low exclamation. He was Takakika, the Japanese cook. But
there was no time for words; the Jap launched himself at him with
fingers quivering in anticipation of the grip he sought. He never
arrived. Armitage whipped his right fist with all the power of his
body behind it to a point about two inches below Takakika's left ear.
There was a sharp crack and the Jap fell to the floor in a huddle,
motionless.

"Now, I reckon you 'll lie still," said Jack unpityingly. "You and
Koltsoff, too, will find that the spy game in the United States is full
of travail."

He glanced at the man, who was groaning now and showing signs of
recovery. "I guess I 'll lash you up to be on the safe side," which he
did with several of Koltsoff's neckties.

"Now, then."

He arose and looked about the room. On a table near the door were
several rolls of parchment. He went over to them and lifted them.
They were the plans of the torpedo. With a sigh of relief he
straightened them and folding the sheets into two small but bulky
packages, put them into his pockets. Evidently the apartment had been
thoroughly ransacked by Takakika. Drawers were opened, bags turned
inside out, the bed torn apart, and the mattress ripped. But where was
the control? Armitage felt about the Jap's clothing and then
feverishly began going over the line of search pursued by the spy. So
engrossed had he been in the struggle with Takakika that he had
forgotten his intention of locking the door leading from the hall. Now
his unsuccessful search filled his mind. At last in a dark corner of a
closet he unearthed a small square bag. He had just taken it into the
room and cut it when the door opened and Koltsoff entered.

For an instant he stood blinking and then his eyes travelled swiftly
about the room, taking in Armitage, the bound and half conscious
Japanese, and the general litter. Jack watched him closely, ready for
any move he might make. The Russian's sudden appearance had startled
him, but the first substantial thought that shot through his mind was
that no one could possibly have been more welcome. He had failed to
find the control: he had to have it. So he might as well have it out
with the Prince now as any other time. If Koltsoff but knew it, he was
facing a desperate man; for until he had entered and searched the
rooms, Jack had harbored no doubt that possession of the control was
merely a matter of overhauling the Prince's effects. Now he kn