“KKL—KKL—KKL de WNA,” flashed Roy’s signal.
Again and again he repeated the call, but no answer greeted his ear. Either El Alba was not within hearing distance or else her wireless man was not at his post.
Roy tried for the Antilla. “KWD—KWD—KWD de WNA,” he rapped out. Then amid the roar of the storm he waited for an answer. “KWD—KWD—KWD de WNA,” repeated Roy after an interval. And this time, very faintly, he got a reply.
“KWD de WNA. Where are you?” called Roy. “Are my signals distinct?”
“WNA de KWD,” came the reply. “We must be about abreast of Cape Fear. Your signals are very weak.”
“We don’t need to worry about the Antilla, then,” said Roy to himself. “Cape Fear must be at least 175 miles south of us.”
Again Roy sent a call flashing from his instrument. “KVG—KVG—KVG de WNA.”
The Algonquin answered promptly. The signals were very faint. “WNA de KVG. What do you want?”
“Where are you?” repeated Roy. “We’re off Hatteras.”
“We touched at Bermuda and left there three hours ago.”