Retracing his steps, Jack drew the night watchman inside, whispering:

“Just a pointer for you. You’ve seen that man on the street with us? He
has a letter from Mr. Pollard to Mr. Farnum, but I wouldn’t let him in the
yard to-night, unless Mr. Farnum appears and gives the order.”

“I understand,” said the night watchman, nodding.

“That’s all, then, and thank you.”

Jack Benson hastily rejoined the others on the sidewalk.

“I don’t believe, Mr. Truax, it will be worth your while to come here
earlier than eight in the morning. Better go to the hotel and tie up to a
good sleep. Good night.”

“Say, why did you take such a dislike to the fellow?” queried Eph, as the
three submarine boys strolled on up the street, Truax following slowly at
some distance in the rear.

“I didn’t take a dislike to him,” Jack replied, opening his eyes wide.

“You choked him off mighty short, then.”

“If it looked that way, then I’m sorry,” Benson protested, in a tone of
genuine regret. “All I wanted to make plain was that I couldn’t pass him
on to our precious old boat without Mr. Farnum’s order.”

Truax plodded slowly along behind the submarine boys, a cunning look in