"Fine place for snakes," remarked Spouter, as they walked along.

"We're not looking for snakes, so please don't mention them," answered
Jack.

Why they did it, the boys could not explain afterwards, but they
continued along the gully until they reached a point where there was
something of a split in the face of the cliff.

"Here's another one of those caves just like that which we found over
on the bay front," declared Fred. "Let's go in and see what it looks
like."

With nothing in particular in view, the others were willing, and,
turning on a flashlight which they had brought along, they climbed
down into the cave-like opening. It was very irregular in shape, and
they had to proceed with caution.

And then, while they were climbing down among the rocks, something
happened which caused each of the cadets to start wildly. A strange
rumbling sound filled the air, a blowing and hissing, and then came a
pounding and a clanking, sounding with great clearness in that
confined space.

"It's the same noises we heard before, and they are not very far off!"
cried Jack to the others. "There must be a workshop of some sort
around here."

Hardly knowing what to expect, the boys continued to climb down into
the opening they had discovered. Soon they reached a narrow
passageway, where going was a little easier. Then they came to a spot
where there was considerable wetness, showing that they had reached
the level of the water in the bay beyond.

"Here is a regular underground waterway," declared Gif presently. "It
looks to be pretty deep, too."

He was right. To the surprise of everybody they had come out upon what
seemed to be an underground pond. On the side upon which they had
emerged there was a small sandy slope. The other side, and the far
end, were covered with jagged rocks.

The strange blowing, pounding, and clanking continued, and almost
deafened the cadets. They felt that they were on the point of a great
discovery, but could not imagine what it would be.

"It's a workshop, all right enough," declared Fred, a minute later.
"Jack, put out that light, quick!" And at this command the flashlight
was turned off.

The cadets had rounded a bend of the underground waterway, and now at
a distance they saw a number of electric lights shining brightly.
There was some machinery set up among the rocks, and several workmen
were present, all seemingly busy.

"Look!" exclaimed Jack, his eyes almost starting out of his head at
the sight. "What do you think of that, fellows?"

He pointed to a spot beyond where the strange men were working. There
the waterway seemed to broaden and deepen, and in the water lay a
strange-looking craft more than three-quarters submerged.

"It's a submarine!" breathed Fred excitedly. "A submarine! What do you
know about that?"

[Illustration: "A SUBMARINE! WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT?"
_Page 270_]




CHAPTER XXVII

ON BOARD THE SUBMARINE


The Rover boys and their chums were so astonished at the discovery
they had made that for a moment they could do little else than stare
at the strange object resting in the water ahead of them.

"Get out of sight, every one of you!" whispered Jack, who was the
first to recover his self-possession. "Don't let those men see you!"

All backed away as silently as possible until they were once more in
the shelter of the rocks of the bend around which they had come.

"Say, do you think those fellows are Germans?" whispered Randy
excitedly.

"I certainly do, Randy," answered the young captain.

"Of course they are Germans!" put in Gif. "If they were Americans why
would they be concealing themselves in such an out-of-the-way place as
this?"

"It's a German submarine, as sure as you're alive!" remarked Spouter.
"Fellows, we have made a wonderful discovery!"

"And this accounts for all the strange noises we heard, and the
fellows we saw going through the woods with bundles on their backs,"
added Randy.

"Yes, and I guess it straightens out that story Jed Kessler told about
the two Germans in the wagon with stuff that rattled like hardware,"
said Jack.

"It's as plain as day," cried Fred. "Those two fellows must be
connected with this gang here who are working on the submarine. And
more than likely they were the same two Jed Kessler saw hanging around
the ammunition plant just before the explosion."

"If that's a German submarine, it must have come from the other side
of the Atlantic!" exclaimed Andy in a low, excited voice. And then he
added, his eyes snapping: "What do you suppose happened to it? Do you
think she ran afoul of some of our big warships or our submarine
chasers?"

"Either that, or in cruising up and down the coast here she may have
run afoul of some of the rocks and maybe knocked a hole in her bottom
or side," answered Jack. "And I guess it's true that all the pounding
and strange noises we have heard came either from this underground
place or from some overhead spot close by."

"What gets me is--how did that submarine get into this underground
place?" questioned Gif.

"There must be a much larger outlet than the one by which we entered,"
answered Jack. "More than likely those fellows don't know anything
about the way by which we got in. They must have a large entrance by
way of the water from the bay, and they must also have an entrance
from the forest--that place where the man disappeared."

"I guess you're right," said Fred. "Gee, this certainly is an
important discovery! I guess the best thing we can do is to hurry back
to camp as fast as possible and notify Captain Dale. He will probably
want to let the Secret Service men and the authorities at Rackville
know at once, so they can round up these fellows before they have a
chance to get away."

"I'd like to stay here awhile and watch these chaps," said Randy.
"Maybe we may learn something more that is worth while."

The matter was talked over by the cadets for fully ten minutes. At the
place to which they had withdrawn they could talk freely, because the
noises near the submarine continued, so there was little danger of
their being overheard. While they talked they peeped out from time to
time at the workmen, and saw that they were laboring over several
sheets of steel and odd pieces of machinery, using a forge, a lathe,
and a small drop hammer for that purpose. They had a gangplank leading
over the waterway to the upper portion of the submarine, and from an
open hatchway of the U-boat ran a number of coils of insulated wire,
evidently carrying power to the electric lights and also to the
machinery.

