Brandon of the Engineers

Dick sat down and knitted his brows as he studied his companion. Don

Sebastian was a Peninsular Spaniard and in consequence of a finer type

than the majority of the inhabitants of Santa Brigida. Dick, who thought

he could confide in him, needed help, but the matter was delicate. In the

meantime, the other waited with a smile that implied that he guessed his

thoughts, until Dick, leaning forward with sudden resolution, picked up

the telegram, which was written in cipher.

"This is probably a warning to somebody that the vessel will not call at

the ports in the advertised order," he said.

"I imagine so. You guessed the captain's plan from what you heard outside

the room?"

"Not altogether, but it gave me a hint. It looks as if you recognized me

when I was standing near the lifeboat."

"I did," said Don Sebastian meaningly. "I think I showed my confidence in

you."

Dick nodded, because it was plain that the other had enabled him to go

away without being questioned.

"Very well; I'll tell you what I know," he said, and related how he had

found the man with the flute loitering about the purser's door. As he

finished, Don Sebastian got up.

"You made one mistake; you should have given your note to an Englishman

and not a young Creole lad. However, we must see if the steamer can be

stopped."

He led the way up a staircase to the flat roof, where Dick ran to the

parapet. Looking across the town, he saw in the distance a dim white

light and a long smear of smoke that trailed across the glittering sea.

He frowned as he watched it, for the ship was English and he felt himself

responsible for the safety of all on board her. He had done his best,

when there was no time to pause and think, but perhaps he had blundered.

Suppose the Creole boy had lost his note or sent it to somebody ashore?

"We are too late again," Don Sebastian remarked as he sat down on the

parapet. "Well, one must be philosophical. Things do not always go as one

would wish."

"Why didn't you warn the captain that his plan was found out, instead of

jumping into the launch?" Dick asked angrily.

Don Sebastian smiled. "Because I did not know. I saw a man steal down the

ladder and thought he might be a spy, but could not tell how much he had

learned. If he had learned nothing, it would have been dangerous for the

captain to change his plan again and keep to the sailing list."