usiness?" questioned the other capitalist.
"About everything, I believe," replied Mr. Melville. "And, even if the
'Pollard' were a capable a boat as its backers claim, it would still be
beaten by the type of boat that I am now working on."
"Are you looking for capital for your submarine business?" asked
Broughton Emerson, a shrewd little twinkle in his eyes.
"No; I have all we want. Not a dollar is needed, but I don't like the
idea of your losing a lot of money with that other crowd. They haven't
any real show to do anything with their boat."
"They are a great lot of enthusiasts over at the Farnum yard," said Mr.
Emerson, musingly. "I like people as enthusiastic as they are. Why,
just think of those boys; what a bright lot they are!"
"Humph! In the end Farnum will wish he never seen those boys," sneered
Mr. Melville.
"Why?"
"Well, the boys are wholly ready to sell out all they know about the
Farnum boat."
"Are you sure of that, Melville?" demanded Mr. Emerson, opening his eyes
more widely.
"Wholly positive. Benson has already offered to sell us all he knows
about the 'Pollard.' He'll steal plans, shift to our employ, or serve us
in any way that he can by betraying his present employers."
"You astound me," cried the other capitalist. "And you are really quite
sure of this?"
"As sure as I can be made by Benson's own offer."
In declaring this George Melville believed he was telling the truth. His
son, Don, hoping to work out a scheme whereby Jack could be hopelessly
disgraced, had gone as far as to tell his father that Jack was willing
to overlook the past fight, and to "sell out" all he knew about the
design and inner workings of the "Pollard."
"The Farnum business looks very inviting, despite what Melville says
against it," thought Broughton Emerson, later that night. "Yet, if I
put any money into the venture, on any terms, I must insist on the one
condition that the boys be banished from Farnum's employ."
Of this far-reaching mischief, following Don's deliberate lie to his
father, Captain Jack Benson and his mates had not even a suspicion.
Two days later the three submarine boys were delighted at knowing that
Broughton Emerson, despite the advice he had received from Mr. Melville,
was thinking most seriously of advancing a few hundred thousand dollars
to help boom the "Pollard" type of submarine boat.
"That will put a crimp in the Melvilles, when they hear, won't it?"
laughe
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