"What does all this mean? Why are you in there? Why don't you come out?"
Before Peppers could explain, the port boat came alongside, and Captain Gildrock stepped on board the Goldwing.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THROUGH VARIED STRIFE AND STRUGGLES.
Captain Royal Gildrock was not over forty-five years of age. He was dressed in the uniform of his yacht. He was a good-looking man, of middling height, and rather stout. A single glance at his face would have assured any one skilled in reading expressions that he was a person of great force of character.
"What's going on here, Mr. Jepson?" said he, as he glanced curiously about the Goldwing.
"That is what I was trying to find out when you came on board, sir," replied Mr. Jepson. "Theodore and the man in charge of the boat appear to be at sword's points, and there are two men in the cuddy who seem to be fastened in there."
"What does all this mean?" asked Captain Gildrock. And it was apparent now that he was the owner of the gruff voice.