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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-06 00:20:33 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-06 00:20:33 -0800 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c4b6bfc --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52340 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52340) diff --git a/old/52340-8.txt b/old/52340-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f97c962..0000000 --- a/old/52340-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8816 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Salving of the 'Fusi Yama', by Percy F. Westerman - -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: The Salving of the 'Fusi Yama' - A Post-War Story of the Sea - -Author: Percy F. Westerman - -Illustrator: E.S. Hodgson - -Release Date: June 15, 2016 [EBook #52340] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SALVING OF THE 'FUSI YAMA' *** - - - - -Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen. Thank you, Iain Somerville! - - - - -[Illustration: cover] - - - - -THE SALVING OF -THE "FUSI YAMA" - - - - -BY -PERCY F. WESTERMAN -LIEUT. R.A.F. - - ------ - -"No boy alive will be able to peruse Mr. Westerman's pages -without a quickening of his pulses."--Outlook. - - ------ - -The Salving of the "Fusi Yama": A Post-War -Story of the Sea. - -Sea Scouts All: How the _Olivette_ was won. - -Winning his Wings: A Story of the R.A.F. - -The Thick of the Fray at Zeebrugge: April, 1918. - -With Beatty off Jutland: A Romance of the Great Sea -Fight. - -The Submarine Hunters: A Story of Naval Patrol Work. - -A Lively Bit of the Front: A Tale of the New Zealand -Rifles on the Western Front. - -A Sub and a Submarine: The Story of H.M. Submarine -R19 in the Great War. - -Under the White Ensign: A Naval Story of the Great -War. - -The Dispatch-Riders: The Adventures of Two British -Motor-cyclists with the Belgian Forces. - -The Sea-girt Fortress: A Story of Heligoland. - -Rounding up the Raider: A Naval Story of the Great -War. - -The Fight for Constantinople: A Tale of the Gallipoli -Peninsula. - -Captured at Tripoli: A Tale of Adventure. - -The Quest of the "Golden Hope": A Seventeenth-century -Story of Adventure. - -A Lad of Grit: A Story of Restoration Times. - - -LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, LTD., 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C. - - - - -[Illustration: A SUBMARINE DUEL _Frontispiece_ -(missing from book)] - - - - -THE SALVING OF -THE "FUSI YAMA" -A Post-War Story of the Sea - - - -BY - -PERCY F. WESTERMAN - - - -_Illustrated by E. S. Hodgson_ - - - -BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED -LONDON GLASGOW AND BOMBAY - - - - - Contents - - CHAP. - I. ROCKS AHEAD - II. TO THE RESCUE - III. SIGNING ON - IV. COMRADES ALL - V. THE "FUSI YAMA" - VI. THE YACHT "TITANIA" - VII. SAND-BAGGED - VIII. THE "TITANIA" SAILS - IX. "WHERE AM I?" - X. A CHOICE OF TWO EVILS - XI. VILLIERS' RETURN - XII. PETE AND THE MUTINY - XIII. ADVICE AND BLUFF - XIV. SUNK IN COLLISION - XV. WHAT DID DICK DO? - XVI. THE WRONG ISLAND - XVII. NUA LEHA - XVIII. THE FIRST DAY ON THE ISLAND - XIX. MISSING - XX. UP AND DOWN - XXI. A GOOD NIGHT'S WORK - XXII. VON GIESPERT HEARS NEWS - XXIII. EUREKA! - XXIV. THE HURRICANE - XXV. "KONKED OUT" - XXVI. HARBOROUGH'S RUSE - XXVII. A SUBMARINE DUEL - XXVIII. THE EXPLOSION - XXIX. A FRUSTRATED ESCAPE - XXX. VON GIESPERT'S RESOLVE - XXXI. EXIT THE "ZUG" - XXXII. SETTLING ACCOUNTS - - - - - Illustrations - - ------ - - A SUBMARINE DUEL _Frontispiece_ (missing from book) - SAND-BAGGED - UNMASKED HE WAS NO LONGER AN AMIABLE SWEDE (missing from book) - THE GERMANS WERE DUMFOUNDED - JACK WAS PINNED PRETTY FIRMLY AGAINST THE CEILING - CLAVERHOUSE STEERS THE SEAPLANE INTO THE LAGOON - - - - -THE SALVING OF THE "FUSI YAMA" - - - - -CHAPTER I - -Rocks Ahead - - -"And how do you like being out of harness, old top?" inquired Jack -Villiers. - -The "old top", otherwise Bobby Beverley, late Sub-Lieutenant of the -Motor Boat Reserve, squared his shoulders and thrust his hands deeply -into the pockets of a well-worn salt-stained monkey-jacket. - -"Candidly, dear old thing, I don't like it one little bit," he -replied. "A fish out of water isn't in it." - -"I believe that's an undisputed fact," interrupted the other. - -"And I jolly well begin to realize it," continued Beverley with -conviction. "There are thousands in the same boat, but that doesn't -alter my position. Fact remains, I see rocks ahead." - -"Is that so?" inquired Villiers seriously. "What is it? Short of the -ready?" - -Beverley shook his head. - -"Not that," he replied, with the confidence that a Service man will -display when discussing financial matters with a brother-officer. -"I've been careful, after a fashion, and there's my gratuity, and a -bit of prize-money when that comes along. Enough to carry on with for -a bit; but, hang it all, what's a fellow to do? I don't like the idea -of taking on a job in an office. When you've been in charge of a crew -for the last three years, you don't like knuckling under and being -bossed; you know what I mean." - -"Precisely, old bird," agreed Villiers. "Same here. I'd go off to -Rhodesia like a shot, only I don't know a blessed thing about -farming. I'd go to sea again, but the Mercantile Marine is -chock-a-block with demobbed Royal Naval Reserve men with Board of -Trade certificates and deep-sea experience. That's where we're -bunkered, old boy. But never mind. Something'll turn up. It's a case -of grasping Dame Fortune by the forelock, whatever that is. 'Fraid -the only forelock I'm acquainted with is the forelock of an anchor, -and that's apt to let you down badly if you don't watch it." - -The two chums had encountered each other just outside the docks at -Southampton. Both had recently been demobilized from the parent ship -_Hermione,_ Villiers' "M.L." having been paid off a fortnight before -Beverley's craft had gone to lay up indefinitely in the Hamble River. - -Jack Villiers was a tall, sparely-built fellow, bronzed, athletic, -and moving with a typically nautical roll that one is bound to -acquire by three years' acquaintance with the open sea. The only son -of a formerly well-to-do Devonshire man, Jack found himself "out of a -berth" with precious few prospects of obtaining employment of -anything approaching a congenial nature. He had gone straight from a -public school into the R.N.V.R and for three years he had risked his -life for his country and had had enough experiences of warfare afloat -to last a lifetime. He knew how to handle men, to take over -responsibility in a tight corner, and generally to steel his nerves -and act promptly in emergencies. He had a roof over his head, albeit -the enamelled roof of the M.L.'s ward-room; good and ample food, a -genial superior officer, and a crew with whom he was undoubtedly -popular. His salary was sufficient for his needs, although it -compared unfavourably with the wages of the average munition-worker -ashore, and generally speaking he had, to quote his own words, "a -top-hole time". - -But at the end of the three years it was quite another story. The -prospect of completing his education at a university had vanished. -His second string--a course at an Engineering Training College--had -snapped, His father, hard hit by the war, was no longer in a position -to render financial aid, and it became apparent that Jack Villiers -would have to cut out a line for himself. - -The burning question was how? The prospect of a commercial life -appalled him. His utter inexperience of the world was against him, -and it was doubtful whether, during that period of unrest that almost -invariably besets the demobilized man, he could settle to sedentary -work. The call of the sea, the craving for spirited and healthy -adventure, militated against the prospect of a hum-drum life. - -Bobby Beverley was in much the same state--possibly worse. He was -additionally hampered by having to provide for his fifteen-year-old -brother Dick, who was at present a boarder in a well-known school -near Salisbury. Bobby's parents were both dead. Mr. Beverley, taking -up a commission in the Army Service Corps, at the age of forty, had -been killed in action somewhere in France. His widow survived him by -but a few months, while Dick had to be maintained out of a scanty -"compassionate allowance ", largely augmented by a considerable -portion of his elder brother's Sub-Lieutenant's pay. And now Bobby -Beverley was faced with two problems: his own future and that of Dick -when the latter left school, which would be at no distant date. - -"Let's trot along and have lunch," suggested Villiers. "I know of a -decent little show in the High Street. Dash it all! I remembered in -time," he added, as he replaced his cap after saluting a lady. "Only -just beginning to remember I'm in mufti. Passed Barry's missus this -morning, and, by Jove! I was going to salute Navy fashion when I -recollected I was out of it. Good old times those, George." - -"They were," admitted "George" fervently, accepting without demur the -name that for some unaccountable reason is indiscriminately bestowed -upon members of the Senior Service. "We had our sticky times, of -course. Then we groused like the rest of 'em. But that's a back -number. Looking at it retrospectively, it wasn't a bad sort of stunt. -And now there's the future." - -"There won't be one for you on this old planet if you aren't more -careful," interrupted Villiers, as he gripped his chum by the arm and -hiked him on to the pavement just in time to escape being run down by -a motor-cyclist. "Bless my soul! It's Alec Claverhouse; and on a -brand-new 1919 jigger, too." - -The recognition was mutual, for the motor-cyclist slowed down and -came to a standstill with one foot on the kerb within twenty yards of -the spot where he had all but collided with Bobby Beverley. - -From what could be seen of him Alec Claverhouse appeared to be a -tall, burly fellow. Tall he certainly was, but the burliness was -largely deceptive, since he was wearing thick clothing and heavy -motor mackintosh overalls. His forehead was concealed by a golf-cap -pulled well down, while resting upon the peak were a pair of goggles -that were evidently considered by their owner to be necessary -adjuncts to the "doggy" appearance of a "speed merchant". - -Claverhouse was an ex-lieutenant of the Royal Air Force--or -Flying-Officer according to the revised and much criticized style of -rank. He had been demobilized for more than five months, and after a -long and wearisome search for a job had taken up a not too lucrative -post at a motor-engineering works, part of his duty being to risk his -neck and those of others of His Majesty's lieges by testing cars and -motor-cycles on the King's highway. Up to the present he had been -fairly fortunate in having his licence endorsed but twice, although -it was a wonder that the fatal third endorsement had not been -recorded. Like a good many other air-pilots Claverhouse, used to -travelling at 120 miles an hour, found that a paltry twenty over the -ground was a mere crawl. - -"Cheerio, Beverley, old bird!" he exclaimed boisterously. "Hardly -expected to run up against you. Still in it, I see. And, Villiers, -you dear old thing! so they've chucked you out." - -"Both of us," corrected Beverley. "We were discussing the prospects -of hacking our way to fame and prosperity when you nearly settled the -problem for us." - -"Always ready to be of assistance," rejoined Claverhouse. "By the by, -seen any of the old Abermurchan crowd lately?" - -"Not since last July," replied Beverley. "Villiers and I came south -together when the M.L. base packed up. The Air Station was due to -close down almost immediately, I remember. What are you doing here?" - -"Trying to find my feet," was the reply. "In other words, pottering -about in a glorified garage waiting for a snip. I'm thinking of going -abroad." - -"That's about as far as we've got," said Villiers. - -"But at present we're thinking of having lunch. Come along with us." - -"My 'bus," protested Alec. - -"Shove it round the back of the show," suggested Villiers. "Get on -with it and then you can reserve a table. We'll be there in less than -five minutes." - -Claverhouse fell in with the suggestion and rode off. Arriving at the -restaurant he was fortunate in securing a corner table. Five minutes -passed, but there were no signs of Villiers and Beverley. Ten minutes -passed. - -"Wonder if they're acting the giddy goat with me?" he soliloquized as -he carelessly picked up a copy of _The Times_ and began to scan the -Personal Column. - -Why he did so he hardly knew. There was little of interest to him in -the long list of appeals for work by demobilized men, though it -roused his sympathy. Somehow it didn't seem right that fellows who -had fought for the country should have to eat out of the hands of the -stay-at-homes who for a dead certainty would have had no home had the -Hun been top-dog. - -Half-way down the column he came across an advertisement of a length -and novelty unusual even to the unique Agony Column of _The Times_. -Its audacity held him until he became aware of the arrival of -Villiers and Beverley by receiving a vigorous thump on his shoulder. - -"Sorry we're late, old son," exclaimed the former apologetically. -"Ran across old Hammersley just under the Bargate. You remember him?" - -Claverhouse nodded, then put the paper on the table. - -"Cast your eye on this, old thing," he said. "A bit tall, eh, what?" - -"What, Rio del Oro shares? Thanks, I'm not having any," said Villiers -decidedly. - -"No, next column," explained Claverhouse. "There, where my thumb is." - -"What's the wheeze?" inquired Beverley, craning his neck and looking -over Villier's shoulder. - -"That's what I want to know," replied Alec. "If there's anything in -it, I'm on." - -The announcement was as follows:-- - -"To Demobilized Officers. Those wishing for further excitement and -adventure overseas and who are physically and mentally capable of -taking care of themselves are invited to communicate with the -under-signed. An enterprise involving the risking of two hundred and -fifty pounds per head is in contemplation. The capital may be lost; -on the other hand, there is a possibility of a gain of one thousand -per cent upwards. Applications are especially invited from ex-members -of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and Royal Air Force, but those -persons formerly serving in other branches of H.M. Services will be -given consideration. Full particulars of the scheme, which will -require twelve months' personal service, will be supplied to _bona -fide_ applicants.--Address, 'Joystick', c/o Messrs. Steady and -Strong, Richborough Chambers, Southampton." - -"Claptrap!" declared Villiers, taking up the menu-card, which -represented something rather more concrete, and consequently rather -more digestible, than the newspaper announcement. - -"P'raps," admitted Claverhouse, with his characteristic drawl. "'Tany -rate the bloke's straightforward enough to tell you that you might be -chucking your money away." - -"That's so," agreed Beverley. "We can investigate. I suppose there's -no obligation to carry on if the thing looks fishy." - -"I don't mind going that far," said Villiers. "And if it looks a -sound scheme I'll plank down three hundred. After all three hundred -is only worth about a hundred and eighty pounds, and if we are kept -employed for a twelvemonth and get a bit of excitement chucked in, -well--we might just as soon spend our gratuities that way as being -rooked and rushed at home." - -Beverley made no audible comment. He was of a cautious nature, and -his cautiousness was heightened by the fact that he was responsible -for the maintenance of a young brother for at least a couple of -years. - -While the waiter was taking orders the subject was dropped, but as -soon as the man had departed Claverhouse returned to the matter. - -"Wonder if it's a filibustering stunt?" he hazarded. - -"Or piracy," added Villiers. "I heard a yarn floating around only -yesterday about a merchant skipper whose crew were killed in cold -blood by a U-boat. The old man was taken prisoner, but managed to -escape, and now he's vowed to get his own back. How I don't know, -unless he turns pirate and goes for every Fritz he falls in with on -the high seas." - -"Thanks, I'm not having any there," declared Beverley. "I don't want -to find myself hanging in the modern equivalent to Execution Dock." - -"Nor I," added Villiers. "Apparently this stunt has something to do -with the sea, since it's R.N.V.R. fellows who are wanted." - -"And Air Force blokes," said Claverhouse gently. - -"Nothing like sticking up for your own crush, old bird," remarked -Villiers. "Yes, that part puzzles me a bit. Look here, let's take -Beverley's advice and make inquiries. If it isn't all jonnick we can -pipe down." - -"When?" asked Claverhouse. "Now? At once?" - -Villiers laughed. - -"Hardly," he replied. "Pretty guys we'd look trotting round to -Richborough Chambers and asking for 'Joystick'. It's too much like -asking for trouble to my mind. No, the best thing we can do without -compromising ourselves is to write and ask for an interview. Then we -can resolve ourselves into a Committee of Ways and Means." - -"Joint letter?" asked Beverley. - -"No, individual, briefly stating our qualifications," replied -Villiers. - -"But, in that case, you or I might be sent for and the others -ignored," objected Claverhouse. "I vote we stick together--united we -stand sort of touch." - -"That's the stuff to give 'em," was Villiers' rejoinder. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -To the Rescue - - -It was not until the following Thursday afternoon that Villiers, as -head of the informal Mutual Advancement Syndicate, received a reply -to the joint letter to "Joystick". - -As Villiers had expected, the letter gave no clue to the nature of -the proposed undertaking, but consisted of a brief intimation that -the advertiser would be pleased to interview Messrs. Villiers, -Beverley, and Claverhouse at Richborough Chambers at 3 p.m. that day. - -"We're progressing," he observed, as he handed the letter to Bobby. -"Now comes the fun. Will 'Joystick' take a rise out of us, or shall -we pull his leg? Let's go round and rout out Claverhouse." - -"He'll be at his one-horse show garage," said Beverley. "Better look -him up at lunch-time." - -"Won't give him enough warning," objected Villiers. "We'll tackle him -at once and let him know how things stand. 'Raise steam and prepare -for immediate action', eh, what?" - -They happened across Alec Claverhouse just outside the motor-works. -He was about to take a 60-h.p. "Odouresque" out for a test run. - -"Cheerio!" he exclaimed. "Any luck?" - -"Read this," replied Villiers. "My festive friend, you'll have to -pipe down this afternoon. Thursday's 'Make and mend', you know." - -"Not in this rotten show," said Claverhouse. "The civilian equivalent -to the Adjutant bird in these works is a regular Cossack for granting -time off. I haven't a great grandmother to bury, nor is there a -football match on this afternoon, so honours are even on that score. -What do you think of this little lad? Guess I'll knock sixty out of -her on the road." - -"In that case," remarked Beverley, "you'll get run in by the police -and sacked by the firm, so before you do find yourself in the cart -why don't you apply for leave?" - -"I will, sure," replied Claverhouse, throwing off his leather-lined -coat and tossing it into the coupé. "Hang on half a tick, and I'll -tell you the result of the poll." - -He disappeared from view, leaving Jack and Bobby to admire the -workmanship and general "get up" of the powerful "Odouresque". - -In less than five minutes he reappeared, beaming and smiling. - -"It's all O.K.," he announced. "I cut the rotten red tape and saw the -manager. While I was about it--'in for a penny, in for a pound' stunt -you know--I asked if he had any objection to you fellows coming with -me. Said he hadn't, as long as the firm hadn't to pay your funeral -exes; so hop in and let's get a move on." - -Nothing loth the two chums boarded the car, Villiers sitting by -Claverhouse while Beverley reclined in lordly fashion on the back -seat. Almost imperceptibly, in response to a touch of the electric -starter, the powerful car glided away. - -There was no doubt about it. Claverhouse knew how to handle a -high-horse-powered engine, and before the car had traversed the -length of the crowded High Street, and had adroitly negotiated the -narrow Bargate, both Villiers and Beverley had abandoned the mental -visions of finding themselves either in a mortuary or in an -infirmary. - -Alec kept the car well retarded until he reached the outskirts of -Southampton, then opening out slightly he soon covered the somewhat -hilly road between the seaport and the cathedral city of Winchester, -but never once did the needle of the speedometer point above -twenty-five. - -"Don't think I was boasting about the sixty," remarked Claverhouse. -"There's a fine stretch of open road ahead. Then you watch her rip. -Keep your eye on the speedometer. It's the only indication of the -rate we're doing." - -Presently the chalky highway ascended a long hill that forms part of -the North Downs. Ahead as far as the eye could reach was a desolate -stretch of unfenced road with a wide expanse of undulating grass-land -on either side--straight as a die in the direction but interrupted by -a number of gentle gradients. - -"Worthy Down," announced Alec. "Four hundred feet up. Now she'll -rip." - -Rip she did. Swiftly the needle rose from thirty to forty-five. - -"All serene?" asked Claverhouse, only this time he did not turn his -head. His whole attention was centred upon the road, yet so silent -and well protected was the car that he could speak in an ordinary -tone and be heard distinctly. - -"Quite," replied Villiers. - -Fifty, fifty-five, sixty, sixty-five, seventy. - -The "Odouresque" was travelling. The wind whistled past the screens, -the chalk road blended into a vague, swiftly-rushing riband of white. -Everything within fifty yards was indistinct, like a badly-focused -photograph, while for a mile behind the car a dense cloud of dust -eddied in the back-draught of the swiftly-moving vehicle. - -"Look out, old man," cautioned Villiers. "There's a cyclist ahead." - -"Yes, I see him," replied Alec, gently retarding the terrific -momentum. "'Fraid he's spoiled my record." - -"Motor-cyclist," corrected Jack, as the approaching machine breasted -one of the intervening ridges and disappeared in a dip of the road. -"Wonder if anything would happen if a bike going at, say, forty, -passed a big car doing seventy? If----" - -He broke off. Simultaneously Claverhouse throttled down and applied -the side-brakes. - -Before the car could be brought to a standstill it had surmounted a -slight rise and was on the down grade leading to another ascent half -a mile or more away. Right in the hollow was a confused group of -figures which resolved itself into a motor-cyclist bravely defending -himself against four rough-looking men. The cycle lay on the grass a -good ten yards from the road and a fifth ruffian was already -beginning to ransack the contents of a case strapped to the carrier. - -At first sight Villiers thought that there had been an accident, and -that the motor-cyclist had collided with a group of pedestrians, but -he was speedily undeceived. It was a case of highway robbery. - -Unfortunately, from the footpads' point of view, the rascals had not -bargained for the approach of a car at seventy miles an hour. Lying -in wait for the solitary traveller, they had taken the precaution to -see that the straight road was otherwise deserted when the object of -their attention approached. Nor were they aware of the presence of -the swift, silent car until it appeared to leap from the ground -within a hundred yards of them. - -"Look out, chums!" shouted the fellow standing over the fallen -motor-cycle, and acting upon his own warning he promptly took to his -heels. - -The others also fled, but not before one of them was held by the -attacked motor-cyclist. It looked as if the fellow would be made a -prisoner, for the other held on like a leech, until the ruffian drew -a knife and struck. - -"After them!" yelled Beverley, taking a flying leap from the car. -Villiers was a close second, ignoring Claverhouse's suggestion to -take the car in pursuit. - -As it was the chase was futile. The assailants, young, agile, and -strong in wind, scattered in different directions, steadily -outdistancing the three new arrivals, hampered as they were with -heavy coats. - -"Pity we didn't stick to the car," remarked Alec regretfully, as -puffed and pouring with perspiration they made their way back to the -victim of the attack. "I bet we would have run at least two of them -to earth. Fine sport it would have been, and the grass makes good -going. Hallo! He's up again." - -Claverhouse indicated the unfortunate motor-cyclist, who, holding one -arm below the elbow, was ruefully contemplating his steed. - -"Hurt, sir?" inquired Villiers. - -"Scratch," replied the other with equal laconism. - -Then, as if the presence of his rescuers was unnoticed, he fumbled -with the fingers of his uninjured arm until he succeeded in opening -the leather case on the carrier. - -Apparently his investigations were satisfactory, for, closing the -lid, he turned towards the three chums. - -"Thanks, awfully, for your timely assistance," he exclaimed. "It was -very remiss of me not to say so before, but my head feels a trifle -dizzy. I'm afraid I haven't quite got the hang of things yet." - -"Let me bind your arm," suggested Beverley. "It is bleeding rather -badly." - -"So it is," admitted the stranger. "I hardly noticed it, but it's -tingling a bit now." - -Villiers helped him off with his motor-cycling coat and jacket and -rolled up his sleeve. - -"Clean cut," announced Beverley. "Any first-aid gadgets in the car, -Alec?" - -"Trust me for that," replied Claverhouse. "I'll fetch the wallet." - -"Any suggestion as to the cause of that attack?" asked Villiers. - -"Can't say," was the non-committal reply. "I'm sorry they got -away--very." - -"So am I," agreed Villiers sincerely. "According to the papers, -robbery with violence is on the increase. One of the after-results of -the war, I suppose. Going far?" - -"Southampton," replied the stranger. "I have an engagement at three." - -"So have we," added Beverley. "Is your bike all right?" - -Examination proved that it was rideable, although the front wheel was -slightly buckled and the exhaust-lever cable had snapped. - -"You'd better come in the car," suggested Claverhouse, when the -bandaging operation was completed. "One of my friends can ride your -bike." - -"I'd be eternally grateful," replied the motor-cyclist. "I'm not much -of a hand at this sort of game, but with this wretched railway strike -on, what is a fellow to do?" - -"It's no use hanging on to the slack," observed Claverhouse, moving -in the direction of the car. "Jump in and let's get along. First stop -Winchester, I presume?" - -"What for?" asked the stranger. "Not on my account?" - -"But surely," said Claverhouse, in astonishment, "you are going to -inform the police?" - -"A waste of valuable time," objected the other. "No, if you don't -mind dropping me in Southampton I'll be doubly obliged. I'll take -that attaché case with me, if you please." - -"Good enough," agreed Claverhouse. "Beverley, dear old soul, you're -riding the bike, I believe?" - -"That is so," admitted Bobby. - -"And," continued Alec, with a grin, "you think you'll hang on to us? -You'll be dropped, old son, for a dead cert. So don't you think it -would be just as well to ask this gentleman's address? Where shall we -put you down, sir?" he asked, turning to the stranger. - -"Richborough Chambers," was the unexpected reply. - -"Well, I'm hanged!" exclaimed Villiers. "That's rummy--very. Do you -happen to know of a fellow who, for certain reasons, calls himself -'Joystick'?" - -A faint smile overspread the man's bull-dog features. - -"I am 'Joystick'," he replied. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -Signing On - - -For some minutes "Joystick" remained silent, enjoying the obvious -astonishment of the trio. - -"You need not introduce yourselves," he continued. "You are Robert -Beverley; you are Jack Villiers, and you are Alec Claverhouse--I -presume you pronounce your name in Scots' fashion." - -"You are a veritable Sherlock Holmes," declared Villiers. - -The other raised a hand deprecatingly. - -"I cannot aspire to that degree of intelligence," he remarked. "So, -to remove misunderstandings, I will explain. You said you had an -appointment at Southampton at three. I mentioned Richborough -Chambers, and then you asked if I knew 'Joystick'. Amongst many -applications for an interview I had a joint letter signed by you -three fellows. I heard Beverley called by name. That accounted for -one of you, and left two--Villiers and Claverhouse. One looked like a -naval man, the other did not, but he had an accent that hails from -north of the Tweed. Simple, eh? and, by the by, since I know your -names, there is no reason why I should screen myself under a -nom-de-plume or nom-de-guerre, or whatever you like to call it. I'm -called Harborough--Hugh Harborough." - -"Late Lieutenant-Commander, R.N.V.R.?" asked Villiers. - -"Correct," was the reply. - -"And Sir Hugh Harborough," continued Jack. - -"I believe I have a handle to my name," replied the baronet, smiling. -"However, that's a detail. I didn't ask for it. A fellow cannot be -responsible for the deeds: or misdeeds of his -great-great-grandfather." - -"That excuse cannot apply to your D.S.O.," urged Villiers, following -up his attack. - -It was Sir Hugh's turn to look astonished. - -"How do you know that?" he asked. - -"Merely because I happened to know a fellow in the Inchlellan Patrol -who had been transferred from Poldene. He knew you. Carruthers is his -name." - -"Good man, Carruthers," exclaimed Sir Hugh. "I'd like to meet him -again. But this isn't Southampton. What do you say to an alteration -of plan? Come back to 'Thalassa Towers' and have lunch with me. Then, -if you don't mind running me into Southampton, I can interview some -more fellows at 3.30. It's only a matter of eight and a half miles to -my place." - -It was Alec Claverhouse who was the first to agree to the revised -programme, and since he was in charge of the "Odouresque" Company's -car it was only right that he should take the responsibility of -delaying its return. Provided the car was returned to the works and -reported "passed for road work" by three o'clock there would be no -cause for anxiety on the part of the officials of the company. - -"Any objection to a speed burst, Sir Hugh?" he asked. - -"None whatever," was the reply. "What'll she do?" - -For answer Alec let the car all out. She was soon doing seventy-five, -while Beverley, on the twin "Mephisto" was almost out of sight far -astern. But Beverley was cautious in most things, and on a strange -mount he did not feel inclined to give the engine full throttle. - -"To the left at the fork roads," cautioned the baronet. "Hadn't you -better let Beverley reduce station a bit? No, I don't think the -footpads will molest him. It was this they were after, I fancy." - -And he tapped the attaché-case at his side. - -A quarter of an hour later the "Odouresque" was sweeping along the -extensive drive leading to Thalassa Towers, with the "Mephisto" fifty -yards behind. - -"Make yourselves at home, and please drop all formality," said the -baronet. "This isn't a Service stunt, and personally I'm dead set on -red tape. Had quite enough of that the last four years. 'Fraid the -place is rather in a muddle. You see, I only succeeded to the title -in '15, when my elder brother went under at Ypres, and I haven't -spent much time at the old show since." - -"I like his idea of a muddle," thought Beverley, as a well-served -lunch was being quickly provided, although at short notice. There -seemed an abundance of servants, and, what was somewhat remarkable, -there was a large touring-car and a light run-about in the garage. -Why then did Sir Hugh risk his neck on a motor-cycle? - -Harborough personally led the way to a bath-room, and then, excusing -himself, disappeared for a few minutes to return divested of his -mackintosh overalls. - -He was of average build, bronzed complexion, with heavy jaw and cheek -bones. His eyebrows were thick and bushy, extending in an almost -continuous straight line below a forehead of medium height. His -iron-grey hair was close-cropped and grew low on his temples. When he -smiled, which was rarely, a double row of even white teeth rather -toned down an otherwise blunt, determined, and somewhat -reckless-looking face. - -Instinctively the three chums felt that Sir Hugh was "sizing them up" -before broaching the important subject. He put them entirely at their -ease, chatting casually on common-place subjects during lunch, but -the while there was the feeling that every question he asked, however -simple, was with the object of plumbing the minds of his guests. - -Villiers tried to "draw him" on the matter of the idle motor-cars, -but the baronet avoided the subject adroitly yet without any -suspicion of awkwardness, and the conversation drifted through the -merits of No. 6 shot for rabbit-shooting and the prospects of next -year's yachting to a discussion on heavier versus lighter-than-air -machines. - -"Suppose we make tracks for the smoking-room?" suggested Sir Hugh, -when lunch was finished. - -The smoking-room was cosily furnished in old oak, and like the rest -of the rooms on the ground floor the windows were heavily barred. -There were also steel shutters, opening and folding inwards against -the sides of the deep window-recesses. Both bars and shutters were -unmistakably recent additions. - -The baronet motioned to his guests to seat themselves, and handed -cigarettes. Then placing the attaché-case on the table he took up -his position on the hearthrug, leaning against the carved -mantelpiece. - -"Now to business," he began abruptly. "I'm not asking for recruits -for a filibustering expedition, piracy, or any of that sort of work. -I'm taking on a speculative but above-board deal, which will involve -hard work, peril, and perhaps losing the number of your mess. I -believe you, Claverhouse, would term the latter contingency 'Going -West', but you know what I mean. Briefly, I hope to fish up a million -and a half in bullion and specie, the principal part of the cargo of -a ship sunk by von Spee's squadron somewhere in the Pacific. I know -where that somewhere is; the exact position is recorded in a document -lying in that attaché-case. Incidentally, I have good reason to -believe that this morning's little affair was promoted by a clever -scoundrel who is particularly anxious to obtain the secret and to see -me safely out of the way. Those bars and shutters, which I noticed -that you were admiring just now, are part of the defensive scheme; so -you see, apart from the mere excitement of treasure-hunting, there is -a subsidiary stratum of danger to add to the zest of the -prospectors." - -"That sounds promising, Sir Hugh," observed Villiers. - -"And as to terms," continued the baronet. "Each member of the -expedition--I propose to bring up the number to fifteen or -eighteen--will be required to contribute two hundred and fifty pounds -towards the cost. I will find the balance. Meals and quarters will be -provided free, but there will be no guarantee that each member's -capital will be returned. It won't even be secured. If, as I expect, -the venture is a success, half the profit will be divided between my -assistants plus their two hundred and fifty pounds, while I have the -rest of the proceeds. Now, have you any remarks?" - -"Seems quite O.K.," replied Claverhouse. "After all's said, two -hundred and fifty pounds isn't much for a twelvemonth's travel with -board and lodging thrown in, as we remarked when we saw your -advertisement." - -"There's more than that," said Sir Hugh. "The stake makes every man -take the keenest interest in the work. He realizes that it's up to -him to do his level best for his comrades and himself. I could, of -course, engage a professional crew, but nowadays one can't depend -upon paid labour whether ashore or afloat. This railway strike, for -example, although the way the Government's tackling it was a complete -surprise." - -"We volunteered," remarked Villiers, "either for road or marine -transport, but we were three amongst thousands and didn't have a -sniff in. Motor jobs all snapped up and only a few fellows required -for marine work." - -"That's satisfactory from one point," said Harborough. "It shows that -a considerable section of the community supposed to be relatively -helpless can get a move on. The war has brought them out, as it were; -helped them to find their feet. But that's where I was let down when -my chauffeur struck suddenly. Driving a car isn't one of my -accomplishments." - -"We noticed you had a couple of cars," observed Beverley. - -"And wondered accordingly, I presume," added Sir Hugh drily. "Let me -explain. My chauffeur fellow wanted more pay, although I had raised -his wages recently. Thought he had me under his thumb, so to speak, -when the railway strike came, but I wasn't going to be bluffed. So he -went off at once, presumably to join the taxi-driver crush in town. -He'd make a fine brigand. I can drive a four-in-hand with credit. -Took on the job of driving a stage-coach in Winnipeg fifteen years -ago, and was glad to get four dollars a day for doing it. So you see, -I've had my ups and downs in life, and I'm not sorry. Since I -couldn't drive the car and there was no one on the spot to drive for -me, I sent my gardener boy into Farnham to bring back a motor-bike. -The 'Mephisto' was the only one he could get, and a hundred guineas -at that, but you see, I'm always particular to keep my appointments. -I mustn't forget the one at Southampton at three-thirty," he added, -glancing at his watch. "Now, have I made myself sufficiently clear -for the present? If you require time to think the proposition over, -there is no immediate hurry for a day or so--say Monday morning." - -"I'm on it," declared the impulsive Villiers. - -"And I," added the hitherto deliberate Claverhouse. - -Bobby Beverley hesitated. - -"Out with it, man," exclaimed Harborough encouragingly. "Nothing like -speaking your mind. What's the difficulty? Anything of a private -nature?" - -"Not at all, Sir Hugh," replied Beverley, flushing slightly under his -tan. "I'd like to come, only----" - -The baronet guessed the nature of the impediment. He was right, but -he was too keen a judge of human nature to prompt the still -hesitating youth. - -"It's like this," resumed Bobby, plunging into details. "I can't very -well raise that two hundred and fifty pounds without getting credit. -I've a young brother to look after." - -"How old?" inquired Harborough. - -"Fifteen this month." - -"H'm, beginning to think what he wants to be," commented the baronet. -"What are you doing with him?" - -"He's at boarding-school," answered Bobby. "I think he'll go in for -motor-engineering. He wanted to have a shot for Sandhurst, but, -unless something turns up, I can't run to it." - -"Nothing like the Service for a healthy youngster, provided he's -keen," commented Sir Hugh. "Wish I'd gone in for Osborne when I was a -lad. Instead of that I got out of hand, and my governor packed me off -to Canada to find my feet. I did," he added grimly. - -The baronet glanced at his watch again, and then addressed Villiers. - -"Can you drive a car?" he asked. "You can--good. Will you mind -driving me in? Claverhouse can take his, and then I'll have something -to get home in. Excuse me a moment while I get my gear." - -He went out, taking the attaché-case with him. Villiers turned to -his companions. - -"Wonder if he's fixed up for the return journey?" he remarked. -"Bobby, you thundering old ox, why the blazing Harry did you hedge? -I'd have advanced you the ready like a shot." - -"I know, old man," replied Beverley. "I'd jump at it, but there's -Dick. I'm a non-starter." - -"Tell you what----" began Villiers. - -He got no further, for at that instant the door opened and Harborough -appeared. - -"Can you spare me a minute, Beverley?" he asked. - -Beverley went out. His chums exchanged glances. - -"It's a deal after all, old bean," remarked Claverhouse. - -Bobby was absent not one but a good ten minutes. He returned with a -radiant face, following the self-possessed Sir Hugh. - -"Beverley has signed on," announced the baronet briefly. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -Comrades All - - -"When do we take over, sir?" inquired Villiers. - -The reply came sharp and to the point. - -"From now," replied Sir Hugh. "In Claverhouse's case, I understand, -he will have to give in his resignation. There's one more point. In -addition to board and quarters--you'll be regarded as members of the -establishment--there will be an amount of two guineas a week to each -of the syndicate until we leave England. That will be as soon as -possible, but it would hardly be fair to expect you to hang on here -without some slight remuneration. Now let's be going." - -The four men made their way to the garage, where Claverhouse showed -Villiers how to manage the baronet's car, which was of a type that -the R.N.V.R. man knew intimately. Then, having "started up", -Claverhouse boarded the "Odouresque" with Beverley as his companion, -while Sir Hugh and Villiers seated themselves in the other. - -The journey to Southampton was performed at strictly moderate speed, -and nothing unusual occurred. Villiers led the way, the powerful -"Odouresque" following a hundred yards behind at a pace that seemed a -painful crawl to the road-hogging Alec. - -Just before the Bargate, Claverhouse took a side-road in order to -return the car to the Odouresque Co., Ltd., leaving Villiers to take -the head of the syndicate to Richborough Chambers. - -It was an intricate piece of work to negotiate the ancient and narrow -gateway that spans Southampton's principal street. The road was not -only greasy, and had tram lines on it, but there was a slight descent -to the Bargate itself. Here stood a policeman regulating the traffic, -since it was possible for vehicles to pass only in one direction at a -time. - -The traffic was passing in the right direction as Villiers -approached. Just ahead was a tramcar, while following the motor--he -could see that by means of the reflector--was a petrol-driven dray -with three or four men sitting on the otherwise empty body. - -The tramcar emerged from under the arch, but just as Villiers was -immediately under the gate a cyclist, disregarding the policeman's -upraised arm, dashed headlong towards the front of Villiers' car. - -Not for one moment did the ex-officer lose his nerve. To swerve meant -wrecking the car and possibly injuring or killing its occupants. - -He applied both brakes, but the metal-shod tyres slithered on the -greasy tramlines. The next instant the impact occurred. - -It was the cycle that bore the brunt of the collision. Its rider, -with considerable dexterity, had dismounted, and leaping into safety -had left his machine to meet destruction. The dray, pulling up, -filled almost the whole of the archway, with its bonnet within a -couple of inches of the tail of the car. - -Within a few seconds a crowd had collected. The traffic was held up -while the policeman, note-book in hand, was taking particulars of the -accident. - -"Take this," whispered the baronet, pushing a small blue-covered case -into Villiers' hand. "It's my driving licence." - -"Have you a licence, sir?" inquired the policeman - -"I have," replied Villiers truthfully. "Here it is." - -The guardian of the law was visibly impressed by the name. - -"Very good, sir," he said saluting. "Merely a matter of form. I don't -think you'll hear anything further about the accident. The cyclist -was entirely in the wrong." - -"Punctual to the minute," remarked Sir Hugh, as the car drew up in -front of Richborough Chambers. "Hallo! Where's that attaché-case?" - -It had vanished. Thinking perhaps that the sudden application of the -brakes had jerked it under the seat, the baronet made a comprehensive -search, but without result. - -"Rotten luck," commented Villiers. - -"Might have been worse," rejoined Sir Hugh oracularly. "Let's get in -and see what's doing. The commissionaire will give an eye to the -car." - -He led the way to a large room on the ground floor. From the -adjoining room came the subdued hum of voices. - -"Adventure aspirants," remarked Sir Hugh, nodding his head in the -direction whence the sounds came. "You'll be my secretary _pro tem_., -Villiers. Cast your eye over these letters and see if you recognize -any of the writers." - -He handed Villiers a bundle of about thirty envelopes. - -"I know three of these names," replied Jack, after scanning the -contents of the communications. "Merridew, O'Loghlin, and Fontayne." - -"Anything detrimental?" - -"To the contrary," replied Villiers. - -"Good! We'll see them first. But one moment, I want an advertisement -drafted, something to this effect:--'Lost from car, between -Winchester and Southampton, attaché-case, containing papers of no -value except to owner--no, say owners. Finder will be liberally -rewarded on returning same.' That ought to fetch 'em." - -"Is the loss a very serious matter," asked Villiers. - -"To someone," replied Harborough. "The case wasn't lost, it was -stolen!" - -"Stolen?" repeated Jack incredulously. - -"Precisely," continued the baronet. "But I'll go into the matter with -you later. Now let's interview Messrs. Merridew and Co." - -The three ex-officers were considerably surprised when Jack Villiers -entered the room where they were waiting, and asked them to "come -this way". - -"Something good on, old man?" inquired O'Loghlin. "Sure it is if -you've got a finger in the pie." - -Villiers was non-committal. He did not like the responsibility of -advising his former comrades on this particular point. - -But in less than five minutes the trio had "signed on", and were told -to report at Thalassa Towers at eleven on the following morning. - -The next applicant was an R.N.R. officer, Swaine by name, whose chief -qualification lay in the fact that he had been employed by a salvage -company and was an experienced diver. - -"I should think there are plenty of openings for you in England," -remarked Harborough. - -"So there are, sir," replied Swaine, pulling out a bunch of letters -from his pocket. "I've half a dozen jobs to go to in the salvage -line, but I've seen enough of the North Sea and the English Channel -the last four years. Somewhere in the Pacific would suit me, although -you didn't say where, sir. S'long as it's not off Vladivostok, the -Behring Straits, or south of the Chloe Archipelago, I'm on it." - -The selection business proceeded apace. Two men were "turned down" -politely, for Harborough knew what he wanted and meant to get it. He -was a shrewd judge of human nature. Another applicant "hedged", tried -to be funny by asking irrelevant questions, and, remarking that he -wasn't jolly well going to pay to work and chuck good quids away, put -on his hat and departed. - -The last to be interviewed was a short, small-featured youngster with -a very mild voice and manner, who blushed hotly when spoken to and -showed considerable hesitation in framing his words. He seemed keen, -but Villiers, looking on, felt certain that the youth wouldn't come -up to the standard. - -"What's your Service experience, my lad?" asked Sir Hugh. "You've -forgotten to mention that in your letter." - -For answer the youth handed in a sheet of paper--his record of -service. Amongst other items it was noted that he was a -flying-officer, held the M.C. with bar, and had been twice mentioned -in dispatches for brilliant reconnaissance work over the enemy lines -and for engaging and destroying three hostile machines. His -"Protection Certificate" left no doubt as to the identity of the -modest aerial warrior. - -"Still keen on flying, Mr. Trevear?" - -"Rather," replied the ex-airman with a sudden and unexpected burst of -enthusiasm. "I wanted to stay in the R.A.F., but it was no go. Then I -applied for a post as pilot at a civilian flying-school, but up to -now I've heard nothing." - -"Do you know the 'Cormorant' sea-plane?" - -"Heard of it, sir," was the reply. "My buses were mono-airplanes, but -I think I'd cotton on to a seaplane with very little difficulty." - -"Good enough," exclaimed Harborough. "A stout heart goes a long way. -Willing to sign on, on the terms I mentioned?" - -"Rather," replied the now eager youth. - -"That's the lot," commented Sir Hugh, when Villiers and the baronet -found themselves alone. "Quite a representative crush, eh? I think -they'll shape all right. Now we'll pack up, Beverley and Claverhouse, -and get back. There's plenty to be done in the next fortnight." - - - - -CHAPTER V - -The "Fusi Yama" - - -"At this stage of the proceedings, gentlemen," began Sir Hugh. "I -think it time to reveal all I know concerning the _Fusi Yama_ and her -cargo of sunken gold." - -It was the first time that the whole of the members of the Salvage -Syndicate had assembled at Thalassa Towers, and what might be termed -a meeting of the Board was in progress. - -The scene was the smoking-room, in which a roaring fire was blazing -on the hearth, for the autumn morning was decidedly chilly. On the -oaken table, and held down by four leaden weights, was an Admiralty -Chart of a portion of the Pacific. - -"The _Fusi Yama_, a vessel of 4500 tons, was, you may remember," -continued the baronet, "sold by a Japanese firm to a British shipping -concern at Shanghai. There was rather a fuss made about it at the -time, because in shipping circles it was regarded as somewhat -significant that Japan had entered into commercial maritime -competition to such an extent that she could build and engine vessels -and sell them to a nation that hitherto held the palm for -ship-construction. - -"This was just before the war, and the _Fusi Yama's_ first voyage -under the British flag was from Chi-fu to Liverpool--but the voyage -was never completed in the manner intended. Her cargo consisted of -cotton and silk and specie and bullion to the value of a million and -a half. - -"Strictly speaking, the bullion and specie ought to have been sent by -a regular mail-steamer, but rumours were in the air of trouble with -Germany, and the consigners decided that a steamer running off the -recognized route stood a better chance of getting clear of the -Pacific than a liner, for there was then a powerful German -cruiser-squadron based at Kiao Chau. - -"However, the _Fusi Yama_ and her cargo were fully insured, she was -classed A1 at Lloyd's, had an experienced and capable skipper, so the -underwriters thought they'd struck oil, so to speak. - -"On the 2nd August, 1914, the _Fusi Yama_ left Chi-fu; on the 9th she -was captured by the German cruiser _Nürnburg_, but not before her -masts were knocked away by shell-fire. You fellows know perfectly -well how frequently the Hun got to know of our movements, so, looking -back, it was not surprising to learn that the _Fusi Yama_ had been -shadowed from the moment she left port. Nor is it when I tell you -that I have good reason to believe that the Huns are after that gold -too." - -A murmur of suppressed excitement ran round the room. Interest in the -scheme, already keen, rose to fever-heat. There was a chance, then, -of "coming up against Fritz" again, not with steel or bullet but in a -contest of wits and skill, and with the almost certainty of a lavish -display of low-down trickery on the side of their opponents. - -"Then," continued Harborough, "the officers and crew of the captured -vessel were transferred to the _Nürnburg_, a prize-crew was placed on -board the _Fusi Yama_, and the two vessels steamed eastwards. Three -days afterwards they fell in with a three-masted Yankee schooner -bound from Singapore to 'Frisco. Arrangements were made with the -skipper to take off the _Fusi Yama's_ crew. In those days the Huns in -the Pacific treated their prisoners well. I'll give them the benefit -of the doubt to say that they were fairly straight as Huns go, but it -may have been that they knew they were in a tight corner, and until -they were out of it they had to behave decently. - -"Shortly after that the _Nürnburg_ joined the rest of von Spee's -squadron, but without the _Fusi Yama_. It was naturally concluded -that the Huns had removed her valuable cargo and, finding her slow -speed a hindrance, had scuttled her. - -"At any rate the million and a half had vanished. The under-writers -paid up as cheerfully as they could, and wrote off the _Fusi Yama_ as -a total constructive loss. - -"Now this is where the affair has a personal note. Here let me remark -that I bind no one to secrecy over the matter, nor do I make any -attempt to do so; but I would like to point out that not only your -own but your comrades' interests will be at stake if, even -incautiously, you discuss the matter with outside friends or -strangers. - -"There was on board the _Fusi Yama_ a man named Williams, whom I knew -when I was down on my luck in Manitoba. There was a bit of a scrap in -camp, and he said I'd done him a good turn. Incidentally, his home in -England--or birthplace rather--was close to mine. - -"Williams was a dare-devil sort of fellow, and when the crew of the -_Fusi Yama_ were placed on board the _Nürnburg_ he had the audacity -to disguise himself as a Chinaman, with the result that he was -retained by the Huns as a servant. I expect he played up to that, but -it was a risky thing to do, although he certainly had features of a -Mongolian type. He wore a false pigtail, which might have been fatal -to him had Fritz taken it into his head to pull that. They did the -next best thing; they cut it off, which saved Williams from further -anxiety on that score. - -"All the time he was keeping his eye on the bullion, so to speak. - -"Then a Jap squadron got on von Spee's track and hustled him along. -The _Nürnburg_ had taken her prize into an unfrequented lagoon in -the Marshall Archipelago, and was preparing to transfer the gold when -von Spee heard that not only the Jap squadron but the Australian -warships were converging on him. - -"So the _Fusi Yama_ was hurriedly scuttled in the lagoon in about -fifteen fathoms, with the bullion and specie in her strong-room. -Williams was the only human being, except the _Nürnburg's_ crew, who -saw the deed done, and he made good use of his eyes and wits. - -"Having found out what he wanted, Williams looked out for an -opportunity to part company. It was no easy matter, and not until -14th September, when von Spee's squadron was lying in Talcahuano -Harbour, did the supposed Chink succeed in getting ashore. - -"On 1st November von Spee's vessels sunk the _Good Hope_ and -_Monmouth_ in action off the Chilian coast, and about six weeks later -the German squadron was destroyed off the Falklands, so had the gold -been placed on board the _Nürnburg_ we should not be sitting in this -room to-day. In my opinion Sturdee's action and the Zeebrugge -business were the two smartest bits of work the British Navy ever did -during the war." - -"I saw von Spee's squadron," remarked Merridew. "I was only -seventeen then, and our home was at Port Stanley. A fellow couldn't -help feeling sorry for von Spee, even though he was a Hun. His ships -came up quite unsuspectingly to find the old battle-ship _Canopus_ -lobbing 12-inch shells at them over the arm of the harbour. Von Spee -knew his guns could outrange hers, so he held on. Then he had the -shock of his life when he saw tripod masts coming round the corner. -He legged it, but it was like a rat trying to get away from a -terrier. There were survivors from the _Nürnburg_." - -"Yes," agreed the baronet, "there were. We'll hear about some of -them, I fancy. But to get back to friend Williams. Apparently he had -a sticky time in Chile, for he was eleven months in hospital at -Valparaiso. Then he worked his passage in a Yankee barque to 'Frisco, -made his way across the States, and arrived in New York just about -the time when the Huns started their unrestricted U-boat campaign. -Signing on on board a British tramp, Williams found that once more -his luck was out, for three hundred and fifty miles west of the Irish -coast the tramp was torpedoed, and the survivors spent sixty hours in -an open boat in heavy seas before being rescued. - -"By a curious coincidence I was patrolling-officer at Falmouth when -Williams was brought ashore from a 'P-boat'. I didn't recognize him -at first, and no wonder; but he spotted me all right. That was soon -after my brother's death, so when Williams was able to be moved I -sent him here, but I knew he was done for. - -"I saw him again when I was on leave, and it was then that he told me -the story of the _Fusi Yama's_ gold, and a week later he died. He -left me certain papers and a rough chart showing the lagoon and the -approaches. These I kept in the attaché-case which was stolen three -days ago." - -"Will that affect the expedition?" asked Beverley. - -"Only to this extent, I believe," replied Sir Hugh. "We'll have to -hurry up and get a move on. This brings me to speak of the opposition -show. At present I'm rather hazy concerning the head of the rival -party, but I have no hesitation in saying that we are up against a -tough proposition. To the best of my belief the directing spirit is a -fellow called Kristian Borgen." - -"A Hun?" asked Claverhouse eagerly. - -"Probably," replied Harborough. "Although just now he pretends he's a -Swede. From guarded inquiries that I made at the Foreign Office I -find that his papers are in order and that he's a native of -Stockholm. If he isn't a Hun, he's probably a pro-German. Most Swedes -are or were, because their country is practically contiguous to -Germany and also because of the Huns' propaganda in Sweden during the -war. Fear of her old enemy, Russia, also made her inclined towards -Germany. But if Kristian Borgen is a Swede, he's plenty of Hun pals, -amongst them some of the survivors of the _Nürnburg_." - -"Where is the man?" asked Villiers. - -"Here, in England," replied the baronet. "Actually in Southampton and -taking steps to fit out a rival expedition. Of course as a Swede he -is quite at liberty to do so; it is only if he can be proved to be a -Hun that we can take action. Personally I like rivalry. It gives a -zest to things, provided it is fair and above board, but there's -something in the other organization that isn't, as we say in the -Service, jonnick." - -"Meaning that scrap on the Downs?" remarked Beverley. - -"Yes, and the loss of the attaché-case," replied Harborough. "That -alone is sufficient to let us know that Kristian Borgen--if my -surmise is correct--means business." - -"Sufficient, I think, to justify the case being reported to the -police," said Claverhouse. - -Sir Hugh shook his head. - -"I wouldn't have people say that I brought in the police for the -purpose of obtaining a free hand in the _Fusi Yama_ treasure-hunt," -declared Harborough. "In fact, the least we say about the _Fusi Yama_ -for the present the better." - -"But why does the fellow come to England to fit out an expedition?" -inquired Swaine. - -"I rather wondered why he did," replied Sir Hugh. "You know that -Scandinavia has been buying hundreds of vessels of various tonnage -from us, and Borgen is admittedly an agent for their disposal. He -thinks, probably, that he can equip a ship here at less cost and -without exciting suspicion. At the same time he can keep an eye on -us. Of course I may be totally wrong in my surmise, but this I know: -there's dirty work going on, and we'll have to keep our weather eye -lifting. So much for that. Now comes another point: the question of a -vessel and her equipment." - -"Steam or petrol?" asked Fontayne, who in pre-war days had been -articled to a marine engineer. - -"Neither," replied Harborough. "Coal nowadays is scarce and -expensive, especially abroad. Petrol is dangerous: any of you fellows -who served on M.L.'s will endorse that statement. No, I'm pinning my -faith on heavy oil-engines with hot bulb ignition. They are -economical, reliable and fairly simple. I'm also looking for a vessel -that has a moderate sail-plan. Now, what do you think of these?" - -From a drawer of a pedestal desk the baronet produced a bundle of -plans and specifications and placed them on the table. - -"Genuine tramp steamers are out of the question," he observed. "The -present-day price is much too stiff. Here is a selection of yachts, -some returned from Government service, others placed on the -sale-list by their owners, who find that the pastime is too expensive -for them and must needs leave them to the New Rich. Now, here's the -_Titania_, auxiliary schooner, 260 tons registered and 409 tons -Thames measurement, two six-cylinder engines giving her an -approximate speed of twelve knots." - -"That's not much of a speed," said Villiers. - -"No, not compared with the type of vessel that you and I have been -accustomed to," agreed Harborough. "Still twelve knots is not to be -sneezed at. It is an economical speed. For every additional knot you -would require horse-power rising by leaps and bounds and consequently -more fuel-space than we can afford. And, of course, with high-speed -engines the risk of mechanical breakdowns is higher than with -slow-running motors, and, after all, the main object is to get to the -Pacific with the least delay. Hence reliability is the thing. The -vessel, according to the agent's glowing account, has cruised -extensively, including voyages to the West Indies and the -Mediterranean." - -"Have you seen her?" asked O'Loghlin. - -"No, but I propose doing so to-morrow," replied Harborough. "She's -lying at Southampton in one of the yards on the Itchen. By the by, -does any one here understand heavy oil-engines?" - -"I do a bit," replied O'Loghlin. "I had a theoretical course, and -during the war I put in three months on the kite-balloon barges. That -was in the old R.N.A.S. days." - -"All right," concluded Harborough. "That's settled. You, Villiers, -had better come along too. Three are quite enough for the selection -board." - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -The Yacht "Titania" - - -"I say, Sir Hugh is a thundering good sort, old man," observed -Beverley. - -"Only just found that out, my dear old thing," rejoined Villiers. -"What's the wheeze now?" The two chums were "turning in". They shared -a room in Thalassa Towers, the rest of the members of the expedition -being accommodated in twos and threes in the spacious old building. -The appropriation of "cabins", as they preferred to call them, showed -Harborough's tact, the various members being invited to share their -sleeping-quarters with their special chums. - -Claverhouse had elected to share a room with little Trevear on the -score that both were ex-members of that modern and glorious branch of -the service--the Royal Air Force. There they could talk unlimited -"shop ", and exchange reminiscences without feeling that the a-naval -men were being "bored stiff" with matters appertaining to aerial -navigation. - -"The wheeze," replied Beverley, "concerns my young brother, Dick. Sir -Hugh suggested that I brought him along. He'd be handy," he added in -extenuation. - -"Possibly," replied Villiers. "But if this is going to be a risky -business, is it fair on the lad? And, again, won't it cut into his -education?" - -"We went into those questions," said Bobby. "As regards risk, -everything in life is a risk, isn't it? and, given reasonable -precautions, there appears to be little reason for anxiety on that -score. After all, we're on a cruise, not fighting Huns and doing a -one-step over mine-fields. And, concerning his education, I agreed -with Harborough that travel in itself is an education, and there is -no reason why Dick shouldn't keep up his studies. As a further -inducement Sir Hugh promised that whatever way the results of the -expedition went, he'd be responsible for giving Dick a twelvemonth's -course for Sandhurst." - -"Jolly decent of him," remarked Villiers. "I wonder why he's going to -all this trouble. He doesn't know Dick." - -"No," replied Beverley, "he doesn't. Dick's not a bad sort," he -added, which was the highest tribute Bobby dared pay his brother -before other people. Villiers grunted sleepily. - -"In?" he inquired laconically, as he groped for the lanyard attached -to the electric-light switch--a device whereby he could turn off the -light without getting out of his cot. "My word! It's blowing. Glad -I'm not on an M.L. in the North Sea to-night." - -"Hold on a minute," exclaimed Beverley. "I wanted to ask you -something. Is Harborough very worried about that stolen -attaché-case?" - -"I don't know," replied Villiers. "I expect he is, but he doesn't say -much." - -"There are the plans and charts relating to the _Fusi Yama_ in it, -aren't there?" - -"B'lieve so," admitted Villiers. "Makes things a bit complicated. -However, I'll back Sir Hugh against Borgen any old time. Good night." - -Next morning, according to previous arrangements, Harborough, -Villiers, and O'Loghlin motored to Southampton to inspect the -_Titania_. - -At first sight the yacht did not convey a favourable impression. She -had only recently turned from Admiralty service, and looked very -dilapidated in her garb of grey, striped with innumerable -rust-stains. She was lying in a mud-berth, and, the tide being low, a -considerable part of her weed- and barnacle-covered bottom showed -above the mud. Her tapering pole-masts, once resplendent in all the -glories of varnish, were coated with battle-ship grey paint; her -standing rigging was in a deplorable condition. An unsightly -deck-house built above the original saloon added to the picture of -neglect, for most of the sheet-glass panes were broken. In her -present state no man intent upon the joys of yachting would have -looked at her twice. - -But Harborough was nothing if not practical. Appearance mattered -little to him. In that neglected craft he saw seaworthiness and -utility. Paint and varnish might make a crank vessel smart, but they -would never make her seaworthy, but the _Titania_, despite her -woebegone appearance, gave indications of being a good, all-round, -hard-weather boat. - -"A fairly flat bilge and a clean run aft," commented Sir Hugh. "If it -came to a push she'd take hard ground pretty comfortably. Let's get -aboard and see what she looks like 'tween decks." - -The _Titania_ was not a modern vessel by any means. Her schooner bow -and rather long counter proclaimed her as a late Victorian. As a -matter of fact her papers showed that she had been built at Dumbarton -in 1900. The heavy oil-engines were fairly recent additions, or -rather a substitute for the triple-expansion engines with which she -was supplied immediately following her launch. - -She was built of steel with teak decks, and twenty years had had very -little effect upon her structure. Apparently she had been used for -mine-laying during the war, for a steel trough had been built aft -projecting a couple of feet over her counter. Amidships were two -motor-driven winches, also added for war purposes, and evidently not -considered worth removing before she was handed back from service. -Right for'ard, in addition to the hand-operated capstan, was a -powerful steam-capstan, the engine and oil-fed boiler of which were -placed in the fo'c'sle. - -"Rather cuts up the crew-space," commented Sir Hugh. "Fortunately, -that doesn't affect us. But these capstans and winches are the very -thing. What do you make of them, O'Loghlin?" - -The engineering expert plunged into a maze of technical detail. -Harborough listened as if he enjoyed it, but whether he did was a -debatable point. - -"But will they work, do you think?" he inquired at last. - -"Give me a week on them and they'll work," replied O'Loghlin -confidently. - -The original engine-room had been gutted, and had been used as a -hold, although, when the yacht had been converted from steam to heavy -oil, the engine-space had been made into an additional saloon with -store-space below. The present propelling-machinery was well aft, and -in spite of their rusty condition the twin-motors were in serviceable -order. Not only were the original oil-tanks left, but there were two -large tanks, capable of taking a thousand gallons of fuel, installed -immediately for'ard of the engine-room. - -"She's just the thing for an ocean voyage," declared Harborough. -"Don't you think so, Villiers?" - -"Economical and easily handled, I should say," replied Jack. "I -believe she'd give a good account of herself in a seaway." - -"Let's look at the accommodation aft," said Sir Hugh. "We've to berth -twenty without undue crowding, remember." - -They made their way to the main saloon, which was lighted solely by -skylights during the day. It was in a deplorable state, the teak and -mahogany fittings being almost destitute of varnish and showing signs -of not only hard but rough usage. Hardly a glass panel remained. - -"Someone's been turning the ship into a bear-garden," commented -Villiers. - -"Fortunately, we're not sybarites," added Harborough. "Comfort's the -main thing. I don't suppose the absence of looking-glass panels on -the wall will worry us. She seems fairly dry, I think." - -"Yes," agreed Jack. "Her decks are well laid, and that's a lot to be -thankful for. Haven't spotted a sign of moisture anywhere below." - -Opening out of the saloon were eight cabins, four on either side, -each lighted by a port, which, when closed, was fitted with a glass -scuttle. From the saloon an alley-way ran right aft to a spacious -cabin, extending the extreme width of the ship under the poop. Four -cabins large enough for double berths opened out of the alley-way. - -"She's like a young liner," commented Harborough. "Plenty of room for -the whole crowd of us. Well, that's about all. The sails and the rest -of the inventory are in the store. Now, candidly, what do you think -of her? Of course, she'll want a lot of refitting." - -"She's just the thing, I think," declared Villiers. - -"Yes," corroborated O'Loghlin. "There's precious little to find fault -with the engines, as far as I can see." - -"As regards the refitting," continued Villiers, "we can do most of -that ourselves. We are all of us handy men. The only difficulty is -the docking." - -"That will have to be done by professional hands," said the baronet. -"If we purchase the _Titania_, docking and coating the bottom with -anti-fouling will be the first job. Right-o; let's call on the agent -and prepare to haggle over terms." - -The yacht's agent received them without emotion. He was so dubious -about selling the vessel, even when there was a "boom" in shipping, -that he made no attempt to sing the praises of the neglected maiden. -He had had dozens of prospective purchasers during the recent period -following the yacht's release from Admiralty service, and every one -had gone away without attempting to close with the deal. - -"Well, Mr. Strangeways," began Sir Hugh, "you've brought us down here -to see a most disreputable old tub." - -The agent shrugged his shoulders deprecatingly. - -"You asked for particulars, sir, and we sent them," he replied. -"She's not like the _Asteria_ and the _Falala_, both of which are on -our books if you wish to inspect. But consider the price asked for -the _Titania_--a mere song." - -"That's what I am considering," agreed Sir Hugh, grimly. "By the time -she's fitted out, taking into consideration present-day prices of -labour and material, she'll cost a small fortune. And even then she -won't be a modern vessel by any means. No, sorry to trouble you, but -I'm afraid there's nothing doing." - -"Perhaps, sir," said Mr. Strangeways, metaphorically grasping at the -last straw, "you might care to make an offer?" - -"My price is fifteen hundred," declared the baronet promptly. "Not a -penny more." - -"Impossible, my dear sir," protested the agent, raising his hands in -mock dismay. - -"Sorry, good morning," said Harborough. "Come along, you fellows; -we'll be late for lunch if we don't get a move on." - -For the next two days Sir Hugh lay low; but he was far from inactive. -As for the agent, he was simply bombarded with applications to -inspect the dilapidated _Titania_, for during those two days fifteen -individuals called in person, and in every case they either declared -bluntly that they wouldn't touch the yacht at any price or else -offered various sums none of which exceeded thirteen hundred and -fifty pounds. Nor did they think fit to enlighten the now thoroughly -harassed Mr. Strangeways with the information that they were members -of a syndicate of which Sir Hugh Harborough was the head. - -And since the reserve price of the _Titania_ was £1450, and Mr. -Strangeways had a reason for disposing of her promptly in order to -close an account with her present owner, Sir Hugh evinced no untoward -surprise when he received a prepaid wire: - -"Does offer £1500 for _Titania_ still hold good? If so, will -accept." - -Within three hours of the receipt of the telegram the "_Fusi Yama_ -Syndicate" was in possession of sixty-four sixty-fourths shares of -the yacht _Titania_. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -Sand-bagged - - -During the next three weeks there was plenty of work for all hands. -It was hard work, too; but everyone stuck to it grimly and -determinedly in spite of aching muscles, blistered hands, and a -variety of small ailments consequent upon unaccustomed handling of -white-lead, paint, tar, pitch, and sooji-mooji. - -The latter was unanimously voted a tough proposition. Composed -principally of caustic soda, it is the shell-back's sheet anchor -where old paint has to be removed. The amateur crew of the _Titania_ -found that it removed other things as well--for it burnt into their -fingers, had a decided tendency towards destroying their clothes, and -not infrequently spoiled their foot-gear. - -There were other minor casualties. Griffiths, an ex-R.E. officer, and -one of the two representatives of the British Army amongst the -_Titania's_ ship's company, found by practical experience that a -marline-spike has a sharp point, and that even when dropped from a -height of a couple of feet can rightly claim to be best man in an -encounter with a human toe. Merridew, too, discovered, to his extreme -physical inconvenience, that there are two ways of using an adze--the -right and the wrong. Subsequent reflection on the part of the victim -resulted in a decision that there was even a better way of dealing -with adzes--to leave them severely alone. - -Also the amount of brain-work required to equip and provision the -ship was not small. Nothing superfluous was to be taken--only the -absolute essentials. In the old days, "when there was a war on", -procuring stores for M.L.'s was a comparatively simple matter. The -officer in charge signed a "demand note" for a quantity in excess of -what he actually required, taking this step to safeguard himself -against the parsimony of an official known as a Naval Stores Officer, -who had a nasty habit of cutting down the demands. In the case of the -_Titania's_ equipment this would have been a financial disaster. Each -man knew in effect it was his own money that he was laying out and -acted accordingly. - -Within eight days of the purchase the _Titania_ was docked, cleaned, -and "compoed", undocked and berthed alongside a wharf. This had been -done by the yacht-yard hands, but Harborough and his "merry -buccaneers", as he generally referred to them, were toiling like -galley-slaves. - -The grey, rust-stained sides had been scraped and had been given two -out of a final three coats of white paint, and white paint at the -present time costs money. But it was money well laid out. The health -and comfort of the ship's company, as the yacht sweltered in the -Tropics, depended largely upon the almost non-absorbing properties of -white paint to the terrific glare of the sun. - -The grimy decks were scraped and then scrubbed with wet sand; the -dull varnish on the teak-work was removed and the bare wood given -three coats of copal. The masts were rubbed down and painted a -pale-buff colour, and the whole of the standing and running rigging -renewed. Fortunately, the sails were in excellent condition. - -"What arms are we taking?" asked Villiers. - -"Nothing very formidable," replied Harborough, who, at his own -request, was no longer addressed as Sir Hugh by his fellow -adventurers. "I don't anticipate any scrapping. Bloodthirsty -cannibals are back numbers in the part of the Pacific we are making -for, and I don't suppose that our rival treasure-hunters will go to -the extent of armed aggression." - -"Still, we ought to be prepared for emergencies," rejoined Villiers. -"There's virtue in the barrel of a Maxim gun." - -Harborough shook his head. - -"Not always," he replied. "When there's a hot-headed fellow fingering -the firing-button, for instance. No, no; we'll dispense with a Maxim -or a Lewis. A couple of rifles will be useful, perhaps, and half a -dozen automatic pistols. I'll take a dozen 12-bore shot guns. It's -remarkable what a deterrent a charge of small shot can be. Verey -Lights and rockets we'll take. You might see to the ship's armoury. -Most of the guns, the rifles, and two automatic pistols are already -at Thalassa Towers. Bring them down next time you have room in the -car. Oh, by the by, you might read this." - -He handed Villiers a long blue envelope. Within was a communication -from the underwriters of s.s. _Fusi Yama_ agreeing to grant Sir Hugh -Harborough the sole rights of salvage subject to a 5-per-cent -royalty. - -"Five per cent," exclaimed Harborough. "Evidently they think we're on -a fool's errand. However, now everything is fair and above board. We -are the legitimate firm; Borgen & Co. are mere interlopers." - -"Talking about Borgen," observed Villiers, "just step aft a minute. -See that tramp lying alongside Anstruther's Wharf? The one with the -black, yellow, and blue funnel." - -"Ay," assented Harborough. "Is she our rival?" - -"I don't know--yet," replied Jack. "We haven't our intelligence -Department in full working order at present. All I know--on the -authority of the Yard Foreman--is that she's the _Geier_, one of -Germany's surrendered mercantile fleet, and she's just been sold to a -Swedish firm." - -"And thence back to Germany," commented Harborough. "Verily the ways -of our politicians passeth understanding. However, if Kristian Borgen -has a finger in that pie we'll have to watch the _Geier_." - -Villiers laughed. - - -[Illustration: SANDBAGGED] - - -"Shouldn't be surprised if the _Geier's_ people haven't been watching -us pretty carefully for the last few days," he remarked. "Don't you -think it would be as well if a couple of us slept on board in future? -Several of the cabins are quite habitable." - -"There's a night watchman," observed Harborough. - -"Yes, for the whole of this yard," added Jack. "He can't be -everywhere at once." - -"Very good," agreed Harborough. "Pick out two of the crowd and warn -'em for sleeping aboard." - -"I'll take the first week," volunteered Villiers. "Beverley will, -too. And we may as well have Tommy on board." - -Tommy was an Aberdeen terrier belonging to Sir Hugh--a sharp-faced, -long-nosed little animal who seemed to be perpetually asleep with one -eye open all the time. - -"Good enough," agreed Harborough. "Seen O'Loghlin about? I want to -speak to him about those diving-dresses." - -Four more days passed--the days in strenuous activity, the nights in -utter tranquillity. Villiers and Beverley found the new arrangement -quite comfortable. They were afloat once more, even though the -_Titania_ was berthed alongside a wharf in a sheltered tidal river. -During working-hours a "brow" or gangway gave access to the vessel, -but when the working-party packed up, the brow was removed, and the -only means of direct communication with the shore was a wire "Jacob's -Ladder" that led to a long raft moored between the _Titania_ and the -jetty, whence a wooden ladder, its lower rungs slippery with weed as -the tide fell, enabled access to the wharf. - -It was Saturday evening. Manual work on board had been set aside to -be resumed early on Monday morning. Beverley, who was beginning to -feel the strain of long hours and hard toil, had turned in early. -Villiers, with the small table of his cabin covered with technical -books, was deep in _Norrie's Epitome_ and _The Nautical Almanac for_ -1920. - -"Yacht, ahoy!" - -Jack heard the hail but did not stir. Calls of that sort were common, -considering that there were half a dozen yachts, with hands living on -board, lying in the tier out in the stream. - -"_Titania_, ahoy!" - -"For goodness sake why didn't you say so before?" exclaimed Villiers -to himself. "Where's Tommy? Why didn't he bark, I wonder?" - -Getting into his pilot-coat, for the night air blew coldly down the -river and contrasted forcibly with the warm cabin, Villiers went on -deck. - -"Ahoy, there!" he exclaimed. - -On the edge of the wharf stood a man with his back to the feeble -gleam of a gas-lamp. - -"Telegram for Harborough, yacht _Titania_," he announced. "Prepaid -wire." - -"Come aboard," said Jack. - -"Sorry, sir," was the reply. "I'm a stranger to this sort of game. No -hand at ladders, I'm not." - -Considering the awkward means of gaining the _Titania's_ deck, the -man's objection was reasonable enough, so Villiers descended the -wire-rope ladder, crossed the raft, and ascended the vertical steps. -The tide had almost finished on the flood, and there were only a few -rungs to scale. - -"Prepaid, eh?" remarked Villiers. "All right. I have a pencil. Let's -go under the gas-lamp." - -The next instant a multitude of dazzling lights flashed before his -eyes, and without a cry he pitched head-long on his face. - - * * * * * - -"Jack, old thing!" shouted Beverley, throwing back his blankets and -jumping from his cot. "What's the time? Why, it's eight bells! Who's -turn is it to light the stove this morning?" - -Receiving no reply from the adjoining cabin, Bobby laid hold of a -sponge, dipped it in the water-jug, and made his way softly to -Villiers' berth. He opened the door and looked in. - -"What's he doing?" he thought in wonderment, for the cot had not been -slept in. The lamp was still alight, but on the point of burning -itself out. It was an oil-lamp, for the electric-lighting -arrangements were not yet in working order. The table was littered -with books, two of them open, while a pipe, with a small heap of -white ash, lay upon the open page of the _Nautical Almanac_. - -"I believe he's been swotting all night, the mouldy old book-worm," -thought Beverley. "Now he's gone to the bathroom to shove his heated -brow in cold water." - -But the bathroom was empty. A hurried search brought no sign of his -chum--nor of the dog. - -Fearful of his own surmises, Bobby looked over the side. Almost the -first thing he noticed was the dead body of Tommy left stranded on -the mud by the falling tide, but of Villiers not a trace. - -Even as he looked at the unfortunate Aberdeen, a swell threshed -sullenly against the evil-smelling mud and lifted the dog's body a -couple of feet or so nearer the weed-covered piles. A steamer had -just passed--a tramp, outward bound, with the name _Zug_--Malmo, on -her stumpy counter. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -The "Titania" Sails - - -Filled with the deepest apprehensions concerning the fate of his -chum, Bobby Beverley was not content to think. He acted. - -As it was yet early in the morning, and a Sunday, there were no signs -of activity in the yacht-yard. The night watchman, his duties over -with the rising of the sun, had taken himself home; the watchkeepers -on board the various craft were still sleeping soundly in the -knowledge that there was no pressing need for them to turn out. - -Slipping over the side, Beverley gained the wharf. There were no -signs of a struggle, and the hoar-frost that covered the tarred -planking was destitute of human or canine foot-prints. Only a number -of triangular marks on the white covering showed that sea-birds had -been waddling about the jetty. - -Suddenly Beverley caught sight of a crumpled paper that had wedged in -a projection of a heap of rusty iron. It was the telegraph-form that -Villiers had gone ashore to receive when he was struck down by a -cowardly blow. On it were the words:-- - - - "Harborough, yacht _Titania_. Cannot keep appointment Monday. Will - Tuesday same time suit? - "Heatherington." - - -"H'm; no postmark," commented Bobby. "Looks like a plant. Wonder if -this has anything to do with Villiers' absence?" - -Folding the crumpled paper, Beverley placed it carefully in his -pocket-book. Then, making his way across the encumbered yard, he -stopped outside the manager's office. As he expected, the door was -locked securely, but Beverley was not going to stick at trifles. - -With a piece of iron-bar he deliberately smashed a pane of glass. -Then inserting his hand through the jagged pane he shot back the -window-catch. It was then an easy matter to gain admittance. - -He lifted the receiver of the telephone, and in less than a minute -and a half he had secured a trunk-call to Thalassa Towers. - -"Hallo!" exclaimed a faint and indistinct voice. - -"That Harborough?" inquired Bobby. "Beverley speaking." - -"No, I'm Claverhouse, old bean," was the reply. "Why this activity on -the Sabbath morn? Anything wrong?" - -"Yes," replied Beverley. "Jack's missing--Jack Villiers. Eh? what's -that? No, I didn't say--Oh! Dash it all, they've cut me off." - -He replaced the receiver and again rang up the exchange, demanding -peremptorily why the interruption had occurred. - -"You must have cut yourself off," replied the operator. "Stand by." - -Bobby "stood by" for another five minutes--minutes that passed with -leaden feet. - -"There's no reply," came the matter-of-fact voice of the exchange -operator. "This is Andover speaking." - -"I say!" exclaimed Beverley in desperation. "Can you send an express -messenger to Thalassa Towers?" - -"Sorry," was the calm reply. "You must try a post office. It opens at -nine on Sundays." - -Beverley replaced the receiver with a vicious bang. Then he rang up -again, this time obtaining a call to the yard-manager's private -house. - -That functionary's temper was far from amiable when he found himself -called from his bed, in the early hours of a chilly late-autumn -morning, to receive a bald announcement from the intruder's own lips -that the latter had deliberately broken a window in the office and -had temporarily installed himself. - -"There's no need to bring a policeman along with you," added Beverley -reassuringly, "but come as soon as possible. No, I've disturbed -nothing. There's no cause for alarm as far as you are concerned." - -Bobby replaced the instrument and sat down in the padded-leather -arm-chair, the while keeping a look-out upon the _Titania_. - -In about twenty minutes the manager arrived, unkempt and unshorn. To -him Beverley explained the situation, requesting that someone could -be sent either in a car or on a motor-cycle to inform Sir Hugh -Harborough of the grave news. - -"Have you informed the police?" asked the manager, the while covertly -glancing round the room to assure himself that nothing had been -tampered with. - -"I'd rather wait till I've seen Sir Hugh," replied Bobby. "Of course -the whole thing may turn out to be a mare's nest; but the dog----" - -"Where is the dog?" asked the manager. - -"On the mud--dead." - -"Wouldn't it be as well to recover the body," suggested the now -interested man. "That might afford some information. I'll hang on -here." - -Beverley fell in with the idea. Procuring a boat-hook from the yacht, -he succeeded in recovering the Aberdeen's body and laid it on the -raft. - -Just as he had completed the task there came the hoot of a car, and a -minute later Harborough appeared accompanied by Claverhouse, -O'Loghlin, Fontayne, Swaine, and Trevear. - -Harborough had received a portion of Bobby's telephonic message, from -which he concluded that something was amiss; and without delay the -six men drove at record speed to Southampton. - -"Something decidedly wrong," declared Harborough, as he descended to -the raft and examined the body of his pet. The dog's mouth was -inflamed and discoloured. Death had been caused not by drowning but -by poison. - -Beverley handed his chief the telegram. - -"Fake," declared Harborough promptly. "I know no one of the name of -Heatherington; still less have I an appointment with him. I'd like to -meet the fellow who composed this," he added. - -A thorough examination of the _Titania_ resulted in nothing of a -suspicious nature being discovered. Assuming on the strength of the -faked telegram and the poisoned dog that there had been an attempt at -murder, kidnapping, or sabotage, there was nothing on board to -justify the assumption that an effort had been made to injure the -vessel. - -"I don't see why Villiers was singled out for rough treatment," -observed Harborough. "He had no personal enemies, had he?" - -Beverley shook his head. - -"Not to my knowledge," he replied. "Jack is one of the best, -absolutely." - -"Perhaps you were the intended victim," suggested Claverhouse. - -"Oh!" ejaculated Harborough. "I won't contradict your supposal; but -on what grounds, might I ask, do you make your assumption?" - -"The faked message was addressed to you," replied Alec. - -"Perhaps you're right," replied Harborough thoughtfully. "But it -doesn't say much for the other fellows' intelligence -department--mistaking Villiers for me. However, we must inform the -police." - -"The police?" echoed Beverley, bearing in mind Sir Hugh's reluctance -on a previous occasion to communicate with the law. - -"Unfortunately, yes," replied the baronet. "It is regrettable from a -professional point of view, but we owe it to Jack Villiers. Hallo! -The _Geier_ has gone." - -The Swedish-owned tramp had vanished from her accustomed berth. In -her place lay a vessel very similar, even to the funnel-markings. - -"Suppose you didn't notice her go down stream, Beverley?" inquired -Harborough. - -"By Jove!" exclaimed Bobby. "A tramp like her went out this -morning--the _Zug_ of Malmo." - -"Possibly the same old hooker," commented Harborough. "Well, let's -make for the police-station." - -Three days passed. The mystery of Jack Villiers' disappearance -remained unsolved. A police-inspector called upon Kristian Borgen in -his office, but the Swede gave a complete explanation of his -movements. It was true, he stated, that the _Geier_ was bought by his -firm and that her name was changed to _Zug_--a fact advertised -beforehand in the press according to the requirements of the British -Mercantile Shipping Act. The _Zug_ had sailed for the Baltic and was -due at Stockholm on the 30th inst. Her clearance-papers were quite in -order. - -The inspector, fully convinced that he had been put on a false trail, -shook hands with Borgen, apologizing for having inconvenienced him, -to which the amiable Swede replied that it was no inconvenience -whatsoever, and that he was only too happy at all times to assist the -law of the land that had offered him a temporary home. - -Meanwhile there was no cessation of activity in the work of fitting -out the _Titania_. Everyone on board realized that Villiers would -have wished it so. But there was a feeling of depression that it was -impossible to shake off. The uncertainty of Jack Villiers' fate, on -the eve of what promised to be a successful enterprise, cast a shadow -of gloom upon the proceedings. - -The day of the _Titania's_ departure having been fixed, Harborough -saw no insurmountable reason for postponing it, and the rest of the -crew agreed with him. - -"If Villiers does turn up," he explained, "he can join us anywhere -between here and Singapore; and delay will only mean increasing risks -on the score of bad weather, to say nothing of the possibility of our -rivals turning up before us." - -So at 9 a.m., early in the month of November, the yacht _Titania_, -Hugh Harborough, Master, slipped her moorings, and at a modest six -knots dropped down Southampton Water on her long voyage to the -Pacific. There were two absentees from her full complement, Jack -Villiers was one, the other was Dick Beverley. An epidemic of mumps -was raging in the school, and a swollen face intervened between Dick -and a visit to the enchanting South Seas. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -"Where am I?" - - -Jack Villiers opened his eyes slowly, only to shut them again. During -the first moments of returning consciousness he was aware of a dull -throbbing pain in the region of the nape of his neck--a pain that -became almost excruciating when he made an effort to rise. - -It was some moments before he attempted to reopen his eyes. With his -brain working slowly, he tried to account for his present state of -discomfort. Something was wrong--what? Had he been playing Rugger, -and been carried off the field? No; it couldn't be that. He hadn't -played footer for months. Strafed by Huns? Wrong again: he realized -that he had been "demobbed" and that there was no longer a war on. -Yet he was on board ship. He could feel the steady pulsations of the -engines and the thud of the propeller-shaft not so very far beneath -him. Odours of an unmistakably "shippy" nature assailed his nostrils. -Yes, he was at sea. The _Titania_ was under way. - -Yet that theory puzzled him. She wasn't ready for sea. Beverley and -he were sleeping on board, and---- - -With an effort he raised himself on one elbow and tried to shout his -chum's name. But not a sound came from his parched throat. His -tongue, feeling as if it had swollen to abnormal dimensions, seemed -to press, hot and dry, against the roof of his mouth. - -"Dash it all!" he ejaculated mentally. "Haven't I got a fat head? -Where am I?" - -By degrees he became more rational. He lay still, not daring to move. -Even then every roll of the ship sent thrills of acute pain over his -body. - -At first when he opened his eyes everything appeared to be of a -dull-reddish tinge, but presently the lurid mist cleared away and he -found himself watching an oval-shaped patch of light that, -penetrating a solitary scuttle, danced up and down the opposite -bulkhead with every movement of the vessel. - -"What cabin is this?" he thought. "It's not mine; proper sort of a -dog-box this. Who put me in here?" - -It was indeed a sorry sort of place. The walls and ceiling were -covered with cork-cement that was dripping with moisture. At one time -the composition had been painted white. It was now a sickly yellow -streaked with iron-rust. On the floor was a ragged piece of oak -linoleum. Underneath the scuttle, which was closed and secured by a -tarnished brass butterfly nut, was a bunk on which a piece of old -canvas had been placed to form a rough and ready mattress. And on the -bunk, with his head supported by a folded coat--his own, lay Jack -Villiers. - -Further investigation showed that he was dressed in his own trousers, -socks, pants, and vest--and nothing more. His boots, shirt, and -waistcoat had gone. - -"Good heavens!" he thought, as the full significance of his position -came home to him like a flash. "I've been shanghaied. Yes, I -remember, a fellow called me about a telegram." - -Slowly he raised his arm and, bringing his hand back, very gingerly -rubbed his skull. There was a raised bruise that felt as large as a -duck's egg. - -"Sandbagged!" he decided. "The rival crowd is one up. Well, I suppose -I'll be able to find out now who the fellows are. Wonder why they -singled me out for their unwelcome attentions." - -As a matter of fact it was a case of mistaken identity. On that -momentous Saturday night one of the crew of the _Zug_--ex. -_Geier_--who was a past master in the art of speaking colloquial -English, hailed from the wharf-wall, fully expecting that Sir Hugh -Harborough was one of the two persons on board the _Titania_. The -pseudo messenger was not alone. Skulking behind a rusty and condemned -ship's boiler were three powerful men, one armed with a length of -rubber pipe filled with sand, and the others holding ropes and a gag -in readiness should the persuasive methods of the loaded india-rubber -pipe fail. - -Unsuspecting and quite unprepared for foul play, Villiers was struck -down from behind. There was no need to gag and bind him. Quickly and -silently the four men carried their victim to a slipway, where a boat -lay in readiness. It was quite a simple matter and almost devoid of -risk. The night was dark, and even had there been any of the crews of -the neighbouring vessels about, the statement that it was only a -drunken man being taken off to his ship would have allayed suspicion. -But, unseen and unchallenged, the emissaries of Kristian Borgen -conveyed their senseless victim on board the _Zug_. - -Kristian Borgen was waiting to receive them in the tramp's dingy -state-room. Save for his own assertion and the fact that he spoke -Swedish fluently and possessed credentials (forged, no doubt) from -Stockholm, there was nothing Swedish about him. He was a Hun, and a -Prussian at that. His real name was Kaspar von Giespert, and he had -been an Unter-Leutnant of the German light cruiser _Dresden_. He knew -the story of the _Fusi Yama's_ sunken gold, having heard it from a -brother-officer serving on board the _Nürnburg_, but he was not at -all sure of the actual position of the wreck. The _Dresden_ escaped -the fate that overtook her consorts in the engagement with Sturdee -off the Falkland Islands, but afterwards met with an ignominious end -by being sunk by her own crew at Juan Fernandez--Alexander Selkirk's -famous island. On the approach of a British cruiser, von Giespert was -interned by the Peruvian Government until the end of the war, and -upon being released promptly returned to Germany with the object of -fitting out an expedition to search for the lost gold. - -There were serious difficulties in his path. The partial surrender of -Germany's mercantile fleet had made it an impossible matter to -procure a ship in any German port. As a Hun, von Giespert knew that -"his name was mud" in almost every important seaport on the Atlantic -and Pacific shores. A nation cannot "run amok" and institute a policy -of "sink everything without trace" and then expect to be treated on a -pre-war footing by the States whose flags she has wantonly flouted -and insulted. So von Giespert, quick to realize that as a German he -was "down and out", had no qualms about renouncing, temporarily at -all events, his nationality and becoming Kristian Borgen, a Swede. -And as such he found little difficulty in taking up his abode in -Southampton, whence he could control his latest mercantile enterprise -with comparative ease. - -He had succeeded in getting a picked crew of twenty-two German -seamen--men who in pre-war days had served in the British Mercantile -Marine, where frequently 75 per cent of a crew sailing under the Red -Ensign were either "Dagoes" or "Dutchies". And these men could all -speak English as spoken on shipboard, and most of them, with the -Hun's versatility in learning languages, were equally at home with -Swedish. - -Von Giespert had a firm hold upon his band of desperadoes. For one -thing he paid them well and made fair promises of a substantial share -of the treasure, if and when it were recovered. Anyone possessing -capital could do that, but von Giespert, being a Hun, went further. -The men he picked carefully from the crews of certain U-boats whose -record of piracy was of the blackest--men who had carried out -infamous orders with alacrity when they thought Germany was winning, -and who had not hesitated to mutiny and assault their officers when -they discovered the long-hidden truth that all was lost. - -Von Giespert knew how to trade upon their fears. He told them that -they were "wanted" by the British Government for their past crimes, -and that the only safe course for them was to take the bull by the -horns, become Swedish subjects, and accept employment in the country -that was their former enemy, where, by their audacity, they would -fling dust into the eyes of the hated English. The _Zug's_ crew -accepted the statement and acted with corresponding discretion. - -For the present he had no intention of sailing on the s.s. _Zug_ for -the Pacific. He was content to allow the vessel to proceed in the -charge of Siegfried Strauss, who had been a quarter-master in the -North German Lloyd Line before serving in the Imperial navy. Strauss -was under orders to navigate the _Zug_ by a circuitous route round -the Cape of Good Hope and pick up his employer at Batavia. - -"Donnerwetter! Who is this?" inquired von Giespert angrily, as the -unconscious Villiers was unceremoniously dumped at his feet. "This is -not Harborough." - -The kidnappers cowered before the wrath of their Prussian pay-master. - -"This is the man who has been on board for the last four or five -nights, Herr Kapitan," replied one. - -"He seemed in authority." - -"You've blundered," declared von Giespert, "and you cannot undo your -mistake. Let us hope that his absence will throw that fellow -Harborough's plans out of gear. Herr Strauss, are you all ready to -proceed?" - -"The pilot will not be on board before six tomorrow," replied -Strauss. "Those were your instructions." - -"Very good," rejoined von Giespert. "We must have a pilot, of course. -Now when you drop him, steer eastwards to a point roughly ten miles -beyond the Nab Lightship. Then you know the rest. Keep this fellow -well out of sight. If he gives no trouble, carry him on to Las Palmas -and land him there. If he kicks, then drop him overboard. In any case -hoodwink him and try to find out our rivals' programme." - -Forty-eight hours had elapsed since then, and Jack Villiers was -recovering his scattered senses. In that respect he was not helped -when the door of his cabin was opened and two men entered. - -One--Strauss--was rigged out in a blue-serge suit with gilt buttons -and a double line of gold braid round his cuffs. The other man was -dressed in a pale-blue shirt, open at the neck, and a pair of canvas -trousers. - -"So you are recovering," observed Strauss in an almost faultless -English accent. - -Villiers tried to reply, but his parched throat gave no sound. - -"Bring some brandy," ordered Strauss, turning to his subordinate. - -The strong spirit had the effect of reviving Jack considerably. He -found his tongue. - -"Where am I?" he demanded. - -"On the s.s. _Zug_," was the reply. "We picked you up seven miles -south of St. Catherine's." - -"Oh!" ejaculated Villiers, taken aback by this astonishing -intelligence. "How----" - -"Don't talk," protested Strauss, with mock sympathy. "You're very -weak. I'll tell you. It was two days ago. We are bound from Malmo to -Monte Video, and this is a Swedish ship. Two days ago, I say, we were -standing down Channel when we sighted a ship's lifeboat drifting. We -altered our course, and on approaching we found you lying unconscious -on the stern-gratings. We did not touch at an English port, nor did -we sight any vessel bound up-Channel; so it seems as if you must -enjoy our hospitality until we reach Las Palmas." - -"Haven't you wireless?" inquired Villiers. - -The acting skipper of the _Zug_ shook his head. - -"Otherwise we would be able to oblige you," he added. "But I will see -that you are made comfortable. Do you wish for anything to eat?" - -Villiers felt far from wanting food. His throat was still painful, -and his head ached fearfully. - -"I'm thirsty," he replied. - -The two men went out, returning in a few minutes with a hair mattress -and pillow and a basin of hot soup. - -"Take this and go to sleep," said Strauss, when the fresh bedding had -been substituted for the canvas sacking. "I will look in again in -half an hour or so." - -Villiers managed to finish the soup, although every spoonful required -an effort to swallow. Then he lay back, wondering and pondering over -the brief story that the _Zug's_ master had just told him. - -"Boats cost money, especially nowadays," he soliloquised. "Wonder why -I was cast adrift in a lifeboat when they might have dumped me into -the ditch? That would have saved them a lot of expense and would have -covered their tracks. Well, here I am, able to sit up and take -nourishment, but beyond that---- And Beverley, how's he taking it? I -suppose they didn't sandbag him, too?" - -Still puzzling his tired brain over his strange predicament, Villiers -dropped into a fitful slumber. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -A Choice of Two Evils - - -Siegfried Strauss did his level best to carry out his employer's -instructions to hoodwink the abducted Villiers. For the first two -days following Jack's return to consciousness the Englishman was -treated with every possible consideration. At least that was how it -struck Villiers. - -Hourly his strength returned and with it his reasoning powers. He was -well supplied with food--of the average quality to be found on -tramps--and was allowed to sit on deck. - -Then one or two things began to strike him as being somewhat -peculiar. Strauss evinced a decided tendency to prevent Villiers from -strolling for'ard. On the face of it there could be no satisfactory -reason why he should not do so; but Jack, always obliging, fell in -with the supposed Swedish skipper's wish. - -Then he made another discovery. One of the men left a newspaper -wedged in the falls of one of the davits. A gust of wind displaced it -and carried it across the deck almost to Villier's feet. - -Jack's first impulse was to return it to its owner. A Swedish -newspaper would be useless to anyone not possessing a knowledge of -that language. But somewhat to his surprise he saw that it was -English. His astonishment increased when he found that it was a -Southampton paper and dated the Saturday on which he had been foully -struck down. - -Obviously, Villiers reflected, there was a flaw in Captain Strauss' -carefully-pitched yarn. If the _Zug_ had proceeded down-Channel -without putting in anywhere and without holding communication with -any other craft, how could that paper have found its way on board? - -"I'm up against something here," thought Villiers, and proceeded with -his investigations. He acted warily, for he was not sure of his -ground. - -In quite a casual way he refolded the paper and replaced it in the -falls; then he made his way for'ard, carrying his chair, until he -reached the engine-room's fidley. - -Here he sat down and listened through the open gratings. Before long -he overheard the engineer shout something to one of his assistants. -The voice was plainly audible above the pulsations of the engines, -and the words were unmistakably German; so was the reply. - -"We're getting on," decided Villiers. "I wonder if this is the _Zug_. -I have my doubts." - -He glanced to and fro along the deck. On the fo'c'sle two men were -engaged in coiling down a rope. Their backs were turned towards him. -Those were the only members of the crew within sight. The helmsman -was invisible from the spot where Villiers had taken up his position, -owing to the height of the bridge and to the fact that the -wheel-house was set well back from the canvas screen running round -the bridge stanchion-rails. - -Having satisfied himself on this point, Villiers peered through the -open fidley into the engine-room. He saw what he expected, for right -in the centre of the for'ard engine-room bulkhead was a brass plate -setting forth the information that the steamship _Geier_ had been -engined in 1904 by the firm of Hopper and Heinz of Stettin. - -That ought to have been conclusive, but Villiers did not rest there. -After a while he made his way right aft and leant over the stumpy -counter. There were the words "_Zug_--Malmo" written plain for anyone -to read, but the letters were freshly painted, and there were signs -that a longer word had been somewhat carelessly obliterated. - -"Feeling better, Mr. Villiers?" asked Strauss, who happened to come -on deck at that moment. "I wouldn't look down if I were you; it won't -do your head any good." - -Villiers, caught out, made no reply. - -"Come and have tea in my cabin," continued the skipper of the _Zug_, -as a preliminary to his ordered task of "pumping" his involuntary -guest. - -Jack acquiesced. - -"What land is that?" he inquired casually, indicating a rugged range -of hills about four miles on the port beam. - -"Portuguese coast," replied Strauss. "Thinking of swimming there?" - -"About a hundred yards is my limit," said Jack. "So I don't think -I'll take it on." - -Both men descended the companion and entered the cabin, which opened -aft out of the saloon, for in her earlier days the s.s. _Geier_ had -passenger accommodation in addition to carrying cargo. - -Siegfried Strauss waited until tea was served, and, ordering the -steward to clear out, prepared to subject his guest to a carefully -manipulated cross-examination. - -But before he could get in his first question he was totally taken -aback when Villiers looked him straight in the face and demanded -bluntly. - -"Isn't your name Kristian Borgen?" - -It was wide of the mark, nevertheless Strauss knew now that Villiers -had his suspicions. - -"No, it is not," he replied. "I am ready to swear to that." - -"What's in a name?" quoted Jack. "I suppose you are equally prepared -to swear that you are not a German, and that this vessel isn't the -_Geier_ under an assumed name?" - -Strauss was on the point of blustering when he bethought himself that -it would be advisable to assume a conciliatory and non-committal -attitude. - -"You are quite under a misapprehension, my friend," he said -smilingly. "I don't know why you have adopted this truculent -attitude. I suppose you are still feeling the effect of your rough -usage. To allay your unfounded suspicions I will show you the ship's -papers." - -The skipper got up from the table and went to a locker above one of -the settees. This he opened and removed a packet of papers. As he did -so Jack caught a glimpse of a yellow-leather case boldly stamped with -the initials H. H. - -It was the identical attaché-case that Sir Hugh Harborough lost from -the car at Southampton. Even Villiers was taken aback by the -discovery, but, controlling himself, he decided to ignore the facts -for the present. - -"H'm," he remarked, after he had examined the "Certificate of -Registry" and other documents appertaining to the ownership and -nationality of the s.s. _Zug_. "I'll swear those are forgeries. But -we'll let that pass. How can you account for the fact that the name -_Geier_ is in the engine-room. Beastly careless of you, you know." - -Villiers had certainly scored. - -Although the change in the ship's name had been publicly advertised, -Strauss had tried to conceal the fact from his unwilling guest. Now -he had to admit it. - -"And you left Southampton early on Sunday morning last," continued -Villiers. "I know that, and you can deny it if you like--you did -before, you remember--but that won't alter the fact. That's a Hun -all over. You couldn't enter into a rivalry with Sir Hugh Harborough -on this treasure-hunting stunt without descending to low-down tricks -such as waylaying him and sand-bagging me. That's enough to land you -in the dock, my festive." - -Siegfried Strauss realized that the cat was out of the bag. Unmasked, -he was no longer an amiable Swede but an unspeakable Hun. - -With a sudden rush he bounded out of the cabin and up the -companion-ladder. At the head he paused to reassure himself that -Villiers was not in pursuit. - -"You've done for yourself, you swine!" he shouted. "Since you have -made yourself dangerous there is but one thing to be done--get rid of -you." - -Jack could hear him bawling for the hands to come aft. He was in a -tight corner, but he had no intention of quietly giving in to a swarm -of Huns. - -Strauss had threatened "to do him in". No doubt he, Villiers, had -asked for it when he tackled the fellow. Perhaps it would have been -better to have pretended to humour him, and then Strauss might have -set him ashore at Las Palmas. But it was too late now. There was no -averting the crisis. - -For a brief instant Villiers considered the possibility of gaining -the bridge and holding it against all corners, but the futility of -that plan at once became apparent. He was unarmed; the crew of the -_Zug_ were not. Every man carried a sheath-knife, and possibly -several had firearms as well. - -Acting upon an inspiration, although he hardly knew why, Villiers -dragged the missing attaché-case from the locker and ran on deck. - -Captain Strauss was still shouting to the crew. He hardly expected -Jack would dare to come out of the cabin. When he saw him he -attempted to close. - -With a pleasurable feeling that he was getting his own back for the -sand-bagging affair, Villiers saw the burly German measure his length -on the deck as the result of a straight left with the Englishman's -fist. For the present Siegfried Strauss ceased to count in the -unequal contest. - -Three or four of the crew ran on with a rush. Villiers didn't stop to -meet them. He was cool enough to realize, in the first sense of -elation, that there are limits to human powers. Running aft, he -paused only to unship a life-belt and hurl it overboard, then, with -the leather case still grasped in his right hand, he leapt over the -rail into the sea. - -He hit the water with tremendous force, for the _Zug_ was steaming at -a good twelve knots. That and his still weak condition almost -deprived him of breath. He swallowed a good half-pint of salt water -before he rose spluttering to the surface. - -Even while he was still under the surface Villiers found himself -debating upon the wisdom of his rash act. - -"If I hadn't jumped into the ditch," he soliloquized, "those fellows -would have slung me in, and perhaps given me another tap on the head -just to make things doubly sure. I told friend Strauss that I was -good for a hundred yards. So I am at racing-speed. It is now up to me -to see if I can cover four or five miles, hampered by a leather bag -and a life-buoy." - -Why he hung on to the attaché-case he hardly knew. Whatever there -was within it was evidently now no secret to the directing spirits -behind the s.s. _Zug_. Even if Harborough's charts and plans were -still inside the case, there was every reason to suppose that they -had been duly inspected and the information they contained committed -to memory. Sir Hugh knew the locality of the wreck, even without the -aid of the stolen documents, so, now that the mischief was done, -there could be little good served by regaining them. - -The attaché-case was well made and the lid fitted closely; -consequently it possessed a considerable amount of buoyancy. On -coming to the surface Villiers found that he could support himself by -the case without much effort, and thus give himself time to take -stock of his surroundings. - -Fifty yards away floated the life-buoy. Having assured himself of his -position, the swimmer devoted his attention to the _Zug_. Already she -was a good cable's length away, and holding on without apparently -altering course. Five or six of the crew were standing right aft, and -Villiers fancied that he caught the dull glint of the barrel of a -rifle. - -"They'll put about," he thought, "and either run me down or else put -a bullet through my head if they spot me. I don't think they do, -although I'm right in the glare of the sun. I'll keep clear of that -buoy for a time, though." - -Which was sound logic. The white-painted buoy, bobbing up and down -over the crests of the waves, was a fairly-conspicuous object--as it -was intended to be. But Jack, bareheaded and almost motionless, ran -very little risk of being spotted by the crew of the rapidly-receding -vessel. - -But, contrary to his expectations, the _Zug_ neither altered course -nor did her crew open fire. She held on, leaving Villiers to his -fate. - -"Now for it," he muttered, and, turning on his back and still -grasping the recovered attaché-case, he made toward the buoy. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -Villiers' Return - - -The yacht _Titania_ lay at anchor about three hundred yards west of -the Old Mole at Gibraltar. The first stage of her long voyage was -accomplished, not without difficulties and dangers, for she had -encountered bad weather in the Bay, which had continued until she -passed Cape St. Vincent. In a way the gale was a blessing in -disguise, for it enabled Harborough to put his crew to a severe test -in seamanship, and to their credit they came out of the ordeal in -quite a praiseworthy manner. The yacht had been able to hold on her -course under close-reefed canvas, and had made a fairly-quick passage -without having been compelled to use her engines when once clear of -the Needles. - -Beyond the necessity of having to replenish fresh water, provisions, -and consumable stores, the _Titania_ was fully equipped. Each member -of the crew responsible for his particular department had carried out -his duties thoroughly. Everything necessary for salvage operations -was on board--patent, self-contained diving-dresses which enabled -their wearers to work independently of air-tubes and pumps, -demolition charges, pneumatic drills, tools of various sorts, and -chains, ropes, shackles, and blocks, ample for the work, were -methodically stored in the holds. The two dwarf seaplanes, which, -when packed for transport, took up very little room, had been stowed -away under the charge of Claverhouse and Trevear. Griffiths and Bell, -the only ex-army men, were responsible for the provisioning of the -ship; O'Loghlin and Vivian for the engines, each man working "watch -and watch" with an assistant. The rest of the crew formed the amateur -deck-hands, Harborough heading the starboard and Beverley the port -watch. - -Once at sea all hands followed sea routine. A state of discipline -prevailed while on duty, although in the "watch below" every man was -Tom, Dick, and Harry to his comrades. The system worked well. Every -member of the crew had been in a position of more or less authority -during the war, and each realized the absolute necessity of -discipline. They knew the value of initiative; but initiative, -important though it is, must ever be subservient to discipline if -success is to be attained. - -Harborough was certainly a "tough nut". On duty he was autocratic. -His idea was: "I'm in charge; carry out my orders and I'll do my -level best in your interests. If anything goes wrong, then I take all -the responsibility." Off duty he was affability personified, and was -always ready and even eager to listen to suggestions, and should -Beverley be in charge of the deck he would never interfere. - -Originally it had been the intention to place Villiers in charge of -one watch, while Harborough, except for actual navigation duties, -acted as general supervisor; but Villiers' mysterious disappearance -had altered that plan, and Harborough did not appoint a substitute. -He shared a belief with Beverley that Jack Villiers would put in an -appearance before the _Titania_ reached Singapore, and so firm was -his conviction that he had the missing officer's kit on board instead -of placing it ashore when the yacht left Southampton. - -"Bit of a change from the good old North Sea," remarked Merridew, -gazing at the towering Rock, bathed in the rosy tints of the setting -sun. "This time last year we were perambulating bales of wool: three -sweaters, a muffler, monkey-jacket, pilot-coat, and two pairs of -thick trousers, and none too warm at that. Now, here we are feeling -quite warm in flannels." - -"And I'm on anchor watch," added Fontayne. "I'm rather looking -forward to it, 'cause it's full moon to-night, and the Rock will look -splendid in the moonlight. I remember when I was an A.B. in the -R.N.V.R. keeping middle watch when we were lying just inside -Inchkeith. It was New Year's night, and there was a buzz going round -that a Fritz was nosing about just outside the boom. Sleeting, -snowing, and blowing like billy-ho. Absolute fact; I had to go below -and thaw before I could get my clothes off. Hallo, there's a boat -pulling off." - - -[Illustration: UNMASKED HE WAS NO LONGER AN AMIABLE SWEDE -(missing from book)] - - -The boat, manned by a couple of "Rock Scorps" ran alongside the -gangway, and presently the crew of the _Titania_ were bargaining for -quantities of luscious fruit at a price that, although affording a -handsome profit to the vendors, was so ridiculously cheap that the -purchasers could hardly believe it. - -Then another boat ran alongside, and others, until the _Titania_ -looked like a swan surrounded by her cygnets. There were bumboatmen, -ship's store-dealers, washermen, butchers, purveyors of insipid -rain-water--Spaniards, Genoese, Moors, and representatives of every -country bordering on the Mediterranean--all clamouring to do business -with the newly-arrived vessel. - -"Allow no one to come on board," ordered Harborough. - -"No exception?" inquired a hearty voice, and to the surprise of -everyone on deck Jack Villiers appeared from behind a pile of -fruit-cases in the stern-sheets of a whaler. - -For once, at least, Harborough went back on his word. He almost went -back and down an open hatchway, for, although he was convinced that -Villiers would put in an appearance, that worthy's sudden return took -the usually cool and collected Sir Hugh by surprise. - -"Good heavens, Villiers, dear old thing!" he exclaimed. "How in the -name of all that's wonderful----!" - -Running up the accommodation-ladder and saluting the quarter-deck as -he came over the side, Villiers grasped his chief's extended hand. - -"'Fraid I haven't much of a kit," he remarked apologetically; "but -this, I think, sir, is your property." - -He held out the attaché-case. Harborough gazed at it with mingled -surprise and amusement. - -"You've a yarn to spin about that," he observed. "Come below. We're -about to have dinner. You'll be able to have a word with Beverley -before he goes on watch." - -"I won't say that I've nothing to tell," remarked Jack, "because I -have." - -For the next three quarters of an hour he was hard at it, his -audience listening in almost unbroken silence. Following his plunge -from the deck of the _Zug_, he was in the water forty minutes before -he was picked up by a Portuguese "mulutta"--a fishing-boat whose -chief characteristic is the large number of fantastically-shaped -sails she carries. It was doubtless the presence of the fishing-boat -that deterred the _Zug's_ crew from putting about and opening fire -upon the swimmer; but Villiers had not observed the presence of his -rescuers until the tramp was hull down. - -The fishermen treated him very kindly, and eventually landed him at -Figuera, a Portuguese harbour about one hundred miles north of -Lisbon. A hospitable merchant rendered him every possible assistance -and provided him with money sufficient to enable him to reach -Algeciras, which he did after a long and circuitous railway journey -which, in Villiers' opinion, embraced the greater part of Portugal -and Spain. At Algeciras he was fortunate in catching the last -ferry-boat for that day across to the Rock, and during the six-mile -passage across the Bay of Gibraltar he saw, to his unbounded delight, -the _Titania_ putting in and dropping anchor off the Old Mole. - -"I'm afraid," observed Harborough, when Villiers had finished his -narrative, "that you expended a lot of unnecessary zeal over that -attaché-case." - -"Oh!" exclaimed Jack doubtfully. "Why?" - -"Because it was a fake," explained Harborough. "I did not mention it -at the time, because it was my secret. I intended doing so -immediately we left England. These plans and charts are false. I knew -that someone was after the real charts, and I took precautions -accordingly. I expected they would be stolen, and they were. In order -to make sure that they were stolen and not accidentally lost, you -remember, I offered a substantial reward. But they were not -returned--hence it was reasonable to assume that they were -deliberately stolen by our rivals. You have proved that such was the -case. I only hope your late host, Herr Strauss, acts upon them." - -"I believe the fellow is identical with Kristian Borgen," said -Villiers. "In fact, I chucked it in his teeth." - -"And he denied it?" - -"He did." - -"Then he told the truth," declared Harborough. "He is acting under -the fellow Borgen's orders, but Borgen was in Southampton when we -left; consequently he couldn't have been on the _Zug_ when she -sailed. And we've enough evidence now to get the _Zug_ detained and -her crew put under arrest at the first port she touches." - -"Don't do that," said Villiers. "It would spoil a lot of sport. Just -fancy those fellows thinking they're doing us, and all the while -acting on faked information. Their punishment will be found in their -disappointment. Personally, I'd like to have five minutes with the -gentleman who sand-bagged me, but I'm quite content to let the rival -crush have a run for its money." - -"There's something in that," agreed Harborough, who, in common with -the rest of the members of the expedition, had a strong partiality -for the element of chance and a liking for sport. "They're -interlopers, it's true, but rivalry adds a zest to life. But you must -be tired with your long journey, Villiers." - -"I am," replied Jack, stifling a yawn. "I'll turn in. I suppose -there'll be time for me to nip ashore to-morrow and get a new kit." - -"Plenty of time to go ashore," replied Harborough, "but I don't think -you'll need a fresh rig-out. Your kit's stowed away in the locker -under your bunk." - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -Pete and the Mutiny - - -The _Titania_ remained at Gib. for thirty-six hours, refilling her -fuel-tanks, provisioning, and making good slight damage done during -the gale. - -At six in the morning, having received her clearance papers, the -yacht weighed, and was soon bowling along with the strong current -that sets perpetually eastward into the almost tideless -Mediterranean. - -Villiers, now officer in charge of the starboard watch, was pacing -the deck with Harborough. For the present there was little to do. The -_Titania_ lay close hauled on the port tack; she had plenty of -sea-room, and there were no hidden shoals to worry about. Fontayne -was taking his trick at the wheel, and the rest of the duty watch, -having scrubbed decks and "flemished down", were standing easy. - -"She shows a clean pair of heels," remarked Villiers, watching the -vessel's wake. "I should imagine we're doing a good eight knots." - -"Yes," agreed Harborough. "But we won't stand here gazing aft. It's a -little antipathy of mine. Why, I don't know. You read in books of -people standing aft and watching the phosphorescent swirl of the -propellers and all that sort of thing. Sentimental! I prefer to look -for'ard and see what's ahead. There's precious little fun in taking -life retrospectively. It's anticipation--call it hope if you -like--that is the lodestone of life!" - -"I wonder if you'll be of the same mind when you near the end of your -journey," remarked Villiers. - -"That I can't say," replied Harborough. "But, candidly speaking, -would you care to go through the last five years again?" - -"I had some good times," said Jack reflectively. "Perhaps I was -lucky." - -"Supposing you'd been a Tommy in the trenches?" prompted Harborough. - -"Ah, that's a proposition," rejoined Villiers gravely. "I don't think -I'd care for the idea. In fact, I feel certain I wouldn't. And I know -dozens of fellows who've been and come back, and they are all of the -same opinion--that it was a physical and mental hell. But if they had -to start all over again, they'd do it." - -"As a matter of patriotic duty," added Harborough. "We're a weird -nation--slow to adapt ourselves to changing conditions, blunderers in -war and blunderers in peace, and yet, somehow, we come out on top in -the end. The Old Country's in a pretty rotten state just now, I -admit, but in another twelvemonth or so things will begin to shape -themselves. Eh! what's that?" - -O'Loghlin, lightly clad, perspiring freely and reeking with oil, had -come up from the motor-room and stood before his chief. - -"We've a stowaway, sir," he reported. - -Harborough knitted his heavy brows. - -"Bring him along," he ordered. - -The stowaway came quietly. He followed O'Loghlin like a lamb--a tall, -powerfully-built negro, on whose ebony features was a smile of -beatific contentment, in conjunction with a wide-open mouth that -displayed a double row of glistening ivories extending almost from -ear to ear. - -Harborough looked straight at him and said nothing. O'Loghlin, -standing behind the black, afterwards maintained that the skipper was -looking through the nigger. In less than fifteen seconds the smile -had vanished and the stowaway was on the verge of tears. - -"What are you doing here?" demanded the skipper of the _Titania_. - -"I jus' come aboard, sah." - -"For what reason?" - -"Me tink dis packet is bound for 'Merica. I jus' want to go dere," -and again a broad smile stole over the nigger's face. "Me British -born," he continued proudly. "From Hole Town, Barbadoes, which am in -British West Indies; but I specks you know dat bit, sah." - -"And so you thrust your unwelcome carcass on board this yacht," -rejoined Harborough. "Do you know where we are bound for?" - -The nigger shook his head. - -"Don't much, sah," he replied. "Me work berry hard to please you." - -"You'll jolly well have to," declared Harborough grimly. "There's no -room for idlers on this craft. Can you cook?" - -"Yes, sah, me berry good cook," assented the black, and immediately -he broke into a loud roar of laughter until he had to hold his sides -as the tears streamed down his face. - -The laugh was distinctly infectious. There was something so -boisterously gusty in the merriment that every one of the _Titania's_ -crew on deck began smiling in varying degrees of intensity. - -"What about your cooking?" inquired Harborough, whose face was -puckered in a multitude of crinkles. - -"Me cook aboard de _Lucy M. Partington_, three-masted schooner from -N'Orleans to Naples," explained the black. "Me cook berry well all de -time. One day de fellah played a prank, an' put Epsom-salts in the -sugar canister. I made Spotted Dick for de Ole Man--pardon, sah, de -Captain, I mean--an' dere you are." - -Another tornado of laughter followed. - -"And what happened then?" prompted Harborough. - -"Ole Man kick me out at Gib.," replied the nigger soberly. "Big -gum-boots, too," he added, with painful reminiscence. - -"Well, carry on in the galley," ordered the skipper of the _Titania_. -"None of your Epsom-salt touches here, remember, or you'll find my -boot heavier than the _Lucy M. Partington's_ Old Man's. What's your -name?" - -"Pete, sah; Pete Johnson." - -Harborough waved dismissal. Pete, pulling his woolly forelock, -pattered away towards the fore-hatch. - -"They didn't have a nigger on board the _Zug_, I suppose?" inquired -Harborough. - -"No," replied Villiers. "This fellow seems quite above board." - -"He may be a blessing in disguise," commented the baronet. "I don't -envy the fellows who volunteered for the galley when we get down the -Red Sea, and they'll be jolly glad to get out of it." - -An hour later Villiers went below and inspected the galley. - -Pete had quickly made himself at home. Arrayed in white-canvas jumper -and trousers he presented a decidedly better appearance than he had -done in the ragged dungarees. He had not been lacking in energy, for -the pots and pans were burnished brighter than they had been since -they left the ship-chandler's establishment in far-off Southampton. - -He greeted Jack with one of his expansive grins. - -"Quite shipshape now, Massa Villers," he exclaimed. - -"You're making quite a fine show, Sambo," replied Villiers. - -The black's smile vanished and he pouted his lip. - -"I would hab you know, Massa Villers," he exclaimed, with studied -dignity, "dat my name is Pete, not Sambo. Sambo Yankee niggah; me -British born." - -"Right-o, Pete, I'll remember," replied Villiers; and the black -resumed his customary smile. - -"I wonder how he got hold of my name," thought Jack. - -It was O'Loghlin who solved that little mystery. O'Loghlin had -discovered the stowaway hidden behind the main fuel-tank that was -fitted athwartships just abaft the main hold. Pete would not have -been surprised had the engineer officer dragged him out by his woolly -hair and booted him in addition. That was the sort of thing he was -used to aboard the _Lucy M. Partington_, but nothing of the kind -happened, and Pete felt grateful. He described in detail how he -contrived to get on board without being "spotted" by any of the watch -on deck. After he had been rated ship's cook the nigger asked -O'Loghlin to tell him the names of every man on board, and, with a -retentive memory that many West Indian negroes possess, Pete "had -them all off pat". - -Throughout the greater part of the day the wind held, but towards the -end of the first dog watch it fell a flat calm with considerable -haze. Away to the south'ard the African coast, although only five -miles distant, was lost to view. Night was approaching, so in order -to keep clear of the unlighted coast the _Titania's_ course was -altered a full point, and the motors were started to give her -steerage-way. - -"We'll have the canvas stowed," decided Harborough; "one never knows -what's behind the mist. The glass is a bit jumpy, I notice." - -Accordingly the sails were lowered and stowed, and throughout the -night the _Titania_ held on under power, riding over the long, sullen -ground-swell that was a sign of a gale raging not so many miles off. -The sea was highly phosphorescent, and, although from crest to crest -the rollers measured a full hundred yards, not a catspaw ruffled the -undulating surface. - -Morning came and with it no change in the weather. A couple of miles -on the port bow was a large three-masted schooner with her canvas -slatting violently as she wallowed in the long swell. From her mizen -truck was displayed a two-flag signal. - -"Stand by with the code-book," cautioned Beverley, who was in charge -of the deck. - -He levelled his binoculars at the vessel. There was no need for the -code-book. Every seaman knows the significance of the letters -YF--Mutiny. - -"On deck both watches," shouted Beverley. "Close up with the -answering pennant." - -The order was obeyed in double-quick time, the watch below turning -out in a state of attire that could not by any stretch of the -imagination be termed uniform. Harborough, stopping only to don -oilskin coat and sea-boots over his pyjamas, came on deck. - -"Serve out the arms, Mr. Beverley," he said, "and hoist a signal -saying we are sending a boat. Mr. Villiers, will you take half a -dozen armed men and proceed to yonder vessel?" - -Almost as soon as the signal flags GTM--"I am sending a boat"--were -toggled and hoisted, the _Titania's_ whaler was swung outboard ready -for lowering, and under power the yacht rapidly bore down upon the -mutinous schooner. - -"Golly!" exclaimed Pete, who, in the midst of preparing breakfast, -had answered to the hail for all hands on deck. "Dat's the ole _Lucy -M. Partington_." - -Before the _Titania_ had entirely lost way the whaler's rounded -bilges hit the water with a resounding smack. The lower blocks of the -falls were disengaged, and the bowman adroitly fended off. - -"Give way, lads!" ordered Villiers. - -Fifty steady strokes sufficed to lay the boat alongside the -schooner's port quarter, from which a rope-ladder had been dropped by -her now considerably-relieved skipper. - -Leaving one hand in the whaler, Villiers and the rest of the boat's -crew swarmed up the side and gained the _Lucy M. Partington's_ poop. -The mutiny was over. The rebellious hands had been overawed by the -sight of the approaching armed boat's crew. - -The Old Man, a typical New Englander, with a goatee beard and huge -leather sea-boots (Villiers found himself wondering how the skipper -could wear heavy foot-gear on a hot day like that), left his -strategical position, to wit, a round house abaft the mizen, and was -bellowing incoherencies at a knot of sullen seamen clustered under -the break of the raised fo'c'sle. With him were the two mates and -three apprentices, who looked now as if they were enjoying the scene, -and a couple of grizzled, bald-headed seamen. - -"What's all this fuss about, skipper?" inquired Villiers genially. - -"Tarnation blue snakes take the pizonous reptiles," bellowed the Old -Man. "That's the durned skunk I want to get at; that skulking Finn." - -He pointed to a gigantic man standing behind, but towering head and -shoulders above the cosmopolitan crowd of malcontents. - -"We've had just about enuff of your tarnation tricks, Cap'n Abe," -shouted one of the mutineers. "Nary a square meal since you hiked our -cook over the side." - -"Guess I didn't boot the nigger jus' for nuthin'," explained Captain -Abe to his rescuers. "The nigger tried to pizen me." - -"There ain't as good a cook on board, an' there won't be," -vociferated the mutineer. "Pete could cook, and there ain't no sayin' -to the contrary, I guess." - -So that was the trouble. In putting Pete ashore at Gib. the skipper -of the _Lucy M. Partington_ had laid up a rod in pickle for himself. -No doubt the Old Man honestly thought that the nigger had -deliberately put Epsom-salt into his pudding; but he had made a -mistake in not taking the trouble to investigate Pete's story. And -since the cook was a cook, the crew soon found out to their cost what -it means to have badly-prepared meals. - -Matters came quickly to a head. One of the men approached the -skipper, holding in his hands a saucepan of watery potatoes in which -floated hard balls that were supposed to be dumplings, and asked him -whether he considered this sort of food good enough for human beings. - -Captain Abe replied by booting the saucepan from the fellow's hands -and throwing most of its contents into the grumbler's face. That -started what soon developed into a serious affray, and how far -matters would have gone remained questionable. The appearance of the -_Titania_, which the mutineers mistook for a Government patrol-boat -(of which some were yet employed on mine-sweeping work in the -Mediterranean), rather took the wind out of their sails. - -Villiers called the Yankee skipper aside. - -"Look here," he said, "I don't quite know what you want me to do." - -"Put the varmints into irons, I guess," suggested Captain Abe. - -"Then who'll work the ship?" asked Jack. "There is bad weather -coming, judging by the glass and the look of things. Short-handed, -you'll be in a jolly tight corner. Those fellows have a grievance, -although they were in the wrong to kick up a shindy. I can't lend you -any hands, so what are you going to do?" - -"Dashed if I know," admitted Captain Abe, in perplexity. "Say, what -would you?" - -"You've been at sea a jolly sight longer than I have, I should say," -continued Villiers. "So it seems like teaching my grandmother to tell -you how to handle men. Meet them half-way. If you've a grievance and -they have one, there's always the Consular Courts to appeal to. -That's better than jumping round the deck with sheath-knives and -revolvers." - -"Guess you're about right," considered Captain Abe. "Just you sound -'em for me, young man. For my part, I'm willin'." - -Villiers went for'ard. In five minutes he had "talked over" the crew. -They, too, were willing to carry on as before, on the understanding -that a competent cook was shipped at the next port they touched. - -Jack, proud of his moral victory, shook hands with the Yankee skipper -and the two mates, and returned to the _Titania_. - -"It's all right, now, sir," he reported. "They're carrying on." - -At that moment the _Titania_, forging slowly ahead, was passing under -the stern and within half a cable's length of the becalmed _Lucy M. -Partington_. - -The latter's skipper caught sight of Pete sitting contentedly on the -cat-head. His eyes opened in utter amazement. - -"Pete!" he hailed. "Come you back!" - -The nigger shook his woolly head. - -"You kick me out, Cap'n Abe!" he reminded him. - -"Fifty dollars, Pete, if you swim for it," almost implored the -Yankee, finding as he thought an easy solution to the present -difficulty. - -Pete's head shook until his teeth almost rattled in his capacious -jaws. - -"Dere's no leather sea-boots with nails in 'em on dis vessel," he -replied. "Only indy-rubber. 'Specks I know where dis nigger am -comf'ble." - -Then, using an expression that he had picked up from his new -acquaintances on the _Titania_, he added: "Cheerio, you deah, -priceless ole thing!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -Advice and Bluff - - -"No, no, boy. Not 'la silence' but 'le silence'." - -"But, sir," protested the boy, "it's according to rule; it ends in a -silent 'e'." - -"An exception, Beverley," explained Mr. Jaques. "An exception. One of -the peculiarities of the French language. But this might help you to -remember. Silence is one of the things that a woman cannot keep, -therefore the French place that word in the masculine gender----" - -"I say, sir," interrupted Dick Beverley. "Look at that moth. Rather -late for this time of year, isn't it?" - -"Never mind the moth," said his house-master. "You'll see plenty of -varieties of moths during the next few months," he sighed, envious of -the high-spirited youth. "Now, say in French: 'Will you kindly tell -me the way to the police-station'. Good; 'poste' has two different -meanings: 'post-office' and 'police-station', according to gender. -Now say the same sentence in Italian. H'm, yes, passable. You have -that written slip of directions the Head gave you? And your Italian -passport: you're keeping that in a different pocket to your notes? -And don't address strangers on Continental railways. If in doubt ask -someone in uniform. All railway officials are in uniform on the other -side of the Channel, you know." - -Dick Beverley nodded. Already the well-meaning Mr. Jaques had dinned -the various and somewhat bewildering instructions and injunctions -into his excited head at least half a dozen times between Charing -Cross and Folkestone. But the boy's brain had closed its doors, -temporarily at least, to the advice of his house-master. On the eve -of a vast adventure it is often so, although before long a confidant -would be welcome. - -"Monsieur Deschamps will meet you at the Gare du Nord," continued Mr. -Jaques. "The journey across Paris is the most difficult part of the -business, but that difficulty will, I trust, be eliminated. I believe -there is a _wagon lit_ straight through from Paris to Brindisi." - -Dick again nodded, but his attention was centred on the animated -harbour as viewed from the lounge of the hotel. - -"From Brindisi," resumed the master, "you proceed to Taranto. If the -_Titania_ should not be there, what do you do?" - -"Stop at the Hotel d'Annunzio, Strada Miratore," replied Dick -promptly. He knew that bit. - -"That is so," agreed the pedantic Mr. Jaques; "and above all, be -discreet. Remember what I told you about 'silence'. I was given to -understand, during a brief interview with your brother, that absolute -discretion is necessary--not only for your own welfare but for the -people you are about to join. Remember also to keep your French paper -money in a different compartment of your pocket-book from your -Italian notes, and examine your change carefully. There is a lot of -bad money about in those countries, I believe." - -"Like a lot of bacon we get in England, sir," added the irrepressible -youth. - -Mr. Jaques nodded. He could well afford to be sympathetic on that -subject. - -"You have your keys, I hope," he asked, returning to the lengthy -exhortation to a juvenile traveller. "The _douaniers_--custom-house -people--will want to examine your luggage, you know." - -Dick produced the keys; a large jack-knife, a catapult, and a piece -of whip-cord were disclosed during the operation. - -"You had better let me have that catapult," observed the -house-master. "I cannot conceive why you should want to take a thing -like that away with you, especially as the possession of a catapult -is an offence against the rules of the school." - -Beverley junior surrendered the catapult cheerfully. After all it was -one of three that he carried about his person. - -Ten minutes later Mr. Jaques and Dick parted company on board the -cross-Channel steamer, the former to return with a feeling that he -had carried out a duty conscientiously, the latter realizing at last -that he was actually on the threshold of a big adventure. - -Dick remained on deck. Even the strong desire to go below, to see if -he could prevail upon the engineer to allow him to enter the -engine-room, was not enough to tear him from the sight of the -receding shores of Kent and the constant stream of shipping passing -to and fro on one of the main arteries of the world's maritime trade. - -He was a high-spirited youth, no better and no worse than the average -British schoolboy. He had received his colours at "footer", was a -moderate bat, could swim and box, and could ride almost any make of -motor-cycle and understand its mechanism as well. True, he hadn't a -motor-bike of his own, for the simple reason that funds wouldn't run -to it, but his unfailing good nature and ability to undertake -repairing jobs were sufficient to give him the run of the majority of -motor-cycles belonging to his fellow-boarders. - -Normally he was open and inclined to be communicative, but, with Mr. -Jaques' warning somewhere in the back of his brain, it was not -surprising that he showed a tendency to "choke off" an attempt at -conversation on the part of a fellow-passenger on the -Folkestone-Boulogne boat. - -"Your name's Beverley, isn't it?" inquired the stranger. Dick had -noticed him in the foyer of the hotel. - -"Yes," he replied shortly. "He can see that by reading the labels on -my luggage," he added mentally. - -"I know your father," continued the stranger. "My name's Wilson." - -"Really," rejoined Dick. "You didn't speak to him in the hotel, did -you?" - -"No," was the answer, after a moment's hesitation. "I saw you were -both talking very earnestly, and naturally one doesn't like to butt -in on the eve of parting." - -Dick considered. Either the "old buffer" had made a genuine mistake -or else he was trying to "pump him". Possibly the latter. - -"I'm going as far as Brindisi to meet my daughter from Egypt," -continued Mr. Wilson. "You are going farther, I see?" - -"Yes, to Taranto," replied Dick. "Cruising in the Mediterranean." - -"Then you are one of the _Titania's_ party." - -"Am I?" rejoined the lad. - -The stranger smiled. - -"Of course you are," he said. "And you are going farther than the -Mediterranean, I believe." - -"We were," declared Dick mendaciously, for he considered himself -quite justified in bluffing the fellow. "We were, but the long cruise -has been abandoned. Don't know why." - -"You'll be quite a traveller. Have you journeyed on the Continent -before?" - -Dick shook his head. - -"No? Then I'll have to give an eye to you," continued Mr. Wilson. -"Rather a long journey without having anyone to talk to." - -"Don't think I'd take it on if I were you, Mr. Wilson," said Dick in -a well-simulated, confidential tone. "You see, I'm let out before I -ought to be. I only came out of the sanny yesterday." - -"The sanny?" queried Mr. Wilson, in perplexity. - -"Yes, that is the sanatorium, you know," explained Dick, warming to -his part. "Scarlet fever; 'fraid I haven't quite finished peeling -yet." - -"Er--er--I don't quite understand," murmured the stranger uneasily, -moving back a pace. - -"Of course with proper precautions it may be all right," continued -the fever-stricken youth cheerfully. "I've been cautioned to keep to -the lee side of the boat so that the germs--beastly things -germs--don't get blown on the people. In the train I've got to keep -the window open at night, if other passengers don't object, and sniff -carbolic powder. But I'll be free from infection by the time we get -to Brindisi, I expect." - -Chuckling to himself, Dick watched Mr. Wilson beat a hurried retreat. - -"If I'd taken old Jaques' advice about keeping silence I'd have had -to have been awfully rude," he soliloquized. "As it is, I've put the -wind up him. Wonder who he is? And he said he knows my father, too. -That's rich!" - -He did not see Mr. Wilson again, save for a glimpse of his back at -the Gare du Nord, during the journey to the south of Italy. "Mr. -Wilson", or to give him his real name, Herr Kaspar von Giespert, -thought fit to alter his proposed route, for instead of proceeding -via Brindisi he booked to Marseilles, hoping to catch a Messageries -boat to Singapore. - -It was a pure coincidence that von Giespert and Dick were -fellow-passengers on the Folkestone-Boulogne boat, but Mr. Jaques' -over-cautious exhortation had given the Hun a clue. Happening to hear -the word _Titania_, von Giespert pricked up his ears. He decided to -sound the open-faced British boy; he might have succeeded but for an -initial false move in assuming that Jaques was Dick's parent. - -Von Giespert was cooling his heels at the southern French seaport -days after Dick Beverley joined the yacht _Titania_ at Taranto. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -Sunk in Collision - - -It was a dark, windless night. The _Titania_, under power, was -gliding through the tranquil waters of the Red Sea. The port watch -had just been relieved, and Bobby Beverley, having "handed over" to -Jack Villiers, lingered on the deck to have a yarn with his -particular chum. - -Already the port of Hodeida was left on the port quarter. Ahead lay -the reefs surrounding the dangerous Hanish Islands. Two miles astern -could be discerned the red, green, and white lights of a vessel that -was obviously overhauling the _Titania_ hand over fist. - -"Mail boat--P. & O. most likely," observed Beverley. "We needn't -worry about her--she's the overtaking vessel. Shan't be sorry to get -clear of the Red Sea. Too many Arab dhows sculling around without -lights to my fancy." - -"Enough to give a Board of Trade examiner a puzzler for the 'Rule of -the Road' stunt," remarked Villiers. "Do you remember that -white-bearded old buffer? I suppose it was the same fellow who -examined you. Tried to catch me out with the 'single red light on my -starboard bow', but I tumbled to it just in time. Narrow squeak, -though." - -"I remember him," replied Beverley. "He gave me a regular galaxy of -light, and asked what I would do. 'Put my helm hard down and clear -out', I told him. 'The best course, too', he agreed." - -"After knocking about at sea without lights for three years," said -Beverley, "it does seem a bit awkward to find yourself up against -'em. Something like that prisoner in the Bastille who asked to be -shut up again after he was released. Question of use, I suppose." - -"Light on the port bow, sir," sung out Merridew. - -At that distance only a red and a white light were visible, but by -the aid of his binoculars Villiers saw the gleam of the starboard -light. - -"Port helm," he ordered. - -The _Titania_ and the approaching vessel cleared each other easily, -but Villiers had little time to pay further attention to her. Ahead -were a number of dhows, strung out in an irregular line, practically -motionless in the flat calm. - -"Good heavens, what's that!" ejaculated Bobby. "There's an almighty -smash." - -How it occurred was a mystery, but the fact remained that the -overtaking liner and the vessel that had just passed the _Titania_ -were in collision. It was one of those instances that have taken -place and will take place in the future--unaccountable yet none the -less disastrous. In clear weather and in a perfectly calm sea two -steamers crashed into each other. - -Above the noise of grinding steel and the hiss of escaping steam came -a clamorous panic-stricken yell from hundreds of throats. - -"Not British this time," commented Jack, as he ordered the helm to be -put hard over and the boats swung out ready for lowering. - -"Get the searchlights running, Bobby," he added, "and inform the Old -Man." - -But the Old Man was at that moment bounding up the companion-ladder, -a conspicuous figure in his white drill uniform. - -Directly the two brilliant beams of the searchlights were brought -into action Harborough took in the situation at a glance. - -One of the colliding vessels was a liner. She was badly damaged -for'ard and was deep down by the bows. The other, a chartered Belgian -steamer conveying Mussulman pilgrims to Jiddah, the port of the Holy -City of Mecca, had already sunk, having been cut completely in two by -the impact. - -"Have those boats swung inboard again, Mr. Villiers," he ordered. -"We'll lay right alongside that fellow. There'll be time before she -goes." - -Villiers understood. The lessons learnt in the North Sea, where it -was an everyday task to place an M.L. alongside a huge lumbering -tramp, were not forgotten. To avoid delay in rescuing human lives -Harborough had ordered the _Titania_ to be manoeuvred alongside the -foundering liner. - -Even under normal conditions it would have been no easy task, but the -difficulties were increased tenfold, for while the colliding vessels -remained locked together, nearly a hundred frantic Mussulmans had -succeeded in clambering over the liner's shattered bows to find but a -temporary refuge on her decks. These, in addition to a very -cosmopolitan assortment of passengers, were already out of hand, -despite the firm efforts of the liner's officers and crew to maintain -discipline. There was a wild stampede for the boats--Arabs and -Europeans mingled in a suicidal and homicidal rush, with the result -that by the time the _Titania_ was within hailing distance one boat -only had been successfully lowered. The rest had either capsized or -were hanging vertically from the davits. Those of the passengers who -yet remained on board were either made of sterner stuff or else they -had been tamed by the sight of the fate that had befallen the -frenzied mob. As for the officers and crew of the foundering vessel, -they were doing their best to try and preserve order, but the sudden -addition of a swarm of pilgrims rendered their task almost -superhuman. - -Taking the helm, Harborough adroitly manoeuvred the _Titania_ until -she lost way within ten yards of the sinking vessel. Instantly there -was another rush on the part of the utterly demoralized Mussulmans. - -"Women and children first!" roared Harborough. "Does anyone on board -speak Swahili or Arabic? If so, tell those blacks to keep back. I'll -shoot the first man who jumps without permission." - -Apparently some of the pilgrims understood English, or else they -guessed the purport of Harborough's words. Calm again succeeded the -paroxysm of cowardice. - -Carefully avoiding the outswung davits of the huge vessel, Harborough -brought the _Titania_ alongside so neatly and carefully that there -was hardly any need to employ fenders to absorb the shock. Even -though the ship was foundering she towered high above the yacht, -thereby rendering the task of transhipping the survivors a somewhat -difficult one. Had there been any sea running the operation would -have been hazardous, but _lifting_ upon the very gentle swell the -vessels, large and small, lay almost motionless, although momentarily -the former was settling deeper and deeper by the head. - -Half a dozen women and children were the first to be received on -board the yacht. Then came thirty or forty passengers, mostly French, -but with a sprinkling of Italians and Dutchmen. Then the survivors of -the pilgrim-ship were allowed on board, where, thinking themselves -safe, they squatted on deck and took no further interest in the -proceedings, or, if they did, they concealed it under a cloak of -Oriental impassivity. Then followed the crew, most of whom had found -time to collect their personal belongings, for nearly every man held -a bundle made of a coloured handkerchief filled to its utmost -capacity. Last of all came the officers, the dark-featured, -white-haired Breton captain bringing up the rear. - -He seemed reluctant to leave, and not until Harborough shouted a -warning did the little Frenchman leap. It was not a moment too soon, -for by this time the liner's bows were awash and water was entering -the boiler-rooms. - -The _Titania_, her decks resembling a Bank Holiday Margate steamer, -and submerged two feet above her water-line, backed slowly away, -keeping her searchlight still running in the hope that they might see -other survivors from the sunken pilgrim-ship. - -"We're lucky," remarked Harborough to Villiers. "Decidedly lucky, -otherwise I wouldn't give much for our chances if there had been a -sea running. By Jove! What a pack. Makes one think of the good old -days when Fritz started running amok with his U-boats." - -"What are we doing with this lot, sir?" asked Jack. - -"Run 'em into Massowah," replied the skipper of the _Titania_. "Seems -to be the easier way out of the difficulty. Massowah's a bit out of -our course, but it's an Italian port. They can't detain us to give -evidence in a Court of Inquiry. At Aden we might be held up. Hallo! -There she goes." - -The French liner _Cité d'Arras_ was on the point of disappearing. -With the _Titania's_ searchlights flashed upon the scene, her -stricken hull looked as though it were fashioned of silver. Her stern -was high out of the water, and, after the _Titania_ had pushed off, -she had developed a terrific list to starboard. - -A hush fell upon the crowd on the _Titania's_ deck. All eyes were -directed upon the sinking vessel, even the Mussulmans abandoning -their hitherto impassive attitude to gaze upon the scene. - -Steam was still issuing in dense clouds from her boiler-rooms; jets -of water expelled by compressed air leapt high above her listing -masts as the eddying, foaming water encroached upon her decks. - -Then, with a movement not unlike the convulsive spring of a mortally -wounded animal, the stricken craft lifted until her twin-propellers -were clear of the water. For perhaps ten seconds she remained thus; -then, to the accompaniment of a loud roar as her displaced boilers -exploded, she disappeared from sight. - -Harborough rang for full speed ahead. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -What did Dick Do? - - -Literally forcing his way along the crowded deck, Bobby Beverley went -below to make up arrears of sleep. At the foot of the -companion-ladder he encountered Claverhouse, on whom the task of -providing accommodation 'tween decks for the women and children -rescued from the _Cité d'Arras_ had fallen. - -"Do you know your young brother's been in the ditch?" inquired Alec. - -"By Jove!" exclaimed Bobby. "Is that a fact? Where is he?" - -"Fact," confirmed Claverhouse. "At the present time he's shedding his -wet gear in your cabin." - -Dick Beverley looked a little confused when his brother appeared. As -a matter of fact he had changed his saturated garments, and was in -the act of attempting to remove all traces of the pools of water from -the floor when the cabin door was thrown open and Bobby entered. - -"What silly game have you been up to?" inquired Beverley Major -sternly. - -"Only got a bit wet," replied Beverley Minor. "Nothing much; I'll -soon get your cabin straight, Bob." - -"How did it happen?" demanded Bobby. - -"Sort of slipped in," declared Dick. - -"Pushed in?" - -"Well, there was a bit of a crush," observed Dick diplomatically. - -"You young ass!" ejaculated his brother. "I suppose you know the -water's teeming with sharks?" - -Dick admitted that he was aware of the unpleasant fact. He had seen -them following the yacht soon after she left Suez. - -"How did you get on board again?" asked Bobby. - -"Trevear hauled me up with a rope," replied Dick simply. "I wasn't in -for more than fifteen seconds." - -"Time enough for you to have been bitten in two," rejoined Bobby. -"All right, carry on and wipe up the mess. I want to turn in." - -He went out, leaving Dick to complete his self-appointed task, to -seek Trevear and gain further particulars, since his brother was -obviously "lying low". - -He found the R.A.F. pilot talking French as spoken on the Somme in -1918 to a pair of children whose home was at Oléron in the -Department of the Basses-Pyrénées. The result was not altogether a -success, although by a wealth of dumb show Trevear contrived to keep -the children amused. - -"They've shoved me in charge of the crèche, old bird," he observed. -"Know it's no use offering you a cigarette; try some of this." - -He extended a well-used and bulky tobacco-pouch. - -"What's on your chest, old man?" he continued. - -"Something my young brother's been doing," rejoined Beverley. - -"Eh, what's that?" asked Trevear, raising his eyebrows and simulating -an air of complete ignorance. - -"I want you to tell me exactly how he got into the ditch," declared -Bobby. - -"You know that much, then?" rejoined Trevear. "Non, non. Taisez-vous; -c'est defendu de puller mon hair (that was an aside addressed to his -charges, who, finding themselves ignored, reasserted their presence -by tugging vigorously at the ex-airman's closely-cropped hair). All -right, then; s'pose I'm no longer bound to secrecy. While we were -lying alongside the Frenchman, young Dick spotted someone in the -water--one of the Arab crowd. Before I knew what he was up to--I -thought he was going to sling the fellow a coil of rope--he took a -turn round his waist with the end of a line and jumped overboard. -Pete and I hiked him back in double quick time, 'cause the Arab -fellow was trying to drag him under. Yes, we got the pair of 'em just -as a brute of a shark turned on his back and showed his ugly jaws. -Gave me a bit of a turn, and I fancy young Dick had the wind up after -it was all over. That youngster's got some pluck, old son." - -Trevear would doubtless have held to his compact with Dick Beverley, -but it was obvious that the secret would out, as Pete had been a -witness of the affair. The negro had already told O'Loghlin and -Swaine, and they, in turn, had communicated the news of the exploit -to others. - -Bobby returned to his cabin. Dick, having completed the tidying-up -process, had turned in. His brother went to the side of the bunk. - -"Dick," he said softly. "You're a silly young ass, but I'm proud of -you." - -It was broad daylight when Bobby Beverley awoke to find Pete standing -by his bunk with a cup of tea. Already the air was insufferably hot, -in spite of the fact that the port-hole was wide open and an electric -fan running. Without, the sun beat fiercely down, its hot rays -glancing obliquely from the mirror-like surface of the water. On deck -the tramp of many feet showed that the survivors of the catastrophe -were giving signs of activity. - -Looking at the clock, Bobby saw that he had but twenty minutes before -going on deck to take over his watch. A plunge into a bath of tepid -water, shaving and dressing, occupied half the allotted time; then, -making a hurried breakfast, the watch-keeping officer went on deck. - -The _Titania_ was approaching Massowah, somewhat to the discontent of -many of the ex-passengers of the _Cité d'Arras_, who wanted to be -landed at the French colony of Obock farther down the coast and just -below the Bab el Mandeb. But Harborough had decided otherwise. The -objection to calling at Aden applied equally well to putting into -Obock, so willy-nilly the survivors had to accept the hospitality of -the Italian colony until they found means of resuming their -interrupted journeys. - -The moment the anchor was dropped and the yacht lost way the -_Titania_ was surrounded by a fleet of small boats. Into them the -rescued people were placed and taken ashore, not before an impromptu -meeting had been held on deck and a vote of thanks delivered in -broken English by a tall, corpulent Frenchman who was about to take -up a Consular appointment in China. - -"Do you know what, in my opinion, is the height of embarrassment," -asked Harborough, addressing his crew in general after the departure -of the cosmopolitan crowd. "No? I'll tell you; being kissed on both -cheeks by a demonstrative bearded Frenchman, with the temperature 125 -degrees in the shade." - -"Jolly funny thing," remarked Dick to his brother. "I met one of the -liner's passengers on the Boulogne boat--a Mr. Wilson." - -"Really?" remarked Bobby, to whom the announcement conveyed little -interest. In his own experience the world was small, and he was used -to knocking up against acquaintances, chance or otherwise, at various -odd times. "Speak to him?" - -"No," replied the lad. "For one thing, I didn't notice him until he -had left the _Titania_ and was sitting in the boat. For another, I -didn't want to." - -"Why not?" asked Bobby. When Dick took a dislike to anyone there was -usually a sound reason. - -The schoolboy told how "Mr. Wilson" had tried to pump him. - -"By Jove!" exclaimed Jack Villiers, who was with Bobby at this time. -"Pity you hadn't let us know half an hour ago. That's old Borgen for -a million. He's on his way to join the _Zug_." - -"And what would you have done?" inquired Dick, forming a mental -picture of burly Jack Villiers and "Mr. Wilson" fighting _à -l'outrance_ on the deck of the good ship _Titania_. - -"Done?" echoed Villiers. "I owe him one for sand-bagging me--or -getting his minions to do so, which comes to practically the same -thing. I'd have kept him under the influence of morphia for the next -twenty-four hours and taken him to sea with us. Then we'd see how the -rival crush got on without a figurehead. We'll have to inform the -skipper." - -Harborough received the news with his inscrutable smile. - -"'Tany rate he's boxed up in Massowah for a week or ten days and he's -lost all his kit. That's rather put the lid on his activities for a -bit. But since he owes us something for saving his life I hope he -won't bear us a grudge on that account." - -Three hours later, having shipped an additional two hundred gallons -of oil and replenished the water-tanks, the _Titania_ weighed and -resumed her voyage. - -It was a long, tedious stretch across the Arabian Sea, for more than -2500 miles lay between the yacht and the port of Colombo. For the -most part there was little wind. When there was any it was generally -too much ahead to give the vessel a useful slant, for it was the time -of the north-east monsoon. Consequently, the heavy oil-engines were -kept running almost continuously. - -The _Titania_ passed to the south'ard of the Island of Socotra, which -was the last land sighted for a space of twelve days. - -"India's coral strand" was a wash-out as far as Dick was concerned, -for the _Titania_ passed a good hundred miles to the south'ard of -Cape Comorin, but at sunrise on the following morning the lad had a -distant view of Adam's Peak, its prominent outlines silhouetted -against the rapidly-growing light. - -Two days in Colombo Harbour gave the crew a much-needed rest before -tackling the almost as long voyage across to Singapore. - -Thence, threading her way cautiously between the islands of the Java -and Banda Seas, and encountering no adventure in the shape of Malay -pirates (somewhat to Dick's disappointment), the _Titania_ approached -the outward limit of her long voyage. - -Towards the latter end of the run Harborough rarely left the deck. He -slept in the chart-house, going below for his meals and returning -with the utmost haste. His usual coolness was noticeably absent. He -was restless and uncommunicative, often pacing the deck for hours -with hardly a word to anyone. - -At length, shortly after daybreak, he touched Villiers on the -shoulder and pointed to a rugged mountain-top just showing above the -horizon. - -"That's Ni Telang," he announced. "If I've worked our cards properly -we ought to find the _Zug_ there searching for treasure that does not -exist." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -The Wrong Island - - -"Putting in there, sir?" asked Beverley, finding his chief inclined -to become communicative. - -"I was debating," replied Harborough. "I want to, and yet I don't -want to. Fact is, I can't make up my mind." - -Villiers, Beverley, and Claverhouse, who with the skipper formed the -party on deck, gazed steadfastly upon the distant peaks of Ni Telang. -Each man wanted to study the expressions on his companions' faces, -but somehow every one hesitated to do so. The admission of indecision -coming from the hitherto somewhat despotic skipper of the _Titania_ -rather took the wind out of their sails. - -"What's your opinion on the matter, Villiers?" inquired Harborough -abruptly. - -"You wish to satisfy yourself that our rivals are slogging away on -the wrong spot?" - -"Exactly," replied the baronet. "I suppose it's rather childish, but -somehow I want to enjoy the spectacle of seeing the _Zug's_ crew -figuratively tumble into the pit they suppose they've dug for others. -On the other hand, we are anxious to get to work, and on that account -perhaps it would be as well to slip past Ni Telang unobserved and -carry on to Nua Leha. It will take us some time, I fancy, to locate -the wreck." - -"I would suggest, sir," remarked Claverhouse, "that we make straight -for Nua Leha and get to work. Trevear and I could have a joy-ride -over to Ni Telang and see what sort of game the Huns are up to." - -"They'd spot the sea-plane," objected Bobby Beverley. "That wouldn't -be advisable in the initial stages of the salvage operations." - -"Then what is your scheme, Beverley?" asked Harborough, reaching down -for a large-scale chart of the islands that lay in a locker under the -chart-house table. - -"We could make a trip in one of our boats," replied Beverley. "You -couldn't, Villiers, old son; they know you already. We could pitch up -a yarn that we are on a fishing expedition and have got blown away -from our ship. For that purpose we would be Yanks from the U.S. yacht -_Narrunga_. No doubt friend Strauss would bluff us, but he daren't -refuse to let us land for fresh water." - -"Quite a sound scheme, Beverley," agreed Harborough. "I think we'll -act upon it when we get to Nua Leha.... A couple of points to the -south'ard for the present, quartermaster. East-a-half-south will do." - -"East-a-half-south, sir," intoned Merridew in professional style. - -Keeping to the new course, the _Titania_ passed a good ten miles from -the island of Ni Telang. At that distance, although the peaks were -plainly visible in the clear atmosphere, the low-lying land and the -surrounding barrier of coral reefs were below the horizon. There was -a strong temptation to ascertain whether the _Zug_ had already -arrived, but, once a decision was arrived at, Harborough put the -question firmly from his mind. - -Almost before the peaks of Ni Telang dipped below the horizon other -land appeared above the skyline, bearing E by N.1/2N. - -"We'll broach that case of champagne to-night, all being well," -declared Harborough, whose fit of indecision had now passed. He gave -another glance at the chart. Almost daily for the last three months -he had studied that canvas-backed sea-map of the approaches to Nua -Leha; and now the vision of tomorrow had become the reality of -to-day. - -"Keep her as she is," he continued. "There's plenty of water for a -bit. I'm going to turn in. If I'm not awake by one bell in the first -dog watch turn me out." - -"Very good, sir," replied Villiers. - -The _Titania_ was bowling along under canvas at a good seven knots. -It was one of those rather exceptional days when the breeze held true -and the vessel was able to cut through the clear blue water without -any necessity on the part of the crew either to increase or reduce -canvas, or to touch a sheet. The weather-shrouds were tautened like -harp strings as the yacht lay over at an almost constant angle of -thirty degrees from the perpendicular. The spray hissed from her -cutwater, and burbled pleasantly past her sides, leaving a clean wake -astern. - -All hands, including Pete, who was now entirely "in the know", were -tremendously excited as the distance between the _Titania_ and her -goal decreased. - -Yet the island appeared to rise above the blue horizon with provoking -slowness. By noon it was just possible to discern three jagged peaks -that rose to a height of two thousand five hundred feet above the -sea-level, the intervening valleys being a good thousand feet lower. -To the northward the ground sloped gradually until it vanished in the -haze of mingled sea and sky. - -By four o'clock the white line marking the surf upon the outer reef -was visible. By the aid of glasses it could be seen that the lower -portion of the island was much-wooded, coco-nut palms predominating. -The upper land was well covered with grass, but the higher peaks were -bare and rugged, indicating their volcanic origin. - -Five minutes later Harborough anticipated himself by coming on deck. -He had slept the sleep of mental and bodily exhaustion, and although -he still looked tired he had lost the grey, haggard expression that -had been his constant companion for the last ten days. - -"We'll have to approach from the eastern side," he remarked. "There -is a passage on this side, but I don't care to risk it. The lead's -precious little use in these parts." - -He swept the island with his binoculars, and then turned abruptly -upon Bobby Beverley. - -"Tell Swaine to go aloft," he ordered. "Conning the ship from the -cross-trees is the best means of getting across the bar. Mr. -Villiers, see that there's a kedge aft ready to let go. You might as -well stow canvas. The wind will be heading us round the corner." - -While these orders were being executed O'Loghlin went below to start -up his beloved motors. He usually spent the greater part of his -waking hours below tinkering with the engines. Even in the Red Sea -and in the sweltering heat of the Malacca Straits he kept up the -performance, and the hitherto-neglected engines were now a picture of -polished and easy-running mechanism. - -Keeping within a distance of two miles from the reef, the _Titania_ -skirted the south-eastern sides of the island. Although a careful -watch was maintained there were no signs of human habitation ashore, -except a ruined hut that might have been built by the crew of a -trading-vessel during their search for bêche-de-mer. - -"Good thing there are no natives," remarked Harborough "They'd only -tend to complicate matters. We wouldn't dare leave any stores on the -beach; they'd vanish. Right-o, Swaine; up aloft with you." - -Like a cat Swaine swarmed up aloft, hand over hand, by means of the -throat-halyards, for the _Titania_ was not fitted with ratlines. -Barely had he settled himself on the cross-trees when he shouted: - -"Vessel at anchor in the lagoon, sir!" - -"By Jove!" ejaculated Villiers, and without expressing his thoughts -he, too, went aloft. - -Beyond a low-lying spur of land fringed with an irregular line of -coco-nut palms, he could discern the upper parts of the hull and the -mast and funnel of a steamer. She had evidently only recently -arrived, for smoke was issuing from her funnel. - -"It's the _Zug_, sir," he announced. - -The explosion of a 42-centimetre shell could hardly have produced -greater surprise. Beating her rival only by a few hours, the _Zug_ -had dropped anchor not at Ni Telang but at Nua Leha, and almost over -the spot where the wreck of the _Fusi Yama_ was supposed to be lying. -By what freak of fortune had von Giespert's minions chosen that spot, -when, had they acted upon instructions given in the false chart, they -should have been fifty miles to the west'ard? - -"That's a nasty one, sir," remarked Villiers, as he gained the deck. - -"It is," agreed Harborough briefly. He was rapidly forming a plan of -action rendered necessary by the totally unexpected turn of events. - -To enter the lagoon and dispute the right of possession with the -rival expedition would almost certainly end in bloodshed, and this -Harborough was loth to provoke. Nor was he willing to come to terms -with them. On the other hand, he was not going to give up his chances -and those of his fellow-adventurers. Something had to be done and -that quickly, for in another five minutes the _Titania_ would be -visible from the _Zug's_ decks. - -"Make all plain sail," ordered Harborough. "We'll beat back to Ni -Telang. It's possible that we may lure 'em out." - -Quickly fore and aft canvas was set, and, close-hauled on the port -tack, the _Titania_ skirted the western side of the island. It was -soon evident that her presence was observed, for with true Hunnish -effrontery the _Zug_ gave a long blast on her syren and hoisted the -German colours. - -"So much for the Swedish myth," commented Harborough. "Fritz likes to -crow when he thinks he's on top. Now we'll see if the fish will -bite." - -Apparently the _Zug's_ crew were puzzled when the approaching British -vessel, instead of turning and entering the lagoon, held on a course -parallel to the reef. As a matter of fact, owing to a miscalculation -on the part of Captain Siegfried Strauss, the steamer had anchored -off Nua Leha, under the impression that she was at Ni Telang. The -merest fluke prevented this error from leading to the accidental -discovery of the sunken treasure of the _Fusi Yama_. - -But when the _Titania_ held on, Strauss began to puzzle his brains. -If this were the island he could not understand why the Englishmen -should admit defeat so tamely. Something was wrong somewhere. - -He checked his chronometer and sextant readings and revised his -figures. Suddenly he gave a howl of angry astonishment. There was an -error making a difference of fifty-five minutes of longitude. - -With an oath he shouted for the cable to be hove short, at the same -time ringing to the engine-room to "stand by", ignoring von Giespert -(who had joined the ship at Batavia), and was demanding an -explanation. - -"I have the speed of that craft," he decided. "I'll beat her yet." - -"She's weighing, sir," reported Villiers, who had been keeping the -_Zug_ under observation by means of powerful binoculars. "They've -steam on her winch." - -Harborough's rugged features wore a weird smile. - -"That's the stuff to give 'em," he exclaimed. "Tell O'Loghlin to give -her full throttle. We'll have to keep up the pretence." - -With every stitch of canvas set and both engines developing their -utmost horse-power, the _Titania_ skirted the eastern and -north-eastern extremities of Nua Leha. So far the wind helped her, -but presently she would be headed by the breeze. - -Before an intervening headland cut off a view of the lagoon it was -seen that the _Zug_ was actually under way. Harborough's bluff looked -like succeeding. At all events the rival concern was being lured away -from the maritime Tom Tiddler's ground. - -"So she hasn't located the wreck," commented Harborough, as pleased -as a dog with two tails. "We'll let her beat us on the last lap." - -"It will be dark before they arrive," remarked Beverley. - -"So much the better," rejoined Harborough. "If they choose to pile -her upon the reef that's their affair. I wouldn't risk it." - -The excitement of the speed-contest killed all sense of -disappointment at having to retrace their course. For once at least -Harborough evinced greater interest in what lay astern than in what -lay ahead. - -"There she is," exclaimed half a dozen voices, as the _Zug's_ bows -appeared from behind the headland. - -A dense column of smoke was pouring from her funnel, and, judging by -the size of the "bone in her teeth", she was chugging through the -water at a pace that threatened overheated bearings and sundry other -troubles in the engine-room. - -"I reckon she's doing a good couple of knots more than the old -_Titania_," declared Villiers, who, having been busy with the stowing -of canvas, had strolled aft to watch the overhauling craft. "It's a -wonder that they don't open fire on us through sheer force of habit." - -"They'd like to, I don't doubt," rejoined Harborough. "I wouldn't be -surprised if she suddenly ports her helm when she's abreast of us. -We'll have to watch her." - -"She's slowing down," exclaimed Bobby. "That's engine-trouble." - -"I think not," said Harborough. "She's easing down because she knows -she has the heels of us. She's letting us pilot her, but I'll bet -when she sights land she'll go all out again. Right-o, Fritz, go your -own gait, I don't mind, s'long as you keep clear of Nua Leha." - -An hour later the look-out reported land ahead. The three peaks of Ni -Telang were showing above the horizon, standing out clearly against -the late afternoon sun. - -Viewed from the east'ard, there was a strong similarity between the -two islands, so that, apart from the Hun navigator's error in -determining his position, the mistake was to a certain extent -explicable. - -For the next hour the _Zug_ hung resolutely at the heels of her -rival; then, apparently satisfied as to the precise locality of the -goal, she increased speed, and in a blatant bullying fashion -overhauled and passed the smaller and slower _Titania_. - -The Hun bulwarks were lined with stolid-looking men whose faces -looked like masks concealing a vulgar triumph. The _Titania's_ people -simply ignored them. The common courtesies of the high seas were -dispensed with; there were no dipping of ensigns and exchange of -signals. For all the outward notice she attracted, the _Zug_ might -have been non-existent. - -There was no lowering of screens revealing a battery of quick-firers; -no foaming track of a torpedo; no attempt on the part of the Hun to -put his helm hard over and ram his rival. No doubt the desire to do -so was present, but the fear of detection and consequent punishment -was too great. - -It was soon obvious to von Giespert and his henchman Strauss that the -race was by no means a decided event. There was little doubt but that -the German-owned vessel would arrive off the island first, but in the -race against darkness the latter would win easily. - -With the suddenness common to tropical climes, the short twilight -gave place to intense darkness. There was no moon and the stars were -obscured. The _Titania_ displayed her navigation light, but the _Zug_ -apparently did not. She might have shown her port and starboard -lights, but even by the aid of night-glasses no red and green blurr -was visible from the _Titania_; nor did the leading vessel hoist a -stern light. All that indicated her presence was a phosphorescent -swirl in the water under her stumpy counter, and an occasional -display of sparks from her funnel. - -Harborough could well afford to hold on, although the low-lying reefs -of Ni Telang were not so many miles away. Following in the wake of -the _Zug_, he knew that the Hun vessel would give him fair warning of -the partly-submerged danger, because if the Hun tramp piled herself -upon the coral there would be sufficient time for the _Titania_ to -port her helm hard over and avoid the danger. - -But presently the _Zug_ ported her helm. She had now displayed her -navigation lights, and the white and green showed two points on the -_Titania's_ starboard bow. - -"She's funked it, by Jove!" ejaculated Villiers. - -"And I don't blame her," added Harborough, straining his ears to -catch the sound of the roar of the surf above the steady pulsations -of the engines. "Now we'll have to watch her. It's like a game of -musical chairs with two players for a solitary vacant seat. We'll -have to keep our end up till dawn, and then we'll let them slip in." - -It was an eerie night. Except those whose duties required them to be -below, the _Titania's_ crew remained on deck. Up and down on a -four-mile beat parallel to the eastern side of Ni Telang the two -vessels cruised, passing and repassing each other like two dogs -"ready to wound and yet afraid to strike ". Occasionally the -_Titania_ played her searchlights upon the island in order to verify -her position, although Harborough took good care not to let the beams -bear upon the rival ship. - -Shortly after midnight the _Zug_ attempted the passage through the -reef. By the aid of an Aldis lamp in her bows she cautiously -approached the gap in the line of foam that showed ghastly-white in -the tropical darkness. But almost at the moment of success Strauss's -nerve failed him, and, reversing engines, the German vessel backed -away. - -At length Harborough consulted the luminous dial of his wristlet -watch. - -"It'll be dawn in another ten minutes," he announced. "We'll carry on -a little longer than usual on this course, and let them think we've -been caught napping." - -His surmise was correct. The _Titania_ was three miles off the N.E. -extremity of the island, when the lofty peaks were lighted up with -the blush of a new-born day. The _Zug_, marking time off the entrance -to the lagoon, promptly took the narrow channel through the reef, -rolling heavily as she passed the jagged fringe of surf-swept coral. -Then, with a rush and a roar, her cable tore through the hawse-pipe -and she came to a standstill, head to wind, off the Island of Ni -Telang. Harborough smiled grimly. - -"You've hit the wrong island this time, old son," he exclaimed -contentedly. "But it was a narrow squeak for us." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -Nua Leha - - -Twenty minutes later, conned by Swaine from the fore cross-trees, the -_Titania_ followed her duped rival into the lagoon. It was as yet too -early to pretend to abandon the enterprise. The deception had to be -maintained until von Giespert was fully convinced that he was on the -right track. - -A cast of the lead gave fifteen fathoms. - -"Let go!" ordered Harborough. "Fifteen fathoms will give those -fellows plenty to do to search for an imaginary wreck. Give her fifty -fathoms of cable, Mr. Villiers; then we'll pipe all hands to -breakfast." - -Meals on board the _Titania_ were always plenteous repasts, for -Harborough realized that a well-fed crew meant efficiency and -capacity for work; but upon this occasion the breakfast was a -sumptuous one. There was no hurry; the primary object of the night's -vigil had been accomplished, and the _Zug_ had been enticed a full -fifty miles away from the golden cargo of the sunken _Fusi Yama_. So -all hands breakfasted in style, after which the watch below turned in -and the duty watch began the customary routine. - -Harborough was enjoying a cigar in the after-cabin when he heard a -hail from on deck, "Boat ahoy!" - -"Thought the blighter couldn't resist the temptation to try and pull -my leg," he soliloquized, as he glanced into a mirror to assure -himself that his appearance was fitting as captain of a British -yacht. - -"Boat from the _Zug_, sir," reported Merridew. - -Harborough went on deck to receive his uninvited guests. - -The _Zug's_ gig was already alongside, manned by four hands in -white-canvas suits. In the stern sheets sat von Giespert and Captain -Strauss. - -Von Giespert raised his cap as he came over the side. Harborough -punctiliously returned the salute, but feigned to overlook the -proffered hand. - -"Sir Hugh Harborough, I presume," said the German. - -"Mr. Borgen," rejoined Harborough. - -The Hun shrugged his shoulders. - -"Perhaps it would be better if I introduced myself as Herr Kaspar von -Giespert," he said. - -Harborough showed no surprise at the announcement. - -"That is not really necessary, Herr von Giespert," he remarked. "But -I thought that perhaps you preferred to continue to sail under your -false colours." - -Von Giespert waved a podgy hand deprecatingly. - -"I think we understand one another," he declared, with mock humility. -"The war is over, and peace is an established fact. You Englishmen -were ever generous to a beaten foe, and I feel certain that you will -be willing to shake hands and forget the regrettable happenings of -the past four and a half years." - -"Speaking for my fellow-countrymen," replied Harborough, "and I think -I'm voicing their opinions, I am in accord with what you say up to a -certain point. Generosity to the vanquished has always been a -Briton's strong point, but, unfortunately for Germany, her -utterly-vile conduct during the war, until she knew the game was up, -is sufficient to put her outside the pale for the next generation. -However, I don't suppose you came here to be lectured upon the -conduct of your compatriots. Suppose you get straight to the point -and state your business." - -"We are both here on the same quest," said von Giespert suavely. "In -England there is a proverb: 'First come, first served'." - -"Quite so," agreed Harborough gravely. "There is also another: 'A -fair field and no favour'. However, you haven't made yourself clear. -Pray continue." - -"Being first upon the scene," continued the German, "I claim a right -to conduct uninterrupted operations. My vessel lies almost over the -wreck, therefore I object to your working within a couple of cables -of her. That, I think, is a fair and reasonable request." - -"Have you always been fair and reasonable in your transactions, Herr -von Giespert?" inquired Harborough. - -"Certainly," replied von Giespert in a tone of virtuous indignation. - -"You would not, for instance," continued the baronet in firm, even -tones, "you would not lower yourself to the extent of kidnapping one -of my officers (possibly under the mistaken impression that it was -I), hoping to throw my plans out of gear?" - -"Your insinuation surprises me," exclaimed von Giespert. "I cannot -understand why you should voice it." - -"Supposing I am in a position to prove that you would do such a -thing," resumed Harborough, "would you be willing to abandon your -claim to the treasure?" - -"I would," answered the German hastily, somewhat to Harborough's -surprise. - -"Villiers!" he called out. "Come here a minute." - -Both von Giespert and Strauss turned a sickly yellow hue when Jack -Villiers, cool and unperturbed, stepped briskly out of the -chart-house. The Huns had up to that moment imagined that he had been -drowned after he took his flying leap from the deck of the _Zug_. - -"You've lost, Herr Giespert," said Harborough. "A charge of attempted -murder would land you in a very tight corner. That, however, is Mr. -Villiers' affair." - -"No harm done," declared Villiers. "We'll call it a case of mistaken -identity when you sand-bagged me, Herr Strauss. It was an episode--an -experience that will come in useful if ever I take to literature. I -might call it an asset, so we'll wipe off that account." - -The Germans were dumbfounded. They failed utterly to grasp the young -Englishman's attitude. Von Giespert, desperate, even when losing, -tried to bargain. - -"Suppose, Sir Hugh," he resumed, "suppose we work in partnership--on -equal shares? Surely, after all the expense to which we have been -put, you will not deprive us of a chance of recovering our losses?" - -Harborough was on the point of declaring bluntly that he wanted no -truck with a Hun, when he remembered the main thread of his scheme. - -"I'm dead off partnerships," he replied. "You've lost, and you must -accept my terms. I think if it came to a question of force I'd still -hold the whip-hand. However, that issue rests with you. You claim -priority. I'll admit that. You can just carry on in your own sweet -way for a month. It's up to you to slog in like blue blazes and get -the stuff before the expiration of the time-limit. Got that? Good -enough; good morning." - -The still-bewildered Huns backed away to the gangway and descended to -their boat. On the face of it they could hardly credit their good -fortune. Their rivals had unaccountably retired from the contest, -leaving them in uninterrupted possession of the lagoon for a whole -month. With reasonable luck the wreck ought to be located and the -gold transferred to the _Zug_ in a fortnight. - -Half an hour later in the stateroom of each ship an almost identical -performance was in progress. On board the _Titania_ Harborough was -receiving the congratulations of his fellow-adventurers on his -successful strategy; on the _Zug_ von Giespert and Strauss were -shaking hands with each other and drinking with the rest of the -ship's officers to the success of the next month's labours. - -At noon the _Titania_ weighed. It was a calm day with not enough air -to give the yacht steerage-way. Under power she slipped through the -entrance to the broad lagoon, and shaped a course that was certainly -not in the direction of Nua Leha. - -"She's dipping, sir!" announced Merridew, indicating the German -vessel. - -The _Zug_ dipped her red, white, and black ensign thrice, a hollow -compliment that the _Titania_ duly returned. Both crews, being firmly -under the impression that they had scored heavily, could well afford -these courtesies. - -Upon passing beyond the ten-fathom line--which, owing to the fact -that the reef was steep-to, was but a couple of hundred yards beyond -the foam-lashed barrier--the _Titania's_ helm was ported and she -shaped a southerly course. This she held until the high peaks of Ni -Telang were almost hidden by the skyline, then altering course she -made for her goal. - -There was now a steady following breeze which, although not so -favourable as one broad on the beam, enabled her to keep up a fair -speed without having recourse to the motors, and at one bell in the -first dog watch she crossed the bar of Nua Leha. It was exactly at -dead-low water, yet there were at least five feet under the yacht's -keel. That meant that, unless there were a nasty breaking sea on a -bar, the entrance was available at any state of the tide, which even -at spring never ranged more than four feet six inches. - - -[Illustration: THE GERMANS WERE DUMFOUNDED] - - -The _Titania_ moored in nine fathoms, with her main anchor laid out -in the direction of the reef, at about two hundred and fifty yards -from the sandy shore of a small bay. At its northern extremity the -bold headland of the bay almost touched the reef, there being a -passage of about fifty yards leading to the next section of the -lagoon. - -"A south-easter is the only wind likely to trouble us," observed -Villiers. "The reef will keep a lot of the sea down, but it's so low -that there's bound to be a fairly-heavy tumble." - -"What sort of bottom have we?" asked Harborough. - -"Mud and pieces of coral rock," replied Villiers. "If the wreck's -anywhere about we'll find the water pretty muddy. But it's good -holding ground. The sandy part of the lagoon is clear enough, but I -wouldn't care to trust the fluke of an anchor in it." - -"Let's hope the wreck is on a sandy bottom," rejoined Harborough. -"However, that remains to be proved. We'll breach that case of -champagne now, lads; after that it's general leave ashore. There'll -be time for a stretch before sunset." - -This programme was duly carried out. The boats were lowered and armed -merely on the principle that it was wise to take precautions--and -with the exception of Merridew, who volunteered as ship-keeper, all -hands landed on the sandy beach. - -"Look at that young brother of yours!" remarked Trevear, drawing -Bobby's attention to Dick's rolling gait. "The champagne's got into -his upper story." - -"He didn't have any," declared Bobby; then, overtaking his -erratically-moving relative, he asked: - -"What's the matter, Dick?" - -"Matter?" echoed the lad. "Wish I knew, Bobby. The ground's coming up -to meet me every step I take." - -"Merely the effect of being so long on board," explained Villiers. -"I've felt the same sort of thing myself. Now, Dick, I'll race you to -that tree. A coco-nut for the winner, and the loser's got to find it. -Ready? Go!" - -Dick won by a yard, and breathlessly he watched the agile Villiers -swarm up a young palm until he reached the cluster of broad-leaved -foliage at the top. - -"Stand away from under," he cautioned. - -Down came a green nut. Dick seized upon it with avidity and proceeded -to crack it with a lump of coral. - -The result rather surprised him, for all the milk had been spilt and -nothing remained but the husk. - -"Why, it's empty!" he exclaimed. - -"Naturally," replied Villiers, laughing, for he had now descended -from his lofty perch and was contemplating young Beverley's face with -great amusement. - -"Why naturally?" demanded Dick, with the air of a fellow who has been -"had". - -"What did you expect to find?" asked Jack. - -"Coco-nut," replied Dick promptly. - -"Then you won't find what you're looking for in a growing nut," -replied Villiers. "It's full of liquid, nothing more. The white -substance forms with keeping. Now, you fellows, who's for rounders?" - -The crew of the _Titania_ acted just like a pack of schoolboys on a -holiday. They played rounders, using a soft coco-nut for a ball, -indulged in leap-frog, leaping and jumping with all the abandon -natural to a crowd of healthy young fellows landing on an island -after weeks afloat. - -Apparently Nua Leha was uninhabited. Although the roysterers made -enough noise to be heard from one end of the island to the other, -their presence was apparently unnoticed. True, wild pigs charged -frantically through the undergrowth, stolid penguins broke up their -military formation and ambled awkwardly to less noisy haunts, but no -human native gave sight or sound of his presence, nor, during their -brief visit, did the _Titania's_ people find trace of human -habitation. - -"We'll start by establishing a shore-station tomorrow," decided -Harborough, as they rowed back to the yacht. "It will give us more -room on board, and save the old boat from a lot of knocking about. -You might look round to-morrow, Mr. Claverhouse, and fix up a secure -berth for the sea-planes. There ought to be a sheltered spot on the -other side of the headland." - -"Very good, sir," replied Claverhouse, with a joyous look on his face -at the near prospect of "going up" once more. - -"We'll have all the petrol taken ashore," continued the skipper. "You -had better see to that, Mr. Trevear. Dick!" - -"Sir?" - -"Any good with a rifle?" - -"First-class marksman in the Cadet Corps, sir." - -"Then act up to it," said Harborough, with his whimsical smile. -"You'll be on ration fatigue, which means that whenever Pete wishes -to give us pork for dinner, you've got to shoot a pig. No -indiscriminate slaughter, mind. That I most strongly object to. We -want enough for our needs and no more." - -It was quite a long time before Dick got to sleep that night. He -imagined himself a mighty hunter, on whom his fellow-adventurers -depended for the filling of the flesh-pot. The one fly in the -ointment was the size of the game. Pity there weren't lions, tigers, -and orang-outangs on Nua Leha. But he was jolly lucky, he decided. It -was not the lot of most lads to have the run of a real coral island. