CHAPTER XVIII
THE FINDINGS ON THE "THOR"
It was a breathless moment.
Captain Jack Benson, resting one hand on the wheel, gazed off at port side with fascinated stare.
Almost instantly a grating could be heard that must have come from the propeller shafts, though the young skipper, at that moment, was incapable of thinking of anything save that tiny fin-line out on the water.
Then the speed ahead of the submarine boat stopped. In another moment the little steel craft was creeping backward.
On came that fin-line.
There was nothing more that Jack could do, save to hold the wheel rigid.
On for the bow of the "Hastings" came the fin-line. Would that moving torpedo strike, hurling them all to destruction?
It must have been by a hair's breath, but that fin-line crossed the bow of the submarine. It had gone on, beyond—harmlessly, now!
"What's that you're saying, Eph?" demanded Jack. "Oh, yes; you want to know why I bowled you over in that fashion. Because there wasn't time to speak. I was crazy to get the reverse gear at work, and take us out of the path of that torpedo aimed for us."
"Torpedo?" demanded Eph Somers, thunderstruck.
"Torpedo?" repeated Jacob Farnum, in bewilderment.
"Yes," broke in Lieutenant Danvers, 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 together, the necessary flags were out, and knotted to the line in their proper order.
"Hoist away!" ordered the lieutenant, himself giving a hand on the halliard.
Up the signal mast went the line of bunting, fluttering. The little flags spelled out this message to the gunboat:
"Evidence of serious foul play. Join us to investigate."
Almost immediately there came a signal from the bridge of the gunboat, to show that the message had been read.
Jack was now slowing down speed, making ready to lie to, a hundred yards or less from the floating torpedo.
"Mr. Farnum, Hal's always at his post," said Jack, "but call down to him to be sure to stick particularly close for the next few minutes. If the wind shifts, and heads that torpedo our way, I want to be sure of instant speed for getting out of the way."
The gunboat was now cruising leisurely over to where the "Hastings" waited. Danvers signed to the officer on the "Oakland's" bridge to keep an especial eye on the floating torpedo.
As the "Oakland" slowed up, a cutter, in charge of an ensign, put away from the gunboat's side.
"Ensign," shouted Lieutenant Danvers, "we shall feel obliged if you can lie alongside of that torpedo, and render the war-head harmless. We believe the torpedo to be fully loaded, and ready for instant action."
"I'll do what I can, sir, and as promptly as possible," replied the ensign, saluting his superior officer.
A few minutes later the working part of the torpedo's war-head had been removed by the boat's crew, and the torpedo itself was taken in tow.
"Now, Ensign, run in alongside, and take me on board," announced Lieutenant Danvers. "Mr. Benson, you'll go over to the 'Oakland' with me, of course?"
By this time the "Thor" had come about, and up within hailing distance of her Pollard rival.
"What's wrong? What has happened?" demanded John C. Rhinds, in a hoarse, croaking voice.
None aboard the "Hastings" took the trouble even to look in the direction of the speaker.
"Can't you hear, aboard the 'Hastings'?" insisted Rhinds.
But he had no better result than from his first hail.
In the meantime, Danvers and Jack, on reaching the gunboat, went at once before a council composed of the naval board and the commander of the gunboat.
The two witnesses told their story speedily and clearly.
"Can you swear that the torpedo was fired from the 'Thor,' Lieutenant?" inquired Captain Magowan, president of the naval board.
"I cannot, sir, but all the evidence points to the truth of my suspicion. For one thing, while some of the submarines were in line with us, yet all were too far away to drive a torpedo that far. Besides, as I have stated, the 'Thor' turned briefly toward us, at just the time when the torpedo would have been fired from her, then swung around promptly."
All of the naval officers present showed, in their faces, the horror they felt over the situation.
"It does not seem to me," declared Captain Magowan, glancing around at his associates, "that there can be any doubt as to our course. The evidence, though wholly circumstantial, is about as strong as it could be."
"Besides which, sir," advanced Mr. Danvers, "The 'Thor' was provided with a stated number of torpedoes."
