So they repaired to the quiet of their own stateroom and with light extinguished lay in their bunks enjoying the cool night air that was such a relief after the heat of the day. From the corner came the gentle snores of Fismes, who was curled up fast asleep and entirely oblivious of the stirring events the morrow might hold for his masters. And pretty soon Jay and Dick, who had talked for a long time there in the darkness of their quarters fronting on the water about amidships, lapsed into slumber. * * * * * It was Dick who was first roused by a slight noise outside the stateroom. Was he dreaming, or had he heard a slight movement? The youth stirred and raised himself on one elbow. Did he imagine it, or was that the figure of a man--a head silhouetted through the stateroom window against the starry sky background? He was minded on the moment to cry out, demanding who was there. But he kept silence. Reaching quietly under his pillow he was a bit dismayed to find his revolver not there where he expected it. Then he remembered; he had left it on the table. But he could not reach it without getting out of his bunk. Jay was still asleep. How about Fismes? Funny the dog wouldn't be awake if some one was there. Dick listened but could hear no gentle snore that would indicate the dog was there as usual. Possibly Fismes had gone out on deck or below. The animal would prowl about at times. Just then there was a slight stir again at the window. This time there was no mistake--some one was there. What Dick had thought was a head moved slightly. And then through the open door of the stateroom appeared in firm outline the form of a man--a huge hulk of a figure! And then Dick did a funny thing. The best course was to have kept silence until the figure moved on. Then the Brighton youth could have slipped out of bed, grabbed his revolver and followed on. But he was not sure in his drowsy condition whether it was really a man, and whether it was friend or enemy. It might be only the guard on patrol. At any rate, Dick sat up in bed, reached for the electric light and snapped on the light. Instantly the intruder, who had been going by the door, swung on his heel and thrust a revolver through the open door. "Not a word, or I'll blow your brains out," snapped the visitor. Awakening with a start, Jay jumped up in bed. The newcomer at once swung his revolver to cover him. "Throw up your hands, and don't say a word," came the command. "If either of you speak, it means death. Not only to you, but to everybody on board. One sound and I'll blow this"--he indicated a whistle tied around his neck on a cord. "Your old boat is well covered from the little ship over yonder. We can blow you out of the water with one little broadside and the world will never know what became of you."