writing, which may be a clever cipher. With that I'm afraid we'll have
to remain content."

A launch from the gunboat was in waiting. In this the shore guests were
taken back to land. Hardly had the launch left the side of the
submarine, when a cutter, also from the gunboat, put in alongside. Two
men in ordinary citizen's dress clambered aboard.

"Lieutenant Commander Kimball?" inquired one of the pair.

"Yes," acknowledged the naval officer. "May we see you below, in the
cabin of this boat."

"No!" replied Kimball, sternly.

"Oh, as you please, of course," smiled the one of the pair who had first
spoken. "Probably I am at fault, though, in not introducing my
companion and myself. My friend is Mr. Packwood; my name is Trotter.
We are Secret Service men sent down here by the Secretary of the Navy,
in answer to your dispatch."

As Trotter spoke he threw back the lapel of his coat, displaying a badge.

"I have also some papers to show you, Mr. Kimball," continued the
Secret Service man.

"Oh, of course you may come below," smiled the naval officer. "And,
Benson; I guess this business belongs to you, too."

So Jack descended with the party, while the other submarine boys and