Hawkins did not deign to reply, and I fell to examining the plate.

“Look,” I said, “isn't that steam?”

“Isn't what steam?”

“Down there,” I replied, pointing to the plate.

A fine jet of vapor was curling from one point at its edge—a thin spout of hot steam!

“That's nothing,” said Hawkins. “Little leak—nothing more.”

“But there's another now!”

“Positively, Griggs, I think you have the most active imagination I ever knew in an otherwise——”

“Use your eyes,” I said uneasily. “There's another—and still another!”

Hawkins bent over the plate—as much to hide the concern which appeared upon his face as for any other reason, I think.