Part 27 (2/2)

”Five thousand thalers I give if I get them back,” he declared.

Suddenly Jack's heart gave a bound. From a port far down on the side of the s.h.i.+p, and almost directly under him, a white object was hurled. It struck the water with a splash and spread out, floating buoyantly.

Instantly the black motor-boat darted forward, one of the men on board holding a boat hook extended to grasp the floating life-preserver, hidden in which was a king's fortune in gems.

Jack stood still just one instant. Then, driven by an impulse he could not explain, he threw off his coat, kicked off the loose slippers he wore when at work, and the next moment he had mounted the rail and made a clean, swift dive for the life-preserver.

Billy rushed on deck, excitement written on his face, just as Jack dived overboard.

”Jack! Jack!” he shouted.

But he was too late.

”Great Neptune, has the boy gone mad?” exclaimed Captain Turner, who had pa.s.sed along the deck just in time to see Jack's dive. Regardless of sea etiquette, Billy grasped the skipper's arm and rushed into a narrative of the plan he and Jack had hoped to carry out.

”But Dusenberry was too quick for us, sir,” he concluded.

”Never mind that, now,” cried the captain, ”that boy may be in danger.”

He looked over the rail, which, owing to most of the pa.s.sengers being busy below with their preparations for landing, was almost deserted.

Billy was at his side. In the black motor-boat two men stood with their hands up. Alongside was a speedy-looking launch full of strapping big men with firm jaws and the unmistakable stamp of detectives the world over. Some of them were hauling on board the police launch Jack's dripping figure, which clung fast to the life-preserver. Others kept the men in the black launch covered with their pistols.

Half an hour later, when the pa.s.sengers--all that is but Mr.

Rosenstein--had gone ash.o.r.e (the diamond merchant had been asked by the captain to remain), a little group was a.s.sembled in Captain Turner's cabin. In the center of it stood Professor Dusenberry, alias Foxy Fred, looking ever more meek and mild than usual. He had been seized and bound by the two disguised firemen as he threw the life-preserver, but not in time to prevent his getting it out of the port. Beside him, also manacled, were the two men who had been in the motor-boat and who, according to the Southampton police, formed a trio of the most daring diamond thieves who ever operated.

”I think we may send for Mr. Rosenstein now,” said Captain Turner with a smile. ”Only I hope that he is not subject to attacks of heart failure.

Ready,” he said, turning to Jack, who stood side by side with Billy, ”take these and give them to Mr. Rosenstein with your compliments.”

Jack blushed and hesitated.

”I'd,--I'd rather--sir--if you--don't mind----” he stammered.

”You may regard what I just said as an order if you like,” said Captain Turner, trying to look grim, while everybody else, but Jack and the prisoners, smiled.

”You wanted to see me on important business, captain?” asked Mr.

Rosenstein, as he entered. ”You will keep me as short a time as possible, please. I must get to Scotland Yard, my diamonds----”

”Are right here in this boy's hand,” said the captain, pus.h.i.+ng Jack forward.

”What! This is the fellow who took them?” thundered the diamond merchant.

”No; this is the lad you have to thank for recovering them for you from those three men yonder,” said the captain.

”Professor Dusenberry!” exclaimed the diamond expert, throwing up his hand.

”Or Foxy Fred,” grinned one of the English detectives.

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