that boat mean?" he said sharply.

"Don't know. Can't say," the officer replied. "Perhaps a man-o'-war's
boat coming to meet us for the despatches."

Hilary was not satisfied, but he said nothing. He merely resumed his
walk to and fro.

"Now then, bosun," he said, "have your men up ready. It will be down
sails directly."

"Not yet awhile, Mr Leigh," said the officer. "The _Kestrel_ does not
fly--she crawls."

"Waters," said Hilary as he passed out of his companion's sight, "make
no sign, but lay a bar or two and some pikes about handy for use if
wanted, and give the men a hint to be ready if there's anything wrong.
Quietly, mind."

Billy Waters nodded, and as Hilary walked back to where the officer was
standing he became aware that the gunner had taken his hint, but it was
all done so quietly that it did not catch the officer's attention.

"That boat means to board us," said Hilary, as their proximity to the
land sheltered them from the wind and their progress became slow.

"Offer to pilot us, perhaps," said the officer. "No; it is as I said."

"Ahoy, there! Heave-to!" shouted the officer in command of the boat.

"What boat's that?" cried Hilary.

"The _Royal Mary's_. Have you despatches on board?"

"My orders were to deliver my despatches myself at a certain address,"
thought Hilary; "this may be a trick."

"On special business," cried Hilary back.

"Nonsense, Mr Leigh!" cried the assumed Lieutenant Anderson.
"Heave-to, sir. I order you! Hi, my lads there, down with the sails."

"No sails don't go down for no orders like that," growled the boatswain;
but by skilful management the boat was already alongside and the bowman
had caught the bulwark with his hook.

"Keep back!" cried Hilary sharply.

"Are you mad?" cried the man by his side, now throwing off his cloak,
and with it his disguise, for he caught Hilary by the collar and
presented a pistol at his head. "Quick, there, up with you!"

Hilary struck up the pistol, but the next instant he received a heavy
blow on the forehead and staggered back as, to his horror, the crew of
the boat, well-armed and headed by Sir Henry Norland, leaped aboard and
drove back the two or three of the crew who were near.

"At last!" cried Sir Henry to the false lieutenant. "I thought you
would never come, Hartland. Have you the papers?"

"Yes, all right," said the gentleman addressed, "and all's right.
Here."

He had thrust his hand into his breast w