"Sorry you feel that way about it," says he, "but I shall be obliged to make a thorough search of this boat, nevertheless. Also I shall require an explanation as to why you disregarded my wireless orders. Unless you can satisfy me that--" It's about there this cheery hail comes from J. Dudley Simms, who is just appearin' from his stateroom, all dolled up complete in white flannels. "By Jove!" he sings out. "If it isn't Folly. How are you, old man?" The lieutenant commander swings around with a pleased look. "Why--er--that you, Dud, old chap? Say, what are you these days? Blockade runner, smuggler, or what?" "You're warm, Folly, you're warm!" says Dudley. "Hunting for buried treasure, that's our game--pirate gold--all that sort of thing." And say, in less than two shakes he's given the whole snap away, in spite of Old Hickory scowlin' and Auntie glarin' like she meant to murder him with her grapefruit spoon. But the news don't seem to impress Lieutenant Commander Faulhaber very serious. "Not really?" says he, chucklin'. "Oh? Then that's the reason for all this mystery? Treasure hunting! Well, well!" And he grins more expansive than ever as he takes another look around. Next he's introduced proper to everybody, and inside of ten minutes we're all sitting down to breakfast together, while J. Dudley explains how him and Folly has been lifelong chums. So we didn't get pinched, after all. "Although," says the lieutenant commander, as he starts back towards the _Petrel_, "I suppose I ought to fine you for exceeding the speed limit." The _Agnes_ has got under way again, and we'd stopped wavin' good-by to the jackies, when I catches a glimpse of a head bein' poked cautious out from under the canvas cover of one of our lifeboats. Nudgin' Vee to look, I steps up to Mr. Ellins, who's talkin' with Auntie and Mrs. Mumford, and points out my discovery. By that time the head has been followed by a pair of shoulders. Old Hickory just narrows his eyes and stares. "Why!" gasps Mrs. Mumford, "it--it's Captain Killam!" "Yep!" says I. "Rupert the Reckless. Only this trip he seems to be playin' it safe, eh?" "In hiding!" says Auntie. "All the time, too!" "Huh!" grunts Old Hickory, watchin' Killam crawl out and slip around a corner. But say, Mr. Ellins can make that "Huh!" of his mean a lot. He knows when he's been buffaloed, take it from me. My guess is that Rupert's stock is in for a bad slump. I'd quote him about thirty off and no bids. CHAPTER XIV AUNTIE TAKES A NIGHT OFF