, applying a
steady match flame to the oval butt. He spoke in his usual tones, with
a gruffness that balanced on a razor edge between rough jocularity and
official harshness. "What's new? Have one of my ropes?"

Peter studied the glowing end narrowly. "Had a little trouble first
night out. No, thanks. Not smoking to-night." His bruised
finger-tips were curved up tenderly in his coat pocket.

"What's 'at?" The steel eyes were motionless beneath half-lowered lids.

"Some one used an electric machine. Jammed my signals."

The choleric face dipped knowingly. What Captain Jones did not
comprehend he invariably pretended to comprehend. "Noticed anything
else?" His ruddy face was now weighty with significance.

Peter sat up abruptly. "What!"

A thick, red forefinger threatened, "Lis'n to me, Sparks, you're a
overgrown, blundering bull in a china-shop. You're----"

"Well?" There was a trace of anger in Peter's suave inquiry. His face
became stony white. A spot of color appeared at either cheek.

"I mean: Keep your damn nose out of what don't concern you. Savvy?"
The heated words spilled thickly from the captain's red lips. "I mean:
Butt out of what concerns Chinese women and--and--other words, mind
your own particular damn business! Duty on this ship's to mind the
radio. What goes on outside your shanty's none of your damn concern!"
Captain Jones' mouth remained open, and the butt of the black cigar
slid into it.

Peter raised a restraining hand. His lips trembled. His eyes seemed
to snap in a rapid fire between the eyes and mouth of the big man
slouched down in the chair in front of him. "Wait a minute," he spat
out. "Since you do know that somebody is being kidnapped on this
ship----"

"What in hell do you mean?"

"Exactly what I say. A Chinese woman, no matter who she is--is hiding
some one, a woman, somewhere on this ship. That woman--that woman
who's being held--grabbed my hand not five minutes ago. It's your
duty----"

"Keep your hands where they belong. You're talking like a fool.
Kidnapped? You're crazy. My duty? You're a fool! You're talking
baby talk." Captain Jones sprang from his chair. "You're on this ship
to tend the wireless," he bawled. "You're under oath to keep your
mouth shut. Any one back there?"

"No!"

"Don't you know it breaks a government rule when that room's empty--at
sea?"

The mist-laden wind shrilled through the screen door abruptly thrust
ba