hy, but which was only a very
small gasoline launch.

"In with you, Casey," said Jenkins, in his low, hoarse voice, "and turn
her over. See about the bottom plug, too. Clear away those guys fore and
aft, you fellows."

In a few moments came the buzzing of the small engine; then it stopped,
and Casey said: "Engine's all right, and--so is the plug. Shove out and
lower away."

"Got everything right, Casey? Got your money? Got the code?"

"Got everything," was the impatient answer.

"Well, remember--you're to head the boat out from the beach, pull the
bottom plug, and let her sink in deep water. Make sure your wheel's
amidships."

"Shove out and lower away," retorted Casey. "D'you think I never learned
to run a naphtha launch?"

Denman heard the creaking sound of the davits turning in their beds,
then the slackening away of the falls, their unhooking by Casey, and the
chugging of the engine as the launch drew away.

"Good luck, Casey!" called Jenkins.

"All right!" answered Casey from the distance. "Have your life-buoys
handy."

Denman had ducked out of sight as the launch was lowered, and he did not
see Casey; but, on opening a locker in his room for a fresh box of
cigars, he noticed that his laundry had been tampered with. Six shirts
and twice as many collars were gone. On looking further, he missed a new
derby hat that he had prized more than usual, also his suitcase.

"Casey and I are about the same size," he muttered. "But what the deuce
does it all mean?"

He went to sleep with the turbines humming full speed in his ears; but
he wakened when they were reduced to cruising speed. Looking at his
watch in the light from the wardroom, he found that it was half-past
two; and, on stepping out for a look at the telltale, he found the boat
heading due south.

"Back in the pocket," he said, as he returned to his room.

But the engines did not stop, as he partly expected; they remained at
half speed, and the boat still headed south when he wakened at
breakfast-time.

CHAPTER XXI

After breakfast, King, one of the machinists, and a pleasant-faced young
man, came aft with an ensign, a hammer, chisel, and paint pot.

"This is work, sir," he said, as he passed, tipping his cap politely to
Miss Florrie. "Should have been done before."

He went to the taffrail, and, leaning over with the hammer and chisel,
removed the raised letters that spelled the boat's name. Then he covered
the hiatus with paint, and hoi