“Show a stern light,” ordered Brandon. “She won’t be able to see our starboard light.”
Talbot produced a torch and held it pointing in the direction of the oncoming vessel. Suddenly a succession of “E’s” in Morse flashed from the stranger; then, after a brief pause, came the question, “What ship is that?”
“Kestrel!” signalled Talbot in reply.
“I hope they’ll be the wiser for that,” remarked Carline.
Then, to the astonishment of all on board, the approaching craft announced her identity as the Merlin, and followed up by asking whether the Kestrel wanted a tow.
“Yes, badly,” was the reply.
In a few minutes the Falmouth Sea Scouts’ yacht was alongside.
“So we’ve overhauled you,” remarked Scoutmaster Pendennis. “We wondered what had happened. What made you put to sea in a fog?”
“Didn’t you get our wire?” countered Mr. Grant. “But explanations can come later. You’ve arrived at a very opportune moment.”
“And how’s that?” asked Mr. Pendennis.