"Yes, I know," admitted Ned. "But I couldn't help calling your
attention to this article, Tom. It's authentic!"

"Authentic? What do you mean

"Well, the man who wrote it went to the trouble of getting from
the ship insurance companies a list of all the wrecks and lost
vessels carrying gold and silver coin, bullion, and other
valuables. He has gone back a hundred years, and he brings it
right down to just before the war. Hasn't had time to compile
that list, the article says. But without counting the vessels the
Germans sank, there is, in various places on the bottom of the
ocean today, wrecks of ships that carried, when they went down,
gold, silver, copper and other metals to the value of at least
ten billions of dollars!"

Tom Swift did not seem to be at all surprised by the explosive
emphasis with which Ned Newton conveyed this information. He
gazed calmly at his friend and manager, and then handed the paper
back.

"I haven't time to look at it now," said Tom. "But is there
anything new in the story? I mean has any of the wealth been
recovered lately--or is it in a way to be?"

"Yes!" exclaimed Ned. "It is! A company has been formed in
Japan for the purpose of using a new kind of diving bell,
invented by an American, it seems. The inventor claims that in
his machine he can go down deeper than ever man went before, and