“But--but do you suppose anything has happened to father, mother and the girls? Do you really, Morgan?” “Who said anything about ‘something happening’ to them?” demanded his friend with some heat. “I am merely pointing out the possibility that the name of that ship is in a wireless message that somebody seems anxious to put over.” “But who--what----” “Exactly!” exclaimed Whistler, stopping Belding at that point. “We don’t know. We have merely learned that the radio men first spelled out the name of this destroyer. Now you and the chief have caught the name of the _Redbird_. The two names seem to be in the combination. Therefore, is it ‘crazy’, as you fellows say, for me to suggest that perhaps the mysterious message deals with both of the vessels named?” “I begin to see your idea, Phil,” admitted Belding. “But it did shake me. You know, I spelled out ‘help’ first of all.” “But you did not get that to-day,” said Whistler quickly. Then he added: “We know the _Redbird_ is fitted with wireless.” “Yes.” “Perhaps somebody aboard is trying to send a message to us just for fun.” “For fun, indeed!” exclaimed Al Torrance. “People aren’t fooling with the radio ‘for fun’ in these times.” “I don’t know. You know how girls are,” drawled Whistler. “George, does your sister Lilian know anything about Morse and the radio?” “Oh, my prophetic soul!” gasped Belding, suddenly arousing to the point Whistler made. “I should say she did! Lil got to be fairly good at both sending and receiving when we had the plant on the roof of our house.” “Could this be Lilian trying to get a message over to us--just for fun?” “Cut out the ‘fun’ business,” implored Al. “That doesn’t sound reasonable.” But that was the very idea that caught George Belding. “She’s that kind of girl,” he declared. “Tell her she must not do a thing, and she’s sure to try it. But I don’t understand----” “Of course, it’s only a guess on my part,” Whistler said quickly. “But can’t you think of some way to try her out--identify her, you know? Tell Sparks what you think and get him to let you try to send her a message.” “Whew!” exclaimed Al. “So there’s nothing more than _that_ in it? Shucks! Another mystery gone fooey.” “Phil’s idea does sound awfully reasonable,” added Belding, evidently much relieved in his mind. Phil Morgan’s countenance did not reveal his secret gravity. He still remembered that the word “help” had been connected with the names of the two craft--the destroyer and the merchant vessel--which seemed to be a part of the strange message out of the air. CHAPTER XX--TOO LATE AGAIN If the Seacove boys, George Belding and the radio force, found an interest aside from the general object of the _Colodia’s_ cruise, the bulk of the crew were not so fortunate. Their keen outlook for the German raider the _Sea Pigeon_, began to be dulled as the tropical days dragged by.