"Excuse me, Captain," he said, as he warmly gripped Helston’s hand. "I’m always just busting with energy; only landed on the Island three hours gone; tracked you here, and now mighty glad to meet you again. Been bustling round Europe for the last two months; done the capitals and the crowned heads and other sights; and now come here to pack my traps and off again. Say, Captain, how’s your picnic progressing; just booming, I reckon?" "Oh, fairly well," answered Helston, pleased to see him and introducing him to the others. "There have been several strange mishaps lately, which look suspiciously as if somebody was already working against us, but I think we shall be off in a week or two." "Well, I call that just prompt; couldn’t do it slicker in the United States. Maybe those accidents are simple coincidences." "They may be, but they are very worrying, all the same," replied Helston, opening a telegram a waiter had brought him. He scanned it carelessly, but his jaw dropped. It was from the captain of the _Strong Arm_: "Regret to report Government powder barge fouled ram 8.15 to-night; drifted astern and sank, blowing up as she went down. Ship making water and down by the head. Must dock for examination. Explosion caused minor damages after-part of ship and stove in starboard plates of ’No. 1’ destroyer. Regret report three men ’No. 1’ killed. Crew of barge took to dinghy and pulled ashore." Helston read it aloud, to the consternation of the others. "That means our departure delayed indefinitely," he said bitterly. "I must be off to Portsmouth at once." He went up to his room to pack a bag. Presently there was a knock at the door and Hopkins came in. "Excuse me bothering you just now, Captain, but I’ve gotten an idea that this explosion ain’t all fair and square, and I just want to fix up a contract with you." "Well, what is it?" asked Helston, amused at his earnestness. "Well, I reckoned this affair was going to be a simple slap-up picnic, and if there’s devilry about now there will be a jolly sight more before you’ve squared yards, and I’m just keen to be in it. I’m a bit of a sailor and picked up a bit of the lingo, so I should be worth my nose-bag. Will you take me on, sir, if you find this explosion was due to treachery?" "I’ll see about it when I come back," replied Helston. "Thank you, sir. Good-night;" and Hopkins disappeared. "I don’t care for that man," said the Doctor, as he saw Helston off to Portsmouth (they were talking of Hopkins). "He talks too much, and I hate foreigners. I hope you won’t take him."