There he had placed the strange wireless apparatus which controlled the torpedo. He pressed a lever. We peered out through the fronds of the palms. That uncanny little cigar-shaped thing actually started to move over the surface of the water.
"Of course I could make it dive," explained Craig, "but I want you to see it work."
Around the tank it went, turned, cut a figure eight, as Kennedy manipulated the levers. Then it headed straight toward the battleship. It struck. There was a loud report, a spurt of water. One of the skeleton masts fell over. The battleship heeled over, and slowly sank, bow first.
"Wonderful!" exclaimed Elaine. "That was very realistic."
We brushed our way out through the thick palms, congratulating Kennedy on the perfect success of his demonstration.
So astonished were we that we did not hear the doorbell ring. Jennings answered it and admitted two men.
"Is Professor Kennedy here?" asked one. "We have been to his apartment and to the laboratory."
"I'll see," said Jennings discretely, taking the card of one of them and leaving them in the drawing-room.
"Two gentlemen to see you, Mr. Kennedy," Jennings interrupted our congratulations, handing Craig a card. "Shall I tell them you are here, sir?"
Craig glanced at the card. "I wonder what that can be?" he said, turning the card toward us.