went
out immediately afterward. But the vessel from which it had been shown
could not put herself out of sight so easily.

The beam of the search-light hesitated a moment, and then settled
unwaveringly upon a little vessel about five miles away. She circled
and dodged, but all to no purpose; she could not escape that unblinking
ray, which followed her, relentless as fate, revealing every detail on
board her as distinctly as though she were under the light of day.

That she was a destroyer was at once apparent; there could be no
mistaking the long, low, clean-cut black hull, with the four squat
funnels and the short signal-mast. Nor could there be any doubt as to
her nationality. Chinese she was not, China possessing no boats of that
description; and since she was lurking in that particular spot under the
cover of night, there was only one thing she could possibly be--a
Japanese scout. The locality of the Chinese fleet had been discovered,
thanks to the traitor in their midst, and the destroyer would now return
to her parent fleet with her report; and, unless the Chinese were very
careful, they would be caught in the roadstead, like rats in a trap.

Frobisher watched the flying shape of the destroyer, undecided whether
or not to try a shot from his heavy guns; but he soon realised that, by
the time that the gun could be loaded and trained, the chances of making
a hit would be small indeed. He therefore ordered the search-light to
be kept going in case any other similar craft should be lurking in the
offing, and, after a few words to Drake, went below and dressed himself
fully. Then, late as it was, he ordered his gig, and had himself pulled
across with all speed to the _Ting Yuen_. He smiled grimly as he
pictured Admiral Ting's face when he should hear what he was about to
tell him.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

THE BATTLE OF THE YALU.

Directly he got on board the flagship, Frobisher, through his
interpreter, sent a message to the admiral, asking whether he would see
the captain of the _Chih' Yuen_ immediately, upon urgent business, and
alone; for the Englishman had no mind to have the interview interrupted
by the presence of Prince Hsi. Whatever happened, that individual must
be kept in ignorance of the fact that his treachery was so strongly
suspected as to be almost a certainty, otherwise he would be on his
guard; and it was Frobisher's intention, if Admiral Ting agreed, to
leave the man in ignorance of th