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -The First Day on the Island - - -The shrill pipe of the bos'n's whistle, adroitly manipulated by big -Merridew, brought the working-party out of their bunks with the -utmost alacrity. During the stay of the _Titania_ at Nua Leha the -system of routine was to be drastically altered. The port and -starboard watches, responsible for the care and maintenance of the -ship, were reduced to three men each. The remainder were amalgamated -into a working-party whose hours--voluntary, and not subjected to the -dictates of a Trades Union--were from sunrise to sunset, with -intervals for meals and recreation. Thursday afternoons were "make -and mend", as in the Royal Navy, while, except on urgent matters to -safeguard the vessel, no work was permitted on Sundays. From eleven -in the morning till two in the afternoon was "stand easy", since the -heat was too great to allow Europeans to work without grave risk. - -For the first time since the _Titania_ left Southampton the -twenty-eight-foot cutter, stowed amidships, was hoisted out. Her -gunwales were protected with rope fenders; she was made fast -alongside, and the work of sending stores and gear to the beach -proceeded immediately after breakfast. - -By the time "stand easy" arrived the two sea-planes had been hoisted -out and were in advanced stages of reassembly, under the supervision -of Trevear. - -Claverhouse had, in accordance with instructions, gone ashore early -to fix upon a likely site for a sea-plane station. With him went Dick -Beverley, proudly grasping a .303 rifle, and with his pockets bulging -with an assortment of treasures, including sandwiches and half a -dozen ball cartridges. - -The ex-R.A.F. officer and his young companion made their way along -the glistening coral beach, on which the limpid water lapped gently -under the influence of a light on-shore wind. - -A walk of a quarter of a mile brought them to the bold headland on -the northern side of the little bay in which the _Titania_ lay at -anchor. Here the dark, volcanic rocks ended in a ledge that projected -about fifty yards from the general shore-line. At the extremity of -the natural breakwater the bed of the lagoon dropped abruptly to a -depth of five fathoms, although the bottom could be clearly -discerned. - -"Topping place for a bathe," suggested Dick. - -"Quite," agreed Claverhouse, "that is, if it's all right. You'd -better hang on till you know there's no danger." - -"There are no sharks about," declared the lad. - -"Take your word for it, old man," replied Claverhouse. "All the same, -I wouldn't dangle my feet in the water if I were you. There may be -ground sharks, and I believe they don't hesitate to snap at a pair of -paddling trilbies." - -"What's a fellow to do if he can't have a swim?" inquired Dick. -"If----" - -His words ended in a shout of horrified surprise as a long tapering -tentacle shot out from under a projecting rock and securely fastened -itself to the lad's bare ankle. Then another and yet another dark, -slimy tentacle obtained a grip upon his leg. - -Vainly young Beverley strove to free himself from the horrible -embraces of a healthy young octopus. The creature's protruding eyes -and parrot-like beak were plainly visible. Although its body was only -about the size of a soup plate, the eight tentacles averaged a yard -in length. Each of the legs that had obtained a grip were bringing -into play the dozens of suckers with which they were provided, and -the net result was that Dick was a prisoner. So precarious was his -position, and so strong the tractive powers of the cuttle-fish, that -he had to hold on with both hands to prevent himself being drawn off -the slippery rock into the sea. - -Claverhouse's first instinct was to grasp Dick's rifle and fire at -the head of the hideous creature; but, thinking that he might -possibly put a bullet through the lad's foot--which, owing to the -refractive qualities of the water, was quite feasible--he whipped out -his knife. - -Leaning over the edge, he struck hard and deep. The keen steel sunk -to the hilt with hardly any perceptible resistance, fairly between -the vicious-looking eyes. Then, even as Claverhouse was in the act of -withdrawing the blade, two tentacles attached themselves firmly to -his hand, at the same time binding it to the foot of the now -thoroughly-scared Dick. - -The unexpected jerk wellnigh capsized Claverhouse. Resisting the -impulse to hack blindly, he withdrew the knife with his left hand and -prepared to sever the tentacles one by one. It was no easy matter. -Not only was there a danger that the sharp steel might cut either his -hand or Dick's foot, but the octopus, upon receiving the stab, had -liberated a quantity of black fluid that, quickly spreading, made it -almost impossible to locate the slimy quivering arms. - -But the octopus had already received more than it bargained for. The -discharge of the inky fluid--nature's counterpart to a -smoke-screen--was a preliminary move to making a strategic retreat. -Almost as suddenly as the attack developed, the suckers relaxed their -grip, and the cuttle-fish withdrew to render first aid to a deep but -by no means vital injury to its anatomy. - -The two victims to the tremendous suction exercised by the octopus's -tentacles regained their feet, somewhat ruefully contemplating the -livid marks left by their late antagonist. - -"Thanks, awfully, Claverhouse," exclaimed Dick. "I owe you one for -that." - -"Enter it in the book, then," rejoined the ex-R.A.F. officer, with -grim jocularity. "Hope the occasion won't arise for you to call -quits." - -He quizzically regarded his youthful companion, gauging his physical -inconveniences by his own. - -"S'pect you've had enough of the beach to-day," he continued. "If I -were you, I'd go on board and get something for that ankle of yours. -A real Futurist picture, I call it." - -Dick decided otherwise. - -"I'm not going to spoil a day's sport for the sake of a smarting -ankle," he protested. "It's roast pork for to-morrow's dinner, and -pork I mean to get. I'm all right; I am really." - -Claverhouse did not press the point, and the two comrades pursued -their way. - -In the bay beyond, Claverhouse found exactly what he wanted. The -ground shelved gradually to the water's edge. The beach was sandy and -free from jagged lumps of coral. There was a good depth of water -close to the shore, while the reef was not only within two hundred -yards of the island, but was in several places a good six feet above -high-water mark. - -"I thought coral insects always died when they'd worked their way to -the surface," remarked Dick. "How is it that this part of the reef -sticks up so?" - -"I think if we landed there we'd find volcanic rocks," replied -Claverhouse. "Small islands each with a ring of coral round them; -subsiding reefs, as it were. 'Tany rate, this is an ideal sea-plane -base. I'll get some hands to work as soon as possible, so I'll get -back to the landing place. You'll carry on?" - -Dick slapped the "small" of his rifle. - -"I've got to work for my living," he rejoined facetiously, "so I'll -get a move on. See you later." - -Claverhouse made his way to the beach opposite the _Titania's_ berth, -where already a light pier was in course of construction, and crates -and boxes were piled high awaiting a place for storage. - -"You're handy fellows with an axe," he exclaimed, addressing -Griffiths and Bell. - -"Never handled an axe in my life," declared Griffiths. - -"And when I did I cut a slice out of my boot," Bell hastened to -assure the director of the day's destiny. - -"Call yourselves ex-Royal Engineers?" remarked Claverhouse, with -assumed scorn. "You've seen Tommies wielding axes, so come and do -likewise." - -He mustered his party, including Vivian and Fontayne in the number, -and the five repaired to the site Claverhouse had selected. - -It was grand work plying those glittering axes in the yet cool air of -the early morning, and bringing the tall palms crashing to the -ground; but when it came to "grubbing up" the roots, that was quite a -different story. - -"Thought we were diving for treasure, not digging for it," remarked -Vivian, pausing to wipe the perspiration from his brow. "By Jove, I -haven't done so much digging since I was in the Naval Brigade at -Lierre. Say, Claverhouse, do crabs climb trees out here?" - -He pointed to a felled palm. Out of the crushed foliage a large crab -ambled awkwardly. - -"Looks like it," replied Claverhouse. "Wonder what a fellow would do -if one of those beauties climbed into the fuselage of a bus and began -nibbling the bloke's toes. He'd wonder what was wrong with the -rudder-bar." - -"There's another, making off with a coco-nut," said Griffiths. "And I -volunteered to sleep ashore," he added, with the air of a man who had -made a bad bargain. - -"Nemesis, my son," exclaimed Vivian, "you didn't half chuck your -weight about when yours was the only cabin that wasn't infested by -those flying cockroaches in the Red Sea. I'd advise you to surround -your tent with barbed-wire entanglements, and keep a Lewis gun under -your pillow. Come on. This won't get the work done, and we've an hour -to 'stand easy'." - -The five set to work with redoubled efforts, and when the time for -the midday rest came round the ground was cleared and levelled -sufficiently to commence the erection of hangars. - -"Dick's busy," observed Claverhouse, as the faint report of a -rifle-shot rang out. "That's the fifth. Suppose it means pork for the -rest of the week." - -"Or possibly none at all," added Bell. "I was chipping him last -night, and said he wouldn't fire a single shot." - -"He's fired five, anyway," said Fontayne. "If you'd anything on -you've lost, my festive. You said 'fire', didn't you?" - -Upon returning to the landing-place, Claverhouse found Villiers and -Beverley resting after their labours, which consisted principally of -digging a deep hole and sinking three large barrels in it. These were -connected by a pipe, and a small stream of pure water was diverted -into them. Trevear and O'Loghlin had practically completed the -reassembly of the two dwarf sea-planes, while the rest of the -landing-party, under Harborough's supervision, had made great strides -with the shore base. Tents were already erected, and a large -storehouse, fashioned after the manner of a Canadian lumberman's hut, -had grown to a height of five feet. - -"What have you done to your hand, Claverhouse?" asked Harborough, -when the party sat down to an alfresco lunch. - -"Octopus took a fancy to it," replied the ex-R.A.F. officer. "We'll -have to be careful bathing off the rocks. No, it's nothing much, -thanks." - -"We saw a couple of sharks as we rowed ashore," announced Merridew. -"They followed the boat into quite shallow water." - -"We'll have to take precautions when we bathe," remarked Harborough. -"No isolated swimming. Keep together, and have a boat ready. Pete, -what's the bill of fare?" - -"All propah, sah," replied the cook, with a terrific smile. "Same as -in ole Bahamas." - -There were roast fowl, taro bread, omelets with bananas and slices of -melon--the whole feast provided out of the natural resources of the -island. Everyone agreed that it was a fortunate chance that brought -Pete on board the _Titania_, for he alone of all the ship's company -was well versed in the vegetable products of the tropics. - -Upon the resumption of work, after a long and enjoyable spell in -which pipes and yarns held full sway, strong moorings were laid in -the narrow part of the lagoon for the two sea-planes. There seemed -every indication of the glorious weather holding, otherwise -Claverhouse would not have run the risk of leaving his precious -charges afloat. Nevertheless, he was determined to push on with the -construction of the hangars, which were to be made so strongly that -they would successfully resist the tropical gales. - -Before nightfall the big store was ready for the roof of palm-leaf -thatch. The shore-party made themselves at home, and the men told off -to sleep on board prepared to return. - -"Where's your young brother?" asked Villiers. - -"With Claverhouse, I think," replied Beverley. - -"Well, he isn't," corrected Jack. "Alec's just gone down to the -boat." - -Bobby ran down to the beach and hailed the airman. - -"Not a sign of him," replied Claverhouse. "I thought he'd return -straight to the camp. We'll have to send out a search-party. The -island isn't so very big, but he may have lost his way." - -There was no lack of volunteers. Every man ashore, from Harborough to -Pete, expressed his willingness to look for the missing Dick. - -The fall of night hampered their task, and at the end of a couple of -hours' strenuous search the party reassembled on the beach with their -aim unattained. - -"The moon will be up in another twenty minutes," announced -Harborough, who felt himself responsible for having dispatched the -young huntsman on his shooting expedition. "Who'll have another -shot?" - -"We'll carry on till we find him, sir," was the unanimous response. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -Missing - - -"Hanged if I can wait about for the moon to rise, Jack. It will be -two mortal hours before it's much use to us," declared Bobby -Beverley. "Game to carry on at once?" - -"Right-o," assented Villiers; "but I'm afraid we won't do much. Can't -see your hand in front of your face, so to speak. Wish we had a good -dog here." - -"We'll try with the Aldis," rejoined Beverley. - -"Right-o," agreed his chum for the second time. "Let's get a move -on." - -From the store they procured an Aldis lamp and battery. The lamp, -primarily intended for flashing signals (it was powerful enough to -enable a message to be sent over a distance of five miles in broad -daylight), could be used as a miniature and portable searchlight, -although the weight of the case containing the cells was -considerable. - -"Perhaps," suggested Villiers, as the two men plunged into the -coco-palm groves, "perhaps the young blighter's taken it into his -head to scale one of the peaks and can't find his way down." - -"Hope not," replied Beverley. "Dashed if I fancy climbing a thousand -feet or so of lava rock. 'Sides, he must have heard us shouting all -over the show." - -"Possibly," admitted Villiers. "But he might not be able to let us -know." - -"Had a rifle." - -"And a handful of cartridges. And a handful wouldn't last a whole day -with a boy on his own for the first time with a real rifle." - -For nearly twenty minutes they proceeded in silence, following a -track recently made through the dense undergrowth. - -"Trouble is," remarked Beverley, "we've been acting like bulls in a -china-shop on the previous stunt. If Dick left a trail we've -obliterated it." - -"We have," admitted Villiers. "S'pose we weren't born trackers, any -of us. It's like collaring a skilled woodcraft man and sending him -afloat. He would be all at sea in a double sense." - -He stopped and swung the rays of the lamp upon a clump of palms. - -"I remember this spot," he continued. "Do you notice how curiously -these trunks shoot up? A sort of kink in them. Merridew and his party -took that path; we, if you recollect, bore away to the right, and -Trevear and Claverhouse carried straight on. If we bear away to the -left I fancy we'll be striking a fresh trail." - -There was a path of sorts. Whether any of the _Titania's_ crew other -than Dick Beverley had traversed it remained for the present a matter -for speculation. The ground was covered with the decaying vegetation -of years and showed no trace of footprints, although the undergrowth -on both sides gave indications of being forced aside. - -"Pigs, no doubt," commented Villiers, when Bobby called his attention -to the trampled saplings. "Hallo! though; what's this?" - -The brilliant rays of the Aldis lamp lighted up a small glittering -object. It was a cartridge-case. - -"Lee-Enfield, .303," declared Beverley, picking up and sniffing at -the brass cylinder. "Fired recently; I can smell burnt cordite -distinctly. We're on the trail." - -Twenty yards farther on the shelving ground was stained by a quantity -of blood, the dark-red stain continuing at regular intervals. - -"Good enough," remarked Villiers. "Young Dick shot a pig and wounded -it pretty badly. The brute got away and he followed it." - -"Hope to goodness it isn't Dick's blood," said Bobby anxiously. "The -youngster might have put a bullet through his leg or arm by -accident." - -"If so, he would have turned back," reasoned Jack; "no, it's a -wounded pig's trail." - -Two hundred yards farther on they stumbled over the body of the -victim of Dick's rifle. - -The animal was stone dead. On examination the two men discovered two -bullet-wounds. One, a fairly-deep one in the pig's flank, had -accounted for its comparatively long flight before collapsing through -loss of blood. The other, obviously fired at close range, had passed -completely through the pig's head. - -"So Master Dick, instead of administering the _coup de grâce_ in the -orthodox manner, wasted another cartridge on the animal," commented -Villiers. "The pig's been dead for at least three or four hours. Now, -what's the next move?" - -The narrow path, evidently the "runway" of a porcine herd, terminated -abruptly at what appeared to be a cul-de-sac. - -"He retraced his steps," declared Beverley. - -"No jolly fear," protested his companion. "He wouldn't have left his -trophy lying here unless he went on, intending to get it again on the -return journey. Bring that light a bit lower, old thing; that's -right. Yes, I thought so." - -Close to the ground was a narrow, tunnel-like gap in the undergrowth. -This the two men negotiated on their hands and knees, to find -themselves in a wide, sloping expanse of open country devoid of trees -and dotted by a few stunted bushes. - -"Which way now?" inquired Bobby, as the two chums regained their -feet. - -Villiers did not reply. - -"Switch off that light for half a tick," he said. - -Beverley did so. For some seconds they stood blinking in the sudden -transition from dazzling light to intense darkness. - -"What's the move?" asked Beverley. - -"I thought--might have been mistaken, though. Ah! there you are; -what's that?" - -At a considerable distance away--how far it was impossible to gauge -with any degree of accuracy--a feeble ray of light stabbed the -darkness--three short, three long, and then three short flashes. - -"S.O.S.," exclaimed Villiers and Beverley simultaneously. - -"Switch on again," continued the former. "Keep behind me. I've got a -pocket compass." - -Taking a rough bearing of the direction of the distress signal, -Villiers began to walk rapidly towards its source of emission, -Beverley following a good ten paces behind, and throwing the beam of -the Aldis lamp ahead in order to enable Villiers to make his way over -the rather rough ground, much of which consisted of "rotten" lava and -boulders of various sizes. - -Above the moan of the off-shore breeze they could hear the roar of -the surf. They had almost gained the other side of the island. - -Suddenly Villiers came to a halt. A precipice yawned at his feet. How -deep it was he was unable to see until his companion came up with the -light. - -"Be careful," he cautioned. "The edge is pretty soft. Hand me the -lamp and hang on to my feet." - -Possessing himself of the Aldis lamp, Villiers lay prone upon the -bare ground, while Bobby, hardly able to control his feelings, -gripped his companion's ankles. - -They were on the edge of a terraced cliff that rose a good eighty -feet above a shelving beach. Twenty yards from the base was Dick -Beverley. - -"You all right, Dick?" shouted his brother. - -"All right so far," was the reply. "Ankle's a bit sprained." - -"We'll soon be with you," rejoined Bobby reassuringly. - -It was easier said than done, for although there were five or six -natural terraces, the cliff looked formidable enough in the deflected -rays of the lamp. - -"Better wait till the moon rises, old bird," counselled Villiers. "It -won't be long now." - -"That won't help us much," objected Bobby. "We're on the west side of -the island, remember. How did you climb down, Dick?" he inquired, -raising his voice. - -"I didn't climb--I was pushed," answered Dick resentfully. - -Villiers swept the edge of the cliff with the powerful light. Away to -the right the land terminated in a low promontory certainly not more -than twenty feet in height and a good three hundred yards distant. To -the left the cliff rose still higher, terminating in a projecting -crag a full two hundred feet above the sea. - -"We'll be with you in half an hour," he shouted. - -"Right-o; no immediate hurry," replied Dick cheerfully, for knowing -that help was at hand his spirits rose accordingly. - -"What a ghastly spot," declared Beverley, as the men cautiously made -their way round in the direction of the shelving promontory. "Looks -as if there had been a volcanic eruption here not so very long ago." - -"Centuries ago, perhaps," replied Villiers. "Lack of vegetation -doesn't help us much to fix a date. I'd like to explore this show in -broad daylight." - -"We may have to," added Bobby. "How we are going to get that kid back -to the ship in the dark puzzles me. We'd possibly find ourselves -bushed." - -"It's a sad heart that never rejoices," quoted Jack. "Main thing is -we've found your brother. Sprained ankle's nothing. Wonder what he -meant when he said he was pushed? Look out--that's a nasty one." - -He pulled up just in time to avoid a deep and narrow fissure that ran -practically at right angles to the general trend of the cliffs. - -"We can scramble down that," decided Bobby, "and save a long detour." - -"And perhaps find ourselves stranded on the next terrace. I'm not -having any, old thing. If you want to indulge in a sprained ankle -just to show sympathy to your brother, then that's your funeral." - -Beverley saw the force of the argument. - -"Right-o," he replied simply; but it occurred to him that for once at -least the two chums were exchanging characteristics. He was usually -cautious, while Villiers was of a boisterous, go-ahead nature. Now -Villiers displayed caution, while he, Beverley, was decidedly -impulsive. - -"I'd do it like a shot," continued Jack, "if there were any pressing -necessity for it, but there isn't. Dick is in no immediate danger. If -we slipped then Harborough would have three useless people on his -hands. Stand by with that lamp." - -Guided by the beam of light Jack jumped the intervening gap, adroitly -caught the bulky apparatus, and waited until Bobby had safely crossed -the crevice. - -Beyond that point progress was comparatively simple, and presently -they found themselves on the sandy shore of the lagoon. - -"Let's see the extent of the damage, Dick," said his brother, when -the rescuers arrived at the shelving ground where the injured lad -lay. - -"Nothing much," declared Dick. "Ankle twisted. It's quite all right -when I don't move; when I do it gives me what-oh!" - -Bobby was busy wrapping handkerchiefs soaked in salt water round the -swollen limb. - -"Tell us what happened," he invited. - -"Not much to tell," replied Dick. "I got one pig all right, then I -thought I'd done enough in that line for the time being, so I started -to explore a bit. I was standing on the cliff up there when I heard a -terrific lot of grunting, and a big brute with a large pair of tusks -came charging this way. That spoilt the contract. Although I promised -not to shoot more than one pig I wasn't going to be charged by a -pocket edition of a rhinoceros." - -"It was a boar, perhaps," suggested Jack. - -"Might have been; it bore me over the top of the cliff, anyhow," -rejoined Dick, laughing at his own joke--a laugh that ended in a wry -face as a twitch of pain shot through the ankle. "I let rip at the -brute at ten paces, but I must have missed it. The next thing I -remember was being bowled over, rolling and bumping until I came to a -stop about here. Seen anything of my rifle, Bob?" - -"I'll look for it," said Villiers, again switching on the lamp. - -It was but a few paces to the foot of the lowermost cliff terrace. -Within a yard of the base, and lying in a slight depression of soft -ground, was the porker that was responsible for young Beverley's -present condition. It was stone dead. The .303 bullet had entered its -head just below the base of the skull and had emerged out of the -animal's hind-quarters. - -Close by was the rifle, apparently undamaged by its fall except that -the muzzle was choked with earth. - -Villiers returned and reported what he had found. - -"We ought to be making tracks," he observed. "The moon's up, although -she's still behind the palm trees. Harborough and the rest of the -crush ought to be on the war-path by this time. I'll try the signal -for recall, but I don't think it'll be of much use." - -He flashed the Aldis obliquely skywards, and Morsed a message to the -effect that everything was O.K. - -"Now for home!" he added. "Good four miles round by the shore, isn't -it?" - -"Better than risking a short cut inland," said Bobby. "We'll leave -the lamp here and fetch it later on. I'll carry Dick on my back." - -Lifting the patient on his brother's back was no easy task. It was -decidedly painful as far as Dick was concerned, but the lad kept a -stiff upper lip. - -Fortunately the hard sand afforded good going, but at the end of -twenty minutes Bobby was unfeignedly glad to transfer his burden to -Jack's broad shoulders. - -Upon rounding the north-eastern extremity of the island their path -was flooded with brilliant moonlight, for hitherto they had been in -the deep shadows cast by the beetling cliffs. On their right lay the -dense palm groves, the broad leaves waving in the light breeze; on -their left the placid waters of the lagoon, backed by the undulating -line of creamy foam that marked the ceaseless battle between the sea -and the coral reef. - -Bobby halted and raised one hand. - -"Hark!" he exclaimed. - -Above the dull roar of the surf and the gentle hush of the foliage -could be distinguished men's voices. Harborough and his party were -still searching. - -"Ahoy!" roared Jack. "That's done it," he added; "they've heard us." - -Five minutes later half a dozen of the _Titania's_ crew, headed by -Harborough and with Pete bringing up the rear, arrived upon the -scene. The rest of the crew were roaming over the other side of the -island. - -"There's one thing," remarked Harborough in a low voice to Villiers, -"we shan't have our rest disturbed tomorrow night prowling around for -the youngster. I was afraid he had shot himself. What did he shoot, -by the by?" - -"Two pigs," replied Jack. - -"Hurrah, massa!" shouted Pete, who happened to overhear the -conversation. "Roast pork to-morrow!" - -"Right-o, Pete!" rejoined Villiers. "You can jolly well help to bring -in the meat." - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -Up and Down - - -"All ready? Stand clear." - -With a deafening clatter the powerful little motor of the _Cormorant_ -sea-plane fired, and the aluminium propeller revolved until it merged -into a dazzling circle of light. - -Slowly, but with increasing momentum, the compact air-craft began to -skim along the placid surface of the lagoon, leaving a long and -ever-widening wake. - -It was the _Cormorant's_ first ascent since the trial flight at the -works. The sea-plane's tanks were but half full in order that the -single seater might accommodate a passenger. - -Claverhouse, leather-helmeted and goggled, was at the joy-stick. -Behind him on a somewhat precarious perch strapped to one of the -struts was Trevear, armed with a camera. - -Originally it had been Harborough's intention to equip the two -sea-planes with a wireless-telephone outfit, but, further -consideration ended in the proposal's rejection on the grounds that -the practical results would not justify the initial outlay. The -application of aerial photography would be of great service in -locating the sunken _Fusi Yama_, and the view thus obtained would be -of a more or less permanent value. Reporting by wireless telephone -would have been satisfactory up to a certain point. There would not -have been the delay entailed in the use of photography with its -processes of developing and printing, but on the principle that the -camera cannot lie Harborough hoped for definite and important -results. - -There had been keen competition on the part of the _Titania's_ crew -to "go up", but Harborough reminded the applicants that they were not -joy-riding at a couple of guineas a flight, and proceeded to whittle -down the aspirants for the part of aerial photographer, until -Trevear, the reserve pilot, was alone left in the running. - -Every available boat carried by the _Titania_ was pressed into -service to act in conjunction with the seaplane. Fitted with -mark-buoys and sinkers, the boats paddled across the lagoon ready to -buoy the wreck if luck enabled the airmen to spot it. - -Ascending in wide spirals, the _Cormorant_ rose to a height of two -thousand feet. At that altitude the _Titania_ was dwarfed to the size -of a dingy, while the boats looked no bigger than pea-pods. The -greater part of the lagoon showed clearly through the water--a -pale-green unbroken expanse of sand fifteen to twenty fathoms beneath -the surface. Here and there were opaque ill-defined patches that -required careful investigation. - -For twenty minutes the flight continued, Claverhouse swinging the bus -to and fro in a succession of short turns, working methodically from -the entrance of the lagoon to the part where it almost joined the -island itself, while Trevear, with binoculars glued to his eyes, -carefully examined the floor of the broad sheet of tranquil water. - -Suddenly the observer ejaculated an exclamation of satisfaction and -jogged the pilot on the shoulder. - -"Got it!" he yelled, and grasped his camera. - -"Good enough for a record," he soliloquised, and, drawing a Verey -pistol from a rack, he proceeded to fire a green light. - -That was the signal for the boats to close. The motor-boat towing the -whaler and the gig approached the spot, the crews keeping a sharp -look-out for the signal that was to indicate that they were over -their unseen objective. - -It was a long task. With feelings of exasperation, Trevear watched -the boats pass wide of the mark over and over again, only to be -recalled and started on a fresh course by means of pre-arranged -signals from the Verey pistol. - -"There must be a current running round that point," thought Trevear. -"Every time they appear to be swept away. Ah! That's better; they've -discovered the same thing." - -He raised a pistol and waited while the boats approached the dark, -ill-defined patch on the edge of which lay something of -fairly-symmetrical shape. - -"Good enough!" exclaimed the observer, letting fly with three red -lights. "Bring her down, Alec!" he shouted. - -Claverhouse did so, vol-planing seawards in a steep, exhilarating -dive that proved that the master-hand of the ex-R.A.F. bomber had not -lost its cunning. Striking the surface with a double bump, the -_Cormorant_ taxied in the direction of the boats, from which the -mark-buoys had already been dropped. They were now bobbing sedately -in an exaggerated curve over the site of the wreck. - -"Fifteen fathoms!" announced Harborough, as the sea-plane was taken -in tow. "We're in luck, if that is the wreck. I bargained for twenty -to twenty-five." - -"She's in a big patch of weeds," said Trevear, "and lying well over -on her bilge." - -"Weeds generally mean mud," remarked Harborough. "Awkward stuff to -work in. However, we're lucky to locate the wreck so quickly. By the -old-fashioned method of creeping and grappling we might have taken -weeks. Stand easy. We'll start diving-operations this afternoon." - -Accordingly, when the heat of the day showed signs of abating, the -diving-party proceeded to the spot. Swaine, clad in his diving-dress, -sat in the stern sheets nursing his copper helmet. As the outfit was -self-contained there was no necessity for the cumbersome air-pump and -pipe. A wire-rope ladder and a shot-line and distance-rope comprised -all the gear necessary for lowering from the boat. - -During the week that had elapsed since Dick's adventure, Jack -Villiers had been undergoing a diving-course. Already he had made -good progress under the experienced Swaine's supervision, and -although he had not yet reached a depth of fifteen fathoms he was -ready, if need were, to descend to his comrade's assistance should -anything go wrong. - -"You'll have to watch the current," observed Harborough, as the boat -swung to her anchor. "Better to work against it than with it on a job -like this." - -"Right-o, sir!" replied Swaine, as his assistant prepared to complete -the hermetically-sealing process by placing the copper helmet on his -head and screwing down the front and side plates. - -Encumbered with leaden-soled shoes, slabs of the same metal fixed to -his chest and back, and wearing his chemically-created air-reservoir -and a diver's electric lamp, Swaine was helped over the gunwale. -Awkwardly he descended the rope-ladder, till the water reached the -level of his shoulders. Then, raising his bare hand in a gesture of -farewell, he disappeared beneath the surface, leaving a trail of -air-bubbles to mark his descent. - -Swaine had declined to take the portable telephone with him on the -preliminary descent, objecting on the grounds that it would hamper -his movements. On the other hand, Harborough had strictly enjoined -him not to attempt to enter the hull of the wreck, but to content -himself with an examination of the hull and report upon its position -and condition. - -The moment the diver reached the bed of the lagoon all communication -with him was cut off. All he could do was to advance as near as -possible in a straight line, paying out his distance-rope as he -plodded through the ooze until he reached the wreck. - -The watchers in the boats could note the trail of air-bubbles as -Swaine walked away from the shot-rope. The bubbles were the only -indications of his presence and of the fact that the life-sustaining -apparatus was still working. - -"He's progressing against the current," observed Bobby Beverley. - -"Perhaps it's only a surface-current," rejoined Harborough. "If so, -so much the better. Sharks? No, I don't fancy they'll dare attack a -diver. They'd be more frightened than the man. An octopus is another -proposition. They are apt to be found in weed; but they don't grow to -any very large size in these parts." - -"If that's the wreck, sir," said Claverhouse, who, having seen the -_Cormorant_ safely moored, had rejoined the boats, "it would be -better to get to her from the land, I think. She's within a hundred -yards of the beach, and, although the water deepens pretty quickly, a -diver ought to make his way up and down with very little trouble." - -"Good scheme, Claverhouse," replied Harborough approvingly. "We might -even rig up a semi-permanent guide-rope, and later on an endless line -for getting the stuff ashore." - -"He's returning, sir," announced Villiers, pointing to the line of -bubbles. - -"That's splendid," exclaimed Harborough. - -He could hardly conceal his impatience, for there were moments when -the generally-inscrutable features of the baronet did betray the -state of his mind, and this was one of them. - -The quivering of the rope-ladder under the influence of the current -gave place to a series of violent jerks. Swaine was ascending. - -"Trim the boat!" ordered Harborough, as the crew leant over the -gunwale from which the rope-ladder hung. - -It was a necessary caution, for in their eagerness to witness the -return of their comrade the men had put the gunwale dangerously low -down. - -At length the great copper helmet, showing green in the clear water, -came into view. Another twenty rungs and it appeared above the -surface. - -Waist deep, Swaine waited until the glass observation-discs in his -helmet were unscrewed. He was breathing heavily, and his red woollen -cap was damp with perspiration. - -"Well?" inquired Harborough. "Found it?" - -Swaine shook his head. - -"Found something," he replied, "but not the _Fusi Yama_." - -His gaze fell upon Claverhouse. - -"Say, Alec, dear old thing," he continued. "Weren't you the guy who -bombed a P-boat, in mistake for a Fritz submarine?" - -"Yes," admitted Claverhouse; "but I missed her, thank Heaven." - -"Next time you go up you'd better take me to spot for you," resumed -Swaine. "I guess I might be able to distinguish between the _Fusi -Yama_ and a wooden two-decker. Fact, sir," he declared, replying to -Harborough's unspoken question. "It's the wreck of a frigate or -something of the sort. Couple of centuries old, I should imagine. -She's lying hard over on her starboard side. Amidships she's -practically broken in two. Her foremast is still standing, but the -main- and mizen-masts are half buried in the mud; water-logged and -held down by the weight of the metal-work, I suppose." - -"Didn't go on board?" asked Beverley. - -"Not much," replied Swaine emphatically. "Looked too jolly rotten to -my liking. I'd tackle it if I had a chum down with me." - -"However," broke in Harborough briskly, "since we are looking for the -_Fusi Yama_, investigations on the wooden vessel can wait. When will -you feel equal to another ascent, Claverhouse: to-morrow morning?" - -Alec looked up and noted the position of the sun. Oblique rays were -of little use, but for the next hour operations might be possible. - -"I'll go up at once, sir," he replied. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -A Good Night's Work - - -The _Cormorant_ sea-plane flew for the best part of an hour, covering -practically every square yard of the lagoon, and it was not until the -sandy bottom began to grow dim in the increasingly-slanting rays of -the sun that Claverhouse and Trevear came down. - -"Not a sign, sir," replied Trevear. "We could see the wreck of the -frigate plainly enough. There are a couple of foul patches, one a -little to the south-west of the entrance to the lagoon, and another -off the south-eastern point of the island. The _Fusi Yama_ might be -lying on the weeds on one of them." - -"I don't think so," replied Harborough. "In his yarn Williams -mentioned that the German cruiser towed her prize into the lagoon and -ported helm when she got inside. So I take it that the object of our -search lies northward of a line drawn between the entrance and our -shore-station." - -"We'll tackle it again to-morrow morning," said Claverhouse. "A -little after eleven o'clock is the best time." - -"Very good," agreed Harborough. "We'll rig awnings on the boats, and -that will give us a chance during the heat of the day." - -Dick Beverley was tremendously excited over the news of the discovery -of the frigate. It appealed to him almost as much as if the _Fusi -Yama_ had been located. - -"Think my ankle will be well enough for me to go afloat, Bob?" he -asked that evening, just as Bobby was "turning in". - -"That's for you to say," replied his brother. "It's your ankle, not -mine." - -"I felt fit to get about yesterday," declared Dick, "only the skipper -wouldn't let me get out of my bunk. Do you think Swaine will let me -have a diving-dress and go down? It must be frightfully exciting." - -"You'd better ask him," replied Bobby diplomatically. - -"What was she like?" asked Dick. "The frigate, I mean." - -"Smothered in seaweed, and as rotten as a ripe pear." - -"And yet Trevear saw her lying on the mud and weed," said Dick -thoughtfully. "I suppose the two vessels weren't lying close -together?" - -"By Jove, Dick!" exclaimed his brother. "That looks like business. -Well, good-night. I'll speak to Harborough to-morrow, and see if -he'll let you go in one of the boats." - -Bobby altered his plans. Instead of "turning in"--he had been -sleeping on board the _Titania_ since his brother's accident--he went -on deck and dropped into the skiff dinghy, which was lying at the -lower boom. Then, taking to the oars, he rowed silently towards the -shore. - -It was a calm, moonless night. Overhead the stars blazed like points -of fire, their reflections scintillating on the smooth surface of the -lagoon. - -He landed on the coral beach, dug the fluke of the boat's anchor -firmly into the ground, and made his way toward the encampment. A -hurricane-lamp was still burning in the tent shared by Claverhouse, -Trevear, and Swaine. - -"Hallo!" exclaimed the former in some surprise. "What brings you -ashore this time o' night?" - -"Shop, old bird," replied Bobby. - -"Let rip, then," rejoined Alec, in mock tones of resignation. -"Thought, perhaps, you came to borrow my safety-razor." - -"You two fellows both saw the wreck, I suppose," said Beverley, -addressing the airmen. "What shape did it appear like?" - -"Where's a pencil?" inquired Trevear, fumbling in the breast-pocket -of his white drill tunic. "Right-o. Paper's scarce in this part of -the world, so I'll sketch it on the table. There you are." - -"Yes; that's like it," agreed Alec. - -"You've drawn the plan of a boat," continued Bobby. "Swaine swears -she's lying on her beam ends." - -"So she is," declared the diving-expert. - -"You didn't go round her, did you?" asked Beverley. - -"Not much use," he answered. "I could see she wasn't the _Fusi Yama_, -and there was a pretty stiff current setting round the bows and -stern. I was glad to use her as a sort of breakwater." - -"Pity you hadn't carried on round," resumed Bobby; "lying on her beam -ends with a broken back, she wouldn't present such a profile as -Trevear has drawn. I believe--and Dick put me on to the wheeze--that -the _Fusi Yama_ is lying fairly close alongside and nearer inshore." - -"By Jove, Beverley!" exclaimed the three men in chorus. - -"Hope you're right," added Trevear, anxious to restore his lost -prestige as an aerial observer. - -"Game to have another shot at it to-night?" inquired Swaine, -beginning to pull on his rubber boots. - -"Surely you're not going to dive again to-night?" asked Claverhouse. - -"If it comes to that," said Swaine, "it makes very little difference -whether it's night or day at that depth and in muddy water. But what -I propose doing is putting off in a boat and taking soundings. Is -there a lead-line in the dinghy, old thing?" - -"What are you fellows doing kicking up such a deuce of a row at this -time of night?" inquired a gruff voice. "Go to bed, and get your -beauty sleep, you noisy blighters." - -Griffiths, blinking in the light, had shoved his head and shoulders -through the tent-flap. - -"Just the man we want, soldier!" exclaimed Beverley. "A little -practice at rowing a dinghy, you know." - -"Not in these trousers," protested the ex-Engineer officer, -displaying a leg clad in pyjamas of variegated hues. "What's the -move? Are you fellows trying to camouflage a nocturnal bridge-party?" - -"At him, lads!" exclaimed Swaine, and the four hurled themselves upon -the interloper. In spite of his desperate resistance Griffiths was -dragged into the tent, and while Beverley sat on his chest the others -rammed a pair of rubber boots on his feet and a sou'-wester on his -head. - -"Kamerad!" exclaimed Griffiths. "Chuck it! I'll fall in with your -rotten scheme, whatever it is." - -By this time the commotion had aroused the remainder of the -shore-party, and to them the nature of the proposed expedition was -explained. - -"Right-o!" said Vivian. "We'll launch the cutter and have a moonlight -trip, only there isn't any moon." - -Eleven men put off from the beach, four in the skiff-dinghy, the rest -in the cutter. Expectations ran high, and everyone was in good -spirits. - -"Not so much noise there," cautioned Beverley, "or you'll wake the -Old Man." - -"We'll wake him right enough, if we find the ship," rejoined Swaine. -"Port helm a bit, Bobby; I can see the mark-buoys." - -The first cast of the lead gave fifteen and a half fathoms. Working -shorewards, they found, contrary to their expectations, that the -lagoon grew deeper, the soundings increasing to seventeen. Then, -without warning, the depth decreased to eight. - -"Lower a small grapnel," suggested Swaine. "Bend a stout line to it, -and we may drag up something." - -This they did, and very soon the barbed point of the grapnel engaged. - -"Something pretty tough," declared Bobby, as the transom of the -dinghy was drawn almost level with the water under the efforts of her -crew of four, "We've lost that grapnel." - -"In a good cause," added Claverhouse. - -"We'll get the cutter to bear a hand at hauling it up," continued -Bobby. - -For some minutes it seemed as if the united strength of eleven strong -men was of no avail. The cutter, in spite of her relatively greater -buoyancy, was well down aft under the terrific strain. - -"Belay and go for'ard," ordered Beverley. - -The eleven men were crowded uncomfortably in the fore part of the -cutter when suddenly the strain on the grapnel relaxed. The boats' -bows dipped. Volumes of water poured in over her bows and under she -went, leaving her crew struggling to clear each other. - -Almost before the men in the dinghy could grasp the situation -properly, there was a terrific swirl in the water and a large -greenish-white object shot up to the surface. - -It was a ship's boat, green with weed. Its copper air-tanks still -retained their buoyancy, and the additional strain imparted by the -grapnel had wrenched the boat from the lashings that secured it to -the chocks. Fortunately, in its violent ascent to the surface the -boat missed the evicted crew of the cutter. - -The water was warm and there were no sharks about, or if there were -the unusual splashing had scared them off. The cutter, being provided -with air-compartments, floated with her gunwale a couple of inches -above the surface, so that with the aid of a brace of buckets and a -baler the water was soon thrown out and the men regained their craft. - -This done the dinghy and the cutter started in pursuit of the unknown -boat, which, in the grip of the current, was drifting towards the -entrance to the lagoon. - -Holding on to the "horse" of the recovered boat, Beverley scraped the -slimy deposit of weed from a portion of the transom. Underneath, in -faded letters that were still legible, was painted the name _Fusi -Yama_. - -"Good enough!" declared Bobby triumphantly. "Let her go. I don't -think she'll drift out of the lagoon. If she does, it is of little -consequence. Now, you blighters, pull for the _Titania_." - -The rest of the proceedings savoured of a "glorious rag", for on -making fast alongside the yacht the crews began shouting, firing -Verey lights, beating suspended brass crutches, banging tin balers -with stretchers, and raising pandemonium generally. - -In the midst of the hubbub Harborough and Villiers came on deck, just -as Swaine, forestalling his comrades, was sounding a terrific tocsin -on the _Titania's_ bell. - -"What the----" began Harborough. - -"We've come off to splice the main-brace, sir," shouted Beverley. - -"Have you?" rejoined the baronet. "For what reason?" - -The answer, issuing simultaneously from a dozen lusty throats, was -unanimous and emphatic: - -"We've found the _Fusi Yama_!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -Von Giespert hears News - - -"Gott in Himmel!" exclaimed Kaspar von Giespert. "Don't say that -you've had no luck." - -"Ach, Herr Kapitan," replied Strauss, in the tone of a man repeating -a venerable formula, "no luck at all." - -For fifteen evenings almost the same exchange of words had taken -place. For fifteen days, without respite, even when the sun was -directly overhead, the crew of the _Zug_ had laboured, at first with -a remarkable display of energy, in their efforts to locate the wreck -of the _Fusi Yama_ in the lagoon of Ni Telang. Almost every square -yard of the enclosed sheet of water had been swept by means of drags, -grapnels, and bighted ropes. Divers had gone down whenever any -obstruction had given rise to the hope that the object of the quest -had been found, only to ascend with the disconcerting report that the -grapnel had fouled a lump of coral rock. - -Von Giespert took very little active part in the operations. He was -content to leave the "donkey work" to Strauss, and spent most of the -day living in a hammock-chair under double awnings. - -He had counted upon finding the wreck with the minimum of trouble. As -the days passed and Harborough's time-limit grew nearer, von Giespert -began to feel anxious, and anxiety soon began to give place to -feelings of desperation. - -Up to a certain point the rough chart, which Harborough had purposely -allowed his rivals to filch, had proved accurate. To a certain extent -it would have served equally well for Ni Telang or Nua Leha, for in -either case there was a strong geographical resemblance between the -two lagoons, their entrances, and the islands themselves, even to the -triple peaks. The latitude and longitude of the former island as -stated on the chart agreed to a second with the results of von -Giespert's readings of the sextant and chronometer. The only flaw--a -very important one--was the fact that the wreck obstinately refused -to allow itself to be found. - -Von Giespert often wondered what the "schweinhund Englander" was -doing. Self-complacently he pictured his rival going south and -putting into Brisbane or some other Australian port to kill time -until, according to the mutual agreement, Harborough would return and -claim the right to search the lagoon of Ni Telang. It was only in the -earlier stages of the operations that the German was self-satisfied. -He firmly believed that by the time the _Titania_ put in an -appearance the gold would be safe in the strong-room of the _Zug_. -Now he was not feeling so optimistic about it. On the contrary, he -was the victim of jumpiness, which did not improve his temper. - -The men, too, were showing signs of unrest. Strauss was a hard -taskmaster. He drove but he could not lead; his education as a ruler -of men missed one important fact: to get men to work properly it is -essential that they should be well fed. On board the _Zug_ the -provisioning arrangements were far from good. Had von Giespert given -one tenth of the time he had lavished upon the mechanical and -scientific appliances on board the _Zug_ to the personal comfort of -the crew, much of the trouble that subsequently occurred might have -been avoided. - -"What report have you to make?" asked von Giespert, in continuance of -his previous question. - -"We worked northward of a line east of point G for a distance of -seven hundred metres," replied Strauss. "That practically covers the -whole of the lagoon where there is a depth of five metres or more." - -"Then the lagoon has been twice examined?" - -"Twice--carefully," said Strauss with conviction. "Schrang made three -descents; Woeber, two. In every case it was rock." - -"But the wreck must be somewhere here," exclaimed von Giespert -petulantly, embracing the greater part of the lagoon with a swirl of -his jewelled fingers. "The men must have been careless. To-morrow let -them start it again." - -It was an easy thing to say, but even Strauss foresaw difficulties in -carrying out the order. - -"There is another matter, Herr Kapitan," he said. "We are getting -short of water. The only spring we have found on the island has -failed. It was but a small one. I put two hands on the task of -sinking a well, but they found no water at four metres. The -conden----" - -"Yes, I know all about the condensers," interrupted von Giespert -irritably, and since it was his fault that the work of repairing them -had not been undertaken at Batavia--the last port they touched where -work of that kind could be performed--his subordinate's reference to -the faulty apparatus was unwelcome. - -"I would suggest," continued Strauss, finding boldness in the fact -that he, too, was experiencing inconvenience from the shortage of -drinking-water, "that four of the hands take the whaler and run -across to the island where we lay when the English vessel discovered -us. There is water in abundance. We could get three small tanks into -the boat, and the men could fill them by means of barricoes." - -"Very well," agreed von Giespert. "Pick four men who can best be -spared. How is the glass?" - -"Steady, Herr Kapitan." - -"I suppose there is a possibility of the numskulls missing the island -entirely? If so, we shall lose a valuable boat." - -"I can give them the compass course. It is usually a favourable wind -both ways," said Strauss reassuringly. "All being well, they ought to -be back in a couple of days." - -"Send them," rejoined von Giespert curtly; then in an undertone he -added: "It was a happy thought when I laid in that stock of Pilsener -at Batavia, Herr Strauss. Shall we split a bottle now?" - -At daybreak the whaler set off on its voyage to Nua Leha. Barely were -the boat's sails out of sight when one of the Huns who had been -employed ashore came off with the news that he had discovered an -ample supply of water. - -Von Giespert showed no signs of thankfulness at the intelligence. -Instead, he cursed the man for not finding the spring earlier, and -upbraided Strauss for sending away the whaler on an unnecessary -errand. - -For the greater part of the day the sweeping-operations were resumed, -the men working sullenly and taking advantage of every opportunity to -skulk. About three in the afternoon one of the grapnels fouled -something, and a diver descended to examine and report upon the -nature of the obstruction. - -He came to the surface with the information that the grapnel had -caught in the fluke of a large stockless anchor to which was shackled -a heavy studded chain. He had traced the latter for a distance of ten -metres, at which point it had sunk deeply into the ooze. - -This was the one promising incident of the fortnight's operations. -Von Giespert, shaking off his lethargy, showed tremendous interest in -the find. - -"They would, of course, have anchored the prize before they scuttled -her, Strauss," he observed, "or she might have drifted into very -shoal water. Tell that fool of a diver to go down again. What's the -use of half doing a job? If he takes a crowbar with him he can trace -the whole length of the cable, even if it is under mud." - -While the diver was engaged upon his task von Giespert departed from -his usual routine by getting out of his hammock-chair and going to -the rail, from whence he could watch the operations. - -When, after an interval of forty minutes, the man reappeared, von -Giespert hailed a boat to fetch him off. Into this he jumped, not -waiting until it was alongside the accommodation-ladder, and ordered -the rowers to pull their hardest. - -The report was a most disappointing one. The diver had succeeded in -finding the free end of the cable. There were only four links buried -in the mud. In order to confirm his statement he had bent a rope to -the last link and had brought the line up with him. - -That evening von Giespert was a prey to alternate hopes and fears. He -upbraided Strauss when the latter suggested that the anchor might -have belonged to a vessel that had put into the lagoon and had either -parted or had been compelled to slip her cable; and he raved -incoherently when Strauss hinted that the British or the Australian -Government might have already recovered the treasure and blown up the -wreck. - -Ten hours after the time of her expected arrival the whaler returned -from Nua Leha, deeply laden with water obtained at considerable risk -and by dint of hard work. - -"We have found the English ship, _Titania_, Herr Kapitan," reported -the man in charge of the watering-party. - -"Where?" demanded von Giespert. - -"At the island where we were sent to get water, Herr Kapitan." - -"What is she doing there?" demanded von Giespert. - -"She was lying at anchor in the lagoon, Herr Kapitan. All her boats -were out, and they had buoys placed round a certain spot." - -Von Giespert uttered a round oath. - -"Did they see you?" he asked. - -"No, Herr Kapitan," replied the man. "We thought it best to be -prudent, so directly we sighted the vessel we rowed away and landed -on the opposite side of the island. There was water there----" - -"Never mind about the water," interrupted the owner of the _Zug_. "Is -that all you saw?" - -"We made our way round the island and climbed a hill overlooking the -lagoon. Max had his glasses with him. They were diving for something. -On the beach were tents and huts, and a pile of boxes. Early next -morning we went there again, but the Englishmen were ashore playing -cricket. So we did not stop, but filled up with water and set sail. -The breeze fell light on our way back----" - -Von Giespert asked several more questions, then curtly dismissed the -man. - -"Come to my cabin, Strauss," he said abruptly. - -Behind locked doors the two Huns discussed the disconcerting news. - -"Huts, tents, and diving in the lagoon," quoted von Giespert. "It's -quite certain that Harborough is not killing time there. He's tricked -us--tricked us, Strauss." - -"It looks like it, Herr Kapitan," remarked his second in command. "He -must have known when he lured us here." - -For once von Giespert accepted his subordinate's suggestion without -either flatly contradicting or scoffing at him. - -"That cursed Englishman has been grossly deceiving me," he exclaimed. -"It is a breach of good faith, but I'll be quits with him yet." - -It was a typically German and consequently one-sided view to take. -Not for one moment did von Giespert consider that he had not -hesitated to employ underhand methods beside which Harborough's ruse -was simple in the extreme. The Hun had commenced operations by -stealing what he took to be the genuine charts and plans; he had not -hesitated to employ physical force in his attempts to cripple the -British expedition, and now, like a boomerang, his villainy had come -back upon himself. His mind was filled with feelings of rage at the -fact that his rival had scored heavily. - -"What do you propose to do, Herr Kapitan?" asked Strauss, after the -climax of his employer's temper had been passed. - -"Do?" exclaimed von Giespert. "Something desperate. I will stick at -nothing. Listen; how will this do?" - -His subordinate's eyes gleamed as he listened to the hastily-outlined -scheme. - -"It is indeed colossal, Herr von Giespert," declared Strauss, his -sense of proportion swept away by the magnitude of his employer's -powers of imagination. "Carried out in its entirety it will be simply -perfection." - -"It will be," agreed von Giespert grimly. "We must see to that." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -Eureka! - - -"That young brother of yours has his head screwed on the right way, -Beverley," observed Harborough in his blunt way, when he heard of the -conversation that led to the nocturnal discovery of the -treasure-ship. "Jolly good thing we brought him along. We might have -been groping for the wreck for weeks." - -"I suppose it is the _Fusi Yama_," said Bobby. - -"Of course," declared Harborough emphatically. "The boat we fished up -proves that." He glanced at his watch. "In another hour and a half -we'll put a half-Nelson on the last remaining doubts." - -It was just before the breakfast-hour on the morning following the -eventful night. The crew of the _Titania_, in spite of a somewhat -boisterous demonstration that lasted till the small hours of the -morning, were up and ready to resume operations. - -For the preliminary diving-work it was arranged that a descent should -be made from one of the boats as before; then, the shoal water -surrounding the wreck having been surveyed, a guide-rope could be -paid out between the _Fusi Yama_ and the beach, in accordance with -Claverhouse's suggestion. - -At seven and a half fathoms Swaine found himself on the poop of the -submerged vessel. There was enough natural light at that depth to -enable him to dispense with his electric lamp. Objects on her deck, -which was fairly well preserved in spite of a lapse of five years, -were readily discernable, but over the sides of the ship the water, -thick with sand and mud, was as black as ink. - -He made his way for'ard with the utmost caution, lest a rotten patch -in the deck should let him down into the cavernous depths below. -Everything of a portable nature had vanished from the deck, even the -bridge and charthouse, badly damaged by shell-fire from the German -cruiser, had gone, save for a few twisted steel girders. The jagged -stumps of the masts and the base of the funnel remained, while held -in a grotesque inverted position from the davits were three boats -similar to the one that the grapnel had brought to the surface. The -hatches of the two cargo-holds had been removed, but whether by the -prize-crew or by the action of the water Swaine could not determine. -As he placed one leaden-shod foot upon the steel coaming and peered -into the opaque depths of one of the holds, Swaine felt himself -wondering what secrets that abyss held, and whether he would be -successful in his efforts to prise the treasure from the keeping of -the sea. - -Although he had carefully studied the plans of the scuttled ship, and -knew the details of her internal arrangements by heart, Swaine made -no attempt to go below. For the present his object was to examine and -report upon the position and condition of the vessel, and the best -means of getting at the valuable contents of the strong-room which, -according to the plans, was on the main deck just abaft the after -bulkhead of the engine-room. - -As he neared the fore part of the ship Swaine felt his progress -sensibly retarded. A part of the current that he knew from previous -experience set past the two wrecks had been diverted and was sweeping -diagonally across the fo'c'sle of the _Fusi Yama_, with a velocity of -from one to two miles an hour. Right aft the current was hardly -perceptible as far as the deck was concerned, but over the side the -steady ripple of running water, although inaudible, was apparent by -the drifting pieces of weed and kelp. - -Leaving one end of a rope made fast to a bollard, Swaine came to the -surface and made his report. One of the boats then pulled to the -beach, paying out the line as it went. By eleven o'clock in the -morning a "distance-rope" was in position between the _Fusi Yama_ and -the shore. - -In the afternoon Swaine paid another visit to the wreck, this time -entering the water from the beach and following the tautened rope. -For half the distance his progress was fairly rapid, judging from the -diver's point of view, but towards the latter end of his submarine -walk he experienced considerable difficulty from the cross-current, -having, in fact, to hold on tightly to prevent himself being swept -away. - -Close alongside the wreck, which he noticed had already sunk to her -bilge-keels in the sand and mud, the current was hardly apparent, -being deflected by the flare of the vessel's bows. - -Examination by the aid of the portable electric lamp revealed no -signs of the hull having been damaged by internal explosion. -Evidently the Huns effected the scuttling by opening the sea-cocks. - -Clambering on board--a fairly-easy task owing to the buoyancy of the -diving-dress, which, notwithstanding leaden weights, was only a few -pounds heavier than the water it displaced--Swaine made his way down -the main companion-ladder. - -'Tween decks a weird sight presented itself. Within the limits of the -rays of the lamp he could see wooden articles of various descriptions -pinned up against the ceilings. Other objects, heavier than water, -lay about the deck, all covered with a slimy marine growth. - -Progressing, he made his way to the strong-room. The massive door was -partly open. There were indications that the complicated locks had -been blown open by powerful explosives, but a temporary fastening, -consisting of a steel bar secured by a large brass padlock, prevented -the diver from ascertaining the nature of the contents of the room. - -He returned to the shore by the same way, to find his comrades -anxiously awaiting him. - -"I've found the strong-room," were his first words. - -"Empty?" inquired half a dozen voices eagerly. - -"Couldn't say," replied Swaine. "I think not, otherwise the Huns -wouldn't have troubled to padlock it." - -"Let's hope you're right," said Harborough. "They went off in a -hurry, I understand, and the gold was stated to have been left on -board." - -"At any rate, sir, they had time to open the sea-cocks, and not blow -her bilges out," continued Swaine. - -"Teutonic thoroughness," explained the baronet; "they were in a -hurry, with Australian and Jap. cruisers at their heels, but there -was time to scuttle her methodically. They evidently hoped to raise -her after the war." - -"Pity we couldn't," observed Villiers. "It would save a lot of -trouble in the long run." - -"Unfortunately, that is an experienced Salvage Company's work," -rejoined Harborough. "It would mean either filling her with -air-cylinders or else building a coffer-dam round her and pumping the -water out. We know our capabilities, and we won't begin cutting into -other fellow's jobs, so we'll just carry on." - -During the next day an electric submarine-lamp was lowered into the -hull of the wreck, the current being supplied by a dynamo worked off -the shaft of the motor-launch; while electrically-operated drills -were sent below ready to commence the task of opening the door of the -strong-room. - -The work continued in almost perfect weather, the extreme heat of the -day being tempered by a soft breeze. Lassitude, one of the drawbacks -of the tropics, was unknown, so bracing were the sea-breezes. Even -after a day's toil the men felt so full of energy that they indulged -in games of cricket, making rough and ready bats from pieces of -plank, and balls fashioned of rope-yarn and junk bound with -seaming-twine. - -"Think I'm up to scratch now, old thing?" inquired Villiers, after -half an hour's diving-practice. - -"Not much doubt about it," replied Swaine. "You've put in five hours -altogether. You can have a shot at the wreck to-morrow." - -Jack Villiers had indeed made good progress as a diver. -Constitutionally fitted, and possessing a steady nerve, he soon -mastered the relatively-simple "gadgets" that made the self-contained -diving-dress admittedly superior to that of the older type, in which -the diver is hampered by life-line and air-tube. In a case of -emergency the diver could blow himself to the surface by liberating a -quantity of compressed air from a strong metal cylinder strapped -immediately beneath the air-reservoir. The compressed air would then -distend the outer fabric of the diving-suit without interfering with -the wearer's breathing, with the result that the man would rise to -the surface, his leaden sinkers notwithstanding. - -Accordingly, upon the next descent to the wreck Swaine did not go -alone. Close on his heels followed Villiers, keeping a firm hold on -the rope that led from the shore to the hull of the _Fusi Yama_. - -With little difficulty the two divers found themselves outside the -strong-room door. The space between decks, lighted by the electric -submarine-lamp, was shorn of most of its uncanniness by the powerful -rays, but a number of fish, attracted by the glare, were swimming to -and fro, sometimes butting blindly against the glass fronts of the -men's helmets. - -Villiers was thankful that none of the fish was of a dangerous -variety. They looked hideous enough, magnified by the water. There -were some with formidable-looking spines, others resembling skate -with ferocious, underhung jaws, some that looked like conger-eels, -and one with a razor-backed body, who persisted in rubbing against -Villier's bare hands until Jack drew a knife and settled it with the -awkward customer. But, he was thankful to observe, sharks, -sword-fish, and cuttle-fish were not in evidence. - -Both men set to work first to clear away the imprisoned and floating -debris. Broken deck-chairs, life-belts with rotten canvas coverings, -wooden buckets, and other articles that still retained their buoyancy -were dragged to the companion-hatchway and liberated. This done, the -doors were drawn together and lashed, leaving room for the -electric-light cable leads to pass through the aperture. By so doing -the divers had rendered themselves secure from roaming tigers of the -deep. - -The steel bar on the door of the strong-room was a formidable affair. -Even by the aid of the electric drills, the metal was only cut -through to the depth of an inch when Swaine gave the signal to knock -off and return to the beach. - -One hour and twenty minutes had elapsed, and another forty minutes -represented the total period during which a man could remain -submerged before his air-supply became impure. - -"Slow progress," reported Swaine, on their return. "With luck we -ought to cut through that jolly old bar in a couple of hours. How did -you like the job, Jack?" - -"Not so dusty," replied Villiers guardedly. - -"That is an obvious statement," rejoined his fellow-worker. "We -certainly weren't working in a dust-laden atmosphere. By Jove, I am -hungry! What's going, Pete?" - -"Taro and pork-pie, sah," replied the cook, whereupon all the others -laughed, for that sort of pie had become part of the daily routine. - -"Keen on carrying on, Jack?" inquired Swaine, when, having partaken -of a substantial meal, all hands were resting and enjoying a smoke. - -"Rather," replied Villiers emphatically. "I'm anxious to see the -other side of that strong-room door." - -"Come on, then," continued Swaine, knocking out his pipe on the heel -of his boot. "Now, then, fall in, the divers' attendants. There's no -need to stand there hanging on to the slack. Slap it about." - -With increased confidence Villiers plunged into the water, following -his chum. At a pre-arranged signal the electric submarine-lamp was -switched on and the companion-doors closed. - -Alternately holding the electric drill, the two divers resumed their -attack upon the steel bar, until Swaine gave the signal to desist. -Then pointing to a heavy sledge hammer, he motioned to Villiers to -give the _coup de grâce_. - -It looked a simple task to break the almost severed bar. The hammer, -weighing fourteen pounds in air, seemed ridiculously light, but when -Villiers tried to swing it, the result surprised him. He had not -calculated the resistance of the water. - -At the third attempt Jack laid the hammer down in disgust, then -picking up a crow-bar he applied the wedge-shaped end to the bar and -bore down with all his weight, planting one leaden-soled boot against -the door to give greater leverage. - -The steel bar gave. Villiers found himself deposited gently on his -back. Agreeably surprised that he hadn't fallen violently, he -realized that the resistance of the water that had rendered the -hammer-blows almost useless had also let him down softly. - -It took him some moments to regain a vertical position. He could see -his companion grinning at him through the plate-glass front of his -helmet. Then almost the next instant he became aware that he could -not keep contact with the floor but was rising through the water. -Inadvertently, in his struggles he had opened the release-valve to -the compressed-air reservoir, and but for the intervening roof he -would have been well on his way to the surface. - -It had taken place so quickly that Swaine had no chance to come to -the luckless diver's assistance, while most of the compressed air had -found its way into Villier's diving-dress. By the time Swaine -succeeded in closing the valve Jack was pinned pretty firmly against -the ceiling. - -Vainly he strove, by pushing against the roof, to force himself down. -A mild panic seized him. He struggled so violently that he rasped the -skin from the knuckles of his bare hands. - -Raising one arm and securing a grip on Villier's gorget, Swaine -pulled himself up until the metal of his helmet was in contact with -that of his companion's. By this means he could shout and be -understood. - -"Don't struggle," urged Swaine. "I'll get you out if you don't. Quite -simple." - -Making his way to the companion-ladder, Swaine opened the double -doors, then, by dint of an acrobatic feat that would have been -impossible to perform in air, he dragged the buoyant, distended form -of his companion to the opening. - -Given a final push to speed him on his way, Villiers shot like an -arrow to the surface. The sudden change of pressure wellnigh deprived -him of his senses, but he was just conscious of floating face -uppermost on the surface within a few feet of the motor-boat that -supplied the electric current to the interior of the wreck. - -Great was Beverley's consternation when he saw one of the divers -blown to the surface. Bobby had been having an easy task of standing -by attending at intervals to the motor, when the inflated -diving-dress, and its unrecognizable occupant, suddenly emerged -alongside. - -By the aid of a boat-hook Villiers was brought within hand's reach, -but the task of getting him on board had yet to be tackled. - -Assisted by O'Loghlin, Griffiths, and Bell, Beverley passed a couple -of ropes round the distended diving-dress and carefully, yet -unceremoniously, parbuckled Jack into safety, although the boat -dipped until her waterways were awash. - -"All right, Villiers, old thing?" inquired Beverley anxiously, when -the first of the glass plates of the helmet was unscrewed. - -"Yes--I think so," replied Jack in a voice he hardly recognized as -his own. "I'll explain later." - -"And Swaine?" - -"Quite O.K.," declared Villiers emphatically. - -Willing hands divested him of his cumbersome diving-dress, and, a -boat having put off from the shore, Jack was transhipped and taken to -the camp. - -"Nothing to worry about," reported Beverley, in answer to eager -inquiries. "Let him alone, and don't worry him with questions. Hallo! -here's Swaine." Swaine, having come ashore by the usual way of -following the rope, had arrived in shoal water unwelcomed by anyone. -Finding that there was no one to assist him, he trudged above -high-water mark and sat down, looking a hideously-grotesque figure. - -Harborough and two or three others hurried to him. - -"Villiers all right?" were his first words. - -"Yes," replied Sir Hugh. "What happened?" - -"Happened?" repeated Swaine, with a chuckle. "He wrenched open the -door, and the result so astonished him that he went up, leaving me to -find the gold. It's there, right enough." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -The Hurricane - - -"Hanged if I like the look of things," commented Beverley. "The glass -has fallen six-tenths in the last two hours, and the sunset looks -like a blurr of pea-soup. We're in for something before morning." - -It was the evening of Villier's unpleasant experience and the -discovery of the _Fusi Yama_ gold. Work on the wreck had been -suspended for the rest of the day, although Jack pluckily volunteered -to make another descent with Swaine, and to begin the actual salvage -of the treasure. This proposal Harborough had negatived. He believed -in moderation. - -"No use putting in one and a half working days in one if it takes two -days to get over it," he remarked. "I don't believe in making spurts -until I'm on the last lap." - -Merridew, who was officer of the watch on shore, agreed with -Beverley's observations about the sunset. - -"I think we'll have the tents struck," he added. "We can sleep in the -store-house. That ought to stick it out. How will your buses get on, -Alec?" - -"Badly, if we don't do something," replied Claverhouse. "Come along, -Trevear, old son; we've a job in front of-us before we go to roost." - -"I'll bear a hand," volunteered Bell, and Griffiths, who was rarely -separated from his particular chum, also offered his assistance. - -Directly the four had gone to prepare the sea-planes for the expected -blow, Merridew levelled his telescope on the _Titania_. - -"The Old Man knows his job," he remarked to Beverley. "They're -furling awnings and veering out additional cable. But I'm hanged if I -like the look of things." - -Just as the sun sank, leaving behind it an ill-defined blurr of -indigo-coloured clouds tinged with vivid copper-coloured streaks, the -rain began to fall heavily. Not a breath of wind stirred the -broad-leaved branches of the palm trees, although the big drops -thudded upon the foliage with a noise like the roll of a hundred -drums. In less than thirty seconds the _Titania_ was lost to sight in -the terrific downpour that obliterated everything beyond a distance -of fifty yards from the spot where Beverley stood. - -Clad in oilskins and sou'wester, Bobby revelled in the warm rain. He -waited until the short twilight had passed into intense darkness, -then he rejoined the others in the hut. - -"What, not turning in to-night, you fellows?" he inquired. "Perhaps -it's as well. Wonder how the old _Titania_ will stand it?" - -"Wonder how the old hut'll stick it, you mean," said Fontayne. "A -sand-bagged dug-out on the side of the hill would be more the mark, I -fancy. By Jove, I don't envy Claverhouse and his breakdown gang." - -"Any sign of a leak?" asked Bobby, casting anxious glances at the -palm-leaf thatch, on the outside of which the rain was falling down -with a noise like that made by a number of peas when violently shaken -in a tin can. - -"All right, so far," replied Fontayne, "but it looks as if the floor -will be flooded. Pity we hadn't dug a trench round outside." - -"The ground slopes a bit," observed Swaine, "so the water won't -lodge. Hallo! I'm not so sure about it. Look here!" - -A steady rivulet was finding its way in at the landward side of the -hut. All hands hurriedly set to work to dig a runway to divert and -keep under control what promised to be a healthy little mountain -torrent. - -In the midst of this operation Alec and his three companions arrived, -drenched to the skin but nevertheless cheerful. - -"Don't care if it rains ink," observed Claverhouse blithely. "We've -secured the buses and removed the wings. Hope it doesn't blow too -hard." - -Even as he spoke there came a weird moaning noise from without, -followed by a blow that shook the hut to its foundations. It was the -preliminary announcement of a tropical hurricane. For full five -minutes it lasted, creating a pandemonium of noises as the supple -trees bent and groaned under the furious blasts. - - -[Illustration: JACK WAS PINNED PRETTY FIRMLY AGAINST THE CEILING] - - -"Lucky the trees keep off most of the wind," said Bobby, raising his -voice to make himself heard above the din. "Suppose we shift some of -those heavy cases and pile 'em against the windward side." - -All hands, with the exception of the recently-arrived working-party, -who were in various stages of deshabille, set to work with a will, -until a fairly-solid barricade was constructed on either side of the -door up to the level with the eaves. - -As suddenly as it had started the wind dropped to a flat calm. The -rain, too, was lighter. - -"Guess it's all over," remarked Griffiths. "It will be starlight -outside." - -"No such luck," replied Bobby. "That's only a preliminary canter. -While we're about it we may as well rig up a couple of -preventer-shrouds to that hurricane-lamp. I didn't like the way it -swayed about just now." - -The second phase of the storm burst. This time the wind roared. There -was no sinister whine in the furious rush of air, but there was no -mistaking the strength of the blast. A palm tree, uprooted, came -crashing to earth, its leafed crest brushing against the side of the -hut before it came to rest a good fifty feet away. Again and again -the side of the hut bulged ominously, while eddying gusts found their -way into the building, as if seeking a weak spot in the flimsy but -stoutly-woven material. - -The men stood silently alert. The noise of the elements crushed all -desire to talk. Momentarily they expected to see the hut torn from -its foundations and flung, like a discarded toy from the hand of a -fractious child, into the storm-swept night. - -This outburst lasted a good ten minutes. Then followed a period of -calm unaccompanied by rain. The eerie silence that succeeded the -deafening roar was almost as awe-inspiring as the hurricane. - -"How's the old ship sticking it?" remarked Merridew. "I'll go out and -have a look round." - -He could see nothing save a line of white as the rollers, forced over -the reef by the gale, lashed the beach. - -Beyond all was in darkness. Whether the _Titania's_ anchors held or -whether she had been driven ashore there was no means of telling. - -A long-drawn shrill whine warned him that it was high time to beat a -retreat. He was not a moment too soon. He regained the hut, but it -took the united efforts of four men to close and secure the door. - -No one spoke a word, but everyone realized that the third outburst -would be the worst, and perhaps the last. It came, accompanied by -vivid flashes of lightning and ear-splitting peals of thunder that -even made the heavy cases reverberate. Mingled with the loud roar of -the wind was that shrill, almost unearthly whine that means mischief. - -Suddenly the interior of the hut was brightly illuminated by a flash -of lightning. The roof, lifted by a particularly vicious squall, had -vanished, leaving a trail of violently eddying leaves and bamboo -rafters. Then, while the men were still blinded by the dazzling -glare, the wind backed a full four points, struck the roofless hut on -its weakest side, and the next moment the building was levelled. - -Buried beneath a mat-like mass of thatch, Beverley found himself -prostrate on the flooded ground. Someone's rubber-shod foot was -beating a tattoo on his face as its wearer endeavoured to extricate -himself from an unenviable position. - -As Bobby was regaining his feet another brilliant flash gave him a -brief but vivid glimpse of his immediate surroundings. His comrades -were struggling through the debris, looking much like a litter of -healthy puppies forcing their way through a covering of hay. The -barricade of boxes had been overthrown, some of the cases lodging -against the trunks of the palm trees, nearly fifty feet away. - -Many of the trees were bending until the tops nearly touched the -ground; others, uprooted, were hurled like straws against those still -standing, and formed a gigantic lattice-work. A dozen yards away the -kerosene-lamp, with its glass completely shattered, lay blazing -fiercely, the heavy downpour of rain tending to spread the flames. - -Guided by the blaze, Beverley made his way to the blazing pool of -oil. Close by he saw a large box with cryptic markings in red paint. -It contained a couple of hundred pounds of high explosives--safe to -handle since the stuff had to be detonated by means of a primer, but -not proof against the attack of fire. Already the flames were licking -the box, and only the fact that the woodwork was damp owing to the -torrential rain had prevented a disastrous explosion. - -Acting almost mechanically, yet conscious to a certain degree of the -risk he ran, Beverley literally ploughed his way through the chaos of -bamboo and thatch and seized the rope-handle of the explosive-case. -Desperation lent him the strength of a giant. With a mighty heave he -shifted the heavy case a full yard to windward of the burning oil; -then, walking backwards with his body inclined at an acute angle to -the slope of the ground, he dragged the deadly explosive well out of -harm's way. - -Only when he desisted did he notice that the legs of his oilskin -trousers were charred and smouldering still. - -Aided by the frequent flashes of lightning and the now dying glare of -the kerosene, the rest of the late occupants of the store-house -extricated themselves and each other from their awkward and dangerous -predicament, and in the blinding rain they made for the shelter of -the palm groves, never halting till they had placed a full hundred -yards between them and the outpost of trees that held out against the -hurricane. - -Even now the position of the shore-party was far from enviable. Every -man was soaked to the skin; most bore cuts or bruises, while Bell and -Merridew were both badly knocked about by one of the packing-cases as -the barricade gave way before the blast. - -"Think the _Titania_ stood it?" asked Merridew. - -There was no reply. Every man had his doubts. Bobby was regretting -the fact that he had refused to let Dick come ashore the previous -afternoon. - -For another hour the men sheltered in the palm grove. Here it was -comparatively calm, although the trunks were trembling with the -effect of the gale upon their verdant tops. To attempt to leave their -place of refuge and go down to the beach meant striving to attain the -impossible. No one could face the full force of the blast in the -open. - -At half-past two in the morning the wind died away as suddenly as it -had started; the stars shone in an unclouded sky, and only the debris -scattered in the glades and the unusually loud roar of the surf -remained. - -"It's all over," declared Beverley. "Let's make for the beach." - -They arrived to find that the breakers were already being subdued by -the reef, on which the mountainous rollers were hurling themselves in -sullen fury. Pitching heavily as she rode with open hawse to the -waves was the _Titania_, standing out clearly against the starlit -sky. - -"I don't think she's dragged a yard," declared Bobby. "Jolly -lucky----" - -"What's that?" interrupted Griffiths, pointing to something rolling -in the undertow of the surface at a distance of a hundred yards from -the beach. - -The men rushed to the spot to find that the _Titania's_ cutter had -been torn from the davits and had been dashed ashore. - -Watching his opportunity, Claverhouse waded waist-deep into the water -and secured the painter. All hands succeeded in hauling the boat -beyond the rush of the waves, but the mischief was already done. Her -keel, kelson, and garboards smashed, the boat was beyond repair. - -"I'm off to have a look at the sea-planes," decided Alec. "Nothing -like keeping on the move when you're soaked to the buff. Come along, -Trevear, old son." - -The airmen departed. The others, unable to communicate with the ship, -thought that activity was the best antidote to saturated clothing, -and proceeded to set things in order. - -It was a big task. Their first objects of attention were the three -boats that were kept ashore at night. Fortunately they had been -hauled up well above high-water mark and secured by their painters to -some stout trees, while a line and grapnel had been laid out from the -stern of each. Even then it had been touch and go. Only the heavy -downpour preceding the hurricane had prevented the boats from being -hurled away, the weight of the water in the bilges being barely -sufficient to counterbalance the lifting-force of the wind. - -They found the three boats nearly filled to the thwarts with water, -sand, and lumps of coral. - -Having pulled out the plugs and allowed the water to drain from the -boats, the men proceeded to the site of the store-house, and set to -work to collect the scattered cases. - -"Look!" exclaimed Swaine, pointing to the box of explosives. "We've -had a narrow squeak, lads. The wood's charred." - -"So it is," agreed Merridew. "How? It's yards from the blaze caused -by the lamp. Lightning, perhaps. Don't you think so, Beverley?" - -"P'r'aps," replied Bobby. "Anyone got any dry tobacco? Mine's a -wash-out." