"No! I can hear only a muffled groaning. Something has gone wrong. That's sure!" [Illustration: "Stop, Senor!" Screamed the Engineer] "Pull 'em up quick, then!" advised Ned. This seemed good advice, so the auxiliary engine was started and the winches began turning slowly. "Stop, Senor!" suddenly screamed the native engineer, waving his arms excitedly and cutting off the steam. "The drums turn--si--but the cables do not rise. Something has caught the men!" [Illustration: Loose the Winches] CHAPTER IX A ROBBER "Loose the winches a little!" ordered Captain Britten sharply. "The air-hoses are strained almost to the breaking point." "Si," mumbled the engineer, easing off the brake a trifle. "What's the trouble, in your opinion, Captain?" asked Tom. [Illustration: The Engineer Eased the Brake] "Hard to say, young fellow," came the worried reply. "What I'm afraid of is that a huge octopus or some such monster has attacked the poor divers. Whatever it is, I fear it's the end for 'em, as there's not another diver aboard and we can't haul the men up for fear of breakin' their air-lines." "Have you another diving suit?" asked Tom rapidly. "I've had considerable experience in undersea work and can't let those boys drown without trying to help 'em!" [Illustration: "I'm Afraid It Is an Octopus!"] "Can you do it, lad? Yes, I've a brand-new outfit aboard that's of the latest type. But what'll I say to your father if anything happens to you?" "Dad wouldn't want me to stand back at a time like this," rejoined the young inventor. "I sent these men down and it's up to me to see they get back safely!" "But, Tom!" cried Ned. "What of the octopus? You may be trapped too, and not save Manuel and Alvarez either!" [Illustration: "It's up to Me!"] "You forget, or maybe you didn't know, that I brought my electric rifle with me. That'll polish off any devil-fish I'm likely to meet!" "Well, at least let me go too!" "Isn't but one suit," said Captain Britten. "Now, Tom Swift, if you're ready, here's the suit." "All set," said the young inventor calmly. He began to remove his outer clothing. "Ned, please bring up my rifle." By the time the young scientist had been helped into the massively armored suit, Ned was back on deck carrying a peculiar-looking gun. Unlike other weapons, this one could discharge a bolt of electricity which would slay the largest animal or merely tickle a baby, according to the adjustment. Tom set it to its highest power. [Illustration: They Helped Tom into the Suit] "Good luck!" cried Ned as the heavy helmet was lowered into place. Tom attempted to wave in reply but the gear was too weighty. Later, when he got into the depths, the buoyant effect of the water would enable him to move more freely. [Illustration: Ned Carried a Peculiar Gun]