“Sir! there lies the traitor. I arrived just in time to prevent you from committing a terrible crime. Miss Beulow is innocent.”
“Who are you, sir?” demanded Captain Johnson, waving back the sailors who had again leveled their rifles at the lad. “Why should I not have you shot at once?”
“I am Midshipman Chadwick, sir, of His Majesty’s scout cruiser Sylph. I am here at Lord Hastings’ command to save an innocent girl! This was the only way I could do it!”
“And where is Lord Hastings?” asked the commander.
“Aboard the Sylph yonder, sir.”
“Then why did he not come, instead of sending you? Or why did he not order the execution stayed by wireless?”
“Our wireless is out of commission; and Lord Hastings is ill with a fever, sir!”
Captain Johnson was silent for some moments.
“I must of necessity place you and Miss Beulow under arrest,” he said at length, “but the execution is stayed until I have inquired further into the matter.”
“Thank you, sir,” replied Frank. “It is all I have fought for!”