never trust too fully in the men whom you choose. In fact, that was why you obtained me
through Professor Whitburn.'
'Did Whitburn tell you that?'
'Yes. He said that you wanted a first-class recommendation before taking any one into your
employ.'
'I wanted you for a secretary, Vincent. That was a more important post than any other. I had
men whom I could trust; but they were not qualified for the job.'
'I know that, sir. Don't think that I am trying to belittle any of the men who were here when I
came. I am merely speaking of my own experience.'
'With Whitburn?'
'Yes. I worked for him once, when he was developing his aerial torpedoes. He thought that
all of his men could be trusted. He was wrong.'
'Suppose I change the men about,' suggested Dadren, in a tone that indicated a
willingness to receive advice. 'If two of them have conspired, they would be separated.'
'That might end trouble here,' agreed Harry. 'In fact, it would certainly put a quietus on their
game.'
'I shall do it,' declared Dadren. 'To-night, Vincent, I shall prepare the new list and give it to
you in the morning. If spies are present, their efforts will be nullified.'
'Except for one point,' put in Harry. 'The most important point, commander.'
'What is that?'
'They will have no further purpose here.'
'Why not?'
'Because the plans will be gone. You are taking them to Washington.'
'That is a point, Vincent. Well, that makes it all the better. They made their attempt to-night.
They failed. There is no cause for further worry.'
'There is every cause for worry, Commander.'
Dadren looked at Harry in surprise. The commander thought that his final statement had
settled the matter. Harry had reopened the question. What was more, he spoke with
assurance; for he felt certain that the trend was turning the way he wanted it.
'To-night was the beginning, sir,' stated Harry, in a serious tone. 'The beginning—not the
end. An attempt was made to steal the plans for your new submarine. That attempt will be
repeated.'
'Not here, if I have taken the plans away.'
'That is exactly what I fear. An attack made elsewhere might succeed. You are heading into
danger, sir. Grave danger, as to-night's episode proves.'
'I do not fear danger, Vincent. It cannot be avoided.'
'It can. Most effectively.'
'How?'
'By keeping the plans here.'
THE commander stared at his secretary. Harry's suggestion seemed preposterous to
Dadren. Shaking his head, the naval officer spoke emphatically.
'I am taking those plans to Washington, Vincent,' he declared. 'They are ready to be
delivered to Senator Releston. After he has seen them and approved, they will go directly to
the Navy Department.'
'I advise a postponement, sir,' returned Harry, boldly. 'Put the men on new shifts. Keep the
plans here. Bait those spies. Make them reveal themselves -'
'Enough,' interrupted Dadren. 'You are here to take orders, Vincent - not to give them. Have
you completed those letters I gave you this afternoon?'
'Not quite, sir.'
'Finish them. I shall be in to sign them.'
Dadren's tone was terse. Harry acknowledged the order; then left the laboratory and went
back to his office. He was determined that when Dadren came to sign the letters, he would
bring up the subject once again. At any cost, the commander must be prevented from taking
the plans to Washington.
Harry looked glum when he reached the big hall. Wilkins was at the fireplace; the fellow
arose and followed Harry into the little room. He watched Harry sit down at the typewriter to
finish the half-completed letter.
Wilkins suspected nothing. He merely wanted to talk about Commander Dadren. Wilkins
was afraid that the skipper would be wrathful because the unseen intruder had escaped.
Harry assured him that Dadren was calm. Wilkins went out and Harry resumed his typing.
TEN minutes later, Commander Dadren appeared carrying a letter file. He closed the door
of Harry's room and stood by while his secretary completed the typing of the last letter. He
wrote his signature on the different letters that Harry had typed. Then he opened the folder
that he had brought with him. From it, he removed a large, flat envelope. He placed the
envelope on the table beside the typewriter.
'Vincent,' remarked the commander, quietly. 'I have been thinking over what you had to say.
I am beginning to agree with you. There is danger ahead. I do not fear it; but that is no
reason why I should jeopardize my invention.
'This envelope contains plans for the new submarine. It is to be delivered, unopened, to
Senator Releston, in Washington. But I do not intend to take it on my flight to-morrow
morning. I shall carry a portfolio that will apparently contain the plans. This envelope,
however, will be in your briefcase.
'To-morrow morning'—the commander's voice was scarcely more than a whisper—'I shall
order you to come to Washington by train. Purely for incidental work, so far as anyone else
will know. But I am counting upon you to carry the envelope to Senator Releston. Deliver it to
him the morning after your arrival, unless you hear from me in the meantime.'
'Very well, sir,' agreed Harry.
'I have great confidence in you, Vincent,' added Dadren. 'Particularly because you were
recommended by Professor Whitburn. I liked the way you spoke to-night. You went beyond
your province; but you gave me something to think about.
'You are right when you believe that I may be the target of the enemies who failed in
to-night's plot. They will never suspect that I turned this important envelope over to you. Lock
it up in your table. Keep it there until you leave.'
With this admonition, the commander turned and opened the door. As he stepped into the
hall, he swung about and spoke to Harry in a matter of fact tone.
'Don't forget to include my forwarding address,' he said. 'Put it in every letter, Vincent. Then
go over those expense sheets and check the figures. I want to find out exactly where the
errors lie. File all my old correspondence. I want all that done before morning.'
The commander walked away. Harry feigned dejection as he stood in the doorway. Wilkins,
at the fireplace, noted Harry's expression.
'Did the skipper hand you extra duty, Vincent?' questioned Wilkins.
'I'll say he did,' replied Harry. 'I've checked those expense sheets three times. Five dollars
and thirty-two cents is the error that shows up. I'd rather pay it out of my salary than bother
about finding it.'
'Tell that to the skipper,' laughed Holgate, who was seated beside Wilkins.
'Maybe I will,' growled Harry.
