ar
apart. In this he succeeded finally.

Removing the padlock, he let the hasp fall away from the staple. On the
floor above the mandolin was twanging merrily, the voices of the
Italians rising somewhat in their song.

With his pulses throbbing, Jack Benson essayed to raise the bulkhead.
Glory! It rose! A moment later Captain Jack Benson was out in the
open, under the cloudy skies.

No time did he lose there, however. Stealing softly for the woods, he
sped on into them. Nor did he cease his hurried gait until he had
covered at least a quarter of a mile.

"Not much risk of their finding me, now, even if they're wise at last,"
reflected the submarine boy, slowing down to an easier walk.

In all, Captain Jack must have gone nearly three-quarters of a mile from
the scene of his late confinement when something occurred that made him
fairly jump.

Ahead there came the sound of rapid steps. Then the sounds of a slight
scuffle, followed by Don Melville's undoubted tones, shouting:

"Run, Benson! He'll never catch you now!"

"How on earth does Don Melville know I'm here?" quivered Jack, stopping
short.

CHAPTER XII

THE CAPITALIST DOESN'T LIKE THE SITUATION

Someone was dashing through the woods straight at Jack Benson.

Almost immediately there came the yell, in baffled rage:

"Confound you, Don Melville! I'll settle with you for this!"

"That's Mr. Farnum's voice!" throbbed the real Jack, all agog with
wonder.

Immediately there dashed between the trees a panting boy in a uniform
identically like Benson's.

"That you, Hal?" shouted the real Jack.

"Yes," came a hoarse answer.

"What's wrong?"

"Run to Farnum--quick!"

"You're a liar, whoever you are!" retorted Jack, putting himself in
motion after the fugitive. "You're not Hal Hastings--nor yet Eph
Somers!"

The race was a spirited one. The fugitive ran splendidly, gamely, but
Jack Benson's wind had had a long rest, and now he was in the pink of
condition for sprinting.

So, ere three hundred feet had been covered, the young submarine boy
made a flying leap that carried him onto the shoulders of the fugitive
down went both to earth.

"Now, hold quiet, will you, or shall I have to pummel your face out of
any human likeness?" demanded Jack.

"Oh, Jack! Jack Benson! That you?" shouted the wondering voice of
Jacob Farnum.

"Yes, and I've got some fellow who's masquerading in _our_ uniform!" yelled
Captain Jack.

Jacob Farn