easure to have the privilege of meeting Miss
Hodges."

Though Hodges himself appeared a very common type of business man, and
was plainly dressed, Miss Elinor Hodges proved to be a beautiful girl of
about nineteen, and attired in the height of fashion.

She was, however, most charming and gracious, and evidently greatly
interested in everything that had to do with submarine boats.

An hour's very pleasant chat followed in the ladies' parlor. Then
Hodges, seeing an automobile pass one of the windows and halt before
the ladies' entrance of the hotel, suddenly drew out his watch.

"Elinor, my dear, do you see the time?" demanded her father, holding out
his watch. Then, as the submarine party rose, prepared to take their
leave, Hodges turned to Farnum, explaining rapidly:

"Yes; unfortunately, we have an appointment, and must defer the further
pleasure of seeing you until this evening. But that auto car outside,
which I did not order for this hour, and, in fact, cannot use for to-day,
gives me an idea. It is a car that I have hired for a week. Now,
Elinor and I are not going to use the car. Mr. Farnum, can't you and
your friends make use of the car to-day?"

Jacob Farnum would have tried to decline, pleasantly, fearing the
acceptance of the use of the automobile might seem to bind him to
extend courtesies on one of his boats. But Mr. Hodges was so gently,
firmly insistent that, in a very short time, the submarine party found
themselves seated in the car.

There was an abundance of room, for it was a seven-passenger car, large
and roomy.

"This car is a whizzer, I understand," smiled Mr. Hodges, from the
sidewalk.

"It certainly is, sir," agreed the chauffeur.

"Well, chauffeur, take my friends wherever they want to go to-day, and
do whatever they want. Above all, when you get out on a country road,
show 'em some of your high speed."

"Yes, sir."

Honk! honk! The car rolled away, going slowly enough through the city
streets. Jacob Farnum, who sat in front with the driver, lighted a
cigar and settled back to enjoy himself.

"Any particular place you want to go, sir?" asked the chauffeur.

"No," replied the shipbuilder. "You know the way around this part of
the world better than we do. Take us out into the surrounding country,
and show us anything you consider of interest."

"Yes, sir."

After a few minutes the car had left Colfax behind. They were out on the
beginning of a country road, now.