"I don't."
Tom cast a troubled look at Wallion; it seemed to him the situation was becoming critical.
"It will afford me much pleasure to prove every word I have said, Captain Hawkins."
"How are you going to do that? ... It would be rather amusing," was Hawkins' answer.
"It will be very simple: a few nautical miles from here is an American patrol-boat, the 'Albatross,' with Detective McTuft from Seattle on board. He knows me well, and is, like myself, on the track of the same delightful trio."
"Oh," said the captain, with growing interest.
"What could be easier than to make an inquiry by wireless, requesting McTuft to prove our identity?"
The captain rose, but immediately sat down again. "Not impossible," he said at last, "Moreland, call up the 'Albatross,' then we shall hear."
Wallion exchanged a look of triumph with Tom, but their present position was rather hazardous all the same. The operator bent over his apparatus, whilst the others kept silent; he called up the 'Albatross,' and waited for an answer. It came at once:
"Who wants 'Albatross'?"