ocean. But, as Tom told Ned, his diving bell was a big
improvement over those commonly used.

The two young men inspected the progress made in refitting the
submarine, and Tom expressed himself as satisfied.

"How soon do you think you can start?" asked Ned.

"In about two weeks," was the answer. "I'll want to get to the
West Indies before the fall storms start. Not only will it be
impossible to make a search then, but the very location of the
sunken wreck may be changed."

"How so?" asked Ned.

"Because of undersea currents. They are strong enough, not only
to sweep a wreck away from the place where it may have settled,
but they may cover it with sand, and then it is hopeless to try
to dig it out. So We've got to go soon, if we go at all."

"Well, I'm with you!" exclaimed Ned. "Hello! here's some one
looking for you, I guess," he added, as a boy came hurrying down
to the dock from the temporary office Tom had set up there.

"You're wanted on the telephone, Mr. Swift," said the
messenger. "It's important, too."

"All right. I'll come at once," was the answer. "Hope it isn't
bad news," mused Ned, as his chum hurried on in advance. "Maybe
Hardley has found out he hasn't a right to search for that sunken