"Nothing more dangerous than gasoline," Captain Jack smiled.

"Oh, I don't mind that stuff,". chuckled the machinist. "I want a
smoke. That's why I'm particular about not going to work near any stuff
that has such a big idea of itself that it swells up every time a match
or a lighted pipe comes around. I'll go aboard now."

With this statement, Williamson strolled down to the beach, untying a
small skiff and pulling himself out to the newer of the pair of very
capable submarine torpedo boats that lay at moorings out in the little
private harbor.

Hal, in the meantime, had quietly swung the shed door to and locked it.
The great white word, "Danger," was once more in plain view.

"What are you going to do now!" asked young Hastings of his chum.

"I reckon I'll spend my time wondering where the Navy man is," laughed
Captain Jack.

"Let's go up to the office, then. Mr. Farnum may have had some word in
the matter."

As they neared the door of the office building, Eph Somers, who was a
combination of first officer, steward and general utility man on board
the Pollard boats, came in through the gate, joining his friends at
once.

Readers of our previous volumes are now well acquainted with these young