oor. Eph was not far
behind them.

"Oh, my crew," nodded Mr. Farnum, looking up. "You remember our
experiment, the other day, of having a man leave the boat while under
water? Some other problems have come up in that connection. So I sent
word to the young men, asking them to step over to the office as soon as
convenient. I guess they did not quite understand, and were busy at the
time, so that they have come over a little too late. I will step to the
door, and so inform them."

Here was the diversion for which Mr. Melville had just been wishing.

"Don't dismiss them, please," urged the capitalist. "On the contrary,
will you be good enough to ask them to step in here? There is something
that it might be as well to make clear before them."

Bowing slightly, as he rose, Jacob Farnum stepped to the door, opening
it.

"Come right in, boys," he requested. "Mr. Melville wishes to say
something before you."

Each of the three submarine boys felt a quick throb at the heart. All
had a suspicion that a blow might be about to fall. So they stepped
inside, halting not far from Mr. Farnum's desk, and turning to face the
Melville group.

Mr. Melville cleared his throat before he began:

"In the reorganization of affairs here, my investing friends and myself
will be obliged to expect that the command of the 'Pollard' submarine
boat will pass to my son, who will actively represent our group. My son,
Don, will have charge and knowledge of the boat, its successors, and of
all new ideas tried aboard, and he will safeguard, so far as may be
necessary our interests. It is possible, however, that he may find it
advisable to employ some or all of the present crew. That will, of
course, be for him to decide in the near future."

CHAPTER IV

A SQUALL IN AN OFFICE

Jack Benson paled, clenching his hands tightly. Hal Hastings raised his
eyebrows slightly; he, too, changed color swiftly. Eph's face reddened;
he had all he could do to keep from shouting outright.

Jacob Farnum flushed, half rose from his chair, then seated himself again
and turned to look at the boys.

But George Melville appeared to have eyes, at that moment, for no one but
young Captain John Benson.

Don stood just beyond his father's chair, regarding the leader of the
submarine boys with a supercilious stare.

There was such silence, for a few seconds, that the ticking of the big
clock in the corner sounded almost like hammer-blows.