By this time the motor-boat had come within hailing distance, and the excited person ceased waving his arms and applied both hands to his mouth funnel-wise.
"Ship ahoy!" he yelled. "Is Captain Calamity on board?"
"Great Scot! How in the name of all that's uncanny did Solomon know that I was coming into port!" ejaculated Calamity, turning to the pilot.
"Well, he might have heard from one of my men who went ashore last night. I didn't tell them not to say anything about your coming in."
"Is that Captain Calamity?" shouted the water-clerk once more.
"Yes, what do you want?" answered the Captain.
"I want to see you, sir. I have a message from Mr. Solomon."
"Then come alongside."
The motor-boat sheered alongside the Hawk, and the water-clerk, gripping a rope which had been thrown over the taffrail, hauled himself on board. He waited at the foot of the bridge companion-ladder for Calamity to come down, having learnt from experience that it was an unforgivable offence to go on the bridge himself unless requested to do so.
"Now then, what's your message?" asked Calamity, as he descended the ladder.