rd my vessel and
give me a hand on a little project I have under way."

"I don't think we'd better do that right now," stated Jimmie. "You see,
we're neutral, and we don't want to take sides either way!"

"So am I neutral! I care nothing for this awful war except to see it
stop. I shall do nothing for either side, so rest easy on that score. But
your propellor is broken by having that line jammed in it. You cannot
navigate your vessel, and would better come aboard mine!"

Doubting this statement, Jimmie clambered into the small boat and sculled
toward the stern of the false "U-13". There he could look into the water
to a depth sufficient to confirm the other's statement.

"It's no use, boys," he declared, returning to the conning tower. "The
blades of the propellor are damaged beyond use. We might as well go!"

Securing a line to the bow of the false "U-13" the man proposed to tow it
to a safe place where it could be anchored to await repairs. Two trips
were necessary to transfer the boys to the craft which had been of such
signal service in their hour of extreme need.

Led by their recent guest, who was now their host, the lads descended
into the interior of the vessel. Here a strange sight met their gaze. In
cages canaries were twittering gaily while all about the bulkheads had
been fastened pots of plants, some of which were in bloom.

"Now I understand why the air you so kindly pumped into our vessel had
the odor of flowers and growing things!" declared Ned as he turned to
their host. "You have things fixed pretty cozy here!"

"Just a touch now and again to make it look home-like!" said the man. "I
prefer the sight of a flower to that of a cold steel bulkhead. Besides,
it's more healthful to have a few plants about."

Harry was lost in admiration of the machinery which he declared to be far
superior to that of the vessel they had lately abandoned.

With a touch their strange host sent the craft forward at a good speed.
He explained to the lads a gyroscope arrangement by which he controlled
the steering gear that kept the vessel on any chosen course and at any
desired depth after once being adjusted.

"And now, if you please, Mr. Mackinder," questioned Jimmie at length,
"will you be so good as to tell us what your mission may be?"

"Certainly!" replied the other frankly. "I see the steamer is not
following us so I will take plenty of time to give you details."

"Thanks!" drily responded the lad. "We'll a