"Well, there's nothing to amuse myself with, so I might as well turn in," thought Gerald, for the excitement of the day, coupled with the fact that he had had but a short spell of sleep the previous night, was beginning to tell. He was on the point of divesting himself of his clothing when the door was unlocked, and a young man evidently an officer, entered. "The captain wishes to see you, sir," he announced, bringing his hand to his forehead with professional smartness. [Illustration: chapter V] CHAPTER V CAPTAIN BROOKES ON ships of all nationalities the captain's wishes are his commands. Tregarthen fully recognised this; so, returning the young officer's salute, he followed his guide from the cabin that had for so many hours been his prison. It was but a few steps to the captain's cabin, but during his journey Tregarthen made good use of his eyes. [Illustration: Staggering to the door he threw it open. To his great surprise he saw a burly sentry standing without.] As he left the cabin he looked forward. Here his range of vision was limited by an armoured bulkhead, against which stood an arms-rack, the weapons being similar to that carried by the sentry, each having the peculiar cylindrical arrangement close to the muzzle. On either side of the passage were a number of cabin doors; some were ajar, but heavy curtains prevented him from seeing into the officers' quarters. Between the bulkhead and the captain's cabin on the half-deck a sentry was pacing to and fro. Smartly he came to the salute; Gerald's companion returned the compliment, then, knocking at the door of the captain's quarters, he waited till a deep voice bade him enter. "Mr. Gerald Tregarthen, sir," announced the young officer, and with this introduction he withdrew. Gerald found himself in a spacious, well-lighted cabin, comfortably furnished, yet without any pretence at luxury. Thick carpet covered the floor, the walls were painted in a "flat" olive green colour, relieved here and there by a small square port-hole. Right aft a doorway in the armoured plating gave access to a little gallery or stern-walk. The furniture consisted solely of a large mahogany table, two sofa chairs, a well-filled bookcase, a sideboard, and a smaller table littered with papers and drawings. But Tregarthen paid scant heed to the contents, of the cabin. His attention was drawn to its only other occupant. He was a man of short stature, yet of a commanding and pompous presence, that is so often found in persons whose bearing alone can atone for their loss of inches. He was of a dark olive complexion, with deep-set eyes, full features, dark brown closely cut hair, and a neatly trimmed moustache and "torpedo" beard, after the style affected by British naval officers. He was dressed in a dark blue "mess" uniform, black braid taking the place of the usual gold lace. This, then, was Captain Brookes, the officer in command of the mysterious cruiser.