r other work are required in a hurry, while we're here, we
have a fine lot of our own men to attend to it. Before leaving I told
Grant to bring these men with him. Then they'll serve another purpose.
I want you youngsters to be keyed up to your best performances all the
time we're here. That you can't do if you're kept confined closely
aboard until your very souls ache. So, as much of the time as is
wise, you young fellows will be ashore, stretching your legs, and Grant
Andrews and his men will be on board as guards."

"That's great!" glowed Jack. "And mighty considerate of you, too, sir."

"Considerate? Not a bit of it!" retorted Jacob Farnum, half indignantly.
"Jack Benson, I want to drain the last bit of performance out of you
youngsters that I possibly can while we're here. That's why I am going
to take some good care of you, also. Right this way, Grant!"

The hail was directed at the foreman. The whaleboat put in alongside
of the "Benson," and the foreman with two of his men came aboard.

"And now, everyone else over the side to go ashore!" called the
shipbuilder.

This order was quickly obeyed. Then the whaleboat continued on over to
the "Hastings," where Eph and his companions were taken off and the
remaining three workmen from the home yard left aboard as guards.

Mr. Farnum had already ascertained that the naval board which was to be
in charge of the tests was quartered at the leading hotel on shore.
Hence, in landing, the shipbuilder was really killing two birds with a
single stone, as he intended to report at once to the head of the
board for whatever instructions the latter had to give.

"We may as well go up, to the hotel in style," announced Mr. Farnum,
when the entire party, the naval lieutenant included, had landed at the
wharf. The two sailors, Ewald and Biffens, had already gone away to
places of their own choosing.

There were three or four automobiles for hire near the wharf. Two of
these Mr. Farnum engaged for his own party. In five minutes more they
stood about in the handsome lobby of the Somerset House while their host
registered for the party.

Jack, Hal and Eph stood at ease, some distance from the men of the party.
Despite their easy attitudes there was yet a certain military erectness
about them which was heightened by the handsome, natty uniforms that
they wore.

At the further end of the hotel lobby was a doorway before which stood
a folding screen. Past that was a