nquisitive steward.

"You'll go--" began Benson.

He was in error, though. It was he himself who "went." As he reached
out with his right hand to seize Kamanako something happened. Exactly
what it was the young submarine captain never quite knew. But he found
himself sprawling under the seat at the opposite side of the cabin.

"Hi, yi! Wow!" exploded Eph, darting down the stairs. "Save some of
that for me!"

It was ready and waiting.

The carroty-topped boy crouched low, resting his hands on his knees,
after the manner of a football player awaiting an assault.

Kamanako slid in close. Ere Eph could seize him the Japanese let
himself fall lightly on one side. One of his feet hooked itself behind
Eph's advanced left ankle, the other foot pressing against the knee of
the same leg. Eph's ankle was yanked forward, his knee pressed back,
and Somers went toppling as a tree in the forest does.

Kamanako was so quickly on his feet again to suggest that he had fallen
and risen in the same movement. There was a quiet, yet dangerous, smile
on the face of the Japanese.

The door of the engine room opened swiftly though noiselessly.
Williamson, the machinist, took in the whole scene instantly. Hardly a
full step forward he took when his fist landed between the shoulders of
Kamanako, sending that young Japanese through the air, to land sprawling.

As Kamanako leaped to his feet he found himself blinking at the muzzle
of a revolver that the machinist held in his right hand.

CHAPTER VI

THE LITTLE RUSSIAN HAS HER WAY

"Don't get troublesome," advised the machinist, softly. "I've never shot
a Jap, but I've always wanted to."

There was a flicker of a grin in Williamson's face that found a
reflection in Kamanako's own features.

By this time Jack Benson was on his feet, a bit ruffled though with all
his wits about him. At the same time Hal Hastings peered down from the
top of the staircase.

"You've had all the fun so far, Kamanako," Jack admitted. "But now
you've got to get off this boat mighty quick. Do you choose to go
without any more fuss?"

"I go when I get ready," retorted the Japanese, sullenly.

"What's the matter, Jack?" asked Hal, slowly.

"I've caught a dirty spy at work overhauling our mechanisms," replied
the young submarine boat commander.

With something of a snarl Kamanako turned as though to spring at Benson
again. The sight of Williamson, immovable as a piece of marble, y