hts that evening--he waited until
morning, when, after a look around a bright horizon dotted with sail and
steam, he said to her as she came up:

"Eat all the breakfast you can this morning, Florrie, for it may be some
time before we'll eat again."

"Why, Billie, what is the matter?" asked the girl.

"We've traveled at cruising speed all night," he answered, "and now must
be up close to the 'corner,' as they call the position where the
outbound liners change to the great circle course."

"Well?" she said, inquiringly.

"Did you ever hear of the _Gigantia_?"

"Why, of course--you mean the new liner?"

"Yes; the latest and largest steamship built. She was on her maiden
passage when this boat left port, and is about due to start east again.
Florrie, she carries five million in bullion, and these fellows mean to
hold her up."

"Goodness!" exclaimed the girl. "You mean that they will rob her--a big
steamship?"

"She's big enough, of course, to tuck this boat down a hatchway; but
these passenger boats carry no guns except for saluting, while this boat
could sink her with the armament she carries. Look at those
torpedoes--eight altogether, and more below decks. Eight compartments
could be flooded, and bulkheads are not reliable. But will they dare?
Desperate though they are, will they dare fire on a ship full of
passengers?"

"How did you learn this, Billie? It seems impossible--incredible."

"Remember the gun and torpedo drill!" said Denman, softly, yet
excitedly. "Our being in these latitudes is significant. They put Casey
ashore the other night and robbed the captain and me to outfit him. I
overheard some of the talk. He has reached New York, secured a position
as night operator in a wireless station, studied the financial news, and
sent word last night that the _Gigantia_ sails at ten this morning with
five million in gold."

"And where do you think she is now?" asked the girl, glancing around the
horizon.

"At her dock in New York. She'll be out here late in the afternoon, I
think. But, heavens, what chances!--to wait all day, while any craft
that comes along may recognize this boat and notify the nearest station!
Why didn't they intercept the lane route out at sea, where there is no
crowd like this? I can only account for it by the shortage of stores.
Yes; that's it. No sane pirate would take such risks. We've plenty of
oil and water, but little food."

That Denman had guessed rightly was partly indica