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -"Konked Out" - - -Daybreak found the members of the expedition tired, hungry, and -undaunted. The gale had wrought havoc with their resources. In less -than a minute the work of days had been scattered to the winds, and -until the remains could be collected and examined not even a rough -idea of the state of their provisions and equipment could be -obtained. - -Long before the waters of the lagoon returned to their usual state of -tranquillity, Harborough, Villiers, and Dick Beverley came ashore. -They, too, bore traces of the night's ordeal, for every man on board -had momentarily expected the _Titania_ to part her cables and come up -on the beach. - -"It might have been worse," remarked Harborough philosophically, as -he surveyed the devastated site of the store-house. "We've had a very -sticky time. The motor-boat's gone--torn clean away from her chocks." - -"And the cutter," added Beverley. "The remains are lying just beyond -that ledge." - -"How did the sea-planes get on?" inquired Villiers. - -"Can't say," replied Bobby. "Alec and young Trevear have gone off to -see what's happened." - -"There's one thing," remarked Harborough. "We have no further use for -them, and it's merely a question of financial loss. We've to be -thankful that we came out with comparatively whole skins. Wonder how -the other fellows fared?" - -"What other fellows?" inquired Villiers. - -"Our friends the Huns," explained the baronet. "The _Zug_, with her -high freeboard and being fairly light in ballast, must have felt it -even more than the _Titania_. Directly we get things a bit ship-shape -I'll run across and see if they are all right. Hanged if I like the -idea of their being cut off on Ni Telang, even though they didn't act -all above board. Well, how about some breakfast, Pete?" - -Harborough was not a man to question the workings of Providence, and -to moan and grouse because Nature had done her best to wreck his -plans. Adversity only spurred him to greater efforts. Like a -punching-ball, he rebounded promptly from the effects of what would -have been to the toughest prize-fighter a knock-out blow. - -Pete, too, rose to the occasion. Although the kitchen had shared the -fate of the store-house, and the remains of the provisions took some -finding, the hungry men were presently sitting down to a hot and -appetising repast in which, greatly to Villiers' relief, cold pork -did not figure. But there was a new item on the menu: turtle steak. -Pete, wandering along the shore while the others were salving the -remains of the cutter, had discovered a fine specimen of a turtle, -capsized and lying far above high-water mark. - -Breakfast had only just started when Claverhouse and his party -returned. - -"One's gone, sir," he reported, in answer to Harborough's inquiry -concerning the sea-planes. "Turned completely over, and the motor's -crashed through the fuselage. The other is all right. On our way back -we found the motor-boat perched on top of a patch of undergrowth." - -"Damaged?" - -"Not as far as I could make out," replied Alec. "She is lying with -her bows well up, and the after part is full of water." - -The meal over, Harborough outlined a plan of action. Until the damage -had been made good, as far as their resources permitted, further -operations on the wreck were to be suspended. Another store-house, -more solidly constructed, and erected on an enclosed clearing farther -from the beach, was put in hand. Griffiths and Bell, assisted by -Pete, were told off to examine the debris and set aside everything -likely to be of value. The two Beverleys, Merridew, Vivian, and -Fontayne were to launch the undamaged boats and to extricate the -motor-boat from its unaccustomed berth. - -"By the by, Claverhouse," said Harborough. "You will be tuning up our -remaining _Cormorant_, I presume? If she's absolutely in -running-order, I wish you'd make a trip across to Ni Telang and see -how the _Zug_ stood the gale. Provided she's still afloat, you -needn't have any communication with our friend von Giespert. In fact, -if you can contrive to escape observation so much the better. I don't -want them to know we are anywhere in the vicinity." - -"I understand, sir," replied Claverhouse. "If they're down and out, -we'll give them a leg up; if they aren't, we'll simply let 'em carry -on in their own sweet way." - -"Precisely," agreed Harborough. - -Alec hurried off to carry out his instructions. It was a task after -his own heart, a fairly-long out and home flight, which in his -opinion was infinitely preferable to doing "stunts" over the lagoon. -Assisted by Trevear, he had the planes reassembled and the engine -tuned up in less than an hour and a half. Then, with additional help, -the _Cormorant_ was launched and given a preliminary flight. - -"Good enough, Trevear, old thing!" shouted Alec. "Sorry you aren't in -this stunt. Cheerio!" - -The propeller began to revolve; the sea-plane taxied through the -water, turned head on to the light breeze, and "took off" in -faultless style. - -Claverhouse "turned her nose at it", and rose steadily to a height of -two thousand feet. Then, following a compass course and allowing for -the slight side-drift, he held on for twenty minutes, at the end of -which time he could discern the triple peaks of Ni Telang. - -The time of day was favourable for a reconnaissance without running -much risk of being spotted, for the sun was now almost overhead and -blazing down fiercely. Provided he kept at a sufficient height and -slowed down his engine until it "revved" just sufficient to give the -sea-plane enough lift to counteract the force of gravity, the trick -was easy. - -Passing over the lagoon at an immense height, Alec got his glasses to -bear upon the scene beneath. The _Zug_ lay, apparently undamaged, at -the spot where she had dropped anchor at the conclusion of the race -to the the wrong island. Two or three boats lay alongside, but there -were no signs of activity. - -"Looks as if they've packed up ready to go home," soliloquized -Claverhouse. "Wonder if they've realized that they've been done in -the eye?" - -The answer to that question was, in Parliamentary language, "in the -affirmative", but Alec did not know that. Von Giespert was on the eve -of his desperate venture. He had sworn to gain possession of the gold -from the _Fusi Yama_ at all costs. If he failed, then he would make -doubly certain that Harborough would never get the precious metal to -England. - -Harborough's generous action in sending Claverhouse to ascertain that -the _Zug_ was safe or otherwise was unnecessary from a life-saving -standpoint. The path of the hurricane had missed Ni Telang -altogether, the outer edge of the comparatively narrow, curved track -passing not nearer than twenty miles of the _Zug's_ anchorage. - -Having completed his observations, Claverhouse turned, and, making a -long vol-plane, was well out of hearing-distance when he "opened -out". - -As he did so his trained ear detected an unaccustomed sound. The -rythmic roar of the motor was giving place to a decidedly jerky -splutter. Greatly retarding the spark, he attempted to coax the -engine to pick up; juggling with the throttle produced no -satisfactory result. The "revs" grew slower and more erratic, until -Alec realized that there was nothing for it but to come down. - -The floats struck the water with considerable force. The struts -whipped and groaned, but withstood the severe strain. The _Cormorant_ -had alighted safely, but was beginning to drift steadily before the -breeze. - -"At this rate she'll put me ashore at Ni Telang," thought Alec, as he -took off his gloves, pushed back his goggles, and prepared for a -determined attempt to trace the fault. - -He located it quickly enough, but the knowledge disconcerted him. The -magneto had shorted. Possibly the damage had been caused during the -gale, but, by one of those extraordinary pranks that magnetos will -play, it had functioned perfectly for several hours before "going -West". - -Claverhouse clambered down to one of the floats and lit a cigarette. - -"There's one blessing," he observed to the empty expanse of sea: "Ni -Telang in 1920 isn't Ostend in 1917. But I'll have to pitch a yarn to -von Giespert, or he'll smell a rat. Wonder what'll happen, though, if -I miss the island altogether?" - -At the end of two hours drift he was able to reassure himself on that -score. Unless there were a decided shift of wind the _Cormorant_ -would hit Ni Telang or the reef surrounding it. He did not fancy the -latter locality. Even viewed from a great height the surf did not -appear inviting. - -"If I could only steer the old bus, I'd make the entrance to the -lagoon," he decided. - -Juggling with the ailerons seemed a likely solution, but the only -result was to cause the machine to dip and have a tendency to turn -broadside on. The hydro rudder, by which the _Cormorant_ could be -turned when taxi-ing on the surface, was inadequate while drifting at -slow speed. - -"The old bus is done for in any case," he soliloquized, and, armed -with a knife, wire-cutters, and pliers he made his way out on one of -the planes and removed the starboard aileron. This he lashed to a -dismantled strut, and on taking the improvised paddle to the after -float he found that he could keep the sea-plane fairly under control -with the clumsy steering-oar. - -It was not until the derelict was actually within the lagoon that one -of the _Zug's_ crew spotted the unexpected arrival. A boat was manned -and rowed off to the _Cormorant_. - -"I suppose I ought to sink the old bus," thought Alec. "If I did, it -would look fishy. After all, I don't suppose they'll be able to make -use of her." - -"Where do you hail from?" inquired the coxswain of the boat. He spoke -in English, knowing from grim experience of recent history that -English is the master-language of the Pacific, and that German is at -a discount. - -Claverhouse, with a comprehensive sweep of his arm, indicated a good -180 degrees of the horizon. - -The German grunted. - -"Get on board," he said gruffly. - -Nothing more was said until the boat ran alongside the _Zug's_ -accommodation-ladder. There were plenty of men looking over the -bulwarks, but they certainly did not appear to be overburdened with -work. - -Von Giespert's greeting of his uninvited guest left no doubt in -Alec's mind about his idea of bluff. - -"How's Harborough getting on at Nua Leha?" asked the German bluntly. - -"Quite well, when I last saw him," replied Claverhouse. "As a matter -of fact, he sent me to see how you were getting on." - -"Spying, eh?" - -"Not at all," corrected Alec. "He thought your vessel might have been -driven ashore in the hurricane last night, and was rather anxious -concerning your safety." - -"He'll have quite enough to do to think about his own safety before -I've done with him," rejoined von Giespert insolently. "Meanwhile, -you'll consider yourself a prisoner, Mr. Whatever your name is. If -you give trouble, then we'll pitch you to the sharks." - -"Right-o," replied Alec. "You might do me one favour, though." - -"What's that?" inquired von Giespert. - -"Let Harborough know I'm safe." - -The Hun laughed boisterously. He felt that as far as his prisoner was -concerned he could afford to ride the high horse. - -"If Harborough is anxious, he can come here for you," he replied. -"I'll be more than ready for him." - - -[Illustration: CLAVERHOUSE STEERS THE SEAPLANE INTO THE LAGOON] - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -Harborough's Ruse - - -It was not until sunset that Villiers was forced to admit the -probability that misfortune had overtaken Alec Claverhouse. The -majority of the other fellows had already taken pessimistic views -upon the subject of the airman's failure to return. Even Harborough, -although he said little, was far from hopeful. He realized that the -responsibility of the flight rested upon him, and he reproached -himself for sending Alec on the trip, when, with very little trouble, -the _Titania_ might have proceeded to investigate the state of the -rival expedition. - -"Alec knows his job thoroughly," declared Trevear; "if he's been -forced to come down the old bus will float." - -"Unfortunately, Nua Leha's dead to windward," remarked Merridew. - -"And Ni Telang's dead to leeward," added Beverley. "Of course he -might have found that things were in a bad way with the _Zug_, and in -that case he would have landed to offer assistance." - -"It's no use kagging and hanging on to the slack," said Harborough -briskly. "We'll take the _Titania_ and search for him. Not at once, -though. On a night like this it would be like looking for a needle in -a haystack. If we start an hour before dawn, it will be daylight when -we reach the farthest easterly position he's likely to be, after -making due allowance for the drift of the sea-plane. Tell off a -couple of hands to remain here, Mr. Villiers. The rest will go on -board; they may be more than useful." - -With this cryptic utterance Harborough led the way to the boats. -Fortunately, there were plenty of tinned and preserved provisions on -board the _Titania_, and she was practically ready for sea at half an -hour's notice. Before midnight the remaining boats were hoisted in, -the cable hove short, and the sail covers taken off; while, in case -Claverhouse should make for the island during the hours of darkness, -the searchlight was run in a vertical direction to serve as an aerial -signpost. - -All hands with the exception of the look-out then turned in to make -up much needed arrears of sleep, for neither ashore nor afloat had -they had a wink of sleep during the previous night, and had been -working at high pressure during the succeeding day. - -At 4 a.m. the duty watch was called, and twenty minutes later the -_Titania_ passed through the gap in the reef under power alone. -Directly she rounded the north-eastern extremity of the reef all -plain sail was made and the heavy oil engines shut down. For the -present, speed was neither necessary nor desirable. - -The first streaks of dawn found the yacht ten miles from Nua Leha, -doing about five knots before a steady following breeze. A -merchantman entering the danger-zone during the height of the -unrestricted U-boat campaign could not have kept a sharper look-out -than did the crew of the _Titania_ for any sign of the overdue -_Cormorant_. - -It was noon before the peaks of Ni Telang showed above the blue -horizon. Only once had the _Titania_ altered her course, and that was -to run two miles to the nor'ard to investigate a floating object that -turned out to be a large open crate, possibly washed from the deck of -a tramp during the hurricane. - -"We'll pay friend von Giespert a visit," said Harborough. "Probably -he'll wonder what we want, probably he won't. Time will prove." - -The _Titania_ was from two to three miles from the reef when Swaine, -who had betaken himself to the cross-trees and was making good use of -his powerful binoculars, hailed the deck. - -"There's the sea-plane, sir," he announced. "Close to the beach, -about a hundred yards to the right of that dark bluff." - -Harborough, closely followed by Villiers and Bobby Beverley, swarmed -up the rigging. There was little doubt about it. They could -distinguish what looked like the sea-plane, floating head to wind, at -about a quarter of a mile from the _Zug's_ berth. Even as they looked -a wreath of haze drifted down and hid a considerable portion of the -island from view. - -"Wonder if von Giespert's spotted us?" said Harborough, as the three -men regained the deck, leaving Swaine to perform the task of conning -the yacht through the passage between the reefs. "They've got the -_Cormorant_ right enough, unless our eyesight's very much at fault. -Let's only hope that Claverhouse is safe." - -Villiers went for'ard to see that the anchor was ready for letting -go, and the anchor-buoy ready for streaming. He had not been there -more than a couple of minutes before Swaine hailed again. - -"Haze's cleared," he reported; "but I can't see the sea-plane." - -The anchorage was now clearly visible from the deck, and, as the -mast-head man had stated, there was not a sign of the _Cormorant_. - -"Either she's been spirited away," thought Villiers, "or else we've -been victims of an hallucination." - -It was a tricky passage into the lagoon, for a fairly heavy -ground-swell, hardly perceptible off the island, made the _Titania_ -evince a tendency to yaw just at the critical moment. Scraping a -ledge of coral by a none-too-wide margin, she gained the sheltered -lagoon, rounded-to, and dropped anchor. - -Before the canvas was lowered and stowed a boat was observed putting -off from the _Zug_, but Claverhouse was not one of its occupants. -Seated in the stern-sheets in a white drill uniform was von Giespert. - -"Good-day, Sir Hugh," hailed the German, when the boat was within -twenty yards of the yacht. "Your visit surprises me. I hope you are -aware that the time-limit you imposed is not yet half expired?" - -"I am perfectly aware of that, Herr von Giespert," replied -Harborough. "We are here on a very different business. I understand -that one of my sea-planes is here." - -"Sea-planes?" repeated von Giespert, with well simulated -astonishment. "I do not understand." - -"Let me enlighten you," said Harborough, and proceeded to outline his -version of what had taken place. - -"You are obviously mistaken," persisted the owner of the _Zug_. "Look -where you will there is no seaplane of any description here. Perhaps -you are misled by taking that tent for the missing machine. And as -regards your aviator, you may accept my assurance that it would be a -pleasure to me to be able to restore him to you. Unfortunately, since -he is not here, that is impossible." - -Harborough's brows contracted. - -"I have the right to search the island," he declared bluntly. "Are -you prepared to give me permission to search your ship?" - -Von Giespert assumed an air of injured dignity. Up to the present he -had played his part well, for, the moment the approaching _Titania_ -had been sighted, he had sent a boat ashore and had quickly scuttled -the _Cormorant_ by the simple expedient of smashing the floats. - -"Your request is an insult, sir," he replied. "As such I can only -refuse it. To accede would be throwing away my dignity. Remember, -that ship flies the German flag, and England is now at peace with -Germany. Virtually, the _Zug_ is German territory, and should you -persist----" - -"You would resist by force of arms, eh?" added Harborough. - -Von Giespert hesitated. To admit that would also be acknowledging -that he feared the result of the search. - -"No, no," he replied; "but I would at once make for the nearest port -where there is a German Consular Agent and enter a complaint of the -outrage to the German flag." - -"Then there is no more to be said," rejoined Harborough, and, -ignoring the Hun, he turned and went below. - -"We are certainly in a bit of a fix," he admitted, conferring with -Villiers and Beverley. "There's something fishy about this business. -I'm rather inclined to arm a boat and board the _Zug_, but if -Claverhouse isn't on board then we'll let ourselves in for damages. I -couldn't swear positively that I saw the sea-plane, neither could -you. We saw something which we took to be the _Cormorant_, and, -taking it for granted, we allowed an illusion to get the better of -us." - -Both Villiers and Beverley admitted that they might have been -mistaken. The powers of suggestion which had, as they now thought, -conjured up the sea-plane, had now destroyed the belief. - -"We're wasting time," continued Harborough. "Claverhouse may be -drifting farther and farther away every moment. We'll weigh and run a -hundred miles to leeward, if necessary. I won't throw away a single -chance of getting him back." - -He went on deck and gave orders for the cable to be hove in. Under -the action of the powerful capstan twenty fathoms came on board -easily and rapidly; then came a decided check. - -"Foul bottom," declared Villiers, as he leant over the cathead and -peered into the clear water. "The fluke's caught in a rock, I'm -afraid. We'll try tripping the hook." - -Accordingly, the nun-buoy was fished on board, and the slack of the -stout hempen rope that led between it and the crown of the anchor was -hauled in until the yacht's bows were right over the anchor. - -Every available man tailed on to the rope, but even with the aid of a -tackle the anchor stubbornly refused to leave the bed of the lagoon. - -"And we haven't a diving-dress on board," lamented Swaine. - -"I'm not going to borrow one from the _Zug_, in any case," said -Harborough resolutely. "Avast heaving and slack away. I'll get power -on the ship and see what that will do. Something's bound to go." - -Something did. With both engines running at full speed, the yacht -forged ahead until the cable snubbed and her bows dipped a good two -feet below the water-line. Then with a heavy lurch the _Titania_ held -on, the fluke of her anchor grinding on the coral bottom. - -Getting way off the ship Harborough ordered the cable to be hove-in. -This time the links came in steadily but slowly. There was more than -the weight of the anchor at the end of the massive chain. - -Suddenly Villiers gave a shout of astonishment. - -"At that!" he ordered, and at the same time motioning to the hand at -the capstan to stop heaving. "Evidence!" he shouted. "We've fished up -the remains of the _Cormorant_." - -This time there was no doubt about it. One of the flukes was embedded -in the sea-plane's motor, and with it was a large portion of one of -the wings, a part of the wreckage of the fuselage, and a float -bearing unmistakable signs of being stove in by means of an axe. - -"That's conclusive," said Harborough sternly. "Since von Giespert -won't listen to reason, I'll have to teach him a lesson. Get that -piece of wing aboard for evidence, although I guess he's tumbled to -it already. He's been watching us all the time, the blackguardly -sweep. We'll bluff him. If that fails, then we'll use force, but -only as a last resource. He's asking for it all the time." - -Kaspar von Giespert took more than an interested view of the -developments of the next hour. He was considerably perturbed when, -through a telescope that decorously protruded through a gap in a -storm-dodger, he watched the impromptu salvage operations of the -scuttled sea-plane. - -He took a more cheerful view of life when the _Titania_ got under way -and proceeded seawards, but at the same time that evolution -considerably mystified him. He could not understand why the -Englishman should retire so tamely from the argument when he had -undisputable evidence to support his case. - -Von Giespert was on the point of shaking hands with himself and -abusing some of his crew--an indication that he was regaining his -normal state of mind--when Strauss announced that the _Titania_ had -turned sixteen points to starboard and was again making for the -island. - -"We'll fight her," declared von Giespert vehemently, for he realized -that the game was a desperate one. "Serve out the arms, Herr Strauss. -Himmel! What would I give now for a submerged torpedo-tube? Would -that she piled herself upon the reef. She nearly did it last time." - -"Harborough is more cautious this time," observed Strauss. "He's -coming in under power." - -"He is, curse him," growled the other. - -The two Germans watched in silence as the _Titania_, with her exhaust -chortling noisily, passed through the narrow gap and starboarded -helm, steering for the opposite part of the lagoon to that where the -_Zug_ lay at anchor. That was another puzzler to the already -bewildered von Giespert. - -Presently the yacht reversed engines and lost way broadside on to and -at about a mile from her rival. Then, to the consternation of the -crew of the _Zug_, a large gun, of a calibre certainly not less than -4.7 inches, was ominously visible betwixt fore- and main-masts. -Simultaneously, and without any preparatory signal, a hoist of the -letters VOX--"I am going to semaphore to you"--fluttered from the -_Titania's_ main truck. - -Slowly, reluctantly, the answering pennant was displayed from the -_Zug_. - -"I thought you informed me that yonder yacht was unarmed," exclaimed -von Giespert, turning furiously upon his henchman, Strauss. - -"She was when we left Southampton, Herr Kapitan," replied Strauss. -"That I can swear to, because we had her under observation all the -time. Of course, she might have----" - -"They're semaphoring," interrupted von Giespert. He himself could not -follow the quick movements of the red and yellow hand-flags, but most -of the _Zug's_ crew could. More than that, they could read the -peremptory message although it was sent in English. - -"Hand over my airman, Claverhouse, instantly," it read, "or I will -blow your bridge and charthouse to blazes." - -Von Giespert chose the first alternative. - -Three quarters of an hour later the _Titania_, with Alec Claverhouse -once more on board, was bowling along at a steady nine knots for Nua -Leha. - -Then it was that Harborough, with a playful movement of one hand, -toppled the formidable 4.7 inch gun through the hatch into the -fore-hold. The mounting followed with a distinctly "tinny" sound. The -feat was an easy one, since the "gun" consisted of a twelve-foot -length of stove-pipe, and the mounting a piece of sheet iron and an -empty oil-drum. - -"So friend von Giespert is breathing out threatenings and slaughter, -eh?" he laughed. "From what I know of him, his bark is worse than his -bite, but we'll have to watch him pretty carefully in the future." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -A Submarine Duel - - -It was not until the morning of the fifth day after the storm that -operations upon the wreck of the _Fusi Yama_ were resumed. - -Since it was found upon a second examination that the hull of the -motor-boat was somewhat strained and required intricate repairs -before it could be rendered seaworthy, the motor was taken out and -installed on a strong platform supported by the gig and the whaler. -It meant devoting two boats to a duty formerly performed by one, but -the motor was necessary, since it worked the dynamo that in turn -provided light for the divers to work by. - -Villiers and Swaine gained the wreck by following the guide-rope from -the beach. They found the rope buried deeply in the sand at places, -while another result of the gale was the almost entire removal of the -bed of mud on which the ship lay, its place being taken by a deposit -of sand and lumps of coral that had been detached from the reef under -the terrific force of the breakers. - -More than once it required the united efforts of both men to lift the -rope clear of the sand that covered it, while in one spot an -accumulation of seaweed took a quarter of an hour's hard work before -the tenacious tendrils could be cut and the rope exposed. - -Upon gaining the deck Villiers could see that the damage done by the -hurricane was considerable. Most of the deck-houses and the promenade -deck, which had stood the effect of four years' submergence without -much sign of deterioration, had been swept away, while a vast -quantity of sand had found its way below. This was sufficient -evidence to prove that the hurricane had been the worst ever -experienced at Nua Leha since the time when the _Fusi Yama_ had been -scuttled. - -Outside the strong-room things were not so bad. There were tons of -sand, but most of it had shifted owing to the list of the wreck, and -lay five or six feet high against the interior side of the ship. - -Adjusting the powerful lamp, so that its rays showed directly into -the strong-room, Swaine beckoned to his companion to enter. - -If Villiers expected to walk into a treasure-chamber glittering with -gold, he was mistaken. The place was piled with wooden boxes, some of -which had been wrenched open, displaying their rather dull but heavy -contents, but on the shelves, and secured from the motion of the ship -by steel grids, were canvas sacks. A few of these, rotted by the -action of the salt water or else hurriedly ripped open when the Huns -made a hasty examination of their booty, had shed a shower of gold -coins upon the boxes and on the floor. There were British and -Australian sovereigns, Japanese five-yen pieces, Chinese gold taels, -and five-dollar pieces, representing almost every American republic -on the Pacific coast, and mixed haphazardly. - -With little delay the work of clearing the strong-room commenced. New -canvas sacks, weighted with pieces of iron, were lowered from the -boats above. Into these were poured the contents of the rotten sacks, -then at a prearranged signal the men on the raft hoisted the precious -specie to the surface. - -It was a slow, laborious but at the same time pleasureable task. -Movements that could be quickly executed in air were greatly retarded -by the pressure of water, and by the time that the divers' air-supply -was showing signs of exhaustion only a quarter of the coin had been -salved. - -For the next week the operations continued uninterruptedly. Villiers -and Swaine each making two descents a day. - -Compared with the task of recovering the bullion, the preliminary -work of clearing the specie was simple. The bullion, packed tightly -in iron-bound boxes, had to be extricated bar by bar, for as -originally packed each case was too heavy, even under water, to be -manhandled. - -There were delays, too, in transporting the recovered treasure to the -_Titania_, owing to the lack of sufficient boats, so that, according -to Villiers' estimate, three weeks would elapse before the precious -metal would be stowed in the yacht's hold. - -Dick Beverley was enjoying himself immensely. He worked quite as hard -as anybody, and his one regret was that he had not been allowed to -don a diving-dress and make a descent. This Harborough bluntly -refused to allow. - -"This is a salvage company, not a nursery for amateur divers," he -remarked, although his refusal was based upon his compact with Bobby -Beverley not to expose Dick to any unnecessary risk. - -By common consent a substantial share of the treasure was to be given -to Pete. The man had earned it fairly. As a cook he was painstaking -and conscientious, and when not engaged in his duties in the galley -he was always ready and willing to bear a hand at other work. - -"What are you going to do with your little lot when we pay off, -Pete?" asked Villiers. - -Pete's features were almost hidden by a mouth that stretched -practically from ear to ear as he gave a prodigious grin. - -"Do, sah? Be coloured gen'lman at Barbadoes, Massa Villiers. Buy -top-hole swagger hotel an' get dollars from Yankee visitors. P'r'aps -I buy a sail-boat and take people round de islands. If any of you -gen'lmen come to Barbadoes, be sure to look up Massa Pete Johnson. He -put you up free, gratis, and for nothin'." - -"Then you're not sorry that Captain Abe booted you out of the _Lucy -M. Partington_?" asked Bobby. - -"No, sah." Pete evidently did not wish to reopen an unpleasant -incident, for he turned somewhat abruptly to O'Loghlin. "Say, Massa," -he asked anxiously, "you understan' motors. Will I be able to run a -swagger car? One that licks creation for goin' tarnation quick?" - -"If you handle the steering-wheel of a car as well as you do a -frying-pan, you'll be a rattling good driver, Pete," replied -O'Loghlin, pushing aside his empty plate with a satisfied sigh. - -The salvage operation continued without a hitch in glorious weather -and under ideal conditions. The divers' dread of sharks seemed to -have been a needless one, for the noise of the motors and the -activity of all hands had no doubt scared the tigers of the deep. - -One day Villiers was at work below, when he noticed a -gaudily-coloured fish dart out from behind a box, and graze his hand. -The fish was but a small one, less than six inches in length, but its -dorsal fins resembled trailing tendrils and its tail ended in two -tapering points. - -Hardly paying any attention to the creature, for fishes were -continually swimming around the divers, Villiers began prising open -the metal-bound box. Before he had completed his task his arm was -throbbing frightfully, and his hand seemed to lose the power of -gripping things. - -He "stuck it" for another ten minutes, then signed to Swaine that he -was finishing work. Before he reached dry ground he felt on the point -of collapse, and when he did gain the beach he toppled inertly upon -the sand, to the astonishment and alarm of Vivian and Merridew, who -were standing by to assist the diving-party. - -They divested him of his diving-suit. By this time his arm had -swollen tremendously, and the flesh was turning a dull-grey colour. - -Harborough, hastily summoned ashore, diagnosed the symptoms as being -similar to those of snake-bite, There were a couple of minute -punctures on the back of Jack's hand, through which the poison had -been transmitted to his veins. - -For the next twelve hours it was touch and go with Jack Villiers. His -comrades plied him with enough raw whisky to make a man in ordinary -health helplessly intoxicated. They walked him up and down without -giving him the slightest chance of rest. The treatment was drastic, -but it was successful, and, although the arm remained swollen and -painful, the danger was past. - -Much to his disgust, Villiers had to "stand down", and Swaine carried -on alone. That meant more delay, but it was unavoidable, and things -might have been worse. Further difficulties were met with through the -temporary breakdown of the submarine lighting arrangements, and until -that was rectified Swaine was perforce obliged to relinquish his -visits to the wreck. - -"Look here, old man," said Jack, one morning as Swaine was preparing -for a descent. "I'm fit again. There is no reason why I shouldn't go -with you." - -"Better wait till you've seen Harborough," objected Swaine. "You -might jolly well think you're all right, but I shouldn't like the -responsibility of passing you fit for duty." - -"Right-o," agreed Jack, who saw the force of his fellow-diver's -argument. "Don't wait. I'll push off afloat and see what Harborough -has to say." - -Swaine proceeded on the submarine work alone. Although glad of -Villier's company, he realized that the latter was far from being fit -for the strenuous toil demanded of a diver. He, Swaine, could do -sufficient work below to keep the surface-party busy, and the task of -recovering the treasure was now within measureable distance of -conclusion. - -It was yet early. The morning mists had not entirely dispersed when -Swaine waded into the water, awkwardly at first, but with more -freedom as the leaden-weighted suit dipped beneath the surface. - -Swaine wasted no time in getting on board the wreck and setting to -work. He had now a fair amount of elbow-room, since most of the -metal-lined boxes had been removed, and a thousand pounds worth of -gold was being sent up every five minutes. - -He felt in fine fettle and, to use his own expression, "full of -beans". So intent was he upon his task that the time slipped by -rapidly, until a slight buzzing noise in his ears warned him that the -self-contained air-reservoir was not far off a state of exhaustion. -In fifteen minutes the supply would be "dud", and it usually took him -twenty minutes to reach the shore. - -He "knocked off" in a hurry; at the same time, he realized that if -things came to a pitch he could blow himself to the surface. This he -was loth to do, as the sudden ascent generally incapacitated a diver -for several hours. - -Slipping over the side of the wreck and grasping the guide-rope, -Swaine began to make his way ashore as rapidly as the resistance of -the water permitted. - -"Current's frightfully strong to-day," he soliloquized, as the rush -of water almost swept his feet from under him. As it was, he had to -hang on like grim death to the rope and haul himself along hand over -hand until he had crossed the track of the submarine stream. - -Here the lagoon shoaled considerably. There was sufficient depth to -allow a pale-green light to penetrate to five or six fathoms of -water, while visibility increased a distance of ten or twelve feet. - -Happening to turn his head within the immobile helmet and to glance -through the side plate-glass window, Swaine came to a sudden halt and -gave a gasp of surprise. Within three yards of him, and floundering -along on a slightly converging course, was a man in a self-contained -diver's suit. - -"So Villiers has got into harness after all," he thought. "Wonder how -he came to lose touch with the direction-rope?" - -He raised one hand in greeting, at the same time holding up the rope -that served as a guide between the wreck and the shore. - -Then to his utter astonishment he discovered that it was not Jack -Villiers, nor indeed any of the _Titania's_ men, indulging in a -little submarine expedition. The diving-dress was different in -certain details. - -Swaine was not left long in doubt as to the stranger's intentions. -Apparently the other diver was as surprised as he was, for he halted, -swaying slightly in the comparatively feeble current. Then, slowly -fumbling, he drew out a knife that showed a pale, dull-greenish glint -in the subdued light. - -Courageous though he was, Swaine felt his heart beating violently. He -was still undecided as to whether the stranger intended sticking the -point of the steel into him or whether he meant to cut the -guide-rope. In any case, Swaine realized that he would have to act on -the defensive. - -Drawing his own knife, Swaine, holding on to the rope with his left -hand, planted his feet firmly and threw his weight slightly forward. -Then he awaited developments. He was handicapped by the fact that his -air-supply was now noticeably weak. He might, with discretion, -attempt to elude his antagonist, but he realized the disadvantage of -showing his back to a man who might possess a greater degree of -mobility. Nor did he fancy a knife-thrust as he was in the act of -blowing himself to the surface. - -No, the issue had to be decided there and then. - -Holding his knife dagger-wise across his chest, the unknown assailant -advanced. Swaine stood on the defensive. He was in an awkward -predicament, for the current that was helping his opponent was -against him. - -The other feinted. It was a comparatively slow movement compared with -the lightning-like thrust of a practised fencer. The pressure of the -water was too great for rapidity of action. - -Swaine was not prepared for what followed. His antagonist arrested -the blow and at the same time hacked ponderously with his leaden-shod -boot. The metal rasped on Swaine's bare knuckles grasping the rope, -as he stepped backwards to avoid the full force of the blow. The next -instant a cut with the keen blade of the other's knife severed the -guide-rope. - -The sudden release of the tautened rope sent Swaine staggering a good -three yards. He found himself sprawling on the sandy bottom, his -efforts to regain his feet disturbing the sand to such an extent that -it was almost impossible to see anything beyond arm's length. - -Not daring to transfer his knife from his right hand to his left, -Swaine fumbled for the release-valve of the buoyancy-flask. His -fingers, numbed with the glancing blow they had received, were almost -useless, and his head was swimming with the effect of the now impure -air. Before he could attain his immediate aim he saw the distorted -figure of his antagonist through the now clearing water. - -Still struggling to regain his feet, the while guarding himself with -his knife, Swaine realized that the odds were very much against him. -He found himself vaguely wondering what the effect of a thrust would -be through the thick rubber and canvas fabric of his diving-suit. All -the same, he meant to stick it, and, if needs be, "die game". - -The other approached warily, but there was a suggestion of triumph in -his movements. He began circling round his prostrate opponent, -seeking a favourable opportunity of closing. He hesitated, possibly -because he feared a ruse on the part of the Englishman, who, with -knife uplifted, kept turning so that he was always face to face with -his assailant. Obviously these wearing-out tactics were telling upon -Swaine. The longer the other delayed, the worse became his state -owing to the poor quality of his air-supply. - -At length the unknown diver raised his arm to deal a stroke. He did -it dramatically, pausing with the blade held high above his head. - -With senses dulled, Swaine steeled himself to meet the deadly stroke, -but the stroke never came. - -A rush, a swirl of water, and a blurred vision of the other diver -sinking slowly on his face told Swaine that deliverance had come from -a totally unexpected quarter. - -A huge shark, attracted by the glitter of the knife, had bitten off -the fellow's hand just above the wrist, at the same time tearing the -india-rubber cuff of his diving-dress and allowing a considerable -amount of air to escape. - -The shark, finding its palate unpleasantly tickled by the sharp -steel, and not laying claim to be a sword-swallower, decided that one -mouthful was enough and made off for pastures new, leaving the -interrupted principals of the submarine duel to settle matters as -best they could. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -The Explosion - - -The instinct of self-preservation, coupled with the fact that he yet -had a faint chance of escape, rallied the semi-torpid Swaine -sufficiently to enable him to take action. - -He dropped the knife and groped for the release-valve of the -compressed-air reservoir. Half a turn, and he felt the buoyant air -rushing into the double folds of his diving-suit. Even as he realized -that he was parting company with the bottom of the lagoon he found -himself looking at his late antagonist, who was writhing in agony, -with a ruddy stream mixed with air-bubbles rising from the clean-cut -stump of his severed arm. - -Not knowing why he did so, whether it was the irresponsible act of a -light-headed man, the sudden impulse of an overstrung brain, or -generous pity for a beaten foe, Swaine gripped the fellow by the arm, -at the same time turning the release-valve of his buoyancy-flask full -on. - -Up he shot to the full extent of arm's length and no farther. The -lifting powers of the inflated diving-dress were sufficient only for -one. Weighed down by his former antagonist, Swaine saw no chance of -bringing the latter to the surface, until an inspiration seized him. -Having once set his hand to the plough, he was loth to turn back -until his task was completed. - -The unknown's knife was at that moment seriously incommoding a shark; -his own had dropped, but he remembered it was attached by a lanyard -to his belt. He recovered it; then, still retaining his hold of the -other diver, he pulled himself down until he was able to slash the -lashings that secured the leaden weights to the fellow's chest and -shoulders. - -Then, and then only, did both men rise to the surface, Swaine -horizontally, the other vertically owing to the fact that his feet -were still weighted with lumps of lead. - -For the next hour, as far as Swaine was concerned, everything was a -blank. - -He recovered consciousness to find himself lying on a mattress on the -deck of the _Titania_. - -"How's the other bloke?" were his first words. - -"The other bloke," replied Villiers, "is progressing favourably in -the circumstances." - -As a matter of fact, although the fellow's identity was revealed -directly his helmet was removed, none of the others knew that a -life-and-death duel was in progress when the shark butted in so -opportunely. They were greatly surprised to find Swaine bob up -unconscious from the bottom, still grasping the apparently lifeless -form of his late antagonist--Siegfried Strauss. - -While Villiers and Beverley set to work to restore their comrade to -consciousness, Harborough, O'Loghlin, and Trevear did a like office -for the German. They were puzzled as to the cause of the loss of the -man's hand, for the amputation had been performed as cleanly as if by -a knife, while the pressure of his rubber wrist-band had checked what -would have been a dangerous haemorrhage. Applying a tourniquet before -cutting away the diving-dress, the three amateur surgeons felt that -they had succeeded in saving the German's life unless he sank under -the effect of shock to the system. - -Although curious to hear Swaine's version of the business, his -comrades wisely forbore to question him until he had completely -recovered from his narrow escape. Meanwhile they were putting forward -numerous conjectures as to the reason for Strauss' submarine jaunt. - -"Where could he have come from?" asked Beverley. "The _Zug_ isn't -anywhere in sight." - -"Unless she's off the other side of the island," added Villiers. -"Even then he must have started from a much nearer base. We'll have -to investigate." - -"Why did he?" persisted Beverley. "That's what I want to know." - -He received his answer in no uncertain way. - -A tremendous roar rent the sky, followed by a rush of air and the -noise of cascades of water falling into the sea. Over the spot where -lay the wreck of the _Fusi Yama_ the usually placid surface of the -lagoon was lashed into a wide cauldron of leaping, hissing foam. - -"Fritz again--the dirty dog!" exclaimed Harborough, when the -reverberations of the detonation had subsided. "It might have been -worse if we had been working on the boat." - -Where the two boats, joined by a platform, had been, was a patch of -discoloured water, on which shattered fragments of timber were -bobbing in the strong sunlight. Had the working-party not ceased work -to convey the rival divers to the yacht, no one would have escaped -the force of the explosion. - -"This is not the work of one man," declared Villiers. "Let's get -ashore." - -The suggestion was promptly acted upon, and on gaining the beach -Harborough and his companions were greeted by the spectacle of Dick -Beverley and Pete, armed with rifles, driving before them a couple of -the _Zug's_ crew, who marched with arms upheld in the good -old-fashioned way they were taught in the Great War. - -"Pete and I had been after pigs," explained Dick. "We were on our way -back when we saw two strange men lying face downwards on the cliff, -apparently watching the _Titania_. Of course, we couldn't do anything -then, except watch them, because the land isn't our private property, -but when that explosion went off and they began laughing and shaking -hands we thought it time to have a say in the matter. We did," he -added grimly, "and they came quietly." - -The prisoners, finding that they were not beaten, kicked, or -otherwise misused by their captors after the custom of certain German -officers in charge of prison-camps during the war, became fairly -communicative. - -Four men, under the command of Siegfried Strauss, had left Ni Telang -in one of the _Zug's_ boats, and landed on Nua Leha close to the spot -where Dick had met with a mishap during his first pig-hunting -expedition. - -Leaving one man in charge of the boat, Strauss and the other three, -carrying explosives, an electric automatic time-fuse, and two divers' -suits, crossed the island, keeping under the shelter of the palm -groves until they reached the cove where the two sea-planes had been -berthed. - -While two of the men kept watch, Siegfried and a companion donned -their diving-dresses and walked into the sea. - -What happened could only be left to conjecture, unless Strauss at a -later date thought fit to explain his movements. Apparently they -found the wreck and placed their explosive charges in position. Upon -the return journey they became separated. His course deflected by the -current, Strauss found himself confronted by Swaine, the former's -astonishment being almost as great as the latter's. Of the fate of -the other Hun diver nothing was ever known. He might have been eaten -by a shark, or he might have lost direction and been killed by the -shock of the explosion, or else, which was more likely, he was -asphyxiated owing to the failure of his air-supply. - -That afternoon Merridew, O'Loghlin, Griffiths, and Bell, all armed, -proceeded to the place where the _Zug's_ boat lay. They made an easy -capture of the last member of the submarine raiding-party, and, what -was a welcome prize, the boat as well--a stoutly-built 25-feet -cutter. - -They returned to the camp in the boat, following the shore inside the -reef, and the three prisoners were placed under lock and key in one -of the _Titania's_ cabins, the crew taking turns to keep watch -outside the door to prevent any attempt to escape. - -Next morning Villiers volunteered to descend to the wreck and -ascertain the state of the hull after the explosion. Since the -guide-rope had been severed, the captured boat was pressed into -service and moored as close as possible, going by cross-bearings, to -the spot where the lighting-plant had been stationed. Since the -latter had been destroyed, Villiers had to rely upon his portable -electric lamp. - -The depth to which he descended before his feet touched the bottom -surprised him. It was greater than he had previously worked in, and -no natural light penetrated the dark waters. At first he fancied he -was in a submarine forest. Gaunt ribs, distorted in the rays of the -lamp, reared themselves on either hand. Closer examination showed -that they were not metal but timber, badly eaten by worms, and -thickly encrusted with barnacles. - -His foot catching in some obstacle caused him to throw the light of -the lamp upon the ground. - -He was standing on a bed of coral on which lay dark shapes in -hundreds, like a cart load of bricks dumped on the ground. - -"By Jove!" he exclaimed to himself. "I've come to the wrong shop. -This must be the wooden hulk Swaine spoke about. She must have had -lead pigs for ballast. Even that lot's worth a fortune at the -present-day price for lead." - -Hardly knowing why he did so, Villiers lashed one of the pigs of -ballast to his shot-rope, then, paying out his distance-line as he -went, he made for his real objective--the wreck of the _Fusi Yama_. - -When that vessel's bilge loomed through the water, Villiers found -that he was close to the starboard bow. Much of the steelwork had -been stripped of its thick covering of weed and barnacles by the -force of the explosion, but of actual damage done to the hull there -was none. - -By a rare slice of good luck, as far as Harborough and his companions -were concerned, Strauss had miscalculated the distance and direction -of the wreck of the _Fusi Yama_ from shore, and had deposited the -explosive charges against the side of the old wooden wreck in the -belief that it was the other. The remainder of the gold was still -intact. Von Giespert had shot his last bolt, and the missile had gone -wide of the mark. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -A Frustrated Escape - - -Having made this satisfying discovery, Villiers returned to the -surface and reported the good news. - -There was, however, much work to be done before the rest of the gold -could be removed. The wreck of the _Fusi Yama_ had to be buoyed once -more, for, amongst other damage, the former mark-buoys had been -destroyed by the explosion. Another guide-rope had to be established -between the wreck and the shore, while, owing to the loss of the -electric submarine lamp and the generating plant, the remainder of -the work under water had to be carried out by the relatively feeble -light afforded by the divers' electric lamps. - -By the time these various preliminary tasks were completed Swaine had -recovered from the effects of his perilous adventure. Siegfried -Strauss, too, was out of danger and gave but little trouble. His arm -was healing slowly, and he seemed grateful to his rivals for their -kind and generous treatment. - -Swaine bore him no ill will on account of the submarine fight. He -willingly accepted Strauss' explanation that he thought Swaine was -about to attack him and that he was obliged to take action. Strauss -was the loser, and had paid the price for it. The matter was over and -done with: that was Swaine's summing up of the case. - -On the other hand, every member of the _Titania's_ crew felt that -they had an account to settle with Kaspar von Giespert. The fellow -hadn't played the game from the very beginning, and his treachery in -dispatching a boat's crew to blow up the wreck, and, as he hoped, -most of the members of Harborough's party as well, put him beyond the -bounds of decency. - -Strauss freely admitted that his employer had acted treacherously, -and that von Giespert was filled with a mad rage for revenge at being -baulked of his chance of getting the treasure. He also volunteered -the information that von Giespert intended to take the _Zug_ back to -European waters directly the boat's crew returned. And, since they -weren't in a position to return, it was safe to assume that von -Giespert would not risk searching for them, but, after giving up all -hope of their safety, would carry out his original programme of -leaving Ni Telang and making for home. - -The two Germans captured by Dick Beverley did not take kindly to -their detention. Not from any sense of devotion to von Giespert did -they attempt to escape, but because they were under the erroneous -impression that their employer was on the right track after all and -was about to gain possession of the gold. They had heard von Giespert -say that he meant to sink the _Titania_ and gain possession of the -booty by force of arms, and, since they did not like the prospect of -being under lock and key on the yacht when she was attacked, they -took steps to regain their freedom. - -It was a bright moonlight night when they put their crudely-formed -plan into execution. Although Griffiths was on guard outside the door -of their cabin-cell, he heard no suspicious noises. Working -desperately and silently, the Huns removed a portion of the inch -match-boarding that separated their cabin from the one adjoining, -which happened to be three cabins knocked into one and utilized as a -store for hydroplanes. Since the two _Cormorants_ were no longer in -existence, the fairly-expansive compartment was empty save for a few -tools, coils of rope, and kegs of paint and varnish. - -One of the doors leading to the alley-way was unlocked--unlocked -doors being the rule rather than the exception on board. - -They waited until they heard the sentry go for'ard, for Griffiths was -pacing up and down the whole length of the alley-way, then they -silently crept to the accommodation-ladder and gained the deck. - -Merridew and Fontayne, the watch on deck, were at that moment pacing -the port side, conversing in low tones in order not to disturb their -sleeping mess-mates. Knowing that Griffiths was on duty below, they -never troubled about the prisoners--it was not their "pigeon". Their -particular duty was to see that the _Zug_ didn't pay a nocturnal -visit with sinister intent to the lagoon at Nua Leha. - -In the midst of Fontayne's elaborate description of his "castle in -the air", Merridew laid one hand firmly upon his companion's -shoulder. - -"Go on talking--anything," he whispered. "These two Fritzes are -trying to do a bunk. Let 'em have a run for their money; we'll see -some fun." - -Merridew and his companion waited until they saw the dark shadows of -the Germans flat along the deck; then, each taking up a rifle, the -watchers followed, keeping under cover afforded by the chart-house. - -Right aft crept the two Germans until they halted and peered over the -taffrail as if measuring the distance between them and the shore. -Then, with a few coils of main-sheet, they took a turn round a -belaying-pin and silently lowered the free end of the stout manilla -rope into the water. - -Slowly one of the Huns wriggled on his stomach upon the -slightly-rounded top of the taffrail, then, grasping the rope, he -began to make his way down hand over hand, his companion watching his -progress. - -Merridew distinctly heard a splash in the water. It was not the noise -of a man swimming. - -"Sharks!" he whispered, and opened the cut-off to the magazine of his -rifle. - -The German dangling at the rope's end heard it too, for he uttered a -guttural "Achtung!" - -The other fell, just below the rail, tried to regain the deck, but -the task of swinging himself round and over the projecting taffrail -was beyond his powers. As he hung desperately to the rope he -prevented his companion's efforts to climb back. Both started to -shout for help. - -Bawling for the rest of the duty watch to turn out, Merridew and -Fontayne ran aft. A strange sight met their eyes as they leapt over -the taffrail. - -The Germans, gripping the rope with the tenacity of terror, were -swaying to and fro in their efforts to put as great a distance as -possible between them and the swirling water, while clearly visible -in the bright moonlight--as they darted in and out of the dark -shadows cast by the _Titania's_ projecting counter--were two enormous -sharks, their white bellies glistening in the silvery light as they -turned to snap at the tempting bait just above their reach. - -Levelling his rifle, Merridew waited his opportunity. It was not long -in coming. One of the sharks was on the point of turning over on its -back to attempt a ferocious snap with its tremendous jaws when the -rifle cracked. At close range the nickel bullet inflicted a large and -mortal wound, and the monster, still writhing, sank out of sight. - -Fontayne hit the other, but whether the shot was fatal or not -remained an unsettled question to all concerned except the shark. But -the main point was that it swam off as hard as it could go. - -Meanwhile the rest of the duty-watch had come on deck. Curiosity -prompted them to have a glimpse of the two thoroughly-scared Huns, -then they proceeded to lower and man the gig--the only available -boat. - -"There's no hurry," remarked Beverley. "Let 'em feel the breeze a bit -longer. It will teach them a lesson." - -The sharks having been eliminated from the proposition, all danger to -life was at an end. But before the boat came under the _Titania's_ -counter the uppermost Hun released his hold. In his fall he tore his -companion's grasp from the rope, and the twain hit the water with -tremendous force. - -Winded and spluttering they rose to the surface, frantically grabbing -at each other until they were unceremoniously hauled into the -stern-sheets of the gig. - -Next morning Harborough had the two Germans brought before him. The -men were thoroughly cowed, for that narrow escape from being seized -and devoured by sharks had knocked all the stuffing out of them. - -Their punishment was solitary confinement, and they were also ordered -to make good the damage done to the woodwork of the cabin. - -"Strange," remarked the baronet, when the culprits had been removed. -"Up to the present we haven't seen a shark in the lagoon but that it -has done us a good turn. Now, then, fall in all hands. Another couple -of days' work will see the job finished, and then, yo ho, for Old -England!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -Von Giespert's Resolve - - -Kapitan Karl von Giespert, ex-Unter-Leutnant of the now defunct -Imperial German Navy, was in a very bad temper, which was saying a -good deal, since he was rarely in a good one. - -He was beginning to realize that his latest bit of dirty work--one of -many pet schemes--had been a wash-out. The boat containing Strauss -and three of the crew had not returned. He didn't mind losing the men -overmuch, but he regretted his decision to send Siegfried Strauss in -command of the submarine mining expedition; not that he had any -affection for Strauss, but because Strauss was a capable navigator -and he was not. And it was a long, long voyage back to the -Fatherland. - -After taking several turns up and down the deck, von Giespert went -for'ard, descended the steep ladder to the fo'c'sle, and thence to -the store-room, where for quite a considerable time he stood -pensively contemplating the for'ard water-tight bulkhead of No. 1 -hold. - -Then he bawled to one of the men to pass the word for the carpenter. -That individual arrived at the double, rather breathless and -perspiring freely not solely on account of the heat, but in -anticipation of a scene with his employer. - -"I want you," ordered von Giespert, "to shore up this bulkhead from -the other side. Use every available baulk of timber. If you want -more, send a party ashore to fell some trees. I want the job done -quickly and properly." - -Had von Giespert told the carpenter to construct a ladder long enough -to reach the moon, or given him similar impossible instructions, the -latter's surprise would hardly have been greater. The bulkhead of No. -1 hold was of massive construction, and its condition was as good as -the day when the ship was launched. - -"It will take a day and a half, Herr Kapitan," replied the carpenter, -in reply to his employer's question as to the length of the task -involved. - -"Then have it done," snapped von Giespert, and hied him to interview -the chief engineer in his cabin. - -"I want steam raised the day after to-morrow," he said. "We're -sailing at noon. What's the working-pressure of the boilers?" - -The engineer told him. - -"No more?" asked von Giespert. - -"I might raise another two atmospheres, Herr Kapitan," replied the -chief dubiously. "The boilers wouldn't stand that for long." - -"They'll have to stand it for an hour," declared von Giespert. "An -hour will be enough for my purpose. I will give you ample warning -when I require the additional pressure." - -His latest project was to sail for Nua Leha, arriving at dawn. If, as -he expected, the _Zug_ were sighted by the look-out of the _Titania_, -he would hoist urgent signals--the international NV, signifying -"short of provisions". He would then make out that the _Zug_ intended -to anchor within a cable's length of her rival, and, suddenly -increasing speed and putting her helm hard-a-port, ram the _Titania_ -full on her beam. And, since he still required the _Zug_ to get him -home, the reason for the shoring up of the for'ard watertight -bulkhead was apparent. But at all costs there must be no survivors -from the _Titania_. - -It was a desperate scheme that gave fair promises of success. The one -fly in the ointment was the knowledge that the _Titania_ mounted a -4.7-inch quickfirer. Von Giespert did not, of course, know that the -"quick-firer" was at that moment performing its ordained task of -carrying off the smoke of the galley-fire in its humble, yet -important, capacity of a chimney. - -As a counter-measure, if the _Titania's_ gun should be manned and -trained, von Giespert could hoist a "not under control" signal and -trust that the excuse would pass, but he was beginning to have a -wholesome respect for Harborough. Not once but many times that fool -of an Englishman had got to windward of him. It behoved him to act -warily. - -Von Giespert was a firm believer in the German equivalent for the -proverb "Desperate diseases need desperate remedies". To him the -_Titania_ and her crew represented the disease; the _Zug_ was to -apply the remedy. At the same time he realized that it was the last -straw, the final desperate plunge of the despairing gamester, staking -his all upon the cast of the die. - -For the greater part of the day the carpenter and his crew toiled in -the burning rays of the sun, hauling and setting in position huge -baulks of timber, supplemented by lengths of stout bamboo, felled and -towed alongside and thence whipped up and placed in the for'ard hold -by means of the vessel's derricks. Before sunset the carpenter -reported complete, but von Giespert was not satisfied. - -He ordered the men to fill sacks with sand and pile them up against -the timber shores. He meant to make certain of that bulkhead. The -_Zug's_ bows might be torn like paper in the projected ramming -evolution, but the bulkhead must hold at all costs. - -The crew obeyed reluctantly. They were of a type that could be driven -and did not take kindly to being led; but in the matter of being -driven there could be "too much of a good thing ". And von Giespert -failed to realize the presence of the danger-signal. - -Headed by one of the quartermasters, the deck hands came aft in a -body and demanded of the now astounded but still mule-headed von -Giespert the reason for this excessive amount of work. They could not -see why the bulkhead should be strengthened, considering it was -strong enough already, unless some desperate scheme were afloat. - -Von Giespert told them. He had to admit failure in the quest of the -gold and that his British rivals had both hoodwinked him and secured -the real prize. - -"That is all very well, Herr Kapitan," observed the spokesman of the -deputation. "We don't mind taking desperate measures if there's -anything to be got out of it. If we sink the English yacht, how do we -stand as far as the gold is concerned? And suppose we fail, how do we -stand then? It will mean penal servitude in an English prison." - -"Not at all," protested von Giespert. "If we fail, the responsibility -is mine. You are acting under my orders. If we succeed in sinking the -yacht, as I believe we shall, then it's merely a question of diving -and recovering the gold. We would know its position to a certainty -this time." - -He stopped to make a rapid calculation. - -"How do we stand in, Herr Kapitan?" asked one of the men. - -Von Giespert, who was on the point of offering twenty per cent of the -proceeds, came down to ten. Inwardly he vowed that these swinish -fellows of his would pay for their temerity in trying to beard him in -his den. - -"Very well, Herr Kapitan," agreed the spokesman. "One tenth of the -proceeds in addition to our wages, and you'll please to sign a paper -absolving us from all blame in the matter of the collision." - -Muttering angry oaths, von Giespert drew up and signed a document to -that effect and handed it to the leader of the deputation. The men -withdrew, and for the present at least the trouble had blown itself -out. - -At eleven on the following morning smoke began to issue from the -_Zug's_ funnel. Half an hour later steam was raised, and by noon the -safety-valves were lifting under the internal pressure. The chief -engineer reported that all was ready; but no answering clang of the -bridge-telegraph was transmitted to the engine-room. - -Von Giespert, on the bridge, was hesitating. - -"What is the glass doing?" he inquired. - -"It has risen a point since six this morning, Herr Kapitan," reported -the quartermaster. - -Von Giespert shrugged his shoulders. He had not even the excuse of -approaching bad weather to delay him. - -With feelings akin to those of a man about to plunge into icy-cold -water he leant over the bridge stanchion-rail. The bos'un in the -fo'c'sle had already shortened cable and was awaiting the command to -weigh. - -The kapitan nodded. At the signal the steam capstan began to clink. - -"Up and down, sir," announced one of the men, and a few moments later -the rusty stockless anchor came into view. - -"Easy ahead." - -The _Zug_ began to forge through the placid water, increasing speed -as she passed through the gap in the reef. - -Von Giespert turned to the quartermaster. - -"Ost zu sud," he ordered. - -That course, east by south, was the course for Nua Leha. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -Exit the "Zug" - - -"What's that made fast to the shot-line, old man?" inquired Beverley, -as Villiers, divested of his helmet and diving-dress, sat in the -stern-sheets of the boat that von Giespert had unwittingly given over -to the _Titania's_ people. - -"That?" replied Villiers. "I dunno. Ballast, I expect. There are tons -of it down there. Wonder if it's lead?" - -"If so, it's a fortune for anyone who can get it back to England," -observed Harborough, unclasping his knife and digging the point into -the block of metal. - -"Tough for lead," he commented, "and yet too soft for iron, unless -the stuff's badly corroded. By Jove! Villiers! I believe--yes, I'm -sure--it's silver." - -"Regular Tom Tiddler's ground then," remarked Jack. "When we left -England silver was soaring. Wonder what it's worth now?" - -"At any rate, we won't fly in the face of Providence," declared -Harborough. "A few days more won't matter very much. When we've -finished with the _Fusi Yama_, we'll lift some of this stuff." - -"There's enough to sink the _Titania_," declared Villiers. "The hold -of that ship must have been chock-full of silver. Rum sort of -ballast." - -"Probably a Spanish treasure-ship or a buccaneering craft that sunk -with her booty," suggested Claverhouse. "They did that sort of thing -once, I believe." - -"Then that's settled," declared Harborough briskly. "Finish with the -_Fusi Yama_, and then carry on with the silver that friend von -Giespert, by the hand of pal Strauss, kindly discovered for us. How's -the glass, by the by? I forgot to look this morning." - -"It rose a point and a half after eight," reported Villiers, "and now -it is dropping rather too rapidly." - -"H'm!" exclaimed Harborough. "That's bad. It may interfere with our -work, and we can't afford to lose much more plant. We'll work double -shifts, and keep our weather-eye lifting." - -By sunset the task of clearing the _Fusi Yama's_ strong-room was -accomplished, and an hour later the last of the gold was safely on -board the _Titania_--an event that was signalized by three hearty -cheers and splicing the "mainbrace" with discreet tots of champagne. - -The while the glass was falling rapidly, although not so low as on -the occasion of the devastating hurricane. Nevertheless, every -possible precaution was taken. The boats were hoisted in and lashed -down, awnings and side-curtains stowed, and additional cable veered -out. The engine-room stood by ready to start the heavy oil-engines, -and thus ease the strain on the anchor-chains should occasion arise. -All hands were on board, preferring to face the storm in a staunch -craft anchored in a fairly-sheltered lagoon to risking a wet and -uncomfortable, if not dangerous, night ashore. - -At midnight it was blowing a gale, but, in contrast to the preceding -storm, there was no preliminary rain--simply a terrific blast of -wind that heralded an almost uninterrupted blow. - -It started from the nor'-nor'-east, or obliquely to the coast-line -off which the _Titania_ lay at anchor. Although the noise of the -breakers on the reef was like that of a continual roar of thunder, -the lagoon itself was only slightly agitated. - -But when, at about 3 a.m., the wind veered four points to the -east'ard, the beach became a dead lee shore. Huge billows, crashing -madly upon the coral reef, swept in masses of white foam across the -lagoon and churned themselves upon the beach, until in the pale -moonlight the palm groves appeared to be growing from an undulating -field of white water. - -Pounding and thudding, quivering under the terrific pressure of the -wind, the _Titania_ held grimly to her cables. At one moment full -fifty feet of chain, stretched taut and obliquely like an iron bar, -would be visible; the next the yacht would lurch forward as a giant -roller passed her by, and would threaten to overrun her anchors, -until she "snubbed" with a sickening jerk that almost tore the stout -mooring bits from the deck. - -"It won't last long," declared Villiers, as a hissing shower of rain -mingled with the driving spindrift. "Wind before rain, you know. -It'll ease down by dawn." - -He was right. By sunrise, although the wind was still high, its force -had moderated considerably, and the sun rose in a grey sky, -betokening fine weather before many hours had passed. - -"Vessel making for the island, sir," suddenly announced Merridew, -pointing dead to windward. - -"By Jove! It's the _Zug_!" exclaimed Harborough. - -"No doubt about it, sir," agreed Villiers, after a lengthy survey -through his binoculars. "Wonder what she's doing here?" - -The _Zug_ was steering due south, and, therefore, on a slightly -diverging course from the eastern side of the island; but when -immediately abeam of the entrance to the lagoon, she ported helm as -if to approach the narrow gap in the coral reef. - -"Either von Giespert's mad or he doesn't know the risk he's running," -said Harborough. "Make him a signal, Villiers. Say 'bar unsafe'." - -"He's flying some sort of signal, sir," reported Jack. "Can't make -out the flags; they're dead to windward." - -"If we can't see his, he can't see ours," observed Harborough. "But -we'll risk it, and give him a chance." - -"I've got it, sir," declared Beverley. "It signifies short of -provisions '." - -Harborough shrugged his shoulders. - -"What's wrong with the pigs and the bread-fruit trees at Ni Telang?" -he remarked pointedly. "If I were von Giespert, I would tighten my -belt a notch before I'd tackle the entrance to the lagoon. There's -one thing, the wind's moderating, but look at the broken water on the -bar." - -"It doesn't look so bad from seaward," said Merridew. "He'll feel -sorry for himself when he's in the thick of it, I fancy." - -With a following wind, the _Zug_ was rolling heavily and frequently -obscured from view by the thick cloud of smoke from her funnel. When -quite a mile from the reef, she suddenly fell off her course, vast -quantities of steam issuing from her engine-room. She lost way, and -was now rolling excessively in the trough of the seas. - -"Looks like a boiler-explosion," exclaimed Harborough, glancing over -the side at the still tumultuous water within the reef. "We'll have -to get the boats ready for lowering, Mr. Villiers. They'll be wanted -pretty badly, I expect." - -The _Zug_ was doomed. Von Giespert had again overreached himself, -although the crew of the _Titania_ had no suspicion of his desperate -move. Von Giespert's orders to his chief engineer had been carried -out only too well. The main steam-pipe, unable to withstand the -abnormal internal pressure, had burst, the explosion killing everyone -in the boiler-room, while the escaping steam had severely injured the -chief engineer and his assistants. - -Helpless in the trough of the seas, the _Zug_ was now drifting -rapidly on to the reef. Von Giespert, after bellowing incoherencies, -ordered a storm trysail to be set in the hope that the vessel's head -would pay off. But the moment the canvas was hoisted it blew to -atoms. - -As a last resource both anchors were let go. Owing to the depth of -water outside the reef, it was a long time before they obtained a -grip. When they did, the _Zug_ was within two hundred yards of the -coral barrier. - -Momentarily she swung to her cables, then with a vicious snub both -chains parted simultaneously. Seven minutes later, with a crash that -was audible above the roar of the breakers, the _Zug_ ended her -career upon the outer reef of Nua Leha. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -Settling Accounts - - -Harborough had not waited for the doomed vessel to strike. Already -the _Titania's_ two boats--the only serviceable ones--had been -lowered, and were pulling towards the leeside of the reef. - -Villiers was in charge of the cutter that had formerly belonged to -the _Zug_. Beverley was in command of the gig. Both crews were -wearing life-belts. - -It was as well they did, for barely had the gig gone fifty yards from -the _Titania_ when she shipped a heavy sea and filled completely. -Luckily all hands managed to gain the yacht by means of ropes thrown -them from the _Titania's_ bows. - -Satisfying himself that his comrades late of the gig were safe, -Villiers held on, encouraging the crew by word and gesture, and -skilfully handling the boat to meet every dangerously-crested wave. - -It was grim, desperate work. Sometimes the boat would lose ground in -spite of the efforts of the rowers, who, with cracking sinews and -aching backs, stuck gamely to their task. More than once the stroke -had to boat his oar and bale out the water, for, in spite of her -weatherly qualities, the cutter was shipping dangerous quantities of -spray. - -As they approached the lee side of the reef, which afforded very -little shelter as the breakers were thundering right over it, -Villiers could hardly see the wreck owing to the volume of spindrift. - -The _Zug_ was breaking up fast. Already her after-part, unable to -withstand the terrific hammering, had broken off and had disappeared -in deep water. On her bows, that were momentarily in danger of being -smashed to pieces, were five or six of her crew, swept by the waves, -and hanging on tenaciously to the heavier fittings. The rest of her -crew had disappeared, having been swept overboard on the impact. - -For the present Villiers could do nothing but keep the boat's head on -to the seas and wait. A hundred feet of coral reef, showing in the -trough of every breaker that swept over it, lay between him and the -wreck. To attempt to get alongside the _Zug_ would be hopeless. Had -there been a ghost of a chance, he would have taken it in his efforts -to save life, but there was none. All he could do was to stand by and -wait, trusting that some of the luckless Germans might be swept over -the reef into the smoother water inside the lagoon. At length one of -the _Zug's_ crew took a desperate step and plunged into the sea. -Caught by a crested breaker, he was hurled for a full fifty yards -before he disappeared from view. - -"Watch for him!" shouted Villiers. "He's over the reef." - -A few seconds later the man reappeared, feebly striking out. He was -in danger of being swept past the cutter before he was seen. To -attempt to turn meant the boat being caught broadside on and swamped. - -"Back all," ordered Villiers, gripping the tiller to prevent the -rudder broaching to as the boat gathered sternway. - -The cutter backed almost half-way across the lagoon before Villiers -gave the order to "give way". Then, gradually edging towards the -swimmer, the boat, ably handled, came within an oar's length of the -exhausted man. - -A few seconds of breathless suspense, then: - -"Got him!" yelled Swaine the bowman. - -At a cost of enough water to fill the cutter to the thwarts, the -German was hauled into at least temporary safety, and while two men -kept the boat head to wind and sea the others baled desperately, -using canvas bucket and baler until most of the water was ejected. - -Once more the cutter approached the reef, the rowers straining -desperately at their oars to recover the lost distance. - -"There's another of 'em off," shouted Jack, bawling to make himself -heard above the roar of the breakers and the rush of the wind. - -A stout German, wearing a pair of canvas trousers only, cast off the -ropes that secured him to the deck and leapt into the foaming water. -In vain the cutter's crew looked for his reappearance. He was never -seen again. - -The remaining four, deterred by the fate of their luckless comrade, -held on. The _Titania's_ men, rowing frantically the while to keep -the boat from being driven to leeward, watched them over their -shoulders. Villiers realized that his crew were now almost played -out. It looked as if it were a case of the triumph of matter over -mind. The men were grimly determined to "stick it", but the ceaseless -labour for the last hour at the oars was wearing them out. It was not -straightforward rowing, but a constant tussle in confused breaking -water and against a furious wind. - -The while the bow portion of the _Zug_ was breaking up fast. Alive to -the latest danger, the four men, abandoning their position, took to -the water. Three of these were picked up, the last not before the -cutter had been backed to within half a cable's length of the beach. - -Then, with rescued and rescuers almost in the last stage of physical -exhaustion, Villiers succeeded in running under the _Titania's_ -quarter. - -"Only four saved, sir," reported Jack. - -"More than I expected," replied Harborough. "Get them below. Dry -clothes and hot drinks are what they want. Right-o, Villiers, you -turn in; you're in need of a rest, I'm sure." - -Jack was. Although he had not had the actual manual labour at the -oars, he had been badly knocked about by the buffeting of the boat. -One side was black and blue, owing to the tiller thumping his ribs, -while his left hand, which was still unhealed of its injuries -received during the submarine encounter with the poisonous fish, was -now raw and smarting horribly owing to the action of the salt water. - -Later in the day it was discovered that five others of the _Zug's_ -crew had succeeded in escaping with their lives. By some strange -freak on the part of a wave, they had been swept through the entrance -to the lagoon, and unobserved by anyone on board the _Titania_, were -washed up on Nua Leha. - -When the wind moderated and a landing was possible, they were brought -off to the _Titania_, almost dead by reason of their terrible -struggle to gain the beach. Amongst them was the _Zug's_ carpenter, -but Kaspar von Giespert did not figure in the list of survivors. - -Jack Villiers, protesting that his injuries did not much matter, was -on deck at the second dog watch. After dinner Harborough called him -aside. - -"I think we'll cut the silver stunt, Villiers," he said. Then he -paused to watch the effect of the announcement. - -"Very well, sir," replied Jack. - -"We've wrestled with Fortune and won, where other men have failed," -continued the baronet. "I'm sorry that lives have been lost over the -business; but we've this to be thankful for: we've come through it, -if not with whole skins, without a single D.D. on the muster-book. I -propose making for Sydney, transferring the gold to a liner, and -taking passage home in her." - -"Quite a good scheme," agreed Jack. - -"We can sell the old _Titania_ at a good figure," resumed Harborough, -"and no doubt get a round sum for the secret of the silver. Let some -other fellows have a run for their money; personally, I don't believe -in playing Dame Fortune too hard. This gale is blowing itself out, so -to-morrow we'll fill up the water-tanks, lay in such provisions as -the island supplies, and say good-bye to Nua Leha." - -On the following day all available hands, including the two Germans -who had been under arrest, but were now released from their cells, -went ashore to complete the preparations for the voyage, and by -nightfall the _Titania_ was revictualled and had water-tanks -replenished. - -At daybreak she sailed, her crew watching, with a certain amount of -regret, the triple peaks of the island sinking lower and lower behind -the horizon. Not only had the arduous work been successful, but the -varied experiences had cemented a band of life-long comradeship -between the members of the expedition. - -After an uneventful run the _Titania_ arrived at Sydney, where -Harborough put his plans into execution. - -To him came Swaine. - -"If you've no objection, sir," he began, "I'd like to make an offer -for the _Titania_ and the right to exploit the silver stunt." - -"What!" exclaimed Harborough. "You're a sticker, Swaine. You haven't -had enough treasure-hunting, eh?" - -"Must do something to keep me out of mischief," replied Swaine. "Even -with pots of money a fellow is at a loose end when he's got nothing -to occupy his mind. I reckon I've more than enough of my share of the -_Fusi Yama_ gold to pay for the yacht and float a company here for -the recovery of the silver." - -"I'm quite agreeable," assented Harborough. "But I'll have to arrange -with the others concerning the value of the yacht and the other -matter." - -When the idea was put before the now-dissolving syndicate, not only -did they agree to let Swaine have the _Titania_ at a reasonable sum, -but O'Loghlin and Fontayne offered to join in the new venture. - -Claverhouse and Trevear expressed their intention of remaining at -Sydney, prior to taking up farming in New Zealand. To them Harborough -advanced a sum sufficient to carry them on, pending the realization -of the gold in London. Griffiths and Bell, inseparable chums, decided -to try their luck at fruit-growing in Tasmania. - -Pete, with a pocketful of notes that represented to him a small -fortune, departed for the West Indies via Panama. He went with -genuine regret, followed by the good wishes of the erstwhile crew of -the _Titania_, who regarded him as a cheerful hard-working cook who -looked after their inward needs with the utmost fidelity. - -The rest of the _Titania's_ party accompanied Harborough to England. -Villiers and Bobby Beverley, acting upon Swaine's principle, formed a -coastal shipping company, which not only kept them busy but gave a -good return for their outlay. Within six months of his return home -Dick Beverley gained tenth place in the entrance examination to -Sandhurst. - -Sir Hugh Harborough, rich and contented both in mind and body, was -able to run Thalassa Towers in a manner that bid fair to make it one -of the choicest country seats in Hampshire. He entertained lavishly, -but of his numerous guests none were more welcome than his former -comrades of the good ship _Titania_. - - - -PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN -_By Blackie & Son, Limited, Glasgow_ - - - - - [Transcriber's Notes: - - This book contains a number of misprints. - The following misprints have been corrected: - - ["It's like this," resumed Billy] -> - ["It's like this," resumed Bobby] - There is no Billy in this book. - This should be Bobby. - [messenger to Thelassa Towers] -> - [messenger to Thalassa Towers] - [Straus had tried] -> - [Strauss had tried] - [the compact air-craft begin to] -> - [the compact air-craft began to] - [the still tumultous water] -> - [the still tumultuous water] - - Two illustrations were missing in the paper version - used for producing this digitised text. These are: - 'A SUBMARINE DUEL' and 'UNMASKED HE WAS NO LONGER AN - AMIABLE SWEDE'. They are marked with "(missing from book)" - in the Illustrations-list and at the place where the image - would have been. - - A few cases of punctuation errors were corrected, but are - not mentioned here. - ] - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Salving of the 'Fusi Yama', by -Percy F. Westerman - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SALVING OF THE 'FUSI YAMA' *** - -***** This file should be named 52340-8.txt or 52340-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/3/4/52340/ - -Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. 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: The Salving of the 'Fusi Yama' - A Post-War Story of the Sea - -Author: Percy F. Westerman - -Illustrator: E.S. Hodgson - -Release Date: June 15, 2016 [EBook #52340] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SALVING OF THE 'FUSI YAMA' *** - - - - -Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen. Thank you, Iain Somerville! - - - - - -</pre> - - -<center><img src="images/01_cover.jpg" alt="01_Cover.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"></center> -<center>[Illustration: cover art]</center> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<center><h2>THE SALVING OF -<br>THE "FUSI YAMA"</h2></center> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<center> -<div CLASS="notebox"> -<table style="padding: 1em;" summary="otherbooks"> - <thead> - <tr> - <th>BY - <div CLASS="fontsize133">PERCY F. WESTERMAN</div> - <span class="smallcaps">Lieut.</span> R.A.F.</th> - </tr> - </thead> - <tbody> - <tr><td><hr align="center" width="25%"></td></tr> - <tr><td></td></tr> - <tr><td><center>"No boy alive will be able to peruse Mr. Westerman's pages without a quickening of his pulses."<b>—Outlook.</b></center></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><hr align="center" width="25%"></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>The Salving of the "Fusi Yama": </b> A Post-War Story of the Sea.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>Sea Scouts All:</b> How the <i>Olivette</i> was won.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>Winning his Wings:</b> A Story of the R.A.F.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>The Thick of the Fray at Zeebrugge:</b> April, 1918.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>With Beatty off Jutland:</b> A Romance of the Great Sea Fight.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>The Submarine Hunters:</b> A Story of Naval Patrol Work.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>A Lively Bit of the Front:</b> A Tale of the New Zealand Rifles on the Western Front.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>A Sub and a Submarine:</b> The Story of H.M. Submarine R19 in the Great War.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>Under the White Ensign:</b> A Naval Story of the Great War.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>The Dispatch-Riders:</b> The Adventures of Two British Motor-cyclists with the Belgian Forces.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>The Sea-girt Fortress:</b> A Story of Heligoland.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>Rounding up the Raider:</b> A Naval Story of the Great War.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>The Fight for Constantinople:</b> A Tale of the Gallipoli Peninsula.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>Captured at Tripoli:</b> A Tale of Adventure.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>The Quest of the "Golden Hope":</b> A Seventeenth-century Story of Adventure.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><div CLASS="p2"><b>A Lad of Grit:</b> A Story of Restoration Times.</div></td></tr> - <tr><td> - <tr><td><hr align="center" width="25%"></td></tr> - <tr><td></td></tr> - <tr><td><center>LONDON: BLACKIE & SON, <span class="smallcaps">Ltd.</span>, 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C.</center></td></tr> - </tbody> -</table> -</div> -</center> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<center> -<a name="02_submarine"></a> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: A SUBMARINE DUEL <i>Frontispiece</i><br>(missing from book)]</center> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - - -<center> -<h1> -THE SALVING OF -<br>THE "FUSI YAMA" -</h1> -<h2>A Post-War Story of the Sea</h2> -</center> - -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<center> -<h4>BY</h4> -<h3>PERCY F. WESTERMAN</h3> -</center> - -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<center><i>Illustrated by E. S. Hodgson</i></center> - -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<center> -BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED -<br>LONDON GLASGOW AND BOMBAY -</center> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3 align="center">Contents</h3> -<hr width="25%" align="center"> -<table align="center" width="80%" summary="contents"> - -<tbody><tr> -<td align="right" valign="top"><span class="smallcaps">Chap.</span></td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> </td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">I. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter01"><span class="smallcaps">Rocks Ahead</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">II. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter02"><span class="smallcaps">To the Rescue</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">III. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter03"><span class="smallcaps">Signing On</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">IV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter04"><span class="smallcaps">Comrades All</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">V. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter05"><span class="smallcaps">The "Fusi Yama"</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">VI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter06"><span class="smallcaps">The Yacht "Titania"</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">VII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter07"><span class="smallcaps">Sand-bagged</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">VIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter08"><span class="smallcaps">The "Titania" Sails</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">IX. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter09"><span class="smallcaps">"Where am I?"</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">X. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter10"><span class="smallcaps">A Choice of two Evils</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter11"><span class="smallcaps">Villiers' Return</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter12"><span class="smallcaps">Pete and the Mutiny</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter13"><span class="smallcaps">Advice and Bluff</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XIV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter14"><span class="smallcaps">Sunk in Collision</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter15"><span class="smallcaps">What did Dick do?</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XVI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter16"><span class="smallcaps">The Wrong Island</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XVII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter17"><span class="smallcaps">Nua Leha</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XVIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter18"><span class="smallcaps">The First Day on the Island</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XIX. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter19"><span class="smallcaps">Missing</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XX. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter20"><span class="smallcaps">Up and Down</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter21"><span class="smallcaps">A Good Night's Work</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter22"><span class="smallcaps">Von Giespert hears News</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter23"><span class="smallcaps">Eureka!</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXIV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter24"><span class="smallcaps">The Hurricane</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXV. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter25"><span class="smallcaps">"Konked Out"</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXVI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter26"><span class="smallcaps">Harborough's Ruse</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXVII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter27"><span class="smallcaps">A Submarine Duel</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXVIII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter28"><span class="smallcaps">The Explosion</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXIX. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter29"><span class="smallcaps">A Frustrated Escape</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXX. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter30"><span class="smallcaps">Von Giespert's Resolve</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXXI. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter31"><span class="smallcaps">Exit the "Zug"</span></a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td align="right" valign="top">XXXII. </td> -<td align="left" valign="top"> -<a href="#chapter32"><span class="smallcaps">Settling Accounts</span></a></td> -</tr> - -</tbody></table> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<center> -<table style="padding: 2em;" summary="illustrations"> - <thead> - <tr> - <th>Illustrations</th> - </tr> - </thead> - <tbody> - <tr><td></td></tr> - <tr><td><hr align="center" width="25%"></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#02_submarine">A SUBMARINE DUEL </a> <span style="float:right;"><i>Frontispiece</i></span><br>(missing from book)</td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#03_sandbagged">SAND-BAGGED</a></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#04_unmasked">UNMASKED HE WAS NO LONGER AN AMIABLE SWEDE</a> (missing from book)</td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#05_dumfounded">THE GERMANS WERE DUMFOUNDED</a></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#06_ceiling">JACK WAS PINNED PRETTY FIRMLY AGAINST THE CEILING</a></td></tr> - <tr><td><br></td></tr> - <tr><td><a href="#07_claverhouse">CLAVERHOUSE STEERS THE SEAPLANE INTO THE LAGOON</a></td></tr> - - </tbody> -</table> -</center> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<center><h2>THE SALVING OF THE -<br>"FUSI YAMA"</h2></center> -<hr align="center" width="25%"> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter01"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER I</h3> -<h4 align="center">Rocks Ahead</h4> - -<p>"And how do you like being out of harness, old top?" inquired Jack -Villiers.</p> - -<p>The "old top", otherwise Bobby Beverley, late Sub-Lieutenant of the -Motor Boat Reserve, squared his shoulders and thrust his hands deeply -into the pockets of a well-worn salt-stained monkey-jacket.</p> - -<p>"Candidly, dear old thing, I don't like it one little bit," he -replied. "A fish out of water isn't in it."</p> - -<p>"I believe that's an undisputed fact," interrupted the other.</p> - -<p>"And I jolly well begin to realize it," continued Beverley with -conviction. "There are thousands in the same boat, but that doesn't -alter my position. Fact remains, I see rocks ahead."</p> - -<p>"Is that so?" inquired Villiers seriously. "What is it? Short of the -ready?"</p> - -<p>Beverley shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Not that," he replied, with the confidence that a Service man will -display when discussing financial matters with a brother-officer. -"I've been careful, after a fashion, and there's my gratuity, and a -bit of prize-money when that comes along. Enough to carry on with for -a bit; but, hang it all, what's a fellow to do? I don't like the idea -of taking on a job in an office. When you've been in charge of a crew -for the last three years, you don't like knuckling under and being -bossed; you know what I mean."</p> - -<p>"Precisely, old bird," agreed Villiers. "Same here. I'd go off to -Rhodesia like a shot, only I don't know a blessed thing about -farming. I'd go to sea again, but the Mercantile Marine is -chock-a-block with demobbed Royal Naval Reserve men with Board of -Trade certificates and deep-sea experience. That's where we're -bunkered, old boy. But never mind. Something'll turn up. It's a case -of grasping Dame Fortune by the forelock, whatever that is. 'Fraid -the only forelock I'm acquainted with is the forelock of an anchor, -and that's apt to let you down badly if you don't watch it."</p> - -<p>The two chums had encountered each other just outside the docks at -Southampton. Both had recently been demobilized from the parent ship -<i>Hermione,</i> Villiers' "M.L." having been paid off a fortnight before -Beverley's craft had gone to lay up indefinitely in the Hamble River.</p> - -<p>Jack Villiers was a tall, sparely-built fellow, bronzed, athletic, -and moving with a typically nautical roll that one is bound to -acquire by three years' acquaintance with the open sea. The only son -of a formerly well-to-do Devonshire man, Jack found himself "out of a -berth" with precious few prospects of obtaining employment of -anything approaching a congenial nature. He had gone straight from a -public school into the R.N.V.R and for three years he had risked his -life for his country and had had enough experiences of warfare afloat -to last a lifetime. He knew how to handle men, to take over -responsibility in a tight corner, and generally to steel his nerves -and act promptly in emergencies. He had a roof over his head, albeit -the enamelled roof of the M.L.'s ward-room; good and ample food, a -genial superior officer, and a crew with whom he was undoubtedly -popular. His salary was sufficient for his needs, although it -compared unfavourably with the wages of the average munition-worker -ashore, and generally speaking he had, to quote his own words, "a -top-hole time".</p> - -<p>But at the end of the three years it was quite another story. The -prospect of completing his education at a university had vanished. -His second string—a course at an Engineering Training College—had -snapped, His father, hard hit by the war, was no longer in a position -to render financial aid, and it became apparent that Jack Villiers -would have to cut out a line for himself.