"In fact we have not seen Captain Benson since we left him on an automobile ride this morning."
"Ah! I had not heard of that," murmured the Frenchman. "I trust nothing is wrong with the gallant young fellow."
"Oh, that's hardly likely," drawled Jacob Farnum, with an effort. "Captain Jack Benson a lad with a pretty good idea of how to take care of himself."
While speaking Farnum did not look particularly at the Frenchman, but trusted to the boys to watch the man's face covertly. M. Lemaire, however, proved to be a good actor and a master of facial expression.
As soon as he could, without attracting attention, Jacob Farnum drew his little force to one side.
"Something serious has happened to Jack," muttered the shipbuilder, moodily. "It may have been an accident, but I believe it's ten times more likely that that infernal gang of spies have trapped the lad and brought harm to him. We've got to act, and act fast!"
CHAPTER XII
IN THE POWER OF THE SPIES
Something had, indeed, "happened" to Jack Benson, and much more was likely to happen.
The young submarine captain lay on a pile of dried grass that had been thrown on a board floor. His hands were still manacled. Worse, one of his feet now had an ankle-ring fastened securely, and this was chained to a stout staple driven in the floor.