Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen [Illustration: cover of "The Captain" volume XXV] THE SEA MONARCH By Percy F. Westerman [Transcriber's note: Mr. Percy F. Westerman has written this story for: THE CAPTAIN A MAGAZINE FOR BOYS & "OLD BOYS". VOL. XXV _APRIL to SEPTEMBER, 1911_ _London:_ GEORGE NEWNES, LIMITED, 3 to 12, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND. The magazine was a periodical that appeared monthly and was also sold in volumes of 6 months, in this case April to September of 1911. In the index of this volume the story appeared as follows: *SEA MONARCH, THE.* By Percy F. Westerman 40 98, 217, 311, 386, 482 Each instalment, except the first, has a copyright-statement at the bottom of the first page: _Copyright_ 1911, _by George Newness, Ltd., in the United States of America._ ] CONTENTS CHAP. I. THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE "ZIETAN" II. INTRODUCES THE "PLAYMATE" AND HER SKIPPER III. RUN DOWN IV. A PRISONER ON THE MYSTERIOUS SHIP V. CAPTAIN BROOKES VI. THE CONNING-TOWER OF THE "OLIVE BRANCH" VII. RUMOURS OF WAR VIII. TREACHERY IX. AN ACT OF PIRACY X. CLEARED FOR ACTION XI. WIPED OUT XII. THROUGH THE MINE FIELD XIII. TRAPPED XIV. RUNNING THE GAUNTLET XV. A ONE-SIDED ENGAGEMENT XVI. IN THE CLUTCHES OF THE PATAGONIANS XVII. GERALD'S RUSE XVIII. THE CAPTAIN'S REVENGE XIX. GERALD'S PROMOTION XX. THE AIRMAN XXI. THE MISSING WIRELESS GEAR XXII. THE TOUCHSTONE OF PERIL XXIII. THE CRIPPLED SUBMARINE XXIV. A FRUSTRATED PLOT XXV. THE EMPIRE'S ORDEAL XXVI. THE VINDICATION OF THE "OLIVE BRANCH" ILLUSTRATIONS Crash! The huge vessel, looming out of the fog, struck the little yacht amidships. The stout planks were shorn through as if made of match-board, and the water poured in a cataract over the lee side. There was the sound of a hasty scuffling; then appeared the head and shoulders of the owner of the _Playmate_ The mast snapped off close to the deck, and a block, hurtling through the air, struck Gerald a terrific blow over the head. Staggering to the door he threw it open. To his great surprise he saw a burly sentry standing without. In spite of his strenuous resistance they hauled the deserter out of the empty tank, and then unceremoniously bundled him into the gig. "Look here, Mr. Schneider, you've come to the wrong box with your sneaking complaints. So clear out!" Bending over the instrument was a young officer, his head practically covered with a metal cap fitted with receivers. The man staggered, clapped his hand to his shoulder, and fell to the deck, the weapon slipping from his grasp. Schneider cleared the rail, and leapt into the sea.