; I
don't very much like the look of those gendarmes in that boat."

"No; nor do I," answered Milsom. "Quartermaster, tend the wheel!"

"But surely they cannot do anything!" exclaimed Carlos. "What could
they do?"

"Well," said Jack, "I have heard, before now, of people being arrested
upon false charges, either for the purpose of obtaining possession and
getting a sight of their private papers; or with the object of detaining
them until it became too late for them to accomplish a certain
undertaking; or until some other and more serious charge could be
trumped up against them, and the necessary witnesses found and coached
to procure their conviction. It would be rather a bad thing for Cuba,
for instance, if, at this particular juncture in its affairs, your
father were clapped in prison and kept there for a couple of years."

"Well, yes, I suppose it would," agreed Carlos.

"Anchor's aweigh, sir!" reported Perkins, at this moment, as the steam
windlass, after slowing down until it nearly stopped, suddenly started
to clank at racing speed.

"Very good," answered Milsom. "Up with it as fast as you please."
Then, with a casual glance at the approaching boat, which was by this
time within about a quarter of a mile of the yacht, he laid his hand
upon the engine-room telegraph and signalled: "Quarter speed ahead!"

CHAPTER FOUR.

CIRCUMVENTING THE ENEMY.

"Whither away now, Mr Singleton? Down channel, I suppose?" enquired
Milsom, when the yacht began to forge ahead.

"I think not," said Jack. "In view of the fact that there is somebody
in that boat who appears to be willing to adopt very energetic measures
to get hold of Senor Montijo--or the yacht--it will perhaps be a wise
step for us to run a few miles up channel, instead of down, until we get
out of sight of any inquisitive eyes which may possibly be watching us:
so please shape a course up through the Straits for an hour or two--say
two hours; then we can seize a favourable opportunity to turn round and
run down channel, hugging the English shore fairly close. But your
question reminds me that the time has arrived when we ought to decide
for what port we are to make, in order that you may work out your Great
Circle courses. What think you, Don Hermoso?" he continued, in Spanish.
"Have you any definite idea as to the precise spot which it would be
best for us to make for?"

"Really, Senor, that is a detail that I have not yet seriously
considered,