CHAPTER XXIII
"FOREIGN TRADE" BECOMES BRISK
The cab horses were browsing quietly by the roadside.
Miss Daisy looked anything but perturbed.
In fact, she had passed all uneasiness of spirit on to the cab driver.That worthy had come back to his senses, but Miss Huston had compelledhim to sit on the ground, his back to a tree. She stood a few yardsaway, watching the surly fellow and holding the pistol as though it werenot the first time she had had such a weapon in her hand.
"Oh, I'm so glad you've come, Mr. Benson!" cried the girl, with truefeminine relief. "I was so worried about you. But you're nothurt--badly. I hurried a horseman on to you. He reached you?"
"Yes, thank you," nodded Lieutenant Benson. "And now, Miss Huston, Imust inform you that we have Millard--your Donald Graves--a prisonerand manacled. I must first find a way of getting you back into town.Then I must turn Millard over to the authorities."
"Why can't he go back in the same cab with me?" asked Miss Huston,quickly.
"You--could you endure that?"
"Yes," replied the girl, bravely. "I took you to him. I sent theassistance that enabled you to take him prisoner. Do not fear for me,Mr. Benson."
"By Jove, but you're clear grit, Miss Huston!" Lieutenant Jack cried,admiringly.
"Clear American, I hope," retorted the girl. "Why should men be theonly ones who can do or dare for the Flag?"
"Will you let me have the revolver, Miss Huston?"
"Gladly."
"Thank you. Now, if you will get inside he cab again."
"And you?"
"I'll sit with the driver and watch him,"
Jack kept his eye on the surly fellow until Miss Huston was inside thecab.
"Now, fellow, you get up on the box, and handle the reins from the leftside," ordered the young naval officer.
"I always drive on the right side o' the box," came the sulky retort.
"Undoubtedly; but you're driving on the left side this afternoon,"returned Benson, with a look of significance. "By the way, did Imention the fact, yet, that I have an uncertain and bad temper? Now,climb up into your place, and don't you attempt to start until I'mbeside you and give the word!"
A moment later Jack Benson sat beside the driver, holding the revolverin his right hand.
"Now, back to the house," spoke the young naval officer.
Without a word the driver turned his horses about, heading back.
"Here we are!" came, cheerily, from Lieutenant Abercrombie, R.N.
Millard was sitting up, a black scowl on his face as Jack and the othersappeared.
"Now, I've got to get this outfit back into Washington, somehow," musedJack, after noticing that Abercrombie had allowed the other thug tocrawl away to safety.
"Why, of course, dear old fellow, you under stand that I'm helping,"hinted the British officer.
"That's mighty good of you," murmured Jack. "Then we can do it easily."
Daisy Huston had stepped from the cab. She stood regarding the scowlingcaptive.
"I'm glad I know you, Donald; glad I found you out in time," she said,quietly, gazing hard at him.
"I thought you a friend," Millard retorted, bitterly. "Great Heavens,Daisy, if you had been on my side through thick and thin, in good reportand ill, I could have defied all these idiots in Washington. What anally you would have been! But you chose to be an enemy."
"An enemy to my country's enemies, yes," replied the girl, steadily.
"Do you hate me, Daisy?"
"I don't know," the girl answered, thoughtfully. "Do you hate me, now,Donald Graves?"
"I wish I knew," uttered the man. "But it's hard to turn love like mineinto hate at a moment's notice. Daisy, the nights are coming when you'llwake up with a frightened start, and sob as you remember how you turnedme over to--"
"To the officers of the country that you have done your best to betray,"broke in the girl, firmly. "No, no, Donald! Do not imagine that Ishall shed any tears for you, seen or unseen. Mr. Benson, I am ready,if you wish to place--your--your--prisoner in the cab beside me."
"It seems like a beastly outrage to do it," muttered Jack, full ofmisgivings.
"Not at all," declared the girl, steadily. "I am glad to see this manon his way to the bar of justice."
Jack assisted Daisy Huston, with the utmost deference, to a seat insidethe vehicle. Then he turned to motion to handcuffed Millard--orGraves--that he was to take the seat beside the woman he had hopedto make his wife.
"I'll ride close alongside, to make sure there's no unpleasant conducttoward Miss Huston," volunteered Mr. Abercrombie.
Jack Benson again climbed to the cab box.
"You know I have the pistol," muttered Jack, showing the driver theweapon. "There's no need to ride through the town with the weapon inmy hand. But, if you try to cut up any tantrums, you may be sureyou'll find your own wrists inside of handcuffs."
"I know when I ain't got no show at all," growled the sullen driver.
"Drive ahead, then--into Washington, and straight to policeheadquarters."
Lieutenant Abercrombie, R.N., jogged his own mount steadily alongside,so that he could at all times command a view of the interior.
