ping very
quiet--a habit of his, often displayed for long periods. About this
time, however, Mr. Pollard returned, with a triumphant twinkle in his
eyes. He had been hard at work upon, and had perfected, an improved
device for the discharge of torpedoes through the bow tube of the
Pollard submarine boat.

It is to be mentioned, also, that the Sidenham Submarine Company, while
admitting that Gaynor had been entrusted with the sale of their boats
to the Government, disclaimed all knowledge of the methods that
salesman had been employing. Everyone believed the disclaimer of the
Sidenham concern, yet up to date none of its boats have been sold to
the United States Government.

For two days more the submarine boat instruction continued at sea. Then,
the tour of instruction over, the little flotilla returned to the
Naval Academy at Annapolis. From here Captain Jack Benson wired Mr.
Farnum for further orders. Without delay back came the despatch:

"Navy Department requests that, for present, 'Farnum' be left at
Annapolis. You and your crew will return by rail when ready."

Soon afterward Jack was informed that the Annapolis police had succeeded
in running down the mulatto who had decoyed the young submarine skipper
on that memorable night. Also, Jack's money, watch and other valuables
were recovered and returned to him. The mulatto is now serving a long
term in jail. It afterwards turned out that nearly two-score seafaring
men had been robbed by the mulatto by the same game that had been played
on Jack Benson.

One forenoon when Jack, and his mates were about to go ashore, for good,
from the "Farnum," Lieutenant Commander Mayhew came on board, followed
by Ensign Trahern and three of the midshipmen who had been under
submarine instruction.

"Now, Mr. Benson, and gentlemen," smiled Mr. Mayhew, "I'm not going to
frighten you by making any set speech. What I have to say is that the
cadet midshipmen who have been under your very capable and much-prized
instruction of late, wish each of you to take away a very slight memento
of your stay here. There is one for each of you."

Not even Machinist Williamson had been omitted. Each of the four
received from the lieutenant commander a small box. Each box, on being
opened, proved to contain a small gold shield. In the center was the
coat-of-arms of the United States Naval Academy. At the top of each
pin was the name of the one to whom it was given. Across the botto