seen from the
decks of the _Ajax III._ was on the port tack, close hauled and heading
so as to intercept the cruiser's course, provided she had speed enough,
which was wholly unlikely. She was under full canvas, and though the
breeze was very light, she slipped through the smooth water at an
amazing speed. This fact dawned on the minds of the Captain and his
Executive Officer at the same time.

"She must have an auxiliary electric screw," said Commander
Bilton-Brooks.

"I fancy so," said the Captain. "Owned by some fellow who likes to think
he's sailing, but has no patience with light breezes. It's rather
curious, though, that he should be cruising in these waters at a time
like this, isn't it?"

"It certainly is," answered the Executive Officer. "I don't see any
flag--do you, sir?"

"No. I rather fancy I shall have to overhaul this yacht, and make her
skipper give an account of her. There's a mysterious air about her that
I don't half like."

But it was a good deal easier to talk about overhauling the cutter than
it was to do it. The yacht's sails, which were made of some extremely
light material, like Chinese silk in appearance, were drawing
powerfully, and her electric motor--if it really was electric--was doing
astounding work. The yacht flashed through the water like some great
fish, and so fine were her lines that she left hardly a bubble in her
wake. The Captain of the _Ajax III._ gave orders to increase the speed
of the cruiser, and presently the quick throbbing of her engines and the
vibrations of her hull told that she was tearing across the long swells
at a 25-knot speed. But still the cutter-yacht flew along, and it was
evident that she would pass across the cruiser's bow if both held their
courses.

"We must stop her lively skipping," said Captain Dudley Fawkes, and he
gave orders to sound the call to quarters. The bugle rang out, and the
hearty British tars jumped to their stations.

"Cast loose and provide!" ordered Commander Bilton-Brooks.

The ammunition hoists slipped noiselessly upward bearing the
steel-iridium shells for the 8-inch guns, and the electric chains hauled
up the 70-pounders for the secondary battery. In forty-five seconds the
ship was ready to fight, and the order was given to train all forward
guns on the cutter and stand by for orders. Then the Captain and his
Executive Officer turned their glasses once more on the cutter.

"What on earth is she up to now?" exclaimed the Ca