“Here,” said their commander, “take this searchlight and flash it ahead.  See if you can pick up anything.”

He passed a small but powerful searchlight to Jack, who again moved to the bow.

Jack pressed the little button and a tiny but brilliant light flashed over the water before the boat.  There was nothing in sight, so far as the boy could see.

“Nothing ahead, sir,” he reported to Lord Hastings.

“Guess we had better remain about here, anyhow,” muttered Lord Hastings, half to himself.

Although the lads had no idea of the nature of their present mission, they had asked no questions of their commander.  They knew he would tell them whatever he deemed necessary when the time was ripe; and until that time they were satisfied to await whatever might transpire.

But one thing the boys had noticed which had given them much food for thought.  In the prow was mounted a small but heavy gun, and a second one of the same size loomed up formidably astern.  Plainly they were there for a purpose, and Frank and Jack both realized that there was serious work ahead of them.

Lord Hastings himself had examined both guns carefully and announced that they were in first-class condition.

“All ready for use,” he had said.

And now, although neither lad knew it, the time was fast approaching when they were to be greatly needed.

Several times in the course of the next hour Lord Hastings ordered Jack to see what he could pick up ahead; but each time the result had been the same.  There was nothing to disturb the calm peacefulness of the night.

And then they were spared the need of another look, for there suddenly loomed up less than a hundred yards ahead a dull-glowing white light.

“To the forward gun, Mr. Templeton,” ordered Lord Hastings, thus, for the first time on this mission, falling into old aboard-ship terms.

Jack sprang forward.

“Man the gun astern.”

Frank obeyed this command with alacrity.

Then the two lads awaited developments.

Apparently the craft ahead had not discovered the presence of the motorboat containing Lord Hastings, Jack, Frank, and a crew of four men; neither did the distance between the two boats seem to diminish.  The two were not approaching each other.

“Twenty-five knots,” came Lord Hastings’ command, and the little craft seemed to leap ahead.

The light ahead drew closer.

“Train your gun on her, Mr. Templeton,” ordered Lord Hastings, “and if I give the command, fire to sink her.”

This command was needless, for Jack had already gauged the range and trained the gun.  Nevertheless he replied: 

“Yes, sir.”

The pursuers now had approached within fifty yards of their quarry, and still not a sound save an occasional order from Lord Hastings had broken the stillness of the night.  There had been nothing to indicate that the other boat was even occupied, save the sudden appearance of the light aboard.