"It's Chance!" exclaimed Ned, hastening aft, followed by Herc.
"A block tore loose from above and struck him on the head," one of the followers of Herr Muller was explaining as the boys came up.
The leader of the strange band bent over the unconscious man and felt his head with a manner that betokened some medical skill.
"It is only a flesh wound," he said, "but the shock has made him unconscious. Carry him below, some of you. He'll soon be all right again."
Kennell was one of those who volunteered for this service. Merritt was another. As they passed the two boys, carrying their limp burden, Kennell turned to Ned:
"Well, my young sneak, they've got you collared this time," he said with a leer, "you walked into the trap like a baby taking candy."
Ned did not deign to reply to the fellow. Instead, he listened to Herr Muller who was talking excitedly.
"Of all unlucky things to happen at this time," he was saying. "We shall be within the wireless zone of the fleet at any time now, and the only man on board who understands wireless is incapacitated. It is most unfortunate."
A sudden idea came to Ned. Possibly by volunteering to act in Chance's place he might find a way out of the maze that involved them.
Acting on his impulse he stepped up to Muller.
"I understand wireless," he said; "what messages do you want taken?"
"I don't know yet," rejoined Herr Muller, looking much relieved. Then suddenly his manner changed.
"But you understand the naval code, too, don't you?"
The manner in which the question was worded put Ned on his guard. He saw that it would be better to reply in the negative.
"No," he said, shaking his head, "I haven't had much to do with the signal part of man-o'-war work; but, of course, I learned something of wireless at the naval school."
"Good!" exclaimed Herr Muller; "come with me."
He ushered the boys below--for Herc had trailed along--and into the small wireless room Ned had noticed.
"I am expecting a message at any time now," he said; "but it will come in cipher. Get it absolutely accurate and you will not suffer by it."
"Better see about hoisting your aerials," he said.
Herr Muller hurried off on this errand, while Ned looked over the instruments surrounding him. They glistened with brass and polished steel in the smoky light of a bulkhead lamp. But despite the evident haste with which they had been installed, it was easy to see that the apparatus was the finest obtainable.