Smothered in clouds of pumice dust, continually dodging enormous boulders that rolled down the mountain side, the officers of the _Olive Branch_ and their captives pursued their headlong descent, and on gaining the beach they found that a boat had already been despatched to bring them off to the ship. "What has happened, gentlemen?" asked Captain Brookes as the party gained the quarter-deck. "I was watching you through my glasses, and could see that you were having an encounter of some sort." Briefly the "first luff" made his report. The captain's brows clouded. "This is bad news," he remarked. "Whatever design these people have against Great Britain is evidently a secret. I've been in communication by wireless with our Swanage agent, and he assures us that there is no sign of international complications. However, it's lucky you nipped this little plot in the bud, for I have no doubt that that airship would deliberately violate all the etiquettes of neutrality. I'll ask our prisoners a few questions." "I am Hans von Rippach," replied the man who was evidently the senior officer of the airship. "Herr Hans von Rippach, I salute you," rejoined Captain Brookes, without betraying the fact that he understood the nature of the foreigner's reply, though he shrewdly suspected that his prisoner was a member of the Royal House of a powerful European State. "Might I inquire the reason why you proposed to attack my vessel treacherously in neutral waters?" "I refuse to offer explanations to a pirate," replied the prisoner, rudely. Finding that it was useless to attempt to gain further information, Captain Brookes ordered the captives to be removed and confined in a cabin under an armed guard. "Couldn't we have a smack at the airship, sir?" asked Lieutenant Sinclair. "A six-pounder could be taken ashore and dragged up to yonder ridge without much trouble." "We might harm some of the inhabitants of the island," replied Captain Brookes. "There's bound to be a crowd gathered around to see the sight." "I venture to suggest that the crew have kept them at a respectful distance, sir." "I'll not take the risk. If the airship ascends I'll wing her sure enough, not otherwise. But I mean to get under way at once and head at top speed for English waters. There's mischief brewing; of that I feel certain." Ere nightfall the _Olive Branch_ had cleared Santorin Harbour and was tearing towards the Straits of Gibraltar. The English agent at Swanage was kept constantly in touch by means of wireless, greatly to that individual's annoyance, since he saw no reason for Captain Brookes's continuous messages. But, four hours after clearing the Straits, a wireless was received that caused the blood of every member of the crew of the _Olive Branch_ to surge madly through his veins. It was brief and yet to the point: "Triple Alliance has commenced hostilities against Great Britain." [Illustration: chapter XXV] CHAPTER XXV THE EMPIRE'S ORDEAL