The captain's words were interrupted by the appearance of a lieutenant, pale-faced in spite of his tanned complexion, and evidently labouring under suppressed excitement. "Sir," he exclaimed. "Will you come on deck? The officer of the watch has sent me to say that there's treachery aboard the _Olive Branch_." "Oh, is that so?" asked Captain Brookes, calmly, then turning to Tregarthen he requested him to accompany him to the quarter-deck. "Well, Mr. Sinclair," exclaimed the captain as the officer of the watch hurried to meet him. "What's amiss?" "I observed someone in that vessel astern signalling from the shelter of the bridge, sir," he explained. "I couldn't make out the message, and judging by the manner in which they signalled I took it for granted that the sender wished to avoid outside attention. When I strolled aft the flag-wagging ceased, so I sent Mr. Weeks to your cabin to investigate. He informs me that Mr. Taylor is in the stern-walk and is signalling to yonder German." "How could he gain the stern walk without attracting the attention of the sentry on the half-deck?" "I believe, sir, that he slipped over the rail when no one was looking, lowered himself to the canopy of the gallery, and thence to the stern-walk; that's a comparatively easy matter." "Very good, Mr. Sinclair; carry on as if nothing were amiss." Thereupon Captain Brookes made for the shelter of the after-turret, whence from the sighting-hood he could command an uninterrupted view of the German vessel without being observed. "Can you understand German?" he asked. "Fairly well, sir," replied Gerald. "Then see what you can make of that," pointing to the rapidly waving flag. "I shall require corroboration." "'_Make an attempt to leave the ship tonight; we will be awaiting you,_'" read Gerald. "That's it," assented Captain Brookes. "They've finished for the present; but I've learnt enough." [Illustration: chapter IX] CHAPTER IX AN ACT OF PIRACY DURING dinner there was nothing to indicate that ere morning strange doings were to be enacted on board the _Olive Branch_. Captain Brookes had given strict instructions to those who were in the secret to maintain silence and to abstain from any words that might alarm the traitor. The meal therefore proceeded as smoothly as usual, though Gerald noticed that Taylor, _alias_ Schneider, was ill at ease, refraining from indulging in conversation, and looking across the table in an absent-minded manner. When permission was given to smoke the captain excused himself and withdrew. "Well, Mr. Sinclair?" said he to the officer of the watch. "I've examined the stern-walk, sir; there is a snatch-block and a coil of rope under the seat." "You did not disturb them, I hope?" "No, sir." "Very good; I'll have the lights going in my cabin and the curtains drawn over the scuttles and gallery door. Keep an eye on Taylor without being observed, and when he makes for the stern-walk inform me."