and Dalny
showed their evil faces, as each trained on the young naval officer an
ugly-looking naval revolver.

CHAPTER XXII

AFTER THE PEST OF THE SEAS

"Make a sound, and you feed the fishes, my fine young naval dandy!"
hissed Dalny.

"Pooh!" retorted Dave, contemptuously. "Order your steward to unlock
that door, or I shall be put to the trouble of smashing it down with
my shoulder."

"And be shot in the back while you are doing it," jeered Mender.

"I haven't had the honor of meeting you before, but I take it that you
are the bogus Russian Prince," laughed Dave. "Just now, though, you
look much more like an apprentice to the Black Hand."

"You should be saying your prayers, instead of talking impudence,"
sneered Dalny.

"As for this cardboard Prince, words fail me," mocked Dave, still
speaking in French, "but as for you, Dalny, I have already tested your
courage, and know it to be worthless. You are a coward, and would not
dare to use that revolver, knowing, as you must, that my men are
aboard and would tear you to pieces. Go ahead and shoot, if you dare.
I am going to break my way out of this cabin, and then I shall arrest
both of you."

"Is there no way of compromising?" begged Dalny, his evil face paling,
"In exchange for your life, Monsieur Darrin, can you not offer us a
chance for escape?"

"One brave man down!" laughed Ensign Dave. "That was spoken like the
coward that you are, Dalny."

Darrin turned to break down the door. He knew that he was taking
chances, for the sham Prince might be a man cast in a braver mould
than Dalny, and, in his desperation, might shoot at the back that Dave
so recklessly presented.

At the third lunge from Darrin's sturdy shoulder, the door snapped
open at the lock. The young naval officer stepped out into the social
hall. There was no sign of the steward.

"Seaman here!" Dave bawled lustily. He was obliged to repeat the
summons twice before a hearty "Aye, aye, sir!" was heard in the
distance.

Then Jack Runkle showed his jovial face at the top of the
companionway. Catching sight of his officer, Runkle bounded down the
steps and came up on a run, saluting.

"Runkle, go to the corporal of marines and ask him to send two men
here. Then stand by."

"Aye, aye, sir."

Runkle was off like a shot on his errand and soon returned with two
marines.

"Now, men," Dave directed, pointing to the doors, "batter them down.
That door, first."

As the men aligned