“That’s short time for us,” muttered Mr. Farnum, uneasily.

“Luckily, sir, we’re ready, at a single moment’s notice,” interposed Captain Jack Benson.

“As soon as we get through,” proposed Mr. Rhinds, easily, “I’ll take you over and present you to Captain Magowan and his associates on the board.”

“That is kind of you,” nodded Mr. Farnum, gratefully.

Accordingly, a few minutes later, Mr. Rhinds arose, sauntering, cigar in mouth, over to the table of the officers of the naval board.  He spoke with them a few moments, then returned.

“Mr. Farnum, and Mr Pollard,” announced Rhinds, “Captain Magowan and his associates invite you to come over and sit at their table.  Radwin, will you look after our young friends?  See whether you can show them any courtesies.”

A highly significant look passed between the portly rascal and his secretary.  None of the Farnum party, however, noted it.

“Well, what shall we do, boys?” inquired Radwin, genially, as, the four sauntered down the lobby toward the hotel entrance.

“I reckon taking things easily and restfully will suit us as well as anything,” smiled Jack.  “That is, unless you have some plan you particularly wish to suggest.”

“Well,” continued Radwin, thoughtfully, “the town is rather full of sailors, just at present, and they’re making the nights lively in some sections.  Do you care to go around with me, and see what the sailors are doing to drive dull care away?”

“Well, that is a question,” said Jack Benson quickly.  “We’re boys, you know!”

“Sensible young fellows,” cried Fred Radwin, in a tone so full of approval as to disarm all suspicion.  “Then, for a while, what do you say if we take window seats here near the entrance, and note whatever may be passing on the street?  By that time your employers may be through with the board members and come out.”

“Why not go outside in the air, and walk up and down the block?” suggested Jack.

“Excellent!” agreed Radwin, readily.  He accompanied them outside, though, a few moments later, he excused himself, saying that he had to go to the nearest drugstore to write a short letter and post it.

“What do you think of Radwin?” Hal asked.

“Why, I guess he’s a good deal the sort of fellow that Rhinds wants,” Captain Jack answered, slowly.

“Don’t you like Rhinds?” demanded Eph.

“Now, would it be just right to say that?” asked Jack, slowly.  “Mr. Rhinds has tried to be very pleasant to us to-night.  So has Mr. Radwin.  Probably they’re both good fellows, in their own way.  Only—­”

“Well?” insisted Hal.

“Why, to tell the truth,” confessed Captain Benson, “Rhinds impresses me as being just a bit coarse, and Radwin a little too smooth and slick.  To put it another way, they’re not just our kind of people.  That is, they’re not at all in the same class with gentlemen like Jake Farnum and Dave Pollard.  Now, that’s every word I’m going to say against Rhinds or Radwin, for they’ve certainly been agreeable to us to-night.”