Lord, there'd be a riot when he showed up! He wanted to wait till they were far enough on their way so it would be too much trouble to turn around and put him ashore. But by noon his powers of endurance were exhausted. Flinging open the door, he stepped out into the corridor, followed it to a companionway and mounted the ladder to the deck above. There he was assailed by a familiar and welcome odor--food! Trailing it to its origin, he came to a pair of swinging doors at the end of a cork-paved passage. Beyond, he saw on peering through, was the mess-room, and there at the table, among a number of uniformed officers, sat Professor Stevens and Diane. A last moment Larry stood there, looking in on them. Then, drawing a deep breath, he pushed wide the swinging doors and entered with a cheery: "Good morning, folks! Hope I'm not too late for lunch!" * * * * * Varying degrees of surprise greeted this dramatic appearance. The officers stared, Diane gasped, her father leaped to has feet with a cry. "That reporter! Why--why, what are you doing here, young man?" "Just representing the press." Larry tried to make it sound nonchalant but he was finding it difficult to bear up under this barrage of disapproving eyes--particularly two very young, very blue ones. "So that is the way you reward us for giving you an exclusive story, is it?" Professor Stevens' voice was scathing. "A representative of the press! A stowaway, rather--and as such you will be treated!" He turned to one of his officers. "Report to Captain Petersen that we have a stowaway aboard and order him to put about at once." He turned to another. "See that Mr. Hunter is taken below and locked up. When we reach New York, he will be handed over to the police." "But daddy!" protested Diane, as they rose to comply, her eyes softening now. "We shouldn't be too severe with Mr. Hunter. After all, he is probably doing only what his paper ordered him to." * * * * * Gratefully Larry turned toward his defender. But he couldn't let that pass. "No, I'm acting only on my own initiative," he said. "No one told me to come." For he couldn't get his city editor involved, and after all it was his own idea. "You see!" declared Professor Stevens. "He admits it is his own doing. It is clear he has exceeded his authority, therefore, and deserves no sympathy." "But can't you let me stay, now that I'm here?" urged Larry. "I know something about boats. I'll serve as a member of the crew--anything." "Impossible. We have a full complement. You would be more of a hindrance than a help. Besides, I do not care to have the possible results of this expedition blared before the public." "I'll write nothing you do not approve." "I have no time to edit your writings, young man. My own, will occupy me sufficiently. So it is useless. You are only wasting your breath--and mine." He motioned for his officers to carry out his orders.