ks."

The three mutineers, as they may be called, exchanged glances, but
said nothing. The captain and mate noted this telegraphy of the eyes,
and they, too, were silent, but it was a little test which they had
determined upon before leaving the _Coral_, lying some distance away,
safely moored close inshore. Evidently the three could think of no
valid excuse, and Brazzier said, in a low voice, which was heard by
all:

"Go, men, and hurry back."

Pomp started off at once, Redvignez following close behind him. The
mate and captain saw they were speaking together; but, of course, it
could only be conjectured what they were talking about.

The three who remained behind were in an embarrassing situation, for
there could be no doubt that Brazzier, the leader in the plot, had had
his suspicions aroused by this little incident, and it was hard work
for him to conceal a certain uneasiness at the thought that he had
lost the confidence of the two officers of the _Coral_.

With a view of strengthening his position, Captain Bergen took out his
revolver, looked at it in an inquiring way, and then shoved it back
into his hip-pocket. Abe Storms did precisely the same thing,
excepting that he perhaps made a little more display about it.

Not one of the three as yet had spoken a word; but Brazzier, as if to
conceal his uneasiness, advanced to the edge of the water and peered
down into the crystal depths at the supposed wealth which lay
scattered over the bottom, awaiting the hour when some one should draw
it forth from the hiding-place it had occupied for so many years.

"If they've got pearls in 'em," observed Brazzier, "it'll make a good
haul for us."

"There is reason to think so," replied the captain, holding his peace,
for he began to suspect that too much deference had already been paid
to the crew.

Since Pomp and Redvignez were making good time, they soon reappeared,
bearing between them the coat of armor which Abe Storms had
constructed before leaving his New England home. This, it may be said,
was an invention peculiarly his own, containing some conveniences not
generally attributed to diving-bells or armor, and which, if they
withstood the test to which they were sure to be subjected, would be a
great step forward in the rapid improvements that have been made in
submarine armor during the last few years. A superficial examination
would not discover anything out of the usual order in the make of the
armor, with its