</p> - -<p>The burning question was how? The prospect of a commercial life -appalled him. His utter inexperience of the world was against him, -and it was doubtful whether, during that period of unrest that almost -invariably besets the demobilized man, he could settle to sedentary -work. The call of the sea, the craving for spirited and healthy -adventure, militated against the prospect of a hum-drum life.</p> - -<p>Bobby Beverley was in much the same state—possibly worse. He was -additionally hampered by having to provide for his fifteen-year-old -brother Dick, who was at present a boarder in a well-known school -near Salisbury. Bobby's parents were both dead. Mr. Beverley, taking -up a commission in the Army Service Corps, at the age of forty, had -been killed in action somewhere in France. His widow survived him by -but a few months, while Dick had to be maintained out of a scanty -"compassionate allowance ", largely augmented by a considerable -portion of his elder brother's Sub-Lieutenant's pay. And now Bobby -Beverley was faced with two problems: his own future and that of Dick -when the latter left school, which would be at no distant date.</p> - -<p>"Let's trot along and have lunch," suggested Villiers. "I know of a -decent little show in the High Street. Dash it all! I remembered in -time," he added, as he replaced his cap after saluting a lady. "Only -just beginning to remember I'm in mufti. Passed Barry's missus this -morning, and, by Jove! I was going to salute Navy fashion when I -recollected I was out of it. Good old times those, George."</p> - -<p>"They were," admitted "George" fervently, accepting without demur the -name that for some unaccountable reason is indiscriminately bestowed -upon members of the Senior Service. "We had our sticky times, of -course. Then we groused like the rest of 'em. But that's a back -number. Looking at it retrospectively, it wasn't a bad sort of stunt. -And now there's the future."</p> - -<p>"There won't be one for you on this old planet if you aren't more -careful," interrupted Villiers, as he gripped his chum by the arm and -hiked him on to the pavement just in time to escape being run down by -a motor-cyclist. "Bless my soul! It's Alec Claverhouse; and on a -brand-new 1919 jigger, too."</p> - -<p>The recognition was mutual, for the motor-cyclist slowed down and -came to a standstill with one foot on the kerb within twenty yards of -the spot where he had all but collided with Bobby Beverley.</p> - -<p>From what could be seen of him Alec Claverhouse appeared to be a -tall, burly fellow. Tall he certainly was, but the burliness was -largely deceptive, since he was wearing thick clothing and heavy -motor mackintosh overalls. His forehead was concealed by a golf-cap -pulled well down, while resting upon the peak were a pair of goggles -that were evidently considered by their owner to be necessary -adjuncts to the "doggy" appearance of a "speed merchant".</p> - -<p>Claverhouse was an ex-lieutenant of the Royal Air Force—or -Flying-Officer according to the revised and much criticized style of -rank. He had been demobilized for more than five months, and after a -long and wearisome search for a job had taken up a not too lucrative -post at a motor-engineering works, part of his duty being to risk his -neck and those of others of His Majesty's lieges by testing cars and -motor-cycles on the King's highway. Up to the present he had been -fairly fortunate in having his licence endorsed but twice, although -it was a wonder that the fatal third endorsement had not been -recorded. Like a good many other air-pilots Claverhouse, used to -travelling at 120 miles an hour, found that a paltry twenty over the -ground was a mere crawl.</p> - -<p>"Cheerio, Beverley, old bird!" he exclaimed boisterously. "Hardly -expected to run up against you. Still in it, I see. And, Villiers, -you dear old thing! so they've chucked you out."</p> - -<p>"Both of us," corrected Beverley. "We were discussing the prospects -of hacking our way to fame and prosperity when you nearly settled the -problem for us."</p> - -<p>"Always ready to be of assistance," rejoined Claverhouse. "By the by, -seen any of the old Abermurchan crowd lately?"</p> - -<p>"Not since last July," replied Beverley. "Villiers and I came south -together when the M.L. base packed up. The Air Station was due to -close down almost immediately, I remember. What are you doing here?"</p> - -<p>"Trying to find my feet," was the reply. "In other words, pottering -about in a glorified garage waiting for a snip. I'm thinking of going -abroad."</p> - -<p>"That's about as far as we've got," said Villiers.</p> - -<p>"But at present we're thinking of having lunch. Come along with us."</p> - -<p>"My 'bus," protested Alec.</p> - -<p>"Shove it round the back of the show," suggested Villiers. "Get on -with it and then you can reserve a table. We'll be there in less than -five minutes."</p> - -<p>Claverhouse fell in with the suggestion and rode off. Arriving at the -restaurant he was fortunate in securing a corner table. Five minutes -passed, but there were no signs of Villiers and Beverley. Ten minutes -passed.</p> - -<p>"Wonder if they're acting the giddy goat with me?" he soliloquized as -he carelessly picked up a copy of <i>The Times</i> and began to scan the -Personal Column.</p> - -<p>Why he did so he hardly knew. There was little of interest to him in -the long list of appeals for work by demobilized men, though it -roused his sympathy. Somehow it didn't seem right that fellows who -had fought for the country should have to eat out of the hands of the -stay-at-homes who for a dead certainty would have had no home had the -Hun been top-dog.</p> - -<p>Half-way down the column he came across an advertisement of a length -and novelty unusual even to the unique Agony Column of <i>The Times</i>. -Its audacity held him until he became aware of the arrival of -Villiers and Beverley by receiving a vigorous thump on his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Sorry we're late, old son," exclaimed the former apologetically. -"Ran across old Hammersley just under the Bargate. You remember him?"</p> - -<p>Claverhouse nodded, then put the paper on the table.</p> - -<p>"Cast your eye on this, old thing," he said. "A bit tall, eh, what?"</p> - -<p>"What, Rio del Oro shares? Thanks, I'm not having any," said Villiers -decidedly.</p> - -<p>"No, next column," explained Claverhouse. "There, where my thumb is."</p> - -<p>"What's the wheeze?" inquired Beverley, craning his neck and looking -over Villier's shoulder.</p> - -<p>"That's what I want to know," replied Alec. "If there's anything in -it, I'm on."</p> - -<p>The announcement was as follows:—</p> - -<p>"To Demobilized Officers. Those wishing for further excitement and -adventure overseas and who are physically and mentally capable of -taking care of themselves are invited to communicate with the -under-signed. An enterprise involving the risking of two hundred and -fifty pounds per head is in contemplation. The capital may be lost; -on the other hand, there is a possibility of a gain of one thousand -per cent upwards. Applications are especially invited from ex-members -of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and Royal Air Force, but those -persons formerly serving in other branches of H.M. Services will be -given consideration. Full particulars of the scheme, which will -require twelve months' personal service, will be supplied to <i>bona -fide</i> applicants.—Address, 'Joystick', c/o Messrs. Steady and -Strong, Richborough Chambers, Southampton."</p> - -<p>"Claptrap!" declared Villiers, taking up the menu-card, which -represented something rather more concrete, and consequently rather -more digestible, than the newspaper announcement.</p> - -<p>"P'raps," admitted Claverhouse, with his characteristic drawl. "'Tany -rate the bloke's straightforward enough to tell you that you might be -chucking your money away."</p> - -<p>"That's so," agreed Beverley. "We can investigate. I suppose there's -no obligation to carry on if the thing looks fishy."</p> - -<p>"I don't mind going that far," said Villiers. "And if it looks a -sound scheme I'll plank down three hundred. After all three hundred -is only worth about a hundred and eighty pounds, and if we are kept -employed for a twelvemonth and get a bit of excitement chucked in, -well—we might just as soon spend our gratuities that way as being -rooked and rushed at home."</p> - -<p>Beverley made no audible comment. He was of a cautious nature, and -his cautiousness was heightened by the fact that he was responsible -for the maintenance of a young brother for at least a couple of -years.</p> - -<p>While the waiter was taking orders the subject was dropped, but as -soon as the man had departed Claverhouse returned to the matter.</p> - -<p>"Wonder if it's a filibustering stunt?" he hazarded.</p> - -<p>"Or piracy," added Villiers. "I heard a yarn floating around only -yesterday about a merchant skipper whose crew were killed in cold -blood by a U-boat. The old man was taken prisoner, but managed to -escape, and now he's vowed to get his own back. How I don't know, -unless he turns pirate and goes for every Fritz he falls in with on -the high seas."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, I'm not having any there," declared Beverley. "I don't want -to find myself hanging in the modern equivalent to Execution Dock."</p> - -<p>"Nor I," added Villiers. "Apparently this stunt has something to do -with the sea, since it's R.N.V.R. fellows who are wanted."</p> - -<p>"And Air Force blokes," said Claverhouse gently.</p> - -<p>"Nothing like sticking up for your own crush, old bird," remarked -Villiers. "Yes, that part puzzles me a bit. Look here, let's take -Beverley's advice and make inquiries. If it isn't all jonnick we can -pipe down."</p> - -<p>"When?" asked Claverhouse. "Now? At once?"</p> - -<p>Villiers laughed.</p> - -<p>"Hardly," he replied. "Pretty guys we'd look trotting round to -Richborough Chambers and asking for 'Joystick'. It's too much like -asking for trouble to my mind. No, the best thing we can do without -compromising ourselves is to write and ask for an interview. Then we -can resolve ourselves into a Committee of Ways and Means."</p> - -<p>"Joint letter?" asked Beverley.</p> - -<p>"No, individual, briefly stating our qualifications," replied -Villiers.</p> - -<p>"But, in that case, you or I might be sent for and the others -ignored," objected Claverhouse. "I vote we stick together—united we -stand sort of touch."</p> - -<p>"That's the stuff to give 'em," was Villiers' rejoinder.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter02"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER II</h3> -<h4 align="center">To the Rescue</h4> - -<p>It was not until the following Thursday afternoon that Villiers, as -head of the informal Mutual Advancement Syndicate, received a reply -to the joint letter to "Joystick".</p> - -<p>As Villiers had expected, the letter gave no clue to the nature of -the proposed undertaking, but consisted of a brief intimation that -the advertiser would be pleased to interview Messrs. Villiers, -Beverley, and Claverhouse at Richborough Chambers at 3 p.m. that day.</p> - -<p>"We're progressing," he observed, as he handed the letter to Bobby. -"Now comes the fun. Will 'Joystick' take a rise out of us, or shall -we pull his leg? Let's go round and rout out Claverhouse."</p> - -<p>"He'll be at his one-horse show garage," said Beverley. "Better look -him up at lunch-time."</p> - -<p>"Won't give him enough warning," objected Villiers. "We'll tackle him -at once and let him know how things stand. 'Raise steam and prepare -for immediate action', eh, what?"</p> - -<p>They happened across Alec Claverhouse just outside the motor-works. -He was about to take a 60-h.p. "Odouresque" out for a test run.</p> - -<p>"Cheerio!" he exclaimed. "Any luck?"</p> - -<p>"Read this," replied Villiers. "My festive friend, you'll have to -pipe down this afternoon. Thursday's 'Make and mend', you know."</p> - -<p>"Not in this rotten show," said Claverhouse. "The civilian equivalent -to the Adjutant bird in these works is a regular Cossack for granting -time off. I haven't a great grandmother to bury, nor is there a -football match on this afternoon, so honours are even on that score. -What do you think of this little lad? Guess I'll knock sixty out of -her on the road."</p> - -<p>"In that case," remarked Beverley, "you'll get run in by the police -and sacked by the firm, so before you do find yourself in the cart -why don't you apply for leave?"</p> - -<p>"I will, sure," replied Claverhouse, throwing off his leather-lined -coat and tossing it into the coupé. "Hang on half a tick, and I'll -tell you the result of the poll."</p> - -<p>He disappeared from view, leaving Jack and Bobby to admire the -workmanship and general "get up" of the powerful "Odouresque".</p> - -<p>In less than five minutes he reappeared, beaming and smiling.</p> - -<p>"It's all O.K.," he announced. "I cut the rotten red tape and saw the -manager. While I was about it—'in for a penny, in for a pound' stunt -you know—I asked if he had any objection to you fellows coming with -me. Said he hadn't, as long as the firm hadn't to pay your funeral -exes; so hop in and let's get a move on."</p> - -<p>Nothing loth the two chums boarded the car, Villiers sitting by -Claverhouse while Beverley reclined in lordly fashion on the back -seat. Almost imperceptibly, in response to a touch of the electric -starter, the powerful car glided away.</p> - -<p>There was no doubt about it. Claverhouse knew how to handle a -high-horse-powered engine, and before the car had traversed the -length of the crowded High Street, and had adroitly negotiated the -narrow Bargate, both Villiers and Beverley had abandoned the mental -visions of finding themselves either in a mortuary or in an -infirmary.</p> - -<p>Alec kept the car well retarded until he reached the outskirts of -Southampton, then opening out slightly he soon covered the somewhat -hilly road between the seaport and the cathedral city of Winchester, -but never once did the needle of the speedometer point above -twenty-five.</p> - -<p>"Don't think I was boasting about the sixty," remarked Claverhouse. -"There's a fine stretch of open road ahead. Then you watch her rip. -Keep your eye on the speedometer. It's the only indication of the -rate we're doing."</p> - -<p>Presently the chalky highway ascended a long hill that forms part of -the North Downs. Ahead as far as the eye could reach was a desolate -stretch of unfenced road with a wide expanse of undulating grass-land -on either side—straight as a die in the direction but interrupted by -a number of gentle gradients.</p> - -<p>"Worthy Down," announced Alec. "Four hundred feet up. Now she'll -rip."</p> - -<p>Rip she did. Swiftly the needle rose from thirty to forty-five.</p> - -<p>"All serene?" asked Claverhouse, only this time he did not turn his -head. His whole attention was centred upon the road, yet so silent -and well protected was the car that he could speak in an ordinary -tone and be heard distinctly.</p> - -<p>"Quite," replied Villiers.</p> - -<p>Fifty, fifty-five, sixty, sixty-five, seventy.</p> - -<p>The "Odouresque" was travelling. The wind whistled past the screens, -the chalk road blended into a vague, swiftly-rushing riband of white. -Everything within fifty yards was indistinct, like a badly-focused -photograph, while for a mile behind the car a dense cloud of dust -eddied in the back-draught of the swiftly-moving vehicle.</p> - -<p>"Look out, old man," cautioned Villiers. "There's a cyclist ahead."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I see him," replied Alec, gently retarding the terrific -momentum. "'Fraid he's spoiled my record."</p> - -<p>"Motor-cyclist," corrected Jack, as the approaching machine breasted -one of the intervening ridges and disappeared in a dip of the road. -"Wonder if anything would happen if a bike going at, say, forty, -passed a big car doing seventy? If——"</p> - -<p>He broke off. Simultaneously Claverhouse throttled down and applied -the side-brakes.</p> - -<p>Before the car could be brought to a standstill it had surmounted a -slight rise and was on the down grade leading to another ascent half -a mile or more away. Right in the hollow was a confused group of -figures which resolved itself into a motor-cyclist bravely defending -himself against four rough-looking men. The cycle lay on the grass a -good ten yards from the road and a fifth ruffian was already -beginning to ransack the contents of a case strapped to the carrier.</p> - -<p>At first sight Villiers thought that there had been an accident, and -that the motor-cyclist had collided with a group of pedestrians, but -he was speedily undeceived. It was a case of highway robbery.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately, from the footpads' point of view, the rascals had not -bargained for the approach of a car at seventy miles an hour. Lying -in wait for the solitary traveller, they had taken the precaution to -see that the straight road was otherwise deserted when the object of -their attention approached. Nor were they aware of the presence of -the swift, silent car until it appeared to leap from the ground -within a hundred yards of them.</p> - -<p>"Look out, chums!" shouted the fellow standing over the fallen -motor-cycle, and acting upon his own warning he promptly took to his -heels.</p> - -<p>The others also fled, but not before one of them was held by the -attacked motor-cyclist. It looked as if the fellow would be made a -prisoner, for the other held on like a leech, until the ruffian drew -a knife and struck.</p> - -<p>"After them!" yelled Beverley, taking a flying leap from the car. -Villiers was a close second, ignoring Claverhouse's suggestion to -take the car in pursuit.</p> - -<p>As it was the chase was futile. The assailants, young, agile, and -strong in wind, scattered in different directions, steadily -outdistancing the three new arrivals, hampered as they were with -heavy coats.</p> - -<p>"Pity we didn't stick to the car," remarked Alec regretfully, as -puffed and pouring with perspiration they made their way back to the -victim of the attack. "I bet we would have run at least two of them -to earth. Fine sport it would have been, and the grass makes good -going. Hallo! He's up again."</p> - -<p>Claverhouse indicated the unfortunate motor-cyclist, who, holding one -arm below the elbow, was ruefully contemplating his steed.</p> - -<p>"Hurt, sir?" inquired Villiers.</p> - -<p>"Scratch," replied the other with equal laconism.</p> - -<p>Then, as if the presence of his rescuers was unnoticed, he fumbled -with the fingers of his uninjured arm until he succeeded in opening -the leather case on the carrier.</p> - -<p>Apparently his investigations were satisfactory, for, closing the -lid, he turned towards the three chums.</p> - -<p>"Thanks, awfully, for your timely assistance," he exclaimed. "It was -very remiss of me not to say so before, but my head feels a trifle -dizzy. I'm afraid I haven't quite got the hang of things yet."</p> - -<p>"Let me bind your arm," suggested Beverley. "It is bleeding rather -badly."</p> - -<p>"So it is," admitted the stranger. "I hardly noticed it, but it's -tingling a bit now."</p> - -<p>Villiers helped him off with his motor-cycling coat and jacket and -rolled up his sleeve.</p> - -<p>"Clean cut," announced Beverley. "Any first-aid gadgets in the car, -Alec?"</p> - -<p>"Trust me for that," replied Claverhouse. "I'll fetch the wallet."</p> - -<p>"Any suggestion as to the cause of that attack?" asked Villiers.</p> - -<p>"Can't say," was the non-committal reply. "I'm sorry they got -away—very."</p> - -<p>"So am I," agreed Villiers sincerely. "According to the papers, -robbery with violence is on the increase. One of the after-results of -the war, I suppose. Going far?"</p> - -<p>"Southampton," replied the stranger. "I have an engagement at three."</p> - -<p>"So have we," added Beverley. "Is your bike all right?"</p> - -<p>Examination proved that it was rideable, although the front wheel was -slightly buckled and the exhaust-lever cable had snapped.</p> - -<p>"You'd better come in the car," suggested Claverhouse, when the -bandaging operation was completed. "One of my friends can ride your -bike."</p> - -<p>"I'd be eternally grateful," replied the motor-cyclist. "I'm not much -of a hand at this sort of game, but with this wretched railway strike -on, what is a fellow to do?"</p> - -<p>"It's no use hanging on to the slack," observed Claverhouse, moving -in the direction of the car. "Jump in and let's get along. First stop -Winchester, I presume?"</p> - -<p>"What for?" asked the stranger. "Not on my account?"</p> - -<p>"But surely," said Claverhouse, in astonishment, "you are going to -inform the police?"</p> - -<p>"A waste of valuable time," objected the other. "No, if you don't -mind dropping me in Southampton I'll be doubly obliged. I'll take -that attaché case with me, if you please."</p> - -<p>"Good enough," agreed Claverhouse. "Beverley, dear old soul, you're -riding the bike, I believe?"</p> - -<p>"That is so," admitted Bobby.</p> - -<p>"And," continued Alec, with a grin, "you think you'll hang on to us? -You'll be dropped, old son, for a dead cert. So don't you think it -would be just as well to ask this gentleman's address? Where shall we -put you down, sir?" he asked, turning to the stranger.</p> - -<p>"Richborough Chambers," was the unexpected reply.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm hanged!" exclaimed Villiers. "That's rummy—very. Do you -happen to know of a fellow who, for certain reasons, calls himself -'Joystick'?"</p> - -<p>A faint smile overspread the man's bull-dog features.</p> - -<p>"I am 'Joystick'," he replied.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter03"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER III</h3> -<h4 align="center">Signing On</h4> - -<p>For some minutes "Joystick" remained silent, enjoying the obvious -astonishment of the trio.</p> - -<p>"You need not introduce yourselves," he continued. "You are Robert -Beverley; you are Jack Villiers, and you are Alec Claverhouse—I -presume you pronounce your name in Scots' fashion."</p> - -<p>"You are a veritable Sherlock Holmes," declared Villiers.</p> - -<p>The other raised a hand deprecatingly.</p> - -<p>"I cannot aspire to that degree of intelligence," he remarked. "So, -to remove misunderstandings, I will explain. You said you had an -appointment at Southampton at three. I mentioned Richborough -Chambers, and then you asked if I knew 'Joystick'. Amongst many -applications for an interview I had a joint letter signed by you -three fellows. I heard Beverley called by name. That accounted for -one of you, and left two—Villiers and Claverhouse. One looked like a -naval man, the other did not, but he had an accent that hails from -north of the Tweed. Simple, eh? and, by the by, since I know your -names, there is no reason why I should screen myself under a -nom-de-plume or nom-de-guerre, or whatever you like to call it. I'm -called Harborough—Hugh Harborough."</p> - -<p>"Late Lieutenant-Commander, R.N.V.R.?" asked Villiers.</p> - -<p>"Correct," was the reply.</p> - -<p>"And Sir Hugh Harborough," continued Jack.</p> - -<p>"I believe I have a handle to my name," replied the baronet, smiling. -"However, that's a detail. I didn't ask for it. A fellow cannot be -responsible for the deeds: or misdeeds of his -great-great-grandfather."</p> - -<p>"That excuse cannot apply to your D.S.O.," urged Villiers, following -up his attack.</p> - -<p>It was Sir Hugh's turn to look astonished.</p> - -<p>"How do you know that?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Merely because I happened to know a fellow in the Inchlellan Patrol -who had been transferred from Poldene. He knew you. Carruthers is his -name."</p> - -<p>"Good man, Carruthers," exclaimed Sir Hugh. "I'd like to meet him -again. But this isn't Southampton. What do you say to an alteration -of plan? Come back to 'Thalassa Towers' and have lunch with me. Then, -if you don't mind running me into Southampton, I can interview some -more fellows at 3.30. It's only a matter of eight and a half miles to -my place."</p> - -<p>It was Alec Claverhouse who was the first to agree to the revised -programme, and since he was in charge of the "Odouresque" Company's -car it was only right that he should take the responsibility of -delaying its return. Provided the car was returned to the works and -reported "passed for road work" by three o'clock there would be no -cause for anxiety on the part of the officials of the company.</p> - -<p>"Any objection to a speed burst, Sir Hugh?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"None whatever," was the reply. "What'll she do?"</p> - -<p>For answer Alec let the car all out. She was soon doing seventy-five, -while Beverley, on the twin "Mephisto" was almost out of sight far -astern. But Beverley was cautious in most things, and on a strange -mount he did not feel inclined to give the engine full throttle.</p> - -<p>"To the left at the fork roads," cautioned the baronet. "Hadn't you -better let Beverley reduce station a bit? No, I don't think the -footpads will molest him. It was this they were after, I fancy."</p> - -<p>And he tapped the attaché-case at his side.</p> - -<p>A quarter of an hour later the "Odouresque" was sweeping along the -extensive drive leading to Thalassa Towers, with the "Mephisto" fifty -yards behind.</p> - -<p>"Make yourselves at home, and please drop all formality," said the -baronet. "This isn't a Service stunt, and personally I'm dead set on -red tape. Had quite enough of that the last four years. 'Fraid the -place is rather in a muddle. You see, I only succeeded to the title -in '15, when my elder brother went under at Ypres, and I haven't -spent much time at the old show since."</p> - -<p>"I like his idea of a muddle," thought Beverley, as a well-served -lunch was being quickly provided, although at short notice. There -seemed an abundance of servants, and, what was somewhat remarkable, -there was a large touring-car and a light run-about in the garage. -Why then did Sir Hugh risk his neck on a motor-cycle?</p> - -<p>Harborough personally led the way to a bath-room, and then, excusing -himself, disappeared for a few minutes to return divested of his -mackintosh overalls.</p> - -<p>He was of average build, bronzed complexion, with heavy jaw and cheek -bones. His eyebrows were thick and bushy, extending in an almost -continuous straight line below a forehead of medium height. His -iron-grey hair was close-cropped and grew low on his temples. When he -smiled, which was rarely, a double row of even white teeth rather -toned down an otherwise blunt, determined, and somewhat -reckless-looking face.</p> - -<p>Instinctively the three chums felt that Sir Hugh was "sizing them up" -before broaching the important subject. He put them entirely at their -ease, chatting casually on common-place subjects during lunch, but -the while there was the feeling that every question he asked, however -simple, was with the object of plumbing the minds of his guests.</p> - -<p>Villiers tried to "draw him" on the matter of the idle motor-cars, -but the baronet avoided the subject adroitly yet without any -suspicion of awkwardness, and the conversation drifted through the -merits of No. 6 shot for rabbit-shooting and the prospects of next -year's yachting to a discussion on heavier versus lighter-than-air -machines.</p> - -<p>"Suppose we make tracks for the smoking-room?" suggested Sir Hugh, -when lunch was finished.</p> - -<p>The smoking-room was cosily furnished in old oak, and like the rest -of the rooms on the ground floor the windows were heavily barred. -There were also steel shutters, opening and folding inwards against -the sides of the deep window-recesses. Both bars and shutters were -unmistakably recent additions.</p> - -<p>The baronet motioned to his guests to seat themselves, and handed -cigarettes. Then placing the attaché-case on the table he took up -his position on the hearthrug, leaning against the carved -mantelpiece.</p> - -<p>"Now to business," he began abruptly. "I'm not asking for recruits -for a filibustering expedition, piracy, or any of that sort of work. -I'm taking on a speculative but above-board deal, which will involve -hard work, peril, and perhaps losing the number of your mess. I -believe you, Claverhouse, would term the latter contingency 'Going -West', but you know what I mean. Briefly, I hope to fish up a million -and a half in bullion and specie, the principal part of the cargo of -a ship sunk by von Spee's squadron somewhere in the Pacific. I know -where that somewhere is; the exact position is recorded in a document -lying in that attaché-case. Incidentally, I have good reason to -believe that this morning's little affair was promoted by a clever -scoundrel who is particularly anxious to obtain the secret and to see -me safely out of the way. Those bars and shutters, which I noticed -that you were admiring just now, are part of the defensive scheme; so -you see, apart from the mere excitement of treasure-hunting, there is -a subsidiary stratum of danger to add to the zest of the -prospectors."</p> - -<p>"That sounds promising, Sir Hugh," observed Villiers.</p> - -<p>"And as to terms," continued the baronet. "Each member of the -expedition—I propose to bring up the number to fifteen or -eighteen—will be required to contribute two hundred and fifty pounds -towards the cost. I will find the balance. Meals and quarters will be -provided free, but there will be no guarantee that each member's -capital will be returned. It won't even be secured. If, as I expect, -the venture is a success, half the profit will be divided between my -assistants plus their two hundred and fifty pounds, while I have the -rest of the proceeds. Now, have you any remarks?"</p> - -<p>"Seems quite O.K.," replied Claverhouse. "After all's said, two -hundred and fifty pounds isn't much for a twelvemonth's travel with -board and lodging thrown in, as we remarked when we saw your -advertisement."</p> - -<p>"There's more than that," said Sir Hugh. "The stake makes every man -take the keenest interest in the work. He realizes that it's up to -him to do his level best for his comrades and himself. I could, of -course, engage a professional crew, but nowadays one can't depend -upon paid labour whether ashore or afloat. This railway strike, for -example, although the way the Government's tackling it was a complete -surprise."</p> - -<p>"We volunteered," remarked Villiers, "either for road or marine -transport, but we were three amongst thousands and didn't have a -sniff in. Motor jobs all snapped up and only a few fellows required -for marine work."</p> - -<p>"That's satisfactory from one point," said Harborough. "It shows that -a considerable section of the community supposed to be relatively -helpless can get a move on. The war has brought them out, as it were; -helped them to find their feet. But that's where I was let down when -my chauffeur struck suddenly. Driving a car isn't one of my -accomplishments."</p> - -<p>"We noticed you had a couple of cars," observed Beverley.</p> - -<p>"And wondered accordingly, I presume," added Sir Hugh drily. "Let me -explain. My chauffeur fellow wanted more pay, although I had raised -his wages recently. Thought he had me under his thumb, so to speak, -when the railway strike came, but I wasn't going to be bluffed. So he -went off at once, presumably to join the taxi-driver crush in town. -He'd make a fine brigand. I can drive a four-in-hand with credit. -Took on the job of driving a stage-coach in Winnipeg fifteen years -ago, and was glad to get four dollars a day for doing it. So you see, -I've had my ups and downs in life, and I'm not sorry. Since I -couldn't drive the car and there was no one on the spot to drive for -me, I sent my gardener boy into Farnham to bring back a motor-bike. -The 'Mephisto' was the only one he could get, and a hundred guineas -at that, but you see, I'm always particular to keep my appointments. -I mustn't forget the one at Southampton at three-thirty," he added, -glancing at his watch. "Now, have I made myself sufficiently clear -for the present? If you require time to think the proposition over, -there is no immediate hurry for a day or so—say Monday morning."</p> - -<p>"I'm on it," declared the impulsive Villiers.</p> - -<p>"And I," added the hitherto deliberate Claverhouse.</p> - -<p>Bobby Beverley hesitated.</p> - -<p>"Out with it, man," exclaimed Harborough encouragingly. "Nothing like -speaking your mind. What's the difficulty? Anything of a private -nature?"</p> - -<p>"Not at all, Sir Hugh," replied Beverley, flushing slightly under his -tan. "I'd like to come, only——"</p> - -<p>The baronet guessed the nature of the impediment. He was right, but -he was too keen a judge of human nature to prompt the still -hesitating youth.</p> - -<p><span id="cor0001" class="corrected" title="[Original text: "It's like this," resumed Billy]">"It's like this," resumed Bobby</span>, plunging into details. "I can't very -well raise that two hundred and fifty pounds without getting credit. -I've a young brother to look after."</p> - -<p>"How old?" inquired Harborough.</p> - -<p>"Fifteen this month."</p> - -<p>"H'm, beginning to think what he wants to be," commented the baronet. -"What are you doing with him?"</p> - -<p>"He's at boarding-school," answered Bobby. "I think he'll go in for -motor-engineering. He wanted to have a shot for Sandhurst, but, -unless something turns up, I can't run to it."</p> - -<p>"Nothing like the Service for a healthy youngster, provided he's -keen," commented Sir Hugh. "Wish I'd gone in for Osborne when I was a -lad. Instead of that I got out of hand, and my governor packed me off -to Canada to find my feet. I did," he added grimly.</p> - -<p>The baronet glanced at his watch again, and then addressed Villiers.</p> - -<p>"Can you drive a car?" he asked. "You can—good. Will you mind -driving me in? Claverhouse can take his, and then I'll have something -to get home in. Excuse me a moment while I get my gear."</p> - -<p>He went out, taking the attaché-case with him. Villiers turned to -his companions.</p> - -<p>"Wonder if he's fixed up for the return journey?" he remarked. -"Bobby, you thundering old ox, why the blazing Harry did you hedge? -I'd have advanced you the ready like a shot."</p> - -<p>"I know, old man," replied Beverley. "I'd jump at it, but there's -Dick. I'm a non-starter."</p> - -<p>"Tell you what——" began Villiers.</p> - -<p>He got no further, for at that instant the door opened and Harborough -appeared.</p> - -<p>"Can you spare me a minute, Beverley?" he asked.</p> - -<p>Beverley went out. His chums exchanged glances.</p> - -<p>"It's a deal after all, old bean," remarked Claverhouse.</p> - -<p>Bobby was absent not one but a good ten minutes. He returned with a -radiant face, following the self-possessed Sir Hugh.</p> - -<p>"Beverley has signed on," announced the baronet briefly.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter04"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER IV</h3> -<h4 align="center">Comrades All</h4> - -<p>"When do we take over, sir?" inquired Villiers.</p> - -<p>The reply came sharp and to the point.</p> - -<p>"From now," replied Sir Hugh. "In Claverhouse's case, I understand, -he will have to give in his resignation. There's one more point. In -addition to board and quarters—you'll be regarded as members of the -establishment—there will be an amount of two guineas a week to each -of the syndicate until we leave England. That will be as soon as -possible, but it would hardly be fair to expect you to hang on here -without some slight remuneration. Now let's be going."</p> - -<p>The four men made their way to the garage, where Claverhouse showed -Villiers how to manage the baronet's car, which was of a type that -the R.N.V.R. man knew intimately. Then, having "started up", -Claverhouse boarded the "Odouresque" with Beverley as his companion, -while Sir Hugh and Villiers seated themselves in the other.</p> - -<p>The journey to Southampton was performed at strictly moderate speed, -and nothing unusual occurred. Villiers led the way, the powerful -"Odouresque" following a hundred yards behind at a pace that seemed a -painful crawl to the road-hogging Alec.</p> - -<p>Just before the Bargate, Claverhouse took a side-road in order to -return the car to the Odouresque Co., Ltd., leaving Villiers to take -the head of the syndicate to Richborough Chambers.</p> - -<p>It was an intricate piece of work to negotiate the ancient and narrow -gateway that spans Southampton's principal street. The road was not -only greasy, and had tram lines on it, but there was a slight descent -to the Bargate itself. Here stood a policeman regulating the traffic, -since it was possible for vehicles to pass only in one direction at a -time.</p> - -<p>The traffic was passing in the right direction as Villiers -approached. Just ahead was a tramcar, while following the motor—he -could see that by means of the reflector—was a petrol-driven dray -with three or four men sitting on the otherwise empty body.</p> - -<p>The tramcar emerged from under the arch, but just as Villiers was -immediately under the gate a cyclist, disregarding the policeman's -upraised arm, dashed headlong towards the front of Villiers' car.</p> - -<p>Not for one moment did the ex-officer lose his nerve. To swerve meant -wrecking the car and possibly injuring or killing its occupants.</p> - -<p>He applied both brakes, but the metal-shod tyres slithered on the -greasy tramlines. The next instant the impact occurred.</p> - -<p>It was the cycle that bore the brunt of the collision. Its rider, -with considerable dexterity, had dismounted, and leaping into safety -had left his machine to meet destruction. The dray, pulling up, -filled almost the whole of the archway, with its bonnet within a -couple of inches of the tail of the car.</p> - -<p>Within a few seconds a crowd had collected. The traffic was held up -while the policeman, note-book in hand, was taking particulars of the -accident.</p> - -<p>"Take this," whispered the baronet, pushing a small blue-covered case -into Villiers' hand. "It's my driving licence."</p> - -<p>"Have you a licence, sir?" inquired the policeman</p> - -<p>"I have," replied Villiers truthfully. "Here it is."</p> - -<p>The guardian of the law was visibly impressed by the name.</p> - -<p>"Very good, sir," he said saluting. "Merely a matter of form. I don't -think you'll hear anything further about the accident. The cyclist -was entirely in the wrong."</p> - -<p>"Punctual to the minute," remarked Sir Hugh, as the car drew up in -front of Richborough Chambers. "Hallo! Where's that attaché-case?"</p> - -<p>It had vanished. Thinking perhaps that the sudden application of the -brakes had jerked it under the seat, the baronet made a comprehensive -search, but without result.</p> - -<p>"Rotten luck," commented Villiers.</p> - -<p>"Might have been worse," rejoined Sir Hugh oracularly. "Let's get in -and see what's doing. The commissionaire will give an eye to the -car."</p> - -<p>He led the way to a large room on the ground floor. From the -adjoining room came the subdued hum of voices.</p> - -<p>"Adventure aspirants," remarked Sir Hugh, nodding his head in the -direction whence the sounds came. "You'll be my secretary <i>pro tem</i>., -Villiers. Cast your eye over these letters and see if you recognize -any of the writers."</p> - -<p>He handed Villiers a bundle of about thirty envelopes.</p> - -<p>"I know three of these names," replied Jack, after scanning the -contents of the communications. "Merridew, O'Loghlin, and Fontayne."</p> - -<p>"Anything detrimental?"</p> - -<p>"To the contrary," replied Villiers.</p> - -<p>"Good! We'll see them first. But one moment, I want an advertisement -drafted, something to this effect:—'Lost from car, between -Winchester and Southampton, attaché-case, containing papers of no -value except to owner—no, say owners. Finder will be liberally -rewarded on returning same.' That ought to fetch 'em."</p> - -<p>"Is the loss a very serious matter," asked Villiers.</p> - -<p>"To someone," replied Harborough. "The case wasn't lost, it was -stolen!"</p> - -<p>"Stolen?" repeated Jack incredulously.</p> - -<p>"Precisely," continued the baronet. "But I'll go into the matter with -you later. Now let's interview Messrs. Merridew and Co."</p> - -<p>The three ex-officers were considerably surprised when Jack Villiers -entered the room where they were waiting, and asked them to "come -this way".</p> - -<p>"Something good on, old man?" inquired O'Loghlin. "Sure it is if -you've got a finger in the pie."</p> - -<p>Villiers was non-committal. He did not like the responsibility of -advising his former comrades on this particular point.</p> - -<p>But in less than five minutes the trio had "signed on", and were told -to report at Thalassa Towers at eleven on the following morning.</p> - -<p>The next applicant was an R.N.R. officer, Swaine by name, whose chief -qualification lay in the fact that he had been employed by a salvage -company and was an experienced diver.</p> - -<p>"I should think there are plenty of openings for you in England," -remarked Harborough.</p> - -<p>"So there are, sir," replied Swaine, pulling out a bunch of letters -from his pocket. "I've half a dozen jobs to go to in the salvage -line, but I've seen enough of the North Sea and the English Channel -the last four years. Somewhere in the Pacific would suit me, although -you didn't say where, sir. S'long as it's not off Vladivostok, the -Behring Straits, or south of the Chloe Archipelago, I'm on it."</p> - -<p>The selection business proceeded apace. Two men were "turned down" -politely, for Harborough knew what he wanted and meant to get it. He -was a shrewd judge of human nature. Another applicant "hedged", tried -to be funny by asking irrelevant questions, and, remarking that he -wasn't jolly well going to pay to work and chuck good quids away, put -on his hat and departed.</p> - -<p>The last to be interviewed was a short, small-featured youngster with -a very mild voice and manner, who blushed hotly when spoken to and -showed considerable hesitation in framing his words. He seemed keen, -but Villiers, looking on, felt certain that the youth wouldn't come -up to the standard.</p> - -<p>"What's your Service experience, my lad?" asked Sir Hugh. "You've -forgotten to mention that in your letter."</p> - -<p>For answer the youth handed in a sheet of paper—his record of -service. Amongst other items it was noted that he was a -flying-officer, held the M.C. with bar, and had been twice mentioned -in dispatches for brilliant reconnaissance work over the enemy lines -and for engaging and destroying three hostile machines. His -"Protection Certificate" left no doubt as to the identity of the -modest aerial warrior.</p> - -<p>"Still keen on flying, Mr. Trevear?"</p> - -<p>"Rather," replied the ex-airman with a sudden and unexpected burst of -enthusiasm. "I wanted to stay in the R.A.F., but it was no go. Then I -applied for a post as pilot at a civilian flying-school, but up to -now I've heard nothing."</p> - -<p>"Do you know the 'Cormorant' sea-plane?"</p> - -<p>"Heard of it, sir," was the reply. "My buses were mono-airplanes, but -I think I'd cotton on to a seaplane with very little difficulty."</p> - -<p>"Good enough," exclaimed Harborough. "A stout heart goes a long way. -Willing to sign on, on the terms I mentioned?"</p> - -<p>"Rather," replied the now eager youth.</p> - -<p>"That's the lot," commented Sir Hugh, when Villiers and the baronet -found themselves alone. "Quite a representative crush, eh? I think -they'll shape all right. Now we'll pack up, Beverley and Claverhouse, -and get back. There's plenty to be done in the next fortnight."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter05"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER V</h3> -<h4 align="center">The "Fusi Yama"</h4> - -<p>"At this stage of the proceedings, gentlemen," began Sir Hugh. "I -think it time to reveal all I know concerning the <i>Fusi Yama</i> and her -cargo of sunken gold."</p> - -<p>It was the first time that the whole of the members of the Salvage -Syndicate had assembled at Thalassa Towers, and what might be termed -a meeting of the Board was in progress.</p> - -<p>The scene was the smoking-room, in which a roaring fire was blazing -on the hearth, for the autumn morning was decidedly chilly. On the -oaken table, and held down by four leaden weights, was an Admiralty -Chart of a portion of the Pacific.</p> - -<p>"The <i>Fusi Yama</i>, a vessel of 4500 tons, was, you may remember," -continued the baronet, "sold by a Japanese firm to a British shipping -concern at Shanghai. There was rather a fuss made about it at the -time, because in shipping circles it was regarded as somewhat -significant that Japan had entered into commercial maritime -competition to such an extent that she could build and engine vessels -and sell them to a nation that hitherto held the palm for -ship-construction.</p> - -<p>"This was just before the war, and the <i>Fusi Yama's</i> first voyage -under the British flag was from Chi-fu to Liverpool—but the voyage -was never completed in the manner intended. Her cargo consisted of -cotton and silk and specie and bullion to the value of a million and -a half.</p> - -<p>"Strictly speaking, the bullion and specie ought to have been sent by -a regular mail-steamer, but rumours were in the air of trouble with -Germany, and the consigners decided that a steamer running off the -recognized route stood a better chance of getting clear of the -Pacific than a liner, for there was then a powerful German -cruiser-squadron based at Kiao Chau.</p> - -<p>"However, the <i>Fusi Yama</i> and her cargo were fully insured, she was -classed A1 at Lloyd's, had an experienced and capable skipper, so the -underwriters thought they'd struck oil, so to speak.</p> - -<p>"On the 2nd August, 1914, the <i>Fusi Yama</i> left Chi-fu; on the 9th she -was captured by the German cruiser <i>Nürnburg</i>, but not before her -masts were knocked away by shell-fire. You fellows know perfectly -well how frequently the Hun got to know of our movements, so, looking -back, it was not surprising to learn that the <i>Fusi Yama</i> had been -shadowed from the moment she left port. Nor is it when I tell you -that I have good reason to believe that the Huns are after that gold -too."</p> - -<p>A murmur of suppressed excitement ran round the room. Interest in the -scheme, already keen, rose to fever-heat. There was a chance, then, -of "coming up against Fritz" again, not with steel or bullet but in a -contest of wits and skill, and with the almost certainty of a lavish -display of low-down trickery on the side of their opponents.</p> - -<p>"Then," continued Harborough, "the officers and crew of the captured -vessel were transferred to the <i>Nürnburg</i>, a prize-crew was placed on -board the <i>Fusi Yama</i>, and the two vessels steamed eastwards. Three -days afterwards they fell in with a three-masted Yankee schooner -bound from Singapore to 'Frisco. Arrangements were made with the -skipper to take off the <i>Fusi Yama's</i> crew. In those days the Huns in -the Pacific treated their prisoners well. I'll give them the benefit -of the doubt to say that they were fairly straight as Huns go, but it -may have been that they knew they were in a tight corner, and until -they were out of it they had to behave decently.</p> - -<p>"Shortly after that the <i>Nürnburg</i> joined the rest of von Spee's -squadron, but without the <i>Fusi Yama</i>. It was naturally concluded -that the Huns had removed her valuable cargo and, finding her slow -speed a hindrance, had scuttled her.</p> - -<p>"At any rate the million and a half had vanished. The under-writers -paid up as cheerfully as they could, and wrote off the <i>Fusi Yama</i> as -a total constructive loss.</p> - -<p>"Now this is where the affair has a personal note. Here let me remark -that I bind no one to secrecy over the matter, nor do I make any -attempt to do so; but I would like to point out that not only your -own but your comrades' interests will be at stake if, even -incautiously, you discuss the matter with outside friends or -strangers.</p> - -<p>"There was on board the <i>Fusi Yama</i> a man named Williams, whom I knew -when I was down on my luck in Manitoba. There was a bit of a scrap in -camp, and he said I'd done him a good turn. Incidentally, his home in -England—or birthplace rather—was close to mine.</p> - -<p>"Williams was a dare-devil sort of fellow, and when the crew of the -<i>Fusi Yama</i> were placed on board the <i>Nürnburg</i> he had the audacity -to disguise himself as a Chinaman, with the result that he was -retained by the Huns as a servant. I expect he played up to that, but -it was a risky thing to do, although he certainly had features of a -Mongolian type. He wore a false pigtail, which might have been fatal -to him had Fritz taken it into his head to pull that. They did the -next best thing; they cut it off, which saved Williams from further -anxiety on that score.</p> - -<p>"All the time he was keeping his eye on the bullion, so to speak.</p> - -<p>"Then a Jap squadron got on von Spee's track and hustled him along. -The <i>Nürnburg</i> had taken her prize into an unfrequented lagoon in -the Marshall Archipelago, and was preparing to transfer the gold when -von Spee heard that not only the Jap squadron but the Australian -warships were converging on him.</p> - -<p>"So the <i>Fusi Yama</i> was hurriedly scuttled in the lagoon in about -fifteen fathoms, with the bullion and specie in her strong-room. -Williams was the only human being, except the <i>Nürnburg's</i> crew, who -saw the deed done, and he made good use of his eyes and wits.</p> - -<p>"Having found out what he wanted, Williams looked out for an -opportunity to part company. It was no easy matter, and not until -14th September, when von Spee's squadron was lying in Talcahuano -Harbour, did the supposed Chink succeed in getting ashore.</p> - -<p>"On 1st November von Spee's vessels sunk the <i>Good Hope</i> and -<i>Monmouth</i> in action off the Chilian coast, and about six weeks later -the German squadron was destroyed off the Falklands, so had the gold -been placed on board the <i>Nürnburg</i> we should not be sitting in this -room to-day. In my opinion Sturdee's action and the Zeebrugge -business were the two smartest bits of work the British Navy ever did -during the war."</p> - -<p>"I saw von Spee's squadron," remarked Merridew. "I was only -seventeen then, and our home was at Port Stanley. A fellow couldn't -help feeling sorry for von Spee, even though he was a Hun. His ships -came up quite unsuspectingly to find the old battle-ship <i>Canopus</i> -lobbing 12-inch shells at them over the arm of the harbour. Von Spee -knew his guns could outrange hers, so he held on. Then he had the -shock of his life when he saw tripod masts coming round the corner. -He legged it, but it was like a rat trying to get away from a -terrier. There were survivors from the <i>Nürnburg</i>."</p> - -<p>"Yes," agreed the baronet, "there were. We'll hear about some of -them, I fancy. But to get back to friend Williams. Apparently he had -a sticky time in Chile, for he was eleven months in hospital at -Valparaiso. Then he worked his passage in a Yankee barque to 'Frisco, -made his way across the States, and arrived in New York just about -the time when the Huns started their unrestricted U-boat campaign. -Signing on on board a British tramp, Williams found that once more -his luck was out, for three hundred and fifty miles west of the Irish -coast the tramp was torpedoed, and the survivors spent sixty hours in -an open boat in heavy seas before being rescued.</p> - -<p>"By a curious coincidence I was patrolling-officer at Falmouth when -Williams was brought ashore from a 'P-boat'. I didn't recognize him -at first, and no wonder; but he spotted me all right. That was soon -after my brother's death, so when Williams was able to be moved I -sent him here, but I knew he was done for.</p> - -<p>"I saw him again when I was on leave, and it was then that he told me -the story of the <i>Fusi Yama's</i> gold, and a week later he died. He -left me certain papers and a rough chart showing the lagoon and the -approaches. These I kept in the attaché-case which was stolen three -days ago."</p> - -<p>"Will that affect the expedition?" asked Beverley.</p> - -<p>"Only to this extent, I believe," replied Sir Hugh. "We'll have to -hurry up and get a move on. This brings me to speak of the opposition -show. At present I'm rather hazy concerning the head of the rival -party, but I have no hesitation in saying that we are up against a -tough proposition. To the best of my belief the directing spirit is a -fellow called Kristian Borgen."</p> - -<p>"A Hun?" asked Claverhouse eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Probably," replied Harborough. "Although just now he pretends he's a -Swede. From guarded inquiries that I made at the Foreign Office I -find that his papers are in order and that he's a native of -Stockholm. If he isn't a Hun, he's probably a pro-German. Most Swedes -are or were, because their country is practically contiguous to -Germany and also because of the Huns' propaganda in Sweden during the -war. Fear of her old enemy, Russia, also made her inclined towards -Germany. But if Kristian Borgen is a Swede, he's plenty of Hun pals, -amongst them some of the survivors of the <i>Nürnburg</i>."</p> - -<p>"Where is the man?" asked Villiers.</p> - -<p>"Here, in England," replied the baronet. "Actually in Southampton and -taking steps to fit out a rival expedition. Of course as a Swede he -is quite at liberty to do so; it is only if he can be proved to be a -Hun that we can take action. Personally I like rivalry. It gives a -zest to things, provided it is fair and above board, but there's -something in the other organization that isn't, as we say in the -Service, jonnick."</p> - -<p>"Meaning that scrap on the Downs?" remarked Beverley.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and the loss of the attaché-case," replied Harborough. "That -alone is sufficient to let us know that Kristian Borgen—if my -surmise is correct—means business."</p> - -<p>"Sufficient, I think, to justify the case being reported to the -police," said Claverhouse.</p> - -<p>Sir Hugh shook his head.</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't have people say that I brought in the police for the -purpose of obtaining a free hand in the <i>Fusi Yama</i> treasure-hunt," -declared Harborough. "In fact, the least we say about the <i>Fusi Yama</i> -for the present the better."</p> - -<p>"But why does the fellow come to England to fit out an expedition?" -inquired Swaine.</p> - -<p>"I rather wondered why he did," replied Sir Hugh. "You know that -Scandinavia has been buying hundreds of vessels of various tonnage -from us, and Borgen is admittedly an agent for their disposal. He -thinks, probably, that he can equip a ship here at less cost and -without exciting suspicion. At the same time he can keep an eye on -us. Of course I may be totally wrong in my surmise, but this I know: -there's dirty work going on, and we'll have to keep our weather eye -lifting. So much for that. Now comes another point: the question of a -vessel and her equipment."</p> - -<p>"Steam or petrol?" asked Fontayne, who in pre-war days had been -articled to a marine engineer.</p> - -<p>"Neither," replied Harborough. "Coal nowadays is scarce and -expensive, especially abroad. Petrol is dangerous: any of you fellows -who served on M.L.'s will endorse that statement. No, I'm pinning my -faith on heavy oil-engines with hot bulb ignition. They are -economical, reliable and fairly simple. I'm also looking for a vessel -that has a moderate sail-plan. Now, what do you think of these?"</p> - -<p>From a drawer of a pedestal desk the baronet produced a bundle of -plans and specifications and placed them on the table.</p> - -<p>"Genuine tramp steamers are out of the question," he observed. "The -present-day price is much too stiff. Here is a selection of yachts, -some returned from Government service, others placed on the -sale-list by their owners, who find that the pastime is too expensive -for them and must needs leave them to the New Rich. Now, here's the -<i>Titania</i>, auxiliary schooner, 260 tons registered and 409 tons -Thames measurement, two six-cylinder engines giving her an -approximate speed of twelve knots."</p> - -<p>"That's not much of a speed," said Villiers.</p> - -<p>"No, not compared with the type of vessel that you and I have been -accustomed to," agreed Harborough. "Still twelve knots is not to be -sneezed at. It is an economical speed. For every additional knot you -would require horse-power rising by leaps and bounds and consequently -more fuel-space than we can afford. And, of course, with high-speed -engines the risk of mechanical breakdowns is higher than with -slow-running motors, and, after all, the main object is to get to the -Pacific with the least delay. Hence reliability is the thing. The -vessel, according to the agent's glowing account, has cruised -extensively, including voyages to the West Indies and the -Mediterranean."</p> - -<p>"Have you seen her?" asked O'Loghlin.</p> - -<p>"No, but I propose doing so to-morrow," replied Harborough. "She's -lying at Southampton in one of the yards on the Itchen. By the by, -does any one here understand heavy oil-engines?"</p> - -<p>"I do a bit," replied O'Loghlin. "I had a theoretical course, and -during the war I put in three months on the kite-balloon barges. That -was in the old R.N.A.S. days."</p> - -<p>"All right," concluded Harborough. "That's settled. You, Villiers, -had better come along too. Three are quite enough for the selection -board."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter06"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VI</h3> -<h4 align="center">The Yacht "Titania"</h4> - -<p>"I say, Sir Hugh is a thundering good sort, old man," observed -Beverley.</p> - -<p>"Only just found that out, my dear old thing," rejoined Villiers. -"What's the wheeze now?" The two chums were "turning in". They shared -a room in Thalassa Towers, the rest of the members of the expedition -being accommodated in twos and threes in the spacious old building. -The appropriation of "cabins", as they preferred to call them, showed -Harborough's tact, the various members being invited to share their -sleeping-quarters with their special chums.</p> - -<p>Claverhouse had elected to share a room with little Trevear on the -score that both were ex-members of that modern and glorious branch of -the service—the Royal Air Force. There they could talk unlimited -"shop ", and exchange reminiscences without feeling that the a-naval -men were being "bored stiff" with matters appertaining to aerial -navigation.</p> - -<p>"The wheeze," replied Beverley, "concerns my young brother, Dick. Sir -Hugh suggested that I brought him along. He'd be handy," he added in -extenuation.</p> - -<p>"Possibly," replied Villiers. "But if this is going to be a risky -business, is it fair on the lad? And, again, won't it cut into his -education?"</p> - -<p>"We went into those questions," said Bobby. "As regards risk, -everything in life is a risk, isn't it? and, given reasonable -precautions, there appears to be little reason for anxiety on that -score. After all, we're on a cruise, not fighting Huns and doing a -one-step over mine-fields. And, concerning his education, I agreed -with Harborough that travel in itself is an education, and there is -no reason why Dick shouldn't keep up his studies. As a further -inducement Sir Hugh promised that whatever way the results of the -expedition went, he'd be responsible for giving Dick a twelvemonth's -course for Sandhurst."</p> - -<p>"Jolly decent of him," remarked Villiers. "I wonder why he's going to -all this trouble. He doesn't know Dick."</p> - -<p>"No," replied Beverley, "he doesn't. Dick's not a bad sort," he -added, which was the highest tribute Bobby dared pay his brother -before other people. Villiers grunted sleepily.</p> - -<p>"In?" he inquired laconically, as he groped for the lanyard attached -to the electric-light switch—a device whereby he could turn off the -light without getting out of his cot. "My word! It's blowing. Glad -I'm not on an M.L. in the North Sea to-night."</p> - -<p>"Hold on a minute," exclaimed Beverley. "I wanted to ask you -something. Is Harborough very worried about that stolen -attaché-case?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," replied Villiers. "I expect he is, but he doesn't say -much."</p> - -<p>"There are the plans and charts relating to the <i>Fusi Yama</i> in it, -aren't there?"</p> - -<p>"B'lieve so," admitted Villiers. "Makes things a bit complicated. -However, I'll back Sir Hugh against Borgen any old time. Good night."</p> - -<p>Next morning, according to previous arrangements, Harborough, -Villiers, and O'Loghlin motored to Southampton to inspect the -<i>Titania</i>.</p> - -<p>At first sight the yacht did not convey a favourable impression. She -had only recently turned from Admiralty service, and looked very -dilapidated in her garb of grey, striped with innumerable -rust-stains. She was lying in a mud-berth, and, the tide being low, a -considerable part of her weed- and barnacle-covered bottom showed -above the mud. Her tapering pole-masts, once resplendent in all the -glories of varnish, were coated with battle-ship grey paint; her -standing rigging was in a deplorable condition. An unsightly -deck-house built above the original saloon added to the picture of -neglect, for most of the sheet-glass panes were broken. In her -present state no man intent upon the joys of yachting would have -looked at her twice.</p> - -<p>But Harborough was nothing if not practical. Appearance mattered -little to him. In that neglected craft he saw seaworthiness and -utility. Paint and varnish might make a crank vessel smart, but they -would never make her seaworthy, but the <i>Titania</i>, despite her -woebegone appearance, gave indications of being a good, all-round, -hard-weather boat.</p> - -<p>"A fairly flat bilge and a clean run aft," commented Sir Hugh. "If it -came to a push she'd take hard ground pretty comfortably. Let's get -aboard and see what she looks like 'tween decks."</p> - -<p>The <i>Titania</i> was not a modern vessel by any means. Her schooner bow -and rather long counter proclaimed her as a late Victorian. As a -matter of fact her papers showed that she had been built at Dumbarton -in 1900. The heavy oil-engines were fairly recent additions, or -rather a substitute for the triple-expansion engines with which she -was supplied immediately following her launch.</p> - -<p>She was built of steel with teak decks, and twenty years had had very -little effect upon her structure. Apparently she had been used for -mine-laying during the war, for a steel trough had been built aft -projecting a couple of feet over her counter. Amidships were two -motor-driven winches, also added for war purposes, and evidently not -considered worth removing before she was handed back from service. -Right for'ard, in addition to the hand-operated capstan, was a -powerful steam-capstan, the engine and oil-fed boiler of which were -placed in the fo'c'sle.</p> - -<p>"Rather cuts up the crew-space," commented Sir Hugh. "Fortunately, -that doesn't affect us. But these capstans and winches are the very -thing. What do you make of them, O'Loghlin?"</p> - -<p>The engineering expert plunged into a maze of technical detail. -Harborough listened as if he enjoyed it, but whether he did was a -debatable point.</p> - -<p>"But will they work, do you think?" he inquired at last.</p> - -<p>"Give me a week on them and they'll work," replied O'Loghlin -confidently.</p> - -<p>The original engine-room had been gutted, and had been used as a -hold, although, when the yacht had been converted from steam to heavy -oil, the engine-space had been made into an additional saloon with -store-space below. The present propelling-machinery was well aft, and -in spite of their rusty condition the twin-motors were in serviceable -order. Not only were the original oil-tanks left, but there were two -large tanks, capable of taking a thousand gallons of fuel, installed -immediately for'ard of the engine-room.</p> - -<p>"She's just the thing for an ocean voyage," declared Harborough. -"Don't you think so, Villiers?"</p> - -<p>"Economical and easily handled, I should say," replied Jack. "I -believe she'd give a good account of herself in a seaway."</p> - -<p>"Let's look at the accommodation aft," said Sir Hugh. "We've to berth -twenty without undue crowding, remember."</p> - -<p>They made their way to the main saloon, which was lighted solely by -skylights during the day. It was in a deplorable state, the teak and -mahogany fittings being almost destitute of varnish and showing signs -of not only hard but rough usage. Hardly a glass panel remained.</p> - -<p>"Someone's been turning the ship into a bear-garden," commented -Villiers.</p> - -<p>"Fortunately, we're not sybarites," added Harborough. "Comfort's the -main thing. I don't suppose the absence of looking-glass panels on -the wall will worry us. She seems fairly dry, I think."</p> - -<p>"Yes," agreed Jack. "Her decks are well laid, and that's a lot to be -thankful for. Haven't spotted a sign of moisture anywhere below."</p> - -<p>Opening out of the saloon were eight cabins, four on either side, -each lighted by a port, which, when closed, was fitted with a glass -scuttle. From the saloon an alley-way ran right aft to a spacious -cabin, extending the extreme width of the ship under the poop. Four -cabins large enough for double berths opened out of the alley-way.</p> - -<p>"She's like a young liner," commented Harborough. "Plenty of room for -the whole crowd of us. Well, that's about all. The sails and the rest -of the inventory are in the store. Now, candidly, what do you think -of her? Of course, she'll want a lot of refitting."</p> - -<p>"She's just the thing, I think," declared Villiers.</p> - -<p>"Yes," corroborated O'Loghlin. "There's precious little to find fault -with the engines, as far as I can see."</p> - -<p>"As regards the refitting," continued Villiers, "we can do most of -that ourselves. We are all of us handy men. The only difficulty is -the docking."</p> - -<p>"That will have to be done by professional hands," said the baronet. -"If we purchase the <i>Titania</i>, docking and coating the bottom with -anti-fouling will be the first job. Right-o; let's call on the agent -and prepare to haggle over terms."</p> - -<p>The yacht's agent received them without emotion. He was so dubious -about selling the vessel, even when there was a "boom" in shipping, -that he made no attempt to sing the praises of the neglected maiden. -He had had dozens of prospective purchasers during the recent period -following the yacht's release from Admiralty service, and every one -had gone away without attempting to close with the deal.</p> - -<p>"Well, Mr. Strangeways," began Sir Hugh, "you've brought us down here -to see a most disreputable old tub."</p> - -<p>The agent shrugged his shoulders deprecatingly.</p> - -<p>"You asked for particulars, sir, and we sent them," he replied. -"She's not like the <i>Asteria</i> and the <i>Falala</i>, both of which are on -our books if you wish to inspect. But consider the price asked for -the <i>Titania</i>—a mere song."</p> - -<p>"That's what I am considering," agreed Sir Hugh, grimly. "By the time -she's fitted out, taking into consideration present-day prices of -labour and material, she'll cost a small fortune. And even then she -won't be a modern vessel by any means. No, sorry to trouble you, but -I'm afraid there's nothing doing."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps, sir," said Mr. Strangeways, metaphorically grasping at the -last straw, "you might care to make an offer?"</p> - -<p>"My price is fifteen hundred," declared the baronet promptly. "Not a -penny more."</p> - -<p>"Impossible, my dear sir," protested the agent, raising his hands in -mock dismay.</p> - -<p>"Sorry, good morning," said Harborough. "Come along, you fellows; -we'll be late for lunch if we don't get a move on."</p> - -<p>For the next two days Sir Hugh lay low; but he was far from inactive. -As for the agent, he was simply bombarded with applications to -inspect the dilapidated <i>Titania</i>, for during those two days fifteen -individuals called in person, and in every case they either declared -bluntly that they wouldn't touch the yacht at any price or else -offered various sums none of which exceeded thirteen hundred and -fifty pounds. Nor did they think fit to enlighten the now thoroughly -harassed Mr. Strangeways with the information that they were members -of a syndicate of which Sir Hugh Harborough was the head.</p> - -<p>And since the reserve price of the <i>Titania</i> was £1450, and Mr. -Strangeways had a reason for disposing of her promptly in order to -close an account with her present owner, Sir Hugh evinced no untoward -surprise when he received a prepaid wire:</p> - -<p>"Does offer £1500 for <i>Titania</i> still hold good? If so, will -accept."</p> - -<p>Within three hours of the receipt of the telegram the "Fusi Yama -Syndicate" was in possession of sixty-four sixty-fourths shares of -the yacht <i>Titania</i>.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter07"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VII</h3> -<h4 align="center">Sand-bagged</h4> - -<p>During the next three weeks there was plenty of work for all hands. -It was hard work, too; but everyone stuck to it grimly and -determinedly in spite of aching muscles, blistered hands, and a -variety of small ailments consequent upon unaccustomed handling of -white-lead, paint, tar, pitch, and sooji-mooji.</p> - -<p>The latter was unanimously voted a tough proposition. Composed -principally of caustic soda, it is the shell-back's sheet anchor -where old paint has to be removed. The amateur crew of the <i>Titania</i> -found that it removed other things as well—for it burnt into their -fingers, had a decided tendency towards destroying their clothes, and -not infrequently spoiled their foot-gear.</p> - -<p>There were other minor casualties. Griffiths, an ex-R.E. officer, and -one of the two representatives of the British Army amongst the -<i>Titania's</i> ship's company, found by practical experience that a -marline-spike has a sharp point, and that even when dropped from a -height of a couple of feet can rightly claim to be best man in an -encounter with a human toe. Merridew, too, discovered, to his extreme -physical inconvenience, that there are two ways of using an adze—the -right and the wrong. Subsequent reflection on the part of the victim -resulted in a decision that there was even a better way of dealing -with adzes—to leave them severely alone.</p> - -<p>Also the amount of brain-work required to equip and provision the -ship was not small. Nothing superfluous was to be taken—only the -absolute essentials. In the old days, "when there was a war on", -procuring stores for M.L.'s was a comparatively simple matter. The -officer in charge signed a "demand note" for a quantity in excess of -what he actually required, taking this step to safeguard himself -against the parsimony of an official known as a Naval Stores Officer, -who had a nasty habit of cutting down the demands. In the case of the -<i>Titania's</i> equipment this would have been a financial disaster. Each -man knew in effect it was his own money that he was laying out and -acted accordingly.</p> - -<p>Within eight days of the purchase the <i>Titania</i> was docked, cleaned, -and "compoed", undocked and berthed alongside a wharf. This had been -done by the yacht-yard hands, but Harborough and his "merry -buccaneers", as he generally referred to them, were toiling like -galley-slaves.</p> - -<p>The grey, rust-stained sides had been scraped and had been given two -out of a final three coats of white paint, and white paint at the -present time costs money. But it was money well laid out. The health -and comfort of the ship's company, as the yacht sweltered in the -Tropics, depended largely upon the almost non-absorbing properties of -white paint to the terrific glare of the sun.</p> - -<p>The grimy decks were scraped and then scrubbed with wet sand; the -dull varnish on the teak-work was removed and the bare wood given -three coats of copal. The masts were rubbed down and painted a -pale-buff colour, and the whole of the standing and running rigging -renewed. Fortunately, the sails were in excellent condition.</p> - -<p>"What arms are we taking?" asked Villiers.</p> - -<p>"Nothing very formidable," replied Harborough, who, at his own -request, was no longer addressed as Sir Hugh by his fellow -adventurers. "I don't anticipate any scrapping. Bloodthirsty -cannibals are back numbers in the part of the Pacific we are making -for, and I don't suppose that our rival treasure-hunters will go to -the extent of armed aggression."</p> - -<p>"Still, we ought to be prepared for emergencies," rejoined Villiers. -"There's virtue in the barrel of a Maxim gun."</p> - -<p>Harborough shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Not always," he replied. "When there's a hot-headed fellow fingering -the firing-button, for instance. No, no; we'll dispense with a Maxim -or a Lewis. A couple of rifles will be useful, perhaps, and half a -dozen automatic pistols. I'll take a dozen 12-bore shot guns. It's -remarkable what a deterrent a charge of small shot can be. Verey -Lights and rockets we'll take. You might see to the ship's armoury. -Most of the guns, the rifles, and two automatic pistols are already -at Thalassa Towers. Bring them down next time you have room in the -car. Oh, by the by, you might read this."</p> - -<p>He handed Villiers a long blue envelope. Within was a communication -from the underwriters of s.s. <i>Fusi Yama</i> agreeing to grant Sir Hugh -Harborough the sole rights of salvage subject to a 5-per-cent -royalty.</p> - -<p>"Five per cent," exclaimed Harborough. "Evidently they think we're on -a fool's errand. However, now everything is fair and above board. We -are the legitimate firm; Borgen & Co. are mere interlopers."</p> - -<p>"Talking about Borgen," observed Villiers, "just step aft a minute. -See that tramp lying alongside Anstruther's Wharf? The one with the -black, yellow, and blue funnel."</p> - -<p>"Ay," assented Harborough. "Is she our rival?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know—yet," replied Jack. "We haven't our intelligence -Department in full working order at present. All I know—on the -authority of the Yard Foreman—is that she's the <i>Geier</i>, one of -Germany's surrendered mercantile fleet, and she's just been sold to a -Swedish firm."</p> - -<p>"And thence back to Germany," commented Harborough. "Verily the ways -of our politicians passeth understanding. However, if Kristian Borgen -has a finger in that pie we'll have to watch the <i>Geier</i>."</p> - -<p>Villiers laughed.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<center> -<a name="03_sandbagged"></a> -<img src="images/03_sandbagged.jpg" alt="image: 03_sandbagged.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: SANDBAGGED]</center> -<br> -<br> - -<p>"Shouldn't be surprised if the <i>Geier's</i> people haven't been watching -us pretty carefully for the last few days," he remarked. "Don't you -think it would be as well if a couple of us slept on board in future? -Several of the cabins are quite habitable."</p> - -<p>"There's a night watchman," observed Harborough.</p> - -<p>"Yes, for the whole of this yard," added Jack. "He can't be -everywhere at once."</p> - -<p>"Very good," agreed Harborough. "Pick out two of the crowd and warn -'em for sleeping aboard."</p> - -<p>"I'll take the first week," volunteered Villiers. "Beverley will, -too. And we may as well have Tommy on board."</p> - -<p>Tommy was an Aberdeen terrier belonging to Sir Hugh—a sharp-faced, -long-nosed little animal who seemed to be perpetually asleep with one -eye open all the time.</p> - -<p>"Good enough," agreed Harborough. "Seen O'Loghlin about? I want to -speak to him about those diving-dresses."</p> - -<p>Four more days passed—the days in strenuous activity, the nights in -utter tranquillity. Villiers and Beverley found the new arrangement -quite comfortable. They were afloat once more, even though the -<i>Titania</i> was berthed alongside a wharf in a sheltered tidal river. -During working-hours a "brow" or gangway gave access to the vessel, -but when the working-party packed up, the brow was removed, and the -only means of direct communication with the shore was a wire "Jacob's -Ladder" that led to a long raft moored between the <i>Titania</i> and the -jetty, whence a wooden ladder, its lower rungs slippery with weed as -the tide fell, enabled access to the wharf.</p> - -<p>It was Saturday evening. Manual work on board had been set aside to -be resumed early on Monday morning. Beverley, who was beginning to -feel the strain of long hours and hard toil, had turned in early. -Villiers, with the small table of his cabin covered with technical -books, was deep in <i>Norrie's Epitome</i> and <i>The Nautical Almanac for</i> -1920.</p> - -<p>"Yacht, ahoy!"</p> - -<p>Jack heard the hail but did not stir. Calls of that sort were common, -considering that there were half a dozen yachts, with hands living on -board, lying in the tier out in the stream.</p> - -<p>"<i>Titania</i>, ahoy!"</p> - -<p>"For goodness sake why didn't you say so before?" exclaimed Villiers -to himself. "Where's Tommy? Why didn't he bark, I wonder?"</p> - -<p>Getting into his pilot-coat, for the night air blew coldly down the -river and contrasted forcibly with the warm cabin, Villiers went on -deck.</p> - -<p>"Ahoy, there!" he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>On the edge of the wharf stood a man with his back to the feeble -gleam of a gas-lamp.</p> - -<p>"Telegram for Harborough, yacht <i>Titania</i>," he announced. "Prepaid -wire."</p> - -<p>"Come aboard," said Jack.</p> - -<p>"Sorry, sir," was the reply. "I'm a stranger to this sort of game. No -hand at ladders, I'm not."</p> - -<p>Considering the awkward means of gaining the <i>Titania's</i> deck, the -man's objection was reasonable enough, so Villiers descended the -wire-rope ladder, crossed the raft, and ascended the vertical steps. -The tide had almost finished on the flood, and there were only a few -rungs to scale.</p> - -<p>"Prepaid, eh?" remarked Villiers. "All right. I have a pencil. Let's -go under the gas-lamp."</p> - -<p>The next instant a multitude of dazzling lights flashed before his -eyes, and without a cry he pitched head-long on his face.</p> - -<center>* * * * *</center> - -<p>"Jack, old thing!" shouted Beverley, throwing back his blankets and -jumping from his cot. "What's the time? Why, it's eight bells! Who's -turn is it to light the stove this morning?"</p> - -<p>Receiving no reply from the adjoining cabin, Bobby laid hold of a -sponge, dipped it in the water-jug, and made his way softly to -Villiers' berth. He opened the door and looked in.</p> - -<p>"What's he doing?" he thought in wonderment, for the cot had not been -slept in. The lamp was still alight, but on the point of burning -itself out. It was an oil-lamp, for the electric-lighting -arrangements were not yet in working order. The table was littered -with books, two of them open, while a pipe, with a small heap of -white ash, lay upon the open page of the <i>Nautical Almanac</i>.</p> - -<p>"I believe he's been swotting all night, the mouldy old book-worm," -thought Beverley. "Now he's gone to the bathroom to shove his heated -brow in cold water."</p> - -<p>But the bathroom was empty. A hurried search brought no sign of his -chum—nor of the dog.</p> - -<p>Fearful of his own surmises, Bobby looked over the side. Almost the -first thing he noticed was the dead body of Tommy left stranded on -the mud by the falling tide, but of Villiers not a trace.</p> - -<p>Even as he looked at the unfortunate Aberdeen, a swell threshed -sullenly against the evil-smelling mud and lifted the dog's body a -couple of feet or so nearer the weed-covered piles. A steamer had -just passed—a tramp, outward bound, with the name <i>Zug</i>—Malmo, on -her stumpy counter.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter08"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VIII</h3> -<h4 align="center">The "Titania" Sails</h4> - -<p>Filled with the deepest apprehensions concerning the fate of his -chum, Bobby Beverley was not content to think. He acted.</p> - -<p>As it was yet early in the morning, and a Sunday, there were no signs -of activity in the yacht-yard. The night watchman, his duties over -with the rising of the sun, had taken himself home; the watchkeepers -on board the various craft were still sleeping soundly in the -knowledge that there was no pressing need for them to turn out.</p> - -<p>Slipping over the side, Beverley gained the wharf. There were no -signs of a struggle, and the hoar-frost that covered the tarred -planking was destitute of human or canine foot-prints. Only a number -of triangular marks on the white covering showed that sea-birds had -been waddling about the jetty.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Beverley caught sight of a crumpled paper that had wedged in -a projection of a heap of rusty iron. It was the telegraph-form that -Villiers had gone ashore to receive when he was struck down by a -cowardly blow. On it were the words:—</p> - -<br> -<div class="indent10" style="font-size:75%"> -"Harborough, yacht <i>Titania</i>. Cannot keep appointment Monday. Will -Tuesday same time suit? -<div class="indent60" style="font-size:75%">"Heatherington."</div> -</div> -<br> - -<p>"H'm; no postmark," commented Bobby. "Looks like a plant. Wonder if -this has anything to do with Villiers' absence?"</p> - -<p>Folding the crumpled paper, Beverley placed it carefully in his -pocket-book. Then, making his way across the encumbered yard, he -stopped outside the manager's office. As he expected, the door was -locked securely, but Beverley was not going to stick at trifles.</p> - -<p>With a piece of iron-bar he deliberately smashed a pane of glass. -Then inserting his hand through the jagged pane he shot back the -window-catch. It was then an easy matter to gain admittance.</p> - -<p>He lifted the receiver of the telephone, and in less than a minute -and a half he had secured a trunk-call to Thalassa Towers.</p> - -<p>"Hallo!" exclaimed a faint and indistinct voice.</p> - -<p>"That Harborough?" inquired Bobby. "Beverley speaking."</p> - -<p>"No, I'm Claverhouse, old bean," was the reply. "Why this activity on -the Sabbath morn? Anything wrong?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Beverley. "Jack's missing—Jack Villiers. Eh? what's -that? No, I didn't say—Oh! Dash it all, they've cut me off."</p> - -<p>He replaced the receiver and again rang up the exchange, demanding -peremptorily why the interruption had occurred.</p> - -<p>"You must have cut yourself off," replied the operator. "Stand by."</p> - -<p>Bobby "stood by" for another five minutes—minutes that passed with -leaden feet.</p> - -<p>"There's no reply," came the matter-of-fact voice of the exchange -operator. "This is Andover speaking."</p> - -<p>"I say!" exclaimed Beverley in desperation. "Can you send an express -<span id="cor0002" class="corrected" title="[Original text: messenger to Thelassa Towers]">messenger to Thalassa Towers</span>?"</p> - -<p>"Sorry," was the calm reply. "You must try a post office. It opens at -nine on Sundays."</p> - -<p>Beverley replaced the receiver with a vicious bang. Then he rang up -again, this time obtaining a call to the yard-manager's private -house.</p> - -<p>That functionary's temper was far from amiable when he found himself -called from his bed, in the early hours of a chilly late-autumn -morning, to receive a bald announcement from the intruder's own lips -that the latter had deliberately broken a window in the office and -had temporarily installed himself.</p> - -<p>"There's no need to bring a policeman along with you," added Beverley -reassuringly, "but come as soon as possible. No, I've disturbed -nothing. There's no cause for alarm as far as you are concerned."</p> - -<p>Bobby replaced the instrument and sat down in the padded-leather -arm-chair, the while keeping a look-out upon the <i>Titania</i>.</p> - -<p>In about twenty minutes the manager arrived, unkempt and unshorn. To -him Beverley explained the situation, requesting that someone could -be sent either in a car or on a motor-cycle to inform Sir Hugh -Harborough of the grave news.</p> - -<p>"Have you informed the police?" asked the manager, the while covertly -glancing round the room to assure himself that nothing had been -tampered with.</p> - -<p>"I'd rather wait till I've seen Sir Hugh," replied Bobby. "Of course -the whole thing may turn out to be a mare's nest; but the dog——"</p> - -<p>"Where is the dog?" asked the manager.</p> - -<p>"On the mud—dead."</p> - -<p>"Wouldn't it be as well to recover the body," suggested the now -interested man. "That might afford some information. I'll hang on -here."</p> - -<p>Beverley fell in with the idea. Procuring a boat-hook from the yacht, -he succeeded in recovering the Aberdeen's body and laid it on the -raft.</p> - -<p>Just as he had completed the task there came the hoot of a car, and a -minute later Harborough appeared accompanied by Claverhouse, -O'Loghlin, Fontayne, Swaine, and Trevear.</p> - -<p>Harborough had received a portion of Bobby's telephonic message, from -which he concluded that something was amiss; and without delay the -six men drove at record speed to Southampton.</p> - -<p>"Something decidedly wrong," declared Harborough, as he descended to -the raft and examined the body of his pet. The dog's mouth was -inflamed and discoloured. Death had been caused not by drowning but -by poison.</p> - -<p>Beverley handed his chief the telegram.</p> - -<p>"Fake," declared Harborough promptly. "I know no one of the name of -Heatherington; still less have I an appointment with him. I'd like to -meet the fellow who composed this," he added.</p> - -<p>A thorough examination of the <i>Titania</i> resulted in nothing of a -suspicious nature being discovered. Assuming on the strength of the -faked telegram and the poisoned dog that there had been an attempt at -murder, kidnapping, or sabotage, there was nothing on board to -justify the assumption that an effort had been made to injure the -vessel.</p> - -<p>"I don't see why Villiers was singled out for rough treatment," -observed Harborough. "He had no personal enemies, had he?"</p> - -<p>Beverley shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Not to my knowledge," he replied. "Jack is one of the best, -absolutely."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you were the intended victim," suggested Claverhouse.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" ejaculated Harborough. "I won't contradict your supposal; but -on what grounds, might I ask, do you make your assumption?"</p> - -<p>"The faked message was addressed to you," replied Alec.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you're right," replied Harborough thoughtfully. "But it -doesn't say much for the other fellows' intelligence -department—mistaking Villiers for me. However, we must inform the -police."</p> - -<p>"The police?" echoed Beverley, bearing in mind Sir Hugh's reluctance -on a previous occasion to communicate with the law.</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately, yes," replied the baronet. "It is regrettable from a -professional point of view, but we owe it to Jack Villiers. Hallo! -The <i>Geier</i> has gone."</p> - -<p>The Swedish-owned tramp had vanished from her accustomed berth. In -her place lay a vessel very similar, even to the funnel-markings.</p> - -<p>"Suppose you didn't notice her go down stream, Beverley?" inquired -Harborough.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" exclaimed Bobby. "A tramp like her went out this -morning—the <i>Zug</i> of Malmo."</p> - -<p>"Possibly the same old hooker," commented Harborough. "Well, let's -make for the police-station."</p> - -<p>Three days passed. The mystery of Jack Villiers' disappearance -remained unsolved. A police-inspector called upon Kristian Borgen in -his office, but the Swede gave a complete explanation of his -movements. It was true, he stated, that the <i>Geier</i> was bought by his -firm and that her name was changed to <i>Zug</i>—a fact advertised -beforehand in the press according to the requirements of the British -Mercantile Shipping Act. The <i>Zug</i> had sailed for the Baltic and was -due at Stockholm on the 30th inst. Her clearance-papers were quite in -order.</p> - -<p>The inspector, fully convinced that he had been put on a false trail, -shook hands with Borgen, apologizing for having inconvenienced him, -to which the amiable Swede replied that it was no inconvenience -whatsoever, and that he was only too happy at all times to assist the -law of the land that had offered him a temporary home.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile there was no cessation of activity in the work of fitting -out the <i>Titania</i>. Everyone on board realized that Villiers would -have wished it so. But there was a feeling of depression that it was -impossible to shake off. The uncertainty of Jack Villiers' fate, on -the eve of what promised to be a successful enterprise, cast a shadow -of gloom upon the proceedings.</p> - -<p>The day of the <i>Titania's</i> departure having been fixed, Harborough -saw no insurmountable reason for postponing it, and the rest of the -crew agreed with him.</p> - -<p>"If Villiers does turn up," he explained, "he can join us anywhere -between here and Singapore; and delay will only mean increasing risks -on the score of bad weather, to say nothing of the possibility of our -rivals turning up before us."</p> - -<p>So at 9 a.m., early in the month of November, the yacht <i>Titania</i>, -Hugh Harborough, Master, slipped her moorings, and at a modest six -knots dropped down Southampton Water on her long voyage to the -Pacific. There were two absentees from her full complement, Jack -Villiers was one, the other was Dick Beverley. An epidemic of mumps -was raging in the school, and a swollen face intervened between Dick -and a visit to the enchanting South Seas.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter09"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER IX</h3> -<h4 align="center">"Where am I?"</h4> - -<p>Jack Villiers opened his eyes slowly, only to shut them again. During -the first moments of returning consciousness he was aware of a dull -throbbing pain in the region of the nape of his neck—a pain that -became almost excruciating when he made an effort to rise.</p> - -<p>It was some moments before he attempted to reopen his eyes. With his -brain working slowly, he tried to account for his present state of -discomfort. Something was wrong—what? Had he been playing Rugger, -and been carried off the field? No; it couldn't be that. He hadn't -played footer for months. Strafed by Huns? Wrong again: he realized -that he had been "demobbed" and that there was no longer a war on. -Yet he was on board ship. He could feel the steady pulsations of the -engines and the thud of the propeller-shaft not so very far beneath -him. Odours of an unmistakably "shippy" nature assailed his nostrils. -Yes, he was at sea. The <i>Titania</i> was under way.</p> - -<p>Yet that theory puzzled him. She wasn't ready for sea. Beverley and -he were sleeping on board, and——</p> - -<p>With an effort he raised himself on one elbow and tried to shout his -chum's name. But not a sound came from his parched throat. His -tongue, feeling as if it had swollen to abnormal dimensions, seemed -to press, hot and dry, against the roof of his mouth.</p> - -<p>"Dash it all!" he ejaculated mentally. "Haven't I got a fat head? -Where am I?"</p> - -<p>By degrees he became more rational. He lay still, not daring to move. -Even then every roll of the ship sent thrills of acute pain over his -body.</p> - -<p>At first when he opened his eyes everything appeared to be of a -dull-reddish tinge, but presently the lurid mist cleared away and he -found himself watching an oval-shaped patch of light that, -penetrating a solitary scuttle, danced up and down the opposite -bulkhead with every movement of the vessel.</p> - -<p>"What cabin is this?" he thought. "It's not mine; proper sort of a -dog-box this. Who put me in here?"</p> - -<p>It was indeed a sorry sort of place. The walls and ceiling were -covered with cork-cement that was dripping with moisture. At one time -the composition had been painted white. It was now a sickly yellow -streaked with iron-rust. On the floor was a ragged piece of oak -linoleum. Underneath the scuttle, which was closed and secured by a -tarnished brass butterfly nut, was a bunk on which a piece of old -canvas had been placed to form a rough and ready mattress. And on the -bunk, with his head supported by a folded coat—his own, lay Jack -Villiers.</p> - -<p>Further investigation showed that he was dressed in his own trousers, -socks, pants, and vest—and nothing more. His boots, shirt, and -waistcoat had gone.</p> - -<p>"Good heavens!" he thought, as the full significance of his position -came home to him like a flash. "I've been shanghaied. Yes, I -remember, a fellow called me about a telegram."</p> - -<p>Slowly he raised his arm and, bringing his hand back, very gingerly -rubbed his skull. There was a raised bruise that felt as large as a -duck's egg.</p> - -<p>"Sandbagged!" he decided. "The rival crowd is one up. Well, I suppose -I'll be able to find out now who the fellows are. Wonder why they -singled me out for their unwelcome attentions."</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact it was a case of mistaken identity. On that -momentous Saturday night one of the crew of the <i>Zug</i>—ex. -<i>Geier</i>—who was a past master in the art of speaking colloquial -English, hailed from the wharf-wall, fully expecting that Sir Hugh -Harborough was one of the two persons on board the <i>Titania</i>. The -pseudo messenger was not alone. Skulking behind a rusty and condemned -ship's boiler were three powerful men, one armed with a length of -rubber pipe filled with sand, and the others holding ropes and a gag -in readiness should the persuasive methods of the loaded india-rubber -pipe fail.</p> - -<p>Unsuspecting and quite unprepared for foul play, Villiers was struck -down from behind. There was no need to gag and bind him. Quickly and -silently the four men carried their victim to a slipway, where a boat -lay in readiness. It was quite a simple matter and almost devoid of -risk. The night was dark, and even had there been any of the crews of -the neighbouring vessels about, the statement that it was only a -drunken man being taken off to his ship would have allayed suspicion. -But, unseen and unchallenged, the emissaries of Kristian Borgen -conveyed their senseless victim on board the <i>Zug</i>.</p> - -<p>Kristian Borgen was waiting to receive them in the tramp's dingy -state-room. Save for his own assertion and the fact that he spoke -Swedish fluently and possessed credentials (forged, no doubt) from -Stockholm, there was nothing Swedish about him. He was a Hun, and a -Prussian at that. His real name was Kaspar von Giespert, and he had -been an Unter-Leutnant of the German light cruiser <i>Dresden</i>. He knew -the story of the <i>Fusi Yama's</i> sunken gold, having heard it from a -brother-officer serving on board the <i>Nürnburg</i>, but he was not at -all sure of the actual position of the wreck. The <i>Dresden</i> escaped -the fate that overtook her consorts in the engagement with Sturdee -off the Falkland Islands, but afterwards met with an ignominious end -by being sunk by her own crew at Juan Fernandez—Alexander Selkirk's -famous island. On the approach of a British cruiser, von Giespert was -interned by the Peruvian Government until the end of the war, and -upon being released promptly returned to Germany with the object of -fitting out an expedition to search for the lost gold.</p> - -<p>There were serious difficulties in his path. The partial surrender of -Germany's mercantile fleet had made it an impossible matter to -procure a ship in any German port. As a Hun, von Giespert knew that -"his name was mud" in almost every important seaport on the Atlantic -and Pacific shores. A nation cannot "run amok" and institute a policy -of "sink everything without trace" and then expect to be treated on a -pre-war footing by the States whose flags she has wantonly flouted -and insulted. So von Giespert, quick to realize that as a German he -was "down and out", had no qualms about renouncing, temporarily at -all events, his nationality and becoming Kristian Borgen, a Swede. -And as such he found little difficulty in taking up his abode in -Southampton, whence he could control his latest mercantile enterprise -with comparative ease.