aboard the sub. This bunch -of junk in here was the one that counted.” - -“Bunch of junk is right—” Osceola stopped short. - -He stood facing a small mirror that hung on the wall above the wet cells -he had just destroyed. Reflected in the small oblong he saw the door to -the deck open slowly—and Baron von Hiemskirk walked into the room. - -“So!” he exclaimed harshly. “Passengers—mutiny!” - -He got no further. As Osceola jumped for the switch to snap off the -light, Bill dived through the air, tackling the commander just above his -knees. There came a crash as the Baron’s head hit the deck—then -darkness. - -Osceola ran to the doorway. The Baron lay prone. Bill was bending over -him. - -“Nine—ten—out!” said that young gentleman rather breathlessly. “Grab his -legs, big boy. We’ll move him inside. It’s a little too public out here -for comfort.” - -Together they carried the big man into the wireless house and deposited -him on the floor. - -“Here’s a bight of rope,” said Bill, switching on the light again. “Tie -up his ankles—I’ll attend to his wrists.” - -“Shall we gag him?” - -“No, he’s breathing pretty hard. Slight concussion, probably. The back -of his head hit the decking an awful crack. I don’t want him to choke to -death.” - -Osceola finished lashing the Baron’s legs together and stood up. “He’s a -right powerful brute. Got a pair of legs like tree-trunks. Say,” he -began to laugh, “I didn’t think our job would be done up as brown as all -this tonight! That was a swell tackle of yours. The longer he’s out the -better pleased I’ll be. That guy has never made a hit with me. I’m only -sorry I didn’t get a crack at him. If you’ve got an extra wipe, pass it -over. A blindfold won’t stop his breathing, and there’s no need for him -to know where he is when he wakes up.” - -“Okay. I’ve unhooked the collar of his blouse,” Bill said, surveying -their captive critically. “He’ll do. Give me a hand with the other guy, -now. I’m going to take out his gag and give him a drink.” - -“Going to leave it out?” - -“Sure, I’m no inquisitor!” - -“But how about it when the pair of them start yelling for help?” - -“With the door and window shut, this place is pretty well soundproof. -Anyway, the Baron isn’t likely to kick up much of a row—not for a couple -of days yet, if I know the signs. The operator couldn’t hear him if he -did. I’m leaving the cotton in his ears. Make it snappy—I want to beat -it while the going’s good.” - -A few minutes later, two dark figures crossed the boat deck to the -stairhead, ran lightly down and after climbing into their cabin by way -of the open port, hurriedly undressed in the dark. - -“By Jove!” Osceola paused in the act of removing a shoe. “I wonder what -became of Charlie?” - -“Oh, I guess he’s all right. I told him to vamoose if it looked like -he’d get caught. He’s probably sound asleep in his bunk by this time.” - -“Hope so. He’s a sassy brat, but I wouldn’t want him to get into trouble -with the lads who run this ship. They’re likely to turn nasty when they -find their beloved Baron has cracked his nut.” - -“Charlie,” said Bill, “is quite capable of taking care of himself. Put -away those clothes you were wearing. If anybody comes snooping round -here looking for clues, those civvies would give us away. I’m pretty -sure His Nibs didn’t recognize us. I ducked my head and the brim of my -hat threw my face in shadow. You had your back turned. Too bad, though, -we’d pocketed our masks—” - -“Confound!” Osceola sprang for the door. “I’ve got to go up there -again!” - -“But what on earth for? Leave well enough alone, guy.” - -“I’ve got to—it’s those handkerchiefs of yours, Bill.” - -“The ones we used as blindfolds? By gosh, you’re right.” - -“Of course I am. And we were idiots not to remember that all your wipes -are initialled! Well, that was a bloomer we both made.” - -Bill crawled into bed, and pulled up the sheet. - -“Oh, no, we didn’t,” he retorted sleepily. - -“How come?” - -“Har-har! Had you goin’, didn’t I? Why, I changed the one on the -wireless lad—found two in the Baron’s pockets, y’ see. The one you used -on him was his own—the other’s on his little roommate!” - -“Well, I’m a son-of-a-seacook! That’s a good one. I wonder if the rest -of the bunch will figure that ‘they done it all themselves’? Smart work, -Bill. You’re as full of ideas as Martinengo’s ship’s biscuit was of -weevils!” - -“Right the first and last time. Now shut up! I’m asleep.” Bill turned -over, his back to the room, and buried his face in his pillow. - - - - - Chapter XIV - TROUBLE AHEAD - - -“Isn’t that someone pounding the door?” - -“You tell ’em!” sleepily suggested the chief, covering his face with a -pajamaed arm to shut out the morning light. - -“Oh, Lord!” Bill groaned and crawled out of bed. He glanced at his wrist -watch. It was exactly seven-thirty. - -He unlocked the door and a steward clicked his heels together and stood -at attention. - -“Well?” growled Bill. - -“Commander Geibel’s compliments, sir—and will the gentlemen be good -enough to meet him at half past eight in the executive office for -officers’ conference.” - -“Right-o. Give Commander Geibel our compliments—and say we’ll be there.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -Bill shut the door, and looked over at Osceola. The chief was fast -asleep again. Bill went into the bathroom, where an ice-cold shower -worked wonders. When he returned to the cabin after a strenuous rub with -a rough towel, he carried a dripping sponge with which he scientifically -massaged Osceola’s face. - -“Hey there! Cut it out!” The chief sprang from his bed as though he had -had an electric shock. - -“What’s the huge idea?” he stormed. - -“The Exec.” said Bill, “wants to see us at eight-thirty sharp. It is now -seven-forty-four. And we both want breakfast, I expect. Get under a -shower and you won’t feel so crabby.” - -“Um!” Osceola was considerably subdued by this news. “Think he smells a -rat?” - -“Oh, not a chance, so far as we’re concerned. We’d be in the brig by -this time if he did!” - -“Good enough!” yawned Osceola, scowling furiously as he stretched the -kinks out of his powerful arms. - -“Hop to it, then. I’m nearly dressed—and I’m hungry enough to eat -shoe-leather.” - -“All right, all right—don’t lose your shirt over it. I’ll be with you in -a jiffy.” The bathroom door slammed and again came the sound of rushing -water as the shower was turned on. - -At eight-thirty sharp the two lads found Commander Geibel seated at his -desk in the Executive Office, and took their places among the other -ship’s officers. There was none of the joviality which usually preambled -these meetings. The _Amtonia’s_ commissioned personnel seemed utterly -mute this morning. Instead of the accustomed good-natured chaff, the -various officers merely nodded to each other as they took their places -and sat down. Bill noticed that all wore expressions of deep solemnity, -yet the atmosphere of the cabin was charged with a current of tense -excitement. - -The nautical clock on the wall struck one bell. Commander Geibel, who -had been studying papers on his desk blotter, came to life. - -“Gentlemen—” he leaned forward, one hand on the papers before him, “I -have here the report of first assistant wireless operator, Miller. Had I -not seen Miller when he was first found with our beloved captain, I -could not have believed this outrage possible. We, who have prided -ourselves on the most efficient and strict discipline maintained on this -ship, can no longer be proud. As a number of you gentlemen already know, -at about one o’clock this morning, two passengers who were masked -overpowered Miller in the wireless room and wrecked the premises. While -these vandals were at work, the Herr Captain, Baron von Hiemskirk, -entered the room, where these ruffians surprised him.” - -“Pardon, sir,” interrupted the ship’s first lieutenant, -Lieutenant-Commander Beerman. “It is rumored that the Herr Baron is -seriously injured. Will you be good enough to ease our minds concerning -the Herr Baron’s condition? I understand that he was knocked -unconscious.” - -“That is so, Herr Beerman. I regret to tell you gentlemen that he is -still unconscious, and may continue in that state for a day or two. -Doctor Thierfelder diagnoses his condition as concussion—a slight -concussion only, I am thankful to say. The Herr Doctor, who is with him -now, believes that Baron von Hiemskirk received a blow from a blunt -instrument. Luckily, his service cap partially protected his head. With -care, and no complications, our Captain will probably be able to get -about again within a week.” - -“May I ask,” inquired Bill, “what punishment has been meted out to the -perpetrators of this dastardly crime?” - -“I am sorry to say that they have not been apprehended, Lieutenant.” - -“But I thought you spoke of two passengers, Herr Commander?” - -“Miller states that the two men were dressed in civilian clothes. One of -them at least had a revolver with which he menaced the operator, while -the other bound him. As you know, every passenger, upon boarding this -ship, was searched and his luggage thoroughly inspected for arms. -Another search of their cabins has been made this morning. No weapons of -any description have been found.” - -Lieutenant Schneider caught the Commander’s attention. “I was on the -bridge while this crime was being committed. During that time, I am -certain that messages were radioed from the wireless room.” - -“A very important fact, Herr Schneider, and one confirmed by Miller. Due -to the cotton that had been placed in his ears, he was unable to -decipher anything, but he is convinced that one or more messages were -sent.” - -“Could we not ascertain who among the passengers is capable of sending -such messages?” It was the Chief Engineer who spoke. - -The Executive Officer shook his head. - -“Of course all possible suspects will be questioned,” he said. “I doubt, -however, if we can learn much. Fifteen of our passengers are yacht -owners. Three more are high executives of broadcasting corporations. Any -of these men may understand wireless. On the other hand, all of them -will probably deny it. But this is not so important. Outside of -broadcasting a description of this ship, they can have sent little or no -information, as they have no possible means of ascertaining the ship’s -position. I must urge you all, nevertheless, to be more than ever on the -alert. Now, one thing more, and we may go to our various duties.” - -The Executive Officer cleared his throat and proceeded. - -“Baron von Hiemskirk keeps muttering over and over in his delirium, ‘_Er -ist einer Footballer_’—‘He is a football player—.’ These words may mean -nothing; on the other hand, they may be the means of identifying his -assailants. Until our beloved Captain regains his reason, nothing can be -done about it. Thank you, gentlemen, for your interest and attention. I -bid you all goodmorning.” - -The meeting dispersed, the officers going their several ways. Bill and -Osceola, having no duties to perform, strolled around the promenade -deck. - -“It is to be hoped that our beloved Captain does not regain his reason -until this ship has been captured by the battleships on her trail,” -muttered Osceola to Bill, mimicking the Executive Officer’s formal -manner of address. - -Bill nodded thoughtfully. “You said a mouthful, boy. I’m afraid you and -I will be in for it good and plenty if he wakes up beforehand. That -bunch we just left are a dumb crew. But there are no flies on the -skipper. He had our histories down pat from the newspapers when we met -him on the _Merrymaid_. He’s sure to know you play on Carlisle and that -I’m on the Navy eleven. What with our previous record, so to speak, in -the way of cleaning up dirty messes, that guy won’t miss any bets. We’ll -be judged on suspicion if nothing else.” - -“I wonder why Charlie didn’t warn us that the Baron was making for the -wireless house?” - -“Probably didn’t get a chance. If the kid had been caught, we’d have -heard of it before this. Schneider told me that all passengers are being -confined to their cabins, so we won’t see him today. Charlie and his -doings don’t worry me just now—but the weather does!” - -“What’s the matter with the weather?” - -“See that haze over there to the northward? We’re steaming into fog.” - -“You think that even if the _Stamford_ catches up to within firing -distance we might be able to elude her after all?” - -“That’s the big idea. In about half an hour we won’t be able to see ten -feet over the side.” - -“Well, maybe we’ll run through it by this afternoon. The _Stamford_ -won’t catch up to us for some hours yet.” - -“Maybe so,” replied Bill. “We’ve done all we could, anyway. From now on, -the job’s up to the Navy.” - -“Hello!” cried Osceola, as they swung round the end of the -superstructure and into the long stretch of deck on the port side. “Look -off yonder! What do you make that out to be?” - -Bill shaded his eyes. The glare of the smooth ocean was dazzling in the -sun. Away to the northeast a ship was nosing out of fog banks that lined -the northern horizon. - -“That looks to me mighty like a warship!” said the chief excitedly. “She -certainly is humping it, brother. But I thought the _Stamford_ was to -the south of us—and when she came, she’d come from behind!” - -“You’ve certainly got a pair of eyes—and she certainly _is_ a warship. I -can’t make her out very well at that distance, but she looks to me like -a first class cruiser of the Plymouth type. Dollars to ditchwater the -_Stamford_ wirelessed her! She’s heading for us all right, all right. -Oh, boy—there’s going to be something doing aboard this packet in two -shakes of a lamb’s tail!” - -“Thar she blows!” sang out the chief, as the gong and bugle sounded for -action. - -“And it’s quite time you and I beat it for our battle stations. -Everything is being made ready for attack. If we’re late, it won’t look -so good.” - -Osceola stopped and stared at Bill. “Don’t tell me that you, a -midshipman of the United States Navy, are going to help these bum -pirates fight one of your own battleships!” - -Bill looked at him and laughed. “Some patriotic little flagwaver, aren’t -you,” he jeered. “No, Herr Junior Lieutenant, I do not intend to shoot -at the _Plymouth_ or the _Reading_, or whatever’s the name of that -cruiser. Have you never played hare and hounds, Big