"I don't believe they did," replied Truax. "In fact, Gaynor as good as told me the Sidenhams didn't know anything about his proposed tricks. He told me I must be very careful to keep the Sidenham name out of it all."
"So Tip Gaynor hired you to do all you could to disgrace me in the eyes of the Navy people?" demanded Jack.
"Yes—to hurt any of you, for that matter."
"And to play tricks in the engine room of either submarine?"
"Yes; Tip Gaynor told me it was highly important to cause the boats to break down while under the eyes of all Annapolis."
"I understand," muttered Jack. "That was clever, in a way. It was intended to make the whole Navy think the Pollard boat one that couldn't be depended upon?"
"That was the idea," assented Sam Truax, weakly.
"What sort of a looking fellow is Tip Gaynor?" asked Jack.
"You've met him!"
"I?" demanded Jack, in astonishment.