"They must be getting all their power from the engines of the
submarine," said Jack. "They've certainly got themselves pretty well
fixed down here."

"But how in the world did they manage to find this place?" questioned
Spouter.

"That remains to be found out, Spouter. Probably the German
authorities had some spies around here who found the place for them,
or otherwise they paid some of the natives for the information."

"You know my dad spoke about German U-boat bases along our coast, and
also bases for secret wireless telegraphy plants," put in Fred. "There
is no telling what those rascals are up to."

[Illustration: "A SUBMARINE! WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT?"
_Page 270_]

It was decided that Andy and Randy, accompanied by Spouter, should
make their way back to the opening by which they had gained entrance
to the underground waterway, and then return to Camp Barlight as
quickly as possible and acquaint Captain Dale with what had been
discovered. In the meanwhile, Jack, Fred, and Gif would remain behind
on guard in case the Germans should attempt to make a sudden move.

"We don't know how far along they are with their repairs," declared
the young captain. "It would be just our luck to have them sail away
right under our noses."

"Oh, Jack! couldn't you stop them in some way from doing that?"
questioned Andy quickly.

"I should hope so, Andy. That is, if they really did try to get away.
Of course, they may not be anywhere near ready to leave--although they
have been here for some time according to the noises we have heard.
I'd like to find out something about the other end of the passageway."

"Maybe you can find out by going out with us and around to the other
end of the bay," suggested Spouter.

"I was thinking of that. But for the present I would rather stay right
here and watch these fellows."

It was not long after this when the twins and Spouter departed,
stating that they would report to Captain Dale as speedily as
possible. Then Jack and his cousin and Gif settled down to watch the
Germans.

For Germans they were, beyond a doubt. They were all heavy-set, burly
fellows, and once or twice when the machinery was stopped the cadets
heard one man, who was evidently in charge, give a number of commands
in the German tongue.

For nearly an hour longer the pounding and clanking continued. Most of
the work was done on the rocky shore of the waterway, but some took
place inside the submarine and also on the forward deck of the craft.
The submersible was of good size, being over two hundred feet in
length.

"I'd like to get a whack at that U-boat," declared Gif. "I bet I'd
make it so she wouldn't do any more cruising in a hurry."

"Exactly what I was thinking, Gif," said Jack. "If we could only
injure the propellers, or something like that, there wouldn't be any
danger of their sailing away. You see, they may have it all fixed to
leave at a minute's notice in case of an alarm."

"If they did that they'd have to leave some of their machinery
behind," put in Fred. "But I suppose they'd be willing to do even
that rather than risk capture."

When the cadets thought that their ears could no longer bear the awful
noise to which they had been subjected, the sounds of the machinery
suddenly ceased. They heard a strange humming from the interior of the
submarine, but even this presently came to an end, and then there was
a silence within the cavern which was absolutely oppressive.

"I guess some kind of a move is at hand," whispered Jack. "Let's lay
low and see what they do next."

Several men, including two who were evidently officers and in charge
of the work, came out of the submarine. The workmen were now washing
up at the underground waterway, and presently all cast aside their
working clothes and donned ordinary street garments.

"Looks as if they were going to leave," whispered Fred excitedly.
"Maybe they are going out into the open for some fresh air. I can't
blame them for that," he added, for throughout the cavern there was a
strong smell of used gasoline.

Five minutes passed, and then one by one the Germans walked away from
the submarine. They did not come in the direction of the cadets, but
passed around another bend of the rocks, and so out of sight.

"That must be the way used by that fellow we saw in the forest,"
declared Jack.

All but three of the electric lights had been put out, so that the
interior of the cavern was now quite gloomy. The only sound that broke
the stillness was the soft lap, lap of some distant waves, evidently
where they broke on the shore of the bay close to the larger entrance
of the cavern.

"I'd like to bet that the entrance is under water," said Fred. "If it
was at the surface some one would have discovered this place a long
time ago." And in this surmise the youngest Rover was correct. The
passageway, which was amply large, was over ten feet below the surface
of the bay even at low tide.

"Do you suppose they've all left the submarine?" whispered Gif
presently. With the intense silence prevailing, they felt that they
must be very cautious in making any noise.

"That's hard to say," answered Jack, with a shrug of his shoulders.

"It looks so to me," put in Fred. "I don't believe any of those
fellows would care to stay down here unless it was necessary. They
have stopped all the engines and things like that. I guess those
electric lights are burning simply from a storage battery."

The three cadets waited for another ten minutes, and then, as no one
appeared, and as the submarine seemed to be deserted, they stole
forward cautiously, all anxious to get a closer look at the U-boat.

"If we could only throw a chain around the propellers, or something
like that, maybe it would keep them from getting away if they tried to
run for it," said the young captain.

"We'll look around and see what we can do, anyway," answered his
cousin.

"There are plenty of chains around," put in Gif. "Those are what made
the awful clanking sounds we heard."

Step by step the three cadets came up until they were at the spot
where the Germans had set up their repair plant. Some of the things
they had been working upon were still lying about, but other parts had
been taken aboard the submarine.

"I guess they have all gone," said Jack, after a look around. "I'm
going aboard that craft and take a peep at her."

