s, in their own way. Only--"

"Well?" insisted Hal.

"Why, to tell the truth," confessed Captain Benson, "Rhinds impresses me
as being just a bit coarse, and Radwin a little too smooth and slick.
To put it another way, they're not just our kind of people. That is,
they're not at all in the same class with gentlemen like Jake Farnum and
Dave Pollard. Now, that's every word I'm going to say against Rhinds or
Radwin, for they've certainly been agreeable to us to-night."

Chatting thus, as they strolled slowly back and forth, none of the
submarine boys noted how long Radwin was gone. As a matter of fact, that
enterprising, rapidly-moving young man was away for nearly half an
hour--and he was tremendously busy on their account.

The Somerset stood on one of the older, quieter streets of Colfax. At
this time of the night there were not many passers.

"Here comes Radwin," discovered Hal, at last. "I had almost forgotten
that he was coming back to us."

"I thought he had forgotten," laughed Jack.

Then all three turned to greet Mr. Radwin.

"How's this?" he asked. "Haven't Mr. Rhinds and your friends come out
yet?"

"They must be talking, yet, with the officers of the naval board,"
suggested Eph Somers.

"They're sure to be out presently," nodded Radwin, after he had walked
the submarine boys to the next corner. "At least, Mr. Rhinds is, for he
always takes a walk in the evening, after dinner. Now, I've discovered
the place where they serve the finest hot soda--chocolate, at that. I
wanted to invite all hands there. But I'm afraid Rhinds and your
employers may come out and be looking for us. Benson, do you feel like
remaining here, to guide them along, while I take your comrades up to
the place? You can tell the older men where we are, and then Mr Rhinds
will bring you all around. He knows the place. Come along, Somers and
Hastings. Benson, bring the older ones as soon as you see them come out
of the hotel."

"Why, say, Jack, you go along now," urged Eph. "You know I don't care
much about chocolate, and you do. So run along. I'll stay right here
until I see our people."

"Good boy, Eph!" murmured Jack, gratefully. "You know my weakness for
hot chocolate. I feel as if I could punish four or five of 'em right
now."

As he turned away with Jack and Hal, Mr. Radwin looked rather
disappointed. In fact, he was exceedingly disappointed, for he had hoped
to leave Captain Jack Benson at this corner