s all the time that we have been in harbour; but of
course I have not said a word to them about it. I have, however,
watched them continually, and by their smug looks of satisfaction I am
inclined to believe that they know something about it. And ever since
then I have been on the prowl everywhere to see if I could find any
trace of the boat, but without success."

"Well, old chap," said Jack, "I am exceedingly sorry to hear this; for
in unscrupulous hands that submarine may work a terrific amount of
mischief, and everything connected with the working of her is so simple
that any ordinarily skilful mechanician could easily puzzle it all out
with a little study. Moreover, if she has fallen into the hands of the
Spaniards--as I suppose she has--they will have no difficulty in
accounting for the mysterious disablement of their ships here on the
occasion of the _James B. Potter_ incident, and it will make them so
watchful that henceforth we shall be able to do absolutely nothing. But
I do not blame you, Phil: you could not be expected to know that these
fellows had somehow discovered the existence of the boat; nor could you
be expected to watch her night and day. Her loss is a very serious
misfortune, of course, but I am convinced that it is not through any
carelessness of yours that it happened."

"Thanks, Jack, for saying that!" answered Milsom; "I did not quite think
you would blame me for it: but I cannot help blaming myself to a certain
extent; I ought to have been more watchful. Yet how was one to know
that the existence of the boat had been discovered? She was guarded
night and day, in an unobtrusive way, it is true, and in such a fashion
that I believed it quite impossible for anyone to become aware of her
existence. Well, she is gone, and we must manage henceforth as best we
can without her--unless we can discover her whereabouts and recover
possession of her. And now, to change the subject, what do you propose
to do with yourselves this afternoon? The Americans are holding a
reception aboard the _Maine_. I suppose you wouldn't care to go?"

"I think not," said Jack; "it would be rather too risky. I have come
face to face with many Spanish officers during the time that I have been
out with the revolutionaries; and if I were perchance to run up against
one of them on board that ship it might be awkward. No; I think that
the safest plan for Don Hermoso, Carlos, and myself will be to remain
quietly abo