"Yes. Your officers will be relieved in the morning." "Very well, sir. Then I shall leave you. A safe and successful voyage to you, sir." "The same to you, sir." Von Ludwig, motioning to his companions to remain in the cabin until his return, went on deck with the departing commander. A few moments later the latter was being rowed ashore. For the space of several seconds, von Ludwig gazed after him, a peculiar smile lighting up his face as he murmured: "If you only knew what a time I had getting the paper I just gave you, you would not be going so serenely about your business right now. Oh, well----" He threw open his arms with a gesture and descended to his cabin. "Now," he said to Jack, Frank and Harris, "the first thing we must do is to secure the crew and the officers of this vessel. The crew, I happen to know, numbers only ten men. There are two officers. We shall have to overcome them." "And how are we going to work the ship, sir?" asked Jack. Von Ludwig glanced at the lad sharply. "You would be a better sailor, sir, if you would follow orders without question," he said sharply; then added more calmly: "However, I shall tell you, for I can see none of you trust me fully. I have my own crew of five men coming aboard within the hour." "I beg your pardon, sir," said Jack. "That's all right," said von Ludwig. "Now follow me." The others did as ordered. Before a door not far from the commander's cabin von Ludwig stopped. "In there you will find the first officer," he said He motioned to Frank and Jack. "Get him and get him quietly." The lads nodded their understanding and von Ludwig signalled Harris to follow him. Jack laid his hand on the knob of the door and turned it gently. The door flew open without a sound. "Find the light switch, Frank," Jack whispered. Frank's hand felt carefully over the wall. "Turn it on when I give the word," said Jack. "I may need to see what I am doing." "All right; but be careful, Jack." Slowly Jack tiptoed across the room, where he could dimly see a form stretched across a bunk. Bending over the figure, Jack raised a hand and then called to Frank: "Lights, Frank!" Instantly, Frank threw the switch and then sprang forward to lend Jack a hand should it be necessary. But his assistance was not needed. Jack's fist rose and fell once and the form in the bunk gasped feebly once and lay still. "I don't like that sort of thing," said Jack, "but I suppose it had to be done. Help me bind him up and gag him. He's not badly hurt and will come round in a few minutes." It was the work of but a few moments to tear the sheets into strips and to bind and gag the helpless man. Then Jack and Frank left the cabin. At almost the same instant von Ludwig and Harris came from a second cabin. "All right?" asked von Ludwig. "All right, sir. And you?"