The others were also anxious to do this, and all three were soon
across the gangplank which led to the open hatch of the U-boat. They
gazed down this hatch with some awe, and discovered that several
electric lights had been left turned on below. A steel ladder ran down
into the interior of the submersible.

"What do you say--shall we go below?" questioned Jack.

"I'm willing if you are," answered his cousin.

"And so am I," added Gif. "I don't believe there is any one around."

"Well, we'll take a chance," answered the young captain. "If there is
any alarm, we'll have to run for it."

"Yes, and we may have to fight for it," added Fred.

Jack went down the ladder quickly, followed by the others. They now
found themselves in what might be termed the main room of the
submarine. Beyond were several other compartments, including one where
was located much of the machinery which ran the undersea boat.

"It's a good deal like being downstairs on a small warship," declared
Fred. "See, there are staterooms and messrooms and everything else!"

"Well, I suppose they have to give the crew some comforts, they take
such long, disagreeable trips," remarked Jack.

The three cadets wandered around in the interior of the submarine for
over a quarter of an hour. They saw where a number of repairs were
being made to the side of the U-boat and also to some of the
machinery, and they also saw where some stores had been taken on
board, boxes and barrels of various kinds.

"I guess they are stocking up for another cruise," remarked Gif.

"It must be quite a job to get all that stuff to this out-of-the-way
place," said Jack.

"Yes, and to do it so secretly, too," added Fred.

"I think I see a way of making this boat stay here for a while, at
least," remarked Jack. "It will be an easy matter to put some of that
delicate machinery forward out of commission."

"Come on and do it!" cried his cousin quickly.

The three cadets were inspecting the machinery and wondering how they
could damage it effectively with the least possible trouble, when
there came a sudden interruption.

"What are you doing here?" came in a guttural German voice. "Hands up,
or I will shoot you!" And, turning quickly, the three cadets found
themselves confronted by a burly German, holding in each hand a
pistol.




CHAPTER XXVIII

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS


It was a comparatively easy matter for the twins and Spouter to get
out of the cavern by the way they had entered. It was, however, not so
easy for them to climb up the face of the cliff fronting that portion
of Barlight Bay.

"Some climb, believe me!" panted Spouter, when they had reached a spot
where going was easier.

"I came pretty near slipping and breaking my neck at one point," said
Randy. "I don't believe those Germans ever use that entrance, do you?"

"Not very often," answered his twin.

The three cadets had reached the woods at a point which was new to
them, being almost a mile from the other cliff, where they had had the
outing with the girls. Between the two points there was a split in the
land, and here the waters from the bay dashed in over a long series of
jagged rocks.

"We can't cross there," remarked Randy, when they had reached the
brink of this split. "We'll have to go back into the woods and go
around."

It was now about five o'clock in the afternoon, and the tramping and
climbing had tired all of the boys, yet they set off as rapidly as
possible, feeling that it would be best to make a report to Captain
Dale as soon as possible.

"I wish we had some trail to go by," remarked Randy, after they had
been walking for at least half an hour. "I begin to think we are not
moving in the right direction."

"I've been trying to guide myself by the sun," answered Spouter. "Just
the same, I don't believe we are headed exactly for the camp."

"I've got to go a bit slower," sighed Andy, who for once was by no
means light-hearted. "Both of my feet are beginning to hurt from all
that climbing over the rocks. I came pretty close to twisting my ankle
this afternoon, and it has been paining ever since."

Another half hour went by, and then, as the declining sun began to
cast long shadows through the trees of the forest, the cadets looked
at each other in alarm. The same thought had come into the minds of
each of them.

"It looks as if we were lost," said Randy laconically. "How about it?"

"Oh, as the Indian said, we're not lost," responded Andy, with a
faint smile. "It's only the camp that has gone astray."

"This is no time for joking," said Spouter coldly. "We've got to get
back to camp, and do it just as fast as we can!"

"All right then, Spouter, show us the way," answered Andy readily.

"That's something I'm not so sure of," was the slow reply. "Which
direction do you think it is in?"

The matter was talked over for several minutes, and finally the cadets
moved off once more, this time at an acute angle to the direction they
had before pursued. They went forward for perhaps a quarter of a mile,
and then, much to their surprise, suddenly came out upon a
well-defined wagon road.

"Well, what do you know about this!" cried Randy in astonishment.

"Where do you suppose this road leads to?" questioned his brother.

At this Randy shook his head, and Spouter did likewise. They could see
the tracks of a horse and wagon in the road, and also the marks of
automobile tires.

"It must be quite a road if it is used by automobiles," was Spouter's
comment. "Now the question is--which way shall we go in order to get
to our camp?" All had noticed that the road ran in something of a
semicircle.

While the cadets were deliberating, they made another discovery. Smoke
was coming up from among some of the trees near by, and, walking in
that direction, they made out a fair-sized cabin, nestling deep
between some trees and brushwood.

"Maybe we can get some assistance at that place," remarked Andy.

"I don't believe it!" returned his brother quickly. "It's more than
likely the people who live there are in league with those Germans.
They must have heard those noises the same as we did, and probably
know all about how they are being made."

"That's it!" warned Spouter. "If I were you, I'd go slow in showing
myself to anybody who may be at that cabin."

The boys approached with caution, keeping their eyes wide open, and
presently discovered a touring car standing among the trees to one
side of the cabin.

"I don't believe that car belongs here," said Randy. "I don't see
anything in the way of a garage. And that looks like a nice city car."

Keeping in the shelter of some of the trees and brushwood, the cadets
came still closer, and then made another discovery, which was to the
effect that two young men were seated in the tonneau of the car. Each
was smoking a cigarette, and they were conversing in low tones.

"I tell you I'm going to hit my dad for a hundred dollars on the
strength of this," they heard one of the occupants of the car remark.
"And I bet I get it, too."

"Well, if you get a hundred, Nappy, I'm going to hit for a hundred
myself," was the reply of the other occupant. "I guess my father can
afford to give me that amount just as well as your father can afford
it."

"Oh, well, Slugger, you must remember that my dad has quite a bunch of
money."

"Huh! I don't think he's any better fixed than mine. Here, pass over
another cigarette. Don't forget I paid for the last ones we bought."

"Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell!" whispered Randy excitedly. "Would
you believe it?"

"What can those fellows be doing away out here in the woods?"
questioned Spouter.

"I'll bet I know what they are here for!" cried Andy, in a low voice.
"They brought their fathers out here in that touring car."

"What would they be doing that for?"

"Don't you remember, Spouter, our telling you about how we saw Mr.
Brown and Mr. Martell down in Wall Street, New York, talking to those
fellows who looked like Germans, and how they mentioned supplies, and
canned goods, and machinery, and night work, and a whole lot of things
like that?"

"Sure I do! And you think----"

"I'll bet Andy has it right!" interrupted Randy. "Brown and Martell
must be in league with those Germans, and the goods and machinery and
other things they spoke about must be connected with this affair of
the disabled submarine! They wanted extra pieces of machinery most
likely, and they also wanted extra supplies, having probably used
those that they had brought along from Germany."

"You're making a pretty long guess, it seems to me," answered Spouter.
"Just the same, you may be right."

Not to be seen by Slugger Brown and Nappy Martell, the three cadets
had withdrawn to a safe distance. Now, however, all were anxious to
ascertain who might be in the cabin, and so by crouching low and
hiding behind one tree and another and then some rocks and low bushes,
they at last came up close to the opposite side of the shelter in the
forest.

"Now don't show yourselves if you can help it," said Randy in a
whisper. "And if any one is discovered, leg it for all you are worth,
and keep your faces turned away so that they can't see who you are."

With this understanding, the three cadets surveyed the situation
critically. The cabin consisted of three rooms, each boasting of a
window on either side. As it was warm, all the windows and doors were
wide open to admit the fresh air.

"And that is what I mean when I say I want to settle this matter,"
they heard, in the voice of Slogwell Brown.

"I think it's a shame that the thing has hung fire so long," said
another person in the cabin, and now the three cadets recognized the
voice of Nelson Martell. "I would never have gone into it if I had
known there would be so much delay. We took a big risk in getting the
supplies for you."

"But, gentlemen, we are not keeping you waiting any longer than is
necessary," answered a voice with a strong German accent. "We have had
a delay in receiving our own remittance. Even now it is not yet
arrived."

"Do you mean to say you haven't got the money yet?" demanded Mr.
Brown. His tone of voice showed that he felt ugly.

"It was promised to-night sure," was the answer. "Captain Fuerhman was
to obtain the money at the Haven Point bank this afternoon."

"Was he to come here with it?"

"Yes."

"Then he ought to be here by now," grumbled Nelson Martell, consulting
his watch.

"He had to see about a small piece of machinery that was to be cast
for us," resumed the man who spoke with a German accent. "I, however,
expect him here by eight o'clock this evening at the latest."

"Well, in that case there isn't anything left for us to do but to
wait," said Slogwell Brown, surlily.

"You may do that, or you may come back at that time," said the German.
"I am very sorry to keep you waiting, but as I said before, gentlemen,
it cannot be helped."

"I don't believe the two boys will want to wait outside for two
hours," said Mr. Martell to Mr. Brown. "Suppose we ride into town and
get a bite to eat, and then come back here?"

"That will suit me, Martell. Anything to kill off the time," answered
Slogwell Brown. He turned to the German. "We'll be back here by eight
o'clock. And remember! that money has got to be paid to-night."

"You shall have every dollar that is coming to you, gentlemen,"
answered the German, who, as it afterwards proved, was the commander
of the disabled submarine.

A few more words passed, and then Mr. Brown and Mr. Martell came out
of the cabin to where they had left Slugger and Nappy in the touring
car. They entered the machine, which was immediately backed to the
forest road, and then the whole party set off, Slugger driving the
car.

"Say, listen!" cried Spouter excitedly. "I believe that German is here
all alone! What do you say if we make him a prisoner?"

"No, no, don't do that!" answered Randy quickly. "We want to bag the
whole bunch. Let us get to camp just as soon as we can and notify
Captain Dale. Then he can organize a crowd and come back here and give
Brown and Martell and the Germans the surprise of their lives."

"But how are we going to find our camp?" questioned Spouter.

"Dead easy. If that is the road to Haven Point, it must pass through
Rackville, and if it does that, it must come pretty close to our camp.
Come on!"




CHAPTER XXIX

THE FIGHT ON THE SUBMARINE


It must be admitted that Jack, Fred, and Gif were much startled when
they suddenly found themselves confronted by an armed German who
looked as if he meant what he said when he commanded them to throw up
their hands.

