"Why, of course he's one of their band," Dave continued. "It's a
fearful thing to say, but it is plain that I saved only an ingrate and
a rogue from the crime of suicide. However, Dan, we are losing time. I
must begin my report to Captain Allen."

At that instant there came a slight scratching sound at the door.
Tiptoeing to the door, Dalzell opened it far enough to admit Seaman
Runkle, who, as soon as the door had been closed and locked, promptly
saluted both young officers.

"What is your report, Runkle?" Dave demanded.

"Your party in the carriage, sir, dismissed the rig at this address,"
reported the sailorman, handing Ensign Darrin a slip of paper.

"You did well," Dave answered. "Find a seat, Runkle, until I have
written a note which you are to take aboard to Captain Allen."

Within fifteen minutes the letter was completed. It was not a long
document, but gave, in brief form, a summary of the adventures and
discoveries of the two ensigns since coming ashore.

"You will take this aboard, Runkle," Dave directed, "and you will see
that it reaches Captain Allen, even though he has turned in and has to
be awakened. You will tell the officer of the deck, with my
compliments, that such orders were given me by Captain Allen. Now,
Runkle, don't let anything interfere with your speedy return to the
ship. Also remember that you may be followed, and that Naples is a bad
town in which to be trailed at night."

"I'm not afraid of the bad people of Naples, sir," rejoined the
sailorman, with a quiet smile. "Do you expect me to return to you,
sir?"

"That will be as Captain Allen directs."

"Very good, sir. Good night, sir."

Able Seaman Runkle was shown out by Ensign Dalzell, who locked the
door of the room after the departing sailorman.

In the meantime a spy who had followed Runkle back to the Hotel dell'
Orso had telephoned, in a foreign language little understood in
Naples, the information concerning that sailorman's reporting to his
officers, and had added the suggestion that very likely the sailor
would be sent out to the fleet with a written report.

"I think it highly probable that the sailor _will_ be sent with a
written report," agreed Mender, at the other end of the telephone
wire.

"And if the sailor does try to get out to the fleet?" insinuated the
spy.

"If the man leaves the hotel to go to the water front," commanded
Mender, in a voice ringing with energy and passion, "see to it that
he is laid