so as to make it carry as
much dynamite as possible."

The company could give no information more definite than that the
message had come from the _Bellingham,_ which was still a couple of
hundred miles out at sea.

In view of the value of the news from a strategic slant his friends
succeeded in keeping the lid on Captain Chunn's enthusiasm until the
party was safe aboard a fast yacht steaming out of the harbor to meet
the _Bellingham._ The old Confederate's first impulse had been to run an
extra immediately, but he was argued out of it.

"We don't want to go off half cocked. We've got a beautiful comeback if
we play it right. That is, if Jeff's got any proof. But we better wait
and let Jeff run the newspaper end of it, Captain."

This was Hardy's view, and it was indorsed by the others.

"Another thing. This story has got to come just like an explosion on
James K. Farnum's supporters. We've got to sweep them right back to our
bill. Now if we break the force of it by giving them warning that swarm
of lobbyists will get busy and stay busy all night," Rawson added.

Jim Dunn, the star reporter of the _World,_ was hurriedly summoned by
telephone. Chunn explained to the city editor that Dunn and the staff
photographer were needed to cover a big story, but of what the story was
no mention was made to the office. As soon as Dunn and Quillen reached
the wharf the _Fly by Night_ shot out of the dock.

Part 2

In the wintry afternoon sunlight Beauchamp and Alice were playing
a match of shuffleboard against Jeff and the daughter of a Honolulu
missionary. The game had reached an exciting and critical stage when
they noticed that the ship was no longer quivering from the throb of the
engines.

"A steam yacht, probably from Verden," the ship purser remarked to the
first mate as they passed.

The players gave up their game to watch the boat that was being lowered
from the deck of a yacht close at hand. Into it stepped five men in
addition to the crew. Presently Jeff, leaning against the rail, borrowed
the glasses of a man near. After Alice had looked she handed them to
Farnum.

He gave a little exclamation of surprise.

"I beg your pardon?" the girl beside him murmured.

"They are my friends, Miss Frome. Come to meet me, I expect. The little
man in gray with one arm is Captain Chunn."

She was all excitement at once. "Then they must have received your
message?"

"Probably."

Jeff was the first man to meet Capt