Millard--Donald Graves--would have opened some conversation withDaisy Huston, but the disdainful girl cut him short.
As the cab rolled into the busier streets of Washington LieutenantAbercrombie drew a little further away from the cab, in order not toattract attention, though he still remained actively on guard.
The prisoner's manacled hands did not show to the people passing on thesidewalks.
So, altogether, no passersby thought to turn to look after the cab.
Just as the little procession turned a street corner to drive directto the door of police headquarters, Abercrombie waved a hand carelesslyto three pedestrians on the sidewalk.
"Abercrombie!" cried Lieutenant Ulwin. "And there's Benson on the boxof that hack!"
"Come right along into headquarters," whispered Abercrombie. "Don'tmake any noise."
Wondering until they were fairly agape, Ulwin, Hal and Eph drew up atthe cab door as Jack, after only a brief nod to them, opened the doorand handed out Miss Daisy Huston.
Lieutenant Abercrombie, having given his horse to a boy down the streetto hold, now came forward, raising his hat, to take charge of theyoung lady.
"Come along, Millard," called Jack Benson, quietly, and the prisonergot out, while the British officer stepped down the street with hisfair companion to find another carriage in which she could return home.
Inside Jack marched his prisoner up to the railing in one of the rooms.The young naval officer at once produced his credentials and displayedthem to the police official in charge.
"Now, with your permission, sir," Jack went on, courteously, "I willuse your telephone, and inform the Navy Department of the prisoner whoawaits their action here."
Five minutes later this had been done. Benson turned to LieutenantAbercrombie, saying:
"I must apologize for not having thought to return your revolver assoon as we entered."
"I would beg you to keep the weapon, dear old fellow, if it would beof any use to you," replied the British officer.
And now Hal and Eph found chance to explain that they, worried by JackBenson's disappearance, had at last started down to headquarters tosee if they could learn of any mishap to him, or of any other explanationfor his long absence.
"Well, it's all over now," muttered Hal. "Millard--or Graves--orwhatever other name the fellow may be using at this moment--is safein a cell downstairs."
"We thought, once before, that we had him bottled up safely," chuckledLieutenant Jack. "Mr. Abercrombie, how am I ever going to express mythanks to you?"
"I should feel extremely insulted, dear old fellow, if you thought itnecessary to thank me," retorted the Briton, heartily.
"It will be dark, soon," interposed Lieutenant Ulwin. "I suggest thatthe best thing any of u
s can do is to turn toward the club. I feelcertain that the chef will have a famous dinner there to-night."
"We haven't any evening clothes, either citizen or uniform, inWashington," interposed Jack Benson, who knew something of theformalities of the service during the dinner hour.
"Come, just the same," begged Ulwin. "The members don't expect toomuch of fellows who are traveling."
Jack was glad of the walk, because it helped to take the stiffness out ofthe knee that had been struck.
"You let the cab driver go, did you!" asked Eph, as the submarine boyswalked along together.
"Yes," nodded Jack. "I had no orders concerning anyone like him. He'sonly some worthless character hired for the job. He didn't have anyhand in the bigger job of collecting and selling harbor defense plans,you may be sure."
As the party re-entered the club they found a large attendance. Norwas it many moments before a be-moustached German officer approachedthe group.
"Oh, Herr Ulwin," he asked, "can you oblige me by excusing Herr Bensonfor a moment or two? And will you come with me, Herr Benson, to meeta friend who wishes to shake your hand?"
Jack slipped away with the German officer, who conducted him to anotherroom.
"I think you have met my friend before," explained the German, andwheeled the submarine boy straight up in front of Herr Professor Radberg.
"You see," smiled the professor, "we meet again."
"It is a great pleasure, surely," declared Jack, as he shook hands. Theofficer stepped a few paces away.
"And now, when, my dear young friend, are you going to give me yourword that you and your comrades will enter the German torpedo service?I have somewhat better terms to offer you than when we last met. I havesince been authorized to promise you that you shall enter the Germanservice as commissioned officers, and that you shall all three be inline for promotion as merit earns it. So, then, it is all settled, isit not!"
Herr Professor Radberg rubbed his hands with a self-satisfied air.
"Yes," Lieutenant Jack admitted, "it is all settled. But not the waythat you would wish, Herr Professor Radberg. There may be soldiersof fortune who follow any flag, for hire. But we submarine boys wouldnot enter your German naval service if you created all three of ushigh admirals at the outset."
"Admirals?" cried Herr Professor Radberg, protestingly. "Oh, but that,my dear young friend, would be quite impossible."
"You are wasting your time with us, sir," Jack continued, firmly. "Wemay, one of these days, be asked to enter the American servicepermanently. We would not enter any other country's service, no matterwhat the bait. Do not give the matter any further thought, please, forwe won't."
