atto and force
the return of your money?" demanded Eph Somers.

"I've got to think that over," muttered Jack, as he drew on a
spick-and-span uniform blouse. "I don't know whether there'll be any
use in trying to find that mulatto. I haven't the least idea where
his place is. Even if I found it, it's ten to one I wouldn't find
the fellow there."

"'Farnum,' ahoy!" roared a voice alongside, the voice coming down
through the open conning tower.

Eph ran to answer. When he returned, he announced:

"Compliments of Lieutenant Commander Mayhew, and will Mr. Benson wait
on the lieutenant commander on board the parent boat?"

"I will," assented Jack, with a wry face, "and here's where I have to
do some tall but truthful explaining to a man who isn't in the least
likely to believe a word I say. I can guess what Mr. Mayhew is
thinking, and is going to keep on thinking!"

CHAPTER IX

TRUAX GIVES A HINT

It was a tailor-made, clean, crisp and new looking young submarine
commander who stepped into the naval cutter alongside.

Jack Benson looked as natty as a young man could look, and his uniform
was that of a naval officer, save for the absence of the insignia of
rank.

Up the side gangway of the gunboat Jack mounted, carrying himself in
the best naval style. On deck stood a sentry, an orderly waiting
beside him.

"Lieutenant Commander Mayhew will see you in his cabin, sir," announced
the orderly. "I will show you the way, sir."

Mr. Mayhew was seated before a desk in his cabin when the orderly
piloted the submarine boy in. The naval officer did not rise, nor
did he ask the boy to take a seat. Jack Benson was very well aware
that he stood in Mr. Mayhew's presence in the light of a culprit.

"Mr. Benson," began Mr. Mayhew, eyeing him closely, "you are not in the
naval service, and are not therefore amenable to its discipline. At
the same time, however, your employers have furnished you to act, in
some respects, as a civilian instructor in submarine boating before
the cadets. While you are here on that duty it is to be expected,
therefore, that you will conform generally to the rules of conduct
as laid down at the Naval Academy."

"Yes, sir," replied Jack.

"As I am at present in charge of the submarine purchased by the United
States from your company, and at least in nominal charge of the 'Farnum,'
as well, I am, in a measure, to be looked upon, for the present, as
your commanding officer."

"