ised that a German sub attacked her, and that she was either
sunk 'without a trace' or else her survivors were taken aboard the
submarine and carried to Germany."

"Perhaps we may learn something to that end," said Tom, as they got
around to the other side. The hole there was not quite so big, and as
it seemed safe to enter Tom and Ned prepared to do so, the others
remaining outside to give them aid in case of necessity.

It was comparatively easy to enter by this wound in the side of the
Blakesly, and, proceeding cautiously, Tom and Ned made the attempt.
They found they could not penetrate far, however, because of the mass
of wreckage scattered about by the explosion. They could see through
into the engine room, and there the machinery was in every stage of
destruction, while below the boilers were disrupted.

"She must have gone down in a hurry," remarked Tom.

"Yes, and with part of her crew," added Ned, as he pointed to where a
heap of white bones lay--grim reminders of the Great War. The engine
room forces had been trapped and carried down to death.

"I wonder if, by any chance, she did carry gold," suggested Ned.

"It wouldn't be down here if she did," asserted Tom. "And if she was a
treasure ship, and the huns knew it, they wouldn't leave any on board."

"That's just it," went on his chum. "They may not have known it, and
have ripped a couple of torpedoes at her without any warning. It would
be just like them."

"Granted," assented the young inventor. "Well, we can take another look
around outside. Maybe there's a way of getting on deck, and so going
below from there. I wouldn't chance it from here."

"Me, either," Ned answered.

They looked around a little more, a further view showing how dangerous
it would be to attempt to enter the shattered engine room, where a
misstep or a sudden change of equilibrium might cause disaster.

"Nothing there," Tom reported to Koku and the others waiting for him
outside.

"Rope by up go him stern," said Koku, motioning toward the after part
of the wreck.

"What does he mean?" Tom asked one of his crew.

"Oh, he went walking around outside while you were inside, sir," was
the answer, "and he seems to have found a rope ladder or a chain, or
something hanging from the stern."

"Let's go and see it," proposed Tom. "I've been wondering if we could
get on deck."

"Are we going to spend much time here?" Ned wanted to know.

"Not much longer," Tom replied. "Why?"