“No,” replied Hastings, shaking his head.

“Then there wouldn’t be any witness to confirm my testimony,” sighed Captain Benson.  “Without such a witness to aid me, I don’t see how we could expect to prove anything legally against M. Lemaire.”

“As for that pretty young Russian woman—­” began Mr. Farnum.

“We haven’t a single line of proof we could put out against her,” interposed Benson.  “She will have to escape, I am afraid.  For that matter, I’d hate to help in the prosecution of a woman.”

“So would I,” retorted Mr Farnum.  “Yet, if she is helping to undermine the secrets of the United States Government, something will have to be done to stop her.”

“Perhaps,” hinted Jack, “the best thing to do will be to see the commander of the gunboat.”

“Much the better course,” observed David Pollard, who, during the last few moments had seemed dreamily silent.  “As you yourself suggested, Farnum, that officer should be consulted before a single step is taken in the matter.”

“Then we’ll all go down to the shore,” decided the shipbuilder.  “Even at this hour we shall find a boat.”

Ten minutes later the party had clambered up on the platform deck of the “Benson.”  Williamson, having been left to sleep there alone through the night, had secured the entrance to the conning tower.  A few sound thumps on the deck, however, roused that machinist, who, donning slippers and trousers, quickly ran up the spiral stairway, admitting them.

“I’m mighty thankful to see you back, Captain,” was the machinist’s greeting.

There being still nearly two hours of time to elapse before a call could well be made aboard the gunboat, Jack and Hal threw themselves into the berths of one of the staterooms.  That brief, sound nap proved the saving of them when, finally, with Messrs. Farnum and Pollard, they went on board the “Waverly.”

Lieutenant Commander Kimball received them in his own cabin, hearing Jack’s story with utter amazement.

“What I advise you to do, gentlemen, is to go ahead and prosecute the fellow Gaston on the charge of felonious assault.  I would, however, try to avoid having any testimony brought out in court to-day.  I will send one of my officers to see the public prosecutor, and ask that official to have the case continued for one week.  I will also wire the Navy Department at Washington, and await the reply of the Secretary before taking any other steps or offering you any other advice.  But do not needlessly alarm Lemaire or the young woman away from here.”

So well did the lieutenant commander accomplish his purpose that, when Jack and Hal went to the local court that forenoon, the public prosecutor promptly asked to have the case against the chauffeur continued for one week, and the court as promptly assented.

Gaston was taken back to jail.  Though the fellow was well supplied with money, he did not have anywhere near enough to put up the five thousand dollars cash bail demanded by Florida justice.