Nor did Sam Truax go to the hotel. He had his own plans for this
evening--plans that boded the submarine boys no good.

The three boys strolled easily about town, getting a hot soda or two,
and, finally, drifting into a moving picture show that had opened
recently in Dunhaven. This place they did not leave until the show
was over. They were halfway home when Captain Jack remembered that
he had left behind him a book that he had bought earlier in the evening.

"You fellows keep right on down to the yard. I'll hurry back, get the
book and overtake you," he proposed.

Jack ran back, but already the little theatre was closed.

"I'm out that book, then, if we sail in the morning," he muttered, as
he trudged along after his friends.

On the way toward the water front Benson had to pass a vacant lot
surrounded by a high board fence on a deserted street. He had passed
about half way along the length of the fence, when a head appeared over
the top followed by a pair of arms holding a small bag of sand. Down
dropped the bag, striking Jack Benson on the top of the head, sending
him unconscious to the ground.




CHAPTER IV