"It
seems to me," went on Mr. Hardley, "that we've wasted enough
time! I'd like to get to the wreck, and begin taking out the
gold."
"That is my plan," said Tom quietly. "We will proceed
presently--just as soon as navigating calculations can be made
and checked up. If we travel under water we want to go in the
right direction."
His manner toward the gold-seeker was cool and distant. It was
easy to see that relations were strained. But Tom would fulfill
his part of the contract.
A little later, after having floated quietly for half an hour
or so, the craft was put in motion, traveling under water by
means of her electric motors. All that day she surged on through
the salty sea, no more disturbed by the storm above than was some
mollusk on the sandy bottom.
It was toward evening, as they could tell by the clocks and not
by any change in daylight or darkness, that, as the submarine
traveled on, there came a sudden violent concussion.
"What's that?" cried Mr. Damon.
"We've struck something!" replied Tom, who was with the others
in the cabin, the navigation of the craft having been entrusted
to one of the officers.
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