astings" to watch the in-coming of water through t

utenant Danvers's first chance to realize how superbly these Pollard boats were built and put together. He exa

et practice. Jacob Farnum scurried up and down the co

iring of torpedoes. After it was all over there were but fo

mbled Williamson, good-humoredly, "this would soon b

once more, as sound and staunch as

rently to return soon. Ewald and Biffens, the two sailors, were quartered at the h

oard the "Benson," while Williamson quartered himself aboard

gh the shipyard, Jacob Farnum, in the doorway of

s are ready, Jack?"

ir," nodd

dy. Jacob Farnum was one who liked to plan by himself, a

both boats ready for any instant move t

ed, then strolled on ou

e village he enco

the wind, Hal, for the

ed Hal. "We're re

ng what the new move was to be. When Jacob Farnum wa

ing of that, they came out into the street. The first, man the

ur trip, sir?

m told you what

s a hint, sir, that

icer, next adding: "That's

son. "Mr. Farnum has a habit of tell

an Danvers, but

rt for China within an hour? The galley cupboard is already as full of provisions as it will hold. Both boats are in the best possible trim. We need on

n. So I understand why Mr. Farnum doe

doesn't have t

u going? Down

't given us any instructi

ers, with a quizzical smile. "W

und naval officer for a few

t curious. Ar

g skipper. "All I want to know i

to the yar

is the use of letting folks suppos

ad of going to the "Benson" for supp

ors seemed to be eating in more haste than usual. Then, as they

to the yard, si

id Jack,

ur orders. We're going

o in Dunhaven who don't know what i

or Biffens know what is

o report back in

hurry back to the yard,

aven't an

may be wonderi

ors can tell h

led over

o the yard no

the bo

you're going to keep Mr. Farnum gues

ll stack of books. Hal, I believe we're going on

more than you've told

'm on the guessinglist,

ow at gu

ok-store. There was a package for each of them to carry whe

by the time that the chums stepp

his office. That's lat

im on the guessinglis

an came forward

u young gentlemen," a

d comfort" met their eyes. Shipbuilder and naval officer were lounging in ea

rs, Jack," an

kipper, looking at his watch. "I can

o," laughed Farnum. "

u suppose y

't kno

ous,

miled back. "When it's a matter of busines

anvers laugh

, "you've got the real make-up to serve in

hat the Navy has escaped havin

eight in the morning,"

evening, and he goes wi

ngs.' Eph will have to

upp

notified at once, too," replie

guest, only, and will not have to help in handling the boats. His two men, Ewald and Biffens, w

motion or enthusiasm. But Jacob Farnum's next word

or the United States Government. We shall be in competition with five other types of submarine boats-the Rhinds, the Seawold, the Griffith,

glowed Jack Benson, his eyes f

who appear to know all about gasoline marine engines. As we'll be shorthanded for such a long cruise

st of our lives-for our very lives, I might say-then we don't want aboard any strangers who show u

aboard, boys. Lieutenant Danvers will be out by ten o'clock. D

Jack. "We need our sleep to-night, if we've go

the points of the game, then Uncle Sam is likely to buy all the submarine boats we c

well understood that, if they came out successful, they would also be at least moderately well