"By Jove, this is a find!" ejaculated the Sub gleefully. "It must have fallen out of Pfeil's jumper when we slipped off his wet clothing. But I must stow it away very carefully, for there'll be considerable trouble if the German custom-house authorities chance to lay their hands on it when they start rummaging in search of contraband. Let me think, now; where's the best place?"
It was certainly curious that, though the Sub had often mislaid articles on board, and only after a laborious search had he been able to find them (for below decks the yacht was a labyrinth of lockers and odd corners), now, because he wanted to conceal a small book, he was at a loss to find a suitable hiding place.
"Capital idea!" he exclaimed, slapping his thigh, and at the same time giving his head a tremendous blow against an obtrusive deck beam. "I'll stow it in the false bottom of the stove. It will stand a good chance to dry, and at the same time ought to be quite safe from detection."
As soon as the "manual" was hidden, Hamerton proceeded with his task of getting the lamps ready for their night's work.
"It's piping up," announced Detroit, as a vicious puff struck the yacht's sails, causing her to heel till her lee planks were awash.
"Yes, the glass is falling rapidly," said the Sub. "We're in for a dirty night."
"Going to cut and run for it?" asked the American.
"No, not with a dangerous lee shore. If I knew the coast it would be a different matter. We'll heave to on the port tack as soon as it gets dark. Meanwhile we'll stow the mizen and change the jibs. Easy canvas is best for a job of this sort."
With the rising wind came the rain, hissing upon cabin top and obliterating everything beyond a few yards. Snugly clad in oilskins, the two men remained on deck, for although the helm was lashed and the yacht hardly making half a mile an hour to windward, neither cared to go below and turn in.
Hour after hour passed without any attempt at conversation. Occasionally Detroit would make some remark about the state of the weather, to which Hamerton would reply with a grunt that could be taken as expressing assent or otherwise.