Then the two lads awaited developments.

Apparently the craft ahead had not discovered the presence of the
motorboat containing Lord Hastings, Jack, Frank, and a crew of four men;
neither did the distance between the two boats seem to diminish. The two
were not approaching each other.

"Twenty-five knots," came Lord Hastings' command, and the little craft
seemed to leap ahead.

The light ahead drew closer.

"Train your gun on her, Mr. Templeton," ordered Lord Hastings, "and if I
give the command, fire to sink her."

This command was needless, for Jack had already gauged the range and
trained the gun. Nevertheless he replied:

"Yes, sir."

The pursuers now had approached within fifty yards of their quarry, and
still not a sound save an occasional order from Lord Hastings had broken
the stillness of the night. There had been nothing to indicate that the
other boat was even occupied, save the sudden appearance of the light
aboard.

But now, as the pursuers crept even closer, there came a sudden startled
exclamation from ahead; and at the same moment the light disappeared.

"Fire!" cried Lord Hastings.

"Boom!"

Jack had fired the gun.

There was another startled exclamation from ahead.

"Did you hit her?" asked Lord Hastings.

"Think so, sir," replied Jack. "Don't see how I could have missed at
that distance."

"We'll cruise about a bit and see," said Lord Hastings.

He gave the command and the motorboat slowed down.

For half an hour the little craft circled about, but there was no trace
of the other boat. All aboard flashed searchlights about the water, and
the larger light in the bow was turned on, casting a bright ray over the
water.

"They've either gone away or to the bottom, sir," said Frank.

"And I guess it's away," said Lord Hastings. "Jack must have missed."

"Don't see how I could, sir," declared the lad.

"Better let me try with a revolver next time," put in Frank. "I know I
could have landed one of them."

"Well, they have gone. But we'll get them if we have to follow them for
a month."

"Who, sir?" asked Frank, who could restrain his curiosity no longer.

"Why, your fellow conspirators, Davis and Baron Blosberg."

"Baron who?" asked Frank.

"Blosberg. He is the man we are after. We have evidence to prove that he
is at the head of a body of spies that have been divulging our plans to
the enemy. Davis is merely one of his instruments."

"I don't know anything about the b