e outdoor life and sports. He had a secret and far more important
mission. His father was a steel magnate. He was also a silent but
deeply interested partner in one of the largest ship-building concerns
in the United States. The elder Mr. Thornton and his associates had
heard rumors of Lieutenant Lawton's probable invention.

If the young officer could be induced to sell the model of his
destroyer to their concern, it would mean millions of dollars. If their
company alone could make the fastest torpedo-boat destroyer in the
world, not only would the United States Government be forced to buy
such boats from them, but every government in Europe would have to seek
them to find out the secret of the highest speed ever attained by such
a craft.

Alfred Thornton had been appointed to watch Lieutenant Jimmy Lawton. He
was to make him an offer for his patent, if it could be managed without
the knowledge of the Government authorities. In any case, he was to
wire his father the moment he believed Lieutenant Lawton had completed
the model of his boat.

It was easy, therefore, to see why Alfred Thornton had cultivated the
friendship of Flora Harris. He wished to be about Fortress Monroe in
order to hear the gossip of the Army and Navy people, to see Lieutenant
Lawton, yet never in any way to be suspected of spying upon him. For
this reason Alfred had chosen to live over in the camp with Tom Curtis
and his friends, rather than to be any nearer the scene of action.

It occurred to the young man on the night of the first rehearsal of
their play in Mrs. Curtis's private drawing room that he had been
paying too much attention to Madge. He did not wish to estrange Flora
Harris. He must be more careful. For this one evening, at least, he
would leave Madge to herself. Had Madge been able to read his thoughts
she would not have been disturbed at his decision. She was growing
tired of her new acquaintance. She thought him dull and too curious
about other people's affairs. He was too fond of referring to Phil's
friendship for Lieutenant Lawton in a joking manner. For the moment
Lieutenant Lawton and the mysterious box occupied her thoughts so
completely that she forgot Alfred Thornton's existence.

She saw Lieutenant Lawton come into the drawing room, watched him as he
explained his unexpected appearance to Mrs. Curtis. Then, looking pale
and worried, he took his seat next to Phyllis, though he did not have a
chance to say a word to her