On first going aboard the submarine the three cadets had been very
cautious, but as they had wandered around without seeing any one
aboard the craft, they had come to the conclusion that it was
deserted, and consequently they had become less careful both in their
actions and their conversation.

Of course their hands went into the air. The German had two pistols,
and he looked as if he would be willing to use the weapons upon the
slightest provocation. He was a burly, red-faced man, and only about
half dressed. Evidently he had been sleeping soundly when they had
come aboard.

"You back up there into a corner," growled the German. He spoke
English quite well, although his accent was Teutonic.

The young cadets did not know what else to do, and so obeyed the
command. As they were in uniform, the German took them to be American
soldiers, and this disturbed him greatly.

"Are there any more in your party or are you alone?" he demanded.

This question gave Jack a sudden idea.

"Alone?" he cried. "Not much! There are over a hundred of us," he
answered, referring, of course, to the number of cadets at Colby Hall.

"Are you telling the truth?" growled the German, and his voice
betrayed his nervousness.

"He sure is telling the truth! Look behind you and see," said Fred,
and began to laugh in a suggestive way.

This laugh took the German off his guard, and he turned swiftly to see
who might be behind him. It was the opportunity that the young captain
and the young lieutenant had hoped would come, and, taking a perilous
chance, they threw themselves on the back of the German, each at the
same time catching hold of a hand that held a pistol. Then Gif rushed
in; and between them the cadets succeeded in hurling the fellow,
muscular though he was, to the floor.

"Give up!" cried Jack suddenly, and, bringing out his flashlight, he
placed the cold glass of the end against the German's neck.

"_Kamerad! Kamerad!_" yelled the fellow promptly, thinking that it was
a pistol which was pressing upon him, and on the instant he released
his hold on the two pistols while he stretched out flat on his chest
on the floor of the submarine.

Jack lost no time in picking up one of the pistols, while Fred picked
up the other. The flashlight was turned over to Gif, who, meanwhile,
had armed himself with a steel bar.

"Now the question is--what are we going to do with this fellow?"
remarked Jack, after the short encounter had come to an end. It must
be confessed that he and the others were much worked up over the
situation, for they had not dreamed of coming in such personal contact
with one of the enemy.

"We've got to get out of here, and do it quick," returned Gif. "Those
other Germans may come back at any minute."

"Yes, but we'll have to take this fellow along," said Fred. "No use of
leaving him here to give an alarm."

"We'll gag him!" declared the young captain. And without loss of time
the three cadets fixed up a gag such as they sometimes used when they
were initiating a new member of one of the secret societies of the
military academy. Then the German's hands were bound tightly behind
him, and he was ordered to get up and march.

"Wait a minute," said Fred. "We'll have to fix things here so it won't
look suspicious. We'll make it look as if this chap had just stepped
out for some fresh air."

This was done, and a few minutes later the whole party left the
submarine, Gif going ahead and the Rovers following the prisoner, each
with a pistol ready for use. In this fashion they passed over the
gangplank, and then made their way alongside of the underground pond
until they came to the spot where the cadets had first discovered the
Germans.

"I don't believe we ought to leave him here," declared Jack. "That gag
might slip and he might have a chance to make considerable noise, and
if he did that the others might take the alarm and sail away before we
could get help."

"We made a mistake!" cried Gif. "I thought we were going to injure
some of the machinery, so that they couldn't use the U-boat."

"You're right, Gif! I got so excited I forgot all about that,"
declared Jack.

"You can run back now and do it if you want to," said Fred. "I'll
watch the prisoner."

The young captain and Gif did as had been suggested. On the submarine
they looked over the intricate machinery with care, and presently
found some things which they could disarrange and which would probably
not be noticed immediately. They went to work with vigor, and came
away again in less than ten minutes.

"I guess she's fixed now," declared Jack to his cousin, when they had
rejoined Fred and the prisoner. "If they start up those engines, that
submarine will perform stunts they never dreamed of."

With the flashlight shining ahead and at times on the prisoner, the
Rovers and Gif compelled the German to move along the passageway until
they gained the opening near the gully.

"Look out there, will you?" cried Gif suddenly, pointing between the
bushes to the bay. "There is a big motor boat cruising up and down!
Maybe they can give us aid."

"It looks to me like a revenue boat," declared Jack, after a hurried
inspection. "Say, maybe they are patrolling the bay!"

"That's right!"

"I am going to signal to them and find out!" exclaimed Fred; and
without waiting for the others to reply, the young lieutenant dashed
over the rocks and through the brushwood in the direction of the bay
shore. As he did this he took out his handkerchief and waved it
wildly, at the same time calling at the top of his lungs.

The motor boat, a long, rakish-looking craft, was cruising quite close
to the shore, and presently some of those on board noticed Fred's call
for aid. The motor of the craft was shut off, and the boat drifted up
to the shore.

"What do you want?" demanded one of the men on board, sharply.

"We want help, and we want it right away!" declared Fred. And then he
added as he got a better view of those aboard the boat: "Are you
United States officers?"

"What do you want to know that for?" was the counter question.

"Well, if you are, we want your help, and want it right away."

"Why? Have you discovered anything unusual?" demanded one of the
officers on the boat, and his manner showed his intense interest.

"We certainly have! And more than that, we have made a prisoner--a
German."

"You don't mean it!" said one of the other men aboard the motor boat,
and then looked more sharply at Fred than ever. "We'll have to
investigate this," he added to his companions.

