The hull of the Phantom was now completely wrapped in flames, and it was impossible to save anything more from her. The ship’s company had worked hard from the time the fire was discovered, and they were tired out after their exertions. They had seated themselves on the sand above the beach, while Louis maintained his position in the pine-tree. Whether or not Scoble had discovered that a steamer was blockading the only egress from what he called “Dolphin Bay,” Louis had no knowledge. He had not seen the Maud himself; but he had no doubt that Bickling’s report that she was in the bay was correct. He had read Kimpton’s letter from Scoble several times. In one sentence the writer said that he expected his confederate to assist him in getting out of the bay if he was pursued. Kimpton appeared to have discharged this duty faithfully, for Louis did not question that he had set fire to the Phantom for this purpose. But there had been no communication between Scoble and his satellite so far as he knew. He wondered very much if the captain of the Maud was aware that the obstruction to his passage out to sea had been removed, for he had got under way as soon as the destruction of the steamer had been assured. The Maud had a fresh breeze, and she was carrying a fore and a main gaff-topsail in addition to her ordinary canvas. She had the wind fair for her passage out. Those on board of her had plainly discovered Kimpton’s signals, for the schooner had changed her course directly for the point occupied by him. Louis watched the Maud with his glass, and saw that she was getting out her boat. Within an eighth of a mile of Kimpton, the schooner came to, and the boat pulled for the shore. The confederate was conveyed on board, and the Maud filled away. She was making at least eight knots an hour, for Captain Ringgold had said this was her maximum speed, and she had everything favorable. His elevated position was no longer necessary to observe the vessel, and Louis descended to the ground. He was the first to notify the captain of the approach of the Maud. It made the heart of the young millionaire beat violently when he considered the fact that his mother was on board of the schooner, and he could do nothing to assist her, or even to comfort her, prisoner as she was in the hands of her only enemy on the face of the earth. “She will get out in spite of anything we can do now,” said Captain Brisbane when Louis had called his attention to the approach of the Maud. “But can’t you do anything? We have your boat still,” added Louis in a pleading tone. “Not a thing, Mr. Belgrave. I have lost my steamer in my efforts to assist you. What more would you have of me?” asked the disconsolate commander, as he glanced at the smouldering wreck of the Phantom; and there was a good deal of bitterness and reproach in his tones, as though he considered himself a much-abused man.