seems to be holding off and I hope he does. However, I'm ready, and
we'll beat him to it."

"I----" began Jack, and whirled about suddenly. He had caught the sound
of footsteps behind him.

The lad looked into the face of Davis.

"Stand back there!" he commanded sharply.

"Why? What's the matter? What's going on?" demanded the latter.

"None of your business," replied Jack. "Back now, quick!"

"Look here----" began Davis.

"You heard me," said Jack slowly and very quietly. "Now obey and be
quick about it."

"By whose command?" inquired Davis with a leer.

"By mine," returned Jack, restraining his temper with difficulty.

"I don't recognize your authority," declared Davis, and took another
step forward.

Lord Hastings had been peering intently into the periscope and had paid
no attention to what was going on behind him. He had given Jack his
orders and he knew they would be carried out. However, now turning from
the periscope to speak a word to the lad, he saw what was going on and
he caught Jack's last words and Davis' reply.

"Then perhaps you will recognize mine," he said. "Stand back, sir!"

Without awaiting a reply he again turned to the periscope. For a moment
Davis hesitated and seemed about to protest, but Jack gave him time for
no further words.

The lad stretched out a long arm quietly, seized Davis by the elbow,
drew him toward him a pace, and then hurled him violently backward.
Davis went tumbling head over heels. Jack wasted no further thought on
him, and turned to Lord Hastings.

Davis, very angry, pulled himself slowly to his feet and glared at Jack
evilly. Suddenly he put his hand to his belt, whipped out his revolver,
and levelled it straight at Jack.

But before his finger could press the trigger his wrist was seized in a
strong grasp from behind and the weapon was twisted from his hand.
Whirling angrily Davis looked into the face of Frank, who was smiling
quietly.

"What's the meaning of this?" demanded the latter.

Davis face turned dark with rage.

"I'll show you," he cried, and struck a vicious blow at the lad.

But Frank had been prepared for some such move and stepped back quickly.

Davis missed.

Frank realized that this was neither time nor place to settle his
grievance with Davis, so he took the simplest way out. His hand flashed
to his belt and his revolver came to a level.

"That's enough," he said sharply. "One step forward and I'll shoot, so
surely as my name i