CHAPTER VI

VOICES FROM THE POLAR SEAS


Although Sammy Block and his companions were not only far up among
the mysteries of the region of everlasting ice, and were sunk out
of sight, so that their vessel had become one of these mysteries,
it was still perfectly possible for them to communicate, by means
of the telegraphic wire which was continually unrolling astern,
with people all over the world. But this communication was a matter
which required great judgment and caution, and it had been a
subject of very careful consideration by Roland Clewe.

When he had returned to Cape Tariff, after parting with the Dipsey,
he had received several messages from Sammy, which assured him that
the submarine voyage was proceeding satisfactorily. But when he
went on board the Go Lightly and started homeward, he would be able
to hear nothing more from the submarine voyagers until he reached
St. John's, Newfoundland--the first place at which his vessel would
touch. Of course constant communication with Sardis would be kept
up, but this communication might be the source of great danger to
the plans of Roland Clewe. Whatever messages of importance came
from the depths of the arctic regions he wished to come only to him
or to Mrs. Raleigh. He had contrived a telegraphic cipher, known
only to Mrs. Raleigh, Sammy, and two officers of the Dipsey, and,
to insure secrecy, Sammy had been strictly enjoined to send no
information in any other way than in this cipher.

For years there had been men, both in America and in Europe, who