Then there was Ensign Warwick with the second force. And, if their surmise was correct, the smugglers had been informed by signal from the radio plant that he was coming, and Charley Lung, moreover, was leading the naval force into a trap.
“What could they do? What could they do?”
That was the question in each mind. Instinctively, as always in a crisis, the others turned to Jack.
“First of all,” said Jack, “we have got to find who is in the radio station, and capture him. It won’t do to leave an enemy in our rear.”
“What if there is more than one,” objected Frank.
“Not likely,” said Jack. “One man to spy and give the signal would be sufficient. More would be a waste of men.”
“All right. Let’s go,” said Bob. When action was suggested, he always was ready for it.
“Listen. We want to be careful, and not run unnecessary risks. It’s just a little box of a station with a window in this end nearest us, a door there in front, and probably a window on the other end. I think that window is too small for a man to escape through, don’t you?”
“Big enough for pigeons,” commented Bob. “That’s about all.”
“Well, see what you think of my plan. We’ll creep up to the door, and crouch to each side of it, then knock and call on whoever is within to come out and surrender.”
“Best to be cautious,” he said. “Let’s go.”
Slowly and with infinite care so as not to dislodge loose stones and set them rolling down the hillside or to make any betraying sound, the boys crept to their chosen positions, Bob and Frank on one side of the door, Jack on the other. The revolvers served out to them by Ensign Warwick were held ready. Not a sound from within. Was their presence known or suspected?
Jack leaned forward and thumped on the door with the butt of his weapon.
“Come out,” he called in a clear, firm voice, “in the name of the United States Navy I call on you to surrender. Your light was seen from the warship, and the station is surrounded.”
A moment’s silence followed. The hearts of the boys beat so strongly it seemed to them the very sound must be heard in that tense stillness. Then the boards of the floor creaked under a light tread, and the door was slowly pulled inward.
“Don’t shoot,” said a voice. “I surrender.”