</p> - -<p>He had succeeded in getting a picked crew of twenty-two German -seamen—men who in pre-war days had served in the British Mercantile -Marine, where frequently 75 per cent of a crew sailing under the Red -Ensign were either "Dagoes" or "Dutchies". And these men could all -speak English as spoken on shipboard, and most of them, with the -Hun's versatility in learning languages, were equally at home with -Swedish.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert had a firm hold upon his band of desperadoes. For one -thing he paid them well and made fair promises of a substantial share -of the treasure, if and when it were recovered. Anyone possessing -capital could do that, but von Giespert, being a Hun, went further. -The men he picked carefully from the crews of certain U-boats whose -record of piracy was of the blackest—men who had carried out -infamous orders with alacrity when they thought Germany was winning, -and who had not hesitated to mutiny and assault their officers when -they discovered the long-hidden truth that all was lost.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert knew how to trade upon their fears. He told them that -they were "wanted" by the British Government for their past crimes, -and that the only safe course for them was to take the bull by the -horns, become Swedish subjects, and accept employment in the country -that was their former enemy, where, by their audacity, they would -fling dust into the eyes of the hated English. The <i>Zug's</i> crew -accepted the statement and acted with corresponding discretion.</p> - -<p>For the present he had no intention of sailing on the s.s. <i>Zug</i> for -the Pacific. He was content to allow the vessel to proceed in the -charge of Siegfried Strauss, who had been a quarter-master in the -North German Lloyd Line before serving in the Imperial navy. Strauss -was under orders to navigate the <i>Zug</i> by a circuitous route round -the Cape of Good Hope and pick up his employer at Batavia.</p> - -<p>"Donnerwetter! Who is this?" inquired von Giespert angrily, as the -unconscious Villiers was unceremoniously dumped at his feet. "This is -not Harborough."</p> - -<p>The kidnappers cowered before the wrath of their Prussian pay-master.</p> - -<p>"This is the man who has been on board for the last four or five -nights, Herr Kapitan," replied one.</p> - -<p>"He seemed in authority."</p> - -<p>"You've blundered," declared von Giespert, "and you cannot undo your -mistake. Let us hope that his absence will throw that fellow -Harborough's plans out of gear. Herr Strauss, are you all ready to -proceed?"</p> - -<p>"The pilot will not be on board before six tomorrow," replied -Strauss. "Those were your instructions."</p> - -<p>"Very good," rejoined von Giespert. "We must have a pilot, of course. -Now when you drop him, steer eastwards to a point roughly ten miles -beyond the Nab Lightship. Then you know the rest. Keep this fellow -well out of sight. If he gives no trouble, carry him on to Las Palmas -and land him there. If he kicks, then drop him overboard. In any case -hoodwink him and try to find out our rivals' programme."</p> - -<p>Forty-eight hours had elapsed since then, and Jack Villiers was -recovering his scattered senses. In that respect he was not helped -when the door of his cabin was opened and two men entered.</p> - -<p>One—Strauss—was rigged out in a blue-serge suit with gilt buttons -and a double line of gold braid round his cuffs. The other man was -dressed in a pale-blue shirt, open at the neck, and a pair of canvas -trousers.</p> - -<p>"So you are recovering," observed Strauss in an almost faultless -English accent.</p> - -<p>Villiers tried to reply, but his parched throat gave no sound.</p> - -<p>"Bring some brandy," ordered Strauss, turning to his subordinate.</p> - -<p>The strong spirit had the effect of reviving Jack considerably. He -found his tongue.</p> - -<p>"Where am I?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>"On the s.s. <i>Zug</i>," was the reply. "We picked you up seven miles -south of St. Catherine's."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" ejaculated Villiers, taken aback by this astonishing -intelligence. "How——"</p> - -<p>"Don't talk," protested Strauss, with mock sympathy. "You're very -weak. I'll tell you. It was two days ago. We are bound from Malmo to -Monte Video, and this is a Swedish ship. Two days ago, I say, we were -standing down Channel when we sighted a ship's lifeboat drifting. We -altered our course, and on approaching we found you lying unconscious -on the stern-gratings. We did not touch at an English port, nor did -we sight any vessel bound up-Channel; so it seems as if you must -enjoy our hospitality until we reach Las Palmas."</p> - -<p>"Haven't you wireless?" inquired Villiers.</p> - -<p>The acting skipper of the <i>Zug</i> shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Otherwise we would be able to oblige you," he added. "But I will see -that you are made comfortable. Do you wish for anything to eat?"</p> - -<p>Villiers felt far from wanting food. His throat was still painful, -and his head ached fearfully.</p> - -<p>"I'm thirsty," he replied.</p> - -<p>The two men went out, returning in a few minutes with a hair mattress -and pillow and a basin of hot soup.</p> - -<p>"Take this and go to sleep," said Strauss, when the fresh bedding had -been substituted for the canvas sacking. "I will look in again in -half an hour or so."</p> - -<p>Villiers managed to finish the soup, although every spoonful required -an effort to swallow. Then he lay back, wondering and pondering over -the brief story that the <i>Zug's</i> master had just told him.</p> - -<p>"Boats cost money, especially nowadays," he soliloquised. "Wonder why -I was cast adrift in a lifeboat when they might have dumped me into -the ditch? That would have saved them a lot of expense and would have -covered their tracks. Well, here I am, able to sit up and take -nourishment, but beyond that—— And Beverley, how's he taking it? I -suppose they didn't sandbag him, too?"</p> - -<p>Still puzzling his tired brain over his strange predicament, Villiers -dropped into a fitful slumber.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter10"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER X</h3> -<h4 align="center">A Choice of Two Evils</h4> - -<p>Siegfried Strauss did his level best to carry out his employer's -instructions to hoodwink the abducted Villiers. For the first two -days following Jack's return to consciousness the Englishman was -treated with every possible consideration. At least that was how it -struck Villiers.</p> - -<p>Hourly his strength returned and with it his reasoning powers. He was -well supplied with food—of the average quality to be found on -tramps—and was allowed to sit on deck.</p> - -<p>Then one or two things began to strike him as being somewhat -peculiar. Strauss evinced a decided tendency to prevent Villiers from -strolling for'ard. On the face of it there could be no satisfactory -reason why he should not do so; but Jack, always obliging, fell in -with the supposed Swedish skipper's wish.</p> - -<p>Then he made another discovery. One of the men left a newspaper -wedged in the falls of one of the davits. A gust of wind displaced it -and carried it across the deck almost to Villier's feet.</p> - -<p>Jack's first impulse was to return it to its owner. A Swedish -newspaper would be useless to anyone not possessing a knowledge of -that language. But somewhat to his surprise he saw that it was -English. His astonishment increased when he found that it was a -Southampton paper and dated the Saturday on which he had been foully -struck down.</p> - -<p>Obviously, Villiers reflected, there was a flaw in Captain Strauss' -carefully-pitched yarn. If the <i>Zug</i> had proceeded down-Channel -without putting in anywhere and without holding communication with -any other craft, how could that paper have found its way on board?</p> - -<p>"I'm up against something here," thought Villiers, and proceeded with -his investigations. He acted warily, for he was not sure of his -ground.</p> - -<p>In quite a casual way he refolded the paper and replaced it in the -falls; then he made his way for'ard, carrying his chair, until he -reached the engine-room's fidley.</p> - -<p>Here he sat down and listened through the open gratings. Before long -he overheard the engineer shout something to one of his assistants. -The voice was plainly audible above the pulsations of the engines, -and the words were unmistakably German; so was the reply.</p> - -<p>"We're getting on," decided Villiers. "I wonder if this is the <i>Zug</i>. -I have my doubts."</p> - -<p>He glanced to and fro along the deck. On the fo'c'sle two men were -engaged in coiling down a rope. Their backs were turned towards him. -Those were the only members of the crew within sight. The helmsman -was invisible from the spot where Villiers had taken up his position, -owing to the height of the bridge and to the fact that the -wheel-house was set well back from the canvas screen running round -the bridge stanchion-rails.</p> - -<p>Having satisfied himself on this point, Villiers peered through the -open fidley into the engine-room. He saw what he expected, for right -in the centre of the for'ard engine-room bulkhead was a brass plate -setting forth the information that the steamship <i>Geier</i> had been -engined in 1904 by the firm of Hopper and Heinz of Stettin.</p> - -<p>That ought to have been conclusive, but Villiers did not rest there. -After a while he made his way right aft and leant over the stumpy -counter. There were the words "<i>Zug</i>—Malmo" written plain for anyone -to read, but the letters were freshly painted, and there were signs -that a longer word had been somewhat carelessly obliterated.</p> - -<p>"Feeling better, Mr. Villiers?" asked Strauss, who happened to come -on deck at that moment. "I wouldn't look down if I were you; it won't -do your head any good."</p> - -<p>Villiers, caught out, made no reply.</p> - -<p>"Come and have tea in my cabin," continued the skipper of the <i>Zug</i>, -as a preliminary to his ordered task of "pumping" his involuntary -guest.</p> - -<p>Jack acquiesced.</p> - -<p>"What land is that?" he inquired casually, indicating a rugged range -of hills about four miles on the port beam.</p> - -<p>"Portuguese coast," replied Strauss. "Thinking of swimming there?"</p> - -<p>"About a hundred yards is my limit," said Jack. "So I don't think -I'll take it on."</p> - -<p>Both men descended the companion and entered the cabin, which opened -aft out of the saloon, for in her earlier days the s.s. <i>Geier</i> had -passenger accommodation in addition to carrying cargo.</p> - -<p>Siegfried Strauss waited until tea was served, and, ordering the -steward to clear out, prepared to subject his guest to a carefully -manipulated cross-examination.</p> - -<p>But before he could get in his first question he was totally taken -aback when Villiers looked him straight in the face and demanded -bluntly.</p> - -<p>"Isn't your name Kristian Borgen?"</p> - -<p>It was wide of the mark, nevertheless Strauss knew now that Villiers -had his suspicions.</p> - -<p>"No, it is not," he replied. "I am ready to swear to that."</p> - -<p>"What's in a name?" quoted Jack. "I suppose you are equally prepared -to swear that you are not a German, and that this vessel isn't the -<i>Geier</i> under an assumed name?"</p> - -<p>Strauss was on the point of blustering when he bethought himself that -it would be advisable to assume a conciliatory and non-committal -attitude.</p> - -<p>"You are quite under a misapprehension, my friend," he said -smilingly. "I don't know why you have adopted this truculent -attitude. I suppose you are still feeling the effect of your rough -usage. To allay your unfounded suspicions I will show you the ship's -papers."</p> - -<p>The skipper got up from the table and went to a locker above one of -the settees. This he opened and removed a packet of papers. As he did -so Jack caught a glimpse of a yellow-leather case boldly stamped with -the initials H. H.</p> - -<p>It was the identical attaché-case that Sir Hugh Harborough lost from -the car at Southampton. Even Villiers was taken aback by the -discovery, but, controlling himself, he decided to ignore the facts -for the present.</p> - -<p>"H'm," he remarked, after he had examined the "Certificate of -Registry" and other documents appertaining to the ownership and -nationality of the s.s. <i>Zug</i>. "I'll swear those are forgeries. But -we'll let that pass. How can you account for the fact that the name -<i>Geier</i> is in the engine-room. Beastly careless of you, you know."</p> - -<p>Villiers had certainly scored.</p> - -<p>Although the change in the ship's name had been publicly advertised, -<span id="cor0003" class="corrected" title="[Original text: Straus had tried]">Strauss had tried</span> to conceal the fact from his unwilling guest. Now -he had to admit it.</p> - -<p>"And you left Southampton early on Sunday morning last," continued -Villiers. "I know that, and you can deny it if you like—you did -before, you remember—but that won't alter the fact. That's a Hun -all over. You couldn't enter into a rivalry with Sir Hugh Harborough -on this treasure-hunting stunt without descending to low-down tricks -such as waylaying him and sand-bagging me. That's enough to land you -in the dock, my festive."</p> - -<p>Siegfried Strauss realized that the cat was out of the bag. Unmasked, -he was no longer an amiable Swede but an unspeakable Hun.</p> - -<p>With a sudden rush he bounded out of the cabin and up the -companion-ladder. At the head he paused to reassure himself that -Villiers was not in pursuit.</p> - -<p>"You've done for yourself, you swine!" he shouted. "Since you have -made yourself dangerous there is but one thing to be done—get rid of -you."</p> - -<p>Jack could hear him bawling for the hands to come aft. He was in a -tight corner, but he had no intention of quietly giving in to a swarm -of Huns.</p> - -<p>Strauss had threatened "to do him in". No doubt he, Villiers, had -asked for it when he tackled the fellow. Perhaps it would have been -better to have pretended to humour him, and then Strauss might have -set him ashore at Las Palmas. But it was too late now. There was no -averting the crisis.</p> - -<p>For a brief instant Villiers considered the possibility of gaining -the bridge and holding it against all corners, but the futility of -that plan at once became apparent. He was unarmed; the crew of the -<i>Zug</i> were not. Every man carried a sheath-knife, and possibly -several had firearms as well.</p> - -<p>Acting upon an inspiration, although he hardly knew why, Villiers -dragged the missing attaché-case from the locker and ran on deck.</p> - -<p>Captain Strauss was still shouting to the crew. He hardly expected -Jack would dare to come out of the cabin. When he saw him he -attempted to close.</p> - -<p>With a pleasurable feeling that he was getting his own back for the -sand-bagging affair, Villiers saw the burly German measure his length -on the deck as the result of a straight left with the Englishman's -fist. For the present Siegfried Strauss ceased to count in the -unequal contest.</p> - -<p>Three or four of the crew ran on with a rush. Villiers didn't stop to -meet them. He was cool enough to realize, in the first sense of -elation, that there are limits to human powers. Running aft, he -paused only to unship a life-belt and hurl it overboard, then, with -the leather case still grasped in his right hand, he leapt over the -rail into the sea.</p> - -<p>He hit the water with tremendous force, for the <i>Zug</i> was steaming at -a good twelve knots. That and his still weak condition almost -deprived him of breath. He swallowed a good half-pint of salt water -before he rose spluttering to the surface.</p> - -<p>Even while he was still under the surface Villiers found himself -debating upon the wisdom of his rash act.</p> - -<p>"If I hadn't jumped into the ditch," he soliloquized, "those fellows -would have slung me in, and perhaps given me another tap on the head -just to make things doubly sure. I told friend Strauss that I was -good for a hundred yards. So I am at racing-speed. It is now up to me -to see if I can cover four or five miles, hampered by a leather bag -and a life-buoy."</p> - -<p>Why he hung on to the attaché-case he hardly knew. Whatever there -was within it was evidently now no secret to the directing spirits -behind the s.s. <i>Zug</i>. Even if Harborough's charts and plans were -still inside the case, there was every reason to suppose that they -had been duly inspected and the information they contained committed -to memory. Sir Hugh knew the locality of the wreck, even without the -aid of the stolen documents, so, now that the mischief was done, -there could be little good served by regaining them.</p> - -<p>The attaché-case was well made and the lid fitted closely; -consequently it possessed a considerable amount of buoyancy. On -coming to the surface Villiers found that he could support himself by -the case without much effort, and thus give himself time to take -stock of his surroundings.</p> - -<p>Fifty yards away floated the life-buoy. Having assured himself of his -position, the swimmer devoted his attention to the <i>Zug</i>. Already she -was a good cable's length away, and holding on without apparently -altering course. Five or six of the crew were standing right aft, and -Villiers fancied that he caught the dull glint of the barrel of a -rifle.</p> - -<p>"They'll put about," he thought, "and either run me down or else put -a bullet through my head if they spot me. I don't think they do, -although I'm right in the glare of the sun. I'll keep clear of that -buoy for a time, though."</p> - -<p>Which was sound logic. The white-painted buoy, bobbing up and down -over the crests of the waves, was a fairly-conspicuous object—as it -was intended to be. But Jack, bareheaded and almost motionless, ran -very little risk of being spotted by the crew of the rapidly-receding -vessel.</p> - -<p>But, contrary to his expectations, the <i>Zug</i> neither altered course -nor did her crew open fire. She held on, leaving Villiers to his -fate.</p> - -<p>"Now for it," he muttered, and, turning on his back and still -grasping the recovered attaché-case, he made toward the buoy.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter11"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XI</h3> -<h4 align="center">Villiers' Return</h4> - -<p>The yacht <i>Titania</i> lay at anchor about three hundred yards west of -the Old Mole at Gibraltar. The first stage of her long voyage was -accomplished, not without difficulties and dangers, for she had -encountered bad weather in the Bay, which had continued until she -passed Cape St. Vincent. In a way the gale was a blessing in -disguise, for it enabled Harborough to put his crew to a severe test -in seamanship, and to their credit they came out of the ordeal in -quite a praiseworthy manner. The yacht had been able to hold on her -course under close-reefed canvas, and had made a fairly-quick passage -without having been compelled to use her engines when once clear of -the Needles.</p> - -<p>Beyond the necessity of having to replenish fresh water, provisions, -and consumable stores, the <i>Titania</i> was fully equipped. Each member -of the crew responsible for his particular department had carried out -his duties thoroughly. Everything necessary for salvage operations -was on board—patent, self-contained diving-dresses which enabled -their wearers to work independently of air-tubes and pumps, -demolition charges, pneumatic drills, tools of various sorts, and -chains, ropes, shackles, and blocks, ample for the work, were -methodically stored in the holds. The two dwarf seaplanes, which, -when packed for transport, took up very little room, had been stowed -away under the charge of Claverhouse and Trevear. Griffiths and Bell, -the only ex-army men, were responsible for the provisioning of the -ship; O'Loghlin and Vivian for the engines, each man working "watch -and watch" with an assistant. The rest of the crew formed the amateur -deck-hands, Harborough heading the starboard and Beverley the port -watch.</p> - -<p>Once at sea all hands followed sea routine. A state of discipline -prevailed while on duty, although in the "watch below" every man was -Tom, Dick, and Harry to his comrades. The system worked well. Every -member of the crew had been in a position of more or less authority -during the war, and each realized the absolute necessity of -discipline. They knew the value of initiative; but initiative, -important though it is, must ever be subservient to discipline if -success is to be attained.</p> - -<p>Harborough was certainly a "tough nut". On duty he was autocratic. -His idea was: "I'm in charge; carry out my orders and I'll do my -level best in your interests. If anything goes wrong, then I take all -the responsibility." Off duty he was affability personified, and was -always ready and even eager to listen to suggestions, and should -Beverley be in charge of the deck he would never interfere.</p> - -<p>Originally it had been the intention to place Villiers in charge of -one watch, while Harborough, except for actual navigation duties, -acted as general supervisor; but Villiers' mysterious disappearance -had altered that plan, and Harborough did not appoint a substitute. -He shared a belief with Beverley that Jack Villiers would put in an -appearance before the <i>Titania</i> reached Singapore, and so firm was -his conviction that he had the missing officer's kit on board instead -of placing it ashore when the yacht left Southampton.</p> - -<p>"Bit of a change from the good old North Sea," remarked Merridew, -gazing at the towering Rock, bathed in the rosy tints of the setting -sun. "This time last year we were perambulating bales of wool: three -sweaters, a muffler, monkey-jacket, pilot-coat, and two pairs of -thick trousers, and none too warm at that. Now, here we are feeling -quite warm in flannels."</p> - -<p>"And I'm on anchor watch," added Fontayne. "I'm rather looking -forward to it, 'cause it's full moon to-night, and the Rock will look -splendid in the moonlight. I remember when I was an A.B. in the -R.N.V.R. keeping middle watch when we were lying just inside -Inchkeith. It was New Year's night, and there was a buzz going round -that a Fritz was nosing about just outside the boom. Sleeting, -snowing, and blowing like billy-ho. Absolute fact; I had to go below -and thaw before I could get my clothes off. Hallo, there's a boat -pulling off."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<center> -<a name="04_unmasked"></a> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: UNMASKED HE WAS NO LONGER AN AMIABLE SWEDE<br>(missing from book)]</center> -<br> -<br> - -<p>The boat, manned by a couple of "Rock Scorps" ran alongside the -gangway, and presently the crew of the <i>Titania</i> were bargaining for -quantities of luscious fruit at a price that, although affording a -handsome profit to the vendors, was so ridiculously cheap that the -purchasers could hardly believe it.</p> - -<p>Then another boat ran alongside, and others, until the <i>Titania</i> -looked like a swan surrounded by her cygnets. There were bumboatmen, -ship's store-dealers, washermen, butchers, purveyors of insipid -rain-water—Spaniards, Genoese, Moors, and representatives of every -country bordering on the Mediterranean—all clamouring to do business -with the newly-arrived vessel.</p> - -<p>"Allow no one to come on board," ordered Harborough.</p> - -<p>"No exception?" inquired a hearty voice, and to the surprise of -everyone on deck Jack Villiers appeared from behind a pile of -fruit-cases in the stern-sheets of a whaler.</p> - -<p>For once, at least, Harborough went back on his word. He almost went -back and down an open hatchway, for, although he was convinced that -Villiers would put in an appearance, that worthy's sudden return took -the usually cool and collected Sir Hugh by surprise.</p> - -<p>"Good heavens, Villiers, dear old thing!" he exclaimed. "How in the -name of all that's wonderful——!"</p> - -<p>Running up the accommodation-ladder and saluting the quarter-deck as -he came over the side, Villiers grasped his chief's extended hand.</p> - -<p>"'Fraid I haven't much of a kit," he remarked apologetically; "but -this, I think, sir, is your property."</p> - -<p>He held out the attaché-case. Harborough gazed at it with mingled -surprise and amusement.</p> - -<p>"You've a yarn to spin about that," he observed. "Come below. We're -about to have dinner. You'll be able to have a word with Beverley -before he goes on watch."</p> - -<p>"I won't say that I've nothing to tell," remarked Jack, "because I -have."</p> - -<p>For the next three quarters of an hour he was hard at it, his -audience listening in almost unbroken silence. Following his plunge -from the deck of the <i>Zug</i>, he was in the water forty minutes before -he was picked up by a Portuguese "mulutta"—a fishing-boat whose -chief characteristic is the large number of fantastically-shaped -sails she carries. It was doubtless the presence of the fishing-boat -that deterred the <i>Zug's</i> crew from putting about and opening fire -upon the swimmer; but Villiers had not observed the presence of his -rescuers until the tramp was hull down.</p> - -<p>The fishermen treated him very kindly, and eventually landed him at -Figuera, a Portuguese harbour about one hundred miles north of -Lisbon. A hospitable merchant rendered him every possible assistance -and provided him with money sufficient to enable him to reach -Algeciras, which he did after a long and circuitous railway journey -which, in Villiers' opinion, embraced the greater part of Portugal -and Spain. At Algeciras he was fortunate in catching the last -ferry-boat for that day across to the Rock, and during the six-mile -passage across the Bay of Gibraltar he saw, to his unbounded delight, -the <i>Titania</i> putting in and dropping anchor off the Old Mole.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid," observed Harborough, when Villiers had finished his -narrative, "that you expended a lot of unnecessary zeal over that -attaché-case."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Jack doubtfully. "Why?"</p> - -<p>"Because it was a fake," explained Harborough. "I did not mention it -at the time, because it was my secret. I intended doing so -immediately we left England. These plans and charts are false. I knew -that someone was after the real charts, and I took precautions -accordingly. I expected they would be stolen, and they were. In order -to make sure that they were stolen and not accidentally lost, you -remember, I offered a substantial reward. But they were not -returned—hence it was reasonable to assume that they were -deliberately stolen by our rivals. You have proved that such was the -case. I only hope your late host, Herr Strauss, acts upon them."</p> - -<p>"I believe the fellow is identical with Kristian Borgen," said -Villiers. "In fact, I chucked it in his teeth."</p> - -<p>"And he denied it?"</p> - -<p>"He did."</p> - -<p>"Then he told the truth," declared Harborough. "He is acting under -the fellow Borgen's orders, but Borgen was in Southampton when we -left; consequently he couldn't have been on the <i>Zug</i> when she -sailed. And we've enough evidence now to get the <i>Zug</i> detained and -her crew put under arrest at the first port she touches."</p> - -<p>"Don't do that," said Villiers. "It would spoil a lot of sport. Just -fancy those fellows thinking they're doing us, and all the while -acting on faked information. Their punishment will be found in their -disappointment. Personally, I'd like to have five minutes with the -gentleman who sand-bagged me, but I'm quite content to let the rival -crush have a run for its money."</p> - -<p>"There's something in that," agreed Harborough, who, in common with -the rest of the members of the expedition, had a strong partiality -for the element of chance and a liking for sport. "They're -interlopers, it's true, but rivalry adds a zest to life. But you must -be tired with your long journey, Villiers."</p> - -<p>"I am," replied Jack, stifling a yawn. "I'll turn in. I suppose -there'll be time for me to nip ashore to-morrow and get a new kit."</p> - -<p>"Plenty of time to go ashore," replied Harborough, "but I don't think -you'll need a fresh rig-out. Your kit's stowed away in the locker -under your bunk."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter12"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XII</h3> -<h4 align="center">Pete and the Mutiny</h4> - -<p>The <i>Titania</i> remained at Gib. for thirty-six hours, refilling her -fuel-tanks, provisioning, and making good slight damage done during -the gale.</p> - -<p>At six in the morning, having received her clearance papers, the -yacht weighed, and was soon bowling along with the strong current -that sets perpetually eastward into the almost tideless -Mediterranean.</p> - -<p>Villiers, now officer in charge of the starboard watch, was pacing -the deck with Harborough. For the present there was little to do. The -<i>Titania</i> lay close hauled on the port tack; she had plenty of -sea-room, and there were no hidden shoals to worry about. Fontayne -was taking his trick at the wheel, and the rest of the duty watch, -having scrubbed decks and "flemished down", were standing easy.</p> - -<p>"She shows a clean pair of heels," remarked Villiers, watching the -vessel's wake. "I should imagine we're doing a good eight knots."</p> - -<p>"Yes," agreed Harborough. "But we won't stand here gazing aft. It's a -little antipathy of mine. Why, I don't know. You read in books of -people standing aft and watching the phosphorescent swirl of the -propellers and all that sort of thing. Sentimental! I prefer to look -for'ard and see what's ahead. There's precious little fun in taking -life retrospectively. It's anticipation—call it hope if you -like—that is the lodestone of life!"</p> - -<p>"I wonder if you'll be of the same mind when you near the end of your -journey," remarked Villiers.</p> - -<p>"That I can't say," replied Harborough. "But, candidly speaking, -would you care to go through the last five years again?"</p> - -<p>"I had some good times," said Jack reflectively. "Perhaps I was -lucky."</p> - -<p>"Supposing you'd been a Tommy in the trenches?" prompted Harborough.</p> - -<p>"Ah, that's a proposition," rejoined Villiers gravely. "I don't think -I'd care for the idea. In fact, I feel certain I wouldn't. And I know -dozens of fellows who've been and come back, and they are all of the -same opinion—that it was a physical and mental hell. But if they had -to start all over again, they'd do it."</p> - -<p>"As a matter of patriotic duty," added Harborough. "We're a weird -nation—slow to adapt ourselves to changing conditions, blunderers in -war and blunderers in peace, and yet, somehow, we come out on top in -the end. The Old Country's in a pretty rotten state just now, I -admit, but in another twelvemonth or so things will begin to shape -themselves. Eh! what's that?"</p> - -<p>O'Loghlin, lightly clad, perspiring freely and reeking with oil, had -come up from the motor-room and stood before his chief.</p> - -<p>"We've a stowaway, sir," he reported.</p> - -<p>Harborough knitted his heavy brows.</p> - -<p>"Bring him along," he ordered.</p> - -<p>The stowaway came quietly. He followed O'Loghlin like a lamb—a tall, -powerfully-built negro, on whose ebony features was a smile of -beatific contentment, in conjunction with a wide-open mouth that -displayed a double row of glistening ivories extending almost from -ear to ear.</p> - -<p>Harborough looked straight at him and said nothing. O'Loghlin, -standing behind the black, afterwards maintained that the skipper was -looking through the nigger. In less than fifteen seconds the smile -had vanished and the stowaway was on the verge of tears.</p> - -<p>"What are you doing here?" demanded the skipper of the <i>Titania</i>.</p> - -<p>"I jus' come aboard, sah."</p> - -<p>"For what reason?"</p> - -<p>"Me tink dis packet is bound for 'Merica. I jus' want to go dere," -and again a broad smile stole over the nigger's face. "Me British -born," he continued proudly. "From Hole Town, Barbadoes, which am in -British West Indies; but I specks you know dat bit, sah."</p> - -<p>"And so you thrust your unwelcome carcass on board this yacht," -rejoined Harborough. "Do you know where we are bound for?"</p> - -<p>The nigger shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Don't much, sah," he replied. "Me work berry hard to please you."</p> - -<p>"You'll jolly well have to," declared Harborough grimly. "There's no -room for idlers on this craft. Can you cook?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sah, me berry good cook," assented the black, and immediately -he broke into a loud roar of laughter until he had to hold his sides -as the tears streamed down his face.</p> - -<p>The laugh was distinctly infectious. There was something so -boisterously gusty in the merriment that every one of the <i>Titania's</i> -crew on deck began smiling in varying degrees of intensity.</p> - -<p>"What about your cooking?" inquired Harborough, whose face was -puckered in a multitude of crinkles.</p> - -<p>"Me cook aboard de <i>Lucy M. Partington</i>, three-masted schooner from -N'Orleans to Naples," explained the black. "Me cook berry well all de -time. One day de fellah played a prank, an' put Epsom-salts in the -sugar canister. I made Spotted Dick for de Ole Man—pardon, sah, de -Captain, I mean—an' dere you are."</p> - -<p>Another tornado of laughter followed.</p> - -<p>"And what happened then?" prompted Harborough.</p> - -<p>"Ole Man kick me out at Gib.," replied the nigger soberly. "Big -gum-boots, too," he added, with painful reminiscence.</p> - -<p>"Well, carry on in the galley," ordered the skipper of the <i>Titania</i>. -"None of your Epsom-salt touches here, remember, or you'll find my -boot heavier than the <i>Lucy M. Partington's</i> Old Man's. What's your -name?"</p> - -<p>"Pete, sah; Pete Johnson."</p> - -<p>Harborough waved dismissal. Pete, pulling his woolly forelock, -pattered away towards the fore-hatch.</p> - -<p>"They didn't have a nigger on board the <i>Zug</i>, I suppose?" inquired -Harborough.</p> - -<p>"No," replied Villiers. "This fellow seems quite above board."</p> - -<p>"He may be a blessing in disguise," commented the baronet. "I don't -envy the fellows who volunteered for the galley when we get down the -Red Sea, and they'll be jolly glad to get out of it."</p> - -<p>An hour later Villiers went below and inspected the galley.</p> - -<p>Pete had quickly made himself at home. Arrayed in white-canvas jumper -and trousers he presented a decidedly better appearance than he had -done in the ragged dungarees. He had not been lacking in energy, for -the pots and pans were burnished brighter than they had been since -they left the ship-chandler's establishment in far-off Southampton.</p> - -<p>He greeted Jack with one of his expansive grins.</p> - -<p>"Quite shipshape now, Massa Villers," he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"You're making quite a fine show, Sambo," replied Villiers.</p> - -<p>The black's smile vanished and he pouted his lip.</p> - -<p>"I would hab you know, Massa Villers," he exclaimed, with studied -dignity, "dat my name is Pete, not Sambo. Sambo Yankee niggah; me -British born."</p> - -<p>"Right-o, Pete, I'll remember," replied Villiers; and the black -resumed his customary smile.</p> - -<p>"I wonder how he got hold of my name," thought Jack.</p> - -<p>It was O'Loghlin who solved that little mystery. O'Loghlin had -discovered the stowaway hidden behind the main fuel-tank that was -fitted athwartships just abaft the main hold. Pete would not have -been surprised had the engineer officer dragged him out by his woolly -hair and booted him in addition. That was the sort of thing he was -used to aboard the <i>Lucy M. Partington</i>, but nothing of the kind -happened, and Pete felt grateful. He described in detail how he -contrived to get on board without being "spotted" by any of the watch -on deck. After he had been rated ship's cook the nigger asked -O'Loghlin to tell him the names of every man on board, and, with a -retentive memory that many West Indian negroes possess, Pete "had -them all off pat".</p> - -<p>Throughout the greater part of the day the wind held, but towards the -end of the first dog watch it fell a flat calm with considerable -haze. Away to the south'ard the African coast, although only five -miles distant, was lost to view. Night was approaching, so in order -to keep clear of the unlighted coast the <i>Titania's</i> course was -altered a full point, and the motors were started to give her -steerage-way.</p> - -<p>"We'll have the canvas stowed," decided Harborough; "one never knows -what's behind the mist. The glass is a bit jumpy, I notice."</p> - -<p>Accordingly the sails were lowered and stowed, and throughout the -night the <i>Titania</i> held on under power, riding over the long, sullen -ground-swell that was a sign of a gale raging not so many miles off. -The sea was highly phosphorescent, and, although from crest to crest -the rollers measured a full hundred yards, not a catspaw ruffled the -undulating surface.</p> - -<p>Morning came and with it no change in the weather. A couple of miles -on the port bow was a large three-masted schooner with her canvas -slatting violently as she wallowed in the long swell. From her mizen -truck was displayed a two-flag signal.</p> - -<p>"Stand by with the code-book," cautioned Beverley, who was in charge -of the deck.</p> - -<p>He levelled his binoculars at the vessel. There was no need for the -code-book. Every seaman knows the significance of the letters -YF—Mutiny.</p> - -<p>"On deck both watches," shouted Beverley. "Close up with the -answering pennant."</p> - -<p>The order was obeyed in double-quick time, the watch below turning -out in a state of attire that could not by any stretch of the -imagination be termed uniform. Harborough, stopping only to don -oilskin coat and sea-boots over his pyjamas, came on deck.</p> - -<p>"Serve out the arms, Mr. Beverley," he said, "and hoist a signal -saying we are sending a boat. Mr. Villiers, will you take half a -dozen armed men and proceed to yonder vessel?"</p> - -<p>Almost as soon as the signal flags GTM—"I am sending a boat"—were -toggled and hoisted, the <i>Titania's</i> whaler was swung outboard ready -for lowering, and under power the yacht rapidly bore down upon the -mutinous schooner.</p> - -<p>"Golly!" exclaimed Pete, who, in the midst of preparing breakfast, -had answered to the hail for all hands on deck. "Dat's the ole <i>Lucy -M. Partington</i>."</p> - -<p>Before the <i>Titania</i> had entirely lost way the whaler's rounded -bilges hit the water with a resounding smack. The lower blocks of the -falls were disengaged, and the bowman adroitly fended off.</p> - -<p>"Give way, lads!" ordered Villiers.</p> - -<p>Fifty steady strokes sufficed to lay the boat alongside the -schooner's port quarter, from which a rope-ladder had been dropped by -her now considerably-relieved skipper.</p> - -<p>Leaving one hand in the whaler, Villiers and the rest of the boat's -crew swarmed up the side and gained the <i>Lucy M. Partington's</i> poop. -The mutiny was over. The rebellious hands had been overawed by the -sight of the approaching armed boat's crew.</p> - -<p>The Old Man, a typical New Englander, with a goatee beard and huge -leather sea-boots (Villiers found himself wondering how the skipper -could wear heavy foot-gear on a hot day like that), left his -strategical position, to wit, a round house abaft the mizen, and was -bellowing incoherencies at a knot of sullen seamen clustered under -the break of the raised fo'c'sle. With him were the two mates and -three apprentices, who looked now as if they were enjoying the scene, -and a couple of grizzled, bald-headed seamen.</p> - -<p>"What's all this fuss about, skipper?" inquired Villiers genially.</p> - -<p>"Tarnation blue snakes take the pizonous reptiles," bellowed the Old -Man. "That's the durned skunk I want to get at; that skulking Finn."</p> - -<p>He pointed to a gigantic man standing behind, but towering head and -shoulders above the cosmopolitan crowd of malcontents.</p> - -<p>"We've had just about enuff of your tarnation tricks, Cap'n Abe," -shouted one of the mutineers. "Nary a square meal since you hiked our -cook over the side."</p> - -<p>"Guess I didn't boot the nigger jus' for nuthin'," explained Captain -Abe to his rescuers. "The nigger tried to pizen me."</p> - -<p>"There ain't as good a cook on board, an' there won't be," -vociferated the mutineer. "Pete could cook, and there ain't no sayin' -to the contrary, I guess."</p> - -<p>So that was the trouble. In putting Pete ashore at Gib. the skipper -of the <i>Lucy M. Partington</i> had laid up a rod in pickle for himself. -No doubt the Old Man honestly thought that the nigger had -deliberately put Epsom-salt into his pudding; but he had made a -mistake in not taking the trouble to investigate Pete's story. And -since the cook was a cook, the crew soon found out to their cost what -it means to have badly-prepared meals.</p> - -<p>Matters came quickly to a head. One of the men approached the -skipper, holding in his hands a saucepan of watery potatoes in which -floated hard balls that were supposed to be dumplings, and asked him -whether he considered this sort of food good enough for human beings.</p> - -<p>Captain Abe replied by booting the saucepan from the fellow's hands -and throwing most of its contents into the grumbler's face. That -started what soon developed into a serious affray, and how far -matters would have gone remained questionable. The appearance of the -<i>Titania</i>, which the mutineers mistook for a Government patrol-boat -(of which some were yet employed on mine-sweeping work in the -Mediterranean), rather took the wind out of their sails.</p> - -<p>Villiers called the Yankee skipper aside.</p> - -<p>"Look here," he said, "I don't quite know what you want me to do."</p> - -<p>"Put the varmints into irons, I guess," suggested Captain Abe.</p> - -<p>"Then who'll work the ship?" asked Jack. "There is bad weather -coming, judging by the glass and the look of things. Short-handed, -you'll be in a jolly tight corner. Those fellows have a grievance, -although they were in the wrong to kick up a shindy. I can't lend you -any hands, so what are you going to do?"</p> - -<p>"Dashed if I know," admitted Captain Abe, in perplexity. "Say, what -would you?"</p> - -<p>"You've been at sea a jolly sight longer than I have, I should say," -continued Villiers. "So it seems like teaching my grandmother to tell -you how to handle men. Meet them half-way. If you've a grievance and -they have one, there's always the Consular Courts to appeal to. -That's better than jumping round the deck with sheath-knives and -revolvers."</p> - -<p>"Guess you're about right," considered Captain Abe. "Just you sound -'em for me, young man. For my part, I'm willin'."</p> - -<p>Villiers went for'ard. In five minutes he had "talked over" the crew. -They, too, were willing to carry on as before, on the understanding -that a competent cook was shipped at the next port they touched.</p> - -<p>Jack, proud of his moral victory, shook hands with the Yankee skipper -and the two mates, and returned to the <i>Titania</i>.</p> - -<p>"It's all right, now, sir," he reported. "They're carrying on."</p> - -<p>At that moment the <i>Titania</i>, forging slowly ahead, was passing under -the stern and within half a cable's length of the becalmed <i>Lucy M. -Partington</i>.</p> - -<p>The latter's skipper caught sight of Pete sitting contentedly on the -cat-head. His eyes opened in utter amazement.</p> - -<p>"Pete!" he hailed. "Come you back!"</p> - -<p>The nigger shook his woolly head.</p> - -<p>"You kick me out, Cap'n Abe!" he reminded him.</p> - -<p>"Fifty dollars, Pete, if you swim for it," almost implored the -Yankee, finding as he thought an easy solution to the present -difficulty.</p> - -<p>Pete's head shook until his teeth almost rattled in his capacious -jaws.</p> - -<p>"Dere's no leather sea-boots with nails in 'em on dis vessel," he -replied. "Only indy-rubber. 'Specks I know where dis nigger am -comf'ble."</p> - -<p>Then, using an expression that he had picked up from his new -acquaintances on the <i>Titania</i>, he added: "Cheerio, you deah, -priceless ole thing!"</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter13"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIII</h3> -<h4 align="center">Advice and Bluff</h4> - -<p>"No, no, boy. Not 'la silence' but 'le silence'."</p> - -<p>"But, sir," protested the boy, "it's according to rule; it ends in a -silent 'e'."</p> - -<p>"An exception, Beverley," explained Mr. Jaques. "An exception. One of -the peculiarities of the French language. But this might help you to -remember. Silence is one of the things that a woman cannot keep, -therefore the French place that word in the masculine gender——"</p> - -<p>"I say, sir," interrupted Dick Beverley. "Look at that moth. Rather -late for this time of year, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind the moth," said his house-master. "You'll see plenty of -varieties of moths during the next few months," he sighed, envious of -the high-spirited youth. "Now, say in French: 'Will you kindly tell -me the way to the police-station'. Good; 'poste' has two different -meanings: 'post-office' and 'police-station', according to gender. -Now say the same sentence in Italian. H'm, yes, passable. You have -that written slip of directions the Head gave you? And your Italian -passport: you're keeping that in a different pocket to your notes? -And don't address strangers on Continental railways. If in doubt ask -someone in uniform. All railway officials are in uniform on the other -side of the Channel, you know."</p> - -<p>Dick Beverley nodded. Already the well-meaning Mr. Jaques had dinned -the various and somewhat bewildering instructions and injunctions -into his excited head at least half a dozen times between Charing -Cross and Folkestone. But the boy's brain had closed its doors, -temporarily at least, to the advice of his house-master. On the eve -of a vast adventure it is often so, although before long a confidant -would be welcome.</p> - -<p>"Monsieur Deschamps will meet you at the Gare du Nord," continued Mr. -Jaques. "The journey across Paris is the most difficult part of the -business, but that difficulty will, I trust, be eliminated. I believe -there is a <i>wagon lit</i> straight through from Paris to Brindisi."</p> - -<p>Dick again nodded, but his attention was centred on the animated -harbour as viewed from the lounge of the hotel.</p> - -<p>"From Brindisi," resumed the master, "you proceed to Taranto. If the -<i>Titania</i> should not be there, what do you do?"</p> - -<p>"Stop at the Hotel d'Annunzio, Strada Miratore," replied Dick -promptly. He knew that bit.</p> - -<p>"That is so," agreed the pedantic Mr. Jaques; "and above all, be -discreet. Remember what I told you about 'silence'. I was given to -understand, during a brief interview with your brother, that absolute -discretion is necessary—not only for your own welfare but for the -people you are about to join. Remember also to keep your French paper -money in a different compartment of your pocket-book from your -Italian notes, and examine your change carefully. There is a lot of -bad money about in those countries, I believe."</p> - -<p>"Like a lot of bacon we get in England, sir," added the irrepressible -youth.</p> - -<p>Mr. Jaques nodded. He could well afford to be sympathetic on that -subject.</p> - -<p>"You have your keys, I hope," he asked, returning to the lengthy -exhortation to a juvenile traveller. "The <i>douaniers</i>—custom-house -people—will want to examine your luggage, you know."</p> - -<p>Dick produced the keys; a large jack-knife, a catapult, and a piece -of whip-cord were disclosed during the operation.</p> - -<p>"You had better let me have that catapult," observed the -house-master. "I cannot conceive why you should want to take a thing -like that away with you, especially as the possession of a catapult -is an offence against the rules of the school."</p> - -<p>Beverley junior surrendered the catapult cheerfully. After all it was -one of three that he carried about his person.</p> - -<p>Ten minutes later Mr. Jaques and Dick parted company on board the -cross-Channel steamer, the former to return with a feeling that he -had carried out a duty conscientiously, the latter realizing at last -that he was actually on the threshold of a big adventure.</p> - -<p>Dick remained on deck. Even the strong desire to go below, to see if -he could prevail upon the engineer to allow him to enter the -engine-room, was not enough to tear him from the sight of the -receding shores of Kent and the constant stream of shipping passing -to and fro on one of the main arteries of the world's maritime trade.</p> - -<p>He was a high-spirited youth, no better and no worse than the average -British schoolboy. He had received his colours at "footer", was a -moderate bat, could swim and box, and could ride almost any make of -motor-cycle and understand its mechanism as well. True, he hadn't a -motor-bike of his own, for the simple reason that funds wouldn't run -to it, but his unfailing good nature and ability to undertake -repairing jobs were sufficient to give him the run of the majority of -motor-cycles belonging to his fellow-boarders.</p> - -<p>Normally he was open and inclined to be communicative, but, with Mr. -Jaques' warning somewhere in the back of his brain, it was not -surprising that he showed a tendency to "choke off" an attempt at -conversation on the part of a fellow-passenger on the -Folkestone-Boulogne boat.</p> - -<p>"Your name's Beverley, isn't it?" inquired the stranger. Dick had -noticed him in the foyer of the hotel.</p> - -<p>"Yes," he replied shortly. "He can see that by reading the labels on -my luggage," he added mentally.</p> - -<p>"I know your father," continued the stranger. "My name's Wilson."</p> - -<p>"Really," rejoined Dick. "You didn't speak to him in the hotel, did -you?"</p> - -<p>"No," was the answer, after a moment's hesitation. "I saw you were -both talking very earnestly, and naturally one doesn't like to butt -in on the eve of parting."</p> - -<p>Dick considered. Either the "old buffer" had made a genuine mistake -or else he was trying to "pump him". Possibly the latter.</p> - -<p>"I'm going as far as Brindisi to meet my daughter from Egypt," -continued Mr. Wilson. "You are going farther, I see?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, to Taranto," replied Dick. "Cruising in the Mediterranean."</p> - -<p>"Then you are one of the <i>Titania's</i> party."</p> - -<p>"Am I?" rejoined the lad.</p> - -<p>The stranger smiled.</p> - -<p>"Of course you are," he said. "And you are going farther than the -Mediterranean, I believe."</p> - -<p>"We were," declared Dick mendaciously, for he considered himself -quite justified in bluffing the fellow. "We were, but the long cruise -has been abandoned. Don't know why."</p> - -<p>"You'll be quite a traveller. Have you journeyed on the Continent -before?"</p> - -<p>Dick shook his head.</p> - -<p>"No? Then I'll have to give an eye to you," continued Mr. Wilson. -"Rather a long journey without having anyone to talk to."</p> - -<p>"Don't think I'd take it on if I were you, Mr. Wilson," said Dick in -a well-simulated, confidential tone. "You see, I'm let out before I -ought to be. I only came out of the sanny yesterday."</p> - -<p>"The sanny?" queried Mr. Wilson, in perplexity.</p> - -<p>"Yes, that is the sanatorium, you know," explained Dick, warming to -his part. "Scarlet fever; 'fraid I haven't quite finished peeling -yet."</p> - -<p>"Er—er—I don't quite understand," murmured the stranger uneasily, -moving back a pace.</p> - -<p>"Of course with proper precautions it may be all right," continued -the fever-stricken youth cheerfully. "I've been cautioned to keep to -the lee side of the boat so that the germs—beastly things -germs—don't get blown on the people. In the train I've got to keep -the window open at night, if other passengers don't object, and sniff -carbolic powder. But I'll be free from infection by the time we get -to Brindisi, I expect."</p> - -<p>Chuckling to himself, Dick watched Mr. Wilson beat a hurried retreat.</p> - -<p>"If I'd taken old Jaques' advice about keeping silence I'd have had -to have been awfully rude," he soliloquized. "As it is, I've put the -wind up him. Wonder who he is? And he said he knows my father, too. -That's rich!"</p> - -<p>He did not see Mr. Wilson again, save for a glimpse of his back at -the Gare du Nord, during the journey to the south of Italy. "Mr. -Wilson", or to give him his real name, Herr Kaspar von Giespert, -thought fit to alter his proposed route, for instead of proceeding -via Brindisi he booked to Marseilles, hoping to catch a Messageries -boat to Singapore.</p> - -<p>It was a pure coincidence that von Giespert and Dick were -fellow-passengers on the Folkestone-Boulogne boat, but Mr. Jaques' -over-cautious exhortation had given the Hun a clue. Happening to hear -the word <i>Titania</i>, von Giespert pricked up his ears. He decided to -sound the open-faced British boy; he might have succeeded but for an -initial false move in assuming that Jaques was Dick's parent.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert was cooling his heels at the southern French seaport -days after Dick Beverley joined the yacht <i>Titania</i> at Taranto.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter14"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIV</h3> -<h4 align="center">Sunk in Collision</h4> - -<p>It was a dark, windless night. The <i>Titania</i>, under power, was -gliding through the tranquil waters of the Red Sea. The port watch -had just been relieved, and Bobby Beverley, having "handed over" to -Jack Villiers, lingered on the deck to have a yarn with his -particular chum.</p> - -<p>Already the port of Hodeida was left on the port quarter. Ahead lay -the reefs surrounding the dangerous Hanish Islands. Two miles astern -could be discerned the red, green, and white lights of a vessel that -was obviously overhauling the <i>Titania</i> hand over fist.</p> - -<p>"Mail boat—P. & O. most likely," observed Beverley. "We needn't -worry about her—she's the overtaking vessel. Shan't be sorry to get -clear of the Red Sea. Too many Arab dhows sculling around without -lights to my fancy."</p> - -<p>"Enough to give a Board of Trade examiner a puzzler for the 'Rule of -the Road' stunt," remarked Villiers. "Do you remember that -white-bearded old buffer? I suppose it was the same fellow who -examined you. Tried to catch me out with the 'single red light on my -starboard bow', but I tumbled to it just in time. Narrow squeak, -though."</p> - -<p>"I remember him," replied Beverley. "He gave me a regular galaxy of -light, and asked what I would do. 'Put my helm hard down and clear -out', I told him. 'The best course, too', he agreed."</p> - -<p>"After knocking about at sea without lights for three years," said -Beverley, "it does seem a bit awkward to find yourself up against -'em. Something like that prisoner in the Bastille who asked to be -shut up again after he was released. Question of use, I suppose."</p> - -<p>"Light on the port bow, sir," sung out Merridew.</p> - -<p>At that distance only a red and a white light were visible, but by -the aid of his binoculars Villiers saw the gleam of the starboard -light.</p> - -<p>"Port helm," he ordered.</p> - -<p>The <i>Titania</i> and the approaching vessel cleared each other easily, -but Villiers had little time to pay further attention to her. Ahead -were a number of dhows, strung out in an irregular line, practically -motionless in the flat calm.</p> - -<p>"Good heavens, what's that!" ejaculated Bobby. "There's an almighty -smash."</p> - -<p>How it occurred was a mystery, but the fact remained that the -overtaking liner and the vessel that had just passed the <i>Titania</i> -were in collision. It was one of those instances that have taken -place and will take place in the future—unaccountable yet none the -less disastrous. In clear weather and in a perfectly calm sea two -steamers crashed into each other.</p> - -<p>Above the noise of grinding steel and the hiss of escaping steam came -a clamorous panic-stricken yell from hundreds of throats.</p> - -<p>"Not British this time," commented Jack, as he ordered the helm to be -put hard over and the boats swung out ready for lowering.</p> - -<p>"Get the searchlights running, Bobby," he added, "and inform the Old -Man."</p> - -<p>But the Old Man was at that moment bounding up the companion-ladder, -a conspicuous figure in his white drill uniform.</p> - -<p>Directly the two brilliant beams of the searchlights were brought -into action Harborough took in the situation at a glance.</p> - -<p>One of the colliding vessels was a liner. She was badly damaged -for'ard and was deep down by the bows. The other, a chartered Belgian -steamer conveying Mussulman pilgrims to Jiddah, the port of the Holy -City of Mecca, had already sunk, having been cut completely in two by -the impact.</p> - -<p>"Have those boats swung inboard again, Mr. Villiers," he ordered. -"We'll lay right alongside that fellow. There'll be time before she -goes."</p> - -<p>Villiers understood. The lessons learnt in the North Sea, where it -was an everyday task to place an M.L. alongside a huge lumbering -tramp, were not forgotten. To avoid delay in rescuing human lives -Harborough had ordered the <i>Titania</i> to be manoeuvred alongside the -foundering liner.</p> - -<p>Even under normal conditions it would have been no easy task, but the -difficulties were increased tenfold, for while the colliding vessels -remained locked together, nearly a hundred frantic Mussulmans had -succeeded in clambering over the liner's shattered bows to find but a -temporary refuge on her decks. These, in addition to a very -cosmopolitan assortment of passengers, were already out of hand, -despite the firm efforts of the liner's officers and crew to maintain -discipline. There was a wild stampede for the boats—Arabs and -Europeans mingled in a suicidal and homicidal rush, with the result -that by the time the <i>Titania</i> was within hailing distance one boat -only had been successfully lowered. The rest had either capsized or -were hanging vertically from the davits. Those of the passengers who -yet remained on board were either made of sterner stuff or else they -had been tamed by the sight of the fate that had befallen the -frenzied mob. As for the officers and crew of the foundering vessel, -they were doing their best to try and preserve order, but the sudden -addition of a swarm of pilgrims rendered their task almost -superhuman.</p> - -<p>Taking the helm, Harborough adroitly manoeuvred the <i>Titania</i> until -she lost way within ten yards of the sinking vessel. Instantly there -was another rush on the part of the utterly demoralized Mussulmans.</p> - -<p>"Women and children first!" roared Harborough. "Does anyone on board -speak Swahili or Arabic? If so, tell those blacks to keep back. I'll -shoot the first man who jumps without permission."</p> - -<p>Apparently some of the pilgrims understood English, or else they -guessed the purport of Harborough's words. Calm again succeeded the -paroxysm of cowardice.</p> - -<p>Carefully avoiding the outswung davits of the huge vessel, Harborough -brought the <i>Titania</i> alongside so neatly and carefully that there -was hardly any need to employ fenders to absorb the shock. Even -though the ship was foundering she towered high above the yacht, -thereby rendering the task of transhipping the survivors a somewhat -difficult one. Had there been any sea running the operation would -have been hazardous, but <i>lifting</i> upon the very gentle swell the -vessels, large and small, lay almost motionless, although momentarily -the former was settling deeper and deeper by the head.</p> - -<p>Half a dozen women and children were the first to be received on -board the yacht. Then came thirty or forty passengers, mostly French, -but with a sprinkling of Italians and Dutchmen. Then the survivors of -the pilgrim-ship were allowed on board, where, thinking themselves -safe, they squatted on deck and took no further interest in the -proceedings, or, if they did, they concealed it under a cloak of -Oriental impassivity. Then followed the crew, most of whom had found -time to collect their personal belongings, for nearly every man held -a bundle made of a coloured handkerchief filled to its utmost -capacity. Last of all came the officers, the dark-featured, -white-haired Breton captain bringing up the rear.</p> - -<p>He seemed reluctant to leave, and not until Harborough shouted a -warning did the little Frenchman leap. It was not a moment too soon, -for by this time the liner's bows were awash and water was entering -the boiler-rooms.</p> - -<p>The <i>Titania</i>, her decks resembling a Bank Holiday Margate steamer, -and submerged two feet above her water-line, backed slowly away, -keeping her searchlight still running in the hope that they might see -other survivors from the sunken pilgrim-ship.</p> - -<p>"We're lucky," remarked Harborough to Villiers. "Decidedly lucky, -otherwise I wouldn't give much for our chances if there had been a -sea running. By Jove! What a pack. Makes one think of the good old -days when Fritz started running amok with his U-boats."</p> - -<p>"What are we doing with this lot, sir?" asked Jack.</p> - -<p>"Run 'em into Massowah," replied the skipper of the <i>Titania</i>. "Seems -to be the easier way out of the difficulty. Massowah's a bit out of -our course, but it's an Italian port. They can't detain us to give -evidence in a Court of Inquiry. At Aden we might be held up. Hallo! -There she goes."</p> - -<p>The French liner <i>Cité d'Arras</i> was on the point of disappearing. -With the <i>Titania's</i> searchlights flashed upon the scene, her -stricken hull looked as though it were fashioned of silver. Her stern -was high out of the water, and, after the <i>Titania</i> had pushed off, -she had developed a terrific list to starboard.</p> - -<p>A hush fell upon the crowd on the <i>Titania's</i> deck. All eyes were -directed upon the sinking vessel, even the Mussulmans abandoning -their hitherto impassive attitude to gaze upon the scene.</p> - -<p>Steam was still issuing in dense clouds from her boiler-rooms; jets -of water expelled by compressed air leapt high above her listing -masts as the eddying, foaming water encroached upon her decks.</p> - -<p>Then, with a movement not unlike the convulsive spring of a mortally -wounded animal, the stricken craft lifted until her twin-propellers -were clear of the water. For perhaps ten seconds she remained thus; -then, to the accompaniment of a loud roar as her displaced boilers -exploded, she disappeared from sight.</p> - -<p>Harborough rang for full speed ahead.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter15"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XV</h3> -<h4 align="center">What did Dick Do?</h4> - -<p>Literally forcing his way along the crowded deck, Bobby Beverley went -below to make up arrears of sleep. At the foot of the -companion-ladder he encountered Claverhouse, on whom the task of -providing accommodation 'tween decks for the women and children -rescued from the <i>Cité d'Arras</i> had fallen.</p> - -<p>"Do you know your young brother's been in the ditch?" inquired Alec.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" exclaimed Bobby. "Is that a fact? Where is he?"</p> - -<p>"Fact," confirmed Claverhouse. "At the present time he's shedding his -wet gear in your cabin."</p> - -<p>Dick Beverley looked a little confused when his brother appeared. As -a matter of fact he had changed his saturated garments, and was in -the act of attempting to remove all traces of the pools of water from -the floor when the cabin door was thrown open and Bobby entered.</p> - -<p>"What silly game have you been up to?" inquired Beverley Major -sternly.</p> - -<p>"Only got a bit wet," replied Beverley Minor. "Nothing much; I'll -soon get your cabin straight, Bob."</p> - -<p>"How did it happen?" demanded Bobby.</p> - -<p>"Sort of slipped in," declared Dick.</p> - -<p>"Pushed in?"</p> - -<p>"Well, there was a bit of a crush," observed Dick diplomatically.</p> - -<p>"You young ass!" ejaculated his brother. "I suppose you know the -water's teeming with sharks?"</p> - -<p>Dick admitted that he was aware of the unpleasant fact. He had seen -them following the yacht soon after she left Suez.</p> - -<p>"How did you get on board again?" asked Bobby.</p> - -<p>"Trevear hauled me up with a rope," replied Dick simply. "I wasn't in -for more than fifteen seconds."</p> - -<p>"Time enough for you to have been bitten in two," rejoined Bobby. -"All right, carry on and wipe up the mess. I want to turn in."</p> - -<p>He went out, leaving Dick to complete his self-appointed task, to -seek Trevear and gain further particulars, since his brother was -obviously "lying low".</p> - -<p>He found the R.A.F. pilot talking French as spoken on the Somme in -1918 to a pair of children whose home was at Oléron in the -Department of the Basses-Pyrénées. The result was not altogether a -success, although by a wealth of dumb show Trevear contrived to keep -the children amused.</p> - -<p>"They've shoved me in charge of the crèche, old bird," he observed. -"Know it's no use offering you a cigarette; try some of this."</p> - -<p>He extended a well-used and bulky tobacco-pouch.</p> - -<p>"What's on your chest, old man?" he continued.</p> - -<p>"Something my young brother's been doing," rejoined Beverley.</p> - -<p>"Eh, what's that?" asked Trevear, raising his eyebrows and simulating -an air of complete ignorance.</p> - -<p>"I want you to tell me exactly how he got into the ditch," declared -Bobby.</p> - -<p>"You know that much, then?" rejoined Trevear. "Non, non. Taisez-vous; -c'est defendu de puller mon hair (that was an aside addressed to his -charges, who, finding themselves ignored, reasserted their presence -by tugging vigorously at the ex-airman's closely-cropped hair). All -right, then; s'pose I'm no longer bound to secrecy. While we were -lying alongside the Frenchman, young Dick spotted someone in the -water—one of the Arab crowd. Before I knew what he was up to—I -thought he was going to sling the fellow a coil of rope—he took a -turn round his waist with the end of a line and jumped overboard. -Pete and I hiked him back in double quick time, 'cause the Arab -fellow was trying to drag him under. Yes, we got the pair of 'em just -as a brute of a shark turned on his back and showed his ugly jaws. -Gave me a bit of a turn, and I fancy young Dick had the wind up after -it was all over. That youngster's got some pluck, old son."</p> - -<p>Trevear would doubtless have held to his compact with Dick Beverley, -but it was obvious that the secret would out, as Pete had been a -witness of the affair. The negro had already told O'Loghlin and -Swaine, and they, in turn, had communicated the news of the exploit -to others.</p> - -<p>Bobby returned to his cabin. Dick, having completed the tidying-up -process, had turned in. His brother went to the side of the bunk.</p> - -<p>"Dick," he said softly. "You're a silly young ass, but I'm proud of -you."</p> - -<p>It was broad daylight when Bobby Beverley awoke to find Pete standing -by his bunk with a cup of tea. Already the air was insufferably hot, -in spite of the fact that the port-hole was wide open and an electric -fan running. Without, the sun beat fiercely down, its hot rays -glancing obliquely from the mirror-like surface of the water. On deck -the tramp of many feet showed that the survivors of the catastrophe -were giving signs of activity.</p> - -<p>Looking at the clock, Bobby saw that he had but twenty minutes before -going on deck to take over his watch. A plunge into a bath of tepid -water, shaving and dressing, occupied half the allotted time; then, -making a hurried breakfast, the watch-keeping officer went on deck.</p> - -<p>The <i>Titania</i> was approaching Massowah, somewhat to the discontent of -many of the ex-passengers of the <i>Cité d'Arras</i>, who wanted to be -landed at the French colony of Obock farther down the coast and just -below the Bab el Mandeb. But Harborough had decided otherwise. The -objection to calling at Aden applied equally well to putting into -Obock, so willy-nilly the survivors had to accept the hospitality of -the Italian colony until they found means of resuming their -interrupted journeys.</p> - -<p>The moment the anchor was dropped and the yacht lost way the -<i>Titania</i> was surrounded by a fleet of small boats. Into them the -rescued people were placed and taken ashore, not before an impromptu -meeting had been held on deck and a vote of thanks delivered in -broken English by a tall, corpulent Frenchman who was about to take -up a Consular appointment in China.</p> - -<p>"Do you know what, in my opinion, is the height of embarrassment," -asked Harborough, addressing his crew in general after the departure -of the cosmopolitan crowd. "No? I'll tell you; being kissed on both -cheeks by a demonstrative bearded Frenchman, with the temperature 125 -degrees in the shade."</p> - -<p>"Jolly funny thing," remarked Dick to his brother. "I met one of the -liner's passengers on the Boulogne boat—a Mr. Wilson."</p> - -<p>"Really?" remarked Bobby, to whom the announcement conveyed little -interest. In his own experience the world was small, and he was used -to knocking up against acquaintances, chance or otherwise, at various -odd times. "Speak to him?"</p> - -<p>"No," replied the lad. "For one thing, I didn't notice him until he -had left the <i>Titania</i> and was sitting in the boat. For another, I -didn't want to."</p> - -<p>"Why not?" asked Bobby. When Dick took a dislike to anyone there was -usually a sound reason.</p> - -<p>The schoolboy told how "Mr. Wilson" had tried to pump him.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" exclaimed Jack Villiers, who was with Bobby at this time. -"Pity you hadn't let us know half an hour ago. That's old Borgen for -a million. He's on his way to join the <i>Zug</i>."</p> - -<p>"And what would you have done?" inquired Dick, forming a mental -picture of burly Jack Villiers and "Mr. Wilson" fighting <i>à -l'outrance</i> on the deck of the good ship <i>Titania</i>.</p> - -<p>"Done?" echoed Villiers. "I owe him one for sand-bagging me—or -getting his minions to do so, which comes to practically the same -thing. I'd have kept him under the influence of morphia for the next -twenty-four hours and taken him to sea with us. Then we'd see how the -rival crush got on without a figurehead. We'll have to inform the -skipper."</p> - -<p>Harborough received the news with his inscrutable smile.</p> - -<p>"'Tany rate he's boxed up in Massowah for a week or ten days and he's -lost all his kit. That's rather put the lid on his activities for a -bit. But since he owes us something for saving his life I hope he -won't bear us a grudge on that account."</p> - -<p>Three hours later, having shipped an additional two hundred gallons -of oil and replenished the water-tanks, the <i>Titania</i> weighed and -resumed her voyage.</p> - -<p>It was a long, tedious stretch across the Arabian Sea, for more than -2500 miles lay between the yacht and the port of Colombo. For the -most part there was little wind. When there was any it was generally -too much ahead to give the vessel a useful slant, for it was the time -of the north-east monsoon. Consequently, the heavy oil-engines were -kept running almost continuously.</p> - -<p>The <i>Titania</i> passed to the south'ard of the Island of Socotra, which -was the last land sighted for a space of twelve days.</p> - -<p>"India's coral strand" was a wash-out as far as Dick was concerned, -for the <i>Titania</i> passed a good hundred miles to the south'ard of -Cape Comorin, but at sunrise on the following morning the lad had a -distant view of Adam's Peak, its prominent outlines silhouetted -against the rapidly-growing light.</p> - -<p>Two days in Colombo Harbour gave the crew a much-needed rest before -tackling the almost as long voyage across to Singapore.</p> - -<p>Thence, threading her way cautiously between the islands of the Java -and Banda Seas, and encountering no adventure in the shape of Malay -pirates (somewhat to Dick's disappointment), the <i>Titania</i> approached -the outward limit of her long voyage.</p> - -<p>Towards the latter end of the run Harborough rarely left the deck. He -slept in the chart-house, going below for his meals and returning -with the utmost haste. His usual coolness was noticeably absent. He -was restless and uncommunicative, often pacing the deck for hours -with hardly a word to anyone.</p> - -<p>At length, shortly after daybreak, he touched Villiers on the -shoulder and pointed to a rugged mountain-top just showing above the -horizon.</p> - -<p>"That's Ni Telang," he announced. "If I've worked our cards properly -we ought to find the <i>Zug</i> there searching for treasure that does not -exist."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter16"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVI</h3> -<h4 align="center">The Wrong Island</h4> - -<p>"Putting in there, sir?" asked Beverley, finding his chief inclined -to become communicative.</p> - -<p>"I was debating," replied Harborough. "I want to, and yet I don't -want to. Fact is, I can't make up my mind."</p> - -<p>Villiers, Beverley, and Claverhouse, who with the skipper formed the -party on deck, gazed steadfastly upon the distant peaks of Ni Telang. -Each man wanted to study the expressions on his companions' faces, -but somehow every one hesitated to do so. The admission of indecision -coming from the hitherto somewhat despotic skipper of the <i>Titania</i> -rather took the wind out of their sails.</p> - -<p>"What's your opinion on the matter, Villiers?" inquired Harborough -abruptly.</p> - -<p>"You wish to satisfy yourself that our rivals are slogging away on -the wrong spot?"</p> - -<p>"Exactly," replied the baronet. "I suppose it's rather childish, but -somehow I want to enjoy the spectacle of seeing the <i>Zug's</i> crew -figuratively tumble into the pit they suppose they've dug for others. -On the other hand, we are anxious to get to work, and on that account -perhaps it would be as well to slip past Ni Telang unobserved and -carry on to Nua Leha. It will take us some time, I fancy, to locate -the wreck."</p> - -<p>"I would suggest, sir," remarked Claverhouse, "that we make straight -for Nua Leha and get to work. Trevear and I could have a joy-ride -over to Ni Telang and see what sort of game the Huns are up to."</p> - -<p>"They'd spot the sea-plane," objected Bobby Beverley. "That wouldn't -be advisable in the initial stages of the salvage operations."</p> - -<p>"Then what is your scheme, Beverley?" asked Harborough, reaching down -for a large-scale chart of the islands that lay in a locker under the -chart-house table.</p> - -<p>"We could make a trip in one of our boats," replied Beverley. "You -couldn't, Villiers, old son; they know you already. We could pitch up -a yarn that we are on a fishing expedition and have got blown away -from our ship. For that purpose we would be Yanks from the U.S. yacht -<i>Narrunga</i>. No doubt friend Strauss would bluff us, but he daren't -refuse to let us land for fresh water."</p> - -<p>"Quite a sound scheme, Beverley," agreed Harborough. "I think we'll -act upon it when we get to Nua Leha.... A couple of points to the -south'ard for the present, quartermaster. East-a-half-south will do."</p> - -<p>"East-a-half-south, sir," intoned Merridew in professional style.</p> - -<p>Keeping to the new course, the <i>Titania</i> passed a good ten miles from -the island of Ni Telang. At that distance, although the peaks were -plainly visible in the clear atmosphere, the low-lying land and the -surrounding barrier of coral reefs were below the horizon. There was -a strong temptation to ascertain whether the <i>Zug</i> had already -arrived, but, once a decision was arrived at, Harborough put the -question firmly from his mind.</p> - -<p>Almost before the peaks of Ni Telang dipped below the horizon other -land appeared above the skyline, bearing E by N.1/2N.</p> - -<p>"We'll broach that case of champagne to-night, all being well," -declared Harborough, whose fit of indecision had now passed. He gave -another glance at the chart. Almost daily for the last three months -he had studied that canvas-backed sea-map of the approaches to Nua -Leha; and now the vision of tomorrow had become the reality of -to-day.</p> - -<p>"Keep her as she is," he continued. "There's plenty of water for a -bit. I'm going to turn in. If I'm not awake by one bell in the first -dog watch turn me out."</p> - -<p>"Very good, sir," replied Villiers.</p> - -<p>The <i>Titania</i> was bowling along under canvas at a good seven knots. -It was one of those rather exceptional days when the breeze held true -and the vessel was able to cut through the clear blue water without -any necessity on the part of the crew either to increase or reduce -canvas, or to touch a sheet. The weather-shrouds were tautened like -harp strings as the yacht lay over at an almost constant angle of -thirty degrees from the perpendicular. The spray hissed from her -cutwater, and burbled pleasantly past her sides, leaving a clean wake -astern.</p> - -<p>All hands, including Pete, who was now entirely "in the know", were -tremendously excited as the distance between the <i>Titania</i> and her -goal decreased.</p> - -<p>Yet the island appeared to rise above the blue horizon with provoking -slowness. By noon it was just possible to discern three jagged peaks -that rose to a height of two thousand five hundred feet above the -sea-level, the intervening valleys being a good thousand feet lower. -To the northward the ground sloped gradually until it vanished in the -haze of mingled sea and sky.</p> - -<p>By four o'clock the white line marking the surf upon the outer reef -was visible. By the aid of glasses it could be seen that the lower -portion of the island was much-wooded, coco-nut palms predominating. -The upper land was well covered with grass, but the higher peaks were -bare and rugged, indicating their volcanic origin.</p> - -<p>Five minutes later Harborough anticipated himself by coming on deck. -He had slept the sleep of mental and bodily exhaustion, and although -he still looked tired he had lost the grey, haggard expression that -had been his constant companion for the last ten days.</p> - -<p>"We'll have to approach from the eastern side," he remarked. "There -is a passage on this side, but I don't care to risk it. The lead's -precious little use in these parts."</p> - -<p>He swept the island with his binoculars, and then turned abruptly -upon Bobby Beverley.</p> - -<p>"Tell Swaine to go aloft," he ordered. "Conning the ship from the -cross-trees is the best means of getting across the bar. Mr. -Villiers, see that there's a kedge aft ready to let go. You might as -well stow canvas. The wind will be heading us round the corner."</p> - -<p>While these orders were being executed O'Loghlin went below to start -up his beloved motors. He usually spent the greater part of his -waking hours below tinkering with the engines. Even in the Red Sea -and in the sweltering heat of the Malacca Straits he kept up the -performance, and the hitherto-neglected engines were now a picture of -polished and easy-running mechanism.</p> - -<p>Keeping within a distance of two miles from the reef, the <i>Titania</i> -skirted the south-eastern sides of the island. Although a careful -watch was maintained there were no signs of human habitation ashore, -except a ruined hut that might have been built by the crew of a -trading-vessel during their search for bêche-de-mer.</p> - -<p>"Good thing there are no natives," remarked Harborough "They'd only -tend to complicate matters. We wouldn't dare leave any stores on the -beach; they'd vanish. Right-o, Swaine; up aloft with you."</p> - -<p>Like a cat Swaine swarmed up aloft, hand over hand, by means of the -throat-halyards, for the <i>Titania</i> was not fitted with ratlines. -Barely had he settled himself on the cross-trees when he shouted:</p> - -<p>"Vessel at anchor in the lagoon, sir!"</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" ejaculated Villiers, and without expressing his thoughts -he, too, went aloft.</p> - -<p>Beyond a low-lying spur of land fringed with an irregular line of -coco-nut palms, he could discern the upper parts of the hull and the -mast and funnel of a steamer. She had evidently only recently -arrived, for smoke was issuing from her funnel.</p> - -<p>"It's the <i>Zug</i>, sir," he announced.</p> - -<p>The explosion of a 42-centimetre shell could hardly have produced -greater surprise. Beating her rival only by a few hours, the <i>Zug</i> -had dropped anchor not at Ni Telang but at Nua Leha, and almost over -the spot where the wreck of the <i>Fusi Yama</i> was supposed to be lying. -By what freak of fortune had von Giespert's minions chosen that spot, -when, had they acted upon instructions given in the false chart, they -should have been fifty miles to the west'ard?</p> - -<p>"That's a nasty one, sir," remarked Villiers, as he gained the deck.</p> - -<p>"It is," agreed Harborough briefly. He was rapidly forming a plan of -action rendered necessary by the totally unexpected turn of events.</p> - -<p>To enter the lagoon and dispute the right of possession with the -rival expedition would almost certainly end in bloodshed, and this -Harborough was loth to provoke. Nor was he willing to come to terms -with them. On the other hand, he was not going to give up his chances -and those of his fellow-adventurers. Something had to be done and -that quickly, for in another five minutes the <i>Titania</i> would be -visible from the <i>Zug's</i> decks.</p> - -<p>"Make all plain sail," ordered Harborough. "We'll beat back to Ni -Telang. It's possible that we may lure 'em out."</p> - -<p>Quickly fore and aft canvas was set, and, close-hauled on the port -tack, the <i>Titania</i> skirted the western side of the island. It was -soon evident that her presence was observed, for with true Hunnish -effrontery the <i>Zug</i> gave a long blast on her syren and hoisted the -German colours.</p> - -<p>"So much for the Swedish myth," commented Harborough. "Fritz likes to -crow when he thinks he's on top. Now we'll see if the fish will -bite."</p> - -<p>Apparently the <i>Zug's</i> crew were puzzled when the approaching British -vessel, instead of turning and entering the lagoon, held on a course -parallel to the reef. As a matter of fact, owing to a miscalculation -on the part of Captain Siegfried Strauss, the steamer had anchored -off Nua Leha, under the impression that she was at Ni Telang. The -merest fluke prevented this error from leading to the accidental -discovery of the sunken treasure of the <i>Fusi Yama</i>.</p> - -<p>But when the <i>Titania</i> held on, Strauss began to puzzle his brains. -If this were the island he could not understand why the Englishmen -should admit defeat so tamely. Something was wrong somewhere.</p> - -<p>He checked his chronometer and sextant readings and revised his -figures. Suddenly he gave a howl of angry astonishment. There was an -error making a difference of fifty-five minutes of longitude.</p> - -<p>With an oath he shouted for the cable to be hove short, at the same -time ringing to the engine-room to "stand by", ignoring von Giespert -(who had joined the ship at Batavia), and was demanding an -explanation.</p> - -<p>"I have the speed of that craft," he decided. "I'll beat her yet."</p> - -<p>"She's weighing, sir," reported Villiers, who had been keeping the -<i>Zug</i> under observation by means of powerful binoculars. "They've -steam on her winch."</p> - -<p>Harborough's rugged features wore a weird smile.</p> - -<p>"That's the stuff to give 'em," he exclaimed. "Tell O'Loghlin to give -her full throttle. We'll have to keep up the pretence."</p> - -<p>With every stitch of canvas set and both engines developing their -utmost horse-power, the <i>Titania</i> skirted the eastern and -north-eastern extremities of Nua Leha. So far the wind helped her, -but presently she would be headed by the breeze.</p> - -<p>Before an intervening headland cut off a view of the lagoon it was -seen that the <i>Zug</i> was actually under way. Harborough's bluff looked -like succeeding. At all events the rival concern was being lured away -from the maritime Tom Tiddler's ground.</p> - -<p>"So she hasn't located the wreck," commented Harborough, as pleased -as a dog with two tails. "We'll let her beat us on the last lap."</p> - -<p>"It will be dark before they arrive," remarked Beverley.</p> - -<p>"So much the better," rejoined Harborough. "If they choose to pile -her upon the reef that's their affair. I wouldn't risk it."</p> - -<p>The excitement of the speed-contest killed all sense of -disappointment at having to retrace their course. For once at least -Harborough evinced greater interest in what lay astern than in what -lay ahead.</p> - -<p>"There she is," exclaimed half a dozen voices, as the <i>Zug's</i> bows -appeared from behind the headland.</p> - -<p>A dense column of smoke was pouring from her funnel, and, judging by -the size of the "bone in her teeth", she was chugging through the -water at a pace that threatened overheated bearings and sundry other -troubles in the engine-room.</p> - -<p>"I reckon she's doing a good couple of knots more than the old -<i>Titania</i>," declared Villiers, who, having been busy with the stowing -of canvas, had strolled aft to watch the overhauling craft. "It's a -wonder that they don't open fire on us through sheer force of habit."</p> - -<p>"They'd like to, I don't doubt," rejoined Harborough. "I wouldn't be -surprised if she suddenly ports her helm when she's abreast of us. -We'll have to watch her."</p> - -<p>"She's slowing down," exclaimed Bobby. "That's engine-trouble."</p> - -<p>"I think not," said Harborough. "She's easing down because she knows -she has the heels of us. She's letting us pilot her, but I'll bet -when she sights land she'll go all out again. Right-o, Fritz, go your -own gait, I don't mind, s'long as you keep clear of Nua Leha."</p> - -<p>An hour later the look-out reported land ahead. The three peaks of Ni -Telang were showing above the horizon, standing out clearly against -the late afternoon sun.</p> - -<p>Viewed from the east'ard, there was a strong similarity between the -two islands, so that, apart from the Hun navigator's error in -determining his position, the mistake was to a certain extent -explicable.</p> - -<p>For the next hour the <i>Zug</i> hung resolutely at the heels of her -rival; then, apparently satisfied as to the precise locality of the -goal, she increased speed, and in a blatant bullying fashion -overhauled and passed the smaller and slower <i>Titania</i>.</p> - -<p>The Hun bulwarks were lined with stolid-looking men whose faces -looked like masks concealing a vulgar triumph. The <i>Titania's</i> people -simply ignored them. The common courtesies of the high seas were -dispensed with; there were no dipping of ensigns and exchange of -signals. For all the outward notice she attracted, the <i>Zug</i> might -have been non-existent.</p> - -<p>There was no lowering of screens revealing a battery of quick-firers; -no foaming track of a torpedo; no attempt on the part of the Hun to -put his helm hard over and ram his rival. No doubt the desire to do -so was present, but the fear of detection and consequent punishment -was too great.</p> - -<p>It was soon obvious to von Giespert and his henchman Strauss that the -race was by no means a decided event. There was little doubt but that -the German-owned vessel would arrive off the island first, but in the -race against darkness the latter would win easily.</p> - -<p>With the suddenness common to tropical climes, the short twilight -gave place to intense darkness. There was no moon and the stars were -obscured. The <i>Titania</i> displayed her navigation light, but the <i>Zug</i> -apparently did not. She might have shown her port and starboard -lights, but even by the aid of night-glasses no red and green blurr -was visible from the <i>Titania</i>; nor did the leading vessel hoist a -stern light. All that indicated her presence was a phosphorescent -swirl in the water under her stumpy counter, and an occasional -display of sparks from her funnel.</p> - -<p>Harborough could well afford to hold on, although the low-lying reefs -of Ni Telang were not so many miles away. Following in the wake of -the <i>Zug</i>, he knew that the Hun vessel would give him fair warning of -the partly-submerged danger, because if the Hun tramp piled herself -upon the coral there would be sufficient time for the <i>Titania</i> to -port her helm hard over and avoid the danger.</p> - -<p>But presently the <i>Zug</i> ported her helm. She had now displayed her -navigation lights, and the white and green showed two points on the -<i>Titania's</i> starboard bow.</p> - -<p>"She's funked it, by Jove!" ejaculated Villiers.</p> - -<p>"And I don't blame her," added Harborough, straining his ears to -catch the sound of the roar of the surf above the steady pulsations -of the engines. "Now we'll have to watch her. It's like a game of -musical chairs with two players for a solitary vacant seat. We'll -have to keep our end up till dawn, and then we'll let them slip in."</p> - -<p>It was an eerie night. Except those whose duties required them to be -below, the <i>Titania's</i> crew remained on deck. Up and down on a -four-mile beat parallel to the eastern side of Ni Telang the two -vessels cruised, passing and repassing each other like two dogs -"ready to wound and yet afraid to strike ". Occasionally the -<i>Titania</i> played her searchlights upon the island in order to verify -her position, although Harborough took good care not to let the beams -bear upon the rival ship.</p> - -<p>Shortly after midnight the <i>Zug</i> attempted the passage through the -reef. By the aid of an Aldis lamp in her bows she cautiously -approached the gap in the line of foam that showed ghastly-white in -the tropical darkness. But almost at the moment of success Strauss's -nerve failed him, and, reversing engines, the German vessel backed -away.</p> - -<p>At length Harborough consulted the luminous dial of his wristlet -watch.</p> - -<p>"It'll be dawn in another ten minutes," he announced. "We'll carry on -a little longer than usual on this course, and let them think we've -been caught napping."</p> - -<p>His surmise was correct. The <i>Titania</i> was three miles off the N.E. -extremity of the island, when the lofty peaks were lighted up with -the blush of a new-born day. The <i>Zug</i>, marking time off the entrance -to the lagoon, promptly took the narrow channel through the reef, -rolling heavily as she passed the jagged fringe of surf-swept coral. -Then, with a rush and a roar, her cable tore through the hawse-pipe -and she came to a standstill, head to wind, off the Island of Ni -Telang. Harborough smiled grimly.</p> - -<p>"You've hit the wrong island this time, old son," he exclaimed -contentedly. "But it was a narrow squeak for us."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter17"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVII</h3> -<h4 align="center">Nua Leha</h4> - -<p>Twenty minutes later, conned by Swaine from the fore cross-trees, the -<i>Titania</i> followed her duped rival into the lagoon. It was as yet too -early to pretend to abandon the enterprise. The deception had to be -maintained until von Giespert was fully convinced that he was on the -right track.</p> - -<p>A cast of the lead gave fifteen fathoms.</p> - -<p>"Let go!" ordered Harborough. "Fifteen fathoms will give those -fellows plenty to do to search for an imaginary wreck. Give her fifty -fathoms of cable, Mr. Villiers; then we'll pipe all hands to -breakfast."</p> - -<p>Meals on board the <i>Titania</i> were always plenteous repasts, for -Harborough realized that a well-fed crew meant efficiency and -capacity for work; but upon this occasion the breakfast was a -sumptuous one. There was no hurry; the primary object of the night's -vigil had been accomplished, and the <i>Zug</i> had been enticed a full -fifty miles away from the golden cargo of the sunken <i>Fusi Yama</i>. So -all hands breakfasted in style, after which the watch below turned in -and the duty watch began the customary routine.</p> - -<p>Harborough was enjoying a cigar in the after-cabin when he heard a -hail from on deck, "Boat ahoy!"</p> - -<p>"Thought the blighter couldn't resist the temptation to try and pull -my leg," he soliloquized, as he glanced into a mirror to assure -himself that his appearance was fitting as captain of a British -yacht.</p> - -<p>"Boat from the <i>Zug</i>, sir," reported Merridew.</p> - -<p>Harborough went on deck to receive his uninvited guests.</p> - -<p>The <i>Zug's</i> gig was already alongside, manned by four hands in -white-canvas suits. In the stern sheets sat von Giespert and Captain -Strauss.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert raised his cap as he came over the side. Harborough -punctiliously returned the salute, but feigned to overlook the -proffered hand.</p> - -<p>"Sir Hugh Harborough, I presume," said the German.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Borgen," rejoined Harborough.</p> - -<p>The Hun shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps it would be better if I introduced myself as Herr Kaspar von -Giespert," he said.</p> - -<p>Harborough showed no surprise at the announcement.</p> - -<p>"That is not really necessary, Herr von Giespert," he remarked. "But -I thought that perhaps you preferred to continue to sail under your -false colours."</p> - -<p>Von Giespert waved a podgy hand deprecatingly.</p> - -<p>"I think we understand one another," he declared, with mock humility. -"The war is over, and peace is an established fact. You Englishmen -were ever generous to a beaten foe, and I feel certain that you will -be willing to shake hands and forget the regrettable happenings of -the past four and a half years."</p> - -<p>"Speaking for my fellow-countrymen," replied Harborough, "and I think -I'm voicing their opinions, I am in accord with what you say up to a -certain point. Generosity to the vanquished has always been a -Briton's strong point, but, unfortunately for Germany, her -utterly-vile conduct during the war, until she knew the game was up, -is sufficient to put her outside the pale for the next generation. -However, I don't suppose you came here to be lectured upon the -conduct of your compatriots. Suppose you get straight to the point -and state your business."</p> - -<p>"We are both here on the same quest," said von Giespert suavely. "In -England there is a proverb: 'First come, first served'."</p> - -<p>"Quite so," agreed Harborough gravely. "There is also another: 'A -fair field and no favour'. However, you haven't made yourself clear. -Pray continue."</p> - -<p>"Being first upon the scene," continued the German, "I claim a right -to conduct uninterrupted operations. My vessel lies almost over the -wreck, therefore I object to your working within a couple of cables -of her. That, I think, is a fair and reasonable request."</p> - -<p>"Have you always been fair and reasonable in your transactions, Herr -von Giespert?" inquired Harborough.</p> - -<p>"Certainly," replied von Giespert in a tone of virtuous indignation.</p> - -<p>"You would not, for instance," continued the baronet in firm, even -tones, "you would not lower yourself to the extent of kidnapping one -of my officers (possibly under the mistaken impression that it was -I), hoping to throw my plans out of gear?"</p> - -<p>"Your insinuation surprises me," exclaimed von Giespert. "I cannot -understand why you should voice it."</p> - -<p>"Supposing I am in a position to prove that you would do such a -thing," resumed Harborough, "would you be willing to abandon your -claim to the treasure?"</p> - -<p>"I would," answered the German hastily, somewhat to Harborough's -surprise.</p> - -<p>"Villiers!" he called out. "Come here a minute."