A cloud of smoke from the gunboat's funnels showed that
she had noted the _Aphrodite's_ new direction, and meant to take a
close interest in it. She had a few miles to make up, but that was a
simple matter, and her nose swung to the southwest as she raced for the
bay towards which the yacht was steaming.
Both vessels held on, following converging lines, for nearly an hour.
By that time they were hardly a mile apart. Suddenly Stump sent the
_Aphrodite_ round until she lay on her previous course. In a word,
after standing in for the land in the most decided manner, he was now
making for the Straits again.
This behavior apparently puzzled the Italian vessel, as, indeed, it
succeeded in puzzling Royson and the man at the wheel, while the looks
cast towards the bridge by the watch, who were mainly employed In
swabbing the deck, told that the men were commenting on the yacht's
erratic wanderings.
All at once the blare of a siren came faintly over the shimmering sea,
and Stump chuckled triumphantly.
"He's found it," he roared, his voice almost rivaling the hoarseness of
the far-off foghorn.
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