grasped the significance of the new riot a little before
Fred Radwin did. The submarine boy, therefore, wheeled and ran swiftly
toward the fighting hoodlums, though wholly intent on getting past
them.

Radwin, believing that the young skipper was racing for help, dragged
his driver-companion roughly, swiftly along, finally pushing him inside
the hack. Then Radwin leaped to the box, gathered up the reins, and
was away like a flash.

The young submarine skipper, from what he knew of hoodlum street crowds,
hurried by on the other side. Two blocks further along Benson
encountered a tardy policeman. Knowing that it was now too late to hope
to catch Fred Radwin, Jack contented himself with inquiring the way back
to the Somerset House, where he arrived, after a long walk, still
carrying the whip as his trophy of the late encounter.

"You'll have to telephone the hospital, after all, I'm afraid," muttered
the young skipper, when he met Mr. Farnum and the others in the lobby.

"What happened?" demanded Farnum, eyeing the whip curiously.

"As soon as I can get through with telephoning the chief of police, I'll
come back and tell you."

Chief Ward responded in person. He examined the whip, then declared:

"I know the fellow this whip belongs to--Claridy, 'the fox,' as his
admiring friends call him. He's a bad character. See; here is a fox's
head engraved on the whip-stock. I'll do my best to find Claridy, and,
in that way, I may find the fellow, Radwin. But you were wise, Benson,
in not trying to enlist help from that hoodlum gang. Our hoodlums are
as bad and lawless as are to be found anywhere in the United States."

CHAPTER XXIII

A COWARD'S LAST DITCH

In the morning the Somerset House was favored by two rather distinguished
guests.

One was Rear Admiral Townsley, the other Congressman Simms. The two
had come down together from Washington on the night train.

While the admiral communicated at once with Captain Magowan, Congressman
Simms sent his card up to John C. Rhinds. The latter, all a-quiver,
now, and showing a haggard face in which smiles fought for a chance,
received his visitor.

"Well, Rhinds," was the Congressman's greeting, "the country is all
stirred up over this submarine incident out at sea. So is the Navy
Department, which is bound to respond to public opinion in such a case."

"I'm glad you've come," replied Mr. Rhinds, eagerly. "I look to you to
save me from a most unplea