anvers, stepping forward. "See, its force
is expended, and now it's floating on the water over there off the
starboard bow."

Jacob Farnum stared at it as though utterly unable to comprehend
anything.

"I saw the thing coming our way," went on the naval officer, hastily,
"though not as soon as Benson did. By the time that I knew it, he was
acting. So I held my peace, for, if Benson had failed--well, nothing
would have mattered much--then!"

In a few more crisp, swift sentences; Danvers told the rest of it
adding:

"It was Benson's quick coolness that saved us all from going skyward."

"No, it wasn't," broke in the youthful skipper, decisively. "It was Hal,
who was right by his engines, who saved us. Had he acted on the signal
a second and a half later that torpedo would have struck us plumb and
fair."

"But who could have let a torpedo loose in that fashion?" stammered
Farnum. "What accident--"

"Accident!" broke in Jack, sneeringly.

"Accident!" repeated Danvers, scornfully.

"Well, then, how--"

"Mr. Farnum," broke in Jack Benson, sternly, "that torpedo was fired by
design, with intent to sink us!"

"What? Who--"

"I can't make any positive charge," it was Lieutenant Danvers's turn to
say. "But I can offer certain evidence that I'll stick to anywhere.
Just a few seconds before that torpedo got so close to us I was noting
the Rhinds boat, the 'Thor.' Her course was toward us, briefly. Then
she turned off on another course."

"Do you mean to say that the Rhinds boat was turned our way at just the
time when that torpedo could have left her, headed for us?" demanded
Jacob Farnum.

"That's the whole indication," replied Lieutenant Danvers, firmly.

"Then what are we doing, waiting here?" cried the shipbuilder, angrily.
"Jack, now that that torpedo is spent, and lying harmless on the water,
start up speed and head over that way. Go carefully, for, remember,
any sudden shock against the war-head of the torpedo would set it off."

Jack signaled for slow speed ahead, the response coming promptly.

"Somers," directed Lieutenant Danvers, "get the signal bunting out,
and I'll help you rig a signal to the 'Oakland.'"

It was the first time, on any of the cruises, that Danvers had attempted
to give an order, or to take any part in the handling of the craft. But
now he was about to make a serious report, as an officer of the United
States Navy.

In a very few moments, Danvers and Somers working t