a's_ key did happen to be Jonathan Driggs, he
could afford to breathe more easily. Driggs was another man who had
found in China the irresistible attraction, and who for some years had
sat behind the radio machines of many ships that plied these yellow
waters.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" roared the _Madrusa's_ spark. "Where are you? What
are you doing up at this time of night playing with a baby coil?"

For the next three minutes the spitting blue spark flared and jumped as
Peter spelled out his plight. He sketched their predicament by
abbreviated code, and he impressed upon his friend the necessity for
utter secrecy, hoping that the night had no other ears.

"Damn it!" replied the quick fingers of the gunboat's operator. "Damn
it! But I can't get shore leave! Impossible--you can guess why! Our
gunnery officer, Lieutenant Milton Raynard, is jumping to go! He'll
fetch you five or six sailors. He knows the lay of the land, and I've
sketched him a map of the locality from your description. Cinch!
They'll be off at once, soon as they can get the engine started in the
launch. Don't give up the ship, old boy! Don't----"

Peter dropped the receiver, walked over to the divan and endeavored to
awaken the girls, slapping their hands, shaking them. They did not
appear to be drugged. Evidently they had underestimated the power of
the smooth, yellow _arracka_. Faint color glowed in their cheeks, and
under the treatment Peggy slowly opened one very sleepy brown eye.

It drooped again. She muttered something that was not intelligible.
It had something to do with a princess, and even that word was
indistinct.

Anthony lifted a cautioning hand. "Some one's outside," he whispered.
Slowly, as they watched it, the knob described a single revolution.
Anthony lifted his revolver. "Who is there?"

"Let me in!" It was Romola Borria.

"Open the door," said Peter quietly, stepping aside.

Anthony removed the bench, twisted the key.

"You must not go with them," Romola whispered.

"Shut the door--put the bench back," directed Peter. He followed
Romola across the room.

Evidently she had read the spark. "Let these people go--yes! But you
remain. You will--or won't you?"

Peter looked skeptical. "Why should I? I've decided that life is
pretty sweet, after all! Why haven't Jen and his gang broken in here?
Why is he waiting? Have you told him help is coming?"

She shrugged impatiently. "I have not seen Jen. I ha