uld, for he was beginning to suspect that a mere matter
of politics would not move the Congressman much in this case.

"Now, I'll leave you for a while, Rhinds, and I'll move fast," promised
the Congressman, rising. "But I advise you to stay right here. I may
want to see you at any moment."

Mr. Simms must have moved rapidly, for, two hours later that morning,
after having seen many people, including the admiral, the Congressman
sent a message upstairs urging Rhinds to come down at once.

As he stepped out from the elevator, a strange pallor on his face,
John Rhinds beheld the Congressman standing with four men one of whom
the old man knew for Ensign Pike, the naval officer who had been
stationed aboard the 'Thor.' Another was Lieutenant Danvers.

Congressman Simms quickly presented Rhinds to the other two, one of
whom was Rear Admiral Townsley, and the other Lieutenant Jasper, the
Admiral's aide.

"Now, Mr. Rhinds," pursued the Congressman, "the admiral has decided
that the first thing to do is to go aboard the 'Thor,' and see whether
any hiding place exists in which you might have stored a fifth torpedo."

"But how could I get such a fifth torpedo?" faltered the old man.
"The Navy issues them."

"They may be bought in the market, too, by one who knows how," replied
Rear Admiral Townsley, coolly. "You consent to our going aboard your
boat, of course, Mr. Rhinds?"

Had there been any reasonable way of preventing it, Rhinds would not
have agreed, but he saw that he must comply with the request.

Admiral Townsley raised a hand in signal. Out of the background came
Jacob Farnum and his three submarine boys.

"These people can't come aboard my boat!" protested Rhinds.

"They must, if we do," retorted the admiral, crisply. "These are the
human beings who were placed in deadly peril by the torpedo that has yet
to be accounted for."

Rhinds no longer objected. All his force, all his will appeared to
have departed. He moved along, now, like a puppet.

Down at the water-front a naval launch was in waiting. In this the
entire party was taken out to the "Thor." Captain Driggs received the
callers on the platform deck, and Admiral Townsley stated the object
of the visit.

"Why, Admiral," replied Captain Driggs, honestly, "I have no knowledge
that there was an extra torpedo aboard. Yet, of course, there's a
place where such a thing might have been hidden."

"Take us to it," requested the Admiral.

Capta