xplained to the
other officers. "I thought he was either an Army man, or some civilian
friend who had come along."

Skipper Tom Halstead then went below to his stateroom, while observant
Joe Dawson noted that Darrin handled the wheel with skill.

"Shall I give you a little more speed, Mr. Darrin?" called Joe softly.

"I'm only a guest," Dave replied. "Mr. Overton is in command here."

"Thank you, Engineer, but, as we're only cruising I believe our best
move will be to stick to Captain Foster's nine-mile order," Hal replied,
nodding to Joe.

So the cruise continued. Halstead was soon on deck again, but the young
skipper found Darrin so enjoying his trick at the wheel that Skipper Tom
merely stood near to take the trick again whenever the young ensign
showed signs of being tired of his job.

It was late in the night, and the "Restless" was making her third trip
up the river before anything happened. For some time the young Army and
Navy officers had felt more or less bored with the monotony of these
hours of tiresome waiting. Tom Halstead had stretched himself out on the
deck-house for rest, though not to nap, and Hank Butts was at the wheel,
while Joe dozed lightly on a seat in the engine-room. All of the
enlisted men had crowded below, and were dozing.

"Look sharp, there!" cried Lieutenant Hal, suddenly, as he sprang to
Hank's side. "There's a craft moving out from the American shore, about
a mile upstream, isn't there!"

"Something moving, for sure," replied Hank, peering through the
darkness.

"A motor boat?"

"It must be."

"Trail her. Get in closer."

Skipper Tom Halstead now came forward, though he did not take the wheel
from Hank.

"The search-light is ready, whenever you want it, Lieutenant," remarked
the youthful motor boat skipper.

"The use of the light might save the fellows on the other craft some
guessing," smiled Lieutenant Hal. "I want to keep 'em guessing as long
as possible."

"I'll kick on more speed," proposed Hank, reaching for the deck
controls.

"Wait until you get orders," interposed Skipper Tom Halstead. "This is
government business, Hank, and we're not government officers, so we'll
act only under orders."

It was evident that those aboard the craft upstream had made out the
pursuing motor boat. The unknown craft was now heading straight across
the stream, and kicking on some speed.

"How fast is the stranger going?" asked Lieutenant Overton.

"Twenty miles an hour, as