Part 12 (2/2)

Fro tower lens the _Peace between two solid walls of water, so great was the quantity of spray she threw as she was reh the choppy sea Yet the vibration was not nearly as bad as o below and take a look at the engine rooht; but I'll ask Mr Barr's permission first,” was Rob's rejoinder

This was readily obtained, and the two boys went below They found their coe central cabin, excitedly discussing the novelty of their voyage Passing the leader and his lieutenant lowered at theruffly

”Merely to have a look at the engines,” said Rob

”Ahat do you know about engines?” growled the ot no business in here”

”We have Mr Barr's permission,” rejoined Rob in a calry

”Well, take a look around and get out quick,” was the ungracious reply of the surly fellow

Rob thought it best not to answer hi the flashi+ng, s machinery, which, despite its size and poas alht be in the way of politeness, Barton ineer, the boys decided, for every bit of ines was polished to a brilliant finish, and the engine roo the powerful pu on the floor He picked it up, prompted by he knew not what instinct, and found that it was covered with minute sketches, apparently of machinery The sketches were numbered and lettered, as if they had been ”keyed” for the purpose ofthe sketches when there was a swift step behind hi about, looked into Barton's face The engineer's countenance was livid, his eyes fairly blazed

”Givejackanapes!” he exclai you the paper, here you are,” said Rob, quietly handing the engineer the mechanical sketches ”If I'd known they were yours, I'd have returned them to you at once I h in your manners I don't knohat harm we've ever done you, that you should show such a dislike for us”

”Bah!” growled Barton as he turned away, thrusting the paper into a pocket of his jumper

After this incident neither of the boys cared to reine room, and soon joined their co and laughing over different boyish topics, and Merritt joined in the fun

But Rob, usually talkative and bright, was strangely silent He found hi over the incident of the scrap of paper covered with itated when the boy picked it up? What was there about the affair to excite the ely?

Suddenly into the boy's rave was the idea that he dismissed it, or rather tried to; but with all his efforts the idea kept recurring like a dominant note in a piece of music Rob decided to be on the watch and try to verify or disprove his suspicion, which was nothing more nor less than an idea that Barton was a traitor to his employer, and was also in the service of sorip on the secrets of the _Peace,” decided Rob

Scarcely had he come to this conclusion when Mr Barr shouted down fro to dive!”

The hearts of all the lads beat perceptibly quicker at the words

They were about to descend into the unknown regions beneath the surface of the ocean, down into the dark waters where men's souls are put to a supreme test

CHAPTER XIV

FACING DEATH

”Ready?” ca tower

”All ready!” shouted back the lads asse for they knew not what

”Then hold tight, we're going down quick”