Chapter THIRTY-SEVEN

The run to the cruiser was quickly made by the launch with no casualties, despite the sudden appearance of the pirates at the cove.

“By George! That was a close shave,” exclaimed Lockwood. “If we’d been a few minutes later some one would have been hurt for sure. They would certainly have hit one of us with that searchlight on.”

As soon as they got aboard they went into Captain Moore’s cabin. The captain greeted Mary effusively and congratulated her on her fortunate rescue. Mary briefly acknowledged his solicitations and then asked anxiously:

“How was my mother when you left Honolulu, Captain?”

Redmond was standing back of her, and he put up a warning finger to his lips, which the captain fortunately saw in time.

“I am afraid, Miss Ingleton,” he replied cautiously, “that she is not so well.”

While on the island she had often asked Redmond about her mother, but he assured as best he could and always adroitly changed the subject before she could question him further.

On this occasion Mary tried to press the captain for more details, but he told her that he had not been given any direct information. He also studiously refrained from mentioning anything about her father. Seeing that she could get no further information, Mary asked disappointedly:

“How soon can we get back to Honolulu then, captain?”

“Really I can’t hold out any hope for you there either, Miss Ingleton. I’ve just got a code message from the Navy Department in Washington with instructions to wait here until further orders are received. I had planned to take you back right away, but this order came in just a few minutes ago, and I will be compelled to obey it. I don’t know just what’s going to happen, but I am going to drop out of sight of the island for the remainder of the night and come back after sun-up. We’ve got a cabin all fixed for you, Miss Ingleton, and I hope you will find everything all right. We shall do everything we possibly can to make you comfortable.”

Mary felt keenly disappointed, but did not express it. After a short conversation she retired to her room, tired out after the strenuous and exciting day she had experienced. After she had gone Redmond said:

“I’m glad you didn’t say anything, Captain, that would have indicated she had lost her mother. She’s been through a terrible ordeal, and I’m afraid the shock of the news would be too much for her. We’ll have to break it to her gradually after she has had a long rest.”

Then, changing the subject, he gave the captain an outline of what had occurred since they had last seen each other.

“You say the pirate is in very bad condition,” remarked Captain Moore. “Well, that changes the situation completely. It seems to me this would be a good time to land and go after him.”

“Well, I don’t know,” replied Redmond. “I hadn’t thought of it.”

“By George! It looks to me like the right thing to do, especially as we know just what the situation around the island is now that we have his mine chart. I’ll advise Honolulu by code through wireless and see what they have to say about it.”

Having made up his mind on this point, the captain worked out the necessary code words and then sent the message in to the wireless operator with instructions to dispatch it immediately. This done, he turned to Redmond and said:

“The chances are that Honolulu will refer the matter to Washington before replying to me, but if they happen to agree with me on the advisability of landing now, would you be willing to go along and guide the landing party?”

“Why of course, I would,” replied Redmond.

“Well, that’s fine. I don’t know whether that gang is still hanging around this side of the island or not, but we can cover your landing with our light guns. That will hold them back until you get ashore and under cover.”

“I don’t think they’ll stick around here,” said Redmond. “They’re more likely to go back and be ready to make a getaway in the airplane, take a chance on landing somewhere without being seen, and then get back to civilization without being caught. That’s the way I figure it out, although, of course, you can’t tell just what they will do.”

Captain Moore called in his executive officer, and for the next hour all three went over every possible detail in the event that a landing would be decided upon. Redmond produced the rough chart of the island he had drawn during his first stay on it, and he pointed out to the two officers the more important aspects of its topography. They had just about completed their preliminary plans when an orderly entered the room with a message for Captain Moore. The latter took it, tore it open and hurriedly scanned its contents.

“It’s in code!” he exclaimed. “Wait a moment ’till I decode it. It’s the answer from Honolulu.”

The others waited almost breathlessly while the captain performed the task of translation. This done, he turned to them and read:

“Concur in landing proposal. Important reinforcements will reach you at daybreak.”

He paused for a moment, then continued:

“Well, we couldn’t wish for anything better than that. It looks like the beginning of the end to me now.”

“I wonder what the reinforcements will be?” said Redmond.

“I haven’t the faintest idea,” answered Captain Moore. “We’ll see soon enough in the morning. Is everything satisfactory as we have planned it?”

“Yes.”

“All right then, I’ll steam up at daybreak and be ready to put you ashore with a party and cover your landing if necessary.”