CONCLUSION
Within three minutes Arthur Miller stood before the desk at a station
house. In less than twenty minutes Messrs. Farnum and Pollard had
been found. They hurried to the police station, confirming the
identification of Arthur Miller. He was locked up.
"It's a big thing you've helped to do, lads," Jacob Farnum assured the
two strong young sailors. "You're entitled to some of the fruits of
your work. How will this do?"
Whereupon he pressed upon each Jack Tar a couple of twenty-dollar bills.
"We've a couple of hours of shore leave left to us," grinned one of
the sailors. "Is there anyone else you want caught, friend?"
By the time that Farnum, Pollard and Captain Jack had returned to the
pier they found a midshipman awaiting them.
"Admiral Bentley's compliments, gentlemen," said the midshipman. "He
begs you to go to him aboard the flagship. He has information of
importance to communicate to you concerning the missing steward."
"By the way," laughed Mr. Farnum, contentedly, "that steward is no
longer missing. We've just had the pleasure of seeing him placed under
lock and key, where he'll keep until he's wanted."
"Will you come aboard the flagship in our launch?" asked the midshipman.
"Yes, thank you," replied Farnum. Thereupon Jack signaled to Hal
Hastings, aboard the "Pollard," which lay to, not far off, to return
to moorings.
"Catch your man?" yelled Hal, through a megaphone. His chum nodded in
the affirmative.
"Toot! toot! toot!" sounded the "Pollard's" auto-whistle, in three
long, triumphant blasts.
Arrived at the flagship, the midshipman conducted the visitors at once
to the admiral's office.
"Did you catch the rascal?" asked that fine old officer.
"Yes, sir," nodded Farnum, and gave a quick, brief account of the
capture.
"Captain Benson appear's to be your lucky star to-day," laughed the
admiral. "By the way, captain, I must congratulate you most warmly on
that daring, magic dive. Your boat is surely in a new class. But now
to other interesting business. After you had gone it occurred to me
to make a most thorough investigation into the whole matter of that
steward.
"Your man Miller certainly displayed considerable originality in his
attempt to hide from the law. He had been aboard for some time. He
plainly realized that about the last place detectives would ever think
to look for criminals would be among the crew of a battleship. We
always require references for any man we enlist, and always look up
the references. I have yet to satisfy myself as to how the fellow
Miller managed to get around the matter of references. However, he
got aboard, and was all but safe from pursuit. Moreover, this flagship
is scheduled to sail for the European station as soon as the manoeuvres
are over. Miller, I imagine, intended to desert when in European
waters. By that time, as police pursuit would have cooled, he must
have figured that he would be rather safe from the law.
"I have investigated his doings aboard this boat. Among other things I
have learned that he deposited with our paymaster, taking a receipt for
the same, an iron box--a small affair--which, the fellow said,
contained papers regarding the history of his family. He had been years
in getting the papers together, he explained to the paymaster, and
wanted them put in a place of safe-keeping."
Jacob Farnum sprang to his feet, a great light of suspicion shining in
his eyes.
"I have had that box taken from the paymaster's safe and forced open,"
continued Admiral Bentley with a smile. "It is a right that we exercise
over any package at need. It was opened in the presence of three
officers of this fleet, and it was found to contain, probably, close
to a half million dollars in bills of large denominations. The paymaster
will be able to give you more exact figures. He has the money in his
safe again. It will be transferred to the custody of civil authorities
ashore until the courts have issued an order for its further
disposition."
"It's Miss Desmond's money," cried Farnum. "Only a little while to wait,
and then that splendid young woman will come into her own."
Tears glistened in the boatbuilder's eyes.
"If you think I am unusually affected over this matter," explained Mr.
Farnum, presently, "let me, with your permission, sir, tell you of the
fine, brave conduct of the girl in saving Captain Benson and the
submarine boat."
Admiral Bentley was greatly interested in the recital that followed.
In due time the flagship's shore boat carried the three to land again.
With fingers that shook Jacob Farnum penned a most exultant telegram
to Grace Desmond.
