tenant Whyte, striding forward, "I represent
Admiral Barkham, ranking officer of His Majesty's Navy in these
waters. I have the Admiral's orders to search this craft."

"You search him for vat, sir?" demanded the skipper.

"My orders are secret, sir. The search will begin at once. Ensign
Darrin, if you will leave your marines to hold the deck, we will use
all our seamen and yours below."

"Very good, sir," Dave replied, saluting. "You do not wish any one
allowed to leave the yacht, do you, Lieutenant?"

"Not without my permission or yours, Ensign."

Dave accordingly gave the order to the corporal in charge of his
marine party.

In another minute American and English tars were swarming below decks
on the yacht.

On deck and in the wheel house Darrin had not seen more than four men
of the yacht's crew, besides the skipper.

"There do not seem to be any men below," Dave muttered, as he explored
the yacht between decks. "I wonder if that skipper gets along with
four deck hands in addition to his engine-room and steward forces."

His men in squads, under petty officers, worked rapidly. Dave Darrin
moved more slowly, passing on into the dining cabin and the social
hall of the yacht, which were below decks.

Adjoining the social hall were several cabins. Dave threw open the
doors of the first few he came to, finding in them no signs of
occupation.

Then a steward, smiling and bowing, appeared and asked him in French:

"Do you seek any one here?"

"You have a Prince aboard?" Dave asked.

"Even so."

"And a Japanese nobleman?"

"We have."

"I wish to see them."

"Both are resting at present," the steward expostulated.

"I must see them immediately," Dave insisted.

"It is hardly possible, sir," protested the steward. "It is not to be
expected that I can disturb such august guests."

"Steward, do you wish me to summon my men and have these cabin doors
battered down?"

"Do not do that!" urged the steward in alarm. "Wait! I have pass-keys.
Which would you see first?"

"The Prince, by all means."

"I will admit you to his room, Monsieur, and next silently slip away.
But be good enough to let the Prince believe that he left his door
unlocked. This way, monsieur."

Finishing his whispered speech, the steward glided ahead. He unlocked
a cabin door, opening it but a crack. Dave stepped softly inside.
Instantly the door was pulled shut and locked.

Through transoms on opposite sides of the cabin Mender