"Bad news?"
"Terrible news, Sir John!"
"Go on."
"Atlantis attacked two hundred miles west of Cork. Captain Swainson and four other men shot dead. Patrol Boat No. 1 disabled. Commander Lashmar and most of the crew killed. Signal got through by two survivors of crew, who managed to repair wireless."
Twice I swallowed with a dry mouth. Thumbwood knew what I wanted to ask.
"The young lady, Sir John, and her maid ..."
"Dead, too?"
"No, Sir John. They were taken from among all the other passengers and put aboard the pirate ship, which then flew away with them."