ttle and Frank Thompson went below to prepare the way for the
execution of their scheme. In the cook room, which occupied the fore
part of the hold of the yacht, Dick was busily engaged in scraping
potatoes. This seemed to be the favorite occupation of the steward, for
he spent a large share of his time between meals in this employment; and
fried potatoes was the standard dish for breakfast, dinner, and supper.

"I'm glad you come down, Tom; I want to use you a few moments," said
Dick, as the two boys entered the cook room.

"Well, what do you want, Dick?"

"I want you to help me move the stove; the pipe is loose; and if you
will just hold it while I slide the stove back two or three inches, it
will make it all right. Just hold the pipe up while I push the stove
back."

"I have just cleaned up, Dick," replied Tom, who never hesitated at a
white lie, and not often at a black one. "Paul is on deck, and in just
the trim to do a job of that kind."

"No matter, then; I will call him," replied Dick; and the two boys
presently returned to the deck.

"Just what we wanted," said Frank.

"Don't say a word, and Dick will call him down in a minute."

But the steward seemed to forget that he intended to make a change in
the position of the stove, for he did not call Paul, as the conspirators
were anxiously waiting for him to do. The tide had turned, and there was
no obstacle in their way except the presence on deck of him to whom they
had not dared to breathe a word of moral treason.

"Paul," said Tom, at last, when his patience was completely exhausted,
"Dick wants to see you down below."

In order to make the request seem like one just made, he had lain down
upon the fore hatch, which opened into the apartment where the steward
was at work, thus seeming to be in communication with him.

"What does he want?" asked Paul, unconscious of the trick which was
about to be played off upon him, and rather pleased than otherwise at
the prospect of some employment to relieve the monotony of his
situation.

"He wants you to help him move the stove."

"Never mind it now, Paul," interposed the steward from below; "any time
before I make the fire to get supper will do."

"I will go now; I have nothing else to do," replied Paul, as he
descended the companion ladder.

"Now is our time!" exclaimed Tom. "You look out for the fore hatch, and
I will take care of the companion way."

"Ay, ay, Tom, and be quick about it."

At a sig