That sent, they engaged a boatman to put them aboard the "Pollard." It
was now the turn of Hal Hastings and Eph Somers to share in the
excitement and the joy.
In the days that followed the "Pollard" did not take any official part
in the naval manoeuvres, though whenever there was time for officers
to get leave from their ships Captain Jack and his friends were busy
enough showing all the workings of the fine boat to their visitors.
Admiral Bentley and his naval staff spent one entire forenoon aboard
the natty little submarine. They were delighted with all that they
were shown.
"Mr. Pollard," exclaimed the admiral, just before leaving, "it is my
unofficial opinion, from what I have seen to-day, and from what you
have already shown at this rendezvous, that your boat is miles and
miles ahead of any other type of submarine torpedo boat yet constructed.
I shall undoubtedly also make that the text of the official opinion that
I shall furnish to the Navy Department. I must also tell you, what you
already know, that, in your captain and crew of youngsters, you have the
best possible material for showing your boat off to the best possible
advantage."
It was with light hearts indeed that the crew and passengers of the
"Pollard" turned her nose toward the home port. Grant Andrews had
already been instructed, by wire, to begin the preliminary work for
laying the keel of a sister submarine torpedo boat.
If Dunhaven had turned out well for the launching, she did herself more
than proud in the wildly cheering crowd that lined the shores on the
return of that adventurous little boat, which was no longer known as
"Pollard's Folly," but as "Pollard's Marvel."
It was a happy day for both inventor and builder. The press of the
country had been talking for some days of the new era that had dawned
in submarine boat building.
Grace Desmond was among the first to welcome the returning voyagers.
She had promptly answered Farnum's telegram, and that boatbuilder had
subsequently received from her two letters that he did not take the
trouble to read fully to his companions.
As if to celebrate the return of the splendid boat, Dunhaven, in the
persons of two of her constables, captured Josh Owen that same night
when he tried to return by stealth to his home.
Yet the constables did not get their man handcuffed before that same
elfin ten-year-old son of Owen's had tried desperately to fight the
officers into letting his father go.
Arthur Miller was placed on trial, and pleaded guilty, and Grace
Desmond's claim was established to the money found in the iron box
aboard the flagship. She tried hard to make Jack and Hal and Eph
accept a handsome reward, but all three boys steadfastly refused her
offer. Jacob Farnum, in his own quiet way, was a bit more successful,
however, and started for each of them a very substantial little bank
account.
One day, shortly after the return of the submarine boys to Dunhaven,
while the hammers of the riveters were ringing out merrily on the hull
of the second Pollard boat, Jacob Farnum sent for Captain Jack Benson
and his friends.
"I want to talk business with you," said the builder, motioning to
chairs. "You've been working for me for a sort of pay, but now I want
to make a definite and regular arrangement with you. I'm willing to
provide your keep aboard the boat, and furnish your uniforms. In
addition, I am willing to pay Captain Benson a hundred and fifty
dollars a month, and Hastings and Somers each a hundred."
That offer brought the three boys to their feet. "It's--it's too
much!" Jack managed to gasp.
"First time I ever had an employe tell me he was being paid too much,"
laughed the builder. "Now, see here, young men, Pollard and I are
going to make fortunes out of building these boats--huge fortunes, we
believe--and we want to attract loyal young men to us by paying them
at least fair wages. Think it over, and you'll soon agree you're not
being paid too much."
What could the young men do but accept the wonderful good fortune that
was offered them? Then Farnum, laughing, rose and opened a nearby door.
There stood Grace Desmond smiling.
"Captain," announced the builder, as he took one of the girl's hands in
his own, "I shall want you to decorate the 'Pollard' handsomely next
Thursday. On that day Miss Desmond will become Mrs. Farnum. Captain
and crew of the 'Pollard,' we shall look for you to be at the wedding,
and wearing new uniforms that have already been especially ordered for
the occasion."
What could the young men do but congratulate the happy couple? And
they did it most heartily.