Weddigen saw the move and divined the intent--but all too late. As Dick's fingers closed over the conspirator's signal lines he gave one mighty tug and instantly released his hold, knowing full well what would happen. And happen it did! Yanked off his feet by willing hands on the deck of the _Nemo_ the hapless Carl Weddigen was carried swiftly up through the swirling currents, leaving the salvage that he had recovered and tried to lose again behind him at the feet of Dick Monaghan. It had been Dick's only play and he had seized his opportunity, just as at Brighton he had recovered many a fumble on the football field by quick thinking. "Thank heaven!" he murmured in prayerful gratitude. Dick now was free to make fast the strong box and hoist it away. Taking a short length of chain from his belt he trussed up the box securely, affixed one of his cables and gave the signal to raise away. Up went the chest over his head, and then he gathered the abandoned tools that Weddigen had left behind him, strapping them to his sides. "Now for the _Nemo_ and the story of Mr. Carl Weddigen and his despicable infamy before he makes a getaway." Presently Dick was back again on the deck of the _Nemo_, still fresh in body and spirit and none the worse for his rather long stay on the sea bottom. So impatient was the lad to be released from his diving armor that he could scarce contain himself. Glancing through the eye ports of his helmet he noted that Weddigen was being relieved of his armor, and that he was scowling fiercely at those who were assisting him. Captain Austin and Jay Thacker were standing close by Dick, waiting only his release to congratulate him on the recovery of the government formulas and charts from the sunken U-boat. They had no idea as yet, of course, as to how they had been reclaimed, for Weddigen had given them no tangible story. Instead he had proved evasive. "Good work, boy," Dick heard Captain Austin say, as his helmet was lifted. A proffered hand was extended him. "Gee, chum, I sure am proud of you," Jay was smiling--all smiles. But not so Dick. Anger blazed in his eyes and he emerged from his diving accoutrements with something like the ferocity of a beast of prey released from its trap. While the captain of the _Nemo_ and Diver Thacker looked on dumbfounded Dick fairly leaped across the deck in the direction of Weddigen and shook a fist under that diver's nose. "You dirty dog of a traitor; don't think you will get away with it this time." Weddigen recoiled under the fury of the verbal attack, his own teeth showing like a whipped cur that has been backed in a corner by a giant mastiff.