"Say," broke in Jack Benson, thoughtfully, "do you remember the two holes in the right side of the fellow's coat?"
"Yes, I do," rejoined the boatbuilder.
"Probably he's the same fellow. A bullet, passing through his coat, might have made those two holes without touching his body."
"Jove!" muttered Farnum. "Yes; that's so. I believe your guess is wholly right, Jack."
"Tell me about that," begged Mr. Pollard.
"One thing at a time, please," urged the boatbuilder. "Now, if that young rascal had the drawings, did he turn them over to Don Melville before the arranged meeting that I saw? For our prisoner had no such papers aboard him when I searched him."
"That will have to be solved," muttered Jack, seriously. "We can't afford to have those secret drawings in the possession of the rival submarine boat builders."
"But what about your other news, Dave?" interposed Mr. Farnum.
"This telegram!" burst, eagerly, from the inventer, producing a yellow envelope. "It was addressed to you, but in your absence I opened it."
While Jack struck a match, the boatbuilder read with feverish interest showing in his eyes.