ecure, for the
heights of Algeciras, in Spain, are only about seven miles away. If
Spain were at war with Great Britain, or if any other power took the
heights of Algeciras from Spain, guns could be mounted on those
heights that would dominate the harbor of Gibraltar. None the less, as
long as war exists and the huge stone height of Gibraltar remains, the
impression of strong military force will abide with the rock.

Down at the mole a British sentry stopped the trio. Near him stood a
corporal and three other soldiers.

"American officers and a friend," replied Ensign Darrin, when halted
by this sentry. Then the trio advanced when ordered. Lieutenant
Totten, from the 'Hudson,' stepped forward, peered at Darrin and
Dalzell, and said to the corporal:

"I recognize these gentlemen as officers of ours."

"And the friend?" inquired the corporal.

"The friend is an American citizen who has business with Admiral
Timworth," Dave stated.

"Then it is all right," Lieutenant Totten assured the corporal.

Whereupon the British corporal permitted Cushing to step out on the
mole with his companions, Darrin and Dalzell.

"Which is the flagship launch?" asked Darrin.

"The rearmost," answered Lieutenant Totten. "Ours is the only launch
here. The two other launches belong to the warships of other powers."

Cushing, while this brief conversation was going on, had walked
rapidly along the mole until he reached the farthest launch.

"I want you!" he shouted, bending over suddenly.

He had found and seized by the coat collar the man with the green hat.

Dave and Dan rushed to the spot, hardly knowing what they could do, as
they did not want to see the representative of the American State
Department lack for backing.

"Pull Cushing away from that fellow," ordered Totten.

"Is that an official order?" Dave flashed back, in a whisper.

"It is," nodded Totten, and faded back into the blackness of the
night.

Dave bounded forward. He saw that the launch was one belonging to some
liner or merchant ship in the harbor. Three or four men belonging in
that launch had leaped to the rescue of Mr. Green Hat. Dave, with one
tug, tore Cushing away.

Mr. Green Hat fell back in the launch. Two sailors belonging to that
craft cast off the lines at bow and stern, and the launch glided out
into the harbor.

"Why didn't you help me, instead of putting the double cross on me?"
Cushing demanded, angrily.

"I had my reasons," Ensign Darri