The chums visited a moving picture show for an hour. Then, tiring of
that, they came out into the street. The first, man they encountered,
almost, was Lieutenant Danvers, in citizen dress.

"Back from your trip, sir?" Jack asked.

"Yes. Has Farnum told you what's in the wind?"

"He has only given us a hint, sir, that something may happen."

"Oh!" replied the naval officer, next adding: "That's rather queer on
the whole."

"Not at all, sir," replied young Benson. "Mr. Farnum has a habit of
telling us things only when he's ready."

"Yet when--" began Danvers, but checked himself.

"No matter what is in the wind, Mr. Danvers, there's no real need of
posting us about anything until the time comes. Suppose Mr. Farnum
wants us to start for China within an hour? The galley cupboard is
already as full of provisions as it will hold. Both boats are in the
best possible trim. We need only time, perhaps, to fill the gasoline
tanks as full as they'll hold. Then we're ready to cast off and sail
far the first stopping place on the route."

"You're great fellows for system, then. So I understand why Mr. Farnum
doesn't have to post you far in advance."

"He certainly doesn't have to," Jack relied.