ws but wondered whether
any further competitive tests were to be ordered.

There had been no more meetings, on shore, between the Rhinds party and
our friends. Radwin had hoped for such a meeting, for, as Hal had
predicted, the dark-faced rascal had soon reasoned out that it would be
an excellent thing to stop a few blows delivered by Captain Jack Benson.

But Farnum had kept his party on the "Benson" and the "Hastings."

"Fred, I wonder whether we are going to have any more tests," demanded
Mr. Rhinds, as he and his secretary lingered over their breakfast
at the Somerset.

"I wish I knew," sighed Radwin.

"We've been beaten, a few points, by that Pollard crowd," muttered
Rhinds, his face lowering. "But we're not altogether walloped, Fred.
The government is going to buy a good many submarine boats. Now, it
isn't necessary for the government to have the boats all of one type,
is it?"

"Of course not," Radwin assented.

"Just so," continued the older man, "now, we've made a pretty good
showing, after all. So I have already begun with some telegrams to the
Senators and Congressmen of our state--Oh, you mustn't feel that you
always have advance information on all I'm doing, young man," chuckled
Rhinds, noting the look of surprise in his companion's face. "I've
started with our state's members in Congress, and soon I shall begin
to go at 'em harder. Now, despite the fact that the Pollard boats have
been able to gain a few points over us, I believe I can engineer
matters so that the government will order two types of submarine,
instead of one. In fact, Fred, when the government gives out its big
orders for submarine boats, I hope to land forty per cent., at least,
of the business."

Fred Radwin glanced cautiously around him, to make sure that no waiters
stood within hearing distance. Then he hissed, sharply:

"Forty per cent. of the business, you say? I still intend to land one
hundred per cent. of the submarine business for our company?"

"How?" asked the older man, eagerly.

"I'll think it over a while, before I tell you my definite plans."

"Be careful, Fred," warned Rhinds, "not to make any moves that will be
our undoing!"

"Have I gotten you into any trouble yet, Mr. Rhinds?"

"No," admitted the older man, though he added, half-jeeringly:

"Nor have you beaten the Pollard crowd at any point along the road, that
I can remember."

"Wait!" retorted Radwin, mysteriously.

These two villains wer