The instant Darrin had saluted and Mr. Warden had turned on his heel, Dave, under a light just inside the superstructure, wrote a few words which he signed in his official capacity as officer of the deck. This was sent forward to the waiting wireless operator, who sent the message to a military station on shore, whence the message was telephoned to police headquarters.
Within three minutes the wireless operator, ran aft, saluting, and reported:
“A police launch will put off immediately, and come out, sir.”
Fifteen minutes later a motor launch, flying the police ensign, ranged up alongside the “Castoga.” An American official, accompanied by four Filipino policemen, came on board.
Dave at once narrated what had happened, after which the American police official inspected both canoes and looked at the huddled yellow body.
“This will require investigation, sir,” declared the police official. “I shall tow both canoes ashore, and then the force will get busy.”
“Don’t you wish to send a wireless ashore, urging the police to look out for two swimmers who are likely to attempt to land?” suggested Dave.
“An excellent idea,” replied the police official, and wrote out a despatch which Ensign Darrin sent to the wireless operator forward.
After that the launch chugged away with the two canoes in tow.
Twenty minutes later a wireless message was received aboard the “Castoga,” and immediately the operator brought it aft.