about nine feet in outside diameter, and extending some four feet
above the sloping deck of the craft. Around the conning tower extended
a flat, circular "platform" deck.

At the bow of the boat the torpedo tube projected a short distance. At
the stern the rudder was in place, and all was in readiness for placing
the propeller shaft and the propeller itself. On the floor of the
shed, near the middle of this strange, dangerous boat, lay
miscellaneous small pieces of machinery and fittings.

At the starboard side of the boat stood a ladder that ascended to the
platform deck. In the top of the conning tower a man-hole cover stood
propped up. It was through this opening that the workmen entered or
left the boat.

From outside the shed several wires ran in. In dark weather these
wires carried the current for electric lights in shed and boat.

"I won't ask you aboard until the foreman and other workmen arrive,"
explained Mr. Pollard. "It'll be only a few minutes to wait."

While they were still examining the outer hull, and discussing the
submarine, Dan Jaggers, in his workman's clothes, reached the open
doorway of the shed. One look inside, and he halted short. He gathered
from the talk he heard that Jack Benson and Hal Hastings were to be
added to the "Pollard's" working gang.

"Not if I know myself--and the foreman--and I think I do!" growled
the Jaggers youth, backing away unseen.