the program."

"Isn't it rather late to start?" asked Berwick, who had come out of the
engine-room, leaving Juarez in charge.

"Not if you are ready," was the professor's answer.

"I suppose they think they can slip away from us in the dark," chuckled
Jim.

"It will be something of a surprise if they find us at the Bay when they
come," said Jo.

"Engine all right, Mr. Berwick?" asked the professor.

"Working splendidly," replied Berwick.

"Very well, then," replied the professor, "we will get off at once. I
see that the Sea Eagle is going to start. Will you give the word,
captain?"

The captain passed the order to the boatswain, and an instant later, the
crew striking into a chant began to wind up the anchor chain, and in a
few moments came the call:

"Anchor apeak, sir!"

"Anchor's fast!" called the boatswain.

"Ready at the wheel," directed the captain from the bridge, where he was
standing with the professor. The captain rang the bell in the engine
room, the propeller revolved, slowly at first, then more quickly, and
the Storm King, gathering momentum, was headed through the channel's
mouth for the open sea. The voyage had begun. Anticipations and hopes
ran high. What would the outcome be?

"My, but it is good to get the smell of the salt again," cried Tom.

He and Jo were standing in the bow of the boat, taking in long breaths
of the salt air which blew in their faces. The spray from the waves, as
they curled away from the bow, dashed over them.

"And there is better still to come," added Jo.

"Why, here comes the Marjorie," cried Tom. "We are all moving out at
once."

The party on board the Storm King had been so much interested in getting
under way and in watching the Sea Eagle, that they had forgotten the
other vessel until Tom had noticed it following in their wake about a
mile behind. Gaining the open sea, much to the surprise of those on
board the Storm King, the Sea Eagle was headed directly to the north
under full speed, the heavy volume of smoke from her funnel trailing
behind like a cloud.

CHAPTER IX.

A PLOT.

It was true that the Marjorie was following in the wake of the other
ships, and some word respecting her mission will be of interest to the
reader.

Our scene is once more the office of that legal adviser of unsavory
reputation, to whom earlier reference has been made.

"I have some work for you to do, Captain Beauchamp."

The lawyer leaned back in his revolvi