e least bit troubled that way," replied the new foreman
emphatically. "Owen didn't get along with them, and couldn't have
done so, because he's a nagger, and no self-respecting workman will
stand for a nagger. There were times when O'brien and I wondered
if we hadn't better pitch him out and then leave our jobs."

Thus matters went along most smoothly. Jack Benson and Hal Hastings,
with a good general knowledge of mechanics, and willing to work hard
and tackle new problems, were learning much. Even before the "Pollard"
was launched and sent on her trial trip these two boys showed remarkable
proficiency in equipping and handling this wonderful class of craft.

In the meantime the boys had left the hotel, taking up their quarters
at a comfortable boarding-house where Foreman Andrews lived. Though
Farnum was paying them fair wages, they were thrifty enough to be
on the lookout for any outside work with their camera outfit. So
it happened that, one evening after supper, Jack and Hal, carrying
their outfit, set out on a walk of more than two miles. They had
secured an order to go to a wealthy man's summer "cottage," as the
great, handsome pile was called, there to make some flashlight photographs
of some of the large, expensively furnished rooms.

Time flew, and the owner of the cottage caused many delays by wishing
furniture shifted about before the photographs were made. It was
after eleven o'clock at night when the two submarine boys left the
cottage to tramp back to Dunhaven. As they neared the village they
heard the town clock striking midnight. That was the only sound they
could hear besides the movement of their own feet. Dunhaven was wrapped
in sound slumber.

Their way led the boys close to Farnum's boatyard. As they came around
a corner of the fence, Hal, who was slightly in the lead, stepped
back quickly, treading on his friend's toes.

"Sh!" whispered Hastings. "Keep quiet and take a sly peep around
the corner. Look up along the fence and see what you make out."

Slipping off his hat, Jack took a hasty look, exposing very little
of his head, while Hal now crowded close to him from behind.

"Someone trying to scale the fence," whispered Jack. "By Jove, there
he goes. He has a good hold, and is going--now he's over in the
yard."

Such stealthy prowling could mean little else than mischief brewing.
To both the boys came instantly the same thought:

"The submarine boat!"

"Did you recogniz