ing in the trough of the sea.
"There she is!" roared Dane, and every one came on deck.

"Are you sure?" cried Giles, taking the glass.

"Perfectly sure," replied Dane, who was dangerously excited. "Captain,
let me handle the wheel as a reward."

Calthorpe gave his assent, as he knew what a good steersman Dane was. He
then took his post beside Giles and Steel, who were admitted on to the
bridge, and thence directed the ship. Then _The Firefly_ made a bee-line
for the distant ship.

Steel and Giles had less sense than they should have had; and Dane in
his joy at the sight of his prey quite forgot that with a good glass
Morley could recognize them all three. It was _The Red Cross_, alias
_The Dark Horse_, that was steaming leisurely southward, and doing her
best to battle with the strong seas that hammered her newly painted
sides. Thus Morley, who had never expected such promptitude, became
aware that his foes were at his heels. He saw the detective and Giles on
the bridge. But Dane he did not see, being in too much of a hurry after
his first glimpse of the danger to take further interest in those on
board _The Firefly_. The result of Morley's decision was that those on
the pursuing yacht saw clouds of smoke pouring out of the funnel, and
knew that the furnaces were being crammed to suffocation. There was a
shout of joy from _The Firefly's_ crew, for now the fun was beginning.

"We'll see if she'll beat my boat," said Calthorpe on the bridge.

It was very stormy, and black clouds were racing across a pallid sky. A
furious wind had blown the mists into shreds of vapor, and was ripping
white spume from the tops of the rearing waves. The vessel in flight
soared like a swallow, and slid down into mile-long valleys; but _The
Firefly_, having more powerful engines, tore straight through the walls
of water that threatened to block her way. She trembled with the
vibration of her screws, and in the stormy heaving of the water there
was great danger lest her propeller fans should snap. However, the
engineer stood with his hand on the throttle-valve, and stopped the
spinning of the screws when they emerged.

Much the same tactics were being pursued on board _The Dark Horse_, save
that in addition the safety-valve was tied down. The engines worked at
furious speed, and the boat leaped like a hunted stag. But the hound on
its heels came closer and closer, and those on _The Dark Horse_ could
hear the roar of the delighted _Firefl