“Here you are, Radwin!”

Mr. Rhinds almost hissed the summons, calling to his side a man of some thirty years of age, tall, dark, handsome, slender and wearing his fine clothes with an air of distinction.

At first glance one would be inclined to like the appearance of Fred Radwin.  A closer study of the somewhat shifty eyes and general reckless expression might have turned one skilled in human nature against Mr. Fred Radwin, who was secretary to the Rhinds Company.

“That’s the crowd, right over there, that have sold two boats under our noses to the Navy Department,” continued Rhinds, a snarl framing about his thick, ugly lips.  “That’s the crowd we’ve got to beat.”

“Then those young chaps must be the three young submarine officers with such fine records,” remarked Fred Radwin, in an undertone.

“They are,” nodded Rhinds, slowly.  “They’re bright youngsters, too.  I wish we had them on our side.”

“Couldn’t they be lured over into our employ, then?” asked Radwin.

“You don’t know the youngsters.  They’re full of fool notions about loyalty to the Farnum Pollard crowd.  And, besides, the boys have an interest in the rival company.”

“Couldn’t we offer the boys a bigger interest with us?” suggested Radwin, as he peered through the palms at the other submarine group.

“No!” retorted Rhinds, sharply.  “I know about that crowd.  You don’t.  Listen to me.”

“I’m listening,” said Fred Radwin.

“We’ve got to make the acquaintance of that whole crowd, Fred. We’ve got to get personally acquainted with them all.  That will be easy enough, I think.  Then we’ve got to lay our plans.  The Pollard boats must have no show whatever in the coming tests, do you understand?  Their craft must balk, or behave badly.  We must destroy all naval confidence in Pollard boats.  Then we must engineer matters so that none of that crowd will be fit to find out what ails their boats—­in time, anyway.  The easiest point of attack will be the boys themselves.  It is absolutely necessary to get them out of the game some way or other—­I don’t care what!  Radwin, you’re fertile enough in ideas, and reckless enough in deeds.  This is to be your task—­put the Pollard boats and those submarine boys wholly out of the running!  First of all, we’ll get acquainted with them.  Come along!”

The Farnum party were just turning away, to follow a bell-boy to the rooms assigned to them upstairs, when John C. Rhinds, his face beaming craftily, approached them, followed by Radwin.  Rhinds introduced himself to Farnum, then presented Radwin as secretary to the Rhinds Company.

“We’re rivals in a way, of course,” declared Mr. Rhinds.  “But we want to be good-natured, friendly rivals, my dear Farnum.  We hope to see a good deal of you all while here.”

Jacob Farnum replied with equal cordiality.  When it came Jack Benson’s turn to be introduced, Rhinds seized him by the hand, patting his shoulder.