rge of deck and prisoners and report to me here."

Within a very short time Mr. Burton had so reported. Dave, in the
meantime, having worked his way over the cargo, had found a cleverly
concealed door at the after end of the hold.

"There should be a key to this door, sir," said Ensign Burton, "but if
there is a key-hole we are unable to find it. If this really be a door it
must be operated by a hidden spring."

"Perhaps an axe will work as well as either key or spring," Darrin
suggested. "Pass the word for one."

The axe was brought by a heavily built seaman, who prepared to swing it
against the door panelling.

"Break away the boards as gently as possible," continued Dave. "There may
be an explosive device on the other side of the panelling. For that
reason I'll stand by you, to take equal risk."

"If there is any risk, I'd rather you wouldn't take it, sir," urged the
sailor.

"Thank you, but I'll stand by. Swing the axe," ordered Dave.

A few blows knocked in the panelling, revealing, beyond, a room of
considerable size. Into this stepped the two officers, followed by the
seamen with them. Unlike any part of the ship they had previously seen,
this place was lighted by electricity. Burton found the switch, and
turning it on, let in a flood of light.

"Sir, did you ever!" gasped the ensign.

The purpose of this room was all too plain. It was fitted with
compressors, leading to a tube that left the ship under water. A small
but powerful crane was in place over a closed hatchway. The latter, when
opened, was found to lead down into a second hold, also electrically
lighted. The two officers explored this second hold.

"Mines were kept here," Dave nodded, "and were hoisted above as needed.
They were dropped astern by means of a compressed air apparatus which,
when the mine tube was open, kept the sea from entering. This ugly
looking little steamer, outwardly a wood pulp carrier, is really a very
capable mine-layer. She has been busy, too, on this cruise to England,
but had sown all her mines before we overhauled her."

"It's plain enough, sir," agreed Ensign Burton.

"Confound this rascally skipper!" blazed Darrin, wrathfully. "While naval
craft have been searching everywhere for submarine mine-layers, this
skipper has been sailing openly on the seas and sowing mines right under
the eyes of our allies! The accursed power of gold! This skipper, his
mate and crew have been selling their very souls to the Hun f