the good little old 'Pollard' is!"

So happy did all of the five feel, in fact, that they shook hands
gleefully, all around. Then, while Eph rowed out to the craft to dry
himself and get into uniform, Jacob Farnum ran to the machine shops,
there sounding several sharp, triumphant blasts on the steam whistle.

The whole affair--Eph's escape to the surface, the joy of the submarine,
party and the blowing of the whistle, were all noted by a spy whom Don
Melville had set to the task of watching the Farnum crowd.

Don was equally well aware that David Pollard had been working day and
night in his room at Mr. Farnum's house.

"They've discovered something that pleases them mightily," thought Don,
sick with rage. "What can it be? I'm going to know, if money has still
any power to buy other men's services."

"Jack Benson may be very happy now," muttered Don, vindictively, "but his
joy shall soon be turned to ashes--or worse."

Nor was Don Melville speaking by mere guesswork. His ignoble nature had
evolved the whole plan by which Jack was to be ruined. Don even stooped
to use his father as an innocent tool in a series of rascally deceptions.

"I got word that you wanted to see me at once," said Broughton Emerson,
dropping in upon Mr. Melville that afternoon at the hotel.

"I certainly do," returned Mr. Melville, leading the way to an inner
room. "Emerson, you remember my telling you that Farnum's crew are
wholly willing to sell out their people if the price is big enough?"

"Yes, certainly."

"Would you like to see that proved?"

"By all means, if it can be," replied Mr. Emerson, a look of keen
anxiety in his eyes, for he had finally determined to use his own
judgment and invest heavily in the Farnum submarine enterprise.

"Will you consent to doing a little watching with me?" asked Mr.
Melville.

"What's in the wind?"

"To-night, at eleven o'clock, on a lonely bit of road well out of town,"
replied George Melville, "young Captain John Benson has agreed to meet
my son, Don."

"For what purpose?"

"Pollard has recently perfected a submarine boat device of the greatest
practical value. Young Benson has promised Don to steal the drawings and
descriptions pertaining to that device, and to turn them over to Don, for
a price, of course!"

"It's horrible--unspeakable!" gasped Mr. Emerson, indignantly.

"Of course. But I want you to understand the kind of crowd that
surrounds Farnum. It will be a guide to