"I do not mind telling you that we are after high stakes this trip," he told them. "An English steamship, the _Dominion_, was sunk off Martha's Vineyard late in 1916. She had among her cargo a quantity of gold bullion and South African diamonds. She took fire after being shelled by a German submarine and was making a run for the coast when she went down. She is between two and three hundred feet down and it is our job to look her over for the next few days and report back to Bridgeford on our findings." The news of impending action was joyously received by Jay and Dick, who declared they were ready on a moment's notice to take their first dip into the blue for their new employers. What! thirty dollars a day, and the chance to win a percentage on any treasure actually reclaimed! It was a wonderful opportunity, to their minds. "Better take a look over your diving equipment and see that everything is all right," suggested the ship's captain. Jay and Dick accordingly went thoroughly over their outfits during the next few hours, finding suits, shoes, helmets and air-line connections quite up to the standard of the latest improved diving equipment. It was a lively crew that spent the warm spring evening above decks on the _Nemo_ as she worked her way steadily on her course toward Martha's Vineyard, off the New England coast. By morning they would have arrived at their destination--ready for the adventure! A sense of eager expectancy pervaded the snug little "sub." Although Captain Austin had not shared his confidences broadcast as he had with his new divers the men seemed to divine that they were out for real business this time. They were for the most part singing merrily and glad to be in on the big game of treasure hunting. "Tomorrow morning we'll be back at the old stunt again," mused Dick. "Rocked in the cradle of the deep." "Hope we get the first peep at the poor old _Dominion_," said Jay. Although this was a dangerous calling the two navy veterans had come to look upon it by now as any other ordinary duty. "Only thing I don't like about this outfit is that fellow Weddigen," reflected Jay. "You mean the fellow you punched on the jaw?" Jay nodded. "Well, just let him start something and we'll show him where he's at," snapped Larry Seymour, who had just strolled up. "Yes, I reckon we can take care of that gent if he is inclined to get frisky," remarked Dick meaningly, convinced in his own mind that Weddigen was some kind of a tough customer who was playing his own little game in this adventure. CHAPTER V A SUBMARINE PICKPOCKET "Good morning, Mr. Thacker; I hope you feel like taking a walk on the bottom of the sea this morning." The smiling face of Captain Austin greeted Jay as the latter climbed up through the forward hatch of the _Nemo_ for a breath of the clear fresh morning air. The _Nemo_ had arrived during the night at her destination and rode gracefully at anchor on an easy swell.