“Advertising, is it?” demanded Mr. Farnum, in raging disgust.  “We’re getting plenty and to spare.  No one within five miles of here can possibly be ignorant of the fact that the ‘Pollard’ is making a hustle to the dock!”

CHAPTER XXIII

WANTED, BADLY—­ONE STEWARD!

As the “Pollard” slipped in at a vacant berth on one side of the pier, there was a rush of civilians, and of sailors and marines on brief shore leave.

Many of those who crowded down to look over the boat and her crew had witnessed Captain Jack Benson’s difficult manoeuvre from the distance.

“Take the wheel, Hal,” Jack murmured to his chum.  “You and Eph had better stay aboard, and slip out into the stream before a swarm of folks rushes aboard.”

Jacob Farnum leaped to the pier, the inventor following.  Jack leaped to the string-piece last of all.  Then Hal veered easily off, turning the boat’s nose about and making out again.

“Aw!” went up a murmur from the crowd.  “We wanted to see that craft.”

“There she is,” smiled Benson.  “She won’t go far away.  She’ll be on view, all right.”

Jacob Farnum made straight for two marines who had been standing a little distance away.  Neither had joined in the rush for the submarine.

“My men, to what ship do you belong?” he asked, quickly.

“Flagship ‘Columbia,’ sir,” replied one of the men.

“Do you know the new steward, Dudley, of the ’Columbia’?”

“I think he came ashore lately, sir, in one of the shore boats.”

“Then you saw him land?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Which way did he go?”

“I think he headed straight for the railway station, sir.  Had something in his hand that looked like a telegram.”

“That’s enough.  Thank you,” cried Farnum, as he hurried away.

“One moment,” interrupted Jack.  “How was Dudley dressed?”

“He had on the white duck uniform of a steward, and cap to match,” replied the marine.

“Thank you,” nodded Jack, then turned and ran after Farnum and Pollard.

The railway station was not far away.  Over there the trio hastened.  No train had left for half an hour, as they quickly learned, but one was due to leave in about fifteen minutes.

The operator assured the questioners that no one in a naval steward’s dress had attempted to send a telegram.

“That was only a ruse, then,” said Farnum.  “The fellow went through here, and by here.”

Jack hastily devoted himself to questioning other employes about the station.

“Why, yes, I saw a man who looked like that,” replied the baggage-master.

“What did he do!  What became of him?” asked Jack, swiftly.

“He went through here, and down that street,” replied the baggage-master promptly.

“Is that all you saw, or know about him?”