CHAPTER XV

CAPTAIN JACK BECOMES SUSPICIOUS


So successful and enjoyable a trip did the naval officers have that, as
the "Benson" was gliding back to the harbor, Lieutenant Commander
Kimball broached a subject that had begun to interest the society
people among the winter visitors to Spruce Beach.

"Mr. Farnum," inquired the naval officer, "I have a favor to ask of you."

"You know in advance, Mr. Kimball, that it is granted."

"I hope it is, if it's a wise favor to ask," smiled the naval officer.
"In brief, the idea is this: Naturally people in this neighborhood are
all agog over this submarine craft. Some of the more daring of the
ladies have besought me to arrange for a few of them to have a trip
on board, even to running beneath the surface. Will you do that, for a
party of our friends, to-morrow afternoon?"

"We've been a good deal beset by spies lately as you have means of
knowing," replied Mr. Farnum, slowly. "You'll guarantee all of the
guests, of course."

"As a naval officer I wouldn't bring anyone aboard here whom I doubted,"