"Well, you've stumped me on the first question, I admit," chuckled the diver. "That's your business Mr. Pauling--have to use some cipher I suppose. But the others are easy. If we send radio messages to some nearby port that we're coming in--asking to have supplies or stores ready, for instance--those Bolsheviks will bite all right. And as far as knowing what port they'll head for is concerned, if they think they're not being chased they'll go to the port where there's the least danger and that's where the ship's papers are made out for--Trinidad or Demerara."
"By Jove! I don't know but what you're right," exclaimed Mr. Pauling. "I think I can arrange the cipher messages--in fact, in confidence, I can let you know that a code was all arranged long before we left St. Thomas. Every executive of every British and French colony down here knows it. We had reasons for not giving it to the Dutch in view of the suspicious actions of that Dutch tramp--and I'll guarantee if the _Devonshire_ puts into any British or French port, our piratical 'reds' will find they've stepped into a trap that's set and baited."
By the time Robinson reappeared on deck, looking a very different being from the haggard, dull-eyed seaman who had been rescued from the _Devonshire's_ boat, Mr. Pauling had conferred with Commander Disbrow and plans had been made in accordance with Rawlins' suggestion. Robinson, when told of this, agreed with the diver that doubtless the "reds" intended sailing the _Devonshire_ boldly into some port and then slipping away, one at a time. He also declared that he believed they would steam for either Trinidad or Demerara, as the ship's papers were made out for those ports. In order to consult with him and secure his opinions, it was of course necessary to acquaint him somewhat with the activities of the fugitives, but he asked no questions and made no effort to learn more of Mr. Pauling's mission than the latter saw fit to divulge.
"Was the _Devonshire_ ever in Trinidad or Demerara, Mr. Robinson?" inquired Mr. Pauling. "That is, with Captain Masters and the other officers in command?"
"Not as far as I know," replied the other. "I've been on her for three years and this is my first trip out here. She's always been in the East Indian trade heretofore."