Part 2 (1/2)
”How soon e start, supposing our parents allow us to go?” asked Rob, as soon as the laughter over Tubby's remark had subsided
”At the end of this week if possible Mr Danbury Barr, the inventor of the _Peacee south on the U S Derelict Destroyer _Seneca_”
”Derelict Destroyer,” repeated Rob ”Those are the craft that Uncle Saht prove a ation, aren't they?”
”Correct,the voyage on the _Seneca_,” he continued, ”is that no regular passenger steamer makes a stop near Barren Island Furthermore, if ent down on a naval vessel some of these sharp reporters would be sure to ht be discovered”
”And that would be a serious matter?” put in Rob
”Yes, very serious Several nations are on the _qui vive_ to discover just what the _Barr Peace e, to this country on thatto ferret out the secret if they can Mr Barr has been approached with all sorts of offers But he is a staunch American to the backbone, as you will discover when you meet him If anyone is to have the _Peacemaker_ it is to be Uncle Sam, first, foremost and all the tile Patrol in unison
The sharp, screa when Merritt uttered a startled cry, and pointed to the open transo at hi the portal open The passage beyond was empty, and the boy turned to his companions with a puzzled look on his face
”What's up, Merritt?” asked Rob
”Seeing spooks?” inquired Tubby
”Seeing nothing,” snapped out Merritt; ”I _saw_----”
”Sahat?” de at us over that transoed into the darkness as I looked up, but I saw it as plain as daylight”
Both officers bent forward almost breathlessly Merritt's coely
”What kind of a face was it?” de one Very pale, and fringed with dark whiskers”
The effect on the officers was electrical They both sprang up and made for the door followed by the puzzled Scouts
”Was--was it anyone you know?” demanded Rob, as he paced beside Lieutenant Duvall
”Yes Frohoff, the spy of a powerful European nation whose aeneral all other powers on the sea We must apprehend him if possible It is only too clear that he followed us here froreat part of our conversation”
”Phew! This is action with a capital A!” gasped Rob as they ran down the stairway and out into the lighted street
But although a rigorous search was made and all trains watched, no trace was found of Nordstrohoff, the naval spy It was surood his escape in a speedy ”roadster” car in which he had crept into Ha
CHAPTER III
AN OCEAN DERELICT