ogether, the necessary
flags were out, and knotted to the line in their proper order.

"Hoist away!" ordered the lieutenant, himself giving a hand on the
halliard.

Up the signal mast went the line of bunting, fluttering. The little
flags spelled out this message to the gunboat:

"Evidence of serious foul play. Join us to investigate."

Almost immediately there came a signal from the bridge of the gunboat,
to show that the message had been read.

Jack was now slowing down speed, making ready to lie to, a hundred yards
or less from the floating torpedo.

"Mr. Farnum, Hal's always at his post," said Jack, "but call down to
him to be sure to stick particularly close for the next few minutes. If
the wind shifts, and heads that torpedo our way, I want to be sure of
instant speed for getting out of the way."

The gunboat was now cruising leisurely over to where the "Hastings"
waited. Danvers signed to the officer on the "Oakland's" bridge to
keep an especial eye on the floating torpedo.

As the "Oakland" slowed up, a cutter, in charge of an ensign, put away
from the gunboat's side.

"Ensign," shouted Lieutenant Danvers, "we shall feel obliged if you can
lie alongside of that torpedo, and render the war-head harmless. We
believe the torpedo to be fully loaded, and ready for instant action."

"I'll do what I can, sir, and as promptly as possible," replied the
ensign, saluting his superior officer.

A few minutes later the working part of the torpedo's war-head had been
removed by the boat's crew, and the torpedo itself was taken in tow.

"Now, Ensign, run in alongside, and take me on board," announced
Lieutenant Danvers. "Mr. Benson, you'll go over to the 'Oakland' with
me, of course?"

By this time the "Thor" had come about, and up within hailing distance
of her Pollard rival.

"What's wrong? What has happened?" demanded John C. Rhinds, in a hoarse,
croaking voice.

None aboard the "Hastings" took the trouble even to look in the direction
of the speaker.

"Can't you hear, aboard the 'Hastings'?" insisted Rhinds.

But he had no better result than from his first hail.

In the meantime, Danvers and Jack, on reaching the gunboat, went at once
before a council composed of the naval board and the commander of the
gunboat.

The two witnesses told their story speedily and clearly.

"Can you swear that the torpedo was fired from the 'Thor,' Lieutenant?"
inquired Captain Magowan, president of the naval b