became his daughter-in-law she couldn't very well prosecute her
faithless guardian. But Miss Desmond, who will be of age in a few days,
would have none of her Cousin Fred for a husband. She must have
suspected much, too, for she had engaged lawyers and accountants to go
over the state of her affairs. The whole party were at the house
yesterday, when Miller and his son slipped out and got away in the
son's sloop. It is believed that Arthur Miller converted all the rest
of his niece's fortune into cash, and arranged with the schooner to
pick him up in the night."

"Then I think I understand, sir," broke in Jack, quietly, "how that
sloop came to capsize. I couldn't understand that before. But the
Millers, father and son, must have figured that the overturned sloop
would be found, and that they would be believed to have drowned. That
would shut off pursuit. So whichever of the pair is a good sailor--"

"That's the son, Fred," interposed Mr. Farnum.

"Then Fred Miller, after fixing life preservers on both of them, must
have watched for his chance at a good puff of wind, close-hauled on the
sheet and sent the boat over. That explains why they weren't very
cordial with us last night. Our overhauling them prevented their being
reported drowned accidentally."

"Oh, confound them! Drat them!" roared Mr. Farnum. "Making me, and the
rest of us, accomplices of a dastardly defaulter. If I ever run afoul
of that crowd again--if I ever get my hands on them--won't I make them
smart for their trick!"

Nor were the submarine boys much less angry over the part they had all
been made to play.

CHAPTER XIV

AN UP-TO-DATE REVENGE

In the days that followed, the need of work drove away thoughts of the
trick played by the Millers.

Trip after trip was made out to sea, and under the sea, in the "Pollard."
That fine little craft was tested under every condition that could be
imagined, except that, of course, no torpedoes were fired through her
business-like bow tube. The firing of torpedoes at sea belonged to
the Navy exclusively. Such a test could not be made by a civilian trial
crew.

By degrees the submarine boys outgrew every trace of dread at finding
themselves well under the surface of the sea. Their confidence in the
abilities of the "Pollard" made them daring to the point of recklessness.

Just once the boys did have strong occasion to remember the Millers.
That was when they were ashore one night. G