who had
attended the sick man, and from him learned that he was down on the
passenger list as Senor Pinto, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was
traveling in the interests of a large firm of coffee importers of the
United States, and was going to Lima.

"And there's no trace of Waddington?" asked Tom of Mr. Titus, as they
were discussing matters in their stateroom one day.

"Not a trace. He seems to have dropped out of sight, and I'm glad of
it."

"Perhaps Blakeson & Grinder have given up the fight against you."

"I wish they had, though I don't look for any such good luck. But I'm
willing to fight them, now that we have an even chance, thanks to your
explosive."

The storm blew itself out. The Bellaconda "crossed the line," and there
was the usual horseplay among the sailors when Father Neptune came
aboard to hold court. Those who had never before been below the equator
were made to undergo more or less of an initiation, being lathered and
shaved, and then pushed backward into a canvas tank of water on deck.

While Tom enjoyed the voyage, with the possible exception of the storm,
he was anxious, and so was Mr. Titus, for the time to come when they
should get to the tunnel and try the effect of the new explosive. Mr.
Damon found an elderly gentleman as fond of playing chess as was the
eccentric man himself, and his days were fully occupied with castles,
pawns, knights, kings, queens and so on. As for Koku he was taken in
charge by the sailors and found life forward very agreeable.

Senor Pinto had recovered from his seasickness, the steward told Tom
and Mr. Titus, but still he kept to his stateroom.

It was when the Bellaconda was within a day or two of Callao that a
wireless message was received for Mr. Titus. It was from his brother.
The message read:

"Have information from New York office that rivals are after you. Look
out for explosive."

"What does that mean?" asked Tom.

"Well, I presume it means our rival contractors know we have a supply
of your new powder on board, and they may try to get it away from us."

"Why?" Tom demanded.

"To prevent our using it to complete the tunnel. In that case they'll
get the secret of it to use for themselves, when the contract goes to
them by default. Can we do anything to protect the powder, Tom?"

"Well, I don't know that we'll need to while it's stowed away in the
cargo. They can't get at it any more than we can, until the ship
unloads. I guess it's safe