Tim stuck out his hand and Pat grasped it firmly. There was an instant bond of liking between them.
Ford went on to explain Tim’s presence.
“If it hadn’t been for Murphy I might not be here right now,” he said. “Tim and his flying companion kept Jack Sladek from getting me in the Cedar river valley. Tim’s going to be a mighty valuable member of the expedition for I’ve decided to take along a small seaplane and he’s to do the flying.”
“I didn’t know you were going to take a plane,” said Pat.
“Neither did I until this morning. Word came to me that Sladek is back in New York and is busy now outfitting a tramp steamer. He’s taking a plane and I don’t want to feel that he has any advantage which I can not overcome.”
“But where can we carry an airplane on a submarine?” asked Tim.
“We’ll have to have special rigging placed on the deck ahead of the gun turret. We’ll be running above water all of the way to the island and when we arrive we can unload the plane and after that keep it moored on the beach.”
“This expedition commences to look like a humdinger,” grinned Pat. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
“There will be plenty of excitement if Sladek can do anything about it,” conceded Ford, “I’ve got a great many things to do in New York this afternoon. Pat, you finish the tour of the submarine with Murphy.”
The commander of the treasure hunting expedition departed and left Tim in the tail of the sub with Pat Reynolds.