</p> - -<p>Both von Giespert and Strauss turned a sickly yellow hue when Jack -Villiers, cool and unperturbed, stepped briskly out of the -chart-house. The Huns had up to that moment imagined that he had been -drowned after he took his flying leap from the deck of the <i>Zug</i>.</p> - -<p>"You've lost, Herr Giespert," said Harborough. "A charge of attempted -murder would land you in a very tight corner. That, however, is Mr. -Villiers' affair."</p> - -<p>"No harm done," declared Villiers. "We'll call it a case of mistaken -identity when you sand-bagged me, Herr Strauss. It was an episode—an -experience that will come in useful if ever I take to literature. I -might call it an asset, so we'll wipe off that account."</p> - -<p>The Germans were dumbfounded. They failed utterly to grasp the young -Englishman's attitude. Von Giespert, desperate, even when losing, -tried to bargain.</p> - -<p>"Suppose, Sir Hugh," he resumed, "suppose we work in partnership—on -equal shares? Surely, after all the expense to which we have been -put, you will not deprive us of a chance of recovering our losses?"</p> - -<p>Harborough was on the point of declaring bluntly that he wanted no -truck with a Hun, when he remembered the main thread of his scheme.</p> - -<p>"I'm dead off partnerships," he replied. "You've lost, and you must -accept my terms. I think if it came to a question of force I'd still -hold the whip-hand. However, that issue rests with you. You claim -priority. I'll admit that. You can just carry on in your own sweet -way for a month. It's up to you to slog in like blue blazes and get -the stuff before the expiration of the time-limit. Got that? Good -enough; good morning."</p> - -<p>The still-bewildered Huns backed away to the gangway and descended to -their boat. On the face of it they could hardly credit their good -fortune. Their rivals had unaccountably retired from the contest, -leaving them in uninterrupted possession of the lagoon for a whole -month. With reasonable luck the wreck ought to be located and the -gold transferred to the <i>Zug</i> in a fortnight.</p> - -<p>Half an hour later in the stateroom of each ship an almost identical -performance was in progress. On board the <i>Titania</i> Harborough was -receiving the congratulations of his fellow-adventurers on his -successful strategy; on the <i>Zug</i> von Giespert and Strauss were -shaking hands with each other and drinking with the rest of the -ship's officers to the success of the next month's labours.</p> - -<p>At noon the <i>Titania</i> weighed. It was a calm day with not enough air -to give the yacht steerage-way. Under power she slipped through the -entrance to the broad lagoon, and shaped a course that was certainly -not in the direction of Nua Leha.</p> - -<p>"She's dipping, sir!" announced Merridew, indicating the German -vessel.</p> - -<p>The <i>Zug</i> dipped her red, white, and black ensign thrice, a hollow -compliment that the <i>Titania</i> duly returned. Both crews, being firmly -under the impression that they had scored heavily, could well afford -these courtesies.</p> - -<p>Upon passing beyond the ten-fathom line—which, owing to the fact -that the reef was steep-to, was but a couple of hundred yards beyond -the foam-lashed barrier—the <i>Titania's</i> helm was ported and she -shaped a southerly course. This she held until the high peaks of Ni -Telang were almost hidden by the skyline, then altering course she -made for her goal.</p> - -<p>There was now a steady following breeze which, although not so -favourable as one broad on the beam, enabled her to keep up a fair -speed without having recourse to the motors, and at one bell in the -first dog watch she crossed the bar of Nua Leha. It was exactly at -dead-low water, yet there were at least five feet under the yacht's -keel. That meant that, unless there were a nasty breaking sea on a -bar, the entrance was available at any state of the tide, which even -at spring never ranged more than four feet six inches.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<center> -<a name="05_dumfounded"></a> -<img src="images/05_dumfounded.jpg" alt="image: 05_dumfounded.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: THE GERMANS WERE DUMFOUNDED]</center> -<br> -<br> - -<p>The <i>Titania</i> moored in nine fathoms, with her main anchor laid out -in the direction of the reef, at about two hundred and fifty yards -from the sandy shore of a small bay. At its northern extremity the -bold headland of the bay almost touched the reef, there being a -passage of about fifty yards leading to the next section of the -lagoon.</p> - -<p>"A south-easter is the only wind likely to trouble us," observed -Villiers. "The reef will keep a lot of the sea down, but it's so low -that there's bound to be a fairly-heavy tumble."</p> - -<p>"What sort of bottom have we?" asked Harborough.</p> - -<p>"Mud and pieces of coral rock," replied Villiers. "If the wreck's -anywhere about we'll find the water pretty muddy. But it's good -holding ground. The sandy part of the lagoon is clear enough, but I -wouldn't care to trust the fluke of an anchor in it."</p> - -<p>"Let's hope the wreck is on a sandy bottom," rejoined Harborough. -"However, that remains to be proved. We'll breach that case of -champagne now, lads; after that it's general leave ashore. There'll -be time for a stretch before sunset."</p> - -<p>This programme was duly carried out. The boats were lowered and armed -merely on the principle that it was wise to take precautions—and -with the exception of Merridew, who volunteered as ship-keeper, all -hands landed on the sandy beach.</p> - -<p>"Look at that young brother of yours!" remarked Trevear, drawing -Bobby's attention to Dick's rolling gait. "The champagne's got into -his upper story."</p> - -<p>"He didn't have any," declared Bobby; then, overtaking his -erratically-moving relative, he asked:</p> - -<p>"What's the matter, Dick?"</p> - -<p>"Matter?" echoed the lad. "Wish I knew, Bobby. The ground's coming up -to meet me every step I take."</p> - -<p>"Merely the effect of being so long on board," explained Villiers. -"I've felt the same sort of thing myself. Now, Dick, I'll race you to -that tree. A coco-nut for the winner, and the loser's got to find it. -Ready? Go!"</p> - -<p>Dick won by a yard, and breathlessly he watched the agile Villiers -swarm up a young palm until he reached the cluster of broad-leaved -foliage at the top.</p> - -<p>"Stand away from under," he cautioned.</p> - -<p>Down came a green nut. Dick seized upon it with avidity and proceeded -to crack it with a lump of coral.</p> - -<p>The result rather surprised him, for all the milk had been spilt and -nothing remained but the husk.</p> - -<p>"Why, it's empty!" he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Naturally," replied Villiers, laughing, for he had now descended -from his lofty perch and was contemplating young Beverley's face with -great amusement.</p> - -<p>"Why naturally?" demanded Dick, with the air of a fellow who has been -"had".</p> - -<p>"What did you expect to find?" asked Jack.</p> - -<p>"Coco-nut," replied Dick promptly.</p> - -<p>"Then you won't find what you're looking for in a growing nut," -replied Villiers. "It's full of liquid, nothing more. The white -substance forms with keeping. Now, you fellows, who's for rounders?"</p> - -<p>The crew of the <i>Titania</i> acted just like a pack of schoolboys on a -holiday. They played rounders, using a soft coco-nut for a ball, -indulged in leap-frog, leaping and jumping with all the abandon -natural to a crowd of healthy young fellows landing on an island -after weeks afloat.</p> - -<p>Apparently Nua Leha was uninhabited. Although the roysterers made -enough noise to be heard from one end of the island to the other, -their presence was apparently unnoticed. True, wild pigs charged -frantically through the undergrowth, stolid penguins broke up their -military formation and ambled awkwardly to less noisy haunts, but no -human native gave sight or sound of his presence, nor, during their -brief visit, did the <i>Titania's</i> people find trace of human -habitation.</p> - -<p>"We'll start by establishing a shore-station tomorrow," decided -Harborough, as they rowed back to the yacht. "It will give us more -room on board, and save the old boat from a lot of knocking about. -You might look round to-morrow, Mr. Claverhouse, and fix up a secure -berth for the sea-planes. There ought to be a sheltered spot on the -other side of the headland."</p> - -<p>"Very good, sir," replied Claverhouse, with a joyous look on his face -at the near prospect of "going up" once more.</p> - -<p>"We'll have all the petrol taken ashore," continued the skipper. "You -had better see to that, Mr. Trevear. Dick!"</p> - -<p>"Sir?"</p> - -<p>"Any good with a rifle?"</p> - -<p>"First-class marksman in the Cadet Corps, sir."</p> - -<p>"Then act up to it," said Harborough, with his whimsical smile. -"You'll be on ration fatigue, which means that whenever Pete wishes -to give us pork for dinner, you've got to shoot a pig. No -indiscriminate slaughter, mind. That I most strongly object to. We -want enough for our needs and no more."</p> - -<p>It was quite a long time before Dick got to sleep that night. He -imagined himself a mighty hunter, on whom his fellow-adventurers -depended for the filling of the flesh-pot. The one fly in the -ointment was the size of the game. Pity there weren't lions, tigers, -and orang-outangs on Nua Leha. But he was jolly lucky, he decided. It -was not the lot of most lads to have the run of a real coral island.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter18"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVIII</h3> -<h4 align="center">The First Day on the Island</h4> - -<p>The shrill pipe of the bos'n's whistle, adroitly manipulated by big -Merridew, brought the working-party out of their bunks with the -utmost alacrity. During the stay of the <i>Titania</i> at Nua Leha the -system of routine was to be drastically altered. The port and -starboard watches, responsible for the care and maintenance of the -ship, were reduced to three men each. The remainder were amalgamated -into a working-party whose hours—voluntary, and not subjected to the -dictates of a Trades Union—were from sunrise to sunset, with -intervals for meals and recreation. Thursday afternoons were "make -and mend", as in the Royal Navy, while, except on urgent matters to -safeguard the vessel, no work was permitted on Sundays. From eleven -in the morning till two in the afternoon was "stand easy", since the -heat was too great to allow Europeans to work without grave risk.</p> - -<p>For the first time since the <i>Titania</i> left Southampton the -twenty-eight-foot cutter, stowed amidships, was hoisted out. Her -gunwales were protected with rope fenders; she was made fast -alongside, and the work of sending stores and gear to the beach -proceeded immediately after breakfast.</p> - -<p>By the time "stand easy" arrived the two sea-planes had been hoisted -out and were in advanced stages of reassembly, under the supervision -of Trevear.</p> - -<p>Claverhouse had, in accordance with instructions, gone ashore early -to fix upon a likely site for a sea-plane station. With him went Dick -Beverley, proudly grasping a .303 rifle, and with his pockets bulging -with an assortment of treasures, including sandwiches and half a -dozen ball cartridges.</p> - -<p>The ex-R.A.F. officer and his young companion made their way along -the glistening coral beach, on which the limpid water lapped gently -under the influence of a light on-shore wind.</p> - -<p>A walk of a quarter of a mile brought them to the bold headland on -the northern side of the little bay in which the <i>Titania</i> lay at -anchor. Here the dark, volcanic rocks ended in a ledge that projected -about fifty yards from the general shore-line. At the extremity of -the natural breakwater the bed of the lagoon dropped abruptly to a -depth of five fathoms, although the bottom could be clearly -discerned.</p> - -<p>"Topping place for a bathe," suggested Dick.</p> - -<p>"Quite," agreed Claverhouse, "that is, if it's all right. You'd -better hang on till you know there's no danger."</p> - -<p>"There are no sharks about," declared the lad.</p> - -<p>"Take your word for it, old man," replied Claverhouse. "All the same, -I wouldn't dangle my feet in the water if I were you. There may be -ground sharks, and I believe they don't hesitate to snap at a pair of -paddling trilbies."</p> - -<p>"What's a fellow to do if he can't have a swim?" inquired Dick. -"If——"</p> - -<p>His words ended in a shout of horrified surprise as a long tapering -tentacle shot out from under a projecting rock and securely fastened -itself to the lad's bare ankle. Then another and yet another dark, -slimy tentacle obtained a grip upon his leg.</p> - -<p>Vainly young Beverley strove to free himself from the horrible -embraces of a healthy young octopus. The creature's protruding eyes -and parrot-like beak were plainly visible. Although its body was only -about the size of a soup plate, the eight tentacles averaged a yard -in length. Each of the legs that had obtained a grip were bringing -into play the dozens of suckers with which they were provided, and -the net result was that Dick was a prisoner. So precarious was his -position, and so strong the tractive powers of the cuttle-fish, that -he had to hold on with both hands to prevent himself being drawn off -the slippery rock into the sea.</p> - -<p>Claverhouse's first instinct was to grasp Dick's rifle and fire at -the head of the hideous creature; but, thinking that he might -possibly put a bullet through the lad's foot—which, owing to the -refractive qualities of the water, was quite feasible—he whipped out -his knife.</p> - -<p>Leaning over the edge, he struck hard and deep. The keen steel sunk -to the hilt with hardly any perceptible resistance, fairly between -the vicious-looking eyes. Then, even as Claverhouse was in the act of -withdrawing the blade, two tentacles attached themselves firmly to -his hand, at the same time binding it to the foot of the now -thoroughly-scared Dick.</p> - -<p>The unexpected jerk wellnigh capsized Claverhouse. Resisting the -impulse to hack blindly, he withdrew the knife with his left hand and -prepared to sever the tentacles one by one. It was no easy matter. -Not only was there a danger that the sharp steel might cut either his -hand or Dick's foot, but the octopus, upon receiving the stab, had -liberated a quantity of black fluid that, quickly spreading, made it -almost impossible to locate the slimy quivering arms.</p> - -<p>But the octopus had already received more than it bargained for. The -discharge of the inky fluid—nature's counterpart to a -smoke-screen—was a preliminary move to making a strategic retreat. -Almost as suddenly as the attack developed, the suckers relaxed their -grip, and the cuttle-fish withdrew to render first aid to a deep but -by no means vital injury to its anatomy.</p> - -<p>The two victims to the tremendous suction exercised by the octopus's -tentacles regained their feet, somewhat ruefully contemplating the -livid marks left by their late antagonist.</p> - -<p>"Thanks, awfully, Claverhouse," exclaimed Dick. "I owe you one for -that."</p> - -<p>"Enter it in the book, then," rejoined the ex-R.A.F. officer, with -grim jocularity. "Hope the occasion won't arise for you to call -quits."</p> - -<p>He quizzically regarded his youthful companion, gauging his physical -inconveniences by his own.</p> - -<p>"S'pect you've had enough of the beach to-day," he continued. "If I -were you, I'd go on board and get something for that ankle of yours. -A real Futurist picture, I call it."</p> - -<p>Dick decided otherwise.</p> - -<p>"I'm not going to spoil a day's sport for the sake of a smarting -ankle," he protested. "It's roast pork for to-morrow's dinner, and -pork I mean to get. I'm all right; I am really."</p> - -<p>Claverhouse did not press the point, and the two comrades pursued -their way.</p> - -<p>In the bay beyond, Claverhouse found exactly what he wanted. The -ground shelved gradually to the water's edge. The beach was sandy and -free from jagged lumps of coral. There was a good depth of water -close to the shore, while the reef was not only within two hundred -yards of the island, but was in several places a good six feet above -high-water mark.</p> - -<p>"I thought coral insects always died when they'd worked their way to -the surface," remarked Dick. "How is it that this part of the reef -sticks up so?"</p> - -<p>"I think if we landed there we'd find volcanic rocks," replied -Claverhouse. "Small islands each with a ring of coral round them; -subsiding reefs, as it were. 'Tany rate, this is an ideal sea-plane -base. I'll get some hands to work as soon as possible, so I'll get -back to the landing place. You'll carry on?"</p> - -<p>Dick slapped the "small" of his rifle.</p> - -<p>"I've got to work for my living," he rejoined facetiously, "so I'll -get a move on. See you later."</p> - -<p>Claverhouse made his way to the beach opposite the <i>Titania's</i> berth, -where already a light pier was in course of construction, and crates -and boxes were piled high awaiting a place for storage.</p> - -<p>"You're handy fellows with an axe," he exclaimed, addressing -Griffiths and Bell.</p> - -<p>"Never handled an axe in my life," declared Griffiths.</p> - -<p>"And when I did I cut a slice out of my boot," Bell hastened to -assure the director of the day's destiny.</p> - -<p>"Call yourselves ex-Royal Engineers?" remarked Claverhouse, with -assumed scorn. "You've seen Tommies wielding axes, so come and do -likewise."</p> - -<p>He mustered his party, including Vivian and Fontayne in the number, -and the five repaired to the site Claverhouse had selected.</p> - -<p>It was grand work plying those glittering axes in the yet cool air of -the early morning, and bringing the tall palms crashing to the -ground; but when it came to "grubbing up" the roots, that was quite a -different story.</p> - -<p>"Thought we were diving for treasure, not digging for it," remarked -Vivian, pausing to wipe the perspiration from his brow. "By Jove, I -haven't done so much digging since I was in the Naval Brigade at -Lierre. Say, Claverhouse, do crabs climb trees out here?"</p> - -<p>He pointed to a felled palm. Out of the crushed foliage a large crab -ambled awkwardly.</p> - -<p>"Looks like it," replied Claverhouse. "Wonder what a fellow would do -if one of those beauties climbed into the fuselage of a bus and began -nibbling the bloke's toes. He'd wonder what was wrong with the -rudder-bar."</p> - -<p>"There's another, making off with a coco-nut," said Griffiths. "And I -volunteered to sleep ashore," he added, with the air of a man who had -made a bad bargain.</p> - -<p>"Nemesis, my son," exclaimed Vivian, "you didn't half chuck your -weight about when yours was the only cabin that wasn't infested by -those flying cockroaches in the Red Sea. I'd advise you to surround -your tent with barbed-wire entanglements, and keep a Lewis gun under -your pillow. Come on. This won't get the work done, and we've an hour -to 'stand easy'."</p> - -<p>The five set to work with redoubled efforts, and when the time for -the midday rest came round the ground was cleared and levelled -sufficiently to commence the erection of hangars.</p> - -<p>"Dick's busy," observed Claverhouse, as the faint report of a -rifle-shot rang out. "That's the fifth. Suppose it means pork for the -rest of the week."</p> - -<p>"Or possibly none at all," added Bell. "I was chipping him last -night, and said he wouldn't fire a single shot."</p> - -<p>"He's fired five, anyway," said Fontayne. "If you'd anything on -you've lost, my festive. You said 'fire', didn't you?"</p> - -<p>Upon returning to the landing-place, Claverhouse found Villiers and -Beverley resting after their labours, which consisted principally of -digging a deep hole and sinking three large barrels in it. These were -connected by a pipe, and a small stream of pure water was diverted -into them. Trevear and O'Loghlin had practically completed the -reassembly of the two dwarf sea-planes, while the rest of the -landing-party, under Harborough's supervision, had made great strides -with the shore base. Tents were already erected, and a large -storehouse, fashioned after the manner of a Canadian lumberman's hut, -had grown to a height of five feet.</p> - -<p>"What have you done to your hand, Claverhouse?" asked Harborough, -when the party sat down to an alfresco lunch.</p> - -<p>"Octopus took a fancy to it," replied the ex-R.A.F. officer. "We'll -have to be careful bathing off the rocks. No, it's nothing much, -thanks."</p> - -<p>"We saw a couple of sharks as we rowed ashore," announced Merridew. -"They followed the boat into quite shallow water."</p> - -<p>"We'll have to take precautions when we bathe," remarked Harborough. -"No isolated swimming. Keep together, and have a boat ready. Pete, -what's the bill of fare?"</p> - -<p>"All propah, sah," replied the cook, with a terrific smile. "Same as -in ole Bahamas."</p> - -<p>There were roast fowl, taro bread, omelets with bananas and slices of -melon—the whole feast provided out of the natural resources of the -island. Everyone agreed that it was a fortunate chance that brought -Pete on board the <i>Titania</i>, for he alone of all the ship's company -was well versed in the vegetable products of the tropics.</p> - -<p>Upon the resumption of work, after a long and enjoyable spell in -which pipes and yarns held full sway, strong moorings were laid in -the narrow part of the lagoon for the two sea-planes. There seemed -every indication of the glorious weather holding, otherwise -Claverhouse would not have run the risk of leaving his precious -charges afloat. Nevertheless, he was determined to push on with the -construction of the hangars, which were to be made so strongly that -they would successfully resist the tropical gales.</p> - -<p>Before nightfall the big store was ready for the roof of palm-leaf -thatch. The shore-party made themselves at home, and the men told off -to sleep on board prepared to return.</p> - -<p>"Where's your young brother?" asked Villiers.</p> - -<p>"With Claverhouse, I think," replied Beverley.</p> - -<p>"Well, he isn't," corrected Jack. "Alec's just gone down to the -boat."</p> - -<p>Bobby ran down to the beach and hailed the airman.</p> - -<p>"Not a sign of him," replied Claverhouse. "I thought he'd return -straight to the camp. We'll have to send out a search-party. The -island isn't so very big, but he may have lost his way."</p> - -<p>There was no lack of volunteers. Every man ashore, from Harborough to -Pete, expressed his willingness to look for the missing Dick.</p> - -<p>The fall of night hampered their task, and at the end of a couple of -hours' strenuous search the party reassembled on the beach with their -aim unattained.</p> - -<p>"The moon will be up in another twenty minutes," announced -Harborough, who felt himself responsible for having dispatched the -young huntsman on his shooting expedition. "Who'll have another -shot?"</p> - -<p>"We'll carry on till we find him, sir," was the unanimous response.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter19"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIX</h3> -<h4 align="center">Missing</h4> - -<p>"Hanged if I can wait about for the moon to rise, Jack. It will be -two mortal hours before it's much use to us," declared Bobby -Beverley. "Game to carry on at once?"</p> - -<p>"Right-o," assented Villiers; "but I'm afraid we won't do much. Can't -see your hand in front of your face, so to speak. Wish we had a good -dog here."</p> - -<p>"We'll try with the Aldis," rejoined Beverley.</p> - -<p>"Right-o," agreed his chum for the second time. "Let's get a move -on."</p> - -<p>From the store they procured an Aldis lamp and battery. The lamp, -primarily intended for flashing signals (it was powerful enough to -enable a message to be sent over a distance of five miles in broad -daylight), could be used as a miniature and portable searchlight, -although the weight of the case containing the cells was -considerable.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," suggested Villiers, as the two men plunged into the -coco-palm groves, "perhaps the young blighter's taken it into his -head to scale one of the peaks and can't find his way down."</p> - -<p>"Hope not," replied Beverley. "Dashed if I fancy climbing a thousand -feet or so of lava rock. 'Sides, he must have heard us shouting all -over the show."</p> - -<p>"Possibly," admitted Villiers. "But he might not be able to let us -know."</p> - -<p>"Had a rifle."</p> - -<p>"And a handful of cartridges. And a handful wouldn't last a whole day -with a boy on his own for the first time with a real rifle."</p> - -<p>For nearly twenty minutes they proceeded in silence, following a -track recently made through the dense undergrowth.</p> - -<p>"Trouble is," remarked Beverley, "we've been acting like bulls in a -china-shop on the previous stunt. If Dick left a trail we've -obliterated it."</p> - -<p>"We have," admitted Villiers. "S'pose we weren't born trackers, any -of us. It's like collaring a skilled woodcraft man and sending him -afloat. He would be all at sea in a double sense."</p> - -<p>He stopped and swung the rays of the lamp upon a clump of palms.</p> - -<p>"I remember this spot," he continued. "Do you notice how curiously -these trunks shoot up? A sort of kink in them. Merridew and his party -took that path; we, if you recollect, bore away to the right, and -Trevear and Claverhouse carried straight on. If we bear away to the -left I fancy we'll be striking a fresh trail."</p> - -<p>There was a path of sorts. Whether any of the <i>Titania's</i> crew other -than Dick Beverley had traversed it remained for the present a matter -for speculation. The ground was covered with the decaying vegetation -of years and showed no trace of footprints, although the undergrowth -on both sides gave indications of being forced aside.</p> - -<p>"Pigs, no doubt," commented Villiers, when Bobby called his attention -to the trampled saplings. "Hallo! though; what's this?"</p> - -<p>The brilliant rays of the Aldis lamp lighted up a small glittering -object. It was a cartridge-case.</p> - -<p>"Lee-Enfield, .303," declared Beverley, picking up and sniffing at -the brass cylinder. "Fired recently; I can smell burnt cordite -distinctly. We're on the trail."</p> - -<p>Twenty yards farther on the shelving ground was stained by a quantity -of blood, the dark-red stain continuing at regular intervals.</p> - -<p>"Good enough," remarked Villiers. "Young Dick shot a pig and wounded -it pretty badly. The brute got away and he followed it."</p> - -<p>"Hope to goodness it isn't Dick's blood," said Bobby anxiously. "The -youngster might have put a bullet through his leg or arm by -accident."</p> - -<p>"If so, he would have turned back," reasoned Jack; "no, it's a -wounded pig's trail."</p> - -<p>Two hundred yards farther on they stumbled over the body of the -victim of Dick's rifle.</p> - -<p>The animal was stone dead. On examination the two men discovered two -bullet-wounds. One, a fairly-deep one in the pig's flank, had -accounted for its comparatively long flight before collapsing through -loss of blood. The other, obviously fired at close range, had passed -completely through the pig's head.</p> - -<p>"So Master Dick, instead of administering the <i>coup de grâce</i> in the -orthodox manner, wasted another cartridge on the animal," commented -Villiers. "The pig's been dead for at least three or four hours. Now, -what's the next move?"</p> - -<p>The narrow path, evidently the "runway" of a porcine herd, terminated -abruptly at what appeared to be a cul-de-sac.</p> - -<p>"He retraced his steps," declared Beverley.</p> - -<p>"No jolly fear," protested his companion. "He wouldn't have left his -trophy lying here unless he went on, intending to get it again on the -return journey. Bring that light a bit lower, old thing; that's -right. Yes, I thought so."</p> - -<p>Close to the ground was a narrow, tunnel-like gap in the undergrowth. -This the two men negotiated on their hands and knees, to find -themselves in a wide, sloping expanse of open country devoid of trees -and dotted by a few stunted bushes.</p> - -<p>"Which way now?" inquired Bobby, as the two chums regained their -feet.</p> - -<p>Villiers did not reply.</p> - -<p>"Switch off that light for half a tick," he said.</p> - -<p>Beverley did so. For some seconds they stood blinking in the sudden -transition from dazzling light to intense darkness.</p> - -<p>"What's the move?" asked Beverley.</p> - -<p>"I thought—might have been mistaken, though. Ah! there you are; -what's that?"</p> - -<p>At a considerable distance away—how far it was impossible to gauge -with any degree of accuracy—a feeble ray of light stabbed the -darkness—three short, three long, and then three short flashes.</p> - -<p>"S.O.S.," exclaimed Villiers and Beverley simultaneously.</p> - -<p>"Switch on again," continued the former. "Keep behind me. I've got a -pocket compass."</p> - -<p>Taking a rough bearing of the direction of the distress signal, -Villiers began to walk rapidly towards its source of emission, -Beverley following a good ten paces behind, and throwing the beam of -the Aldis lamp ahead in order to enable Villiers to make his way over -the rather rough ground, much of which consisted of "rotten" lava and -boulders of various sizes.</p> - -<p>Above the moan of the off-shore breeze they could hear the roar of -the surf. They had almost gained the other side of the island.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Villiers came to a halt. A precipice yawned at his feet. How -deep it was he was unable to see until his companion came up with the -light.</p> - -<p>"Be careful," he cautioned. "The edge is pretty soft. Hand me the -lamp and hang on to my feet."</p> - -<p>Possessing himself of the Aldis lamp, Villiers lay prone upon the -bare ground, while Bobby, hardly able to control his feelings, -gripped his companion's ankles.</p> - -<p>They were on the edge of a terraced cliff that rose a good eighty -feet above a shelving beach. Twenty yards from the base was Dick -Beverley.</p> - -<p>"You all right, Dick?" shouted his brother.</p> - -<p>"All right so far," was the reply. "Ankle's a bit sprained."</p> - -<p>"We'll soon be with you," rejoined Bobby reassuringly.</p> - -<p>It was easier said than done, for although there were five or six -natural terraces, the cliff looked formidable enough in the deflected -rays of the lamp.</p> - -<p>"Better wait till the moon rises, old bird," counselled Villiers. "It -won't be long now."</p> - -<p>"That won't help us much," objected Bobby. "We're on the west side of -the island, remember. How did you climb down, Dick?" he inquired, -raising his voice.</p> - -<p>"I didn't climb—I was pushed," answered Dick resentfully.</p> - -<p>Villiers swept the edge of the cliff with the powerful light. Away to -the right the land terminated in a low promontory certainly not more -than twenty feet in height and a good three hundred yards distant. To -the left the cliff rose still higher, terminating in a projecting -crag a full two hundred feet above the sea.</p> - -<p>"We'll be with you in half an hour," he shouted.</p> - -<p>"Right-o; no immediate hurry," replied Dick cheerfully, for knowing -that help was at hand his spirits rose accordingly.</p> - -<p>"What a ghastly spot," declared Beverley, as the men cautiously made -their way round in the direction of the shelving promontory. "Looks -as if there had been a volcanic eruption here not so very long ago."</p> - -<p>"Centuries ago, perhaps," replied Villiers. "Lack of vegetation -doesn't help us much to fix a date. I'd like to explore this show in -broad daylight."</p> - -<p>"We may have to," added Bobby. "How we are going to get that kid back -to the ship in the dark puzzles me. We'd possibly find ourselves -bushed."</p> - -<p>"It's a sad heart that never rejoices," quoted Jack. "Main thing is -we've found your brother. Sprained ankle's nothing. Wonder what he -meant when he said he was pushed? Look out—that's a nasty one."</p> - -<p>He pulled up just in time to avoid a deep and narrow fissure that ran -practically at right angles to the general trend of the cliffs.</p> - -<p>"We can scramble down that," decided Bobby, "and save a long detour."</p> - -<p>"And perhaps find ourselves stranded on the next terrace. I'm not -having any, old thing. If you want to indulge in a sprained ankle -just to show sympathy to your brother, then that's your funeral."</p> - -<p>Beverley saw the force of the argument.</p> - -<p>"Right-o," he replied simply; but it occurred to him that for once at -least the two chums were exchanging characteristics. He was usually -cautious, while Villiers was of a boisterous, go-ahead nature. Now -Villiers displayed caution, while he, Beverley, was decidedly -impulsive.</p> - -<p>"I'd do it like a shot," continued Jack, "if there were any pressing -necessity for it, but there isn't. Dick is in no immediate danger. If -we slipped then Harborough would have three useless people on his -hands. Stand by with that lamp."</p> - -<p>Guided by the beam of light Jack jumped the intervening gap, adroitly -caught the bulky apparatus, and waited until Bobby had safely crossed -the crevice.</p> - -<p>Beyond that point progress was comparatively simple, and presently -they found themselves on the sandy shore of the lagoon.</p> - -<p>"Let's see the extent of the damage, Dick," said his brother, when -the rescuers arrived at the shelving ground where the injured lad -lay.</p> - -<p>"Nothing much," declared Dick. "Ankle twisted. It's quite all right -when I don't move; when I do it gives me what-oh!"</p> - -<p>Bobby was busy wrapping handkerchiefs soaked in salt water round the -swollen limb.</p> - -<p>"Tell us what happened," he invited.</p> - -<p>"Not much to tell," replied Dick. "I got one pig all right, then I -thought I'd done enough in that line for the time being, so I started -to explore a bit. I was standing on the cliff up there when I heard a -terrific lot of grunting, and a big brute with a large pair of tusks -came charging this way. That spoilt the contract. Although I promised -not to shoot more than one pig I wasn't going to be charged by a -pocket edition of a rhinoceros."</p> - -<p>"It was a boar, perhaps," suggested Jack.</p> - -<p>"Might have been; it bore me over the top of the cliff, anyhow," -rejoined Dick, laughing at his own joke—a laugh that ended in a wry -face as a twitch of pain shot through the ankle. "I let rip at the -brute at ten paces, but I must have missed it. The next thing I -remember was being bowled over, rolling and bumping until I came to a -stop about here. Seen anything of my rifle, Bob?"</p> - -<p>"I'll look for it," said Villiers, again switching on the lamp.</p> - -<p>It was but a few paces to the foot of the lowermost cliff terrace. -Within a yard of the base, and lying in a slight depression of soft -ground, was the porker that was responsible for young Beverley's -present condition. It was stone dead. The .303 bullet had entered its -head just below the base of the skull and had emerged out of the -animal's hind-quarters.</p> - -<p>Close by was the rifle, apparently undamaged by its fall except that -the muzzle was choked with earth.</p> - -<p>Villiers returned and reported what he had found.</p> - -<p>"We ought to be making tracks," he observed. "The moon's up, although -she's still behind the palm trees. Harborough and the rest of the -crush ought to be on the war-path by this time. I'll try the signal -for recall, but I don't think it'll be of much use."</p> - -<p>He flashed the Aldis obliquely skywards, and Morsed a message to the -effect that everything was O.K.</p> - -<p>"Now for home!" he added. "Good four miles round by the shore, isn't -it?"</p> - -<p>"Better than risking a short cut inland," said Bobby. "We'll leave -the lamp here and fetch it later on. I'll carry Dick on my back."</p> - -<p>Lifting the patient on his brother's back was no easy task. It was -decidedly painful as far as Dick was concerned, but the lad kept a -stiff upper lip.</p> - -<p>Fortunately the hard sand afforded good going, but at the end of -twenty minutes Bobby was unfeignedly glad to transfer his burden to -Jack's broad shoulders.</p> - -<p>Upon rounding the north-eastern extremity of the island their path -was flooded with brilliant moonlight, for hitherto they had been in -the deep shadows cast by the beetling cliffs. On their right lay the -dense palm groves, the broad leaves waving in the light breeze; on -their left the placid waters of the lagoon, backed by the undulating -line of creamy foam that marked the ceaseless battle between the sea -and the coral reef.</p> - -<p>Bobby halted and raised one hand.</p> - -<p>"Hark!" he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>Above the dull roar of the surf and the gentle hush of the foliage -could be distinguished men's voices. Harborough and his party were -still searching.</p> - -<p>"Ahoy!" roared Jack. "That's done it," he added; "they've heard us."</p> - -<p>Five minutes later half a dozen of the <i>Titania's</i> crew, headed by -Harborough and with Pete bringing up the rear, arrived upon the -scene. The rest of the crew were roaming over the other side of the -island.</p> - -<p>"There's one thing," remarked Harborough in a low voice to Villiers, -"we shan't have our rest disturbed tomorrow night prowling around for -the youngster. I was afraid he had shot himself. What did he shoot, -by the by?"</p> - -<p>"Two pigs," replied Jack.</p> - -<p>"Hurrah, massa!" shouted Pete, who happened to overhear the -conversation. "Roast pork to-morrow!"</p> - -<p>"Right-o, Pete!" rejoined Villiers. "You can jolly well help to bring -in the meat."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter20"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XX</h3> -<h4 align="center">Up and Down</h4> - -<p>"All ready? Stand clear."</p> - -<p>With a deafening clatter the powerful little motor of the <i>Cormorant</i> -sea-plane fired, and the aluminium propeller revolved until it merged -into a dazzling circle of light.</p> - -<p>Slowly, but with increasing momentum, <span id="cor0004" class="corrected" title="[Original text: the compact air-craft begin to]">the compact air-craft began to</span> -skim along the placid surface of the lagoon, leaving a long and -ever-widening wake.</p> - -<p>It was the <i>Cormorant's</i> first ascent since the trial flight at the -works. The sea-plane's tanks were but half full in order that the -single seater might accommodate a passenger.</p> - -<p>Claverhouse, leather-helmeted and goggled, was at the joy-stick. -Behind him on a somewhat precarious perch strapped to one of the -struts was Trevear, armed with a camera.</p> - -<p>Originally it had been Harborough's intention to equip the two -sea-planes with a wireless-telephone outfit, but, further -consideration ended in the proposal's rejection on the grounds that -the practical results would not justify the initial outlay. The -application of aerial photography would be of great service in -locating the sunken <i>Fusi Yama</i>, and the view thus obtained would be -of a more or less permanent value. Reporting by wireless telephone -would have been satisfactory up to a certain point. There would not -have been the delay entailed in the use of photography with its -processes of developing and printing, but on the principle that the -camera cannot lie Harborough hoped for definite and important -results.</p> - -<p>There had been keen competition on the part of the <i>Titania's</i> crew -to "go up", but Harborough reminded the applicants that they were not -joy-riding at a couple of guineas a flight, and proceeded to whittle -down the aspirants for the part of aerial photographer, until -Trevear, the reserve pilot, was alone left in the running.</p> - -<p>Every available boat carried by the <i>Titania</i> was pressed into -service to act in conjunction with the seaplane. Fitted with -mark-buoys and sinkers, the boats paddled across the lagoon ready to -buoy the wreck if luck enabled the airmen to spot it.</p> - -<p>Ascending in wide spirals, the <i>Cormorant</i> rose to a height of two -thousand feet. At that altitude the <i>Titania</i> was dwarfed to the size -of a dingy, while the boats looked no bigger than pea-pods. The -greater part of the lagoon showed clearly through the water—a -pale-green unbroken expanse of sand fifteen to twenty fathoms beneath -the surface. Here and there were opaque ill-defined patches that -required careful investigation.</p> - -<p>For twenty minutes the flight continued, Claverhouse swinging the bus -to and fro in a succession of short turns, working methodically from -the entrance of the lagoon to the part where it almost joined the -island itself, while Trevear, with binoculars glued to his eyes, -carefully examined the floor of the broad sheet of tranquil water.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the observer ejaculated an exclamation of satisfaction and -jogged the pilot on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Got it!" he yelled, and grasped his camera.</p> - -<p>"Good enough for a record," he soliloquised, and, drawing a Verey -pistol from a rack, he proceeded to fire a green light.</p> - -<p>That was the signal for the boats to close. The motor-boat towing the -whaler and the gig approached the spot, the crews keeping a sharp -look-out for the signal that was to indicate that they were over -their unseen objective.</p> - -<p>It was a long task. With feelings of exasperation, Trevear watched -the boats pass wide of the mark over and over again, only to be -recalled and started on a fresh course by means of pre-arranged -signals from the Verey pistol.</p> - -<p>"There must be a current running round that point," thought Trevear. -"Every time they appear to be swept away. Ah! That's better; they've -discovered the same thing."</p> - -<p>He raised a pistol and waited while the boats approached the dark, -ill-defined patch on the edge of which lay something of -fairly-symmetrical shape.</p> - -<p>"Good enough!" exclaimed the observer, letting fly with three red -lights. "Bring her down, Alec!" he shouted.</p> - -<p>Claverhouse did so, vol-planing seawards in a steep, exhilarating -dive that proved that the master-hand of the ex-R.A.F. bomber had not -lost its cunning. Striking the surface with a double bump, the -<i>Cormorant</i> taxied in the direction of the boats, from which the -mark-buoys had already been dropped. They were now bobbing sedately -in an exaggerated curve over the site of the wreck.</p> - -<p>"Fifteen fathoms!" announced Harborough, as the sea-plane was taken -in tow. "We're in luck, if that is the wreck. I bargained for twenty -to twenty-five."</p> - -<p>"She's in a big patch of weeds," said Trevear, "and lying well over -on her bilge."</p> - -<p>"Weeds generally mean mud," remarked Harborough. "Awkward stuff to -work in. However, we're lucky to locate the wreck so quickly. By the -old-fashioned method of creeping and grappling we might have taken -weeks. Stand easy. We'll start diving-operations this afternoon."</p> - -<p>Accordingly, when the heat of the day showed signs of abating, the -diving-party proceeded to the spot. Swaine, clad in his diving-dress, -sat in the stern sheets nursing his copper helmet. As the outfit was -self-contained there was no necessity for the cumbersome air-pump and -pipe. A wire-rope ladder and a shot-line and distance-rope comprised -all the gear necessary for lowering from the boat.</p> - -<p>During the week that had elapsed since Dick's adventure, Jack -Villiers had been undergoing a diving-course. Already he had made -good progress under the experienced Swaine's supervision, and -although he had not yet reached a depth of fifteen fathoms he was -ready, if need were, to descend to his comrade's assistance should -anything go wrong.</p> - -<p>"You'll have to watch the current," observed Harborough, as the boat -swung to her anchor. "Better to work against it than with it on a job -like this."</p> - -<p>"Right-o, sir!" replied Swaine, as his assistant prepared to complete -the hermetically-sealing process by placing the copper helmet on his -head and screwing down the front and side plates.</p> - -<p>Encumbered with leaden-soled shoes, slabs of the same metal fixed to -his chest and back, and wearing his chemically-created air-reservoir -and a diver's electric lamp, Swaine was helped over the gunwale. -Awkwardly he descended the rope-ladder, till the water reached the -level of his shoulders. Then, raising his bare hand in a gesture of -farewell, he disappeared beneath the surface, leaving a trail of -air-bubbles to mark his descent.</p> - -<p>Swaine had declined to take the portable telephone with him on the -preliminary descent, objecting on the grounds that it would hamper -his movements. On the other hand, Harborough had strictly enjoined -him not to attempt to enter the hull of the wreck, but to content -himself with an examination of the hull and report upon its position -and condition.</p> - -<p>The moment the diver reached the bed of the lagoon all communication -with him was cut off. All he could do was to advance as near as -possible in a straight line, paying out his distance-rope as he -plodded through the ooze until he reached the wreck.</p> - -<p>The watchers in the boats could note the trail of air-bubbles as -Swaine walked away from the shot-rope. The bubbles were the only -indications of his presence and of the fact that the life-sustaining -apparatus was still working.</p> - -<p>"He's progressing against the current," observed Bobby Beverley.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps it's only a surface-current," rejoined Harborough. "If so, -so much the better. Sharks? No, I don't fancy they'll dare attack a -diver. They'd be more frightened than the man. An octopus is another -proposition. They are apt to be found in weed; but they don't grow to -any very large size in these parts."</p> - -<p>"If that's the wreck, sir," said Claverhouse, who, having seen the -<i>Cormorant</i> safely moored, had rejoined the boats, "it would be -better to get to her from the land, I think. She's within a hundred -yards of the beach, and, although the water deepens pretty quickly, a -diver ought to make his way up and down with very little trouble."</p> - -<p>"Good scheme, Claverhouse," replied Harborough approvingly. "We might -even rig up a semi-permanent guide-rope, and later on an endless line -for getting the stuff ashore."</p> - -<p>"He's returning, sir," announced Villiers, pointing to the line of -bubbles.</p> - -<p>"That's splendid," exclaimed Harborough.</p> - -<p>He could hardly conceal his impatience, for there were moments when -the generally-inscrutable features of the baronet did betray the -state of his mind, and this was one of them.</p> - -<p>The quivering of the rope-ladder under the influence of the current -gave place to a series of violent jerks. Swaine was ascending.</p> - -<p>"Trim the boat!" ordered Harborough, as the crew leant over the -gunwale from which the rope-ladder hung.</p> - -<p>It was a necessary caution, for in their eagerness to witness the -return of their comrade the men had put the gunwale dangerously low -down.</p> - -<p>At length the great copper helmet, showing green in the clear water, -came into view. Another twenty rungs and it appeared above the -surface.</p> - -<p>Waist deep, Swaine waited until the glass observation-discs in his -helmet were unscrewed. He was breathing heavily, and his red woollen -cap was damp with perspiration.</p> - -<p>"Well?" inquired Harborough. "Found it?"</p> - -<p>Swaine shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Found something," he replied, "but not the <i>Fusi Yama</i>."</p> - -<p>His gaze fell upon Claverhouse.</p> - -<p>"Say, Alec, dear old thing," he continued. "Weren't you the guy who -bombed a P-boat, in mistake for a Fritz submarine?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," admitted Claverhouse; "but I missed her, thank Heaven."</p> - -<p>"Next time you go up you'd better take me to spot for you," resumed -Swaine. "I guess I might be able to distinguish between the <i>Fusi -Yama</i> and a wooden two-decker. Fact, sir," he declared, replying to -Harborough's unspoken question. "It's the wreck of a frigate or -something of the sort. Couple of centuries old, I should imagine. -She's lying hard over on her starboard side. Amidships she's -practically broken in two. Her foremast is still standing, but the -main- and mizen-masts are half buried in the mud; water-logged and -held down by the weight of the metal-work, I suppose."</p> - -<p>"Didn't go on board?" asked Beverley.</p> - -<p>"Not much," replied Swaine emphatically. "Looked too jolly rotten to -my liking. I'd tackle it if I had a chum down with me."</p> - -<p>"However," broke in Harborough briskly, "since we are looking for the -<i>Fusi Yama</i>, investigations on the wooden vessel can wait. When will -you feel equal to another ascent, Claverhouse: to-morrow morning?"</p> - -<p>Alec looked up and noted the position of the sun. Oblique rays were -of little use, but for the next hour operations might be possible.</p> - -<p>"I'll go up at once, sir," he replied.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter21"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXI</h3> -<h4 align="center">A Good Night's Work</h4> - -<p>The <i>Cormorant</i> sea-plane flew for the best part of an hour, covering -practically every square yard of the lagoon, and it was not until the -sandy bottom began to grow dim in the increasingly-slanting rays of -the sun that Claverhouse and Trevear came down.</p> - -<p>"Not a sign, sir," replied Trevear. "We could see the wreck of the -frigate plainly enough. There are a couple of foul patches, one a -little to the south-west of the entrance to the lagoon, and another -off the south-eastern point of the island. The <i>Fusi Yama</i> might be -lying on the weeds on one of them."</p> - -<p>"I don't think so," replied Harborough. "In his yarn Williams -mentioned that the German cruiser towed her prize into the lagoon and -ported helm when she got inside. So I take it that the object of our -search lies northward of a line drawn between the entrance and our -shore-station."</p> - -<p>"We'll tackle it again to-morrow morning," said Claverhouse. "A -little after eleven o'clock is the best time."</p> - -<p>"Very good," agreed Harborough. "We'll rig awnings on the boats, and -that will give us a chance during the heat of the day."</p> - -<p>Dick Beverley was tremendously excited over the news of the discovery -of the frigate. It appealed to him almost as much as if the <i>Fusi -Yama</i> had been located.</p> - -<p>"Think my ankle will be well enough for me to go afloat, Bob?" he -asked that evening, just as Bobby was "turning in".</p> - -<p>"That's for you to say," replied his brother. "It's your ankle, not -mine."</p> - -<p>"I felt fit to get about yesterday," declared Dick, "only the skipper -wouldn't let me get out of my bunk. Do you think Swaine will let me -have a diving-dress and go down? It must be frightfully exciting."</p> - -<p>"You'd better ask him," replied Bobby diplomatically.</p> - -<p>"What was she like?" asked Dick. "The frigate, I mean."</p> - -<p>"Smothered in seaweed, and as rotten as a ripe pear."</p> - -<p>"And yet Trevear saw her lying on the mud and weed," said Dick -thoughtfully. "I suppose the two vessels weren't lying close -together?"</p> - -<p>"By Jove, Dick!" exclaimed his brother. "That looks like business. -Well, good-night. I'll speak to Harborough to-morrow, and see if -he'll let you go in one of the boats."</p> - -<p>Bobby altered his plans. Instead of "turning in"—he had been -sleeping on board the <i>Titania</i> since his brother's accident—he went -on deck and dropped into the skiff dinghy, which was lying at the -lower boom. Then, taking to the oars, he rowed silently towards the -shore.</p> - -<p>It was a calm, moonless night. Overhead the stars blazed like points -of fire, their reflections scintillating on the smooth surface of the -lagoon.</p> - -<p>He landed on the coral beach, dug the fluke of the boat's anchor -firmly into the ground, and made his way toward the encampment. A -hurricane-lamp was still burning in the tent shared by Claverhouse, -Trevear, and Swaine.</p> - -<p>"Hallo!" exclaimed the former in some surprise. "What brings you -ashore this time o' night?"</p> - -<p>"Shop, old bird," replied Bobby.</p> - -<p>"Let rip, then," rejoined Alec, in mock tones of resignation. -"Thought, perhaps, you came to borrow my safety-razor."</p> - -<p>"You two fellows both saw the wreck, I suppose," said Beverley, -addressing the airmen. "What shape did it appear like?"</p> - -<p>"Where's a pencil?" inquired Trevear, fumbling in the breast-pocket -of his white drill tunic. "Right-o. Paper's scarce in this part of -the world, so I'll sketch it on the table. There you are."</p> - -<p>"Yes; that's like it," agreed Alec.</p> - -<p>"You've drawn the plan of a boat," continued Bobby. "Swaine swears -she's lying on her beam ends."</p> - -<p>"So she is," declared the diving-expert.</p> - -<p>"You didn't go round her, did you?" asked Beverley.</p> - -<p>"Not much use," he answered. "I could see she wasn't the <i>Fusi Yama</i>, -and there was a pretty stiff current setting round the bows and -stern. I was glad to use her as a sort of breakwater."</p> - -<p>"Pity you hadn't carried on round," resumed Bobby; "lying on her beam -ends with a broken back, she wouldn't present such a profile as -Trevear has drawn. I believe—and Dick put me on to the wheeze—that -the <i>Fusi Yama</i> is lying fairly close alongside and nearer inshore."</p> - -<p>"By Jove, Beverley!" exclaimed the three men in chorus.</p> - -<p>"Hope you're right," added Trevear, anxious to restore his lost -prestige as an aerial observer.</p> - -<p>"Game to have another shot at it to-night?" inquired Swaine, -beginning to pull on his rubber boots.</p> - -<p>"Surely you're not going to dive again to-night?" asked Claverhouse.</p> - -<p>"If it comes to that," said Swaine, "it makes very little difference -whether it's night or day at that depth and in muddy water. But what -I propose doing is putting off in a boat and taking soundings. Is -there a lead-line in the dinghy, old thing?"</p> - -<p>"What are you fellows doing kicking up such a deuce of a row at this -time of night?" inquired a gruff voice. "Go to bed, and get your -beauty sleep, you noisy blighters."</p> - -<p>Griffiths, blinking in the light, had shoved his head and shoulders -through the tent-flap.</p> - -<p>"Just the man we want, soldier!" exclaimed Beverley. "A little -practice at rowing a dinghy, you know."</p> - -<p>"Not in these trousers," protested the ex-Engineer officer, -displaying a leg clad in pyjamas of variegated hues. "What's the -move? Are you fellows trying to camouflage a nocturnal bridge-party?"</p> - -<p>"At him, lads!" exclaimed Swaine, and the four hurled themselves upon -the interloper. In spite of his desperate resistance Griffiths was -dragged into the tent, and while Beverley sat on his chest the others -rammed a pair of rubber boots on his feet and a sou'-wester on his -head.</p> - -<p>"Kamerad!" exclaimed Griffiths. "Chuck it! I'll fall in with your -rotten scheme, whatever it is."</p> - -<p>By this time the commotion had aroused the remainder of the -shore-party, and to them the nature of the proposed expedition was -explained.</p> - -<p>"Right-o!" said Vivian. "We'll launch the cutter and have a moonlight -trip, only there isn't any moon."</p> - -<p>Eleven men put off from the beach, four in the skiff-dinghy, the rest -in the cutter. Expectations ran high, and everyone was in good -spirits.</p> - -<p>"Not so much noise there," cautioned Beverley, "or you'll wake the -Old Man."</p> - -<p>"We'll wake him right enough, if we find the ship," rejoined Swaine. -"Port helm a bit, Bobby; I can see the mark-buoys."</p> - -<p>The first cast of the lead gave fifteen and a half fathoms. Working -shorewards, they found, contrary to their expectations, that the -lagoon grew deeper, the soundings increasing to seventeen. Then, -without warning, the depth decreased to eight.</p> - -<p>"Lower a small grapnel," suggested Swaine. "Bend a stout line to it, -and we may drag up something."</p> - -<p>This they did, and very soon the barbed point of the grapnel engaged.</p> - -<p>"Something pretty tough," declared Bobby, as the transom of the -dinghy was drawn almost level with the water under the efforts of her -crew of four, "We've lost that grapnel."</p> - -<p>"In a good cause," added Claverhouse.</p> - -<p>"We'll get the cutter to bear a hand at hauling it up," continued -Bobby.</p> - -<p>For some minutes it seemed as if the united strength of eleven strong -men was of no avail. The cutter, in spite of her relatively greater -buoyancy, was well down aft under the terrific strain.</p> - -<p>"Belay and go for'ard," ordered Beverley.</p> - -<p>The eleven men were crowded uncomfortably in the fore part of the -cutter when suddenly the strain on the grapnel relaxed. The boats' -bows dipped. Volumes of water poured in over her bows and under she -went, leaving her crew struggling to clear each other.</p> - -<p>Almost before the men in the dinghy could grasp the situation -properly, there was a terrific swirl in the water and a large -greenish-white object shot up to the surface.</p> - -<p>It was a ship's boat, green with weed. Its copper air-tanks still -retained their buoyancy, and the additional strain imparted by the -grapnel had wrenched the boat from the lashings that secured it to -the chocks. Fortunately, in its violent ascent to the surface the -boat missed the evicted crew of the cutter.</p> - -<p>The water was warm and there were no sharks about, or if there were -the unusual splashing had scared them off. The cutter, being provided -with air-compartments, floated with her gunwale a couple of inches -above the surface, so that with the aid of a brace of buckets and a -baler the water was soon thrown out and the men regained their craft.</p> - -<p>This done the dinghy and the cutter started in pursuit of the unknown -boat, which, in the grip of the current, was drifting towards the -entrance to the lagoon.</p> - -<p>Holding on to the "horse" of the recovered boat, Beverley scraped the -slimy deposit of weed from a portion of the transom. Underneath, in -faded letters that were still legible, was painted the name <i>Fusi -Yama</i>.</p> - -<p>"Good enough!" declared Bobby triumphantly. "Let her go. I don't -think she'll drift out of the lagoon. If she does, it is of little -consequence. Now, you blighters, pull for the <i>Titania</i>."</p> - -<p>The rest of the proceedings savoured of a "glorious rag", for on -making fast alongside the yacht the crews began shouting, firing -Verey lights, beating suspended brass crutches, banging tin balers -with stretchers, and raising pandemonium generally.</p> - -<p>In the midst of the hubbub Harborough and Villiers came on deck, just -as Swaine, forestalling his comrades, was sounding a terrific tocsin -on the <i>Titania's</i> bell.</p> - -<p>"What the——" began Harborough.</p> - -<p>"We've come off to splice the main-brace, sir," shouted Beverley.</p> - -<p>"Have you?" rejoined the baronet. "For what reason?"</p> - -<p>The answer, issuing simultaneously from a dozen lusty throats, was -unanimous and emphatic:</p> - -<p>"We've found the <i>Fusi Yama</i>!"</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter22"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXII</h3> -<h4 align="center">Von Giespert hears News</h4> - -<p>"Gott in Himmel!" exclaimed Kaspar von Giespert. "Don't say that -you've had no luck."</p> - -<p>"Ach, Herr Kapitan," replied Strauss, in the tone of a man repeating -a venerable formula, "no luck at all."</p> - -<p>For fifteen evenings almost the same exchange of words had taken -place. For fifteen days, without respite, even when the sun was -directly overhead, the crew of the <i>Zug</i> had laboured, at first with -a remarkable display of energy, in their efforts to locate the wreck -of the <i>Fusi Yama</i> in the lagoon of Ni Telang. Almost every square -yard of the enclosed sheet of water had been swept by means of drags, -grapnels, and bighted ropes. Divers had gone down whenever any -obstruction had given rise to the hope that the object of the quest -had been found, only to ascend with the disconcerting report that the -grapnel had fouled a lump of coral rock.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert took very little active part in the operations. He was -content to leave the "donkey work" to Strauss, and spent most of the -day living in a hammock-chair under double awnings.</p> - -<p>He had counted upon finding the wreck with the minimum of trouble. As -the days passed and Harborough's time-limit grew nearer, von Giespert -began to feel anxious, and anxiety soon began to give place to -feelings of desperation.</p> - -<p>Up to a certain point the rough chart, which Harborough had purposely -allowed his rivals to filch, had proved accurate. To a certain extent -it would have served equally well for Ni Telang or Nua Leha, for in -either case there was a strong geographical resemblance between the -two lagoons, their entrances, and the islands themselves, even to the -triple peaks. The latitude and longitude of the former island as -stated on the chart agreed to a second with the results of von -Giespert's readings of the sextant and chronometer. The only flaw—a -very important one—was the fact that the wreck obstinately refused -to allow itself to be found.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert often wondered what the "schweinhund Englander" was -doing. Self-complacently he pictured his rival going south and -putting into Brisbane or some other Australian port to kill time -until, according to the mutual agreement, Harborough would return and -claim the right to search the lagoon of Ni Telang. It was only in the -earlier stages of the operations that the German was self-satisfied. -He firmly believed that by the time the <i>Titania</i> put in an -appearance the gold would be safe in the strong-room of the <i>Zug</i>. -Now he was not feeling so optimistic about it. On the contrary, he -was the victim of jumpiness, which did not improve his temper.</p> - -<p>The men, too, were showing signs of unrest. Strauss was a hard -taskmaster. He drove but he could not lead; his education as a ruler -of men missed one important fact: to get men to work properly it is -essential that they should be well fed. On board the <i>Zug</i> the -provisioning arrangements were far from good. Had von Giespert given -one tenth of the time he had lavished upon the mechanical and -scientific appliances on board the <i>Zug</i> to the personal comfort of -the crew, much of the trouble that subsequently occurred might have -been avoided.</p> - -<p>"What report have you to make?" asked von Giespert, in continuance of -his previous question.</p> - -<p>"We worked northward of a line east of point G for a distance of -seven hundred metres," replied Strauss. "That practically covers the -whole of the lagoon where there is a depth of five metres or more."</p> - -<p>"Then the lagoon has been twice examined?"</p> - -<p>"Twice—carefully," said Strauss with conviction. "Schrang made three -descents; Woeber, two. In every case it was rock."</p> - -<p>"But the wreck must be somewhere here," exclaimed von Giespert -petulantly, embracing the greater part of the lagoon with a swirl of -his jewelled fingers. "The men must have been careless. To-morrow let -them start it again."</p> - -<p>It was an easy thing to say, but even Strauss foresaw difficulties in -carrying out the order.</p> - -<p>"There is another matter, Herr Kapitan," he said. "We are getting -short of water. The only spring we have found on the island has -failed. It was but a small one. I put two hands on the task of -sinking a well, but they found no water at four metres. The -conden——"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know all about the condensers," interrupted von Giespert -irritably, and since it was his fault that the work of repairing them -had not been undertaken at Batavia—the last port they touched where -work of that kind could be performed—his subordinate's reference to -the faulty apparatus was unwelcome.</p> - -<p>"I would suggest," continued Strauss, finding boldness in the fact -that he, too, was experiencing inconvenience from the shortage of -drinking-water, "that four of the hands take the whaler and run -across to the island where we lay when the English vessel discovered -us. There is water in abundance. We could get three small tanks into -the boat, and the men could fill them by means of barricoes."</p> - -<p>"Very well," agreed von Giespert. "Pick four men who can best be -spared. How is the glass?"</p> - -<p>"Steady, Herr Kapitan."</p> - -<p>"I suppose there is a possibility of the numskulls missing the island -entirely? If so, we shall lose a valuable boat."</p> - -<p>"I can give them the compass course. It is usually a favourable wind -both ways," said Strauss reassuringly. "All being well, they ought to -be back in a couple of days."</p> - -<p>"Send them," rejoined von Giespert curtly; then in an undertone he -added: "It was a happy thought when I laid in that stock of Pilsener -at Batavia, Herr Strauss. Shall we split a bottle now?"</p> - -<p>At daybreak the whaler set off on its voyage to Nua Leha. Barely were -the boat's sails out of sight when one of the Huns who had been -employed ashore came off with the news that he had discovered an -ample supply of water.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert showed no signs of thankfulness at the intelligence. -Instead, he cursed the man for not finding the spring earlier, and -upbraided Strauss for sending away the whaler on an unnecessary -errand.</p> - -<p>For the greater part of the day the sweeping-operations were resumed, -the men working sullenly and taking advantage of every opportunity to -skulk. About three in the afternoon one of the grapnels fouled -something, and a diver descended to examine and report upon the -nature of the obstruction.</p> - -<p>He came to the surface with the information that the grapnel had -caught in the fluke of a large stockless anchor to which was shackled -a heavy studded chain. He had traced the latter for a distance of ten -metres, at which point it had sunk deeply into the ooze.</p> - -<p>This was the one promising incident of the fortnight's operations. -Von Giespert, shaking off his lethargy, showed tremendous interest in -the find.</p> - -<p>"They would, of course, have anchored the prize before they scuttled -her, Strauss," he observed, "or she might have drifted into very -shoal water. Tell that fool of a diver to go down again. What's the -use of half doing a job? If he takes a crowbar with him he can trace -the whole length of the cable, even if it is under mud."</p> - -<p>While the diver was engaged upon his task von Giespert departed from -his usual routine by getting out of his hammock-chair and going to -the rail, from whence he could watch the operations.</p> - -<p>When, after an interval of forty minutes, the man reappeared, von -Giespert hailed a boat to fetch him off. Into this he jumped, not -waiting until it was alongside the accommodation-ladder, and ordered -the rowers to pull their hardest.</p> - -<p>The report was a most disappointing one. The diver had succeeded in -finding the free end of the cable. There were only four links buried -in the mud. In order to confirm his statement he had bent a rope to -the last link and had brought the line up with him.</p> - -<p>That evening von Giespert was a prey to alternate hopes and fears. He -upbraided Strauss when the latter suggested that the anchor might -have belonged to a vessel that had put into the lagoon and had either -parted or had been compelled to slip her cable; and he raved -incoherently when Strauss hinted that the British or the Australian -Government might have already recovered the treasure and blown up the -wreck.</p> - -<p>Ten hours after the time of her expected arrival the whaler returned -from Nua Leha, deeply laden with water obtained at considerable risk -and by dint of hard work.</p> - -<p>"We have found the English ship, <i>Titania</i>, Herr Kapitan," reported -the man in charge of the watering-party.</p> - -<p>"Where?" demanded von Giespert.</p> - -<p>"At the island where we were sent to get water, Herr Kapitan."</p> - -<p>"What is she doing there?" demanded von Giespert.</p> - -<p>"She was lying at anchor in the lagoon, Herr Kapitan. All her boats -were out, and they had buoys placed round a certain spot."</p> - -<p>Von Giespert uttered a round oath.</p> - -<p>"Did they see you?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"No, Herr Kapitan," replied the man. "We thought it best to be -prudent, so directly we sighted the vessel we rowed away and landed -on the opposite side of the island. There was water there——"</p> - -<p>"Never mind about the water," interrupted the owner of the <i>Zug</i>. "Is -that all you saw?"</p> - -<p>"We made our way round the island and climbed a hill overlooking the -lagoon. Max had his glasses with him. They were diving for something. -On the beach were tents and huts, and a pile of boxes. Early next -morning we went there again, but the Englishmen were ashore playing -cricket. So we did not stop, but filled up with water and set sail. -The breeze fell light on our way back——"</p> - -<p>Von Giespert asked several more questions, then curtly dismissed the -man.</p> - -<p>"Come to my cabin, Strauss," he said abruptly.</p> - -<p>Behind locked doors the two Huns discussed the disconcerting news.</p> - -<p>"Huts, tents, and diving in the lagoon," quoted von Giespert. "It's -quite certain that Harborough is not killing time there. He's tricked -us—tricked us, Strauss."</p> - -<p>"It looks like it, Herr Kapitan," remarked his second in command. "He -must have known when he lured us here."</p> - -<p>For once von Giespert accepted his subordinate's suggestion without -either flatly contradicting or scoffing at him.</p> - -<p>"That cursed Englishman has been grossly deceiving me," he exclaimed. -"It is a breach of good faith, but I'll be quits with him yet."</p> - -<p>It was a typically German and consequently one-sided view to take. -Not for one moment did von Giespert consider that he had not -hesitated to employ underhand methods beside which Harborough's ruse -was simple in the extreme. The Hun had commenced operations by -stealing what he took to be the genuine charts and plans; he had not -hesitated to employ physical force in his attempts to cripple the -British expedition, and now, like a boomerang, his villainy had come -back upon himself. His mind was filled with feelings of rage at the -fact that his rival had scored heavily.</p> - -<p>"What do you propose to do, Herr Kapitan?" asked Strauss, after the -climax of his employer's temper had been passed.</p> - -<p>"Do?" exclaimed von Giespert. "Something desperate. I will stick at -nothing. Listen; how will this do?"</p> - -<p>His subordinate's eyes gleamed as he listened to the hastily-outlined -scheme.</p> - -<p>"It is indeed colossal, Herr von Giespert," declared Strauss, his -sense of proportion swept away by the magnitude of his employer's -powers of imagination. "Carried out in its entirety it will be simply -perfection."</p> - -<p>"It will be," agreed von Giespert grimly. "We must see to that."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter23"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXIII</h3> -<h4 align="center">Eureka!</h4> - -<p>"That young brother of yours has his head screwed on the right way, -Beverley," observed Harborough in his blunt way, when he heard of the -conversation that led to the nocturnal discovery of the -treasure-ship. "Jolly good thing we brought him along. We might have -been groping for the wreck for weeks."</p> - -<p>"I suppose it is the <i>Fusi Yama</i>," said Bobby.</p> - -<p>"Of course," declared Harborough emphatically. "The boat we fished up -proves that." He glanced at his watch. "In another hour and a half -we'll put a half-Nelson on the last remaining doubts."</p> - -<p>It was just before the breakfast-hour on the morning following the -eventful night. The crew of the <i>Titania</i>, in spite of a somewhat -boisterous demonstration that lasted till the small hours of the -morning, were up and ready to resume operations.</p> - -<p>For the preliminary diving-work it was arranged that a descent should -be made from one of the boats as before; then, the shoal water -surrounding the wreck having been surveyed, a guide-rope could be -paid out between the <i>Fusi Yama</i> and the beach, in accordance with -Claverhouse's suggestion.</p> - -<p>At seven and a half fathoms Swaine found himself on the poop of the -submerged vessel. There was enough natural light at that depth to -enable him to dispense with his electric lamp. Objects on her deck, -which was fairly well preserved in spite of a lapse of five years, -were readily discernable, but over the sides of the ship the water, -thick with sand and mud, was as black as ink.</p> - -<p>He made his way for'ard with the utmost caution, lest a rotten patch -in the deck should let him down into the cavernous depths below. -Everything of a portable nature had vanished from the deck, even the -bridge and charthouse, badly damaged by shell-fire from the German -cruiser, had gone, save for a few twisted steel girders. The jagged -stumps of the masts and the base of the funnel remained, while held -in a grotesque inverted position from the davits were three boats -similar to the one that the grapnel had brought to the surface. The -hatches of the two cargo-holds had been removed, but whether by the -prize-crew or by the action of the water Swaine could not determine. -As he placed one leaden-shod foot upon the steel coaming and peered -into the opaque depths of one of the holds, Swaine felt himself -wondering what secrets that abyss held, and whether he would be -successful in his efforts to prise the treasure from the keeping of -the sea.</p> - -<p>Although he had carefully studied the plans of the scuttled ship, and -knew the details of her internal arrangements by heart, Swaine made -no attempt to go below. For the present his object was to examine and -report upon the position and condition of the vessel, and the best -means of getting at the valuable contents of the strong-room which, -according to the plans, was on the main deck just abaft the after -bulkhead of the engine-room.</p> - -<p>As he neared the fore part of the ship Swaine felt his progress -sensibly retarded. A part of the current that he knew from previous -experience set past the two wrecks had been diverted and was sweeping -diagonally across the fo'c'sle of the <i>Fusi Yama</i>, with a velocity of -from one to two miles an hour. Right aft the current was hardly -perceptible as far as the deck was concerned, but over the side the -steady ripple of running water, although inaudible, was apparent by -the drifting pieces of weed and kelp.</p> - -<p>Leaving one end of a rope made fast to a bollard, Swaine came to the -surface and made his report. One of the boats then pulled to the -beach, paying out the line as it went. By eleven o'clock in the -morning a "distance-rope" was in position between the <i>Fusi Yama</i> and -the shore.</p> - -<p>In the afternoon Swaine paid another visit to the wreck, this time -entering the water from the beach and following the tautened rope. -For half the distance his progress was fairly rapid, judging from the -diver's point of view, but towards the latter end of his submarine -walk he experienced considerable difficulty from the cross-current, -having, in fact, to hold on tightly to prevent himself being swept -away.</p> - -<p>Close alongside the wreck, which he noticed had already sunk to her -bilge-keels in the sand and mud, the current was hardly apparent, -being deflected by the flare of the vessel's bows.</p> - -<p>Examination by the aid of the portable electric lamp revealed no -signs of the hull having been damaged by internal explosion. -Evidently the Huns effected the scuttling by opening the sea-cocks.</p> - -<p>Clambering on board—a fairly-easy task owing to the buoyancy of the -diving-dress, which, notwithstanding leaden weights, was only a few -pounds heavier than the water it displaced—Swaine made his way down -the main companion-ladder.</p> - -<p>'Tween decks a weird sight presented itself. Within the limits of the -rays of the lamp he could see wooden articles of various descriptions -pinned up against the ceilings. Other objects, heavier than water, -lay about the deck, all covered with a slimy marine growth.</p> - -<p>Progressing, he made his way to the strong-room. The massive door was -partly open. There were indications that the complicated locks had -been blown open by powerful explosives, but a temporary fastening, -consisting of a steel bar secured by a large brass padlock, prevented -the diver from ascertaining the nature of the contents of the room.</p> - -<p>He returned to the shore by the same way, to find his comrades -anxiously awaiting him.</p> - -<p>"I've found the strong-room," were his first words.</p> - -<p>"Empty?" inquired half a dozen voices eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Couldn't say," replied Swaine. "I think not, otherwise the Huns -wouldn't have troubled to padlock it."</p> - -<p>"Let's hope you're right," said Harborough. "They went off in a -hurry, I understand, and the gold was stated to have been left on -board."</p> - -<p>"At any rate, sir, they had time to open the sea-cocks, and not blow -her bilges out," continued Swaine.</p> - -<p>"Teutonic thoroughness," explained the baronet; "they were in a -hurry, with Australian and Jap. cruisers at their heels, but there -was time to scuttle her methodically. They evidently hoped to raise -her after the war."</p> - -<p>"Pity we couldn't," observed Villiers. "It would save a lot of -trouble in the long run."</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately, that is an experienced Salvage Company's work," -rejoined Harborough. "It would mean either filling her with -air-cylinders or else building a coffer-dam round her and pumping the -water out. We know our capabilities, and we won't begin cutting into -other fellow's jobs, so we'll just carry on."</p> - -<p>During the next day an electric submarine-lamp was lowered into the -hull of the wreck, the current being supplied by a dynamo worked off -the shaft of the motor-launch; while electrically-operated drills -were sent below ready to commence the task of opening the door of the -strong-room.</p> - -<p>The work continued in almost perfect weather, the extreme heat of the -day being tempered by a soft breeze. Lassitude, one of the drawbacks -of the tropics, was unknown, so bracing were the sea-breezes. Even -after a day's toil the men felt so full of energy that they indulged -in games of cricket, making rough and ready bats from pieces of -plank, and balls fashioned of rope-yarn and junk bound with -seaming-twine.</p> - -<p>"Think I'm up to scratch now, old thing?" inquired Villiers, after -half an hour's diving-practice.</p> - -<p>"Not much doubt about it," replied Swaine. "You've put in five hours -altogether. You can have a shot at the wreck to-morrow."</p> - -<p>Jack Villiers had indeed made good progress as a diver. -Constitutionally fitted, and possessing a steady nerve, he soon -mastered the relatively-simple "gadgets" that made the self-contained -diving-dress admittedly superior to that of the older type, in which -the diver is hampered by life-line and air-tube. In a case of -emergency the diver could blow himself to the surface by liberating a -quantity of compressed air from a strong metal cylinder strapped -immediately beneath the air-reservoir. The compressed air would then -distend the outer fabric of the diving-suit without interfering with -the wearer's breathing, with the result that the man would rise to -the surface, his leaden sinkers notwithstanding.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, upon the next descent to the wreck Swaine did not go -alone. Close on his heels followed Villiers, keeping a firm hold on -the rope that led from the shore to the hull of the <i>Fusi Yama</i>.</p> - -<p>With little difficulty the two divers found themselves outside the -strong-room door. The space between decks, lighted by the electric -submarine-lamp, was shorn of most of its uncanniness by the powerful -rays, but a number of fish, attracted by the glare, were swimming to -and fro, sometimes butting blindly against the glass fronts of the -men's helmets.</p> - -<p>Villiers was thankful that none of the fish was of a dangerous -variety. They looked hideous enough, magnified by the water. There -were some with formidable-looking spines, others resembling skate -with ferocious, underhung jaws, some that looked like conger-eels, -and one with a razor-backed body, who persisted in rubbing against -Villier's bare hands until Jack drew a knife and settled it with the -awkward customer. But, he was thankful to observe, sharks, -sword-fish, and cuttle-fish were not in evidence.</p> - -<p>Both men set to work first to clear away the imprisoned and floating -debris. Broken deck-chairs, life-belts with rotten canvas coverings, -wooden buckets, and other articles that still retained their buoyancy -were dragged to the companion-hatchway and liberated. This done, the -doors were drawn together and lashed, leaving room for the -electric-light cable leads to pass through the aperture. By so doing -the divers had rendered themselves secure from roaming tigers of the -deep.</p> - -<p>The steel bar on the door of the strong-room was a formidable affair. -Even by the aid of the electric drills, the metal was only cut -through to the depth of an inch when Swaine gave the signal to knock -off and return to the beach.</p> - -<p>One hour and twenty minutes had elapsed, and another forty minutes -represented the total period during which a man could remain -submerged before his air-supply became impure.</p> - -<p>"Slow progress," reported Swaine, on their return. "With luck we -ought to cut through that jolly old bar in a couple of hours. How did -you like the job, Jack?"</p> - -<p>"Not so dusty," replied Villiers guardedly.</p> - -<p>"That is an obvious statement," rejoined his fellow-worker. "We -certainly weren't working in a dust-laden atmosphere. By Jove, I am -hungry! What's going, Pete?"</p> - -<p>"Taro and pork-pie, sah," replied the cook, whereupon all the others -laughed, for that sort of pie had become part of the daily routine.</p> - -<p>"Keen on carrying on, Jack?" inquired Swaine, when, having partaken -of a substantial meal, all hands were resting and enjoying a smoke.</p> - -<p>"Rather," replied Villiers emphatically. "I'm anxious to see the -other side of that strong-room door."</p> - -<p>"Come on, then," continued Swaine, knocking out his pipe on the heel -of his boot. "Now, then, fall in, the divers' attendants. There's no -need to stand there hanging on to the slack. Slap it about."</p> - -<p>With increased confidence Villiers plunged into the water, following -his chum. At a pre-arranged signal the electric submarine-lamp was -switched on and the companion-doors closed.</p> - -<p>Alternately holding the electric drill, the two divers resumed their -attack upon the steel bar, until Swaine gave the signal to desist. -Then pointing to a heavy sledge hammer, he motioned to Villiers to -give the <i>coup de grâce</i>.</p> - -<p>It looked a simple task to break the almost severed bar. The hammer, -weighing fourteen pounds in air, seemed ridiculously light, but when -Villiers tried to swing it, the result surprised him. He had not -calculated the resistance of the water.</p> - -<p>At the third attempt Jack laid the hammer down in disgust, then -picking up a crow-bar he applied the wedge-shaped end to the bar and -bore down with all his weight, planting one leaden-soled boot against -the door to give greater leverage.</p> - -<p>The steel bar gave. Villiers found himself deposited gently on his -back. Agreeably surprised that he hadn't fallen violently, he -realized that the resistance of the water that had rendered the -hammer-blows almost useless had also let him down softly.</p> - -<p>It took him some moments to regain a vertical position. He could see -his companion grinning at him through the plate-glass front of his -helmet. Then almost the next instant he became aware that he could -not keep contact with the floor but was rising through the water. -Inadvertently, in his struggles he had opened the release-valve to -the compressed-air reservoir, and but for the intervening roof he -would have been well on his way to the surface.</p> - -<p>It had taken place so quickly that Swaine had no chance to come to -the luckless diver's assistance, while most of the compressed air had -found its way into Villier's diving-dress. By the time Swaine -succeeded in closing the valve Jack was pinned pretty firmly against -the ceiling.</p> - -<p>Vainly he strove, by pushing against the roof, to force himself down. -A mild panic seized him. He struggled so violently that he rasped the -skin from the knuckles of his bare hands.</p> - -<p>Raising one arm and securing a grip on Villier's gorget, Swaine -pulled himself up until the metal of his helmet was in contact with -that of his companion's. By this means he could shout and be -understood.</p> - -<p>"Don't struggle," urged Swaine. "I'll get you out if you don't. Quite -simple."</p> - -<p>Making his way to the companion-ladder, Swaine opened the double -doors, then, by dint of an acrobatic feat that would have been -impossible to perform in air, he dragged the buoyant, distended form -of his companion to the opening.</p> - -<p>Given a final push to speed him on his way, Villiers shot like an -arrow to the surface. The sudden change of pressure wellnigh deprived -him of his senses, but he was just conscious of floating face -uppermost on the surface within a few feet of the motor-boat that -supplied the electric current to the interior of the wreck.</p> - -<p>Great was Beverley's consternation when he saw one of the divers -blown to the surface. Bobby had been having an easy task of standing -by attending at intervals to the motor, when the inflated -diving-dress, and its unrecognizable occupant, suddenly emerged -alongside.</p> - -<p>By the aid of a boat-hook Villiers was brought within hand's reach, -but the task of getting him on board had yet to be tackled.</p> - -<p>Assisted by O'Loghlin, Griffiths, and Bell, Beverley passed a couple -of ropes round the distended diving-dress and carefully, yet -unceremoniously, parbuckled Jack into safety, although the boat -dipped until her waterways were awash.</p> - -<p>"All right, Villiers, old thing?" inquired Beverley anxiously, when -the first of the glass plates of the helmet was unscrewed.</p> - -<p>"Yes—I think so," replied Jack in a voice he hardly recognized as -his own. "I'll explain later."</p> - -<p>"And Swaine?"</p> - -<p>"Quite O.K.," declared Villiers emphatically.</p> - -<p>Willing hands divested him of his cumbersome diving-dress, and, a -boat having put off from the shore, Jack was transhipped and taken to -the camp.</p> - -<p>"Nothing to worry about," reported Beverley, in answer to eager -inquiries. "Let him alone, and don't worry him with questions. Hallo! -here's Swaine." Swaine, having come ashore by the usual way of -following the rope, had arrived in shoal water unwelcomed by anyone. -Finding that there was no one to assist him, he trudged above -high-water mark and sat down, looking a hideously-grotesque figure.</p> - -<p>Harborough and two or three others hurried to him.</p> - -<p>"Villiers all right?" were his first words.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Sir Hugh. "What happened?"</p> - -<p>"Happened?" repeated Swaine, with a chuckle. "He wrenched open the -door, and the result so astonished him that he went up, leaving me to -find the gold. It's there, right enough."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter24"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXIV</h3> -<h4 align="center">The Hurricane</h4> - -<p>"Hanged if I like the look of things," commented Beverley. "The glass -has fallen six-tenths in the last two hours, and the sunset looks -like a blurr of pea-soup. We're in for something before morning."</p> - -<p>It was the evening of Villier's unpleasant experience and the -discovery of the <i>Fusi Yama</i> gold. Work on the wreck had been -suspended for the rest of the day, although Jack pluckily volunteered -to make another descent with Swaine, and to begin the actual salvage -of the treasure. This proposal Harborough had negatived. He believed -in moderation.</p> - -<p>"No use putting in one and a half working days in one if it takes two -days to get over it," he remarked. "I don't believe in making spurts -until I'm on the last lap."</p> - -<p>Merridew, who was officer of the watch on shore, agreed with -Beverley's observations about the sunset.</p> - -<p>"I think we'll have the tents struck," he added. "We can sleep in the -store-house. That ought to stick it out. How will your buses get on, -Alec?"</p> - -<p>"Badly, if we don't do something," replied Claverhouse. "Come along, -Trevear, old son; we've a job in front of-us before we go to roost."</p> - -<p>"I'll bear a hand," volunteered Bell, and Griffiths, who was rarely -separated from his particular chum, also offered his assistance.</p> - -<p>Directly the four had gone to prepare the sea-planes for the expected -blow, Merridew levelled his telescope on the <i>Titania</i>.</p> - -<p>"The Old Man knows his job," he remarked to Beverley. "They're -furling awnings and veering out additional cable. But I'm hanged if I -like the look of things."</p> - -<p>Just as the sun sank, leaving behind it an ill-defined blurr of -indigo-coloured clouds tinged with vivid copper-coloured streaks, the -rain began to fall heavily. Not a breath of wind stirred the -broad-leaved branches of the palm trees, although the big drops -thudded upon the foliage with a noise like the roll of a hundred -drums. In less than thirty seconds the <i>Titania</i> was lost to sight in -the terrific downpour that obliterated everything beyond a distance -of fifty yards from the spot where Beverley stood.</p> - -<p>Clad in oilskins and sou'wester, Bobby revelled in the warm rain. He -waited until the short twilight had passed into intense darkness, -then he rejoined the others in the hut.</p> - -<p>"What, not turning in to-night, you fellows?" he inquired. "Perhaps -it's as well. Wonder how the old <i>Titania</i> will stand it?"</p> - -<p>"Wonder how the old hut'll stick it, you mean," said Fontayne. "A -sand-bagged dug-out on the side of the hill would be more the mark, I -fancy. By Jove, I don't envy Claverhouse and his breakdown gang."</p> - -<p>"Any sign of a leak?" asked Bobby, casting anxious glances at the -palm-leaf thatch, on the outside of which the rain was falling down -with a noise like that made by a number of peas when violently shaken -in a tin can.</p> - -<p>"All right, so far," replied Fontayne, "but it looks as if the floor -will be flooded. Pity we hadn't dug a trench round outside."</p> - -<p>"The ground slopes a bit," observed Swaine, "so the water won't -lodge. Hallo! I'm not so sure about it. Look here!"</p> - -<p>A steady rivulet was finding its way in at the landward side of the -hut. All hands hurriedly set to work to dig a runway to divert and -keep under control what promised to be a healthy little mountain -torrent.</p> - -<p>In the midst of this operation Alec and his three companions arrived, -drenched to the skin but nevertheless cheerful.</p> - -<p>"Don't care if it rains ink," observed Claverhouse blithely. "We've -secured the buses and removed the wings. Hope it doesn't blow too -hard."</p> - -<p>Even as he spoke there came a weird moaning noise from without, -followed by a blow that shook the hut to its foundations. It was the -preliminary announcement of a tropical hurricane. For full five -minutes it lasted, creating a pandemonium of noises as the supple -trees bent and groaned under the furious blasts.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<center> -<a name="06_ceiling"></a> -<img src="images/06_ceiling.jpg" alt="image: 06_ceiling.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: JACK WAS PINNED PRETTY FIRMLY AGAINST THE CEILING]</center> -<br> -<br> - -<p>"Lucky the trees keep off most of the wind," said Bobby, raising his -voice to make himself heard above the din. "Suppose we shift some of -those heavy cases and pile 'em against the windward side."</p> - -<p>All hands, with the exception of the recently-arrived working-party, -who were in various stages of deshabille, set to work with a will, -until a fairly-solid barricade was constructed on either side of the -door up to the level with the eaves.</p> - -<p>As suddenly as it had started the wind dropped to a flat calm. The -rain, too, was lighter.</p> - -<p>"Guess it's all over," remarked Griffiths. "It will be starlight -outside."</p> - -<p>"No such luck," replied Bobby. "That's only a preliminary canter. -While we're about it we may as well rig up a couple of -preventer-shrouds to that hurricane-lamp. I didn't like the way it -swayed about just now."</p> - -<p>The second phase of the storm burst. This time the wind roared. There -was no sinister whine in the furious rush of air, but there was no -mistaking the strength of the blast. A palm tree, uprooted, came -crashing to earth, its leafed crest brushing against the side of the -hut before it came to rest a good fifty feet away. Again and again -the side of the hut bulged ominously, while eddying gusts found their -way into the building, as if seeking a weak spot in the flimsy but -stoutly-woven material.</p> - -<p>The men stood silently alert. The noise of the elements crushed all -desire to talk. Momentarily they expected to see the hut torn from -its foundations and flung, like a discarded toy from the hand of a -fractious child, into the storm-swept night.</p> - -<p>This outburst lasted a good ten minutes. Then followed a period of -calm unaccompanied by rain. The eerie silence that succeeded the -deafening roar was almost as awe-inspiring as the hurricane.</p> - -<p>"How's the old ship sticking it?" remarked Merridew. "I'll go out and -have a look round."</p> - -<p>He could see nothing save a line of white as the rollers, forced over -the reef by the gale, lashed the beach.</p> - -<p>Beyond all was in darkness. Whether the <i>Titania's</i> anchors held or -whether she had been driven ashore there was no means of telling.</p> - -<p>A long-drawn shrill whine warned him that it was high time to beat a -retreat. He was not a moment too soon. He regained the hut, but it -took the united efforts of four men to close and secure the door.</p> - -<p>No one spoke a word, but everyone realized that the third outburst -would be the worst, and perhaps the last. It came, accompanied by -vivid flashes of lightning and ear-splitting peals of thunder that -even made the heavy cases reverberate. Mingled with the loud roar of -the wind was that shrill, almost unearthly whine that means mischief.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the interior of the hut was brightly illuminated by a flash -of lightning. The roof, lifted by a particularly vicious squall, had -vanished, leaving a trail of violently eddying leaves and bamboo -rafters. Then, while the men were still blinded by the dazzling -glare, the wind backed a full four points, struck the roofless hut on -its weakest side, and the next moment the building was levelled.</p> - -<p>Buried beneath a mat-like mass of thatch, Beverley found himself -prostrate on the flooded ground. Someone's rubber-shod foot was -beating a tattoo on his face as its wearer endeavoured to extricate -himself from an unenviable position.</p> - -<p>As Bobby was regaining his feet another brilliant flash gave him a -brief but vivid glimpse of his immediate surroundings. His comrades -were struggling through the debris, looking much like a litter of -healthy puppies forcing their way through a covering of hay. The -barricade of boxes had been overthrown, some of the cases lodging -against the trunks of the palm trees, nearly fifty feet away.</p> - -<p>Many of the trees were bending until the tops nearly touched the -ground; others, uprooted, were hurled like straws against those still -standing, and formed a gigantic lattice-work. A dozen yards away the -kerosene-lamp, with its glass completely shattered, lay blazing -fiercely, the heavy downpour of rain tending to spread the flames.