Rhinds no longer objected. All his force, all his will appeared to have departed. He moved along, now, like a puppet.
Down at the water-front a naval launch was in waiting. In this the entire party was taken out to the "Thor." Captain Driggs received the callers on the platform deck, and Admiral Townsley stated the object of the visit.
"Why, Admiral," replied Captain Driggs, honestly, "I have no knowledge that there was an extra torpedo aboard. Yet, of course, there's a place where such a thing might have been hidden."
"Take us to it," requested the Admiral.
Captain Driggs led the visitors below. There, in the cabin floor, he pointed to a well-concealed trapdoor. It opened upon a very considerable space between cabin floor and keel.
"This space certainly would accommodate a torpedo," declared Admiral Townsley. "Mr. Rhinds, if we could prove that you had a torpedo in this space the other day, there would be an almost complete case, wouldn't there?"
"But I didn't have," cried Rhinds, with cunning insistence.
"Mr. Driggs," pursued the admiral, "we shall want you as a witness at the investigation on board the 'Oakland.' My aide will hand you a subpoena. This, I believe, gentlemen, is all we have to do here."
Looking years older, yet holding up his head in a certain kind of bravado, John Rhinds returned to shore with the party.
No sooner had Rhinds entered the hotel than a bell-boy moved over, drawing him aside and saying something in a low tone.