Then he said:
“So Gilbert Parker would not lend his ship Aurelian to such an enterprise?”
“No,” said Clifford.
“Which shows his folly. Gentlemen, what if I propose to place the submarine boat Dolphin at your disposal?”
Clifford and Hartley sprang forward, and each grasped a hand of the young inventor.
“Hurrah! You have saved the day!” cried Clifford. “We knew that you would look with favor on our plans!”
“Only think of having a submarine boat at our disposal!” cried Hartley. “Success is assured!”
“Well, gentlemen, I am decided,” said Frank. “We will all go aboard the Dolphin in search of the galleon’s gold. The start shall be made at once, and old Parker will find out what a colossal old ass he is.”
Hartley and Clifford cheered vociferously. But Frank pulled chairs up to the table, and said:
“Where is your plan or diagram?”