"Either our explosion touched off a torpedo, which does not seem likely, or else—"
For an instant what he was about to say sounded so absurd that Darrin hesitated.
"Well, sir—?" queried Ormsby.
"Or else that was a mine-layer, with a full cargo of mines aboard, all ready for business, and—But you'll think I've gone daffy."
"No, I won't, sir; not after the way this ship rose out of the water," the watch officer declared. "You mean, sir, that our bomb went off right over that craft's cargo of mines, and that the shock must have set off the mines."
"That's certainly the way it looks to me," Darrin nodded.
"I believe it, sir."
Just a few moments later the patrol boat came within hail. Through his megaphone Darrin stated what he believed had taken place.
"It's the only thing to account, sir, for such a tremendous explosion," replied the commander of the patrol. "I've been on hand to see a lot of depth bombs go off, and I never saw an upheaval like the one you produced, sir."
"Have soundings taken, Mr. Ormsby," Darrin directed. The depth of the water was quickly reported. Dave glanced at the sky.