Contents

CHAP.
I. [THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE "ZIETAN"]
II. [INTRODUCES THE "PLAYMATE" AND HER SKIPPER]
III. [RUN DOWN]
IV. [A PRISONER ON THE MYSTERIOUS SHIP]
V. [CAPTAIN BROOKES]
VI. [THE CONNING-TOWER OF THE "OLIVE BRANCH"]
VII. [RUMOURS OF WAR]
VIII. [TREACHERY]
IX. [AN ACT OF PIRACY]
X. [CLEARED FOR ACTION]
XI. [WIPED OUT]
XII. [THROUGH THE MINE FIELD]
XIII. [TRAPPED]
XIV. [RUNNING THE GAUNTLET]
XV. [A ONE-SIDED ENGAGEMENT]
XVI. [IN THE CLUTCHES OF THE PATAGONIANS]
XVII. [GERALD'S RUSE]
XVIII. [THE CAPTAIN'S REVENGE]
XIX. [GERALD'S PROMOTION]
XX. [THE AIRMAN]
XXI. [THE MISSING WIRELESS GEAR]
XXII. [THE TOUCHSTONE OF PERIL]
XXIII. [THE CRIPPLED SUBMARINE]
XXIV. [A FRUSTRATED PLOT]
XXV. [THE EMPIRE'S ORDEAL]
XXVI. [THE VINDICATION OF THE "OLIVE BRANCH"]
Illustrations

[Crash! The huge vessel, looming out of the fog, struck the little yacht amidships. The stout planks were shorn through as if made of match-board, and the water poured in a cataract over the lee side.]

[There was the sound of a hasty scuffling; then appeared the head and shoulders of the owner of the Playmate]

[The mast snapped off close to the deck, and a block, hurtling through the air, struck Gerald a terrific blow over the head.]

[Staggering to the door he threw it open. To his great surprise he saw a burly sentry standing without.]

[In spite of his strenuous resistance they hauled the deserter out of the empty tank, and then unceremoniously bundled him into the gig.]

["Look here, Mr. Schneider, you've come to the wrong box with your sneaking complaints. So clear out!"]

[Bending over the instrument was a young officer, his head practically covered with a metal cap fitted with receivers.]

[The man staggered, clapped his hand to his shoulder, and fell to the deck, the weapon slipping from his grasp.]

[Schneider cleared the rail, and leapt into the sea.]

[The doomed vessel was instantly swept out of existence. The massive outlines of the cruiser seemed to melt into a hundred thousand fragments.]

[As night fell the searchlights played with unceasing vigilance upon the harbour. Suddenly Captain Brookes turned to Gerald. "Does my compact forbid me using the Z-rays?" he asked.]

[A party of natives appeared on the beach regarding the cruiser with obvious amazement. In their hands they carried long slender spears, which they brandished menacingly.]

[Like a terrier let loose amidst a swarm of rats the submarine dashed towards the canoes.]

[A terrific detonation shook the ground, and a thick cloud of smoke obscured the view of the pinnacle. In an agony of fear the natives threw themselves face downwards in the dust.]

[Seated up to his waist in water was the aviator, clad in an inflated rubber suit. The engine was lost to view, the tips of the twin propellers just projected above the surface.]

["Good shot!" yelled several of the officers on the Olive Branch. For a full ten seconds the monoplane held on its course, then, lurching like a wounded bird, it swooped swiftly downwards.]

[The searchlight revealed a huge circular turret with a pair of monster guns. Slowly the submarine swung round, the light travelling the length of the huge mass of weed-encrusted iron and steel.]

[The four men threw themselves on the astonished foreigners, and a desperate conflict ensued.]

["In view of possible events I must ask you to take up your quarters beneath the armoured deck," said Captain Brookes.]

[An admiral's pinnace was approaching the shattered Olive Branch. Gerald hastened on deck to receive the distinguished officer. ]

[Illustration: Crash! The huge vessel, looming out of the fog, struck the little yacht amidships. The stout planks were shorn through as if made of match-board, and the water poured in a cataract over the lee side. (See page [52])]