It was a look that spoke of deadly, things, and Captain Jack Benson had come quite to believe that Mlle. Nadiboff could be not only quite deadly at need, but also equally reckless.

CHAPTER XXI

A FRENCH RAT IN THE CORNER

As Mr. Farnum came around a bend in the veranda Jack hurried to him, handing over the letters.  Then he related the little scene he had just witnessed in the office, and described how Mlle. Nadiboff had walked out with him.

“So the little minx was hinting at more mischief to come, was she?” demanded the shipbuilder.  “Jack, I believe she’s equal to it.  Her crowd are anyway, if it’s true that Gaston, from his cell in jail, could plan the attempt to blow the ‘Benson’ last night.”

Hal, too, soon came up and heard.  He turned anxious gaze upon his chum.

“Jack, old fellow,” he pleaded, “I know you’re not much given to being afraid of things.  But, at least, look out for yourself a bit.  Be more prudent than you usually are about yourself.  That crowd of foreign spies, having failed and having brought themselves into trouble, mean to have revenge.  Any of us are liable, but you’ll be the shining mark of all to be picked out.”

“There can’t be many more of that crowd left at large,” laughed Jack, lightly.

“I wonder why the Secret Service men don’t arrest Lemaire and the Nadiboff young woman?” asked Mr. Pollard, the last to rejoin the little group.

“Trotter and Packwood must have some good reasons of their own,” Jack replied, thoughtfully.  “For one thing, they hardly have any evidence that they could use against the pair.”

“They could at least drive them from Spruce Beach,” retorted the inventor.

“Perhaps the Secret Service man are giving the pair enough rope for their hanging,” proposed Jack.

At that moment the two detectives were espied going past in a buggy.  They waved their hands to the party.  Jack replied by a signal to halt.  He and Hal ran down to the road to speak to the detectives.

“If it’s a fair question to ask,” demanded Hal, “what are you going to do with Lemaire and Mlle. Nadiboff?”

“To tell you the truth, we don’t know,” Trotter answered.  “We haven’t anything we could very well fasten on them.  But of this you may be sure; our various moves are known to them, and they’re on the tenterhooks of anxiety wondering what’s going to break loose next.  More than that, both are sharp enough to have guessed that it would be impossible for either of them to get away from Spruce Beach, now, without our leave.  But we’ll have to leave you, now, boys.  You’ve been of so much help to us that I don’t mind telling you what we’re up to at this moment.  We’re driving back to jail, and we’re going to try to put the screws on Leroux and his Greek companion.  If we can make ’em think we’ve gained new evidence against ’em, they may get scared and begin to talk.  If they talk fast enough, they’ll begin to tell some truth.”