Smiling and bowing again, Kamanako left the dining room.  He was waiting, though, when the others came out.  As all three carried dress suit cases the Japanese quietly took those belonging to Mr. Farnum and Captain Benson.

“Most sorry I have not three hands, honorable officer,” Kamanako assured Hal Hastings.

There were always plenty of shore boats at Spruce Beach.  Just now, on account of the visit of the submarine, there appeared to be more of the small craft than usual.  So the submarine party had no difficulty in finding transportation at once.  Looking out into the harbor they beheld the “Benson,” surrounded by more than a score of rowboats containing sight-seers.  Eph Somers, backed by Williamson, stood on the platform deck, doggedly driving away people who wanted to come on board.  Yet Eph kept wholly good-natured about it, for he could quite appreciate the curiosity of the sight-seers.

As this last boat from shore made its way, through the concourse of boats Jack heard a sudden, joyous hail in a woman’s voice.

“Oh, here he is—­my gallant young captain.”

“Mlle. Nadiboff!” ejaculated Jack, under his breath.

Jacob Farnum turned his head away for an instant, but the young captain heard the unmistakable sound of a chuckle from the shipbuilder.

Kamanako turned his mild eyes inquiringly in the direction of the handsome young woman, as though he wondered who she might be.

“Good morning, Mademoiselle,” was Jack’s greeting, as he courteously lifted his uniform cap.  Hal and Mr. Farnum also uncovered.  Then the boat ran alongside, and all four clambered on the deck.

In another instant.  Mlle. Nadiboff’s boat was also alongside.

“You are going to be kind, my Captain, and invite me aboard?” asked the young woman.  Eph Somers, who was never intentionally rude to a woman, found himself staring with all his eyes, whereat he colored hotly.

“I shall be very glad to invite you as far as I am permitted to invite visitors,” Benson replied.  Then, turning briefly to Eph, he muttered: 

“The Japanese is to be cook and steward.  Take him below, and show him the galley and the supplies.”

Then Benson turned to reach down his hand to Mlle. Sara Nadiboff, who trustingly extended her hand to him.  She slipped.  Jack was obliged to throw his left arm lightly around her waist in order to draw her in safety to the platform deck.  Mr. Farnum, after seeing her safely aboard, vanished inside the conning tower, going below to smile quietly to himself.

“As gallant as ever, my Captain!” murmured the handsome young woman spy, gazing almost tenderly into Jack’s face.  “What a very strange craft!  And now, conduct me below, please.  I am much interested in seeing how you all live aboard such a little and odd vessel of war.”

“I am utterly sorry, Mademoiselle,” Jack Benson replied.  “But my orders are that no visitors except naval officers, or those brought aboard by naval officers, may see the interior of the boat.”