Chief? Well, this -time, you and I and everybody on board are hares. Those two 117-mm. guns -forward, and the two on the poop are all right for scaring passenger -liners and bringing unarmed merchant-men to haul down their colors. But -they haven’t the caliber or the range of three-quarters of the guns -aboard that cruiser. This is going to be a race—not a battle! Beat it!” - - - - - Chapter XV - THE CHASE - - -By the time Bill reached his station on the poop, the quiet routine -aboard the liner had given way to activity. The _Amtonia_ was awake to -the heat and fever of desperate life. - -Lieutenant Schneider, who was in command of the gun, seized Bill’s arm. -“Bolton!” he cried, “look there—she’s changed her course! She’s going to -head us off!” - -Shading his eyes with his hand, Bill strained them toward the northern -horizon. The great molten surface of the sun was already half -obliterated by the spreading bank of fog that turned the sea to dull -amethyst. - -“I doubt it,” he replied. “If that fog keeps increasing, the visibility -will soon be too poor for the cruiser to get our range.” - -“There is Commander Geibel on the bridge. The ship is in good hands—that -is a blessing!” Lieutenant Schneider’s tone betrayed his excitement. - -“We’re sheering off to starboard—” said Bill. “That’s good news. It’s -going to be a close thing, just the same.” - -Schneider jumped on the rail and leaned outward in order to get a better -view of the forward end of the ship. - -“The Exec. has left the bridge!” he cried. “What’s happened now?” - -“Calm down! He’s probably run down the steps and crossed that gangway to -the foremast. Yes, there he is! See him? He’s climbed up to the lookout. -Gosh, that lad’s got a voice. You can hear him bellowing orders all over -the ship, I’ll bet.” - -“He’s a good officer,” admitted the Lieutenant, getting off the rail. -“Too bad the Herr Baron is not able to take command. He would use the -_Flying Fish_ to get us out of this mess.” He pointed to the submarine -racing along off their starboard quarter. “_Donner und Blitzen!_ I -believe she is going to submerge!” - -“The very best thing she could do, under the circumstances,” Bill -asserted. “What would you have her do—head over yonder and let go a -torpedo?” - -“Wasn’t she built for that kind of thing?” Lieutenant Schneider’s tone -was still nettled. - -“Perhaps she was, but not in a position of this kind. That cruiser would -blow her out of the water before she got near enough to make a torpedo -effective!” - -“If that’s the case, why don’t you go aboard her and get busy with her -in the air?” - -“And stop both the _Flying Fish_ and ourselves while a boat is being -lowered and I am ferried over to her? Even if the _Amtonia_ was able to -get away, the _Flying Fish_ would be blown to pieces long before she was -ready to take off. Weren’t you in the merchant service before you -shipped aboard this raider?” - -“I was—but why?” - -“Commander Geibel was an officer in the Imperial German Navy. He fought -through the war. I’ve never been in action before, but I’ve had a couple -of years at the U. S. Naval Academy and I know that our Commander is -doing the one thing possible to save his ships.” - -“Then I suppose you think it a waste of time and effort for us to be -manning the guns?” - -Bill laughed good-naturedly and clapped the incensed lieutenant on the -shoulder. “Let’s not fight about it. Clearing for action and manning the -guns is okay. It’s splendid discipline and helps the morale of the crew. -But you know just as well as I do, Schneider, that if we win out, coal -will do it, not gunpowder.” - -“I’m sorry,” apologized the German, and offered his hand. - -Bill took it, feeling rather silly. - -“Here it comes!” he cried a moment later, as a white cloud of smoke -enveloped the cruiser’s forward turret. - -“Missed!” exclaimed the lieutenant. “I can’t hand your compatriots much -on their shooting, Bolton. That shot didn’t come within a thousand -meters of the ship.” - -“That was just meant as a warning,” explained Bill. “Those gunners know -they aren’t yet within range of this ship. It’s the next five minutes -that’s going to tell the tale.” - -Lieutenant Schneider studied the battleship through his sea glasses. -“She’s steaming more to the eastward,” he remarked sharply. - -“And we’ve sheered off a point or two. The fog’s coming our way—and -coming fast. It’s getting darker by the minute. The sun’s almost washed -out. Gosh, this is better than a horse race. Doesn’t it give you a -thrill, Schneider?” - -The young officer grimaced. “Not the kind of thrill I enjoy, thank you. -If that cruiser suddenly blew up, I shouldn’t weep. There—she’s firing -again. Oh, if our guns could only carry over to her!” - -This time the projectile struck the water a bare twenty yards ahead of -the speeding liner. So close was it that those aboard the _Amtonia_ felt -the spray from the geyser that shot skyward. - -“We’re within their range, now, that’s a cinch!” Bill said calmly. - -“Do you think they’ll hull us, knowing that there are passengers aboard, -Bolton?” - -“They’re sure to, unless Commander Geibel puts on the brakes. It’s his -responsibility, not theirs. That last shot was an order to stop. The -Commander is paying no attention to it. He’s evidently decided to take -the risk. You can’t blame him. Give us another minute and we’ll be in -the fog. Those prisoners below-decks, or passengers, as you call them, -will have to take their chance with the rest of us—” - -There came a terrific crash which jarred the ship from end to end. Every -man of the gun crew was thrown to the deck. For several seconds the -_Amtonia_ trembled like a live thing in agony. Her speed slackened -materially. But before the dazed men could scramble to their feet, she -was blanketed in a protecting cloak of fog. Bells rang, men shouted -orders, and the wounded ship swung round to the northwest with a -suddenness that sent her over at a sharp angle while the crew went -rolling into the starboard scuppers. - -There was no more firing from the cruiser. The race, for the time being, -was over. - -“That,” said Bill, as he picked himself up, “is what I call a direct -hit.” - -“Don’t I know it!” stormed Schneider. “If my knee isn’t fractured it’s -no fault of this deck!” He limped over to the rail and leaned against -it. “Thanks be to Neptune for this fog—that’s a blessing, if nothing -else is!” - -“Never mind,” chaffed Bill. “When the skipper wakes up he’ll pin an iron -cross on you. First casualty, you know. Wounded in the line of duty and -all that—which reminds me,” he went on more seriously, “that there are -likely to be other casualties aboard. That shot struck somewhere aft, if -I know anything about it.” - -“Look here,” said Schneider. “I’ve got to remain with the gun crew until -we’re released from this duty. Suppose you go forward. See the -Commander, if you can. If he’s not on the bridge, speak to whoever is in -charge, and find out what the damage is. The ship is no more than -limping along now. I’m sure there is serious trouble somewhere. Tell the -Commander I’m standing by with these men and if extra help is needed, -they can get busy at once. There’s nothing to