"Trust Fosterdyke for that," replied Peter grimly. "He's had 'em placed in the dining-saloon. (Fortunately, we won't require many more meals.) They can amuse themselves there without getting into mischief. There's one of our fellows stationed outside to keep the blighters in order."
Just then the baronet came upon the scene.
"Von Sinzig looks like pulling it off," he observed. "A wireless from the S.S. Wontwash reports that a monoplane passed over the ship at 6 P.M., flying east. According to the position given, the Wontwash was only thirty-five miles west of Gibraltar."
"Then perhaps he's back at his hangar by this time," commented Peter. "Any news of the others?"
"Yes; Commodore Theodore Nye has been unable to get hold of another 'bus yet, although two of the Australian R.A.F. pilots are bringing him a 'Bristol' machine from Melbourne. He's out of the running. That he admits, but he means to complete the course, even if it takes him six months."
"And the Jap?" asked Kenyon.
"Not a word," replied the baronet. "He's keeping quiet; but mark my words, that quadruplane will turn up unexpectedly. If his 'bus had had British motors, he would have romped home in less than a week."
"What engines has he?" asked Bramsdean.
"Japanese," replied Fosterdyke. "Passable imitations of ours and good up to a certain point; but give me British engines all the jolly old time."
Although the baronet made frequent enquiries of the operator, no wireless messages concerning von Sinzig came through.