Parker Noyes was waiting. With him were two men. They were Froman’s Russian servants, but they gave no sign of recognizing their master.
Parker Noyes stepped aboard, and the other men followed. Froman descended the ladder, and his henchmen joined him below. Unlocking a small compartment close to a bulkhead, Froman revealed the mysterious trunk.
He undid the fastenings. The trunk opened to reveal a box fitted between two air chambers — one above, the other below. The two men removed the box. Froman helped them to get it to the conning tower.
None of the crew were around; all had scrambled ashore when the submarine had docked.
The box was drawn up with the aid of ropes. Froman and his helpers carried it to the darkened dock, and placed it in the back seat of a large car. Froman walked back to the submarine, and discovered Parker Noyes talking pleasantly with Silas Helmsworth.
Parting words were extended. Noyes and Froman went to their car, leaving Helmsworth puzzled but silent. The big automobile pulled away — Noyes and Froman were seated in back, the retainers in front.
“Trouble on the Gasconne,” remarked Noyes.
“What sort of trouble?” asked Froman.
“Reds, evidently,” declared the lawyer. “Waddell was killed; Tholbin was killed. So were two of our men.”
Froman’s lips became grim.