"I'm for the cash myself, sir, and I think the others'll be the same; but I'll tell them what you say," answered the bos'n.

"As for the officers and engineers," said Calamity when the bos'n had left the cabin, "they will have to wait until their shares can be properly adjudged."

"As long as we can get rid of the crew, they don't matter, skipper."

In a few minutes the bos'n returned and said that the men were unanimously in favour of taking the cash.

"Then a.s.semble the men aft at eight bells, bos'n."

"Aye, aye, sir," answered the latter, and departed.

"Now," said Calamity, rising from his chair, "I'll signal Mr. d.y.k.es to put the same proposal to his men."

He accordingly did this, and in a very short time received a message back to the effect that the men would prefer the cash payment.

At eight o'clock that evening the crew of the _Hawk_ lined up aft to receive their money. As each man's name was called out by the bos'n, the owner of it stepped up to the little table where Calamity was seated and received in his hat the equivalent in money and notes of about a hundred and twenty pounds, prize-money and pay. When they had all been paid, a boat was lowered and the Captain went aboard the _Satellite_, where a similar distribution was made.

Later on that night, when it was quite dark, a boat approached the _Hawk_ and made fast under her stern. Some cases and bags were lowered into her and then she slipped away into the darkness again.

CHAPTER XXV

THE ARREST

Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour. As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.

"Now, who the devil's that?" muttered Calamity, who was on the bridge with the pilot.

"Looks uncommon like Solomon's new motor b.u.m-boat," answered the latter.

"That's his water-clerk in the stern."

By this time the motor-boat had come within hailing distance, and the excited person ceased waving his arms and applied both hands to his mouth funnel-wise.

"Ship ahoy!" he yelled. "Is Captain Calamity on board?"

"Great Scot! How in the name of all that's uncanny did Solomon know that I was coming into port!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Calamity, turning to the pilot.

"Well, he might have heard from one of my men who went ash.o.r.e last night. I didn't tell them not to say anything about your coming in."

"Is that Captain Calamity?" shouted the water-clerk once more.

"Yes, what do you want?" answered the Captain.

"I want to see you, sir. I have a message from Mr. Solomon."

"Then come alongside."

The motor-boat sheered alongside the _Hawk_, and the water-clerk, gripping a rope which had been thrown over the taffrail, hauled himself on board. He waited at the foot of the bridge companion-ladder for Calamity to come down, having learnt from experience that it was an unforgivable offence to go on the bridge himself unless requested to do so.

"Now then, what's your message?" asked Calamity, as he descended the ladder.

The water-clerk, an undersized Malay half-breed with small, shifty eyes, made a movement that was something between a salaam and a salute.

"I have important news from Mr. Solomon, Captain," he said.

"Well, go ahead."

The clerk glanced at the men at work on deck and made a significant gesture.

"It is very private, sir," he answered.

"Then you'd better come to my cabin," said the Captain, and led the way aft. On entering the cabin he sat down, but did not request his visitor to do likewise, and the latter knew enough to remain standing.

"Now unload your instructions," said Calamity.

"The fact is, Captain, there's been great trouble about you in Singapore," began the clerk, speaking in subdued tones. "It's said that your Letters of Marque were forged and that you're nothing but a pirate----"

"A what?" broke in the Captain, so fiercely that the other jumped.

"I--I'm only telling you what people say," the clerk answered nervously.

"You mean you're telling me what Solomon told you to say. Well, get on with it."

"I know nothing about the matter myself, Captain, but the authorities are going to arrest you and take possession of the ship."

"And Mr. Solomon has sent you to warn me, is that it?" asked Calamity with an ironical smile.

"Yes. He is afraid that the authorities will seize the ship and all the plunder."

"That's better, now we're getting at the truth. But how does Solomon know I've got any plunder?"

"He did not think you would return without any."

"H'm, a far-seeing man is Solomon. But what does he expect me to do?"

"His idea is that you should transfer the most valuable stuff to the motor-boat so that it may be taken away to a safe place. Then, you see, when the officials board your ship they will find practically nothing."

"An excellent plan," remarked Calamity almost with enthusiasm. "But what about me?"

"About you, Captain?"

"Yes; am I to be left to the care of the police while Solomon is looking after the plunder?"

"Oh no!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the clerk in shocked tones. "If there is nothing of value on board the authorities can't do much to you. Besides, Mr.

Solomon will do his utmost to secure your acquittal if you are tried."