Just as he was despairing of ever hearing of the Flying Road Racer again. Jack’s “S. O. S.” message had come winging across the sea. As soon as his operator gave him the despatch the rascal conceived the daring plan of impersonating the _Sea King_ and in this guise he flashed back the message inquiring the position of the castaways. He took care to ascertain that the gems were safe. While profound and peaceful sleep wrapped the party of adventurers, a boat landed on the beach, crowded with men. It came from the _Tarantula_, which had anchored about two hundred yards to seaward. Every man was armed and among them was Herrera with one or two of his chosen aides. Their plans had been formed before they landed and they silently sneaked up on the castaways’ camp. They were agreeably surprised to find no sentries posted. According to previous plans, each man of the crew carried ropes and gags. The sleeping party was surprised without warning and tied and gagged without a chance of their presenting any opposition. Each of the Chadwick party, as they awakened under the rough handling of the henchmen of Herrera, was given a strong hint not to resist, in the form of a pistol barrel pressed to the nape of his neck. As resistance would have been worse than useless all submitted quietly to the outrage, and Herrera’s triumph appeared to be complete. When they all had been secured the marauders commenced a frantic search for the great silver jewel casket. They found it without much difficulty under the professor’s coat which he had used as a pillow. Not expecting any attack he had not taken much pains to conceal it. Herrera burst into a loud laugh as he opened the casket and took out the three great flashing stones it contained. “So you thought that you could trick Herrera, eh, you stupid Yankee,” he snarled, “but I caught your message by wireless, you dogs of gringos. I spit on you and despise you. The jewels you thought to steal are now mine. But see—Herrera is generous. He leaves you the box!” As he spoke the ruffian flung the silver casket to the sand and then, with some gruff orders to his men, strode off across the beach. A few minutes later the splash of oars informed the marooned castaways that their foe had departed taking with him the gems they had gone through so much to save intact; and not only that, he took with him also their hopes of being rescued. From what he had said about the wireless, it was clear that he had intercepted the message for aid, and thus been guided to the island. The _Sea King_ had not received word from them at all. With what bitter feelings they reviewed the situation may be imagined. And it did not relieve the misery of their present position, as they lay gagged and helpless, to reflect that if they had kept a guard, the disaster might not have happened. They had been trapped like so many unthinking children. CHAPTER XXV—“IT’S DEATH TO REMAIN HERE!”