oat. At this Jerry suggested that one of the
Malays had possibly stolen up while their prau was waiting alongside for
the captain, the day before, and had stolen what he could find. The
Malays had a fondness for wire, he went on to say.

"Mebbe," said Mart suspiciously. "You get busy and investigate here
first. I don't take much stock in your suggestions."

With an injured air, Jerry retraced his steps and put the crew through a
stiff examination, but nothing was brought to light. It finally proved
that the Malay explanation was the most plausible one, simply for lack
of other evidence, and although Bob and Mart were both furious, they
could do nothing. Once they were alone in the cabin, however, Mart
winked mysteriously at his chum.

"Say, Holly, I was putting up a bluff on you for Jerry's benefit. That
wireless ain't wrecked, not by a jugfull! Whoever did it was too plumb
ignorant to do the job right. I can fix her up, but it'll take time.
Now, you lay low and let on like she's busted for good. If one o' the
men did it, and finds it ain't busted, he's liable to go after our
aerials, which would sure dish things for us, see?"

Bob nodded thoughtfully.

"Good for you, Mart. Well, you wait an' see what happens when dad gets
back, that's all I have to say."

He had no chance to say more, indeed, for a trampling of feet on the
deck, and the sound of voices, apprised them that the diving was about
to commence. They at once set aside all other thoughts, agreed to forget
the wireless for the time being, and hurried on deck to watch
operations. At Bob's suggestion Mart brought along a couple of the
thirty-thirty rifles, in case they should see any further signs of the
Pirate Shark.

They had already made sure that the Kanakas knew the danger of diving
here in the lagoon, but one and all the brown-skinned men had laughed at
the very name of shark, patting their sheath knives and assuring the
boys that they were used to killing sharks as a form of exercise. Size
made no difference, it appeared, so the boys made no more objections.

Four of the Kanakas had stripped and stood on the gangway landing,
holding to lines and weights, while the rest of the crew clustered about
the rail and Jerry gave them instructions as to depth and bottom and
what to look for. Then the men grinned, put their knives between their
teeth, and slipped off into the water.

After a minute they reappeared, merely took breath, and vanished again.
T