"I don't think I'll be caught now until I'm on that other boat's
deck."
"Good work! Fine!" whispered Commander Ennerling, his eyes gleaming with
satisfaction. "Here's the note."
Captain Jack slipped the folded paper in his pocket, then hastened back
to the line. Hal ran the submarine far enough back to leave the double
line all but taut. Seizing the rope with both hands, Jack made his way
swiftly up to the gunboat's stern rail.
In another twinkling he was over. It was not until his feet touched the
deck that the slight noise caught the marine sentry's ear, causing him
to wheel about.
"Halt!" hailed the marine, throwing his gun to port. "What are you
doing there?"
"I've a message for your commanding officer," Jack answered, halting
with a click of his heels as he brought them together.
"Where did you come from?" demanded the marine, wonderingly.
"Are you the commanding officer?" questioned Jack. "If not, take
me to him."
"Corporal of the guard!" bawled the marine.
Almost in a jiffy the corporal was there.
"Corporal," said Jack, crisply, "I've a message, in writing, and an
official message, too, for your commanding officer."
"I'll take it to him, then," said the corporal. "Or shall I conduct
you to his quarters?"
"You may take it to him," agreed Jack, holding out the folded paper.
"Sentry, keep your eyes on this stranger," ordered the corporal of the
marine guard, as he received the paper.
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