“That ring-radio has a radius of about ten miles,” said Jack. “Perhaps not quite that much. That accounts for it. You heard the ship that was within our radius, but not the other because it was too far away to be heard. But what was said? Business, I suppose?”
“Business, my eye,” said Frank. “The one nearby was the U. S. Sub Chaser X-51. And as far as I could gather, it was talking to a coast liner bound north for San Francisco aboard which was Inspector Burton. He was asking the sub chaser to run alongside the liner and take him off. Remember, I could only hear what the sub chaser replied. I gathered from something said that the liner could not be so very far away. The sub chaser started for it, however, and as it drew away from us the radio got fainter and fainter until I lost it altogether.”
“A sub chaser that close to us,” said Jack, highly excited. “That decides me. We’ve got to act at once. Come on.”
He seized Frank by an arm and propelled him toward the door.
“But here. Wait a minute. I’m not half dressed yet. What’s the matter with you?”
“Jump into your clothes quick. Meantime I’ll get hold of Mr. Temple and Bob and bring them back here. We have got to talk to that sub chaser and turn her this way.”
“Talk to her?” said Frank, perplexed. “You must be crazy. With this little receiving set, I suppose.”
“No, with the trawler’s radio. But I’ll explain when I return. Jump into your clothes.”
[CHAPTER XIV—THE UPPER HAND REGAINED]
Jack was highly excited as he dashed into the main salon and made for the door of the Temples’ cabin. And with reason. He believed that now, if ever, they must attempt to seize the trawler.