“What the deuce can it mean?” was what Lieutenant Danvers said, but he was discreet enough to say it under his breath.

“Come, young Benson,” challenged John Rhinds, “even you must admit that the ‘Thor’ shows a clean bill of moral health!”

“I’ll admit that two and two make five, and that the moon is made of sage cheese,” retorted Captain Jack.  “I’ll admit that the north pole is steam-heated.  But—­”

“Well, Mr. Benson,” broke in Captain Magowan, crisply.  “Why do you hesitate?”

“I believe, Captain,” Jack went on, “that there are several questions that can yet be asked.”

“Ask them, then, Mr. Benson,” directed the president of the naval board.

“Yes, sir.  Yet I would prefer that the questions be asked on deck, in the presence of the entire crew, and also of the naval officer who had been stationed on this craft during the cruise.”

Ensign Pike was the officer of the Navy who had been on board the “Thor.”  Pike had remained up on the platform deck during this scene.

“Very good,” nodded Captain Magowan.  “We will return to the deck.  I can see that there are many questions to be asked.”

On the deck, on first boarding, Jack Benson had noticed the absence of Fred Radwin.  While they were below Jack had caught a glimpse of Radwin in the “Thor’s” engine room.

When the naval board and the others reached the deck Captain Magowan had Captain Driggs, of the “Thor,” and the members of the boat’s crew lined up together.

“Have you any questions that you wish to ask, Mr. Benson?” the president of the board inquired.

“Yes, sir.  At the time that the torpedo passed our boat I would like to know just who of the ‘Thor’s’ complement were below.”

“Can you answer that, Mr. Driggs?” demanded Captain Magowan.

Driggs was a bronzed, shrewd-looking man of forty, with a face that looked rather sound and wholesome.

“Yes, sir,” replied Driggs, promptly.  “Mr. Radwin had volunteered to relieve the man on duty in the engine room.  Mr. Radwin was below at the time, sir.”

“And who else?”

“No one else at that time, sir.”

“I think I can confirm that, Captain,” broke in Lieutenant Danvers.  “I had just studied the deck of this craft through my marine glass, and I remember remarking to myself that Radwin appeared to be the only one of this boat’s complement who was not on deck.”

Fred Radwin was now summoned, Captain Magowan and Jack both plying him with questions.  It all came to nothing, however.  Radwin remained wholly cool and gave his inquisitors no satisfaction.

Ensign Pike stated that he had had no knowledge of any torpedo having been driven from the “Thor.”  Yet Pike admitted that this might very easily have happened without his knowing it, since the discharge of a torpedo would hardly make enough noise to carry from below to the after part of the platform deck.