Part 20 (1/2)

”As a United States suspect,” corrected Lieutenant Ridder, going to a table on which were writing materials. The policeman was handed the desired doc.u.ment, then withdrew. Then Ridder went to a telephone, calling up Major Woodruff.

”The major will be here in about ten minutes,” announced Ridder, hanging up the receiver. ”In the meantime we will do no talking in the presence of this suspect.”

It was just a little less than ten minutes later when Major Woodruff, accompanied by a corporal and two private soldiers, entered the room.

Millard was at once taken away, under guard.

Then the boys told their stories, quickly, comprehensively.

”I'll have to get a clear wire all the way through to Was.h.i.+ngton,”

declared Major Woodruff, promptly, going to the telephone. In a minute more he had arranged matters, and hurried to the table to write his despatch. Ere the major had finished writing a messenger boy was at the door.

”Boy, you'll find my automobile at the hotel entrance,” stated Major Woodruff. ”Give this card to my chauffeur, and he'll take you on the jump to the telegraph office. Then come back in the automobile, and wait for more work.”

”Do you expect anyone in Was.h.i.+ngton to get that message now, after ten o'clock at night?” Jack asked, wonderingly.

”To-night?” repeated Major Woodruff. ”Yes, sir! You haven't much idea, I take it, Mr. Benson, how fast government business travels. Within five minutes the first part of my message will be ticking out on a receiver in the War Department. The Army officer in charge will get the Secretary of War over the telephone. Why, my answer will very likely be here inside of twenty minutes!”

It was thirty minutes, exactly, when a messenger placed a telegram in Major Woodruff's hands. As soon as the messenger had gone outside, the major read this telegram.

_”Keep prisoner Millard close confinement pending further orders.

Have communicated Secretary of Navy. Latter official says sea chase shall be made to catch fellow Gray on 'Juanita.' If submarine boys will accept sea service, briefly, for Navy Department, have them come to-night's train and report Secretary Navy at nine to-morrow morning.

Their expenses borne by government.” (Signed) ”Secretary of War.”_

”What does that mean, sir,” cried Jack Benson, rising, ”about _if_ we will accept sea service, and reporting in the morning to the Secretary of the Navy at Was.h.i.+ngton?”

”Why, I belong to the Army,” replied Major Woodruff, hauling out his watch, ”and this is a Navy matter. However, since one of you youngsters knows Gray by sight, and you're all of you familiar with this business, I imagine the Secretary of the Navy wants to put you out to sea on one of the country's gunboats, to aid in the chase. For any real information, however, you'll have to apply in person to the Secretary of the Navy himself. Are you going to Was.h.i.+ngton?”

”Are we going--” Jack started to repeat, with mild irony, when a knock at the door interrupted him. Major Woodruff opened the door, to receive another telegram.

”Was.h.i.+ngton wakes up quickly,” he laughed. ”Here you are, Mr. Benson--a despatch from our other fighting department at the Nation's capital.”

Clearing his throat, Major Woodruff read:

_”Send description of schooner 'Juanita,' and of suspect, Gray, as mentioned in your telegram Secretary War. Are submarine boys leaving to-night to report in morning? Secretary of Navy.”_

”Here you are, and you see you've got to make up your minds quickly,”

said the major. ”The night train south for Was.h.i.+ngton leaves in a little more than an hour from now.”

”Why, there's only one answer possible, sir,” cried Captain Jack Benson, his eyes s.h.i.+ning. ”Of course we'll take to-night's train and report to the Secretary of the Navy in the morning. When it's for the Flag I don't even have to consult my comrades, or look their way. I know their answer as well as I know my own.”

”Good enough, young man,” applauded Major Woodruff, while Lieutenant Ridder gave Jack a hearty slap across the shoulders. ”But, to go to the Navy Department, you'll want citizen's clothes--not your present uniforms, which are not official. I can send my auto to your boat, and you can be back here in forty minutes, if you dress quickly.”

”Ready for the word, 'forward,' sir,” responded Captain Jack, saluting.

Hal and Eph also raised their hands to their foreheads.