"Well, let's go back and wake him up and see what he knows," suggested
Jack. "Maybe he can put up a good story that will satisfy even you
chaps. I can hardly believe anyone would do a thing like that. He has no
motive for attempting to cripple us like this."

The boys moved with one accord toward the after cabin. The Fortuna
rolled viciously in the trough of the choppy sea, making their footing
extremely unsteady. Jack swung open the door.

Starting back in amazement he bumped into Tom who was following closely.
Harry was at their heels peering over their shoulders.

"Where is he?" gasped Jack wonderingly. "Where did he go?"

"The bird has flown!" declared Tom in a tragic tone.

"Bag and baggage!" asserted Harry.

True enough, not a sign of the stranger remained except the pile of
water soaked garments in which he had been clothed when first brought
into the cabin. These lay in a heap on the floor.

"Maybe he's out on the after deck," ventured Jack still hopeful.

"Let's see," answered Tom. "If he is there, I'll cook and wash dishes
and scrub decks for a week on end!"

The after deck was empty. The visitor was nowhere in sight.