words, he's likely to do just what we wanted George Melville to
do. Isn't that good enough news for one morning?"

"Yes, provided we can make as good a showing as he expects," replied the
inventor, cautiously.

"Oh, if we could only get a chance to make a trial trip for a United
States Naval board!" sighed Jack Benson, wistfully. "The Navy Department
has money now at its disposal for the purchase of submarines. If we
could get the Government to buy the 'Pollard,' that would show investors
what's what in money-making." Benson's face was all aglow with mingled
enthusiasm and wistfulness. He, and his mates, took as keen an interest
in the future of the "Pollard" as though they themselves owned that
doughty little craft.

"A trial trip for the Navy Department?" smiled Mr. Farnum, gravely.
"Well, I don't mind telling you that we may have that, too, before long."

"Is any date set?" breathed Captain Jack, quickly.

"Not yet, nor is the matter even fully decided. But the newspapers have
produced a big effect on the Navy Department. The makers of other types
of submarine boats are green with jealousy of us, just now. Your
escaping trick, Jack, has made so much public clamor that Farnum stock
is going up all over the country. We'll have some big chances, mighty
soon, I'm thinking. If we get the chances, I'm certain enough that you
boys will help push us on to victory!"

Happy dreams were these that builder, inventor and crew dreamed! The
fever of conquest was in their veins.

Shutting himself up in a room at Farnum's home, depriving himself of
much of his needed sleep, often refusing food, David Pollard attacked
the problem of perfecting the device that Captain Jack and his mates had
originally planned.

Two days later Broughton Emerson arrived. He was a pleasant, portly
man of more than fifty years. His manners were quiet and easy. He was
affable with everyone, but he had a keen way of looking into things.
No one could guess quite what he thought of the chances of success in
the enterprise of building submarine boats. Before the day was over
George Melville, who was slightly acquainted with Mr. Emerson, learned
that he was in town. That evening Mr. Melville succeeded in meeting
Mr. Emerson and getting him over to his hotel.

"If you want to save a lot of money, Mr. Emerson," hinted George
Melville, "you want to be very careful to keep it out of the Farnum
investment."

"What's wrong with the Farnum b