Part 20 (2/2)

It was a swift trip, with some hurried dressing on board the ”Spitfire,”

but Major Woodruff landed them at the railway station ten minutes ahead of train time.

”Good fortune, gentlemen,” wished Major Woodruff, pressing the hand of each when the train was ready. ”Don't be scared when you find yourselves face to face with so big a man as the Secretary.”

It is not to be wondered at if the minds of all were in a bit of a whirl as they made for their berths in a sleeping-car.

”After all,” muttered Jack, to himself, as he undressed in his berth, ”it's strange how some fellows get the cream of things. Here we get the trip to Was.h.i.+ngton, while Lieutenant Ridder will have only the fun of going out to the cliff above Cobtown to-morrow to have a look at what is left of Millard's mine.”

Their train brought the submarine boys into Was.h.i.+ngton just before seven in the morning. There was time for a good breakfast. Then, being strangers at the national capital, the youngsters engaged a cab to take them to the imposing building that shelters the State, War and Navy Departments.

Jack Benson sent in his card. Five minutes later the three submarine boys were ushered into the presence of the Secretary of the Navy.

CHAPTER XII

NAVY OFFICERS FOR AN HOUR OR A DAY

”So you're really the three famous submarine boys?” inquired Secretary Sanders, rising from his chair and extending his hand.

”We're submarine boys; that's all I ever heard about it, Mr. Secretary,”

replied Captain Jack, as he introduced his friends.

”Now, be seated, young gentlemen, and tell me all you know about this matter that has brought you over to Was.h.i.+ngton.”

Jack Benson acted as spokesman, telling the whole tale clearly, yet using up no more time in talk than was absolutely necessary. It was a good, concise, business statement.

”Now, of course,” pursued Mr. Sanders, ”you wonder what the Navy Department wants you to do. Well, in the first place, we've been asking, by wireless, through the night and early morning, to have all craft on the lookout for a schooner answering to the description of the 'Juanita'.”

Secretary Sanders paused, but none of the three boys asked any questions.

”You will wonder, of course, what success we've had so far, and I may say that our success has been ample,” resumed the Secretary of the Navy, with an amused smile. ”In other words, we've been able to pick up news of three schooners, all of which answer to the general description of the 'Juanita'--but it happens that that isn't the name of any one of the three.”

Jack Benson nodded, but did not speak.

”Of course,” pursued the Secretary, ”it may be that the skipper of the 'Juanita' has tried an old trick, through the night. He may have set a man to painting another name at the schooner's stern.”

Again Skipper Jack nodded.

”The schooner that we think most likely to be the 'Juanita' is about fifty miles out at sea, now, according to a report received twenty minutes ago. Evidently she is headed for one of the British West Indies. Now, if the wind continues the same, and the suspected vessel keeps to her present course, she will, at five this afternoon, be off the Norfolk Navy Yard, and some sixty-two miles out at sea. Now, unless we are otherwise advised, we want a gunboat, the 'Sudbury,' now at Norfolk, to overhaul the suspected schooner and ascertain whether she is really the 'Juanita,' and whether the man, Gray, and his bundle of doc.u.ments are still on board. The suspected vessel is to be searched, and Gray and the doc.u.ments, if found, are to be seized, and the schooner then released. Do you understand?”

”Perfectly, sir.” Jack answered quietly.

”One of you young men will know Gray at a glance. The other two are familiar with the whole case. Otherwise, it would not have been necessary to have called you into this matter. Yet, to overhaul a vessel, or to make an arrest or a seizure, you require authority. Such authority can be vested only in naval officers. Hence, for the present, it will be necessary to give all three of you appointments as officers in the United States Navy.”

At this announcement Jack Benson lost, for the moment, some of his cool composure.

”Officers of the Navy, sir!” he gasped, but his eyes glowed at the mere thought.

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