inquiry and a court martial to do it. But are you sure of your charge, Mr.
Hastings?”

“Am I sure?” repeated Hal, all the soul of the young engineer swelling to
the surface. “Take this piston, sir, and examine it. Could such a job have
been done, unless by sheer design and intent?”

“Will the lieutenant permit me to speak?” asked the senior machinist,
taking a step forward and saluting.

“Yes; go ahead.”

“Yesterday morning, sir,” continued the senior machinist, “we thought the
engines needed some overhauling by someone more accustomed to them than we
were. We saw one of the machinists of the ’Farnum,’ sir, hanging about on
shore. So we invited him aboard and asked him to look the engines over.”

“Describe the man,” begged Jack.

The senior machinist gave a description that instantly denoted Sam Truax
as the man in question.

“Did you leave him alone in here, at any time?” demanded Hal.

“Let me see. Why, yes, sir. The man must have been alone in here some
three-quarters of an hour.”

Jack and Hal exchanged swift glances.

There seemed, now, very little need of carrying the investigation further.