to you that he might have hidden in the boat while
the men were out of it?"

"Gracious! In that case he may be their prisoner by this time!"

"I am afraid that there is little doubt of that. We must get after the
rascals at once."

By the time the ensign was dressed, Mr. Barr was also attired, and the
two immediately began a discussion of plans for the rescue of Rob. But
first the ensign wanted to know about Barton.

It was hard for Mr. Barr to believe that the man whom he trusted
implicitly could have proved traitor to him.

"The best way to find that out is to look at your papers and models and
see if anything is missing," was the response.

"I'll do so; but I'm sure the boys must be mistaken in Barton. He has
worked for me for many years."

"Possibly the large price he was offered to turn over the plans of the
_Peacemaker_ had something to do with it," suggested Merritt.

"Perhaps; but I'll not say anything till I find out definitely that
something is missing."

Mr. Barr hastened off toward the shed, but returned before long with a
countenance filled with apprehension.

"My most important blue prints and models are missing!" he exclaimed.

The ensign made a dry grimace.

"Our young friends were right," he said. "In detecting the rascal they
have done an excellent piece of scouting work. But now let us hurry off
in search of Rob at once."

"How will you reach that other island?" asked Merritt.

"We will go in the motor boat. She is fast and does not draw much
water."

"Can we all go along?"

"No, we'll take one of my sailors, your chum Donald, Tubby Hopkins, you
and myself. We haven't settled accounts with Barton yet, and I don't
want him left practically alone on the island."

"Do you think he would try to harm the submarine?"

"I think it likely. He has probably been paid to injure it so that the
rival power that is working against us can construct its submarines
first."

"But you are going to make him confess?"

"If he will, yes. If not, he faces a long prison term, although it will
be hard to prove that he actually stole the papers and models."

"But we saw him answering those signals, and then again, last night we
saw him meet the men."

"I'm afraid that wouldn't make very good evidence in a court of law,"
was the rejoinder. "But enough of this now. Tell Hawkins (one of the
sailors) to get the boat ready, and hurry through your breakfast We'll
start right afterward."

"We can't sta