"Four," nodded Captain Magowan; "just as was the case with each of the other submarine boats."
"Then, if you search the 'Thor,' and find but three torpedoes aboard, now—"
"That will be all the evidence needed." admitted Captain Magowan. "We will make the search, and, on finding but three torpedoes aboard the 'Thor,' we will place everyone on board under arrest, and send the 'Thor' into port under charge of one of our own naval crews. Gentlemen, there is no need of further delay. Commander Ellis, I will ask of you a cutter, a crew, a corporal and a file of marines."
"The boat and men shall be ready at once, sir," replied the gunboat's commander, hastening from the room.
Grimly the three officers comprising the board rose and hooked their swords to their belts, for they were going on an official visit.
Nor was any time lost. Jack Benson and Lieutenant Danvers were ordered to accompany the members of the board.
So John Rhinds's question was destined to have a prompt answer, even if of a kind different from what he had expected.
On the platform deck of the "Thor," as the cutter approached, stood several men whose faces expressed the utmost astonishment.
And again Rhinds inquired, this time with a little tremor in his voice:
"What's wrong gentlemen? What has happened?"
"We're coming aboard," retorted Captain Magowan. "Have your men stand by to catch our lines."
John Rhinds submitted, in silence, while the members of the board, the corporal's file of marine rifles and Lieutenant Danvers boarded the "Thor." But when Jack started to bring up the rear Rhinds's voice rose in angry protest.
"That young Benson fellow can't come aboard here!" cried the old man, his cheeks purple, his eyes aflame with anger. "Benson represents a rival submarine company!"
"If he represents a dozen companies, he's coming aboard this time," retorted Captain Magowan, coldly. "Corporal, see to it that no interference with Mr. Benson is attempted."
"Yes, sir," replied the corporal, saluting.
So Jack came aboard, and took his place quietly beside Lieutenant
Danvers.
"Mr. Rhinds," began Captain Magowan, solemnly, "a torpedo only just barely missed striking the 'Hastings' a while ago. We have evidence that your craft was pointing nose-on to the 'Hastings,' just before the torpedo appeared by the Pollard craft."
"Do you mean, sir, that we are charged with—or suspected of—firing a torpedo at a rival submarine boat?" demanded John Rhinds, heavily, in a voice vibrating with astonishment.
"Some of the evidence seems to point that way," returned Captain Magowan, dryly.
"Why, sir," began Rhinds, indignantly, "it's preposterous. It's—"
But Captain Magowan cut him short by a wave of the hand.
"What we want, now, Mr. Rhinds, is to go below and examine your stock of loaded torpedoes. You should have four on board. If you prove to have only three—"
"Step this way, gentlemen. Follow me," begged Mr. Rhinds, making a rather ceremonious bow. Then he led the way below. Danvers and Jack followed the others.
And here all hands encountered a tremendous surprise. The "Thor" still carried her full supply of four loaded torpedoes!
Over the intense astonishment that followed this discovery came the oily, tones of John C. Rhinds:
"Now, gentlemen, I won't speak of an apology, for I know you must have strong seeming reasons before you went so far as to suspect anyone aboard the 'Thor' of an atrocious crime. But, in the face of the evidence you have here, you will admit that it is impossible to attach any guilt to anyone aboard this craft."
"Well, Mr. Benson," broke in Captain Magowan, dumfounded.
"So it would seem," murmured the captain's two puzzled associates on the board.
"What the deuce can it mean?" was what Lieutenant Danvers said, but he was discreet enough to say it under his breath.
"Come, young Benson," challenged John Rhinds, "even you must admit that the 'Thor' shows a clean bill of moral health!"
"I'll admit that two and two make five, and that the moon is made of sage cheese," retorted Captain Jack. "I'll admit that the north pole is steam-heated. But—"
"Well, Mr. Benson," broke in Captain Magowan, crisply. "Why do you hesitate?"
"I believe, Captain," Jack went on, "that there are several questions that can yet be asked."
