“You interrupted him before he could complete his work,” said the commander after he had heard the statements of the two. “Doubtless he had overpowered the sentry and had not yet forced the door when O’Moore came along and re-lit the lamp. Then when left alone once more he broke in, extinguished the light and was searching for the papers with the aid of this,” holding up the stump of a tallow candle, “when he was interrupted the second time. He was a daring villain, and another five minutes would have sufficed him.” Returning to the deck, after re-locking the chest and placing two men under charge of a midshipman to guard the cabin, they found that the boat had returned. “He’s either got well off or been drowned, sir,” reported the middy in command. “We could see nothing of him.” “Pipe all hands on deck,” directed John Paul Jones. The boatswain’s call rang through the ship and soon the crew were assembled. When Blake’s name was called in the roll a man answered: “Gone ashore, sir, on leave.” The finish of the roll call showed only one man unaccounted for. That was the Lascar, Siki. When the men had been dismissed, the captain turned to Ethan and said gravely: “It is just as I expected. It was the Lascar, and the chances are that he is safely ashore at this moment.” “And making ready to treat us to another surprise, I have no doubt.” “We shall hear from him again, rest assured. It seems to me that the ride from Nantes to Paris may prove a very eventful one.” CHAPTER VII HOW LONGSWORD STRUCK HOME Shortly after daybreak next morning John Paul Jones left the Ranger in charge of his first officer, who had come on board; and then he and Ethan and Longsword took horse and started upon the road to Paris. “The French seem hungry for news,” said Captain Jones, as they rode along. “I suppose the British ministry has received tidings of Burgoyne’s disaster before this,” said Ethan. “It will set them in a panic when it does come, anyway, and they’ll be ready to grant some concessions, I dare say.” “Nothing succeeds like success,” remarked the captain of the Ranger. “For a nation to be free she must first be strong and show a disposition to use her strength.” “I don’t think,” spoke the boy shrewdly, “that this turn of affairs will hurt the hoped-for alliance with France. I fancy that France has held off as much through desire not to commit herself as anything else. The loss of the great colonies across the sea would weaken England; and France wants her weakened. Rather than see a peace made with the states still as colonies and a source of strength to her foe, France will cast her sword into the scale and it will be in our favor.” “A good thought,” smiled the captain. “You have not sat at the feet of Mr. Jefferson for nothing, I see.” “Mr. Jefferson is a great man,” replied Ethan.