The _Betty_ had slowed down almost completely and only a faint ripple in her wake showed that she was still moving. Hove to, a little distance ahead, lay a small cutter of about seven tons, from which a dinghy with a couple of men on board was just putting out. They rowed rapidly across the intervening water so as to cut off the yacht, and timing it to perfection reached their destination just as she was practically ceasing to move. An accommodation ladder had been let down over the side, and Jimmy, a stout and happy looking young gentleman who was crouching in the bows, grabbed hold of it neatly as it came alongside. The next moment he had scrambled on board, and the boat with its solitary occupant was drifting away astern. "Once aboard the lugger--" observed the newcomer in an extraordinarily soft voice, and then with a faint chuckle he stepped forward and clasped Tony's outstretched hand. "Hope I haven't come too early?" he added cheerfully. Tony wrung his hand, and taking a pace backwards surveyed him with an affectionate approval. "My dear Jimmy," he said. "You come like the flowers in May." "And I may mention," added Jimmy, transferring his grip to Guy, "that I come after a prolonged and distressing drought." Tony smiled happily. "I have ordered breakfast for you," he said. "We will go straight down, as soon as I have introduced you to the skipper." Captain Simmons, who had left the bridge, was advancing along the deck towards them. "This is my friend Jimmy Dale, Captain," said Tony. "He is one of Portriga's most distinguished citizens." "That so?" said the skipper extending a huge brown paw. "Glad to meet you, Mr. Dale. Perhaps you can tell us what's going on ashore, and whether we're likely to hit any trouble if we run straight in to Braxa." "I shouldn't think so," replied Jimmy in his soft and pleasing voice. "As far as I know all the able-bodied officials in Braxa have pushed off to Portriga to join in the looting. I believe there are one or two policemen left, but I don't suppose they are awake yet." "We won't disturb 'em," said the Captain. "We'll come in nice and quiet, and let 'em have their nap out. Do you know the harbour at all, Mr. Dale?" "Pretty fair," said Jimmy. "I've been out fishing in it a good number of times." "Well, perhaps when we get round the Head you wouldn't mind coming up on the bridge. I've never been in here before, and there might be one or two points I'd be glad of a little information about." "I'll bring him along," said Tony. "How soon will he be wanted?" "Oh, there's no hurry," replied the Captain genially. "Plenty o' time for a good breakfast. We shan't be off the Head for another twenty minutes yet." He turned to retrace his steps, and after offering Jimmy a cigarette, Tony started to lead the way below.