It consisted of a steel box about six feet long and two feet square at the ends, and with a tightly fitting door at each extremity.

When this scuttle-box was used it was run down through a square opening in the bottom of the Dipsey, the upper door was opened, matter to be disposed of was thrown into it, the upper door was shut and the lower one opened, whereupon everything inside of it descended into the sea, and water filled the box.

When this box was drawn up by means of its machinery, the water was forced out, so that when it was entirely inside the vessel it was empty, and then the lower door was closed.

For some moments the idea suggested by Sammy was very attractive to Clewe, and he could not help thinking that the occasion might arise when it would be perfectly proper to carry it into execution.
Now that he knew the import of Sammy's extraordinary communication, he felt that it would not be right to withhold his knowledge from Margaret.
Of course it might frighten her very much, but this was an enterprise in which people should expect to be frightened.

Full confidence and hearty assistance were what these two now expected from each other.
"What is it exactly that you fear ?" she asked, when she had heard the news.
"That is hard to say," replied Roland.