"Nor would we, either," added Hal. "Especially, as we've helped in the
work on her. And, gracious, what time is it?"

"Just about eight o'clock," replied Somers, consulting his watch.

"And the launching is at ten o'clock. Come; we must hustle along. What
will Mr. Farnum be thinking of us?"

"He probably believes _we_ stole the money, and he must have officers out
looking for us by this time," hinted Jack; with a wry face.

Jack thought, to be sure, of Josh Owen, back there in the woods, but
clearly it would be out of place to ask Eph Somers to go back and
attend to the ex-foreman. Besides, they could all soon be in Dunhaven,
and then a constable or two could be sent out to search.

At first, Dan tried his old tactics of balking, but a few energetic,
rough-and-ready punches from Eph caused the bully to change his mind.
After that he went along in sullen silence. It was not long before
the quartette turned down into the shore road that led up to the boatyard.

As they came near the big gate, still closed to the public, the boys
beheld a crowd of several Hundred people. There were many vehicles and
automobiles there, also.

"Here come those boys! Hey, young fellows, the officers are looking for
you!" shouted someone.

"I guess so," admitted Jack, dryly. "However, they won't want us. Let
us through this crowd, please. We want to find Mr. Farnum without
delay."

The new watchman, at the gate, admitted them without question. Eph
Somers, being of the party, got into the yard also, without any
difficulty.

It being, now, less than two hours before the time set for the launching
of the "Pollard," both the yard's owner and the inventor were with the
gang of workmen that was busy removing the water end of the submarine
craft's construction shed.

"Here come Benson and Hastings," called Grant Andrews, catching sight of
the boys.

Jacob Farnum turned to look at them, then came on the run.

"I hear you have put officers out, after us, and I don't blame you,"
smiled Jack, rather grimly. "However, we didn't run away with your
money, and we would have been back last night had that been possible."

"I could hardly bring myself to believe that you had absconded," cried
Mr. Farnum, ruefully. "I sent officers out on the trail as much to
learn what had happened to you as for any other reason. The horse came
in with the buggy last night, and I knew something was wrong. But this
fellow, Jaggers--"

"He an