thank you personally, It was splendidly done. And now, if you will
come around to the officers' club with me, you will find that your
breakfasts have been ordered. It will be an hour and a half, yet,
before it will be necessary for me to furnish you with the carriage
that will convey you to the railway station."

In the presence of this much older officer the lads did not attempt to
make too merry at breakfast. Seated in the dining room of the
officers' mess, they listened respectfully to whatever the commandant
saw fit to discuss.

The meal was about over when a marine orderly entered, crossed the
dining room, stopped at a respectful distance, and saluted.

"Telegram, sir."

The commandant received the envelope, drawing out the sheet it contained.

"Lieutenant Benson, this will interest you and your comrades," pursued
the commandant.

"The order revoking my command of the gunboat," thought Jack. Oddly
enough, though he expected it, knew it must happen, the arrival of the
moment brought a strange sinking at heart.

"I wonder how on earth it could have happened?" pursued the commandant,
his eyes again turned toward the paper. "Millard has escaped from Fort
Craven, and, so far, has eluded recapture!"

CHAPTER XVIII

EPH BETS AN ANCHOR AGAINST A FISH-HOOK

"The government possesses the fellow's charts and notes, anyway,"
observed Jack Benson, rather proudly.

"Yes, thanks to you, gentlemen," nodded the commandant. "Still, I fancy
the authorities, will be fearfully annoyed over this escape."

"There are no particulars, sir, you say?" queried Jack.

"No; the mere announcement of the fellow's escape, and a request to
military and naval authorities to be on the lookout for the fugitive
The despatch also states that description will follow by wire."

"We can give you a pretty fair word-portrait of Millard right now, sir,"
offered Lieutenant Benson.

"And I wish you would."

Jack proceeded to do so. He had about finished, when the carriage
stopped punctually before the door of the officers' club. The commandant
took cordial leave of his young guests, after which they were driven to
the railway station. Just a little later they found themselves leaning
back in parlor car seats, bound for Washington.

Most of the way back the youngsters dozed in their chairs. Now, that the
excitement was over, all felt need of rest.

Not even at the railway station in Washington could they escape the
watc