in Driggs led the visitors below. There, in the cabin floor, he
pointed to a well-concealed trapdoor. It opened upon a very considerable
space between cabin floor and keel.

"This space certainly _would_ accommodate a torpedo," declared Admiral
Townsley. "Mr. Rhinds, if we could prove that you had a torpedo in this
space the other day, there would be an almost complete case, wouldn't
there?"

"But I didn't have," cried Rhinds, with cunning insistence.

"Mr. Driggs," pursued the admiral, "we shall want you as a witness at
the investigation on board the 'Oakland.' My aide will hand you a
subpoena. This, I believe, gentlemen, is all we have to do here."

Looking years older, yet holding up his head in a certain kind of
bravado, John Rhinds returned to shore with the party.

No sooner had Rhinds entered the hotel than a bell-boy moved over,
drawing him aside and saying something in a low tone.

"I'll wager that talk would interest us, if we could hear it," remarked
Jack Benson, sarcastically, to his friends.

Rhinds, however, turned and hurried off. In five minutes he was back
in the lobby. Eagerly he glanced about for the Farnum party, and
located it. Then he moved over to where Farnum and his submarine boys
sat.

"Farnum," breathed the old man, anxiously, "I've a favor to ask of you."

"That's strange," replied the shipbuilder, coolly.

"I won't term it a favor, then," went on the other, restlessly. "I will
put it another way. As a simple act of justice will you meet two people
whom I want you to hear?"

"I've heard a good deal, lately," answered Farnum, reluctantly.

"I ask this as a matter of justice. Won't you and young Benson step
down the corridor with me?"

"How long will this interview take?" demanded Farnum.

"Only a very short time."

"Well, lead on, then."

Farnum and Captain Jack stepped down a corridor in the wake of their
enemy.

Rhinds led them into the ladies' parlor. Farnum and Jack caught sight
of two anxious faced women--one, a refined woman of middle age, the
other a beautiful girl of sixteen.

"Mr. Farnum, and Mr. Benson, my dear," announced John Rhinds, in oily
tones. "Gentlemen, my wife, and my daughter, Helen. Both have something
to say to you, gentlemen. Be seated, won't you?"

With that Rhinds slipped away. Like many another cur, in the hour when
he finds himself driven to the wall, John Rhinds had sent for his wife
and daughter. He proposed to escape from t