Arlington was just sending out the time when he got his receivers adjusted. He did not waste a second but began calling Elsa.
"3ARM—3ARM—3ARM de 3ADH—3ADH—3ADH," he flashed. Almost immediately came the answer. "3ADH—3ADH—3ADH de 3ARM—3ARM—3ARM—K."
Alec heaved a sigh that was close to a sob. Until this instant he had not realized what a strain he was under. He had been as tense as a fiddle string. Now it seemed as though a hand had reached out through the darkness and grasped his own. Fresh courage came to him. With steady fingers he ticked off his message.
"Aboard the Osprey—off East Point Light—tell your father I overheard plan to steal seed from his new bed. Believe Captain Tom Hardy, Jim Wallace, Frank Hawkins, and others unknown to me in the gang. They went aboard the Shark and are heading out toward the oyster-beds. I followed in the Osprey. So dark I can't see Shark. Will follow and let you know if they dredge. Will you stand by? May need you."
"Father! father!" almost shrieked Elsa in her excitement, forgetting to answer the message. "Come quick!"
Captain Rumford came running. "Oh! Father," said Elsa, "Tom Hardy and Jim Wallace and Frank Hawkins and some other men Alec doesn't know are going out to your new bed in the Shark to steal the seed you planted there. Alec overheard them and followed in the Osprey. He's going to watch and tell us if they dredge any oysters."
"What?" bellowed the oyster shipper. "The fool followed them! They'll murder him. Tell him to come back this instant!" And the oyster shipper darted out of the room.
With a gasp of fear Elsa turned to her instrument. "Alec, come back," she rapped out frantically.
"What does your father want me to do?" asked Alec, disregarding her plea.
"Come back," she answered. "He's gone."