im, but he seemed to have no
broken bones. Not far away was the wrecked plane, an incongruous mass
of streaks where the fabric had ripped through the gas-paint. "Where
are the others?" Dick muttered.

Then he was aware of Fredegonde Valmy lying with a white face under a
shrub. Her eyes were open, and turned toward him.

He heard Luke Evans's voice. The old man hobbled round from Dick's
back, one arm in a bandage.

"She's hurt rather bad, Rennell, but we won't know how bad till we can
get her away," he said. "You've been lying here about an hour, since
we crashed. President Hargreaves made them take him to the fleet in
the other motorboat to see what he could do. He's assumed command.

"You see, Rennell, that damn gas caught the fleet and put pretty near
every man out of commission for good. But these fellows wasn't going
to give up. So, since all their officers were gone, they took two of
the boats and their arms and equipment, and came ashore to settle
accounts. And they won't believe there's anybody on the island or any
buildings. And I can't make 'em believe it. God, Rennell, those
invisible devils may attack us at any moment. I don't understand what
they're waiting for."

Gotch spoke: "We know you're Captain Rennell, sir. And this gentleman,
we know him too, but he seems a bit queer in his head. Talking of the
Invisible Emperor's headquarters on this island, a mile or so inland.
The only invisible thing we've found is that piece of a garment we
pulled off you."

"I broke my watch ray machine in the fall, and I can't make them
believe, Rennell," almost wept old Evans. "Tell them I'm not crazy."

Dick got upon his feet with an effort, staggered a little, then made
his way to Fredegonde. He kneeled down beside the girl. She was
conscious, and smiled faintly, but she could not speak. He pressed her
hand, rose, and came back. "Mr. Evans is not crazy," he said. "The
headquarters of the gang is over there." He pointed. "Didn't President
Hargreaves tell you?"

"He was kind of incoherent, sir." The marines looked at one another,
wondering. Was Captain Rennell crazy too?

"We've had scouts out through the jungle, sir. There's nothing within
five miles of here. They had a clear view through to the sea from the
top of a hill."

"I've been there." Dick spoke with conviction. "I must tell you
they've got devices that make them practically irresistible. That gas
and other things. And they're invisible. But if you boys