Part 37 (1/2)
”Why, Ade that there was an extra torpedo aboard Yet, of course, there's a place where such a thing ht have been hidden”
”Take us to it,” requested the Ads 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 adation on board the 'Oakland' My aide will hand you a subpoena This, I believe, gentle 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-boyin 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 lanced 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 shi+pbuilder, 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 whoood deal, lately,” answered Farnum, reluctantly
”I ask this as aBenson step down the corridor withwill 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 theht of two anxious faced woe, the other a beautiful girl of sixteen
”Mr Farnum, and Mr Benson, my dear,” announced John Rhinds, in oily tones ”Gentle 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 fro behind the skirts of pure and good woe fortune to have their lives linked with his
”What is all this that I have heard, sir?” asked Mrs Rhinds, tears filling her eyes fast, as she turned to regard the Dunhaven shi+pbuilder
It was the hardest hour Jacob Farnum had ever spent, and the sahter had the oodness of John Rhinds They pleaded gently, eloquently, for these two enemies to have faith in their husband and father