“We have much to discuss, along these lines,” pursued Mr. Melville, in his smoothest tones and with his friendliest air.  “But I have no doubt at all, Mr. Farnum, that we shall presently reach a basis that will be wholly agreeable to both sides.”

Which, on the contrary, was what the capitalist knew to be impossible.  Melville found himself wishing that something else would come into the conversation, in order to get the boatbuilder’s mind briefly away from the main proposition.

Steps were heard, at this moment, in the outer office, and then the faces of Jack and Hal appeared close to the glass in the door.  Eph was not far behind them.

“Oh, my crew,” nodded Mr. Farnum, looking up.  “You remember our experiment, the other day, of having a man leave the boat while under water?  Some other problems have come up in that connection.  So I sent word to the young men, asking them to step over to the office as soon as convenient.  I guess they did not quite understand, and were busy at the time, so that they have come over a little too late.  I will step to the door, and so inform them.”

Here was the diversion for which Mr. Melville had just been wishing.

“Don’t dismiss them, please,” urged the capitalist.  “On the contrary, will you be good enough to ask them to step in here?  There is something that it might be as well to make clear before them.”

Bowing slightly, as he rose, Jacob Farnum stepped to the door, opening it.

“Come right in, boys,” he requested.  “Mr. Melville wishes to say something before you.”

Each of the three submarine boys felt a quick throb at the heart.  All had a suspicion that a blow might be about to fall.  So they stepped inside, halting not far from Mr. Farnum’s desk, and turning to face the Melville group.

Mr. Melville cleared his throat before he began: 

“In the reorganization of affairs here, my investing friends and myself will be obliged to expect that the command of the ‘Pollard’ submarine boat will pass to my son, who will actively represent our group.  My son, Don, will have charge and knowledge of the boat, its successors, and of all new ideas tried aboard, and he will safeguard, so far as may be necessary our interests.  It is possible, however, that he may find it advisable to employ some or all of the present crew.  That will, of course, be for him to decide in the near future.”

CHAPTER IV

A SQUALL IN AN OFFICE

Jack Benson paled, clenching his hands tightly.  Hal Hastings raised his eyebrows slightly; he, too, changed color swiftly.  Eph’s face reddened; he had all he could do to keep from shouting outright.

Jacob Farnum flushed, half rose from his chair, then seated himself again and turned to look at the boys.

But George Melville appeared to have eyes, at that moment, for no one but young Captain John Benson.