A BIG CLOUD ON THE SUBMARINE HORIZON

“At what time did you say that the ‘Pollard’ was due to be back, Mr. Farnum?”

“At two o’clock,” replied the owner of the boat-building yard at the little seaport town of Dunhaven.

“It’s within five minutes of that hour, now.”

“So it is,” nodded the owner of the yard, after briefly consulting his watch.

For half an hour, or a little longer, a middle aged man, with the world of business and large affairs imprinted on him, had been walking to and fro along the shore end of the yard.  In this walk he was accompanied by his son, a handsome, dark-eyed and dark-haired young fellow of nineteen.  George Melville, the father, was attired very much as any prosperous, busy man might have been, with a touch of fastidiousness added, but the son, Don, was dressed and groomed to look just what he wanted to appear to be, the born young aristocrat.

“Punctuality is one of the cardinal virtues with me, you know,” continued Mr. Melville, impatiently, as he again glanced at his watch.  “I had hoped to be able to see your submarine boat, the ‘Pollard,’ this afternoon.”

“And I certainly hope you will be able to,” replied Jacob Farnum, cordially.  This builder, a young man in his thirties, allowed a shade of uneasiness to flit across his face.

“However, when Don is in command of the boat,” continued Mr. Melville, “things will doubtless be run on a better system.  That is, if we should decide to invest the money and place Don on board as captain.”

“Your son?” inquired Jacob Farnum, with a quick note of astonishment in his voice.

“Certainly,” continued Mr. Melville, in the easy voice of one who is sure of his ground.  “If my friends and myself decide to invest the required several hundred thousand dollars in your business, the first step of the reorganization on a broader basis will be the placing of my son in command of your boat.”

“Hm!” murmured Jacob Farnum.

“Don is wholly fitted for learning the work that I have cut out for him,” pursued Mr. Melville.  “He has frequently taken command of my steam yacht, the ‘Greyhound,’ and my sailing master, Captain Carson, assures me that Don is not only a splendid sailor, but born to command.  So, after a little time spent in mastering details, Don will make the ideal captain for the ’Pollard’.”

“I have a very capable young man in charge now,” said Mr. Farnum.  “Captain Jack Benson has already done a few things with the boat that have astonished Naval officers.”

“How old is this fellow Benson?” inquired Mr. Melville.

“Sixteen.”

“Only sixteen?” queried Mr. Melville, in a voice of amazement.  “Bah!  He is entirely too young to be entrusted with the hopes of such a great boat-building company as I hope to help you organize.  Don, too, is quite young, but he has a great deal of capacity and has had a valuable lot of experience.  As to a boy of sixteen—­however, your youth, Benson, may no doubt be retained aboard as a member of the crew, if Don likes him.  And now, sir, it’s two minutes of two.”