There were three officers and a crew of eight aboard the boat, which
was quickly brought long-side the rock on which Fred was standing. As
the officers leaped ashore, the young lieutenant saluted and was
saluted in return. Then Fred told who he was and again asked the men
if they were United States officers.

"If you've got a German prisoner, and you know he is really a German
sympathizer, you had better take us to him at once," said one of the
men, and, turning back his coat, he exhibited his badge.

Feeling that the craft was one really belonging to our government and
that the officers were Secret Service men, Fred told his story, at the
same time leading the way to where he had left Jack, Gif, and the
prisoner.

"Bailey was right, after all," said one of the Secret Service men to
his fellow officers. "He always declared that that wrecked submarine
was in hiding somewhere around these waters."

"Then you know about the submarine?" queried Fred quickly.

"If it's the craft we think it is," was the reply. "That U-boat had an
encounter with one of our submarine destroyers, and in trying to
escape we think she hit some of the rocks on the reef beyond here.
Some of the naval people were of the opinion that she had gone down,
but others thought she had escaped to some base, which, of course, was
unknown to our authorities. We have always had a suspicion that there
was some sort of a base around here. We were cruising to-day trying to
locate it."

It was decided that the Secret Service men should take charge of
matters, and that they would sail to the nearest town on the bay so
that they might obtain additional help with which to round up all the
Germans and those in league with them.

"This will prove a very important capture," said Mr. Blarcomb, who was
the head officer of the crowd. "And you, young men, can rest assured
that you will get full credit for what you have done."

"If you don't mind, I wish you would drop us off at our camp," said
Jack. "It will save us a whole lot of tramping."

"We'll do that willingly."

It did not take the motor boat long to cover the distance to the front
of the camp where the cadets were in the habit of bathing. A few were
now in the water, and they looked in wonder at the sudden appearance
of the Rovers and Gif.

"There is Captain Dale now!" cried Jack, when they had landed and the
motor boat had gone on its way. "My! won't he be surprised at the
story we have to tell?"

"Maybe he has already heard it, from Andy and Randy and Spouter,"
suggested Gif.

But the old West Pointer had heard nothing, for the others had not yet
come in from the forest. He listened in amazement to the story the
boys had to tell.

"I would like to be at that round-up myself," he declared. "I trust
that they capture every one of the rascals." And then he added with a
smile: "This is certainly a feather in your caps, lads."

It was only a little later when the twins and Spouter came in. They,
of course, were also excited.

"Got one of the Germans and got the Secret Service men on the trail!"
declared Fred proudly.

"Good enough!" cried Andy. "But say! we have got our little story to
tell, too;" and then he and the others related what had been
discovered at the cabin in the woods.

"This certainly is important," declared Captain Dale. "Who would ever
suppose that Mr. Brown and Mr. Martell were in league with these
Germans! They certainly ought to be captured."

"And I'd like to be there when they are caught," declared Randy.

"Well, perhaps you will be," answered Captain Dale significantly.




CHAPTER XXX

AN IMPORTANT CAPTURE--CONCLUSION


Even though somewhat old and likewise rheumatic, Captain Dale was
still a man of action, and less than half an hour later he had
perfected an arrangement with the Secret Service authorities both at
Rackville and at Camp Huxwell. Three automobiles were requisitioned
and a detail of sixteen men, accompanied by several Secret Service
authorities soon left Camp Huxwell, stopping on the way at the edge of
Camp Barlight. They took on board the Rovers and their chums, and
likewise Captain Dale, all of whom were anxious to see the wind-up of
this remarkable happening.

While still some distance from the cabin, the automobiles were brought
to a standstill, and the officers and soldiers, as well as the cadets
and Captain Dale, alighted, and all took to the shelter of the
brushwood.

A wait of nearly half an hour ensued, and during that time the three
automobiles were run deep into the woods, where they would not be
noticed by any passersby. Then Randy, who had been sent down the
road, came back on the run.

"An auto is coming!" he announced.

He was right, and a minute later, the machine, driven by Slugger
Brown, came into sight and ran up to the side of the cabin. Mr. Brown
and Mr. Martell alighted, leaving Slugger and Nappy in the car as
before.

"Don't let 'em keep you here all night, Dad!" cried Nappy.

"Make 'em come to terms quick," said Slugger. "They have no right to
hold back on you."

"You leave this business to us--we know what we are doing," answered
Mr. Brown.

Of course, those who had come to the place from the two camps had not
shown themselves. All were secreted behind the trees and bushes on the
opposite side of the cabin. Now they watched intently while Mr. Brown
and Mr. Martell entered the cabin, and as they did this they noted a
steady _put-put_ on the forest road, and soon a motorcycle came into
sight, ridden by a middle-aged man carrying a satchel over his
shoulder.

"That must be the fellow who went to the bank to get the money,"
whispered Andy.

The Secret Service men had arranged their plans with care. At a given
signal four of the soldiers from Camp Huxwell surrounded the
automobile occupied by Slugger and Nappy, who as before were making
themselves comfortable in the tonneau and smoking cigarettes. To say
that those two unworthies were surprised, would be putting it mildly.
Slugger leaped to his feet in amazement, while Nappy set up a howl of
terror, begging the soldiers not to shoot them.

