"If Lieutenant Strong not on board, get in instant communication with him. Important.—Dunham."
"Try and get the flagship again," Herc ordered.
Trevor bent over his key. For a long time he kept sending his crackling waves out into space. But no answer came.
"Can't you get 'em?" demanded Herc impatiently.
The operator shook his head dismally.
"No use trying. The air is full of messages. They're buzzing like flies round a honey-pot. I'll try again later on, sir."
Herc began to see that the command of the Seneca was not going to prove any bed of roses. Already he was plunged into the middle of a puzzle to which there appeared to be no key.
Not only had Kenworth and the Jap vanished, but Ned Strong was not to be found. Yet there were the orders: "Get in instant communication with him."
Herc gave a dismal groan. The more he thought matters over, the more complicated did they become.