th that hose," he said to Frank. "There
is not a nook nor cranny of this cabin you didn't touch. Look at it, it
won't dry out in a month."

"Hardly that long, sir," said Jack with a grin. "But tell me what all
this is about, anyhow."

Frank explained. Then all grew silent, awaiting the sound of footsteps
that they felt sure would herald Davis' flight. And a few moments later
they came, creeping along silently.

Frank took a step forward, but Lord Hastings stayed him with a gesture.

"Let him alone," he commanded. "We don't want him to find another hole.
We have had trouble enough with him."

A few moments later footsteps sounded on deck.

"Well, he's up there," said Frank. "Now what?"

"Guess we can go up after him now," replied Lord Hastings.

He led the way.

"Careful, sir, when you go up," warned Jack. "He's likely to be waiting
for one of us to show a head."

Lord Hastings paid no heed to this command, but sprang quickly up. He
gazed around rapidly. There was not another soul on deck.

"Come on," he cried to Frank and Jack.

The latter also sprang up and looked about.

"Where is he, sir?" asked Frank.

"Gone," replied Lord Hastings. "Must have jumped overboard."

He swept the sea with his eyes, as did the others.

"What's that over there, sir?" asked Jack suddenly.

Lord Hastings and Frank gazed in the direction indicated. There a little
object could be seen in the water. It had the appearance of a small
stick and beside it there appeared a black piece of cloth whipping in
the breeze.

"Looks like the periscope of a submarine," commented Frank.

"And it is," declared Lord Hastings. "Below quick!"

Jack sprang down the companionway, closely followed by Frank and Lord
Hastings. The conning tower closed behind them.

"Submerge to the tip of the periscope," ordered Lord Hastings, and put
his eye to the instrument as Jack repeated the command.

At that moment the other craft bobbed to the surface and Lord Hastings
made out that the black cloth that fluttered in the breeze was nothing
more nor less than a black flag.

"Pirates!" he muttered. "What! at this age of the world?" and then a
sudden thought flashed through his mind.

"I'll wager a farm it's Davis' own crew," he muttered.

"What's that, sir?" asked Jack, who had caught his commander's last
words.

"Nothing much; only that Davis has found his own gang," replied Lord
Hastings quietly. "Here, have a look."

He stepped aside and Jac