kitchenette on one side and the wash room on the other. Abaft of that is
the after cabin that we use as a dining room. With the folding berths we
can accommodate twelve people easily. It makes a fine home, all right."

"Can I go to sleep?" inquired Carlos. "I'm right tired."

"Sure you may," declared Arnold. "Take the after cabin and make yourself
comfortable. I'll go up forward and let you sleep."

So saying he joined his companions in the pilot house and reported to
them the result of his effort to placate their visitor.

For half an hour the Fortuna breasted the waves plunging through the
thick fog. Anxiously the boys peered ahead ever alert.

Directly the vibrations of the motors grew fainter. The boys glanced at
each other wonderingly. Rowdy tugged at the rope that confined him and
growled savagely. Jack's face went white as he reached for the switch.
He looked at the other boys in wonder.

The Fortuna's engines came to a dead stop!






CHAPTER III

A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE