astonished than I can say," the officer replied as he gazed at
the lad. "I had supposed that Boy Scouts would not under any
circumstances lend themselves to a project of an unworthy character."

"Well, who has done all that?" bristled Jimmie, wrinkling a freckled nose
at the man. "You're taking a lot for granted, I must say! Who are you,
anyhow?"

"You'll find out quickly enough!" was the answer.

Turning at the sound of approaching oars, the officer quickly issued a
few short commands.

In obedience to his orders, the boys were required to enter the small
boat without even an opportunity of going below.

"Dodson," ordered the officer, "take a couple of men and search the
vessel for others. We were informed there were but five, but they may
have confederates."

Wonderingly the lads sat in the boat as they were rowed across the
intervening distance to the steamer. Scarcely had they set foot on deck
before a line was passed to the submarine and the vessel was under way,
towing their recent habitation.

An orderly conducted the lads directly to the cabin, where they were
greeted by an officer seated at the head of a table. He arose as they
entered and extended a hand to each.

Motioning to seats, the officer again busied himself with some papers on
the table. For some time the boys glanced expectantly at each other,
waiting for the officer to open the anticipated conversation.

Impatiently the boys waited, listening to the regular throbbing of the
steamer's propellers that told they were again under way.

At length the silence was broken by the arrival of an orderly. Saluting,
he reported briefly to the officer. A nod dismissed him.

"Boys," began the officer in a kindly tone, "we find ourselves rather
puzzled by some mysterious circumstances which we hope you can explain.
Will you assist us?"

"I assume from the looks of things aboard that you are English," answered
Ned. "Am I correct?"

"You are. This is a scout vessel doing patrol duty along the coast. In
common with others, we have been on the sharp lookout for a submarine
named 'U-13,' which has been doing considerable damage to our shipping.
We capture it without difficulty, to find it manned by Boy Scouts instead
of Germans, as we had expected. Can you explain that?"

"Yes!" laughed Ned. "That is easy. The boat you have captured is owned by
a private individual named Mackinder, who has been amusing himself in a
perfectly innocent pastime. He, like o