“Passing!” shouted the midshipman in reply.
They were so close that Kenneth could hear the look-out man reporting to the officer-of-the-watch.
Suddenly the moon appeared from under a cloud, revealing the fact that the towing craft was the light cruiser’s picket-boat that had been given up for lost.
“Schooner ahoy!” came a peremptory hail from the Kirkham. “What schooner is that?”
“ Marie Lescaut of Fécamp, sir; placed under arrest by Kirkham’s picket-boat,” shouted Wilson in reply.
For some moments there was silence. Evidently the officer-of-the-watch was reporting the matter to the commander.
Then came another order:
“The schooner will anchor two cables off. Picket-boat to return to Kirkham immediately.”
“That’s torn it!” thought Kenneth, who had hoped to bring the Marie Lescaut into Mautby inner harbour and to report on board on the following morning. “That means I’m going to have a ticking-off on Christmas Day after all!”
The towing hawser was cut loose, and the picket-boat ran alongside the schooner in order that the hands could give assistance in bringing the prize to anchor. Then, having hoisted a riding light on the Marie Lescaut and taken Wilson off, Raxworthy brought his craft alongside her parent ship.