her. Captain Jack Benson, you shall have the pleasure of meeting a most
charming creature!"




CHAPTER III

ON THE EDGE OF THE SPIDER'S WEB


An hour after dinner the orchestra of the Hotel Clayton crashed out into
the first two-step.

The big ballroom was already two thirds as well filled as it could be
with comfort. Potted green palms stood everywhere at the sides. The
orchestra in the gallery was nearly concealed behind a fringe of green.
The air was sweetly odorous with the fragrance of southern blossoms.
Scores of young women in all varieties of handsome evening dress
enlivened the appearance of the scene. Their gems cast glitter and
enchantment. There were men enough, too, for partners in the dance,
the men behind expanses of white shirt-front and clad in the black of
evening dress.

Just a few of the men, however, lent additional color to the scene.
These were officers and midshipmen from the "Waverly," who came attired
in the handsome blue, gold-braided dress uniforms of the service.

Among the guests of the hotel who attended the dance were Jacob Farnum
and his two young submarine experts; Jack Benson and Hal Hastings. The