an't possibly persuade us to go to
Germany and tell your people anything that we know about the Pollard
submarine boats, or any other type."

"But you shall be well paid!"

"Professor, what would be your price for selling out your country to the
United States?" asked Hal, gazing fixedly at the German.

"You insult me!" cried the German, his face growing red. "I am a
patriot."

"Yet, you insult us by thinking that we would sell our country," went
on Hal, coolly.

"Are you two going to be as big fools as your captain?" demanded Herr
Professor Radberg, almost incredulously.

"Bigger!" promised Eph, with a grin.

"Ach! Well, we shall talk this all over when you come to the hotel in
an hour," replied the German. He turned and left the store.

"Now, I don't doubt," mocked Hal, "he has gone away firm in the belief
that we'll keep his appointment."

"He'll wake up after a while," laughed Eph Somers.

After indulging in a second ice cream soda the submarine boys started
down the street toward the Farnum shipyard where the Pollard boats were
built.

As they passed a street corner they heard a cautious:

"Hss--sst!"

"Now, who threw that our way?" demanded the irrepressible Eph, turning
swiftly. Then he added, in a tone so low that only his comrades could
hear:

"Say, fellows, I'll bet that cost something!"

"That" was, a rather undersized little man, of perhaps thirty. Dark of
hair, and sparkling of eye, the stranger's rather pallid face was partly
covered, in front, by a short goatee, of the French "imperial" sort,
and a moustache whose points were waxed out in fierce military
fashion.

It was the stranger's apparel that had attracted Eph's notice
particularly. The stranger was arrayed almost exquisite fashion; his
clothes were of finest texture and latest Parisian type. His little,
pointed shoes were almost as dainty as a girl's. Though the day was
warm the stranger was gloved, and handled a cane in the head of which a
handsome amethyst shone.

"I wonder how that got through the custom house?" was Eph Somers's next
undertoned question.

"Ah, good morning, gentlemen," greeted the stranger, coming toward them,
all smiles and bows. "Av I have not med ze mistake, zen I am address ze
torpedo boys."

"Right-o," drawled Eph. "Regular human torpedoes, as touchy as
gun-cotton. Why, I am due to explode this moment!"

Though the stranger looked puzzled at first, his face rapidly broke into
a cordial