"Do you reckon they have gotten down into the _Dominion_ and gotten up any of the bullion?" queried Larry Seymour, who had joined them. "Indeed, son, I haven't the least idea," said the captain. "It does seem mighty strange that some one else should have anchored right in the vicinity of the _Dominion_. Very few people know where the _Dominion_ lies, and if this chap doesn't know, it surely is an odd coincidence that he should be anchored for the night right where he is." The engines of the _Jules Verne_ were still in motion. The anchors were just being run out and it was not possible to hear distinctly any noise that might have been wafted over the waters from the mythical craft. Captain Austin announced he would speak the vessel as soon as the _Jules Verne_ had settled for the night and the engines had stopped. In the meantime the crew indulged in all manner of speculation. "Maybe it is a United States revenue cutter," offered Dick. "Or one of the fishing fleet that has gotten off her course and stopped here for the night," suggested Larry. "Might be some millionaire's pleasure craft, too," put in Captain Austin. "She looks like a pretty swell boat, whatever she is. What do you think, Mr. Thacker?" The captain turned to Jay. That youth slowly shook his head. "I'm not a trouble-hunter, but my own private opinion is that that ship over there, whatever is she and whoever is aboard her, is here for no good," replied Jay deliberately. "You mean--" began Dick. "I mean that I think those fellows over there right now are after the gold in the _Dominion_," interrupted Jay. "They may have been here for days. They may have the _Dominion_ pretty well cleaned out, or they may have just arrived. At any rate, my hunch is that she is a treasure-hunter--a submarine pirate." "How are we going to find out?" interrogated Larry, very much aroused by the possibility of encountering a pirate. "Wait until morning, I reckon," answered Jay. Just then Captain Austin, who had moved off during the conversation, came back. He was carrying a megaphone. "I am going to hail them," he announced. The _Jules Verne_ had been anchored and her engines shut off. So the captain of the salvage ship advanced to the rail and trained his megaphone in the direction of the other ship. "Hello! Who are you?" he bellowed, slowly and distinctly. Eagerly the crowd waited. But no reply. Again the captain shouted and still no response. A third time he shouted, this time in an even more imperative tone. And back came an answer. "None of your business who we are. Who are you?" If there had been any suspicion aboard the _Jules Verne_ as to the character of the other ship, that answer settled it. Whoever it was, he was not going to make himself known. He was averse to disclosing his identity and he wanted no interference, as was manifested by his saucy answer. In reply Captain Austin gave no information to disclose his identity either. Instead he yelled: