Shutting himself up in a room at Farnum's home, depriving himself of
much of his needed sleep, often refusing food, David Pollard attacked
the problem of perfecting the device that Captain Jack and his mates had
originally planned.

Two days later Broughton Emerson arrived. He was a pleasant, portly
man of more than fifty years. His manners were quiet and easy. He was
affable with everyone, but he had a keen way of looking into things.
No one could guess quite what he thought of the chances of success in
the enterprise of building submarine boats. Before the day was over
George Melville, who was slightly acquainted with Mr. Emerson, learned
that he was in town. That evening Mr. Melville succeeded in meeting
Mr. Emerson and getting him over to his hotel.

"If you want to save a lot of money, Mr. Emerson," hinted George
Melville, "you want to be very careful to keep it out of the Farnum
investment."

"What's wrong with the Farnum business?" questioned the other capitalist.

"About everything, I believe," replied Mr. Melville. "And, even if the
'Pollard' were a capable a boat as its backers claim, it would still be
beaten by the type of boat that I am now working on."

"Are you looking for capital for your submarine business?" asked
Broughton Emerson, a shrewd little twinkle in his eyes.

"No; I have all we want. Not a dollar is needed, but I don't like the
idea of your losing a lot of money with that other crowd. They haven't
any real show to do anything with their boat."