he professor through the speaking tube to Was

, for the shock had knocked him down. The professor

gave a su

l, rushing to the conning

the professor calmly. "It forces compressed air into the tanks

ark, as, followed by

do act to one of Uncle Sa

the Porpoise flooded with the bright beams, those on

of the water and fell back in a smother of foam, shaking and shivering, alongsid

ole," commande

WDED TO THE RAIL OF

he heavy iron in place. Then he swung the cover back and stepped out on the small platform, followed by the professor,

y voice, and a man in a gold laced uniform, who, from his importance plainly

as to get in my path," replied the

"Looks very suspicious. How do I know but wh

Henderson. "It is a new submarine boat of my

the captain. "I don't like the looks of things. Lower a boat!" he s

ive a detailed description of his ship to officers of the war department. He had many valuable in

l boat for lowering over the side of

d as quietly as you can,"

warship was almost deserted, for the sailors who had gathe

disappeared through the manhole than the

captain as he saw Mr. Henderson's head

at admitted water to the tanks. The Porpoise began to sink slowly, and then more suddenly, so that, in less than a minute, she was out of sight beneath the wave

," spoke Mr. Henderson, as he started the big sc

tanding at the foot of the conning tower stairs and

ing things very far ahead in the dimness caused by being under water. But we

ht and easily remedied defects were found. The professor steered well out to sea, increasing both the for

le?" asked Mark,

tower and entered the engine-room. "I thought it was time for dinner so I stopped the

ed in the midst of an immense forest of sea weed. Some of the stalks were as large around as trees. I

and the colored man soon had a good meal prepared. Few

arted the Porpoise up again. Without any accidents the return trip was made and

Mr. Henderson paid a visit to the ship, to make a thorough exami

. "I need a new monkey wrench and some other tools and some small pieces of machinery. I'll giv

made a record of what he nee

had better stay in the town all night," the captain of the Porpoise said. "It is quite a lo

he boys started off. They had to walk two miles to where a trolley line was built th

ve the machinist, to whom they had been directed by Mr. Hend

'll have to wait for it. Can't promise it be

t," remarked Mark. "We

rge one, for Easton was a favorite summer resort and the town was filled with visitors. The lads strolled ab

up. There was a loud noise, he saw a bright flash of flame, and saw rolling clouds of smoke. So vivid was t

matter?" i

on fire!" s

their room was filled with thick smoke. They could see the du

d and seemed likely to topple over. Outside the boys could hea

ding into the corridor, but was driven back by a

he fire escape

s;" exclaimed Jack, and Mark hastened

s opened, and whence the fire escapes led down to the streets. The

wn the iron ladders they heard someo

boys! Stop!