For a purpose Tom chose to encourage this supposition; it would have the effect of building up Jack’s sinking hopes, and just then that was the main thing.  So Tom proceeded to picture the scene, having plenty of material from which to draw, for he had read the details of more than one submarine sinking.

“It must be a terrible sensation to any passenger, no matter how brave he may think himself,” he went on to say, “when he feels the shock as a torpedo explodes against the hull of the steamer and knows that in a short time she is doomed to be swallowed by the sea.  And you told me once yourself, Jack, that this scheming cousin of yours couldn’t swim a stroke.”

“Worse even than that!” declared Jack, with a sneer on his face to express his contempt, “he’s a regular coward about the water.  And if they do have the hard luck to run up against a Hun torpedo, Randolph will be frightened half to death.”

“Queer,” commented Tom, “how most of these schemers prove to have a yellow streak in their make-up, when the test really comes.  Just picture him running screaming up and down the deck, and being kicked out of the way by every officer of the vessel when he implores them to save him.”

“I can see it all as plain as day!” cried Jack excitedly.  “And if I know human nature the chances are those sailors would think of the coward last of all.”

“Yes, they’d leave him to the sinking ship if there was no room in the boats, you can depend on that, Jack.  And now set your teeth as you usually do, and tell me again that you’re not going to own up beaten until the umpire says the game is over.”

“I do promise you, Tom,” came the immediate response, showing that Jack was getting a fresh grip on his sinking courage and hopes.  “But all the same, I keep on groping, and I’d like to see the light.”

“For a change of subject,” Tom observed, “shall we tell Lieutenant Beverly about your troubles?  I’ve just glimpsed him coming this way.”

“No reason why we shouldn’t,” agreed Jack.  “He’s a good friend of mine and three heads might be better than two in cracking this hard nut I’m up against.  But he looks as if he might be bringing us news.  Ten to one he’s going to say the way is cleared for us to take that long trip with him to Berlin and back in his big Martin bomber.”

“Too bad to disappoint him,” remarked Tom.  “But of course that’s out of the question now.”

“I’d have been glad of the chance to go, only for this sudden complication in my own affairs,” Jack sighed.  “But why couldn’t you take the spin in his company, Tom?  It’s a pity to break up his plans.”

“And desert my chum when he’s in trouble?  I’d never forgive myself for doing such a thing.  The lieutenant will have to find some other pals for his record making Berlin and back flight.”

Jack thought he detected a vein of regret in his comrade’s voice, and he quickly flashed: