“Parent boat!” interjected Hal Hastings, with his quiet smile.  “You might call it the ‘Dad’ boat, so to speak.”

Mr. Farnum laughed, then continued: 

“A naval crew will take possession of the ‘Pollard,’ and the craft will proceed, under the care of the Dad boat”—­with a side glance of amusement at Hal—­“to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis.”

“Annapolis—­where they train the naval cadets, the midshipmen, into United States Naval officers?  Oh, how I’d like to go there!” breathed Captain Jack Benson, eagerly.

“As a cadet in the Navy, do you mean!” asked Mr. Farnum.

“Why, that would have been well enough,” assented Jack, “before I had such a chance in your submarine service.  No; I mean I’d like to see Annapolis.  I’d like to watch the midshipmen at their training, and see the whole naval life there.”

“It’s too bad every fellow can’t have his wish gratified as easily,” continued Jacob Farnum.

“Do you mean we’re going to Annapolis, too?” asked Jack Benson, his eyes glowing.  Even Hal Hastings sat up straighter in his chair, watching the shipbuilder’s face closely.

“Yes,” nodded Jacob Farnum.  “Permission has been granted for me to send our second boat, the ‘Farnum,’ along with the ’Pollard’—­both under the care of the—­”

“The Dad boat,” laughed Hastings.

“Yes; that will give us a chance to have the ‘Farnum’ studied most closely by some of the most capable officers in the United States Navy.  It ought to mean, presently, the sale of the ‘Farnum’ to the Government.”

“That’s just what it will mean,” promised Captain Jack, “if any efforts of ours can make the Navy men more interested in the boat.”

“You three youngsters are likely to be at Annapolis for some time,” went on Mr. Farnum.  “In fact—­but don’t let your heads become too enlarged by the news, will you!”

Hal, quiet young Hal, neatly hid a yawn behind one hand, while Benson answered for both: 

“We’re already wearing the largest-sized caps manufactured, Mr. Farnum.  Don’t tempt us too far, please!”

“Oh, you boys are safe from the ordinary perils of vanity, or your heads would have burst long ago.  Well, then, when you arrive at Annapolis, you three are to act as civilian instructors to the middies.  You three are to teach the midshipmen of the United States Navy the principles on which the Pollard type of boat is run.  There; I’ve told you the whole news.  What do you think of it!”

Mr. Farnum’s cigar having burned low, he tossed it away, then leaned back as he lighted another weed.

“What do we think, sir?” echoed Captain Jack, eagerly.  “Why, we think we’re in sight of the very time of our lives!  Annapolis!  And to teach the middies how to run a ‘Pollard’ submarine.”

“How soon are we likely to have to start, sir!” asked Hal Hastings, after a silence that lasted a few moments.