Part 24 (1/2)

The men sprang to obey with alacrity, and were back on the pier in a very few moments. The flashlights and spare batteries were parcelled out. All was in readiness for the advance.

”The firing has been growing more and more distant,” said the young naval officer, turning to Jack who stood beside him. ”Doesn't it seem so to you?”

”Yes, it does,” said Jack. ”For several minutes now I have not heard a shot, and the last was very faint.”

”From the look of things aboard the trawler, the deserted appearance ash.o.r.e, and those receding sounds, I suspect the smugglers fled with our friends in pursuit,” said Ensign Warwick. ”Perhaps, however, they hoped to drive them off, and the crew of the trawler was called ash.o.r.e to help. If that is the case, our men may be hard pressed. Come, we have taken all the precautions possible here. Let's go.”

And with Jack beside him, Bob and Frank close behind and the sailors pressing on their heels, the young naval officer started up the pier.

CHAPTER XXIII

A SIGNAL FROM THE RADIO STATION

No signs of life were apparent as the glare of the searchlight played over the great building, resembling a dock shed in appearance, which bulked on sh.o.r.e at the end of the pier and slightly to one side of it.

No other buildings could be seen, nothing but the steep slope of a summer-browned hill, as, obedient to instructions, Robbins swept the rays of the searchlight over the surroundings.

”Nothing but that great warehouse,” said Ensign Warwick to Jack.

”That building seems to me proof positive that this is headquarters for smugglers of Chinese coolies,” said Jack. ”Probably 'Black George'

housed them there before distributing them to the mainland. The boats from Mexico could run in here at night, discharge their coolies into that barracks, and n.o.body would be the wiser.”

An exclamation from Frank drew their attention.

”Look there.”

All gazed in the direction in which Frank pointed. On a shoulder of the hill behind the barracks, full in the glare of the searchlight, stood revealed a radio plant and antenna. Whoever aboard the Sub Chaser was operating the searchlight kept it fixed several minutes on this novel object.

”Not a sign of life there, either,” commented the naval officer. ”If anybody is around here, he's laying mighty low.”

They were close now to the barracks. Long, low, solid-walled with not a window in the sides but with traps in the roofs to admit light and air, it bulked before them-dark, mysterious, forbidding.

At that moment the searchlight ceased its wandering, and the powerful glare came to rest full on the huge sliding doors barring the nearer end. Ensign Warwick turned and held up a hand to indicate he wanted the light kept in that position.

”I hear something,” whispered Bob.

All stood immobile and silent, straining to hear. Distinctly there came to their ear a sibilant, whispering sound. It was from the barracks.

”Get out of the light,” whispered Ensign Warwick. ”Half to each side of the door.”

He divided his forces, and all took up their positions. He motioned Bob and the sailor called Doniphan to him.

”You two are the strongest,” he whispered. ”That door isn't locked. You can see it is in two halves that roll back. Each of you push back one side, being careful to keep the door between yourselves and the interior. We'll crouch on the sides, ready for action if there is anybody within. The searchlight will play right through the doorway and light up the interior. Ready? Then, let's go.”

Bob and Doniphan obediently set their shoulders and forearms against the great beams lacing the front of the doors. The latter swayed slightly, then gave. Steadily the two young fellows pushed back the doors, and the light struck through into the dark interior.

A moaning sound went up that rose and rose into an eerie shriek. The hair of the listeners stood on end. Frank and Jack crouching to one side leaned against each other instinctively.