Jimmie joyfully declared that fortune was
playing into their hands in this respect, and that if something would
compel the man to quit work for a while the disguise could be quickly
made.

At Ned's request Harry began fitting wires from the storage batteries to
the motors used for propelling the vessel. The boys were startled to hear
him utter an exclamation of dismay. They found upon inquiry that he had
endeavored to strip the insulation from a wire by using his pocket knife
and had cut a finger badly.

"Pooh, pooh!" stated Jimmie, upon discovering the wound. "Don't make so
much fuss over a little thing like that. We'll soon have you fixed up.
Here, just hold the wound closed with your other hand while I hunt up
some bandages. You'll be all right in a minute!"

But Harry declared that the wound pained excessively. He refused to treat
the matter lightly, but gathered up the tools with which he had been
working. These he deposited in a canvas bag in which they had been
brought aboard the vessel.

Presently Jimmie located a first aid kit among the stores. He was not
long in cleansing and bandaging the wound.

"There you are!" he stated. "Just as good as new! Now go lie down for a
little while. I'll finish this job if I know enough."

Chatting together in a somewhat nervous manner the boys anxiously awaited
the approach of evening. As the time wore on their restlessness
increased. Again and again they carefully went over each detail of their
proposed plan for escape in the submarine.

It was decided that Jimmie should take the wheel while Harry stood watch
at the engines. The others were assigned to various other duties at
favorable positions. Nothing remained except to wait for night.

A short time before darkness settled an orderly visited the craft. He was
able to converse slightly in English.

"How are you getting along, boys?" he asked, as he stepped down the iron
ladder. "Can we put the torpedoes aboard tomorrow?"

"Yes, I think you will be able to place the torpedoes after tomorrow
morning," replied Ned. "We will have our work all done then."

"That is good!" was the other's comment. "Where is Mackinder?" was his
next question. "He will have to come ashore now!" he added.

"Mackinder?" was Ned's startled response. "He's not here."

"But he was here!" firmly declared the orderly. "He was seen by one of
the sentries to come aboard this vessel, and has not since been noticed
going ashore, although a clo