cape.

All matters connected with the invention had been carried forward with
the utmost secrecy, while the pedigree of every man employed in the
work had been investigated carefully. All but Yeasky were native-born
mechanics, and he had come from a great electrical plant in New Jersey
with highest recommendations as to character and ability.

The sound of bells ringing for early mass was floating across the water
from the city, when Armitage, with a deep breath of relief, walked from
the table and threw himself with legs outstretched into a chair.

"No," he said with a triumphant grimace, "there will be no mistake next
time. There was not a single fault in the model except--" He suddenly
started bolt upright and looked about him. Then he settled back
laughing. "A fine state of nerves," he added, "when I am afraid to
talk to myself."

He arose with the pleasing design of enjoying a cold tub and a shave on
board the destroyer, the _D'Estang_, but the idea of pumping his water
did not accord with his mood.

He walked over to Billy Harrison's house. Billy commanded the First
Flotilla and, being married, had quarters on the reservation. A drowsy
servant answered the bell. She said that the Harrisons were still
asleep.

"Well, never mind," said Armitage, chuckling, "I'll be back later."

Instead of going away he went around to the side, seized a handful of
gravel, and threw it into an open second story window. He could hear
it rattle against the wall and floor. A short silence followed and
Armitage was about to pick up more gravel when a girl in a green and
white dressing-gown appeared.

"Jack Armitage!" she cried, falling to her knees, so that only her head
rose above the sill. "What on earth do you want now?"

"Why, hello, Letty," laughed Armitage. "Where 's Billy?"

"He 's here, sleeping. What do you mean by throwing stones into my
window?"

"I want to talk to Billy," said Armitage.

"He's asleep, I tell you. What do you want?"

"Well, I want to borrow your tub and Billy's razors."

"Why didn't you say so? Ring the bell and come right up. I 'll have
some towels put in. And say, Jack, really--"

"What?"

"I hope you drown, waking me this way. And, Jack, stay to breakfast,
won't you, like a good chap?"

Which Jack did. An hour or so later, fresh and cool and with that
comfortable feeling which follows a well-cooked Navy breakfast,--bacon
and eggs,--his pipe sending blue clouds into t