automobile ride this morning."

"Ah! I had not heard of that," murmured the Frenchman. "I trust nothing
is wrong with the gallant young fellow."

"Oh, that's hardly likely," drawled Jacob Farnum, with an effort.
"Captain Jack Benson a lad with a pretty good idea of how to take care
of himself."

While speaking Farnum did not look particularly at the Frenchman, but
trusted to the boys to watch the man's face covertly. M. Lemaire,
however, proved to be a good actor and a master of facial expression.

As soon as he could, without attracting attention, Jacob Farnum drew his
little force to one side.

"Something serious has happened to Jack," muttered the shipbuilder,
moodily. "It may have been an accident, but I believe it's ten times
more likely that that infernal gang of spies have trapped the lad and
brought harm to him. We've got to act, and act fast!"




CHAPTER XII

IN THE POWER OF THE SPIES


Something had, indeed, "happened" to Jack Benson, and much more was