Placing the prisoner again in the fo'c'sle he did not attempt to secure his arms and legs. He merely tied the man's thumbs with a piece of strong but fine cord, so that his arms were kept behind his back. Unless he attempted to struggle, the prisoner would feel but slight inconvenience, while this method was a perfect means of keeping him in a state of utter helplessness.
Shortly after this was done Mr. McKay went on deck "to have a look round." Gazing landward, he saw Andy standing on the edge of the lower terrace, striving to attract his attention by means of a handkerchief tied to a stick.
"There's Andy calling me up in the Morse code," said Mr. McKay. "I wonder what's up? Terence, will you please hand me over that signalling flag from the for'ard port locker?"
Andy, though not an expert signaller, knew the Morse system fairly well. Slowly he transmitted the startling message:
"The house has been broken into!"
CHAPTER XVII
BACK TO THE ISLAND
Without hesitation Mr. McKay replied:
"Do not go to the house. Remain on beach till you can launch boat."