grunted Carl disgustedly. "He vill make it aboudt as bleasant on der poat as a case oof measles."

Matt frowned at Carl.

"It was either sink the cachalot or run the risk of being stove in," said Matt. "We'll have to have a little talk, Mr. Glennie, so you had better go below to the periscope room."

The ensign nodded, climbed over the top of the tower, and disappeared.

"That there uniform makes him top-heavy, Matt," scowled Clackett. "The quicker you pull some o' the red tape off o' him the better it'll be for all of us."

"He's all right, boys," said Matt, "and I'll bet he's a good fellow down at the bottom. He forgets he's not on the Seminole, that's all."

When Matt got down into the periscope room he found Glennie examining one corner of the suit case, which was badly smashed.

"I regret to note, Mr. King," said he, "that there is a serious lack of discipline aboard this boat. Such a thing could never be tolerated in the service. We are to take a long and hazardous journey, and I shall insist on having the men keep their places."

"You are not here to insist on anything, Mr. Glennie," replied Matt, coolly placing himself on one of the low stools that were used as seats. "My own duties, and yours, are pretty clear in my mind. Let's see if I have the situation exactly as you understand it.

"The owner of this boat, Captain Nemo, Jr., is recovering from a sick spell in Belize, and he has sold the Grampus to the United States Government for one hundred thousand dollars, conditional upon the submarine's being taken around the Horn and delivered safely to the commandant at Mare Island Navy Yard, San Francisco. For this long cruise I have been placed in charge of the boat. You are aboard as representative of the government, merely to observe her performance. Have I got it right?"

Glennie nodded.

"Upon my report," said he, "will largely depend the acceptance or rejection of the craft when she reaches Mare Island. Don't overlook that point. A lack of discipline will get us all into trouble, and may result in the loss of the——"

"I will attend to the discipline," said Matt stiffly. "If the boat behaves well, you can find no fault with the way I manage her. I must ask you not to bother me with any remarks as to how the Grampus is to be run. I and my friends are not in the naval service, but we all know the submarine perfectly and understand what is expected of us.

"The cruise we are to make is one that no submarine ever made before. It is full of dangers, and unforeseen difficulties are going to bob up and will have to be dealt with. The Grampus is equal to the work, and in due time she will be delivered to the commandant at Mare Island, but I want, and will insist on having, a perfectly free hand. A friendly footing is what I desire among all on board, more than anything else."

Matt smiled and stretched out his hand.

"Just a minute, Mr. King," said Glennie, pursing up his lips. "I understood that I was to be here in an advisory capacity. From your talk I take it that you consider yourself the whole works, and that I am to play the rôle of an innocent bystander."

"I am to manage the boat," returned Matt firmly.

"Then," cried Glennie, "if you get us into serious difficulties, I am to say nothing, but bear the brunt of your mistakes along with the rest of the men?"

"Do you know anything about submarines?"

"A graduate of Annapolis is equipped with all the knowledge he can possibly need in his work."

"Theoretical knowledge," qualified Matt. "Have you ever had any practical experience on a submarine?"

"No."

"Then, if I get into difficulties, I don't think you could give any advice that would help us out."

The ensign bowed coldly.

"Have you a cabin reserved for me?" he inquired.

Matt nodded toward a bulkhead door leading to a steel room abaft the periscope chamber.

"We have fixed up a place in there for you," said he.

"Then, inasmuch as I am a passenger, I will proceed to eliminate myself and keep out of your way."

Without taking Matt's hand he picked up his suit case and started. At the door he paused while a hail came down from the hatch.

"Hello dere, vonce! Matt!"

"What is it, Carl?" answered Matt.

"Dere iss a Chink feller alongsite, und he say dot he vant to see Misder Glennie."

"A Chinaman!" muttered Glennie, pausing. "Why does he want to see me?"

"Vell, he say dot he tell you somet'ing aboudt a feller mit der name oof Dolo, und——"

A shout of joy escaped Glennie, and he dropped his suit case and jumped for the ladder.

"Wait, Mr. Glennie," said Matt, "and I'll have the Chinaman come down."

"Very good," said Glennie, smothering his impatience and dropping down on the locker.

CHAPTER IV.

AH SIN'S CLUE.

The Chinaman came scuffling down the ladder in his wooden sandals. He wore an old slouch hat pulled low over his ears, and when he stepped from the last rung to the floor of the periscope room, he shoved his hands into the wide sleeves of his blue silk blouse and stood looking around him in gaping amazement.

"I'm Mr. Glennie," said the ensign impatiently. "Do you want to see me?"

"Allee same," answered the Celestial. "You makee that, huh?" he added, pulling the crumpled handbill from one of his sleeves and holding it in front of the ensign's eyes. "You givee fitty dol if China boy tell where you findee Japanese man?"

"Yes," replied Glennie, stirring excitedly.

"Givee fitty dol. China boy know."

"I don't pay in advance. Savvy the pidgin? Tell me where Tolo is, then, if I find him, you get the money."

The Chinaman was silent.

"Who are you?" demanded Glennie.

"Me Ah Sin."

"Where's Tolo?"

"My wanchee fitty dol first. Me tellee, you no givee. My savvy pidgin allee light?"

"You're an insolent scoundrel!" cried Glennie hotly. "I'm an officer and a gentleman, and if I say I'll give you fifty dollars, I'll do it."

Ah Sin ducked humbly, but he remained firm.

"Melican men plenty slick," said he, with a gentle grin, "but China boy plenty slick, too."

"If you won't trust me," returned the puzzled ensign, "how can I trust you?"

It seemed like a deadlock, and Ah Sin wrinkled his parchment-like face.

"How you likee hire China boy?" he cried. "My cookee glub, blushee clo's, makee plenty fine man. Workee fo' twenty dol. Tolo him no stay in Tlinidad; him makee sail fo' Pala."

"Para?" burst from Glennie.

That was the port to which the important papers were consigned. If Tolo had gone there with them, it may have been for the purpose of treating with the consular agent direct.

"All same," pursued the Chinaman. "You makee hire China boy, takee him by Pala, pay twenty dol fo' wages, then givee fitty dol when you findee Tolo. Huh?"

"How do you happen to know where Tolo is?" demanded Glennie skeptically.

"My savvy Tolo. Makee work on landing when he takee boat fo' Pala. Him makee come on one boat flom Ven'zuel', makee go chop-chop on other boat fo' Pala. Ah Sin makee chin with Tolo. Him say where he go in Pala."

Glennie grabbed at this straw of hope like a drowning man. Ah Sin's information might not be dependable, but it was the only clue that had come Glennie's way, and he decided to make the most of it.

"There's your twenty dol," said he, throwing a gold piece to the Chinaman. "You're hired. Make yourself scarce out there while I talk with the skipper of this boat."

He nodded toward a door in the forward bulkhead, and Ah Sin, after grabbing the coin out of the air and biting it to make sure it was genuine, faded from the room.

"We've got enough hands aboard," said Matt, "without taking a Chinaman on."

"You don't understand the situation, Mr. King,"