do here. Oh, I forgot to -say—give him my compliments. My knee is paining me so, I can hardly -think!” - -“Don’t worry,” chuckled Bill. “I won’t disgrace you. Bye-bye. I’ll fetch -some liniment from the dispensary on my way back, if I can.” - -He touched his cap and ran forward. - -En route he met several parties of men hurrying toward companionways, -but without stopping to question them, he made his way with all possible -speed to the steps which led to the bridge and raced up. There he -encountered Lieutenant Commander Hoffman, the navigation officer. He -came to attention three paces in front of the frowning officer and -saluted him. - -“Lieutenant Schneider’s compliments, sir,” he said crisply. “The -lieutenant wishes to know if his gun crew can be of service to you. He -knows, of course, that the ship was hit, but so far has received no -further information or orders.” - -“Thank Lieutenant Schneider for me,” the officer replied with all the -ramrod formality of the Imperial German Navy. “Say to him that the -schwein-dog cruiser shot off one of our propellers. What other damage -has been done, I have not as yet ascertained, but I believe it to be of -a minor character. Commander Geibel has gone below to investigate. Until -he returns, it will be well for the Lieutenant to stand by with his gun -crew and await orders.” - -“Aye, aye, sir.” Bill had been standing rigidly at attention while Herr -Hoffman discoursed. His first salute had been of the type that any Navy -Man would term “seagoing,” but into his parting gesture, he put all the -snap that only an Annapolis Midshipman is capable of. Turning smartly on -his heel, he ran lightly down the steps. - -“Perhaps that will hold him for a while,” he muttered, making for a -companionway. “Discipline is discipline, but that guy talks as if you -were bilge under his feet, the pompous, hard-boiled egg! Dollars to -ditchwater that pirate was either a C.P.O. or a Warrant when the -Dutchmen had a Navy. That kind are always the snootiest when they’re -sprouting gold stripes!” - -Which was gross libel, as it happened, but it soothed Bill’s feelings, -and he found himself whistling Yankee Doodle as he ran down to the -ship’s dispensary. - -“Lieutenant Schneider got a crack on the knee,” he told the mate in -charge. “Got a bottle of liniment handy?” - -“There’s enough stuff here to stock a hospital, sir. If the Lieutenant -is willing, I’ll go with him. All I’ve done on this voyage is to hand -out medicine and hold basins for seasick women. It will be a real -pleasure, if my officer permits. Herman can look after the shop.” - -“Your officer permits, all right,” laughed Bill. “Grab your bottle, -Jack, and come along.” - -“Thank you, sir,” beamed the man. He picked up a large black bag and -heaving it to his shoulder, strode down the passage after Bill. - -Back on the poop, Bill found Osceola talking to Lieutenant Schneider, -who seemed in considerable pain. While the dispensary’s man brought out -liniment and gauze and began to ease the young German’s suffering, Bill -delivered Lieutenant Commander Hoffman’s message. Then the two friends -moved over to the rail. - -“I’ve just come up from the engine room,” said the Seminole. “There was -a good deal of confusion below when the propeller was shot off, and the -engines were racing and all. Things have quieted down a bit now. The -chief told Geibel that the propeller was taken off clean as a whistle. -He went down the shaft-tunnel and found she was leaking a little through -the stuffing-box, but nothing to write home about. His men are attending -to that and we’re running on the other propeller now. Nobody hurt, I’m -glad to say.” - -“I don’t think the Commander will try to have another fitted onto the -shaft while we’re at sea,” remarked Bill. - -“No. That’s why I looked you up as soon as I could. I heard him tell the -chief engineer that it was his intention to make at once for their base. -They didn’t go into detail, but from what they said I guess it’s an -almost landlocked harbor on the Maine coast.” - -“That’s news,” declared Bill. “Good news! Once we’re in touch with land -our chances of escape will be a thousand percent better. Hello—” he -broke off, “what are these chaps up to?” - -Six seamen, armed with rifles, a Chief Petty Officer and Lieutenant -Brinkerhoff, whom they both knew slightly, were advancing along the deck -toward them. - -“Lieutenants Bolton and Osceola,” said the officer stiffly, “you are -hereby placed under arrest.” - -Bill’s eyebrows shot up. “And by whose orders—may I ask?” - -“By order of the Herr Baron von Hiemskirk,” thundered the officer. “You -gentlemen will come with me at once, if you please!” - - - - - Chapter XVI - PRISONERS - - -The seamen closed in about Bill and Osceola and they were marched off, -walking side by side. - -“Our noble Captain has evidently waked up,” said Bill in an undertone to -his friend. “Here’s where we catch it, good and plenty!” - -“You think then that he did recognize us last night?” Osceola’s voice -was lowered to a whisper. - -Bill nodded. “One or both of us. We can’t deny it, you know. He’d only -make it the worse for those innocent suspects Geibel was talking about.” - -“What do you suppose he’ll do?” - -“Shoot us—very likely.” - -“But, Bill—” - -Lieutenant Brinkerhoff’s acid voice cut him short. “My orders are that -you gentlemen will refrain from all conversation. You will be good -enough to obey.” - -Bill shrugged and Osceola nodded his acceptance of this dictum. They -moved forward in silence. - -With the ramrod form of Brinkerhoff leading the way, the little -procession filed along the decks until they reached the captain’s cabin. -Here the lieutenant knocked, then entered, closing the door. - -Presently he reappeared and beckoned them inside. Bill noted that two of -the armed seamen followed them over the threshold. Apparently the -wounded captain was taking no chances of further assault. - -They found Baron von Hiemskirk propped up in bed with a pile of pillows -at his back. Around his head was a linen bandage. He looked pale and ill -and seemed to be in some pain. Seated beside the bed Commander Geibel -watched him devotedly, and at the foot stood the ship’s doctor. - -At a sign from Brinkerhoff, the lads approached the sick man. He opened -his eyes and looked at them with a keen, appraising glance. - -“So—my young friends,” he sneered. “You couldn’t leave well enough -alone, but must try to interfere with the excellent routine of my ship, -eh?” - -“When you captured us last Monday,” said Bill, “and we had our chat -aboard the _Merrymaid_, I warned you that we would do our best to make -things hot for you and your crew if you insisted upon our working for -you. I believe you understood my warning. At that time you said that -your system was perfect. And that we were at liberty to do what we could -to disrupt it so long as we attended to the duties given us.” - -“Ah! So you do not deny wrecking the ship’s wireless last night, and -sending messages to enemy warships? Not to mention your attack upon my -person—and the vast amount of trouble your disgraceful conduct has -caused my officers and crew today?” - -“No, we do not deny it,” Bill asserted steadily. “Chief Osceola and I -did exactly what you describe. But believe me when I say that it was no -part of our plan that you should be injured. You have been courteous to -us on board here. We both regret your—accident.” - -“Thank you. But that does not alter the rest of it.” - -“No. My duty as an officer of the United States Navy is to break up your -pirate organization by any means in my power.” - -“And my duty, as Captain of this ship, is to have you both executed for -mutiny. You are aware of that, of course?” - -“I want to tell you, Baron,” Bill continued earnestly. “That I alone am -to blame. It was my plan and only mine. Chief Osceola worked under my -orders throughout.” - -Osceola took a step forward. “Oh, cut out all this formality!” His dark -eyes flashed, first on the Baron and then on Bill. “And don’t you try -taking all the blame yourself. I’m just as guilty as you are. What’s -more, you know right well that if I’d had my way I’d have thrown that -Hun welcher over the rail instead of bothering to tie him up!” - -“Be quiet, Osceola,” warned his friend. “I’m running our end of this -show.” - -“Not now, you’re not—by a darn sight, Bill! I’ve got a few words to say -to the captain myself. Baron von Hiemskirk,” he turned to the big man on -the bed, “do you realize that if you have us murdered, you put a rope -around your own neck and the necks of every one of your officers and -crew?” - -“One has to catch his fish before eating it,” said von Hiemskirk. - -“True. And every warship on the Atlantic has a description of this -particular fish by now. Are you egotist enough to believe that you can -buck the Naval forces of the world and get away with it? Don’t tell me -that you, who have made an enemy of all society by your racketeering and -piracy, spare crews and passengers of captured ships through any motive -of kindness! You are afraid to send them to the bottom. Why? Because, -Herr Baron von Bluff, you are afraid to kill them! You know the penalty -for murder—you have funked it every time.” - -“Ah! But not this time, young man. Secrets have a way of leaking out -aboard ship, I admit. But in your case we shall take no chances -whatever. In a day or two, you will be removed from the _Amtonia_ and -disappear completely and effectually, far from the haunts of men.” - -“If,” said Bill, “you think you will be any safer in the state of Maine -than you are on the high seas—” - -The Baron started up in bed. “And what do you know about the state of -Maine?” he thundered, visibly perturbed. - -“Only what I broadcasted last night,” grinned Bill. “As you remarked -just now, ‘secrets have a way of leaking out on shipboard.’ You have -implicit confidence in your officers and crew of course. Did it never -occur to you that there might be a traitor amongst your devoted band?” - -“Away with them!” shouted the Baron, now thoroughly angry. - -“Just one moment—may I say a few words?” - -The Baron was the type of bully who loves to see a victim cringe. From -the young Seminole’s tone, he was sure the lad was frightened, and that -he would beg for his life. - -“Make it short. What is it you want to say?” - -“Only this, sir. With such a captain, the Jolly Roger is no longer a -fitting ensign for this ship. May I, in all humility, suggest that -instead of a white skull and crossed bones on a black field, you -substitute a lollipop? A green one would be appropriate—and floating on -a broad field of bright yellow!” - -“T-take them away!” stuttered the Baron, purple with rage. - -As they were hustled along the passageway, they could hear him hoarsely -shouting invective after them. But as his further rantings were in -German, Osceola understood not a word of it. - -“What’s he saying?” - -“Plenty,” murmured Bill. “It would make me blush to tell you.” - -As the brawny seaman who had Osceola by the arm, reminded him of the -order for silence, Osceola merely chuckled. But he continued to do so -until they were far below the waterline in the very bowels of the ship. - -Eventually they came to a long passage running fore and aft. Electric -bulbs in the ceiling brightly lighted the corridor on either side of -which doors opened into tiny cabins, evidently the quarters for stewards -and the ship’s petty officers. Half way down a steel-barred gate blocked -this passageway from floor to ceiling. Before it lounged an armed -sentry. - -The man straightened to attention as the party approached. Brinkerhoff -presented a paper which he read carefully. - -“Very good, sir,” he pocketed the order and saluted. “All cells are -full, sir, except the first on the right. Better stick them in there.” - -He unlocked the gate while the Lieutenant pushed Bill and Osceola into -an empty cell. Without a word the officer slammed shut the door. The -gate clanged and they were left together in their prison. - -The cell boasted no illumination of its own. What light and ventilation -there was came through the door, which, like the gate in the passage, -was constructed of crossed bars of steel. It was no more than a -cubby-hole. There were two narrow bunks, one above the other on one -side; across from these, a washbowl and toilet. There was no other -furniture. Both the cell and the corridor were terribly hot and stuffy. - -“Well, this isn’t so bad, I’ve had worse quarters,” Bill remarked -philosophically. “When the Baron took over this ship and needed a -special brig for his prisoners, he slapped that gate into the passageway -and put others in place of the doors to these cabins. The sidewalls are -of wood. If we had some tools, it wouldn’t be such a job to get out of -here.” - -“Humph! but we haven’t any! And _if_ we had, and could cut our way -through into the next cabin, outside the gate, where would we go from -there?” - -They were speaking in whispers, for the sentry outside the gate was only -a yard or so from their door. - -“Well, we’ve been in worse fixes. This will take some thinking out,” -answered Bill. - -“Worse fixes?” Osceola’s shoulders moved impatiently. “I doubt it.” He -sat down on the edge of a bunk. “Just because these bozos have been more -or less polite, don’t get the idea they aren’t dangerous customers. That -Baron means to put our lights out. You got him worried when you sprung -that Maine story on him, and I purposely got him just as angry as I -could.” - -“What was your big idea?” - -“Why, I figured that when he thought it over later, it would lead him to -believe we really did have something up our sleeves—some certain means -of rescue or escape. A big bully like he is would reason that we’d never -have the nerve to bait him otherwise.” - -“You think it may help to postpone the—er—evil day?” - -“I am hoping so. If I size that guy up right, he’ll make watchful -waiting his cue for a few days anyway. He’ll want to see if anything -really happens before he puts his own head into a noose.” - -“And _when_ nothing happens, we’ll be put on the spot for that same -reason!” - -“Tomorrow’s always another day, Bill. Say, you’re not up to your usual -form this morning. I’ll bet you got no sleep last night. You’d better -turn in now and take a siesta.” - -“I’ll do that soon, Osceola. But I’m interested in