encountered,
almost, was Lieutenant Danvers, in citizen dress.

"Back from your trip, sir?" Jack asked.

"Yes. Has Farnum told you what's in the wind?"

"He has only given us a hint, sir, that something may happen."

"Oh!" replied the naval officer, next adding: "That's rather queer on
the whole."

"Not at all, sir," replied young Benson. "Mr. Farnum has a habit of
telling us things only when he's ready."

"Yet when--" began Danvers, but checked himself.

"No matter what is in the wind, Mr. Danvers, there's no real need of
posting us about anything until the time comes. Suppose Mr. Farnum
wants us to start for China within an hour? The galley cupboard is
already as full of provisions as it will hold. Both boats are in the
best possible trim. We need only time, perhaps, to fill the gasoline
tanks as full as they'll hold. Then we're ready to cast off and sail
far the first stopping place on the route."

"You're great fellows for system, then. So I understand why Mr. Farnum
doesn't have to post you far in advance."

"He certainly doesn't have to," Jack relied.

"Where are you going? Down to the yard?"

"Not yet. Mr. Farnum hasn't given us any instructions about hanging
around."

"Oh!" responded Lieutenant Danvers, with a quizzical smile. "Well, I
must be leaving you, now."

Hal gazed after the shore-bound naval officer for a few moments, then
observed, dryly:

"I'm not a bit curious. Are you, Jack?"

"Of course not," smiled the young skipper. "All I want to know is what's
in the air so suddenly."

"Going back to the yard earlier?"

"No; later," retorted Benson. "What is the use of letting folks suppose
they have our curiosity aroused?"

In fact, when evening came on, instead of going to the "Benson" for
supper, Jack and Hal stopped at the hotel.

Ewald and Biffens were there, at one of the tables, but the sailors
seemed to be eating in more haste than usual. Then, as they left the
dining room, they saluted the young captain and engineer.

"Hurrying back to the yard, sir?" asked Ewald.

"No," said Jack, quietly.

"That's queer. Them's our orders. We're going now, sir," replied Ewald.

"You and I appear to be the only two in Dunhaven who don't know what is
up," observed Hal Hastings, dryly.

"I don't believe Ewald or Biffens know what is on hand," Jack answered.
"They've orders to report back in haste. That's all."

"Then hadn't we better hurry back to the yard, too?" inqu