Upon being signaled two workmen of the yard came hastily down to the water’s edge.  They seated themselves at the oars of a large yawl, while Mr. Farnum and his guests stepped into the boat.

“Give way, and lay us alongside of the ‘Pollard,’” directed the boatbuilder.

Captain Jack, Hal Hastings and Eph Somers still remained standing at ease on the platform deck of the submarine craft.  They were but a few weeks older than when they appeared before the readers of the first volume in this series, “The Submarine Boys On Duty.”  Readers of that volume are familiar with the story of how Jack Benson and Hal Hastings appeared in Dunhaven; how they made the acquaintance, first of David Pollard, the submarine’s inventor, and then of Jacob Farnum, the boat’s builder and financial backer.  Readers of the first volume also remember how Eph Somers appeared unexpectedly on the scene, and just how he coolly put himself into the submarine picture, securing his place aboard that wonderful craft.  Those who read the first volume are familiar with the way in which the boys met and vanquished the savage hostility of Josh Owen and Dan Jaggers; they remember the desperate battle, in the ocean’s depths, with the crazy boatswain’s mate.  They recall the dashing, laughable prank that Captain Jack played on one of the big battleships of the Naval maneuvers fleet, and remember the pretty romance, in which the submarine boys aided greatly, through which Mr. Farnum secured beautiful Grace Desmond as his bride.  Our readers who have pored over the pages of the preceding volume, in fact, will recall all the many adventures through which Jack, Hal and Eph passed with daring and credit.

All the people in the world move forward—­or backward—­a bit every day.  And so, while, our young friends were still aboard the “Pollard,” and happy, affairs were shaping that might alter the whole current of their lives, their ambitions and their hopes.  Convinced that he could, by the use of sufficient energy and capital, equip a larger yard and sell the United States Government a solid, efficient fleet of submarine torpedo boats that would constitute a fearful menace on the waves—­or under them—­to any foreign foe, Jacob Farnum had now begun to look about for the necessary capital with which to expand what he believed to be a highly promising business.

Thus it happened that the two Melvilles now came upon the scene.  The elder possessed a good deal of spare money, and could influence several business friends into investing heavily.  It was George Melville’s habit to acquire control, gradually, of any business in which he invested heavily.  He had wonderful skill in that line of conduct, and combined much tact with it.  Mr. Melville, going into a new business, and contributing capital heavily, was accustomed to securing whole control of the business before his associates quite realized what was happening.

Now, as this capitalist climbed up the side and stood on the platform deck, looking about him, he began to picture himself as selling a fleet of such boats—­all of them practically his—­to the Government.