"We haven't done anything wrong!" howled Nappy. "Please don't point
that gun at me!"

"I don't understand this," said Slugger nervously. "There must be some
mistake."

"The only mistake is the one you made, young man," declared one of the
soldiers briefly.

In the meantime there was an interesting scene going on in the main
room of the cabin. The German in charge of the place and the fellow
who had come in on the motorcycle were talking earnestly to Slogwell
Brown and Nelson Martell. The men from New York had a number of
documents on a table, and were trying to prove that the Germans owed
them over eleven thousand dollars, while the Germans were equally
emphatic in declaring that the amount due was less than ten thousand
dollars.

"You've got to pay the full amount," growled Mr. Brown. "I won't take
off a cent!"

"That's the talk!" broke in Mr. Martell. "And you ought not to kick,
either. We have taken terrible chances in having these things
supplied to you."

"Yes, and don't forget that you would never have had this secret base
on Barlight Bay if it hadn't been for me," put in Slogwell Brown.

"We're not forgetting anything," said one of the Germans. "And if you
insist upon it that we owe you that amount, we will pay it."

The man who had come in on the motorcycle had opened his valise, and
now he took out several packages of banknotes. Evidently Brown and
Martell were to be paid in cash. Probably they had refused to accept
anything in the way of a check.

The money had just been paid over and some receipts given when the
leader of the Secret Service men gave the order, and the cabin was
immediately surrounded.

"Hands up in there, everybody!" was the stern command.

If Slugger and Nappy had been surprised, their fathers were even more
so, while the two Germans were taken completely off their guard. Each
of the latter was armed, but one look at the United States officers
with their pistols and the soldiers with their rifles was too much for
them, and with grunts of disgust they threw their hands into the air.

"Who--what--I--er--I don't understand this," stammered Slogwell Brown,
turning pale.

"There--there--must be--er--some mistake," faltered Nelson Martell,
and then with shaking knees he sank slowly back on a bench.

A brief war of words followed, Brown and Martell doing everything they
could think of to explain the situation so that they might not be
placed under arrest. But their guilt was so bare-faced that the
government officers would hardly listen to them. Both they and the
Germans were searched and all their weapons were taken from them. Then
the prisoners were handcuffed together, and the officers made a
thorough search of the cabin, picking up everything it contained of
value. One took charge of the documents found and also the money which
had been passed over to Mr. Brown.

"A fine piece of business for a so-called American to be in!" said the
head Secret Service man to Brown and Martell sternly. "I wouldn't be
in your shoes for a billion dollars."

"It's--it's--all a mistake. I'll--er--explain everything later," said
Slogwell Brown weakly.

As for Nelson Martell, he was on the verge of a collapse, and had to
be supported when all left the cabin.

In the meanwhile other interesting happenings were taking place in
the vicinity of the wrecked submarine. There a number of Secret
Service men and other officers of the law under the leadership of Mr.
Blarcomb, did what they could to round up all those connected with the
U-boat. There was something of a running fight, and quite a few shots
were exchanged. In this fight two of the Germans were seriously
wounded, and one of the Secret Service men got a bullet through his
shoulder. But in the end all of the enemy were captured, and then the
authorities took charge of the disabled submarine, and also the
underground workshop, where the Germans had been laboring so hard to
get their undersea boat once more into shape to sail.

It was after midnight before all these happenings came to an end and
the evildoers had either been placed in jail or under a strong
military guard. The capture, of course, was kept as secret as possible
by the government officials.

"And to think that the fathers of Nappy Martell and Slugger Brown are
guilty!" cried Ruth Stevenson, when Jack met her later on and told her
some of the particulars. "Isn't it dreadful? What will they do with
them?"

"Most likely they will be interned for the period of the war, and
maybe they will get regular jail sentences," answered the young
captain.

"And what will they do with Nappy and Slugger?"

"Oh, they will probably be interned also."

After the men at the cabin in the forest and the Germans from the
wrecked submarine had been rounded up, Jed Kessler was called in, and
without hesitation he recognized two of the men he had seen at the
ammunition plant just before the explosion occurred. One fellow was a
clean-shaven man, but it was proved that he was in the habit of
wearing a heavy wig and a heavy false beard.

"That fellow is one of the two we saw in New York talking to Mr. Brown
and Mr. Martell!" cried Randy. And he was right, as it afterwards
proved.

For catching these two men who, it was later proved, had caused the
wreckage at the ammunition plant, the reward offered was divided
equally between Jed Kessler, the four Rovers and Gif and Spouter, much
to their satisfaction.

"This gives each of us a very neat bank account," declared Spouter.
"I'm going to save most of it, but some of it I'll spend this summer
on my vacation."

"Maybe we'll all do that," put in Andy.

From the authorities it was learned that Slogwell Brown had owned a
large portion of the shore front lying between Camp Huxwell and Camp
Barlight. He had sold all his holdings to the government, but this had
not prevented the unscrupulous man from making a deal with some German
agents for the use of the cave under the cliff by our country's
enemies.

"He was a rascal both ways," declared Captain Dale, in talking the
matter over with the Rovers. "He took the government's money at one
end and the Germans' money at the other. It is right that he goes to
jail."

And to jail Slogwell Brown went, accompanied by Nelson Martell, each
to serve a number of years at hard labor. Slugger and Nappy were sent
to a detention camp in the South; and that for the time being was the
last the Rovers heard of them.