The German officer had been standing a few paces away, twirling hismoustache and frowning. Now, he came forward.
"Herr Benson," he broke in, "I fear that you are so young that you donot fully understand the honor and dignity of being officers in theGerman service."
"Very likely we do not, Captain," Jack returned, with a bow. "And itis absolutely certain that we shall never find out from experience."
Lieutenant Jack excused himself, turning to seek his friends. AsBenson entered the reading room once more he came upon Eph and anotherwhose face was decidedly familiar. It was the Chevalier d'Ouray.
"Just in time, Jack," nodded Eph. "Tell the Chev. for me, please ashe doesn't seem to understand my talk, that we wouldn't even give theslightest consideration to his idea that we should enter the Frenchnaval service in the submarine division."
"It is quite hopeless, Chevalier," laughed Jack Benson, shaking hishead. "The honor is quite enough to turn our heads, but we can serveonly the United States."
The Chevalier d'Ouray made a low bow, then turned away, for otherswere approaching.
"Where is Hal?" asked Jack.
"Crickety! Look at him over there, talking to that little Japanese,"muttered Eph, inclining his head toward a corner.
Hal and a Japanese were talking earnestly. At any rate, the littlebrown man was. Hal was listening, occasionally shaking his head.Then Hastings happened to espy his chums. He turned to the Japanese,to take his leave, but the little brown man followed him across thefloor, still talking in low tones.
"Captain Nakasura has been trying to interest me in the idea that wethree go over to Japan, under a three years' contract, to act asinstructors and advisers in submarine work," Hal told his comrades.
"And I have high hope that you will see matter same as I do," smiledthe Japanese attache persistently.
"We shan't," Jack declared, shaking his head, emphatically. "Captain,you are the third, representing also the third nation, that has justapproached us on this matter. We shall serve no other country thanour own."
"But my government," urged the Japanese officer, "will make you mosthandsome offer."
"Do you remember the day when we were leaving Dunhaven, and you triedto overtake us in a gasoline launch?" asked Jack, with a smile.
"Yes; very well," admitted Nakasura.
"Do you remember that we hoisted the signal, N.D.? That meant 'nothingdoing,' Captain. Our answer is the same, and will be, to-morrow andthe next year."
"Ah, here you are!" cried Lieutenant Abercrombie, as he hurried up andCaptain Nakasura vanished beyond middle distance. "Benson, dear oldfellow, I want just a word with you before dinner is served," continuedthe Briton, thrusting his arm through Jack's and drawing him away aftera nod of apology to Hal and Eph. "Benson, I've had something on my mindall day; something I have had instructions to broach to you. I havebeen waiting for the right moment. Now, I must breathe just a word ortwo, and then let you think it over during dinner, don't you know?"
"See here," smiled Jack, standing back, sudden suspicion in his eyes."Don't tell me you've been instructed to see whether I'll enter theBritish submarine service."
"Just that, dear old chap!" beamed Abercrombie, enthusiastically. "Buthow could you guess? Fact, though! And not only you, but Hastingsand Somers as well, don't you know!"
"You're the fourth to spring this on us tonight," answered Jack Benson,soberly. "And the answer will have to be the same for all of you."
"The same for all of us, dear chap?" demanded Abercrombie. "How canthat be?"
"The answer in every case is the same," retorted Jack. "If our owngovernment doesn't want us, no other government can have us. We standby our own Flag."
"Eh? What is this?" muttered Lieutenant Ulwin, coming unexpectedly uponthe pair. "Foreign government competing for you lads, Benson? Thiswon't do!"
"Which is what I have just had the honor of telling Mr. Abercrombie,"smiled Jack, earnestly.
CHAPTER XXIV
THEIR LIVES DEEDED TO THE FLAG
Secretary Sanders, Secretary of the Navy, looked up at the three youngmen who stood in line at the right-hand side of his desk.
It was two days later; two days during which Jack, Hal and Eph had hadlittle to do except roam about Washington and see all the sights of theNational Capital. This they had varied by dropping in at the UnitedService Club.
"Gentlemen," remarked the Secretary of the Navy, "you have not yet beenrelieved of your detail to the gunboat 'Sudbury.'"
"It's coming now," thought each of the three boys to himself, with agreat wave of dismay. "We are to be no longer of the Navy."
"I will give instructions at once," continued Secretary Sanders, "tohave orders issued relieving you from that duty."
"Yes; it has come," muttered Jack, drearily, to himself. "Our servicewith the Navy is over."
"Gentlemen," and now, for a few seconds, the voice of the Secretaryseemed far away indeed, "I am sensible of all you have done for yourcountry, and above all, of the zeal you have shown. Besides, I have inmind the fact that you have made yourselves among the most expert of allhandlers of submarine torpedo boats. If it can be arranged, I wish tokeep all three of you actively in the United States Navy."