our fellow prisoners. -You know, we’re lucky—our one consolation is that there wasn’t room in -this dump to separate us.” - -“You bet.” Osceola yawned and standing up, stripped down to a pair of -shorts. “I’ve got the dope on those lads,” he said, as he climbed into -the upper berth. “I heard Geibel telling the Chief Engineer that he’d -jailed all the suspects on the wireless business. We’re down here with a -bunch of multi-millionaires. Does that make you feel any better?” - -“It certainly does!” - -“How come?” whispered the chief from his bunk. - -“Why, don’t you see? With all the gaff we gave the Baron, he’ll suspect -we’re in cahoots with one or more of them—and keep them down here, where -they can’t help us.” - -Osceola grunted. “You’ve sure got it in for the poor money kings—what -have you got against ’em?” - -“Gosh, you’re thick!” snorted his friend. “So long as they fill the -cells we’ll be together. It’s a heap easier for us to get out of _one_ -cell, together, than it would be to get out of two, separately!” - -“Boy, you’re talking in circles. We now arrive at the fact, once more, -that we have no tools with which to get out! Take my advice and snatch a -nap. You need it worse than I do, and this little Indian is going -shut-eye right now!” - - - - - Chapter XVII - CHARLIE’S NOTE - - -For the next couple of days, Bill and Osceola sweated in their hot-box -of a cell. What with the heat, the lack of proper ventilation, and the -uncertainty of their fate, both lads sank into a state of mind that -bordered on despondency. - -The monotony of their existence was broken but three times a day, when -meals were brought to the prisoners’ cells by a steward. The man was -invariably accompanied by the armed sentry, who acted as turnkey. - -There appeared to be no possible means of escape. Day and night the -electric lights in the passage beyond the steel bars burned brightly. -The sentry outside the gate was relieved by another seaman every four -hours, with the change of watch. With nothing to read, nothing to do, -the lads spent most of their time lying in the bunks or taking turns -pacing the narrow confines of their cell. - -Sunday night, shortly after ten o’clock the tremble of the ship’s -engines stopped. The lads guessed that the _Amtonia_ had reached her -destination at last. Half an hour later they heard the sentry speaking -to someone in the passage just beyond the gate. Although the -conversation was carried on in German, Bill was able to get the gist of -it. - -“What’s the matter, Hans?” inquired the sentry. “Aren’t you going ashore -with the rest of the boys?” - -“Not me,” replied Hans. “I’ve got to start swabbing out bathrooms at -four o’clock.” - -“Well, I’m going,” the sentry declared, “just as soon as Otto relieves -me at midnight. It isn’t often we have the chance to stretch our legs -ashore and have a good time.” - -“If your idea of a good time is to swill American homebrew in a -speakeasy, it’s not mine,” the other retorted. “I’m from Munich, I am. -Good brown Lionsbrew for me. I can’t stomach the stuff they sell you on -this side. Anyway, I’ve been on my feet all day long. My legs get all -the stretching they want aboard this ship. I’m tired—good night!” - -The lads heard the door of the cabin next to them slam shut as Hans went -to his well-earned rest. - -“That,” laughed Bill, “is the first bit of comedy I’ve heard since we -landed aboard this blooming pirate. That Heinie’s a sensible man. We -might as well turn in, too. Tomorrow, I suppose, they’ll take us ashore -and stand us up against a stone fence. I for one don’t want to think any -more about it than I have to.” - -“Keep on talking—don’t stop!” said Osceola in a low voice. “Either Hans -or someone else next door is scraping on his side of the wall. I’ll try -to find out what it’s all about.” - -Bill nodded and immediately launched into a long account of the Army and -Navy football game in which he had played the previous fall. Meanwhile -Osceola climbed into the lower bunk, and lying flat, pressed his ear -against the wooden partition which separated their cell from the -bath-steward’s cabin. - -The slight scraping continued and presently the sharp-eyed Seminole saw -the point of a knife appear through a board. The slit slowly widened, -and a folded piece of paper was pushed halfway through. Osceola grabbed -it and scanned the writing that covered both sides. He passed it to -Bill, who accomplished the difficult feat of reading it while continuing -his story of the football game. The handwriting, though tiny, was -unformed and he guessed at once that the message was from Charlie. It -ran: - - “Dear Bill—Hans is my bath stewward. He is O.K. Have promissed Dad - will make him rich for life if he helps you and the cheif. He will cut - through the boards to your cell. Hang your blankits down over the edge - of your upper bearth so as to deden sound. He will push through - another knife so you can do some cuting. I think the other one better - talk or sing or something so the centry can’t here you cuting. If you - get away take Hans to. His name will be mud after this on board the - _Amtonia_. - - “Yours truley, - “Charles Evans.” - -Bill smiled broadly as he pocketed the boyish, misspelled note. Then, -still keeping up his endless monologue anent football, he hung the -blankets, forming a curtain which completely shut in the lower bunk. -Osceola was already at work with a knife that Hans had passed through -the opening. - -Bill continued to talk for the next twenty minutes, but then he pulled -aside one corner of the blanket. The bunk was like a bake oven. Osceola -was sweating from every pore. - -“My turn now. Come out, and don’t forget to talk.” - -Osceola handed the knife to Bill, grabbed his clothes and slipped out of -the bunk. - -Immediately Bill climbed in and divested himself of the underclothes he -wore. Because of the heat, neither of the lads had been clothed in more -than their undershirts and shorts since their incarceration. As the -blanket dropped back into place, he heard Osceola begin a recital of -some hunting trip he had taken down in the Florida everglades. He was -surprised to find how the double blankets deadened the sound of his -friend’s voice. - -It was pitch dark in the bunk. He was just beginning to wonder exactly -where he should get to work when a light appeared through two parallel -slits in the wall-boards. These, he saw, were about three feet long and -perhaps a foot and a half apart. From the cabin beyond the voice of Hans -came in a sibilant whisper. - -“If the Herr Lieutenant will be good enough to start cutting across the -boards from the bottom of one slit to the bottom of the other? I shall -work on the top end. It is not necessary to tell the Lieutenant not to -press too hard with his knife. The sound of splintering wood can be -heard in the passage. There is no need to disturb the sentry—just yet.” - -Bill heard the steward chuckle. Then, except for the very slight sound -of the knives as they cut across the grain of the wood, no other came to -his ears save the low mumble of Osceola’s voice beyond the blankets. - -It was hard work and tedious, slicing across the grain of the