interposed Benson. "She will have to escape, I am afraid. For that
matter, I'd hate to help in the prosecution of a woman."

"So would I," retorted Mr Farnum. "Yet, if she is helping to undermine
the secrets of the United States Government, something will have to be
done to stop her."

"Perhaps," hinted Jack, "the best thing to do will be to see the
commander of the gunboat."

"Much the better course," observed David Pollard, who, during the last
few moments had seemed dreamily silent. "As you yourself suggested,
Farnum, that officer should be consulted before a single step is taken
in the matter."

"Then we'll all go down to the shore," decided the shipbuilder. "Even
at this hour we shall find a boat."

Ten minutes later the party had clambered up on the platform deck of
the "Benson." Williamson, having been left to sleep there alone
through the night, had secured the entrance to the conning tower.
A few sound thumps on the deck, however, roused that machinist, who,
donning slippers and trousers, quickly ran up the spiral stairway,
admitting them.

"I'm mighty thankful to see you back, Captain," was the machinist's
greeting.

There being still nearly two hours of time to elapse before a call could
well be made aboard the gunboat, Jack and Hal threw themselves into the