so that objects were fairly
clear. On either side could be dimly observed the black shapes of the
convoying destroyers.

"Where are they?" asked Joe, in a whisper. "The traitors!"

"I don't know--we'll have to look," was Blake's answer. They looked
along the deck, but saw no one, and were about to turn to the other end
of the craft when a figure stepped out from the shadow of a boat and
sharply challenged them.

"Who are you--what do you want?" was asked.

It was one of the ship's crew assigned to night-watch. Blake knew him
slightly, having, at the man's request one day, showed him something of
the workings of a moving picture camera.

"We came up looking for two gentlemen who have the staterooms opposite
ours," Blake answered, resolving to "take a chance" in the matter.
"Lieutenant Secor and Mr. Labenstein," he added. "Have you seen them?"

"Yes; they came up to get a bit of air, they said," answered the sailor.
"I saw them a little while ago. You will find them up near the bow. Do
not show a light, whatever you do, and light no matches. If you wish to
smoke you must go below."

"Thanks, we don't smoke," Joe answered, with a low laugh. "But we'll be
careful about lights."

"All right," answered the sailor. "We have to look out for submarines,
you know," he added. "This is the worst part of the danger zone."

The boys moved forward like silent shadows, peering here and there for a
sight of the two figures who had come up a little while before them,
with evil intentions in their hearts they had no doubt. Even now there
might be flashing across the dark sea, from some hidden vantage point on
the ship, a light signal that would mean the launching of the deadly
torpedo.

"There's no doubt, now, but the Frenchman is a traitor," whispered Joe
to Blake. "I have been positive about that German being a spy ever since
I've seen him, but I did have some doubts regarding Secor. I haven't any
now."

"It does look bad," admitted Blake.

"I wish I'd smashed him with my auto, instead of waiting for him to
smash me," remarked Charlie. "He's a snake, that's what he is!"

"Hush!" cautioned Blake. "They may be around here--any place--and hear
you. I wish we could see them."

They moved along silently, looking on every side for a sight of the two
conspirators, but there were so many shadows, and so many places where
the men might lurk, that it was difficult to place them. The sailor,
evidently, had had no suspicions, thi