"In other words, we've been able to pick up news
of three schooners, all of which answer to the general description of
the 'Juanita'--but it happens that that isn't the name of any one of
the three."

Jack Benson nodded, but did not speak.

"Of course," pursued the Secretary, "it may be that the skipper of the
'Juanita' has tried an old trick, through the night. He may have set
a man to painting another name at the schooner's stern."

Again Skipper Jack nodded.

"The schooner that we think most likely to be the 'Juanita' is about
fifty miles out at sea, now, according to a report received twenty
minutes ago. Evidently she is headed for one of the British West
Indies. Now, if the wind continues the same, and the suspected vessel
keeps to her present course, she will, at five this afternoon, be off
the Norfolk Navy Yard, and some sixty-two miles out at sea. Now,
unless we are otherwise advised, we want a gunboat, the 'Sudbury,' now
at Norfolk, to overhaul the suspected schooner and ascertain whether she
is really the 'Juanita,' and whether the man, Gray, and his bundle of
documents are still on board. The suspected vessel is to be searched,
and Gray and the documents, if found, are to be seized, and the schooner
then released. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly, sir." Jack answered quietly.

"One of you young men will know Gray at a glance. The other two are
familiar with the whole case. Otherwise, it would not have been
necessary to have called you into this matter. Yet, to overhaul a
vessel, or to make an arrest or a seizure, you require authority. Such
authority can be vested only in naval officers. Hence, for the present,
it will be necessary to give all three of you appointments as officers
in the United States Navy."

At this announcement Jack Benson lost, for the moment, some of his
cool composure.

"Officers of the Navy, sir!" he gasped, but his eyes glowed at the mere
thought.

"You will be officers only temporarily," returned the Secretary. "You
are not of age, any of you, I take it."

"We are all just about the same age, sir--seventeen, nearly eighteen,"
Jack replied.

"Just so. Now, none of you could legally bold officers' commissions,
except by a special act of Congress. However, with the approval of the
President, it is legal for me to give you special, temporary appointments
under which you have the title, rank, pay and command of officers. These
appointments I am going to give