than her rival. One enthusiastic millionaire offered a
twenty-dollar gold piece to every fireman, and five dollars each to all
the other members of the crew, if the _Columbia_ beat her fleet rival by
a five-hour margin. The money was as good as won.

Thurman sat in the wireless room. His head was in his hands and he was
thinking deeply. Should he or should he not send that message to
Washington which, he was sure, would cause Jack's arrest the instant the
ship docked. He had struggled with his conscience for some time. But
then the thought of the reward and the fancied grudge he owed Jack
overtopped every other consideration. He seized the key and began
calling the big naval station.

It was not long before he got a reply, for when not talking to warships
the land stations of the department use normal wave-lengths.

"Who is this?" came the question from the government man.

"It's X. Y. Z," rapped out Thurman.

This was the signature he had appended to his other messages.

"The thunder you say," spelled out the other; "we thought we'd never
hear from you again."

"Well, here I am."

"So it appears. Well, are you ready to tell us who this chap is who's
been mystifying us so?"

"I am."

"Great ginger, wait till I get Rear-admiral ---- and Secretary ---- on
the 'phone. It's late but they'll get out of bed to hear this news."

But it transpired that both the officials were at a reception and
Thurman was asked to wait till they could be rushed at top speed to the
wireless station in automobiles. At last everything was ready and
Thurman, while drops of sweat rolled down his face, rapped out his
treachery and sent it flashing from the antennae across the sea.

"Thank you," came the reply when he had finished, "the secretary also
wishes me to thank you and assure you of your reward. Secret Service men
will meet the ship at the pier."

"And Jack Ready, what about him?"

"He will be taken care of. You had better proceed to Washington as soon
as possible after you land."

"How much will the reward be?" greedily demanded Thurman.

"The secretary directs me to say that it will be suitable," was the
rejoinder.

The next morning, when Jack came on duty, he sent a personal message to
Uncle Toby via Siasconset. This was it:

"Universal detector a success. Will you wire Washington of my
intention to proceed there with all speed when I arrive?

"JACK."

Late that day he got back an answer that appea