Jack Benson looked up with a gasp. His comrades were not less astou
nded.
"I am aware," Mr. Sanders went on, "that we could not expect you toenlist as mere apprentices. In your own particular field of submarinework you are amply fitted to hold officers' commissions. Yet, under thelaw, you cannot be granted commissions until you are twenty-one yearsof age. None of you are quite eighteen.
"Therefore, it has occurred to me that you can be appointed, specially,with rank, command and pay, until you are twenty-one. The Presidentagrees with me in what I have to offer. You, Mr. Benson, are offereda special appointment as lieutenant, junior grade, in the United StatesNavy. You, Mr. Hastings, and you, Mr. Somers, are offered specialappointments as ensigns. You will all have the privileges of yourranks except the actual commissions. Yet you will be actual officers,and entitled to full respect. Moreover, the President promises that,when you are twenty-one years of age, you shall have regular commissionspromptly. In case the President is not re-elected to his office, heagrees to urge upon his successor in the White House the fulfilmentof the promise. So, if you accept the special appointments, now,you are absolutely certain of commissions as soon as you reach theage of twenty-one. Perhaps it is only just to add that we are awarethat all three of you have already been offered commissions in foreignnavies, and that you have refused. Both the President and myselfappreciate your loyalty to your own Flag. Now, what do you younggentlemen say to accepting special appointments to run until you areeach twenty-one?"
"Mr. Secretary, it's the brightest, the one great dream with us all,"Jack Benson replied, hoarsely. "There is just one thing that couldhold us back. We really feel in honor bound to Mr. Farnum and Mr.Pollard to stand by their interests, for they have been our bestfriends."
"What do you say to that, Mr. Farnum?" inquired the Secretary.
From behind a screen stepped Jacob Farnum, the Dunhaven shipbuilder.
"Why, see here, boys," began Farnum, a broad smile on his face, "Ireceived a long wire from Mr. Sanders yesterday. Dave Pollard and Italked this thing over, and we decided that the Pollard boat is nowan assured success. You have put the boats where we can now buildand run them without you. You are more needed in the Navy. Now,Dave and I both urge you to go where we know your hearts are--intothe Navy. And you will go with all our best wishes. The governmentneeds you, now, to handle the boats that we build up at Dunhaven, andto train war-crews for those boats. There is only one objection toyour entering the Navy, boys. You will have to pass upon our boats.We know you will do that honestly and fearlessly; yet there are manywho would sneer at having boats passed on for the government by youngofficers who hold stock in our concern. Now, the amount of stockthat each of you holds has been growing steadily with each new successthat you have won for us, which if you enter the Navy you should notown. So Dave and I offer you ten thousand dollars each for the sharesthat you hold. It is a fair valuation."
"I know it is, if you offer it, Mr. Farnum," Jack Benson replied, withfeeling.
"Then you'll accept, and take your very heart's-wish--the Navy--allof you?" asked Mr. Farnum.
"I accept both your offer, Mr. Farnum, and, the greater offer of theSecretary of the Navy," replied Jack, his eyes becoming misty.
"I accept," murmured Hal.
"So do I," from Eph.
"Then, sir," declared Jacob Farnum, turning to the Secretary of theNavy, "the Flag is richer by three magnificent young followers!"
* * * * * * * * * *
Here we must leave the submarine boys for the present, for these eventshappened hardly later than yesterday, and there are no new adventuresyet to chronicle.
Donald Graves--Millard--received a severe sentence in the penitentiary.He is still serving the sentence, of course. Gray, his accomplice, whoattempted to spirit the drawings outside of the United States, is nowlikewise serving a term.
The trial was a swift, nearly secret one. Daisy Huston was not draggedinto the case at all. In one respect the trial failed. Neither culpritcould be forced to tell for which foreign government the dastardly workhad been attempted. The "Spitfire" returned to Dunhaven, and was latersold to the government, with several other boats. Williamson becamethe new Pollard captain.
Several foreign governments were deeply disappointed over not being ableto secure the services of the submarine boys.
But Jack, Hal and Eph could be happy nowhere except under their own Flag.
They are now accepted most cordially by all their brother officers,young and old, in the United States Navy.
For the most part, so far, the duties of our young officers have beenaboard the different boats purchased from the Pollard Company. Yet,for the sake of practice and change, they have been, at times, detailedaboard other classes of craft in the Navy.
We shall now encounter our young acting naval officers in one of theirnew fields of special work, in the next volume of this series, whichis published under the title: "_The Submarine Boys And the Smugglers;Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey Customs Frauds_." Here we shall find ourtalented lads engaged in doing some of their finest work for Uncle Sam'sGovernment, and under circumstances that will delight every reader.
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