Having adjusted the tube and sighted it, Arnold wrote a hasty note on another piece of paper and inserted it into the barrel of the gun, with the end sticking out just a bit. Then he wrapped the whole thing up in a box, rang a bell, and handed the package to a servant with explicit instructions as to its delivery to the right person and only to that person.
Down in the submarine harbor, Del Mar was in conference with his board of strategy and advice, laying the plan for the attack on America.
"Ever since we have been at work," he remarked, "Elaine Dodge has been busy hindering and frustrating us. That girl must go!"
Before him, on the table, he placed a square package. "It must stop," he added ominously, tapping the package.
"But how?" asked one of the men. "We've done our best."
"This is a bomb," replied Del Mar, continuing to tap the package. "When our man—let me see, X had better do it,—arrives, have him look in the secret cavern by the landing-place. There I will leave it. I want him to put it in her house to-night."
He handed the bomb to one of his men who took it gingerly. Then with a few more words of admonition, he took up his diving helmet and left the headquarters, followed by the man.
Several minutes later, Del Mar, alone, emerged from the water just outside the submarine harbor and took off his helmet.
He made his way over the rocks, carrying the bomb, until he came to a little fissure in the rocks, like a cavern. There he hid the bomb carefully. Still carrying the helmet, he hurried along until he came to the cave entrance that led to the secret passage to the panel in his bungalow library. Up through the secret passage he went, reaching the panel and opening it by a spring.
In the library Del Mar changed his wet clothes and hid them, then set to work on an accumulation of papers on his desk.