Although there was considerable excitement around the encampment
caused by the discovery of the German submarine base, the cadets were
not allowed to forego their drilling and their army maneuvers. Nor did
they give up the athletic contests they had promised themselves. There
were swimming races and boat races, and likewise several baseball
matches, and also contests in running, high and broad jumping, and in
a tug-of-war.

"I'll tell you one thing--this encampment is one long to be
remembered," remarked Jack, when the outing had almost come to an end.

The next day came a message from Camp Huxwell. The fathers of the
Rovers, as well as many of their friends, were to depart immediately
for Hoboken, there to take one of the big transports for France. Of
course, the boys, as well as their sisters and their mothers, went to
see Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover off.

"The best of luck to you, Dad!" cried Jack, when the time came for
parting. "I hope you make a good record for yourselves."

"You can rest assured, Son, we will do our best," answered Dick Rover.

Then there were numerous handshakes, the waving of handkerchiefs, and
while the girls and the women were trying hard to smile and to keep
back the tears, the soldiers departed on the train.

"Gee, I wish I was going along!" sighed Fred. But this, of course,
could not be, for all the boys were much too young to join the army.

By leaving Camp Barlight that day the Rovers had missed one of the
important baseball games, but for this they did not care. They tried
to join in the festivities that evening, but it was a failure. Their
thoughts were with their fathers. Would they come back from the war in
safety?

"All we can do is to hope for the best," remarked Randy; and there
the matter was allowed to rest.

Of course, the boys were eager for news concerning the Browns and the
Martells, and also the Germans who had been captured, and they eagerly
devoured every shred of information that came their way.

"Well, one thing is certain--we are well rid of Slugger and Nappy and
their fathers," remarked Jack.

"Yes, and I guess we are rid of Gabe Werner, too," returned Fred. "He
seems to have dropped out entirely."

But in his remark concerning Werner the young lieutenant was mistaken.
Gabe Werner turned up in their path most unexpectedly, and how will be
related in the next volume in this series, to be entitled "The Rover
Boys on a Hunt; or, The Mysterious House in the Woods."

In that volume we shall learn what the Rover boys did on a most
important outing, and also learn something of what happened to their
fathers while fighting on the great battlefields of France.

"Well, boys, I've got pretty good news to-day," remarked Randy,
rushing into the camp one afternoon and holding up a letter. "Mr.
Powell has invited all of us to spend ten days or two weeks at his
camp on Lake George this summer. May is going to have all the girls
there, including Mary and Martha and Ruth, and Mr. Powell wants every
one of us to come up and take part in the good times."

"Gee, that suits me right to the top of the flagstaff!" burst out his
twin brother. And then, in high spirits, Andy turned several
flipflaps, and ended by beginning a wrestling match with Fred.

"Well, we'll be there, all right enough!" cried Jack.

"Will we?" came from Fred. "Just wait and see!"

Then the drums rattled, and the young captain and the young
lieutenant, followed by the others, rushed off to get ready for the
evening roll call and parade. And here, for the time being, we will
leave the Rover boys and say good-bye.


THE END


       *       *       *       *       *


WESTERN STORIES FOR BOYS

By JAMES CODY FERRIS

Each Volume Complete in Itself.


Thrilling tales of the great west, told primarily for boys but which
will be read by all who love mystery, rapid action, and adventures in
the great open spaces.

The Manly boys, Roy and Teddy, are the sons of an old ranchman, the
owner of many thousands of heads of cattle. The lads know how to ride,
how to shoot, and how to take care of themselves under any and all
circumstances.

The cowboys of the X Bar X Ranch are real cowboys, on the job when
required, but full of fun and daring--a bunch any reader will be
delighted to know.

    THE X BAR X BOYS ON THE RANCH
    THE X BAR X BOYS IN THUNDER CANYON
    THE X BAR X BOYS ON WHIRLPOOL RIVER
    THE X BAR X BOYS ON BIG BISON TRAIL
    THE X BAR X BOYS AT THE ROUND-UP
    THE X BAR X BOYS AT NUGGET CAMP
    THE X BAR X BOYS AT RUSTLER'S GAP
    THE X BAR X BOYS AT GRIZZLY PASS
    THE X BAR X BOYS LOST IN THE ROCKIES
    THE X BAR X BOYS RIDING FOR LIFE
    THE X BAR X BOYS IN SMOKY VALLEY


       *       *       *       *       *


THE HARDY BOYS SERIES

By FRANKLIN W. DIXON

Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself


The Hardy Boys are sons of a celebrated American detective, and during
vacations and their off time from school they help their father by
hunting down clues themselves.

THE TOWER TREASURE--A dying criminal confessed that his loot had been
secreted "in the tower." It remained for the Hardy Boys to clear up
the mystery.

THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF--Mr. Hardy started to investigate--and
disappeared! An odd tale, with plenty of excitement.

THE SECRET OF THE OLD MILL--Counterfeit money was in circulation, and
the limit was reached when Mrs. Hardy took some from a stranger. A
tale full of thrills.

THE MISSING CHUMS--Two of the Hardy Boys' chums disappear and are
almost rescued by their friends when all are captured. A thrilling
story of adventure.

HUNTING FOR HIDDEN GOLD--in tracing some stolen gold the trail leads
the boys to an abandoned mine, and there things start to happen.