r was always considered a safe man, but for some reason
he has let this bill run. If you care to, you may take the bill and
drive over to see him to-night. I'll pay you a commission of five
per cent. on the whole bill, or any part that you can collect. But I
warn you that you may find Forrester a bit shy about settling."

No matter! A chance to get in forty dollars in an evening looked
extremely attractive to these young submarine boys.

CHAPTER VI

ALONG THE TRAIL OF TROUBLE

"I wonder if we shall find our man at home?" remarked Jack Benson, as
he and his chum drove over the road to Waverly Center in the early
evening.

"I wonder if he'll settle the bill!" rejoined Hal.

"If he has the money, and doesn't settle, it'll show what poor collectors
we are," laughed Jack.

"Very few men keep eight hundred dollars around the house," objected
young Hastings.

"And our man won't have that amount in cash, either. I'd be almost
afraid to take that amount of real money, at night. If Mr. Forrester
is willing to do something pleasant for us, it will be in the form
of a check, of course."

"I'd like to come out all right with Mr. Forrester, of course," Hal
admitted. "But, to tell the truth, I haven't been thinking much about
Jack, old fellow, all my real thoughts are on our wonderful chance
to be part of the trial crew of the 'Pollard.'"

"Same here," admitted Benson. "Say, money does look rather small,
compared with a chance like ours. Now, doesn't it?"

So they hardly mentioned Mr. Forrester on the rest of that cool,
delightful drive. Arrived at Waverly Center, however, they had to
inquire the way to the Forrester house. They found it, a comfortable
though not pretentious house. The owner was at home, and saw them at
once.

"May we see you alone, Mr. Forester?" asked Jack Benson, respectfully.

"Is it as bad as all that?" laughed their host, I a pleasant-faced,
rather bald man past forty. "Come into my little den, then."

He conducted them to a small room that looked as though it served
partly the purposes of library and partly of office.

"Now, what can I do for you?" inquired Mr. Forrester.

"We represent Mr. Farnum, of Dunhaven," began Jack, slowly.

"Farnum? Oh, yes, the boat-builder. He must know that I don't want
anything new in his line, and on any other business I imagine he would
have sent someone--er--older."

"Mr. Farnum believed you would find it wholly convenient, now, to