not conceal the fact that the boat had made a favorable impression,
then they continued:

"You have a crew of experts, though they are very young. John Benson
especially is a genius."

"We are well aware of that, gentlemen," replied Mr. Farnum beamingly.

Soon after the naval men had taken their train for Washington, David
Pollard came into Mr. Farnum's office, carrying a valise and a brief case
and announced that he was going away for a time where he could not be
reached to rest and study and think.

It was the third day after this that Jack, wishing to see Mr. Farnum in
regard to some supplies for the "Pollard," went to his office.

"He's not been here since three o'clock yesterday," said his stenographer.

"Out of town?" asked Jack.

"I wish I knew."

Jack called up Mr. Farnum's house and got his wife on the telephone. To
his question she replied:

"I got a note last night not to worry if he was late getting home. But
he has not come in yet," and her voice had a catch in it.

Jack and his chums were greatly worried. Had Melville played some trick
on the boatbuilder?

"I'm going ashore," said Eph the next morning, as soon as he had eaten
his breakfast in the submarine cabin.

"For anything especial?" asked Jack.

"First, I want to know if anything's yet known of Mr. Farnum. Then, you
know that Don Melville's in town. Why? His father's left and all the
pounding workmen at his fake yard are gone, too. Something needs
explaining."

"He's trying to find out whom he can bribe into saying we set fire to
the yard," said Hal bitterly.

"Oh, on second thought Melville would conclude that would be too risky
to do," observed Jack.

"Maybe--maybe not. I'm going over to look about and listen."

In less than an hour Eph Somers, agog with excitement, was back on the
"Pollard."

"Say, fellows, that Potter fellow that got into Mr. Pollard's room and
stole the papers broke jail last night. Now we know what Don Melville
was here for! He had a hand in that!"

So far, the young fellow had refused to talk.

"Bribed by the Melvilles," Hal had declared. "But they'll find that
expensive, for he'll continue to bleed them, now he knows how."

Jack, who usually reserved judgment until he knew some facts on which to
build, was inclined this time to agree with Eph, and Hal was certain
that Somers was right.

"It would be to their advantage to have Potter disappear before they
begin their dirty work against