"Ask them, then, Mr. Benson," directed the president of the naval board.
"Yes, sir. Yet I would prefer that the questions be asked on deck, in the presence of the entire crew, and also of the naval officer who had been stationed on this craft during the cruise."
Ensign Pike was the officer of the Navy who had been on board the "Thor."
Pike had remained up on the platform deck during this scene.
"Very good," nodded Captain Magowan. "We will return to the deck. I can see that there are many questions to be asked."
On the deck, on first boarding, Jack Benson had noticed the absence of Fred Radwin. While they were below Jack had caught a glimpse of Radwin in the "Thor's" engine room.
When the naval board and the others reached the deck Captain Magowan had Captain Driggs, of the "Thor," and the members of the boat's crew lined up together.
"Have you any questions that you wish to ask, Mr. Benson?" the president of the board inquired.
"Yes, sir. At the time that the torpedo passed our boat I would like to know just who of the 'Thor's' complement were below."
"Can you answer that, Mr. Driggs?" demanded Captain Magowan.
Driggs was a bronzed, shrewd-looking man of forty, with a face that looked rather sound and wholesome.
"Yes, sir," replied Driggs, promptly. "Mr. Radwin had volunteered to relieve the man on duty in the engine room. Mr. Radwin was below at the time, sir."
"And who else?"
"No one else at that time, sir."
"I think I can confirm that, Captain," broke in Lieutenant Danvers. "I had just studied the deck of this craft through my marine glass, and I remember remarking to myself that Radwin appeared to be the only one of this boat's complement who was not on deck."
Fred Radwin was now summoned, Captain Magowan and Jack both plying him with questions. It all came to nothing, however. Radwin remained wholly cool and gave his inquisitors no satisfaction.
Ensign Pike stated that he had had no knowledge of any torpedo having been driven from the "Thor." Yet Pike admitted that this might very easily have happened without his knowing it, since the discharge of a torpedo would hardly make enough noise to carry from below to the after part of the platform deck.
"But, anyway," insisted John Rhinds, blandly, "you must admit, Captain, that our possession of the full number of torpedoes allowed us is proof positive that we haven't been firing even one of them."
"That showing is certainly in your favor, Mr. Rhinds," admitted the president of the naval board, coldly. "I cannot see that the evidence at present available allows of my ordering anyone under arrest. I am bound, in view of the fact that suspicion has pointed your way, to state that I intend to leave the corporal and four of the marine privates aboard. On the home cruise a marine sentry will be posted, all the time, close to the after port of your torpedo tube."
"It is humiliating—very," sighed Mr. Rhinds. "Still, I shall be the last to offer any objection to any arrangement that seems wise to the members of the naval board."
The corporal and four of his marines were therefore left under command of Ensign Pike, with instructions to see to it that constant guard was kept by the torpedo tube.
No allusion to the evidence could be made before the members of the cutter's crew on the way back. Captain Magowan led his own party to the office of the commander of the gunboat.
"Er—gentlemen—" began Magowan, slowly, "I must admit that our most elaborate case of circumstantial evidence seems to be knocked into a cocked hat by the one substantial fact that the 'Thor' still has her full number of torpedoes on board."
"Then you don't believe that torpedo came from the 'Thor's' tube,
Captain?" asked Jack Benson.
"I don't know what I believe," confessed the president of the board, shaking his head. "It seems to be clearly established that no other submarine was near enough to have fired a torpedo to cover the range I have just been informed by Commander Ellis that the recovered torpedo has been examined, and has proved to have contained the full war charge. More as a matter of form than anything else we will now order the remaining submarine boats alongside, and have them searched for a missing torpedo."
That search was accordingly made, but not one of the boats had a torpedo less than the four that it was supposed to carry.
The object of the lightning cruise having been accomplished, in the destruction of the half-sunken derelict, the order was given to sail back to Groton Bay at less speed than had been used on the outward trip.
As far as evidence went the mystery of the attempt to destroy the
"Hastings" appeared to be as big a mystery as ever.