boards. -The heat made Bill dizzy, and he stopped frequently to wipe away the -sweat that streamed down into his eyes. After what seemed an endless -age, Hans spoke again. - -“I have cut through to the farther slit, sir. Will the Herr Lieutenant -be good enough now to place the palm of his hand against the piece that -is to come out? There must be no cracking of the wood when we remove -it.” - -“Okay,” whispered Bill. - -Less than five minutes later, he completed his job. Hans took the panel -they had cut from the wall and switched off the light in his cabin. - -“Stand by,” said Bill. “We’ll be with you just as soon as I can get a -drink and put on my clothes.” - -“Very good, sir,” returned the man, and Bill climbed out of the bunk. - -He went at once to the washbasin where he rinsed out his mouth and drank -a few swallows of the tepid water. A quick sluice and a rubdown -followed. Then he got quickly into his white linen uniform. Osceola, who -was already dressed, spent the time in taking down the blankets, folding -them and tossing them onto the upper berth. Far down the passageway they -heard a bell tinkle eight times. - -“Midnight,” said Bill, in a low tone. “Yes, there’s Otto, relieving our -weary sentry at last. We’ll give him five minutes to vamoose, then we’ll -get out of here.” - -That seemed the longest five minutes of their lives. They kept their -eyes glued on the luminous dials of their wrist-watches. - -“Time’s up!” said Bill at last. - -“To the second,” was the Seminole’s sole comment. One after the other -they got into the lower berth and squeezed through the opening in the -wall. - -“What’s the plan now, Hans?” Bill whispered in the darkness. - -“With permission, sir, I will go into the passage and talk to Otto, who -is on watch now. I will leave the cabin door ajar, sir, and as soon as -his back is turned, it will be well if the gentlemen come out and—” - -“Scrag him,” Bill supplied. - -“That’s it, sir. Here are four pieces of rope and a gag. That ought to -be enough to keep Otto quiet. Will the gentlemen please take me with -them,” he asked somewhat diffidently, “when they leave the ship?” - -“You bet we will!” said Osceola. “Only don’t be so darned polite. You -make me nervous. Cut along now, we’ll attend to Otto just as soon as you -get him facing the right way.” - -“Very good, sir. Thank you, sir.” - -Hans opened the door and went out, leaving it slightly ajar. From the -shadows beside it, the lads saw him approach the sentry, who lounged on -a stool by the gate. - -“Too hot in there to sleep,” remarked Hans. “I’m going above to catch a -breath of air.” - -“Wish I could!” The sentry placed his rifle against the wall. “This ship -is an oven below-decks. Practically the whole port watch has gone -ashore. Just my bad luck to be stuck down here.” - -“Look at the size of that rat!” exclaimed the steward, pointing down the -prison corridor. - -“Where?” Otto swung round toward the barred gate. - -Hans immediately caught up the rifle and pressed the muzzle against the -man’s side. “One peep out of you,” he muttered, “and I’ll give you a -bellyful!” - -Otto stared at him dazedly. Before he could decide whether or not to -make a move, Bill thrust the gag in his mouth, while Osceola caught his -wrists and lashed them fast behind his back. - -It took only a moment longer to tie up his ankles. Otto was laid on the -floor, and with Hans in the lead and carrying the rifle, the three -hurried down the passage away from the gate. - - - - - Chapter XVIII - THE FLYING FISH PLAYS ITS PART - - -Hans led them up through the galleys and pantries into the First Class -Dining Saloon without encountering a single soul. They went boldly up -the main staircase to the promenade deck, which seemed deserted. A small -figure hiding in the shadows ran up to them, and Charlie gripped his -friends’ hands. - -“Never mind the thanks,” he whispered. “We’ve got to work fast. There’s -an armed seaman at the gangway head. We must quiet him first. Then we’ll -take the ship’s boat that’s moored below.” - -“Okay, boy.” - -Without another word, Bill walked up to the gangway sentry, who -immediately brought his rifle to the present. - -“There’s rust on that barrel,” growled Bill and held out his hand. “I -can see it even in this light.” - -“But—but I think,” stammered the sentry, “that my officer is mistaken!” -He passed over the gun without suspicion. - -Immediately afterward, he found himself in the same dilemma Otto had -encountered ten minutes earlier. Tied up and gagged with a handkerchief, -he was deposited behind a pile of deck chairs. - -His captors wasted no further time. They ran down the gangway and piled -aboard the skiff moored to the grating. Hans got out the single pair of -oars, Osceola unloosed the painter, and Bill, who seated himself beside -Charlie in the stern, steered their small craft away from the ship. -There were men on the _Amtonia’s_ bridge but they received no hail to -return. - -Bill looked about. Although there was no moon, the brilliant starlight -gave ample light for him to size up his surroundings. He found that they -were floating in a large cove or harbor almost landlocked. The body of -water was eggshaped; perhaps a mile long by half that distance in width. -The shores were rocky, with black patches of sandy beach. Beyond grew a -dense forest, except at one end of the bay, where twinkling lights -marked a small settlement. The outlet to the ocean was narrow, and -guarded by high cliffs. It was a perfect retreat for the Baron and his -pirates. - -Charlie piped up in his boyish treble. “The _Amtonia’s_ absolutely -hidden by those heads from any ship passing up or down the coast. The -harbor entrance makes a right-angled turn half way to the sea. I heard -Lieutenant Brinkerhoff say that a warship passed the mouth, going west, -about eleven-thirty. The lookout on the head signalled in. Brinkerhoff -was laughing about it, I guess it made him feel good.” - -“Well, his break is ours now,” declared Bill. “And there’s another one -for us!” - -He pointed to where the _Flying Fish_ lay moored, with her wings spread, -a few hundred yards away. - -“It’ll be hot as Tophet in her hull tonight! Row on, Hans. We’re going -over there to pay a visit. By the way, does anyone know exactly where we -are?” - -“Yes, sir,” replied the man, “this harbor is on the coast of Maine. -Washington County, I think, sir—not very far from Englishman’s Bay.” - -“Good enough! What are those lights yonder?” - -“You might call that our private Navy Yard, sir. It’s the Baron’s shore -base. He keeps a crew on duty there, while the ships are at sea. There -are storehouses, a machine shop, the men’s quarters and a store. It’s -ten miles back to the railroad. He owns all the shore acreage -hereabouts. A high wire fence shuts in the property from all outsiders. -There are one or two big estates up and down the coast, but the nearest -house is a good three miles away.” - -“How are the roads?” - -“There’s no road along the coast, sir. The one from the base runs back -to the little town on the railroad. It’s in very bad condition, sir. -There is no other way out.” - -“Thank you, Hans. You’re a treasure-house of local knowledge.” - -“Thank _you_, sir. May I make a suggestion?” - -“Fire away.” - -“My brother, August, is deck watch aboard the _Flying Fish_, sir. -Usually, in port, only one man is kept aboard her. August does not like -this life. Like me, he was shanghaied into it. Once with this outfit, -there is no getting away, unless by a miracle, like tonight, sir. August -speaks no English. May I ask him to join us?” - -“By all means, Hans. It will save a lot of trouble. Offer him what Mrs. -Evans said she would give you. I will see that it is paid.” - -“Very good, sir. Thank you, sir.” - -They were close to the converted submarine now. On the narrow deck, -abaft the motors a man was seated on a camp chair, smoking. He stood up -as the boat approached. - -Hans hailed him and for several minutes the two brothers hurled harsh -gutturals at each other. Bill guessed them to be speaking a low Bavarian -dialect of German. He failed to understand a single word of what they -said. - -“He wants me to thank you—he will come,” Hans asserted presently. - -“What a polite family you are—” chuckled Bill. “Let’s get aboard.” - -Fifteen minutes later those officers and men who had remained on deck -aboard the anchored pirate ship were astonished to see the _Flying Fish_ -taxi down the harbor and take the air. A few seconds later her tail -lights disappeared into the dark beyond the headlands. Aboard the -_Amtonia_ orders were shouted, bells clanged, and presently the whining -howl of her siren awoke the echoes of the night. - -Half an hour passed. Bill, at the wheel of the _Flying Fish_, leaned -forward, his eyes focussed on a pinpoint of light far below and about -ten miles ahead of the speeding airplane. - -“There she is on a bet,” he said to Osceola, who was in the other -pilot’s seat. - -“You mean the warship Charlie told us about? What makes you so sure?” - -“I’ve got a hunch, that’s all. Anyway, nothing but a fishing boat or one -of the little steamers that put in at the small seaports along this part -of the coast would be so close to shore. That’s a big ship out there. I -think I’m right about her.” - -Bill’s hunch was correct, as the two in the cockpit presently saw. - -“It’s the _Stamford_, or her twin!” he declared. “Uncle Sam sure is on -the job!” - -Catching up with the cruiser, he circled her three times. Then the -_Flying Fish_ darted ahead, landed and came to rest half a mile beyond. -By the time the warship hove to beside them, Bill had a sea anchor out -and was waiting on the heaving deck. He held a megaphone in his hand. -Beside him, staring at the big cruiser, stood Osceola, Charlie, Hans and -August. - -“What craft is that?” came a hail from the warship’s bridge. - -“The convertible submarine-seaplane, _Flying Fish_, Midshipman William -Bolton in command,” Bill yelled back. “She was part of von Hiemskirk’s -pirate outfit. She belongs to Uncle Sam now. We captured her less than -an hour ago. Are you the _Stamford_?” - -“You’ve guessed it!” spoke a jubilant voice. “Commander Brown speaking,” -it went on, “are you the chaps who sent out that wireless?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Congratulations, Mr. Bolton. Where is the _Amtonia_?” - -“At anchor in a small harbor a few miles up the coast, sir. One of her -propellers was shot off in the scrap the other day. She hasn’t got steam -up, or didn’t have, when we left—so I guess she’s still there.” - -“Good! Take off at once and lead us to her.” - -“Aye, aye, sir. There’s plenty of water but the channel to the harbor is -a narrow one between twin heads. You’ll have to be careful.” - -“Thank you, Mr. Bolton. Any other suggestions?” - -“Yes, sir. Please wireless to the state constabulary to guard the road -from Twin Head Harbor to Clayton. That’s the only way von Hiemskirk and -his crew can escape by land.” - -“We’ll attend to it at once,” said the Commander. “Cut along now. We’ll -follow you, so don’t get too far ahead.” - -“Aye, sir,” said Bill, and sent Hans forward to haul in the sea anchor. - -The first pale rays of summer dawn were brightening sea and land when -the _Stamford_ navigated the entrance between Twin Heads and pushed her -wicked snout into the harbor. At the same instant, Bill landed the -_Flying Fish_ on the calm water. - -Through the cockpit windows Bill saw that the _Amtonia_ was raising her -anchors. - -“Von Hiemskirk was all set to run for it,” he said to the chief. - -“But he wasn’t quite quick enough,” grinned Osceola. “Next stop, -Atlanta, for that bunch. There’s mighty little pirating to be done in a -federal prison!” - -“They’re hauling down the Jolly Roger!” cried Bill. “Well, that cuts it. -Somebody will be sending a boat over here after awhile. Let’s see if we -can rustle some chow in the meantime. I’m starved!” - -The boat came alongside shortly after the five aboard the _Flying Fish_ -had finished doing justice to a very substantial breakfast. And all five -were on deck when the ensign in charge came over the side. - -“Mr. Bolton?” inquired the young officer, as Bill stepped forward. - -“Himself,” smiled Bill. - -“I’m Pierce, of the _Stamford_.” The two shook hands. - -“Commander Brown’s compliments,” he continued after Bill had introduced -the quartet, “he wishes you to come aboard the _Amtonia_. We wirelessed -the news, of course, and have just received a message of thanks -addressed to you, signed by the President. You are to go to Washington, -just as soon as this business here is cleaned up. In fact, the President -wants to meet the five of you.” - -“I bet Bill will get the Congressional Medal!” shrilled Charlie. - -“I shouldn’t be surprised,” smiled Pierce. “Gosh!” he exploded, “this is -a big thing you fellows have put over!” - -“But Bill was the brains of it,” said Osceola. - -“Without everybody’s help,” said Bill, “we never should have pulled it -off.” - -“Cut the argument,” laughed Ensign Pierce. “The skipper is waiting, and -so are several hundred delighted passengers.” - -“That’s just it,” protested Bill, “I’d rather be shot than face that -mob!” - -“_Not me!_” said Charlie. “Gee, it’ll be swell! Because I was the -youngest on board, everybody took pleasure in jumping on me. Now I can -tell them all where to shove off! Let’s go!” - - - THE END - - -Those who read and enjoyed this book and the one preceding it, (_Bill -Bolton—Flying Midshipman_) will want to read the next of this series, -_Bill Bolton and The Hidden Danger_. - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard (or amusing) - spellings and dialect unchanged. - ---In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the - HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.) - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bill Bolton and the Flying Fish, by -Noel Everingham Sainsbury, Jr. - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BILL BOLTON AND THE FLYING FISH *** - -***** This file should be named 63394-0.txt or 63394-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/3/9/63394/ - -Produced by Al Haines, Stephen Hutcheson & the online -Distributed Proofreaders Canada team at -https://www.pgdpcanada.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. 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. - |