</p> - -<p>Guided by the blaze, Beverley made his way to the blazing pool of -oil. Close by he saw a large box with cryptic markings in red paint. -It contained a couple of hundred pounds of high explosives—safe to -handle since the stuff had to be detonated by means of a primer, but -not proof against the attack of fire. Already the flames were licking -the box, and only the fact that the woodwork was damp owing to the -torrential rain had prevented a disastrous explosion.</p> - -<p>Acting almost mechanically, yet conscious to a certain degree of the -risk he ran, Beverley literally ploughed his way through the chaos of -bamboo and thatch and seized the rope-handle of the explosive-case. -Desperation lent him the strength of a giant. With a mighty heave he -shifted the heavy case a full yard to windward of the burning oil; -then, walking backwards with his body inclined at an acute angle to -the slope of the ground, he dragged the deadly explosive well out of -harm's way.</p> - -<p>Only when he desisted did he notice that the legs of his oilskin -trousers were charred and smouldering still.</p> - -<p>Aided by the frequent flashes of lightning and the now dying glare of -the kerosene, the rest of the late occupants of the store-house -extricated themselves and each other from their awkward and dangerous -predicament, and in the blinding rain they made for the shelter of -the palm groves, never halting till they had placed a full hundred -yards between them and the outpost of trees that held out against the -hurricane.</p> - -<p>Even now the position of the shore-party was far from enviable. Every -man was soaked to the skin; most bore cuts or bruises, while Bell and -Merridew were both badly knocked about by one of the packing-cases as -the barricade gave way before the blast.</p> - -<p>"Think the <i>Titania</i> stood it?" asked Merridew.</p> - -<p>There was no reply. Every man had his doubts. Bobby was regretting -the fact that he had refused to let Dick come ashore the previous -afternoon.</p> - -<p>For another hour the men sheltered in the palm grove. Here it was -comparatively calm, although the trunks were trembling with the -effect of the gale upon their verdant tops. To attempt to leave their -place of refuge and go down to the beach meant striving to attain the -impossible. No one could face the full force of the blast in the -open.</p> - -<p>At half-past two in the morning the wind died away as suddenly as it -had started; the stars shone in an unclouded sky, and only the debris -scattered in the glades and the unusually loud roar of the surf -remained.</p> - -<p>"It's all over," declared Beverley. "Let's make for the beach."</p> - -<p>They arrived to find that the breakers were already being subdued by -the reef, on which the mountainous rollers were hurling themselves in -sullen fury. Pitching heavily as she rode with open hawse to the -waves was the <i>Titania</i>, standing out clearly against the starlit -sky.</p> - -<p>"I don't think she's dragged a yard," declared Bobby. "Jolly -lucky——"</p> - -<p>"What's that?" interrupted Griffiths, pointing to something rolling -in the undertow of the surface at a distance of a hundred yards from -the beach.</p> - -<p>The men rushed to the spot to find that the <i>Titania's</i> cutter had -been torn from the davits and had been dashed ashore.</p> - -<p>Watching his opportunity, Claverhouse waded waist-deep into the water -and secured the painter. All hands succeeded in hauling the boat -beyond the rush of the waves, but the mischief was already done. Her -keel, kelson, and garboards smashed, the boat was beyond repair.</p> - -<p>"I'm off to have a look at the sea-planes," decided Alec. "Nothing -like keeping on the move when you're soaked to the buff. Come along, -Trevear, old son."</p> - -<p>The airmen departed. The others, unable to communicate with the ship, -thought that activity was the best antidote to saturated clothing, -and proceeded to set things in order.</p> - -<p>It was a big task. Their first objects of attention were the three -boats that were kept ashore at night. Fortunately they had been -hauled up well above high-water mark and secured by their painters to -some stout trees, while a line and grapnel had been laid out from the -stern of each. Even then it had been touch and go. Only the heavy -downpour preceding the hurricane had prevented the boats from being -hurled away, the weight of the water in the bilges being barely -sufficient to counterbalance the lifting-force of the wind.</p> - -<p>They found the three boats nearly filled to the thwarts with water, -sand, and lumps of coral.</p> - -<p>Having pulled out the plugs and allowed the water to drain from the -boats, the men proceeded to the site of the store-house, and set to -work to collect the scattered cases.</p> - -<p>"Look!" exclaimed Swaine, pointing to the box of explosives. "We've -had a narrow squeak, lads. The wood's charred."</p> - -<p>"So it is," agreed Merridew. "How? It's yards from the blaze caused -by the lamp. Lightning, perhaps. Don't you think so, Beverley?"</p> - -<p>"P'r'aps," replied Bobby. "Anyone got any dry tobacco? Mine's a -wash-out."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter25"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXV</h3> -<h4 align="center">"Konked Out"</h4> - -<p>Daybreak found the members of the expedition tired, hungry, and -undaunted. The gale had wrought havoc with their resources. In less -than a minute the work of days had been scattered to the winds, and -until the remains could be collected and examined not even a rough -idea of the state of their provisions and equipment could be -obtained.</p> - -<p>Long before the waters of the lagoon returned to their usual state of -tranquillity, Harborough, Villiers, and Dick Beverley came ashore. -They, too, bore traces of the night's ordeal, for every man on board -had momentarily expected the <i>Titania</i> to part her cables and come up -on the beach.</p> - -<p>"It might have been worse," remarked Harborough philosophically, as -he surveyed the devastated site of the store-house. "We've had a very -sticky time. The motor-boat's gone—torn clean away from her chocks."</p> - -<p>"And the cutter," added Beverley. "The remains are lying just beyond -that ledge."</p> - -<p>"How did the sea-planes get on?" inquired Villiers.</p> - -<p>"Can't say," replied Bobby. "Alec and young Trevear have gone off to -see what's happened."</p> - -<p>"There's one thing," remarked Harborough. "We have no further use for -them, and it's merely a question of financial loss. We've to be -thankful that we came out with comparatively whole skins. Wonder how -the other fellows fared?"</p> - -<p>"What other fellows?" inquired Villiers.</p> - -<p>"Our friends the Huns," explained the baronet. "The <i>Zug</i>, with her -high freeboard and being fairly light in ballast, must have felt it -even more than the <i>Titania</i>. Directly we get things a bit ship-shape -I'll run across and see if they are all right. Hanged if I like the -idea of their being cut off on Ni Telang, even though they didn't act -all above board. Well, how about some breakfast, Pete?"</p> - -<p>Harborough was not a man to question the workings of Providence, and -to moan and grouse because Nature had done her best to wreck his -plans. Adversity only spurred him to greater efforts. Like a -punching-ball, he rebounded promptly from the effects of what would -have been to the toughest prize-fighter a knock-out blow.</p> - -<p>Pete, too, rose to the occasion. Although the kitchen had shared the -fate of the store-house, and the remains of the provisions took some -finding, the hungry men were presently sitting down to a hot and -appetising repast in which, greatly to Villiers' relief, cold pork -did not figure. But there was a new item on the menu: turtle steak. -Pete, wandering along the shore while the others were salving the -remains of the cutter, had discovered a fine specimen of a turtle, -capsized and lying far above high-water mark.</p> - -<p>Breakfast had only just started when Claverhouse and his party -returned.</p> - -<p>"One's gone, sir," he reported, in answer to Harborough's inquiry -concerning the sea-planes. "Turned completely over, and the motor's -crashed through the fuselage. The other is all right. On our way back -we found the motor-boat perched on top of a patch of undergrowth."</p> - -<p>"Damaged?"</p> - -<p>"Not as far as I could make out," replied Alec. "She is lying with -her bows well up, and the after part is full of water."</p> - -<p>The meal over, Harborough outlined a plan of action. Until the damage -had been made good, as far as their resources permitted, further -operations on the wreck were to be suspended. Another store-house, -more solidly constructed, and erected on an enclosed clearing farther -from the beach, was put in hand. Griffiths and Bell, assisted by -Pete, were told off to examine the debris and set aside everything -likely to be of value. The two Beverleys, Merridew, Vivian, and -Fontayne were to launch the undamaged boats and to extricate the -motor-boat from its unaccustomed berth.</p> - -<p>"By the by, Claverhouse," said Harborough. "You will be tuning up our -remaining <i>Cormorant</i>, I presume? If she's absolutely in -running-order, I wish you'd make a trip across to Ni Telang and see -how the <i>Zug</i> stood the gale. Provided she's still afloat, you -needn't have any communication with our friend von Giespert. In fact, -if you can contrive to escape observation so much the better. I don't -want them to know we are anywhere in the vicinity."</p> - -<p>"I understand, sir," replied Claverhouse. "If they're down and out, -we'll give them a leg up; if they aren't, we'll simply let 'em carry -on in their own sweet way."</p> - -<p>"Precisely," agreed Harborough.</p> - -<p>Alec hurried off to carry out his instructions. It was a task after -his own heart, a fairly-long out and home flight, which in his -opinion was infinitely preferable to doing "stunts" over the lagoon. -Assisted by Trevear, he had the planes reassembled and the engine -tuned up in less than an hour and a half. Then, with additional help, -the <i>Cormorant</i> was launched and given a preliminary flight.</p> - -<p>"Good enough, Trevear, old thing!" shouted Alec. "Sorry you aren't in -this stunt. Cheerio!"</p> - -<p>The propeller began to revolve; the sea-plane taxied through the -water, turned head on to the light breeze, and "took off" in -faultless style.</p> - -<p>Claverhouse "turned her nose at it", and rose steadily to a height of -two thousand feet. Then, following a compass course and allowing for -the slight side-drift, he held on for twenty minutes, at the end of -which time he could discern the triple peaks of Ni Telang.</p> - -<p>The time of day was favourable for a reconnaissance without running -much risk of being spotted, for the sun was now almost overhead and -blazing down fiercely. Provided he kept at a sufficient height and -slowed down his engine until it "revved" just sufficient to give the -sea-plane enough lift to counteract the force of gravity, the trick -was easy.</p> - -<p>Passing over the lagoon at an immense height, Alec got his glasses to -bear upon the scene beneath. The <i>Zug</i> lay, apparently undamaged, at -the spot where she had dropped anchor at the conclusion of the race -to the the wrong island. Two or three boats lay alongside, but there -were no signs of activity.</p> - -<p>"Looks as if they've packed up ready to go home," soliloquized -Claverhouse. "Wonder if they've realized that they've been done in -the eye?"</p> - -<p>The answer to that question was, in Parliamentary language, "in the -affirmative", but Alec did not know that. Von Giespert was on the eve -of his desperate venture. He had sworn to gain possession of the gold -from the <i>Fusi Yama</i> at all costs. If he failed, then he would make -doubly certain that Harborough would never get the precious metal to -England.</p> - -<p>Harborough's generous action in sending Claverhouse to ascertain that -the <i>Zug</i> was safe or otherwise was unnecessary from a life-saving -standpoint. The path of the hurricane had missed Ni Telang -altogether, the outer edge of the comparatively narrow, curved track -passing not nearer than twenty miles of the <i>Zug's</i> anchorage.</p> - -<p>Having completed his observations, Claverhouse turned, and, making a -long vol-plane, was well out of hearing-distance when he "opened -out".</p> - -<p>As he did so his trained ear detected an unaccustomed sound. The -rythmic roar of the motor was giving place to a decidedly jerky -splutter. Greatly retarding the spark, he attempted to coax the -engine to pick up; juggling with the throttle produced no -satisfactory result. The "revs" grew slower and more erratic, until -Alec realized that there was nothing for it but to come down.</p> - -<p>The floats struck the water with considerable force. The struts -whipped and groaned, but withstood the severe strain. The <i>Cormorant</i> -had alighted safely, but was beginning to drift steadily before the -breeze.</p> - -<p>"At this rate she'll put me ashore at Ni Telang," thought Alec, as he -took off his gloves, pushed back his goggles, and prepared for a -determined attempt to trace the fault.</p> - -<p>He located it quickly enough, but the knowledge disconcerted him. The -magneto had shorted. Possibly the damage had been caused during the -gale, but, by one of those extraordinary pranks that magnetos will -play, it had functioned perfectly for several hours before "going -West".</p> - -<p>Claverhouse clambered down to one of the floats and lit a cigarette.</p> - -<p>"There's one blessing," he observed to the empty expanse of sea: "Ni -Telang in 1920 isn't Ostend in 1917. But I'll have to pitch a yarn to -von Giespert, or he'll smell a rat. Wonder what'll happen, though, if -I miss the island altogether?"</p> - -<p>At the end of two hours drift he was able to reassure himself on that -score. Unless there were a decided shift of wind the <i>Cormorant</i> -would hit Ni Telang or the reef surrounding it. He did not fancy the -latter locality. Even viewed from a great height the surf did not -appear inviting.</p> - -<p>"If I could only steer the old bus, I'd make the entrance to the -lagoon," he decided.</p> - -<p>Juggling with the ailerons seemed a likely solution, but the only -result was to cause the machine to dip and have a tendency to turn -broadside on. The hydro rudder, by which the <i>Cormorant</i> could be -turned when taxi-ing on the surface, was inadequate while drifting at -slow speed.</p> - -<p>"The old bus is done for in any case," he soliloquized, and, armed -with a knife, wire-cutters, and pliers he made his way out on one of -the planes and removed the starboard aileron. This he lashed to a -dismantled strut, and on taking the improvised paddle to the after -float he found that he could keep the sea-plane fairly under control -with the clumsy steering-oar.</p> - -<p>It was not until the derelict was actually within the lagoon that one -of the <i>Zug's</i> crew spotted the unexpected arrival. A boat was manned -and rowed off to the <i>Cormorant</i>.</p> - -<p>"I suppose I ought to sink the old bus," thought Alec. "If I did, it -would look fishy. After all, I don't suppose they'll be able to make -use of her."</p> - -<p>"Where do you hail from?" inquired the coxswain of the boat. He spoke -in English, knowing from grim experience of recent history that -English is the master-language of the Pacific, and that German is at -a discount.</p> - -<p>Claverhouse, with a comprehensive sweep of his arm, indicated a good -180 degrees of the horizon.</p> - -<p>The German grunted.</p> - -<p>"Get on board," he said gruffly.</p> - -<p>Nothing more was said until the boat ran alongside the <i>Zug's</i> -accommodation-ladder. There were plenty of men looking over the -bulwarks, but they certainly did not appear to be overburdened with -work.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert's greeting of his uninvited guest left no doubt in -Alec's mind about his idea of bluff.</p> - -<p>"How's Harborough getting on at Nua Leha?" asked the German bluntly.</p> - -<p>"Quite well, when I last saw him," replied Claverhouse. "As a matter -of fact, he sent me to see how you were getting on."</p> - -<p>"Spying, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Not at all," corrected Alec. "He thought your vessel might have been -driven ashore in the hurricane last night, and was rather anxious -concerning your safety."</p> - -<p>"He'll have quite enough to do to think about his own safety before -I've done with him," rejoined von Giespert insolently. "Meanwhile, -you'll consider yourself a prisoner, Mr. Whatever your name is. If -you give trouble, then we'll pitch you to the sharks."</p> - -<p>"Right-o," replied Alec. "You might do me one favour, though."</p> - -<p>"What's that?" inquired von Giespert.</p> - -<p>"Let Harborough know I'm safe."</p> - -<p>The Hun laughed boisterously. He felt that as far as his prisoner was -concerned he could afford to ride the high horse.</p> - -<p>"If Harborough is anxious, he can come here for you," he replied. -"I'll be more than ready for him."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<center> -<a name="07_claverhouse"></a> -<img src="images/07_claverhouse.jpg" alt="image: 07_claverhouse.jpg" style="width:100%; height:auto; max-width:600px;"> -</center> -<center>[Illustration: CLAVERHOUSE STEERS THE SEAPLANE INTO THE LAGOON]</center> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter26"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXVI</h3> -<h4 align="center">Harborough's Ruse</h4> - -<p>It was not until sunset that Villiers was forced to admit the -probability that misfortune had overtaken Alec Claverhouse. The -majority of the other fellows had already taken pessimistic views -upon the subject of the airman's failure to return. Even Harborough, -although he said little, was far from hopeful. He realized that the -responsibility of the flight rested upon him, and he reproached -himself for sending Alec on the trip, when, with very little trouble, -the <i>Titania</i> might have proceeded to investigate the state of the -rival expedition.</p> - -<p>"Alec knows his job thoroughly," declared Trevear; "if he's been -forced to come down the old bus will float."</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately, Nua Leha's dead to windward," remarked Merridew.</p> - -<p>"And Ni Telang's dead to leeward," added Beverley. "Of course he -might have found that things were in a bad way with the <i>Zug</i>, and in -that case he would have landed to offer assistance."</p> - -<p>"It's no use kagging and hanging on to the slack," said Harborough -briskly. "We'll take the <i>Titania</i> and search for him. Not at once, -though. On a night like this it would be like looking for a needle in -a haystack. If we start an hour before dawn, it will be daylight when -we reach the farthest easterly position he's likely to be, after -making due allowance for the drift of the sea-plane. Tell off a -couple of hands to remain here, Mr. Villiers. The rest will go on -board; they may be more than useful."</p> - -<p>With this cryptic utterance Harborough led the way to the boats. -Fortunately, there were plenty of tinned and preserved provisions on -board the <i>Titania</i>, and she was practically ready for sea at half an -hour's notice. Before midnight the remaining boats were hoisted in, -the cable hove short, and the sail covers taken off; while, in case -Claverhouse should make for the island during the hours of darkness, -the searchlight was run in a vertical direction to serve as an aerial -signpost.</p> - -<p>All hands with the exception of the look-out then turned in to make -up much needed arrears of sleep, for neither ashore nor afloat had -they had a wink of sleep during the previous night, and had been -working at high pressure during the succeeding day.</p> - -<p>At 4 a.m. the duty watch was called, and twenty minutes later the -<i>Titania</i> passed through the gap in the reef under power alone. -Directly she rounded the north-eastern extremity of the reef all -plain sail was made and the heavy oil engines shut down. For the -present, speed was neither necessary nor desirable.</p> - -<p>The first streaks of dawn found the yacht ten miles from Nua Leha, -doing about five knots before a steady following breeze. A -merchantman entering the danger-zone during the height of the -unrestricted U-boat campaign could not have kept a sharper look-out -than did the crew of the <i>Titania</i> for any sign of the overdue -<i>Cormorant</i>.</p> - -<p>It was noon before the peaks of Ni Telang showed above the blue -horizon. Only once had the <i>Titania</i> altered her course, and that was -to run two miles to the nor'ard to investigate a floating object that -turned out to be a large open crate, possibly washed from the deck of -a tramp during the hurricane.</p> - -<p>"We'll pay friend von Giespert a visit," said Harborough. "Probably -he'll wonder what we want, probably he won't. Time will prove."</p> - -<p>The <i>Titania</i> was from two to three miles from the reef when Swaine, -who had betaken himself to the cross-trees and was making good use of -his powerful binoculars, hailed the deck.</p> - -<p>"There's the sea-plane, sir," he announced. "Close to the beach, -about a hundred yards to the right of that dark bluff."</p> - -<p>Harborough, closely followed by Villiers and Bobby Beverley, swarmed -up the rigging. There was little doubt about it. They could -distinguish what looked like the sea-plane, floating head to wind, at -about a quarter of a mile from the <i>Zug's</i> berth. Even as they looked -a wreath of haze drifted down and hid a considerable portion of the -island from view.</p> - -<p>"Wonder if von Giespert's spotted us?" said Harborough, as the three -men regained the deck, leaving Swaine to perform the task of conning -the yacht through the passage between the reefs. "They've got the -<i>Cormorant</i> right enough, unless our eyesight's very much at fault. -Let's only hope that Claverhouse is safe."</p> - -<p>Villiers went for'ard to see that the anchor was ready for letting -go, and the anchor-buoy ready for streaming. He had not been there -more than a couple of minutes before Swaine hailed again.</p> - -<p>"Haze's cleared," he reported; "but I can't see the sea-plane."</p> - -<p>The anchorage was now clearly visible from the deck, and, as the -mast-head man had stated, there was not a sign of the <i>Cormorant</i>.</p> - -<p>"Either she's been spirited away," thought Villiers, "or else we've -been victims of an hallucination."</p> - -<p>It was a tricky passage into the lagoon, for a fairly heavy -ground-swell, hardly perceptible off the island, made the <i>Titania</i> -evince a tendency to yaw just at the critical moment. Scraping a -ledge of coral by a none-too-wide margin, she gained the sheltered -lagoon, rounded-to, and dropped anchor.</p> - -<p>Before the canvas was lowered and stowed a boat was observed putting -off from the <i>Zug</i>, but Claverhouse was not one of its occupants. -Seated in the stern-sheets in a white drill uniform was von Giespert.</p> - -<p>"Good-day, Sir Hugh," hailed the German, when the boat was within -twenty yards of the yacht. "Your visit surprises me. I hope you are -aware that the time-limit you imposed is not yet half expired?"</p> - -<p>"I am perfectly aware of that, Herr von Giespert," replied -Harborough. "We are here on a very different business. I understand -that one of my sea-planes is here."</p> - -<p>"Sea-planes?" repeated von Giespert, with well simulated -astonishment. "I do not understand."</p> - -<p>"Let me enlighten you," said Harborough, and proceeded to outline his -version of what had taken place.</p> - -<p>"You are obviously mistaken," persisted the owner of the <i>Zug</i>. "Look -where you will there is no seaplane of any description here. Perhaps -you are misled by taking that tent for the missing machine. And as -regards your aviator, you may accept my assurance that it would be a -pleasure to me to be able to restore him to you. Unfortunately, since -he is not here, that is impossible."</p> - -<p>Harborough's brows contracted.</p> - -<p>"I have the right to search the island," he declared bluntly. "Are -you prepared to give me permission to search your ship?"</p> - -<p>Von Giespert assumed an air of injured dignity. Up to the present he -had played his part well, for, the moment the approaching <i>Titania</i> -had been sighted, he had sent a boat ashore and had quickly scuttled -the <i>Cormorant</i> by the simple expedient of smashing the floats.</p> - -<p>"Your request is an insult, sir," he replied. "As such I can only -refuse it. To accede would be throwing away my dignity. Remember, -that ship flies the German flag, and England is now at peace with -Germany. Virtually, the <i>Zug</i> is German territory, and should you -persist——"</p> - -<p>"You would resist by force of arms, eh?" added Harborough.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert hesitated. To admit that would also be acknowledging -that he feared the result of the search.</p> - -<p>"No, no," he replied; "but I would at once make for the nearest port -where there is a German Consular Agent and enter a complaint of the -outrage to the German flag."</p> - -<p>"Then there is no more to be said," rejoined Harborough, and, -ignoring the Hun, he turned and went below.</p> - -<p>"We are certainly in a bit of a fix," he admitted, conferring with -Villiers and Beverley. "There's something fishy about this business. -I'm rather inclined to arm a boat and board the <i>Zug</i>, but if -Claverhouse isn't on board then we'll let ourselves in for damages. I -couldn't swear positively that I saw the sea-plane, neither could -you. We saw something which we took to be the <i>Cormorant</i>, and, -taking it for granted, we allowed an illusion to get the better of -us."</p> - -<p>Both Villiers and Beverley admitted that they might have been -mistaken. The powers of suggestion which had, as they now thought, -conjured up the sea-plane, had now destroyed the belief.</p> - -<p>"We're wasting time," continued Harborough. "Claverhouse may be -drifting farther and farther away every moment. We'll weigh and run a -hundred miles to leeward, if necessary. I won't throw away a single -chance of getting him back."</p> - -<p>He went on deck and gave orders for the cable to be hove in. Under -the action of the powerful capstan twenty fathoms came on board -easily and rapidly; then came a decided check.</p> - -<p>"Foul bottom," declared Villiers, as he leant over the cathead and -peered into the clear water. "The fluke's caught in a rock, I'm -afraid. We'll try tripping the hook."</p> - -<p>Accordingly, the nun-buoy was fished on board, and the slack of the -stout hempen rope that led between it and the crown of the anchor was -hauled in until the yacht's bows were right over the anchor.</p> - -<p>Every available man tailed on to the rope, but even with the aid of a -tackle the anchor stubbornly refused to leave the bed of the lagoon.</p> - -<p>"And we haven't a diving-dress on board," lamented Swaine.</p> - -<p>"I'm not going to borrow one from the <i>Zug</i>, in any case," said -Harborough resolutely. "Avast heaving and slack away. I'll get power -on the ship and see what that will do. Something's bound to go."</p> - -<p>Something did. With both engines running at full speed, the yacht -forged ahead until the cable snubbed and her bows dipped a good two -feet below the water-line. Then with a heavy lurch the <i>Titania</i> held -on, the fluke of her anchor grinding on the coral bottom.</p> - -<p>Getting way off the ship Harborough ordered the cable to be hove-in. -This time the links came in steadily but slowly. There was more than -the weight of the anchor at the end of the massive chain.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Villiers gave a shout of astonishment.</p> - -<p>"At that!" he ordered, and at the same time motioning to the hand at -the capstan to stop heaving. "Evidence!" he shouted. "We've fished up -the remains of the <i>Cormorant</i>."</p> - -<p>This time there was no doubt about it. One of the flukes was embedded -in the sea-plane's motor, and with it was a large portion of one of -the wings, a part of the wreckage of the fuselage, and a float -bearing unmistakable signs of being stove in by means of an axe.</p> - -<p>"That's conclusive," said Harborough sternly. "Since von Giespert -won't listen to reason, I'll have to teach him a lesson. Get that -piece of wing aboard for evidence, although I guess he's tumbled to -it already. He's been watching us all the time, the blackguardly -sweep. We'll bluff him. If that fails, then we'll use force, but -only as a last resource. He's asking for it all the time."</p> - -<p>Kaspar von Giespert took more than an interested view of the -developments of the next hour. He was considerably perturbed when, -through a telescope that decorously protruded through a gap in a -storm-dodger, he watched the impromptu salvage operations of the -scuttled sea-plane.</p> - -<p>He took a more cheerful view of life when the <i>Titania</i> got under way -and proceeded seawards, but at the same time that evolution -considerably mystified him. He could not understand why the -Englishman should retire so tamely from the argument when he had -undisputable evidence to support his case.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert was on the point of shaking hands with himself and -abusing some of his crew—an indication that he was regaining his -normal state of mind—when Strauss announced that the <i>Titania</i> had -turned sixteen points to starboard and was again making for the -island.</p> - -<p>"We'll fight her," declared von Giespert vehemently, for he realized -that the game was a desperate one. "Serve out the arms, Herr Strauss. -Himmel! What would I give now for a submerged torpedo-tube? Would -that she piled herself upon the reef. She nearly did it last time."</p> - -<p>"Harborough is more cautious this time," observed Strauss. "He's -coming in under power."</p> - -<p>"He is, curse him," growled the other.</p> - -<p>The two Germans watched in silence as the <i>Titania</i>, with her exhaust -chortling noisily, passed through the narrow gap and starboarded -helm, steering for the opposite part of the lagoon to that where the -<i>Zug</i> lay at anchor. That was another puzzler to the already -bewildered von Giespert.</p> - -<p>Presently the yacht reversed engines and lost way broadside on to and -at about a mile from her rival. Then, to the consternation of the -crew of the <i>Zug</i>, a large gun, of a calibre certainly not less than -4.7 inches, was ominously visible betwixt fore- and main-masts. -Simultaneously, and without any preparatory signal, a hoist of the -letters VOX—"I am going to semaphore to you"—fluttered from the -<i>Titania's</i> main truck.</p> - -<p>Slowly, reluctantly, the answering pennant was displayed from the -<i>Zug</i>.</p> - -<p>"I thought you informed me that yonder yacht was unarmed," exclaimed -von Giespert, turning furiously upon his henchman, Strauss.</p> - -<p>"She was when we left Southampton, Herr Kapitan," replied Strauss. -"That I can swear to, because we had her under observation all the -time. Of course, she might have——"</p> - -<p>"They're semaphoring," interrupted von Giespert. He himself could not -follow the quick movements of the red and yellow hand-flags, but most -of the <i>Zug's</i> crew could. More than that, they could read the -peremptory message although it was sent in English.</p> - -<p>"Hand over my airman, Claverhouse, instantly," it read, "or I will -blow your bridge and charthouse to blazes."</p> - -<p>Von Giespert chose the first alternative.</p> - -<p>Three quarters of an hour later the <i>Titania</i>, with Alec Claverhouse -once more on board, was bowling along at a steady nine knots for Nua -Leha.</p> - -<p>Then it was that Harborough, with a playful movement of one hand, -toppled the formidable 4.7 inch gun through the hatch into the -fore-hold. The mounting followed with a distinctly "tinny" sound. The -feat was an easy one, since the "gun" consisted of a twelve-foot -length of stove-pipe, and the mounting a piece of sheet iron and an -empty oil-drum.</p> - -<p>"So friend von Giespert is breathing out threatenings and slaughter, -eh?" he laughed. "From what I know of him, his bark is worse than his -bite, but we'll have to watch him pretty carefully in the future."</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter27"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXVII</h3> -<h4 align="center">A Submarine Duel</h4> - -<p>It was not until the morning of the fifth day after the storm that -operations upon the wreck of the <i>Fusi Yama</i> were resumed.</p> - -<p>Since it was found upon a second examination that the hull of the -motor-boat was somewhat strained and required intricate repairs -before it could be rendered seaworthy, the motor was taken out and -installed on a strong platform supported by the gig and the whaler. -It meant devoting two boats to a duty formerly performed by one, but -the motor was necessary, since it worked the dynamo that in turn -provided light for the divers to work by.</p> - -<p>Villiers and Swaine gained the wreck by following the guide-rope from -the beach. They found the rope buried deeply in the sand at places, -while another result of the gale was the almost entire removal of the -bed of mud on which the ship lay, its place being taken by a deposit -of sand and lumps of coral that had been detached from the reef under -the terrific force of the breakers.</p> - -<p>More than once it required the united efforts of both men to lift the -rope clear of the sand that covered it, while in one spot an -accumulation of seaweed took a quarter of an hour's hard work before -the tenacious tendrils could be cut and the rope exposed.</p> - -<p>Upon gaining the deck Villiers could see that the damage done by the -hurricane was considerable. Most of the deck-houses and the promenade -deck, which had stood the effect of four years' submergence without -much sign of deterioration, had been swept away, while a vast -quantity of sand had found its way below. This was sufficient -evidence to prove that the hurricane had been the worst ever -experienced at Nua Leha since the time when the <i>Fusi Yama</i> had been -scuttled.</p> - -<p>Outside the strong-room things were not so bad. There were tons of -sand, but most of it had shifted owing to the list of the wreck, and -lay five or six feet high against the interior side of the ship.</p> - -<p>Adjusting the powerful lamp, so that its rays showed directly into -the strong-room, Swaine beckoned to his companion to enter.</p> - -<p>If Villiers expected to walk into a treasure-chamber glittering with -gold, he was mistaken. The place was piled with wooden boxes, some of -which had been wrenched open, displaying their rather dull but heavy -contents, but on the shelves, and secured from the motion of the ship -by steel grids, were canvas sacks. A few of these, rotted by the -action of the salt water or else hurriedly ripped open when the Huns -made a hasty examination of their booty, had shed a shower of gold -coins upon the boxes and on the floor. There were British and -Australian sovereigns, Japanese five-yen pieces, Chinese gold taels, -and five-dollar pieces, representing almost every American republic -on the Pacific coast, and mixed haphazardly.</p> - -<p>With little delay the work of clearing the strong-room commenced. New -canvas sacks, weighted with pieces of iron, were lowered from the -boats above. Into these were poured the contents of the rotten sacks, -then at a prearranged signal the men on the raft hoisted the precious -specie to the surface.</p> - -<p>It was a slow, laborious but at the same time pleasureable task. -Movements that could be quickly executed in air were greatly retarded -by the pressure of water, and by the time that the divers' air-supply -was showing signs of exhaustion only a quarter of the coin had been -salved.</p> - -<p>For the next week the operations continued uninterruptedly. Villiers -and Swaine each making two descents a day.</p> - -<p>Compared with the task of recovering the bullion, the preliminary -work of clearing the specie was simple. The bullion, packed tightly -in iron-bound boxes, had to be extricated bar by bar, for as -originally packed each case was too heavy, even under water, to be -manhandled.</p> - -<p>There were delays, too, in transporting the recovered treasure to the -<i>Titania</i>, owing to the lack of sufficient boats, so that, according -to Villiers' estimate, three weeks would elapse before the precious -metal would be stowed in the yacht's hold.</p> - -<p>Dick Beverley was enjoying himself immensely. He worked quite as hard -as anybody, and his one regret was that he had not been allowed to -don a diving-dress and make a descent. This Harborough bluntly -refused to allow.</p> - -<p>"This is a salvage company, not a nursery for amateur divers," he -remarked, although his refusal was based upon his compact with Bobby -Beverley not to expose Dick to any unnecessary risk.</p> - -<p>By common consent a substantial share of the treasure was to be given -to Pete. The man had earned it fairly. As a cook he was painstaking -and conscientious, and when not engaged in his duties in the galley -he was always ready and willing to bear a hand at other work.</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do with your little lot when we pay off, -Pete?" asked Villiers.</p> - -<p>Pete's features were almost hidden by a mouth that stretched -practically from ear to ear as he gave a prodigious grin.</p> - -<p>"Do, sah? Be coloured gen'lman at Barbadoes, Massa Villiers. Buy -top-hole swagger hotel an' get dollars from Yankee visitors. P'r'aps -I buy a sail-boat and take people round de islands. If any of you -gen'lmen come to Barbadoes, be sure to look up Massa Pete Johnson. He -put you up free, gratis, and for nothin'."</p> - -<p>"Then you're not sorry that Captain Abe booted you out of the <i>Lucy -M. Partington</i>?" asked Bobby.</p> - -<p>"No, sah." Pete evidently did not wish to reopen an unpleasant -incident, for he turned somewhat abruptly to O'Loghlin. "Say, Massa," -he asked anxiously, "you understan' motors. Will I be able to run a -swagger car? One that licks creation for goin' tarnation quick?"</p> - -<p>"If you handle the steering-wheel of a car as well as you do a -frying-pan, you'll be a rattling good driver, Pete," replied -O'Loghlin, pushing aside his empty plate with a satisfied sigh.</p> - -<p>The salvage operation continued without a hitch in glorious weather -and under ideal conditions. The divers' dread of sharks seemed to -have been a needless one, for the noise of the motors and the -activity of all hands had no doubt scared the tigers of the deep.</p> - -<p>One day Villiers was at work below, when he noticed a -gaudily-coloured fish dart out from behind a box, and graze his hand. -The fish was but a small one, less than six inches in length, but its -dorsal fins resembled trailing tendrils and its tail ended in two -tapering points.</p> - -<p>Hardly paying any attention to the creature, for fishes were -continually swimming around the divers, Villiers began prising open -the metal-bound box. Before he had completed his task his arm was -throbbing frightfully, and his hand seemed to lose the power of -gripping things.</p> - -<p>He "stuck it" for another ten minutes, then signed to Swaine that he -was finishing work. Before he reached dry ground he felt on the point -of collapse, and when he did gain the beach he toppled inertly upon -the sand, to the astonishment and alarm of Vivian and Merridew, who -were standing by to assist the diving-party.</p> - -<p>They divested him of his diving-suit. By this time his arm had -swollen tremendously, and the flesh was turning a dull-grey colour.</p> - -<p>Harborough, hastily summoned ashore, diagnosed the symptoms as being -similar to those of snake-bite, There were a couple of minute -punctures on the back of Jack's hand, through which the poison had -been transmitted to his veins.</p> - -<p>For the next twelve hours it was touch and go with Jack Villiers. His -comrades plied him with enough raw whisky to make a man in ordinary -health helplessly intoxicated. They walked him up and down without -giving him the slightest chance of rest. The treatment was drastic, -but it was successful, and, although the arm remained swollen and -painful, the danger was past.</p> - -<p>Much to his disgust, Villiers had to "stand down", and Swaine carried -on alone. That meant more delay, but it was unavoidable, and things -might have been worse. Further difficulties were met with through the -temporary breakdown of the submarine lighting arrangements, and until -that was rectified Swaine was perforce obliged to relinquish his -visits to the wreck.</p> - -<p>"Look here, old man," said Jack, one morning as Swaine was preparing -for a descent. "I'm fit again. There is no reason why I shouldn't go -with you."</p> - -<p>"Better wait till you've seen Harborough," objected Swaine. "You -might jolly well think you're all right, but I shouldn't like the -responsibility of passing you fit for duty."</p> - -<p>"Right-o," agreed Jack, who saw the force of his fellow-diver's -argument. "Don't wait. I'll push off afloat and see what Harborough -has to say."</p> - -<p>Swaine proceeded on the submarine work alone. Although glad of -Villier's company, he realized that the latter was far from being fit -for the strenuous toil demanded of a diver. He, Swaine, could do -sufficient work below to keep the surface-party busy, and the task of -recovering the treasure was now within measureable distance of -conclusion.</p> - -<p>It was yet early. The morning mists had not entirely dispersed when -Swaine waded into the water, awkwardly at first, but with more -freedom as the leaden-weighted suit dipped beneath the surface.</p> - -<p>Swaine wasted no time in getting on board the wreck and setting to -work. He had now a fair amount of elbow-room, since most of the -metal-lined boxes had been removed, and a thousand pounds worth of -gold was being sent up every five minutes.</p> - -<p>He felt in fine fettle and, to use his own expression, "full of -beans". So intent was he upon his task that the time slipped by -rapidly, until a slight buzzing noise in his ears warned him that the -self-contained air-reservoir was not far off a state of exhaustion. -In fifteen minutes the supply would be "dud", and it usually took him -twenty minutes to reach the shore.</p> - -<p>He "knocked off" in a hurry; at the same time, he realized that if -things came to a pitch he could blow himself to the surface. This he -was loth to do, as the sudden ascent generally incapacitated a diver -for several hours.</p> - -<p>Slipping over the side of the wreck and grasping the guide-rope, -Swaine began to make his way ashore as rapidly as the resistance of -the water permitted.</p> - -<p>"Current's frightfully strong to-day," he soliloquized, as the rush -of water almost swept his feet from under him. As it was, he had to -hang on like grim death to the rope and haul himself along hand over -hand until he had crossed the track of the submarine stream.</p> - -<p>Here the lagoon shoaled considerably. There was sufficient depth to -allow a pale-green light to penetrate to five or six fathoms of -water, while visibility increased a distance of ten or twelve feet.</p> - -<p>Happening to turn his head within the immobile helmet and to glance -through the side plate-glass window, Swaine came to a sudden halt and -gave a gasp of surprise. Within three yards of him, and floundering -along on a slightly converging course, was a man in a self-contained -diver's suit.</p> - -<p>"So Villiers has got into harness after all," he thought. "Wonder how -he came to lose touch with the direction-rope?"</p> - -<p>He raised one hand in greeting, at the same time holding up the rope -that served as a guide between the wreck and the shore.</p> - -<p>Then to his utter astonishment he discovered that it was not Jack -Villiers, nor indeed any of the <i>Titania's</i> men, indulging in a -little submarine expedition. The diving-dress was different in -certain details.</p> - -<p>Swaine was not left long in doubt as to the stranger's intentions. -Apparently the other diver was as surprised as he was, for he halted, -swaying slightly in the comparatively feeble current. Then, slowly -fumbling, he drew out a knife that showed a pale, dull-greenish glint -in the subdued light.</p> - -<p>Courageous though he was, Swaine felt his heart beating violently. He -was still undecided as to whether the stranger intended sticking the -point of the steel into him or whether he meant to cut the -guide-rope. In any case, Swaine realized that he would have to act on -the defensive.</p> - -<p>Drawing his own knife, Swaine, holding on to the rope with his left -hand, planted his feet firmly and threw his weight slightly forward. -Then he awaited developments. He was handicapped by the fact that his -air-supply was now noticeably weak. He might, with discretion, -attempt to elude his antagonist, but he realized the disadvantage of -showing his back to a man who might possess a greater degree of -mobility. Nor did he fancy a knife-thrust as he was in the act of -blowing himself to the surface.</p> - -<p>No, the issue had to be decided there and then.</p> - -<p>Holding his knife dagger-wise across his chest, the unknown assailant -advanced. Swaine stood on the defensive. He was in an awkward -predicament, for the current that was helping his opponent was -against him.</p> - -<p>The other feinted. It was a comparatively slow movement compared with -the lightning-like thrust of a practised fencer. The pressure of the -water was too great for rapidity of action.</p> - -<p>Swaine was not prepared for what followed. His antagonist arrested -the blow and at the same time hacked ponderously with his leaden-shod -boot. The metal rasped on Swaine's bare knuckles grasping the rope, -as he stepped backwards to avoid the full force of the blow. The next -instant a cut with the keen blade of the other's knife severed the -guide-rope.</p> - -<p>The sudden release of the tautened rope sent Swaine staggering a good -three yards. He found himself sprawling on the sandy bottom, his -efforts to regain his feet disturbing the sand to such an extent that -it was almost impossible to see anything beyond arm's length.</p> - -<p>Not daring to transfer his knife from his right hand to his left, -Swaine fumbled for the release-valve of the buoyancy-flask. His -fingers, numbed with the glancing blow they had received, were almost -useless, and his head was swimming with the effect of the now impure -air. Before he could attain his immediate aim he saw the distorted -figure of his antagonist through the now clearing water.</p> - -<p>Still struggling to regain his feet, the while guarding himself with -his knife, Swaine realized that the odds were very much against him. -He found himself vaguely wondering what the effect of a thrust would -be through the thick rubber and canvas fabric of his diving-suit. All -the same, he meant to stick it, and, if needs be, "die game".</p> - -<p>The other approached warily, but there was a suggestion of triumph in -his movements. He began circling round his prostrate opponent, -seeking a favourable opportunity of closing. He hesitated, possibly -because he feared a ruse on the part of the Englishman, who, with -knife uplifted, kept turning so that he was always face to face with -his assailant. Obviously these wearing-out tactics were telling upon -Swaine. The longer the other delayed, the worse became his state -owing to the poor quality of his air-supply.</p> - -<p>At length the unknown diver raised his arm to deal a stroke. He did -it dramatically, pausing with the blade held high above his head.</p> - -<p>With senses dulled, Swaine steeled himself to meet the deadly stroke, -but the stroke never came.</p> - -<p>A rush, a swirl of water, and a blurred vision of the other diver -sinking slowly on his face told Swaine that deliverance had come from -a totally unexpected quarter.</p> - -<p>A huge shark, attracted by the glitter of the knife, had bitten off -the fellow's hand just above the wrist, at the same time tearing the -india-rubber cuff of his diving-dress and allowing a considerable -amount of air to escape.</p> - -<p>The shark, finding its palate unpleasantly tickled by the sharp -steel, and not laying claim to be a sword-swallower, decided that one -mouthful was enough and made off for pastures new, leaving the -interrupted principals of the submarine duel to settle matters as -best they could.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter28"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXVIII</h3> -<h4 align="center">The Explosion</h4> - -<p>The instinct of self-preservation, coupled with the fact that he yet -had a faint chance of escape, rallied the semi-torpid Swaine -sufficiently to enable him to take action.</p> - -<p>He dropped the knife and groped for the release-valve of the -compressed-air reservoir. Half a turn, and he felt the buoyant air -rushing into the double folds of his diving-suit. Even as he realized -that he was parting company with the bottom of the lagoon he found -himself looking at his late antagonist, who was writhing in agony, -with a ruddy stream mixed with air-bubbles rising from the clean-cut -stump of his severed arm.</p> - -<p>Not knowing why he did so, whether it was the irresponsible act of a -light-headed man, the sudden impulse of an overstrung brain, or -generous pity for a beaten foe, Swaine gripped the fellow by the arm, -at the same time turning the release-valve of his buoyancy-flask full -on.</p> - -<p>Up he shot to the full extent of arm's length and no farther. The -lifting powers of the inflated diving-dress were sufficient only for -one. Weighed down by his former antagonist, Swaine saw no chance of -bringing the latter to the surface, until an inspiration seized him. -Having once set his hand to the plough, he was loth to turn back -until his task was completed.</p> - -<p>The unknown's knife was at that moment seriously incommoding a shark; -his own had dropped, but he remembered it was attached by a lanyard -to his belt. He recovered it; then, still retaining his hold of the -other diver, he pulled himself down until he was able to slash the -lashings that secured the leaden weights to the fellow's chest and -shoulders.</p> - -<p>Then, and then only, did both men rise to the surface, Swaine -horizontally, the other vertically owing to the fact that his feet -were still weighted with lumps of lead.</p> - -<p>For the next hour, as far as Swaine was concerned, everything was a -blank.</p> - -<p>He recovered consciousness to find himself lying on a mattress on the -deck of the <i>Titania</i>.</p> - -<p>"How's the other bloke?" were his first words.</p> - -<p>"The other bloke," replied Villiers, "is progressing favourably in -the circumstances."</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact, although the fellow's identity was revealed -directly his helmet was removed, none of the others knew that a -life-and-death duel was in progress when the shark butted in so -opportunely. They were greatly surprised to find Swaine bob up -unconscious from the bottom, still grasping the apparently lifeless -form of his late antagonist—Siegfried Strauss.</p> - -<p>While Villiers and Beverley set to work to restore their comrade to -consciousness, Harborough, O'Loghlin, and Trevear did a like office -for the German. They were puzzled as to the cause of the loss of the -man's hand, for the amputation had been performed as cleanly as if by -a knife, while the pressure of his rubber wrist-band had checked what -would have been a dangerous haemorrhage. Applying a tourniquet before -cutting away the diving-dress, the three amateur surgeons felt that -they had succeeded in saving the German's life unless he sank under -the effect of shock to the system.</p> - -<p>Although curious to hear Swaine's version of the business, his -comrades wisely forbore to question him until he had completely -recovered from his narrow escape. Meanwhile they were putting forward -numerous conjectures as to the reason for Strauss' submarine jaunt.</p> - -<p>"Where could he have come from?" asked Beverley. "The <i>Zug</i> isn't -anywhere in sight."</p> - -<p>"Unless she's off the other side of the island," added Villiers. -"Even then he must have started from a much nearer base. We'll have -to investigate."</p> - -<p>"Why did he?" persisted Beverley. "That's what I want to know."</p> - -<p>He received his answer in no uncertain way.</p> - -<p>A tremendous roar rent the sky, followed by a rush of air and the -noise of cascades of water falling into the sea. Over the spot where -lay the wreck of the <i>Fusi Yama</i> the usually placid surface of the -lagoon was lashed into a wide cauldron of leaping, hissing foam.</p> - -<p>"Fritz again—the dirty dog!" exclaimed Harborough, when the -reverberations of the detonation had subsided. "It might have been -worse if we had been working on the boat."</p> - -<p>Where the two boats, joined by a platform, had been, was a patch of -discoloured water, on which shattered fragments of timber were -bobbing in the strong sunlight. Had the working-party not ceased work -to convey the rival divers to the yacht, no one would have escaped -the force of the explosion.</p> - -<p>"This is not the work of one man," declared Villiers. "Let's get -ashore."</p> - -<p>The suggestion was promptly acted upon, and on gaining the beach -Harborough and his companions were greeted by the spectacle of Dick -Beverley and Pete, armed with rifles, driving before them a couple of -the <i>Zug's</i> crew, who marched with arms upheld in the good -old-fashioned way they were taught in the Great War.</p> - -<p>"Pete and I had been after pigs," explained Dick. "We were on our way -back when we saw two strange men lying face downwards on the cliff, -apparently watching the <i>Titania</i>. Of course, we couldn't do anything -then, except watch them, because the land isn't our private property, -but when that explosion went off and they began laughing and shaking -hands we thought it time to have a say in the matter. We did," he -added grimly, "and they came quietly."</p> - -<p>The prisoners, finding that they were not beaten, kicked, or -otherwise misused by their captors after the custom of certain German -officers in charge of prison-camps during the war, became fairly -communicative.</p> - -<p>Four men, under the command of Siegfried Strauss, had left Ni Telang -in one of the <i>Zug's</i> boats, and landed on Nua Leha close to the spot -where Dick had met with a mishap during his first pig-hunting -expedition.</p> - -<p>Leaving one man in charge of the boat, Strauss and the other three, -carrying explosives, an electric automatic time-fuse, and two divers' -suits, crossed the island, keeping under the shelter of the palm -groves until they reached the cove where the two sea-planes had been -berthed.</p> - -<p>While two of the men kept watch, Siegfried and a companion donned -their diving-dresses and walked into the sea.</p> - -<p>What happened could only be left to conjecture, unless Strauss at a -later date thought fit to explain his movements. Apparently they -found the wreck and placed their explosive charges in position. Upon -the return journey they became separated. His course deflected by the -current, Strauss found himself confronted by Swaine, the former's -astonishment being almost as great as the latter's. Of the fate of -the other Hun diver nothing was ever known. He might have been eaten -by a shark, or he might have lost direction and been killed by the -shock of the explosion, or else, which was more likely, he was -asphyxiated owing to the failure of his air-supply.</p> - -<p>That afternoon Merridew, O'Loghlin, Griffiths, and Bell, all armed, -proceeded to the place where the <i>Zug's</i> boat lay. They made an easy -capture of the last member of the submarine raiding-party, and, what -was a welcome prize, the boat as well—a stoutly-built 25-feet -cutter.</p> - -<p>They returned to the camp in the boat, following the shore inside the -reef, and the three prisoners were placed under lock and key in one -of the <i>Titania's</i> cabins, the crew taking turns to keep watch -outside the door to prevent any attempt to escape.</p> - -<p>Next morning Villiers volunteered to descend to the wreck and -ascertain the state of the hull after the explosion. Since the -guide-rope had been severed, the captured boat was pressed into -service and moored as close as possible, going by cross-bearings, to -the spot where the lighting-plant had been stationed. Since the -latter had been destroyed, Villiers had to rely upon his portable -electric lamp.</p> - -<p>The depth to which he descended before his feet touched the bottom -surprised him. It was greater than he had previously worked in, and -no natural light penetrated the dark waters. At first he fancied he -was in a submarine forest. Gaunt ribs, distorted in the rays of the -lamp, reared themselves on either hand. Closer examination showed -that they were not metal but timber, badly eaten by worms, and -thickly encrusted with barnacles.</p> - -<p>His foot catching in some obstacle caused him to throw the light of -the lamp upon the ground.</p> - -<p>He was standing on a bed of coral on which lay dark shapes in -hundreds, like a cart load of bricks dumped on the ground.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" he exclaimed to himself. "I've come to the wrong shop. -This must be the wooden hulk Swaine spoke about. She must have had -lead pigs for ballast. Even that lot's worth a fortune at the -present-day price for lead."</p> - -<p>Hardly knowing why he did so, Villiers lashed one of the pigs of -ballast to his shot-rope, then, paying out his distance-line as he -went, he made for his real objective—the wreck of the <i>Fusi Yama</i>.</p> - -<p>When that vessel's bilge loomed through the water, Villiers found -that he was close to the starboard bow. Much of the steelwork had -been stripped of its thick covering of weed and barnacles by the -force of the explosion, but of actual damage done to the hull there -was none.</p> - -<p>By a rare slice of good luck, as far as Harborough and his companions -were concerned, Strauss had miscalculated the distance and direction -of the wreck of the <i>Fusi Yama</i> from shore, and had deposited the -explosive charges against the side of the old wooden wreck in the -belief that it was the other. The remainder of the gold was still -intact. Von Giespert had shot his last bolt, and the missile had gone -wide of the mark.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter29"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXIX</h3> -<h4 align="center">A Frustrated Escape</h4> - -<p>Having made this satisfying discovery, Villiers returned to the -surface and reported the good news.</p> - -<p>There was, however, much work to be done before the rest of the gold -could be removed. The wreck of the <i>Fusi Yama</i> had to be buoyed once -more, for, amongst other damage, the former mark-buoys had been -destroyed by the explosion. Another guide-rope had to be established -between the wreck and the shore, while, owing to the loss of the -electric submarine lamp and the generating plant, the remainder of -the work under water had to be carried out by the relatively feeble -light afforded by the divers' electric lamps.</p> - -<p>By the time these various preliminary tasks were completed Swaine had -recovered from the effects of his perilous adventure. Siegfried -Strauss, too, was out of danger and gave but little trouble. His arm -was healing slowly, and he seemed grateful to his rivals for their -kind and generous treatment.</p> - -<p>Swaine bore him no ill will on account of the submarine fight. He -willingly accepted Strauss' explanation that he thought Swaine was -about to attack him and that he was obliged to take action. Strauss -was the loser, and had paid the price for it. The matter was over and -done with: that was Swaine's summing up of the case.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, every member of the <i>Titania's</i> crew felt that -they had an account to settle with Kaspar von Giespert. The fellow -hadn't played the game from the very beginning, and his treachery in -dispatching a boat's crew to blow up the wreck, and, as he hoped, -most of the members of Harborough's party as well, put him beyond the -bounds of decency.</p> - -<p>Strauss freely admitted that his employer had acted treacherously, -and that von Giespert was filled with a mad rage for revenge at being -baulked of his chance of getting the treasure. He also volunteered -the information that von Giespert intended to take the <i>Zug</i> back to -European waters directly the boat's crew returned. And, since they -weren't in a position to return, it was safe to assume that von -Giespert would not risk searching for them, but, after giving up all -hope of their safety, would carry out his original programme of -leaving Ni Telang and making for home.</p> - -<p>The two Germans captured by Dick Beverley did not take kindly to -their detention. Not from any sense of devotion to von Giespert did -they attempt to escape, but because they were under the erroneous -impression that their employer was on the right track after all and -was about to gain possession of the gold. They had heard von Giespert -say that he meant to sink the <i>Titania</i> and gain possession of the -booty by force of arms, and, since they did not like the prospect of -being under lock and key on the yacht when she was attacked, they -took steps to regain their freedom.</p> - -<p>It was a bright moonlight night when they put their crudely-formed -plan into execution. Although Griffiths was on guard outside the door -of their cabin-cell, he heard no suspicious noises. Working -desperately and silently, the Huns removed a portion of the inch -match-boarding that separated their cabin from the one adjoining, -which happened to be three cabins knocked into one and utilized as a -store for hydroplanes. Since the two <i>Cormorants</i> were no longer in -existence, the fairly-expansive compartment was empty save for a few -tools, coils of rope, and kegs of paint and varnish.</p> - -<p>One of the doors leading to the alley-way was unlocked—unlocked -doors being the rule rather than the exception on board.</p> - -<p>They waited until they heard the sentry go for'ard, for Griffiths was -pacing up and down the whole length of the alley-way, then they -silently crept to the accommodation-ladder and gained the deck.</p> - -<p>Merridew and Fontayne, the watch on deck, were at that moment pacing -the port side, conversing in low tones in order not to disturb their -sleeping mess-mates. Knowing that Griffiths was on duty below, they -never troubled about the prisoners—it was not their "pigeon". Their -particular duty was to see that the <i>Zug</i> didn't pay a nocturnal -visit with sinister intent to the lagoon at Nua Leha.</p> - -<p>In the midst of Fontayne's elaborate description of his "castle in -the air", Merridew laid one hand firmly upon his companion's -shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Go on talking—anything," he whispered. "These two Fritzes are -trying to do a bunk. Let 'em have a run for their money; we'll see -some fun."</p> - -<p>Merridew and his companion waited until they saw the dark shadows of -the Germans flat along the deck; then, each taking up a rifle, the -watchers followed, keeping under cover afforded by the chart-house.</p> - -<p>Right aft crept the two Germans until they halted and peered over the -taffrail as if measuring the distance between them and the shore. -Then, with a few coils of main-sheet, they took a turn round a -belaying-pin and silently lowered the free end of the stout manilla -rope into the water.</p> - -<p>Slowly one of the Huns wriggled on his stomach upon the -slightly-rounded top of the taffrail, then, grasping the rope, he -began to make his way down hand over hand, his companion watching his -progress.</p> - -<p>Merridew distinctly heard a splash in the water. It was not the noise -of a man swimming.</p> - -<p>"Sharks!" he whispered, and opened the cut-off to the magazine of his -rifle.</p> - -<p>The German dangling at the rope's end heard it too, for he uttered a -guttural "Achtung!"</p> - -<p>The other fell, just below the rail, tried to regain the deck, but -the task of swinging himself round and over the projecting taffrail -was beyond his powers. As he hung desperately to the rope he -prevented his companion's efforts to climb back. Both started to -shout for help.</p> - -<p>Bawling for the rest of the duty watch to turn out, Merridew and -Fontayne ran aft. A strange sight met their eyes as they leapt over -the taffrail.</p> - -<p>The Germans, gripping the rope with the tenacity of terror, were -swaying to and fro in their efforts to put as great a distance as -possible between them and the swirling water, while clearly visible -in the bright moonlight—as they darted in and out of the dark -shadows cast by the <i>Titania's</i> projecting counter—were two enormous -sharks, their white bellies glistening in the silvery light as they -turned to snap at the tempting bait just above their reach.</p> - -<p>Levelling his rifle, Merridew waited his opportunity. It was not long -in coming. One of the sharks was on the point of turning over on its -back to attempt a ferocious snap with its tremendous jaws when the -rifle cracked. At close range the nickel bullet inflicted a large and -mortal wound, and the monster, still writhing, sank out of sight.</p> - -<p>Fontayne hit the other, but whether the shot was fatal or not -remained an unsettled question to all concerned except the shark. But -the main point was that it swam off as hard as it could go.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the rest of the duty-watch had come on deck. Curiosity -prompted them to have a glimpse of the two thoroughly-scared Huns, -then they proceeded to lower and man the gig—the only available -boat.</p> - -<p>"There's no hurry," remarked Beverley. "Let 'em feel the breeze a bit -longer. It will teach them a lesson."</p> - -<p>The sharks having been eliminated from the proposition, all danger to -life was at an end. But before the boat came under the <i>Titania's</i> -counter the uppermost Hun released his hold. In his fall he tore his -companion's grasp from the rope, and the twain hit the water with -tremendous force.</p> - -<p>Winded and spluttering they rose to the surface, frantically grabbing -at each other until they were unceremoniously hauled into the -stern-sheets of the gig.</p> - -<p>Next morning Harborough had the two Germans brought before him. The -men were thoroughly cowed, for that narrow escape from being seized -and devoured by sharks had knocked all the stuffing out of them.</p> - -<p>Their punishment was solitary confinement, and they were also ordered -to make good the damage done to the woodwork of the cabin.</p> - -<p>"Strange," remarked the baronet, when the culprits had been removed. -"Up to the present we haven't seen a shark in the lagoon but that it -has done us a good turn. Now, then, fall in all hands. Another couple -of days' work will see the job finished, and then, yo ho, for Old -England!"</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter30"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXX</h3> -<h4 align="center">Von Giespert's Resolve</h4> - -<p>Kapitan Karl von Giespert, ex-Unter-Leutnant of the now defunct -Imperial German Navy, was in a very bad temper, which was saying a -good deal, since he was rarely in a good one.</p> - -<p>He was beginning to realize that his latest bit of dirty work—one of -many pet schemes—had been a wash-out. The boat containing Strauss -and three of the crew had not returned. He didn't mind losing the men -overmuch, but he regretted his decision to send Siegfried Strauss in -command of the submarine mining expedition; not that he had any -affection for Strauss, but because Strauss was a capable navigator -and he was not. And it was a long, long voyage back to the -Fatherland.</p> - -<p>After taking several turns up and down the deck, von Giespert went -for'ard, descended the steep ladder to the fo'c'sle, and thence to -the store-room, where for quite a considerable time he stood -pensively contemplating the for'ard water-tight bulkhead of No. 1 -hold.</p> - -<p>Then he bawled to one of the men to pass the word for the carpenter. -That individual arrived at the double, rather breathless and -perspiring freely not solely on account of the heat, but in -anticipation of a scene with his employer.</p> - -<p>"I want you," ordered von Giespert, "to shore up this bulkhead from -the other side. Use every available baulk of timber. If you want -more, send a party ashore to fell some trees. I want the job done -quickly and properly."</p> - -<p>Had von Giespert told the carpenter to construct a ladder long enough -to reach the moon, or given him similar impossible instructions, the -latter's surprise would hardly have been greater. The bulkhead of No. -1 hold was of massive construction, and its condition was as good as -the day when the ship was launched.</p> - -<p>"It will take a day and a half, Herr Kapitan," replied the carpenter, -in reply to his employer's question as to the length of the task -involved.</p> - -<p>"Then have it done," snapped von Giespert, and hied him to interview -the chief engineer in his cabin.</p> - -<p>"I want steam raised the day after to-morrow," he said. "We're -sailing at noon. What's the working-pressure of the boilers?"</p> - -<p>The engineer told him.</p> - -<p>"No more?" asked von Giespert.</p> - -<p>"I might raise another two atmospheres, Herr Kapitan," replied the -chief dubiously. "The boilers wouldn't stand that for long."</p> - -<p>"They'll have to stand it for an hour," declared von Giespert. "An -hour will be enough for my purpose. I will give you ample warning -when I require the additional pressure."</p> - -<p>His latest project was to sail for Nua Leha, arriving at dawn. If, as -he expected, the <i>Zug</i> were sighted by the look-out of the <i>Titania</i>, -he would hoist urgent signals—the international NV, signifying -"short of provisions". He would then make out that the <i>Zug</i> intended -to anchor within a cable's length of her rival, and, suddenly -increasing speed and putting her helm hard-a-port, ram the <i>Titania</i> -full on her beam. And, since he still required the <i>Zug</i> to get him -home, the reason for the shoring up of the for'ard watertight -bulkhead was apparent. But at all costs there must be no survivors -from the <i>Titania</i>.</p> - -<p>It was a desperate scheme that gave fair promises of success. The one -fly in the ointment was the knowledge that the <i>Titania</i> mounted a -4.7-inch quickfirer. Von Giespert did not, of course, know that the -"quick-firer" was at that moment performing its ordained task of -carrying off the smoke of the galley-fire in its humble, yet -important, capacity of a chimney.</p> - -<p>As a counter-measure, if the <i>Titania's</i> gun should be manned and -trained, von Giespert could hoist a "not under control" signal and -trust that the excuse would pass, but he was beginning to have a -wholesome respect for Harborough. Not once but many times that fool -of an Englishman had got to windward of him. It behoved him to act -warily.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert was a firm believer in the German equivalent for the -proverb "Desperate diseases need desperate remedies". To him the -<i>Titania</i> and her crew represented the disease; the <i>Zug</i> was to -apply the remedy. At the same time he realized that it was the last -straw, the final desperate plunge of the despairing gamester, staking -his all upon the cast of the die.</p> - -<p>For the greater part of the day the carpenter and his crew toiled in -the burning rays of the sun, hauling and setting in position huge -baulks of timber, supplemented by lengths of stout bamboo, felled and -towed alongside and thence whipped up and placed in the for'ard hold -by means of the vessel's derricks. Before sunset the carpenter -reported complete, but von Giespert was not satisfied.</p> - -<p>He ordered the men to fill sacks with sand and pile them up against -the timber shores. He meant to make certain of that bulkhead. The -<i>Zug's</i> bows might be torn like paper in the projected ramming -evolution, but the bulkhead must hold at all costs.</p> - -<p>The crew obeyed reluctantly. They were of a type that could be driven -and did not take kindly to being led; but in the matter of being -driven there could be "too much of a good thing ". And von Giespert -failed to realize the presence of the danger-signal.</p> - -<p>Headed by one of the quartermasters, the deck hands came aft in a -body and demanded of the now astounded but still mule-headed von -Giespert the reason for this excessive amount of work. They could not -see why the bulkhead should be strengthened, considering it was -strong enough already, unless some desperate scheme were afloat.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert told them. He had to admit failure in the quest of the -gold and that his British rivals had both hoodwinked him and secured -the real prize.</p> - -<p>"That is all very well, Herr Kapitan," observed the spokesman of the -deputation. "We don't mind taking desperate measures if there's -anything to be got out of it. If we sink the English yacht, how do we -stand as far as the gold is concerned? And suppose we fail, how do we -stand then? It will mean penal servitude in an English prison."</p> - -<p>"Not at all," protested von Giespert. "If we fail, the responsibility -is mine. You are acting under my orders. If we succeed in sinking the -yacht, as I believe we shall, then it's merely a question of diving -and recovering the gold. We would know its position to a certainty -this time."</p> - -<p>He stopped to make a rapid calculation.</p> - -<p>"How do we stand in, Herr Kapitan?" asked one of the men.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert, who was on the point of offering twenty per cent of the -proceeds, came down to ten. Inwardly he vowed that these swinish -fellows of his would pay for their temerity in trying to beard him in -his den.</p> - -<p>"Very well, Herr Kapitan," agreed the spokesman. "One tenth of the -proceeds in addition to our wages, and you'll please to sign a paper -absolving us from all blame in the matter of the collision."</p> - -<p>Muttering angry oaths, von Giespert drew up and signed a document to -that effect and handed it to the leader of the deputation. The men -withdrew, and for the present at least the trouble had blown itself -out.</p> - -<p>At eleven on the following morning smoke began to issue from the -<i>Zug's</i> funnel. Half an hour later steam was raised, and by noon the -safety-valves were lifting under the internal pressure. The chief -engineer reported that all was ready; but no answering clang of the -bridge-telegraph was transmitted to the engine-room.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert, on the bridge, was hesitating.</p> - -<p>"What is the glass doing?" he inquired.</p> - -<p>"It has risen a point since six this morning, Herr Kapitan," reported -the quartermaster.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert shrugged his shoulders. He had not even the excuse of -approaching bad weather to delay him.</p> - -<p>With feelings akin to those of a man about to plunge into icy-cold -water he leant over the bridge stanchion-rail. The bos'un in the -fo'c'sle had already shortened cable and was awaiting the command to -weigh.</p> - -<p>The kapitan nodded. At the signal the steam capstan began to clink.</p> - -<p>"Up and down, sir," announced one of the men, and a few moments later -the rusty stockless anchor came into view.</p> - -<p>"Easy ahead."</p> - -<p>The <i>Zug</i> began to forge through the placid water, increasing speed -as she passed through the gap in the reef.</p> - -<p>Von Giespert turned to the quartermaster.</p> - -<p>"Ost zu sud," he ordered.</p> - -<p>That course, east by south, was the course for Nua Leha.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter31"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXXI</h3> -<h4 align="center">Exit the "Zug"</h4> - -<p>"What's that made fast to the shot-line, old man?" inquired Beverley, -as Villiers, divested of his helmet and diving-dress, sat in the -stern-sheets of the boat that von Giespert had unwittingly given over -to the <i>Titania's</i> people.</p> - -<p>"That?" replied Villiers. "I dunno. Ballast, I expect. There are tons -of it down there. Wonder if it's lead?"</p> - -<p>"If so, it's a fortune for anyone who can get it back to England," -observed Harborough, unclasping his knife and digging the point into -the block of metal.</p> - -<p>"Tough for lead," he commented, "and yet too soft for iron, unless -the stuff's badly corroded. By Jove! Villiers! I believe—yes, I'm -sure—it's silver."</p> - -<p>"Regular Tom Tiddler's ground then," remarked Jack. "When we left -England silver was soaring. Wonder what it's worth now?"</p> - -<p>"At any rate, we won't fly in the face of Providence," declared -Harborough. "A few days more won't matter very much. When we've -finished with the <i>Fusi Yama</i>, we'll lift some of this stuff."</p> - -<p>"There's enough to sink the <i>Titania</i>," declared Villiers. "The hold -of that ship must have been chock-full of silver. Rum sort of -ballast."</p> - -<p>"Probably a Spanish treasure-ship or a buccaneering craft that sunk -with her booty," suggested Claverhouse. "They did that sort of thing -once, I believe."</p> - -<p>"Then that's settled," declared Harborough briskly. "Finish with the -<i>Fusi Yama</i>, and then carry on with the silver that friend von -Giespert, by the hand of pal Strauss, kindly discovered for us. How's -the glass, by the by? I forgot to look this morning."</p> - -<p>"It rose a point and a half after eight," reported Villiers, "and now -it is dropping rather too rapidly."</p> - -<p>"H'm!" exclaimed Harborough. "That's bad. It may interfere with our -work, and we can't afford to lose much more plant. We'll work double -shifts, and keep our weather-eye lifting."</p> - -<p>By sunset the task of clearing the <i>Fusi Yama's</i> strong-room was -accomplished, and an hour later the last of the gold was safely on -board the <i>Titania</i>—an event that was signalized by three hearty -cheers and splicing the "mainbrace" with discreet tots of champagne.</p> - -<p>The while the glass was falling rapidly, although not so low as on -the occasion of the devastating hurricane. Nevertheless, every -possible precaution was taken. The boats were hoisted in and lashed -down, awnings and side-curtains stowed, and additional cable veered -out. The engine-room stood by ready to start the heavy oil-engines, -and thus ease the strain on the anchor-chains should occasion arise. -All hands were on board, preferring to face the storm in a staunch -craft anchored in a fairly-sheltered lagoon to risking a wet and -uncomfortable, if not dangerous, night ashore.</p> - -<p>At midnight it was blowing a gale, but, in contrast to the preceding -storm, there was no preliminary rain—simply a terrific blast of -wind that heralded an almost uninterrupted blow.</p> - -<p>It started from the nor'-nor'-east, or obliquely to the coast-line -off which the <i>Titania</i> lay at anchor. Although the noise of the -breakers on the reef was like that of a continual roar of thunder, -the lagoon itself was only slightly agitated.</p> - -<p>But when, at about 3 a.m., the wind veered four points to the -east'ard, the beach became a dead lee shore. Huge billows, crashing -madly upon the coral reef, swept in masses of white foam across the -lagoon and churned themselves upon the beach, until in the pale -moonlight the palm groves appeared to be growing from an undulating -field of white water.</p> - -<p>Pounding and thudding, quivering under the terrific pressure of the -wind, the <i>Titania</i> held grimly to her cables. At one moment full -fifty feet of chain, stretched taut and obliquely like an iron bar, -would be visible; the next the yacht would lurch forward as a giant -roller passed her by, and would threaten to overrun her anchors, -until she "snubbed" with a sickening jerk that almost tore the stout -mooring bits from the deck.</p> - -<p>"It won't last long," declared Villiers, as a hissing shower of rain -mingled with the driving spindrift. "Wind before rain, you know. -It'll ease down by dawn."</p> - -<p>He was right. By sunrise, although the wind was still high, its force -had moderated considerably, and the sun rose in a grey sky, -betokening fine weather before many hours had passed.</p> - -<p>"Vessel making for the island, sir," suddenly announced Merridew, -pointing dead to windward.</p> - -<p>"By Jove! It's the <i>Zug</i>!" exclaimed Harborough.</p> - -<p>"No doubt about it, sir," agreed Villiers, after a lengthy survey -through his binoculars. "Wonder what she's doing here?"</p> - -<p>The <i>Zug</i> was steering due south, and, therefore, on a slightly -diverging course from the eastern side of the island; but when -immediately abeam of the entrance to the lagoon, she ported helm as -if to approach the narrow gap in the coral reef.</p> - -<p>"Either von Giespert's mad or he doesn't know the risk he's running," -said Harborough. "Make him a signal, Villiers. Say 'bar unsafe'."</p> - -<p>"He's flying some sort of signal, sir," reported Jack. "Can't make -out the flags; they're dead to windward."</p> - -<p>"If we can't see his, he can't see ours," observed Harborough. "But -we'll risk it, and give him a chance."</p> - -<p>"I've got it, sir," declared Beverley. "It signifies short of -provisions '."</p> - -<p>Harborough shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"What's wrong with the pigs and the bread-fruit trees at Ni Telang?" -he remarked pointedly. "If I were von Giespert, I would tighten my -belt a notch before I'd tackle the entrance to the lagoon. There's -one thing, the wind's moderating, but look at the broken water on the -bar."</p> - -<p>"It doesn't look so bad from seaward," said Merridew. "He'll feel -sorry for himself when he's in the thick of it, I fancy."</p> - -<p>With a following wind, the <i>Zug</i> was rolling heavily and frequently -obscured from view by the thick cloud of smoke from her funnel. When -quite a mile from the reef, she suddenly fell off her course, vast -quantities of steam issuing from her engine-room. She lost way, and -was now rolling excessively in the trough of the seas.</p> - -<p>"Looks like a boiler-explosion," exclaimed Harborough, glancing over -the side at <span id="cor0005" class="corrected" title="[Original text: the still tumultous water]">the still tumultuous water</span> within the reef. "We'll have -to get the boats ready for lowering, Mr. Villiers. They'll be wanted -pretty badly, I expect."</p> - -<p>The <i>Zug</i> was doomed. Von Giespert had again overreached himself, -although the crew of the <i>Titania</i> had no suspicion of his desperate -move. Von Giespert's orders to his chief engineer had been carried -out only too well. The main steam-pipe, unable to withstand the -abnormal internal pressure, had burst, the explosion killing everyone -in the boiler-room, while the escaping steam had severely injured the -chief engineer and his assistants.</p> - -<p>Helpless in the trough of the seas, the <i>Zug</i> was now drifting -rapidly on to the reef. Von Giespert, after bellowing incoherencies, -ordered a storm trysail to be set in the hope that the vessel's head -would pay off. But the moment the canvas was hoisted it blew to -atoms.</p> - -<p>As a last resource both anchors were let go. Owing to the depth of -water outside the reef, it was a long time before they obtained a -grip. When they did, the <i>Zug</i> was within two hundred yards of the -coral barrier.</p> - -<p>Momentarily she swung to her cables, then with a vicious snub both -chains parted simultaneously. Seven minutes later, with a crash that -was audible above the roar of the breakers, the <i>Zug</i> ended her -career upon the outer reef of Nua Leha.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<a name="chapter32"></a> -<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXXII</h3> -<h4 align="center">Settling Accounts</h4> - -<p>Harborough had not waited for the doomed vessel to strike. Already -the <i>Titania's</i> two boats—the only serviceable ones—had been -lowered, and were pulling towards the leeside of the reef.</p> - -<p>Villiers was in charge of the cutter that had formerly belonged to -the <i>Zug</i>. Beverley was in command of the gig. Both crews were -wearing life-belts.</p> - -<p>It was as well they did, for barely had the gig gone fifty yards from -the <i>Titania</i> when she shipped a heavy sea and filled completely. -Luckily all hands managed to gain the yacht by means of ropes thrown -them from the <i>Titania's</i> bows.</p> - -<p>Satisfying himself that his comrades late of the gig were safe, -Villiers held on, encouraging the crew by word and gesture, and -skilfully handling the boat to meet every dangerously-crested wave.</p> - -<p>It was grim, desperate work. Sometimes the boat would lose ground in -spite of the efforts of the rowers, who, with cracking sinews and -aching backs, stuck gamely to their task. More than once the stroke -had to boat his oar and bale out the water, for, in spite of her -weatherly qualities, the cutter was shipping dangerous quantities of -spray.</p> - -<p>As they approached the lee side of the reef, which afforded very -little shelter as the breakers were thundering right over it, -Villiers could hardly see the wreck owing to the volume of spindrift.</p> - -<p>The <i>Zug</i> was breaking up fast. Already her after-part, unable to -withstand the terrific hammering, had broken off and had disappeared -in deep water. On her bows, that were momentarily in danger of being -smashed to pieces, were five or six of her crew, swept by the waves, -and hanging on tenaciously to the heavier fittings. The rest of her -crew had disappeared, having been swept overboard on the impact.</p> - -<p>For the present Villiers could do nothing but keep the boat's head on -to the seas and wait. A hundred feet of coral reef, showing in the -trough of every breaker that swept over it, lay between him and the -wreck. To attempt to get alongside the <i>Zug</i> would be hopeless. Had -there been a ghost of a chance, he would have taken it in his efforts -to save life, but there was none. All he could do was to stand by and -wait, trusting that some of the luckless Germans might be swept over -the reef into the smoother water inside the lagoon. At length one of -the <i>Zug's</i> crew took a desperate step and plunged into the sea. -Caught by a crested breaker, he was hurled for a full fifty yards -before he disappeared from view.</p> - -<p>"Watch for him!" shouted Villiers. "He's over the reef."</p> - -<p>A few seconds later the man reappeared, feebly striking out. He was -in danger of being swept past the cutter before he was seen. To -attempt to turn meant the boat being caught broadside on and swamped.</p> - -<p>"Back all," ordered Villiers, gripping the tiller to prevent the -rudder broaching to as the boat gathered sternway.</p> - -<p>The cutter backed almost half-way across the lagoon before Villiers -gave the order to "give way". Then, gradually edging towards the -swimmer, the boat, ably handled, came within an oar's length of the -exhausted man.</p> - -<p>A few seconds of breathless suspense, then:</p> - -<p>"Got him!" yelled Swaine the bowman.</p> - -<p>At a cost of enough water to fill the cutter to the thwarts, the -German was hauled into at least temporary safety, and while two men -kept the boat head to wind and sea the others baled desperately, -using canvas bucket and baler until most of the water was ejected.</p> - -<p>Once more the cutter approached the reef, the rowers straining -desperately at their oars to recover the lost distance.</p> - -<p>"There's another of 'em off," shouted Jack, bawling to make himself -heard above the roar of the breakers and the rush of the wind.</p> - -<p>A stout German, wearing a pair of canvas trousers only, cast off the -ropes that secured him to the deck and leapt into the foaming water. -In vain the cutter's crew looked for his reappearance. He was never -seen again.</p> - -<p>The remaining four, deterred by the fate of their luckless comrade, -held on. The <i>Titania's</i> men, rowing frantically the while to keep -the boat from being driven to leeward, watched them over their -shoulders. Villiers realized that his crew were now almost played -out. It looked as if it were a case of the triumph of matter over -mind. The men were grimly determined to "stick it", but the ceaseless -labour for the last hour at the oars was wearing them out. It was not -straightforward rowing, but a constant tussle in confused breaking -water and against a furious wind.</p> - -<p>The while the bow portion of the <i>Zug</i> was breaking up fast. Alive to -the latest danger, the four men, abandoning their position, took to -the water. Three of these were picked up, the last not before the -cutter had been backed to within half a cable's length of the beach.</p> - -<p>Then, with rescued and rescuers almost in the last stage of physical -exhaustion, Villiers succeeded in running under the <i>Titania's</i> -quarter.</p> - -<p>"Only four saved, sir," reported Jack.</p> - -<p>"More than I expected," replied Harborough. "Get them below. Dry -clothes and hot drinks are what they want. Right-o, Villiers, you -turn in; you're in need of a rest, I'm sure."</p> - -<p>Jack was. Although he had not had the actual manual labour at the -oars, he had been badly knocked about by the buffeting of the boat. -One side was black and blue, owing to the tiller thumping his ribs, -while his left hand, which was still unhealed of its injuries -received during the submarine encounter with the poisonous fish, was -now raw and smarting horribly owing to the action of the salt water.</p> - -<p>Later in the day it was discovered that five others of the <i>Zug's</i> -crew had succeeded in escaping with their lives. By some strange -freak on the part of a wave, they had been swept through the entrance -to the lagoon, and unobserved by anyone on board the <i>Titania</i>, were -washed up on Nua Leha.</p> - -<p>When the wind moderated and a landing was possible, they were brought -off to the <i>Titania</i>, almost dead by reason of their terrible -struggle to gain the beach. Amongst them was the <i>Zug's</i> carpenter, -but Kaspar von Giespert did not figure in the list of survivors.</p> - -<p>Jack Villiers, protesting that his injuries did not much matter, was -on deck at the second dog watch. After dinner Harborough called him -aside.</p> - -<p>"I think we'll cut the silver stunt, Villiers," he said. Then he -paused to watch the effect of the announcement.</p> - -<p>"Very well, sir," replied Jack.</p> - -<p>"We've wrestled with Fortune and won, where other men have failed," -continued the baronet. "I'm sorry that lives have been lost over the -business; but we've this to be thankful for: we've come through it, -if not with whole skins, without a single D.D. on the muster-book. I -propose making for Sydney, transferring the gold to a liner, and -taking passage home in her."</p> - -<p>"Quite a good scheme," agreed Jack.</p> - -<p>"We can sell the old <i>Titania</i> at a good figure," resumed Harborough, -"and no doubt get a round sum for the secret of the silver. Let some -other fellows have a run for their money; personally, I don't believe -in playing Dame Fortune too hard. This gale is blowing itself out, so -to-morrow we'll fill up the water-tanks, lay in such provisions as -the island supplies, and say good-bye to Nua Leha."</p> - -<p>On the following day all available hands, including the two Germans -who had been under arrest, but were now released from their cells, -went ashore to complete the preparations for the voyage, and by -nightfall the <i>Titania</i> was revictualled and had water-tanks -replenished.</p> - -<p>At daybreak she sailed, her crew watching, with a certain amount of -regret, the triple peaks of the island sinking lower and lower behind -the horizon. Not only had the arduous work been successful, but the -varied experiences had cemented a band of life-long comradeship -between the members of the expedition.</p> - -<p>After an uneventful run the <i>Titania</i> arrived at Sydney, where -Harborough put his plans into execution.</p> - -<p>To him came Swaine.</p> - -<p>"If you've no objection, sir," he began, "I'd like to make an offer -for the <i>Titania</i> and the right to exploit the silver stunt."</p> - -<p>"What!" exclaimed Harborough. "You're a sticker, Swaine. You haven't -had enough treasure-hunting, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Must do something to keep me out of mischief," replied Swaine. "Even -with pots of money a fellow is at a loose end when he's got nothing -to occupy his mind. I reckon I've more than enough of my share of the -<i>Fusi Yama</i> gold to pay for the yacht and float a company here for -the recovery of the silver."</p> - -<p>"I'm quite agreeable," assented Harborough. "But I'll have to arrange -with the others concerning the value of the yacht and the other -matter."</p> - -<p>When the idea was put before the now-dissolving syndicate, not only -did they agree to let Swaine have the <i>Titania</i> at a reasonable sum, -but O'Loghlin and Fontayne offered to join in the new venture.</p> - -<p>Claverhouse and Trevear expressed their intention of remaining at -Sydney, prior to taking up farming in New Zealand. To them Harborough -advanced a sum sufficient to carry them on, pending the realization -of the gold in London. Griffiths and Bell, inseparable chums, decided -to try their luck at fruit-growing in Tasmania.</p> - -<p>Pete, with a pocketful of notes that represented to him a small -fortune, departed for the West Indies via Panama. He went with -genuine regret, followed by the good wishes of the erstwhile crew of -the <i>Titania</i>, who regarded him as a cheerful hard-working cook who -looked after their inward needs with the utmost fidelity.</p> - -<p>The rest of the <i>Titania's</i> party accompanied Harborough to England. -Villiers and Bobby Beverley, acting upon Swaine's principle, formed a -coastal shipping company, which not only kept them busy but gave a -good return for their outlay. Within six months of his return home -Dick Beverley gained tenth place in the entrance examination to -Sandhurst.</p> - -<p>Sir Hugh Harborough, rich and contented both in mind and body, was -able to run Thalassa Towers in a manner that bid fair to make it one -of the choicest country seats in Hampshire. He entertained lavishly, -but of his numerous guests none were more welcome than his former -comrades of the good ship <i>Titania</i>.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<center>PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN -<br><i>By Blackie & Son, Limited, Glasgow</i></center> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<div class="notebox fontsize80"> -Transcriber's Notes: -<br> -<div class="indent02"> -<br>This book contains a number of misprints. -<br>The following misprints have been corrected: -<br> -<br><a href="#cor0001">["It's like this," resumed Billy] —> -<br><span class="indent10">["It's like this," resumed Bobby]</span></a> -<br><span class="indent10">There is no Billy in this book. This should be Bobby.</span> -<br><a href="#cor0002">[messenger to Thelassa Towers] —> -<br><span class="indent10">[messenger to Thalassa Towers]</span></a> -<br><a href="#cor0003">[Straus had tried] —> -<br><span class="indent10">[Strauss had tried]</span></a> -<br><a href="#cor0004">[the compact air-craft begin to] —> -<br><span class="indent10">[the compact air-craft began to]</span></a> -<br><a href="#cor0005">[the still tumultous water] —> -<br><span class="indent10">[the still tumultuous water]</span></a> -<br> -<br>Two illustrations were missing in the paper version -used for producing this digitised text. These are: -'A SUBMARINE DUEL' and 'UNMASKED HE WAS NO LONGER AN -AMIABLE SWEDE'. They are marked with "(missing from book)" -in the Illustrations-list and at the place where the image -would have been. -<br> -<br>A few cases of punctuation errors were corrected, but are -not mentioned here. -<br> -</div> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Salving of the 'Fusi Yama', by -Percy F. Westerman - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SALVING OF THE 'FUSI YAMA' *** - -***** This file should be named 52340-h.htm or 52340-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/3/4/52340/ - -Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen. 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