in himself and in his mates in being allowed full charge of the
"Pollard." Love the life? It wouldn't be life, for him, without the
"Pollard!"

Don began to ask some further questions about the boat. His tone was
slightly supercilious. It was plain to be seen that he looked upon
these daring, tried and proven youngsters as being decidedly his
inferiors. Yet Jack fought against a growing feeling of irritation,
giving good-humored and attentive answers.

Then Don went over to the little door of a compartment in the wall.
Behind this door was some of the delicate mechanism--invention of
David Pollard--by means of which the compressed air supply was better
regulated than on any other type of submarine craft.

"Why, this place is locked," observed Don.

"Yes," nodded Captain Jack.

"You have the key?"

"I--I believe so."

"Then be good enough to unlock this little door," ordered Don Melville.

"I hope you'll pardon me," said Captain Jack, quickly, yet politely. "It
wouldn't be just the thing for me to do."

"Why not?" Don shot at him, coldly.