A REMEMBRANCE FROM SHORE
It was a drowsy looking submarine party that retired to a room in the
hotel to talk over the situation.
"Now, of course, first of all," declared Jacob Farnum, "we must take
word of this whole affair to the commanding officer of the gunboat. As
the representative, here, of the United States Government, he can give
us some advice as to what to do. I am wondering whether M. Lemaire
and Mlle. Nadiboff can be arrested."
"Hal," demanded Jack, turning to his chum, "when you were prowling about
at the cave, did you hear Gaston mention the name of M. Lemaire?"
"No," replied Hastings, shaking his head.
"Then there wouldn't be any witness to confirm my testimony," sighed
Captain Benson. "Without such a witness to aid me, I don't see how we
could expect to prove anything legally against M. Lemaire."
"As for that pretty young Russian woman--" began Mr. Farnum.
"We haven't a single line of proof we could put out against her,"
interposed Benson. "She will have to escape, I am afraid. For that
matter, I'd hate to help in the prosecution of a woman."
"So would I," retorted Mr Farnum. "Yet, if she is helping to undermine
the secrets of the United States Government, something will have to be
done to stop her."
"Perhaps," hinted Jack, "the best thing to do will be to see the
commander of the gunboat."
"Much the better course," observed David Pollard, who, during the last
few moments had seemed dreamily silent. "As you yourself suggested,
Farnum, that officer should be consulted before a single step is taken
in the matter."
"Then we'll all go down to the shore," decided the shipbuilder. "Even
at this hour we shall find a boat."
Ten minutes later the party had clambered up on the platform deck of
the "Benson." Williamson, having been left to sleep there alone
through the night, had secured the entrance to the conning tower.
A few sound thumps on the deck, however, roused that machinist, who,
donning slippers and trousers, quickly ran up the spiral stairway,
admitting them.
"I'm mighty thankful to see you back, Captain," was the machinist's
greeting.
There being still nearly two hours of time to elapse before a call could
well be made aboard the gunboat, Jack and Hal threw themselves into the
berths of one of the staterooms. That brief, sound nap proved the
saving of them when, finally, with Messrs. Farnum and Pollard, they went
on board the "Waverly."
Lieutenant Commander Kimball received them in his own cabin, hearing
Jack's story with utter amazement.
"What I advise you to do, gentlemen, is to go ahead and prosecute the
fellow Gaston on the charge of felonious assault. I would, however,
try to avoid having any testimony brought out in court to-day. I will
send one of my officers to see the public prosecutor, and ask that
official to have the case continued for one week. I will also wire the
Navy Department at Washington, and await the reply of the Secretary
before taking any other steps or offering you any other advice. But do
not needlessly alarm Lemaire or the young woman away from here."
So well did the lieutenant commander accomplish his purpose that, when
Jack and Hal went to the local court that forenoon, the public
prosecutor promptly asked to have the case against the chauffeur
continued for one week, and the court as promptly assented.
Gaston was taken back to jail. Though the fellow was well supplied with
money, he did not have anywhere near enough to put up the five thousand
dollars cash bail demanded by Florida justice.
At the jail a watch was kept to see whether Gaston would have visitors,
but none came. M. Lemaire and Mlle. Nadiboff were known to be still at
the hotel, but they did not go near their man in trouble. Neither did
Lemaire or the Russian appear about the grounds of the hotel.
At noon a letter from Lieutenant Commander Kimball came aboard the
submarine, inquiring whether Captain Benson could make it convenient
to take him and several officers out to sea afternoon and give an
exhibition of the boat's diving powers.
"After we've taken the boat out ourselves, and tested her," was the
answer Captain Jack sent back. "With so many spies about we want to be
sure that the boat is in safe running order before we risk the lives of
half a dozen naval officers."
A luncheon was eaten, after which, the young submarine captain hastily
climbed the stairs to the conning tower.
"Throw on the gasoline, Hal," he called back over his shoulder. "And,
as soon as we get way, test all the electric connections, before we
attempt to do any diving. Be sure of everything old fellow."
Forward in the engine room the gas motors were soon moving merrily. By
the time that Eph had cast loose from moorings Jack signaled for slow
speed ahead, and the grim-looking little Benson moved on out of the
harbor.
Once out of the harbor Captain Jack rang, successively, for two higher
speeds. The "Benson" answered both like a charm.
"The gasoline part of the craft is working all right," declared the
youthful skipper to Eph, who had come up into the tower.
Fifteen minutes later Hal shouted up:
"All electric connections appear safe, Captain. And all the air
compressors are working."
"Are you ready to shut off the gasoline motors?"
"Yes, sir."
"Go ahead, then, and we'll take a dive." Down they shot below the
surface, the boat going on a diving keel. Then, for some minutes,
Captain Jack ran his submarine pride along at a depth of fifty feet
below surface.
"Might as well rise, Captain," called up Mr. Farnum, coming from his
stateroom.
So Eph, at the young commander's orders, stood by to let the compressed
air gradually into the water tanks. As gracefully as ever the "Benson"
rose to the surface. Gasoline power was turned on again.
"Everything is all safe, Captain," nodded Mr. Farnum. "Run back and get
your naval party."
As they were to run, now, on the surface, Jack stepped out to stand
by the deck wheel Eph and Hal came out with him, David Pollard standing
further aft.
As the submarine rounded in under the gunboat's stern the voice of
Kimball called:
"As well done as ever, Mr. Benson! When shall we come on board?"
"As soon as we're moored, sir," Jack shouted
As the "Benson" ran to her moorings the youthful captain espied a shore
boat that bore, as sole passenger, one of the uniformed, colored bell
boys from the hotel.
When Eph made the mooring cable fast, this shore boat ranged alongside.
"Box for Captain Benson, sah," called the negro.
"Right here," acknowledged Jack, going over to the rail. The box
proved to be of pasteboard.
"Are you going to open it?" whispered Farnum.
"Why, yes, sir; of course," Jack answered.
"Better do it on deck, then," came the dry answer. "It might contain
something explosive, you know."
Though he laughed, young Benson carefully untied the string that held
the lid on, also carefully removing the latter. Inside he discovered
a handsome bouquet of roses, with a card attached.
"Well, of all the assurance in the world?" gasped Jack Benson.
"What's the matter!" queried Farnum.
"Read what's written on this card, sir."
The inscription ran:
"Mlle. Sara Nadiboff is delighted at learning that Captain Jack Benson
has returned in safety from his long walk."
"Any answer, sah?" demanded the darkey in the boat.
"None, thank you," replied Captain Jack, in an even tone.
The boat continued on its way to the shore.
"Say, what do you think of that?" demanded Eph, after he, too, had taken
a look at the card tied to the flowers.
"It is plain enough that our charming young Russian doesn't mean to drop
Captain Benson's acquaintance just yet, if she can help it," laughed
the shipbuilder.
"What are you going to do with the flowers, old man?" asked Hal.
"Flowers should be put in water, to make them keep, shouldn't they"
queried the young submarine skipper, innocently.
"Yep," nodded Eph Somers.
"I hope these will keep fresh a long time, then," murmured Benson.
Raising the bouquet he dropped it overboard the harbor--on the side of
the boat away from the hotel.